Troy

Of course, there are many "power vectors" including those dealing with race, gender, class, sexuality, age, religion, science, and one and on. I argue that class is the most serious issue we are facing today. In fact, while is appears I spend the bulk of my energy deal with race, I probably spend as much dealing with class. I gave a talk in Sacramento on Saturday, The Impact of Amazon, Google, and Facebook on the “Black Book Ecosystem.” I could have easily replaced “Black Book Ecosystem” with “White People,” and not changed very much of the talk. As these companies become more powerful this depresses our collective wealth and enriches a handful of people. Of course, I'd argue Black people are affected this most, but that is a relatively unimportant issue given the scheme of things. You see wealth and income inequality are at all time highs in America. So while we are debating issues of race, gender, whatever, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. Now I know Gates, Buffet, Zuckerberg and others are getting a lot of media attention and praise for to committing to giving away billions of dollars, but it is not like they are making great personal sacrifices, and would it not have been better if we had the opportunity to earn this money ourselves rather than having these guys decide who is worthy? This is like the slave owner promising to free their slaves after they have died...F them! @Mel Hopkins, Coates knows full well that he rose to notoriety because of the Atlantic (as he stated in the interview). I would like to see the day when a Black owned platform can raise an individual to this level of notoriety and a wealth. But let's also place this into perspective. If you are wealthy like Coates France, London, Chicago, anywhere can be a great place to live. Unfortunately, not very many people are as wealthy as Coates. So places like Chicago are not such great pleases to live for many Black people. Similarly many in the Muslim community, are not going around signing the praises of Paris.

@Cynique, sure I agree with you regarding their desire to appear on the cover of Time. The point I was trying to support is that Time really is not interested in uplifting Black people or women. @Mel Hopkins, It would not be reasonable for me to argue about the enslavement of Black people in the U.S. prior to 1865, but I will share this with you and others who may be reading conversation; Sure there were some "free" Black women in the US prior to the Emancipation Proclamation and the Proclamaintion only free the slaves in the southern slave states fighting against the Union, but historians generally agree that it lead to the abolition for all enslaved people in the United States culminating in the passing of the 13th Amendment, which made slavery illegal in 1865. I argue is one thing that Lincoln did is vastly more important than everything that Obama did, not just for Black women, for the entire country. “I never, in my life, felt more certain that I was doing right, than I do in signing this paper ...If my name ever goes into history it will be for this act, and my whole soul is in it." —President Lincoln “Some man who seemed to be a stranger (a United States officer, I presume) made a little speech and then read a rather long paper—the Emancipation Proclamation, I think. After the reading we were told that we were all free, and could go when and where we pleased. My mother, who was standing by my side, leaned over and kissed her children, while tears of joy ran down her cheeks. She explained to us what it all meant, that this was the day for which she had been so long praying, but fearing that she would never live to see." —Booker T. Washington “When you are dead and in Heaven, in a thousand years that action of yours will make the Angels sing your praises." —Hannah Johnson, mother of a Northern Black soldier, writing to President Abraham Lincoln about the Emancipation Proclamation, July 31, 1863 I think Hannah Johnson would, were she alive today, be perplexed by our conversations on this issue. But again arguing the relative merits of this action makes little sense... Mel, I'm also profoundly saddened to read your statement, "Black men, as a whole, don't give a lick about black women." I sure it is not a sentiment shared by the Brothers participating in this conversation and it is definitely now a sentiment demonstrated by our individual behavior. This conversation, and the one about Viola's picture, that prompted it was initiated to illustrate a diss to Black women. In the case of Beyonce's cover, many Black feminists also agree with the points I've made (albeit some more strongly than others). My starting this conversation does not come from a place of disdain for Black women, but from one of love. This honestly is one reason why I've opted out of social media two years ago, and am considering doing the same for my business. If one subject one's self to this media they will be inundated with messages both subliminal and overt which denigrate Black people. So, it is very understandable why some can believe that "Black men, as a whole, don't give a lick about black women." In my circles, which are more typical that the media would have you believe. Black men fight hard to uplift and support both Black women and the Black community. Most of us go unheralded and ignored by social media (which has become mainstream). This is by design. You see, pushing positive images by Black people who are not celebrities nd who are doing positive things is not as profitable, as covering Black dysfunction and celebrities (combine dysfunction and celebrity and you are golden!) Even when mainstream media do celebrate the accomplishments of celebrities it is often done with a slight. Obviously, some of are more aware, or in tune, to these slights than others. Pointing out these perceived slights of our women is not an indication of not giving "a lick about black women" it is, again, an indication of love.

