By Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Hello All:
There's a lot going on this week end, so I'll be brief - or at least I'll try to be. Walter Edwards, one of my personal heroes, and co-founder of the Harlem Business Alliance is opening a new venue called MIST, which stands for My Image Studios. Read the info below, and mark your calendar for the grand opening this Saturday, April 27. Hope to see you there -
Harlem Business Alliance Chair, Walter J. Edwards, would like to tell you about My Image Studios (MIST),
a new venture recently opened at 46 West 116th Street. Mr. Edwards is
asking for our support of this new community business. As most of you
know, Mr. Edwards has always valued and has been committed to preserving
the culture and the right to equitable treatment for Harlem's long term
stakeholders. He has always stood with us, and now he is asking us to
stand with him. This new venture, MIST includes Harvist Harlem restaurant
and three studios screening independent and studio film by and/or about
the African and Latino Diaspora. MIST is also presenting live
performances including music, comedy, spoken word and community
discussion about the issues that are important to Harlem. Mr. Edwards is
extending this invitation to dine with a discount for HBA members and
friends. He also asks that you to visit the MIST website for more
information and to sign up to their mailing list. http://www.myimagestudios.com/
MIST Harlem
warmly welcomes HBA and Friends of HBA to dine at Harvist. MIST Harlem
captures the essence of the new Harlem Renaissance in entertainment and
dining with Harvist Harlem seasonal rustic American cuisine. With three
state of the art movie theaters MIST provides a one of a kind experience
in Harlem.
Harvist Harlem would like to offer HBA and Friends of HBA a 10% discount on any meal at Harvist between April 27th and May 4th, 2013. Please show this Flyer to the Host (HBA Discount Code 413)
Brunch: Saturday and Sunday 11AM-4PM
Dinner: Tuesday-Thursday 5PM-10PM, Friday and Saturday 5PM-11PM
Train/Bus: 2, 3, B, C train or M2, M3, M7 bus to 116th Street and walk east to 46 West 116th Street
Please call 646.738.3050 for Reservations
Dinner: Tuesday-Thursday 5PM-10PM, Friday and Saturday 5PM-11PM
Train/Bus: 2, 3, B, C train or M2, M3, M7 bus to 116th Street and walk east to 46 West 116th Street
Please call 646.738.3050 for Reservations
Walter Edwards, invites you to My Image Studios (MIST),
a new venture recently opened at 46 West 116th Street. Mr. Edwards is
asking for your support of this new community business. Mr. Edwards has always valued and been committed to preserving
the culture and the right to equitable treatment for Harlem's long term
stakeholders. He has always stood with us, and is now asking us to
stand with him in making this new venture a success. MIST includes Harvist Harlem restaurant
and three studios screening independent and studio film by and/or about
the African and Latino Diaspora. MIST is also presenting live
performances including music, comedy, spoken word and community
discussion about the issues that are important to Harlem.
Harlem Business Alliance | 275 Lenox Avenue | New York | NY | 10027
After you enjoy your brunch at Mist, you can then go down to "THE CUTTING ROOM" and check out my friend Rhonda Ross
The Cutting Room Presents: Rhonda Ross
Rhonda's
show at The Cutting Room will bring you to your feet, move you to
tears, and leave you believing that you can do or be anything! Deeply
spiritual, uplifting yet grounded; Rhonda's "wise beyond her years"
compositions are introspective and inspiring. Perfectly complimented by
jazz and gospel pianist, Damien Sneed, this phenomenal performance is
not to be missed!!
I didn't write the foregoing piece, but I wholeheartedly agree with it all. Rhonda has so much soul wrapped up in wisdom, laced in sensuality, and still contained in one very well put together little woman/sister/friend. She's one of my favorite people on the planet because she is her own person. Now that she's a Mom, you may also be interested to know that she's penned a book on motherhood that may be constructive and instructive to all parents seeking to give their children the best in upbringing entitled "Raising America. Check it out atwww.RhondaRossKendrick.com
This is my response to Mr. John Bennett of WND Weekly, who wrote an article in defense of a piece written by Robert Huber, who wrote a piece entitled "Being White In Philadelphia" -- supposedly a discussion about "race" issues faced by whites in Philadelphia. I remember reading the article; didn't think much of it. Yet another white guy griping about Black people.
However, Mayor Michael Nutter, of Philadelphia, read the comments, and made some remarks that obviously set Mr. Bennett off; causing him to accuse the Mayor of reversing himself on asking for a conversation on race. Bennnett forwarded a copy of his article to me, stating: "Good morning, I noticed that you write on issues of society and race, and thought you might be interested in my latest piece on the controversial article, "Being White in Philly".
Mayor Nutter called for a "conversation about race" because crime "affects every member of every community." But then Nutter said it was a "sin" to publish "Being White in Philly." This is confusing to many people."
How Machiavellian of you, Mr. Bennett, to try to paint Mayor Nutter's
commentaries as somehow misguided or defensive in the face of Huber's
treatise on Blacks. Machiavelli would perpetrate a hoax, then act as though he was completely innocent, and ignorant of any reason why anyone would be upset by the incident.
