Electronic Village

April 27, 2014

Racist Clippers Owner Donald Sterling: What You Can Do

This blog believes that online activism is an important way for all 'villagers' to protest the continued racism of Donald Sterling. We actively support the call to action by the folks at Color of Change!

We've known for decades that Donald Sterling is a racist scumbag and sexual harasser who shouldn't be the owner of an NBA team.

The tape released Friday — which allegedly features Donald Sterling telling his girlfriend he doesn't want her to bring Black people to Clippers games or "broadcast her associations" with Black people on Instagram — is just the most recent example of Sterling's well-documented hostility towards Black people.

Donald Sterling should not be allowed to continue profiting from the achievements of some of the world's most exceptional Black athletes. Major companies that rely on business from Black folks shouldn't be lining the pockets of an NBA owner who doesn't want us at the games. Stripping the Clippers of their corporate sponsorships is an important first step towards removing Donald Sterling as their owner.

Join ColorOfChange in demanding that corporations end their sponsorship of the Clippers until Donald Sterling is no longer associated with the team.

Since he acquired the Clippers in 1981, Donald Sterling has repeatedly demonstrated racial animosity both inside the Clippers organization and out:

Former General Manager Elgin Baylor charged in a racial discrimination suit that Sterling ran the Clippers with the "vision of a Southern plantation–type structure" asking him to create a team of “poor Black boys from the South and a white head coach.”
When interviewing one prospective white coach, Sterling reportedly asked "I wanna know why you think you can coach these n**gers."
Despite complaints from players, Sterling has made a disturbing habit of of bringing women into the locker room and saying things like "look at these beautiful Black bodies."
Sterling is a ruthless, bigoted slumlord. In 2009, he settled a case with the Department of Justice paying the largest settlement ever obtained in a government housing discrimination suit. He was accused of systematically denying rental opportunities to prospective Black and Hispanic tenants across his Southern California properties. In court documents, he stated that "Black tenants smell and attract vermin."

The NBA is a league with a distinctly Black identity. And most of us ... unlike Donald Sterling ... know that Black History Month is not celebrated in March! Someone with such vile views towards Black people and a wretched past of racial discrimination should not be allowed to profit in a league where more than 75% of the players are Black. Snoop Dogg agrees!

Donald Sterling and Adam Silver

The NBA has a larger share of Black viewers than any other major U.S. sport. The Clippers and the NBA share a number of crucial corporate sponsors which count on a Black NBA audience as customers. Assuming his investigation verifies the authenticity of the recording, new NBA commissioner Adam Silver should demonstrate that naked bigotry will not be tolerated and do everything in his power to remove Sterling as the Clippers owner — including an indefinite suspension. Pressure from ColorOfChange.org members will encourage sponsors and the NBA to cut ties with and punish Donald Sterling.

Sign the petition. Tell corporations: Drop the Clippers and their racist owner.

OURstory: Barbara Hillary is First Black Woman to the North Pole

I know that Matthew Henson was the first Black man to the North Pole (assuming that Santa Claus ain't a brother!). I suspect that most of us cannot name the first Black woman to the North Pole. The answer?

75-year old cancer survivor Barbara Hillary holds the honor of being the first Black woman to make it to the North Pole. She accomplished the feat on April 27, 2007.

When told that no Black woman had ever made it to the North Pole, Sis. Hillary said, "What's wrong with this picture?". I encourage villagers to check out her website.

Wouldn't you agree that Barbara Hillary is a remarkable woman?

April 20, 2014

Happy Birthday: Luther Vandross (1951-2005)

Luther Vandross was born on this date 1951. I imagine that most villagers know about the legacy of this brother.

I remember when I first heard Luther's song Never Too Much. I played that song over and over to learn the lyrics. This was before you could go on the Internet and print out the lyrics like we do today. My goal was to repeat the lyrics to my first wife as a personal Valentines Day celebration.

Me and some of my buddies once took a limousine from Palm Springs to San Diego to attend a Vandross concert. I remember being amazed at how much his live concert sounded exactly like his albums. Do you remember the flawless bridge that he made between If Only For One Night and Creepin'?

Towards the end of his life he recorded a song that will always be one of my all-time favorites ... Dance With My Father.

Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father
by ineptique

Villagers, what is your favorite Luther Vandross memory or song?

