A Heartbreaking Example of True Love

I'm sure by now you've seen this video or heard this story.
If you haven't, go get some tissue.
If you have, go get some tissue, because this is one of the more touching stories that I've ever seen.
This isn't a music video or a trailer for an upcoming movie.
The bride and groom aren't actors. They're real people and this is a video of their wedding day.
This is the wedding video of former NFL player Chris Draft and his lovely bride.
Enjoy

Keasha & Chris Draft Wedding Trailer from KRJ PRODUCTIONS on Vimeo.

WOW!
I get chills everytime I watch it!
Unfortunately, this week the bride lost her battle with lung cancer.
Their story is a heartbreaking example of what true love really is.
It shows a man dedicated to his woman, regardless of her physical appearance.
(By the way, I find absolutely nothing wrong with her physical appearance.)
She is beautiful!
My favorite part of the video is at the end when the bride is dancing with her father.
Can you imagine the joy in his heart on that beautiful day?
Can you imagine the pain in his heart on this day?
I can't imagine either.
Their story should give hope to all who thought true love either didn't exist or was impossible for them to find.
It should also dispel the myth that there aren't any good black men left.

Please join me in lifting Chris Draft and his family up in prayer.
Real love still wins!

Some Kids Are Better Off Without Their Parents

A 21 year old Chicago boy man is facing abuse charges after posting this photo of his one year old daughter on his Facebook page.

*NO THIS IS NOT PHOTOSHOPPED*
I really don't know what to say about this one........I really don't.

The sad part about it is, he's only facing abuse charges.

In my opinion, this demon young man should never be able to see this baby again.

Yes, I know he's the father.

Yes, I know there's a shortage of fathers present in the black community.

But I would much rather see this baby grow up without a father present in her life, than to have this mofo poor excuse of a father spend one more day with her.

If he's capable of doing this and publicly posting it on Facebook, there's no telling what he's capable of doing to this baby in private.

Some kids really are  better off without their parents!

Another Senseless Murder

In probably the most senseless murder I can recall, an Atlanta rapper named Slim Dunkin was killed this past weekend over a piece of candy.

No, I'm NOT lying!

See for yourself!



Told ya!

I know this may sound a bit extreme, but if a judge were to give this man's killer the death penalty, I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. At some point, someone has to make an example out of these people to let them know that these types of senseless murders won't be tolerated in our society.

Seriously, a piece of candy?

Jules Manson Should Be Arrested

For almost two years I've been saying that the tea party platform and objections to the President has nothing to do with policy, taxes or any of that other stuff they claim.
It has to do with one thing and one thing only; HIS SKIN COLOR!
His skin color caused people to gather at those klan rallies town hall meetings in the summer of 2009.
It causes them to put pressure on lawmakers to block simple bills such as the payroll tax extention.
And it also causes them to feel comfortable in making such statements like the one Jules Manson, a California tea party politician (and huge supporter of Ron Paul) made.

*side bar*
Don't get fooled into thinking Ron Paul is this naive old man making funny comments at a GOP debate.
Ron Paul (and his son Rand Paul) are some of the most extreme racists you'll ever meet.
(More on Ron Paul at a later date).

*back to the meeting*

Jules Manson recently posted this comment on his facebook page when discussing the President and his policies:
He said the best way to stop the POTUS from "destroying this country" is to:
"Assassinate the fucken nigger and his monkey children."
I'm NOT lying!

The comment was removed from his facebook page but you can view the post over at http://www.yourblackworld.com/

I'm all for freedom of speech but the call to assassinate the POTUS and murder his children has nothing to do with the First Amendment. I guarantee you that these same "law abiding, great American citizens" would have been screaming bloody murder (and rightfully so) if someone would have said the same thing about the previous President and his family.

It's time for the secret service to start doing their jobs. It's time to start arresting people like Jules Manson!

Rev. Al Helps Boost MSNBC Ratings

I admit, when Rev. Al Sharpton launched his political talk show on MSNBC earlier this year, I didn't think it would last. Not because I disagree with Rev. Al on some issues and the way he handles them, but because I didn't think black folks Americans would support his show.
I was wrong!
Last month Rev. Al's show, "PoliticsNation beat out CNN's John King USA by 50% among total viewers for the second month in a row. Although he's still significantly behind that Republican propaganda network called "FOX News", his show has helped MSNBC's evening time slots become relevant again.

I hope the network will keep him around for a while. I also hope the nexttime they're considering new talk shows, they'll take a SERIOUS look at younger African-American pundits such as Melissa Harris-Lacewell, Michael Eric Dyson, Warren Ballentine and others.

There's definitely a market for them because OUR voices need to be heard!

Congrats Rev. Al!

Don't Call It Hazing

That was a scene from one of my all time favorite movies "School Daze".
That was old school, long before all of this new school stuff like "Stomp The Yard" and "Drumline" came along.
LONG LIVE OLD SCHOOL!
(Hmmm.....maybe that should have been the title of this blog.)
Oh well.........
Well, I'm sure this won't go over too well-especially in today's climate. But someone has to say publicly, what others are saying privately.
So with that being said, let's get it!
You ready?
Ok, here we go:

First, let me give you a little background on me:
I crabbed the band at Alabama State University in 1989.
I pledged Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. in 1993.
I was one of the most notorious hazers in the state of Alabama, if not the entire southeast.
When people heard the name:
"Big Brother Blazer-The Scroller Hazer"
They knew it was going to be a ruff and tuff night.
Not bragging, just trying to help you understand my perspective while you read this blog.
I've always said that hazing doesn't harm people, the people doing the hazing is what harms people.
Case and point: The recent foolishness at FAMU.
From the death of Robert Champion- the drum major who died while being initiated into the infamous "C-Bus".
To the latest incident where three men boys were arrested  for breaking a girl's thigh while initiating her into (wait, let me make sure I say this right) the Red Dawg Order.
What's so infamous about the "C-Bus"?
And why in the hell does someone feel the need to paddle a girl 300 times to belong to a clique of band people from Georgia?
No lie!
That's what the Red Dawg Order is- a clique of FAMU band people from the state of Georgia.
All of this mess is crazy!
You know who I blame?
I blame all of the people who have been on a nonstop crusade to ban or eliminate hazing!
Yes, you read it correctly-it's YOUR fault!
You have created a generation of kids who are trying to haze people based on what they think hazing is about.
See, here's what many of you need to understand.
Regardless of what you think about it or how you feel about it, you will never get rid of it and you'll never stop it.
It doesn't matter what laws you put in place or what you tell prospective members of any organization (or band-smh), hazing is an institution that can't be closed.
But instead of facing that reality and finding a way to modify the process-you decided to try and MAKE it go away by instituting new laws and new processes.
Now look at what you got-a full scale mess at one of the most prized HBCUs in the country.
And this band thing is just the tip of the iceberg.
You're about to pull the covers off of Hazing U (university) and what you're about to find is going to shatter your little thoughts and dreams of putting an end to something that has been around since the early 1900s.
I don't envy you guys at all because you really have your work cut out for you.
But can I ask you all and the general public a huge favor?
Can you please stop calling these incidents-Hazing Incidents?
These are not Hazing Incidents!
Hazing takes placeTOOK place in a controlled environment.
An environment where someone was responsible for making sure the pledges were taken care of and protected (in a weird kind of way).
Classifying these and other barbaric acts as incidents of hazing is disrespectful to all of us who had the privilege of being hazed.
And NO, I don't care to elaborate or explain.
(Even if I did, you still wouldn't understand.)

