Why Carol Moseley Braun Could Not Become the Mayor of Chicago

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

One of the most interesting political events in America was the race to become mayor of Chicago. After yet another seemingly endless regime under the Daley family, black Chicago had a chance to elect one of their own. Carol Moseley Braun, the seasoned politician and history-making former Senator, positioned herself to be the great black hope for the city of Chicago.

Unfortunately, the Moseley-Braun candidacy was simply not meant to be. After a series of missteps, Rahm Emanuel used the power of President Obama’s backing to convince the vast majority of Chicago citizens, white and black, to give him their support. Apparently, unspoken endorsements from Barack Obama and Bill Clinton goes a long way, even if you can’t readily prove that you’ve done very much for the African American community.

click to read.

Dr. Watkins Interview on Why College Athletes Should Get Paid

With March Madness approaching, Dr. Boyce Watkins did a recent interview regarding the details on how and why college athletes should be paid.  The interview is below:

1.  If college athletes are to be paid for their performance, how do you decide who is paid and who is not?

The market can decide who gets paid.  That’s how coaches find out who earns $2 million per year vs. those who earn just $500k.  Better performers typically get paid more money on a job, so why should it be any different for athletes?

2. How do you decide how much to pay them? Is it enough to provide for their families and some for extra activities, or is it solely based on something like jersey sales, winning record, etc.?

I don’t think any of us should decide how much to pay someone – no one "decides" that Rick Pitino is worth $2 million per year.  He negotiates and the highest bidder gets his services.  I am a believer that athletes should have access to the same fair market that their coaches receive.  To argue differently is to imply that coaches are more important than athletes or that they deserve better treatment.  This is a classist and racist thing to believe.

Click to read.

Cornell University Student Found Dead in a Frat House

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

George Desdunes, a 19-year old freshman at Cornell University, was found dead outside a fraternity house on Friday, according to the Cornell Daily Sun. Desdunes was from Brooklyn and a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
The cause of death has not yet been specified and is expected to be released after the autopsy.

Click to read.

Actor Idris Elba Says “Oscars are not designed for us”

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

I saw an interesting article recently in which Idris Elba, one of my favorite actors, went out of his way to give his true feelings about the Oscars.  You know the Oscars, those awards that black people never get unless they yank out a breast or act like they want to kill other black people. 

In an appearance at a university, Elba made this statement: “Halle Berry and I were the only two black actors nominated for this year’s Golden Globes (Idris for Lutherand Halle for Frankie & Alice). The Oscars aren’t designed for us…let’s focus on making more films.”

Click to read.

Creflo Dollar Accused of Saying that Non-Tithers Should Be Shot by a Firing Squad

by Dr. Boyce Watkins 

I wasn’t sure what to think when I heard this audio, in which Creflo Dollar appears to be arguing that if you don’t tithe, you should be put in front of a firing squad.  I did some research and found media outlets reporting the video, and I can only hope that he doesn’t truly believe this.

Click to read.

Dr. Boyce Watkins speaks on the value of education and being a black achiever

 

Click here to listen to Dr. Boyce Watkins talk about what it means to be a black achiever and the value of education.

Obama’s Motown Event: The Ultimate Political Insult

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

I have the interesting privilege of being on an email list owned by the White House. Whenever the administration holds an event that they believe to be of interest to African Americans in media, they shoot out an email to all of us. This week, at least two times in my email inbox, there was a message from the White House bragging about the administration’s Black History Month celebration of Motown music.

I saw news of the event everywhere. Most interesting was the image of President Obama dancing with Michelle and his kids with Stevie Wonder, Smokie Robinson, Jamie Foxx and John Legend crooning in the background. The president, who appeared to be doing his best, had the stiffness of a corpse, and the posture of a 92-year old woman, but the nation appreciated his effort.

Click to read.

Young Black CEO Created $60,000 Per Month Business by Making Phone Calls

 

Click to watch the interview with Lawrence Watkins, founder of GreatBlackSpeakers.com.

Ephren Taylor Gives Interview about Bishop Eddie Long Financial Mix-Up

Interview done by Dr. Boyce Watkins 

Quite a few people took notice when Bishop Eddie Long went to YouTube to issue a very direct challenge to young entrepreneur Ephren Taylor over money that Bishop Long felt Taylor to have shaken out of his congregation. According to Bishop Long, Taylor should give $1 million to the members of his congregation who made investments in response to a seminar being offered by Taylor. Long’s video seems to imply that Ephren had been unethical and misleading in the way he delivered the information and that people had lost thousands of dollars as a result.

I’ve never personally met either Bishop Eddie Long or Ephren Taylor, but I watched the Eddie Long video with extreme curiosity. I felt it to be entirely possible that Taylor could have been less than ethical, since pure capitalism tends to put ethics at the bottom of the priority list (legality is not the same as morality, so someone could be unethical while remaining within the boundaries of the law) . At the same time, there was also the possibility that Long’s parishioners may not have read the fine print or had a misconception about what it means to invest. Some investors believe that investing means that you are guaranteed to make money. This is far from the truth. You can easily lose everything, so you should make sure you’re prepared to stomach the risk before putting up your money.

 

Click to read.

