Top 10 Black Blogs (Jun 2009)

Hotep Villagers! I can't seem to get this monthly update posted on the 1st of the month any longer. But, the wait for the June 2009 Black Blog Rankings (BBR) is over.

I'm happy to report that we have 1,704 blogs in this month's rankings. Two new blogs (This is SOHH.com and Womanist Musings) enter into the Top 10 this month. Living Life Abundantly (BBR #13) and La Shawn Barber's Corner (BBR #14) dropped out of the Top 10.

Currently, we track 1,704 blogs ... up 45 from last month. One thing I noticed this month is that the overwhelming majority of Black-owned blogs have declining Technorati Authority scores. This means that we have less links to our blogs today than we did six months ago. Methinks that this is direct result of links related to the 2008 presidential election dropping from the mix.

We recognize that not every Black-owned & operated blog is on our current list and we are counting on you to let us know about any Black-owned and Black-operated blog that should be added to the BBR.

Without any further ado, here are the Top Ten Black Blogs for June 2009:

1. Pam Spaulding: Pam's House Blend (Authority: 918 / Rank: 1,841) - [Politics] Pam's blog continues in the BBR #1 for the 12th month in a row. Pam is a leading voice in the LGBT community as evidenced by her recent Huffington Post commentary. She will be a presenter at the 2009 Blogging While Brown Conference later this month. This blog was BBR #2 in June 2008.


2. Ahsmi Rawlins: Nah Right (Authority: 678 / Rank: 3,023) - [Entertainment] Ashmi (a.k.a., ESKAY) is the top-ranked gossip or entertainment blog on our list. In fact, Vibe.com recently named Nah Right as the 'The Best Rap Blog'. I'm still waiting on some villager to give me the 411 on his blog logo!?! I was born and raised on St. Andrews Place in Los Angeles so the irony intrigues me every time I log onto Nah Right. This blog was BBR #4 at this time last year.


3. The Bossip: Bossip.com (Authority: 625 / Rank: 3,677) - [Entertainment] Moguldom Media Group, which owns Bossip, is run by Marve Frazier and the founder who seeks to keep her anonymity. So, I guess that I've finally figured out that The Bossip is a woman. One thing that I know for sure ... Gabrielle Union is pissed off at The Bossip. This blog was BBR #1 in June 2008.


4. Felicia Palmer and Steven Samuel: This is SOHH.com (Authority: 592 / Rank: 3,677) - [Entertainment] SOHH stands for Support Online Hip Hop and is a blog based in Jersey City, NJ. SOHH.com is a destination site for fans of hip hop music. The site was created in 1997 as a more cost-effective information alternative to a monthly print publication called 4Control Media, which launched two years earlier. This blog was not ranked a year ago.


5. Angel Laws: Concrete Loop (Authority: 504 / Rank: 4,702) - [Entertainment] Angel Laws is the 24-year old sister who who owns and operates popular entertainment blog. Her blogging history will be a compelling backstory for this presenter at the 2009 Blogging While Brown Conference later this month. Unfortunately, not everyone is a fan. SandraRose.com (BBR #20) showed her animosity in a recent blog post. Anyhow, Concrete Loop is a popular destination on MySpace. This blog was BBR #3 in June 2008.


6. Natasha Eubanks: Young, Black & Fabulous (Authority: 439 / Rank: 5,725) - [Entertainment] Natasha Eubanks has been in the blogging game since July 2005. This 27-year old nubian from Alexandria, VA was called a blogger to watch by Newsweek. She also has a popular site on MySpace. This blog was BBR #6 a year ago.


7. Oliver Willis: Oliver Willis (Authority: 401 / Rank: 6,446) - [Politics] Oliver recently shared his thoughts on the Republican Party in the Huffington Post. Oliver has developed some blogging enemies in the four years since he started his blog. But, whatever you think about him ... it is nice to have a non-entertainment blog in the BBR Top Ten! This blog was BBR #5 in June 2008.


8. Baratunde Thurston and Cheryl Contee: Jack and Jill Politics (Authority: 382 / Rank: 6,988) - [Politics] Baratunde and Cheryl will share their unique Black bourgeoisie perspective on U.S. politics at the 2009 Blogging While Brown Conference later this month. Cheryl wasn't in Cairo for Obama's speech last week, however, she did follow him to Europe for the G-20 Summit in April. This blog recently expanded into other social networks such as Facebook. Does anyone know the backstory on the half-eaten watermelon that serves as their logo? This blog was BBR #9 at this time last year.


9. Wayne Bennett: The Field Negro (Authority: 327 / Rank: 8,556) - [Social Commentary] Wayne is my favorite blogger, although I must admit that RiPPa is making a run for that title. This practicing attorney was born in Jamaica, however, he considers himself a citizen of the world. His blog is revolutionary in nature with no-holds barred commentary on the worlds of entertainment, sports, and politics. He operates on a blogspot.com platform and refuses to cross-promote on any other social network. This blog was BBR #14 in June 2008.


