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I may have to dust of my old copy of My American Journey. This unimpressive autobiography of General Colin Powell (CP) was not the most compelling or exciting ever written. Would CP implement the Powell Doctrine? CP has been known to compromise and negotiate with opponents. For what it is worth, CP does inspire confidence during public appearances, but the sausage making process is done primarily behind closed doors. And it is political by nature. CP originally financially supported John McCain for President. And CP was being touted as a running mate for McCain. Shortly before the election CP changed his mind and announced his endorsement for candidate Obama. At the time, CP publicly regretted disappointing McCain. CP has offered criticisms of the President Obama. And Mrs. CP does not want 74 year old CP to ever run for president. IDGI? I resent birthers and the "I want him to fail" crowd (Limbaugh, McConnell). And I'm disappointed with the people who everyday act as if today is opposite day, that game children play. Everything the president says, oppose it, say the opposite or simply say no or disgree with it. It is Frank Luntz word doctoring in full manifestation.

No, "breathbooks", Colin Powell's image is what we need. We've had enough of everybody's politics. In a time of crises, people feel more reassured when their leader brings to mind a calm confident, father figure rather than a brother or a son. Image is the operative word here. The consensus is that Obama does not project strength and toughness. Anarchy, as in "chaos and disorder" which is what ensues when the masses decide to instigate "solutions" by taking things into their own hands. I said nothing about "political" reform per se. But any reform comes about via of the governing body enacting it. Obviously there are Obama supporters who resent those who criticize him. Their solution to the problems seems to be for everybody to just shut up.

You don't listen very well either, Carey, because I and everybody else who has any sense knows that since anarchy hasn't prevailed yet, it's not the job of the electorate to solve the nation's problems, except by voting out those who aren't getting the job done. Those in office are the only ones who can implement reform. But, as usual, you resort to attacking the messenger instead of the message, on and on and on and on and on, invoking the signature pettiness that is your MO because you can't deal with anyone who dares burst your bubble and disagree with your sorry ass. You're an Obama suck-up and because others don't emulate your slavish groveling they are "closet haters". Wooooo. I don't hate Obama. I feel sorry for him because I"ve always kinda thought of him as a son. I voted for him because he was a black man and I wanted to participate in history. If you'd stop droning your "if not Obama, then who" whine maybe it would occur to you that the situation Obama inherited is in such bad shape that nobody can untangle the mess, so sympathy is all he really inspires. In all honesty, I would've preferred someone older and wiser and more experienced like Colin Powell. And it's not like we who assess the situation place all the blame on Obama. His advisors, Congress, and the right wing Republican factions are just as at fault. But since the economy has gotten worse on his watch, the buck stops with the POTUS. Yet, your mind seems incapable of processing logic and you identity so closely with Obama you can 't stop wallowing in your hero worship. So you trot out all your old stale arguments that are laced with the personal attacks and name calling that set the tone for a debate with you. And speaking of slinking back up in here with the same ol mess, I haven't gone anywhere. You're the one who showed back up, trying to portray yourself as the voice of reason and intelligence on this board. Puleeze. Get real.

Where is Kola Boof when we need her? Wonder if she watched the NAACP "IMAGE" AWARDs Friday?? Image, indeed. There was certainly a preponderance of high-yellow, blue-eyed winners among the nominees; e.g. Vanessa Williams, Terrence Howard, Colin Powell, not to mention an olive "colored" Hispanic sitcom star, and the light-eyed gold-toned Regina King. And of course there was Halle Berry in all of her one-drop glory, modestly accepting an award from the light-skinned hazel-eyed Prince, displaying his usual eccentric behavior. I suspect the cameras were kept off the reaction of the losers in the audience, whose melanin must've blanched. What would the show have done with out Loretta Devine doing her best version of a cross between Prissy and Mammy from "Gone With The Wind". Not to be outdone was the President of the NAACP whose appearance harked back to the days when the men who held this office were referred to as "voluntary" Negroes because they were so fair-skinned. Just another irony of the 21st Century. In Chicago, ex-senator Carol Moseley Braun, the black candidate for Mayor lost the race to the Jewish Rahm Emanuel, who came in first in all of the Black wards. The more things change, the more they become the same. And so it goes.

