The World According To "O"

MY BLOG PAGE HAS MOVED!!!

2009-02-18T15:37:00.003-05:00

GREETINGS,

PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE TRANSFERRED MY BLOG TO WORDPRESS. THE NEW BLOG SITE IS www.omekongo.wordpress.com. Please continue to subscribe there! Take care and create a great day!

The Obamas and the Fashion Industry: the Real Racism

2009-02-01T14:53:00.002-05:00

So now the fashion world is abuzz looking for little black girl models. Malia and Sasha Obama have turned the fashion world upside down, making sites like J. Crew crash just by the simple act of wearing their clothes to the Inauguration. Saks and pretty much every other company is scrambling for Malia and Sasha impersonators. In this economy, I’m happy for anyone who can find positive and legal work but let’s be clear: the fashion industry is not all of a sudden embracing blackness and diversity. It’s embracing profits.

The video below is an excerpt from a CNN segment on how Malia & Sasha lookalikes are now getting work and in high demand. One man interviewed says that the fashion industry is now starting to realize that “black is beautiful.” Let us not allow our fascination with the Obamas to cloud our vision of racism in America. The Obamas are marketable and the fashion industry is all about marketing. I remember hearing a black woman in fashion once say that the fashion world is the only industry where you can be blatantly racist and say things like: “We’re not doing black or Asian this year. That’s not in.” That’s all it is folks. This is business.

Let’s look at a little history. Remember the model Iman from Somalia? Part of her rise to prominence was this story that she was plucked from the jungles of Africa and so many of us bought that story. Turned out she’s the daughter of a former Ambassador and speaks 5 languages. Who knew? The fashion industry knew. It’s all about marketing and what’s hot at the moment. Fast forwarding to 2009, how many more African supermodels have there been? Did Iman show that black is beautiful back then? Somehow I don’t think so.

If the fashion world is all of a sudden embracing diversity, I wonder if little Latinas, black boys, Native Americans who aren’t in traditional, and Arabs will start appearing in more advertisements. If so, I will have to write a retraction. As I said, I’m just a student of history and I know trends when I see them. For the fashion world, the Obamas are simply the flavor of the month or maybe the flavor of the next four or eight years. I would love to be wrong on this. Maybe the dialogues on race that President Obama’s ascension is forcing much of America and the globe to have will indeed prove me wrong.

King and Obama? What about Malcolm X?

2009-01-25T09:08:00.003-05:00

Another third Monday in January has passed where we honor the legacy of the late great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We watched the “I have a dream” speech (or excerpts of it), debated whether his dream has been achieved, and the more adventurous of us participated in the National Day of Service. This MLK day obviously had a greater feel to it because it came the day before we celebrated the first African American President, Barack Obama. As beautiful as these two days were historically, I find myself somewhat disappointed at all of the “from King to Obama” rhetoric. Everyone knows that I am huge fans of both individuals, but I do feel as though the comparisons have gotten a bit out of hand and more importantly, out of context.

The major problem I have is that Dr. King was one of many leaders in a movement. President Obama was the leader of a campaign. A political campaign by default is about the individual at the end of the day for he or she is seeking office. Without Obama, there would be no presidential campaign to elect him. Would there have been a Civil Rights Movement without Dr. King? Of course. The movement was well under way before Dr. King’s involvement. Some say the movement started when black heroes came back from World War II and still had to sit in the back of the bus or even as far back as the days when we first landed on these shores. Either way, we cannot solely attribute the beginning of this movement that drew international attention (and still inspires other movements worldwide) to Rosa Parks refusal to get out of her seat or Dr. King’s great leadership. I know by this time that I may be coming off to some as a hater, but I am far from it.

My point is that I often wish that on the 3rd Monday in January that we would have a Civil Rights Day instead of an MLK day. The messianic complex that so many of us have on this planet always causes us to create these “One man stood up” or “One woman had enough” stories that completely minimize (or erase entirely) the contributions of others. From Cezar Chavez and Nelson Mandela to Mussolini and Hitler (it works in the positive and negative sense), history, often told by others, picks a leader of a movement and that is who is celebrated or vilified. This is wrong. As it relates to Dr. King, many African Americans have unfortunately embraced this philosophy. There are many reasons that this frustrates me but I will only cite one reason here—Malcolm X. Remember him?

I get frustrated when I look at how quickly we forget people like Emmitt Till, Medgar Evers, Claudette Colvin, and the many other men and women, black and non-black, who gave their lives and heart to the movement. It is when I remember Malcolm that I get the most frustrated because President Obama admitted in his first book that Malcolm X’s message resonated with him more than any other figure of the Civil Rights Movement. This is also true for me and this is why it bothers me that we have allowed his memory to be forgotten and Dr. King’s to be pacified. I believe that Dr. King would not have risen to such prominence if Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam were not present with their self-defense mantra or Kwame Tourés militiancy or the Black Panthers. The list goes on and on. Malcolm's contributions to the movement are no less significant simply because he did not have a title like "Dr.", "Reverend", "Nobel Peace Prize Winner", or "President" before his name.

We who either came through the Civil Rights Movement or who are students of it should not continue to allow America to forget what the true meaning of the movement was and the massive involvement of so many groups. We should not allow the country to turn Dr. King into a “Kumbaya” singer who only had a dream. He was a hardcore soldier who spoke about police brutality and was as opposed to the Vietnam War as many of us are to the war in Iraq. Though it is important to remember King’s American dream, it is also equally important to remember that he had this dream while living an American nightmare.

So let us continue to celebrate the life of Dr. King. Let us never forget the momentous inauguration of the first black President. Let us also not forget, however, that Dr. King was one of many who helped bring the first black President into existence. There can only be one president at a time, but a movement for equality, whether gay rights, Muslim rights, etc. have many leaders, As great a man as Dr. King was, our struggles in this country have been too long and too complicated to only credit one individual for a movement that existed, in my eyes, before he was born. As the African proverb goes, “until the lion tells his story, history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”

Gaza vs. Oakland: Black America Still at War

2009-01-11T22:22:00.003-05:00

This blog is not about whether the Israeli incursion is morally right or wrong. It’s not about the plight of the Palestinians or whether Hamas is the real cause of the issues in this conflict. This blog is about the overwhelming amount of significance we place on events overseas versus the little attention we pay to the ongoing war in this country: the war on Black America. I am not going to even compare what’s happening in America to the Middle East conflict. That would be foolish. My goal is to simply shed light on the black elephant in the room. Or should I say, in the morgue.

In the past week and half, 3 black males were shot by the police. 2 of the men were in their own driveway. Robbie Tolan, the son of St. Louis Cardinals MLB champion Bobby Tolan was, shot by a police officer who allegedly entered Tolan’s driveway in plain clothes and did not announce he was a police officer, according to Tolan’s cousin who was with him. The officer apparently Tolan stole his own car. Tolan was allegedly shot as he was trying to get up and protect his mother, who got into an altercation with the officer. Tolan was shot in the chest with the bullet piercing his lung and ending up in his liver, ending his baseball career. Oh yeah, Tolan was unarmed.

In New Orleans, Adolph Grimes III was shot in his driveway. There is still debate on whether the young father shot his registered gun first, but he was shot at 48 times and hit 14 times, 12 in the back. I am not an advocate for guns, but given what has been happening in New Orleans as of late, I may have been forced to get a gun as well. If he was shot once in the front, the case would not have garnered as much skepticism as it does in my soul than the fact that entire rounds were fired into him and he was shot 12 times…in the back…in his driveway.

Finally in Oakland, Oscar Grant was shot in the back while he was handcuffed and faced down on the ground by a police officer as another officer had his knee in Grant’s back. Sounds too horrific? Watch below and see for yourself as another child loses his father over nothing. Watch how others are forced to see that their lives could easily be taken at the whim of the police who may just get off and be placed on paid administrative leave. How can I not feel like we are at war?

All three of these men are me. They are me despite whether they had a criminal background or came from the richest black family from the most affluent neighborhood. By being black and young, I am an easy target. It does not matter whether I have all these degrees or travel the world. It is completely irrelevant and this has to stop. Those who feel no compassion about this simply do not see us as equals. Some will say: “Well, the guy in Oakland shouldn’t have been fighting.” I went to majority white schools most of my life. I’ve seen enough fights among them as well as arrests. None of them were killed for it. None of them have to deal with being shot first and questions being asked later by those charged to protect us.

The disconnect is similar when war comes into place overseas. Leaders think twice about sending their nation’s young to war when their children have to go too or when there is a draft. Until white kids begai getting murdered senselessly by the police over nothing, nothing will change. I hope, however, that this never happens because misery really does not love company. As we continue to protest the current conflict in the Middle East, we are hypocrites to ignore what is happening in our backyard. I lament the loss of innocent life in any part of the world. My hope is that those who protest the Middle East conflict will remember that our own American brothers and sisters are being killed over nothing. Is my life not as protest-worthy as anyone in Israel or Palestine? To protest Palestine but not protest Grant, Grimes III, or Tolan shows where some still place the life of young black males on their list of priorities, which is especially sad if we own the same passports.

Why do girl pull-ups all have white folks on them?

2009-01-04T12:15:00.005-05:00

Raising children is by far the most joyous and most challenging experience of my life and I know this is the case for any parent who truly loves his or her children. In addition to trying to raise kids that will have a work ethic like you (or a greater one) and hopefully accomplish more than you did, you often find yourself with greater challenges than expected, especially if you are a person of color in this country. I have lived as a black child in America as well as a black adult in America. With all of the racism and ignorance I have experienced as an black person here, living as a parent as a person of color in this country has proven the most challenging and I have only been at it for 2 and a half years now.

My daughters are 2 and half years old and 4 months old. Both parents are black and my sister also lives with us. Without bragging too much, I can at least say that the three of us are doing a good job of providing an example of positive black role models as it relates to the 4 Es: education, exercise, entrepreneurship, and eating right. When we go to Boston and see their grandparents and their aunts, uncles, and cousins, there is nothing but more positive black role models for them to emulate. The major challenge we face is trying to have society join us in our struggle for them to see positive images of themselves, particularly at a young age.

Case in point. My oldest daughter, Ngolela, is now at the age of wearing pull-ups, a big step for her and probably something the majority of parents don’t think twice about. I did not either until I realized one thing—there are no pull-ups out there that have black girls on them. Every brand of pull-up I could find for girls had white or Latina/Arab-looking princesses on them. I couldn’t even find blank ones. Some boy pull-up brands had no images of people on them, only cars, but they were part of the pack that came with white cowboys and astronauts on them. I was amazed by this fact and I quickly tried to see how deep this problem went. Being a doctoral student at the University of Maryland, I quickly went on our black graduate listserv and asked for help. No one could point me in the direction of pull-ups without images of white people on them. This became very frustrating!

Let me make it clear. I am no racist; I’m just real about race. If you’re just discovering me, you will find that I spend my days trying to bridge gaps between cultures, not widen them. In order to do that, however, I believe that all groups need to be confident in their own identity before branching out and losing themselves before they’re ever found. I just don't my children arrving at the dinner table of multiculturalism with no utensils. For example, the first day Ngolela learned the word “princess,” she immediately said she wasn’t one. This was after she started wearing the pull-ups though we’ve called her princes before. Within a day of the three adults in the house constantly repeating it to her, she realized she was a princess too. Now when I tell her bedtime stories that I make up on the fly, she insists I start with “Princess Saafi…” (Saafi is her middle name).

My point from this is simple: life is a quest for representation. If people don’t see themselves represented properly and see how they fit, they will act like misfits. In addition to the pull-up problem, did you ever notice that there are no black girl cartoon characters on TV in the Dora the Explorer age range? I’ve seen white, Latina, and Asian so far and I applaud that. I see many black parents buying their girls Dora paraphernalia just to get close to a black image. Thank goodness for Bill Cosby and Little Bill or I’d be saying the same thing about young black boys. At least there’s one. If you believe I am over exaggerating on my concerns about imagery, just look at the video below which recreates the “black doll test” and understand just how early our kids start seeing themselves in a pejorative manner:

Enough said right? No.

I was recently conducting a workshop on educating black males with a group of predominately white teachers. I asked them about the pull-ups and one woman remarked: “Wow. I never had to think of that.” That’s the point. When you’re in the majority, you don’t have to worry about seeing yourself represented everywhere you go in the form of history books, statues, etc. You don’t have to be that image-conscious and it’s not just with toddlers. As historic as President-elect Obama’s nomination is, I am also impressed by Richard Liu becoming the first Asian American male newscaster on a major news network. There have been plenty of Asian newscasters on CNN but, without hopefully sounding too ignorant, they have all been young attractive women who almost fit the “Asian doll” stereotype. Having attractive broadcasters isn’t Asian specific, but I hope my point is clear.

At the end of the day, it is my hope that my daughters will be able to grow up in a world where what we tell them they could be will be represented when they walk out the door or turn on the TV so they think we lied to them about what’s possible. The new President and family will help tremendously, but it is the beginning of the work that needs to be done as it relates to countering the overabundance of sex-driven, “ghetto fabulous”, gold-digging black women that are still represented in the majority of the media that is out there today. We have much to do because despite my gripes, I realize it could be much worse. I could be Native American. Pocahontas anyone?

Why you shouldn't be teaching right now

2008-11-23T12:12:00.001-05:00

It is only natural that voters for a given candidate would be upset when their candidate does not win. It is natural for people to still keep their signs in their yard, the stickers on the cars, and the buttons on the bags. It is natural to believe that your tax status will change, you may make less money, or you may spend more time in a war that you do not support. The election of President-elect Barack Obama, however, for a myriad of reasons, has led many in America to expose their true racial animosity towards blacks in America on an entirely new level. This is best demonstrated when one analyzes how many of America’s teachers are responding to Obama’s nomination.

Across the country, I’ve received story after story about how some majority white schools are not “allowed” to discuss Obama’s election because the teachers are so angry. There could be many reasons for this if anyone believes the hateful rhetoric that came from the McCain/Palin campaign: Obama is a terrorist, a radical, a foreigner, a Muslim, socialist, etc. The elephant in the room that didn’t need to be mentioned is that he is black and I see this as a major problem for many white teachers. The reason for this is that so many students of all races have been coming to schools with Obama t-shirts and many of these students have been inappropriately celebratory with chants like “Obama, black power!” or “We’re in charge now!” In many schools, this has been a recipe for disaster with students fighting each other in support of their party (or race) and teachers not acknowledging this teachable moment in a positive manner.

One white teacher in one of the schools I visit told me that she was told by another white teacher that she can’t vote for Obama because if he wins, blacks will think they deserve more than they’re already getting. This is a higher level of anger than just one’s candidate losing. As a teacher, if you cannot use this moment to teach all of your students that they can be anything they want to be, you should not be a teacher. Given that so many black males have so many few black male role models, and so many white teachers have seen too few images of positive black men themselves, the Obama election should be used as a tool to teach what’s possible. The fact of the matter is that if you as a teacher believe that black people are only deserving of so much, than you can never teach them equitably and you should be ashamed.

Across the country, black males are the majority of students in special education, suspensions, expulsions, and remedial programs. A large part of this is due what they don’t have in their communities as it relates to positive black male role models, coupled with what they are not getting in school: culturally competent teachers and a culturally relevant curriculum. Despite that, some of these students labeled “at-risk” came to school on November 5th and pledged allegiance to the flag for the first time. Some came to school with t-shirts showing a president and not a prisoner from some rap group or mafia-type. As educators, if we cannot embrace this moment to show the world not only how far we’ve come, but how much further all of America’s children can take us, it should be criminal for any of us to walk into our classrooms and not embrace this moment in history. If you cannot do that, why are you teaching? Better still, who are you teaching for? It’s time for you to look in the mirror and reflect.

Congratulations President Barack Obama!

2008-11-05T00:27:00.002-05:00

Wow. We did it. We really did it. For African Americans, this is the single greatest moment in our history because it is a near culmination of all our struggles from Slavery to the Civil Rights Movement. It is by far not the end of all of the ills we still face, however, this moment proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that this country belongs to African Americans as much as anyone else. For America in general and the people of all races who voted for President Obama, we have shown the world (literally) that we can choose hope over fear. From trying to prove Obama was a terrorist to robocalls on election day in Florida saying that President Fidel Castro endorsed Obama, we have shown the world that we are moving towards hope.

Today is a new day. Not only did President Obama win this election handily, but senators and governors across the country from the Democratic party have taken over, showing that America has chosen to drive towards unity rather than the “Joe the Plumber,” “real America” politics of divisiveness. Just looking at Grant Park in Chicago, every representative of this country was represented in large numbers. Asian men were out there wearing Obama shirts. White women dressed like the statue of liberty. This election is a testimony to our tenacity as a nation. Furthermore, the election of President Obama shows that one can be intellectual and succeed in a nation of instant television stardom from reality shows, sex tapes, negative music, and even more negative politics.

