Troy

Hey Ambishop1, thanks for stopping by. You may also embed videos directly:

John it is worth mentioning your book again. Faces in the Mirror: Oscar Micheaux & Spike Lee by John Howard http://aalbc.it/facesin

Deep Xeon. I have never known you to be so dense. You mentioned Obama death threats as if he was under great duress, more than any other president. However when I explained that there wre presidents that were actually shot or assissinated you tried to make it seem the threats -- even a great number of them -- was worse than an actual shooting or assassination. I'm not sure why that is so confusing. But I'll leave it alone. Xeon you wrote: that combined with the rest of your diatribe would be cause enough for a reasonable person to draw the conclusion that you feel Obama's detractors are simply "haters and racist" I'm not sure you know the meaning of the word "fact". Just because you say something or believe something does not make it a fact. Nonetheless I'll use the word and hope you understand my meaning. Keep in mind the "nigger" statement in reference to Barack was yours not mine. When people express dissatisfaction with Obama you feel the reason is "Simple" That is just what you think, that is not a fact. And I believe your opinion on this issue is false. Speaking about facts; While the fact is the majority of white people did not vote for Barack, But Black people could not have gotten him into office alone. Those white people who voted for Obama, but are unhappy now, have not all of a sudden become racist. There were not enough racists and haters in the country to prevent him from becoming president -- don't you see that? Another fact is I NEVER wrote that Obama was the cause of all of the problems our country is experiencing or facing. Indeed I don’t believe that he is. You are great a researching information on this board. Many times I've written our dysfunctional government is the cause. Obama has simply not proven himself to be the person who could change things despite his promise for change. Finally would you and Carey please stop asking me what I would do to correct the problems? That is, and since we are not mincing words here, stupid. What would it demonstrate or prove since any idea I could image is purely hypothetical. And of course you could shoot it down without any way of proving that it would fail. But since you pressed: I'll go from the mundane to the major. I think Obama demonstrated level of naïveté by inserting himself in the “Beergate” nonsense. I also think he should have let “too big to fail” fail -- no taxpayer financed bailout. Sure a global depression may have ensued, but if we are going to let the markets work -- then let them work. Our corrupt banking system did what was supposed to do; it failed. Perhaps a global calamity is what it would take for us to do things the right way. Clearly, many people, are misdirecting their anger at President Obama, and sure some of those folks are racist. But most people want things to “change” for the better. They voted for Obama, despite his having an African father,, because they believed in his message. That message does not have the same impact now. Some people believe a republican can fix things, some people believe Palin can. I seriously doubt it. Also I know is whoever is in office will need to do things that are radically different that what we have been doing – the kind of things that would make them unable to raise enough money to run and cerainly unelectable if they talked radical change, Our system is flawed and skewed to support the ultra powerful and rich. No Obama is not the cause he is a symptom of a very profound problem that is our political process. Obama I'm afraid has become (perhaps always was) part of the problem not the solution.

There is advertising position available on the AALBC.com homepage. To facebook fans and discussion board members only I'm making the advertising position available for 50% off the normal monthly price. Reply here or email me directly at troy@aalbc.com if you are interested. This price will be made available to the first three people who reply.

Carey, I'm not a closet Obama hater. I too voted for him. Just 'cause I'm not jocking him like you are does not make me a hater. Since you seem to be so hell bend on me providing solutions. Why don't YOU provide solutions; or are you suggesting that no solutions are in order? Better yet I'll walk you through this slowly Carey; pick a specific problem; unemplyment, the deficit, the economy, health care and give me the solution that Obama has implemented and give me your assessment on how it is working.

I share this here because Kimberla has been a long time supporter of AALBC.com. She was already a successful author when we first met in 1999. I was at convention called the National African American Cultural Expo in Philadelphis it was one of the first events where I exhibited as a vendor. E. Lynn Harris (RIP), Omar Tyree, Donna Hill and many other authors who are still writing today. If you get a change check out Kimberla work: SECRET OBSESSION by New Times Bestselling Author, Kimberla Lawson Roby goes on sale nationwide today, Tuesday September 6. Click here: http://aalbc.it/secretob to order your copy and get a 44% discount!

