tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71438446722292504632024-03-21T02:57:56.720-04:00BlakfactsIs powered by thought provoking imagery. We bring you the images of the African diaspora in order to provoke positive thought patterns.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-35566059501708894582013-09-13T16:00:00.000-04:002013-09-13T16:00:00.524-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 19px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Friday, December 5, 2008</span></h2>
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<a href="http://blakfacts.blogspot.com/2008/12/www.quadratix.org" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 31px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are We Living In A Post-Racial Society?</span></a></h3>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://blakfacts.blogspot.com/2008/12/www.quadratix.org" style="text-decoration: none;">by Kofi Khemet</a> (Reposted 9/13/2013)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoYrUPcvIb_AjkZxWqtkq1_xGYUHe5kaV4qFssHTDOzufktopUWxW8H_Znajb0t-4Uv76JM8DQmCBIot2SAtSk1uCUp7iT4-Je0oA8Bcui-G1NeK-MeIarMSpMT1ntC0EfHB3BNekTH0/s1600/POST+RACIAL+COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoYrUPcvIb_AjkZxWqtkq1_xGYUHe5kaV4qFssHTDOzufktopUWxW8H_Znajb0t-4Uv76JM8DQmCBIot2SAtSk1uCUp7iT4-Je0oA8Bcui-G1NeK-MeIarMSpMT1ntC0EfHB3BNekTH0/s320/POST+RACIAL+COLLAGE.jpg" width="246" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 19pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This blog was originally posted one month after the first election of Barack Obama. Sadly, it's just as relevant today as it was then.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline;">See if you can answer the question</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> posed by the moderator of the Facebook group The Center of Pan-African Culture. "Can you accurately determine, from looking at these photos, who is Black and who is White?" Write down your answers on a sheet of paper, read the blog and check your answers using the key provided at the end of this post. Then think about the question, is race a biological reality or a social construct designed to keep one group on top and the other on the bottom?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; white-space: pre-wrap;">'With the election of Barack Obama to the presidency the question has come up, are we living in a post-racial society? In other words has the concept of race lost its cache, or meaning? Let's examine this and see what we come up with, it may be that we've reached that land that Dr. King saw from the mountain top. Of course, it may be as illusory as a mirage in the Sahara on a hot day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">What lies at the heart of this question is the notion that something fundamental has changed within society, either as a result of Obama's campaign or independent of that campaign. As we consider this question it would be good to lay out some facts that we can take into account. First of all 53% of Americans voted for Obama, or against McCain, as the case may be. While an almost equal number voted for McCain/Palin or against Obama. This being said we're talking about millions of people on each side of the line in almost equal numbers. You'll recall it was the independent/undecided voters that tipped the scales in Obama's favor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fact number two: throughout the campaign Obama was dogged by questions of lack of experience, etc. This was not the first time a candidate was labeled with that tag, but it was particularly galling in Obama's case, because it was very reminiscent of the infamous "grandfather clause." Witness the contrast here between McCain, who like Bush had generations of "leadership" experience behind him, while Obama had only his own experience in college and community organizing. How was he to overcome this gap without going back in time and rewriting history. It appeared to be an insurmountable gap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fact number three: everything was thrown at him, including the kitchen sink, by Hillary, McCain and Palin. No stone was left unhurled, including the use of his middle name as a label of unfitness for the job.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fact number four: everything was thrown at him short of playing the obvious race card. Obama was cool enough to never even bring up race, but he did respond forcefully when his opponents tried to broach it in a circuitous manner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fact number five: race was an issue, albeit an unspoken issue. It was the 800 lb. gorilla in the room, but Obama deftly avoided it to the consternation of some of his Black supporters, who in the end were understanding enough to know why he was leaving that issue alone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">What his opponents did say about race came through when they spoke of his numbers. They always tried to make him "the Black candidate." In the past other candidates, like Carl Stokes, were dogged with accusations like this and came up with creative ways of addressing it, without alienating his supporters of either race. Obama was just as deft in dealing with the Reverend Wright issue, which was a race issue; his middle name issue "Hussein," which was a race/religious issue and the terrorist association issue, which was not so much a race issue; but spoke to how "different" he was compared to the other candidates.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">All of the above issues were couched in a blanket of "difference." All the diversity training in the world was not enough to keep the other candidates from pointing out, "he's not like us." The logical conclusion here is that race is still very much an issue that cannot be overlooked, just like that 800 lb. gorilla in the room.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the end it appears that Obama won not because of some drastic shift in the status quo, or the racial proclivities of whites, but rather by the use of superior strategy, gamesmanship and good timing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The fact is America is as backwards when it comes to attitudes about race today as it ever has been. In a presentation I'm readying for publication entitled, "Black Men On The Money," I'll deal with the some of these attitudes and perceptions. Here's a little exercise you can do right now to see where you're really at on the issue of race. Take a look at the picture at the beginning of this article and make a note of what race you think each of these people represent. Some of them you may know by name and/or face and others may be unfamiliar to you. Regardless, without using a reference work, or the internet to try and identify them first, just look at them as people and see if you can correctly identify their "race."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">When you're done use the photo key that below for information on each person seen in the picture. This is something that we all need to look at very carefully and consider what our own attitudes are toward the persistent question of racial identity in America."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 32px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Photo Key</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(As you go down the list of names apply them to the pictures from left to right starting at the top left corner.)</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Walt Disney</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1901-1966), cartoonist and founder of the Walt Disney, Co. We assume that he's white, but have not done the research to prove it yet.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adam Clayton Powell IV</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1962), son of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. One of a long line of African American politicians in NY. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. had a long and illustrious career as a congressman. What many young people may not remember is the personal side of his story. He had 3 marriages to Isabelle Washington, Hazel Scott and Yvette Diago. Adam Clayton Powell IV was born of his 3</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">rd</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> wife and should not be confused with his nephew, also a New York politician. His half brother Adam Clayton Powell III is the father of the other Adam Clayton Powell IV.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Halle Berry</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1966), African American movie star and Academy Award winner.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1908-1972), the African American congressman from NY, who served continuously from 1945-1971.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Walt Disney </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1901-1966), an older picture of Disney for comparison with Powell.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fredi Washington</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1903-1994), African American movie star, famous for her portrayal of a mixed child who decided to pass for white in the 1934 movie, “Imitation of Life.” The theme of this film was derived from the idea of the “tragic mulatto.” In other words someone who could not fit in the Black world and wouldn't be accepted in the white world. In part this idea developed as a result of Reconstruction Era politics, where the Black representatives from the south were disparaged as dysfunctional incompetents who were foisted on the southerners. In part this attitude could have developed from the fact that there were no African American representatives from the north until well into the twentieth century. Her sister married Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rep. G.K. Butterfield</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, SC (1947-), African American congressman from South Carolina, showing us that racial standards have not changed. He comes from a well known African American family in South Carolina.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Governor Pio Pico</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1801-1894), the last Mexican governor of Alta (upper) California, also of African descent. In dealing with this subject it has to be kept in mind that “racial” designations in Mexico are much different than in the U.S. Pio's mother was described as a mulatta (half white and half Black); his father was described as mestizo (half Indian and half white). In the Wikipedia article on Pico he's described as African, Native American and Spanish. This is very misleading, because the assumption is that Spanish equals pure white. Three hundred years after the Moors were ousted from Spain and they're now white as the driven snow, I don't think so. To this day the Spanish still show traces of their Moorish heritage, which by the way was synonymous in Europe for Black.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Reverend Adam Clayton Powell, Sr.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1865-1953), an obituary picture of the founder of this powerful NY dynasty showing the similarity and differences in his appearance and that of his offspring. He presided over the well known African American, Abyssinian Baptist Church in NY for years.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mary Ellen Pleasant</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1814-1904), African American civil rights leader from California, entrepreneur and supporter of the abolitionist cause.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Master Fard Muhammad</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1877-?), mentor to Elijah Muhammad. Identified only as an Asiatic Black man. No further information on him has been forthcoming. As with the origins of many religious organizations his own origins are shrouded in mystery.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lt. General José Antonio Maceo y Grajales</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1868-1896), second in command of the Cuban Army of Independence. This picture was the first one I've found of him where he actually appears to be of African descent. Many pictures of him have been bleached or altered to the point where he appears to be “white,” however his mother was definitely was definitely of African descent. His father was from Venezuela, which does not exclude the possibility of an African admixture. As of this writing I need further information on him.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Barbara Walters</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1929), I haven't done the research on her background yet, but pay close attention to the lips and the nose and compare them with other people in this collage. She admittedly, had an affair with the African American Sen. Edward Brooke and wrote about it in her recent book. Her father also made his living from a well known chain of night clubs known as the Latin Quarter. Even today, many ball players from the Caribbean claim their Latin heritage, while the story of their African heritage is written all over their faces.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Commander Winston Churchill </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1874-1965), admittedly had Native American predecessors. His mother was Lady Randolph of the American Randolphs, which were also related to a number of other American aristocratic families. Keep in mind that depending on what tribe we're talking about and when, that could mean an admixture of African blood, as well. Many if not most living descendants of Africans mixed with Native Americans somewhere along the way.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rep. Augustus Hawkins,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> CA (1907-2007), African American congressman for many years, often mistaken for white.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mary Church Terrell,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1863-1954), one of two women founders of the NAACP, her father was believed to be mulatto and she was obviously very light-skinned, but did not pass. She attended two Ohio schools, Antioch and Oberlin and graduated with a Masters from Oberlin in about 1886. She was prominent in the women's movement and the struggle for civil rights up until her death in 1954.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Generalissimo Vicente Ramón Guerrero Saldaña</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, (1782-1831), here's the 2</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">nd</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> president of Mexico, one of the revolutionary fighters and liberator of the African slaves in Mexico. They say he's the George Washington and Abraham Lincoln of Mexico all in one. Really! Maybe that's more true than they realize. I could do a series of depictions of him also showing the same tendency to downplay his African origins to the point where we could actually call it artistic genocide. This applies to many Mexican and American leaders, as well.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Walter White </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1893-1995), former Executive Director of the NAACP, author and NAACP undercover agent. One of his main tasks with the NAACP was to infiltrate white hate groups, like the KKK, and report back with their activities. At one point White had to leave a town when word got out that he was in town as a spy. As he was leaving one of the white train attendants commented on what they were going to do to that “nigger” when they caught up with him. Here's a statement by White as to his appearance,<br class="kix-line-break" />"'I am a Negro. My skin is white, my eyes are blue, my hair is blond. The traits of my race are nowhere visible upon me.' Five of his great-great-great-grandparents were black and the other 27 were white. All of his family was light-skinned, and his mother was also blue-eyed and blonde. Her maternal grandparents were Dilsia, a slave, and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Henry_Harrison" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0000ee; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">William Henry Harrison</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, the future President. Her mother Marie Harrison was one of Dilsia's daughters and her father Augustus Ware was also white.</span></div>
