Issue Black

Issueblack is Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Vootamu) — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 18:21:00 +0000

It's been quite awhile but I have time on my hands now due to the vaccine mandates. There are many issues for me to tackle, including the aforementioned mandates which I will do in upcoming posts. I was inspired to start this blog because of the "first black president", President Obama. A long time has passed since I first heard Obama talk about "hope and change." He gave the black community a lot of "hope" that things will "change" but they did not. The issues have only increased since his time in office. Therefore, I must set time aside to speak on those issues. Especially since they are trying to take everyone's voice away so that all of these issues will go undiscussed.

What Aaron Alexis Did Generates A Discussion On Black Mental Health

noreply@blogger.com (Vootamu) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 20:19:00 +0000

Apparently, the 34 yr. old man named Aaron Alexis heard voices & had a troubled past. The fact that a lot of mentally unstable people have guns or access to them has been a part of the national discussion since Gabrielle Giffords & countless others got shot. This latest tragedy at a Washington D.C. Navy Yard involves a mentally unstable black man with a military background. Mr. Alexis was reportedly obsessed with guns & violent video games. At the same time, he was a seemingly peaceful man who was a practicing Buddhist that enjoyed meditation. It's tragic that Aaron Alexis played out a scene in one of his violent video games by killing over a dozen people. He should have used the teachings of Buddha & meditation instead.

What many people are focusing on is a subject that many African-Americans tend to avoid or dismiss. That issue is black mental health. Why does this issue make so many of us uncomfortable? I will posit this opinion. I believe that it a topic that black people feel further stigmatized by. You see, we have so many negative stereotypes to contend with already. Plus, the educational system tends to view black boys in particular as remedial at some point in their scholastic journey. So, we are already viewed as stupid and behind the rest of polite society. Why would we want crazy to be added to the long list of "problems in the black community?"

Here's Don Lemon's point of view on black mental health from Black America Web:

"When I told my own mother I was dealing with depression some years back, and I was seeing a therapist, she told me I didn’t need a therapist, I needed a preacher. That was my own mother. She eventually did come around, she’s my biggest supporter, my biggest ally, my biggest friend now. And after my step-dad died some years back, she too went to a therapist and she got healthy. But it took time for even the person who gave birth to me to realize that there are certain things that you cannot pray away.

Why would we think mental or psychological issues can be prayed or willed away? A sick mind is no different than a sick body. Would you pray away a broken arm? Would you pray away bad eyesight? Would you pray away cancer, leukemia or diabetes? No. You would get it treated by the proper physician while praying at the same time.

But since we are talking about the Navy shooter here I want to stick with black men for a moment. According to the Center for Disease Control, from 1980 to 2012 the suicide rate for black males doubled becoming the third leading cause of death for black men between the ages of 15 and 24. Suicide, depression and other mental illnesses are real in our communities; maybe more so than other communities because of institutional racism, because of overwhelming unemployment and poverty.

We can no longer look at these issues as taboo and something we can power through with God because we’re soldiers. Even soldiers have post-traumatic stress disorder.

If we don’t wake up to these realities, that we cannot pray it away, the next time we see a crime on the news, especially a mass shooting, the first question you might ask yourself; is it the usual one? Oh, no, are they black? You know you all do it; I hope they’re not black. It might be the same one that the haters are posing on the Internet. If Obama had a son would he look like the killer?" Read the article in its entirety here.

If you suffer from mental health go to: http://www.blackmentalhealthnet.com/

DJ Mister Cee's Penchant For Transsexuals Only Matters If He's Married

noreply@blogger.com (Vootamu) — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 19:41:00 +0000

DJ Mista Cee claims that he is not gay even though he likes to receive fellatio from cross-dressing male prostitutes. If he is married, I'm sure his wife is deeply concerned. Having sex outside of marriage is an issue that can lead to a potentially fatal venereal disease. He shouldn't just be talking about how he's tired of hiding his sexual proclivities. Instead, Mista Cee should have come clean to his wife about his dirty lifestyle. Being with prostitutes when you are married is just plain filthy. Whether they are male or female is really besides the point. Hopefully, he's not married. Then, this is all much ado about nothing. If he is, I pray that his wife won't be more than emotionally affected by her husband's taste for the wild side.

