8.31.07 Quote of the Day

"Actively we have woven ourselves with the very warp and woof of this nation - we have fought their battles, shared their sorrow, mingled our blood with theirs, and generation after generation have pleaded with a headstrong, careless people to despite not justice, mercy, and truth, lest the nation be smitten with a curse. Our song, our toil, our cheer, and warning have been given to this nation in blood-brotherhood."


W.E.B. Du Bois, 1903


Source: "And don't call me a racist!" A treasury of quotes on the past, present, and future of the color line in America. Selected and arranged by Ella Mazel

8.30.07 Quote of the Day

"Afrocentricity is simple. If you examine the phenomena concerning African people, you must give them agency. If you don't, you're imposing Eurocentrism on them."


Molefi Asante, educator


Source: African American Quotations by Richard Newman (Checkmark Books)

The emotional toll of Hurricane Katrina persists

NEW ORLEANS - It's amazing what you overhear when you're just a casual observer.


I'm sitting right now in a restaurant attached to my hotel, enjoying a nice breakfast.


One of the workers here tells the other restaurant folks that today is "Give A Hug Day" in honor of those who died two years ago. It may not be an official deal, but hey, if it works for you, go for it.


So I'm listening to this woman tell the other co-worker that her sister died on this day two years ago of a brain aneurysm. It took two months before they found her body. And because the city was flooded, they had to bury her in Baton Rouge.


But officials there said since the woman wasn't a resident of the city, that couldn't happen. So they cremated her.


The woman was still bothered by that, calling it a "low down dirty shame" how they treated the family.


A lot of black folks don't believe in cremation; we like the old fashioned funeral with a body. But this family couldn't do that.


Last night while at a reception, I was told the story of one of the city's legal activists.


This woman's father was a successful businessman prior to Katrina. But afterwards, he was emotionally destroyed by what took place. For the last two years he has fought depression, but couldn't get proper treatment because of the lack of hospital beds for those with mental illness.


Recently, the man had enough. So he left his home and walked right into the Mississippi River.


They later found his body.


While attending the Day of Service in New Orleans East yesterday, one woman who has since returned admitted to "having some problems" in the wake of Katrina, and continues to "deal with it as best she can."


A reality of post-Katrina is that mental illness and depression is a critical issue that is underserved. We often associate post-traumatic stress with people who have been in war, but the hell that folks went through in the days after Hurricane Katrina was devastating. Even the most strong willed person would have been challenged to deal with. And unfortunately, African Americans often trivialize mental illness.


While we examine the true nature of the physical costs in rebuilding this city, we should be careful not to overlook the mental, which if left untreated, could impact this city for decades.

8.29.07 Quote of the Day

"The 'forgetting of race'...will not become a reality by rendering black life invisible...in a way that denies their humanity and tells them taht their 350 years of history and life in America count for nothing. Inequality breeds distrust, resentment, and contempt. To sit down together at the great table of brotherhood in peace and comfort, we must do it as equal partners, not as dominant and submissive."


Clarence Page, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, Chicago Tribune


Source: "And don't call me a racist!" A treasury of quotes on the past, present, and future of the color line in America. Selected and arranged by Ella Mazel

Fight for New Orleans, Gulf Coast. What's the fight?

NEW ORLEANS - I've been in New Orleans for less than 24 hours, and as I go about the Big Easy, frankly, the city is uneasy.


Lots of people have flocked to the city on the eve of the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Policy makers, activists, organization heads and politicians from across the nation are holding panels, strategy sessions, rallies, candlelight vigils, trying to advance their plan or agenda for the rebuilding of this city and region.


In fact, as I type, I'm sitting in Lawless Chapel on the campus of Dillard University at a session by the Gulf Coast Collaborative for Recovery and Renewal. It is entitled, ""Recovery and Renewal for Gulf Coast Working Families: A Strategic Legislative Dialogue with Congressional Leaders."


Again, it is one of many.


About an hour ago, I was in New Orleans East, standing in the middle of a street that community organizers were helping to rebuild after it was decimated two years ago by the flood waters.


But something is gnawing at me. And it has bothered me in the hours after Katrina hit, and even today.


What exactly is the agenda that we should be advancing on behalf of the city, and the Gulf Coast?


So many people have asked African Americans and others concerned with the plight of the city to call their member of Congress and to tell them to do something to fix New Orleans and the affected cities in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.


Fine. But exactly what are we asking for?


Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. has called for a plan. Rev. Al Sharpton has called for a plan of action. Marc Morial of the National Urban League, former mayor of New Orleans, has demanded a plan. The NAACP, SCLC, and nearly every other organization has screamed, stomped their feet and demanded something - anything - happen.


Fine. So what is the plan we can all agree on?


It's hard for me to write a column, speak on TV, call on my radio listeners and the folks who read this blog on Essence.com to do something when there is no consensus.


Folks, one of the most underappreciated aspects of the Civil Rights Movement was the amazing ability to take the action on the streets and to make it a reality in the corridors of power.


In order for New Orleans to return to normal, or in fact, be better than it was before, than the grassroots organizers and civil rights organizations are going to have to stop running their mouths and say clearly and effectively, this is the plan.


Melanie Campbell, CEO of the National Coalition of Black Civic Participation, has joined with many to advocate a Marshall Plan for the Gulf Coast, mirroring the massive rebuilding effort that transformed Europe after World War II.


What we need, though, is a concrete plan - in hand - that people can rally around.


New Orleans needs help. The Gulf Coast needs help. But the people who are willing to put their voice behind the effort also need some help, and that must be something tangible that they can hold up and say, "This is it!"


Otherwise, all we're doing is spinning our wheels and asking someone else to determine our destiny. And that is a recipe for disaster.

8.28.07 Quote of the Day

"The Army was living the democratic ideal ahead of the rest of America. Beginning in the fifties, less discrimination, a true merit system, and leveler playing fields existed inside the gates of our military posts than in any Southern city hall or Northern corporation. The Army, therefore, made it easier for me to love my country, with all its flaws, and to serve her with all my heart."
Colin Powell, four-star general, former Secretary of State
Source: "And don't call me a racist!" A treasury of quotes on the past, present, and future of the color line in America. Selected and arranged by Ella Mazel

Bush should tap Thompson as 1st Black attorney general

Now that Alberto Gonzales has finally jumped ship, President George W. Bush is in a tough position.


He needs to fight back charges from Democrats that the Justice Department has no credibility, and of course, he must give Republicans some hope that he has someone in mind who they can rally behind.


One name that would be a win-win: Larry Thompson.


Thompson served as deputy attorney general of the United States from January 2001 until August 2003, and was widely seen as a comforting presence considering the volatile John Ashcroft was sitting in the top spot. He left for a big corporate gig at Pepsico as senior vice president and general counsel.


Not only is he seen as a moderate, Thompson was widely respected when he was the top U.S. attorney for the northern District of Georgia. Democrats and Republicans both like him, and that’s a good thing today.


Another plus? He’s African American.


Sure, people should be appointed based on qualifications, but he has that. His race is an added element.


