Greetings from Spain

I made it. I spent yesterday in Frankfurt. (not on purpose but I sat at the wrong gate for too long). Fortunately they let me fly out later that evening for free). I didn't expect to hang out in Germany. I watched a movie in German and kinda understood. I recognized 'n actor from a movie I saw before. Mercedes are everywhere. Every taxi is a Mercedes. It's sunny and cold. Their downtown is like Market street in down town San Francisco and Fisherman's Wharf without the water and the pier. Shopping shopping shopping. These are some fashionable people. If I didn't hear them speak German they just look like folks from the City (SF). The only people that came up to speak to me were... Jehovah's witnesses...and Black she said "yes, we're everywhere." They spoke English too. I ate bad Chinese, yuck. I figured it would be safe, but no. Train station is huge and confusing and all in German. Da, die, danke, whatever.

I finally made it to Madrid at midnight. It seems like I've been up for days. Ah espanol. Yo entiendo. The Metro is easy and clean. It's like 4 stories below ground. I transferred about 3 times to get to my hostal. When I finally made it up to the street corner it was raining. Looking for my hostal I rang the wrong door bell and some lady yelled at me. I thought I was going to have to find another place to stay at 1am. But fortunately I misread the address. My hostal was perfect.. for me. It's like a tiny dorm room. A bed, a bathroom a TV hanging in the corner and a cute little couple running the whole thing. Very friendly. Mostly quiet until about 2-3 in the morning. Someone came stumbling up the steps. But then quiet again until morning.

I wandered around all morning down tiny little streets, shops, cafes. It was gray and wet.. I made it to the Prado Museum. School kids, tourists and classic artists all crowded together in some beautiful rooms. I took some pictures in the Botanical Garden. I've been trying to find an internet place (that's open). I walked by this one earlier but was closed. About to walk so more. I'm off to another museum and the Royal Palace. Tonight... Flamenco.

Ahh.. a moment to sit still and rest. It's Sunday afternoon (late afternoon) and I just finished strolling the streets of Sevilla. It got upto about 28 C -- very warm. Everybody is out enjoying the sun. Men with strollers, toddlers tripping along the stones, and women clasped together like they're watching a horror movie all behind the backdrop of orange, yellow and red buildings. Generations of families move in swarms, slowly. I had to take a deep breath and slow my pace literally trying to keep my balance with each step. Maybe that's why everyone is leaning against someone; walking at this pace is tough by yourself. Every bench is occupied in the parks and along the river. Mostly older couples are sitting statue like but there are several younger couples intertwined in all types of positions.

The restaurants (the ones that are open) are filled to capacity, especially the ones along the river. There seems to be a church about every mile or so, each with towers and bright colors. I toured the Plaza de Toro (Bullfighting ring) --no bulls though. Because of security they only bringthem on "game" day. The culture, history of the bullis very interesting. The other thing really popular besides soccer is motorcycle racing. I've never seen so many motorcycles, vespas, scooters. They speed around town in them and do up to 160 KM/H on the autovia. Oh by the way, I rented a car. I made some changes on the way since Granada was so over crowded. It was my Friday night frustration. I drove aroundfor over an hour for parking. It was much busier than Madrid (maybe because it was Friday night). S o Idecided to drive to Sevilla on Saturday after I went to see the Alhambra (in Granada). It was nothinglike you've ever seen on MTV Cribs. This Moorish castle was like nothing I've ever seen. But back tothe autovia.. If you enjoy driving you'd love the autovia. Everybody seems to love it (or it was a special occasion). Kids were along the freeway overpasses just watching and waving. Every now and then you'd see a flag. It was like driving along a race track, with people cheering you on. (Later I saw that there was a motorcycle race on television in one of the towns I passed on my way to Cadiz.)

