Troy

Mel I can't answer your question without doing some research. However I suspect we'd arrive at the same conclusion. The data alone does not tell the whole story, much less tell the "truth," despite the attempts of those to who use the data that way; like the person who made the Twitter post. That was the only point I was trying to make and I think you got what I was trying to say now.

There are a lot more of these types of memoirs being published as a result the self publishing revolution which was made possible by desktop publishing software and digital printing. The timeliness of this particular memoir will certainly help sales. Too bad the author will not enjoy the success...

Actually there is SO much more quality programming on TV today it would be hard to dispense with the tool. You can watch lectures from all over the planet given by brilliant people. Believe it or not I had no concept of the quantum world until I discovered it on YouTube about 10 years ago. I was simply never exposed to it. I learned about this fascinating world watching streaming videos. @Delano, you recently mentioned Richard Feynman. I discovered him several years ago watching youtube videos on my TV. How did you discover him? Have you never watched his YouTube videos? If you have, you are basically using whatever device you watched that video on as a TV. You should rethink what a TV is. Like anything a TV is what you make of it, but as technology advances and corporations become more powerful, the ability of our "TV" to manipulate us will become greater (more harmful) and our ability to thwart this effort will become more difficult.

As previously discussed, people are moved by emotions, not reason, not data, not facts. Mel you continually insist that I substantiate reason behind the numbers in the chart chart shows. Apparently my original point simply can not be "seen" by you. But that is fine and I completely understand, I see it all the time. If it means anything to you, the statement, "This is the first time the U.S. economy has lost jobs since September 2010 – seven years ago. It interrupts the longest streak on record of consecutive months in which the economy added jobs." is supported by the spreadsheet. That statement is obvious from the data shown above. You want me to answer your question but you haven't even acknowledged an understanding of the premise of my post. Your question is a diversion from my point, that I'm not interested on making. @Mel Hopkins I know from previous posts you play fast and loose with interpretation of data and you are not alone. Today it is much more common for folks to arrive at completely different conclusions from the same data. Whether is is climate change, voter turnout, or employment data. In all cases the devil is in the details, but in some cases, as it is with the point I made above, it is simply cherry picking a portion of a chart. Depending on the range of data you use, you can make wildly different statements some supportive of 45 and other anti-45. I can say, for example, based upon the same data above that. during the first 9 months of their respective presidencies that Obama lost 1.5 million jobs while 45 showed job growth of 100K jobs (estimated I did not take out a calculator). Now if I reported that to make 45 appear to be superior to Obama, that would be silly, would it not? I guess this what is meant by "alternative Facts."

That must have been torture for your kids :-) I doubt I'd get rid of my TV, but I definitely don't watch a lot of the shows people rave over...

The person who made the statement which I quoted directly also shared the spreadsheet to support the statement. All you have to do is look at the spreadsheet @Mel Hopkins to see my point. No additional explanation is needed, either you get or you don't. But if you want me to, I'll try to explain, or "mansplain" as @Cynique calls it

This was at the top of my Twitter feed today. I did not comment on it, but it struck me because the person who posted it cares for 45 about as much as I do and they went to the same business school I attended. The problem I have with the chart (assuming you accept the figures as presented, for no primary sources was cited) is that the statement failed to recognize the staggering job losses shown on the very same chart for the first two years of Obama's presidency! This also ignores the net job gains for the 45 adminstration are actually far great than they were for Obama at the same point in his presidency. In other words, this chart, looking at the numbers alone, makes 45 look much better than Obama... Of course Obama supporters will say those loses were the result of legislation from the Bush administration. Well if you make that argument you'd have to give 45 the same pass. People use numbers to make arguments when the should not do so. Right @Del From Twitter: "Last September, President Obama added over 200,000 jobs. This September, under Trump, loss of 33,000 jobs."

