What the? Maybe THIS is one of the reasons why folks are so crazy

Rocket Fuel Chemical Found in Food, Water Supply
Studies Being Done to Determine Long-Term Effects of Small Amounts of Perchlorate on Human Health
April 28, 2007 —


Perchlorate, a chemical used in rocket fuel, is turning up in the nation's food -- in vegetables like lettuce and spinach -- and water supply.

You've never heard of it? Most Americans haven't, but millions have been exposed to it. This week Congress held hearings to determine just how dangerous it is to humans' health.

"A study from the Centers for Disease Control last year tested almost 3,000 people who are representative of the U.S. population. They found perchlorate in every single person," said Dr. Anila Jacob of the Environmental Working Group.

So how did something used to launch inter-continental missiles and the space shuttle find its way into our homes?

At a hearing of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce this week, a government report was made public for the first time revealing that at sites in more than 25 states, perchlorate had leaked into the drinking water and soil. About 65 percent of that contamination was attributed to the Department of Defense and to NASA.

The Pentagon said it has invested "over $114 million in research related to perchlorate toxicity," and that they are "developing substitute chemicals."

Doctors agree that large amounts of the chemical can lead to thyroid problems in adults and abnormal brain development in children, but it is still unknown how much damage smaller amounts can inflict.

"The developing fetus can have severe inhibition of brain development as a result of perchlorate intake by the mother through drinking water or through breast milk," Rep. Albert Wynn, D-Md. said.

Democrats on Capitol Hill are working on a bill that would require the EPA for the first time to set strict guidelines limiting the amount of perchlorate in the nation's drinking water.

For now, more research is being done to determine if the amounts present today can cause any serious damage to people's health.


Copyright © 2007 ABC News Internet Ventures

Mr. Starks

Is this what they're teaching kids in science class now?

Boy: I Had to 'Go' in Front of Class
Eighth Grader Says Teacher Instructed Him to Urinate in Bottle in Corner of Classroom
By SAMANTHA YOUNG
The Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif.


A middle school teacher instructed an eighth grader to urinate in a bottle in class instead of allowing him go to the bathroom, the boy and his mother said Friday.

Thirty-one classmates heard Michael Patterson, 14, relieve himself into an empty Gatorade bottle in a corner, they said.

"He said, 'Do what you got to do,'" the boy recalled of Tuesday's exchange. "I said, 'I've got a bottle,' and he said, 'Go in the corner.' So I just handled my business."

When he was finished, Michael said, his science teacher told him to go to the restroom to wash his hands and dispose of the bottle.

"It was really, really embarrassing," Michael said. "It's still embarrassing."

The boy's mother and the local chapter of the NAACP are demanding that the district fire the teacher at Charles M. Goethe Middle School if he does not resign. The boy is black, and Kelly Jacko, his mother, said the teacher is white.

"That man owes us an apology," said Jacko said. "I don't think he should teach. He had to know this was not appropriate behavior."

A school district spokesman said officials are interviewing the teacher and other students.

The mother disclosed the teacher's name, but district spokesman Marcus Walton would not confirm it.

Mr. Starks

This guy should have known he was going to get caught.....

I don't think that Ray Charles had the African-American "gentleman" (pictured above) in mind when he wrote the hit song, "Hit the Road, Jack." Jack Rhodes, the man in question, is allegedly the assailant that raised the ire of many New York City residents, who were appalled that he struck a 101-year-old woman. Here is more on this story as reported by today's Daily News:

Lonesome lowlife gets transferred to Rikers

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Monday, April 30th 2007, 4:00 AM


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Accused granny-basher Jack Rhodes is still getting special treatment from city correction officials worried about his safety.

Although he was finally transferred to Rikers Island from a private cell at a Queens stationhouse, authorities are still keeping Rhodes away from the general prison population, officials told the Daily News.

The 44-year-old homeless man is accused of violently mugging both 101-year-old Rose Morat and octogenarian Solange Elizee on March 4.

A police source said Rhodes was initially kept in a private cell because plenty of prisoners "would like to take a pop at him."

Cosby's "poundcake" analogy seems to be more and more cryptic...but of course, he's senile and out of touch.....right.

And the mother of the year award goes to.......

I really have no words....

Ma 'sorry' for pimping kids

They were having sex anyway, she says

By SCOTT SHIFREL
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Monday, April 30th 2007, 4:00 AM


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A Queens mother stands accused of the nearly unthinkable: pimping her daughters at 10 and 11 years old to feed a drug habit, the Daily News has learned.

The 34-year-old woman first pushed her older daughter, then 10, into prostitution in 2001, profiting from the sex sales until 2004, when relatives forced her to stop, according to prosecutors.

The younger sister was sent out at 11, selling herself for her mother from May to September 2004, prosecutors say.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt [them]," the woman told investigators in a teary, videotaped statement.

She went on to offer a chilling logic. "They [were] out there [having sex] for nothing. So it's like [if they have sex] for money, I could get some," she said.

"I never coerced her into doing anything she didn't want to do," the woman said of her oldest girl, according to the statement.

"I didn't say, 'Do it.' But I didn't stop her, either."

But prosecutors allege that the little girl did try to say no.

"She would refuse the defendant's demand, but [the mother] threatened that she would take her younger sister out for the purpose of prostitution," according to court papers.

The woman - whose name The News is withholding to protect the children's identity - said the girls would give her about $20 to $25 of the $80 to $100 they were paid each time they had sex.

The alleged prostitution was kept secret for years, until one of the girls recently told a social agency worker, a source said. The mother was arrested earlier this month and arraigned in Queens Criminal Court, where she was held on $100,000 bail.

She faces 25 years in prison if convicted.

"I'm still investigating the facts of the case," said her lawyer Steven Goldenberg. "My client is pleading not guilty, and we will have our day in court."

Obama talks about the 92' Riots......

It appears that Obama has made some salient points regarding the infrastuctural causes of the infamous L.A. riots of 1992. The Illinois senator gave a speech to an overflowing crowd at L.A.'s First AME church, in which the subject of the riots was invoked, as it is the 15th anniversary of what many Black progressives have dubbed a rebellion. Of course, liberals fail to acknowledge that the riots did far more damage to people of color themselves than to the institutions that may be the root cause of African-American frailties. No one brought the riots to Beverly Hills or Bel Air. God forbid. Perhaps a dash of Cosby tough love and personal responsibility talk mixed in with the usual institutional racism diatribe, might have been a more honest elixir in Obama's oration-but that almost never happens when liberals are on the hunt for Black votes. Anyway, check out an excerpt of Obama's appearance as reported by the LA Times:

Obama addresses social component of 1992 riots
By Scott Martelle, Times Staff Writer
6:18 PM PDT, April 29, 2007



- Activists fault post-riot rebuilding
LOS ANGELES -- Invoking images of Los Angeles in flames, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., argued Sunday -- the 15th anniversary of the nation's most violent modern civil uprising -- that little has been done to fix the social and economic conditions that gave rise to a three-day rampage that killed at least 53 people.

And although the riots occurred in Los Angeles, the conditions that spawned them persist around the U.S., Obama told an overflow crowd at the First AME Church.

"There wasn't anything going on in Los Angeles that was unique to Los Angeles," Obama said. "If you traveled to Chicago, you would see the same young men on street corners without hope, without prospects and without a sense of any destiny other than ending up in prison or in a casket."

Obama, speaking to an enthusiastic and overflowing crowd, drew a sustained standing ovation when he rebuked the Bush administration for funding the war in Iraq ahead of improving the lives of impoverished Americans -- particularly those in minority neighborhoods.

"We have now spent half a trillion dollars on a war that should have never been authorized and should have never been waged," Obama said. "We could have invested that money in South Central Los Angeles, or the south side of Chicago, in jobs and infrastructure and hospitals and schools. Why is it we can find the money in a second for a war that doesn't make any sense?"

Obama's speech was the most direct address on race by any of the major presidential candidates in California this weekend for the Democratic National Convention in San Diego. And it came as the major Democratic contenders are fighting over black voters. An April 5-9 Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg Poll found 41 percent of black voters nationwide backing New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, 34 percent backing Obama and 3 percent backing former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards.

Clinton, whose husband, Bill, received strong black support in both his presidential elections, mentioned the riots in her speech Saturday before the California Democratic Convention in San Diego. But she referred to "the chaos and violence in those days and the anger and despair that boiled over into the streets" in passing as she went on to endorse ethnic diversity and call for border policies that recognize that "immigration has been and still is the lifeblood of the United States."

Edwards did not mention the riots in his convention speech Sunday morning, but he touched on race within the context of economic inequality, arguing that "if you are a man or woman of color in America today, you are more likely to live in poverty," and have a higher risk of cancer, heart disease and other problems.

"The one thing we have to be willing to face up to -- and I mean head on -- is that race ... plays an enormous role in what's happening," said Edwards, reprising what is for him a familiar theme. "We have to be honest about the problem. The racial and economic segregation that exists in America is not all right."

For more on the LA Times story:

Obama addresses social component of 1992 riots

And Speaking of Racism......

This video documentary, also found at Youtube appears to be timely, especially since the War on Imus debacle. Again, please excuse the expletives. I guess I have outgrown stupid and racist humor-no matter who may be the intended target. Our focus should be on the internal as opposed to the external minutiae that was demonstrated in the above clip. Once people of color concentrate on our their own betterment (away from White patriarchal concerns), racial jokes can be compartmentalized and defined for what they really represent-the meanderings of an infantile and diseased mindset. Now that's funny.

And yet we have another Historical (and Shameful) moment.....about Skin

Finding the above video is what can happen when one takes a midnight stroll down the corridors of Youtube. Skin is a harrowing tale of what occurs when identity, racism and politics collide in the midst of South Africa's apartheid regime during the latter part of the 20th century. Here is a synopsis of the film (still in mid-production and in need of funding) from the Elysian Films website:

Ten-year-old Sandra is distinctly African looking, though light-skinned. Her parents are shopkeepers in a remote area of the Eastern Transvaal: white Afrikaners who, despite Sandra’s mixed-race appearance, have lovingly brought her up as their ‘white’ little girl. They send her to the local boarding school, where her brother has gone before her.

Yet other parents, teachers and children at the school react strongly to Sandra’s ‘African’ looks — and, for the first time in her life, she is made painfully aware of being different.

Within a year, she is examined by State officials, reclassified as ‘coloured’, and expelled from the school. Sandra’s parents are horrified. Her father Abraham fights through the courts to have her reclassified as white. Despite taking blood tests to prove that Sandra is his (and his wife’s) daughter, Abraham looses the case. But international pressure forces the laws to change in South Africa — and Sandra is officially classified as white again. Nevertheless, she and her family are ostracised by the white community.

Hopefully, this film will get the additional funding that it needs to be completed. What makes this film especially fascinating is how racial classification differed under the Dutch regime of South Africa in comparison with good ol' fashioned North American racism. In America, I would posit that the parents would have been classified as Black, especially based on their child's obvious African phenotype. Nevertheless, this is a story that must be told-which I hope all of our readers will be paying close attention for its eventual release. If you have an interest in submitting contributions to help this film reach its intended audience, click on the Elysian Films website link below:

Elysian Film's Skin

Cold as Black Ice........

Once again, I have to give many thanks to blog commenter/supporter "Sergio" for informing yours truly of an important (and little known) chapter in sports history. The above ESPN video clip, which aired earlier this year during Black history month, highlights the accomplishments of The Coloured Hockey League founded in Nova Scotia in 1895. Interestingly enough, the league was primarily composed of the descendents of escaped slaves coming from America via the famed underground railroad. This amazing story is encapsulated in greater detail in Black Ice, written by siblings George and Darril Fosty.

This book is a crucial read as it may potentially re-write Canadian history. One must remember that hockey is the last bastion of sports where Whites still remain dominant. One quick example of history perhaps being changed pertains to who gets credit for hockey's notorious "slapshot" technique. Presently, the late Bernard "Boom Boom" Geoffrion of the Montreal Canadiens, is credited for inventing the slapshot. However, according to George Fosty, Eddie Martin of the Halifax Eurekas (one of a dozen coloured teams during this period), utilized the slapshot maneuver, some 50 years prior to Geoffrion. As expected, this sliver of sports history is still under review by the NHL and the NHL's Hall of Fame organizations. For more on the Black Ice project and the Coloured Hockey League, click on the links below:

Wiki takes on the Couloured Hockey League

Black Ice-The Lost History of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes, 1895-1925

The Black Ice Project

And Sticking with the Religion theme........a new Noah's Ark!

Well, maybe it did happen after all. I'm talking about whether or not Noah's Ark actually existed. The existence of the Ark may remain speculative, but that didn't stop a Dutch creationist/contractor from building a replica of the biblical ship. Check out the story in question as reported from the BBC's website:

Dutchman's Noah's ark opens doors

The ark is nearly three storeys high
A half-sized replica of the biblical Noah's Ark has been built by a Dutch man, complete with model animals.
Dutch creationist Johan Huibers built the ark as testament to his literal belief in the Bible.

The ark, in the town of Schagen, is 150 cubits long - half the length of Noah's - and three storeys high. A cubit was about 45cm (18in) long.

The ark opened its doors on Saturday, after almost two years' construction, most of it by Mr Huiber himself.

'Past comprehension'

"The design is by my wife, Bianca," Mr Huibers said. "She didn't really want me to do this at all, but she said if you're going to anyway, it should look like this."

Life-size models of giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles, zebras and bison are included in the ark's interior.

The Bible's Book of Genesis says Noah kept seven pairs of most tamed animals and one breeding pair of all other creatures in the boat, which survived a catastrophic flood sent down by God to punish man.


Mr Huibers spent nearly two years building the ark

Mr Huibers, a contractor, built the ark out of cedar and pine - because Biblical scholars are still not sure as to which type of wood was used in the ark's construction.

He began building in May 2005, after he dreamed of the Netherlands being flooded.

"In February 1992, I had a dream that Holland will become flooded. The next day, I found a book about Noah's Ark in the local bookshop, and since then, my dream has been to build the ark," he said.

Visitors were stunned. "It's past comprehension," Mary Louise Starosciak told the Associated Press.

"I knew the story of Noah, but I had no idea the boat would have been so big."

The ark includes a 50-seat theatre showing a segment of the Disney film Fantasia retelling the story of Noah's Ark.

US visitor Lois Poppema told AP she thought the Netherlands was the right place for an ark to be built: "Just a few weeks ago we saw Al Gore on television .. saying that all Holland will be flooded.

