Marissa Calhoun, Reporter Demo (CNN)

12/23/2010

"Today's Headlines/ News Cut-In's" 

"I am hungry. I have nothing. Can I please have some food. You can give me anything you want."

     The more God blesses me, the heavier the burden he places on my heart. As I sat at work complaining about having to be here on Christmas Eve, I decided to go across the street and grab a salad from Union Station. The place was swarming with homeless and poor people. I was annoyed by one lady who followed me around the entire store for 35 cents. After I had finished my window shopping and talked my self out of that new pair of shoes, I went into Chopt' for a salad. A man walked in and kindly said to the merchant "I am hungry. I have nothing. Can I please have some food. You can give me anything you want." The merchant immediately responded by offering the man any salad he wanted to have on the menu. My heart sank an my eyes swelled with tears; that was the spirit of Christmas. As I rode back to work, I had to ask myself "why you tripping? You seen homeless people before. Hell, you work in DC you see them all the time." This experience was different for me. This man appeared to be an ordinary man; he seemed to have ordinary luck. He spoke well, and was fully clothed and clean. This man could have been anyone-- he could have been me. In the eve of a recession and in the wake of the personal storms so many people are experiencing, this holiday season should be a time for reflection. I may not ever have everything I  want in this life, but I have a life that does not reduce me to having to beg in order to survive.  Tomorrow as I gather around a table and laugh with my beautiful family creating new memories I will do so bearing in mind that so many people have no memories to recollect, no family to visit with, and no food to eat. I may not be a millionaire with all the riches in the world, but I have been blessed and I am rich with love and opportunity. I can use this to glorify myself and build my own pedestal or I can use this to build the Kingdom of heaven here on earth. As far as I'm concerned every man and woman poor or rich, weak or strong, broken or beloved deserves a seat at His table. As far as I'm concerned so long as His cup overflows we all deserve to eat! May God bless this man and his life and all the others who are without food and shelter this holiday season. And may God continue to advance and use me so that I may repay my debts to him through others in need. "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours in the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh." Luke 6 vs. 201-21

Go to the Mat, President Obama! Examining President Barack Obama’s Core Values and Ability to Fight for the American Middle Class

Go to the Mat, President Obama!

Examining President Barack Obama’s Core Values and Ability to fight for the American Middle Class

Flash back to 2008, cameras flash and lights glimmer. All eyes are on the first African-American President of the United States whose rhetoric and prose left most of us spellbound. A resounding “yes we can” rang clearly throughout the crowds of people flooding the streets of DC during Inaugural weekend. I was one of those people. I attended Uncle Rush’s Presidential Inaugural Celebration Ball hosted in Barack Obama’s honor on behalf of hip-hop. I let the tears flow as I looked up to see our brown-skin President and First Lady romance to Etta James; at last we had all come along. I was proud to share that moment with hip-hop. It brought us all together—the beat boxer and the boardroom brothers and sisters—with a certain sense of sophistication and pride that we had never known before. We sent the world a very clear message about how far we had come as a country that night.

Soon after the celebration ended, the elevated sense of euphoria faded, all eyes were on the White House. What would the President do first? What would be his order of priorities moving forward? President Obama had made allot of campaign promises and galvanized much of his support on the premise and promise of hope and change. But what exactly did hope and change mean? Coincidentally enough it could mean completely different things to everyone. The reality is that President Obama ran on two very vague campaign principles which were great for slogans and rebel rousing but didn’t do so well as tools of governance. The truth is hope and change will strike a chord with everyone: Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.  Nonetheless when it comes to making smart delegation decisions about serious issues like healthcare, the national deficit, the national budget and creating jobs its fair to expect that the perspectives of all parties involved won’t intersect in order to weave some sort of mythical “more perfect union.”