10. Renee Martin: Womanist Musings (Authority: 322 / Rank: 8,747) - [Social Commentary] Rene proudly laid out her Womanist Manifesto in April 2008. Her blog has risen faster and farther than anyone else in the past year. Once you understand the passion that this Canadian mother of two possesses it is not surprising to see the success of her blog. She speaks her truth as a anti-racist woman of color. About the only thing that Renee is mistaken about his her review of the iconic television series, '24' ... but, that is a story for a different day! This blog was BBR #860 at this time last year.

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HONORABLE MENTION (11-25): Ill Doctrine, The Smoking Section, Living Life Abundantly, La Shawn Barber's Corner, Necole Bitchie, The Angry Black Woman, AfroBella, Angry Black Bitch, SoulBounce.com, Sandra Rose, Raw Dawg Buffalo, RaceWire, Tariq Nelson, Crunk & Disorderly and Clutch Magazine

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This ranking is open to any blogger of African descent who owns/operates a blog. Villager's 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 added clickable 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 would be interested to hear from you. Is it worth the effort to update this list each month?

Manic Monday: Shine

The theme for this week's Manic Monday meme is Shine. I would like to shine the light on HIV/AIDS awareness efforts in the Caribbean.

June 8 is Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The National Planning Committee convened by Caribbean People International Collective is the lead for the Day.

HIV/AIDS has devastated the Caribbean, which ranks second only to sub-Saharan Africa for AIDS prevalence. In 2006, the United Nations estimated that 19,000 Caribbeans died of AIDS, and that an additional 250,000 were living with the virus. In 2005, there were a reported 38,133 new HIV diagnoses among Caribbean Americans in the U.S.

There are many ways that you can shine the light in response to HIV/AIDS:

1. get tested for HIV
   
2. practice safer methods to prevent HIV


3. decide not to engage in high risk behaviors


4. talk about HIV prevention with family, friends, and colleagues


5. provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS


6. subscribe to our HIV/AIDS Awareness Day groupsite

I hope that all villagers will take this opportunity to think hard on steps we can each take ... not just in the Caribbean American community ... to prevent HIV/AIDS from its continued devastation. Shine your light!

Prosecuters in 'America's Most Racist City' Set Dragging Death Killers Free

Some villagers may recall that we annointed Paris TX with the unofficial title as the 'Most Racist City in America'. The city lived up to its reputation with decision to release the two white men accused of killing Brandon McClelland, a Black man, in a racially charged dragging death. [SOURCE]

Shannon Finley and Charles Crostley were released last week in Paris after a judge granted the special prosecutor's motion to dismiss the case. The two men had been charged with fatally striking 24-year-old Brandon McClelland and dragging him over 70 feet with a pickup truck in September following the trio's late-night beer run to Oklahoma.

Last month, a gravel truck driver gave a sworn statement acknowledging he might have accidentally run over McClelland.

"His body was dragged and nobody gets charged?" said Brenda Cherry, a Paris resident and the president of Concerned Citizens for Racial Equality. "Even if a trucker came forward, that's all it takes? Even the trucker's not charged? If you hit someone, you don't get charged? Nobody gets charged with this?"

Is there any reason for Black folks to stay in Paris TX any longer?

Horrible Design Idea: Neighborhood Driveway

I have to imagine it would be difficult to sell houses in this neighborhood even in the best of economic times!

Online Petition: Water for the World Act of 2009 (S.624)

Please help improve access to clean water and sanitation for the world's poorest people by asking your senators to co-sponsor the Water for the World Act of 2009 (S. 624).

This important legislation is stuck in the Committee on Foreign Relations, and it needs at least 20 co-sponsors in order to get the attention of Senate leaders.

Sign this online petition today!

Pat Buchanan's War Against Sonia Sotomayor

One of our villagers recently commented about the virulent racism spewing from Pat Buchanan in the past week or so. We talked about Buchanan's racist streak last year. No doubt about it ... Buchanan is at it again as we listen to his never-ending race-baiting tirades against Judge Sonia Sotomayor:




I agree with Media Matters when they argue that MSNBC is making a mistake by having Pat Buchanan on the air to discuss any issue related to race. What say u?

Even Young People Aren't Fooled by Michael Steele

Check out the faces of these young people as they listen to RNC Chair Michael Steele.



What do you think of Michael Steele?

Taser Torture Approved by Judge Sara Sperrazza

We live in a strange world. Judge Sara Sperrazza ruled that it is legally permissible for police to shoot 50,000 volts of electricity into a suspect with a Taser to obtain a DNA sample, as long as it’s not done "maliciously, or to an excessive extent, or with resulting injury." [SOURCE]

No shyt. This county judge approved decision by Niagra Falls police department to use a taser on Ryan Smith to get a DNA sample that tied him to a shooting and a gas station robbery. Smith was handcuffed and sitting on the floor of Niagara Falls Police Headquarters when the 50,000-volt electronic stun gun was used on him after he insisted he would not give a DNA sample.

