Dr. Marc Lamont Hill - at Fox News no more

Well I missed some rather upsetting news the other day. If you have ever watched Bill O'Reilly on Fox News, whether you would admit it or not in public, you probably have seen Dr. Marc Lamont Hill. He was a Liberal speaker on the show. I say was, because Dr. Hill is no longer employed by Fox News. Which is what I find upsetting and surprising that I missed.

The earliest news of this change was on Oct 16th, though it was somewhat dubious at the time. It is now very confirmed. Though no information about this has yet to appear on his site - MarcLamontHill.com.

I admit that I had many differences with Dr. Hill. Politically we are on opposite sides of the spectrum. I often critiqued the views and ideas that he defended on the O'Reilly Factor, in my posts and video blogs. But that is not to say I did not respect him.

For all the faults that I found with Dr. Hill, he is an intelligent and passionate Liberal. He is willing to stand in front of millions and express views that many disagree with. He has placed his name and reputation on ideas that he believes in and that deserves respect. Especially when it comes to blogs, often run or commented on by individuals unwilling to attribute their name to what they say.

I am unaware of why Dr. Hill is no longer with Fox News. While I have found fault with his beliefs, he has always been informative and a great foil against the far more conservative views of Bill O'Reilly and others on that show. To my knowledge there has been no incident, personal or professional, that would call for his removal.



The loss of Dr. Hill upsets me not only because I believe that a Liberal counter is needed for the Fox commentators, but also because he is Black. There are very few voices that make it to the news media, no matter which network you choose to watch. The loss of a well known voice is a major blow to our visibility and ability to introduce concerns and issues that we hold.

The fact might be best seen in the fact that on Fox alone, Dr. Hill was often asked to comment on arenas far away from his own field of expertise. I do not believe that there were no other Black voices available for such discussions. I do believe that many of those that are qualified for these diverse commentaries are under severe pressure from the White House and on a local level to not appear on Fox News. Which again only amplifies the problem.

Without further justification provided I find the actions of Fox News to have been detrimental overall. It is not enough to stop my viewership, but it is enough to cause this post.

To Dr. Marc Lamont Hill I will say directly that I hope you find continued success and are not deprived of sharing your voice with the public for too long. While I do not agree on several facets of your publicly stated opinions, my respect for your voice stands far above my own personal views. I can think of no better compliment I could give any commentator.

Tom asks about "African American"

I was recently asked a question at Black and White Blog, where I am co-author. The question was in regard to why people use "African American" instead of just going by American.

It's a good question and I thought I'd provide it and my response here.

This will be a short post derived from my own curiosity. Who in America is an American? Very likely “Native Indian” would be the response of most. And, I’m tempted to agree. We all came from somewhere else to get here.

If the native Indian is the only true American, then aren’t we all, who aren’t native American, subject to some kind of classification by kindred affiliation? If so, then why only the “African American” distinction? I’ve really never understood the reasoning behind this situation.

As a Caucasian I’ve always felt this to be some kind of racial designation that musters tension between Blacks and Whites particularly. The reason I’ve felt this is simply because it seems totally unnecessary. Why do we have to differentiate the Black race? If it’s a good idea to do so, then it would seem that all men, red, brown, yellow and white should also have such distinction. Can you imagine that being the case!

If such were fact, I would hereafter be known as Tom a European Dutch/French American. You’re right! That would be totally mucho whaco. So, would somebody please explain to me why “African American” or for that matter, “Black American.”

It seems to me that if we all were just simply known as “Jane Smiths” or “John Blacks” it would be much easier to look at one another with a colorless eye. We’re making a great effort to rid the world of racism while at the same time we promote it by highlighting race!

Maybe it is simplistic, but it makes sense to me.

Tom

My response, while not completely historical are my feelings about what Tom stated.

Tom,

It is simple, and yet not quite. The reason why there is an African American designation, or Black American for that matter, is because of the issues America has always had with people of color.

Since colonial days, and before then, non-Europeans were considered ’savages’. As such they were not seen as equals and the names given to these people of color reflected that thought. So when Eurpoeans came to America they carried with them that prejudice.

Thus African Americans were called the N-word, or boy, in efforts to dehumanize them and make the slavery they endured more reasonable. As centuries passed, America grew a little. African American contributions to every facet of life in America, and every single conflict, removed the thought of dehumanizing and instead was replaced by a thought of inequality.

That created the designation of colored. A step up from boy or the N-word, but hardly worthwhile. The next step was Negro, also hardly a positive - but a precursor to Black.

Black was accepted in the 50’s,60’s and 70’s due to the fact that it was less weighted with negative stereotypes and history of slavery. It was not connected to the N-word, nor did it relegate people of color to some other negative that had been in the societal conciousness since inception of the nation.

In the 80’s African American became popular as a recognition of the history of African Americans took hold across the nation. It is a symbolic way of regaining a history and heritage that was removed forcibly and denied for centuries. For many, like my family, that can’t trace their lineage beyond slave masters in the 1860’s it’s the only means of having a history.

It may not seem like much, but Tom you know you go back to the Dutch and French, maybe for 1000 or more years. I can’t tell you where my family come from past slave owner Johnson in 1863. That lack of knowledge takes something away from me, and knowing it was done because my family was considered non-human makes it worse.

I agree that after 400 years in America, any group should be proud to be just American. Yet America only figured out that Blacks are people 144 years ago. And only figured out that we have equally shed our blood and built this nation (literally with our sweat, blood, and bones) in the last 44 or so years.

Because of such little time recognizing the worth of people of color, America has needed designators for anyone of color. It helps keep people seperated even as the law supposedly fight that. It allows for negative stereotyping and quick identification.

So at the same time, African American is an attempt to reclaim a past that has been denied and shunned, while being a means of seperation and inequlity.

I would love to see the day where none of this is necessary. But considering that to this day, America (the Government) still refuses to apologize for slavery, the legal system is unquestionably skewed against people of color, and people of color are disproportionately represented in every aspect of life in this nation, I don’t see things changing any time soon.

Movie Preview: Facing Ali

Here is a movie that I am definitely going to see. It is the movie about the Great One. The greatest that there has been. A movie about a man beloved by the world and whose influence helped shape America.

No this is not about President Obama. Not even close. I’m speaking about Muhammad Ali.



This is an intresting and unique insight into the life and career of the greatest sports entertainer of the last century (or number 2 depending on which list of athletes you look at). It is a homage, a tribute, a reflection at how the men that faced the living legend of Muhammad Ali went into and then lived after their battles.

To this day Muhammad Ali is beloved around the world. His name still is known to even children in the far reaches of the globe. Even in Muslim-phobic America, he is cherished. Considering all that, how can you not watch this documentary?

Is this a film for boxing fans? Of course. Is it a film for African Americans? Not specifically but yes. Is this a film that anyone not in the prior 2 groups can see? I would certainly hope you do.

Because Muhammad Ali is more than just a boxer, or just African American. He is not defined by his religion, profession, or skin tone. Most I think understand that, over the age of 35. But for those that never saw a fight of Muhammad Ali, who never saw the television cartoons, or the live interviews this is a must see. Because I believe this will give insight to what a professional athlete can be, and few rise up to become. This movie I believe will touch upon how this man overcame adversity, and nay-sayers, to become known as The Greatest.

There is just nothing more to say. The movie trailer says it all I think.

A discussion of police, race, America, and what to do

This will be in 2 parts. I hope you read it all.

A friend of mine recently contacted me about news of Robbie Tolan. While listening to a NYC sports radio program he learned of the shooting that happened on January 1st of this year. He knew that this is an issue I am deeply concerned about and wanted to make sure I was aware of it.

I clarified that I was aware of the Robbie Tolan police shooting, as well as of Adolph Grimes and Oscar Grant's murder on the same day. My friend had not heard of the Grimes case, and was vaguely familiar with the Grant case. Which is sad since we are nearly 3 months after the facts, but the blame for that I place on the major news media.

Now my friend informed me about the radio broadcast. He told me how the radio DJ reamed a caller who blatantly took the side of the police in this matter, on the basis that the victims were Black. The caller felt that alone justified the use of deadly force - on an unarmed Black male in his driveway that was co-operating with police and I emphasize unarmed.

This made my friend ask the question; what can be done to prevent this from happening again?

My thought on this goes to what I believe is one of the biggest factors in this issue - communication. At this moment most of America is unaware of events of police brutality and overkill against Black males (not to mention Latino/Hispanics and other people of color). I have found that often many side with the police, without ever knowing any of the facts. And the news media is reluctant to display or report these actions - though they are expedient to portray African Americans as criminals at almost every turn.

Thus I feel America must talk about this. Talk about the fact that these "isolated" events are in fact tied together and a pattern. Talk about what is the cause of these issues, and why the news media prefers to mold stereotypes about people of color.

Now my friend does not agree with me on all points of this. He feels that the media is more or less fair. He pointed out the number of African Americans that can be found on any day in various media.