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</ol>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Here we have one of the best examples of what it means to be and African American in the U.S., even today. I know people right now who are Black in every sense of the word, but in appearance (blonde hair and white skin) appear to be white.</span></div>
<ol start="19" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Charles W. Chesnutt</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1858-1953), African American author. He could have passed for white, but chose not to.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sen. Edward W. Brooke III </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1919), Here we have Senator Brooke. I had a recent picture of him with President G.W. Bush and you could not tell the difference between their skin color as they shook hands or in their hair texture. Obviously, he could have passed for white, but did not. He's in the record books now as the “first” and only African American Senator from Massachusetts.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mariah Carey</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1970), of Afro-Venezuelan extraction. Again, I've seen “white” people with darker tans than hers, but she's admittedly Black.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">William Alexander Leidesdorff</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1810-1848), of Afro-Germanic extraction from the West Indies. He had a bad experience with race in Louisiana. When he moved to California he passed for white and never looked back. He was a huge landholder in California, leaving an estate valued in excess of 1 million dollars upon his untimely death; a government official for the Mexican government; one of San Francisco's first hoteliers and a ship captain. The California gold rush began on his property out near present day Folsom, California where this picture hangs in the local museum.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">James Beckwourth</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1798-1866), discoverer of the lowest pass over the Sierra Nevada mountains, rancher, fur trapper, professional gambler, mountain man, trading post operator and Indian chief. His African heritage is clear, however he too has been a victim of artistic genocide and in many pictures appears white. In fact he was portrayed by a white actor in the 1951 film production “Tomahawk.” His first name is changed to Sol, but clearly we recognize in the character Sol Beckworth frontiersman, the real man James Beckwourth.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dr. Halle Tanner Dillon Johnson</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1861-1904), here's one of my relatives. I picked her for the similarity in her appearance and that of Empress Menen. They could be sisters. I was originally going to use her brother Henry Ossawa Tanner, but I couldn't find a good copy of the picture I was looking for. Amazingly, with all of her education and knowledge she died birthing her 3</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 9px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap;">rd</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> child.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">General Thomas-Alexandre Dumas</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1762-1806), born Thomas-Alexandre Davy de la Pailleterie, the son of a low-ranking French nobleman and a slave woman from Haiti, he was France's answer to Toussaint L'Overture. Totally loyal to France, supporter of the revolution and father of two of the greatest men of France, who are both included in this photo-essay.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fredi Washington</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1903-1994), here's another depiction of Fredi Washington where she appears to be “white.” This was part of the advertisement for the original version of “Imitation of Life.”</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alexandre Dumas, fils</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1802-1870), born Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie, the elder Alexandre Dumas, author of “The Three Musketeers,” “The Man in the Iron Mask,” “The Count of Monte Cristo” and many other full length novels too numerous to mention here. Clearly, you can see his African roots in his face and hair. It was a well known fact that he was of African origin at that time. He was quite wealthy and popular with the ladies of France, but he was advised to pick another vacation venue, besides the U.S., because of the attitude of whites and the fear of a “white backlash” affecting his book sales if it became known that he was Black in the U.S.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alexandre Dumas, pere</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (1824-1895), the younger Dumas was famous for his theatrical productions. I am not familiar with his most famous productions, but suffice it to say that all three Dumas' have statues in a place of honor in France today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>
<ol start="29" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Empress Menen of Ethiopia</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, (1889-1962) born Wolete Giyorgis, she was the consort of Haile Selassie. Despite appearances this woman is actually a dark-skinned Caucasian. It was very difficult to find a good picture of her without her crown on, but I was able to dig this one up. More research needs to be done on her life and accomplishments. To some extent she's been overshadowed by her husband the Emporer.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; list-style-type: decimal; margin-left: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dr. William Key </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1833-1909), last, but not least. Here we have Dr. William Key, ex-slave turned horse doctor from Shelbyville, TN. Most noted for his “talking” horse. Yes, that's right. I said it. A talking horse. As a matter of fact this horse could do quite a few things. See Blakfacts Volume I for more information on Dr. William Key and his horse Jim Key.</span></div>
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</ol>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Kent, OH, USA41.1536674 -81.35788589999998541.058010900000006 -81.519247399999983 41.2493239 -81.196524399999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-7695107556633643962011-08-06T06:03:00.003-04:002011-08-06T06:56:57.737-04:00KNOW YOUR TROPES<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">First of all, what is a trope? A trope is a figure of speech which can boil a complex idea down to a few words. All cultures have tropes. The beauty of all cultures is in discovering the tropes unique to each culture.<br />
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<div>In the case of President Obama and the recent comments comparing him to a Tar Baby. Let's examine the evidence carefully before we "jump off the deep end" into instant pundit land. In the story, all Americans know and love, Br'er Rabbit is tricked by Fox into having a fight with a "straw man," or in this case, a "Tar Baby." Fox planned for Br'er Rabbit to get stuck to "Tar Baby" allowing him and Bear to make a meal of him. Instead Br'er Rabbit tricks both of them into tossing him into the briar patch, where he makes good his escape. Watch the video excerpted from Walt Disney's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBFE80858501CEF1E">"Song of the South"</a> to refresh your memory on exactly how the story goes.</div><div><br />
</div><div>The point here is that if we follow the story to its logical conclusion, the Democrats/liberals who get stuck to "Tar Baby" Obama come out the winners in this story, only because the Republicans/far right are so stupid Br'er Rabbit/liberals trick them into giving them exactly what they want.</div><div><br />
</div><div><div style="text-align: left;">So, what's the downside here? Oh yeah, Obama appears to be foolish for the moment. But, if the story ends anything like it does in "Song of the South" the good guys win. "He who laughs last, laughs best."<br />
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Before we "jump off the deep end" we need to know our tropes and how to use them. It certainly wouldn't do for Fox to use our tropes against us. Next time, maybe we oughta beg Fox not to throw us into "the briar patch," instead of "jumping off the deep end" before we look at a situation thoughtfully carefully weighing all of our options and the resulting consequences.</div></div><div><br />
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</div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-8090238341801711652010-07-14T22:11:00.002-04:002010-07-14T22:38:32.759-04:00WAR FOR YOUR SOUL<object height="270" width="400"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3686946&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=3686946&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="270"></embed></object><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/3686946">A War For Your Soul-regular version</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user1435922">Erisai Films</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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A filmmaker and public speaker, Reggie Bullock is a vibrant voice and accomplished role model for the youth of today. On March 15, 2009, Reggie’s short film "A War For Your Soul" was independently released on the internet, and has catapulted as a “stirring, epic and inspirational” video for today’s generation”. Over 6 million internet viewers have watched “A War For Your Soul” in 1 year. The video has garnered praise from mayors, city leaders, youth and civic organizations and almost every major country around the world, sparking dialogue in encouraging adults to play a more active role in educating children. <br />
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On Oct. 14th, Popular radio host Michael Baisden said "This is a must see film".<br />
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On Jan. 20th Reggie received the key to the city award from the city council members from the city of Macon GA.<br />
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Reggie is currently active as a noted speaker, conducting speaking engagements throughout the country. For speaking engagements contact <a href="http://www.warforyoursoul.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">warforyoursoul.com</a> or <a href="mailto:reggie.bullock@comcast.net">reggie.bullock@comcast.net</a> <br />
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This video was created to inspire young at-risk African-Americans not to fall prey to some of the problems they face in society. The "Master of Darkness" represents that abstract concept of evil that has the potential to reside in the consciousness of mankind.<br />
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The use of the images of Richard Pryor and NAS, were used to show how we have publicly displayed the "N" word over the course of time. Richard Pryor, before his death, had gone on record to publicly denounce his use of the word, and the Rapper NAS ( one of the few socially conscious rappers ) intentions of wearing the jacket had nothing to do with the glorification of the word. I have enjoyed some of Pryor's masterful story telling and I have also enjoyed some of the thought provoking music from NAS.<br />
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This video should not to be used to divide people (Black & White). <br />
This video should not be used to criticize all aspects of hip-hop culture.<br />
This video should not be used to allow the rest of society to escape from their responsibility, to help with financial & academic support. <br />
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If used properly, this video will allow our youth to see some of the horrific conditions that their ancestors fought through and some of the horrific conditions they face today.<br />
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An extensive commentary about the film can be seen at <a href="http://www.warforyoursoul.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">warforyoursoul.com</a><br />
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**THIS VIDEO IS NOT FOR SALE & I AM NOT ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR THE FILM, I ONLY WANT THE MESSAGE TO REACH AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT ANY HIDDEN POLITICAL OR FINANCIAL AGENDA.<br />
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Contacts:<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=131321176899603&v=app_2373072738#%21/topic.php?uid=131321176899603&topic=91">Origins of the Word Nigger </a><br />
<a href="http://www.warforyoursoul.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">warforyoursoul.com</a><br />
<a href="mailto:reggie.bullock@comcast.net">reggie.bullock@comcast.net</a><br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/reggie.bullock" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">facebook.com/reggie.bullock</a><br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/ReggieBullock" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">twitter.com/ReggieBullock</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-19866508292749315172010-07-01T21:44:00.001-04:002010-07-02T11:16:55.828-04:00THIRTIETH ANNUAL AKRON AFRICAN FESTIVAL: FEATURING LEGENDARY BAND CON FUNK SHUN<a href="http://www.akronafricanculture.org/">The THIRTIETH ANNUAL AKRON AFRICAN FESTIVAL</a> returns to Akron at a new location, after an absence of one year. This year's<br />
event will take place at Lock 3, in cooperation with the City of Akron and a number of other local sponsors.<br />
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This year's festival features a special event, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=136504296376476&ref=mf">"It's An African Affair"</a> on the evening of July 24th and the music of the legendary band <a href="http://www.confunkshunusa.com/">CON FUNK SHUN</a> and numerous other class acts. Starting at 11am on Sunday, July 25th the day's activities will begin with a drum call and recognition of our ancestors, before offering up speakers on a variety of topics and performers from a variety of groups, locally and internationally.<br />
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CON FUNK SHUN will take to the stage as the featured artists for the evening's activities. You can find more information about them and all the other groups that will perform that evening at the following link for the 30th Annual Akron African Festival: Part II.<br />
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Over the past 40 years, the Akron African Festival has attracted thousands to the Akron area. It is the second oldest cultural festival in Ohio, surpassed only by Youngstown, OH. Individuals have planned family reunions and homecomings around the dates of the festival. This year will be no different, with the exception that for the first time you will be able to solidify your plans using the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=129380950425766">Facebook</a> group for the festival to connect you to all of your friends and family members, before, during and after the festival. We'll be steadily posting pictures and videos of friends, performers and family members over the next month and beyond. Use it or lose it.<br />
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There will also be a special tent for youth activities of all kinds. Vending opportunities are still available, as well.<br />
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So, bring on da noise, bring on the Funk! Bring all your family and stay the whole day. Bring your lawn chairs, picnic baskets and blankets. Reserve a prime spot near the stage for the whole family. Before 5pm it's all FREE. After 5pm it's $5 with no jive! Either way, you'll have a good day and a great night.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-48084685571772494132009-04-20T03:08:00.002-04:002013-09-13T14:03:35.116-04:00HOW DID CALIFORNIA GET NAMED AFTER A BLACK WOMAN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL92UmG6pA1qdVsH9z6RT75XhvVN4b6Ly7D5h4yRIrkDhYX_AewQ9qzU5m8xkIg4CfbjHmgWAPceglJVb_6fpYYOntsFawzoB37UOWg7BS3y-ZBcMPdwXMzi4sUWHxo_ftPqxtw0vKbLo/s1600/CALAFIA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL92UmG6pA1qdVsH9z6RT75XhvVN4b6Ly7D5h4yRIrkDhYX_AewQ9qzU5m8xkIg4CfbjHmgWAPceglJVb_6fpYYOntsFawzoB37UOWg7BS3y-ZBcMPdwXMzi4sUWHxo_ftPqxtw0vKbLo/s320/CALAFIA.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
