Troy

Here is a link to AALBC.com interviews with Janet Jackson, Tyler Perry an review of the Film.

Linda. I did not see the movie. Would a well meaning man be justified by having issues with how the Black male characters were portrayed in this flick?

Hey Linda you know we love you too, but I just simply took the names of the most frequent posters from the past. You came in at #55

Hey Mequel, thanks for sharing on this forum. I hope you do not mind me "outing" you as a long term lurker. It will help folks understand you are not just talking out "the side of your neck" To answer some of your question here on from Facebook: AALBC.com has a presence on every popular social media platform. Over the past year I’ve found I’ve benefited most from Facebook. I created a facebook fanpage in March and have almost 6,000 “fans”. For the links that I track I can see about 15% are sourced from Facebook. I do use a the twitter hash tag #readthisbook I did not invent it but I’m the biggest user of it. You can also do a twitter search on “aalbc” and see that I’ve been using that platform as well. So far the impact of all social media combined as not exceeded the results of my eNewsletter. Also other pre-social media activities (like this discussion board are still effective). However all-in I’m reaching a larger audience and can do so more quickly with social media. However social media and old school promotional tactics will not increase discussion board participation, compelling conversation will do this. Thumper’s absence has hurt (Thumper is a real person, and not Troy Johnson). His passion and style of talking about books was a big draw. I miss his contributions, but his contributions here were voluntary, so he’ll participate when and if he can. In reality, however, the Culture board was always a biggest draw in terms or readers, and contributions. I created the culture board because people were often talking about non-book related issue on the Book board (Thumper’s Corner). The absence of some of the other regular contributors hurt as much. -------------- Cynique, I hear you reading the user interface, but I find it much easier, but I can see where you might not see it that way. I like the way I can see very easy when and who made the last post. I can tack conversations that I care about and ignore the others. Plus the administration is completely hands off – the other boards was a management nightmare. The application had not been upgraded in years and was really showing it’s age. The social media integration here, thought rarely used for anything other than logins, is a big plus. But if you are having any difficulty Cynique I cant tell based upon the quality and frequency of your posts. I really enjoy your musings, the video retrospectives, occasional book reviews and not to mention your regular dressing down of Chris. Cynique next time you muse press the little facebook icon, maybe some of your facebook friends will come by read you post and potentially contribute. -------------- At the end of the day, the board will thrive, languish or die based, not based upon three things; (1) visitors/lurkers (2) contributors/posters and (3) completing interactions/conversations. You can survive with two of the above or even one for a while but you need to have all three to thrive.

Cool! There is a nice variety of creative entries so far. Voting starts next month. Good luck!

Hey Carey thanks for the comments. Basically I have figure out a away to carve out the resources to do just what you suggest. I'm working on it. 10 replies against 150,000 readers or a 0.007% reaction rate (my term) is extremely low participation. This board (the stats are public) generates reaction rates several orders of magnitude higher. It would be interesting to know how long each of those "readers" spend on the website. Are they actually reading the posts? Or just hitting the site and turning right around. If they were truly interested in the posts I have to believe they'd get at least 100 responses and a lot of buzz through social networks. Shoot, a bullshit post by a John Doe on facebook can generate 10 responses. What is the URL of that discussion board? We also don't get 150K daily readers -- those are great numbers. In their case, if they are really getting that many readers a day they can generate revenue to compensate the moderators (or staff posters) and the reaction rate does not matter. In my case, I would defintely trade off traffic (revenue) for a more lively board (higher reaction rate). It would be more fun for me, the posters and lurkers.

"tried to interpret (fill in the blank) distress through the filter of her own experiences" --- Exactly Cynique! I rarely watch Oprah, but this ALWAYS irks me. Sometime Oprah will talk more than the guest, interrupting speaking for them. This is working fantastically well for her, so what do I know... Humm, I thought it was common knowledge that Tyler was gay? Again, what do I know. While I can sympathize with Perry, I won't be shedding any tears. He could have all those problem and be an unemployed janitor wasting away in obscurity. He has the financial resources to get help and pursue he dreams, I believe he'll do that.

"...pulse on the gritty street of our big cities." That is cute breathebooks. There was one person ahead of me when I votes this time around. When Barack was on the ticket there were perhaps hundreds of eager and patient voters ahead of me. Barack needed the votes during the midterm election just as much; but he failed to inspire the Black electorate. This was not just in the underbelly of our urban ghettos but in suburban enclaves and bucolic countrysides as well. While we agree that it one prerogative to vote any way they see fit. You have to agree that voting without considering the candidate's experience and qualifications could lead to disappointment when that missing experience becomes evident. Do YOU honestly feel think Barack was "vastly" superior to Hillary Clinton?