@Delano I had to delete the bulk of the citation you copied from encyclopedia.com, it was inundated with advertisements (even ads embedded in the content which you probably did not even notice. In general, if people have to use content from another source I suggest they just excerpt from it and link to the rest. @Pioneer1 , it is interesting that you never heard of those two guys. You are probably right, even though you may have been joking, that the two dudes Del chose is perhaps one reason why folks confuse him as gay.

Mel you keep challenging my statements for evidence what specifically would you like me to present evidence for? Just give me one thing that is objective that you would like evidence for it or I'll present it or concede or modify the point. In the meantime, please present evidence that Obama started and deserves credit for the reduction of Black pregnancy rates, as you've asserted. So you don't think the emancipation of Black women was more important to Black women than anything that Barack Obama has done? Also you don't think the Black church was instrumental in getting Obama elected? Finally, you don't think many Black women derive support from Black male ministers? Are these the issues you want me to prove? Cynique, I suspect that Time is no different that any other magazine. Of course, their focus on celebrity is a reflection of this. I don't think appearing on Time was the ultimate goal of either woman. Was that comment directed to me? If so, I have no idea what I wrote to give yu that impression.

Of course, Lebron should be outraged and he should speak up. The argument that American is the best place in the world for Black folks to live is nonsensical. Why do we say that at least we are no longer enslaved we should be happy. Do you understand the point @Pioneer1? I was not aware of the Kathy Griffith photo and just looked it up. While your feelings on 45 mirror my own; I don;t co-sign this. If she did this with Obama we would be outraged--and we should be. 45 probably belongs in jail, this is a bit much. What do ya'll think?

Del to Pioneer's point why do you think so many different types of people confuse you with being gay? Why are you so certain it was the confusion of many and not the confusion of one? Sometimes people see things in us that we can't see in ourselves...but usually, the reality is that others are typically engaging in prejudice and sterotyping. When folks stereotype they are using some characteristic they've observed. For example, I meet someone on the web, and because they were exclusively publishing Black writers I assumed they had to be Black.

Oh I missed this message. Sure John can reach out to Noelle for advice, but she has not yet opened her store and I'm not sure when her store will open... John please let us know when your store opens I'll be sure to add it to my database and share it with readers. Unfortunately, I can't help you obtain inventory from these businesses--assuming any of it is still available. Besides inventory, you can probably learn quite a bit from any of the owners that you can reach. Good luck with you efforts

