by Duchess Harris
On Friday September 17, The Washington Post reported that “Black Scholars [were] to debate how to hold Obama ‘accountable.’ I was fortunate enough to be one of several Shirley Chisholm Presidential Accountability Commissioners to engage in this dialogue at the 40th Legislative Annual Congressional Black Caucus Conference.
To give some background, in 2008 at its State of the Black World Conference in New Orleans, the Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW) announced a new initiative: the Shirley Chisholm Presidential Accountability Commission (SCPAC), named in honor of the first black woman elected to Congress and the first black woman to seek the Democratic nomination for president.
Richard Adams, Chairman of the Board of IBW and Convener of the Commission said:
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by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
I am participating with MSN in a project called "The Invested Life." The program represents the launch of a series of web-based episodes that teach the fundamentals of investing to regular, everyday people. I’ve worked on the show for months, and I’ll be engaged in the project for the rest of the year. It’s been an interesting jump into the world of film making, with scripts, production schedules and all that good stuff. I’ve gained a newfound respect for how hard real actors and actresses actually have to work.
A guest on the show is a man named Winfred. Winfred is a former NFL athlete who found himself done with sports and trying to make sure that his wealth lasted until retirement. He made an interesting point that for many athletes, the challenge of retiring young with virtually no skill set can be a one way ticket to the poor house. As a man who is concerned about the plight of the black athlete, I constantly see men who’ve traded away their entire educational future in exchange for a very short and meaningless life of glamor in professional sports.
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by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
Bethany Storro made national news when she claimed she was the victim of a random attack. Storro told police that an African American woman walked up to her and suddenly decided to throw acid in her face. Storro received the sympathy (and financial contributions) of people all around the world. Even Oprah cleared a slot for her on her show.
It turned out that Storro was lying, making herself the latest in a long list of people who’ve falsely claimed that a black person attacked them. Her face is now blotched and red, where police say she allegedly put acid onto her own face, perhaps in a quest for attention. The story is quite sad, actually.
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by Dr. Boyce Watkins – Syracuse University
Most of you may have read the story about Jamal Parris, the latest and most vocal ofBishop Eddie Long‘s accusers. Parris and three others have stepped forward to file a lawsuit against Long in state court for allegedly coercing them into having sex. Well, another bombshell has hit the room, and this one was also delivered by Parris.
Parris told WAGA-TV in Atlanta that he and Long engaged in numerous sex acts on church grounds, both before and after morning services. He also said that they would perform numerous sex acts in Long’s home, car and office at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.
The four accusers claim that Long traded sex acts for cars, clothes and other material possessions. The sex scandal against Bishop Eddie Long seems to get just a bit deeper every single day. At this point, Long doesn’t just have to worry about the ethical implications of committing adultery and being accused of engaging in homosexual sex. He also has to deal with accusations of pedophilia, since the public is not yet aware of how old the young men where when the alleged sex acts occurred.
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Dr. Boyce Watkins as a Coach on the new MSN Series “The Invested Life”
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Black Scholarship in Action
Cornel West and Tavis Smiley are two of the coolest brothers on the intellectual block. They’ve served as public road maps for the empowerment of black men everywhere, and their work does not get the recognition it deserves.
Well, Public Radio International is working to help change that by granting Smiley and West their own radio show. In fact, the show is going to be called "Smiley & West."
The announcement for the new show was made during the Public Radio Programming Conference, held in Denver, Colorado. When asked about the show, Smiley had this to say:
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Accuser Jamal Parris Speaks To The Bishop Eddie Longs Sex Accusations
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
As the days have gone by since the start of the sex scandal involving Bishop Eddie Long, I’ve become more and more convinced that there needs to be a serious investigation. Something doesn’t seem quite right with the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, and the world needs to hear more from the young men who’ve been speaking out in public.
While I’ve seen quite a bit of evidence and videos that have gotten my attention, nothing has compelled me more than the interview with Long’s latest accuser, Jamal Parris. Jamal, who was chased down by Fox 5 in Atlanta, was reluctant to talk at first about the incident. But once he spoke up, his words were heard around the world. I’ll lay out some of the quotes that Jamal shared with Fox 5, and give you my take after that.
Click to read.
