This is my drafted letter to the Mama's Boy in Essence Magazine (Don Cheadle issue... not sure if Feb or March issue) I'm thinking that I may amend it a little more but basically here are my thoughts...
Dear Brian,
I understand that Essence published this article to spark some thought and let sistas know to run away if they meet a man like you. It saddens, but doesn't surprise me, that a black man who thinks that his material wealth means that he has "matured" is somehow a "good brotha." Let me ask you? Did you sleep with these women before or after your "mama" told you to dump them? My guess is that you probably did. It's pretty disturbing that the same way, I'm sure your mother wouldn't want to be treated is the way she encourages you to treat other women.
You made no mention that your mother married or has a partner.I can only assume that once men realized the man she really wants to be with is her son, they dropped her like hot cakes!
She criticizes women for not having a degree but since none of hers were mentioned, I will have to assume she doesn't have any.
Tell Essence readers, what do you really bring to the table besides your mother? hmm.... IMO your a spineless 29 year old. It's awful to see that you and your mother demean black women as a smokescreen to the Oedipus complex that you obviously have and your poor mother's lonliness and insecurity. Hopefully, you two will address your issues and women will be warned when they see your face to politely walk the other way.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
The People vs. Super Delegates
I am interested in hearing what you all think of the Super Delegate system and the possibility of them having to choose a Democratic nominee as opposed to the People...See below for more information and act as you see fit...
************************************************
Nearly 20,000 of you have spoken. CNN, Black radio, and online blogs1 are amplifying the message: members of Congress shouldn't decide the Democratic nominee--the voters should.
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) are starting to feel the pressure. The issue was discussed in depth at Tavis Smiley's State of the Black Union,2 and there are increasing signs that some CBC members are listening, including John Lewis' announcement that he will follow the will of the voters.3
You can help us build on this momentum. Please join us in demanding that CBC members take a stand for democracy:
http://colorofchang e.org/superd/ ?id=1890- 271701
Voters in places like Atlanta,4 Brooklyn,5 St. Louis,6 and Inglewood7 have made clear their choice for president: Barack Obama. But some members of the Congressional Black Caucus are threatening to use their power as "superdelegates" to undermine the votes of their constituents, as well as those of voters in general.8
Voters should decide elections--not politicians. And members of the Congressional Black Caucus should amplify the political voice of their constituents, not silence it.
Superdelegate votes
Voters in almost all the districts represented by the CBC have chosen Obama, helping him win more delegates than Clinton. But only some delegates vote based on the results of primaries. A fifth of the delegates that will vote at the convention -- and decide the nomination -- are "superdelegates" that can technically vote however they like, regardless of what the voters say.9 These superdelegates are members of Congress, senators, governors and Democratic party insiders. In a contest this close, they have the power to overturn the will of voters, and decide the outcome.
Representatives Jesse Jackson Jr.,10 John Conyers,11 Eleanor Holmes-Norton,12 and others have called for superdelegates to listen to the voices of those they claim to represent, but some have refused or have remained silent. At least 11 Black members of Congress might cast their superdelegate vote for Clinton, even though their districts voted for Obama. Even after their constituents showed an overwhelming preference for Obama, most are refusing to say what they'll do as superdelegates.13
In 2000 and 2004, CBC members stood up to defend the rights of Black voters that had been disenfranchised. It would be a disgrace for its members to now undermine the votes of the same voters. It will take courage and conviction for CBC members to break with back-room politics and stand up for democracy. But we must demand it. Please join us:
http://colorofchang e.org/superd/ ?id=1890- 271701
Thank You and Peace,
-- James, Van, Gabriel, Clarissa, Mervyn, Andre, and the rest of the ColorOfChange. org team February 28th, 2008
P.S. Here's what John Lewis (Congressman from Georgia) said about his change of heart:
"After taking some time for serious reflection on this issue, I have decided that when I cast my vote as a superdelegate at the Democratic convention, it is my duty as a representative of the 5th Congressional District to express the will of the people... As a U.S. representative, it is my role not to try to subdue or suppress the will of the people, but to help it prosper and grow."
