The Black Headband

99 Problems

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:28:00 +0000

Now that the precious offspring of Beyonce and Jay-Z has been born either by cesearean or by surrogate depending on what news source or gossip blog you want to believe. The media circus surrounding Beyonce's pregnancy, baby bump or lack thereof, was a cross between the outrageous and benign. Now that it's over, I can only wish the Carters and their baby the best however I'm just wondering about Jay-Z .

The word bitch has been such a staple of his rap music, most of it denegrating women and referring to women as bitches, hoes and gold diggers. Now that little Blue Ivy has been born, will Jay-Z continue to toss the word bitch around like he's done in the past? Lord knows Beyonce wasn't bothered by '99 Problems' and a Bitch Ain't One'. I'm certain his credibility in the rap world would take a hit if he stopped using the word bitch. Rap is about creativity and personal expression isn't it?

Where would rap be without words that degrade women? Bitch and hoe have become eponymous to rap. It certainly can't be rap or hardcore unless women are being defiled, debased and denigrated. So what is Jay-Z going to do now that he has a daughter?

Certainly all those bitches he's rapped about over the years have given him pause now that he has a daughter. I know how easy it is to remove oneself from the situation, sure he raps about bitches but that's just part of his hardcore persona. Surely he can't think all women are bitches, maybe not his wife, daughter, mother or any other women in his immediate family, but what about the rest of us? Are we all bitches too? I understand rap music is entertainment and a big part of that entertainment is done at the expense of women as bitches, hoes and gold diggers.

And seriously, does it really take the birth of a daughter for Jay-Z to have second thoughts about using such the word bitch? For all those apologists out there, the word bitch, no matter how you use it, can never be a term of endearment.

Jay-Z should have saw this one coming. A man who has made his career out of degrading women is now the father of a baby girl. It should be interesting to see how fatherhood changes Jay-Z..

Et Tu Newt?

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 06:30:00 +0000

Displaced New Orleans residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

I'd like to give a shout out to The Field Negro, who wrote a great post about the backpedaling Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum, please read about it here. Santorum isn't the first Republican to play the race card. Former Republican front runner Newt Gingrich has jumped on the race-baiting band wagon too.

After a lackluster showing in the Iowa Caucuses, Gingrich is hoping some of that Santorum magic will rub off on him in New Hampshire. He told a group in New Hampshire that he plans to go the NAACP Convention and tell black people why they should demand paychecks instead of food stamps. I guess it's open season on black folks now for Republican politicians slumming for votes.

Given their predominantly white audiences, both Santorum and Gingrich are pandering to the widely held belief that most poor people and welfare recipients are black. It doesn't matter if this is true but it always seems to get applause and buy in from white people who believe black people are undeserving of welfare and responsible for their own poverty. I mean Newt said it himself, he's going to tell black people at the NAACP Convention that they should demand paychecks instead of food stamps. Too bad the black people Newt wants to reach can't even afford to attend an NAACP meeting so his harsh words are likely to fall upon deaf ears.

When did Newt Gingrich become so concerned about the lives of black people? The truth is, he isn't and this is just another trip up his sleeve to gain attention of a certain white electorate. I don't think that's it at all, he's just looking to score some easy political points at the expense of black people. According to a study by Joe Soss of American University, poor African Americans are over emphasized in media representations of the poor. The black people have become synonymous with welfare and during periods when welfare and other government programs are under scrutiny and when their is black president, programs like these come under greater scrutiny. I call that the reparation effect. How many times have you heard that Obama care is reparations or that welfare is a form of reparations to black people. As ridiculous as these both sound, some people believe this to be an honest truth.

Furthermore, the news media portrays black people are unsympathetically when it comes to stories about welfare fraud and you only need to tune into your local evening news to hear about these stories. Remember the images from Hurricane Katrina a few years ago? You got the sense from the news media that black people there deserved what they were getting, when you saw them stealing food or basic necessities, it was called looting but when white people were doing the same thing, they were stealing food to feed their families. There was no great outreach to help these people because the common perception was that they were responsible for their own misfortune.

It's the same thing with welfare, most white black people are undeserving of welfare and are responsible for their own poverty. However the reality is quite different when it comes to the actual recipients of public assistance, white people account for more than 38.% of the recipients while blacks account for 37% .Since whites comprise the largest part of the population and that large number only makes sense but that doesn't stop the perception that most whites have that Black people are lazy, untrustworthy, less intelligent and more violent and these are certainly not the people you want getting checks from the government. Just ask Newt, he's going to the NAACP Convention in July this year to straighten black folks out but I'm just wondering who his audience will be. Good luck with Newt.

God Has Spoken

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:53:00 +0000

God has been busy this week. Let's talk about Michele Bachmann first. In a farewell speech to her supporters Bachmann said she looks forward to the next chapter in God's plan but then she doesn't really have a choice does she? After garnering only 6% of the votes in the Iowa Caucuses, her campaign failed miserably in a crowd of candidates who were pandering to the same tea party voters anxious to take their country back and thwart President Obama's evil plan to spread socialism to all aspects of American society.

I'm sure losing in Iowa, her home state had to be particularly painful for Bachmann since she spent alot of time there campaigning and had won the Ames straw poll last summer. I don't know if her defeat had more to do with the waning influence of the tea party or whether other candidates like Rick Perry and Rick Santorum did a better a job of winning over the Iowa voters who would have voted for her. We'll have to wait and see what God's plan is for her but I'm glad she told Michelle Bachmann to drop out of the race. Good riddance I say, the less I see and hear of Michele Bachmann, the better.

God makes me nervous sometimes. She can be very picky about who she chooses to communicate with. I know she's spoken to Michele Bachmann at times but she has an ongoing dialogue with TV evangelist Pat Robertson. Although he didn't reveal what god told him, Robertson did let on that she is not pleased with President Obama's agenda. Surprise, surprise. Not even God likes President Obama.

According to Robertson, only overwhelming prayer can get Obama out of office. Watch it for yourself here:

I always like the sidekicks on Pat Robertson's show. They act as if what this man is saying is the God's truth when in fact it's really a bunch of hokum.