The history of the state of California is intricately connected to the history of the Mali empire? Say what, how can that be?<br />
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At first glance they appear to be totally unrelated. However, on the examination of the history it has been revealed that they have a lot more in common than one would expect. We were taught in school that the year 1492 was the year that Columbus sailed the ocean blue. What we were not told is that it was also the year the king of Aragon was able to complete the expulsion of the Muslim caliphs from Al Andalusia (Spain), as well.<br />
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Mind you these Muslims were primarily from the African nations along the Northern Mediterranean, as well as West Africa proper. They came from the countries now known as Morocco, Mali, Mauritania, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Sudan, Egypt and even Ethiopia. Therefore, from all historical evidence we know for sure that a large majority of them were of the African racial type.<br />
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The occupation of Spain lasted for 700 years. During that time Spainish culture was alive and vibrant, while the cultures of Europe, as a whole were stagnant and dead, hence the name we've that era, the Dark Ages, meaning there was no significant learning or serious thought going on during that time.<br />
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Spain or as the Muslims called it Al Andalusia was just the opposite, with lit streets, indoor plumbing, aquaducts, courtyard fountains and magnificient architectural structures that remain among the most popular tourist attractions in the world. The University of Salamanca was the most prestigious institution of learning in the known world. Under the rule of the Abbasid Caliphate science and learning flourished, while the Dark Ages formed a cloud over Europe, where only the priestly class was even allowed, or enouraged to read. In fact, the same kinds of restrictions that were placed on African slaves in the U.S., following the rebellion of Nat Turner, were placed on the entire population of Europe, with punishments which were just as severe.<br />
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I'd like to note here that there was some evidence of the mechanical genius of the inhabitants of Europe that came out at that time, unfortunately, it seemed to be mostly in the area of torture. The implements of torture that were devised during this time for the use of the clergy in carrying out the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquisition">Inquisition</a> were truly ingenious. We've all heard of The Rack, thumbscrews, The Pear, The Iron Maiden, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibbet">The Gibbet (gallows)</a>, The Whipping Post, Stocks, etc. Of course, we wouldn't want to forget the most humane instrument of death every devised, The Guillotine. These are inventions, which are wholly European and I believe unique in the annals of history.<br />
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The stated purpose of these Inquisitions as detailed in a 1578 handbook for inquisitors was: ... quoniam punitio non refertur primo & per se in correctionem & bonum eius qui punitur, sed in bonum publicum ut alij terreantur, & a malis committendis avocentur. [Translation from the Latin: "... for punishment does not take place primarily and per se for the correction and good of the person punished, but for the public good in order that others may become terrified and weaned away from the evils they would commit."] Note the use of the word <i>terrified</i> in describing the purpose of this practice.<br />
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TO BE CONTINUED</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-6346428109196510722009-04-20T02:39:00.003-04:002009-04-20T02:46:27.715-04:00RITA DOVE'S LATEST WORK: "SONATA MULATTICA"</br><br /><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/Qpzb6e5Hz9LuzBnFDr5wmdgl7FkDr3Iq3MXUgZOMHvlOXnUYNIyvgeb2z6YnXWnYVOfibmbvND2LZOVI0EcLm2rSRr44i*fD/103_2860.JPG?width=251" alt="" width="251" height="300" style="float: left;"/>Her latest book is called "Sonata Mulattica" and it's a tour-de-force. Written, as only Rita Dove could write it, we learn about the life of George P. Bridgetower, a virtuoso musician who grows up in Poland and becomes the toast of European royalty. His exquisite performances on the violin inspire Beethoven to write a piece dedicated to him, which they perform before a concert audience, only hours after Beethoven completes it.<br /><br />That she would pick someone to write about who is a virtual unknown to Americans is not as odd as it may appear, for her subject and her have a lot in common. Rita played the cello when she was going to school right here in Akron, Ohio; she's known for being fluent in German, which was a language Bridgetower undoubtedly spoke and they're both descendants of African immigrants.<br /><br />Much of the story is told in the title of the book. "Sonata Mulattica" is an abbreviation of the title Beethoven gave to what's been called his penultimate violin sonata (opus 47). The full title was "Sonata mulattica composta per il mulatto Brischdauer, gran pazzo e conpositore mulattico," meaning "Sonata composed for the mulatta mulatto Brischdauer, <i>big wild composition</i> and mulatto."<br /><br />The idea of the "tragic mulatto" came into existence during Bridgetower's lifetime. However, his own story was not quite so ill fated. He actually had quite a bit of success as a musician. The patronage of the young English prince, who continued to support him as the King of England, certainly helped. His affiliation with Beethoven, Haydn and other musical geniuses of his time certainly helped.<br /><br />But, there was still a cloud of racism hovering over his head, which became even more apparent upon his death, as this book is one of only three full length treatments of his life. Dove's presentation is totally unique, however in that it gives us an entirely new path to Bridgetower. This is the surprise in store for anyone who decides to go on this adventure to discover, just who was this African prince of Poland.<br /><br />To be continued tomorrow, with a video of Rita reading a selection from her latest work.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-39710844793235112682009-04-20T02:29:00.004-04:002009-04-20T02:37:34.810-04:00KSU ALUMNI ORGANIZE REUNION IN CYBERSPACE</BR><br /><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/Lg2czRrHOIJ4pfmkwYGTCHwcn534ni9Z9LrPEX05coB-Gth1T8VyXBa3*5BAmODfncVJeOXVzfoLo7eAHbvdCWTHIcAE*bF7/117_2885.JPG?width=300" alt="" style="float: left;" width="300" height="140" />The 4th Annual Black Alumni Reunion was held last weekend at Kent's Rathskeller. It was a very successful event with approximately 300 Black Alumni in attendance. Members came from all over the country. The member who came the furthest distance was Adisa Alkebulan from San Diego, CA.<br /><br />Event organizers Andrea Wright and Kellea Tibbs brought the event into the 21st century by notifying attendees via a new network on Ning.com a relatively new networking website. Ning allows members who sign up to communicate with each other 24/7 using a variety of user created networks for free.<br /><br />The Kent State Black Alumni Association now has a membership of almost 300 people. Their network on Ning was established in 2008 and is now in full force and effect.<br /><br />Andrea Wright, one of the founders of the association, which just gained and official status at Kent, states on her personal page that,<br /><br />"I count it a blessing to be able to greet all of the Black Alumni from Kent State University. Thank you for <img src="http://api.ning.com/files/esvFa99joyc65dHya70kNHbrLITu8z3QJDSSLRlxpewdx3XNtvxJ6EEH07pwAH7NawfIOnRDCca2FKBQ*Zt9YOP5fPT3VWmD/KelleaAndrea.jpg?width=228" alt="" style="float: right;" width="228" height="217" />joining the social networking site designed to be a tool to bring us back together to remember our days on the campus in Kent, Ohio. Kent State University is one of Ohio's top public universities. The university played an important role in all of our lives. It's continuing to make a difference in young student's lives and as Black Alumni, we can play an important role.<br /><br />The ultimate purpose is to reconnect and unify ourselves for one purpose. The purpose is to be officially recognized again as The Black Alumni Chapter. As an official chapter, we will be able to access budgeted funds to do programming designed with not only bringing us together but assisting those students still matriculating at the university.<br /><br />Our goal is not just to socialize. However, through socializing and networking, we can broaden our goals and maximize our possibilities."<br /><br />One of the ways that the organization plans to meet this goal is by creating a scholarship fund, financed initially by the admission fees collected by the association at the reunion. Now that the association has been recognized by the KSU Alumni Association they can apply make funding requests from the university and take the organization to the next level.<br /><br />The party's over, but the beat goes on. We look forward to covering future events sponsored by the Kent State Black Alumni Association.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-90863173687308101322009-04-07T06:46:00.003-04:002009-04-07T06:53:26.879-04:00SAINT MAURICE & THE THEBAN LEGION<br/><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/p*Yw56uibVC7lGU3m9tegjloSgRd2kMZkoX1Wk1m*8Rht5FtfOvf-6XRRjOHsKNKAR0QtaGwP3ne3V1Uvc7KP0-g4QfgPX6M/PopeBenedictXVIcoatofarms.png?width=225" alt="" width="225" height="300" style="float: left;"/>Check out the coat of arms of Pope Benedict the XVI. For those non-Catholics amongst you, he's the current Pope, who hails from Germany.<br /><br />When I saw the close up of Saint Maurice's statue I did not have to think twice about what happened to his nose. It was all too apparent, that someone had deliberately broken it off. There are many statues all over Europe, especially in cultural havens like Rome. Many of them have missing appendages, typically the arms or even the legs, but most prevalent are the missing arms.<br /><br />In Egypt, however we see something that doesn't jibe with that whole vibe, missing noses. The question begs to be asked how has it happened that so many of the pharaohs statues have endured earth quakes, inundations, etc. and the only significant damage is to their noses, while other civilizations all over the globe have antiquities which are younger, but with intact noses.<br /><br />I have to conclude that some body or bodies have gone through the country and systematically removed <img src="http://api.ning.com/files/9zudB9lHIJPIZxAqJjFI-PiaA0wxMgfkBB4AVm8Wo7u8PWW-58rnNMQhtfxyDgmQWVilC-euS384onO-P-Jf3UXHUr-R29UG/Saint_Maurice_Magdeburg.jpg?width=142" alt="" width="142" height="300" style="float: right;"/>the noses from the statues in a vain attempt to erase the Black man from the historical timeline of the ancient Egyptians. Why would someone do this? It's really quite simple. The Egyptian civilization is the forefather of Western civilization. In order to maintain the unnatural premise of white supremacy history had to be rewritten.<br /><br />This is what we see with Saint Maurice, the rewriting of history, where whites have always ruled and Blacks have been their subservient slaves. The problem is that historians like J.A. Rogers and Runoko Rashidi keep pulling off the bedsheets, uncovering a "master race" that worships Black people as gods or at least in a godlike manner.<br /><br />There's much more evidence of this "hero worship" than there is of our supposed inferiority. We have good examples of this in the numerous European coats of arms with depictions of a coal black St. Maurice or one of the 20 other Black saints, who stood firm with him on the battlefield of Aganaum and refused to slaughter their Christian brothers and sisters, that fateful day in 287 CE (common era).Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-56315619183840679852009-04-07T06:30:00.007-04:002009-04-07T06:45:39.173-04:00SAINT MAURICE AND THE THEBAN LEGION<br/><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/6AwK*iJL5SBS-rNDTbmA*aq0dvrQstzHcMewV2a99K2MpEnPCacsKhrms6KaWvYhN5AXQ9lsV7aWvzP1dz8BeUbuUhSGU56s/Saint_maurice.jpg?width=228" alt="" style="float: left;" width="228" height="300" />I first heard of Saint Maurice from J.A. Rogers. The stunning picture you see here accompanied the story of St. Maurice of Auganaum. The idea of a Black patron saint of Germany was intriguing, indeed. J.A. Rogers also spoke of the numerous Black Madonnas of Europe. Again, this was a revelation, as who would have thought that white people could worship Black saints and even a Black Madonna and child.<br /><br />Well, Runoko Rashidi has just returned from visiting some of the sacred sites of Europe dedicated to the Black saints and Martyrs of Christianity and he's brought a picture with him that has stirred a renewed interest in St. Maurice, in particular. This picture shows St. Maurice without a nose. Now, clearly he's Black in skin color and features. The antiquity of the statue is without doubt, but like the statues of the pharoahs of Egypt, the nose is missing.<br /><br />As is the case with the many shrines and depictions of Africans in Europe today, there's typically been a<img src="http://api.ning.com/files/6AwK*iJL5SAOLh-CcpNMaC71*6MOQJbsxafTsX-ghPTUv3LUN6fcKuseEPQ5HsR2K3O4vHMHSVd9ixla6-iqzMq1hNPVdZUC/ST.MAURICEOFAGANAUM.jpg?width=225" alt="" style="float: right;" width="225" height="300" /> series of convoluted explanations to explain away such anomalies. It's been said of many of the Black Madonnas that smoke produced by thousands of candles burnt over the years has blackened specific parts of the statues without blackening other parts. For instance, the face, and hands will be black, while Mary's headdress and clothing is pure white and sparkling. I'd be interested in hearing someone actually try to explain how that happens, just for kicks.<br /><br />I haven't heard Runoko's story of the missing nose of St. Maurice, but I'm sure it's a doozy. The only story I've heard so far that sounds true to form, when it comes to the missing nose of a statue, is the one about Napoleon and the missing nose of the Great Sphinx. It's been said that he blew it off with a cannon, because he went all the way to the home of the ancients, the founders of the philosophical base which is Western civilization and found someone immortalized their that looked like one of his chief rivals and that of a rebel chief in the French colonies. I'm speaking of Thomas Alexander Dumas, the French General and Toussaint L'Overture, the Haitian Revolutionary. It was too much for him.<br /><br />Look for Part II tomorrowUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-71062401091642598572009-03-16T00:01:00.004-04:002009-08-05T21:17:11.447-04:00WHY POT COULD BE CALIFORNIA'S NEW CASH CROP<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_4cg3y91V87nr8B-8sleoxOjIwYssbDCuoY60_r_TMQSNP9OmwcEMWX5NhwJrrz_KDQcbZX2kI8shof3YEcg837gIyFynOf-Cv_bakOYhMguDCE_E3hyluNELZulgB-28sd6A4_v_tQ/s1600-h/Buds.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_4cg3y91V87nr8B-8sleoxOjIwYssbDCuoY60_r_TMQSNP9OmwcEMWX5NhwJrrz_KDQcbZX2kI8shof3YEcg837gIyFynOf-Cv_bakOYhMguDCE_E3hyluNELZulgB-28sd6A4_v_tQ/s320/Buds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313635482090704690" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Former SF supervisor wants public to cash in on $13.8 billion pot crop</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">By JACKSON WEST<br /></div><br /><br />Updated 12:18 PM PDT, Mon, Mar 2, 2009<br /><br />Besides raising revenue, marijuana decriminalization would save the state in enforcement and incarceration costs.<br /><br />Tom Ammiano wants to effectively legalize-- and tax -- California's trade in cannabis.<br /><br />AB 390 "would remove all penalties in California law on cultivation, transportation, sale, purchase, possession, or use of marijuana, natural THC, or paraphernalia for persons over the age of 21," Ammiano's press secretary Quintin Mecke told the San Francisco Weekly.