Unscripted

FEMEN Solidarity Video Message to FEMEN Holland

2011-12-10T15:30:00.009-05:00

A video created by FEMEN entitled, FEMEN Solidarity Message to FEMEN Holland, caused quite a stare when it was placed on YouTube and then linked to various individual's Facebook pages.

To some it came as a shock that people would be so upset to see this video because of the message and the aim, to send a message of solidarity to sisters in protest against overconsumption and corporate greed. It was as if people forgot that there is such a thing as nonsexual nudity. After all, one can walk into any art museum to find examples. However, this video was flagged on YouTube as obscene. Since YouTube recognizes non-sexual nudity, the video was not taken down, simply marked as "age-restricted."

The fact that viewers could be so disgusted and disturbed at the site of women's breast that they would have to declare "The sky is falling!" is a testament to how little this society has progressed. Some commenter’s on Facebook even went so far as to say that what they women were doing was not a valid form of protest. Surprising so, many of these commentators were also people who themselves were Occupiers or those who supported the Occupy movement. The irony being that there are some people who might think Occupiers sleeping outside for days "like animals, without taking baths," is barbaric behavior; as such comments have been heard on conservative talk radio and read on conservative blogs. For example: M. James Currier wrote an open letter entitled, "Letter: Occupiers need a bath", where he said, "The occupiers' barbaric behavior has changed the national political conversation from "the Democrats have no tea party" to "look at those lazy Democrat occupiers." Despite these attitudes, many continue to sleep outside, without access to showers, because they believe in their cause. These women are no different. They are utilizing a form of protest that is common in their country because they too believe in their cause.

FEMEN (Фемен) is a Ukrainian protest group based in Kiev, founded in 2008. The organization became internationally known for organizing topless protests against sex tourists, international marriage agencies, sexism and other social, national and international ills. (FEMEN Holland was founded on 12.02.2011.)

The video message is as follows:

We want to express our solidarity with our sisters in Holland. We know this Millionaire Fair is full of unnecessary luxury. Toys for the boys. And women for decoration. The empty-headed spenders, who rather buy a new car, or a new fashion bag every day than spending some time of the day on a deeper thought. Even for once)

this international fair is a slap in the face of all ordinary people who suffer from the financial crisis. Millions of people are at the risk of losing everything in Europe, but here the filthy rich keep on partying. If nothing else outside their glamorous world exists.

But they are the ones who caused the international crisis in the first place. They are part of the international network of high finance. Bankers and investors. Speculators. Corrupt politicians, 'Businessmen'. Mafia. They all work together in an world-wide, oppressive, financial system. And instead on investing their money in the future of the planet, they prefer to waste it here on useless extravaganza.

They are driven by greed. Destroyers of ordinary peoples live. Gambling with their money. Make them responsible for the debts when it goes wrong. Annexing their houses. Their land. Taking away their jobs. Stealing their future. Making them poor, so they can sit on golden toilets in diamond closets. And shit on the world.

We must stop this world-wide cult of ignorant selfishness. Of intellectual emptiness. Of material waste. Of cultural barbarism. Or it will become the end of civilization as we know it.

FUCK YOU OLIGARCHS!

During the earlier weeks of OWS (Occupy Wall street), some girls were baring their breasts in order to attract attention to the movement. They definitely did attract attention, but the question was raised as to whether those watching went on to learn more about the movement and the present state of our world, or was the nudity something for them to capture on film, and point and stare at?

It is probably safe to assume the latter because this is America after all and people aren't use to those sorts of antics, but it is also safe to assume that such exposure will eventually desensitize people and normalize the technique. After all, there was a time when it was considered obscene to have same sex couples hold hands in public but they would do it in pride marches. Changes are slow and painful but it requires people breaking the mold. For many women going topless (just as men do all the time) is seen as a way to reject notions of women as being dirty and needing to be covered.

Women taking radical steps in not unheard of. On October 31st, 2009, Code Pink organized a protest rally outside the White House to coincide with President and Mrs. Obama's official Halloween party. As many of the guests were family members of military members, the Code Pink press release encouraged attendees to dress as "zombie soldiers". On August 13th, 2011, organizers held their first Slut Walk. As noted in the Washington Post, "In a feminist movement that is often fighting simply to hold ground, Slut Walks stand out as a reminder of feminism’s more grass-roots past and point to what the future could look like." The women of FEMEN are known for their scandalous tactics, much like the women of Code Pink and the organizers of Slut Walks, but they are the new face of feminism, women who are not afraid to speak their minds or show their bodies. They are women who are willing to break all the rules, all the social convention commonly adhered to in their societies and fight for what they believe is a just cause.

Jerry Sandusky Arrested on New Sex Abuse Charges - ABC News

2011-12-07T18:51:00.004-05:00

10 Victims and 40 counts of of child molestation! At 67 years old, I bet Sandusky thought he was untouchable and why shouldn't he. After all, he has been doing this for decades, all while enjoying a posh life of a privilege. He claims he is being "turned into a monster" when in fact he is a monster, a predator, preying on innocent children in need, children whose parents did not have the economic means to provide extras for their kids and looked to Sandusky's program for help.
___________________________________________________________

Jerry Sandusky Arrested on New Sex Abuse Charges - ABC News

By COLLEEN CURRY

Dec. 7, 2011

Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was arrested and jailed today in the wake of new sexual assault charges filed against him by a grand jury.

Sandusky was handcuffed and taken out of his home by state police and brought to an arraignment before a judge in Centre County, Pa., for the new charges, which include assaulting two boys involved in his Second Mile charity.

Sandusky was taken to Centre County Correctional Facility for processing and will remain there until bail is posted. His attorney, Joe Amendola, said he is getting paperwork together to try and post bail by Thursday morning. Bail was set at $250,000, cash, although the prosecutor had asked for $1 million. If bail is posted, Sandusky is not permitted to step onto Penn State property and will be monitored electronically.

Amendola told ABC News that he had no knowledge of the charges ahead of the arrest.
"I'm very disappointed that I didn't even get a courtesy call that new charges had been filed. I had to find out from the media," Amendola said.

Sandusky, wearing Penn State pants at the time of his arrest, requested that the arraignment not begin until Amendola arrived at the courthouse, according to ABC affiliate WPVI.

Amendola greeted Sandusky in the courtroom by saying, "Told you. We had this discussion. Some day you will listen to me," to which Sandusky smiled, according to WPVI.

In court, Amendola asked for lower bail, arguing that his client was not a flight risk, and that he'd been subjected to heavy media coverage and confined to his home.

The new alleged victims came forward in the wake of the earlier allegations against Sandusky, including 40 counts of child molestation, for which he was charged on Nov. 5.

According to the state attorney general, both men met Sandusky through the Second Mile charity, were plied with trips to football games, and were abused by him in Sandusky's home.

The man, now 19 and identified as Victim 9, met Sandusky at a Second Mile swimming event when the boy was 11 or 12, according to new information in the grand jury presentment. Sandusky asked for his phone number, which he then used to ask the boy's mother if he could spend more time with the boy, and then proceeded to pick the boy up from school and take him to Sandusky's home for sleepovers.

At the Sandusky home, the boy said he was forced to stay in the basement at all times, and was even brought his meals there by Sandusky and told not to leave. He testified that he had little contact with Dottie Sandusky, Jerry's wife, and that she never came to the basement. Sandusky allegedly sexually assaulted the boy in the basement bedroom numerous times, including forcible rape. On one occasion, the boy screamed for help, hoping Dottie Sandusky would hear him from upstairs, but she did not come downstairs, he said.

The man testified that Sandusky would also take him to a hotel in State College and assault the boy in the pool and jacuzzi there.

The other victim identified in the new allegations, now in his mid-20s, says Sandusky met him through the Second Mile when he was 10 and invited him to his home for a Penn State football game. Sandusky then started a pattern of abuse that included wrestling with the boy and then pulling his pants off and performing oral sex on him, according to the testimony.

