Apology accepted, where’s my d*** 40 Acres and a Mule

The United States Senate approved a fiercely worded resolution that attempts to formally apologize for the "fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery" of the African-American people. It’s strange that their unanimous resolution came only after America elected it’s first African American president, Barack Obama. Members of The House of Representatives are also expected to unanimously pass their resolution as early as next week. The bill which does not require President Obama’s signature reads as follows: ”that Congress acknowledges the fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery and Jim Crow laws that enshrined racial segregation at the state and local level in the nation well into the 1960s." It further reads "Congress apologizes to African-Americans on behalf of the people of the United States, for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow laws." It also recommits lawmakers "to the principle that all people are created equal and endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and calls on all people of the United States to work toward eliminating racial prejudices, injustices, and discrimination from our society." In a step that has angered some African-American lawmakers, the measure takes pains not to fuel the push for the U.S. government to pay reparations to the descendants of African slaves. Congress and Senate acknowledged that a crime was committed – an admission of quilt, however, the resolution does not mention ANYTHING regarding settlement of any claim against the United States or the 40 acres and a mule issue.

Erykah Badu Nude Video – Poor Taste or Smart Marketing?

I recently saw soul singer Erykah Badu's newly released music video, "Window Seat". In the controversial video, she striped butt naked in public at the site of President John F. Kennedy's assassination in Dallas Texas. She is on the street with passerby watching as she takes off her bra follow by her panties and than dropped her completely nude body to the ground as if she was shot from behind. With her body on the ground, it appeared as if blue blood was gushing out of her head onto the concrete with the blood converting into the word “groupthink”. American soul singer Erykah Badu has caused a stir with a music video in which she strips naked in public at the site of President John F. Kennedy's assassination, and falls to the ground as if shot.The Dallas-born entertainer told the Dallas Morning News in an interview that she chose the famous 'grassy knoll' at Dealey Plaza because "it was the most monumental place in Dallas I could think of." She added that that the video was a bid to awaken interest in a 1950s term called 'groupthink' in which a person is afraid to express themselves for fear of being ostracized by the wider public."When I fall to the ground in the video, the word groupthink spills out of my head because I was assassinated by groupthink", she said.

Domestic Violence in the Black, Latino or Afro-Latino community

There are many problems, which face the United States and its citizens today. With the incorporation of modern technologies into everyday life, things have simultaneously become easier and more difficult. Although everyday actions like cooking, communicating, and moving from point a to point have become more efficient, there are a number of side effects which must be addressed. The more modernized things become the more focus shifts away from strong families and relationships. This is in conjunction with other major problems such as poverty, corruption, and a general distrust of officials and government. All these problems branch off and give way to problems that are not as easily combated; problems such as domestic abuse. What exactly is domestic abuse/violence and why is it most often seen in the homes of minorities? “Domestic Violence is a violent confrontation between family or household members involving physical harm, sexual assault, or fear of physical harm. Family or household members include spouses / former spouses, those in (or formerly in) a dating relationship, adults related by blood or marriage, and those who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship. The batterer uses acts of violence and a series of behaviors, including intimidation, threats, psychological abuse, and isolation to coerce and to control the other person. The violence may not happen often, but may remain a hidden and constant terrorizing factor. Domestic violence is not only physical and sexual violence but also psychological. Psychological violence means intense and repetitive degradation, creating isolation, and controlling the actions or behaviors of the spouse through intimidation or manipulation to the detriment of the individual.” The facts that the leading causes (of domestic abuse; poverty, modernization, and corruption) are directly seen in minority communities; they are the ones most commonly affected by these factors. Knowing what Domestic abuse is, it is common to ask yourself why is such a vile act allowed to continue? What types of people would even fathom such thoughts? When presented some facts you would be appalled to see that many public figures are the main promoters and perpetrators. In a recent article published by Vibe Magazine, “Love Hurts”, the common and very public face of Domestic abuse/violence is revealed.

Afro-Colombian Mural: Currulao y Desplazamiento

The “Afro-Colombian Mural: Currulao y Desplazamiento”on U Street in Washington DC celebrates the strong and vibrant Afro-Colombian culture. It has been painted by DC based muralist Joe Bergner, with the sponsorship of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Even though Afro Colombian communities were in the middle of the war between the government armed forces, the paramilitary, the guerrillas, drug cartels and other delinquents, they have always chosen peace before violence. Even today, they still hope for a better future with peace for all Colombians, and they use their rich culture to keep that hope alive no matter how difficult it can be. The size of the woman and people below her show the importance of culture and community plays a major role in their life. The colors are vibrant, warm, inviting, and welcoming. The positive images are shown against the presence of the paramilitary forces of Colombia. You see the community members fleeing from these forces. It is meant to educate the public about the widespread displacement and other human rights issues related to the armed conflict.