"I don't think the man who made this ever expected that global warning will become [such an important] issue - and suddenly having the ark would be meaningful in the middle of Holland."

Afronerd Radio goes to Church.......Yeah Right....

It's that time again folks....time to go to Church that is. We have another episode of Afronerd Radio scheduled for this Sunday, April 29th at 5pm. We have had many delays with this subject but this Sunday (and appropriately so) Mr. Starks and I will discuss our concerns about the Church in the African-American community. I wouldn't be surprised if you guys get the Holy Ghost once you hear our views....I jest, of course. We would like to hear from our readers/commenters-call us live at-646-915-9620 or IM the show via afronerdradio@yahoo. Until Sunday....can I get a witness? Ha! Be there and be square.

Time to talk Church! FINALLY!! Our Problems with Religion in Communities of Color

Intelligence not linked to wealth, according to US study

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Intelligence has nothing to do with wealth, according to a US study published Tuesday which found that people with below average smarts were just as wealthy as those with higher IQ scores.

"People don't become rich because they are smart," said Jay Zagorsky, research scientist at Ohio State University whose study appears in the Journal Intelligence.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics survey included 7,403 Americans who have been interviewed repeatedly since 1979. Based on 2004 answers, people who are now in their mid-40s showed no link between brain- and earning-power.

"Your IQ has really no relationship to your wealth. And being very smart does not protect you from getting into financial difficulty," Zagorsky said.

The study confirmed previous research which has shown that smarter people tend to earn more money, but pointed out there is a difference between high pay and overall wealth.

"The average income difference between a person with an IQ score in the normal range (100) and someone in the top two percent of society (130) is currently between 6,000 and 18,500 dollars per year," it said.

"But when it came to total wealth and the likelihood of financial difficulties, people of below average and average intelligence did just fine when compared to the super-intelligent."

An irregular pattern of total wealth as well as financial distress levels -- such as maxed out credit cards, bankruptcy and missing bill payments -- emerged among the various degrees of intelligence, the study said.

The study measured intelligence based on scores from the US Armed Services Qualification Test, a general aptitude test used by the Department of Defense.

Mr. Starks

THIS is what your dirty laundry is doing when they get out of school at 2:30

Who do you blame more? The 3 attackers, the girl who defended herself by using the scissors, or everyone involved?

TEEN IS STABBED IN EYE DURING GIRL FIGHT
By PERRY CHIARAMONTE and BRIGITTE WILLIAMS-JAMES


April 27, 2007 -- A Brooklyn teenage girl was likely to lose an eye last night after a classmate stabbed her during a scuffle over a boy, cops said.
The fight broke out inside a Wendy's at 7811 Flatlands Ave. in Canarsie at 2 p.m., when three female students from nearby South Shore HS confronted another girl about a male classmate.

The trio began beating the girl, who then grabbed a scissors and stabbed one of her attackers in the face, authorities said.

The victim was taken to Kings County Hospital, where doctors expressed little hope about saving her eye.

All four girls, whose ages range from 14 to 16, were charged with assault - but only the girl who wielded the scissors was hit with a felony.

They will all face a school disciplinary review.

"I'm sorry that this had to happen but these kids are crazy," said a man who lives with the mother of an alleged assailant who was uninjured.

"They need to stop it, especially young kids.

"I hope [the other girl] doesn't lose her eye."

Mr Starks

Boston Legal.......liberal television at its best!

I must confess that I used to look at The Practice religiously, so upon its cancellation it was pretty easy to jump ship to David Kelley's alternate legal dramedy, Boston Legal. This tuesday's show dealt with a roundhouse kick full of topical stories, one inspired by the "Obama is articulate" debate. Take a look at the above snippet and tell me what you guys think. Is it Hollywood liberalism manifesting itself in the guise of entertainment....once again? Or is it an honest discussion on race from a White perspective? You decide. Also Don't forget to check out tonight's Afronerd Radio broadcast scheduled for 9pm.

The 60 minutes Stop Snitchin' segment! Black Church-Boon or Bane!

And check another clip with a familiar face from the Afronerd movement:

Looks like back peddling is becoming a very popular move right now

Rapper Cam'ron Explains 60 Minutes Interview; Issues An Apology For Comments
By Chris Richburg
Date: 4/26/2007 9:50 am


Rapper Cam’ron has come forward to clarify statements he made during a controversial episode of 60 Minutes.

During the interview, which aired Sunday (Apr. 22) on CBS, the Diplomats member (born Cameron Giles) told Anderson Cooper that sales of his music would suffer and his "code of ethics" would be violated if he helped bring criminals and killers to justice or cooperated with police.

Cam’ron's stance on the issue drew criticism following the interview from those who disagreed with his views.

As a result, the rapper is making an effort to explain his view point by citing a near fatal experience from his past. Cam'ron hired 5W Public Relations to help with the barrage of press inquiries he's received since making his controversial statements.

"In 2005, I was a victim of a violent crime," Cam'ron explained to AllHipHop.com in a statement. "I was shot multiple times without provocation by two armed men who attempted to carjack my vehicle. Although I was a crime victim, I didn't feel like I could cooperate with the police investigation."

The Cam’ron interview was part of Cooper's report on the concept of "snitching" and how certain artists’ message to shun the police has undermined efforts to solve murders across the country.

In addition to Cam'ron, Cooper spoke with Geoffrey Canada, an anti-violence advocate and educator from Harlem who noted how the refusal to cooperate with police has now become a "cultural norm that is being preached in poor communities."

Cam'ron explained that the threat of violent retaliation in poor communities often keeps witnesses from coming forward to help police in their investigations.

"Where I come from, once word gets out that you've cooperated with the police that only makes you a bigger target of criminal violence," Cam'ron explained. "That is a dark reality in so many neighborhoods like mine across America. I'm not saying it’s right, but it’s reality. And it's not unfounded. There's a harsh reality around violence and criminal justice in our inner cities."

Despite this reality, Cam’ron is quick to say that "my experience in no way justifies what I said" on 60 Minutes.

"Looking back now, I can see how those comments could be viewed as offensive, especially to those who have suffered their own personal tragedies or to those who put their lives on the line to protect our citizens from crime," he stated. "Please understand that I was expressing my own personal frustration at my own personal circumstances. I in no way was intending to be malicious or harmful. I apologize deeply for this error in judgment."


Mr. Starks

Freakonomics, Affirmative Action & New York's Bravest make an interesting stew!

Almost by mistake I happened to find out that Stephen Dubner, the co-author of one of my favorite reads, Freakonomics was scheduled to appear on Good Morning America today. Thankfully, I taped the program. For those who are not familiar with Dubner's book, it showcases economic theories in non-traditional suppositions-i.e. the true economic realities of dope peddlers/drug dealers or the socioeconomic patterns of parents relating to the names they ascribe to their children. I actually wrote an entry on Freakonomics sometime last year. But this time, after viewing Mr. Dubner's Good Morning appearance, one of his statements stands out-people on occasion should break from the herd. Dubner used pretty compelling examples as to how many folks' decision making is sorely rooted in a mob mentality paradigm. Hence, one of the reasons why I am a conservative man of color.

This herd principle also led me to pontificate on a recent issue involving a 2 year investigation resulting in New York's Justice Department pursuing a suit against the FDNY for discrimination in its hiring practices. Perhaps this is a necessity, but one of the main complaints pertained to the written tests required for becoming a NYC fireman. When I hear of tests that have to be altered to allow people of color to compete, I start to get nauseous. The question should be what can be done for Blacks and Latinos to take a test and pass without standards being lowered. This is the root of the problem I have with affirmative action, it puts forth the notion that people of color require a different standard and therefore can not compete. This is different than a qualified person of color that is rejected for a prejudicial reason. What do you guys think about this issue? Click on the link below for more information regarding the FDNY discrimination dilemma:

FDNY Sued For Discrimination, Again

First Kryptonite.......now a Real Earth 2?

Wow talk about the comic book world and the real world colliding....wasn't this issue resolved in DC's Crisis series? Check this excerpt out from the AP:

WASHINGTON (April 25) - For the first time astronomers have discovered a planet outside our solar system that is potentially habitable, with Earth-like temperatures, a find researchers described Tuesday as a big step in the search for "life in the universe."


'Significant Step' in Search for Life

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The planet is just the right size, might have water in liquid form, and in galactic terms is relatively nearby at 120 trillion miles away. But the star it closely orbits, known as a "red dwarf ," is much smaller, dimmer and cooler than our sun.

There's still a lot that is unknown about the new planet, which could be deemed inhospitable to life once more is known about it. And it's worth noting that scientists' requirements for habitability count Mars in that category: a size relatively similar to Earth's with temperatures that would permit liquid water. However, this is the first outside our solar system that meets those standards.

"It's a significant step on the way to finding possible life in the universe," said University of Geneva astronomer Michel Mayor, one of 11 European scientists on the team that found the planet. "It's a nice discovery. We still have a lot of questions."


The results of the discovery have not been published but have been submitted to the journal Astronomy and Astrophysics.

Alan Boss, who works at the Carnegie Institution of Washington where a U.S. team of astronomers competed in the hunt for an Earth-like planet, called it "a major milestone in this business."

The planet was discovered by the European Southern Observatory's telescope in La Silla, Chile, which has a special instrument that splits light to find wobbles in different wave lengths. Those wobbles can reveal the existence of other worlds.

What they revealed is a planet circling the red dwarf star, Gliese 581. Red dwarfs are low-energy, tiny stars that give off dim red light and last longer than stars like our sun. Until a few years ago, astronomers didn't consider these stars as possible hosts of planets that might sustain life.

Potentially Habitable Planet Found

Holy Reality Batman......Kryptonite found on Earth...for real!

This story definitely interests me on a purely self-indulgent "geek" level. Check out what CTV.ca is reporting about this amazing discovery:

Superman, beware! 'Kryptonite' discovered on earth
Updated Tue. Apr. 24 2007 1:49 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Superman, beware! Geologists have announced the discovery of a mineral with virtually the same chemical composition as kryptonite -- a substance that the comic superhero must avoid at all costs.

While kryptonite is often depicted in Superman comic books and movies in the form of green crystals that possess the power to render the superhero weak and powerless, the actual mineral is white, powdery and ultimately harmless.

"The new mineral does not contain fluorine and is white rather than green, but in all other respects the chemistry matches that for the rock containing kryptonite," said Dr. Chris Stanley, a mineralogist at London's Natural History Museum.

"We will have to be careful with it -- we wouldn't want to deprive Earth of its most famous superhero!"

Geologists with the world's third-largest mining company, Rio Tinto Plc, found the mineral during an excavation in Serbia.

After they were unable to identify the mineral, they sought Stanley's help.

During his research, Stanley conducted an Internet search for sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide -- the formula of the mysterious mineral. He discovered this same chemical formula was used to identify kryptonite in the movie 'Superman Returns.'

It is unusual to find new minerals in significant quantities, but with the assistance of advanced techniques of Canada's National Research Council, Stanley was able to confirm a new mineral had been discovered.

The new mineral can be used as a source of lithium, which is used in batteries. The mineral could also be used as a source of borate, which is used in cleaning products.

Scientists from the Natural Resources Canada, the Geological Survey of Canada and the Canadian Museum of Nature are working to ensure the new mineral is recognized by the scientific community.

London's Natural History Museum will display the mineral on April 25 and on May 13.

However, the mineral will not be named kryptonite. Instead, it will be formally named Jadarite when it is described in the European Journal of Mineralogy later this year.

More on the Rap "Censorship" Issue....

Perhaps I am paying too much attention to this alleged rap censorship issue that has morphed out of the Imus debacle, but it has become unavoidable. For the last couple of days, I have seen or heard interviews with hip hop mogul, Russell Simmons and I am infuriated by the lies, inaccuracies and deflections that are being submitted for public consumption. As many of you are probably aware by now, Simmons has called for a banning (or the more appropriate description, editing) of three words (nigger, ho and bitch) from the minstrel hop lexicon.

First, certain words are already cleverly edited on our public airwaves in such a way that the listener can still easily decipher the song's intent. Secondly, there are a whole host of underground terms (i.e. dro, hydro, yayo, brain, murk) that would continue to uphold the negative tenets of hip hop's minstrel/gangsta imagery. I'm "liberal" enough to allow the music that we are complaining about to exist. This is really an inverted free speech problem. What am I really saying? Those that are producing this misogynistic and ignorant doggeral have had their fair share of free speech-what Simmons slyly refuses to talk about is expanding the playing field in hiphop to allow alternative music to be heard that would add balance to what we now hear on a 24 hour basis.

Provocative and different sounding hip hop is what is being censored and yet this angle of the issue is consistently left out of the equation. But let me end this diatribe here as this will be picked up on our Thursday radio show. We will also attempt to talk about the frailties of the Black Church as well, if time permits. Also check out the article below from MemphisRap.com concerning Simmons, the NAACP and the censorship debate:

Russell Simmons, Al Sharpton, NAACP Urge Rap/Hip-Hop Censorship
Posted on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 @ 7:10 PM CDT by admin

What is it with everybody and rap/hip-hop these days? Russell Simmons and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) issued a statement (April 23) urging the recording industry and media outlets to censor misogynistic lyrics and racist terms from future recordings. The Rev. Al Sharpton announced steps in his battle against rap music and will take his fight into various corporations' boardrooms, by buying stock in companies that promote the music. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) recently announced that it has launched an initiative called 'The Stop Campaign' which will aim to end racist and sexist language, images and concepts in the media. Already, a few local hip-hop radio stations including New York's Power 105.1 and Mississippi's Hot 97.7 have taken action by refusing to play songs with degrading or sexist lyrics.

These are not the only political figures addressing the nation though regarding Hip-Hop. Presidential candidate 08' Barack Obama also spoke about Hip-Hop but in another light. "We are all complicit...let's not just single out the rappers," Obama said, noting that he had heard offensive words in many places other than rap songs.

Meanwhile, in light of Sharpton's actions, Universal Music Group withdrew it's $15,000 contribution to Sharpton's National Action Network, after Sharpton decided it was inappropriate to honor Universal Music Group executive and Island Def Jam CEO, Antonio "L.A." Reid.

It has gone so far that, reportedly, even an advertisement shown on many websites including MySpace which features a rapper who resembles 50 Cent and a photographer whose camera you have to move to "shoot the rapper" has people alarmed.

Meanwhile, over in Memphis, TN, Three 6 Mafia is now under the radar. A Commercial Appeal Columnist has criticized the Memphis in May board for refusing to remove Three Six Mafia from its line up and is calling for a boycott of the Oscar winning rap group.

