Monkey and Watermelon: Fried Chicken, Ribs, and Kool-Aid…Next?

I am trying my best not to laugh. These people are being quite creative with the jokes. Well, not with the monkeys. I recall a few morphed pictures of G.W.B and a monkey.

We have gone from a killed cartoon chimp to an Easter watermelon joke, and now to another monkey comparison. The latest was shared with customers of a Barnes and Nobles somewhere in the unchanged Melting Pot.

While I am not tearfully torn-up by either of these ridiculous stunts, I am somewhat starting to have a little compassion for those who are experiencing emotional breakdowns. Not sure why – but my sensitivity for them has intensified because the racist jokes/depictions are striking a nerve, and in some cases opening up old wounds for them. That’s worthy of my ‘sympathy’…I guess??

Anyway, I will continue to focus on what I deem to be critically important. Such as using black history to combat racism and other foolishness directed at degrading Blackness:

https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/csi-publications/books-and-monographs/black-dispatches/index.html

And, while I am at it allow me, a BLACK man, to get the fried chicken, Kool-Aid, and ribs joke in before THEY do:

http://www.pleasegodno.com/uploads/obamabucks3.jpg

WE have to stay ahead of THEM!!

Shared by Brian E. Payne. Inspired by creatures that have proven to be smarter than humans.

Black Hyper-Sensitivity and Hypocrisy wins out...AGAIN

Before you read the article below please keep in mind:

A black boy beat the shit out of a black girl at a McDonalds. Another black boy tried to help the black girl. The black boy doing the battering of the black female pulled out a Saturday Night Special and shot the black boy who was trying to protect the black queen in the chest. The wounded black boy still has the bullet lodged in his back, inches from his spine.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=6958997&page=1

Racist jokes/cartoons are not worthy of OUR time. Helping OUR boys control their ANGER is.

White House Watermelon Email from California Mayor Dean Grose Inspires Outrage

The mayor of Los Alamitos is coming under fire for an e-mail he sent out that depicts the White House lawn planted with watermelons, under the title "No Easter egg hunt this year."

Local businesswoman and city volunteer Keyanus Price, who is black, said Tuesday she received the e-mail from Mayor Dean Grose's personal account on Sunday and wants a public apology."

I have had plenty of my share of chicken and watermelon and all those kinds of jokes," Price told The Associated Press. "I honestly don't even understand where he was coming from, sending this to me. As a black person receiving something like this from the city-freakin'-mayor - come on."

The Orange County Register first reported the e-mail on its Web site Tuesday night.

Grose confirmed to the AP that he sent the e-mail to Price and said he didn't mean to offend her. He said he was unaware of the racial stereotype that black people like watermelons.

He said he and Price are friends and serve together on a community youth board.

"Bottom line is, we laugh at things and I didn't see this in the same light that she did," Grose told the AP. "I'm sorry. It wasn't sent to offend her personally - or anyone - from the standpoint of the African-American race."

Grose, who became mayor in December, said he sent an apology e-mail to Price and her boss and also left her a voicemail apology.

Regardless, Price said it will be difficult for the two to work together.

Now I am like - wow, is this really how he feels?" Price said.

Los Alamitos is a 2¼-square-mile Orange County city of around 12,000 people. The mayor is elected by fellow members of the five-seat City Council.

Shared by Brian E. Payne. Inspired by BLACK HYPER-SENSITIVITY and BLACK HYPOCRISY.

A Damn Good Rant by Rick Santelli

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEZB4taSEoA

Truthful rants have always been justifiable. Typically, they are RIGHT ON POINT. Nevertheless, what usually happens when an outspoken ranter speaks the overly liberal and/or conservative population of this complex country dismisses the rant and then demonizes the ranter who bravely spouts the truth.

Rick Santelli is right! However, as expected he has been accused of being an insensitive, uncaring, and arrogant asshole. Something that I find extremely interesting considering this self centered and selfish nation really has no interest in bailing ANYBODY out. Besides, Americans should be able to decide who they want to help and where their money goes to help.

No spending excursion disguised as a Stimulus Plan should dictate to the American people where their money should be allocated. As I typed that sentence I thought: 'Are we out of our minds? Our money is going to crap we did not sign-off on.' Wow!

I know one thing for sure; the type of people featured in the video (click below) will NOT be helped by the present administration. Nothing new...the poor especially poor black folks are ALWAYS forgotten. By the way, President Obama avoids legislation that could help people who look like his Kenyan ancestors so concerned white people need not worry.

Let me stop here. If I continue along these lines this will be a rant...