I don't know how the motorcyclist do it. They were flying pass me and I was doing my best to keep up I have "Un pie promo" (A lead Foot); I only figured that outbecause the gas station was only diesel and sinpromo.. hmm.. I know 'sin' means 'without' so must beunleaded. So anyway. I spent a couple of hours in Cadiz. I had to see the beach. Supposedly this is where Columbus set off before he "discovered" the new world. The coast was full of restaurant/bars/cafes with people intables wherever they could squeeze in some space. Motorcylces and their riders filled all the otherspaces. There's a whole lot of red leather going on. Since I left Granada early I figured I'd stay in oneof the coastal towns. It was nice to wander throughthe narrow streets to see churches, ice cream shopsand markets boxed in these shadowing neighborhoods. Most of the streets is about big enough for one car todrive through. And not an American car or a SUV. I know where the Yugo market is. There's nothing butcars the size of minis. Oh and I must thank Reggie for teaching me how to drive and park. I thought itwas hard to park in San Francisco. Phew! I parked assoon as I could and walked around. If I were into shopping, this would be the place. There was all types of shopping and selling going on. Before I knew it someone asked me about drugs. But no, I wasn't buying or selling. I wandered around getting lost in the tiny little streets and large plazas of kids playing soccer and old lady's gripping onto canes before I decided that as nice as it was, I wanted to go back to Sevilla. I found this really nice hotel overlooking the city. It has free internet so I'm taking advantage. When I was walking around yesterday and today everything was closed. And when I first got here someone else was on it and I was dead tired from driving or should I say racing. You have to stay very alert driving aroundhere. Kids in motorbikes buzz around the streets and it's hard enough trying to make sense of the trafficsignals. I mostly got it, but I got turned around(literally) a few times. There are so many circularintersections you could just drive in circles. Thereare no street signs. Just an occasional sign on theside of a building. I found myself just memorizingmonuments and buildings. The time just changed last night so it's really after 8pm but the sun is still beaming softly like it's 5 in the evening. I'm starving. Tomorrow is my big daytrip to Morocco. So far I've touch'd Frankfurt, Germany; Madrid, Granada, Cadiz & Sevilla, Spain. I'm truly on thego. Every now and then you have to choose quantity orquality. I'll definitely have quality memories. I'll be in touch.
An early ferr. Mediterraneran trip. Algeciras to Tanger for a day walk to the motherland. R ock of Gibraltar is amazing. a natural fortress surrounded by ocean and sea. Private clubs on the port to serve snacks for those most deserving. Houses on hills get a glimpse of glory every morning. I'll have this picture. Rocks emit life and growth in its stillness. Powerful stillness. Peace. Metal island painted and marked by corporation flat from North to West to south to East. Packaged goods stacked for train tracks and diesel trucks making a buck along the autovia.
It's 2130 and we're moving and I had a train to catch in 2145 Algeciras, Spain and this is a 21/2 hour ferry from Tanger.
This ferry is the size of a Trump hotel, but the quality of a Greyhound station. Screaming childred, tired tourist adjust and squirm to find comfort. We're all restless. Others used to this commute are more comfortable with the timeless guarantee. Just happy to be moving. I can't complain too much. It's not everyday you see North Africa. Walk with camels, view palaces, drink water from natural caves. This inconceivable adventure was worth the inconvenience. All the waiting, being told different departure times, the cancellations altogether, smiled by an underage guard in broken English, "No more Fast Ferry. Go check agent." Thanks for the heads up I thought, hours later. Hmm, it was all worth it. I'm not even sure how I'm getting back. I had a rental car due at 7pm and a train leaving around 10pm. It's already 9:45, 2145. I'm just havppy we're moving.

Movement all day has kept me intrigued. I've followed a guide up and down narrow streets filled with rugs, spices, nuts, fabrics, dogs of all types, school children rushing and laughing, a few people standing while other men and women pull barrels, carry fish, or pull yards of silk. They stretch, twist and braid the silk attaching it to hooks along the corridor looking like they're about to hang laundry. I avoided the best I could bumping or knocking into anyone because I was moving at such a fast pace. I don't want to offend or disrespect. Don't even know how to say excuse me in Arabic. I'm sure there's some gesture. Arms and hands work together moving rhythmically from another hand to your heart to express thank you. Finger reach out to tickle someone's ear in a hey what's up or maybe goodbye. they hold wrist, clasp elbows, wrap necks and shoulders. They wave and even salute. soldiers, guards, and police hold guns, pace in front of decorative iron or maybe that's brass or perhaps gold gates, lining driveways to government figures homes. Up in the hills flowers planted to enhave the already fancy gates. White pait spread and layered for bright contrast and newness.
Keith