Your Black News – 2/24/11

Meet Pastor Omarosa

10 Reasons Why He Won’t Marry You

Michael Boatman On Being Uber Black

Photo Credit: Jordan Strauss, WireImageCorbisJohn Heller, WireImage

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  Dave Duerson Commits Suicide For NFL Brain Res …

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  Daily SMH: Anti-Abortion Billboard Goes Too Far

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  Lena Horne’s NYC Apartment Artifacts Sold

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  Rihanna Skips Trump Charity Event for NBA All- …

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  Shawn Kemp: Blake Griffin Car Dunk ‘Weak’

  11:24 PMFeb 23

  Source: BV on Sports

  Blake Griffin jumped over a car and threw down an alley-oop dunk to win the 2011 Dunk Contest over the weekend. However, former NBA player and dunking sensation Shawn Kemp didn’t think much of it. The 41-year-old joined KJR in Seattle with Dave … Read More

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  Singer Eric Benet To Star In Indie Film ‘Trinity Goodheart’

  9:45 PMFeb 23

  Source: BV on Movies

  R&B crooner Eric Benét, who’s about to get married to Manuela Testolini, Prince’s ex-wife, will have a starring role in the independent film ‘Trinity Goodheart,’ which was written by Rhonda Freeman-Baraka. Directed by cinematographer Joanne Hock, …Read More

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  Woman Jailed For Fighting Over Girl Scout Cookies

  6:33 PMFeb 23

  Source: BV Black Spin

  A Florida woman faces charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon over a Girl Scouts Thin Mints cookie misunderstanding. … Read More

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  Black Enterprise 2011 Women of Power Summit: Log In to Watch Live Stream Tonight at 9pm

  4:58 PMFeb 23

  Source: BV on Money

  Looking for a way to boost your career from home utilizing advice from business experts? BV on Money has got you covered. Black Voices will be on hand from Wednesday through Saturday this week to bring you an insider’s view on the Black Enterprise … Read More

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  New Martin Luther King Jr. Film In The Works, Universal Pictures To Distribute

  4:20 PMFeb 23

  Source: BV on Movies

  With Lee Daniels’s film about Martin Luther King Jr. still in limbo after funding dried up, Universal Pictures will make ‘Memphis,’ the drama about the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.. Producing the film will be Scott Rudin, the … Read More

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  95-Year-Old Ida Keeling Sets Running Record

  3:30 PMFeb 23

  Source: BV Wellness

  If this isn’t inspiration to hit the gym, then what is? Brooklyn, NY resident Ida Keeling, 95, recently set a world record for running 60 meters in under 30 seconds – 29.86 seconds, to be exact. … Read More

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  La La Vazquez & Carmelo Anthony Land New VH1 Reality Show

  3:03 PMFeb 23

  Source: BV Newswire

  Now that the Denver Nuggets have solidified Carmelo Anthony’s trade to the New York Knicks, VH1 has announced plans to chronicle Anthony and wife La La Vazquez’s transition to the Big Apple. This August, the network is planning to premiere the … Read More

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  Reggie Bush May Get Cut by the New Orleans Saints

  2:30 PMFeb 23

  Source: BV on Money

  It may be impossible to fathom, but Reggie Bush may get axed by the New Orleans Saints. The Saints, facing tough financial challenges, just released Jeremy Shockey, one of the top receivers in the league. Due to his massive salary this year, some …Read More

Dave Duerson: Said Something was Wrong with His Brain when he Killed Himself

 

This video interview with the wife of former Bears star Dave Duerson who killed himself says that Dave was having problems with his brain before he died.

Click to watch.

Sex, Church and the Single Black Sister: Meet Sha Givens

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University

One of the most intriguing things about the black community is the power of the black church. The church is one of our most powerful and impactful institutions. With the power of the black church comes the scandal that we all know about. Books are written about the things that happen in church that we don’t want to talk about, in large part because the black church can be as much of a social institution as a spiritual one.

Sha’ Givens has written a book about single black women in the church and the ways that they can achieve their goals without selling their souls. She is also a young black entrepreneur working to make a mark on the world in which she lives. It is for that reason that Sha’ Givens is today’s Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight on AOL Black Voices:

 

Click to read.

Dr. Wilmer leon: Let’s free Rodney Stanberry

To read Dr. Boyce Watkins’ take on the case of Rodney K. Stanberry, please click here. 

 

A note from Dr. Wilmer Leon:

Greetings All,
Here is the clarion call!  As you know, I’ve been working with a very dear
friend of mine Dr. Artemesia Stanberry as she works to get her cousin Rodney
Stanberry out of prison. 
Go to www.freerodneystanberry.com for additional information as well.
Please go to my web site http://www.wilmerleon click on Listen Now and go to
the
two interviews on this issue. During the latest interview we were able to talk
with Rodney directly. Your calls and emails have actually had an impact.
There’s a new DA Ashley Rich who has put a new investigator, Mike Morgan (251)
574-6681  on the case.  New eyes, fresh perspective; hopefully more progress. 

 

Click to read more.

Former NFL Superstar Kills Himself: Was This Due to a Brain Injury?

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

This weekend, I was driving through the middle of "Nowhere’s Ville," Indiana, on my way to Chicago. Right as I was approaching South Bend, the home of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, I ironically received an email from former Notre Dame Coach Lou Holtz. Holtz and I had recently debated whether college athletes should be paid (we disagreed on the topic), but the coach was gracious enough to email me twice since the interview to say that he now considers us friends. I have a tremendous amount of respect for both Holtz and his noble gesture.

Adding to the irony of the trip was the fact that I also received a text message from a friend informing me that former Notre Dame/Chicago Bears football Star Dave Duerson had just been found dead in his condo. So, on a trip past Notre Dame on my way to Chicago, I receive both an email from Lou Holtz and a text message about a former Notre Dame/Chicago Bears star dying that day. Perhaps this was a signal from a higher power that I needed to dig further into the issue.

Click to read.

Strong Evidence that Rodney K. Stanberry Never Committed Murder, but was sent to prison nonetheless

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

Dr. Artemesia Stanberry has been relentless in fighting to free her cousin, Rodney K. Stanberry, who appears to be in prison for crimes he did not commit. I first heard about the case from Dr. Wilmer Leon, as we were headed to Missouri last year to rally on behalf of Heather Ellis, a college student threatened with 15 years in prison for cutting in line at a Wal-Mart.