There are, of course, enough half truths in Huber's over all "discussion" to substantiate the internal crime rate
perpertrated by some Blacks against other Blacks. So, I'm not in the least
bit saying it doesn't exist. Nor am I saying that we don't bear
responsibility for resolving these problems among our selves. Nor, by
the way, do I dispute anything that Bill Cosby has said, or tried to do,
to ameliorate these issues.
What I do say, however, is, as Carter G.
Woodson so amply demonstrated in the Mis (read "Dis") - Education of the Negro
(read "Black People"), nearly 90 years ago, when the oppressor (white people)
who have been the transducers (detractors) of Black people for over 400
years, and are largely responsible for privation, brainwashing, mental,
moral, physical and spiritual genocide -starting with slavery, jim-crowism, to defacto and dejure segregation, on down through everything from
the current problems of substandard living conditions to less than adequate educational systems -
all the way over to taking Religion (which was/is our spiritual
mainstay) out of the schools, to making it illegal - even criminal - for parents to physically discipline
their children; while making it okay for cops to shoot them in the back -
it kind of seems grossly disingenuous to set around jaw-jacking about
something of which you only have a peripheral understanding - at best.
There
was once a great book entitled "How to Lie with Statistics" which is
obviously at work here, in the fact that you are just showing numbers
and percentages, but not really showing cause/effect data that
undergirds some of these findings.
The article, by Huber, by the way, was not really a conversation - it was really more of a diatribe. A litany of complaints - form with no substance, based on a fallacious premise.
I
find it amazing that whites in the City of Brotherly Love are talking about white
flight as if it's the fault of Black People that they're leaving. By
the way, where are they going?
I also find it amazing, that, if these
problems are as stated, why are 30+ schools being closed down in
Philadelphia? It can't all be about the money - or can it? Wouldn't the closing of these schools actually lead to more "crime?"
Don't get it twisted, I
definitely deplore violence -- especially fratricide, which is what Black
on Black crime represents to me. But I also deplore the ones who originally
started the crimes, who benefit either vicariously or directly from the
criminal (inner hatred) behaviors, now standing back and pointing
fingers at those who are perpetrating the problem, without realizing that at least 4
of those fingers point back at them.
The progenitors of these
problems, their heirs, and their heirs' progeny, are and continue to be
the benefactors of the misguided behaviors of young Black men and women,
who come into a system already marked; who come from families already
crippled by poverty and ignorance; who come from environments where
environmental genocide has already been the rule and not the exception.
I
think Mayor Nutter's point is well taken. It's a sin to sit there and
speak as if the rest of the ingredients were not part of the catalyst
that make this a bitter pill already.
Not only do I deplore the
closing of these 30+ schools, and the privatization of education into
even more bastions of psychobable, coupled with self hatred, laced with
technological futuristic stuff that may be both efficient and
dehumanizing at the same time; but I think that until and unless you
white guys stop passing the buck and accept the responsibility for the
fact that our Black kids, their parents, their parent's parents, and
the rest of us who are Black - no matter how we got to these shores -
are in a lingering state of subconscious, debilitating shock - also
known as POST TRAUMATIC SLAVE SYNDROME - and do the work that is needed
to ameliorate the problem - both locally in Philadelphia (New York, New
Jersey, DC, Virginia, West Virginia - damn - the whole USA!!!) - Africa,
the Caribbean, South America - and anywhere else you stomped up and
down our spines - your stats don't amount to a hill of beans.
It's
not enough to say "get over it." It's not going to go away. It's
about reparations, and so much more. There may need to be some really
intensive psycho social intervention on their behalves - by SKILLED
BLACK PSYCHOTHERAPISTS - the people who caused the problem will most not
likely be the ones who can solve it via direct intervention. There are feelings that you'll just never understand that go to the very heart of these problems.
Like
you, Mr. Bennett, I would definitely like to be able to have an open, honest
conversation about Race. But I just don't think you can handle it. And I know that Mr. Huber wouldn't. As
we say in the Black community, "Denial is not just a river in Africa."
And you are in deep denial if you think this is a numbers' game.
And, by the way, we Black people are in denial as well. We are
the walking wounded trying to pretend that we're okay; that we're cool. And we are, until one of our
brothers and sisters says or does something to set us off - doesn't have
to be anything really serious - just something that brings up the pent
up anger about being powerless; about not being able to pay the rent
because the job we have doesn't pay enough for us to do both; for not
being able to keep a decent home, or provide decent meals or medication.
Then we go off. And someone gets hurt - maybe even dies because of
it. It's that subconscious feeling of powerless that permeates certain communities.
Or because, as an adolescent (boy or girl) there are no
creative safe places to be after school or on the week end - so things get out of hand. With the closing
of 30+ Philly schools!! - a disaster waiting to happen - who was the
dummy that thought that one up? - make sure you have them there during
hall duty this fall).
.
As you stated in the end of your commentary "But such comments recall the Bill Cosby
remarks about certain segments of the black community. Cosby said that
in part of the black community, “parenting is not going on,” they “can’t
speak English” and are having “five or six different children – same
woman, eight, 10 different husbands or whatever.” ... “These people are fighting hard to be ignorant,” Cosby said. “We cannot blame white people."