I countered with the fact that 95% of all television and/or films ignore the existence of people of color. And for a majority of the time that they are provided a chance to appear onscreen they are portrayed as violent and criminals. My friend thought this was inaccurate. When I provided the fact that this is based on NAACP studies (most recently as of this year) and my own experiments done and reported over the last 3 years I have been writing this blog, he questioned the veracity of the NAACP findings and assured me that today you could turn on the television and not see Blacks as criminals on any of the broadcast programs (or at least the majority of those shows).

He went on to state that African Americans are not all just portrayed as criminals anymore. He pointed to Denzel Washington, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Samuel Jackson as examples. But I pointed out that while in the last decade they have improved their stature, virtually all major African American actors had to start their careers as criminals or antagonists before they could become anything else. Samuel Jackson came to be known for his portrayal as a crackhead, Lawrence Fishburn played thugs (a la King of New York) before moving on in his adult career, Wesley Snipes had to portray a drug kingpin, Chris Rock was a crackhead, and so on.

Now my friend countered that not all Black actors have had to have this kind of start. And that I was unfair because this was like saying that DeNiro and Pacino were negatives since they played gangsters to start their careers. Which is not the same as there were dozens of films at the same time, and multiple characters in the same films that were showing an opposite and positive image for Whites. The effect is not the same, the same impression is not being made. When you primarily are shown one facet of a people, if they are shown, then people tend to believe it is true over time.

But we felt that this was a digression from the main point. Which I felt was that to have things change we must delve into the fact that there is a problem. That police wantonly abuse their power without reason, and the media covers for them in these cases.

Continued in part 2...

Picking a President doesn't make you more or less Black

This is a repost from VASS, my political blog - where I have followed the Presidential election since 2006. I think it will be helpful to those that my still be making up their minds on this election. You can find a ton of information on Senator Obama and Senator McCain, and the election there.

I find it interesting as we come upon the 2008 election to reflect on what has occurred in this year. From the surprising Democratic Primaries up til now there has been a shift in politics that will never be undone. I never thought I would see this in my lifetime, and now I look forward to the fact that it will happen again and again.

Obviously I am speaking about Senator Obama, his rise in prominence, and the potential of his becoming the First Black President.

It’s a proud moment for every African American. Especially for those of us that have lived decades without the chance even being a glimmer in possibility. This in many ways is the culmination of the struggles of the 1960’s.

To bad that I won’t vote for him.

And that is the big thing. I have been slammed by associates, readers, and too many others on this one point. The non-acceptance of my decision to not vote for Obama has been a sledgehammer in my blogs and my personal life. You would think I was stabbing someone.

This has been a very personal election, unlike any other in my life. I’ve been questioned, insulted, disputed, and more often than not cursed. Were it not happening to me I’d even say it was sort of funny.

I can’t count the number of times I’ve been told I’m not Black. That I’ve done something wrong. That writing about the issues, and noting the problems I have with Obama’s policies is somehow a disservice to my race. I’ve even been told I’m un-American. And of course there have been more than a few racists that have misused my words and thoughts for their own twisted ends.

But tonight I was just sitting back writing and listening to my MP3 (I bought my first one just this year) and James Brown’s Say It Loud came up. I listened to the lyrics several times and then read them.

Uh! With your bad self!

Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud!
Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud!

Some people say we've got a lot of malice
Some say it’s a lot of nerve
But I say we won't quit moving until we get what we deserve
We have been bucked and we have been scorned
We have been treated bad, talked about as just bones
But just as it takes two eyes to make a pair, ha
Brother we can’t quit until we get our share

Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud!
Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud!
One more time!
Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud!

I worked on jobs with my feet and my hand
But all the work I did was for the other man
Now we demand a chance to do things for ourselves
We're tired of beatin' our head against the wall
And workin' for someone else

Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud
Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud
Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud
Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud

We're people, we're just like the birds and the bees
We'd rather die on our feet
Than be livin' on our knees

Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud
Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud
Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud
Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud

I’m Black Puerto Rican and I’m Proud. I’m also insulted that I have to make such a statement because of my political beliefs.

I have worked hard, lived through fights, slurs, been denied jobs, and been homeless twice. I’ve gained an education, never been hooked on drugs, lived overseas, been part of the military, and helped more than a few on my path to where I am today. And every day I’ve lived I woke up as Black Puerto Rican as the day before. I have no illusions, and no problems with that.

But to try to discredit my lineage and birthright because of a political position is just absurd. It pisses me off.

This election is not about righting the wrongs of racism, segregation or any other race based issue past or present. Obama is not Malcolm X, Martin Luther King or any other civil rights activist. Electing Obama will not suddenly make police forces in L.A., New York, Philadelphia or anywhere in the nation treat Black, or any other racial and ethnic group, any better than the day before. And racists won’t wake up with larger minds or a better understanding of humanity.

I respect and admire Senator Obama. He’s accomplished things I wouldn’t try to do. The fear of being murdered, especially before I could enact positive change on some issues is too strong in me. He is going for it anyway and that takes balls.

But that does not mean I must follow blindly and accept his every word and policy as best because he said so. His path was no less difficult or extraordinary than my own, and that of millions of other non- and White Americans. As such he is subject to the same critique as anyone. In fact I would consider myself much less of a man, and less of a Black Puerto Rican, if I did not judge him in the same way I would anyone else.

Listen to that song. James Brown didn’t ask for any corners cut. He didn’t demand obedience to a color, in fact he demands the opposite. He demands that we empower ourselves and live by the standards we create. That everyone that meets us shows the same respect and dignity that we exemplify individually and as a group.

And when I have lived a life of just that, how dare anyone try to denigrate me for that.

Obviously I am speaking about a few people. Many have sound reasons for believing in Obama. Many never considered race and they came to a separate decision than mine. And I respect that.

But that’s not who I am talking about.

I’m talking about the people that loved me when I supported Senator Obama over Senator Clinton in the Democratic Primaries. They also ignored my support of Fred Thompson and Senator McCain at the time. They ignored my strong Republican views. They only saw my race and that of Obama. Some where White, and some where not.

It’s those same people that have abandoned my blogs, or attacked them since. And I have to wonder how they came to see me as any less of a man, no matter my color.

When America comes to a point where race is more important than the man or the message, the nation is in trouble. Just as the nation was falling in the late 50’s and 60’s the same threat still exists. And when that same color-focused blinders are on and any deviation is attacked we return to the same dangers that existed a mere 40 years ago.

Maybe I’ve followed this election for too many years, been too involved in trying to cover the facts that too few have the time to see. Maybe I’m up to late every night and day for you my readers. Maybe I need a vacation as my skin is getting a bit thin.

So yes I’m venting. But as that may be, I’ll get some sleep and be back at it tomorrow like I have for years now. I hope to see you all then.

Editorial by Michael Vass

In August of 2007 I wrote a post highlighting my disgust at the major news media. That feeling of absolute sickness came from the fact that the major news media could not bear to spend a moment of time to discuss a travesty in the American legal system.

I said in that post

“After 43 years of shadows, lies and looks the other way a semblance of justice has been enacted. This is not something that we as a nation need to avert our eyes from, but look towards. Like slavery (and reparations) we must address the fact that horrible crimes against humanity and these 2 men, Charles Moore and Henry Hezekiah Dee, went unaddressed for decades with no reason better than law officers, the public, and the government in general did not want to think about it. How much further have we really come when justice finally is enacted and the major news media are too timid to shine a light on the dark corner of the recent past that is this nation’s history.”

Now a year and a month to the day I have been given reason to return to both this subject, and to the reprehensible reaction in the major media. Perhaps this time seeing my comments will help give some impact and thought to this mockey of justice.

Philadelphia: Justice for 1 in 5 fair for police

So here is a key thing to consider when it comes to how law enforcement in America reacts to a blatant and violent reaction caught on tape. In Philadelphia there were 19 police officers involved in an attack against 3 Black men. I spoke about this here Police overkill: not a movie, Philadelphia

Now I have long said that this is more than an isolated event. I have mentioned that this is a national policy, in at least that under duress the rules are bendable. And I noted that the offenders tend to be forgiven or barely touched by their actions. That is exactly what I perceive to be happening now.

Of all the officers involved, 4 will get fired. Additionally 1 will be demoted and 3 will be suspended. That’s it.

Look at the video in my previous post. Of all the officers involved I see none that are trying to stop any of the police brutality that occurred. Not a single police officer is being stopped as they kick and beat on the 3 men lying on the ground and surrounded by multiple officers each. In what way are they not complicit?

If I were to stand by and watch several African Americans beat a White American and it was video taped, I would be charged with conspiracy to commit a crime. I would be attacked by the media for not doing something to stop the obvious violence and overkill occurring. Yet officers of the law are not held to that same standard. Why?

But there is something else that is happening, and it is as critical as the actions of the police. It’s the reporting and words’ being used to describe what has happened.

On Yahoo you can read this statement right now

“The beating occurred at the same time police were conducting an intense manhunt for a suspect in the slaying two days earlier of Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski, but Ramsey said Monday that there was no indication that any of the officers thought the suspect was among the three men in the car.”

