Troy

@Delano as previously mentioned the time I spent talking to you here was invested in an attempt to work on communicating with you more effectively. Communication seems to break down whenever you think I disagree with you. No I did not create my own search engine, I simply configured a product that Google used to sell. Regarding Zaji understanding you, I dunno she understood my request straight away... I guess I could ask you the same question Maybe Zaji can serve as our interpreter :-) @zaji, I appreciate that whenever you get a chance is fine--thanks!

...well it is an old book that was never published. I had not heard a peep about this book before last night, when I discovered it trolling for interesting books on my distributors website. Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo” by Zora Neale Hurston is a never-before-published but which tells the story of a Brother you endured the middle passage -- yes the Middle Passage! He was kidnapped from African 50 years after the practice was outlawed and enslaved in the American south... those slavers really were devils huh?

Captain obvious (@Pioneer1) of course phenotypic differences are genetically based no one disputed that, why are you trying to make it a point of contention? Bottom line, you understand race is an artificial construct with no basis in genetics and that there is only one human race What else is there to discuss?

Sorry @Delano, I'm not going to jump on the Black Panther lovefest until I've actually seen the film. Why on Earth would you say I have "no love" for the film? Looks just because I'm not creaming my pants over a movie like the masses seem to be as reflected on social media -- which is a distortion of reality. The truth is I don't get that excited about ANY movie. As Cynique described, it is "escape entertainment," an action flick -- lets keep things in perspective. This will not change the world. It is entertainment pure and simple. It is designed and created to make money. Del did you see the film before you wrote all of this?

What?! Your categorization of science is completely wrong @Pioneer1. Science, unlike the world's great religions, would change a belief tomorrow if new information was presented that proved the current belief false. Indeed, it is often religion that holds science back, even killing people for speaking the truth because it conflicts with religious doctrine. This practice continues to this day. I'd even argue that religion holds back spirituality.

No, Del because it completely ignores my request. And I not following Zaji's reasoning at all. I wrote: To which you responded: All I was asking for was a source that explains why TED banned the video; which is why Del called it censorship. I presume, if in fact TED banned the video, there was a good reason for it. Why is this so hard to understand? @zaji, would you care to share your source; since you already found the answer; it is just a matter of copying and pasting a URL

From the article which appears in The Atlantic: “Indeed, the FBI’s war against black bookstores represents a sad chapter in the history of law enforcement in the U.S., a time when federal agents dispensed with all notions of freedom of speech as they targeted black entrepreneurs and their customers for buying and selling literature they deemed politically subversive.” Of course this is just one part of a multifaceted campaign to crush the Black community. Growing up in the 'hood we saw this assault first hand. The article mentions Una Mulzac's store in Harlem. Una was still running the store even after I started AALBC.com. The article actually doesn't do justice to the stuff she and other booksellers had to endure.... What I would really like to know is why aren't Black publications writing these articles? It really is an amazing feat for Black people to have done as well as we have given the historical and ongoing attacks against us and our institutions. Fortunately there are actually positive signs for the Black Book world. I added more bookstores to my database in 2017 than any year previously. Shoot, it may have been the first year there was a net increase in the number of independent bookstores since the late 1990's.

The victory is that Pioneer now understands that race is an artificial construct.... the victory is his not mine

@zaji?! @Delano made it perfectly clear that the video was banned and accused TED of censorship -- why is this even questioned? Del you provided a link? Where is it cause I obviously missed it. You are always good for a laugh :-)

I guess the reason behind TED's banning a video is not a issue that is very important to either of us. It's only purpose seems to be helping us work through the challenges of communication. I'm not sure why you take it as if I treating you like an employee. There have been many times you and I have both exchanged information on climate change, for example, to support a point. Why the unwillingness to share sources now? Again, it make gives me the impression the that information simply does not exist. Recently, Pioneer asked me to support a statement I made on the fiction of race. I refused to do it and asked him to research it himself. The only reason I took the same position position you have taken with the TED video is that I'd previously provided volumes of information to support my argument, information that was either ignored, rejected, or not understood by Pioneer. In any event, repeating the process seemed to be a waste of time to me.

I dunno if I was 30 years younger I would probably get excited about this flick, but to me it is just another superhero movie with video game action and the same story written to appeal to teen age boys... I also resist, by my very nature, the herd mentality exhibited by Black folks in seeing this movie. I feel manipulated, by the people who are making the real money from this film. @Cynique, I understand the sentiment (and will read the article after I see the film), but all this does is serve to divide Black people. I will however say the people are gorgeous, and the visuals are quite appealing. I do plan to see the film, probably this evening, so I'll have more to say later.

{Very deep sigh} @Delano you expect perfection in others but you constantly fail to do exhibit this yourself. Your last post contains errors, for example what does this sentence, which you wrote, mean ("I use to have a lot of typos and be a bit more cryptic.")? Don't answer the question; it was rhetorical. I guess I get the gish in what you write most of the time, and only query when I'm really don't understand. However, I would never have pointed your many typos previously, but if you are going to slam me on this issue you should be aware of it in yourself. Dude, of course you are not my secretary. We all share information here and provide supporting documentation to enlighten others. I just don't have the time to track down supporting information for every relatively inconsequential assertion you make. So if you want to explain why TED banned the video it is up to you, but by not providing a simple explanation you should appreciate you cast doubt on the statement. But again I don't care that much. I do however care about our ability to communicate and exchange ideas, which is why I spend time with these replies.

@zaji, without understanding the motivation for your question, it might be interesting to note that while religion and science are largely incompatible, because of religion's dogmatic nature; spirituality and science are not.

