Stefan

This piece was far too long and my interest waned quickly. I guess the gist was the young pastor spread himself too thin and didn't take note of his weakening body. While this is a cautionary tale, I doubt it's germane for most young Black men. If anything, this type of scenario probably reflects the situation of many Black grandmothers and single moms.

Troy, I had no idea you had left Florida. All my best to you. And I am happy to learn that the victims of the Tulsa Race Riot are being officially memorialized. I hope Tulsa figures out its place as part of the Sooner State awarded to Native Americans.

Joan, The ancient city of Ephesus was in the western portion of what is now Turkey. The city's most prominent feature was the temple of Artemis. The rebuilt structure stood in the first century when the Apostle Paul visited the city. According to some historians, the original temple had been set on fire by Herostratus in 356 B.C. I hope you join the Discussion board. Note to editors: The map is from Pinterest.

Troy, First, thank you for your compliment. They do not just let anyone into Stuyvesant. You have to be the best of the best. So, kudos to you as well. I don't believe sticking it out in a neighborhood with a high rate of shootings and gang violence is the right move. Especially if one has children. When I taught, it was for extra money at first. Then when I saw I was making a difference, I threw myself into it even though I had a steady day job as a Senior Editor. Eventually, I realized that was the profession I should have chosen instead of Journalism.

Chevdove, Most Bible scholars do agree that Simeon of Cyrene and Simeon of Niger are the same individual.

Most of the teachers I knew from Junior High to High School were not so much racist as indifferent to the plight of Black students. I taught Writing for five years as well as a few other subjects. You have to really love teaching because it is a difficult career that will not make one rich.

Pioneer1, You would not be wrong. But Troy is much younger than I. While Brooklyn Tech seemed safe to me, a couple of the teachers were intractably racist. That is part of the reason why I and my best friend, an incredible math and science genius, left. (He's White and is still a math genius). Not everyone who went to Brooklyn Tech came from impoverished backgrounds. Some came from families that owned profitable businesses and these kids lived in big homes.

Chevdove, Super Research! Everyone Else, The Bible relates that the so-called Christmas star that led the three Magi didn't guide them initially to baby Jesus. Instead, it took them to King Herod, who apparently wanted to harm the young child. When the Magi went to Herod and told him of their plans, Herod responded that he, too, wanted to pay his respects to the baby boy. By the time the three Magi saw Jesus, the baby was no longer in the manger. Instead, he was living in a house with his mother, Mary. And since the Magi had been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they bypassed him on their way back to the "eastern parts" where they came from. It took some time for Herod to realize he had been fooled. If you're curious, you can read this at Matthew 2:1-12

Troy, You mentioned that the media reports on racial crimes because it makes money. I disagree. Blacks are not as numerous as White people and by and large, the majority ethnic groups in the United States exhibit scant sympathy when it comes the victims of racist murderers. It seems to be changing. but we will see. We remain the most blamed ethnic group that's condemned due to collective guilt by association. So, these news reports of Blacks horribly victimized in racist attacks are more likely to be disputed and in the main, dismissed. If a news organization cannot sell ads, they ain't gonna be business long. And many advertisers do not want their commercials running amid news reports of racist violence. The mental and emotional connections are too hard to miss. The most immediate reaction to such news reports is Anger. From Blacks because it has happened too many times and from Whites who will complain that they're in for more protests and negative press. Which is why there's almost always a quick a proclamation that the victim just HAD to be a criminal. Look at the most recent heavily discussed racial murders: Trayvon Martin (long time juvenile delinguent), Breonna Taylor (boyfriend was drug dealer) and George Floyd (previous criminal record). Now when it came to the evening local TV news in the evening, there was a long held axiom: "If it bleeds, it leads." This referred to crime stories where violence or the victim's identity guaranteed viewership and follow-up stories. Reporters always hoped to be assigned to or to break a story that had "legs," a potential for follow-ups.

Troy, is right and nailed the biggest fear of NYC project residents. Because Crain's Business reported on Feb. 13, 2020, that the New York City Public Housing Authority signed an agreement that will turn 5,902 units over to private developers and raise over $1.5 billion for much-needed repairs. In 2018, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans to convert 62,000 apartments by 2028 and has so far converted over 7,000 units. Included in the deal are five complexes: Linden Houses and Boulevard Houses in East New York, Williamsburg Houses in East Williamsburg and Audubon Houses and Harlem River Houses 1 and 2 in Harlem. The long list of selected developers includes major builders like L+M Development and Hudson Cos. and some smaller players. A lot of folks may be unaware that HUD has sold many foreclosed homes and repossessed buildings to NYCHA. The agency now has a program to sell single family homes to folks. I am just hoping no family gets evicted during this Pandemic. Troy, you went to Stuyvesant High School? Congratulations! That was THEE hardest school to get into for decades and probably still is. I went to Brooklyn Tech. But I hated it and switched to one closer to me (and which has girls) in my second year.