A Message From The Chairman of The Board

Yeah, yeah........ I know, I know. I try, I really do try to blog as much as I can. But between work, kids and trying to finish this book I've been working on for almost two years, I just haven't had the time.

But lately, I've been led to really focus in on this area of my vision. So be on the look out for new blogs to hit very soon.

Some of them may be old news, but I promise it will be a different perspective from what you've already heard.

Also, I STILL don't know what to do with my computer. (buy another one perhaps?).
Although I'm unable to respond to your comments, I really appreciate the feedback-both positive and negative. Please feel free to chat with us on FB by joining our fan page. Just click on the FB link on the blog.

Again, I thank you for stopping by and as I've stated before; The Board Room is so much more than just a blog, it's a movement. And you guys are playing a vital part in helping to launch it.
(more info on that coming in 2012)

Michelle Obama Booed By Nascar Fans

Never in the history of this country has a President and First Lady been so disrespected. Their HATERS detractors would have you believe it's because of their political differences.
(If you believe that, I have some beachfront property in Idaho to sell you).
Yesterday, the First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden (wife of Vice President Joe Biden) were grand marshals at a NASCAR race in Miami. I know what you're thinking,
"What were they doing at a NASCAR race to begin with?"
I know, I thought the same thing.
They were there on behalf of their husbands to honor our troops and their families.
No big deal, right?
WRONG!
THIS is what happened when they were introduced:

SMH..............
Before you get too upset, here's what you need to understand. NASCAR is home to the most racist fans in sports. They openly fly the confederate flag at races. They think of people like Hank Williams Jr. as one of their own. They are just a different type of people.
I know that.
You know that.
But apparently the First Lady's people don't. Or if they do, they were too naive' to think this group of people wouldn't boo the first black First Lady in this country's history.
Where is Desiree' Rogers when you need her?
I'm sure Desiree' would have said (with an attitude),
"NASCAR? Oh......Hell naw. The First Lady ain't doing NASCAR."
But since Desiree' is no longer handling business for the First Lady, let me give her handlers some advice.
(because I know they check out The Board Room)
What? They DO check out The Board Room.
Here's the advice:
The next time you want to have the First Lady honor our troops and their families, bring her to a HBCU football classic.
As a matter fact, here's a personal invitation for the First Lady to come to Birmingham next year
for the largest and most popular black football game in the country, The Magic City Classic.
That way, you won't have the First Lady sitting around looking like this:

Memo to the First Lady:
Hire more competent advisors QUICK!

Sunday Praise & Inspiration

A lot has taken place in my life since we last had praise and inspiration here in The Board Room.
 If you don't mind, I'm going to share a personal story with you real quick.
If you do mind, then...........whatever!
Last month, my son suffered a knee injury at football practice. It was bad timing (so I thought) because he has a tremendous opportunity before him coming up during baseball season.
After scheduling an MRI, we found out that he had a sprained MCL and torm ACL which would require surgery.
But it would also require him to be out 8-12 months. Thus, putting his baseball opportunity in jeopardy
I became upset with God because he "allowed" something like this to happen to a young man who does all the right things the right way.
I started PUBLICLY questioning God by saying and asking things like,
"Why me God?"
" Why would you allow MY son to experience this?"
"I had less trouble when I wasn't trying to do the right than I have now."
I know, I know..........many of you have NEVER questioned God. (Bless your heart)
BUT I DID!

Well, during that entire ordeal I kept hearing this particular song in my head.
It was a song I had heard many times but for some reason, I heard it more often during this period.
I heard it in my sleep.
I heard it when I woke up.
I heard it in my car.
I heard it EVERYWHERE!

It was this song by Beverly Crawford;


Well, let me tell you the rest of the story...........
My son had surgery on October 19th and was told that he could possibly recover in 6-8 months.
That was encouraging news.
But two weeks later......
I SAID TWO WEEKS LATER............
His therapist cleared him to walk in a brace WITHOUT crutches.
(let that marinate)
A surgery that normally requires you to be on crutches for at LEAST two months-my son had been cleared after TWO WEEKS!
The therapist told me although my son doing rehab prior to surgery helped, he had no idea as to how my son was making that kind of progress, that soon.
I looked him straight in the eyes said, "Oh I know how he's making that kind of progress!"
Now, as I post this blog a month later, my son is walking with only an ACL brace and he barely has a limp when he walks.
My point:
Even when it doesn't look like it....
Even when it doesn't feel like it.....
Even when you think God has totally forgotten about your situation........
If you maintain your faith.........
If you keep trusting in the Lord.......
Not only will he show up and show out.....
But He will work a miracle on your behalf.........
Because He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we could ever think, wish or imagine.
God performed a miracle for me, and I know He'll do it for you!

*cue the praise break*

Neo Soul Saturday

Consisting of rapper/singer/songwriter Phonte and producer Nicolay, The Foreign Exchange came together via the online hip-hop community Okayplayer.com in 2002. After trading files through Instant Messenger for over a year, Nicolay (living in his native Holland at the time) and Phonte (a Raleigh, NC resident) completed their debut album before they ever met each other in person. The album, Connected, was released in 2004 to positive reviews, and was praised by legendary DJ’s such as DJ Jazzy Jeff, King Britt, and DJ Spinna for its inventive mix of hip-hop, R&B, and electronica.


Their sophomore album, Leave It All Behind (2008) found The Foreign Exchange much closer in geography (Nicolay becoming a resident of Wilmington, NC), but located much further from their hip-hop origins. On the strength of their exhilarating live show and several nationally programmed music videos, Leave It All Behind became the group’s most successful album to date, culminating in a Grammy-nomination for the album’s first single, Daykeeper.

Authenticity, released on October 12, 2010 on +FE Music, is The Foreign Exchange’s third album.

I had the great pleasure of seeing this group perform a few weeks ago. If you ever get the opportunity to catch them live, please do so.
 For more info on this talented group, click on this link to visit their website The Foreign Exchange.



*bio courtesy of thelast.fm.com*

Got Swag?

No blog to read!

Just want to show off this picture of the President!

That's all!

Carry On!

Occupy A Plan, THEN Occupy Wall Street

As the Occupy Wall Street movement celebrates it's two month anniversary today, I have two questions;
What has this movement accomplished?
And what exactly is the strategy of the movement?
Does anybody know?
Anybody?
Going once, going twice.........
That's exactly what I thought!
Nobody can tell me the objectives of this movement and what steps are being taken to reach those objectives.
I understand and agree with the concept behind the Occupy movement, but for the last two months all I've seen are images like the image posted above.
Question: How is that working out for you?
My suggestion is to pick a leader, write down your demands and get behind a candidate you can put in office that will support your agenda.
Just an observation from my chair here in The Board Room.

