Troy

I guess you also know that of some of the stories in the Bible are the same stores recorded thousands of years before and in several cultures. Gilgamesh includes a flood story (Noah's story) and that was written two thousand years before the creation of the old testament.

Thuggery trumps complexion where the dark skinned thug (ala 50 cent), is more appealing (sells more units) than the smooth (softer) ladies men like a Maxwell. Of course people Chris Brown is more appealing than an Maxwell as long as he maintains his street cred by slapping Rhianna every now and then. Of course we can find exceptions to every rule, but I'm not sure thing are as diverse as they appear. Have you noticed that almost every single basketball player is riddled with tattoos. I remember when Tattoos were worn almost exclusively by gang members and convicts now everyone in their attempt to mimic the style gets a tattoo. This is no different than the sagging pants young men wear (which basketball players now mimic with the saggy/baggy shorts). But I digress... Our weak culture is our problem. Detroit was destroyed by greedy and short sighted corporations.

Marcus Books is the oldest continuously running bookstore in the country. Marcus Books on the brink of closure by Chris Roberts A bad move on a loan at the height of the boom, a financial crisis in the bust that followed, and finally, foreclosure and bankruptcy forcing a family from its longtime home. It's happened all over the United States — and now it's happened in San Francisco to the country's oldest black bookstore. Marcus Books, the Fillmore District institution that's been in the same Victorian at 1712 Fillmore St. since 1960, must move out by June 18, following an April bankruptcy sale that saw the storied building sold for a fraction of what it is likely worth....

Bi-sexuality the new Black? I certainly think is becoming more acceptable. Today, as in the past, bi-sexuality is perfectly acceptable behavior in some quarters. It seems, especially among women today, experimentation with someone of the opposite sex is almost expected. I see references to this very often pop culture. I'm sure we can all point to cases, we are personally aware of, in which people have full blow relationships with someone of the opposite sex for years -- even getting married and having children, only to later reveal later on that they were Gay all the time -- then they proceed to enter into a homosexual relationship. Of course this always confused straight males because we simply can't envision engaging in a long term sexual relationship with another dude and playing the role so well that our partner is completely fooled. Is this the behavior of a bi-sexual, homosexual, or adventurous/freaky heterosexual person -- who knows? I do know it is becoming more acceptable. As "queer eyes" teach straight guys how to dress properly. And rumors about two-earring-wearing celebrities from Puffy to Will Smith abound... Many Christians swear we are in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah and that the "End of Days" are near. I don't about all of that, but I do know plenty of Negros are completely flummoxed as their Christian beliefs contrast squarely with Obama's support of gay marriage.

Del sure Westley fits the mold (completion) of a convict... I met him once and he was actually a very handsome smooth, and gracious Brother -- he was locked up soon after. Pioneer it would be interesting to see if there is anything to these observations. But no one cares enough, or would be willing enough to risk political incorrectness, to collect the "brown bag test" data of our prison population. In popular music however there has been a transition away from the light skinned, slim, straight haired Brother (think El DeBarge) to the darker skinned, more rugged, Brothers (think Rick Ross). This transition was in parallel with a change in the music from ladies men singing love songs to rough necks bragging about banging ho's...

Pioneer, I agree that this is not about defending gay people. But I'm not sure about your explanation. Now I would not put anything past a group of people who would enslave another group of people for hundreds of years. But what would be the motivation of these wealthy corporate elites for promoting "acceptance of homosexuality in the AfroAmerican community"? I think the impact of what the NBA has done impacts us all. So while we agree, perhaps over-cynically, that the NBA's actions have nothing to do with morality or a desire to protect gay people, I'm at a loss to divine an alternative rationale. Maybe the NBA thinks they can attract a new audience of gay men by these over the top actions against players who say anything that can remote be construed to be against gays. Interestingly however a Black woman on Twitter said she would stop following and retweeting me based upon my comments. I doubt she actually read what I wrote here, or listened to what Hibbert actually said. I believe she was operating on my tweeting the title of this post, "Do Gays Really Care about Roy Hibbert's 'No Homo' Comment?" She likened Hibberts comments to using "the N word" in public and called it "hate speech". I disagreed and called Hibbert's comment "silly". This was enough to get her riled. For the record, I'm not for or against gay people, for I'm not concerned with what any consenting adults chose to do with each as long as no one else is hurt.

I'm liking Arise Entertainment 360!

You are not alone in the lurking department :-) but honestly, nowadays we can use more participants. So any questions or ideas you have please feel free to share them.

