Troy

Cynique, I don't think the family unit, as it is currently defined, will change anytime soon either -- save incorporating same sex marriage into the mix. But your comment "Maybe children should be raised by the State" seems to be happening, at least on some level, as parent abdicate their responsibilities for rearing their children to anyone who will take them. Today school kids are given breakfast and lunch, at a minimum. With early morning drop off and after schools programs it is not unusual for a kid to spend 10 or more hours under the supervision of a school. Kids spend most of their waking day at school, or associated program, than their parents spend at work. Consider the cry by many education experts like Jonathan Kozol who are calling for universal, compulsory, education for children starting at age 2. Others who want a longer school day and school year. Despite what the so called experts say, any teacher will tell you the quality of child's family environment is crucial to the success of the kid's education. Of course, it is more politically correct to blame everything thing else but the f-cked up households these kids live in, for being a major factor for the poor graduation rates, in places like Harlem. Without strong families we can't have strong communities. So while politicians, teachers and union sit around bullshitting about improving test scores, our kids are not being educated. Meanwhile the simple families don't know enough to advocate for their own children, seemingly unaware of what is happening -- perhaps because they are several generation deep in the same crap and no no other way. We used to have PTA's; no one talks about those much any more. Families matter. Making them stronger does not seem to be on anyone's radar. It is in the interest of large corporation for families to be week, prison, drugs (depression, "learning disorders") and now schools are growth industries.

"Determining is a willful act, it doesn't just happen at random." I don't believe anything is random, even if it appears to be to us as such. "If something is predetermined it had to be PLANNED from an intelligent Source." If I drop and egg the outcome is predetermined. It requires no planning from and intelligent source. Everything else that occurs is an extension of that analogy. Del I'm not sure I understood everything you wrote, but I agree that "...it doesn't necessarily follow that predestination requires a purpose or an intelligence." Perhaps the very conditions that gave rise to our existence also gave rise to our self-awareness, as opposed to the other way around.

"MY point that Black men on average have a stronger sexual desire for more women". Pioneer I have no idea what to say to you. This was the same twisted justification racists used to lynch Black men who were viewed as genetically unable to control themselves when it came to white women. "We all know that the term "Black" in America stands for people of African descent regardless of the amount of African ancestry they hold." Pioneer can't you see why this is illogical?! If Barack Obama (Black by American standards) has a higher testosterone level than another person who Americans may consider White; what does that mean? The so called white person could actually have more Black ancestry than Obama, but they are "passing" as so many Blacks have done and are doing. "Do you see promoting Black male sexuality and masculinity as offensive and stereotypical?" Yes. Pioneer do you realize how racist you sound? I thought I was racist, but you got me beat me by a long shot. But I understand...

This is the 1st of a three part series on Race. Last night I screened this film with a "racially" mixed, but mostly Black group of about 25 people. During the discussion I decided to state that the government should get out of the business of tracking race. None of the Black people who reacted agreed with me. Of course I'm not surprised I knew the statement is tantamount to saying Obama is not a great president. Anywho, there was a white woman who agreed with me completely. Afterwards she approached me an explained some of the work she is doing to fight racism. She understood that institutionalized racism exists because the government continues to hold onto it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCR7vSD2Ohw What was most remarkable is that after watching this film there was at least one person who still used the language of race to explain differences in people that the film so clearly renounced as an "illusion".

Ok I know you all are out there I can tell by the traffic and an some of you have even created accounts, but have not used them. Let us know what you are thinking about.

Pioneer something I don;t think you really read all the information on the links you provide on more than one occasion the information supported my point. The 2nd link did not reveal anything, so will can ignore it. The 1st link was more interesting at least posting some of the methodology. But consider this how did they decide that these people were "black" (or white), by looking at them? Is Tiger Woods or Barack Obama Black for the purpose of this study? Cynique I was wondering what you thought about the idea of changing our culture's formula for family from one man and one woman who make a life long commitment through marriage to stay together and share in the responsibly of raising any kids they make? This model seems fine to me, but the culture does not seem to support is at all....

Since this page has attracted so much attending from search I figure I'll look into the subject and provide more information: I have to admit I was previously unaware of this show. It apparently launched this past September. As a conflict-resolution expert, Trisha Goddard will help everyday people and their families navigate the tough issues they are struggling to overcome. Her show will cover topics important to women everywhere with a unique approach--straight talk with a no-excuses mentality. On each episode, Trisha uses honesty and common sense to teach people how to move forward and push through life’s obstacles. This text is from the fan page.