Wishing Heavy D "Peaceful Journey"

Earlier this week we lost a true hip hop legend.
When Heavy D stepped on the scene in the late 80s, he represented something that we had never seen in hip hop; A big man who could charm the ladies and move just as smooth as he could flow.
One of my favorite Heavy D joints was this one:

My roommate and I used to blast that song and the entire "Big Tyme" CASSETTE in our dorm during our freshman year at Alabama State University.
Even though that was a long time ago, his music can still move a crowd today just as it did in 1989.
And you know what?
He moved that crowd with a positive message and without spitting cuss words all over the place.

Here's wishing you a "Peaceful Journey" Heavy D.

Don't Fall For The Herman Cain Okie Doke

A few months ago I told you there would come a day when Herman Cain would try to make himself out to be a victim of racism in hopes of making blacks sympathetic to his campaign.
It's a strategy to snatch as many black votes away from the President as possible.
YES.......he and other conservatives think blacks are that stupid.
Well, we're not which is why the allegations of this particular woman aren't sitting right with me.
Not that I don't believe Herman Cain is guilty of the allegations of sexual harassment.
I do!
Nobody pays someone $35,000 for nothing as he did the first accuser.
But this allegation sounds unbelieveable and made up.
In fact, it sounds TOO unbelievable and TOO made up!
It sounds like someone paid this woman to come forward and publicly accuse him of sexual harassment- only to later have her be exposed as a liar.
Thus giving him the perfect avenue to acknowledge something he said didn't exist-racism in America.
Thus allowing him to have an open discussion on race. 
Thus allowing him to talk to many black voters.
Thus allowing him to do what he set out to do,
cipher off black votes from the President.
I may be wrong about this woman, time will tell.
But regardless if I'm wrong or not, please don't fall for the Herman Cain okie doke!

Men Lie.....Women Lie.....Numbers Don"t

For years, the image of the black woman in the media has always been a sensitive topic. Whether it's a music video, roles in a movie or let's say.............reality tv, the concern for many is that the image of the black woman has been and is still being distorted and misrepresented. I believe that's one of the many reasons a certain segment of people in our country had/has a problem with Michelle Obama. But that's another blog for another day.
Sunday night was the night BET showed their annual BLACK GIRLS ROCK special.
It's a show dedicated to highlighting and recognizing the many hats that black women wear.
The CEO
The Actress
The Entertainer
The Activist
The Harvard Educated Business woman
All of those things show the diversity of the most beautiful creature that God ever created;
The Black Woman!
Here, check it out.
(video courtesy of The Root)

(I didn't see the entire show but the parts I saw I loved.)
As I was saying, it was a celebration of the diversity of black women and the many hats they wear.
But out of all of those hats and titles, maybe the hardest is that of a HOUSEWIFE!
A housewife is a mother, a wife, a homemaker.
She's in charge of maintaining the home, taking care of the family, making sure the checkbook is balanced, the bills are current, etc. etc
She has to do all of this while at the same time being able to maintain the ability flip the script at any moment and walk into a workplace if she needs to or wants to.
That's the example of a REAL HOUSEWIFE!
But judging from the early numbers of the Nielson ratings, many people-women (BLACK women)
think THIS is what a "Real Housewife" does.
(video courtesy of Bravo TV)

Please don't misconstrue this blog as me trying to judge you for watching this form of entertainment.
That's not my intent.
My intent is to simply point out to you that if you want to dispel the myths and stereotypes.
If you want people to stop looking at you crazy when you walk into a department store.
If you want people to stop thinking you are a bunch of loud, golddigging drama queens,
SUPPORT SHOWS LIKE BLACK GIRLS ROCK and "REED BETWEEN THE LINES" with the same enthusiasm you support RHOA!
The early numbers for Sunday night shows that while BGR did well, it trailed RHOA by an almost three to one ratio.That means for every woman that watched the positive images of beautiful black women, there were three others watching the negative images of women who have silicone, boob jobs, butt implants no talent and sleep with married men to get what they want in life.......sorry, I meant these beautiful black women.*side eyes*
I hate to say that many women of color are more concerned with entertainment than substance, but as that great philosopher (Jay-Z) once said,
"Men lie...women lie....numbers don't."

Trick Or Treat

So, did you go trick or treating last night?
No?
Why not?
Because Halloween is "of the devil" and Christians don't/shouldn't celebrate the "devil's holiday"?
Really?
When did all of this start?
It's always been that way?
Hmmm......that's interesting.
My grandmother and great-grandmother (R.I.P. to both) were two of the most religious, saved, filled with the holy spirit women EVER and not once when I was growing up do I recall them saying, "Halloween is the devil's day."
In fact, my grandmother's birthday was October 31st and she enjoyed celebrating her birthday by giving candy to kids dressed in Halloween costumes.
So again I ask you, when did all of this start?
*listening to your explaination and shaking my head*
I don't get it.
I don't get how people-(mainly Christians) can be so adamant about this, yet be silent on homelessness, the murder rate in our community, the lack of educational funding in many of our public school systems.......etc. etc.
Aren't those things evil and "of the devil" too?
Shouldn't the same type of tenancity you use when fighting off the evil spirits of a man made holiday or criticizing those who celebrate it, be used to fight off the evil injustices in our community? 
Just a thought........
Sometimes people can be so heavenly bound that they're no earthly good.


*This site is still not allowing me to interact with the followers of this blog. (Gotta get a new computer guy).But if you would like to discuss this or any other blog, please join us on FB.*

Stop The "Domestic" Violence

In honor of National Domestic Violence Month, I want to share something with you.
Have you ever wondered how the cycle of domestic abuse is passed from one generation to another?
Well, watch this video;


*long deep breath*

I don't know where to start. It's bad enough that our children live in a world where pimping  is viewed as some kind of glorious lifestyle. Where groups like Three Six Mafia can win an Oscar for a song called, "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp".
Where in that same movie a song called, "Whoop That Trick" can soar to number one on the billboard charts.
But when you have someone encouraging his son to film his mother getting beat, it takes it to a completely different level.
Other than learned behavior, I can't understand why a coward  man will put his hands on a woman.
I also can't understand how a woman will stay with a man after he hits her for the first time.
But at the risk of sounding ignorant and insensitive, I'll keep my thoughts about that to myself.
If you know anyone who is being physically or verbally abused, please speak out and get them some help. Or else, you may end up like this:

Sunday Praise & Inspiration

Neo Soul Saturday

It's the return of Neo Soul Saturday here in The Board Room.

This week's featured artist is Zo!

Zo!(n) — 1. Metro Detroit-born, Metro DC-based musician/producer Lorenzo Ferguson. 2. An exceptionally talented multi-instrumentalist who claims the piano/keyboard as his primary instrument, but is self-taught on the bass guitar, the drums, and most recently the guitar. 3. A Musical Architect who utilizes all sound elements to form original compositions that can be classified under no single genre of music.


Though largely known for his solo work, Zo! has collaborated with a variety of artists from the likes of Finale, Slum Village, Asylum 7, YahZarah and Sy Smith to Asheru, Kev Brown, Platinum Pied Pipers, Little Brother, and The Foreign Exchange. In 2004 he teamed with producer Waajeed of the Platinum Pied Pipers (PPP) to play keys on the lead single “Stay With Me” featuring vocalist Tiombe Lockhart, which appears on their debut album Triple P.


