Highbrid Nation

SOUND OFF: Should Roland Martin Get Fired From CNN for his Tweets about Gays?

2012-02-08T16:21:12Z

@ROLANDSMARTIN @GLAAD
I used to follow Roland Martin on Twitter. (For some reason that I can’t remember I don’t any longer.) What I found to be interesting about the CNN political talky was that he held no punches. He tweeted without edit, without fear of being politically incorrect. Quite refreshing for someone with the “Verified” stamp next to his avatar.

But if you believe the Gay police GLAAD, Roland pulled a foul on Sunday while tweeting about the #Superbowl. Following a seemingly out of place, H&M commercial featuring soccer player David Beckham, CNN’s Roland Martin tweeted to his 100K followers:

@ROLANDSMARTIN: If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham’s H&M underwear ad, smack the ish out of him! #superbowl’

GLAAD was none too happy and responded leading to the all to exciting cyber fight.

@GLAAD: “@rolandsmartin Advocates of gay bashing have no place at @CNN #SuperBowl #LGBT”

@ROLANDSMARTIN: “@glaad @CNN well you’re clearly out of touch and clueless with what I tweeted. Way to assume, but you’re way off base.”

Apparently further GLAAD research further fueled the argument after it was discovered Martin wasn’t pleased with the Pink clothing choice of one New England Patriot and voiced his opinion on Facebook.

Who the hell was that New England Patriot they just showed in a head to toe pink suit? Oh, he needs a visit from #teamwhipdatass.

Wait for it…wait for it…..And here comes his inevitable apology/ clarification issued via his website.

I made several cracks about soccer as I do all the time. I was not referring to sexuality directly or indirectly regarding the David Beckham ad, and I’m sorry folks took it otherwise.

“It was meant to be a deliberately over the top and sarcastic crack about soccer; I do not advocate violence of any kind against anyone gay, or not. As anyone who follows me on Twitter knows, anytime soccer comes up during football season it’s another chance for me to take a playful shot at soccer, nothing more.”

One thing I love about the Nation is we’ve always been mature enough to discuss topics objectively whether they affect us or not. The Gay rights activists in this country have a lot of power and while that important to keeping bigotry in check, such power abused can be a slippery slope. We have grown unquestionably very sensitive as a culture to race, sex and orientation jokes. Where do we draw the line? Did Roland Martin cross it or is he unfairly targeted to prove a point and make an example? SOUND OFF: Should Roland Martin get fired from CNN for his tweets about Gays?

[RANT] Eff It, Let’s Scrap Black History Month

2012-02-08T15:21:00Z

Maybe its just the cynic in me but I’m a little bored by Black History Month. Don’t get me wrong, I get it. How else would kids know about the contributions of W.E.B. Dubois, George Washington Carver, Crispus Attucks, A. Langston Taylor (look him up) Benjamin Banneker and others without the yearly reminder that its time to break out the brown crayons and construction paper to do a book report on the same crop of dead African Americans. Ok that sounds bad.

There are some other more well known names such as the Dr. Kings, Rosa Parks, Harriett Tubman, and Malcolm X’s of the world that otherwise wouldn’t be household names without this exercise of repetition. Hell, some would argue without this level of perennial positive reinforcement we wouldn’t have realized we were black and somehow have been confused into voting for the other guy instead of Obama in 2008. Clearly this isn’t going well is it?

My point is that Black History is boring. Especially when we can’t be bothered with doing enough research each year to honor and remember any more than a few additional names outside the aforementioned. Sh*t we bellyache about February being the shortest month, we barely can get up off our ass to start the ceremonial roll call on time. Its usually right around the time the groundhog sees his shadow that someone says “OH SHIT” I gotta change my Facebook profile pic to Frederick Douglass. I can remember a time when Highbrid Nation would go all out and post some factoids on some obscure but interesting Black History figures from days gone by but in the end, no one cared. I’d look at the Google Analytics and realize the only visits were by people who accidentally clicked on it instead of the Fat Back that preceded it.

