Kelley Williams-Bolar Update: Kelley Meets with Rev.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

I figured that I would share an update to the case of Kelley Williams-Bolar, the mother of two who was given jail time for sending her kids to a school outside of their home district.  This week, Williams-Bolar met with both Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev.  Al Sharpton about her case, appearing with me and her attorney on Rev. Jackson’s show this past week.  Rev. Sharpton and I are planning a rally for Kelley in Ohio soon, but the rally is not focused on just one person.  Instead, the focal point is on the educational system in its entirety and why there are millions of moms across America being forced to break the law in order to help their children get access to a quality education.

I heard about Kelley’s case through one of my Facebook friends.  Her case had been in court for years with no resolution, and not enough people had heard about what this woman was going through.  I wrote about Kelley’s case in a few venues and called national media contacts, hoping that this important issue could be brought forth for public discussion.  I am not in the business of doing individual crusades when it comes to the criminal justice system, since I don’t have the resources to help with every case that comes across my email inbox.  I get several cases in my email every single day, and while I wish I could help everyone, it’s impossible without significant amounts of funding (I still have my day job, so I’m certainly not in this game for the money).  I chose to grab Kelley’s case because it has clear national implications about a failed public school system that continues to destroy the futures of our children on a regular basis.  In fact, I dare say that if the only person who is helped in all this is Kelley Williams-Bolar, then we have failed ourselves, our children and our country.

Click to read.

Your Black News – 1/31/11b

 

• Egypt puts President Obama in diplomatic bind
• Will Obama go down in history as the president who lost Egypt?
• Hundreds of South Africans pray for Mandela at church
• Bishop Eddie Long makes YouTube appeal to help members
• Sudan demands end to U.S. sanctions after referendum
• Chris Brown will not attend Grammys, not related to Rihanna
• MLK III considers buying part of NY Mets team
• CNN announces Black managing editor
• Maya Angelou Black History Month special on PBS
• Man arrested for threatening retired Congresswoman Watson
• Nicki Minaj’s ‘SNL’ appearance gets mixed reviews
• There is no Planned Parenthood conspiracy to abort your baby

DJ Henry Shooting: Family Files $120 Lawsuit

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

The shooting of Pace University football player DJ Henry has set off a great deal of controversy in the town of Pleasantville, New York, where Henry was shot outside a nightclub. According to police, Henry drove his car toward one of the officers, who claims that he had to fire on the athlete in order to save his own life. Accounts of what happened that night are varying, and DJ’s family has filed a $120 million lawsuit against the Pleasantville Police Department over the incident. Attorney Charles Oglegree from Harvard University is representing the family of Brandon Cox, a friend of Henry’s who was also shot that night.

The incident began on the night of October 17, when police were called to investigate a disturbance outside a bar in the suburb of Thornwood, which is located right near the Pace University campus.

 

Click to read.

Herschel Walker Makes MMA Debut and Kicks Some Butt

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

He came, he saw, and he conquered. Herschel Walker, the man who was once known for being a jack of all trades, dominated his first opponent in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition. The fight was against Scott Carson, the poor guy that Walker obliterated with a left hook in the first minute of fighting. After knocking Carson to the ground, Walker continued to pound away on him until the referee stopped the fight.

Walker’s return to public competition at the age of 48 is nothing short of inspirational. The man who once said "My body is like an army" has proven it to the public by doing what many thought would be impossible. In addition to MMA fighting, Herschel has excelled in quite a few other sports as well: Walker is the only college football player in NCAA history to be listed in the top three in Heisman voting for all three years he was in college. He finished 7th in the 1992 Winter Olympics in the two-man bobsled. He nearly made the Olympic team as a sprinter. He is a fifth-degree black belt. He even did ballet.

 

Click to read.

Barack Obama First Dem Prez Since Truman To Not Mention Poverty in State of the Union Address

by Charles M. Blow, New York Times

President Obama made history on Tuesday.

It was only the second time since Harry S. Truman’s State of the Union address in 1948 that such a speech by a Democratic president did not include a single mention of poverty or the plight of the poor.

The closest Obama got to a mention was his confirmation for “Americans who’ve seen their paychecks dwindle or their jobs disappear” that, indeed, “the world has changed. The competition for jobs is real.” I’m sure they appreciated that.

The only other Democrat not to mention poverty in the speech was Jimmy Carter in 1980, but even he was able to squeeze in one reference to at least a portion of the poor and disenfranchised, stressing the continuation of jobs programs to “provide training and work for our young people, especially minority youth.” (Carter did mention the poor in a written version that he submitted to Congress.)

Click to read.

George Kilpatrick: Dr. Boyce and I discuss more on the Kelley Williams

Note from Dr. Boyce:  Before listening to my interview with George Kilpatrick about the Kelley Williams-Bolar case, I had two questions:

1) Would her kids have been allowed in that school if they’d been two 6’5”, 220-lb basketball players?  I’m sure they would have made an exception.

2) Its interesting that the judge wanted to send her to jail for her crime, but there are Wall Street execs who got less time for stealing millions.

The interview is here if you want to listen.

What’s Wrong with the Economy? Dr. Boyce Watkins and Rev. Jesse Jackson Discuss

 

Click here to listen to Dr. Watkins and Rev. Jackson’s conversation about the state of the American economy.  It appears that the US has some serious fundamental problems.

TNT, Tracy Morgan and Embarrassing Black Men

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Turner Network Television took the interesting step of apologizing for lewd remarks on the network made by comedian/actor Tracy Morgan.  During an interesting back and forth with Charles Barkley in which they were debating the “hotness” of Sarah Palin, Morgan said the following:

"Now let me tell you something about Sarah Palin man, she’s good masturbation material. The glasses and all that? Great masturbation material."

Of course my own jaw dropped when I heard what Morgan said, and you could see the white guy on the scene, Ernie Johnson, rushing to get Morgan off-camera.  Everyone was clearly nervous after Morgan’s remarks, for good reason.  A lot of jobs were on the line as the words leaked out of his mouth.

Click to read.

Happy Birthday Oprah!!!!

Happy Birthday Oprah Winfrey

Mo’Nique Shaves Hairy Legs

Ugandan Gay Rights Activist Beaten to Death

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Why Would Terry McMillan Attack Will Smith’s Children?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

I was surprised to see the esteemed author Terry McMillan slip to an all-time low by attacking the children of Hollywood power couple Will and Jada Smith. Using Twitter as her forum of choice, McMillan expressed her concern that the Smith kids were being "pimped and exploited" by their parents in their acting and singing careers. "It feels like the Smith children are being pimped and exploited. Or, they’re already hungry for fame. What about 4th grade?" said McMillan
McMillan then went on to write the following:
"The Smith children already act like child stars. There’s an arrogance in their demeanor and behavior. I find it incredibly sad."
Of course the entire world spread McMillan’s words quicker than wildfire. That then led to an apology from McMillan:
"I apologize for using the word pimp and exploit in referring to the Smith children. It was insensitive of me and wrong."