Cynique, was that divine inspiration or simply the only thing you could have written given the circumstance and your genetics? I saw a video of a woman engaged in activity in which she clearly had "no problem with a smorsgasbord of men" somehow moving in that direction as a society does not seem optimal, but hey whatever floats your boat. So while it may be true women are just a desirous of having multiple partners as men (which is likely since the men have to be screwing someone); are you suggesting that a society in which men can have many wives and women can have many husbands would be a better setup? I'm not sure that women are more sensitive and more responsible with their children. This may have been true in the past, but increasingly children of unwed partners often end up being shuttled back and forth like ping pong balls between parents, raised by grandparents, foster parents or the criminal justice system. Talk any grade school teacher in a poor Black community...

I don't propose that I KNOW anything I'm just telling you what I think about a particular idea. Is it possible that some infinitely intelligent being (God) set our universe into motion almost 14 billion years ago? Sure. Is it possible that there is some universal consciousness that we can all tap into, and derive inspiration? Sure. Is it possible that this very consciousness actually gives rise to our physical being, rather than the other way around? Why not? All I'm saying is that given the physical nature of our being, indeed, the universe itself, that we can predict the eventual outcome of anything because the universe is not at all random, there are known physical laws. That said; On a quantum level if you look at a particle like an electron, you can't say precisely where it is at any given time. All you can do is calculate the probability of where it will be might be but that is about it. Some believe this fact leads to infinite possibles at a macro scale; believing there are an infinite number of universes a new one spawned anytime a decision is made. I could argue that we have complete control over our destinies, our universe even. I was just interested examining the other idea...

LOL, Pioneer. I know I've made an impact as you are now aware at least aware of how statement like "Black men in general are more polygamous than White men from Northern Europe" might be found so profoundly problematic. As you may have gathered I don't think Black and white people are very different as many people do. The differences in class and culture are much more profound that skin color. Black people in America really do have more in common with white people in American that they do with Black people anywhere in African (not controlled by the West). I do not believe for a split second Black men are more polygamous than white people. There are polygamous white groups right here in the US. I could poke holes in the theory all day. But I won't bother... ...because I actually agree with your conclusions. Clearly, this system does not serve the formerly enslaved people in the US. It seems the only people interested in getting married are homosexual. Sure Black married men sleep around, but supporting multiple wives and raising the resulting offspring is a COMPLETELY different thing that just screwing those women. So while this system dominated by the dictates of the Christian church (monogamy, etc) clearly is not working very well for us. There are those that will argue that if EVERYONE was a Christian then all the problems would be solved. I think it is obvious that would never work. I have no clue what would model would work better for us, so I'm inclined to believe improving our current system is as good an idea as any...

Pioneer the idea that we control our choices is merely an illusion. There is a incredible amount of variability in what we could do, but with sufficient intelligence we could know the outcomes. In much the same way we could predict the weather, if we were smart enough. But to our feeble minds the weather is too complex for us to understand. Before we knew as much about the weather as we know today came up with stories to describe it too -- angry Gods and the like. We even sacrificed each other to placate these imagined Gods. Our genetics, our environment, my typing this message could have been predicted before the creation of this planet so many billions of years ago. But the complexity is so great, and we are so limited in our understanding, that whether we have control or not does not make a difference to us over the course of our lives.

"I'm just saying what I think, what pops in my head." Right Cynique. All I'm adding is that we don't know really how our thoughts are created. All the stuff about ideas (inspiration) coming from deceased loved ones, any form of ESP or a breaded white guy in the sky are not likely.

Pioneer is you have not already don so reach out to Sylvia Hubbard of the Motown Writers Network 313.289.8614 http://motownwriters.com She can connect you to a a bunch of other similar minded folks in your neck of the woods.

I know since you will not reply directly this question is purely rhetorical; but here it goes anyway: What do you propose that we do with Black ministers and churches -- blow them up and lynch all the minsters? Convert all the "saved" people and turn them into atheists or Islam? I'm not defending the Black Church I just don't know what you expect to happen. Now that it is a very lucrative money machine and source of power what makes you think anyone will relinquish it?

I don't give the scientists all the credit, I give humans credit, scientists are just one subset. The truth is complex and will not be completely told by a scientist or a spiritual leader -- perhaps in aggregate we will learn the truth. I just think people ascribe too much, including inspiration, to ethereal sources, that could be much more easily ascribed to ourselves.

MySpace did a complete reboot. There are no ads, the content scroll sideways. Which might work well on a mobile device that swipes, but is a pain with a mouse (but mice and a keyboard going away anyway right?). I have no cue how to add content yet, but it look like the site is mainly for musicians. For what is is worth here is my URL https://new.myspace.com/aalbc let me know if you figure out what to do when you get there :-)

Pioneer, I mean just that, "we don't have free will". We are machines, albeit sentient ones, basically fulfilling the programing of our genetics and environment. You basically touched on the matter when you described how our very personalities are impacted due to chemical or physiological changes. But we can take it further; scientists can already predict choices you will make before you are conscious of having made a choice and they can even control the choices we make. Every rationale we can dream up for why we do something is not based upon reality, they are just stories craft and tell ourselves. Some stories are quite wonderful other are dangerous. They allow us to make accept the tragic shootings that occur and are largely ignored in cities like Philly, Newark, Chicago. They help us accept that the bodies we inhabit will eventually decay a cease to work. These stories helped us survive enslavement as we had the hope of a better place and allowed others to believe taking another man's freedom was is OK, ordained even. They are the stories that convince some that Obama is a great man who will do great thing for Black people if we are just patient. Perhaps if our conscious were and not bound by our physical limitations we would know much more and maybe treat each other a little better.