First, Thompson would be the first African American to serve as attorney general, and Bush has already had a couple of firsts (Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice as Secretary of State). Second, Bush would get someone who he already knows, and can trust to get through what some are already calling a tough confirmation hearing.


Thompson may have been making the big bucks in the private sector, but he surely wouldn’t pass up the chance at making history, and helping a president in desperate need of some good news.

Photo: AP

Paris, now Mike, finds Jesus!

Can somebody please stand up for the Lord BEFORE they get into trouble?!


Michael Vick gave a news conference today where he spoke to the media after he pleaded guilty in a Virginia federal courtroom. He apologized for dogfighting, and said through the ideal he found Jesus.


The Bible says the angels in heaven rejoice when one person commits themselves to Christ, and that's a good thing. But please, can people find da Lawd before heading to jail?


Remember Paris Hilton talking to Larry King? My goodness! She talked about Jesus and reading the Bible, but when Larry asked her about a favorite Bible verse, she looked like a deer in headlights.


Anytime someone gets convicted, they tell the judge that they have found Jesus and are trying to get in touch with their spiritual side. I worked with a guy at a radio station in Dallas who was picked up for being a serial rapist, and in his trial, he wore a HUGE cross. Well, the DNA evidence they had against him was huge as well, and they sent his butt to the slammer for several rapes.


I'm not trying to trivialize a person's relationship with God, but don't you get the sense that some folks are pimping God for the purpose of getting some mercy? Trust me, I'm trying REALLY hard not to think that of Vick, but clearly God wasn't with you when you killed dogs because they weren't fighting well (Then again, Prophetess Juanita Bynum's husband, Bishop Thomas Weeks III, told his congregation Sunday the devil was in their marriage. So God was there, but the devil was there co-signing).


So, for all of you who are acting a fool - or if you know someone acting a fool - please, give your life to Christ. NOW. It feels so much better to know Jesus when you're not locked up behind bars.

First Bynum, now Paula White headed to divorce court

Many folks were stunned last week to hear about the allegations of the estranged husband Prophetess Juanita Bynum physically assaulting her in an Atlanta parking lot as they tried to reconcile their marriage.


Yet thousands of miles to the south, another prominent female minister stood with her husband before a stunned congregation and announced that their nearly 18-year marriage was over.


Pastor Paula White, who, along with her husband, Randy, built The Without Walls International Church of Tampa, Fla. into a 22,000-member body, decided to go public with their decision, citing their lives moving in different directions.


Randy White announced that his wife would continue to preach to the congregation from time to time, but the news is stunning considering both Bynum and White have often spoken about the healing of broken relationships and the importance of marriage.


The fact that these two high-profile marriages are over (Bishop Thomas Weeks III claims he and Bynum will get back together. Bruh's delusional after that beat down!) is also a stunning wake-up call for so many people.


On one hand, some have suggested that in the case of Bynum and Weeks, having a woman pastor overshadow her husband played a large role in the demise of their five-year marriage. In the case of the Whites, they said they have been in counseling for the last several years, and that their lives are just not in one accord.


Paula White is a nationally sought after speaker, and spends a lot of her time in New York putting on her various conferences, and recently entered into a ministerial partnership with an expanding church in San Antonio, Texas.


Randy White was looking at launching another church in California, but that appears to be on hold.


My wife, an ordained minister, sent me an email asking if I knew about the divorce announcemenet last night. I quickly jumped on the net to get the skinny. But as I thought about the Whites demise I had to get her thoughts.


And both of us arrived at the same conclusion: If the marriage of the Whites was one sanctioned by God, and the Word says that what God put together, let no man get in between, suffice to say that their marriage ending is a result of their own decisions.


And I'm sorry folks, that is not of God.


This is really part of the problem with most divorces. Instead of Godly people being selfless, instead, we become selfish. Look, I've been there. I sat in my pastor's office and listened to my first wife talk about not watering the plants and other silly stuff, and I was like, "Is this the best you can do?"


Marriage is not about having a single attitude. It is about the both of us. And people who are in ministry need to understand that you can't be married to the ministry. In fact, Paul writes in the Bible that a single person is married to the Lord. A married person's top ministry is their husband and wife. And if the ministry is getting in the way of the marriage, then we should take a rest from the ministry.


How can you feed the soul of others when yours is starving? It's difficult to carry the burden of so much ministry work when your main ministry is troubled. I have seen countless pastors put their children, wives and husbands on hold for the sake of ministry, and that is offensive and unGodly. You can't preach to someone else to stop their foolishness if you are caught up in the drama of doing "God's work."


Again, we don't know what is at the root of the problems between Bynum and their spouses. My suggestion: Forget about the churches, conferences, packed speaking schedules, books, CDs and all of that. And deal with your marriages. The Word says that God hates divorce. So why should ministers of the Gospel accept it?

8.27.07 Quote of the Day

"Music, dance, religion do not have artifacts as their end products, so they were saved. These nonmaterial aspects of African culure were impossible to eradicate. And these are the most important legacies of the African past, even to the contempoary Black American blues, jazz, and the adaption of the Christian religion, all rely hevily on African culture."


Amiri Baraka, poet and writer


Source: African American Quotations by Richard Newman (Checkmark Books)

8.26.07 Quote of the Day

"Afro-American stuies is an academic department. It is not a place for ethnic cheerleading; it is not a place for a 12-step recovery program to restore your sense of dignity. It is a place where one studies an academic discipline in a fashion as rigorous as the study of mathematics or physics, Eglish or history."


Henry Louis "Skip" Gates Jr., scholar and critic, Harvard University


Source: African American Quotations by Richard Newman (Checkmark Books)

8.25.07 Quote of the Day

"Africa is herself a mother. The mother of mankind."
Maya Angelou, novelist and poet
Source: African American Quotations by Richard Newman (Checkmark Books)

Jakes offers prayers for Bynum

Prophetess Juanita Bynum rocketed to national fame by virtue of her participation in conferences hosted by Bishop T.D. Jakes.

Now in the wake of her much publicized fight with her husband, Bishop Thomas Weeks III, Jakes had this to say regarding the matter: "As he would with any family in crisis, Bishop sends his prayers," Curtis Coats, spokesman for Bishop T.D. Jakes, emailed to me this morning.

In the latest development, Weeks turned himself into authorities today.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that he plans on continuing as pastor of the ministry Weeks and Bynum founded, Global Destiny Church in Duluth, Ga.

Only man can end domestic violence

Any time we hear cases of domestic violence, in nearly every case it's the man who is the aggressor and the woman who is the victim.


And nearly everyone likely has a family member or friend who has been the victim of this vicious abuse.


So why does it continue? Namely, because men have stopped being men and putting their brethren in check for their aggressive behavior.


How can someone call themselves a man and knowingly sit in the company of another man who gets physical with his woman?


Whenever we hear the stories of domestic violence, it's always women who are leading the charge. Look at the head of a woman's shelter, and it's likely a woman beating the drum. When it comes to raising funds to aid such venues, it's women serving as the driving force behind it.