I think, and I’ve said this before, out heroes of yesteryear wanted us to learn a lesson that we still haven’t. Instead we just copy and paste the lesson into WordPress and illustrate it with a cute pic. What Dr. King and so many others wanted us to do was look forward. Stand on the shoulders of the past but honor the future. Give our future the best opportunity to be successful that we can. The Aryans have a belief that the white power movement should lead the charge in creating a “White History Month.” In fact its not necessary. We’ve just got our head stuck so far up our history’s ass that we can’t see straight ahead of us. Do I really mean scrap it? Probably not, remixing it might be a good idea. But imagine how much you’d ufk Heads up if you started calling it Black FUTURE month.

Movie Trailers: The Avengers

2012-02-07T14:24:59Z

The Best $14.96 You’ll Spend This Week

2012-02-07T03:06:20Z

While passing through Wal-Mart the other day, I noticed that the DVD of ‘Thurgood’, Laurence Fishburne’s one-man-show was on sale for the convenient price of $14.96.

If you’ve never seen it before, do yourself a favor. Buy the DVD, spend the other $5.04 on some snacks, and spend the evening in watching it.

You can thank me later.

[RANT] In Memory of Don Cornelius, Its Time We Erase the Suicide Stigma

2012-02-02T15:33:36Z

#suicide
Yesterday, we lost one of the legendary figures in black entertainment, Don Cornelius. And while he was most certainly no longer a young man, he left the earth what most would call prematurely, perhaps even selfishly on his own terms. He took his own life. In the black community and even society as a whole there has been a long-standing stigma against suicide. To generalize, we’ve always seen it an act of defiance that selfishly leaves loved ones without.

Growing up in a very Christian household I was always told that God will forgive you for everything except suicide because you won’t have a chance for repentance. As a youngster the thought made me horrified of those I heard succumb to the fate, imagining their souls burning in hell for all eternity. That all changed when my best friend in life, my Godbrother Mikey died in 2004. While he was a great friend, he terrorized me as any older brother should do to a younger sibling. However in late adolecence, following an incidence where he was the victim of a violent assault, Mikey started hearing voices constantly. He would quickly be diagnosed with Skitzophrenia and his mental state quickly deteriorated. While he was always a little strange, admittedly, his new reality was one Roger Rabitt movie, real characters mixed with fantasy. The only difference was he couldn’t tell the difference.

He suffered with this illness for over a decade until he finally could not take it. We will never know if he had had enough or if he was coaxed by one of those evil voices to take his own life but what I realized at that time was this was not an act of selfishness. It was nothing to be ashamed of but rather a lesson, a cry that maybe it isn’t mental disease that we should be ashamed of but our inability to coap with those who have it. I have since also lost another very close family member to suicide both of the grusome details I will spare you. But in these and the many other suicides, there is a story. One to be understood, one to be appreciated and learned from.

The victims of suicide clearly expand beyond the deceased but I think its time we all take a look in the mirror. I think we’ll realize that although we may not be responsible for the act, we are in some ways responsible for the gross ugly stigma we have perpetuated it as being. The almighty takes us home for many reasons and in many ways. Its time we come to grips with that. Mikey, Gigi and Mr. Cornelius, may your rest in Peace and Souuuuuuuuul.

Former Slave Refuses to Work for Master Again

2012-02-02T02:47:22Z

HufPo is currently running a story that’s too good to pass up.

In 1865, a former slave named Jourdan Anderson received a letter from his ex-master asking him… wait for it… to come back to work for him.

Anderson, in a letter responding to his ex-master’s request, refused to discuss the subject until he was paid back for his 30 years of unpaid service; as well as a few other business-related requests.

The letter, copied below, shows a remarkable style on the part of the former slave, and is pretty damn funny all things considered

Dayton, Ohio,
August 7, 1865

To My Old Master, Colonel P.H. Anderson, Big Spring, Tennessee

Sir: I got your letter, and was glad to find that you had not forgotten Jourdon, and that you wanted me to come back and live with you again, promising to do better for me than anybody else can. I have often felt uneasy about you. I thought the Yankees would have hung you long before this, for harboring Rebs they found at your house. I suppose they never heard about your going to Colonel Martin’s to kill the Union soldier that was left by his company in their stable. Although you shot at me twice before I left you, I did not want to hear of your being hurt, and am glad you are still living. It would do me good to go back to the dear old home again, and see Miss Mary and Miss Martha and Allen, Esther, Green, and Lee. Give my love to them all, and tell them I hope we will meet in the better world, if not in this. I would have gone back to see you all when I was working in the Nashville Hospital, but one of the neighbors told me that Henry intended to shoot me if he ever got a chance.

