Sunday Inspiration

Video Of The Week

In my opinion,this could have been a gospel song.Please listen to the lyrics. Enjoy the weekend

Fear Of A Black Planet

Well,the fears of "some" Republicans,have just become a reality. They now realize they're not dealing with an incompetent man. They're not dealing with someone who just happen to become POTUS because ACORN committed voter fraud and all Black people voted for him simply because he's black. Nope, he actually WAS the smartest and most qualified person for the job. Over the last year, Republicans have been telling their constituents that Barack Obama is radical,doesn't know what he's doing and wants to destroy America.All of that was put to rest yesterday.Republicans challenged the POTUS to meet with them and answer their questions. Not only did he take them up on their offer,but he insisted it be done on live television,without a teleprompter and without screening the questions first(as the 43rd POTUS did on many occasions). What happened after that will go down as one of the greatest political stunts in the history of this country.

As he looked out into the crowd,President Obama was able to recite many things by memory that most of these people couldn't read off of their notes. The look on many of their faces was funny at first but then it became sad. You could see the boiling hatred in some of their faces.Many of these people actually believe the things they hear from Beck,Limbaugh and Hannity. Whether they will admit it or not,I'm sure they had to question some of the things they've heard about Barack Obama.But that public lynching displayed by the POTUS,of the Republican party will have long lasting effects on this country and the Republican party.The reason I say this is because many people in that room were raised and have raised their children to believe that they're smarter,wiser, and better than people of color. What they got a glimpse of yesterday,was the new face of Black America.And NO,that new face doesn't look like Michael Steele or Ron Christie. It looks like and sounds like the person they saw at that podium.No longer will they be able to tell their children,Black men are only good for entertainment. No longer will they be able to say the only reason we're in Ivy League schools are because of affirmative action. Although I've never understood that arguement because once you get there,you still have to perform.

But my point is,those days are long gone. I think many Republicans spoke honestly when they said it was a mistake to televise this event. Because not only did it make them look bad to the rest of the country. It served noticed that this man is indeed the inspiration for an entire generation of young Black men behind him. And THESE young men have no desire to be like Mike or Lil Wayne,they want to be like Barack.And for some people in this country,the fear of a black planet scares them to death.

Tatted Up

I was originally going to blog about the Tea Party Convention and their willingness to pay Sarah Palin $150,000 to speak. But somehow,I got side tracked. So forgive me for this random blog but here it go.

I never really got into the whole tattoo thing. Maybe it's because me and needles are like oil and water,we don't mix. Ok,I AM AFRAID OF NEEDLES......there,I said it. Not sure why I'm afraid,considering I was willing to get 3 brands with a hot iron while in college.It really wasn't that painful,I think.....much of that night was a blur anyway(that's an entirely different blog)lol.
Can someone please let these people know that tattoos on the neck is not a good look. Yeah,short term it's cool(I guess). If you have about 20 million in the bank like some athletes do then fine. But if you're 21 years old and don't have a wicked jump shot. Chances are you may need a job. I don't know about you but when I go somewhere to do business,the last thing I want to see is a big ol' tattoo on someone's neck. I don't even like ordering my food at McDonald's from the girl that has tats all over her arm. And why would you let your teenage DAUGHTER get tats anyway? This one girl had her baby's name tatted on one arm and her "baby daddy" name tatted on the other arm. I know because I asked......you know ME. I promise you she hasn't thought about the fact that one day,she'll be 30 years old. Which brings me to another thing.Ladies,getting HUGE tats on your chest, back and BEHIND may be cool at age 30 (I guess) but it is NOT a good look at age 50.
That's all I got for today!

Payday Loans

Why is it that I can drive through any predominately black neighborhood in this country and find at least 10 payday loan places within a 2 block radius? These companies aggressively advertise on black radio with catchy jingles to get the attention of folks who are in need of financial assistance. (singing) "Get your titke back at Title Max". Sounds corny bit it's working. Lately I've noticed brand new buildings popping up everywhere. Some even have with drive thru windows that have decided to stay open 24 hours "to better serve you". Many offer loans with no credit check and delay your payment for 30 days all to get you in the door and once you're in the door,they smile a give you material about how they're their to help you "get through these hard times".Unfortunately,many people fall victim to these(financial)death traps because they've lost their jobs and fallen behind on their bills. And then there are some who get a payday loan because they want extra money to buy clothes or get some rims-(that's another blog).I call them (financial)death traps because one loan place will set up next to another and another right next to that one and then there's one across the street and before you get to the traffic light,there's another one. What happens then is when you can't pay one of them back on time,you go to one of the others to get the money and pretty soon,you're trapped.But that's the whole point of payday loans. It's not set up to help YOU. It's set up to help THEM make money. Where else could you get a loan for $500 and end up paying back $2000 or more? It's a big hustle!

