Racism still Exists

Like any normal day, I log on to facebook.com because I got an email saying that my friend Antoinette had written on my wall. I was very curious to what was written so I immediately signed on to facebook to see what she wrote. Well she posted this link to a website. I clicked on the link and was very surprised at what I went on to read. This is a direct copy and paste from the website.

" small town in texas that seems to relish in its violent racial past.
paris, texas is the home of the Paris Fairgrounds, a stage where thousands of white ’spectators’ would gather to burn and lynch blacks as if at some sort of carnival. today, it is a highly segregated town that has implicity dared anyone to question how it chooses to treat blacks that live in the area.
the facts:
1. “black parents have filed at least a 12 discrimination complaints against the school district with the federal Education Department, asserting that their children, who constitute 40 percent of the district’s nearly 4,000 students, were singled out for excessive discipline”
the paris public schools are under investigation by the U.S. Education Department
2. 19-year-old white man, convicted last july of criminally negligent homicide for killing a 54-year-old black woman and her 3-year-old grandson with his truck, was sentenced in Paris to probation
3. judge chuck superville sentenced a 14-year-old white girl, convicted of arson for burning down her family’s house, to probation
4. a 14-year-old black freshman, shaquanda cotton, shoved a 58-year-old teacher’s aide at paris high school in a dispute over entering the building before the school day had officially begun. she was tried in march 2006 in the town’s juvenile court, convicted of “assault on a public servant” and sentenced by the same judge chuck superville to prison for up to 7 years, until she turns 21"

I chuckled for a moment after reading the last one. You all are probably wondering why I chuckled. It wasn't because I thought what I was reading was funny. I was thinking this is funny that this still goes on in America and there are many that will swear that Racism no longer exists. What the hell was this judge thinking sentencing this 14 year old to 7 years in prison for pushing a teacher's aide. I am by no means condoning pushing an adult or suggesting that physical assault should be taken lightly, but come on. Enough is enough. This judge couldn't be thinking clearly if he thinks this warrants a jail sentence of 7 years.

For years and years African Americans have been experiencing injustice in the American justice system. You must be living under a rock if you think this is untrue. I guarantee you if you put a black and white man in front of a judge, and they both have committed the same crime, I bet nine out of ten times the black will receive a more severe punishment. I always have wondered why there are more a disporportinate amounts of blacks in prison compared to other races? It can't be that we commit more crimes. I know some of you are thinking, well the media only shows blacks in trouble. Well, if you think we are the majority of the ones committing crimes then you are crazy. I have seen and read on numerous occasions of blacks being unfairly treated. For years and years we were brutally attacked by the KKK and those adamantly against giving blacks civil rights and nothing was done to those that were killing and physically assaulting my people.

It truly sickens me that blacks still have to deal with this today. I am so outraged by this whole LaShaunda Cotton incidence. I plan on writing the Gov. of Texas and hopefully joining many who will do the same. I encourage you all to speak out against this madness. It's a shame that we still must face this injustice. Who knows when it could happen to you.

Racism still exists and anyone who thinks otherwise is CRAZY, DELUSIONAL, AND STUPID!!!

Check out this website and it will lead you to an address where you can write to the Governor of Texas to hopefully get this abuse of power stopped by this judge.
http://freeshaquandacotton.blogspot.com/

I am America's Nightmare...

Be A Leader!!!

Sometime last week while listening to The Russ Parr Morning Show they had a people poll response to Rev. Al Sharpton criticising Sen. Barrack Obama. Sharpton was saying a bunch of ridiculous things like Obama hasn't done anything for blacks and hasn't proven himself to our community. He, also, stated that Obama need to give any money that he received from non-black donors back to them! When I was listening to this I was like what the hell! Rev. Al has a lot of nerve. Why are black leaders afraid to embrace another black leader? Is Sharpton afraid that Obama is stilling his thunder? ( I know some of you are saying what thunder and I agree) I couldn't believe that Rev. Al Sharpton was being so critical of Sen. Obama. Sen. Obama has done a lot for the black community. He has been a much needed voice for our community in the Senate. He has given hope back to blacks that we can achieve anything. He's a fresh, new, energetic, and young black leader that speaks to us younger African Americans who didn't grow up during the civil rights movement. After getting over this I thought to myself, why don't we have more young black leaders?

