Troy

Del reread my first sentence.

Prejudices drive preferences. The capacity to form prejudices based upon stimuli is innate Instinct, by definition, is innate. Technology creates stimuli that are completely brand new--never before seen in all of recorded history. Technology is not part of the natural world The prejudices, created as a result of technological stimuli, are new to us and unnatural. Technological stimuli in my opinion is false, a lie. It is like believing interacting with others on social media is equivalent to interacting with people in the real world. We prejudge people in a way that is not normal, not based in nature. This then fuels our behavior in the real world which causes much of the nonsense we see happening all around us today.

Prejudices are a survival instinct, part of human nature. The problem is our connection with nature has been severed and replaced by technology. Technology is is fueled by profit, so we are constantly lied to, fed nonsensical information. As a result, we develop unnatural prejudices.

I did not know Maya, but over the years in the course of doing what I do our paths would cross from time to time. During each encounter I always found her personable and down to earth. When this picture was taken she owned a Brownstone around the corner from me. The last time I saw Maya was at the during the last National Book Awards where she was awarded the 2013 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. I did not have an opportunity to speak to here then. AALBC.com mourns the passing, this morning (May 28, 2014), of world renowned poet, author, and civil rights activist Maya Angelou

The whiteness of publishing: Diversity an issue as book convention opens NEW YORK (AP) — Three years ago, guest speaker Mindy Kaling joked that publishing's annual national convention, BookExpo America, resembled "a high school reunion where all the jocks were killed in a plane crash, and all the minorities, too." This post was prompted by a conversation started on twitter between myself and author Brian Smith, in reaction to this article (above) about the lack of Diversity at Book Expo America (BEA). BEA is the nation's largest trade show for the publishing industry. Brian has no interest in attending because BEA (which starts this week) has demonstrated they are not interested in our presence. I believe that is the very reason we must attend. Brian and Black People Read have greed to elaborate on their respective view points. ------------------------ Below are a couple of related articles than have been circulating among Black publishing professionals recently. Where Are the People of Color in Children’s Books? By Walter Dean Myers "Of 3,200 children’s books published in 2013, just 93 were about black people, according to a study by the Cooperative Children’s Book Center at the University of Wisconsin." MFA vs. POC (People of Color) by Junot Diaz Too white as in Cornell had almost no POC—no people of color—in it. Too white as in the MFA had no faculty of color in the fiction program—like none—and neither the faculty nor the administration saw that lack of color as a big problem.

Del you can stop telling me how little I know about statistics I understood how you felt the previous times you mentioned it. If you want to call into question my ability to grasp the concept of the statistical probability of a coin toss that is cool, but don't expect that to be a way of understanding my perspective. I'm simply trying to help you understand why I don't believe any of my personal experience with Astrology, in my way of reckoning, is proof that it is real. You are not certain of what my objections are because you are not trying to understand what I'm writing. Do you understand why I don't believe, despite a couple of compelling experiences, that I can prove, to my own satisfaction, that Astrology is real?

Del it is difficult for me to make a point because you usually don't answer my questions. I'm trying help you understand my perspective, by bringing you there in small steps, but if you shoot down or fail to directly answer my questions, then run with conclusions based upon your knowledge and assumptions then you will never see my point--at least not from my perspective--no matter how psychic you are. But I'll follow your train of thought. We don't really know what the chances of nailing a personality are. How do you measure the probability of something so subjective as personality? We all know people who behave differently with different people; in the streets a guy could be the life of the party and at home he is withdrawn and morose. What is his true nature? A close friend and a family member would likely disagree and the he himself may have a 3rd opinion. So was the interpretation of my sister's chart accurate? I would say yes, and my sister actually disagreed. Who is right? How can you prove something when can even agree upon an observation? We are trying to prove weather a coin toss was predicted when we can even agree if it is heads or tails. Plus, and this was my main point with the coin toss, I would never say something was proof based upon a single observation.

Del the differences in you life when you read my chart and my life are almost as profound. What a difference a few years make. In many ways I prefer the new life, but my future is, or at least feel less secure. But even if the future feels less secure it still feels as though I have some modicum of control over it. ------------ Del can you define doppelganger in this context.