But you know what,I really don't fault the payday loans. No,I fault our local officials who allow it to happen. The neighborhood presidents, city council members, Mayors.....I fault them. THEY have the authority to limit how many can be placed in a certain area. THEY are the ones who can say NO-you're NOT putting another payday loan HERE. Build a center that allows people to get info on how to better take care of their finances. Build a McDonald's where kids can work. Build something constructive but you WILL NOT build another payday loan in THIS neighborhood under my watch.
Please challenge your local officials to stop the madness. Also,if you're one of the people trapped in this vicious cycle,just know there are plenty of people who has been where you are and got out of the trap. It took a minute and some sacrifices but they did get out. But first YOU have to decide that this is not how you're going to live. YOU have to say,I'm better than this robbing Peter to pay Paul mentality.YOU have to finally say,I will not be a modern day slave. Because that's exactly what it is.......MODERN DAY SLAVERY! I'm not speaking for a third party,I'm speaking for myself. I've been in that trap before and it's no fun.

I originally wrote this blog back in January.I updated it and posted it again because as I told you last week,The Board Room is about to go in a different direction. We are about to start taking back our communities,our streets,our children and controlling our own destiny.
In other words,The Board Room is about to go to the next level.
I hope you're ready!!!

Sunday Inspiration

Don't listen to what PEOPLE say about you. The reason they can't see the best in YOU is because they can't see the best in THEMSELVES.
Thank you for being part of what God saw in me when I didn't see it in myself.

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK!!!

Mod

Video Of The Week

A Woman Scorned

Now THIS is how you do it. You get a billboard at the corner of W.52nd St. and Broadway to let the world know you love your woman. Post the web address so EVERYONE can look at all the wonderful pictures the two of you took while vacationing in Venice,Hawaii,and Cabo San Lucas. Show off that 11 million dollar crib you purchased in L.A. This is your SOULMATE!! I don't blame you bruh,put it on a billboard in the heart of NYC,San Francisco,Silicon Valley,Buckhead in Atlanta,oh and can't forget South Beach. You're in love and it doesn't matter who knows it.
Aww,yes,life is grand for the President of Oracle Corp. You are one of the very few Black men to head a Fortune 500 company. You clearly didn't let the 20 million dollars a year go to YOUR head. You and your woman push matching Artic White Rolls Royce Phantoms. The two of you love to attend jazz festivals and are regulars on the Tom Joyner cruise. You were appointed to the Economic Recovery Advisory Board by the POTUS,who you just happen to be on a first name basis with.Yes,life is grand for the former Marine Captain,who got his B.S from the United States Air Force Academy,J.D.from New York Law School and MBA from Hampton. Ahhh yes,life is grand.



SKKKKKKKKKKRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!

Did you say that's his MISTRESS and not his WIFE!!!!!????