But
you can't end the statement there, as though that's all Bill said. William H. Cosby, PhD is an educator. He spent his whole life trying to bring about programs and shows that were educational, and that would uplift, inspire and educate Black people. He used comedy, animations, rhymes, music, celebrities, everything within his resources to illustrate that we can, and should and in many cases, are doing better. What he was saying was, despite whites, and because of whites, we still have
to be our own self salvation. We can't let you (whites) defeat us with all that
you've done over the centuries to Blacks.
His message to Black parents
is that we have to pull ourselves out of this and not be so hypnotized
by the trappings of mainstream (I call it mean stream) society and media
that we continue to suffer peacefully (per Malcolm X), and settle in to
the swill of mediocrity or inferiority.In point of fact, he was saying, before we pay our hard earned money to Nike for a pair of sneakers costing $150.00, use that money for purchasing books, or something edcational to help them learn something that was going to last a lifetime. But the god of conspicuous consumption (which translates to ersatz power in the Black community) was louder than he was and more compelling.
That was and is
his message. He of course has been trying to combat the stereotypes
that white media has tried to brainwash us with for decades; and has
done a pretty good job. These are now deeply engrained - hard to uproot. Remember, too, Cosby comes from Philadelphia. He
has an emotional heart string tied to the city. So his concern, more
than most, is that Black men and women in Philly, as well as where ever
else they may be, become the great people they really are. The problem
is not criminal, it's psychosocial - and it's being perpetrated daily
via radio, TV, movies, media, and the lack of positive images in school,
and else where.
There are, of course, as many of us Black people who don't fit the negative stereotype; who have tried and managed to make it real compared to the reality of the situation around us. We have "escaped" the sludge of racism - well almost. We speak English beautifully, our children look good, smell good, comport themselves appropriately; they are upstanding figures in the community, and do well in school. Heck, some of them have become heads of corporations, professors, PhD's; we even have a few millionaires, and at least one billionairess - but at what price? God forbid they should take a wrong breath, step out of line; or make a mistake - you're on them like white on rice. So, while we appear to have "made it" we know that the Sword of Damocles hangs over us, never the less. And it is just as easy for us to become one of those negative statistics as it is for the kid who never made it out of high school; or who had a parent on drugs; or was born out of wedlock. We're just one stat away from the numbers you quoted in your article. That's Racism.
The original crime against Blacks started back in 1619 when we were dragged to these shores from Africa in chains to live a life of unpaid labor, rape, castration, lynching and unspeakable indignities, and inhumane treatment- and the perpetrators have never been brought to justice. And most likely never will be. You actually have some people on this planet who blame us for the slavery itself. Who have those among you - especially in the South, those who think it still okay to lynch Black people just because they're Black. Who escape justice by pinning a crime they committed on a Black person, who will every believe a Black person over a white one; because we have been so characterized in the perjorative in order to further dehumanize us, that our guilt is automatically assumed true until proven otherwise. That, too is Racism.
Not all whites are bad - there are many who definitely "get it" - there have always been. However, like the numbers of Blacks who perpetrate Black on Black crime - they're in the minority. And unfortunately, they don't have the clout needed to get the rest of their population in line. We have the reverse problem, the perpetrators of Black on Black crime are also in the minority, but they are more widely recognized than those of us who really are trying to get our lives together and save our families. You know how it goes: "When I'm right, no one remembers; when I'm wrong, no one forgets."
Now that we have a true beginning of the genesis of the problem, let's have a real talk about RACE.
For those of you who want to read Mr. John Bennett's article, I include the link here:
Kathleen Sebelius
Health and Human Services Secretary
Hello All:
Today, Wednesday, April 17, Associated Press reporter, RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR, in a recent article, reported the following:
A senior Democratic senator who helped write President Barack Obama's health care law stunned administration officials Wednesday, saying openly he thinks it's headed for a "train wreck."
"I just see a huge train wreck coming down," Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., told Obama's health care chief during a routine budget hearing.
Supposedly, Baucus is the first top Democrat
to publicly voice fears about the the new health care law,
which is designed to cover over 30 million uninsured Americans
through a mix of government programs and tax credits for private insurance. The law becomes official in 2014.
2014 is also a pivotal election year, during which at least half of the House of Representative seats are up for re-election, including Baucus, who has served 6 terms. He has recently suffered a vote of no-confidence from many of his constituents, and may be facing a major battle.
I say may be because, we should all be aware that the REP-UGH-BLICANS are at the base of these derelictions and have deliberately stalled the progress that should have been made in the implementation of these beneficial programs that President Obama has put in place.
According toALONSO-ZALDIVAR, Baucus, is normally low-key and supportive, stated he was "very concerned" that new health insurance
marketplaces for consumers and small businesses will not open on time
in every state, and that if they do, they might just flop because
residents don't have the information they need to make choices.
Does this sound familiar folks? Didn't we go through this dance during the first Administration, with the Rep-ugh-blicans deliberately throwing monkey wrenches into plans that are essential for Americans.
"The administration's
public information campaign on the benefits of the Affordable Care Act
deserves a failing grade," he told Sebelius. "You need to fix this." Such statements blatantly ignore the fact that the so-called sequestration, which has had a broad degenerative effect on the well-being of the country, at the hands of people who have been elected into office for self serving purposes, as opposed to serving the constituents who sent them there, and is an insult to President Obama, Ms. Sebellius, and those in desperate need of ObamaCare.