This is where real men can stand up. This is an issue where real men can say, "Hey, I'm not like him. I don't gain pleasure out of striking a woman. In fact, I want to see it end."


Instead of always focusing our attention on the EFFECT of domestic violence - the woman - let's look at the CAUSE - the man. Let's deal with him, his anger issues, the need to solve his relational concerns by striking someone with his fist.


Domestic violence is largely a private issue, only showing up on the radar when someone pays a visit to the emergency room or we get a glimpse of their bruised back in the shower at the health club.


Mothers - especially single ones - you need to teach your sons that this is not how disputes are handled. If you even catch your son verbally abusing his girlfriend, check him on the spot. If you don't it could get worse.


But also let his dad know that he must do the same. Tell Uncle Ro Ro. Tell a male cousin.


Men respond differently when checked by men. And this is one issue where we need to do more. To stop domestic violence, don't send a woman to do a man's job.

8.24.07 Quote of the Day

"White Anglo-Saxon males have felt inferior as a result of their centuries of 'affirmative action' and quotas in jobs from which Jews, racial minorities, and women were excluded and too often still are."


Marian Wright Edelman, founder, Children's Defense Fund


Source: African American Quotations by Richard Newman (Checkmark Books)

Bynum's husband wanted by Atlanta police

The Atlanta Police Department have issued arrest warrants for the husband of Dr. Juanita Bynum, who allegedly assaulted her in an Atlanta hotel parking lot early this morning.


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting on its website that "Thomas W. Weeks III is charged with one count of aggravated assault and one count of terrorist threats against Bynum,'" according to police spokesman Ronald Campbell. The spokesman said Weeks, a minister, had not been arrested."


Police said the two met at the Renaissance Concourse Hotel restaurant in order to salvage their marriage, but that it turned in a different direction by the time they reached the parking lot.


"He began to choke her, he pushed her down and started kicking on her and stomping her," Campbell said, according to the AJC. "The bellman of the hotel actually witnessed the incident and pulled Mr. Weeks off of her."


Campbell said she was "bruised up and battered," and had "purple bruising around her neck and upper torso."

Statement from Dr. Juanita Bynum

The following statement was released today by Flow Records, the record label of Dr. Juanita Bynum:


“I am currently recovering from all of my injuries and resting well. There are so many great things happening for me in my future, and so much to look foward to concerning my destiny, this too shall pass.


"The bible says in Proverbs 4:25 'Let your eyes look right on with fixed purpose and let
your gaze be straight before you.'


"Thank you for your concern and please continue to pray for my recovery!"

Statement from Dr. Juanita Bynum

The following statement was released today by Flow Records, the record label of Dr. Juanita Bynum:

“I am currently recovering from all of my injuries and resting well. There are so many great things happening for me in my future, and so much to look foward to concerning my destiny, this too shall pass.

"The bible says in Proverbs 4:25 'Let your eyes look right on with fixed purpose and let
your gaze be straight before you.'

"Thank you for your concern and please continue to pray for my recovery!"

Bynum will file assault charges against husband

Less than 12 hours after police say she was beaten in an Atlanta parking lot by her estranged husband, Prophetess Juanita Bynum will file charges against him.


The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting on its website that Bynum has been whisked away by family and is at an undiclosed location. But they say she has indicated she will file charges against the Rev. Thomas Weeks III, whom she married in 2002 in a lavish wedding in New York City.


The AJC says police were not able to take any photos of the bruises Bynum suffered, but were provided some by Bynum's sister.


Also, no word on what's to happen with the church the two pastor, Global Destiny International Center, in Duluth, Ga. The AJC called the church this morning, and the phones were temporarily disconnected.


Weeks hasn't made any public comment regarding the allegations of abuse, which police say was witnessed by a bellman at the hotel where Weeks and Bynum had dinner to try to reconcile their marital differences.

Report: Juanita Bynum beat up by husband

Prophetess Juanita Bynum often speaks to women about healing old wounds. This morning, she is having to heal herself after allegedly being physically assaulted by her estranged husband.


According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Bynum and her husband, the Rev. Thomas W. Weeks III, met in an Atlanta parking lot early Wednesday morning to try to resolve the differences in their marriage.


But around 4 a.m. it got physical, according to the AJC, "until a bellman at the hotel pulled Bynum's husband off her, Officer Ronald Campbell said.


"'She was bruised up and battered," Campbell said. "She had purple bruising around her neck and upper torso.'"


Police say Weeks left the scene and no charges have been filed against him.


The news of a fight between a prominent evangelist and her minister husband will surely cause gasps among the multitude of women who see Bynum as a voice of inspiration, but it also speaks to the reality that women are the victims of domestic violence, no matter how holy and no matter how much money they have.


It pained me to read this story because I can't stand a punk man that puts his hands on a woman. This is one issue that will cause my blood pressure to go up 50 points!


We don't know what led to Bynum and her husband throwing down in the parking lot. We don't know what was said. But that doesn't matter. Unless it is truly self-defense and my life is in danger, there is nothing - NOTHING - that will cause me to haul off and hit a woman. It's better to walk off and regroup later.


It's critical that we confront the massive domestic abuse in our community. We love to overlook this issue by saying, "That's not my business."


I disagree.


When my sister fled to my home in Texas with her daughters, 5 and 2, with nothing but backpacks, then domestic violence was my problem. Nurturing and caring for them became my issue, and that of my family.


See, on the outside, all looks well. On the inside, though, women are living in pure hell.


Our position must be clear: Zero tolerance. Mothers must confront their sons and their anger. Fathers must stop being sperm donors who disrespect women because the son is looking at him and determining that's how women should be treated.


In this case, folks, silence is not golden. It can be deadly.

8.23.07 Quote of the Day

"When you are in adversity for conscience's sake, you are not alone."


Peter J. Gomes, pastor, The Memorial Church, Boston, Mass.


Source: African American Quotations by Richard Newman (Checkmark Books)

8.22.07 Quote of the Day

"I refuse to let my personal success, as part of a fraction of one percent of the Negro people, explain away the injustices to 14 million of my people...I fight for the right of the Negro people...to have decent homes, decent jobs, and the dignity that belongs to every human being."


Paul Robeson, 1949


Source: "And don't call me a racist!" A treasury of quotes on the past, present, and future of the color line in America. Selected and arranged by Ella Mazel

O, shut up about OT for Oprah assistant

There are some stupid stories in the news every day, and one of the dumbest stories is the so-called OT scandal at the Oprah Winfrey Show.

The New York Post reported in one of its gossip columns last week that Carla Bird earned $32,000 in overtime over a four-month period working as the assistant for co-executive producer Lisa Erspamer.

I saw the story and pretty much blew it off.

But what set me off about the story was the Chicago Sun-Times running a photo of this young woman in this morning's paper. Not just in the paper. ON THE FRONT PAGE!


The lead story today is one of former Illinois Gov. George Ryan having his conviction for corruption upheld by an appeals court. Above him? A photo of this woman with the headline, "Oprah's OT Queen."


