It's Often That Simple

6 Whites in West Virginia Torture, Sexually Abuse Black Girl

noreply@blogger.com (E. King) — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:24:00 +0000

What has happened to humanity? Why have we become this nation of animals?

Six people, all white, have been arrested in connection with the kidnap, torture and rape of a young black woman in Logan County, West Virginia. Some are calling it a hate crime. Greg Collard, News Director at West Virginia Public Broadcasting, gives listeners a look inside the case - NPR:Tell Me More

No Hate Crime Charges Filed In Kidnapping - FOX 12 Oregon

BMW: Commentary: The Jena Six Case, Part Two: White Racism Enrages Us More than Our Own Fratricide

noreply@blogger.com (E. King) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 14:43:00 +0000

By: Gregory Kane, BlackAmericaWeb.com

So, why did I hesitate to write about the case of the Jena Six?
For two reasons, mainly: One is the case of the West Palm Beach Two, who don’t seem to warrant any attention from black folks. When it comes to mistreating black people, the skin color of the mistreaters makes all the difference with us.

The Jena Six are African-American teenage boys in Louisiana who were charged with attempted murder for what amounted to a schoolyard smackdown. It is, indeed, as black folks have been saying for weeks, a case of the justice system meting out unequal justice.

Mychal Bell, one of the Jena Six, is the only one who’s been tried so far. His charges were reduced to aggravated battery, and he was found guilty in June. But what else happened in June?

At a predominantly black housing project called Dunbar Village in West Palm Beach, Florida, 10 black teens repeatedly raped a Haitian immigrant woman before forcing her to perform oral sex on her 12-year-old son. Why doesn’t what happened to the West Palm Beach Two outrage the good reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton just as much as what happened in Jena, Louisiana?

Jesse and Al have been to Jena, railing about injustice. If either has made an appearance in West Palm Beach, Fla., to rail about the injustice of what happened to the West Palm Beach Two, someone please kindly correct me.

It was our silence about what happened to that poor woman and her son that made me hesitate to write about the Jena Six. That, and the body count.

You know which body count I’m talking about. In Baltimore, as of the time I’m writing this, that body count has reached 215. It might top 300 by year’s end. Last year, Philadelphia’s body count was over 400.

Over 400 murdered in Philadelphia in 2006 and 215 in Baltimore this year. And let’s not forget who most of the victims are: Young black men, just like the Jena Six.

The case of the Jena Six has inspired some black folks to let out a war whoop as they sally forth to slay yet another dragon of white racism. But those black folks who think that white racism is the only problem we face in 2007, or even the main one, are deluding themselves.

In fact, our obsession with white racism, and with a criminal justice system that we insist is rife with white racism and institutional racism, may contribute to that body count. Here’s how.

I can’t speak for other cities, but in Baltimore our body count gets so high because jurors in this town repeatedly cut loose young black men accused of violent crimes. In Baltimore -- Bodymore, Murderland, the criminals call it -- the typical homicide victim is a young black man with a criminal record. Homicide suspects have the same profile.

I’ve had people in a position to know tell me that, more frequently than is ever reported, Baltimore jurors have cut loose young black men with lengthy criminal records who have been accused of either murder or another violent crime. It is our insistence that white racism is pervasive and that the criminal justice system is rife with racism that may inspire some jurors to send these young black men back out on the streets, where they commit more murders.

“Baltimore’s circuit courts are a conviction-free zone,” a source who wants to remain anonymous once told me. That’s an exaggeration. There are convictions in Baltimore courts and a hell of a lot of acquittals.

So, yes, we should protest -- and protest vigorously -- whenever cases like that of the Jena Six come along. But our lips should not be sealed shut when a black woman is raped and forced to perform oral sex on her 12-year-old son.

That body count of young black men murdered should outrage us every bit as much as what’s happened to the Jena Six. A young black man murdering another young black man and then walking out of court scot-free is just as much an injustice as six young black men being railroaded by the Louisiana criminal justice system.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Martin Luther King Jr. once said. And he might have added that injustice doesn’t come only in the color of white.

