Don't Kill Troy Davis

Let me start by saying that my prayers are with the family of Mark McPhail. He is the police officer shot in August 1989 for nothing more than doing his job. Sometimes, we fail to acknowledge McPhail's family as we discuss this case.

The State of Georgia sentenced Troy Davis to the death penalty for McPhail's murder over 15 years ago. Should Troy Davis be put to death by the State of Georgia? My answer is 'No'.




There is compelling evidence that Davis did not commit the crime. I don't think that we should have any doubt about killing a man. This case is full of doubt. Unfortunately, it appears that Troy Davis is reaching the end of the line.

He lost his appeal to the federal appeals court in April. The Supreme Court jumped in about 90 minutes before Davis was set to be executed back in September 2008. However, they turned down a hearing on his appeal in October.

A 30-day stay of execution expires this weekend, prompting Amnesty International and the AfroSpear to declare today a global day of action - a time for those who hate injustice to raise our voices and save this man's life.

Troy Davis expressed his gratitude to us in interview conducted on May 17th.

Villagers, here are the basic facts of the case:

In August 1989, Davis and a running buddy named Sylvester (Red) Coles spent a riotous, hell-raising night in Savannah. Eyewitnesses say Coles shot at two of his neighbors at a house party with a chrome .38 pistol, hitting and wounding one.

Davis wasn't at that party. But he and Coles met later and wound up in the parking lot of a Burger King next to Savannah's Greyhound bus station, where one of them harassed and pistol-whipped a homeless man.

When the man yelled for help, a cop named Mark McPhail - who was moonlighting as a security guard at the bus station - came running, and was shot to death at point-blank range.

The murder weapon was never recovered, but ballistics showed it was a .38-caliber handgun.

Coles, the owner of a .38, wasn't charged. Instead, nine eyewitnesses testified at trial that Davis was the shooter.

But seven of the nine have since recanted their testimony, with several signing sworn statements that they were coerced by cops.

One recanting witness, Dorothy Ferrell, said in a sworn statement that "I was scared that if I didn't do what the police wanted me to do, then they would try to lock me up again. I was on parole at the time."

And here's witness Darrell Collins: "I was only 16 ... After a couple of hours of the detectives yelling at me and threatening me, I finally broke down ... They would tell me things that they said had happened and I would repeat whatever they said."

And so it went with seven of the nine witnesses.

Of the remaining two, one initially told police under oath that he didn't know who shot McPhail - then reversed himself on the witness stand two years later, certain that Davis was the culprit.

The only other eyewitness is Coles, who went to the police the day after the shooting, accompanied by a lawyer and claimed Davis was the killer.

Coles never mentioned that he'd been carrying a .38-caliber pistol that night.

"[The police] bought Mr. Coles' story hook, line and sinker," Davis' attorneys argued in court. "And they went out into this community, and they rounded up witnesses everywhere they could find them, and they paraded them in here."

Three new witnesses now claim they heard Coles later take credit for the murder. But none of the new witnesses or sworn recantations have ever been heard in any court - and probably never will be.

The only remaining hope is a pardon from Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue - an act of mercy we should all demand to rescue Davis from an unjust death.

Other Available Resources:

1. Download a fact sheet on Davis' case


2. Read more about innocence on Georgia's death row


3. Where is the justice for me?: The case of Troy Davis, facing execution in Georgia


4. Listen to Troy tell his story


5. View the facts and timeline


6. Join the international discussion


7. Hear from Troy's sister


8. Visit Troy Davis' website

Next step is yours. How are you raising your voice in protest today?

Houston, We Have a Problem ... Witness Says Taser-Happy Police Are Lying

Jamaal Valentine is 27-year old Black man who died after being tased by the La Marque police officer. Police officers Richard Garcia, Forrest Gandy and Sgt. Mike Kelemen say that Valentine was "rolling around in the grass in a ditch." They go on to indicate that Valentine fought and bit them. Later, the police report even added something about Valentine reaching for a police sidearm. One of the cops shot Valentine with a taser gun. A few moments later he was died.

However, the 62-year old witness who called for help said the man was seeking medical help for a possible heart attack and didn’t appear to pose any threat to officers. Instead of calling medical aid for Valentine, police tried to arrest him. [SOURCE]

Asked if he thought Valentine was a threat to officers, Pope said, “No.”

“I was as close as you could get to him,” Pope said. “I was face-to-face with him, and he was not threatening to me. He was in distress, needing help.”

The incident has Valentine’s family asking for answers. His stepfather, Troy Terrell, said police had not talked to family members to explain what happened.

Valentine is the 19th person killed in America this year by police tasers.

Remarks by President Obama at Notre Dame Commencement (Video)

President Barack Obama truly shines at moments of high drama. I recall how he responded to the race issues last year during the primaries. This past weekend the hot-button issue was abortion. A number of folks were up in arms about the fact that Obama was giving this speech and getting an honorary law degree at the same time.

I thought that villagers would appreciate hearing his words directly. Here is the full 31-minute speech:




What are your thoughts about his speech? Do you think that we can significantly reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies in America?