When you get married, you should not have to worry about sexually transmitted diseases. You take a marital vow to be with someone "in sickness and in health." Not to be the cause of their sickness and the decline of their health.Cheating not only violates trust. It can also violate your health. I respect gay & straight people who are sexually honest & responsible. Especially if they are married.

Listen to DJ Mista Cee's assertions that he is not gay:

Nothing But Disgust For The Moniker"Anonymous!"

noreply@blogger.com (Vootamu) — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 03:10:00 +0000

Since my pastures have not been looking too green
I made the decision to briefly exit the blogging scene
Reviving my commentary is what I really intend to do
Writing turns my grays into a soothing &serene blue

Obviously, I have been on hiatus. Sometimes it's hard to engage with the public when you feel like you are in a one sided conversation. Whenever I do hear from someone, it's usually the cowardly jerk that makes his uninformed remarks as "Anonymous." I despise people who hide behind a keyboard & attack people. Give me your name when you comment. Otherwise, why bother?

I feel nothing but disgust for the moniker "Anonymous." America needs to take a cue from the United Kingdom & devise a law that would unmask these gutless wimps. Here's more from PC Mag.Com:]

"If recent events are any indication, the age of the Internet troll (website commenters who post negative and potentially damaging statements about others) may soon come to an end. According to the BBC, a new proposal by the British government would force websites to reveal the identity of commenters when requested by a complainant.

The new dictate has been added to the country's Defamation Bill, a legal framework outlining the rules governing defamation lawsuits that has been in the works since 2009.

"Website operators are in principle liable as publishers for everything that appears on their sites, even though the content is often determined by users," said U.K. Justice Secretary Ken Clarke. "Our proposed approach will mean that website operators have a defense against libel as long as they identify the authors of allegedly defamatory material when requested to do so by a complainant." Read more here.

"Django Unchained" Should've Been Shown At The "Coon Festival"

noreply@blogger.com (Vootamu) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 04:46:00 +0000

I didn't take issue with the n-word being constantly used throughout the controversial movie "Django Unchained." Quentin Tarantino is absolutely right about the fact that the word was probably used more during that era than it was in the movie. But, did black slaves paint their faces to look like a "happy-go-lucky darky on the plantation" as Samuel L. Jackson did in Django Unchained? Is that the sort of historical accuracy that Mr. Tarantino was going for? I was offended by the subliminal tribute to the black minstrel show that was included in this violent, profanity-laced movie. The worst kind of stereotypes are being promoted. Spike Lee would not have been any happier if he would have actually seen the movie before he criticized it (as some of his critics have suggested).

Remember Spike Lee made a movie about black Hollywood stars that were being "Bamboozled" into creating a new age black minstrel show. Here's the IMBD description of that:

"Dark, biting satire of the television industry, focusing on an Ivy-League educated black writer at a major network. Frustrated that his ideas for a "Cosby Show"-esque take on the black family has been rejected by network brass, he devises an outlandish scheme: reviving the minstrel show. The hook: instead of white actors in black face, the show stars black actors in even blacker face. The show becomes an instant smash, but with the success also comes repercussions for all involved."

Now, doesn't that sound familiar? "Django Unchained" is on track to become Quentin Tarantino's highest grossing movie. That's why I say that it should be a welcome addition to the Cape Town Minstrel New Year's celebrations that are currently ongoing. Apparently, South Africa fell in love with American Minstrel shows and decided to incorporate black-face into their New Year's celebrations.