That sentence, the last in the article, is powerful. It implies that the manhunt for the criminal that killed an officer involved these men. That their actions were motivated by the belief these men were involved in that shooting in some way. That is the only purpose of this sentence. Especially since earlier in the article is clearly states that the police alleged these men were suspects in an unrelated shooting, which occurred the same night as the video.

That last statement, that I have heard cable news reporter repeat in some form, is the beginning of a defense of any potential charges on the officers. It is the seed of a subliminal excuse for all that read this. And it will become more prominent as the case moves forward. This always happens.

Is it a big deal? Yes, because a potential jury will hear this defense of the officers perhaps dozens of times. The fact that credible authorities, major media of multiple formats, have said this over and over means it must be true. Because anything the media says is thought to always be true. And this is the thought process being embedded. This is one reason that a jury could find Rodney King’s assailants innocent of any charge. It’s why the Sean Bell murderers were found innocent, thought the official police story on events changed dramatically.

Add to that the fact that the major media is trying very hard to prevent the average person from connecting how law enforcement acts on a regular basis. At least once every year the national media reports on an event where police officers use unwarranted extreme violence against African Americans – usually males. That’s at least once a year for probably decades now. But they are unconnected. And it’s never racial.

I feel that is a lie. It’s racial because it’s something that happens to only people of color. You have never heard of, nor has it ever happened that, a White male was shot 20, 30, 40, 50+ times in front of their home. You have never heard, or seen 5 or 10 or 15 officers beating on subdued White suspects. Because of this it is racial. And it’s connected.

We need to break this mindset in the law enforcement of this nation. We need to remove the permissive environment that exists allowing people of color to be victims of acts that would never be tolerated if done to White Americans. The statue of Justice is said to be blindfolded because Justice has no bias, But the more I pay attention I tend to believe she is blindfolded to not see the abuse and injustice being enacted in this nation – just as she remained blind to slavery, Jim Crow, segregation, and the various disparities found in inner cities as opposed to everywhere else.

Race in politics - 3.18.2008.1

I’m insulted and angered. State that I can’t get a cab in NYC and I’m told I’m in a rude city, or was dressed wrong, or was in the wrong part of time. Every reason except that I’m Black and the fact is it is harder for me. In fact, put any minority (White women are not a minority in my view) on national television and say that anything is different than the lives they see on television (which is just 2% filled with people of color) or they live and they retreat as if it were silver to a werewolf.

Race is the one means by which it is possible to get the majority of Americans to stick their heads in the sand. Once any aspect of race and prejudice is brought up, everything else before and after that is forgotten. This isn’t the past I’m talking about, it’s right now.

Rev. Wright has helped the poor, the oppressed (in South Africa – before it was popular), gays and lesbians, and yes African Americans. He has defended this nation with his life as a Marine. He is a religious leader in a faith whose major tenants include loving thy neighbor. [Which does not preclude criticizing thy neighbor] But all that is being focused on is that he is Black and speaking up.

I am reminded by the 1970’s program Good Times. I generally disliked the show and watched it infrequently as a child. At first that was because the younger son, Michael was so outspoken. It made me uncomfortable to a degree. Quickly I realized that in fact it was not what he said, but how the other characters were reacting to him. And I never liked the buffoonery required at the time to mask the serious race issues of JJ, the oldest son.

But that was because I was trained to react like this. To shun dealing with race. To avoid mentioning that I was a Black Puerto Rican and that my life was unlike those of the White Americans around me. Much like why there can be no discussion of anything relating to slavery, reparations, an apology, or Affrimative Action (even the Civil Rights Movement) without either the speaker or those spoken to drifting off. And I don’t mean in the 70’s I mean now. It’s part of the reason that Roots has never been on television since it aired once.

Let me ask this.

What is wrong with a President that is aware of the fact that he is an American that has had to live a lifetime of being better than those around him to be treated as average? What is wrong with a President that knows how it feels to be persecuted, and looked down upon because he entered a room?

Why is it so bad that a potential President can know someone that says ‘I’m a proud American that demands to be seen for my actions and accepted as anyone else’? What is wrong with knowing someone that says I will stand a speak out about the failures I see in this nation, a failure that affects millions, and I have given blood and endangered my life to protect the right to say this.

Because I guarantee that Senator Obama has heard those that see Blacks as second-class, drug-addled, ignorant, violent sub-humans throughout his entire life and up to today.

Yet there is no video clips of that - still I bet you had no problem envisioning such a comment being made did you? Yet that is not considered a benefit for his ability to deal with the issues of America. But the converse is seen as a negative.

I don’t care if people voted for or against Senator Obama, when it was about him and his record. But I care a lot about people not voting for him because he is Black. I care that votes will be held back because he knows African Americans that hold views that are honest (at least to a degree), not friendly or pleasing to White Americans.

Obviously Civil Rights did not go far enough, and we are not so far from the days of Slavery or Jim Crowe as we thought and some hoped.

Fox News spends day attacking Rev Wright, I get angry - 3.14.2008.4

Today I spent the day, from 9am and continuing thru my writing of this, watching Fox News. That is something I do 5 days a week normally. Its part of how I do my work and one source that keeps me informed on breaking news. And throughout the day I have gotten angrier and angrier.

Before I explain why I have anger today, let me share a moment in my life. Back when I was in high school, in the mid-80’s, I was a solid student but not due to my effort. The material being presented, as well as could be done by teachers that actually cared, was dated and in some cases blatantly inaccurate. But several of my teachers saw something in me and challenged me separate of the planned coursework.

Part of one of those challenges led me to a discussion about Malcolm X in a history class. It was my position that he was worthy of recognition and I wanted to know why he was not being discussed while Dr. Martin Luther King was. In my eyes at the time I felt Malcolm X had done more and made possible more than had Dr. King.

I was told directly, he wasn’t a good person. I was told directly that he had made statements that were vicious and mean. That he was un-American. That he was dangerous and should not be looked up to.

The teacher stating this to me is a friend and I respect him. He went out of his way to help me, in high school and college, even going out of his way to do so. He respected me and gave me responsibilities beyond my age. Through his direct influence I was entered into the Mr. Bronx competition, an advanced college program, and a job. He was white and Jewish if that matters to anyone.

I was annoyed that day because I had read the Autobiography of Malcolm X years earlier and found it inspirational. Not because of the negative speeches or stance against White Americans, but because of his ability to overcome racism and bias, to become educated in a culture that did not value it, and his ability to lead and learn throughout his life. I think all of those reasons are positive and admirable in anyone.

So to flatly disavow the accomplishments of the man because of a focus on the negatives he had, which we all have had at some point in our lives, was unfair.

Today I see the same thing happening, mostly from individuals that do not have the best interest of the American people at heart. Senator Obama is being railroaded, and this is the means to viably deter his chance at the presidency.

For hundreds of years, hundreds, White ministers and pastors decried Jews and Blacks as sub or non-human beings. White ministers for centuries defended the right to slavery. Fro decades White ministers organized lynchings and Jim Crow laws. Right up to the recent actions at Bob Jones college that had rules forbidding interracial dating – not in the 1800’s or 1950’s but in the 80’s during the Reagan Presidency.

I have heard White ministers call AIDS God’s punishments on gays, and other similar comments. I have read and refuted a minister that wrote to defend a murderer, who killed an abortion doctor, because of his political beliefs. And I have seen these preachers and others like them on their pulpits on Sunday espouse these political beliefs. Even in this election cycle, Senator John McCain recently distanced himself from a religious leader that was making a racial attack on Senator Obama while introducing and supporting McCain (though McCain waited for the press to start to question the event before making a move).

But this is all ok.

I listened today to Sean Hannity as there was a replay of an interview with Rev. Wright, in which Hannity asked,

“If there was a church that advocated Black business, Black schools, and a Black focused society but the word used was White instead of Black, what would you call it?” – Paraphrased

I did not have the full quote, forgive me if I have the exact wording wrong. But I noticed the nature of what I have seen all day. White pundits universally condemning a 30 year span spent spreading his religion, supporting his community, and standing up for the rights of people of all walks of life in this nation and abroad. (Rev. Wright was a leading advocate against Apartheid, and gay/lesbian rights)

By the way, the answer to Hannity’s question

“I would call it a church. The White is assumed.”

I got angry as 10 second soundbites from an unknown number of sermons of unknown length, that have been available since the moment Senator Obama announced his run for Presidency, were used to condemn this man. Yet I heard nothing about the fact that Rev. Wright is a former Marine, or an acknowledged theological scholar.

The context of these soundbites were picked to scare White people. They were meant to inflame White people. They are by design intended to kill the chance of Senator Obama being elected as President, I believe.

Let me pause again. I am a Republican. I like Obama, but disagree with his political objectives. He is an inspired speaker, but has no experience. I believe he could be good for the nation, and I prefer him over Hillary everyday of the year. But I am not an Obama supporter. Currently I have not picked between Obama and McCain.