Latino Hate Crime Murder of Luis Ramirez Deserves Justice

After they had beaten Luis Ramirez to death, the white teenagers who attacked Luis sent an ominous message to his friends:

"Tell your f**king Mexican friends to get the f**k out of Shenandoah or you’ll be f**king laying next to him."

Just over a week ago, two of Ramirez’s killers were acquitted of all serious charges by an all white jury, with the jury foreman making it clear that justice for Ramirez had no chance in the town of Shenandoah, PA:

"I believe strongly that some of the people on the jury were racist. I believe strongly that some of the people on the jury had their minds made up maybe before the first day of trial…And I believe the four boys that were involved the most are racist. I absolutely do…"

Thanks to the hard work of Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) and others, the Department of Justice is now looking into Ramirez’ death. But that’s only part of what’s needed. Where are the leaders in the State of Pennsylvania? Why has the governor had nothing to say? His silence is shameful.

Until elected leaders speak up, we can expect more stories like Luis’ — not just in Shenandoah, but across the country. Pennsylvania Governor Rendell owes it to the people of his state and to Latinos everywhere to speak out and condemn what’s happened. I've joined Presente.org in demanding that he does. Please click the link below to add your voice and ask your friends and family to do the same. It takes only a moment.

http://presente.org/ref/6979/campaigns/ramirez
Ordinarily our blog highlights issues that impact directly on African Americans. However, the Black community has seen this type of injustice before. It wasn't right when it happened to nubians ... it's not right when it happens in the Latino or immigrant community.

If Luis Ramirez’s death were an isolated event it would be outrageous enough. Sadly, it’s part of a growing trend of racially motivated violence against Latinos, particularly in rural communities. According to the FBI, hate crimes against Latinos rose 35% between 2003 and 2006. And as author David Niewert writes, the target of hate crimes goes beyond their immediate victims: "The purpose is to terrorize the target community, to drive them out, eliminate them."

That kind of intimidation only works only if the people who are targeted remain silent, and if officials in positions of power remain unaccountable. That’s why villagers need to speak out and let folks across the country know we won’t tolerate hate and violence towards any community of color. It starts with demanding that the Governor of Pennsylvania make clear that anti-immigrant hate has no place in Pennsylvania. It’s time for him to show leadership now. Join our village in calling for Governor Rendell to speak out!

Jamaal Valentine, 27-Year Old Blackman, Killed by Police Taser Torture in Houston Area

The police found 27-year old Jamaal Valentine rolling in a ditch down near Houston TX. Instead of getting him medical help the police escalated the situation to the point that a taser was pulled and used. Another Blackman dead at the hands of police taser torture. Mr. Valentine is the 19th person killed by taser in the first 20 weeks of the year. Is this another case of extra-judicial electrocution?



When will the police accept that the taser is a lethal weapon?

We've Got To Do Something About Those Borders...

This week's caption winner is Sojourner!

Sunday Inspiration: Black Mommas

I grew up with a set of Black parents that didn't take no mess. My mom was simple and direct with her discipline. We didn't have "time-outs" in our house!

1. Have you ever been called downstairs from upstairs, the back of the house, or from the front of the house to get the remote, change the channel, or bring her a glass of ice water?


2. Have you ever been hit with an extension cord, a switch, or the nearest shoe?


3. Have you ever had to pick your own switch off the tree and got sent back because the one you picked was too little?


4. Have you ever been burned on your ear with a straightening comb?


5. Have you ever been hit in the head or knuckles with a comb or hair brush?


6. Have you ever been told to 'Shut up or I'll give you something to cry about' or beat with a belt while she pronounces every syllable, 'Didn't---I---tell---you---not---to-do---that---no---more?!'


7. Have you ever had your ponytails or plaits were so tight, you got those little bumps around your scalp?


8. Were the white people in the school office (principal, secretary, etc) afraid of her?


9. You were scared to go home when you had a bad report card?


10. Alcohol, peroxide, cocoa butter, and Vaseline were the main items in the bathroom cabinet. And that red hot water bottle hanging behind the bathroom door?


11. You were never 'on punishment' - just got a whooping right out of the shower.


12. Have you ever been pinched for going to sleep in church?


13. She made you participate in every church activity (choir, Sunday school, Junior Usher board, Easter play, Christmas Play, etc).


14. Has she ever come inside and picked you up from school dance in hair rollers and her gown or pajamas on under her coat?


15. When you ask her for something, her response was..'You got a job?'


16. Have you ever been beaten for something your brother or sister did just because you were around?


17. She vacuums everyday just so the carpet can have lines in it?


18. Have you ever been told to turn off the TV, get off the phone, or sit down and be quiet when it's storming outside because the Lord was doing his work?


19. Friends, family, and friends of the family try to keep you out of trouble because they know your mother and how she is?


20. You were afraid to call the child abuse hotline (because you weren't allowed to use the phone without her permission)?