(Note: I thought this was posted yesterday--fortunately it was saved. Apologies if any issues I mentioned were already addressed) Mel one can argue that the black church was instrumental in getting Obama elected. let's not make it seem like Obama is a one man show. Obama had the support of the black church before he even before he had the support of the Democratic Party. Wouldn't you agree? Either way it is a fact. I noticed you have not provided facts to subtantiate Obama lowering team pregnancy. I'm sure I go make cases against all the Obama claims I just happened to know the time frame for the change in teen pregnancy. (I'm dictating my response into my cell phone) We have data but often the explaination for the data eludes us. So we make up stories. Now I won't try to debate your statement that Obama was the best thing for Black women, because that is purely subjective. But I know many black women who would say Jesus has done more if given a choice between the two (Mel you live in ATL you must know this). Limiting the choice to presidents one could argue that Kennedy did for Black women. One could also make a strong argument for lincoln. Personally I put both ahead of Obama in terms of impact on the lives of Black women. The reasoning should be somewhat obvious--even if you disagree. Now I can't play that Tit for Tat there are many black men are products commodities at that (pro athletes) but I would argue that women are treated as products in a more dramatic fashion; let Beyonce's looks slip slightly and then we'll see how prominent she is, they'll move on to the sexy little girl (the next one wont need to be a great singer either). Beyonce will be rich but she won't be on the cover of Time Magazine any longer. certainly not in her underwear--unless her life careens out of control. I also presented a photograph of LeBron James being treated in a similar fashion, while I don't recall using the word product with him, I was making the same exact point. Men singers aren't treated that way they can be fat or ugly and still have a great careers, but women don't have that luxury. Again that is not me, this is the culture and unfortunately many of us support that very aspect of the culture so it will continue. it was Time Magazine not me that had the women in their underwear and grossly exaggerated expressions. Now Time did that to the women, but they didn't depict any of the men that way did they? And I'm not the one who the raising these issues; these issues are already been raised I'm just bringing them to the attention of this group. feminist as I pointed out are still talking about the Beyonce Time cover again I never heard of it until I was at the Book Festival. Now while I think Bell hooks reaction was a bit extreme you can certainly understand why other feminist would be upset right? Also and you probably already know this about me I do not equate financial success with importance, relevance, or any of these other we value highly. Often the most financially successful people do the most low-down dirty things. People willing to enslave Africans became fantastically wealthy but there were others who found it morally reprehensible and were unable to become nearly as rich as those that did. but wealth was not their primary motivation. Some of the most conscious people I know struggle in relative obscurity essentially impoverished.... ...but they are voiceless because Beyonces and kanyes (throwing in a dude lest I be labeled a sexist) are propped up in their places. And we wonder why so many feel there is no black leadership...

Shaun is a publisher of African writers. The book Forbidden Fruit, shown in the video preview image below, was featured in our last eNewsletter. The crazy thing is that before I met Shaun in person (we first connected online) I assumed he was a Black woman! I guess I that was just pure unadulterated prejudice. At any rate, I was no less impressed by his work. In fact, this is one of best video videos I shot in a long time. Well first I broke down and purchased a microphone so much of the background noise present in my earlier videos is not present. But the main reason is that Shaun presented so well. I did not have to edit a second out of the video--this was a straight shoot. All I added was my logo, his name, and the closing credits. You won't go wrong checking out some of his titles.

Thanks Del. Yes, I met Noelle at a book signing a few months ago. She has garnered a great deal of attention and is a media darling right now. I'm glad she is getting support and I hope her bookstore/wine bar is successful.

Mel when you wrote this "...I just call it how it is revealed. The focus is on black women right now. And As President, as I outlined with evidence (not my personal observation or feelings..." the implication, or a reasonable conclusion, is that what I did. For example, you gave Obama credit for lowering teen pregnancy rates. The fact of the matter is that those rates were already in decline before Obama took office and the conditions that produced the trend started before that When you give Obama credit for things like this and the great volume of praise you heaped on him lead me to believe you were a fervent supporter. Absent the critique that you subsequently posted, do you see how someone could make the assumption that you were a fervent supporter? Now when I mention the Black church. I think you are using your opinion in assessing their impact. Truth be told we share many of the same opinions on the church. The only difference is that I'm just not willing to ignore the benefits many churches provide for the community. There are Brothers like Floyd Flake, who is the Pastor of Greater Allen African Methodist Episcopal Cathedral in Jamaica, Queens. He did great things for his community. Of course there are many many others. Sadly we often focus more on the pastors who are not worth a damn and completely ignore the ones making a real impact like Herbert D. Daughtry, Sr. Pastor of House of the Lord Pentecostal Church in Brooklyn. But since we have no platforms that Black people should support and read, we believe the church completely worthless. An understandable assumption is you rely on the mainstream media including Time Magazine for your information Same goes for the NOI. I think Ava Muhammad is a great woman. Indeed, if she were not Black, Female, and Muslin she might have some notoriety. Instead, we are given a Beyonce by the like of Time for our leadership... If I have my way Black folks will exact a modicum of agency and select who we think is influential. Now obviously we will not agree on who should be uplifted and highlighted as someone whose ideas are important. But at least we would not be focused on a product, like Beyonce. Nor would we present the people we revered in their undies. Can you image if Dr. Ava Muhammad or bell hooks were depicted in this manner that Beyonce or Viola Davis were?

