American Fruits With African Roots

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XneSvRax-E0

The Anatomy of a Revolution

Coming tomorrow

Another Business Comes to Town - Hip, Hip hooray

Marvin Blye and his partner have started an accounting business in our community. It is good to see minority owned business operating in our community. Congratulations to both men for assuming this vital role in our community.

To Have or Not To Have An Elected School Board.

If the Called2Action radio program was still being aired I would have guests in the studio this week to discuss the topic as cited in the title of this blog article. Currently in Wicomico County our Board of Education is appointed by the Governor. There is a movement in the County to change that to an elected board ---- elected by people of the county. I suspect if this desired change is well intended, it's driven by a desire to have a more effective education system in the county. This kind of change is drastic. May I suggest before we take this drastic action that we devise ways that we can increase the degree of accountability on our appointed school board. Whatever approach we ultimately decide on pursuing it will only be as good as the level of "living" accountability that exist.


As a side note, several years ago I had the opportunity to moderate a discussion on this topic in Worcester County. Experts were guest in the debate to talk about the topic from their professional perspective. The results of the discussion ---- There is not discernible difference with regards to educational outcome.

The Big Bambozal by You and I

Prayer taken out of school? You've gotta be kidding. There is no law that stops any parent, (or person) from gathering a group of interested students before school, or after school, to say prayer. Would you agree? It's amazing that some of our most major public rituals begin with a prayer, for eg. inaugurations, legislative meetings, and many events centered around special days. ...but you say prayers was taken out of school.

The Truth About A Wonderful Lie

1. It is embedded in Truth. Initially, it is embedded in small amounts and then it increases ever so gradual. The undelying tenent is to establish a foundation of trust in those to whom the lie is being shared. Upon that foundation is built confidence in the source.

2. A wonderful lie is repeated in different ways, particularly by those who have the greatest influence over others. A wonderful lie resembles truth in its appearance and sound.

3. A wonderful lie is eventually accepted as truth, even when it's nature butts up against the truth. 

Always seek truth, by reviewing and assessing multiple sources. Validate that which is shared through these sources. Cross reference it with the natural phenomena.

Are We Still Being Experimented With?

Have you ever heard of the Tuskegee Study, more appropriately called, the Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male? Well, if you haven't, or perhaps you're vaguely familiar with, here goes a two sentence explanation of a 40 year study. In 1932, the US Government conducted a study of 600 Black Men, (mostly sharecroppers and illiterate), to determine the effects of untreated syphilis on Blacks. This study was done without the consent or knowledge of these men and their families. In the book, Medical Apartheid, the author gives a historical and contemporary presentation on the continued medical experimentation of Blacks in America. The question that captions this article can be quickly answered by the most naive of readers of the book Medical Aparthied. See the attached interview with the author of the book Medical Aparthied by Harriet Washington. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6oHn72QUno

A Welfare Fiasco?

Americans have been ranting and ragging over the perils of government welfare to those in need. When Americans felt they had cut the welfare roles, they postulated there would be much more for all of us, because those in need would become tax payers and no longer the users of precious tax dollars. While many Americans exercised their weigh against those limited in defending themselves and their (in many cases) undeserving plight, they encourage the wealthly to take as much as they could from the coffers of America's treasury, throught reduced taxes, corporate subsidies, bailouts, unregulated etc.  And because of this hypocritical self serving idiocy, we are in the midst of the worst financial mess we've been in, in my lifetime, and more than likely your lifetime. CEO's making millions of dollars a year, with failing companies. Have we gone crazy? Yes. Absolutely. Where is the public outcry? Are we on the path of a total financial, more importantly morale collapse. Pension plans have dropped in value, the value of stocks are plummeting, and all our investments are in a steady state of what ever will be, will be. When will we revolt against the unfair treatment of our citizenry? ... or have we been conditioned to be helpless in the midst of this welfare fiasco.

6 Cardinal Principles for Making and Keeping a Slave

CAN YOU GUEST WHERE THIS CAME FROM? Is there any resemblence of truth in this?

Both horse and African Americans are no good to the economy in the wild or natural state.

Both must be broken and tied together for orderly production.

For orderly futures, special and particular attention must be paid to the female and youngest of the offspring. (In our nation's capital HIV aides has devistated young Af Am females).

Both must be crossbred to produce a variety and a division of labor.

Both must be taught to respond to a peculiar new language.

Psychological and physical instruction of containment must be created for both.

Having Others Do For You What You Can Do For Yourself Is Cockeyed

For the last few weeks I have been experimenting with internet radio. Trying to determine if this is the direction to take the Called2Action radio program. An informational venue for people of color, where the truths that affects us are shared without reservation. We must not expect the mass media to do for us what we must do for ourself. I'll continue to keep you apprise. By the way if you'd like to listen to my trial runs on internet radio, see my link on the left hand side of this page.

Did You Know That The President Can Suspend The Constitution?