21. She had to talk to God.. 'Lord, please don't let me hurt this child!!!' before she gives you a whipping.


22. You knew NOT to talk about what went on in your house with Anybody (other family members, friends, school authority, etc), because you were told, 'What goes on in this house, stays in this house!!!'

If you can relate to any of these things, then you know you had a beautiful Black mother who didn't take no mess when you were growin up!

GOD BLESS OUR BEAUTIFUL BLACK GRANDMAS, MAMMAS, AUNTS, SISTAHS, NIECES & GIRLFRIENDS...

Sunday Inspirations, is the meme created by Sojourner to honor her Mother for Mother's Day 2008 and is just one way to help get us through the week ahead, the trials we may face, and yes, to say Thank Ya and testify! I hope that you participate and share with us your Sunday Inspirations. Your weekly contribution may very well be the inspiration that someone else may need and has been looking for.

Did Newark Police Kill Basire Farrell with Taser Torture

Villagers have been watching the increasing incidents of taser torture around the nation. Today we learn that Basire Farrell, a 30-year old Black man died in Newark while in custody after he allegedly attacked police officers who were trying to subdue him. Relatives claim he was beaten, tased and killed during the incident.

Police officers responded to reports of a disorderly man inside of Morgan's Bar. Officers indicate that the man began to hit vehicles and yell obscenities when they approached him. In fact, the police say that Farrell bit one them during the scuffle.

The police eventually subdued him, took him into custody, and had emergency workers transport him to Beth Israel Medical Center. During the trip, the man went into cardiac arrest and died a short time later.

Relatives quesitoned police accounts and whether excessive force was used. Witnesses had told the family that officers had beaten, kicked and tasered Farrell.

"Basically my nephew was killed unjustly at the hands of police," said Farrell's uncle, Racheim Farrell. "I'm really like numb with disbelief. The police are the ones to serve and protect the community. We put all of our faith and trust in the police. Newark has some great officers. They do community work with kids. We're not saying all cops are bad. There's just a few bad apples that did something wrong."

Villagers, this guy was wrong for battling the police. However, the penalty for disorderly conduct is a couple of days in jail ... it is not death. There simply is no excuse for extra-judicial electrocution or taser torture. Isn't it time for congressional hearings on this matter?

Obama Wants to Close 5,000 Failing Schools

I am pleased to see that the Obama Administration is taking steps to change the dynamics of the American educational system. He wants to see 5,000 failing schools close and reopen with new principals and teachers over the next five years. The plan for failing schools is part of an effort to fundamentally change perceptions about what works in education.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan says kids have only one shot at a good education and chronically underperforming schools need a new start.

Obama doesn't have authority to close schools himself. That power rests with local school districts and states. But the president will have unprecedented money to offer schools from a federal school-turnaround fund. And states have an incentive to act in the federal economic stimulus law, because they must help failing schools improve to be eligible for the dollars.

The administration's goal is for the lowest-performing 1,000 schools — about 1 percent of schools nationwide — to close and reopen each year for the next five years.

Combined with the budget plan released last week, Obama could have as much as $5 billion to facilitate school turnarounds, which could translate to $1 million for every school that is closed and reopened.

I hope that Obama is able to keep the spotlight on his challenge to Americans. We need to significantly increase our efforts in public schools if we plan to maintain our position of global superiority in the future.

What say u?

(Th)ink by Keith Knight: Steamed Rice

(Th)ink is an editorial cartoon written and drawnby cartoonist Keith Knight (the K Chronicles).

New AfroSpear Member: Derrick's Window

Derrick Anthony is the newest blogger-applicant approved for membership into the AfroSpear. His blog, Derrick's Window (BBR #1166), went live in August 2008. He sought out the AfroSpear because of its focus on "...the continuing education and sharing of views of people black and otherwise...oh and world peace! :)".

When asked what his blog will add to the AfroSpear flavor, he wrote, "Can there ever be another voice as they are all unique? I got questions and opinions and life experience that Im bringing to the table."

The AfroSpear requires that a current Member must nominate any new blogger-applicant. Deborah (My Brown Eyed View) is the nominating member for Derrick Anthony. She writes:

"I have read Derrick's Window off and on for the past few months. I first learned about his blog through our mutual membership at Urban Blogger. I read his information and visited the site. I have read his posts from time to time. I also know his work from being a member of We OpEd. I think that Afrospear needs as many diverse voices as we can get. Derrick not only is open about being a Gay Black Male, he writes about issues that are of importance to us as black people. He also shares his perspectives of culture from his viewpoint. I believe that as we continue to grow as a group there is room for all different types of voices in our struggle."

I look forward to reading the insights from this young brother over the coming weeks and months!

Wordless Wednesday: Bear Hug

Police Demonize the Teenager Killed by Taser Torture

Robert Mitchell is the 16-year old youngster who was killed with tasers from Warren police officers. Everyone is waiting on the autopsy results to understand the cause of death. However the police couldn't wait to let the public know that Mitchell had marijuana in his system.

Warren -- Toxicology testing conducted on a Detroit teen who died shortly after being shocked with a Taser by Warren police showed marijuana in his system at the time of his death, police said today.

