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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.)
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)
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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."
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.*
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:
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.
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".
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.
I'm the father of two of God's greatest creations. They are TRULY my inspiration and I love them more than words could ever say.I'm a humble man who has made more than his share of mistakes in life.Given the opportunity,I wouldn't change a thing. It's those mistakes that have brought me to this crossroad.So instead of going left or right,I've decided to keep straight and chart my own course.I often sit and reflect on the years I wasted wandering in the wilderness but then I soon realized that I HAD to live in darkness to fully appreciate this bright light called my future.I am currently working on my first book which should be finished very soon.I truly believe that God has a plan for my life and it is my joy to carry out that plan to the fullest. I invite you to tag along for what promises to be a wonderful ride.