Rick Santorum Causes His Own Trouble

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 04:05:00 +0000

Republican Rick Santorum

Here's another one to file under GTFOH* courtesy of Raw Story.com.

To further prove that the Iowa Caucuses mean nothing, Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum is the latest Republican to be king of the hill. I'm still not impressed. Santorum was interviewed by Fox News' Sean Hannity and was asked about the racist statements he made about black people the other day. If you missed it, click here. As expected, Santorum denied making those comments and blamed it on someone trying to start trouble. In the same interview, he also claimed that he was responsible for bringing black people into the Republican party.

Instead of using the tried and true technique of naming one black friend, Santorum went the extra mile and mentioned two: J.C. Watts and former RNC chair Michael Steele. *rolls eyes* Both have been conspicuously absent from any discussion about black people and the Republican party. I wouldn't call on either of those two to co-sign anything for me but I'm sure they have Santorum's back.

Black Republicans are a strange breed. They are noticeably silent when their Republican brethren play the race card or make racist comments. They only exist in the Republican party so that they can make white people feel good about themselves and remain delusional about race and racism in this country. They are irrelevant.

Furthermore, black candidates in the Republican party are like affirmative action hires. It's one of those "you know you don't really want to hire any black people but since you have to and don't want to look racist you go out and find the most mediocre, docile negroes you can find so you can parade them around like show ponies to prove that you aren't racist when you really are." situations. See, we've got two black people on our team, they said racism doesn't exist and we believe them.

Right wing blabbermouth Ann Coulter recently praised conservative blacks while fawning over former Republican presidential front runner Herman Cain. Her assessment of blacks in the Republican party: "Our blacks are so much better than their blacks." If Herman Cain, J.C. Watts and Michael Steele is the best they can do, she can keep all of them.

*Get the F*ck Out of Here

As If Iowa Matters

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:45:00 +0000

You probably didn't know that Republican Rick Santorum is running for President

You'd never know it by watching the news, but the Iowa caucuses are not as important as the Republicans and the news media would like to have you think. First of all, Iowa is 91.3% percent white so whoever wins will not likely reflect how the rest of the country would vote. When was the last time someone who won the Iowa primaries actually won the Presidential election? Very rarely does the winner of the Iowa caucuses win their parties nomination let alone the Presidential election. Remember Mike Huckabee?

In an attempt to gain some traction for his lackluster Presidential campaign, Republican Rick Santorum assured his audience that he wants to make welfare a thing of the past. He also reminded them that Medicare is just a plot to make people dependent upon the government. And in case you didn't know who Santorum was really talking about, he came out and said "I don't want to make black people's lives any better by giving them other people's money." So according to Santorum's logic, only black people are welfare and Medicare recipients. Since there was no lie detector, Santorum's assertions went unchallenged but that didn't stop him from playing up common stereotypes about black people. Hmmmm, okay. For the record, my life is made better by other's people money. I have a job and get paid twice a month.

I'm certain there weren't any black people in the audience but if there was, they would find a way to co-sign Santorum's outrageous claims. Where are Herman Cain and Allen West when you need them? Anytime a Republican politician wants to score some easy political points they will play the race card. From Ronald Reagan's welfare queen to George Bush's Willie Horton, Republicans have made folly by playing up black stereotypes. Don't believe me, ask Ron Paul.

Iowa is a must win for Santorum, he is desperate. By claiming that black people are welfare recipients who are reliant on the government, he is pandering to a narrow minded group of people who know nothing about black people, have probably never met a black person and believe that all black people making a living off their tax dollars. Yeah, it's 2012 but we are not living in a post-racial America. Folks are just as ignorant now as they were in 2011.

The Niggabitch

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:33:00 +0000

The idea that black women are whores, welfare mothers and ghetto has gone worldwide. Pop star Rihanna was recently described by the editor of a Netherlands magazine as the ultimate niggabitch. Okay, who knows what a niggabitch is anyway but you can bet, it isn't anything good. Here's a translation of what magazine editor Eva Hoeke wrote:

“N—A B—H. She has street cred, she has a ghetto ass and shehas a golden throat. Rihanna, the good girl gone bad, is the ultimate n—a b—hand displays that gladly, and for her that means: what’s on can come off. Ifthat means she’ll be on stage half naked, then so be it. But Dutch wintersaren’t like Jamaican ones, so pick a clothing style in which your daughter canresist minus ten. No to the big sunglasses and the pornheels, and yes to thetiger print, pink shizzle and everything that glitters. Now let’s hope shewon’t beat anybody up at daycare.”

Hoeke claimed this piece was supposed to be a joke but only said this after Rihanna got wind of it and took to Twitter to air her thoughts about the piece:

“@evajackie I hope u can read English, because your magazineis a poor representation of the evolution of human rights! I find youdisrespectful, and rather desperate!! You ran out of legit, civilizedinformation to print! There are 1000′s of Dutch girls who would love to berecognized for their contributions to your country, you could have given theman article. Instead, u paid to print one degrading an entire race! That’s yourcontribution to this world! To encourage segregation, to mislead the future leadersto act in the past!

“You put two words together, with the intent of abasement,that made no sense…”N—A B—H”?!….Well with all respect, on behalf of my race,here are my two words for you…F–K YOU!!!”

I applaud Rihanna for her eloquent response. Why does a black woman have to be a niggabitch? I don't see anything funny about this, sure it was translated but still nothing stands out as being the slightest bit comical. According to Hoeke, the word niggabitch refers to a style of dress in America. Really!? Where exactly? Things must be different in the Netherlands.

This incident just goes to show how attempts to appropriate someone elses culture without thoroughly understanding or knowing anything about it always goes wrong. The offenders only refuge is to cling to worn out stereotypes. In this case, black women as ghetto, highly sexed, babies mamas. The words, nigga and bitch are derogatory words and I don't use them. Black women are more than niggas and bitches but not everyone understands that not even people in the Netherlands.