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
I watched ‘Anderson Cooper 360′ last night, and saw a black woman’s face on the screen. Like most other African Americans, this was my cue to turn the volume up to find out what might be going on. As I watched Anderson stare at the screen with his piercing, cold, concerned eyes, I could see that he and his guests had made the Congressional Black Caucus their target for the night. The arrows hit the bull’s-eye, and Anderson seemed to keep throwing them.
The subjects of their disdain were Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) and Sanford Bishop (D- GA). Both of the legislators are being accused of using CBC Scholarship funds as their personal family gift bag. Johnson was made into the worst of the culprits, giving $31,000 in scholarship money to her relatives. She also signed two letters written to the CBC Foundation specifically requesting that the funds be sent directly to her two grandsons and grand nephews, instead of their universities. Rep. Bishop is accused of giving three scholarships to his stepdaughter and wife’s neice in 2003 and 2005.
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by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
Trying to get various black public figures to speak out for or against Bishop Eddie Long has been harder than getting four year-olds to go to the dentist. No one is talking, but everyone is noticing. They are all watching CNN and seeing that Long is on after every other commercial break. They are reading the newspapers where Long’s face is plastered in every section other than Sports and Classifieds. They are seeing the websites that produce one Eddie Long article after another. The man is omnipresent.
Black leaders are also noticing the spandex outfit Long sported in those racy bathroom pictures. They remember the odd-looking wig Long wore when appearing before the church this past Sunday. Most significantly, they’ve noticed the long line of young men, in different states, who don’t seem to know one another, who are saying that Eddie Long had sex with them.
Click to read.
New Birth Missionary Baptist Church: Bishop Eddie Long Addresses His Congregation
Bishop Eddie Long Will NOT Step Down
The Truth About Stacie Turner
Who’s Hotter: Lauren London or Christina Milian?
Photo Credit: AP Paul Morigi, WireImage
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1:34 PMSep 26
Source: BV on Sports
Former NBA star and Michigan State player Jay Vincent pleaded guilty to two major felonies this week. Both involved his creation of a $2 million scam that was perpetrated on the Internet. … Read More
9:34 AMSep 26
Source: BV Black Spin
I woke up early to go to the website for the New Birth Missionary Baptist church. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I knew that Bishop Eddie Long would be convincing. Every bit of his charisma and experience would be needed to manage the complex set … Read More
1:11 AMSep 26
Source: BV Newswire
It’s been more than a few years since TV staple Saturday Night Live (‘SNL’) featured more than one black male comedian. That changed during this weekend’s premiere of the Lorne Michaels-produced sketch comedy series’ 36th season. The fresh-faced …Read More
11:52 AMSep 25
Source: BV Black Spin
The sex scandal of Bishop Eddie Long has taken the world by storm. Everyone is talking about it and my fingers are fatigued from constantly writing about it. Bishop Long has had four lawsuits filed against him, and he has also decided to step down as … Read More
2:18 AMSep 25
Source: BV on Money
By now, you may have heard that Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook.com, is going to give away $100 million to the public school system in Newark, New Jersey. If there were ever a district in greater need of this financial support, it would be …Read More
9:55 PMSep 24
Source: BV Black Spin
A fourth lawsuit has been filed against Atlanta-area pastor Eddie Long, alleging he coerced a 17-year-old into a sexual relationship during a 2005 trip the two took to Africa. The suit — filed, like the others, in DeKalb County, Georgia, State … Read More
8:30 PMSep 24
Source: theBVX.com
Lenny Kravitz was "caught" in the streets of New York yesterday wearing a pair of leather pants and high heeled boots, which makes us ask: "has Lenny been digging through his daughter Zoe’s closet lately? … Read More
8:08 PMSep 24
Source: BV on Books
If you have ever listened to National Public Radio’s flagship program ‘All Things Considered,’ you are familiar with co-host Michele Norris’s calm and steady voice. It comes easy for her; she has been a journalist for years, serving as a … Read More
MORE BLACK VOICES NEWS
What do we do about gays in the church? Are there other pastors who spend their time engaging in questionable sexual activity? Dr. Boyce discusses these issues on MSNBC.
Please click here to watch.
Dr. Boyce Watkins Discusses Bishop Eddie Long Accusations on MSNBC
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
It has been reported that the Bishop Eddie Long is going to step down as pastor after his sermon set to be delivered on Sunday. Long is currently the pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. He was recently challenged by three young men who filed suit against the pastor for allegedly coercing them into sex.