Sebelius responded that Rep-ugh-blicans blocked funding for carrying out the health care law,
and she had to resort to raiding other departmental funds that were
legally available to her. The administration is asking for $1.5 billion in next year's budget, and Rep-ugh-blicans are probably not going to grant those funds either.
"I don't know what he's looking at," Sebelius, later told reporters, "But
we are on track to fully implement marketplaces in Jan. 2014, and to be
open for open enrollment."
That open-enrollment launch is only months away, Oct. 1, 2013. The two-pronged comprehensive health program makes it possible for millions of middle class citizens, who are not currently covered by their jobs, to seek private plans; while those low-income families will be given the opportunity to sign up for government based health programs.
Health is an essential human right, one which the Congress has lavished on itself and its families for centuries, but can't seem to extrapolate the fact that others require good health to function as much as they do.
Most of the Rep-ugh-blican-led states, have refused to
cooperate in setting up the infrastructure of Obama's law. Others, like
Montana, are politically divided. Thank goodness the overhaul law has provided that the
federal government would step in and run the new markets if a state
failed to do so, so these jerks can't deprive their citizenry of much needed health care and assistance. Though it was initially seen as the line of last resort, it now looks as though federal control will be the norm in about half the country, straining the
resources of the department Sebelius leads.
Better to strain Sebelius's budget, than that of a family suffering from cancer, diabetes, aids, high blood pressure, who has not been able to get the appropriate medical health to cure these diseases.
In the interim, I'm not just writing this to give the reporter some light. This is a wake up call to you the readers. If you think it's okay to sit idly by while the Rep-ugh-blicans do their dirt, after all we've gone through to re-elect President Obama so he could complete his good work, you're deaf, dumb, blind, stupid, a masochist, powerless, and dead wrong. And I know that those terms don't apply to you, or we'd be sitting here looking at Mitt-twit Romney instead.
Now is not the time to set back and rest on our laurels. We've got several elections coming up during which several of our Democratic seats need to be defended and secured, and several Rep-ugh-blicans, need to be un-assed. Yes! I said it. Get their asses out of DC in 2014. And, just like they plot, plan, scheme and undermine, we have to use some of the same kinds of tactics to make sure they don't return to continue walking up and down our spines.
These kinds of slanted reports, that have recently begun to permeate the meanstream media are propaganda tactics that are designed to make you think they are stronger than we are.
Yes, Bone-head Boehner is pissed, but not stronger. Perhaps a little more vengeful than we are - that's why we're considered "the good guys" - but that should not translate to wimp.
So we have to act as though we're still campaigning, and make sure we turn out the biggest landslide ever, with the tide turning in our favor, so the next report talks about the majority Democratic Congress and Senate, and President Obama's administration being the greatest ever among the pantheon of great presidents.
Get up off it now. Vacation is over. Dust off the campaign headquarter seats. See who's running in your community - what do they need. If there is no one running, pick someone and back him or her. If they won't run - you run instead.
We can't afford to be spectators sitting on the sidelines. We have to be in it to win it. We may not have another Obama. And, even if we do, we still have to get up and take a stand for ourselves.
Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson please like me on FaceBook, and any other place you deem necessary.
Hello All:
Hope all is well; particularly in the wake of the Boston Marathon attack. As I stated in my recent Blog - our prayers are with those who were injured, who lost loved ones, or who were traumatized - which pretty much covers us all.
Now for some happy news: Bobbi Humphrey is celebrating her 40th anniversary year as a professional musician. Which is really kind of hard to believe, since Bobbi doesn't look a day over 40 herself.
Bobbi Humphrey Celebrates 40 years of Music
The celebration will take place at none other than the world renowned Schomburg Center for Black Research and Culture - 135th St. and Malcolm X Boulevard (Lenox Ave for the uninitiated), at 7:00 PM, Friday, April 19th, 2013 - that's this Friday people.
The Diva of the Flute who made Harlem River Drive famous, among other time honored jazz pieces, has had a loyal following world wide since she burst onto the scene in the 70's - from Harlem, Brooklyn, DC, Atlanta, Chicago to Japan, Great Britain, and France - just to name some stronghold followings, Ms. Humphrey consistently performs before sell out audiences. And this Friday promises to be no different. So come early to get the good seats - and fortunately, there really are no bad seats in the Schomburg; just not enough seats.
(Somehow during the expansion remodeling period they did everything but gave us additional seating befitting of the residents of the Village of Harlem. Somebody really should say something about that - don't you think? Millions were spent, but not one additional seat in the auditorium or reception area was added and we all have to crowd in like sardines to be a part of our own cultural center ... but I digress - sorry Bobbi, but you know how strongly I feel about this!)
Now for those of you who are unfamiliar with Bobbi and her body of work, I'm lifting a passage from Wikipedia (yep! She's wiki-worthy): "Barbara Ann ("Bobbi") Humphrey (born April 25 ---- is an Americanjazzflautist and singer who plays fusion, jazz-funk and soul-jazz styles. Bobbi Humphrey has performed for audiences around the world.