We are seeing this anecdote play out in a series of current political debates. Healthcare; the Democrats can’t get enough of it, it makes the Republicans sick and the Independent’s are indifferent on the issue to say the least. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell? Well there is a question with no concrete answer. Two years ago when I cast my first vote ever in a Presidential campaign, I voted for a man who I believed would stand-up for the rights of the disenfranchised.  Against all odds I was prepared to back him and believed that he would act diligently in the best interest of the American people. Not just Democrats and Republicans—but everyday people whose sweat and blood built the bridges we cross and maintained the roadways; everyday people who were the first in their families to graduate from college and who returned home in recent years jobless and overwhelmed by student-loan debt; everyday people, who work in the hospitals that they can’t afford to get sick in; everyday people who are loosing their homes in foreclosure and jobs to lay-off’s; everyday people who unlike big business can’t just phone in for a government bail-out. Who is going to bailout us everyday people?

Today, the President stood before a press conference and announced that for those people he would not fight. Today, the President verbally traded two years of Bush era tax-cuts and estate tax-cuts for the wealthiest American’s for only 13 months of extended unemployment benefits for those American’s who are jobless as a result of a down spiraling economy. In total, this agreement if passed by congress will add 900 Billion dollars to our grandchildren’s debt and deepen the hole which the Bush era undoubtedly dug for us. A recent CNN Opinion Research Poll shows that only one-third of American’s favor a tax cut extension for the wealthiest American’s. I find it rather puzzling that President Obama would settle for an agreement which hampers the agenda of the American people without a fight, a campaign slogan, something? This does not coincide with the principles he so eloquently outlines time and time again in his rhetoric. This further display’s the lack of stamina that his administration will have in the marathon to the 2012 Presidential election. It is not enough to talk politics anymore. The honeymoon season is over. People want, need, and expect change. Not just the kind they can believe in, but the kind the can feel and touch.

It is time for President Obama to put one foot on the shoulder of Dr. King and the other on the back of Malcolm X in order to achieve the dream for the American middle class by any means necessary. It’s time for President Obama to stand up because we have been sitting on the hands of hope and change far too long. We must not see the future of our country go up in a smoke of political warfare. We need a President who has the audacity to do more than hope, but rather to also act in our best interest.  Has President Obama lost his grass roots? —it seems he has divorced the struggle and is currently engaging in an affair with “politics as usual.” Go to the mat President Obama, the time has come to fight!

Words from the past..guiding lights for our future!

This posting inspired by a GREAT conversation... 


A compilation of my favorite quotes from Sr. Dubois

"It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity."

"One ever feels his twoness-an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder."


"But what of black women? . . . I most sincerely doubt if any other race of women could have brought its fineness up through so devilish a fire."

 

"There is in this world no such force as the force of a person determined to rise. The human soul cannot be permanently chained."

 

 "A little less complaint and whining, and a little more dogged work and manly striving, would do us more credit than a thousand civil rights bills."

 

"Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season. It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year. It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow. Today is the seed time, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime."

-W.E.B. Dubois 

DEFINE YOURSELF, FOR YOURSELF!

Hitting "The Dougie" with Hip-Hop legend Dougie Fresh in The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer!

"The human beatbox or the entertainer
No other title could fit me plainer
In a passing generation I am a remainer
And I'm also known as the beatbox trainer
Cashin' checks, make sound FX
And after I finish rockin' Slick Rick is on next" 

-Fresh

‘Dear Michelle’: A Young Sisters Open Letter to First Lady, Michelle Obama

To some people you are just a woman; to fragile to be fearless.

To me you are iconic—timeless even.

You are that rose that Aretha sang about.

You know—the one that is and always will be a rose?

Your spirit is in full bloom in life’s garden,

And dispersed throughout the seas.

All of this and more is what you mean to me.

Rooted deep in the soil that our ancestors plowed—

The product of black foremothers, who could do nothing but dream.

You are black women— in all our diversity and depth.

Maya Angelou spoke of you—

Welling and swelling and bearing in the tide of us.

You channel our inner royalty;

The Cleopatra of our dreams—

The Nefertiti of our hearts.

No need to be adorned with gold to have worth,

Nor crowned with jewels to be a Queen.

All of this and more is what you mean to me.

You are the prayer Margaret Garner prayed when they came for her children—

Sojourner’s Truth even.

You are that song Billie sang when there was no holiday for “back folk,

just the strange fruit decorating the trees.

You’ve got Madame CJ’s in the bend of your hair.

and Winnie Mandela’s in your speech.

All of this and more is what you mean to me.

In a generation where sisters seem to have lost their way,

selling their souls for cheap—

You are the light.