What angers me is the fact that she is being ripped for working! An insider is ticked about her getting the OT, but hey, if Oprah is fine with, who cares?!

This is the letter I wrote to the top editors at the Chicago Sun-Times:

"Folks, I will fiercely protect the editorial independence of the news media, but today's front page is offensive and intrusive.

Why in the world would you run a photo of a woman who simply did her job on the front page of the paper? Is she a city employee? No. Is she a state employee? No. Is she a federal employee? No. Was she sued for negligence? No. Was she accused of wrongdoing? No. She was given $32K in overtime.

So explain why you would put her picture on the front page? Is it because the NY Post reported the story first?

Here is a photo of a woman who did her job on the same front page as an elected official convicted of corruption. How would you feel if you woke up and saw your photo connected with a felon? That is downright offensive.

When my listeners complained about your covers of Diann Burns and her lawsuit, my attitude was it was a lawsuit, it's a public document, she's a public figure, and that's your call. Folks got mad about the mother of Brian Urlacher's son on the front page. I said, fine, he's a public figure, this is a public spat, it's a legal battle, fine.

But how is this woman a public figure?

This was an exercise in bad editorial judgment, and you owe Carla Bird an apology. Her picture did not deserve to be splashed on the front page for thousands of citizens across this city, and with the Internet, across the world."

If you want to email the top editors, click here to do so.

Today's David vs. Goliath? Faith against sex, greed

I've heard thousands of sermons over the years, and a ton of them were about sex and money (or substitute: lust and greed). It's as if the two issues are synonymous, and in a way, they are.


Find peace with what you have, advises Roland S. Martin.


I can't think of any two other topics that dominate the focus of the three major religions -- Judaism, Islam and Christianity.


It seems that human beings are in a constant battle with the flesh -- money and lust -- as opposed to their spiritual desires.


Now let me be clear: I like money and sex. No, I LOVE money and sex! But what happened to the notion of restraint or doing things within boundaries?


For instance, it's never been my desire to have all of the latest clothes, gadgets and cars. The key is being content with what you have.


I find it mind-boggling that some people will work themselves to death in order to buy a $700 pair of shoes or a leather jacket. A few years ago the New York Times had a story about low-paid assistants starving themselves to buy the "in" handbag. That's dumb.


When I turned 14, my parents bought me and my brother a pair of Jordache jeans and a Polo shirt. Now at the time, Jordache was all the rage in America. It was one of the hippest designer jeans. But I politely asked my parents to return the items and buy me a few pairs of Levis. It made no sense to me to have one pair of jeans when I could buy three for the same price!


Call me "old school," but I also don't understand why you would spend $200 for a pair of Nikes. Now, if you have the means -- meaning your house note, car, life insurance and light bills have been paid -- then go right ahead. But, really, what's the difference between a $200 and $50 pair of sneakers? The box?


We all want to make enough money so we don't have to pinch pennies. But when we cross the line into greed, when no amount of money is enough, when we keep pushing and pushing till we're willing to sacrifice our integrity for a buck, then we all have a big problem.


And that's also what people of faith preach about sex.


There's an "inner voice" in most of us that says sleeping with multiple partners isn't healthy. (But are you listening?) It may make you feel good physically. But there's an underlying problem with that kind of behavior, and that's what you really want to address.


Last year, my ordained minister wife and I held a workshop at a marriage conference. I made the point to the few men in the room (that's another story!) that I don't want to work all day and then dream about bedding Halle Berry, Salma Hayek or some other starlet. God has blessed me with a gorgeous wife, and she should be the one that I desire.


That requires both of us to see each other as sexually appealing, and not just say, "Oh, well, that's my wife or husband." Dismissing your partner is never a good thing.

But people of faith are also going to have to stop being so rigid when it comes to sex and money. Don't label me "greedy" because I make a good living. If I earn $1 million a year, and I tithe 10 percent (or $100,000), what is the problem? If someone's heart is in the right place, making them feel bad about getting paid and living well is counterproductive.

We should also stop this nonsense about admonishing open discussion of sex. If your religious convictions tell you that sex is off limits before marriage, that's fine and good. But that doesn't mean you can't talk about this wonderful creation of God, Allah, Yahweh. So many people are confused when it comes to sex because we don't want to discuss it.


When churches, mosques and synagogues engage in healthy dialogue about sex and money, we are all better off for it. But when they force the issue underground, it allows non-spiritual forces to gain a foothold. That's why we have a culture that promotes promiscuity and materialism.


Roland S. Martin is a nationally award-winning, multifaceted journalist and CNN contributor. Martin is studying to receive his master's degree in Christian Communications at Louisiana Baptist University, and is the author of "Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith." You can read more of his columns at www.rolandsmartin.com.

8.21.07 Quote of the Day

"Few, if any, survive their teens. Most surrender to the vague but murderous pressure of adult conformity."

Maya Angelou, novelist and poet

Source: African American Quotations by Richard Newman (Checkmark Books)

Michael Vick pleads guilty to dogfighting

Statement from his attorney, Bill Martin, to CNN:

”After consulting with his family over the weekend..Michael Vick asks that I announce today that he has reached an agreement with Federal Prosecutors regarding the charges pending against him.

"Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his action and the mistakes he has made.

“Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter.

"The legal team and Mr. Vick will appear in court in Richmond on August 27th.”

Church lets sexual molesting pastor back into the pulpit

As a Christian, I believe in forgiveness.

But when when it comes to a pastor sexually molesting underage girls, trust me, he will never see the pulpit again!

The folks at a southern Baptist church in the Chicago suburb of Romeoville disagree with me.

Knowing full well about the past history of Jeff Hannah - he was convicted of molesting four teenage girls in 1996 and was sent to prison - the church welcomed him with open arms, allowing him to fill in for their pastor when he left.

Then when a new pastor was hired, he gave Fuller even more duties!

The Chicago Sun-Times reported all of this in today's edition. But what was even more nuts was that the church was up in arms over the divorce of its pastor, Rev. Charles Hamby. He caught heat for re-marrying, and eventually resigned along with Hannah.

All crimes are heinous, but I'm sorry, I have no love for this guy. Yes, he should be able to work. Yet the role of a pastor is too important for such a man to stand before the congregation. Not only that, I wouldn't want him around the youth minstry or choir! He says he's had no urges since he was paroled in 2001, but once you go down that path, you can do it again.

Simple question to you: Should a pastor who has sexually molested four teenage girls be allowed back in the pulpit?

8.20.07 Quote of the Day

"My God, what do we want? What does any human being want? Take away an accident of pigmentation of a thin layer of our outer skin and there is no difference between me and anyone else. All we want is for that trivial difference to make no difference."
Shirley Chisholm, 1970
Source: "And don't call me a racist!" A treasury of quotes on the past, present, and future of the color line in America. Selected and arranged by Ella Mazel

CNN’s Roland Martin Hosts “God, Sex and Greed” on Monday!