Click to read.

Black News: Michael Vick Gets His First Endorsement Deal: He’s Back in the Mix

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Embattled Philadelphia Eagles star Michael Vick has finally signed his first endorsement deal. The player signed a two-year contract with Unequal Technologies, a companies that provides the football pads Vick wore throughout the season. Terms of the deal are not disclosed, but both parties are excited.
"We’re real excited about it," said Unequal’s chief executive officer Rob Vito.

 

Click to read.

Former NFL Players More Likely to Abuse Pain Killers

by Dr. Boyce Watkins – The Athlete Liberation Academic Reform Movement (ALARM)

According to a new study in a scientific journal, retired NFL players misuse opioid pain medication at a rate that is four times greater than the general public. The study goes on to connect the abuse to the number of pain killers athletes take during their playing days in the NFL. The results were published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, a peer-reviewed academic journal.
The study was conducted by scholars at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. It is also the first study conducted on pain killer misuse by former players. Linda Cottler, a professor of Epidemiology in the school’s Department of Psychiatry led the study and it was also commissioned by ESPN.

 

Click to read.

More Black News – 1/28/11

• 
  

  Oprah Winfrey: The Woman Who’s Doing It All

  3:33 PMJan 28

  Source: BV Newswire

  This weekend, media mogul Oprah Winfrey celebrates her 57th birthday. And while she is one of the richest and most influential people in the world, life for her "ain’t been no crystal stair." Like the Langston Hughes poem, her journey has had tacks …Read More

• 
  

  Minority Business School Faculty Growing: The PhD Project Advocates for Black MBAs

  3:10 PMJan 28

  Source: BV on Money

  From BusinessWeek.com: American business schools, much like American businesses, have some catching up to do when it comes to minority hiring. Stymied by a lack of minorities in the PhD pipeline and growing competition for minority faculty, … Read More

• 
  

  The Real Housewives of Atlanta Make a Splash at A.Z Araujo’s Miami Swim Runway Show

  2:45 PMJan 28

  Source: BV on Style

  Brazilian-born designer A.Z Araujo has been making waves on the New York fashion scene since he launched his colorful and intricately-crafted swimwear line in February 2010 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York. But, no city showcases beachwear … Read More

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  Low Income Parents Can Get Free Life Insurance for Their Kids’ College Expenses

  2:41 PMJan 28

  Source: BV on Money

  All parents worry about their children — about their personal happiness, providing a good education for them, and of course, about their financial futures. For low-income parents and single parents in particular, financial worries can loom … Read More

• 
  

  Why Oscar de la Renta Should Lay Off Of Michelle Obama

  2:40 PMJan 28

  Source: BV on Style

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• 
  

  Kelley Williams Bolar Update: Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. Calls for Constitutional Amendment

  1:53 PMJan 28

  Source: BV Black Spin

  Last night, we spoke on CNN’s AC 360 about the case of Kelley Williams-Bolar, the single mother who was sent to jail for sending her kids to the "wrong" school district. Since we first hit the issue on AOL Black Voices, it has set off a national … Read More

• 
  

  Who Had the Best Look of the Week?

  1:28 PMJan 28

  Source: BV on Style

  Thandie Newton looked like she was ready for spring when attending the InStyle "Best of British Talent" party in London. The ‘For Colored Girls’ actress looked lovely in a spring 2011 Jonathan Saunders light-blue-and-gray mini dress. She added an …Read More

• 
  

  Daily SMH: Tracy Morgan Calls Sarah Palin ‘Good Masturbation Material’ on Live TV

  12:54 PMJan 28

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  Tracy Morgan’s off-color comments about Sarah Palin are proof that every network needs the five-second delay. … Read Mor

Black News: Bishop Eddie Long Does His First Interview Since the Allegations

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action – AOL Black Voices

Bishop Eddie Long has returned to the public eye. In his first interview since thesexual misconduct allegations were levied against him, Long spoke with Channel 2 News in Atlanta. Of course the media was told that Long would not answer questions about the allegations, but hearing him speak in public was a media attraction nonetheless.
The event was the Trumpet Awards prayer breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta. When answering questions, Long only spoke about hope, the future and other relatively vague, light-hearted issues. The mood appeared to be positive, as Long was given an optimistic reception from those in the audience, as well as Corey "CoCo Brother" Condrey, the radio personality who
introduced Bishop Long to the crowd.

 

Click to read.

Rev. Jesse Jackson Jr., Dr. Boyce Watkins, Support a Constitutional Amendment on Equal Access to Education

Quick note from Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University

I just spoke with Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.  He’s proposing a constitutional amendment that guarantees all children access to an equal and high quality education.  Congressman Jackson and I will discuss this on the Rev. Jesse Jackson radio show Sunday morning.  As any FYI – it was the broader issue that got me involved with Kelley Williams-Bolar’s case.  It was not a crusade for just one person.

We’ll be discussing the issue later today on WVON today at 5 pm EST.  You can listen by going to their website.

Black News – 1/28/11

Did N.Y.C. Police Walk Black Man to Death?

Woman Blames Diddy for 9/11?

‘Housewives’ Star Opens Up About Marriage

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  Let Rahm Emanuel Run for Mayor, Illinois High Court Rules!

  9:37 AMJan 28

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  Ending days of suspense and speculation, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that Rahm Emanuel can continue his bid to run for mayor of the nation’s third largest city. The ruling came in a 7-0 decision that was handed down late Thursday, paving the …Read More

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  For centuries, long, lush locks have been seen as a symbol of great beauty. We frequently perm, curl, and weave in strands to help enhance our appearance, oftentimes without much thought about what life would be like without a perfectly coiffed … Read More

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  Dr Boyce Watkins Spotlight: Gina Ramcharan Creates Black Jewelry with a Purpose

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  Many of us are all too familiar with the image of the blinged-out rapper wearing 20 pounds of jewelry in order to make a statement about what hood he’s claiming or how many records he sold last year. For some reason, some have concluded that this …Read More

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  Gladys Horton, Marvelettes Lead Singer, Dies at 66

  6:51 PMJan 27

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  Gladys Horton, whose powerful voice earned her group– The Marvelettes– the distinction of being the first girl group signed to Motown, died Wednesday in Sherman Oaks, CA from complications related to a stroke. Horton’s work with the fellow members … Read More

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  Rashaad Ernesto Green’s Debut Film, ‘Gun Hill Road’ Gets Distribution Deal

  4:35 PMJan 27

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  After premiering at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, Rashaad Ernesto Green’s debut Film, ‘Gun Hill Road,’ has landed a distribution deal, states Deadline.com. Motion Film Group has paid low seven-figures for worldwide sales and distribution rights. …Read More

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  Teach for America Gets $100 Million in Funding

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Boyce Watkins Discusses Kelly Williams-Bolar Case on AC360: Plans to Rally with Al Sharpton

Click to watch Dr. Watkins on AC360 discussing the case of Kelly Williams-Bolar, the black mother sent to jail for sending her kids to the wrong school district

Dr. Boyce on AC360 Tonight at 10:30 pm EST

Kelley Williams-Bolar is escorted through the Summit County, Ohio, jail last week.

Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer

Tonight on 360°, we’ll look at the case of an Ohio woman who was jailed for tampering with records to get her two daughters into a better school.

Kelly Williams-Bolar, 40, got out of jail yesterday, having served nine days of her 10-day sentence. Now she faces two years of probation and 80 hours of community service

Here’s the back story: Williams-Bolar, a single mom living in public housing in Akron, used her father’s address to register her two daughters approximately seven miles away in the Copley-Fairlawn school district.

Williams-Bolar, and her father, maintained that the girls did live with her in Akron and their grandfather part of the time. But the Copley-Fairlawn school district claimed it was all lies. They said they spent $6,000 for a private investigator to track Williams-Bolar. The district also said she should have paid $30,000 in out-of-district tuition.

Critics said the school district and the judge went too far. They said had Williams-Bolar been white she never would have been prosecuted.

Others are applauding the school district’s actions. They say Williams-Bolar knowingly ripped off taxpayers.

Williams-Bolar was  a teacher’s aide at a high school in Akron and working toward a teaching degree. Now that she has a felony conviction she not be able to teach.  She’s planning to appeal her conviction.

We’ll talk about the public uproar with Dr. Andre Perry, CEO of the UNO Charter Schools and Dr. Boyce Watkins, a Syracuse University professor and Resident Scholar of AOL Black Voices. We’ll al

 

Click to read.

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U. Texas Signs $300M Deal off the Backs of Its Athletes

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

The University of Texas just inked a $300 million television rights deal for a 24-hour network that will broadcast Longhorn athletes and games. ESPN is the partner in the deal and will distribute the network via satellite in Texas and other states around the country. The network is expected to launch in September.
Given that college athletes are serving as the foundation for massive wealth being generated by schools like the University of Texas, it is time that we consider allowing these athletes to have the same labor rights as other workers who generate wealth around the nation. The United Steel Workers Union has actually spoken out on behalf of NCAA athletes, stating that they should have the right to unionize to ensure that their families can benefit from the wealth being created in these massive financial deals.

Click to read.

Your Black News – 1/27/11

• 
  

  Michelle Obama to see Army fitness, food in SC

  By theGrio

  11:17 AM on 01/27/2011

  FORT JACKSON, S.C. (AP) – First lady Michelle Obama is visiting the Army’s largest training post to see how the military turns couch potato recruits into nutrition-minded soldiers…

  > MORE

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  Lawmaker wants boycott of Limbaugh advertisers

  By theGrio

  10:50 AM on 01/27/2011

  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – State Sen. Leland Yee launched the campaign after Limbaugh’s Jan. 19 radio program, during which he did a nonsensical impression of Chinese President Hu Jintao…

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  Nebraska man faces counterfeiting charges

  By theGrio

  5:23 PM on 01/26/2011

  VIDEO – A 22 year old man from Nebraska is facing counterfeiting charges after his little brother brought a fake 50 dollar bill to school…

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  Diddy set to guest star on TV’s ‘Hawaii Five-O’

  By theGrio

  4:05 PM on 01/26/2011

  NEW YORK (AP) – He will play NYPD Detective Reggie Williams, who arrives in Honolulu on the hunt for the men who committed a crime against his family…

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  Sheriff: Found body likely brother of Ravens star

  By theGrio

  2:52 PM on 01/26/2011

  LULING, La. (AP) – A body pulled from the Mississippi River has been tentatively identified as the brother of Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed…

  > MORE

• 
  

  Willow Smith to star in big screen remake of ‘Annie’

  By theGrio

  2:33 PM on 01/26/2011

  LOS ANGELES (AP) – The film is being developed by Overbrook Entertainment, which the Smiths co-own, along with Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and Sony Pictures…

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• 
  

  Car salesman fired for Packers tie, gets new job

  By theGrio

  2:03 PM on 01/26/2011

  CHICAGO – "My tie is not going to affect me selling a car," he said. Stone sold 14 cars in the little more than a month that he’d worked at Webb Chevrolet…

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• 
  

  Sheriff: MLK bomb had chemical-shrapnel mix

  By theGrio

  1:09 PM on 01/26/2011

  SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) – Spokane County Ozzie Knezovich said that tests are being conducted to determine the chemical and whether it made the bomb potentially more deadly…

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Kelley Williams-Bolar Update: The National Media Gets Involved

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Most of us at Black Voices are familiar with the case of Kelley Williams-Bolar, the Ohio mother of two who was sent to jail for sending her children to the "wrong" school district. Williams-Bolar was sentenced to 10 days in jail, three years probation and community service for using her father’s address in order to avoid sending her kids to the school she considered to be dangerous and inadequate. At AOL Black Voices, we were one of the first to hit the issue nationally, and fortunately, other media outlets are starting to take notice.

In addition to being sent to jail, Williams-Bolar and her father are being charged with fourth degree grand theft of school services. As a consequence of her conviction, Williams-Bolar can never use the teaching degree that she is working on right now. The judge also made it clear that she was sending Williams-Bolar to jail as an example to be shared with any other parents thinking about doing the same thing.
The case sparked a firestorm of national controversy and conversation about educational inequality and the notion that a mother had to break the law in order to give her daughters access to a quality education. Millions of parents around the nation expressed support for Williams-Bolar, for they too could recall their own parents making the same sacrifices for them. There have been Facebook groups created to support Williams-Bolar and change.org has created a petition on her behalf to have her record expunged. The petition drew nearly 20,000 signatures over a three day period, and is growing by the second.

Click to read.

How to Help Kelley Williams-Bolar: Representatives You Can Contact

 

 

Kelley Williams-Bolar is the woman who was sent to jail in Akron, OH for sending her kids to the wrong district.  If you’d like to help her and make the broader and important point about educational inequality in America, please take the time to send a short note of concern to the state representatives in the area.  The information is below:

For Summit County (the county that Akron is in) the state representatives are:
Lynn Slaby (Republican): district41@ohr.state.oh.us
Kristina Roegner (Republican): district42@ohr.state.oh.us
Todd McKenney (Republican): district43@ohr.state.oh.us
Vernon Sykes: district44@ohr.state.oh.us

http://www.house.state.oh.us/index.php?option=com_displaymembers&task=detail&district=44
Zack Milkovich (Democrat): district45@ohr.state.oh.us

House members website: http://www.house.state.oh.us/index.php?option=com_displaymembers&Itemid=73
The state senator for that area is Frank LaRose (Republican): SD27@senate.state.oh.us
Senate members website: http://www.ohiosenate.gov/directory.html

What to think of Obama’s State of the Union Address? Dr. Wilmer Leon Analyzes

by Dr. Wilmer J. Leon

President Barack Obama was under pressure to satisfy many different constituencies in his second State of the Union address last night. Some liberals wanted the president to support government-matching 401(k) contributions in order to promote saving; others wanted him to address gay-rights legislation; still others urged a ban on large gun clips, or deep cuts in the defense budget.

