Troy

I reference a well done interview with Toni Morrison in my latest eNewsletter: http://aalbc.it/newsmay2012 Please let us know what you think about Morrison's latest. There seemed to be a lot less coverage of this book (in the Black media) compared to her previous work. Morrison's work debutes at #9 on the NY Times BestSeller's List

Yeah right waterstar. The vast majority of men not would watch these shows then go on line and talk about them -- even under a false identity. This risk is too great to be outted. Men don't have feminine sides, women do.

As far as I'm concerned capitalists have masterfully convinced all women that they need to change something. usually it is something that never needed to be changed in the first place. Men are, unfortunately, getting on the band wagon too -- arching eye brows, tattooing skin, piercing ears, noses, and spending more time in a saloon chair than women getting their hair braided, dying, straightened, curled...

Richard Wesley and Valerie Wilson Wesley are honored

I hear you a Waterstar, but my point is it would not be possible to debate a true Christian on this subject. It is a matter of faith, and not up for debate.

The views expressed here do not reflect those of Troy Johnson, AALBC.com or it's affiliates

I don't know Waterstar. What you say may be true. As far as questioning Bible stories you may as well stop. I do know this: no one who believes them will debate you here. It does not work that way.

Jesse Jacksonish? Why it doesn't even rhyme People may be hungry, but no one is starving to death and that is a direct consequence of our inordinate wealth compared with the rest of the world. I just wish that wealth resulted in better education and less incarceration for Black folks...

As long a race is used as a tool to pit the masses against each other, race will still matter. I may not be a racist, but If i live in a racist environment it would be reckless of me, or anyone, to behave as if I did not. P also stands for Pontificator, Pushover, and Preacher. Cynique forget it... The language has already changed to accommodate the new definition of the words "Husband" and "Wife". It started with the redefinition of the word "Marriage". Merriam Webster will catch up shortly (assuming she hasn’t already). Waterstar, using your logic about King James is largely irrelevant with regard to those that believe in that version of the Bible. If one looked a little further back into history they would find things which might call the veracity of the whole book into question. People believe what they want to believe emotion trumps truth most of the time. Sure the gay choir director in the Black church is almost a cliché, and while the minister might be giving the old fashioned fire and brimstone, homosexuality is an abomination sermon, no one in the audience will say anything -- because people who disagreed would be somewhere else.

Well I can say Obama and Romney coming down on opposite sides of this issue will force the Black church and others to come to terms with this issue. The Black church's beliefs are actually more in line with the conservative positions expressed by right, but the Black Church like the majority of Black folks of course vote democratic. This is perhaps why there has been no overt actions by the government to directly help eradicate the problems confronting the Black poor and middle class in several decades. This is not to suggest that the Republicans offer an alternative. The next 4.5 years will be crucial for our country.

...repeated in so many different variations, across the nation, for generations When the Pruitt-Igoe housing project opened back in 1956, its 33 high-rise towers were hailed as a symbol of the future of American urban renewal. Located on a 57-acre tract on St. Louis’ north side, the federally-funded development was created to provide shelter for 12,000 African-American refugees of the city’s crumbling slums. Read the Rest of the Film's Review

Black Women and Fat By ALICE RANDALL Published: May 5, 2012 FOUR out of five black women are seriously overweight. One out of four middle-aged black women has diabetes. With $174 billion a year spent on diabetes-related illness in America and obesity quickly overtaking smoking as a cause of cancer deaths, it is past time to try something new. The was a very popular article as illustrated by the tracking on the bit.ly link tracking (which is justr a subset of the social media lift https://bitly.com/Ix8Vh2+ Most of the conversation online was in reaction, to the reaction, to the article. I can't tell most people never read the actual article. You might rememeber as the noveleist who wrote "The Wind Done Gone" Randall also has a new novel: Ada Rules about an overweight women http://aalbc.com/authors/alice-randall.html

LOL! You are right about sports fans are often masochists -- they are heavily invested in something they can't control. That is a perfect recipe for stress. Of course money does pervert the sports on every level. The profit driven impact on college campuses is almost criminal. Unlike you, I enjoy watching the ends of games that are very close -- which is why I took a break from working and sat down with the family and watched the end of the game. It was fun watching Carmelo Anthony King James putting up clutch 3's or just making magic on the court. Of course if Dwayne Wade would have made the buzzer beating, hail Mary 3 point shot he put up and swept the Knicks on their home court -- that would have been on highlight reels for weeks. The blowouts are a waste of time (to me). I watched USF blowout FAMU recently in football. USF 2nd and 3rd stringers made a touch down every time the got the ball. FAMU, almost in retribution to the shellacking they were being served, killed during the halftime show -- completely covering the field with musicians and dancers. Shortly thereafter one of the members of FAMU's Drum Line was killed as a result of hazing...