There are also reports that as many as 30 young men have contacted the plaintiff’s attorney, BJ Bernstein, in an effort to file suits of their own or join the existing lawsuit.
Click to read.
This letter was written by Sheri Mitchell about the disturbing allegations against a man trying to become Sheriff in a community with a substantial African American population. To read more about Joe Price, click here. I, Dr. Boyce Watkins, do not support Price’s candidacy and believe that his hiring this week of a black campaign manager is nothing more than a publicity stunt. Sheri Mitchell’s letter is below.
Click to read Sheri’s letter
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University
I woke up this morning expecting the day to be normal. But normal just doesn’t seem to visit my house anymore. I am especially convinced of this fact after seeing some really "interesting" pictures of the Bishop Eddie Long. These pictures were allegedly sent by Bishop Long to one of his "spiritual sons," who has not yet filed a lawsuit.
After these pictures were released to the public by the plantiff’s attorney, I am sure she said the word "checkmate" out loud. One cannot say with complete certainty that these pictures were sent to the young men to convince them of the importance of working out, to show off the latest fashion trends or to simply say, "Hey man, how ya doin?", but the images leave Bishop Long with a lot of explaining to do.
Click to read.
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
President Obama’s top economic advisor, Lawrence Summers, is finally. out the door. The former Harvard University President resigned from Obama’s Council of Economic Advisors amidst questions about his performance. Summers came to represent the very worst of the economic crisis. He was the man in charge, next to the man in charge, as the world came to associate Harvard University economists with the financial destruction of America.
Summers wasn’t a bad economist, but he was hardly an adequate representative of the American people. He was part of the academic aristocracy, the nephew of (not one, but) two Nobel Prize winners and the son of two Yale university professors. Needless to say, Summers was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and doesn’t know a thing about economic struggle. He worked hard for what he ultimately received, but quite a few doors were open to him from birth. He personified the white male affirmative action program that has been in existence since slavery. At the very least, the chances of a black man having two Yale professors in his family (let alone a Nobel Prize winner) are virtually non-existent due to Jim Crow. So, if Lawrence Summers had been born as one of "us," we wouldn’t even know his name.
Click to read.
From CNN.com
Another civil suit has been filed against Atlanta-based megachurch pastor Eddie Long, alleging coercion, negligence and fraud that involved a sexual relationship with a third young male.
Wednesday’s lawsuit, filed in DeKalb County, Georgia, State Court, was brought on behalf of Jamal Parris, now 23, who was a teenager at the time he joined Long’s church.
The suit, which claims Long encouraged Parris to call him "Daddy," also names the church and a youth academy as defendants.
Allegations that Long coerced young male church members and employees into sex are "a case of retaliation and a shakedown for money by men with some serious credibility issues," Art Franklin, the pastor’s spokesman, said Wednesday.
Click to read.
Click to watch Dr. Boyce Watkins discuss estate taxes – Video is here.
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
CNN is reporting that two men in Georgia are suing Bishop Eddie Long in Atlanta, alleging that the powerful pastor used his power to force them into having sex. In DeKalb County, the suits claim that Long used his position of authority at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church to influence young male employees into various forms of misconduct.One of the plaintiffs, Anthony Flagg, is a 21-year old man who claims that some of the misconduct occurred during overnight trips to various cities.
"Long shared a bedroom and engaged in intimate sexual contact with plaintiff Flagg including kissing, massaging, masturbating of plaintiff Flagg by defendant Long and oral sexual contact," according to the lawsuit.
Click to read.
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
A black woman stood up in the Town Hall Meeting held by President Barack Obama yesterday and made a comment that got the attention of the world. She mentioned that she was "exhausted" from trying to defend the president to his critics:
I am one of your middle class Americans and, quite frankly, I’m exhausted… I’m exhausted of defending you. I’m exhausted of defending your administration, defending the mantle of change that I voted for. And I’m deeply disappointed with where we are right now.
I have been told that I voted for a man who said he was going to change things in a meaningful way for the middle class. I am one of those people and I’m waiting sir. I’m waiting. I don’t feel it yet. And I thought, while it wouldn’t be in great measure, I would feel it in some small measure… And quite frankly Mr. President, I need you to answer this honestly: Is this my new reality? (Thelightnc.com)
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by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
When we use the word “intellect,” we don’t typically apply it to Lady Gaga. I’m not sure what to make out of her, primarily because I don’t think about her very much. But now, when I hear the name Lady Gaga, I’ll think of the terms “leader” and “role model.”