The man said that Sandusky also groped him in the campus swimming pool before playfully throwing him above water.

Sandusky also allegedly requested oral sex from the boy on multiple occasions, including one time in a vehicle while the two were driving somewhere. The boy refused, and terminated his relationship with Sandusky.

The new charges include involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with a minor, indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children, and corruption of minors.

The new charges will be included in an already-scheduled preliminary hearing on Tuesday.

OMG.... Pepper Sprayed by Police at Kinston Walmart on Black Friday!!!

2011-11-26T00:10:00.004-05:00

Talk about irony! Who knew that when I wrote the article "Veterans protesting at Smithsonian met with pepper-spray", back in October, I would end up being the victim of another pepper spray incident. It was Black Friday and their was a 32" TV advertised in the Walmart paper. I normally don't shop at that evil empire but my mom insisted. In the rural south there are not many options for shopping. I knew when I walked in that the night would be full of drama but I didn't know how much drama. It was a total nightmare. The store was unorganized and the sales people seemed lost.

My mom, excited to go shopping, pulled my sister and I into going shopping with her. We thought, "This is going to be a nightmare." However, we could have never predicted how our night would unfold.

We were waiting in line at the Walmart in Kinston, NC, when people began grabbing for things ahead of time and pushing each other. The police sprayed pepper spray into the crowd. Children, elderly, and disabled people were in the area but police sprayed indiscriminately. Many had to be taken to the hospital due to reactions from being sprayed.

I was in line patiently waiting for my item since 8pm. I was nowhere near the people who were fighting and pushing and yet I had to suffer being pepper sprayed. That is not the way it is supposed to work. You can't punish the masses for infractions of the few!

The reaction from people is that, "Well people shouldn't have been fighting!" This people get what they deserve attitude is appalling. The ends do not always justify the means and in this case they certainly do not. It is as if police officers have forgotten there are other methods of crowd control! No one said the police should have done nothing. However, what they did do was inappropriate and they should know better. The choices are not take to extreme measure or do nothing. There is such a thing as proper protocol when it comes to crowd control and police are trained to know what to do in situations like this. Their actions escalated the event and caused more injuries. The entire situation was handled incorrectly and that is the bottom line.

I hate to be harsh but the police signed up for their jobs and if it is too much for them to control their tempers and act according to proper protocol then they have the wrong job. Police officers are trained in various techniques of crowd control and the use of pepper spray is only one. For example, tools like stink bombs, low frequency sound cannons, and net guns can be employed without risking the health of innocent children, sick, and elderly people. Police officers are entrusted to protect us, they are supposed to put the needs of the people above their own and not take the easy way out. They acted without regard of all the innocent people who were in the area and many people had to be taken to the emergency room that night. Luckily not everyone is sensitive to pepper spray and so the shopping continued for them but what about all the others who were not so lucky.

I recorded this video because I was completely outraged at what was going on at the store. Luckily, I did not get sprayed directly and only suffered a bit of temporary discomfort. What I am now is outraged that this happened and even more outraged that so many think that the police were justified in their actions. I'm sorry but how it can be okay to pepper spray hundreds of people to stop the actions of a handful is lost to me.

Police gone wild with pepper spray at Walmart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHmEP8nUt4c&list=UUHD-W96Q3nCqKy0mgxCtV0w&feature=plcp

Veterans protesting at Smithsonian met with pepper-spray
http://www.examiner.com/civil-rights-in-washington-dc/veterans-protesting-at-smithsonian-met-with-pepper-spray

Veterans protesting at Smithsonian met with pepper-spray - Washington DC Civil Rights | Examiner.com

2011-10-09T12:35:00.003-04:00

Washington, DC -- All too often, when there is criticism of U.S. military actions it is the service members who receive the force of the backlash. They are called criminals, they are accused of being brainwashed, and it is they that are punished when something goes wrong. However, many sometimes feel that when they do speak out against U.S. military action, they do so without support and with the threat of being accused of being traitors hanging over their heads. Veterans, on the other hand, are better positioned to be the voice of military personnel.

By giving first hand accounts of atrocities they’ve witness and the perceived senselessness of those atrocities, they leverage the fact that they have followed orders and have fought to defend freedom of speech and the right to protest. Nevertheless, yesterday, activist where shocked and outraged to learn that not even veterans are safe from police aggression when employing their Constitutional rights, the very rights they had once laid their lives on the line to protect.

Approximately 50 members of Veterans For Peace (VFP) participated in a march this afternoon from Freedom Plaza to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum on the National Mall. The museum was featuring an exhibit on unmanned drone bombers that a group of about 250 people from the October2011.org encampment at Freedom Plaza intended to protest.

'We had marched from the Freedom Plaza and McPherson Square occupations, taking over the streets of DC. The museum knew we were coming. Some of our group got in and dropped a banner. Hundreds of us did not. Instead, we were greeted at the door with cans of pepper spray.' We intended to hold signs and sing inside the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, protesting its promotion of unmanned drones, missiles, and bombs, including its sponsorship by and promotion of weapons corporations. We don't have any museums promoting health coverage or education or retirement security.' This was the statement given by David Swanson is the author of 'War Is A Lie.'

VFP Acting Director Mike Ferner said, 'I was at the first entranceway, holding the door open for people to enter. I saw a police or security officer in a white shirt hold his hands up, telling people to stop. The marchers continued and the officer began pepper-spraying everyone. From everything I saw until that moment, there was no reason for the pepper-spraying. The door of the museum clearly said 'free admission.' It did not say 'Free admission if you are quiet' or 'Free admission unless you have opinions contrary to government policy.’
Veterans For Peace is one of several groups organizing the October2011.org encampment. VFP is an organization composed of U.S. military veterans from WWII, the Korean War, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq wars and every period in between.

In an email sent to supporters last night Swanson said:
We're ready.
We're nonviolent.
We're not scared.
We're not discouraged.
We're not fooled.
We've got demands as clear as a blue sky:
Occupy Wall Street
Occupy K Street
Occupy Everything
And Never Give it Back!

Read: Veterans protesting at Smithsonian met with pepper-spray - Washington DC Civil Rights | Examiner.com

We Are the 99%

2011-10-02T17:13:00.012-04:00

If you are like me and fed up with swimming upstream in this economy, then maybe you will join the thousands taking it to the streets and telling the powers that be that enough is enough!

There are some that say that these protests have no goal and no focus but I think that bringing awareness to the suffering of the poor and middle class is goal enough. Many people want to continue believing that the American Dream is alive and strong and that if we work hard and do our best we all have the potential to be the next Bill Gates or Oprah Winfrey.

This is despite the fact that the poverty rate in 2010 was the highest since 1993. Since 2007, the poverty rate has increased by 2.6 percentage points.

In 2010, the family poverty rate and the number of families in poverty were 11.7% and 9.2 million, respectively, up from 11.1% and 8.8 million in 2009.

The poverty rate and the number in poverty increased for both married-couple families (6.2% and 3.6 million in 2010 from 5.8% and 3.4 million in 2009) and single female headed families (31.6% and 4.7 million in 2010 from 29.9% and 4.4 million in 2009). For single male headed families, the poverty rate and the number in poverty were not statistically different from 2009 (15.8% and 880,000 in 2010).

According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 1948 until 2010 the United States' unemployment rate averaged 5.70 percent reaching an historical high of 10.80 percent in November of 1982 and a record low of 2.50 percent in May of 1953. However, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on September 2, 2011, that the unemployment rate held at 9.1 percent.

Poverty in America is about the middle class finding that they can no longer meet their basic needs and relying on credit cards to keep the lights on and pay the rent. It is about the college educated finding that they cannot pay their student loan debt. It is about children who have to rely on free meals at school or face hunger. In a nutshell, it is about the 'American Dream' becoming increasing unattainable for millions, who by all accounts have done everything they were supposed to do to 'make it.' The nation needs serious political discourse around the issue of poverty and Americans have to demand that those seeking political office put forth plans to address this growing concern.