The final autopsy report for 16-year-old Robert Mitchell is still pending with the Macomb County Medical Examiner's office.

Warren Police Commissioner William Dwyer said at this point, it is unknown if the drugs found in the teen's system played a role in his death.

Police allege that on April 10, the Detroit Kettering High School sophomore bailed out of the Dodge Stratus he was riding in during a traffic stop for an expired license plate on Eight Mile near Schoenherr. Police say he discarded his jacket before leading officers on a half-block chase to a home on Pelkey.

He was stunned one time for resisting when officers attempted to pat him down.

Mitchell's family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city of Warren April 20.

My perspective is simple. The young man didn't deserve the death penalty for running or "discarding his jacket". The police don't have the right to electrocute a teenager for these things.

What say u?

Village Interview: Eddie Griffin (Eddie Griffin, BASG)

This is a continuation of our Village Interview series. Today, we are pleased to invite you for a seat under our baobob tree to read interview with Eddie Griffin, an active blogger in the afrosphere. His blog is known as Eddie G. Griffin (BASG). BASG is acronym for Black Accused Support Group.

Eddie Griffin, ex-Black Panther, ex-convict, Blackosphere advocate for the accused, Christian community organizer, and author of 'Breaking Men's Minds: Behavior Control and Human Experimentation at the Federal Prison in Marion (IL)'. I encourage you to visit his blog to best enjoy his honest, candid and insightful analysis of current events. I hope you enjoy this blogger interview!

Q1. What were you like when you were younger?

Youth is like a deep, deep sleep. You wake up and hardly remember what it felt like to be young. I guess you can say I was a romanticist, in love with life and every young woman I could put my hands on. For a brief period, I was Mr. Popular, with a reputation everywhere I went. I was too popular for my own good, so I gained a gangster pimp image, and later a Black, gun-toting revolutionary… seems like to me, on a suicide mission.

Q2. Name a famous historical figure, living or deceased, you would like to meet and tell us why.

I am not a hero worshipper. But I see in myself some of the influence of people who helped shaped my life. I would have loved to meet Angela Davis. Her book 'Soledad Brother' converted me to the revolution. I fell in love with her face on the FBI Most Wanted poster. If a sweet sister like this could be branded as an outlaw, then I realized that I was on the wrong side of the law.

After being exonerated, Angela Davis went to work on behalf of other prisoners, after the death of George Jackson, the original 'Soledad Brother'. She took up the cause of a band of politically conscious prisoners and named them the “Marion Brothers”, of whom I am one of the three set free by President Jimmy Carter.

Without her, I would still be in Leavenworth until the year 2022.

Q3. Name a person in your community who is relatively unknown to the rest of the world, who you believe is significant in some way, and that you would like the rest of the world to know more about.

My protégé, Junichi Lockett, Jr., is an unknown, and has yet to 'make his bones'. But he is a young man full of potential and determination. He was a proven leader among his college peers, serving as the university’s NAACP president and being awarded Man of the Year recognition.

He has finished a manuscript on militaristic determinism as used in goal achievements. I like his thinking and work in the trenches, as an elementary school teacher. He studies my writings for inspiration and insight.

Q4. What are two items in your 'bucket list' ... things you want to do or accomplish before you kick the bucket?

I would love to see the day all my kids and grandkids march across the stage upon high school graduation, ready to move on up to the next level in life.

Q5. Describe your first experience on the Internet?

I started in the telephone dial-up connection system on a 486 computer. Every time the phone range, the Internet crashed, until the age of the Pentium, when I routed my telephone calls through my computer.

Q6. Tell us about your current blogging career and how you got into it.

Before I started blogging, I wrote essays and commentaries and mass emailed them to about 1,000 local and national readers. One of my commentaries about the ordeal of Shaquanda Cotton attracted the attention of Francis Holland, who set up a blogsite for Black Accused Support Group (BASG), which I have operated for two years.

Q7. Who are the two bloggers you read the most and why? Include their links and tell us why we should subscribe to their feeds.

I read Electronic Village because of the diverse range of commentary on various causes. I read Dallas South Blog because Shawn is right next door in Dallas, and he is a go-to source for local issues.

Q8. Where are you taking your blog over the next 2-3 years?

Since the election of Barack Obama, I see the opportunity for a 4-8 years window in which I have a better chance to be heard, as a voice in the Black community. This, for me, is an intense problem-solving period, rather than a period of activist protesting. Having been subjected to the status quo successive regimes in U.S. government for 62 years, I now get a sense of being able to participate in government, rather than casting my vote and going back and sitting down, until the next.

Q9. What is your 'killer post' over the past year ... the post you are most proud of?

I have score some direct hits on my blog: Shaquanda Cotton, Jena 6, and others. But the campaign that stands above all others was the campaign to save the life of Kenneth Foster, six hours from the execution chamber in Texas.

Q10. What is your 'biggest noise post' over the past year ... the one that you took the most heat over from your readers?

