Goodbye Blogosphere

I know this may not come as shock to many, but we've all suspected this was inevitable. I'm afraid that my job and other wonderful "things" (such as babymaking ... no luck yet but having fun trying) has taken up most of my time and I can no longer spare time for blogging. It has been a fun ride, a great way of venting, putting my perspectives out there, and receiving astounding feedback. In the time since I've been in a non-blogging status, America has seen so many changes on both sides of the scales, negative and positive. Unless you've been living under a rock or exiled on a island for several years and finally made it back home, I don't think I have to really spell it out. In time this entire blog will vanish, literally. It has been suggested that I keep the blog in private mode. I find this useless. Why keep something that was written for public consumption ... private? And why keep something active when it will no longer be attended to? Hence, the slowly dissolving of Ghetto Stupidity. On the bright side, there has been a "lurker" that's been reading my posts and has been sending lots of great email. Of course when he got wind of this he decided to carry on the torch ... so to speak and I've given him access to all my stuff. Short and to the point: Ghetto Stupidity 2.0 (ghettostupidity.wordpress.com). A silver lining, if you may.

Well, once again ... it has been great. To Flash, AG, Weary Hag, Army of Y, GB (Edie Falco has nothing you sweetie), Jam Donaldson (of Hot Ghetto Mess) and the occassional random visitor that made this blog worthwhile ... thanks for everything and I hope life finds you well where ever you tread upon. So long and happy trails.

Tyler Durden

About that community organizer remark, Mrs. Palin

It has been a while (a very long while) since I posted anything. I've been busy. Several weeks ago, I was watching a TIVOed playback of the RNC convention, and something caught my attention in Sarah Palin and Giuliani's speech: their comments about the term "community organizer".

Funny thing about history.

More than four decades ago, a black man that had never set foot in the halls of Washington (at least as a politician), decided that there was a need for change. He organized many marches, with members of the black community, that protested the conditions that many blacks were living under in the United States during the 50s and 60s. He was arrested, assaulted, and eventually, murdered. Over the decades, his vainless sacrifice opened many doors for empowerment for blacks and other minorities. This man was no politician. He had very little in terms of foreign affairs, though his struggles was heard all over the world. He was a mere pastor that eventually became an activist. And some levels, some could say ... a community organizer. His name was Martin Luther King Jr.

A bit of a detour. I'm not in the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan nor would I attempt to dilute the honor of the men and women serving there. But I do carry a gun, a badge, and firm oath to all citizens (BOTH DEMOCRATS and REPUBLICANS) to aid in the protection of this great nation from enemies foreign and domestic. Yes, those who've read my blog could easily assume that work in some sort of cyber task force, but there are times when I have to go into the field and that is never a cakewalk. There was a time when serving in a government agency especially one that deals with national security was a pipe dream for minorities. Today I work alongside Asians, Hispanics and Whites ... all working towards a common goal. These possibilities were made possible with the sacrifices of many community organizers such King, Evers, and Parks. Sorry, Sharpton and Jackson, but you're excluded from this bunch. Racial profiteering under the guise community affairs is just plain old exploitation. Today because of those that wanted better for their communities, many blacks and other minorities are given access to resources to achieve great heights. Yes, for most, sacrifice and delayed gratification comes with the territory, but nothing great or worthwhile comes easy and on a silver platter.

Yet ... there was a bit of sad irony in watching the handful of black men and women cheer (with gust and glee) as a VP candidate dared to talk down the power of those that dare (and I'm sure Obama is not the only one)to continue in the same vein of Medgar Evers, Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks. As they stood with glowing faces, they somehow seemed to forget the sacrifice of one such "community organizer" that made it possible for them to be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with their fellow white Republicans and have a good "laugh". Sad.