A constant reminder to plant a seed.

I’ve grown underneath your watch,

and been humbled at your feet.

All of this and more is what you mean to me.

You teach us what we can do with our clothes on—

And what can be accomplished when we get off our knees—

Stop bowing to a thrown of materialism.

Stop looking for someone other than ourselves to need.

You show us who we really are.

Not just who the media would have us to be.

All of this and more is what you mean to me.

You give video vixens back their virtue—

By showing us the true flavor of love is sweet.

You bring the nay-sayers’ to shame,

And make the hearts of men skip a beat.

But as they sit and wonder,

And flash their camera’s just to see—

They’ll never truly know just what it means to be:

A black woman with a burden,

On a mission to set her people free—

Giving little girls of color something to aspire to be.

They’d rather see you broken, bowed head—

Bludgeoned down to your knees.

But by his grace you stand tall just so I can see.

That’s why all of this and more is what you mean to me!

Russell Simmon's Global Grind Pick's Up "Why He Hate Me"

Why He Hate Me? By. The Media Maverick, Marissa Calhoun

Stay tuned for more of my insightful blogs on the Global Grind site and others!

There is a new day

There is a new day;
A day of joy, peace and hope...
A day of love, laughter and living...
A day where life seems everlasting,
and the thought of who we are and what we have gone through
finally serves its purpose!

For every old day there is a new day.
It's just upon the horizon...
A day of a mothers love;
sunsets and beaches and sand.
The shore meets to kiss your feet,
and the laughter of children never goes unnoticed.
A day that is waiting to stretch its arms wide and caress you,
hold you and rock you gently to sleep...

For every bad day there is a good day.
A day of smiles and giggles.........
Rhymes and riddles,
and the feeling of security in an insecure world....

For every hard day there is an easy day.
A day of relaxing and lounging;
comfy clothes and slouchy socks;
popcorn, movies and a good book;
accompanied by a pot of tea.

No matter what the day, old or new,
good or bad,
hard or easy...

Think about the memories you have from the old days;
They help you to embrace the new ones!

Reflect on the struggles you faced on the bad days;
they will only make the good days seem better.

Reminisce on those easy days;
they will give you the strength to conquer the hard ones.

And remember that every day is not only the day the lord has made,
but it is also a day you were not promised!

Keep it all in perspective

Live Love Laugh

God Bless You!

Unedited, Unscripted, and Unfiltered: Why He Hate Me? A response to the criticism o...

Unedited, Unscripted, and Unfiltered: Why He Hate Me? A response to the criticism o...: "He hate me! That's why he raped me; Bloody sheets surround my frame. Scattered tomorrows adorn my pillow case soaking away my pain. He h..."

Why He Hate Me? A response to the criticism on the treatment of the Black men in Tyler Perry's 'For Colored Girls'

He hate me!
That's why he raped me;
Bloody sheets surround my frame.
Scattered tomorrows adorn my pillow case
soaking away my pain.

He hate me!
That's why he curses my name;
calls out to me "hey bitch" you "my bitch"
and then all the others do the same.

He hate me!
That's why he slays me;
Captures my heart with the ball and chain of his love
Leaving me spellbound he's got me in a trance
and so I run in and out, and in and out of his arms
Catch me, I fall bludgeoned by circumstance.

Yes, He hate me!
That's why I hate me, cut from his cloth
but he's torn from my wound!
No sedative, legs breached and pulled back
I gave birth to my own oppression.

Now these sheets clench my wrists,
white socks choke my ankles.
I'm laying in the dark in a sea of white-
Chalk, doves, and cotton balls
and these sheets-
Oh these sheets remind me of you
remind me of me underneath you on top of me
held down and suppressed by the only one,
the only love that could have loved me best!

-Marissa Calhoun
© 2010


In her article Black Feminism, Tyler Perry Style Salamishah Tillet, of 'The Root' best articulated the significance of the original Shange piece 'For Colored Girls' when she said, "the play's boldness was not simply in its diagnoses of black women blues but in its unwavering belief that black feminism was a viable remedy for those blues." Modern psychology will teach us that one of the most significant parts of the healing process is admission; actually being able to boldly state "this happened to me" and following that statement with some sort of combination of these words: it won't happen again, enough is enough, I'm free! That, for me, is in a nutshell, the overarching message of Shange's work. She teaches us to embrace the whole conversation about black female identity. Even those parts which we might wish to omit in order to maintain some parts of our cerebral sanity. Her work is a guide that scripts our pain into poetry and symbolism making it more tangible and all the more easy for us to swallow.