As I was saying, suddenly there is all this attention. Just as the Democratic race was reaching a critical point. While Obama is leading in delegates, popular vote and state count.

Now there is nothing that connects the worst, or any of the comments of Rev. Wright to political decisions of Senator Obama. I have yet to see anything connecting the 2, and I have not heard anyone alleged that they are connected. Yet Senator Obama is being held by these statements as if there was a connection.

And not one other Presidential candidate has had their religious leader taped, soundbites made, or interviewed. None have had their sermons recorded or questioned. Thus there is no way anyone can claim that similar or worse is not being preached to the other candidates.

And like my experience in high school I have to ask why? Why is this so blatant, and so sudden. After 14 months of campaigns there is suddenly all this attention. After all the racial attacks now there are the questions and anger. All in 24 hours. And I mean 24, in the more than 12 I have watched Fox News today I have seen Rev. Wright more than I have seen any African American on any on series of programs or programming with the exceptions of BET and TV One. The soundbites of his sermons have been played more often than coverage of the death of President Ford. That is the degree of the statement trying to be made.

And there is another point. Several of Rev. Wrights statements are true. I reviewed one 3 minute video clip of Rev. Wright, and 90% of what he said was true and fine. But of the 10% I disagreed with I’ve seen 2 10 second soundbites that have been played so much that I would guess it’s had 2 hours of airplay. And I’m to believe that this is not biased?

In one 24 hour period Fox News has succeeded in bringing race and religion into this election in a manner that Senator Hillary Clinton was both unable and probably gleeful to see. And the only reason I can come to why this is happening is because Senator Obama is Black.

Black Pride has been made a fearful thing. And yes, Rev. Wright has made statements that are objectionable. But how many times has he made these statements in 30 years? In what context were they made? Do we know if he later corrected himself or apologized for some of these statements? Did he, like Malcolm X, later recognize he was wrong in some statements? Fox News and all the major media have never bothered to mention it if he has.

So again I saw why?

If there was any connection to the political actions of Senator Obama, I could understand all of this. But none has been presented. If every candidate’s pastor, priest, or religious leader was given this same scrutiny I would be ok – but they are not. And if any of the comments made by Rev. Wright were any worse than what I’ve heard in churches in the Bronx, California, New York City, across America in Black churches I’d be concerned. But the honest answer is that while I disagree with some statements they are not new, or isolated to Rev. Wright.

And just like Senator Obama, all those that have heard those words have the ability to chose and interpret what they have heard.

Ok, I have to stop. I’m tired and angry. Maybe I’ll discuss more tomorrow. But you can see my comments on the video at www.mvass.com

What if they took away Black History Month? - 2.29.2008.1

What if Black History Month was removed? Would anyone have noticed? Would anyone complain?

It seems not.

Why would I say this? Because I just learned that the school system in Endicott New York has removed all Black studies in the curriculum. There was nothing discussed in this past month about Black History, not even Dr. Martin Luther King, because the entire subject was deemed unimportant.

Hello, stop and read that again. Unimportant and having no place in the minds of any of the children, including those that are African American. And this was all done without a single word to the parents, a single complaint from ANY of the students. It was just wiped out without a concern as if it was no more than a piece of errant string found on a piece of clothing.

Why am I upset? What if the school decided not to discuss the Holocaust, or Native American history? What if all the history about England was removed, or France, or Ancient Rome? What if history in schools forgot about President George Washington, just not ever mentioning what he did, or the Constitution?

People would be up in arms. Parents would be inflamed. Jewish communities would claim its anti-Semitic, Native American Indians would say it’s a slap in the face. Whole communities would demand a reason why their rich pasts were being denied their children. Cries that the fundamental based of what is America was being corrupted.

And I ask, in what way is this different? How are the lives and blood of the African Americans that helped build and shape this nation any less important than anyone else? I am not just talking about the Slaves that literally built the foundations of the nation, but the inventors that created thousands of items we use every day, like the stoplight, or save millions of lives, like blood transfusions. How can we value the lives of soldiers like the Tuskegee Airmen, or those that fought in the Civil War, or the American Revolution with any less honor than every other American.

I don’t know how we can equate those lives and contributions as less, but obviously this town in Upstate New York has. I’m willing to bet that they aren’t the only ones. What are the odds that kids in Montana, or Florida, or Ohio, or any other State have no idea about these inventions or people? How many believe that being a slave, less than a dog or piece of furniture, was no different than having trouble getting a job? I know there are more than a few as I’ve read comments that insist that the trouble the Irish had in getting a job was the same as working 20 hours a day for your entire life, with no days off or concern for your health, without pay, and with the reality that at any moment your entire family may be sold away from you and that you can be killed for no more than amusement or the crime of looking at the wrong person.

If we can allow these schools to just toss away a piece of American History, a history of an essential people that helped found and defend this nation, what will go next? Dr. Martin Luther King’s Holiday? A holiday that over half the nation fought from coming into existence, and many still ignore? Maybe the laws dealing with segregation could be next. And if we get that far, why not restate Jim Crow? Hell, just bring slavery back and make it national.

It’s not that crazy. Slavery was just 5 lifetimes ago for some families. Jim Crow was just 2 or 3. Segregation was just 1. And a people without a history aren’t really a people are they?

And this was so important an issue, that not one child mentioned it. Not one parent noticed. Not one meeting was held. It was just understood that it was ok. As long as no one spoke about it, and no one asked why.

So as long as no one asks you if you are Black, or Hispanic, or whatever color, religion, or background you claim, you are nothing. And you can’t hurt nothing. You can’t defend, offend, steal from, brutalize, rape, murder or anything to nothing. And in Upstate New York, that’s what they are equating being African American with. Perhaps the Jews will be next?

Are you nothing? Is your history, your family nothing? Are you sure?

“Don’t learn Black History because of what you know, learn it because of what you don’t know” – C. Miller

I don’t have children. I’m not a teacher or involved in the school system. Maybe that’s a cop out, maybe not. But I am now aware, and so are you. Part of my responsibility is to let you know, and ask for your comments. What will you do?

Bobby Cutts trail coverage is not what Black History Month is about - 2.11.2008.2

This was inspired by my earlier post - Grammy's versus Black History Month, and the current coverage of the Bobby Cutts trial.

As of this being written Bobby Cutts is being televised live, on trial for the murder of his pregnant girlfriend. So far this has gotten 15 minutes of non-stop coverage. Heath Ledger was discussed earlier in the day. There was about 5 minutes of coverage of a news reporters comments about Chelsea Clinton (which I did not think was so severe as to get that much attention, if any).

Compare any of these to the news coverage of Wesley Snipes being vindicated in Federal Court (with no live coverage or even film clips to my knowledge), the admissions of 3 of the rapist torturers of Megan Williams of their guilt, or the inspiring work of Will I Am geared to generate interest in getting African Americans, and the youth, to vote in November 2008.

I agree that the major media don’t care that they imbalance the portrayal of Blacks. I agree that the stereotype of African American men as violent and vicious killers is more important than any positive views.

Yes, Bobby Cutts did a terrible thing. Yes he needs to be punished to the full extent of the law. But he does not represent Black men, or the Black community. Such is not the impression that major media would provide.

Imagine that you are a European, or Japanese. You are watching the American news feeds and you see and hear the constant ‘reporting’ that focuses on American Blacks and Hispanic/Latinos murdering people. You watch American videos that feature Black and Hispanic/Latinos women gyrating in skin-tight scant clothing. You see the men brandishing weapons and intimating acts of violence. What would you think?

That is what America is sending out to the world, and our citizens. Even as Senator Obama proves each stereotype wrong. As Condoleezza Rice proves them wrong. As Colin Powell has proven them false.

This is Black History Month, and I have seen more on the exceptions of the norm, the aberrant few, than I have on actual history of the contributions of African Americans. Where are the Amber Alerts about our missing children? Where is the coverage of the Megan Williams case?

For every Scott Petersen there are 5 Bobby Cutts on major media. Yet it’s a proven documented fact that most murders are committed by White Americans. Most crimes are committed by White Americans. That most of the poor of this nation are White. But viewing the media on any given day you would never know that.

Perhaps I should not be so upset. But now into the over 30th minute of Bobby Cutts I am struck not by his guilt, but the fact that coverage of by the media is so minimalizing that the only other way to see African Americans in a positive light is as an entertainer like Beyonce Knowles or Kanye West. Not because they may be doing a positive action, like Don Cheadle and his efforts to end and open Americas eyes to 5 years of genocide in Darfur; but because they are discussing a new album or winning in a sporting competition. We are so much more than that.

This is 2008, Black History Month, and just a year ago the thought of a Black President was a joke – literally. The thought that Senator Obama could win a non-high density Black state like Idaho (where he received 80% of the vote) or Iowa was incomprehensible just 3 months ago. The fact that Whites would vote for a Black man was unnerving and irritating (to former-President Bill Clinton at least) just 30 days ago.

And according to the major media coverage this is not only all the quota of positive Black non-entertainment news they need, it needs to be countered with re-inforcing negative events in an uninterrupted manner. It’s now been 1 hour of watching Bobby Cutts, without a single commercial break or a comment by the news reporters.