Turns out the beautiful woman on billboards all over the country with Mr.Phillips is NOT his wife. It's his mistress of 8 years. I said IT'S HIS MISTRESS OF EIGHT YEARS!!!! SHE is the one who purchased all the billboards. SHE is the one who posted over 500 photos of them on a website, SHE is the one who shared that 11 million dollar home that's sitting on 2 acres with a pool and tennis court. Seems like Mr.Phillips purchased the home through a shell company he set up so it couldn't be traced back to him. That's pretty clever except one small thing,it got traced back to him. And to make matters worst(for him),his wife found out about it.So,when he decided it was cheaper to keep her(see my blog on Jim Nantz's divorce settlement) he decided to break the relationship off after 8 years. That's when she SNAPPED.Not just that kind of "I'm gonna call you wife" snap......no,no,no. That kind of "I'm going to destroy your career and make you the laughing stock of the entire world" snap.
THIS CHICK WENT BALLISTIC!!!
Posting pictures including intimate pictures of them on a website and spending over a hundred thousand dollars on billboards.
Hopefully she didn't spend all her money of those billboards.Unfortunately,for her the most she will get out of this is a reality show.Mr.Phillips has so much power the site was shut down almost immediately.His lawyers released a statement threatening to sue anyone who puts up a billboard of Mr.Phillips without his authorization.And when a man with THAT kind of clout makes threats, people listen. Sure his reputation has taken a major hit. Sure he has cost Oracle to lose a couple of deals. Sure the media is having a field day with this. But who cares about all of that? My question to Mr.Phillips is.What did you expect her to do? You take her on extravagant vacations all around the world on your 100 ft yacht. You put her in an 11 million dollar crib. You buy her a Rolls Royce Phantom and you thought she was just going to shed tears in a bottle of wine?
C'MON MAN!!!!
And ladies,PLEASE don't start. I can hear you now,"that's what he get for cheating on his wife." Awww hush!!!!
You and I both know if you met a man making THAT kind of money and was tricking on you like THAT. You could give two flips about his wife,kids or anything else.For those of you saying,"if I was his wife,I would leave his______". No you wouldn't,you would be just like Mrs. Phillips,standing by your man.
But it is true what they say.....There's nothing like a woman scorned.

We Need More Anderson Coopers

Things are getting pretty bad in Haiti right now. It's been over a week since the massive earthquake hit and people are starting to get desperate. People have no way to feed their families so they've resorted to doing what is to be expected,finding and doing what they can. Some in the media call it "looting" but I call it surviving. While watching the news the other day I saw this video and immediately began to shed tears.

Can you IMAGINE what life must be like for these people?

I mean,CAN YOU REALLY IMAGINE?

But that wasn't what brought me to tears. I saw Anderson Cooper running down the street with this boy who had been hit in the head with a piece of concrete. It's not clear if the boy was "looting" or not but that's not the point. Anderson just happen to be there and decided to help this boy. For those of you who don't know,Anderson Cooper is not only a journalist(in my opinion one of the best) but Anderson Cooper is rich.
No I mean RICH-RICH. As in filthy,rolling in the money,never having to work a day in his life rich. Anderson Cooper is the only surviving son of Gloria Vanderbilt. Yes,THAT Gloria Vanderbilt.
You may know her as the fashion designer and author but her money goes FAR beyond that. Her great-grandfather was the great shipping magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt.Mr.Vanderbilt amassed a fortune in the late 1800s. The kind of fortune that would put him in the Forbes Top 10 of rich people by today's standards. So seeing this man who could have taken the Paris Hilton route or just simply said to his producers,"send someone else" running down the street with this boy who is bleeding profusely moved me.

I was watching CNN the day after the earthquake hit and Anderson was interviewing Wyclef. Wyclef asked if someone from CNN was going to Haiti and Anderson said "I'M GOING",as to say,I'LL HELP. It hit me because I wonder if I(ME) would have been so quick to throw myself into the middle of that madness. Knowing I had the comforts of tens of millions to fall back on,knowing that I could have delegated someone else to go. I wonder if I would have be so quick to volunteer as Anderson Cooper did. I honestly can't say that I would have.
Hmm,that means I still have more work to do on ME.

Thanks Anderson for showing us how we should treat our fellow man.

Why Unmarried Black Women Can't Find A Good Black Man

Oh Lawd........here we go again. Another sob story about how black women can't find a good black man. I'm sure some in White Amerca love these women for they have proven their theories about black men. Of course this gives the media another chance to do a story about how many Black men are in jail,without a high school diploma,unemployed,blah,blah,blah....as if we don't have enough of that going around already. If I wanted to hear that,I could tune into the radio and hear talk show hosts talking about it on a daily basis. If I wanted to see that,I could go check out a Tyler Perry movie-ANY Tyler Perry movie (Daddy's Little Girl the exception) and see how we cheat on our women,treat them like dirt and leave them for white women once we get some money. Don't get me wrong,Tyler Perry does a lot of good in the community but ENOUGH ALREADY bruh.But out of all the things ABC could have done a story on,THIS is what they came up with? THESE are the women they chose for this story? Ok,fine don't blame me for what you're about to read,blame ABC for airing this mess.Honestly I'm glad they chose these women because I know their type all too well.
See,let me explain something to you.I don't have a degree in medicine. I don't have a Law degree. I don't have a degree in Sociology,Psychology, Biology or any other kind of "ology". I have a degree in Womanology.Let me say it again,I HAVE A DEGREE IN WOMANOLOGY. Say it with me boys and girls......woman(WOMAN)-ology(OLOGY). Now put those words together and say WOMANOLOGY(WOMANOLOGY)....very good boys and girls,that's right, I STUDIED WOMEN IN COLLEGE. And not only do I have my B.A in Womanology,but I also earned my Masters and PHd in WOMANOLOGY!! So,seeing as though I am well studied and professionally trained in women.I'm about to break down the type of women in this video as only a well studied,properly educated Womanologist can...ok? OK!