Now before some of you reading this, start to scream about Republicans being evil and racist. I must implore you to stop. The letter R doesn't imply evil nor racist belief. It is merely a Party affiliation. Stop with the illogical and immature hatred. I'm married to a Republican, so there ... the cat's out the bag that I'm (a)married and (b)to a wonderful woman that is Republican. The truth is what happened on that RNC stage has little or nothing to do with race (gasp!!!). Yes, I said it. It is about Arrogance. And forgetfulness. And for those cheering few, all that could've been directed towards them was nothing more than ... pity. I'm sure many would say that they don't need, and of course therein lies the tragedy.

Some could easily say that it is ... ap-palin.

(P.S. I know it is spelt a p p a l l i n g )

Tags: Sarah Palin, community organizer, politics, racism, Barack Obama

Obama and the silence of the black old boys network

Disclaimer: This is in no way or form an endorsement for Obama. It is merely an observation, and any attempt to read more into this would be a bit moronic on the reader's part. I've said my piece.

You would think that with the momentum that is being achieved with the Obama campaign, you'd think that by now there would be tons of ecstatic yammering by Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. Interestingly, for the first time these two loudmouths are unnervingly silent. Actually, the only time Sharpton opened his piehole about the Obama campaign was almost half a year ago when he extended a challenge ...er, invitation to Obama to come to Harlem to basically kiss his ass for his approval. Apparently Mr. Sharpton has nominated himself Pope and Caesar Agustus of all things black and every black person that makes an attempt to rise must pay him tribute. I don't think Obama took the offer and yet his campaign has gained tremendous grounds. Several months ago, Atlanta pol and political hangaround, Andrew Young (another member of the old black boys network) had something to say about the campaign and of course launched into case of verbal diarhhea where he acknowledged ( and I'm paraphrasing) "Bill Clinton as being the closest to being a black president and is probably even more blacker than Obama". Sometimes folks should just know when to open their traps lest they remove any doubt of themselves being complete and actual morons. *Sigh*

The old black boys network. Several decades ago, millions marched during the Civil rights movement to enable the welfare of fellow Afro-Americans and even to extend this onwards to other minority groups. It was during this era, many prominent blacks came to the limelight. Many have used their fame to further enhance their activism and to empower the very people they fought for. And then there are the chosen few that have got it in their heads that "hey, they suffered during the Civil Rights era, so now every black American owes them something". Of course these folks that are high on their stink and delusions of grandeur seem to forget that many gave MORE during the civil rights movement on BOTH sides of the fences. There are whites and blacks that lost family members during this tumultuous time yet these folks aren't coming forward demanding tributes as if they were Roman legionnaires. It is amazing what is for sale these days. Welcome to the black old boys network. On one hand our "leaders" would tell us about how we were kings and queens and proud warriors, but when the crap hits the fan we're being told that we're victims, powerless, and so damned oppressed. Yes, I am not naive in believing that racism is completely eradicated from America, but we do live in a time where many of us have access to resources to pull ourselves out of poverty. Yes, unlike many of our white counterparts, some of us will have to make more sacrifices and delay gratification to get to a decent level success. I'll be honest in saying that it is not going to be an easy path but it is a righteous and dignified one. This is coming from someone that lived in South Jamaica (which according to 50 Cent is supposed to be so scary and filled with poverty and hopelessness) and was raised by a single mother, who decided to study Computer Science whilst the rest partied and I work for the federal government. I'm not a millionaire (yet) but I make a damned good living. Yes, my hours are bit scary but I love my work (too bad I can't really talk about it). What am I getting at? I came out of a crappy neighborhood, and I was surrounded by people that didn't go around thinking like they were victims and waiting for a handout. I'll be blunt I'm not holding my breath for "reparations" and sooner some of us get over that possibility the faster we can get on with living. It seemed that I've strayed of course, I haven't.