Deborah thanks for stopping by. Looks like I need to update your page :-) I'll add the book trailer: http://aalbc.com/authors/deborah_fletcher_mello.html Deborah you can also post videos directly here to: On your Youtube page you can place a link in the video's description, where you can send people to your website or directly someplace where they may buy the book.

I plan to attend this event. Black Classic Press is one of THE most conscious businesses I've seen. An example of an entity that can be both conscious and profitable over the long term.

Dear Friend (especially those in the Baltimore/Washington area), Please join us for a private reception with, Walter Mosley as we celebrate the publication of Walter's newest Easy Rawlins mystery, Little Green and the 35th anniversary of Black Classic Press. For many of those 35 years Walter has been a special friend of the Press, and if you love his work as much as we do, you will want to be at this memorable reception. Space is limited, so please be sure to rsvp. Following the reception stay on as Walter presents Little Green at a reading open to the public. Books will be available for sale and Walter will sign immediately after the reading. W. Paul Coates Director, Black Classic Press

Contact: POV Communications: Communications@pov.org, 212-989-7425. Emergency: 206-790-8697 Cathy Fisher, cfisher@pov.org, Amanda Nguyen, Anguyen@pov.org POV online pressroom: www.pbs.org/pov/pressroom Firelight Media, POV and the UpperManhattan Empowerment Zone In association With the Apollo Theater Present: Harlem Premiere of ‘Homegoings’ at the Apollo Theater, Friday, June 21, 2013 In partnership with The Futuro Media Group, ImageNation Cinema Foundation, Manhattan Neighborhood Network, NBPC, WNET and WNYC Acclaimed Film Honors Harlem Funeral Director Isaiah Owens and Legacy of African-American Funerals Isaiah Owens. Photo Credit: Marshall Stief. Owens and Family, Director Christine Turner, Harlem Filmmaker Stanley Nelson to Attend; Composer/Violinist Daniel Roumain and Harlem Chamber Players to Perform What: Harlem premiere of New York filmmaker Christine Turner's debut feature documentary, Homegoings, about renowned Harlem funeral director Isaiah Owens and African-American funeral traditions. The event is presented by Firelight Media, POV and the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ) in association with the Apollo Theater, in partnership with TheFuturo Media Group, ImageNation Cinema Foundation, Manhattan Neighborhood Network, the National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC), WNET and WNYC. The event is free to the public. When: Friday, June 21, 2013. Red Carpet photo/interview opportunities: 7:00 p.m. Screening: 7:30 p.m. Q&A with filmmaker, film subjects: 9:00 p.m. Where: The Apollo Theater, 253 W. 125th Street (Between Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard (7th Avenue) and Frederick Douglass Boulevard (8th Avenue), New York, NY 10027 Who: Program will include introductions by Firelight, POV and UMEZ; a discussion with Christine Turner and Isaiah Owens; a live performance by the film’s composer, violinist Daniel Roumain, featuring members of The Harlem Chamber Players (violinists Ashley Horne and Monica Davis, viola player Adam Hill and cellist Lawrence Zoernig); and appearances by Owens family members and people in the film. Legendary New York filmmakers Stanley Nelson (Freedom Riders, The Murder of Emmett Till); co-founder of Firelight Media and Albert Maysles (Grey Gardens, Muhammad and Larry) to attend. Press RSVP: Please email Communications@pov.org or call 212-989-7425. Public RSVP: Advance RSVPs are recommended. Visit www.homegoingsharlem.eventbrite.com/ to register online. First come, first served. Registration does not guarantee admission. About the Film: Through the eyes of renowned funeral director Isaiah Owens, the beauty and grace of African-American funerals are brought to life. Filmed at Owens Funeral Home in New York City’s historic Harlem neighborhood, Homegoings takes an up-close look at the rarely seen world of undertaking in the black community, where funeral rites draw on a rich palette of tradition, history and celebration. Combining cinéma vérité with intimate interviews and archival photographs, the film paints a portrait of the dearly departed, their grieving families and a man who sends loved ones “home.” (2013. USA. Directed by Christine Turner. 58 min.) Homegoings will have its national broadcast premiere on Monday, June 24, 2013 at 10 p.m. on PBS’ POV series (check local listings). Find out more: www.pbs.org/pov/homegoings/. The film is a co-production of POV’s Diverse Voices Project, with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It is a co-presentation with ITVS and the National Black Programming Consortium (NBPC). The Event: “The Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, along with its partners, is proud to present the Harlem premiere of Homegoings,” said Kenneth J. Knuckles, President and CEO. “The film features the Owens Funeral Home, one of the many small businesses in Upper Manhattan that has received loan financing from UMEZ. Homegoings was directed and produced by Christine Turner, a participant in Firelight Media’s Producer's Lab, an initiative funded in part by UMEZ's Cultural Industry Investment Fund. This unique intersection of UMEZ funding has created the opportunity to showcase the organization’s work in action.” “Firelight Media is honored to join partners POV and the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone to present Christine Turner’s moving film, Homegoings,” said Stanley Nelson, Executive Director, Firelight Media. “Christine is a sterling example of the high caliber of filmmakers that we mentor and support through our Producer’s Lab. As a Harlem-based media organization, we are committed to developing emerging producers of color like Christine and sharing their films with our local community. And what better place than at the legendary Apollo Theater!” “POV is thrilled to team with these exceptional partners for our first event at New York’s one and only Apollo Theater,” said Cynthia López, Co-Executive Producer, POV. “We chose Homegoings to kick off our 26th season on PBS because it is a beautiful look at a man with an extraordinary passion for his work and community. The Apollo event promises to be an uplifting evening—at the perfect venue.” “In addition to its rich legacy as one of the nation’s premier cultural institutions, the Apollo Theater has always been a beacon for the community and a supporter of Harlem based artists and arts organizations and local businesses," said Mikki Shepard, The Apollo’s Executive Producer. “We are so proud to host the Harlem premiere of Homegoings as we feel it is important to celebrate everyday heroes like Isaiah Owens as well as provide a platform for emerging filmmakers such as Christine Turner.” Major funding for this event was provided by the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and POV in association with the Apollo Theater. The Filmmaker: Christine Turner is an independent filmmaker based in New York. As a researcher and producer, she hascontributed to numerous documentaries for PBS, HBO and OWN, working with Bill Moyers, Lisa Ling, Stanley Nelson and others. Her short fiction films have screened at the Tribeca Film Festival, San Francisco International Film Festival and on PBS. She was born and raised in San Francisco and received a bachelor of fine arts degree in film and television from the Tisch School of the Arts, part of New York University, in New York. The daughter of a Chinese-American mother and an African-American father, Turner experienced two different sets of funeral customs when both of her grandmothers passed away within two weeks of one another. Though just a child at the time, she remained curious about the different ways that cultures mourned death. Many years later, when she came across an article about Harlem undertaker Isaiah Owens, who has a reputation for beautifying the dead, she was immediately intrigued. Isaiah Owens: Originally from South Carolina, Isaiah Owens moved to New York in 1968 to train as a mortician at age 17. In addition to being recognized as a superb embalmer and restorative artist, he has since earned a number of awards for his contributions to the community. Along with his wife, Lillie, he runs Owens Funeral Home, “where beauty softens your grief.” Daniel Roumain: Haitian-American artist Daniel Bernard Roumain, who wrote original music for Homegoings, is a classically trained composer, performer, violinist and band leader noted for blending funk, rock, hip-hop and classical music. His compositions have been performed by chamber ensembles and full orchestras, and have inspired the work of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company and tap dancer Savion Glover. Roumain has worked with Philip Glass, Cassandra Wilson, DJ Spooky and Lady Gaga, and his work has been commissioned by the Brooklyn Academy of Music, among other organizations. Harlem Chamber Players: The Harlem Chamber Players is an ethnically diverse collective of professional musicians dedicated to bringing affordable andaccessible live classical music to people in the Harlem community and beyond, through community and educational outreach and collaborations with Harlem’s arts organizations, schools and cultural institutions. # # # #

