al - Blogs - TheBlackList Pub
2024-03-29T06:18:32Z
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Why the FBI Wants Orlando Agencies to Deny Public Records Request
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/why-the-fbi-wants-orlando-agencies-to-deny-public-records-request
2016-07-05T21:30:00.000Z
2016-07-05T21:30:00.000Z
Nana Baakan Agyiriwah
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/NanaBaakanAgyiriwah
<div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align:left;"><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ywh3Hg-rIzw/V3rEbYHBTmI/AAAAAAACc_k/yY2v-F_NCyYhg08pa6yoQPL0mTwtnUkgACLcB/s1600/saudi_arabia_the_huge_oil_producing_elephant_in_the_room.png" target="_blank" style="font-size:18.6667px;text-align:center;"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ywh3Hg-rIzw/V3rEbYHBTmI/AAAAAAACc_k/yY2v-F_NCyYhg08pa6yoQPL0mTwtnUkgACLcB/s640/saudi_arabia_the_huge_oil_producing_elephant_in_the_room.png?width=320" width="320" class="align-left" alt="saudi_arabia_the_huge_oil_producing_elephant_in_the_room.png?width=320" /></a></div></div><p style="text-align:left;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">NB Commentary:</span><span style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;"> I have read several comments under the articles listed below and it amazes me </span><span style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;">how these folks are not seeing the humongous elephant in the room.</span></p><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"><div style="text-align:center;"></div></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Can the American populace be that blind, deaf and dumb? Did they just crawl out from under a rock when they heard about Omar Mateen's 911 call saying he was an ISIS sympathizer? Did they not want it to be heard that he said he wanted America to stop bombing his country of Afghanistan? Why was it redacted from the original release of the 911 calls and then released? Why has the story changed to him being a disgruntled closeted gay homophobe who saw two guys kissing and to detract from his own desire told his dad how disgusting it was? And where is his wife?</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ltyuJjcDSeI/V3r3lU6rXuI/AAAAAAACc_0/3qTbnReK4QYR5rQ_1tQrUrlmEMZrSVXfQCLcB/s1600/ISIS%2Batack%2Bimminent%2Bdanger.jpg" style="clear:right;float:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ltyuJjcDSeI/V3r3lU6rXuI/AAAAAAACc_0/3qTbnReK4QYR5rQ_1tQrUrlmEMZrSVXfQCLcB/s320/ISIS%2Batack%2Bimminent%2Bdanger.jpg" width="320" alt="ISIS%2Batack%2Bimminent%2Bdanger.jpg" /></a>Have the American people been so shook up and down that their brains are rattling and they cannot connect the dots even if they tried? How do they not get <br /> it? Haven't they heard that the ISIS attacks will come home to roost? Weren't they warned that these so-called rebels turned terrorists will be crashing at a party near you? Weren't they fear mongering and at the same time arming these so-call rebels on one hand and saying you better watch out on the other hand?</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"><a href="http://nanas-rants.blogspot.com/2016/07/why-fbi-wants-orlando-agencies-to-deny.html" target="_blank">READ MORE.....</a></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">I find it amazing that they have no trouble whatsoever, blaming everything on ISIS when it happens in another country, but when it happens here, mums the word. Why is that?? And why can't folks see it.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;margin:0in;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="background-color:#f3f3f3;">"Muslims most often are used as convenient US or other Western state-sponsored false flag attack patsies.<br /> Yet as <a href="http://www.globalresearch.ca/mass-shootings-and-massacres-in-america-the-political-cultural-and-socio-psychological-features-of-us-society/5533684">James Petras</a> explains, “(o)ver the past fifty plus years, over 125 mass shootings/massacres have occurred within the United States but not one perpetrator has been identified as a trained member of an international Islamist terrorist organization.”</span></blockquote></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Why won't they just come out and call a spade a spade? Either it's ISIS or it ain't, either they are a part of the terrorist network or they ain't. And if they are.. Then a lot of questions should ensue.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Shouldn't they be bombing the US cells wherever they find them?</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Shouldn't they be sending drones to US wedding parties wherever they suspect a terrorist cell?</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Shouldn't they be rounding up these terrorists and sending them to Guantanamo?</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Shouldn't they be bombing their schools, hospitals and neighborhoods where they are held up in the US?</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">But instead we see them...</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Shaking hands with them....</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Arming them....</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Looking the other way when they travel across borders and enter European countries.....</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Investigating them and then releasing them.....</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Allowing so called radicals, radicalize folks via the internet (Robertson in Mateen's case).....</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Allowing their Mosques that openly teach propaganda against the US to exist, instead of shutting them down and weeding them out.....</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">No, it is much more fun to do that to other countries and their defenseless men, women and children.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">It's more fun to blame Obama and say he is closet Muslim who won't expose the hateful Muslims for who they are.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iir7gvmWP40/V3r4NZeTMrI/AAAAAAACc_4/fn9DGhFwiI82QRKSa5J08LjI5NyuT4bwACLcB/s1600/Fight%2Bagainst%2Band%2Barm.jpg" style="clear:right;float:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:1em;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iir7gvmWP40/V3r4NZeTMrI/AAAAAAACc_4/fn9DGhFwiI82QRKSa5J08LjI5NyuT4bwACLcB/s1600/Fight%2Bagainst%2Band%2Barm.jpg" alt="Fight%2Bagainst%2Band%2Barm.jpg" /></a>It's easier to omit the "War On Terror" that was launched before Obama came into<br /> office.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">It is easier to ignore the death and destruction that the US and NATO has rained down on the defenseless as a result of this so-called and literally impossible war to win.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">It's easier to create chaos, division, corruption and massacres and blame it on those folks over there.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">It's even more fun to show the blood and gore and blood and more gore spewing out of those folks over there than to face it here in the USA.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">So when Bush made the threat that he was going to seek them out wherever they are, he did not mean he would do much of that here in the US. In fact, he just kinda sorta didn't mean the war on terror was gonna take place in the US at all. No war on terror on US soil, only in the middle East, cause for sure, they ain't having that war in Paris, France, Brussels.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LeFW3wmf7yU/V3r4uGed6dI/AAAAAAACdAA/DzaHAlMYph45ge4b4xOTWH0yA9t7fdqRwCLcB/s1600/isis_stop_israel_us_saudi_arabia_turkey_qatar_supporting_isis_terrorists-400x332.jpg" style="clear:right;float:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LeFW3wmf7yU/V3r4uGed6dI/AAAAAAACdAA/DzaHAlMYph45ge4b4xOTWH0yA9t7fdqRwCLcB/s320/isis_stop_israel_us_saudi_arabia_turkey_qatar_supporting_isis_terrorists-400x332.jpg" width="320" alt="isis_stop_israel_us_saudi_arabia_turkey_qatar_supporting_isis_terrorists-400x332.jpg" /></a>Then we have the openly complicit and criminal relationship with Erdogan and the Saudi's who are also arming the so-called rebels. Not to mention, that Israel says the rebels are better than Assad. And the US supports Israel. So what's wrong <span style="font-size:14pt;">with that picture?</span></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">The false flag narrative has simply run its course. People are waking up and even if it's just 10 out of every thousand that is still too many. What else is there to do besides go to full scale war with Russia, which is a fools dream. Go to war with Russia?? You're kidding me right?</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;margin:0in;">SO WHY DOES THE FBI WANT THE ORLANDO AGENCIES TO DENY PUBLIC RECORD REQUESTS?</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Because the US is responsible for the deaths that happened in Orlando and probably every where else that has the ISIS tag on it, because the US congress agreed to <span style="font-weight:bold;">ARM THE REBELS!</span> And in doing so, they endangered the lives of everyone everywhere, and not just over there. Them chickens will find their way, right back home!!</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8FANE29SBE/V3r5tuQECWI/AAAAAAACdAI/vkcNIgvBw-E2ZHifUG9TeDX859AGw_OEACLcB/s1600/terrorism%2Bgenie.png" style="margin-left:1em;margin-right:1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n8FANE29SBE/V3r5tuQECWI/AAAAAAACdAI/vkcNIgvBw-E2ZHifUG9TeDX859AGw_OEACLcB/s320/terrorism%2Bgenie.png" width="320" alt="terrorism%2Bgenie.png" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">My rants are just that, rants, but I back them up with the facts and news articles and/or videos that I find on the internet, which seems to be the bane of the existence of the The Powers That Shouldn't Be<span style="font-size:14pt;">.</span></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><b>Obama Admin Tells Florida Agencies To Deny Public Records Requests On Orlando Attack</b><a href="http://dailycaller.com/2016/06/30/obama-admin-tells-florida-agencies-to-deny-public-records-requests-in-orlando-attack/">http://dailycaller.com/2016/06/30/obama-admin-tells-florida-agencies-to-deny-public-records-requests-in-orlando-attack/</a><br /> <b>FBI Wants Agencies Involved with Orlando Shooting Investigation to Deny Public Records Requests</b><br /> <a href="https://pjmedia.com/trending/2016/06/30/fbi-wants-agencies-involved-with-orlando-shooting-investigation-to-deny-public-records-requests/">https://pjmedia.com/trending/2016/06/30/fbi-wants-agencies-involved-with-orlando-shooting-investigation-to-deny-public-records-requests/</a><br /> <b>FBI seeking to prevent disclosure of information about Orlando shooting</b><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2016/06/30/fbi-seeking-to-prevent-disclosure-of-information-about-orlando-shooting/">https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2016/06/30/fbi-seeking-to-prevent-disclosure-of-information-about-orlando-shooting/</a></blockquote></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktn92RM_wVk/VwqSetoDunI/AAAAAAACZCc/m14cz38SjmgkgFh3QJKCw5mT-DLQC4DyACKgB/s1600/divider-2.png" style="margin-left:1em;margin-right:1em;"><img border="0" height="14" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktn92RM_wVk/VwqSetoDunI/AAAAAAACZCc/m14cz38SjmgkgFh3QJKCw5mT-DLQC4DyACKgB/s320/divider-2.png" width="320" alt="divider-2.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear:both;text-align:center;"></div><div style="text-align:center;"></div></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-weight:bold;margin:0in;"><span style="font-size:large;"><span style="font-size:18.6667px;font-weight:normal;">Steven Lendman's article brings it all into perspective, and I have quoted it below. He is a prolific writer and his use of critical analysis of the shenanigans that these folks in power get themselves into is par excellance.</span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-weight:normal;"> </span></span><br /> <span style="font-size:large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size:large;">Genesis of Current Mass Shootings, Blasts and Suicide Bombings</span></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">by Stephen Lendman July 4, 2016</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">They’re coming in rapid fashion - in late June/early July alone:</div><ul style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.375in;margin-top:0in;" type="disc"><li style="margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;vertical-align:middle;"><span style="font-family:cambria;font-size:14pt;">Istanbul blasts inflicting mass casualties; </span></li><li style="margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;vertical-align:middle;"><span style="font-family:cambria;font-size:14pt;">Dhaka, Bangladesh shootings and hostage takings; </span></li><li style="margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;vertical-align:middle;"><span style="font-family:cambria;font-size:14pt;">slaughter in Baghdad, killing over 200 and wounding hundreds more - the latest of numerous violent incidents since GW Bush’s 2003 naked aggression; and</span></li><li style="margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;vertical-align:middle;"><span style="font-family:cambria;font-size:14pt;">on America’s Independence Day, an apparent suicide bombing meters from its Jeddah, Saudi Arabia consulate, followed by multiple blasts rocking the area.</span></li></ul><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Whether these and similar attacks are terrorism, false flags, lone wolf incidents or something else requires understanding how they began in the first place.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">In his memoirs, titled “From the Shadows,” former CIA director/defense secretary Robert Gates said US intelligence operatives began aiding Mujahadeen fighters in Afghanistan six months before Soviet Russia invaded.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Former Carter administration national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski explained, saying Jimmy Carter, on Independence Day eve (July 3, 1979), “signed the the first directive for secret aid to the opponents of the pro-Soviet regime in Kabul.” </div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">“And that very day, I wrote a note to the president in which I explained to him that in my opinion this aid was going to induce a Soviet military intervention.”</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Mujahadeen support led to today’s Taliban, Al Qaeda, the Libya Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG), ISIS, Jabhat al Nusra, Jaysh al-Islam, Ahrar ash-Sham, Boko Haram, and other jihadist groups - US created and sponsored or offshoots from them.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Bipartisan US imperial policy bears full responsibility for unleashing a scourge of state-sponsored terrorism in the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, Europe and America.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Brzezinski was unapologetic, asking “(w)hat is more important to the history of the world? The Taliban or the collapse of the Soviet empire? Some stirred-up Muslims or the liberation of Central Europe and the end of the cold war?”</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">He failed to explain America needs enemies to advance his imperium. Communism was its bogeyman earlier, public enemy number one until Soviet Russia’s 1991 dissolution.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Now it’s radical Muslims, Islam vilified in the process - directly or by implication, America raping and destroying one Islamic country after another.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Muslims most often are used as convenient US or other Western state-sponsored false flag attack patsies.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Yet as <a href="http://www.globalresearch.ca/mass-shootings-and-massacres-in-america-the-political-cultural-and-socio-psychological-features-of-us-society/5533684">James Petras</a> explains, “(o)ver the past fifty plus years, over 125 mass shootings/massacres have occurred within the United States but not one perpetrator has been identified as a trained member of an international Islamist terrorist organization.”</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">In contrast, America “brutalized and, directly or indirectly, massacred millions of Muslim civilians, citizens of once-sovereign nations, throughout the Middle East, South Asia, and North Africa,” - unprecedented lawlessness continuing unabated, millions more lives at risk.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">State-sponsored terror threatens world peace, America its lead perpetrator, waging war on humanity at home and abroad. Its rage for dominance created societies unfit to live in, imperiling life on earth. </div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;">Imperial madness threatens everyone, endless wars and headline-making violent incidents reminders of what’s at stake.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:cambria;margin:0in;">Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. </div><div style="font-family:cambria;margin:0in;">His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III." <a href="http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html">http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html</a></div><div style="font-family:cambria;margin:0in;">Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. </div><div style="font-family:cambria;margin:0in;"><div style="text-align:left;"><a href="http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2016/07/genesis-of-current-mass-shootings.html" style="font-family:tahoma;">http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2016/07/genesis-of-current-mass-shootings.html</a> </div><div style="text-align:left;"></div><div style="font-size:14pt;text-align:center;"></div><div style="font-size:14pt;text-align:center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktn92RM_wVk/VwqSetoDunI/AAAAAAACZCc/m14cz38SjmgkgFh3QJKCw5mT-DLQC4DyACKgB/s1600/divider-2.png" style="font-size:18.6667px;margin-left:1em;margin-right:1em;text-align:center;"><img border="0" height="14" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktn92RM_wVk/VwqSetoDunI/AAAAAAACZCc/m14cz38SjmgkgFh3QJKCw5mT-DLQC4DyACKgB/s320/divider-2.png" width="320" alt="divider-2.png" /></a></div><div style="font-size:14pt;text-align:center;"></div><div style="font-size:14pt;text-align:center;"></div><div style="font-size:14pt;text-align:center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear:both;font-size:14pt;text-align:center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hld2nAwXHQ0/V3r8O6pXXLI/AAAAAAACdAU/ghX7NlPzflQDaFURI1IGg-IikCzfmZzlACLcB/s1600/isil_isis_war_propaganda_by_msm_us_cia.jpg" style="margin-left:1em;margin-right:1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hld2nAwXHQ0/V3r8O6pXXLI/AAAAAAACdAU/ghX7NlPzflQDaFURI1IGg-IikCzfmZzlACLcB/s320/isil_isis_war_propaganda_by_msm_us_cia.jpg" width="320" alt="isil_isis_war_propaganda_by_msm_us_cia.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-size:14pt;text-align:center;"></div></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-size:14pt;margin:0in;"></div><div style="font-family:cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"><b>G4S calls itself the “world’s leading security solutions group.”</b> The London-based company contracts often with the U.S. government — it currently operates 32 taxpayer-funded juvenile prisons in the U.S. through G4S Youth Services, and has transported and housed immigrant detainees on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security. G4S has also coordinated security for more than 90 percent of nuclear sites in the U.S, as well as airports, hospitals, and seaports. <a href="http://fusion.net/story/313690/orlando-shooter-g4s-security-contractor/">http://fusion.net/story/313690/orlando-shooter-g4s-security-contractor/</a></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;">Orlando terrorist connected to radical Muslim cleric who was released from prison last year after he converted 36 people in jail and 'runs a website used to dispense his teachings'</div><ul style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.375in;margin-top:0in;" type="disc"><li style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;vertical-align:middle;"><span style="font-family:cambria;">Officials say Omar Mateen, 29, was tied to former US Marine turned radical Muslim cleric Marcus Dwayne Robertson </span></li><li style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-top:0px;vertical-align:middle;"><span style="font-family:cambria;">Robertson converted at least 36 people to his version of Islam while he was imprisoned for four years in jail before he was released</span></li></ul><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3639079/Orlando-terrorist-connected-radical-Muslim-cleric-released-prison-year-converted-36-people-jail-runs-website-used-dispense-teachings.html#ixzz4DSJ8Agbx">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3639079/Orlando-terrorist-connected-radical-Muslim-cleric-released-prison-year-converted-36-people-jail-runs-website-used-dispense-teachings.html#ixzz4DSJ8Agbx</a> </div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;">Robertson, who was a former US Marine and undercover FBI agent before turning into a radical Imam, was released from prison last year despite warning from officials and prosecutors that he would recruit people to carry out horrendous acts of violence. </div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3639079/Orlando-terrorist-connected-radical-Muslim-cleric-released-prison-year-converted-36-people-jail-runs-website-used-dispense-teachings.html#ixzz4DSJYL6e5">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3639079/Orlando-terrorist-connected-radical-Muslim-cleric-released-prison-year-converted-36-people-jail-runs-website-used-dispense-teachings.html#ixzz4DSJYL6e5</a> </div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"></div><div style="color:#404040;font-family:Cambria;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;">Investigative Report Proves Turkey Part of ISIS Terror</div><div style="color:#666666;font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"><a href="https://theinternationalreporter.org/2015/11/24/investigative-report-proves-turkey-part-of-isis-terror/">https://theinternationalreporter.org/2015/11/24/investigative-report-proves-turkey-part-of-isis-terror/</a></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;">“We must not question the motives of our elected leaders, who despite sitting on this information for years, still lie to us, flagrantly, even now, before the blood of 129 French citizens has even dried, pretending that they intend to ‘destroy’ a band of psychopathic murdering scum, armed and funded from within the heart of NATO,” Ahmed concludes.</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"><a href="http://legalinsurrection.com/2014/09/hundreds-of-americans-have-fought-for-isis/"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Hundreds of Americans Have Fought for ISIS</span></a></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;">Says House Intel Chair: “Some of them have drifted back to the U.S.”</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"></div><div style="color:#666666;font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"><a href="http://legalinsurrection.com/2014/09/hundreds-of-americans-have-fought-for-isis/">http://legalinsurrection.com/2014/09/hundreds-of-americans-have-fought-for-isis/</a></div><div style="color:#666666;font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"></div><div style="color:#FF0000;font-family:Cambria;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;">US, ALLIES CREATED ISIL TO MAKE ‘PERPETUAL WAR’ IN MIDEAST: ANALYST</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;">“This is a big part of the reason why ISIS exists, it’s about perpetual war; the military industrial complex has to have new markets, has to make money, so they have to keep things in the Middle East unstable,” Henderson told Press TV on Saturday. <span style="color:#666666;"><a href="http://smoloko.com/?p=6294">http://smoloko.com/?p=6294</a></span> </div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;">Why Barack Obama and most of the U.S. Congress are Guilty of Treason</div><div style="color:#666666;font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"><a href="http://davidduke.com/treason-barack-hussein-obama-u-s-congress-face-charges-treason/">http://davidduke.com/treason-barack-hussein-obama-u-s-congress-face-charges-treason/</a></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"></div><div style="color:#111111;font-family:Cambria;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;">Secret Pentagon Report Reveals US “Created” ISIS As A “Tool” To Overthrow Syria’s President Assad</div><div style="color:#666666;font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"><a href="http://truthalerts.com/secret-pentagon-report-reveals-us-created-isis-as-a-tool-to-overthrow-syrias-president-assad/">http://truthalerts.com/secret-pentagon-report-reveals-us-created-isis-as-a-tool-to-overthrow-syrias-president-assad/</a></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;">The T-Shirts</div><div style="color:#333333;font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;">ISIS, apparently, sells merch. Not just T-shirts and baseball caps, but — gasp — toys for children! Here’s a CNN video from June 24. (I say “seems” because I came in late on this story and Google is a horrible research tool, so, readers, feel free to correct any of my misapprehensions.) Here’s the video:</div><div style="color:#666666;font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"><a href="http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2014/07/isis-iraq-t-shirts-cats-app-hasbara.html">http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2014/07/isis-iraq-t-shirts-cats-app-hasbara.html</a></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"></div><div style="color:#362f2d;font-family:Cambria;font-weight:bold;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;">America Created Al-Qaeda and the ISIS Terror Group</div><div style="color:#666666;font-family:Cambria;margin:0in 0in 0in .375in;"><a href="http://www.globalresearch.ca/america-created-al-qaeda-and-the-isis-terror-group/5402881">http://www.globalresearch.ca/america-created-al-qaeda-and-the-isis-terror-group/5402881</a> <br /> <br /><div style="color:#362f2d;font-family:Cambria;font-weight:bold;margin:0in;">Carnage in Istanbul, Dhaka and Baghdad. Who are the Masterminds behind ISIS-Daesh Terrorism?</div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in;"><a href="http://www.globalresearch.ca/carnage-in-istanbul-dhaka-and-baghdad-who-are-the-masterminds-behind-isis-deash-terrorism/5534235">http://www.globalresearch.ca/carnage-in-istanbul-dhaka-and-baghdad-who-are-the-masterminds-behind-isis-deash-terrorism/5534235</a></div><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in;"></div><div style="color:#362f2d;font-family:Cambria;font-weight:bold;margin:0in;">Genesis of Current Mass Shootings, Blasts and Suicide Bombings</div><br /><div style="font-family:Cambria;margin:0in;"><a href="http://www.globalresearch.ca/genesis-of-current-mass-shootings-blasts-and-suicide-bombings/5534270">http://www.globalresearch.ca/genesis-of-current-mass-shootings-blasts-and-suicide-bombings/5534270</a></div></div></div><p></p><div style="font-family:cambria;margin:0in;"></div></div>
DON'T MESS WITH BILL (COSBY)
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/don-t-mess-with-bill-cosby
2012-08-15T05:00:00.000Z
2012-08-15T05:00:00.000Z
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/GloriaDulanWilson
<div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/10697937958373924179" target="_blank"><img title="" alt="My Photo" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9HiRqRhD2pk/S5rhtBSaC9I/AAAAAAAAAC8/AUlXfdUVyGo/S220/Gloria+Dulan-Wilson" height="60" width="80" /></a><br /> <br /> by Gloria Dulan-Wilson<br /> <br /> It's 3:00 AM, and I'm going through my emails – something, being a night owl, I do routinely, in preparation for writing, or researching for my blog or a news article – when I see Bill Cosby's name in the subject line of an email. So, of course I zoom in on it because, anything about Cosby I'm going to read. He's one of my heroes. <br /> <br /> What I read made me sad, then disappointed, and finally angry. It was an online response to an article that has been circulating the internet for quite some time entitled, “I'm Bill Cosby, I'm 83, and I'm Tired” (the original article said “I'm 76...”) <br /> <br /> It opened with the rebuttal, which was so mean spirited, I had to read it twice to make sure I was comprehending what was being said. Given the wonderful body of work and contributions made to Black people in particular, and America in general by Bill Cosby, I am now, so angry, I could spit bullets. As with President Barack Obama, when it comes to The Cos, that's where I put my foot down. I cannot in clear consciousness just sit idly by while anyone down-talks Bill Cosby. <br /> <br /> My response to the hostile diatribe I just read in reference to a man who has devoted his life to presenting positive images – on and off the screen – providing educational and philanthropic opportunities, and underwriting programs for Black people, has been censored by myself. There were some real choice words I wanted to say, but I'm taking the “high” ground. Just know, however, that calling Cos a “a-hole”, and the other hostile remarks show that there are some seriously ill people who definitely need to seek professional help, take a look at their own sorry internal workings. I'm not naming names, but you know who you are.<br /> <br /> Dear _________________:<br /> <br /> I am really upset about this negative piece you wrote on Bill Cosby. You're totally out of line!!<br /> <br /> In the past, I've read other hostile comments directed at him, generally from those who are less well educated than yourself. They are the ones who think urban novels are literature, reality shows are real life; wearing sneakers is more important than buying books; and wearing blond hair is “a black thang.” They're the ones who say “you was”, “you is”, “I were” and think using four letter words as punctuation marks in a conversation is appropriate. They're the ones who think that Black families, where both the husband and wife work and have decent educations, and aren't on drugs, or sleeping with someone outside the family does not exist. Those are the people who get upset when the Cos tells them to discipline their children, and make sure they get an education. <br /> <br /> So I am shocked and dismayed at the piece you penned, where you spew out hostilities unabated at one of the finest Black men (FBM) at any age. How dare you! <br /> <br /> By now you know that Cosby did not write this piece. It was actually written by Robert A. Hall, a former Massachusetts State Senator. It's been verified by Snopes to be a hoax. Which makes your response even more appalling. But, that aside, whether he wrote the piece or not is not the question. What I'm very upset about are the statements you made - in red - in reference to Dr. Cosby. They were hostile, hurtful, heinous, and wholly unnecessary.<br /> <br /> First of all, Cosby is a senior, an elder, and worthy of respect. He just celebrated his 84th birthday last month. He's still one of the most dynamic men in entertainment. <br /> <br /> Secondly, Dr. William H. Cosby, PhD ED is a man of letters. He actually went back to college in the middle of his entertainment career, earned his PhD in EDUCATION (!!!) from the University of Massachusetts, at Amherst, just so he could put together original, relevant, educational and entertaining programs for our youth. By and large his programs are simultaneously uplifting and constructive. He wrote his doctoral thesis on the use of media to educate as well as entertain our youth – his example was the Fat Albert character. And he has succeeded immensely in that regard. My kids grew up watching Fat Albert and the Electric Company, in addition to The Cosby Show and It's a Different World. <br /> <br /> Third, Cos has worked nearly all his life. As a youth he started out with menial jobs, prior to evolving into the mogul he currently is. Per Wikipedia: Having been born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, he worked before and after school, while attending school, and participating in varsity sports. The brother is no slouch when it comes to having a great work ethic: “In addition, Cosby was working before and after school, selling produce, shining shoes, and stocking shelves at a supermarket to help out the family. He transferred to Germantown High School, but failed the tenth grade. Instead of repeating, he got a job as an apprentice at a shoe repair shop, which he liked, but could not see himself doing the rest of his life. Subsequently, he joined the Navy...” He took that discipline and work ethic with him when he became involved in the television industry; but it started from his days as a youth. So, had he written that piece, he would be well within his rights to exhort youth to be mindful of the necessity of having a disciplined work ethic in order to succeed. <br /> <br /> Fourth, Cos is a hands-on parent, like his wife Camille. Both were raised in homes where their parents were equally hands on. Those old fashioned values, which are not as prominent in today's fractionalized, disfunctional Black families, is what he is talking about when he asked mothers and fathers to take responsibility for their children's behavior, their education, their comportment, their peers during a commencement address. Some people claimed it was “politically incorrect.” I applauded the fact that he had the courage to say it. It needs to be said more often, by more people to more of these parents who think it's okay for their kids to act out in public. To those parents whose kids are not making the grade academically, but the parents are doing little to nothing to assist or encourage them.<br /> <br /> President Barack Obama has also said as much when he stated, that he cannot personally come into each of your homes and make your children do their homework, or get to bed on time. That's the job of the parents themselves. Some of our Black parents are doing a poor job of raising their kids.<br /> <br /> Cosby often has stated that parents could do better for their kids if they them bought books instead of $100+ sneakers. People who take exception to that are either stupid, or don't mean Black people any good. Our children will outgrow sneakers, but they'll never outgrow a good education; and they certainly will never outgrow the skill of reading.<br /> <br /> Fifth, Cos wants to see Black people succeed, not just survive. Anyone who thinks that where we are currently as a people is okay, is not in touch with reality. We've made great progress, true, but we are still below grade across the board Educationally, economically, as a culture, as a race. We still have so much to do to not be low man on the totem pole. Our kids still kill each others over nothing. Our babies are still having babies. We are less likely to complete a high school education, let alone a four year college. We own/run few if any of our own businesses. Black women are more likely to remain single (not by choice) than women of other races. And we use the most foul language towards each other and our children in common conversation, than any other group of people. <br /> <br /> Sixth: At 83 Cos could have retired and rested on his laurels; but he is so concerned about his people that he risks their derision in order to continues to sret an example of a Black icon who’s made it, and gives back to the Black community.<br /> <br /> If you check Bill Cosby's website, you will see that he has denied writing it, and has instructed people to delete it if they receive such an email in his name. Of course, since people don't really read, it's continued to be sent around; and has updated it to his current age of 83. It's an attempt by Robert A. Hall, the actual author, to get Black people to stand up, take back their power, and stop making or utilizing ready made, patronizing excuses for the situation we are currently in. <br /> <br /> That said, regardless of whether Cos wrote it or not, anyone who is not cognizant of his love and dedication to Black people, and the fact that 90% of his work is reflective of that great love, is truly not plugged in to this fabulous Icon. <br /> <br /> There are, of course, those who think that because Cosby is a comedian, he should not have an opinion or concern about “poor, underprivileged, culturally deprived, victimized, we-can't-help-ourselves-Black people. It's not our fault that we're broke, poor, sick, or unhappy. It's all the white man's fault. And Cosby shouldn't be criticizing us, cause we don't have any power.