0 American Justice: The Scott Sisters

The news has been peppered with the story about two black women who have been in prison for 16 years and finally granted parole only if one of them donates a kidney to her sister so they can GET OFF the government payroll.

In 1994 the two women were accused of armed robbery and a Mississippi court determined that it was right a just for them to be sentenced to a term of no less than LIFE for their first offense.

Their mother and a few friends have kept the case alive in the minds of those who first came across the story at http://freethescottsisters.blogspot.com where the details of the case can be found. According to the transcripts the women, along with three other accomplices robbed a man at gunpoint and took his wallet.

The trial, a complete sham, ended with a life sentence for both women despite recanted statements, the recovered wallet (with all its contents still intact) and the sisters were sent to jail.

Of course, without first eye witness it is difficult to judge whether the jury was right in finding these women guilty, however it is clear that life sentences for each woman were completely unjust.

Now the Governor, tired of having people write him letters, has determined that the cost of keeping Jamie Scott alive in prison (dialysis treatments) is too expensive for the state and has offered them parole if Gladys donates a kidney to her sister.

This is the truth of American justice for the black woman.

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0 Book Review: Bloodchild

Bloodchild: And Other Stories

Octavia E. Butler

ISBN:

9781583226988

Publisher:

Seven Stories Pr

Publication Date:

2005

Binding:

Softcover

So now you know the truth. I'm a bit of a geek, a sprinkling of nerd, a sci-fi/fantasy enthusiast and one of the biggest fans of Octavia Butler's works.

My love affair with her writing started a while back, influenced by a good friend who sent me one of her books. For the first time I was confronted with the same surprise (please don't ask me why) that most people have when I tell them her novels primarily feature a black woman or a black girl!

I'll stop gushing and get on with the review.

Bloodchild is the story of a young man, Gan, part of a settlement of human beings 'rescued' by extra terrestrials, and his very quick journey to accepting his fate. The men of the settlement are used as incubation vessels for the young of the extra terrestrials. When the young come to term, the men undergo a very painful process to have them removed.

This deftly crafted story forces you to look at the role of pregnancy in cultivating and maintaining the human race on earth right now. It allows the reader to explore what it really means to be an integral part of maintaining the peaceful society in which they live, owning the responsibility to do so and keeping promises.

As is usual with my experience with Ms. Butler's novels, this one challenged my steadfastly held opinions about propagating any species. If roles were reversed, would I be willing to participate in acts that brought so much pain and confusion to a child just to bear spawn? If I were Gan, would I accept my fate so easily?

Needless to say, the book will rip your guts out, splay them on the ground and then walk away. READ IT!

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0 Youth in Danger

Statistics have typically shown that prisons are overflowing with black men and women. Television shows have perpetuated this idea and we have all fallen victim to this media suggestion. The inevitable conclusion of studies that have produced those kinds of statistics, include "There are more black men in prison than college", "most black men are thugs" and a host of other unfair and untrue statements.

Other studies have uncovered the falsehoods in claims stemming from the statistics and have been argued on various blogs and social media.

No matter how one looks at the issue, the truth is that there are more black men in prison than any other racial group in North America.

Many of our young people get caught up in violent gangs, the sale of illegal narcotic drugs, prostitution and theft. This may be due to a lack of strong parenting, but I would like to argue that the frustration many of our young people face in finding a good job with sufficient compensation and their own race to catch the unattainable "American Dream" forces some into these activities.

What hope can we give these youth then? How can we turn a blind eye to their struggle to fit into a system that rejects them once they see the color of their skin? Is there something we can do or are we forever doomed to raise children in crisis?

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0 The End of Marriage

No matter how far back one looks into history, the story of the "Strong Black Woman" is enduring. She gathers her children as well as other disenfranchised children into her large bosom, feeding them with good food and giving them comfort. She holds a gun to ward off predators, sows clothing and in the 21st century, she does all this while holding a briefcase.

Is it possible that this image could be wrong?

Many people have argued that the "Strong Black Woman" phenomenon is the main reason for divorce numbers in black marriages. She doesn't need a man and will not work hard enough on her marriage to make it what it needs to be.