CNN’s Gloria Borger often speaks of how this nation has a self-corrective nature. The corrections may come after a great deal of agonizing time, but they do come. Furthermore, we must also understand the importance of underestimation. Those on the Republican side laughed at President Obama’s experience as a community organizer and now they are confused. They failed to realize that community organizers are the people who changed the world from King and Ghandi to Mother Theresa and Mandela. We must always remember that when we turn away from our communities, we turn away from ourselves. Though Obama raised millions of dollars, it is important to remember that he came from nothing economically compared to many of his presidential rivals. This was a campaign rooted in the community that expanded worldwide.

Lastly, I have to end this with a comment on our children. My daughters will grow up seeing the first Black President. He will live down the street from me. I shook his hand at the gym we used to work out at. He’s an ordinary man who did the extraordinary and it is an example for all of us. Ordinary Asian, Latino, Native and Black children will now grow up believing that they will have the opportunity to be the leader of the free world. As the First Lady, Michelle Obama will set a new standard for beauty for America. President Obama and Michelle have shattered the ultimate glass ceiling. President Obama has officially proven that this country belongs to everyone, not just wealthy White Americans. When I was a teenager, I always used to tell the kids I mentored that they should not want to grow up hoping to be the first Black President. I told them we shouldn’t have to wait that long and that they should grow up wanting to be the next one and for that Mr. President, I love you and I thank you.

What about Hakim the Plumber?

2008-10-19T12:08:00.002-04:00

Here we go again! The McCain campaign has introduced yet another tactic in its pathetic attempt to show Americans that he and Governor Sarah Palin are the most “like them.” Samuel "Joe" Wurzelbacher or “Joe the Plumber” has now emerged as the new face of the McCain campaign. His “impromptu” questioning as an independent voter at an Obama event in Holland Ohio has given the media something new to discuss (though it’s quite old now). McCain used Wurzelbacher during the debate and thereafter to showcase how Obama would hurt the average American. I wanted to first point out a few inconsistencies of the “Joe” story and then point out why it is ultimately damaging for America.

Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune points out several of the problems with “Joe.” First of all, “Joe” does not make enough money to even be taxed under Obama’s plan. He is nowhere close to having the $250,000 needed to even buy a plumbing business. Furthermore, he is unlicensed. Third, he actually owes on his taxes. Finally, he is a republican who claimed to be independent. Senator McCain’s folks apparently did not properly vet “Joe.” Sound familiar? In the McCain campaign’s attempts to use words like “small town,” “country first,” “like us,” “patriotic,” and “Joe” to make their campaign to be the campaign of America, they have labeled the rest of us as “other” and this is a problem.

As “Joe the Plumber” rises to fame, receives book deals and reality show offers in addition to his new status as a pundit who has done more interviews than Palin with the press, I can’t help but be concerned with the continued decline of intellectualism in America. I saw “Joe” on Fox saying that the fact that he hasn’t paid his own taxes is irrelevant. This is probably in addition to the fact that he’s broke and isn’t licensed. McCain’s campaign has been reduced to slogans and catch phrases with no regard for the facts. The motto for the campaign might as well be “Vote for us White America. We look like you.”

The problem is that America no longer looks just like you Senator McCain and Governor Palin. You seem to have forgotten about Hakim the plumber, Jae Kim the teacher, Harshal the lawyer, and José the doctor. You should be mindful to know that in 2008, America is much more diverse and accepting than days past so attempts at division will backfire. Putting country first actually means putting all citizens first and not just those who look like you. While you and your supporters condemn Obama’s heritage and community organizer roots, you should be aware that Obama’s ability and attempt to organize the American community has placed him in the position he is in. You should take note.

An Open Letter to CNN's Campbell Brown

2008-10-10T18:20:00.001-04:00

Dear Ms. Campbell Brown,

I hope this letter finds you well. I must say that for the most part, I have been impressed with your coverage of this 2008 election process. Though you claim that your show has “no bias” and “no bull,” I have noticed that since the advent of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as the Republican Vice Presidential candidate, the hypocrisy in some of your statements have shown more bias on some issues and double standards on the other. Let us recap a few examples.

Before Governor Palin came on the scene, I recall the controversy over Senator Obama using the term “sweetie” to refer to a female reporter. He said that it’s a habit of his that he had to check. I thought your report was fairly objective until you reached the end of your segment and stated (paraphrasing) “Senator Obama, calling a woman ‘sweetie’ is an absolute no-no.” I thought to myself that you had already accurately covered the story and did not need to add your personal opinion. I was a little annoyed but I figured that would be the end of it. I did not know that a trend of double standards was beginning.

After Governor Pain was selected and spoke at the RNC, you and Gloria Borger were visibly moved and understandably so. I will return back to that night shortly. A few weeks later after Palin’s qualifications were becoming less and less evident, you masterfully grilled republican strategist Tucker Bounds about Palin. At the end of your roasting, you said “Tucker, I’m just gonna give it to you baby. We’ll end it there.” “Baby” vs. “Sweetie”? Is that not a double standard? I just looked at this as “strike 2” on my mental mound and let it go again but I did not realize the worst was yet to come.

On the night of Governor Palin’s RNC speech, on several occasions, you would interrupt the men on the panel with you to explain why a woman could better explain what is going on. Later, you and Ms. Borger took exception at the use of the word “shrill” by one of Senator Reid’s spokespersons. You stated that it was a very condescending term and Senator Reid and his staff should have known that it was a disrespectful term to use towards women. I (as a man I guess) never heard that before but given that you are a woman, I gave you the benefit of the doubt because you have lived this your entire life (although Donna Brazile disagreed with you). It is in this point that you revealed your ultimate hypocrisy.

Recently you reported on the violent language being hurled towards Senator Obama at Senator McCain rallies. You rightfully stated that there were racial slurs as well as terms like “terrorist” and “kill him” being thrown out there and that this language was unacceptable. In your attempt to cover both sides, you then confidently stated that those of us who saw Senator McCain’s use of “That one” in the second presidential debate as racial or racist were completely over-reacting. Ms. Campbell, that revealed an ultimate hypocrisy and misunderstanding of the experiences of many African Americans on your part.

I did not see the use of the word “shrill” as offensive but I respected your opinion and tried to step into your experiences in order to improve my understanding of your experience as a female professional. Do Black people in America not deserve the same attempt from you? All Black people did not see that term as being racist; however, there were many of us (particularly older Black people) who did, like CNN-contributor Michael Baisden. Rather than try to belittle our experiences, you should have conducted a report on why many of us saw it the way we did. That would have been the unbiased thing to do.

With all due respect Ms. Brown, you do not speak for Black America. No one person does, however, it would be better if you worked harder to understand our experience than condemn them. If someone makes a derogatory comment about Muslims while I am at the airport with my Muslim colleague, I may not find the comment offensive, but I could turn around and see her in tears. Is it my job to tell her she’s over reacting or is it my job to dig deeper in an expedition of understanding? The latter should be your job as a journalist. Feelings may not always be right, but because of our experiences, we as humans often cannot help how we feel. Please do not forget that.

Sarah Palin: a Great Pick for Senator McCain

2008-09-02T20:34:00.005-04:00

So Senator John McCain chose first-term Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. For all the talk of possibly picking someone pro-choice or even a democrat, McCain has chosen to mollify his Christian conservative base by choosing a staunch conservative as his vice presidential candidate—and the spin cycle begins on a level we have not seen since Bush led America into the Iraq war.

As expected, McCain spokespersons such as Tucker Bounds and Steve Schmidt demonstrated that their past careers included stints as circus acts because they masterfully jump through hoops when dodging questions concerning Palin’s qualifications (watch Campbell Brown embarrass Bounds). Every argument I have seen from any republican over the past few days basically goes like this:

“Governor Palin has more legislative experience than Senators Obama and Biden.”

Challenge: “Being mayor of a town of 7,000 and head of the PTA does not qualify for Vice President.”

Reply: “Governor Palin is the most popular governor in the country.”

Challenge: Governor Palin’s 80% approval rating in Alaska does not mean 80% popularity in the country (after all, Bush had a 90% approval rate as Governor of Texas)

Reply: “You should not demean the role of a woman who has come this far and she should not be diminished or belittled by these sexist attacks.”

Challenge: Well, McCain said that foreign policy experience should count more than change so why would he pick someone with no foreign policy experience?

Reply: “Governor Palin has more executive experience than Senators Obama and Biden. It’s the top of the ticket that counts, not the bottom.”

Thus the circular logic has begun and this is all the republicans will keep saying until and after Election Day. In the eyes of the republican base, Governor Palin can do no wrong and must be defended vigorously. It’s almost like watching the birth of the clan during D.W. Griffith’s “Birth of a Nation” where the White woman has to be protected from the Black man (who is now a presidential candidate as opposed to a runaway slave). Ferraro did the same thing.

The pregnancy of Governor Palin’s daughter and Palin’s child with Down syndrome highlight the hypocrisy of the Republican Party. They espouse family values but praise the fact that Bristol is keeping the baby and marrying the boyfriend. How can they support family values when they are promoting teenage marriage? I have not seen evidence out there supporting the notion that teen marriages as a result of pregnancy promote healthy marital relationships. Furthermore, democrats should be highlighting the fact that Bristol at least lives in a country where she can choose to keep the baby in the first place. Lastly, Palin’s first son was born 8 months after her marriage, according to the New York Times, but this is also of no consequence to the Christian conservatives, who now (based on hats worn at the convention) support unwed mothers. Unwed mothers was never my issue, it was theirs until now.

What bothers me most is the exploitation of her child (Trig) with Down syndrome. Every article I read about Palin cannot neglect to mention that her son has Down syndrome. CNN contributor Bill Bennett (Republican former Secretary of Education) went so far as to say that Palin should be praised for even choosing to have a baby with the disease in the first place. I’m reminded of comedian Chris Rock’s skit when he stated that men shouldn’t seek praise for being fathers to their children—“It’s what you’re supposed to do!” The more Trig’s disease is brought up as some huge anchor, the more it is going make children with Down Syndrome look like complete burdens on any family. I don’t know what it’s like to raise a child with this disease or any other, but I think that any good parent who is in that situation loves his or her child unconditionally despite the many challenges and resents having this thrown in their face. Her choice to have and raise this child should not be looked at as some badge of honor—it should be looked at as raising her child—period.

So yes, all Republicans must rally around Palin and this will be great for McCain. Republicans like Bill Bennett are comfortable stating that Palin should be praised for Bristol having her baby but at the same time suggest that crime in the inner cities would decrease if Black women aborted their babies. They vilified Senator John Edwards for his affair but say it’s OK that McCain cheated on his sick wife because he was a POW. They can decry the ills of inner city youth but then shower praise on the same indiscretions as long as the children have supportive families. Senator McCain and Governor Palin are not running in order to serve the entire country. They are running to be the President of the Christian conservative nation. The base has been excited like never before and Obama and others would do best not to underestimate them—after all, George W. Bush won two terms. McCain and Palin can do no wrong until we show them in this election who is truly on the side of the right.

"R-words", "F-words", and "N-words", oh my!

2008-08-24T17:33:00.006-04:00

What do you know about the “R-word”? Doesn’t it sound weird even saying it? It’s like if someone said the “z-word” or the “y-word” (don’t know if those exist but I’m sure after writing this, I’ll find out.) It just doesn’t have the same feel as the “n-word” does it? Well, given that I hate the entire concept of any hyphenated word, I’ll just put it out there—the “r” stands for “retarded” and a scene in the new movie “Tropic Thunder” where the word is used repeatedly has brought the problem with this word to the light for many people—but not enough people.

I used to use the word “retard” when I was younger. At the least I’m pretty sure I did because my friends around me did. As a child, even as a teenager, it never carried the same weight in my family as terms like “nigga” (though I did not us it) so it was nothing to me. I vividly remember lyrics by rappers like Redman (verse in EPMD’s “The Headbanger”) and Canibus (“Get Retarded”) referring to intellectually challenged people and listening to them repeatedly. Those who remember probably thought Redman’s line was the best of everyone’s verses when he said:

“Yes the Redman is what they call me
Wicked wit’ da style you think I had cerebral palsy
Like ‘AAIEEAHAAA’, ‘cause I freak the style crazy
Lullaby your stupid ass, rockabye baby”

Yes. I was ignorant of the word “retarded” until probably my high school years when I actually started to know kids who were intellectually challenged and it altered my reality. Since I’m being honest here, the term “faggot” was also part of my vocabulary until I learned its history as well. Since those years, I have not used either term and still try to work harder to understand language that is offensive to others. I wish the rest of society was as open-minded.

The saddest part of this entire “Tropic Thunder” controversy is seeing commentary by others that people who are complaining about use of the word “retarded” are just overreacting citizens of an overly politically correct society. Many comments end with something similar to: “It’s comedy so just get over it.” This type of nonsense has to stop. We must realize that just because a word means nothing to us, it could have great power towards someone else. Just because I do not believe the word “retarded” has the same power or history as the term “nigga”, does that mean I should keep using it willy-nilly? Who the hell am I to make that decision? As one of my White colleagues put it to me the other day: “the r-word may not be as powerful as the n-word in its history, but when I hear people say that word, they’re talking about my son and that’s not right!” Who am I and who are you to tell her that her she is over reacting?

The English language is vast enough that, if we chose to, we could find words that do not offend others, if we just stopped for a second to think. An extra second of thought could save someone a world of hurt but rather than do that, we become proud in the professing of our ignorance, at least until someone uses a word that we don’t like and then it’s time to call the NAACP, ADL, etc. I’m referring to the Black person who uses the term “faggot” but gets in an uproar when someone (non-Black) uses the term “nigga”. I’m talking about the Jewish person who has no problem calling a Mexican a “wetback” but wants to pull Michael Jackson’s records off the shelves when she hears the word “kike.” The list goes on and on.

We must eliminate all double standards and realize that our words have power. As we try to become more culturally conscious, we should be proud in learning to use language that does not disparage one group or another. We must learn to appreciate the realities and experiences of others that we will never experience and respect their stories. If you don’t know, learn and once you’ve learned, teach. This is a daily exercise that will reduce the obesity of our insensitivity. There is a great deal of healing that needs to take place in this world and those who refuse to acknowledge the deep suffering of others are truly the ones who are intellectually challenged.

Only White People Can Be Christians

2008-08-03T18:09:00.002-04:00

Whenever I find myself with a bit of writer’s block, I only need to turn on the television and catch the latest election drama. I could write a daily blog on this nonsense given the many issues out. The topic for this entry though is the price of ignorance, particularly as it relates to electing Senator Barack Obama. The ignorance that has engulfed his campaign from his alleged Muslim faith to his alleged abandonment of the Black community has really exposed the ignorance that still exists in the country on too many issues to mention here. Let me first explain by pointing out why I chose the title of this entry.

A recent CNN story focused on the notion that many Americans still believe that Senator Obama is a practicing Muslim, despite his assertions to the contrary. I thought if anything, the Reverend Wright controversy would at least show that he belonged to a church and not a mosque but that apparently would have made too much sense. A group of 23 out of 24 citizens of Tennessee would have none of it. Each of these nearly 2-dozen citizens stated that even though Obama said he wasn’t Muslim, they knew the truth. Even the Mayor of the town being visited stated that Obama is a Muslim. What sent me to the computer was the comment by one man who said “Barack Hussein Obama just doesn’t sound like Anglo-Saxon name to me.” Thus we see from this simple statement from this ill-informed individual that only White people with Anglo-Saxon names can be Christians.

Herein lies the ignorance that exists in America and it has very little to do with Obama. Due to our arrogance, many of us as Americans have become perfectly comfortable not only accepting what we hear from one or two individuals in an e-mail or on the Internet, but then speaking authoritatively on the subject and the media is all too willing to give them an audience. All of the examples I will give and have given so far come from the oh-so reputable CNN—“the most trusted name in news.”

This past week CNN showed a Black individual heckling Obama at a rally. The man and 2 others were holding up a sign saying “What about the Black community, Obama?” Obama let the man speak and with such certitude, the man accused Obama of not once speaking on issues such as Hurricane Katrina, Sean Bell, or racial profiling. This man was obviously caught up in the rhetoric present in parts of the Black community where the ultra-revolutionary-minded of us have resolved to prove how committed we are to the struggle by casting out Obama.

Had the heckler said something about Obama’s silence on the Congo, we’d be writing a different blog, however, Obama as he stated to the individual, has a clear and consistent record on all the topics the man mentioned. The arrogance of this man’s ignorance was highlighted when even after Obama proved him wrong, the man still held up the sign and said afterwards in an interview that he still wasn’t voting for Obama because he abandonded the Black community. I’m sure he’s a star now in his little incestuous circle of people who only converse with themselves on issues and never challenge their beliefs. You get the point? We don’t learn. We only accuse and this Youtube blogosphere culture can make anyone an expert if you get enough views. Who needs a degree anymore? TV is the new PhD.

My final example from the National Enq…I mean CNN…(hard to tell them apart sometimes) comes from a man in Florida who bought three billboard advertisements with the World Trade Center Twin Towers blowing up with a quote saying “Don’t vote for democrats” with the man’s website promoting his song prominently featured. When questioned on CNN about the ad, the man went into such an inaccurate depiction of the Democrats responsibility for September 11th that it would have been laughable, had CNN not spent 5 minutes promoting his website. Lastly, when questioned as to if his money made from his pro-republican song was going to help a campaign or help the troops, the man simply stated that any money he makes from his song is going to go to him. Thus CNN gave him free exposure and rewarded his ignorance.

