Crossing the line...against (young black women of Rutgers University)

Now that the jury is out and a man spoke words the revited through the globe. We now must understand what is tolerated and what needs to be terminated. Don Imus, radio talk-show host of MSNBC and CBS radio, has finally bullied the wrong person or group. The Rutgers Lady Knights of Rutgers University. While finishing a wonderful season with a lost to newly crowned NCAA champion Tennesse Lady Vols, the Rutgers ladies had not unpacked their bags quick enough when Don Imus, made the infamous comment of "nappy heade ho's" refering to the lady Knights out of New Jersey. What made it so damaging is the fact that it was done on public radio listened by many and each adn every word was recorded and played throughout the nation. Why? Well, Don Imus has made his mark in maiking brash and ugly comments about people and guest and has been accepted by many viewers as a significant radio personality. The ladies of the Rutgers basketball team (predominately black) worked extremely hard in their preparation for the season that was without expectation of making it as far as they did-to the NCAA championship game. Don Imus, continue on with his triade of comments that were clearly on the spectrum of sexist and racist, toward the student-athletes. I still am appauld and shocked at the nature adn timing of such comments. And I am truly amazed at the different responses that have been given from blacks ...and whites. They were clearly out of line, arrogant and ignorant in manner. This goes to show you that our society has accepted this type of behavior and allowed it to fester and grow. But, wait an minute! Don Imus, who is white, shouldn't be the only one that should be reprimanded. Our own black brothers (Rappers), have been calling our women nappy headed ho's, scanks, bitches and what have you and gotten away wit hit ten-times over. The matter is due to this being heard over the airwaves, but wait?...are Rappers heard over the airwaves as well? Ok..Ok...let's stay on the topic of Imus cause he is well compensated for his career and been in this business to know, there are some lines that you don't cross and touch. He touches them all...but women! Now, that is one that can cause a major uproar...which it has so much that American Express and General Motors has pulled out their ads and others are to be followed. Joking or in jest, was not an appropriate manner in this case adn being that he was a well-known commodity in radio, he should have had sense enough to know that this was one issue that wasn't going to be not dealt with.

Rev. Al Sharpton, whom I have issues on the Tawana Brawley case, has allied pressure and stood up to counter back at Imus. I am not a big fan of Sharpton, but I do applaud him for standing up.

Even "Baby-Daddy" Rev. Jesse Jackson has made all out efforts, in protesting this fowl manner of expression by Imus...and that too , I applaud.

let's get to the point! These young ladies are student-athletes, but STILL women! They were representing their university, community and family in front of millions of viewers and did so, with galent effort, grit and character. They didn't warrant this manner of comments nor should those comments been made especially if you heard the recordings of the braodcast by Imus and friend. Just totally ignornat, stupid and arrogant. But that seems to be the tolerant level of our society today. But it is clearly exposed, in it's text, to be racist due to the "nappy head ho's" comment.

Should Don Imus be fired? Without a doubt...Yes!

Should he aplolgize? He has but, if I were Imus (which I am not) I would have seeked out the Rutgers team the very next day and met with them pesonally and given the apology face-to-face and THEN, come up with an idea of working together in aiding other young ladies, either at Rutgers or in a community environment monetarily in support of further casues...if he was sincere in his apology. But he dropped the ball and allowed this things to reach a height that I don't think he, would have thought would have reached.

Now, we have black men having different perspectives and different comments about this matter. But I am sure that what Don Imus did, will surly be rectified and he will be released or fired...I bet my life on it. The matter is not all black and white...it's green! With this sudden storm, it is likely that many of the sponsors will pull thieir ads and not want to be involved with MCNBC and CBS with Imus at the helm of this particular show. His face is going to have to take a hiatus from the airwaves and company of MSNBC and CBS because they believe in morality (yeah right!)

Let me say this...Women, are a true gift to us men and we are to protect them from these type of abuses nor perpetuate them. Those young ladies didn't deserve that kind of assesment of their anatomy or person. And clearly, not from a man's perspective and also not from a white-males perspective with a M.O. such as Don Imus. But we too, must not let up on the fight cause our own brothers (in the hood) and Rappers are calling our women derogatory names day in and day out...so let us not forget that! It should not be tolerated, fester or allowed, by NO ONE!

Those "nappy headed ho's" are college students striving for excellence, with enough discrimmination, abuse and sexism upon them to fight...let alone adding this from Mr. Don Imus!