If I told you I was psychic and to prove it I asked you to flip a coin and I successfully guessed which side it landed. Would you consider that proof of my psychic ability?

This interview originally aired on May 25, 2010. Today, 4 years later, my opinions about Facebook have changed, becoming less favorable. Fours years ago you could reach many of your "fans," on Facebook, by simply posting a link to your website. Today with almost three times as many "fans" I do not have the same level of engagement when posting links to my website. Even buying an advertisement (a small $20 ad) does not yield the same reach I could get four years ago with 1/3 the "followers." It is clear that Facebook has diminished engagement for content containing links pointing to external website. This is based upon years of collecting data and carefully observing performance. Anyone expecting to utilize Facebook generate traffic for their websites, without spending any money on advertising, will have a very tough time. Successful strategies are often fleeting, working initially then becoming less effective over time. It is different for personal posts on Facebook (without links to external websites). You can generate a lot of traffic and engagement for these types of posts. Indeed Facebook loves this as it benefits their website. Sharing stories about your personal life is Facebook's sweet spot. Facebook profits from the free content. People who post it love the ego stroke provided by the likes. Visitors are completely engaged by the new level of insight into other people--even if it is a completely perspective based upon what the poster wants you to know. Of course sharing celebrity gossip and jokes is popular as well. Facebook has been brilliant. I also see my concerns about privacy were completely warranted and have actually exceeded anything I could have imaged back in 2010. As a result, I rarely post personal things on Facebook. I still post links to AALBC.com content on Facebook, but I just live with the relatively low engagement, as I refuse to invest any more time on the platform. Besides, my "old fashioned" eNewsletter is far more effective at generating traffic. Right now their is no intermediary between me an my eNewsletter subscribers. No one controls access and discovery to my mailing list the way access is now controlled on search and social media. The video included myself, Ron Kavanaugh Founder of Mosaicbooks.com and host Darryl J. Jenkins. Also on May 19th Ron, shut down the website Mosaicbooks.com after running it for almost 18 years. Ron decided to focus on his literary magazine, Mosaic Literary Magazine. (September 28, 1996 - May 19, 2014)

Cynique, my gut tells me that we do have psychic abilities. I also know we, as humans, unconsciously make up stories to fill in gaps in our memories, to explain things we don't or refuse to understand, or accept. These two things do not have to be mutually exclusive. Sometimes it is just really difficult to differential between physic ability, our own stories, or just plain 'ole coincidences. Some people don't believe in coincidences at all; believing everything happens for a reason.

No it will not likely constitute proof. But I'm not looking for proof. I'm looking for insight. Isn't interpreting a chart fairly subjective? I mean charts have characteristics that are well defined but two different astrologers reading the same chart will interpret and describe them differently right. I also suspect your reading of my chart in 2014 will be a little different than the one you did 15 years ago. I'm sure I'll receive it differently--I'm a slightly different person today, we both are.

I should be a bit more clear about what I call a coincidence. If you experience an alignment of a pair of related, but unconnected events daily, over the course years I would not call that a "coincidence". As the occurrence it too frequent to be defined a coincidence. There may actually be a relationship between the two events, that we do not readily see or comprehend. It may not be a coincidence, but it does not have to be anything more esoteric, but who knows. Here is my example: often when I think about someone they we reach out to me, seemingly out of the blue. This happens so frequently that I started to think that I must have some psychic knowledge of when people thinking about me. At one point, I was so convinced of this that I'd planned to test my theory by calling people I "sensed" where thinking about me. I just never got around to it. Yesterday, I was thinking about a person and was literally typing their name when they called me; again seemingly "out of the blue." But upon reflection, we are both doing an event next week. I was about to promote the event when she called to talk about it. I'd call this specific case a coincidence because of the closeness of the event, even though this type of thing happens to me a lot without the obvious connections. I know this happened to others as well. We used to say speak of the devil and he will show up. Sometimes I will met someone or learn a new concept; afterwards I'll start seeing that person and hearing the concept all the time. Is that synchronicity or me just being more in tune to the new person and idea and therefore recognizing it.

