Words For Warfare

“I blame my mother for nothing, but forgive her for everything.” - Mary J. Blige

Rebecca Walker Is One Strange Sista!

I must confess to never understanding Rebecca Walker's appeal. Her work, particularly her autobiography, Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self, has always seemed to me to be only about herself, self-centered and self-pitying. She has always seemed to be confused and conflicted, vacillating between ideologies, races, politics, sexualities, and cultures.

And I could never shake the feeling that everything about Rebecca Walker was malleable, her entire being, capable of being shaped and twisted to fit whatever world view she was currently existing in. She never seemed to remain in any kind of consistent or comfortable state of grace, she always seemed to be jumping from one extreme to another.

From promiscuous to monogamous, from straight to gay to bi-sexual. Fiercely bi-racial with a definite comfortability with whiteness and a shaky and obvious fear of blackness, currently moving from third wave feminist founder to anti-feminist baby mama. Rebecca Walker has indeed had an interesting life, but I'm just not sure why the rest of the world needs to hear about her life or what we are supposed to gain from her very public confessions.

On May 23, 2008, Walker wrote a blistering, no-holds-barred opinion piece on her famous mother, author Alice Walker, entitled How My Mother's Fanatical Views Tore Us Apart. Walker methodically dismantles Alice Walker as a mother, a feminist, and as a human being. While I can understand Walker's anger, sadness, and bitterness toward her mother, I can't respect her airing her grievances in print and in public.

Walker is too well-educated, well-traveled, and experienced to believe that she was not just laying bare to Alice Walker, the author and feminist icon, she knew all too well that she was tossing black motherhood out there to the world as well. And in a society that still seems to know so little about black women as people, much less as mothers or daughters, her actions seem even more mean-spirited and short-sighted.

I have yet to meet a woman with a strong black mother that does not have some issues with their mother's actions, choices, and skills as a parent in regard to themselves. In my book, black motherhood is different, it's complicated by racism, sexism, hope, and fear. A black mother's fear for herself and her child in a society that is hostile to both of them. Rebecca Walker seems to have little empathy for the woman, her mother, who was publicly vilified for daring to openly express that black women might just have a different view of the world.

Alice Walker paid a very heavy price to create a open space where black women could embrace feminist ideals on their own terms. And maybe her dedication to her writings and her activism made her an inattentive and aloof mother. Rebecca Walker would not be the first child with a mother like that and she won't be the last. And not every child that had an absent parent has made the choices that Rebecca Walker has made in her life. She's grown woman now and she needs to own those decisions.

When Rebecca Walker first appeared in the literary and feminist circles over fifteen years ago, I was always interested in why she chose to use her mother's last name. I never begrudged her using her mother's famous and thus more marketable last name, but I am extremely troubled by it now. It seems rather hypocritical and cowardly to bash your mother so publicly, yet continue to use her last name as your own.

If Rebecca Walker felt so loved and cared for by her father's new family, why isn't she using her father's last name? If Rebecca Walker has decided that her mother is such as monster, why isn't she using her male partner's last name? Why not make a completely clean break and change your last name completely, to something of your own choosing? Clearly Ms. Walker is not angry or bitter enough to stop using her mother's famous last name.

And for someone who has spent the majority of her writings examining her own life, I find it interesting that now as an adult and as a mother herself, Rebecca Walker has not learned to forgive. Maybe if she stopped focusing so strongly on how her mother failed her as child, she could gain some understanding, some compassion of her mother, black woman to black woman, black mother to black mother.

Words For Warfare

"The stereotype of black women is that we're angry, even if we have a smile on our face." - Evelyn Simien, PhD

Reporter Apologizes For Saying Obama Was "Much More White Than Black"

The nitwit next to Barack Obama is Washington Post reporter Jonathan Weisman, who has finally gotten around to apologizing for coming up with this insightful analysis of Barack Obama. speaking of Obama's upbringing in Indonesia and Hawaii, Weisman concluded that Obama was "much more white than black."

