CDBurns

I'm refraining from all of this banter because what everyone is saying pretty much summarizes everything. As Cynique said a while back, it's a start but not really a solution. I guess small victories are needed in order to feel that there is a chance that things will get better. If you give a dog a snack after you beat the shit out of him, he'll come back for that ass whooping everyday as long as he gets that snack. Black folks are ridiculously Pavlovian in our behavior and it's getting harder and harder to make people understand that this flag removal is not on par with the Bus Boycotts or sit ins... but we are really treating as such. I'm sure the fire and brimstone guys will raise a lot of offerings with their "ain't God good," sermons this Sunday.

Boom! Drops mic and walks off like a bawse!

LOL!!!!!!! Okay I'm waiting on a blog post about this new Amazon ad service... Do tell so we can move on from KENP and Amazon Prime. I am actually surprised that you are an iTunes guy. In my mind iTunes is the devil on so many levels, but that's another forum post.

LOL I hear you! Did you know that prime also gives you access to the almost every album under the Prime banner so you can stream music through Amazon music for "free" as well. Amazon prime is a loss leader. It attracts the customer who shops a lot with the free shipping, which pays for itself if you order more than three products per year that have some weight to them. But the goal is to get people involved in Amazon Media (ebooks, Amazon fire, Amazon music). They are losing, but they gain because they simply want to get you in the door. Once you're in the Wish List and other features make them most people's first stop since they can buy in less than one click if enrolled in Prime. As far as being a bookseller, Amazon is forcing the hand of the publishers and not in a good way. It all boils down to consumer's recognizing their power and buying local or supporting more than just convenience.

I guess the same can be done in music. I'm sure Cynique would say we are discussing something that isn't going to change again, lol. It is very interesting that a word that we have taken as our own is still just as powerful when used by or against us. I guess there are never going to be repercussions for the disrespect of Black folks at any level. I mean Trump dissed immigrants and the repercussions were swift and powerful.

I just published a blog post: http://www.cbpublish.com/writing-tips-amazon-kdp-support-kenp-10-000-pages-read-for-100/ This blog post is in regard to KENP for those who have books on Amazon Kindle. Check it out and then look at the fees associated with renting from the Lending Library. How are other companies going to compete with Amazon when they are able to pay writer's on a lended book? Amazon prime is an amazing loss leader for Amazon and it definitely signals the end for a lot of small companies.

Looks about right, but they also own a considerable amount of Africa now as well.

That's a great response right there. I can't say it this well so I'm just cosigning!

I agree with KC. I found a list a while back of Black banks in the US. Surprisingly, Memphis' Tri Sate bank (with three branches) wasn't even on the list. This shows how fractured the banking system is for Blacks and Black owned banks. I don't know if you two have heard of the banked and unbanked populations in the US. Blacks tend to be the most unbanked people in the country. This means that when they get paid they go to supermarkets, check cashing places instead of utilizing a bank. When this population needs access to credit they go to Title Max or title loan places and the like that are predatory lending. If Black banks simply focused on getting the unbanked to bank with them they would grow in one month into really solid institutions. The reality is they don't even spend the time attempting to do this. They spend most of their time and energy funding Black churches or funding different city projects with companies recieving government contracts. They pursue guaranteed money vs actually doing the work of investing and building wealth for the banks. They don't have a real small biz program in many instances and require the exact stringent requirements or even more requirements for biz loans than their counterparts in the white community. They don't have any business relationship with the HBCU and their online banking and websites are abysmal. I'm all for supporting small biz/black biz, but only if the service is at least serviceable.

I am still writing. I just don't think about the writing as a career. I am working on a plan that requires Troy to help me considerably and will require a bit of investment on my behalf, but I think it will be well worth it.

The top is nice, the bottom is still a bit busy, but as long as it's browser friendly that is all that matters. God bless you and your data migration. That's why I'm all inside of Wordpress because of the import export feature. All I have to do is fix links when I switch it around. I wouldn't want to be you. Sooooo much content, but it least moving it will give you a chance to tweet and share it all over again. On a different note, I know I keep saying it, but I really need to put more effort into the book stuff and the business books seem to be my lane into gaining ground since they are mobile friendly books. I will look through the packages again because I have to build that business starting now.