Is it just me or is a $75,000 fine over the top for the above comment? Were gay people so bent out of shape by the utterance of "no homo" during a press conference that they feel a $75K fine, on top of an apology, is warranted, or is this whole "controversy" generated by the media? Hibbert thought he was being funny. Predictably, Hibbert's "slur" was twisted to make him seem like he is a rabid Nazi or homophobic Klansman. He is just a young man who made a silly comment, for which he apologized. If the NBA wants uber-politically-correct comments, worthy of the in which we live, then they need to have polished spokesmen field questions from the press after each game. Expecting some 20-something kid, who has played basketball all his life, to get it right every time is unrealistic. This calls for either better training of the players, or elimination of the useless press conferences after the games. Besides what are the press conferences for other than saying we lost the game because we scored fewer points and for the media to catch some poor kid saying something dumb, that can be blown out of proportion to create a revenue generating controversy for the media's newspapers and websites. The NBA, of all entities, has the audacity to fine Roy more that what the average American family earns in a year. No warning, no 2nd chance. The NBA the same group of gangsters that have completely corrupted college sports exploiting the educational opportunities of some many, Black men. By turning a period of education and learning into a minor league system feeding the NBA. A system for which the NBA plays nothing. The NBA, the same cartel that charges $100+ for shitty seat and $8 for a warm beer at a game. Phuleese!