RIP Christopher Hitchens

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:41:00 +0000

Christopher Hitchens

“[George W. Bush] is lucky to be governor of Texas. He is unusually incurious, abnormally unintelligent, amazingly inarticulate, fantastically uncultured, extraordinarily uneducated, and apparently quite proud of all these things.”

I became a fan of writer Christopher Hitchens when he wrote for The Nation, by then he had already honed his razor sharp wit. Hitchens was a heavy smoker and heavy drinker and seemed to be at his best when he was liquored up on MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews. While I didn't always agree with some of the things he said, I liked the way he said them.

Newt Gingrich Signs Marriage Pledge

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:36:00 +0000

Newt Gingrich and his third wife Callista

File this one under GTFOH*

I am so over politicians signing pledges. Lately it seems that Republican candidates are all about signing pledges whether it be for no taxes or moral values. The latest politician to sign a pledge is the morally and ethically challenged Newt Gingrich.

The twice divorced Gingrich has signed a marriage pledge. He has pledged to not cheat on his wife and uphold the institution of marriage. I guess this is supposed to assuage folks concerns about his suitability to be president. Marriage vows have never meant much to him so now I'm supposed to believe him because he's signed some stupid marriage pledge? I think not.

Pledges mean nothing because it's not about what you say, it's about what you do, it's deeds not words. If the past is any indication of future behavior, Newt Gingrich should not be trusted. If I were his wife Callista, I'd step up the surveillance because the man is up to no good. It will only be a matter of time before he resumes his philandering ways.

*get the f*ck out of here

More Fun and F*ckery

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 16:52:00 +0000

Lots of fun and f*ckery this week, from ridiculous comments about Palestinians to a meth lab in Wal-Mart. Here are my picks for the week:

Pure Fun

Republican presidential candidate and C student, Rick Perry did not know the number of Supreme Court Justices (it's 9) or the name of the last appointee (Sonia Sotomayor). See for yourself here.
I'd be willing to bet he knows more about guns than he knows about the judicial branch of government and how it works. The vacant look on his face is priceless.
Not quite but what would you think about a man who divorces his wife on the day she is having cancer surgery and marries his mistress? What about a man who divorces his wife after she is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and marries his mistress?
The way a person behaves in their personal life is a great indicator of their character or lack thereof. The former jump-off turned Mrs. Newt Gingrich had better watch her back and stay healthy 'cause how you get 'em is how you lose 'em. Newt Gingrich is moral equivalent of the third rail so look for him to stay away from issues like religion, family values and marriage because he is an example to no one.

Mother Jones just released a list of the ten most sugary kids' cereals and a few of my favorites are on the list and an obvious one is missing.
Where are the Kellogg's Frosted Flakes, don't see how they were not on this list. As a kid, I enjoyed Cap'n Crunch, Cap'n Crunch with Crunch Berries and Apple Jacks but I doubt they had as much sugar in the 70s that they have now.

Pure F*ckery

Another thump on the head to Newt Gingrich and all his f*ckery and the false claim that the Palestinians are an "invented" people who do not deserve a state.
It is safe to assume if this man's mouth is moving he is lying about something. I'm not a Palestinian but I found his comments offensive. Now if he had replaced the word Palestinian with Jew, there would be immediate outrage and demands that he apologize but since he's talking about Palestinians, it doesn't matter. The Palestinian people get no respect. Clearly a double standard here, journalist Helen Thomas got roasted over her comments about Israel last year but no one seems all that outraged or offended by Gingrich's comments except the Palestinian people.
The Terrell Owens gravy train has come to an end. Owens was recently held in contempt of court for not paying child support to one of his four baby mamas (or is it babies mamas?). This man has paid out more in child support than I will earn in my lifetime.
In what seemed like eighteen years of guaranteed monthly income has taken a turn for the worst for Melanie Page Smith, the last woman to have a child with Owens. Owens missed his December 1st deadline and is either unable or unwilling to pay $5,000 a month to stay out of jail. To be continued...

What The F*ck!

A meth lab in Wal-Mart? According to the Tulsa, Oklahoma police, a woman spent more than six hours in her local Wal-Mart attempting to build a meth lab.
File this under "Nothing Good Ever Happens in a Wal-Mart". Clearly this woman is a hard-core addict. A side effect of meth use is compulsive drug seeking which can affect the chemical and molecular processes of the brain.
TJ Holmes is leaving CNN to join BET.
I find that rather perplexing but I haven't watched BET in years, it's just another channel on cable TV I never watch. I always thought there was a color requirement for working at BET, there never seemed to be anyone hosting a show there that was darker than a brown paper bag. Things may have changed but BET is not known for their news coverage. Good luck with that TJ.

Voter Suppression is Alive and Well

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 23:55:00 +0000

An important petition being circulated by Color of Change about voter suppression. Perhaps your state has enacted one of those voter ID laws under the guise of stopping voter fraud, mine has. In my Republican run state, the photo ID law was enacted a few years ago. It requires voters to present either a state issued ID card or driver's license at their polling place in order to vote.

It's not so much fraud they are worried about but they want to prevent as many people from voting as possible. In 2012, the vote of blacks, Latinos and senior citizens will be more important than ever. It has become a goal of the Republicans to make President Obama a one-term president and if they can prevent you from voting in the process, that's even better. We all know that blacks tend to vote for Democrats and knowing how critical these votes are, bills have either been introduced or enacted to make it more difficult for us to vote.

Please join me in signing this petition and share it with your friends:

Dear friends,
For years, the right wing has been trying to stop Black people, other people of color, young people, and the elderly from voting — and now some of America's biggest companies are helping them do it.

These companies have helped pass discriminatory voter ID legislation by funding a right wing policy group called the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Voter ID bills linked to ALEC have already passed in seven states,¹ and similar voter ID bills have been introduced in 27 other states.²Supporters of discriminatory voter ID laws claim they want to reduce voter fraud (individuals voting illegally, or voting twice). But such fraud almost never actually occurs, and never in amounts large enough to affect the result of elections.³ What is clear is that voter ID laws prevent large numbers of eligible voters from casting a ballot, and could disenfranchise up to 5 million people.⁴ALEC's voter ID laws are undemocratic, unjust and part of a longstanding right wing agenda to weaken the Black vote. Major companies that rely on business from Black folks shouldn't be involved in suppressing our vote. Please join me in demanding that these companies stop funding ALEC:
http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/alec

ALEC’s right wing agenda

The American Legislative Exchange Council is a behind-the-scenes group whose membership consists of legislators and corporations who work together to push legislation that benefits their interests. ALEC crafts model legislation, which its member legislators then introduce in statehouses across the country, without mentioning its corporate ties. The group has written legislation to impose harsher criminal penalties on juveniles, to privatize education, and to break unions.