“ The trick bag to that is, yes, whites by and large are responsible for racism, segregation, prejudice – true. Cosby is more than a comedian, he's an educator. His comedy is more on the level of edutainment. You learn something new each and every time you tune into his shows.<br /> <br /> But the other side of that coin is that we are responsible for getting ourselves out! And we should be doing that by any means necessary. That does not entail using drugs, gang activity, killing each other; out of wedlock babies; men not shouldering their responsibility for their families; and lack of education. Our ancestors got their education by banding together in an each one teach one mode; they didn't wait for whites to provide it for them. They often made the ultimate sacrifice so we could have a better life. By any means necessary. We learned, started schools, learned more, started businesses; learned more educated our children; learned more began to rise out of the ghetto communities we were relegated to, or just improved the communities we resided in. But we progressed. This current generation is perhaps the only generation that has amassed more money than any other generation, but won't live long enough to enjoy it. It's a generation where the parents will actually outlive their children, and end up raising their grandchildren. <br /> <br /> In addition to the obvious accomplishments – that of being the first African American in a drama on national TV, “I Spy” in the 60's, and later putting together an educational tour de force for children, via the “Electric Company,” and “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids,” and later “Little Bill” for the more contemporary youth, is disconnected. Cosby, in speaking of his choice of stand up comedy remarked that he had originally followed the genre of the comedians who thought it appropriate to use four letter words, and put downs as a part of their routine. He changed that however, after he had delivered a string of four letter invectives, which got major laughs, and looked up to see his mother in the balcony. At that point he decided – vowed – to never use profanity or put downs as the basis for his jokes. “If they're funny, they have to stand on their own merit, so every can relate to them.” And they've stood the test of time for over fifty years.<br /> <br /> Since Cos did not write the piece, I'm not reprinting it in my Blog. Nor am I circulating the hostile piece that was written by an individual who should have known better. What I am doing, however, is saying the blogger owes Dr. William H. “Bill” Cosby, and the Black community, an apology for the hostile, vile, disrespectful things she wrote in reference to a man who's example has yet to be matched by others, in either the entertainment or the educational realm. They would do well to take several pages out of the Book of Cosby. And this time read for comprehension and meaning, and apply what you've learned. <br /> <br /> When you do you will learn that Bill Cosby has underwritten more programs for Africans Americans - from education, to health, to home ownership - and he didn't have to. He did it because he wanted to, he could, and he loves his people.<br /> <br /> Every year, in December, he does a special stand up comedy fundraiser at the Apollo Theatre for Harlem to a packed house! <br /> <br /> No, he's not painting us with a broad brush. He used to live in the worst part of Philly; he has made it his business to help those schools, businesses and other programs. He has consistently tried to pave the way for more brothers and sisters to follow. But he is definitely for those who buck the negative system, and take a stand for themselves and their families. We are our own worse P.R. We will be the only group whose parents outlive their children.<br /> <br /> The Cosby Show was designed to be an example of Black people who had struggled through the trials and tribulations, gotten their education despite their parent's financial challenges, and now were raising their own kids to do the same. Note they had 5 kids, not the American standard of 2. This was not just a situation comedy, this was real life utilizing the medium of comedy to provide examples that could be emulated. He left foot prints- a road map. Nearly all the references were Black, Afro Centric. He showed how to live in the context of a hostile meanstream society, and still be Black, proud, supportive and an exemplar for others. He gave life lessons in every show. He walked his talk.<br /> <br /> I am currently residing in a part of Brooklyn where I see negativity all the time. It's right out there in front of my door. It's not a pleasant sight. It's overwhelmingly appalling when you hear a mother call her cute little 3-year old everything but a Child of God. There are times when I want to shake her, or take the kid and remove her from the family before she is permanently contaminated. If I tried to intervene, I would no doubt either be cursed out or attacked. This is not a pretty picture. Mind you, girlfriend has on the latest G-F attire, as does her daughter. Multiply that by tens of thousands. Frightening.<br /> <br /> I think Cos is more hurt than anything else that Black people have not moved up in the manner that Dr. King, Malcolm and he himself had hoped they would. People died for Blacks to have better lives; and yet their concept of better lives turns out to be buying bling, louis vitton shoes, over priced sneakers, wearing their pants off their backsides, and using m-f after every sentence, and ni--er at the beginning.<br /> <br /> (Couple that with the fact that on the Continent, Africans are committing fratricide at an alarming rate, and I do wonder whether there is some genetic issue that we are not fully cognizant of that causes us to turn on each other instead of to each other).<br /> <br /> If Cos is justifiably angry and disappointed, it's because he sees something better for Black people, and they don't. When you read him, see him, listen to him, you really get it. I'm just as pissed off as he is. Sometimes I write about it. Unfortunately, though, the people who need to see it, read it, or hear it, are off somewhere getting high. Their kids are shooting each other, because the parents thought it was cute to teach them to do so at an early age. You might say that a large percentage of Black people are at a stage of arrested development - something akin to where whites were in the 1800's wild wild west; and the high crime era of the US during the prohibition era of the roaring twenties. Our kids are shooting each other at an alarming rate.<br /> <br /> I think, given the genius potential we have as a people, Cos, as educator and parent, and a Black man, is justifiably angry. The saying, "a (Black) mind is a terrible thing to waste" is as true now as it ever was. It's almost as if a large portion of our people are hell bent on self destruction. And if any among them move towards elevation, they will be pulled back down into the barrel and eaten. <br /> <br /> Personally, I love Bill and Camille Cosby. I love their minds, focus, dedication and their marriage. He is one of top ten Black men I would clone. President Obama, the Late Percy Sutton, my Dad, both my Grandads, my Uncle Adolf Dulan, my Brother Sylvester Dulan, Bernie Casey, Don King, Frederick Douglass are among some of the others..<br /> <br /> I am not an advocate for stepping down to where the people are; the idea is for them to step up. Does that mean that I don't need to understand where they're coming from? No. I over understand the situation. I also understand that our youth today are more victims of my peers - their grandparents - who dropped the ball and stopped raising their children (their parents), once they thought they had made it in white society. These kids are victims of neglect of Black parents of the post-Black power era. These kids are their grand kids. Their parents were not given the discipline, education - they were taught that they had made it; that they didn't have to struggle; that the world owed them a living because of slavery (which was true, but the methodology was more self destructive than anything); when they became more involved with drugs and self hatred - and the rest is what we have today.<br /> <br /> We went from being great kings and queens of Africa, to ni--ers and bitches and ho's. This is why Bill is upset. He's seen us do better, when we actually were working together, making a difference; making it work. And he sees us destroy our own progress. <br /> <br /> There's a rap piece called "Self Destruction - We're Headed for Self-Destruction" which was a cooperative effort of various rap groups who were trying to get Blacks to wake up and get it together. That piece was short lived, and replaced by the most negative rap crap, to keep Blacks on the decline. Not to mention crack, crank, etc, and the prison, military, industrial complex - a new career track for whites to perpetuate the incarceration of Blacks.<br /> <br /> Cos sees the impending destruction of Black people; his job is not to rage against whites, but to educate Blacks. Wake up call 101. When a kid goes to get a job and can't even put together a decent sentence, or complete the form; or present appropriate identification; and he's competing with an immigrant who speaks english better than he does, what do you do? You begin to teach him or her how to compete appropriately - not go on welfare. It may be whites who started this mess, but if we are to win, we have to develop a better arsenal to defeat it. Just blaming the evil is necessary, but not sufficient. We also have to be impervious to their crap. We have to be autonomous. That's where Bill is coming from.<br /> <br /> We need many more Cosby's because we're running out of people like him, Rev. Al, Jesse, Harry and those who have bridged that abyss and tried to make it possible for us to synthesize this information into something that we can move forward with, and help our family be all they can be.<br /> <br /> I could go on, but I think you get my drift. Right?<br /> Now that you know, what are you going to do?<br /> <br /> Stay Blessed &<br /> ECLECTICALLY BLACK<br /> Gloria Dulan-Wilson<br /> <br /> An Obama A Day Keeps the Mitt-Twits Away: <br /> <br /> Dear Friends, August 14, 2012:: Per my recent blog of the same title, this is day two of my mission to write something positive or constructive for or about President Barack Obama each day: This comes from brother Zach Husser, of New York.</div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /> Dear Friends and Family - “Go All Out To Get YOUR Family and Friends to Vote for the re-election of President Barack Obama. In the mean time, get folks educated about what is really going down in front of their faces! Each of the informed must take twenty folk who just don't know and educate them as well as take them to the Polls to Vote for President Barack Obama. However, YOU can't Vote without the proper ID and We need to make sure All of Our People have picture ID with a home address that is the same as the address at the Election Headquarters of their city, town, county, etc. This is the most important thing We can do for Our Black Legacy right now!! Get the Correct ID, be educated about your best interest, and Vote!!! In the Interest of Taking Our Country Back - Brother Zach Husser, Sr.”<br /> <br /> If you have families in any of the red or battle ground states, reach out to them and make sure they've gotten their credentials in order. They are particularly being targeted for disenfranchisement by the rep-ugh-blicans. Don't assume things are going to turn out all right; make a call, pay a visit, walk them through. Roll out the door each day with blank voter registration forms just in case you come across anyone who has net registered. Let them fill it out, give it back to you and then you personally mail it or drop it off to the board of elections . North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi – and so on – are states where we have to make a concerted effort to reach out to Blacks who have essentially been jimcrowed out of their rights. In fact, if there was a way to do it, it would be great to take busloads of Obama supporters into these areas to personally help these people register to vote. There's still time. President Obama needs our help, and we need him. <br /> Stay Blessed & <br /> ECLECTICALLY BLACK<br /> Gloria Dulan-Wilson</div><div><div><span>Posted by <span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/10697937958373924179" title="author profile" target="_blank">Gloria Dulan-Wilson</a></span></span> <span>at <a href="http://gloria-dulan-wilson.blogspot.com/2012/08/dont-mess-with-bil-cosby.html" title="permanent link" target="_blank"><abbr title="2012-08-14T09:47:00-04:00">9:47 AM</abbr></a></span> <span><span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=8661755859413500477&postID=5209784416743105534" title="Email Post" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://img1.blogblog.com/img/icon18_email.gif" height="13" width="18" /></a></span> <span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8661755859413500477&postID=5209784416743105534&from=pencil" title="Edit Post" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/icon18_edit_allbkg.gif" height="18" width="18" /></a></span></span></div><div><span>Labels: <a href="http://gloria-dulan-wilson.blogspot.com/search/label/Belafonte" target="_blank">Belafonte</a>, <a href="http://gloria-dulan-wilson.blogspot.com/search/label/Bill%20Cosby" target="_blank">Bill Cosby</a>,<a href="http://gloria-dulan-wilson.blogspot.com/search/label/voter%20registration" target="_blank"></a></span></div></div></div><div><a></a><div><a></a><p>Thank YOU For Visiting Gloria Dulan-Wilson Eclectically Black News VIP Blog. We Would Like Your Views, Interests And Perspectives. Please Leave A Comment Below.</p></div><div><div><a></a><h4>Links to this post</h4><p><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blog-this.g" target="_blank">Create a Link</a></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><span><a href="http://gloria-dulan-wilson.blogspot.com/2012/08/jobs-by-indeed-harlem-week-2012-by.html" title="Older Post" target="_blank">Older Post</a></span> <a href="http://gloria-dulan-wilson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Home</a></div><div><div>Subscribe to: <a href="http://gloria-dulan-wilson.blogspot.com/feeds/5209784416743105534/comments/default" target="_blank">Post Comments (Atom)</a></div></div></div></div><h2>Gloria Dulan-Wilson Blog</h2><p><strong>Gloria Dulan-Wilson New York Author, Writer & Speaker</strong> <br /> <br /> <strong>Gloria Dulan-Wilson Blog © 2009-2014</strong><br /> <br /> <strong>Copyright 2009 Gloria Dulan-Wilson Media, LLC</strong></p></div>
The Today Show Kicks Curry to the Curb
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-today-show-kicks-curry-to-the-curb
2012-06-29T06:30:00.000Z
2012-06-29T06:30:00.000Z
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/GloriaDulanWilson
<div><br /><br />By Gloria Dulan-Wilson<br /><br />You know, I used to watch the Today Show religiously every morning before going to work – but then there was something to watch – Bryant Gumble was the host and he made it come alive for me and my children. In fact, they grew up on the Today Show, and learned a great deal during those days. <br /><br />I even continued to watch when they brought on Katy Couric. But, truth be told, when Bryant Gumble left, so did I. I haven't checked in to the show since then, unless there was an announcement that someone special would be featured.<br /><br />Likewise, I had begun to be a devotee of Good Morning America, with Robin Roberts, until she humiliated Chris Brown on national TV. From that point on I've not really bothered with the good morning talking heads, chatterbox genre. I actually resent the fact that the shows start at 4:00 AM and continue, ad nauseum, until 10:00. I call it cheap network programming. <br /><br />However, that does not mean that I was not aware of, and cognizant of who the anchors were; just wasn't interested in them. Matt Lauer, to me, was an interloper who had had the great good fortune of becoming a staple on the show by default of the fact that Gumble was no longer there. <br /><br />So when the flack arose about Ann Curry, I was totally puzzled at what could have possibly generated such negativity. I've watched her over the years, and she's a credible journalist, with a pleasant personality. And while she may not pander to some of the inanities that are employed to keep people engaged in the show, she certainly has always been a professional in her own right. Her stepping in to the shoes of Meredith Viera, however, on the Today Show, was kind of like arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, as far as I was concerned, since the show was already sinking.<br /><br />What I did not appreciate was the fact that Lauer and crew have tried to make the ratings her fault. She actually apologized for “dropping the ball!” What! The sister has fifteen years in that show. She has done the yeoman's job of reporting from remote places, and under circumstances that I long ago decided I did not want to be involved in as a journalist (which is probably why I'm not on the show – too much work). <br /><br />This morning's farewell was the first time I have watched the show in nearly 10 years. And I felt as though she was being scape goated by the rest of the cast and crew for their shortcomings. And people, I was not pleased! <br /><br />Who the Sam Hill is it that has the audacity to blame her for not floating an anvil? And where does Ann get off co-signing that drivel? In any other situation, she is one of the top journalists on TV, bar none. She doesn't have to take heat (or hatred) from anyone. If anything, they need to change the format of that tired old dinosaur, and come up with some thing more relevant than talking heads.<br /><br />She stated, <span style="font-weight:bold;">"For all of you who saw me as a groundbreaker, I am sorry I could not carry the ball across the finish line,"</span> and then she started to cry. I hope her kids weren't watching that madness. I actually had hoped her husband would have been there to stand up for her. These people were trying to crucify this woman on national TV!! <br /><br />The only other bright spot on that show is Al Roker, who gave her words of encouragement. But for the most part, there seemed to be some sort of tacit lynchmob concensus that Ann Curry should leave the show, because she couldn't cut it. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Realllllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy????????</span> <br /><br />According to the posts on Yahoo, there are many fans who feel that she has been an asset to the show, but that Matt Lauer was apparently outclassed, and this is the “lack of chemistry” they keep alluding to:<br /><br />"The ball" Curry referred to was code for ratings. As media reporters have suggested, Curry' journalistic disposition hadn't won over as many morning show viewers' hearts as did Meredith Vieira, who she replaced on "the couch" last year. Complaints over her lack of "chemistry" with Lauer were jockeyed around enough that part of her departing speech included the implied protestation: "Matt and I have had great on-air chemistry for 14 years." <br /><br />Overall, Curry's been lauded by colleagues and critics for handling her departure with "class." The Huffington Post's media blog backed Curry up, pointing the finger at NBC on Twitter: "Meredith Vieira got a two-hour farewell. Ann Curry was given 5 minutes after 15 years on the show." <br /><br />As it stands, Curry is rumored to be replaced by Savannah Guthrie, a woman more than a decade younger than her, who is believed to have more "chemistry" with Lauer. Should an esteemed, accomplished journalist really apologize for not winning what seems like a sexist, unfair, and unjust race? Not according to an outpouring of fans commenting on her farewell speech posted to Yahoo's homepage this morning”. <br /><br />Their nearest rival, Kathie Lee and Hoda, neither of whom are journalists, are apparently getting over in the AM genre, with morning cocktails and very little in the way of real news or public affairs. <br /><br />Curry, who according to all the online bio's is Japanese, American Indian, with just a hint of French, Irish and something else, apparently does not wear her skirt too short or her blouse too low, leaving her looking like the hopeless professional she is. It's also rumored that she has been “demoted” from her anchor position, and has a “new title” - wonder what it is?<br /><br />The ratings game has been around for eons, and is supposedly a measure how well liked the show is in the polls. Then should check out the producer and program director. However, as one individual stated, "It's all about entertainment and ratings," wrote one commenter. "There was a time when the Today Show was really about news, [but] not anymore. More power to Ms. Curry, she is the only one on there who is truly a journalist anyway." <br /><br />The only thing I can say is that with Ms. Curry being pushed off the show, there is an additional reason that I no longer watch the Today Show. Sorry Al.<br /><br />To Ann, good luck and God Bless. The $10 million severance pay you received should at least lessen the blow. Goodness, I wish I had your agent. <br /><br />Stay Blessed &<br />ECLECTICALLY BLACK<br />Gloria Dulan-Wilson<br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span class="font-size-3">Here's My Obamaism for the Day: President Obama is to be congratulated and commended for having won powerful support from the Supreme Court in his effort to keep America Healthy. Kudos to our President - GDW</span></strong></span><div><span style="color:#ff6600;"><strong><span class="font-size-3"> </span></strong></span></div><div><div><span>Posted by <span><a title="author profile" href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/10697937958373924179" target="_blank">Gloria Dulan-Wilson</a></span></span> <span>at <a title="permanent link" href="http://gloria-dulan-wilson.blogspot.com/2012/06/today-show-kicks-curry-to-curb.html" target="_blank">12:55 AM</a></span> <span><span><a title="Email Post" href="http://www.blogger.com/email-post.g?blogID=8661755859413500477&postID=2365879893343691475" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://img1.blogblog.com/img/icon18_email.gif" height="13" width="18" /></a></span> <span><a title="Edit Post" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=8661755859413500477&postID=2365879893343691475&from=pencil" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/icon18_edit_allbkg.gif" height="18" width="18" /></a></span></span></div></div><div><a></a></div><div><span><a title="Older Post" href="http://gloria-dulan-wilson.blogspot.com/2012/06/june-26-2012-day-of-victory-for-new.html" target="_blank">Older Post</a></span> <a href="http://gloria-dulan-wilson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Home</a></div><div><div>Subscribe to: <a href="http://gloria-dulan-wilson.blogspot.com/feeds/2365879893343691475/comments/default" target="_blank">Post Comments (Atom)</a></div></div><div><div><div><h2>Gloria Dulan-Wilson Blog</h2><div><b>Gloria Dulan-Wilson New York Author, Writer & Speaker</b> <br /><br /><b>Gloria Dulan-Wilson Blog © 2009-2014</b> <br /><br /><b>Copyright 2009 Gloria Dulan-Wilson Media, LLC</b> <br /><br /><div><h2>Read Gloria Dulan-Wilson Writer-Commentator Writing Collectives</h2><div><ul><li><a href="http://www.africanburialground.gov/other_references/citations2004_june05.doc" target="_blank">African Burial Ground (Staff Writer November 30 1995 )</a></li><li><a href="http://www.aaaghana.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=19" target="_blank">African-American Association of Ghana(AAAG)</a></li><li><a href="http://www.faqs.org/abstracts/Political-science/Save-our-Solsbury%21-the-anatomy-of-an-anti-roads-protest-Sweden-krona-crisis-stalls-New-Start.html" target="_blank">Article Abstract: The Crisis 1992 women of courage: Katherine Dunham: high priestess of protest</a></li><li><a href="http://bwfo4change.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Black Women for Obama for Change</a></li><li><a href="http://www.assatashakur.org/forum/afrikan-world-news/27115-ethnic-cleansing-comes-harlem-rest-nyc.html" target="_blank">Ethnic Cleansing Comes To Harlem</a></li><li><a href="http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-2243644.html" target="_blank">New York Beacon April 8, 1994 Article #1</a></li><li><a href="http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-2243643.html" target="_blank">New York Beacon April 8, 1994 Article #2</a></li><li><a href="http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-2254829.html" target="_blank">New York Beacon June 10, 1994 Articles</a></li><li><a href="http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-2237393.html" target="_blank">New York Beacon March 25, 1994 Article #1</a></li><li><a href="http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-2237392.html" target="_blank">New York Beacon March 25, 1994 Article #2</a></li><li><a href="http://afrikan.org.ohio-state.edu/DNews/mym11.htm" target="_blank">NY DAILY CHALLENGE - 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Memo To Romney
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/memo-to-romney
2012-06-28T04:15:10.000Z
2012-06-28T04:15:10.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div><p><b>June 29, 2012</b></p><p> </p><p><b>Raynard Jackson</b></p><p> </p><p>Now that Romney is the defacto nominee for the Republican Party, I have been reflecting on the state of the presidential race as it enters the final stretch. As a political strategist, I understand the necessity to run to the right during the Republican primary and then migrate to the center during the general election.</p><p> </p><p>It is common knowledge that Romney has no intention of focusing on the Black vote during the general election. From a raw political perspective, I agree with his approach, but from a strategic perspective, I totally disagree. Below I will detail why this is a terrible strategy!</p><p> </p><p>There is absolutely no question that Obama will get in excess of 90% of the Black vote (in 2008 he received 96%). But this time he will receive 90+ % of a smaller number of Blacks—there will be fewer numbers of Blacks voting because they are disillusioned with Obama. The first Obama run was history, his governing is a mystery when it comes to Blacks! </p><p> </p><p>Obama’s recent endorsement of homosexual marriage and support for amnesty for illegals has infuriated the Black community. The NAACP, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, etc. have not represented the views of the average Black for decades. The NAACP will continue to hemorrhage support from within the Black community. Many Blacks are publically withdrawing their memberships and support from this group.</p><p> </p><p>Under skilled Blacks are livid that Obama wants to legalize over 1 million new people into the workforce to compete with them for jobs. It’s hard enough competing with Americans for jobs, now you have to compete with those in the country illegally for jobs? Who in their right minds feeds the neighborhood while their own children are starving? Nobody, but Obama.</p><p> </p><p>These issues give Romney an opportunity, by engaging with the Black community, to reach out to white, suburban, middleclass women voters to let them know that the Republican Party is OK to support. In other words, these are the Independent voters who will determine the outcome of the election.</p><p>These voters want to support a candidate and party that are not “perceived” as racist or mean spirited. So, by reaching out to Blacks, they are signaling to these Independent voters that it is OK to vote Republican.</p><p> </p><p>These voters don’t support homosexual marriage or amnesty for illegals, but they don’t want to see or hear harsh rhetoric either. </p><p> </p><p>Romney, are you aware that Obama has never met with any Black entrepreneurs to discuss the high unemployment rate within the Black community? When will you meet with Black entrepreneurs to listen to them, not to preach to them?</p><p> </p><p>Romney, when will you sit with Black ministers who are with you in your opposition to homosexual marriage and under-skilled Blacks who will be hurt by giving work permits to illegals? </p><p> </p><p> Why are you going to address the NAACP and the National Urban League at their respective annual conventions this summer without obtaining concessions from them? Do you have any Blacks on your campaign or consultants who can negotiate concessions on behalf of your campaign? For example, if these groups want you to speak before their membership, then they must have Black Republicans as speakers and panelists or you won’t agree to speak.</p><p> </p><p>Because Republicans typically have no diversity on their staffs, they don’t know to extract these types of concessions, nor can they afford to send a white staffer to do this. Republicans are the only people I know who will send a white male to speak to a group of women about women’s issues!</p><p> </p><p>Romney, when you go before these Black groups, will you also have a white speechwriter to draft your remarks? Anyone can write a great speech, but do you understand the nuances when talking with the Black community? A white speechwriter can’t help you with that.</p><p> </p><p>This is why Republicans typically receive tepid responses when speaking before a Black audience. “Meanings are in people, not in words.”</p><p> </p><p>So, what I am saying to you, Romney, is that by engaging with the Black community, you are simultaneously engaging Independent voters. You get a twofer out of this approach and you, being the businessman that you are, should see the potential for a nice return on your investment of time.</p><p> </p><p>I would welcome your thoughts on this approach as a first step towards substantive engagement with the Black community.</p><p> </p><p><i>Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. His website is: <a href="http://www.raynardjackson.com">www.raynardjackson.com</a>.</i></p></div>
Rodney Glenn King: Human, Hero, and now Heavenbound
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/rodney-glenn-king-human-hero-and-now-heavenbound
2012-06-20T10:00:00.000Z
2012-06-20T10:00:00.000Z
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/GloriaDulanWilson
<div><p style="margin-bottom:0in;">By Gloria Dulan-Wilson ~</p><p style="margin-bottom:0in;"></p><p style="margin-bottom:.2in;"> Somewhere back in the late 80's, Joan Rivers hosted a daytime TV talk show where the subject was about how ordinary people where thrust into life altering situations that affected the entire nation. One of the guests on the show was Rosa Parks. I had the privilege of escorting Ms. Parks to the show, and doing a post interview with both Ms. Parks and Joan Rivers. The "little act of sitting down" according to Rivers changed for ever the entire landscape of the Civil Rights Movement and justice in America."<br /><br />Well you might say that Rodney Glenn King was likewise one whose simple, ordinary life completely changed the course of history and put a city and a country's racist behavior into the living room of millions of households in a way no public relations genius never could. And most likely in a manner that Mr. King would have cheerfully avoided, if he could - because he was beaten in the most vicious, vile hostile manner. Had he been a lesser man, he would have been dead. <br /><br />Rodney King did not start out to be a catalyst for policing change. He definitely did not start out to be a martyr; nor did he start out to be an alcoholic. Like many African American youth, he was already marginalized by the time he was twelve years old, and "obsolete" by the time he was sixteen (as so eloquently outlined in Haki Madhubuti's book Black Men: Obsolete, Single, Dangerous?"). Not that Rodney didn't have a loving, stable family life - because he did. Not that he didn't have a fairly decent education - because he did. Not that he came from the ghetto - because he didn't. Altadena, California is a beautiful, nearly suburban community nestled in the foothills of the Angeles Natoinal Forest, where most of the homes are well kept - not expensive, but attractive.; and most of the residents are (were?) Black, close-knit and supportive. I know because I was Town Council Representative for Altadena. People moved there for a better life and raise their children in a safe environment.<br /><br />But, because Rodney King, like many of our youth, back in the day, had gotten involved in frivolous, dumb stuff - activities that were more self destructive in nature, than a menace to society - he was an ongoing target. Having already had his brush with the law, having spent some time incarcerated, and he was looking to complete his parole and build a better life. Mr. King was definitely not in a mode to have any additional brushes with the law enforcement community of California. He had already "paid his debt to society" and wasn't looking to open up any more "accounts." Uhfortunately, like most African American youth, particularly those on the "left coast" Rodney King was profiled before anyone had a name for profiling. <br /><br />The night <i><b>CHiPs (California Highway Patrol</b></i>-you remember the show, don't you?) pulled him over for allegedly speeding in excess of 100MPH was March 3, 1991. Having moved out of Altadena, he was within feet of his home, which is no doubt where he was trying to get to when he got pulled over. He was probably frightened out of his mind that night at the potentiality for being arrested, so he panicked and made several mistakes. Mistakes that, had he been white, would probably meant no more than a slap on the wrist. <br /><br />But for Rodney King, who was driving while Black, and who refused to "bow" to their demands, the fear very nearly cost him his life. And when you look at it in retrospect - considering at all that he has gone through since that fateful evening, to his final death two days ago - it actually did. In point of fact, Rodney's life, any semblance of quality. or any dream he may have ever had for peace, tranquility, a family, fun - was dashed forever that night; and later trampled to death under the feet of Black brothers and sisters, who understandably responded to the travesty fostered by the gross miscarriage of justice in a lilly white Simi Valley community, by trying to tear LA apart. Now when I say "trampled" I'm no blaming the brothers and sisters for their reaction. Somebody needed to get their attention. And they definitely had to put them on notice that they were "Mad as hell, and weren't going to take it any more!" I am referring to the obvious vendetta the LAPD and CHiPs have had against Rodney King ever since. <br /><br />While we are clear that we would have preferred not have had a riot happen, to try to give Rodney King credit or blame for the reaction of the Black community clearly indicates that the meanstream and the judicial system is still clueless when it comes to Black people's individual and collective lack of tolerance for their racist, abusive b.s. (<font face="times new roman, serif"><i><b>"Don't push me 'cause I'm close to the edge - I'm trying not to lose my head - ah huh huh! It's like a jungle some time I wonder how I keep from going under!"</b></i></font> - you remember that one, don't you?) <br /><br />The 20th anniversary of the acquittal was April 29, 1992. LA exploded for three days. Some mention may have been made in the meanstream media about the significance of the date, but by and large, most of us in the greater African American communities of the US pretty much overlooked the date completely. And perhaps that was as it should have been. It appeared that Rodney King may have moved on and life was actually beginning to be kind of normal. I mean now you could hear some comedic reference to his tearful plea, "Can't we all just get along?" and kind of laugh. We all got the joke - the answer in the main even now is "no" not really. But we understood the context of the joke. So we'd laugh and continue doing whatever we were doing.<br /><br />But the headlines that flashed across our collective computer screens caught all of us off guard. I could hear the Black community yell out collectively "Oh hellllll no!" What the heck could have happen. The rest of the report slowly scrawled across the screen, "found in the bottom of his pool by his fiancee...waiting for autopsy to determine if there was foul play." I was stunned, but not so much that I didn't surmise that even if they found him bound and gagged with bricks around his feet, the real foul play did not begin there, but had been present in his life for quite some time - and at the very least, from the night those officers beat, kicked, punched and tasered that brother - thinking that no one was observing their behavior.