This book came out 10 days ago. I just learned of it's existence last night. Were any of you aware of this book before now? If so ,how did you learn about it? I'm a bookseller and actively look for new books that I think would interest my audience. I talk to others in the industry. I have tons of content, much of it exclusive, on James Mcbride. I just strikes me as crazy that I one did not get a galley of this book, or have some form of advance notice of this book's publication. It still amazes me that we can have so much access to so much information an still be completely uninformed... FIVE-CARAT SOUL “feel good” fiction from James McBride

There is very little you can do to prevent this type of thing short of just making it illegal for an individual to amass so many weapons. Some people are good and others are evil. Most of us are capable to doing both good and evil things. What motivated this guy is unknowable. I doubt even he knew. Besides whatever reason this murderer's brain manufactured would not be rational--nothing justifies this behavior...nothing. Yes Mel, I think more respect for life, as a culture, may help make behaviors like this less likely. But I think our country will end before changing. We live in a gun culture. We live in a violent culture. Violence permeates all of our entertainment from videogames, to movies, to TV, to sports, and music. The country was created, forged, and is maintained with violence. We execute people, we bomb people by remote control, our police kill unarmed innocent citizens all the time, we have a military larger than the next 20 countries combined, our "leader" threatens to "totally destroy" another nation. Violence is how we roll.

My bad @Mel Hopkins 10 months. @Del you live in a community with others. Here is the US we have 45 to show for a population of misled, and riled up by fake news and misinformation. Was that a rhetorical question.

Thanks again, I just approved your account @Johanna Sparrow

Cynique I understand that you, like myself, are simply individuals who wield little influence. Again my concern is not about you or I, but our culture. Whether it is Cardi B becoming the most significant rap artist of the day, Colin Kaepernick being the most visible activist today, or a great Black writers who remains obscure unless they are given the white co-sign. I tried really hard to explain why my point is not about you or I individually, but about us collectively. The only reason I speak about you specifically is because you bring up things that are specific to you, so I address those things and maybe that gives the impression that I'm making this about you--again that is not my intent. You like to state that Black people are not a monolith. Of course we are not, that goes without saying, we are all individuals and are all unique. I'd don't want anyone to adhere to my standard of behavior any more than I would want to adhere to theirs. So while I think the NOI is more significant that Colin. I would not want the NOI to run the entire country. However we as Black people must reclaim our agency. We can not continue to allow corporations who are run largely by white men motivated by profit, to set our agenda--to even determine something as mundane which Black owned websites survive. Individually, we have no power to change anything but together we do. These are the efforts that I personally engage in and support. I would not be surprised that Colin is engaged in more substantive activity. As I previously discussed substantive activity by Black folks is not something the media like to cover. Beyond kneeling, what activity did Coates say that Colin is engaged in? I did read somewhere that Colin has pledged to donate $100,000 to 10 charities over the next 10 years. As you said we'll see Colin's impact over time. I, for one, hopes it becomes significant.

OK @Cynique While I have no interest in joining the NOI, or adopting their chaste lifestyle, I'd take a Farakhan over a Kaepernick any day of the week. Many, perhaps most, of Farrakhan supporters are not in the Nation. Indeed many in hip hop drew inspiration from him, including myself. He spoke with the force of a contemporary Malcolm, a Malcolm I was too young to witness. Farrakhan, like Malcolm before him, drew criticism from white folks and scared a lot of Black folks too. Malcolm like Farrakhan had a platform they helped lead and did not need the support of the media. Colin does not exist without the media. Malcolm, like Farrakhan, was chosen by Black folks. He was not propped up for us by corporations as our acceptable symbol of protest the way Colin had been. You mis-characterize Farrakhan by saying he never did anything but rant about Jews and do a disservice to the people of the Nation of Islam calling them "Sheeple." But again, I understand why you'd say these things, because that is what the white corporation would have you believe. Cynique you have to understand the power of the media. You don't give them enough credit because you feel you are not impacted, but indeed you are--we all are to a certain extent. Farrakhan only rails against the Jews who do us harm. He speaks highly of Jews he admires. He is a minister so of course he is going to proselytize--that is his job, but no different that a TD Jakes who whitefolks find more acceptable because his is a Christian and does not speak about America's evils... though Jakes is much better at separating Black folks from their money. Yes, Farrakhan's excoriation of CBS's MIke Wallace on 60 minutes was priceless. I seriously doubt Colin is capable of such a thing. I prefer what What Farrakhan said to MIke, clearly exposing America's evil and duplicity for all to see. Kneeling is open to interpretation, says nothing clear, does nothing concrete, and was easily shut down. It took a lot more effort, and violence, to weaken the NOI, to destroy Malcolm and Dr. King. Colin was just fired.