Taser International can now market their lethal weapon to police as another way for them to get DNA samples. Forget the old-fashioned options of getting the DNA from discarded bubblegum or soda pop cans. Let's just handcuff the suspect and send 50,000 volts of electricity into their body.

Do you agree with the decision made by this county judge?

You Better Axe Somebody...

Methinks that government leaders at local, state and national level could use the person who was creative enough with an axe to do this ....



We need this axe to be creatively unleashed on government budgets all over America!

Wordless Wednesday: Could He Beat Kobe Bryant or Dwight Howard?

Newt Gingrich: 'I Shouldn't Have Called Sonia Sotomayor a Racist'

The heat got to be too much for Newt Gingrich. He folded. He now admits that he was wrong to call Judge Sonia Sotomayor a racist. In a Human Events column, the former Republican House Leader wrote:

"My initial reaction was strong and direct -- perhaps too strong and too direct. The sentiment struck me as racist and I said so. Since then, some who want to have an open and honest consideration of Judge Sotomayor's fitness to serve on the nation's highest court have been critical of my word choice.

With these critics who want to have an honest conversation, I agree. The word "racist" should not have been applied to Judge Sotomayor as a person, even if her words themselves are unacceptable (a fact which both President Obama and his Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs, have since admitted)."

The remarkable thing is that Newt Gingrich aspires to be our next President. Can you imagine having a person with his lack of discipline in the White House?

Villagers, I encourage you to continue beating the drums against the voices of hate and extremism, who instead of looking at her judicial record have launched a vocal rampage that has reached new heights of absurdity.

Take action to put a stop to it.

Newt Gingrich apologized. However, former Congressman, failed presidential candidate, and anti-immigrant extremist Tom Tancredo, unable to provide a shred of evidence for his assertion that Judge Sotomayor is a "racist," went off the deep end on CNN, saying Sotomayor belongs to "the Latino KKK without the hoods and nooses."




Raising questions and concerns about Judge Sotomayor's 17-year record on the bench is legitimate. Resorting to outdated stereotypes, defamation of character, and outright falsehoods is not ... as Newt Gingrich learned.

Please join us and send a message to Chairman Michael Steele of the RNC, House Minority Leader John Boehner, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell asking them to denounce these statements and restore the nomination process for Judge Sotomayor to a more appropriate and civil discourse.

Republicans Continue to Attack 'Justice J-Lo'

Republicans continue to struggle with Obama's decision to nominate Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the Supreme Court. On the one hand, they claim that Sotomayor is a racist who is only being nominated because of her gender and ethnicity. On the other hand, right-wing Republicans continue to race-bait Sotomayor.

The latest to join the bandwagon is Debbie Schlussel, who called Sotomayer 'Sonia from the Block' and 'Justice J-Lo'. Schlussel feels that Obama chose Sotomayor for the "sole reason" that "she shares the life story of J-Lo, Jennifer Lopez."

Another right-wing kook, Pat Buchanan, continued his rampage against Sotomayor. He is now calling on the US Senate to "stand up for the white working class" and vote against Sotomayor.

Obama Effect: Artur Davis Looks Strong in Alabama

I told y'all a few months ago that Artur Davis (D-AL) was a beneficiary of the Obama Effect.

Davis strives to become the first African American governor of Alabama. He is looking good in recent polls.

In head-to-head matchups, Davis leads Democratic Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobbs, 54%-25%, and Commissioner of Agriculture and Industry Ron Sparks, 56%-26%. He's also ahead of Republican Bradley Byrne, 43%-38%. Byrne is chancellor of Alabama's community college system and a former state senator.

I guess that Charles Barkley's window of opportunity to be Alabama governor is over, huh?!

Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) Responds to Taser Torture Petition

This blog participated in the Day of Blogging for Justice Against Taser Torture last month. As a part of that online activism I joined with others in signing a petition asking for congressional hearings on taser torture in America. I shared my thoughts with the congresswoman and senators that represent me.

One of them, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) responded to me with the following message:

Dear Mr. Hicks:

Thank you for expressing your concerns about the use of tasers by law enforcement officials.

Tasers are used by law enforcement officials to deliver an electroshock and subdue dangerous suspects, and are often used to avoid the use of lethal force. I agree that we must ensure that law enforcement officers receive proper training and that all use of force is appropriate to the situation. In the past I have supported legislation to increase law enforcement accountability for excessive use of force, and should similar legislation come before the Senate I will certainly keep your views in mind.

Thank you again for contacting me.

Sincerely,
Sherrod Brown
United States Senator

I hope that all villagers will sign the online petition created by my colleagues in the AfroSpear.

Let Troy Davis Speak

NAACP President Ben Jealous just sent out the following message:

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Dear Wayne,

A few hours ago, I met with Troy Davis on death row.

As you know, he is facing the death penalty in Georgia for killing a police officer -- but since his trial, seven out of nine witnesses have recanted or contradicted their testimony. And with no physical evidence to link him to the crime, it is likely he is innocent.

Besides the fact that Troy is facing execution for a crime that he may not have committed, he also told me that he is being denied the right to speak out on his own behalf despite the fact that others in his position are allowed to do so.

