Mel Hopkins

Here's something you don't hear a lot of about. While I was working on a piece about the absurdity of life, I found out middle aged white males have the highest suicide rate of all groups here in the U.S. In fact out of the more than 42,000 suicides in 2013, 7 out of 10 were committed by white males. Next highest were American Indians/Alaska Natives who ranked up there at 11.7% out of every 100,000. Guess who is near last on this list with the fewest suicides per 100,000? You guessed it, at 5.4% per 100,000 suicides for African-Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage is less for African-American women. The report indicates women overall make more suicide attempts but rarely succeed. Sadly, however suicides are increasing among African-American children according to SAMHSA 's statistics from JAMA Pediatrics. I have no clue, and none was offered as to why so many white men here in the U.S. end their own life. I don't take the findings lightly either. I was curious. Initially, when I went looking for the statistics I thought African-Americans would have the highest suicide rate since many of us report experiencing high rates of stress. The CDC statistics, however, doesn't support my theory. If I had to guess why the rate was so high for white males here in America; My guess would be influenced by Edward Bruce Bynum, Ph.D. (Dark Light Consciousness: Melanin, Serpent Power, and the Luminous Matrix of Reality). He says the deepest level of the mind in modern humans is an African structure or an African Template. Dr. Bynum suggest in his lecture "African Genesis" "Most nations, most cultures fear the darkness and part of that fear is of one's own origin - 'The Threatened return of the repressed'." African-Americans already know where they come from. Maybe they don't have the location of the village but they have a clue they come from the African continent. Maybe it's hard for other cultures to reconcile they also originate from the Motherland. And that could be their undoing. I don't know of course but I'm fascinated by the theory. Self-Destruction comes in many forms.

Yes I'm getting the sense that flowery is the new print journalism. Old school broadcast journalist here - and even with 15, 30 sec or 1.15 sec video at the most, it meant I had to get to the point with FACTS! And you nailed it - his description of Clarence Reynolds made me throw up in my mouth a little. @Troy ...I thought I deleted that part of my comment! I was going to write about the mistaken identity (but didn't, right?) because it was turning into long rant and reflection of my good ole days at Penguin USA.. I was actually offended that the author included how Chris Jackson is often mistaken for one of his writers. It made me really want to punch the author in the face for that one... It was offhanded "Stacey-who"; "all-you-black-people-look-a-like" remark. In fact, most of those New York Times reporters find a way to marginalize black people. They too are on my boycott list (as far as "paying") I will occasionally read an article - if it looks like the reporter has some sense.

I read that article too, shared it on my google page then quickly deleted it... I wondered too if it can be movement when Chris Jackson is a party of one pushing one "voice" from a group of male authors. It was Chimamanda Adichie who warned of us of The Danger of a Single Story in her Ted Talk. I get the sense with the authors mentioned this movement might be one of the monoliths she warns of. I could be wrong but I read as much of the article as I could to find his platform. I got tired of the purple prose describing black people much like one would if they were just visiting "darkest africa" for the first time.

"Good point", said the woman with 3 daughters. For now, however, I draw the line where "art", "religion", "politics", or any of our socio-cultural activity that draws its popularity and energy from harming women. Example nwa. Anyone who sings about offin' hoes and bitches - is obviously doing it in real time. so I won't support them. I don't believe Dre an'em have made one dime off of me. I probably watched "Friday" one too many times because I got tired of being left out of the jokes - but I will not support a group that is too stupid to realize without women their future is nonexistent. Still it is surprising to me how many people cosigned that brand of 'entertainment.' Then again, the labeling mentality is prevalent among those guilty of sloth.

Exactly! I read a washington post article this morning re: Deray McKesson filing for his Mayoral Candidacy in Baltimore. The founding members of #blacklivesmatter serve on his advisory committee. I'm so proud of the young women who started the movement; they are showing how politics is really a grassroots project. They even have a call to action - "Campaign Zero" with solutions. This call can and may end up on a ballot in our precincts. If anyone is familiar with - Florida's Stand your ground law, they know it was started by a group just like BlackLivesMatter - except their group ALEC ( American Legislative Exchange Council) , is against the people, not for. Unfortunately, ALEC has a farther reach and bigger influence than BLM. Still these young folks are doing something with their voices and they are UNIFIED! I think that is what really scares the mainstream.

Followed you on Amazon @CDBurns I think it might please you to know, Amazon sends me updates on the latest book you published. I have them all in my wish list now.

Oh Snap! Forget facebook and google (alphabet) amazon is living up to its name...this is crazy!

You really aren't obscure at all...lol And See what I mean - it doesn't happen automatically - I even have a browser that identifies that I'm in GA even when I go incognito. Dr . Troy Johnson came up because he's in Covington, GA. So unless you know something more about why my search would include you - I'm thinking you may hit first page results for others too... and how you did it is extremely valuable! So maybe you're "broke" but you are definitely a wealth of knowledge

I reached my quota for upload or I would show you the page but when I use the Google search engine- "Biography, Troy Johnson, Founder of AALBC.Com is the top result!