When I first saw this article and after my first thought of WTH, I wanted to know who told white folks that if a black person is not surrounded completely by black folks that somehow they have not had "the black experience." And who the hell are they to decided what makes a person black or not? And a black person can't be black if they grew up in Hawaii or Indonesia? I seriously doubt Barack Obama thought he was white like the other white folks around him. He knew he was different.

Anywhere a black person is living at that moment in time is living the black experience because they are black. Period! The black experience is not one giant monolith!

Let's Help Actor Stephen Baldwin Leave The U.S.A.! - Elect Barack Obama!

Z-List actor Stephen Baldwin (the meathead in the hat) has promised to leave the country if Barack Obama is elected. Let's help him move! Vote for Obama! Maybe someone can convince him to take his fat, alcoholic, crackhead brother Daniel Baldwin, his creepy brother Alec "I called my own daughter a pig" Baldwin and his talentless brother William Baldwin with him! This is so funny, did he really think this was a scary threat to anyone?

Blues And Jazz Legend Ernestine Anderson Needs Our Help!

I love jazz and blues legend Ernestine Anderson. She is awesome. My favorite song by her is Never Make Your Move Too Soon. I was introduced to her by my mom and we share our love of her and her beautiful voice. I was more than a little distressed to discovered that Ms. Anderson needs a little help in her golden years. Her home was recently saved from foreclosure, but her ability to make a living is hampered by poor health and her age. She is truly a living treasure for African Americans. Click here for donation information.

The NBA Players Roundtable Begins

How many NBA teams will have a different look next season? The ultra competitive Western Conference may become even tougher. The Golden State Warriors are facing losing their superstar, Baron Davis and the L.A. Clippers are in the difficult position of losing their two best players, Elton Brand and Corey Maggette. Considering the rumor that Brand and Davis are both trying to be Clippers and the team has the money to sign them both, L.A. would be a stacked town indeed with two extremely competitive NBA teams.

The L.A. Lakers will be trying to keep the core of their bench together, betting on the fact that they already have a championship caliber team that just needs to mature and get tougher. Teams should pay close attention to one of the dumbest judges of NBA talent in the league, Michael Jordan. He is getting ready to dump one of the Charlotte Bobcats best players, Gerald Wallace. Watch some team pick this guy up and turn him into an all-star.

Other than Gilbert Arenas, the current list of free agents is not that much, but you never know what will happen. The way things are shaping up, a select few NBA players are going to get monstrously overpaid to switch teams or to stay with their current teams.

Words For Warfare

"You don't get older, you get better." - Shirley Bassey

"I think men are afraid to be with a successful woman, because we are terribly strong, we know what we want and we are not fragile enough. I've always been the breadwinner and men don't like that. They turn on you. They bite the hand that feeds them. Eventually, too, they become very jealous of the love one has with an audience. It's hard for a man to live with a successful woman - they seem to resent you so much. Very few men are generous enough to accept success in their women." - Shirley Bassey

Bill Clinton Says Barack Obama Must 'Kiss My Ass' For His Support!

Bill Clinton is moving way beyond sour grapes territory, if these latest remarks are truly his feelings. He will not have to worry about being labeled racist or petty by anyone, he will be by his own words and actions, the greatest turncoat in Democratic political history.

It doesn't matter what his personal feelings are, Obama is the nominee of his party. It doesn't matter that he is bitter or mad about his wife was treated, Obama is the nominee of his party. It doesn't matter if he feels his legacy was damaged, Obama is the nominee of his party. Bill Clinton has no right or standing to be doing what he is doing right now. His behavior is outrageous and despicable.

For me, this is a major turning point in Barack Obama's candidacy. He is scheduled to talk with Bill Clinton tomorrow and if Clinton does not indicate to him that he is going to get on board with his campaign immediately and with complete dedication, then Obama needs to dump him immediately.

And if Hillary can not deliver her husband's cooperation, then her personal contribution will be negated. Obama should not bail her out financially and should not have the Clintons any where near his campaign. He will not be able to trust them. Obama must realize that time is short and that this Clintonian drama is beginning to run on too long and it it beginning to make him look weak.

