Troy

Well the scandalous content wins -- 111 readers 3 days 7 hours Black People Don't Read -- 112 readers 1 day 3 hours The "looking for a book post" actually had an additional promotion from the last eNewsletter that was mailed. The "looking for a book post" one of the most frequently clicked links. That tells me the 15K newsletter subscribers are more sophisticated than the general population. They don't skew to scandal--they are looking for good books. The number of readers would have been much higher in the past and there would have been some participation in this conversation; rather than me simply writing for lurkers and transient visitors. This, of course, is why we see so much scandalous content across the web, so much so, it is crowding everything else out. It will be an interesting to see what changes we see in the near future...

The production designer for this film, Wynn Thomas, is my cousin.

Here is one reaction from Facebook The broader issue , is also attributed to decline in the Black American Population, the INCREASE of other Black Nationalism of Caribbean and Latino ethnicities. The growing Number of Black Americans who are not exclusively searching for Black only reading materials. Further, the decline in other demographics who wish to read genre outside of their own comfort level. While , yes, there is a decline in people reading books, as books is a form of delivering information, communication, and entertainment. As there has been a decline in theatre, and decline actually in Movie attendance. The challenge comes into cross promoting the books to a larger audience so that there is an appeal as a story that appeals to many people across many different demographics. In addition, to expand the story to different delivery formats, that the book will be posed for a TED topic and or a cable show or theatre or Netflix or TVONE.... My Response [Name of person], two quick questions; (1) Did you follow the link? (if not, you should); (2) Did you reply via a mobile device? Admittedly it is a complex issue. But the Black population is growing. Indeed it is growing at a faster rate than the overall population: http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-06.pdf True Black people read (MUST READ) outside their race. But I'm talking about read in general. Also my comment was prompted by a recent Washington Post article (linked here: http://aalbc.com/tc/index.php...) talking about the increase in the number of independent book stores. The sentiment is that demand for books in increasing imply people are reading more. My data in Black owned independent bookstores shows a dramatic reduction in the number of stores over the past decade. Finally, the NEA issued a "Grave" warming concerning the decreased reading rates of African Americans: http://aalbc.com/reviews/reading-rates-decline.html Given all of this information, one has to ask why is there not a hue and cry from Black folks? Perhaps it is because we don't read?

I admit I deliberately used a controversial title to see if more people would be enticed to read this post. Needless to say, as the guy running this website, I believe there are significant number of Black people who do read--at least enough to make this site viable as a business, albeit a challenging one. I also believe the issue is more of an American cultural one, and one of class, rather than "race." That said, I do believe the reading rates of Black people are on the decline. If this continues, there may come a time, in the life time of the average person reading this, where one can legitimately say, Black people don't read." Below is another piece of evidence. It shows the numbers of queries on the terms "African American Books" and "African American Literature" As you can see, the people searching on these terms have been on a steady decline for the past decade. The peaks, each year, are in February--no surprise there. An interactive version of the graph is available on a page where I have started an article on the subject. Now of course one can not say that because there are fewer searches on the terms described that there are fewer Black folks are reading. Nor can one conclude that Black readership is down since the number of Black owned bookstores have declined, substantially, during the same period shown on the graph. Even the reduction and weakening of Black book sites does not mean Black folk are reading less. And just because books are barely covered, let alone reviewed, in the Black press and magazines, does not mean Black folks are not interested in reading... right? Hummm, maybe I'm focusing on the negative. Lets look at the positive. Black folks rule the Twittershere better than 25% of all users (twice our percentage of the population). You have to read to use Twitter. Many people tell me, "At least they are reading something." You also have texting, Black people spend a tremendous amount of time on "smart" phones texting, so much so that corporation are now retooling websites to accommodate mobile user--even homeless people have cell phones. Of course a smart phone with the twitter app is a perfect substitute for a novel. This post was promoted by an earlier post about the increase in the number of http://aalbc.com/tc/index.php?/topic/2433-indie-bookstores-growing-but-not-in-the-black-community/.