ALEC is funded in part by the Koch Brothers, the same family that funds the radically conservative tea party. It also receives funding from large corporations, many of which are household names.

"Voter fraud" and discriminatory voter ID laws

Supporters of discriminatory voter ID laws say it’s needed to stop "voter fraud." The fact is that voter fraud rarely occurs, and when it does occur it does not happen at a scale that would change the outcome of an election. The kind of voter fraud addressed by the ALEC voter id bill happens as infrequently as death by lightning.⁵Over and over again, the myth of widespread voter fraud is used to justify stronger restrictions on voting and voter registration (like voter ID laws), as well as voter roll purges. It has also been used to attack organizations which register large numbers of low income and minority voters, by painting simple mistakes made during registration drives as organized efforts to commit voter fraud. These kind of made up scandals have helped the right wing convince the public that voter fraud is real and voter ID laws are necessary to protect the integrity of elections.

The truth is that voter ID laws are discriminatory — Black people, Latinos, the elderly, students, people with disabilities, and the poor are all less likely to have the photo IDs necessary to vote under these laws.⁶ For example, if you've recently moved because of foreclosure or some other economic circumstance, you're more likely to have recently ended up in a new state which won't accept your out of state driver's license. If you don't have a car, you're less likely to have a driver's license in the first place.
In many states, it can be expensive and time consuming to secure the proper ID. Even when the ID itself is free, it often requires supporting documents like a birth certificate which cost money to achieve. There are already stories of voters who have been eligible for years struggling to navigate a frustrating bureaucratic maze in order to vote. Requiring ID to vote amounts to a modern day poll tax. And that's the real purpose of voter ID laws - they are an important part of the modern effort to suppress the votes of groups that usually vote against right wing politicians.

These laws are part of a long history of voter suppression directed at Black folks and other underrepresented groups. No longer is the Black vote suppressed through violence, intimidation and literary tests. It’s now suppressed through laws that make it burdensome and difficult for many Black folks to vote.

Corporate-backed voter suppression

Some of the companies supporting ALEC may simply be unaware that the group is involved in voter suppression. Others might think that voter suppression will benefit their political interests, and hope that they can get away with supporting it because so few people have even heard of ALEC.

Adding our voices to this campaign will help convince these companies that continuing to support ALEC will hurt their reputation with consumers. Please take a moment to join me in standing up to corporate-backed voter suppression.
http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/alecThanks.

References
1. http://www.campusprogress.org/articles/new_evidence_of_alec_connections_in_all_successful_voter_id_legislatio/
2. http://www.economist.com/node/21529061
3. http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/the_myth_of_voter_fraud/
4. http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/10/gop-alec-could-make-it-harder-5-million-cast-ballots
5. See reference 3.
6. http://www.brennancenter.org/page/-/d/download_file_39242.pdf

To find out more about the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), please click here.

Blame It On Obama

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:52:00 +0000

Mumia Abu-Jamal

Convicted cop killer and unapologetic black militant, Mumia Abu-Jamal has had his death penalty commuted to life. After thirty years, the Philadelphia district attorney's office decided to drop their bid for the death penalty and settle for a life sentence. I know that's going to make some people angry and others glad but I know one thing. Some politician somewhere will find a way to blame President Obama.

There plenty of Republicans out there that have politicize every issue and blaming President Obama has become a popular past time for folks who still haven't gotten over the fact that a black man was elected President of the United States. For these people, Obama is to blame for everything. And yes, three years later, some folks still don't like it.

Whether it be Rush Limbaugh or someone on Fox News, I clearly expect for them to blame Obama for Abu-Jamal's life sentence. Heck, it might even be at the next Republican debate because I know it's going to happen. Right now I've got my money on the current Republican front-runner Newt Gingrich; he wants to abolish child labor laws and put inner city children to work as janitors so they can learn their place in this country but then again you've got the desperate Rick Perry and the crazy Michele Bachmann; with this bunch you never know. If Herman Cain was still in the race, I would expect for him to do it, for now I'll settle for Newt.

The rationale is easy, since the President is a secret Muslim and Mumia Abu-Jamal has one those Muslim sounding names, it's an easy connection to make. As ridiculous as it sounds, I'm just waiting. Oh yeah, and it's a black thing! There goes Obama looking out for one his people.

Herman, You Played Yourself

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 22:42:00 +0000

Republican Herman Cain and his wife Gloria.

Dear Herman,
I'm sorry to see that you are dropping out of the Republican presidential race. You have been a constant source of amusement and embarrassment. From your ridiculous comments about non-existent racism to that foolish 9-9-9 tax plan spoon fed to you by the Koch brothers, you have done nothing but jig since you came on the scene.

The first nails in your campaign coffin began when claims of sexual harassment by former female employees swelled from one to four. Of course, we know they were all lying and it was some kind of ill conceived plot to besmirch your impeccable character but if I were you, I wouldn't be settling lawsuits if I were innocent.

I guess those who witnessed your inappropriate comments and that tawdry story from that blonde who hired Gloria Allred didn't help your case either. Sadly, you were still as arrogant and cocksure as ever but that was a few weeks ago. Things have changed. Your credibility was further questioned when you didn't even know what was going on in Libya or anything about foreign policy. You might be able to pull this off in a board meeting, but not in a serious interview. The liberal media couldn't even make a story like that up, seriously.

All those women could not have been lying and your memory wasn't that bad. You can't always blame the liberal media for your problems, what about accepting responsibility for your own inappropriate behavior. This ordeal is all a result of your own doing. Perhaps you never learned how to behave appropriately around women but either way, you are an embarrassment to yourself and your family.

