Black News: Rev. Al Sharpton Teams up with Dr. Boyce Watkins

Dr Boyce Watkins, Professor at Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coalition is now slated for a weekly segment on "Keeping it Real with Al Sharpton."  The show is currently syndicated in 18 cities across the nation and adding new affiliates each week.  Every Monday from 1:15 - 2:15 pm EST, Dr. Watkins and Rev. Sharpton will discuss political issues of the day and matters affecting our nation.  To find out more about the show, please visit www.SharptonTalk.net or www.BoyceWatkins.com.

To see Dr. Watkins' latest articles with MSNBC's "TheGrio.com", please visit this link: http://www.thegrio.com/author/dr-boyce-watkins-1/

To see Dr. Watkins' latest work with AOL Black Voices, please visit: http://blogs.blackvoices.com/bloggers/boyce-watkins-phd/

To listen to Dr. Watkins' last conversation with Rev. Sharpton, please click here.

In light of President Obama's recent announcement that African American education should be a top priority for Black leadership, Dr. Watkins will be speaking with Rev. Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill and other African Americans on ways to directly challenge the astronomical dropout rates for African American students.  Many of these issues are addressed in Dr. Watkins' book, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About College."   To start the academic year, Dr. Watkins will be distributing free e-copies of this book to members of the Your Black World Coalition during the month of September, 2009.  We will also be reaching out to President Obama to offer support in solving this problem, for we firmly believe that managing the dropout rate is one of the keys to saving our great nation.

For more information, please visit www.BoyceWatkins.com.

What’s with the so-called “Post Racial America?”

Dr. Wilmer J. Leon III, Howard University

In 1903 W.E.B. DuBois wrote in The Souls of Black Folk, “The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color-line, --the relation of the darker to the lighter races of men in Asia and Africa, in America and the islands of the sea.” In 1968 the Kerner Commission determined "Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white—-separate and unequal."

In 21^st Century so-called “post racial” America the problem is still race. African American’s like Derryl Jenkins are still being brutalized by the police in north Minneapolis, MN; shot in the back of the head while handcuffed like Oscar Grant in Oakland, CA; and mistaken for perpetrators and killed by fellow officers like Officer Omar Edwards in New York City.

Many questions still need to be answered about these latest tragedies. What leads these officers to perceive people of color as a threat? Why do the police feel the need to use excessive force first and ask questions later? This takes me to the continual discussion about racism (white supremacy), its perceptions, and emotional responses that people of color deal with all too often.

Click to read.

Dr. Wilmer Leon: Is Healthcare Reform Dead?

By

Dr. Wilmer J. Leon III

According to 2008 U.S Census Bureau data approximately 47 million or 15.8 percent of the U.S. population, were without health insurance during 2006 — a 4.9 percent increase. In 2005, census figures showed that 44.8 million people, or about 15.3 percent of the population, lacked health insurance coverage. According to a report released by the Institute on Medicine, the average cost of family health-care coverage more than doubled from 1999 to 2008, from $1,543 to $3,354.

Based upon these realities, presidential candidate Obama made health-care reform a central theme of his campaign. He promised to achieve universal health care in his first term and to cut the average family's health care health-care costs by $2,500. In the on-going health care reform debate it is very important to remember that as a result of this and other campaign promises, President Obama won the 2008 presidential election with 53% of the popular vote to Senator McCain’s 46% and 68% of the Electoral College vote to McCain’s 36%.

According to a New York Times/CBS News poll taken in June, 85 percent of respondents said the health care system needed to be fundamentally changed or completely rebuilt. According to a June poll conducted by the Employee Benefit Research Institute 83 percent of respondents favored and only 14 percent opposed “creating a new public health insurance plan that anyone can purchase.” These numbers indicate that health care reform is very important to the American people.

Click to read.

News: Dr Wilmer Leon Interviews Suzanne Simons

Dr Wilmer Leon interviews Suzanne Simons about her book “Master of War: Blackwater USA's Erik Prince and the Business of War".  Click here to listen!

Dr Boyce: Going to College Should Not Be an “If”

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

The following is an exerpt from the book, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about College."