<br /><br />And had it not been for George Holliday's digital camera documenting their depravity so all the world coudl see that we were not just imagining the hostility, racism and unfairness on the part of the so call reps of "law and order," it is doubtful that Rodney would have come forth, pressed charges, or even been compensated the paltry sum he received from the City of Los(t) Angeles. No one would have believed that it is real and continues to take the lives of African American and African youth across this nation. Even then a "Black man in California had no rights that a white man was bound to respect (a'la Plessy v. Ferguson - 1854), was indelibly driven home by their actions. And if we haven't erected a monument in honor of Mr. Holliday, we should.<br /><br />As the news of his death continue to trickle in, there have been some fairly hostile commentaries posted on *Yahoo (see below), and other websites, deriding him, the Black community, even President Obama. Some make reference to his mysterious and untimely death -no doubt ignorant whites, who had absolutely viewed Rodney King as a threat to their racist way of life; others idea who Rodney King was, just that he was Black. It was evident their mindset is no different from the mindset of those racist cops when they beat the living daylights out of Rodney for allegedly running a stop sign, and for allegedly being drunk - none of which was ever proven; and certainly none of which warranted their brutal behavior.<br /><br />The Rodney King that I met ten years ago, was this soft spoken, polite, mannerable, and very handsome young man. You could see that he was truly the same one who made the tearful plea for all of us to "just get along" . That genteel spirit and good heart were still there, ten years later. His ordeal of being beaten by deranged cops had done little to change that. Though he had been thrust into the limelight he had neither become egotistical nor bitter. He had a bright, genuine smile. And he looked you in the eyes when he talked to you - at least he did that night.<br /><br />The fact that Rodney King was found dead almost 20 years to the day of the LA riots, which were precipitated by a racist, all white jury doing what they do best - letting the perpetrators go scott-free - is puzzling to many of us. It just doesn't make sense. There are many of us who are concerned that he was somehow the victim of fowl play - again.<br /><br />You see, even though the federal government stepped in, prosecuted and incarcerared the perpetrators, Rodney King has never seen a moment of peace since March 3. *He subsequently suffered repeated "arrests" over and over and over again - can you spell police harassment, boys and girls? Many of us feel this was more the residual of police brutality being visited upon him because their fellow rogue cops served prison time, than because of any real criminal behavior on his part. <br /><br />Rodney really was "dead" when they incarcerated him for being a "thug". He was most assuredly the victim of the assassination of his soul, brought on by post-traumatic stress syndrome for having been beaten severely within an inch of his life He did not hit anyone. He did not have a weapon. He was not running from the scene of a crime. His self pride, unfortunately, would not allow him to "bow" before 4 rednecks who wore badges and considered themselves representatives of the "law." (okay it was three white cops and a latino - close enough).<br /><br />As Min. Farrakhan often says, "They meant if for evil, but God meant it for good!" Had it not been for that video, which was played throughout the world, catapulting Rodney on the national and international scene, in a way no one could have ever predicted, he might have really ended up just another victim. But Rodney King became the poster boy for all Black males who have been suffering the heinous egregious miscarriage of justice at the hands of white racists for centuries.<br /><br />Rodney really should have sued the city big timefor what happened to him. He should have been able to collect "big time," triple the paltry $3.8 million he received - most of which was eaten up in legal and medical bills; and a shyster lawyer who ripped him off. They should have paid for a lifetime ofnherapy for the pain, suffering, flashbacks and harrassment that have ensued since that horrible night. <br /><br />At least that's what I told him when I met him ten years ago, in 2002, when he was honored by Jimi Holloway at his annual MLK Event at the Grand Hyatt in New York City, You see, Rodney, was a former constituent of mine. . As I mentioned earler, I was town council representative for his district until I moved back to New York in 1984. And while I didn't know Rodney personally, he certainly remembered me because of the impact I had on that unincorporated community, which at the time, had nearly become a waste and sewage dumpsite for Pasadena. I was able to stop that and reinstate Lincoln Park, the only recreational center in the predominantly Black community, and make it available to the youth. According to Rodney, he and his friends used to come to play at the center; while his parents attended my monthly community action meetings.<br /><br />At the time I was not aware of the tie-in, and was trying to conduct an interview with him after he received the award from Jimi. But, instead, he interviewed me!! He asked me why I left Altadena. When I told him that I was homesick for New York, he stated, emphatically: "But you did so much for us. We had a lot of fun. We need you back; they don't do anything for the kids anymore." I was totally flattered. I told him that if there had been any way that I could have brought Altadena back with me to New York, I would have done so. But I also had to admit that I really had no love for California - especially in light of the way he had been beaten and brutalized. I had seen far too many African American youth forced to lay face down in the middle of LA street, with white cops standing over them. The fear of that same thing that happened to him happening to my own son was the other reason that I moved back to New York City. I also explained that I had to bring my three children back to New York City where they would get a decent education. I was afraid my son would end up being marginalized in much the same way so many Black youth have been systematically done there. He gave me a big hug, and promised to stay in touch with me (he didn't have a computer and was not internet savvy at the time). That, however was our first, last and only conversation.<br /><br />Though I'm cognizant of the fact that what he had suffered there was not the exclusive province of California's police department, our youth get shot in the back here as well, I always felt I had a better fighting chance in New York of making sure my children had the advantage of better educational opportunities and programs than they had there. And, I was right. <br /><br />The years has done little to erase the nightmare of having been severely attacked by rabid red necks. Over those past ten years, he said, he had tried to adjust, but sometimes, "I get those flashbacks, you know. And then I pray them away," he said in a half-joking/half-serious manner. Rodney was touched that we in New York thought he was a hero. He said he never thought people in New York cared about people in California. I assured him that Black people cared about Black people no matter where they lived - even in California. </p><p style="margin-bottom:.2in;">Rodney had body guards around him who, it turned out later, were his cousins trying to make sure they were there for him and nothing else bad happened to him, stated that he was so excited when he got the invitation to come to New York. He was afraid that we wouldn't know what to say, or that the people wouldn't like him. As it turned out, at least for that evening, he got the hero's welcome he deserved.</p><p style="margin-bottom:.2in;">He was brutalized for what would have been a slap on the wrist had he been white!! .I know, it's a cliche` we use frequently in the Black community. Unfortunately it is also the truth. The ugly truth. The level of condemnation from the comments show me that there are still truly some Ugly Americans out there who are part and parcel of what makes this the most racist, backwards country on the planet. Some of the more disgusting comments are listed below. I assume that most of the writers are caucasian. The sad thing is that there are few if any comments from Black people. And I think Rodney deserves some kind words spoken in his behalf. I think we definitely should be more aware of what's being spewed out over the internet in reference to us - and not just relegate our attention Facebook and Twitter. By the way, if you feel moved to do so, please do comment on, or respond to these vicious posts <span style="background-color:#ffff00;">(my comments are highlighted in yellow)</span>. </p><p style="margin-bottom:.2in;">As an addendum, I have also included headlines from the Los Angeles Times which I think show that there was an ongoing pattern of harrassment perpetrated against Rodney King to make his life a living hell!</p><p style="margin-bottom:0in;"><cite><a href="http://profile.yahoo.com/QLAETQTRAXRA7KQ7MAZ7EYPSGQ" target="_blank"><b>Catherine777</b></a></cite> <cite> • <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/rodney-king-seen-catalyst-policing-change-075536392.html#" target="_blank">San Diego, California</a> • wrote:</cite> He was an addict then & he died an addict. No great loss to this world. <span style="background-color:#ffff00;">(</span><span style="background:#ffff00 none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">was this ever verified. I don't ever remember him using heavy drugs)</span> possession of PCP was a misdemeanor.<br /><cite><a href="http://profile.yahoo.com/3RQ5ZWAAUA5AZT6PHD24F2KDS4" target="_blank"><b>LibYahoouser</b></a></cite> <cite> • wrote: </cite> One parasite bites the dust....at the bottom of the pool. Good riddance..Obama is next .back to Kenya!! (<span style="background:#ffff00 none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">President Obama is an American born citizen. By the way I'm forwarding this to the Secret Service as a threat against the President's life - you twit.)</span><br /><a href="http://profile.yahoo.com/YOETBAMXAOIMC5Q5VIBZEHMF54" target="_blank"><b>Whowouldathunkit...</b></a> • <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/rodney-king-seen-catalyst-policing-change-075536392.html#" target="_blank">Canton, Ohio</a> •If I were black and 80 cops beat me to death I wouldn't want Sharptongue in the same city as my rotting corpse, unless the cops promised to beat him to death as well. <span style="background:#ffff66 none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">(it's obvious from your ignorant statement that you are of the same redneck tribe as those who beat Mr. King. If you had been "Black" you'd be more than grateful to have had Rev; Sharpton's sharp tongue speaking in your behalf).</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0in;"><cite><a href="http://profile.yahoo.com/CDHPMCQWFHGXIO6UIRYTFNFEBE" target="_blank"><b>Gramma Joanie</b></a></cite> <cite> • <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/rodney-king-seen-catalyst-policing-change-075536392.html#" target="_blank">El Paso, Texas</a> </cite> OK and I got a ABC breaking news on my cell phone about his death??? This is Breaking news? NOT who freaking cares? (<span style="background:#ffff33 none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">coming from a redneck right wing community such as El Paso, I over understand your major maladjustment. Since it is clear that you neither value or respect one of God's creatures, I totally understand how it would escape your understanding that each and every life on this planet - Black, blue, white, green or purple - is precious and sacred. You can turn in your human suit at the door. You've officially stepped into the rank of the inhumane -gramma joanie - I hope your grandkids didn't inherit your warped genes.)</span> <br /><a href="http://profile.yahoo.com/YWXKDJ75HILXGA47X3BB4ZZR7Y" target="_blank"><b>Craig Tucker</b></a> • Sure black people had the right to be mad, but that doesnt give room for a few dozen idiots to go run a muck. I feel bad for the other black people who have to associate themselves even with race to such morons who sparked the LA Riots because it gives them all a bad name. <cite><span style="background:#ffff33 none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">(FYI the "</span></cite><cite><b><span style="background:#ffff33 none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">morons</span></b></cite><cite><span style="background:#ffff33 none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">" who sparked the LA Riots were the redneck racist jurors, who acquitted the racist white cops and the judge who backed them up by letting them go free as though it was all completely hunky dorey now that justice had been mis-served. Not the Black men and women who stood up to show their displeasure. Only a moron such as yourself would say such a thing. When you say "run amuck" how would you characterize the behavior of the cops with nightsticks beating a man who is already on the ground in a fetal position? Civilized? And while I am not in favor of riots, especially when they destroy our neighborhoods, instead of the neighborhood of the perpetrators, I think the Black people of California are to be applauded for making it patently clear that they were not going to stand idly by while these miscreants hiding behind badges were allowed to walk. </span></cite> <cite><br /></cite><cite><a href="http://profile.yahoo.com/A2XGRZLRSTMIHYPSEQGXFSCWRQ" target="_blank"><b>Paul</b></a></cite> <cite>(response):</cite>more than a few dozen. there were a few dozen killed during those riots. all blacks should condemn actions like those.(<span style="background:#ffff00 none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">and remember, that whites should have condemned the actions of those cops, as well - it works both ways, n'est ce pas?)</span> <cite><br /></cite><cite><a href="http://profile.yahoo.com/TZZU6RJSZ6OICDZIA47N7HWQYY" target="_blank"><b>Platano</b></a></cite> <cite> • </cite> Rodney King didn't ask any one to do riots....on the contrary, he came up on TV to ask people to get alone (ALONG)....remember? (0ne the few intelligent comments, and the response to his statement was negative because he wrote "alone" instead of "along")</p><p style="margin-bottom:0in;"><cite><a href="http://profile.yahoo.com/YOETBAMXAOIMC5Q5VIBZEHMF54" target="_blank"><b>Whowouldathunkit...</b></a></cite> <cite> • <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/rodney-king-seen-catalyst-policing-change-075536392.html#" target="_blank">Canton, Ohio</a> • </cite> "Through all that he had gone through with his beating and personal demons, he was never one to not call for reconciliation and for his people to overcome and forgive," the Rev. Al Sharpton said in a statement on Sunday. Strange that those particular words are coming out of Sharptongue, because during his years in the spot light he has NEVER preached them in his diatribes and rantings. In fact Rev Al generally oozes hatred and racism. <span style="background:#ffff00 none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">(NOT SO, YOU LIAR!! BUT I GUESS IT SERVES THE PURPOSE OF THE RACIST TO TRY TO POINT THE FINGER OF BLAME AWAY FROM HIS OWN BEHAVIOR.)</span><br />Anyhow, RIP Rodney, you paid your dues, and left us with probably one of the more profound yet simple reminders of who we are, "... can we all get along? Can we get along?" You also left with a serious reminder of how terrible of a place LA really is...<i><b>"Come to L.A. where we treat you like a king...Rodney King."</b></i> (<span style="background:#ffff00 none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">That may well be the most intelligent thing you've said thus far.)</span> Now the police and press need to find someone new to beat up!" <span style="background:#ffff00 none repeat scroll 0% 0%;">(As much as I dislike the derogatory remarks this person made, there is also a ring of truth in what he said about the overall tenor of LAPD - let's don't forget how they also tried to frame OJ Simpson</span>). <br /><cite> </cite><cite><a href="http://profile.yahoo.com/3C3BA44RAWKVFZHMIZILEUFM6M" target="_blank"><b>tv girl</b></a></cite> <cite> • <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/rodney-king-seen-catalyst-policing-change-075536392.html#" target="_blank">Rohnert Park, California</a> • </cite> <font size="4"><b style="font-family:'arial black', sans-serif;">RIP Mr. King</b></font> - (<span style="background-color:#ffff00;">she was one of a very few who gave his passing the respect it deserved.)</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:.2in;"><font size="4"><b><font size="+0">In an article entltled, "Rodney King seen as catalyst for policing change</font>"</b></font> <cite>AP's Linda Deutsch,</cite> wrote: <font size="+0">"Rodney King, who died Sunday after a troubled life, never meant to change the Los Angeles Police Department — but that's what he ended up doing."</font><br /><br />I concur, Rodney King was an "accidental hero" who changed the very course of law enforcement in racist, redneck California, and had broad rippling effects on policing in general throughout the US for years to come. Had it not been for the "coincidental" purchase of a digital camera by George Holliday, and the resulting capture of the heinous beating of Mr. King by the LAPD, this entire incidence would no doubt have gone unnoticed, been conviently swept under a rug, or written away with the bureaucratic b.s. they have gotten away with for decades. But not so in this case. Played out over television screen after television screen, in household after household, the brutality tinsel town tried to hide under the panache of stardom better known as Hollywierd broke through in a way no horror movie, or civil right movement could ever have portrayed.<br /><br />As Deutsch correctly stated, "The mention of King's name will always recall painful video images of his 1991 beating and the following year's Los Angeles riots." And now we have an even bigger tragedy looming, now that Rodney King, just a few scant weeks from the 20th anniversary of the horrific experience is found dead in his home, at the bottom of his pool by his fiancee. And there are many of us on both coasts who want to know what the hell happened? </p><ul><li><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/entertainment-slideshow/file-july-16-1992-file-photo-shows-rodney-photo-161553135.html" target="_blank"><font color="#000080"><img border="1" alt="FILE - This July 16, 1992 file photo shows Rodney King being escorted from jail in Santa Ana, Calif. after he was arrested for investigation of drunken driving. King, whose videotaped beating by police in 1991 led to LA race riots, has died at 47. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, file)" align="bottom" src="http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/iX7czyJLgFxKoXMmoMiZSA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Y2g9NzAzO2NyPTE7Y3c9Nzg5O2R4PTA7ZHk9MDtmaT11bGNyb3A7aD0xNzA7cT04NTt3PTE5MA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/784c34470316d011120f6a7067003e0c.jpg" width="190" height="170" /></font></a></p><p>FILE - This July 16, 1992 file …</p></li><li><p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/photos/u-s--slideshow/file-april-30-1992-file-photo-shows-looters-photo-183523748.html" target="_blank"><font color="#000080"><img border="1" alt="FILE - This April 30, 1992 file photo shows looters running with stolen merchandise from a Payless Shoestore near the Crenshaw and Jefferson area of Los Angeles. Rodney King, the black motorist whose 1991 videotaped beating by Los Angeles police officers was the touchstone for one of the most destructive race riots in the nation's history, has died, his publicist said Sunday, June 17, 2012. He was 47. (AP Photo/Akili-Casundria Ramsess, file)" align="bottom" src="http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/Ab3SoDZw35iHg3bUgI6alQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Y2g9NzAwO2NyPTE7Y3c9MTAzNDtkeD0wO2R5PTA7Zmk9dWxjcm9wO2g9MTI5O3E9ODU7dz0xOTA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/8ce497960367d111120f6a706700f5ea.jpg" width="190" height="129" /></font></a></p><p>FILE - This April 30, 1992 file …</p></li></ul><p>The beatings precipitated overdue reforms in the LAPD. Police chief Darryl Gates was fired; and a commission headed by Warren Christopher - later President Bill Clinton's secretary of state — recommended a number of reforms. They put an end to the "lifetime chief." From the 50's to that date a police could remain in place for decades. William Parker, for whom Parker Center - LA's police headquarters - is named, was there for decades. The virtual lifetime tenure meant that a lot of stuff was glossed over. According to the LA Times, Los Angeles was only 60% white, but they still occupied the communities treating Blacks largely as though they were on a plantation, and the police were the overseers. The police were out of control. </p><p>The Christopher Commission ushered in eight years of federal oversight of the LAPD, after long pattern of abuses. Many of the reforms proposed by the Christopher commission were mandated by the federal consent decree.Under police Chief William Bratton in the 2000s, the department focused on community policing, hired more minority officers and worked to resolve tensions between officers and minority communities who continued to complain about racial profiling and excessive use of force. It became more perilous to pull someone over for driving while black without true probable cause.</p><p>Further, King has become a national symbol of civil rights and for the anti-police brutality and anti-racial-profiling movement, the Rev. Al Sharpton said.</p><p>"It was his beating that made America focus on the presence of profiling and police misconduct," he said.The city's current police chief, Charlie Beck, agreed that King's beating served as a catalyst for reform. <b>"What happened on that cool March night over two decades ago forever changed me and the organization I love," he said in a statement. "His legacy should not be the struggles and troubles of his personal life but the immensely positive change his existence wrought on this city and its police department.In those days, you might have claimed excessive force but there would have been no way to prove it," he said. "Now, you see case after case with videos. People watch their conduct because everyone has a cellphone and can take a video. But it was unusual then."</b></p><p><b>Rodney had recently penned an autobiography which might give us more insight as to what he was going through. It's entitled: </b> <b class="sr"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062194437/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0415907357&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1Y8K68QDSXYEVJRVF31P">The Riot Within: My Journey from Rebellion to Redemption. </a></b> It should make an interesting read.</p><p><span style="color:#800000;"><img border="0" align="bottom" src="http://articles.latimes.com/images/pixel.gif" width="2" height="2" alt="pixel.gif" /><font size="+0"><b>Below are chronological headlines and excerpts from the Los Angeles Times about Rodney King over the past 20 years. See if you pick up a pattern of harassment here as well:</b></font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1991-04-05/local/me-1968_1_rodney-king" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Crisis In The LAPD: The Rodney King Case</span></a>: April, 1991: The March 3 videotaped beating of motorist Rodney G. King prompted calls for Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates' resignation. chief's comments: "One incident doesn't indict an entire department."</b></font></span></p><h2 style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1991-04-04/local/me-2500_1_patrol-car-mounted-video-camera" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">L.A. Police to Experiment With Use of Video Camera in Patrol Car</span></a> April 4, 1991 |A patrol car-mounted video camera that could be used to record the behavior of suspects, or the behavior of police officials and proposed after Los Angeles officers beating of motorist Rodney G. King.</b></font></span></h2><h2 style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1991-04-23/news/mn-642_1_chp-veteran" target="_blank"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><span style="color:#800000;">CHP Officers Face Discipline in King Beating</span></font></a> <font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b>April 23, 1991 |- A California Highway Patrol lieutenant has been recommended for demotion, and a captain and sergeant who work with him face suspensions without pay for failing to investigate the Rodney G. King beating quickly enough, The Times has learned.</b></font></span></h2><p style="margin-bottom:0in;"></p><h2 style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><a></a><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1991-05-17/local/me-1812_1_outstanding-traffic" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">King Is Issued Warning After New Traffic Stop</span></a>: May 17, 1991 | Altadena motorist Rodney G. King was stopped by a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy over the weekend and warned for driving a car with an expired registration, tinted windows and failure to have a driver's license in his possession, authorities said Thursday.</b></font></span></h2><h2 style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1991-07-10/news/mn-1964_1_rodney-king-case" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Catalyst to Investigation: The Rodney King Case</span></a> - July 10, 1991 A beating by police stirs a furor: Just after midnight on March 3, a man with a home video camera captured the Rodney G. King beating on videotape, above, unleashing charges of rampant police brutality and demands that the LAPD be investigated. The incident involving King precipitated the formation of the Christopher Commission.</b></font></span></h2><h2 style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1991-07-09/local/me-1972_1_crash-that-killed-killed-king-witness" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Driver Charged in Crash That Killed King Witness</span></a> July 9, 1991 The driver of the car in which a witness in the Rodney G. King case was killed last month was charged Monday with vehicular manslaughter and drunk driving, Deputy Dist. Atty. David R. Disco said. Robert Gilliam, 26, of Altadena will be arraigned July 29 in Pasadena Municipal Court on charges stemming from the deaths of Freddie Helms and Bobbie Dixon, both 20-year-old Altadena residents and passengers in Gilliam's car when it crashed.</b></font></span></h2><p style="margin-bottom:0in;"></p><p style="margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1991-12-31/news/mn-1218_1_rodney-g-king" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Recovery Is Slow for Rodney King, His Lawyer Says</span></a>: December 31, 1991 | Ten months after his videotaped image under the repeated blows of police batons and boots was captured for all time, Rodney G. King continues to live in a world of doctors, psychologists and a fear of the police, his attorney says. King has moved out of his (Altadena) home to a secluded apartment in Los Angeles, where he spends long afternoons watching nature films on television. He rarely goes out, and never without a bodyguard.</b></font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b>R<a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1992-07-17/local/me-3627_1_drunk-driving-charge-in-orange-county" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">odney King Arrested on Drunk Driving Charge in Orange County</span></a> July 17, 1992 |Rodney G. King,was arrested early Thursday in a restaurant parking lot on suspicion of drunk driving, the California Highway Patrol reported. Officers said they had followed another traffic violator into a restaurant parking lot about 1:40 a.m. when they noticed a vehicle back out of a parking space in an "erratic manner" before skidding to a stop and hitting a concrete block, said Officer Angel Johnson, a CHP spokeswoman.</b></font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1992-07-30/local/me-4511_1_parole-officer" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">LOS ANGELES : Rodney King Told to Visit His Parole Officer Weekly</span></a>: July 30, 1992 Rodney G. King was ordered to visit his parole officer weekly instead of twice a month because of his latest arrest for investigation of drunken driving, officials said. It was the third time King had been arrested after being beaten on March 3, 1991, 27, was on parole for armed robbery at the time he was beaten and was being required to see his parole officer twice a month.</b></font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1992-09-03/local/me-7231_1_los-angeles-city-council" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">LOS ANGELES : Council to Hire Lawyer for Claim Linked to King Case</span></a>, September 3, 1992 The Los Angeles City Council agreed Wednesday to hire an outside attorney to represent the city in a claim filed by a police officer, Paul Gebhart, who witnessed the Rodney G. King beating. Los Angeles Police Officer Paul Gebhart, who is listed as a defendant in King's civil lawsuit against the city, filed a workers' compensation claim, allegedly for stress.</b></font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b>D<a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1993-03-31/local/me-22847_1" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">octor Says Fall, Not Baton Blow, Left Sand Grain in King's Face</span></a> March 31, 1993 APA single grain of sand removed from Rodney G. King's face months after his beating was seized upon by the defense in the trial of four police officers Tuesday to show that King's injuries were caused by a fall. Dr. Dallas Long III, an emergency room physician from Irvine who did not treat King, said he examined medical records and found that on May 15, 1991, King had some scar tissue removed from his face. During the procedure, he said, a particle of sand was found embedded in a scar.</b></font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1993-04-19/news/mn-24771_1_rodney-king" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Profile: Rodney G. King</span></a> - April 19, 1993 Rodney King did "not want to see the pain and the destruction after the verdict that took place last May and April." --Attorney Milton Grimes, when asked what his client had said before Saturday's verdicts in the federal trial were announced. Rodney G. King, the central figure in the trials of the four LAPD officers charged with beating him, has kept a low profile since Saturday's verdict</b></font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1993-04-20/local/me-24876_1_koon" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Koon Criticizes Briseno as 'Traitor' Out to Save Himself</span></a> April 20, 1993 – Convicted LA Police Stacey C. Koon, in the Rodney G. King civil rights trial, said that acquitted co-defendant Theodore J. Briseno - who said his colleagues were out of control when they beat King - was a "coward," a "rat" and a "traitor." Officer Laurence M. Powell was also convicted.</b></font></span></p><h2 style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1993-04-25/local/me-27208_1_rodney-king-incident" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Get Involved to Bring Change, Blacks Told : Race relations: Now that Rodney G. King federal civil rights trial is over, panel tries to plot a course for African-Americans wondering, 'Where do we go from here?'</span></a> April 25, 1993 | The black community in Orange County should get more involved in sparking change and pushing for social, economic and religious equality following the verdicts of four Los Angeles police officers accused of beating Rodney King, a panel of African-American leaders said Saturday. "The verdicts are over and the decision has been made," said Pastor Isaac L. Patrick, who organized the forum at the Gospel Light Church of God in Christ in Santa Ana. "My concern is: Where do we go from here?"</b></font></span></h2><h2 style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1994-04-27/local/me-50784_1_rodney-g-king" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Tearful Briseno Insists He Tried to Stop Beating : Courts: 'Is it only me that's admitted something wrong happened out there?' he says in testimony at trial of Rodney G. King's civil case.</span></a> April 27, 1994 | A former police officer tearfully testified Tuesday that he tried to stop th e beating of Rodney G. King and implored fellow officers in the courtroom: "Is it only me that's admitted something wrong happened out there?" Theodore J. Briseno, who broke ranks with his Los Angeles Police Department colleagues early on and called the beating unjustified, choked with emotion as he blurted out his feelings about being considered a pariah by some police officers.</b></font></span></h2><p style="margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1994-04-27/local/me-50913_1_rodney-g-king" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Koon Again Testifies That King Beating Was Justified</span></a> April 27, 1994 | Dressed in a blue prison uniform and wearing plastic sandals, former Los Angeles Police Sgt. Stacey C. Koon testified again Tuesday that the beating of Rodney G. King was justified. It was the third trial in which Koon, who was the senior officer at the Lake View Terrace beating scene on March 3, 1991, had testified that neither he nor the officers under his command had violated Los Angeles Police Department policy in subduing King.</b></font></span></p><h2 style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1994-02-25/local/me-27100_1_los-angeles" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">City Offers to Pay Damages in Rodney King Beating</span></a> February 25, 1994 - Los Angeles, in an effort to put the Rodney G. King beating case behind it, offered Thursday to admit liability for the motorist's beating and pay "actual damages" for King's injuries--a settlement a federal judge indicated he will accept. But U.S. District Judge John Davies said the proposal, which he called "unusual and imaginative," probably won't save the city from a lengthy civil trial in which the now-familiar issues of the police beating are replayed through the testimony of witnesses.</b></font></span></h2><h2 style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1994-09-20/local/me-40732_1_school-district" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Los ANGELES : Judge to Review Order That King Pay School District</span></a> September 20, 1994 A federal judge agreed Monday to reconsider his order that Rodney G. King pay nearly $238,000 in legal fees to the Los Angeles Unified School District, which was ultimately dropped from the civil lawsuit stemming from his beating by Los Angeles police. On Aug. 11, U.S. District Judge John G.</b></font></span></h2><h2 style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:.2in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1995-05-23/local/me-4936_1_drunk-driving" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Rodney King Is Charged With Drunk Driving in Pennsylvania</span></a> May 23, 1995 - Rodney G. King, whose videotaped beating by police sparked the Los Angeles riots three years ago after not-guilty verdicts were reached concerning the officers involved, was charged with drunk driving here after he refused to take a blood-alcohol test, police said. Officers stopped King about 11:30 p.m. Sunday after he was involved in a one-car accident and tried to make a U-turn near New Castle, according to the Union Township police report.</b></font></span></h2><p style="margin-bottom:0in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1995-08-17/local/me-36156_1_rodney-king" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Decision Delayed on Filing Charges Against Rodney King</span></a> August 17, 1995 Rodney G. King showed up in Alhambra Municipal Court on Wednesday as ordered on his domestic violence arrest last month, but a judge released him after prosecutors said they have yet to file charges.</b></font></span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0in;"></p><h2 style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1995-10-28/local/me-62154_1_king-beating" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Fete Planned for Former Officer Powell : Benefit: Politicians hope to raise $25,000 for policeman convicted in Rodney G. King beating.</span></a> October 28, 1995 - The evening after former Los Angeles Police Officer Laurence M. Powell--convicted in the videotaped beating of Rodney G. King--is to be released from a halfway house, he will be honored at a "homecoming welcome" fund-raiser hosted by an array of conservative politicians. The dinner, scheduled for Dec. 1995.