Up Against the Wall

It was horrific reading and yet I am almost numb to the violence that I continue to read about in that region and throughout the world. There seems to be some unresolved anger and hatred for the human condition. I believe in cause and effect no matter how indirect the cause. This is no excuse or justification but I can't help but think that violence isn't committed in isolation. It's ignited from external forces and flares out of control when other emotions and other aspects of life are out of balance. It seems to infect us, possess us and spread to others. It's obviously contagious and powerful. And the group dynamic is extremely overwhelming.

Up Against the Wall

He leaned up against the wall. She thought he was posing for an iron fist fantasy fight. Arms folded, stuffed, carved like turkey on Thanksgiving night. Sour faced, chewing a double lemon zinger mint numbed his taste. His eyes still saw a skirt colored bright like apple tomato paste. Flipping a tenth of a cent with a grimacing smile, jeans tight and restricting on the hips as an overprotective dad keeping a loose daughter from the wildness of the world (lips)
cheap jewelry swung from tiny earlobes like rotten plums on a neighbor’s tree
Colorful but not matching anything
Eyes heavy and regretful
Everyone moves in caution
Smiling wit closed lips and safe nods, gesturing non-threatening hand signals
bowing as if to a deity
Never making eye contact but somehow showing acceptance,
and a tolerance for difference, the other, the minority

Up against the wall
Hung black and white photography of Asian children in fields
Round faces with hunger
Dark grey blades of grass and lighter skies
Give an artsy effect of war poverty and disease (transcend euphemism)
In this dim lit room with concrete floors
Odd shaped wooden carvings and old piano furniture were/is scattered in corners
Old books donated from closed school filled the shelves like over crowded classrooms
Monogrammed mugs unified caffeine and non caffeine drinkers
School travel abroad brochures, organized protests, and flyers of upcoming open mic littered the windows
Ordinary people stood on make believe stages leading a creative revolution
Only missed by those plugged into laptop computers
And then ban
Commotion on one side stole energy from the stage a disturbing image of an insecure man angry at the power of his companion
This lack of control over her movement her decisions she makes
He yearns to change her fate, her will
Up against the wall
Shouted by tough girls in blue, given the work avoided by self respecting men of law enforcement
Strongly ply,nudge/squeeze their knees between the legs of harmless man
Work boots planted
twirling a baton, rather than leading a band, but instead to incapacitate this overweight man who smell of man made lakes or hot sewage
One las shove and his shoulder lost definition/shape reverting to a yielding/vulnerable surrendering
The performer on stage also lost the groove as the police woman began to dangle shiny cuffs first capturing his wrists placing them together in a downward prayer.
The woman in badges the glanced the café nodding and waving as isf at faithful fans
A performance finishing a touring a concert
Of oldies but goodies
Crowd favorites
Like get rid of that homeless smelly dude and shut up that
Up against the wall Black Man
The disturbance was inevitable, a dark rainy night
The streets full of dislodged beggars. Like a flock of beautiful birds bred in an unaccommodating city
Scarce sanity An open coffee shop invited anyone all safe comfortable like a garage of the coolest people on the block refrigerator always stocked games and junk to please welcoming fewer rules

Free write while listening to Brand New Heavies in 1995

(Keep it Coming, Brand New Heavies)

Flowing
Writing down the words that connect the mysteries of the mind
Cause sometimes vocabulary doesn't sense up enough sense for me
I listen to understand but soon forget why I pay attention
There's another rhyme to mention
A major plot of my intervention
to connect the dots of my inner visions
Just to loosen the tension
or to avoid getting hypertension
See the written word is a release
When spoken it's amplified and sends peace.
It comes from up, top, down low
Even when I stop...
My mind continues to throw out the words
Like candies on a conveyor belt Lucy can't stop,
Just let it drop
Cause the words, they just keep coming