Maybe I’m asking for too much, but I’d love to see the 3 remaining defendants and the 3 that have admitted guilt in the kidnapping, torture, rape and sexual abuse of Megan Williams on national television explaining what prompted them to commit these acts. I’d like to see the uninterrupted coverage of them on the stand trying to explain or excuse their actions. I’d like to see in depth analysis of why and what caused them to act like the brutal horrendous animals that they are.

But such an honest look at America seems impossible. The major news media seems to find displaying the few worst individuals of people of color as entertainment. I don’t agree. I never will.

The actions of Bobby Cutts last year is not Black history to me. It’s not entertaining. While it is news, it’s not deserving of over an hour and counting of non-stop ‘reporting’. The 12,000 that fled from their bombed homes on Friday in Darfur is. The missing Black children in America since the beginning of the year are. Coverage of the Wesley Snipes trial and Megan Williams would at least be fair.

Don’t let the Bobby Cutts case or other such news be the history you and our kids learn this Black History Month. The major media may be afraid to discuss the achievements that have been done, schools may be remiss in detailing these facts, but they are there and they are facts. Our history in America is far grander, and more important. If we only focus on these negatives that major media force feeds us, we will never attempt to attain better while we are capable of the best.

Grammy's versus Black History Month - 2.11.2008.1

Why is it that I have seen news on ‘Cookie’ Thornton for a day last week, and then a bit later news on C.J. Turner, but I have yet to hear that 3 of the 6 defendants responsible for the rape, torture and kidnapping of Megan Williams have admitted their guilt? Why is it that I have seen maybe half a dozen missing women reports since the beginning of the year yet none of them have been Black, Hispanic/Latino or Asian. Why is it that major news media followed every aspect of the OJ Simpson Las Vegas case for 2 weeks, but there was barely 5 minutes of coverage on Wesley Snipes being found innocent of Federal charges? [Look at the linlks on the bottom for posts on the above.]

I bet right now there is more news out about who won Grammy's, and what the celebrities and entertainers wore than on Megan Williams, Wesley Snipes, and every Black woman and child that went missing in this nation since the beginning of the year. At the very least you think you would see more about African Americans since this is Black History Month, yet that isn’t the case.

In fact, there is more news about the drugs Heath Ledger took to kill himself (accidental or not), or the coverage of the news about Kayne West and Amy Winehouse winning awards than there was about the 3 villages in Darfur that were bombed on Friday, and the tens of thousands of men, women, and children that are fleeing for their lives.

But what can the major media do? It’s only Black History Month. It’s only realistic and a small portion of it positive non-entertainment related news about African Americans and Blacks in the world. That’s not something important. And besides the quota of positive Black news was filled with the coverage of Senator Obama winning Primaries and Caucuses.

I would say I’m being obtuse and sarcastic, except I don’t see anything on the major media that refutes such a thought. Nothing. In fact I will make a bet with anyone willing to take it. I say there will be more coverage (in minutes of airtime and/or number of related stories) on the Grammy red carpet and what Beyonce, Bai Ling, Soulja Boy Tell'em, Carrie Underwood all wore, than about Megan Williams, Darfur, Wesley Snipes winning his trial, and every other positive news event other than Senator Barack Obama, combined. I’d also bet that the Grammy’s will garner more attention than Senator Obama’s wins this weekend. I won’t even bother comparing it to coverage celebrating the African Americans who made 1000’s of inventions that we use every day or those that have given up their lives so that Obama can be a Senator now.

I think this is the perfect month to ask, why are those White Americans that run the major media so terrified to present positive and real events involving African Americans? Why is it that the only real media focus is on Blacks as entertainers or criminals? Even in the one, shortest month of the year when attention of a positive nature is supposed to be the secondary, or even terciary focus.

The most I’ve noticed are more television commercials with Blacks in them. Like the one from Time Warner Cable. The one with a woman comedian (who looks White – but could be incredibly light skinned) who thanks Richard Pryor (without ever mentioning his name) for letting her be able to joke about events in her life on stage. While that may be a breakthrough, I think the things that Time Warner could promote about Richard Pryor beyond that can fill hours of television time. Yet that’s the best homage they could manage. Not his writing, his work to fight Muscular Dystrophy (MS) or other events.

In fact even in schools there is a failure to recognize African Americans and there contributions to America. There are tens of thousands of things that African Americans have done over centuries to improve lives in America, but don’t think the major media or schools will mention that. From early versions of gas masks that saved lives of miners and firemen 100 years ago, to the Tuskegee Airmen who saved hundreds of lives and helped win WWII, what has been done is barely ever scratched.

I know of schools that have yet to discuss African Americans, though they are discussing the world history. Kids of all races know a lot about the Holocaust, yet few know anything about the causes of the Civil War and where freeing slaves really fell as a priority. And if it were up to major media, not a single child would learn a thing more than Blacks play games well, can sing and shake their asses, and some can make funny movies. That’s the message out there.

The more I think about it the more I get upset and insulted.

If you have kids, nieces or nephews, take a moment and ask them about Black History. See if they can name more than 5 famous names (and what those people did). See if they can name anyone beyond Senator Obama, Dr. Martin Luther King [the DR. part is important – he had a doctorate and it should be included in his memory], Malcolm X, Dr. George Washington Carver, and Booker T. Washington (rappers, sports figures, and other entertainers of general achievement don’t count). Ask them if they know the real reason America had a Civil War (freeing slaves was an afterthought – tying up loose ends). Ask if they have ever heard of the Tuskegee Airmen, or Tuskegee College for that matter. And if you don’t know these things you can learn about it too.

Everyone in America has seen the positives of White America, the positive news of various selfless acts, and the fears that occur when a White child is missing. I just wish the major media could give a little bit of attention to those same things for African Americans, or any people of color, at least during the shortest month of the year.

Since America is set against apologizing for the slavery that built the foundations of this nation, and livid at the mention of reparations fro that slavery, the Jim Crow laws and segregation that followed, a bit of positive images are the least that can be done.

Wesley Snipes is innocent! - 2.1.2008.1

Wesley Snipes is innocent! That is what the headlines in the news should say, but I bet you will find few that will follow my lead.

After a year of spotty reporting by the major news media, and highly questionable charges, in my opinion, a jury has found Wesley Snipes innocent of fraud, conspiracy and three other counts of not filing a tax return. The 2 felony charges were the big issues that the government, as well as the few pundits and news organizations that discussed this case, were focused on. And Wesley Snipes won, without calling a single witness and a single day of defense.

Mr. Snipes was found guilty of 3 counts of not filing a tax return. Those were misdemeanor counts. He was up for 16 years in prison, that pundits were sure he would be convicted for, and based on the misdemeanors he will almost assuredly spend no time in prison.

This is one of the few cases against a famous African American that I agree with the decision. From the first sudden declaration of a warrant for Mr. Snipes I have consistently stated I thought this was a made up case. I have repeatedly brought up issues that not a single pundit I am aware of would speak about. And I am one of the few that kept up with the case while the major news dropped the case the second they lost the chance to sensationalize the negative aspects.

I’m happy the jury saw the truth of the matter. And I have to believe that it is the obvious truth. Because while major news media and pundits won’t say it, when a jury watches a defendant, that is African Americans thus meaning already walking in guilty, call no witnesses and end their defense in one day and then still finds them innocent of the real charges of the case – the innocence is apparent to the blind.

Let the media claim that Wesley Snipes is guilty, let them try to proclaim he was wrong. The fact is that from day one this case was questionable and wrong-minded. And Wesley Snipes is innocent.

**Just click on the Wesley Snipes label below to see all the posts I’m made on this case for the history of it.**

Tiger Woods comment impacts Dr. Martin Luther King birthday - 1.16.2008.1

With all the news on politics of late, little has been mentioned today about Dr. Martin Luther King. Equally little has been mentioned about events that slap the face of what Dr. Martin Luther King stood for, strived to do, and the day is meant to commemorate. Some of those events include the actions against Wesley Snipes (as I have been able to discern), the inference to the death of Tiger Woods, and the attacks on Senator Barack Obama.

I’ve already discussed Mr. Snipes, and to a degree Senator Obama. So I will start with DR. Martin Luther King. Since the death of Dr. King 2 days before I was born, there have been calls for a way to commemorate his life and life goal of racial equality in America. In 1986, after years of fights against the idea Dr. King became the first and only African American to have a federal holiday. Of course unlike most Federal holidays, virtually everyone has to work on this day, and it replaced an already existing holiday in 27 states (which helped get the day passed into law). Sadly more people enjoy a day off on Columbus Day than this one.

For those that are not old enough to realize it, one of the major reasons that there is a holiday today is because for over a decade the day before Election Day was a day that a majority of African Americans would take off. Kids did not go to school, nothing was bought in stores (big ticket items), adults were always sick. It was a social outcry that is unmatched today. And even with that statement, it took 18 years for many states to finally accept the day, though many ignored the holiday completely. All this in just my lifetime to date.