Question: How many po-po does it take to change a light bulb? Answer: None, they kill the room for being Black.

I just read Cynique's lamenting I also watched the last few minutes of the Knicks win over his royal majesty Lebron James' Miami heat. Spike Lee was in the audience giving birth over the games -- sitting in a seat worth a mortgage payment. The Knick's game was close and kept the injury prone team from breaking their own record 13 straight playoff losses and a 0-7 season spanking by the Heat. But other than those observations the game really meant nothing for me. Sure there were some great shots and moves made, but the game could have been played by two completely different teams and I would have been just as unmoved. I did not care who won or lost -- the only time I do is when I have money on the game. Sometimes I think I would care more if all the Knicks actually came from and lived in New York. But maybe not. The coaches and the players come and go, switching teams so frequently it is hard to become invested an any given team's outcome. I just accept the fact I can never get very worked up over a game that I'm not actually playing in. It also makes me think about all the recent coverage over the idea of getting rid of college athletics. As a former D1 athlete I agree with the idea. I have kids at Syracuse University and Williiam & Mary. SU has a huge arena were ticket prices can exceed $100. W&M has a field that a High School might brag about. Student attend for free and Tickets cost $20. I think, net-net, W&M's system benefits the students/athletes/alumni/university more as it pertains to academic achievement. SU might send more students to the professional ranks. But the numbers are too small to really matter and SU should not be in the business of training professional athletes. The University of Chicago got rid of there football program. Was there any ill effect? What is with our nation's obsession with sports? The obsession is not explained by our concern for fitness or participation because we are a nation of overweight couch potatoes. Is it that our lives are so empty that we live vicariously through the lives of the competitors? Men seem to be effected more than women. I go to pro football games from time to time and it is mostly dudes there. Dudes who talk about the game as if they were actually in it. "We" should have done this or "we" should have done that. Or this was a great win for "us". Some people dedicate entire rooms in their homes to the activity of watching sports. Entire weekends are dedicated to watching games. I know guys who barely graduated from a low performing inner city high school but can speak with great alacrity, depth and insight on why one team is better than another. I don't get it would anyone care to explain?

Gregg Burton Author of What Happens Overseas Stays Overseas Stephanie Johnson and Rush Reid authors of Dying For Life

Dr. Joel Freeman Talks about the "Rosetta Stone", the first ancient bilingual text recovered in modern times. Rahiem Brooks author of the crime thriller "Con Test: Double Life" DeVaughn M. Lilly author of The Magnificent Life of Gravvy Brown

These programs are now available for viewing on the web.

Valerie Wilson Wesley April 28, 2012 HBF Newark Bruce Welch author of "They Made Me an Addict: An American Tale" J.M. Benjamin Author of the "Ride or Die Chick" series Wahida Clark the Official Queen of Street Lit Amiri Baraka Tribute at the HBF Newark (This was a really good event) There are more coming...

The day she fixes her Cap Lock key will be renamed Boitumelo Day henceforth and forever more. Have you ever thought about the name "Boitumelo"? I was thinking about what it could mean. For example "Writegirl870" could mean you are woman born in August of 1970 and likes to write. But what does "Boitumelo" mean? Honestly, it looks like the name a spammer would use. But it probably has some deep esoteric meaning beyond my feeble comprehension, that or a random assortment of letters. In any event, I'm still glad Boitumelo pops by to spark discussion :-)