Since her brilliant and impressive stand on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Lady Gaga is officially an important and historical figure in America. In fact, she’s an icon. She is becoming a symbol of her generation, one who transcends petty fashion trends and dance moves. She has chosen to stand up for something she believes in, and as a result, has a whole legion of fans that she didn’t have before. She’s getting respect from the likes of Wolf Blitzer, who acknowledged her on his show and even sang some of her lyrics. She is using her power to change the world.
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by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University
Denver Broncos Wide Receiver Kenny McKinley was only 23 years old this year. He was also found dead in his apartment. McKinley appears to have died from a suicide, according to initial reports.
"Although the death of McKinley appears to be the result of a self inflicted gunshot, the investigation into this matter, conducted by the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office and the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office, is on-going, " Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson said.
Click to read.
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
I was recently checking out some of CNN’s special, "Black in America," the show they seem to do once a year. In the series, African Americans are analyzed like lab rats in a cage, with producers highlighting every dysfunction imaginable, as if we have a monopoly on counter productive behavior. Although I’ve always had a good relationship with CNN, I can barely stomach some of what I see. This is not to say that black folks are perfect: but the idea that we are somehow less perfect than whites is nothing short of paternalistic, White Supremacist thinking.
The segment that threw me through the roof was one covering the wealth gap between blacks and whites. In this particular Black in America segment, CNN shows that the wealth gap between blacks and whites is $28,000 to $140,000, with whites being the leaders. They then go on to state that African Americans save and invest less than whites. I give a "check" on most of these numbers, I have no problem with the data.
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by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
This is the second part of my interview with author Jamilah B. Creekmur. I enjoyed speaking with Jamilah and I found her book, "Raised by the Mistress," to be a compelling layout of what it might be like to be the child of "the other woman." I recommend taking a look at Jamilah’s book and watching the interview. I think you’ll enjoy what you see.
Click to read.
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
NewsOne.com is reporting that there are plans to launch a 24-hour network dedicated to HBCUs. The network is set to be focused on "edutainment" and lifestyle for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The company behind the platform, C3 Media LLC says that the network is set to fill a niche within the cable industry that has barely been reached in the past.
Much of the programming will also feature various sports teams sponsored by black colleges all across America. "The idea and vision behind the creation of the HBCU Network is to preserve and celebrate the African American colleges and universities, while also providing opportunities for their growth and further prosperity," CEO Curtis Symonds told NewsOne. "At the same time, we are passionate and excited about building a strong media brand and network from the ground up."
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by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
I was in New York doing what I try to do best: show up for my little girls and support them in their endeavors. My daughter had a volleyball game at her university and I was pumped for the event. Although I do all I can to stay away from work when I am with my kids, I couldn’t help but sneak away to appear on one of my favorite radio shows, "The Main Line" on 98.7 Kiss FM.
During the show, we discussed all the usual topics for a hot blooded Sunday afternoon: Politics, news, African American issues, Obama and more. Toward the end of the show, someone made mention of Robert Plant’s appearance on The Today Show. My first thought was, "Who in the heck is Robert Plant and why does he matter?" It only took me a couple of seconds to figure out the answer to both of those questions.
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by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Black Athlete Coalition
Steve Sarkisian is the head coach of the Washington Huskies. He’s not a very good coach, since the Huskies are are a horrible football team. In fact, you might say, that as a coach, Sarkisian is an idiot. I am sure that part of the reason he was able to land such a prestigious position at The University of Washington was due to the fact that he was able to coach the great Reggie Bush as Offensive Coordinator at USC. Bush likely made him rich and got him a lot of opportunities.
Apparently, Sarkisian isn’t exactly grateful to Reggie Bush for giving him his big break. He recently said that Reggie Bush was "acting like an idiot" for giving back his Heisman Trophy last week. Sarkisian might want to sit down and shut up for a second, so I can tell him just how silly he looks.
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by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University
I’m not a huge fan of the "vast intellect" of Charles Barkley. In fact, I usually turn the volume down when he’s talking. All the while, I have to admit that I am one of those people who sometimes finds myself admiring Barkley’s candid nature. He’s the man willing to say the things that other people wont’ say, and he’s usually pretty honest about it. As someone who monitors the status, actions and treatment of black athletes in America, I’ve paid careful attention to Sir Charles for quite a while.