My point is that such willful ignorance of racial imbalance, and disrespect of an honorable and courageous man does not go away in a handful of years. It has gotten better, but to believe it is gone is ignorant and foolish in my opinion.

Which brings me to the comments against Tiger Woods. As some are aware during the recent Mercedes-Benz Championship tournament Kelly Tilghman, an announcer for the Golf Channel, suggested that Tiger Woods be lynched. The conversation surrounding that comment was in terms of what could be done by up-coming players to take on Tiger. One announcer suggested they gang up on Tiger, to which Ms. Tilghman stated

“Lynch him in a back alley”

Not knock him out. Not tie him down. She stated calmly, kill him in a brutal and public manner because he is Black (no matter how Tiger describes his racial history) on national cable programming. No matter how it may be excused, or what she wanted to convey, that is what she said.

The definition of lynching is –

“Any act of violence inflicted by the assemblage of two or more persons, without color or authority of law, for the premeditated purpose and with the premeditated intent of committing an act of violence upon the person of another which results in the death of the person.”

Concluded in part 2...

President Obama? Your poll results say yes - 1.5.2008.1

I’ve been reflecting on the win by Mike Huckabee and Senator Obama. The amazement by virtually all the pundits is massive. They are all shocked by the result. Not a single poll gave any indication of the result. Except mine.

Many have seen, and some have voted on my polls found at Black Entertainment USA, Vass, and my corporate site (www.vassconsult.com). I have reported regularly since the inception of the polls in early 2007, on the status of the voting. And in every month since April, Senator Obama has been in the lead.

Now there is no question that success is cumulative. There is no question that rather tan going week by week my results shows a long term trend. But not a single other poll I am aware of (by the major media and institutions) extends more than a week.

That’s where they missed the real trend. Not that my polls are perfect. To be fair, my poll projected Senator John McCain as a winner by a landslide over the other candidates. That still may be true, but so far that is not the indication out there. At least if you listen to the pundits.

Now another thing is interesting. According to my poll, Senator Obama wins outright against any other candidate. The next closest is Senator Clinton with 1/3 the votes of Senator Obama. Is this the real trend and the result we will see this year?

It’s a big question. And the fact that my sites focus on issues and events from a Black African American Hispanic perspective may give some pause about the results. Then again, I am a Black Puerto Rican, and there is no difference when writers that are Asian, African, Latino, or White create posts and articles. The world is always framed from the perspective of the person viewing it.

In addition, anyone who thinks that my blogs reach only African Americans gives far too little credit to the internet and my readers. That’s like saying the internet is only a tool that 20-something’s use. Hogwash.

The fact is that my visitors come from all walks of life. Rich and poor, college educations and not. White, Black, Hispanic/Latino, and everyone else. The issues and thoughts here are not just one-sided, nor are those that are interested in them.

So I defend my poll. I believe that all types of Americans are represented. And if I am as correct as I believe, then America better get prepared. My poll may be small right now, but if it’s as accurate as it seems so far, we will have a real Black President come 2009.

** Oh, just so everyone knows. Once the Primaries are done, I will be placing a new poll on the sites. That will reflect the actual Democratic and Republican candidates.

In addition expect to see other questions of interest and requests of your opinions for change on the various Blogs and sites of M V Consulting, Inc.

Your opinion is vital to me. Let me know.

Taking a look at the past and present race relations - 10.31.2007.1

** This can also be seen at Black & White Blog, where I am a co-author. You can comment either here or at that site, which is a forum for views on race issues from many sides. **

I was going through some of my favorites at YouTube yesterday and I ran across an old Saturday Night Live skit that is classic and funny on so many levels. But it’s more than that as well. It features Chevy Chase and Richard Pryor, from the 70’s when SNL was at its best and most biting social commentary.

I’m sure everyone my age and older have had the joy of seeing this long ago. For those who are younger, check out the clip.



Now the point is this. What really has changed since then? While there is PC this and that, and Blacks have gone from being “Black and Proud” to ‘Forshizille my nizzelle’, has anything become better?

Yes there is more interracial dating, yet it is still shunned as the recent death threat against the Boise State player that asked his girlfriend to marry him on national television proved. Yes there are Black doctors, lawyers, and even Secretaries of State yet Blacks still have disproportionate poverty and unemployment levels. While Senator Obama is running for President of the United States, the number of CEO’s of major corporations (on the stock market) can be counted on 1 hand.

In the 70’s the N-word was understood to be a negative term, and even this video showing its use to evoke humor recognizes the absolute anger attached to the word. Today kids, of all races, routinely play on pronunciation and use the term daily as a greeting. Yet its use has not changed its meaning as we have seen in the Jena, West Virginia and Lititz cases.

The KKK, and neo-nazi groups still exist. Cops still beat and kill Blacks (name one year where there have not been several unjustified explosions of police abuse since 1980, whether or not it got national media attention). The legal system (the word Justice is unwarranted in describing the system we have) routinely continues to convict innocent Blacks, and invoke penalties so harsh as to be ludicrous to compare on those Blacks convicted of crimes, as with the Jena 6 and Genarlow Wilson.

While the surface of the nation may seem like calm waters, it’s not. There is as much or more racial tension in this nation than ever before. Political Correctness may prevent hearing all the tension, but it’s doing little to nothing to prevent the action itself. The media, without uttering a single slur, has never stopped presenting slurs or negatively portraying African Americans.

In 1977, the year Roots was on television (I haven’t seen it on ever since), there were 24 Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian characters on all of television (not less than 69 shows). That number includes 5 shows where the characters had starring roles, but does not include a cartoon (Fat Albert) or a dance show (Soul Train) which was only on Saturdays. It also includes 2 programs that ended that year, Sanford & Son and Electric Company, and one star (Freddie Prinze) that died.

While it’s harder to define all the shows on television today, including cable and reruns, looking at the top 100 first-run programs I get an estimate of 18 African Americans. I’m sure I’m missing a few characters (only counting leading and featured support characters) and television shows. My previous efforts, including reruns, came to less than 2% of all characters are African Americans and less for other minorities. That’s sad when there has been an increase of 1000% in television channels since 1977.

So what has really gotten better? Yes some individuals are doing better, but not society. The realization is pitiful. At least in 1977 we were honest, but the main thing I see that improved the most is our ability to hide the anger that exists.

Do you agree?

Nas insults every Black American with one word Part 2 - 10.16.2007.3

Continued from Nas insults every Black American with one word Part 1...

Recent Congressional hearings have gone virtually unreported, with entertainers, media corporations, and radio stations all denying any culpability for the content that is made or any negative effects it my encourage/create. With no one to blame, and pressure from the media seeking to blame someone, individuals like Nas are perfect targets. I can’t say I’m sorry when he chooses to adorn album covers with language depicting the worst insult known in the English language.

Nor can I feel pity for a genre of individuals that appear virtually incapable of avoiding legal difficulties. Take the most recent act of idiocy, the arrest of TI (Clifford Harris Jr) for illegal gun possession. Now that may not be a big deal, virtually every rapper has been arrested on a similar charge, Mr. Harris took it to the next level with an attempt to buy machine guns and ownership of multiple assault rifles and handguns. Can anyone explain why he would need this? And how many other rappers have been arrested this year alone? 2 dozen or so? And how many repeatedly, perhaps a dozen? Or am I low-balling the numbers?

The lack of discipline and personal responsibility displayed by the gangsta rap genre is bewildering. The use of the N-word, multiple arrests for crimes ranging from assault to drugs and more are just too much. Some may disagree on whether my argument of their being sell-outs is accurate, but I cannot see how any might dispute that in the current form and the exclusion of any other format, rap is hurting the Black community.

Mr. Creekmur is correct that 1 bad act does not invalidate 1 or 2 good acts. But when we look at the balance, I see dozens of bad acts and barely a handful of good.

We need change. Not by Congress, or from some corporation. We need to take action ourselves; because that is the only way we will see things improve in a meaningful way. If not, I fear that in 15 or 20 years we will wish for the respective charm of what we have today.

So when Nas releases his new album with a title that blatantly insults every living and dead African American, I would suggest not buying it or getting the bootleg or download. Or is that too much to ask?

Nas insults every Black American with one word - 10.16.2007.2

Oh the joy I feel in knowing that Nas will be shortly debuting a new album. I have no idea what his album will contain, but if the title is any indication of the content I have no doubt that this will be an insult to every African American. How can I say that unheard? Because the title is reported to be the N-word.

[If you play the following video, be aware it states the N-word multiple times, but I feel it makes my point.]



But going beyond this. I felt bad when Mr. Chuck Creekmur, was brought onto Fox News for the Big Story and was asked to defend Nas and this blatant use of the N-word. One point that I think needs to be paraphrased

“Many of our elected officials have done bad things, that does not invalidate the good that they have done.” – in reference to the positive songs by Nas as opposed to the more media targeted negative songs

[When you read this Mr. Creekmur, you can contact me for any correction if needed.]