Well, everyone has death in their futures..

Cynique you are the same sign as my youngest kid, a Leo. Can you provide and more specific location, an address is idea? Del will need to determine the longitude and latitude and is that time AM or PM? Do you know if Day Light Savings time was observed back way back then if makes a difference.

Actually I'm mostly interested in my true nature and what motivates me. I think I know, but it will be interesting to see if reflected in my chart. I'm not extremely interested in predictions of my future and unless you can tell me something I can do to avoid a horribly painful death. Whatever you feel the most confident describing. I appreciate your time doing this--thanks.

The National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) announces its 26th season, running June through September and featuring a profusion of artistic offerings in a variety of disciplines including music, dance, theatre, film and visual art. As part of the festival’s new Strategic Vision, several innovative programs will be inaugurated including the Spotlight Series, a lineup of events going deep into one of the five NBAF disciplines; 2014 is the year of music at NBAF. A new annual event, NBAF Global will showcase one dimension of the African Diaspora, and the landmark Legends Celebration will take a fresh new direction honoring five luminaries via performance tributes. Additionally, NBAF seeks to serve the community through educational initiatives like the Youth Empowerment Series (YES!); NBAF NEXT featuring emerging artists and those working in social justice and a sequence of free master classes for pre-professional students. Tickets to most NBAF events will be on sale beginning Friday, May 23 at 12 p.m. (Wynton Marsalis tickets are currently on sale.) THE INAUGURAL SPOTLIGHT SERIES This year, Wynton Marsalis serves as NBAF’s inaugural Spotlight Series Curator, personally tapping a mentor, a peer, and a protégé to join the summer’s program. The Legend: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis – “Modern Life, Modern Music,” Friday, July 25, 8 p.m. at Symphony Hall Tickets from $45 This spectacular evening, curated specifically for NBAF by Marsalis, features original compositions by members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Marsalis describes the inspiration for the concert thus: “The DNA research is in. We are all descendants of Africa. Let’s celebrate the scientific death of tribalism. Modern life affords us the opportunity to choose our tribe by interest instead of genetics. Today, families are formed across the superficial lines of race and nationality. They are more flexible and numerous. The divisive conventions which force us into competing clans who wish to claim superiority over ‘others’ are giving way to an emphasis on culture and its shared mythic symbols that unify us at the deepest levels of our collective consciousness. Duke Ellington said THE people are my people. Jazz knew that any person is related to all people, long before DNA told us it was so.” The Mentor: The Heath Brothers Quartet with Jeremy Pelt, Saturday, August 23, 8 p.m. at Rialto Center for the Arts Tickets from $25 NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath and rising star Jeremy Pelt (trumpet) offer an evening of classics from the American Songbook as well as signature compositions by Heath himself. Marsalis states, “NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath, brilliant instrumentalist, magnificent composer and arranger, is vital at 87 years old – when he walks into a room, jazz history is made.” The Protégé: The Jason Marsalis Quartet, Thursday, September 11, 8 p.m. at Rialto Center for the Arts Tickets from $15 The Jason Marsalis Quartet features Marsalis on vibraphones, Will Goble on bass, David Potter on drums and Austin Johnson on piano. Performing hits from his most recent album, “my younger brother Jason, with perfect pitch and unerring rhythmic sophistication, is a master of the vibes,” explains Wynton Marsalis. The Peer: The Marcus Roberts Trio Celebrates Monk and Trane, Thursday, September 18, 7:30 p.m., Center Stage Theater Tickets from $15 The Marcus Roberts Trio, founded in 1995, is known around the world for its virtuosic style – a style that is strongly rhythmic, melodic, and filled with dynamic contrast. According to Marsalis, “Marcus is like a movement. Years from now, people will look back on all the students and piano players that he influenced and it will become known as the School of Marcus Roberts…He is a genius.” THE 2014 NBAF SEASON ALSO INCLUDES: Harlem Fine Arts Show, June 26-29 at 200 Peachtree Street Tickets from $10 at http://hfas.org/events/atlanta/ Opening Night Benefit for the National Black Arts Festival, June 26, 6 p.m. Tickets $100 The Harlem Fine Arts Show returns to Atlanta with one of the largest and most prestigious collections of works by emerging and established African-American artists from around the country. Artists from past