Troy

Obviously, Chris you get no arguement from me on the power of people working together and doing things in an organized fashion in their own self-interest. The problem is that we rarely do this. Rather we do what what is in some corporation's best interest or what is in our own individual best interest. Corporations are great at helping people do what is the individual's best interest, often at the expense of everyone else. If that makes sense. To your point about Michael Eric Dyson, Omar Tyree, and Bernice McFadden participating on this site in a conversation. If course if that happened people would come here to participate or read and AALBC.com would grow stronger as a result. I'd be able to help many authors more easily with the additional revenue, and readers would be better served, and I'd also be able to pay more writers. It would be a win for all. But the likelihood of that happening is small, because individuals can enrich themselves more through their own efforts or through a corporation. But I wrote the likelihood is not, but not non existent. First, I would not lump Bernice and Omar in the same category as Michael. @CDBurns check out something Bernice did that you would DEFINITELY appreciate: If you visit Bernice's website, you will see that she is using AALBC.com affiliate codes for her Amazon links! If you go to Omar's site you see he has a list of Black owned bookstores. He continues to support Black owned business on his website long after other authors have stopped doing this. In stark contrast, if you visit Dyson's website he does not link to another Black site (bookseller, reviewer, articles), or even mention one. But his own platform is weak given his resources; he latest book is not even mentioned. Image if Dyson directed readers to a Black bookseller, image if he linked to a Black book reviewers sites (I've published reviews of his work). Of course I could go on and on about prominent Black folks who make no effort to support their own, but I'm sure it is just a matter of ignorance rather than a lack of desire, so i try to help these folks understand why it matters. Now if you visit my Michael Eric Dyson Page, you'll find it is actually more complete than his own website, and I'm just getting started. If someone supported my work to the extent that I support Michael's, there would usually be some form of reciprocation, acknowledgement, or gratitude. But this is nothing to complain about, for it is not unusual. While I'm not motivated by Michael's reciprocation, I know it would help. One day this type of thing may change. For now I get by with the support I do get; for therein lies the hope, not ust for AALBC.com but for all of us.

We got some Bernie flyers in the mail; addressed to my 24 year old daughter. Nothing for me or my wife, i guess it is assumed we're voting for Hillary. It will be really interesting to see Bernie beat Hillary in the New York primary. I'm sure he'll murder her in the debate

This is a story first reported by the New York Daily News. The story allegation was made in a self published book that came out over a year and a half ago. The book was republished with the correct spelling of the word "Fantasy's." The book was self-published.

"...doom and gloom..." sure that is the reality, but nihilism--no, not at all. Trying to make the world, or at least our part of it a better place is what gives life meaning. And if one did not believe things could get better there would be no reason to waste one's time trying. So I can point out and complain about how the terrible conditions are in our chocolate cities, and at the same time try to do something about it. The problems we have are profound. Again, I assert, doing the right things is not enough. We have a very loooong history doing the right things. We have to look at why, despite doing the right things, we are collectively doing so poorly in 2016. We can do everything right up to getting a Brother into the white house, and it makes no difference. We have to recognize the institutional structures constantly put in our path that thwarts our efforts, then and only then, can we make some progress. This is why cities like Memphis are doing so poorly. I was making a point, not suggesting that you (Chris) were trying to convince people to move there I could have used any other chocolate city to make the same point, Detroit, Newark, St Louis, DC, etc... The solutions will not come easy for we have to do the right thing and make significant changes in how things work in this country. Doing the right thing is easy--mostr people do that anyway, changing the system is hard ...very hard.

@Sara, pray tell, what are you hoping to achieve with the incessant name calling and foul rants with Cynique? Pioneer now that is differently one way to obtain coverage from another Black website, for AALBC.com--a full on brawl during the group shot that is sure to work

Yeah Guest Maker of Pics you've been busy. I have not shared all of your creations, but it was not due to your lack of creativity. Judging by the IP address you used to make this post, some Romanian based server that is on more Blacklists than I can count, I suspect you may indeed be the "artist." But I'm sure you are U.S. based; most likely in the south (that is usually where my spammers are based). I suspect you are a young, white male, who is unemployed or under-employed, bored. Probably smarter than those around him, with few outlets to express your abilities, probably no one nearby who would appreciate them anyway. Whatever the case, you are wasting your time dogging me. Your talents could be put to more productive use. Not that you'd take advise from someone like me...

Well I would be honored if Sara, Cynique attended the party I'm co-hosting in Chicago on May 11th, out 10th annual Black Pack Party. If that got Pioneer out that is even better. The details are still being worked out and updates will be posted here.

