By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
You know, I heard the rather acerbic, insipid remarks Cain, who is an ersatz presidential candidate hopeless, has been making in reference to President Barack Obama.
He is yet the clearest example of what we mean when we speak of the ability of the meanstream whites to use divide and conquer to keep Black people off balance and fighting each other. Actually, divide and conquer does not work with Black people at all. Black is not just a color, it's a quality of consciousness, a state of mind and being that belongs to those of us who have truly evolved from slavery, servile mentalities, and the need to please and appease our oppressors. In point of fact, the people who fall prey to the tactics of divide and conquer are negroes, who feel that their existence is not relevant with out the approval and acknowledgement of mainstream whites.
Such an individual is Herman Cain. And of course, who better to set against President Obama, a Black man, than one who has had a slight measure of success in the realm of the meanstream, and can speak negro-ese so eloquently and authoritatively. The meanstreamers speak of how "articulate" he is - and that means a great deal to the rest of our negrified sychophants who have not totally mastered the lingo, or who have mastered it so well they walk around sounding like dictionaries and encyclopedias. They will not doubt NOT be reading my blog, nor will they be reading the New York Beacon or any of the other relevant Black newspapers that we work so hard to write for and publish every week.
So, even though I know you Black people, as well as myself, try very hard not to put ourselves in the company of the UnGodly, I am asking you to make an exception, and forward a copy of this treatise from Walter Smith, publisher of the New York Beacon, to them. It might just wake some of them up. Of course, please forward it to your colleagues, family members and friends as well. I know it's like preaching to the choir, but they may know some of those miscreants as well.
We've got to keep the consciousness focused on the truth, and focused on making sure that nothing and no one is able to prevent Barack Obama from doing what he is trying to do to save this country from Rep-ugh-blicans, and bring it back (forward???) to the level of humanity that speaks to the needs and well being of all of us.
I am including Walter's article below, but feel free to chime in with your own message to the negro, Herman Cain. Now if you happen to be "pro-Cain" - and you're reading my Blog, then all is not lost, and there's hope for you yet. Take a deep breath, you're just waking up to the fact that you've been took, you've been had, you've been "hoodwinked" - but if you just calm down a moment, it will all become perfectly clear - Cain is a contrivance who has had the opportunity to realize a little wealth and has now got the vapors - and has had all this go to his head.
Once you compose yourself and have absorbed the veracity of Mr. Smith's statements; I urge to not run in hide, but take the information you've just learned and share it with others of your ilk who need to hear the truth, and take the chains off their brains as well.
Your sharing this statement, which is published below, with them may well be deemed an act of heroism, and could make up for the time when you yourself were brainwashed as well. Now is the time to take that next step and begin the process of refuting the hostile commentaries made in reference to Barack Obama.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
MESSAGE TO HERMAN CAIN
by Walter Smith, Publisher New York Beacon
The greeting on your web site says, "we are looking forward to hearing from you", but I'm not sure you will be looking forward to hearing from me, Mr. Cain.
I saw on the Internet that you called the President a liar. I deplore what you are doing and the things you are saying about the President in order to gain favor with these greedy, thieving, selfish, Republicans. How dare you call President Obama a liar. You are a pathetic, obviously brainwashed black man who has lost his way and his mind. You have had opportunity and a smattering of privilege in America that has made you forget your roots. I despise people like you and Clarence Thomas, and you both have Georgia roots.
What is it with you black men from the south who grow up in an oppressed environment and end up siding with the oppressor? The recent case of Troy Davis in Georgia is an excellent example of the present day oppression and legal lynching that still takes place in that state and in this country. The political party that you praise so highly is presently enacting laws to suppress the black vote, the student vote, and many elderly voters across this entire country. Yet, you choose to stand with people who display such obscene and un-American behavior. You would throw black people (including the President of the U.S.) and others under the bus to curry favor with these non-caring and hedonistic people.
You were there when your Republican cohorts cheered about the death penalty which disproportionately affects black men and women in this country - some of whom have been proven to be innocent. You should be ashamed to stand with these people and yet, you appear to be proud of such an association.
Yes, President Obama does believe in fairness and sharing the responsibility of the tax burden, it is not socialism nor is it class warfare, and he is not a liar for saying it. That kind of rhetoric from you and those with whom you identify is nothing more than a weak defense for the greedy and despicable philosophy that you choose to embrace.
You had the unmitigated gall to tell Wolf Blitzer on CNN that two thirds of African-American people are brainwashed and incapable of thinking for themselves. You are surely touched in the head. The millions of us who are capable of thinking for ourselves - we know who is really brainwashed - you - brainwashed whiter than snow.
Do you really think those people with whom you stand on the debating platform really respect you and see you as their equal? They as well as others see you as a joke and a person who is engaging in buffoonery. A Republican majority House and Senate would never pass your "so called" 999 plan. They would never deem it in their best interest. Besides, there are many who believe your plan is a coded message from Satan. If you flip the numbers they become the 666 plan.
You will never be President of this country, and I thank God for that. I must say, you certainly live up to your last name. Just as Cain in the Bible so blatantly slew his brother, you are equally willing to do the same politically and economically to millions of black and middle class citizens of this country. Such behavior is extremely ugly, and need I remind you, Mr. Cain, that God does not like ugly.
P. S. If it wasn't for the fact that I'm having a nice day, I would tell you what I really think about you.
IF YOU ARE TIRED OF WHITE AND BLACK REPUBLICANS CALLING PRESIDENT OBAMA A LIAR--PLEASE FORWARD THIS SO OTHERS MAY KNOW THE TRUTH.
As I Mentioned Earlier, Walter published this in the New York Beacon. If you live here in NYC, you should be able to pick it up on the newstand. If not, you can definitely make a copy of this statement from my Blog and pass it on. The more you swat these lies when they spring up, the fewer lies you have to contend with later on, the more opportunity truth has to get through despite the efforts from so many meanstream media and newspapers to distort it.
Together we can make sure that Obama has an even greater landslide and mandate.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Is Marriage for White People? What do you think?
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson:
Hello All: I just received this email from the Black Star Project, a publication from the Midwest that I have been subscribing to for years now (ever since their inception). It's entitled: "Is Marriage for White People? How the African American Marriage Decline Affects Everyone," and is written by Ralph Richard Banks.
Way to get your attention!!! I can see us lining up on either side of this one for a long, drawn out debate.
Interesting topic - eh what? I have often wondered how it is that we went from being descendants of kings and queens, from great empires, to being dis-functional and dis-trustful of each other. How we went from being families of great lineages, to this pseudo-independent solo act that we've got going here. I've not read this brother's book, but I find the question to be both deeply interesting and deeply disturbing at the same time. Given the fact that we survived the greatest ignominies because we were able to forge families and thereby our strengths, only to make it to a stage in our evolution where we can't, won't or don't have the wherewithal amongst us to find something so intrinsic within us to bond us and bless us as I see so many of our contemporary parallel cultural brothers and sisters being blessed with love, family, companionship (not talking about whites - but our African, East Indian, Latino, Asian, Caribbean and some "European" brothers and sisters who know "it takes two baby").
As one who grew up in a family of married partners - my parents, both sets of my grandparents, my great grand parents; my aunts and uncles on both sides of my family - all married partners - not stuck or sticking it out, but in it to win it, I find it puzzling and sad that we are ever the statistics that are held up, when it comes to dis-function, dis-integrated, and a few other disses I can name but won't.
We definitely need a paradigm shift. I'm not sure his is the one, but it does bring it all down front, doesn't it?
Can we as a people, individually and collectively, continue to go limping through society pretending to buy into the bull that there are not of us who are any good to go around? Talk about setting up a self fulfilling prophesy! We seem to be good about allowing others to define us, and we actually appear to be jumping through hoops to show that it's absolutely true, and we're "cool" with it.
Whether you call it accommodation, assimilation, resignation, or just stagnation, we are clearly further behind because of integration (should have stuck with desegregation), because the indication is that we on the brink of dissipation.
So for my sisters and brothers who really have yet to find the criteria you think the other should have, check out what you're bringing to the table - and I ain't just talkin' about money, either. Nobody's perfect - including you, or yours truly. And I hate to tell you this, but the person who said you can't love anyone until you learn to love yourself first, lied. Sometimes you learn to love yourself, because you learn to love. PERIOD!!
While I don't buy into the premise that the best answer for Black women is to marry outside their race, I also don't think we should be consigned to a solo life either. And since polygamy is not an alternative in the US - not because it doesn't work, because it does in other cultures - Americans are just too selfish to have it succeed here - Intracultural - I did not say multi-cultural, because that term has been so overworked as of late - relationships may be a positive and valid alternative.
Those who are the descendants of kings and queens, who have deliberately not passed on your legacy via having your own princes and princesses, and think that getting a PhD, or becoming a mega-star is going to do it, are missing the soul satisfaction that comes from nurturing your own (and for the cynics who find my views old fashioned, don't knock it if you haven't tried it. Adoption is also an option - we have so many of our children out here who would truly benefit from a real home).