shows have included Leroy Campbell, Corinthia Peoples, Elizabeth Baez, Woodrow Nash, True African Art and more. Symposium: Black Aesthetics and African Centered Cultural Expressions: Sacred Systems in the Nexus between Cultural Studies, Religion and Philosophy, July 13-August 1, times vary, at Emory University In partnership with Emory University, NBAF collaborates on a three-week symposium that investigates Black Aesthetics and African Centered Cultural Expressions: Sacred Systems in the Nexus between Cultural Studies, Religion and Philosophy. The symposium will stage a number of high-energy discussions related to the black aesthetic, while broadening and reviving interest in this area of scholarship for future research and intellectual inquiry. The institute will focus on the development of African-based sacred systems in the nexus between cultural studies, religion, and philosophy, and their influence on the arts. https://scholarblogs.emory.edu/institute-blackaesthetics/about/#about NBAF Gala, Saturday, July 19, 6 p.m., InterContinental Buckhead Tickets from $500 The NBAF Gala is the official, triumphant season opener and always one of the most elegant, spectacular evenings on Atlanta’s performing arts calendar. The 2014 Gala, Higher and Higher, will not disappoint, and will feature a trio of luminaries in a spellbinding line-up: jazz icon Terence Blanchard, Metropolitan Opera superstar Harolyn Blackwell and New York City-based spoken word impresario Toni Blackman. Join Atlanta’s finest for cocktails, dinner, silent and live auctions and dancing until midnight amidst the splendor of the Intercontinental Buckhead’s Grand Ballroom. The Brave New Voices Institute, July 21-August 1, Performance August 2, 2 p.m. at National Center for Civil and Human Rights Free admission In partnership with San Francisco’s renowned spoken word powerhouse, Youth Speaks, NBAF provides 30 Atlanta-based teens (ages 13-19) with a two-week training intensive in creative writing and spoken word, culminating in an opportunity to perform before a live audience in a “poetry slam” for family, friends, and supporters. Open to Atlanta youth by audition in late June. Sojourner Washing Society: A musical in gospel & blues, July 24, 7:30 p.m. at Alliance Theatre, Woodruff Arts Center Free admission As Atlanta becomes Georgia’s largest city a few years after the Civil War, it is ready to celebrate itself as the New South. But the town boosters find themselves at odds with a group they call “the Washing Amazons,” 3,000 spirited black women who hold the city’s dirty laundry and go after a raise in a tale told in gospel and blues. This staged reading is held in partnership with the Alliance Theatre. NBAF NEXT: NBAF partners with two arts leaders —Atlanta’s NEXT and national network Alternate ROOTS— in a multi-year effort inspired by the idea that art has the power to create change. NBAF NEXT seeks to promote emerging artists, with an emphasis on Atlanta-based artists, and elevate artists working at the intersection of creative expression and social justice. The Salon, Thursday, July 31, 7:30 p.m. at Atlanta Contemporary Art Center Tickets from $15 The Salon is a celebration of rising, Atlanta-based talents in the visual, literary, spoken word and musical arts – those on the cusp of stardom. It features four genre-blending performances: visual/performing artist and scholar Fahamu Pecou; jazz and soul vocalist Brenda Nicole Moorer; playwright and community agitator Michael Molina and Emmy-award winning spoken word artist Jon Goode. This interactive event encourages collaboration between artists and audience to take aim at society’s most intractable challenges. Town Hall, September, date and location TBD This September, NBAF, NEXT and ROOTS will partner to host a town hall meeting to explore how artists can work to find solutions to society's most intractable challenges. This town hall invites attendees to discuss the needs and status of social justice-oriented artists in Atlanta and the American South. Wisdom of the Cypher by Toni Blackman with D.R.E.S. tha BEATnik, Saturday, August 2, 8 p.m. and Sunday, August 3, 2:30 p.m. at The Loft at Center Stage Tickets from $10 Wisdom of the Cypher, a world premiere by Hip Hop impresario Toni Blackman, is a high-energy montage of lyrical verses and spoken word that open upon multiple future pathways and possibilities for Hip Hop—the form and the community. Wisdom of the Cypher travels along the path that not only defines the essence of Hip Hop, but clarifies its soul purpose for existence. Joined by Atlanta-based beatboxer D.R.E.S. tha BEATnik, C. Hankins as the musical conductor and a universe of digital projections, this work in spoken word, images and music unfolds upon a potential future for this sacred form. A Celebration of Music on Film: A Film Festival in Partnership with New York City’s African Diaspora International Film Festival, Saturday, August 16, beginning at 11 a.m. in The Rich Auditorium at Woodruff Arts Center Tickets $8 (Seniors $6) for one film, $42 (Seniors $30) for full-day pass to seven films Films exploring the influence of the African Diaspora on four continents include: “Hands of God,” Dir. Delia Ackerman, Peru; “Susana Baca: Memoria Viva,” Dir. Mark Dixon, Peru/Belgium; “Return to Gorée,” Dir. Dir. Pierre-Yves Borgeaud, Senegal/Switzerland/Luxembourg; “The Story of Lovers Rock,” Dir. Menelik Shabazz, United Kingdom; “Tango Negro: The African Roots of Tango,” Dir. Dom Pedro, France; “Josephine Backer, Black Diva in a White Man’s World,” Dir. Annette von Wangenheim, Germany and “Wild Women Don’t Have the Blues,” Dir. Christine Dall, USA/Canada. NBAF Global Featuring Third World and Maxi Priest, Sunday, August 17, 6 p.m. at The Tabernacle Tickets from $15, VIP from $25 NBAF Global is a new annual celebration of one region of the African Diaspora. This year, NBAF stages an all-out celebration of reggae music and culture in a spectacular concert featuring Jamaican superpower Third World and British-Jamaican megastar Maxi Priest, on tour to promote his new release, Easy to Love. Dance floor and VIP Seating available. Legends Celebration, Saturday, September 6, 8 p.m. at Rialto Center for the Arts Tickets from $25 5 Legends. 5 Awards. One spectacular evening. A Festival favorite and one of the most sought-after tickets on the NBAF calendar, the Legends Celebration pays tribute to luminaries in dance, theater, film, music, and visual arts. Received in past years by none other than Judith Jamison, Maya Angelou, Harry Belafonte, Cicely Tyson, Katherine Dunham, Amiri Baraka, Gladys Knight, Faith Ringgold and Max Roach. This year’s event honors five legendary artists, one in each field, through tribute performances and presentations. Spotlight Series curator Wynton Marsalis is the 2014 Music Legend and will be joined by four other creative luminaries – whom will be announced at the NBAF Gala on July 19. Doxology Ring Shout: A Praise Dance for the Doxy, Saturday, September 13, 8 p.m. and Sunday, September 14, 3 p.m. at Baldwin Burroughs Theatre at Spelman College Tickets from $15 ($5 Student) An NBAF commission and world premiere in partnership with Spelman College, Doxology draws back the curtain on the ecstatic, transcendent ring shout tradition through a rich blend of dance, visual imagery and music. Created by legendary choreographer Dianne McIntyre and esteemed playwright Paul Carter Harrison, this “dance opera” explores the history of the ritual in a virtualized performance environment constructed by video artist Phillip Mallory Jones and supported by musician Dwight Andrews. GAME ON, September 26, 7 p.m. and September 27, 2 p.m., venue: TBD Tickets from $5 This theater piece for young audiences (ages 7 and up) follows its hero, a young girl who ends up inside a video game and learns that virtual reality is no match for real life. GAME ON is the Atlanta premiere of a new hip-hop theater work created by middle school students and performed by adult artists, breakdancers and five graduates of the Brave New Voices Institute. This performance is co-commissioned by the Hip Hop Theater Festival, the National Black Arts Festival and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. First Glance National Competition for High School-age artists in Dance, Music, Spoken Word (Theater) and Visual Art, Saturday, September 27, venue: TBD Free admission, open to the public Now in its fourth year, this NBAF favorite is a national competition for youth artists in four NBAF disciplines. Winners—decided by jury and popular vote—receive cash prizes and professional development. Open to Atlanta and national youth by online submission, First Glance comprises a national call for submissions, a celebrity jury panel, prize packages for winners and a public awards show. Title support for this event is provided by Turner Broadcasting, Inc. through the Turner Voices Initiative. The Generations Project, Master Classes, multiple dates and venues Pre-professional artists ages 18 and up can audition to attend master classes with headliners from this year’s festival including Metropolitan Opera Soprano Harolyn Blackwell, Spotlight Series Percussionist Jason Marsalis, Reggae superstars Third World, Hip Hop master Toni Blackman, Legendary Choreographer Dianne McIntyre and more. Interested artists need to submit a short video or audio recording, your resume, picture, and a paragraph stating interest to GenProject@nbaf.org to be considered for one of these once-in-a-lifetime training opportunities! About the National Black Arts Festival The National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) is the longest-running multi-disciplinary arts festival of the African Diaspora. This year NBAF celebrates its 26th year as a cultural leader. Each year the festival presents works and exhibitions from renowned legends as well as emerging young artists. For the latest news and updates, “like” National Black Arts Festival on Facebook, and visit its web site at www.nbaf.org. ###