HomelandColors: African American Cultural Revolution: HBCU's Increase African American Men's Income

noreply@blogger.com (E. King) — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 13:53:00 +0000

One of the Blogs that I occasionally read called HomelandColors linked to an article on Black Voices about HBCUs increasing Black men's income. In undergrad and grad school I often heard that those that attend HBCUs, male and female, often make more money than those attending tradition schools. I've also heard that it was a kin to the saying about Ivy Leagues, those that attend Ivy League schools have more power and make more money than those that attend traditional schools.

After reading the article I had a number of questions for those that have attended/attend HBCUs and traditional colleges/universities: Is it true, are those that graduate from HBCUs more likely to have an higher income than those from traditional schools? Or does it have little to do with the level of education that these colleges/universities offer but has more to do with the quality of relationships/networks that HBCUs are so famous for?

Below I've cut and paste a copy of the Black Voices article.

Over Time, HBCU Male Graduates’ Earnings Outpace Black Male Graduates of Other Schools By DIVERSE: ISSUES IN HIGHER EDUCATION MAGAZINE

Black men who earn degrees from historically Black colleges and
universities have higher lifetime earnings than those attending other four-year institutions, according to a new study by researchers from Virginia Tech.
The findings on the economic impact of HBCUs are described in the study “The Wage Earnings Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” which will
appear in the next issue of Southern Economic Journal.
“Our study … shows that Black males have no initial advantage from HBCU attendance but that their wages increase 1.4 percent to 1.6 percent faster per year after attending HBCUs compared to Black males who attended other colleges and universities,” says Dr. Bradford F. Mills, a professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.
Researchers analyzed existing data from the National
Longitudinal Surveys, which gathered information at various points in time on the financial situation of men and women from 1979 and 2004. They created earnings profiles of individuals over time and looked at the impact HBCU attendance has on initial post-college earnings, current wage data and the average annual growth rate of wages.
Previous studies on the earnings of HBCU graduates revealed conflicting results — a 1994 study found an up to 12 percent wage loss for HBCU graduates compared to graduates of other schools but 1995 study said HBCU graduates earned 38 percent more than Black graduates of other schools. “We agree with studies from both researchers, but we reconcile the differences by showing how the benefits of HBCU attendance accrue over time, with the greatest rewards in later years,” Mills says.

Black-on-Black Crime and Popping Politics

noreply@blogger.com (E. King) — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 01:38:00 +0000

Whoo-eee, we had some smart and spicy debates on the show today.

Mary Frances Berry and Ron Christie went head-to-head over the presidential debates (which can rack up to three a week these days) AND wiretapping.

The US government now has greater authority to eavesdrop here at home, thanks to a bill signed by President Bush on Sunday. Under the new law, the government can tap into phone calls and e-mails going to a U.S. citizen from abroad without a warrant.

And on our Blogger's Roundtable, we got some tough talk about whether leaders in African-American politics are shirking their responsibility to talk about black-on-black crime.

You have the murder of Oakland journalist Chauncey Bailey....

... the execution-style killings over the weekend in Newark, New Jersey of two young African American men and one woman.....

...and, in West Palm Beach, Florida, a Hatian immigrant was brutally raped by ten masked black teenagers. Her son was beaten in the other room.

There's been an arrest in the Bailey case, but none in the others.

And our bloggers argued that the Reverend Al Sharpton, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and even Senator Barack Obama haven't stepped up to talk about these issues and condemn the perpetrators.

So:
--What do you think about the Presidential Debates (and debate fatigue)? Who caught your eye?
--Does the wiretapping law advance America's safety or set back our civil liberties, and why?
--PLUS: Are religious and political leaders failing to recognize the way to address black-on-black crime?

Farai Chideya

Comments

Sorry I am not a baseball fan, but apparently Brandon and Desmond aren't either. I had fun and I didn't end up sounding like Minnie Mouse. My ears are still bleeding from being forced to listen to Akon.