Zo! released his highly anticipated solo project SunStorm. So far the collaborating artists include: Phonte, Sy Smith, YahZarah, Rapper Big Pooh, Darien Brockington, Lady Alma, Jesse Boykins III Carlitta Durand, and Monica Blaire. SunStorm was released July 27, 2010 under The Foreign Exchange Music imprint. Zo! has also recently contributed keyboard work to producer/musician Nicolay’s 2009 release, Shibuya: City Lights 2 (“Shibuya Station” and “Wake Up In Another Life”) and production (“Shadow”), keys work, and bass playing (“Why Dontcha Call Me No More”) to YahZarah’s new album, The Ballad of Purple St. James.

info courtesy of Neo Soul Cafe

Ladies, Beware Of The New Hustle

Question: How many of you are on facebook or twitter?
*looks around the blogasphere, counts hands*
Ok, that's about 98% .
Cool, so most of you should be able to relate to this post.
Ladies, do you know someone that's always sending out tweets or facebook posts telling you how you should be treated in a relationship?
You know, stuff like this:
 "A real man wants to make love to your mind, instead of your body."
" If a man can't love you when the lights are on, don't let him make love to you when the lights go out."
" Ladies, if you have to ask if you're the only woman he's seeing, you're not the only on he's seeing."
"Your MAN introduces you to his family, your BOYFRIEND, introduces you to his boys."
Ok, the last one was MINES, but you get the point.
This is the new hustle and here's how it works:
The dude starts posting things that you and most women want to hear.
Then the next thing you know, you're going to their page and sharing their tweets or posts everyday.
Then you're sending private messages.
Then you're meeting for dinner.
Then you're meeting for drinks.
Then you're having sex with them.
Then you're complaining because he's not calling you back.
Then you're putting him on blast on social media outlets.
Then you're stalking him.
Then you're trying to key his car.
Then.......oh my bad, my bad.......got carried away.
* flashbacks* smh
Some of you may ask, "Mod, how do you know all of this to be true?"
Glad you asked!
Here's how I know!
Years ago, someone told me the following:
"You can't play and a former player, you can't hustle a former hustler, and you can't BS a former, BS'er."
And as someone who has been all of the above, I can spot it when I see it.
Normally, I wouldn't knock the next man's hustle but this mess is getting out of control and must be stopped!
But there's also another angle to this hustle.
Some of these dudes are trying to deflect attention away from the fact that they have no interest in women at all!
Ok, I better leave that one alone.
All I'm saying is, "Ladies, beware of the new hustle".

A Farewell To One Of My Heroes, Rev.Fred Shuttlesworth

My heart is heavy right now as I mourn the lost of one of my heroes, Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth.
Long before there was a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., there was "that crazy preacher from Bethel Baptist Church".
He was the spark that ignited the fire that started the civil rights movement-and that fire was "A Fire You Can't Put Out."
I can tell you how in 1956 he tried to integrate the Birmingham Police force during a time when black folks weren't allowed to share the same sidewalk as a white person.
I can tell you how he had his home bombed, his church bombed and his life threatened on a daily basis.
I can tell you how he bravely walked through an all white crowd and tried to enroll two black kids in an all white elementary school.
I can tell you how the following year, he was almost beaten to death for trying to get his sons into all white Phillips High School, (the school I graduate from in 1989).
I can tell you how he embodies the spirit of an entire city.
I can tell you how he inspired people like myself to speak my mind boldy, without fear or hesitation.
I can tell you about the many awards he received during his 89 years of living.
I can tell you what I think his greatest accomplishments are.
I could go on all day and night about Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth.
But my attempt to put into words what he meant to me, my city and our people wouldn't do his memory justice.
Therefore, I will let you hear from the man himself- my hero, the late Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth.

A Lawsuit By A Transgender Parent

In a sign of the unbelieveable times we're living in-a "transgender parent" is suing the McIntosh County Public School system in rural Georgia to allow his/her SEVEN YEAR OLD daughter to use the boy's bathroom.
Why does this "transgender parent" want his/her SEVEN YEAR OLD daughter to use the boy's bathroom?
You ready for this?
Because the "transgender parent" claimed that at the wise age of 18 MONTHS OLD, his/her daughter uttered the words, "I'm a boy."
(I promise, I don't make this stuff up)
I know, I know.
Many of you are saying, "As long as the child has a loving parent who can provide for the child, the sexual orientation of the parent shouldn't matter."

See, that right there-that type of thinking is the problem.
Everybody has become so politically correct, that people are afraid to speak out for fear of being called homophobic or insenstive.
Especially people of color-we'll read stuff like this and keep our thoughts to ourselves because,
"We've been through the civil rights movement and shouldn't participate in the discrimination of other human beings."
Yeah..........ok!
(steps to the mic)
TESTING! TESTING!
(Is this thing on?)
(It is?)
Cool!
Ummmm......look here!
I do NOT believe that God make mistakes.
But some people do, and some of those people will undergo a sex change because let them tell it, they were born with the wrong body.
And this is what this lawsuit is about.
It's a political statement by this "transgender parent" to justify their decision to have a sex change, and they're trying to use this child to make their case.
Instead of walking into a courtroom to file this frivilous lawsuit, he/she should be walking into a courtroom to determine if they're fit to be a parent.
No parent in their right mind would even consider allowing their SEVEN YEAR OLD daughter to use the boy's bathroom, let along sue a school system for that child's right to do so.
I bet this same "transgender parent" will be right back in court trying to sue this very same school system for sexual harrassment the first time a little boy puts his hand up this little girl's skirt.
Because it's going to happen, that's what little boys do. 
But that doesn't matter.
Nor does it matter that this might cause emotional damage to this child by putting her
through the scrutiny and unwanted attention she will have to deal with throughout the school year.
All because of the lawsuit of her "transgender parent". 

Farewell To McKinley "Bug " Williams

For those of you who don't know, I'm the biggest Frankie Beverly and Maze fan in the world- the whole WIDE world!!
No, like FOR REAL- for real!!
That's why I was so sad to hear about the passing of one of the founding members of the group.
McKinley Williams or "Uncle June Bug" as my brother and I called him, passed away this week.
I first experienced the Maze experience when I was only 8 years old. My dad would take us to the Southern Heritage Festival here in Birmingham and we would sit out there with all the "old folks" dancing, singing, and pretending to hit the bongos like we were "Uncle June Bug".
I've seen Maze no less than 50 times.......yes, you read correctly, FIFTY! And not one time have I ever left a show disappointed or feeling like I didn't get my money's worth.
But as a true Maze fan, I can honestly say, a Maze concert will never be the same with seeing "Uncle June Bug" on Frankie's right side.
We will miss you McKinley "Bug" Williams.

Have A Seat Mr. President, We Need To Talk.