And lastly, I don't know how you were expecting to keep your thirteen year friendship with Ginger White a secret and still believe you could be a serious candidate for president. *sigh* Mistresses and jump-offs have been known to derail many a promising political career and yours is no exception. For someone running such a high profile campaign with a such a big arrogant mouth, you should have expected this.

I'm not going to miss you, you were a token and validated the fact that if Republicans can support a candidate like you, a self-loathing black man who is as bigoted, intolerant and Islamophobic as the rest of them. Who's going to put a black face on this hate now that you are gone? You can't expect Mitt Romney, Rick Perry or Newt Gingrich to say the same stuff you said and be able to get away with it.

Just what are the Republicans going to do now? Who's going to assuage their concerns about being a party of racism and intolerence now that their black poster boy is gone? Guess they'll have to find another magic negro. So go back to Georgia and make amends with your wife and family. If I were your wife, I'd probably have all your shit out on the front lawn but she's probably a better woman than I. She's been married to you for over 30 years and probably knows all about you.

You have become yet another politician undone but his poor judgment, arrogance and indiscretion. First "hip hop" Michael Steele, and now you, the Republicans have lost yet another magic negro. Ann Coulter was wrong, Republican negros aren't any better than the rest of our Negros.

For everyone's sake Herman, please be quiet and go away. Maybe you'll get a job being a political analyst on Fox News, but I'd wait for all of this bad publicity to die down first.

All the Best,
Kimberly

Dictators Never Have A Sense of Humor

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:23:00 +0000

The South African fast food restaurant Nando's thought this advert would be pretty clever and it is. It shows Robert Mugabe, President-for-Life of Zimbabwe frollicking with dictators past. Some said the ad was insensitive given that most of the dictators he's shown with are now dead.

Well, I understand Mr. Mugabe is in ill health and has not always treated his own people well, so before people get all up in arms over a fast food commercial, they might want to give pause to the many human rights abuses and atrocities that have taken place under his reign. Most people in Zimbabwe live in a state of perpetual fear. They are subjected to abductions, torture, intimidation and even murder for something simple as criticizing the president or for supporting the wrong person in their rigged election.

Word to Mr. Mugabe: Dictators rarely get to live out their last days in office, they are either thrown out or carried out but they rarely get to walk out.

Pat, Mac and Cheese

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:35:00 +0000

I didn't realize mac and cheese was a "black thing". Someone had better tell Kraft. Pat Robertson is about as ignorant and narrow minded as they come and it's all in the name of the lord. Overly religious people like him scare me because under all that religion he's hiding something and it's not anything good.

Nothing Good Ever Happens At a Wal-Mart

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 03:16:00 +0000

Source: AFL-CIO Executive Paywatch

While some folks are out shopping themselves into oblivion at all hours of the day and night, I had to reflect on the fact that no one got killed yesterday. Usually in the frenzy to get to those Black Friday bargains, some unfortunate person ends up getting trampled to death or seriously injured by other shoppers.

Last year a security guard was trampled in a suburban New York Wal-Mart by frenzied shoppers, this year there's a new twist to the shopping game. Some woman pepper sprayed fellow shoppers over an Xbox at a suburban Los Angeles Wal-Mart. Really!? She must have really, really wanted that X-box.

When I hear crazy stories like this, it makes me wonder if there is some kind of medical diagnoses for people who camp out in front of stores for days or who get up at 3 am to shop the Black Friday sales. If I can't buy it during regular store hours, I don't really need it. People lose their minds around the holidays; they are meaner, more aggressive. I won't be going out until after the New Year, it's much safer and pleasant once the holidays are over.

I'm not much of a shopper but I am proud to say I have not shopped at a Wal-Mart in more than ten years. Sure the low prices are very seductive especially in these economic times but they still aren't enough of an inducement for me to shop there. From hiring illegal workers to discrimination lawsuits, Wal-Mart is the best of the worst.

I remember back in the day when Sam Walton was alive they used to tout American made goods now all they do is sell cheap goods made at some factory/prison in China. Not much gets made in America these days. The cost of American labor is too expensive and healthcare costs are prohibitive so they say but it's really all about profit. Exploiting the labor force to the fullest extent while maximizing pay and bonuses to CEOs.

The disparity between CEO salaries and worker salaries has never been wider. In 2010, CEO salaries increased by 27% while their companies earnings remained flat. CEO compensation isn't always linked to company performance or earnings. Pay increases for workers is usually tied to their performance unlike CEOs. Your company could be losing money, but you don't have to worry about getting a pay cut. It's a different world for CEOs. The average raise for workers is about 3% which is not even enough to keep up with inflation. Something is wrong with this picture.

Why I Am Thankful, Another Reason I Am Part of the 99%, Part Two

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:04:00 +0000

The place where you are now, God circled on the map for you. --Hafiz

After separating from my husband in 2009, I was dire straits, financially and emotionally. I lived hand to mouth and struggled to get by with my minimum wage job. I sometimes worked four hours a week, other weeks I worked twenty hours so my weekly income fluctuated between $29 and $145. On the weeks I qualified for unemployment, I never received more than $129. Times were tough.

When you hear politicians decrying the minimum wage and vilifying the unemployed as unmotivated and lazy, you should be skeptical, not one of them have ever been unemployed and had to get by on $129 a week. You know those bootstraps that they claim you can use to pull yourself up with, you would not be able to afford them working eight hours a day at $7.35 an hour. It's just not possible.

I look back on the rough times and I often wonder how I made it. The money I earned certainly didn't cover my expenses but somehow it all worked out. In 2008, I earned $3,000 and my monthly car payment was $456, you do the math. I realize that I would not have made it without family and friends who helped me along the way.

I am thankful for a brother and two wonderful sister-in-laws who were always there to help when I needed it. They just seemed to know when I needed things like food or some extra money to pay my bills. I am very, very thankful for them. I was able to keep the lights on, have heat in the house and food in the refrigerator.