Sent by Gina McCauley 4:10 PM ET 08-08-2007

I'm not a baseball fan either, I guess part of the problem is that baseballs popularity has declined in the black community since the late seventies.

The guest were right on target with what they said about black responsiblity. Odly, their point of view did not seem different to what Bill Cosby and others have voiced to us all. Hey bill maybe you should get a Kool name like "Black Nerd" and apear on news and notes and the Gen X's will listen.

Sent by Renaissance 7:26 PM ET 08-08-2007

Thanks for the coverage on the topic of Black on Black Crime and having the courage of having guest that pin the negative tail on the ugly women hating hip hop donkey. This counters some of the idealistic and embellished false positives of hip hop's influences on our children.

Sent by Renaissance 7:34 PM ET 08-08-2007

This is my first time responding on a blog to anything. I listen regularly to news and notes since Tavis, but tonights guests, yall really struck a nerve. In an insightful way. I mean, these are topics that we need to be seriously discussing as a group of disenfranchised folks here in america who are continuing to blame, maime and be totally lame. you all's fresh voices and clear viewpoints should make people at least think for themselves for once. Gina, I can't stand Akon either. had no idea of what he did. Mega loser, the little funny troll looking man (even his little VIBE cover appearance did him NO justice). A Social disgrace. Hey, where is the link to you three's blog sites????

Sent by Daphne 9:02 PM ET 08-08-2007

Did anyone get the names of the gentleman who was on the air with Farai? The man who had written a book and talked about how real brothers and sister should dis-own blacks who do not disrepect their own....

Sent by Needing a Name 9:35 PM ET 08-08-2007

Hi Daphne,

Click here to find the sites of the bloggers who appeared on today's show.

And Needing A Name,

Do you have additional info that could help us track down the person you are referencing? When did you hear him on the show?

Sent by Geoffrey Bennett of News & Notes 9:44 PM ET 08-08-2007

Thanks Daphne.

Actually you are going to find a lot of Black bloggers that have different opinions than the usual suspects. Click on some of the sites on my blog roll. A lot of people turn to blogging as a form of activism because traditional organizations and traditional ideology don't make room for someone in my generation. It is like trying to fight a 21st Century problem with 19th century techniques to us.

Many in my generation just made a decision to do the best we could to get away from folks who are not making the best decisions, but I think what the crime wave indicates is that you can't run away and ignore it.

Like I said on the show. I see a looming and public battle between Black folks with common sense and those without common sense. I think that is a good thing. I think people are beginning to realize that the stakes are ridiculously high.

Crimes like Dunbar Village and the massacre in Newark remind us the civilization itself is at stake. I don't see Dunbar Village as another crime I see it as an inflection point in history. Either we draw a line in the sand or perish ( melodramatic, but true.)

The point of the National Day, Week, Month, Year of Shame is basically to highlight the hypocrisy and impotence of these "leaders". When a pit bull gets more coverage than a woman and child, that is a problem.

Anyway, I had fun today!

Sent by Gina McCauley 10:48 PM ET 08-08-2007

"Are religious and political leaders failing to recognize the way to address black-on-black crime?"

I appreciated the guests comments on the lack of black leaders addressing black-on-black crime. What really stuck with me was the comment that since these crimes cannot be blamed on white people, the black leaders are not addressing this issue. As with many issues, if it can't be blown out of proportion or isn't contriversal, then no one talks about it. I am glad to hear that there are people talking about the black-on-black crime and desiring people for to take responsiblity.

Sent by izzow 10:56 PM ET 08-08-2007

Good show. Actually, three arrests, and subsequent indictments, have been made in the West Palm Beach case.

Sent by Krystal 8:47 AM ET 08-09-2007

Forgiveness

noreply@blogger.com (E. King) — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 21:03:00 +0000

At one point I blogged at Yahoo 360. One of my first blogges was titled "Forgiveness". I wrote it after I heard a sermon that past Sunday. I did some self reflection and wrote it all down. I hope you enjoy it.