Is Cleopatra, Esther, Tubman and Parks a Ho? For they have given to this society (and world) a great deal of illustration of courage, strength and fortitude...that many men couldn't muster in one finger on their hands.

No More Cameras...Aftermat of The Duke Lacrosse Saga

I was in Durham, NC and visited my alma mater (Duke) and took in a lacrosse game. I gazed across the field and suddenly faded in thought, to the specticle of the Duke Lacrosse situation that some months ago, engulfed this region of the Tar Heel state. But my thoughts didn't venture into the developments of the case, in which has moved further into getting acquitals for the "privilege three boys of blue" or the victim getting her college tution fully paid (Rev. JEsse Jackson's plea) and stop stripping. But it turned to the aftermat of the durham community and what this case has exposed, woke up and made all people take notice-privileged and unprivileged. I remembered watching CNN, MSNBC, Larry King Live and Court T.V; show scores of community leaders (black) standing on the front lawn of the house, in which the alleged incident took place, shouting support for the victim and wanting justice. I was amzed by the hundreds of supporters standing up and out in full media view of not just the state or nation, but the globe. I was dismayed that this action had taken place at the school in which I spent 1, 460 days of my life, while obtaining more life training skills. Then I ventured into finding out more. Like, the crime rate in Durham (which is very high), the educational scores and ratings of the schools (which is very suspect and poor). Unemployment and race relations and then ...gangs. Yes, gangs are have taken some control of the "Bull City" at a rate that has instilled not just fear in neighboring communities, but high priority and concern. So I thought, "why aren't those same people and groups (Affairs of Black People) that stood in the front of that house of the accused, raise the same voices and anger, at the matters that I stated earlier? Ministers, district leaders, activist, etc; all jumped with their support before gaining all the facts and getting all the details of the situation. Most of the information that was giving out (or leaked) seem to have come from Durham prosecutor Mike Nifong. Being that an election was right around the corner (May 2, 2006), I am sure that Nifong had an agenda to make this his strong statement of "getting justice" and making the non-privileged see that he was for them against the privileged (Duke) Nifong was going to take on Rome with his septure and cap, wthout having the truth and facts stand along with him. What is the truth of this scenerio? Who truly knows what really went on at 610 North Buchanan Boulevard except for the girls, players and those in attendance? While the case was being built by Nifong with duck tape, mirrors and a staple gun, the rest of Durham was STILL in chaos with gangs, declining educational system and unemployment. There were (and still aren't) any ministers or groups, holding press conferences or marches for those matters that seemed dire strait. The Rev. Jesse Jackson strongly committed to supporting the alleged victim in her educational financial responsibilities, but didn't open to commit to other young ladies that need educational support and resources in Durham, that are not stripping or going door to door "dropping it like it's hot" at $400 dollars a piece. I am upset, puzzled and deeply saddened because, now the circus has "left the building" and more of the truth of the scenerio is coming out. The one's that were in the presences of the news cameras are no where to be found all of a sudden! And even more, have become completely silent, since it has been told of Nifong's mismanagement in handling this case. Nifong is now on trial for his behavior, conduct and manner of ethics of the handling of this case. . Let me make this perfrectly clear, if those young lads did what was said they did, they should be burned at the stakes, ridiculed and for a length of time, be labeled. But it is clearly being exposed that there was less likely a chance of a rape, than what Nifong tried to prosecute them on.

Raping some one is a major offense to anyone's being, especially a young lady in her early adulthood. This is not a race issue, that is a moral issue. Several indicments have been dropped recently and more facts are coming out of the supposivebly victims character and actions of that night. Even Duke's admiinistration and President dropped the ball in quickly expeling the three young men before the trial took full affect. But I am not on that topic...I am only expressing, that Durham has many major issues that need tending to immediately and since CNN, MCNBC and Larry King Live don't feel that those issues aren't news worthy, it sure is community worthy of getting resolutions and complete attention and action.

Captain Seligman and his three commadants, should be given the benefit to have all the facts presented and accounted for before sentencing and given the overzealous guilty charge. The trial is still in the pre-stages and there is likely not going to be a trial.

Duke Lacosse is back (after a one-year hiatus), Nifong is awaiting his own trial for his mismanagement and the alleged victim...has left the building

Who's To Blame...