<br /><br />Ammiano, a rookie state legislator and former San Francisco supervisor, may have a unique opportunity to win support for the bill in the wake of the state's budget debacle.<br /><br />"California has the opportunity to be the first state in the nation to enact a smart, responsible public policy for the control and regulation of marijuana," he said.<br /><br />Mecke suggested taxes on the trade could amount to $1 billion according to advocates.<br /><br />And I'd bet that's a conservative estimate.<br /><br />"With the state in the midst of an historic economic crisis, the move towards regulating and taxing marijuana is simply common sense," Ammiano said at a morning news conference at the state building on Golden Gate Avenue in San Francisco.<br /><br />Estimates value the state's crop of marijuana at $13.8 billion, double that of the vegetable and grape markets combined. Nationwide, it may be the fourth largest cash crop, behind corn, soy and hay but ahead of wheat.<br /><br />The proposed bill would allow Californians over the age of 21 to grow, transport, sell, possess and consume the plant, with state and local law enforcement professionals barred from enforcing the federal ban.<br /><br />The tax would amount to $50 per ounce of marijuana, which retails on the black market for anywhere from $250 to $500 depending on the source and quality.<br /><br />While it may sound like a pipe dream, with communities from the emerald triangle of Humboldt, Mendecino and Trinity Counties to liberal districts all along California's cost all strapped for cash, other lawmakers and voters might just tune in and turn on.<br /><br />Frankly, I think they should sign an endorsement deal with Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps.<br /><br />Jackson West figures libertarian stoners will inevitably complain about the tax.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-64508258465544516632009-03-12T07:07:00.001-04:002009-03-12T07:10:23.953-04:00OBAMA COMPARED TO HITLER AGAINIn my last blogpost I warned readers to be on the lookout for more insults, barbs and racist attacks to be leveled against President Obama. This past Monday an African American reporter, by the name of Harris Faulkner, read two comments from their website. One of them compared Obama to Hitler while the other called him a monkey. These types of comparisons are expected from the general public, but it is totally out of order for a major news organization like Fox to read it over the air. Theses kinds of comments should not reach the light of day and should certainly not be given credence by responsible purveyors of the daily news.<br /><br />Well, that explains it! Obviously, Fox News network is not a responsible news agency, as evidenced by the fact that this is not the first time Fox News has read these kinds of incendiary comments on the evening news. On February 14th, 2008 Tom Sullivan a Fox News radio personality took a call from a listener that compared Obama to Hitler. The funny thing is that he already had a tape of Hitler and a tape of Obama cued up ready to play if a listener called in making this comparison and wasted no time in playing them back to back.<br /><br /><center><i>"When a later caller complained that Sullivan was "denigrating" Obama with the comparison, Sullivan said he wouldn't play it again, then begged: 'Can I, please, one more time? Just one more time? Then I won't do it again. ... Until the next time.'"</i></center><br /><br />There's an old saying that when you point one finger at someone else there are three fingers pointing back at you. Seeing as how the Fox broadcasters have Hitler recordings so handy, it appears as though they may be some of his biggest fans. How else do you explain their ability to pull up a Hitler recording at a moments notice.<br /><br />I understand the NAACP has started a campaign to bring these racist assaults to a halt. As Dick Gregory used to say to us in the 70's "you young people have a big job to do." Certainly, it is a big job. Racism is woven into the fabric of this country, which makes it particularly difficult to eradicate without destroying the fabric itself.<br /><br /><center><object width="320" height="260"><param name="src" value="http://mediamatters.org/static/flash/mediaplayer316.swf"></param><param name="flashvars" value="config=http://mediamatters.org/embed/cfg%3Fflv%3Dhttp://mediamatters.org/static/video/2009/03/09/happening-20090309-stem.flv"></param><embed src="http://mediamatters.org/static/flash/mediaplayer316.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="config=http://mediamatters.org/embed/cfg%3Fflv%3Dhttp://mediamatters.org/static/video/2009/03/09/happening-20090309-stem.flv" width="320" height="260" allowscriptaccess="never"></embed><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="never"></param></object><br /></center><br /><center><i>"Fox News' Faulkner highlights viewer blog comments on stem cell policy invoking Hitler, comparing Obama to a monkey." Media Matters staff, 3/9/2009</i></center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-39064593638572521322009-03-10T05:21:00.006-04:002009-03-10T05:38:34.023-04:00BILL & MELINDA GATES SUPPORT MODEL EDUCATION PROGRAM IMPLEMENTED BY APS<br></br><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"KnowledgeWorks in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Education is transforming Ohio’s public schools, where only 7 in 10 students graduate every year, from a one-size-fits-all education system into schools where respect for the individual is paramount, and every child is considered 'college material.'"</i><br /></div><br />The village of Stewart Africentric met last week with Superintendent James where he answered questions and spoke of the vision that APS has for Stewart Africentric as they prepare to move into their new home within the Crouse Community Learning Center.<br /><br />He brought with him a new board member by the name of Amy Grom who is in support of applying the "school-within-a-school" model, which is looked upon very favorably by KnowledgeWorks, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that are both working with the Ohio Department of Education to improve the success rate of students in Ohio public schools.<br /><br />Stewart Africentric was created as a small school that could give more focused attention to each and every student to increase the likelihood that they would not only successfully graduate from high school, but also successfully matriculate from the college of their choice. The recently retired superintendent was very supportive of the Stewart model. The village of Stewart Africentric expects that they will receive even more support in the future.<br /><br />According to an ERIC report on the "school-within-a-school" model there are a number of factors that will lead to<br /><br />success with this model. Two of the most important factors are:<br /><br /><div style="margin-left: 40px;">Making sure the "guest" program is autonomous by having the "guest" program administered by an APS administrator.<br /><br />Fully funding and staffing the "guest" program with all the staff necessary to ensure the success of the program.<br /></div><br /><br />One of the encumbrances that teaching staffs have had to contend with under the Bush administration is embodied in the NCLB, an unfunded government mandate. In this case government was not the solution but has caused more harm than good. By requiring the students of all public schools to meet the standards of the NCLB without giving them the financial support to meet these criteria they've created a "Catch 22" like situation within the elementary education system.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>" . . . smaller schools help struggling students by raising graduation and achievement rates, according to more than 30 years of research. Small schools in other states have successfully improved student performance, reduced violence, and increased student graduation rates."<br /></i></div><br /><br />Crouse Community Learning Center (CLC) is in a new state of the art building with all of the modern accouterments necessary to run a top notch school, there's no question about that. The question is how committed is the district to the ideals of Stewart Africentric? Superintendent James has made it perfectly clear in his last two meetings with the Stewart community that over the past 10 years there have been several occasions where Stewart has been on the chopping block. He also stated that the school's overall academic performance needed to be improved in order for the program to continue, but without the proper support, particularly financially, it's a plan that's destined to fail.<br /><br />The Akron Public School system has a chance to be on the cutting edge, in terms of elementary education. Smaller schools are the wave of the future and the "school-within-a-school" model is one of the ways this small school model can be implemented. The benefits are worth the effort and the expense it will take to make this model successful. The KnowledgeWorks Foundation is prepared to make an investment in our childrens' future. What is APS doing to take advantage of this opportunity? What is APS doing to prepare our elementary students to begin doing college level work from the 10th grade through 12th grade.<br /><br />George Crouse Elementary School was built in 1919. It was named after one of the major benefactors and original trustees of Buchtel College, the precursor of Akron University. Buchtel College was instrumental in making Akron the "Rubber Capitol" of the world. Akron is no longer the "Rubber Capitol." In fact, Akron is a city in search of a new identity. The choices we make now, regarding the education of our children, will determine what the future will hold for Akron and the role our children and grandchildren will play in that future.<br /><br />We can all agree, "it takes a village to raise a child." The question now is, what role will Stewart Africentric play in the development of that village. Moving into a modern facility is obviously a good thing for the students of Stewart Africentric. But, it could be just as beneficial for the Crouse students, by giving them an example of how to function using a different paradigm. Success at Crouse CLC can also serve as a model for other schools within APS that are going to have to operate under one roof.<br /><br />At the high school level this school-within-a-school model has led to higher test scores, improved morale and decreased incidents of violence, all of which lead to improved overall academics.<br /><br />The Stewart Africentric village still needs more details in regards to the implementation of this school-within-a-school model. Hopefully, some of these details will be forthcoming at the meeting with Superintendent James, at Stewart Africentric, this Friday at 11:30 AM.<br /><br />Unanswered questions that remain include how will the students be prepared before they move? How will the two schools maintain their separate identities while living under the same roof, if the Crouse school colors dominate the building, as they do now? The Crouse colors dominate the majority of the walls, furniture and floors tiles throughout the building. There are also questions about students transferring from one program to the other within the building.<br /><br />If this move is done right it could create a atmosphere of camaraderie and unity within the two programs, and between their respective staff members and students, making Crouse CLC a shining example for the entire district.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-74960552815841921032009-03-05T12:36:00.000-05:002013-09-20T17:18:38.617-04:00DR. LEARY SPEAKS ON: POST TRAUMATIC SLAVE SYNDROME<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I pulled this down from Youtube and was not only impressed, but enlightened by her analysis. What she talks about here is directly related to what I've experienced myself in my relationships. Check out the segment I've included. Double click the picture to go to Youtube and put all 11 segments together in one playlist so they can be played as one video.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/8rQjVZX6jzc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe> </div>
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She also has a book out that can be purchased at Amazon or Half.com, under the same title. Read the book or view the video and realize just how significant the impact of slavery is in our present situation.<br />
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Every year Congressman John Conyers reintroduces H.R. 40 in Congress. This bill calls for the establishment of a committee to study the need for reparations and a method of delivering them to the sons and daughter of Africa in America. Dr. Leary's thesis that we continue to suffer from Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome is powerful. She's been able to explain, in short order, why we react to certain situations and cues the way we do.<br />
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I lived in Los Angeles, CA for 10 years. I still refer to L.A. as "Hell A." I loved living in a place with a moderate temperature and a star studded background, but it took its toll on my psyche. The first five years I had very few valuables, other than my life. But, during those five years that primary valuable was always in jeopardy. When I first moved to the city I didn't know who to be more afraid of the police or the gangs. I figured the police could shoot you on purpose and call it justifiable homicide (legal lynching). The gangs might shoot you and they'd call it collateral damage. I didn't know anyone who got shot by the police in all my years in L.A., but I did see a drive by go down, when I lived in Compton and I did know of someone who got shot outside a party in a driveby. So, the possibility was there of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.<br />
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But, for me and many others, as well, the everyday threat was that my vehicles would be burglarized, vandalized or just broken into. That happened on a regular basis. It got to the point that I knew who was doing it, but was powerless to do anything about it, for fear of retribution.<br />
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I moved from Hollywood to Costa Mesa, in Orange County, CA. Life was sublime there, but the mother of my children would get pulled over by the police all the time. So, everything was not right. Finally, we moved out of state to Seattle, WA in the early 90's. We bought a brand new vehicle after selling our late model VW's and things began to feel "normal." It still took one year for me to realize that I was, in fact, suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. It dawned on me one day that the fear I had in L.A. of my vehicle being towed, or ticketed by the police, because we had to park on the street; the fear of the Cholos using my car as a drug drop; the fear of parts of my car, that would incapacitate it coming up missing, for no reason; the fear of my battery, headlights, car seat, etc. coming up missing, for no reason was unreasonable, because we had moved into a totally different environment.<br />
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That whole process took one year. Imagine if my wife had been raped! Imagine if I had been physically assaulted! Imagine if I had been torn away from my children as they were sold down the river. Imagine if many of the things that we came to experience during slavery had happened to us, not in secret, but right out in the open. I just read a tale description of one of the most barbaric punishments imaginable, where women would be stuffed with gunpowder and blown up in front of the slave community. This was domestic terrorism at its worst. Imagine the impact that would have on the children, born and unborn, the men and the women.<br />
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I've got a relative who lives in the north and refuses to return to Georgia, the land of her birth, because her mother was shot to death by a White man while she was in her arms. Now, this relative is more than grown, she's in her 70's or 80's, but the pain of that occurrence is ever present. How could slavery have been any milder. Certainly, the after effects continue to ripple like the waves, not on a pond, but on the ocean, because these incidents didn't end with the demise of plantation slavery. Following slavery we lived through reconstruction and the subsequent development of the Klan, The Knights of the White Camellia, The John Birch Society and numerous other groups of White Nationalists, so called patriots, who are still with us today.<br />
