Troy

Yeah I watched GOT last night. I wish they would release all the episodes so that I can binge watch the final season. Waiting a whole week for the next episode is so 20th century... Man if I did not have to wait for over a year for this season I would just wait until the end of this season to to binge. I have been watching the new season of Star Trek and it is a challenge to keep watching it is so much like a soap opera. If Michael Bernum (Spock's Black step sister) cries in again in the episode I swear I'm going to stop watching -- she was raised on Vulcan for Christ's sake... ah never mind... Well, I'm glad the site is not broken. Now how do I get all the people who register new accounts to participate? While I block more than I approve there are at least 10 to 20 new people signing up each week. In fact someone registered while I was making this post, but if history is any indicators that visitor will not post. One does not need to post to read the forums or to even post comments, so it has never been clear why someone would register and never post. If I had the resources I would try to figure out why this happens.

There is a book out by a Johnson Publishing Insider: Empire: The House That John H. Johnson Built (The Life & Legacy of Pioneering Publishing Magnate) by Margena A. Christian Article from Chicago Sun Times "Last week, the iconic black publishing firm filed for bankruptcy to begin liquidation of assets — the historic archives JPC once offered for sale at $40 million, and what’s left of the Fashion Fair Cosmetics division founded by Johnson’s wife, the late Eunice Johnson. The company had been operated by their only surviving child and heir, Linda Johnson Rice. Johnson Rice’s only child, Alexa Rice, chose not to enter the family business." Book Description Johnson climbed over racial barriers and obstacles designed to deter his goals, but he succeeded against the odds anyway while holding true to his motif, "Failure is a word I don't accept." As founder of the Chicago-based Johnson Publishing Company (JPC), he quietly funded the Civil Rights Movement, providing a platform for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., to promote messages of freedom and equality for all. Johnson dared to show pictures of the battered body of Emmett Till on the pages of JET in 1955, sending a shockwave across the nation. When advertisers ignored black consumers, he showed Madison Avenue the power of profitably by including black models and themes appealing to his race. He advised presidents and became the first African American to construct a major building in Chicago's Loop. Hailed as "The Most Outstanding Black Publisher in History" and as "The Greatest Minority Entrepreneur in U.S. History," Johnson was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor. The poor boy from Arkansas City, Arkansas, who picked cotton as a child, made more history as the first black person named to the Forbes 400 richest Americans and amassed an empire, ranging from publishing, cosmetics, travel, radio stations, TV shows, hair care products, and world's largest traveling fashion show.

The implication is that disunity is a uniquely Black problem. History tells us disunity is a characteristic of humanity, not just Black people. American are not unified, Christians are not unified, white people are not unified, some families aren't even unified. Of course, I and many of us here, are concerned with Black empowerment and recognize that Black unity is an important component of our empowerment. I just wanted to point out that a focus on achieving Black unity does not mean every other group is, or has been, unified.

{Looking around like the last guy on Earth surveying his surroundings after a nuclear holocaust or the Rapture.} Since @harry brown has posted recently, I presume the site is not broken. Indeed, in the time that it took me to write this 16 people have visited this forum: I guess the period between Palm Sunday and Easter is really slow around here. Maybe everyone is on spring break (actually mine starts Friday). Or maybe, more ominously, social media's domination and control over the online conversation is now complete. Does that mean I can't communicate with my people unless I go to Facebook... Lawd help me!

Ok we are working with the same definition. You know more about Melody so I'm not gonna debate whether she is in that group or not. Yeah right 🙂lets not forget white men -- even criminals like Joe Kennedy -- can bogart their way into the upper class in a generation.

Your second is not clear to me. What does "long before" mean? Is it a few years or several decades? How or why was she "adopted" into the "upper" class? What changed in her life to lead to her adoption? @Mel Hopkins to clarify: using your definition of upper class, would you consider Lebron James to belong to the upper class?