Please contact Commissioner Brian Owens of the Georgia Department of Corrections to demand that he remove the gag order on Troy Davis.

In my meeting with Troy, I discovered that 60 Minutes, Dateline, and the Associated Press have all been denied media access to Troy. When Georgia won't let the media talk to the accused man, it is a flagrant abuse of his First Amendment rights.

In fact, the case of Troy Davis highlights how broken our criminal justice system is... and why we must reform it. Today, more than 60% of the people in prison are people of color. African Americans make up more than 40% of those on death row. This summer, the NAACP will launch a campaign to reform our country's criminal justice system with the goal of making our communities safer, improving police performance, saving money, and keeping more of our young men and women out of prison. But Troy can't wait for this summer. We need your help now.

An innocent man may be executed. You and I must work together to reform our country's criminal justice system, and we must start by saving the life of one man. Please contact Commissioner Brian Owens of the Georgia Department of Corrections today and demand he give Troy the right to speak.

Benjamin Todd Jealous
President and CEO
NAACP

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I've sent my online petition. I also shared the information with my Twitter followers. Will you join us in this effort to change the policy enacted by the Georgia Department of Corrections?

Black Buying Power

Despite an economy represented by high unemployment rates, a home foreclosure crisis and low consumer confidence, African American buying power is projected to reach $1.2 trillion in 2013, according to a report conducted by the University of Georgia’s Selig Center for Economic Growth. That will be a significant increase over the roughly $800 billion Blacks are believed to have spent in 2006. [SOURCE]

The Selig Center for Economic Growth developed this definitive data series for 1990-2008 and the projections for 2008 through 2013.

In regards to income and wages, the African American median family income declined by $404 or 1 percent and the median weekly wage for African American workers ages 25 to 54 years old declined by 0.2 percent. The weekly wages for African Americans differ by gender—particularly, the median weekly wages of African American men declined in 2007 by 3.4 percent from $649 to $627, while it increased for women by 2.6 percent from $552 to $566.

$1.2 trillion seems like a number to celebrate. However, if we focus on "spending power" then we will be bamboozled and flim-flammed. Spending power ain't realy POWER because it does not translate into the power to have a sustained impact on our own destiny. Black folks spend too much time puffing out our chest about this so-called "spending power" ... when actually all that the $1.2 trillion dollars equals is our "disposable income" ... and Black folks surely know how to dispose of our income. We give away our money faster than any other ethnic group in the country. Only 5% of our disposable income stays in our community. We only spend 5% of our income with Black-owned businesses.

It’s not what you earn; it’s what you keep. Poor people pay interest; rich people earn interest.
If you have a dollar and the otherman has a dollar. You give 95 cents of your dollar to the otherman. Are you surprised when the otherman's roads are better; the otherman's public schools are better; the otherman's homes and cars are better? When you only keep a nickel out of your dollar in your own community ... can we be surprised when the police don't respect us; when our children don't respect us; when our school systems are bankrupt; when our public services from the local government are substandard. Spending power doesn't equal POWER.

You shouldn’t work for money; money should work for you. Don’t have champagne tastes with a beer budget.
$1.2 trillion seems like a number to celebrate. Nevertheless, a whopping 24.9 percent of all Blacks are still officially classified as poor and critics complain that despite its absolute size, Black income is failing to create Black wealth because it tends to flow into Black communities and right back out.

Villagers, don't be bamboozled. the difference between income and wealth when it comes to power is simple --> wealth flows from your net worth. What happens to you if you missed two paychecks? Many of us would be homeless if that happened.

Check out a person’s net worth and you can see how wealthy he or she is. The government tells us that the typical white household had over 10 times as much accumulated wealth (or net worth) as the typical Black household. The median net worth (assets minus liabilities) for the typical white family was $88,651 compared to $7,932 for Hispanics and $5,998 for Blacks. Do you begin to see the trick bag that is placed over our head when we focus on "spending power"?

Credit is a good servant but a poor master. Stop ending each month with more month than money.
Villagers, the next time you see the statistics on Black Buying Power, stop and think about the word “power” and what it means in that particular context. Power for whom? Yes, it’s Black Buying Power, but it’s power for those who receive some 95% of our $1.2 trillion everyday. It is power for others to purchase fine homes and cars. It is power for others to build their own communities. It is power for others to send their children to college. It is power that allows the otherman to maintain their collective hold on the economic system of this country.

Jim Clingman uses the term “Black Buying Weakness.” If we continue to give our power to someone else through our conspicuous consumption of their products and services, we will continue to have billions of dollars in aggregate income and only thousands of dollars in individual family wealth. Additionally, we will continue to have the power of income rather than the power of wealth, which only allows us to our pay bills, continue to work on the proverbial plantations, purchase all of our needs and wants from the proverbial company store, and create the power of wealth for others.

Do you remember the systems of sharecropping and dependence upon the company store shown in the final episodes of the Roots miniseries? It seems like we are repeating that same history today as we convert our $1.2 trillion of spending power into relative miniscule amount of wealth that Blacks have. We could never catch up then, and we will never catch up now, if we continue to depend upon income rather than wealth.

