Troy

Just posting the video directly: Mel I honestly I don't really think too much about feminism. I think racism it a more pressing issue which of course affects both men and women. Feminism seems like a white women's fight against their men. It is not Black men holding Black women back. We don't make laws telling Black women what do with their bodies, we did not prevent women from voting. We don't pay women less for the same work. To me feminism, at least for Back women, should be a secondary, perhaps tertiary consideration behind racism and the growth in wealth and power of the ruling class. It is another thing that has divided us. bell and Beyonce beef did not benefit the people. bell's critique was simply a windfall for Beyonce giving Beyonce's project more exposure and free publicity.increasing the wealth of both herself and her corporate masters. I'm too male and old to care very much about Beyonce. She is a wildly successful entertainer, whose music or thoughts (as publically portrayed) don't interest me because they are fake carefully crafted for public consumption to maximize revenue. I got a glimpse of the real Beyonce in the elevator video...

I think I see what you mean. When the brother Randy Kearse told me what the video meant to him I felt #verkempt, mainly because I was unaware of the impact it had on him. He just struck me as an interesting Brother. To put it in context I was still work in corporate America and living very comfortably. I was leaving the African American Literary Award show which was held in the Alhambra Ballroom in Harlem (webpage upgrade not started) I'd spent some time talking to Doug and Jackie Christie and other Black authors and publishing professionals. I just found the page I created after the event (which I just now upgraded) on it I wrote: "Randy served 13 years of a 15-year sentence and is now selling a book to help others have a positive and productive life after prison. I brought a book -- one can't help but support." Later Doug and Jackie (webpage upgrade incomplete) would buy quite a bit of advertising to promote their books. They were quite generous and their support of AALBC.com meant as much to me as what I did for Randy, I just never got a chance to tell them. We all do things to support others, often without knowing it... Mel you've been a keen supporter of AALBC.com as well. Just the idea that someone whose opinion I respect thinks my efforts is worthwhile helps a great deal. I also know you know things I could be doing that would make me more effective, which will enable me to help someone else--these are the activities that uplift a culture.

Cynique I like seeing your face it is a nice shot. I wonder if people would perceive what you write differently seeing what they look like. Would they react differently? I wonder if Sara, for example, would have still been as rude? I wonder which is better, the avatar or an actual photo? I'm surprised you did not recognize Earl Graves. That is an old photo; Graves is in his 80's now.

Hey Mel, yeah I thought the idea was cute. I think it would bee even more practical in NYC where apartments are so small. Pioneer. I agree. The library's other weakness is their hours; they open late and close earlier compared to B&N or Starbucks. The Starbucks I frequent is walking distance from my place and is only closed 5 hours a day. Google provides their wifi and they even provide table outside with outlets but this is in Florida. I do buy something it I used B&N or starbucks. I would hate to see either go away. In Harlem, the Starbucks are awful places to work-too small and crowded. But Harlem also has a bunch of cafes now. It is not unusual to see every available seat used by someone with a laptop--I can't see how any of these cafes make any money with people camped out for hours for the price of a cup of coffee...\ Cafes used to me places for socialization now they are over run by people whose heads are buried in the computers. My friend Milton has moved to CA, I'll miss running into him.