#OccupyDC
In solidarity with the #OccupyWallStreet movement and #OccupyTogether around the country

Why?

Millions of Americans are living in poverty. Income disparity between the rich and the poor are the largest in over 30 years. 20+ million are unemployed. Corporations are raking in RECORD profits. Money is corrupting our politics. The real questions is WHY NOT? We want to stand in total solidarity with OccupyWallStreet and the 50+ other Occupy movements in this country and around the world.

How long do you plan on staying in McPherson Square?

The tentative plan is to occupy for several months, like OccupyWallStreet. Of course, many things can change. It all depends on what the group wants or decides. This is a NON-VIOLENT, PEACEFUL protest!

Who can I contact for more info?

occupydc@hush.com or go to http://occupydc.org/

New Census Numbers Make it Official: 2000-2010 was a Lost Economic Decade

2011-09-13T12:52:00.001-04:00

This just in from the Center for Economic and Policy Research:

This morning the Census Bureau released its annual report on income—including median income, inequality, and income poverty—and health insurance coverage in the previous year. As expected given continued high unemployment, the report shows a substantial deterioration in Americans' economic security between 2009 and 2010, including substantial income losses for middle- and working-class Americans, and an increase in the number of Americans without health insurance. These declines cap off what can only be described as a "lost decade" in economic terms. At the same time, things could have been worse. Both the 2009 Recovery Act and the 2010 Affordable Care Act, as well as existing social insurance, moderated the declines.

Median Income and Full-Time Employment

Median household income declined between 2009 and 2010, even without adjusting for inflation. In real terms, median household income fell by 2.3 percent or roughly $1,150 (from $50,599 in 2009 to $49,445 in 2010). This is the largest one-year decline since 2007-2008 (-3.57 percent). Real median income in 2010 was 7.1 percent lower than its previous peak in 1999.

Among racial and ethnic groups, African-Americans households fared the worst—their median household income fell by 3.2 percent between 2009 and 2010, from an already low $33,122 to $32,068. (Asian Americans and Latinos also appear to have experienced substantial declines in income, -3.4 percent and -2.3 percent respectively, but the changes are not statistically significant.)

Census included income statistics for households headed by an adult with a disabilty (and poverty andn health insurance statistics for adults with disabilties) for the first time in this annual report. These households experienced the largest decline in median income of any of the household categories in the annual report—their incomes fell by 8.5 percent between 2009 and 2010.

Health Insurance

The number of people with employer-based health insurance coverage fell by 1.5 million. Increases in public coverage and other forms of private coverage offset these losses somewhat. Overall, the number of people without health insurance (from any source) increased by nearly 1 million, from 49 million in 2009 to 49.9 million in 2010. Households with incomes below $25,000 were particularly hard—some 846,000 more people in these low-income households were uninsured in 2010 than in 2009 (part of the story here is that the number of people with households incomes below this level increased by nearly 2 million). One of the few bright spots was the decline in the number of young people (between the ages of 18 to 24) without health insurance. This is likely due to a provision in the Affordable Care Act that expanded coverage for this group starting in 2010.

Income Poverty and "Making Ends Meet"

The percentage of Americans with incomes below the federal poverty threshold increased from 14.3 percent to 15.1 percent, its highest level since the Reagan Administration, when the poverty rate hit 15.2 percent in 1982. Non-elderly adults with disabilities were the hardest hit among the demographic categories tracked by Census—their poverty rate increased by nearly 3 percentage points, from 25 percent in 2009 to 27.9 percent in 2010.

There is broad recognition that the current poverty line ($22,113 for a family of two adults and two children in 2010) falls far below the amount of income needed to “make ends meet” at a basic level. When established in the early 1960s, the poverty line was equal to nearly 50 percent of median income. Because it has only been adjusted for inflation since then, and not for increases in mainstream living standards, the poverty line has fallen to just under 30 percent of median income. As a result, to be counted as officially “poor,” you have to be much poorer today, compared to a typical family, than you would have in the 1960s. Thus, for comparing today's income poverty numbers with those of the early 1960s, a better standard is half of median income. As Census notes, some 22.1 percent of Americans fell below this very-low income standard in 2010, compared to the official rate of 14.3 percent. This is roughly the same as the official income-poverty rate between 1959 (22.4 percent) and 1962 (21 percent).

Similarly, both public opinion research conducted by Gallup and other pollsters, and basic budget analyses conducted by the Department of Commerce and various non-governmental research organizations, suggest that the minimum amount needed to “make ends meet” at a basic level is around $45,000 to $50,000 for a family of four. While the Census report does not report data for such a standard, it does provide data on the number of people with incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty line, which is a roughly equivalent income level. These figures show that just over one out of every three Americans (33.9 percent; almost 104 million people) in 2010 had income below 200 percent of the poverty line, and that the percentage of such people increased by .9 percentage points between 2009 and 2010, and by 4.6 percentage points since its lowest recorded level (29.3 percent) in 2000.

Impact of Social Insurance, Recovery Act and Other Policies

These numbers reflect some but not all of the provisions of legislation enacted in 2009 and 2010 to reduce unemployment and increased economic security. Without the infrastructure investments and various other provisions of the Recovery Act of 2009, unemployment would have been higher and incomes lower in 2010 than these figures show. Some elements of the Recovery Act, particularly increases in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program and increases in the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, are not reflected in these figures, but clearly bolstered economic security of millions of working-class families.

Finally, health care reform, which will, among other things, ultimately extend public health insurance to nearly all currently uninsured Americans with incomes below 125 percent of the poverty line, and provide subsidies for insurance up to 400 percent of the poverty line, has only begun to be implemented. Most of the expansions in coverage will not occur until 2014. One exception, as noted above, is that young adults did benefit from a new health care reform provision that allows them to stay on their parents’ insurance policies until age 26.

Shawn Fremstad

Director, Inclusive and Sustainable Economy Initiative

Center for Economic and Policy Research

Washington, DC

Guest Blogger: How Do you Define Your Personal Style? |

2011-09-09T12:33:00.000-04:00

Guest Blogger: How Do you Define Your Personal Style? |

How do you define your personal style? If you find it difficult to answer this question, you are not alone. Many people stumble through magazine after magazine, searching for that perfect look, only to head out for a very disappointing day of shopping because the things that looked fabulous on their favorite celebs fell flat on them. When we look at a trendy fashion piece, we might say to ourselves, “Wow that will make me look amazing!” Sometimes we are spot on and we feel golden, other times we end up looking at our reflections in the mirror wondering to ourselves, “What was I thinking?” Nothing looks fabulous on everyone, all of the time; style is about knowing that you bring fashion to life, not the other way around. Yes, it is important to know whether your skin looks best in warm or cool colors, and whether you are pear-shaped or have a short torso. Yes, you have to tailor your attire to fit the occasion, the weather, or the time of day. But, beyond color and fit, you need to know, “What do my fashion choices say about me and are they sending the right message?”

To continue reading click here: Guest Blogger: How Do you Define Your Personal Style? |

The American Jobs Act and the 'pursuit of happiness'

2011-09-08T22:45:00.003-04:00

Washington, DC – President Barack Obama spoke before a joint session of Congress tonight and unveiled his ‘American Jobs Act’. As unemployment remains stagnant at 9.1 percent with no new jobs reported in August, many wonder if the President’s plan will get people back to work and reinvigorate the American Dream.

‘Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness‘ is one of the most famous phrases in the United States Declaration of Independence and considered by some as part of one of the most well crafted, influential sentences in the history of the English language. According to the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the ‘pursuit of happiness’ is an essential human right and yet so few people in the nation right now have access to the basics needed to accomplish this aim.

