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Our pursuits and opinions about people are a reflection of our own personalities. I happen to be a very curious person. Ignorance is not bliss to me; it's stifling. I do believe that knowledge is power and coupled with instinct, it helps you navigate through life. Nobody ever knows the whole truth so I just filter what I read in newspapers and see on TV and the Internet. I'm influenced by the credentials of who it is that's doing the editorializing. To me some sources are obviously more trustworthy than others and I always consider who has ulterior motives. West and Sharpton are both hustlers; they are just different in caliber. Cornel is very glib and he stonewalls people with his dazzling spiel of words. Al is loud and aggressive. I confess to be influenced by their demeanors. West has a distracting weazle-like quality about him while Sharpton has never been able to shed his preacher pimp persona. I'm also amused that West's ex-wives had some unflattering things to say about his ego-centric expectations when it came to his diminished sexual prowess. Sharpton left his wife for a younger woman and his attempt to give himself a make over turned him into a ridiculous looking bobble-head doll. I form these opinions not by withdrawing into my private world but by looking and listening to what is going on in the mix. I know such pettiness dilutes my credibility but I am also aware that images have just as much an impact as intellect.

There are no right or wrong answers to your questions, Delano. It's up to the couple involved as to whether the cheated on spouse is willing to forgive and raise a child that is not theirs. Keep in mind, that bi-racial children don't always come out looking white. It depends on the coloring of the black spouse. And it's not as if there aren't light-skinned people living in the hood. Hair is a dominating factor. if you got nappy hair, "you is one of us" and are just referred to as "mixed" or a red-bone, something that may elevate your status. And don't overlook the fact that most people in the hood are not married to their baby daddy or baby mama, so ethical dilemmas ain't that big a deal.