I don't know where or who I would be without my three - bragging parent (and grandparent) that I am - but I digress.
We, as a people are in a mess - and it's up to us to redirect our paths and get us out of it, unless we really want to have placards in various parts of the world saying, Blacks used to live here, they are now largely extinct, except for a few melanites who reside on the outskirts of reality, and they themselves are a pale comparison of the original.
I would love to hear back from those who listen to or attend the program, as to how you feel about where he's coming from?
This should keep us talking for quite some time. Wonder where we'll end up after this? After the Civil Rights Movement was finally "won," we, who were proudly known as Watu Wazuri (beautiful people in Swahili) ended up at each other's throats for 40 years - drugs, thugs, witches, bitches & "ho's", facing out of wedlock childbirths, baby's mamma drama, baby daddy debacle's, divorces, and a whole host of other perversions that have taken us off course, from being the exemplars of kings and queens who survived, to some sort or retrograde to a by gone era prior to the time when the motto was "education is key", "family first" and "what did you say about my momma??!!" (often followed by a punch in the mouth, now followed by some insipid fools trying to out denigrate each other's mother). THAT WAS TRULY A MOUTHFUL!
Do you somehow get the feeling that we are part of some gigantic behavioral modification experiment, where we are the double blind candidates - we don't even get a placebo - OR like Sister Henrietta Lacks - where we don't even get the cure - they take the information they have gleaned from our disfunction, and give the remedy to others, while we continue to writhe in our own confusion.
Time to buy a clue, get off the late show, wake up from the nightmare, and as Rev. Jesse Jackson has said so often, "turn to each other, not on each other;" and most certainly not away from each other.
Time to ramp up the learning curve, and get back to the spiritual (not religious - spiritual) people we claim to be. It's worth a try.
So, that said, perhaps we can put away the cynicism, drop the distrust, open up a little to understanding each other's angst, as well as glory, take a big cup of respect, mix it with a smile (I'm sorry, the so-called "game" face is really off-putting); drop the smart assed (uh, smart aleck) remarks and trade in the ghetto 4-letter words for something more soothing and uplifting such as "like", "love", "good", "trust", "happy"; and for goodness sakes take that snarky edge out of your voice, as though you're coming for war (did I say snarky? I meant sarcastic) - we're not competing to see who can defeat whom; it's about who can complement whom; who goes together with whom.
Now that I've gone waaaaay off on a tangent, as I often do, let me just end by saying that America is about the "pursuit of happiness." Africans are (or at least we were) about the achievement, attainment and sustainment of happiness.
I think living happily ever after is a goal worth working for. And I'm optimistic enough to think that we can do it together in our lifetime.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
The Press release about this book follows:
The Black Star Project: Is Marriage for White People? How the African American Marriage Decline Affects Everyone. The Invisible Institute presents Ralph Richard Banks, Author, ina conversation with
Steve Edwards of Chicago Public Radio, on Thursday, October 27, 2011 - 7:00 pm
The Experimental Station (6100 S. Blackstone - 1500 east - Chicago, Illinois (for those of you may be in Chi-town and want to be there in person).
The Invisible Institute is presenting Ralph Richard Banks in a public conversation, which is sure to "spark a robust national conversation about race and relationships. Ralph Richard Banks is the Jackson Eli Reynolds Professor of Law at Stanford Law School. Banks explores the broad economic and cultural developments that have resulted in a society-wide decline in marriage--a decline that is most extreme among African Americans. Weaving together scholarly research with personal stories of women throughout the nation, he advances the challenging thesis that interracial marriage is the best hope for increasing marriage within the African American community."
Although Black women confront the smallest pool of viable partners due to the myriad struggles of Black men, they rarely marry men of other races. As Banks sees it, Black women would not only benefit themselves by being willing to marry a man of a different race, but would also bolster marriage among African American couples. Although often portrayed as abandonment of the race, interracial marriage by Black women, he argues, in fact serves the race.
Excerpts from the media page of his book's website gives you a taste of the public discussion--and controversy--prompted by Banks' thesis:
* Praise for Is Marriage for White People!
* "Fascinating--and very brave! Banks stays up close and personal as he surveys the brambly landscape of marriage prospects for accomplished African American women bringing into view rarely seen prides, longings, prejudices, and unexpected choices. Banks' probing examination makes a gripping read." - Nancy Cott, Harvard University
* "This brilliant and provocative book tells stories we all need to hear." - Susan Fiske, Princeton University
* "Learned and unflinching, careful but provocative. Banks unabashedly explores the most volatile racial issues. Sure to provoke fierce debate." - Randall Kennedy, Harvard Law School.
The Invisible Institute is a program of an Experimental Station in Chicago. "In the United States, we must teach parents to be better if we expect students and schools to be better. The Toyota/Black Star Parent University teaches more parents to be great parents. (Note: The Black Star Project | 3473 South King Drive, Box 464 | Chicago | IL | 60616)
I would love to be the fly on the wall when this controversy hits little ol' New York City! We are really going to have some serious dialogue around this. Can't wait til they bring that Brother to HueMan Books (hint). Should be very enlightening, indeed!!.
By the way, for those of you who read the title and answered "yes" you are the brainwashed ones.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Hello All: I just received this email from the Black Star Project, a publication from the Midwest that I have been subscribing to for years now (ever since their inception). It's entitled: "Is Marriage for White People? How the African American Marriage Decline Affects Everyone," and is written by Ralph Richard Banks.
Way to get your attention!!! I can see us lining up on either side of this one for a long, drawn out debate.
Interesting topic - eh what? I have often wondered how it is that we went from being descendants of kings and queens, from great empires, to being dis-functional and dis-trustful of each other. How we went from being families of great lineages, to this pseudo-independent solo act that we've got going here. I've not read this brother's book, but I find the question to be both deeply interesting and deeply disturbing at the same time. Given the fact that we survived the greatest ignominies because we were able to forge families and thereby our strengths, only to make it to a stage in our evolution where we can't, won't or don't have the wherewithal amongst us to find something so intrinsic within us to bond us and bless us as I see so many of our contemporary parallel cultural brothers and sisters being blessed with love, family, companionship (not talking about whites - but our African, East Indian, Latino, Asian, Caribbean and some "European" brothers and sisters who know "it takes two baby").
As one who grew up in a family of married partners - my parents, both sets of my grandparents, my great grand parents; my aunts and uncles on both sides of my family - all married partners - not stuck or sticking it out, but in it to win it, I find it puzzling and sad that we are ever the statistics that are held up, when it comes to dis-function, dis-integrated, and a few other disses I can name but won't.
We definitely need a paradigm shift. I'm not sure his is the one, but it does bring it all down front, doesn't it?
Can we as a people, individually and collectively, continue to go limping through society pretending to buy into the bull that there are not of us who are any good to go around? Talk about setting up a self fulfilling prophesy! We seem to be good about allowing others to define us, and we actually appear to be jumping through hoops to show that it's absolutely true, and we're "cool" with it.
Whether you call it accommodation, assimilation, resignation, or just stagnation, we are clearly further behind because of integration (should have stuck with desegregation), because the indication is that we on the brink of dissipation.
So for my sisters and brothers who really have yet to find the criteria you think the other should have, check out what you're bringing to the table - and I ain't just talkin' about money, either. Nobody's perfect - including you, or yours truly. And I hate to tell you this, but the person who said you can't love anyone until you learn to love yourself first, lied. Sometimes you learn to love yourself, because you learn to love. PERIOD!!
While I don't buy into the premise that the best answer for Black women is to marry outside their race, I also don't think we should be consigned to a solo life either. And since polygamy is not an alternative in the US - not because it doesn't work, because it does in other cultures - Americans are just too selfish to have it succeed here - Intracultural - I did not say multi-cultural, because that term has been so overworked as of late - relationships may be a positive and valid alternative.
Those who are the descendants of kings and queens, who have deliberately not passed on your legacy via having your own princes and princesses, and think that getting a PhD, or becoming a mega-star is going to do it, are missing the soul satisfaction that comes from nurturing your own (and for the cynics who find my views old fashioned, don't knock it if you haven't tried it. Adoption is also an option - we have so many of our children out here who would truly benefit from a real home).
I don't know where or who I would be without my three - bragging parent (and grandparent) that I am - but I digress.
We, as a people are in a mess - and it's up to us to redirect our paths and get us out of it, unless we really want to have placards in various parts of the world saying, Blacks used to live here, they are now largely extinct, except for a few melanites who reside on the outskirts of reality, and they themselves are a pale comparison of the original.
I would love to hear back from those who listen to or attend the program, as to how you feel about where he's coming from?