Continue reading: The American Jobs Act and the 'pursuit of happiness'
http://www.examiner.com/civil-rights-in-washington-dc/the-american-jobs-act-and-the-pursuit-of-happiness

Tray Chaney is raising awareness and giving support

2011-08-23T03:54:00.007-04:00

Click here to purchase the book

Some days when I have downtown and nothing to do, I like to take a stroll with my camera. It was on one such occasion that I happen to be strolling in downtown DC and to my surprise I bumped into actor Tray Chaney. I knew Tray from his powerful portrayal of ‘Poot‘ on the HBO series 'The Wire." Having been a late comer to 'The Wire,’ actually having just watched the entire series on video a week prior, I was shocked and elated to see him. Tray was outside in front of the National Press Club building with his street teem marketing his book and singing autographs. I was immediately struck by his warm smile and down to earth demeanor and decided that I wanted to interview him. I asked him to give me a call and, true to his word, he did!

Tray agreed to let me include in my series on Art activism for Examiner.com. After weeks of playing phone tag we connected and my article, Literature as art activism: Tray Chaney is raising awareness and giving support, was the finished product. Tray's book, ‘The TRUTH you can't BeTRAY,' is aimed at motivating young people to stay positive.

Tray's character, Poot on The Wire is often described as the ‘sole survivor’ of the drug organization he belonged to. Much like his character, Tray is also a survivor and aims to use his success to raise awareness about the social issues faced by local area youth.

Biography: Tray Chaney, the highly celebrated up and coming actor, is best known for his role on the HBO's Original hit series "The Wire". The strikingly handsome young man of many talents began his career as a performer at the early age of four years old. With a promising career in dance under his belt, Tray stepped into acting with the breakout role of "Poot" on the Peabody-winning HBO drama series THE WIRE. Tray's acting career includes the highly acclaimed New York's Apollo Theatre, "Head of State" with Chris Rock and Bernie Mac, "The District" (CBS Television), "America's Most Wanted" (Fox Television), Lil Bow Wow "My Baby" Video featuring Jagged Edge, and Beauty Shop featuring Vivica A. Fox. Tray's acting techniques have cultivated with experience. Through the 1990's, he spent most of his time crafting his technique as a seasoned performer at dozens of venues across the United States. In addition to being an excellent performer, Tray choreographs all of his dance routines. In 2000, Tray spent a week in the studio with recording artist Kenny Lattimore and musical icon Stevie Wonder. After graduating from high school, Tray caught the acting bug and auditioned for and landed the role of "Poot" on HOB's "The Wire"; which aired its first episode in June 2002. In 2003, Tray made his movie appearance in "Head of State" with Chris Rock and Bernie Mac.

Growing up in Forestville, MD, a community that is 85% African American, Tray was surrounded by drugs and violence, very much like that portrayed on 'The Wire,' which was set in Baltimore. The overall crime rate in Forestville is twice the national average and the murder rate is 4.5 times the national average. However, unlike many youths, for Tray, the things he saw were ‘an inspiration to do something positive’ with his life. Always having ‘a passion to write, to do music, and represent the community from a positive light’ kept Tray from being consumed by the world around him. ‘The TRUTH you can't BeTRAY' gives readers a window into his life's journey and illustrates how one can determine for oneself what type of person one wants to be and where one wants to go.

Readers on Amazon.com gave the book rave reviews. Monica (Fredericksburg, VA) said:

'It was very interesting to read about this young man's journey. It can be a great inspiration to all. I'm proud of Tray for becoming the man that he is today. Keep up the good work.'

Another reader, Eugenia K. Sheppard (PG County, Maryland) said:

'I was very enthused by reading this book. I met Tray at the Reagan National Airport while he was promoting his book. I intended to purchase the book, but the ATM was down and we had already gone through security to our gates. He generously autographed the book and gave it to me for free! He said his story had to be told at any cost. He is a wonderful human being and if given the opportunity, EVERYONE needs to take the time out to read this story! It was packed with unbelievable events in his already awesome journey. This is definitely a different version than I would have ever expected that character to be on ‘The Wire’. My only regret is that it took me this long to write a review. THE WORLD NEEDS TO KNOW THIS STORY! It was also very well written. God Bless you Tray!'

Tray says that his desire is ‘to motivate all people to be positive.’ When asked what he felt was the number one thing that kept him for going down the road of drugs and violence, he quickly said having a ‘strong family foundation.’ With his parents together for 30 years, Tray says that he and his sister were instilled with positive examples. He also states that his parents heavily emphasized the value of education. Coming from a two-parent household makes Tray an anomaly in the African American community, particularly within lower income communities. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count 2009 study, 67% of African American children grow up in single-parent families.

When ask what should young people do who do not have a strong family foundation, Tray’s advice was for them to ‘look for a mentor who can give them positive examples.’ Tray believes strongly that having the right people in one’s life who can guide that person in the right direction is extremely important. This, he says, was the number one reason why he wrote his book, to be an example for young people who may not otherwise have anyone to look up to and show them how to lead a positive life.

Tray Chaney is an inspiration to many and his book, along with the success of his various other projects, from music to movies, is a testament to young people that hard work and determination can pay off. During my interview with Tray we spoke a length about his how he maintains his hometown connections and not get carried away by the allure of Hollywood. He says 'staying grounded and knowing who he is helps him to stay connected to his community and remain friends with the people he grew up with.'

Tray is multi-talented and because of this he is able to delve into not only the acting world but also music and dance. His new movie, 'Lorenzo and Monica', is about a young couple who go on a crime spree holding up local stores with pellet guns, in hopes of becoming infamous, while being pursued a by detective who has just returned to the force after losing his fiance to a violent attack.

In addition to the film, Tray has a new music single entitled 'Imagine' (produced by Don Cox), which is currently available on iTunes for download. He is also acting in the upcoming film, 'Good Brutha Bad Brutha', set to be released in 2012. This independent suspense thriller, directed by Miles Silas Biggar, is set in Philadelphia and is centered around the main character, CiCi, a drug addict mother of two boys, who loses custody of her sons. The plot focuses on who will raise the boys and ask the question, 'Will they survive in the city they call bruthaly love?'

Tray is indeed a busy man, who never stops moving and keeps his eyes on the prize! For Tray, the secret to success is to 'learn how to create your own content.' New advancements in social networking, and digital media, allow artist to go outside the confines of the art community and take their work directly to the people. No longer do artist have to be afraid of not getting their book published because they can self publish. No longer do singers have to worry about not getting a record deal because they can upload their music to iTunes. No longer do film makers have to worry about getting their films picked up by major distributors because they can upload their content to Youtube and create their own channels. In creating your own content, Tray says that 'people have to research'. It is vital to fully understand what you are trying to do and who your market is. For those who do not have money, he recommends that they go to a public library and take advantage of community centers and other free resources. Ultimately one has to 'be there own boss.' For Tray it's a 24/7 schedule but it is what he loves to do. Tray says what he wants for his fans to understand is 'that you have to strive for your dreams in order to be successful' and that you can 'never let anyone deter you from your path.'

Why does a four year old need lingerie?

2011-08-18T13:32:00.008-04:00

ABC News

Thylane Lena Rose Blondeau appears with adult look in Parisian issue of Vogue.

I didn't get too upset when there was that whole other case of the 10-year model, Thylane Loubry Blondeau, featured in French Vouge. That report was all the buzz last week and I was trying my best not to get caught up in all the hype. I was torn over whether or not I was in fact being an uptight American and if I had been negatively programmed by my society to read more into the photos than was actually there. I thought, "Well maybe the pictures are not that bad. It does kind of look like a little girl playing dress-up."

However, when I saw the article "French lingerie line for little girls: Cute? Or creepy?" I was completely outraged. Lingerie for 4-year olds... you gotta be kidding me. This is absurd! Little girls should not be sexualized in this way, and to say that "Americans just don't get it" is outrageous. I keep hearing that commentary over and over again and it just pisses me off. It seems that Europeans feel so superior in their civility that they feel as if they are beyond reproach, but they are dead wrong in saying that this is okay.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Here are some scary statistics about child pornography:

Child pornography is one of the fastest growing businesses online, and the content is becoming much worse. In 2008, Internet Watch Foundation found 1,536 individual child abuse domains. (Internet Watch Foundation. Annual Report, 2008).