The world was fed a healthy dose of that Barkley honesty recently when Sir Charles decided to admit that he took money from sports agents in college. He didn’t actually say that he took the money and kept it, he just said that he borrowed some money and paid it back when he got to the NBA.
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by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
Bethany Storro gained the sympathy of the world when she alleged that she was the victim of a random attack in which someone threw acid on her face. The story she was going to tell Oprah Winfrey on a planned appearance on her show was that a black woman with a pony tail walked up to her and said "Hey pretty girl, want something to drink?" and then proceeded to throw the acid.
Oprah would have hugged her on the air, and the show would have made us cry. We would have heard stories about how the woman had been courageous enough to fight on, in spite of this horrible thing that happened to her. The episode would have been glorious, moving, fascinating, and inspirational. It would have also been a big old butt-naked lie.
Click to read.
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University
For NFL fans and those who have teams in their cities, there’s something you should know. Like a dark cloud hanging in the sky on a bright, sunny day, a pending NFL lockout is waiting on the horizon. A lockout is sort of like a strike, but the workers aren’t the ones calling for it. Instead, team owners are the ones calling for a halt in NFL activities, where the league will be shut down and games cancelled. Even if games aren’t cancelled, we might be forced to endure another season of tacky replacement players, and nobody wants that.
The AFL-CIO has decided to put it’s power behind the NFL Players Union in this battle with team owners. The organization sent a letter to the owners of NFL teams, warning them that a lockout could have a powerfully detrimental effect on workers and fans in cities all across America. They also warned that cities could lose $140 million in revenue.
Click to read.
Civil Rights Figure Found to Be FBI Informant
Common To Play Slave In Debut TV Project
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Photo Credit: Aol. Jason Merritt,Getty Images Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images
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12:34 AMSep 16
Source: BV Wellness
Your Daily Affirmation For: Thursday, September 16, 2010 I am a conscious bearer of God’s light in the world. Through my awareness, feelings, thoughts, words and actions, I transmit God’s light to bless myself and others. Where there is … Read More
10:18 PMSep 15
Source: BV Black Spin
Bethany Storro was once the target of the nation’s sympathy. She is slowly becoming the target of the nation’s suspicion. The 28-year old Storro, who is deaf, said that she was the victim of a random attack. According to Storro, a young black woman … Read More
9:07 PMSep 15
Source: BV on Money
PRODUCTION PLAYER! DO NOT DELETE. … Read More
6:45 PMSep 15
Source: theBVX.com
Remember watching ‘The Cosby Show’ and ‘A Different World’ and wishing you went to the fictional Hillman College that the Huxtables, Dwayne Wayne and Whitely went to? The Fresh XPress grades the nonexistent historically Black Colleges and … Read More
5:05 PMSep 15
Source: BV Newswire
This fall, the major television networks have stepped up their game by casting handsome black men in a slew of new shows. From veteran actors like Terrence Howard on the new Los Angeles ‘Law & Order’ and Blair Underwood on ‘The Event’ to sexy … Read More
4:30 PMSep 15
Source: Blackvoices Main
From Clutch Magazine: On September 9, the opening day of New York Fashion Week, a group of young Black women staged a silent demonstration. The 20-something ladies wanted to acknowledge the first time in their lifetimes that Essence magazine– a … Read More
4:14 PMSep 15
Source: BV Black Spin
Since Michael Jackson was laid to rest last year, countless fans have been leaving gifts in his memory at the Forest Lawn Cemetery. People gather every day outside the California cemetery to leave mementos for the pop icon, whose career spanned … Read More
4:01 PMSep 15
Source: Blackvoices Main
From PopEater: Although Omarosa was one tough chick in the ‘Apprentice’ boardroom, she’s got a soft spot for her new beau, ‘Green Mile’ actor Michael Clarke Duncan. Arriving hand-in-hand at In Touch Weekly’s "Icons and Idols" party at Bar Marmont in … Read More
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University
Bethany Storro was once the target of the nation’s sympathy. She is slowly becoming the target of the nation’s suspicion. The 28-year old Storro, who is deaf, said that she was the victim of a random attack. According to Storro, a young black woman came up to her and said, "Hey, pretty girl," before throwing a cup of acid into her face.
The attack on Storro, which allegedly took place on August 30, grabbed international headlines. She was even scheduled to appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show. That’s when reporters started asking a lot of questions.