I got a call the other day from a friend, in my home city of Philadelphia. He told me that at my high school, West Philadelphia public, there was a fire that was set by several students, and two teachers were attacked. He went on to say that the Philadelphia city police stomed the school and arrested 4 students that were linked and accused, of the beating of the teachers. He added that the news media set up mobile telecast in front of the school for live feeds. This disturbed me deeply and saddened me to a high level. Just to think, the school that graduated such people as Ray "Chink" Scott (NBA basketball), Evelyn "Champagne" King (Disco star) , Kenny Gamble (Grammey Award-Winner), Tyrell Biggs (Olympic Gold Medalist), and the 1977 National High USA Scholastic basketball team ,to name few. I began to remenisce about the "old days" when I attended West and a tear befell from my eye. Man, those were the days! During that period 30 years ago, We were Philly! We were on every news paper (front and back) and was touted as "Philly's Finest" of all the sports teams, even amongts the pro teams. I was blessed enough to be named the number one player in America (along with Al King from New York) and went on to matriculate and star at Duke University. It was the values, care, discipline and support I recieved from teachers, special assistants, school police and parents, that gave me the perseverance to endure and be a strong representative of my neighborhood and community. I went to Duke, carrying them with me and knew that I had to succeed because of their efforts (and love)

I visited my old high school West Philly a year ago and I was astound at the metal detectors, bars on the class rooms (every class room) and the attitudes of the students. Cussing seem to be the official language and there was never a lost for hearing the word bitch and nigga, from every angle of the hallways. "Who is raisng these kids?" I had to wonder. It seem that school was (to them) only a past time to "hook-up" and just pass the day from doing nothing else but connecting and playing around for many of the students. "Where is the school pride?" I again wondered. For I saw many of the students just walk down the hallway and drop litter and laugh about it without remorse or care. Even when a teacher spoke to them to pick up the litter, their response was "Pick it up yourself bitch!" . I remember when that happened when I was in school and a teacher said that, you immediately stopped and apologized that you did that, then picked it up, and was threatened that your mom (or dad) were going to be notified.

With the schools test and aptitude scores being the lowest in the city, I had to wonder, is the quality of education going down and the quality of teaching at a minimum? Teachers are so scared for their safety and more concern on that issue, than getting the best out of the students due to the lack of concern from the parents. Ahhh..that is the answer! The reason and the main source of this problem. "Who's to blame!" starts right at that point. Surly, the educational system and the board have responsibilities and fault. The many decisions that were made and the changing cirriculum mandated, have some cause for one to speculate. Ok...taking prayer out of school may not be as big a deal as we would like it to be....but it has merit. It wasn't even a mandatory or schedule criteria. Then, gym was removed from the curriculum (some) and now we question the obesity of our youth. But again, the parents have made no such revoluntion toward stopping this behavior or manner of their childs actions. How many parents attend PTA meetings? How many go to visit the teacher when a student get's a D or E in their performance? I can say that the answer would be at a very poor rate or number.

Was Dr. William Cosby right on some of his assurtions of parenthood today, in the black community? I believe so. Have the parents of this generation, fallen short of its responsibilities of raisng, nurturing and caring for it's offspring? I believe so. Have the students taken another attitude on the responsibilities of education? I believe so. With many of them bascially raising themselves and mimicing today's hip-hop, professional and entertainment artists, it's a wonder that we haven't renamed our cities Sodom and Gommorah. There is no direction, there is no love or conern for "thy neighbor" there is no goal setting agenda's cause there is no parental guidance.
A parent will not go to see a teacher (most of them) when there is a matter of the childs behavior or low grade performance, but they will take off work immediately, if the child comes home and says the teacher acted (in their words) improper or another kid made a threatening jesture or act without knowing the whole facts on the matter.

What can be done? Many of the parents had seveal of these children when they were children basically. The statement " the chicken's are coming home to roost" is prime now in the structure of today's way of life. The parents of today (inner-city) still want to "get their groove on" and still please themselves with enjoying todays luxuries and care of their joy....when in essence, their lives must be centered on the nurturing of their children, by any means neccessary.