As usual an interesting editorial Cynique. I think Barack, once his presidency is over and they've renamed a gazilion schools and avenues after him will go down in history as a trailblazing, leader, a great man. History, I suspect, will be kind to Tyler too. Universal respect and adulation right now, during their prime, or even life times will be difficult. But is that not the case with Black people in general? Uber-successful Black people have it even worse. MLK and Malcolm were very controversial figures, in the Black community, during their lives. It was not until years after they were murdered that they were universally respected. Condi, Clarence and Colin, despite fantastic levels of success, but any measure, are regularly lambasted by black folks. Billionaires Bob Johnson, and Oprah can';t seems to win universal love from black folks either. They say if you ain't got anyone hatin' on you, then you ain't doing shit. Looks like Tyler and Barack are doing plenty...of shit.

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.

Welcome TheCenter for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College, CUNY Presents TheTenth National Black Writers' Conference Programand Activities TheConference will be held at Medgar Evers College, CUNY, unless otherwiseindicated Toni Morrison Nobel Prize-Winning Author Honorary Chair Thursday, March 25, 2010 Re-Envisioning Our Lives ThroughLiterature Writing & Literature Workshops forElementary, Middle-School and High-School Students 9:00 a.m. to 11:30a.m. Elementary School Program Cheryl and Wade Hudson, Zetta Elliot,and Tony Medina Sponsored by Just Us Books 1:00 p.m. to 3:00p.m. Middle-School Writing Workshop
TonyaHegamin High-School Program Tara Betts, John Murillo, and AbiodunOyewole, Featured Poets High-School Writing Workshop
Sponsoredby PEN American Center 4:00 p.m. to 5:00p.m. Elders Workshop Presentation(Medgar Evers College) Donna Hill, Moderator 4:00 p.m. to 6:00p.m. Off-Site Event: Spoken Word PoetryCafé Staceyann Chin and Willie Perdomo,Featured Poets Location: BrooklynPublic Library CentralLibrary 10 Grand ArmyPlaza Brooklyn, NY11238 718-230-2100 Conference Papers on Toni Morrison,Amiri Baraka, Kamau Brathwaite, and John Oliver Killens Medgar Evers College Mary Pinkett Lecture Hall, Student Services Building, S122 9:30 a.m. to 10:45a.m. “The Resurrection of Memory in theWorks of Toni Morrison” RobinFord, Moderator 12:30 p.m. to 1:45p.m. “Music as Language in African AmericanTexts” EmmanuelaMaurice, Moderator 2:00 p.m. to 3:15p.m. “The Legacy of John Oliver Killens” TBA,Moderator 3:30 p.m. to 4:45p.m. “The Politics of Language” BakarWilson, Moderator 5:00 p.m. to 6:00p.m. Presentation of Student Play Fanon,Founders Auditorium Featuring Students at Medgar EversCollege, Written by Prof. Delridge Hunter 5:00 p.m. VIP OpeningReception President’sConference Center (Medgar Evers College, Rm. 1008) Sponsoredby the Caribbean Chamber of Commerce and Industry Incorporated 7:00 p.m. OfficialConference Opening: AConversation with Kamau Brathwaite and Welcome to South End Press Supported by Black BrooklynRenaissance in Partnership with the BrooklynArts Council and the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation TerrieM. Williams, Mistress of Ceremonies Thomas Sayers Ellis, Introduction ofKamau Brathwaite Founders Auditorium, Medgar EversCollege, CUNY Friday, March 26, 2010 LeroyBaylor, Master of Ceremonies 10:00 a.m. to 11:30a.m. “The Black Writer as LiteraryActivist” Patrick Oliver, Kalamu Ya Salaam,Dorothea Smartt, and Frank Wilderson III Louis Reyes Rivera, Moderator 12:00 p.m. to 1:30p.m. “Politics and Satire in the Literatureof Black Writers” Herb Boyd, Thomas Bradshaw, Charles D.Ellison, and Major Owens Obery M. Hendricks, Moderator 2:00 p.m. to 3:30p.m. “Shifting Identities: The Black Writerin the African Diaspora” Edwidge Danticat, Courttia Newland,Colin Channer, and Carole Boyce Davies Jacqueline Brice-Finch, Moderator 4:00 p.m. to 5:30p.m. “Black Writers Reconstructing theMaster Narrative” Catherine Acholonu, John F. Baker Jr.,Breena Clarke, and Betty DeRamus