This should keep us talking for quite some time. Wonder where we'll end up after this? After the Civil Rights Movement was finally "won," we, who were proudly known as Watu Wazuri (beautiful people in Swahili) ended up at each other's throats for 40 years - drugs, thugs, witches, bitches & "ho's", facing out of wedlock childbirths, baby's mamma drama, baby daddy debacle's, divorces, and a whole host of other perversions that have taken us off course, from being the exemplars of kings and queens who survived, to some sort or retrograde to a by gone era prior to the time when the motto was "education is key", "family first" and "what did you say about my momma??!!" (often followed by a punch in the mouth, now followed by some insipid fools trying to out denigrate each other's mother). THAT WAS TRULY A MOUTHFUL!
Do you somehow get the feeling that we are part of some gigantic behavioral modification experiment, where we are the double blind candidates - we don't even get a placebo - OR like Sister Henrietta Lacks - where we don't even get the cure - they take the information they have gleaned from our disfunction, and give the remedy to others, while we continue to writhe in our own confusion.
Time to buy a clue, get off the late show, wake up from the nightmare, and as Rev. Jesse Jackson has said so often, "turn to each other, not on each other;" and most certainly not away from each other.
Time to ramp up the learning curve, and get back to the spiritual (not religious - spiritual) people we claim to be. It's worth a try.
So, that said, perhaps we can put away the cynicism, drop the distrust, open up a little to understanding each other's angst, as well as glory, take a big cup of respect, mix it with a smile (I'm sorry, the so-called "game" face is really off-putting); drop the smart assed (uh, smart aleck) remarks and trade in the ghetto 4-letter words for something more soothing and uplifting such as "like", "love", "good", "trust", "happy"; and for goodness sakes take that snarky edge out of your voice, as though you're coming for war (did I say snarky? I meant sarcastic) - we're not competing to see who can defeat whom; it's about who can complement whom; who goes together with whom.
Now that I've gone waaaaay off on a tangent, as I often do, let me just end by saying that America is about the "pursuit of happiness." Africans are (or at least we were) about the achievement, attainment and sustainment of happiness.
I think living happily ever after is a goal worth working for. And I'm optimistic enough to think that we can do it together in our lifetime.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
The Press release about this book follows:
The Black Star Project: Is Marriage for White People? How the African American Marriage Decline Affects Everyone. The Invisible Institute presents Ralph Richard Banks, Author, ina conversation with
Steve Edwards of Chicago Public Radio, on Thursday, October 27, 2011 - 7:00 pm
The Experimental Station (6100 S. Blackstone - 1500 east - Chicago, Illinois (for those of you may be in Chi-town and want to be there in person).
The Invisible Institute is presenting Ralph Richard Banks in a public conversation, which is sure to "spark a robust national conversation about race and relationships. Ralph Richard Banks is the Jackson Eli Reynolds Professor of Law at Stanford Law School. Banks explores the broad economic and cultural developments that have resulted in a society-wide decline in marriage--a decline that is most extreme among African Americans. Weaving together scholarly research with personal stories of women throughout the nation, he advances the challenging thesis that interracial marriage is the best hope for increasing marriage within the African American community."
Although Black women confront the smallest pool of viable partners due to the myriad struggles of Black men, they rarely marry men of other races. As Banks sees it, Black women would not only benefit themselves by being willing to marry a man of a different race, but would also bolster marriage among African American couples. Although often portrayed as abandonment of the race, interracial marriage by Black women, he argues, in fact serves the race.
Excerpts from the media page of his book's website gives you a taste of the public discussion--and controversy--prompted by Banks' thesis:
* Praise for Is Marriage for White People!
* "Fascinating--and very brave! Banks stays up close and personal as he surveys the brambly landscape of marriage prospects for accomplished African American women bringing into view rarely seen prides, longings, prejudices, and unexpected choices. Banks' probing examination makes a gripping read." - Nancy Cott, Harvard University
* "This brilliant and provocative book tells stories we all need to hear." - Susan Fiske, Princeton University
* "Learned and unflinching, careful but provocative. Banks unabashedly explores the most volatile racial issues. Sure to provoke fierce debate." - Randall Kennedy, Harvard Law School.
The Invisible Institute is a program of an Experimental Station in Chicago. "In the United States, we must teach parents to be better if we expect students and schools to be better. The Toyota/Black Star Parent University teaches more parents to be great parents. (Note: The Black Star Project | 3473 South King Drive, Box 464 | Chicago | IL | 60616)
I would love to be the fly on the wall when this controversy hits little ol' New York City! We are really going to have some serious dialogue around this. Can't wait til they bring that Brother to HueMan Books (hint). Should be very enlightening, indeed!!.
By the way, for those of you who read the title and answered "yes" you are the brainwashed ones.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Thursday, October 20, 2011
SOS EMERGENCY: PUT ABC-TV ON NOTICE - PRESERVING THE LEGACY OF GIL NOBLE IS PRESERVING THE LEGACY OF BLACK PEOPLE
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
I just received an emergency email from Dr. James McIntosh of CEMOTAP, in reference to our dear brother, Gil Noble host of ABC-TV Like It Is, who recently suffered a massive stroke.
I think you all must be aware that for the past 40 years the show has struggled to maintain its integrity and remain on the air, due to the machinations of the racist TV management, which routinely tried to quell the show's effectiveness.
While we successfully prayed for the recovery of Gil from this stroke, and he's on the mend, the next task is to now save Like It IS!!! After years of moving it around from time slot to time slot, the show has been stabilized at the 12:00 slot on Sundays for at least two decades.
While we'll miss Gil, we now have to turn our attention to making sure that ABC-TV replaces him with IMHOTEP GARY BYRD as host, who is as good, if not better, than Gil, and who possesses the sensibilities, love, care, concern and professionalism to provide Black people with news, documentaries and information that is relevant to us only.
Notably, Like It Is is the only Black show on network television that focuses on Black issues in a comprehensive manner. Gil Noble has been a pillar in our community for nearly 50 years. And, contrary to common belief, his position and that program are not easily replaced, and the Black community will not turn a blind eye to ABC-TV's decisions. This is a warning to them to not underestimate the seriousness with which the Black community takes the future of this program and its relevance to us.
This is a call to mobilize all the forces - not just the Black community, but our official representatives - Rev. Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, NAACP, Urban League, President Obama, to do the formal negotiations. But to also put ABC-TV on notice that they are not exempt from boycotts and sit-ins. That we will do what we need to do to make sure our legacy and the legacy of Gil Noble and LIKE IT IS, are preserved.
That said, the following is the press release from CEMOTAP. I expect each and every one of you who has one tenth of one per cent of melanin (Black blood) coursing through your veins, whether your home is the continent of Africa, USA or any of the Caribbean countries, to stand together shoulder to shoulder to make sure that LIKE IT IS enjoys another 40 years on ABC:
CEMOTAP PRESS RELEASE - CALLING ALL AFRICANS! GIL NOBLE’S LEGACY MUST BE PRESERVED
Contact James McIntosh 347 907-0629
A community delegation led by CEMOTAP Co-chairs Betty Dopson and Dr. James McIntosh, Dr. Len Jeffries and New York City Councilman Charles Barron met with WABC TV station manager Dave Davis on Monday morning. The group first protested the censoring of Councilman Barron’s remarks in support of political prisoners on the tribute to Gil Noble broadcast by WABC on March 16, 2011. The group also protested the seeming attempt to AMERICANIZE the show and exclude of any mention of Elombe Brath and the numerous African world leaders, including heads of state, that Elombe brought to the show over the years.
Lastly, the group discussed the future of Gil Noble’s “Like It Is.” The group first suggested the name of Imhotep Gary Byrd, which Davis rejected even though he admitted he had NEVER HEARD OF BYRD. Davis said he wants to use someone from the WABC newsroom and has thus far refused to even interview Byrd to find out what Byrd would bring to the show.
Davis seems braced for a war with the Black Community. He became offended when the group refused to accept his assertion that he was different from Tom Kane, the last WABC station manager with whom the community had to struggle.
Please call Davis and {DEMAND} tell him to reverse course. This announcement is attached to a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_L2YxuyVt8 that shows a prime representation of the newsroom from which Davis wants to hire. It speaks for itself.
CALL DAVIS at 212 456 7000. Tell him to stop stonewalling the {BLACK}community. Remember you are talking to a man who never even heard of Imhotep Gary Byrd. Also come hear CEMOTAP’s call to action and report to the community on Saturday October 22, 2011 at 2PM at CEMOTAP CENTER, 135-05 Rockaway Boulevard, South Ozone Park, Queens, NY 11420. Community Leaders and leaders of the delegation will be present." ###
Remember, no one will do for you what you will not do for yourself. You have to take a stand now, or they will be standing on your neck later.
Take care
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
I just received an emergency email from Dr. James McIntosh of CEMOTAP, in reference to our dear brother, Gil Noble host of ABC-TV Like It Is, who recently suffered a massive stroke.
I think you all must be aware that for the past 40 years the show has struggled to maintain its integrity and remain on the air, due to the machinations of the racist TV management, which routinely tried to quell the show's effectiveness.
