ProfD

As mentioned, I grew up in DC at the height of its dysfunction in terms of crime.

Like every other religious organization, the NOI only seems to have influence over its members. The rapper KAM was heavy NOI at one point. It was reflected in his music. Minister Farrakhan chopped it up with gangsta rappers too. Ice Cube could talk him to him at one point. Right. Remains to be seen how far Hill Harper goes with his political aspirations. He's definitely an intelligent brotha. Hopefully not Boule.

As someone who grew up inner city, I totally understand the points @richardmurray is making here. I know quite a few criminals and killers. I know victims. I've never been victimized. As I've mentioned before, there's a method to the madness when it comes to crime; surviving and avoiding it. Police can't fix it. The trick of the system especially in the form of media has conditioned many Black folks to either hate and/or fear themselves.

Black are indifferent about the US funding these conflicts (Gaza and Ukrainian) because those are not our fight/struggle. VP Kamala Harris like every other BIFO (Black in face only) person showed up to a Black commemorative event in full shill mode. Unless FBA continuously calls out this foolish, it will keep happening. BIFOs are like whack-a-moles.

Gotcha. Right. No reason to bet the farm or lose any sleep.

Yep. You keep saying it. But, you haven't acknowledged a full understanding of how government works. Nothing I've written has changed your belief one way or another. What we have on that point is an impasse. Those FBAs in Congress are BIFOs (Black in face only). That's why the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) ain't worth sh8t. The CBC has zero interest in Reparations for FBA. But, they're quick to vote on legislation for other groups of people. That's like asking VP Kamala Harris if she was going to do anything for Black folks and while cackling she said....nooo.

Got it. Dr. Wesley Muhammad is one man though. I was referring to throwing the whole weight of the NOI into getting Black folks to stop making negative music and movies. In fact, I remember Minister Farrakhan embracing and supporting rappers. AfroAmericans told C. Delores Tucker to shut up and go sat down somewhere. She was tool of the dominant society. That's the mental health issue I was referring to which certainly needs to be dealt with clinically before it becomes a menace to society. Actor Hill Harper went to Harvard Law school with POTUS Obama.

Probably so especially it's within New Black Media.

I'd imagine Google will be heavily invested in AI technology. It only makes sense and more money. No pain. Smaller companies will have to adapt or feast or famine. Those who invented or thrived on [insert obsolete technology here] had to roll with the changes brought along by new technology whether it was investment or adaptation or cashing out. That cycle of change and planned obsolescence has been ongoing for at least a half-century and counting. A UBI (Universal Basic Income) will provide a softer landing for future generations.

I believe the country is slowly heading in that direction. Having the majority of people living a life of leisure would 1) bug the sh8t out of the 1 percenters and 2) upset the apple cart of a capitalism. Some geniuses decided a society built on a system of controlled chaos was better for human beings.

Three (3) police officers and two (2) paramedics were on the only people on the scene of the murder of Elijah McClain. All five (5) of them should have been charged and put behind bars. Hopefully, the writing emphasis and math are comprehensible.

Not a day goes by that I don't ask myself, why am I still here. Then, I'll get a text message or a phone call that somebody needs something. Sure enough, those people will find another benefactor when I'm dead and gone. I'd hate to believe the universe has determined that my purpose for being here is to help people over a few more decades. Like a Greek philosopher, I'd prefer to have that luxury to plop down at my piano and play music all day. Nope...for the man to whom much is given or earned, much is required and/or expected to be returned.

It's easy to protest against the promotion of violence and dysfunction in music and movies. I wonder why the Nation of Islam and other Black organizations aren't protesting against it. The wholistic approach means attacking the system responsible for the conditions. Mental health is a very real issue in America that isn't being addressed well enough. Sure. The criminal justice system strives to protect the citizens from the worst of us. That should not keep us from protecting ourselves too. That means dealing with dysfunctional sh8t before it becomes a problem. Those two areas get mentioned a lot but there are enclaves of successful Black folks in every major city in America. I would not be surprised. I'm sure Detroit is one of those cities that has an enclave of successful Black folks living in the suburbs of it. The reality is that only a handful of Black folks give a sh8t about the system of racism white supremacy and reparations. It makes FBA/ADOS look similar to those Black Hebrew Israelites standing around on corners yelling at, er, preaching to folks as they pass by.

VP Kamala Harris showed up to commemorate the Selma bridge crossing. VP Harris spends the 1st 7 minutes of her speech talking about the Gaza conflict: We don't hear any other group of people talking about AfroAmericans during commemorations and/or when addressing issues affecting them. Yet, Democrats are wondering why Black voters are becoming disenfranchised with them. To express their feelings regarding the Gaza conflict, several thousand Muslims voted Uncommitted in a Michigan Democratic primary. That's how a group of people exercises political power and gets their attention. We have a person of color as Vice President and she chose to use an AfroAmerican commemorative event to talk about an issue that has nothing to do with us.

@Troy, in my eternal optimism, I don't believe your business will be adversely affected by AI. As a smart guy, I think you will either be using AI to make your work/life easier or successfully retired. The generation before ours thought the world was going to h8ll in a handbasket as technology improved. Yet, we still made it here. Don't sweat it mayne. The future will be OK too.