(Main Source, Brand New Heavies)

The words, like the Funk, come from within
Because that's what makes me move
Going to the swing of my mood
Up for any low down groove
A bird still flying on broken wings
Unlike a puppet on strings
The master lifts him, lowers him and moves him about.
My motion is mastered from within
And lead followers out
Like those people Moses told
Thou shall not forget any of those
But my soul gives me the control
And makes me whole
Not like all the people I know
Struggling to break hold
Of the flesh
Still contagious like a cold
So my flesh covers my internal string
Lifting me up like Pinocchio
But without a growing nose enlargement
Or a father who carved it
Just a little boy made of wood
In a world without a childhood
And there's no need to lie
Cause the truth is in my mind tonight
And with all the funk of words
I'm going tell it right

Sounds of Urban Life Soldiers

TRUE VIBE RECORDS SET TO RELEASE FOLLOW UP TO LANDMARK RECORDING ON FEBRUARY 12, 2008

Sounds of Urban Life Soldiers

S.O.U.L.S.

JAZZ FUNK

HIPHOPOETRY Phaze 2

On February 12, 2008 True Vibe Records will release Jazz Funk Hip HoPoetry Phaze 2, the follow-up to the highly-acclaimed CD Paradise Presents Jazz Funk Hip HoPoetry.

The “Phaze 2” release will also be the debut for Oakland, California-based spoken word/hip hop group Sound Of Urban Life Soldiers or S.O.U.L.S., the group’s acronym and what their bulging fan base refers to them as. The group members and songwriters consist of poets Raquel Ramsey, Keith Thompson, President L. Davis and rap/hip hop artist Keldamuzik along with songstress Shavone, and they have a unique blend that’s “upbeat funk with jazz, hip hop, R&B, and Caribbean influences”

According to label owner and producer Bill Jackson regarding Phaze 2, he says “just as the genesis of the original CD was my pilgrimage to Senegal’s Goree Island in Africa, this music is born from the “compelling social concerns that continue in America.”

The lead single “Squash It!” featuring Keldamuzik with guest hip hop artist D. La Brie and guest vocalist Rufus Wonder certainly supports that theme as it addresses the grave problem of violence in America’s urban cities, and from early indications this seems to be the song that makes S.O.U.L.S. a major player in education music and the song a part of the solutions!

While there are lighter more playful moments on the CD as with All The Above that again features Keldamuzik at the mic running down a love and relationship theme, there is the Caribbean-flavored (reggae) I Can with vocalist Shavone delivering a very tender love song with an almost dancehall track. The jazz lover isn’t forgotten here with the contemporary track The Man Upstairs with its hip hop /trip hop feeling and a scorching tenor sax solo from guest artist Ben Ball.

All three poets are full of fire and earth moving emotion here addressing issues from fatherhood to the piece about men’s rites of passage from President Davis and the role of men addressed by Keith Thompson, while Raquel Ramsey delivers supremely and passionately with a piece titled Connections.

Jazz Funk Hip HoPoetry Phaze 2 is a well-balanced, well-crafted, and cleverly-written collection of urban life experiences and feelings delivered with the often pulsating bass line that locks everything in place and drives it home. This will no doubt be a radio, retail and down loading favorite!!

Jamiroquai - Love Foolosophy

On Barack

(An Open Letter and Invitation to Thoughtful Brothers AndSisters In America) written by B.L. Jackson

