Mel Hopkins

I’m sure it’s no surprise I believe this too. It is how some people can be a “pariah” at one time and then all of sudden find themselves celebrated. I think Jay Z is one of the notable people who have found out how to change his “fate.”

I haven't heard an African talk like that before, even the ones who dye their hair blonde, get online, and ask for wealthy men from Europe to come and marry them and get them out of poverty don't talk like that. It sounded kind of odd. Not sure if you remember when he first came on, but at first he didn't have a picture in his avatar. That picture of a Black man was introduced later on after he had posted 6 or 7 times. But perhaps he really IS a brother who just thinks like that. @Pioneer1 “they seem like a catfish troll who didn’t expect you to show up the way you did. But I agree that line gave “them” away. - The catfish trolls come in with a topic the target group will likely gravitate too - and they will gain confidence and then hit with some bull”like this… “They” appeared to be grooming the discussion group to believe something that would make us feel less than. But you handled “them” in away they didn’t expect. You asked for EVIDENCE! The debate ended there as far as I’m concerned. Seriously, why don’t more of us ask for evidence in situations that can impact our lives and perspective.

@DelanoDon't fall for it, Twin. Troy has met someone but she makes him uncomfortable and he can't find his balance in the relationship. He's asking you how to proceed because he can't find his normal. Just tell him to go with the flow -he's a strong swimmer. But the more he struggles the more he'll find himself in an undertow.

I laughed out loud when I read this - I've seen African men do this so many times! @Pioneer1 When I worked for United, I traveled to every continent except Antarctica and Africa - but that didn't stop me from meeting Africans in every other continent, and many were there to further their studies and/or conduct business. You know when an African couple opens a hair salon in Beijing They're definitely about that life lol https://www.bbc.com/news/av/business-21421956 I agree - I hope they will before it's too late. We need a big-a shift in dynamics.

Did/Does Black Planet have video upload capabilities back in the 90s? I don't remember that feature.

Twin, I hadn't thought of it until you asked this question. First, my mental image of a psychic is someone who has the ability to visit the future and then interpret the information for those of us who are in their present. Intuitive means visiting the future and unknowingly acting on that information in the waking present. Also, I understand the past, present, and future operates on points on a circle - meaning it is happening simultaneously. Some of us dream vividly and have the ability to visit different points in on the circle within this universe. Some of us may even visit points in parallel dimensions in the multiverse.

If this is true of African immigrants - why isn't the entire continent of Africa host to the wealthiest countries in the world? I'm not asking this to debate - I genuinely believe this to be the case too. Without looking up the statistic, I get the sense that African Immigrants rarely sell their labor. Instead, they produce. Also, the percentage of African immigrants with professional and doctorate degrees outnumbers even white Americans. American Blacks and Latinos don't even measure up in that comparison. So why are some of the African countries so poor or in debt? As I write this, It appears to be the same reason that blacks don't collectively support social networks, lol.

I haven't met any - There are people like us, Twin who seem to have a firm grasp on what's not so obvious to the masses. But I haven't met a straight up Psychic? It would be cool to see how they work.

Thank you, Twin!

Yes, absolutely, that is what is necessary for black forums to excel. But as Troy mentioned, it's not happening. That was the point of my response. TODAY most black people who excel in their careers get a boost on white-run social networks. They're publicly owned. So I need to correct myself. White-owned media isn't accurate. Both Davey D and Black Planet today still exist. Some sites report Black Planet, owned by Radio One, has 20-25 million registered users. Even Solange, with her popularity - and her older sister, Beyonce', did their best to drive traffic to Black Planet. Solange set up an account to launch one of her studio albums. Do you know how the majority of followers found out? She posted on Twitter that she was on Black Planet. https://solange.blackplanet.com/ So, I'm not saying what you've written is in dispute. It's just not happening on the level as it has in the past. Case-in-point, Issa Rae is one of the most successful people I know who launched her entertainment career through a white-run social network. Issa Rae created Misadventures of an Awkward Black Girl series on YouTube - and that led to her HBO series "Insecure," Pulitzer awards, and Emmy Nominations. Now she heads up an entire corporation, Hoorae productions https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/issa-rae-insecure-hbo-hoorae-1234936020/ that helps other black people launch their entertainment projects. She also uses Patreon, a community of patrons (benefactors), to help her support new talent. Here's the article I wrote for EBONY magazine about her. So yes, marketing is the key to popularity but just not in the traditional sense. Now we're promoting our personal brands on social networks with the largest audiences.

Try Mozilla Firefox, I read it through that browser. And you might also have access to the audio version.

Yup! It's crazy, right? Sadly, this means even our writing isn't controversial enough. I wear my alexa rating on melhopkins.com with a badge of honor. I checked alexa one day - and it had labeled my content/twitter shares - "black women, anarchist" I was like "damn right" lol Say what???