First of all Mr. President, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us here in The Board Room.
I'm sure you've heard by now that we keeps it 100 here in The Board Room, so as one of your biggest supporters, I have to say publicly what some are saying privately.
I know you're trying hard not to come off as the "Angry Black Man" but sometimes (how can I say this?)
Ummm........let's see..........Ok.
Sometimes, Mr. President you act like a punk!
So much so that lately, I've started to question if you even have a pair.
WHOA!
WHOA!
WHOA!
CALM DOWN MR. PRESIDENT!
I didn't mean to tick you off, but honestly, that's the side of you your supporters need to see.
Example, instead of saying;
"The GOP should stop their political postering and focus on helping the American people."
You should walk right up to the mic, look directly into Camera two and say,
"All conservatives can go straight to hell!"
Then drop the mic and walk away from the podium!
I'm serious Mr. President, do it just like that.
If you do that, I promise you, people like Jim Dement (R-SC) will think twice about saying what he said this past weekend.
Wait, you didn't hear him?
He said he could care less about hearing your idiotic speech about jobs.
Seriously, that's what he said!
And that's my point Mr. President.
You're trying to compromise with people who don't even respect you as a man, let along the leader of the free world.
They've already admitted that their number one objective is to make sure you don't get re-elected.
So why compromise or try to meet them in the middle?
Mr. President, I can't begin to understand the pressure you're under-especially, being the first black president.
But your supporters want you to at least ACT like you understand that you're at war (politically).
Because if you don't, we will no longer be "Fired Up and Ready To Go", we'll be "Fed Up and Ready To Get It Over With".
And that could be a huge problem for you in 2012.

Thanks for stopping by The Board Room Mr. President.

Another Senseless Murder Update (Derrion Albert)

I'm sure you all have heard about the murder of Derrion Albert that took place in Chicago back in 2009.
If you haven't, check out the video:



Five people were arrested in connection with his death, including Lapoleon Colbert who admitted to kicking and stomping Derrion in the head AFTER he was knocked unconscious from a blow to the head with a two by four.
Colbert, convicted of first degree murder stood before the judge today and pleaded,
"This is my first offense, have mercy on me."
The judge had mercy on him alright, he sentenced him to 32 years in prison.
It would be nice if this sentence could deter other cowards like Colbert who roam the streets of Chicago and every other major city in this country from committing such senseless acts like the one you saw in the above video.
But unfortunately, I think nothing short of an immediate death sentence for these domestic terrorists will get their attention.

Let's pray for that this begins the healing process for the Albert family.

Sunday Praise & Inspiration

(Proverbs 18:21)

Neo Soul Saturday

Today we're spotlighting New Soul sensation, R&B singer and songwriter; Teedra Moses.
Teedra was born and raised in New Orleans and later moved to Los Angeles, California with her mother, Shirley Moses, a gospel singer, after her parents’ divorce. Moses brought a little bit of that gospel flair to her own vocal style when she began singing professionally. The final song on her debut album, “I Think of You (Shirley’s Song)”, is dedicated to her late mother.


She released her debut album, Complex Simplicity (executive produced by herself and partner Pauli Pol), on TVT Records on August 10, 2004 in the U.S. The album peaked at #158 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and reached the top ten of the Top Independent Albums chart.

Since then Teedra has gone on to write songs for artists such as Nivea, Christina Milian and Mary J blige she was also featured on two songs from Raphael Saadiq’s Ray Ray album and has had her songs showcased on Noah’s Arc a LOGO network television series.
 *bio courtesy of  last.fm*

Do You Know Your Babysitter?

I sympathize with those of you who have to find a babysitter in today's world.
If I had small children, I would make them wear a wire, install hidden cameras and invest in any other device I could get my hands on.
That may sound crazy, but you have to take those kind of measures or else your child and babysitter may end up like this:



I have no words!

Can The HBCU Network Be Successful?

Check out the picture of MY band, The Alabama State University Mighty Marching Hornets (Fall' 89)

AS-AS-AS-AS-U!!!
I'm SO ready for the fall and all the festivities that come with Black College Football games.
That's why I got super-duper excited (Yes, I said SUPER-DUPER), when I read that a former BET exec was launching the HBCU network.
That meant I could see the bands, the stepshows, the activities on the yard and all the other hidden elements of an HBCU.
This is something that would greatly benefit our people and serve as a recruiting tool for HBCUs at a time when they desperately need it.
But my excitement was quickly shattered by a dose of harsh reality.
As in televison reality.
As in- Reality Show reality.
Although I think this network would have some success, especially during the fall;
You and I both know that people won't support it unless it has some drama.
I'm not talking about a dramatic series type of drama.
I'm talking about
"Throwing water in your ex-wife face, women fighting each other and calling each other bit*hes after sleeping with somebody's man and talking about each other behind their backs drama.

You guys know just as well as I do, that we as a people would rather watch that stuff instead of something educational and informative.
You disagree?
Ok, let me ask you this:
You have a choice to watch the reunion show of "Basketball Wives" or the premiere night of the HBCU Network.
Which one would you watch?
Case closed!
I think the idea of an HBCU Network is brilliant. But unfortunately, if it doesn't have some kind of foolishness on it, it won't be successful.

*Just calling it like I see it*

Meet The "Modern Day Harriet Tubman"

You guys have heard of Rep. Allen West from Florida, haven't you?

He's the black guy with the high top fade.....was in the military.....a tea party member- you know who I'm talking about?
Yeah, THAT guy!
I know, I know...........
"black man with high top fade and tea party member shouldn't be in the same sentence"
I know, I know...........

Well, anyway, check out what this clown had to say on Fox "News" last night.



*nodding my head up and down*
Yep, you heard him correctly!

HE is now the "Modern Day Harriet Tubman" coming to free us ignunt color'd folx from the plantantion.
For those of you who don't speak plantation- that's (ignorant colored folks).

Ummm........ looka here Rep.West- in the words of that brilliant scholar-your namesake (KANYE West)

"I'm living in the 21st century, doing something mean to.
Doin' it better than anybody you ever seen do it." -Power

TRANSLATION: I DON'T NEED YOUR HELP GETTING OFF THE PLANTATION!

As I've said many times before on this blog, I have no problem with black people being conservatives. But what Mr. West (Allen not Kanye) fail to understand is, HE is the one who needs deliverance from the plantation.
He is the one who has a slave mentality- a SLAVECATCHER mentality at that.
If he truly understood the evil essence of slavery and the bravery of Harriet Tubman, he wouldn't dare invoke her name as criticism of the CBC fighting for the rights of the black unemployed.

But then again, he IS a black member of the tea party, so what should we expect?

A Poverty Bus Tour?

So now the haters.........Tavis Smiley and Dr. Cornell West are going on a "Poverty Bus Tour" where they will be highlighting the failure of this administration to create jobs for people of color.
INTERESTING.............
I have a few questions:
Where was this "Poverty Bus Tour" during the Bush years?
Is this really about jobs?
Is this really about poverty?
OR.......... is this still about the fact that the POTUS don't have them on speed dial?

Can somebody let these two know it's a new day- a day of Hope and Personal Uplift.
And since it's a new day, those yesterday attitudes of "Woe Is Me" are gone.
People no longer need to go to a conference on the State of Black America to hear someone "tell" them how they should feel.............oh and what book they should buy to "help" them better their lives.
All they have to do is look at the First Family that resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.,
and realize they can do anything they put their minds to if they believe in God and themselves (in that order).

