"Don't let me die in vain"

Byron Hurt, director of Hip Hop:Beyond Beats and Rhymes, has just produced an AMAZING short film on reaction to the Sean Bell Verdict. I found out about it from the article that he wrote on TheRoot.com and I encourage you to click this video and then do something!

Is College for You? Posted at theRoot.com

Here is an article that I penned for theRoot.com on the question, "Is college for everyone?"

About a year and half ago, I was in a conversation with a 17-year-old about college, and she said to me, "My aunt has a master's degree, and she delivers pizza for Domino's. What's that say about going to college?" I hesitated for a minute and responded, "No offense, but it doesn't tell me much about college, but it tells me a lot about your aunt." While I am sure there are some grocery baggers with Ph.D.s and there are engineers-turned-janitors, in the long run, most people who attend college, of some sort, get better access to jobs, housing and other things that are central to getting ahead in America. We know that continued education beyond high school strongly increases income, is related to better health and improves the chances of being employed. Now this doesn't mean that everyone will experience the same successes, but that's because college is a gateway to opportunity; it's not an "ace in the hole," a guaranteed fix or a magic bullet.

Also, this piece is part of a roundtable with pieces from Melissa Harris-Lacewell and John McWhorter.

It's not a game: race, sports, and justice

A very peculiar thing happened last week, Willie Randolph went from bad manager, to bad guy in the eyes of the media. During the past couple of weeks, the Mets have continued to fall in the National League East, a division they were favored to win. Willie Randolph is cool, sometimes too cool, he sticks behind his players, he doesn't throw water coolers, he gives you glimpses of his immense frustration with grown men who can't seem to throw, catch or hit a small ball. But Randolph became the center of a media storm recently when he interviewed with the Bergen Record (yeah, I never heard of it either) and he commented on the way the Mets network SNY portrayed him. He felt that the network was portraying him unfairly and in many ways attempting to vilify him. The article says,

"Is it racial?" Randolph asked. "Huh? It smells a little bit."

Asked directly if he believes black managers are held to different standards than their white counterparts, Randolph said: "I don't know how to put my finger on it, but I think there's something there. Herman Edwards did pretty well here and he won a couple of playoff [games], and they were pretty hard on Herm. Isiah [Thomas] didn't do a great job, but they beat up Isiah pretty good. ... I don't know if people are used to a certain figurehead. There's something weird about it.

"I think it's very important ... that I handle myself in a way that the [African-American managers] coming behind me will get the opportunities, too ... ."

Those words, set off a firestorm in NY. No longer was the issue was Willie a poor manager, but it was Willie is playing the race card? (I'm glad that Matt Cerone had the courage to "question" the notion of the race card) Like most Black folks who realize their job hangs on a string, Randolph quickly apologized for his statement.Here I excerpt from the NYTimes' coverage.

“I want to apologize to Met ownership and SNY and my team for the unnecessary distraction that I created, and I caused, the last couple days,” Randolph said. “I shouldn’t have said what I said. It was a mistake; there are no excuses for that.

“The fact of life is we have not been playing well as a team. When that happens you are going to get criticized for that. I take full responsibility for what I said out of frustration. I wanted to publicly apologize.”

He continued on

“I never said anything about anybody being a racist,” Randolph said. “What I said was kind of like what it felt like to me.”

Asked why he issued an apology, Randolph said, “I just felt like it was something I needed to do.” When asked if we was told to apologize, he said, “No."

Randolph said he tried to contact the Mets’ owners Wednesday, but did not reach them.

This morning I visited Metsblog to see why my team keeps sliding further in the hole but I was quickly greeted with a post on Randolph's meeting with the Mets front office. Now with a team that is below .500 you expect this meeting to be about "changes" on the field, they suggest the meeting is first about Randolph's comments to the media.