I'm beginning to sense a pattern in the manner in which Time chooses to depict Black women: Now given our last conversation about Time Magazine's treatment of Viola Davis, one might assume I was on the hunt for more damning evidence against Time's controversial treatment of Black women on their covers, I assure you I wasn't. This controversial cover just landed in my lap. I attended a book fair in Queens, New York yesterday. As I was walking around I decided to check out a panel on feminism; primarily because there were two Black women participating and I wanted to learn more about them. One of them was Andrea Queeley who is currently an Associate Professor at Florida International University in Miami who, in the video below, related the controversy surrounding this cover. Apparently, it was "a thing," but since I not as tuned into these social media fueled "controversies." I missed it entirely. The New School in New York City hosted a discussion, titled "Are You Still a Slave?," back in May of 2014 which included with bell hooks, Janet Mock, Shola Lynch, and Marci Blackman. hooks said, "Let's take the image of this super rich, very powerful Black female and let's use it in the service of imperialist, white supremacist capitalist patriarchy because she probably had very little control over that cover — that image..." Janet Mock said, "I would argue she chose this image, so I don't want to strip Beyoncé of choosing this image — of being her own manager." to that bell hooks replied, "Then you are saying, from my deconstructive point of view, that she is colluding in the construction of herself as a slave." Mock later continued, "...when I am writing about sex work and sexual abuse and issues with my body, my sexuality — it was freeing to have Beyoncé owning her body and claiming that space." To which hooks replied, "I see a part of Beyoncé that is in fact anti-feminist — that is a terrorist, especially in terms of the impact on young girls." bell hooks pulls no punches. I don't know much about Beyonce or her stance on feminism. But I suspect she is most interested in money, and uses feminism as a tool when it helps. I just don't think Time would have a white man who they considered one of the 100 most influential pose in his drawers... does this make sense?

Interesting. Actually, I'm a little grossed out. I've never seen this ad. The title next to the ad is perfect ;-)

Del have you considered that I've also learned from you in this exchange? There is also age, sexual orientation, and who is writing your check that may be a factor here in differing perspectives.

Yes @Mel Hopkins, I can see your point as a reason for why men would cheat. Indeed it is "textbook." But I also understand that the people closest to you see the good, the bad, and the ugly. So perhaps their perspectives are naturally more tempered compared to those who know you only through your accomplishments, unaware of your failures and the jerk you can be... ...That or they could care less

Hold the presses ya'll. Mel thanks for sharing this, but I think it just adds another layer of complexity. Just because a Black man took the photo does not negative anything I wrote. Clearly, his sensibilities differ from mine as well, as pioneer's, and some of the survey respondents. This information it does not make one group "right" and the other "wrong." What I've learned from this conversation is that perception is everything and we can not truly know the underlying motivations of someone else's perspectives. Indeed the motivations for our own perceptions can even escape us. For example, there are plenty of Black people who are strong public supporters of Donald Trump. Just because they are Black does not negate the fact there is a strong discrepancy with the majority of other Black folks who feel the Trump supporter must be ignorant, stupid, or both. This photo is just a subtle example of of something that illustrates those differences, but it is no less revealing. Sort of like a Black Rorschach Test. Maybe the correlation is not gender, but frequency or intensity of racist experiences. If your experiences with white folks have been largely innocuous and pleasant, you like the photo. I think this whole conversation is fascinating on so many levels. I wonder if any of the people who replied to the survey would change their vote after reading this exchange. @Pioneer1 see what you started

Kalisha, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. Again thanks for reminding me that Viola is indeed winning the war this is what matters most in the long term. While we can point out this "micro-racism," we can, at the same time, continue to support her work, so that the cool and brilliant stuff, we so desperately need, comes to fruition.

HI Rhonda, I will try to make this event at least the part at the community book center. Trot

Del, maybe if those closest to me, family and friends, people who are not part of the publishing industry saw it that way--or at least told me they did; maybe it would see it that way too. I guess in a way it is kinda sad that the emotional support and appreciation for what I do comes from people like you, not the folks that I'm related to or see every day Thanks man. I'm surprised you never saw the site--it sell a service very close to what you provide. I was actually familiar with the site (maybe that is why I presented with the ad, that and it is related to the page's content).