"Be a leader and not a follower!" Many times in my short life span I have heard those words. Early on in my life I decided that I was going to be a leader and not a follower. Growing up I always had my own sense of style. Never wanting to follow anyone I did what I felt was right. Whether it was accepted by the majority. I feel that's one of the problems with people today. Many are sitting back being followers and not taking responsibility for leading their lives.

Being a leader means taking chances. As a leader I have taken many chances. I have ran for many club leadership positions and lost. I wasn't afraid to lose or take the chance of losing. Many people hate taking chances and are afraid of what the unknown will bring. Well as a leader I say you have to be confidant in what you believe and be willing to take that chance. Being a leader does mean that you will receive criticism and ridicule. I have been criticised many times. I remember back when I was at HPU and I was Legislative Vice President of the Student Government and I was outspoken on many issues/bills brought before the student government. I didn't care whether people agreed or not. As a leader I had to be willing to accept the criticism and keep it moving. I couldn't worry about satisfying everyone. I id make a decision in college that I now regret. I wish I would have taken a more hands on work in the Black Cultural Awareness group. I was very dissatisfied with it while in college and didn't really want to have much to do with the organization. If I could go back I would have definitely been more involved and possibly tried to do something to make the organization better. I sat back and complained about the organization for my four years at HPU and never did anything to change it.

Some of you are probably wondering why I am writing this post. Well I have witnessed a number of individuals some friends and brothers that have been followers. It's sad in my opinion. Many are willing to sit back and let someone lead them like a puppy dog. Why is this? Are they too afraid to make a decision on their own? Who knows, but this has got to stop. People need to stand up and lead on their own. They need to stop waiting on people to grab them by the hand and leading the way. With this post I am encouraging all of you who read this to become a leader. Quit sitting back and being a follower. We have enough of them in the world. Be different!!! Be a LEADER!!!

Well folks that it for now. I may be taking a hiatus. I have been getting busier and busier at work due to tax season. I'm not sure I will have much time to post in the next month, but I will if I can. Until then I am America's Nightmare.

Has your letters made you?

Many times I heard people say don’t let the letters define who you are. Some may know what I am referring to and some probably don’t. As most of you know, I am a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Many people told me after I crossed to not change and don’t be defined by the letters. I was chatting with a friend this week and we briefly discussed this. I thought about who I was before the letters and who I am now, after the letters. Did I change? Some would say yes and some would probably say no.

Before I became a member of my illustrious fraternity, I was probably known as an intelligent, smart, and positive young black male. I was probably known on campus for my political views and being very involved in student government on campus. I liked what I was doing on the campus. I feel like I did a lot. I had an identity. When I began researching about my fraternity, I came across a lot of stereotypes. Some call my fraternity the pretty boys, stuck up, and always dressed to impress. I spoke with a couple of my friends that were greek and realized that if I did become a member of any greek organization that I would be identified by this organization most of the time. Well I figured I could be called worse things and those stereotypes don’t really mean much to me.

After crossing those burning sands, I was continually greeted and congratulated for the next month and was reminded by a number of people to not change. Don’t let the letters define who you are. I, always thought, I had a personality before Kappa Alpha Psi and definitely didn’t join the organization to make a name for myself. I have never had issues identify myself. I never have and never will need an organization to define who I am.

Well then my next stop in life was to graduate school at The Ohio State University. I encountered numerous individuals during my year on the campus. I talked to several about many things. One question that always seemed to eventually come up is, “Why didn’t you tell me you were a Kappa?” I would always respond that, “Does it make a difference that I am?” Some would say no and then I would say that’s why I didn’t mention it. I would then explain to them that I love my frat and represent it hard, but it doesn’t make me who I am. It really shouldn’t be that important for me to announce that I am a member of this organization whenever I talk to someone.

So those of you that are greek, I have one question for you. Has your letters made you who you are? I have met numerous greeks from Ohio to North Carolina and some I would say yes. I look at some people and say they would really be nothing if they didn’t have those letters across there chest. It’s very sad that anyone would need that to have an identity. So after a week of seeing numerous probate shows, I say to all the neos: Don’t let the letters make you!!!

I am America’s Nightmare…

Conversation with America and Katya!!!