And here is proof of what economist and I was saying just the other day (like we needed more proof...). When the economy is built on a capitalistic system that has it's foundation in buying and selling debt as a commodity, when this happens your money is poof! Like magic. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/puerto-rico-says-it-cannot-pay-its-debt-setting-off-potential-crisis-in-the-us/2015/06/28/cbae1bc4-1e05-11e5-84d5-eb37ee8eaa61_story.html

This one though! As Count Dracula, I have had the opportunity to own many fine watches. I started wearing watches in the 1400's when they were not much more than portable, spring-driven clocks attached to the wrist by something that resembled a manacle. They were large and clumsy and would often get tangled up in my cape. As the decades and centuries passed, watchmaking technology improved dramatically. I have always liked to keep up on the latest in men's fashion, and I feel fortunate to be independently wealthy and so I have always been able to afford the best. I've sported Rolex and Cartier and Bvlgari and Piaget, but now "the best" has a new champion. I would remove this magnificent timepiece from my wrist only if it somehow stopped working, but since it is of the highest precision quality, I don't expect that day (or night) to come until around the year 2550. The snakes and lizards are awesome, but LOVE the skull! The only drawback is that it has a lot of crevices where graveyard soil can get stuck, but that's really my own fault for not placing a bread-bag over my arm when I retire to my coffin . FIVE STARS!!!!!

That's because this would have happened no matter what. Obama is just the latest on the Iron Throne. When you import the majority of your consumables and your debt is owned by the world like I said it's just a matter of repaying the debt. The person in office is just the person in office. Consider this, if my company begins to grow I will be considered in the same boat as the people who pushed this thing through, Nike, etc. Then again if I even sniff a consistent million each year for two years I'll be bought out. The lack of focus on eating, shopping, spending local is the only thing that could have slowed this down, but it was just bound to happen. We buy more than any other country so since we are no longer producing anything and our economy is built around consuming and debt, other countries need direct access to the US without the taxes, duties and tariffs. Now the smart person in the Black community would begin buying up warehouses or leasing them at pennies on the dollar and establishing storage and shipping options for the amount of product that will begin to arrive. Because if someone in the US doesn't do this, very soon there will be more warehousing companies opening with logistics outside of the US leaving the physical back breaking labor to whoever will take those jobs, until the robots come. What we do have to add here is that the TPP is just able to be legislated now, it isn't law... yet.

That's my point about the flag and the N word, they don't matter. In the bigger scheme the only thing that matters is financial empowerment. The discussion we are having is very topical and ends up being banter because it accomplishes nothing (sound and fury...). I used to make my basketball players do ten push ups for saying it. We lived in San Diego a 3% Black city and using the word was always around others, not just our own. The word eventually was taken on by Asians, Africans, Mexicans and every other race at the school - Unless I was around. All of these kids said it but if the word wetback, sand nigger, rice eater or FOB was used people lost their damn minds. I realized then that we are the only ones who openly accept a word that has such destructive tendencies. Cynique I remember older people using the word like water, but when they would not use it when we encountered Whites. I thought it was hypocritical as a child and possibly because I grew up when people were learning self love and using brothers and sisters it's why I have a different view. As for the Last Poets they didn't use it in the same way as it's used today. Die Nigga so black folks can take over or Niggas are untogether people are exactly the sentiments I associate with the words as they do. Do we all use it? I'm sure in some shape. It is what it is. I do think though as a small movement, not using could create a considerable amount of change, but that won't happen because as we all agree, it doesn't matter much.