In the past few months, CNN has done everything from helping this man sell his music to helping a bar owner in Georgia sell shirts of Curious George portrayed as Obama. Coverage like this rewards ignorance, which is all too abound today. We don’t travel, but think we know everything about the outside world. We don’t study history, but speak definitively when stating that America has and can do no wrong in the world. If you question that, you’re unpatriotic. Though there are more Christians in this world of other races than White and they don’t have Anglo-Saxon names (wasn’t Jesus Jewish?), then you are truly a heathen or worse nowadays, a Muslim. If you’re a Muslim, you’re a terrorist, according to the media.

What is ultimately going to do this country in is its increased closed-mindedness to the world outside and even within our borders. We are scared to learn languages and scared to experience other cultures. The arrogance that accompanies our ignorance has to be checked if these next generations are going to truly reach a level of understanding of others that most of us have not. Hopefully we can learn from these teachable moments of Obama’s campaign and become committed to truly uniting this country as supposed to staying in our boxes.

Obama's Baby Mama Drama

2008-06-12T23:47:00.003-04:00

On June 11th, Fox News Megyn Kelly ran a story about Michelle Obama and whether her comments about being proud of her country for the first time in her adult life. As Fox likes to say, “That’s fair.” At one point during the interview while showing clips of Mrs. Obama, one of the captions said “Outraged liberals: stop picking on Obama’s baby mama!” I first heard about this while driving home listening to Michael Baisden. For about 5 minutes, I was very angry with Fox News stooping to yet another low but the next 30 minutes of my gas-guzzling, rush-hour traffic drive became filled with more anger—towards Black people.

Michael Baisden was all fired up with his campaign to have his listeners call Fox and express their discontent about the use of such disrespectful terms. While I love Michael Baisden and the work he has done, he and many others are missing a key teachable moment—Black people are providing Fox and others the bullets they will to try to shoot us down. Unlike the word “nigga,” which had been passed on to us by Europeans and has had various nuanced incantations of its meaning from “brother” to “ignorant”, “baby mama” is a unique Black creation which came to popularity in the 90s with songs by Dave Hollister partnered with B Rock and the Bizz’s “My baby daddy”. Unlike words like “nigga” & “coon” which were around before my grandparents were born, these songs along with others helped usher in a new wave of derogatory references for Black people but these were all created for us, by us—or so we thought.

“Hood rat,” “chicken head,” “pigeon,” “hoochie mama,” “roller,” “stunt,” and “jump-off,” are all derogatory terms towards Black woman (read “urban” for those who want to say it’s about class, not race). While we were celebrating our ability to descend to lowest levels of public shame, we were providing the world with an entire new lexicon to describe us. Why should we then be surprised when those who do not have daily interaction with Black people turn to BET or MTV for the latest “hip” terms? Through our parodies we proudly provide pathetic pictures of a pilfered people.

What’s most disgraceful to me is the anger that has been directed towards Fox News. In this light, Baisden and others are being hypocritical. Baisden regularly uses the term “baby mama” as does Steve Harvey, Tom Joyner, & Russ Parr. These and other Black celebrities who have our ears everyday should be condemning this terminology on a daily basis rather than trying to sound like they’re “keepin’ it real.” They don’t have to promote marriage to no end but at least don’t celebrate the opposite. You’ll never hear me arguing over White people and other groups using the term “nigga” and “baby mama” until we make it unacceptable for us to use. A little more disappointing is that Michele Obama actually referred to Obama as her “baby’s daddy” at the DNC convention in ’04 so expect that to be thrown right back at us!

Now over the next few days, many Black scholars and average folks on the street will weigh in and many will try to treat this like the word “nigga” and make it all nuanced like when folks say it’s a term of endearment or “I can use it but you can’t.” They’ll say, “Well, ‘baby mama’ is for more like hood girls” or “it’s only for women that aren’t married” etc., etc. Whatever. Fox News isn’t thinking that and neither is mainstream America. They and other ignorant broadcasters will simply say “That’s what they call each other” and they’ll be right. We can’t give them the language and then start making exceptions for extraordinary people like the Obamas. While many have placed Senator Obama in a messiah-like picture frame but his detractors see him as just another Black man (and you know what we normally say there). If we didn’t give it to them, this blog would be about their “terrorist fist-bump” stupidity.

I implore all of you reading this to not add fuel to Fox’s fire and look in the mirror. Think about what you do to degrade Black people publicly and check yourself. Let us stop taking the worse aspects of our culture and wearing them as badges of honor. Let’s not forget that many of our Black children see marriage as something for White people. With what we promote in our culture, why should they think otherwise? Why should anyone if we don’t? When will he have higher standards for ourselves?

All Praises Due to Senator Barack Obama

2008-06-08T22:19:00.002-04:00

It took me a few days to gather myself to write this. I usually write about negative issues in the world, but nothing but honor here. When I saw that Senator Obama finally clinched the Democratic nomination, I literally felt invulnerable for about 24 hours. I walked with my head a bit higher. I smiled much more throughout the day. I couldn’t even listen to any rap music that had the word “nigga” in it (so of course, I played my own)! I wouldn’t let anything break my stride. I haven’t felt this proud to be alive probably since my niece was born.

Some may not see this as a big deal but for me, it meant the world. I can remember as far back as high school when I would mentor younger students. I remember several of the Black students I worked with saying that they wanted to be the first Black President. I told them often to not talk about being the first Black President, but rather the next one. Though the election has not been clinched (though it will be), I do believe that the glass ceiling has indeed been shattered. The only thing that is more impressive than the actual win is the way in which he accomplished it.

Senator Obama embodies the notion that one can be cool and be smart. He showed that nice guys can finish first and that you can be successful while being positive. Senator Obama often took the time to praise his rivals, both democrat and republican, even as they trashed him. Senator Obama personifies all that I often tell young people they can be. I have found myself wondering if so many of our rappers, actors, and other artists (of all races and genders) would have tried to attract such negative attention to make their careers from sex tapes to incarceration if they believed that one day they could lead this nation. Senator Obama can juxtapose his upbringing next to most of these artists and probably struggled more than many of them but he chose to say positive and because of that, there are literally thousands of young people who now believe they can just as easily prepare for a career in politics as they would to be in the NBA. This is a good day for America.

So I have to give praise where praise is due. I could write an entire different article about what Obama has done for our elders who fought for equality, but this is about the youth. We need to inspire our youth to reach their fullest potential. We need to show youth of all backgrounds that this country belongs to them as well and Senator Obama has accomplished this with his unprecedented run. Reverend Jesse Jackson said that Obama told him that he attended one of Jackson’s presidential debates back in the 80s. He told Jackson that the experience made him see the possibilities. I can’t wait until 20 years from now when we see what watching Obama accomplish will lead our youth to do. Thank you Senator Obama. Thank you.

Kill Hillary Clinton's...

2008-05-25T00:06:00.001-04:00

…campaign. That's all I meant. Nothing more, nothing less. In this current presidential atmosphere, you might have thought that this Obama supporter was calling on someone to take her out (and I don’t mean to dinner). I would never suggest in any way, shape, or form that someone should assassinate Senator Hillary Clinton. What I am suggesting is that her comments regarding Robert Kennedy’s assassination, when added to other references of assassination attempts, helps create a climate that could lead to Senator Obama’s assassination and this is what is most dangerous, followed by her failure to recognize this and the media’s attempt to defend her. Let’s recap.

A few weeks ago, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee spoke at the National Rifle Association and heard a large bang. He stated that it was Obama ducking from someone aiming a gun at him. Strike one. Then earlier this week, a Georgia magazine published a cover of a magazine with Obama in the crosshairs of a rifle. The article was about hate groups in America and the editors stated that they weren’t aware the cover would cause so much controversy. Really? No one on your editorial board could see how the image of a popular Black man in crosshairs could be a problem? Maybe it’s time for some diversity there. In any event, it was strike 2. Senator Clinton delivered the third strike by stating that she’s going on in her campaign until June because her husband’s primary campaign lasted that long in 1992 (though it was more of a formality than a last minute finish) and that RFK was also assassinated, basically asserting that anything can happen.

What is even more annoying is how journalists who are supposed to be objective like CNN’s Campbell Brown and T.J. Holmes have taken to defending her by stating that the media’s blowing this out of proportion and that this is much ado about nothing because Hillary couldn’t have possibly meant anything else. This is what allowed for Clinton to only apologize to the Kennedy family and not apologize for inadvertently hinting to a possible Obama assassination. Only a few journalists like Keith Oberman have given her the business (and boy did he) on her comments.

The last frustrating part of this story is that there are those who assert that those who get upset with the aforementioned assassination references are over-reacting but who are they to say? If Jewish Senator Joe Leiberman was running for President and his campaign was nearing an end, could you imagine how the Jewish community would feel if someone said “You might as well open the oven and stick a fork in him ’cause he’s done.”? Who would dare tell any Jewish person who was offended by any references to ovens that evoke the Holocaust, one of the darker moments in world history that she was over reacting? If you think Jewish people wouldn’t be offended, remember Michael Jackson had his albums taken off the shelf because his song said the word “kike” even though the song was promoting tolerance. For many Jewish people, just hearing the word was too much. I respect and understand that but why can’t we get the same in reverse?

Robert and John Kennedy were both seen as allies to the African American community in the 1960 and they were assassinated. Add the assassination of Malcolm X, Dr. King, and Medgar Evers, and everyone should understand why this climate being created about an Obama assassination can be frustrating. While watching the comments, one African American friend of mine began laughing and then burst into tears. This is real to too many of us. Rather than defending Hillary, her supporters should be using this as a teachable moment.

In the 1990s, there was much talk about Minister Farrakhan’s involvement in the assassination of Malcolm X. Many said he was directly involved. He said he was not directly involved but helped create the climate. That is what the aforementioned persons and organizations need to admit to doing instead of claiming they had no idea and were not suggesting Obama be killed. Clinton particularly is the most disappointing because she has been the master of dropping lines like these and then backing off. For example, remember her comments about White working class workers moving towards her. She later said it was a dumb statement but knew very well she was playing the White race card and continued to build that movement. She is fully aware that we live in a sound bite society where too many hear snippets of comments from celebrities and instantly believe them. Clinton is a master at this, not to mention the fact that she spoke about JFK comparisons to Obama and how JFK was assassinated as well. This was in January. Anyone seeing a pattern?

Given that I am a believer of speaking things into existence, I do believe that Senator Obama will live a long and healthy life. I don’t trust a Hillary vice presidency because I believe someone will try to assassinate him so that she could become the President. It’s just how I feel. What is of most importance to me is that Americans work harder to be more sensitive towards the other. We are too focused in this culture on pointing fingers and playing name games without developing the ability to look at the man in the mirror. All of our experiences in this country are real and we would serve this country better to understand the sensitivities of one another’s experiences rather than assuming authority and expertise on histories we don’t fully understand. We all just want to be validated and so when African Americans speak of fear of an Obama assassination (some won’t even vote for him out of this fear), this is legitimate as well.

My Name is Sean Rodney Diallo Till

2008-04-28T15:56:00.001-04:00

So the 3 cops who killed Sean Bell got off without even a slap on the wrist. Not even a misdemeanor. An unarmed man gets slaughtered on his wedding day and no justice is served—except for the police. As a young Black male, I instantly placed myself at the scene of that crime. I instantly saw myself leaving my house on the day of my wedding in 2003 after playing video games with my brother, stopping at the mall on the way to one of the happiest days of my life, and being shot at 50 times. I instantly thought of the look on my would-have-been wife’s face; the shock and horror of all the guests who flew in for the ceremony the night before; the loss hope of my parents and siblings; and the unthinkable reality that my near 2-year old daughter would have never been born. Just thinking about it all is enough to get me emotional as well as anyone who knows me and my family.

What would kill me all over again would be knowing that the officers who slaughtered me would go unpunished. See if Sean Bell was killed in the course of physically assaulting an officer, or attacking someone else and resisting arrest, then there would have been a little more understanding of the actions of the police officers on the part of some Black people. Unfortunately, however is not what happened. Sean Bell and his friends were shot at 50 times. Yes, 50 times. The main 2 reasons given were that there was a gun and that the 3 men were trying to run the police over. In the 12.3 seconds it took for one of the officers (who didn’t identify themselves) to reload and fire 31 shots (watch demonstration here), they could have at least moved out of the way but they chose to slay. I’m not trying to retry the case. I’m just speaking on what I saw based on what I read.

What runs through my mind also is that animals don’t even get killed like this. Deer, dogs, birds, all endure 1 shot deaths by their hunters. People who have died by firing squads probably received fewer bullets. When one takes into the account Amadou Diallo and countless others like Rodney King or Yvelt Occean who mysteriously died in police custody (and was dead when he left the police station and was still in handcuffs and ankle shackles when his corpse arrived in the hospital), one has to ask why this does not happen to White people. Why is it that White criminals and law-abiding citizens do not end up dying by tasers, arrests, or mysterious shootings in the numbers that we do? The only conclusion I can come to is that it is still open season on Black men.

Since our arrival in this country, whether through Slavery, Jim Crow, or modern day times, Black people have always been slaughtered while our killers went free or received little to no punishment. Countless lynched, raped, and castrated Blacks, as well as notable names like Emmitt Till, Diallo, & Rodney King continue to come to mind. Did James Earl Ray admit to killing Dr. King because he thought he’d get off during that time as so many others did? Just thinking out loud but nevertheless, in 2008, we are still targets despite the most advanced degrees we earn or millions we make.

Don’t get me wrong. I always knew this and my work over the years reflects that fact. What makes this so much more unfortunate is that in the same year that we may elect the first Black President, we are constantly reminded of the one step backwards we seem to take as a society. What stings more than that is the belief by so many that people like Bell & Diallo either must have done something else to provoke the police or even worse, got what they served for “disobeying” the police. From our far away-from-the-scene of the crime through their laptops and beer or latte sipping, they condemn us for crimes against us based on simple news headlines.

Until White people en masse begin to see their own children in the cars like Sean Bell or until they can envision their own children getting shot 41 times while reaching for their wallets, there will never be a true understanding of the plight of so many Black people versus the flight of a few. One of my White colleagues told me that when things like this happen, it makes him want to just reach as many people as possible in this fight for social justice. I told him that cases like this make me want to reach as many people as quickly as possible with my work because I am reminded that I’m on a clock that often ticks much faster for a Black man than the rest of society. By the way, do you have the time?

Obama, Reverend Wright, Minister Farrakhan, Molester Priests, and Passing Judgment*

2008-03-17T18:30:00.004-04:00

One thing you have to love about Senator Obama’s campaign is that, like it or not, many (not all) of who have not had to confront this issue of race head on, all of a sudden have to start discussing it. I say “many” because most of us will just hear one statement from Geraldine Ferraro or Obama’s pastor Reverend Wright and go back to our incestuous circles where we only talk to like-minded people who reinforce our ignorance. For those who dwell in those circles, please allow me to make some points on this Reverend Wright issue and American hypocrisy (you’d have to forward them this blog because they only watch 1 or 2 news stations and read the same papers every day).

Before I get to what I think about Reverend Wright’s comments, I must say that the debate over Obama’s relation to the pastor is frivolous at best. Here is why. Let me ask you one simple question: does anyone condemn the churchgoers in Boston who still attend churches run by priests who molested their boys? How many of you reading this still attend religious institutions where you reverend, pastor, minister, imam, or rabbi is abusing women, molesting boys, stealing funds, cheating on their wives, or living in other ways that do not represent their respective higher power? Even the preacher in Tennessee who was murdered by his wife because of alleged abuse still has supporters and so does the wife. Furthermore, some of us still stay with our significant others who are doing one (or more) of the above and I am sure would not want to be judged by their spouse’s actions.

So please America! Stop getting involved in this “holier-than-thou” nonsense. It has now surfaced that Oprah attended Reverend Wright’s church from ’84-’86. Members of her website are now posting blogs saying “shame on you” for attending and calling her racist. Wow! Oprah has to be on the top 5 list of living people who have contributed more to bettering humanity than anyone else. That is undeniable whether you love or hate her. Let me get a little more personal. I have attended speeches by Minister Farrakhan. I have a family member in the Nation of Islam. I even have some CDs of Minister Farrakhan.

But I also have spent the last 15 years of my life (at least) working locally, nationally, and internationally to get our youth to see their greatness, respect each other’s cultures, and work towards building a more peaceful society. My brother-in-law in the Nation of Islam has done more to help end gang violence in Boston than any of his Christian peers in Boston that I know and he does not do his work to get converts. He has helped create more productive Americans. What will be your criteria to judge us? Furthermore, will you judge the students we have mentored based on their relationship to us? Was Bill Clinton a racist for endorsing Minister Farrakhan’s Million Man March?