</b></font></span></h2><h2 style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b> </b></font></span></h2><h2 style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1996-01-26/local/me-29012_1_spousal-abuse" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">San Gabriel Valley : Trial Set for Rodney King in Assault, Spousal Abuse Case</span></a> - January 26, 1996 - Rodney G. King is scheduled to face a jury trial April 1 in Alhambra Municipal Court on misdemeanor assault and spousal abuse charges for allegedly striking his estranged wife with his car during an argument last summer.</b></font></span></h2><p style="margin-bottom:0in;"></p><h2 style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b>R<a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1996-03-30/local/me-52944_1_rodney-g-king" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">odney King Acquitted in Pennsylvania DUI Case</span></a> - March 30, 1996 -A Pennsylvania jury Friday acquitted Rodney G. King on a charge of drunk driving, after a distant relative claimed that it was he, and not King, who was driving a rental car that ran off the road last May in rural Lawrence County.</b></font></span></h2><p style="margin-bottom:0in;"></p><h2 style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in;"><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1996-08-13/local/me-33872_1_civil-suit" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">King Files Malpractice Suit Against Former Attorney</span></a> August 13, 1996 - Rodney G. King has sued his former attorney for malpractice, contending that lawyer Steven Lerman misappropriated money won in a civil suit against the city of Los Angeles stemming from King's 1991 beating by police. In the suit, filed in Superior Court on Friday, King alleges that Lerman has failed to comply with repeated requests to fully account for money awarded to King. In April 1994, a jury awarded King $3.8 Million</b></font></span></h2><h2><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1997/aug/22/local/me-24856" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Rodney King Serving 90 Days for Hit-and-Run</span></a> August 22, 1996 - Rodney G. King is serving a 90-day jail term for a hit-and-run incident involving his estranged wife, lost an appeal of his 1996 conviction for the Alhambra incident. King reported to the Los Angeles County Men's Central Jail on Aug. 4 and is serving his sentence separated from the general population "due to his notoriety or celebrity . . .</b></font></span></h2><h2><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2000/aug/16/local/me-5164" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Rodney King in Legal Quagmire</span></a> - August 16, 2000 - Nearly a decade after he was brutally beaten by Los Angeles police, Rodney G. King says he is still taking a beating--from his lawyers. He says they have made more money on his case than he has and, by his reckoning, have cheated him out of more than $1 million. "I feel like this," King testified last year in a deposition in a civil lawsuit against some of them. "I feel like first I took an awful beating from the police, and now my own lawyers are beating up on me."</b></font></span></h2><h2><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2001/aug/31/local/me-40498" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Drug Charge Filed Against Rodney King</span></a> - August 31, 2001 - Rodney G. King was charged Thursday with being under the influence of the drug PCP a misdemeanor charge. King, 36, was arrested Tuesday in nearby Claremont after a motel clerk called police to say that a man appeared to be intoxicated or on drugs. The Altadena resident was freed on his own recognizance and ordered to appear for a hearing on Oct. happened there also in 1991.</b></font></span></h2><h2><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2001/oct/27/local/me-62202" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Rodney King Sentenced to Year in Drug Center</span></a>: October 27, 2001 | From Times Staff Reports - Rodney G. King was sentenced Friday to one year in a drug treatment center after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges in three cases, to three counts of being under the influence of PCP and one count of indecent exposure to one year at the American Recovery Center in Pomona.</b></font></span></h2><h2><span style="color:#800000;"><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2"><b><a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/21/opinion/la-ed-riots-20111221" target="_blank"><span style="color:#800000;">Ron Paul's racist link</span></a>:</b></font> <font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2">December 21, 2011 - In 1992, Ron Paul, now a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, published a newsletter called the "Ron Paul Political Report. " That year, the report published a special edition on "racial terrorism," a favorite theme. It included an observation about the Los Angeles riots, which erupted after a Ventura County jury acquitted four police officers charged with beating Rodney G. King. "Order was only restored in L.A.," the publication opined, "when it came time for the blacks to pick up their welfare checks.</font></span></h2><p>According to this most recent editon of the LA Times:"King was found dead in his backyard pool early Sunday morning. Police found no alcohol or drug paraphernalia near the pool and said foul play wasn't suspected. <br /><br />Author Lou Cannon said. in his book, <i><b>"Official Negligence: How Rodney King and the Riots Changed Los Angeles and the LAPD."</b></i>the real tragedy of Rodney King was that he never got the help he needed, King clearly had neurological problems and addiction issues, and learning difficulties as a child which were never addressed."<b>He wasn't a bad person. He just didn't know how to behave.</b>" </p><p><font style="font-size:9pt;" size="2">I truly hope Rodney King will be remembered lovingly as the young man who stood up for himself and all of ucs. He made mistakes that all humans do; but he was moving forward with his life. Spread the word that Rodney G. King was an absolutely our hero, and we celebrate him, now and forever.</font></p><p style="margin-bottom:0in;">STAY BLESSED &</p><p style="margin-bottom:0in;">ECLECTICALLY BLACK</p><div class="yj6qo ajU"><div class="ajR"><img class="ajT" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/images/cleardot.gif" alt="cleardot.gif" /></div></div></div>
Why Tom Joyner is GLAAD
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/why-tom-joyner-is-glaad
2012-02-13T05:23:22.000Z
2012-02-13T05:23:22.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div><p><b>February 13, 2012</b></p><p></p><p><b>Raynard Jackson</b></p><p>Last week I wrote a column entitled, “Roland Martin Is Not GLAAD.” In that column, I discussed the unfair treatment of TV personality, Roland Martin.</p><p>I thought I was finished writing about this issue and was prepared to move on. But, after receiving tons of phone calls, voicemails, and emails about Tom Joyner’s “Letter to Roland: Make It Right,” I feel compelled to make another comment about the Martin affair (<a href="http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=blog_inner/37029/1573138/The%20Fly%20Jock">http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=blog_inner/37029/1573138/The%20Fly%20Jock</a>).</p><p>There are so many more important things we should be discussing, but I can’t let Roland be thrown under the bus alone. </p><p>In his letter to Roland, Joyner states in part, “his radio show’s goal is to entertain and empower black people.”</p><p>Oh, really? Joyner is the same person who wrote in his blog on July 1. 2011, “About a month ago, I wrote a blog about Tavis Smiley and decided to table it because I said some things I didn’t want to publish. You’re probably thinking I went too hard on him, but no. In reality, I hadn’t gone hard enough - and I knew it. I said I’d wait until something pissed me off so bad that I would have the words harsh enough to express what I was really feeling about him and <b>his side piece[</b>emphasis added]- I mean side kick - Cornel West. Let me explain this to my non Black readers.</p><p>Remember, in my column last week I quoted linguist, S.I. Hayakaw as saying, “meanings are in people, not in words.”</p><p>When Joyner called Cornel West Tavis’ “side piece,” it meant they were sexual partners, in other words, they were gay! GLAAD didn’t utter one word when Joyner made this statement. Joyner was implying that there was something wrong with this. Where was the gay outrage at this insinuation?</p><p>Let’s cut through all the clutter and get to what this debate is really all about. This has little to do with Roland Martin—he is just a convenient punching bag. This is about gays trying to force their views on society. They have not been able to do it through the law, so they just use good ole fashioned extortion and fear. </p><p>They have snookered Black ministers like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton into equating gay rights with civil rights. They have groups like the NAACP spending more time fighting for gay rights than they do for civil rights.</p><p>If this is about understanding, why do we hear so much silence? Liberal groups like the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) went so far as to issue a press release asking CNN to hire one of their members while Roland is on suspension! Yes, you heard right! Roland is a two time national board member and a life member of the group and as opposed to trying to support one of their own, they seek to replace Roland with one of their other members. According to NABJ’s press release, “In lieu of his presence on CNN, until this matter is resolved, we encourage the network to continue to present a diverse offering of voices in its programming." Roland, with friends like these, you definitely don’t need any enemies. </p><p>So, in the spirit of understanding, I have a few questions for Joyner and CNN.</p><p>Tom, in your letter, you said you were “head of the family.” So, as head of the family, have you had a direct conversation with Roland since this issue surfaced? Why would you put out your statement on Friday, when Roland had already apologized and agreed to meet with GLAAD? What was the purpose of the letter after 5 days of silence? Did it really take you that long to think of a statement, or did GLAAD force your hand like the rest of the liberal Black community? You further state that Roland should make “a sincere apology.” Can you tell me what that looks like? Who will decide if Roland is “sincere?” I am having a difficult time finding your apology to Tavis and Cornel for calling them gay. Can you post that on your site for us to read? Remember, you said in your letter to Roland, “the job of the offender is simply to apologize and learn a lesson about what to say or do going forward.” </p><p>CNN, especially Mark Whitaker I have a few questions for you also. Whitaker is Executive Vice President and managing editor for CNN Worldwide (and is also the highest ranking Black in the network). In your statement you say, “language that demeans is inconsistent with the values and culture of our organization.” Can you tell me exactly who Roland demeaned and how? Can you define for me what the values and culture of your organization is? Have you given Roland the courtesy of a direct conversation with you before the suspension? Now that Roland has agreed to meet with GLAAD, can you tell me what will determine when you put Roland back on the air?</p><p>Tom’s letter to Roland was signed, “Tom Joyner.” I wonder if he left the word uncle off on purpose, or maybe he just thought it would be redundant!</p><p>In many ways, Joyner and GLAAD are very similar. Both claim to seek understanding and promote equality among people, but, neither gave it to Roland Martin. So, in a way, Tom Joyner is GLAAD.</p><p>If you want to show your love and support for Roland, I encourage each of you to make three calls and send three emails. Tom Joyner’s phone number is: 972-789-1058; Mark Whitaker’s number and email are: 212-275-7800 (<a href="mailto:markwhitaker@turner.com">markwhitaker@turner.com</a>); Jim Walton (president of CNN world wide) 404-827-1500 (jim.walton@turner.com).</p><p><i>Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.excellstyle.com/"><i>www.excellstyle.com</i></a><i>), Freedom’s Journal Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.freedomsjournal.net/"><i>www.freedomsjournal.net</i></a><i>), and U.S. Africa Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.usafricaonline.com/"><i>www.usafricaonline.com</i></a><i>).</i></p></div>
BLACK PEOPLE Boycott CNN and Their Sponsors Until They Return Roland Martin to His Post!
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/black-people-boycott-cnn-and-their-sponsors-until-they-return
2012-02-10T15:43:42.000Z
2012-02-10T15:43:42.000Z
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/GloriaDulanWilson
<div><p>By Gloria Dulan-Wilson</p><p>Actually, that should really be pretty easy to do since there aren't that many of us who watch CNN on the reg anyway. And I suppose that's what they're counting on. The fact that we really don't subscribe to their brand of reporting. </p><p>But we need to send a message. Roland Martin was treated unfairly, stupidly and with prejudice by CNN. As an associate and friend of mine used to say that CNN stood for "the continuously negative news." And I totally concur. But they've gone a little too far with their stuff now. In trying to appease a lunatic fringe, they are about to take on the Black community over a comment about, of all things, some underwear most Black men wouldn't be caught dead in.</p><p>No disrespect to Beckham, or his advertisers, or promoters - go ahead and make your money, get your endorsements, play soccer, what ev!! But don't think there's anything sacred or special about the underwear or the people who made it; or those who conceived of that weird advert. Because it's not</p><p>What is serious is the fact that CNN has the audacity, the temerity and the gall to fire a prominent reporter over a tweet about the ad, which in no way whatsoever even mentioned the word "gay" or "homosexual." Now if any of the individuals in the "tweet" happen to be of that persuasion, "it sounds like a personal problem to me." But not Martin's. </p><p>I am hoping that the fact that NABJ (National Association of Black Journalist), NAACP, Urban League, or the usual "leaders" have yet to speak on this unspeakable insult is because they are operating behind the scenes, and will be forthcoming with a solution to this issue shortly - like now.</p><p>I also think the fact that the tweet Roland made in jest, not calling anyone any explicitly negative names, or otherwise denigrating them, should not be inveighed as some sort of denouement of gays.</p><p>Right now those of us who are Black, or people of African Heritage, who have had real civil rights violated, have to stand together for our brother, who is likewise facing a public lynching, based in the South, by a group of people who can hardly be considered the most outgoing or supportive when it comes to things Black.</p><p>Furthermore, it is Black History Month, and here we sit - are we really too busy or otherwise occupied to address this BS? We need to make a little history of our own; be the heroes and heroines we want our youth to read about in the future. We have to take what worked for us in the past, and apply it to this current situation.</p><p><em><span class="font-size-3" style="color:#993300;font-family:'arial black', 'avant garde';"><strong>It's as simple as this: Return Brother Roland Martin to CNN or we will begin to systematically boycott the station, it's sponsors - especially CoCaCola, and any one or thing else that supports this lunacy</strong></span></em>.</p><p>I will sign and circulate any petition to that end. I expect CNN to hear from Rev. Sharpton, Rev. Jackson, Ben Jealous, Marc Marial, and any and everyone who positions him or herself as being in the forefront of Black leadership.</p><p>But we must likewise be leaders, individually and collectively, and make it known that we of the Black community are not going to take this insult from CNN or GLAAD. To silence of one of us is to silence all of us. And we will not be silent. </p><p>Roland is a voice for Black people.</p><p>Black people had better speak up.</p><p>Stay Blessed &</p><p>ECLECTICALLY BLACK</p><p>Gloria Dulan-Wilson</p></div>
Roland Martin Is Not GLAAD
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/roland-martin-is-not-glaad
2012-02-09T05:29:48.000Z
2012-02-09T05:29:48.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div><p><b>February 9, 2012</b></p><p></p><p><b>Raynard Jackson</b></p><p>I originally had absolutely no intention of writing about the recent flap surrounding TV personality Roland Martin, but because of the unfair treatment he has received; and his seeming inability to defend himself, I feel compelled to speak out.</p><p>Martin is a syndicated newspaper columnist, a political analyst for CNN, and host of his own TV show on TV One. During last Sunday’s Super Bowl, he tweeted: “Ain’t no real bruhs going to H&M to buy some damn David Beckham underwear! ..If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham’s H&M underwear ad, smack the sh@t out of him! ” and “I bet soccer fan Piers Morgan will be in line at H&M in the morning to get his hands on David Beckham’s underwear line! LOL.”</p><p> This was in reference to a TV ad with soccer star David Beckham shown wearing nothing but his underwear.</p><p>But, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (better known as GLAAD) had to rear its ugly head and do what they do best—defame others! According to GLAAD’s website, their mission, in part is:…”promotes understanding, increases acceptance and advance equality.”</p><p>Allow me to interpret what they mean. They want to promote understanding as long as they agree with your viewpoint; increase acceptance of their lifestyle; and advance equality that provides them a “special” legal status before the law!</p><p>GLAAD’s knee-jerk response to anyone who is a public figure that says anything that they disagree with is to call on that person to be fired; and then request that person meet with them. Why would anyone that you made lose their job be interested in meeting with you?</p><p>But doesn’t that go against their very mission—“to promote understanding?” Isn’t it more logical to call for a meeting with a person before you demand that their employer fire them? Shouldn’t you dialogue with a person before you start questioning their motives and intensions, if your true goal is to “advance understanding?</p><p>In the immortal words of semanticist, S.I. Hayakawa, “meanings are in people, not in words.” In short, words have no intrinsic meaning other than meanings that are internalized by each individual. For example, if I walked up to a female and told her that her dress was “stupid,” she would be either flattered or insulted. If she understood the language of Hip-Hop, she would be flattered; if she didn’t, then she would be insulted. “Meanings are in people, not in words.”</p><p>Just as disturbing as GLAAD’s demand for Martin’s firing was CNN’s suspension of Martin indefinitely. According to CNN, “Roland Martin’s tweets were regrettable and offensive. Language that demeans is inconsistent with the values and culture of our organization, and is not tolerated. We have been giving careful consideration to this matter, and Roland will not be appearing on our air for the time being.”</p><p>But most disturbing is the loud silence from within the Black community, I know first hand that many of the so-called Black “leadership” were quick to call Roland to get on his TV show or to get him to write a supportive newspaper column about one of their causes. But, now that he is in trouble not one voice is to be heard supporting him. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Ben Jealous, Marc Morial, the Congressional Black Caucus—your silence is so loud!</p><p>They have allowed a few vociferous people to tar and feather one of their own. This is the real tragedy of this whole incident. I am totally embarrassed by the lack of courage from these Black “leaders.”</p><p>Roland, you are now learning who your real friends are and they are not as many as you thought. I am totally disappointed that you even issued an apology (but we all know that CNN forced your hand on that). Do you really need the money from CNN that bad that you are willing to back away from your own innocent words? If you do, I understand. I don’t like it, but I understand.</p><p>Just a side note here; why is it that GLAAD called on CNN to fire Martin, but did not make the same request from TV One, the network he has his own show on. Could it be that since TV One is a Black owned network, that somehow it is not viewed as having any value? Just a question!</p><p>Roland, remember these are the same Blacks who said absolutely nothing when Jim Clyburn was forced out of the House leadership to make room for Steny Hoyer. Again, the people he and you helped the most, said the least when you needed support</p><p>Gays don’t deserve special protection because of their sexual preference, but they do deserve equal protection because of their humanity. </p><p>GLAAD talks about promoting understanding and equality and at the same time set out to destroy any public figure who disagrees with them. Roland has never done this!</p><p>I have sometimes criticized Roland for some of his liberal positions on issues, but he is a very decent person and has worked for years to bring equality to those whose voices many times go unnoticed. There are two things for sure; I am not happy and Roland Martin is not GLAAD.</p><p><i>Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.excellstyle.com/"><i>www.excellstyle.com</i></a><i>), Freedom’s Journal Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.freedomsjournal.net/"><i>www.freedomsjournal.net</i></a><i>), and U.S. Africa Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.usafricaonline.com/"><i>www.usafricaonline.com</i></a><i>).</i></p></div>
A Liberal Dose of Confusion
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/a-liberal-dose-of-confusion
2012-01-23T02:05:17.000Z
2012-01-23T02:05:17.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div><p><b>January 19, 2012</b></p><p></p><p><b>Raynard Jackson</b></p><p> As America celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. ‘s birthday this week and is getting ready to celebrate Black History Month in February, I have reflected on the state of liberalism and its impact on the Black community and have concluded that I am very confused!</p><p>What am I confused about? Before Obama’s election as president, no one thought we would ever see a Black person elected president because of racism.</p><p>Since Obama has been elected president, can one reasonably postulate that racism has become less of an issue? If the answer is no, then how do you explain Obama’s election? Remember, conventional wisdom was that America was too racist and would never elect a Black president (and remember, whites are still a majority of the electorate, so therefore, there were a lot of whites who voted for Obama). </p><p>If the answer is yes, then why do liberals constantly blame the plight of Blacks on racism? You can’t have it both ways. </p><p>So, whites are too racist to care about the plight of Blacks, but no longer too racist to vote for a Black candidate for president?</p><p>Is it white America’s fault that they helped elect a Black president that took almost two years before he met with the Congressional Black Caucus (despite meeting with gay and Hispanic groups sooner and more frequently); is it white America’s fault that they helped elect a Black president who told the CBC last September to “stop complaining” [about him not doing anything for the Black community]; is it white America’s fault that they helped elect a Black president who has fewer Blacks in his administration than George W. Bush?</p><p>Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver (from Kansas City, MO and Chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus) famously said last year, “if Obama was white, we would be marching on the White House.” Cleaver was making reference to Obama not paying attention to the Black community.</p><p>Here you have the first Black president of the U.S. who is doing everything in his power to ignore the very community that gave him 96% of their vote. And people like Cleaver are giving Obama a pass simply because he Black?</p><p>Why was there no outcry from the NAACP, the Urban League, Al Sharpton, or Jesse Jackson about Cleaver’s racist comment? So, it’s racist when a white person in power ignores the Black community, but it’s ok if a Black person in power does the same thing?</p><p>King fought and died for the principles he believed in. King constantly criticized both Kennedy brothers over civil rights; he constantly criticized Johnson over Vietnam. I can’t imagine King giving Obama a pass simply because he was Black. His moral compass would not have allowed him to remain silent.</p><p>Cleaver, and those who think like him, does a great disservice to everything that King stood for.</p><p>There are more Black elected officials than ever before, but the pathologies in our community are getting worse (unemployment, crime, teenage pregnancy, etc.).</p><p>Who is to blame for this? White folks? Devall Patrick, the Black governor of Massachusetts, has not improved the plight of Blacks in his state. David Dinkins (New York), Tom Bradley (Los Angeles), Coleman Young (Detroit), all former mayors, never improved the plight of Blacks in their cities with their liberal policies. Was that because of racism also? The two exceptions to this were former mayor of Atlanta, Maynard Jackson and former mayor of Washington, DC, Marion Barry. Why were they so different than the other Black mayors?</p><p>They focused on increasing Black entrepreneurship by increasing more opportunities for private sector and government contracting. These two mayors created many Black millionaires, who created jobs, and hired people who paid taxes and helped to create stable communities. </p><p>So, on the one hand, Blacks said America would never elect a Black because of racism. Blacks then turn around and say Obama can’t do anything to specifically address the needs in the Black community because of racism (meaning white racist will accuse Obama of being partial to Blacks). </p><p>I am confused! </p><p><i>Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.excellstyle.com/"><i>www.excellstyle.com</i></a><i>), Freedom’s Journal Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.freedomsjournal.net/"><i>www.freedomsjournal.net</i></a><i>), and U.S. Africa Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.usafricaonline.com/"><i>www.usafricaonline.com</i></a><i>).</i></p></div>
The Plane Truth
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-plane-truth
2011-12-16T05:00:00.000Z
2011-12-16T05:00:00.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div><p><b>December 15, 2011</b></p><p><a target="_blank" href="http://us.mg4.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=1_24031773_AIC3iGIAATA%2FTuribAgXAEkr0fc&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1"><img class="align-full" src="http://us.mg4.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=1_24031773_AIC3iGIAATA%2FTuribAgXAEkr0fc&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1" alt="download?mid=1%5f24031773%5fAIC3iGIAATA%2fTuribAgXAEkr0fc&pid=2&fid=Inbox&inline=1" /></a><b>Raynard Jackson ~<br /></b></p><p> How many of you fly on airplanes or frequent government buildings? If you do, you know you must show some type of government I.D. to get on a plane or enter into a government building.</p><p> </p><p>To my knowledge, I have never heard anyone claim they were discriminated against if they were not allowed to fly or enter a government building because they didn’t have an I.D. To the contrary, people know the rules in advance, so therefore they comply. </p><p> </p><p>I don’t know anyone (young or old, Black or white) who doesn’t have any form of government sanctioned I.D. (driver’s license, passport, etc.). </p><p> </p><p>Even grandma, who is retired and needs to cash her check, has some form of government I.D.</p><p> </p><p>I think most of us can agree that it is a good thing to make people provide “legitimate” I.D. before getting on a plane or entering into a government building, or cashing a check.</p><p> </p><p> I don’t think many people would consider this an intrusion or inconvenience. There is a safety component to this requirement that helps protect everyone.</p><p> </p><p>So, to ensure the safety of the general public, the government has mandated these requirements in order to participate in certain activities.</p><p> </p><p>So, can one argue that if one doesn’t have these forms of government I.D. that they have been discriminated against? Secondly, if one doesn’t have any form of I.D., should the government be obligated to pay the cost to get them?</p><p> </p><p>Again, I challenge my readers to identify one person that they know personally that doesn’t have some form of government I.D.</p><p> </p><p>If you agree with me that the government’s requirement that one have “legitimate” government I.D. to get on a plane or into a government building; how can you then argue that to require the same in order to vote in political elections is discriminatory against the poor and minorities?</p><p> </p><p>Poor people fly on airplanes and enter into government buildings like everyone else.</p><p> </p><p>These are the absurd arguments being made by the radical liberals like Al Sharpton, Ben Jealous, and radical liberal organizations like the N.A.A.C.P., the Congressional Black Caucus, etc.</p><p> </p><p>If it’s racist to require I.D. for people to vote, then it must be racist to require I.D. to board a plane or enter a government building!</p><p> </p><p>Liberals never want to match a government program with any type of individual responsibility. They constantly argue the extreme. They claim minorities are adversely affected by requiring I.D. in order to vote. According to them, the poor can’t afford the cost to pay for proper I.D. They argue that grandma doesn’t have her original birth certificate; therefore it is much harder for her to get her I.D.</p><p> </p><p>If the laws only applied to minorities or the poor, then I would agree with the liberals; but the law applies equally to rich and poor, Black and white.</p><p> </p><p>Why do liberals constantly argue that if something is difficult or that you are required to actually do something in order to get a benefit, it somehow is discriminatory?</p><p> </p><p>Again, I challenge my readers to name me one person they know personally who doesn’t have a government I.D. </p><p> </p><p>Those who may not have a government I.D. are statistically negligible. So, to make policy based on the exception is crazy. It is not difficult to get a government I.D. and to argue differently is simply not the plain truth.</p><p> </p><p><i>Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.excellstyle.com/"><i>www.excellstyle.com</i></a><i>), Freedom’s Journal Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.freedomsjournal.net/"><i>www.freedomsjournal.net</i></a><i>), and U.S. Africa Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.usafricaonline.com/"><i>www.usafricaonline.com</i></a><i>).</i></p></div>
Leave It To Cleaver
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/leave-it-to-cleaver
2011-09-22T06:41:46.000Z
2011-09-22T06:41:46.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div><p><b>September 22, 2010</b></p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Raynard Jackson</b></p><p> </p><p>Last week, as I was riding the local train in Washington, DC, I began to ponder on the thoughts that had begun to flood into my mind.</p><p> </p><p>I was president of my senior class at Soldan High School in St. Louis, MO. I had a lot of my friends who worked hard to get me elected. So, during this train ride, I wondered how my classmates would have responded if I decided to put all my energies into helping another school across town?</p><p> </p><p>I also pondered what would happened if members of a fraternity or sorority helped elect one of their friend’s as national president; and then they never showed up at any of their own meetings. But, they seemed to always find time to attend other fraternity’s or sorority’s meetings.</p><p> </p><p>I know, I know. The thought of that happening would be unimaginable and unthinkable, right? </p><p> </p><p>Wrong!</p><p> </p><p>Cause that is exactly what is happening before our very eyes.</p><p> </p><p>Blacks are 13% of the American population and gave Obama 96 % of their vote in 2008. They are the second largest voting block in the country (behind the white population, who is 74 % of the population). </p><p> </p><p>Obama has done everything in his power to ignore the Black community and finally, some of the Black community’s frustration is spilling over in public. What took you so long?</p><p> </p><p>As I have said in previous columns, the White House has made a political calculation that they can ignore the Black vote and suffer no consequence. “Blacks will get mad and do nothing.”</p><p> </p><p>While I am elated that Blacks are finally speaking out, the question is—what are they going to do?</p><p>If the recent comments from members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is any indication, I am not very optimistic!</p><p> </p><p>They have been quoted in several newspaper interviews ranting and raving.</p><p> </p><p>John Conyers (Congressman from Michigan) said about Obama, “We want him to know that from this day forward . . . we’ve had it... We want him to come out on our side and advocate, not to watch and wait.” Or what?</p><p> </p><p>No one in America fears ignoring the Black community. What are members of the CBC going to do if Obama doesn’t change his approach towards them?</p><p> </p><p>When the CBC kicked off their jobs tour during the August recess, Obama did the same thing-- in Iowa. That shows you how much Obama thinks of Blacks and jobs!</p><p> </p><p>In the immortal words of the Doobie Brothers, from their hit song from the 70s—What a Fool Believes, “But what a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power, to reason away. <br />What seems to be is always better than nothing at all.”</p><p> </p><p>The CBC and the Black community want to believe in Obama’s presidency; but there is nothing tangible he has given them to believe in. “But what a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away. What seems to be is always better than nothing at all.”</p><p> </p><p>So, members of the CBC have begun to blame the Tea Party for the high unemployment rate in the Black community. People of good will within the Black community must call out these members of the CBC for what they are—race baiters. You can’t blame the Tea Party for Obama ignoring his own people.</p><p> </p><p>In 2009 and 2010, Obama controlled the House and the Senate. He had the votes to ram through any legislation he wanted—and he did nothing. Can you blame that on the Tea Party also?</p><p> </p><p>Look at what CBC Chairman, Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) said, "If (former President) Bill Clinton had been in the White House and had failed to address this problem, we probably would be marching on the White House…There is a less-volatile reaction in the CBC because nobody wants to do anything that would empower the people who hate the president."</p><p> </p><p>I found Cleaver’s statement to be extremely offensive to my sensibilities and he should have been called out on these statements. Where was Al Sharpton, Marc Morial, or Ben Jealous? Total silence.</p><p> </p><p>So, let me make sure I understand Cleaver and the rest of the CBC. The Black community’s agenda is predicated upon the skin color of the person in power? Because Obama is Black, he should not be criticized by other Blacks for ignoring us because we are Black?</p><p> </p><p>So, in a kind of perverted way, you have the first Black president using race to hurt his own (by trying to prove to whites that he is not going to be a “Black” president); and you have the CBC using race to allow the president to get away with it (not criticizing him strictly because he is Black).</p><p> </p><p>Boy, I now have a headache. So, it’s ok for Blacks to use race to hurt other Blacks; but it’s not ok for whites to use race to hurt Blacks? </p><p> </p><p>Blacks somehow believe that by not criticizing Obama on his lack of constructive engagement with the Black community that somehow their problems are going to get dealt with through osmosis? </p><p> </p><p>I guess, if you leave it to Cleaver! </p><p> </p><p>“What a fool believes……”</p><p> </p><p><i>Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.excellstyle.com/"><i>www.excellstyle.com</i></a><i>), Freedom’s Journal Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.freedomsjournal.net/"><i>www.freedomsjournal.net</i></a><i>), and U.S. Africa Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.usafricaonline.com/"><i>www.usafricaonline.com</i></a><i>).</i></p></div>
Michael Blake Leave The White House for Obama 2012 Campaign Position?