Yeah Paul is rumored to be gay. Who knows or for that matter cares. I actually do think Paul is funny, but I guess it is a matter of taste. He wrote for Richard Pryor.

Chris listen to Pioneer and get a passport. Last month I was invited to speak in Jamaica, with just three weeks notice without a passport I would have missed that opportunity and the great experiences that came from it. Traveling abroad really changes one's perspective about this country, the people our policies and our culture. Sure there are many great things about this country (I've been to every major city in the country, every state in the union, and many of the world's major cities), but the American experience means more when you have something to compare it to. I still assert that you are indeed remarkable Chris. Most people do not behave the way you do. The biggest difference between your way of looking at things and mine is that you rely more heavily on personal experience. While personal experiences provide a framework for viewing the world it is a biased reflection of the world. You cite examples from your own experience as if others are as remarkable as you and have both the ability and desire to do the same things you have. Naturaly, personal experiences color my world view too, but I seem to weight data more heavily. Sure, one can spin or cherry pick data to tell stories. I use data to support or disprove my beliefs. For example, while you say, based upon your personal experience, that there are great, caring teachers. Keep in mind I'm an educator too. I teach both at one of the better schools in the City University of New York, Baruch College. I also teach adults trying to get their High School Equivalency. I've also taught young people as well. Besides that i have two Masters degrees and have been married to a teacher for 25 years. So I know there are great teachers out there. I also know, based upon my experience, that great teachers are often constrained by inept administrators. I also know there are piss poor teachers too. You were apparently fortunate enough not to encounter these poor teachers. But I assure you, despite your, experience they exist. Again I also look at the data. What are the outcomes? How does America perform against other countries? We know, against other industrialized nations, the US performs poorly. For the most economically disadvantaged youth (ofen us) the situation is even worse. Why? While you have convinced Pioneer to move to Memphis I'm not so sure; the education outcomes as reported by the state show that in most subjects, more than half the students are not proficient. As mentioned Memphis ranks near the top of violent crime and murder, and leads the nation in poverty. Memphis also has one of the nation's highest Black populations. Interestingly, if you look at the cities with the highest Black populations you will find a high correlation between; low educational achievement, high poverty rates poverty, and high levels of crime. But racism has nothing to do with this right? (that is a question for you) If you are smart enough and have the time you can homeschool your children and if you have the money you can send them to private school. Of course if you are rich and smart the U.S. provides the best education in the world--even if you are Black. But if you are of average intelligence, poor, and Black your options are pretty bleak. So while you are and I may be exceptions Chris we are by no stretch of the imagination the rule. But I'll take it a step further. If you are poor and Black you can do all of the right things and still end up in jail, poor, or both. I assert this is a direct result of racism. Have you read about how Nixon targeted Black people in his war on drugs. Do you know how many generations of Black people nixon destroyed?

Hi @Sheryl, is this your first novel?

Chris I hear you but let's take the crux of your last statement “I say it's the small and continuous push by people like you (with AALBC), and Pioneer(With New Flint) and Cynique (with her long form letters that critique society, but create questions to be discussed) are all that we can do.” I agree this is all important but unless any of it gets a white cosign it means nothing, or very little, to our people--outside of the most conscious of our group. These efforts eventually "...dry up like a raisin in the sun..." “It's the teacher that wakes up in the morning and says one thing that may stop a kid from gunning down another kid today.” The reality is teachers like this are rare. Most teachers are not like this. They (like many cops) are afraid of, and despises, the gun wielding kid. The teachers mostly like to treat a kid with love are increasingly pushed out the system by corporations that have no interest in our children other than the revenue they can generate. Experienced teacher are pushed out; replaced by a revolving door of inexperienced teachers.. “It's the parent who goes to work at McDonald's and hates it, but keeps doing it because it shows her kids a work ethic.” Man, you know, as well as I, any kid seeing their parent slaving away at McDonald in exchange for the obviously sorry lifestyle that income provides, would see their parent as a sucker, and would do virtually anything else to avoid that fate including engage in criminal activity. In my mind people can do all of the things you've outlined and still not succeed. Indeed, the outcomes of millions of people (of all colors) speaks for itself. The majority of people in the country are struggling. I used to quote a stat that the majority of American's don't have passports--In my mind it was an indictment on our provincialism, but then I learned that people can't afford pay for a passport--let alone go out the country. The census bureau reports that the media income for U.S. households is less than $54K down from the the year before (2013). That means that half of American household made less than $54K that is alarming! The average household size is more than 2.5 people. Your are not flying your family to Paris for a two week vacation on 54K a year--even the French pavilion at Disney would be a stretch... Black folks have a lot of challenges, racism is one and corporate greed is another. Of the two I think corporate dominance of our media, political process, government, schools, health care, is more pressing. The race issue will fix itself if we get rid of corporate dominance of our culture. Racism is profitable.