Re: Zane screenshot in your quote... This is pretty much what I get when I google my name... with AALBC.com coming in right after Amazon... Now what I did find, is when I type in "The LeadStory" my media communication business web site - it is #1 ... which is really confusing - after what @CDBurns mentioned about google webmaster tools ... because I didn't do it with that site... but I will keep pushing! "@Mel Hopkins, Google's search results OFTEN push "official sites lower in search results." Google is also a book seller, so people can learn more about books and buy them from Google without even leaving the search results page!" I'm giggling because a lot of what you respond to here, I mentioned in my last correspondence to you. I'm glad because it really allows me to know I'm on the right track. Google allows you to search inside the book which I believe is why it often comes up when I search for typical academic references. Also if you search for African Antiquity which I do quite often - those eBooks are free and Google allows you to save them to your digital library. Of course you have to sign into google to read your "free" book...so maybe some of us authors might be willing to do the same here on AALBC.com. Of course you can only read the book when you sign in but at least you can read for free...even if it's for a limited time. The method to my madness is I'm always looking for the pitch and placement angle - "AALBC... offering a digital library to readers/book club members " is pitch-worthy... But Zane is famous and has earned millions. I'm obscure and broke, so what do I know? I didn't know you wrote erotica too! But seriously, with the wealth of information you have here on the site - I already branded you, wrote and published several books for you (even if only in my head). I'll do you one better, when I do an incognito search for Troy Johnson ; your photo is included in the image - and aalbc is on the first page

I agree. AALBC.com is a community - websites such as these even have community managers... I'm recently active here otherwise I would know who - but from what I've seen Troy, its founder, also serves as its manager. So by its very definition, AALBC is an institution. We, by participating, give it is power.

Will do! I started to make some changes last night and my website locked up in google chrome. I had to restore it - and start again. It's not going to beat me! Thank you so much!

"Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake." - HDT @Cynique I've only been active here long enough to experience you during your hibernation and I've felt a singe. (If I feel it, it's real) I could only imagine how "hot in "herre" it's going to be when you arise in the spring. I'm glad SOC cast didn't win anything - they may be fine actors but they portrayed terrorists - (of black women) .

Thank you for this nudge! As soon as I read your article ... it clicked immediately what was missing! I didn't put my own name in the description - google SEO PDF reminds us to include key words that would pop up during a search.. I wrote about my novel! The only place my name appears on the site is the domain name, Title and description on home page. duh! I will fix my copy straight away! Thank You! great article!

Yes, How did we have all those firsts among black people soon after and towards the abolishing of African slavery... how about the turn of the century 1900 I once did a black/women history tribute (february -march) and I was blown away be the large number of women who were: Union spies, awarded professional degrees, entrepreneurs, big band music managers, film producers, Writers, Journalists, Publishers et al.. I was astounded and kind of ashamed I wasn't doing more with the "freedom" I have today... So yes, I agree with Troy don't blame the victim not everyone is a leader, but I agree with you too! Those who are leaders need to do a lot more to make up the difference...

Thank you! As I mentioned to Troy, if you use the Google search engine to find me on the net - aalbc.com/melhopkins comes up as number 9 on the first page - my amazon page come up at 8. Guess where my own website comes in? It comes up on the 9th page! - in Google terms my own website bearing my name doesn't even rank! Lol! However, I'm not just linking here for a high rank - I believe in the goal of AALBC.com - it was mentioned in the forum, we don't control any institutions - so if that's the case, only we can change that "truism".. Do you agree putting an effort into our own product and into a product that serves as a commnunity to be step in the direction to change that reality held by some?

If I remember correctly, there is a post on aalbc, telling bloggers how we can help each other... I think the post is in a conspicous place - but if WE (because this idea benefits the whole and the individual) do at least one thing on that list we post our own blog post - we become a symbiotic unit without much effort... Edit: to add the two posts I am referring to http://aalbc.com/blog/index.php/2015/08/18/bloggers/

I added one of my blogs. I remember seeing many of those blogs displayed on the black weblog awards. Maybe a partnership or combined promotional efforts with the organization may be a win.

Thank You! I removed the image link and added the image directly.

It's still displaying on my end - but I guess that's because it's in my pc. Let me edit again.

Tired of the school's reading list filled with white boy and dog protagonist, Marley Dias kicked off her own hashtag #1000BlackGirlBooks which features Black girls as stars of their stories. Check out the PhillyVoice article here

So thankful for this post! It is amazing how our thoughts can inspire each other!

Absolutely, I am. I liken it to the same thought-process that pit light-skinned blacks against dark-skinned blacks...it is a divide and conquer "talented tenth" mentality that allows the stereotypes to flourish. We, for the most part, are very proud of all of our "Divine 9" brothers and sisters" And yes, I'm not going to act like those negative types don't exist within the ranks but I believe they are outnumbered. Unfortunately, those short-sighted "greeks" alienate a lot of good people who would be an asset to the organization. As for my experience, I believe our chapter was an exception to the "rule" because we were a commuter school chapter (St. John's U, Queens College and York - Queens, NY chapter) and our graduate chapter Epsilon Pi Omega was very active with the undergrad chapter Nu Mu (translation: We had grown-A women watching over us ) so it was quality of character, great grades, and community involvement over "prettiness" . And believe it not - many of my sands ( line sisters) and Sorors are still "doing good in the hood" today. I had to take a break because of my crazy schedule. I'll probably get active again.

Actually since I am an AKA, I can see her pledging my sorority - - In fact, one of my sands looked very much like Da Button Pusha , when she was younger. A lot of folks gave us the business about pledging her because we promote that "pretty girl" facade. My oh so fly soror was having none of that nonsense and we accepted her as is. What most don't know about the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc...is this: we are very much into women empowerment. And yes even though we wear the "costume" the bottom line is about what we give back to our community that matters. Da Button Pusha seems to be right in line with those values. She probably wouldn't be bothered with us, however because of our "reputation'