To Enter Visit: http://aalbc.it/bestbooktrailer2010 Instructions Submit Your Video Your video must be one that promotes a book Your video may be submitted from Youtube, Facebook or uploaded directly from your PCOnly the author or author's representative (publicist, film maker, etc.) may submit a video for considerationIdeally videos should be less than 5 minutes. Videos longer than 10 minutes will not be considered and will be deleted. The Process Videos can be submitted until December 15, 2010Voting for the finalists will run from December 16, 2010 until January 14, 2011 5 to 10 finalists will be selected based upon the number of votes cast by January 14, 2011 Votes can be cast for up to 5 videosThe judges will select he top 3 videos from the final 5 to 10 finalists.The Prizes Grand Prize Winning video will be embedded on AALBC.com for 3 months (January 17 until April 17, 2011)2nd Place video embedded on AALBC.com for 2 months (January 17 until March 17, 2011) 3rd Place video embedded on AALBC.com for 1 month (January 17 until February 17, 2011) Winning Videos will be promoted via AALBC.com's social networkAll winning authors will have AALBC.com Author Profiles created.If the winning author already has an AALBC.com author profile they will be entitled to a 50% discount on an AALBC.com service (excluding the book review and Power Campaign)

D.T. you may want to check out the AALBC.com Book Trailer awards:http://aalbc.it/bestbooktrailer2010

Chris an author or poet (who writes or performs for profit) and does not have a web presence is a non-entity. It is like not having not having a sign on your store. Get with the program Brother!

@breathebooks, your link supporting your assertion that Barack "supported HBCUs" indicated that he merely renewed an initiative started by the Carter administration and supported by the Bush administration. While I guess that is a good thing it is a pretty weak indication of how Pres. Obama is making a difference. I don't know how many people you spend time around compared to myself (I would however suspect I have you bet), but don't hear too many people talking about how inspired they are by Barack nowadays. breathebooks, do you really believe Black folks voted on Barack because of his platform. Black people spilled out in great numbers because it was an opportunity to put a Black man in the white house. Again, out dismal turnout at the polls during this past midterm election is a reflection of this. Breathebooks are you saying that Barack could not find 5 Black people brighter and more experienced to put on his cabinet than the ones there? Indeed Barack himself is not the brightest, most experienced person to hold the job as president. It might sound like hyperbole, but more Black people are murdered, incarcerated, having children out of wedlock, undereducated or untrained meaningful work that any period you mentioned. @Chris the democrats did not oppose Barack out the box what are you talking about?! Needless to say the Republicans were always against him.

I see most of the online services I check IMDB and Rottentomatoes rated the movie poorly. While the film took in approx $20MM this weekend I suspect that it will fall off a great deal as a result of the reviews and the fact most of the people anxious to see it have done so. There was a humorous review in the Washington post: "For black men who have considered homicide after watching another Tyler Perry movie" Cynique what true confession, worth repeating, did Tyler reveal on Oprah?

Interesting review. I had to look up the word "defenestration". Who knew there was a word for that - and why would anyone use it in everyday prose? Two stars from a white male reviewer. If I apply the standard conversion I get: Zero stars from the Black male perspective Four stars from the Black Woman's perspective I'm sure the film will do poorly, relative to the success of Tyler's other flicks. While white folks will have ample amounts of Black dysfunction upon which to feast they will not flock to the theater in large enough numbers to boost the film. Black men will not go to the film, unless the are trying to score points (or just score period) with the woman they are rolling with. Black women will probably not support the film as much either -- it is dark and depressing subject matter. I suspect many sistaz will opt for something a little lighter given the increasing depression stuff real life is churning out nowadays. We'll see what the weekend box office tells us. I will see the film, but I'll wait for it to come on netflix of itunes. The one good thing about the flick is, based upon my web stats, has renewed interest in Ntozake Shange's work.

Glad to here that. As an aside, it was not clear to me tthat this was a book trailer (of sorts). I thought you were just having fun. I would set the video up with some text (explain what we are about to see) and keep it under 3 minutes. Just my humble opinion.

Chris I hope you hatin' on me too!

Chris increasingly storage devices do not require power to retain their data. The meaningful or valuable data on floppy disks has been migrated to newer media. My 8mm films weere moved to VHS, then CDs and now they are on digitals files on my flash drive, youtube (and God knows where else). Most people read Cynqiues musing, as well as yours, and can rememeber them, and relate those musings to others. That is what was done before electronic media, or even books. And if it hits the fan, we can always fall back on those techniques -- griot style. So if you have no voice, opinions or you choose not to share them you will be headed for palookaville. That is one reason you writers are important you not only carry your own stories you carry the stories of the voiceless. I'm just glad I've provided one forum. I like Cynique's musings because she is my mothers age. I get some insight about my mom's generation from her. Most people my mothers age don't or can't share so easily. I find it fascinating. Walking history, cyber-griot style -- you go girl!