5, 7, 9 (I was flirting with the last number being 8) I can't find my chart right now. My sun sign is Aries, I'm rising in Cancer and I think my moon was in Cancer as well, right? I seem to remember most of my planets being on the top half of the natal chart. Other than that I don't remember much else about it. Feel free to share any significant points. Peace.

The problem with TV and everything else in our culture is as soon as anyone recognizes people value something capitalists exploit it for profit--it does not matter what it is. It can be anything from hip-hop to religion, from school yard ball games to dysfunctional families, from the criminal justice system to our food supply. Making a decent living is never enough, profits must increase year after year. If we can make money by fashioning an otherwise useless crop like tobacco into a cancer causing product we'll do it. We are greedy and don't care anything other than money. Youtube, today is more like what the internet was 10 years ago. Everyone has a voice the variety of what is on Youtube is amazing. I do not think this will continue once corporations take full control over who see content, but for now videos like the one above are quite discoverable. Again ,I watch far more youtube than TV. But I am watching Games of Thrones, I loved the scene where the Lannister dwarf told everyone off during the trail :-) Boondocks started a new season but they want us to play extra to see the episodes. As much as I'd like to watch the Boondocks I refuse to pay a penny more than what I already pay for TV I discovered New Star Trek episodes on Youtube. A bunch of Star Trek fanatics have actually created new episodes -- no studio, completely independent. The first episode was quite watchable I was impressed. I'm taking a final cut pro (video editing) class to step up the quality of my YouTube videos. I've taken one of these TM (Transcendental Mediation) classes I think it is beneficial, thought I don't practice it often enough. It feels like you are clearing out the cluttler. I think walking around in mature can be just as beneficial. Spending all of your time in a place like NYC simply is not good for you.

Man you actually still have my chart laying around :-) If not I can scan it for you to review for the public to see. Let me know if you are into doing that.

Pioneer while it is true men have more testosterone which does lead to being more aggressive, I'm not sure that makse a better leader. Historically women have been known to make great leaders and many men have been know to be horrible leaders. There are also different kinds of leaders. A great leader in the boardroom may make a terrible leader on the battle field. One thing we can probably agree on is that there are differences between men an women. Our culture often wants to make believe women are simply men without penises. This thinking does not benefit either sex. This does not mean we should we should treat women like 2nd class citizens or pay them less for doing the same type of work. We should however better understand the differences and make the most of them.

