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K2 I've deleted a portion of your comment for the reason previously discussed. Again the rule applies only to this to this conversation. Cynique makes a good point if the barbs witty and clever AND written in jest it is all good -- indeed desirable. And the fact she stopped reading the posts was what I was afraid of happening. If she is not reading them why would someone, who is new, read them? @Chevdove, waded through the morass and made some excellent contributions only to inquire why did the conversation go south? Her question was part of the motivation for this discussion Mel, K2 as far as a vote down button. I'm sure that would not have any effect. Indeed Pioneer does not even use the like feature. Generally, if I disagree with something I express that disagreement with words. But I'll check to see if the software has a dislike or down vote options. You can currently block a posters comments, allowing you to completely ignore another poster. That approach is pretty heavy handed, but it has been used by some. Well, I look forward to more comments.

America is riddled with folk lore about larger than life heroes who sprang from the ranks (and imaginations) of the common man. And, of course, there are biblical characters who have been extolled in verse and sermon. Donald Trump is currently filling a need for resentful people fearing the status their white skin color guarantees is in jeopardy, thanks to the politically-correct and bleeding-heart liberal crowd. In every time of crises the masses look for a "man on a white horse" to appear and deliver them from impending doom.. Obama briefly filled this role for blacks but his sheen has gradually dulled. Colin Kaepernick stole a little bit of this shine but he has few successes to his credit. Also missing the mark are star athletes who marry white women and lend their names to a line of exorbitantly-priced gym shoes. So, as usual, blacks are floundering around looking for a Messsiah, but left with nothing but martyrs snatched from the populace of young males shot in the back while fleeing their misdemeanors. Or, embracing an irrelevant comic book figure like Black Panther whose alter-ego Chadwick Boseman was savvy enough to present the MTV Award he won for favorite movie hero to James Shaw, the ordinary Joe who single-handedly disarmed a shooter on a rampage, and just happened to be sitting in the audience at this TV event And so it goes. Black people continue to shuffle around claiming this one or that one to really be black, this place or that place to actually be the country of Mankind's black mama. Too bad we weren't "evil" enough to subdue our adversaries so we could enforce black supremacy and lie about how great we are. 😫 OK. Back to my perch, and the bird's eye view that provides me a good opportunity to spot any UFOs 👽that decide to re-visit Earth and take me back home. I'm world-weary. Trumpism is stifling me. 😏

@Pioneer1 and @Kalexander2 has been going at it pretty regularly for a few months now. I was just wondering what others (lurkers please chime in) thought about it. Is it entertaining, destructive, boring, an shame, funny, sad, or something else? I'm really very curious to read what others think. Battles like this are not uncommon indeed when there were more participants they were more frequent, though not as usually as protracted. The last ongoing battle was between Cynique and another poster. I maintained a hands off approach until the other poster wrote something that was really beyond the pale (at least in my book), so I deleted the offending post. The poster reacted by deleted all of her posts and leaving the forum the virtual equivalent of taking her marbles and leaving the playground On some level I believe that posters goal was to create utter havok. She left when it became obvious that I would allow her to go completely off the rails. Personally, I don't really care that much as long as people don't get too crazy and it does not get serious. Whether something has gotten serious is hard for me to tell. I can't tell what is said in jest and what is serious -- simply because I can't follow every conversation. Truth is, I don't have the time (nor inclination) to be a proper administrator. This is part of the reason for my largely hands off attitude. The other concern I have is that the protracted bickering tends to turn people off who are new to the forums -- it is intimidating to many. Besides the fact that the constant back and forth just clutters that board obscuring what might otherwise be interesting conversations. What do you think? Also if the name calling starts (or indirect insults) on this conversation I'll delete the posts. I'm only interested in serious comments.

@Chevdove, often merely disagreeing with something is seen as a personal attack. There are people I can't even have a conversation with because if I disagree with them they take it personally -- and that is in the real world where I'm not nearly as direct as I am here. The other problem is everyone is different. Take Pioneer's demand for an apology for example. He feels K2 crossed a line and now he deserves an apology But he can't see that the line he created is purely arbitrary, of his own making, and no one else is bound to accept it. That does not mean his line is wrong or right, but I'm not going to ban people crossing every arbitrary line that someone has crossed. K2 could simply invoke some arbitrary line that Pioneer crossed and demand an apology too. This is a lose-lose scenario @Pioneer1 banning you both would obviously bring an end to the bickering. But again, I would not do that because you are both capable of making meaningful contributions to the forum and I don't ban people for getting into arguments -- these things happen. It is just this argument has gone on for sometime and I was curious what you other people really thought about it. {Donning my hotep hat} It does pain me to see two Black Kings tearing each other down.