Here are my comments from a discussion I had on Facebook which I initiated. Post 1 "As someone that is directly involved in how this TPP will work, this whole process began when China funded our invasion of Iraq and officially became the Iron Bank for the U.S. I hate to use a Game of Thrones reference, but our wars allowed China to become the owner of so much American debt and property it's ridiculous... And no one discusses this or even brings it up as an issue. I manufacture shoes in China. I wanted and tried over and over again to do so here, but the hurdles the US has placed on the small biz community has handicapped us to the extent that it's more cost effective to manufacture offshore than it is to make anything here. What's even worse is we can't change because Americans are the most ignorant consumers in the world. The President isn't a dictator he is simply doing as a Lanister (any President) has to do; he's paying his debts.China is now the true world power since they own areas of the biggest resource in the world in Africa and they control the biggest consumer market in the world America. I'm off of my soapbox." Post 2 "I hate that I'm a part of the problem...I hate more that I cant sell enough to stop." Post 3 the closing of brick and mortars is a direct result of importing cheaper merchandise from China and other countries. However, it is also the responsibility of the American Consumer who has no remorse or interest in supporting anything that is not of convenience to them. The American consumer shops online or buys at the places they "PERCEIVE" as being cheaper. What the American Consumer fails to realize is that this indirectly supports TPP and actually made the deal happen as a result of not shopping locally. I'm not blaming this solely on the consumer since all of this is the end result of wars we should have never initiated. When we began taking on debt to fund these wars China was collecting. What is of bigger importance is that the American economy was built not on capitalist theory, but SKEWED capitalist theory. American is a debtors society where capitalism as it stands is a system of loans as opposed to a system of bartering or buying and trading. Even all of the wealth of our billionaires and millionaires is in inflated stocks and funds that don't represent real money, but represents "POTENTIAL" money. Everyone probably wonders why I don't get involved in all of the "racist/cop killing" convos... those are meaningless in the greater scheme of the nation and in my own attempts at building wealth. I hate to sound impersonal, but I can't do anything for my family by talking about that stuff. But by talking about consumerism we get to the root of every problem in the US EVERY PROBLEM. Want cops to stop killing Blacks? Let Blacks get fiscally more responsible. Want the government to vote in the interest of the people, get more fiscally aware and responsible. The TPP though is a direct reflection of the ownership of debt in this country. Is it bad? Honestly, no. It's just more of the same. See this chart and understand the severity of which the US Economy is shaped and this is from 2013: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/10/10/this-surprising-chart-shows-which-countries-own-the-most-u-s-debt/ Post 4 I forgot to mention how the subsidizing of banks who have built their entire portfolios on debt (which led to the housing bust that almost destroyed... actually did destroy this country) which has led to a debtor nation. People are not funded for creating a shoe company or a product, but they are funded by venture capitalists based on the ability of a company to reach an IPO!!!!! While everyone cries about racism, what is happening to the country isn't even taking place behind closed doors anymore. It's right out in the open and is celebrated. We celebrate Twitter or Square or Box or Living Social as great examples of entrepreneurship, or even Beats headphones which was sold for billions. When the honest truth is that Twitter and any of these tech companies honestly aren't solving any real issues and don't have any real means of creating a physical product which means that it's not a buy and trade of a product which is how capitalism should work, but the exchange of ideas which can't be valued, but are valued, packaged and sold to the public as stocks. The same with the packaging of bad home loans by banks, all of which is supported by the government and then throw in a Chinese manufactured product that costs pennies being sold for billions and the corruption of capitalism continues while we all stand around and complain about racism (which I'm not justifying) we fail to realize that what we can control we aren't. Post 5 We spend so much time on the negative instead or recognizing how much is being done against the negative. We also fail to understand educate ourselves which leads to the mistreatment of the less informed community (which happens to be blacks, browns and every color including whites and this less informed community is being shaped by angry white men, prosper preaching black men, and self serving political parties.) You are exactly right in that real empowerment comes at the grassroots level no matter the race. I obviously was really involved in bringing it up, but didn't start it here since I tend to not cross platform discussions, but I'm glad you brought it up. I hope those responses make sense above without the interaction.

Sitting in Memphis...I don't think Obama would have ever used any of the other words of disrespect in his speech.

First, I did overlook the fact that you used "beauty" and that you never said nigger is a term of endearment. My bad. I guess my frustration lies in the fact that there are so many things outside of our control in the Black community that the things we can work on ourselves and develop or change we don't. According to your logic the removal of the flag is a part of the process of creating a domino effect that removes the images of slavery for White America. I agree with that logic. I agree with it so much that my primary argument for Black people to stop calling each other nigger/nigga is that as small as it seems there is great power in calling a Black man brother and a Black woman sister. There are small things that can generate change that we can control. How we view ourselves and respect each other is the greatest power that we have. We can't control much else. I remember when Spike Lee's School Daze came out. There is one scene that for me validated and spoke towards how changing how we interact with each other can change things. This is very similar to John Singleton's Furious Styles character in Boyz n Da Hood who speaks about gentrification. I guess what I'm saying and what I'm sure you understand is that if removing a flag is seen as progress, how powerful would it be if we began to think more highly of ourselves and stopped limiting ourselves to being niggers/niggas. I think we should stop focusing so much on changing White America and begin delving into the small changes we can make in changing ourselves. Who knows. If we decide to call each other our names, or brothas and sistas, maybe the next step is supporting a black owned business or changing our browsing and viewing habits on the web. You're right though as small as the flag being removed is, it is progress.

And there in lies the problem with supporting Black business... That was a generalization, but when people actually think this way it hinders the progress of Black businesses. Then again, when a company that makes millions acts this way it is generally the flag bearer for the community.