@Cynique, technically I'm in charge, but practically speaking you all are in charge. You all make the forum what it is, good, bad, or indifferent. If I tried to orchestrate how the conversation went It would reflect my sensibilities and be boring. Besides there are good things that can happen that I would never be able to plan. But I do think the protracted back and forth clouds what otherwise might be an interesting conversations. If I came through as a first time visitor I sure I would not wade through the name calling, and might even be taken aback by it. But obviously I'm invested in keeping this whole thing going and I also know you and Sara are just playin' the dozens. But again, I've been here long enough to know this. The forum has been active since 1999. It has evolved over time and has seen ups and downs. Obviously, I'd rather have you and Sara here, than no one at all. Lurkers are cool, but we need participants to make this thing work and to generate and guide the conversation. I simply don't have the knowledge and time to do this across the forums and in every conversation. So carry on as you see fit

@Cynique, No I don't think you should continue. I just decided to take a hands off approach from the moderator's perspective. I do cosign @Pioneer1's suggestion, and assessment.

OK Chris given you statement, obviously all those Black people gunning to make Memphis the nation's murder capital are inherently more violent. What do we do with those people? What do we do with the people who refuse to work? If racism (laws and behaviors) is not the problem, then attacking racism, or the legacy of racism, is not going to fix a thing. What is the solution? Pioneer while I agree with most of your position, particularly historically, today the problem is mostly greed. People (Black and white) who have an insatiable appetite for more and don't really care very much about who they hurt or how they get it. A few individuals were willing to see millions of people lose their homes to earn more money. The are willing to poison millions more for generations with cigarette. Of course enslaving people is not above them either... @CDBurns, racists materially, and adversely, impact my ability to run my business--today. This is not speculation; this is my objective and daily reality; and there is a real financial cost. I don't know how many white owned websites have to deal with Black racists trying to take them down. Rather, I suspect, there are more Black people are doing everything they can to get on these websites, and uplift them, rather than hurting them. This is just the blatant, overt racism, I have to deal with that I'm sure my white peers don't deal with.

Chris, I have not followed the entire conversation, but I read your last post and am familiar with your thoughts on the subject. If institutional racism is not the cause; what is? The only plausible answer must be that Black folks, at least the ones in Memphis, are more violent, and lazy. What else is there? Seems to me you are exceptional, considering you escaped the mentality. Check out the Heist film when you get a chance. b.t.w Chicago is a more violent city than any other in the country, but Memphis does beat "Chiraq" (learned that name from Spike Lee) in them in the murder category--by a substantial margin. Detroit holds the crown for most murderous city.

"...a few weeks will give you enough time to think of some REALLY HORRIBLE shit to say to each other when the ball drops." I can't even image what they'd come up with given some time to think about it

Read Kam's review of Heist: Who Stole the American Dream? (2012) The full movie is below. Easy to understand explanation of how the country got screwed up and how we can fix it

69th Day of ‪#‎BlackHistoryMonth‬: Paule Marshall was born April 9, 1929. She was a MacArthur Fellow and author of the very popular book Brown Girl, Brownstones. Yeah I know I'm a day late but Paule is one of those writers we should all know about.

Well I'm still 131 subscribers short of my goal. I've averaged about 2 subscribers a day since I posted this appeal. So at this rate, I should reach my goal by the summer. I wanted to achieve my goal by this point, but considering it took me 9 years to get to 600 subscribers; I guess getting 400 in under a year is pretty good. Earlier in the week I noticed Omar Tyree made the same appeal on Youtube. I subscribed to his and asked him to subscribe to my channel. He has 54 subscribers now and even though he is a well known author gaining and an additional 946 susbcribers, organically, anytime soon, won't be easy.

Oh man lighting is a big deal too. You can correct some of the issues with the software, but it is best to invest in proper lighting. Especially if you are going to be creating videos on a regular basis or as your primary business. I did not know Microsoft had free software to shoot screen capture videos. I know their free video editing software was too limited for me to use. In terms of views of videos, I've watched some great videos that had less that 100 views and have been up over a year. It is really hard to believe. Many of these are author videos, some created by institutions like universities. Simon & Schuster creates nice videos for many of their authors and these video are barely watched. I people will invest a lot of time and money and is put into creating videos but in promoting them (the same is true for authors and their books). I look at S&S's videos and wonder why they spend the time creating them--if all they are going to do is dump them on youtube and forget about them...