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/michael-blake-leave-the-white-house-for-obama-2012-campaign
2011-08-20T00:29:07.000Z
2011-08-20T00:29:07.000Z
Mark S. Allen
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/MarkSAllen
<div><div class="post-content"><p>Michael Blake announced that he was leaving The White House and his latest Public Liaison position of promoting the Obama Administration's efforts to address issues that have positively impacting the Black community. I first met Michael Blake representing Black Wall Street Chicago and The National Black Wall Street USA when I was one of the national community organizers for Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network's "Measuring The Movement" National Convention. I Introduced myself as a veteran activist and one who was one of the first to work with President Obama as a Chicago community organizer and offered myself to network with him. I ran into him again when he started his White House Black Town Hall Meetings promoting the president's agenda as it has related to Black people. (whitehouse.gov/africanamericans)</p><p>When Michael Blake came to Chicago and addressed over 400 people at the historic southside Fellowship church, he introduced to the Black public a new website from The White House that specifically addressed administration policies that have benefited Black constituencies communities and I must admit like others did that as I read the information coming from the website, my first response was mostly "I did not know that." As people expressed concern about how Black could keep his public commitments Michael Blake announced that his outreach office designed to promote this Black agenda was staffed ONLY by him and one intern. I told him then that with the demands on him that there was NO WAY he could be successful, but his passion and energy was certainly admirable.</p><p>Many Black community organizers I knew that had met Blake and getting used to their establishing communication with him and his office have felt a major blow because to them they had not been used to having the kind of direct rapport that Blake extended and who they knew directly had the ear of The President, and specifically through Valerie Jarrett, Obama Senior Advisor.</p><p>Well I would have agreed that Blake leaving The White House was going to be a blow to those relationships and Black community outreach efforts to get those disconnected Black constituencies connected and re-connected to those White House entities designed to benefit Black constituencies.</p><p>There may be hope to those Black outreach efforts started by Blake as I read further into his departing announcement where Blake says that he is on to his next challenge "in Chicago". Now what kind of challenge could Blake find in Chicago as one who showed so much talent and passion for President Obama and his Black agenda?</p><p>Well I would like to read into Blake's "next Chicago challenge" as the opening to take all the passion he brought to his White House position and translate that into a much needed key Black Grassroots Community Outreach Coordinator position for the Obama 2012 Re-election Campaign. It takes someone with the passion, commitment and rapport that Blake brings to continue his allegience to Obama by taking up that needed Black outreach role in the Obama 2012 Re-election Campaign.</p><p>Now I havent talked directly to Blake in several months so I have no personal clue to what his exact plans may be, but I can see the absolute void that still exists with The Obama Re-election Campaign and just how many grassroots community organizers and constituencies that are still not connected in any way to the reelection campaign and it will take a person like Blake who knows how to reach these constituencies to assume this kind of leadership role. The Obama 2012 Reelection Campaign needs a Michael Blake in the streets of Chicago much much more than the suites of The White House.</p><p>So while Michael Blake and his one intern office at The White House may be changing, but I suspect that Michael Blake's new Chicago challenge will be leading the Black voter outreach efforts from the Obama Reelection headquarters in Chicago and next time you see Blake, her will certainly be armed with more a single intern helping him with the latest Black constituency outreach efforts on behalf of President Barack Obama.</p></div></div>
Civil Rights?
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/civil-rights
2011-07-21T06:15:57.000Z
2011-07-21T06:15:57.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div><p><b>July 21, 2011</b></p><p><b> </b><b> </b></p><p><b>Raynard Jackson</b></p><p><b> </b></p><p>As the two supposed premier civil rights groups gather this week and next for their annual conventions (the N.A.A.C.P and the National Urban League, respectively), I want to challenge their agendas and then pose a few questions for them to answer.</p><p> </p><p>When civil rights are discussed in the media, you never have the reporter define what civil rights are? When you see Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton described as civil rights leaders, what does that really mean? Who made them leaders and what is their leadership based on?</p><p> </p><p>How did civil rights come to mean protections and rights based on sexual preference, gender identity, and illegal status in a country?</p><p> </p><p>If civil rights theory is based on the protection of the individual and his rights; how do you then explain the constant demand for inclusion in the definition of civil rights by all kinds based on group identity?</p><p> </p><p>So, now you have groups like the N.A.A.C.P. and the National Urban League expending precious political capital on extraneous issues like: equal rights for illegal immigrants (they want illegals to have every right that citizens have—access to social programs, driver’s licenses, in state tuition for colleges and universities, etc). What sense does it make to give benefits to members of a certain group (American citizens) and then to allow someone who is not a member to get the same benefit? That’s insane!</p><p> </p><p>Can you imagine a non member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame demanding the same benefits as a member? They would be run out of court if they petitioned the courts for such a benefit.</p><p>Are civil rights a “universal” right and who defines what those rights are?</p><p> </p><p>There are a lot of Muslim women in the Middle East that don’t want women to be able to dress like a “modern” woman, or have the right to vote. A perfect example is Saudi Arabia. While there is some demand for reform, there is significant support for the status quo. Who’s right?</p><p> </p><p>The N.A.A.C.P. and the National Urban League have both lost their way. They have strayed way off course from their original vision.</p><p> </p><p>Could this be, unlike the days of old, why high profile professional athletes have no relationship with these groups? Could this be why people like me will never join these groups? They are both arms of the Democratic National Committee (though they both claim to be non partisan).</p><p> </p><p>If you go to both of their websites and look at who is paying for their conventions; it’s the who’s who of white corporate America.</p><p> </p><p>But, why is there no financial support from any of the most successful Black businessmen in this country? People like Earl Graves (publisher of Black Enterprise, Dave Stewart, CEO of World Wide Technology, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, former N.B.A. great, etc.).</p><p> </p><p>If you can’t get support from within your own community, how then can you make the case for someone else to support you? In other words, do you have “skin” in the game?</p><p> </p><p>Maybe there is a reason for this lack of support. Maybe these groups are not saying or doing anything that is relevant to these individuals or companies. </p><p> </p><p>Political or financial capital tends to go where there is a need and where there is some hope of a return on investment. What do these corporations get in return, other than “race” insurance?</p><p> </p><p>While the Black unemployment rate continues to climb above 16 %, these groups are fighting to legalize 7 million illegals who are going to compete for low-skilled jobs with the very people they claim to represent. </p><p> </p><p>While the Black family is disintegrating right before our eyes, these groups are focusing on gay rights, though the Black community does not support this.</p><p> </p><p>The first Black president has totally ignored his own community, but yet these groups remain silent. They seem more concerned with White House invitations and photo-ops, not a substantive agenda.</p><p> </p><p>If these two groups disappeared tomorrow, would our community be any worse off? Maybe at the margins, but not in reality.</p><p> </p><p>So, while these groups are spending millions of dollars for their conventions, what is the relevance of these groups to our community if their mission continuously moves further and further from its core purpose? In the military, this is called “mission creep.”</p><p> </p><p>I fully believe organizations must evolve to remain relevant; but you can’t allow the organization to morph into something that is not part of the core mission. Are they about civil rights are about pursuing a liberal agenda?</p><p> </p><p>I will get a lot of heat for posing these questions, but I hope we can be civil, right?</p><p> </p><p><i>Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.excellstyle.com/">www.excellstyle.com</a><i>) & USAfrica Magazine (<a href="http://www.USAfricaonline.com">www.USAfricaonline.com</a>). </i></p></div>
Open Letter To Tom Joyner
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/open-letter-to-tom-joyner
2011-07-07T05:33:21.000Z
2011-07-07T05:33:21.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div>July 7, 2011Raynard JacksonI have known Tom Joyner (nationally syndicated radio host) for many years. We are not hanging out buddies, but we have always enjoyed talking and joking with each other. He is an “old school” soul who has done a lot of good in his life. But, in recent years, his very public fight with Tavis Smiley (journalist) and now Cornell West (college professor), threatens his standing in many communities (not just the Black). So, I decided to use this week’s column as an open letter to Tom.Tom, it is well documented that you and Tavis Smiley (and now Cornell West) have had a very public falling out with each other. I have not been privy to all the details of the dispute, only what is being reported in the media and through some of our mutual friends—but I have no first hand knowledge of anything; so my comments will be offered with that as my backdrop.Word on the street is that the falling out started during the presidential campaign in 2008. Tavis was clearly not a big supporter of Obama’s and was more of a supporter of Hillary Clinton’s. You were unabashedly quite vocal in your support of Obama.So, after Tavis resigned (or you fired him from your radio show—I don’t know which one is more accurate), I thought the beef between the two of you would be over. Boy, was I wrong.Last week you continued your public feud with Smiley and West and raised the rhetoric to an unhealthy level. To lay the blame at their feet for what Mark Halperin called President Obama is a bit of a stretch. This is what Joyner said, “But I’m even more disgusted with Smiley and West, two brothers who I did have expectations of - and thought I knew. These two have done much worse than what Halperin has done because they set the tone for it, opened the door to it, and must take much of the blame for creating a climate that would make a white, professional journalist feel comfortable verbally and vulgarly attacking the first black president of the United States.” (for the entire quote, go to <a href="http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=blog_inner/29954/1573138/Cheriewhite/1">http://www.blackamericaweb.com/?q=blog_inner/29954/1573138/Cheriewhite/1</a>).Halperin is editor of Time Magazine and a regular guest on MSNBC TV network. Last week, on live TV, he called President Obama a “dick.” He was immediately suspended indefinitely from the TV network (he did issue an apology).Well, Tom, I could make the same argument against you about your blind support for Obama. It is well documented that I, as a Black Republican, voted for Obama in 2008. I was hopeful that he could and would deliver on the promises he made as a candidate; but just as important, use the historic nature of his presidency to bring a different perspective to some of the issues that have plagued the Black community. This is what I hear in West’s criticism of Obama. Smiley seems more angry and hateful and therefore I kind of tune him out. But West’s criticism is in sync with what I have been writing in my columns for the past two years.So, Tom, can you really make a thoughtful argument for Obama’s reelection without injecting the name of Bush, Republicans, or racism?Can you justify why Obama would meet with Marc Morial, Ben Jealous, or Al Sharpton, in February of last year to discuss the high unemployment rate in the Black community? These are three people who have never created one job. Did you not find this insulting? Do you think the president would have met with non practicing Jews to discuss Judaism?Can you explain to me why you and the president support amnesty for the estimated 30 million illegals in the U.S.? Especially when around 7 million of these illegals will enter the workforce and compete with other low and under skilled people (mostly Blacks). If you are concerned with the high unemployment rate in the Black community, how then does this make sense?Can you explain to me why you and the president are spending so much political capital pursuing a gay rights agenda even though most Blacks are against it?But, when it comes to issues of particular concern to the Black community, the president’s response is, “I am president of all of America, not just a narrow special interest group.”Where has the president expended any political capital on behalf of issues of particular interest to the Black community? So, the gays get all sorts of gay rights, Hispanics get a Supreme Court Justice, amnesty, and the D.R.E.A.M. Act; and Blacks folks get “I’m president of all of America.”So, Tom, while you have done a lot of good in your life, especially with raising $ 55 million for Black college students, this does not give you a pass on your moral obligation to educate your listeners, not indoctrinate!You are without doubt an apologist for Obama, but the worst thing you can do is continue to lead your audience into blind support for the president.In your profession, if you don’t deliver certain demographics, you get fired. Next year Obama will face a similar standard. I challenge you to lay out your argument for Obama’s reelection based on substance, not race.For you to continue to spew misinformation or incomplete information to your audience is more damaging than anything someone with a white hood over his head has ever done.If you truly believe in liberalism (as you claim) when will you allow a free flowing exchange of information from both parties to take place on your show and in your town hall meetings?You have made a name for yourself in the area of education, but when will your bring that reputation to your radio show?Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (<a href="http://www.excellstyle.com">www.excellstyle.com</a>) & USAfrica Magazine (<a href="http://www.USAfricaonline.com">www.USAfricaonline.com</a>).</div>
Blacks and the Economics of Voting
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/blacks-and-the-economics-of
2011-04-15T07:12:49.000Z
2011-04-15T07:12:49.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div><p>April 14, 2011</p><p> </p><p>Raynard Jackson</p><p> </p><p>How long will the Black community continue to allow the Obama administration and the Democratic Party to insult them and then blame it on Obama not wanting to be perceived as a “Black” president?</p><p>Let me give an example. You have invested in a business project, Obama Inc.</p><p> </p><p>There were 4 classes of investors: class W, which comprised 74% of the total stock; class B, which comprised 13% of the total stock, class H, which comprised 9% of the total stock; and class G, which comprised 4% of the total stock.</p><p> </p><p>How would you respond to the CEO of Obama Inc. if he says the rate of return (ROI) payout would be as follows: those who invested in class W stocks would be paid first, followed by, class G, then class L and the last to be paid back would be class B.</p><p> </p><p>Well, any sane businessman would expect to be paid by order of the largest to the smallest investor. If you were part of the class W stock (74%), you should be paid first and work your way down to the smallest investor. This is normal and logical in the world of business.</p><p> </p><p>Only in politics and with the Black community is this standard not adhered to.</p><p> </p><p>In my above example, the class W stock represents the percentage of white voters from the 2008 presidential election (74% of the total electorate, of which Obama received 43% and McCain received 55%); the class B stock represents the percentage of Black voters from the 2008 presidential election (13% of the total electorate, of which Obama received 95% and McCain received 4%); the class H stock represents the percentage of Hispanic voters from the 2008 presidential election (9% of the total electorate, of which Obama received 67% and McCain received 31%); the class G stock represents the percentage of gay voters from the 2008 presidential election (4% of the total electorate, of which Obama received 70% and McCain received 27%).</p><p> </p><p>Despite receiving 95% of the Black vote (who were the second largest shareholders in Obama Inc.), Obama has made a calculated decision to reward the gay and Hispanic communities ahead of the Black community (the smallest and second smallest shareholders in Obama Inc.). In business, the CEO (Obama) and its board of directors (the Democratic National Committee) would be sued for fraud. But Obama knows that Blacks will only complain and do nothing.</p><p> </p><p>The gay community stopped giving money to Obama and the Democrats because Obama didn’t deliver on any of his campaign promises to them—recognizing gay marriage, repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell,” and giving spousal benefits to gay couples who are federal employees.</p><p> </p><p>The Hispanic community threatened not to vote for Obama or the Democratic Party if they didn’t get amnesty for those in the country illegally and passage of the Dream Act.</p><p> </p><p>But, when asked what he would do specifically for the Black community, Obama said nothing—“he is the president of everyone and a rising tide lifts all boats!”</p><p> </p><p>Despite being the second largest shareholder in Obama Inc., the Black community cannot point to a specific program or policy directed towards them and their issues. How do you justify dividend distributions to other shareholders, but not your second largest?</p><p> </p><p>Privately, the supposed Black leaders like Al Sharpton, Marc Morial (Urban League), Ben Jealous (N.A.A.C.P.) all agree with me; but they don’t have the guts to speak out publically because they still want to get invited to the White House and take pictures with Obama.</p><p> </p><p>It took Obama almost 1 ½ years before he met with the Congressional Black Caucus; and what did they do? They got mad! Obama has yet to meet with any Black businessmen to discuss the disproportionately high unemployment rate within the Black community.</p><p> </p><p>Just like no one fears angering Obama, no one fears angering the Black community. Obama has made a political calculation that there is nothing to lose by ignoring the Black community and everything to gain—including white voters!</p><p> </p><p>Obama believes that if he doesn’t do anything specifically for the Black community that somehow people are going to forget that he is Black. </p><p> </p><p>The number 1 rule of politics is to reward your friends and punish your enemies. I didn’t realize that Blacks were enemies of Obama.</p><p> </p><p><i>Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.excellstyle.com/"><i>www.excellstyle.com</i></a><i>) & U.S. Africa Magazine (<a href="http://www.usafricaonline.com">www.usafricaonline.com</a>). </i></p></div>
The Root Of The Problem Is “The Root”
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-root-of-the-problem-is-the
2011-03-03T05:02:06.000Z
2011-03-03T05:02:06.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div><p><b>March 3, 2011</b><b> </b></p><p><b> </b> </p><p><b> </b><b> </b></p><p><b>Raynard Jackson</b></p><p> </p><p>In agriculture, if the root of the plant goes bad, so goes the rest of the plant. Above the ground, the plant may be very beautiful, but internally it is dying.</p><p> </p><p>This reminds me of “The Root” online magazine (<a href="http://www.theroot.com/">www.theroot.com</a>). According to their website: “The Root is a daily online magazine that provides thought-provoking commentary on today's news from a variety of black perspectives.” They are owned and published by the Washington Post Newsweek Interactive.</p><p> </p><p>The Root was launched on January 28<sup>th</sup>, 2008. According to media accounts, “The Root” was created by Donald Graham, Chairman of The Washington Post Company and Henry Louis Gates Jr., the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor at Harvard and Director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research. Gates went on to say, “it will feature penetrating, lively commentary on political, social and cultural issues, and will showcase the breadth and depth of viewpoints currently shaping black culture.”</p><p> </p><p>Lynette Clemetson, one of the original editors, was quoted in several newspaper articles, “The Root' resists the notion that there is--or ever was--such a thing as a monolithic black community. The Web site will be a forum for true conversation, celebrating the rich mix of voices, issues and points of view that bring nuance and complexity to the black experience. And while the site is committed to topics of special interest to blacks, it is a destination for anyone interested in the dynamic link between history and our collective future.”</p><p> </p><p>Oh, really? Would to God that Gates and Clemetson really meant what they said above. “The Root” was founded by liberals/Democrats (Donald Graham and the Washington Post are well known for their very liberal slant; and Gates comes from the same mold.). Neither the founding management nor the current management has any known conservatives/Republicans in its employ.</p><p> </p><p>“The Root” has done the same thing that Blacks have so often accused whites of doing—putting all liberals in management, but printing a few editorials from conservative/Republicans who are Black. Then they say, “see, we have diversity!”</p><p>But everyone in news knows that the power lies with the editors (executive, managing, assignment), not with the writers. These editors not only decide what subjects are written about, but also, how the final story is presented to the public. So, if the management all comes from the same bias, where is the diversity of thought and opinion?</p><p> </p><p>So Mr. Gates states, “it [The Root] will feature penetrating, lively commentary on political, social and cultural issues, and will showcase the breadth and depth of viewpoints currently shaping black culture.” Is this what he had in mind when he and management created a section with the title, “The Blackest White Folks We Know” (<a href="http://www.theroot.com/multimedia/blackest-white-folks-we-know">http://www.theroot.com/multimedia/blackest-white-folks-we-know</a>)? Are you kidding me? Is this Gates’ definition of “penetrating’? I am thoroughly embarrassed that an esteemed academic like Gates would perpetuate the foolishness that we have accused whites of doing. What next? The “Whitest Black Man?”</p><p> </p><p>According to Ms. Clemetson, “The Root' resists the notion that there is--or ever was--such a thing as a monolithic black community.” Is this what management had in mind when they created a section with the title, “The Black Folks We’d Remove From Black History?” (<a href="http://www.theroot.com/multimedia/black-folks-wed-remove-black-history">http://www.theroot.com/multimedia/black-folks-wed-remove-black-history</a>). Who is the “we?” Who decided who would be on the list and who wouldn’t? I find their comments about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas reprehensible.</p><p> </p><p>The most painful thing is that these two sections are in the top three sections visited on the site. Am I the only one that is embarrassed by this section of the site? Am I the only one who is willing to publically criticize management for this hypocrisy? </p><p> </p><p>Remember, these sections are not in the opinion section. This content is solely that of management. It is quite obvious that management is very liberal in its bias.</p><p> </p><p>How can we, in the Black community, complain about how others portray us and then we do the same thing we have accused them of doing—namely, using the basest of all stereotypes, stymie content that management disagrees with, and have absolutely no diversity within management. Shouldn’t Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton demand diversity from the Washington Post? When will they begin the picketing?</p><p> </p><p>The site looks good, it’s very appealing to the eye, and does have some very good articles and commentary. But, like dying vegetation, when you begin to look at the roots, you find “The Root” is the problem.</p><p> </p><p><i>Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.excellstyle.com/"><i>www.excellstyle.com</i></a><i>) & U.S. Africa Magazine (<a href="http://www.usafricaonline.com">www.usafricaonline.com</a>). </i></p></div>
Only in Black America
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/only-in-black-america
2011-02-17T05:00:15.000Z
2011-02-17T05:00:15.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div><p><b>February 17, 2011</b><b> </b></p><p><b> </b><b> </b></p><p><b> </b></p><p><b>Raynard Jackson</b><b> </b></p><p> </p><p>Last year I wrote a column about how President Obama totally disrespected Black America (during Black History Month of all times) and there was no outcry from within our community. You can read that column at: </p><p> </p><p><a href="http://theblacklistpub.ning.com/profiles/blog/Only%20in%20Black%20America.docx">http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/note.php?note_id=310879525974</a></p><p> </p><p>Now, you have the same thing happening again, of course during Black History Month. This time the offender is the illustrious Washington Post (WP) newspaper. They are supposed to be one of the top newspapers in the country, so this makes their offense even more egregious.</p><p> </p><p>Next Wednesday, the WP will be hosting a town hall meeting in Prince Georges County, Maryland. For those who live outside of this area, this is the wealthiest Black county in America. </p><p> </p><p>This is how the Washington Post is advertising the event: “Please join The Washington Post for an informative panel discussion, <b>"Behind the Headlines: A Discussion on Race and the Recession in Metro Washington."</b> The panel will cover the recession's impact on local black families and will look at how economic policies in Washington have affected African Americans. The forum will also look at the first of three groundbreaking public opinion polls on issues facing the black community, conducted by The Washington Post, the Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University.</p><p> </p><p>Washington Post nationally syndicated personal finance columnist <strong>Michelle Singletary</strong> will moderate the discussion, and panelists will include <strong>Julianne Malveaux</strong>, a noted economist and educator; <strong>Cecilia Rouse</strong>, a member of the White House Council of Economic Advisers; <strong>Rep. Emanuel Cleaver</strong>, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus; <strong>Michael A. Fletcher</strong>, a Washington Post national economics reporter; the <strong>Rev. Al Sharpton</strong>, president of the National Action Network; and <strong>Jeff Johnson</strong>, a political commentator on the nationally syndicated "Tom Joyner Morning Show."</p><p> </p><p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/special/behindtheheadlines.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/metro/special/behindtheheadlines.html</a></p><p> </p><p>So, you might ask, what is the issue I have with the WP? Just as I questioned President Obama’s choice of people to meet with him in the white house last year about the high unemployment rate within the Black community, I have the same thoughts about the WP.</p><p> </p><p>The moderator of the panel is a journalist, followed by a radical leftist economist, another liberal economist, a preacher/politician, a journalist, another preacher/politician, and finally, a political commentator. You have got to be joking!</p><p> </p><p>Prince Georges County is home to some of the most successful Black businessmen in the U.S. and not one has been invited to participate. Five of the seven panelists are known Democrats (with Singletary and Fletcher having no known public political affiliation).</p><p> </p><p>Is there any particular reason why the WP conveniently decided not to have any Black Republicans on the panel? Of course it could not be because they are biased. The Post would never travel down that path, would they? Of course they would and they have!</p><p> </p><p>For all practical purposes, this will be an unpaid political commercial for the Obama reelection campaign. The panelists (with the exception of 2) all are in agreement with most of Obama’s approach to the economy. So, how can you have a serious discussion with people who already agree with each other? </p><p> </p><p>It should not be surprising that 5 of the 7 panelists have ties to the Obama administration (formal or informal). One of the constant criticisms of President Obama is that he has no one around him from the private sector. </p><p> </p><p>None of these panelists have ever created a job, so what is it that they have to say that is relevant? </p><p> </p><p>The last thing the Black community needs is another theoretical discussion. Even socialism works in a ‘theoretical’ world. I can tell you everything that will be said next week and I won’t even be there. </p><p> </p><p>At what point are Blacks going to rise up against this insulting pandering? With all the super successful people in this town, the WP couldn’t find any businessmen to talk about these issues? Why did they not invite any educators, like the dean of Howard University’s Business school, Dr. Barron Harvey?</p><p> </p><p>After this event, then what? Blacks will go there to hear all the usual arguments: racism, Republican budget cuts, Bush created the problems, etc. </p><p> </p><p>So, I challenge the Washington Post to underwrite a town hall meeting that I will put together to deal with these issues in a more serious manner. I will moderate the panel and assemble a group of panelist who will offer real world solutions to these problems. </p><p> </p><p>I don’t expect the Post to respond to my challenge; for to do so would be admitting they made a huge mistake.</p><p> </p><p>In the immortal words of the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, “like a dull knife—just ain’t cutting it; you just talking loud and saying nothing.”</p><p> </p><p><i>Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (</i><a href="http://www.excellstyle.com/"><i>www.excellstyle.com</i></a><i>) & U.S. Africa Magazine (<a href="http://www.usafricaonline.com">www.usafricaonline.com</a>). </i></p></div>
Jim Clyburn-ed
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/jim-clyburned
2010-11-18T05:15:57.000Z