Cynique you are dead wrong. On the several occasions I had a gun pulled on me it was by a Black man calling me the N word. You are completely wrong. I don't use it. It's not a term of endearment in any way whatsoever. Every kid I've seen jump or beat a kid at a school I taught at called the other kid that word. I honestly don't know how you say that we control it and own it when, like the flag, no one of either race is comfortable with either of these negative words/images. I've had a second to think about this and the idea that the N word lacks a tangible representation is just that an idea or opinion that you hold. When I hear the word I have several images that pop into my head. All tangible and all representing the behavior associated with the idea of what that word means. This is why it bothers me so much that we have allowed the word to be commodified, packaged and sold to us as okay. I get that the word was taken by us and changed. I really do. However, the logic of that word ever being positive is just amazing to me no matter how anyone, you, rappers, anyone attempts to explain it, it's damaging to us and whether you agree or not, I truly think it hinders the cohesiveness of the people. How can 1 word hinder togetherness? The word weighs on us and like the flag it's not something accepted as good by all. Now nothing has to be all good or all bad, and that flag doesn't need to be flying over state capitols or used as a state flag, but banning it is a waste of time. It does nothing at all to improve the livelihood of Black people. Absolutely nothing. If this is considered a small victory then we need some bigger damn goals.

I've been thinking about this and the argument for removing it is the exact same argument Blacks use for justifying the N word. The flag is offensive and Blacks don't use it or care for it. Whites say that it represents history and no longer has the negative attributes associated with it's use. The N word is offensive and Whites may use it in private, but Blacks say that it is a word of brotherhood and no longer has the negatives attributes associated with it's use. * Here is my problem with both. I don't give a hoot about a flag. Not one damn bit and I'm from the South and I lived in Southern Cali where people are unaware that there is one of the biggest groups of Neo nazis and bigots in the country in Santee and El Cajon. There used to be flyers for joining the Aryan Nation on the ground at every bus stop in these areas east of San Diego. I don't use the N word. Does it show up in my life in music and discussion? Yes it does. It is still jarring to me no matter who is saying it. I try to buy "clean" records to avoid it, but some records the word is used as I think the situation calls for... kind of like the flag. If people want to fly it, who gives a damn. I pretty much avoid the discussions on shootings and all of the racist stuff going on. I don't really get into the discussions, but I'm jumping in here because I just jumped in and gave my thoughts on Facebook and I would never give Facebook more effort than I give a platform that is Black owned. All of the things happening in America are problems with capitalism and how the system was put into place and how its flaws have contributed to every problem we have in this society. Should people run around waving the flag and putting it on state buildings? No, but it is a part of history and has it's place in museums and as an item that can be purchased. Does the N word need to be sold on records and in mainstream media as a term of endearment, no. It does represent something significant to Blacks though and trying to ban it is a waste of time. What should be discussed is the state of economics in the US. Why? Because that is something we all can affect and change. If Blacks simply became more conscious consumers (which isn't that simple) racism would be the least of our worries as racism doesn't affect those who have fiscal control over their surroundings/situations.

I don't get Ebony, lol.

It should be, but I just wrote on Facebook this statement: The biggest issue for those who have businesses where they are creating a product is building a network especially when that business is in an area where there are dominant players. The idea of business is that you create something that is both needed and fills a need. The reality is that there is always something out there already and that unless you capture the market with a great slogan and a passion, reaching the buyer/client/market is an extremely difficult thing to do. It's much easier to sell yourself because the investment is time and effort. When the investment involves purchasing and selling inventory that is not a known entity, the game changes considerably. I've gotten the typical "Amen" or "Preach" or "Absolutely", but that will be the end of it. Running a literary website should be a profitable afterthought, but the bottom line is we don't value the things that supplies the world with information and entertainment. Here is an article that is about music that addresses what we are discussing here perfectly. http://www.digitalmusicnews.com/permalink/2013/10/02/doesntcare

Damn The Huzlers website proves my point. I went there and realized I was spending about 10 minutes on it after clicking the link, smh. I don't think she is going on the 20 to answer the question though.

I wrote this quote a while back, "Sensational is not information, but it wins in the battle of eyes and views. Sensational is a business now although it fails to empower or inform. Yogurt sells; no need to be sensational." For a long time I tried to decipher this. I thought it was just random thought until I began to realize that this is exactly what Cynique is saying and it is what we are talking about here. Black people live for sensational presentations. You can sell us through the promotion of the outlandish. However it is the subtle approach that has lasting power and White folks have mastered the art of accepting dry information. They realize that it's not the loudest or "sensational" that informs or empowers. While they allow Fox to cater to the impoverished base of the Republican party, they maintain print magazines like Money and Inc while we can barely keep in circulation any magazine that does not focus on celebrity or sensational news. Black people simply don't know or want to know how to empower themselves. They want to make money, but without spending the time to build community. Unfortunately for those of us who have crossed the threshold of time, our message is lost and caught in a volley between like-minded people. The ball is rarely hit to those who utilize the web at a rate where they could shift the balance of power that would generate the views and clicks needed to operate a literary website.