Excerpt of CNN’s God’s Warriors to air during special

CNN’s Roland Martin tackles the issue of some societies’ insatiable appetite for money, lust and power in an hour-long special airing at 8 p.m. (ET) on Monday, Aug. 20, “God, Sex and Greed” leading up to the premiere of CNN’s God’s Warriors on airing Tuesday, Aug. 22 through Thursday Aug. 24 from 9 p.m. to 11p.m. (ET).

Martin will explore whether or not modern society is caught up in such lust and greed that eclipses its spirituality with diverse guests including Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, Author Irshad Manji, Dr. Al Mohler of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Dr. Michael Eric Dyson. Martin will examine the decadent trappings of American society and the historic role of religion in our culture. Hedge fund manager Timothy Sykes along with adult film star Savanna Samson will provide their unique perspective on society’s views of greed and sexuality.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

8.19.07 Quote of the Day

"It's better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and be prepared."

Whitney Young, the late president and CEO, National Urban League

Source: "The Soul of Success" by Janet Cheatham Bell

8.18.07 Quote of the Day

"You cannot be successful and continue to be a victim."

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.)

Source: "The Soul of Success" by Janet Cheatham Bell

Vick running out of options

NFL players have long complained about training camp, not happy with having to live in a dorm, eat with the other players and abide a strict set of rules.

Very soon, Atlanta Falcons Michael Vick will be wishing for those days.

Instead of tossing a football around the practice field with his Atlanta Falcons teammates, Vick will be spending an hour or two a day in the yard with a group of guys he would prefer not to know.

Vick is holed up with his expensive legal team, trying his best to wrangle as few months out of a dogged U.S. Attorney's Office that wants to see his butt in jail over his participation in a dogfighting ring.

He was given a deadline of 9 a.m. EST to accept a plea deal that would minimize his jail time. As of yet, no decision has been announced.

But the fellas his from crew were in court today to plead guilty to their involvement with Bad Newz Kennels, the dogfighting group prosecutors say Vick helped found, finance and run.

Purnell Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach and Quanis Phillips, 28, of Atlanta stepped up the mic in a Virginia federal courthouse today and pleaded guilty to their involvement, and agreed to assist prosecutors in their case against their boy, Vick. Tony Taylor of Hampton, Va. pleaded last month.

Now we await to see what the $130 million man will do. He's guaranteed to go to jail, lose his NFL contract, get punished by the league, and severely damage his future playing status.

Dumb, dumb, dumb.

8.17.06 Quote of the Day

"Knowledge can be obtained (even) under difficulties."

Frederick Douglass.

Source: "The Soul of Success: Inspiring Quotations for Entrepreneurs" by Janet Cheatham Bell, editor of Famous Black Quotations

Morehouse men are hot!

Don't even trip. A bruh don't roll that way!

But according to Newsweek magazine and Kaplan Test Prep and Admission, the men of Morehouse have the hottest men's campus in the nation.

They are one of 25 schools on the Hottest Schools in America list.

Of course, the legend of the Morehouse man goes back years. With grads like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Spike Lee, Lerone Bennett, Samuel Jackson, Julian Bond, and Maynard Jackson, there's no reason for the school to not be highly ranked.

A lot of these lists are often blown off, but for HBCU's, it's critically important. A few years back when FAMU was ranked on the U.S. News and World Report list, that led to all kinds of coverage nationally, thus, raising the profile of the college.

Congrats to the men of Morehouse, and keep holding up the light.

Racists hate to be confronted

I get email from all kinds of folks. Some like what I have to say; others don't.

So yesterday, I got another racist email. I usually laugh off these fools. But this one guy was a flat out trip. He was angry with my appearance on Anderson Cooper's show on CNN, AC 360, discussing the Don Imus settlement case.

Here is what I received:

"Hey n----r you need to shut your mouth about Don Imus. You can set your fat a-- on CNN and blow some s--- and give your opinion,and you know what we don't care. There are us americans that don't care what you people on journalism say or think f--. I'm a racist by choice, and that's it boo. I know you and other people would like to get rid of us,but that will never happen because there will always be more of us rednecks then you, hahahahhahaha. you are all so stupid. Get a real job b---h."

The email came at 9:50 p.m. So, realizing that the extension was an actual website, I decided to visit it.

Guess what? They had a phone number. But not just a phone number, but the cell number of a Mark Hall!

So I called it. He answered, and proceeded to hem and haw, saying he never sent the email. I said, "Well, someone must have. Did they hijack your email?"

He danced and danced, and then hung up.

I started laughing my butt off. So I called him back!

"Did you hang up?"

"Oh, no, my coverage is dropping out."

So I hit him up again, and he couldn't answer anything. I told the idiot that if he wanted to talk, let's talk!

Nary a peep.

See, that's what happens when bigots send you email. They hide behind it, thinking you will never call them on it.

I also sent a couple of replies. Nothing was sent back.

8.16.07 Quote of the Day

"He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life."

Muhammad Ali, boxing champion

Source: "African American Quotations" by Richard Newman (Checkmark Books)

Rutgers ballplayer wants Imus' spare change

A Rutgers women's basketball player has filed a lawsuit against Don Imus, claiming the former radio jock defamed her when he remarked that the team was a bunch of "nappy-headed hos" in April.

Kim Vaughn hasn't disclosed how much she is suing for, but she has slapped Imus, CBS Radio and NBC with the suit, filed on the same day he settled with CBS for $20 million after they terminated him after a national outcry.

Others named in the suit include Viacom, CBS Corp., Westwood One Radio and the longtime sidekick of Imus, Bernard McGuirk.

Incredibly, her attorney, Richard Ancowitz, told Anderson Cooper on CNN's AC 360 that it was a coincidence that the suit was filed on the same day CBS settled with Imus.

A few legal scholars say it will be tough for Vaughn to win. But hey, Imus has an extra $20 million laying around. Why not try to grab a piece?

Imus got paid, but there was some good in his firing

Don Imus got his $20 million settlement from CBS, and now he's free to get another radio gig.

On the surface, he got off easy, and the rest of us got screwed.

Not completely true.

There was no doubt he was going to be back on the radio. as Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin made clear, Imus makes his employer a ton of money, and corporate America don't care how that gets done.

But the firing of Imus by MSNBC and CBS certainly did force a national conversation of what is good and bad to say on the public's airwaves, and caused other DJ's to carefully monitor what they say.

Second, we saw a serious focus on the degradation of rap music, an effort Essence Magazine has led the way on. Imus's comments were downright sexist, first, and then racist. To not examine hip-hop would have been hypocritical, and it was right.

Third, the firing of Imus caused NBC to some serious soul searching, and the network began - and continues - a top-to-bottom assessment of its commitment to diversity. Two African Americans - Mark Whitaker and Lyne Pitts - were appointed to top posts at the network, and Paula Madison was elevated to the parent company's top diversity position. Call these minor appointments, that's up to you. But the network's moves will benefit people of color down the road, and that is a good thing.

Unfortunately, CBS has done nothing of the sort. Barbara Ciara, the newly elected president of the National Association of Black Journalists, said the relationship between NBC and CBS remains frosty, quoting NBC Chief Steve Capus as saying CBS officials told him that had not NBC fired Imus, the issue wouldn't have gone to the next level. She also said CBS promised to turn over their minority employment numbers in the wake of the Imus scandal, but to date, has yet to do so.