Before I tell you all the great things about college, and all the things that are going to happen before, during and after, we should start with a very basic question: why do you want to go to college anyway? I mean, you could be doing a lot of things: playing in the NBA, bustin rhymes with your boys on stage, acting in Hollywood, or just plain old "kickin it". More realistically, you could also just jump right out and get a job after high school. There was a time when that wasn't such a bad thing. My grandmother always tells me stories about the days when a high school diploma went a long way, when a house cost 8 cents, when dogs didn't bite and you could leave your front door open at night. But a lot of things have definitely changed since then, and a person must adjust to the times.

If you want to increase your chances to getting a good job one day, then getting a solid education under your belt is a great place to start. Once, I asked a friend if she was going to college. I think that she was the kind of person that wanted to make the quick money, rather than spend 4 years investing in her education. In her mind, it was all about making money right away, and college would be a waste of 4 years for her. When I asked her if she was going to go to college, she said "I like money too much to go to college". I said to her "I like money too much not to go to college!" So the fact is this: you need degrees to get to the cheese! To lay it down in concrete terms, a census bureau survey showed that college graduates earn nearly one million dollars more during their lifetime than people with high school diplomas. What would you do with your extra million?

Sure there are exceptions. I went to college with guys who never graduated and left early for the NBA to make more money than most of us will ever make. However, this is clearly the exception. For every Kobe Bryant or Allen Iverson, there are literally millions of other students who are not quite good enough to make the big money. For every Vivica Fox or Jenifer Aniston, there are a lot of women out there in Hollywood with roaches crawling across the bathroom floor. I am not saying this to stamp out the dreams you may have, it's a reminder that you should pursue higher education no matter what you decide you want to do. This guarantees that you will have something to fall back on in case your plans don't turn out quite the way you thought they would.

Click to read.

News: Dr. Wilmer Leon: Breaking Down Obama’s NAACP Speech

 

Drs. Mack Jones, Robert Smith and Wilmer Leon do an in-depth analysis of President Obama’s speech to the NAACP.  Click here to listen!

Chicago Cops Beat Man Driving With Black Women

 

CHICAGO (CBS) ― New allegations of brutality by Chicago police have surfaced. In his

lawsuit, one man claims he was beaten during a traffic stop.

As CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports, the suit names two officers and implicates several others.
"I thought I was gonna die because I couldn't breathe," said alleged police beating victim Curtis Mason Jr.
Blood vessels were broken in an eye and his wrists were allegedly cut by tight handcuffs.

Mason says the injuries he captured with photographs were caused by Chicago police.
"In the beginning, that's what I asked them, 'why am I being arrested' and from that point, it turned into, 'why are you continually hitting me?'" he said.

click here to read more

Rev. Eugene Rivers and Dr. Boyce Watkins on MSNBC

Click here to watch Dr Boyce Watkins of Syracuse University with Pastor Eugene Rivers on MSNBC.

Roland Martin, Dr Boyce Watkins Fight it out on CNN

Dr Boyce Watkins of Syracuse University speaks with Roland Martin and Rick Sanchez of CNN.  The conversation gets quite heated.  Click here to watch the video!

Your Black News: CNN American Morning Talks with Dr Watkins – 7/29/09

Click here to watch Dr Boyce Watkins of Syracuse University on CNN American Morning with Dr. Michael Fauntroy

Rev. Jackson, Sharpton, Watkins, Ogletree Meet to Discuss Gates

Click here to listen to Rev. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Dr. Boyce Watkins (Syracuse University) talk with Harvard Law Professor, Charles Ogletree

Deborah Stroman: Is Higher Ed a Right or a Privilege?

by Dr. Deborah Stroman

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Get Real! That’s my kind response to the critics of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) recent academic reform policy that eliminates the minimum SAT and ACT scores for admission. This well-thought out and crafted course of action finally gives colleges the academic freedom and independence to do what they do best – make decisions as to which students they want on their particular campus. Not the NCAA, the athletic leagues, or any other sport-related governing body has the right to tell an academic institution who is most deserving of the opportunity to sit in their classrooms and learn. Although our country promotes a spirit of education for all, the reality is that higher education is for the privileged. And those with the financial resources receive more access and resources. With a wink and a nod though, the student-athlete can oftentimes bypass this necessity if one possesses the talent to throw a tight spiral or shoot a silky-smooth jumper.

Click to read more.

Anderson Cooper Speaks with Dr. Boyce Watkins – 7/25/09

Dr Boyce Watkins of Syracuse University and Anderson Cooper discuss the case of Harvard Professor, Henry Louis Gates.  Click here to watch the video!