As I and my husband sat watching The State of Black America 2007, presented by Tavis Smiley, we were awe struck, motivated, inspired, filled with pride and edified by the broad ranging views of theimpressive collection of black intelligencia represented on the stage. Following each of the richly-crafted commentary from rapper Chuck D to astronaut and engineer Mae Jemison to Professor Cornel West to poet Sonya Sanchez to one of my innovative classmates Omar Wasow (just toname a few), I ooohhed and ahhhed out loud as each broke it down, laid it out and spoke truth to power. But then it happened . . . my enthusiasm came to a screeching halt! Here we go again . . . that same gratuitous question mainstream media outlets across America seem to be commissioning ambitious black folk to answer and justify: Is our brother, Barack Obama, down enough with the cause to deserve our support? I just knew this panel of amazing minds and deep souls wouldonce and for all stop the madness and give a resounding, "we're not falling for another Rove-ian mindtrick to sidetrack us from the substantive issues at hand to debate your historical lies and give credibility to your ignorance." I just knew this conscientious crewwould cite to Obama's academic excellence and obvious intelligence, his outstanding achievements, his proven commitment to our community through his life's work, his impressive legislative record, his coalition-building skills and political experience. But instead, Malcolm's proverbial crabs started grabbing, pulling, pinching and reaching for dear brother Barack's neck. I was mortified.

Seeming to come to his aid, one of my longtime heroes, Professor Olgetree, pointed out that Barack, Michelle Obama and others of his students had not only been impressive students at Harvard, but had dedicated their lives and careers to public service. But, (damn it), he added, he can't take our vote for granted. Then, Brother Cornel (whose audio version of Race Matters I listened to so many times I almost committed chapters to memory) chimed in, not to save Brother Barack, but to highlight his absence from the State of Black America panel to be(how dare he) at some other event to boost his Presidential candidacywhen he knew about Tavis' event more than a year ago. While Professor West did mention that his questions about the depths of one's love for the people were relevant for all candidates everywhere, they, unfortunately, were explicitly asked only of Obama. Finally, ourfearless leader and host, Tavis, who, by his own admission , knew Barack before he was "Barack Obama" sealed the tomb. He assured the audiencethat, the night before, he got a call from an apologetic Barack who was unable to attend, but "really wanted to be here." As if completely cued in by the tone in Brother Tavis' statement, the audience gave a loud and unambiguously sarcastic "Aaawwww." Adding salt to the wound, dearfriend Tavis responded, "well, that's what he told me" in that familiar I-know-he-sounds-like-he's-full-of-it-but-I'm-going-to-pretend-to-be-his-brother-anyway delivery.

Now, I don't point out the dynamics of this dialogue to take away from the amazing legacies of Brothers Ogletree, West or Smiley. They've all made important and lasting contributions to our community and will likely continue to do so, but I do question why they, and we as a community, tend to be so uncharitable toward our own, but inexplicably benevolent to others. For example, how does a white man who signed the deeply disparate crack-cocaine bill into law, introduced a devastating crime bill that further entrenched the prison industrial complex at the expense of black communities and black political power everywhere, oversaw the murder of more people on death row during his presidency than any president in the history of our country, completely dissed and dismissed our sister Lani Guinier, who would have been an amazing Attorney General for our country and for our community, purely for the sake of political expediency, get to be donned the "First Black President"? Is our loyalty so easily spawned because one acts like a"pimp," plays the saxophone and visits a few pulpits? I am absolutely amazed at the absence of critical black analysis about Clinton's performance in office while Brother Barack has to be hyper-analyzed, criticized and have his thumbnails extricated for DNA samples before we'll believe he's one of "us." There is no other candidate in this or any other Presidential race (save Shirley Chisholm who, in her day, was hung out to dry by the Black Caucus) who has had to work so hard despite an extraordinary track record to show us that he or she is about the business of making the country better for black people and thereby making the country better for all people.

Al Sharpton, you are absolutely right that everyone who looks like "us" is not one of "us" - at least to the extent that you mean not all black people work for what's in the collective best interest of black people(that is, if such a collective interest still exists - which is anotherdiscussion altogether) - but when did you become the blackometer? And,why raise a question of loyalty when you have no substantive evidence of disloyalty? Just to hear yourself talk? Because he's getting morepress than you? I'm not suggesting for a minute that Obama and every political candidate not be held accountable for their voting records, their political past, or even their personal judgment, but to question Obama's blackness simply because he is black is the ultimate irony and a dumb distraction, for which Republicans and racists everywhere are cheering us on. And, to question Obama's loyalty simply because hedidn't make an appearance at this week's forum hosted by the black gatekeeper flavor of the month is sheer idiocy.