But the problem I see is not just Nas and the low quality songs that he performs. As I’ve noted before

“I’ve long said that executives are laughing as they go to the bank to deposit the money accumulated from the work of Ja Rule and other rappers. They are making boatloads of money (literally) for words they would never use in public (as Don Imus learned) by having rappers say it for them. And all it costs them are pennies paid out to the performers. That by definition sounds like a sell-out to me.”

I understand and respect the fact that the First Amendment allows the artists to say words like this. At the same time I realize that the courts noted that certain words are inciteful and incendiary. I realize that there are consequences of words and they are not always what one might expect.

Gangsta rap and rappers are not the cause of all the ills of the Black community. But they are part of those ills. They condone and actually promote the worst problems our children face everyday. Unprotected sex, drug use, illegal activities, and a general aversion to education. Not one of these things is good for the Black community, yet they continue.

Continued in part 2...

Seattle Slim asks about reparations - 10.10.2007.1

In response to Seattle Slim's comment on Reparations I decided to place this as a post rather than a comment due to length. You can find the original post at Black & White Blog, where I am a co-author, as well as here.

Thank you Seattle Slim Of The Beatniks for your comments and reading the post. I always enjoy hearing from my readers and their comments on the issues I cover here.

To address your comments:

I agree that there still are many in America that believe African Americans are unequal and in need of ‘protection’. Obviously the media, in all forms from news to movies, portray very negative images that compound this feeling in many individuals. But I do feel that there is also an understanding that Black Americans hold a great deal of power as well.

Democrats directly pander to African Americans as a voting block, though they do not seem to be as concerned about issues they were elected on. Businesses directly understand the power of African American money, and target us constantly. And many professions that were virtually ‘White only’ are now somewhat mixed.

All of these things can and need to be improved, but some understanding of the impact of African Americans on the economy and politics of this nation is known. We just need to focus that power.

As for the Black slave-owners, I don’t have an accurate answer. I realize that there were Black slaveowners, but to my admittedly limited knowledge on this subject, though I am under the understanding that this was a small group holding a minor number of slaves for a far shorter duration. They definitely did not maintain power, as they had no legal rights and could not vote either.

I would say that they had no right to any reparations, just as White slave owners did not. Where it could be proven, their descendants would not be eligible as the reparations are due to African American slaves and the work they provided.

As for the question of help, yes I think it does. This is a difficult question and one of the main ones used against the concept of reparations. I feel it helps on several levels.

This would provide a salve to the wound that slavery made in this nation. It is both the admission of guilt by the nation, and a recognition of the suffering felt by millions over centuries. It gives the descendants of victims of slavery, and those who suffered under segregation, racism, violence and the like a means to ‘come to peace’ with what they endured.

It is not a cure all. But it does remove some of the racial tension that envelopes this country. It can be a means of having productive conversations and debates. It brings racial inequalities to the surface and thus forces them to be dealt with on both sides of this issue. It would remove excuses from Blacks and Whites on the conditions some live under.

It would still take a great deal of effort to improve America and the race issues that are inherent in daily life. But it’s a means by which steps forward can be taken.

Remember, an apology must come with the reparations. One must recognize what is wrong to apologize for it. The reparations are just a means to make the apology sink in and not be hollow. Kind of like scolding a child and then giving them a slap on the ass. It makes the point hit home.

As for the money itself, there is nothing stopping anyone from pooling funds to improve neighborhoods or provide college funds. Local communities could easily use the funds for whatever is the best choice and greatest need.

But I feel this has to be an individual effort. Reliance on the Government to institute and maintain these changes is both infeasible and counter-productive. To date efforts by the Government have not gone to improve our local communities but to maintain them at the current standards. And like water sitting still that causes stagnation.

Plus personal interaction with personal funds has always seemed to have the most positive effect in my experience. When it’s your money going to improve the neighborhood, you feel pride and connection to that area. When it’s your local community providing your college tuition you have another impetus to do better and finish with a degree. When it’s your parents’ money painting the schools and buying new books, you will want to take care of their condition more.

That is not to say these things don’t happen now, just that with added attention and direct connection the intensity increases exponentially. At least that is my experience.

If reparations, and an apology, are viewed from that stance I feel their can be no argument against them. I feel deeply there is no historical or practical reason to prevent it. And the positive effects, if done in a manner similar to what I have mentioned, are as powerful as they are beneficial. Not only to African Americans, but all of America.

Even so, I do not claim my vision is perfect. But if discussion of this leads to an even better plan and outcome, I’m happy.

I hope this addresses your concerns and thoughts about my views on reparations. What are yours? How would you resolve it? What do you think should be done?

Real points on reparations Part 2 - 10.9.2007.2

Continued from Real points on reparations Part 1...

And lastly there is the FACT of precidence.

“Yet reparations have been made to Japanese Americans and Native American Indians, at least to some degree. Remorse has been expressed by the Government to both groups. Yet the United States Govenment has never apoligized nor acknowledged the wrongs done with slavery and its actions/attitudes in the over a century since that time.”

Perhaps Michael Medved would like to dispute these facts. He cannot nor can any person against reparations. That is why they seek out any and every other argument.

As for how to pay the reparations I offer this idea. Provide a tax credit, of say $3,000 for any African Americans that can provide proof of heritage. This will also cover all children of those African Americans from the inception date to 18 years later, thus covering all children born the year of the reparation. The proof would come from authenticated family trees that date back to at least 1865 and can show slavery. This tax credit is a lifetime credit, meaning that you have a total of $3,000 for life, being used over that lifetime. If you use it all in one year its gone. If it take 10 years at $300 a year then so be it. You don’t get more and the max is the start amout of $3,000.

This plan builds the economy, providing jobs for researchers and companies providing authenticated certificates. The Government would increase workers that would manage the list with the I.R.S. Oversite groups could be created to ensure that the fund is not mismanaged. Enforment jobs could be created to protect that scams could not take advantage.

Plus there is the fact that the economy would get a boost from the additional money being used to pay for goods and services. Credit cards coulds be paid off, downpayment and improvements on homes, pay for college tuition and supplies, investments in 401K’s and the stock market. Not to mention purchases of food, clothing, and whatever else.

Explain where this is a bad, or impossible thing to accomplish?

America had slaves, and made them build the nation. America profited and grew from this slave labor. Some of the worst attrocities known to man were commited to the slaves and their descendants, for centuries. America refuses to acknowledge what it did, or the benefit it received. At the same time America has apologized and made reparations to others of its people who were arguably far less abused and persecuted.

I will not put my head in the sand. I will not allow half-thought, tangent laden, slippery-slope arguments to obfuscate and distract me and others from the facts. I do not accept the romanticized arguments and media imagery.

America owes reparations and an apology to African Americans. They can be paid and must. America will always have over it’s head this division of it’s people while avoiding the honest debate and response.

Medved may enjoy this denial, and others like him, but the fact is that this is a rot in America. And given time, any rot will eventually destroy whatever is rotting. The same holds true for America.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Real points on reparations - 10.9.2007.1

This is a continuation of a discussion based on the comments by Michael Medved against reparations. It can be seen at Responding to Michael Medveds rant against reparations - 10.9.2007.1

It is long, but I feel it's worth the time.

**This post can also be found at Black & White Blog a forum for both sides of controversial issues.**

So how about I actually discuss the reasons why reparations make sense? How about we actually talk about American slavery and not detract from the subject in discussion of eras and societies that are not American?

There were millions of slaves that were forcibly taken from Africa to America, and died. That means families experienced the loss of fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, in a boat under duress. Murder is punishable, and as we have abundantly seen with the OJ Simpson case, profitable. Genocide, since this was a willful act done repeatedly to a singular and specific group of people, would seem to up that exponentially.

Of the surviving Africans, they were sold of without regard to their families or any factor other than their perceived ability to work, in the most humiliating manner. They were placed on display similar to a car in a showroom, with potential buyers pawing and prodding them. That is further duress and suffering.

Once sold, the slaves were guaranteed a lifetime of work. This work was menial at its best, without breaks, without pay, without time off. Medical care, which was not guaranteed, could range from intense to minimal and provided no guarantee of time off to recover.

Slaves were routinely beaten, mutilated, physically and mentally abused, sexually harassed and raped while forced to work. Any one of these is enough to cause the employer to be jailed, then or now, if it were done to another human being.

Slaves were denied their right to freedom of religion. They were denied an education. They were fed and clothed just enough to allow them to continue to work. They were denied freedom of speech. They were denied the right to have and/or raise a family.

Slaves built cities, roads, infrastructure, and agriculture. Every aspect of any business and establishment that exists in America today that has a tie to colonial America is connected to the slave workforce. That’s North or South.