Now let's take a look at the very attractive,well accomplished woman who is a Prosecuting Attorney,I think her name was Nicole. Nicole goes to work everyday and she sees one Black man after another going into the criminal system. I can understand how she could be discouraged. I would too if that's all I saw everyday. But at the same time,this "Man's Woman" as she was called in the piece,dances for the Atlanta Falcons on the weekend. I see absolutely nothing wrong with that. I've seen where men have taken her apart for dancing half naked in front of 60,000 fans on the weekend. Hey,if that's what she loves to do,I would support her. But she wants people to believe that NO ONE she's attracted to has tried to get at her? Not one of the Falcons or opposing team's players has ever approached her? How about the brothers who attend the games every week? None of them have made any efforts to get at her? I'm not buying it. I'm willing to bet she HAS dated athletes and came across as a gold digger.Maybe I'm wrong but as aggresive as athletes are IN ATLANTA and the pedigree she has NO ONE has came close to satisfying this woman? It is my observation,that she won't date the brother who is making 75k/year because she has had the taste of riding in the Phantom with the pro athlete and refused to ride in the Chrysler 300. Nope,not going to settle for that!!

Next we have Chato,age 32. She has all of these terms she throws around like BGs(black girls) and BPG (back pocket girl). Then she makes mention of white women getting married at age 25. This attractive,successful woman hasn't been in a serious relationship in 10 years. She had a list of 50 things-FIFTY THINGS a man must have that she keeps in her Bible. She said she reluctantly cut it down to 10. WOMAN ARE YOU SERIOUS? Let me explain something to all of you Chatoes reading this blog. If you're single and HALF WAY attractive, but you haven't been in a serious relationship in 10 years. BABY,it ain't the men you're dating,IT'S YOU!!!! I already see her problem.She keeps a "list" in her Bible but I bet you she couldn't quote Proverbs 31:30 off the top of her head like she quoted that statistic about White women getting married at age 25. I'm willing to bet she spends most of her time complaining about what men DON'T have that she never take the time to see what they DO have.She is the type that will end up getting married to the first guy she think is half-way ready to get married because after all "her clock is ticking".Then 6 months after the honeymoon,when she realizes she doesn't want to be married anymore.She will say her husband wasn't man enough for her,or he wasn't handling his responsiblities as a husband. She will use all kinds of excuses to her friends instead of admitting she was in love with the idea of having a wedding and a husband but never considered the idea of marriage. But she will never come to her senses because after all,"she's waited this long,she CAN'T settle NOW."

Then there's the sister who has a height requirement. Oh ,my bad,she's lowered it from 6'5 to 6'2.......oh gee thanks for doing us short guys a favor. We REALLY appreciate it!! You know this is interesting, because I've had women tell me,if I was 6'2 instead of 5'8 they would date me. Well, me being ME,I responded by saying look,don't hold the fact that I'm not 6'2 against ME and I won't hold the fact that you may not look like Natalie Benson against YOU.

This is Natalie Benson

-Needless to say,that was the end of THAT conversation. I mean really,WOMAN get a grip. You looking at a man's height before you even allow yourself to talk to him? Good luck with that because most men you're looking for in that 6'2 -6'5 range that you may meet are probably athletes. Because I'm sure you wouldn't date a 6'2 brother who works for UPS. No, why do that,although THAT is the brother that will treat you like a queen.Keep hope alive sister,one day you'll meet the man of your dreams. You may be 55 when you meet him,but hey,that's only 20 years from now(SMH).