Your Black News: Montel Williams and Dr. Boyce Watkins Discuss Henry Louis Gates

Dr Boyce Watkins of Syracuse University spoke with TV and radio show host Montel Williams on Monday.  The conversation focused on race and racial profiling.  They are going to also speak on financial advice in the future.

Roland Martin, Boyce Watkins Talk Gates

COOPER: Professor Watkins, do you believe this is an issue about race, or do you think this is an issue of two people with -- with big egos or clashing egos?

WATKINS: I think that the answer is that we don't know.

And that is the problem, that we were making bandwagon assumptions based on things we didn't know. Look, either Sergeant Crowley violated procedure or he didn't. If he did violate procedure, he either violated it because Skip Gates was black or for some other reason.

But the truth is that we can't read this man's mind. And, so, the truth -- the reality is that this could have happened to someone of another ethnicity, potentially, particularly when you look throughout Sergeant Crowley's record.

And I assume that he wouldn't be teaching classes on racial sensitivity if he had a record of arresting black men for no reason. Now, I'm not trying to say that this did not happen in this case. I'm not anybody is a liar.

But what I'm saying is that we can't use this case as a -- some sort of poster child for racial-profiling issues across America, because there is real racial profiling that goes on, on places other than Harvard University, because I guarantee you this much.

MARTIN: Anderson...

WATKINS: Skip Gates is a guy who knows he is Skip Gates.

And being a black professor at Harvard, with all the money that Skip has, I guarantee you he has probably got more privilege than most white Americans have anyway.

(CROSSTALK)

MARTIN: Anderson, race -- race is involved, because you all -- look, when you step back and say, here, you have an African-American professor in his home. The cop comes there.

The black officer said, I think it may have been -- differently if it was an African-American cop with this actual black male here. What we have to learn here is, what is going through a black man's mind when this kind of thing is happening?

Again, people say, well, it needs to be overt. Well, people all self-perceive things differently. What is implied? What is inferred? And, so, here, he is standing here saying, this is how I am interpreting this.

We cannot dismiss that and say, well, that is not relevant. It is relevant, because it happens every day. People make assumptions. Women make assumptions based upon, well, is this happening to me because I am a woman? Is this happening to me because I am Hispanic? COOPER: But some assumptions are correct and some assumptions are not.

MARTIN: Absolutely. But that's why we can't...

WATKINS: Right. Absolutely.

Click to read more on the Dr Boyce Blog.

Boyce Watkins speaks on AOL – 7/22/09

The Latest

Dr Boyce: Henry Louis Gates and His Arrest at Harvard

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• I don't like our nation's criminal justice system. Every statistic reeks of racism, and the prison ... Read More
• Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (2)

Dr Boyce Money: What Can Michael Vick Do Now?

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• Previously, I did a piece on Michael Vick and discussed ways in which Michael can get his ... Read More
• Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (2)

Are Hip Hop Artists "Bo-Jangling" for the Dough?

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• I was on the phone with an artist in NYC the other day. I asked her why she hasn't released an ... Read More
• Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (3)

Dr. Boyce: Michael Vick is Finally Free

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• Michael Vick is finally out of prison. He is not just being transferred from one prison to ... Read More
• Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (9)

Dr Boyce Money: Steve McNair's Missing Will

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• My heart was broken when I read about the murder of NFL great, Steve McNair. My heart went out to ... Read More
• Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (10)

Dr Boyce on AOL – 7/16/09

Dr Boyce: Lil Wayne Is Willing to Murder Newborn Babies?

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• I spent the weekend in New York City doing all the things that a father dreams of doing with his ... Read More
• Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (38)

Nicole Spence Moves Beyond her Wendy Williams Experience

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• I've had the chance to interact with Wendy Williams on a regular basis over the past 3 years. ... Read More
• Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (1)

Dr Boyce Money: Would You Date Someone Who Has Been Laid Off?

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• Would you date someone who doesn't have a job? Many of us would at least think twice about it. ... Read More
• Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (20)

Dr Boyce: Bill Cosby's Book Made Money, But Did He Forget Something?

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• Meet Delores Jones. Delores is a talented radio show host and women's empowerment speaker out of ... Read More
• Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (66)

Dr Boyce – the latest – 7/16/09

• 

  Lessons from Sonia and Barack

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  7:50 AM on 07/13/2009

  (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Partisan politics aside, Judge Sonia Sotomayor and President Barack Obama present themselves to the world as middle-aged poster children for everything that can be right in Black and Latino America. I'm not talking about their political achievements...