Thanks everyone!

I created a several video this year which showed the activity of my PC's screen. Some of the videos included a video me in a small window. All of these videos included audio of me speaking while demonstrating various task on my desktop. In the past, I used TechSmith's Jing to create these videos. I still use Jing to annotate screenshots. This save me the effort copying the screenshot to the clipboard (alt-shift-prtscn) then using a graphics editor to annotate the image separately. Today I use Screencast-O-Matic It is free and very easy to use and is superior to the free version Jing software. But he real issue with these programs is that to get professional results you really need a good mic and good video editing software. The video you create without the use of a full featured video editing application may be OK, but it will almost certainly benefit from additional editing. There are plenty of free video editing tools available in fact Screencast-o-Matic and Jing come with some basic video editing functionality but you really would need something a bit more sophisticated for the best results. I used CyberLink PowerDirector, many other use Adobe Premier or Final Cut Pro. The free video editing software that comes with your computer's operating system and the free video software available on the web is usually inadequate. The mic I use is the one that comes built into the very inexpensive little video camera that Microsoft sells in Staples. This mic is suitable for Skype chats but little more. As a result, my audio suffers. Sure the audio is adequate, but you can certainly hear the difference in videos where a better microphone is used. The other issue is background noise and the acoustics of the room you are recording in -- it all makes a difference. I guess the real issue is how much are you willing to trade off in terms of time, money, and effort in exchange for quality. Another issue to consider when making videos demonstrating software, at least for me is that I find it very hard to speak off the top of my head when making these videos. If I was in front of an audience it would be MUCH easier for me describe what I'm doing as that seems more natural. Speaking live while making the recording is just hard for me to do. I have to have a script. I published a 3 minute video today and it took about 3 hours create it from start to finish. Most of the time was wasted with multiple takes. I did not write a script, so I spent a lot of time starting, stopping, deleting, restaring. I thought I could have some time skipping the script, but I was wrong. The editing took the next biggest chunk of time. Again this is where good editing software helps I was able to edit out things and really improve the quality of the presentation. The finished product was much better than the original video, which was essentially unuseable. I did not strive for perfection because besides being impossible to achieve, I have to balance the effort required to make the video versus the benefit it would provide. ------------ All things being equal, better produced video simply outperform poorly produced videos. But, content high in demand can get away with lower production quality. One has to determine the production quality threshold for their audience and content. For example, this video which has a relatively high production quality will be viewed 12,000 times over an 8 year period (about 4 times a day), while this video,with much lower production quality, has been viewed 75 times a day over the same period--and has more than paid for itself through YouTube ads. What software do you use to create videos of your desktop? Do you have any tips for creating these types of videos? What videos have generated the most views and why?

Thanks again @CDBurns I found your video pretty helpful. We should probably start another conversation about press this under bloggers helping bloggers. I took your advise and created the video (added to original post above). Creating these videos is not trivial-this 3 minute video took me a couple of hours. I'll start another conversation on this subject under Bloggers Helping Bloggers.

@Mel Hopkins, I modified the widget so that it would fit in your sidebar without the horizontal scroll bar. I made the AALBC.com logo and powered by text less pronouced. Shorted the text in the drop down menu (which was causing the horizontal scroll) I got rid of the indentation so the text and image use the full available width. The widget looks a lot better on both of your pages now. You see I never would have anticipated that people would the "widget" on the side bard of the page, so it was not optimized to display in a width that narrow. Now it is so it will bok good on a full width display as above or a narrow display like a cell phone of the sidebar of a Blog. The events page is very popular people are using it as intended. This should add value to your websites, help promote the events and AALBC.com--lifting all boats. If use of the widgets grows I could event insert a ad and do a revenue share with those who use the banner based upon impressions served. I'll create video to demonstrate how to use the widget and announce it's availability. I'll also use your websites as examples of how it is implemented. This idea should be applied to a wide variety of things. How about a sneaker widget when we sell Chris' most popular brand and earn a commission? Thanks again for the ideas, there is potential in this....

Thanks Cynique! I'll be in Chicago for about 24 hours in May, for BEA. I'm doing a panel and hosting the Black Pack party hopefully you (and anyone else in who can get to Chi-town) can make. I don't have a venue set yet, but it will take place on Wednesday May 11th. The final details will be posted here: http://aalbc.com/blog/index.php/2016/04/08/bea/