There is a reason why there is the deafening sound of silence (along with occasional snide remarks) coming from the black old boys network. You see, Obama's campaign moto is about "change" but unfortunately for some there is a wind of change that is not quite welcomed. In the event that America experiences an Obama presidency, it will signal the breaking of the ultimate glass ceiling for blacks: achieving the seat of presidency that was once seemed made for white males. In a sense, it is the beginning of the diminishing of the excuse about white oppression that some have used as a crutch to further their means whilst brainwashing those that follow them into believing that they are complete victims and there is complete hopelessness. To be blunt, the gravy train is about to be derailed. After years of riding on their civil rights "laurels" and projecting themselves as "saviors" of the black community whilst squandering the very cause they claim to represent and replacing it with racial profiteering, the party is about to be pooped and all is not well in Muddsville. Sad to say, but I'm betting that some are right now offering up prayers to God and various other gods in hope of a Hillary or McCain presidency (not that these are terrible candidates). In the event, that this is so it will be invigorating and these racial groundhogs will emerge from their den of silence and proclaim "see, I knew it, a black man will never gain the presidency, oppression blah blah blah, racism blah blah blah, the white man blah blah blah". And sad to the say, they WILL have their following nodding in full agreement. And alas, the party continues. The harsh truth is, despite the fact that this election has taken on an interesting turn of events, there is a lot of covert racial things happening that is disgusting. The saddest part of it all, is that it is coming from folks that you'd least expect it from and for all the wrong reasons. That's the funny thing about change.

Tags: Barrack Obama, Al Sharpton, television, entertainment, racism, elections

The hypocrisy of the Don Imus debacle

Hello everyone, it has been quite some time. I know its several months into the year and since I didn’t get to wish everyone a happy new year … well … Happy New Years. Better late than never, right?

I’ve been watching the Don Imus story for some time and I must say that I’m infuriated but not for what you might be thinking. If you’ve read my blog, you’ll soon figure out where I’m going on this one.

I’ll say this just to get this out of the way, I think he used bad judgment especially in this hypersensitive political correct climate in referring to the Rutger women basketball team as “nappy-headed hos”. It was uncalled for, and it was just bad taste. Got that out of the way. I’ve never been a fan of Don Imus. I’m more of an Opie and Anthony guy.

What I don’t get is his need to grovel before Al Sharpton as if this dude is like the pope of the black community. I’ve said this many times and I’ll say this again, Al Sharpton is nothing more than racial profiteering charlatan who likes to make a big show of “doing something” when in fact he is not doing much. The worst thing Mr. Imus did was showing up on his poor excuse of a radio show. That’s sort of like showing up on the enemy’s turf where all the advantage is stacked in their favor. Noticed how he was pouncing on Imus’ every word. Bad move, Don.

Enough of the tap dancing.

My laughter at the sheer hypocrisy of this situation reached critical level when they were interviewing one of the girls and she said that this “traumatized her for life”. Oh really, sweatheart. I’m always amazed at how folks like Sharpton are willing to point at the bonfires on other people lawns whilst ignoring his house that is engulfed in a fiery inferno. Apparently, the black community only matters to Sharpton when something “newsworthy” happens. Like racial stuff. When everything is in-house, it is business as usual and the silence is deafening. When there is a hint of racial nastiness … guess who’s there leading the battlecry. What a half-assed civil rights activist. Yes, Don Imus said the words “nappy-head hos” and it is a defcon 5 situation. More than 50% of the nation’s top rap songs use the n-word, and derogatory references to women … so where is the outrage in the streets. Where is the protesting of record labels that sell this bile. The R. Kelly episode that involved him violating two young black women is no longer heard of, yet there he is teaming up with Snoop Dog singing one the top hip-hop anthems in the land. Where is the outrage? And as much as I sympathize with these Rutger women, I have to be blunt. It is PC to play victim and say some old, washed-up, wannabe, white shock jock has “traumatized you for life”. I hope when you plug your iPod in your ears the stuff streaming out of it had better be some Mozart, Tchaikosky or Stravinsky. Or maybe Shania Twain, or Hilary Duff. If you’re bopping your head to top 40 hip-hop crap, then I have some bad news for you: the person that’s traumatizing you for life ain’t some washed up shock jock. And the bad news is you not only bought it, enabling the person’s lifestyle, but you’ve been marinating yourself in your in degradation. Sorry.