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We continue to read stories in the daily news of brutal acts committed by Whites on Black people from all across this nation. We continually see reports of white mobs, individuals and organizations perpetuating violent acts on members of our community for no other reason than they can do it and get away with it. So, the trauma of slavery, the stain of slavery still covers this nation like a pall.<br />
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Dr. Carol Swain claims that asking for reparations would be upsetting to whites and that really all we need is an apology. An apology would be a start, but it cannot be the end result, for an apology negates the fact that not only was harm caused in the past, but that we continue to be harmed in the present, because there were no long lasting consequences for the heinous crimes committed by the slave owners and their affiliates under color of law.<br />
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It wasn't just the acts that were grievous, it was the laws themselves, which is why we should, in all honesty charge the U.S. government with crimes against humanity and seek remuneration. They would have us believe that to pay such a price would be foolish, because we wouldn't know how to spend it. Bogus, that's never brought up when someone sues for real, psychological and emotional damages in court. They would have us believe that we're just a bunch of lazy nerdowells, negating the fact that we built this "great country" that everyone wants to immigrate to. They'd have us believe that our plight is due to our own lack of vision and planning, when they know darn well that they continue to place stumbling blocks in our path, at every turn.<br />
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At this point we'd love if the playing field could be leveled. But at the same time part of leveling that playing field should include reparations for damages that have been and continue to be done to the members of our community separately and collectively.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-52572815093475060952009-03-04T21:16:00.001-05:002009-03-04T21:19:58.916-05:00Stewart Africentric Elementary Relocates to Crouse Community Learning CenterContrary to misleading reports, in the Akron Beacon Journal, Stewart Africentric Elementary is not closing. The building will not be used after this year, but the Stewart community will be relocating to Crouse Community Learning Center at 1000 Diagonal Road in Akron. The current building for Crouse Elementary has been in continuous use since 1919.<br /><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/AuFkA38qvS22LxjJqcJQItGuSFDZRXnR5ael0WnsAzWxTQAXNkekMAVaz5KnLIaFHeiZ2P2PheUVJeICJcgi5r6DHpF1Z0jh/crouse2.jpg" alt="" width="615" height="292"/></p><br /><br />At the end of this school year Crouse Elementary will be razed and out of its ashes will be born a new community learning center (CLC). As of the Fall 2009 Crouse CLC will be the home of the current student body already in attendance at Crouse and the student body of Stewart Africentric Elementary school.<br /><br /><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/AuFkA38qvS3zZ0DBNg6-meBduadLjs*CERN4ZyIyzNf6dqiwy8TrTt0LkQWDnkR-DsnGJ4j3Xbdx0vz-poCXoaJ8*vE2U93v/100_2735.JPG?width=225" alt="" width="225" height="300" style="float: left;"/><br />Teachers, parents and interested community members took a look at their soon to be new home in the Crouse Community Learning Center. A parent meeting will be held at Stewart Africentric Elementary School on March 5th, 2009 at 6 PM to answer any questions community members may have. You can also reach school officials for more information at 330/873-3396.<br /><br />The newly constructed building stands on the same plot of land as the old Crouse we all remember. But, instead of 3 - 4 floors, depending on how you count, the new building has a low profile with only 2 stories and lots of windows. As we toured the building the afternoon sun lit up every room. The inclusion of a number of large windows in strategic locations was a brilliant design stroke. From the rear of the building it looks somewhat foreboding. But, from the front it has a much more open and inviting feeling.<br /><br />This feeling only lasts for a moment though, because all visitors will have to enter through the main office which is secured and will require visitors to be buzzed in by the receptionist who will have a birdseye view of anyone coming in the front door, while also being able to view all other entrances on a monitor from their office.<br /><br />The building will house the 200 Crouse students currently enrolled and 120 additional students from Stewart Africentric Elementary. For the moment plans have not been announced for the current building housing Stewart's students. However, from all indications their will only be one principal with the possibility of an assistant principal. Whether or not there will be an assistant principal is unsure. All of the students from Stewart will be housed on the second floor. Crouse students will be on the first floor and will also occupy one additional area on the second floor in a separate wing of the building.<br /><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/AuFkA38qvS0CEQQ-sxWbReMWc-PS6*QdUNVamyBKUUXsrfyGf9BuKW*rO9xdFaMnCsTgkia1T*U0GhdrO3RyYons1WcuMDqq/100_2718.JPG?width=300" alt="" width="300" height="225"/></p><br /><br />There will be some areas that the students from both schools will share, primarily the gym, cafeteria/auditorium, clinic, art room and the music room, not to mention the outside playground area.<br /><br />The playground and a second parking lot that will allow people to enter the gymnasium at ground level are still in the works.<br /><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/AuFkA38qvS2D9E7250hpyfwszte08uxVycTqKilBb0UUNdc8iBH3WvxTiqlrt2pv6qSY0sIZ5dB7o3VOB-VIamPkSghhC4o*/100_2734.JPG?width=300" alt="" width="300" height="225"/></p><br /><br />Overall the building itself gets a 4 out of 4 stars rating. It seems that they've thought of everything and have a realistic plan. The school will house 500 students at capacity, but will start with around 350 students. There will be a number of openings so parents whose children are not already enrolled at Crouse or Stewart should contact APS as soon as possible. These openings will not last long. When Helen Arnold CLC opened the demand exceeded their capacity to meet it, so some students were turned away in that instance.<br /><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://api.ning.com/files/AuFkA38qvS3mx7hgQzsOVSImE5dBuXkcPjetoUXwlCASM*ChS9nB85Si0aSaCTdXndwsqoiNrxVABRlBob6vpl3wN4gP1eSZ/CrouseLRC.jpg?width=300" alt="" width="300" height="225"/></p><br /><br />It will be a real challenge for the Stewart parents and staff to maintain the Africentric program in their new environment. Hopefully, they won't be swallowed up in the new building or lose their unique identity. I'm hopeful, this merger with Crouse will work out better than expected and both programs will flourish in the bright light of day which will bathe the school on every sunny day.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-77477782108764229342009-02-05T11:47:00.001-05:002009-02-05T11:53:47.235-05:00Kofi's Inauguration Journal: Part I<p align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;">Last week Barack H. Obama was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. His part was well orchestrated and quite dramatically portrayed on an international stage. With the exception of John Roberts misstep during the swearing in ceremony it appeared to go off without a hitch.<br /><br />When Obama's in town it's as if a hurricane just landed. Thousands of people rallied to his cause during his presidential campaign. Millions attended his inauguration and now the hopes of the nation rest at his doorstep. Will he be up to the challenge? Will the Congress back him to the hilt or will his flower wilt and die along with the hopes of the nation.<br /><br />I was in D.C. for the inauguration with my oldest daughter, Miri Muhammad and Rita Rogers, a teacher from Stewart Africentric Elementary School in Akron, OH. Our first night in town we attended the African Inaugural Ball at the Hilton hotel in Silver Springs, MD.; a well attended international affair. The program and the participants were from numerous countries on the three most populous continents in the world. Africa was well represented, of course, but there were also guests from the U.S. and the U.K. as well.<br /><br />The entertainment on Sunday evening derived from Africa, and the Americas. Countries represented included Canada, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Nigeria, USA and Kenya. The organizers of the event are US residents from Nigeria. Featured performers of the evening included a Nova Scotian African dance troupe and Emma I.K. Agu, a Nigerian singer who regaled us with his rendition of "Obama: the Wind of Change." Marcia Griffiths, one of Bob Marley's back-up singers, ended the evening with her hit song "Electric Slide." Everyone had a good time dancing the night away.<br /><br />Following the Ball we went around the corner to Langon Ethiopian restaurant, where we enjoyed a well deserved meal of beans and vegetables. This was to be the first of a number of Ethiopian establishments we visited that evening. At each location we visited the excitement level was high and everyone was planning on attending the ceremonies the next day. It appears that Obama has broken down many of the barriers and eliminated many of the stereotypes of Black American men.<br /><br />We spent the day before the inauguration and inauguration day in and around the National Mall. The day before the inauguration we visited the Pavilion below the Old Federal Post Office and traced part of the parade route down Pennsylvania Avenue, all the way to the North side of the White house to the see the presidential reviewing stand. Spirits were high and the atmosphere was congenial. People were in town from all over the world, not just the U.S. We got to meet many of these people and recorded their stories. It seemed like everyone was a vendor or a news reporter. There were armies of both in town for the swearing in ceremony.<br /><br />Traveling to and from the mall was a breeze on the Metro. I was glad that we planned to stay with friends who had the foresight to plan ahead and purchase our commemorative passes in advance. The lines to get any kind of pass at the station were extremely long. But, with our prepaid passes we breezed right on through to the lower level where we got on board a train to the Federal Triangle station.<br /><br />The next day we arrived at the Metro station at about 4am. The rush to get to the National Mall had already begun. Cars were lined up to get into the Park & Ride lot at the Old Branch Metro station. We managed to skirt some of it, by coming in another entrance. But, long lines would be the rule from then on out.<br /><br />We had been told not to bring folding chairs, ice chests, back packs or even a thermos because of security concerns. So, upon exiting the Metro station the first thing we did was go to Star Bucks, where we encountered 2 uniformed Secret Service agents in line to get their morning cup of Joe. However, when we actually got to the National Mall very little of the security we had been expecting was in place. We arrived at the ninth street entrance at about 6:30am and waited patiently for the gate to open at 7:00am.<br /><br />The crowd continued to grow larger by the minute. Everyone was in high spirits and on several occasions started up an Obama campaign chant, "Fired Up, Ready to Go!" As the crowd continued to grow several people passed out. In order to get to them the authorities sent a truck directly into the crowd. This caused a lot of confusion. A few cool heads prevailed and disaster was averted not once, but twice as the first vehicle was followed by a Humvee going the opposite direction. Soon after these incidents concluded we expected the gate would open, however we were informed that we needed to go to another gate on 14th Street.<br /><br />We headed down the street to the appointed gate, but before we arrived someone in the crowd saw a gate that was open near the Smithsonian Castle. It was an unmanned gate hanging wide open. No metal detectors, no TSA officers, nothing but an open gate to the inauguration. People streamed through that gate with metal folding chairs and anything else they cared to bring with them. We had diligently come with only what was officially allowed according to information on the Secret Service website. Among the items we did bring with us were included three blankets. Each of us carried one of these blankets to the Mall.<br /><br />Once we reached the Mall things went pretty smoothly. We found ourselves a spot with a good view on the hill around the Washington Monument and laid out some of our blankets. Rita and I headed across the street to the National Museum of American History (NMAH) to get warm. We were met there by throngs of people with the same idea. Here we did have to go through the pretense of security. But, by the time we arrived there at 9am the museum was packed to overflowing, seriously beyond capacity.<br /><br />We stayed in the museum until 11:30am, before we finally ventured back out onto the Mall. By this time it was impossible to cross 15th street to return to the base of the Washington Monument and there was a huge crowd in front of the Capitol. so, we reconciled ourselves to a clearing near a jumbotron on the Mall just outside of the NMAH. This turned out to be a good spot, as we had plenty of room around us and an unobstructed view.<br /><br />No sooner had we stepped on the Mall many of the noted dignitaries made their grand entrance, including Malia and Sasha. Cheers rose up from the crowd at the mention of their names. Then Joe Biden took his oath and the crowd roared with delight. Last, but not least it was Obama's turn to take the stage. Right before he took the oath of office Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Izhak Perlman, pianist </span><a href="http://www.nbcwashington.com/topics?topic=Gabriella+Montero"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;">Gabriella Montero</span></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;">and clarinetist </span><a href="http://www.nbcwashington.com/topics?topic=Anthony+McGill"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;">Anthony McGill</span></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;">performed a special piece composed especially for the inauguration of Barack Obama entitled "Air and Simple Gifts." We are not told that what we heard was actually a recorded rendition of the piece, as it was too cold to keep their instruments in tune. Obama took the oath and gave his inaugural address and the crowd dispersed.<br /><br />Many of them did as we did and reentered the NMAH. The cold was bone-chilling, penetrating our outer garments in short order. All of the Smithsonian buildings were open that day. It purportedly cost the Inaugural Committee approximately $700,000 for these accommodations and was well worth it. Many of us would not have made it through the day without the respite offered us by the Museum complex.<br /><br />Our plan was to give people a chance to exit the Mall before heading to the nearest Metro station, which on that day was at Le Enfant Plaza. We had found a cafe in the NMAH and decided 12:30pm was a good time to get something to eat. There are 2 cafes in the NMAH. We decided to go to the largest one on the Lower Level. There was a long line there, but it moved quickly. We went through the line and got our food.<br /><br />The place was packed with people like ourselves from various places. Some of the most interesting people we met during our stay were seated at our table. One woman we met had been to the March On Washington, The Poor People's Campaign of 1968, three inaugurations and numerous other major events on the Mall. Everyone agreed the camaraderie was the main attraction for the day, not the swearing in ceremony, not the celebrities or the media, but the everyday people who willing and patiently shared their stories, they were the main attraction. </span></span></span></span> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-48267683509092662009-02-05T11:44:00.001-05:002009-02-05T11:54:52.333-05:00FOUR REASONS FOR NOT EATING ANIMALS<p style="margin-bottom: 0.2in;" align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">What follows are four basic reasons that people do not eat animals. From my experience everyone falls into one or more of these categories. </span></span> </p> <ol><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Weight Loss - Over weight or obese individuals, models, actresses, military personnel, athletes.