With the Presidential election campaign gearing up, prepare yourself for the onslaught of differing political campaigns across the nation as well. It’s going to be a long election season.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn (D), has found herself the target of an new viral ad that has Democrats across the board crying foul. Spearheaded by a new conservative group called “Turn Right USA,” the ad features a multitude of inflammatory depictions, including two African American men portraying “gangstas,” a blonde Caucasian woman (Councilwoman Hahn is a blonde as well) dancing upon a stripper pole, and uses the lyrics ”Give me your cash, bitch, so we can shoot up the street. Give me your cash, bitch, so we can buy some more heat.”
Hahn has received criticism from some, for employing former gang members to participate in gang intervention programs within the Los Angeles community. An area notorious for its difficulties with gang violence.
While the ad is a blatant example of both racism and sexism, those responsible are already scurrying behind the shield of free speech.
While some on the right have accused Hahn of “paying gang members off” I can’t help but wonder what we should call those who “pay lobbyists, oil companies, and Wall Street off.”
UPDATE: I originally published this in 2009 directly after this event occured. To date the officer in question was convicted and has since been released after serving less than a year in a Los Angeles prison. It has been noted that Michael Vick served more time for the death of an animal, than this officer served for the death of a man. He has already received job offers. #PureFuckery
On New Year’s Day the city of Oakland, California was once again reminded of why it holds the dubious title of the 5th Most Dangerous City in America. However; while many may be quick to write it off as another infamous example of the much hyped “Black on Black” crime, it must be noted that this is not the case. The victim, 22 year old Oscar Grant, was murdered by a police officer. Considering a new study has found that 98% of emergency room doctors suspect that some of their patients have been subject to police brutality, yet less than half of that report it. It makes one wonder just how many more “Oscars” have suffered the same fate.
In the early morning hours of the New Year a fight broke out on a BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit, i.e. the Bay Area’s version of a subway) train bound for Dublin. After arriving on the scene, police grabbed individuals off at the Fruitvale station in order to calm the situation down and obtain the full story of what had actually occured. Reports differ as to whether or not the right people were apprehended, but needless to say Oscar Grant was among the group that was detained. Laid face down on the pavement with his hands handcuffed behind, a friend and witness recalled how he implored for his safety, referring to the fact that he was the father of a 4-yr-old little girl. Moments later he was shot two times in the back as a police officer, (later identifed as Johannes Mehserle) stood over him.
Grant would later die as a result of his injuries.
To date the officer has resigned, but has gone under police protection and has refused to talk about the incident; and no charges have been made.
Amazingly, it was all caught on tape.
My purpose of this is to implore the youth to take a stand. I myself feel a personal connection because this occured in my hometown, yet as I type this from Houston, many here can recall yet another recent display of police brutality that occured in Bellaire. Though rioting, as they did in my hometown last night, may not be the answer; something must be done. We are often written off as the apathetic generation..this is our chance to prove them wrong. I find it odd that outside of the Bay Area no national media coverage has been issued, thus I implore you, if nothing else, to get the word out.
Recently, there was a study that showed that up to 42% of black women have never been married.
Think about that…42% <– nearly half of the population of African-American women, has never been married; while in comparison, only 21% Caucasian American women can say the same thing. Add this to the fact that while in the general population, the overall rate of marriage has dropped 17%, while in comparison the rate of marriage within the Black community has fallen by 34% in the last two decades. So the question that begs to be asked is:
What happened to the state of the black union?
Many people have chosen a side in this debate. A major argument being that there is a “a lack of good black men”: stemming from either incarceration, homosexuality [more specifically because of the down low phenomenon], lack of employment, education, or the always troublesome “baby mama.”
While in response others have cited unattainable standards that have been set forth by Black Women.
If anyone has seen former TLC member Chili’s new show “What Chili Wants,” its hard to argue with this line of logic after hearing her recite her now infamous “list.” Which stipulates that any man she dates:
cannot eat pork
shall not smoke or drink
must be physically fit, i.e. have “a 4-pack or better”
financially well off
God fearing
extremely attractive
Couple all of these prerequisites with the fact that she also mandated that her Mystery Man “have a large __” [use your imagination], and one can easily reach the conclusion that one of her friends did. She should “Date Jesus.”