Yes, this is the real point here, even if the posters are not aiming to create havok, after awhile, I feel that it will undercut the wider purpose of a discussion board designed to uplift 'the Black Voice', and a positive outcome for Black people in general. And also, after awhile too, it may become obvious that some one may feel personally attacked, and when this seems to be the issue, I think a moderator, a peacemaker, may help bring the discussion back into focus. Unfortunately, we as human do show this 'going off the rail' behavior, and find it difficult to find a common ground. Sometimes, It's not easy to agree to disagree without personally attacking someone. But if someone is constantly undermining Black people of African descent, and there is a pattern, well, that is wrong.

I did hear about that! I also read over some of the following quotes here in this thread too. It's been awhile, years, since I read his book, and his other books as well. I did do some research on how his book Roots, came together, his being in the Coast Guard and using this as an opportunity, his travels to Africa... I thought that was for real. You mean to tell me, he didn't go to Africa!? My conclusion after I researched the making of his book was that I was still in great admiration for his work. I actually did separate research in libraries on the facts about Kunta Kinte and some of the other people that surround the real facts. AGain, I can't remember all the details, but, I believe that ALex Haley did write a lot of facts into his book. I kind of remember that Kunta Kinte's daughter, Kizzie's mother, BELLE, was in reality somewhat different that the actress that portrayed her in film. The real true Belle, was sold off from the slave plantation after Kizzie was sold. That hurts me so deeply. And, Chicken George met a terrible death, he fell over in the fireplace and was burned to death.... At this point, I don't believe tht the supossedly, 'Creative liscense' that he was said to use was that detrimental against the bigger issue. @Troy Yes, thank you, I will!

@Kalexander2Nope... Me neither! LOL! I still think Queen Elizabeth II is straight up gansta. I know I wouldn't cross her. I remember shopping in London - and the taxes on my stuff equaled the cost of goods. The queen don't play. And one would have to wonder why her dynasty hasn't been overthrown like Ethiopia Monarchy. @Pioneer1 It is amazing that so many people don't question why they have to get a state sanctioned marriage license. Marriage is a state-sanctioned business. Children are (fruit of the labor) of marriage. But so many folks are under the fairy tale impression it's because " I love him/her" - NOPE! In fact it has nothing to do with religion either - - as some familiar with marriage laws - say the state allows G-d to be party to the marriage but here in the U.S. ; God is optional. @Cynique Yes, I saw that too. According to the New York Times article, (October 13, 2017) Joel Makonnen had dated Ariana Austin for 12 years before he admitted that he was the great-grandson of Haile Selassie, Ethiopia's emperor who was ousted (1974 ) After an civil war the monarchy was overthrown in 1991. Makonnen is a prince without a country. Still, the story of their wedding brought Ethiopia back into mainstream news. After your post, I started thinking about how stories of folks in the African diaspora don't get coverage like European diaspora in america . For example. if Ariana Austin met Prince Yoel in 2005; you mean to tell me, no other media knew he was living here in the U.S. Where are the stories on him prior to his wedding? He could only keep his identity a secret because he knew American Media wouldn't cover him. @Troy I agree we have to do better with getting media coverage for our community. I know I've been responsible for getting my fair share of folks on record - but I'm just one journalist/media consultant. I knew about Meghan before the world started talking about her - because I watched the first season of suits and I'm huge hallmark channel watcher... I thought it was funny how they would cast her in racially ambiguous roles... and then she got all this hate mail when Suits cast Wendell Pierce as her overprotecting father. Folks started complaining that she hid that she was black - and she responded that she never said she wasn't black to her critics. But anyway; this thread reminded me of when I pitched a story to an Essence editor in 2007 that black men were getting "snipped" (vasectomies) in record numbers - they were interested at first - then shelved it. Ten years later, I saw a similar story in the NY Post where white men said they are getting snipped to avoid gold-diggers and child support. Maybe if I'd pitch baby mama drama Essence would have ran with it. If you tiring of hearing about Harry - and hate how every made a big deal about the wedding - blame media - especially mainstream black media. They don't want to do stories that are important to the black community, in a timely fashion. | (Note: Ebony is always interested in cutting edge stories from the black community. I've always had an easier time "selling" stories to them. )

Both “Roots” and “Malcolm X” are based on reality and truths regardless of the facts. But most of us Blacks always find a reason to reject such truths because denial is a defense mechanism of your mind, trying to protect you from what could be an unpleasant realization. That “no matter how hard we try, we still do not understand our place in the world, or capable of changing it.” Acceptance of reality is really saying yes to what is. It is saying yes and still function within the current situation. It doesn’t mean you have to like it as it is, but you have to accept it and recognize it as it is. Denial and ignorance do not help and would keep us away from effective change. So it also means recognizing your reality correctly. And in its essence, acceptance is alignment with truth. It's easy to look for and find ourselves in things we hope will make a difference. Falsehood is easily spotted by a deceiver however small the falsehood. Open-mindedness of most of us Black folk means having room for anything to blame other than ourselves.