This is the common trend in today’s black community: our neighborhoods are socially burning down around us as we pretend all is well and feel just fine in playing racial politics. No one wants to talk about the daily bouts of black-on-black violence and degradation that parades itself through neighborhoods, schoolyards and radio waves. No, that is “airing our bad laundry”. Hate to break the news, but the laundry is stinking to high hell and every is noticing without us saying anything. Our so-called leaders have done little but lead. They created nothing more than havens of dysfunction in the black community whilst making a profit off of the very folks they claim to stand up for.

Hate to break the news to you, Mr. Sharpton, but black kids are more influenced by rappers than Don Imus. When are you going to lead a charge against them? These “artists” have injected the very bouts of degradation and ridicule into the black community that has made it possible for folks like Imus, and Richards to think it’s okay to use this sort of language. Still think that N-word is a term of endearment? I suspect that Mr. Sharpton does not shit where he eats. And if you get what I’m saying then yes, I did go there. Feel free to protest me, and demand my job. Oh wait, you can’t because I work with national security and the government needs far outweighs your shitty politics.

(P.S. If Imus gets fired, then maybe there should be something done about rappers and their poor excuse for music. But since that ain’t gonna happen anytime soon. I say a couple weeks suspension is more than adequate. Yes, I a BLACK man, said it.)

Tags: Don Imus, Al Sharpton, television, entertainment, racism, life, people

The real tragedy of the Sean Bell story

(Caution: This is a very long winded post, and it might as well be since it will take a while for me to post again.)

Last weekend, I was in New York on business with one of our offices, and I was confronted head on with this tragedy. I haven't been able to do much blogging but like a Siren calling to lost sailors, the story was beckoning to me. It was only until I came across a comment made by Last Son of Krypton, that I've been moved to write on this. Come to think of it, I must write about it. There are three sides to this story. The side of the victims. The side of the plainclothes officers. And then there is the side of the Truth. Time will tell.

As a black man, I must say that the shooting of Sean Bell is beyond the term of "bad judgement". Here it is a young black man, that is defying the stereotype, and trying to do the right thing by marrying his fiancee and be a father to his children is suddenly cut down ... hours before his wedding. And all there is out there is a lot of assumptions and allegations. Not good enough. Especially since it cost the life of someone's son, someone's fiance and the father of two children. Seriously, there has to be serious repercussions. Wrist slaps no longer apply. To attempt to justify this by bringing up any criminal records (if there are any) of the three victims is just as bad as blaming a rape victim for wearing tight fitting or revealling clothes. Stop it.

As a fledgling member of the law enforcement/national security community, I have to say to most that if you are not in it then don't be quick to judge it. In a high tension situation there is very little room for second guessing. For the most second guessing could simply mean death. It seems as if the lessons from the Amadou Diallo case has not been learned. Thirty-one shots pumped into a man reaching for wallet. And now fifty bullets fired at three unarmed citizens from what was deemed as a possible threat. Nine or twelve bullets is one thing. Fifty is overkill. Even enemy combatants in war are afforded a better death despite the tons of bullets flying through air. I'll go even further to say that if it took five soldiers to lob fifty rounds at three enemy combatants, then that is what, my firearms instructor, would call ineffective marksmanship. Which also translates to ineffective soldiers. Get what I am saying here?

So who's to blame? The cops. Or the victims. Time will have to tell on this one. But the blame does not stop with cops or the victims. Surprise. There is a lot more of it to go around. It gets really "controversial" and politically incorrect beyond this point.