Again if you are using income as the only measure then you'd probably consider someone like Lebron James upper class too. I do not, at least not with my definition. I'm thinking old money, upper class, not someone like Bill Cosby or Trump. If Melody was born into modest means she would not be upper class. Upper class people are independently wealthy at birth. Now given her marriage to a white billionaire and George can move in those rarefied circles, but would they really be down? If is like this; Black people of modest means can rent a house in Martha's Vineyard for a couple of weeks, but would they really be down with the upper middle class Blacks who "summer" in homes they have owned for generations? If someone raised in the ghetto hits the lotto or signs a big basketball contract and buys a home in the Vineyard would be they readily embraced by the established Black elite? Do you see the distinction I'm illustrating between the two groups?

Yes the mags were sold and well has the photo library. Jet was immediately scuttled after it was sold. I would have keep Jet and dropped Ebony - if only one could remain. The article did not discuss Ebony's business model (was it just cosmetics and the fashion show?). They did not say how much debt the had, but I guess there was just no way it could have survived. The fact that Johnson had to use a proxy to buy the office tower is amazing. How many Black owned office towers are there in America today? It is too bad because nothing will fill the void and not enough people care....

Honestly, I could care less about these two, but if forced to offer an opinion and to be unduly judgmental I'll say this: First lets put things in perspective, Lucas is a 75-year-old white multibillionaire. Melody Hobson, who born around the time Lucas was married to his first wife is young enough to be his daughter. Melody is president of a prominent investment firm she would have been quote a catch for any Brother. So no, if pressed, I'm not exactly "happy" to see this, because I guess there was not a single Brother "good enough" for Melody to marry. As "non American Black man" suggests her descendants and all of that wealth will go to he white descendants. But at the end of the day who really cares about those two? @Pioneer1 I'd put Melody Hobson in the "upper class," one way to get into it is to marry into it like Meghan Markle

If you truly believe "no man in his right mind...," getting rid of strippinguis worth consideration. In many cultures it is banned or not even contemplated as an activity because the people are mire advanced and have better things to do. Brainwasing another person whether it as street pimp, a charismatic preacher, or Mark Zuckerberg is never good.

Thanks @Mel Hopkins.

This is so very true. Still i could not help but complain and debate folks about all the attention the media gave to Trump before he became POTUS. Even smart journalists I know argued that it was important that 45's crackpot tweets be covered. Obviously the coverage of his innane tweets drew eyeballs and revenue the impact on our country did not matter. The journlist I spoke to felt it was important the cover the tweets of a huckster with zero political experience and even less couth and intellect -- treating him like a serious candidate-- Giving trump a platform that was unparalleled contributing to his being elected as President in some twisted reality tv show that has become our lives. But if the junk messages go unchallenged -- then what? Should the public simply ignore the pending disaster caused by man's impact on the earth or facebook's mind control over so many? Do we let any wack job say the measles vaccince causes autism, as so called journalists give any lunatic with a conspiracy theory equal standing with scientists and doctors? I don't think we can. I read the rest of guest message... sad. The person who made the comment will not likely reply. I'll see if i can retrieve their info, reach out, and see what they do. @Mel Hopkins I did not think the brain had a delete button -- at least not one we controlled. I'll read the article.

Most Christians believe they must proselytize, save souls. This of course is where the problems invariably arise. It is human nature I guess... I shared to see what others thought. That is an interesting idea. Is that like a colon cleanse. Where you purge your system and don't take in any more garbage for a few days? If so, how does one purge one's brain; what is the mental version of a laxative 😉

