Mel Hopkins

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.

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@Troy Go Engineers! We are definitely the talented tenth! Woo-hoo! Stuyvesant accepted me too. Bronx High School of Science was the highest level of public education available at the time. I didn't test high enough to get in there. Not that it mattered. Mom said, "We live in Brooklyn, you'll go to high school in Brooklyn!" My zoned high school was Wingate/Tilden but since I tested into Tech/Stuyvesant from the 8th grade. I'll never know. @Pioneer1 yes, I graduated with a B average after majoring in Electrical Engineering with a side order of English Honors, Calculus and Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Yes, I'm smart. Probably why I don't "suffer fools gladly." 🙄

Time is only relative to space. When I “died” and returned with THE ALL , there was only “now” i.e presence. As soon as my “thoughts” diverged from THE ALL - I found myself back in this dimension and bound by the laws governing this space. There’s probably no “time” here either but since we individuate - it is hard to remain PRESENT because our thoughts are everywhere at once - Also, because of our thoughts we use “time” here to at least have a semblance of “presence.” In fact, we’ve been present in Rome for quite some “time.” I used to believe nothing travels faster than the speed of thought but that’s incorrect. It is “Thought” that creates time. Without “thought” we are AT ONE

Geez @Pioneer1 so you have a theory about white folks and then you believe everyone acts accordingly? Stawp- just no. There was a troll on this board at the time and @Troy finally got him to flee! Even you said he ran away. I’m not into supremacy bullshyt no matter what ethnic group spews it. While you sometimes border on supremacy talk - you actually, at times, dig deeper - and go down the rabbit hole - and strike gold (even if I don’t agree with your find) That poster - was just your garden-variety troll and I can block/mute them on twitter but you can’t here. Unfortunately, no one shut “him/her” down -so I had to go. Now I’m just busy trying to bring my websites up to “google standards” . I’m a adsense publisher but I haven’t been posting “unique and quality” content. I check in here at least once a week - especially on #readingblack.com because I’m supposed to moderate there. So, anyway - stop telling stories about me that’s not true. You might get @Troy sued if 45* gets his way. Note: This post might look different once I return to clean it up.

This is an excellent move! I've been on a few websites that wouldn't let me self-delete - and I've changed the copy - but never did I think to use the opportunity to protest! Bravo!!!

The quoted is the only part that reminds me of the "Meet the new boss. The same as the old boss," from "Won't get fooled again" by The Who. The rest of your observation, however, is very clear.

When the colonists fought the british for their independence - they didn't change their way of life. There was no complete overthrow of government. They just broke free of their 'mother' and continued much of the same. So although they called it a 'revolution' it wasn't that at all. The U.S. constitution replaced the monarchy with a sovereign state. A sovereign state that is managed by executive, legislative and judicial branches. The power is still in the hands of the elite. The sovereign state continues to enslave some, in fact Nebraska just removed slavery as legal option for criminal punishment but I digress. The Sovereign State (USA) topples regimes and holds powers of eminent domain (fifth amendment) which is feudalism with a price tag based on what the government feels is "just". This same system applies to every territory the british colonized or the USA colonized. Yes, never is a long time but without a paradigm shift there will be no revolution.

@Delano Oh yes, this is true for the individual who is already traveling that wavelength. I “hear” the voice too and have all my life. We don’t follow the crowd. I’m tempted to say we’re outliers but we are actually “outsiders.” However, what about the group? We as a group have never broken free of the proverbial matrix. Immediately after enslavement here in the U.S. we began reinforcing the system while deciding, like you mentioned, on what type of pawn - rook, knight etc. we’d be.

OMG @Delano you've been killin' it! I was just thinking about this after finishing a book I purchased from @AALBC bookstore. The book is "Long Shot" (Hoops #1) by Kennedy Ryan. Once I finished it I came to the same conclusion, we "can only work out what type of pawn you are in life" We don't have any innovators - only people who work with what's already available and look for new uses. The King and Queen have already set us up in the industrial mode. Here we can only be apprentice-to-managers in industries, or tradespeople that build upon what is available. If we don't participate then, there's no way to earn a living. While many of us like to think we can make changes - it is not possible without upending the system - and I can assure you there will not be that kind of revolution ever. Just like the characters in the book I just read - we are trapped. As soon as we're born we're programmed to live in this society. Even the most destitute person in America is still living within the trappings of this matrix - and if they haven't given up; they are also looking to raise their profile. In fact the original poster, Guest Garland Gregory, has admitted he's conspired to keep this society intact by teaching young minds how to work with society's policies, not disrupt them. We all support the elite's society. So nope there will be no changes - just more of how to survive (or thrive) in the society we didn't create or control.

Did Hillary Clinton call black men super predators? Also did the “crime bill” specifically state to put black men in jail - or did city and state law enforcement and courts execute the law that way? Also, one thing about a rant compared to a published op-ed is the latter requires a copy-editor to check facts and clarity. This way readers won’t dismiss the narrative outright. I really wanted to learn something from this rant - but I got stuck at 60 years of voting. As a result of previously abolishing the property requirement to vote, Black men got to the right to vote in 1870. Black women got the vote 100 years ago in 1920. Also, the north didn’t have jim crow laws. Also the 14 amendment of the Bill of Rights also gives the Union (United States) a pass from paying anyone for financial loss including the former confederate states as a result of the Civil War. If this is up for debate - we will see a reparation case before the supreme court in the future. Just ask Byron Allen how that worked for him. I agree lecturing adults is useless - but we should always be willing to check and question alleged facts. This way we can arrive at a solution.