The Democratic nominee should not have to beg or kiss the ass of anyone in his own party for their support, it is their obligation to give it willingly. Bill Clinton is wrong and that's all there is to it. It is Barack Obama's time and he needs to get out of the way!

Bill Clinton Needs To Get With The Program Now !

Words For Warfare

''As soon as we say we want something, the universe says O.K., and it's like an obstacle course gets set up for you,'' Some people get part way through it and say, 'Never mind,' but if you really want it, you've got to be willing to dig in and go through the whole course, no matter what. You have to have blind faith that you'll come out on the other side. It's especially difficult in a world where everything is fast and in your face. Kids aren't taught that if you want something, you have to work for it. If you want it to last, you're not going to get it fast. Anything you get fast is not yours to keep.'' - Regina Carter

America The Beautiful - Where You Can Make A Living Being Stupid And Racist!

"Barack Obama is not black African, he is Arab African." And yet, this guy is campaigning as black and painting anybody who dares to criticize him as a racist. I mean, that is -- it is the biggest con I think I've ever seen." - Monica "I Don't Need Facts" Crowley

Do Hillary Supporters Really Want To Be Connected To Folks Like This?

Of all of the things I don't get about this campaign is the need of folks to use personal slurs, particularly racial slurs to attack Barack Obama. What is the point of acts like this in the first place. If you cared about America, vandalizing 60 city vehicles in this fashion is just stupid and wasteful.

Words For Warfare

"But really, we also need to learn how to love one another as women. How to appreciate and respect each other." - Chaka Khan

Hillary Supporters For McCain Have My Blessings To Hitch A Ride On The SS McTitanic

If you are that bitter and stupid to waste your vote and sign up for more years of bad economy, bad foreign policy, bad domestic policy, and just bad leadership, more power to you!

Looking Forward To Checking Out Will Smith's Hancock On July 2nd

Words For Warfare

"You got to try and reach for the stars or try and achieve the unreachable." - Cathy Freeman

Why Is Anyone Watching Or Debating About BET's Hip Hop Vs. America Series?

I am sick and tired of panels endlessly discussing and debating hip hop music and culture. The panels are always a mixed up mishmash of recording artists, preachers, journalists, academics, and video vixens all trying to defend and deflect their positions with the hip hop universe. There are never any solutions and very little truth. And it all reflects badly on black people in the end.

Over the past couple of days, numerous hip hop blogs and a few black bloggers have been going on and on about the second installment of the BET series, Hip Hop vs. America II - Where Did The Love Go? This second segment was supposed to focus on women and hip hop.

One look at the promotional ads could have told anyone paying attention that this "discussion" was going to be a disaster. Putting Michelle Obama on the same advertisement with Karrine "Superhead" Steffans is not only a mega insult to Michelle Obama, but a reinforcement of the Madonna/Whore stereotype of black women in the black community.

And if the discussion was supposed to be about women and hip hop, why wasn't the discussion panel and host all female? What is exactly is the point of having men discuss women and their history and role in hip hop music and culture? Men, particularly black men have clearly already had more then enough say about women and hip hop.

If this show's producers couldn't find enough women panelists to adequately discuss women and hip hop, then clearly there was nothing of substance to discuss. Clearly, they didn't believe women were worthy or important enough to discuss their own perceptions and problems with hip hop music and culture, by themselves.

The only reason why there was a special segment on women and hip hop in this series is because of the controversial responses and reactions this subject always brings up. It about ratings, not resolutions for women in hip hop. BET knows that women can't resist watching this tired topic of women and hip hop being re-hashed over and over without any resolution.

It's a very simple formula, stack the panel with a couple of men to reinforce the negatives of women and hip hop and to support the misogyny and sexism, find some women to talk about the tragedy of women in hip hop, include a couple of folk who actually work in hip hop for a living to support the genre, a preacher to tell us we are all going to hell for listening and liking hip hop in the first place and you have a women and hip hop panel. Completely pointless, without purpose, but damn good television.