And that is what the heart of my problem is. Throughout my life, I have found that those who believe in Jesus are among the most judgmental people I know, though one of the basic tenets of the faith is thou shall not judge. Those who get caught up in judging give Christians a bad name. We’re all sinners but when it comes to talking about others, all of a sudden we’re saints. It’s like when teachers become principals and all of a sudden their classrooms were perfect. America and all of Mother Earth—get off your high horse! I have some news for you all—we’re all imperfect people!

So look at yourself in the America. Senator Obama should clearly understand why the comments of his reverend have caused so much controversy. I believe Senator Obama when he said he was not present when those comments were made, but to me it’s obvious that he knew Reverend Wright’s politics having been a member for 20 years. He should not distance himself from his membership but rather state what he disagrees with. While I agree with Reverend Wright’s comments about struggles of a Black man in America, Senator Clinton has also experienced challenges in this country being a woman and that is also important. Thus Reverend Wright’s comments may marginalize some women who may say “I’ve struggled too!” and that’s legitimate. It could also send some women voters away from Obama.

The fact of the matter is we all have close associates, people of faith and family members who say things we don’t agree with. If you do not want to be judged based on them, you should not judge Senator Obama based on Reverend Wright. Those in the media should focus more on analyzing the role of the Black Church in American history and maybe ask why Black nationalism emerged in America in the first place. We must also realize that being pro-Black is not always being anti-White. No one just wakes up in America and says “I have to defend my people”, irrespective of race. That usually emerges from some sort of oppression like maybe Slavery, the Holocaust, Native American persecution, etc. Let’s stop calling each other racist and get real about race.

P.S. How come no one is asking questions about the leaders of the churches of the other two presidential candidates? Hmmm….

*This was written before Senator Obama's speech. Here is the link to the speech he gave on 3/18/08 in video and transcript form: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/gGBbrc

Why I would not vote for Senator Hillary Clinton

2008-03-09T14:39:00.002-04:00

First of all, note that I said “would” as opposed to “will”. I believe that things can be spoken into existence so I must say that I firmly believe that Senator Barack Obama will be the nominee for the Democrats. Despite all of the speculation of what might happen, I’m sticking to my guns on that one. But it is because of all of the speculation over Super Delegates, conventions, and “Dream Team” conversations on the part of both Clintons that I feel it prudent to speak on the behalf of a voter who sees this “Dream Team” as a nightmare.

Before the primaries started, I had no problem voting for whoever won the democratic nomination. From Senator Dodd up to Senator Obama, it really did not matter. I would have studied the winner, compared their policies to the republican nominee, and would have voted favorably for a democrat. My philosophy was that we cannot risk having another Bush-like republican in the White House. Lastly, I used to believe that I needed to vote in every election simply because my ancestors could not. Hillary has changed all of that for me.

Senator Clinton has run an entirely negative campaign since Obama’s twelve-primary run (including Democrats overseas). I did not see how polarizing a figure she could be (I heard the rumors) until now, where I’ve really had the opportunity to see her firsthand during these primaries. I was skeptical about the “crying” before New Hampshire and Super Tuesday, but I gave her the benefit of the doubt. That was strike 0.5. What completed strike 1 was the racial politics played in South Carolina. I didn’t even pay much attention to her comments about Dr. King because I understood how that could be misinterpreted, but it was strike 2. Strike 3 could have been the way her surrogates have dissed Obama from Bob Johnson to Andrew Young but I still gave her respect. Strike 3 has now come in the manner in which she personally has completely disrespected Senator Obama in almost every way possible. Let us recap in no particular order.

Despite the fact that Senator Obama actually has more legislative experience than her, Clinton keeps touting her experience over Obama. You can read CNN’s video fact checking right here and judge her “experience” for yourself. Looks like she gave some speeches and sat it on a few meetings but that was about it. She signed no treaties and sat in on no National Security meetings. As Senator Tom Daschle said on “Meet the Press”, there is a big difference between being First Lady and being President. If she wants to claim that as experience, let her also claim her husband’s foreign policy failures in Rwanda, Congo, and Somalia.

Furthermore, Clinton in recent days has basically gone as far as to endorse Republican Senator John McCain over Senator Obama. She consistently talks about how she and McCain are friends and how they both have more experience than Obama, who just has a speech he gave in 2002. This will backfire in the general election anyway because she has less legislative and foreign policy experience than McCain so why run on that platform now? Not to mention the fact that by stating that all Obama does is make speeches, she has completely insulted not only his political experience by basically calling him a fraud, she is disrespecting the millions of voters who have voted and will vote for him. Senator Clinton, we are not fools. We come from all walks of life and experiences and we know what we’re doing. Leave us alone and focus on your own supporters, whom you have often failed to congratulate in states you lost.

The final straw for me actually came before her McCain endorsement. When she was in Rhode Island, she basically asserted that we Obama supporters see him as the second coming of Jesus. It was at this point that she officially lost any potential vote from me. That was disgraceful and her campaign manager Maggie Williams should be ashamed for the dirty dozens campaign she has orchestrated. They have given republican opponents so much cannon fodder to use against Obama, that the Clinton campaign most likely would not even endorse Obama if her campaign loses because she would look like a hypocrite. I have no problem with calling Obama out on issues such as the alleged NAFTA wink-wink or anything else, but this “shame on you”, and “let’s meet in Ohio” posturing is not the way to go for me, though it worked in Ohio and parts of Texas (caucuses still not in).

Whenever I hear Clinton talk about Obama now, I cannot help but get the feeling of the old Civil Rights era movies and documentaries I saw when older Black men were reduced to being called “boy” even by people younger than them. I cannot shake that feeling but I really do not have to because Clinton has given me enough legitimate reasons to not vote for her, irrespective of my personal sentiments. Moreover, I no longer believe that my ancestor’s sacrifices mean I have to vote in every election. As I get older, I believe more and more that my ancestors fought and died so that my vote could be earned, not taken for granted. I will no longer vote for the lesser of two evils and I will respect my ancestors (and those activists still living) by being an informed voter, not a voter enslaved to a party.

I must make it clear that I will not vote for any ticket with Hillary Clinton on it. Yes, even if Obama is on the ticket as the President, he will not get my vote with Hilary as VP. She is too proud to accept that anyway. I am not voting to be part of history. I believe in my heart that she & Bill will sabotage his presidency and that her divisive mentality is the reason that former supporters like Suzan Rice and Jon Lewis have moved to a candidate like Obama who can unite America.

When I saw her on Saturday Night Live, I said to myself, “why couldn’t she just focus on herself and build herself up instead of tearing Obama down?” She would have earned my vote with that strategy. But now, she has completely turned off this voter and many other voters I know, old and young alike. For many of us, it just does not sit right in our soul to vote for her anymore. While I believe Obama wants to win for the American people, for the Clintons, it’s all about them, no matter how divided the Democratic Party becomes and for that Clinton, I say “shame on you.”

Bush & the Congo

2008-02-21T20:45:00.004-05:00

PRESS RELEASE from "Friends of the Congo"*

What Should President Bush Say About the Congo During His Trip to Africa?

Washington, DC - February 15, 2008 - As president George Bush travels to Africa, the world's attention will be focused on the countries that he visits; Rwanda is one of those countries. Rwanda and its leader Paul Kagame are deeply implicated in what the United Nations say is the deadliest conflict since World War Two. Rwanda's and Uganda's 1996 and 1998 invasions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which were backed and supported by the United States and other western powers unleashed untold human misery and suffering.

According to the International Rescue Committee, 5.4 million Congolese have died, 50 percent of which are children five years old or younger. Amnesty International has reported that tens of thousands of women have been raped, some victims as young as 2 years old and as old as 70 years. Medecins Sans Frontières (MSF) says the Congo conflict is one of the ten most underreported stories of 2007. In those fleeting moments when the conflict is reported, it is done without context and often presented as wanton killing by Africans perpetually doomed to committing insane acts of violence and atrocities without any mention of what fuels the conflict.

American, Canadian, and European corporations' pilfering of Congo's natural resources is inextricably linked to the heinous rapes and appalling deaths. Antonio Guterres, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees reminded the world in his January 2008 interview with the Financial Times of London that "The international community has systematically looted the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and we should not forget that."

A myriad of reports since 2001 has documented the pillaging of the Congo by neighboring countries and western corporations and its role in fueling the conflict in the Congo. To the chagrin of many human rights groups and people of conscience throughout the globe, western nations have refused to hold their corporations accountable and put the necessary pressure on their client states of Rwanda and Uganda to keep their hands off the Congo.

Congo's gold, diamonds, copper, cobalt, coltan, tin, chromium, germanium, nickel, and uranium are central to the functioning of many modern amenities such as cell phones, computers, electronic devices, our children's video game consoles, kitchen appliances, automobiles, airplanes, and numerous other devices. Its rainforest, often called the World's second lung, is central to the world's battle against climate change. Undoubtedly we in the West are indirectly benefiting from the pilfering and the widespread killing in the Congo.

President Bush has an opportunity to say and do a number of things that can make a positive difference in the Congo and the Great Lakes region of Africa.

1. Demand that Paul Kagame, a former Fort Leavenworth, Kansas military student, immediately cease his interference in the Congo.

2. Pressure Paul Kagame to open up democratic space in Rwanda and provide a path for the Hutu's in the Congo to return to Rwanda.

3. Call for a process of national reconciliation and justice throughout the entire Congo, not just in the east. Such reconciliation should institute a process where the victims of human rights abuses and atrocities are able to secure justice.

4. Call for U.S. and other western corporations who are poised to make spectacular profits in the midst of the rapes and killings to cease their pilfering of the Congo.

5. Declare that the natural wealth of the Congo belongs to and should benefit first and foremost the people of the Congo and not solely foreign multi-nationals.

The Friends of the Congo (FOTC) is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt advocacy organization based in Washington, DC. The FOTC was established at the behest of Congolese human rights and grassroots institutions in 2004, to work together to bring about peaceful and lasting change in the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly Zaire. Read more about us ...

*Article posted, but not written by Omekongo Dibinga

Why I'm voting for Senator Barack Obama

2008-02-11T19:25:00.000-05:00

There are several reasons why I am voting for Senator Barack Obama. I could go into the whole thing of being “inspired,” how he “represents change,” and how he “speaks to me.” I will get to those things later. Somehow, according to my wife, the media focuses on all of these attributes without mentioning the fact that he actually has positions on relevant issues so I will start there. It is necessary to begin with the issues because Senator Obama is more than just a suit with a Harvard degree.

I am not going to go into the issue of his anti-war stance because that has been hammered into the ground. The first issue I will look at is prison reform. Senator Obama helped implement legislation in Illinois that calls for videotaped interrogations. As someone who has been active in reforming the prison industrial complex, this is of extreme importance. Too many lives have been lost to extreme incarceration sentences, life imprisonment, or even death row for crimes not committed. It is also important to note that under Bill Clinton’s “3 Strikes and You’re Out” legislation, which I gathered research for as an intern with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office in high school, over a million Black youth went into the criminal justice system with little to no reform attempts made.

The second issue of importance is the economy and health insurance. As Senator Obama clearly put it: “If you work in this country, you should not be poor.” His idea to put forth tax cuts for the middle class is indeed necessary. I also agree with his need to extend the Family and Medical Leave Act. So many of us in the country are one paycheck or one medical injury away from financial ruin and expanding this act and others could help fix that. I also believe in his affordable and portable healthcare plan.

The biggest issue for me, however, is education. Today I heard an excerpt from a speech that was the impetus for me writing this article. He stated that children should not just be measured by test scores. He asserted that children must not only excel academically, but also in music, arts, and poetry. As a teacher and performer, I visit schools all across this country and see the exact opposite happening. States like California are building more prisons than universities. I visit middle schools on the east coast that have no foreign language, music, or art programs, yet they are competing with $30,000 a year schools where students are learning foreign languages in preschool. My doctoral dissertation deals with the arts as a tool for social change so you can see why this excites me. I have yet to hear a candidate address this issue so specifically.

Now that all that official stuff is out of the way, I will end this article endorsing Sen. Obama on a very personal note. As a Black man in America, I was very fortunate to not only grow up with a strong father; I also had 3 older brothers who protected me from inner-city streets. The problem that myself and many of my black male peers had is that growing up, we had no black national male figures who were 15-20 years older than us that we could look up to that were not athletes, actors, or musicians. Either we looked up to people like Reverend Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Bill Cosby, and President Mandela (role models on many issues for us), or we aspired to be like slain greats such as Malcolm X, Dr. King, and Steve Biko. Outside of that, it was be “like Mike”—Tyson, Jordan, Jackson, etc. There was a generation of visible national Black male leadership that my generation was not privileged to witness.

In 2007 and 2008, this has changed significantly. I now see Black males under 50 on the national political scale from Michael Baisden and Roland Martin to Tavis Smiley and of course Sen. Obama and it feels great! Young Black males in their teens have guys like Cousin Jeff and Kevin Powell to aspire to emulate. When I see young Black males say that they want to grow up and be like Sen. Obama and not 50 Cent, for example, that means something to many of us, particularly those of us who do/did not have strong Black males in the home to look up to.

So there you have it. Those are my personal and professional reasons as to why I support Sen. Obama. I encourage all of you reading this to dig deep into the personal and political reasons for the candidates and choose whoever speaks to you on the level Sen. Obama speaks to me and vote for that person. Do not get caught up in legacies, fear tactics, and experience. I mean truthfully, Sen. Obama has more legislative experience than Sen. Clinton but nobody mentions that. Go for your candidate on the issues and then who moves you. I am moved by Senator Barack Obama.

Losing Dr. King's Vision

2008-01-16T22:45:00.000-05:00

As we move towards another Dr. King holiday weekend, I find myself being a little more disheartened with the direction we are going as a country. I have alluded to this several times in prior blogs but the parent in me has taken over on this one. I truly fear for the future of our children.

Within the last week, some of the most violent cases of child abuse and murdered have hit the airwaves. Here in DC, a woman was found to be living with the murdered bodies of her 4 children, possibly since May, 2007. She said they died in their sleep because of demons inside them. She did not want to call the police because she did not want any more “problems.” She is being charged with their murder. What makes this case even worse is the fact that these children, ages 4-18, completely disappeared off the radar until of course it was time for the woman to be evicted. When it’s time to cut off someone’s lights or evict a person, she suddenly becomes easy to find.

In Alabama, a man is accused of dumping four children (one not his own) over a bridge to show his wife that he was the man of the house. There is also the case of “Baby Grace” who was buried today. She is the 2-year old girl who was beaten with leather belts, had her head held underwater in a bathtub, and then threw her across a room, leading her head to slam into a tile floor. Oh yeah, she was then placed in a box 2 months later and dumped in the river. This was done by her parents. We are losing our way.

Many of us mistakenly equate Dr. King’s vision with a struggle for equal rights between people of all races. Though this is partially true, Dr. King was dedicated to the prevention of cruelty and violence against anyone, and this would especially include our children. In so many of the schools I visit, students speak casually about how they were thrown out of their homes because the mother chose the boyfriend, they were being abused, they didn’t have a job, or were just taking up space. Students talk openly about their newest foster or group home, when their parents could still be in the picture simply if they chose to be. We are losing our way.

If we are going to hold true to King’s vision, we must take greater care of those who will be the carriers of the torch. We cannot treat others better than we treat our own children. So many parents I run into place more importance on significant others and material items then their kids. We have more love for the lottery than for literature so our kids see what we value everyday. To honor Dr. King properly, we must find our way. We must instill our future leaders with the belief that they will do a better job than we have. We must show them that there are opportunities that they must take advantage of and not shy away from the many opportunities to success that now exist for all of us! Let’s prepare our youth a better tomorrow so that they can make Dr. King’s dream a reality.

White Fingers, Black Anuses

2008-01-01T00:17:00.000-05:00

Never underestimate the power of ignorance, particularly as we kick off a new year. I recently completed my second Empowerment through the Arts tour in South Africa. This year, I took my sister’s Boston-based dance company, the OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center. It was 10-full days of learning dance, teaching dance, and learning about South Africa’s tragic history of apartheid. Nothing, however, could prepare us for the hands-on learning experience we were to encounter on one rainy Wednesday afternoon.

We decided to take a trip to the Apartheid Museum. The museum captures the essence of that dreadful era of the human experience. Unfortunately, my daughter was in a fussy mood, which led my wife and I to finish our tour a bit early. While waiting on the bus, my sister Muadi came out of the museum nearly in tears and signaled me to get out of the bus, what she told me next will hopefully enrage you as much as it enraged me.

While walking through the museum, there is a larger-than-life image of black men being strip-searched. Check the picture out for yourself here. The picture is being covered by 4 South African artists trying to add dignity to the photo, but you get the idea. While walking through the museum, Muadi noticed several White South African high school female students observing the photo. One of them said to her friends “Wow, cute butts!” She then proceeded to rub her fingers across the behinds of these men, much to the amusement of her friends. Muadi lost it.

Muadi spent the rest of her museum visit “enlightening” the girls about their ignorance but these girls felt very free to continue with their boorish behavior. They called one of our Black students a dog and made symbols with their fists as if they were going to attack us. Once they got behind their chaperones, they began singing MC Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This.” With all of this in mind, I thought I should have a word with the two White female chaperones of these 15 or so White high school female students. The story only gets “curioser and curioser” from there.

