Robert George: My Trayvon Moment

So, about 25 years ago, I was living in Annapolis, capital of Maryland, sitting right on the Chesapeake Bay.

It has a distinction of being one of the early capitals of young America AND a major port for the US slave trade. Yes, down by the docks, there’s even a plaque commemorating Kunta Kinte’s arrival.

Today, Annapolis’ great claim to fame is being home to both the US Naval Academy and St. John’s College, a liberal arts institution of which I am a proud graduate.

At the time of this anecdote, it was either the summer before or after my graduation. I was walking down Prince George Street, which runs up from the docks toward the college, to visit friends living off-campus. My friends lived in the back half of a house — with, alas, a non-functioning doorbell. This particular day, the residents in the front half (the landlord/renting family, as I recall) weren’t home.

Donna Summer, RIP, Queen of Disco! Thank you for the music.

Donna Summer singing Bad Girls / Hot Studd live at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway.

Brian Becker: How Asians are Succeeding with Booker T. Washington’s Philosophy

Right after the end of slavery, a highly spirited debate emerged in black America over how to reach equality with whites. The debate was primarily between Republican Booker T. Washington, who believed that black people should win their equality through self-reliance and the development of vocational and job skills, and “Radical Democrat” W.E.B. DuBois, who believed black people should do so by engaging in the arts and using government as a means to reach equal footing within the population.

To DuBois’ own credit, he believed in immediate equality, while Washington was more passive due to his belief that blacks should attain equal rights by developing vocational skills to such a high level that employers couldn’t afford to turn them down. DuBois’ determination helped him become the first head of the NAACP and, as such, his imprint on Black America is felt heavily today.

Robert Turner: “The Help” — A Review

Set in and around Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960s, at the start of the civil rights movement, The Help offers up a powerful statement of selflessness, tenacity, and strength among southern black women who work in the homes of southern white women. They cook, clean, take care of the little white babies, and just about everything else around the house. I couldn’t help but initially wonder if this was going to be a black version of Steel Magnolias. It was not!

The stellar cast of Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, and Viola Davis, along with smaller but great performances from Cicely Tyson, Allison Janney, Sissy Spacek, and True Blood’s Nelsan Ellis all add to the excellent writing of Tate Taylor (screenplay) and Kathryn Stockett (novel).

While the movie definitely shows the ugliness of the day, it instead focuses on the optimism of those who are considered the help.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune said it best, “But as filled with contradictions as it is — genteel but prejudiced, mannered but mean, home to the most civilized brand of cruelty you ever did see — it’s built on tradition.”

Martin Martinez: Body-Image Distortion

Today, more than ever we are plagued with distorted images of how we should look and what we expect others to be. I am sure that you have heard this quote ” beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. But whose eyes are we really looking through? ours or society’s? and are we really the beholder? All of us are influenced in one way or another by society or our culture, no one lives in or under a shell. I will say in all assuredness, that adolescents, teens and those in their early to mid-twenties are truly overweight and unhealthy. How do I know this? well according to kids health.org their studies indicate:

”The percentage of overweight children in the United States is growing at an alarming rate, with 1 out of 3 kids now considered overweight or obese”.”Many kids are spending less time exercising and more time in front of the TV, computer, or video-game console. And today’s busy families have fewer free moments to prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals. From fast food to electronics, quick and easy is the reality for many people in the new millennium”.

Body image is not just appearance,” said Karen Ritter, a licensed clinical social worker with 18 years’ experience. “Your body image has to do with your health, your various talents, how able you are to be in tune with sensations in your body.”Many of us grow up in families watching people be critical of their bodies, Ritter said. But everyone’s body has strengths and weaknesses, and bodies are tied to a person’s genetics.

Robert Turner: “The Help” — A Review

Set in and around Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960s, at the start of the civil rights movement, The Help offers up a powerful statement of selflessness, tenacity, and strength among southern black women who work in the homes of southern white women. They cook, clean, take care of the little white babies, and just about everything else around the house. I couldn’t help but initially wonder if this was going to be a black version of Steel Magnolias. It was not!

The stellar cast of Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, and Viola Davis, along with smaller but great performances from Cicely Tyson, Allison Janney, Sissy Spacek, and True Blood’s Nelsan Ellis all add to the excellent writing of Tate Taylor (screenplay) and Kathryn Stockett (novel).

While the movie definitely shows the ugliness of the day, it instead focuses on the optimism of those who are considered the help.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune said it best, “But as filled with contradictions as it is — genteel but prejudiced, mannered but mean, home to the most civilized brand of cruelty you ever did see — it’s built on tradition.”

Douglas Knickrehm: The Case for “Lil Boosie” – Guilty until Proven Innocent in Louisiana

Two days ago I came across the article “Free Boosie movement stupid, calls for release of murderer” by Chris Grillot. It was so appalling and misleading I felt a response was necessary. The sad fact is the basis of the American justice system has been perverted in the case of Torrence Hatch aka “Lil Boosie”. Based on Grillot’s title alone, we can believe he presumes Hatch guilty.

This plays directly into the hands of the DA who manufactured the charge against Boosie. In a jury trial, especially one with a high profile defendant, public perception can be a tool for either side. If Grillot’s attitude is the prevailing mindset in Baton Rouge, I fear for anyone accused of a crime there. Fortunately, this attitude is wrong and Grillot’s article provides a perfect example to dissect.

Before we start I’ll provide a brief background for those who may not know who I’m talking about: Lil’ Boosie is a rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is currently facing a first degree murder charge. He is not to be confused with Lil’ Wayne, who has had his own legal troubles and will be mentioned in the next paragraph. Sorry to those who knew this info, but my mom told me she was confused by the two so I thought I’d clarify for the older crowd.

CHRIS LADD OP-ED: When Black Meant Republican

It’s easy to forget now, but just a few generations ago African-Americans overwhelmingly identified themselves as Republicans. The story of how the Party of Lincoln lost its black support is long and sad, but understanding what happened will be critical as the Party looks to improve its standing in the black community.

You could start the story in the fall of 1895, when Atlanta put on one in a series of “International Expositions” designed to highlight its progress in recovering from the war. Racial tensions had been growing since Southerners, at the end of Reconstruction, began instituting Jim Crow laws to curtail black civil rights. Those laws were under challenge at the time and there were differences among blacks on the merits of direct resistance.