MEMO: STILL FOR MEN ONLY

BY MIKE RAMEY

As one well-known preacher put it years ago: “Why be politically correct, when you can be RIGHT!”  Our topic this month is women pastors and preachers.  I’m going to lay out the spiritual risks, the biblical admonition, and some tough-to-chew-on truth for women AND men.

Now, this issue seems to ‘rear’ its ugly head every few years because many intelligent women (Christian and otherwise) seem to believe the ‘beautiful lie’ that they have been called to ‘…pastor a church and preach the gospel.’  The ‘beautiful lie’ is always easier to believe, brothers and sisters.  The ‘ugly truth’?  There were more women who were used of God and by God in the bible as queens, wives, mothers–and harlots.

You DID read this right!  Amen!

Queens, wives, mothers–and harlots may not be ‘sexy’ biblical roles…but I’ve noticed in the scriptures that there are TWO books in the Bible named for women:  Ruth and Esther.  One was a widow who was an outsider brought INTO the family (Ruth) who was trained in how to marry by a wise, older woman (Naomi); the other was a Queen (Esther) who saved her people targeted for execution by an anti-Hebrew madman and advisor to the king’s court.

IF more sisters modeled themselves after these women, there would be LESS stress and more BLESSING in the church!

YES–HARLOTS ARE IN THE BIBLE:

The ‘modern day’ meaning of harlot–in discrete company–would be ‘prostitute’ or ‘madam.’  Rahab was such a woman.  Not only was she tops in the trade, her family and household were saved when Jericho fell.  Her faith in the true God saved her family, got her to change her ways, and–when the smoke cleared after the fall of her hometown–she married INTO the bloodline of Jesus Christ.

You know I have more…Amen?

Check out Gomer.  Gomer, the wife of the prophet Hosea, was a harlot when God ORDERED the prophet to marry her!  She was a model of rebellion against God’s authority.  Gomer did not cook, clean, sew or take care of the children; she continued to ‘run the streets’.  Hosea had to run his household AND the church!  In the end, Gomer was reclaimed by Hosea as his wife and brought home–humiliated!  Gomer served as a demonstration of how the Lord’s people needed to stop rebelling against Him and return to serving him.  Much of what was modeled in Hosea still goes on TODAY!

SELECTIVE BIBLICAL AMNESIA BY SUPPORTERS:

I have yet to meet a female pastor who ‘remembers’ these aforementioned women when trying to defend wearing a clerical collar and heading up churches.  They will point to Deborah, but will forget Abigail. Of course, Deborah was a judge and was married and she operated within the boundaries of being a wife.  (Many female pastors forget Barak did the heavy lifting–but that’s another story).  They will ‘question’ the female role in light of the apostle Paul’s stand against women usurping authority church, but they quickly forget the apostle James’ admonition about the ‘deadly deception’ of the tongue and the need for obedience.

THE DANGEROUS SPIRIT BEHIND JEZEBEL:

Listen UP brothers.  The spirit of Jezebel is linked with evil.  Thus, when a woman, or a group of women are quick to insist upon their rights and overlook their responsibilities, they are NOT modeling themselves after upright biblical women.  They are learning at the feet of Jezebel.  The problem is; following after Jezebel has a high price tag for women and men.

Personally, I have not met one female pastor or elder who has had a stable marriage, loving children or a joyful life once they have decided to move themselves into a church leadership role OVER men!  In addition, there is word to describe ‘men’ who have abdicated their manhood by placing a woman in the pulpit as a Pastor–regardless of her biblical training.

That word is: F-O-O-L!

What are the dangers of allowing a Jezebel to ‘run’ a church?  Four items come quickly to my fingers:

1.  Pre-marital and marital counseling becomes worthless.

2.  Young (and not-so-young) men drift away from God’s call on their lives.

3.  Evangelism programs die a slow, agonizing death.

4.  Social programs are embraced–including homosexuality and abortion, along with the preaching of the ‘social’ gospel.

MEN: WORTH THE COST TO OBEY!

Sure, female-headed churches ‘seem’ to be ‘blessed’ and growing.  Don’t be fooled, brothers: Satan can ‘manufacture’ blessings that ‘look’ like God is putting His stamp of approval on mess.  God NEVER blesses MESSES!  As sure as God won’t tolerate adulterous men in ministry (no matter how it may look to the public); His blessings will NOT follow wayward women preachers!

To those of my brothers who have been called to preach and pastor and have gotten discouraged because of the ‘rise’ of women in various denominations, I have a word of encouragement.  Don’t be swayed by what you see; OBEY what God has called you to do!  Get into the fight!  There are young men and young women who have not seen a REAL Christian man, let along real servants of God.  Some of them live on your street, attend neighborhood schools or go to your church!