Finally,we have the baby of the crew Melissa,who is 28. This poor woman is done......you hear me........DONE I said. She is hanging with these beautiful,attractive older SHALLOW women who are always complaining about how they can't find a man. She hasn't been in a committed relationship since college. Look here girl,all I will say to you is,get you some new friends. Because no matter who you meet and date. You're going to have to get their approval first,and there is no man on earth THESE scandalous chicks will approve of. What you need to understand is,it's not about the man you date. It's about YOU being younger than they are and meeting someone before they do. That's the problem with being a single black woman and having friends. THEY will need to meet him and REAL TALK,any man that meets THESE chicks and spend 10 minutes listening to them talk the way they talked on this video,will RUN from you.Then guess what your girls will be pumping your head with........"he's intimidated by a strong,independent Black woman" Don't believe that "mess". If you do you will be 45 years old still talking about the shortage of Black men.

There are some things that are pathetic then there's THIS. On facebook,many women were posting this mess and getting amens from every woman that commented on it. The men would comment here and there but for the most part they would just let it slide,but not your boy. No longer will I allow Black men to be the scapegoat for some black women being miserable in their singleness. The easiest thing in the world is to deflect blame onto someone else. I understand that we are out numbered but my goodness,some of you act like finding a good man is harder than pulling teeth. If WHITE women can find a good Black man and in some cases some Black MEN can find what they say is a good Black man then SURELY you can. But the question then becomes,would you recognize him when you see him?

Some of you will pass up on a good man because you met the guy driving the S500. Not knowing that he's robbing Peter to pay Paul. Unfortunately,that's what so many men do.We KNOW that's what draws you in. Then when you find out he was a fraud you blame HIM instead of yourself. You KNEW he was pushing the S500 but still renting an apartment. But you paid it no mind because he "appeared" to have it going on. Some of you won't date a man with kids because you've convinced yourself,you will have "baby mama drama". So you date the man with no kids only to find out later he DOES have kids.But since you've invested time in the relationship,you stick it out. Then one lie,leads to two which leads to three, then you have the audacity to blame it all on HIM. Even though all the warning signs were there. You dated him for months and he never took you around his family.Now not only do you find out he has kids but also has an ex wife. Sometimes I swear women choose their men like they buy their shoes.You KNOW,they don't fit your feet. You KNOW they will leave your feet jacked up. But since they LOOK good to you and everybody else,you buy them anyway. So you walk around with these shoes on that LOOK good but they are KILLING your feet. Those shoes end up affecting the way you buy the next shoe and the shoe after that. It's the same way when you choose a man.

No one reading this blog or viewed this video can convince me any of these women haven't had the opportunity to date good quality men. But I'm willing to bet,they were judging him by the wrong standards. They're looking at where he is RIGHT NOW before they talk to him. But that RIGHT NOW situation can change tomorrow. What they should do is find out where he's been and where he's going. I'm sure many of you have passed on a guy that you thought would never be anything in life. You saw what he did for a living,you saw where he lived and just decided this guy didn't meet your standards. Then later on you get sick to your stomach when you find out the type of home he's building,or that business that sounded too far fetched is taking off or the book you said he couldn't write has people lining up to publish it.

WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT IN A MAN?

Some of you have said you want a really nice guy who makes you laugh,yet when you meet him he's too nice or doesn't make you laugh enough. Some of you say you want a man that attends church and has a relationship with God. Then you will come to church,sit next to that man you SAY you want and pray that God changes the heart of a man you left at YOUR house,laying in YOUR bed,playing YOUR son's playstation.
HELLO SOMEBODY!!!

Ladies what you have to understand is this. Many Black men are starting to look at other women of other races,NOT because we're intimidated by your success. Many men are just plain ol sick and tired of dealing with the emotional baggage that comes with trying to convince Black women that we ARE good men. You can smack your lips,roll your neck and cut your eyes if you want to,but it is what it is. White and Latino women are getting bold and approaching Black men on a regular basis. They know YOU have a one track mind as to what qualifies someone as a good man. So they swoop in and grow with what you said you won't settle for. They laugh at you when you say white women are stealing your men or black men are selling you out for white women. It's a joke to them and to many brothers. As someone who in the past has been AGGRESSIVELY pursued by a white woman, a very attractive,professional white woman. I must say I'm more open to it now,than I was in the past. Now,I'm confident in who I am and I know where I'm going. So if the opportunity presents itself again and I'm available,I'm going for it.

Black women you better wake up.