We live in a society where the smallest mention of the role of race, can set off a firestorm. The idea that we live in a perfectly equal society should be laughable. A few years ago Gary Sheffield resurfaced the issue race and baseball, only to be met with heavy resistance. Willie knew that if he was going to actually keep his job, he would have to squelch a legitimate dialogue. While some folks argue the race card is the way that people weaken race relations, in reality, we all too seldom acknowledge the vulnerability that people of color face to discrimination. Saying something happened to you because of your race is sometimes more of a hazard to your well being than the original race-related offense. The culture of fear that Americans live in regarding racism has lead folks to truncate or all together eliminate dialogue about the consequences and meaning of race and racism (yes, they are different).

I'll close with a recent anecdote from a close friend who is a successful African-American male. A week or so ago, my friend walked into a late night convenience store to get a snack. As he thumbed the snacks, he reached into his suit pocket and pulled out his wallet, as he realized they didn't have his snacks, he put his wallet back into his pocket. As he began to walk out of the store an entering White customer in cut offs and a tee shirt said to him, "You gonna pay for that?" To which he looked back in bewilderment. My friend, with constitution said, "Excuse me, who are you?" To which the man responded, "A friend of the owner. Are you gonna pay for that or just take it?" At that moment my friend had a crossroads. He could either reach into his suit's pocket and retrieve his wallet to demonstrate he had not taken any snacks or could ignore the man accusing him of theft.

Before completing the story, my friend asked me, "What would you have done?" I thought and offered a measured response, "I don't think there is a 'winning answer.' It's like the tipping dilemma. You go to a restaurant, a waiter or waitress treats you poorly because they think Black people don't tip well. You in turn can either tip well for poor service and try challenge the stereotype or tip poorly given the service." As we sat on the phone discussing options, I was reminded that no matter how much education (we both have PhDs), income (we have successfully broken into the middle class), or accolades we gather, we remain vulnerable to racism and sometimes paralyzed by it. No degree, clothing, or social analysis can fully protect us from the pollution of racism. People argue that racial bigotry is wrong, but have we reached the point where calling out the bigotry is even worse in public opinion than the bigotry?

Awaiting the "Gender" speech... keep waiting.

Jewel Woods offers a really good commentary on the difficulty of a national gender dialogue.

Many commentators within the black community argued that it was “inevitable” that Senator Obama would have to give a speech on “race”. Not only in light of the comments by Rev. Wright, but also because of pressure within the black community by opinion-framers like Tavis Smiley to have him address issues like Katrina, unemployment, education, incarceration, and other issues that have disproportionately impacted Black America in the past, and continue to impact Black America in the present.

However, was it ever “inevitable” that Senator Clinton would have to give a speech on gender? And is it inevitable now that Senator Clinton will respond to the comments of her surrogates or the demands within the women's/feminist movement that insist she talk about issues of gender the way that constituents within the black community have consistently called for Senator Obama to address issues of race?

Woods, who recently authored Don't Blame Rio, is the founder and Executive Director of the Renaissance Male Project is an emergent voice on masculinty, gender, and race. Catch his star as it rises.

For your visual stimulation

Carmen over at Racialicious compiled two great guerilla visual art campaigns by Michelle Schwartz and ResistRacism. The Canadian Club Whisky adds that have been running have been redefined by some savvy badasses. Follow the link and keep clicking. I love subversive art!

A Movie Premiere in Harlem...

So yesterday was an important day in recent Harlem history... I think. The new Indiana Jones movie had a premiere at the Magic Johnson's in Harlem. One of my colleagues was walking down 126th yesterday and folks were huddled up outside he asked one of the men standing, "What's going on here?"
The man responded, "It's the Indiana Jones Premiere."
To which my colleague responded, "Wow!"
To which the man responded, "What you you thought we were just local, we're [Harlem] international."

I'm not even sure what to say about this, so much... to say, here are some pics.