Instead the president chose to set a tone rather than an agenda. Other presidents have been able to unveil sweeping policy initiatives in the annual address. But President Obama is faced with an ideologically driven opposition that has made clear its intention to oppose him at every turn. At the same time, the president is also facing a historic shift in technological and global economic realities that is remaking the world as we have come to know it.

Click to read.

Flava Flav, Fried Chicken and Liquor – Hmmm, Interesting

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Last year, at the "Measuring the Movement" forum, hosted by Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network, I had a chance to sit next to Chuck D from Public Enemy. I found Chuck to be as impressive, interesting and intelligent as he is on television. He also didn’t give off the mind-numbing, stomach-turning, arrogant celebrity vibe that I see all too much. I was thoroughly impressed.
While I feel that I have some understanding of Chuck D, I simply cannot say the same for Flava Flav. Flava almost seems to come out of a different time, place, and perhaps even another planet, from the rest of us. He would have been great in the 1920s, when black performers could make a fortune by embracing ignorant stereotypes and engaging in ridiculous behavior. Flava seems to relish his role as the cultural clown, reminding all of us of exactly what Dr. Martin Luther King did NOT want our children to become.

Click to read.

Why 50 Cent Might Be in Trouble for the Way He Used Twitter

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

The rapper 50 Cent is known as much for his creative PR and business tactics as he is for the rhymes he once busted on the airwaves. Well, I guess he is still technically a rapper, but the music side of 50 Cent’s career doesn’t seem to be taking off like it did at the start of the decade.

Since his last hit record, 50 Cent has been involved in a series of business ventures that seem to pay him better than he was ever paid as an artist. The problem for Fifty is that he might be in trouble with theSecurities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for using his power tohaul in $8.7 million by pushing a stock on his Twitter page.

50 Cent has 3.8 million Twitter followers who apparently respect him for his investment advice. The rapper tapped into his massive market power by telling all of his followers about a stock that he owns called H&H Imports. In fact, 50 Cent owns quite a bit of the stock after acquiring 30 million shares in a private placement last October.

click to read.

Tea Party Candidate Thinks Founding Fathers Ended Slavery

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University –Scholarship in Action 

 

You would presume that with all of their citations of the Constitution and remembrance of the founding fathers, Tea Party candidates would understand history at least a little bit. But that’s apparently not the case with Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) who said that the founding fathers ended slavery in the United States.
In a recent speech in Iowa, Bachmann said that it was "the very founders that wrote those documents worked tirelessly until slavery was no more in the United States….Men like John Quincy Adams, who would not rest until slavery was extinguished in the country."

The problem for Bachmann is that John Quincy Adams died in 1848, 15 years before slavery was abolished with the Emancipation Proclamation. Also, most of the founding fathers did own slaves, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. In fact, one of the signers, James Monroe, executed 30 of his slaves after they tried to revolt for their freedom. George Washington also had teeth implanted into his mouth that were taken out of the mouths of his slaves.

 

Click to read.

Terry Harrington: Former High School Standout Does 25 Years for a Crime He Didn’t Commit

Click to watch the video about the case of Terry Harrington, a former highschool football standout who served 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

 

 

Visit Your Black World for more black news, black politics and black celebrity gossip!

Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight: From Harlem to Harvard – Giselle Marcus Sets the Standard

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

I was impressed with Gisele Marcus from the very first day we spoke. She has enough energy to light up Las Vegas and an intense drive to succeed in corporate America. She has done assignments around the world, most recently in South Africa, and has been identified as a rising star in executive circles. She also came from humble beginnings, growing up in a single parent household in Harlem, with a mother who pushed hard for Gisele to have a better life. In fact, her mother’s story reminded me of that of Kelly Williams-Bolar, the woman was sent to jail for sending her kids to a school outside their district. I don’t care what the law says, there’s nothing unethical about a mother fighting to give her children hope for the future. Just like the days of slavery, there remain systemic barriers to keep our kids away from opportunity, but also like our ancestors, good mothers don’t allow anything to keep us away from our dreams. It is for her dogged pursuit of excellence and the remarkable example she sets for young black women that Gisele Marcus is today’s Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight on AOL Black Voices.

 

Click to read.

Spoof: A White Girl to Be Tried as a Black Man

Funny: Court Rules White Girl to be Tried as 300 LB Black Man

Joan Rivers Refers to Michelle Obama as “Blackie O”

Click here to listen

Black Social Commentary from TheGrio.com – 1/25/11

Jeff Johnson

theGrio’s Senior Correspondent

What you won’t hear in the State of the Union

9:40 AM on 01/25/2011

OPINION – The predicted mixed message will give the White House room to define the real message going into this crucial legislative session and looming 2012 elections…

> MORE

Javier E. David

Writer

Don’t blame Oscars for lack of black nominees

9:13 AM on 01/25/2011

OPINION – This year’s omission of black actors should be a wake-up call to moviegoers: start patronizing better movies, and Hollywood will be forced to take notice…

> MORE

Earl Ofari Hutchinson

Journalist, author and broadcaster.

Will the SCLC survive without a King?

8:37 AM on 01/25/2011

OPINION – The SCLC, which embodied the civil rights movement, was the first and logical casualty of the public’s stamping the epitaph on the civil rights era…

> MORE

Mike McCray

Music Contributor

Talib Kweli keeps cool without topping the charts

8:34 AM on 01/25/2011

OPINION – His respect and critical acclaim is unquestioned. Turning that into album sales has been a task all its own…

> MORE

David A. Love

Executive Editor, BlackCommentator.com

Can Braun capitalize on Emanuel’s residency crisis?

8:31 AM on 01/25/2011

OPINION – Carol Moseley Braun benefits from her status as the consensus candidate of the black community…

> MORE

Ted Williams: “The Man with the Golden Voice” Keeps on Messing Up

Click here to watch Ted Williams, “The Man with the Golden Voice” as he continues to struggle with addiction.

Dr Boyce Spotlight: Black Scholars in Computer Science

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

While many of us know who the leading black basketball and football players happen to be, we are rarely exposed to the leading Computer Scientists, Mathematicians and Physicists. Most importantly, most of us don’t know that there is an entire organization of African American male PhDs called "Brothers of the Academy" who do scholarly work in a multitude of important fields. The media would be quick to feature these men if they were committing crimes, busting rhymes or dunking basketballs, but black males should be more readily celebrated when we are hitting the books, working our butts off and establishing sustainable institutions within the black community.
Ladies and gentleman, meet Professor Juan Gilbert. I’ve observed Juan as President of Brothers of the Academy for the past several years, and I can say with complete certainty that he is one of the most focused, dedicated, reliable and capable leaders in black America today. Juan not only runs BOTA, but he has also raised millions to fund his own computer science lab at Clemson University and at even before the age of 40, has served as the "academic father" for a large number of black Computer Science PhDs. It is for that reason that Professor Juan Gilbert is today’s Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight on AOL Black Voices:

Click to read.