The Constitution is the guiding legal document of the United States of America. Our laws are based on the Constitution. It is to the United States as the Ten Commandments is to the existence of mankind. Issues that reach the Supreme Court of the land are decided based on their consistency with this grand ole' document. It's not a bad thing ------- in principle.

But, but, there is a big but that's at play here. Did you know the President can also suspend parts of the Constitution, by Executive Order --- a Presidential Power not designated by the Constitution, so to speak. Are you ready for me to share what he/she can suspend? Here goes. I'll just cite a few executive orders that makes this possible:

• The government can take over all electrical power, gas petroleum, fuels and minerals.
• ........can take over all food reesources and farms.
• ........can take over all airports and aircraft, including commercial aircraft.
• ........can relocate communities, build new housing with public funds, designate areas to be abandoned, and establish new locations for populations.
• .......can operate a national registration of all persons.

These are just a few. Man, this stuff is scarely, and you thought you knew it all.

Guide Right Program Keeps Young Boys Positive

All too often the good goes unnoticed. One such instance is the Kappa Alpha Psi's Guide Right Program. About 100 boys come together to play competive basketball and learn the skills of Basketball, with their parents in the stand, with the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity at the helm. Recently I visited a few of their games and what I saw was amazingly good --- using basketball to teach life's best lessons. On one night the entire coaching staff from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore was present, giving the guys and their parents a lecture on what it takes to succeed. I also saw several high school basket coaches scoping out the guys. I love it, I love it, and the guys do to. This is an example of the good being noticed.

Pushing for the Price of Gas to Hit Ten Dollars A Gallon

I've been doing everything I know to get the price of gas to the ten dollar a gallon mark. I've written my political representatives, and sent letters to our local newspapers. Why, you may ask. Well, I believe that's what it will take to get you off your duffy and put some pressure on our politicos to address the current self inflicted abomination.

Americans have become lazy, seeking comfort and pleasure.The reason the price is as high as it currently is, is due to the fact that we have not done anything to compel our elected officials to address the problem. We must take the blame. The persons that we have elected to office is giving us the royale shaft. Despite this my fuss is not with them, its with you, you who have chosen to allow this to happen.

Thirty years ago this problem was very evident, but we did nothing. So maybe if it goes up to$10.00 per gallon, you'll see the hipocracy in your non action.

Called2Action Leaves Clear Channel

For the past 3 1/2 years we've been trying to share with our minority communities the reality of the world that we live in. A committed effort to educate our people. Dr. Carter G. Woodson in the 1920's said most of us are mis-educated. Called2Action's role was to educate, and we did for a while. However, in our world today money rules. We did not have the amount of listeners to make the program cost effective to the station. The Arbitron ratings showed that the public was more interested in listening to rap etc, than to listen and participate in our discussion. Well we are no longer on air ------ for the moment ------ See you soon.

Upcoming Called2Action Programs (Updated)

March 16, 2008 Af- American Women and the Challenges they Encounter In Their Political Lives with Councilwomen Sharie Sample-Hughes and Eshanie Shields.
March 23, 2008 Currently Open
March 30, 2008 African Americans and Proper Mental Health with Dr. Chappelle
April 6th, 2008 Out of the Mouth of Our Youth
April 13, 2008 Why Are the Brothers Chasing White Women with Author Rajen Persaud.
April 20, 2008 Gang Violence In Los Angeles and the Implications for Other Parts of the County with Author Tony Moreno (Part 1).
April 27, 2008 Continuation of April 20, 2008 program from a Regional Perspective Guest Officer Bill Harden (Part II).

An Inspiring Presentation with Barrington Irving

One of the most touching and heart felt interviews I've had on the Called2Action program was this past week, with Barrington Irving. Barrington flew around the world in a single engine plane by himself. A few points that stuck with me from our conversation. He was inspired by a mentor -- a black pilot. First time seeing one. He was not able to get financial help from his own people, so he got help elsewhere. When he started on his flight he only had $30 in his pocket. He also said his next project will be having kids build a plane from scratch and he would fly it. When asked what motivated him to fly around the world, he said I had nothing to lose. Though I'm twice Barrington's age, and spend much of my time trying to inspire others, on this night I was inspired by young Barrington Irving.

Youthful African American Flies Solo Around the World

Fear of heights? Well, Well, This week my guest is 23 year old Barrington Irving, who in a single engine plane flew around our planet, by himself. 26,000 miles. Wow!!! We'll not only talk about his venture, we will also talk about the inner potential that we each have within us, and how to go about watering it so that it grows and takes us to heights we've never flown before. Join us. Here is Barrington's website.

Radical Community Organizing

One of the best community organizers and community movers and shakers I know joined me via high technology this past weekend. Billy Gene Jackson, leading a group of concern community activists was responsible for our region moving away from an large approach to governance to a district form that features a minority district. Billy, joining us from Florida, shared that to be an organizer you must be willing to make a sacrifice, have a leader with a vision, have people of like minds involved. Like mindedness helps to controls the trust factor in the group. Members of the group must be willing to go along with the majority ruling. The fundamental purpose of community organizing is to change policies, laws and institutions that are not working for us. Billy cited some good examples to substantiate his comments.