Other arguments on the interwebs claim that the lessons of hard work towards a strong marriage are not being passed on to children.

Can the black woman be blamed for the end of black marriages because she is too strong?

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0 The End of Marriage

No matter how far back one looks into history, the story of the "Strong Black Woman" is enduring. She gathers her children as well as other disenfranchised children into her large bosom, feeding them with good food and giving them comfort. She holds a gun to ward off predators, sows clothing and in the 21st century, she does all this while holding a briefcase.

Is it possible that this image could be wrong?

Many people have argued that the "Strong Black Woman" phenomenon is the main reason for divorce numbers in black marriages. She doesn't need a man and will not work hard enough on her marriage to make it what it needs to be.

Other arguments on the interwebs claim that the lessons of hard work towards a strong marriage are not being passed on to children.

Can the black woman be blamed for the end of black marriages because she is too strong?

Read more

0 Incorporating Fruit and Vegetables into Your Diet

If you have ever tried getting a child to finish eating their vegetables, you've come against a tradition upheld by children all over the World since time first began (I think). For some children the relationship with veggies and fruit continues to sour into adulthood. The responsibility of nurturing this relationship tends to fall squarely on the shoulders of parents.

There are some tips to creating a diet for you and your family that incorporates fruit and vegetables in an interesting and fun way. You'll have your children (and possibly your husband too) full of the goodness of vitamins and minerals, keeping them in optimal health.

1. Always choose fruit and veggies with lots of color, this usually means it has more vitamins and minerals.
2. When you prepare a dish use elements with many different colors. For example for a simple relish can comprise of red tomatoes, green onions, yellow tomatoes, shredded orange carrots and black olives.
3. Don't make veggies the same way each time, experiment with recipes and see what comes out.
4. No one likes mushy fruit or mushy veggies. Instead make sure whatever your serve (or buy) is firm and try to eat it as close to its natural state as possible.
5. Create fruit popsicles by blending the fruit with milk and ice and freezing them in molds for a great treat after dinner.
6. Try your hand at some fruit art and let your imagination take you where it will!

Enjoy!

Read more

0 Incorporating Fruit and Vegetables into Your Diet

If you have ever tried getting a child to finish eating their vegetables, you've come against a tradition upheld by children all over the World since time first began (I think). For some children the relationship with veggies and fruit continues to sour into adulthood. The responsibility of nurturing this relationship tends to fall squarely on the shoulders of parents.

There are some tips to creating a diet for you and your family that incorporates fruit and vegetables in an interesting and fun way. You'll have your children (and possibly your husband too) full of the goodness of vitamins and minerals, keeping them in optimal health.

1. Always choose fruit and veggies with lots of color, this usually means it has more vitamins and minerals.
2. When you prepare a dish use elements with many different colors. For example for a simple relish can comprise of red tomatoes, green onions, yellow tomatoes, shredded orange carrots and black olives.
3. Don't make veggies the same way each time, experiment with recipes and see what comes out.
4. No one likes mushy fruit or mushy veggies. Instead make sure whatever your serve (or buy) is firm and try to eat it as close to its natural state as possible.
5. Create fruit popsicles by blending the fruit with milk and ice and freezing them in molds for a great treat after dinner.
6. Try your hand at some fruit art and let your imagination take you where it will!

Enjoy!

Read more

0 Hey Soul Sistah

Hey Soul Sistah!

Okay, so I have a theory. A pretty good one. It will leave a HUGE smile on your face.

The song Hey Soul Sistah by Train is about a black woman.

(See! I told you I'd make you smile!)

You know when you catch someone off guard and they stumble around trying to answer your question? Train frontman Pat Monahan told Billboard in the Fall of 2009: "It’s kind of about, I’ve always thought of women as being beautiful, in other ways rather than the obvious, and so the picture of Hey, Soul Sister to me was *a group of beautiful, diverse women* kind of dancing around a bonfire, and the idea of just wanting to be around that energy."

Tell me you don't think that is a round about way of saying YES!

Not to mean any disrespect to our sisters of other shades but my argument is based partly on the lyrics.