I want to know particularly what the good chance is you propose to give me. I am doing tolerably well here. I get twenty-five dollars a month, with victuals and clothing; have a comfortable home for Mandy,—the folks call her Mrs. Anderson,—and the children—Milly, Jane, and Grundy—go to school and are learning well. The teacher says Grundy has a head for a preacher. They go to Sunday school, and Mandy and me attend church regularly. We are kindly treated. Sometimes we overhear others saying, “Them colored people were slaves” down in Tennessee. The children feel hurt when they hear such remarks; but I tell them it was no disgrace in Tennessee to belong to Colonel Anderson. Many darkeys would have been proud, as I used to be, to call you master. Now if you will write and say what wages you will give me, I will be better able to decide whether it would be to my advantage to move back again.

As to my freedom, which you say I can have, there is nothing to be gained on that score, as I got my free papers in 1864 from the Provost-Marshal-General of the Department of Nashville. Mandy says she would be afraid to go back without some proof that you were disposed to treat us justly and kindly; and we have concluded to test your sincerity by asking you to send us our wages for the time we served you. This will make us forget and forgive old scores, and rely on your justice and friendship in the future. I served you faithfully for thirty-two years, and Mandy twenty years. At twenty-five dollars a month for me, and two dollars a week for Mandy, our earnings would amount to eleven thousand six hundred and eighty dollars. Add to this the interest for the time our wages have been kept back, and deduct what you paid for our clothing, and three doctor’s visits to me, and pulling a tooth for Mandy, and the balance will show what we are in justice entitled to. Please send the money by Adams’s Express, in care of V. Winters, Esq., Dayton, Ohio. If you fail to pay us for faithful labors in the past, we can have little faith in your promises in the future. We trust the good Maker has opened your eyes to the wrongs which you and your fathers have done to me and my fathers, in making us toil for you for generations without recompense. Here I draw my wages every Saturday night; but in Tennessee there was never any pay-day for the negroes any more than for the horses and cows. Surely there will be a day of reckoning for those who defraud the laborer of his hire.

In answering this letter, please state if there would be any safety for my Milly and Jane, who are now grown up, and both good-looking girls. You know how it was with poor Matilda and Catherine. I would rather stay here and starve—and die, if it come to that—than have my girls brought to shame by the violence and wickedness of their young masters. You will also please state if there has been any schools opened for the colored children in your neighborhood. The great desire of my life now is to give my children an education, and have them form virtuous habits.

Say howdy to George Carter, and thank him for taking the pistol from you when you were shooting at me.

From your old servant,

Jourdon Anderson.

Don Cornelius Dead at 75

2012-02-01T14:51:11Z

Don Cornelius, legendary host of soul train, is dead at age 75 of an apparant suicide.

Cornelius was suffering from ‘major health issues’

Three White Teenages Arrested in Attack of Black Classmates with a Noose

2012-01-31T15:51:53Z

We often discuss the topic of racism here at the Nation. I often propose food for thought to the Racial Determination Committe with regard to racial bias in incidents in current events that while on the surface we might be quick to classify as racist while a deeper dig may reveal another intent. And while I think the “Racism” card is pulled way too often, to assume it no longer exist in this world would be irresponsible.

Perhaps no where is that exhibited more than in between the DNA coded stands of teenage hormones. A recent story in the Chicago Tribune told the terrifying tale of 16 year old Joshua Merritt‘s up close and personal bout with Racism. During an after school visit to the house of a new white “friend” from school, Merritt was confronted by they boy and two of his friends who accused him of dating his white cousin. What started out as a “Nigger” laced tirade would later turn into a knife being held to his throat and a noose positioned around his neck. Merritt was somehow able to escape but the incident illustrates the still harsh realities of a world in black and white.

Merritt admits he wasn’t dating the boy’s cousin and that they were just friends. But in 2012 should it matter? Should we not only be bothered by interracial couples but be subjected to fear of violent retaliation? This sounds like a scene out of the civil rights movement.

