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Your Black Education: Book Review of “Reggie Wakes Up”

Book Review of “Reggie Wakes Up”
By: Tolu Olorunda
Staff Writer – YourBlackWorld.com

“Under the FUBU is a guru, that’s untapped…”

-Hip-Hop artist, Common, The 6th Sense.

With the recent victory of President-Elect Obama, many have speculated a change of attitude in young black men, vis-à-vis the thirst for educational prowess. Whilst this prediction does seem, by all measures, accurately reflective of the lingering emotion within Black circles, some have suggested the need for a handbook of sorts, as necessary in guiding Black students, male and female, toward a more promising future. Of such is Zekita Tucker, a St. Louis author and publisher, whose advocacy for Black students builds on the legacies established by W.E.B. Du Bois, Carter G. Woodson, Janice Hale, etc. Zekita Tucker, of fame “Don’t Call Me Nigga ,” has a new book out titled, “Reggie Wakes Up .”

Reggie Wakes Up is a blueprint for teachers and students alike – with an emphasis on public schools. [...]

Meant for ages 8 and up, Reggie Wakes Up takes a hard look into the public school system, and its effects on the psyche of Black students [...]

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Your Black Brothers: Dr. Boyce Watkins: Lessons Jim Brown Has Taught Me

Why I love The Great Jim Brown

By: Dr. Boyce Watkins

Founder – YourBlackWorld.com

http://www.BoyceWatkins.net

I got a phone call today. I get a lot of calls from “observers” (translation: supporters and haterologists), and I appreciate every single one of them. However, being as busy as I am, I usually don’t have time to call anyone back. I call my mama back and if my daughter would call me, she would be at the top of my list. I also call my grandmother. That’s enough to fill the free time at airports or on the way to the office. [...]

On this day, I had some free time. I was driving to the office and I had a message from a woman named Karen. Karen’s family is full of Syracuse alumni. Honestly, most calls and emails I get from Syracuse alumni are not all that favorable. [...]

But Karen was worth the investment because she was super duper cool. It also turned out that Karen is the daughter of the greatest alumnus in Syracuse University history, the great Jim Brown.

Jim was not amazing for what he did on the field. Yes, he had super human strength and was such an outstanding athlete that they changed the rules to find ways to stop him. But that doesn’t impress me, for black men have always possessed amazing athletic ability. [...]

What impressed the HELL out of me was Jim Brown’s COURAGE. That is what left his mark on the university, and that is what will leave his mark on the world [...]

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Your Black Sports: Eddie Jordan Firing Sparks Outrage

[Eddie Jordan reviewing the 2007-2008 season in May]:

Eddie Jordan Fired… But Why?
By: Tolu Olorunda
Staff Writer – YourBlackWorld.com

On Monday, Nov. 24, The Washington Wizards fired veteran coach, Eddie Jordan, who helped transport the Wizards to the playoffs four years in a row. Over the last few days, however, many fans/sport columnists, pundits, and even coaches have expressed their regret over this brash and unexpected decision. Here are a few reactions:

We’ve all seen this movie before: A general manager stocks his roster with a dysfunctional mixture of players, but since he’s the one who procured the players he thinks they’re better than they really are. Eventually the team loses, and the coach is canned – because it’s easier to fire the coach than to fire the players, and because the GM is certainly not going to fire himself. This is approximately what happened to Eddie Jordan in Washington. [...] Since he’s been in Washington, Jordan has done a magnificent job with this team even though Arenas and Etan Thomas have been periodically down and out – repeatedly leading them into the playoffs.

- Charley Rosen from MSN Sports

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Your Black World: Ex-NBA Star Kevin Johnson Breaks Many Barriers

We enter a new era of Sacramento politics with a new type of leader: Kevin Johnson, ex-NBA star, mayor-elect by landslide, a jumble of virtues and contradictions who will never be boring.

Johnson could be exactly what Sacramento needs right now. He could help shake Sacramento’s undervalued sense of itself. Or he could be a disaster. Anything seems possible and nothing seems impossible with Johnson.