This comment was placed on one of the sites pages, where room is left for comments. Normally I just flag these comments as spam, delete them and keep it moving. The poster also has a "Low Reputation" on Disqus (the commenting software I use throughout the website). They also used a restricted word "smegma." I see nothing wrong with the word, but apparently Disqus see it as a flag for spammers and the like. I started to read the article but I stopped once I got the line in all caps that says, "THE BIBLE IS SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE." Why do some religious folks have to insist that the Bible is scientifically accurate. This is absurd on it's face. However just because something is not scientifically accurate does not mean that is can't be true. Still the more zealous of the religious fanatics insists that it is -- which will keep them in the wing-nut category as far as I'm concerned. Still I'm sharing it here because I do actually intent to read the entire thing, and it would be interesting to see what other think. And if you believe this don't be put off by my "wing-nut" comment 🙂 It is just my way of emphasizing how much I disagree with the scientifically accurate statement. We should believe the Bible because of the wealth of good evidence that has demonstrated the Bible is historically reliable and divinely inspired. It speaks about: • Its hundreds of fulfilled prophecies • The Bible's amazing internal harmony • The Bible's incredible scientific accuracy and foresight • Thousands of archaeological discoveries • Numerous details in the Bible that have been corroborated by extrabiblical historical sources • And so on THE BIBLE IS SCIENTIFICALLY ACCURATE For the Bible to be regarded as the inspired word of God, it must be scientifically accurate…since God would certainly know the facts about his creation. A word of caution, however, as we seek to evaluate the claim of scientific accuracy. Over time, science has often discovered new facts that confirmed a revised understanding of the truth, previously unknown. These discoveries have always been consistent with the Bible, however, at times a careful consideration of the words and The account of creation (the Bible: 1450 B.C.; science: 1900s). The account of creation as given in the Bible (Genesis 1) is accurate according to the steps understood by science. Written down originally by Moses, they were not fully recognized by science until the 1900s, using modern astronomy, physics, chemistry, paleontology, and geology. Time, space and matter had a beginning (the Bible: 1450 B.C.; science: 1916). The Bible’s first words are “in the beginning.” And elsewhere, including the New Testament, there are references to the beginning of time (2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2; 1 Corinthians 2:7). In 1915, Albert Einstein’s equations of general relativity proposed a beginning of time, matter and space. Later these equations were confirmed by repeated experiments. The first law of thermodynamics (the Bible: 1450 B.C.; science: 1842). The law of conservation of energy indicates that matter and energy can neither be created nor destroyed (just converted). There are many biblical references to God’s completion (that is, there was no more creation), going as far back as Genesis (2:2-3), and also in several other books (Psalm 148:6; Isaiah 40:26; 2 Peter 3:3-7; Hebrews 4:3-4,10). Joule and Mayer both independently discovered this in the same year (1842), what is now known as the first law of thermodynamics. The second law of thermodynamics (the Bible: 1000 B.C.; Science: 1850). Commonly known as entropy, this law states that all things progress from a state of order to a state of disorder (within a closed system) without a purposeful input of energy. Common illustrations: things decay, springs unwind, stars burn out, heat dissipates, and materials become mixed over time. There are many references to the principle of entropy in the Bible, for example, In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like garment (Psalm 102:25-26). Other similar references include Isaiah 51:6; Matthew 24:35; Romans 8:20-22; 1 John 2:17; and Hebrews 12:27. In 1850, Clausius discovered this second law of thermodynamics. Circumcision on the eighth day (the Bible: 1450 B.C.; science: 1947). No one really knows for sure why God specifically chose circumcision as the sign of his covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:11). Though it seems like an odd practice, research has indicated that it does have medical value. A study in the mid-1900s showed that Jewish women had a lower rate of cervical cancer. The smegma bacillus has been shown to be a major cause of cervical cancer. It can be easily carried in the foreskin of uncircumcised males and transferred to females through a abrasions of the cervix (as those occurring in childbirth). Interestingly, God specified that newborns be circumcised on the eighth day after childbirth (Genesis 17:12). Research shows that infants are particularly susceptible to hemorrhaging from the second day after birth to the fifth. A small cut can be deadly. Vitamin K, necessary for the production of prothrombin (the body’s blood-clotting substance) is not present sufficiently until days five through seven. It skyrockets to 110 percent of normal on day eight, and then levels off. The Bible specifies the best possible day. Sterilization (the Bible: 1450 B.C.; science: 1800s). It is easy to take our understanding of germs and disease for