This past Sunday pastor preached about forgiveness. Forgive because anger eats us up from the inside out. Forgive because one day you will need forgiveness. Finally, forgive because the one that hurt you is less worried about what caused the hurt. This means you're the one loosing sleep over the whole issue. Okay that's simple right? Well that's not all; the other side of the coin is, "make amends". Yes, make amends to others except when doing so would harm them or others. I thought that was easy. It's easy for us to outline what someone did to us but flip that over, think about those that you have done wrong, people that you've hurt.
Well I did just that, I sat down and made three columns for both those that have hurt me and for those who I've hurt. There was one column for family, one for friends and one for girlfriends. I started with those who have hurt me. It was a nice size list; I went pretty far back. It shined a light on a lot of my anger past and present. Then I went to the other side of the coin. Who have I hurt? It took me some time but I realized that I'm not perfect. This list was a longer list than the first. As I looked over the list, the last column jumped out at me. The girlfriends list was twice as long as the "hurt me". It was surreal. I've hurt a number of "Good Women". Beside each person I wrote how I hurt them and a trend/pattern began to appear. I'm SELFISH. I want things my way, my time, when I want them. For the last 6 or 7 years I've been thinking about marriage and how much I really want a good marriage. A marriage built on give/take, trust and Godly love/principle. If I'm selfish, then my marriage will be none of that.
Okay lets get to the solutions. Tell those that have hurt you how you feel and forgive them. Do the same for those that you have hurt and ask for forgiveness. Now for those that you can't get a hold of because it would cause harm to them or others, use the empty chair method. Setup two chairs and tell the chair what you need to say or write a letter and never mail it. After doing so pray and ask God to release you from these demons.
So what's the point of this thought? The point is that you are not perfect. You hurt and you hurt others. But when you think of hurt you think of those who have hurt you rather than those you have hurt. Pain causes anger, anger causes resentment, resentment causes fractures in relationships and relationships are what you need to live each day. No one can live in this world alone and no one praying to get into heaven can harbor anger in their heart. Release the tool that the devil uses to make us like him and forgive to be more like Jesus.

Snitches Get Stitches

noreply@blogger.com (E. King) — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 23:53:00 +0000

News & Notes, July 17, 2007 · Convicted cop killer Troy Davis was set to be executed today, but received a 90 day stay of execution from a Georgia clemency board.

Farai Chideya talks to Paul Butler, a law professor at George Washington University; Laura Moye, deputy director of the Southern Regional Office of Amnesty International USA; and Scheree Lipscomb, a representative from the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Above is a short blurb from NPR's daily news show News & Notes. The above segment was about a man in Georgia who received a 90 day stay of execution on Monday. Here's a little back ground; Troy Davis was arrested and sentenced to death after being found guilty of killing Mark MacPhail a Savannah Police officer in 1989. Davis has been on death row since 1991. The Stay was awarded to allow Davis' attorneys to work on applies. Shortly after Davis was convicted a number of the prosecutor's witnesses came forward and admitted that they had been pressured into signing statements that accused Davis of MacPhail's murder.

There are a number of issues with this case but the one that bugs me the most is centered on Davis' statement during an interview. When asked why he confessed to the murder in '89, Davis stated that he did not want to be a, "Snitch". Granted the larger debate concerning this case is how flawed the justice system is and how frequently those that are put to death are found innocent after someone takes a closer look at the case. But today I wanted to make a statement about "SNITCHING".

On more than one occasion I have heard the statement, "SNITCHES GET STITCHES". For those of you that may not know what that means, in plain talk, if you tell on someone you will get dealt with. Its street lingo, slang, Hip Hop jargon, etc There's a song about it, T-Shirts, bumper stickers, it's an all around campaign. I bet if a presidential candidate got up and said, "Snitches Get Stitches", more young folks would vote. Okay, I digress, but seriously, this man is on death row and was almost executed because cause of a street code. To be real, I respect loyalty and I have to admit that I do abide by a number of the street codes. But my first responsibility is to my wife, son, family and close friends. I could not imagine explaining to my son why I am behind bars and not spending time with him. Yes I am my brothers' keeper but I am my family's rock first. I teach my son to take responsibility for his actions and stand up for what he believes in. Instilling the no "Snitching" rule may foster the characteristic of standing up for what you believe in but that directly contracts one of the most important characteristic anyone could have, taking responsibility for what you do. If you do wrong you deserve to take the fall, maybe just maybe you will LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES. "Snitches Get Stitches" is simply a good old fashion get out of jail free card, at least that's true for Davis' friends.