  > more

• 

  What Obama needs to do in Africa

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  8:41 AM on 07/09/2009

  Obama looks on during the G8 Summit (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari) In a recent interview with AllAfrica.com, President Obama said: "I'd say I'm probably as knowledgeable about African history as anybody who's occupied my office. And I can give you...

  > more

• Dumb kids create a bad economy

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  8:22 AM on 07/08/2009

  One of my favorite magazines is "The Economist." A recent issue of the magazine had an intriguing article about American kids and how we've essentially prepared them to destroy our nation. National productivity is a grave concern for the U.S.,...

  > more

• 

  BET brainwashing our kids

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  9:03 AM on 07/02/2009

  I write this article at the risk of offending my daughters, who are all in the "We think Lil Wayne and Chris Brown were sent by God" age group.

  > more

Does Bill Cosby Have as Much Personal Responsibility as we Think?

by Delores Jones

Recently, I listened to yet another radio debate about the manner in which Bill Cosby talked about the plight of some black people at least 5 years ago.  Economically speaking, I too would be considered one of the working poor in the African American community mentioned, however, some of the words used to describe the behavior associated with this class of people did not fit me or others that I personally know.  In fact, I am a highly, educated single mother with a master’s degree in social work.  I also hold a bachelor’s of  broadcast journalism from the University of Missouri School of Journalism in Columbia, arguably one of the finest J-Schools in the nation.  I’ve been employed, unemployed, underemployed, upset, bewildered, disappointed, depressed and even disgusted.

Interestingly, none of the books I’ve read about “lower economic people” who are believed to be “failing the civil rights movement by not holding up their end of this deal,” invited me or others to the table to discuss individual situations or the people I encounter as a social worker who are simply trying to make this thing called life work the best way he or she knows how.  Just because a school is open does not mean what is being taught is adequate.  Just because there is a hosptial near by doesn’t mean I am welcome there or can afford to be seen there.  In fact, recently I learned that I need a major operation but I don’t have insurance to cover the projected $20,000 cost.  Did I mention, I work full-time?

 

Click to read.

To obtain Delores Jones for a speaking engagement, please contact us with the following information:

1800-934-7110

information@yourblackpublicity.com

Dr. Deborah Stroman: Speaks on McNair, Health and More

 

Dr. Deborah Stroman

Sheeessh! By the news events of the past few weeks, one would have thought that it was time to grab our belongings and head to hills. Can anyone be trusted in this information age of hustle, fast-talk, get-rich deals, and quickie-relationships? Here’s a bit of timeless advice for those desperately seeking peace-of-mind and still holding on in hope for a brighter tomorrow –

1. Don’t seriously date someone that doesn’t have as much as you to lose financially in a relationship (especially if you’re already married). Yes, this tip may appear narrow-minded, elitist, and tough to swallow but the facts reflect reality. Mr. McNair more than likely lost his life not because the alleged killer was not cute enough or highly cultured, but rather she got a taste of the good life that she had never previously experienced. The young lover was not an observable regular in the high-income bracket circle. Her self-defined love and feelings for this once-in-a-lifetime fling would not permit her to let go. She probably rested on the “if I can’t have him, no one else will” sentiment to end their lives tragically. It is highly doubtful that a businesswoman with millions (who was rejected by a rich lover that would periodically spend his mint on her to woo her) would take her own life and risk the chance to meet another stud athlete with bank and street cred.

Click to read more on the black scholars blog.

Dr Boyce on AOL – 7/11/09

Dr Boyce Education: Our Kids are Not Ready for the Future

• I have some questions I'd like to ask all of us in an open and strictly rhetorical kind of ... Read More
• Posted by Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (2)

Dr Boyce Money: Why It Pays to be a Dangerous Negro

• Dangerous Negro is changing the world. A young company founded by strong, intelligent black men, ... Read More
• Posted by Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (6)

Dr Boyce Money: What is the Financial Cost of Racism?

• I recently did an interview with Charlamagne Tha God (posted below) with 100.3 "The Beat" in ... Read More
• Posted by Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (1)

Dr Boyce: The Economic Implications of Obama's Trip to Africa

• President Obama is headed to Africa this week in what appears to be a symbolic, one day visit. ... Read More
• Posted by Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (5)

Dr Boyce: Did Stevie Wonder's Daughter Attempt Suicide?