Firstly, the criminal elements of the black community. I know, not exactly the most shocking. The Bloods, Crips and all the other shitty groups out there that have nothing to offer but chaos and destruction have, over the years, helped fostered an atmosphere of suspicion and paranoia when it comes to dealing with black males. I almost laughed, last weekend, when I heard that the Bloods and Crips were coming together to form a protest in support of Sean Bell. Wait a minute, didn't these clowns form a "truce" in the 90s with the Rodney King incident? Gee, I wondered what happened. And this is the irony that smacks me in my face and yet begs me to love it. It is all a big pantomime, for if the Crips and Bloods really wanted to show their support there would be no Bloods and Crips in the first place. These are the very folks that run around spreading the notion that the cops that patrol black neighborhoods are like an occupying force. Hate to break the news, but when I was growing up in South Jamaica I was more fearful of these so-called "freedom fighters" than the very cops that patrolled the neighborhood. Oh did I mention that some of these "freedom fighters" were actually selling destruction to the very neighborhood that they commanded respect from. Hmm, seemed more like insurgents to me. The Bloods and Crips announcing an alliance in the time of injustice on a black person is an empty gesture. The only time it really matters is if it leads to a disbandment of the gangs or gang members strapping lead weights to themselves and jumping off a cliff into the Marianas Trench. Either it would mean a good start in the right direction for the black community. Any short of those two extremes are not more than a sick appeal for the spot light.

Secondly, our so-called leaders. Last week, whilst in New York City, I saw this black guy on NY1 decrying so-called leaders such as Sharpton as mere frauds. It is good to know that I'm not the only one that's been awake and paying attention. For the most folks like Sharpton, Barron and Jackson have spent their influence coddling dysfunctions of the black community and passing them off as political prisoners. Nelson Mandela was a political prisoner. Drug dealers and thugs that just happened to be mistreated by overzealous (and possibly racist) police officers are not. Get the definitions right. What is the worth of a black life? According to the actions of folks like Sharpton and Jackson, it is dependent on the skin color of the person that takes it. On an annual basis, many blacks lose their lives at the hands of other blacks, and its business as usual. However, if the perpetrator is white (whether it is a civilian or law enforcement), suddenly the esteemed "reverend" realizes how valuable the life of a black person is. Still unclear? Let me up the ante. Which is worst? The hundreds of bullets that are fired by many blacks that claim the lives of other blacks annually or, fifty rounds fired by five undercover officers at three black victims? The answer to that question is simple: they both are. But it seems as if our wonderful "leaders" only care about this if its "newsworthy" and adds to their numerous moments in the spotlight. How lovely. And the sad news is, many of us still hold these clowns to high esteem as they ride on the coat tails of the civil rights movement. Much like a plane flying on fuel fumes.

Thirdly, ourselves. That includes me. We've sat by and let the idiots run the show. We've paid good money to support the urban garbage that is spewed from Hollywood which only stigmatizes us further. We sit and let hip-hop idiots disgrace our community, and instead of decrying it, we accept it because we want to prove that we're hip to our kids. Bullshit. If you know better, teach your children better or at least have them associate with those that know better. A kid wearing a "No Snitch" or snowman T-shirt isn't developing an interest in politics. They're supporting the very people that create this atmosphere of suspicion about black citizens especially black males. In case you don't know, the "No Snitch" campaign was started by drug dealer. You might not buy his drugs, but you're buying his T-shirts. Get what I'm saying? Same applies to those Snowman T-shirts. Get a clue folks. This is no longer "cute". The thug swagger, according to Summner Redstone, that is more marketable than Tom Cruise is no longer "cute". The Yo Momma jokes are no longer "cute". And those damned red, black and yellow bandannas are no longer "cute". We know better. Wake up. Wake the hell up. Please. Damn it. What will it take?

Standing and screaming about "no justice, no peace" is great, but without appropriate action it is EMPTY. In short, it is time to clean house. Anything less will result in more Bells, Diallos and Kings. And that would be the real tragedy.

Tags: Sean Bell, Sumner Redstone, Al Sharpton, television, entertainment, racism, life, people

The lesser of two evils: OJ or Micheal Richards

I know its been awhile. I've got good news and bad news. Depends on the perspective. The good news is that my training's over and I've been doing some specialized training. The bad news is that I'll be out in the field in a few weeks which pretty much puts a damper on my blogging days. I'm home in Fairfax, for Thanksgiving. My first Thanksgiving outside of New York. It's not so bad. Actually, the whole country atmosphere adds to the whole flavor of the holidays. My fiancee's family is coming into Virginia to visit some relatives and will be dropping by for the festivities. Just hope that they are not freaked out at the fact that we know carry firearms. Yes, we're bona-fide federal agents. I'm sporting a Glock and she's got the new Walther P99. Damn, I loved the new Walther. Actually, it's one of the many weapons I trained with at the "academy". Don't worry, my friends, its not going to be like Jack Bauer for me. I mostly going to be messing with computer forensics and my fiancee is involved with cryptography at her agency. Do forgive me for not divulging any information about where we work, but this is a public blog after all. So much for catch up with T. Durden.