Here's what Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D.C.'s Congressional Delegate) had to say about her role as a superdelegate:
"As a super delegate, I decided I had to speak up now to separate myself from the idea that is afoot for the first time that super delegates, especially those who have not announced their choice, could or should decide our nominee under some circumstances. The notion that a candidate who has not earned delegates could become the Democratic nominee for president is at odds with the democratic principles of our party reforms. Super delegates were never intended to allow the return of smoked-filled room, behind the scenes selection of our candidate. I have carried a banner for a democracy of the District of Columbia too long to depart from principles of democracy within my own party."14
Here's Donna Brazile (a strategist who ran Al Gore's campaign and has a position with the DNC):
"If 795 of my colleagues [the other superdelegates] decide this election, I will quit the Democratic Party. I feel very strongly about this."15
References:
1. Initial press coverage of our campaign http://www.colorofc hange.org/ superd/coverage
2. More SOBU: Jackson Lee Says Don't Be Angry; Sharpton Kills; And More, Jack and Jill Politics, 2-23-08 http://tinyurl. com/26285g
3. Lewis switches from Clinton to Obama, CNN Political Ticker, 2-27-08 http://tinyurl. com/2nygm7
4. Huckabee, Obama Celebrate Wins In Georgia, WSB-TV, 2-7-2008 http://www.wsbtv. com/politics/ 15212406/ detail.html
5. New York Primary Results, USAToday.com http://content. usatoday. com/news/ politics/ election2008/ results.aspx? sp=NY
6. Election Summary Report, City of Saint Louis http://www.stlelect ions.com/ results/results- 1.htm
7. California Primary Results, USAToday.com http://content. usatoday. com/news/ politics/ election2008/ results.aspx? sp=CA
8. Black lawmakers backing Obama press colleagues to heed voters, The Hill, 2-16-08 http://tinyurl. com/383bu4
9. Superdelegate, Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ Superdelegate
10. The delicate superdelegate predicament, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., Op-ed in the New York Times, 2-12-08 http://tinyurl. com/3c666q
11. See reference 8.
12. Deciding Between Two Good Friends, Norton Chooses Obama, Hotline On Call, 2-12-08 http://tinyurl. com/2hcnbq
13. See reference 8.
14. See reference 12.
15. Democrats dreading a drawn-out, costly battle for nomination, CNN.com, 2-8-08 http://www.cnn. com/2008/ POLITICS/ 02/07/dem. delegates/
************************************************
Nearly 20,000 of you have spoken. CNN, Black radio, and online blogs1 are amplifying the message: members of Congress shouldn't decide the Democratic nominee--the voters should.
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) are starting to feel the pressure. The issue was discussed in depth at Tavis Smiley's State of the Black Union,2 and there are increasing signs that some CBC members are listening, including John Lewis' announcement that he will follow the will of the voters.3
You can help us build on this momentum. Please join us in demanding that CBC members take a stand for democracy:
http://colorofchang e.org/superd/ ?id=1890- 271701
Voters in places like Atlanta,4 Brooklyn,5 St. Louis,6 and Inglewood7 have made clear their choice for president: Barack Obama. But some members of the Congressional Black Caucus are threatening to use their power as "superdelegates" to undermine the votes of their constituents, as well as those of voters in general.8
Voters should decide elections--not politicians. And members of the Congressional Black Caucus should amplify the political voice of their constituents, not silence it.
Superdelegate votes
Voters in almost all the districts represented by the CBC have chosen Obama, helping him win more delegates than Clinton. But only some delegates vote based on the results of primaries. A fifth of the delegates that will vote at the convention -- and decide the nomination -- are "superdelegates" that can technically vote however they like, regardless of what the voters say.9 These superdelegates are members of Congress, senators, governors and Democratic party insiders. In a contest this close, they have the power to overturn the will of voters, and decide the outcome.
Representatives Jesse Jackson Jr.,10 John Conyers,11 Eleanor Holmes-Norton,12 and others have called for superdelegates to listen to the voices of those they claim to represent, but some have refused or have remained silent. At least 11 Black members of Congress might cast their superdelegate vote for Clinton, even though their districts voted for Obama. Even after their constituents showed an overwhelming preference for Obama, most are refusing to say what they'll do as superdelegates.13
In 2000 and 2004, CBC members stood up to defend the rights of Black voters that had been disenfranchised. It would be a disgrace for its members to now undermine the votes of the same voters. It will take courage and conviction for CBC members to break with back-room politics and stand up for democracy. But we must demand it. Please join us:
http://colorofchang e.org/superd/ ?id=1890- 271701
Thank You and Peace,
-- James, Van, Gabriel, Clarissa, Mervyn, Andre, and the rest of the ColorOfChange. org team February 28th, 2008
P.S. Here's what John Lewis (Congressman from Georgia) said about his change of heart:
"After taking some time for serious reflection on this issue, I have decided that when I cast my vote as a superdelegate at the Democratic convention, it is my duty as a representative of the 5th Congressional District to express the will of the people... As a U.S. representative, it is my role not to try to subdue or suppress the will of the people, but to help it prosper and grow."