While we successfully prayed for the recovery of Gil from this stroke, and he's on the mend, the next task is to now save Like It IS!!! After years of moving it around from time slot to time slot, the show has been stabilized at the 12:00 slot on Sundays for at least two decades.
While we'll miss Gil, we now have to turn our attention to making sure that ABC-TV replaces him with IMHOTEP GARY BYRD as host, who is as good, if not better, than Gil, and who possesses the sensibilities, love, care, concern and professionalism to provide Black people with news, documentaries and information that is relevant to us only.
Notably, Like It Is is the only Black show on network television that focuses on Black issues in a comprehensive manner. Gil Noble has been a pillar in our community for nearly 50 years. And, contrary to common belief, his position and that program are not easily replaced, and the Black community will not turn a blind eye to ABC-TV's decisions. This is a warning to them to not underestimate the seriousness with which the Black community takes the future of this program and its relevance to us.
This is a call to mobilize all the forces - not just the Black community, but our official representatives - Rev. Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, NAACP, Urban League, President Obama, to do the formal negotiations. But to also put ABC-TV on notice that they are not exempt from boycotts and sit-ins. That we will do what we need to do to make sure our legacy and the legacy of Gil Noble and LIKE IT IS, are preserved.
That said, the following is the press release from CEMOTAP. I expect each and every one of you who has one tenth of one per cent of melanin (Black blood) coursing through your veins, whether your home is the continent of Africa, USA or any of the Caribbean countries, to stand together shoulder to shoulder to make sure that LIKE IT IS enjoys another 40 years on ABC:
CEMOTAP PRESS RELEASE - CALLING ALL AFRICANS! GIL NOBLE’S LEGACY MUST BE PRESERVED
Contact James McIntosh 347 907-0629
A community delegation led by CEMOTAP Co-chairs Betty Dopson and Dr. James McIntosh, Dr. Len Jeffries and New York City Councilman Charles Barron met with WABC TV station manager Dave Davis on Monday morning. The group first protested the censoring of Councilman Barron’s remarks in support of political prisoners on the tribute to Gil Noble broadcast by WABC on March 16, 2011. The group also protested the seeming attempt to AMERICANIZE the show and exclude of any mention of Elombe Brath and the numerous African world leaders, including heads of state, that Elombe brought to the show over the years.
Lastly, the group discussed the future of Gil Noble’s “Like It Is.” The group first suggested the name of Imhotep Gary Byrd, which Davis rejected even though he admitted he had NEVER HEARD OF BYRD. Davis said he wants to use someone from the WABC newsroom and has thus far refused to even interview Byrd to find out what Byrd would bring to the show.
Davis seems braced for a war with the Black Community. He became offended when the group refused to accept his assertion that he was different from Tom Kane, the last WABC station manager with whom the community had to struggle.
Please call Davis and {DEMAND} tell him to reverse course. This announcement is attached to a link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_L2YxuyVt8 that shows a prime representation of the newsroom from which Davis wants to hire. It speaks for itself.
CALL DAVIS at 212 456 7000. Tell him to stop stonewalling the {BLACK}community. Remember you are talking to a man who never even heard of Imhotep Gary Byrd. Also come hear CEMOTAP’s call to action and report to the community on Saturday October 22, 2011 at 2PM at CEMOTAP CENTER, 135-05 Rockaway Boulevard, South Ozone Park, Queens, NY 11420. Community Leaders and leaders of the delegation will be present." ###
Remember, no one will do for you what you will not do for yourself. You have to take a stand now, or they will be standing on your neck later.
Take care
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
EVENT ALERT: The Sylvia and Herbert Woods Endowment Scholarship Fund to Celebrate Its 10th Anniversary October 28
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
When I received the call from my friend, Ronnie Sykes, in reference to the 10th Anniversary of the Sylvia & Herbert Woods Scholarship Fundraiser, I had a brief flashback to the day when they started planning the first event. Sylvia, who has always been about education, Vann the eldest son, Kenneth, Bedelia, Crizette and the rest of the family had gathered at the restaurant to determine just how to launch it, and what their first scholarship amounts would be.
I remember it was a tented affair, held at Sylvia's Also, the banquet facility on the corner of 126th and Malcolm X. Those were very intense times, coming on the heels of Herbert Wood's passing earlier that year.
Most of us remember when Sylvia's Restaurant was the "city hall" of Harlem. Where political figures and celebrities came to hang out and tune in. Well nothing has changed in that regard, except that Sylvia is more often than not relaxing at home, having recently turned 85. She has literally worked since the age of 10; and truth be told, had her children not persuaded her to take a break, she's be at the restaurant as usual greeting customers with that famous beautiful smile of hers.
This Scholarship Fundraiser is yet another in the long line of services the legendary restaurant has provided so generously to the community of Harlem, where they have made their home since the 40's. The restaurant will be turning 50 next year, and there are still many who find it difficult to believe that the Woods family still retains ownership. So let me assure you - they own it and the property, lock, stock and barrels. Despite her demure good looks, Ms. Sylvia, and her husband Herbert, were great business people. Their children (and grandchildren)have likewise followed in their footsteps, insuring the institutionalization of this great family affair.
Sylvia's Restaurant has been my home away from home since I moved to New York. And, even though I live in Brooklyn now, I can't come anywhere near Harlem without "checking in" to see what's going on.
I recently received the following email from Ronnie: "The Sylvia and Herbert Woods Endowment Scholarship Fund to Celebrate Its 10th Anniversary At New York City Gala
Ceremony to Recognize National Leaders in Education- Alma Powell-America’s Promise Alliance, Geoffrey Canada-Harlem Children’s Zone & Marcia Young Cantarella, Ph.D.-Educator/Author."
So I'm sharing it with you, because I know you will all want to come out and celebrate this great milestone, as well as to congratulate the awardees and scholarship recipients.
"The Sylvia & Herbert Woods Foundation (SHWF) will mark its 10th anniversary by awarding 10 students with scholarships and recognizing three national leaders in education for their commitment to advancing opportunities for young people in Harlem and beyond during its annual awards ceremony on October 28, 2011 at City College's Great Hall.
Award-winning Anchor and Reporter, David Ushery of WNBC TV-NY will serve as guest host for the evening. Alma J. Powell, the Chair of America's Promise Alliance, Harlem Children's Zone Founder and CEO Geoffrey Canada will receive the Herbert Woods Community Service Award and Educator/Author Marcia Young Cantarella, Ph.D., and daughter of noted civil rights activist Whitney M. Young, Jr., will receive the Sylvia's Award.
Established in 2001, by Sylvia Woods, owner of Harlem’s world-renowned Sylvia’s Restaurant, in honor of her late husband Herbert, the Sylvia & Herbert Woods Endowment Scholarship Fund is a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to college-bound youth, which helps to bring some much needed relief to students and their families. Awarding the first 2 scholarships in 2002, the Fund has provided over $200,000 to 66 students in scholarship funding in the past 9 years. To be eligible recipients must have a 2.5 G.P.A. or better and must also submit an essay of at least 275 words stating why they should receive financial assistance as well as personal recommendations, among other requirements.
Dr. Joseph Feldman, chairman of Hackensack University Medial Center’s emergency trauma department and Lew Zuchman, executive director of Supportive Children’s Advocacy Network (SCAN) are honorary committee angels. To date sponsors and partners include: Cogswell Realty, Steiner Sports and Marketing, Exquisite Apparel, Crest Gems, PK Furs, Unitex Laundry Service, Panoply Corporation (Distributors of Sylvia’s Food Products) and Christopher Hunte Designs.
WHEN: Friday, October 28th at 6:00pm
WHERE: City College- The Great Hall -Convent Avenue & 138th St.
WHO: Geoffrey Canada, CEO and Founder- Harlem Children’s Zone
Alma J. Powell, Chair of America’s Promise; Marcia Young Cantarella, PhD Educator and Author/Daughter of Whitney Young, Jr.; David Ushery, Anchor-WNBC TV- New York
Scholarship Award Recipients are: Amma Dodoo; Latisha Elijio & Ciara Wyche Sade Aguila; Shaquille Duberry; Anisa Newkirk; Modesty McDowell & Jamal Fowler
Of course the dinner will be catered by none other than DINNER CATERED BY SYLVIA’S RESTAURANT!!
If you require additional info for making contributions and/or reservations, contact Ms. Ronnie Sykes via email ronnie@sykesgc.com
Take care and
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
--
When I received the call from my friend, Ronnie Sykes, in reference to the 10th Anniversary of the Sylvia & Herbert Woods Scholarship Fundraiser, I had a brief flashback to the day when they started planning the first event. Sylvia, who has always been about education, Vann the eldest son, Kenneth, Bedelia, Crizette and the rest of the family had gathered at the restaurant to determine just how to launch it, and what their first scholarship amounts would be.
I remember it was a tented affair, held at Sylvia's Also, the banquet facility on the corner of 126th and Malcolm X. Those were very intense times, coming on the heels of Herbert Wood's passing earlier that year.