Here's an excerpt from The Washington Post that describes what is also known as the Coon Festival:

"Once on the Cape, the roughly 63,000 slaves intermingled with the similarly oppressed local Khoisan people to form a unique, vibrant culture on the southern tip of Africa. Celebrations similar to today’s Tweede Nuwe Jaar were said to take place during the New Year’s festivities, a time when Dutch masters went on vacation, leaving their slaves to their own devices.

Troupe coordinator Moegamat Rushdien Sardien told The New Age, “The tradition of the ‘klopse’ (troops or teams) come from the time of the slaves. The slaves were only let out once a year, and if you only get out once a year, you’ll go crazy. People jumped, danced and could do what they wanted.”

The story gets more complicated from there. The troupes picked up their distinctly minstrel look from another country with a deep history of slavery and racial diversity: the United States. Before the civil war, minstrel performers in America had been predominantly white, wearing the now-infamous blackface. After the war, black performers started putting on their own shows, though still wearing blackface. The black troupes gained such popularity that, by the late 1800s, some prominent ones had toured South Africa as many as three or four times.

The American minstrel shows were a hit in South Africa – maybe because the lighthearted if reductive treatment of complicated racial issues also resonated in the country – and the entertainment entered the cultural milieu. That included, among other things, the practice of black performers wearing blackface, which is still manifest in the outlandish face painting in Tweede Nuwe Jaar. The face paint is no longer uniformly black or white, though. Judging from photos, just about every color is used.

The holiday evolved again with the implementation of Apartheid after South Africa’s 1948 election. Racially integrated South African neighborhoods, which perhaps by virtue of their diversity had become centers of Tweede Nuwe Jaar celebrations, were forcibly separated along the newly legislated racial lines. The government, perhaps seeing the parades as unwelcome celebrations of racial diversity, closed their routes to all non-whites. After Apartheid, the state began offering outright support to the troupes, treating them as part of the city’s celebrated cultural heritage." Read the whole article here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/01/08/the-history-of-cape-towns-raucous-new-years-celebration-which-is-still-going/

I think that showing "Django Unchained" would be a nice addition to Tweede Nuwe Jaar celebrations because South Africa historically has love for a good 'ole American minstrel show. And most of that movie was really not much more than a "Coon Festival " itself!

Here's another article that gives you even more insight into this New Year's event:
http://www.henrytrotter.com/scholarship/minstrel-carnival.html

Joe Scarborough Says Middle East Chaos Is Obama's Fault!

noreply@blogger.com (Vootamu) — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 18:35:00 +0000

If any American is upset about the mess in the Middle East, they shouldn't blame President Obama's lack of ability to forge personal relationships with foreign leaders. That is what Joe Scarborough claimed today on his "Morning Joe" show. But,what was the state of the Middle East when President Bush was in office? Here are some prophetic quotes from a Bush insider & others way back in 2007 concerning the Middle East:

"America cannot simply wash its hands of Iraq and go home. The region’s problems, many of them made worse by this war, are unavoidably America’s problems as well. For starters, Iraq is in imminent danger of violently breaking apart, driving millions of refugees across its borders — who will bring with them their ethnic grievances, and in some cases their weapons — and potentially unleashing a chain reaction of regional conflicts that could draw in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran and perhaps others as well.
Whatever else happens, Iran has already become more formidable and dangerous. Where it once had a hostile Saddam Hussein on its western border, it now has a friendly Shiite fundamentalist government. Its other longtime enemy, the United States, has had its diplomatic and military clout severely diminished by this war." Read more here.

"The Iraq war has caused a precipitous drop in support for the US in Muslim countries: from 25 per cent to 1 per cent in Jordan, a major US ally; in Lebanon, from 30 to 15 per cent; and in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country, from 61 per cent to 15. This has grave implications for the world — not least India and Pakistan, where terrorism’s fatalities have risen from 182 to 489. It’s in humanity’s interest that jehadi forces don’t gain. That will only produce more violence and insecurity — and eventually, assaults on human rights and democracy. However, the way the US is acting will ensure precisely that outcome." Read more here.