I think a more relevant question is what do the black commentators who make the television and radio appearances to raise and answer the question of Barack's blackness have to gain? It certainly provides them with more face time before the American public and cushions their backsides with a blacker-than-thou throne (even if only in their own minds). I think a more relevant question to our so-called black leaders and academicians is what (other than a supersized ego or potential profits) gets in the way of their unequivocal support of the only person in the race who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to implementing policies that best serve black people? To be sure, theremay be valid critiques of Obama, but his absence from a forum, hisfailure to be stereotypically "black" or the fact that he is black are not valid or even useful critiques. So, forgive me for being just a bitskeptical of those black politicians (who reside in key states - e.g., Brother Al and South Carolina State Senator Robert Ford) whose primarycritiques are that Barack just may not be black enough or, even better,that America's just not ready for a black President, so they can gain the political spoils and spotlight press of selling out a brother early and often.

If I had the technological saavy, I would jump off this page with all the passion, hope, rage and volume of Spike Lee's Dap and tell you, brothers and sisters everywhere, please please please WAKE UP!!!!!!!! The best thing Barack can do for us is to win, not show up at yet another black forum simply to prove he's one of us by placating the egos who believe Barack should clear his calendar for their "ultimate black" event! There are plenty of other candidates (and so-called leaders) who warrant our scrutiny and skepticism - not to mention a host of misogynistic lyricists, child molesting musicians, and other unaccountable black-community-made millionaires. Barack, however, has proven with his excelle nce, his achievements, his commitments, and hislife's work that he warrants our support.

Rather than using his credentials and connections to build his personal wealth, Obama chose to pursue careers like providing job training for residents of poor neighborhoods, directing voter registration drives and fighting for civil rights. Unlike other candidates in the race, Obama has been consistent in speaking against sending our black babies tomurder, and to be murdered by, brown people in the Mesopotamia for thesake of multinational corporate interests. He has successfully forged coalitions with people across racial and political lines to introduce ahost of legislation that would, among other things, get guns off our streets, reduce greenhouse emissions, and limit the influence of special interest lobbyist on Capital Hill.

As for whether Barack's black enough, let us not forget that race exists in America not in our biology, genetic code or even our phenotype, but rather by the institutionalization of the economic and social constructof chattel slavery and its vicious offshoots. Under that regime, "a dab'll do ya." Whiteness equates to economic and social privilege and that privilege fades as it traverses the racial spectrum. Anyone who has any black ancestry living in this country, whether for a day or for generations, will experience the vestiges of slavery and the consequences of white privilege, making the question of whether one is descended from enslaved Africans or colonized and oppressed Africansirrelevant. It is not simply the experience of that oppression,however, that demonstrates loyalty to our community and that deserves our community's loyalty, but rather recognition of the injustice of it and actions taken to dismantle it. Clearly, Obama has met this test!

Let the record of each candidate speak for itself. But, for the sake of our ancestors and, more importantly, our descendants, do not inadvertently become a pawn of white privilege by demanding that Obama's record be scrutinized more closely and meet a higher standard than hisw hite counterparts simply because some narcissistic crab in a barrel didn't find himself at the top.

Sincerely,
B.L. Jackson
A Sister Who Unequivocably And Without Apology to Hillary, Bill or AlSupports Barack Obama for President And Invites Other Thoughtful Brothers and Sisters To Do the Same

Microscopic Art

Willard Wigen - Microscopic Art

Willard is a resident of Birmingham, England. The show is in Manchester.He has a learning disability (Dyslexia), but has talented hands.

He makes the sculptures out of dust particles, sugar crystals, etc.Works only around midnight, and can only do some of the work between heartbeats. Visitors view exhibits through a microscope.

The Statue of Liberty in the eye of a needle

Girl with balloon is standing on an eyelash glued to the top of a needle.