21st Century Talented Tenth

noreply@blogger.com (E. King) — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 04:57:00 +0000

“Talented Tenth”

The Negro race, like all races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men. The problem of education, then, among Negroes must first of all deal with the Talented Tenth; it is the problem of developing the Best of this race that they may guide the Mass away from the contamination and death of the Worst, in their own and other races. (W.E.B DuBois, September 1903)

After I posted Part II of Justice’s email, my wife made an excellent point; what if the 21st century Talented Tenth is out of touch with Black/African American society. Putting it plain and simple, what if typical Black/African American society is outlined and portrayed on show such as Hot Ghetto Mess and the 21st century Talented Tenth are atypical/abnormal. Let’s make it a little plainer. Everyone on my email list and those that I dialogue with seem to be out of touch with OUR society. Have we achieved so much, collectively, that we have gone too far away from the issues we soap box. Let’s talk plain, the majority of my friends have a degree(s), we work at colleges or near them and we spend most of our time partaking in middleclass activities (I don’t know exactly what middleclass activities are but that sounded good).

Let me be transparent. Yes, I believe that I have gone too far. Too often I encounter people that are not like me, my wife, and my friends and I say, “WHY”. Why, when we have access to so many things are my people still at STEP ONE within the American society. Why are we still happy with simply looking good than doing well for ourselves, our family and our society? Maybe Jerry Springer, Hot Ghetto Mess, and similar shows are a window into true Black society/life. It’s appears as if Black America is the proverbial car accident and the powers that be have found a way to make a profit off of the onlookers (My wife says that last line is a bit thick but I like it so it stays).

The Assault On Black Folk's Sanity: We Didn't "Own" the Civil Rights Movement? W.E.B. DuBois and Black Liberation.

Part II: Question Of Knowledge

noreply@blogger.com (E. King) — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 03:06:00 +0000

On my previous post concerning Black Knowledge, Justice wrote, “if only we can keep history from repeating itself.” speaking about educating our Black youths.

Over the past couple of weeks, TV One has rebroadcast Roots and Roots: The Next Generation to celebrate Roots’ 30th anniversary. As I watch each episode, it feels as if I’m watching snap shots of today. Let me explain, on the 3rd or 4th episode of Roots: The Next Generation, Alex Haley’s father is a street car porter. He’s talking to Ozzie Davis, who plays a porter that has been on the job for a while; Alex Haley’s father and another porter are quietly talking with Ozzie about unionizing. They’re talking quiet because the owners of the railroad do not want the Blacks to unionize and because the owners often plant spies to tell on anyone talking about unionization. To make a very long story short, Ozzie gets fired because the other man that sat with him and Haley’s father was a spy and informed the owners that Ozzie was trying to start a Porter Union.

Where am I going with this?

To say that we must have Knowledge and Understanding of our history in order to keep from repeating it, is to assume that we have the backbone, the strength and desire to combat it. That one parallel I explained above was a candid illustration that we have not made a bit of progress in more than 80 years. We Blacks in the 21 century still believe that the best way to stay a float, make a buck, make a come-up, etc, is on the backs and necks of those that look like us. This is evident in the multibillion dollar company that bares our name, BLACK Entertainment Television (B.E.T). B.E.T has made millions on modern day Minstrel shows such as College Hill, Baldwin Hills and there new show Hot Ghetto Mess which are all stark examples of us standing on our own necks to make some money.

So with all that said, Justice, we need strength, backbone and the need to change. We need people that are more concerned with making a difference than making a BUCK. Below I have included a link to “What About our Daughters”, a site that has been apart of the fight against the show “Hot Ghetto”. Through there efforts and other African/Black American bloggers, sponsors and advertisers have pulled endorsements and advertisements from the show’s web-site and they may have create enough negative buzz to get the show pulled off the air.