Hi Johanna, of course you book, and all the others shared here will be considered. I appreciate you posting the AALBC.com link I think you may actually be the first authors to ever do that I trust readers will check out the excerpt as well.

Please share the URLs to your website or blog @Mark Radford that is encouraged here. I'm glad you decided to join the conversation!

@Educate2Empower, thanks for contributing to the conversation. It is not easy to expose one's opinions, and work to strong opposition and critique. So again thanks. Obviously, I'm more in your camp as it relates to these issues. I gather from your response that you are from New York City. I still live just a couple of blocks from the housing project I grew up in. Virtually everyone in my situation left for the burbs, or another city long ago. Perhaps it is the long term experience with a community that informs our beliefs. I also live in suburban Tampa, which is diametrically opposed to Harlem, New York in many ways. That stark contrast helps me see things a bit differently than most. Obviously Cardi B's presentation is "by design." All that is really left to debate is what is the motivation for this and does it serve us collectively. As you can see there is disagreement on whether the Cardi B's of the music industry even have an adverse impact on us or how we are perceived. Of course if we, as a people, cannot agree that there is a problem, the motivation is largely moot, because we won't do anything about it. Like @Mel Hopkins, I never heard of Cardi B. she is completely outside my scope of personal influence. The same goes for my kids. We know there are many folks who are largely immune the negative images promulgated by record executives. I can be amused by a Snoop Dogg without feeling the pressure to behave like him. But again I'm not talking about me, Mel, Cynique or others like us. I'm talking about the some of the students I've taught, many of my neighbors, the people I grew up with, and even family. Who are not so immune to these influences. And given the power of social media, may be even more influenced than ever before. I'm talking about the people who know full well who Cardi B. is and idolize her. The people that helped propel her to the top of the charts. These people are not very likely to know who a Rosalind Brewer is, much less be influenced by her success... I'm not suggesting we lay all the blame of Black dysfunction at the feet of Sony, but they are part of the problem --despite all the counter images like COO Brewer (quite an apropos name). Maybe a better strategy would be to ignore the perceived negative influences of a Cardi B. and focus on the positive ones like Ms. Brewer. Personally try both approaches but I can tell you this: People virtually never react when I share something positive and almost always react when I share something negative. Neither approach seems effective at changing minds or helping folks to see an alternative perspective. Only personal experience seems to do that. Given most of us are not open to different experiences sometimes my efforts seem pointless, until you learn you've touched someone in a positive and it makes all of this worthwhile Good luck and continue to educate to empower us all.

@Cynique, Got it. Minister Farrakhan has exposed the evils of American far longer and much more forcefully the Colin has, or likely ever will. Using your reasoning I think you be a strong support of Farrakhan, but you are not. Why?

Again @Cynique you are so fixated on Colin that you can't see my issue is not about him personally. I explained this over and over again, most recently here. I see the activists you like Cynique are all entertainers. That is no surprise, as that is driven by the way our media works. It is one of the reasons 45 is president and why Chance the Rapper is being called on to run the City of Chicago. Sounds like Chance has his head on his shoulders and recognizes someone trained in policy, management, law, community organizing, would be better suited for political office rather than a rapper--even if the city's constituents don't understand this.