I have been talking about starting an interview series on the blog for the last month or so and it’s finally here. I decided to interview someone who I have known for quite a long time now. Katya and myself met in the 7th grade at Vail Middle School. Throughout high school she was one of my closet and best friends. We both got our first jobs at McDonald’s on Breiel blvd. We worked together there for over two years. We did go through a period when I went away to college of non-communication. What I mean by non-communication is the fact that we had time apart. I was off at college doing my own thing and she was doing hers. After a brief time of not speaking very often we found our friendship back on track. We have both grown up a lot and now, I personally feel, are growing in our friendship. Now instead of talking about nonsense, we talk like mature adults about a lot of relevant issues today. We do clown some. It’s great to reconnect with friends that you have grown apart from. We have definitely grown closer again. This interview took place about two weeks ago. I now present to my first interview apart of my series, “Conversations with America and…?” Enjoy! ( The picture is Dennis, Katya and me at my graduation party last summer.)


Name: Katya Lindsey
Age: 24 years old


Me: What’s the first memory you have of me?

Katya: 7th grade Ms. Hackney’s class. Kotcha!!!(A little back story on this, during the 7th grade our language arts teacher pronounced Katya’s name wrong for the entire school year. Each day she said something like Kotcha and me and Jason Webb would make fun of it.)

Me: What did she teach?

Katya: Language Arts.

Me: Do you read my blog?

Katya: Yeah some of them.

Me: Which blog post sticks out in your mind?

Katya: The one you are talking about your dad. How he is the luckiest man in the world.

Me: Why is that?

Katya: That one stuck in my head cause you went on to say…what were you talking about it… oh yeah how he wasn’t around…the title. I thought why does he think he is the luckiest man in the world.

Me: What’s your family background?

Katya: I lived with my mom, dad and sister.

Me: Do you feel like you had problems relating to your other black friends since most come from single parent homes:

Katya: No.

Me: Do you think it’s a disadvantage?

Katya: No, it doesn’t mean I can’t relate to them. There are people in my family that has only grew up with one parent and I can look at there experience and relate to my friends. Just because I didn’t go through it doesn’t mean that I can’t relate.

Me: What’s your worst fear?

Katya: How did I know you were going to ask that! LOL! Ugh… (Pondering)I don’t know…not living up to my destiny. We are all destined for greatnesses.

Me: Who do you think is the most influential black person today?

Katya: The most?

Me: Yeah, just in your opinion!

Katya: (thinking) Come back to that one!

Me: If you had a million bucks what would you do with it?

Katya: Pay all my debt and save the rest of it! Give some to charities.

Me: So you wouldn’t go out and by some bling bling?

Katya: For what?! Bling bling doesn’t make me who I am. Just as long as I stay JUICY I am fine. Don’t put that in there!

Me: You know I am going to include that! LOL! Next question is what do you think the number 1 problem affecting young black adults today? People that are in are age range 20-30 years old?

Katya: Black on black crime. We are killing each other off.

Me: Why do you think black people are killing each other?

Katya: You trying to get deep on me. I really don’t know. I just don’t get it.

Me: I was listening to Russ Parr this morning. They had a topic about slavery. Do you think that some people still use slavery as an excuse for black’s problems? Do you think we should forget about slavery and move on?

Katya: I think we should know our history and where we came from. People shouldn’t use it as a crutch. History can repeat itself and we can’t forget that.

Me: How long do you think we should stay in Iraq?

Katya: I think it’s time to pull out! I don’t know why we went over there! Nothings changed and it’s a whole bunch of young people who are dying for what. It’s the poor whites, blacks, and Hispanics ain’t no rich kids over there.

Me: President Bush says we should stay until job is done?

Katya: What’s the job?

Me: That’s a good question! A lot of people don’t’ know.

Katya: They couldn’t find weapons of mass destruction and Osama Bin Laden. They killed Saddam and if they wanted a democracy they can do it themselves. We need to stop butting in people’s business. We have people here who aren’t even completely free.

Me: Say we leave Iraq, what happens if in two years its major chaos. Do we then go back over and try and fix what started or do just let them be?

Katya: I think we as a country need to step back and evaluate the situation. It’s still chaos now. Today 18 Iraqis died. You just have to go in and evaluate the situation. Maybe we are the ones who started the chaos.

Me: In 2008, in United States, we have the potential to elect the first woman, black, Mormon, or Hispanic for president what do you think about that?

Katya: No matter who wins it’s a complete success since we have such diverse presidential candidates.

Me: Which one do you think is more important to have first?

Katya: Of course, being black I would say having a black president would be good. I don’t think it’s more important. I would like to see it in my lifetime. I would like to be able to say I helped accomplished that. Hopefully I can see it in my lifetime.

Me: Democrat or Republican?