Black folks, particularly black women need to stop being easy marks for this kind of debate.

Former Professor Convicted Of Hiring Hitman To Murder His African American Daughter-In-Law For "Cultural Reasons"

Eight years ago, newlywed and new mother, Sparkle Reid-Rai was brutally murdered in her own home with her newborn daughter just a few feet away. She was just 22 years old. Yesterday, her father-in-law, Chiman Rai was convicted of masterminding her murder. The case has been labeled a hate crime or an "honor killing" because Chiman Rai strongly objected to his Indian son being married to an African American.

Not only is the brutal murder of Sparkle Reid-Rai a major tragedy, it might have been preventable if her husband had been more truthful about his family and their feelings toward African Americans. Rajeeve "Ricky" Rai lied to his wife and her family by telling them his parents were dead. When confronted with the truth, he offered no explanation for the lie. He clearly suspected his father after the murder, telling the police his parents were "a little racist." He should have been more forth-coming about his family, then maybe Sparkle Reid-Rai and her family could have been better prepared.

Reid-Rai's husband has since completely abandoned their child to be raised by her parents and has not seen the child in years. I do not envy those grandparents having to explain this horrific story to that child when she grows up. How do explain that your grandfather who has never seen you, hire people to murder your mother?

Derrick Rose Goes #1 In NBA Draft!

Now Derrick Rose is going to have to live up to his hype! He's definitely going to be exciting to watch. Richard Jefferson does indeed get traded to the Bucks. Are the New Jersey Nets saving cap space to make a run at the future Lebron James free agency sweepstakes?

Grizzles and Timberwolves make major swap of draftees and players. I think both teams are still going to suck for a while. Now, the real fun begins, there should be some veteran players that get traded real soon. Who's it gonna be?

And can anyone tell me why Shawn Marion agreed to be traded to the Miami Heat, if he was looking for a long-term contract and the Heat don't seem interested in granting him one?

What Time Is It? - The Time Makes A Comeback

One of the baddest bands in music history is reuniting for a short tour and possible new album. The Time is the only group to ever put fear in the substantial high heels of my boy, Prince. They used to kill Prince sometimes as his opening act.

The Time's guitarist Jesse Johnson's entire Ultimate Collection is in regular rotation on my I-pod.

Words For Warfare

"It's from our sufferings that we form our consciousness." - Lisa Bonet

Indiana Pacers Trade Jermaine O'Neal To Toronto Raptors

The summer trading season has begun in the NBA. Jermaine O'Neal is the first big name to go. Can Carmelo Anthony be far behind on the trading block? Richard Jefferson of the New Jersey Nets is supposed to be on his way to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Black Folks - Stop Being Cheap And Lazy! Stop Watching BET To Get Your Black Sitcom Fix And Buy The Damn DVDs!

Black folks, I love ya, but if one more person comments that they got "caught up" watching the BET Awards last night because they were watching one of the endless re-runs of A Different World, I'm really going to blow a gasket. Stop supporting BET and support those corny sitcoms ya'll are hooked on by buying the series DVDs!

A Different World, The Cosby Show, What's Happening!, Good Times, Sanford and Son, Girlfriends, Living Single, Martin, 227, Gimmie A Break, The Jeffersons, That's My Mama, Different Strokes, The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air, The Jamie Foxx Show, House of Payne, Everybody Hates Chris, The Bernie Mac Show, even Amos and Andy are all available in some capacity on DVD!

Black folks whine all the time about not getting the same opportunities as white folks. The entire ten years of Friends was released all at once. Why, because they knew white folks would by the DVDs. Black sitcoms are released one season at a time based on sales. This is simple logic. If ya'll buy the DVDs up, the movie companies have a reason to release the next season of the series on DVD. Stop being cheap and lazy!

Considering how long Moesha, Hanging With Mr. Cooper, Family Matters, Half and Half and The Parkers ran on the air, why aren't these shows available on DVD? Just asking.

And P.S. - If you make over 35K a year and have no significant bills, i.e. students loans or house note and can't afford to buy a $20-35 dollar DVD set once a month, you are mis-managing your money and you need a second job!