Matthew Hermann

The 16-year old whose house Merritt was held in was charged with charged as a juvenile “with committing a hate crime, unlawful restraint, aggravated battery and aggravated assault for allegedly pulling a knife.” A 17-year old was also charged as a juvenile. Matthew Hermann, 18, was charged as an adult.

SOUND OFF: Should Michelle Obama Be Allowed To Spend 50K on Sexy Lingerie?

2012-01-31T15:13:45Z

During a recent trip to New York it was rumored that Michelle Obama racked up a $50,000 bill on high priced lingerie. The report which first appeared in Britain’s The Telegraph, claims portions of Park Avenue was shut down so that the first lady could get her sexy back at Agent Provocateur.

“Michelle Obama has risked the wrath of cash-strapped Americans by indulging in a $50,000 shopping spree at Agent Provocateur… ‘Along with the Queen of Qatar, Sheikha Mozah, she closed off part of Madison Avenue to spend time in the luxury lingerie shop.”

The White House has since released a statement vehemently denying the allegations. But should they have to? I believe the argument is that at a time when many Americans are cash strapped the otherwise very thrifty clothing shopper, Michelle Obama shouldn’t be splurging for bedtime goodies. But on the flip side, Valentines Day IS coming up and her man has worked rather hard this past year fighting with Republicans in congress, can’t the brother get a little love? SOUND OFF Should Michelle Obama be allowed to drop 50G’s on Lingerie?

CAPTION THIS: From Hannah Montana to Wiley Miley

2012-01-27T16:17:07Z

Jimmy Kimmel Mocks Facebook’s New ‘Timeline’ Profile Requirement

2012-01-27T15:18:42Z

Newt Losing His Mo

2012-01-27T14:10:18Z

It isn’t easy keeping my finger on the pulse of the political world, but I bear the responsibility with grace and dignity.

That being said, I’m not beyond going out on a limb when called to do so.

So I’m prepared to predict the results of next Tuesday’s Florida primary, and it’s NOT what the polls, the pundits, or several of the voices in my head are telling me.

It’s going to be: Romney, Santorum, Gingrich; in that order.

Newt got the ‘big mo’ (momentum) after his pre-South-Carolina debate; which helped him to storm into the lead and win that primary. But lately, Newt has been off his game, with no easy targets to attack.

I think the last two debates (including last night’s) has taken the wind out of his sail. Santorum did well last night. Not well enough to win Florida, but well enough to snatch a second place finish.

We’ll find out in 4 days if I can still read tea leaves.

50th Law Of Parenting: 50 Cent Takes Floyd Mayweather’s 13 Year Old For Tattoos

2012-01-26T16:26:13Z

Growing up my parents were never the ones to pick me up from school or at least be home when I got in from school. I had neighbors who would look after us and occasionally a housekeeper who would check in. I was what we called a “latchkey kid.” The term actually originated around World War II when children were being left home alone when the men would be enlisted into the armed forces and the women for the first time would go out and find a job. Kids started wearing their keys around their neck as to not lose them.

Fortunately for me I wasn’t one of those that took that as a freedom to get into mischeief because my pops would have worn my ass out. Today its a little different. It was very common place that my friends would be actually raised by the television or as we got older, Nintendo. Today its the internet and more specifically Hip Hop.

Its no wonder that the youth is all screwed up. Hip Hop originated in the streets so for kids today who follow the culture they’re seeking refuge where they feel they belong. Values and morals are all out of pocket. Take Boxer Floyd Mayweather and butt buddy 50 Cent. Both wealthy but both heavily influenced by Hip Hop.

Floyd’s going to prison for beating the mother of several of his children (BTW good choice to walk away Chilli) and 50 well for every good deed he makes 5 questionable decision. Peep the recent Tweet from Mayweather.

@FloydMayweather: “What the hell is wrong with @50cent got my son hanging out getting tattoos at 2:30am on a school night.”

The update was accompanied by the picture of Floyd’s 13 year old son sleeve tat’d. This is what you’re teaching them? Floyd I can see why your relationship with your pops is sooooo wonderful fam. Maybe its just me hating that Fif made 50 G’s off betting on the Giants.