Yeah, well, why else would a wealthy foreign woman want to marry a Black American man, certainly not for love which is the other reason I refused, I knew it would just for the money. And no person should face possible abuse by a male gold-digger. Truth is, one side of me says I'm a fool for passing up an opportunity for, whatever; and another says I'm a rebel because I went against the norm, putting principle before profit. I grow and please myself by doing or not doing what is considered normal. Most men would have jumped instantly at such an offer.

@Wendy Jones T Thank you for responding! What exactly has you squeamish about bitcoin? My mother says she doesn't trust anything that she can't hold in her hand. lol. Anyway, here’s a good resource. https://bitcoin.org/en/getting-started Bitcoin is the original decentralized cryptocurrency. Altcoins (alternative coins) are cryptocurrency coins that are not bitcoin. Cryptocurrency coins can be traded (bought and sold) and stored on a cryptocurrency exchange such as Coinbase, Bitstamp, Kraken et al. These digital transactions are secure because Blockchain technology is difficult counterfeit or hack. Every block in the chain serves as verification for the block that came before it.  If someone adds a wanky block to the chain that doesn't include the transaction information of all that came before it; it will be rejected. Aside: this is where bitcoin mining comes in; which is a lot like a lottery because any available computer can mine bitcoin but only one will get the reward. No one knows who will be awarded bitcoin for processing the transaction either. Also, there is a total of 21-million bitcoin available for mining period. Bitcoin (or altcoins such as Ethereum Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash) rise in value based on demand. Yes, cryptocurrency trading is volatile. And no, it's not regulated by a central banking system. Decentralized means there is no middle person. Blockchain technology is what makes bitcoin cryptocurrency possible. After the housing crisis of 2008, the bitcoin creator wanted to make sure the world wouldn't have to depend on the central banking system ever again. With bitcoin we don't have to - well as long as we can communicate via wireless technology. See this article: bitcoin without the internet You and I can make a transaction through our digital wallets without ever involving centralized agencies. We are virtually anonymous to the centralized banking system unless they can track us through our cryptocurrency address. Now, once the transaction is made; it's final. Our transaction is subject to a mining fee - but it’s a trade between you and I. If you say, I change my mind, oh well. But since you and I know each other I could send you the value you sent me. -Note: The value we originally exchanged could be worth more on less on the day the new transaction is made. For example, I bought $5 of bitcoin - and minus the transaction fee (mining) I ended up with $4.20... at the time I'm writing this my bitcoin share value is $4.02 USD - I need to include 1 – bitcoin is currently valued at $6,146.30 , But I digress. There are also tokens in the cryptocurrency system and that's where it gets tricky. Tokens are NOT cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency exchanges won't except tokens for trading. But to understand the concept of a token, consider this; a token represents something of value in the system. For example, in the 90s, you needed a NYC subway token to ride the train. You gave the token booth clerk $1 and s/he gave you a token coin to ride the subway. That token had value but only in the NYC subway system. Take that token elsewhere and it isn't worth the money you paid for it. That's how tokens work in the cryptocurrency system. A token is programmable digital asset that has value within the owner's system. It can serve as a utility, equity, security or service token. For purpose of this post we'll discuss utility tokens. The token functions within newly created software application built on blockchain technology. But tokens aren't mined like bitcoin or Ethereum. A founder of a startup can sell tokens for cash or cryptocurrency to fund their cryptocurrency or technology projects. It appears startups such as Publica is using utility tokens. When startups sell tokens to fund their project it is called an ICO (Initial Coin Offering). In this case, Publica is offering a Book ICO to would-be authors. The author sets the price for the token in their crowdfunding campaign. Once the book is finished it's published on blockchain technology. Patrons investing in the author's proposed book will purchase tokens with centralized cash i.e, dollars. They will receive something like a digital coupon in return. The author gets the cash to work on their manuscript. When the book is complete the patron will receive a copy. So of course, trust is factor. We are writers/publishers not software developers building an application on blockchain technology. We must trust that all these moving parts will add up to actual cash for us and a book for our readers. I also need more information on publishing on blockchain. I will continue to publish updates here. I'm new to cryptocurrency and blockchain but this represents my current understanding. Feel free to ask me anything - but please understand this is information is not for investment purposes. It's just an overview. But if you choose to sign up for a Coinbase account – here’s my referral link. https://www.coinbase.com/join/5b11cf8faa08ff01f4db26b8 Thank you!