There are still many parents tha thave dedicated themselves and acted accordingly to the responsibilites of raising their children, in the proper and valued way. Many still care and give all that they can, in seeing that their child has all the nurturing that is demanded, for their child to succeed. Then there are those that don't have a clue and don't even realize the damage that they have created and done in not being responsibile and dedicated parents. Ok...go and get $150 dollar Air Jordan's before you think about getting a $15 dollar tutoral booklet. Ok...get your child the Timbers and stomach out blouses that the kids wear, to show that your child is cool. Ok...spend your hard earn minimum wage dollars to get your child a tatoo and a cell phone before getting them, a nice dress shirt, pants and note books. Let them call you out your name and raise their voice each and every time you speak to them about doing something and let's just see where we will be with that behavior. We already know...fires being set at schools, litter being thrown with out remorse or care, teachers being threatened and abused...and soon...we can make it offical...the names of Sodom and Gommorah will be resurrected. And we all know what happened to those places...when God finally got truly ...fed up.

These are tomorrow's leaders, creators and movers-and-shakers. They are the future key holders of our community and society. These kids are suppose to be the foundation of our legacy. They are suppose to carry the torch that was past on to many of us, from those that gave of themselves (and their life) for us to have the rights that we now have. If you were to give the torch to many of these kidfs now, they will either roll it up in a blunt, smoke it and enjoy the essence of the burning smell and aroma of the sweat, blood and tears that gave us these privileges. Many would wear these rights as a aparel item in the form of a G-string outfit or place the theme on their hats. But even in all that, I still believe and I still have faith, that there are still may out there that still have the inner-fortitude to rise above the challenges of peer pressure and being cool, to suit their peers. And for that, I will continue to "reach back" and support and keep the faith of that of a "mustard seed" in seeing a better tomorrow for our youth in education.

A Readers Response...(Ms. Kerstin Meyer from Houston, Texas)

Kiki has left a new comment on your post "Ignorance is bliss...so they say.": Brings us back to the 10 questions God will never ask you! Who cares if your clothes read "Nike", your shoes have Mike all over them or if you have visited the "PhatFarm" lately! My clothes serve one purpose: they keep me from being arrested (don't do too good in walking around naked in public), they keep me warm (doesn't take much in Houston), and they may help me look halfway descent (fig leaf didn't work anymore).The majority of them does not have any emblems on them whatsoever, but portray who I AM, and not what society thinks I should be.Who cares if your vehicle has a big "L" on it, is made in Bavaria (hey - we're talking about originals right, so the America-made version is not good enough!), or has made the commercials as the big H3? Guess what... whatever it is that has wheels on it - it takes me from point A to point B (and with lots of prayer eventually even to C) just as it gets you to places you need to go to. The difference is only that I don't have a $800 car note!It is more than rediculous that there are people out there that encourage their kids to define themselfs on the brand-name clothing they wear, what kind of car Mom and Dad (if he is indeed around) drives to pick them up from school, and if they have the latest IPod (or whatever gadget it needs to be that particular day).I will take this even a step further even though I understand the issue concerning Timberlake/Hilfiger... The ideal scenario of course, would be to boycott any manufacturer, any product, any service that has to do with any racial issues - anywhere! But in order to do that, one has to change its views on making up for a lack of self esteem by replacing it with logos.And I totally agree with you Gene - there's just one way to find out who you really are - and that is by seeking and asking Him!You can use those famous letters "WWJD" for every question that you may have... and if you are really open to an honest answer, you may just have gotten a little closer to who He really wants you to be.AMEN my brother!!

Ignorance is bliss...so they say.

I was reading an article the other day and also came across a poem by Maya Angelou, about how blacks, have spend so much time, money and faith, in products that their developers care nothing about them. Mine you, Tommy Hilfinger had his genius in the making of the Hilfinger clothing line and the Timberland boots, was a mega hit for the developers of that product. Like any other product, it is the consumer, that makes the decision to shell out their hard earned money to purchase. The purchasing power of Black America is powerful, abundent and... stupid. While many of Blacks will run to the stores and buy Play Stations, Ipods and Air Jordans. Many people still don't have good quality credit, don't pay child support nor invest into a business that they could own and produce into a sound business. It is always the attitude that "I need to have that to show that I have more than I really posses" It's the "keeping up with the jones" theory and the " I need to look good" concept especially in the lower income family structure. Seeing a young mother run to the store to buy a pair of baby Air Jordan's at a lower price than the adult size ,but still high for a product, for a baby, is not even ridicules...it's just plain ignorant.