Sure, this will mean angering some people ‘in’ your church, losing some friends and making a few enemies.  As a matter of fact, you can rest assured that the church you will open may not be a denominational church.

In truth, you will have one thing that the ‘pretenders’ will not.  The REAL blessing of God as you go about making your calling sure!  Jezebel and her crowd may ‘start fast’, but they will ALWAYS finish LAST!

RAMEY is the Pastor of The Forward Church, Indianapolis, Indiana. THE MANHOOD LINE appears on fine websites and gracious blogs around the world.  To correspond, email  manhoodline@yahoo.com.  © 2010 Mike Ramey/Barnstorm Communications.

Glenn Beck’s Black Founder’s Episode

By Nadra Enzi

I watched Glenn Beck’s special on the Black Founding Fathers last Friday.

While neither conservative or liberal I nonetheless entertain all discussions.

What I saw was a right wing, white wash complete with an attentive much more Black than usual audience.

This isn’t said with glee nor malice. Ironically, Beck’s conclusions about some major issues parallel my own. Different philosophies can arrive at the same conclusions upon occasion.

Even controlling for his being a middle aged White conservative with a well known agenda I still couldn’t cut him slack for that episode.

The Left’s critique of Black conservatives was on painful display as audience members sat through a skilled warping of their own history to suit a nationalism that still considers them subordinates.

I still hope against hope that the editing process was to blame.

Beck may be the color blind true believer he claims but the spin was at warp factor nine on this one!

Beck even had a Black professor on stage to complete the cast.

An otherwise illuminating episode about the American Revolution’s little known Black contributors morphed into yet another tired tirade against against the evils of progressivism.

The icing on the cake was his thesis that progressives wrote Black patriots out of the history books to ” make America look bad. ”

While the progressive tendency is to treat Black folks like dependent pets Beck overlooks the conservative urge to cage most of us like we’re rabid dogs deserving only policing and stricture.

Coming from the Conservative South I hate to tell Beck but it wasn’t hippies running the show there. His fellow conservatives there and nationally bleached; warped and outright deleted Black contributions in order to maintain a permanent servant class.

Having grown up under Jim Crow-Lite I know such attempted brain washing all too well.

If Beck wants to say he represents our generation’s more racially advanced Right this broadcast didn’t show it. While not a surly supremacist like Pat Buchannan, Becks’ earnest entreaties may lure supporters desperate for access to the Right’s inner sanctum.

I’m no fan of the Left with its crisp Klan sheets stamped ” D” for Democrat neatly tucked into paternal back pockets.

I’m also don’t embrace rigid conservatives whose ” R” label alternates between Republican and racist depending upon the speaker.

Neither ideology has moral superiority in my eyes. Both have dirty hands when it comes to my people.

That audience should have known better.

Beck’s objective was to gloss over conservative and liberal historic revisionism in order to focus solely upon liberal academic prejudice. The conservatives of that time up to this one are too comfortable with racism to be overlooked.

Modern liberal racists can at least create the illusion of inclusion while most conservatives can’t feel comfortable around any Black who doesn’t spout their line chapter and verse, i.e very few.

Nominally considered right of center I’ve interacted with numerous Black conservatives. While there’s a need for them, they’ve yet to sufficiently impact their own communities.

Being an Amen corner on Glenn Beck falls short of working in the community to address issues from the perspective they claim is so revolutionary.

I guess being on national TV is as intoxicating as the Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s warning to Malcolm X cautioned.

I even know some folks who were there and only hope informed commentary was left on the cutting room floor. Even watching the after show yielded nothing.

Otherwise the stereotype about Black conservatives wasn’t disproven by that episode.

Black America needs representation on that side of the aisle but it can’t only be for window dressing and definitely not acceptance.

NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-development. http://www.captblack.info

What’s Going On?: A Tribute To My Friend Marvin Gaye

By Harold Bell

“Mother, mother there are too many of you crying, brother, brother there are far too many of you dying. We got to find a way to bring some loving here today, war is not the answer—Whats’ Going On”

Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield were far ahead of their times when it came to message music as it related to the plight of America’s down-trodden. The word genius does not do either justice.

Marvin’s masterpiece album “What’s Going On” did more to expose racism and social injustice in America than any march, demonstration or documentary. Curtis Mayfield’s music messages were equally as important.

Oscar Brown Jr., Gil Scott Heron, Curtis and Marvin were the “Original Rappers.”