i just never could get into the fairy tale scenario of Meghan marrying her storybook prince. In a fit of superficiality, I thought her wedding gown was a dreary affair, and her hair unkempt. And i was a little surprised at how sistas so eagerly bought into this scenario as if it were a romantic fantasy they had been secretly harboring. I have little or no regard for Brittain's Royals who i consider a family of dull-witted parasites, paid homage for absolutely no reason. During the frenzy over this marriage, some one mentioned that a black woman from Howard U had recently married an Ethiopian prince. That, I think is cool! Ethiopians are a handsome people. Harry is too fuzzy and ginger for my taste; i can just imagine his wet-dog essence when he sweats. Yes, Meghan is ensured a lifetime of luxury and a place in history, but if i was young and ambitious and given an opportunity to "marry up", i'd take a fione, smart, brotha from "old" money. 🤑

@Troy You're right in every respect... {content deleted by administrator} So, for what it's worth I prefer to back down at this point. And thank you for letting us be adults!

Anthropologists , statisticians and everybody else are making it tough for biologists to get around it -because they reference the original Y-DNA in these published scientific research articles. I have noticed, however, more of a focus on what happened once "we modern humans" left out of Africa...

TRUTH!!! As I just mentioned in the other thread - I found a lot of missing parts in hebrew talmud and text called pseudepigrapha (false writings ). It filledin a lot of the blanks especially where women are concerned http://www.pseudepigrapha.com/

LOL! Thank you! I grew up reading and watching Agatha Christie mysteries. I hated learning that one of her books was entitled The Ten little N-ers" But Jessica B. Fletcher ? I want her life! LOL ... I remember when Netflix licensed Murder, She wrote ... I binged watched every episode - some twice. Now, I fall asleep to her shows at night LOL! I love the performance! I don't know why I'm so weepy but I felt a bit nostalgic watching them perform. It appears there are several tribes represented in the dance segments. And one of those dance segments reminded me of the Djembe Nyabhingi drumming. I wrote about it in my book as it marks the moment when one of the women becomes an Obeah High Priestess and possessed by the spirit of Nyabhingi - According to some articles, women aren't allowed to play the djembe drums ... but the first Djembe drummers were allegedly WOMEN. The mythology allegedly traces it roots back to Women Warriors defeating German colonist who were attempting to conquer Uganda ... https://jah-rastafari.com/forum/message-view.asp?message_group=6450 https://www.africaresource.com/rasta/sesostris-the-great-the-egyptian-hercules/lioness-nyabinghi-priestess-queen-mother-of-africa/ "The African warrior Queen Nyabinghi was believed to be the reincarnation of the Lioness Kemetic warrior goddess Sekhmet. Queen Nyabinghi was known for playing her powerful, mystical trance drum. Her Ugandan female followers, called bagiwas, were so fearsome in victory that the invading colonialists had them branded as witches performing rituals with the drum. The drum was eventually outlawed. The Nyabinghi rhythms of resistance have long played a major role in Rastafarian culture."… The drum is therefore a divine tool of the Supreme Being, a womb or beginning of created life."The name Nyabinghi was a synonym for Sekhmet. Though the true details of her life has been subsumed in legends, Queen Nyabinghi was the archetypical Priestess-Queen of a province of Upper Kush (Ethiopia-Egypt), who rebelled against the oppressive life-denying evil regime which disrupted order and stability in the motherland through the instrumentality of foreign occupation, external manipulation and local collaboration. " As you can see, I was determined to let my daughters know who they are - and what black women really mean to this world. I even found the names of the heroines of that are left out of the traditional scriptures ... Noah's wife... the wives of the sons that were on the ark; Judith slaying General Holofernes ... I had to reference Talmud for that info... but these women figure into my story. I find the old testament scriptures the greatest occult book ever written and it serves as a foundation to my novel. The Testament of Solomon still scares me - lol I'm considering re-editing my novel to be a bit more conventional in storytelling and see if I can get a traditional publisher to release it this time. If you'd like to read it - before the changes; here's a link http://theleadstory.org/paperbacks/2755-2-paranormal-romance-excerpt/

@Pioneer1 There is more genetic diversity today in African than there is anywhere else on Earth. Genetically, it is more likely that you are more closely related to the people you call white than you would be to people in Africa who share your complexion. Anyone who believes Africans are "less evolved" than the people who left Africa is simply ignorant of the most basic concepts of genetics. There is zero evidence that anyone is Africa is descended from people who came from Asia. ------------------ The idea that there is a Mitochondrial Eve and Y-Chromosomal Adam is just remarkable to me -- single individuals that we are all related to. Now these folks wree not arried to each other and they were not the only ones on Earth, but we still treat each other like Cain and Abel. ------------------