While many feel that the recent Hip-Hop attacks are publicity based, and Hip-Hop publishers have been quite, others are jumping on board the 'bash train' of Hip-Hop, and now Director and Founder of MemphisRap.com, Hosea Mays, Jr "M Town Luv aka M Town," has responded with a written column in regards to the recent attacks by critics and others against Hip-Hop entitled "Rap/Hip-Hop: You Can't Censor the Truth."

In the column, Mays "M Town" speaks not only about and for the rap/hip-hop community, but also speaks to the parents of the hip-hop generation about their role in it as well and also addresses the latest attempt to boycott Oscar winning group Three 6 Mafia.

What's Up with the Bees?

Are mobile phones causing bees to disappear? Libertarian, Bill Maher during his Real Time broadcast made reference to an Albert Einstein quote: “If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.” Take a look at an excerpt from the UK's Independent regarding this bee supposition:

Are mobile phones wiping out our bees?
Scientists claim radiation from handsets are to blame for mysterious 'colony collapse' of bees
By Geoffrey Lean and Harriet Shawcross
Published: 15 April 2007
It seems like the plot of a particularly far-fetched horror film. But some scientists suggest that our love of the mobile phone could cause massive food shortages, as the world's harvests fail.

They are putting forward the theory that radiation given off by mobile phones and other hi-tech gadgets is a possible answer to one of the more bizarre mysteries ever to happen in the natural world - the abrupt disappearance of the bees that pollinate crops. Late last week, some bee-keepers claimed that the phenomenon - which started in the US, then spread to continental Europe - was beginning to hit Britain as well.

The theory is that radiation from mobile phones interferes with bees' navigation systems, preventing the famously homeloving species from finding their way back to their hives. Improbable as it may seem, there is now evidence to back this up.

Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) occurs when a hive's inhabitants suddenly disappear, leaving only queens, eggs and a few immature workers, like so many apian Mary Celestes. The vanished bees are never found, but thought to die singly far from home. The parasites, wildlife and other bees that normally raid the honey and pollen left behind when a colony dies, refuse to go anywhere near the abandoned hives.

For more on the missing bees, click on the link below:

Are mobile phones wiping out our bees?

Well....He Could have Called her a Stringy Headed Ho.....

I thought this montage was pretty funny. I really have no thoughts on this matter. I'll leave it up to you guys to pick this apart. I will say this.....young girls have been called worse....ask Imus. Or any gangsta rap artist-except, many girls pay 14 bucks willingly to be dehumanized to a beat. Go figure.

It Appears that the Clowns can Snitch but You Can't!

The ever vigilent commmenter, "Sergio" brought this to my attention. The article below speaks for itself. Suffice it to say, that Cam'ron and his ilk are being disingenuous. According to the Smoking Gun site:

Rapper's Change Of Face
Beaten Cam'ron once had no problems cooperating with the fuzz
APRIL 19--So the rapper Cam'ron is appearing on "60 Minutes" this Sunday to explain why he would never help the police, even if they were investigating a serial killer who lived next door to him. The performer (real name: Cameron Giles) believes that his CD sales and popularity would sag if fans saw him aiding law enforcement. But Giles, 31, hasn't always been so down on the fuzz. In fact, New York Police Department records indicate that he cooperated with cops after he was assaulted at a Harlem playground. According to an NYPD report, Giles--who is listed as "compl," or complainant--got into a "verbal dispute" with about 15 black males "while at basketball game" in August 1999. After the perps knocked him to the ground, Giles was kicked in the head and groin. Giles was debriefed by police at Bellevue Hospital, where he was treated and released. The incident report (and an information sheet including a mug shot of Giles) was included in a 500-page rap world dossier compiled by NYPD officials. The report--excerpts of which you'll find here--includes mug shots, rap sheets, and incident reports on many of hip-hop's biggest stars, as well as members of their entourages.

Looks Like I'll be able to order Designer Genes any day now....

Check out this article I came across from the UK's Timeonline. It appears that researchers are on the verge of developing medication that while taken daily, will be to offset faulty genes that might cause Muscular Dystrophy or cystic fibrosis. Didn't we see this in X-men 3? I jest of course. According to the article in question:

The drug, known as PTC124, has already had encouraging results in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis. The final phase of clinical trials is to begin this year, and it could be licensed as early as 2009.

As well as offering hope of a first effective treatment for two conditions that are at present incurable, the drug has excited scientists because research suggests it should also work against more than 1,800 other genetic illnesses.

PTC124 targets a particular type of mutation that can cause very different symptoms according to the gene that is disrupted. This makes it potentially useful against a range of inherited disorders.

For more on the daily gene pill, click on the link below:

Daily pill to beat genetic diseases

First we had the Chicken Noodle Soup.......now the new dance craze is The Nappy Headed Ho!

This next story serves as a cornerstone example as to why I converted to conservatism. I suspect many people of color will eventually come to the same conclusion that myself and Mr. Starks have arrived at-an aspect of African-American culture jumped the shark many years ago. It appears that due to Black folk not speaking up and allowing a ghettoized media perception to reign supreme without a counterbalance, Whites have become enamored with a new toy-the nappy headed ho phrase.

Case in point, in two separate incidents involving NYC police brass, 4 female police officers (of Black and Latin descent) were called the infamous remark coined by Don Imus by police superiors. This indignation occurs when Black folk, to coin a phrase from blogger, Morris O'Kelly (of EURweb) opt for rightness as opposed to righteousness. Although the disrespect in the matter with the aforementioned female officers is unconscionable, Whites have now cornered people of color in a hypocritical paradox. This conundrum relates to a Black urban (and unfortunately not urbane) cultural standard that permeates and defines our existence. The time for excuses has ended. Time for cultural reorganization and new ideas with an emphasis on Black pride. One can only hope. For more on the "nappy" police officer remarks, click on the link below:

Officers: Boss called us "hos"

Want to know what's really going on in the hood?

Philly struggles with rising murder rate By KATHY MATHESON, Associated Press Writer

A bloody, bullet-filled weekend left 11 people dead across the city, where drugs and disrespect have trumped brotherly love and the murder rate is on pace to be the highest in a decade.

Philadelphia has seen more than one killing a day this year, totaling 127 as of Monday afternoon. New York, Chicago and Los Angeles — whose populations are much larger than Philadelphia's 1.5 million residents — have had fewer homicides this year.

The spike over the weekend was partly blamed on the first warm weather of the season. But rain or shine, Philadelphia police say the chronic problems remain the same: poverty, lax gun laws and a culture of intimidation that keeps witnesses silent and leaves shooters on the streets.

"It's the community's decision right now," Capt. Benjamin Naish said. "They are the people that must stand up and get angry and say, 'Enough is enough.'"

They have, in a way. But the countless candlelight vigils, anti-violence rallies and community meetings have done nothing to stop the murder rate, which is 17 percent higher than last year at this time.

Officials, too, are at wit's end.

"Do something!" District Attorney Lynne Abraham admonished Mayor John Street at one news conference.

Abraham and others have criticized Street for a perceived lack of urgency in responding to violence that killed 406 city residents last year — a nine-year high.

This year, Street has pledged to have 1,000 community activists and clergy trained in conflict resolution. He has paired a tougher juvenile curfew law with stricter enforcement, an effort mayoral spokesman Joe Grace said has reduced shootings by teens in one targeted area.

The city also is spending $3 million to hire 400 parents as truancy officers to keep children in school.

The efforts are commendable, but juvenile crime is a small part of the problem, said Lawrence Sherman, director of the Jerry Lee Center for Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania. None of the murder victims over the weekend was a juvenile.

Most of Philadelphia's killings are by gunfire, most involve young black men and most are the result of arguments, often over drugs but sometimes over trivial insults or perceived slights.

Last month, city officials announced plans to assign 80 additional police officers to a particularly violent neighborhood in southwest Philadelphia, where nevertheless 28-year-old Jovonne Stelly died March 25 trying to get her children out of the crossfire, authorities said.

The next day, police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson announced that top police brass would begin working in uniform in high-crime areas for four hours, one night a week. There were two murders that day.

City officials' repeated calls for tougher gun-purchase laws have gone unheeded at the state Capitol, and Philadelphia does not have the authority to pass its own firearms legislation.

While stricter gun laws would help, so would fewer truants, higher employment and lower poverty rates, Capt. Naish said.

"The commissioner has said a thousand jobs could go further than a thousand police officers," Naish said.

The five Democrats hoping to succeed Street, also a Democrat, have proposed crime plans. Nearly all recommend hiring hundreds of new police officers to buttress the current force of about 6,600; one plan includes spending $15 million to post more surveillance cameras around the city.

At Stelly's funeral, state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams told the hundreds of mourners that he grew up on the streets that have turned into battle zones.

"The question is, to the politicians of America: What do they do? What can they do?" Williams said. "The answer, truthfully, is: I'm not sure."

Williams, who is black, then asked the black men present to stand. Invoking the names of Stelly's four motherless children, ranging from 6 months to 9 years old, Williams had the men repeat a promise to "protect the women and the children of our 'hood."

"I will be an example that these babies can look up to," the men vowed. "I will no longer be a predator in my own back yard."

Mr. Starks

We Do Snitch on Minstrels Here at Afronerd

Back by popular demand-a second radio broadcast has been scheduled for this Thursday to discuss Cam'ron's stop snitchin' belief system. I'm pretty sure that many of you were aware of Sunday's 60 minutes episode, in which CNN's Anderson Cooper interviewed Mr. Purple Haze himself (no relation to Hendrix, of course) about how cooperating with authorities is tantamount to treason in underclass communities of color. The news report also highlighted interviews with a number of people (including a former teacher of the late Israel Ramirez-Busta Rhymes bodyguard) who also espouse the same "snitches get stitches" attitude. Tune in to Afronerd Radio on Thursday at 9pm in order to hear our analysis of this report. Call in to give us your take at 646-915-9620 or reach us via email/IM-afronerdradio@yahoo. Check out the above snippet of a radio interview (parody, possibly) with Cam'ron where he gets kudos from the host for his anti-snitch reasoning-a perverted thought process that must be eradicated. Click on the links below to see more of the 60 minutes piece in question:

60 Minutes-Stop Snitchin, part 1


60 Minutes-Stop Snitchin, part 2

Graphic Novel Alert!

After changing our blog template, I didn't want you guys to think that I left my enthusiasm for graphic novels behind with the change. I was perusing Rich Watson's column (Glyph) on the PopCultureShock.com website, when I came across his engaging interview with graphic novel writer, Alex Simmons. Simmons is the creator of the Blackjack series which has definitely garnered my interest for two reasons: 1)the book's protagonist is an African-American answer to the Indiana Jones character and, 2)The character Blackjack, according to Simmons is inspired from a real life man of adventure, Eugene Bullard.

Here is an excerpt from the interview in question, courtesy of PopCultureshock:

[In part 2, Alex talks about his success with Blackjack.]

RW: Alright, so let’s talk about Blackjack. How did Blackjack get started?

AS: I’ve always had a love for old movies. Even as a kid, I used to watch the older, black-and-white films, and adventure and mystery stories were my particular favorite. And I didn’t, as a young child, consciously recognize that none of us were there, except maybe if it was in Africa, [where] we were running. We had the funny loin cloth and grassy things on, and we were either taking orders or being chased and shot down, usually stuck with the Tarzan movies, which hey, I grew up watching too. But it used to bother me how the Africans seemed to be totally incapable of dealing with the animals. Tarzan and the Africans all lived in the same jungle, but in the movies, the African natives acted like they’d never seen half these creatures until Tarzan sent them after them. So there were these little discrepancies, but I don’t think I’d made this whole big conscious decision about anything, initially; I was enjoying them. And then when I hit my middle-to-late teens, I was involved in a club, people of different ages, who used to get together on Saturdays and watch the reels of the old serials. So I got to see a lot of those things way before they made them to videotape and DVD. And again, we weren’t anywhere in these things unless we were a porter on a train…

I got into my twenties and I was writing more, and I had a desire to create an action-adventure hero for the comics. Dick Giordano was vice-president and creative director up at DC. I sort of knew him; I knew some people at Marvel. I wanted to write comic books. I thought it was kinda cool; I’d always enjoyed reading them. So I was looking at what I wanted to create. Now, Indiana Jones had been out, the first movie had been out, and I remember thinking again – and that’s when it started to happen, slowly – where were we? I know we were back there, y’know, where were we? So how about a black adventurer, ‘cause then you can see the 30’s and 40’s from that perspective, and it would make the stories more interesting for me to write. And then the more I worked on the character of Aaron Day, the history and his origin and all of that, the more I would do some research to make sure I wasn’t going too far afield of reality. I mean, it was certainly going to be a fictional character, but what would support this?

And as a side note, here is an excerpt of Wiki's synopsis of Eugene Bullard:

Eugene Bullard (9 October 1894 – 12 October 1961) was the first African-American military pilot.

He was born Eugene Jacques Bullard in Columbus, Georgia, in the United States. His father was known as "Big Chief Ox" and his mother was a Creek Indian; together, they had ten children. Bullard stowed away on a ship bound for Scotland to escape racial discrimination (he later claimed to have had witnessed his father's narrow escape from lynching as a child).

While in the United Kingdom he worked as a boxer and also worked in a music hall. On a trip to Paris he decided to stay and joined the French Foreign Legion upon the outbreak of World War I in 1914. Wounded in the 1916 battles around Verdun and awarded the Croix de Guerre, Bullard transferred to the Lafayette Flying Corps in the French Aéronautique Militaire and was eventually assigned to 93 Spad Squadron on 27 August 1917, where he flew some 20 missions and is thought to have shot down two enemy aircraft.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm definitely going to be on the look out for this book not just because it appears to be a different period piece (instead of the civil rights and slavery fare that Black period entertainment usually entails) but also because it actually appears to have all the trappings of a fun read. It has also come to my attention that although this series has been out for quite awhile (hey I don't know everything), Simmons' work was optioned for the development of a feature film a few years ago. For more on the Alex Simmons' interview, his website and Eugene Bullard-click on the links below:

Pop Culture Shock-The Alex Simmons Q-and-A pt. 2


Alex Simmons' Website


Wiki does Eugene Bullard

Looks Like Mr. Starks and I have the Minstrels on the run!

Thanks to blog commenter/supporter "Sergio" for bringing this story to our attention:

Black-owned broadcasting company bans racist and sexist music
By JIM SALTER
Associated Press Writer

ST. LOUIS --A St. Louis company that operates four TV stations and a hip-hop radio station said Wednesday it is banning programming and music lyrics that it deems violent, sexist and racist.