In all seriousness, Del pretty much nailed it Pioneer. You need to refine your check list. You simply encountered a new type of dude--that is new to you--who did not meet your criteria of Gay. Human sexuality is very complex.and extends beyond your personal observations. This interesting thing is that the encounter with that guy did not seem to change your worldview. Perhaps this conversation will.

Whoa! Mel, you put a lot out there so much that I can't realistically hit all the points but I'll try to address the major themes. First Obamacare really did not get going until 2014, so in less the three years you've assigned a great number of benefits that there simply was not enough time to attribute to Obama or were already on a downward trend before Obama took office (like black teen pregnancies). You mentioned a number of Black women Obama appointed, but for every Black woman he appointed, I could point to two wealthy white guys he appointed. Indeed that was one of Obama's criticisms. But even with Rice and Holder, Black folks were driven to riot in the streets, launch Black Lives Matter in reaction to a country that demonstrated wanton disregard for our lives. Obama had little impact here. Indeed the data suggest Obama actually inflamed racial tensions, culminating in the election of racism wielding 45. As far as the impact of the male leadership of the Black church being "laughable," I don;t know what to write in reaction to that. But I'll say this, while you may find it laughable, I assure you millions of other Black women do not. The take their churches, religion, and the Black men who often lead these institutions very seriously leaders very very seriously. The Brothers had, and well have a great impact on these women's lives than Obama can possibly have. You live in ATL, surely you must see this. The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, for an example, is an inspirational leader to his followers. I'm not aware of anyone who has done more to make, as an example, formerly incarcerated brother productive citizens and Black women directly benefit as a result. Now you or I may not like the lifestyle, but that does not negate or diminish the positive impact this Brother has had is having and will have. Obama is not likely to reproduce an accomplishment nearly this impactful--especially not that he is out of office. Mel, I know you are a fervent Obama supporter. I supported Obama too. I don't think bell hook made the statement to raise her profile; the scandal-seeking media did that, and Black feminists are still talking about in in 2017! I also don't know if hooks would put feminism in front of racism as a priority, but if she did we would just be in disagreement. It does not make either of wrong or better than the other--just different. @Delano, I'm Black and I don't think racism trumps economic inequality. I think economic inequality and the growing power of the plutocracy is our most pressing problem. Racism and sexism are tools used to keep us down. We live a country that is making the rich richer and the poor poorer. In a country where the wealth was shared more equitably, a Trump presidency could never have occurred.

Mel, of course, there have been many Black women who have and are currently fighting courageously against racism. I hope you did not come away with that impression with what I wrote. I also want to emphasize that I not believe fighting for equality for women (feminism) is unimportant. I just think it should be subordinate to the fight against racism. I think our energies are often misdirected protecting people who don't need our protection and it comes at our expense. Was I wrong in viewing bell's comment regarding Beyonce as divisive? What did I miss? "The only black man (half-black) man to assist in the plight of black women was President Barack Obama" Mel that is a bold statement and one that I would suggest is largely indefensible. There are countless Black male ministers, for example, across the country who provide emotional, spiritual, and even financial support to Black women and their families. I could go on all day with other examples... BTW, what did Obama do that helped black women specifically? I don't mean something like Obama Care that helped everyone (i.e. mostly white folk).

That is kinda weird; dudes typically don't chat each other up like that. Did you two ladies go out on dates too? You mentioned the word "Gay" three times (The lady doth protest too much, methinks).

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.