 Pamela Newkirk, Moderator 6:30 p.m. to 8:30p.m. Tribute to Toni Cade Bambara Malaika Adero, Hattie Gossett, FarahJasmine Griffin, Linda Holmes, Louis Massiah, Eugene Redmond, Eleanor Traylor,Cheryl Wall, Kalamu Ya Salaam, Sonia Sanchez Sponsored by The Links, Incorporated 8:30 p.m. Off-Site Event: TheNational Black Writers’ Conference Concert PresentsTalib Kweli, Gary Bartz, anda Very Special Surprise Guest Producedby Jill Newman Productions Location: Littlefield, Brooklyn, NYC Doors Open: 8:30 p.m.; Concert: 9:30p.m. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at thedoor For Tickets, visit http://www.littlefieldnyc.com Jill Newman Productions 917-561-6056, http://www.jillnewmanproductions.com Saturday, March 27, 2010 KyraGaunt, Mistress of Ceremonies 10:00 a.m. to 11:30a.m. “The Impact of Hip-Hop and PopularCulture in the Literature of Black Writers” Steven C. Fullwood, Felicia Pride, andTouré Karen Hunter, Moderator 12:00 p.m. to 1:30p.m. “The Impact of the Internet: Blogging,Publishing and Writing” Grace Ali, Nick Charles, Troy Johnson,and April Silver Esther Armah, Moderator 2:00 p.m. to 3:30p.m.
 “Literary Encounters: East MeetsWest—A Dialogue”
 Meena Alexander, Marina Budhos,Shelley Eversley, and M G Vassinji Margaret Cox, Moderator 4:00 p.m. to 5:30p.m.
 *“The Impact of War & NaturalDisasters in Literature by Black Writers” Chris Abani,
Phyllis Montana LeBlanc,James McBride, and Maaza Mengiste 5:30 p.m. to 6:00p.m. Kevin Powell – Featured Speaker “Black Writers Creating Memories andLighting the Way” Readings TheNational Black Writers’ Conference Reading Series Is Sponsored by the AfricanAmerican Literature Book Club, the Brooklyn Literary Council andthe National Black Writers’ Conference 12:30 p.m. Colson Whitehead Sponsored by the National BlackWriters’ Conference 1:30 p.m. to 2:30p.m. Bernice McFadden, Rakesh Satyal, andTiphanie Yanique Sponsored by the Brooklyn LiteraryCouncil 3:00 p.m. to 4:00p.m. Allen B. Ballard, Victor LaValle, andDolen Perkins-Valdez Sponsored by the African AmericanLiterary Book Club 6:30 p.m. Off-Site Event: AwardsReception and VIP Reception Susan L.Taylor, Reception Emcee Honorees: ToniMorrison,Noble Prize-Winning Author and Honorary Chair, NBWC; AmiriBaraka,Poet, Essayist; Kamau Brathwaite, Poet, Cultural Historian andProfessor, New York University; and Dr. Edison O. Jackson, FormerPresident, Medgar Evers College, CUNY Location ARTCURIAN Gallery at Arthur BennettHall 22 Chapel Street Brooklyn, New York 11201 www.artcurian.org Tickets $75 To Purchase Tickets, visit AALBC.COM Sunday, March 28, 2010 GloriaJ. Browne-Marshall, Mistress of Ceremonies Talkshops 10:00 a.m. to 11:15a.m. Fiction: Tayari Jones **Poetry: Sonia Sanchez Book Reviews: Clarence V. Reynolds 11:30 a.m. to 12:30p.m. Dramatic Writing: Thulani Davis Creative Nonfiction: TK Book Proposals: Krishan Trotman PanelDiscussions 12:30 p.m. to 2:00p.m. “Speculative Fiction: Fantasy, Horror,and the Supernatural in the Fiction of Black Writers” L.A. Banks, Michael Boatman, JewellParker Rhodes, and Cheo Tyehimba DaleAllender, Moderator 2:30 p.m. to 4:00p.m. *** “Restoring Community: BlackWriters Respond to the Environmental Crises” Majora Carter, Alixa and Naima(Climbing PoeTree), and Omar Ferilla 4:30 p.m. to 6:00p.m. “Editors, Agents, Writers, and Publisherson the Literature of Black Writers” Regina Brooks, Linda Duggins, ChrisJackson, and Johnny Temple Fred Beauford, Moderator *Sponsored by Con Edison **Poetry Talkshop is Sponsored by TheLinks, Incorporated ***Sponsored by Con Edison Brenda M. Greene, Ph.D. Conference Director; ExecutiveDirector, The Center for Black Literature Program Is Subject to Change. 2010 National Black Writers'Conference

