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.

From A King to the Queens

Called2Action features a town meeting tonight that discusses the progress and challenges confronting two African American Councilwomen ----- it's a tribute, (of soughts) to the civil rights movement.

Prestine Padmore and MC Reds visit the Called2Action Studio

Prestine Padmore, (African American Studies Major) and MC Reds (Communications Major) both students at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, leaving the Called2Action newsroom after discussing Hip Hop on the January 13, 2008 Called2Action radio program.

Help Me To Better Understand the Hip Hop Movement

Prestine Padmore and MC Reds were my guest this week. The topic, the Hip Hop Generation/Movement. As we know there is a generational gap in understanding the Hip Hop Generation. Older person, (40+) generally do not have an appreciation for the Hip Hop Movement. The purpose of this evening's program. Great discussion. The Call2Action, make a concerted effort to understand the music that's an integral part of the generation. Purchase music by Common. Understand there are elements that have inserted trash (bad language) into this movement intended for good.

You Have Not Been Educated On Anything, Just Informed On a Few Things -- Just Enough to Continue to Be A Slave and You Don't Even Know It

In the book the Miseducation of the Negro, Dr. Carter G. Woodson makes it cystal clear that the Negro has made a critical mistake in thinking that he has been educated as to live effectively in a his current domicile. Today we have more so called educated professional than we've ever had, though our social, political, economic and even our health problems are greater than they've ever been.

The truth of this trend of thought is that the Negro continues to be informed, while he thinks he is being educated. What's the difference? Let me address this through an example. Many of us have been informed on how a vehicle starts and runs. Few of us have been educated on the same thing. A typical education might sound like something like this, when the ignition in the car is turned, it closes an electrical circuit that causes the starter to send fire to the motor, which fires up the pistons, etc.

Being educated on this, enables the educated to effectively troubleshoot when there is a problem and/or to apply the principles of the operation to a number of different circumstances. A mere informing of the same thing is much more general, and just covers surface type information. It's a terrible thing when you've been informed, but you think you've been educated. Just look at our situations today.

Generation: Hip Hop

We've been making sincere attempts to better understand different racial and ethnic cultures. If we can better understand each other we can better accomplish common goals that are necessary for us to accomplish. On Sunday, 1/13/08, the attempt is to better understand our younger generation. They call themselves ----- the Hip Hop generation.

I will be talking with two young ladies from one of the region's Universities on this subject. They are eager to talk to me and share with the listening audience much of their thoughts. If for no one else, I'd like to know more about the Hip Hop generation, and be able to better relate to this generation. What is the Hip Hop Generation? How did it originate? Are there particular things that Hip Hoppers like or have in common? Why don't you join me on this special evening.

Taxes, the IRS and You

Teddy, the Taxman joined me on Sunday (1/06/08). He shared with us some of the new changes in taxes for this year. Examples, written proof of all charitable deductions is required. If you are going to get money back, you can now have your money put directly into an IRA. The Tax Man is very "high" on the government's efforts to help us to build a retirement pool, through this method. Many of us expects the government to be our retirement nest egg. Bulletin, Bulletin, Bulletin, it won't happen. Oh, by the way, the Tax Man also spoke favorably of the Roth IRA. The IRS is increasing the number of audits it engages in. They have resolved their problem of being short staffed. A number of other excellent ideas and thoughts were shared with us. The Tax Man can be heard weekly on WBFF, see contact and additional information in previous post. Thank you Tax Man.

A Tax Here, A Tax There, A Tax Everywhere.

Teddy the tax man, (Baltimore, Md) pays a return visit to the mecca of the information vein tonight, Called2Action, this evening. We'll discuss new tax laws, what's ahead in 2008 and establishing a personal income goal for the upcoming year.

See more information on Teddy.

Let's All Have A Called2Action Christmas

Let's not wait for Thanksgiving to give thanks, nor wait for Christmas to bring joy to someone's heart, or Sunday evenings to be Called2Action. Merry Christmas from the Caribbean.

...and now here they are.

A few repeats for you, based on your likes

• December 23, 2007 Guest Arnold Patent , Author of the book, You Can Have It All.
• December 30, 2007 Guest Ernie Ramos, Natural Health Expert.

We return live on January 6th 2008.

Frustrated Over Lack of Af-Am Support

Councilwoman Shanie Shields joined me in the studio the week of December 6, 2007. Shanie has been disappointed by the lack of support she receives as a council woman. The minority district that was carved out to increase the likihood of African Americans being on the council has been successful to date. However, the council woman's ability to aide others in being empowered has been short changed because of public support.

Though council woman Shields did not express the notion that this will be her last term, she has mentioned in the past that she does not intend to be a life time politician and this could be her last term as a council woman. Wouldn't it be surprising if upon her leaving no one vied for the position? Amazing, but it could happen. We just don't seem to be interested in achieving a fuller degree of empowerment.

Everybody Over There Get On Up,..Get Involved, Get Involved....

Tonight's program features a couple of community updates -- one on the attempts to bring a charter school into the community. I guarantee you, you will find the status of things very surprising.

Secondly, I'll present to you through specific examples the need for a dose of social and political viagra in the African American community. We don't have more, because we don't want more.

Continued Discussion on a Weapon of Mass Destruction

David Lee (Seattle, Washington) and Alice White (Princess Anne, Maryland) joined me on the program this past week. In an attempt to keep the one of the many weapons of mass destruction in front of our community, I continued the topic of HIV/AIDs.

David Lee attained the virus through a homosexual relationship about ten years ago. David shared with us that since contracting the virus he has undertaken to things that he previously only though about doing; traveling being one of those things. HIV is not a death sentence.

Alice White contracted the disease from her husband, and has been trying to get the word out. She shared that her church and community has not been supportive, though she's gotten some support from other communities.

What have we been learning? Any relationship can result in HIV. Get tested. There are drugs that will sustain life. Have one partner. Partners should get tested together. If contracted, it is not a death sentence. Continue to enjoy life. Use condoms, when uncertain of partners sexual habits ---- This suggestion I don't like, but it's what came out of interview. We must meet people where they are. Well, I hope the last two programs have increased an awareness on HIV. I will post the entire interview with Mr. Lee and Mrs. White at www.esnipps.com. Thanks to Mr. Lee and Mrs. White for sharing a bit of their personal lives with us.