The power of wealth manifests itself in ownership and control of income-producing assets and infrastructure such as banks, hotels, manufacturing facilities, real estate, distribution channels, and other wealth-builders and wealth-retainers. The power of income manifests itself, via the transfer of that income to others, in ownership and control of assets by others from whom Black folks must purchase our very sustenance. If we allow that system to continue, by pouring the vast majority of our income into the vast pools of wealth owned by others, we will always be on the bottom of the economic heap. Yes, some of us will still have the latest cars, fine homes, stock portfolios, and high positions (jobs) in corporate America, but collectively we will remain an income-rich and wealth-poor group of Africans in America.

We must take stock of our economic position in this country by understanding that income is not wealth. Villagers, you are encouraged to redirect more of your income toward your own people, just like other groups do. And, the next time they count how much money we have collectively, they will add a footnote that says, “Black spending among Black owned businesses has increased significantly, the result of which is an increase in the net worth of Black families as well as an aggregate increase in Black wealth.”

The power of income or the power of wealth. Which would you prefer for our people?

Old School Friday: Michael Franks

Every once and a while it’s time to try something new and different. The theme for this week is “Outside My Box”. It’s time to showcase things that are not normally associated with me ... things people wouldn’t believe that I’d listen to…

My choice is Michael Franks. He's a jazz musician that I discovered during my college days. I couldn't find any video of him. However, here are two of my favorite Michael Franks' songs. Both are on my iPod right now. I hope you enjoy his flow.








Asante sana to Mrs Grapevine and Ms Marvalus for creating Old School Friday. I encourage all villagers with a blog to participate in this weekly meme!

Nothing New: Bonnie Sweeten Makes False Accusation Against Black Men

When white folks in America get in trouble ... the first thing that comes to their mind appears to be ... 'A Black man did it'. As long as it's allegedly a brutish Black man is involved, America will fall for anything.

The latest to find comfort in this racist excuse is Pennsylvania mother Bonnie Sweeten. She made frantic calls to 911, saying she and her daughter, 9, had been abducted and stuffed in the trunk of a car by two Black men.

I knew this was gonna be a fake call when I first heard it.

So I wasn't surprised when Sweeten and her innocent 9-year old daughter were found at Walt Disney World in Florida. A prosecutor said Sweeten will be charged with making false police reports and identity theft.

When will our nation finally deal with our continuing race relations issues? Sweeten isn't the first one to shift blame to a non-existent Black men ... and how quickly white folks want to believe it when it happens. Let's see if you can help me create a list of cases where the "Black man did it" was used:

1. Ashley Todd - This McCain volunteer said she was robbed by a 6'4" Black man.


2. Charles Stuart - This is the guy who lied about a Black guy with a raspy voice shooting his pregnant wife to death.


3. Susan Smith - This is the young woman who killed her babies by driving them into the lake. She blamed it on a gun-toting Black man who she invented. She said that this imaginary Black man car-jacked her and took the car and babies.


4. Frances Taylor - She blamed an assault on an imaginary Black man to conceal her own affair. As a result, the entire town of Rosewood was burned down.


5. Ruby Bates and Victoria Price - These two young white girls falsely accused nine Black boys of raping them. The nine Black boys were known as the "Scottsboro Boys" and they were found guilty of a crime they did not commit.


6. Jacquelyn Parfait - She told the police that she was abducted by two Black women who took her to a home where she was repeatedly raped for days. Later, she told the police that she made it all up.

What other examples am I missing on this list?

This trite ruse that white folks have about blaming a Black man led to decades of lynching in America. Isn't it time we put an end to it.

I hope that Sweeten loses custody of her children and spends many years in jail. Maybe that response will cause white folks to think twice before inventing an imaginary Black man to divert attention from their own dastardly deeds.

Elections Have Consequences: Judge Sonia Sotomayor

This is another good day in America! Our new president announced yesterday that he is nominating Judge Sonia Sotomayor of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit to the Supreme Court.

Elections have consequences. Our president demonstrated this fact once again with this appointment.

Judge Sotomayor is a talented and fair-minded jurist and will be the first Hispanic Justice on the Supreme Court. Her record shows that she'll bring an open mind to the Court and rule on each case according to its particular merits.

I imagine that Michael Steele, Rush Limbaugh and Dick Cheney will object to Sotomayor's confirmation. It won't matter. America wants a qualified woman and a qualified Hispanic on the Supreme Court.

Obama can check off another campaign promise -- to select a person who has demonstrated an abiding commitment to the core constitutional values of justice and equality under the law, someone who understands the impact that the law has on the everyday lives of ordinary Americans.

Sonia Sotomayor's decades-long legal career is a powerful stepping stone to the high court.

1. She graduated from Yale Law School where she was Editor of the Yale Law Journal and Managing Editor of the Yale Studies in World Public Order.