The decision by black-owned Roberts Broadcasting Cos. LLC comes less than a week after Don Imus was fired by CBS Radio for calling members of the Rutgers women's basketball team "nappy-headed hos."

Fallout from the incident renewed debate about lyrics of many rap and hip-hop songs that are racially charged and derogatory toward women. The Rev. Al Sharpton has called entertainment the next battleground after Imus.

St. Louis brothers Michael and Steven Roberts operate a multifaceted business that includes an aviation company, shopping centers, hotels, construction firms and residential developments. The broadcasting unit includes four television stations - WRBU in St. Louis, WZRB in Columbia, S.C., WAZE in Evansville, Ind., and WRBJ in Jackson, Miss. The company also operates WRBJ-FM, a hip-hop station in Jackson.

"We take tremendous pride in being African-American and refuse to let anyone, white or black, strip us of that pride," said Steven Roberts, president and chief operating officer of the company.

The decision will have an immediate impact on WRBJ-FM. Rather than censoring offensive words of songs, Roberts spokeswoman Keesha Dhaene said, "We're going to ban them altogether, which is a hard move for a hip-hop station. If it's offensive in any way toward women, toward African-Americans, it's not going to be played on Hot 97.7."

WRBJ-FM general manager Terrill Weiss said his staff faces a daunting task in sorting through song lyrics.

"There's probably a higher incidence of derogatory language in general in hip-hop music because it's a language of the street," Weiss said. "It reflects life, and their art involves a lot of language that could be deemed objectionable."

Still, Weiss applauded the move by Roberts. "I'm glad they made a decision to take a stand," he said.

In a letter to the staff of WRBJ-FM on Wednesday, chairman and chief executive Michael Roberts wrote that the Imus case "has certainly put new fire under the need to respect ourselves first - specifically the hip-hop nation and rap music's role in desensitizing our country to derogatory comments toward women and each other."

The lineup on Roberts' four TV stations could eventually be affected, but not immediately, Dhaene said. All of the stations but the one in St. Louis are affiliates of the network the CW. The St. Louis station is an affiliate of MyNetworkTV, a mini-network launched last year by News Corp.'s Fox television unit.

"We will begin screening syndicated episodes more closely," Dhaene said. The stations will not censor network programming, but Dhaene said the company has never received complaints about content of the network shows.

Time for your ABC's, 123's, and handcuffs

The fact of the matter is we DO have some kids in schools who are dangerous, disruptive, and beyond reach. Knowing this, what do you think about the following policy being instituted in the Milwaukee school system.


School District May Handcuff Unruly Students
Out-of-Control Kids From Kindergarten Through High School Could Soon Be Restrained By Plastic Handcuffs

April 22, 2007 — - They're used on criminals, inmates and terrorists.

Soon, the pinch of plastic handcuffs could be felt by unruly students, too.

On April 19, the Milwaukee school board voted to begin training security officers in the use of flexible handcuffs.

"Using the flex cuffs is a much better way of restraining a youngster who's out of control than having a number of adults pushing the child to the ground and restraining them," said Milwaukee public schools superintendent William Andrekopoulos.

The vote comes in the wake of a series of violent incidents at Milwaukee high schools. Last October, an attack by a 15-year-old student reportedly left a principal with a concussion and a fractured back. In November, a 17-year-old student allegedly sexually assaulted a teacher in front of a class.

But the handcuffs would not just be used in high schools. The policy would apply even to students as young as kindergarten age.

Effective Violence Prevention or Knee-Jerk Reaction?

Critics say that even if the restraints work, they send the wrong message.

"That's teaching them to adjust to being treated as criminals and we don't want that," said Jerry Ann Hamilton, the NAACP's Milwaukee president.

Opponents also believe the handcuffs could also injure young children, hurting the people the schools are meant to protect. Andrekopoulos countered that training for school safety personnel would keep that from happening.

"This isn't a punishment thing. This is a last resort for children who have serious emotional issues," he said. "School safety personnel would only implement this protocol after extensive training."

But Mary Harrell, a retired corrections officer, doesn't think a training session can adequately teach anyone to handcuff a person safely.

"Temporary training is not good enough," she said. "It's not that you can just walk up and cuff people and they're going to comply."

Harrell believes the superintendent should reevaluate the level of violence in schools and find a better solution than plastic cuffs.

"This is a knee-jerk reaction," she said. "They're fearful, and as opposed to coming up with something intermediate … they come up with rash decisions that effect our children and our community."

Copyright © 2007 ABC News Internet Ventures



Mr. Starks

Chris Brown, Usher.......You're not ready.....uh uh

No disrespect to the aforementioned Black pop idols, but I wanted to take another cultural highlight break. In my opinion, the above clip by far, outpaces anything that Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire (although Donald O'Connor's Make Em' laugh routine might come in a distant second) did during the same time period, but Hollywood racism (then and now)was very adept at stifling African-American artistry and talent. Anyway, I always loved this dance sequence by the late and incomparable Nicholas Brothers from Stormy Weather. We have to preserve our culture folks! Enjoy!

Aren't You Tired of Seeing this Same Brown Face?......

The "gentleman" above allegedly raped and tortured a young female Columbia University student a few days ago, and of course, his face was plastered on the front page of Friday's edition of the New York Daily News. I have to be honest, the media's constant barrage of Black criminality affects me. Fortunately, I know that there are plenty of law abiding and conscious Black people, but it doesn't stop me from having my frustrations with the lower tier criminal element that prey on those that share their ethnicity. There appears to be a no vacancy sign posted on African-American pride as these cretins do not have a clue as to how this decimates the Black image. I have written previous entries in which people of color are often racialized to the extent that criminality is perceived as an endemic trait. If a White person commits a crime, his/her race doesn't appear to be a factor as our culture has normalized whiteness. But when a Black or Brown face is caught up in an anarchic incident, the person's ethnicity becomes the common denominator. This perception must be attacked from many different angles:

1) People of color must start to become self-effacing regarding the disproportionate statistics that are affecting our communities. Denial is a river in Egypt and it also runs deep in Black and Brown neighborhoods.


2) Everyone must confront the media on their distorted reporting and portrayals as it relates to minority folk. Time to do to these media conglomerates what was expeditiously done against Don Imus for his remarks-hit their pockets.


3) Communities of color should start snitching (which will be discussed today on our radio show) and stop tacitly condoning criminal activities that are literally destroying us from the inside out. Case in point-after the Afronerd Radio segment, check out the 60 minutes interview with rapper, Cam'ron scheduled for 7pm. Allegedly he talks about the virtues of not cooperating with authorities and goes as far as stating (hypothetically) that if he knew a serial killer was living next door to him, he would remain silent and probably move. Thank You, Cam'ron for your support and leaving the killer to continue his community works.

Perhaps I will submit more suggestions, but you don't hear me though....more on the above person's alleged handiwork below:

New York Student Raped, Burned

Police ID Suspect In Rape, Torture Of Columbia Student

Sicko suspect tore down wanted posters

Papa Don't Preach........at least Akon Hopes He Doesn't!

It appears that the father of the 14 year old girl (who coincidently is a pastor) has some choice words for Akon concerning the singer and his daughter's lewd performance, which has been making the rounds on the internet for the last few days. Check out what Pastor Dave Alleyne of the Flaming Word Ministry of Chaguanas says regarding the Akon nonsense according to AllHipHop.com:

Pastor Defends Daughter's Raunchy Dance With Akon
By Houston Williams
Date: 4/21/2007 12:40 pm





A pastor and father of a 14-year-old girl has defended his daughter, after she engaged in a raunchy dance with singer Akon.

During a tour stop in Trinidad, Akon and the girl engaged in a dance that simulated aggressive sexual acts on stage in front of a rambunctious crowd.

The act has sparked controversy as the video footage was spread across the world on a variety of online video platforms.

Pastor Dave Alleyne of the Flaming Word Ministry of Chaguanas told The Trinidad Express that his daughter was not in control of the situation.

"She likes dancing and won a competition," Alleyne said. The girl was one seven females that joined Akon on stage to compete for a chance to dance with the Senegal-born singer.

Pastor Alleyne did describe the dance of his 14-year-old daughter and Akon as "atrocious."

"She likes dancing and won a competition," Alleyne said, adding that she became a victim in a situation where she had no control.

Pastor Alleyne has been criticized sharply by his Chaguanas ministry for not expressing more outrage at sexually charged way he danced with the girl.

"They are innocent to the wicked ways of the world and it is our responsibility as elders to keep them safe," Alleyne said.

Many in his church want Akon banned from public performances in the area.

In the video, the crowd is seen cheering on both Akon and the girl to dance the way they did.

This isn't the first time that Akon has been caught on tape dancing in this way.

Online video networks also distributed a lewd dance with actress Tara Reid to Akon's smash hit "Smack Dat." In the video, Akon playfully smacked the Hollywood actress on her gluteus maximus and was then sandwiched between the singer and another man.

At press time, there was no comment from Akon or his representatives.

You Know what I say to Mims, Jibbs & Jeezy......So What!!!

Pardon the pun, but I couldn't resist. When you have clips like this at your disposal you start to understand why the creators of Youtube were given a cool billion. Just being able to access a treasure like this is....well...cool. Check out the maestros of modern jazz, Miles Davis and John Coltrane as they perform Davis' seminal composition, So What. Enjoy your weekend folks!

Check out OUR motto......START Snitchin' next on Afronerd Radio!!

Well, it's that time again folks-a new episode of Afronerd Radio airing live this Sunday (April 22nd) at 5pm. You know the drill-you can talk to us on air at 646-915-9620 or via email/IM-afronerdradio@yahoo. This time around we will be wrapping up last Thursday's show regarding why some people of color have a problem with the term "conservative." We will also read some of your comments and try to fit in the insanity of the "hood's" adherence to an "anti-snitiching" belief system. Check out the above clip, regarding one man's disdain for a stop-snitchin' billboard. Ever the contrarians here at Afronerd, we are developing a start-snitchin' campaign. See you guys on Sunday!

Afronerd Radio-Is "conservative" a dirty word for Blacks?, Insanity of Stop Snitchin'

Still think these Rappers aren't that bad? Maybe you should ask Tony Yayo's mother

Looks like these "clowns" give back to the community in more ways than one.

Home of rapper's mother sprayed with bullets

BY OREN YANIV and MICHAEL WHITE
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

Friday, April 20th 2007, 4:00 AM


A barrage of bullets riddled the Queens home of the mother of rap star Tony Yayo, recently arrested for assaulting a rival music mogul's 14-year-old son, cops said yesterday.

"I think they did it to send a message, but we are innocent people," said Yayo's 32-year-old sister, who did not want to be identified. "Either me or my daughter could have been dead."

Yayo, whose real name is Marvin Bernard, is a member of rap megastar 50 Cent's notorious G-Unit crew.

Yayo's sister and her 2-year-old daughter were upstairs when the fusillade pierced the home's front door and picture window Wednesday evening.

Bullet marks marred the ceilings and walls of the den.

Ballistic evidence recovered from the scene showed tha about 12 shots were fired from the street by a powerful weapon, authorities said, but it was unknown whether the shooter was on foot or in a car.

No witnesses had come forward as of last night.

"Is it safe for us to be here?" the rapper's mother asked her daughter yesterday afternoon as she got home, adding that she planned to sleep at a pal's house.

The case was referred to the NYPD's entertainment unit.

Yayo turned himself in to the authorities March 24 and was arraigned on misdemeanor charges of attacking the teen son of music industry rival Jimmy (Henchmen) Rosemond in Manhattan.

The rapper pleaded not guilty in Manhattan Criminal Court and was released on $5,000 bail.

Yayo's lawyer declined to comment yesterday.

Mr. Starks

Guess What....even MORE Madness...

Horrible words and excuses from the grave. I'm still typing (literally) on the run but let's look into the eyes of a sociopath. Introducing Cho Seung-Hui.

More Madness....

The Hole - video powered by Metacafe

Due to time constraints, I am unable to provide the appropriate analysis relating to this matter, but the incredulous video speaks for itself. This Youtube clip shows the singer/producer known as Akon grinding on an underage female fan (14 years old) during a perfomance in Trinidad. I want you guys to also click on the link below from Sister Toldjah's blog-more madness from the peanut gallery pertaining to Sharpton's war on gangsta hiphop and the musings of a madman(Cam'ron). More to follow.

Calling out “hip-hop mogul” Russell Simmons

Oprah's Townhall-Now What?...Part 2

Check out a snippet of part two of Oprah's special Imus fallout series. Stay tuned for our radio broadcast, where we will be discussing this show (among other things) and how these industry executives turned out to be the masters of deflection. Enjoy!

Hero of the Stupid....

You didn't think he was going to win did you? Sayonara Sanjaya! Oh who am I kidding, the winners of American Idol have worse luck than the "losers." He already won. Repeat....name recognition....name recognition. Damn and his sister...no comment.

Well....Bush actually accomplished something....Ban on Partial Birth Abortions

I hope that our readers are clear that despite our conservative leanings here at Afronerd, we are not apologists for the ineptness of the Bush administration. And we're are also not prone to extreme religiosity-which appears to be promulgated by those in the evangelical arm of the neoconservative spectrum. But I do believe that yesterday's Supreme court ruling, banning partial birth abortions was moral, sound and humane. Do I believe that women have the right to control their bodies? Yes. But there does have to be a determination as to what constitutes life. As a zygote...perhaps not. But as a partially formed being....yes. Here's a excerpt from The Independent regarding yesterday's ruling:

Bush's court delivers US abortion ban
By Andrew Gumbel in Los Angeles
Published: 19 April 2007
George Bush's new, conservative Supreme Court delivered a victory to anti-abortion activists yesterday when it upheld the so-called Partial Birth Abortion Act, which outlaws a specific, relatively rare procedure usually carried out on pregnant women reaching the end of the second trimester.

The issue has been mired in controversy for years, with anti-abortion activists arguing that the operation, which involves crushing the foetus's head, is unspeakably barbaric while their opponents say it can, in certain circumstances, be the least traumatic way of ending a pregnancy and causing least damage to the health of the mother.

Six courts have ruled that the 2003 federal law banning the procedure was unconstitutional because it did not provide an exception to protect the life and health of the mother. It seems likely that the Supreme Court would have made a similar ruling until last year, when Sandra Day O'Connor retired and was replaced by Samuel Alito, a hardline conservative. That change shifted the balance on the Court to a 5-4 majority generally hostile towards abortion laws. Before Justice Alito's appointment, John Roberts, a conservative, replaced the late William Rehnquist as Chief Justice.