Soon and very soon we will see this country's government for what it truly is. And, that statement should not be taken as an insulting generalization because if we really 'see' this country for what it is, why haven't we rebelled?

http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2009/02/23/echarri.fl.housing.help.wplg

Written by Brian E. Payne

Monkey Business should not be an Issue

I really am tired of black people getting so emotionally jacked-up when someone white does something to stir our hypersensitivity. Why get upset over this foolishness when we know that they (Obama haters) really do not like/love us anyway? Why sign a worthless petition to get an editor of a sensational newspaper fired? Why not get alarmed over what really matters e.g. black men killing black men.

Not that I want to make this commentary about black on black crime. However, I am of the belief that we (African Americans) need to ‘refocus’. Focus on an issue that has plagued our community for years:

Self-hatred

We need to channel our frustrations and anger this latest insult from a racist has caused to benefit us?

While I am disgusted by the cartoon animation, I decided years ago to intensify my efforts to help young black boys learn to love themselves instead of ranting and raving about what is believed to be a reflection of us: Monkeys.

Let's use this as an opportunity to look in the mirror:

Are we really doing enough to combat the self destructive element of self-hatred? What type of 'complaining disposition' are we in when our children refer to each other as nigger, bitch, ho, dog, and other crap? How can we be so upset over two cops shooting an ape when our children have learned to detest themselves from us (black adults)?

For every insult thrown at us, let's share a tidbit of black heritage with each other, with our children. Perhaps, this will begin and/or enhance the love we have/should have for BLACKNESS.

I will start:

The Montford Point Marines are often hailed as important figures in American history because they willingly fought to protect a nation that still did not offer them basic civil rights.

The Montford Point Marines were the first African-Americans to serve in the United States Marine Corps. The black Marines were segregated at Montford Point Camp to train between 1942-1949. The men served in all-black units, mostly in the Pacific Theater, and distinguished themselves while battling racism from within and enemies from without. In 1965, the Montford Point Marine Association, a military service group, was founded following a convention of former Montford Point Marines.

The integration of the American military was a long process that started in 1941 with an executive order by President Roosevelt that was intended to create fair employment practices in the United States Armed Forces. In 1942, Montford Point Camp was established so that African-American Marine recruits could train. 20,000 men trained at the camp, but the Montford Point Marines were not allowed into neighboring all-white camps without being accompanied by a white Marine. In 1949, President Truman signed another executive order to force full integration of the United States: in the same year, the first African-American woman, Annie Graham, enlisted in the Marines.

Today, African-Americans make up approximately 20% of the United States Armed Forces. The Montford Point Marines helped to integrate the armed forces and to encourage respect for African-American men and women in the armed forces.

http://www.marines.com/main/index/winning_battles/history/leaders/montford_point

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF-E9JizcJ4

Where ya at, Black Church?

During these tough financial times, I am wondering if the black church and its congregates are stepping up to help the black community like Jesus has summons them (the Christians and other Believers) to help the needed/downtrodden?

I only ask because several WHITE churches have contacted my agency asking us to assist them in planning and implementing ongoing ‘gaining employment’ seminars e.g. resume writing, interviewing skills, dress for success, job fairs, networking, you know all those elements associated with job readiness/preparation.

Also, is the black church offering 'feed the folk' nights? Basic FREE and HEALTHY meals to the financially strapped?

All the loot flowing through the black church via tithes, donations, and other money making offerings (schemes) there has to be at least 10 black mega churches across the nation coming to the people’s need during this horrible recession.

And, I can’t end without asking:

Or, is the black church still up to its madness:

Capitalizing off a crisis to cripple the minds (bring them to the alter to save a broken soul) of the insecure? Assuming that they are saving souls when souls CANNOT be repaired/healed while the handicap of no food, shelter, no health insurance, etc. is present?

Just wondering??????????????????????????????????

Written by Brian E. Payne. Inspired by the churches doing God's work.

OBAMA the Poor Man’s Jesus?

Needing another Jesus certainly should not be a necessity. The Jesus we have been presented with definitely has not provided much of anything for America’s converted Negroes. Therefore, the idea of a 21st century Messiah of bi-racial decent should not even be considered and/or discussed.

He is a black man full of inspiration that motivates people to be better human beings. Nevertheless, President Obama may just be destined for failure if he is depending on the masses to pick up The Cross and follow him. Just like Jesus, his success is unfortunately tied to God’s worldly and unworthy children. The continued rebuking of Christ should not and cannot be replaced with a second installation of God’s failed Son.

Inconsequently, we need to hold President Obama’s feet to the fire. Like the Romans were leery of Jesus we should be critical of his intentions and his policy formation despite his angelic persona.

There is my answer.

Provided by Brian E. Payne. Inspired by men and women who refuse to leave the wool over their eyes!