</span></span></p> </li></ol> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A. This is the most common reason for changing ones diet in the modern world. Doctors who have accepted the hypothesis that cholesterol and calories are the bane of existence typically direct their patients to cut down on foods high in cholesterol and calories, which amounts to less animals and animal byproducts, such as eggs, milk and cheese.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 0.98in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">B. These changes work for some people, however many people end up going from feast to famine. Oprah Winfrey is a good example of this.</span></span></p> <ol start="2"><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Health Concerns - Sufferers of </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><u><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bronchitis"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Chronic Bronchitis</span></span></a></u></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">, </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><u><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asthma"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Asthma</span></span></a></u></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">, </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><u><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allergy"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Allergies</span></span></a></u></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">, </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><u><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constipation"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Constipation</span></span></a></u></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">, </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><u><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemorrhoid"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Hemorrhoids</span></span></a></u></span> <span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">(bleeding piles), </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><u><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_disease"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">heart disease</span></span></a></u></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">, </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><u><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peptic_ulcer"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">ulcers</span></span></a></u></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">, etc. </span></span> </p> </li></ol> <p style="margin-left: 0.98in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A. Anthropologists have hypothesized what foods various extinct animals ate based on their physiognomy, particularly their jaw and dental structure. In other words, animals with dental structures similar to dogs and, or sharks; as well as short intestinal tracts are classified as “meat” eaters, while those with teeth structures similar to the elephant, cow, gorilla, etc. are identified as plant eaters.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 0.98in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">B. The human dental structure is along the lines of these plant eaters, as is our </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><u><a href="http://www.mamashealth.com/organs/intestine.asp"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">long intestinal tract</span></span></a></u></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">. </span></span> </p> <ol start="3"><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Humane Concerns - Animal Rights Activists, Brahmins, Krishna Devotees and Buddhists. </span></span> </p> </li></ol> <p style="margin-left: 0.98in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A. The killing of animals is cruel and inhumane therefore, we should not kill them for any reason.</span></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 0.98in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">B. It takes more energy to make 1lb. of beef than it does to make 1lb. of vegetables because almost all the animals we eat are plant eaters. We could save a lot of energy by eating the plants ourselves, let the animals live and be healthier all at the same time.</span></span></p> <ol start="4"><li><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Religious Convictions - 7th Day Adventists, Rastas, Brahmins, Krishna Devotees and Buddhists. In the religious texts of the religions I just mentioned the eating of plants over animals is advocated.</span></span></p></li></ol> <p style="margin-left: 0.98in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A. Genesis 1:29 “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” King James Version</span></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 0.98in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">B. The vow of the Nazarites/Rastas: Numbers 6</span></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 1.47in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><u><a href="http://bible.cc/numbers/6-1.htm"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>1</b></span></span></a></u></span> <span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><u><a href="http://bible.cc/numbers/6-2.htm"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>2</b></span></span></a></u></span> “<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to dedicate himself to the LORD, </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><u><a href="http://bible.cc/numbers/6-3.htm"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>3</b></span></span></a></u></span> <span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">he shall abstain from wine and strong drink; he shall drink no vinegar, whether made from wine or strong drink, nor shall he drink any grape juice nor eat fresh or dried grapes. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><u><a href="http://bible.cc/numbers/6-4.htm"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>4</b></span></span></a></u></span> ‘<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">All the days of his separation he shall not eat anything that is produced by the grape vine, from </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i>the</i></span></span> <span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">seeds even to </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><i>the</i></span></span> <span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">skin. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><u><a href="http://bible.cc/numbers/6-5.htm"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>5</b></span></span></a></u></span> ‘<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">All the days of his vow of separation no razor shall pass over his head. He shall be holy until the days are fulfilled for which he separated himself to the LORD; he shall let the locks of hair on his head grow long. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><u><a href="http://bible.cc/numbers/6-6.htm"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>6</b></span></span></a></u></span> ‘<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">All the days of his separation to the LORD he shall not go near to a dead person. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><u><a href="http://bible.cc/numbers/6-7.htm"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>7</b></span></span></a></u></span> ‘<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">He shall not make himself unclean for his father or for his mother, for his brother or for his sister, when they die, because his separation to God is on his head. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><u><a href="http://bible.cc/numbers/6-8.htm"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>8</b></span></span></a></u></span> ‘<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">All the days of his separation he is holy to the LORD. </span></span> </p> <p style="margin-left: 1.47in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">King James Version</span></span></p> <p style="margin-left: 0.98in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">C. According to the Hindu Holy Book Manusmriti, “Meat can never be obtained without injury to living creatures, and injury to sentient beings is detrimental to (the attainment of) heavenly bliss; let him therefore shun (the use of) meat. (5:48)”</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Excerpted from "The Road To Better Health" by Kofi Khemet, copyright 2009.</span></span><br /></div><p style="margin-left: 0.98in; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-75116784659908473532008-12-05T01:10:00.010-05:002008-12-05T12:06:34.507-05:00Are We Living In A Post-Racial Society?<p></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RUGJQEFyQTNPIGm3z1Co-jVq5dCUZEJgJzsaoZms-r8km88hduGq5zXeBttan3aX6rzuZPi8FrYFRI_i6sOMsMOFqj0vwCWbC2qamR9BjhsAtL_UpYx2PyO3kGqokPaknaxIhAjNNcw/s1600-h/The+Fallacy+of+Race.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RUGJQEFyQTNPIGm3z1Co-jVq5dCUZEJgJzsaoZms-r8km88hduGq5zXeBttan3aX6rzuZPi8FrYFRI_i6sOMsMOFqj0vwCWbC2qamR9BjhsAtL_UpYx2PyO3kGqokPaknaxIhAjNNcw/s320/The+Fallacy+of+Race.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276353355027048818" /></a><br /><p></p><br />With the election of Barack Obama to the presidency the question has come up, are we living in a post-racial society? In other words has the concept of race lost its cache, or meaning? Let's examine this and see what we come up with, it may be that we've reached that land that Dr. King saw from the mountain top. Of course, it may be as illusory as a mirage in the Sahara on a hot day.<br /><br />What lies at the heart of this question is the notion that something fundamental has changed within society, either as a result of Obama's campaign or independent of that campaign. As we consider this question it would be good to lay out some facts that we can take into account. First of all 53% of Americans voted for Obama, or against McCain, as the case may be. While an almost equal number voted for McCain/Palin or against Obama. This being said we're talking about millions of people on each side of the line in almost equal numbers. You'll recall it was the independent/undecided voters that tipped the scales in Obama's favor.<br /><br />Fact number two: throughout the campaign Obama was dogged by questions of lack of experience, etc. This was not the first time a candidate was labeled with that tag, but it was particularly galling in Obama's case, because it was very reminiscent of the infamous "grandfather clause." Witness the contrast here between McCain, who like Bush had generations of "leadership" experience behind him, while Obama had only his own experience in college and community organizing. How was he to overcome this gap without going back in time and rewriting history. It appeared to be an insurmountable gap.<br /><br />Fact number three: everything was thrown at him, including the kitchen sink, by Hillary, McCain and Palin. No stone was left unhurled, including the use of his middle name as a label of unfitness for the job.<br /><br />Fact number four: everything was thrown at him short of playing the obvious race card. Obama was cool enough to never even bring up race, but he did respond forcefully when his opponents tried to broach it in a circuitous manner.<br /><br />Fact number five: race was an issue, albeit an unspoken issue. It was the 800 lb. gorilla in the room, but Obama deftly avoided it to the consternation of some of his Black supporters, who in the end were understanding enough to know why he was leaving that issue alone.<br /><br />What his opponents did say about race came through when they spoke of his numbers. They always tried to make him "the Black candidate." In the past other candidates, like Carl Stokes, were dogged with accusations like this and came up with creative ways of addressing it, without alienating his supporters of either race. Obama was just as deft in dealing with the Reverend Wright issue, which was a race issue; his middle name issue "Hussein," which was a race/religious issue and the terrorist association issue, which was not so much a race issue; but spoke to how "different" he was compared to the other candidates.<br /><br />All of the above issues were couched in a blanket of "difference." All the diversity training in the world was not enough to keep the other candidates from pointing out, "he's not like us." The logical conclusion here is that race is still very much an issue that cannot be overlooked, just like that 800 lb. gorilla in the room.<br /><br />In the end it appears that Obama won not because of some drastic shift in the status quo, or the racial proclivities of whites, but rather by the use of superior strategy, gamesmanship and good timing.<br /><br />The fact is America is as backwards when it comes to attitudes about race today as it ever has been. In a presentation I'm readying for publication entitled, "Black Men On The Money," I'll deal with the some of these attitudes and perceptions. Here's a little exercise you can do right now to see where you're really at on the issue of race. Take a look at the picture at the beginning of this article and make a note of what race you think each of these people represent. Some of them you may know by name and/or face and others may be unfamiliar to you. Regardless, without using a reference work, or the internet to try and identify them first, just look at them as people and see if you can correctly identify their "race."<br /><br />When you're done go to www.quadratix.org for information on each person seen in the picture. This is something that we all need to look at very carefully and consider what our own attitudes are toward the persistent question of racial identity in America.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-47308633102880557652008-11-20T20:22:00.004-05:002008-11-20T20:36:31.962-05:00I Never Thought I'd Live To See The Day!!<a></a><br />As we bring 2008 to a close I'd like to reflect on some of the commentary regarding President elect Obama. The media pundits seem to have achieved a state of nirvana regarding the election of Obama to the presidency of the United States. They act as if a Black man had never run a country before. For their information I'd like to speak on this matter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp27PpMiy-xbG40JoLlEptSs1xRWG_3cRGR-0jzx2iJyRab4Xl7UBEoUAab96O-V7xXkxI6bBAuD7eWONNfflicGsSScXqH3HGeIUfgmbtE8iS6-NiQYRzfhpaJycGm1y4RwhGHzlg6xA/s1600-h/OBAMA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp27PpMiy-xbG40JoLlEptSs1xRWG_3cRGR-0jzx2iJyRab4Xl7UBEoUAab96O-V7xXkxI6bBAuD7eWONNfflicGsSScXqH3HGeIUfgmbtE8iS6-NiQYRzfhpaJycGm1y4RwhGHzlg6xA/s320/OBAMA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270916357712524658" border="0" /></a>Clearly, the election of Obama to the presidency is something that many of us thought we would not see in our lifetime. However, it's not all that the media would like to make out of it.<br /><br /> Number One: Africa's descendants have led many great nations, down through the ages.<br /><br /> Number Two: Some of these great leaders have led the United States of America.<br /><br /> Number Three: Great nations continue to be led by Black men today.<br /><br />Let's look at these three points. The word president is a title to describe the leader of a country. Many countries around the globe now use this title in emulation of the government of the United States of America. Many countries also use the title prime minister, some continue to use the word king and, or queen. However, you want to look at it, it's just a title. It conveys no more status than any other title. In fact, it conveys less status than the title emperor or king.<br /><br />The descendants of Africa have ruled as many, if not more, nations as any other group of people on the globe. So, why should it be so amazing that Obama could be elected president of this nation? Well, as a matter of fact the descendants of Africa have occupied this office before. Admittedly, we were not taught this in school, but I think the facts will bear me out.