As much as I struggled, I did not share my problems with others. I have always been a private person. I felt ashamed and embarrassed about my predicament. I had never been so broke and my life had never been so hard. I had a failed marriage, lost my business and was penniless. This isn't the kind of thing you share with people. I completely dropped out of sight. I stopped socializing with people and kept to myself.

In spite of my desire to be left alone, I had some very thoughtful and persistent friends. One of my friends always seemed to know when I had no money and she would just appear when I needed it the most. She was my savior. I had another persistent friend who actually tracked me down because I hadn't returned her phone calls. She kept my spirits up and as much as I wanted to be left alone, she kept calling me. I'm glad she did.

I had another childhood friend who would call and check up on me too. We hadn't spoken in years, but somehow, we reconnected and she was a tremendous resource. And probably the biggest surprise was an offer of help from one of my husband's friends. He offered money which I wouldn't dare take from him because he had a wife and child but I was extremely touched by his offer. There were a few other people who helped along the way, between my family and friends, I could count them all on both hands.
So I have plenty to be thankful for, without these people in my life, I don't know where I would be.

Link of the Day: Buy Nothing Day/#OccupyXmas

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:56:00 +0000

Taken from Adbusters:

You’ve been sleeping on the streets for two months pleading peacefully for a new spirit in economics. And just as your camps are raided, your eyes pepper sprayed and your head’s knocked in, another group of people are preparing to camp-out. Only these people aren’t here to support occupy Wall Street, they’re here to secure their spot in line for a Black Friday bargain at Super Target and Macy’s.

Occupy gave the world a new way of thinking about the fat cats and financial pirates on Wall Street. Now lets give them a new way of thinking about the holidays, about our own consumption habits. Lets’ use the coming 20th annual Buy Nothing Day to launch an all-out offensive to unseat the corporate kings on the holiday throne.

This year’s Black Friday will be the first campaign of the holiday season where we set the tone for a new type of holiday culminating with #OCCUPYXMAS. As the global protests of the 99% against corporate greed and casino capitalism continues, lets take the opportunity to hit the empire where it really hurts…the wallet.

On Nov 25/26th we escape the mayhem and unease of the biggest shopping day in North America and put the breaks on rabid consumerism for 24 hours. Flash mobs, consumer fasts, mall sit-ins, community events, credit card-ups, whirly-marts and jams, jams, jams! We don’t camp on the sidewalk for a reduced price tag on a flat screen TV or psycho-killer video game. Instead, we occupy the very paradigm that is fueling our eco, social and political decline.

Historically, Buy Nothing Day has been about fasting from hyper consumerism – a break from the cash register and reflecting on how dependent we really are on conspicuous consumption. On this 20th anniversary of Buy Nothing Day, we take it to the next level, marrying it with the message of #occupy…

We #OCCUPYXMAS.

Shenanigans begin November 25!

Why Newt Gingrich Should Never Be Elected President

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 02:02:00 +0000

Republican Newt Gingrich

Of course I didn't watch the Republican presidential candidates debate foreign policy last night but I did revisit a post I did back in March 2007 before the 2008 Presidential election.

I thought alot about the hypocrisy of politicians, particularly those who dispense advice that they do not follow and those who claim to be Christian and have not one ounce of compassion, charity or concern for others, especially those of us who are less fortunate. This behavior is not the exclusive domain of Republicans, Democrats are just as guilty but Republicans like to put themselves on a higher plateau. They are the party of conservatives, family values and hypocrisy.

One particular politician that comes to mind is Newt Gingrich, the current front runner among that disappointing mix of the boring (Mitt Romney), the lame (Rick Perry), overlooked (Ron Paul) and just plain crazy (Michele Bachmann most of the time but Herman Cain some of the time) Republican presidential candidates. This is not a promising bunch at all.

The fact that Newt Gingrich leads this pack is no great accomplishment. Here's a reminder of why he should never be the 2012 Republican candidate for president or even elected President in 2012. He floated a ridiculous idea a few days ago about child labor laws. Like most Republicans, he'd like to do away with regulation altogether and sees it as a barrier to the free market and full employment. *sigh*

His latest idea has to do with abolishing child labor laws so that hopeless inner city children learn the value of working. Since their fates are already sealed because they are poor and attend substandard public schools, they just might be better off if they started working at an early age, say 9 or 10. They aren't going to learn anything in school anyway and will probably end up dropping out so it's better to put them to work so they learn the value of work early. Forget about child labor laws, they aren't as important as teaching poor kids that they are and will forever be the permanent underclass in this country. If this sounds f*cked up to you, it is.

Old Newt thinks he's going to transform this country with his "radical proposals about poverty that will fundamentally change the culture of poverty in America and give people a chance to rise very rapidly." I don't share Newt's vision. he already knows that the American dream is dead. All he sees is a bunch of poor, hopeless children going nowhere. He's not touting education as a way out of poverty nor is he talking about improving the public school system, he already knows they are a lost cause. What he is suggesting is ranks down their with indentured servitude and modern day slavery.

Nothing that Newt Gingrich's says is true. Like most Republicans, he identifies with the one percent. He is out of touch. I'll give him points for chasing tail and making big money as a hired whore for corporate America, but not much else.

For old news about the new Newt, read my previous post here. I'm going to count to ten because by the time I finish, there will be another Republican front runner next week and it won't be Newt Gingrich.

Fun and F*ckery

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:35:00 +0000

I'm excited to hear about the latest developments in the Occupy Wall Street movement and that the petition in Wisconsin to have Governor Scott Walker recalled is off to a good start but I'm not writing about either of these today. I'm staying away from politics and social activism. I've got a lot on my mind, but today it's all about the fun and the f*ckery:

Celebrity girlfriend Amber Rose and the rapper Wiz Khalifa

Two Parts Fun, One Part F*ckery

I love Amber Rose. She went from being a Philly stripper to Kanye West's girlfriend and now she's with that Wiz Khalifa guy and is now the face of Smirnoff vodka. From the looks of this picture, Wiz looks unfortunate and in need of a good meal and a pair of pants that fit. Oh and I'll just leave the hat alone. His look screams runaway slave. *Forgive me ancestors.* The look on Amber's face says it all, she must either be really in love or excited to be in Hawaii. In a recent interview, she said she'll be with Wiz for the rest of her life. In the words of one of my evil aunts "Well, allright."