April 18, 2014

Unique Building * The Torre Galatea (Figueres, Spain)

The first thing you notice are the giant egg sculptures along the roofline. Then it hits you that the Salvador Dali Theater Museum in Figueras, Spain, is no ordinary building. The museum’s tower, Torre Galatea, was named for the surrealist artist’s deceased wife, and Dali himself lived there until his death in 1989. Interestingly, the museum sits next to the parish church where Dali was baptized in 1904; he is buried in an unmarked crypt in the museum’s main exhibition hall.

I've never been to Spain, however, if I were to go ... this is a building I would want to visit. What sights would you see if you went to Spain?

April 17, 2014

College Scholarships from Jay-Z and Mom

The Shawn Carter Foundation has announced that they are now accepting applications for their 2014 scholarship program. The foundation, established by rapper Jay-Z and his mom Gloria Carter, aims to enhance the lives of young people.

The foundation is unique because it offers scholarships to single mothers, children who attend alternative schools, students who have earned only a GED, students with grade point averages of 2.0, and students who have previously been incarcerated, etc. The students, however, must demonstrate a strong desire to pursue higher education.

The program provides individual grants ranging from $1,500 to $2,500 to every student who qualifies and re-applies each year, from admission to graduation. The scholarship grant can be used to pay for tuition, books, lab fees, travel and certain costs of living.

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 30, 2014.

April 15, 2014

Happy Birthday: Harold Washington (1922-1987)

Harold Washington sparked the imagination of African Americans throughout the nation when he was elected mayor of Chicago. It was one thing to have mayors in small towns or someplace down in the South. It was another thing for an unabashedly proud Blackman to be elected mayor of the 2nd largest city in the nation.

We honor the anniversary of Mayor Washington's birthday here on this blog!

I think it is fair to say that we would not have Barack Obama has our president if we didn't have Harold Washington as Chicago's mayor. What are your thoughts or memories of Harold Washington?

April 9, 2014

Wordless Wednesday: Marian Anderson Sings at Lincoln Memorial (April 9, 1939)

March 26, 2014

'Scandal' Star Columbus Goes Gladiator on Some Fool

Columbus Short -- who plays gladiator Harrison Wright on 'Scandal' -- was involved in a bar fight in which the other guy ended up in the hospital. The fight happened on March 15 at a engagement party in Los Angeles. The other guy made some rude comments about the actor's wife.

Evidently, he made one comment too many as Short punched him in the face. The 37-year old victim was knocked out for several minutes before being taken to the hospital.

This week the police finished their investigation and a judge issued the warrant for Short’s arrest on charges of felony aggravated battery. The reason it’s a felony is because there was serious bodily injury involved.

If he’s convicted, Short faces a sentence of four years in prison. His bond has been set at $50,000, and he has yet to turn himself in to police.

Columbus Short may discover that Kerry Washington ain't no Olivia Pope in the real world!

March 23, 2014

Jack and Jill of America Foundation’s National Scholarship Program

The Jack and Jill of America Foundation is committed to the ongoing positive development of African American youth and the development of future leaders. In addition, the foundation provides personal, professional and financial support to children in the areas of leadership skills training and development.

They are engaged in education, mentoring, health & wellness, early childhood and economic development programs. The foundation promotes the preparation of succeeding generations of children as leaders so they may attain the fullest potential as individuals, enjoy rewarding and fulfilling lives and contribute to world peace and prosperity. The key to fulfilling this vision is through education.

The Jack and Jill of America Foundation’s National Scholarship Program is available to high school seniors who will become and maintain full-time status at an accredited, four year post secondary institution beginning in the fall of the year working toward a bachelor’s degree. Applicants must meet all of the eligibility requirements and deadlines to qualify.

Scholarship awards can be applied toward tuition and room & board ranging from $1,500 to $ 2,500, and the deadline to apply is Tuesday, April 1, 2014.

For more details or to apply, visit:
www.scholarshipsonline.org/2013/04/jack-and-jill-foundation-scholarship.html

March 18, 2014

Fiat Lux: The UC Riverside Song

I graduated from the University of California, Riverside (UCR) in 1981. I must admit that I enjoyed my time at UCR. Heck, I served as the president of the student body for one of my years on campus ... and I met my (first) wife ... and had an internship that led to a 20+ year career with the federal government. UCR was fun. As such, it is with pride that I share 'Fiat Lux: The UCR Song' with all villagers!