I found it odd that no mention was made of education, or of traits like honesty, loyalty, or even a sense of humor.
Perhaps the blame lies upon the doorstep of both parties. While we can certainly state the flaws that abound within the community of Black males in America, I can’t help but wonder if not wanting to “settle”… has evolved into women setting standards that are so unbelievably unattainable that no man reaches the plateau, thus is thrown into the “not husband worthy” pile.
Being bi-racial myself I must also ask: Why limit yourself to just one race? Finding a mate is hard enough without limiting the pool in which you seek.
I ran across this while browsing the net this morning. It’s funny how humor can be a catalyst for self-introspection.
THE HUSBAND STORE:
A store has opened that will offer free husbands. When women go to choose a husband, they have to follow the instructions at the entrance:
“You may visit this store ONLY ONCE! There are 6 floors to choose from. You may choose any item from a particular floor, or may choose to go up to the next floor, but you CANNOT go back down except to exit the building!
So, a woman goes to the store to find a husband.
On the 1st floor the sign on the door reads: Floor 1 – These men Have Jobs
The 2nd floor sign reads: Floor 2 – These men Have Jobs and Love Kids.
The 3rd floor sign reads: Floor 3 – These men Have Jobs, Love Kids and are extremely Good Looking.
“Wow,” she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going. She goes to the 4th floor and sign reads:
Floor 4 – These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Good Looking and Help With Housework.
“Oh, mercy me!” she exclaims. “I can hardly stand it!” Still, she goes to the 5th floor and sign reads:
Floor 5 – These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Gorgeous, help with Housework and Have a Strong Romantic Streak.
She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the 6th floor and the Sign reads:
Floor 6 – There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that you are impossible to please. You are now a member of the 42% of black women who will never marry who have also visited this floor.
Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store.
It seems the recession is still in effect. Facing deficits and budget shortfalls, states and cities around the nation are scrambling to creatively find ways to close their fiscal gaps.In Houston it has manifested in new Mayor Annise Parker implementing hikes on water and sewer rates. While in New York, a law that has been on the books since 1997, is now quietly being enforced. It is unclear as to why it is only being enforced 13 years after it’s inception, but one thing is for certain, its impact will be felt immediately…
…the law in question will require shelters to charge homeless residents a portion of their income, in exchange for being allowed to reside there.
Yes you read that correctly.
To be fair, only the homeless who have a source of income will be required to pay these fees, however some would be required to pay as much as 44% of their take-home income, a fact that is astounding considering the fact that they are already homeless due to their inability to afford basic necessities, so the logic behind taking their already meager pay is lacking.
As homeless mother Vanessa Dacosta told the New York Times, being notified that she will have to give $360 of her $800 monthly income to the shelter that she resides in is disheartening to say the least; and as the Times reported, her $8.40 hourly wage pales in comparison to the exorborant cost of living within the City of New York.
It seems that within today’s America not even the homeless are exempt. #purefuckery
The great debate over health care legislation has quietly detracted attention from another monumental issue facing our nation; the fight over affordable education. With tuition rates at all-time high and obscure laws that make many middle-income families ineligible for financial aid packages, yet unable to bear the costs alone, many students are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain an education, in a society that now virtually requires one.
During the final restructuring of the health care bill, Democrats added in provisions that would change the format in which student loans are administered. By eradicating the private entities that currently oversee them, federal loans will now be under the jurisdiction of the federal government. Private loans however, will not be affected by these changes.
But before everyone starts with the cries of “Socialism and communism” consider this:
The student loan industry is one that has generated nearly $70 billion in additional funds for the banking industry.
Out of the 16 million college students across the nation, nearly half depend on some form of financial aid, myself included; and with a shortfall on resources, many are forced to turn to loans to offset the costs of education. Horror stories abound of those crippled by exorbitant monthly loan repayments, many of which culminate into defaults.
By taking out private banks as the middleman, a plethora of extra fees which banks tack on during each student’s loan agreement, will be taken out as well. The money saved from this practice will in turn be used to enlarge the amount of Pell grants awarded, which do not have to be repaid. Increasing the amount of grants can result in less loans being taken out.