Classic Cynique! Talk about nanny state this makes me thing about the

Cynique, consider what a 1st time visitors reaction to our discussion board would have been. I would have looked at it said the site is an unmoderated mess riddled with spam. Even if I were curious and opened one of the messages and saw all caps I would have run away. Nah'Sun's reaction illustrates what I feared. The damage Hickson caused with the last stunt is incalculable. Again it will work it self out over time, but at what cost? Was the potential benefit to his brand worth damaging AALBC.com's. One reason I did not correct the problem immediately was because I would have had to delete all of Hickson's posts -- delete anyone's comments is something I really do not like doing. Again if Hickson was new to the boards I would have done it without a second thought or even a warning. Kola used the boards brilliantly. I wish more authors would do that -- but that really takes a rare talent. However, Kola was not exactly a picnic either, but as you all know she did contributed to the conversations in a meaningful way. I had to deal with a lot of mess regarding Kola, but nothing she did ever topped what Hickson did.

Pioneer1 for most of the history of Christianity the VAST majority of followers never read the bible. For the first 1,500 years there simply were not enough of the hand written tomes. After the invention of the printing press the most people were still illiterate. It was really in the last 150 years were individuals began read the book for themselves. I'm sure all those illiterate Christians without access to physical Bible considered themselves true Christians. Are you sure you actually HAVE TO READ IT. Besides I've read parts of the Bible and I can't make heads or tails of it. Maybe we need scholars to help us make understand it. We know their are many inconsistencies in it a Biblical scholar really is needed explain books.

Cynique you are too much Pioneer, it has been my experience that darker skinned American Brothers have it rougher (maybe the sisters too) -- someone should really study this. I have many anecedotes; here is one I was thing about the other day. We I was a kid they used to track students in classes based upon ability. The unruly kids were place in a class, in the basement away from the general population. They were not given very difficult work in fact I doubt the guy, whose job it was to monitor these incorrigibles, was even a teacher. But all of the boys in the class were dark skinned -- all of them. I believe most ended up in jail... sad.

Hickson that does not sound like a Chinese proverb, "public opinion" sounds too contemporary. But in any case, the quote does not suggest that we do not consider the opinions of others. A wise man ultimately makes the decision but he also uses his available resources. He learns from the mistakes and experiences of others. The truly ignorant man makes no decisions he just follows whatever everyone else is doing like the proverbial lemming. You have our advise, it is up to you to decide what you do with it.

Stephen L. Carter has a new series of books starting this October, published under the pseudonym A.L. Shields.

Hickson I know you read Nah'Sun's comment. At the end of the day man, I have your best interests at heart. All of my experience online tells me what Nah'Sun says is true. You do your business a disservice in the manner in which you post. The last tactic however severely impacted the site. At some point I have to draw a line because now your tactics adversely impact not only AALBC.com but our visitors as well. It will take many days for the impact of what you did to work itself out. The just something to consider... Congrats on the 10 years! Yeah the party was beautiful. I'll share more about that later.

Pioneer I mostly agree with you. Del I used to be a member of the Church. I live walking distance from it today. I've attended two events there in the last two decades because my Mom wanted me to go. I went as a child because my mother made me go. If the Church relied on the likes of me to survive they would be in a world of trouble, so I don't blame them -- but it still bugs me. Besides, I'm no better, If some white folks wanted to come watch me work and pay for the privilege I would welcome the opportunity -- of course I'd be less entertaining...

Now when you put it like that... damn :-) Hickson, I did not invite anyone personally -- admittedly, there are some who really should get a personal invitation from me (it is a resource issue). As you know, or at least I hope you do, everyone is welcome come through it is like a homecoming. We've been doing it for 7 straight years, most people just know about it. You should consider coming through (God hold it against you if you miss an evening of prayer) -- inviting your authors too: http://bpp13.eventbrite.com/

Seriously man. You probably don't appreciate it but when you update 40 posts like that you basically overwhelm the board and crowd out everything else. A handful is fine but 20 or more updated in a day is too much. To a casual observer it looks like spam -- especially with the all caps. If you were anyone else I would have deleted everything and blocked you from the board. No hard feelings and I hope to see you at the Black Pack Party on Thursday. Peace