Cynique you were the one who brought up the post office. It is interesting you would characterize postal workers as "hard-drinkin, drug-takin street people" just to make a point. Of course Hip-hop is about poverty. While it is not limited to poverty that is where it comes from, making away out of no way. You probably don't remember rap before "the suits" took it over, but I suggest you check out songs the "The Message." The other crap, like Cardi B, was amped up and exploited by corporations. BIngo! Yes, of course white folks get a distorted message of what Blackness is, and are even more susceptible to it because They are less likely to be exposed to counter images. Their racist prejudice is reinforced and exaggerated. Is it any wonder they shoot us with little provocation. All of this is related... You don't have to be young to be militant. And young militants need guidance, and an understanding of history, which they can get from elders, not social media. Cynique, my comments were not against what Colin was protesting (what was it again?). My issue was that media selected him and his agenda and brought him to the fore as our leader. Even before he was shut down by the NFL and his message was co opted by 45, we could easily see that coming, because he does not have a platform or even a coherent strategy. Colin's kneeling and sitting was a just an act, but the media made it so much more. Again Colin's role in activism may evolve and develop, but this will take time. Meanwhile the media will do what it always does; move on to the next thing.

Black people don't do things like this. The closest might be the DC sniper, but he killed far fewer people over a much longer period of time, and even he was an extreme outlier..

What a tragedy...

Most of the activists I support you would know know Cynique; they are not trending on social media. I'm not trying to be sarcastic. I'm saying these Brother and Sisters are not going to garner media attentions because they are serious about helping Black folk. They do substantive work and are not profitable to corporations that thrive in the dysfunctional ravings of 45. Many of them are in the vein of these Brothers, they are one of the main reasons I started AALBC.com; to make their knowledge more widely known and accessible. I know you have heard of Haki Madhubuti, his publishing company, Third World Press, is based in Chicago and just this past weekend celebrated 50 years! Haki has done some important things and was doing important things when Colins parents where children. He has published many important books. I could really go on and on Cynique... The fact of the matter is the media is making much more of this kid's (Colins) actions than is warranted. He has not built anything and he serves at the largess of his owners and has already been dismissed. By contrast, Haki has built an institution. But as we give all our attention to the Colins and ignore the Hakis of the world. These important institutions including his will disappear. This is not to say Colin is a waste. No quite the contrary, he has tons of potential, but he is not there today; only time will tell.

Tyrah, thank you so much for taking the time to express those sentiments. Please thank the author who referred the site. Word of mouth is a powerful tool--still Which book festival did you attend? How did you like it? Very nice website! Many authors are just throwing up Facebook pages, so it is refreshing to see folks contributing something unique to the web.

Cynique this statement right there tells me you have not clue what I'm talking about. Someone with a job at the post office was doing well when I was a kid, those families left the projects and tenements and brought homes in where white people lived (thought whites ultimately fled those communities). Postal workers had cars and full refrigerators. The kids wore the latest fashions and their families went to Disney. You are telling me you work in the post office while your husband worked too--back in a time when one of your jobs could have supported the entire family. No Cynique, I really don't think you truly know what poverty is. You should be glad though, no one should ever have to see this or even experience it.

LOL Mel Agreeing with Pioneer LOL! Mel Black women voted in the presidential elections and voted for Obama like the was the 2nd coming of Christ. But what are we talking about--one demographics lower turn rate versus an even lower rate? There is nothing to be proud about. American participation in the electoral process is pathetic. It looks like these numbers reflect eligible voters not those who bothered to actually register. Still they did not turn out in the midterms (no one did). Maybe if Black folks bothered to show up, Obama would not have taken that famous "shellacking" and loosing both houses crippling his effectiveness for the remainder of his presidency. Bes ure to post a link to your article when it is finished @Mel Hopkins