The 2008 political campaign generated more traffic and more controversy than anything else. I went with two dark horses: Barack Obama for President and Wendy Davis for Texas State Senate. These were the only two campaigns where I had to pour out all my energies.

---

Villagers, I look forward to meeting Eddie Griffin in person. I am blessed to interact with him regularly via email. He is a remarkable man. I collect his Internet quotes. Some of my favorites:

• You can't cram an elephant down a gnat's throat.


• Some of us kill everything that moves. While others, like myself, are sharpshooters, knocking off one target at a time.


• The more you dig, the more you uncover. The more problems you solve, the more problems you discover.


• You build trust by living a transparent life, above reproach and condemnation, with integrity and justice for all.


• Straighten out history and people will get a clear view of how we got here.


• We are lenient with our white folks. We give 'em a little head start. When they get too far out of line, we reign them in.

Please take a moment to share your thoughts on this blogger interview or on Eddie Griffin.

Let's Hope that Obama Can Put 'Em Out of Business

There are over 43 million Americans under the age of 65 who don't have health insurance coverage. Almost 9% of the children under 18 don't have health insurance. I hope that the Obama administration is able to make a difference.




What are your thoughts on the health insurance crisis in America?

Happy Mother's Day ... HOOAH!

President's Weekly Address: 'Credit Card Reform'

I'm feelin' our president in this week's message. I think that I have singlehandedly paid for most of the dayum bank bailouts with the interest and other trick payments on my credit cards over the past few years. This week the President recaps a busy week, from strides on fiscal discipline, to financial stability, to cracking down on tax havens and tax breaks for shifting jobs overseas. For his next big step, he calls for a credit card reform bill:

"Americans know that they have a responsibility to live within their means and pay what they owe. But they also have a right to not get ripped off by the sudden rate hikes, unfair penalties, and hidden fees that have become all-too common in our credit card industry."

What are your thoughts on the issues raised by Obama in this week's message?

Congressional Black Caucus Wants 2nd Black Justice on Supreme Court

I want the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) to be relevant. I want them to hold congressional hearings on taser torture in America.

What I want doesn't much matter.
Instead of doing these good works, we learn that the CBC leadership is "launching a campaign to persuade President Obama to appoint one of their members," Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), to replace Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court.

The CBC and Rep. Bobby Scott are tone-deaf. They should be working with the Congressional Hispanic Council to support the idea of a woman or a Hispanic candidate as the next Supreme Court justice. This isn't the right time to advocate for a 2nd Black justice. We've never had a Hispanic judge in over 200 years ... and we've only had two women justices on the court. Obama needs to deal with either or both of those issues with this selection.

Just my thought ... what say u?

Fire Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis

I have always been a little suspect of Bank of America since they were outed as a major supporter of apartheid in South Africa. Bank of America disappointed me in other organizations with their unwillingness to be a consistent supporter of career advancement for African Americans in the technology industry. As such, it doesn't surprise me to learn that the corporate culture is influenced by the arrogance of its leader, CEO Ken Lewis.

The following video, narrated by former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, gives compelling reasons for CEO Ken Lewis to be fired.



CEO Ken Lewis works for us now. Tens of billions of our taxpayer dollars went toward bailing out Bank of America, but what have we received in return? More predatory lending, billions wasted on exorbitant salaries and executive bonuses, and corporate lobbying against Employee Free Choice. Methinks it is time for Ken Lewis to be gone.

What say u?

Scholarships Available for Blogging While Brown Conference

Villagers are encouraged to apply for scholarships that would cover full registration for the 2nd annual Blogging While Brown Conference.

Those who do not currently blog are encouraged to apply as the scholarship also covers the cost of registration for the pre-conference boot camp. Pass it along to your network, activists, parents, entrepreneurs and anyone else that would benefit from mastering original digital content creation (Gina's new word).

This is a great opportunity. I hope to see many villagers in attendance!

Old School Friday: Soul Train

The theme for this week is Soul Train! Soul Train is a television show that I watched back in the day. My cousin, Chris, was a dancer on the show when it was taped in Hollywood. He was the star of our family for many years based on his appearances on Soul Train.

Many of y'all don't remember the original Soul Train. That was when the line was couples only and brother and sisters came down it together. As I got older it seems that the Soul Train line took on a new solo dancer look where they alternated the cameras from brothers to sisters.



Soul Train was on in the days when you had to be in front of your set. You couldn't tape the show for later consumption. The Soul Train line would come on at about 40 minutes after the hour. Sometimes, I would switch away from other shows to make sure that I saw the line.

I was in college in the 1980s ... it was the time of Miami Vice. I remember watching Soul Train on Saturday morning and trying to mimic the moves at the club on Saturday night. Did y'all know that Rosie Perez was a Soul Train dancer back in the day?





Of course, the other great thing about the show were the performances by the greatest musical acts of our times. Some of the performers knew how to lip-synch and some didn't! I wonder if any of them ever performed live on Soul Train?




I never watched the show very much after Don Cornelius left it. I understand that original programming for the show ended in 2006 ... after 35 years of production. Nowadays they have the Soul Train Music Awards and the 'Best of Soul Train'.