Oh no Troy, I wouldn't be surprised in the least. That's a very good page. Of course history is important. Here's my thang. Without a doubt it inspires further discusion. I was merely suggesting that "answers" alone are like a hotdog bun without the hotdog. In reference to inspiration, I am reminded of people that go to church and throw their hands in the air and holla like they just don't care. They say AMEN!, preach pastor. When the choir stops singing and the lights go out, so does their praise. So now we are sitting at the table of Black History Month. Excuse me Troy, could you pass me a little of that "Richard Allen". Troy: Certainly Carey, btw, did you know his master was a kindly gentleman? Carey: You're kidding me? Troy: Nope, he let Richie buy his freedom. Carey: Are you talking about the son of Miss Maddie and that one cracker... I mean Quaker, Benjamin Chew? Troy: YES! You do know that he was instrumental in establishing the African Methodist Episcopal Church? Carey: Really? Is that why we are now called African Americans? Troy: I think so. Carey: Okay Troy, if you're so smart, who said "Too long have others spoken for us!"? Troy: That's easy, Helen Keller. Carey: That's funny Troy, pass me some of that John Brown Russwurn. Troy: Okay Carey, but you better put some of this Cornish on it. Carey: OH Yeah! We don't have but a month to grease like this so you know I'm gonna throw down. So you're up on Samuel E. Cornish? Troy: Nope, but it sounds good. Carey: Hey Troy, do we have any sweets? Troy: Boy, are you serious? Don't you see that Josephine "the" Baker? Carey: But Troy, I am looking for some real soul food. I don't see any dirty rice or Condoleezza Rice? I like my Louis "Rich" Farrakhan slow smoked in some Tiger Woods. Troy: That's not slave food! Be quiet, white folks get riled up when you mention those delicate morsels. Carey: Do we have a bunch of greens? Troy: No, we do not, but if you promise not to tell anyone, we have some Ralph Bunche. I bet you don't know anything about that? Carey: Well Troy, your eyes may shine and your teeth my grin, but that's not slave food... so it's a sin. Look Troy, somebody might come in here and ask us for the right answers. I mean, if they ask us what we are eating and we say Muhammed Ali instead of William Wells Brown, we could be in big trouble. What are they gonna say when we are licking our fingers and soppin' up some Barack Obama? Look at you, wipe that Colin Powel off your face. Am all for a little adventure but I'm trying to stay at the table. Remember, we only have a month. Troy: Carey, you're right. Try some of this Frederick Douglas. After you slam that down, we are going to get ugly on some of that Thumper. Carey: THUMPER! Is that slave food? I think I've seen that over at Mr Johnson's house. Troy: You're silly, Carey. I was trying to tell you that Thumper is bringing his Red Velvet Cake. Carey: I know you're not talking about the Wizard of Books & Movies? You can't be becuase er'body knows that boy don't know nothing about cooking. Hurry, call him and tell him to bring some slave food. Ask him if he has any William Wells Brown. Troy: You're probably right. Maybe I should tell him to bring some music. Carey: ARE YOU NUTS?! You know Thump doesn't play anything but Aretha Franklin and Etta James. Troy: Well, what wrong with that? Carey: Come on Troy, stop thinking like a mental midget. First, when Thumper starts playing