NYPD Brainwashed Officers To Hate & Fear All Muslims with Radical Training Video

2012-01-26T16:30:01Z

A movie about radical Islam was shown to nearly 1,500 NYPD recruits during their training according to a recent New York Times report. New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg said Tuesday that the NYPD used “terrible judgment” in showing officers an inflammatory film about Muslims. While Police Chief, Ray Kelly claims the film, “The Third Jihad” is no longer being used as a training tool, his hands aren’t completely clean because he APPEARS in the film.

Get this the movie was apparently shown on “continuous loop” while officers were signing in everyday for counterterrorism training from October to December 2010, according to Freedom of Information Act documents obtained by the Brennan Center for Justice. As many as 1,489 officers, including 68 lieutenants, may have seen and been programed by the propaganda thus to hate ALL Muslims. Hell I’m getting a little antsy just watching the trailer.

I checked AOL movie phone now showing at the Police Academy Theater 2, The Black Male: Why Hip Hop has made him Public Enemy #1. Get your tickets now, seats are limited.

(FULL FILM)

SOUND OFF: What Are Your Thoughts On Obama’s State of the Union Address?

2012-01-25T19:27:31Z

Bits and Pieces

2012-01-24T18:51:27Z

Here are some stories you may have missed over the last few days…

As a follow-up to a story we posted about the US v Jones case: The Supreme Court ruled yesterday that police are NOT allowed to place GPS tracking devices on your car without a warrant. The decision was unanimous. Score one point for freedom.
.
Have you seen the new ad for Wheat Thins that uses the family guy cast? Very clever advertising. They repeat the product name for 30 seconds, and Family Guy fans will immediately like the ad.
.
Warren Buffett, ‘Oracle of Omaha’ and world’s third richest man sent a video greeting to the Chinese People as they celebrated their New Year. Buffett is seen playing a ukulele and singing ‘I’ve been working on the railroad’, an obvious reference to his $34 billion purchase of the Burlington Northern Railroad. Buffett is practically a rock star over there, for his beliefs in value investing and frugal living.
.
US Senator Rand Paul, son of Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul and the next generation of American Libertarianism was detained yesterday by the TSA at a Nashville airport. Paul was in a dust up when he argued against intrusive searches at the airport. He can afford to be brazen: under the US constitution he CANNOT be arrested while Congress is in session.

Humans Drawn into Proxy War on Bees

2012-01-24T18:22:41Z

It’s the same old story: the birds want the honey, but they can’t fight off the bees. Humans can fight off the bees, but they don’t know where the honey is.

So in a mutually beneficial relationship that scientists say has gone on for thousands of years, birds and humans have learned to work together against the bees.

The humans make a bird call that signals they are ready to work. The bird gives back a special signal that they only use when communicating with humans.

The bird then patiently lead the humans to the location of the bee hives; and the humans fight off the bees to get the honey.

Once the honey is removed, the humans leave a little where the bird can get to it, and both parties are happy with the bargain.

It’s a fascinating story. You can read the story and watch a video here.

[RANT] ‘RED TAILS’ is Trash and So Is the Premise of ‘Supporting’ It.

2012-01-23T18:25:37Z

I have always loved the movies. For some odd reason over the years I have grown an affinity towards World War II films. I don’t know what it is, perhaps the high complexity of the war, all the players and characters from Mussolini to Hitler, from Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima, Auschwitz to Normandy. It’s all a very sad tale granted given the lives on all sides lost but one that defines our globe in a way that no other event in history in my opinion ever had before.

One such subplot that has always been of particular interest to me as part African American and to many black folks is that of the Tuskegee Airmen experiment. This group of Army Air Corps pilots from the 332^nd Fighter Group and 477 Bombardment were the first African American military pilots and were pretty damn good. Their story has been told several times over.

Way back in 1988 George Lucas of Star Wars fame began developing the film we now know as Red Tails about their experience. Several hold ups, technological issues, some bureaucracy and perhaps a bit of racism has held up the film until its eventual release this past weekend. Lucas covered the entire cost of production with his own dough and put in additional $35 million for distribution. A few weeks back on Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show Lucas confirmed what we suspected. Film studios balked at financing his film because it was believed an all-black cast with no major white roles would never make money. I guess 19 Million people disagreed with that this weekend.