So good luck with the "Poverty Bus Tour". Maybe the two of them can tell people exactly HOW they're suppose to find a job while being reminded that they don't have one.

Happy 50th Birthday, Mr. President

Who would have thought 50 years ago, that a son born to a white woman from Kansas and a Kenyan economist would grow up to inspire an entire generation by becoming the 44th President of The United States?

Happy Birthday Mr. President!

Hope you and the First Lady are enjoying yourselves.

Have You Done Your Homework?

Take a look at this guy.
Looks like a normal middle-aged average guy, right?
His name is Frank Borzellieri and two years ago, Mr. Borzellieri was named principal of a Catholic school in the Bronx where the students were mostly black and Latino.
Everything sounds normal so far, right?
Well, there's one "small" problem with Mr. Borzellieri.

HE'S A WHITE SUPREMACIST!

Yep, that's right!

Mr. Borzellieri once pushed for a ban on the entire biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, claiming "It poisoned the mind of the youth."
 In 2004, Borzellieri wrote the book "Don't Take It Personally: Race, Immigration, Crime and Other Heresies," in which he declares "diversity is a weakness" and says the rising black and Hispanic populations in America will lead to the "New Dark Age."
There are several other things this man has written and done, many of which was brought to the attention of the school board before he was hired.
But I'm not writing this to challenge Mr. Borzellieri or the school board that hired him.
I writing this to challenge YOU!

You see, there are Frank Borzellieri(s) in every walk of life.
They have the ability (among other things) to determine who gets hired and who gets fired.
Personally, I believe that's part of the reason unemployment spiked among black folks after the election of Barack Obama.
Many of those "Frank Borzellieri(s)" wanted to get even with the people they thought were responsible for putting a man of color in the White House.
So they started downsizing........
Still, people like Tavis Smiley and Dr. Cornel West will have you believe that the President should be doing more to "put black folks back to work."
He may be the most powerful man in the world, but he's not that powerful.
As adults, we have to navigate our own way through the maze of closet racism- the New Jim Crow- if you will.
But we are the ones who have the power to make sure our children are well educated and properly prepared so they can start their own business and call their own shots.
Which brings me full circle to the purpose of this blog.

Have You Done Your Homework?

How well do you know your child's teachers?
Have YOU done your personal interview with them?
Have you made sure they will follow the curriculum?
I'm not talking about the standard education curriculum, I'm talking about a "parent curriculum."

It's my prayer that you remember this blog and this story as you prepare to register your child for the upcoming school year.

I'm Back.........(again)

What's up er'rbody!

You good?

Cool!

Well, I'm back after taking another vacation to the great state of Florida.

No, no, no..........I wasn't laying poolside getting a tan.

Nor was I chilling on the balcony of a plush suite overlooking the beautiful Atlantic ocean.

*daydreaming*

*waking up*
No, this time I was in Kissimmee, Fl. watching my son's baseball team play in the 16 year old World Series.

But I'm back and I have a lot on my mind. So stay tuned for what may be the busiest month of the year here in The Board Room.

Also:
I'm taking my laptop to get cleaned out this weekend. Hopefully, that will allow me to respond to your comments. Until then, please join us on Facebook by clicking the tab to the right.

Sunday Praise & Inspiration

Neo Soul Saturday

Today, we're spotlighting a different form of Neo Soul called South African House Music. I first got hooked while on vacation in South Florida celebrating my 40th birthday a few months back.
Hope you enjoy.

*bio courtesy of djblackcoffee.org*
Durban-born Nkosinathi Maphumulo has been on the music scene for over a decade but only got his break a few years ago. Nkosinathi, otherwise known as Black Coffee, is popular for his smash hit remixes, most of which have dominated the airwaves in the past couple of years. He studied music in Durban because he felt that as a producer, he had to deepen his overall musical knowledge, develop his listening skills and advance his knowledge of music theory. When asked who helped him achieve his goals, he said "I have Massive Respect for Christos and Oskido for taking me around and giving me slots on their gigs". 2003 saw Black Coffee starting to put his first project together.

He has featured since at various clubs locally and Internationally like Taboo(SA),Cafe de Flore(Swaziland),Djoon(Paris), Scala(London)Ambassador(Lyon), Café Mugambo (Swaziland's New Year's Eve Parties)2008&2009 Miami Winter Festival,2008 & 2009 Ultra Music Festival(Miami),Sutra (Cape Town),In Namibia, Botswana, Barcelona, Lesotho, Cannes, Stratford, Birmingham and recently New York to mention a few. 

Health Tip From The Board Room

These lose-weight-quick gimmicks are just that, GIMMICKS.

It may help you lose weight in the short term, but long term it isn't healthy and the weight usually comes back.

Let's stop with the gimmicks and get healthy by eating right and exercising!

Now, excuse me as I go pound this iron and do my five miles on this stationary bike.

Black Tea Party Members Take On The NAACP

Black tea party members are planning to protest the NAACP at their 102nd convention this weekend in Los Angeles. The reasons: To stop the NAACP from committing genocide in the black community by supporting Planned Parenthood and to protest their OUTRAGE about the NAACP calling the tea party movement racist.
And we ALL know these great Americans aren't racist, right?


Give me a freakin' break!
 Honestly, I hate going down this road but these people sickened me to my stomach. I have no problem with black people being conservatives, voting for Republicans or having a different point of view politically. But when you have a movement of people who are openly racist and you defend them, that makes you worse than the slave catchers who used to hunt down runaway slaves for their masters. Some of them were forced to do it, but some did it because they wanted to show their masters that they were "good negroes"..........or as Herman Cain and Allen West likes to put it........... "not like the rest of them".
And that's exactly how I view black tea party members.

MSNBC Is Considering Giving Rev. Al His Own Show

While I would love to see more people of color given an opportunity in primetime on cable networks, I don't agree with the move. Not because I have anything against Rev. Al, but because I see this for what it is; a token gesture.
Let me explain:
CNN recently fired Elliot Spitzer and replaced him with E.D. Hill. For those of you who don't know who E.D. Hill is, she's the former FOX "News" anchor who once characterized Barack and Michelle's fist bump as a "terrorist" fist bump.....she later said she was only repeating what others had called it. (yeah, right)

 "Why would CNN hire a former FOX "news" anchor when they have T.J. Holmes and Don Lemon already on staff?"

That's the question I think members of the NAACP were asking when they threatened to protest the network for a lack of diversity in primetime.
Realizing they could be next on the NAACP "protest list", MSNBC hired the one person who would probably make the most noise, Rev. Al Sharpton. I like Rev. Al and listen to his radio show every chance I get, but there is no way he should have a television show on MSNBC. That should go to Tamron Hall, Eugene Robinson, Marc Lamont Hill, or somebody else.

Just my opinion............

"Slap A Bi*ch" Contest

*Meeting Called To Order*

Have you ever wondered why our young folks are so violent towards each other?
Have you ever wondered why they're filled with such anger and hostility?
Have you ever watched the local news or read the paper and said to yourself,
"Some black kids just don't know HOW to act!"
You haven't!?
Well, I have! 
A few weeks ago, I was watching the BET "Music" Awards. I don't know why, but I was.
During the commercial breaks, a local nightclub was promoting their new club event.