The ruling yesterday was widely expected, but that made it no less likely to restoke the fires of the abortion debate and heighten speculation that this Supreme Court might one day strike down Roe vs Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that gave women the constitutional right to seek an abortion in the first place.

Writing for the majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy said the procedure was "laden with the power to devalue human life" and was likely to traumatise women who underwent it.

Justice Kennedy also pointed out that other late-pregnancy abortion procedures were available, so banning "intact dilation and extraction" - known only to its opponents as partial-birth abortion - did not necessarily close medical doors in dire circumstances.

For more on this story, click on the link below:

Bush's court delivers US abortion ban

Forget about Bruce Wayne.....Whatever Happened to the Real Batman, Joe Clark!

I've always wondered what happened to the fiery and erudite high school principal, Joe Clark. Clark, who came into prominence during the mid 80s as a highly controversial educator of Paterson, New Jersey's Eastside High School, appeared to drop of the media scene soon after he was immortalized in the film, Lean on Me (above). I thought one of our greatest oversights, was not hiring Clark as an education czar or in some capacity to implement administrative changes in our nation's school system. So out of curiosity, I discovered that Clark is still alive and kicking (one couldn't doubt that) and currently the director of the Essex County Detention House, a juvenile Detention center in Newark, N.J. Let's take a look at a stellar performance by Morgan Freeman as Joe Clark in the film in question and also click on the link below to check out Clark's official website.

Joe Clark's Official website

Hollywood Might Have Gotten it Right this time.........Ed Norton is The INCREDIBLE HULK

The New Bruce Banner / Incredible Hulk IS Edward Norton!
April 15, 2007
Source: Ain't It Cool News, Variety
by Alex Billington

I am stunned, I didn't see this coming from a mile away. That Ang Lee directed Hulk movie that came out in 2003 is going to be lost forever when we finally are hit with The Incredible Hulk coming out in the summer of 2008 now that Edward Norton has been cast as Bruce Banner also known as The Hulk! The news officially comes from Ain't It Cool News, and now confirmed by Variety today. I'm still a bit stunned by this, but if anything it reaffirms my belief that this may be the Hulk movie we all wanted and weren't given back in 2003.

This new Incredible Hulk is being directed by Louis Leterrier this time, the same guy who directed Transporter 1 and 2. As mentioned previously, they're looking at it as a complete remake and do-over than a sequel by any means. Out of everyone I thought that could play the role, I didn't even consider Edward Norton to be one of them. I think he can do it though, but we have yet to see. The Incredible Hulk is currently set for a June 13th, 2008 release.

Forget about the presidential election....What about a Black Presidential Election?

I must thank our commenter and blog supporter Sergio for bringing this insightful article to my attention. The article, written by Morris W. O'Kelly of EurWeb.com posits a faux (or perhaps literal) election for new Black leadership. Something to think about. Here is an excerpt.

African-Americans desire and deserve leadership that can discern “right” from “righteous.”

With that in mind I took painstaking steps to retrace just how and where exactly both of you gentlemen came to hold the office of “Black Leaders” in 2007.

I don’t think I missed any general election, but you are free to correct me if I’m wrong. Also, while doing my research, I didn’t happen across any CNN exposé, USA Today editorial or even a Gallup or ESPN.com poll which quantified or qualified how either of you ascended to the throne of “Black Leader.” I even asked everyone, both young and old at my AME church and nobody could offer a clear and concise answer that satisfied my curiosity as to how we came to this point. So, I ask you the question, was it by election, appointment, military coup or executive decision? With all due respect to your respective civil rights résumés, past exploits don’t answer the question.

Nevertheless, most of the media says you are “Black Leaders,” so then it must be true, right?

That said; if you two gentlemen are “our” leaders, then ipso facto, I as an African-American am a member of your “constituency.” And if you collectively admonish African-Americans to hold their political leaders accountable, then you too must be called on to the carpet.

Although I’m a member of your “constituency,” I did not vote for either of you (read: there wasn’t a vote at all). I wasn’t consulted during the development of your platform(s) and was never apprised of any talking points you’d be using in the media.

Check out the remainder of Mr. O'Kelly's piece below:

THE MO'KELLY REPORT: An Open Letter to Revs. Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton

Wikipedia's Definition of Black Conservatism......

What exactly is the problem that some people of color have with conservatives of color? This is a question I will pose to our readers in the upcoming radio broadcast. But I think I might bounce the question around a bit before Thursday. The premise or mantra of Afronerd is primarily to debunk commonly held stereotypes as well as to inform. It appears to Mr. Starks and I, that many folks literally have a vituperative response to the term "conservative." It also implies that Blackness and conservatism are mutually exclusive and never the twain shall meet. So let's take a look at Wiki's formal definition of Black Conservatism and why there appears to be a problem with it. A penny for your thoughts.

Wiki Does Black Conservatism (excerpts)

For many Black conservatives, in their own point of view, the key mission is to bring repair to the Black community by applying the following fundamental principles: the pursuit of educational excellence as a means of advancement within the society; policies that promote safety and security in the community beyond the typical casting of a criminal as a "victim" of societal racism; and local economic development rather than looking to the federal government for assistance.

Black conservative politicians, in this regard, are more inclined to support GOP economic policies (i.e., globalization, free-trade agreements, tax cuts), militarism, regional interventions, or other agendas that the vast majority of Blacks oppose. They are therefore sometimes viewed as being promoted to high positions in government due to their supporting views/actions.

A fundamental breaking point between the Black Liberal and the Black Conservative is focused around the balance between a perception of the impact that historical slavery and oppression has on Black people living today versus the power and consequences of personal choices that a person makes in determining his ultimate fate. The Black conservative is more inclined to advance the notion that individual choices toward success and a commitment toward changing one's individual behavior will allow the individual to advance in society with respect to the rights that Blacks have been afforded due to the Civil Rights Movement. The Black liberal counters that collective success in which the least among them are focused upon and brought up to standard is worthy of consideration. Black Conservatives find common ground with Black Nationalists to the extent that they both believe that the black masses have been duped by the politics of condescending white liberals vis a vis the maintenance of the Welfare state.

Black conservatives also tend to be culturally conservative and put a priority on maintaining strong ties to black cultural and family traditions. This would include preferences to Jazz and Gospel music over Hip-hop and so-called Urban Contemporary music. Black conservatives favor traditional nuclear family arrangements and oppose Gay Marriage. They are particularly strong critics of out of wedlock births.

Afronerd Radio, Oprah and Our Commenters......

It's that time again folks! We have another episode of Afronerd Radio scheduled for this Thursday, April 19th at 9pm. Due to the fallout from the Imus firing, it appears that hip hop is next on the list of offenders relating to misogynistic and vitriolic content. Our readers sure had plenty to say about the subject and we are going to do another show in which we will be responding to some of the comments left in the blog. I think we must also touch on how Black conservatism plays a role in addressing these issues. We would like to hear from our readers/commenters-call us live at-646-915-9620 or IM the show via afronerdradio@yahoo. Also pay close attention to the above snippet from a two part Oprah special, entitled Oprah's Town Hall-Now What? This special will also be dissected during Thursday's broadcast. And for Thursday, be there and be square.


Afronerd Radio-Restating the purpose Of Afronerd Radio, Oprah vs The Minstrels, Blog Commenters

Reverend Hot Comb's Capitulation

I was perusing today's New York Daily News and in the Rush & Molloy gossip section, they are reporting that although Reverend Sharpton (hence the "hot comb" reference) is claiming to pursue a campaign against minstrel/misogynistic hip hop, he may also find himself in a compromising position as he may be receiving money from hip hop. I'm really shocked at this allegation. Really. And I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you guys also. Check out the article in question below:

Tuesday, April 17th
2007, 4:00 AM
Rush & Molloy: They didn't mind him scolding Don Imus, but
hip hop's moguls are bristling now that Rev. Al Sharpton is telling them to
watch their mouths."

They didn't mind him scolding Don Imus, but hip hop's moguls are bristling now that Rev. Al Sharpton is telling them to watch their mouths.As he prepares to welcome Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards and Eliot Spitzer to this week's National Action Network convention, Sharpton tells us he plans to use the four-day conclave to deliver a thundering jeremiad against offensive rap.
"We're going to warn the music industry they're next," says Shapton. "I'm going to tell them my momma wasn't no ho, and my daughters ain't no bitches!"

But don't expect the music men to sit still for his sermon. Even as Sharpton kicks off his convention tomorrow morning, Jay-Z, Diddy, Jermaine Dupri and other urban-music honchos will be huddling at a meeting that Hip Hop Summit Action Network heads Russell Simmons and Benjamin Chavis are having at the home of Warner Music CEO Lyor
Cohen. Also expected are top execs like Chris Lighty, Steve Stoute, Craig
Kallman, Kevin Lyles and Steve Rifkind.

"Some of these people see Sharpton as an opportunist," says one source involved in the planning. "He's crying about rap lyrics. At the same time, he's calling all the major music labels to get them to donate $50,000 apiece for a table at his convention tribute to [Island Def Jam chief] L.A. Reid."
Simmons denies the meeting is in response to Sharpton.

"The Rev and I may disagree on this one," he told us yesterday from Chicago, where he and Chavis had debated Sharpton and Daily News columnist Stanley Crouch on "Oprah." "But we need talk about mentorship - not censorship.

"I'm not saying all rap is good. But most of what I hear from
rappers is an honest depiction of what they know. The poet is just reflecting
the truth of society. "If [Sharpton's] convention creates an environment to
help artists take personal responsibility, then that's good. It's creative
aggravation."

Simmons says his group had bought two tables at the L.A. Reid
gala, "but maybe we'll give them back to the Rev and he can sell them."
Adds Chavis: "Stanley Crouch can sit at both of them by himself."

Time for a Movie Break......

I was taking a stroll through Youtube and stumbled across this hour long clip of a documentary on Malcolm X entitled, The Ballot or The Bullet. Let's roll the projector-don't forget your popcorn.

Be Careful Guys.....Scientists May be making us obsolete!

Check out this excerpt from the Daily Telegraph:

A TRANSPLANT technique has been devised that could effectively remove men from the process of creating life.

Scientists have grown human sperm cells from bone marrow, it emerged last night.

They say this may lead to groundbreaking treatment for thousands of men, including cancer patients left sterile by chemotherapy.

But the technique provoked an ethical storm and could soon be jettisoned by the Government over concerns about the safety of using artificial sperm.

Critics said the treatment threatened to breach moral boundaries as it would effectively lead to men being made redundant.

The technique, which could be adapted to help female infertility by growing eggs in a lab, would raise

the prospect of children being born through entirely artificial means.

If the technology were abused, men could be completely sidelined.

A forthcoming shake-up of Britain's fertility laws could see ministers outlaw the use of labgrown sperm and eggs in IVF treatment even in research.

The scientists say it would be wrong to ban such a possibly lifealtering treatment before its potential has been established.

And click on the link below for the article in its entirety:

Daily Telegraph-Women to self-create

I Don't Know Karate but I Know Caraazy

Death Toll Rises to 32 in Virginia Tech Campus Shootings
Salem-News.com
This is being called the worst shooting of any kind in American history.


Some of the students were shot in Virginia Tech's Norris Hall


(BLACKSBURG, Va.) - Two shootings on the Virginia Tech campus today have left 32 dead, including students government officals said.

In addition, police say 28 people were injured, four are in critical condition.

There are unconfirmed reports that the suspect was a young Asian-American male, who was looking for his girlfriend.

It is not clear if the gunman killed himself, or if he was killed by police.

There are media reports that police have recovered two 9-MM handguns, a 22-caliber handgun, and multiple magazines used by the suspect during the rampage.

NBC is reporting that the suspect may have chained the doors to the buildings closed during the shootings.

Families wishing to reunite with students are suggested to meet at the Inn at Virginia Tech.

The university is planning a convocation for Tuesday at noon at Cassell Coliseum for the university community to come together to begin to deal with the tragedy.

Counseling is available in the Bowman Room in the Merriman Center (part of the athletic complex) for employees who seek assistance following today’s events.

All faculty and staff have been released and asked to go home effective immediately.

The university will open tomorrow at 8:00 AM but classes are cancelled.

The college is currently in the process of notifying families of victims.

The Virginia Tech Police are being assisted by numerous other jurisdictions.

Crime scenes are being investigated by the FBI, University Police, and State Police.

At about 7:15 AM this morning a 911 call came to the University Police Department concerning an event in West Ambler Johnston Hall. There were multiple shooting victims.

While in the process of investigating, about two hours later the university received reports of a shooting in Norris Hall.

The police immediately responded. Victims have been transported to various hospitals in the immediate area in the region to receive emergency treatment.

Opening day in August 2006 will always be remembered as the day when an escaped jail inmate allegedly killed a hospital guard off campus and fled to the university. A sheriff's deputy died involved in the manhunt just off campus.

Media outlets are reporting the name of the accused gunman as William Morva.

We're In A Battle Folks! The Rappers are taking cues from Lobbyists!

I made reference to a Daily News article earlier this evening during our music show. The article in question reported that our presidential hopefuls are in cohoots with the enemy. Let's see what will happen if the same folks that were instrumental in Imus' departure will raise the same heat against the corporate entities that subsidize minstrel music. Will the candidates scatter like roaches? Time will tell. Check out an excerpt from the article and then click on the link below to view the piece in its entirety:

When Clinton visits Rutgers University tomorrow to show solidarity with the athletes slimed by fired shock jock Don Imus, she is likely to face questions about her soiree two weeks ago at the lavish Miami home of hip-hop mogul Timbaland.

Born Timothy Mosley, Timbaland is a composer and producer who made his millions with a revolutionary new sound - and by peppering his lyrics with terms like "bitch," "ho" and "n----." His latest, "Give it to Me" is Billboard's No. 1 this week.

The fund-raiser brought in about $800,000 for Clinton's campaign on the crucial last day of the first fund-raising period.

Obama made headlines in November when he invited controversial rapper Ludacris (real name Chris Bridges) to his Chicago office to discuss the singer's new AIDS awareness campaign.

Dems facing rap

The Self Hate that Hate Produced....

I just wanted to provide you guys with even more evidence of a cultural decline indirectly relating to the Don Imus fallout. The above Youtube clip is of a young White male (referred to as "JD") rapping, quite effectively with a recognizable southern drawl-popular among the current stream of minstrel/crunk artists. Please pardon the expletives. He is also spouting the word "nigga" with comfort and reckless abandon. As I have alluded to previously in this blog, the word nigger (or the more popular derivitive, nigga) just does not mean anything to me. Whether it's nappy or nigger, it appears that having these words become the bane of our African-American existence is not only foolhardy but regressive to our future.