My question is why? I was actually torn as to whether to see the movie despite wanting to. Over the past few weeks black folks have taken to social media to encourage their counterparts to go out and SUPPORT this film. Support? Support!

I have a major beef with this. To me, support is what I did for the panhandler asking for spare change in the subway this morning. Support to me is when I dole out the few bucks I didn’t have a specific use for that someone else could perhaps do more with. Support, to me, is when I would attend some boring lecture sponsored by one of the social organizations on campus back in college. SUPPORT is doing something I don’t want to do.

I would end up going to see the film with my pops who was extremely excited to see the film given the fact his friend was being depicted in the film by Cuba Gooding Jr. But like him I was left disappointed when we left. The film was OK. I won’t go into why because it doesn’t matter. It was mediocre like a lot of films I have seen.

The fact is this isn’t the first black movie. In fact, Spike Lee’s “Miracle at St. Anna” a few years back though quirky told a better story of the black experience during WWII than this film could have ever have dreamed of. But the Black Social Media mob would try and convince you otherwise. “You MUST go and see this film” was the rallying cry. Their premise was the struggle and racism overcome to get this film made, the all black cast, the fact that it told a story about African Americans.

While some of the blind promotion was justified, did not that premise fly in the face of why the Tuskegee Airmen were successful? Does it not contradict the lessons we learned from Barack Obama’s presidency? Were these individuals not successful because they were GOOD, and ascended despite the obstacles, instead of a charity case in need of support? Why can’t we be encouraged or encourage others to see a film because it was good? And as I suspected the unfortunate result in the end was in fact it wasn’t. Not worth the time, my $25 bucks when you throw in popcorn etc and not worth George Lucas’s 25 years. Sorry. I wish I was wrong but it’s the truth.

Gingrich Wins Stunning Victory In South Carolina

2012-01-22T17:28:13Z

Newt Gingrich won a stunning victory over Mitt Romney yesterday in the South Carolina Primary. Romney, who until a few weeks ago held a sizable lead in SC, saw his lead evaporate as Gingrich went on to a commanding victory in the important primary.

The final results: Gingrich – 40.4%; Romney – 27.8%; Santorum – 17.0%; Paul – 13.0%

The success of Gingrich in South Carolina can be directly traced to Thursday’s CNN debate, where Newt gave a forceful response to renewed allegations about his second wife.

Republicans consider the South Carolina primary essential because, since 1980, every republican candidate who has won the primary has gone on to win the nomination.

Next up is Florida. Worth noting is the fact that 30% of Florida voters have already filed absentee ballots. This means that nearly 1/3 of the possible votes in that primary were placed BEFORE Gingrich had his post-debate surge and SC victory.

Because of this, it is ESSENTIAL that Romney win Florida if his campaign stands any chance of winning the nomination.

In his concession speech last night, Romney cited his love of the US Constitution multiple times; which I found laughable considering his public eagerness to exercise the new powers granted the President under NDAA.

Ron Paul gave one of his better speeches last night; stating directly (and surprisingly coherently) the core principles of his campaign.

Rick Santorum, in his concession speech, seemed to embody the state motto of South Carolina, ‘Dum Spiro Spero’ (while I breathe, I hope).

In his victory speech, Gingrich attempted to build bridges to the voters of his opponents, with some especially kind comments toward Ron Paul.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

There is a debate scheduled for 9PM Monday on NBC. After the events of the last week, I think it is fair to say that the entire nomination will come down to what happens at this debate.

For Romney, it is do or die time. Unless he can come out aggressive and take the fight to Newt, his support will continue to evaporate. Santorum, who has difficulty directly challenging his opponents, will need to get tough or he too will find his support disappearing.

If Newt can perform at tomorrows debate like he did last week, he can lock it all up.

Ron Paul Fighting To Repeal Slavery Act

2012-01-22T16:44:56Z

Ron Paul has introduced legislation to repeal the offending portion of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which would allow the military to arrest and hold US citizens.

I am not saying that this legislation will pass, or even see the light of day, but at least he’s trying. And if the public outcry and sudden reversal of Congress last week on SOPA/PIPA is any indication, it suggests that there is still a window to stop this desecration of the US Constitution.

Here is Congressman Paul on the floor of the House introducing his legislation.