What is your favorite Soul Train memory?

Ida Ljungqvist is First-Ever African Playmate of the Year

When is the last time that you looked at Playboy magazine? I have to admit that I don't recall seeing one for at least the past 20 years. I may have to head out to a bookstand to see if I can find a current issue. It turns out that Hugh Hefner and his crew selected a women from Africa as Playmate of the Year for the first time in a half-century.

Ida Ljungqvist, last year's Miss March, is now the 2009 Playmate of the Year. This 27-year old beauty wins over $100,000 in cash and prizes.

I wonder if Sis. Ljungqvist ~lurks~ here as a villager?

[NOTE: Drumbeats from TransGriot correctly note that the first Black Playmate of the Year was Renee Tennison (Miss November 1989).]

Bloggers Roundup on the Radio: Vanessa Byers and Wayne Hicks

Shawn P. Williams (Dallas South Blog, BBR #87) hosts a remarkable online radio show each week on BlogTalkRadio. One of the segments on his show is 'Bloggers Roundup'. Vanessa Byers (Vanessa Unplugged, BBR #293) and I were guests on Shawn's show last week. We talked about President Obama's first 100 days and the H1N1 flu.

Listen to us if you have time or inclination.

Sarah Palin's Popularity Plummets in Alaska

Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) continues to lose popularity within her own state. Villagers may recall the protests that we posted about last year. Now we learn in new Hays Research polling that Palin's positive rating dropped from 86% a year ago to 54% today.

(Th)ink by Keith Knight: Swine Flu

(Th)ink is an editorial cartoon written and drawnby cartoonist Keith Knight (the K Chronicles).

Michael Steele Loses Fight with RNC Enemies

Michael Steele's descent into irrelevance continues. It appears that MC Mike lost a major battle with rebel members of the Republican National Committee (RNC). These RNC rebels forced RNC Chairman Michael Steele to sign a "secret pact agreeing to controls and restraints on how he spends" party funds and contracts. The power grab that Steele bemoaned last week is now official.

I think it may be time to take bets on how long Steele will remain on board as RNC chairman. I'm starting to think that he won't last thru July 4th weekend. What say u?

Will Barack Obama Take Us to the Moon?

I just checked the NASA website. No decision yet on a new NASA administrator. I'm still holding out hope that Obama will appoint Charles Bolden. In the meantime, I see that Obama ordered a comprehensive review of NASA's plans to return astronauts to the moon. Expected to last 60 to 90 days, the independent review will examine designs for the launch and exploration vehicles proposed for use by the Constellation program and the timeframe for flying lunar missions. [SOURCE]

I'm a science fiction fan. So, I hope that we resume our space program. We can't get to infinity and beyond if we don't get back to the moon.

What say u?

Tenaha Texas 'Driving While Black' Story Goes Mainstream

Villagers learned what it meant to be 'Driving While Black ... Tenaha Texas Style' back in March 2009. I'm glad to see that the story made it to the mainstream media this week. Here is report from Anderson Cooper that played on CNN.




This is little more than domestic terrorism. Three million dollars going to the chamber of commerce, popcorn machines, local churches and dirty cops, taken illegally from drivers, mostly Black, who were threatened with arrest, child confiscation and more.

Only in America!

Ding Hui is the Jackie Robinson of Chinese Volleyball

A 19-year-old volleyball player from the eastern city of Hangzhou has become the first Black athlete to be called up to represent China, triggering fierce curiosity among his compatriots. Read more.

Wordless Wednesday: Food Fight

Ty’Sheoma Bethea's Letter Results in New Furniture for her Run-Down South Carolina School

Villagers, do you remember Ty’Sheoma Bethea? She was the young 8th grader who wrote a letter to congress to let them know about the dilapidated condition of her South Carolina school. Check this video as a reminder:




The students of J.V. Martin Junior High School in rural South Carolina were elated Monday to find new furniture and a freshly painted cafeteria, thanks to a student’s plea, a president’s speech and a businessman’s response. [SOURCE]

"I was amazed. They changed the whole thing," said eighth-grader Jessica Manning, 13. "It let me know somebody cares about us."

Darryl Rosser, CEO of classroom furniture supplier Sagus International, called Principal Amanda Burnette the day after Obama read Bethea’s plea. Over the past weekend, Sagus sent nearly 2,000 pieces of furniture (value: $250,000) on four tractor-trailer loads. Volunteers worked throughout the weekend to put the surprise together.

The cafeteria is newly painted in the school’s black and gold colors, with a three-dimensional Wildcats logo behind the stage. Words of encouragement from leaders such as Thomas Jefferson and Martin Luther King Jr. adorn the walls. But the students chose as their favorite these words of President Obama: "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek."

The student who brought the attention to J.V. Martin said the correctly-sized furniture will help students focus.

"Even though our dream is not yet completed … We now have a better school. We now feel better about our school," Ty’Sheoma Bethea said. "We are not quitters," she added, mimicking the words in her letter, "and we are not through."