Update: Rahm Emanuel Taken Off the Ballot for Chicago Mayor

News update

Rahm Emanuel has been thrown off the ballot for Mayor in Chicago.  The court has ruled that Emanuel is ineligible to run for mayor of Chicago because he was not a resident of the city for a full  year.  This will open the door for Carol Moseley Braun to make a serious charge for the position that many had argued to belong to Emanuel from the beginning.

Dr. Boyce Watkins and Rev. Al Sharpton discussed the matter on Sharpton’s national radio show, “Keeping it Real with Rev. Al Sharpton.”  Both agreed that it would be a game changer. 

 

Before the surprising announcement, Emanuel had a two-to-one lead over Moseley Braun in the race. 

Diamond Breland: Why Was Keith Olbermann Silent about Leaving MSNBC?

Four Detroit Police Officers Shot – More Black News – 1/24/11

 

Read More…

 

Sports

Twitter Escort Accuses NBA Player Of Not Paying In Full For Sex

By NewsOne Staff

Read More…

Entertainment

Oprah Finds Half-Sister She Never Knew About

By Associated Press

Read More…

Entertainment

Steve Harvey’s Ex-Wife: “He Left Me Broke And Homeless” [Video]

By NewsOne Staff

Read More…

Nation

Colin Powell On Pres. Obama: “We Didn’t Elect Superman” [Video]

By NewsOne Staff

Read More…

 

Nation

Man Sues NYC After Wife Dies Waiting 90 Minutes For Ambulance

By NewsOne Staff

Read More…

Sports

Steelers, Packers To Meet In Super Bowl

By NewsOne Staff

Read More…

Nation

4

Suspect In 1987 Baby-Stealing Case Taken Into Custody

By Associated Press

Read More…

Nation

3

Eric Cantor Addresses Birther Issue

By Associated Press

Read More…

Nation

The Thorny Path To A National Black Museum

By NewsOne Staff

Read More…

Washington Watch

1

At Obama’s Midpoint, An Altered State Of The Union

By Associated Press

Read More…

Nation

22

Keith Olbermann Leaves MSNBC

By Associated Press

Read More…

Entertainment

6

Bob Marley’s Family Wins Case Over Use Of Musician’s Image

Mike Tomlin’s Big Win is a Huge Win for Diversity in the NFL

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Anyone watching with pride as the Pittsburgh Steelers fought their way to yet another Super Bowl likely heard a few interesting facts about their general on the field, Mike Tomlin. Tomlin, at the age of 38, is the youngest head coach to ever lead two teams to the Super Bowl. Before that, he was the youngest head coach to win a Superbowl. He does this while sitting at the helm of a storied franchise that has more Super Bowl wins than any team in NFL history. In other words, the man is a serious beast.
Tomlin’s feats are not just impressive for a black coach, they stand above nearly any coach in NFL history. It is equally ironic that he is the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose owner was responsible for opening the door for black coaches to get a chance in the league. Steelers owner Dan Rooney helped to create the Rooney rule, requiring NFL teams to interview African Americans for head coaching and senior administrative positions.

 

Click to read.

Kelly Williams-Bolar: Sent to Jail for Sending Kids to Wrong School District

 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

An Ohio mother of two was sentenced to 10 days in jail and placed on three years probation after sending her kids to a school district in which they did not live.  Kelly Williams-Bolar was sentenced by Judge Patricia Cosgrove on Tuesday and will begin serving her sentence immediately.

The jury deliberated for seven hours and the courtroom was packed as the sentence was handed down.  She was convicted on two counts of tampering with court records after registering her two girls as living with their father when they actually lived with her.  The family lived in the housing projects in Akron, Ohio, and the father’s address was in nearby Copley Township.

Additionally, Williams-Bolar’s father, Edward L. Williams, was charged with a fourth-degree felony of grand theft, in which he and his daughter are charged with defrauding the school system for two years of educational services for their girls.  The court determined that sending their children to the wrong school was worth $30,500 in tuition. 

 

Click to read.

Mother Accused of Kidnapping Newborn 23 Years Ago Turns Herself in to Authorities

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

The search is over for the woman who allegedly raised a child for 23 years after she was kidnapped as an infant. Ann Pettway turned herself in to authorities in Bridgeport, Connecticut and is due to appear in court in New York to face kidnapping charges.
Pettway is being accused in the kidnapping of Carlina White (pictured above) when she was only 19 days old. White found her birth mother after finding out that she was listed on a missing persons website. She also found it suspicious that her "mother" could not produce a copy of her birth certificate.
White was taken from a hospital in Harlem as a newborn after her real mother took her to the doctor for a fever. After being kidnapped, she was raised as Nejdra Nance in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
White was excited about reuniting with her family back in New York.
"I’m so happy," she said. "At the same time, it’s a funny feeling because everything’s brand new. It’s like being born again."

 

Click to read.

Steve Harvey’s Ex-Wife Goes Public with His Affairs, Abandonment

 

Steve Harvey’s ex-wife Mary has decided to break her silence about her estranged husband.  In a series of three shocking videos, Mary goes into detail about Steve’s affairs and seems to imply that Harvey has no business writing a book about relationships.  There is even a letter below from one of Steve’s mistresses that puts the “relationship guru” on blast:

Click to read more.

Dr. Boyce Watkins’ articles on AOL Black Voices

What has Dr. Boyce been writing about this year?  Click here to read Dr. Watkins’ articles on AOL Black Voices 

Your Black News – 1/22/11

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  Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight: Helping Fathers Secure Rights to See Their Children

  1:51 PMJan 22

  Source: BV on Money

  One of the most difficult, stunning and defining experiences of my entire life was when I went through the child support system. My daughter was born when I was an 18-year old freshman in college, and although I didn’t want her mother to leave me for … Read More

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  Keith Olbermann Leaving MSNBC: Will They Consider a Black Replacement?

  12:44 PMJan 22

  Source: BV on Money

  Apparently, eight years has been enough for both MSNBC and Keith Olbermann. The network announced Friday that this is the end of Olbermann’s tenure with the network and that he is moving on immediately: "MSNBC and Keith Olbermann have ended their … Read More

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  Halle Berry’s Ex-Husband Engaged to Prince’s Ex-Wife

  11:25 AMJan 22

  Source: BV on Love

  In an unusual case of celebrity wife swap, Halle Berry’s ex-husband, R&B singer Eric Benet, announced that he and Prince’s ex-wife, Manuela Testolini, are engaged. According to People magazine, Benet popped the question to the Canadian-born …Read More

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  President Obama, Black America and the State of the Union: What We Need Him to Say

  8:49 PMJan 21

  Source: BV on Money

  Next week’s State of the Union Address to be offered by President Barack Obama comes at a time when our nation is especially divided, and our future as a country is foggier than it has been in recent memory. The event that will be on everyone’s mind … Read More

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  What are the 21st Century’s Greatest Black History Moments (so far)?