She was born in Marlin, Texas, and raised in Dallas. Her flute training included classical and jazz styles in high school. She continued her studies at Texas Southern University and Southern Methodist University. Dizzy Gillespie saw Humphrey play at a talent contest at Southern Methodist, and inspired her to pursue a musical career in New York City. She followed his advice, getting her first big break performing at the Apollo Theatre on Amateur Night. She eventually began playing regularly throughout the city, including a gig with Duke Ellington.
By 1972, she was recording for the Blue Note Jazz label, one of the first female instrumentalists to do so.[1] Humphrey has played with well-known musicians, ranging from Duke Ellington to Lee Morgan. Guitarist George Benson and Humphrey were guest musicians on Humphrey's friend Stevie Wonder's single "Another Star" from his Songs in the Key of Life (1976) album.[2] In 1976, she was named Best Female Instrumentalist by Billboard.[3] In 1994 Humphrey launched her label, Paradise Sounds Records, releasing Passion Flute, which continues to be one of her best-selling recordings.
Bobbi Humphrey has played at the Apollo Theatre, Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Montreux Jazz Festival, Russian River Jazz Festival (Northern California), and other venues around the world...." END WIKIPEDIA QUOTE
Mark your calendars and be prepared for an evening of entertainment and walks down memory lane with Bobbi Humphrey at the: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: 515 Malcolm X BoulevardNew York, NY 10037-1801; For additional information, call (212) 491-2200
To further prepare you for an evening of Bobbi-fication, I've included a link from her Blog below:
"Welcome to my official website. Finally, I am building a musical home
for my fans who have known of my flute music since the seventies, as
well as new fans and friends of today and tomorrow. I hope that you
will visit often so we can share this wonderful experience of
Music,Imagery, and Words;all things creative. It is so rewarding and
exciting to develop my brand globally-"PARADISE SOUNDS RECORDS"; a
creative freedom long coming.Who knew technology would bring the true
freedom song and bridge to globally connect creators and consumers of
Music;finally, finally,giving the artist equity in his creations.Feel
the music ,feel the love.I am so excited.From my days at Texas Southern
University and S.M.U. in my hometown of Dallas,My dream was to play my
flute.After meeting Dizzy Gillespie, and moving to NYC and recording
with Lee Morgan and Stevie Wonder{"Songs in The Key Of Life", my dreams
came true;recording and performing in many countries.But somehow, I feel
a more authenic, boundless, and fearless chapter in my Life is being
born.Freedom is such an easy and enjoyable travel buddy.I believe
through the power of Music, we can explore the power of pure
possibilities. Let's enjoy the ride together!"-- Bobbi Humphrey Harlem River Drive Live 40th Anniversary of a Global Road Song Friday, April 19th at 7:00 p.m. At the Langston Hughes Auditorium Harlem River Drive Celebrates Harlem as the Cultural Epicenter for African Americans! For three decades, Bobbi Humphrey, the First Lady of the Flute has been playing her special brand of music to audiences around the world. Humphrey’s professional career began in 1971 when she was the first female signed to Blue Note Records. Certainly a lady playing a flute must have seemed something of a novelty then. Humphrey proved, however, she was not just a first or novelty, but a talent to be reckoned with. In 1973, Blues and Blues was not only a huge commercial success, but established a strong crossover market for her. She was invited to the prestigious Montreux International Music Festival in Switzerland where she was acclaimed as the surprise hit of the festival. Since then Humphrey has continuously proved her sustaining power, for today she remains a successful female urbanpop flutist on the scene. Tickets: $15, General Admission; $12 Schomburg Society Members. To buy tickets, call the Schomburg Shop at (212) 491-2207 or visit schomburgcenter.showclix.com 515 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10037-1801 T: 212.491.2200 | F: 212.491.6760 www.schomburgcenter.org
Bobbi Humphrey - Black in the Day
From my own personal standpoint, I've known Bobbi since the 70's, pretty much about the time she became a music Icon, having first met her in Tempe, AZ, when she shared the bill with Mandrill, at a sold out music festival. We were both young moms then. There was a gap in communication we didn't see each other again for 18 years; by that time, our kids were nearly grown and out of the house. When we did finally catch up with each other, we pretty much picked up the friendship again as though the time had never elapsed (that's a Texas/Oklahoma thing, where friendships don't die just because of distance - make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver, and the other gold).
Bobbi's fame has never gone to her head. She's always been a warm, genuine person. In addition to her music, Bobbi is a genius when it comes to writing, poetry, the spoken word, and concepts of principles as it affects Black people - people the world over for that matter. She keeps abreast of issues and concerns that matter to people of African Heritage, and is active in community events. What you see and hear is a amalgamation of all these wonderful qualities and observations, artfully interpreted through the power of her magic flute. Come prepared to be entertained and to party. This is the perfect way to kick off the weekend, and perhaps the first real week of Spring.
As I said, earlier, Bobbi Humphrey has a fan base that ranges from the regular man/woman/sister/brother in the street, to the international genre. Make sure you're at the Schomburg on Friday to pay homage to a sister who has and continues to share her talents with the world: Ms. Bobbi Humphrey! See ya at the Schomburg.
Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Though we don't have all the facts, as of yet, and don't know where to point the fingers of blame in this heinous attack on Americans participating in the Boston Marathon, the perpetrators need to understand that this nation under Obama will not rest or leave a stone unturned until they are caught and brought to justice.