I think the commercial went a little something like this:
Ladies, do you want to make some money?
Has someone been getting on your nerves lately?
Is there a chick you been wanting to slap but haven't because you're afraid you might get in trouble?
Well, tell that bi*ch to meet you this Wednesday night for the "Slap A Bi*ch" contest.
That's wasn't verebatim but it was pretty darn close.
You think I'm making this up?
Ok, see it for yourself:
*warning*
(profanity and very graphic)

 (I'll give you a few minutes to pick your jaw up off the floor)
You good?
Ok, check this out:
 If you see a commerical like this being advertised in your city, please contact your local city council member, Mayor or whoever, and ask them to intervene to end this savage like behavior.

(bangs gavel on the table)
Meeting adjourned!

Sunday Praise & Inspiration

Neo Soul Saturday

Those of you who have been Board of Directors for a while, know I love Neo Soul. In my opinion, Neo Soul is the only vibe of music that can save R&B, because today's R&B has officially turned into B&S.

This week we're spotlighting Kimberly Nichole.
Some of you saw her on the BET Awards wearing a ballerina dress.(Yeah, I know-it DID look crazy but that's her style).
But regardless if you were feeling the ballerina dress or not, this girl can SANG! 
Check out her bio then check out her performance from a couple of years ago in Atlanta. I was in the audience that night and this girl put on a show!
Expect BIG things from her in the very near future.

*This is the bio is courtesy of Soul Tracks. Check them out at soultracks.com

**Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, the city that spawned legends Jimi Hendrix and Quincy Jones, Kimberly'Nichole has always had a talent for music and lyrics. She began singing as a toddler, learning to play the clarinet at ten and writing songs before she even hit her teens. Motivated to experience life outside of her hometown after high school, she enrolled at Atlanta, Georgia's Spelman College, one of the top liberal arts institutions of higher learning for women.
Atlanta provided Kimberly'Nichole an opportunity for academic growth, but simultaneously fueled her passion and flair for music. Her personality and energy have brought out the best in bands of all genres. She's complimented the likes of hip hop/R&B band, Sol Factor and the ol' school soul sounds of The Heit Band. Part of her allure is due in part to her exceptional writing ability. When you combine vibrant vocals with a penchant for going against the grain, you gain the musical stylings of the dynamic soul stirring songstress known as Kimberly'Nichole.

Don't Ignore The Warning Signs

This past week in Atlanta, Irene Mickens was murdered at the hands of her cowardly estranged husband. The two were set to go to court Thursday to finalize their divorce but on Tuesday, this punk man called her and said their 5 year was very sick and she needed to get there ASAP. Like any mother would, she rushed home to take care of her baby. But when she arrived, he put a 9mm to her head and blew her brains out. Then he killed himself, leaving their 5 year old and 7 year old children without a mother AND a father.

HOW COWARDLY CAN YOU GET?

I know quite a few people who knew this beautiful mother, sister, friend and dedicated educator. And they all say the same thing, "I saw it coming."
For years, this man tried to control this woman, telling her who she could and couldn't talk to. I read where she had to sneak on the phone just to call her family and friends.

Listen, whether you're a man or woman- if your mate has a problem with you being you.
If they want to control your every move or always want to know where you are.
If they give you signs that they "might" be controlling, don't walk-RUN away from them.

Those are warning signs that you should NOT ignore.

UCONN Rescinds Acceptance of 13-Year Old Child Prodigy

Autum Ashante is a 13-year old from the Bronx who speaks four languages and has an IQ of 149. I'm too stupid to understand how smart that is, but the University of Connecticut wasn't. Last month they agreed to let her enroll as a freshman this upcoming fall but shortly afterwards, they changed their minds.
They claimed she wasn't "prepared" for college life.
While that may be true, surely they took that into consideration when they agreed to accept her.
So what else could have happened to make them change their minds?

Well,  I did some "investigating"and this is what I found.
(For the record, I'm not an investigative reporter. I just play one her in The Board Room.)
When Autum was 7 years old, she lead a group of students in reciting the following:

"White nationalism is what put you in bondage
Pirate and vampires like Columbus, Morgan, and Darwin
Drank the blood of the sheep, trampled all over them with
Steel, tricks and deceit.
Nothing has changed take a look in our streets
The mis-education of she and Hegro — leaves you on your knee2grow
Black lands taken from your hands, by vampires with no remorse
They took the gold, the wisdom and all of the storytellers
They took the black women, with the black man weak
Made to watch as they changed the paradigm
Of our village
They killed the blind, they killed the lazy, they went
So far as to kill the unborn baby
Yeah White nationalism is what put you in bondage
Pirates and vampires like Columbus, Morgan, and Darwin
They drank the blood of the sheep, trampled all over them with
Steel laden feet, throw in the tricks alcohol and deceit.
Nothing has changed take a look at our streets."
-The New Black Panther Party calls this the "Black Child's Pledge"

Well, I don't know what that means but I do know that this type of stuff shouldn't be coming out the mouth of 7 year old.
But can a poem she recited 6 years ago cause UCONN to rescind her acceptance?
As far fetched as it may sound, I say it's possible.

Shortly after she recited this "pledge", some people on the "radical" right picked up on it and began attacking her if she was a 30 year old terrorist. The heaviest attacks came from that nutjob of a racist Michelle Malkin, who wrote this.(Click on this link below)
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmichellemalkin.com%2F2006%2F03%2F15%2Fmeet-the-7-year-old-racist-poet%2F&h=6AQB9u_nY

Last weekend, I read many of those same whack jobs were taking credit for UCONN's decision. It appears they asked people to flood the phone lines at the admissions office to protest the University allowing a "racist" into school as a child prodigy".
I'm not sure if that's the reason or not, but it's quite possible that the above "pledge" caused this talented young lady a once in a lifetime opportunity. If so, shame on the people who phoned the admissions office and shame on her parents for instilling these beliefs in this beautiful child's heart.

Help, I'm Clueless!

For the last month or so, I've had problems logging into my blogger account under my user name.

I can't edit my posts nor can I add a comment.

Whenever I try, it always tell me to log in.

Well, when I log in the exact same thing happens.

I'm clueless as to what I should do.

Suggestions?

"Yup, I'm A Racist"

This is for all of you tea party supporters, especially you black supporters.

I hope this makes you proud!

You know, this reminds me of the 50s and 60s when white folks were afraid they were losing their country because the government was making them integrate!

These people.....SMH..........

My Brief Take On The Casey Anthony Verdict

From the justice system that brought you the Rodney King verdict and the O.J.Simpson verdict.

 I now present to you, the Casey Anthony verdict.

After hearing testimony that this woman waited 31 days to report her daughter missing.

After hearing that this woman had orgys while people searched for her daugher.

Even after hearing experts testify that a year after her daughter's disappearance, the trunk of her car STILL smelled like a dead body had been in it.

Casey Anthony was acquitted.

But let me pose this question to you:

If CASEY Anthony was CAMISHA Anthony and the prosecutors had the same evidence against CAMISHA as they did CASEY?

Do you think the verdict would have been the same?

Just asking the question............