  7:30 PMJan 21

  Source: Blackvoices Main

  When we talk about Black History, traditionally we focus on how far we’ve come. Slavery. Jim Crow. The Civil Rights Movement. We look back really far and often talk about the same people every year. It seems we sometimes forget that black history is … Read More

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  Second Graders Caught Engaging in Oral Sex in Class with Teacher Present

  6:44 PMJan 21

  Source: BV Black Spin

  Two second-graders in an Oakland elementary school shocked the country when they were disciplined for performing oral sex on each other in class with a teacher present. The teacher has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation. … Read More

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  ‘No Strings Attached’ Film Review: Lightweight And Unromantic

  6:40 PMJan 21

  Source: BV on Movies

  With as much that Natalie Portman has on her plate these days, including a baby on the way as well as a forthcoming Oscar nomination for her role in ‘Black Swan,’ now is not the time for one of her films to be underwhelming than her previous … Read More

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  Luv Coach Q&A: I’m Afraid to Commit!

  6:30 PMJan 21

  Source: BV on Love

  I have been with Chris for about ten months now, although three years ago we were in a relationship for a year and a half. I broke off our prior relationship because I wasn’t able to balance my life with a teenager and dating. I needed to give my 14 … Read More

Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight: Fighting for the Rights of Fathers

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

One of the most difficult, stunning and defining experiences of my entire life was when I went through the child support system. My daughter was born when I was an 18-year old freshman in college, and although I didn’t want her mother to leave me for another man, I still knew that I had a responsibility when it came to taking care of my kids. So, I did what I was supposed to do, signed the papers where necessary and paid tens of thousands of dollars in child support over the next 18 years, even when it emptied out my bank account.

What surprised the heck out of me was that while the courts were always quick to threaten me with jail time if I’d chosen not to pay my child support, they showed almost no concern regarding whether or not I had the right to see my daughter. There was also no accountability regarding where my money was going and if those funds were being used to manage the needs of my child. I found myself increasingly frustrated by both my experience and also the broader perception of all black male non-custodial parents as dead beat dads. The truth is that while there are far too many dead beats, there are also fathers who’ve been victimized by parental alienation or an overzealous mother who feels that she can dictate every dimension of the father/child relationship. The mere implication that black males love their children any less than other people is a clear and stereotypical insult to our humanity.

Click to read.

As Keith Olbermann Leaves NBC, Will They Consider a Black Replacement?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Apparently, eight years has been enough for both MSNBC and Keith Olbermann. The network announced Friday that this is the end of Olbermann’s tenure with the network and that he is moving on immediately:
"MSNBC and Keith Olbermann have ended their contract," according to a statement issued by the network. "The last broadcast of ‘Countdown with Keith Olbermann’ will be this evening. MSNBC thanks Keith for his integral role in MSNBC’s success and we wish him well in his future endeavors."
Olbermann addressed his departure from the network on air, starting off with a story about his time with ESPN many years ago:

 

Click to read.

Condoleeza Rice Asked on CNN: “Why Are You Not Married?”

by Alexis Stodghill, AOL Black Voices

Condoleezza Rice, the first black woman to become a U.S. Secretary of State, was interviewed recently on the newly minted CNN show, ‘Piers Morgan Tonight,’ to be asked of all things: Why are you not married? That question no successful African American female can escape. The single, black (semi-successful) woman that I am couldn’t help but shrink in insecurity as this ubiquitous puzzler was posed even to one of the most prominent black women alive. Why the embarrassment?
Yes, such questions make for great ratings. It’s a question Piers Morgan might have asked any single V.I.P. Watching a woman who used to wield massive diplomatic and military power talk of cooking fried chicken was a hoot. But despite the innocence of the utterance, for black women everywhere that question is the articulation of aGreek tragedy-style family curse: An unsolvable source of suffering for black women that just keeps getting passed down. Piers may not have known that, but refering to it even obliquely is enough to make one’s heart hurt.

 

click to read.

Obama’s State of the Union Speech: What Black Folks Might Want to Hear

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Next week’s State of the Union Address to be offered by President Barack Obama comes at a time when our nation is especially divided, and our future as a country is foggier than it has been in recent memory. The event that will be on everyone’s mind is the attempted assasination of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who is recovering from an assassin’s bullet in the hospital right now. The Giffords shooting has slowed down the most extreme Republican rhetoric for the moment, but it certainly has not ended the animosity shown toward President Obama.

While President Obama must contend with the Republicans, he must also deal with a wide variety of special interest groups, all expecting something in return for their loyalty. With well over 90 percent approval ratings, no group has been more steadfast and committed to President Obama than the African American community. Therefore, as we seek to determine what our community should expect from the State of the Union address being given this week, we have every right to demand what is best for us.

Click to read.

Shocking: Second Graders Caught Engaging in Oral Sex in Oakland Elementary School

 

You have to wonder what the world is coming to when second grade children are caught engaging in oral sex with the teacher present in the classroom.   Markham Elementary School in Oakland, CA is seeking answers as one of their children told an adult staff member about what occured.

 

Dr. Boyce analyzes this incident on AOL Black Voices – click here to read.

Should Obama Be Pro-Choice Just Because He’s Black? This Senator Thinks So

 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum is a principled and ambitious man.  His career took off during the 1990s with a far Right Wing platform and his constituents seemed to love him.  In spite of his staunchly conservative disposition, Santorum seemed like the kind of guy who could one day (unsuccessfully) tap at the door of the White House, assuming that he didn’t make any major mistakes.   But then again, we all know what they say about assumptions.

In a recent interview with CNS News, Santorum made the latest of a series of serious political errors by invoking race into the debate over abortion.  In reference to President Barack Obama, Santorum said the following: “The question is, and this is what Barack Obama didn’t want to answer — is that human life a person under the constitution?  And Barack Obama says no. Well if that human life is not a person then I find it almost remarkable for a black man to say ‘now we are going to decide who are people and who are not people.’”

So, it appears that Santorum thinks that because Barack Obama is black, he should automatically be pro-life.  I’ve seen this sort of argument on billboards and in private conversations, when pro-lifers drum up conspiracy theories about how Planned Parenthood is strategically located to abort as many black babies as possible.  In his version of the racialized abortion argument, Santorum seems to be implying that because blacks were once considered to be three-fifths of a human being, we should be concerned about an undeveloped fetus not having rights to citizenship.  