Talk about the pot calling the kettle Black! @Delano of all the posters on this forum, I believe yours are the most riddled with typos. It would be more productive to relate specifically what was unclear and ask for clarification.

No. While the world's major religions appear to be losing adherents. It is not like these people are becoming more versed in science. Besides science and religion serve two entirely different purposes, so science can not be a substitute for religion or vice versa. Religion gives meaning to life, while science attempts to explain how it works.

Uh, OK.

So @Delano when you read something written by someone else, you call that thinking for oneself. But if I think for myself and give you a conclusion you tell me to look over here or there. This is inconsistent. But I do agree with the idea of seeking information from other more knowledgeable from others, for no one who reasonable thinks completely for themselves as you often advise me to do. Knowledge expands because it builds upon prior knowledge. But, given the set of things have to do, I really do not care if the TED video was banned or not, at least not so much as to spend the time to do the research (I'd rather use the time to express this sentiment). But if you don't want to share why TED banned the video this is completely up to you and has nothing to do with me as your response seems to imply.

Please, save me the effort. If you know why TED banned the video just relate reason why and/or post a link.

I know @Delano, you posted that information here, but you did not hook me up

@Delano, what does what you just wrote mean? I mean, Pioneer's last statement is not one that anyone has disagreed with. What new information are you trying to convey?

The video was interesting. It does not seem like it would be something that TED would ban. Do we actually know this to be the case? I would put it past someone to repost a video and claim that is was banned to get more video to make more money.

Yes, when the klansman is placing the noose around your neck the validity of the concept of race matters not, so I too agree with @zaji last statement @Pioneer1, the jury is still out your you application of logic in this case, as out resident logic expert @Delano, has chosen not to express his opinion in this case. It is fascinating to see how malleable your thought process is. Rather that just concede that you now agree with what I've been saying all along you have the balls to write; "The fact is, race is a CONCEPT.....an idea" and make it seem like you are making a revelation?! At any rate, given that statement, one you've seemly integrated, unconsciously, that idea that race is just an idea without basis in genetics.

Sorry to read about your sister; that must have been devastating for your family. I hear stories like that from time to time, and as a father it is always heartbreaking. @zaji Drummers, rites of passage, deep conversations, strawberry picking and transformational experiences...yall have wine right What part of Florida did you move to? I'm in Tampa.

Hey man I created pages for both Jason and Damon. I also added your quote to the Convict's Candy page.

Go On Girl! Book Club! is a nationally recognized, not-for profit organization that supports authors of the African American Diaspora by choosing one book per month for members to read. CALL FOR ENTRIES: UNPUBLISHED WRITER’S AWARD The Nation’s largest reading group for women of color - Go On Girl! Book Club – invites you to write your way to a literary grant. Founded in 1990, the Go On Girl! Book Club is a spirited group of women who love a good read and engage in lively literary discussions once a month. Across the country, we have more than 400 members who are committed to encouraging the literary pursuits of people of African descent. Since 1992, the organization has recognized notable authors with its coveted “Author of the Year” and “New Author of the Year” awards. Past honorees include Pearl Cleage, Bebe Moore Campbell, Daniel Black, and Octavia Butler. Do you dream of seeing your scholarly achievements recognized alongside our literary giants? Apply now for the Go On Girl! Book Club’s $1,000 “Unpublished Writer” Award. Award Submission Deadline is March 15. Award Guidelines Applicant must be a US citizen or resident of African descent from any area of the diaspora. Applicant must reside in the United States. Applicant must be unpublished (this includes novels, short stories, articles and essays published in magazines, journals or other print or online media) Applicant must not be self-published. Applicant must submit an original, unpublished work of fiction (short story or novel excerpt) not to exceed 2000 typed words on double spaced pages. Applicant must include a cover sheet with identifying information and a 250 word biographical profile including your writing goals and current status as a writer and a photo. Online submissions only at https://www.goongirl.org/scholarships/apply-for-unpublished-writers-award www.goongirl.org/scholarship no later than March 15. The winner will be notified by April 30th with an invitation to attend the annual Author Awards ceremony along with one guest. The winner’s essay may be featured in either the Go On Girl Awards Weekend Magajournal, the Jambalaya newsletter or on the GOG website. CALL FOR ENTRIES: ASPIRING WRITER SCHOLARSHIP The Nation’s largest reading group for women of color - Go On Girl! Book Club – invites you to write your way to a scholarship. Founded in 1990, the Go On Girl! Book Club is a spirited group of women who love a good read and engage in lively literary discussions once a month. Across the country, we have more than 400 members who are committed to encouraging the literary pursuits of people of African descent. Since 1992, the organization has recognized notable authors with its coveted “Author of the Year” and “New Author of the Year” awards. Past honorees include Pearl Cleage, Bebe Moore Campbell, Daniel Black, and Octavia Butler. Do you dream of seeing your scholarly achievements recognized alongside our literary giants? Apply now for the Go On Girl! Book Club’s $1,000 “Aspiring Writer” Scholarship. Scholarship Deadline is March 15. Scholarship Guidelines Candidate must be a US citizen or resident of African descent from any area of the diaspora. Candidate must be a full time freshman, sophomore, or junior at any historically Black College or University in the United States. Candidate must have a cumulative average of 2.5 or better. Candidate must submit a 500 word essay on “The Power of the Written Word.” Online submissions only at https://www.goongirl.org/scholarships/apply-for-aspiring-writers-scholarship by March 15. The winner will be notified by April 30th with an invitation to attend the annual Author Awards ceremony along with one guest. The winner’s essay may be featured in either the Go On Girl Awards Weekend Magajournal, the Jambalaya newsletter or on the GOG website.