President Obama At Vermont Baptist Church

Vermont Baptist Church is one of the oldest Black churches in the country. Founded in 1866,it has been a cornerstone for the Black community in the Washington D.C. area.
There is no doubt in my mind that Dr.King would be proud of this day. Whether he would agree with his politics or not is irrelevant. The fact that Barack Obama could walk into this church with his beautiful family as President of The United States to honor him,would more than likely bring tears to his eyes. Keep doing what you're doing Mr.President,the Silent Majority has your back.

Happy Birthday Dr.King

Please take time out this weekend to reflect on the sacrifices this man and his wife made for ALL mankind. My,my,my,look how the world has changed since the days of the Civil Rights Movement. We can't get complacent when there is still so much work to be done. I dare say most of the work starts WITHIN us.

What are you doing this weekend,this day,this moment to make sure Dr.King's dream becomes a reality? Answer that question as I look in the mirror to examine my own life. I challenge you to challenge others around you to do the same. Have a great weekend.

Racially Insensitive

Nevada Senator Harry Reid is catching a lot of heat over comments he made about the President in 2008. Sen.Reid said,"Obama is more electable because he's a "light- skinned" and lacked a Negro Dialect,unless he wanted to have one"

Soooo........what's the problem?

What did he say that was so offensive?

Didn't he accurately point out the fact that White people in this country felt more comfortable with someone who looked more like Will Smith than Wesley Snipes in the Oval Office? Although "Negro Dialect" DOES sound like something from the 1970s,I understand what he meant. I also understand,that regardless if you're Harry Reid or Sean Hannity(SMH),many Whites have a problem seeing Black men as anything other than an athlete or an entertainer. I know some of you are SHOCKED that I'm not ready to grab a picket sign and boycott whatever it is people want to boycott. PLEASE,people,calm down,it's not that serious.
Let me say it the way,Sen.Reid probably should have said it.

He doesn't act the way people THINK Black people act.

Sometimes when I see a brotha on television,I HOPE he doesn't sound like Flava Flav. Because we know,some how,some way,it's THOSE brothas who seem to get the most air time on TV. CAN WE BE REAL OR WHAT!!? I know you've heard people say how "articulate" he is when they hear a brotha using correct English. People (Black and White) said that about President Obama when he gave the speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2004.

We as a people,will attend comedy shows and laugh at comedians when they make jokes about our own. We support artists by buying their records who degrade our own. Then once they get on stage to accept their BET,Soul Train Award,Grammy or AMA with their pants sagging,we put our hands over our eyes, shake our head and say we HAVE to do better.But then,we turn right around and buy his next CD. Then the following year,the same dude gets on stage,does the exact same thing,calls himself a P.I.M.P,then we have the NERVE to get upset when someone else sees us the way we portray ourselves.

Even when it comes to dating,many men think the "redbone" is the pretty one and the "Chocolate" sista just has sex appeal. PLEASE,DON'T ACT LIKE IT'S JUST ME!!
We have an ongoing joke in the Black community that since President Obama is in the White House,"light skinned brothas are back in style". We cast the light-skinned women in our videos, in our sit-coms,put them on a pedistal and then want to demand an apology when someone says publicly what we say privately and display publicly.
When President Obama was candidate Obama,many Blacks thought he had a better chance to win because he wasn't "threatening" to white people,translation, he wasn't TOO BLACK.Some in the black community even said he wasn't Black enough.

So please everyone, spar me the phony outrage over Sen.Harry Reid's "racial comments". I'm willing to bet many Black people didn't know and STILL don't know the capacity in which Harry Reid serves,let alone able to pick him out of a lineup before this incident became a story. No,I see nothing racially insensitive about it,backwoods,and ignorant YES. But racially insensitive NO.

The "N" Word

NIGGER!!

NIGGAR!!

NIGGA !!

It is the most offensive word in the English language. The word "NIGGER" comes from the latin word niger,meaning Black. In the days of slavery,white slaveowners used this word to define their slaves. Depending on your attitude,you were a "good" nigger or a "bad" nigger. If the slaveowner's wife liked you enough,your were either a "house" nigger or "field" nigger. If you were physically fit to do heavy labor,you were either a "valuable" nigger or "worthless" nigger. But at the end of the day, regardless what catagory you fall in,you were a nigger.Even in the early 1900s,when African-Americans began to own their own businesses,to Whites they were still niggers.