Literacy In 21st Century African American Communities

Dr. Kelli V. Randall, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of English at Salisbury State University, took time out of her schedule this weekend to join me in the Clear Channel newsroom and the Called2Action program to discuss the topic cited above.
Points covered, major misconception --- Slaves were illiterate. Dr. Randall substantiated that they were not. A number of Af. Am. writers came out of the 17th and 18th century.
A critical point, Dr. Randall shared, ...despite our progress in race relations in the 21st century...more sterotypical representations exist in Black literature. In my own words, our literacy may be "up", but we are reading more trash.

Upcoming Called2Action Programs

The following programs are scheduled for the respective weeks:

On Sunday February 24, 2008

Dr. Kelli Randall discusses the topic "Literacy In The Black Community Culture" Dr. Randall tells me our literacy rate is at an all time high, though we are reading more literature that may not be strengthening our education base.

On Sunday March 2, 2008 - Scheduled

Scheduled Topic - Community Activist Billy Gene Jackson joins me to discuss community organizing plus a number of different topics of interest to the African American community .

On Sunday March 9, 2008 - Scheduled

Only a couple of persons have flown solo around the world. Tonight's program will feature a 23 year old African America who flew 24, 500 miles around the world in a plan by himself. His name Barrington Irving.

On Sunday March 16, 2008 - African American women in politics and the challenges they confront from the community, balancing family life, etc.

In April 2008 (Date yet assigned) Dr. Claude Anderson, author of the book Powernomics and other books.

Also in April, Why are our Brothers Chasing White Women?

The Church..An Emprisoner or A Liberator

The gang got together this weekend to discuss the African
American Church and its role in our lives -- a liberator or an emprisoner. Julius Thompson, (Pastor), --- inset, leaving Called2Action studio --Adhim Deveaux, (Community Activist) and Jimmy Dumas, (Author) joined me this week. A lively discussion was had. A few things came to my mind as we were in the midst of the program. What is the primary role of the church? Ans. To draw and people to Christ, and help to keep them there. As this evolves it causes people to do good works, i.e, feed poor, build homes, clothe others, teach about good health etc. The later does not lead to the former, the former leads to the later. Should we be critical that the church is not doing more in the community and in people's lives? or should we be critical that the church is not effective in achieving its fundamental purpose? Just a few of my thoughts and only my thoughts. Thank Julius, Adhim and Jimmy.

The Question Becomes, " Is Our Black Leaders Ready To Drop What Appears To Be Their Self-Centered Cloak Of Comfort"?

Potential Barack Omaba Delegate and Easton, Maryland Councilwoman Mooneye Jackson-Amis, (in-set) and Adhim Deveaux joined me in this past week end to discuss the topic, "Is America Ready for A Black Man In the White House"? A lively discussion was had with my guest and those persons calling in to the program. Essentially what came out of the program was that America is ready --- America as a whole ---- However it's surprising that some of our most highly visiable African America personalities may not be, i.e. Congressmen John Lewis, Charles Rangal, Andrew Young, Julian Bond, Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton, Tavis Smiley, Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson ---- well you get the idea. The question becomes are our African American Leaders ready for someone to reach higher achievements than they themselves have. As my guest Adhim mentioned, the light is now being shown on our African American Leaders. "Now we see what they are all about". I can't help but think, maybe that's why as a people we have not been able to achieve more ----- Self Centered Black Leaders ----- You think? Thanks Councilwoman Jackson-Amis and Community Activist Deveaux.

Is America Ready For A Black Man In the White House?

Upcoming on Sunday Feb. 10, 2008, the discussion on the Called2Action program will be, "Is America Ready for A Black Man in the White House"? It looks more likely to happen now than ever before. What do you think? Listen, call and share your views.

New Hour; Same Everything Else

The hour of the Called2Action program will change beginning (Feb. 3, 2008). Our new hour will be 7:00pm to 8:00pm. This is a permanent change. Tune in to Magic 98.9, and be Called2Action.

She Came, She Saw, and She's Getting it Done

Her letter, that reached the Called2Action staff, said...how can we correct the decay that has plagued the black community yielding what I call bad crops? ...we must understand that there are many components necessary for productive crops, the right amount of rain, sun, fertilizer, tilling, pest control and protection of vermin.

Deborah, who is also the CEO for the Corporation for Healthy Homes and Economic Development, upon her return to Maryland's Eastern Shore, in an attempt to address one of the most critical problems we faced (lack of affordable housing for the low incomed), started this endeavor. Ms. Johnson goes beyond talking, she acted on her beliefs. Thanks Debbie for ingratiating us with your presence and your thoughts on the Called 2Action radio program Visit her website.

...And The Struggle Goes On

Council women Sample-Hughes and Shanie Shields discuss the lack of support they receive from their constituents, what they are doing to address this, and how constituents can become involved in the struggle.