granted. However, germs and sterilization were not understood until the time of Joseph Lister (1865), near the end of the Civil War. The Bible required sterilization for many things: infectious disease (Leviticus 13), childbirth (chapter 12), bodily discharges (chapter 15), and handling of the dead (Numbers 19). Interesting to note that many of the world’s greatest scientists have been Christians working from within a Christian worldview, including men such as Nicolaus Copernicus, Johannes Kepler, and Sir Isaac Newton. These brilliant men found to be true what many others discovered: The Bible is a book that can be trusted. Archaeological Evidence Archaeologists have discovered substantial support about many details of Jesus’ life. Some examples include: Indirect Resurrection Evidence Evidence that the people in Jesus’ time believed in the resurrection is found on caskets of bones (ossuaries) discovered in a sealed tomb outside Jerusalem in 1945. Coins minted in about A.D. 50 were found inside the caskets, dating the burial within about 20 years of Jesus’ crucifixion. Markings are clearly legible, including several statements reflecting knowledge of Jesus’ ability to overcome death. Example of writings (in Greek) of hope for deceased loved ones include: “Jesus, Help” and “Jesus, Let Him Arise.” The caskets also contain several crosses, clearly marked in charcoal. This is powerful evidence that early Christians believed in Jesus’ ability to triumph over death. It also ties the idea of victory over death to the cross. Jesus’ Burial Shroud? A burial shroud (Shroud of Turin) is believed by many people to be the actual burial shroud of Jesus (Matthew 27:59; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53). Items supporting its authenticity are: 1. Test that confirm fiber type and small particles of limestone dust unique to the region. 2. Confirmation of blood, in wounds precisely as indicated in the accounts of Jesus’ unique execution. 3. Confirmation of a crucifixion as likely cause of the type of image created: matching a deceased body. 4. Coins on eyes dated about the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. Sir William Ramsay (1852-1916). Sir William Ramsay was, arguably the greatest archaeologist of his day. His archaeological journeys took him to 32 countries, 44 cities, and 9 islands. Throughout some 15 years of intensive study, he concluded that “Luke is a historian of the first rank, this author should be placed along with the very greatest of historians.” The Dead Sea Scrolls Any doubt regarding the accurate transmission of manuscripts was erased in 1947 with the discovery of hundreds of scrolls buried in caves for nearly 2000 years. Many were written before 100 B.C. Comparison of biblical books with recent Jewish copies shows virtual no change in words or even letters. The Trustworthiness of the New Testament 1 The New Testament has better manuscript evidence than any other ancient book. a. There are over 5,000 New Testament manuscripts and portions of manuscripts. By comparison, the majority of classical works have less than 20 manuscripts. b. The dates of the New Testament manuscripts are close to the original writings. One Gospel fragment (Ryland’s) dates about 25 years after the Gospel of John and most of the New Testament (Chester Beatty and Bodmer Papyri) from 50-150 years after the originals. Most classical works date from 700 – 1400 years after the originals. c. None of the canonical New Testament is lost or missing. By comparison, 107 of Livy’s 142 books of history have been lost and about one half of Tacitus’ 30 books of Annals and Histories is missing. 2. Good arguments can be given that each of the Gospels was either written by an eyewitness, or significantly influenced by firsthand testimony, as recognized by many contemporary scholars. 3. Even without proving eyewitness authorship, the Gospels measure up well by normal historical standards used in ancient historiography. 4. The Gospel are trustworthy sources, as explained by A.M. Hunter a. These Christian authors, like their Jewish counterparts, were careful to preserve traditional material. b. The Gospels are close to eyewitness sources. c. The Gospel authors were honest reporters. d. The picture of Jesus presented in the four Gospels is virtually the same (see Archibald M. Hunter, Bible and Gospel, pp. 32-37). 5. The Gospels and Acts exhibit a specific interest in reporting historical facts, not mythology. This is especially the case when the life of Jesus is reported. 6. Contemporary historians frequently opposed the application of radical criticism to New Testament studies. According to A.N. Sherwin-White and Michael Grant, such attacks fail at a number of crucial points (see A.N. Sherman-White, Roman Society, pp. 186-193; Grant, Jesus: An Historian Review, pp. 179-184, 199-201). a. Numerous ancient works exhibit intentions and methodologies similar to that of the New Testament authors, and yet these ancient works are well accredited as historical works. b. There are no ancient writings in the category that radical critics place the Gospels. c. New Testament books such as Acts have been largely confirmed by external test of historicity. 7. The Gospel and Acts were recognized as inspired books almost immediately after being written (see J.B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers). a. 1 Timothy 5:18 quotes Luke 10:7 and refers to it as “Scripture.” b. Clement of Rome (about AD 95) speaks of the “Gospel” and quotes portions found in all three synoptic Gospels, referring to them as the words of Jesus (Corinthians 13,46). c. Ignatius (Smyrnaeans 3) and Polycarp (Philippians 2, 7), both writing about AD 115, refer to verses in the synoptic Gospels as the words of Christ. 