2. She was Assistant District Attorney for New York County from 1979-1984.


3. And she has served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit since 1998, before that serving on the U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York since 1992.

This nomination is good news for people who care about the future of our rights and liberties. Her nomination is bad for GOP nutcases like Tom Tancredo and Rush Limbaugh.

Judge Sonia Sotomayor will be a justice that makes all villagers proud.



Elections have consequences. President Obama continues to play chess while his opponents are playing checkers. Hispanics, women and all of America are feeling good this week to be living in the Obama era!

Village Prayers for Mike Tyson and His Family

I'm old enough to remember Mike Tyson when he was the most feared man on the face of the earth. His opponents in the boxing ring would crumble during the introductions ... or in the case of Michael Spinks ... 89 seconds later.

I'm old enough to remember Mike Tyson when he was the most ignorant man on the face of the earth. Can you say, 'Robin Givens'?

I'm old enough to remember Mike Tyson when he was the most reviled man on the face of the earth. Convicted rapist. Boxer who needed to bite ears because he wasn't invincible in the ring any longer.

All of us are old enough to remember Mike Tyson as the most sympathetic man on the face of the earth. No man deserves the pain of burying their child ... much less an innocent 4-year old daughter.

Tyson is the father of six children: Gena, Mikey, Rayna (shown in photo above), Amir, Miguel, and Exodus. His youngest daughter was taken from this world too soon. I join with all villagers in extending our prayers and condolences to the Tyson family in their time of bereavement.

Republicans Call Sonia Sotomayer a 'Racist' and a 'Bigot'

The Republican Party seems more and more like an irrelevant group of scared white folks. Listen to their immediate reaction to decision by President Obama to appoint Judge Sonia Sotomayer to the Supreme Court.



Is it just me ... or do these folks sound more and more desperate in their flailing to stay relevant?

Public Sentiment Turns Against Police in Oregon Taser Killing

I noticed that recent press accounts of the taser-related death of 37-year old Gregory Rold are beginning to question the use of force by the Salem police officers.

One recent article contained the following information:

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Several residents of the Carriage Apartments criticized police Tuesday for using what they described as excessive force.

"He was a creep, but does that mean you get killed like a dog? They should have hogtied him, detained him and taken him away," Carita Mendez said.

Mendez lives in a first-floor unit at the Carriage Apartments, directly below the unit where Rold fought with police as his mother looked on. Neighbors said she screamed out the window, pleading for help and saying that police were killing her son.

Mendez said the violence left many residents traumatized.

"We've been crying, us girls have," she said. "It's too much for us. It's sad."

Liz Patterson, co-manager of the complex, described the altercation between Rold and police officers as a tragedy.

"It's a tragedy for the family. It's a tragedy for the police department. It's a tragedy for everybody involved," she said.

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The four officers involved were placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure in cases involving a fatality and use of physical force. One of the officers, Jacob Pratt, was injured during the fight, and was treated at Silverton Hospital. The other three are Eric Brown, Adam Waite, and Cpl. Darron Mumey.

Villagers, I remain convinced that these four officers did not abide by the use of force continuum in this case. The penalty for being a creep or a trespasser is not the death penalty. Something went horribly wrong in Salem OR and as a result Gregory Rold became the 20th person this year to die as a result of taser electrocution in America.

When will the Congressional Black Caucus join over 600 people to demand congressional hearings on this rising incidence of taser torture in America?

Wordless Wednesday: Think First and Speak Afterwards

OURstory: Barack Obama and Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete

President Obama met with Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete in the Oval Office on Thursday, May 21, 2009.

There are over 50 countries on the African continent. For the first time in over 200 years those African nations can look at the White House and see one of their descendants serving as President of the United States. It is with that historical background that I share this photo documenting the first meeting of an African head of state with President Barack Obama. You can find more photos here.

Rev. Al Sharpton Jumps Into the Education Debate

Many of you saw Michael Bloomberg, Newt Gingrich and Al Sharpton on the White House lawn earlier this month. This unusual trio joined forces to work on education reform. Below is a clip of Sharpton's remarks after the meeting at the White House on May 7.



What you may not know is that Rev. Sharpton pitched this idea with Barack Obama while he was on the campaign trail.

I guess it is true what they say -- 'The way to a man's heart is through his stomach'!

Knocked Off My Feet...

Gregory Rold Dies After Police Shoot Him With a Taser

I'm sad to report that we have another taser-related death in America. This is the 20th taser-related death at the hands of police officers since the beginning of the calendar year. Here is the initial report:

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Salem man dies after police shoot him with a Taser
by Stephen Beaven, The Oregonian

A purported trespasser died Saturday night after he was shot with a Taser as Salem police officers tried to arrest him.

Gregory Rold, 37, died at Salem Hospital shortly before 9:30 p.m., police said today.

Officers were called to an apartment on Royvonne Avenue SE in Salem about 7:38 p.m. following a report of a man who was trespassing. They encountered Rold, who resisted arrest, prompting officers to shoot him with a Taser and beat him with their batons. After he was handcuffed, officers said Rold was unconscious.