Pure F*ckery

Tyler Perry puts Kim Kardashian in his upcoming movie "The Marriage Counselor" because she is a role model and millions of young people look up to her. Hmmm, acting has never been a prerequisite to be in a Tyler Perry film so Kardashian should fit right in, unless you count the acting she did in that sex tape with Ray J. Tyler, you seem a bit conflicted here. You are a good Christian brother but then you cast Kim Kardashian in one of your movies. Looks like someone slipped you some of that Kardashian kool-aid.

Half Fun, Half F*ckery

Mary J. Blige has a new song coming out featuring Beyonce (who may or may not be pregnant depending on who you ask but I'm not touching that subject). I'm not a Beyonce fan but am surprised that she is collaborating with another black female singer. She's done duets with Lady Gaga, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z and Shakira but aside from the Destiny's Child girls, no other black female singers.

Pure Fun

R&B singer Tyrese wants a woman with ambition, at least that what he says. His idea of an independent woman is one who doesn't rely on "her sexy or body" to get her through life. "You don’t wanna work, you don’t want to go to college orschool, you’re not inspired to do anything on any level to try and help furtheryourself on any level. You just want to be sexy and free-load….nobody wantsthat, as a man.” Sounds like he just shut down a whole bunch of groupies and both casts of 'The Basketball Wives' but I'm not mad at him. I don't think he is disrespecting black women at all. (Thanks to Jacky Jasper: Diary of A Hollywood Street King.com)
Okay, just one political thing, Michelle Bachmann says she has never had a gaffe but is still languishing in the polls among the Republican presidential candidates, she's dead last at 5% according to Poll Watch Daily. Greta Van Sustern won't tell you Michelle but there is nothing about you that makes you electable for the majority of American people. I swear the only reason Bachmann's eyes didn't twitch or her face didn't move is because they can't. Too much plastic surgery or botox, the only thing that moves on this woman is her crazy mouth.

Uncle Herman Gets Heckled

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:09:00 +0000

Over the past few days, I've been trying to ignore Herman Cain but there have been lots of things about him that have been "twirling around in my head" lately. On a recent political stop in Florida, Republican candidate Herman Cain's stump speech was all about how this nation is a nation of crises: economic, entitlement, foreign policy, energy, leadership in the White House and lastly, a moral crisis. Check him at the :31 mark in this video.

With four women claiming to have been sexually harassed by him, I would agree with the heckler. Herman Cain has a moral crisis. Of course all of those women are lying on him and making up stories about him to besmirch his character, blah, blah, blah. Too bad he keeps changing his stories and denying any knowledge that any of these encounters ever happened in spite of the fact witnesses have come forward to confirm that at least two of these events took place. Call it amnesia or just call him a dirty old man but no doubt about it, Herman Cain has a moral crisis.

While he decries our foggy foreign policy, he has none. He should really spend some time learning geography and taking a crash course on foreign policy. Maybe some flash cards, notes written on his hand with a Sharpie or even crib notes could help him the next time he is asked a foreign policy question. He could have used some help the other day during an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He knew absolutely nothing about Libya or what the uprising was about. Moreover, a few weeks ago he let it slip that he did not know China had nuclear weapons.

This man couldn't be more ignorant of the world around him but expectations for him are rather low. His supporters don't expect much. He's their kind of candidate, ignorant and self-righteous. Don't know about you but that vacant look he got when asked about Libya was downright frightening. I wouldn't want this man controlling the heat in my apartment, let alone nuclear weapons. Shifty eyes don't convey trust.

And lastly, it sounds like his audience isn't exactly sure what our biggest problem is, some say President Obama but there are a few folks in the audience who think Herman Cain is a problem as well.

Why Stealing Someone Else's Husband Never Quite Works Out and Why Cheating Men Can't Be Trusted

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:51:00 +0000

Tiki Barber and the next Mrs.Tiki Barber (aka Traci Lynn Johnson)

Just found out that former NFL star Tiki Barber has had to delay his planned nuptials to his 24 year old fiancee, Traci Lynn Johnson. Can't say I'm surprised but if I were Traci, I'd run. Looks like the overzealous couple put the icing before the cake, Barber is not yet divorced from his current wife and mother of his four children Ginny. *rolls eyes*

Depending on who you want to believe, the bride-to-be had already planned a lavish ceremony and sent out invitations but there are a couple of problems, the current Mrs. Barber and Tiki's cash flow. Ginny Barber is rightfully demanding some hefty alimony and child support and isn't going away quietly. I can't say I blame her, having your husband's very public affair flaunted in your face and reported in the news media do not create an amicable divorce.

Neither Barber or Johnson have enough respect for his wife and children to be discreet (see the cheesy photo above). These two are smiling like they just won some damn jackpot when all they really are is adulterers. If you knew what I knew Traci, what looks good at 24 doesn't look good at 26, 30 or 45. And then there's the matter of money, if Tiki can't afford to pay the current Mrs. Barber, what the heck is he doing planning some expensive ceremony in the Hamptons with you? Who's paying for that?

Falling in love with a 22 year old intern is easy, but divorcing the mother of your four children is not. This is a very ugly and unfortunate situation that could easily turn into an episode of 'Snapped'. This isn't about falling in love or even adultery, it's about character and lack of it. Nothing good, will come of this relationship even if Barber eventually gets his divorce. If Barber thinks nothing of leaving his pregnant wife and children, his fiancee had better watch her back, it is not going to end well for her either. Just give it time. Fifty percent of all marriages end in divorce and lastly, once a cheater, always a cheater.

The Toppling of False Idols

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:46:00 +0000

Photo: Mediaite

Watching the angry students at Penn State riot over the dismissal of disgraced football coach Joe Paterno seemed to me to be a lot of wasted energy. While all the details of the story had not been released, there were plenty of students ready to riot over Paterno's dismissal even before they even before all the facts were released. For the coaches, university administration and the rioting students, it was football above all else.