Early estimates show at least $60 million will be saved, which can then be used to not only increase Pell grants, but fund community college initiatives as well. Community colleges have seen a resurgence of new students, as many have sought to curb the costs of college by taking their “core” classes there before transitioning to traditional universities.
In addition to the savings generated by erasing the fees generated by private entities, the federal government will also contribute $2 billion to community colleges, as well as $2.5 billion in funds to universities that primarily aid minorities, most notably HBCU’s.
While currently there is a cap of 15% placed on the annual income of those repaying student loans, in 2014 when the law formally takes effect, the cap will be reduced to 10%. Reducing the amount that former students will pay each month. As an added bonus, those who go into work for the government will see their loans forgiven after 10 years if they have not been repaid in that time period, while all others will see the same after 20 years.
Though many within the nation have exclaimed fears over “government take over’s,” one must also remember that if the private entities and businesses in question were able to differentiate between real people and “the bottom line,” there would be no need to run to ‘Ol Uncle Sam.
Said President Obama after signing off on the legislation, “We stood with you. We stood with America’s students.”
Now to be fair. Perhaps the individual had something unsavory upon his hands…
…though that doesn’t answer why he would wipe, “unsavoryness” <–[made up word] upon former President Clinton..but hey, when have we ever gotten a straight answer from Bush? #purefuckery
A liberal, a Jew, a Christian, and a self-designated “Right-Wing Republican” sit down at a table…
…can you guess which of those was I?
While it sounds like the set-up for an almost undoubtedly inappropriate joke, in reality, it was a scene that transpired during lunch at my internship today.
As we often do, we discussed current events, from the new Tim Burton film, to Iran, and of course ended up at the health reform bill, which was formally signed today.
It was a heated, yet healthy discourse; and towards the end took on a new direction: the issue of abortion. The elephant in the room that nearly killed the health care debate. My manager bluntly asked me if I was a “baby killer.” A jab at the Lubbock Congressman, [who was of course from Texas,] who shouted such across the Senate floor during the great debate this weekend.
Not daunted, as I know not to take his sarcasm and dry wit to heart, I responded “If by that you mean pro-choice, then yes I am.” Which then led us to converse about the pros and cons of the issue.
While he wavered between if cases of rape or incest should be allowed, my view remained the same. It was then that he said something that stuck out to me, in reference to a hypothetical young woman who becomes pregnant after having sex on her own volition, he said “You do the crime you carry the burden.”
While in theory this ideology may ring true, [see:criminal cases], I reminded him that the world is often painted with shades of grey, a reminder that everything is not, and simply cannot be in black and white.
He went on to say that his faith in Judasim prevents him from supporting it; but in countering I asked “What about those who do not share your faith or your beliefs..should they be governed by the same rules and principals?”
Therein lies the problem with many of America’s most contentious issues. We are quick to declare what we ourselves believe, while ignoring the beliefs of others.
So I posed to him, the hypocrisy of denouncing abortion while rejecting comprehensive sexual education. We talk of “saving the fetus” and little of saving a life..the lives of all those affected by this.
…Surely prevention is still the greatest tool of all?
I awoke this morning, from a nightmare. In which I STILL had no healthcare, and conservatives and tea party members alike, often interchangeable in this political climate, were loudly celebrating across the streets and airwaves in America. Happy about the fact that, should I get sick..again, I would have to succumb to the last resort of many, the emergency room, and add yet another bill to my growing mountain of health, credit, and student loan debt that seems to have become the customary burden of millions of other Americans. Yes, solidarity. For I am not alone.
In this dream,there were calls of impeachment and resignation from President Obama,and upon the lips of every pundit, was the opinion that “America had spoken.” Forgotten, was the “start over” rhetoric. There would be no starting over. No rebuilding of a health care bill. The GOP regained the Senate that November,and everything returned to the status quo. Our guns and right to one God were still firmly intact.