" A Bush Administration insider, Flint Leverett, who served in the CIA, State Department and Bush White House, had some harsh things to say about the direction of foreign policy in the Middle East on September 5 at the New America Foundation in Washington, DC.
In a virtual indictment of Mid-East policy, Leverett described how America’s standing is in decline in the region, not only US popularity but how America is perceived. The United States is more and more seen as ineffective and unable to accomplish its objectives. The decline of the United States is occurring at a disturbing pace." Read more..

The above excerpts were extracted from three different sources that all are asserting the same thing. President Bush's foreign policy contributed greatly to the current trauma that is the Middle East. So,for Joe Scarborough to pretend like the mess in the Middle East is Obama's fault is ridiculous! What about the worst president in modern history? Who is that,you may ask? George W. Bush! I couldn't travel outside of America without someone railing at me about the stupidity of those who voted for George W. Bush!!! He was not respected around the world. Since Mr. Obama is dropping drones all over the Arab world,the people are in an uproar! They thought they would see an immediate difference once President Obama took office. His problem is that he kept too much of the former president's policies.

In President Obama's defense,there has been no major attack like 9/11 in this country during his first term. The Bush administration ignored warnings that America was in imminent danger. I wonder what the response would have been if that took place during the Obama administration. What would have happened if Obama would have escorted Bin Laden & his family out of the country afterwards on a private plane? I'm sure you compliant Republicans would have insisted that this was proof that Obama is in league with terrorists! He's a secret Muslim who was born in Kenya,right? When Republicans make those types of accusations,how do you think that plays in the Muslim world? Don't you think that contributes to the anti-American sentiment? Not to mention the blind allegiance to Israel. Palestinians are Arabs,after all.

President Obama has made mistakes but he can't be blamed for what was predicted to happen 5 years ago.

Protest Worked In The Case Of Trayvon Martin!

noreply@blogger.com (Vootamu) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 22:18:00 +0000

The Oscar Grant protests did not garner the resolution that the protestors wanted. Neither has the Occupy Wall Street movement. In the case of Trayvon Martin, protest & outrage has resulted in the arrest of George Zimmerman. The beautiful & eloquent parents of Trayvon Martin stood up for their son. Not to mention the handsome family attorney, Benjamin Crump. He articulated the passionate feelings of the family so well. Al Sharpton & other activists really helped to make a difference as well.

All of the protestor's demands were clear & concise. Arrest George Zimmerman! I am happy to learn that has finally happened. The Special Prosecutor, Angela Corey, said that she told Trayvon Martin's "sweet parents" that they would "prosecute based on facts."

During a scheduled news conference, Ms. Corey revealed that they have charged George Zimmerman with second degree murder. Without these protests, George Zimmerman would never have faced any sort of scrutiny over his claim of self-defense. Hopefully, justice will finally be served.

Why I Finally Decided To Comment On The Trayvon Martin Case!

noreply@blogger.com (Vootamu) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 05:42:00 +0000

First & foremost, I want to say that the Trayvon Martin case hit way too close to home for me. Being that I have a twelve-year old black son to raise in a world that is still full of racist views, I have grown weary of the same old song. An unarmed black child or adult gets shot because of the aspersions that have been cast about blacks since "The Birth Of A Nation." In that horrid movie that has been labeled a "classic", the stereotype of a black brute was solidified. The brute stereotype of a black man is a part of Western culture. That is what happened in the case of Oscar Grant, Trayvon Martin, etc...

Here's an excerpt from an in-depth article on the brute caricature from Authentic History.com:

" The brute is perhaps the only anti-Black caricature that did not show up in popular culture during the days of slavery. Brutes are hideous, savage, violent male predators who target helpless victims, especially White women. The brute caricature existed during slavery, but only as the White slave owner's worst nightmare of what his slaves, who outnumbered him, would really like to do to him. Due to a variety of circumstances, Black-on-White violence was much more prevalent in other Western hemisphere slave societies than it was in the United States.