Villagers, I think that this is where we should all remind ourselves ... 'YES WE CAN!'

Blog Safari #32

[NOTE: Sing to the tune of 'Fantastic Voyage]. Hey, come on, come along take a ride ... there's a safari over there, that ain't no jive ... it's live, live, it's all the way live ... don't even have to walk, don't even have to drive ... just slide, glide, slippity-slide!

Join our Rhino-Guide (she still needs a name!) on a fantastic voyage known to most as our blog safari. You will see some talented bloggers and creative blog posts. Enjoy the flow!!

• Pam's House Blends - New 50,000-volt Taser offers capability to shock multiple 'targets' at once
  
• The FAMEE Foundation Blog - Facebook Marketing Basics
  
• The Hinterland Gazette - The True Sadness Behind Michael Vick's Saga
  
• The Ladner Report - What He Overcame - A Pulitzer Prize Winner
  
• Wichita NAACP Blog - The Crisis of Aspiration: Why So Many Community Efforts Seemingly Fall Short

Let us know if you come across any remarkable posts that should be shared in our next Blog Safari!

(Th)ink by Keith Knight: Nadya Suleman

(Th)ink is an editorial cartoon written and drawnby cartoonist Keith Knight (the K Chronicles).

‘Jena Six’ Mom is Arrested

Some families have bad luck. It appears that the Bell family ... of Jena Six fame ... is one of those families. The mother of Mychal Bell, Jena 6 youth, was arrested on charges of failure to pay child support.

Have you ever heard of a woman paying child support?

Mychal Bell is one of six Black youths who were charged with attempted murder in 2006 following a schoolyard fight with a White student in Jena, La. The racially biased prosecution sparked cries of racism. Thousands of protestors marched on Jena to show support for the six youths. Bell is the only one of the Jena Six youths to serve time for the original incident.

Late last year, Bell shot himself with a gun and told authorities that it was a suicide attempt after being caught shoplifting. He said at the time that he thought about all of the people he had disappointed by his actions.

Next stop for this family has got to be a reality television show!

Yay! No More George W. Bush!

Michael Steele and the Incredibly Shrinking GOP

Michael Steele made more than his share of mistakes since he became GOP chair. He is trying to make a comeback with group called the National Council for a New America. This new group hopes to produce GOP ideas on major issues like health care and education. The group holds its first town hall meeting on Saturday in Northern Virginia, which will be attended by former Florida governor Jeb Bush and Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA).

Steele still gets grief from members of his own party. Former Bush budget director Jim Nussle expressed a lack of confidence in Michael Steele's leadership of the RNC. "I don't think we've found that yet in Michael or anybody else yet for the party," Nussle said. "So we're going to have to struggle through that for a while."

Finally, it seems that young Michael is engaged in a food fight with RNC treasurer Randy Pullen. Steele recently wrote that Pullen's attempt to wrestle control over RNC spending to be "nothing short of a completely unprecedented usurpation of the authority of the RNC chairman." He added, "No RNC chairman has ever had to deal with this, and I certainly have no intention of putting up with it either."

Poor Michael Steele and his shrinking Republican Party. That can't help but shoot themselves in the foot. It does make for good comedic relief!

Top 10 Black Blogs (May 2009)

Happy Mother's Day! We now have 1,659 blogs ranked in May 2009 BBR. Two new blogs (The Field Negro and La Shawn Barber's Corner) enter into the Top 10 for the first time since Feb 2009. Hello Beautiful (BBR #12) and This is SOHH.com (BBR #16) dropped out of the Top 10.

Currently, we track 1,659 blogs ... up 30 from last month. We are proud of the evolution of the Black Blog Rankings (BBR). However, we recognize that not every Black-owned & operated blog is on our current list! Please let me know if you see a blog that should be added to the BBR.

The Top Ten Black Blogs for May 2009:

1. Pam Spaulding: Pam's House Blend (Authority: 1,084 / Rank: 1,402) - [Politics] Pam's blog continues in the BBR #1 for the 11th month in a row. The Washington Post shared some reasons that Pam has been so influential in the blogosphere. I still hold out hope that Pam will be a guest on Rachel Maddow show at some point in the near future. Tags for this blog are race, politics, feminism, gay and lesbian. This blog was BBR #2 in May 2008.


2. Ahsmi Rawlins: Nah Right (Authority: 721 / Rank: 2,771) - [Entertainment] Ashmi (a.k.a., ESKAY) has been blogging since May 2005 and is now recognized as the top-ranked gossip or entertainment blog on our list. This BBR #2 ranking is an all-time high for Nah Right. I still want to know the deal on his blog masthead. I was born and raised on St. Andrews Place in Los Angeles ... so it brings a smile to my face whenever I visit Nah Right. Can anyone tell me why he has St. Andrews Place on his blog masthead. The tags for this blog are news and music. This blog was BBR #4 in May 2008.


3. The Bossip: Bossip.com (Authority: 714 / Rank: 2,819) - [Entertainment] This blog has spheres of influence in Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York City. Moguldom Media Group, which owns Bossip, is run by Marve Frazier and the founder who seeks to keep anonymity. This blog was BBR #1 in May 2008.