• MediaTakeout is reporting that the 27-year old daughter of Stevie Wonder (Takiyah) attempted ... Read More
• Posted by Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (7)

Dr Boyce: My Call From the Obama Administration

• I got a call the other day from someone in the Obama Administration. I get a sense that key ... Read More
• Posted by Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (59)

Dr Boyce: My Encounter with Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh

• Last week, I received a phone call from the producer for "The Jim Reith Show" here in Syracuse. ... Read More
• Posted by Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (2)

Michael Jackson Being Attacked: Latest Updates on His Will

• We recently heard about Congressman Peter King referring to Michael Jackson as a "pedophile and a ... Read More
• Posted by Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (13)

Michael Jackson's Will Being Contested Heavily in Court

• We've continuously discussed the financial situation wtih Michael Jackson, as well as that for his ... Read More
• Posted by Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (1)

Dr Boyce Money: Love Investments Matter More than Money

• When I came up with the concept for Financial Lovemaking, I became an intense student of life: I ... Read More
• Posted by Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (7)

Steve McNair's Legacy as an NFL Great: Dr. Deborah Stroman

• Most of us know about the tragic death of NFL great Steve McNair. On this episode of "The Bottom ... Read More
• Posted by Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (6)

Breaking News: Steve McNair Shot and Killed in Nashville

• Image: Dr Boyce Watkins with Steve McNair in 2004 Media outlets are reporting that former NFL MVP ... Read More
• Posted by Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (51)

Michael Jackson Update: Celeb Insider Talks about Michael Jackson

• Michael Jackson's financial and family situations are getting more complicated by the second. As we ... Read More
• Posted by Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (4)

Dr Boyce: Rapper Drake Learned Lessons from BET Awards

• Some have seen the discontent I expressed about the most recent BET Awards. But I am not the only ... Read More
• Posted by Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (51)

Dr Boyce: Congressman Compares NBA Age Limit to Slavery

• I was pleasantly surprised to hear that Congressman Steve Cohen has chosen to take on the NBA's ... Read More
• Posted by Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (15)

Black News: Kids Kicked out of Swimming Pool for Being Black

What is the economic cost of racism?  Children from a predominantly black daycare were kicked out of a white country club pool for no apparent reason.  Some argue that it was because they were black.

Click here to listen!

Dr. Wilmer Leon on Sarah Palin’s Sudden Departure

Dr. Wilmer J. Leon III

On July 3^rd the democratically elected governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin announced that she will not seek re-election as Governor. Effective July 26^th, she will “transfer the authority of governor to Lieutenant Governor Parnell.” Governor Palin is resigning. The woman who tried to convince all of America that she was capable of being just one heart beat away from being the leader of the free world has thrown in the towel. It’s one thing to decide that you will not seek re-election; it’s another to “transfer authority” before the end of your first term. Eighteen months before the end of her first term, the sledding began to get tough and the “musher” quit!

During her acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, Governor Palin tried to belittle then Democratic Party nominee, Senator Obama’s work as a community organizer by saying, “I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a "community organizer," except that you have actual responsibilities.” Apparently, those “actual responsibilities” are no longer relevant. If she is unable to persevere and deliver on her commitment to her constituents in Alaska, how can she be expected to, as she said, “work hard for others who still believe in free enterprise and smaller government; strong national security for our country and support for our troops; energy independence; and for those who will protect freedom and equality and life...?” The hypocrisy is nauseating.

Click to read more on the Black Scholars Blog.

Boyce Watkins: Michael Jackson’s Kids and Their Money

by Dr Boyce Watkins

"Stuntin like my daddy" was the first song on the album, "Like Father, Like Son," issued by Lil Wayne and Birdman in 2006. "Stuntin" is a hip hop term synonymous with "flossing," blinging," and "balling." It means that you've engaged in excessive spending to ensure that you have the finest of everything and are even willing to live at the edge of your means in order to present appropriate status symbols to the world. Anyone who follows hip hop knows that you should never take financial advice from a rapper. In light of the recent passing of their father, I sincerely hope that the children of Michael Jackson didn't hear the Lil Wayne song, since their daddy's financial "stuntin" before his death has left the children with a conflicted economic legacy.