Y'all may be surprised by my reaction on the impact of social media on black writing. I may be Mr Social Media, but it has a LONG way to go before it helps Black writers. I stand alone as I make my case Saturday, April 28, 21012 12pm (ET) Approx. 40 min. 2012 National Black Writers Conference: Tavis Smiley: http://aalbc.it/nbwctavis 12:45pm (ET) Approx. 1 hr. 26 min. 2012 National Black Writers Conference - Panel: "The Impact of Popular Culture on Politics in Literature William Jelani Cobb; Keli Goff; Anthony Grooms; Lita Hooper; Michael Simanga; Conrad Tillard http://aalbc.it/nbwcpopculture 2:15pm (ET) Approx. 1 hr. 32 min. 2012 National Black Writers Conference - Panel: "Being Sold or Selling Ourselves: Black Writers and the Marketplace: Regina Brooks; JLove Calderon; Linda Duggins; Lisa Moore; Johnny Temple; Cheryl Woodruff http://aalbc.it/nbwcbeingsold 3:45pm (ET) Approx. 1 hr. 27 min. 2012 National Black Writers Conference - Panel: "The Role of Social Media: Black Writers Take Literature to the Web: Angela Dodson; Joel Dreyfuss; Troy Johnson; Montague Kobbe; Akoto Ofori-Atta; Laura Pegram http://aalbc.it/nbwcsocialmedia Sunday, April 29, 2012 12am (ET) Approx. 40 min. 2012 National Black Writers Conference - Panel: "The Impact of Popular Culture on Politics in Literature William Jelani Cobb; Keli Goff; Anthony Grooms; Lita Hooper; Michael Simanga; Conrad Tillard http://aalbc.it/nbwcpopculture 12:45am (ET) Approx. 1 hr. 26 min. 2012 National Black Writers Conference - Panel: "The Impact of Popular Culture on Politics in Literature William Jelani Cobb; Keli Goff; Anthony Grooms; Lita Hooper; Michael Simanga; Conrad Tillard http://aalbc.it/nbwcpopculture 2:15am (ET) Approx. 1 hr. 32 min. 2012 National Black Writers Conference - Panel: "Being Sold or Selling Ourselves: Black Writers and the Marketplace: Regina Brooks; JLove Calderon; Linda Duggins; Lisa Moore; Johnny Temple; Cheryl Woodruff http://aalbc.it/nbwcbeingsold 3:45am (ET) Approx. 1 hr. 27 min. 2012 National Black Writers Conference - Panel: "The Role of Social Media: Black Writers Take Literature to the Web: Angela Dodson; Joel Dreyfuss; Troy Johnson; Montague Kobbe; Akoto Ofori-Atta; Laura Pegram http://aalbc.it/nbwcsocialmedia

This was a lyric from the NWA song called "F*ck tha Police" that went something like this: Black police showing out for the white cop This happens all the time -- even in Corporate America. White boys hook each other up ALL THE TIME. Brother, feel compelled to prove they are not showing favoritism actually are doing the same thing; standing on the side lines Brothers are held back. They only show overt support during some corporate sanctioned program usually in February... Is Obama different?

Cynique I can tell you right now, based on this single post, that enigmatic, broken "Caps Lock" key having, boitumelo is a woman. First, a no man would watch a show called "Love Addictions" unless he was with a woman he was trying to love addict a woman. Second, the whole subject of cougars is a concept that women think about, not men. The terms was probably crafted by a 20-something woman mad by over some 50+ year old woman beating her time. I rest my case and would be willing to stake my reputation on this.

boitumelo, welcome to the Western world.