There are rumors that the Timberland products are own by white supremists of the KKK and Tommy Hilinger spoke out boldly, that he cared nothing for the Black man (or woman) in their wearing his product and he could do without their support. Yeah, right!! Those dollars (Black) help make up more than half of us empire. What total disrespect and racism, from someone that is benefiting from a races ignornace and lackuster care of importance in supporting a product that supports them. This stigma is imbedded too deep to stop or even place a dent into. If Tommy would only just show alittle compassion and set up developing shops to teach . If Timberland would give scholarship funds to disenfrachise youth and if His Airness would cut the prices of the shoes in half, that would be a start, but it aint gonna HAPPEN!

Why don't we applaud Stephen Marbury, for making a quality shoe that even he wears, on the NBA courts at a price of $14.99. compared to the $150. dollar Air Jordans. We even have our youth killing for the shoes and caring less about life of another for them (Timberlands too)

The Dr. William (Bill) Cosby makes a statement to Black America about it's ignorance that is vastly exposed (not all Blacks) and there is an uproar to the mast majority of Blacks, that are partaking in this purchasing of these products and actions. I agree with Bill on at least 85-95 % of his statements. For there is no question that education is the key, to open the doors of opportunities and of ones mind. If one is lacking in education, then they can be suade toward doing almost anything or believing in anything that is said. With many of Black America's parents today in their 30-35 age range...the rasing of children is so lacking due to not having the balance of grand parents pasing knowledge and giving of themselves (once in a while) But instead are raising again there childrens children 24/7. My understanding is this, Many grandmothers don't want to raise their childs child...but they don't want to see their baby and grandbaby (or shall we say grandbabies) out in today's world struggling and scraping, just to make a minimum wage with no health insurance or no milk and diapers (or shall we say pampers) That alone has set back the Black race (other races too) from reaching it's full potential of family and economic stability. All the children will do is mimic the parents of what they do and how they act.

When a young child can recite and act out a whole rap video, word for word, motion for motion and not even recite or finish his/her A.B.C's or read a simple picture book...we know there is a major armeggadom that has transpired and it seems nobody even cares....till it's too late. Then, those that have allowed this transgression, want to act out in anger against the establishment, government, neighbor, and whomever, for their lack of, over their little prince or princess in a proper manner and proper way. Now, those same little princess and princes are now calling their mommy bitches and scanks. They care not to know who their daddy is cause daddy, hit the road or moved on after dropping a few semen seeds and he is looking for the next thrill or variety of anatomy with the big badunka butt.

There is an answer though...God, Jesus and the church. At least there are still some...that believe and read the scriptures, which gives us a structural plan...to have a well-rounded family and peaceful growth and life. God is not suade to change His way on how good your hair is did or how weel you recite rap poetry. He is pleased when their is faith, commitment and service to one another and to Him. So , even if you care to still wear your Tommy's,Timbers and Jordans, take time out and read what He (the Lord) has to say about the structure of life, love and faith has for you...and I garantee you...The words that come from your mouth will sound better than one that has obtain a PhD and your heart will open to being more loving toward each other...adn your parents.

NCAA- March Maddness....Reality or Hype.

It's that time of the year, where everyone in America (and abroad) go nuts over college basketball. After spending 5 months preparing and jockying, it is down to the real deal of college basketball...the NCAA tournament, now known as the "Big Dance". Everyone from teenie-boopers to crickety old folks, will worship this time of the year, to fill out brackets, make claims, wear school colors, hate neighbors and friends, run home turn on the t.v; hooky work, etc; just to feel the "power" of this time. I, being one that played and participated in this managerie, must say, it is a quite a spectacle and one that brings the hormones and adrenaline to it's highest levels. Making it all the way to the NCAA Championship game was ever so fulfilling and a life time memory for me. Losing by 4 points to Kentucky, with the superb play by the Goose (Jack Gevins) we were left with a hurt that only lasted for a minute but then were became elated of the effort that we accomplished. But what is it all worth? With academia supposivebly the main point, this time of the year speaks only volumes in dollars...period! Television has been the pimp to the NCAA power structure and with the capital gains for each and every university that make it to the "Big Dance", The true meaning of athletics have taken an all time low. Money fuels this period and places pressure on the professors (coaches) and players. Who gains from all this? Well, the coaches recieve bigger contracts and respect in the millions. The universities recieve exposure and capital gains in millions (especially in football) and the reat of the students that cheer on their respected schools, either gain thrills and frills or a deeper sadness that their team didn't win the whole enchilada.