Y'all make some nice covers Milton. www.mvmediaatl.com, I checked Amazon and B&N the print versions are no available yet. When will they be ready?

In reality, I don't really care. However I don't think Ann is a racist in the "get a rope" sense that you seem to be implying Harry. I find her more humorous than dangerous. I believe she is probably more like the person McGruder portrayed her as in the Boondocks cartoon above. I also do not believe that Carson, Cain and Rice can, or should be grouped together simply because they are Black and Republican. That is like grouping Al Shaprton and MLK together because they are ministers, or equating Ghandi and Obama because they both received Nobel Prizes for Peace.

The Washington Post Independent bookstores turn a new page on brick-and-mortar retailing By Michael S. Rosenwald, Published: December 15 From the article: The American Booksellers Association, which represents independent bookstores, says its membership — it hit a low of 1,600 in 2008 — has grown 6.4 percent in 2013, to 2,022. Sales were up 8 percent in 2012, and those gains have held this year. Nationally, while there are still indie bookstores shutting their doors, unable to hold on against the tough head winds, there are more stores opening than closing. This is not the first article if read recently about a growth in the number of independent bookstores. I been witnessing and writing about the stark reduction in the number of Black owned bookstores in America. So while I find the apparent growth of indie bookstores in the majority community, I have no reason to rejoice fort the Black community. These stores simply will not stock a large number of books written by Black people. Sure, the more progressive stores will have the award winning book of James McBride and Jesmyn Ward, they will also sell anything Oprah anoints like the 12 Tribes of Hattie, they'll stock Toni Morrison and Alice Walker and for extra credit they'll have a few foreign authors like Adiche and Zadie Smith on their selves. But the so called mid-list Black authors not very likely to be in stock; self-published authors, forget about it; books by Black cultural icons like Dr Ben, Chancellor Williams or John Henrik Clarke--don't make me laugh. It is just as well, Black folks don't read anyway.

Join African Voices Magazine in Harlem this evening for a chance to win this package of books and other cool prizes: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-networking-event-mixer-at-the-aloft-hotel-in-harlem-tickets-9487680909 If you are in the Harlem area stop by and say hello!

To win be one of the 1st three people to subscribe to, or renew their subscription to, the AALBC.com eNewsletter at the new Supporter or Sustainer level, Visit http://aalbc.com/enewslet.htm to subscribe. Read the AALBC.com Review

http://aalbc.it/bkalbum Ted.com reports: Beyoncé samples Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TEDx message on surprise album Adichie’s words come in at 1:24, and form a beautiful second verse of the song: “We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller. We say to girls, ‘You can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful, but not too successful. Otherwise you will threaten the man.’ Because I am female, I am expected to aspire to marriage. I am expected to make my life choices always keeping in mind that marriage is the most important. Now marriage can be a source of joy and love and mutual support. But why do we teach to aspire to marriage and we don’t teach boys the same? We raise girls to see each other as competitors – not for jobs or for accomplishments, which I think can be a good thing, but for the attention of men. We teach girls that they cannot be sexual beings in the way that boys are. Feminist: the person who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes.” Watch the full talk below:

Cynique this is in my next enewsletter! I guess you have not heard how Mrs. Hova pilfered words from an Adiche TEDx talk, using them in her lyrics. Now she hailed as profound! Holy Cow! What passes off as depth is deep.

Guy Johnson: He writes books for the macho, super-hero in all of us. Looking for a book for the man in your life? You will not go wrong with Guy. He is also Maya Angelou's son. I recommend Guy's books all the time. He was perhaps one of the 1st authors we hosted for our online book club. I called him in California (from New York), and keyed the answers to the questions posted by the online participants. Sounds primitive by today's standards but that was back in 1999. Guy's Standing at the Scratch Line was one reason I became passionate about promoting books.