According to Storro, the injuries to her nose and face did not affect her eyesight because she was wearing sunglasses. But one reporter asked her why she was wearing sunglasses when it was nearly sunset. The reporter also asked how Storro could hear what the woman was saying when she is deaf.
The suspicions of the reporter were accelerated by the fact that many of the homeless people in the park on the night Storro was attacked said that she was all alone when she fell to the ground screaming. While the incident is still under investigation, it is known that Storro did cancel her scheduled appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show without giving producers a reason for her decision.
Click to read.
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University
One of the most interesting things about black people is that we are able to build love in some of the strangest situations. I had a friend who introduced me to her "grandmother." Now, although I thought this woman was actually a relative, she was not. She never married or had a child with my friend’s actual grandfather. Instead, she’d had a long-term affair with my friend’s grandfather and simply took care of his kids as her own. The man had a relationship with his wife and an even more meaningful relationship with the mistress, and everyone accepted this as a default state of being.
While the adults might be comfortable with what some would define to be an uncomfortable situation, no one ever really asks the kids what they think. The parents do their dirt for years, thinking that the kids are too young to understand what’s going on, then two decades later, the questions start coming. That’s when parents either find out that their kids understood more than they were letting on, or that their children’s perception of reality was quite different from that of either parent.
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Black Scholars Dr. Boyce Watkins and Dr. Christopher Metzler Discuss "Keeping The Bush Tax Cuts" on CNBC
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
I’m a huge fan of hip hop music. In fact, I didn’t even start to like music until hip hop came along. I will continue to be a fan of hip hop music, but as a black scholar, I feel that part of my job is to ask questions that we may need to answer as a society.
The question for today is, "What’s wrong with hip hop music?" Perhaps the question I’ve asked is presumptuous, since many of us don’t see a problem at all. I’ve sat in the car for hours with my teenage daughters, listening to one song after another, each of them returning to basically the same themes: Money, sex, weapons or drugs.
Click to read.
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University
Varnette Honeywood was the artist who gave life to The Cosby Show. Her paintings covered the walls of the Huxtable home, adding flare to those colorful sweaters Cliff seemed to love. While not everyone is in agreement on their love for Cliff’s sweaters, there’s no denying that Honeywood’s art was anything less than "tha bomb."
Sadly, Honeywood’s life has ended at the young age of 59 years old. She’d been battling cancer for the last two years, finally succumbing to the disease. Now, the world is just a little less colorful than it was before.
Click to read.
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University
I am not sure if Reggie Bush has ever read a word I’ve written. But after I mentioned last week that I felt Bush should give the Heisman trophy back, I was proud to see that he gave it away. Again, I am not one to say that he gives a you-know-what about anything I might say in public, but I can certainly say that I am proud.
Bush gave the Heisman trophy back this week after rampant speculation regarding whether or not he received inappropriate benefits during his time at USC. The speculation was bothersome to me, primarily because Reggie Bush was a human highlight film who earned millions for the NCAA and the university. The idea that they would even consider taking his Heisman Trophy after he’d given the NCAA so much was nothing short of offensive. If a man earns millions of dollars for you and you get angry because he took a few thousand to give his mother a place to live, then you’ve clearly got a problem with your value system.
Bush’s statement about giving the Heisman back is below:
Click to read.
Dr. Boyce Video — ‘Raised by The Mistress,’ Part 2
Dr. Boyce Watkins Talks About “I’ll Take Your Man” on AOL Black Voices
Dr. Boyce Video: Would You Be OK with a Part-Time Man?
‘Raised by The Mistress,’ Part 1
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University
One consistent topic of conversation within the African American community is the state of our relationships. We see scores of people choosing to get together, but they don’t always want to stay together. Many of our children don’t have mothers and fathers, but are granted a pile of baby’s mamas and baby daddies. Some of the men aren’t paying child support, and some of the women aren’t making good choices when deciding who to sleep with. What’s the problem?
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Dr. Boyce Watkins and Dr. Christopher Metzler Discuss “Keeping The Bush Tax Cuts” on CNBC
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
If you don’t know the name Ernest Withers, I can guarantee that you know of his work. Remember the famous and horrible picture of Emmett Till? Withers took that one. Think about nearly every well-known picture of Dr. King you think of. Well, Withers probably took that one too.
Ernest Withers had access to Civil Rights leaders like no other. He was also found to have been an informant for the FBI.