Having said all that, the clip represents what happens when you allow a minstrel product to become the default definition of Black culture-white appropriation. If anyone is familiar with this entry's title-it refers to a 1959 Mike Wallace news report, entitled The Hate That Hate Produced. Wallace interviewed a then widely unknown Malcolm X as well as introducing the world to Elijah Muhammad's Nation Of Islam. Of course, the "hate" reference implied that White hatred for persons of African descent birthed an inverted hatred from Blacks back to Caucasians. Almost fifty years later, it appears that Black self-hatred has allowed Whites free reign to mimic a lower echelon Black aesthetic-beyond what many would consider minstrelsy. So, I implore our readers to write, call and/or email the corporate heads we listed in the last post-we have a cultural war on our hands. And for old times sake, let's walk down memory lane and take a look at prescient footage of Malcolm X (below)-take a way the separatist ideology and he could have been mistaken for a Black conservative.

Information

Here are a few folks you need to converse with:

Island Def Jam
Worldwide Plaza
825 8th Avenue, 28th Floor
New York, NY 10019
212-333-8000

or email them via-

http://www.defjam.com


BET
1900 "W" Place, NE
Washington, DC 20018
202-608-2000
TVviewerscomments@bet.com

If you plan to write to BET (someone has to put 106 & Park out of its Coon misery) I would suggest you address letters to either Debra L. Lee (the current CEO) or Reginald Hudlin (of the Hudlin Brothers, recently named President of Entertainment and also a comic book dude, damn).

Reginald can also be contacted through his website:

http://www.hudlinentertainment.com


Interscope Records
2220 Colorado Ave
Santa Monica, CA 90404
310-865-1000
fax#310-865-7096

And if you have been living under a rock for the last 15 years, the man to contact at Interscope is the infamous, Jimmy Iovine. More contacts to come


Viacom
1515 Broadway
New York, NY 10036
(212)258-6000

Viacom purchased BET from Robert Johnson for a gazillion dollars a few years ago and the programming has gone from bad to worse. Send letters addressed to Sumner Redstone, Viacom's Chairman and founder. Don't forget to carbon copy Tom Freston the President and CEO of the company.


MTV Networks

Same address as Viacom. Their phone number is (212)258-8000. Coincidentally, Viacom owns MTV and BET. Both are equally adept at insulting our intelligence and corrupting our youth.

And you thought Don Imus was bad? Now the German military wants to use Blacks as target practice

**Video Shows German Army Instructor Telling Soldier to Envision Black Americans, Then Shoot (after article, below)

AP

BERLIN —
A German army instructor ordered a soldier to envision himself in the Bronx facing hostile African-Americans while firing his machine gun, a video that aired Saturday on national television showed.

The Bronx borough president demanded an apology from the German military and said the clip "indicates that bias and assumptions and racism is alive and well around the world."

Coming after scandals involving photos of German soldiers posing with skulls in Afghanistan and the abuse of recruits by instructors, the video seemed likely to raise more questions about training practices in Germany's conscript army.

The Defense Ministry said the video was shot in July 2006 at barracks in the northern town of Rendsburg and that the army has been aware of it since January.

"We are currently investigating the incident," said Florian Naggies, a spokesman for the army and Defense Ministry.

He did not identify the instructor or the soldier.

The clip shows an instructor and a soldier in camouflage uniforms in a forest. The instructor tells the soldier, "You are in the Bronx. A black van is stopping in front of you. Three African-Americans are getting out and they are insulting your mother in the worst ways. ... Act."

The soldier fires his machine gun several times and yells an obscenity several times in English. The instructor then tells the soldier to curse even louder.

In New York, Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr. said whoever was responsible for the video should be disciplined.

"We need to put to rest the prejudices and the hate that is allowed ... to be perpetuated so easily and cheaply," said Carrion, who is of Puerto Rican descent.

Carrion, who just returned from a trip to Germany to promote Bronx tourism, said he would be willing to go back to talk to people in the German military about his borough.

"If we can get a delegation of German military officials to come or government officials, I will host them," he added. "I'll take them around the Bronx."

The Rev. Al Sharpton said he was outraged that Germans were "depicting blacks as target practice."

"I think this is an incredibly racist kind of insult to African-Americans and it speaks to the kind of institutional racism that people think we are hallucinating about," he said.

The existence of the video was first reported on the home page of the German news magazine Stern on Friday and excerpts were aired on the news television channel n-tv on Saturday.

According to Stern, the 90-second clip had been posted on a Web site used by soldiers to exchange private videos. A soldier who used the site alerted his superiors, the magazine reported.

The video is the latest embarrassment for the German army. Eighteen army instructors are currently on trial for allegedly abusing and humiliating 163 recruits in 2004. Last year, newspapers published photos of German soldiers in Afghanistan posing with a skulls -- including one who exposed himself while holding a skull.

"We can no longer talk about an isolated case," said Lt. Juergen Rose of the Darmstaedter Signal, a group of current and former army officers and sergeants who independently review military procedures.

"Things like this don't happen in the army on an everyday basis, but unfortunately in recent years there have been a number of comparable incidents."

Racist German Military Video


Mr. Starks

Time to Honor Another Great African American-Jackie Robinson

Something to note-tomorrow, April 15th, will mark the 60th anniversary of Brooklyn's number 42 breaking baseball's color barrier. Jackie Robinson is definitely a hero of mine not only because he was a conservative, or resided in St. Albans, N.Y. (my home town) at one time, but also because he maintained a strength of character and resolve the likes of which one would be hard pressed to find in today's sports figures. There have been cases (and shamefully so) of current players of color who honestly do not know who Robinson was or the sacrifices that he made, enabling them to participate in the sports they now take for granted. And Robinson is rarely noted as really being the harbinger of things to come as it relates to breaking down the rules of American apartheid before Dr. King's Civil Rights movement. Please take a gander at the links below commemorating the great Jackie Robinson:

Area athletes honor, remember Jackie Robinson

Montoya's No. 42 to Honor Major League Baseball Legend Jackie Robinson's Debut


Who's like Jackie Robinson today?

Better Late than never

This is yet another example of a thought (now an afterthought) that I had regarding a crucial spotlight moment and my failure to relay it to you guys in a timely fashion. The picture above is of noted educator and historian, Frank Snowden, who died at the age of 95 sometime in February. Please accept my apologies for not mentioning this at an obviously more timely moment but it didn't occur to me until I highlighted Roscoe Lee Browne's death. Well, this is a definitive example of "better late than never." Snowden, a Harvard trained academician, taught at Howard University for more than half a century specializing in the classics-specifically, blacks in ancient Rome and Greece. Two fascinating books written by Mr.Snowden that I think would be beneficial to our readers are Blacks in Antiquity: Ethiopians in the Greco-Roman Experience and Before Color Prejudice: The Ancient View of Blacks . Dr. Snowden should not only be heavily applauded for his scholastic works but also for debunking the notion that Black history should only be relegated to slavery and the subsequent Civil Rights struggle. Snowden should also receive praise for his research into the origins of racial prejudice, which he posited was not endemic to citizens of the ancient world. Here is an excerpt from the Washington Post pertaining to Snowden's contention that during ancient Rome and Greece racism was not an issue:

Using evidence he found in literature and art, he showed that blacks were able not only to coexist with Greeks and Romans but also were often revered as charioteers, fighters and actors.

Because Romans and Greeks first encountered blacks as soldiers and mercenaries and not slaves or "savages," they did not classify them as inferior and seek ways to rationalize their enslavement, he said.

William Harris, a Columbia University professor who specializes in Greek and Roman history, said Dr. Snowden was the first person to write in a serious way about blacks in antiquity, and his books influenced other scholars, including George M. Fredrickson ("Racism: A Short History") and Martin Bernal ("Black Athena").

I would like to give a belated salute to Dr. Snowden for his efforts and accomplishments in the world of historical research and extending the scope for Black excellence in the world of antiquity and beyond. For more on Snowden click on the links below:

Frank Snowden; Major Scholar of Blacks in Antiquity

Wiki on Frank Snowden

Yeasssss! What Time is IT!!!! Giving you guys some more Funk before Sunday!!!

Morris Day Entertainment

Dammit....I just couldn't find my Mims video (hack..had a piece phlegm caught in my throat as I said that), so I went into my crate and found something a tad more fun, funky and musical. It's no mystery that I am a Prince supporter, so I just had to provide you with a taste of Minneapolis' finest, The Time. Time for you guys to purify yourselves in the waters of Lake Minnetonka.....More serious fare coming up next entry.

Music on Afronerd Radio.......This Sunday

Actually, yesterday was slated to be the music show, but we were pulled into talking about Imus like everyone else, so that program was scrapped. This Sunday will definitely be devoted to discussing music-the past, present and (if there is one) future. Let's jam-join us and give us your opinions on Sunday at 5pm. Reach us Live at-646-915-9620 or email/IM via afronerdradio@yahoo. Check out the Miles Davis clip above and then below, chew on the hope for the future with a recent Grammy performance featuring Corinne Bailey Rae, John Mayer and John Legend. From Afronerd Radio-Be there and Be square. Enjoy!



Afronerd Radio-The Music Show

The Great Roscoe Lee Browne Passes

Associated Press
Los Angeles- Actor Roscoe Lee Browne, whose rich voice and dignified bearing brought him an Emmy Award and a Tony nomination, has died.

He was 81.

Browne died Wednesday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after a long battle with cancer, said Alan Nierob, a spokesman for the family.

Browne's career included classic theater to TV cartoons. He also was a poet and a former world-class athlete.

His deep, cultured voice was heard narrating the 1995 movie "Babe." On screen, his character often was smart, cynical and well-educated, whether a congressman, a judge or a butler.

Born to a Baptist minister in Woodbury, N.J., Browne graduated from historically black Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, where he returned to teach comparative literature and French. He also was a track star, winning the 880-yard run in the 1952 Millrose Games. According to the Internet Movie Database Inc., Browne set a world record for the 800-meter run at Paris in 1951.

Browne was selling wine for an import company when he decided to become a full-time actor in 1956 and had roles that year in the inaugural season of the New York Shakespeare Festival in a production of "Julius Caesar."

In 1961, he starred in an English-language version of Jean Genet's play "The Blacks."

Two years later, he was the Narrator in a Broadway production of "The Ballad of the Sad Cafe," a play by Edward Albee from a novella by Carson McCullers. In a Page One story on the advances by blacks in the theater, the New York Times noted that Browne's understudy was white.

He won an Obie Award in 1965 for his role as a rebellious slave in the off-Broadway "Benito Cereno."

In movies, he was a spy in the 1969 Alfred Hitchcock feature "Topaz" and a camp cook in 1972's "The Cowboys," which starred John Wayne.

"Some critics complained that I spoke too well to be believable" in the cook's role, Browne told The Washington Post in 1972. "When a critic makes that re mark, I think, if I had said, 'Yassuh, boss' to John Wayne, then the critic would have taken a shine to me."

On television, he had memorable guest roles. He was a snobbish black lawyer trapped in an elevator with bigot Archie Bunker in an episode of the 1970s TV comedy "All in the Family" and the butler Saunders in the comedy "Soap." He won an Emmy in 1986 for a guest role as Professor Foster on "The Cosby Show."

In 1992, Browne returned to Broadway in "Two Trains Running," one of August Wilson's acclaimed series of plays on the black experience. It won the Tony for best play and brought Browne a Tony nomination for best featured (supporting) actor.

The Times said he portrayed "the wry perspective of one who believes that human folly knows few bounds and certainly no racial bounds. The performance is wise and slyly life-affirming."

Browne also wrote poetry and included some of it along with works by masters such as Lawrence Ferlinghetti and William Butler Yeats in "Behind the Broken Words," a poetry anthology stage piece that he and Anthony Zerbe performed annually for three decades.

First Images Of Ironman......the movie

I know our own resident Mr. Starks will get a kick out of the above photo. It is a early released picture of Ironman's armor (appears to pay homage to the silver age costume) from the film starring Robert Downey, Terrence Howard (as good ol'Rhodey) and Gwyneth Paltrow, slated for 2008. What do you guys (the comic book aficionados, specifically) think?

London Bridge really is Falling down.....at least for the Brothers.....

I really had intended to discuss Tony Blair's comment about Black criminality in London myself, but I was drafted in the War on Imus (please check out our podcast) and was diverted from providing an analysis. So let's take a look at Sister Toldjah's straightforward approach:

Will Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson head to London next?

Considering what Tony Blair said about knife crime and black culture?

Tony Blair yesterday claimed the spate of knife and gun murders in London was not being caused by poverty, but a distinctive black culture. His remarks angered community leaders, who accused him of ignorance and failing to provide support for black-led efforts to tackle the problem.
One accused him of misunderstanding the advice he had been given on the issue at a Downing Street summit.

Black community leaders reacted after Mr Blair said the recent violence should not be treated as part of a general crime wave, but as specific to black youth. He said people had to drop their political correctness and recognise that the violence would not be stopped “by pretending it is not young black kids doing it”.

It needed to be addressed by a tailored counter-attack in the same way as football hooliganism was reined in by producing measures aimed at the specific problem, rather than general lawlessness.
Mr Blair’s remarks are at odds with those of the Home Office minister Lady Scotland, who told the home affairs select committee last month that the disproportionate number of black youths in the criminal justice system was a function of their disproportionate poverty, and not to do with a distinctive black culture.

Giving the Callaghan lecture in Cardiff, the prime minister admitted he had been “lurching into total frankness” in the final weeks of his premiership. He called on black people to lead the fight against knife crime. He said that “the black community - the vast majority of whom in these communities are decent, law abiding people horrified at what is happening - need to be mobilised in denunciation of this gang culture that is killing innocent young black kids”.

Mr Blair said he had been moved to make his controversial remarks after speaking to a black pastor of a London church at a Downing Street knife crime summit, who said: “When are we going to start saying this is a problem amongst a section of the black community and not, for reasons of political correctness, pretend that this is nothing to do with it?” Mr Blair said there needed to be an “intense police focus” on the minority of young black Britons behind the gun and knife attacks. The laws on knife and gun gangs needed to be toughened and the ringleaders “taken out of circulation”.

[…]

Mr Blair is known to believe the tendency for many black boys to be raised in families without a father leads to a lack of appropriate role models.

He said: “We need to stop thinking of this as a society that has gone wrong - it has not - but of specific groups that for specific reasons have gone outside of the proper lines of respect and good conduct towards others and need by specific measures to be brought back into the fold.”