To be clear, I am not a fan of abortion, and I also do not buy into the “It’s my body so I can abort when it’s convenient” argument frequently used by some pro-choice Americans.  I find it ironic that killing a newborn baby is considered to be a heinous crime, but aborting one fetus after another barely gets a second thought.  At the same time, pounding us over the head with the bible and using Jedi mind tricks to get black people to support their cause makes some in the pro-life camp look silly.  Those of us in the middle of the two extremes on abortion find ourselves both confused and manipulated on a regular basis.

 

Click to read.

Frederick Jermaine Carter and the Questionable Suicide

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

 

The black community in Greenwood, Mississippi is on edge and angry after the death of Frederick Jermaine Carter. Carter, who was 26 years old, was found hanging from a tree in what authorities have labeled to be a suicide. But the community isn’t buying the police’s story and claim that he was actually murdered.
The Final Call is reporting on the death of Carter, and even Michael Pimbleton Jr., the mayor of Sunflower, Mississippi has said that there was more going on than meets the eye.
"This is 2010 and we still have Black people hanging from trees? They’re saying he hung himself but I have doubt in my mind that he actually did that. That wasn’t his character. This wasn’t a suicide, this was a homicide," Mayor Pembleton said to The Final Call.
Carter was found on December 3, with his body hanging from an oak tree in North Greenwood, which is a predominantly white section of Leflore County. He actually lived in nearby Sunflower County, and North Greenwood is known as an area that black people are sometimes afraid to visit. Carter was with his stepfather, who said that he wandered off from an area in which they were both working.

 

Click to read.

 

Visit Your Black World for more black news and black politics!

How to look great on a budget: The Frugalista Shows You HOw

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Natalie P. McNeal is onto something. Under the name "The Frugalista," she has come up with a set of concepts that allow us to balance our need to save with our desire to enjoy life. Black people, on average, tend to be first-class consumers, second-class savers and third-class investors, leading many of us to a life on the edge of financial ruin. Even those of us who have high incomes can end up with debt up to our eyeballs and bills that we can barely afford to pay. So, when unemployment or financial crisis hits our households, we are the first to be bankrupt or in foreclosure.

The Frugalista lays out her own experience with debt and how she found a way to save money without forcing herself to live a Spartan life. She teaches that saving money should not be the only important thing in your life, but that financial responsibility can be a key to having a better life experience. It is for that reason that Natalie P. Mcneal is today’s Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight on AOL Black Voices:

Click to read.

Michael Steele Says Republicans “Need a Few More Brothers”

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele has continued to be outspoken in the name of the Republican Party. On a recent appearance on MSNBC, Steele went out of his way to note that he feels that he’s helped to increase diversity within the ranks of the Republicans.
"What I tried to do [as chairman] was to broaden the landscape over which we could play, go into neighborhoods where we needed to be in, but hadn’t been in generations, and I think it made a difference," he said. "I’m very happy with what we got done."
Matthews noted that he rarely sees African Americans gathering together at Republican conventions, and Steele responded by saying, "We could have used a few more brothers in the house, there’s no doubt about that."
Steele was not reelected as the chairman of the RNC this week, being replaced by Reince Priebus after seven rounds of balloting. Steele believes that his fellow Republicans will work with President Obama if he leaves the door open to do so. "I really believe they will run with him on certain issues," Steele said.

Click to read.

Giffords Shooter Gets Indicted: What about Gun Control?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

A federal grand jury has issued the first in a set of charges in the indictment of Jared Loughner, the man accused of attempting to assassinate U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Loughner is accused of shooting Giffords in a rampage that left six people dead and injured 13 during a January 8 visit at a grocery store. Loughner has thus far been charged with an attempted assassination of Giffords, along with attempted murder of her two aides, Ron Barber and Pam Simon. He has also been charged with two counts of first degree murder in the death U.S. District Judge John M. Roll and one of Giffords’ aides. More charges are expected to be released soon.
U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke mentioned that the three charges are just the beginning of legal action against Loughner.
"This case also involves potential death-penalty charges, and Department [of Justice] rules require us to pursue a deliberate and thorough process," said Burke in a public statement.

Click to read.

Girl Stolen from Hospital Finds Her Mother 23 Years Later

More than two decades ago, a newborn sick with fever was snatched from a New York City hospital, her frantic mother returning to the emergency room to find an empty crib. On Wednesday, police said the baby — now a woman who reached out to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children because she suspected that the people raising her were not her real family — has been found.

Carlina White was just 19 days old when she disappeared from Harlem Hospital on Aug. 4, 1987. Police searched for her kidnappers but never found enough evidence to charge any suspects. Her mother, Joy White, always had a feeling that her baby was alive, her family said.

"I never gave up looking for her," she told the New York Post.

On Jan. 4, a woman known as Nejdra Nance, who was raised in Bridgeport, Conn., and now lives in Atlanta, contacted White, sending along baby photos that looked nearly identical to shots of Carlina posted on a missing children’s website. Nance told White she thought she may be her daughter.

Click to read.

Republicans Vote to Repeal Obama’s Health Care Law

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  Republicans Vote to Repeal President Obama’s Healthcare Law

  9:45 PMJan 19

  Source: BV Black Spin

  Let the political games begin. In their first move as freshly appointed captains of the Congressional ship, Republicans in the House of Representatives voted to repeal the health reform law as a statement of protest against President Obama’s most … Read More

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  Score Board: ‘The Game’ & ‘Let’s Stay Together’ Land Big Second Week Numbers

  5:00 PMJan 19

  Source: BV Buzz

  BET’s re-launch of ‘The Game’ continues to bring in lots of viewers. The second episode of the dramedy was viewed by 5.9 million viewers, just down 1.9 million viewers from its record-breaking hour-long debut last week. (Read: ‘Big Ratings Win for … Read More

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  Hairdresser Performs Illegal Butt and Boob Jobs

  4:40 PMJan 19

  Source: theBVX.com

  Hairdresser turned plastic surgeon Whalesca Castillo can give you a mean blowout and a bangin’ behind. The only catch is that she’s unlicensed and has allegedly been performing breast and butt augmentation procedures in her Bronx, New York apartment … Read More

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  Daily SMH: Women Battle Over 50 Tyson?

  4:30 PMJan 19

  Source: theBVX.com

  Ladies love 50 Tyson? Apparently, the autistic rapper who has become a YouTube celeb for his terrible skills on the mic has groupies fighting over him. What has this world come to? … Read More

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  Halle vs. Bee: Who Wore Nina Ricci Best?