But YOU should be proud. YOU forced Imus off air. YOU forced NBC and CBS to act accordingly. YOU forced the advertisers to act accordingly. Feel proud that your actions made it all happen. So let's show that same force of action on other issues affecting our community.

8.15.07 Quote of the Day

"No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helps you."

Althea Gibson, first Black woman to win Wimbledon

Source: African American Quotations by Richard Newman (Checkmark Books)

New Orleans must end corruption for others to keep the faith

There is nothing worst than trying to fight for someone and all they keep doing is screwing up.

That's the feeling I keep getting when it comes to the city of New Orleans.

Nearly two years after the city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, it has yet to fully comeback. Trash is piled up. Areas that were destroyed still look the same as they did the week after. And patience is running thin with the city's politicians, who spend far more time bickering, as opposed to offering a plan of action.

Now comes the plea bargain of Oliver M. Thomas Jr., the vice president of the city's council, to charges of accepting $19,000 in bribes and kickbacks five years ago from a local businessman.

That's right, the guy has thrown his career away - and heads to federal prison - over a measly $19K.

In the aftermath of the hurricane, Thomas was a voice of reason - not necessarily the rage put forth by Mayor Ray Nagin. Many considered him to be the leading candidate to take over the city's top spot in 2010, and he was a beacon of hope for those frustrated with the lack of movement.

But it's even more difficult for the city's ardent supporters who are working the phones and pressing elected officials, business leaders and grassroots activists all over the nation to not forget the city.

A massive effort to drive thousands to the city on Aug. 29 - the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina - is underway, and this makes those efforts harder.

If you had to choose the most corrupt city, New Orleans would rank right up there with Chicago. Both have seen a steady stream of city officials over the years head straight for prison.

Here's how the New York Times described the city:

"In June, the former president of the school board admitted to taking bribes; Representative William J. Jefferson, Democrat of Louisiana and this city’s congressman, was accused by federal authorities of being at the center of a multinational bribery scheme; and a top aide to the former Mayor Marc H. Morial was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for his role in a plot to skim $1 million from a city contract.

"Some 30 school system employees have been indicted."

New Orleans will never be able to maximize the nation's resources if the culture of corruption is allowed to continue. No one wants to throw money down the drain. Or, in the case of New Orleans, in the deep pockets of its elected officials.

Stop trippin'! President Bill Clinton is a white man

Folks, enough is enough.

Ever since Toni Morrison made that dumb as hell comment about Bill Clinton being our first Black president, everybody wants to get in on the act.

Comedians have worked it into their routines. Others have tossed it out in their speeches. Now his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, is getting in on the act, joking with a group of Black columnists that she’s in an “interracial” marriage.

After she spoke Thursday at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in Las Vegas, Clinton met with The Trotter Group, an organization of Black columnists.

She was asked by Eugene Kane of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel about her sounding Black during a speech in Alabama commemorating the march over the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

According to an email I got from Richard Prince, who was in the room, “She explained that she was reading something written in dialect, and added, "I do find myself, because I lived in Arkansas and I'm in an interracial marriage – I'm not trying to do anything. I find myself dropping g's and kinda talking (like) the people who were there."

I asked Richard how folks responded, and he said, “I think most people laughed or smiled.”

Give me a break.

Call me too sensitive. Say I can’t take a joke. Fine, I’m just not buying this nonsense.

Clinton is not married to a Black guy. She’s hooked up with a white Southerner. That’s a fact. And we do ourselves a disservice when we keep this charade up.

On CNN Headline News today discussing Michelle Obama's 'black enough' statement

Hey, folks!

I'll be on CNN Headline News at 5 pm EST today to discuss Michelle Obama's comments at a South Side "Women for Obama" rally. She addressed this whole black enough question.

Her response? "Stop that nonsense." Read the story here.

And you know I'm in 100% agreement!

White men need to 'wake up'!

LAS VEGAS - Diversity used to be an important word in corporate America. But now that has turned into an albatross around the neck of so many that everyone seems to be running from the issue.

But in his acceptance speech for the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Black Journalists, retired CNN anchor, Bernard Shaw - he prefers Bernie - threw down the gauntlet to the mostly white men who run the news business.

"Beyond this ballroom tonight, white males, wake up," Shaw said. "Globally, you are an island speck in an ocean of color."

You could hear a bunch of oohs and aahs from the audience, as well as a few hollering, "Preach!"

But Shaw continued his pointed critique, saying that "the reins of power will weaken and so will your grip — if you do not faithfully support our nation's greatest strength, diversity."

As he talked I could only think of what African leaders once said to the imperialists that ran their country. It wasn't planned, but in the last couple of months I've seen a plethora of movies that shined a light on African's quest for freedom: "Catch A Fire" starring Derek Luke; Djimon Hounsou's "Blood Diamonds"; Don Cheadle in "Hotel Rwanda"; and Eriq Ebouaney, who played an amazing role as the lead character in "Lumumba."

The central thesis was the same: Overcoming those who exercised power over them to control their own fate.

The sense of liberation that Shaw spoke of is important because it is important that those who decide what we see, read and watch are reflective of those doing the watching. And too often, that hasn't been the case.

Much like those who controlled African nations, white males in America media won't give up their power willingly. We must fight, agitate, and be unwilling to back down in the face of adversity.

In the words of the late John H. Johnson, founder of Ebony and Jet, "Failure is not an option."

Obama to black journos: End the ‘black enough’ talk

LAS VEGAS – Sen. Barack Obama has made it clear that he doesn’t like the debate formats, which are all about one-liners and the soundbite.

But up close and personal, it’s easy to see why voters in small towns and communities come out in large numbers to listen to him expound on the issues of the day.

The junior senator from Illinois spoke to the National Association of Black Journalists convention Friday afternoon, and it was clear that he was the main attraction.

The cavernous ballroom was standing room only, a stark contrast to Sen. Hillary Clinton, who spoke to a half-filled room.

Belying his past job as a law professor, “Professor Obama” appeared relaxed and at ease, engaging in a easygoing discussion on a variety of issues – and often joking – with moderator Byron Pitts, a national correspondent for CBS.

There were multiple issues that I could have easily written on, but what stood out was his challenge to black journalists over this whole issue of whether he’s black enough to run for president.

He’s often answered the question by saying they never ask that question when he’s catching a cab in New York – deftly used during the CNN-YouTube debate – but this time he demanded that the group of black journalists themselves are to blame for advancing the issue, and sought for them to offer some critical thinking on the topic.

It was the last question posed by Pitts, and when Obama answered, the room was eerily quiet. Not even the shutters of the cameras – in abundance when he walked in – were going off as he methodically challenged the notion.

Pitts asked what gives Obama home that America is ready for a black president, and Obama suggested that the question had nothing to do with his record as a state senator or U.S. Senator, and not even his work prior to elected office.

Instead, he challenged the view – not often discussed in black America – of a particular mistrust, even calling the question of his blackness “puzzling.”