Four officers were placed on administrative leave while Rold's death is being investigated.

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It is interesting to note that Gregory Rold cannot contradict the 'resisting arrest' or 'trespassing' charges. He's dead. I don't know all aspects of the law ... but, I'm fairly comfortable that we don't have the death penalty in America for those that 'resist arrest or trespass. Four police officers couldn't control this guy with something less than deadly force? The only response that they could come up with was extra-judicial death penalty?

Villagers, we are 20 weeks into the calendar year and we already have 20 taser-related deaths in America. Isn't it time for you to sign our online petition calling for congressional hearings on this taser torture?

What say u?

Obama Selects Charles Bolden to Lead NASA

We told you a few months ago that Charles Bolden -- a former fighter pilot and Marine Corps major general, is also a veteran space shuttle commander -- was a leading candidate to become NASA's next administrator.

Today, we are pleased to let you know that President Obama made it official by appointing Bolden to lead NASA into the future. Bolden, the third African American to fly in space, met with Obama at the White House earlier this week. Read the full story here.

I have a feeling that the other 14 current and former African American astronauts ... and the entire Negro American Society of Space Astronauts (NASSA) ... are feeling mighty proud today!

President's Weekly Address: 'Sacrifice'

On this Memorial Day weekend, President Obama calls on the American people to join him in paying tribute to America’s veterans, servicemen and women – particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice - and their families.



Villagers, do you have any military veterans in your family? My brother (Capt. Charles Hicks) and cousin (Rear Adm. Benjamin Hacker)served in the Navy. I have another cousin (Kelly Jones) who flew fighter jets for the US Air Force. Charles and 'Uncle' Ben passed away after their military careers ended. Kelly is also retired from the military and actively creating a business based on his passion for racing.

I'll be thinking about these three military men in my family this weekend. How about you?

Michael Steele: 'Press Fell in Love with the Black Man Running for President'

Michael Steele has become a sad parody of himself. One day he is giddy that President Obama is clowning him at the White House Correspondents Dinner. The next day he is saying that his Republican Party will attack Obama 'with class'.

And I now bring you the latest evidence that Michael Steele is a fool.

Listen to this clip of Steele on a national radio show with ol' school fear-mongering about Rev. Jeremiah Wright and the unknown quantities of Barack Obama ... the most watched and known person on the face of the earth.

STEELE: The problem that we have with this president is that we don’t know [Obama]. He was not vetted, folks. … He was not vetted, because the press fell in love with the Black man running for the office. "Oh gee, wouldn’t it be neat to do that? Gee, wouldn’t it make all of our liberal guilt just go away? We can continue to ride around in our limousines and feel so lucky to live in an America with a black president." Okay that’s wonderful, great scenario, nice backdrop. But what does he stand for? What does he believe? … So we don’t know. We just don’t know.

It seems to me that enough Americans knew Obama on November 4, 2008 when they overwhelmngly elected him as our President of the United States.

It seems to me that America knew him well on January 20, 2009 when we came out in record numbers to hear his inauguration speech.

Finally, it seems to me that Obama is regularly talking to the American people in town hall meetings, press conferences, his own website and so forth. He is the most accessible and transparent presidents in my lifetime.

Villagers ... when is the last time that Michael Steele did or said anything that we could take seriously? He seems to add to his blooper reel every week. What are your thoughts on Michael Steele's performance as a national political leader?

'Justice for Jamaal' is Rally Cry for Protest March on La Marque City Hall

Jamaal Valentine died Sunday night when three La Marque police officers tried to arrest him after people reporting him walking down the middle of main street and rolling in the grass on the side of the road. One of those eye witnesses said that he called police asking for medical help for Valentine who claimed he thought he was having a heart attack. The police used tasers on Valentine instead of getting him medical help.

Valentine, 27-year old father of two toddlers, died.

The good people of La Marque peacefully marched on city hall to protest this taser-related death. About 60 police brutality and anti-taser protesters spoke out against taser torture. These protestors, fearing a tainted investigation by the local district attorney's office, want the investigation conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

La Marque Mayor Geraldine Sam and Councilman Keith Bell addressed the crowd at city hall asking for patience and support of police officers during the ongoing investigation. Mayor Sam was sworn in last week as the first woman and first African American to be mayor of La Marque TX. Her leadership is being tested early!

I encourage the La Marque protestors to join with the AfroSpear in urging for congressional hearings on the rising number of taser-related deaths in America. Do any of us feel that Jamaal Valentine will be the last one?

Family of Robert Mitchell Call for End to Taser Torture

Robert Mitchell is the teenager killed by taser fire from Warren (MI) police officers. The powers-that-be have yet to provide clear answers or accountability for his untimely death. More than 100 family members, friends and anti-brutality advocates assembled yesterday for a peaceful march they hope will change taser torture policies in the local police department.

"Robert Mitchell is going to be the catalyst for peace. He didn't die for nothing," Sandra Hines of the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality told the crowd. "It's so important to bridge together between Warren and Detroit. We want peace."