Most of us remember when Sylvia's Restaurant was the "city hall" of Harlem. Where political figures and celebrities came to hang out and tune in. Well nothing has changed in that regard, except that Sylvia is more often than not relaxing at home, having recently turned 85. She has literally worked since the age of 10; and truth be told, had her children not persuaded her to take a break, she's be at the restaurant as usual greeting customers with that famous beautiful smile of hers.
This Scholarship Fundraiser is yet another in the long line of services the legendary restaurant has provided so generously to the community of Harlem, where they have made their home since the 40's. The restaurant will be turning 50 next year, and there are still many who find it difficult to believe that the Woods family still retains ownership. So let me assure you - they own it and the property, lock, stock and barrels. Despite her demure good looks, Ms. Sylvia, and her husband Herbert, were great business people. Their children (and grandchildren)have likewise followed in their footsteps, insuring the institutionalization of this great family affair.
Sylvia's Restaurant has been my home away from home since I moved to New York. And, even though I live in Brooklyn now, I can't come anywhere near Harlem without "checking in" to see what's going on.
I recently received the following email from Ronnie: "The Sylvia and Herbert Woods Endowment Scholarship Fund to Celebrate Its 10th Anniversary At New York City Gala
Ceremony to Recognize National Leaders in Education- Alma Powell-America’s Promise Alliance, Geoffrey Canada-Harlem Children’s Zone & Marcia Young Cantarella, Ph.D.-Educator/Author."
So I'm sharing it with you, because I know you will all want to come out and celebrate this great milestone, as well as to congratulate the awardees and scholarship recipients.
"The Sylvia & Herbert Woods Foundation (SHWF) will mark its 10th anniversary by awarding 10 students with scholarships and recognizing three national leaders in education for their commitment to advancing opportunities for young people in Harlem and beyond during its annual awards ceremony on October 28, 2011 at City College's Great Hall.
Award-winning Anchor and Reporter, David Ushery of WNBC TV-NY will serve as guest host for the evening. Alma J. Powell, the Chair of America's Promise Alliance, Harlem Children's Zone Founder and CEO Geoffrey Canada will receive the Herbert Woods Community Service Award and Educator/Author Marcia Young Cantarella, Ph.D., and daughter of noted civil rights activist Whitney M. Young, Jr., will receive the Sylvia's Award.
Established in 2001, by Sylvia Woods, owner of Harlem’s world-renowned Sylvia’s Restaurant, in honor of her late husband Herbert, the Sylvia & Herbert Woods Endowment Scholarship Fund is a nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to college-bound youth, which helps to bring some much needed relief to students and their families. Awarding the first 2 scholarships in 2002, the Fund has provided over $200,000 to 66 students in scholarship funding in the past 9 years. To be eligible recipients must have a 2.5 G.P.A. or better and must also submit an essay of at least 275 words stating why they should receive financial assistance as well as personal recommendations, among other requirements.
Dr. Joseph Feldman, chairman of Hackensack University Medial Center’s emergency trauma department and Lew Zuchman, executive director of Supportive Children’s Advocacy Network (SCAN) are honorary committee angels. To date sponsors and partners include: Cogswell Realty, Steiner Sports and Marketing, Exquisite Apparel, Crest Gems, PK Furs, Unitex Laundry Service, Panoply Corporation (Distributors of Sylvia’s Food Products) and Christopher Hunte Designs.
WHEN: Friday, October 28th at 6:00pm
WHERE: City College- The Great Hall -Convent Avenue & 138th St.
WHO: Geoffrey Canada, CEO and Founder- Harlem Children’s Zone
Alma J. Powell, Chair of America’s Promise; Marcia Young Cantarella, PhD Educator and Author/Daughter of Whitney Young, Jr.; David Ushery, Anchor-WNBC TV- New York
Scholarship Award Recipients are: Amma Dodoo; Latisha Elijio & Ciara Wyche Sade Aguila; Shaquille Duberry; Anisa Newkirk; Modesty McDowell & Jamal Fowler
Of course the dinner will be catered by none other than DINNER CATERED BY SYLVIA’S RESTAURANT!!
If you require additional info for making contributions and/or reservations, contact Ms. Ronnie Sykes via email ronnie@sykesgc.com
Take care and
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
--
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Use this great FREDERICK DOUGLASS QUOTE the next time someone says something ugly about President Barack OBAMA
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
I recently wrote a piece that appeared in one of my personal emails about a quote from the great Frederick Douglass. It was sent to me by Jimi Holloway, the Empresario, who gives those great parties in New York City. And it was sooooo true. I sent it out online, and got some very positive responses; then I got some very ascerbic ones. This one, that I'm responding to from Kamm Howard, really was out of line as far as I'm concerned. So the following is my response to him:
You know my brother, I do believe in giving credit where credit is due. And I also believe that charity and love begin at home, amongst us -we who call ourselves Black people. But we have the irritating habit of being our own worst critics. We are amazing in that regard.
Your statement about President Barack Hussein Obama is not only offensive, it's totally erroneous! Where do you come off saying the Brother has no race ( I assume by that you mean "Black") consciousness? It shows that you have no understanding of what Black consciousness is in the truest sense of the word.
Not only is he an exemplar of the statement quoted from Frederick Douglass, but you by your own words of criticism, have proven Douglass' point. I couldn't have done it or argued it better myself. Thank you! As the late Johnnie Cochran said, let me refresh your recollection:
"Though the colored (Black) man is no longer subject to barter and sale, he is
surrounded by an adverse settlement which fetters(ties up/hampers) all his movements. In his downward course he meets with no resistance, but his course upward is resented and resisted at every step of his progress. If he comes in ignorance, rags and wretchedness he conforms to the popular belief of his character, and in that character he is welcome; but if he shall come as a gentleman, a scholar and a statesman, he is hailed as a contradiction to the national faith concerning his race, and his coming is resented as impudence. In one case he may provoke contempt and derision, but in the other he is an affront to
pride and provokes malice.” Frederick Douglass, September 25, 1883
You stated, and I quote, "Barac Obama in this context, he is no Frederick Douglass. He does not possess a race consciousness in no shape, form or fashion..." And you're absolutely right (by the way you misspelled his name).
Barack Obama is not Frederick Douglass. He is most definitely his own man. He has not tried or pretended to be Frederick August Washington Bailey (a/k/a Douglass), but his wit, wisdom, courage, vision do most definitely match his. And while Mr. Douglass was taking his life in his hands through the promulgation of freedom and later integration and equality for former slaves; don't you ever think that Barack Obama is taking any less of a risk as the first BLACK President of the United States, trying to bring about just for all in a system that was/is build on injustice, inequality and lies. And don't you think for one moment that he does not know that his life is on the line.
These are the people who have murdered and martyred four heroes in the 60's two white and two Black (and those are the one who at the time were considered leaders). In case you don't recall: El Hajj Malik el Shabazz better known as Brother Malcolm X; Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; John Fitzgerald Kennedy, President of the United States; Robert Kennedy, candidate for the Presidency of the US.
It's interesting. We act like Obama is our own personal poverty program. We act as if he is the president of the Black portion of the United States - not the entire US. Sorry, my brother, that dog won't hunt: he has to handle the entire pie, not just one slice. And if it's a cherry pie, he gets to deal with the pits right along with the fruit and the crust - if you catch my drift.
It's like being the head of a poverty program in the Black community - it's really an interesting phenomena: the whites are afraid they are going to do too much, be too successful, and make things work too well. The Blacks thought things weren't moving fast enough. Yes, now they have received affordable housing, free down payments and closing costs, but now they need you to walk on the moon, cater to them all day and night, hold their hands and take their kids to school. Or, the big question was "how come they got this and we didn't?" If it was the (ethnicity), they'd have this. If I were (ethnicity) they wouldn't say, or do, or have that - whatever that is.
And, yes, I totally believe that we deserve all the reparations, compensation, genuflecting, and groveling we can make the caucasians come up with for having put us through 400+ years of hell. But that's them - not Obama. Don't get it twisted.
At some point we have to learn to sit back, relax, enjoy this little victory, while we strategize our next moves and goals. Perhaps if we take a few steps back, we can actually see that this brother has made a tremendous difference for Black people, despite Blue Dog Dems; Tea Baggers, Rep-ugh-blicans, and negroes who don't love themselves or him.
And speaking of comparisons - I doubt very seriously, if given the chance, you could have done half of what the brother did, with as much grace, wisdom, bravery, and pure machoism as he has. I doubt seriously whether or not most of his critics have the character to take the hits and still deal with the situation, running an entire country, married to one of the most beautiful sisters on the planet, raising two beautiful daughters, deal with mother-in-law issues, and look that handsome.
But, don't get me wrong. I understand your angst. I understand the umbrage we take at having to continue to put up with the crap that's spewed out via the meanstream media day in and day out. I can understand the need to see some speed in terms of the amelioration of the problems in the Black community. He has addressed that, and continues to address that daily. I am not going to post it here, because you can get the info on other Blogs - including the BlackList, BlackAmericasWeb, and other websites.