The Thinker on the head of a pin

Peter Pan & Tinkerbell etc. on a small fishhook

The royal court in the eye of a needle

Others include:

Elvis on a pin head
Boxing ring next to a match head
Snow White & The 7 Dwarfs in the eye of a needle

RELEASE... violent tendencies

What a horrific experience it is to read current events. I am almost completely numb to the violence occurring throughout the world.

Is it just me, or do others struggle with convincing looks of concern? When people ask my opinion about that explosion, or this invasion, or the unbelievable serial child killer rapist foster mother. My face searches for more genuine expressions of empathy. But I don't think the human face should need to consider such extreme challenges. Who needs to go to horror movies anymore? Just watch CNN & Fox News.

I blame all this super violent behavior on unresolved anger and self-hatred for the human condition. I can't help but think that violence isn't committed in isolation. Perpetrators have experienced traumatic experiences and are acting out against others. Cause and effect. Obviously this is not good. And although cause and effect may explain some violent behaviors, it is absolutely no excuse or justification for it. It's just a way for me to understand it better.

Violent outbreaks are also ignited from external forces and flares out of control when other emotions and other aspects of life are out of balance. And we are clearly out of balance in several areas. Money. Power. Respect.

Violence possesses and infects us. It's contagious and powerful, spreading at exponential rates. From jokes to hateful policies to tragic demonstrations, violence is in us. Often situations are misread or misunderstood, but that doesn't really matter. Have you ever seen people fight because of completely false pretenses. No proof, no truth; just a gut instinct and a nasty desire to land a knuckle punch. In the end, someone just knew that a physical altercation would make them feel better; to prove a point; to release some energy. Or maybe they were influenced by instigation. Manipulated by the silent power of others. Phew! Sanity is often lost through the group dynamic process anyway. Mob mentality can fuel destruction. Anyway just thinking.

Think for yourself and release your violent tendencies in other ways. Hopefully that will spread .

RELEASE!

Black Men's Issues

Challenges Center of Discussions at Annual Conferences
Date: Tuesday, June 20, 2006By: Michael H. Cottman

For the past few weeks, through high-profile newspaper articles and during major black conventions, the subject of black men has been at the forefront of discussion. On June 2, The Washington Post introduced a new year-long series, entitled "Being A Black Man," that will documents the challenges black men experience in American society. Last week, 100 Black Men of America held its 20th Annual Conference, where the symposium topics included the social and economic conditions facing black men.

This week, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition held its 35th annual conference in Chicago where New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin spoke to black men. And next month, at the 27th annual convention of the National Black United Front in Baltimore, black men will also be a major focal point.
Coincidence? Not likely.

Dr. Conrad Worrill, Director of Inner City Studies for the Jacob Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies at Northeastern Illinois University and a co-founder of National Black United Front, said researchers have been trying to figure out what makes black men tick since the 1930s, and that 2006 is no different. "We have two elements at work," Worrill told BlackAmericaWeb.com Monday. "You have researchers and public policy analysts trying to figure out the phenomenon of what's wrong with the beast, classifying black men as a dangerous species; and you have our independent challenge to black men to be more responsible. And for those who are trapped by drugs and incarceration, we encourage them turn their lives around. We're working independently to address problems among black men," Worrill said. "The researchers are trying to find a solution to the Negro problem."

Black civil rights activists and educators like Michael Eric Dyson have told BlackAmericaWeb.com that, although black men experience racism and discrimination in American society, brothers should move beyond the conferences and workshops and work diligently to improve the quality of their lives, their communities and their families. Worrill said he has been working in the movement since the late 1960s to help improve social conditions for black men. "We use the Malcolm X model for black men," Worrill said. "Malcolm went to jail, got out and changed his life. He's the model for black men to use their talents and their gifts to turn their lives around. That's what our independent movement is all about."

At the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition's Men's Luncheon on Monday, New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said the city has received $10 billion in federal aid and called for black men to "step up" and help rebuild New Orleans. "Brothers, there's an opportunity unlike no other that has ever faced us. (New Orleans) does not have the expertise," Nagin said. "This will be an economic boom like you’ve never seen. Let's partner together because if we don’t, the big companies will take it ... We must not be too shy to buy from black businesses, but we also can no longer be mom and pop shops."