Slaves managed to take over the country of Haiti in 1804. In the United States, slave owners were much better organized than they were in other countries, and when the slave trade ended in 1808, the population thereafter was sustained only through native births, quickly creating a whole new generation that did not know anything but slavery. Nevertheless, fear of rebellion, like the one led by Nat Turner in 1831 which seemed to have no long-term goal beyond slaughtering White people, was always in the back of the slave owner's mind. The brute was the imagined manifestation of that fear, but it was not given visual manifestation for fear that it would become a self-fulling prophecy." (End of Excerpt) Read more here.

Trayvon Martin was an innocent victim. He wasn't packing a gun. George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch man, was the culprit who was carrying heat. Why are the Sanford Police trying to come to Zimmerman's defense? In the process of coming to George Zimmerman's defense by leaking information, they are attempting to cover their own tracks. Or lack of. Because they seemed to have no interest in conducting a thorough investigation. They reached their own conclusions about Trayvon Martin when they administered a drug test on his corpse. The Sanford Police did not drug test George Zimmerman. Why not?

In conclusion, when is it ever okay to turn a victim into a criminal? Trayvon Martin was not a criminal & he was not committing a crime. This type of chicanery has been tolerated by the black community for far too long. That is why I finally decided to comment on the murder of Trayvon Martin. This was murder, not self-defense.George Zimmerman ought to have his day in court. Whether he is White or Hispanic is irrelevant. You can be a self-hating Black who kills other Blacks. Believe me, there are far too many Asian, Hispanics,etc... that don't like African-Americans simply because they believe that is the way to get excepted into this Western or European society. So, that's why the race of the killer doesn't matter. Only the murder that he committed should be the focus.

Oscar Grant's killer,who was actually a cop, had to answer to some degree for his action. Why not George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida?

Whitney Houston Was A Huge Part Of My Preteen Years!

noreply@blogger.com (Vootamu) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:47:00 +0000

Who were the celebrities that I most wanted to emulate? It was Whitney Houston & Madonna! I wanted the grace, beauty & elegance that Ms. Houston possessed mixed with the raunchy sexiness that still is Madonna. Right before I hit that teenage rebellion stage, I was curious about how I could best tap into my femininity. These ladies helped me delve deeper into my feminine side. I feel like a part of my childhood is gone.

Even though I know that Whitney Houston had become drug-ravaged over the years, I always hoped that she could turn it around & make a comeback. Unfortunately, the death of Whitney Houston means that her career will be revived. People will buy her songs now that she is gone. We won't be able to witness a Whitney that is alive & well singing spectacularly on stage in front of the world. The voice that wrenched so many hearts & souls will be doing that only through recordings now. What a crying shame!

Rest in peace, Whitney!

Here's more from CNN:

"Legendary pop singer Whitney Houston was found dead Saturday at a Beverly Hills, California, hotel, officials said. She was 48.

The entertainer, whose incredible talent was discovered at an early age, was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. (6:55 p.m. ET) at the Beverly Hilton hotel despite resuscitation efforts, a police spokesman said.
Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mark Rosen said there were "no obvious signs of criminal intent" and that the cause of her death is being investigated.

Houston's bodyguard found her body, said Courtney Barnes, publicist for hip-hop artist Ray J, who was dating the pop diva.

According to her official website, Houston sold more than 170 million albums, singles and videos. But she also struggled with addiction problems over the years.
Houston, whose hits included "The Greatest Love of All," died on the eve of the 54th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. She had performed as late as Thursday night at a pre-Grammy event in the area.

Music producer Jimmy Jam, after conversations with those heading up to Sunday's night show, told CNN that he believes the event will change significantly -- including a tribute to the singer.
Houston was set to appear in this year's "Sparkle," a remake of the 1976 hit, which was loosely based on the story of The Supremes. It was her first movie role since 1996's "The Preacher's Wife."

News of her death elicited a flood of reaction from fans and fellow celebrities alike. (End of Excerpt) Read the rest here.