"What did you think of how the cartoon The Boondocks depicted you?" Ann replied; I’ve at least heard of The Boondocks. But again, I have no idea how that was done. I wouldn’t know all that I do about history, if I spent my time watching cartoons and other TV shows. [Chuckles]

Classic Cynique. I draw no distinction between a professional athlete and an entertainer. They are all entertainers. In entertainment, marketing hype often trumps talent, this remains sports entertainment's last saving grace...for now. Jim and Kobe are like night and day. Jim is a "Man's Man" reared in an American culture that prided itself those characteristics. Kobe too is a man of his time and up bringing. Other than being great athletic talents they have little else in common. "News" has become entertainment too and the entertainer, Stephen Smith, has milked it for about all it is worth. Some Black entertainers buck dance, coon, and wear dresses; others play games; some make videos screaming Nig*er and Bit*h; while others talk trash about the former and call it reporting. I can't image what a Belafonte, Brown or a Cynique must think about this generation. A time where book sellers struggle to remain relevant and Black folks dominate the twitter-sphere with selfies and #thingsblackgirlsdo

Sonz of Darkness Paperback by Dru Noble Lost to the hands of a tragic past in Haiti, the lives of two brothers separated during their early childhood, are pulled into a twisted course of destiny they can t escape. Gary Romulus, an urban ex-convict blessed with supernatural gifts, is plagued with constant haunting nightmares of his origins. Andrew Taylor, a distinguished, a wealthy industrialist, living the life of privilege and power, is totally unaware of his true history. When their present opposing lives collide in America, both Gary and Andrew are faced with the truth of who they really are, and the knowledge of their undeniable future. Witness the extraordinary journey of SONZ OF DARKNESS, as the two brothers battle against a coming tide that will stop at nothing to claim them, but will ultimately destroy the world itself for its victory. http://www.amazon.com/dp/0974298212?tag=ghettoheat-20 Thanks for sharing the interview here HICKSON.

Yeah it is been real quiet. Some of the regulars are more active on social media, some seemingly have disappeared completely. I'm looking forward to your more frequent contributions too. I've been on social media for a few years now and it just ain't the same. Too fleeting, no real debate, too focused on pop-culture, little serious conversation about anything.... Maybe I'll compare and contrast on a Blog post.

Jim Brown's Statement http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x189lzl_the-arsenio-hall-show-jim-brown-calls-out-kobe-bryant_fun I did not quickly find a statement from Kobe. I could care less about what Stephen Smith has to say about it. It is funny though the vast majority of what I did find was Stephen Smith (i looked for just a few minutes). So much coverage of a second hand opinion.

Kalyani Magazine - a semi annual literary print magazine by women of color - has it's third issue on the theme "How I Got Over". This represents poetry, prose, and artwork by women of color from around the world. Editor-in-chief – Shubha Bala Managing Editor – Priya X. Agrawal Managing Editor – Colleen Thompson Table of Contents for Issue #3 2 • Interview with Yvonne Fly Onakeme Etaghene 10 • Nigerian Dyke Holy Text by Yvonne Fly Onakeme Etaghene 12 • first poem since by Yvonne Fly Onakeme Etaghene • Writing • 16 • Becoming a fish by Anna G. Raman 17 • Time is a Blanket Sewn from Strips of Cloud and Rainbow by Zahra Murphy Patterson 23 • Mumo by Alexandria Delcourt 24 • On Forgiveness by Alexandria Delcourt 26 • the people say by Maisha Z. Johnson 28 • Termination at 19 (or On wisdom) by Adrienne Christian 30 • Backyard American Dream by Gia Bernini 34 • how i got over by Adrienne Christian 35 • My Palestine Stands Still by Laila Shikaki 36 • Numbers by Hope Wabuke 38 • At Sixteen by Latorial Faison 39 • Miso Without Tofu by Sophia E. Terazawa 43 • certainty by Angeline Yang 44 • Should Love Come Looking by Jehan Roberson 46 • In Praise of My Butt by Nadia Alexis 47 • Fantastic Bon-Voyage by sahara borja 55 • Epilogue by Maria Gregorio 56 • Scattered Pieces by Rashida James-Saadiya 58 • This Is Steadiness In Breath by Romila Barryman 60 • Palladia by DeMisty D. Bellinger 65 • To the Owner of Lonely Nights by Jehan Roberson 68 • Black on my Skin Dream by Kaitlynn Lane 70 • brazilian symphony by Annie Gustin • Visual Art • 33 • Elastic Energy by Molly Solanki 57 • back to us by Maurica Roland 72 • Two Sisters…Tropical Waltz by Annie Gustin 86 • Cover Art: Deneen by So Yoon Lym More at: http://kalyanimagazine.com