“What it really dos is really lay bare, I think, that we’re still locked in this notion that if you appeal to white folks then there must be something wrong,” he said, even noting that blacks raise that issue if others go to Ivy League institutions like Harvard.

He challenged black journalists to put the issue out in the open, but also said that the idea of a black man running for president speaks to the fears in the black community.

But as he often does – his book is called “The Audacity of Hope” – he offered a bit for those who are ambivalent or scared of his winning the White House.

“Let’s try. Let’s see. Why defeat ourselves ahead of time? Why say we can’t do something? Let’s take a chance and see if we can.”

Edwards sings new tune on faith and gay marriage opposition

Democratic presidential hopeful is flat out of full of it when he says on one day that it his faith that has led to his opposition to gay marriage. Now, standing before a room of gays and lesbians, he apologizes for that, saying it was wrong, but still is against gay marriage?

Huh?

This is what happens when politicians refuse to be authentic and will say or do anything to get elected.

During the CNN-YouTube debate, a Black pastor from North Carolina asked Edwards why he used his religious position on the issue as the basis for not supporting gay marriage. He provided a long, torturous explanation, he simply said that his Christian faith led him to such a position. That’s not surprising because many Christians hold such a view.

But last night at the debate sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign, same-sex marriage was front and center, and six of the eight candidates were in attendance.

In response to a question regarding his religious views on the issue, Edwards replied: "I shouldn't have said that. We have seen a president in the last six-plus years who has tried to impose his faith on the American people. I will not try to impose my faith belief on the American people."

Why did Edwards apologize? Because during the CNN-YouTube, he said that he’s against gay marriage for religious reasons, but that it wouldn’t interfere with his politics.

On a CNN special I hosted a few days after the CNN-YouTube, I made it clear that Edwards was not being truthful on that. There is no way that your opposition to something based on your faith doesn’t impact your politics. That’s what forms many of our views. There is no doubt that the faith of Edwards also forms the foundation for one of his other core issues: Poverty.

I’ve written on this topic on many occasions, and have made it clear that you have Christians who are moderate want to modify their views to save face and hot be seen as hostile to gays and lesbians. I don’t see it as that way. It’s called a disagreement on the issues.

Now Edwards wants to sing a different tune, and it all boils down to politics.

And this is why Democrats have been assailed by evangelicals. If your faith forms your views, you remain committed and convicted. Otherwise, you’ll stick and move when it’s politically expedient. And that’s exactly what Edwards has done.

Clinton: 'Madam President' sounds good!

LAS VEGAS - Sen. Hillary Clinton spoke for eight minutes in her opening comments, and it didn't take long for her to connect with her audience.

Recognizing that the two female candidates running for president of the National Association of Black Journalists, Clinton referenced them by saying that “however this election turns out, Madam President has a wonderful ring to it."

In an effort to connect with her audience, she also took a moment to recognize the death of Chauncey Bailey, the Oakland Post editor who was gunned down last week, allegedly by followers of a group he was investigating.

Also, she referenced author James Baldwin in her opening presentation.

CNN'S Malveaux to Clinton: 'Are you Black enough?' to be president

LAS VEGAS - CNN White House Correspondent Suzanne Malveaux, who is moderating the session with Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) at the National Assocation of Black Journalists national convention, led off with the question of "Are you Black enough?"

Prior to this session, NABJ held a panel where the question came up as to whether her challenger, Sen. Barack Obama was "Black enough" to run for president.

But Les Payne, the retired Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist from Newsday, asked if Clinton was Black enough to champion the interests of African Americans if she was elected president.

Malveaux thought it was thought provoking and used it to open the Q and A session, elicting laughter and some applause from the audience.

Sen. Hillary Clinton opens speech at NABJ with focus on young Black men

LAS VEGAS - Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) is speaking right now at the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists, and in her opening remarks, she said it's time for America to have a national conversation about the plight of 1.4 million men of color who are in the nation's prison system.

Clinton, the first of two Democratic candidates to speak at the convention - Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) will speak tomorrow - said that is a national crisis that needs to be addressed.

"That's the conversation that I want to have," she said, "it's a conversation that I believe in."

10 years later: Don’t let Rudy forget Abner Louima

LAS VEGAS – As the presidential candidates travel the country to tell voters what they will do elected as commander-in-chief, all of them are touting their experience, none more so than former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

He is riding the terrorism thing, telling all that he is the man for the GOP to fight the terrorists that are trying to harm America.

Black folks in New York knew all about terrorism during Giuliani’s mayoral tenure.

African Americans were under assault by the New York Police Department, and no case illustrates that more than the vicious assault of Abner Louima 10 years ago today.

Louima, a Haitian immigrant, was being a Good Samaritan when he and others stepped into a fight between two women outside of a New York nightclub. When the cops were called some folks got into it with several officers and a scuffle ensured. Louima was implicated and was taken to the police station, wrongly believed to have thrown a punch.

And that’s when the torture more sadistic than what took place in Iraqi prisons commenced.

He was bound, beaten, kicked, and had a plunger violently plunged down his mouth and up his rectum by several cops, resulting in massive health issues that still affect him today.

Once his story became public, it led to international headlines and protests. Giuliani offered a tepid comment on the issue, essentially supporting the cop, further inflaming tensions.

Several officers involved were convicted, and Louima settled with the city of New York for $8.5 million.

Although this took place 10 years ago, we continue to see cases of injustice when it comes to Blacks and the legal system. Nothing as vicious has happened physically to the Jena (La.) 6, but the prison sentences they are facing as a result of a school fight is just as sickening and outrageous as what happened to Louima.

Make it your mission to remember Abner Louima as you go out today. But don’t let Giuliani revel in his leadership after 9-11 and think that we have forgotten Louima. Police abuse is real and can happen to any of us at any time, even if you are just a Good Samaritan trying to bring peace to a situation.

A tip of the cap to homerun king Barry Bonds

Barry Bonds slammed his 756th career homerun on Tuesday night, eclipsing the record set in 1974 by Hank Aaron.

While the fans in San Francisco were delirious to see Bonds set the record, baseball purists across the nation are up in arms over the record, saying it's tainted because of allegations Bonds used steroids.

Has Bonds EVER tested positive for steroids? No.

Has baseball benefitted from his towering homeruns over the years? Absolutely.

It is downright offensive to watch the assault on Bonds. A lot of that is because he has long been a surly player that never cultivated a relationship with the media. I only have one Bonds encounter, and yea, he was a butt hole, but I won't let that take away from what he has done on the field.

The greatest problem that he faces is that he has been found guilty in the court of public opinion, which is far more difficult than being convicted in a court of law. He is booed every where he goes, and he has been treated like a pariah by the media, and even Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, who has acted like a complete idiot.

Bottom line: Barry Bonds is the greatest player of this generation, and one of the greatest of all-time. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, and for those who continue to rip him for possible use of steroids: Convict him in court, suspend him from baseball with proof.

Other than that, all you are doing is casting aspersions on a true athletic giant.