What I'd like to do is offer some suggestions that others are doing that will actually work for us, if we work them. Like the great Marcus Garvey and Elijah Muhammad, we have to DO FOR SELF (individually and collectively) Like the Japanese, develop systems of quality control that is taught across the board to adults and youth alike, so that we surpass these crappy standards that permeate the country.
Develop a community based neighborhood restoration program, if you happen to live in or near run down, dilapidated, blighted areas, where the homes have been neglected, but can be brought to life with some sweat equity. Draw straws, or lots,or whatever, and decide which worthy family deserves the home, help them to rebuild it and move in.
Now, I'm recommending this as opposed to HUD, which went over to the dark side under the Bush administration and has not found its way back to where the humans live. You can put your municipality on notice that you are willing to do the work, for the building; no more boarding up and leaving ghosts in your community. Do your own extreme home makeover.
Do some joint teach ins with your local church, so our youth begin to learn more their Black history and their role in the future of America.
Get some of your skilled craftsmen to teach these youth a marketable trade.
Make a log of gratitude. It appears we have forgotten how to give thanks - and I'm not talking about the holiday, either.
Start a Black United Fund in your areas, where people can pool their resources via a credit union type program, and in turn use the funds to take care of essential needs.
Start a real community garden, that rivals the overpriced vegetables in the supermarkets. And wean your kids away from fast foods (and if not your kids, the neighbor's kids, or the school kids). Obesity is on the rise thanks to the fact that we've either forgotten how, or are too lazy to cook nutritional food.
Start a vintage Black books club and get the adults and kids to read classic Black authors, Black Power, by Dr. Charles V. Hamilton & Stokely Carmichael; Black Like Me; any and all books by J.A. Rogers; The Philosophies and Opinions of Marcus Garvey; the MisEducation of the Negro - Carter G. Woodson; anything by W.E.B duBois.
If you start now, by the time the primary rolls around in 2012, you'll have a whole host of reasons to make sure that Obama is re-elected, and you and your compatriots will have added greatly to the expansion of Black empowerment in your community.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
This is the onerous letter I received From: Kamm Howard on October 4, 2011 3:36 PM
Use this great FREDERICK DOUGLASS QUOTE the next time someone says something ugly about President Barack OBAMA
"Great quote and yes Frederick Douglass should be read often. However, he should be read in the context of being an integrationist who possessed a high degree of race consciousness. (Perhaps the highest degree of race consciousness that one could possess as an integrationist.) He was brilliant and his untiring work on behalf of Afrikan people, in particular to getting Ol' Abe to admit Afrikans into the Union Army for the purpose of freeing themselves, is the utltimate example of woriking the system for true freedom. For this, he must also be held as a champion of militant action on behalf of Afrikans in America.
If we look at Barac Obama in this context, he is no Frederick Douglass. He does not possess a race consciousness in no shape, form or fashion. Our gains in this country has only occurred in times when race concsciousness was the highest among the masses and the leadership. Garveyism, the New Negro are examples. The last race-conscious movement was the Black consciousness movement of the 60's and 70's. It was that time that we developed the highest degree of independence and as a result, received the greatest exertion of violent repression since enslavement by the American governmetnt - COINTELPRO and shortly thereafter, drug/chemical warfare - (that has resulted in the massive degradation of Afrikan culture and mass incarceration)
The masses have been on a downward trajectory since then. And the majority of our leaders are saying abandon race-first consciousness - strive to be a good American., (assimilate). To do so is certain death, as we see. Our salvation lies not in the salvation of America. If any one is looking, that is up in the air right now. Our salvation lies in a mass-movement fed by an Afrikan-cnetered consciousness - a 21st Century race-consciousness. See Afrikan-centered Consciousness Vs. New World Order or Blueprint for Black Power, both by Dr. Amos Wilson.
President Obama has asserted this alternative view on numerous occasions. "There is no Black America; there's just the United States of America." Aside from being the ultimate in self-delusion, this quote promotes ethnic cleansing which is a form of genocide under international law. (Ethbnic cleasening also consist of any program geared to forced assimilation or in the case of the President, decalring that we must assimilate in order to get any benefit from this country)
We have to be clear in our comparisons. Other wise we will raise one to a height he doesn't deserve, while at the same time lower one from the rightfully earned position of Sheps (Revered Ancestor). Mr. Douglass is a mighty Afrikan Sheps. Mr. Obama, history will show otherwise, although I'm sure he will be decalred a great American. A Luta Continua - The Struggle Continues, Kamm Howard NCOBRA,
"Power concedes nothing without a demand." Fredrick Douglass www.ncobra.org
Blackisbackcoalition.org Black consciousness is back; radical Black thought is back. Focused Black action is back. Black is Back!"
Now you see why I made the comments I did in my preliminary statement/response to him.
Now the following is my response to Jimi Holloway's quote from Frederick Douglass:
Hey Jimi - Wow!!
Thanks so much for this quote. Frederick Douglass is a personal hero of mine, having attended Douglass Sr. High School in Oklahoma City, which was named for him, while he was still living. I do try to re-read his book "My Bondage and My Freedom" every so often. But I have entirely missed this wonderful truism.
I am going to personally circulate it to friends and foes alike. This is a wonderful wake up call and a means by which we can deal with the continuous crap that emanates from the meanstream media, and mentally deficient, self effacing negroes at the same time. Thanx GDW
Subject: FREDERICK DOUGLASS QUOTE CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO OBAMA
114 years ago, Frederick Douglass provided the explanation for why people
are so hard on President Obama. The quote below is worth remembering next
time we are invited to pile on.
*********************************************************
Though the colored (Black) man is no longer subject to barter and sale, he is
surrounded by an adverse settlement which fetters(ties up/hampers) all his movements. In his downward course he meets with no resistance, but his course upward is resented and resisted at every step of his progress. If he comes in ignorance, rags
and wretchedness he conforms to the popular belief of his character, and
in that character he is welcome; but if he shall come as a gentleman, a
scholar and a statesman, he is hailed as a contradiction to the national faith
concerning his race, and his coming is resented as impudence. In one case
he may provoke contempt and derision, but in the other he is an affront to
pride and provokes malice.” Frederick Douglass September 25, 1883
My subsequent message to my friends and readers:
I just received this quote from my great friend the Empresario, Jimi Holloway. Check it out, memorize it, put it on your wall, license plate, where ever. Frederick Douglass was/is deep!
And, if you want to see how truly deep we are and have been for quite some time, get a copy of any of Frederick Douglass' writing or speeches and prepare to be blown away. And I absolutely suggest you read his book "My Bondage and My Freedom." There is nothing like clarity and wisdom in the midst of confusion and lies to put you on the right path. And after you read it, don't stop there - share it with your friends, family, especially you kids - they are never too young or too old to learn. Also note, that white folks are reading our stuff - you see them on the subways, buses - they're reading Langston Hughes, Stokeley Carmichael, Frederick Douglass, and others. What are we reading? Some trash urban garbage that keeps our mindset in the lower levels of development. They are learning the lessons that were meant for us. Time to change that equation.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
I recently wrote a piece that appeared in one of my personal emails about a quote from the great Frederick Douglass. It was sent to me by Jimi Holloway, the Empresario, who gives those great parties in New York City. And it was sooooo true. I sent it out online, and got some very positive responses; then I got some very ascerbic ones. This one, that I'm responding to from Kamm Howard, really was out of line as far as I'm concerned. So the following is my response to him:
You know my brother, I do believe in giving credit where credit is due. And I also believe that charity and love begin at home, amongst us -we who call ourselves Black people. But we have the irritating habit of being our own worst critics. We are amazing in that regard.
Your statement about President Barack Hussein Obama is not only offensive, it's totally erroneous! Where do you come off saying the Brother has no race ( I assume by that you mean "Black") consciousness? It shows that you have no understanding of what Black consciousness is in the truest sense of the word.
Not only is he an exemplar of the statement quoted from Frederick Douglass, but you by your own words of criticism, have proven Douglass' point. I couldn't have done it or argued it better myself. Thank you! As the late Johnnie Cochran said, let me refresh your recollection:
"Though the colored (Black) man is no longer subject to barter and sale, he is
surrounded by an adverse settlement which fetters(ties up/hampers) all his movements. In his downward course he meets with no resistance, but his course upward is resented and resisted at every step of his progress. If he comes in ignorance, rags and wretchedness he conforms to the popular belief of his character, and in that character he is welcome; but if he shall come as a gentleman, a scholar and a statesman, he is hailed as a contradiction to the national faith concerning his race, and his coming is resented as impudence. In one case he may provoke contempt and derision, but in the other he is an affront to
pride and provokes malice.” Frederick Douglass, September 25, 1883
You stated, and I quote, "Barac Obama in this context, he is no Frederick Douglass. He does not possess a race consciousness in no shape, form or fashion..." And you're absolutely right (by the way you misspelled his name).