Make no mistake about it: You picked on the wrong country, the wrong people and the wrong President. Obama is no wimp. Anyone who has survived the streets of Chicago is not going to allow the likes of you - and whoever your accomplices are - get away with murder on his watch.
And, yes, this may well affect the immigration bill - but only if it turns out that the perpetrators came from your country. America would be fools not to make the list, and check it twice, to make sure they're not opening the gates to those who come here to harm us, and not to become good citizens - no matter where you're from.
It really took me the entire day to get over the initial shock of learning about the attack on innocent people, enjoying a day out with their families, participating in a sport for charitable organizations and fun. This did not take place on some battle field, it took place in our neighborhoods, where our children walk, romp and play. The consequences will not be light. But we will make sure we have the right one - there will be none of the knee jerk blanket arrests just to go after those vicarious enemies you wanted to corral all along under the guise of national security.
The people of Boston, likewise, won't rest until they ferret you out either. You probably know by now, there is no such a thing as a perfect plan or a perfect get away. It's human nature to trip ones self up when a crime against humanity has been perpetrated. So it's going to be sooner than later that you will be brought to just - and you would want to be brought to justice; because if those citizens of Boston get their hands of you - there'll probably very little of you remaining to sit for a trial.
Not that I'm condoning mob violence, mind you. It's just that, your having launched two bombs in the midst of a peaceful crowd, is tantamount to shooting someone in their back - both an act of hostility and cowardice, and most people don't really have to maintain civility under those circumstances - the first human instinct would probably be to stomp your behind into a mudhole - at least that would be my response - and then plead self defense later.
My condolences to those who lost loved ones under this horrific attack. I know there aren't enough words to make you feel better. My prayers to those who were injured or who witnessed this evil first hand. The Infinite is working in and through you to move you forward - they meant it for evil, but hopefully some good will come of this negative occurrence.
And for the rest of the population, I have to quote something we frequently hear in New York and other areas about suspicious packages - "If you see something, say something." Don't assume it was left there by accident. We don't you to be paranoid, just mindful, watchful, careful, and diligent. Better to report it and be wrong, than to see, ignore it, and later find it was an explosive device of some sort.
Okay! By a show hands, how many of you were surprised or amazed that New York State Senator Malcolm Smith had been caught in a sting operation trying to get on the ballot as the Rep-ughh-blican nominee for mayor.
Neither was I. In fact, it was like an accident waiting to happen. Here's Malcolm Smith who had to be told that he had to make some kind of statement in reference to the killing of Sean Bell, one of his constituents, in Queens, after he had been so brutally gunned down in a hail of bullets by cops bent on turning him into human swiss cheese.
It was Malcolm Smith, who, as speaker of the New York State Senate, caused the Latino contingency to mutiny and go over to the Rep-ugh-blican side, after he ignored their requests for assistance in a serious matter affecting their constituents. For the first in in the history of the New York State legislators, they staged a full blown mutiny that nearly wrecked the entire New York State legislative system, further impairing Governor David Paterson's already fragile ability to maintain loyalty and control throughout the rest of his term.
Nor was I surprised when Fred Brown, of the Black Rep-ugh-blicans of New York, announced - very proudly and smugly, I might add - that Malcolm Smith was going to run for mayor on the rep-ugh-blican line. Okay! Okay! So maybe I was just a little caught off guard. After all I was at a birthday fundraiser for Congresswoman Yvette Clarke. I couldn't even figure out why Fred was there. But he was one of large number of Black republicans who voted for "our guy" President Barack Obama. For that, of course, I have to give him high praise.
However, the announcement about Malcolm Smith running for mayor was kind of puzzling. I mean, why tell me? I basically have little to no interest in Malcolm. And as for his running for mayor on the Rep-ugh-blican ticket, my response was - and who's going to vote for him if he gets on - and that's a big if, because it will be a cold day in hell before he's endorsed by the Rep-ugh-blicans; and we Dems will look at him as a traitor. So what would be the point? Fred just smiled and said they had already gotten every thing arranged. The announcement would come soon.
That was December 2012. I was in Washington, DC for the President's Inauguration, and ran into Fred Brown again. I had nearly forgotten about his original announcement; but there he was again asserting that Malcolm Smith would be on the Rep-ugh-blican ticket for mayor of New York. And since Malcolm was not there to either confirm or deny the allegations, I just smiled, said "Bet!" and kept walking.
Now the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus happens in February of every year during President's week. All the state legislators along with the movers and shakers across the state come together to plan out the events of the coming year. During that time the legislators from across the state come to Albany to meet, share, great - give and receive accolades and awards for jobs well done. Malcolm's name did not appear on any of the programs; nor did he participate, except to announce some event his wife, an AKA, had coming up that should be of interest to members.
I thought then, this would be the perfect place and time to make such an announcement - everybody was there; the place was packed with youth, adults, constituents. However, he cut into the program made his announcement, and then promptly left.
Fast forward to two weeks ago, when, on April 1, it was announced that Malcolm Smith had been arrested for trying to bribe his way into the Rep-ugh-blican camp to run against the Democratic nominee for mayor. How stupid can you be?