Of all known child abuse domains, 58 percent are housed in the United States (Internet Watch Foundation. Annual Report, 2008).

The fastest growing demand in commercial websites for child abuse is for images depicting the worst type of abuse, including penetrative sexual activity involving children and adults and sadism or penetration by an animal (Internet Watch Foundation. Annual Report, 2008).

In a study of arrested child pornography possessors, 40 percent had both sexually victimized children and were in possession of child pornography. Of those arrested between 2000 and 2001, 83 percent had images involving children between the ages 6 and 12; 39 percent had images of children between ages 3 and 5; and 19% had images of infants and toddlers under age 3 (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Child Pornography Possessors Arrested in Internet-Related Crimes: Findings fro the National Juvenile Online Victimization Study.

Do these young girls modeling a line of French lingerie look cute? Or do their poses cross the line?
jours-apres-lunes.com

When is enough enough? We cannot on one hand condemn child pornography and on the other hand allow the fashion industry to put out equally suggestive images of children, justified as art. Sexual exploitation of children is a global epidemic and in on the rise. Just last February, The Guardian reported that, "The trafficking of British children around UK cities for sexual exploitation is on the increase with some as young as 10 being groomed by predatory abusers, a report reveals today."

Fashion Find at Goodwill

2011-08-14T22:01:00.001-04:00

Remember Members Only jackets? These jackets were first introduced in 1981 and were quickly seated on the fashion throne. Available in an array of color choices, they were the quintessential clothing items for 80s teens and young adults. Not having one was a definite social life killer. As the old saying goes, “Everything old is new again!” Surprise, surprise, Members Only® Vintage Racer Jackets have made a come back. Some people choose to wear vintage Members Only jackets for their nostalgic value. However, others may prefer the latest editions, which have been redesigned with a tailored fit to accentuate the female form (a sure fire way to add a bit of sporty sexiness to your look). Because of their vintage appeal and new female friendly figure flattering design, Member Only jackets have reemerged as the new (or should we say old) hotness, and they are reclaiming their place in the fashion world.

While visiting my parents in NC, during the Easter holiday, I decided to pop into the local Goodwill store, just to see what I might find. Much to my delight I found a Members Only jacket. It was a beauty to behold, canary yellow, and in mint condition. Talk about jumping for joy! I was so happy my mom thought I was losing my mind. Selling for around $75-$100, these jackets might be hands off for today’s frugalistas, who like me, are aiming to look fabulous on a budget. So as you can imagine, no way was I going to miss this shopportunity.

In true 80s form, I sported my jacket over a tight white tee and a pair of green skinny jeans. I completed the look with multicolored plastic bangles, pink speckled tear drop earrings, white pumps and a white hobo bag. As I walked down the street strutting in my Members Only jacket, I relived the feelings I had walking down the hallways in high school. I was on cloud nine that day and I didn’t want to take my jacket off when I came home. Its funny the effect fashion can have, looking good and feeling good in what you are wearing is what it’s all about. When I had on my Members Only jacket, so many wonderful memories came rushing to my mind. It was a great day and I had a random chance find at a Goodwill store to thank for it.

Black Skeptics Group: A Long Overdue Tribute to Black Women Non-Theists

2011-08-10T15:58:00.004-04:00

Black Skeptics Group
"No Gods, No Masters"

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

One of my great regrets as a full-time secular humanist activist is that I never started my proposed pamphlet of quotations from African American women non-theists. Compared to when I first became involved with organized humanism, there are quite a few African American women that have come out of the closet and are eager and willing to make their voices heard.

Why not begin with Sikivu Hutchinson of the Black Skeptics? Hutchinson is the author of the excellent book Moral Combat: Black Atheists, Gender Politics, and the Values Wars. She has taken an impressive leadership role with the Black Skeptics. Her strong focus upon feminism, LGBT rights, and other progressive causes makes her refreshing among Black women non-theists.

Hutchinson and other Black women non-theists are able and willing to critique biblically based patriarchy, sexism, and misogyny in ways their religious counterparts never would. (NEWS FLASH: The biblical writers were primarily patriarchs living in a rigidly patriarchal society. How could biblical teachings regarding women not be sexist to the core?) Hutchinson has demonstrated that paradoxically, the same Bible that gives so many Black women solace is the same book that is responsible for so much of the suffering from which they seek solace. That is to say, the Bible causes the sickness and then suggests a cure.

Debbie Goddard has taken an active leadership role in organized humanism for quite some time. Even during high school she founded a philosophy group that appealed to atheists. While at Temple University she started a freethought group, and she eventually became a major leader in campus outreach throughout the U.S.

Goddard is an “out” lesbian that has been engaged in LGBT activism. She now heads African Americans for Humanism (AAH), the organization I founded in 1989. She and I shared offices near one another for many years, and we were usually the last ones to leave the building. It seems unlikely that anyone in the humanist movement has a stronger work ethic than Goddard.

Ayanna Watson heads the Black Atheists of America. She has conducted and broadcast interviews with Black atheists from all over the U.S. She has made her thoughts known on You Tube. She hosted a conference in New York. She has generated much controversy as a result of her biblical critiques.

Elayne Jones was one of the first African American tympani players with a major U.S. symphony. She rejected religion as a young adult and sought a sense of community with the Ethical Society. She has strong roots in Barbados, and she and I made attempts to start a humanist group there. Jones started a humanist group in a retirement community in Walnut Creek, California, where she has lived for several years.

Crystal Coleman was actively involved with the Black American Freethought Association (BAFTA) headquartered in Albany, New York. Coleman worked closely with McKinley Jones, the group’s founder. Coleman and Jones did research to uncover the history of Black American humanists in the Civil Rights movement.

Jamila Bey of Washington, D.C. has become a major humanist spokesperson in recent years. Bey has written about the need for African American women to come out of the closet and openly acknowledge their unbelief. She has spoken at conferences in Washington, D.C., Indianapolis, Boston (at Harvard), and other cities. She has been featured on major radio programs, including National Public Radio with me.

Mercedes Diane Griffin is the former managing director of the Institute for Humanist Studies. She writes a blog titled “Unscripted.” She is attempting to attract more African Americans, women, LGBT people, and young people to organized humanism. Her outreach includes combating HIV/AIDS among African Americans, in particular. For Griffin, an emphasis upon social justice will do far more to attract African Americans to humanism than mere atheism or scientific issues. As a full-time African American humanist activist, like Goddard, she is in rare company.

Carolyn M. Dejoie is a professor emerita at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a former Catholic, who, out of a sense of frustration and a need for community, joined the Unitarian Universalist Society. Later, she founded the Secular Humanist Society of Madison, Wisconsin and networked with like-minded people throughout the U.S. She might have been the first African American woman to have established such a group.

Last, but not least, is the atheist Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Ali, a Somali author and activist, now lives in the U.S. She has written such books as Infidel, in which she castigates Muslims and glorifies Western civilization. Not surprisingly, she was warmly embraced by the Bush administration and the ultra-conservative American Enterprise Institute. Still, her critiques of Islam have often been on the money.

I hope to one day start and finish my proposed pamphlet for African American women non-theists. Meanwhile, let’s honor these women and hope that, soon, Women’s Studies scholars will do likewise.

**Read the original post at: http://blackskeptics.blogspot.com/2011/08/long-overdue-tribute-to-black-women-non.html**

International Students at the Barking Dog

2011-08-05T16:09:00.000-04:00

When my students at LADO International College told me that they had never had real American Food, except fast food from McDonald's, I had to act. I took them to The Barking Dog in Bethesda, MD, so they could see what a real burger should taste like. After stuffing themselves, in real American fashion, with Maryland crab dip, sweet potato fries, flank steak sandwiches, and two types of burgers (one with feta cheese & spinach and the other with hickory BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, and bacon), they finally knew why American food was called "feel good food!"