Media Contact: Karen Hatchett karen.hatchett@charter.net 770-433-1137 Atlanta Jazz Festival Celebrates 35 Years Of Southern Hospitality And World Class Jazz! “We are reaching an important milestone as the Atlanta Jazz Festival celebrates 35 years,” states Camille Russell Love, Director of the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs. “We take our stewardship of the festival seriously and salute the leaders whose vision and hard work created this preeminent cultural event, featuring well-known jazz legends and exciting new artists. For the entire month of May, through the performances in Piedmont Park over Memorial Day weekend, we’ll continue the rich tradition of presenting world class jazz, combined with southern hospitality. Whether you like your jazz traditional or contemporary, smooth or eclectic, with big band swing or a Latin beat, we’ll have something to excite your senses and soothe your soul. We invite jazz enthusiasts of all ages to join us for an unforgettable experience.” This year’s schedule includes jazz greats Roy Ayers, Cyrus Chestnut Trio, Tito Puente Jr. & Orchestra, Robert Glasper Experiment, Russell Gunn, Edy Martinez and Kathleen Bertrand. Newcomers include the Grace Kelly Quintet and Yolanda Rabun. Here’s an overview of the 35th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival: “31 Days of Jazz” Every day throughout the month of May there will be jazz performances in parks, restaurants, clubs and venues around Atlanta as part of this year’s Atlanta Jazz Festival. Activities will include live jazz in Underground Atlanta, Martinis & IMAX at Fernbank Museum, Jazz Under the Stars at Clark Atlanta University, Friday Jazz at the High Museum and Fiesta Atlanta in Centennial Olympic Park. The entire “31 Days of Jazz” schedule will be available online at www.atlantafestivals.com. You can also pick up a brochure with the schedule at participating partners and enter the Passport Program contest to win prizes and a special VIP Festival Experience. AJF Weekend Evening Concerts This year there will be three concerts at the Loews Atlanta Hotel, located at 1065 Peachtree Street, in the heart of Midtown. Ojeda Penn will perform on Thursday, May 24 from 8-10 pm in Bar Eleven. Admission is free. Johnny O’Neal will perform in the AJF35 Kickoff Cabaret on Friday, May 25 in the Mercer Ballroom. Opening performance by Jennifer Freeman. Doors open at 7 pm for an 8 pm performance. Tickets prices are $35 per person or $200 for a reserved table for 4. Tickets are available at www.ticketalternative.com. AJF Late Night Jazz Jam with Friends will be hosted by Jason Orr on Sunday, May 27 from 10 pm-2 am in the Ellington Ballroom. Tickets are $35 per person and are available at www.ticketalternative.com. AJF35 @ Piedmont Park The festival is back in beautiful Piedmont Park this year with three days of music over Memorial Day Weekend from Saturday, May 26 through Monday, May 28. Piedmont Park will be open each day during the festival from 11 am - 11 pm. The event is open to the public and it is FREE. Two stages will feature live music all three days from 1 pm - 11 pm. Two KidZone areas will offer family-friendly fun from Noon – 6pm each day. Activities will include sports like soccer and basketball, a cooling tent where popular cartoons will be screened each day, face painters, inflatables and the ever popular hula hoops! The KidZones are sponsored by Cartoon Network and Publix Super Markets. Go Green Jazz Eco Village will further environmental education. The Atlanta Jazz Festival is partnering with the City of Atlanta Office of Sustainability and additional organizations whose missions relate to eight areas of sustainability concern: Air quality, Land use, Transportation, Energy, Water conservation, Sustainability planning, Human health & community vitality and Waste. Their goal is not only to reduce the festival’s environmental impact during the festival, but to encourage sustainability planning beyond the festival weekend. Partners like Zipcar, Boxcar Grocer and the Department of Watershed Management will present information and demonstrations to help festival-goers learn ways to positively impact their lives, their communities, and the environment. A wide variety of food vendors will tempt your taste buds with BBQ, gyros, burgers, Caribbean foods and more! Browse among the booths for unique items including art, clothing and jewelry. Sponsors for this year’s festival are The Coca-Cola Company, Publix Super Markets, PNC Bank, Clear, Cartoon Network, Chick-Fil-A, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Loews Atlanta Hotel, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Cayrum, Central Atlanta Progress, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, MARTA, Southern Pianos, Lanier Parking, Atlanta Inquirer, Atlanta Tribune, INsite Atlanta’s Entertainment Monthly, The Atlanta Journal & Constitution, Uptown Magazine, Atlanta Daybook, Rolling Out, JS108Atlanta.com, V103, 1380 WAOK, WCLK Jazz 91.9 and 89.3FM WRFG. The 35th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival is presented by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs. Join us on Facebook at AtlantaJazzFestival or follow us on Twitter @AtlantaJazzFest. For a complete listing of events for “31 Days of Jazz” and the full performance schedule in Piedmont Park, please visit the official festival web site at www.atlantafestivals.com. *Here’s a photo link for images of the performers and Piedmont Park. If you right click to save the photo it will give the name of the artist. Photos you save will have photo IDs on them. https://plus.google.com/photos/103144641897789500515/albums/5730188708293658897?authkey=CJaX4Km7tsi8Ew If you have any problem downloading these, let me know and I can email you a few.