Pioneer. I lived in NY City most of my live but I've lived other places and spend a lot of time in the south now. I've been running my own business for the last 5 years but sent a ton of years work relatively cushy jobs in corporate america, the Big House is you will. Population density is over rated -- the conditions under which most people live under in NYC is really quite bad. Many don't truly appreciate how bad the conditions they live under are, because they have nothing better to compare it to. I know many pole you are 3, 4 generations now living in a public housing project. They are quite happy. When you have large populations you have all the problems that come with it -- housing as mentioned, but even more importantly schools. The people responsible for running the schools in NYC should be in jail. New York City's public transportation is decent (I don't use it I'll drive, walk ride, my bike or simply won't go somewhere that requires me to get on the subway or bus), but I hear over crowing, price increases and declining service is straining the system and the people who ride it. Not to mention a passenger is run over by a train on average once a week. New York is diverse which brings positives and negatives. But New York City is one of the most stratified cities I've ever seen. Racial groups tend to self segregate, and most people just stay in the lanes. New York City as a bastion of diversity loving hand holders is mostly hype. Laws and ordinances that promote creativity -- hell to the no! Small business that are viable are usually that way because they remain off the grid -- engaging in a cash economy. The are so many rules, regulations and taxes any business on "the books" has a tremendous amount of over head. Do you think any of those cats on 125th street are collecting or paying sales tax, income tax? If they did they most would not have a business. Things a working stiff takes for grated like paid vacation, sick leave, health care, etc most "hustlers" don't have it Many cats my age don't even have all their teeth for this reason. I'm not trying to discourage you Pioneer I just want to you get NY City out your head as a model, 'cause NY only works for people with serious paper.

Also check out this Brother in 1999 he became the 1st African America International Grandmaster. Interestedly we attended the same high school. (He started the year I left) Maurice Ashley immigrated to New York from Jamaica at the age of twelve, only to be confronted with the harsh realities of urban life. But he found his inspiration for a better life after stumbling upon a chess book and becoming hypnotized by the game. He would eventually break the chess world's color lines by becoming an International Grandmaster in 1999. Read more

Interestingly Nah'Sun, in hindsight, I wish I had not paid to for my entire family to see Django in the theater. Here is an article you all may find interesting: http://blockreportradio.com/news-mainmenu-26/1484-django-unchained-the-pornication-of-black-history.html While I think critiquing the film on it's historically accuracy is a silly exercise -- I did fond it a interesting diversion from the Spike Lee said this and Jamie Fox said that. As in "articles" like the one we find in the ghetto section of the HUffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/18/jamie-foxx-spike-lee-django-unchained-criticism_n_2505894.html

One of the young ladies featured has the potential to become the 1st female African-American "Master" Chess player Brooklyn Castle In Theaters: Oct 19, 2012 Limited PG, 1 hr. 42 min. Documentary, Special Interest Directed By: Katie Dellamaggiore Producers Distribution Agency Brooklyn Castle is the remarkable and improbable true story of I.S. 318 in Brooklyn. The school, where 65% of students live below the federal poverty level, has the highest ranked junior high chess team in the nation. The heart of the film is the engaging young students who populate the team: Rochelle, who has the goal of becoming the first female African-American chess master; Pobo, the team's charismatic leader; Justus, an entering student who must manage the high expectations that come with achieving master status at an early age; Alexis, who feels the pressure of his immigrant parents' desire for him to realize the American dream; Patrick, who uses chess to help overcome his ADHD; and James, the young rapping maestro and budding chess talent; among several others. the official website.

We've spoken quite a bit about Tim Wise here on these discussion board in the past Read more about Tim Wise Here

We've spoken quite a bit about Tim Wise here on these discussion board in the past Read more about Tim Wise Here

La Pirogue - Film Review For those of you interested in great cinema, telling stories of Black people, and are tired the the gnashing of teeth and hand-wringing over Hollyweird's films like "Django" then check out the new Senegalese film "La Pirogue" directed by Moussa Toure. This drama tells the story of 30 Senegalese peasants who make a break for Spain by sea in search of a better life. La Pirogue puts a human face to illegal immigration. If you agree tell someone: https://aalbc.com/reviews/film-reviews.php?id=1703 the film opens in a limited number of theaters next week. If you live near New York City the film will be showing at the Film Forum: http://www.filmforum.org/movies/more/the_pirogue