After watching the "Tyler Perryesque" rendition of Shange's piece I was left to question the condition of my most immediate peer, the Black man. He, who must undoubtedly have thoughts of suicide himself living in a society which constantly hyper-masculinizes his self worth and tramples on his pride. Shange's thoughts and Tyler Perry's undeniably more melodramatic interpretation of her writings must resonate with him in some way. After all, he is my brother and he knows my pain. Its apart of our bond to each other historically,its one we have inflicted on one another in frustration time and time again. Its ours, isn't it?

I was riding home from work late Friday night listening to Jamie Fox Radio on XM Satellite Radio, The Foxxhole. "Zoe", one of the featured commentators on the channel was doing a segment on the portrayal of black males as villains in Hollywood films. I was awestruck by the number of callers who were presumably black males, who felt like the movie 'For Colored Girls' was yet another attack on black male identity. Simply put, the black male callers wanted to know why they always had to be the bad guy. Torn, I understood the plight of the callers. I too, wondered why Denzel's Oscar came for him playing a narcotics detective turned criminal in 'Training Day' and not for 'Ali' or 'Malcom X'. However, similarly I questioned why Halle Berry's Oscar award came for her portrayal of a lost and sexually exploited poor black woman whose "fat son" was killed in 'Monster's Ball' instead of for her work in 'Introducing Dorthy Danridge'.

I had all the questions, and at the same time I knew the answer. It was because they were black. Black actors in Hollywood had to work twice as hard; often paying their dues with a rash of beginner films featuring all black casts and second tier screen play. They told the stories the whole world secretly wanted to hear, but only 3/5th's of the world was willing to watch. Even after the Black man on screen became more than a juggling Sambo and the Black woman put down her mammy cap, they were being backed into the corner of a Hollywood mainstream that couldn't stand to see them smile, unless it was the sly-slick smile of evil.

But even with all of this being true, movies like 'Waiting to Exhale', 'Why Do Fools Fall In Love', 'Beloved', 'The Color Purple', and lastly 'For Colored Girls' did not subject the black man to some level of scrutiny of which he was undeserving. These stories were black stories, things not otherwise written into the discourse of traditional Hollywood cinema; things authored by blacks. Toni Morrison, whose anecdotal commentary on slavery and the burden it bore on black mothers lifted the veil of shame from our grandmothers back. These were stories almost forgotten, but true. Tales of un-sung black artists and musicians Frankie Limon's and Ray Charles's- their struggle to overcome addiction and dim the harsh light of fame.

These were stories that resonated with us; ones we needed to hear in order to know we were normal. Cinematic confessions of our individual truths. Four middle-aged woman thrust themselves into their work and clench the hands of Black sisterhood. Each of them struggling to love apart of themselves and love a man. Savannah, not willing to break the "Real Woman's Credo of Conduct" cardinal rule No. 1: Never Be With A Married Man. Bernidine, left with only an erect thumb by her husband who suddenly decided he had a "thang" for white women. Robin, attracted to men who were free-falling into a sea of hopelessness much like herself but struggling to find some meaning in this thing called life. And, Gloria shocked that the husband and father of her child and the lover she thought she still had was in fact a gay man.

These stories weren't male bashing flights of fantasy. These stories-our stories- were true. For each film I named, accompanying the utter hurt black men inflicted on black woman and vice-versa was a lesson in a mirror held up so that we could all see ourselves. Many of us turned our head; we didn't attend class or we slept our way through. We wouldn't look within the confines of us and our history and move forward. What we saw at first glance scared us. We didn't like seeing ourselves for parts of who we were; not all of who were were but certainly parts of the whole.