• Soul Sistah is a term usually applied to a black woman, just type "soul sister" into google and see what you get!
• we're known for our cool moves (the way you can cut a rug)
• historically the majority of women impressed by a guy calling himself a gangsta or thug tend to be black
• I want the World to see you'll be with me, no need to question that if she's the same race as he is!

So in honor of all lovers of black women Worldwide (yes we know you're there) this one is for you to listen to and enjoy!

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0 Dreaming

NubianGraphics.com

One of my friends is a basketball junkie. Needless to say, she dragged me down into addiction and now I'm hooked. I still call the "Point Guard" a "Center" and have a million and one questions about the rules and why the referee blows the whistle so often but have learned to enjoy every single moment of it.

Today my gym hosted a High School basketball tournament and for two hours was teeming with hordes of less-than-fresh pimply teenagers ready to show their worth to the team and to the coach. The naive hoop dreams, quite evident with occasional chants like "Who are we? MVP!" were reflected in each others faces and talent that will never see them past their High School days was flaunted abundantly.

It got me thinking about my own dreams, those realized and others I abandoned years ago. I remember the anticipation and excitement whenever I thought I had placed one foot on the path to greatness. The fervor with which I attacked those tasks that promised great returns was commendable and the earth shattering disappointment was devastating when those dreams were dashed by impossible hurdles.

An adult once told me, "Terri, you need to stop fantasizing!" and I believed them. Somewhere along the way I stopped dreaming of that greatness and started the general ho-hum I'm mired in today.

This Christmas, I wish for you, and all my brothers and sisters, the ability to dream again. I wish you find the fire that once burned in your belly for incredible dreams. I wish you all success in your endeavors as we all reach to attain our goals of the greatness our ancestors had.

Read more

0 Hey Soul Sistah

Hey Soul Sistah!

Okay, so I have a theory. A pretty good one. It will leave a HUGE smile on your face.

The song Hey Soul Sistah by Train is about a black woman.

(See! I told you I'd make you smile!)

You know when you catch someone off guard and they stumble around trying to answer your question? Train frontman Pat Monahan told Billboard in the Fall of 2009: "It’s kind of about, I’ve always thought of women as being beautiful, in other ways rather than the obvious, and so the picture of Hey, Soul Sister to me was *a group of beautiful, diverse women* kind of dancing around a bonfire, and the idea of just wanting to be around that energy."

Tell me you don't think that is a round about way of saying YES!

Not to mean any disrespect to our sisters of other shades but my argument is based partly on the lyrics.

• Soul Sistah is a term usually applied to a black woman, just type "soul sister" into google and see what you get!
• we're known for our cool moves (the way you can cut a rug)
• historically the majority of women impressed by a guy calling himself a gangsta or thug tend to be black
• I want the World to see you'll be with me, no need to question that if she's the same race as he is!

So in honor of all lovers of black women Worldwide (yes we know you're there) this one is for you to listen to and enjoy!

Read more

0 Dreaming

NubianGraphics.com

One of my friends is a basketball junkie. Needless to say, she dragged me down into addiction and now I'm hooked. I still call the "Point Guard" a "Center" and have a million and one questions about the rules and why the referee blows the whistle so often but have learned to enjoy every single moment of it.

Today my gym hosted a High School basketball tournament and for two hours was teeming with hordes of less-than-fresh pimply teenagers ready to show their worth to the team and to the coach. The naive hoop dreams, quite evident with occasional chants like "Who are we? MVP!" were reflected in each others faces and talent that will never see them past their High School days was flaunted abundantly.

It got me thinking about my own dreams, those realized and others I abandoned years ago. I remember the anticipation and excitement whenever I thought I had placed one foot on the path to greatness. The fervor with which I attacked those tasks that promised great returns was commendable and the earth shattering disappointment was devastating when those dreams were dashed by impossible hurdles.

An adult once told me, "Terri, you need to stop fantasizing!" and I believed them. Somewhere along the way I stopped dreaming of that greatness and started the general ho-hum I'm mired in today.