The State of New York Approves Gay Marriage

Last week, the state of New York became the 6th state to recognize gay marriage. It was a glorious time as people celebrated the fact that this country was finally starting to come around on the gay marriage issue.

Well, I hate to break up the party........but.........

EVERYBODY IS NOT CELEBRATING YOUR VICTORY!

I'm not one of those people who will go out of my way to protest gay marriage, but I'm sure as heck not one who will sit by quietly and watch it happen. I believe a woman was created FROM a man FOR a man. Therefore, I believe marriage is between ONE MAN and ONE WOMAN.......PERIOD!
If you want to have "civil unions" ......fine, have at it!
But don't tell me I'm discriminating against you because I oppose your right to do something that I don't think is natural.
And can we PLEASE stop with the Civil Rights Movement comparison?
While it's true gay people have been the victims of hate crimes, I have yet to see where there was a systematic effort to prevent gay people from voting or getting an education. I think it's disrespectful to the many men and women who lost their lives fighting Jim Crow to compare it with the gay marriage movement and I wish more people would speak out about it.
Then again, nobody wants to risk offending anyone. Which is probably why the blogosphere has been dead quiet about this issue over the last week.
Sorry, I'm not one of those people.
I have nothing against gay people but let me be clear:
I DO NOT SUPPORT TWO PEOPLE OF THE SAME SEX MARRYING EACH OTHER!

Sunday Praise & Inspiration

Neo Soul Saturday

Today we're spotlighting Neo Soul artist, Green Tea.


DC-based singer Green Tea cut her musical teeth singing in church. But as a teen her interests extended beyond Gospel to include soul, jazz, blues and even opera. Her debut album, Have a Cup of Green Tea Dosage I: Shades of Green won for her a solid local following. She followed it with the poetic 2008 release, Dosage II: Choices, which again highlighted her personal, relationship-based lyrics and deep resonant voice.

-This review is courtesy of Soul Tracks and was written by Chris Rizik

Hard To Believe It's Been Two Years

It's still hard to believe that Michael Jackson isn't with us anymore. Enjoy one of my favorite performances from the "King of Pop"

Allow Me To (Re)-Introduce Myself

Judging from the almost 1,000 hits this site has had since Monday, I'm guessing many of you are finding yourselves here for the very first time. So on behalf of the regular Board of Directors, thanks for stopping by. Let me give you some background on why I started this blog movement called The Board Room.

This movement was started in December 2009.
It wasn't started as just something to do or a place to voice my opinions.
This was a vision given to me to achieve a specific purpose for the Kingdom of God.
Calm down, calm down.......I'm not about to start preaching or anything like that.
No, that's not my assignment-in this platform.
My assignment, in this platform is to challenge you to engage in mature dialogue about social, political and religious issues as it relates to the African-American community and our society as a whole.
(All races are welcomed here in The Board Room.)
My views come from a unique perspective.
I've been up and I've been down. I've had it all, lost it all, got it back, and lost it again.
It was at that point that I realized, God had a plan for my life.
But when I decided to follow that plan, things became interesting because I was trying to do things the right way for the first time in my life.
*Sidebar*
Have you ever tried to do the right thing but all the wrong things kept happening?
(My bad, I said I wasn't gonna preach, right?)

One thing you may have noticed by now is that I am very opinionated and don't bite my tongue mence my words for ANYONE!
That's not in my DNA!
So if you disagree with anything I write- and trust me, you will. All I ask is that you be respectful. I have to ask that because over the last few days, I've been called all kinds of crazy stuff. One woman even called me a "sell-out". THAT may be the funniest thing I've ever read on this blog.
Lady, one thing I'm not is a "sell-out." I just refuse to sit on the sideline and watch the destruction of an entire generation's mindset who thinks it's cool to walk around with their pants sagging.

I've also received some emails that have been...........let's just say, "button-pushers".
(I guess y'all didn't like the blog I did about "Single Mothers" for Father's Day, huh?)
I DON'T CARE! lol
I'm laughing, but I'm so serious............I really don't!
I was raised by my Great-Grandmother, Grandmother, Mother and Aunt and not one time did I ever hear either of them tell the other "Happy Father's Day."
What's next?
Single Father's wishing each other "Happy Mother's Day" because they're raising a child by themselves?

Regardless if you think I'm a 'sell-out" or too militant.
Regardless if you think I hate women or I'm an advocate for fathers.
I hope that you will stick around and join this movement. I pray that somehow, someway, something is said or written that inspires you to get involved and make a difference in our community. Because this next generation needs all of the difference makers it can get.

Again thanks for stopping by and welcome to The Board Room.

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Another Senseless Murder

Kim Crawford of the Bronx has been charged with murder and manslaughter in the beating death of her 5 year old son. Police say she admitted to hitting 5 year old Jamar twice in the back and twice in the stomach after he.....
Are you sitting down?
BROKE HER NINTENDO Wii !!!
"It was an accident. I didn't mean to hit him that hard. That's the hardest I've ever hit him", she cried while telling the police what happened.
Simple case of a mother becoming upset and hitting her small child too hard, right?

WRONG!

Ms. Crawford watched Jamar vomit and roll around on the floor crying in agonizing pain for FIVE DAYS before deciding to take him to the emergency room.
She said she was afraid that the authorities would see all of the bruises on the child's body and arrest her.
I guess that's a valid excuse.
I take that back.
THERE IS NO VALID EXCUSE!
What kind of parent would watch their child vomit and scream in pain for FIVE DAYS?
And what kind of parent punches their FIVE YEAR OLD in the stomach?????????

Unfortunately, there are probably more Kim Crawford's out there.
 Let's just pray that someone who witness abusive behavior will contact DHR before we have to report Another Senseless Murder .

I Didn't Find A Damn Thing Funny!

This past weekend, Obama impersonator,comedian Reggie Brown made an appearance at the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans. If you're not familar with what I'm talking about, check it out:



If you thought it was funny, go ahead and laugh, other people thought he was hilarious too. But as for me, I didn't find a damn thing funny!
Call me sensitive.
Call me unable to take a joke.
Call me whatever you want to call me, but I'm not feeling this clown's routine and here's why.
During the summer of 2008, I worked at a place where I was the only black person on staff. Almost everyday, many of my former co-workers would gather around their computers and laugh at disparaging emails and offensive photos of then candidate Obama.
Some of those same photos were used by Reggie Brown in this video.
-The picture of the President that was darkened to make him look like a thug, while standing there with 6 or 7 cigarettes in his mouth.
-The picture of Fred Sanford fighting with Aunt Esther as a portrait of how Barack and Michelle will look in the future.
 Hell, I'm surprised he didn't use the one of Michelle looking like an ape. I'm sure they would have loved that one too. (I almost got into a fight over that one).
I'm not saying there's something wrong with his impersonation of the President, it was spot on.  But I strongly disgaree with the use of those photos as part of his routine and his willingness to openly make jokes that had racial overtures to them.
To me, it almost amounts to being "A SELL OUT".

Later in his routine, the crowd turned on Mr. Brown and he was physically escorted off the stage because he started making jokes about GOP presidential candidates. But honestly, by the time it got to that point, I had stopped watching.
Because I didn't find a damn thing funny in the first place!