Happy Birthday Brother Malcolm

May 19th marks the birth of El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz b.k.a. Malcolm X. Since I first read the Alex Haley autobiography at 15, I've felt compelled towards, challenged by, and connected to Malcolm X. I know that each of us has adapted Malcolm in our own ways, I think Robin Kelly captured it when he said,

"Malcolm X has been called many things: Pan-Africanist, father of Black Power, religious fanatic, closet conservative, incipient socialist, and a menace to society. The meaning of his public life — his politics and ideology — is contested in part because his entire body of work consists of a few dozen speeches and a collaborative autobiography whose veracity is challenged. Malcolm has become a sort of tabula rasa, or blank slate, on which people of different positions can write their own interpretations of his politics and legacy. Chuck D of the rap group Public Enemy and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas can both declare Malcolm X their hero."

On this day, the date of his birth, I imagine our ancestor would love more than simple memorial. Instead, he would demand reflection upon what his teachings meant for not only the individual but our collectivity. I'll begin: Beneath the video is on Malcolm's calls for unity in the African Diaspora. For many years, I have personally struggled with loving "the roots" of the tree. Having encountered great resistance to being African-American and desiring to be considered "African" by my continental brothers and sisters, I became embittered with our Continental brothers and sisters. However, in interrogating my prejudices and perceptions, I found that my prejudgements were largely based on limited sight and an incomplete view of the ways in which colonial history continues to permeate the thinking of Africans throughout the Diaspora. Over the past year and continuing this year, I will continue to draw greater connection with the continental Africans of present, not just conceptions of our ancestors from the Continent. Thank you Brother Malcolm for taking the time to share your words, works, and worship. Rest in Peace.

MFs wanna bring the 90s back...

it's okay, that's where they made me at



This had me dying laughing!!!!

The Questions ya'll.

1) Why do folks think holding the door for me at Popeye's or handing me a paper towel in the club bathroom deserves a tip?

2) Isn't it a coincidence once Rev. Al starts making noise about Sean Bell his tax issues begin to make national news? And why will that deter some of ya'll in a fight for justice?

3) Who is Black and isn't proud of Barack Obama?

4) Who was taking note about what Barack said about the Sean Bell case?

5) How come we get tired if there are 2 "conscious songs" on the radio, but we are never tire from our feast of drug, gun, and sex talk on repeat?

6) Do you still think "radio program" is a figure of speech (shout out to DPz)?

7) Why when you get to the finish line is the starting line right behind it?

8) Why did so many people post shout outs to their Momma's on facebook, does your momma have a facebook account?

9) Why do we keep ignoring all the "natural" disasters?

10) What are the ingredients for a perfect summer?

Don't Vote, the world is ending, according to some rappers

Okay, I'm getting really sick of reading political commentary by rappers talking about the world ending. Not that I don't think we live in Babylon, but using the potential end of the world as a rationale for not voting is silly. If it's going to end, go out and vote and then let it end. Two folks in particular have got me thinking on this:
Lil Wayne:

Who do you want to take the White House?

Barack, I guess, but I can’t make a real opinion. I ain’t watching no debates. I just want my people to understand that Hillary and Barack are not running for president–they running to be able to run for president. There’s a Republican party, too–we ain’t about to win, fool! A woman or a black man versus an old white dude? Fcuk no! They gonna be like, This black-ass nigga trying to come in my Oval Office? Fcuuuuuk no. The world about to end in 2012 anyway. ‘Cause the Mayans made calendars, and they stop at 2012. I got encyclopedias on the bus. The world is gonna end as we know it. You can see it already. A planet doesn’t exist: There’s no more Pluto. Planes are flying into buildings–and not just the Twin Towers, but dudes who play baseball are flying planes into buildings. Mosquitoes bite you and you die. And a black man and a woman are running for president!

DMX in XXL in March excerpted below:

So you’re not following the race. You can’t vote right?
Nope. (dumi's note: wouldn't this be a good time to mention felon disenfranchisement if that's the reason he can't vote?)

Is that why you’re not following it?
No, because it’s just—it doesn’t matter. They’re gonna do what they’re gonna do. It doesn’t really make a difference. These are the last years.

But it would be pretty big if we had a first Black president. That would be huge.
I mean, I guess…. What, they gon’ give a dog a bone? There you go. Ooh, we have a Black president now. They should’ve done that shit a long time ago, we wouldn’t be in the fuckin’ position we in now. With world war coming up right now. They done fucked this shit up then give it to the Black people, “Here you take it. Take my mess.”