At Monday’s unveiling of his transition team, Johnson was surrounded by movers and shakers basking in his presence. [...]

The woman screening candidates for Johnson’s chief of staff is Michelle Rhee, chancellor of schools in Washington, D.C. Google her. She could be Secretary of Education someday. Yet here she is, in Sacramento, helping out our new mayor.

The man helping Johnson reach out to the Latino community? Amador Bustos, whose company virtually owns the Spanish-language radio market in Northern California.

Yeah. Sacramento is ready for new leadership. Sacramento yearns for it. That’s part of the reason so many people responded to Johnson so positively [...]

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Your Black Politics: Did Tiger Woods Pave Barack Obama’s path?

Did Tiger Woods pave Barack Obama’s path? Are you joking?
By: Dave Zirin
Originally Appeared In NY Daily News

It’s always dangerous, but never boring, when a newspaper sports columnist uncorks a political thesis. Enter Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel. Bianchi thinks that there are some unsung heroes who deserve credit for helping put a black man in the White House – and they are athletes. “If you’re searching for tangible reasons why it became possible for Barack Obama to make his historic run at the presidency … look no further than the golf course, basketball court or football field.”

Bianchi believes that, since sports have conditioned white America to accept African-Americans as heroes and leaders, black sportsmen deserve a pat on the back. He wonders: “Where else but sports can you go to Amway Arena and see 15,000 mostly white fans cheer and celebrate the accomplishments of a team that is mostly black?”

Sounds lovely. But it happens to be embarrassingly wrong – and an insult to the reason that millions waited on long lines to cast their vote [...]

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Your Black World Headlines: 11/11/2008

Italy’s P.M Calls Obama ‘Suntanned’

Malaria Vaccine Trial Begins In Africa

Death Toll Rises In Haiti School Collapse

Obama Victory Energizes White Supremacists

Blood Pressure Disparity Kills 8,000 Blacks Annually

T-Mac Set To Premier Documentary On Darfur Genocide

Iowa Man Sentenced To 10 Years For Running Over Black Boy

Your Black Politics: Bob Beckel’s Racist Tirade Against Charles Barkley

In an interview with CNN’s Campbell Brown, Monday night, NBA legend, Charles Barkley, mentioned that racism was still an integral part of U.S. political life. Surprisingly, FOX News wasn’t to happy about it, and talk-show host, Sean Hannity, made much hoopla about it on his show last night. “Liberal Commentator,” Bob Beckel, was featured as a guest to provide some analysis on Barkley’s charge. Beckel responded saying, “I would rather take the words of a drunk on the corner down here on politics than Charles Barkley’s… He’s a great basketball player, but he ought to stay there. That’s exactly right. And not wander into our neighborhood, you know.” What does Beckel mean by “our neighborhood?” Perhaps, in Beckle and FOX News’s minds, Black athletes can only function one-dimensionally. This might explain why politically-conscious athletes like Etan Thomas have become increasingly marginalized in mainstream athleticism:

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Your Black Sports: Stephon Marbury Politicks With The Homeless

Stephon Marbury watched the final presidential debate in the common room of a homeless shelter on the Bowery with a bunch of guys he met at Two Boots pizza. He kept his eyes on the tiny TV, laughing and scoffing along with the residents as McCain spoke-Marbury does a pretty good imitation of the senator-and smiling when it was Obama’s turn. “Look at Obama,” Marbury said, pointing at the screen. “You feel him. We feel him. You can feel his spirit when he speaks.” At one point, when the debate turned to the economy, Marbury snorted. “Middle class? We don’t have a middle class anymore.”

As the millionaire said those words, the homeless agreed. “I love Starbury,” an excited resident said, referring to Marbury’s affordable sneaker and clothing line. “I can get hot shoes for like $30. Jordan wants me to pay $100.” Others gave him career advice. “Hey, you know, I see you doing good in the sixth-man role,” one resident offered. “It’s just a game,” Marbury answered, pointing at the screen. “There’s more to life.”