Now, my point. Are we educating or are we just giving the student-athletes a taste of the real world in marketing, finances, greed and anxiety? Now student-athletes that go to school, go because, this is a way to get to the next profession (if you are a football, basketball, tennis, to name few) Many just stay one year, if they are exceptional players (two, now due to the NBA's new policy) and education takes a back seat to their priority of obtaining a quality education. Even classes are excused or canceled during this time. With milliions just waiting for them, would you by-pass not leaving your school? ...Hell no! But there should be a policy that if any student-athlete leaves school early and obtains financial success at that early stage, he/she should give back to the university a donation or set up a scholarship fund for student-athletes that are not in that spectrum of elitism, to leave early and obtain those riches. A college athletic scholarship is truly a blessing and one that shouldn't be taken lightly. Sports is a privilge (deem extra-curriculum) and it allows the student-athlete to excel in the sport that they chose. This is a great time in America for sports fans, especially school supported fans. It is Ameica and this is a capitalist country and money fuels this system of our democracy.

So kick back, cheer, yell and act like a fool during this time. Even cry when your team loses in the event of their quest to be ...number 1.

My pick to win the NCAA Championship- Memphis State.

We...Our Own Worst Enemy...

I was flipping thru the newspaper (Greensboro News & Record and USA Today) the other day and came across an article on a new but old system of our demise. In this article it stated that the Rev. Al Sharpton and the Rev. Jesse Jackson (I guess we can call them Reverands) made some interesting comments about Barrack Obama that showed me that we still....are our own worst enemies. Rev. Al mentioned that he didn't really know Obama and the Rev. Jackson, that the jury is still out. Hmmmmmmmmm...so, these two, that I have/had great respect for, throw another wrench in the pot when it comes to the "crab in the basket" syndrome. Because Obama didn't seek or was groomed by them and that people cannot say that he is a student of their tutiledge, they are not supporting or praising Obama. He has the mast majority of people in America impressed with his manner, dignity and grace. Because he didn't come up in the "civil rights movement" so to speak, he seems, as they are saying, a distance "Black Man". Obama is a refreshing breath of air and even American Whites, Hispanics, others, are not threatened by his rhetoric. He has not shyed away from his blackness in fact, he has embraced it as much as going back to Africa and tracing his roots, which many of us have not, could not or will not do. When was the last time Jesse or Al took a trip to trace theirs? Oh..I see Rev. Al on Saturday Night Live, MSNBC, Late Night, etc. Also see Jesse at major sporting events, controversies (Duke Lacrosse) and other situations. But I haven't seen them getting to the stoppage on Homelessness, Health Care for the poor, Inner-city gang violence, etc. They talk a good game but haven't really made any dents. But they have statements to make on the fact that Obama hasn't really be groomed or in "their" circle or teachings. Wow, Rev. Al with his closet full of skeletons (Tawana Brawley) and Rev. Jesse (or should we say, out-of-wedlock-Daddy Jesse)

This is the very same reason why we, as blacks, cannot further our strengths in today's market of politics, economics, etc. Because Obama hasn't gone to them to "kiss their rings" (like in Godfather fashion) they seem to feel slighted or feel as though he isn't "allowed" to be the answer to the black plight in Amercia or have the inner fortitude to run this America. He has the tools that many see as qualified and his qualification is far above any that George W. had when he was in the political arena. George W. as we know, was "silver spooned" into the white house, had corruption support (Florida vote) to make it official and we only got only a slight mudder from the two Revs and then they backed off.

So here we are again, with a divided house and a divided foundation to the future of our "Black Community Leaders" as well as the Democratic Party. I am sure that Rev. Al and Rev. Jackson are trying to make the right decision on who to support in this upcoming election being that Hillary is the counter party runner for the seat of the Democrats. Thanks roughly to "Intern Bill" Clinton (whom I still like) Hillary has support and questions, from the black community for her election chances. But the chances are great now due to George W. idiotic and incompatant manner of running this country. But hey, he is "our" president and thats what we have. Even I am in a 50/50 mood with casting my vote for either Hillary or Obama due to the fact that I wish to listen to more of his factual goals, visions and missions, for this America. I am impressed thus far and I am sure that I will be more impressed. What I am not, is the manner of the two Reverands attitudes and comments, due to Obama not "kissing their rings" so to speak.

African-Amerians can be (and are) so powerful in many arenas, but we still have ways to go into knowing that a house divided, will not stand...which has been the case, over centuries. Don't just vote for the man because he is Black! Vote for him cause he's qualified, dignified and has a plan for ALL people ...in America.