So it's not enough that am*zon wants to put independent booksellers out of business - now they are attempting to shut down Public Libraries too? Independent publishers and authors please don't publish with am*zon. It can only harm your business model not help it. Read more from the Washington Post Consumer Tech Want to borrow that e-book from the library? Sorry, Am*zon won’t let you. Its monopoly is stopping public libraries from lending e-books and audiobooks from Mindy Kaling, Dean Koontz, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Trevor Noah, Andy Weir, Michael Pollan and a whole lot more... https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/03/10/am*zon-library-ebook-monopoly/ NOTE: If you reach a paywall try Mozilla Firefox. I read it through that browser. And you might also have access to the audio version. H/T https://aalbc.com/tc/profile/6477-richardmurray/?status=1491&type=status

First, you'd have to answer what is the value to post on a Black-owned forum. Black people don't hold power in this country. Therefore, posting on Black-owned media would be like preaching to the choir. At least, in the last two decades, when Black people post on white-owned sites, they've elevated their professional status. Many Black activists, entertainers, journalists, even educators have launched their profiles through Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and now Instagram. Does this serve Black people? Nope, but it does help some Black people to realize their individual dreams. And speaking of individuality, just like any other ethnic group, we all have varying views of the world. Some of us are liberal, some of us are religious-fundamentalists, some have patriarchal views, others have matrilineal perspectives, etc. So a Black forum doesn't serve Black people either. At least not all. Humans tend to flock to communities that connect them mentally. For example, This community serves us through literature. We visit here because of the books written about Black people and books written by Black people. Also, when we did congregate on Black-owned media, especially book shops or through book publishing -we were targeted by the FBI. So maybe black people have been programmed into believing it is better to infiltrate white-owned media and hide in plain sight, so to speak. This way, if we are targeted, it is in full view of the world.

Just like the continents weren't always separated, I don't think we can remember when it wasn't like this. It's not hard to conquer and destroy an egalitarian society. They would simply let go. To the victor go the spoils. And they write the record so we can't collectively access those memories. The avatars you mentioned are the ones who return to remind us of our higher self. Some humans remember and operate at higher vibration. We can no longer see their existence. If you activate your highest self - you will experience nirvana and will be able to operate between the dimensions. Or remain with those avatars.

OMG!!! Wouldn't it makes sense to take the vaccine if Operation Warp Speed is a military operation? Sort of like if we're in a war zone we'd wear Kevlar and helmets? I can't with these folks. Yep! I actually had to go to your twitter page to see the post. All your other tweets popped up in my feed. I'm done with fighting social media algorithms. I respond to twitter posts. I'm not on facebook - and I haven't figured out exactly what I want to post on Instagram or if it's even worth it. I still like readingblack.com - and I'm constantly thinking about what type of campaign would appeal to both writers and readers to get more activity there.

People don't believe COVID-19 is a thing. So if you don't think the disease is factual, then the antidote will be fake too. I stopped underestimating the power of stupid long before 45 was elected. I haven't been vaccinated yet -Since I need to sign a consent form to receive it - I'll get the one-dose JNJ vaccine. (Also, my oldest daughter works for JNJ) It appears Georgia's governor got it before he put a halt to it due to the 12 people who got clots from the shot. I recently read it's a go again - so I'll continue to look for an appointment. I've always enjoyed mathematics and science and did well in everything but chemistry. Still, I grasp the concepts. Those folks who gravitate towards conspiracies are like the people in the past who decided gods caused weather activity and diseases. Collectively, the human species hasn't evolved much in several millennia.

I have your notification on - for twitter and I DID NOT See that meme! I think Social Media might have hid it.

O, the Oprah magazine, is partly or maybe even wholly-owned by Hearst Communications. And according to the circulation report, nearly 64% of its subscribers are white.

Writing isn't necessarily about personal experiences. - I'm a veteran journalist who spends a lot of time writing about other people's experiences. The only difference is I process it through my lens. Writing and reading require active engagement. I've recently found watching foreign films and episodic television programs is also engaging. In fact, one must participate too. Not only must you pay attention you also must read the translation. I don't waste my time on anything that is low involvement. Nope, won't do it. So, @Delano change my mind.

This speaks volume of his followers. I've heard a lot of people say trump followers are into cosplay... This is interesting insight. Thank you for sharing.

@Troy You do know the chairman of the Proud Boys identifies as Afro-Cuban. According to reports, the "stop the steal" campaign leader is Ali Akbar, now known as Ali Alexander. He identifies as Black, Christian, and Arab... This group is somewhat diverse. What unites them is what behaviorists call "toxic masculinity." Many say they admire 45* and believe he's the most masculine president in history.

I found another "write 'em and forget 'em" author who signed with a Big 5 publisher and thought it meant the publisher would put in the work to sell his book. Signing with the Big 5 means you're going to get superior distribution - and better access to awards - BUT it doesn't mean they will sell and market your book. I was so disappointed to learn the book was out of print - mostly since the protagonist was a Black woman FBI agent taking on a case that was far beyond her reach. This book was optioned for a screenplay by none other than Angela Bassett and Courtney Vance! I did reach out to the author on Twitter, and he said he would sell me a copy. Now he's Ghost. Please, please indy and traditionally published writers - handled your marketing and sales. The Bottom line: It's up to you to make your book a success!

@Delano It is difficult. I appreciate critical thinkers too.