Right, exactly.
It’s all a fuckin’ setup. It’s all a setup. All fuckin’ bullshit. All bullshit. I don’t give a fuck about none of that.

Sharpton's Civil Disobediance Campaign this Wednesday

Political cartoon courtesy of http://www.mikhaela.net/

This Wednesday May 7th at 3pm around the city of New York, Al Sharpton is conducting a set of pray-ins to disrupt normal activity.

"The civil rights activist, who has promised to "close this city down" to protest last month's verdict, said protesters would stage a "pray-in" Wednesday at half a dozen places in the city, including the police headquarters."

The locations are as follows:
* Third Avenue at 125th Street;
* Park Avenue at 34th Street;
* Third Avenue at 60th Street;
* Varick and Houston Streets;
* One Police Plaza;
* 415 Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn.
Hat tip to Gothamist ... well, I have mixed feelings about linking there given the comments on the post. Blogs are amazing formats to display unfettered racial attitudes.

On a related note, for the folks who read this and say, "what is protesting going to do?" I think it's important that we remember that protests are building moments in movements. Civil Disobedience, which was one of the bedrocks of the Civil Rights Movement, can still be used to raise awareness and galvanize people to a point of action. As the old saying goes, "Rome wasn't built in a day." Our resistance cannot be confined to a moment, nor should it be defined by a moment. Look at these moments that Sharpton is facilitating as building blocks, not end points.

For your understanding of Black Liberation Theology

In the case that you haven't had a clear discussion of Black Liberation Theology, check out this Times article (hat tip to JCP)and if you're uptown or actually near a computer. The Schomburg is going to have a great event on May 12th from 6:30-9:30 entitled "Understanding Black Liberation Theology: A 40 Year Retrospective". The event will feature various experts and be simulcast.

This is the diagram that sits at the entrance to the Schomburg. One of my favorites! Unfortunately they don't have a picture available for purchase at the store, only a very expensive original print. Maybe one day they'll make it available!

Now that's beef!

I've been thinking recently about "beef" in part as I watch TV, movies, or even as I sit in public places in eat. I'm really feeling Mos' verse from What's Beef.

Yo, Beef is not what Jay said to Nas,
Beef is when working niggas can't find jobs.
So they try to find niggas to rob,
Try to find bigger guns so they can finish the job.
Beef is when a crack-kid can't find moms,
cause they in a pine box, or locked behind bars.
Beef ain't the summer Jam on Hot 97.
Beef is the Cocaine and AIDS epidemics.
Beef don't come with a radio edit.
Beef is when the judge's callin you defendant.
Beef, it come with a long jail sentence,
Handed down to you in a few short minutes.
Beef is when your girl come through for a visit,
talkin bout she pregnant, by some other nigga.
Beef is high blood pressure, and bad credit;
Need a loan for your home and you're too broke to get it.
And all your little kids is doin' is gettin bigger,
You try to not raise them around the wild niggas.
Beef is when a gold-digger got your seed in her,
A manicured hand out, like, "Pay me nigga,
Or I'm tellin your wife,
And startin up some foul rumors that'll ruin your life."
Beef is when a gangster ain't doing it right,
And other gangsters then decide to do with his life.
Beef is not what these famous niggas would do in the mic,
Beef is what George Bush would do in a fight. (that's right)
Beef is not what Ja said to 50.
Beef is Weldon Irvine not being here with me.
When a soldier ends his life with his own gun,
Beef is trying to figure out what to tell his son.
Beef is oil prices and Geopolitics;
Beef is Iraq, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip.
Some beef is big, and some beef is small,
But what y'all call beef is no beef at all.
Beef is real life, happenin every day,
And its real-er than the songs that you gave to Kayslay.
This has been a Black Star P.S.A.
From Mos Def, Pretty Flaco, Black Dante,
From the Black Star Embassy B to the K!