Ok Xeon, if you want to elevate a bunch of death threats over an actual assignation we’ll have to just agree to disagree. Xeon, all your complaining about the Obama “haters” ignores the fact that we, and a whole lot of while folks, voted that “nigger” into office. If we are all haters and racist – how in the world did he get elected?! “…days of getting close enough to do what others did…” Xeon, if you believe that you have cornered the marketed on naïveté. Carey. I get it now. It really is a religious argument with you. Anyone who says something negative about Obama is a racist or a fool and damned for all eternity. Nuf Said. Dee please re-read what Cynique wrote it sounds simple but it is a profound statement. By the way even though you are new here you are doing quite well ;-) Cynique, again I disagreed with you years ago regarding Obama. But there is nothing that you’ve written recently that I disagree with. Truth be told I completely understood your points years ago – I just did not want anyone to jeopardize the chances of the nation’s first Black president While I supported Obama unconditionally, the 1st time it was not “blind” support; in that I KNEW I was not evaluating him on his then unquantifiable merits. I wanted a Black president. OK now that he is President I can treat him like every other one – approve when I think he is doing well and disapprove when he is doing badly. I completely understand why Carey and Xeon feel the way they do about Obama. I was guilty of the same affliction. What we really need to do is stop worshipping Obama as if he is the 2nd coming. Our dysfunctional political system is off the rails and I pray it rights itself for our children’s sake.

Very well put Dee.

Check out the 1st episode:

Cynique, Hickson while quite formidable is no match for Kola A few things you can say about the results of Hickson's efforts; You know who he is You probably are not gonna forget him, He takes advantage of free resources He works hard. Kola exhibits the same characteristics. These are gonna be the characteristics of any successful author -- especually a sefl published one. I remember, quite clearly, the first day I met Hickson at a party in Harlem about 9 years ago. He was in the early days of GhettoHeat. Over the subsequent years I'd see him at book events and marveled at his growing roster of authors. He has even been known to shout out AALBC.com from time to time. My hat goes off to the brother.

John, I read the excerpt. The story sounds interesting and I'd be curious to see how it pans out. Regarding the Black dialect of the period; you would be a better judge of it that I. What I read sounds reasonable, but I have now way of judging. Obvously I'm not from the period and have not I studied it. What you have written works for me, however The Association of Black Women Historians may diagree As with The Help most people really don't care must about that, they really want a compeling story. As long as the dialect is good enough and does not get in the way, readers will be fine -- which is why the vast majority of people enjoyed the book and film. Beside It is fiction, not a documentary expectations. Thanks again for introducing yourself here.

I like that term "Black by US Standards" or "BBUSS" For example Zoe Saladana is BBUSS, but by the stabnrds of the Dominican Republic she is not Black.

Hey Richard thanks for your comments. I read your Blog post. You, like John, seem to be interested in creating authentic characters. If you do this well, where is the justification to complain? Much of the controversy surrounding books like <strong>The Help</strong> have to do with characters whom some feel were not authentic (read related article), propagating stereo types for monetary gain when continue to marginalize a group of people in the mass media. Further, when these insensitive stories are published while overlooking work from Black writers, with more accurate portrayal of characters, then people get really bent out of shape. But it is a new day. Anyone can publish a book or make a film.

Here is a link to a chapter from John's book. http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jvr/braverdeeds.com/BraverDeedsChapter1.pdf (from his website). I'll print it out and let you know what I think. John, thanks for sharing information about your book here. Peace

Cyrstal I just finished reading the editorial. It sounds like Carey's arguement: It is founded on several flawed assumptions: There is a grand consipiracy to make Obama look bad including paying off the Cornel West to bad mouth the President Obama shoud be supported based upon what he says he is going to do versus what he has actually done Critics of Obama are just bad people and are in not way justified for their opinions. Only Obama supported care about the poor At the end of the day we can never truely know Pres. Obama's motivations and more than we can know Dr. West's motivations. What we do know however is that Obama had a very difficult, perhaps impossible job and I'm not convinced he is that man for it. I also don't know who would be a better chose. This alone is Obama's saving grace regarding his reelection.

Black colleges were funded a number of sources including white philathropists. Black Wall street was created by Black people. I don't expect an answer from you boitumelo, but I'll pose the question anyway: If each Black person gave a dollar, who or what entity would get that money? More importantly, what do you suppose the recipients of $37MM dollars a year would do with it?

Is this what ABC News is reduced to reporting on? Pathetic.

Hey Cyrstal, I feely admit I voted for Barack Obama soley because he was Black. If you truly believe in the political process it really is an assinine reason to select the President, but I cast my vote for all of the reasons that you mentioned. You can read my comments from 4 1/2 years ago here: http://aalbc.it/obama2007 I even called other Black people who did not want to see a Black man in the white house "self-hating negroes". I could not understand why people would not be willing to give the first electable Brother a chance -- especially after George Bush -- how bad could Obama be in comparison? Carey, your quote is best summarized by the following: . This assumes that someone is planning the whole thing out. Carey what we are seeing is just a result of greed, and bad decisions, not some grand strategy. I'm not Cynqiue, but she has been pretty consistent in her impressions about Obama, and I find myself agreeing more and more overtime. Over 4 years ago called Cynique and anyone unwilling to vote for Obama a self-hating negro. Today I have to aologize to Cynique and everyone else -- sorry Cynique. Any Black person who chooses not to vote for Obama, or not to vote at all. I may not agree, but I understand.