U.S. Department of Labor For Immediate Release Dec. 12, 2013 Office of Public Affairs Contact: Jennifer Marion Washington, D.C. Phone: 202-693-5795 Release Number: 13-2156-ATL/BOS 2013-219 Email: marion.jennifer.r@dol.gov African-American literature, authors central to Labor Department’s Books that Shaped Work in America project WASHINGTON – From Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” to Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” African-American literature and authors are represented in the titles of fiction, nonfiction, plays and poetry included on the initial roll of Books that Shaped Work in America. The Web-based project, www.dol.gov/books, part of the U.S. Department of Labor ongoing commemoration of its 100th anniversary, and in partnership with the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, aims to engage the public about the department's mission and America's history as a nation of workers as portrayed through published works. The project serves as an online book club where people from all walks of life can share books that informed them about occupations and careers, molded their views about work and helped elevate the discourse about work, workers and workplaces. At the same time, the site provides a unique way for people to learn about the mission and resources of the U.S. Department of Labor. "The Books that Shaped Work in America initiative explores the dignity of work and our progress in expanding America's fundamental promise of opportunity for all through the lens of literature," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "This progress cannot be understood and fully appreciated without also examining the struggle for access to opportunity and equal rights that has been a part of the American experience, particularly with respect to African Americans in the 20th Century.” Work, like our nation, is constantly evolving, and so Books that Shaped Work in America is no different. To get it started, 24 individuals, including Perez, eight former secretaries of labor from Democratic and Republican administrations, civil rights leaders, authors and media personalities submitted suggestions. Among the contributors: former Secretary of Labor Alexis Herman, President of the National Urban League Marc Morial and the Labor Department’s Women’s Bureau head Latifa Lyles. Their recommendations are included on the initiative's website, along with brief summaries of each book and links to related U.S. Department of Labor resources. Now the public is invited to expand the list. A simple, online form, which can be found at http://www.dol.gov/books/form, makes it easy for anyone to suggest a book. From August Wilson’s collection of plays in ‘The Pittsburgh Cycle’ to Claude Brown’s ‘Manchild in the Promised Land’ to Isabel Wilkerson’s ‘The Warmth of Other Suns,’ many of the books on the list demonstrate the relationship between work and the African-American experience. While workplace discrimination was often a barrier to opportunity, good jobs and hard work was also a tool for overcoming inequality. Many of the books on the list reflect this and demonstrate the positive impact a changing workplace had on the nation. Books like Richard Wright’s ‘Native Son’ and Zora Neale Hurston’s ‘Their Eyes Were Watching God,’ along with memoirs from Frederick Douglass and Dorothy Height, have influenced the working lives of both those who fought for equal rights and all of us who benefited from their efforts. The project was inspired by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress' 2012 Books That Shaped America exhibition, which explored the impact of books on American life and culture. Many of the books in that exhibition had work as a central theme, bringing to light the significant role published works have played in shaping America's view of workers and workplaces throughout its history. Created in 1913, the mission of the U.S. Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights. To learn more about the department's history, visit www.dol.gov/100/. # # #

Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library - Inside cover and first page of Austin Reed's manuscript. Years ago, a rare-books dealer browsing at an estate sale in Rochester came across an unusual manuscript, dated 1858. The family selling it said little about where it had been for the last 150 years. It appeared never to have left upstate New York. Scholars now believe that the mystery manuscript is the first recovered memoir written in prison by an African-American, a discovery that Yale University says it made after authenticating the document and acquiring it for its Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library. The 304-page memoir, titled “The Life and Adventures of a Haunted Convict, or the Inmate of a Gloomy Prison,” describes the experiences of the author, Austin Reed, from the 1830s to the 1850s in a prison in upstate New York. Read the full NY Times article written By Julie Bosman Published: December 11, 2013