For its series "Being A Black Man," the Post published a poll last week and asked the question "What does it mean to be a black man?" and the results of a survey of 2,864 people, including a sample of 1,328 black men. Some black men said that being a black man in America is often a roll of the dice and always a challenge. "As a black man, you often think things can go either way," Todd Boyd, a professor at the University of Southern California, told the Post. "You could be that guy in the penitentiary, or you could be that guy on everybody’s television screen." The article about the survey, which dominated the printed Post's front page on Sunday, was the most e-mailed article for most of today, according to Richard Prince, who writes a diversity column, Journal-isms, for the Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education.

"The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, often emotional," Kevin Merida, the associate editor who is coordinating the series, told Prince’s Journal-isms column. "It has come from all over the country. People wanting to tell their own stories. People wanting to offer themselves and their expertise as resources. People wanting to suggest new avenues of exploration. People expressing surprise, then gratification that black men would be featured so prominently and portrayed with complexity in the Washington Post, etc. "Of course, there are a few who have wondered aloud: Why do black men deserve such treatment? And, what about a series on 'Being a White Man'? But such comments have been relatively few."

"As with a story about poorly educated black men in March in the New York Times, and with 1995's Million Man March, the series appeared to tap into a deep hunger to discuss the subject of black men," Prince wrote. Inside the Post, sources told BlackAmericaWeb.com that some white reporters and editors were careful not to discuss the series in detail publicly while some white journalists privately questioned why the newspaper published a series specifically about black men. A recent news item in a blog published on MediaBistro.com called "Ambivalence About 'Black Man's Project?'" suggested Washington Post columnist Courtland Milloy has some concerns about the newspaper’s internal response to the series.

"Courtland Milloy isn't happy about the Post's internal reaction to their Black Man series," the online article said. "From their [The Post’s] internal critique board: "The absence of any postings about the black man series (beyond superficial accolades) tells me more about race than the series itself ever could," Milloy said. "This newspaper launches a project to examine the so-called "attitudes and perspectives of black men," and our response is, essentially: no comment. Why?," he asked. "The Washington Post could have published these same stories with the same prominence--as part of the regular coverage. Why not? If it takes a special project to value human interest stories when the human is "black," then its not black men that need examining; it's the Post." Meanwhile, the discussion about black men continued last week in Atlanta during a celebrity-packed conference sponsored by 100 Black Men.

Speakers included Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Lee Haney, eight-time Mr. Olympia, Magic Johnson, Bill Cosby and author Michael Eric Dyson. Telain Ware, a spokeswoman for 100 Black Men, said the five-day conference featured a town hall meeting on the impact of civil rights and claiming the economic opportunities that exist in America. "It's about staking our claim," Ware told BlackAmericaWeb.com. "We need to work together and support our own businesses." During the conference, Ware said founders of 100 Black Men chapters were honored and, like African fathers centuries ago, they shared oral histories of how their accomplishments during the past 20 years. One of the highlights, Ware said, were workshops for black youth -- middle school and college -- that were entitled: "Issues Facing the Black Student."

"Students were told it's okay to pursue hip-hop, but they were also told to pursue their passions and the money will come," Ware said. "And they were told they need a back-up plan." Young people from all walks of life were also shared their own personal stories of challenges, tragedy and achievements, Ware said. "Grown men were wiping tears from their eyes listening to these stories from young people," she said. Ware said celebrities like author Michael Eric Dyson, Magic Johnson, Bill Cosby, Andrew Young and Dr. David Satcher spoke to students and interacted with many of them. Authors also read from their books, discussed their works and talked about how they became successful. "They took time out to talk to young people, not just show up for a speech and a photo," Ware said. "I saw kids whose lives will be impacted for years to come."

Ware said that during the summit, Delta Airlines announced a partnership with 100 Black Men where Delta Sky Miles can be donated to the organization's mentoring and educational initiatives. She also said AT&T presented $75,000 to 100 Black Men for a new mentoring program, and Wal Mart gave $100,000 for a financial literacy initiative.