Katya: I would have to say I am middle of the road like most Americans. When I go to the polls I have to say I vote Democrat. I consider myself a swing voter.

Me: So you would vote for a Republican?

Katya: Yes, if I agree with there platform.

Me: Do you know what your parent’s party affiliation is?

Katya: I am pretty sure it’s democrat.

Me: Have you ever talked politics with your parents?

Katya: Yes, me and my dad.

Me: Do you find yourself agreeing with your father?

Katya: Sometimes.

Me: What’s an issue you both agree on?

Katya: Umm, let me think…something that a hot subject now… the war in Iraq. We agree that we need to pull out. We both agree that Bush is an idiot. LOL

Me: What’s your highest level of schooling?

Katya: Some college.

Me: Do you plan getting your college degree?

Katya: Yes, you can’t get anywhere without one.

Me: What do you plan on getting your degree in?

Katya: My major is political science. I have two years left on that.

Me: Favorite TV show?

Katya: There is just so many to choose from. My all time favorite is Law and Order

Me: Favorite Movie?

Katya: My all time favorite movie is…Malcolm X. Every time it comes on I have to see it.

Me: Being a non Greek how important do you feel about black Greeks are to today’s society?

Katya: I think they are important because you get to mingle with your peers. Have an interaction and possibly find a connection. They seem good for networking. Since I am not Greek I don’t’ know for sure.

Me: Again I will ask who is the most influential black person?

Katya: I can’t just pick just one. Look at black history month. As a people we have accomplished so much. I can’t just point one person out.

Me: I am going to ask you to pick one of the two for the next serious of questions. To start off we will go with black or white?

Katya: Black. Black is beautiful

Me: Tall or Short?

Katya: Let’s see. I’m short so I am going to go with Short

Me: Obama or Clinton?

Katya: Obama

Me: Giuliani or McCain?

Katya: Giuliani

Me: Chocolate or Vanilla?

Katya: Vanilla

Me: Thanks for taking the time out to answer my questions.

Katya: You’re welcome.

Has rap music ruined the black male?

So last night I had the privilege of going to an album release party for a local rapper here in Columbus. A friend asked me to go with her and I told her I would. Now I haven’t always been a fan of rap music. Well, I should say the hardcore rap music just wasn’t for me. I thought it was tasteless and just degrading to women. When I got to college I started embracing rap music a little more. I found myself enjoying the down south crunk music. Lil Jon and the Eastside Boys and the Ying Yang twins were increasing in popularity during my time in undergrad. I grew to really like there music. Wasn’t always politically correct, but hey what can I say. You can’t help what you like. Anyways, back to the main point of this blog. I, at first was a little hesitant to accept the invitation to this album release. I just think that so many young black males are trying to become a rapper now. To me it was sickening that young black men wanted to become rappers and not get an education. As I sat and waited for the rappers to perform, I began thinking why do young black men want to be rappers? Is it because of the flashy lifestyle that rappers live? I haven’t the slightest idea.

Finally after being in the bar for what seems like forever the performances began. The young black men got up there and rapped their hearts out. Jumping around and throwing up their set I was just surprised. I wondered how many of these young black males have a college degree? I am guessing that a lot of them don’t have one. Why is it that they have chosen to give their all to the rap game? Many young black rappers don’t make it. Why are young black males continuing to strive for a career as a rapper and not trying to pursue an education? I think the way that rappers are portrayed on TV is a lot of the reason that young black males are attracted to the it. You see them in the videos with their bling bling, flashy cars, and surrounded by gorgeous women. Who wouldn’t’ want to have that?

I truly do think that rap music is ruining the black males. Black males are putting their hopes and dreams to try and do something that is very hard to get into. I am not saying that we shouldn’t try to be rappers. Someone has to do it, but we as black people need to encourage our young black males to go to school and get an education and then possibly try for that rap career afterwards. That way they can have something to fall back on. Because truth be told many of them will not make it as a rapper. Call it what you want but I call it the truth. Black men let’s quit trying to live the impossible dream and get it together. We need to be getting college degrees, because if you are talented enough to write a rap song you should be able to handle going to school. Black families need to encourage these young men to get and education. No excuses should be accepted.

On a lighter note I just want to let my readers know that my interview series titled “Conversations with America” will begin this week. I have already interviewed my first person. Hopefully sometime this week I will get another interview in. I hope you enjoy it. My first interview was very good. So get ready because I could be calling you to participate in an interview.

Until next time I am America’s Nightmare…