Stereotypes in 2010 ????

Many people are not aware of how big of a role media and popular culture play in the lives of younger generations. The gang life, drugs, sex and partying that are frequently displayed in today’s shows, movies, and even ads are not forgotten. It is glorified in the minds of our children who are easily influenced. The bigger problem is the fact that we allow the wrong people in the spotlight. The self-representation of African-American is often misconstrued due to the fact that there are so many types of people who represent the ethnicity. One of the easiest examples to provide would be one involving music. On one hand you have artists like Common; conscious rap which promotes values and morals cherished by the African-American community like universal love, unity, and education. On the other you have artists like “Soulja Boy” who promote selling drugs, promiscuity, and living lavishly. Of course the flashier of the two would attract more attention, but lets be honest, which is better for our children. As long as we continue to allow figures like that to represent us on a world stage the balance cultural hegemony will always be shifted against our favor. In his essay “What is this black in black popular culture” Stuart Hall touches on the subject. “Cultural hegemony is never about pure victory or pure domination (that's not what the term means); it is never a zero-sum cultural game; it is always about shifting the balance of power in the relations of culture; it is always about changing the dispositions and the configurations of cultural power, not getting out of it. There is a kind of "nothing ever changes, the system always wins" attitude, which I read as the cynical protective shell that, I'm sorry to say, American cultural critics frequently wear, a shell that sometimes prevents them from developing cultural strategies that can make a difference. It is as if, in order to protect themselves against the occasional defeat, they have to pretend they can see right through everything -- and it's just the same as it always was. “

What is the Definition of "Being Black"?

Should a black person only buy products created by members of their own race? Fendi, Ralph Lauren and Timberland are not run by blacks, however, their clothing is used as a status symbol in black culture. I bet the majority of BET viewers don't know the companies are owned by whites.Are we playing into the stereotypes by focusing only on black movies that depict blacks in urban ghettos? Why can't we see movies with black presidents? Why don't we go see the movies where black people play positive roles? Movies like "Babs," "Bootie Call" and "Player's Club" make more revenue from blacks than more positive movies. By supporting these movies, we typecast our race in roles that depict black stereotypes.W.E.B. DuBois said it well in The Souls of Black Folk. Du Bois, the first person of African descent to receive a Ph.D. from Harvard, a prominent civil rights leader of his day, spoke of a "duality" with African-Americans consciousness. This duality was a result of being "black" and "American," torn between two entities, one in which you are supposed "to have certain unalienable rights" and the other in which you are "perceived through the veil" as less than. The problem is not just in the language. It goes much deeper. A word without meaning is just that, a word. A meaning without association to something tangible is just a meaning. The issue comes into play when associating the meaning of the word to something tangible, and, most important, associating the meaning to a human being. As the unknown poet said, illustrating how so many others feel: "But in his mind it wasn't lost, the one undeniable fact/That in a land of justice for all, he always would be BLACK."

Skin Deep Racism

Racism still exists, but not only from the usual sources. Racism never has been strictly black and white. There always has been that gray area where we focus on unlikely targets ... ourselves. The reality of Rodney King and Donovan Jackson, the 16-year-old who was slammed into a police car and punched in the face after being handcuffed, is a common occurrence in the black community. These events only are recognized when they happen to be caught on tape. After years of lynching and Jim Crow laws, the struggle of blacks is ceaseless. The strength of the movement comes from the support and belief of the black community. What hurts the most is when I see racism focused within a race; when we are fighting against one another for respect and courtesy. Throughout history, the black race struggled to be seen, heard and respected. However, in spite of the constant fight against white society, we are spending a great deal of time and effort fighting against each other. "She acts too white." "Her skin is too light." "He thinks he's something because he has money." "That guy with the white girl is trying to forget his race. "Unfortunately, the common suggestion to one of these "scandalous" individuals is, "You need to pick up a book and read about your heritage. Read Malcolm X and learn about who you are. "Is that really who you are, or who you are expected to be based on black culture's stereotypes? Who's to say the rich boy hasn't read Malcolm X? Who's to say a book will tell you more about who you are than living life and deciding for yourself? What's wrong with falling in love with a member of a different race? The color of our skin doesn't make us any more or less human. Does a true black person only live in an urban society surrounded only by black people? Does the place you live and the education you acquire make you any more or less black? Racism is still a reality. It is something we will be fighting against for many years to come. But tell me: How are we going to make progress in the shadows of our oppressors when we are walking in their footsteps?