According to Toldjah:

Wow.

Of course, he’s being denounced by ‘black leaders’ in the UK, as well as a host of indignant politicians and other ususal suspects, but he has nothing to lose at this point since he’s not up for re-election and, as noted in the article, is feeling rather ‘frank’ these days.



I rather like ‘frankness’ myself. But ‘frankness’ usually gets people here in the US in a whole lot of trouble with the PC police, unfortunately. Let’s not let the truth get in the way of wanting to avoid ‘hurting feelings’ or ’stigmatizing’ a group of people.

Let's kick this around a bit-is gangsterism being imported? Does Blair have a point if one were to look beyond notions of political correctness? How does this subject relate to America's notions of Black criminality?

Swan Song for Imus....

Well If you haven't guessed it-Imus is out for the count. First he lost the MSNBC televised gig now CBS fired him from his radio position. I really am saddened for some reason. I believe the real point of this debacle has been missed-anyway, I will elaborate more on this tonight at 9pm via AfronerdRadio.com....click on the link below for more details on the Imus firing:

Imus' Firing

Someone should have told this guy to shut up and sit down on this one....

I guess Snoop just missed the memo by "that" much:

Snoop Dogg: Rappers' Hos Are Different.
12th April 2007 11:01:01

Snoop Dogg: Rappers' Hos Are Different.... Rapper Snoop Dogg has dismissed comparisons between sexist hip hop lyrics and the recent racist remarks made by American radio Dj Don Imus.

Imus was suspended by Cbs Radio and Msnbc on Monday (09Apr07) after he referred to the Rutgers University women's basketball team as 'nappy-headed hoes' - a racially charged sexist term.

Snoop frequently refers to women as "b**ches" and "hos" in his music, but insists Imus' use of the term was unacceptable and the 66-year-old DJ should be taken off the air.

The Doggystyle star says, "It's a completely different scenario, "(Rappers) are not talking about no collegiate basketball girls who have made it to the next level in education and sports.

"We're talking about hoes that's in the 'hood that ain't doing s**t, that's trying to get a n**ga for his money. These are two separate things.

"First of all, we ain't no old-ass white men that sit up on Msnbc going hard on black girls.

"We are rappers that have these songs coming from our minds and our souls that are relevant to what we feel. I will not let them muthaf**kas say we are in the same league as him.

"Kick him off the air forever."

My dream may be coming true after all....the day of the minstrel may be finally over.

If Obama was only a Conservative......Oh well......Introducing President Obama!

Ok Black folk before you start crumping, wopping or doing the chicken soup, check out what early poll numbers reveal. I'm just going to post the article and you can once again....talk amongst yourselves. Here's just a snippet from Bloomberg.com:

In head-to-head general-election match-ups, the poll shows Obama, an Illinois senator, is the strongest Democrat, beating all Republicans, and Senator Clinton, of New York, appears to be the weakest. Among the leading Republicans, excluding Thompson, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani runs best and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney runs worst.

For more on this story:

Thompson Gains, Democrats Lead 2008 Race, Poll Finds (Update1)


And then back to reality-Think crabs in the barrel. The next link will sober you back up:

Obama's silence on Imus alarms some blacks


I guess some of us did not get the memo at the last cornbread and greens convention, Obama can not be the president of Black America if he has any chance at becoming president. Let the brother at least step foot in the White house before you guys start barbecuing. Jeez...

Just a Couple of Things to put Under Your Hats!

Sometimes my mind is a maelstrom of so many random thoughts, I must remind myself to jot things down to make sure I can share them with our readers. One thing I forgot to mention was a book that I think might be of interest to anyone who is not interested in the nascent crop of urban novels that pass for the entirety of current African-American literature. A few weeks ago, while viewing a recent broadcast of Town Brown's Journal (who "came out" conservative, years back), I saw an interview with Charlene Porter, the author of a fascinating work of fiction entitled, Boldfaced Lies. Why this book isn't better known, considering that Porter was nominated for outstanding literary work by a debut author during the recently held NAACP Image awards remains a mystery. The premise for Boldfaced is definitely worthy of Hollywood interpretation. Check out this synopsis from UrbanSpectrum.net:

Charlene Porter takes you on the journey of paternal twins, Euphrates O’Shea, (who was born Black) and Angus O’Shea, Jr. (who was born white). Boldfaced Lies opens in James River Valley, Virginia 1862, in the hot bed of the Civil War and transports you to Denver, Colorado in 1925 where the rebirth of the Ku Klux Klan was at its height with an estimated 4,000,000 card carrying members in the United States. In Denver, card carrying members numbered more than 50 including at the time, Governor Clarence J. Morely and Mayor Benjamin Stapleton. Margaret Browne, a pretty 34-year old red head is married to Kevin, an ambitions Klan leader and the only son of a bankrupt society family. He recklessly gambles away the stipend Margaret’s father gives them but devises a scheme to pocket half of the dues he collects as a Kleagle, a KKK membership salesman. This page-turner reveals an era where entrepreneurship was thriving for Negroes in the Five Points and crossing the color line was an option for opportunity. Readers need to know where the lies lead.

Unfortunately, Boldfaced Lies is not available through Amazon but it can be purchased at:

Tattered Cover Book Store-Boldfaced Lies

And least I forget(again)...check out another fellow conservative blog by a young woman of color shrewdly entitled Sister Toldjah. Actually, Toldjah may even be more slightly to the right than yours truly (okay just a tiny bit) but don't hold that against her-it's an extremely funny and informative blog. My hats off to Sister Toldjah! Check it out below.

Sister Toldjah's Blog

Another Reason Why Your kids are Social Quadriplegics

I thought I'd share with our readers yet another reason why our children are valuing style over substance and are, in essence, becoming social quadriplegics. Recent articles have reported that our youth are becoming more and more emotionless, due in part to substandard parenting, increased reliance on technology and our ever-changing social mores. After reading today's NY Daily News, a simple pair of retro sneakers further affirms that aforementioned supposition. It appears that model citizen(surely I jest) and former Jay-z business partner, Damon Dash who partnered with Stride Rite a few years ago hopes to revitalize the classic Pro-Keds line from the 70s.

I must confess that I am a clotheshorse and as of late, have amassed quite a sneaker collection-so when I heard about Pro-Keds being reintroduced, I was initially quite interested. But I quickly became dispirited, once it was further reported that the sneakers are retailing for over $100, in stark contrast to Stephon Marbury's sneaker line which have a price point of approx. $15!! According to the News, many kids in an effort to be popular believe that the pricing of the Pro-Keds make them more fashionable and desirable in comparison to Marbury's brand. I have perhaps 5 or 6 pairs of the Starburys (Stephon's shoes) and the quality and look are highly comparable to the Pro-Keds. Our society has dropped the ball folks.....the children must be taught that pricing is oftentimes decided in a arbitrary manner. In actuality, the Starburys are more aesthetically appealing but as long as the price is right(ahem...more expensive) that's all that counts. Check out the News article in question below:

Old-school Pro-Keds get Dash of sneak chic

Due to Popular Demand......Okay...because we really want to talk about it!

Just as a side note...we will try to do a music show, but Mr. Starks and I will also devote some time to analyzing the War on Imus.....kind of like the War on Terror-just more news coverage. Call in with your opinions, but be warned-we are standing firm-Imus is owed an apology. Talk to us and find out why at Afronerd Radio, Thursday at 9pm.

Imus' Suspension must be catching on like a cold, call it The NFL Flu

Well it looks like aberrent behavior is not being tolerated all the way around. Thanks to the NFL's newly minted commissioner, it appears that leniency is not in the cards for players, Pacman Jones and Chris Henry. Lengthy suspensions have been weighed against the former West Virginia teammates for past legal indiscretions which were in direct conflict with the NFL's personal conduct policy. I for one applaud the suspensions (some levied against players for the whole season) which sends a message that if one has hit the "lotto" and is fortunate enough to play professional sports, stay out of trouble or expect for your career to be in jeopardy.
For more on this story click on the link below:

Pasquarelli: Goodell's swift justice just what NFL needs

And Least We Forget.....Obama does Letterman.....You know what I mean!

Just a reminder-Barack Obama and Halle Berry are scheduled to appear on Dave Letterman tonight. Should be a load of fun. Also check out what the NY Times has to say about a Clinton/Obama ticket.....or is that Obama/Clinton?

The Obama-Clinton Ticket?

Chew on this Fishbone as I talk more about Afronerd Radio

I hope you guys had a chance to listen to our last broadcast. Talk about lively...I want to thank once again, UnderCover Blackman (don't forget to check out his insightful blog) and commenter, submariner for stopping by as well as the other great callers. We have another special show coming up this Thursday at 9pm and the topic this time around will be the state of our music. You know the drill-to join in on the conversation, call us at-646-915-9620 or IM/email us at afronerdradio@yahoo. We will be highlighting some alternative Black music that would rarely garner airplay as well as discussing why this is the case. Feel free to check out this past Sunday's program below:

Afronerd Radio-Last Sunday's broadcast

And here's the link for this Thursday's show:

Afronerd Radio-Why Imus deserves an apology and Music, Music, Music!! Time 2 Jam!!

Hey Barkeep! Apologies are on the House!

I would like to formally apologize to our readers for a delay with my true thoughts on the Imus debacle. On rare occasions, it may take a few days and several entries for me to focus on a given issue. If Imus has to apologize then so can I. Yes, this is my third (and perhaps final entry) on this subject but for whatever reason, it took some time for me to give a cogent analysis on what is really going on here. Almost by the hour, the War on Imus machine is gaining momentum, resulting in a two week suspension against the shock jock. After hearing countless so-called news reports and pundits pontificate on this matter, I have come to one conclusion-someone should apologize to Imus. Ok, I'm being vaguely facetious. Vaguely.

Once again, due to the oh great and powerful White man, factions within the African-American community are angry, motivated and ready to march in order to oust Imus from his radio gig. I ask today, what I have continued to inquire about since this blog's inception-where are these self-same folks when many in the minstrel end of the hip hop spectrum commit similar acts against Black women? I was listening to the Michael Baisden show this afternoon and as much as I like Baisden's program, he said something that actually became the lynch pin for my current position on this topic. Baisden wondered why did it take two full days for Imus to apologize. Conversely, we are closing in on two decades and the hip hop community has yet to apologize to women of color for years of degrading imagery. Matter of fact, we're not even asking for an apology or a boycott. And here's the kicker-many young women (and women of color) will continue to dance in clubs around the country to the very music that disrespects them. I holla!

So, I'm not going to be vague anymore....Imus is owed an apology. If we're not going to hold radio stations, record companies and artists to the same standard as Imus, then we're being disingenuous and Mr. Imus should continue working with our sincerest apologies for his inconvenience. Maybe this will get Black folk to wake up in addressing the debauchery. I got your back Imus.

For those who are interested:

SharptonTalk.net-Sharpton's interview with Imus

More on Imus.....

What a surprise-Messy Jesse & Reverend Press & Curl (Reverends Jackson and Sharpton) are suggesting a boycott against the sponsors of Don Imus' show, hopefully resulting in the shock jock's expulsion. As I mentioned previously, the Tony Yayo incident received very little media attention (including Sharpton's proposed rally against Yayo) or public indignation-I guess the striking of a young boy doesn't measure up to a racist quip by a deranged White radio personality. Riddle me this Blackman-what will it take to implement a boycott against G-Unit or the Gangsta/minstrel hip hop industry who denigrate Black women with far more regularity and viciousness than Imus? The answer? No one knows.

SNL still Funny? Well lightning can strike every once in awhile

While haunting the halls of the fellow conservative KeepinitReal blog, I came across this hilarious (and surreal) clip from a Saturday Night Live skit broadcast a few months ago. Hilarious and dead on....again, very funny-it's no secret that I think we can do better than these two, but I'll let you check out for yourself.

It never stops.....

Racial slur on sofa label stuns family

JIM WILKES/TORONTO STAR
Doris Moore's 7-year-old daughter, Olivia, spotted this label on covering around a new sofa set.

Mother had to explain to daughter, 7 origin of 'totally unacceptable' word on wrapping of furniture built overseas


When the new chocolate-coloured sofa set was delivered to her Brampton home, Doris Moore was stunned to see packing labels describing the shade as "Nigger-brown."

She and husband Douglas purchased a sofa, loveseat and chair in dark brown leather last week from Vanaik Furniture and Mattress store on Dundas St. E.

Moore, 30, who describes herself as an African-American born and raised in New York, said it was her 7-year-old daughter who pointed out the label just after delivery men from the Mississauga furniture store left.

"She's very curious and she started reading the labels," Moore explained. "She said, `Mommy, what is nig ... ger brown?' I went over and just couldn't believe my eyes."

She said yesterday each piece had a similar label affixed to the woven protective covering wrapped around the furniture.

"In this day and age, that's totally unacceptable," Moore said.

Douglas explained the origins of the word to daughter Olivia, telling how it was a bad name that blacks were called during the days of slavery in the United States.

"It was tough, because she really didn't understand," Moore said. "She'd never heard that word before and didn't really understand the concept of it."

Moore, who has a younger son and daughter, said she's heard the word used many times, although it has never been directed in anger at her.

"But it's a very, very bad word that makes you feel degraded, like you're a nobody," she said.

Moore said she called the furniture store the following day and three other times since, and feels discouraged that no one has returned her calls.

When interviewed yesterday by the Star, Romesh Kumar, Vanaik's assistant manager, passed the buck to his supplier, Cosmos Furniture in Scarborough.

"Why should I take the blame?" he said. "I'm a trader, I don't manufacture. I sell from 20 companies, maybe 50 companies. How can I take care of all of them?"

He said that he would check similar stock and make sure other labels were removed.

"That's terrible, that's a racial ... something?" Kumar said. "This is entirely wrong, but it's not my fault. It's my job to sell good product to people."

He said the best he could do is to give Moore the telephone number of his supplier, so she could take it up with him.

The owner of Cosmos Furniture, Paul Kumar, no relation to Romesh, said he was upset to learn packing labels on products he sold carried a racial epithet.

"I import my products from overseas," he said. "I've never noticed anything like that. This is something new to me."

He passed the blame to a Chinese company, but apologized for the labels. He said he would contact the furniture maker in Guangzhou and demand they remove all similar labels.

Moore said she's not sure she wants the sofa set in her home.

"Every time I sit on it, I'll think of that," she said.

Due to time constraints, I really can't provide a synopsis but the ignorance speaks for itself. Shout out to Afronerd commenter, Bob Monroe for bringing this to my attention. Now talk amongst yourselves.