Given the previous circumstance, I can say I think Malcolm was trapped. I can also say Malcolm is not the brightest light in the chandalier, or he would have realized he was being set up. No matter what those little voices were saying inside his head - they were not the problem - he was. By allowing greed and ambition to cloud his already befuddled judgement - and now he's in a pickle of monumental proportions.
What puzzles me, though, why the chump change? Generally speaking, when you're trying to buy a mayoral seat, shouldn't you have big bucks? You know $100,000, $1 Million, or something in those ranges. We are, after all, talking about becoming the mayor of New York City, aren't we? The second most, if not the most, powerful position in the world. Which is why Bloomie worked so hard to keep the position. But, if you're going to sell your soul, make sure you get top dollar for it. Otherwise, what's the point?
What happens next with Malcolm Smith is anybody's guess. He's got a lot of 'splaining to do. But what happens with us should be crystal clear. We have a very important task before us in reference to our elected officials who get into the office and betray our trust, and violate their vow of loyalty and care to us. We cannot turn a blind eye to these kind of inappropriate activities on Smith or anyone else who is supposed to represent us. We deserve better. Everybody who gets caught with their hands in the proverbial cookie jar is not a victim; some of them have been moving in that direction for quite some time. We have been watching, but weren't quite sure what we were looking at. Well now we know.
And while we won't abandon brother Malcolm in his hour of need, we can no longer afford to have him, or others of his kind, occupy a seat that is clearly meant for someone who really has the future of Black people at heart.
We have to pray for Malcolm, and at the same time pray for someone who can and will give us the representation we need and deserve.
I was just going to close this article, but had a flash of insight: We have five Borough President jobs up for grabs, not to mention those of Public Advocate, City Council, Assembly, and most importantly - THE NEXT MAYOR OF NEW YORK, are also on the table. Now we can get cute and elect people because of some sloganese, or because they're part of some sort of group, or we can really look past all that non-essential stuff, and get serious. This is no game - this is our lives on the line. For the first time in the history of New York City Black people have the opportunity to walk away with all the marbles. Or we can sit around with eggs on our faces, wonder what happened this time.
We can have a Mayor who looks like us, represents us and knows us, or we can go for the okie doke - based on some b.s. that has nothing to do with the really issues we will surely face if we don't organize ourselves.
Malcolm Smith's arrest was meant to be an embarrassment to Black people and Black elected officials in New York. And it was kind of embarrassing to see someone of our family engaged in such buffoonery.
But the real embarrassment would be to have come this far, to have re-elected the President of the United States to 4 more years, and to not use that same organizational power and unity to bring about a clear revolution in not only having a Black mayor, but borough presidents as well.
Now that you know, what are you going to do?
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
Okay, let me see if I've got this right: The former Atlanta, GA superintendent of schools, Dr. Beverly Hall, and some 30 or more teachers
made some corrections on the tests of poor, disadvantaged African
American students, thereby making it possible for them to participate in
more advanced programs that they otherwise would not have had a
snowball's chance in hell of being a part of. At least that's what the article in the current edition of YOUR BLACK WORLD is alleging.
My question is this: As a result of this
"leg up" have any of these kids committed crimes? Have they gone on to
better educational opportunities? Was the effort an abysmal failure
because they just didn't have the moxie even after the help? What
happened to and for these kids? Are they doing better, or are they
underperforming? If they are doing better - cool!
Also, did they pay the teachers to do this? Were there any
bribes exchanged? Was the effort so heinous that whites were deprived
of their precious advantageous places in these classrooms because Black
kids were somehow illicitly assisted in breathing the rare air of better
education? Was she dealing drugs? Was she assaulting the kids? Did she kill, maim, or shoot someone? You mean you can get 45 years in jail in Atlanta for helping a kid get a better score? Really - then there are probably a bunch of Atlantans running around right now ducking for cover, hoping no one finds out how really behind the times they are - and how much they have to hide.
What's the racketeering charge about? 'splain - as Ricky
Ricardo used to say. I just want to know what was the real harm here?
When I was a kid in Oklahoma, in the third grade our teachers taught us
how to take the I.Q., CAT and other exams that whites frequently used
to prove they had "superior" intelligence - and guess what, folks - not
only did we score high on the tests, but we became test savvy and it
boosted our confidence so much that we went on to do well on all the
future tests - ACT, SAT, CEEB, etc. You feeling me? We had a 92% success rate in graduating, going to college, with at least 85% of us graduating, and going on to bigger and better things.
Remember, Atlanta is riddled with rep-ugh-blicans - the way so
many slums are inundated with roaches - and they will do anything to
denigrate any advances we have made. It's their raison d'etre.
Now,
'splain the "theft" allegation. What did she steal - actually? She
stole those kids away from a lifetime of servitude and ignorance? Oh,
my gee - tuff noogies! Of course, if it turns out that the kids are
really dumb as a box of rocks, and what she did (if she did it) did them
no good anyway - then it's a net sum gain of zero.
However, if it helped just one of those kids out of the pit of
despair, and motivated him or her to achieve even higher, then I say
more power to her.