2010-11-18T05:15:57.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">November 18, 2010</font></span></b></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000"></font><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><br clear="all" /></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">Raynard Jackson</font></span></b></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">In the immortal words of civil rights legend, Fannie Lou Hamer, when will Blacks become “sick and tired of being sick and tired?” </font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">Once again the Democratic Party has shown its disdain for the Black community and Black Democrats, as usual, just sit back and continue to allow it to happen.</font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">Blacks vote Democratic upwards of 92% during presidential elections and about 90 % during congressional elections. Can Blacks actually say they have received a sufficient return on their investment for that level of support? Of course not. So, why do Blacks continue to allow Democrats to marginalize and disrespect them?</font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">Jim Clyburn, Congressman from South Carolina and current Majority Whip in the House of Representatives (making him the 3<sup>rd</sup> highest ranking person in the Democratic Party) was seeking reelection to his leadership post until he was forced to withdraw last Saturday night. </font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">In the House, the leadership positions are: Speaker of the House (Nancy Pelosi), Majority Leader (Steny Hoyer), and Majority Whip (Jim Clyburn).</font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">Since the Democrats lost the elections, they have become the minority party, thus will lose the Majority Leader position. As opposed to finding a new leadership position in the minority, Hoyer decided to challenge Clyburn for this position.</font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">Not one word of protest from the first Black president of the U.S. Not one word from the first female Speaker of the House. Not one word from Hispanic members of Congress who constantly want Blacks to support their bids for amnesty for their people. </font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">On Saturday night Clyburn was forced to withdraw from his bid to become Minority Whip so that Hoyer could assume the same position. In exchange, Pelosi created a “new” leadership position so that Clyburn could have a position at the leadership table.</font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">Are you kidding me?</font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">Why is it that the Democrats always ask the Black candidate to back out of a race and not the white candidate? This is the same party that makes a regular point about how “racist” the Republican Party is supposed to be.</font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">Why didn’t Pelosi force Hoyer to drop out of the race? She could have created a “new” leadership position for him. This is the same party that, in September, tried to force current Congressman from Florida, Kendrick Meek, to drop out of his race to become the first Black elected U.S. senator from Florida. The White House asked Bill Clinton to pressure Meek to withdraw from the race and support the governor of Florida, Charlie Crist. Mind you that Crist is a white Republican turned Independent. Meek resisted the pressure and said no.</font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">So, the Democrats care so much for the Black community that they wanted Meek to drop out of the race and endorse a de facto Republican. Again, where were the voices of the most loyal voting block within the Democratic Party?</font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">What makes me most angry is the total silence of those in the Black community. Clyburn has spent 4 years as Majority Whip. During this time, Clyburn has done favors for many Democratic groups that have come to him for help. Where were the voices of outrage from these groups? Why didn’t they promise holy hell if the Democrats didn’t keep Clyburn in his leadership position?</font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">Where was Marc Morial (head of the National Urban League)? Where was Al Sharpton (head of the National Action Network)? Where was Ben Jealous (head of the N.A.A.C.P.)? Where were groups like the National Medical Association (Black doctors), National Council of Negro Women, Leadership Council on Civil Rights, National Newspapers Publishers of America (Black newspapers), The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, The National Association of Black Accountants, The National Black M.B.A.s, NAFEO, or all the Black Universities? </font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">I will let you in on a little secret. The reason why the Democrats continue to insult the Black community is because we allow them to. Democrats fear no retribution from Blacks. Obama has met with the Hispanic Caucus on several occasions to discuss amnesty for illegals. How many times has he met with the Black Caucus? Maybe 1 time! Obama fears the Hispanic community (and their votes); but has absolutely no fear of losing the Black vote; therefore, he felt no need to intervene in Clyburn’s race or any other issue of particular concern to the Black community.</font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">To my Republican friends, this is a classic case for the value of diversity. Clyburn and Hoyer are both equally qualified for the position of Minority Whip. So, if all other things are equal, you have to give the nod to diversity, lest you have an all white leadership team!</font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">Everyone knows that I am a Republican. But, why is it that I seem more upset and insulted by the actions of the Democratic Party, than Black Democrats? </font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">Clyburn is a very decent man and a great political strategist. I know he has been helpful to all of the above groups and individuals. He has extended himself tirelessly to help with their causes. But, yet none of these groups came to his defense. </font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">Blacks should have made it clear to Obama, Pelosi and Hoyer, that there would be hell to pay if Clyburn was challenged. Blacks are the most loyal voting block in the Democratic Party and they have nothing to show for it.</font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">When all is said and done, there’s more said than done.</font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;color:#0000FF;font-size:12pt;">Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (</span></i><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;font-size:12pt;"><a href="http://www.excellstyle.com/"><i>www.excellstyle.com</i></a><i><span style="color:#0000FF;">) & U.S. Africa Magazine (<a href="http://www.usafricaonline.com">www.usafricaonline.com</a>). </span></i></span></p></div>
My Challenge To Rev. Jackson, Rev. Sharpton, Grassroots Leaders On "Process First" in Black Chicago Mayoral Candidate
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/my-challenge-to-rev-jackson
2010-09-13T10:20:41.000Z
2010-09-13T10:20:41.000Z
Mark S. Allen
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/MarkSAllen
<div><br /><h1 class="yiv1298899726entry-title">My Challenge To Rev. Jackson, Rev. Sharpton, Grassroots Leaders On "Process First" in Black Chicago Mayoral Candidate</h1><div class="yiv1298899726entry-header pkg"><div class="yiv1298899726entry-meta"><div class="yiv1298899726userpic pkg"><a><img src="http://www.chicagonow.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-23645-100x100.png" alt="user-pic" width="24" height="24" /></a></div><span class="yiv1298899726vcard author"><a class="yiv1298899726fn url" target="_blank" href="http://www.chicagonow.com/profiles/Marksallen"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_0">Marksallen</span></a></span> on 09.09.10 at 9:58 AM | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/and-the-ordinary-people-said/2010/09/my-challenge-to-rev-jackson-rev-sharpton-grassroots-leaders-on-process-first-in-black-chicago-mayoral-candidate.html#comments" class="yiv1298899726comment"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_1">no comments</span></a> |<div class="yiv1298899726fb-like-button"></div></div><div class="yiv1298899726about-the-blogger pkg"><div class="yiv1298899726userpic-large pkg"><div class="yiv1298899726userpic pkg"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.chicagonow.com/profiles/Marksallen"><img src="http://www.chicagonow.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-static/support/assets_c/userpics/userpic-23645-100x100.png" alt="user-pic" width="62" height="62" /></a></div></div><div class="yiv1298899726blogger-info"><span class="yiv1298899726vcard author"><a class="yiv1298899726fn url" target="_blank" href="http://www.chicagonow.com/profiles/Marksallen">Marksallen</a></span><p class="yiv1298899726short-bio">One of the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_2">first community organizers</span> to work with <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_3">Barack Obama</span> in <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_4">Chicago</span> for over 20 years. Now AssociateEditor of The South Street Journal Newspaper and 37 yearactivist/journalist, recently selected as 2010 Who's Who In BlackChicago. (Office) <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_5">312-624-8351</span> (Cell) <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_6">773-392-0165</span><br /></p><div class="yiv1298899726follow-blogger"><span><br />Follow on:</span></div></div></div><div style="display:block;float:left;margin-left:0pt;" id="yiv1298899726share-tools-wrapper" class="yiv1298899726pkg horizontal-share"><h3 id="yiv1298899726share-tools-title">Share</h3><div id="yiv1298899726share-tools" class="yiv1298899726clearfix pkg"><ul><li><a target="_blank" href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chicagonow.com%2Fblogs%2Fand-the-ordinary-people-said%2F2010%2F09%2Fmy-challenge-to-rev-jackson-rev-sharpton-grassroots-leaders-on-process-first-in-black-chicago-mayoral-candidate.html&t=My%20Challenge%20To%20Rev.%20Jackson%2C%20Rev.%20Sharpton%2C%20Grassroots%20Leaders%20On%20%22Process%20First%22%20in%20Black%20Chicago%20Mayoral%20Candidate" title="Share on Facebook" class="yiv1298899726smedia facebook"><img alt="Share on Facebook" src="http://www.chicagonow.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-static/addons/ChicagoNow.pack/images/facebook.png" /><span id="yiv1298899726facebook-share"></span></a><div class="yiv1298899726count">Facebook (0)</div></li><li><a title="Tweet this story" class="yiv1298899726smedia twitter"><img alt="Tweet this story" src="http://www.chicagonow.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-static/addons/ChicagoNow.pack/images/twitter.png" /><span id="yiv1298899726tweetmeme-share"></span></a><div class="yiv1298899726count">Retweet (0)</div></li><li><a target="_blank" href="http://digg.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chicagonow.com%2Fblogs%2Fand-the-ordinary-people-said%2F2010%2F09%2Fmy-challenge-to-rev-jackson-rev-sharpton-grassroots-leaders-on-process-first-in-black-chicago-mayoral-candidate.html&title=My%20Challenge%20To%20Rev.%20Jackson%2C%20Rev.%20Sharpton%2C%20Grassroots%20Leaders%20On%20%22Process%20First%22%20in%20Black%20Chicago%20Mayoral%20Candidate" title="Digg this story" class="yiv1298899726smedia digg"><img alt="Digg this story" src="http://www.chicagonow.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-static/addons/ChicagoNow.pack/images/digg.png" /><span id="yiv1298899726digg-share"></span></a><div class="yiv1298899726count">Digg (0)</div></li><li><a target="_blank" href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chicagonow.com%2Fblogs%2Fand-the-ordinary-people-said%2F2010%2F09%2Fmy-challenge-to-rev-jackson-rev-sharpton-grassroots-leaders-on-process-first-in-black-chicago-mayoral-candidate.html&title=My%20Challenge%20To%20Rev.%20Jackson%2C%20Rev.%20Sharpton%2C%20Grassroots%20Leaders%20On%20%22Process%20First%22%20in%20Black%20Chicago%20Mayoral%20Candidate" title="Stumble this entry" class="yiv1298899726smedia stumbleupon"><img alt="Stumble this entry" src="http://www.chicagonow.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-static/addons/ChicagoNow.pack/images/stumble.png" /><span id="yiv1298899726stumbleupon-share"></span></a><div class="yiv1298899726count">Stumble</div></li></ul></div></div></div><font style="font-size:1.25em;"><b>MyChallenge To Rev. Jackson, Rev. Sharpton, Grassroots Leaders On"Process First, <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_7">Final Selection</span> of Candidate Last," in Black Chicago<span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_8">Mayoral Candidate</span></b><br /><br />The Black community has had 21 years toprepare for this opportunity to come together and unite our collectiveresources around a Black candidate for <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_9">Mayor of Chicago</span>. There is a newgeneration of Black and poor constituencies who have only heard aboutthe ultimate election and re-election of <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_10">Chicago's first Black MayorHarold Washington</span>, but based upon this current frenzy and very mixedmessages among many in the Black community, we need an immediate stopand reminding of the only "winning" formula we have in electing a Blackas Chicago Mayor. <br /><br />There are already two Black candidates thathave announced prior to the Daley announcement and since the Daleyannouncement there are now more than a dozen more Black names beinglobbied for in all kinds of circles all over town with no establishedset of guidelines that are guiding the Black community and if wecontinue on this current path then 21 years later we are once againheaded in the scenario that a majority Black populated City cannotelected a Black as Mayor.<br /><br />This past week I have heard localChicago Black talk radio and I have heard local Chicagoans weighing innationally on Rev. Al Sharpton's syndicated national talk show on a rolehe can play in this process. There is a new Chicago Chapter ofSharpton's <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_11">National Action Network</span> and only fitting for the localchapter to call in their <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_12">national leader</span> to help guide them and othersin this, and Sharpton historically has come to Chicago and been asupporter of all the Black empowerment campaigns so he is no stranger,yet those with no knowledge of Sharpton's Chicago history could easilysay "he's an outsider."<br /><br />Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr and TheOperation PUSH Saturday Morning Radio/TV Broadcast Forum of course waskey in weekly organizing and mobilization meetings and that major mediaoutlet and weekly forum is going to be key yet again to this historicopportunity for political empowerment for The Black community. I spokebriefly with Rev. Jackson at the funeral of Rev. Joseph McAfee, and Rev.Jackson said he agreed that he needed to start trying to focus ourcommunity on some kind if rules of how we proceed with a Black candidateselection. Even though Rev. Jackson said that, the media is reportingtoday that his first Saturday morning forum subject on the matter is NOTon process by particular candidates, but only he can set the recordstraight this Saturday.<br /><br />The reason why "process" and I should say"transparent process" is important is because the Black community hasput up some of the best, brightest, and established Black politicalnames in 21 years of Mayoral races and yet almost 300,000 registeredBlack voters did not use their numbers to elect a Black candidate, andunfortunately so many Black and poor voters felt that the issuesconcerning them most were not seen in the previous candidates campaigns,and always felt disenfranchised when the various <span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_13">community organizers</span>representing poor people's and other issues were not actively andsystematically seen in the leadership of previous campaigns. Whateverthe reasons, they were passed on yet another generation of voters whoalso have not shown up, not even the 80% Black turnout that wasoriginally predicted in Chicago for the historic campaign of <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_14">BarackObama</span> for President!<br /><br />Now 21 years later, dozens of Blackcandidates just can't start their public positioning to be "the"candidate or Black "consensus" candidate without having any clear signalthat their candidacy represents the foundation that will bring those300,000 voters who have not voted for Mayor in 21 years to the polls in2011. I have not heard one candidate yet talk about how they know thattheir campaign is going to get those Black as well as declining votersin other areas back to the polls, or have they already concluded theyare going to compete among those that have voted and continue to ignorethose that haven't. <br /><br />I have shared with Rev. Jackson, Rev.Sharpton, and almost 100 Black grassroots organizers and activists frompoor constituent groups that we must not start this process of meetingsof ministers without activists and activists without ministers andactively recruiting those to the table who have gotten used to not beinginvited as part of "leadership" over the years. If this historicprocess continues to move as it is in the wrong way in my judgment, thenit is going to end the wrong way. The public MUST see a <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_15">united front</span>and transparent process or Black leadership at all levels haven'tlearned anything in these past 21 years.<br /><br />Prior to the Daleyannouncement Wallace "Gator" Bradley of United In Peace, along with my<span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_16">Black Leadership Development Institute</span>, BLDI/Voter Restoration Projectmet with a coalition of about 30 other organizers of poor people'sconstituent groups about how we needed to engage all of the prospectivecandidates and supporters with our traditional civic groups to kick-off apublic united voter registration campaign,as well as a campaign to winnew <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_17">public policy reforms</span> to the petition signature challenge processwhere candidates for office are routinely kicked off the ballot withIncumbents abuse of the signature disenfranchisement process wherehundreds of thousand of legitimate signatures can be disqualified simplybecause a persons signature today does not look the same as it does onthe voters original <span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_18">voter registration card</span>.<br /><br />Second, in additionto a unified grassroots <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_19">voter registration campaign</span>, <span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_20">Black businessleaders</span> and religious leaders have to meet and decide if they are goingto secure at least One million dollars to fund a Black candidate; Third,a grassroots coalition of community organizers must publicly commit totake on the plebisite process used by the late Lu Palmer and The ChicagoBlack United Communities (CBUC) and Black Independent PoliticalOrganization (BIPO) of hosting strategic agenda forums where justordinary citizens and neighborhood constituent groups can come and helpto identify those issues that would get them engaged again in thispolitical election, not only for The Mayor, but local candidates runningas well.<br /><br />The ONLY successful Black Mayoral Campaign did NOTstart with the candidacy of <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_21">Harold Washington</span>, but the commitment of50,000 new registered voters, a financial pledge of $500,000 to startthe campaign; and the overwhelming number of constituent groups whoseagenda was finally adopted and then the final selection of <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_22">HaroldWashington</span>. And even with the selection of Harold Washington, we Mustalso remember that the Black community was still not united for therewere key Black supporters of Richard M. Daley and <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_23">Jane Byrne</span> and many ofthose Blacks did not unite behind Harold until after the Primary, and21 years later with this non partisan Mayoral election, there may not bea total Black community united front in February and the unity we seekmay not happen until an April run-off.<br /><br />Black Leadership cannotblow this opportunity, but we MUST ALL be reminded that our ONLYsuccessful election of a Black Mayor was part of a set us standards thatguided us, but right now there is far too much public and privatejockeying and groups being called all over town so Rev. Jackson and Rev.Sharpton to start must use their level of influence to bring thevarious groups together now talking "to" each other. And I and othergrassroots activists will continue to push what we expect of ourleadership and candidates in moving forward with this process.<br /><br />Asa youth 21 years ago, I was humbled as a youth leaders to have been anactive and systematic part of the mobilization for the election andre-election of Chicago's 1st <span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_24">Black Mayor Harold Washington</span> and I havewatched how a generation of our people have not voted and neverrecovered and become withdrawn and passed that apathy on to anothergeneration, and no Black candidate is going to win without using thishistoric opportunity to go back to the original and ONLY "winning"formula that elected a Black as <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1284373090_25">Mayor of Chicago</span>.<br /><br />If we are serious, then let "Process" begin.<br /><br />Mark S. Allen</font><br /><br />.<br /></div>
Chicago Hosts 3rd Follow-Up To Sharpton's National Action Plan with National Convention of Black Wall Street Organizations August 20-23
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/chicago-hosts-3rd-followup-to
2010-08-15T08:58:26.000Z
2010-08-15T08:58:26.000Z
Mark S. Allen
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/MarkSAllen
<div><div style="text-align:center;">SATURDAY, AUGUST 14th, 2010<br />Chicago Hosts 3rd Follow-Up To Sharpton's <span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_0">National Action Plan</span> with <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_1">National Convention</span> of <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_2">Black Wall Street Organizations</span> August 20-23<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align:center;"><font size="4"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Hermene Hartman, publisher of N'DIGO, The Rev. Dr. Al Sampson, Wallace "Gator" Bradley confirm for <span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_0"><span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_3">National Black Wall Street Convention</span></span>! Key participants from Rev. Al Sharptons National 12 Month <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_1"><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_4">Action Plan</span></span> now join The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr, Cheryle Robinson Jackson, Attorney Tom Todd Confirming ForHistoric 1st <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_2">National Convention</span> Of <span class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_3">Black Wall Street Organizations</span>August 20-23 In <span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_4"><span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_5">Chicago</span></span> !</span></font></div><div class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221entry-header pkg"><div class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221entry-meta"><div class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221userpic pkg"><a></a></div><span class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221vcard author"><a class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221fn url" target="_blank" href="http://www.chicagonow.com/profiles/Marksallen"><span id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970lw_1281550815_0" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yshortcuts"></span></a></span><a class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221comment" target="_blank" href="http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/and-the-ordinary-people-said/2010/08/the-rev-jesse-l-jackson-sr-cheryle-robinson-jackson-attorney-tom-todd-confirmed-for-historic-1st-national-convention-of-black-wall-street-organization.html#comments"><span id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970lw_1281550815_1" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yshortcuts"></span></a></div><div class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221about-the-blogger pkg"><div class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221userpic-large pkg"><div class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221userpic pkg"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.chicagonow.com/profiles/Marksallen"><br /></a></div></div><div class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221blogger-info"><span class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221vcard author"><a class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221fn url" target="_blank" href="http://www.chicagonow.com/profiles/Marksallen"><span class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656lw_1281830810_0">Marksallen</span></a></span><p class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221short-bio">One of the <span id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970lw_1281550815_2" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yshortcuts"><span class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656lw_1281830810_1"><span class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_5"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_6">first community organizers</span></span></span></span> to work with <span id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970lw_1281550815_3" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yshortcuts"><span class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656lw_1281830810_2"><span class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_6"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_7">Barack Obama</span></span></span></span> in <span id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970lw_1281550815_4" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yshortcuts"><span class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656lw_1281830810_3">Chicago</span></span> for over 20 years. Now Associate Editor of The South Street JournalNewspaper and 37 year activist/journalist, recently selected as 2010Who's Who In Black Chicago. Office <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_7"><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_8">(312) 624-8351</span></span> or cell <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_8"><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_9">773-392-0165</span></span><br /></p></div></div><div class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221follow-blogger"><span>Follow on:</span></div></div><div style="display:block;float:left;margin-left:0px;" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221share-tools-wrapper" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221pkg horizontal-share"><h3 id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221share-tools-title">Share</h3><div 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href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chicagonow.com%2Fblogs%2Fand-the-ordinary-people-said%2F2010%2F08%2Fthe-rev-jesse-l-jackson-sr-cheryle-robinson-jackson-attorney-tom-todd-confirmed-for-historic-1st-national-convention-of-black-wall-street-organization.html&title=The%20Rev.%20Jesse%20L.%20Jackson%2C%20Sr%2C%20Cheryle%20Robinson%20Jackson%2C%20Attorney%20Tom%20Todd%20Confirmed%20For%20Historic%201st%20National%20Convention%20Of%20Black%20Wall%20Street%20Organizations%20August%2020-23%20In%20Chicago%20%21"><img alt="Stumble this entry" src="http://www.chicagonow.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-static/addons/ChicagoNow.pack/images/stumble.png" /><span id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221stumbleupon-share"></span></a><div class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221count">Stumble</div></li></ul></div></div><div class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221entry-content"><p align="center"><strong><font style="font-size:1.56em;" size="6">Cheryle Robinson Jackson, <em>("Chicago Will Be The Next <span id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970lw_1281550815_5" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yshortcuts"><span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656lw_1281830810_4"><span class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_9"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_10">Black Wall Street</span></span></span></span>,")</em> former President/CEO of The <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221lw_1281108513_8" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221yshortcuts"><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970lw_1281550815_6" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yshortcuts"><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656lw_1281830810_5"><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_10"><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_11">Chicago Urban League</span></span></span></span></span> confirmed as a Honorary Chair, and The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr,President/CEO of The Rainbow/PUSH Coalition just confirmed as theOpening Reception Speaker For the historic 1st <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221lw_1281108513_9" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221yshortcuts"><span id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970lw_1281550815_7" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yshortcuts"><span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656lw_1281830810_6">National Convention</span></span></span> of <span style="border-bottom:medium none;background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221lw_1281108513_10" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221yshortcuts"><span id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970lw_1281550815_8" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yshortcuts"><span class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656lw_1281830810_7">Black Wall Street Organizations</span></span></span> in <span id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221lw_1281108513_11" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221yshortcuts">Chicago</span> August 20-23. Also confirmed as featured speaker is the legendary <span style="border-bottom:medium none;background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221lw_1281108513_12" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221yshortcuts"><span id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970lw_1281550815_9" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yshortcuts"><span class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656lw_1281830810_8"><span class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_11"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_12">Civil Rights Attorney</span></span></span></span></span> Thomas "TNT" Todd !! To register or for more information call <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221lw_1281108513_13" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221yshortcuts"><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970lw_1281550815_10" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yshortcuts"><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656lw_1281830810_9"><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_12"><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_13">312-624-8351</span></span></span></span></span></font></strong> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.blackwallstreetdistrict.com/"><span id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221lw_1281108513_14" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221yshortcuts"><strong><font style="font-size:1.56em;" size="6">www.BlackWallStreetDistrict.com</font></strong></span></a><br /><br /><strong><font style="font-size:1.25em;"><font style="font-size:1.25em;"><font size="6">Mark S. Allen, Board Member,<span id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221lw_1281108513_15" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221yshortcuts"><span style="border-bottom:medium none;background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970lw_1281550815_11" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yshortcuts"><span class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_13"><span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_14">Chicago Black Wall Street Project</span></span>, and one of the <span class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_14"><span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_15">National Community Organizers</span></span> of <span class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_15"><span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_16">Rev. Al Sharpton's National 12</span></span> Month Action Plan.<br /></span></span></font></font></font></strong></p></div><p align="center"><strong><span class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yiv1472084221yshortcuts"><font style="font-size:1.56em;" size="6">***********************************************************************************</font></span></strong></p>"We did it before in <span id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970lw_1281550815_12" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yshortcuts"><span class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656lw_1281830810_10">Tulsa</span></span> -- We did it before in Bronzeville, We did it with Operation Breadbasket's <em>Keeping Slices Of Our Bread In Our Own Black Communities,</em> and we are going to do it again!!! Join this historic national planningmeeting that will lay out the plans to build and rebuild Black ownedand operated <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970lw_1281550815_13" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yiv1962158970yshortcuts"><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yiv315081015yiv1801289656yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015yiv1801289656lw_1281830810_11"><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_16"><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_17">Black business</span></span></span></span> and jobs districts throughout Chicago and in majority Black populations across the country"<br />***********************************************************************************************<br /><br /><br />The success of Rev. Al Sharpton's National 12 Month Action Plan continues with <br />the <span class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_17"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_18">first National Convention</span></span> of Black Wall Street Organizations inChicago August 20-23. <span class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_18"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_19">Mark Allen</span></span>, one of the <span class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_19"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_20">national communityorganizers</span></span> for the development of Rev. Sharpton's National 12 MonthAction Plan is board member of <span class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_20"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_21">The Black Wall Street Chicago Project</span></span>and one of the local organizers of the upcoming national Black WallStreet Organizations in Chicago.<br /><br />Several of the key participants in Rev. Sharptons National "MeasuringThe Movement" TV Broadcast in <span class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_21">New York</span> are now confirming theirparticipation in promoting the ongoing agenda being adopted fornational organizing at the upcoming <span class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_22"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_22">National Black Wall StreetConvention</span></span>.<br /><br />Specifically today, confirming are Hermene Hartman, publisher of N'DIGOMagapaper, the Rev. Al Sampson, pastor of the <span class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_23"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_23">Fernwood United MethodistChurch</span></span> and a former friend, and staff member of Rev. Dr. Martin LutherKing's Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and was ordainedby Dr. King, and Wallace "Gator" Bradley. Hartman, as she did in NewYork on the direction needed to sustain and increase Black businesseswill present an outline on The State of Black Business in Chicago withrecommendations for "measurable" movements for Chicago that can also bemodeled nationally; Rev. Sampson will lead the church delegation ongoing "back-to-basics" with Dr. King's "<span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_24"><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_24">Liberation Theology</span></span>," as wellas the national campaign for <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_25"><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_25">Black churches</span></span> to adopt Black FarmersProjects in "measuring" increasing local job creation in urban areas;and Bradley will lay out a local model for national implementation forinnovative ways to increase employment and business opportunities forex-offenders and at risk youth.<br /><br />With todays addition of Hartman, Rev. Sampson, and Bradley, they nowjoin others who confirmed like The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr, LegendaryCivil Rights Attorney Tom Todd, Former <span class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_26"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_26">Chicago Urban League President</span></span>Cheryle Jackson, Survivors of the original Black Wall Street in TulsaOklahoma and others for this historic 1st National Convention andPlanning meeting of <span class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_27"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_27">Black Wall Street Organization</span></span> in the spirit andpartnership with Sharpton's "Measuring The Movement - <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yiv315081015yshortcuts" id="yiv315081015lw_1281837186_28"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1281862381_28">National 12</span></span> MonthAction Plan," and the pledge made at Sharptons National Convention todevelop a "measurable" agenda that included rebuilding the Blackeconomy with Black owned and operated business and job districts inmajority Black and urban areas.<br /><br /><br /></div>