When I first heard about Rodney’s case, I couldn’t believe my ears. From what Dr. Leon was telling me, it sounded like a case of lazy police work, where officers didn’t want to go through the efforts of going all the way to New York to find the true killers. Additionally, like so many others affected by our racially-skewed criminal justice system, Rodney K. Stanberry ended up in prison because he was the most convenient person to incarcerate. This is particularly true in Alabama, a state where the modern prison system has powerful links to slavery.

Click to read.

Dr. Boyce, Rev. Sharpton Speak at Ohio Education Rally

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

Most of you by now know about the case of Kelley Williams-Bolar. You also know that I’ve taken a personal interest in Kelley’s case since we first hit the issue on Black Voices. Kelley, in case you don’t know, was convicted of a felony after sending her children to a school district that was not her own. This case against a single mother seeking a better educational situation for her kids set off a firestorm of international support.

I arrived in Akron yesterday to prepare for the rally on Kelley’s behalf, and Rev. Sharpton got here tonight. When we arrived at the church, the parking lot was full, the news trucks were everywhere and police were on hand to control us "rabble-rousing black folks."

The National Action Network was necessary in creating the infrastructure for the rally, for which I was extremely appreciative. The community was particularly gracious in coming out to take a stand for educational equality, which I found to be equally impressive. A glaring absence from the room was Ms. Williams-Bolar, but the issue is bigger than just one person, so I personally wasn’t concerned. I honestly can’t say why Kelley wasn’t at the rally or why her attorneys advised her not to show up, but I hope it was for a good reason. I also hope that they will one day allow her to thank the citizens who came out in bad weather to support her case.

 

Click to read.

Black News from AOL – 2/17/11

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  Why Are Women Such Haters?

  1:30 PMFeb 17

  Source: BV on Love

  Let’s be very honest with ourselves: we all watch reality television for the drama, the "real life" depictions of crazy housewives from popular cities, baby mamas, basketball "stars," and random celebrities that are famous for nothing other than …Read More

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  Democrats Turn ‘Where Are the Jobs?’ Chant on GOP

  1:22 PMFeb 17

  Source: BV Black Spin

  Republicans won sweeping victories last November by taunting Democrats with "where are the jobs?" Democrats are now throwing those taunts back, saying it’s Republicans who will knock thousands of Americans out of work with their demands for deep cuts … Read More

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  Tea Partier, Michelle Bachmann, Slams Michelle Obama over Breastfeeding

  12:05 PMFeb 17

  Source: BV Black Spin

  Michele Bachmann wants Michelle Obama to quit meddling with American moms – especially their breastfeeding habits. The Tea Party darling and Minnesota congresswoman slammed the First Lady for supporting a tax break on breast pumps, accusing her of … Read More

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  Urban Prep Academy Gets 100% Black Male College Attendance… Again

  11:56 AMFeb 17

  Source: BV on Money

  Well, they’ve done it again. Urban Prep Academy of Chicago, an all-male charter school with kids from the "worst" parts of Chicago, is sending 100% of its graduating seniors off to college. The school, founded in 2006, has stated that its continuous …Read More

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  C’mon, Texas, Pay Anthony Graves His Money

  11:04 AMFeb 17

  Source: BV Black Spin

  It’s bad enough that Anthony Graves had 18 years of his life stolen from him by the Texas justice system, which imprisoned him for a crime he didn’t commit. Now the lack of two words on the judge’s order releasing Graves may keep him from getting …Read More

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  Did MLK Comic Book Inspire Egypt Rebellion?

  10:02 AMFeb 17

  Source: BV Black Spin

  Last week, millions of Egyptians erupted in joy when they found out their 30-year tormentor Hosni Mubarak would be stepping down, signifying that their social media–driven rebellion worked. It’s hard to draw lots of comparisons between that … Read More

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  De-Clutter Your Home And Let It Shine!

  6:00 AMFeb 17

  Source: BV on Style

  In the fast-paced world we live in today, there’s no wonder why organization of our homes can get a little out hand. Whether you’re just too busy or too messy to pick the shirt up off the bedroom floor or move the week-old cup from the kitchen table, …Read More

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  Michael Jordan to Come Out of Retirement?

  12:51 AMFeb 17

  Source: BV on Sports

  He’s already returned twice to the NBA after multiyear hiatuses, but could Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan, who turns 48 on Thursday, return once again? Jordan, who last played in 2003, joined the team’s practice last week, fueling … Read More

Urban Prep in Chicago Sends 100% of It’s Black Males to College….Again

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

Well, they’ve done it again. Urban Prep Academy of Chicago, an all-male charter school with kids from the "worst" parts of Chicago, is sending 100% of its graduating seniors off to college. The school, founded in 2006, has stated that its continuous objective is to see to it that all of its students go to college. They are succeeding with flying colors.
The school started with kids whose futures had been left for dead by their public schools: Only four percent of the school’s incoming freshmen were reading at grade level when they arrived on campus. But by sending all of their graduating seniors to college, they’ve not only gotten these kids up to speed, they’ve allowed them to zip past every other public school in the entire United States.
"No other public [school] in the country has done this," said Tim King, the founder of Urban Prep.

Click to read.

Michael Vick Cancels on The Oprah Winfrey Show

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

Football superstar Michael Vick initially made plans to appear on the Oprah Winfrey Show. But it’s just been announced that Vick is not going to appear on the show, citing personal and professional conflicts that have made the appearance impossible.
"Mike postponed the taping because of the timing of the interview for personal and professional reasons," said Michael Vick’s spokesman Chris Shigas. "He does not have a reschedule date at this time."

Some speculate that Vick may have canceled because other groups have been sending emails and letters to the Oprah Winfrey Show, asking that the voices of Vick’s critics be heard. One of Vick’s strongest critics has been Richard Hunter, a stand-up comedian who also adopted one of Vick’s dogs. Hunter claims that he and others who agree with him have been harassing Oprah’s producers since it was announced that Michael Vick might appear on the show.