Barack Obama is not Frederick Douglass. He is most definitely his own man. He has not tried or pretended to be Frederick August Washington Bailey (a/k/a Douglass), but his wit, wisdom, courage, vision do most definitely match his. And while Mr. Douglass was taking his life in his hands through the promulgation of freedom and later integration and equality for former slaves; don't you ever think that Barack Obama is taking any less of a risk as the first BLACK President of the United States, trying to bring about just for all in a system that was/is build on injustice, inequality and lies. And don't you think for one moment that he does not know that his life is on the line.
These are the people who have murdered and martyred four heroes in the 60's two white and two Black (and those are the one who at the time were considered leaders). In case you don't recall: El Hajj Malik el Shabazz better known as Brother Malcolm X; Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; John Fitzgerald Kennedy, President of the United States; Robert Kennedy, candidate for the Presidency of the US.
It's interesting. We act like Obama is our own personal poverty program. We act as if he is the president of the Black portion of the United States - not the entire US. Sorry, my brother, that dog won't hunt: he has to handle the entire pie, not just one slice. And if it's a cherry pie, he gets to deal with the pits right along with the fruit and the crust - if you catch my drift.
It's like being the head of a poverty program in the Black community - it's really an interesting phenomena: the whites are afraid they are going to do too much, be too successful, and make things work too well. The Blacks thought things weren't moving fast enough. Yes, now they have received affordable housing, free down payments and closing costs, but now they need you to walk on the moon, cater to them all day and night, hold their hands and take their kids to school. Or, the big question was "how come they got this and we didn't?" If it was the (ethnicity), they'd have this. If I were (ethnicity) they wouldn't say, or do, or have that - whatever that is.
And, yes, I totally believe that we deserve all the reparations, compensation, genuflecting, and groveling we can make the caucasians come up with for having put us through 400+ years of hell. But that's them - not Obama. Don't get it twisted.
At some point we have to learn to sit back, relax, enjoy this little victory, while we strategize our next moves and goals. Perhaps if we take a few steps back, we can actually see that this brother has made a tremendous difference for Black people, despite Blue Dog Dems; Tea Baggers, Rep-ugh-blicans, and negroes who don't love themselves or him.
And speaking of comparisons - I doubt very seriously, if given the chance, you could have done half of what the brother did, with as much grace, wisdom, bravery, and pure machoism as he has. I doubt seriously whether or not most of his critics have the character to take the hits and still deal with the situation, running an entire country, married to one of the most beautiful sisters on the planet, raising two beautiful daughters, deal with mother-in-law issues, and look that handsome.
But, don't get me wrong. I understand your angst. I understand the umbrage we take at having to continue to put up with the crap that's spewed out via the meanstream media day in and day out. I can understand the need to see some speed in terms of the amelioration of the problems in the Black community. He has addressed that, and continues to address that daily. I am not going to post it here, because you can get the info on other Blogs - including the BlackList, BlackAmericasWeb, and other websites.
What I'd like to do is offer some suggestions that others are doing that will actually work for us, if we work them. Like the great Marcus Garvey and Elijah Muhammad, we have to DO FOR SELF (individually and collectively) Like the Japanese, develop systems of quality control that is taught across the board to adults and youth alike, so that we surpass these crappy standards that permeate the country.
Develop a community based neighborhood restoration program, if you happen to live in or near run down, dilapidated, blighted areas, where the homes have been neglected, but can be brought to life with some sweat equity. Draw straws, or lots,or whatever, and decide which worthy family deserves the home, help them to rebuild it and move in.
Now, I'm recommending this as opposed to HUD, which went over to the dark side under the Bush administration and has not found its way back to where the humans live. You can put your municipality on notice that you are willing to do the work, for the building; no more boarding up and leaving ghosts in your community. Do your own extreme home makeover.
Do some joint teach ins with your local church, so our youth begin to learn more their Black history and their role in the future of America.
Get some of your skilled craftsmen to teach these youth a marketable trade.
Make a log of gratitude. It appears we have forgotten how to give thanks - and I'm not talking about the holiday, either.
Start a Black United Fund in your areas, where people can pool their resources via a credit union type program, and in turn use the funds to take care of essential needs.
Start a real community garden, that rivals the overpriced vegetables in the supermarkets. And wean your kids away from fast foods (and if not your kids, the neighbor's kids, or the school kids). Obesity is on the rise thanks to the fact that we've either forgotten how, or are too lazy to cook nutritional food.
Start a vintage Black books club and get the adults and kids to read classic Black authors, Black Power, by Dr. Charles V. Hamilton & Stokely Carmichael; Black Like Me; any and all books by J.A. Rogers; The Philosophies and Opinions of Marcus Garvey; the MisEducation of the Negro - Carter G. Woodson; anything by W.E.B duBois.
If you start now, by the time the primary rolls around in 2012, you'll have a whole host of reasons to make sure that Obama is re-elected, and you and your compatriots will have added greatly to the expansion of Black empowerment in your community.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
This is the onerous letter I received From: Kamm Howard on October 4, 2011 3:36 PM
Use this great FREDERICK DOUGLASS QUOTE the next time someone says something ugly about President Barack OBAMA
"Great quote and yes Frederick Douglass should be read often. However, he should be read in the context of being an integrationist who possessed a high degree of race consciousness. (Perhaps the highest degree of race consciousness that one could possess as an integrationist.) He was brilliant and his untiring work on behalf of Afrikan people, in particular to getting Ol' Abe to admit Afrikans into the Union Army for the purpose of freeing themselves, is the utltimate example of woriking the system for true freedom. For this, he must also be held as a champion of militant action on behalf of Afrikans in America.
If we look at Barac Obama in this context, he is no Frederick Douglass. He does not possess a race consciousness in no shape, form or fashion. Our gains in this country has only occurred in times when race concsciousness was the highest among the masses and the leadership. Garveyism, the New Negro are examples. The last race-conscious movement was the Black consciousness movement of the 60's and 70's. It was that time that we developed the highest degree of independence and as a result, received the greatest exertion of violent repression since enslavement by the American governmetnt - COINTELPRO and shortly thereafter, drug/chemical warfare - (that has resulted in the massive degradation of Afrikan culture and mass incarceration)
The masses have been on a downward trajectory since then. And the majority of our leaders are saying abandon race-first consciousness - strive to be a good American., (assimilate). To do so is certain death, as we see. Our salvation lies not in the salvation of America. If any one is looking, that is up in the air right now. Our salvation lies in a mass-movement fed by an Afrikan-cnetered consciousness - a 21st Century race-consciousness. See Afrikan-centered Consciousness Vs. New World Order or Blueprint for Black Power, both by Dr. Amos Wilson.
President Obama has asserted this alternative view on numerous occasions. "There is no Black America; there's just the United States of America." Aside from being the ultimate in self-delusion, this quote promotes ethnic cleansing which is a form of genocide under international law. (Ethbnic cleasening also consist of any program geared to forced assimilation or in the case of the President, decalring that we must assimilate in order to get any benefit from this country)
We have to be clear in our comparisons. Other wise we will raise one to a height he doesn't deserve, while at the same time lower one from the rightfully earned position of Sheps (Revered Ancestor). Mr. Douglass is a mighty Afrikan Sheps. Mr. Obama, history will show otherwise, although I'm sure he will be decalred a great American. A Luta Continua - The Struggle Continues, Kamm Howard NCOBRA,
"Power concedes nothing without a demand." Fredrick Douglass www.ncobra.org
Blackisbackcoalition.org Black consciousness is back; radical Black thought is back. Focused Black action is back. Black is Back!"
Now you see why I made the comments I did in my preliminary statement/response to him.
Now the following is my response to Jimi Holloway's quote from Frederick Douglass:
Hey Jimi - Wow!!
Thanks so much for this quote. Frederick Douglass is a personal hero of mine, having attended Douglass Sr. High School in Oklahoma City, which was named for him, while he was still living. I do try to re-read his book "My Bondage and My Freedom" every so often. But I have entirely missed this wonderful truism.
I am going to personally circulate it to friends and foes alike. This is a wonderful wake up call and a means by which we can deal with the continuous crap that emanates from the meanstream media, and mentally deficient, self effacing negroes at the same time. Thanx GDW
Subject: FREDERICK DOUGLASS QUOTE CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO OBAMA
114 years ago, Frederick Douglass provided the explanation for why people
are so hard on President Obama. The quote below is worth remembering next
time we are invited to pile on.
*********************************************************
Though the colored (Black) man is no longer subject to barter and sale, he is
surrounded by an adverse settlement which fetters(ties up/hampers) all his movements. In his downward course he meets with no resistance, but his course upward is resented and resisted at every step of his progress. If he comes in ignorance, rags
and wretchedness he conforms to the popular belief of his character, and
in that character he is welcome; but if he shall come as a gentleman, a
scholar and a statesman, he is hailed as a contradiction to the national faith
concerning his race, and his coming is resented as impudence. In one case
he may provoke contempt and derision, but in the other he is an affront to
pride and provokes malice.” Frederick Douglass September 25, 1883
My subsequent message to my friends and readers:
I just received this quote from my great friend the Empresario, Jimi Holloway. Check it out, memorize it, put it on your wall, license plate, where ever. Frederick Douglass was/is deep!