On one hand, we shouldn't feel sorry for Michael Jackson's kids, at least not financially. Their father's amazing talent gives them a brand that is literally worth well over a billion dollars in future royalties and licensing fees. Michael Jackson may have died physically. But financially, he is still a viable and overwhelmingly powerful corporate entity.

Click to read.

Dr Boyce Watkins: What We Can Learn from MJ’s Debt

by Dr. Boyce Watkins

• Janet Jackson honors Michael at BET Awards

Doctor talks to police about Jackson's final moments

Let's remember what Michael did for us

Michael Jackson is not dead. No, he's not on a deserted island chilling with Tupac and Elvis (who some believe faked their deaths), but he is certainly alive in corporate and social spirit, impacting millions of people.

Michael will make 1000 times more money in death than most people make when they are alive. But similar to when he was alive, massive amounts of cash will have to be generated in order to counter the enormous debt that Michael created while he was doing his thing.

Reports have stated Michael Jackson's debt to be as high as half a billion dollars, enough to make some major corporations blush. What's worse is that this debt was not created via a series of sound financial investments: it was conceived by building personal amusement parks, buying rare monkey statues, and rocking his way from one expensive store to the other.

Michael's spending became his addiction. Financial needs could have been what led to him agreeing to do 50 concerts in London this year (a tour he was preparing for just before his death), when he may have not been able to handle one. It was starting to get sad watching Michael perform, similar to watching Muhammad Ali after he'd spent 10 years dealing with Don King. While the 50-year old Michael Jackson may have given a great performance, it would probably be something less than what we've come to expect.

Click to read.

Your Black Legal: Protecting Those who Testify

 

Photo: Elliot Milner, Attorney at Law

Many of us have read about the traumatic beating of a woman in broad daylight in an Oakland beauty salon.  The woman chose not to testify, in part because she feared retaliation from her attackers.  The protection of witnesses is a serious issue and solutions are necessary.  Elliot Milner, an attorney, had this to say:

“This is a complicated issue, and there is no easy solution. Most police departments only provide protection in the most extreme cases, and this is usually a very rare occurrence. I am a proponent of self-help. I'm not speaking about vigilante justice, simply saying that if people in urban(and any other) communities want to make sure that their neighbors who speak out against those who commit crimes are not harmed, then it is necessary for people in the community to take the initiative to let it be known that they will not tolerate harm being done to innocent citizens who simply seek to have those doing wrong held accountable.

I completely understand that is easier said than done. However, community intervention is a must. The police(in Oakland or any other city/town) are not going to protect you. Even if they have the desire to, most police departments do not have the funding or personnel to accomplish that. In several cities, groups of men in urban communities have taken to policing the streets of their neighborhoods. It is imperative that people in the community show that they are not afraid and will not be imprisoned in their own homes, as is the case in some neighborhoods. Also, participating in dialogue with individuals who may be "in the street" or committing crimes is a must. The more you isolate a person or group of people, the more likely they are to react negatively to you.”

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Elliot Millner: Tyler Perry vs. Spike Lee: What’s Really Going on?

by Elliot Millner, JD

Although I realize that we live in the internet-age, which means even the simplest of criticisms can be blown out of proportion, I am disappointed to see how some Black people are unable to intelligently respond to constructive criticism, even when it is not directed at them.

The person who is the latest target of the "He's just a hater" orchestra is none other than renowned filmmaker Spike Lee. In a recent interview that he did with Ed Gordon, Spike dared to criticize some of Tyler Perry's work(specifically Meet the Browns and House of Pain) and made references to the shows as "coonery" and "buffoonery" and compared them to Amos n' Andy.

For the record, let me say that I agree with a lot of what Spike Lee said. Although I liked a couple of the Madea plays that I saw years back(even though I generally have issue with Black men parading around in dresses, even for comedy-but that's another topic), these two shows don't do anything for me. That's just me, and I do realize that comedy is subjective; what's funny to one person is not funny to another. However, any person familiar with the historical 'coonery' and 'buffoonery' that Spike Lee was referring to(reference Bamboozled if you haven't seen it) would be hard pressed to argue his point that some of Tyler Perry's characters do harken back to that era. If "Mr. Brown" isn't the prototypical coon-type character, then what is? This is not to single Tyler Perry out, because there are other examples, and some of them aren't actors(Flavor Flav).

Click to read.

Technorati Tags: spike lee,tyler perry,black news,black celebrities

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