I met Marvin in the early 50s at Mount Airy Baptist Church in NW Washington, D. C. My Great-Grand-Father the Rev. Alfred Johnson Tyler laid the first brick and helped to build the church in 1893. My Great-Uncle the Rev. Earl Tyler and Marvin’s father were friends.

Click here to read the rest of Harold’s commentary on our main site.

Donald Trump Launches Omarosa Reality Show On TV One

Donald Trump and Omarosa

Excerpts from the press release read as follows:

“Voted America’s #1 reality TV villain by TV Guide, Omarosa has yet to meet her match. . ..until now!  After mixing it up with some of TV’s toughest, including supermodel Janice Dickinson, talk show host Wendy Williams, and the “Celebrity Apprentice” Piers Morgan just to name a few, reality TV diva Omarosa has yet to give an inch in the boardroom, or on the reality set.  But now, it is time for this strong-willed and wily schemer to settle down and find a husband.

Will she marry for love or for money?   And can this bevy of bachelors tame this shrew?”

Give me a break.  I have to give Omarosa her due.  She is one of the few reality show TV stars to have made an actual career from her “15 minutes of fame.”  I still believe, she’s a “no talent,” but the woman is getting paid!  Like it or not, I firmly believe that in the case of Omarosa, “what you see is what you get.”

On the show, Omarosa will put a cadre of 12 hot, successful bachelors through a gauntlet of tests.  These challenges are designed to play upon their weaknesses, test their business acumen, measure their seductive strengths, and draw out their true intentions.  But these guys will fight back, and Omarosa may just meet her match.  But this is all a part of the love dance… and viewers will get to see what happens when “sharks” mate.

Certainly no ordinary man could possibly weather the storm that is the cunning and opinionated Omarosa.  But The Donald is not one to back down from a challenge.  Don’t expect these bachelors to be the usual band of romantic wimps and brainless him-bos seen in traditional dating shows.  These men are all successful, egotistical, and looking forward to going toe to toe with the “Big O.”

One of her potential suitors is former R&B Crooner Al B. Sure! What was he thinking?  If the “sneak peak” trailer (below) is any indication of what the show will be it doesn’t look good, however, that is just this man’s opinion.  TV One has a core audience that may like this kind of stuff.  It certainly is a step up from BET.  “The Ultimate Merger,” may prove me wrong.  It may be compelling and “must watch TV.”

The show is scheduled to debut on TV One, June 17th at 9:00 PM.

Omarosa Photo By Robert Kley/TV One

The Bridge: Human Eye Pollution—Top Ten

By Darryl James

The weather is getting warmer and people are wearing less clothing.

Many of us walk around with the latest fashions, thinking that we are just too hot for our own good.

However, everything ain’t for everybody, and some of us look like hot ass fools wearing the wrong thing just because the store allowed us to buy it.

Perhaps some of us don’t have close friends we trust enough to tell us the truth, but since we know that the mirror doesn’t lie, we should trust the mirror and learn to look in it objectively.

From too small shirts on men with too big bellies and from women with butt cleavage and camel toe, there is some serious eye pollution in the air and some of it ought to be against the law.

In another Top Ten List, I’d like to present some eye pollution that people should take a look at.

Maybe one or more applies to you.

Top Ten Human Eye Pollution:

1                  Small shirts on men.

Okay, you’ve been working out and maybe you got sixteen inch upper arms.  But if you have “man boobs” or if you look like you’re eleven months pregnant, your arms no longer matter.  Either place more focus on your midsection, or buy a shirt that allows you to breathe without looking like you are about to deliver.

2                  Small shirts on women.

Some women only look at their fronts and since there isn’t much flab hanging, maybe it looked cool facing the mirror. But if you got back fat leaking out of your midriff top, it’s time to give that style back to your little sister. And, if your boobies look like they are about to pop out, it’s time to exercise some self-respect.

3                  Butt cleavage.

In my Mini-Documentary (Documini), “Crack,” I caught Serena Williams in public with four full inches of ass crack hanging out.  That woman has the body of a goddess, but even she looked nasty as hell with her ashy butt crack hanging out.  Now, imagine what yours looks like–especially if you don’t have her figure.

4                  Full male ass exposure.

C’mon, homie, I know that it’s been in style for a long time, but if you are sagging so hard that your entire ass is hanging out, it looks stupid even though it’s covered by your drawers. And, really, you can’t get mad if the boys on the gay side of town start trying to holla when you’re dressed like you want it from them.

5                  Exposed stretch marks.

If you have had a child or have gained a great deal of weight, your skin may start to show it.  Once you have stretch marks, it’s just not fly to expose your breastesses or your belly. No one will think you are sexy if you are all stretch-markedy.