The song was created by Cameron Booth '13 (and performed with Walter Cabal '11) to inspire Highlanders to think of Riverside fondly. Booth created as a thank you for alumni, donors, students and lovers of UCR everywhere. It worked for me.

My favorite line in the song? '...football undefeated since 1975!'. Enjoy my Pinterest homage to UC Riverside. Feel free to send me any UCR-related photos you may have and I'll add them to the board!

March 17, 2014

Happy Birthday: Nat King Cole (1919-1965)

We join other villagers in celebrating today's anniversary of the birth of Nat King Cole. He was an amazing African American singer born in 1919 [SOURCE].

Nathaniel Adams Cole was born in Montgomery, Alabama, but grew up in Chicago. In 1937, after touring with a Black musical revue, he began playing in jazz clubs in Los Angeles. There he formed the King Cole Trio, with guitarist Oscar Moore and bassist Wesley Prince, in 1939. With his compact, syncopated backup chords and clean, spare, melodic phrases, Cole emphasized the piano as a solo, rather than a rhythm, instrument in his jazz arrangements.

Commercial success came with his singing. After Straighten Up and Fly Right (1943), Cole gradually abandoned jazz piano for popular vocals. Among his other hits were Nature Boy, Mona Lisa, Too Young, and Unforgettable. Cole toured internationally and appeared in motion pictures. He first came to prominence as a jazz pianist but reached enormous popularity with his warm, relaxed, somewhat breathy-voiced ballad singing.

Jamie reminded villagers that he broke barriers with his television show in the 1950s.

He died February 15, 1965 in Santa Monica, California.

What is your favorite memory of Nat King Cole?

March 4, 2014

Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

Drumbeats from AfroSpear blogger Bruce Dixon provided us with the text from Abraham Lincoln's second inaugural address. President Lincoln provided his inaugural address on March 4, 1865. In celebration of its anniversary ... and the fact that another politician from Illinois is now our president ... I share the speech here for posterity...

At this second appearing to take the oath of the Presidential office there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement somewhat in detail of a course to be pursued seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of the great contest which still absorbs the attention and engrosses the energies of the nation, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself, and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.

On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it, all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, urgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war-- seeking to dissolve the Union and divide effects by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the war came.

One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union even by war, while the Government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it.

Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other.

It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh." If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him?

Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.

Any thoughts as you read Lincoln's message? What say u?

March 3, 2014

Coca-Cola/ Steve Harvey Scholarship Program

Comedian/ TV personality Steve Harvey and his wife, via their Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation, have partnered with Coca-Cola to create the Coca-Cola "Pay It Forward" Scholarship Program. Students can compete for the opportunity to win an apprenticeship experience with Steve Harvey, and a $5,000 educational scholarship. Runner-up winners will receive a $1,000 gift card.

The apprenticeship will include the opportunity to participate in the Steve Harvey Mentoring Program, including working with members of his team and learning what it takes to run the Steve Harvey Morning Show and Family Feud. They also will have the opportunity to meet and be mentored by Steve Harvey himself.

To apply, applicants can either nominate themselves or someone else. They have to complete a short application, and write an essay submission. The essay must not exceed 100 words in length (each question is limited to 50 words); and must be 100% true and original. In addition, all applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 21.

The program is just one of many offered by The Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation, which provides outreach to fatherless children and young adults, by promoting educational enrichment, one-on-one mentoring and global service initiatives that will cultivate the next generation of responsible leaders.

March 2, 2014

Book Review: 'Zero Day' by David Baldacci

Zero Day by David Baldacci

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoy David Baldacci as an author. As such, I didn't have any problem listening to a new character that Baldacci introduces to his readers in Zero Day. John Puller is our hero ... a rather straight-forward man with a complicated family tree that includes a brother convicted of treason and locked up for life ... and a father who is going senile after retiring from the military with 2-stars and a powerful reputation with his troops.

This story revolves around a military mystery taking place in a small West Virginia town. We learn about the true meaning of 'coal country' as well as a unique epilogue to the 1960s cold-war mentality of the United States of America in the post-9/11 era.

I listened to the CDs while driving from Cincinnati-to-Tulsa ... and it made the drive an enjoyable (albeit long) one! I do recommend it for anyone that is a Baldacci fan ... or a West Virginia fan!

View all my reviews