For any black man or black woman who watches 'For Colored Girls' and blames Perry for misrepresenting the black male on screen I say, you stand up! If I be the black woman, the black man has raped me, has left me, has hurt me, hast cursed my name, and has loved me all the same and I him. We can't advance our current condition alas we deal with the realities of the past. We have to put it all on the table. The pain alongside the victory and merge together some sort of resolve. If the black man is angry at Tyler Perry for how he portrayed black men in Hollywood, let him be equally as angry with Steven Spielberg and Kevin Macdonald. Because long before Spike Lee and John Singleton ever got the credits to pioneer from the directors chair and later passed the baton to newer black directors like Perry, the black man has been portrayed negatively. Whether a gangster, a slave or "a spook who sat by the door", we and they have shown us you. Some of which may be a negative and demeaning portrayal of black manhood and much of which may be true.

The mirror is waiting.

THE CONQUERING LION WILL BREAK EVERY ONE OF YOUR CHAINS!!

GIVE GOD THE VICTORY IN ALL THAT YOU DO; CAUSE' THIS LIFE WE ARE LIVING IS NOT ABOUT ME AND IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU- IT'S ABOUT GOD'S PLAN TO USE YOUR GIFTS. GOD DOESN'T WANT US TO FEEL GUILTY FOR OUR PAST. HE WANTS US TO GET FREE; TO GET OUT OF OUR OWN BOXES OF JUDGMENT AND DECEPTION AND GET ON TO LIVING!

IF NO ONE ELSE TOLD YOU TODAY, I LOVE YOU IN CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS AND LOVES US ALL!

JAH BLESS!

Evaluate Your Life Language

Toni Morrison once said that all paradises, all utopias are designed by who is not there, by the people who are not allowed in. In my life’s walk with Christ I have found this statement to be true. More importantly, I have found that when I have purged my life of the impure and tainted spirits of others I have been able to live more freely and receive more abundantly the blessings of life. We all have wants and needs that go beyond just physical and tangible possessions. In fact, we also have wants and needs as it relates to the presence of others in our life. Sometimes we find that this presence is in opposition to the necessities of our success. We want the abusive lover or friend—a person who will keep us from discerning our purpose and label us dysfunctional and abused. We want the popularity with little self esteem—bringing others down in an attempt to lift ourselves up; a failed attempt. We want the relatives who are afraid to tell us the truth—sugar coating our existence with high fructose corn syrup; an unhealthy choice of acquaintances to say the least.

To be truly successful it is important to be reflective about the people in our lives at all times. It is equally important to be reflective about ones own impact on his or her life—after all “you are your own best thing” or worst thing for that matter. No outside entity can complete you, fill your voids, or give meaning to your life which is empty due to your own self neglect. Know and love you before you allow others to do the same. You may develop a circle of friends in life, but you are that first link to you. In this way if all of the other links someday are broken you have you to start over with; you are the unbroken chain. Affirmations of the self are essential. Always tread nearer to confidence and further from that of arrogance—the line between the two is ever so thin. Life so far has taught me many things but beyond all I have learned I know there is much more information to gather. Knowledge is the only thing that can validate the truth and discredit those who seek to speak ills about you, your people, and your worth. Let your knowledge of yourself and the world around you be the affirmation for your future.

Some people think that the possibility of the future rests in the realities of the past. To the contrary, the possibilities of tomorrow rest solely in the individuals who assume autonomy over their own fate; those who tell sorrow and disappointment NO. Those who say yes to victory and NO to defeat; allot of what we accomplish in life is a direct result of and exodus from an ideology of despair. The mentality of such and ideology however, is always a choice. As I always say, choose to have a good day—a good life—it’s just that simple. You make that choice by speaking authoritatively in your own favor. By telling yourself yes I can do this—I will do this—I was made to do this! I once reached a point in my life where I found not much was going right. Things I wanted for myself were not happening; the people in my life were negative, dragging me down along with them. I finally decided I would cut the leash they had on my life and I would do so by creating a voice for myself.

The creation of this voice required that I consider my ways and my language. After careful consideration,I changed my life language in order to chart a more clearer path for where I was destined to go. Not only did this inspire others around me but it also was a way to leave a trail for myself just in case I ever get lost and need to find my way back to me. Now the metaphorical life language I use radiates through my spirit and speaks life into my hopes and aspirations. Even greater than becoming great, is the belief that you can-- the audacity to foresee a better you.