This Christmas, I wish for you, and all my brothers and sisters, the ability to dream again. I wish you find the fire that once burned in your belly for incredible dreams. I wish you all success in your endeavors as we all reach to attain our goals of the greatness our ancestors had.

Read more

0 Narcissists Cheating?!

by Shay

A new study done by Ohio State University, as reported on the Huffington Post, shows that "Narcissistic college students are more likely to cheat on tests".  I fail to see where the news is in this particular study.  Narcissists will eat their off-spring, mow down their grannies and carry on that path with undisguised zeal. Just because they happen to be in college shouldn't make them worthy of this study.

In this captivating study, assistant Psychology Professor Amy Brunell adds "Narcissists feel the need to maintain a positive self-image and they will sometimes set aside ethical concerns to get what they want." 

I mean, really, you spent all this time coming to this very minuscule conclusion.  I'm glad academia is proving to be one of the least innovative and thought provoking establishments around as they collect more navel-gazers without much to contribute to the world of research and development.

On to more pressing things! Eating with left hand and surfing the net with the right one.

Read more

0 Narcissists Cheating?!

by Shay

A new study done by Ohio State University, as reported on the Huffington Post, shows that "Narcissistic college students are more likely to cheat on tests".  I fail to see where the news is in this particular study.  Narcissists will eat their off-spring, mow down their grannies and carry on that path with undisguised zeal. Just because they happen to be in college shouldn't make them worthy of this study.

In this captivating study, assistant Psychology Professor Amy Brunell adds "Narcissists feel the need to maintain a positive self-image and they will sometimes set aside ethical concerns to get what they want." 

I mean, really, you spent all this time coming to this very minuscule conclusion.  I'm glad academia is proving to be one of the least innovative and thought provoking establishments around as they collect more navel-gazers without much to contribute to the world of research and development.

On to more pressing things! Eating with left hand and surfing the net with the right one.

Read more

0 Wikileaks: "The Rat"

by Terri

The moral dilemma surrounding the recent wikileaks scandal is not a new one within the black community. Often times we end up wondering whether the effects of having a ruined reputation outweigh the good of one small member of the community.

We are used to hiding domestic violence, sexual aggravation, drug lords and murderers as part of our survival in our neighbourhoods. 'The Rat' label is accompanied by alienation from friends and family, sometimes physical harm as a warning.

Understanding why the government and their allies are chasing Mr. Assange around the World is not difficult. We know what it means.

Suddenly finding ourselves backing a 'rat' in our midst might seem counter productive, destroying diplomatic relations with allies in order to uncover the truth. Is it worth it? Is there any merit to what the owner of Wikileaks has done?

The proverbial skeletons dancing out of the closet in this instance may haunt US diplomatic relations for a lifetime, or they may quietly jangle back into the closet never to be heard from again depending on the outcome of the scandal.

However this saga turns out, it is an exciting time to be part of the globe and witness to potential global tsunamis that will echo through history.

NEWS UPDATE: Arrest warrant for Julius Assange amended.

Read more

0 Wikileaks: "The Rat"

by Terri

The moral dilemma surrounding the recent wikileaks scandal is not a new one within the black community. Often times we end up wondering whether the effects of having a ruined reputation outweigh the good of one small member of the community.

We are used to hiding domestic violence, sexual aggravation, drug lords and murderers as part of our survival in our neighbourhoods. 'The Rat' label is accompanied by alienation from friends and family, sometimes physical harm as a warning.

Understanding why the government and their allies are chasing Mr. Assange around the World is not difficult. We know what it means.

Suddenly finding ourselves backing a 'rat' in our midst might seem counter productive, destroying diplomatic relations with allies in order to uncover the truth. Is it worth it? Is there any merit to what the owner of Wikileaks has done?

The proverbial skeletons dancing out of the closet in this instance may haunt US diplomatic relations for a lifetime, or they may quietly jangle back into the closet never to be heard from again depending on the outcome of the scandal.

However this saga turns out, it is an exciting time to be part of the globe and witness to potential global tsunamis that will echo through history.

NEWS UPDATE: Arrest warrant for Julius Assange amended.

Read more