Reason #1206 Not To Have John McCain As President Of The United States

I do not want a man as my president that needs to have his schedule "paced" in order for him not to feel that he is being ran "ragged." John McCain is too damn old to be president period. If you have to ease back your campaigning schedule, by not working on weekends, what in the hell are you going to do when you are the 24-7-365 President of the United States?

And considering that he hasn't bothered to vote in the Senate since April, when is he actually doing the job he got elected for? With all the fear mongering his campaign is doing, why isn't anyone wondering if he has the stamina to stand up to the rigors and duties of a U.S. President, if there was a serious terrorist attack or natural disaster that required him to travel around extensively and endlessly like Bush did during 9/11.

Bill Clinton Still Thinks He's President Of The United States, Somebody Needs To Tell Him That He Is Not!

Bill "not the first black president" Clinton is throwing a very public tantrum at the worst possible time for Barack Obama. First, Bill Clinton issues a back-handed and tepid one-line endorsement of Barack Obama. Now, he's demanding a one-on-one meeting with Barack Obama so he can waggle those fat fingers at Obama and lecture him about being mean to Hillary and putting an end to his delusion that he was the second coming for Black America.

If Bill Clinton thinks black folk got mad at him during the primary, if he keeps screwing with Obama, black folk are really going to write him off. He needs to stop whining and look at himself for a real long time. He was the one that overshadowed his wife's campaign with his dumb remarks and his public displays of anger. He did that, not Obama.

Obama owes him nothing! And he does not have the right to distract and derail Obama's presidential bid with his crybaby histrionics. If the shoe was on the other foot, Obama would never have been allowed to pull any crap like Bill Clinton is pulling right now!

Support The Lieberman Must Go Campaign!

For more information here. Time to stop pretending you are really a Democrat, Joe!

India Arie To Make Broadway Debut In Whoopie Goldberg Produced Revival Of Ntozake Shange's For Colored Girls

This is shaping up to be an exciting new production. They have some big guns. I will be interested to know the rest of the cast. They will have some giant shoes to fill considering that the original cast had Lynn Whitfield and Alfre Woodard. I hope they don't change with Shange's choreopoem in any way.

And maybe black men won't freak out about the play like they did in the 1970s. It's very scary how Shange's words still have the same powerful meaning in 2008. If you have never read this work or it's been a long time, get a copy.

Words For Warfare

"To become a woman, it's no small matter. It means you fall down and you get up. You fall down and you get up. You're knocked down sometimes and you get up. And get up still living it, still trying to smile, still try to be the best you can be. You know, when a woman walks in the room, people know a woman is here." - Maya Angelou

Since White Folks Have Decided They Get To Define Who Barack Obama Is, I Wish They Would Make Up Their Damn Minds!

The biggest flip flop in American politics is not being done by any politician, its being done by white folks. White people just can't seem to make up their minds about Barack Obama. Their view about this man doesn't change on a daily basis anymore, it changes on an hourly one.

He's too black, no wait, he's really more white! He's Muslim, no he's Christian, but distorting the bible. He's a militant, no he's a wimp. He's naive, no wait, he's "coolly arrogant." He's ghetto, no stop, he's elite, "he's the guy at the country club with the beautiful date, holding a martini and a cigarette that stands against the wall and makes snide comments about everyone who passes by." He's "testy" and "conflicted", no wait a minute, He aloof and disinterested.

He's inexperienced, no, no, he's a part of the Chicago political machine. He's not black enough, yeah, yeah, that's it. Well, most of us white folks are willing to vote for a black guy, but some of us still harbor racial prejudice against black folks. He's black, he's black, he's blackkkkkkkk, HE'S BLACK! (insert your own image of white folks shouting and waving their hands in a hysterical fashion)

By the way it's going right now, by November, white folks will still be flip flopping like Flipper the Dolphin over Barack Obama every fifteen seconds. The whole damn thing is giving me a major headache.

Where Are All The Black Academics On The Dr. Madonna Constantine Case?