"TruthFighter" Warren Ballentine's Site Visit To Chicago's Reggio's Pizza Plant - Legendary Black Owned Business Manufacturing Plant
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/truthfighter-warren
2010-07-15T20:00:00.000Z
2010-07-15T20:00:00.000Z
Mark S. Allen
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/MarkSAllen
<div><div style="font-family:'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif;font-size:14pt;"><div style="text-align:center;">Mark S. Allen, Board Member of The Black Wall Street-Chicago Economic Empowerment Project salutes "The Truth Fighter" Attorney and National<br />Syndicated Radio & TV Personality <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279223687_0">Warren Ballentine</span><br />for his commitment to helping lift up, sustain and increase the<br />business and jobs of one of our legendary Black owned & operated<br />businesses, Reggio's Pizza!!<br /><br />Ballentine recently returned home to <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279223687_1">Chicago</span>to visit Reggio's President & CEO John Clark on the site of the<br />Reggio's Southside Headquarters and Manufacturing Plant ! As <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279223687_2">Wal-Mart</span><br />prepares to come to Chicago's Black communities, you can be assured<br />that The Black Wall Street-Chicago Project has legendary Black owned<br />businesses like Reggio's on the list of qualified products to be on the<br />Wal Mart Mart inventory, which can generate hundreds of more new jobs<br />in Chicago.<br /><br />And it my honor to work with Ballentine as one of the national<br /> organizers of Rev. Al Sharpton's <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279223687_3">National 12</span> Month <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279223687_4">Action Plan</span>and of the agenda items of sustaining and increasing Black owned<br />businesses and local jobs, which will also be the highlight of the 1st <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279223687_5">National Convention</span> of <span style="background:transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279223687_6">Black Wall Street Organizations</span> in Chicago <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279223687_7">August 20-23</span>.<br /><br /><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279223687_8">(312) 624-8351</span> and Cell <span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279223687_9">(773) 392-0165</span> <br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><table style="margin:0px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255);" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td valign="top"><table style="width:600px;" border="0" cellspacing="0" width="600"><tbody><tr><td style="padding:1px;background-color:rgb(0,0,0);" align="left" bgcolor="#000000"><table style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td colspan="2" align="left" width="100%"><table style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);margin-bottom:5px;" id="content_LETTER.BLOCK17" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(104,167,187);font-size:14pt;"><font style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(104,167,187);font-size:14pt;" color="#68A7BB" size="4" face="Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif"><b><img name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.1131" src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs046/1011225418012/img/1131.jpg" border="0" height="332" width="600" id="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.1131" alt="1131.jpg" /><br /><br /></b></font><div style="text-align:left;"><font style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(104,167,187);font-size:14pt;" color="#68A7BB" size="4" face="Trebuchet MS,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;border-collapse:separate;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:medium;line-height:normal;white-space:normal;letter-spacing:normal;color:rgb(0,0,0);word-spacing:0px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:small;" class="Apple-style-span">Reggio's Pizza, Inc. is a family owned and operated company that started as a retail carryout and delivery pizza operation in 1972. Our 1982 entrance<br />into the <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279220526_10"><span style="border-bottom:2px dotted rgb(54,99,136);" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279223687_10">frozen pizza</span></span> scene witnessed the start of what is now the only African-American owned frozen pizza manufacturing operation in the world.<br /><br /></span></span></font><div style="text-align:center;"><span style="text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;border-collapse:separate;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:medium;line-height:normal;white-space:normal;letter-spacing:normal;color:rgb(0,0,0);word-spacing:0px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:small;" class="Apple-style-span"><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs261.ash1/18864_448138055133_228334035133_10805438_3462784_n.jpg" border="0" height="467" width="604" alt="18864_448138055133_228334035133_10805438_3462784_n.jpg" /></span></span><br /></div><span style="text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;border-collapse:separate;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:medium;line-height:normal;white-space:normal;letter-spacing:normal;color:rgb(0,0,0);word-spacing:0px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:small;" class="Apple-style-span"><br /><font style="font-size:10pt;">Join us on <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279223687_11">Facebook</span> and add your email to our list so you can stay know about upcoming promotions, free pizza giveaways and more!</font></span></span><br /></div><b><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103563384103&s=16411&e=001cgAd-LJl0qRanbOZEMAfktqXAzYG9-BPYh7rv2g1XrfpDdLeV-PzfBh7SktZJfbO133aVV57JQhsbxrpi9rIIvwo5cGjd8jIsmu0BVAPf05JIV03iU3rueUCsDm1yD4U"><img title="Find us on Facebook" alt="Find us on Facebook" src="https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/btn_fbk_160.png" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></b><font style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Join the Facebook page TODAY!!</font><b><br /></b><h3 style="margin:0px;padding:0px;overflow:hidden;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:13px;font-weight:normal;" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message"><b><span style="text-transform:none;text-indent:0px;border-collapse:separate;font-family:'Times New Roman';font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:medium;line-height:normal;white-space:normal;letter-spacing:normal;color:rgb(0,0,0);word-spacing:0px;" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="UIStory_Message"><font style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:10pt;">Reggio's is giving away FREE pizza while supplies last for <span style="color:rgb(255,0,0);">ATLANTA RESIDENTS ONLY!</span> To qualify, post a picture with a handmade sign that says, "I Love (HEART) Reggio's in Atlanta!" Click Facebook button above for example. Don't<br />hesitate. <a style="color:rgb(0,0,204);font-weight:bold;text-decoration:underline;" target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103563384103&s=16411&e=001cgAd-LJl0qSQGA-m5N9cUgXU5pfswhswyEkpFI7-45U5MOEg0RivPOjShG7bKwn4MUgmxDci3fByv5mieyJAdm8MPWuQVSRHYj8btmMTNCp_XfY3R1nyCYIGLNfVLlKQ"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279220526_11">Click<br />here.</span></a></font><b><br /></b></span></span></b></h3><br /><br /><font style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:12pt;">Join Reggio's Pizza's email list<br /><a target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103563384103&s=16411&e=001cgAd-LJl0qSS6kTi7lKrKQ-f9WmvczUSC5bnOoz_27Wygd5Mcs8gUgLI2jcvrGdX47zURg4jol-0usffvB0otATt_dPz2_Cj8_xIGATeUffdf7Xe4W5QY-SI8i2i7rW1"><img name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.1132" src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs046/1011225418012/img/1132.gif" border="0" height="29" width="30" id="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.1132" alt="1132.gif" /></a><br /><br /></font><table style="text-align:center;padding-left:5px;width:576px;padding-right:5px;padding-top:5px;" cellspacing="0"><caption style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif;max-width:576px;margin-bottom:5px;color:rgb(0,0,0);margin-left:5px;font-size:14pt;font-weight:bold;margin-right:5px;" align="bottom"><font style="font-size:10pt;">Warren Ballentine, media personality with <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279220526_12"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1279223687_12">John Clark</span></span>, CEO of Reggio's Pizza</font></caption><tbody><tr><td><a target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103563384103&s=16411&e=001cgAd-LJl0qSQGA-m5N9cUgXU5pfswhswyEkpFI7-45U5MOEg0RivPOjShG7bKwn4MUgmxDci3fByv5mieyJAdm8MPWuQVSRHYj8btmMTNCp_XfY3R1nyCYIGLNfVLlKQ"><img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs100.snc4/36354_10150219921290134_228334035133_13390365_4323865_n.jpg" border="0" height="432" width="576" alt="36354_10150219921290134_228334035133_13390365_4323865_n.jpg" 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Rev. Al Sharpton Keynote Speaker For Tribute To Rev. Al Sampson Sunday, July 18th
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/rev-al-sharpton-keynote
2010-07-13T03:19:57.000Z
2010-07-13T03:19:57.000Z
Mark S. Allen
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/MarkSAllen
<div><p style="text-align:center;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" align="center"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Calibri">The Rev. Al Sampson of Fernwood United Methodist Church is a man of many words. The Rev. always have a lot to say and he have accomplished a lot a long the way.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#222222;font-size:9pt;">Rev. Dr. Albert Sampson is an internationally known and respected icon and leader renowned as one of the most insightful and inspirational motivators in the field today. WGN -TV describes him as a spiritual leader whose message of leadership and self development has inspired millions in the United States and in 72 countries around the world. Rev. Dr. Sampson's message both encourages and provides the tools necessary to help people believe in themselves, their dreams and live their lives to their fullest potential. His message provides inspiration, integrity and courage. June, 2006, marks 50 years in the ministry and his 31st anniversary as Senior Pastor of Fernwood United Methodist Church. He is also Presiding Elder of the United Methodist Church Chicago South End Cooperative Parish. The Reverend Al Sampson was the only member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) staff to be personally ordained by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA in 1966. In April 2006, 40 years later, Rev. Dr. Albert Richard Sampson was inducted into Morehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel Board of Preachers, Sponsors, and Collegium Scholars and The International Hall of Honor.</span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="text-align:center;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" align="center"></p><p style="text-align:center;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal" align="center"></p><p style="text-indent:-1in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;">What: </span></b><span style="font-size:14pt;">Reverend Dr. Albert Richard Sampson will be honored for his 35 years of being a minister at the exact same location</span></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri"><b>When:</b>Sunday, July 18, 2010 2:00 pm till 6:00 pm</font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri"><b>Where:</b>The Harambee House 11901 S. Loomis Chicago, IL</font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="text-indent:-1in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri"><b>Why:</b>To honor the minister with 54 years of commitment, servitude and ministry, with 35 years in the same location</font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="text-indent:-1in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri"><b>How:</b>your attendance is being requested in honor of this fantastic man, Rev. Al Sharpton, President of the National Action Network, out of New York City, is slated to be the keynote speaker of this most notable event</font></font></font></p><p style="text-align:justify;margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="text-indent:-1in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Calibri">Sampson became pastor of Fernwood United Methodist Church in</font> <a href="http://www.thehistorymakers.com/glossary/glossarytext.asp?index=139"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#783200;font-size:10pt;text-decoration:none;">Chicago</span></a> <font color="#000000" size="3" face="Calibri">in</font> <a href="http://www.thehistorymakers.com/timeline/index.asp?string=1975"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#783200;font-size:10pt;text-decoration:none;">1975</span></a><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Calibri">, where he</font></p><p style="text-indent:-1in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Calibri">continues today. He played an important role in the campaign of the Mayor</font> <a href="http://www.thehistorymakers.com/glossary/glossarytext.asp?index=41"><span style="font-family:Arial;color:#783200;font-size:10pt;text-decoration:none;">Harold Washington</span></a></p><p style="text-indent:-1in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Calibri">as a member of the Task Force for Black Political Empowerment. Sampson is president of the</font></p><p style="text-indent:-1in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Calibri">National Black Farmers Harvest and Business Trade Cooperative and serves on numerous</font></p><p style="text-indent:-1in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Calibri">Boards and organizations that stress the economic development of the black community. He</font></p><p style="text-indent:-1in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Calibri">served as a scholar consultant for the Black Heritage Bible and spearheading the Black Farmers</font></p><p style="text-indent:-1in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Calibri">concept. Where his motto is that there is no culture without agriculture.</font></p><p style="text-indent:-1in;margin:0in 0in 0pt 1in;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p><b><span style="font-family:Calibri;color:#FF0000;font-size:12pt;">Ticket Donation:</span></b> <span style="font-family:Calibri;font-size:12pt;"><font color="#000000">$100.00 ~ call (773) 881-0800 or (773) 936-8488 for great details</font></span></p><p></p></div>
Ode to Michael Jackson--II
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/ode-to-michael-jacksonii
2010-06-27T06:48:59.000Z
2010-06-27T06:48:59.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:#FF0000;font-size:14pt;"><font face="Times New Roman">Having received so many calls this week on the approaching anniversary of Michael Jackson’s death June 25, 2009, 1:25 p.m. (LA time), I decided to re-run the column I wrote last year in the aftermath of his death. This was my tribute to Michael and his family. I will have an exclusive announcement about this very soon, so be on the lookout!</font></span></b></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">Ode to Michael Jackson</font></font></span></b></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">July 2, 2009</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">Raynard Jackson</font></font></font></b></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Like a candle in the wind,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Your life came to a sudden end.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">With <b>“A Child’s Heart</b>,<b>”</b></font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">You began your start.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">You brought joy to many,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">But in the end, you didn’t have any.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">You had money, fortune, and fame,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">If that’s all we remember, what a shame.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Now, they all say, “<b>I Want You Back</b>,”</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">But is that all just an act?</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">They all said, <b>“I’ll Be There</b>,”</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">I am not sure they really care.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">While you were making your journey home,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Sharpton was already in front of the microphone.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Trying to bask in your glorious light,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Doing that just wasn’t right.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Standing in front of the Apollo,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">This stunt rang really hollow.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Grandstanding in front of the press,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">My goodness, such a pathetic mess.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">I thought Obama had silenced Jesse Jackson,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">But, I guess he was just waiting for the next media attraction.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Come on Jesse, start being a man,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">And just stay away from Neverland.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Now, Al and Jesse are fighting over the eulogy,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Not even death can bring them unity.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">I am sickened by their behavior,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Yet they claim Jesus as their savior.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">The media is airing all sorts of speculation,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">None of it proven is my observation.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">I am embarrassed by their actions,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">They’re just trying to use Michael Jackson.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Airing anyone who claims to have a story,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">All the while, trying to diminish Michael’s glory.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Why in the world is the media so hating?</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">I guess they’re just trying to increase their ratings</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">Some say you lived your life <b>“Off The Wall</b>,<b>”</b></font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">But, who are we to make that call?</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Yes, you had your eccentricities,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">But that shouldn’t overshadow what a man believes.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">You tried to do good with your voice,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">And became the people’s choice.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">The choice of a whole generation,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">And they gave you their total adulation.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">You saw a world that was not <b>Black or White,</b></font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Because <b>Healing the World</b>, was worth the fight.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">You challenged us to look at that <b>“Man In The Mirror</b>,<b>”</b></font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">So your vision of unity could become clearer.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">You wanted gangs to start uniting,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Songs like <b>“Beat It”</b> helped them stop fighting.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">You didn’t have to prove you were <b>“Bad,”</b></font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">You just talked about the childhood you never had.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">You were put on this earth to be a blessing to many,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Now everyone is going to be fighting for every penny,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">What will be the true legacy of your life?</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">It’s hard to see in the midst of all this strife.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">You had the best friends money could buy,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Guess that’s why I see no tears in their eye.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Other friends were the best you could rent,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">I pray one day they’ll repent.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">Catherine Jackson, you are a saint</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">With you, Michael never had a complaint.</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Times New Roman">I hope you are surrounded with those who care,</font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">If not, just call my name and <b>“I’ll be there!”</b></font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times New Roman"><i><span style="color:#0000FF;font-size:10pt;">Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-based political consulting/government affairs firm. You can</span></i> <span style="color:#0000FF;font-size:10pt;">listen to his radio show every Saturday evening from 7-9:00 p.m. Go to <a href="http://www.ustalknetwork.com/">www.ustalknetwork.com</a> to register and then click on host, and then click on his photo to join his group.</span></font></p></div>
Misreading the Tea (Party) Leaves
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/misreading-the-tea-party
2010-06-10T04:40:10.000Z
2010-06-10T04:40:10.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;font-size:14pt;"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">June 10, 2010</font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">Raynard Jackson</font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">I was stunned by Tuesday night’s election comments from all the talking heads. In listening to many political pundits (both Democrats and Republicans), you would have thought Sarah Palin had just become God!</font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">How can anyone with the least bit of a brain credit Palin with many of the Republican victories last night, especially among the female victors?</font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">Only once in recent history can one credibly argue that an endorsement by an individual had any measureable effect on an election—and that election was in 2008.</font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">When Colin Powell endorsed then Senator Barack Obama for president, there was a noticeable change in the trajectory of Obama’s campaign. Powell’s words validated Obama within the Black community. Powell is the E.F. Hutton of America—when he speaks, people listen. </font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">Powell’s stature is so much revered, his blessing was received as imprimatur for the military to believe that “the kid’s ok.” White America, who was not very familiar with Obama, was reassured by Powell’s words. The fact that Powell chose Obama over Senator McCain (a very close personal friend of Powell) sent shock waves throughout America. Powell’s endorsement was measureable, newsworthy, and game changing.</font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">Because of Powell’s stature, he was able to impact a national election by sheer force of his person and his accomplishments. Sarah Palin, nor the Tea Party, is nowhere close to having this type of gravitas. </font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">Palin and the Tea Party are like empty vessels—everyone fills them with whatever they want. This will prove to be the Achilles Heel for the Republican Party. Palin constantly issues “bumper sticker” slogans that have very little practical meaning and no substance. </font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">The four people Palin endorsed were: Carly Fiorina (former CEO of Hewlett-Packard and candidate for the U.S. Senate in California), Nikki Haley (South Carolina state representative who is running for governor), Terry Branstad (former four time governor of Iowa), and Cecile Bledson (Arkansas state senator who lost during yesterday’s Republican primary for U.S. Congress). </font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">Palin’s endorsing these candidates and claiming to have helped them win (Bledson was the only one to lose) is like Ron Artest claiming to have helped Michael Jordan win his titles with the Chicago Bulls because they both played basketball; or Al Sharpton taking claim for Obama’s presidential win because he is a supposed civil rights leader. Saying it’s so doesn’t make it so. </font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">There is absolutely no causation between Palin or the Tea Party and these candidates victory. Fiorina had proven success in the corporate world, Haley, Brandstad, and Bledson all had proven track records in the political arena. But, as is typical in politics, if you can’t explain why something happens, then make something up. In the immortal words of the Doobie Brothers, “What a fool believes, no wise man has the power to reason away; what seems to be is always better than nothing at all.”</font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">The days of individual “power brokers” are over. The above candidates won, not because of Palin, but because they were good candidates who had a message that resonated with the electorate.</font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">The political pundits can’t fathom the possibility that these candidates won on the merits of their campaigns—what a novel thought! For all the talk about Palin, can someone explain to me why she has not contributed any money to these candidates? If she so believes in them, why is she not putting her money where her lipstick is?</font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">She and her sycophants have deluded themselves into believing that if Palin just speaks the word---candidates will win. </font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">Republicans should do well at the polls come November, but my biggest fear is the party’s penchant for never missing an opportunity to miss an opportunity. This is the only thing that can save the Democrats. You can count on members of the Tea Party to make some incendiary, racial statements between now and November. </font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">The lesson to be learned from Tuesday’s election results is that Americans want common sense solutions to the problems facing America. They are not looking for candidates to pass litmus tests of political purity. They want people with clear records of success outside of politics—no more career politicians! They want civil discourse.</font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">To have Sarah Palin or the Tea Party as the storyline from the election is a total misreading of the tea leaves.</font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="line-height:115%;color:#0000FF;font-size:10pt;"><font face="Times New Roman">Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (<a href="http://www.excellstyle.com">www.excellstyle.com</a>).</font></span></i></p></div>
Chicago Black Wall Street Project Hosts Chicago Follow-Up Meeting To Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network Convention and 12 Month National Action Plan Saturday, May 22nd!