I politely asked the chaperone if I could talk to her about what had transpired and she said she refused to talk to me until she got her girls in front of security. Once they were “secure,” she proceeded to tell me that what they did was no big deal and that the girl was just touching the behinds, not trying to stick her finger in them. By this time, my other sisters were out along with one of my best friends and a massive debate ensued about the teachable moments these chaperones had denied these students. By the time the debate was over and these girls were rushed to their vans (protected by South African employees of the museum), rest assured their comfort level had decreased significantly (poets do have a way with words after all).

The ride back was the worst of the trip. Most of us were in tears. Though our high school and college-aged youth were all from Boston, this was their first major experience with racism. No stranger to a Klan mask or two myself (story for another day), I was more incensed at the fact that as we begin 2008, there are still seemingly insurmountable obstacles we face as it relates to racial appreciation and respect for others.
What made those girls so comfortable in the shell of their ignorance? Would they do this at the Holocaust Museum? Why is it that, according to my friend and guide Napo, most older Blacks (20 and up) exit the museum in frustration while most Whites she sees leave the museum with smiles and probably wondering what they’re having for dinner? Lastly, why is it that most youth of all ages, races, and nationalities, leave the museum with a sense of indifference? Quite honestly, until that incident occurred, some of our own students were bored there and even some Black young South African students I saw came out of the museum as if they were visiting a museum of Greek antiquity as opposed to a place representing their own parents’ experience.

I do not claim to have all the answers on this one. What I do know is that the way we as Black people degrade ourselves on television makes it a little easier for others to degrade us. I know that in America as well as South Africa, there are areas where we are more segregated now than during the Apartheid and Civil Rights Era (all the same movement in my eyes). Lastly, I know that if we do not teach our youth of all backgrounds about the turbulent past we have all faced on this planet such as Slavery, the Holocaust, and other atrocities, all of our fallen freedom fighters from Steve Biko to Benazir Bhutto will have died in vain.

If you are a young person reading this, I encourage you to break the chains of your complacency and really learn about the struggles that led you to enjoy your Ipods, video game consoles, expensive clothes, cars, and cell phones. Use the power of this ever-shrinking world to see (or at least read about) the sweatshops your clothes come from, the millions who die for the diamond necklaces and watches you go into debt over, and the many more millions who die around the world (and in America) simply because they are a woman, a child, Black, Jewish, Muslim, Christian, etc.

For those who are a bit more seasoned, I challenge you to engage our youth and not be afraid of them. The lessons that can be learned from you are enormous, but your silence in the face of the vapid materialism, ignorance, and violence amongst our youth gives the impression of acquiescence. For all of you reading this, just ask yourself one question—would you want someone rubbing their hands on a picture of the behinds of one of your ancestors who gave their life for your freedom? The answer should be obvious. This is a new year. Let us not proceed by repeating old mistakes. It does take an entire to village to raise a child, but it also takes an entire village to raise a racist. Each one teach ten and let’s wake up!

If Only Meghan Williams Was A Dog

2007-11-16T23:33:00.000-05:00

If only Meghan Williams was a dog
America would finally match its bark with its bite
If only Meghan Williams was a dog
They would have rallies and protests all day and night
But you see there’s no “special place in hell” for abusers of black females
But if you electrocute a bitch, then you must pay hell
If 9 men sodomized a cocker spaniel in Dunbar Village,
Almost set her on fire, molested her pup so vicious
It would make Ellen cry,
Make Fox News ask why,
Even make CNN do an investigation,
And make Russel get the ears of the Def’s attention
But no Meghan, you’re just a black woman
A new millennium Sara Bartman
Poked and prodded for curiosity
Which only kills cats, but rapes blacks
In America we are just not bothered
Makes me wonder if anyone in PETA has a daughter
But alas Meghan, you’re just a black woman
And though we may call you a bitch behind bars by stars
Four-legged bitches are more valuable than you are
You’re not even worth a rap for many, so I’ll give you this poem
Just some words from your brother to let you know you’re not alone
One day I promise you this mistreatment will end
As soon as we remember that a woman is man’s best friend

Bill O'Reilly was Right

2007-10-14T22:37:00.000-04:00

Some reading this may actually believe I am late with this. They may say “this Bill O’Reilly comment about Sylvia’s and iced tea happened weeks ago.” Yes, I know. My reply to that is that in addition to being a poet, rapper, actor, and motivational speaker, I am also a scholar. Scholars do research. Any real academician worth his grain of salt does his research before running his mouth. So as much as I wanted to speak about the conversation between Bill O’Reilly and Juan Williams on the Radio Factor, I vowed to wait until I could make an informed decision.

For those who may have forgotten, Bill O’Reilly got into the media hot seat for comments he made about his experience going to a black restaurant with the Reverend Al Sharpton. He said that there were no black people cussing and swearing about their iced tea. These edited (audio) comments were also paraded across CNN and outlets like Media Matters to further smear Mr. O’Reilly and Mr. Williams.

I, like you, subsequently received a plethora of e-mails about how racist Bill O’Reilly is, etc. I was tempted to get on this blog and join the chorus but I vowed that out of respect to my readers, I would not speak on the issue until I read or heard the transcript. I am glad that I waited.

Anyone who actually took 40 minutes to sit and listen to the show (listen by clicking here) would have found that Bill O’Reilly used the Sylvia’s example to show that those who may have stereotypes about Blacks need to realize that we conduct our business like anyone else and that most of us do not like negative rap music. He spent the entire segment celebrating people like Aretha Franklin, the Four Tops, Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Bill Cosby, Morgan Freeman and others. He even stated that he thought democratic Senator Barack Obama is a good role model for kids. No Fox commentator has ever endorsed a democrat like that (though not for president).

Bill also stated quite clearly that it is the white controlled media that is putting out these negative stereotypes of black people. His overall message is that in America, we do not celebrate those actors and musicians who do not glorify violence, sex, and drugs. How can anyone argue with that? We argue with it by being misinformed and using other people’s reputations to build our propaganda machine rather than dealing with actual facts. This culminated in Syracuse scholar Boyce Watkins calling Juan Williams a “Happy Negro” though Williams has been a champion of black causes, lives in a black neighborhood, and is married to a black woman. I guess I’m a “happy negro” too. Yowsa, yowsa, yowsa.

Now of course Bill O’Reilly said some things that I disagreed with, particularly about blacks starting to “think for themselves.” Overall though, on the issues of black representation in the media and the negative images that come from some of our rappers and are broadcast by white media at our expense, I agree with Bill O’Reilly. The beauty of not being offered a record deal, being rejected by Def Poetry Jam 5 times, and not being embraced by many of these people who criticize rap but don’t support positive artists like me is that I can say whatever I want. I have no constituency to appeal to. I just deal with facts.

The fact of the matter is that anyone who speaks critically of Black America gets deemed a sellout if they are Black and a racist if they are of another race. We lament over how Will, Denzel and others cannot be role models because they’re too polished. I guess that means that we must watch “Flavor of Love” and “We can do Better” to get the “real” Black America. This has to stop. We have to be our biggest critics and look at our predicament honestly. In Bill Cosby’s absence from TV, we went from “A Different World” to “College Hill.” Anyone see a problem here? Bill and Camilla Cosby, for example, have given more money to black colleges than any couple I know. Most people who called him a sellout or traitor have made little to no financial contribution to our schools or other projects but talk a good game. Many of our scholars who criticize Black-on-Black criticism are merely enablers who excuse the ignorance that prevails in communities they no longer live in.

Hey, if you don’t like what I’m saying, call me a sellout. Tell me I forgot where I came from, etc. etc. I’ve seen how this story ends but I am more concerned with the future of our children than I am with critique from my peers who have never walked in my shoes and have not traveled to 16 countries and experienced the negative consequences of the stereotypes we so righteously defend. At some point Black America, we have to stop celebrating our ignorance and start celebrating intelligence. We have to start celebrating college dropins instead of dropouts. Though everyone does not have to be married, we need to still recognize it as a valid institution desirable for Blacks. Let us celebrate artists who got it right the first time like Will Smith and not wait for the reformed pimp, drug dealer, or gang banger to “see the light”. We should celebrate both and not the latter. Let’s get it together and practice some tough love. We can do better, no pun intended. Our children are watching us.

The Death of Black America

2007-09-16T13:15:00.000-04:00

Despite the many riches that blacks have attained in America and despite the growth of black people becoming top executives and obtaining advanced degrees, black America and black causes are becoming a vanishing minority. The travesty of it all is that we are responsible for our own unraveling. There are two facets to our demise. The first is mentioned in my article on illegal immigration and gay rights below so I will not delve into that here. I will instead focus more on the second facet of my theory—the willing cooperation of black America in its own destruction.

The first aspect is the way in which blacks in America are still under attack, yet our stories seem to only garner attention when tied to other causes. For example, who can forget (well, most of us have), the case of the 3 black college students who were murdered execution-style in Newark, New Jersey? Did anyone notice that it was almost 48 hours before the story made national headlines? Does anyone know why? The reason is that whether they were college students or not, it was just another case of inner-city crime until it was discovered that there was an illegal alien allegedly who was one of the killers. Once this news was discovered, Lou Dobbs, Bill O’Reilly and others could not keep their hands off the story. So black America indirectly found its way to support someone else’s cause with no direct benefit for our own.

If you think I am stretching this argument too much, let me ask you this: does anyone know the names of the students who were killed? Not likely. We did see their faces on occasion. Their names (if anyone cares) were Terrance Aerial, Iofemi Hightower, and Dashon Harvey. Terrance’s sister Natasha fortunately survived the attack. As black Americans, we should have been outraged that our children were being used by others to advance an unrelated cause but we were silent and have not reached out en masse to assist these families.

It is sad that events like these keep occurring in black America. The fact of the matter is that black Americans en masse would rather defend Michael Vick than the Jena Six. Everyone from Jamie Foxx to Whoopi Goldberg has come out in support of Vick but our celebrities are relatively silent on the aforementioned issues. Where are these celebrities on issues such as the Jena 6 or Megan Williams’ rape by a white mob just this month? I am not asking that celebrities become the champions of civil rights causes. I am just annoyed at the causes they choose to open their mouths for. Many of them build their careers on black support force and then forget us, highlighted by Beyoncé’s recent confession that she wishes she was Latina because they have a richer culture.

But here is where it gets troubling and actually quite sickening. Despite the fact that there are Latino gangs that lists killing a black person as initiation (reminiscent of white boys during slavery who had to rape a black girl as a rites of passage); despite the fact that members of armies in places like Germany are being told to think of black men when they shoot; despite the fact that some of “our” celebrities hate the skin they’re in; and despite the fact that white people are still hanging nooses and gang-raping our women, I am still more likely to be killed by a black person than anyone else where I live in inner-city Washington, DC. Despite the work some of us do in prisons, where the majority of the black inmates are incarcerated for assault, murder and drug possession, I am still going to turn on the TV and see black men promoting the sale of drugs and promoting violence and murder. I am still going to see artists get signed because of their street credit instead of their college credit (unless they dropped out) and many young black girls and boys lose their lives following their example.

Some of us are quick to say that it’s white folks at the top of the movie industry and record companies that are responsible for this. That was true a decade ago but now as people like Jay-Z and Diddy rise the corporate ladder, they bear much of the responsibility as well, at least as it relates to who gets discovered. Despite Viacom’s BET purchase, there are still black people working there at every level so I will not blame Viacom for the creation of shows like “College Hill” or “We got to do Better.” This is the same company whose mission statement is to showcase the “culture, genius, beauty, and talent of the black race.” BET founder Bob Johnson stated that he’s a businessman, not a social worker and has nothing to apologize for because he created more black millionaires than anyone. So kids who watch TV without supervision get one message: get money no matter if it’s at the expense of your own people.

In the eighties and early nineties, BET had shows like “Teen Summit” and even a few news shows like “BET Tonight” with Tavis Smiley. Bill Cosby used his media influence to create shows like “The Cosby Show” and “A Different World.” Though we have made more advances financially in the last 20 years, publicly we have basically gone from “A Different World” to “College Hill” and from “Soul Train” to “Soul Plane.” There are black graduates of predominately white colleges as well as HBCUs behind these types of programs, movies like Soul Plane and music videos. Despite their degrees and our financial advances, we still cannot manage to have one 30-minute television show on the air devoted to news affecting us in 2007.

This is why we are disappearing. We are killing ourselves locally and promoting degrading stereotypes internationally. We are in charge of our image now. When I look at many blacks in movies and videos I sometimes feel like I’m watching the scene from “Birth of a Nation” where white folks in black face are eating watermelon and chicken in the White House. Someone once said to me when I was in high school that if blacks were in power, we would still be suffering the same ills as we were in the Reconstruction Era and beyond. I thought it was funny. But now we’re getting power and I see black-on-black crime (lynching), women being paraded as sex kittens and breeders (slavery) and blacks acting as buffoons in the media (minstrel shows). With the exception of our en masse reactionary activism on issues like the Jena 6 and Hurricane Katrina, it appears that there are no more black causes, just black people. Just darker-skinned Americans, particularly as our issues have been swept under the category of class rather than race. How convenient. I know we have some nicer houses and cars now, but even Stepin’ Fetchit became a millionaire so how far have we really come? More importantly, where are we going?

Jenasis

2007-09-10T20:05:00.000-04:00

Jenasis

By Omekongo Dibinga

www.omekongo.com

Young men’s lives hanging from empty nooses
Justice in Jena denied – no excuses
Cafeteria syndrome on steroids
Because injustice often slips through knots
And futures can be lynched without the presence of mobs
By attorneys who can’t Reed the letter of the law
From Chapel Hill to Jena
District attorneys lose control
Manifesting evi-l-acrosse racial lines
Parents facing cardiac arrest by the “stroke of a pen”
Waiting for freedom to ring for Mychal Bell
My-call is for all who believe in equality
To wake from their state of complaceny
Because some still can’t sit under whitey’s white tree in their white tee
With a white jury deciding their destiny
Racist justice system taking the best of we
But this Just-in!
Americans are standing in solidarity
Digging into the depths of our soul
And calling for a Jenasis of consciousness
Calling for healing from hurt and humiliation
Saving our youth from liar fire-breathing dragons
Who drag-on their credentials and drag off our future leaders
But with this rebirth we will wake the world with our words
We will make the legal system stop lynching the lives of our loved ones in herds
Let us use our shoes to attempt murder on generational genocide
And tie a noose around ignorance and dangle it with pride

The Hip-Hop Generation Gap

2007-08-25T12:32:00.000-04:00

Here we go again with the latest round of attacks from elder black leaders on rap music. For those of you who have been in space for the last few months, let me provide a couple of examples. Esther Lee, president of Bethlehem NAACP in Pennsylvania expressed her discontent about Ludacris performing at the August 4th Musikfest by stating: “All I know is he's a rapper, and rap music is lousy.” The Reverend Jesse Jackson has released a statement condemning rapper Bomani’s video “Read a Book” (watch here), which parodies all the negative images in hip-hop videos and flips the message from buying rims and grills to reading books and buying land. Said Jackson through his Rainbow-Push organization: “The video insults reading, personal hygiene, family values and frugality. ‘Read a Book’ heaps scorn on positive values and (un)intentionally celebrates ignorance.”

We still don’t get it in 2007. Our elders are still quick to cast all of us involved in rap music into a pit of worthless degenerates. They are also quick to use the white-controlled media platform (coincidentally, the same group that distributes this “vile” music they condemn) to express their discontent. Post-Don Imus, I was naïve enough to believe that America was really going to start recognizing artists who celebrate positivity and uplift their community. I thought that maybe guys like myself and even better-known rappers like Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Lupé Fiasco were going to top the charts in ways not seen since Will Smith was in his rapping prime. Boy was I an idiot.

Rap music as a whole is still being trashed in the media. Reverend Jackson, Reverend Al Sharpton, Oprah Winfrey, Bill O’Reilly, Michelle Malkin, Stanley Crouch, Jason Whitlock, Roland Martin, Lauren Lake and others are still quick to condemn the negative lyrics as opposed to uplift the positive rappers. I bring those names up directly because these are just a few of the names on the list of people I had either e-mailed or called almost weekly and said quite plainly: “If you guys could just say the names of the rappers who are promoting positivity as opposed to giving ‘vile rappers’ more airtime, you could do more to change the face of hip-hop that appears on television.” I have written Oprah on several occasions asking her to start a “Hip-hop Club” to promote people she thinks are positive. Out of all of the letters I wrote to the above people, I only received one response from one of them, who said simply: “Good luck in your career.”

So I have concluded that America doesn’t want it. America doesn’t really want positive rap music in the mainstream. As rapper Lloyd Banks stated: “Fuck being positive ‘cause negativity spreads faster.” If he was wrong, more of us clean rappers would have record deals instead of struggling to pay bills. Reverend Jesse Jackson could have easily had his secretary call Bomani to talk about the video, but he chooses to organize protests around BET and send out press releases. This is the same argument rapper/producer David Banner made in his critique of Jackson and Sharpton, stating:

"If you got a problem with my music, see me. You don't have to call us out and embarrass us in front of all of America. I'm the child. Y’all are supposed to be teaching me. What if I didn't know any better. Don't stomp my CDs and talk bad about me. Some of these other ‘leaders,’ these old, Black people who ain't standing for their people, they’re standing for whoever endorses them."