 

Click to read.

Oprah Winfrey and Iyanla Vanzant: The Breakdown of their Economic Beef

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

I watched with extreme curiosity as the great Iyanla Vanzant emerged again on the Oprah Winfrey show after being gone for a full 11 years. I wasn’t entirely connected to the feud between Winfrey and Vanzant, primarily because we don’t think much about people that we haven’t seen in over a decade. Of course Oprah is on everyone’s mind, and even those who don’t follow her seem to know everything she has been up to.

As the guest came to the stage, even a man from Mars could tell that there was latent mega-beef between Oprah and Iyanla. Both women seemed to overcompensate when it came to doing all they could to prove that the past was the past and that everything was OK. But the tension was so thick that it seemed to suck the oxygen out of the room.

click to read.

Did LAPD Officers Kill the Notorious B.I.G?

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

CBS Los Angeles is now reporting new evidence that officers within the Los Angeles Police Department may have played a role in the death of the rapper Christopher Wallace, also known as The Notorious B.I.G (aka Biggie Smalls).
Wallace was murdered March 9th, 1997. According to witnesses, a lone gunman in the driver’s seat of a black Chevy Impala pulled up to the truck where Wallace was sitting in the passenger seat and opened fire. Wallace died shortly thereafter.
The Wallace family filed suit against the LAPD in 2005, bringing forth additional evidence that was not considered, implicating LAPD officers that they believe were involved in the death of Christopher Wallace. The two officers under suspicion are David Mack and Rafael Perez. Both Perez and Mack are in prison now for unrelated crimes, Mack for bank robbery and Perez for stealing cocaine.

Click to read.

OJ Simpson Reportedly Beaten in Prison by Skinheads

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

OJ Simpson has, according to the National Enquirer, been having a hard time in prison. The magazine is claiming that some White Supremacists have been targeting Simpson for bragging about his sexual conquests with white women.
"Inmates cheered as a muscular young skinhead knocked him to the ground, punching and kicking him to a bloody pulp and inflicting injuries so severe he secretly spent nearly three weeks in the infirmary before he recovered."
While the Nevada Department of Corrections is denying that any such incident took place, I know enough about corrections departments to know that their words have as much credibility as Sarah Palin at a Mensa convention.

Click to read.

Speakers for Kelley Williams-Bolar Rally in Akron, Ohio

 

 

The rally for educational equality and the Kelley Williams-Bolar case is set to take place at the Mountain of the Lord Church in Akron, OH on Thursday, February 17 at 6 pm.

 

Presiding Rev. Eugene Norris

Invocation Pastor Dennis Butts, Executive Director of Bethel Association of Churches

Welcome Bobbie Simpson, Akron Chapter President

Selection High School Chorus

Remarks Representative Vernon Sykes

Remarks Senator Tom Sawyer & Senator Nina Turner

Remarks Dr. Willis Lonzer, President Alpha Phi Alpha

Selection

Remarks Rev. Curtis Walker, President Akron School Board

Remarks Linda Lanrer, President Sigma Gamma Ro

Remarks & Intro of Keynote Speaker Dr. Boyce Watkins, Professor Syracuse University

Keynote address Rev. Al Shaprton

Remarks Kelly William-Bolar

Offering

Chapter Appeal Rev. De-Ves Toon

Benediction Rev. Drome, President of the International Ministers Alliance

alexis Stodghill: Why Has Clarence Thomas Been silent for Five Years on the Court?

by Alexis Stodghill

The New York Times recently noted that Tuesday of this week will mark the five year anniversary since Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has spoken during a case. Not only has Justice Thomas not spoken at all while hearing court arguments for the past five years; Thomas has also spent this lengthy period of silence "leaning back in his chair, staring at the ceiling, rubbing his eyes, whispering to Justice Stephen G. Breyer, consulting papers and looking a little irritated and a little bored."(The New York Times)

 

Click to read more from Alexis Stodghill at AOL Black Voices

Black News – 2/15/11

 

Today’s Black News Headlines

• Black Caucus chair rips President Obama’s budget
• President Obama’s wackiest budget cuts
• Grand jury: No indictment in police shooting of college student
• Shirley Sherrod files suit against conservative blogger Breitbart
• Carol Moseley Braun wins Cornel West endorsement
• Black leaders hail Egyptians’ successful uprising
• El DeBarge checks into rehab, cancels comeback tour
• Ban on PAC-to-PAC transfers may violate Voting Rights Act
• Esperanza Spalding’s Wikipedia page attacked by Bieber fans
• Mob kills three in Sudan’s flashpoint Abyei town
• Detroit landlords who refused to rent to Black woman must pay
• Whoopi Goldberg responds to ‘NYT’ for ‘erasing’ her Oscar win

Cornel West Goes to Work for Carol Moseley Braun in Chicago

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

This weekend, Professor Cornel West gave a strong endorsement to Carol Moseley Braun in a heated and controversial race to become the next mayor of Chicago. West didn’t have very many good things to say about Moseley Braun’s leading opponent, Rahm Emanuel. He referred to Emanuel as an outsider and a candidate who is beholden to big business interests in the city and across America.
"I believe a Rahm Emanuel victory would be a slap in the face," West said. "I’m here to support poor and working people – specifically black Chicago."
One of the problems for Moseley Braun, however, is that the media is focused as much on her remarks about Emanuel as they are about the Cornel West endorsement. When she spoke, Moseley Braun made reference to a movie called "The Producers," which satirized the life of Adolph Hitler.

Click to read.