And Speaking of Black Rockers.....

Prince Live at the Aladdin - Push & Pull
Uploaded by PrinceNPG

I think sometime in the near future I will really focus on my disdain for the current music scene and how there appears to be a definite dearth in real musicianship. Don't get me wrong, I'm not stuck on old times-I just want to know who is going to carry the banner for performing soulful and heartfelt music. Where will the next Prince, Stevie Wonder or Duke Ellington come from? Our current standards in music just will not allow such a person. Well...I'll ponder that dilemma in an upcoming entry. I guess I have to settle for the standards...Check out Prince with the inscrutable Nikka Costa as they perform Push and Pull from the Live at the Aladdin dvd. Also as an added treat-check out a cover of some Prince tunes by a parisian fan club (NPG Party)......not bad...not bad....pay close attention to one of my favorite songs, She's Always in My Hair...again, not bad but not Prince. Happy Holidays people!

Live 4 love / She's always in my hair par Dom
Uploaded by npgparty

Check out TV on the Radio.......and while you're at don't forget Afronerd on the Radio!

Who said Black folk can't rock? The video is a performance by Black rockers, TV on the Radio, a group from the planet Brooklyn. Unfortunately, our culture is locked into people of color only being rappers but I hope this blog represents an alternative Black aesthetic. And while you check out the above clip, don't forget that we have another live radio broadcast scheduled for this Sunday at 5pm. Be there and be square. To join in on our conversation, you can reach us at-646-915-9620 or IM/email via afronerdradio@yahoo. We will be wrapping up our prior discussion on Black Women and introducing a new analysis of the n-word and the Black Church.....another scorcher folks!

Afronerd Radio-Sisters are Unbeweavable-Part 2, Discussing the N-word and The Black Church

Afronerd Radio-Thursday's Show(Podcast form)

Nappy Headed Hoes-1, Don Imus-0

It appears that radio dj, Don Imus is up to his old racist tricks again. Why this story took more than 24 hours to make the rounds remains a mystery. During the womens NCAA game between Rutgers and Tennessee, Imus referred to the Rutgers team as being "nappy headed hoes." In a further description of the match-up, Imus and his colleagues also stated that the players reminded them of the "jiggaboos versus the wannabees"-a direct reference to Spike Lee's School Daze. Well, if you haven't figured it out, Imus is definitely a mentally disturbed and deficient person, however as I have stated countless times here at Afronerd, our cultural standards have reached such an all time low, that we have given racists the comfort to spew their venom. And to top that, many womens sport figures are not the paragons of femininity. I would also like to see some kind of distinction between male and female athletes, which is difficult considering what Imus witnessed-mannish, tattooed women. Does it give him the right to refer to the players in a disrespectful manner? No. But we must admit that having a lower tier, ghettoized image be the default aesthetic for blackness makes it difficult to combat racial animus. For the specifics on this story, check the links below:

Don Imus Calls Rutgers Women's Team 'Nappy-Headed Hos'

NABJ Appalled By Imus' Racist Comments, Calls for Boycott of Show

The Original Biggie Smalls

From EURweb.com:

Calvin Lockhart, star of stage and screen whose character name of Biggie Smalls in the 1975 film “Let’s Do It Again” was used by late rapper Notorious B.I.G., died Thursday in his native Nassau, Bahamas from complications of a stroke. He was 72.


The actor starred in a string of films in the early to mid-70s, including “Cotton Comes to Harlem,” “Uptown Saturday Night” and “Myra Breckinridge.” He also starred opposite Eddie Murphy in 1988’s “Coming To America,” and in January completed work on “Rain,” an upcoming film shot in the Bahamas.

Born Sept. 18, 1934 in Nassau, Lockhart was classically trained and became the only black actor ever invited to be an actor-in-residence at the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford Upon-Avon.


Bahamian Prime Minister Perry Christie said the following about Lockhart’s passing: "Although his acting career was of relatively short duration, Calvin's cinematic charisma and talents won him high praise from critics and audiences alike all around the world."

Calvin produced and directed several major stage productions and also appeared on television in London, Germany and the U.S., including the television series “Dynasty.”


Mr. Starks

Ok....the NEXT entry we'll get serious.....Fun with Rove

You knew it was bound to happen...again will the real conservatives, please stand up.

Time to lighten the load.....at least until the next entry

Is anyone as excited about Quentin Tarantino's Grindhouse (released today) as I am? It definitely pays homage to the gindhouse or exploitation films that were quite prevalent during the early 70s. Heck, the return of Snake Plissken (sort of) is enough to make me want to see this celluloid effort. And speaking of Snake, it appears that a remake of Escape from New York is in the works without Kurt Russell as the lead, unfortunately. Take a look at the above trailer and share your thoughts.

We need to rewind the audio from Rodney King because it looks like we all CANNOT get along!

Philadelphia Records 100th Murder

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


West Philadelphia - March 31, 2007 - - On the 90th day of the year, Philadelphia Police are investigating the city's 100th murder.

Police were called to the 4800 block of Aspen Street, around daybreak Saturday.

Investigators tell Action News a patrol officer saw several males running from this area.

When the officer went to see what was going on, he saw a man lying in in the street.

He had been shot four times - all in the upper body.

The officer called medics, but they could not save him.

He died at The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Police have no suspects in custody.

Philadelphia Records 100th Murder


Although it's not mentioned, it is probably safe to assume that the majority of these murders involved Black folks, or more specifically Black males, considering the location.
We need to be very concerned folks, this may involve a certain segment of our community perpetrating these acts of violence, but the lower tier crowd has declared war on ALL of us.
And to think, some of us still believe that White folks are our biggest threat.


Mr. Starks

Guess What?...You Can't Make it Here......New York, New York

Keeping it quick and to the point-you may not have not noticed but it is really expensive to live in New York. For those of you who are fortunate to live elsewhere, take heed-it's a great place to visit but you couldn't afford to live here. I wanted to share with you an article that truly spells the end for the middle class as we know it. Also check another nugget of wisdom from the indomitable scribe, Stanley Crouch.

NY's Vanishing Middle Class


Latest Stanley Crouch piece

Being Conservative doesn't mean I can't be Accurate!

The above clip of a recent Hannity & Colmes show in which fellow conservative blogger, Erik Rush (erikrush.com) is being interviewed really bothers me. It's his inaccuracy that is most troublesome. Rush also made the rounds last night on an episode of Paula Zahn's nightly political gabfest, Out in the Open regarding the same issue de jour, Obama's Too Black Church. Let me state for the record, that in my almighty analytical wisdom, I'm not fond of any church that naturally practices separatism. Perhaps a church's separatist agenda is propogated out of a sense of necessity or comfort-one can theorize until the cows come home, but at the end of the day, a house of worship is supposed to be above petty racial enmity. But in the cause for greater accuracy in reporting, both programs are severly lacking. These shows, like so many other likeminded media fare, are less about the search for the truth and more concerned for ratings, shouting matches and getting in the vaunted soundbite.

Obama's church, the Trinity United Church of Christ (which the media are attempting to make Obama literally guilty by association) espouses a 12 point Black value system. Mr. Rush's beef is that this value system is inherently racist, especially if one were to transpose "Black" for "White" in the description of the church's tenets. Where Rush is incorrect, is simply Black as a matter of semantics is used differently than White. Very few White people self-identify themselves as such, simply because they have options. Black refers to culture, color and consciousness-hence, Black music, Black colleges, Black culture, Blaxploitation (films), etc. A White person might state that he or she is Italian or Jewish or Irish before he states his racial category. Black is an all encompasing term with a cultural designation notwithstanding. In my book, everyone should worship beyond racial categorization because.....well, it is church. But let's not single out Obama's church, when 90% of the houses of worship (of all racial and ethnic strata) practice de facto segregation. Accuracy folks. Accuracy! Take a look at Rush's supposition below:

Obamination: Barack Obama's black supremacist connection

Okay Now It's the Ladies Turn......

If you haven't guessed from my usage of the Waiting to Exhale clip, we are embarking on yet another live radio broadcast. This time we will be focusing on the ladies-Weaves, Weight and Worries. Actually, it's another gumbo show as we will also (if time permits) wrap up the State of the Black Man topic from last week as well as finally discussing negative minstrel imagery. This is going to be a controversial show folks as we will not bite our tongues (as if we ever have) relating to gender and social issues. Remember, we have two broadcasts a week now-every Sunday and Thursday. Check us out tomorrow at 9pm, LIVE. Call in and give us your thoughts....perhaps we will agree or not on the topic of the day. Reach us at-646-915-9620 or IM via afronerdradio@yahoo.

Afronerd Radio-Black Women-Weaves, Weight and Worries

If you are STILL unsure about HipHop being dead....

Take a look at this video. "I used to love her", shout out to Common, but if this does not convince you that HipHop is doomed, I don't know what will.
On a side note, props go out to the White guy for continuing the freestyle after being hit, AND freestyling about being hit. Crazy.


Mr. Starks

Two Quick Unrelated Stories of Interest.......

Due to time constraints, I am unable to provide an appropriate synopsis for the two following stories, but you should still get the gist. For the first story, I must admit that I am somewhat indifferent about the news-the Uncle Ben character has received a promotion from the Mars corporation. If anyone is familiar with Uncle Ben's rice, a caricature of a servile, elderly African-American male was used as the product's mascot. Now that we're in the 21st century, someone has finally decided that such a figure might not rank highly with the PC police. So from this point going forward, Uncle Ben is now a well dressed corporate executive as opposed to being a manservant to a well dressed corporate executive. Hooray. And BET's Spring Bling, I suspect will be broadcast in the next few weeks.

The second story, I actually found out from Chris Chamber's Nat Turner's Revenge blog. It appears that the actress that played one of my favorite sci-fi characters, T'Pol of Star Trek: Enterprise (the very attractive Jolene Blalock) is finding herself in a bit of controversy. It appears that a movie has just been released (filmed prior to her Trek role) in which she is in dark make-up (Angelina Jolie style) portraying a woman of color. The cliffhanger is....Blalock recently disclosed that she is indeed of part African-American parentage. Whew....For more information relating to both stories, click on the links below.

Wired-Uncle Ben Upgrade Story

Nat Turner's Revenge-Blalock story

Is Sharpton channeling Cosby? Let's not get crazy....

It appears that Sharpton may be taking cues from Dr. Cosby (you know I'm joking right?) and recently held a press conference in which he is proposing a rally to protest Tony Yayo's (of G-Unit fame) accosting of a 14-year-old child. I did an entry on this incident a few days ago and perhaps we have finally reached a point where there is no other alternative but to address the insanity. The major media has been conspicuously absent from Sharpton's efforts, perhaps because it does appear to be an intraracial matter. However, can we take Reverend Soul Glow's endeavor and go several steps further demanding that radio stations refrain from playing G-unit music? Or perhaps implement a rally that includes all of G-Unit and not just Tony Yayo? Or am I asking too much? Mind you, Russell Simmons publicly stated that he doesn't want to get involved. Folks, this is more blatant evidence that these record execs and artists care very little for their young fanbase's psyhological and physical welfare. The alarm clock is ringing people....it's time to WAKE UP! Check the links below for more on this story.

Al Sharpton Denounces Yayo's actions

Vibe-Russell Simmons not Involved

50 Cent addresses Yayo altercation

Looks like there's a second chocolate Jesus in the news...

Sculpture of Obama as Jesus causes stir

By NATHANIEL HERNANDEZ, Associated Press Writer

He wears Jesus' robes and a neon blue halo, looks like Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) and is causing a stir at a Chicago art school.

An undergraduate student's papier mache sculpture of Obama as a messianic figure — entitled "Blessing" — went on display Saturday at a downtown gallery run by the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. By Monday, word of the piece had spread on political blogs, and the school had been flooded with calls.

David Cordero, 24, made the sculpture for his senior show after noticing all the attention Obama has received since he first hinted he may run for the presidency.

"All of this is a response to what I've been witnessing and hearing, this idea that Barack is sort of a potential savior that might come and absolve the country of all its sins," Cordero said. "In a lot of ways it's about caution in assigning all these inflated expectations on one individual, and expecting them to change something that many hands have shaped."

Obama's campaign worked Monday to the distance the Illinois senator from the artwork.

"While we respect First Amendment rights and don't think the artist was trying to be offensive, Senator Obama, as rule, isn't a fan of art that offends religious sensibilities," said Obama spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

Cordero said the school had fielded plenty of calls about his work, "some of them from angry people." He also said he had heard from a few potential buyers.

Bruce Jenkins, dean of the art school's undergraduate program, said response to the piece — part of a student exhibition — has been mostly positive. He said people should take a close look at the sculpture and the context it was created in before judging it.

"When you see it, when you spend time it with it, you understand that it's not a provocative work at all," Jenkins said. "It opens a set of questions."

The Archdiocese of Chicago had not seen the work as of Monday afternoon and could not comment on it, said spokeswoman Dianne Dunagan.

The piece comes amid Catholic outrage in New York that led to an art gallery canceling an exhibit featuring a nude 6-foot-tall, anatomically correct chocolate sculpture of Jesus Christ.

Artist Cosimo Cavallaro said Saturday that he has received threats as a result of the sculpture, called "My Sweet Lord." Cavallaro said the controversy spurred "thousands" of e-mail messages from people offering help, donations and exhibition space.


What are your thoughts about this one?

Mr. Starks

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah........Song of the South on DVD?

I'm not sure if the class is aware of this, but the good folks at Disney placed a self-imposed ban on releasing the Song of the South (in theaters and DVD) for many years because of questionable racial overtones contained in the film. I remember my mother taking me to see this film as a child simply because it was one of a number of Disney classics that were released annually. At some point during the mid 80s, after receiving complaints from civil rights organizations, Disney took South off its theatrical release roster. Perhaps for the time period, it was understandble for the movie to be banned.

Since I liken myself to being a cineaste, I have seen several bootleg transfers of this film and it is hard to watch-it does show slavery as somekind of happy and superfluous period in Black history. But films like Song of the South (or even the Amos and Andy series) should be released as educational devices for our youth. It is crucial that children (and adults) understand how the Black image was portrayed during that era. Hopefully, enough time has passed and cooler heads have prevailed. Things may be looking in a positive direction as it appears that during a recent stockholders meeting, Disney CEO Robert Iger intimated that South may be released on DVD in the near future. Song of the South can be no worse than I Love New York or the Flavor of Love-at least we had Jim Crow as an excuse. For more on Song of the South, check below.

SongoftheSouth.net

Wiki on Song of the South