And, if you want to see how truly deep we are and have been for quite some time, get a copy of any of Frederick Douglass' writing or speeches and prepare to be blown away. And I absolutely suggest you read his book "My Bondage and My Freedom." There is nothing like clarity and wisdom in the midst of confusion and lies to put you on the right path. And after you read it, don't stop there - share it with your friends, family, especially you kids - they are never too young or too old to learn. Also note, that white folks are reading our stuff - you see them on the subways, buses - they're reading Langston Hughes, Stokeley Carmichael, Frederick Douglass, and others. What are we reading? Some trash urban garbage that keeps our mindset in the lower levels of development. They are learning the lessons that were meant for us. Time to change that equation.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Monday, October 3, 2011
Extreme Home Makeover + First Lady Michele Obama + Brownstoners of BedStuy
By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned it, but my favorite TV show is Extreme Makeover - Home Edition. I generally make it my business to watch it every Sunday night. However, I had not watched it during the summer because of the reruns.
I missed the opening edition last week because I was still in DC for the Congressional Black Caucus, so I watched it online this Sunday, and boy, was I totally blown away by their season opener!
It centered around Ms. Marshall, a wonderful woman who was a 15 year veteran in the armed forces, who, along with her husband, a former US Marine, had returned to their home town of Fayetteville, NC to live; only to find that there were other women veterans who had served their country who, upon returning, subsequent to their tour of duty, could neither find a job or a home, and so, ended up homeless, living on the streets in the very communities they had risked their lives to serve.
Ms. Marshall, herself a former Chaplain in the armed forces, decided to open her home to these unfortunate women, some of whom had children of their own, and were living without hope or help. The episode was called the JUBILEE MARSHALL FAMILY episode.
Ty Pennington, the host and driving force behind the show, and the rest of the crew really outdid themselves in this episode. The meager homes, which provided shelter for three families and their children, were in deplorable conditions, despite Ms.Marshall's efforts to repair them. Her husband, who had maintained the upkeep on the properties - which consisted of mobile homes, small spaces shared by these families - had passed; and it seemed as though the deterioration had accelerated since then.
Ms. Marshall and the women had written an appeal to Extreme Make Over, Home Edition for assistance, and they responded in such an overwhelming manner it brought tears to my eyes (and to the eyes of anyone else who watched this who had any sense of humanity).
Not only did they transform those little facilities into the most spacious, symbolic and elegant living environments, but they brought the artist Rihanna, and none other than Michelle Obama, the First Lady of the United States of America, to participate in the décor and honoring of this truly wonderful woman, her family, and the women who are the beneficiaries of her generosity.
I urge you to go on line and watch this particular show - Extreme Makeover Home Edition on Hulu, or online ABCTV.Com/Extrememakeover home edition - Season 9, episode 1, and watch it for yourself. (It’s also on ABC-TV every Sunday 8:00 EST/PAC; 7:00 Central).
President Obama and the First Lady both love this show, as do I. I love it for the creativity, the generosity, the demonstration that nothing is impossible when it comes to transforming a negative into a positive. Some of the homes they have re-designed have been true masterpieces. In the space of one week they have turned tragedy into triumph.
The First Lady gave the homeless women the benefit of her wisdom, kindness, and compassion; as well as a great deal of woman to woman, mother to mother bonding. She mentioned her own garden that she maintains at the White House, and personally gave the women seeds to plant in their victory garden. It was an absolutely phenomenal, tear jerker - well, at least for me. I love it when things turn out beautifully - I do believe in happily ever after. I love to receive it, but I am just as happy when others receive it, as well.
And Ms. Marshall more than deserved to have those wonderful things manifest in her life. She and those women were truly blessed (and highly favored).
I have heard some mean spirited commentaries made about Extreme Makeover - Home Edition, by people who know about the cost of everything and the value of nothing. They gripe that everything is too extravagant; that the homes are too elegant, where something simply and perfunctory would suffice. True, we can live quite well in a hovel; but the human spirit deserves a boost, and the Extreme Makeover-Home Edition crew have been in the business of morale boosting, while others more penurious tend to shave their fingernails to hold onto a dime, and end up with nothing.
I absolutely love this show because it soars like the human spirit, and gives the recipient an opportunity to have their dreams come true in real time, rather than waiting for someone else’s proscribed version of when they deem it’s their turn to receive.
If you’re selfish, stingy and narrow, perhaps watching the show will help you come out of that malady and, like the Grinch, enlarge your heart a little. If you are for the “underdog” and like to see others win for a change, then this show is right up your alley, and you’re probably already watching it anyway, so I don’t have to tell you how great it is.
But what I especially like, and more to the point, is that the First Lady took time out of her busy schedule, without pomp and circumstance and fanfare, and went down to North Carolina, and spent the time going through that home, writing words of encouragement, helping with the décor and other tasks BECAUSE SHE CARES!! And so does President Obama. I think it can be assumed that the President and First Lady do not watch junk shows, and this would be an example of a good family show that would be well worth watching in our own homes as well. Check it out for yourselves. You can definitely get some good ideas from the show, and see what it means to think outside the proverbial box.
It is this very principle of thinking outside the box that makes me reach forward and tie this show in with a much celebrated event that takes place in Brooklyn each year in October: the THE BEDSTUY BROWNSTONERS TOUR. This year’s event takes place on Saturday, October 15, and is perhaps the best local example of an Extreme Home Makeover, put together by proud Black families who are homeowners in the Bedford Stuyvesant community of Brooklyn(a/k/a Bed Stuy, do or die).
The Tour (as it’s called by the insiders) starts at 11:00 AM and runs to 4:00 PM; there is a concomitant BedStuy Bazaar which starts at 10:30 AM at Old Boys High, located at Marcy and Putnam Avenues; and a free Home Ownership Workshop which commences at 9:00AM in the Old Boys High Auditorium. Tix are $15.00 in Advance and $20.00 on the day of the tour, the proceeds of which go to fund scholarships. Those interested can contact the organization online at www.brownstonersofbedstuy.org.
These featured families have either taken run down brownstones and transformed them into absolute masterpieces, using their own funds, time, talent, creativity and imagination; or they have had them in their families for years and maintained them in their true, original elegance. These are not the impersonal, gutted out monstrosities that have popped up as of late, where the original ambiance and craftsmanship have been ripped out via gut reno, borne of investors looking to make a fast buck. These invaders have absolutely no taste except in their mouths.
No, these homes - and I do mean homes - have, for the most part, been lovingly cared for, with attention to quality and detail. The Brownstoners of BedStuy meet on a regular basis to share information, resources, skills. They are who have kept the Black community together during economic downturns, drugs, thugs, and a concerted effort to drive Black people from Brooklyn. In other words, they are the Blackbone of Brooklyn’s BedStuy community. They represent stability and growth.
Some of the masterpieces you see wrought in these fine, stately monuments to architecture weren’t done in seven days, with a crew of thousands, but over a period of time, by a husband and wife team who came home after a long day’s work, changed their clothes, and began that soul-satisfying task of transforming their home into a thing of beauty. In some case they went beyond beauty to “shock and awe” to “How did you do that????”
I have never left that tour without my head filled with respect, ideas, concepts (and, yes, envy) for those who have had the great good fortune to be blessed with those amazing beauties. I have definitely wished that the great god of brownsones would somehow endow me with my own brownstone masterpiece, where I can likewise be a part of that stellar group, showing off my own creativity and genius (yeah, I decorate, too - you know how we do - Black people invented multi-tasking and multi-talented).
And, as I write this piece, I thought, wouldn’t it be wonderful if First Lady Michele Obama could likewise stop through Brooklyn on October 15, and look at the wonderful work these Brothers and Sisters have done, and continue to do. I think she would be in awe of how cohesive, supportive and life affirming this whole thing is. And in turn, her presence would be a wonderful affirmation and morale booster for those here who may think no one is noticing or cares.
So, I’m going to ask those of you who read this on my blog, or anywhere else it may be circulated, if you are in touch with the First Lady, send her a copy. I can’t officially invite her, since I’m not a member of the Brownstoners of Bedstuy. But as a citizen, and supporter, I am urging her to take a look, and maybe swing by to see the wonderful homes our people have derived from what others may have considered obsolete and condemned.
The Brownstoners of Brooklyn are truly wonderful people, and this info should be shared and transmitted to other predominantly Black communities Harlem, the Bronx, Queens, the US, the Caribbean and Africa. This is what it looks like when we work together collaboratively, creatively, and congenially. I just love it. I think you will, too.
See you on the tour.
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
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