Aretha's "Jump To It", you don't want to see him do his Mr Brown. That's some ugly mess. Besides, this is a slave celebration. We need some of that moaning music. Troy: OuuuuWeeeee Carey, have you tried some of this Isaac Murphy? You know that's slave food. It has something to do with horses. Carey: Yuck! Cats eat horse meat. But I do love me some Isaac Hayes. You know, "by the time I get to Phoenix" Troy: If you don't stop running your mouth, by the time this month is over, we will be looking real stupid, cuz we'll be real hungry. Carey: I don't know what "we" are going to do, but am going to buy me some books. Troy: Book?! Do you know how to read? Carey: Oh, you got jokes. Of course I know how to read. I've been reading about Oprah and ... Troy: Hush your mouth boy! Here, put some of this Harriet Tubman in your mouth. Are you trying to spoil the party? Besides, you can't even put hot sauce on Oprah. That's already too strong. But we can always warm up some Harriet Tubman. Yes sir, that's fine slave food. Carey: You're right again ol'wise one. You did say "We all don't assimilate information the same way". But Troy, I've never seen much of this food that you are giving me. Troy: Duh! That's why we are having this great feast. See Carey, negroes like you need to know this food exists. And you know what, white folks need a little bump of this too. They need to know every closed eye ain't sleep. Carey: But Troy, the eat chitterlings too Troy: Stop being stupid, Carey. They need to know they left a little cream in our coffee. Carey: Yeah, and I hate that. Troy: Well, we are the hate that hate created. Carey: What?! Troy: Eat boy, just eat. That's too deep for you. Keep your eye on that pig. You can't handle the truth. You'd probably gag on some prime rib. Carey: Forget you Troy. I got your fat pig. You go right ahead and crame your face with a plate of T. Thomas Fortune cookies. I am going to buy me a double stack of books. Soon as my feet stike zion, am gonna lay down my heavy burdens, I'm gonna put on my robe in glory/ am gonna shout and tell my story/ am gonna tell him all about my struggles/ my soul looks back and I wonder how I got over. Troy: No you didn't! Did you just try to drop the deal breaker? I mean, I've been to church and I recognize a gospel song when I hear one. So now you wanna bring God to the table. See Carey, God knows my heart. Carey: Yes he does Troy, and he knows what you do... at all times! Troy: What are you trying to say, Carey? Are you saying my heart is not in the right place, and that we shouldn't be filling up on slave food! CareY: No, that's not what I am saying. Well, where is Thumper? Did he bring his old school music? I was going to put on Aretha. I love this line... "company is alright with me every once in awhile, but when me and my baby start making love" ... It's time for the slaves to move around. Troy: I think I gotcha. Perhaps you are suggesting that the information be obtained from a book. If soe I'm all for that too. Carey: Bingo Baby! Now you're cooking with Crisco. I am not Paul Harvey, but I want to hear the rest of the story. Er'bdy can't stand the truth. But I want to know what's really going on. Listen Troy, put down that pork chop and lend me your ear. I am not Big Red from the Five Heartbeats, and you are not their manager, but I am trying to put some money in yo pockets and some knowledge on your brain. I am tired-tired-tired of hearing regurgitated slave stories. I know some negroes like to wax poetically about days gone by, but What About A Time Called Now? Let the slave ship ride off into the sunset. Make my funk the P-Funk, I love to get funked up! I do not look in caskets. If I did, I'd be taking my eyes off the prize. Pass the peas.