Action – not more outrage – needed in wake of Newark murders

Three college students are lined up in a Newark, N.J. schoolyard, shot in the back of the head, and the best we get out of the community is outrage?

We don’t need any town hall meetings, summits or commissions. We know WHY this happens. We often know WHO did it. But is often lacking is an answer to the question: WHAT are YOU prepared to do?

And let me go ahead and say it: Don’t bother writing me about how the white man has led brothers to commit these heinous crimes. People make mistakes, of course. But lining three college students against a wall and putting a gun to the back of their heads and pulling the trigger has nothing to do with white folks. Racism is alive and well in America, but there isn’t a white person that has ever made me sell drugs, rape a young girl, or point a gun at another Black person and snuff their life out. This is about the lack of self-respect, and utter self-hatred that permeates our communities. These thugs are doing to Black folks what the Klan could never do: Continually rob us of the best and the brightest.

But do you know what’s going to be the saddest part of all this? The odds are that in two to three weeks, we will return to regularly scheduled programming.

It’s time that Black residents of Newark – and folks in Chicago, St. Louis, New Orleans, Houston, Dallas, Oakland and any other predominantly Black city – organize citizen patrols. Partner with the police by turning in those who are doing wrong. They should be organizing block clubs and handing out clipboards so folks can record the license plates of drug dealers – and users – that destroy the fabric of our communities. It’s time to see residents end this nonsense about not snitching and collectively say, “We’re telling who did it and we don’t care who is listening!”

Black churches in Newark and elsewhere that believe in the power of God should do what the Rev. James Meeks is doing in Chicago’s Roseland community and put prayer teams on EVERY block in that area and pray with residents. But also offer them drug counseling. Put your money and your action where your God is.

Tough love must be mixed with tough talk and tough action.

Enough with news conferences. Enough with spreading the blame. Black communities nationwide are in a crisis, and all we are responding with is righteous indignation.

Turning your head isn’t the answer. Getting off your butt and committing yourself to action
will only do.

So, what are YOU prepared to do?

John Edwards answers Kim Coleman's question

See, folks, if you move fast enough, you can get an answer to your question!

I just finished my 15-minute interview, and got a chance to ask him the question from Kim Coleman of Kensington, MD.

Her question: "After the debacle in the 2000 elections and perhaps even the 2004 election, how do you get people more enthusiasitc about the electoral process?"

JOHN EDWARDS: "I think what people want is, they are tired of, they see what's happening in Washington; they are looking for change. They think the sytem is rigged against them - and it is - they have a reason to believe that. It's Washington lobbyists and all the insiders who run the government of keeping the American people from having their voices from being heard. And that's the reason they get cynical and apathetic and they don't participate. It's a combination of, number one, a candidate for the presidency wh is about change - big change, serious change - who is willing to take these people on. That's what my campaign is; a campaign for change.

"The second part, which is sort of the reference to the 2000 and 2004 elections...My view is we've got to do something about these electronic voting machines, and making sure we are ensuring people's right to register and vote so that we have everyone in America - no matter who you are, where you live or what the color of your skin - has an equal right to register, to vote, and to be sure that their vote is in fact counted. I actually think we ought to use paper ballots, except by Americans with disabilities."

The full interview will air tomorrow on WVON-AM/1690 in Chicago. You can access it at www.wvon.com.

What would you ask prez candidate John Edwards if given the chance?

I know it's short notice, but in two hours, I'm interviewing Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards.

If you had the chance, what would you ask him?

Shoot me your questions - include first name and city - and I'll go through them and if it's good, put it to him!

The interview will air tomorrow on WVON-AM/1690 in Chicago. You can access it at www.wvon.com.

I'll also share it with you tomorrow, and for those who missed it, the link to listen to the podcast! That's right, we're fully interactive!

Enough with the 'Is Obama Black enough?' nonsense

Are Black folks so thoroughly confused that when we have the first serious presidential candidate, we continue to be stuck with having to ask the silly – and yes, downright degrading – question over the blackness of the junior senator from Illinois, Barack Obama?

For the last six months we have seen a litany of intellectuals, columnists, pundits and radio talk show hosts decipher this issue, as if it is really a relevant one.

Oh, you think it’s relevant? How about this: I haven’t heard a single person ask if Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) is woman enough to run for president. You don’t find Catholics wasting precious airtime pontificating about the relevancy of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, even though his position in abortion and gays certainly runs counter to that of the church. And with all the white guys running, no one white is asking if they are white enough for the White House.

This is dumb. No, it’s insulting.

And it’s time that Black America grew up.

For years we have heard our parents preach and preach about the need to stay focused on getting a good education and going to a good school. So we’ve seen a generation of African Americans head to the Ivy League institutions; the state schools that fought to keep us out; and the private schools that refused to admit us, even if some had the money.

Then we were told not to settle for what was given. So, an increasing number of Blacks ran for citywide and countywide positions. Others chose to go even higher and run for statewide office. In the case of L. Douglas Wilder, he became the first African American elected to the governor’s mansion in Virginia. Last year, we saw Deval Patrick, a Harvard-educated PK – project kid! – from the South Side of Chicago be sworn in as governor of Massachusetts.

Since Reconstruction, we’ve seen three African Americans join the U.S. Senate: Edward Brooke, a Republican from Massachusetts in 1966; Carol Moseley Braun, an Illinois Democrat in 1992; and Obama in 2004.

Now, years after seeing blacks like the late Rep. Shirley Chisholm, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Braun and Rev. Al Sharpton (OK, for racial sake, I’ll mention Alan Keyes’ run for the White House) run largely symbolic campaigns – Rev. Jackson did get 7 million votes in 1988 but only 8 percent of the delegates – Obama’s candidacy has legs, and more importantly money.

I knew this would be an issue, so in February, I ran a front page story in the Chicago Defender asking this very question. That was followed up by a three-part series using my syndicated column to lay out the foolishness of the question.

Enough is enough.

There is no litmus test to determine if you are an African American. If you disagree with the policies of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas – and I surely do – he is still a black man. Condoleezza Rice may be in lockstep with President George W. Bush, but the first Black female secretary of state is a Black woman. And yes, Obama may be speaking to mostly white audiences on the campaign trail, but when that U.S. Census form comes to his home, he checks the black box.

So why don’t we accept the reality that he can’t win the presidency by being contained to our black box. He can have an agenda that includes black folks, but he can’t win on a black agenda. You know, so stop trippin’. There is no Black White House. He’s not running for president of Black America. He is seeking the highest office in the land: The U.S. president. The commander-in-chief. The head man (or if Clinton wins, woman) in charge.

Trust me, if he wins, these same idiots who question his blackness will be doing their best to suck up to him, calling him “Brother Obama,” as if they always saw him as one of their own.

Roland S. Martin is a CNN contributor and a talk show host for WVON-AM in Chicago. You can hear “The Roland S. Martin Show” from 6 am to 9 am CST daily at www.wvon.com. You can also catch Roland Martin’s Perspective daily on TV One Cable Network; and his columns are syndicated weekly by Creators Syndicate.