Reposted From Your Black Sports

Your Black World Headlines: 10/22/2008

Crackdown Following Murder Of Tanzanian Albino Girl

Poor Sleep Causes Memory Trouble In Black Seniors

Zimbabwe Becoming Prime Investment Spot

Kobe Bryant Renews Knee Injury

Bob Johnson A Bad Owner?

Your Black Sports: Monta Ellis Suspended For 30 Games For ‘Moped Accident’

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)-The Golden State Warriors suspended injured guard Monta Ellis for 30 games without pay Saturday for violating his lucrative new contract by getting into a moped accident.

Ellis, who agreed to a six-year deal worth $66 million in July, severely sprained his ankle in a low-speed crash in late August. The suspension will cost the guard slightly less than $3 million.

The Warriors counted four preseason games in the suspension’s length, which means Ellis can’t return to the club until after Golden State’s 26th regular-season game, against Indiana on Dec. 17.

Ellis, who recently underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament, was unlikely to return before then anyway, but the suspension means the guard won’t be paid during his absence. Ellis’ agent, Jeff Fried, met with Golden State officials during the week to settle Ellis’ punishment.

Ellis compounded his mistake by initially lying to the Warriors about the accident. He told Chris Mullin, the Warriors’ top basketball executive, that he hurt himself playing pickup ball in his native Mississippi, but came clean about the accident several days later.

The guard will be allowed to spend time at the Warriors’ training complex for rehabilitation during his suspension, but Golden State president Robert Rowell is taking a risk of possibly alienating the player expected to be the centerpiece of coach Don Nelson’s up-tempo offense after Baron Davis‘ defection to the Los Angeles Clippers…

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Your Black Sports: Dr Boyce Watkins Speaks On NCAA Racism

FYI: We have a coalition of activists, scholars, athletes, students, coaches, attorneys and parents who are working to address the NCAA and what some perceive to be an exploitation of the Black community due to the fact that the families of college athletes are not being compensated. Revenues for college sports are in the billions, many coaches sign contracts worth $2 – $4M dollars per year, and the NCAA is in direct competition with the NFL, NBA and other professional sports leagues. All the while, half of all Black basketball and football players come from families in dire poverty, and the NCAA has been allowed to implement Draconian legislation to control the options of these players to keep their families from having access to the revenue pool. I’ve seen players earn $20 million for their school by carrying the team to the Final Four, while simultaneously watching their mother get evicted, or a sibling get murdered in a housing project.

As educators, many of you are aware of the fact that these students do not always receive the education they deserve. Many academic institutions make the educational mission secondary to the primary objective of getting players on the court/field so they can make money for the campus. Myles Brand, the NCAA President, understands this hypocrisy, which is why he has never responded when CNN and other media have asked him to publicly debate myself or anyone else on this issue…

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Your Black Sports: Vince Young’s Episode Documents Pressure On Black Athletes

Last September, Donovan McNabb, the Philadelphia Eagles‘ veteran quarterback, ruffled feathers during an interview on HBO when he said that African-American quarterbacks were held to a different standard than their white colleagues.

“There’s not that many African-American quarterbacks, so we have to do a little bit extra,” he said. “Because the percentage of us playing this position, which people didn’t want us to play, is low, so we do a little extra.”

Then he added in reference to Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer: “Let me start by saying I love those guys. But they don’t get criticized as much as we do. They don’t.”

Shortly after McNabb made his comments, Vince Young, the Tennessee Titans‘ quarterback, was asked for his reaction.

“That is his opinion,” Young said. “I really feel like myself, black or white quarterbacks, we all go through something because that is the life of a quarterback. You have to be able to handle all the pressure, and you have to be able to handle the losses, and you have to be able to handle the media saying this about you. If you can’t handle it, then you have to get off that position and go play something else.”

In light of Young’s bizarre behavior last week, he may want to revisit McNabb’s comments. He’s not handling the pressure so well…

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