Speaking Truth to Fear and Hatred: Examining the Islamic Mosque Controversy in Relation to 9/11…

You know, it is truly disappointing that even amid the historical strides we’ve made as a country toward equality we still lack the most basic and fundamental necessities of livelihood. That is, we lack common sense—moreover, common courtesy. We have a problem with seeing an African American President. Alas, we criticize and scrutinize his every move and motive in such a way that we’ve done no other President in United States history. Every chance our media gets we refer to him as Mr. Obama rather than in the traditional and respectful way of including his title before him. We display the vilest hatred for gays, transgendered persons, and lesbians, failing to embrace the humanity which we all undoubtedly share. We crucify the Muslims; we persecute the Buddhist—considering their religions lowly and inferior to the so-called Christian values our country was founded on…

It is truly beyond me—how can a country which hails from a history of enslavement and mass suicide at the hands of its governing structure even begin to wave its bible over the heads of others. If as this country suggests in its founding and governing doctrine all men are created equal. If, without reason we should all live the freedom bestowed upon us by virtue of our American citizenship then how can we not be moved, rather charged to act. Protesters of the Islamic Mosque near the site of where the 9/11 tragedy took place should realize one thing, Islam is a religion, not a terror ideology. Islamic people as do Christians, Catholics, Buddhists, and all other persons with and without a religiously based faith commit acts of violence and crime.

As a Christian woman and a journalist, my job is to both glorify the God I serve and to tell an unbiased story. As a human being who believes in civility and freedom of thought, I must go a step further and declare that in order to dispel hatred we must insert love and understanding. The citizens of this country too often function with dictatorship values—subjecting others to their beliefs and personal convictions. The people of this country should remember the words of the Christian to whom we have dedicated our country. At a dinner of his peers, Christ called unto them to break bread together and not to be separated by their differences—with conviction; Christ said “do this in remembrance of me.” Have our ears gone death to His voice?

As people stand in protest claiming to want to protect American values they should remember that the Christian principles so iconic to this nation do not reflect hatred. Rather, to be very clear, they suggest that everything we do should be in remembrance of sacrifice. I’ve always considered 9/11 a rather ironic event; one that should cause Americans regardless of race, social class, sexual preference, or religion to come together. The massacre of thousands of people on American soil should remind us just how precious life is and how deserving we all are of freedom and justice. As such, in remembrance of the hate it took to enact 9/11 and in remembrance of every life lost we should insert love and acceptance into the Islamic Mosque debate. Americans should open their hearts to an informed and unbiased dialogue, keeping in mind that we have had many 9/11's throughout the world. Americans should understand that by approaching this situation without caution, we could potentially prompt many more...

Have Some Coffee With Your Tea?

Racial debates heat up yet again as our Country watches and weighs in on the Sherrod case. Latest reports say that Sherrod plans to sue blogger Andrew Breitbart for falsely representing her personal opinions towards a white man who she says treated her as if she was unqualified to serve him in the capacity of her position over 24 years ago. This comes just days after Sherrod publically opened up about the murder of her father, gunned down by a white man on his own property who was never acquitted of the crime. What does all of this say about the so-called state of a “post-racial” America?

Among many other things, it says that “post-racial” America is non-existent. It is time for Americans to have a more serious and more focused conversation about RACE. One that is not diluted with convenience and overshadowed by politics; one that is for lack of better word—REAL! Moreover, it is time for all parties involved in this conversation to understand the complex difference between historicized racial hatred which yields the oppression of specific minority groups and reactionary biases or preferences that have as a result developed out of fear. Simply put, too much pressure applied to anything usually results in an eruption-- this is how I would describe Sherrod’s sentiments and those of Black’s all across this nation who has either silently or publically expressed their internal torment with the color of their skin.

I am going to ask and age old question that, well to be honest—No one has ever answered. What if American slavery never existed? To answer this question I must begin by stating the painfully obvious: there would be no America. Unfortunately, but ironically fortunate enough for us this country benefited tremendously from the institution of slavery. From the production of good ole’ “king cotton” and the buying and selling of human cargo in order to sustain the lifestyle’s of the Southern elite-- American slavery, despite its faultiness, was the foundation for the success of this capital intensive nation. The effects of the racial tension which developed in the presence of the exploitation of a specific group of people and then continued in the form of Jim Crow laws and other unwritten rules discriminatory against minorities in this country have manifested themselves into institutionalized racism.