The Commercial Appeal in Memphis conducted a two-year investigation into the life of Withers, who died in 2007. The investigation found that Withers allegedly worked with two F.B.I. agents to keep an eye on the Civil Rights Movement. Withers was known to have been very close to Dr. King and to have had his trust.
"It is an amazing betrayal," said Athan Theoharis, an historian, told the New York Times. "It really speaks to the degree that the F.B.I. was able to engage individuals within the civil rights movement. This man was so well trusted."
Click to read.
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
A video showing Philadelphia police officers beating a man for nearly two minutes has taken the Internet by storm. The incident is so shocking that the video has received thousands of views, and has also sparked an internal investigation by Philadelphia police.
The incident occurred in West Philadelphia and is two and a half minutes long. The officers are accused of attacking 29-year old Askia Sabur outside a takeout restaurant in the area on Friday. What is also interesting is that most of the officers appearing in the video are African American, reminding us that the power of the state is not just a white and black thing.
Allegedly, officers asked Sabur and his cousin to clear the corner, but they refused, stating that they were waiting for their food. Lt. Frank Vanore, a police spokesman, claims that Sabur knocked one of the officers down. But he alleges that this occurred before the Youtube video was recorded.
Click to read.
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
Dear Mr. President,
I write this letter with all due respect to yourself, as well as the office of the presidency. Your historic rise up the political ladder has been nothing short of inspirational, and your extraordinary vision has positioned you as one of the most celebrated leaders in the history of the United States. As a fellow scholar and African American male, I applaud your achievements. I am especially excited about how you, Michelle, and your beautiful daughters present such a magnificent image of the African American family.
While the black community remains inspired by your achievements and overwhelmingly sympathetic to your challenges from conservatives, there are concerns that the economic plight of black Americans has not been a priority for the Obama Administration. To be sure, opinions on this matter are far from unanimous. But the numbers tell a story that needs to be heard.
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by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University
I woke up today to find that the sun would shine a little bit less brightly than it did the day before. The first email I read was one telling me that Ronald Walters, a noted black Political Scientist at The University of Maryland, had died. He was 72 years old.
Dr. Walters was the director of the African American Leadership Institute. He was also the Campaign Manager for the presidential run of Rev. Jesse Jackson in 1984. I knew Ron as a mentor and friend. He was also on the faculty here at Syracuse University at one point in his career, long before my own. He was one of the most respectable and accomplished black scholars I’ve ever met, and he was appreciated by nearly everyone. His advice on leadership, activism and black empowerment was second to none.
I reached out to a few friends to get their takes on Professor Walters and many of them were very happy to reply. They were saddened to see the end of Ron’s life and career, but most of them understood the urgency of continuing his meaningful work. I haven’t been able to catch up with Rev. Jesse Jackson yet, but I’ll be on his show Sunday morning. Ron and I have been on Rev. Jackson’s show together in the past, and few people were impacted more by Dr. Walters than Rev. Jackson himself.
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by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University
Most of us can appreciate, on one level or another, the tremendous achievements of Tiger Woods, Venus Williams and her little sister, Serena. They have all been, in one way or another, a tremendous source of pride for the African American community. Much of the reason we are so proud of them is because they’ve dominated like no other in sports that are not typically played by "us." I am personally more impressed with the Williams sisters than with Tiger, in large part because they’ve made it into a family affair, and seem to more directly embrace the idea of making their success into a "black thing." Tiger, on the other hand, seems to want to make his success into a "Caublinasian thing." I admittedly can’t get with that.
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by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
I have a theory that I’ve wondered would hold up to empirical scrutiny. My theory is that there are quite a few women who might be willing to settle for part of a good man rather than having 100% of a mediocre man. For example, men like Tiger Woods might have more girlfriends than most of us can count, and some would wonder if any of those women expect him to be committed to just one person. Not to say that I condone one lifestyle over another, but we all know how things go down in the real world.
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by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University
Prominent Gospel Music artist Marvin Sapp recently lost his wife to colon cancer. Marvin’s wife, MaLinda, had been married to him for 15 years and they have three children together. MaLinda was an Administrative Pastor at the church they ran together, the Lighthouse Full Life Center, in Grand Rapids, MI.
Before she died, MaLinda was a college professor and licensed professional counselor. The following statement was issued by 92.1 Praise Houston about the death of MaLinda Sapp:
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