Here's what Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D.C.'s Congressional Delegate) had to say about her role as a superdelegate:
"As a super delegate, I decided I had to speak up now to separate myself from the idea that is afoot for the first time that super delegates, especially those who have not announced their choice, could or should decide our nominee under some circumstances. The notion that a candidate who has not earned delegates could become the Democratic nominee for president is at odds with the democratic principles of our party reforms. Super delegates were never intended to allow the return of smoked-filled room, behind the scenes selection of our candidate. I have carried a banner for a democracy of the District of Columbia too long to depart from principles of democracy within my own party."14
Here's Donna Brazile (a strategist who ran Al Gore's campaign and has a position with the DNC):
"If 795 of my colleagues [the other superdelegates] decide this election, I will quit the Democratic Party. I feel very strongly about this."15
References:
1. Initial press coverage of our campaign http://www.colorofc hange.org/ superd/coverage
2. More SOBU: Jackson Lee Says Don't Be Angry; Sharpton Kills; And More, Jack and Jill Politics, 2-23-08 http://tinyurl. com/26285g
3. Lewis switches from Clinton to Obama, CNN Political Ticker, 2-27-08 http://tinyurl. com/2nygm7
4. Huckabee, Obama Celebrate Wins In Georgia, WSB-TV, 2-7-2008 http://www.wsbtv. com/politics/ 15212406/ detail.html
5. New York Primary Results, USAToday.com http://content. usatoday. com/news/ politics/ election2008/ results.aspx? sp=NY
6. Election Summary Report, City of Saint Louis http://www.stlelect ions.com/ results/results- 1.htm
7. California Primary Results, USAToday.com http://content. usatoday. com/news/ politics/ election2008/ results.aspx? sp=CA
8. Black lawmakers backing Obama press colleagues to heed voters, The Hill, 2-16-08 http://tinyurl. com/383bu4
9. Superdelegate, Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia .org/wiki/ Superdelegate
10. The delicate superdelegate predicament, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., Op-ed in the New York Times, 2-12-08 http://tinyurl. com/3c666q
11. See reference 8.
12. Deciding Between Two Good Friends, Norton Chooses Obama, Hotline On Call, 2-12-08 http://tinyurl. com/2hcnbq
13. See reference 8.
14. See reference 12.
15. Democrats dreading a drawn-out, costly battle for nomination, CNN.com, 2-8-08 http://www.cnn. com/2008/ POLITICS/ 02/07/dem. delegates/
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Gay teenager killed by classmate in US
Police investigating the murder of a 15-year-old boy by his teenage classmate are treating the shooting as a hate crime.
Lawrence King had been harassed by a group of boys at his Florida school, including the 14-year-old charged with his murder, since he told friends he was gay.
His fellow pupils at E.O. Green Junior High in Oxnard said the bullying started after Lawrence wore mascara, lipstick and jewellery to school.
“They teased him because he was different,” said Marissa Moreno, 13.
“But he wasn’t afraid to show himself.”
On Feb 12 Lawrence was in the school's computer lab when his alleged attacker, Brandon McInerney, walked into the room and shot him in the head. He was caught by police a few blocks away.
Lawrence was declared brain dead the following day and taken off life support on Feb 14.
The shooting has stunned residents of Oxnard, a relaxed middle-class beach community just north of Malibu.
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“We’ve never had school violence like this here before, never had a school shooting,” said David Keith, a spokesman for the Oxnard Police Department.
One parent with a daughter at the school called the crime “absolutely unbelievable.”
McInerney has been charged as an adult with murder as a premeditated hate crime and gun possession. If convicted, he faces a sentence of 52 years to life in prison.
Speaking at a memorial service for Lawrence, the Rev. Dan Birchfield of Westminster Presbyterian Church said: “God knit Larry together and made him wonderfully complex. Larry was a masterpiece.”
Monday, February 25, 2008
Sean Bell
Check this out from the NY Times
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/trial-starts-for-detectives-in-bell-shooting/?hp
Some demonstrated this morning outside the State Supreme Court building in Kew Gardens, Queens, before the start of the trial of three New York City police detectives charged in the killing of Sean Bell in 2006. (Photo: Ozier Muhammad/The New York Times)
Applicants Object to Ruby Tuesday Hiring Policy - Metro
Hey Guys!
I know this happened in DC BUT the story is also relevant to NYC as well. Take a read and let me know your thoughts.
Applicants Object to Ruby Tuesday Hiring Policy - Metro
I know this happened in DC BUT the story is also relevant to NYC as well. Take a read and let me know your thoughts.
Applicants Object to Ruby Tuesday Hiring Policy - Metro
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Hey Everyone!
This is the first post! Welcome to the new home for us! I've sent open invitations to everyone so that you can post ANYTHING that you want on this blog for feedback! Basically, the blog is equal and accessible to all of us & will not set off any Blackberry's (Get a Treo suckas! lol) This is an exciting and geeky time for me because I've never been so active with Groups & Blogs & research to find out what could work best for the group.
Thanks again for all the suggestions & PLEASE use the blog to post ALL topics instead of the email. Of course, if you have private issues then contact me via email or call me etc :-) With that said, please let me know any concerns that you have or issues that you have so that we can work it out with the blog.
I will still email announcements about group meeting & new books & things like that. So, let's give this a run & see what happens!
Thanks again for all the suggestions & PLEASE use the blog to post ALL topics instead of the email. Of course, if you have private issues then contact me via email or call me etc :-) With that said, please let me know any concerns that you have or issues that you have so that we can work it out with the blog.
I will still email announcements about group meeting & new books & things like that. So, let's give this a run & see what happens!
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