8. Paul’s epistles were also recognized as inspired Scripture almost immediately after being written. a. 2 Peter 3:15-16 calls Paul’s epistles “Scripture.” b. Clement of Roman (Corinthians 47), Ignatius (Ephesians 10; to Polycarp 5), and Polycarp (Philippians 1,3-4, 6) all refer to Paul’s writings as inspired. Ralph Muncaster, (former atheist) in his book: Examine the Evidence, presents extensive evidence to validate the truth-claims of Christianity. He provides compelling arguments from science, biblical prophecy, history, and archaeology. This former skeptic points out that of all religions and philosophies on earth, only one, Christianity is verifiable and testable. He was challenged to honestly investigate the Bible and the facts of modern science. He was stunned. Fact after fact, from biology, history, archaeology, physics, lined up with the Bible’s account! Simon Greenleaf (1783-1853) Greenleaf, (former Atheist), one of the principle founders of the Harvard Law School, and a world-renowned expert on evidence, originally set out to disprove the biblical testimony concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He was certain that a careful examination of the internal witness of the Gospels would dispel all the myths at the heart of Christianity. But this legal scholar came to the conclusion that the witnesses were reliable, and that the resurrection did in fact happen. Being a man of conviction and reason, and in accordance with his conclusions, Greenleaf converted from Agnosticism to Christianity. Manuscript Documentation The position of Jewish scribe was one of the most demanding and esteemed jobs in biblical times. After training for years, scribes were allowed to practice the profession only after age 30. Often referred to as doctors of the Law, they joined the priests in the teaching of the Law. Scripture Copy Rules Recording of Holy Scripture was a serious responsibility. So important was exact reproduction that Old Testament scribes were forced to adhere to demanding rules anytime a manuscript was copied: 1. Scrolls – special paper, ink, and surface preparation required. 2. Tight specifications – specified column number, 37 letters per column. 3. Master used – no duplicates of duplicates. 4. Each letter visually confirmed – no writing of phrases. 5. Distance between letters checked with thread. 6. Alphabet – each letter counted and compared to original. 7. Letters per page counted and compared to master. 8. Middle letter of scroll verified to be the same as the master. 9. One mistake – scroll was destroyed (i.e., master scrolls) Consider the following facts about the Bible: First, the Bible is not just one single book. This is a more common misconception than many people realize, especially with people who do not come from a Judeo-Christian background. Rather than being a single book, the Bible is actually a collection of 66 books, which is called the canon of scriptures. These 66 books contain a variety of genres: history, poetry, prophecy, wisdom literature, letters, and apocalyptic just to name a few. Second, these 66 books were written by 40 different authors. These authors came from a variety of backgrounds: shepherds, fishermen, doctors, kings, prophets, and others. And most of these authors never knew one another personally. Third, these 66 books were written over a period of 1500 years. Yet again, this is another reminder that many of these authors never knew or collaborated with one another in writing these books. Fourth, the 66 books of the Bible were written in 3 different languages. In the Bible we have books that were written in the ancient languages of Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic; a reflection of the historical and cultural circumstances in which each of these books were written. And finally, these 66 books were written on 3 different continents: Africa, Asia, and Europe . Once again, this is a testament to the varied historical and cultural circumstances of God's people. Think about the above realities: 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over 1500 years, in 3 different languages, on 3 different continents. What's more, this collection of books shares a common storyline - the creation, fall, and redemption of God's people; a common theme - God's universal love for all of humanity; and a common message - salvation is available to all who repent of their sins and commit to following God with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength. In addition to sharing these commonalities, these 66 books contain no historical errors or contradictions. God's word truly is an amazing collection of writings! The entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, bears the mark of Divine inspiration. The Bible Itself Argues Against the Possibility of Its Corruption The charge that the Bible has been corrupted, contradicts what the Bible itself teaches. After all, in Isaiah 40:8 we read, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands for ever.” In the New Testament Jesus says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). The Almighty God who had the power and sovereign control to inspire the Scriptures in the first place is surely going to continue to exercise His power and sovereign control in the preservation of Scripture.