  4:00 PMJan 19

  Source: BV on Style

  Whether you hated it or loved it, there’s no doubt you have an opinion about Halle Berry’s Golden Globes dress. While most women on the red carpet go for the latest, greatest gown available, Halle decided to keep it real, opting for a black, 2009 …Read More

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  Spokane: Bomb at Parade Attempts to Destroy MLK’s Legacy

  3:36 PMJan 19

  Source: BV Black Spin

  A Spokane, Wash., parade to commemorate the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and to remember all those who were part of his struggle is apparently so scary that someone or some group decided to relive the horror of the Birmingham, Ala., bombing … Read More

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  Hillary Clinton Sees Second Term For Obama, Dick Cheney Does Not

  3:35 PMJan 19

  Source: BV Black Spin

  Hillary Clinton chuckled as she watched a video of Dick Cheney predicting that her boss, President Obama, would be a one-term president. "I am pleased that former Vice President Cheney is healthy and resuming public activity, but I could not …Read More

Study Shows Odd Changes in Sex and Dating Habits

from CNN.com

It’s not a new theory:  As women progress in educational and professional opportunities, their odds of finding a committed man appear to go down. Women in their 40s and 50s have long heard this, but new research finds it’s true for women just entering adulthood as well.

That’s one of the findings in the new book "Premarital Sex in America: How Young Americans Meet, Mate and Think About Marrying," by researchers Mark Regnerus and Jeremy Uecker at the University of Texas at Austin.

They looked at the results from a number of national studies including the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and the National Study of Youth and Religion, in addition to interviews with young people ages 18 to 23.

Researchers found that since women in the 18- to 23-year-old group feel they don’t need men for financial dependence, many of them feel they can play around with multiple partners without consequence, and that the early 20s isn’t the time to have a serious relationship. But eventually, they do come to want a real, lasting relationship. The problem is that there will still be women who will have sex readily without commitment, and since men know this, fewer of them are willing to go steady.

"Women have plenty of freedom, but freedom does not translate easily into getting what you want," Regnerus said.

Click to read.

Dr. Laura Won’t Stop Talking about the N-word

 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Dr. Laura Schlessinger is at it again. Appearing on The Today Show this morning to promote a book about revenge, she dug up her infamous n-word controversy from last August. For those of your who don’t remember, Dr. Laura repeatedly hurled the n-word several times at a black caller who was clearly offended by what she was saying. She then told Today Show host Matt Lauer that the controversy was a "blessing", because she is now on Sirius/XM, where she can use the word all day long and not be sanctioned for it. Good for her.

Adding further insult to injury, Dr. Laura seized an opportunity in a later segment to irrationally compare herself to the comedian Bill Cosby. She claims an unnamed "they" (presumably progressive African-Americans) "Uncle Tom’ed" Cosby because he spoke out in favor of traditional values.

I watched the interviews on The Today Show and again listened to her n-word rant on the radio to get a take on Dr. Laura and her concept of a double standard. During the rant, Dr. Laura seemed angry about the fact that black people can use the word and she cannot. She also comes off as a self-righteous, incredibly arrogant demagogue who believes she possesses a degree of moral authority that trumps everyone else. Maybe that’s why her network likes her, but I certainly do not.

 

Click to read.

Your Black News – 1/18/11

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  Andrae Crouch: Gospel Great Readying New Music & Film Documentary

  10:00 AMJan 18

  Source: BV Buzz

  Grammy-winning gospel legend Andrae Crouch is readying a new CD and has a documentary in the works. During a private luncheon at The Palm restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee, the 68-year-old music great confessed that he had not intended to record … Read More

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  Anthony Mackie: Poised to Be Hollywood’s Next Black Leading Man

  5:55 AMJan 18

  Source: BV on Movies

  Coming out next month is the sci-fi thriller ‘The Adjustment Bureau,’ which stars Matt Damon, Emily Blount and Anthony Mackie. Loosely based on a Philip K. Dick short story, Damon plays David Norris, a smooth-talking congressman whose political …Read More

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  NeNe Leakes: Is She Leaving ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta?’

  2:15 AMJan 18

  Source: BV Buzz

  Is ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ star NeNe Leakes planning to leave the hit Bravo reality show? According to her recent interview with Zap2it.com, the 42-year-old reality TV star is uncertain about her future with the franchise. "I’m not really … Read More

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  Martin Luther King Facebook Page Vandalized with Disturbing Racist Images

  11:11 PMJan 17

  Source: BV Black Spin

  A Facebook page that appears to be run by the Martin Luther King Center has been vandalized by individuals or a group of people who are determined to populate the page with disturbing racial imagery. Images using the N-word are displayed all over the … Read More

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  Stars Align to Celebrate Greatness at 2011 ‘BET Honors’

  9:09 PMJan 17

  Source: BV Newswire

  "All of my moments are black history moments," the always stoic Cicely Tyson told BlackVoices.com during the fourth annual ‘BET Honors,’ which were held at Washington, D.C.’s historic Warner Theater on Jan. 15. "Every single one of them," the … Read More

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  20 Questions With Actor Pooch Hall

  5:05 PMJan 17

  Source: BV Newswire

  Fans of ‘The Game’ might have grown up seeing Tia Mowry-Hardrict alongside her twin Tamera on ‘Sister, Sister’ or have enjoyed Wendy Raquel Robinson as the feisty Principal Regina Grier on ‘The Steve Harvey Show before they were cast in the dramedy, … Read More

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  Dr. Martin Luther King and the Dangers of ‘Hero Worship’

  11:53 AMJan 17

  Source: BV Black Spin

  When I was a little boy, my mother used to make me put on a suit and recite the "I have a dream" speech in her bedroom. She even had me wear a burnt cross necklace around my neck to emulate Dr. King. It was an uncomfortable process for me, but I’m … Read More

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  Golden Globes Red Carpet Recap

  9:00 AMJan 17

  Source: BV on Style

  The 68th annual Golden Globes aired last night, and while many tuned in to see who took home an award, we all knew the best part of the show would be the fashion. It was unusally hot in LA last night, but our favorite stars of film, TV and music were …Read More

Martin Luther King Facebook Page Vandalized by Racists

These images were taken off the KingCenter.org Facebook page.  Most

of them were put up on King day.   It appears that America has a long way to go when it comes to race.  Also, someone should be moderating the page to ensure that images like these can’t be posted.

 

 

 

 

Martin Luther King and the Dangers of Hero Worship

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

When I was a little boy, my mother used to make me put on a suit and recite the "I have a dream" speech in her bedroom. She even had me wear a burnt cross necklace around my neck to emulate Dr. King. It was an uncomfortable process for me, but I’m sure my parents got a kick out
of it. Either way, the first stamp on my brain had been made and it stayed with me for life.
As I got older and studied the life of Dr. King, I quickly realized that his life was very different from my own. He accomplished far more at an early age than I did. He had far more respect than I did. He was a better student than I was. How could I ever match up to that?
But it was OK that I couldn’t match Dr. King, primarily because it had been confirmed to me in one celebration after another that I couldn’t be anything like that man even if I’d wanted to be. He was superhuman, and I was not. So, rather than having the confidence to continue his legacy, I figured that I would just sit back and enjoy the celebration like everyone else. Why try to match up with perfection?

 

Click to read.