<br /><br />The economy of the U.S. was based on the chattel slavery of Africans for over a hundred years. During the course of this enslavement a doctrine of "white supremacy" developed. This doctrine had as one of its basic tenets the idea of the purity and sanctity of the white race. Therefore, even one drop of "Black blood" would cause one's lineage to be tainted, and would also cause all of one's progeny to no longer be of the white race, but rather of the "Black" race.<br /><br />Oftentimes this led to the labeling of people that appeared to be white as Black. This was a handy device, especially in the later years of slavery, when the importation of new slaves had been outlawed. Many a "white person" was enslaved after having been accused of being Black. If they could not produce paperwork proving their "whiteness" slave-catchers could snatch them up and spirit them away to a slave state where they would be bought and sold. There are a number of well documented cases where this happened and the family eventually "proved" the person was not Black and should therefore be released.<br /><br />It's also been documented and attested to by eyewitnesses that a number of presidents of the United States of America were known to have been from Black families. These presidents include Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge and Dwight Eisenhower. There are other prominent Americans still "passing" for white, as did Alexander Hamilton.<br /><br />For those of you unfamiliar with the term "passing" as it is used in the Black community. Passing is when you cross over the color line by denying any and all association with your blood relations and create a new life out of sheer fiction. This is something that is quite common in the Black community. Examples of this phenomenon abound. Some prominent people who could and did pass, on occasion, include Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Walter White, John G. Jackson, T. John McKee, Mariah Carey, Queen Charlotte Sophia, Alexander Dumas, Alexander Leidesdorff, Alexander Pushkin and President Warren G. Harding. Many of these individuals accepted their "Blackness" and even reveled in it. But, this was not true across the board.<br /><br />Alexander Leidesdorff's story was particularly tragic. He lost his first love when he informed her of his "tainted" background. Following that incident he moved to the other side of the country and kept his background in the closet. Alexander Dumas the French author of "The Three Musketeers," "The Man In the Iron Mask" and "The Count of Monte Cristo" was told, in no uncertain terms by his agent, that he should not even consider vacationing in America, for fear of losing a major market due to the endemic racism of the times.<br /><br />On the other hand there were individuals like Adam Clayton Powell, Alexander Pushkin, Walter White and James G. Jackson who not only reveled in their "Blackness," but at times used their white appearance to infiltrate "white supremacist" organizations as spies.<br /><br />So, when we hear of someone passing it's not far-fetched at all, because oftentimes we have people in our families who have been passing for years.<br /><br />Last, but not least there should be no doubt that the descendants of Africa have been leaders in every field including cotton, since we arrived on these shores. So, why in heaven's name should it be amazing that a Black man could be elected to the presidency. There's a poem by "Straight Out Scribes," entitled "I Never Thought I'd Live To See The Day," that talks about the election of Nelson Mandela to the presidency of the unabashedly racist country of South Africa. If Mandela could be released from a life sentence for treason, after 30 years smashing rocks and then become President of South Africa, surely this could happen in the U.S.<br /><br />The thing that's most "amazing" is that in spite of the racist policies still in force in this country, a Black man has risen to the top without having to deny his racial heritage. Yes, he's Black! They'll never let him forget. He's Black all right, he'll never let them forget.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-18498452475657968292008-11-20T20:11:00.006-05:002008-11-20T20:40:08.199-05:00Black United Students Celebrate 40 Years at KSU<A></A><br /><br /><center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RvZ62tzsN2g&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RvZ62tzsN2g&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><br />Black United Students (BUS) was founded 40 years ago this year, on the campus of Kent State University. The organization has gone through many changes over time. But, much remains the same.<br /><br />Dr. Larry Simpson, the first president of BUS, returned to the campus November 8, 2008 for a celebration of the past 40 years. He's now the Senior Vice President of Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, in charge of academic affairs. Over the years his experience with BUS has served him well. As he stated in his keynote address the other night. Being involved in BUS gave him a window into the adult world that he may not have experienced had it not been for BUS. Mostly, it was about learning how to work with other people and function as a member of society.<br /><br />In his work at Berklee, the world's largest music school, he is still an advocate for students and their success within an institutional environment, as is another former BUS president Dean Tim Moore. Dean Moore is an Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences at Kent State University. He's also a professor in Pan-African Studies where he's taught for over 30 years.<br /><br />A number of othe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qt6BZ0_wZaUZmN0FDwODtH5HPHrG5w27cVg7-IzfDYTVw_PAvUvRYf6FDEDHf3giwwwUPZ6iYJjp5xY30HSb0KjJG-vkDRr-Murl7ZCVHs-dMS5IWNfOJAbbQ1JOHvIukLEbQ6-178o/s1600-h/May+1-4+lightroom+edited-119-Edit+BUS+univolved+with+May+4+activities.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qt6BZ0_wZaUZmN0FDwODtH5HPHrG5w27cVg7-IzfDYTVw_PAvUvRYf6FDEDHf3giwwwUPZ6iYJjp5xY30HSb0KjJG-vkDRr-Murl7ZCVHs-dMS5IWNfOJAbbQ1JOHvIukLEbQ6-178o/s320/May+1-4+lightroom+edited-119-Edit+BUS+univolved+with+May+4+activities.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270913616050886242" border="0" /></a>r past presidents of BUS and BUS members were present for the celebration and awarding of Dr. Edward W. Crosby with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He also spoke about the significance of BUS in the formation of 3 academic departments at Kent State University. The Pan-African Studies Department is one of those departments. In 1968 there was no Pan-African Studies Department. Dr. Crosby was brought to Kent to form just such a department. In the beginning it was known as the Institute of African American Affairs (IAAA).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">IAAA was crucial to the lives of many of the Black students on campus. Many of them would not have graduated had it not been for the support of IAAA. Many of these students experienced culture shock upon entering the university environment and needed somewhere to go that felt familiar. They also needed help in a number of other ways, including academics, finances, etc. As Dr. Crosby stated so eloquently that night he "clothed himself with students," which served him well in negotiating with the powers that be, while it served the students too.<br /></div><br />Affirmative Action laws were in place, but in some ways it seemed as if IAAA was doing all the heavy lifting in that regard. No department on campus had as many Black faculty. To this day many of those Black faculty are still teaching at Kent, although few of them were seen that night. This was a night for the students.<br /><br />Following the parade of presidents the current members of the BUS executive board outlined their goals for this year. Some of the highlights included working on the Obama campaign and going into neighboring communities to work with the youth. The Progressive Education Community School which was initiated in the late 60's as the African Liberation Tutoring program has had new life breathed into it by the current BUS board. Kaisha Sherills has been instrumental in bringing this program back to life. She is the Community Affairs Officer of BUS and is a real spark plug.<br /><br />Ashley Tolliver current BUS president and her board did a fine job of putting together a program in less than 2 months. They are to be commended for their efforts. Hopefully, their experience with BUS will be as noteworthy and invigorating as that of past BUS members.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-82472067940106666252008-11-10T00:30:00.006-05:002008-11-10T01:12:07.552-05:00Announcing publication of, "Blakfacts Volume 1"<div id="i:lw" style="padding: 1em 0pt; text-align: left;"><img src="http://docs.google.com/File?id=dktgdbk_111gg9dnvdm_b" width="212" height="276" /> Featuring updated facts about President-elect Barack Obama!!!<br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;">It's been a long time coming, but it's finally ready for prime time. "<a title="Blakfacts Volume 1" href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=1027958" id="c6ru">Blakfacts Volume 1</a>" is a compendium of notable facts in the history of the African diaspora. You'll encounter heroes and sheroes; warriors and peacemakers; presidents and popes. In fact there's no telling what kind of folks you'll encounter.<br /><br />This book is for young and old! You'll learn about things your teacher never told you in school. They say,<br /><center><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /> "those who do not know their history are destined to repeat it!" </span></center><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">This fully illustrated volume is the first in a series of books which will broaden the horizons of its readers. If you thought you knew something about African American history, think again.<br /><br />As the editor of this series, based on the research of J.A. Rogers and the illustrations of A.S. Milai, I am particularly proud to present this unique offering to the children of today following the most auspicious occasion of the election of the first Black President of the United States, in the 21st century.<br /><br /><a title="Buy it now" href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=1027958" id="bze2">Buy it now</a> by selecting this live link to PayPal's secure server. PayPal can accept Mastercard, Visa, Discover, American Express and other forms of payment. Take advantage of our low introductory price.<br /><br />Shipping is free and tax is included!<br /><br />For those of you unfamiliar with eBooks, you will be sent a link to your eMail address within 24 hours of your payment, which will allow you to download this digital book and print it out in its entirety or one page at a time.<br /><br />This book is recommended for children and adults alike. The short bios are no more than 1-2 paragraphs and there are numerous illustrations on each page to engage your readers. They're perfect for ages 8 and up. <a title="Buy It Now" href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=1027958" id="y4ps">Download</a> your copy now and give them away as Kwanzaa gifts! Use the colorful depictions on the cover to inspire further research by your students.<br /><br />Please feel free to suggest new subjects for upcoming volumes.<br /><br />Yours Truly,<br /><br />Kofi Khemet, M.Ed.<br />Editor and Researcher<br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-56535396764878679962008-11-06T12:32:00.023-05:002008-11-10T01:57:01.708-05:00All Hail Commander-in-Chief Obama!!<p><table style="width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OnesCrqyvXDn-KrhN_YWCQ?authkey=f-V0DiMRV_w"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_i0lawieYh-8/SRTYHffZwjI/AAAAAAAACY4/-oElquPCVkk/s144/Black%20One%21.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr align="center"><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/kkhemet/PresidentObama?authkey=f-V0DiMRV_w">President Obama</a></td></tr></tbody></table></p>Another long campaign comes to an end. We now know what we may have been unsure of yesterday. The most powerful man in the world is a Black man! The Obamas will soon be occupying the White House, not as a butler and maid, but as the residents of the house. <p>This is a significant occurrence in American history, but not like some of us may think. "Race" has been a significant issue during this run for the White House. However, this is not the first time an African American has occupied the White House!! According to J.A. Rogers, their have been 4-5 African American presidents already! Now, just in case you missed this lesson during American history class I'll give you a quick recap.</p><p>In 1963 Attorney-General Robert Kennedy and Senator Jacob Javits stated: </p><blockquote><p>"there might be a Negro President in the next thirty or forty years, FACT, most outspoken of the big magazines, replied there was already one and in its January-February, 1964 issue had an article 'America's First Negro President.' It named Warren G. Harding as the one and had affidavits from elderly whites who knew the Harding family.</p><p>But before Harding three other Presidents had been loudly proclaimed by white people as being of Negro ancestry . . . . Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln." </p></blockquote><p>J. A. Rogers published a small booklet entitled "The Five Negro Presidents: according to what white people said they were" in 1965, offers up more evidence to back up these claims. Oftentimes, these claims of the <a href="http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmfirsts.html" mce_href="http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmfirsts.html">first Black this and the first Black that</a> is not only overblown, but is actually incorrect.</p><p>Ask anyone who the first African American in professional baseball was and they'll readily cite Jackie Robinson. When were the first "Freedom Rides?" Of course, everyone knows they occurred in the 1960's. Who was the first Black Astronaut? That's an easy one, Guion Bluford. However, when we go back and check the records we find that Moses "Fleetwood" Walker preceded Jackie Robinson by about 50 years. The first "Freedom Rides?" Well, as a matter of fact my cousin's husband went on the "Journey of Reconciliation," with Bayard Rutsin and other members of CORE in 1948. This was a test of an interstate transportation law enacted by President Truman outlawing segregation in interstate transportation. Last, but not least, Guion Bluford, one of our best and our brightest was preceded by Capt. Edward J. Dwight, Jr. who entered an astronaut training program in the early 60's. </p>As you can see from this short list, it can be a lot more difficult to nail down some of these so-called firsts than is apparent at first glance. I have purposely left a lot unsaid. My feeling is that in order to really know something it's best if you find it out for yourself. I will be returning to this topic as we continue to cover the story of Barack Obama, which has become decidedly presidential at this point.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-50744759189874758872008-11-01T05:28:00.012-04:002008-11-06T13:41:57.251-05:00Obama & "The Boss" Come to Cleveland After 20K Rally @ The Q<p><center><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oBUDwrzeatQ&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oBUDwrzeatQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><br /><br />Young people turned out in force for a political rally at the Quicken Loans Arena on October 29th, 2008. LeBron James, Jay-Z, the Obama Campaign and the Democratic Party held a large rally in downtown Cleveland that was well staged and attended.<br /><br />News media from around the world were represented, including a Kenyan paper called "The Nation," "Al-Jazeera English," and all the major U.S. news outlets.<br /><br />The event was significant in that it drew a large crowd of young people during the middle of the week. The program opened up with prayer by a local preacher and continued with appeals to the youth to vote early and in massive numbers. Chris Redfern the head of the Ohio Democratic Party and field organizers within the Obama organization urged the youth to go to the polls enmasse and cast their ballot no matter what the difficulties involved.