Watkins/Sharpton rally in Ohio for Kelley Williams-Bolar and Educational Equality in America

On Thursday, February 17 at 6 pm, Dr. Boyce Watkins and Rev. Al Sharpton will rally in Akron Ohio on behalf of the case of Kelley Williams-Bolar, the single black mother who was jailed for sending her kids to the wrong school district.  The information for the rally is below:

 

Mountain of the Lord Church
Rev. Eugene Norris
1477 Copley Road
Akron, OH 44320
(330) 873-9793

Murray State Professor Suspended for racist comments about Slavery

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

Mark Wattier, a professor of Political Science at Murray State University in Kentucky, is in hot water after comparing his black students to slaves. Arlene Johnson, a freshman from Sikestown, Mo says that she arrived to Wattier’s class three to five minutes early and found that there was a film already playing. After class was over, Johnson went to the professor, along with another black student, DeVaunte Martin, to ask him why the film had been started before they arrived.
According the students, Professor Wattier explained to them that class starts 10 minutes early when films are being shown. But the students were confused, since the information is not in the syllabus. Wattier then said "I expect it out of you guys anyway."
The students asked Wattier to clarify his statement, which is when he made the comments that served to truly seal his fate:

 

Click to read.

Should Black People Reject Valentine’s Day?

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

Most men know how expensive Valentine’s Day can get. Someone decided that spending money is somehow a translation to showing love, which is an interesting misguided relationship philosophy. Valentine’s Day is one of the most over-hyped holidays known to man, with advertising starting right after Christmas. Any man in a serious relationship is well-aware of the pending doom of his social life if he doesn’t flex his wallet at least a little bit on that special day.
According to the National Federation’s 2010 Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, over $14 billion is spent on Valentine’s Day related purchases. This is roughly $103 for every single man, woman and child in America. Yes, the hype has real economic consequences.

Click to read.

Black News – 2/13/11

• 
  

  53rd Annual Grammy Awards: Early Winners List Includes Jay-Z, Cee Lo, Alicia Keys, Mavis Staples, Fantasia & The Late, Great James Moody

  7:07 PMFeb 13

  Source: BV Newswire

  The 53rd annual Grammy Awards show will be presented at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, tonight. It’s branded as Music’s Biggest Night. Before the internationally, broadcast telecast gets underway, a majority of awards were handed out. Below is … Read More

• 
  

  Aretha Franklin Returns: After Months Of Recovery, Queen of Soul Shows Up At Detroit Pistons/Miami Heat Basketball Game

  2:02 PMFeb 13

  Source: BV Newswire

  For those of us who thought Aretha Franklin’s big reveal would happen at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards ceremony tonight, we must think again. Though the undisputed Queen of Soul will be showered with a vocal Valentine’s tribute by the likes of … Read More

• 
  

  CAPTION THIS: Beyonce & Rihanna At The Gucci/Roc Nation Pre-Grammy Brunch

  12:12 PMFeb 13

  Source: BV Newswire

  … Read More

• 
  

  ‘Mooz-lum’ Film Review: Evan Ross Shines In Lead Role

  4:50 AMFeb 13

  Source: BV on Movies

  In Qasim Basir’s poignant and dramatic debut film, ‘Mooz-lum,’ Evan Ross shines as he leads a cast of acting vets (Nia Long, Roger Guenveur Smith, Danny Glover, and Dorian Missick) in a film concerning the Muslim community post 9/11. Released in …Read More

• 
  

  Check Out Official ‘Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family’ Poster

  6:50 PMFeb 12

  Source: BV on Movies

  After spoofing other films such as ‘The Godfather,’ ‘Black Swan,’ True Grit,’ and ‘The King’s Speech,’ writer-director Tyler Perry finally released the official poster to ‘Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Big Happy Family,’ which hits theaters on April 22. … Read More

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  Love Analytix: 12 Buttons Women Should Never Push

  6:00 AMFeb 12

  Source: BV on Love

  This month marks the second "anniversary" of the Chris Brown/ Rihanna love match, one of the most highly publicized celebrity domestic violence cases this country has witnessed. Without recapping the already over-exhausted details, the Chrihanna …Read More

• 
  

  Horrible: White House to Cut Energy Assistance for the Poor

  12:20 AMFeb 12

  Source: BV Black Spin

  You may have noticed that this has been a very cold winter and it’s fairly certain that we will have climate disruptions going forward. And you may have also noticed that there is a little problem with the economy and that a lot of people are in … Read More

• 
  

  Cavs Finally End Losing Streak, but Fans Learn Something about LeBron

  11:09 PMFeb 11

  Source: BV on Sports

  Approximately one year ago, it was great to be a fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team finished the season with a very strong 61 – 21 record and they were the champions of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. In fact, they had the best … Read More

Rapper J-Kwon Sent to Jail on Child Support, but Baby Wasn’t His

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

Hip Hop News 24-7 recently interviewed the rapper J-Kwon about his interesting child support situation. During an interview with Miss Georgia, J-Kwon informed listeners that he’d been paying $2,500 per month in child support for seven years for a child that was eventually determined to not be his.

The artist goes on to say that he was jailed for not making the child support payments, which derailed his entire career, killing his ability to earn income. He also said that when it was determined that he wasn’t the child’s father, the courts provided no remedies whatsoever for him to retrieve the tens of thousands of dollars he’d paid over a seven-year period.

J-Kwon is now saying that he plans to start a foundation for fathers who are having their rights violated by the child support system. I support his initiative, because many of us forget about the millions of fathers out there who are doing all they can to have access to their kids and trying to do the right thing, but are left alienated by deceptive mothers and a court system that would rather see a man in jail than with his own children.