A few recently published non-fiction book reviews I Hate Muscular Dystrophy: Loving a Child with a Life-Altering Disease http://aalbc.it/ihatemd Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention By Manning Marable http://aalbc.it/malcolmbio The Chitlin’ Circuit and the Road to Rock ‘n’ Roll by Preston Lauterbach http://aalbc.it/chitlin Celebritize Yourself: The Three-Step Method to Increase Your Visibility and Explode Your Business by Marsha Friedman http://aalbc.it/celebritize

Carey I read the letter and it is interesting. The letter completely ingores all the reasons why The Congressional Black Congress and other Black people might not be too happy right about now. That really is the bottom line. You can't see why support for the current administration (the whole political process really) might be wavering? You can't see that even though we have a Black man in the white house that business is as usual? Joan gives Obama an awful lot of credit for perceived positives (health care without a public option), while conveniently blaming others or ignoring all the bad shit that is going down today. The writer is clearly a rabid Obama supporter and not one easily convinced with what it happening right before her eyes. Look Obama was voted into office with effectively zero record and a gift of gab. This time his gift of gab will be confronted with his record. If literarlly millions of white people loose their homes incurring the collateral damage of bad credit, embrassment, depression, stress, etc and Obama gives the companies responsible for their misery trillions of dollars. Who do you think they will blame? It millions of white people have lost their jobs and are rapidly becoming unemployable who do you think will take the heat -- deserved or not? Yeah the president is the president of ALL the people. The CBC, Smiley & West are the least of his problems.

Yes ad placement is a big factor Carey. Running the pink ad on the AALBC.com website is rather redundant (yes I did do that). And running the blue an on an wehere people likely to be interested in AALBC.com's content would be fruitless (I don't think I've done that).

Cynique almost two years ago I visited several African countries the most suprising thing was how much African's adhered to Eurocentric standards, much more so than the Black folks here. In Nigeria, for examle, virtually every Black woman had straightened hair or wore a wig to mimic such. Lightening creams were readily available in stores. In the corporate enviroment everyone wore suits with ties -- in 90 degree temperatures. Even on Wall Street professional employees dress down. This in a "racially" homogenous nation of 40 million + Black people. Fortunately I did not see a McDonalds... Kola will have an answer I'm sure but it all stems from imperialism as eveidenced from my observations about.

Lucky Lois, I've actually started the process of following your suggestion. I'm having 3 identical ads created. The only difference will be the model. One will be (for lack of better terms) "light skinned", the 2nd will be "brown skinned" and 3rd will be dark skinned. For a total of three ads soliciting people to advertise on AALBC.com. I will do the same, creating three ads, targeting readers to visit AALBC.com. Those ads will run on other sites. Someone off-line someone indicated that the model on the left is not dark skinned at all. At first I was a little taken aback, but ultimately had to agree. I guess it exposed by own bias Hence the addition of the "dark skinned" model. Yeah Kola the entire media does setup unrelaistic expectations -- espeically for women. Photos are touched up to brighten teeth, the whites of eyes, to even out and lighten skin tone, remove marks, etc. Essence magazine is a master at this type of photo enhancement (manipulation). So they will have a bazillion covers of a retouched Beyonnce before you see a single unretouched photo of say an Ursula Burns on the. Carey, as you can see some people already answered the question as posed. I'm not sure what you are missing, but it is not that deep. This is not a scientifc study -- just something I thought would be "fun and interesting". I will publish the results of the more rigous experiment shortly. In the meantime the discussion is useful -- like the relevations that the sister on the left is not "dark", and Cynique's belief that the Brown Skinned beauties reign supreme.

Hey KPCBookDiva, yeah I knew the quiz was flawed on that aspect but the impressions are still very useful. Ideally, I would have both models in both types of ads for a better test. I will actually run this type of test in the near future by running it all 4 in live ads. Thanks for your thoughts I'll post the answer after labor day.

Hey y'all check out this one question poll: http://aalbc.it/darklighttest Cynique sure those anecdotal stories were indeed heart wrenching and as you seem to suggest the issues are far more complex and nuanced. And of course are not universal. Cynique do you mean "Golden Brown" like Zoe "Hubba Hubba" Saladana? Zoe would be foine in any complexion white, brown, blue... My daughters "Golden Brown" I suspect most of their partnership issues will be more impacted by class more than complexion.