I listened to the first video (I'm coming to like the Breakfast club interviews as I listen to more of them) and many of Umar's statements reminded me of stuff I've been saying on these forums over the years. "You're dealing with a new Negro who has no obligation to the collective, no interest in the progress of his people, and is intentionally egotistical and individualist about his pursuits." That was one of the first and hardest lessons I learned as an entrepreneur whose mission is to serve Black people. Umar has an enthusiasm and intensity that I sure would engage people. When speaker begin to raise their voices that is a signal to me to listen more critically and try to not be emotionally influenced by an impassioned delivery. He also said Barack Obama did nothing for Black folks and that Black people did not hold him accountable. That is a bold statement, but I would not be inclined to argue with it because of Black people (save Cornel West and a few others), were never critical of Obama. Any benefit Black folks received were part of programs designed to benefit mostly white folks (like "Obamacare") nothing I'm aware of was designed to target Black folks specifically and our collective conditions have worsened over the last 8 years... and God help us over the next 4 to 8. @Pioneer1 , when you described Umar as one of "the greatest Black leaders in America today." I did not agree, but if I were to think about Black leadership today, I can see why you would make the statement. The bar is relatively low today isn't it? No Malcolm X, no Dr. King, no Kwame Toure, no Huey Newton. I would did not consider Umar a "great" leader because they ideally organizations and definitely followers. Does Umar have followers that he can rally the way that an Al Sharpton can with his National Action Network, or Louis Farrakhan wth his NOI can or even Jessie Jackson? While I might disagree with his current level of greatness, he definitely has potential, but men with his ideology are generally not allowed to obtain great influence among Black people--any and all you come close are assassinated. No Black leader has been assassinated in a long time... there has been no need.

@Delano, I'm not being coy, modest or fishing for compliments, but can you explain why you think my story needs to be told. What am I doing that you think needs to be shared. One reason I'm asking is that when I speak to groups maybe I can relate whatever that is and make my talks more compelling, thanks. Hey Del this is a Google Ad I see at the top of this page (you may not see this so I copied it below), Are you familiar with the site? What do you think of it? http://video.numerologist.com/

Hey man that is something I had not considered. I believe this to be true to a certain extent. It explains why we spend so much time trying to emulate them and strive for their validation. "The white man's ice is colder." This mentality holds us back, because white folks don't return the love unless you are a Black celebrity. This too is a result of white racism, and Black people who love white folks more than they do Black folks would never EVER see it that way.

Conversely, Black men do not earn the respect of Black women for women to behave in a traditional manner. They also realize that we are essentially powerless to protect them. This is saying the same thing you said but from a different perspective. When you say "traditional" do you mean where the man is the head of the household? Forget about that man; those days are gone, perhaps irretrievably so. Those traditional roles, especially in the Black community are essentially nonexistent with the exception of very Christain households when tend to be more socially conservative. I'll check out the Umar videos.

The two books were added to your profile.

Almost as big as Katrina... wow @treshelleb I'll check your local newspapers to read more about this. Please be sure to come to our Black Pack Party when you are in NYC for BEA. I won't be doing BEA this year. I'll be sure the book is added to the website. Can you provide an except, maybe one of the stories?

@Mel Hopkins, would you believe when the notification that you left this reply I was reprinting articles from Pew (which I thing you referenced). I'm considering incorporating information from these reports into a new lecture for the course I'm teaching this semester. http://www.journalism.org/2016/07/07/pathways-to-news/ http://www.journalism.org/2016/05/26/news-use-across-social-media-platforms-2016/ Of course, I'll be reading the report you've just referenced. Is that synchronicity or coincidence? Mel the only place I like anything not is on indie websites. This site, your blog and the like. At this stage, I give social media as little information as possible. Who knows my beliefs may weaken my web presence as social platform continue to increase their domination. Do social media sites now allow you to more easily revisit content that you previously liked? I don't recall that. I just assumed they used the information to more effective get you to buy things. It is depressing to read in the article Mel linked to; “…blacks got online news through social media 41% of the time, on average, and whites did so 33% of the time. While this is not statistically different by traditional standards, the higher percentage among black online news consumers is in line with previous research showing that blacks get news from social media at a higher rate than whites.”