To make the day even more perfect, they all had their first taste of yummy root beer! :)

For more about The Barking Dog, visit: http://www.thebarkingdogonline.com/

The Power of Narrative: Telling the Real Story about Latinos - Washington DC Civil Rights | Examiner.com

2011-07-26T17:51:00.000-04:00

The Power of Narrative: Telling the Real Story about Latinos - Washington DC Civil Rights | Examiner.com

Washington, DC -- The 2011 NCLR Annual Conference and National Latino Family Expo has returned to Washington, DC. This event, held July 23-26, included workshops on various topics relevant to the Latino community. One such workshop, entitled The Power of Narrative: Telling the Real Story about Latinos, featured a panel of distinguished speakers from TV and film discussing how the media can help to shape the way Latinos are perceived in America.

Among the panel was Director Mr. Weitz Weitz, most notably known for his work on the films “About a Boy”, “New Moon”, and “American Pie.” His newest film "A Better Life", now playing in theatres nationwide, is a powerful movie about the life of an undocumented immigrant and single father who sacrifices everything to give his son a better life.

Continue reading on Examiner.com The Power of Narrative: Telling the Real Story about Latinos - Washington DC Civil Rights | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/civil-rights-in-washington-dc/the-power-of-narrative-telling-the-real-story-about-latinos#ixzz1TFbTjHr3

A Protest on Behalf of Little Picky Eaters

2011-07-16T21:12:00.003-04:00

Many people grow up being taught by their parents to eat whatever they are given. However, as a lifelong picky eater I have to protest! I don't believe in forcing kids to eat food they don't like. My step-dad and some other family members did that to me when I was a kid and I remember how bad I felt....usually I felt nauseous, sick, and utterly disgusted. I think it's a cruel thing to do. Imagine if you had to eat things you hated just because someone told you to! As much as we put our hearts into cooking, ultimately it's not about us. It's about teaching our kids to eat healthy food and to consume reasonable portions. Neither of which is taught by saying eat whatever I give you and eat all of it!

Children have taste and preferences just like adults do and their taste change over time. I suggest playing with different recipes and supplementing veggies with fruit. Dark purple, red, and blue fruits like grapes and raspberries are extremely high in antioxidants.

Also, some kids could have texture issues. I know I can't stand the mushy way most veggies are prepared in many southern style recipes, boiled. I can only eat my veggies raw or lightly steamed. I don't like greens and neither does my son. However, he enjoys munching on dried seaweed (which is far more nutritious), who would have thought!

Another thing I do with my son is give him veggie burgers sometimes instead of meat. He can't really taste the difference and he gets the nutritional value of veggies without the fat from beef.

The thing to remember is, when it comes to food, everyone is different. Don't give up, they will figure it out for themselves as long as you keep presenting them with lots of choices.

I made sliders and fries! Using natural farm raised beef, organic bread, organic apples, and organic potatoes. I was able to prepare this kid friendly meal without contributing to my son's early death....YEAH

*Tool needed: Wavy knife!
*Note: I use olive oil in my cooking.

Natural Hair Journey: Day 1

2011-07-14T15:00:00.004-04:00

Aug. 2005 (This is my hair goal.)

I grew up in a place where nappy hair was not something to be proud of, it was something to hide! All of my life I have wanted straight long flowy hair. I remember when I was a little girl I used to wrap the towel on my head and swing it back and forth, pretending that it was my hair. I’ve always had very soft curly hair and people use to compliment me on it all the time but I still felt like it was not pretty enough. My mother is quite the beauty and people have always said, “Wow, your mom is so beautiful!” She has very light skin and has very long straight hair, and I think in my mind I learned to associate that with the reason people thought she was so beautiful. When I was young I compared myself to her a lot and I always wanted to look more like her. It bothered me that I was darker and had nappier hair. This was reinforced when she would say, “Oh I should have married someone from my country, so my kids could have straight hair!” Now she didn’t know the damage she was doing but it hurt just the same. It also didn’t help that all of my dolls were white and hair long blonde hair.

The first time I got a perm I was about 12 years old. I remember running around outside afterwards so I could feel the wind in my hair, and so the little boy across the street could see my long straight hair. I was obsessed with having straight hair. The tide started to turn when I started college in Atlanta, GA. Afrocentrism was big there and I wanted to fit in with the crowd. I cut my hair for the first time and decided to go natural and proudly sport an afro. Funny thing is that this time I would actually comb out the curls to make my hair look nappier. Insanity right!

It’s amazing how something as seemingly trivial as hair can have such an influence on how one sees herself. Sadly, for many Black women, especially in America, my story is not that uncommon. Over the years I’ve gone back and forth between natural and straight, loving both looks for a time, but feeling most comfortable when I had a big wild curly mane. I used to call it my lioness look! So that is what I’m working towards now. I hope you guys share this journey with me and that we learn and grow together.

Turning Truth into Power – Student Leaders Rally for Change in Washington D.C. | NAACP

2011-07-12T15:13:00.000-04:00

Turning Truth into Power – Student Leaders Rally for Change in Washington D.C. | NAACP

Civil Rights Data Collection Sheds Lights on Disparities in Education - Washington DC Civil Rights | Examiner.com

2011-07-09T14:18:00.000-04:00

Civil Rights Data Collection Sheds Lights on Disparities in Education - Washington DC Civil Rights | Examiner.com

The 2012 Youth Vote

2011-07-07T22:46:00.001-04:00

7th Annual Campus Progress National Conference -- Day 2
2012 Elections: What's at Stake?

Watch the panel discuss what they think can be expected from young voters in the coming election.

John Pedesta : Why I Got Into Politics

2011-07-07T22:41:00.001-04:00

7th Annual Campus Progress National Convention -- Day 2

Watch John Pedesta, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress, discuss how and why he became involved with politics.

John Podesta is President and CEO of the Center for American Progress and Chair and Counselor of the Center for American Progress Action Fund. Under his leadership, American Progress has become a notable leader in the development of and advocacy for progressive policy.

Prior to founding the Center in 2003, Podesta served as White House Chief of Staff to President William J. Clinton. He served in the president's cabinet and as a principal on the National Security Council. While in the White House, he also served as both an assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff, as well as staff secretary and a senior policy advisor on government information, privacy, telecommunications security, and regulatory policy.

For more information about John Pedesta and the Center for American Progress click here: http://www.americanprogress.org/experts/PodestaJohn.html

Loneliness

2011-07-01T16:46:00.004-04:00

It’s times like this when the loneliness is so intense it’s as if there is a noose around my neck. It cripples me with grief and makes even the simplest task seem like the most daunting feat. Amazing how draining it can be to long to be held, to long to be kissed and caressed, and to be told that you are loved, that you are desired and needed.

Sitting in my room

Staring at my ceiling

Wondering if my life has meaning

If tomorrow I didn’t wake

If all that I am ceased to be

Would there be anyone mourning me

Real change is swift and transformative

2011-07-01T14:46:00.002-04:00

Marc Jagoe, Guest Blogger for Unscripted

I wrote this essay because I support the President and want him to be re-elected, and that’s why I and others critique him and his administration on many issues. We realize that there are many progressive ideas that have not been championed, and if they were at least put on the table for negotiation, a lot of the principled frustration would die down. I see that the people believe in many progressive ideas and the polls reflect that, and if President Obama championed these causes, the resulting legislation would fix many of the structural problems in our economy. This is very frustrating for many people on the left and we feel compelled to voice our opinions. Expressing frustration publicly, in an effort to impact the decisions of politicians, is a right and duty of each and every citizen and is a principle of democracy.