It must have been a nice life as a Greek philosopher to sit around all day eating grapes and...thinking. These men didn't work or produce anything anything tangible. No science or engineering. Just thoughts.

Getting past denial is the 1st step towards recovery. I never wrote that. I did point out that mayor Marion Barry was DC's mayor for life as recognized by the city. Every DC mayor elected after mayor Barry recognizes him. There are landmarks in DC named after mayor Marion Barry. I'm not alone in recognizing mayor Marion Barry as a leader in DC politics. There are a couple million folks who echo the sentiment. You're certainly entitled to that opinion. I be slightly curious to know what you've done for DC or any other city. Nah bro. To the contrary, I find your posts amusing as h8ll. I wouldn't change one word of your journalistic masterpieces. Keep that energy until you run out of gas.

No matter how much I clown someone, I'm never wishing the worst for them unless they truly deserve it. Wendy's situation is rough. Like everyone else here, I hope that she pulls through it to enjoy a healthier and happier life all things considered. @aka Contrarian, I think da Bears head coach has one more season to get his sh8t together or he'll be standing in the unemployment line.

I was referring to every law enforcement officer and paramedic who was involved in his murder. Sure you can but I wouldn't obsess over our beloved mayor for life who's been resting eternally for a decade this November. I'm always hopeful that you'll return from your sabbaticals with less antipathy towards the fourm. So far, it appears you refuse to attend the meetings or take the medications as prescribed.

My brotherly advice would be to start working on your goals immediately. Tomorrow isn't promised to anyone. It's better to live life to the fullest now. Get busy living today because dying is inevitable.

White folks definitely aren't interested in a level playing field. They will do whatever it takes to maintain the system of racism white supremacy. However, as long as white folks know they are being provided with more than non-white folks they'll be fine. That's a deeper psychological issue of self-esteem. Look at the poverty rate statistics by country. Oil rich and Nordic nations and other countries live peacefully without being impoverished because they are homogeneous. There's a huge diffence between having to work in order to survive and wanting to work as an avocation. There will always be people who want to work. Look no further than volunteerism.

Sure. Music can be weaponized. The instruction lies in the message. I can use the same 808-heavy beat to make a record for Hip-Hop (Conscience, Party, Gangsta or Trap) or Gospel or R&B or Jazz. Lyrics make the difference. Message matters. Black folks provide the content but they do not control the music business (marketing, promotion and distribution). You've argued that Black folks should take advantage of their positions of power to enrich themselves. Artists and musicians could make the same argument that they're producing records people want to buy and getting paid in the process. Personally, I would not make a destructive record. There are more constructive ways of getting paid. Jay-Z and Lil Wayne are brilliant men when it comes to writing lyricis. They could have taken the Rakim or Nas route who are genius lyricists as well to making records. Jay and Weeezy choose the most profitable. Black folks need to attack and correct the conditions that fuel destructive messages in Blackcmusic before it's created. In the absence of codification and infrastructure, some folks will use whatever gift, skill, talent or knowledge they have in order to survive. As I've mentioned before, you may want to do some traveling bro. There are plenty high functioning Black communities throughout the country. The state of Michigan may not be the best example of it.

The love I'm referring to starts in the womb and continues through being raised by a solid mother and father and village. That's why I keep stressing solid and strong Black men who can relate to them from a position of strength. No weakness. Everything about me disarms a n8gglet. They're not going to try me for a number of reasons but mainly because m presence commands respect. Obviously, we have to do more than talk a good game. When n8gglets can see your success...it becomes like EF Hutton. They're going to listen even if it's only for a few minutes. To be clear....some n8gglets are going off the cliff because they're already beyond redemption. They weren't loved properly from the jump. Can't save them all. Allowing the system of racism white supremacy to handle our business is not a good look. For sure. More solid and strong Black men need to put in work by raising their own kids and securing the village too.

I believe VP Kamala Harris is an intelligent woman. However, intelligence is not a prerequisite for higher political office. There's no shortage of proof i.e. dumb people currently sitting in leadership positions. I believe Democrats would prefer Gov. Whitmore or Gov. Gavin Newsome over VP Harris. Most people don't need much more than basic needs met in order to be comfortable. The system provides it for the most part. There's zero poverty in oil rich countries. No collapse. Capitalistic countries are slowly replacing labor force with technology...robots and AI. Hopefully, we will live long enough to see if the economy collapses or civil war breaks out. I'm betting the US will become a huge welfare state in the future. Adult US citizens will be provided with a UBI (Universal Basic Income). Enough *money* to cover basic necessities. The UBI will be supplemented by working whatever job an individual can find or the business they create. Oil rich countries and Nordic countries are examples of what I foresee happening here in America. Sure. Those issues can be addressed by insuring that people who need the most help get it.

Actually, each and every one of us can police our communities. It starts by engaging with and talking to people who are most vulnerable. When I'm out and about, I'll speak to and chop it up with young dudes who look lost and aimless or smell like weed. They're usually impressed to see a Black man well dressed and driving a nice truck and mostly importantly, willing to talk to them. A lot of these people potentially headed to prison really need more love and to see and hear from solid Black men. We are the police they should encounter more often.