The fascinating thing about this short video, from my perspective, is that if it were not for me running AALBC.com and if I were still working for some Wall Street firm I would have been largely unaware of these issues. Now that I'm struggling to keep this business afloat, pay for my kid's college educations, and maintain a home, I am much more sensitive to all of these issues particularly the media operates while the government watches. TV as we know it will go away on its own. Like an increasing number of people I rarely watch it. I consume the vast majority of my content via Youtube. Where, at least for now, one can find alternative content that mass media choices not to provide. However, alternative sources (like AALBC.com) are finding it increasing difficult to find an audience for our content out as Google's YouTube favors advertisers, and of course there are the net neutrality and digital divide issue to content with. One point made in the video is that television increasingly separates us from the natural world, as a result we receive no information from the natural world. This made me think about Cynique's moon experience, which she feels is unique, but may in fact be perfectly natural. Indeed our connection with the natural world my be related to astrology conversations we have been having lately. I'd image a significant portion of American's have no connect to the natural world. They could not identify a constellation in the night sky any more than they could find Nebraska on a map of the US. They could not grow food or even identify what is safe to eat if their lives depended upon it. Indeed many people hate the outdoors and are much more comfortable sitting in front of a TV watching nature on a screen.

Pioneer, sure life style is a problem, but if you see the film it explains how pervasive the added sugar is in the food being sold. The labels are very misleading. Imagine if a corporation was allowed to sell you crack and say that it was good for you because it helped you keep your weight down (actually an argument many smokers use). Would you blame the individual who tried it became hooked or would the corporation be at fault?

After publishing the Blog post about Fed Up I went back to edit it. I realized I missing providing a link to the Fed Up movie's website. Well for some reason the Fed Up movie website did not come up first, but there was a prominent Google ad for what appeared to be the Fed Up website. I clicked the advertisement trying to reach the website and discovered a site by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA). The GMA's site homepage looks very much like the Fed Up movie site (see a comparison below). The GMA touts itself as the “makers of the world’s favorite food, beverage and consumer products.” On the FedUpFacts website you will find additional “facts,” all of which contradict the information provided in the film. Sources cited included a February 2014 New York Times’ article, Obesity Rate for Young Children Plummets 43% in a Decade. Based upon this article the GMA asserts: Over the last decade, childhood obesity rates have dropped by as much as 43 percent, and obesity rates overall have plateaued. "For the first time, we’re seeing a significant decrease in childhood obesity" nationally, said Dr. Thomas Frieden, director of the CDC, earlier this year. However, if you read the actual article and the points above in context you see that; Point #1 is a misrepresentation of what was written in the NY Times article. First, the drop in obesity rates was from 14% to 8% for children ages 2 to 5 years. Second, the article goes on to say the obesity rates for this "tiny fraction" of the population fluctuates and more time will be needed to determine if this is a trend. Second, the articles states "...figures for the broader society had remained flat, and had even increased for women over 60. A third of adults and 17 percent of youths are obese, the federal survey found." To say that Obesity rates have plateaued, based upon the NY Times article is egregious enough to be called an outright lie. Point #2 A Dr. Thomas Frieden is not mentioned in the article the GMA referred as the source of their point. But online articles are often make corrections, so it is possible he was mentioned in an earlier version. The article did however quote Cynthia L. Ogden, a researcher and the lead author of the report who said “This is the first time we’ve seen any indication of any significant decrease in any group.” Cynthia was also the person who caution that this group is a "tiny fraction" of the population and that the figures for the broader society had remained flat, and had even increased for women over 60. Finally, and this is the main point, the GMA never denies that all the extra sugar is making people much less healthy. They are no different that the tobacco industry. At the end of the day the Surgeon General is useless. The Government is merely the handmaiden of corporations who in reckless pursuit of maximizing the wealth of their owners are have no problem destroying the planet, poisoning the food supply, miseducating our children, locking up our adults, and controlling the media. The saddest part is we, as a people, don't seem to care. I would always tell people who expressed a concern about Obama being assassinated not to worry, because Obama poses no threat. Indeed no one in the Black community poses a threat; most of us strive to successful parts of the system that oppresses us.