So here we are again. We are going back to the future. We are back to the 60s where many elders thought rock & roll was devil music and back to the 90s era of C. Delores Tucker and others condemning rap music. I must say that I do respect the late C. Delores Tucker for many of her efforts and for the record, Reverend Sharpton and Oprah have been involved in many aspects to clean up rap music outside of the mainstream media. At the end of the day, however, our elders aren’t doing enough talking with us. Esther Lee and others who condemn the hip-hop generation need to know that we are executives, lawyers, college professors, Ph.D. students, doctors, motivational speakers, actors, husbands, wives, policemen, soldiers in Iraq, and much more. If she and others won’t talk to us directly, what other choice do some of us rappers have but to put their names in songs? Lee and others fail to realize that our music is still a desperate cry for help.

To call rap “lousy” is to call us all lousy. Ms. Lee, please do not forget that we are your children too. We are the product of your generation. If my daughter becomes something I do not approve of, I have to accept how I may have contributed to that and try to heal my family, not condemn her in front of the rest of the world. When will our elders reclaim their responsibility to guide us in the proper direction? When will they stop being scared to talk to us in the streets about our behavior? When will they stop using white-controlled media to speak at us? Until our elders take serious stock of where we are and what they did or did not do that caused us to be here, we will continue to let generation after generation fall by the wayside. I call on Oprah, Sharpton, Jackson and others to spend more time engaging us directly than condemning us publicly. It may not be the sexy thing to do. It may not get your show high ratings, or keep you in front of a CNN camera, but it is the right and necessary thing to do.

Hiltons and Tigers and Spears...Oh My!

2007-06-27T19:01:00.000-04:00

I cannot say that the Paris Hilton phenomenon marks the beginning of the end as it relates to the decline of American media and values. It is the continuation of the end. In case there was any doubt in my mind before, the entire Paris Hilton fiasco has confirmed to me and all of America that you only matter if you are rich, famous, or find some other way to get on TV. This is most tragic because of the effect that it has on America’s future leaders—or should I say followers.

As I watched the second Paris Hilton’s release from jail, I was bothered by the mob crowd reaching out to touch and videotape her as if she was Mandela being released from 27 years of confinement or an American journalist being freed by Iraqi captors. What’s sad is that in the latter case, that reporter would not get nearly as much attention. The thousands who came out to support her I’m sure believed they were being part of an American historical moment. Through all the paparazzi and million-dollar interview offers, we seem to forget that Paris broke the law not in defense of any civil or human rights issue, but because she endangered lives by driving under the influence. The problem in America, however, is that we are not all DUI but WUI—Watching Under the Influence.

We have become a nation in desperate search to be part of something outside of our self-proclaimed miserable lives. We have become subjects in search of royalty. We believe that we are too poor, too fat, too overworked, and too bored with our lives that we have to escape into the lives of celebrities. We have to know the latest socks Beyoncé is wearing, the newest “baby cub” of Tiger Woods, or the latest clinic Britney Spears is checking into. We are so desperate to escape our own lives because when we watch Paris be released from jail because she’s “sick” or Snoop serve no jail time for the umpteenth drug possession charge, we can’t help think to ourselves that if we can become rich and famous, we won’t have to answer to anybody.

The entertainment world is not isolated in this truism. I cannot forget watching the wife of former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey on Oprah. She stated that during the press conference when he announced his homosexuality, McGreevey told her to keep smiling to the media because this was her “Jackie O’” moment. She was incensed because she could not believe she was told to be strong for America not because her husband—the President—was assassinated, but because her governor husband cheated on her with another man and then claimed he had to come forward because he was being exploited. He rode this “exploitation” all the way to a book deal on his way to the priesthood because we have also learned in America that we can engage in any illicit behavior and be forgiven as long as we “find God” somewhere along the way.

If we want to really change the direction of this nation and media culture, we have to begin rewarding people who got it right the first time. I am disheartened by the fact that on the very same day that every news outlet is speaking about Paris Hilton’s interview with Larry King, a 23-year-old became the youngest person to fly around the world and has received little-to-no coverage. He happened to be the first African-American to do so as well. Though I watch and read the news daily, I am ashamed to say I never knew about this young man, Mr. Barrington Irving, until about two days ago even though he took flight in March on a shoestring budget. Did you know? The Fox News website does not have it on its site and CNN covered it for about an hour and it’s off their site as well. Irving also had the misfortune of scheduling his landing the same day as the BET Awards-no coverage on the main page. You have to ask yourself one simple question: who would you want your child to be watching on Larry King? Will Mr. Irving get a reality show and book deal? He actually flew around the world to inspire people and is a college graduate (remember when we used to respect that institution too?).

Until we can raise children to celebrate positivity over partially-pornographic videos, academics over athletics, and humility over hubris, we will have generation after generation that will solely focus on the pursuit of money and fame, literally at any expense. Ten years or so ago, Susan Smith was shunned by America for killing her babies and damaging race relations by blaming a black man. In this day and age, Andrea Yates gets a movie made about her murder of her own children. If we can change for the worse in my lifetime, we can change for the better as well. If we continue, especially in our nation’s poorer communities, to watch the lives of the rich and famous from our poor and anonymous households, we will continue the endless cycle of dropouts and criminals all looking for get-famous quick schemes through entertainment and shady politics.

As I continue to raise my 13-month old daughter, I am going to try my hardest to have her grow to become giddy and excited at the accomplishments of Mr. Barrington rather than Lindsay Lohan. I will try to have her make role models out of people who have made positive contributions to this world. I pray am successful. I do know that whether I succeed or not, I have to start by turning off mainstream TV and radio so that I can first teach her that the media now including the “news” stations are nothing but tabloid television with serious news blended in. If you can pledge to do the same thing, the mainstream media will have no choice but to honor our wishes. Are you with me? Then start by turning off your television and turning on your child’s mind. Before we tune into Paris tonight, let’s make sure we’ve tuned into our kids and program them properly.

Senator Barack Obama's Blackness

2007-05-10T01:13:00.000-04:00

Much has been written about the 19 candidates for President of the United States. From questions such as Rudi Giuliani’s family values to Senator Hillary Clinton’s changing speech patterns depending on which region of the country she visits, this presidential election promises to run the gamut of critiques and personal attacks that will easily trump the 2004 election. Though some critiques are indeed silly, the question of whether Senator Barack Obama is “black enough” to appeal to black voters is by far the most absurd.

The beauty about black figures breaking new ground such as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Obama’s rise to Senator (not achieved by a black man since the Reconstruction era) is that one really begins to see just how far America has come as it relates to race relations. But this is an issue that has exposed black opinions of themselves more than whites’ opinions of blacks. Some in black America have stated that Obama is not “black enough” because his late mother was white. These are probably the same analysts who list Bob Marley as one of their favorite artists because of his message of black pride and liberation. These critics conveniently miss the fact that Bob Marley had a white father.

Other critics hold that Obama is not “black enough” because his father is not African-American but Kenyan-born. They conveniently forget that leaders like the late Marcus Garvey were not American but identified with the international black plight, which included black America. Furthermore, following this logic of Obama’s African parentage would also exclude me from the African American community because my parents are Congolese though I, like Obama, am American born. Gee, I guess I am suffering from a serious identity crisis. The police also seem to not notice that I am not African American when I am pulled over. Maybe I should wear a sign saying “Don’t profile me, my parents are Congolese!” Yeah.

The real issue that ills black America is that we actually stereotype ourselves more than we are stereotyped by others. We have about 20 different skin-tones from “high yella” to “dark chocolate” each carrying a corresponding place on our racial hierarchy. We have about 10 descriptions of hair from “nappy” to “good hair”, which also denote a certain level or superiority or inferiority depending on where the strand lands. For the most part, White America sees us as the extremes, just light and dark-skinned.

Despite these cosmetic differences, the largest stereotype occurs when dealing with politics. If Obama was as vocal on issues of race as the Reverends Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson, there would be no discussion of his blackness because it would be easy to typecast him. Though unquestionably vocal about injustice of all kinds, Obama obviously has a different affect in his methodology. Couple this with his Ivy-league education and mixed parentage, and we have what Senator Joseph Biden and Rush Limbaugh would collectively call the “articulate magic negro.” These are their words.

What we in America need to do is revisit this issue of race. We must realize that every black in America has a unique experience. We are democrat and republican, hetero and homosexual, rich and poor, college and street educated and there is enough room in America for all of us. We in black America must realize that our experiences are unique yet similar enough to at least dialogue about identity without asserting a claim to blackness and denying it to others. If neither police (à la Amadou Diallo, Abner Louima, & Sean Bell) nor taxi drivers differentiate who is black versus the other, we can indeed at least have an honest discussion about blackness for at the end of the day, Senator Barack Obama is as African American as apple pie.

Nappy Headed America

2007-04-13T11:36:00.001-04:00

Just when I think we in America cannot descend any deeper into the abyss of ignorance, Don Imus saves the day. Don Imus should have been fired years ago. He has made a career off of making derogatory and hateful comments towards people of all races, religions, and genders. The reason that he had been able to preserve his position is because those in the Old Boy Network continue to look out for themselves, à la Marv Albert still broadcasting since his sexual assault charges. Don’t get me wrong. I do believe in second chances, however, from the White House to shock radio, those in power in America have demonstrated time and again that loyalty is more important than honesty, particularly when the pendulum of profit is swinging. One needs to only bring up the current controversy surrounding Alberto Gonzalez, fired attorneys, Karl Rove’s immunity, and missing secret e-mails.

I watched Don’s good friend Bo Dietl say Imus should not be fired because of two words. This is not about two words. This is about three decades of Imus making money for himself and his corporate sponsors off of hate speech. Dietl said that Imus’ charity work should far outweigh his words and he should be given a second chance. I guess when Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune made Imus promise that he would not call Blacks apes 9 years ago, that did not count for Dietl. Truth of the matter is that anyone who wants to bring up charitable work as a pardon for Imus’ negative attacks on innocent people like the Rutgers team or Dr. Maya Angelou must also and immediately pardon Snoop Dogg for his lyrics because he is involved in a number of charity works as well. To me, they both must be condemned for their public profanities.

Now that my thoughts on Imus are clear, I must say that removing Imus is only scratching the surface of a much deeper problem in American society—the fact that hate and misogyny sells. It is not only Imus and it is not only rap music. It’s “Jerry Springer”, it’s “The Family Guy”, and it’s the American movie industry. On a more personal note, it’s most of you reading this, in addition to its author. We live in a society where “jokingly”, homosexuals call themselves faggots, blacks (and everyone else it seems) call themselves niggers, Jewish people call themselves kikes, women call themselves bitches and hos, young Latinos call each other spics and wetbacks, Chinese youth call each other chinks, and on and on. Each aforementioned group member who partakes in this says it is OK for them to say it but not someone else. This is the most ridiculous double standard I have heard in my life. Irrespective of who says it, a ho is a ho and blacks cannot take back a word like “nigger” or “nigga”, which was never their word in the first place.

If we in America do not use this Imus moment to seriously look at ourselves first before condemning others, we will miss the lesson here. In the past three months alone, we have seen journalists and radio personalities say rape is a good thing for ugly women, that they hate all blacks, and enact La cuca Gotcha campaigns aimed at catching illegal immigrants. We can do better in America but it starts by looking in the mirror. If we could make true strides to change or challenge our language and personal views publicly and privately, we may be able to prevent those wishing to spew such hate and hurtful words from thinking those words in the first place.

In some way, shape or form, we are all responsible for Don Imus and anyone else who spews hateful words for profit or for “play”. Let us work as one America to put an end to the negativity that has been at the root of America in some way, shape or form, since its inception. If we cannot do this for ourselves, let us do it for the children of America’s future.

Engaging Our Differences

2007-03-09T15:27:00.000-05:00

They say that our youth are a lost generation
That they do not possess the humanity of previous generations
But if you know like I know and see the hope in their eyes
If you’ve traveled the world and heard their cries
You would find that our youth are soldiers for humanity
From Ryan’s Wells to Craig’s Free Kids
Our youth have answered the call to engage our differences
From African advocates of aids like Olivia Natukunda
To peer educators like Miguel Garcia
Our youth daily deliver deeds of dignity
They demonstrate courage in the face of adversity
They fight for access to day care and universities
They add hope to our subtracted faith and disparities
And through their multiple deeds they erase our divisions
See our youth are on a mission
To heal a world so callously cut with the knife of indifference
Punched with the fist of intolerance
Kicked with the heal of homophobia
Suffocated with the gas of anti-Semitism
Shot with the rifle of racism
Subdued to submission with sexism
And smacked with the backhand of classism
But with all these withered wounds our youth thrive
They heal their hurt, help build homes and save lives
They feed the famished and wage verbal wars for peace
With an idealism many of us have lamentably lost
They make our future brighter by lighting a fire
Under our complacency
And so we celebrate Jackie Blitz and Andrew Vanstee
The late Mattie Stepanek and Selene Biffi
For reminding us all to never stop fighting for change
And showing us that peace and justice

Must always be our one and only aim

Less of Home

2007-02-13T15:58:00.000-05:00

They say you can't stop the madness and sadness when you don't have an address
She sits sadly on a sidewalk stoop begging humans for spare change
Not realizing that she inhabits a society that's too cold for anyone to spare change
So she wanders aimlessly while cold eyes gallantly gait by her shamelessly
As she wonders what their response would be if her visage was more famously recognizable
But when you’re less of home you don't amount to anything sizeable
So she finds a hole under the bridge that has failed to link her to the highway of humanity's heart
And she reminisces about a life she no longer knows
And wonders what would have become of her if those bills weren't so late
Or if those pills eased her aches
Or if at age 5 there was no rape by her father
But why bother because you can't stop the madness and sadness when u don't have an address
So she wonders what heat feels like in the cold of wintered human thought
And devilishly devises schemes that'll lead to the warm walls incarceration
While in-cars-her-8-n-a-half-yr-old daughter swallows the dic-tation of a married man’s desires
And this just adds too much fuel to the fire of one of earth's fallen angels
Living too close to hell in a world that resembles the devil
So disheveled she wonders how could hell be so cold
And how can another man be so bold to believe
That as he walks by in suit and t-i-e
That he could never one day be in the same place as she
And she cries out loud: "is there really no place for me?"
As she looks out at a society sick with the syndrome of selfishness and senile to serendipity
If she only had a P.O. Box so she could receive correspondence to acknowledge her existence
Or if she just had an I.D. to prove she was part of humanity
But where is city hall for the humane?
It is only at this point she realizes that day has turned to night
And the government today won't be her knight in shining armor
But are-more of us going to keep turning our backs to the stats of those who roam, less of home?
Where is the presidential address for those without an address?
When will that bridge she sleeps under bridge the gap
Between those who preach on their soap boxes, and those who live in one?
In shopping malls she sees CNN snippets of Palestinian peace treaties and refugees returning home
She wonders how an Afghan can stand in a U.S. constructed house
While her son sits in a cardboard box with a dead mouse and pigeon for pets
She wonders whether there will be Camp David Accords
Or North American End Homelessness Agreements
For citizens abandoned by the American dream
Until that day, she strides in her reminiscent insignificance
As she trolleys through trash cans for scrapes of human sanctity
And a little leftover love from a society that once claimed her as one of its own
…But that was when she had a home
If only she had an address to stop the madness and sadness
And I want to reach out and take her in
Or maybe give her a dollar to help her achieve just one whim
And I want to say that her hopes are not too thin in a world so fat with apathy
But as I walk by her hopeless face, I complacently say to her:
“I can't spare any change today, maybe tomorrow.”
Maybe tomorrow I can spare change
Maybe tomorrow we can all spare some change
And dare to change

How Could Oprah Open A School In Africa???!!!

2007-01-02T22:23:00.000-05:00

Actually, the school is in South Africa. It’s a country. It’s in Africa, the continent. Oprah can open the school in South Africa because she can do whatever the hell she wants to. If there is one person in America who has deserved the right to not be questioned for her humanitarian deeds, it is Oprah. Why she has not yet received a Nobel is beyond me. Whether you agree with her politics or guests, you cannot deny that the world is a better place because Oprah was born.

Let’s look at the facts. In Oprah’s press conference on the opening of her Leadership Academy, she responded to critics as to why the school was opened in South Africa and not the U.S. She stated simply that in many inner city schools, many students are more concerned with getting IPODS and sneakers as opposed to South African students who were more concerned with getting school uniforms and school supplies. This happens to be 100% true (not: I said “many students,” not “all”). I work in American inner city schools and have traveled to schools extensively in South Africa and can validate her testimony.