Soulsister, I appreciate that you don't have the "stomach" for this and your lurking is alright with me. However, the problem is that posting has dropped off. If this continues your lurking will be academic... I encourage you to really support the board and post your opinions here from time to time and encourage others to do so. Historically the level of posting varies over time but I don't recall a spell like the one we are experiencing now. Chris I agree with much of what you wrote. I have been trying a bunch of different things. I've initiated some provacative posts and that actully does help, but it has to be a sustainted effort. I can't do it because I just don't the time and really the inclination to post controversial shit just for the sake of generating interest or traffic. That is what Black Planet does - and they do a great job. But AALBC.com is more about balance, and I know that balance comes at a price of lower traffic -- but that is fine with me... for now the time being. When you or someone else posts some interesting stuff I share it with my social media, and that does help with traffic, but not so much in the participation. In fact I would love for EVERYONE to use the social media icons (facebook, twitter, digg) to share posts with your network -- especially you lurkers! That would defintely help. Of course books are not as hot as celebrity gossip, sex and Idris Elba [did you read about Idris' film Legacy?] but again the has always been the case and is not the cause of the current decline in participation. Plus the most popular board posts often have to do with books. The What is Everyone Reading post has over 5,000 views -- that is a big deal. So books are a big deal -- we just need to get people to talk about them. Yeah Thumper's participation would help a great deal, but homeboy was never really the same after the Kola worked his nerves. I saying that half in jest, but I'm sure life just happened to Thumper. Hopefully he'll come back in full force. Chris I TRULY appreciate you contibutions over the years. I use some of your lines in my every day conversation

:lol:LOL - DT you have free time on your hands, dontcha? I hope that was not true about your home...

I’m so satisfied and excited, that I wanted to share my experience with others hoping that they would take advantage of WordPress and establish a web presence of their own. One of the questions I’m most frequently asked by when I speak to groups about the world wide web is, “I don’t have a big budget and I’m not super tech savvy, how do I create my own website?” Today my answer would be, “WordPress is a very good way to get started”. Read Part 1 of Article and Part 2

breathebooks can you describe the support for the HBCU's? As far as inspiring youth. Are you serious? Have you been in a classroom lately. Have you been on the streets of any inner city neighborhood? Look at the Black voter turn out tomorrow evening and you tell me what that inspiration has done. You are right, how could I forget Valerie. But not a single Brother -- why can't it be 5 brothers? More significantly lets look at Barack's lily white (virtually) cabinet cabinet This "pales" in comparison to even Dubya who had Roderick Paige, Alphonso Jackson, Colin Powell, and Condoleeza Rice I supported and predicted a win by Barack, on this very board, even before he announced he was running. All I'm saying now is that the same level of support I saw for him two years ago, in the Black community, is virtually gone. And as far as white folks are concerned you can forget about it. So if Barack gives a few dollars of tax payer's money to a few struggling HBCU's and if he has inspired some Black youth -- that is just great. Because at the end of the day, Black folks have not caught this much sh-t since before 1865. So when people see Wall Street being given damn near a trillion dollars to save their butts and now folks are talking about eliminating the home mortgage deduction to pay for huge deficits. You can understand why Black folks are just a little be uninspired by Mr. Obama lately... …and Chris that is just part of the reason the Dems have f'ed up.

breathebooks! How ya doing! Thanks for stepping out of the shadows! While "lurkers" are good for business (by generating traffic), the board is nothing without posts. I hope you continue to contribute.

Chris I just think people are frustrated and are willing to listen to anyone that will promise them that they will make things better than they are now... There is really nothing that Black folks can point to that Barack has done to benefit us directly. We see Wall Street getting almost a trillion dollar in aid while working stiffs are losing their homes. Imagine virtually everyone knows several people who have lost their homes -- it is an epidemic. We all know even more people who have been out of work for a year or more. What does health care reform mean to us right now? Folks are now speculating that the home mortgage deduction will need to be elimiated to pay for health care reform --- sheesh! Maybe we should stop sending shit to Mars and worry about what is happening on this planet. It is not like Barack is even hooking the Brothers up on his own staff Mona Supthen I think is the only Black person. I say this not to complain, but to point out that Barack is even at risk holding onto his strongest supporters -- Black folks. No, black folks are not about to go out and vote Republican in mass, but if things continue they way they are or (God forbid) get worse, Black folks just will not vote at all and he needs all the votes he can get from us.

Well Thumpers Corner and the rest of the AALBC.com’s discussion boards can't survive without people to contribute to the conversation. It seems the additional features did not help increase participation a lick. At first I thought the Facebook and other social media platforms syphoned off some of our long term contributors. But I did some research and here is what I found: Thumper stopped reading lambd went completed the final surgery for gender reassigmnet is now actually awoman Carey is now blogging fill time for the Huffington Post ABM ran off with his 18 year Swedish Au Pair after being rejected by... kola_boof, who is now back on her meds and has fully reintegrated her numerous personalities. She lives in suburban Maryland, pledged Delta, drives a 5 series Beamer and is engaged to a Baptist minister. Ferociouskitty got tamed by... ntfs_encryption, and are both living in a commune, off the grid, somewhere in southern Alabama. mzuri is looking for sock puppets elsewhere on the Internet yvettep is a in Cuba writing a revolutionary manifesto schakspir now posts on Black Planet where he is the relationship expert doberman23 is now helping Sarah Palin garner the Black vote serenasailor brownbeauty123 urban_scribe moonsigns Hey anyone care to continue or update the the list with more up to date information