As such, most African-Americans being those disproportionately negatively impacted by the institution—have what one might consider a bitter-sweet sense of camaraderie for the States. They may raise their hands across their hearts and solemnly swear to hold an affinity to America, but deep down inside any seemingly conscious person of color has a sense of resentment; one that can only truly be eradicated from the spirit should they use their experiences as a catalyst for change. In my opinion, this describes Sherrod’s experiences with race in America. She recognized that the historicized racial hatred of her ancestors coupled with the senseless death of her father had built a barrier around her human heart—that barrier was Black.

While holding and affinity to one’s race is undoubtedly a powerful source of motivation, it can also prevent them from being able to appreciate other commonalities that they may share with other individuals and that may be necessary to recognize in times of turmoil. Yes, being able to join forces to make change alongside those who share you beliefs, preferences, and identities sometimes involves breaking the racial barrier. When Black and white wives are beat and abused—should they march separately? When Asian democrats and Black democrats vote—should they had to separate polls? When gays are beaten and then left for dead—should they only attend the vigils of the victims whose skin color matches theirs? And when white Muslims and Black Muslims are treated like terrorists in their won home—should they stand apart?

I have always believed that the time for change, the time for healing—is always right now! Learning to choose our words wisely is something that we can all learn to do better. As such, racial hatred is a learned behavior-- one that is often embedded into our pysche at a very young age. When children sit around dinner tables where parents discuss their disgust or resentment of other people based on biases that their parents most likely had this cycle continues. In order for America to truly overcome its racial burden the responsibility must fall on the shoulders of everyone. People must be able to express their torment and move past it--sometimes publically. This sort of healing can have a ripple effect. Organizations of separatism must not necessarily dissolve but must indefinitely recognize the importance of a unifying umbrella. Thus we can still have the Tea Party, but just not without the coffee!

"Still On The Back Of The Bus"

I guess you truly don't have to be out of sight to be out of mind; at least that's what the latest Emmy nominations reflect. Only four minorities were nominated for this years Emmy Awards. According to Variety, since 1986, non-white actors have received only 53 nominations out of nearly 1000 in the top four acting categories for drama and comedy. Only eight have ever won!

What do we think about this folks?

With a 6 Season phenomenal series like The Wire airing on a major network (HBO) and not a single nomination, I have to say that it doesn't sit too well with me. As much as minorities may want to stray in the realm of "post-racial" we must face the reality that if we are, it is only in our dreams. If we are what we consume,and the Emmy's is supposed to reflect the best of that consumption-I guess we would all just be 25-49 year old white guys with a hankering for adventure. Or, we are young with "Glee" replicating scenes from high school musical as we go through our day to day routine. Moreover, there are a few people we wouldn't be:

We would never be the only African-American lead for a series currently on air (Hawthorne). Or, the hilariously funny voice of Hispanic Americans (George Lopez). We would never be the reality of Baltimore streets ripe with crime and ready for salvation (The Wire). We would never be the underdog, a trailblazer in his own right; hilarious and "very funny" packing two series on a major network and still without a paddle they sink into the sea of images left out of the discourse and labeled as less than worthy of recognition( Tyler Perry: House of Payne and Meet The Browns).

When I look at cable TV, I don't see me; and if I do my depiction is far less than flattering. How can I be expected to continue to watch something that is without the mere resemblance of who I am and where I am coming from? One things for sure, if the Cable business wants to stay afloat it'd better start making more programming that looks like the ever changing diverse landscape of American viewership. Simply put, if we want America to watch we have got to show America to itself! The networks neglect to reflect the range and depth of the Black Diaspora. Our talent gleams from behind the scenes to in-front of the camera and yet, according to the so-called "credible TV obsessives" that shinning light has begun to dull.





http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2010/07/08/2010-07-08_emmy_nominations_2010_tony_shalhoub_leads_only_four_minorities_nominated_in_majo.html