@Pioneer1 you've perverted (pardon the pun) the idea of pimping. A pimp manipulates and brainwashes women. A good pimp can get a vulnerable woman with low self esteem to "agree" to blow strangers for money and hand that money over to him -- without the use of phyical force indeed by convincing her he loves her. Would you want that to be your mother or daughter's story?

This seems perfectly plausible. On Star Trek (which nonAmerican bkack man's image made me thunk if) for example, they have a Black male / white male homosexualcouple. One of many reason I'm not particularly pleased with the most recent Star Trek offering -- and not because i have anthing against interracial homosexuals. What you describe as a nod to diversity seems forced, contrived, disingenuous, and condescending. Meanwhile middle aged heterosexual black men (paired with a black woman) are all but nonexistent. Besides the characters should be battling malevolent aliens and exploring the cosmos. Who cares about their sexuality? It is just a thinly veiled atrempt to appeal to a particular audience and to get people to talk about the program... the way I am now (I hate being manipulated). Because lighter skinned women still do have an advantage Cynique. It also explains why you never had to give it a thought. Sheesh, why am I not surprised... what is her appeal -- given the options these brothers have? Of course I knew the subject would be one you'd have a strong opinion in. 😉

@Mel Hopkins what "myopic" view did I express? Please copy and paste it so that I'm clear -- thanks. After reviewing the Pew report. I can confidently say (willing to bet money), that the depiction of interracial couples is indeed over represented. I'm still not convinced it is part of a deliberate plan to eradicate Black people, though obviously there are people with this agenda -- I just don't think they are that sophisticated. Interestingly, according to pew, newlywed Black men are 2.5 times more likely, than Black women, to marry outside their "race" or ethnicity. there is also a greater likelihood for more educated people to marry outside of their so called race. Man I had to look up Blake's children. This son looks whiter than most white people, with blond hair and light eyes. Yeah I see your point if mixed race kids continue to procreate with white folks the children will be white. I've seen Black line convert to white in other families myself. The Black ancestor often express pride in their white offspring -- and I'm not talking about the pride grandparents have for their progeny. I'm talking about a sense of pride at having created a white descendants. It is the "my kids have good hair," effect but on steroids. I see Blake's marriage is on the rocks. I wonder if these so called "mixed race" marriage are more or less likely to end in divorce. Or how long they last relative to same race couples? Yeah I did and I don't understand the Black women here who celebrate Meghan as if she reflected some sort of advancement for the masses of Black women. Then I don't get American obsession with the "royal" family.

@Cynique, maybe @Mel Hopkins reconsidered and deleted (I hope it is not a bug). I'd be interested in a contrary or differing opinion. Cynique, you consume more commercial media than I. Contrived conspiracy or not, do you think mixed race couples are over represented on tv shows, film, ads, commercials comoared to there occurence in the real world?