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Tupac Shakur Movie in the Works: Antoine Fuqua Promises to Bring the Funk

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

The movie we all expected to see years ago is finally being brought to the big screen. Antoine Fuqua has committed himself to bringing the late Tupac Shakur back from the dead with a soon-to-be-released biopic about the life of the legendary rapper.
Tupac Shakur is nothing less than the most respected hip-hop artist in history, primarily because he lived an incredibly memorable life. His greatest claim to fame during life was his album "All Eyez on Me," which was one of the first to produce a double CD with a long list of hits. Only "Thriller" by Michael Jackson and "Straight Outta Compton" could compare in terms of an album’s impact on an entire generation.

Some seem to feel that Tupac’s career was just taking off when he died at the age of 25. He was just starting to come into his own as an actor, and he ended up releasing more songs as a dead man than most artists ever release during life. With everything that’s come out of the studio since Tupac’s untimely death, it appears that he was planning for several years of virtually unprecedented artistic productivity.

 

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Black News – 2/11/11

 

• President Obama tested on whether to break with Mubarak
• Book: Lincoln sought to deport freed slaves
• New federal standards could erase some ‘Black’ students
• Children of Malcolm X locked in bitter dispute over his writings
• No racial bias at child protective services: study
• Rihanna agrees to soften Chris Brown restraining order
• Grambling State University starts 110-year celebration
• Antoine Fuqua prepares Tupac biopic
• Proposed Mississippi license plate to honor KKK leader
• Tisha Campbell-Martin is not dying of lung disease
• Study: Weight, race linked to fertility treatment success
• Rahm Emanuel on slavery reparations: ‘I would support it’

S. Tia Brown: Supporting Your Man as an Entrepreneur

by S. Tia Brown, Essence.com

First let me say this: I am single. However, just like you don’t have to smoke crack to tell "rockheads" don’t do it… well, you get the rest.
Second, I’m an avid, calendar-clearing, repeat-watching fan of the "Real Housewives of Atlanta." You know the type. I text my girls during the commercials. I feel like I know the "ins and outs" of the cast intimately. And, occasionally I pass judgment on their decisions.
With those two details out the way, it’s time for my third assertion: When it comes to marriage, particularly to an entrepreneur, it can’t always be tit for tat. Over the last few weeks I’ve watched Cynthia Bailey‘s now husband, Peter Thomas, try to pull out the dagger ripping his heart apart as his business — their family’s bread and butter– revenue dropped lower than NeNe Leakes‘ cleavage line. Thomas shared his woes about picking up the pieces. Bailey worried about financing their wedding. Thomas grew angrier about not getting investors. Bailey balled about being owed her investment in his business. Thomas was forced to close his restaurant and rebuild. Bailey cried about not going on a honeymoon. All I kept thinking is, "where dey do dat at?"

 

Click to read.

Dr. Boyce Watkins Video: Dealing with Celebrity Crisis

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

One of the things we regularly see in the media are celebrities in the middle of crisis. The brand that others have worked so hard to build comes under fire because of some scandal, with sex usually being the sneaky culprit. Fantasia’s decision to mess around with a married man, Tiger’s seemingly infinite infidelity, and the scandal between Steve Harvey and his ex-wife Mary are just three examples of multimillion dollar baby mama drama.

I brought in three black PR experts to break down the celebrity scandal issue and how to deal with it from an enlightened media perspective. The conversation is lively and educational. I certainly learned a great deal myself, so if I am ever caught up in some drama, I’ll know whose number to dial. The interview is below, enjoy!

Click to read.

White Coach Uses the N-word toward His Players

Coach may be fired for using inappropriate language toward players. ;

Dr. Boyce Spotlight: Prof. Njoki McElroy Lives and Speaks Black History

by Dr. Boyce Watkins

During Black History Month, it only makes sense that we connect with those who can help us to get in touch with our history. Professor Njoki McElroy is a story-teller and truth-teller when it comes to the struggles of our people and how we’ve created the reality that surrounds us. Her work is well-respected, and she has written a book describing one of the most significant periods in the history of black people in America. It is for that reason that Professor Njoki McElroy is today’s Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight on AOL Black Voices.

What is your name and what do you do?
Njoki McElroy, PhD. I am a storyteller, professor, playwright, performer and author. My new book is entitled 1012 Natchez: A Memoir of Grace, Hardship and Love (Brown Books)

 

Click to read.

Russell Simmons On Being “Super Rich”

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

Hip hop mogul Russell Simmons has released an interesting new book entitled, "Super Rich: A Guide to Having it All." Simmons appears to have decided to share his keys to wealth with the world, addressing a community where wealth accumulation continues to be one of our greatest and most lasting mysteries.
I thought that Simmons’ approach to the book was interesting. Reflecting his Buddhist background, Simmons said, "Its about making people focused and free and not fearful. So they can get up and give in the morning. Instead of waking up and thinking what you’re gonna get, wake up and thing what your’re gonna give. That’s a different mindset. That’s the mindset the we have to be in to not only be successful but to be happy."

Click to read.

Update on the Jamail Johnson Shooting: He died Saving his Classmates from Gun Fire

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

Jamail Johnson, the Youngstown State University student who died at an off-campus party Saturday morning, has been reported to have died trying to save his friends from gunfire. Jamail was a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity.
The Trumbull County Conservative Examiner says that when the gunmen began to shoot, Johnson ran toward them and pushed them out of the house. This, according to observers, saved the lives of dozens of other students. He even fought with the gunmen after being shot.

The two alleged shooters, Columbus Jones Jr. and Braylon Rogers, 22 and 19 years old respectively, are facing charges for aggravated murder.

click to read.

Gospel and Blues Legend Marvin Sease Dies at the age of 64

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, AOL Black Voices

Gospel Singer Marvin Sease has reportedly passed away at the age of 64. Online sources are reporting that Sease died in Vicksburg, Mississippi a little more than a week before his 65th birthday. His cause of death has not yet been revealed to the public.