No response. Typical. Weed would give her more enjoyment.

Many Prophets and Bible Writers had visions (which are simply dreams and not real), but this woman believes what she is reading is actually true in the physical sense. Daniel is having a vision because he "sees" the Ancient of Days in the 7th Chapter of Daniel. The Apostle John also had visions, unless of course, one really believes there is such a thing as a seven-headed dragon with ten horns as is mentioned in Rev. 13:1. Seen one of those, lately? Daniel also had a vision of an immense statue at Dan. 2:44. But it's a vision, it's not real. Leprosy is a disease that often turns the skin White. But it is not a normal skin condition. Now, what else from this comedian? Let me go back to completely ignoring this one.

Delamo. No, I have not read "Faces at the Bottom of The Well." Being an oldster, retired curmudgeon and all, I try to spend my pennies on items that bring me lasting joy. But if you read the book, why does Derek Bell ask Blacks to abandon a misplaced faith in eventual progress? Because there is evidence of this all around. In Obama, in Kamala Harris and MLB owning up to Negro League greatness in a successful, but now faltering Black Business empires. Trump was an easily avoidable setback. If Blacks had not been deceived into believing Hillary was a die-heard racist, this country would have never experienced Trump. And the Black Race could have avoided a serious resurgence of White Supremacist ideals and support.

Chevdove, Please continue posting. And again, my sincerest wishes on the health of your Father.

Oh, the nonsense one can glimpse on online discussion boards. Someone claimed ancient Israelites were Black because of one Scripture in the Book of Lamentations, which was written by Jeremiah. The Prophet had survived the siege of Jerusalem, was taken captive to Babylon and then free along with the rest of the Israelites by Cyrus the Great, who was Persian. The Medes and the Persians had conquered the Babylonian kingdom. But let's get back to the Book of Lamentations. "Our forefathers who sinned are no more, but we must bear their errors. Servants now rule over us; there is no one to snatch us from their hand. We bring in our bread at the risk of our life, because of the sword of the wilderness. Our skin has become as hot as a furnace, because of the pangs of hunger." (Lamentations 5: 7-10) Hot skin does not mean it is Black. One person is badly misreading these scriptures. Because Verse 10 is referring to the heat of famine, not skin color. This is all the result of the Israelites suffering because they had sinned and their God, Yahweh, allowed them to be conquered by the Babylonians. They had to serve the Babylonians for 70 years and then Cyrus freed them. People who are desperate for validation of their skin color by looking to the ancient world are the saddest people on Earth. Because there's rarely any definitive proof. And they erupt in a rage when someone points this out. I guess when White people get sunburned at the beach and their skin is hot to the touch, Presto! They're Black. Dosen't the Bible say this?

Chevdove, I hope things are better with your Father. I will say it once more with authority, the Bible roundly IGNORES skin color. The 40-odd Bible writers preferred using geographic locations. And the King James version is no longer the go-to translation of Bible enthusiasts. You are making the same mistake millions of others have while trying to bolster your own race. But the only races that mattered in the Bible were first, the ancient Israelites and second, only those who professed a belief in whom many refer to as Jesus, the Christ. And it is that second fact which blows the concept that skin color matters in the Bible completely out of the water. Because the Apostle Peter declared that it didn't make any difference what a man's ethnic background was. As long as he believed in the Christ, they were good to go, according to Peter. "At this Peter began to speak and he said: 'Now I truly understand that God is not partial, but in every nation the man who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.' " (Acts: 10:34, 35) And yet, here we are, centuries later and there are billions of otherwise decent people still in a tizzy and trying to brag that skin hue matters. When Peter wrote that God is not partial, he meant the Creator does not look at rank, wealth, skin hue, where a person was born, their livelihood or their appearance. Which makes me wonder why anyone would accept what some White museum curators depict about the likeness of human beings who lived thousands of years ago. Those Whites were not there. Neither were you. And it rankles me why so many Blacks want to be associated with long dead Egyptian Pharoahs when we know they owned and mistreated Slaves. What too many do is employ their own observations to boost ethnic pride. Which means nothing since God does not care what your ethnicity is.