Just as an aside, where were the university police or local police when this egregious act of violence was being perpetrated? It's all on film. Not one policeman or campus security guard was there when the riotous students thought it would be a good idea to topple a news van. Really!?

In contrast, all the Occupy Wall Street protesters have to do is just show up anywhere and you can expect to see police in full riot gear prepared to beat, pepper spray and arrest them for protesting corporate greed. The majority of OWS protests have been peaceful too.

I guess the difference between a violent protest and a peaceful protest depends on what you're protesting. Okay to protest the firing of a morally questionable but famous football coach. Not okay to protest the looting and plundering of our economy by banks, corporations and the ultra-rich.

I don't care about Joe Paterno, Penn State or their football program but I am disgusted by the child abuse allegations. I am disgusted that no one thought these children were important enough to protect. Just business as usual and for this, Paterno's fifty year career deserved to go down in flames. Where's the moral responsibility? He can coach football, win games but can't report child sex abuse?

The reputation that Paterno and Penn State president Graham Spanier sought to preserve ended in embarrassment for both men. Okay, I saw Joe Paterno after being fired and he didn't seem to think he did anything wrong. He actually thought he deserved to coach the rest of the season which makes me think he may not be all there. He totally missed the point.

What of Jerry Sandusky's alleged victims? Sure they were only poor, disadvantaged kids whose lives didn't really matter much when you place them in the context of a highly regarded football program like Penn State. No one was looking out for them. I can surely bet that if Paterno's grandchildren or any other coaching staff members children or grandchildren were victims, there would be no scandal and Jerry Sandusky would not have kept his job for so long.

For more details of all the allegations against Jerry Sandusky, read the Reuters three-part report featured on Canada.com is well written and thoroughly researched. And yes, this child sex abuse scandal is worse than you think.

RIP Heavy D

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:22:00 +0000

A classic from the rap legend Heavy D. Sad to hear he died today.

Update:
Although the cause of his death is not known, Heavy D was only 44 years old. He was multi-talented and became more than just a rapper, he was a producer, music executive and later became an actor. Like many of the hip-hop stars of the 90s, Heavy D (born Dwight Arrington Meyers) was raised in Mount Vernon, New York which at the time boasted the likes of Grand Puba and Al B. Sure! A native of Jamaica, Heavy's style was smooth, charming and persuasive hence the nickname "the overweight lover'. He was truly an original.

Link of the Day: Jobs With Justice

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:12:00 +0000

From Jobs With Justice, here's an opportunity to sign a petition that tells banks to stop funding payday lenders who prey upon the poor and working class:

Tell big banks to stop funding pay day lenders! Right now, big banks likeBank of Americaborrow money from the Federal Reserve at less than 1% interest, lend it out topayday lenders at 3%, who turn around and lend it to our communities at 400%interest or more. Instead of bolsteringthe middle class with small-dollar loans that would strengthen our communities,Bank of America has decided to back legalized loan sharks who prey on theworking-class. It's outrageous and one of the greatest wealth-strippingschemes of our time.

We know that our economy has been set up to protect thewealthy and powerful, and it’s harder than ever for working people to getahead. Wall Street reaps record profits while our neighbors lose their jobs andhomes. Corporations were allowed to sinkbillions of dollars into political campaigns, out-spending the labor movementby more than ever, with the sole purpose of protecting the interests of therich—Bush tax cuts for millionaires, corporate tax breaks, and other anti-workerpolicies.

But their cash cannot be louder than our need for jobs andthe right to organize during this economic crisis. We want our money back! We demand that Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Wells Fargo and otherbanks stop funding payday lenders, and begin helping families by offeringaffordable, small-dollar loans, IMMEDIATELY! In solidarity with our friends at National People's Action,sign the petition to tell big banks to stop funding pay day lenders who stripall wealth from workers and our communities.

The Case for Condoms and Common Sense

noreply@blogger.com (kimberly) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:01:00 +0000

I don’t feel sorry forTerrell Owens. He claims he’s broke with no income and there's a warrant out for his arrest. When are these athletesgoing to learn? While they may excel on the football field and in somegroupie’s bed, they are piss poor financial planners. Terrell Owens is anexcellent example of this.

While his prowess on the football field and poor financial management skills have been proven, Owens doesn't knowanything about birth control. Yes, a woman can get pregnant if you haveunprotected sex once, even if you're standing up. It’s got nothing to do with luck or kismet, it’s just basicbiology. Too bad no one told him,probably could have saved him $58,000 a month in child support.

I tired of hearing aboutathletes running around impregnating multiple women and having kids scatteredall over the creation. As a man, Owens should be ashamed that he has four children with four different women, none ofwhom he is married to, but I don't think he has enough sense to be,. I don't place all the blame onhim though.

I feel sorry that thechildren will not have the opportunity to grow up with their father and build anurturing and loving relationship with him. Instead, they will see him ontelevision shows and in photos, when someone points him out. For all the child supportOwens was paying, nothing takes the place of being involved in your child’slife, not even $20,000 in child support. Money is not and never will be thesubstitute for being involved in your child’s life.

I am by no means a prude, butI think it’s time we started being more responsible when it comes to sex. Does everysexual encounter have to lead to pregnancy? I think not. There are condoms and had Owens used them, they would have saved him lots of money and embarrassment. He could have saved himself millions of dollars had he learned to use them properly and learned to say no to some ambitious groupie.

As for the women, thegroupies whose only aspiration is to get pregnant by a pro athlete, I feel sorry forthem because they will be saddled with raising the child while his famousfather goes forth impregnating more women and racking up large child support judgments. Have none of these people considered condoms or other methods of birth control?They probably never heard about the morning after pill, the emergency contraceptive that is available over the counter at most drug store pharmacies.

For all his whining and theatrics, Terrell Owens gets no sympathy from me. No NFL team is interested in picking him up but I bet there are still some women out there who would love to be baby mama #5. Being a baby mama is not some badge of honor, in reality, you are still unwed mothers, nothing more and nothing less. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it is a pig.