In the last few days, the news have been humming crazy about OJ's brainfart and now, the "racist" blow-up by Micheal "Kramer" Richards. I'll, hopefully, be frank and quick about this. And I know that I will piss a lot of folks off. Trust me. Personally, of the two, the most shocking thing to me was the OJ mess. What a pair on that moron. So much acquitted from being an "alleged" murderer. Just love that double jeapordy clause in the law. Pity. And now the lesser of two evils: Micheal Richards. I love Seinfeld. I love the character Kramer. I think Seinfeld without Kramer would have been somewhat of a drag. Do I disagree with Micheal Richards behavior towards a bunch of hecklers? Absolutely. There isn't a comedian out there that hasn't been heckled. It comes with the territory and Mr. Richards should have been a bit more professional. And yes, he should apologize and he did. However, the publicized dragging through the mud of his character is undeserved. Especially at the whims of folks like Mr. Sharpton (I find it hard to call this clown a Reverend), as seen on CNN. Give me a break. As to the three brothers that are suing (insert eye roll) or at least talking about Mr. Richards, stop kidding yourselves. Wasn't the purpose of the flagrant use of the N-word in the hip-hop industry a psychological ploy to "desensitize" the meaning? And please don't sell me that "its a word reserved for black folks" excuse. A bad word is a bad word regardless of what mouth it is spewed from. You can't say a word is bad ... unless it said by certain folks. It is not flawed logic, but it makes an entire race of people seem laughable for buying into a logic scheme that paints like an enigmatic Picasso painting. Give me a break. In New York, I hated it when some of my fellow blacks on the streets would address with the N-word. I hated it because it was bad word. But most of all, I hated it because I was watching folks like myself that willfully chose to marinate themselves in their own ignorance, forsake their history, and buy into what's nothing more than a cheap corporate ploy to make a buck on the degradation of community. Yes, it is a BAD word, regardless if Micheal Richards said it out of rage or Jay-Z singing it as "term of endearment" in his top selling albums. A word to Mr. Sharpton: hang it up. You're nothing more than political white noise in socialscape. Stick to what you do best: hanging out with "moguls" in the Hamptons that sell the dignity of their community for thirty pieces of silver. Or as they call it, Music and their overpriced designer clothes lines. Impress them with your tales of the past. Maybe to redeem your poor pathetic self, you might want to rail against OJ for possibly duping most in the black community only to make them a laughingstock with his pathetic excuse of a confessi.. er, I mean "book". The only people that are deserving of an apology from Mr. Richards are the hecklers and the rest of hardworking, law-abidding black folks in the US. As to the so-called "leaders" like Jackson and Sharpton, the only gesture you're deserving of is a golden crusted middle finger. And that's from the heart. Deal with it.

I hate to go into Thanksgiving this way, but I had to say what had to be said. And as I've said earlier, it seems like my blogging days are at its end. This is not a goodbye. But let's just say that the intensity of this blog will be ... diminished. Have a good Thanksgiving everyone. And I'll see you when I see you.