For you see, this has ALWAYS been about more than healthcare. This is a clash of wills and ideologies. As we witnessed yesterday, when 2 African-American and 1 openly gay members of Congress were assailed with cries of “Faggot” and “Nigger,” by tea partiers before entering a speech given by the President, its never been JUST about health care.
As one of the members, a long time Civil’s Rights activist later said, “it brought him back to the 60s when he was still fighting to get off the back of the bus.”
The ushering in of our nation’s first Black President, did not open the door to a empowered, post racial America. Instead, we have seen that it has brought out the worst in many. Fear mongering and a gross misrepresentation of facts has labeled him as a commie/fascist, [though no one seems to be able to tell you the definition of either term, and the fact that the two have no correlation seems to matter not] illegal alien, [yes let's not forget that they don't believe he is an American either] who somehow usurped the Presidency of the United States.
His agenda has been attacked by all sides. He has been been cast as a modern day Hitler, the bringer of ill omens and economic disaster. The fact that the last administration straddled us with an unprecedented debt means nothing, all of our problems began the day that Obama took office. Oh yes, “LOGIC BE DAMNED! He’s going to take our guns! [How will we shoot up schools?] And he’s gonna let them darn gays shoot too! What’s next? Monkeys gettin hitched too?”
Yes. It has always been about more than the fight for health care. The millions who lack it, have been denied it, or are barely holding on to it be damned. the cries of these Americans has fallen on deaf ears, to those who resoundly oppose it. After all, it is hard to emphasize with those whom situations you have never been in. Yet they know best for us! Leave it to the corporations! Yes! Thank you GOP America! You know what is best for us.
It has always been about more than the fight for healthcare.
Our nation has always been reluctant for change. Many are quick to denounce the role of government in our lives, yet conveniently ignore the fact that our nation has often needed “Big Brother” in order to do the right thing. Who do you think ended slavery, ended interracial marriage bans, and integrated our school systems? That’s right, Big Brother. Yes, because Americans have repeatedly shown that in times of change, many simply cannot be trusted to do the right thing by ALL Americans.
Yes, this has always been about more than health care.
There seems to be a level of denial that is sweeping the nation.
THE HUSBAND STORE:
Oscar Grant: Revisited
UPDATE: I originally published this in 2009 directly after this event occured. To date the officer in question was convicted and has since been released after serving less than a year in a Los Angeles prison. It has been noted that Michael Vick served more time for the death of an animal, than this officer served for the death of a man. He has already received job offers. #PureFuckery
On New Year’s Day the city of Oakland, California was once again reminded of why it holds the dubious title of the 5th Most Dangerous City in America. However; while many may be quick to write it off as another infamous example of the much hyped “Black on Black” crime, it must be noted that this is not the case. The victim, 22 year old Oscar Grant, was murdered by a police officer. Considering a new study has found that 98% of emergency room doctors suspect that some of their patients have been subject to police brutality, yet less than half of that report it. It makes one wonder just how many more “Oscars” have suffered the same fate.
In the early morning hours of the New Year a fight broke out on a BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit, i.e. the Bay Area’s version of a subway) train bound for Dublin. After arriving on the scene, police grabbed individuals off at the Fruitvale station in order to calm the situation down and obtain the full story of what had actually occured. Reports differ as to whether or not the right people were apprehended, but needless to say Oscar Grant was among the group that was detained. Laid face down on the pavement with his hands handcuffed behind, a friend and witness recalled how he implored for his safety, referring to the fact that he was the father of a 4-yr-old little girl. Moments later he was shot two times in the back as a police officer, (later identifed as Johannes Mehserle) stood over him.
Grant would later die as a result of his injuries.
To date the officer has resigned, but has gone under police protection and has refused to talk about the incident; and no charges have been made.
Amazingly, it was all caught on tape.
My purpose of this is to implore the youth to take a stand. I myself feel a personal connection because this occured in my hometown, yet as I type this from Houston, many here can recall yet another recent display of police brutality that occured in Bellaire. Though rioting, as they did in my hometown last night, may not be the answer; something must be done. We are often written off as the apathetic generation..this is our chance to prove them wrong. I find it odd that outside of the Bay Area no national media coverage has been issued, thus I implore you, if nothing else, to get the word out.