That is deep @Mel Hopkins. I think if you read the book you'll come away with a different feeling. I plan to reread it next week. Side bar: starting this month I was working to get people to discuss the book on the book's page itself (in the Comments Section of Book’s main page). In fact @Tony Lindsay thought that was the way it was supposed to work from Jump. I think discussing the book there would be better as it expands the discovery of the conversation across the Disqus Network. The only problem with this approach is that the comments are not on AALBC's servers. Now that I think about, that should be a show stopper. I can mention, in the comments section, that the book's discussion with take place here and post a link.

I'm I too naive or too trusting to believe that there is can not possibly be an ongoing conspiracy to eliminate Black people? I mean, I know the white population is declining and I am well aware of how Black people, men in particular, are thwarted at every turn. I guess it does not matter if I don't believe in some cabal of White Illuminati types running a conspiracy to destroy Black people, for the outcomes of Black folks are indistinguishable from a evil conspiracy. Welsing and others taught that Black people mixing with whites would lead to "Black" children and the ultimate annihilation of white people. Whites must have believed this too since they enforced the "one drop rule" and lynched any Negro surly enough to look sideways at a white woman. Surely, white folks can't possibly be so devilish and powerful enough to manipulate all media to advance this agenda? Nevermind -- of course they are! These are they same people who created the biggest propaganda machine ever invented to justify the perpetual enslavement of African people for centuries. Brainwashing through media manipulation is child's play by comparison -- especially in the age of social media. Thanks for your comments Non American Black Man. Sorry to read you are seeing the same thing overseas.

While I disliked the film Us, one thing I did like about it was the presentation of a straight up dark-skinned Black family. No obviously mixed Black people, no swirling couples. But seemingly, the vast majority of couples where Black people are involved are mixed race -- usually a Black woman with a white guy. I'm not sure if I'm just more sensitive to this when I see it and it has an out sized impression on me or if it is indeed true. I mentioned to a friend recently who dismissed my comment when I brought up the issue, but then we observed, together, exactly what I meant and she was forced to agree. Of course I have no problem with mixed raced couples; what I'm trying to understand is why are media companies seemingly pushing it. Are they trying to appeal to multiple demographics at once? Would a Brother holding hands of the woman below alienate white consumers? I dunno, but I don't like it. The message delivered -- regardless of intent -- is that Black women would be more happy with a white man. Of course I appreciate the fact the everyone other than white folks are marginalized and largely excluded from the mainstream media -- but that is someone else fight. When they do have flicks featuring underrepresented groups like, Black Panther or Crazy Rich Asians, people come out. I actually like Cole Haan's shoes. I'm on their mailing list which is how I got this image, but I'll pass on patronizing them until I see a middle aged Black man reflected in their advertising. I'm not holding my breathe...

Hi Quisha, The Queen City Book Fair is in my database for 2017, but I removed it because I could not find information for 2018. Was there a fair in 2018? Please post information about the 2019 event right here in reply. The event will require a website (non-social media). I maintain the list manually and it is not trivial keeping tract of over 150 events. Many events last a year or two and disappear. As a result, I required events, included on my list, to have a website -- it is my proxy for events that intend to be around for a while. Peace, Troy

I was dubbed a "Literary Expert" yesterday by the Wall Street Journal for recommending Parable for an article they published: “The 10 Books You’ll Want to Read This Spring” The WSJ asked literary experts to recommend new works coming this season. The results offer an especially cinematic selection. By Ellen Gamerman April 3, 2019 10:09 a.m. ET (I was able to read the article one time on my cell phone, but after that is was locked behind a paywall.)

Pre-Order The Crossroads Anthology - and enter to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card However several of the authors in this huge anthology are bestselling authors. A few are on AALBC and have gained bestseller status here as well. It is an easy and inexpensive way to try a variety of different authors. This actually may be with entering even if you are not interested in the books. Click here for instructions on how to enter.

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler Parable of the Sower was voted the #69 of the Top 100 Book of the 20th Century by AALBC visitors! We will be discuss Parable right here, simply reply to this message (see screen shot below). If you’ve read Parable please let us know what you thought about the book, and encourage other to share their thoughts here too.. Also read, our Book Club’s moderator, Tony Lindsay’s review of Parable.