4. Angel Laws: Concrete Loop (Authority: 548 / Rank: 4,160) - [Entertainment] Angel Laws is the 24-year old sister who who owns and operates popular entertainment blog. She will be a presenter at the 2009 Blogging While Brown Conference. Concrete Loop is also a popular destination on MySpace. Tags for this blog are Music, Pictures, gossip, R&B, Hollywood, Celebs, Exclusive, loop, concrete, gossip blog, concreteloop, black celebs, black gossip, celeb interviews and black hollywood. This blog was BBR #3 a year ago.


5. Natasha Eubanks: Young, Black & Fabulous (Authority: 488 / Rank: 4,865) - [Entertainment] Natasha Eubanks moved up three spots in this month's BBR. This 27-year old nubian from Alexandria, VA provides some remarkable celebrity photos on her blog. She also has a popular site on MySpace. This blog was BBR #7 a year ago.


6. Oliver Willis: Oliver Willis (Authority: 475 / Rank: 5,138) - [Politics] Oliver has been blogging since April 2005. You can tell an awful lot about a blogger from the company he keeps. Oliver's blogging enemies go for his juggular. On the other hand, he is a contributor to the top-ranked blog in the world. Tags for this blog are politics, media, news, comedy, humor, progressive, journalism, democrats and movies. This blog was BBR #6 in May 2008.


7. Baratunde Thurston and Cheryl Contee: Jack and Jill Politics (Authority: 451 / Rank: 5,551) - [Politics] Baratunde and Cheryl make up the dynamic online team of Jack and Jill. Their blog provides a Black bourgeoisie perspective on U.S. politics. The duo provides outstanding political content. You can find them on Facebook as well. This blog was BBR #8 last year.


8. Marenda Taylor: Living Life Abundantly (Authority: 366 / Rank: 7,451) - [Social Commentary] Marenda wrote, "I started this blog with the intentions of expressing my thoughts, provoking thought, bridging gaps, and sparking conversation. The agenda is to entertain, educate, and empower. The goal is to inspire, encourage, and uplift. The mission is to Live Life Abundantly and to share the lifestyle with as many people as possible." Marenda posts more often than just about anyone else on this list. I have no idea how she finds the time, however, all of her blog readers appreciate the power of her information. This blog was BBR #135 in May 2008.


9. Wayne Bennett: The Field Negro (Authority: 341 / Rank: 8,181) - [Social Commentary] Wayne is both my namesake and my favorite blogger. It is worth noting that he does it his way. I don't think that this blogger is on any of the other social networks like Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn Network. His blog is the only one in the BBR Top 10 using the Blogger.com 'freebie' platform. It goes to show that if your content is tight ... you will attract attention. Tags for this blog are house negro, Politcs, Race, Racism, negroes, Economics, Law, Urban, Jamaica, Pan Africanism, Malcolm X, Crime, Sports, killadelphia and third world. This blog was BBR #13 a year ago.


10. La Shawn Barber: La Shawn Barber's Corner (Authority: 326 / Rank: 8,848) - [Social Commentary] La Shawn began blogging in November 2003 ... making her one of the most experienced bloggers on our list. She is a freelance writer and columnist with a Christian and conservative viewpoint. She recently shared her thoughts on Black beauty pageants. You can also find her on Facebook. Tags for this blog are News, Music, Media, Writer, conservative, Black, God, Digital, blogger, Journalism, Women, Jesus Christ, Bible, Harry Potter, iTunes, Christian, Pro-life and Reformed. This blog was BBR #9 in May 2008.

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HONORABLE MENTION (11-25): Womanist Musings, Hello Beautiful, Ill Doctrine, The Smoking Section, Necole Bitchie, This is SOHH.com, AfroBella, The Black Snob, The Angry Black Woman, Rod 2.0:Beta, Raw Dawg Buffalo, Sandra Rose, Angry Black Bitch, SoulBounce.com and What About Our Daughters.

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This ranking is open to any blogger of African descent who owns/operates a blog. Black Blog Rankings lean heavily on the Technorati Authority and Rank score for each blog. The Technorati authority and rank numbers are shown in parenthesis. The authority figure includes a number of factors including the number of blogs that are linked to this blogger over the past six months. The rank number indicates how many blogs are between the one listed and The Huffington Post, which is the #1 overall blog in the universe.

We are adding links to the Word version of the Villager's Black Blog Rankings. Let me know if you want a copy of the Word version. In the meantime, I encourage you to share some link-love with this post so that your blog readers know about us!

Old School Friday: Kool And The Gang

The theme for this week's Old School Friday meme is 'Family Reunion, Picnics, and Bar-b-que'. My immediate thought was the song, Family Reunion by the O'Jays. I remember playing that song often back in the day. Another option was Will Smith's Summertime.

However, at the end of the day ... the music that gets me in the mood best for this theme is an instrumental. Lay back and enjoy Summer Madness!


Summer Madness-Kool And The Gang