In the 40s,50s and 60s,southern whites began to say it with so much venom that the (er) sounded like (ar). Now we were called "NIGGAR". However you pronounced it or spelled it,it meant the same thing.

You were less than a man,you were less than an animal,YOU WERE A NIGGAR.

The word served as extra motivation for those who were fighting in the Civil Rights Movement. It inspired them to fight even harder.All in an effort to make sure THEIR children and their CHILDREN's children wouldn't have to walk down the street and hear someone say to them," HEY NIGGAR",or "GO HOME NIGGAR".

Nowadays,WE use it and pronounce it "NIGGA".
Yeah,yeah,yeah.....I know,
"It's not the same when we say".
"We can say it,but THEY better not say it".
Or (and this is my favorite) we use it as a "term of endearment".
REALLY? How is it endearing?
It doesn't make ME feel any better when I hear it. Actually now,I get offended when it's used towards me.How did we as a people come so far,fight so hard for so long only to give it all right back? What is the difference in us saying it as oppose to someone from another race saying it? The word is the same,REGARDLESS how you use it,spell it or pronounce it.It's the same word today as it was in the 1930s when an English company showed a picture of 10 black dogs with the title
"10 Little Nigger Boys Went Out To Dine".
Did you know that was the first line in the book titled "Ten Little Niggers"? Did you know whites used to read that to their kids as a bedtime story? After learning all of those things,after thinking back on all the struggles we had to endure as a people,and after talking to Mr.Tommy Wren and Mr.Percy Hornbuckle at Mr.Hornbuckle's barber shop here in Birmingham. I HAD to stop using it. I asked Mr.Wren what HE thought of the use of the word by our people. He said our people have always used it,but back in the day,if the parents heard you say it, they would beat you like you stole something. But nowadays,parents use it WITH their kids, AT their kids and some parents use it MORE than their kids.I wish you WOULD think about going in that barbershop talking about "nigger this" and "nigger that". Those 70-80 year old men would shave your head, and NOT with any clippers,but with the Louisville Slugger they keep on deck just in case one of them young bucks start smelling themselves(his words not mine).

To those of you who refuse to stop using it,or don't see anything wrong with using it. Have you ever sat down and had a conversation with anyone who was called a nigger in front of their wife and children? And there was absolutely NOTHING they could do but grit their teeth and take it like a man. Oh yeah, right,you wouldn't have done nothing either. You would have done the same thing they did. You would have made it your life's mission to make sure your kids never grew up having to experience the same thing they experienced.

I challenge you to think about eliminating that word out of your vocabulary. It won't be easy,trust me,I KNOW. But at least give it a try. How long can we continue to raise children and allow them to be exposed to this word INSIDE their own home? Of course,they're going to hear it in the streets,on the radio and on tv. But like I told my son,if you don't hear ME say it,I better NOT hear you say it. Of course I found out it was in his vocabulary,and of course I chopped him in his throat(REAL TALK). But it's got to start somewhere. Why not start with you?

Church Folks

Thank you for taking time out to read this very personal blog. Most of you know I'm an easy going,laid back type of guy.Rarely do I let things or people get to me.If they do,normally I keep it hidden inside until a later date. But I can only keep things in for so long before I start bursting at the seams. This is one of those times. So what I'm about to say,I offer no apologies,I offer no peace treaty,no olive branch,none of that type of stuff.But I believe this is something that NEEDS to be said.

I've had several friends express to me their desire to get connected to a place that feeds their spiritual appetite. However,person after person,friend after friend,all have said the same thing. They don't want to go to a place where folks will judge them. When I say folks,I'm not talking about just regular type of folks,I'm talking about "church folks". It is my belief that "church folks" are the biggest reason many people won't go or have stopped going to church. It has nothing to do with the Pastor or the church itself. But it has everything to do with the people INSIDE the church. Certain people in church always feel as if they have the authority to declare who is or isn't "good enough" to be a part of "their" church. They like to sit back and judge what others are wearing and who's sitting where.

I remember as a little boy going to church with my grandmother and great-grandmother. My grandmother's friend would talk about everyone that walked through the door like she was Wendy Williams at the BET Music Awards.Talking loud,cursing and dipping snuff IN CHURCH,only taking time out to say AMEN whenever she thought Rev.Calloway was working up a sweat,preaching. Church started at 11:00 but the church secretary would walk in at 11:45 so everyone could see her brand new outfit(she never wore the same thing twice). And right on cue,the whispers of "who the hell she think SHE is" would flow from the back row where the number 2 'ersha bode'(usher board) was sitting.