Moreover, to question why Oprah would put up $40 million for a school on soil other than America is ludicrous. What individual has given more to American schools than Oprah? The list is not large. This woman has given millions to Historically Black Colleges & Universities. After Hurricane Katrina, BET had a telethon where rappers, actors, and R&B singers raised over $11million that was given to the Red Cross. This was a great effort on the part of the celebrities and they need to be commended. However, the money went to an organization that was later found to be siphoning funds from money given for Katrina relief efforts.

Oprah, on the other hand, was much more hands on. She put up $10 million of her own money and built actual homes for people on her own street, Angel Lane. As she said, she was tired of just writing checks and not really seeing where the money goes. As she did with the homes post-Katrina, her Leadership Academy is hands on. It’s her money. How many cars, houses, and college tuitions has she paid for in America? Let us not be misguided in our frustration. We should turn our anger towards our government, which is investing more in Iraq & Afghanistan than on education reform in America.

Of course, I won’t even begin to mention the misdirected attacks she has taken from the hip-hop community for believing in her words that “you don’t have to bitch and ho me down to make good music.” please read the full article below for that. This misdirected disdain for Oprah is completely counterproductive. If we are truly interested in human progress, we would realize that improving the education in any country helps improve the education of all humanity. Oprah being African-American is also improving the negative perceptions that many in African countries have of African-American women, based on the degrading hip-hop videos that they see from America. As one parent of a Leadership Academy student said, “I didn’t know angels were black.” Does that not say it all? Thank you Oprah.

2006-10-19T04:49:00.000-04:00

For Maya, a healer for all humanity
Omékongo Dibinga

This is a love letter
From a poetic son,
To mother of poetry for the human spirit
From South Africa,
To far away places like South Arkanasia
Your words of wisdom touch all humanity,
From a lover of literacy like Oprah,
To a freedom fighter like nelson Mandela
In a time where fightin’ was natural,
You reminded us to never forget
That we are a human family
From the prisoner to the pusher to the poor girl,
Your prose and poetry puts all people on a parallel podium
From the aspiring junkie and the melancholy men,
To a man bigot and the phenomenal woman
You make us run the gamut
From tears of personal pleasure and pain,
To a manageable mourning grace
It’s no accident that you have become our mothering blackness,
Nurturing a society suffering from the sickness of senses of insecurity
You write for us,
Who dare not dare to challenge the status quo
And you champion the cause of equality,
Only making ignorance feel insignificant
With you Maya, we saw beyond our seeming
And dreamed beyond our dreaming,
And, in retrospect,
You helped me have the prescience to also promote healing
Oh, Maya Angelou,
Maya Angelou,
May-a-angel-o-u all the blessings in heaven
That you bestow on the often heavy heart of humanity
Avec merci, Mother Maya for your vision,
And being willing to take time out to help us all be free,
And for helping me realize that when I think about myself,
It ain’t that bad to me

A Tribute to President Nelson Mandela

2006-09-28T21:11:00.001-04:00

Mandela
By Omékongo wa Dibinga

They say never judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes
But what happens when the man has neither shoes nor socks to walk in?
Would you willfully walk that mile?
Would you accept all adversity with a frown and a smile?
Would you still run the race against racism with grace and style?
Would you work wearily to weave a tapestry of diversity and shared fate
Against those who continue to practice apart-hate?
Mandela
Would your heart shine bright when deprived of sunlight?
Mandela
Would your spirit sing a song of liberation when it’s denied instrumentation?
Mandela
As they tried at Robben Island to rob you of your soul
You literally rolled Rholihlahla with each punch as you crunched in your hole
We stand here because of you
We breathe freely because of you
And you walked the long walk to freedom with no shoes and socks
So that we will not have to
Mandela
You walked for those without homes and even the land-dwellers
Mandela
You, the son of Mother Earth
Father to a nation
Grandfather to our future
Brother to African liberation
From Cape Town to Kinshasa you led like no other
To remind us to put our arms down and hands forward to embrace one another
Mandela
Because of you the world is encouraged to up rise like Soweto
So-we-too rise above the mentality of the ghetto
To claim the universe as our humble home
Overseas maligned media would disgrace the Madiba
But we saw through their lies as we looked at tattered posters into your eyes
Your hope in humanity helps us fly Tran-skeis
And when peace did not work on the path for a free way
You chauffeured us on the highway of Umkhonto we sizwe
And when so many believed that there was still no way
Your perseverance and piety led all of us nobly to the Nobel in Norway
And so we will make peace our prize
And we will walk on this path of freedom with our shoes on and heads held high
In a world where courage and pride can be hard to find like a Black Pimpernel
Because YOU have walked this earth Madiba, the future for all humanity bodes well
Mandela!

Oprah Winfrey and Hip-Hop

2006-05-23T01:33:00.000-04:00

Oprah Winfrey has come under attack from some members of the hip-hop community for not supporting hip-hop in favor of her majority white, older female audience. Ludacris believed that when he was on Oprah as a cast member for the Oscar-winning film Crash, Oprah should have dealt with him as the actor and not the rapper. He also asserted that the show was edited to remove some of his comments in response to Oprah and Sandra Bullock’s comments concerning pejorative misogynistic lyrics in hip-hop. 50 Cent stated that Oprah pretty much caters to older white women and so it is actually in his best interest to be at odds with Oprah.

The only issue that was more annoying to me than the comments of these two rappers was the response from Oprah Winfrey. More or less, Oprah stated that she listens to Jay-Z, 50, Kanye West and others and that she loves hip-hop. That would have been fine. But she went the extra mile to state that she has 50 Cent’s In Da Club playing on her I-pod. This was entirely necessary.

As far as I see it, Oprah owes no explanation to the hip-hop community. She should not have gone out of her way to state that she actually listens to rappers with misogynistic lyrics. She would not have had artists like Kanye, Luda, and Jay-Z on her show if she did not support hip-hop in some way, shape, or form. How many heavy metal acts do you see on her show?

Rather, Oprah should have used this opportunity to give praise to rappers who do represent positivity. Why not use the platform she has constructed to express support for artists in hip-hop who are not misogynistic or vile with their lyrics? Even one of her favorite artists, Kanye West stated in his lyrics: “If I can go through all of this and still be breathin’/bitch bend over I’m here for a reason.” Oprah, who just had her magnificent Legend’s Ball honoring black women, does not have to express her support solely for hip-hop artists who put this type of work out.

Given that hip-hop is primarily purchased by the sons and daughters of Oprah’s audience, Oprah could single-handedly change the direction of hip-hop if she said for example, “I’m also a fan of Will Smith, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Omékongo.” Forgive me for the selfish plug, but honestly, I am one of thousands of MCs and poets who are intentionally choosing not to spew lyrics that condemn our women, and celebrate drugs and violence. A move like this could have the same effect on music that Oprah has had on literature. Instead of telling Luda that he is smart enough not use foul language in his work, why not support the artists who are smart enough to not degrade their people and actually do not degrade their people. How hard would that be?

At the end of the day, I will obviously stand with Oprah. No single person alive has worked harder to show images of positive black people. She is a woman of action. No one could have put together the Legend’s Ball quite like she did. I look forward to see who will organize something similar for black male icons. Her humanitarian heart pumps life into communities globally and locally. I really cannot imagine a world without Oprah. In all reality, the hip-hop community needs to do more to honor her and not vise versa.

Illegal Immigration and Complacent Black America

2006-04-10T22:11:00.000-04:00

I guess at some point I have to speak about illegal immigration. It is amazing what the government has done to allow for this crisis to become so pronounced. The argument is similar to the argument I made in my prior article on how the government made racial tensions worse post-Katrina. Leaving that argument to others, let me add my two cents to the illegal immigration issue, with a slight addition to what this means for Black people in America.

First of all, all immigrants here, legal or otherwise, Mexican or Mauritanian, need to make their voices heard. Any group of people who work near the bottom of society should not allow themselves to be trampled on and kept in their “place” serving wealthy people and corporations. Furthermore, people who are anti-illegal immigrants should not be protesting the government (against the immigrants). Rather, they should be protesting the companies, small and large, who hire illegal workers. As Lou Dobbs said, “It’s not that illegal immigrants do jobs that Americans won’t do. They do jobs that businesses will not pay Americans a decent wage to do”. It makes no sense for protesters who are anti-illegal immigration to leave their protests only to go shopping for their flat-screen TV at WalMart, for example. This perpetuates the cycle.

Yes, many illegal immigrants will do certain jobs at lower prices, but it does not mean they deserve to be treated like garbage. In that particular sense, there are similarities to the Black experience in America. With all due respect, however the buck stops there. It is quite sickening to see every group from homosexuals and marriage to illegal immigrants comparing their struggles to the Black experience in America. First of all, of course there are Black homosexuals and there are Black illegal immigrants and their experiences are real and valid, as are the fight for all oppressed groups for rights. The fight for gay rights and this illegal immigration legislation are real fights that deserve attention. But we cannot sit idly by while every group compares their circumstance to the Black experience while Blacks have never received real recognition in the form of, say, reparations.

How can someone in a protest for immigrant rights from Mexico say “we built this country!”? It can be said because the Black experience in America has been ignored and only resurfaces when the oppressed group du jour needs a cause to relate to and it is always the Black struggle in America. I never hear anyone say their plight is similar to Japanese or Jewish concentration camps in World War II. No one even compares their plight to that of Native Americans (no one can in all honesty) or the fight for the rights of women to vote. So why are Blacks the group that gets paraded across the news? Because Black people let their story get pimped in ways that no BET Uncut video could ever demonstrate.

When I watch the protests across the country and see middle school students protesting (on weekends as well, proving that they don’t just want to get out of class), I ask myself: what could the United States threaten to do to Blacks that would lead us to rally on this level? The only issue I could think of is if the government threatened to put all Blacks into (physical) slavery once again. But in all reality, the way Black Americans are so disenfranchised mentally, the threat of re-enslavement, would probably lead to more Blacks scrambling to save themselves since so many Blacks have adopted the capitalistic mentality of “get yours”. Now, some may say that Hurricane Katrina and the response from it by many Blacks proves otherwise. I would say, however, that there is a difference in the singer Usher, for example, giving refuge and clothing to homeless Katrina victims, and Usher and his Black financial peers being threatened with losing everything they have as well. I wonder: would Black Americans even sell each other if it meant saving themselves? Is that too far-reaching? Is there a precedent?

I could be wrong, but please prove it to me. I am not speaking of the great Black mighty race that fought against slavery and fought successfully for civil rights. I’m speaking of the current crop of Blacks in America. As radio host Michael Baisden asked: “Do we really have a common cause anymore?” Most people I heard call his show said “no” or were silent. We’re silent while every other group exploits our history for their personal gain. I wonder how many illegal immigrants or any other American would be protesting with us if we were out protesting for a particular cause in 2006 such as the portrayal of Blacks in the media or the racist policies that allow for Haitian immigrants to be treated differently from Mexican immigrants.

We have come a far way from the days where Whites, Latinos, Jews, and others, marched with Dr. King for civil rights. We are now in a generation where Jewish people will wage their own war to have terms like “kike” removed from the dictionary. Black Americans are still fighting unsuccessfully—and alone—to remove terms like “nigga” from the dictionary. The illegal alien war will predominately be fought by Latinos with little input from other groups, like immigrants from India, for example.

At the end of the day, Blacks, who are now the second largest “minority” in America, are being reduced to a black mark on history’s white board. We are history’s great contradiction. We are demonized for affirmative action, though White women have benefited more than any other group from it (actually, White men created their own affirmative action policies starting with Columbus so they’ve really benefited more than anyone). We are demonized for the negative images portrayed in music, yet no campaign since the late C. Delores Tucker’s anti hip-hop campaign has successfully challenged the distribution companies who put out much of the vile music. We watch the government laud the decrease in unemployment rates, yet unemployment increases for Black men. We read statistics on the reduction of nearly every disease in America, though we still suffer disproportionately from every disease except skin cancer. Lastly, our struggles are compared to the struggles of illegal immigrants, though the descendants of African Americans did not come here by choice, as many illegal immigrants do.

At the end of the day, Black America needs to wake up. We are the first to align with the causes of other groups in order to show we are not racist. Would protesters for illegal immigrant citizenship protest for better job opportunities for Black men? This battle for immigration rights should make every Black in America, on every side of the debate, sit back and really think about their place in this country. Our “place” is crystal clear in the minds of almost everyone else—there is no longer a place for us if we continue on our course of complacency, which manifests itself in many ways, the least of which is voting (a vote democrats no longer need since we’re “minority #2). As Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu said ten years ago: “America is deciding what to do with a people it no longer needs.” The government and corporate America is now showing us they don’t need our labor anymore, what will “we” do now?

With all due respect, we failed Mrs. King

2006-02-06T14:05:00.000-05:00

Some believe that Mrs. King failed on several levels. This is in no way a departure point for discussion. If Mrs. King failed, then Dr. King failed, as well as Malcolm X, Nat Turner, Denmark Vescey, Harriet Tubman, and many others. These are all individuals who led their own lives and, often by default had to represent an entire movement. We cannot call people failures who lived their lives selflessly for others.

Furthermore, we do Coretta a disservice by comparing ourselves to her. I raise no human being to God-status, but I have a healthy respect for people who put their lives on the line for me and all who read this. It is a shame that we can raise rappers like the late Tupac to God or Malcolm X-status in his passing but be so critical of people who have never defamed the image of black people. Whether you are a Tupac fan or not, you cannot deny that during his lifetime, he hurt the black cause probably more than he helped it. Can we say the same for Mrs. King?

While we chastise Mrs. King for not carrying on her husband’s legacy properly, let us not forget that she was her own person who created her own legacy. If a U.S. President dies, no one speaks of the former First Lady as having to carry on the legacy of her husband. They are allowed to just be. The Reverend Al Sharpton and many others spoke at length last week about all the bold moves Mrs. King took to keep them focused on the struggle, long after Dr. King passed. He credits her with keeping them on task and not becoming in mind and heart the same as their enemy. Through her death, she passed on another lesson to me through a quote from Al Sharpton: “She reminded us that when your heart us in the right place, your mind and body will go in the right direction.

It was entirely up to Mrs. King to promote her husband’s legacy as she saw fit. I cannot speak for Dr. King, but I doubt he was looking down from his resting place in disgust at how she has failed him. If we are to not give credit to one man or woman for an entire movement, we should not blame one man or woman for the “failures” of that movement. In terms of the King Center, we should view the fact that the King children are disagreeing amicably (no defaming of each other in the media, for example) about the legacy of the Center as a testimony to their mother’s teaching.

Is black America in disarray? Of course. All of America is. But we who are part of this next generation of leadership are old enough to no longer blame our ancestors and current elders for what they did not pass on. We know the mistakes of the past and have no excuse to not learn from those mistakes. We should be thinking about what 20-something-year-olds will be saying about us in 50 years and what we have “failed” to accomplish. Collectively, we are all failing our forefathers and mothers in some way, shape or form. At the same time, collectively, we need to continue to learn from what worked and what did not work in our historical continuum. In the struggle for human rights, the only people who “fail” are the people who truly are blind to the cause for social justice. Mrs. King was visionary for justice on par with any human being who has walked the face of this earth. Let’s not let her down.

Kobe Bryant: the worst thing to happen to basketball (as of late)

2006-01-24T22:37:00.000-05:00

So Kobe scores 81 points in a game. Of course I respect the skills of such a great player, and Kobe is indeed great. I was initially surprised by all the media hype, but then I reminded myself that we live in a culture of quick fixes. While everyone drops their jaws at Kobe’s performance, has anyone besides Vince Carter (who said this is bad for basketball) stopped to ever think about the consequences that this will have on the future of basketball?

I am 29 years-old. I grew up playing basketball at times from 10 AM to 10 PM. I chose not to pursue it because I wanted to show young people that there were other ways to excel other than through entertainment. I have never let go of my love of the game. It is starting to fade now the way I see the game changing and the impact it has on young people. I am not on every court in the country, but I am very familiar with how our young folks see basketball.

In many parts of our inner cities across the country, our youth think of basketball as a one-man sport. The idea of Woody Harrelson’s comments from White Men Can’t Jump rings true: “Black men want to look good first and win second.” This mentality leads to many kids believing that the way to excel in basketball is to shoot first, second, and third, and maybe win fourth. The way Kobe is getting attention these days, more and young people will see this and aspire to do the same.

Why is it that we are praising Kobe more than we are praising the Detroit Pistons? They are the ultimate team and are approaching a 70-win season. If we celebrated them, more young people would want to practice the team concept and know it was a way to win and be celebrated. Why is no one talking about Kobe’s teammates standing by and not advancing their own skills as a player? Is he making his team better by outscoring them?

Lastly, all the comparisons to Michael Jordan needs to stop. Scoop Jackson even compared him to Tupac. C’mon. Until Kobe leads his team to consecutive championships (as in NBA Finals MVP), he should not be compared to MJ, who won 6 championships as the MVP and never even played a game seven in the Finals. Michael Jordan became the greatest when he embraced the team concept and Phil Jackson knows this, so it is odd for him to allow Kobe to play like this. Maybe the Zen-master feels he needs to let Kobe get this out of his system.