Holy Lockdown: Does the Church Limit Black Progress? Jeremiah Camara http://amzn.to/holylockdown Holy Lockdown: Does the Church Limit Black Progress? Why are there many churches, yet major problems in Black communities? Why are Blacks amongst the most Jesus-Praising people in the world, yet the most fragmented and economically dependent? Is there a correlation between high praising and low productivity? Holy Lockdown addresses the paradox that exists within the Black community. One that reflects the abundance of Black churches coupled with the abundance of Black problems. There are approximately 85,000 predominately Black churches in this country, meaning, we could have 1,700 Black churches in every state! Holy Lockdown takes a critical and long overdue look at the psychological impact the church and sermonic rhetoric has made on the Black collective, and it explores the possibility of the church as being a contributing factor to many social problems facing Blacks. Jeremiah Camara is the author of the books Holy Lockdown: Does the Church Limit Black Progress? and The New Doubting Thomas: The Bible, Black Folks, and Blind Belief. He received national attention as a frequent guest on the Michael Baisden Show and Lib Radio. Camara continues to speak nationwide about the perils of blind belief and religious preoccupation. Camara, was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1989, he created a video documentary titled Psychological Wars, which examined subliminal messages in sitcoms, cartoons and commercials that negatively impacted the psyche of African Americans. The documentary was endorsed by noted Black educators Na'im Akbar and Jawanza Kunjufu. Camara was once a member of one of the largest Black churches in Cincinnati, Ohio. Baptized at an early age, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, shortly after high school, where he began his quest toward a deeper understanding of spirituality. While in Cleveland, he began to diligently study the Bible and gave serious thought to becoming a minister, or at least living an active life in the church. During that time, he attended a Baptist church at least two or three times a week. Like many, he felt the church could provide him with the substance he was missing in the way of answers, meaning and purpose in his life. There came a time, however, when he began to distance himself from the church not because of a particularly bad experience or negative incident, but because he had begun to expose himself to other forms of thought, spiritual concepts and ideas. I began to see the church as just one source of knowledge. The diversity of the world and its kaleidoscopic array of infinite ideas and wisdom would not permit my spirit to be confined only to the teachings of the church. It also disturbed me deeply to witness Blacks praising so much, but producing so little, says Camara. Camara returned to church, but this time as an investigator. Visits to churches of varying denominations brought to light a common thread linking the vast majority. Mostly all, in his opinion, were preaching a gospel of powerlessness. Following a long investigative hiatus, he rediscovered this same theological impotence when he moved to the Atlanta-metro area, where he quickly discovered that church was big business. He knew then the time had come to write a book shedding light on the many psychologically crippling aspects within the church. Camara adds, African Americans have been theologically conditioned to rely upon supernaturalism and divine intervention to solve problems. In the long run, this has hampered the ability to think logically and practically when it comes to addressing critical issues. The time has come to sober up and reevaluate our relationship with religion.

Harry this argument falls apart because you are getting your Hispanics confused. The Mexicans trying to slip under the fence at an Arizona border are the the same as the wealthy folks who fled Castro's Cuba. They have nothing in common except a language--barely.

I grew up in a building that looked very much like the one shown in this animation. I clearly recall reasoning that Santa was fiction based upon the fact that we had no fire place from Santa to descend. The projects, however, actually do have chimneys. When I was a kid we would dump our trash down a chute where it was periodically incinerated and the noxious smoke was released through a chimney. Today they use compactors and God know where the smushed-up rubbish goes from there. I recall trying to explain my reasoning to another kid, in an attempt to dispel the myth of Kris Kringle. The kid simply would not believe me. Many years later, I heard the kid went on to pastor a church.

Apparently these photos were taken during the Nelson Mandela Memorial Oh by the way, First lady not peeved, says photographer who caught the Obama selfie