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/chicago-black-wall-street
2010-05-15T13:46:52.000Z
2010-05-15T13:46:52.000Z
Mark S. Allen
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/MarkSAllen
<div><p align="center"></p><h1 class="entry-title">Chicago Black Wall Street Project Hosts Chicago Follow-Up Meeting To Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network Convention and 12 Month National Action Plan Saturday, May 22nd!</h1><div class="entry-header pkg"><div class="entry-meta"><div class="userpic pkg"></div></div><div style="display:block;float:left;margin-left:0px;" id="share-tools-wrapper" class="pkg horizontal-share"><h3 id="share-tools-title"><a class="smedia stumbleupon" title="Stumble this entry" href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chicagonow.com%2Fblogs%2Fand-the-ordinary-people-said%2F2010%2F05%2Fchicago-black-wall-street-project-hosts-chicago-follow-up-meeting-to-rev-al-sharptons-national-action-network-convention-and-12-month-national-action.html&title=Chicago%20Black%20Wall%20Street%20Project%20Hosts%20Chicago%20Follow-Up%20Meeting%20To%20Rev.%20Al%20Sharpton%27s%20National%20Action%20Network%20Convention%20and%2012%20Month%20National%20Action%20Plan%20Saturday%2C%20May%2022nd%21"><span id="stumbleupon-share"></span></a></h3></div></div><div class="entry-header pkg" align="center">MARK ALLEN TALKS -- NATIONAL POLITICS</div><div class="entry-header pkg"></div><div class="entry-content"><p align="center">The Black Agenda</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">Mark Allen, Board Member of the Chicago Black Wall Street Project and a National Community Organizer of the 12 Month National Action Plan of Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network and National Civil Rights Organizations</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">SATURDAY, MAY 22nd, 2010 Homan Square 3333 West Arthington. Chicago, Ill 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Only 200 seats available and For complete agenda and reservations can be made now at 312-624-8351</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">Following the national civil rights leaders meeting with President Obama, Rev. Al Sharpton featured veteran political Organizer Mark Allen on his national radio show as one of the national grassroots community organizers from Chicago, along with those like Rev. Al Sampson, Wallace "Gator" Bradley, and Maureen "Moe" Forte, new National Action Network Chicago Executive Director that were providing local input from grassroots community organizations into the 12 Month National Action Plan, and helping Chicago kick off some of the measurable national grassroots agenda items in Chicago in May, and The Chicago Black Wall Street Project's 3rd Annual Black Economic and Political Conference will serve as kick off their agenda items and how they fit in The 12 Month National Action Plan.</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">During Rev. Sharpton's National TV broadcast "Measuring The Movement," he specifically mentioned the names of Mark Allen, Wallace "Gator" Bradley, Rev. Al Sampson and national leaders in Chicago that he would be working with on National Action Plan issues and Mark Allen, Board Member of The Chicago Black Wall Street Project will give a public report on his participation in the nTional community organizing and highlight some the measurable agenda items in Chicago and Illinois.</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">Specifically, Allen will outline the kick of of a Statewide effort at Voter Registration, Voter Education, and Get Out The Vote effort designed in increase Black voter participation by at least 5% in the November elections. Also included will be The Chicago Black Wall Streets ongoing efforts at sustaining and increasing local Black owned and operated businesses and local jobs creation this summer for at-risk youth, adults and ex-offenders; and the kick off of a project with one its members, The Monroe Foundation with The Illinois State Treasurer on increasing access to capital and financial projects to Black and poor urban communities; and the effort to decrease summer crime in Chicago by empowering at-risk youth and adults in staying away from negative and life threatening environments by creating Green jobs by working with local elected officials in identifying local empty lots into community gardens inspired by First Lady Michelle Obama, and more.</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">There are a lot more specific grassroots agenda items that will be detailed and community members asked as in the New York Convention to take on assignments to make these measurable agenda items real. Most participants in the Tavis Smiley Black Agenda Summit In Chicago asked about follow-up and this upcoming Conference is designed to provide just that, specific agenda items that can be measured in bring needed resources into Black and urban communities.</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">During his last visit to Chicago, Rev. Al Sharpton called Mark Allen one of Chicago legendary political activists, and according to Allen, this 12 Month National Action Plan is anoother one of those memorable moments in the National Civil Rights Movement and I am humbled along with The Chicago Black Wall Street Project to be able to play a role in kicking off many of the agenda items as part of The 12 Month National Action Plan. More details to be released on Monday, which will also include Chicago hosting the first National Conference of Black Wall Street Organizations in August.</p></div></div>
The Mis-Education of the Black Man
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-miseducation-of-the-black-1
2010-05-13T04:00:36.000Z
2010-05-13T04:00:36.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri"><b><span>May 13, 2010</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;"></span></font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><b><span><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">Raynard Jackson</font></font></font></span></b></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">In 1933, Carter G. Woodson published his classic book entitled, “The Mis-Education of the Negro.” The premise of his book was that Blacks need to be self reliant and not look for others to do for us what we can (and should) do for ourselves. Woodson thought that the dominant society was teaching Blacks to have an attitude of dependency and subservience, as opposed to controlling their own destiny and teaching their children the truth about the contributions Blacks made to this country’s history. Woodson was a prolific journalist, author, and a historian who was known as the “Father of Black History.”</font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">According to Woodson, "<span>History shows that it does not matter who is in power... those who have not learned to do for themselves and have to depend solely on others never obtain any more rights or privileges in the end than they did in the beginning.” Woodson continues, “When you control a man's thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his 'proper place' and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary."</span></font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">The above quotes by Woodson could be very easily directed at the media chosen Black leaders of today. You know who they are, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Tavis Smiley, Cornell West, Michael Eric Dyson, etc. Especially when it comes to these folks singing the praises of the Democratic Party. Listening to these guys you would think the Republican Party is filled with white racists whose sole purpose in life is to advocate policies that will be detrimental to the Black community.</font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">You have Black entrepreneurs who have been able to make a great living by selling goods and services to the federal government. But, they are totally unaware that former president Richard Nixon is the reason they have these opportunities.</font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">On March 6, 1961, President Kennedy signed Executive Order 10925. It required government contractors to “take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color or national origin.”</font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">It was during the Nixon administration that affirmative action became what we know it to be today. It was adopted as a federal mandate for companies with federal contracts and for labor unions whose workers were engaged in those projects. The late Arthur Fletcher (a Black Republican and dear friend) was put in charge of creating and enforcing the plan. Fletcher call it the Philadelphia Plan. Fletcher was serving in the Department of Labor. He was Assistant Secretary for Wage and Labor Standards (he was one of the highest ranking Blacks in the Nixon administration). As head of the United Negro College Fund, he coined their famous slogan, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” I guarantee that you have never heard the UNCF or Black Democrats ever publically give attribution to Fletcher having created this (especially as a Black Republican).</font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Fletcher’s plan required federal contractors to meet certain goals for the hiring of Black employees by specific dates in order to combat institutionalized discrimination on the part of specific skilled building trade unions. </font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">In 1971, Nixon issued Executive Order 11625, which was subsequent to him creating the Office of Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) in 1969. The order gave more authority to the Secretary of Commerce to, “implement Federal policy in support of the minority business enterprise program; provide additional technical and management assistance to disadvantaged businesses; and to assist in demonstration projects; and to coordinate the participation of all Federal departments and agencies in an increased minority enterprise effort.”</font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Presidents Reagan and Bush (the elder) signed Executive Orders 12320 and 12677, respectively in regards to the board of advisors for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The purpose was to ensure these institutions would be made aware and take advantage of a full range of partnership opportunities with various federal agencies.</font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"><span><font color="#000000">Most recently, Republicans spearheaded</font></span> <b><span style="color:#383838;">The Minority-Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act</span></b><span style="color:#383838;">. The Senate bill was drafted by then senator George Allen (R-VA) and co-sponsored by Trent Lott (R-MS). The companion house bill was drafted by Congressman J. Randy Forbes (R-VA-4<sup>TH</sup>). The purpose of the bill was to assist minority serving institutions in upgrading their technology infrastructure. The bill appropriated and authorized $ 250 million per year for five years ($ 1.250 billion). These were not loans, but grants to help make these schools more competitive with non-minority institutions.</span></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#383838;"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">So, my point is, the Republican Party does have a very positive story to share with the Black community if they leave the heated rhetoric behind and focus on the substance of their actions. Listening to the media appointed Black leaders, you would think Republicans are walking around in white sheets. You have Black entrepreneurs who have made millions of dollars from government contracts, but yet they savage the very party that allows them to make this type of money. You have Historically Black Colleges and Universities who poison the minds of students with liberalism without exposing them to other views. You have Black college students berating Republicans by way of email, text, and twitter messages using the very technology that Republicans made possible. It was not Democrats who spearheaded this (they voted for the bill), it was a totally Republican initiative.</font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#383838;"><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">For the Republicans who want to continue to write off the Black vote and the media appointed Black leaders, you both have been mis-educated and need to explore a new school of thought.</font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color:#0000FF;font-size:10pt;"><font face="Calibri">Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (<a href="http://www.excellstyle.com">www.excellstyle.com</a>).</font></span></i></p><p></p></div>
Alienation
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/alienation-1
2010-04-29T04:01:19.000Z
2010-04-29T04:01:19.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;">April 29, 2010</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;"></span></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">Raynard Jackson</font></font></font></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">My position on illegal immigration is very public—I DO NOT SUPPORT AMNESTY under any circumstances. So, with the new illegal immigration bill signed into law in Arizona and the volume of phone calls seeking my opinion, I have decided to share my thoughts on this issue. </font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">But this time, I want to try a different approach. Those who are interested in my detailed views on illegal immigration can go to my website and read some of my previous columns of this subject. In this column, I will pose a series of questions and make some observations that will, hopefully stimulate a more reasoned debate on this issue.</font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">As written in previous columns, how can the NAACP (supposedly the premier civil rights organization in the U.S.) support amnesty for over 30 million people and yet complain to Obama about the high unemployment rate in the Black community? So, their solution is to increase the pool of unskilled workers who will compete with citizens of this country for a limited number of unskilled jobs! </font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">Why is Al Sharpton sticking his nose into the business of Arizona? He is threatening to organize boycotts, yada, yada, yada!. I wish he would devote the same level of energy to the racist “wet foot, dry foot” policy that is in affect in Miami, Florida. This insane policy allows any Cuban who gets at least one foot on U.S. shore to stay, but if a Haitian does the same thing, he is immediately returned to his country. Where is Al Sharpton on this issue? Oh, I forgot, there is no camera crew there to cover this story.</font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">If we can strip away all the emotion on both sides, I think it will become very clear why Americans are not in a mood to forgive criminals for coming into our country and be told what their rights are. Let’s establish the fact that they broke the law—regardless of their reasons, they are lawbreakers! If I rob someone because I have no money to feed my family, I have still violated the law and deserve to be punished. Me having a good reason is not enough to absolve me of the crime committed.</font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">Please, my amnesty supporters, tell me why an illegal (they are NOT undocumented, they are <b>ILLEGAL</b>) person should get in-state tuition for college, but a U.S. citizen can’t get the same benefit? Why should illegals be able to get free health care and there is none for U.S. citizens? Americans receive more immigrants annually than the sum total of all other countries combined. We are very much pro immigration, not illegal immigration. </font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">My pro amnesty friends want us to forgive illegals, but these same people won’t spend the same energy restoring voting rights to felons who have been released from prison. They have paid their dues to society, but still carry the brand of being a felon. Are you kidding me? You want me to get upset over how we treat those who broke into our country, but overlook those who served their time and still can’t get a break? In the immortal words of Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson, “Child please!”</font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">When I go to foreign countries, if I don’t speak the language, then I am out of luck. But, yet California prints their election ballots in over 200 languages. We are enabling foreigners not to assimilate. If you are or want to be an American, then you must speak English. </font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">I guarantee that none of my pro amnesty friends know who Robert Krentz was. Well, he was the Arizona rancher that was murdered by an illegal a couple weeks ago. He is the reason the bill in Arizona was passed. But his death has been lost in all the emotion of the debate. No one is talking about the impact that illegals who are committing crimes are having on U.S. families. </font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">When will we focus on the rights of Americans to be safe more than the non-existent rights of those who are illegal? Rights are earned with responsible behavior. Would someone please tell me what are the responsibilities that illegals have to America? You never hear illegals talking about their responsibilities, only what their rights are.</font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font face="Calibri">This attitude is what is grating on Americans. The only right illegals have is the right to leave the country. Obama has the right, er, obligation to enforce the existing laws of the land. If we don’t step up enforcement of existing laws and punish employers that hire illegals, then Obama and the Democrats will only continue to fuel this alienation!</font></font></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;" class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color:#0000FF;font-size:10pt;"><font face="Calibri">Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (<a href="http://www.excellstyle.com">www.excellstyle.com</a>).</font></span></i></p></div>
A Liberal Solution To Black Unemployment
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/a-liberal-solution-to-black-1
2010-03-25T21:35:45.000Z
2010-03-25T21:35:45.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div>March 25, 2010<br /><br />Raynard Jackson<br /><br />Every time I try to give radical, Black, liberals the benefit of the doubt when it comes to doing what’s in the best interest of our own community, I am saddened to conclude that I doubt that there is any benefit.<br /><br />They claim to represent the Black community, but yet at every turn they undermine the very people they are supposed to be helping. If white people did to us what we are doing to ourselves, there would be a great uproar throughout the country.<br /><br />The national unemployment rate is 9.7 %, but within the Black community it is 16.5% (12.6% for Hispanics). The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has implored the president to create more job training and small business programs for the minority community. Barbara Lee, chairman of the CBC, stated, “This is a deplorable situation. The facts speak for themselves, and we have to make sure the unemployment rate is addressed throughout the country—and to address the gap. We are saying, for communities of color, we have to look at job training so the gap is closed and look at ways to address systemic unemployment.”<br /><br />The CBC has joined forces with groups like the NAACP and the National Urban League to deal with this issue. Last month, Obama met privately with NAACP president, Ben Jealous, Urban League president, Marc Morial, and Al Sharpton. No one from the CBC was invited. Their absence spoke volumes!<br />All Blacks should have been insulted that these people were the ones chosen by Obama to talk with him about job creation within the Black community. None of these people or organizations has any knowledge about job creation or economics. This was a cynical political move by the White House to silence the criticism of Obama within the Black community.<br /><br />So, what is the radical, Black, liberal solution to Black unemployment? They support amnesty for those in the country illegally. These illegals suppress wages and eliminate Blacks from low skilled jobs they would otherwise get. If illegals were removed from the equation, then wages would rise and low skilled people would be better able to support themselves. But, they can’t compete with illegals who are willing to work for 70% less than the market rate wage.<br /><br />So, let me make sure I understand the liberal argument. Black are disproportionally impacted my high unemployment, so they want to inject 20 million more people into the job market by giving amnesty to those who are here illegally, thereby making the high Black unemployment even higher! WOW, ok, now this makes sense. All in the name of building coalitions with the Latino community, we are willing to sacrifice our own people. How can you feed your neighbor, if your own kids haven’t eaten? Yes, this is a zero sum game!<br /><br />Last week, the Washington Post newspaper did a very insightful article about this topic. According to Vernon Briggs, a professor emeritus of industrial and labor relations at Cornell University, “the issue of job competition remains. What we have got here is people using immigration as a political issue to unite certain segments of the population, regardless of the economic and labor market impact. In my view, African American workers are the most adversely affected of all groups, but many legal immigrants in the Hispanic community are also severely impacted because they are disproportionately in the low-skilled labor market where the illegal immigrants compete." <br /><br />"This new generation of leaders (in the Hispanic community) recognize the need to build stronger coalitions," Morial said. "It is very important that the nation's communities of color do not simply see themselves as groups competing for crumbs." <br /><br />Jealous, from the NAACP, said "There is a need for a floor for how all workers are treated." There is a need to ensure that nobody in this country can be forced to work in near-slavery-like conditions. So much of the black experience has been about us fighting over centuries to be part of this country, and for Latinos it's a similar story." <br /><br />Are these guys crazy? They accuse Obama of not doing enough about Black unemployment, but yet they want to increase the number of people competing for a finite number of low skilled jobs? In the immortal words of George W. Bush, “this is fuzzy math.”<br /><br />I could at least understand this cooperation if they had the good sense to extract some type of concession from the Latino community. For example, why won’t the Latino community speak out on the racist policy that allows Cubans (mostly white Cubans) to stay in the country based on the idiotic “wet foot, dry foot policy?” Simply put, the policy states that if a Cuban gets one foot on U.S. soil, then they are granted the chance to remain in the country and later would qualify for expedited legal permanent resident status and U.S. citizenship. Contrast that with people from Haiti who are summarily returned immediately to their country with no hope of getting an opportunity for citizenship. <br /><br />How long will these so called Black leaders continue to sell out their own people and get nothing in return? Blacks must think strategically, not emotionally. It is totally idiotic to support a policy that will hurt the very people you claim to represent. I can no longer give these radical, Black, liberal individuals the benefit of the doubt because I doubt that there is any benefit.<br /><br />Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (<a href="http://www.excellstyle.com">www.excellstyle.com</a>).<br /></div>
Business As Usual
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/business-as-usual
2010-02-18T05:08:33.000Z
2010-02-18T05:08:33.000Z
Raynard Jackson
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/RaynardJackson
<div><p>February 18, 2010<br /><br />Raynard Jackson</p><p><br />Can you imagine Michael Jordan seeking advice on basketball from a ping pong player, or Tiger Woods seeking advice on his golf swing from a rugby player, or Bill Gates seeking advice on technology from a Buddhist monk?</p><p><br />Even Hollywood, with all its creative energy, could not have come up with such a script. Even if they did, no one would believe them. They would be run out of town. But, what would you say if I told you of a real life story that seems just as ridiculous, but yet, actually happened?</p><p><br />What if I told you the irony of all ironies was that it happened during Black History Month and there has been little public reaction to this amazing occurrence.</p><p><br />On February 10th, president Obama met with supposed “leaders” from the Black community to talk about the economy, how to create jobs, and the high unemployment rate within the Black community. <br />So far, so good. I don’t think anyone would have an issue with that. As it is often stated, “when America sneezes, Black folks get pneumonia.” It is also well documented that during recessions, Black unemployment is always higher than the official number.</p><p><br />So, the president wanted to have an intimate, hour long meeting with 4 Black “leaders” that could shed some light on this problem. The invited participants were, Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, Rev. Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network, Benjamin Jealous, president of the NAACP and Dr. Dorothy I. Height, chairman, National Council of Negro Women (she was unable to make it due to the bad weather, she is 97).</p><p><br />I will give you a few minutes to stop laughing.</p><p><br />I find this to be an insult to every successful Black businessman and entrepreneur. What do these 4 people know about economics or job creation? How many jobs have they ever created, individually or collectively? Zero! Nada! Zilch!</p><p><br />I think Obama’s presidency is about over if he is really seeking economic advice from people like these, whose policy agenda is antithetical to job creation (higher taxes, increased minimum wages, etc.). <br />Am I the only Black who is not only embarrassed by this, but also insulted by Obama’s actions? If he was serious about dealing with these issues he would have met with Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Here’s a former professional athlete who has proven you can make money by investing in the inner cities across America. He owns a chain of Starbucks, movie theaters, and restaurants all located in the inner city. Then there is Junior Bridgeman, retired N.B.A. player. He is president of Bridgeman Foods, Inc., which owns and operates Wendy’s Hamburgers and other restaurants (103 Chili’s) across the country. He is (and has been for many years) one of the largest Wendy’s franchisees (over 160) in the world and is estimated to have revenues in the hundreds of millions dollars annually. Stephanie Drake, president of Drake Incorporated, an up and coming female owned construction company in Washington, DC. The rapper Jay-Z (estimated to have a net worth upwards of $ 150 million). He owns a very successful fashion line and is part owner of the New Jersey Nets of the N.B.A. Then you have the usual cast of characters Obama should have met with, Dick Parsons, chairman of Citigroup, Ken Chenault, CEO and chairman of American Express.</p><p><br />These are just a few of the people Obama should have been meeting with. What Obama did should be insulting to all Blacks. Let’s be real. Obama had to do something to quiet the discontent from the radical liberals in the Democratic Party in general and Blacks specifically. This was his symbolic way of showing Blacks that he has not forgotten about us. He specially chose these individuals to meet with because they each have loud microphones plus he knew that would be happy with just a meeting. This cynical stunt buys the president some time to deal with other radical liberals who are giving him problems. He has silenced the gays by talking about “don’t ask, don’t tell.” He’s silenced the Hispanics by giving them Sonya Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court. But, ironically, the biggest problem he has is the Democratic members of the House and Senate.</p><p><br />Obama knows that the Black folks he met with can do absolutely no harm to him politically. They can now go back to their groups and brag about being in the White House. They have already forgotten the fact that the president made no substantive commitments to them. Also unusual was the fact that the White House did not release any photos of the meeting, an indication of how unimportant they viewed the meeting.</p><p><br />Obama had no intention of having a serious discussion with these people about the economy and the Black community. They wouldn’t have understood the conversation even if the president did have sincere intentions.</p><p></p><p>What a cynical slap in the face to Blacks in general and Black business owners specifically.</p><p><br />Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm. He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (<a href="http://www.excellstyle.com">www.excellstyle.com</a>).<br /></p></div>
Murda !!! - Them a Murda Sean Bell and we just sit back and do what This Time ??
https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/2055350-BlogPost-2243
2008-04-25T20:18:35.000Z
2008-04-25T20:18:35.000Z
RE Ausetkmt
https://www.theblacklist.net/members/REAusetkmt
<div><h3 align="center">- NO JUSTICE FOR SEAN BELL IN NYC TODAY -</h3>The Sean Bell Murder Trial has concluded with predictable results<h2><img src="http://www.justiceforsean.net/naacp-never_again-140px.jpg" align="right" height="196" width="150" alt="naacp-never_again-140px.jpg" /></h2><img src="http://www.justiceforsean.net/Sean_Bell_family_photo.jpg" alt="Sean Bell with his Family" align="left" /><strong>NO CONVICTIONS FOR THE MURDERERS - JUST ANOTHER MURDER ..</strong><h3>But let justice roll on like a river, Righteousness like a never-failing stream! - Amos 5:24</h3><strong>Friday, April 25, 2008, 9:20am:</strong>Justice denied -- <em>all</em> 3 police officers acquited of <em>all</em> charges. 50 shots fired at 3 unarmed, peaceful men -- and Sean killed on his wedding day -- and not even a reckless endangerment charge for one cop.<strong>Justice is not colorblind in Queens. To be continued.</strong><object width="425" height="355" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZJUdVhuhlqc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZJUdVhuhlqc" ></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZJUdVhuhlqc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed></object><strong>CNN Covers the Aftermath at the Courthouse</strong><object width="425" height="355" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/P--gTJFwE4I" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/P--gTJFwE4I" ></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/P--gTJFwE4I" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed></object><strong>PAPOOSE PUTS IT DOWN LIKE IT NEEDS TO GO DOWN - YEAH BWOY.</strong><object width="425" height="355" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/YxtirIm46YE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YxtirIm46YE" ></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YxtirIm46YE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed></object><object width="425" height="355" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/YxtirIm46YE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YxtirIm46YE" ></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YxtirIm46YE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed></object> <strong>at the Courthouse the AP Speaks to the Family about the Reality and thefamily talks about their feelings - This is Before the verdict is announced.</strong><h2><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/26/nyregion/26BELL.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all">3 Detectives Acquitted in Sean Bell Shooting</a></h2><p class="byline">By <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/w/michael_wilson/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More Articles by Michael Wilson">MICHAEL WILSON</a></p><p class="timestamp">Published: April 26, 2008</p>Three detectives were found not guilty Friday on all charges in the shooting death of <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/sean_bell/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Sean Bell.">Sean Bell</a>, who died in a hail of 50 police bullets outside a club in Jamaica, Queens, in November 2006. The verdict prompted calls for calm from the mayor, angry promises of protests by those speaking for the Bell family and expressions of relief by the detectives.<img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/04/25/nyregion/25bell11-190.jpg" align="right" border="0" height="127" width="190" alt="25bell11-190.jpg" /> - Chang W. Lee/The New York TimesThe detectives who were acquitted, Gescard F. Isnora, left, Marc Cooper and Michael Oliver, with Michael J. Palladino, president of the Detectives’ Endowment Association, at the union’s headquarters on Friday.<img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/04/24/nyregion/BellPromo190.jpg" alt="Inside the Sean Bell Case" align="left" border="0" height="126" width="190" /><h2><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/04/24/nyregion/20080424_BELL_GRAPHIC.html">Inside the Sean Bell Case</a></h2><img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/04/25/nyregion/0426-met-webPOLICE.190.jpg" alt="Killed or Injured by Police" align="left" border="0" height="126" width="190" /><h4>Related</h4><h2><a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/sean_bell/index.html">Times Topics: Sean Bell</a></h2><img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/04/25/nyregion/25bell09-2-190.jpg" align="right" border="0" height="127" width="190" alt="25bell09-2-190.jpg" />Todd Heisler/The New York Times<strong>Killed or Injured by Police ?</strong>The crowd gathered at the Queens Criminal Court building reacted to the verdict in the Sean Bell shooting trial. The Rev. Al Sharpton, right, and Valerie and William Bell, Sean Bell’s parents, leaving the courthouse after the verdict.<img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/04/25/nyregion/25bell04-190.jpg" align="right" border="0" height="115" width="190" alt="25bell04-190.jpg" />(Brendan McDermid/Reuters)Detective Michael Oliver, who fired 31 bullets the night of the shooting and faced manslaughter charges, said Justice Arthur J. Cooperman had made a “fair and justdecision.”Justice Cooperman delivered the verdict in State Supreme Court at 9 a.m. Giving his reasoning, and describing the evidence, he said it was reasonable for the detectives to fear that someone in the crowd that night carried a gun. He added that many of the prosecution’s witnesses, including Mr. Bell’s friends and the two wounded victims, were simply not believable. “At times, the testimony of those witnesses just didn’t make sense,” the judge said.<img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2008/04/25/nyregion/24bell-190.jpg" align="left" border="0" height="141" width="190" alt="24bell-190.jpg" /> Gescard F. Isnora, left, Michael Oliver and Marc Cooper, the defendants in the case.Several supporters of Mr. Bell stormed out of the courtroom, and a few small scuffles followed outside the courthouse. By midafternoon, there were no suggestions of any broader unrest around the city. Mr. Bell’s family and fiancée left without making any comments and drove to visit his grave at the Nassau Knolls Cemetery and Memorial Park in Port Washington.The verdict comes 17 months to the day since the Nov. 25, 2006, shooting of Mr. Bell, 23, and his friends, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield, outside the Club Kalua in Jamaica, Queens, hours before Mr. Bell was to be married.<object width="425" height="355" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/_mCOtbmPPeY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_mCOtbmPPeY" ></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_mCOtbmPPeY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed></object> <strong>Sean Bell Murder - from the Focus on Diversity program in Milwaukee</strong>It was delivered in a packed courtroom. Mr. Bell’s family sat silently as Justice Cooperman spoke from the bench. Behind them, a woman was heard to ask, “Did he just say, ‘Not guilty?’ ” Detective Oliver and the two other defendants, Detectives Gescard F. Isnora and Marc Cooper, were escorted out a side doorway as court adjourned.The acquittals do not necessarily mean the officers’ legal battles are over. Commissioner <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/k/raymond_w_kelly/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Raymond W. Kelly.">Raymond W. Kelly</a> said the three men could still face disciplinary action from the Police Department, but that he had been asked to wait on any internal measures until the United States attorney’s office determines whether or not it would pursue federal charges against them.<object width="425" height="355" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/7PecNRKVHj8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7PecNRKVHj8" ></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7PecNRKVHj8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed></object> (Ray Kelly - NYPD Chief Makes Jokes about Sean Bell MURDER in Interview)The seven-week trial, which ended on April 14, was heard by Justice Cooperman after the defendants waived their right to a jury, a strategy some lawyers called risky at the time. But it clearly paid off.Before rendering his verdict, Justice Cooperman ran through a narrative of the chilly November evening when Mr. Bell died, and concluded “<em>the police response with respect to each defendant was not found to be criminal.</em>”<blockquote><p align="justify"><strong>“The people have not proved beyond a reasonable doubt” that each defendant was not justified in shooting, the judge said, quickly adding that the men were not guilty of all of the eight counts, five felonies and three misdemeanors against them.</strong></p></blockquote>Roughly 30 court officers stood by, around the courtroom and in the aisles. At one point as he read, Justice Cooperman paused to insist that a crying baby be taken from the courtroom. Immediately a young woman who appeared to be among the Bell contingent got up and left with a baby.The Rev. <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/s/al_sharpton/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Al Sharpton.">Al Sharpton</a> accompanied Bell family members to the cemetery, and said later that they will join him on Saturday at a rally protesting the verdict. He said he had spoken to the governor and the mayor, and that he believed a federal civil rights prosecution of the officers would be appropriate.<strong>“This verdict is one round down, but the fight is far from over,” Mr. Sharpton said.</strong><object width="425" height="355" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/dFEIlpm6HEM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dFEIlpm6HEM" ></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dFEIlpm6HEM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed></object> <strong>DemocracyNow.org - The Murder of Sean Bell Footage</strong><object width="425" height="355" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/iIamRtDgB14" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iIamRtDgB14" ></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iIamRtDgB14" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed></object> <strong>Part Two of the Sean Bell Murder</strong>He promised protests “to demonstrate to the federal government that New Yorkers will not take this abortion of justice lying down.” He even raised the possibility of taking protests directly to Justice Cooperman’s home.<p align="justify"></p><blockquote><strong>Mayor <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/michael_r_bloomberg/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Michael R. Bloomberg.">Michael R. Bloomberg</a> called for calm. “There are no winners in a trial like this,” he said. “An innocent man lost his life, a bride lost her groom, two daughters lost their father and a mother and a father lost their son.”</strong></blockquote>The mayor continued: “Judge Cooperman’s responsibility, however, was to decide the case based on the evidence presented in the courtroom. America is a nation of laws, and though not everyone will agree with the verdicts and opinions issued by the courts, we accept their authority.”He added: “There will be opportunities for peaceful dissent and potentially for further legal recourse — those are the rights we enjoy in a democratic nation. We don’t expect violence or law-breaking, nor is there any place for it.”A subdued Queens district attorney, <a href="http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/b/richard_a_brown/index.html?inline=nyt-per" title="More articles about Richard A. Brown.">Richard A. Brown</a>, whose office prosecuted the case, said at a news conference: “Judge Cooperman discharged his responsibilities fairly and consciously under the law. I accept his verdict, and I urge all fair-minded individuals in this city to do the same.”Commissioner Kelly, speaking in Brooklyn, would not comment on the verdict itself. But he did say that while there were no reports of unrest in response to the acquittals, the Police Department was ready should it occur.“We have prepared, we have done some drills and some practice with appropriate units and personnel if there is any violence, but again, we don’t anticipate violence,” Mr. Kelly said. “There have been no problems. Obviously there will be some people who are disappointed with the verdict. We understand that.”Detectives Isnora and Oliver had faced the most charges: first- and second-degree manslaughter, with a possible sentence of 25 years in prison; felony assault, first and second degree; and a misdemeanor, reckless endangerment, with a possible one-year sentence. Detective Oliver also faced a second count of first-degree assault. Detective Cooper was charged only with two counts of reckless endangerment.All three of the detectives, none of whom took the stand during the trial, spoke at the offices of their union on Friday afternoon. “I’ve just started my life back,” Detective Cooper said.During the 26 days of testimony, the prosecution sought to show, with an array of 50 witnesses, that the shooting was the act of a frightened group of disorganized police officers who began their shift that night hoping to arrest a prostitute or two and, in suspecting Mr. Bell and his friends of possessing a gun, quickly got in over their heads.“We ask police to risk their lives to protect ours,” said an assistant district attorney, Charles A. Testagrossa, in his closing arguments. “Not to risk our lives to protect their own.”The defense, through weeks of often heated cross-examinations, their own witnesses and the words of the detectives themselves, portrayed the shooting as the tragic end to a nonetheless justified confrontation, with Detective Isnora having what it called solid reasons to believe he was the only thing standing between Mr. Bell’s car and a drive-by shooting around the corner.Several witnesses testified that they heard talk of guns in an argument between Mr. Bell and a stranger, Fabio Coicou, outside Kalua, an argument, the defense claimed, that was fueled by bravado and Mr. Bell’s intoxicated state. Defense lawyers pointed their fingers at Mr. Guzman, who, they said, in shouting for Mr. Bell to drive away when Detective Isnora approached, may have instigated his death.Detective Isnora told grand jurors last year that he clipped his badge to his collar and drew his gun, shouting, “Police! Don’t move!” as he approached Mr. Bell’s Nissan Altima.Other witnesses, mostly friends of Mr. Bell, said they never heard shouts of “Police!” Mr. Guzman and Mr. Benefield testified that they had no idea that Detective Isnora was a police officer when he walked up with his gun drawn.<object width="425" height="355" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/44oJaJJQuNA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/44oJaJJQuNA" ></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/44oJaJJQuNA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed></object> <strong>50 Shots for Sean Bell - Why ? pt.1</strong><object width="425" height="355" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/fPkfNpuh05w" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fPkfNpuh05w" ></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fPkfNpuh05w" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed></object> <strong>They Reloaded Why - 50 shots for Sean Bell - Why ? Pt.2</strong><object width="425" height="355" data="http://www.youtube.com/v/JtTLzbdGTe0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never" ></param><param name="allowNetworking" value="internal" ></param><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JtTLzbdGTe0" ></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent" ></param><embed wmode="opaque" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JtTLzbdGTe0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="355" allowscriptaccess="never" allownetworking="internal"></embed></object> <strong>Nicholas Heyward who's s 13yr old son was wacked by another nypd pigspeaks about the Murder of Sean Bell.</strong><h1>Remember All The VICTIMS ON OCT 22 Stop Police Brutality Day IN NYC</h1></div>