Sease started his career at the age of 20 when he moved to New York to join the Gospel Crowns. He then formed his own R&B group with his three brothers called "Sease." His two biggest successes were "Ghetto Man" and "Candy Licker." The explicit lyrics of the latter song kept it from getting airplay, but it also helped him to substantially increase his following.

Click to read.

Omega Psi Phi Issues a Statement in Response to the Shooting at Youngstown State University

Statement from Dr. Andrew A. Ray,
Grand Basileus – Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

The collective thoughts and prayers of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. are with the family of Brother Jamail Earl Johnson. We pray for their comfort and peace during this difficult time. Our thoughts also are with the 11 victims of the senseless act of violence occurring in Youngstown, Ohio on February 6, 2011.

We wish to thank Youngstown State University President Dr. Cynthia E. Anderson and her staff for the sensitivity afforded to the Johnson family during this ordeal. The Fraternity would like to acknowledge the work of the Youngstown Police Department in the ongoing investigation.  Our International Chaplain will be available to assist the family.

Click to read.

What Does it Mean to “Talk White”?

Lou Holtz Writes to say Hello to Dr. Watkins

Dear Dr. Watkins,

The primary purpose of this letter is to tell you how impressed I am with your resume and I congratulate you on your accomplishments in the field of academics.  Your resume is certainly far more impressive than mine, and it’s easy to see why you’re held in such high regard by so many people.

I certainly enjoyed visiting with you on the John Stossel show when you articulated your views exceptionally well.  The fact that I’m on the opposite side of you does not hinder the respect I have for you.  My best wishes for continued success and I hope we’ll have a chance to visit personally sometime in the future.

Sincerely,

 

Lou Holtz

——————————–

 

Click here to watch Dr. Watkins and Coach Holtz debate whether or not college athletes should be paid.

Dr. Boyce and Al Sharpton Discuss Black America – 2/8/11

 

Dr. Boyce and Al Sharpton discuss issues in black America.  Click here to listen.

Worshipping Biggie and Pac: Why We Need to Let That Go

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

As the son of a preacher, I know how to avoid sacrilegious statements when I see them. I don’t use God’s name in vain, and I don’t make nasty jokes about Jesus. But if hip-hop had a bible, it would start with the commandment that "Thou shalt not compare any living rapper to the great Biggie and Pac."

If you even briefly mention that any artist in America comes close to "the great ones," you are quickly slapped with a "shut yo mouth" by hip-hop heads who tell you that you’re out of your damn mind. There is no living artist, at least not under the age of 30, who dares compare himself to Biggie and Pac, who’ve effectively become the God and Jesus of the hip-hop world.

Let’s be clear: these artists were legendary in their talent level and deserve massive amounts of respect. But the idea that they are better than every hip-hop artist since is likely due to our stunning capacity to practically worship dead artists rather than a truly fair comparison of musical impact. Since Tupac Shakur died, he has been transformed into a visionary and a saint, when the truth is that he could be just as trifling as Lil Wayne, TI and the other artists who are living today. I was a huge fan of both Biggie and Pac when they were alive. I listened to Pac every morning before heading to campus, and I bumped Biggie when I rolled in my hooptie. They were like Burger King and McDonalds or Coke and Pepsi: two dominant versions of virtually the same product (gangsta rap). I never chose one over the other, because both of them were great.

Click to read.

Dr. Boyce Watkins and Ed Gordon Discuss Kelley Williams-Bolar

Click to watch Dr. Boyce Watkins and Ed Gordon talk about the case of Kelley Williams-Bolar, the Ohio mother who was sent to jail for sending her kids to the wrong school district. 

The Value of Being “Ghetto Fab”: Come On People

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

I watched a video the other day about a woman named Jazz Ison Sinkfield and couldn’t help but laugh. For some reason, Jazz thought it would be a good idea to start growing her fingernails for almost a quarter of a century without ever cutting them. Now, the woman is stuck with a set of peculiar monstrosities hanging from both of her hands that keep her from typing on a computer, tying her own shoes and perhaps even wiping her own behind. I’m not necessarily one to judge another human being so harshly, but I found it most interesting that Jazz truly believes that other women are jealous of her fingernails.

Jazz is not the only person in our community who has gathered a set of habits that some might consider to be a "ghetto fab." I am not sure where all of these habits come from, and when I see them, I try to process things without becoming a hater. But when I put it all together, I can’t help but quote someone whom I disagree with regularly by the name of Bill Cosby, who once made this simple comment: "Come on people."

When one rolls through "the hood," they will usually see a few interesting things. First, we see the pants sagging down below the butt, with a brother who has to use one hand to constantly keep his pants from falling to the ground. You might then see someone else with tattoos up and down both arms, and maybe some additional tattoos on the neck. Actually face tattoos have become all the rage among rappers who don’t seem to remember that these things are difficult to remove.

 

Click to read.

21-Year Old Swallowed a Pound of Cocaine

by Dr. Boyce Watkins 

Luisa Gil of Union City, NJ was arrested in Boston after swallowing a pound of cocaine.  Authorities are holding her on $200,000 bail on a charge of Class B substance trafficking. 

The 21-year old woman flew into Logan airport from the Dominican Republic.  When authorities questioned her, her answers seemed suspicious.  She then admitted to swallowing 50 pellets of compacted cocaine.  The cocaine had been wrapped in condoms.

After hearing the woman tell her story, police took her to the hospital, where the dope was recovered.  The drugs had a street value of $50,000.  She was allegedly paid $2,000 to make the transfer of the drugs to the US.

Yes, we wonder how desperate people have to be in order to do something like this to earn money. 