Ann Bray Smith, If there's one thing I always will do on an online forum is peruse a different viewpoint. I just may not agree with it. However, what I steadfastly refuse to do is suffer fools gladly. If those who respond to my posts do so with immaturity, I can always ignore them and often do. That does not make them right. Just childish. If someone disagrees with a comment, then they should do it politely. These relentless and ad hominem personal attacks are silly and tiresome.

It is difficult to obtain a well-paying job with benefits without a college degree. One can learn a trade in a profession that is necessary for a society to function, such as plumbing or electrical work. But some type of education will always be required. The less knowledge and experience an individual has, the more likely it is for them to be indoctrinated. Not the other way around. Learning different college level subjects defeats Ignorance.

It is not only that fewer people are going to college. It's that fewer people even bother to read. We are in an era of Dumbness where accuracy, knowledge and explanation tend to be ridiculed by those who are insecure. You can see the personality of a Donald Trump (I'm the smartest man in the room) in many men, regardless of their race or background. No one wants to fact check. No one wants to do any research. All the silly want to do is attack, attack and attack. It's as if someone who's well informed bothers them so much, their stomach starts to hurt.

I am fairly certain creating Covid-19 vaccines and treatments will become another facet of the healthcare industry. A race of people can no longer effectively isolate themselves because of world travel, communications and ongoing environmental damage. Those who tried always failed and even if they kept most intruders at bay, they usually became ill because they were not properly vaccinated. In Africa, lack of adequate sanitation and clean drinking water always killed millions. And 56% of Africans living south of the Sahara Desert suffer from this now, according to the World Health Organization. What good is it to hide from invaders and those bent on harm if your people do not have access to clean drinking water? Or cannot grow enough food to feed everyone?

Troy, I agree with your post 100%. I am not a doctor and I am certainly no infectious disease expert. If parents believe a certain drug has harmed their children, who am I to dispute this? First of all, it's none of my business. I can only sympathize. Even thought I am in the high risk category, I am holding off on getting any Covid-19 vaccine. I never trusted Trump and I remember his vow to not allow residents of Blue States to receive vaccines because he engaged in words with their Governors.

I believe all professional sports leagues are worried about their bottom lines and so are their team owners. It is not just Major League Baseball. Just as you, Troy, I cannot wait until the records of our Black ballplayers are matched up against the traditional White stalwarts that we learned of as children. Covid-19 is going to end the dreams of many and cause the loss of billions. I would hate to see a team definitely headed to a post-season only to loose its star player or perhaps two to Covid-19.

Anti-Vaxxers tend to be intolerant of others' opinions. And one does not have to meet them online to know how they feel. It is quite sad that the Black anti-Vaxxers I did engage with online are simply disdainful of science, much like Republicans are. Who are YOU going to listen to? Do you really think Dr. Fauci flew to China and concocted a scheme to create the Covid-19 virus with Chinese scientists in Wuhan? One Black anti-Vaxxers insists this is true. I cannot believe some would listen to a person who has no medical degree, never practiced as a doctor, knows nothing about infections respiratory viruses, but thinks you need to follow their advice. Engage an anti-Vaxxer then. Ask them why children should not be vaccinated against measles, whooping cough and polio. Go ahead. But first, list the names of people in your neighborhood who have polio or smallpox. The idea is to live. I want the Black Community to survive. And I am thrilled that a second Covid-19 vaccine is about to approved for emergency use. This one is from Moderna. We do not need any more needless deaths in our community from this pandemic. It's an individual choice. Here is more information on the issue: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500(20)30227-2/fulltext

Wait a minute. No one thinks this historical advancement is newsworthy? No one thinks it is another feather in our cap? More proof of our awesome physical and mental talents?

Troy, There are some Black anti-Vaxxers, too. Many such folks truly believe that any vaccine causes Autism. I've met a few Black anti-Vaxxers online and a few of them are truly hateful. To their own people who want to stay alive. They find every excuse to label government-run health agencies and pharmaceutical companies as killers. They attack anyone who wants to wear a mask and they view as stupid any parent who wants their child to receive childhood vaccinations. If I didn't know better, I could imagine some of these Black anti-Vaxxers picking up an assault rifle and shooting anyone in the Black Community who advocates wearing masks and taking safe vaccines. I am not certain the Covid-19 vaccines are safe. I've adopted a wait and see attitude. We know individual patients may develop side effects and some suffer from the vaccines. Even medical experts have said this. But that does not mean we should eschew every vaccine and simply let the Covid-19 virus run amok. Because that is what anti-Vaxxers want. They want to use their rights to debate personal freedoms in a crusade to end yours. If they have the right to refuse medical care, what gives them the right to order everyone else to do the same?