That was over 25 years ago and sadly,today those things are still present in the church. Today,I dare say it's worst. Today "church folks" have taken church and turned it into the equivalent of pledging a fraternity or sorority. But in church,the physical abuse has been replaced with emotional abuse. Men and women come into the church seeking a word of guidance and forgiveness from the LORD. But before they can get to their seat they're being looked at like that secretary from my old church was looked at. They're being judged by people who really shouldn't be passing judgement on ANYONE. I'm a member of The Worship Center Christian Church here in Birmingham and one of my Pastor's best friends is Pastor Kevin Adams of Chattanoga,Tn. A couple of months ago,Pastor Adams posed these questions.

What if all of our sins had a smell to them?

What if the only time GOD allowed that smell to fill the air was on Sunday morning at 11:30 am?

Let that marinate for a minute!!

I wonder how many people would be able to stay in church when THAT happens? It is my belief that the church would be empty,and there lies the problem with "church folks". They always want to talk about what someone else is wearing but they won't offer to buy them new clothes.See,it's "church folks" that makes it easy for non-believers to sit back and criticize those who are trying to get their spiritual walk together. Criticizing Christians,Pastors,and other believers have almost become the "in" thing to do. You have websites dedicated to proving which Pastor is a fraud or cheating on his wife. You have radio talk show hosts who makes it a point to do a "Pimps In The Pulpit" show as a means of proving that all Christians are hypocrities. Non-believers like to point to Pastors who have big cars, big homes and big congregations as a sign that they're stealing from the church or hustling GOD. And PLEASE don't let them have a Mega-Church or TV Ministry,then they must REALLY be a fraud.

But let me take a quick pit stop right here to say to all of you skeptical non-believers.

You don't know the price these men/women had to pay to get to where they are. You weren't there when some of these people were preaching to empty chairs. You weren't there when they lost their homes because they were so dedicated to doing GOD's work. You weren't there when they left law school or quit their job to pursue their ministry. So before you pass judgement,do your research. Because you passing judgement puts you in the same boat as the 'church folks' you love to criticize.

Getting back on the track:

Last night I saw a youtube clip of Steve Harvey giving his testimony to Donnie McClurkin on TBN. I saw it live as it happened but was lead to view it again. I was absolutely blown away at the criticism I saw. The sad thing about it is, it wasn't coming from non-believers,it was coming from "church folks". I began to question how anyone who call themselves a Christian could take this man's personal testimony,dissect it, search scriptures to back up their version, and post it on youtube. All in an effort to discredit him because of what he does for a living.

WHO ARE THEY TO JUDGE HIM!!?

WHO GAVE THEM THE RIGHT TO SAY WHO IS OR WHO ISN'T AUTHENTIC?

"Church folks" do those type of things then can't understand why people have a hard time taking Christians seriously. It's because of "church folks" who have hi-jacked religion and used it for their personal ambitions and not for the Glory of GOD. I'm not naive' to think that there aren't some frauds out there. But I would be just as fraudulent as they are if I started criticizing them and calling them out.

Another thing to all of you non-believers AND "church folks".

STOP CRITICIZING MEGA CHURCHES! ! !

What good does that do you? It's not the Pastor's fault that people are leaving your church to join a mega church. Maybe they are tired of hearing the same deacons say the same prayer they've been saying for the past 20 years. Many of your members have mastered the art of going to church just to say they went to church. They go,but there's no difference in the time they enter the door and the time they exit the door. They get their late and leave early. That's not the mega church's fault. It's like my Pastor said,people should leave church PREGNANT. They should have received a word that has them in EXPECTATION of something.
But instead of being pregnant,many people are leaving church feeling like they just had an abortion. Because some "church folks" are killing people's dreams and hopes with their judgemental,self serving attitudes.

If I stepped on any toes with this blog then GOOD,I hope it hurts your feet. But know this before you respond with anger and criticism.I'm fully equipped,extremely prepared and EAGER to have this battle with you. You have had your way for far too long and your days of discouraging people are over.

I really pray that if you fall into this catagory,you sit back and re-evaluate yourself. Because if you REALLY believe he was nailed to the cross for your sins. The last thing you should be doing is criticizing someone who sin has already been forgiven.