One can only wonder what kinds of veiled threats were leveled against the stoolie instructor, who according to the article: "It all began when Georgia state investigator Richard Hyde
convinced teacher Jackie Parks to wear a wire and turn state’s evidence." He probably made her an offer she didn't dare refuse. Don't forget, folks, Atlanta is still the deep south - I know a lot of us New Yorkers are running down there from salvation from the decadent Norht, but don't get it twisted. Them slavery roots still run pretty deep - and you still don't have any rights that a white man is bound to respect - unless you make him. (Even Hyde's name is suspicious - "Hyde" as in Dr. Jekyll & Mr. ----? Ya feelin' me?) Atlanta is also the place that a certain voting population deliberately switched from Democrat to Republican to vote a Black Congresswoman out of office because she wouldn't go along with the Bush
okie doke of 911.
So of course, if there is a way to cast aspersions on the capacity of
"poorer" Black students to excel above wealthy white ones, they will go
to extreme lengths. I mean, after all, who would ever believe that there are really Black people smarter than whites, any way - right? Because they certainly don't. The only way those kids could have possibly passed any test was for the teachers to have cheated, right?
That also means that there is no such thing as a smart Black man or woman, right? So people like Frederick Douglass, Maya Angelou, Carter G. Woodson, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, President Barack H. Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Ambassador Andrew (Andy) Young, Julian Bond, Paul Robeson, Julianne Malveaux, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Jay-Z, Shonda Rhimes, Maynard Jackson - and you know I could go on and on here - but you're getting the picture - these people are just flukes, aberations, not like regular Black people - they're the exception, not the norm to hear them tell it.
But, as they say in Atlanta - "That dog won't
hunt." Because we know that our children are born smart and made ignorant by this backwards educational system that is set to be slanted in the favor of our detractors (if you don't understand that, re-read - or read - Carter G. Woodson's "The MisEducation of the Negro." What they call education is somewhere between propaganda and regimentation. Half of the stuff has little relevance to the knowable real world in which we live; and half of it isn't applicable on this plane of action. So if someone found a way to get around regurgitation of an ongoing diatribe that more resembles the TV commercials that are constantly washing our brains, so be it.
Frankly, I'm banking on the sister. Follow the racism - it will lead you
to the real truth every time.
I truly hope our Black
organizations - NAACP, SCLC, Urban League, Nation of Islam - are also taking a good, hard, incisive look at the merit of these allegations,
so the sister does not get hung out to dry - like another Black woman
almost did over alleged statements she supposedly made while serving
with the Department of Agriculture (Ms. Sherrod, fyi).
Oh, by the way, as far as reporting to the Sheriffs department on April 2, my advice is, don't do it. Get you a New York lawyer with a southern experience. If this is the only crime Atlanta has to investigate - and I'm sure that's not the case - then I applaud them. However, I know there have to be much more serious, life threatening issues you guys can be doing down there. Think about it (where is Mr. Tibbs when you need him?)
My motto is ALWAYS BET ON BLACK. Oh, by the way, an excerpt from the article is below. See what you make of it.
Stay Blessed & ECLECTICALLY BLACK Gloria Dulan-Wilson
This is the Article from YOUR BLACK WORLD:
Ex-Atlanta
Superintendent and Dozens Others Indicted in School
Cheating Scandal
by Kendrick
Brinson for The New York Times
At least 35
people have been indicted in the Atlanta Public
School cheating scandal and must report to Fulton
County jail by April 2nd.
Dr. Beverly
Hall, former superintendent for APS, is
charged with racketeering, theft, influencing witnesses, conspiracy and making
false statements. On Friday, an Atlanta grand
jury returned indictments containing 65 counts against the defendants accused of
cheating on CRCT (Criterion-Referenced
Competency Tests) standardized
tests. Among those listed in the indictment were teachers, principals, executive directives, and other
APS personnel.
It all began when Georgia state investigatorRichard Hyde
(?) convinced teacher Jackie Parks to wear a wire and turn state’s evidence. The New York Timesreports:
In the fall of 2010, Ms. Parks, a third-grade teacher at
Venetian Hills Elementary School in southwest Atlanta, agreed to become Witness No. 1 for Mr. Hyde, in
what would develop into the most widespread public school cheating scandal in
memory. Ms.
Parks admitted to Mr. Hyde that
she was one of seven teachers — nicknamed “the chosen” — who sat
in a locked windowless room every afternoon during the week of state testing,
raising students’ scores by erasing wrong answers and making them right. She
then agreed to wear a hidden electronic wire to
school, and for weeks she secretly recorded the conversations of her fellow
teachers for Mr.
Hyde.
During the time Hall led APS, her school district,
which is disproportionately poor and African-American, often scored well above wealthier school
districts. Arne Duncan, the secretary of education,
even had Hall at the White
House. If found guilty, Dr. Hall
could face up to 45 years in
jail.
After a 2½-year investigation, Beverly L. Hall, a former district superintendent
who won fame and fortune for her performance, was charged with racketeering, theft and other crimes in the doctoring of
students' test answers.
One more note here - I am assuming with a name like Kendrick, our writer is probably either African American or Caribbean - it's a big deal writing for the New York Times. More power to him. It's hard for me to write a story of this nature with a straight face, and without putting my little commentaries in it, because it's so ludicrous. Yet it made the New York Times. Kudos to the brother. We understand your constraints. I guess that's why I prefer to write for the Black press. Because we can call a spade a spade. Of course, if I'm wrong in my assumption, so be it. Again, The Case Against the Sister is Without Merit. GDW
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