Man, if homeboy does not come across well on Facebook, thats definitely not a good sign. It only goes down from there... I swore the religious due in the hotel was gonna accuse the man of pedophilia after seeing him walk her to his bedroom. Why introduce that character at all? Your reaction to my comment is more than adequate Mel and speaks for itself. I did not know there was a limit on likes, I can probably change that setting. Pioneer loves what I write, but he does not "like" anyone's posts. Sometimes I don't like something that I actually do like--I don't want to go around liking everything.

No @Delano, I have not considered writing an autobiography. My ability to tell my own story in a compelling fashion is limited. But after reading Cynique's memoirs posted little by little over the years, I do know, to do so would require me to tighten up my writing a great deal and not focus on accomplishments but to reveal how I felt about them including revealing weakness, insecurities, challenges, emotions all of that. Why do you ask? Have you ever considered writing an autobiography?

There is a difference between implicit or benign racism and explicit "hood wearing" racism. Often the racist does not know he is racist. Similarly, Black folks can experience racism without being aware of it, but that does not mean it is not present--it just means we did not perceive it for whatever reason. I just learned about a book, which I just purchased, that talks about this how racist we are based upon big data collected from google searches.

Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are is a new book by former Google employee by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz. Seth was interviewed on the radio this morning I decided to read the book based on the interview. He described our Google searches as digital truth Serum and how our searches reveal much more about us that we even know about ourselves. He also talked bout how disturbing some of our searched are suggesting that as a people we are much more sexually perverted (no the word he used), that we present ourselves He drew a stark contrast between they way people presented themselves on Facebook very what their google searches reveal. The observation struck a cord because I grew tired of the fiction presented on Facebook (including my own), which is I have not used Facebook for personal reasons for about two years ago and more than two months into a 6-month boycott of the platform for business purposes. The data also reveals that Americans are FAR more racist than is revealed in surveys. This comes as no surprise to me but is an interesting observation in a recent conversation about racism we are having about racism. I have not watched the video below yet, but I figured I'd share it here because it appears to dive deeply into the subject of the book.

Ahh the wisdom of age and hindsight. Mel you and Cynique could probably team up and write a very interesting book on relationships, marriage, and children. Not a preaching how to book but stories that relate your experiences in revealing way that would strike a cord with people because they understand how you felt. It is one thing to boast about being married for 50 years and quite another to explain why it was not perfect but that you still derived joy from it. You are not telling others how they can do it too, but you are helping them to see that their less than picture perfect marriage is perfectly normal because they can see themselves in your stories. Does that make sense? @Mel Hopkins, I watched that film I Origins over the weekend. {Spoiler Alert} Remeber the scene where the guy was masturbating to his ex-girlfriend's photos and perfume and his wife's reaction when she busted him? Her reaction was to say don't stop I want to see what turns you on. That was a great reaction. However the truth, when she learned it. hurt her deeply. Earlier in the film, she boasted about the one not being the jealous type. Sometimes I wonder if a spouse needs to know everything. The film could have progressed with the same resolution and the wife could have been spared that unnecessary pain. Indeed, though it was not raised in the film. Would she want to adopt the child? She'd have good reason to balk at the idea. @Cynique, I think most kids actually do have more than one adult in the home. They just don't happen to be the biological father. I don't have data, indeed I don't think anyone has good data on actual cohabitation rates, as people are not likely to reveal this information (as in the case of convicted felon living in the Projects, when they are not allowed to), or how fleeting the arrangements are. Are there any recent changes in our culture that you believe that have been detrimental to the family? For example, many people believe that a woman only can't raise a man (that includes two lesbians). However, there are others that say there is no difference, though these are usually women who believe this one.

Pioneer information is still "kept" from the masses... I think it is just easier today. There are so many "shiny objects" distracting us. Pioneer since you believe in ESP, can you describe someone that has demonstrated this ability to your satisfaction? Del it was Maya I'll see if I can get her to participate in this conversation maybe she'll be willing to relate her feedback--in exchange for you generously willing to do it gratis.