Tags: Michael Richards, Kramer, Seinfeld, OJ Simpson, television, entertainment, racism, life, people

Rap feuds and the new Mandingos

I have to grab these little moments whenever I'm off the training grounds. So here goes. Just coming back from the weekend I just had to post this while it was fresh in my mind and marinating in my ire. I was visiting a former college mate in Alexandria over the weekend and was watching the cable at his place. Came across a little doozy on (of all channels) BET. Something about rap feuds (don't worry I'm not wasting the time researching this slicked up peice of propaganda). They were basically talking about the fueding and the consequences of such in the rap industry. They were highlighting the current feud between The Game and 50 Cent. And for about half an hour or so I was exposed to the philosophy of (or lack thereof) of the Game. In one scene, we see the Game and 50 Cent gathering at some town hall calling a truce on the madness and of course, pledging a check to some organization in the community that works with kids. A part of me screams "photo-op", "good PR" or "bribing the community", but I'm open to new things and I will take this at face value and call it a decent step in the right direction. Time, of course, will tell. And just when, I was about to begin pondering my attitude towards folks like 50 Cent, the "documentary" decided to end with Snoop Dogg. We get to see some "summit" where a rappers are in some "lovefest" talking about unity and all that good stuff. This great, really (there is a big BUT on the way ... trust me). At the end of it all, Snoop Dogg declared that the West was becoming united and all the folks that stole stuff from the West have to give it back with interest (???) and being true to himself, ended the show by staring into the camera and saying, "get that camera out mah face". Classy.

Remember that movie, Mandingo, where white slave owners got a kick out of watching big, burly, black men beat each other to a pulp. Apparently, not much has changed. Sure, we've got puppet "moguls" like P. Diddy and Jay-Z, but if you look pass the glitzed out, dressed up display marionettes, you'll see the real face of those that run the rap industry. Having "peace" summits is nothing new in the black community. Since the birth of the abomination known as "gangsta rap" there has always been some yearly gathering in some shape or form that was supposed to address growing chaos in the black community. Yet over the years, the lyrics have grown more profane and laced with decadent and ultra-violent fantasies. Sure, trotting out Steve Harvey on some platform looking grim and serious is great, visually. Talking about it is wonderful. It is the action part that is the doozy. Just a quick note: I respect Steve Harvey tremendously and I know his heart is in the right place, it is sad that there are those around that aren't so "focused".
I remember back in the 90s when there are groups like Kool Moe Dee, Arrested Development, KRS-One, Sister Souljah and Public Enemy that were very socio-political with their music. Can anyone remember the anti-drug song "Self-Destruction" by soulful collaborations like Doug E. Fresh, the forementioned Kool Moe Dee, MC Lyte et al? What was their common denomination: awareness and upliftment. What happened to them? They got put out to pasture by the powers that be. Truth be to told, some were even told that the "positive stuff" wasn't cutting edge enough. Look at how India Arie has become background noise even though this woman reeks of talent and writes great, original music (get her latest, it rocks, seriously). Apparently, when it comes to the upliftment of the black community it is an unspoken and subtle taboo in the entertaintainment. For every bone of upliftment that is tossed our way, we get ten bones of dysfunction in the mix. How is it that unfunny shows like Yo Momma, Wild N Out, and Where my Dogs at? are doing "great" on MTV? Nothing spells must see TV like black folks humiliating and killing each other.

I'll be blunt. It is USELESS to be holding "summits" when most of the participants are themselves portals of the very catalyst that create chaos in the black community. The harsh reality is that many black kids in impoverished neighborhoods look up to the Game and 50 more than they would Albert Einstein or Washington Carver. And unless rappers are prepared to change their tune, I'm afraid that all those summits would be as useful as using an ice cube to put out a forest fire. As long as the dysfunction and decadence sells and rappers are more concerned with making "cheddar", then I'm afraid that we're merely going about the motions and wasting people's time. Simply just "talking" about it keeps that circle of madness spinning as we beat a slow drum to the rhythm of our own self-induced genocide.

Some might call me a "hater" for being this blunt. What's new? That's the thing about the "greater good", it requires sacrifice. Sacrifice, in my honest opinion, I don't think many rappers are disciplined to make. Most of you, the easily bought agent provocateurs, will keep up the feuding. I guarantee this. It is human nature. Greed. Coveting. Lust. It is success redefined. Or so Mandingo thought until he got in his master's bad books. And we all know how that ended.

Tags: television, BET, rap, hip hop, entertainment, 50 Cent, Steve Harvey, Arrested Development, Yo Momma, MTV, India Arie, music, Mandingo