What About Our Daughters: Advertisers Flee Website Promoting Latest BET Show, " Hot Ghetto Mess"#links

Question Of Knowledge

noreply@blogger.com (E. King) — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:14:00 +0000

From time to time my friends and I bounce questions/discussion points off one anther via email. Below is a copy of an email sent by my fraternity bother and friend Justice asking a question about Black Knowledge and a reply by myself and another fraternity brother named Tierney. I posted it to my blog because it's a story/question that should be asked and seen by more than just us few. Enjoy...

From: "Jae Jackson" <jaejackson@gmail.com>To: "DuPree Pinson" <dpinson1914@yahoo.com>, "Powell Daniel" <daniel.powell@kone.com>, "Bates, Tierney" <tbates@utk.edu>, "Leftwich, Michael" <Michael.Leftwich@schwab.com>, "Eric King" <eking1914@hotmail.com>, "Bruce Smith" <brucelftl@yahoo.com>Subject: no talk for real this timeDate: Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:15:52 -0400

Hey fellas

Check out this crap here. I am working with the Upward Bound program down here in Miami. The staff and a couple of the students were having a conversation about some important black issues happening around the nation. During the conversation I stated that there were more historically significant people then MLK, Malcom X and Marcus Garvey. Almost immediately the kids were like who is Marcus Garvey. The name was not even familiar to them. After educating them we were talking further and the name Tavis Smiley came up and one of the kids said "oooh i know him, he the one who plays little Darryl". We all just walked out. Feeling ashamed I went through each and every student and asked if they knew who Marcus Garvey was. Only 3 had an idea of who he was but no direct info or what his significance is. Now I am not that surprised by this but I am truly disappointed. Currently we are putting together a black history quiz with a monetary prize as an incentive.

I want to ask a question but really I don't want dialogue. I feel like we are fighting a worthless battle because it seems like we will as a people have to be serving master and planting cotton again before we realize the state of ignorance we are in. its like knowledge only means something to a select few. I know this is a rant but it is really disheartening to think of my children future because the knowledge they will have would be like knowing Latin in today's world.

How can we mainstream knowledge of self? How can we just do it not just talk about it?

Just man just take it one person at a time.that is all you can do stop trying to save the masses because it doesn't always work but you can make a difference in one life. Be that role model and educator for them. There will be no more good fight like back in the 60's because us upper to middle class blacks don't go back and reach one.

~TB

Just, would you mind if I post your email and question on my blog. You may not get any comments but I think its something for more than just use to see.

To keep it simple, You, only, simply can't change mainstream thinking but a small collection of those that feel the same you do can. Find some people in your area that simply wants to make those that will listen aware. Find people that are not concerned with making a name for themselves, looking for money, or any type of political/social advancement; find someone/some people that truly want to HELP.

E.King

First Blog

noreply@blogger.com (E. King) — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:56:00 +0000

My name is E. King.

From time to time I will log on and write about stuff, mostly stuff related to Black/African Americans, politics, family issues and yes Religion.

My aim is to keep the topics simple and concise. I admit that I can get a bit long winded and philosophical at times but if you stick with me I'm sure you will enjoy some of the topics...... Maybe, I Think, well, we will see...

Lets see..... The first topic is just what I'm doing now, blogging.

It appears, to me, that blogging is a simple way of getting your two cent heard, but as we all know not everyone's two cents need to be expressed or heard. Sometimes, as my mom, grandma, God-Mother, etc, would say, “Just Be Quiet”. I read a number of the blogs before embarking on this journey and I have to say that some of them are quite annoying, boring, long winded and one sided and some of the others are quite good.

Tell me what you think about some of the blogs that you may have read; I know this sounds a bit simple but at times all we need in this busy, crazy world is good old fashion Simplicity.

P.S.
I’m not a writer so you may find my writing incorrect at times so I apologize in advance.