Your Black News – 2/8/11

 

• Congressional Black Caucus confronts GOP on budget
• Man critical after shooting outside Eddie Long’s church
• Charles Taylor lawyer storms out of war crimes trial
• Skype makes Black History connection
• President Obama to CEOs: Ask what you can do for America
• Black population drops to 3.9 percent in San Francisco
• Karrine Steffans releasing new book ‘Satisfaction’
• Chevron to donate $15K for Black student scholarships
• Janet Jackson: ‘I didn’t feel attractive.’
• Report: Huffington takes control of AOL Black Voices
• NY exhibit pays homage to Apollo, Black music greats
• Haiti issues new passport to ex-leader Aristide

Boy Stabs Girlfriend 12 Times After Finding OUt that She’s Pregnant

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

A 17-year old boy is in custody after allegedly stabbing a girl repeatedly after she told him that she was pregnant. Cortae Diaz Kelly, a student at Ypsilanti High School in Michigan, is accused of stabbing the girl in a nearby wooded area. The girl is now in intensive care after getting surgery at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.
County assistant prosecutor Arianne Slay is saying that Kelly stabbed the girl 12 times in her head, back and hands. She played dead to get him to stop the attack. She also says that Kelly confessed to trying to kill her. He is being charged with assault with intent to murder and being held on a $1 million bond.

 

Click to read.

Dr. Jennifer Caudle Talks about the Dangers of Bullying

Dr. Jennifer Caudle on the dangers of bullying. ;

Survey: Two in Three Black Women Offended by the Pepsi Max Ad with the “Angry Black Woman”

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

In a recent survey taken at YourBlackWorld.com, two-thirds of the female respondents said that black women should be offended by the recent Pepsi Max Super Bowl ad featuring the violent African American female. In the survey, when asked, Do you feel that African American women should be offended by the Pepsi Max ad featuring the "angry black woman?", 63.7 percent of the black female respondents said "yes," while 32.4 percent of the male respondents gave the same reply.
When asked if African Americans should boycott Pepsi because of the ad, women were more than twice as likely to advocate for a boycott than men. Thirty-seven percent of all female respondents to the survey said that a boycott is necessary, while 16.2 percent of male respondents agreed.

 

click to read. 

 

 

To see the survey results graphically, please click here.

Grandma with 20 inch nails – Is this normal?

Who told this woman that 20 inch nails is a good fashion statement? ;

NAACP May Want to Take Notice: Most African Americans Do Not Believe the Group is Being Run Efficiently

The results of our Your Black World Survey on the NAACP’s effectiveness.

Please Respond to Survey: Are the NAACP and Urban League Still Relevant and Effective?

The survey below asks if the NAACP and Urban League are still relevant and effective for African Americans in the 21st Century.  It will only take 30 seconds.

Please click here to take the survey.

Your Black News – 2/7/11

 

 

• Shooting at Omega Psi Phi frat house kills 1, hurts 11
• President Obama to O’Reilly: Egypt not going back
• Pepsi Super Bowl ad features the angry Black woman stereotype
• Angela Burt-Murray out at HuffPost’s Black project
• Man wrongfully imprisoned offers message of hope to teens
• Nearly half of Black students have never had a Black professor
• Michael Vick wins comeback player award in landslide
• Number of Blacks in elected office on the rise
• Nigerian president launches election campaign
• Journalist calls for more action in Black leadership
• In Haiti, another presidential ouster brews at the polls
• Sharpton owes a total of $3.7 million in city, state and federal taxes

Jamail Johnson: Student Murdered, 11 Injured at Omega Psi Phi House Party

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

Two men opened fire after an argument occurred at an Omega Psi Phi fraternity house in Youngstown, Ohio this weekend. The two men shot multiple rounds into a crowd of people, killing a student and critically injuring a 17-year old with a head wound. The student who was killed was shot while trying to break the two disputing groups apart. The university said six of the injured were students.
The murder victim was 25-year old Jamail E. Johnson of Youngstown. Most of the 11 injured were shot in the foot. The men were arrested and charged with aggravated murder, shooting into a home, and felonious assault, according to Chief Jimmy Hughes of the Youngstown Police Department.
"These guys were in the location for a little while before the shooting occurred," he said. "Something happened that they became unhappy. They had some type of altercation."

 

Click to read.

The Pepsi Max Super Bowl Ad with the “Angry Black Woman” – Take a Look

Are we overreacting to the Pepsi Max portrayal of the “Angry Black Woman?”

Pepsi Max Ad with the Black Woman Hitting the White Woman in the Head Might be a Bit Too Much

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

There is no bigger corporate money-maker than the Super Bowl. That’s when potential sponsors are lining up to pay amazing amounts of money to advertise, primarily because they know this is the only televised special of the entire year when consumers actually enjoy watching the ads.
In addition to being able to promote their wares to the world, advertisers often find themselves caught in the middle of controversy. Sometimes, the controversy is hilarious, like the little black boy who slapped the man dating his mother for taking one of his Doritos. This year’s most interesting ad may have come out early in the game, and it has been brought to you by Pepsi Max. You may want to call this ad "The Angry Black Woman."
In the commercial, a black woman is keeping her husband on a diet. When he eats the wrong food, she gives him an evil look and kicks his leg hard under the table. When she sees him standing over a pie about to eat it, she angrily slams his face into the pie. When she catches him sneaking a bite of fattening food in the bath tub, she violently grabs the food from his hand and stuffs a bar of soap into his mouth.

Click to read.

Why Are Most Universities Missing Black Professors?

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

During a four-year college career, most students take roughly 40 courses. Personally, I went to graduate school for another 7 years after college, taking an additional 40 – 50 more classes. During my entire undergraduate, masters and doctoral experience, I never had one single African American professor.
This experience made the educational process incredibly uncomfortable for me. I never experienced the privilege of my white classmates, who had teachers they could relate to, work with and connect with on a meaningful level. I did meet one African American professor (I never took his class) named Dr. Tommy Whittler. He is the sole reason I became a professor today because he was the first faculty member who’d ever taken time to mentor me as a human being.

Click to read.