Long story short, there have been other great scorers in the NBA. Kobe’s performance is indeed spectacular, but his selfishness is bad for the game of basketball. We call AI selfish for his shot selection, but since Kobe has a higher percentage, I guess it’s OK. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kobe break Wilt Chamberlin’s record before it’s all said and done. If it happens, I won’t be as impressed as I thought I would be. From what I see, defense has become worse in the NBA since the mid-90s, now that so many players have lucrative contracts before they’ve even dribbled a ball. The Jordan years (particularly the earlier years) was the last era where we saw contracts based on earning it in the league. I could probably score a good 30-35 points in a game nowadays with my rusty self. I’d prefer to make the news however, if I had a triple-double. At least my teammates would have been involved.

Dr. King Day, what a day to remember

2006-01-16T22:19:00.000-05:00

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Interesting day today. On the day we celebrate King’s life & death, I had a mini-brush with death today. I wasn’t the target, but I could have easily been a victim of a drive-by shooting today.

I park the car at the restaurant where I am about to have a meeting for a radio-hosting job. As I park, I hear 10-15 gun shots ring out behind me. I look in the rearview mirror and can’t see what’s going on. A car comes racing by me and stops a few cars in front of me. Two young men then run up to the car and start shooting at it. I duck down in the driver’s seat and just wait for the exchange to end. If I didn’t wait an extra minute or 2 in the car, I could have been the victim of a stray bullet.

On any occasion, this would have been a heart-wrenching ordeal, but this happened on Dr. King’s holiday. I got out of the car and carried on to my meeting, not knowing if someone else was going to turn the corner and start firing again or even if one of the shooters saw me and thought I would recognize them or their car (I couldn’t). I just told myself that I couldn’t be moved and that I had to press on. We’re too often forced to live in fear and I just decided that wasn’t going to be my moment of fear.

During the meeting, I thought long and hard about how my life could have ended and how I didn’t say goodbye to my wife the way I wanted to when I left the house. On the way home, Michael Baisden was airing his Dr. King show and Baba Dick Gregrory just finished his comments about how the 3 things that we do to kill ourselves quickly are not getting enough sleep, not drinking enough water, and not exercising. I get home and turn on the radio to listen to the rest of the show but the dial stops on WPFW (the radio station I just met with) and it is Dr. King’s final speech. He speaks about not making it to the end goal with us. It was a day of symbolism all around.

On this day, I thank Dr. King and all civil rights activists for their work and I am saddened that the biggest threat to my livelihood is black on black crime from the same people I write to help uplift. I write, perform, and live for all of humanity, but I this work started from a long burning passion to see black people love themselves. It pains me to see this not happening in 2006 on a large scale. King day is seen by too many as a day off, a day to get a car deal, and a day to shake your butt because you can sleep in late. How many parties did you here advertised on the radio in horror (yes, horror) of Dr. King?

Humankind is on a serious path for destruction. You and I owe it to all who came before us to not lose focus. We are soldiers in this war and there will be casualties that won’t always be physical. We must press on. If we kept the legacy of King alive everyday, we wouldn’t need a holiday. My wife and I had an interesting debate about King’s legacy which spun into a discussion of media images and black TV shows. I told her I was frustrated because in the 80s & 90s, we had a good balance of black programming with shows and now everything I see is comedy or promotes more black stereotypes. This is
the subject for a future blog so stay tuned.

I am proud that we have this holiday and with today’s events, I am more inspired to press on with my work than ever before. We as soldiers in humanity’s war against ignorance need to reflect 365 days a year on how to live peacefully. King’s holiday should not be the equivalent of sinning 6 days a week and going to church on Sunday for purification. Let us live life to the fullest and if we learn anything from King this day (I learn something new every year), let us learn that life is fleeting so say what’s on your mind and only apologize for being too stubborn to listen to anyone who may offer you a differing opinion. Think before you speak. Write before you fight and remember—we are only as humane as our most inhumane soul. Peace be unto you.

To hell with the dark continent

2006-01-14T21:29:00.000-05:00

While peacemakers cheer the new “peace process” and transitional government in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa), massive human rights violations are still taking place in the east, including rape as a tool of war and mutilations. Mass graves are still being uncovered in Bunia. Now I could say that this is a result of a war (supposedly ended) that has killed over 4,000,000 in four years. I could say that this war has caused a second genocide in less than 100 years that has gone without mention. I could say that the root cause of this war is the world's insatiable thirst for diamonds, coltan, copper, rubber, and gold that began even before King Leopold II infected the Congo with his Acquired Immune Dictatorship-from-a-distance Syndrome. I could even say that in addition to corrupted Congolese leaders caught in their own scramble for Congo, this war is a result of Western forces such as the United States and Belgium, who have participated in assassinations of democratically-elected Congolese leaders so as to insert a leader (Mobutu Sese Seko) whose 32-year dictatorship easily rivaled Saddam Hussein's. I could say that is why mass graves are still being dug up, the proliferation of child soldiers continues, and women are still be used as sexual toys. I could say all this but what’s the point? Nobody gives a damn about the Congo, much less Africa.

I watched coverage of the war on Iraq from before day one. As much as I empathize with the people who suffered under Saddam, I kept asking myself why no one cares about US-supported dictators in Africa. I wondered, rather than debating whether America is responsible for Saddam because of the support he enjoyed in the eighties and nineties, why is it that no one talks about the current support that Rwanda and Uganda receive from America, even though these countries invaded Congo twice within the last decade? I wonder why it is that Americans do not realize that our purchase of cell phones, computers, and diamonds have indirectly supported this genocide. The reason is that no one gives a damn about Congo, much less Africa.

Once again, Africa has vanished off the map of human concern. The average American is resigned to the fact that whatever transpires in Africa is destined because Africans are savage and "unsaved." Africa is still the Tarzan-inspired, AIDS-infested country where people die because they are heathens. I even wonder how many readers will gloss over the fact that I just referred to Africa as a country and not a 54-nation continent. I can do this because, as you'll find in many of your conversations, we recount our travels to China, Brazil, India, Canada, and Africa. To the average American, Africans have been engraved in our mind's constitution as three-fifths of a person from three-fifths of a continent. I should actually say four-fifths since Northern Africa is so conveniently left out of the doomsday-statistics concerning the continent.

As disheartening as these facts are, as a former middle school teacher, I looked every day into the eyes of America's future and saw the cycle continuing. Before I showed videos of my travels to African countries, I had my students write about their images of Africa. I got the same answers you probably would have given as a child (or give now as an adult): far, half-naked heathens, "people" living next to wild animals, dirt roads, huts. However, after seeing my videos of African cities, my students asked to take a field trip to “Africa.” It was no longer far. It was no longer savage. In 15 minutes, I often changed images of Africa that these children had learned since birth.

While I never heard the word "spic," "chink," or "kike" used to refer to any of my Latino, Chinese, or Jewish students; insults such as "African bush-boogie" or "African booty-scratcher" roll off the tongues of my students whenever a dark-skinned student aroused their ire, particularly if that student had a "foreign" accent or name. Is this the melting pot that we are striving for in America? Is this indicative of a nation that promotes true understanding of diverse backgrounds and is open-minded towards the beliefs of others?

It seems that we Americans talk about embracing differences only when we feel threatened by a foreign agent or domestic upheaval. Since Africans in the Diaspora are, for all intents and purposes, complacent with the stereotypes put forth about them throughout the international community, Africa will continue to be that dark, faraway, unsaved country (yes, “country”).

I could tell you about my cousin in Congo who died of tuberculosis at 22 years of age; which happened on the day I met him for the first time, because his family could not afford medicine. I could tell you about my other cousin in Mozambique who is living with AIDS and has already lost her husband to the AIDS grim reaper because he had to choose between money for expensive Western AIDS medicine or financial aid to feed his children. I could tell you that this great country that invaded Iraq to "liberate" the Iraqis has supported genocidal regimes in Africa. You would probably like that.

On the other hand, I could tell you about the warmth of the African people who opened their doors to me and fed me like a king though no one in the family was working. I could tell you how I honestly felt more safe walking the streets of all but one of the ten African countries I have visited than I do on the streets of America where I can have my life snatched away just as easily by a crook as by a cop. I could tell you that I often think about why I should give a damn about human suffering in Iraq or Israel and how I could never think that way because of an African traditional principle that my mother taught me — hate hatred, not humanity. I could probably even tell you that each time I leave the African continent, I am more inspired that those "savages" are the hope for all of humanity's children. I could say all of this but what's the point? As long we do not have a government, an educational system, and a society that actively challenges its people on misconceptions of a people whose ancestors built this country, the same, irrefutable fact will hold for all eternity — no one gives a damn about Africa.

Where To Buy FYMP Products!

2006-01-13T17:36:00.000-05:00

WORLDWIDE

www.freeyourmindpublishing.com

www.barnesandnoble.com

www.borders.com

www.amazon.com

www.itunes.com

www.rhapsody.com

www.towerrecords.com

www.cdbaby.com

NATIONWIDE

MARYLAND
Barnes & Noble
12089 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 881-0237

MASSACHUSETTS
The Kulture Shop/OrigiNation
11 Walnut Park Street
Boston, MA 02119
(617) 541-1875
http://www.kultureshop.biz

A Nubian Notion
41 Warren Avenue
Boston, MA 02116

The Tape Connection
10 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02121
(617) 442-2731

TEXAS
Under One Roof Bookstore
1102 W. Jasper Road
Killeen, Texas 76542
(254) 554-6553

WASHINGTON, DC
Busboys and Poets
14th & V Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20009
www.busboysandpoets.com
202-387-poet

Howard University Bookstore
2225 Georgia Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20059
(202) 238-2640 or (800) 919-5997

Sankofa Bookstore
2714 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20001
(202) 234-4755 or (800) 524-3895

UNITED KINGDOM
Rise Magazine
Suite 39
Park Royal Business Centre
9-17 Park Royal Road
London NW10 7LQ
+44 (0) 208-965-2525
info@risemagazine.org

Africa Book Center
38 King Street
Covent Garden
London WC2E 8JT
44 (0)20-7240-6649
orders@africabookcentre.com

In Katrina’s wake, the government is the biggest obstacle to racial harmony (repost from 9-7-05)

2006-01-12T15:35:00.000-05:00

“President Bush doesn’t care about black people” lamented a visibly frustrated rap superstar Kanye West on a nationwide benefit concert this past weekend. Right or wrong, his comments are indicative of a discussion that the nation will revisit for years to come. Even as I watched the Sunday morning talk shows such as “Meet The Press” and “The McLaughlin Group,” I couldn’t help but notice how, in 2005, black guests on these shows from former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial to Clarence Page are, in essence, still being asked to “speak for their race” as to whether we see race as an issue in the lack of a strong governmental response to Hurricane Katrina. I sat frustrated watching this because were it not for the United States government’s slow response, as well as the overabundance of black faces on the television, America would not be discussing the race issue in the aftermath of this hurricane.

Throughout the week, I watched countless civilians contributing to the hurricane relief efforts. I saw Americans (and non-Americans) of all racial, religious, economic and political backgrounds contributing food, clothes, money, and even their homes to this effort. One evacuee (not refugee) even commented that he never knew “Texans were so hospitable.” Just as with the tsunami of 2004, the initial response of American citizens was greater than the response of the American government financially. The debate on whether race was a factor began to emerge once appalled citizens realized that President Bush was playing golf and speaking in places such as San Diego promoting his war as the hurricane was taking place. Talks of racism came into play when angry Americans began to compare Bush’s response to hurricanes in Florida as well as with 911 to his response to Katrina. There were no bullhorns speaking of “the people who are responsible for this are gonna hear from us real soon,” because, of course, the Bush administration is “the people responsible” for part of this catastrophe, given its diversion of funds for New Orleans’ levees to the war in Iraq. There were no images of Bush handing out food as in Florida (though I did wonder why he had his sleeves rolled up).

Rather, we saw “the leader of the free world” courageously leaving his vacation 2 days early to think about when he would visit and of course, he would have to visit the states with republican governors first. We saw him take a 45-minute flight to the ravaged Gulf Coast where he apparently received no hurricane update only to spend 20 minutes upon landing getting a briefing of the hurricane outcome by republican officials anxious to demonstrate their own style of sycophancy rather than agony on the part of their citizens.

It was at this point that the debate on race became full-blown. After all, many who brought up the issue of New Orleans’ infrastructure over the years questioned whether race or poverty was a reason why there was no response to their studies. Groups such as The Congressional Black Caucus, and news reporters such as CNN’s Aaron Brown began to publicly ask the question of what the response would have been had this disaster occurred in a more affluent area or in other parts of America where citizens had a stronger (republican) voter influence.

The fact of the matter is that if the response of this government was faster, there would be no substantial discussion on race. It is truly a sad state that now on college campuses, in high schools, churches, and other community organizations; we are going to have this debate, which will further divide us as an American people. Just as Bush had an opportunity to bring parts of the world closer and less resentful of America post-911, the President had an opportunity to show all Americans that the tired, the weak, the poor, the black citizens of this country really do matter. Bush has failed miserably in this endeavor. It’s pretty safe to say that many black Americans could care less to hear Bush say during his 20-minute nationally-televised debriefing that he wants to see Trent Lott’s house rebuilt so he can sit on Lott’s porch. Trent Lott of all people? Is this what America waited five days for?

In the coming weeks, as the Bush administration scrambles to cover their posteriors quicker than hurricane evacuees, we are going to see a level of spin that we will trounce what we witnessed during the recent election. Similar to anyone who opposed the war in Iraq being called unpatriotic; and similar to the way the Bush team flipped the debate over his military service to America debating over the service of John Kerry (who actually was in Vietnam); the republican party will now call anyone who brings the issue up of race as trying to exploit this situation for political gain. Some democrats will continue to press the race card, particularly as we move closer to the next election. It is for these reasons that the government on both sides of the zoo, will never have to answer the question of race, even though it is the government that is entirely responsible for the debate of a racial response in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The media is partly culpable in this debate as well. When one sees pictures with captions of black people “looting” and white people “finding” food, and overwhelming pictures of black suffering faces being compared to refugees in Africa (with this biased media, there are apparently no white refugees that merit comparison in other parts of the world and no Asians, Latinos, or Native Americans living on the Gulf Coast), it became obvious that a less-informed mind would believe that there are only black people who suffered from this hurricane. Despite these images, even if it was only black people who were dying in this situation, the response by Americans would still have been as massive as it has been. Why is it that oftentimes it is the average American that shows her belief in the tenet of all men being created equal before the government? After all, the multi-racial march on Washington in 1963 was a call for the government to stay true to its promise of all Americans being equal under the law.

I urge all Americans (and non-Americans) to continue to do all you can in the event of this calamity. I urge you to continue open the doors to all evacuees of all races, and to continue to contribute money and clothes to your fellow American. Your efforts are going to be the most significant testimony on where we have truly come in America on the issue of race. Regardless of your political affiliation, you must admit that the response of our American government has set us on a backwards trend towards any type of racial harmony that many Americans still believe that we have a chance of achieving.

A million little lies?

2006-01-10T22:42:00.000-05:00

I've been hearing stories about thesmokinggun.com's report on the false statements in the book "A million little pieces." I haven't read the book, but I have a largeer question: do we spend too much time lauding over people who are former criminals and create circumstances of their own doing and then reform themselves? What about the people who go the right path all of their lives? What do they get?

As a trilingual poet/mc who has never been arrested, I often ask my friends and family if I would get more exposure as an artist if I was a former drug dealer, sex offender, pimp or something. Would people then praise the fact that I went to some of the world's greatest schools and spend my life and time trying to motivate young people to respect one another and live in peace?

On a more important note, society is going in the opposite direction. I believe in prison reform (especially in the U.S.) and other programs designed to help those who may have gone done a particular path of negativity. At the same time, I also believe that we cannot brush to the side those young people who have lived on the straight and narrow all of their lives. They need attention. They need respect. They need to be lauded. Believe it or not, there are young people who believe they will become more popular once they go through the criminal justice system or even if they get shot. Call it the "50 Cent effect" if you like, but 50 Cent exploits the problem, he is not the cause of it. This is a systemic problem in a society that from its leadership on down condemns intellectualism.

This is the world according to "O". We must begin again to reward intellectualism and to not glorify violence and drugs. For you young people out there, don't glorify a life you don't live and don't try to gain notoriety by who you hurt. You are better than that. This is a movement that needs to be led from the bottom up, starting with the return of parents and community elders to their rightful authority role. I find it interesting that so many elders talk about the good old days when a community raised children but we are the children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren of this community and we hate eachother so we must examine where this disconnect occured and why. We have become too critical of each other. The old hate the young and vice versa. The buck stops when we talk and not point fingers. Changew will occur when we look in the mirror and reward righteousness and responsibility. Let's grow together! Peace.

2006-01-09T22:39:00.000-05:00

Just me! Photo by Cinclair Photography!

Welcome to my blogsite!

2006-01-09T21:53:00.000-05:00

Greetings!

This is Omekongo (www.omekongo.com). Here you will find what I think about anything that's on my mind. I hope you listen and learn from my perspective and also respectfully share your thoughts with me too! My goal in life is bring positivity to the light so let's do it!