There has been a lot of squabbling among Democrats, liberals, progressives, and people of the political left lately, concerning the record of President Obama and the policies of his administration. There are many critics who are complaining about the Obama administration having continued many of the Bush policies regarding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the detainment of terrorists at Guantanamo, warrant-less wiretapping, and a number of other policies the left generally held in contempt when they were policies of the Bush administration. There are a number of economic policy failures that these critics have noted and have challenged the Obama administration on, including, continuing the Bush administration tax cuts, failing to adequately hold the banking industry responsible for the economic crisis, not adequately addressing the economic plight of the middle class and poor communities, not fighting vigorously for the Public Option during the health care debates, and numerous other instances of observed failings by this group, which I belong to. These critiques are generally met with arguments from an angry group of Obama supporters that have taken a position of general support for and defense of the President’s policies and actions. The main argument and point of anger and disagreement that has been offered most often, in opposition to these critics, is that there is so much damage that has been done over the course of decades, in terms of economic policy, and changing these systems can only come incrementally, and also, attacking the president only helps his political opponents, as these critiques are akin to attacks. I believe this argument is invalid, and that a little digging into our nation’s past reveals that direct action and sweeping societal change is the real historical truth on which to develop political strategy.

The argument about significant change coming slowly or not happening overnight simply does not bare the historical test, when one looks at the history of the United States. These critics claim that change only comes incrementally, in the United States, when even the most basic recollection of the nation’s history and the original ‘sin’ of slavery can reveal that this is just not true. Slavery in the United States lasted for about 460 years, and in that time span it remained an institution that was largely unchallenged by the political class. Even the founding fathers, who celebrated ideas of freedom in all of their rhetoric and official founding documents, refused to end, what many of them knew, was an immoral and evil institution. Numerous arguments were made, time and time again, by various people in the abolitionist movement in an attempt to end the practice, and these arguments were answered with violence and many reaffirmations of the institution through the law on the federal and local level. Drastic measures were taken in the creation of the Underground Railroad, in an attempt to help slaves escape a system where they had no hope of a political solution. Over time, a significant number of people in the country were motivated to end slavery for varied reasons, from moral grounds to simply not having an economic interest in maintaining the system. This galvanization of real political opposition to the institution happened in a relatively short amount of time, relative to the existence of slavery in North America. Ultimately, it took a Civil War and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people to decide this issue, and it was only resolved definitively, after this drastic action. It certainly wasn’t resolved after years of political insiders working the system legislatively and incrementally, making steps to end the practice. Eventually, amending the Constitution itself was required, which is an action that cannot be considered incremental change by any measure. This should be obvious to everyone, but the history is lost to many contemporary advocates for a certain type of wonkish insider led societal change, today.

Continuing on with the black struggle for social justice, Jim Crow and the entire system of legalized discrimination that followed the Civil War was not ended due to slow change. Blacks in America suffered for decades in a country with countless laws on the books that legalized discrimination against them, in all aspects of life. Thousands of people fought and suffered through this time, and in a few short years, when they could no longer take being second class citizens, and only at that moment, did any change begin to happen. Incremental change was too slow for blacks to wait for, and when people actually stood up and organized themselves, voicing their opposition to injustice, through various means of civil disobedience and protest, were they able to affect real change, and that change came in a relative few short years, through sweeping legislation that drastically changed the social order. It was met with vigorous resistance by a segment of the white population, and it required the federal government to take extraordinary measures to ensure that these new civil rights laws were upheld.

It isn’t just the history of social justice that reveals that incremental change, historically, hasn’t generally been a feature of the American story. The economic change that shaped the largest era of growth in US history came from desperation, and was implemented very quickly out of basic necessity. The Great Depression was the catalyst for this sweeping economic restructuring that took place during the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt. During the time of the Depression, Americans endured financial and economic hardships that are unimaginable today. There were breadlines, soup kitchens, and a general sense of despair and uncertainty for the future that drove many people to other solutions. Communist and Socialist parties were on the rise, and significant numbers of Americans were flocking to these parties for solutions that the political mainstream and President Roosevelt weren’t offering.

The political establishment felt the pressure coming from the population, and realized that total social upheaval was possible if drastic action was not taken, and this political pressure resulted in the New Deal, which completely reshaped the American economy. This New Deal was initiated by President Roosevelt and Congress only after feeling the pressure, creating a variety of programs that directly addressed the actual problems the majority of Americans were experiencing. These programs touched all aspects of American life, impacting labor, housing, emergency response, banking, farming, wages and many others. It was these programs that enabled the middle class and American way of life as we know it to take form, and it only came about because change was insisted upon by a population that refused to stand for the status quo, after realizing that more was possible. It certainly wasn’t due the benevolence of politicians acting alone, but from intense social pressure that put politicians in a position where they were forced to act. It was only from direct action that programs like Social Security were established and the minimum wage laws were created. Most of the concepts that progressives and liberals regard as basic economic justice were born from this era, and this total change in thinking about what it was to be American came immediately, because people demanded it.

The reality that escapes a lot of people who are blindly supporting the policies of the Obama administration, without any critique, is that real change comes from the direct action of the population. Practically every piece of significant legislation like the Civil Rights bills, Women’s Suffrage, and The New Deal policies have come about because the people directly told their elected representatives that they were not going to stand for the status quo anymore. These activist citizens pushed hard against a seemingly unmovable system and won astounding historical and political victories. Our nation’s largest blight, in the institution of Slavery, was destroyed because direct action was taken by the citizens of the country. Even the nation’s founding was one of direct action, where people fought against a system of unjust taxation and a lack of adequate representation, while at the same time affirming the rights of self government and self-determination. This historical reality cannot be overlooked when people assert that change comes incrementally, especially when there is no precedent for that at all. This concept is only an assertion, born out of political expediency and social malaise. The reality is, individuals have had to suffer through injustice, discrimination, poverty, and exploitation, and did so for centuries. These times of suffering were not ones of incremental slow growth towards a new and progressive future, but instead, periods of simply suffering, and if anything was slow, it was a slow growth of antipathy towards systems of injustice, that called for direct action by the populace.

*To see the original note, visit http://on.fb.me/kfGFe2!

Remembering Stonewall: The HRC gets pinked

2011-07-01T12:01:00.003-04:00

Mercedes Diane Griffin Forbes

for Examiner.com

With corporate partners like BP, Chevron, Nike, Chase, Dell, Goldman Sachs, IBM, MetLife, Morgan Stanley, and others, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is certainly not the pillar of progressiveness and addressing social issues like poverty, homelessness, and access to health care has never been its top priority. However, with its very successful campaigns focused on garnering public support for the LGBT community, it has become THE premiere gay rights organization.

HRC’s mission statement is as follows:

HRC envisions an America where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are ensured equality and embraced as full members of the American family at home, at work and in every community.

According to their website they have programs that focus on diversity, where by the “HRC unites diverse communities into a powerful whole striving for equality.” They participate in educational outreach to “engage LGBT and straight-supportive Americans in an ongoing dialogue about equality.” Additionally, the HRC conducts media outreach where it “works with the news media to showcase a pro-equality message and produces its own media programs, demonstrating the breadth of LGBT life.”

These all sound like admirable goals for any organization whose aim is to promote mainstreaming of LGBT individuals into the American psyche. However, some members of the LGBT community are saying that is not enough of a focus for an organization with a 50 million dollar annual budget. Amongst these are the members of The Right Honorable Wicked Stepmothers’ Traveling, Drinking and Debating Society and Men’s Auxiliary that vandalized the DuPont circle HRC store yesterday by throwing pink paint on the walls and writing Stonewall on the sidewalk.

In a press release issued by the group, they made clear that they did not believe the HRC was acting in the best interest of the LGBT community. “So we strapped on our riot chaps, poured pink paint into light bulbs, grabbed hammers, and went party party party! all over that tacky testament to the transformation of radical queer liberation into consumer junk.”

