I still haven't seen the CNN report on Black in America. I purchased the series on iTunes last night (I don't have cable). But only the Black Man episode is available. I'm waiting for the Black women and family episode in particular as a black woman myself.
In the meantime, I got this letter from the ColorofChange.org site. I invite you to sign the petition. In my letter to Congress I added that it's time for them to stand up for us, to make us proud again to be Americans. Racial and sexual injustice anywhere is an affront to our national identity and it must be confronted in order to be true to our principles.
Dear Friend,
LaVena Johnson was 19 years old, serving in Iraq as a private in the Army, when she was raped, murdered, and her body was burned--by someone from her own military base. Despite overwhelming physical evidence, the Army called it a suicide and closed the case.[1]
For three years, LaVena's parents have been fighting for answers. At almost every turn, they've been met with closed doors or lies. But together we can help achieve justice for LaVena and other families who have suffered similar tragedies.[2]
Will you join me in standing with the Johnsons and calling on Henry Waxman, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, to investigate the Army's cover-up of Lavena's death? And ask your friends and family to do the same?
Hey my post yesterday was a little lame to me because I wasn't even featured as much as I thought. Watched the video after the post. Was in a hurry. Impeccability was missing-LOL.
OK so today I ran across this nice short video on women in hip-hop with a variety of sisters speaking. I clearly am not doing my own good PR cuz what I have to say about women in hip-hop is so different. We are not taking responsibility for the context of our victimhood. As musicians and dancers, we continue to let male artists in hip-hop act like they are the music. Women's dance is driving not only the music but the beats that are being created. One sister in the video is right, you pay for white titties but you get black ass for free. What makes us think so low of ourselves that we continue to not only perpetuate it but let it thrive among young black women.
I was at the premiere, I mentioned last week, for the CNN report BLACK in AMERICA. Soledad O'Brien made a really provocative comment when someone complained about the Obama cover last week on the New Yorker. She said a few things. One was if white children were dropping out of high school at 505 rate, white mothers would be insisting on Congressional hearings. I assert we women who are mothers, sisters who get the cat calls, and more are not devoid of doing this, but we are trapped in the conversation that no one REALLY listens to us, pays for us, honors us. When we get to the source of that...change gon' come!
My colleague, the wonderful Cuban sociologist Ted Henken at Baruch College, got me and another wonderful colleague Johanna Fernandez (writing about Mumia these days) into to the special premeire of the series CNN Presents: BLACK IN AMERICA with Soledad O'Brien. Thanks Ted!!
I was struck by the SEGREGATION of the two reports: 1) The Black Woman & Family and 2) The Black Man. This is exactly why have this blog and host SUCCESS with the OPPOSITE SEX: GET RELATED not DATED. We need to get related to the facts and the realities of the ongoing SEGREGATION of the sexes in our communities and more importantly the representations of us as separate and not equal. Daddies and daughters: stop resisting being with one another. Fathers and Single Mothers: be accountable and respectful for what kinds of relationships we are creating for young people and teens not to mention TV and the world.
"The Black Woman & Family," investigates the disturbing statistics of single parenthood, racial disparities in education and HIV/AIDS as well as the progress of black women in the workplace and the status of the black middle class. Premieres in HDTV on Wednesday, July 23, 9 p.m. ET.
"The Black Man," explores black men and fatherhood; educational, career and financial achievement; black male incarceration and the achievements of black men and the importance of black fathers. Premieres in HDTV on Thursday, July 24, 9 p.m. ET
I didn't take pictures but met this lovely African sister. She asked a daring question after the 30 mins clip they shared with us. All the pics here are hers. She asked if Africans were featured in any way in this. Soledad said no. AIDS/HIV is focused exclusively on heterosexual experiences. Ms. Africa (Africa is her nickname) commented on the parallels happening with AIDS in Africa and here. That is truly a missing but it also is an opportunity to talk about it on the blogosphere as these special reports air next week.
This was an OCCASION for me. I really had to remind myself I belonged there. I am a prize-winning author and well-recognized college professor in my field and I know it seems insecure (I am sometimes) but it was a delight to have Michael Eric Dyson hug the hell out of me at the scene (we haven't seen each other for YEARS but I am featured in a book he is publishing about Nas coming out in Jan 09).
HIGHLIGHT: I met Cicely Tyson last night and was able to share my CD with her. She was extraordinarily gracious and loving. I told her SOUNDER (1972) changed my life as a child. I also gave Soledad a CD as well as Michael. BE THE TRUE REVOLUTION, baby!
What was missing for me that I would love to see more regularly with these kinds of event? An old fashion church-style introduction or new school "Who's in the house" roll call acknowledging all who came and letting all know who they can network with at the reception (not just Gayle or Cornell). It seems we have to watch TV, look good but never touch each other and get to know the real-world resources of networking in person in NYC.
Someone said they are tired of how the black community avoids education and she had decided to work with the young ones. We cannot afford to leave ANY one behind simply because they are resigned NOT UNLIKE the woman herself who made those comments about what's possible for black men, women and children today. AND we must begin to network THROUGHOUT the African diaspora here in the US and NYC in particular and even more abroad.
SO HOW WAS THE PREMIERE CLIP? Rather conservative at first glance but I intend to watch the series online. Don't have cable. This segment on the website called "I AM" is much more avant-garde and distinctive. And it's social media and you know I LOVE social media and networking. 'It's one of the best kept secrets'2:03 Take a good look at Marvin Perkins. You'll never guess what group he joined and why. • Special Reports - Black in America