If the average slave worked only 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, 360 days a year for 4 decades of life that’s 158,880 hours of work per slave. If we assume that there were 3 million slaves from 1619 to 1865 (which is a low-ball estimate) then that is 476,640,000,000 hours of work done. Those are BILLIONS of hours. This does not even touch the Jim Crow era. Assuming a pay of just .05 cents an hour in 1865 money (no adjustment for actual worth in money today) that means $23,832,000,000. If I adjust by taking an increase of just 10% for each year for 55 years that’s a 9150% increase to $2,180,628,000,000. That’s TRILLIONS of dollars, adjusted just 55 years at 10%. There’s still another 87 years to go and we are adjusting from .05 cents. If anyone feels that more than TRILLIONS of dollars of work did not change America, they are stupid in my opinion.

In addition

“Jim Crow and other equally repressive laws and actions hindered Black African Americans. Incidents have occured even in the 20th century and include the Tuskegee syphilis experiments in the 1930’s, the destruction of Tulsa’s Black neighborhoods in 1921 and the loss of life and property when the all-Black town of Rosewood was destroyed by a white mob in 1923.”

Continued in part 2...

Another reaction to 'Average American' comments Part 2 - 10.2.2007.4

Continued from Another reaction to 'Average American' comments Part 1...

So when some say things like

“I also didn’t grow up in an area where there were drug dealers on the corner. I didn’t grow up in an area where there were gun shots nightly. But why do these things happen in black communities throughout America. Is that White America’s fault?”

Blacks understand that we didn’t choose to have drugs in our neighborhoods. They were brought there to us, and integrated into or communities decades ago. They were allowed to flourish, so long as it was not in the more affluent and ‘White’ communities, though Whites were given carte blanche to go in and out making their purchases.

Drugs promote violence, guns being one symptom of that. Were police truly interested in removing that violence, decades ago they could have stopped, or lessened this. They chose not to, because it’s ‘not their people’ affected. Even if you do not agree, that is the impression we grow up learning.

How can any White American understand all of this? That Black on White crime is debatably 60% more likely to end up with a Black conviction. That Blacks convicted are 3x more likely to have longer sentences on equivalent charges. That the media routinely presumes Black guilt at every instance.

Imagine, if you are not African American, how you might feel knowing that you’re that great-grandfather was lynched, your grandfather was not allowed an education, that your parents were refused a place to live all because of their color.

That your mother was paid less money than her peers, that your grandmother was only allowed to wash other peoples clothing, and your great-grandmother could only get work as a maid by people who routinely referred to her as a racial slur.

Are these absolute facts? No, but they are common enough history that most have multiple elements of this in their background.

Yet for all this, the average African American goes to work everyday. Children grow up getting as good an education as possible and overwhelmingly most are not into drugs. And nearly all deal with the fact that America fears them without issue.

Conversely, White women hold purses tight when Blacks pass by. Security in malls and stores follow Blacks, ignoring actual criminals that happen to not be Black. Police act with a presumption of impending violence even at routine traffic stops. The media constantly portrays every image of poverty and criminality with a Black face, though the quantity of Whites with these issues outnumbers Blacks.

Imagine that life. Imagine living under that pressure everyday. Imagine that you were me. And then tell me you could go to college, own a business, and never be an addict. Tell me that your friends and family would go to college and raise families without drugs. Tell me that you could not just survive but thrive in that environment.

I do, my family does. So do the families of my friends. But how many “Average Americans” could survive a day under this scrutiny and pressure. How many fail to have prosperous lives without any of these obstacles?

It’s not about who is better. It’s about understanding what the facts are, and how we all can get closer to a world that these things are no longer happening. The first step is comprehension. Not the denial that “Average American” posed. From that point we can move forward. At least I think so.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Another reaction to 'Average American' comments - 10.2.2007.3

So the recent comments by ‘Average American’ and my response got me thinking a bit. I started to wonder about the differences between Blacks and Whites here in America. There are many but there is no real discussion on what they are. I mean what makes us think the way we do?

I mean, think about this. Why do some White Americans view African Americans as they do?

White Americans never have to face the issues other minorities in America have to. Lucky them. I mean think about it.

From almost the first day of life things start to take shape. As more and more parents integrate the television as part of the raising of a child, it increases its influence on their vision of the world. 98% of all people on television, virtually without regard of what channel you pick, are White. The same applies to movies, video games and media in general. A sense of being trapped and minimized tends to begin then.

When Blacks go to school, those in the inner cities tend to be taught with substandard supplies. Thus they are steps behind in being able to achieve the American dream, or to even surpass the lives their parents lived. The inner cities pose other problems as well. As children grow up they see an increased police presence, which is rarely pleasant or helpful. Many are different than them, and none live in their neighborhoods. If seen in action they are constantly after other African Americans, and spare little pain in apprehending them.

Add to this another factor, when shopping with their parents children get to observe their African American parents being followed throughout ever store they are in. Not being helped, or trusted or given the pleasantries of other customers just watched with a presumption of planning a crime.

In this world of disparity, the children grow to understand they are different. That they will have to just deal with these and other reactions. There is nothing they can do about that and just deal with it.

In school, those with non-traditional names will tend to have lower scores and be called upon less by teachers. Isn’t all this fun?

In inner city neighborhoods, police officers that patrol the area are seemingly unaware of crack and drug houses, while every junkie, addict, and normal working person does. This creates an atmosphere of constant danger.

Random violence from these individuals, who seem to be constantly around at all times of day and night without police attention and the low-life dealers engage in this violence to protect areas of control to supply local area residents and multiple non-African American clients. Those clients of the drug dealers tend to drive expensive cars, driving from the suburbs to spend 5 minutes in these lower income areas, and back home all without the intervention or notice of police officers even though they stand out dramatically at 4am. Thus another lesson that police intend to protect only certain people from certain actions.

Continued in part 2...

Response to 'Average American' comment on comparing news coverage Part 4 - 9.28.2007.4

Concluding from Response to 'Average American' comment on comparing news coverage Part 3...

You go on to say that OJ was freed, actually he was found innocent by a jury of his peers which included Whites. He did nothing more than what other rich men have done. Afforded a great legal team. How much time did Senator Ted Kennedy spend for Chappaquiddick?

The D.C. Mayor was elected. Drug use or not. And how many politicians are duplicitous in their actions? Perhaps you might also find fault that Senator Hillary Clinton took $850,000 from a man (Norman Hsu) that had a warrant for his arrest, evaded prosecution, and scammed people for that money. Even after the fact of his past was revealed, the Clinton campaign spent weeks before mentioning how much money he had given. They even initially tried to give away only $32,000 AFTER they knew of his record. You want to speak about questionable political figures; a Presidential candidate may be where you want to start.

And the Duke Lacrosse team. Those innocent boys, that hired strippers for a drunken party with minors. Whose actions prior to this event gave pause to their credibility and claim of innocence. That had every media outlet defending them from day one. That received justice, fame, and monetary gain for their troubles. Do I feel bad for them? No, they are richer today, several having graduated, and have no long term problem.

“How is it that so many black people care so little for truth? With the turnout at the Jena march it suggests there is a huge disparity in understanding that exists between the black population and the rest of America.”

Truth? I think I have clearly stated the events involved. What part of the events in Jena do you see as a lie? You disagree that there were nooses hung? You already said they were. You dispute the honesty that the White boy was attacked? No one has said he wasn’t. That all of this was started because of remnants of the segregation that was rampant in the South in your youth? While no one has said it exactly as I just have, everyone agrees that the source of all this was Blacks sitting under a tree that was considered Whites only. So what lie have African Americans assumed as truth?

I agree there is a disparity, but not in the manner you suggest. If you are the ‘Average American’, which I severely doubt having read your words several times, then there is a large disparity between Americans living in the 21st Century and yourself. The rest of us are willing to say a law or action is wrong. White, Black, Hispanic/Latino or any other minority. The average person I know in America wants a rule of law that is fair and equal, in execution and meaning. Those I know would not only write in protest, but march for what they believe. An even smaller portion, and no less or more loyal, have taken an oath, as I have, to defend this nation and ALL her people.

I have given an oath, as did my father, both grandfathers, and a sister. I believe in the Constitution and the Amendments. I have and those before me, and many today, have sweat and bled for this nation. That means I believe in your right to have your opinion and voice it. I further invite and encourage commentary on the posts that I make. But that does not mean that either of us has to agree.

I feel that you have a mind that is closed to some aspects of life. I believe you cannot accept that things happen in this nation that you would never allow to happen to a White American. I believe you think that life in America is fine as is, and because I believe you are White and have never faced any of the events and problems I, my family and friends have encountered they don’t exist in your mind.

If rose colored glasses could work in reality, the world would be far better. But they don’t. Slavery was real, as was Jim Crow laws. Segregation lasted longer than the 60’s, and racism persists today. That doesn’t mean I will blithely accept these things. I am successful and strive for better.

At the same time, I am constantly reminded that I am an African American Puerto Rican, and that everything I have made can be lost quickly. I am reminded that for every obstacle I surmount there is another waiting. And I am reminded that people that share your views will make my life difficult, sometime without their own conscious intent, to live.

I leave you with this thought. Life is fluid and in constant motion. The moment you stop trying to improve you start to decay. This is true of Justice, Equality, and personal actions.

This is what I think, what do you think?