Organizers stated that:

“The HRC rakes in something approaching 50 million dollars a year in revenue--their executive director pulls in a salary of several hundred grand. What have we gotten out of this bloated carcass? Not a thing worth mentioning and every now and then, they eagerly sell Trans people up the river. Seriously, this is an organization that hordes money and does nothing useful. It's a sad, sick dinosaur. Meanwhile, in Washington, DC violence against the LGBT community is on the rise; DC's only LGBT center is forced to go hat in hand to real estate developers and beg for space, only to face eviction a few years down the road; We lack a homeless shelter for queer youth and services for our community are the victims of budget cuts. Can you think of something better to do with a few million dollars?”

Indeed, it is true that in DC violence against the LGBT community has been steadily on the rise. According to Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV), who recently launched an initiative to combat violence against gays and lesbians, "Washington, DC has the highest rate of bias crimes in the US, nearly 4 times the national average. This violence is particularly devastating in the LGBT community - in the last year, bias crimes against our LGBT neighbors accounted for roughly 85% of all bias crimes in DC and are on the rise."

The Right Honorable Wicked Stepmothers’ Traveling, Drinking and Debating Society and Men’s Auxiliary took these measures as a protest in remembrance of the Stonewall riots. This week marks the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, that were sparked on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City, where LGBT citizens violently demonstrated against an early morning police raid (such raids where common in the 1960s at establishments that served LGBT individuals). The riots lasted for three days and the gay rights movement was born.

“The modern LGBT movement owes its success to three days of smashing, burning, punching, and kicking--all of it happily indiscriminate--and the confrontational tactics of groups like ACT-UP that followed in the decades since. Yet, somehow we've forgotten our riotous roots.”

Looking at the history of the LGBT movement and how the focus has seemingly transitioned from the we’re not going to take it anymore passion of the Stonewall riots to the current mainstreaming focus of the HRC, one might ask what happened? Better yet, is the focus going in the right direction? Or, is there only one direction?

Clearly there is a need for mainstream acceptance and understanding of LGBT people and the issues that impact their community. However, there are pressing civil rights issues that continue to threaten the very existence of LGBT individuals, and these cannot be ignored. Maybe this vandalizing of the DC HRC store will be the catalyst to spark this much needed conversation.

Heightened Religiosity in Black America is a Symptom not a Cause

2011-06-24T20:23:00.001-04:00

It is no coincidence that religiosity decreases as education and wealth increases. Some may not want to admit it but intellectual pursuits have always been a luxury. It is only when people are no longer bogged down with the emotional and psychological wear and tear of fighting for their daily existence can they be free to engage in the type of philosophical exercises required to break away from supernaturalism. I firmly assert that people believe because they must believe. Yes, it is true that religion was a valuable tool of oppression during slavery and it continues to play an integral part in the inability of Black people to overcome their plight. However, religion is in no way the cause of that plight. If religion was sufficient to cause the condition of Black people, then we would see parallels among all other religious groups.

Let's take Irish Catholics, for example, who when first entering this country were Black Americans biggest rivals for jobs. When they first arrived they were heavily discriminated against but by the early 1900s had achieved average (and some even had achieved above average) economic status. This group, like their Black counterparts, was extremely religious. In fact, the Irish Catholic Church was and remains a cornerstone of their culture and everyday life. Given the example of Irish Catholics in America, we can see that religion has not had the same impact on that community. The question being..... Why? What is it that makes that community fundamentally different from the Black community? Could it be the social construct we've come to know as race? Could it be economic class? Could it be levels of educational attainment? As chronicled in "How the Irish Became White" by Noel Ignatiev, we see that the Irish were able to assimilate into the dominant culture in a way that Black Americans never could.

Looking to religion as the sole source of the problems of Black America is too easy, and in fact fallacious, because it takes the focus off of the socio-economic factors that are truly the cause of the suffering of Black people and the root of their heightened religiosity. The lack of logical thought and the rejection of science we see is a symptom, not a cause, of a people trying to make sense out of a reality that makes no sense. It is an attempt by a marginalized and desperate people to assign meaning to a reality in which they suffer simply because of the color of their skin.

The condition of Black America has real historical and systemic causes that should not be taken lightly. Saying that people are lazy, ignorant, or otherwise degenerate is counterproductive to finding solutions. As we say in the Caribbean, "A hungry man is an angry man!" Remember a sself-perpetuating system was set in place to maintain psychological control of slave populations and this system was intended to have generational impacts. That system worked and is continuing to work. Illogical patterns of thought and behavior are passed down by unhealthy parenting practices. Through these parenting practices both independent and creative thought are stifled, insuring obedience and passivity to an oppressive system. I also remind you that this oppressive system still exist and serves to reinforce the legitimacy of these unhealthy parenting practices, thus the cycle continues. Looking to an overly simplistic and reactionary solution is not the way to bring about sustainable social change. If we are to tackle the issues of Black America, we must look a little deeper.

Now let me say that I am in no way a separatist and do recognize the value of integration for society at large. However, the manner in which integration took shape in this country left vacuums of poverty. Black children no longer had inspirational role models that could teach them how to overcome their plight. Before integration the trend was that each generation surpassed the previous in educational and economic attainment. Unfortunately, this current generation of Black youth is the first to not follow that trend. Today we have entire communities where children never see a person, much less one who looks like them, walking out the door in the morning wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase. We do not have local or family owned businesses, like those that existed before integration, where Black children can go for the mentorship and training needed to help them get a leg up in the world. We no longer have Black owned banks and insurance companies that can secure funding for social or economic ventures when there are no other alternatives. We have an illusion of inclusion and that illusion is only sustained by the hope that there is a larger plan, a divine plan.

What's most ironic about this is that it is in fact the church that has been the cornerstone of the Black middles class. It is where ambitious young Blacks get the opportunities to gain leadership experience, learn essential skills like public speaking and professional etiquette, gain funding for higher education, and secure professional mentoring. That was certainly the case for me! However, it is also a fact that the poorest, most destitute, pockets of Black America do not see the benefits of church life experienced by the Black middle class. Usually this is because the role of the church is quite different in these communities. Here we see that the churches tend to be more extreme in their ideology and the message on Sunday morning focus on fear and capitalize off of the desperation of the congregation. Why? This is because the church members themselves live in a completely different reality. The Black middle class navigates in and out of mainstream America and brings with them the experience and knowledge gained from that exposure to the church community, whereas this does not happen in the poorer communities. Rather, in poor communities the church can only serve as a crutch, a place to cope and find refuge from a repressive and hopeless reality. The problem here being that such a crutch allows people to disconnect and disengage from the processes necessary to change that very reality which is the cause of their suffering. It is this that increases social malaise, increases anti-social and self-destructive behaviors, and in essence perpetuates the system that is at the root of their condition.

Honey Sexcapade

2011-06-09T09:01:00.000-04:00

When it comes to sex, the word inhibition doesn’t really compute into my psyche. I am a total hedonist when it comes to pleasuring my senses and I live for the thrill of passion. My vices of sex and sugar are by far my biggest indulgences and when I can combine the two the compounded pleasure experienced is quite often explosive.

It was just another random night when I was feeling bored and like any other night when boredom sets in sex is usually the first thing that pops up on my brain. Luckily for me, I was not alone and my lover was always as equally prepared as me for trying something new. Just then I remembered that I had seen someone pouring honey on a women in a music video a few days prior and I thought, “Ah ha… we should totally try that!”

So I sprang to the kitchen all hyped and smiling from ear to ear from the super horny frenzy that I had worked myself into. We seductively spread honey all over our bodies, massaging it into each other’s erogenous zones. We playfully licked the honey from one another’s fingers and toes, running our tongues up and down each others bodies, and positioned ourselves into the sweetest 69 imaginable.

Everything seemed to be going well and we were having a great time enjoying our honey sexcapade, EXCEPT the honey was beginning to dry! This meant it was beginning to get STICKY. The sheets began to stick to us and our bodies became covered in lint before we knew it. We had gotten ourselves so worked up into a sexual frenzy that we didn’t want to stop and although we tried to ignore it our honey sexcapade had a turned into an uncomfortable nightmare and we had to rush to the shower.

Good thing is that shower turned into another story for another episode!

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