The protestors also called for the termination of Warren police officers who chased Robert Mitchell into an abandoned house in Detroit on April 10 after he fled police during a traffic stop.




You can read more here and here.

Old School Friday: Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder

The theme of the week is, “This IS Dedicated To ____________.” I've decided to dedicate my entry to my people ... all of the people of African descent in America who are trying to make ends meet. Stevie Wonder wrote this song back in 1973, however, it still resonates in too many African American homes today. Close your eyes and enjoy the musical magic of Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles as they remind us what it is like to 'live just enough for the city'...





Asante sana to Mrs Grapevine and Ms Marvalus for creating Old School Friday. I encourge all villagers with a blog to participate in this weekly meme!

SBS Dateline on LaVena Johnson

Drumbeats from Philip Barron let us know that the story of Pfc. LaVena Johnson is being told on Australian network television this month. A news magazine show, SBS Dateline, brings its focus to the controversial death of Pfc. LaVena Johnson and the issue of sexual assault in the US military.

The feature, “Dark Secrets,” is scheduled to air on May 29, but a preview is available now to watch online. The preview shares some heart-wrenching comments from LaVena's parents. Please let me know if you find the complete airing of the segment someplace online.

The prayers of our entire village are with Pfc. Johnson's family.

Family of Jamaal Valentine Must Wait Four Weeks for Medical Examiner Report

Jamaal Anderson is a 27-year old Black man who sought medical attention for a potential heart attack while on the streets of a Houston suburb. He didn't deserve to die.

Valentine was found by police Sunday night after drivers reported the 27-year-old was in the middle of Main Street in La Marque trying to stop cars. Keith Pope was one of those motorists who pulled over and called police after he said Valentine told him that he thought he was having a heart attack and needed medical help.

Although Pope said he was expecting an ambulance, three officers arrived. Instead of providing medical attention, the officers tried to arrest Valentine, Pope said.

The officers said Valentine was combative and fought them, at one point reaching for an officer’s pistol.

That is when one of the officers pulled his Taser and killed Valentine. It seems simple to me ... Valentine would be alive today if the police didn't shock his body with 50,000 volts of electricity.

It's not so simple for the powers that be in Texas. A medical examiner’s spokeswoman said that medical examiner Dr. Stephen Pustilnik said the cause of death of Jamaal Valentine cannot be determined “pending toxicology” test results. Those results can take up to four weeks to be completed, the medical examiner said. [SOURCE]

It boggles my mind that three La Marque police officers couldn't deal with a sick man in some manner less than the deadly force of their tasers. Doesn't the use of force continuum apply in Texas?

Still Waiting on Taser Reports to Show Police Officer R.L. Wray Killed 17-Year Old Derrick Jones

Derrick Jones is a 17-year old Black youth killed by police tasers in January 2009. He was fooling around with his white buddies on that day. His buddies were arrested. He was killed. The taser was deployed as Jones came out of the kitchen and “moved rapidly toward” Martinsville police officer R.L. Wray “in an offensive stance,” according to a police account of the incident.

The penalty for goofing around or being "in an offensive stance" should not be death. The facts seem clear to villagers that read this blog. Not so clear to the powers that be in Virginia.

“We’re still waiting on reports” from various sources, including the medical examiner, said Botetourt County Commonwealth’s Attorney Joel Branscom.

After Martinsville Commonwealth’s Attorney Joan Ziglar excused herself from the investigation, Branscom was asked to review findings of the investigation that is being handled by special agents in the Bureau of Criminal Investigations office of the Virginia State Police in Salem.

Branscom does not know when results of various tests may be completed.

Tasers are electronic devices that are considered to be nonlethal law enforcement tools used for compliance. Yet, Derrick Jones is one of 19 people killed in America by taser-wielding police officers so far this year.

How long will we allow these extra-judicial electrocutions to take place in America? Isn't it time to have congressional hearings on taser torture?

Obama Proposes $1.25 Billion for Black Farmers

Field Negro (BBR #9) and others took the Obama administration to the woodshed for reneging on a promise to the impoverished Black farmers. As such, I was glad to see that Obama did the right thing when push came to shove.

President Barack Obama is proposing that the government give $1.25 billion to settle discrimination claims by Black farmers against the Agriculture Department.

The White House said the money would be included in Obama’s 2010 budget request.

Earlier this year, Black farmers and lawmakers criticized Obama for neglecting the need for more money to fund claims under a 10-year-old, class-action lawsuit against the government.

In a statement, Obama said the proposed funds would “close this chapter” in the agency’s history.

"My hope is that the farmers and their families who were denied access to USDA loans and programs will be made whole and will have the chance to rebuild their lives and their businesses," Obama said.

John Boyd (shown in photo shaking Obama's hand), head of the National Black Farmers Association, has called the proposal a "step in the right direction," but said additional funds would be needed.

"We think this is a good step in the negotiating process. We're glad to know this issue is on the president's radar screen and we commend him for taking this step," he said. But "we need to make sure that none of the Black farmers are left out."