On the Eve of Lincoln's Birthday

If there was such an event called White History Month, I wonder if white people would make a big deal out of it. Would it be something that they look forward to or would it be a celebratory four weeks that they could really do without? Who would be their most honored and revered icons? We (black folk) know ours without even thinking. Martin, Thurgood, and Harriet. The same ‘safe’, but critical for the movement, figures are prefaced in church, some schools, and over our media airwaves each and every February. Ironically, Angela Davis and/or Assata Shakur are not discussed!

I guess white people could list presidents. Abraham Lincoln would be one that I am certain would continuously surface. President Obama has listed this slavery proponent as one of his “heroes and respected men”. A man who was FORCED to do the RIGHT thing? “My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it." Let’s keep that quote and the other atrocious detail (inability to free slaves because it was the humane thing to do) about Lincoln in mind as we witness good ole Abe praised and placed on a pedestal during this Bicentennial year.

This February 2009 I have decided to do what some black and white folk do when they want to honor a historical figure: They take every measure to infuse the character of the iconic individual into their thoughts and actions. These people actually attempt to embody the personality traits of their heroes/heroines – but not only for a month. The people I am referring to have made the figure a part of them in word and deed. Perhaps, this is why the overseer (Abraham Lincoln) of numerous hangings is cherished like today’s gold. Nonetheless, he at least did commit to one righteous act that we all are familiar with: Emancipating America’s Negroes. Just ask anyone, ‘What is President Lincoln’s legacy?’ You will get in response, ‘Uh. He freed the slaves.’ You best believe that my nine year old is not walking around with that incomplete response!

A legacy I have been interested in and willing to embody is Jack Johnson’s. Not the Hawaii born singer and surfer. The great Galveston born boxer of the early 1900’s was not only the first African American World Champion he was one of the few black men in 19th century Western History who defied and rebelled against the white establishment. Jack Johnson was so daring that he fornicated with and later married a white woman during those blatantly bold racist times. He was one of the few black men in history who was not ridiculed and/or castrated for mingling with America’s Lilly. But, this is not my justification for embracing the Galveston Giant.

Jack Johnson was unbelievably persistent. Just to have his opportunity to become the world champion he took pay cuts, was forced to fight unqualified fighters, and he ended up traveling all over the world following the then Canadian champion, Tommy Burns, demanding a chance for the belt. Unfortunately, Burns was initially unwilling to get in the ring with a “spook”. Eventually, Johnson was granted a fight for the title. The story ended, of course, with him obliterating Mr. Burns.

Persistence is the heartbeat of motivation. Without it all one has is the average run of the mill drive to achieve. Thus the reason champions are not average. Edwin Moses, Allen Johnson, and Renaldo Nehemiah were cut from the same cloth. That cloth that started with our first world champion, Jack Johnson. All four are worthy of my unapologetic adoration. Not Abraham Lincoln, or the likes of him e.g. George Washington, Ulysses Grant, James Polk, and other protectors of the Constitution and not humanity.

Written by Brian E. Payne. Inspired by the heroes some would like us NOT to honor:

H. Rap Brown - Louis Farrakhan – Stokely Carmichael - Nat Turner – Bobby Seale - Denmark Vesey

Unforgivable Blackness, The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson:

http://www.pbs.org/unforgivableblackness/

Come on Manny

http://www.dailycardinal.com/article/21986

"There seems to be little debate that when Ramirez’s career is over, he will be known as one of the greatest hitters not only of his time, but in the history of baseball."

What I remember about Pete Rose is his gambling exploits, not his accomplishments on the field - and what I remember about Barry Bonds is not that remarkable moment when I waited up well into the night to witness his historic hit. However, I do wish I could remember that night...only. It was a GREAT night!

While Ramirez has not been arrested/indicted, he should think about how he wants to be remembered. Right? Keeping a clean and untarnished legacy appears to be the furtherest thought from the minds of many athletes. I guess Manny will leave MLB as a greedy selfish Hispanic? He just might if he does not conform to what the organization expects from him: 'You do what we want, accept what we are willing to give, or leave.'

Has anyone told him that he is 37yrs old? He is approaching the 'has been' status.

How many of us talk about Michael Jordan now? It is Kobe this, Kobe that! Rightfully so, he is da mon!!

Perhaps, Manny Ramirez REALLY believes that he deserves more than the 25 million. Maybe he does.

The following could be the issue that he is forgetting:

He has been paid millions to hit a ball while countless men and women from his country, Dominican Republic, barely make $20 a day.

*Approximately 30% of Dominicans live below the poverty line despite a significantly high per capita income.

I just don't get it. Should I?... I am not a 9 time Silver Slugger.

Written by Brian E. Payne.