<br /><br />They were warned about long lines, lack of food and water. Event host LeBron James and recording artist/entrepreneur Jay-Z implored them to go to the polls and stay there until they had cast their ballot. These were not exactly prophetic words, since long lines have already been noted in Atlanta, GA and other swing states, as well. Some of these lines have people waiting in line for up to 8 hours or more. It's been noted that the majority of these voters are new, young voters supporting Obama. It's a testament to their tenacity and the seriousness of the times that they continue to spend this much time waiting in line to cast their ballots. The much maligned youth have been cast as apathetic and unreliable, however it's this reporters' opinion that they are about to destroy this particular myth.<br /><br />Senator and Mrs. Obama will be in Cleveland this Sunday at the "Change We Need Rally," Lakeside Malls A, B and C on Lakeside Avenue. The doors open at 2pm and the program begins at 3:45pm on November 2nd. Now we all love Barack, Michelle and the children, but this rally will feature the "real" BOSS! That's right Bruce Springsteen himself will be on the stage with the man we want to be the "BOSS" of the U.S. government. Wow!!! Does it get any better than this?<br /><br />The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but an RSVP is strongly encouraged. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.<br /><br />If you can't make it to the rally remember this, "power concedes nothing without a fight." We've all got to do our part. Don't wait for the last minute to go to the polls. The earlier you go the more likely you are to successfully cast your ballot and be one in 100 million to begin to turn this country around. Your children's posterity and your posterior hang in the balance. Do your duty.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-10805789185092089052008-10-28T02:03:00.003-04:002008-10-28T15:16:39.111-04:00Obama Delivers Closing Argument: Assassination Plot Foiled!<p> </p><center><object width="425" height="344"><br /><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EqygB38cVYo&hl=en&fs=1"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EqygB38cVYo&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" mce_src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EqygB38cVYo&hl=en&fs=1" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></center><p> </p> <p>Today Senator Barack Obama wrapped up the presidential campaign that began "on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois, "with his "closing argument," delivered to a full house at the Canton Memorial Civic Center in Canton, Ohio. His closing argument summed up the current state of the campaign and, I'm sure, inspired many residents of Northeast Ohio to continue to work even harder to put him in the White House, on November 4th, 2008.</p> <p>Even as the diverse crowd basked in the words of the presidential candidate, plans to implement the "final solution" for African Americans, Barack Obama in particular, were being foiled by federal agents in Jackson, Tennessee. This makes the <a href="http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2008/10/15/disturbing-trend-in-election-vitriol-obama-death-threats/">4th assassination attempt</a> on Baracks life, that's been publicized, since he began his campaign on the steps of the Old State Capitol.</p> <blockquote><p>The first incident was the sabotage of his plane by deploying one of the emergency ramps while the plane was in flight, creating a situation where the plane was very difficult to control. Luckily, the pilots were seasoned enough to land the plane without further incident. Aviation authorities said they'd never had an incident like this occur.<br /></p> <p>The second incident occurred just before the Democratic Convention in Denver, when a conspiracy was uncovered amongst a well armed group of young, White, methamphetamine users in Denver, CO. For those of you unfamiliar with methamphetamines, people who use them become extremely violent and prone to uncontrollable fits of violence.<br /></p><p>The third incident was particularly perplexing because it had nothing to do with a White supremacy philosophy or organization. In fact, it involved the grandson of the publisher of one of the oldest African American newspapers in the country, who already had a felony rap sheet. Therefore, he should be doing some hard time.<br /></p><p>But, this latest incident, which happened today, involved some White supremacists. In all of these cases, with the exception of the very first incident, heavy firearms and protective gear was involved. However, from the commentary that aired on MSNBC on the "Countdown with Keith Olberman" it appears that this too will be swept under the rug.<br /></p></blockquote> <p>Each of these incidents, with the exception of the first one, was serious enough to illicit conspiracy charges and lengthy jail time for the perpetrators. However, we've yet to hear of even one of these cases resulting in a trial, and or jail time. In fact, what we have heard is that the conspirators have been sent home as if to say <a href="http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/news/story/joke-about-killing-obama-circulated-by-top-gop-figure/">"boys will be boys."</a> This is not gonna fly, not today, not tomorrow, not ever!<br /></p><p>As if all that wasn't enough we also had another incident occur earlier this week involving a young woman who claimed that a <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/10/24/mccain_volunteers_claim_of_att.html">"big Black man robbed, assaulted and disfigured her"</a> in part, because she was a supporter of John McCain. This was a ridiculous claim, which was not investigated by the McCain staff, but was instead taken at face value, as evidenced by the calls of support from McCain and his running mate. Even after the young lady confessed to having made a fraudulent claim, which could have led to violent attacks being perpetrated on innocent people McCain has yet to address the issue.</p><p>This is a pattern that we've taken note of over the course of the campaign. In fact, the whole tenor of the McCain campaign is having the effect of enabling or endorsing this type of activity. The calls for "Obama's head," the crys of "kill him" when his name is mentioned at McCain rallies have not been addressed by the McCain campaign.<br /></p> <p>Black folks take these threats seriously. The response of White people is not that these are serious incidents but, rather just some "young knuckleheads." For Black folks these threats are much more serious than White people can even imagine because, many of us have had members of our families discriminated against, threatened with physical violence, murdered and lynched. In many instances we've experienced these things ourselves. </p> <p>Our wealth, celebrity, educational background, etc. do not usually come into play when these incidents occur. It's the rare exception when our social status comes to our aid. In the case of O.J. Simpson we saw a good example of social status and wealth coming to his aid. Everything about the way he was dealt with was atypical, from the "slow speed" chase to his arrest following the chase. The whole thing was tightly choreographed, all according to the book. It was nothing like the Rodney King incident where he was in a high speed chase and was mercilessly beaten by some of L.A.'s finest. </p> <p>If his beating hadn't been caught on tape by an amateur videographer he would have just been another number in the system. So, when these kinds of threats are issued, no matter how amateurish they may seem Black people take them very seriously. The federal authorities need to take these incidents just as seriously, because there have been too many nameless African Americans that have been murdered by "amateur" White supremacists. These, so-called amateurs, oftentimes are trying to make a name for themselves and, in fact, could care less whether or not they are killed in the process. Either way, they figure they're going into the history books as die-hard patriots who went down for the count.</p> <p>Everyone who's interested in seeing Obama actually occupy the White House needs to write a letter to their state representatives and the local newspapers effectively putting them on notice. We should not delay, not even one day in carrying out this task, Obama's life could hang in the balance. </p> <p>This is an issue that has not and will not be dealt with in any significant way by the media, unless we call them on the carpet. They've shown us this repeatedly, by how they've dealt with all of the incidents mentioned above (I'm getting reports of more incidents as we speak). They'd like to just sweep it under the rug and continue to talk about the issue of "race," without dealing with the reality of race that we're dealing with down here on the ground every day and that Barack and his family is dealing with every day.</p> <p>All of us have been praying for them since this campaign started. So far, our prayers have been answered. But, prayer without works are futile and works without prayers are empty. We've got to combine positive action with affirmative prayers.<br /></p> <p> </p> <p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-54368876685500369312008-10-26T23:30:00.004-04:002008-10-26T23:32:49.018-04:00How To Early Vote Successfully In Ohio!<p><img src="http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/03/large_1voters.jpg" alt="http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/03/large_1voters.jpg" align="absbottom" /></p> <p>The end of this election season is coming to an abrupt close. There are 12 days left to cast your vote. Will you wait until the last moment and then rush to cast your vote in a furious flurry, or will you cast a vote early and free up a space in line for someone who cannot get enough time off from work to go to the polls? Now’s the time to make your decision and take action. It’s such a simple thing that has been complicated by the need to automate every aspect of society.</p> <p>Voting machine technology, which was supposed to simplify the whole process has come up short of the hype. What was supposed to streamline the process, improve accuracy and reliability is now causing interminably long lines at the polls and in the end is not necessarily accurate. We now know that our “state of the art” electronic voting equipment is unreliable at best (see <a href="http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/voterInformation/equipment/VotingSystemReviewFindings.aspx" title="Voting Equipment Problems">EVEREST</a> report), prone to tampering at worst. So, here are a few tips to help you successfully cast your ballot in a timely manner.</p> <p><span id="more-69"></span> Request a paper ballot instead of using a machine, at least that way you’ve begun to leave a paper trail that you can see has the correct boxes checked. The paper ballots are also easier to correct if you make an error.</p> <blockquote><p>By voting early you can avoid having to show I.D. and meet the exact match requirements you would be required to meet when voting on election day. Since you’re using an absentee ballot all you’ll need is the last 4 digits on your Social Security card. So, if you’re able to get to your Board of Elections office and cast a ballot before 11/4/08 please do so, it may help you avoid a lot of frustration on voting day, as well as long lines.</p> <p>Make sure to pick up a voting recommendation card for guidance on who to vote for and how to vote on the issues and judges, from your local party branch. You’re allowed to have one of these cards in the voting booth with you as you make your choices. This is especially helpful in selecting judges, since their party affiliations are not listed like the other candidates.</p> <p>If you anticipate you will be unable to make it to the polls for any reason, or you just want to avoid the hassle, you can request an absentee ballot through the mail. Your ballot will be sent to you, so you can fill it out at your leisure and even ask questions or use the internet to research an issue or judge, etc. before casting the ballot. When you’ve completed it you can send it in the mail or deliver it to the polls on or before election day.</p> <p>Another thing to consider is that each county produces the ballots for their county. Therefore, the ballots in each county may have a different appearance. In fact, some voters have been having problems already with their ballots, because of the format used to lay out the ballot. So, having the time to go over it carefully, where you’re not in a hurry to finish it and turn it in is advantageous for this reason also. Here’s an example of a <a href="http://www.brennancenter.org/blog/archives/potential_ballot_trouble_in_oh_split_contests/" title="Sample Ohio Ballot">sample ballot</a> used in one of Ohio’s 88 counties that has caused some confusion because of the 2 columns with presidential nominees.</p> <p>This link will give you all the information you need on <a href="http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/mapsEV.aspx?page=361&county=Summit" title="Early Voting Hours & Locations">Early Voting Locations in Ohio</a>, while also acting as a gateway into the Secretary of State’s website, which has all the current information on successfully casting your ballot in Ohio, as well as information on ballot issues, judges, etc.</p> <p>Ohio has one of the most informative and interactive websites for voters, instituted by the Secretary of State’s office, so make sure to put it to good use. After you have cast your ballot you can go to the site and tell your voting day story, be it good or bad. I’m sure they won’t mind hearing some of the good, as well as the bad and the ugly. You can use the link to <a href="http://www2.sos.state.oh.us/pls/voter/f?p=104:1:2124014554517904" title="Share Your Voting Experience">The Voting Rights Institute</a></p></blockquote> <p>Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner has been working diligently to correct the transgressions of her predecessor, the infamous former Secretary of State Blackwell. I have to give her an “A” grade. So far, so good. The system seems to be working. She’s had to fight off a number of lawsuits initiated by the Republicans that were initiated even before this years’ primaries. Some of them, like the latest attempt to disenfranchise approximately 200,000 new registrants have gone all the way to the US Supreme Court, who decided in favor of the Secretary of State.</p> <p>Ohio has had more than its share of problems with the voting process. But, this year that big yellow sun on the Seal of the Great State of Ohio is shining brightly over a new day in politics for the citizens of Ohio.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7143844672229250463.post-5519513037941754812008-09-26T16:50:00.004-04:002008-11-06T13:30:17.399-05:00WE THE PEOPLE FEST 2008, KICKS OFF TONIGHT<p>And the winner is . . . kicks off the "We The People Fest," this evening at Kent State's Center of Pan-African Culture. The movie is a satirical look at electoral politics, where the election boils down to a real bonafide beauty pageant. Check out this trailer for a preview of tonight's movie:<br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/b_lxuX_qk30&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/b_lxuX_qk30&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /></div>The film features Jerry Springer as the master of ceremonies and will be screening in the newly renovated Oscar Ritchie Hall on the campus of Kent State University at 8pm.<br /><br />A total of approximately 30 films, including some by local directors will be screened beginning this evening and running all the way through Sunday night. Highlights will include a presentation and book signing by Chuck Norris on Sunday afternoon and the screening of "Swing Vote," starring Kevin Costner and Kelsey Grammar, directed by Joshua Stern, who will be speaking prior to the screening at 7:30pm Saturday night. This screening will be held at the University Theater on the South side of Kent. Tickets for all screenings are $5 for students, $7 for general admission, or you can purchase a weekend pass for $50. Christina Groznik and Paul Shaia will speak prior to the film at 8pm.<br /><br />For those of you who are closely following the presidential election and may be concerned about missing tonight's debate, it will be shown in its entirety on Sunday at 3pm Eastern Standard time. So, have no fear you can come to the show and still see the debate.<br /><br />I look forward to seeing you there this weekend.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0