6                  Camel Toe.

Ladies, if your pants are so tight that the entire outline of your cookie is clearly visible, complete with separation (cutting), it is disgusting.  Walking around in that all day is sure to give you a yeast infection, so please, let your girl breathe.

7                  Male camel toe.

Maybe you showed up at the “YMCA” video and the Village People put you on for having jeans so tight that one of your boys was on each side of the seam, but the ladies are laughing at you. You probably have a yeast infection too, and no woman in her right mind will believe that you are straight.

8                  Wife beaters on big breasted women.

Ladies, if your tatas are Dolly Parton-ish, you will get nothing but stares wearing a wife beater and a tight bra.  Your eyes aren’t up there, but really, with that shirt on, who cares if you have eyes?

9                  Anything too short.

Ladies, you know we like it if you have nice legs, but don’t expect to be looked upon with respect if your dress, shorts or skirt shows the bottom of your bottom. We’ll take a look when you bend over and show us all of your business, but we won’t be having good thoughts…

10             Stretch pants, spandex or any variation of clothing that you think hides your fat, but actually accentuates it.

There is nothing worse than a big girl in tight pants that look like they are about to burst.  And, worse, if the stretch pants are colorful, small children may follow you thinking the circus is in town.  You don’t have to wear a muumuu now that regular clothing is in your size, but please, step away from the stretchy material.

For many of us, life has too many challenges to keep a perfect body.  But that’s what clothes are for—to cloak our imperfections and accentuate our souls’ vessels in a flattering way. Otherwise, we may as well all go naked.

We have to be responsible enough not to add to the world’s eye pollution by wearing something that just isn’t made for us.

Darryl James is an award-winning author of the powerful new anthology “Notes From The Edge.” Now, listen to Darryl live on BlogTalkRadio.com/DarrylJames every Monday from 7-9pm, PST. View previous installments of this column at http://www.bridgecolumn.proboards36.com. Reach James at djames@theblackgendergap.com.

U.S. Racial Wealth Gap Quadrupled Since Mid-1980s, New Study Finds

The wealth gap between white and African-American families increased more than four times between 1984-2007, and middle-income white households now own far more wealth than high-income African Americans, according to an analysis by the Institute on Assets and Social Policy (IASP) at Brandeis University.

IASP, in a research brief, also reported that many African Americans hold more debt than assets and at least 25 percent of African-American families had no assets to turn to in times of economic hardship. The fourfold increase in the wealth gap, it said, reflects public policies, such as tax cuts on investment income and inheritances, which benefit the wealthiest and persistent discrimination in housing, credit and labor markets.

“Our study shows a broken chain of achievement. Even when African Americans do everything right — get an education and work hard at well-paying jobs — they cannot achieve the wealth of their white peers in the workforce, and that translates into very different life chances,” said Thomas Shapiro, IASP director and co-author of the research brief.

“A U-turn is needed. Public policies have and continue to play a major role in creating and sustaining the racial wealth gap, and they must play a role in closing it,” said Shapiro, author of The Hidden Cost of Being African American: How Wealth Perpetuates Inequality and the co-author of Black Wealth/White Wealth.

Wealth, what you own minus what you owe, allows people to start a business, buy a home, send children to college and ensure an economically secure retirement. Using economic data from the same nationally representative set of families from 1984 to 2007, the IASP analysis found that the real wealth gains and losses over the time demonstrate an escalating racial gap.

Over those 23 years, it said, the racial wealth gap increased by $75,000 — from $20,000 to $95,000. Financial assets, excluding home equity, among white families grew from a median value of $22,000 to $100,000 during that period while African Americans saw very little increase in assets in real dollars and had a median wealth of $5,000 in 2007.

Summing up all assets and debt, one in 10 African Americans owed at least $3,600 in 2007, nearly doubling their debt burden in real terms since 1984, IASP said.  The growth of the racial wealth gap significantly affects the economic future of American families, it said. The current gap is so large that it would pay tuition at a four-year public university for two children, purchase or make a solid down payment on a house, or provide a nest egg to draw upon in times of job loss or crisis.

“The gap is opportunity denied and assures racial economic inequality for the next generation,” said Tatjana Meschede, a co-author of the policy brief.

Notably, IASP’s analysis found that by 2007, the average middle-income white household had accumulated $74,000 in wealth, an increase of $55,000 over the 23-year period, while the average high-income African-American family owned $18,000, a drop of $7,000. That resulted in a wealth gap of $56,000 for an African-American family that earned more than $50,000 in 1984 compared to a white family earning about $30,000 that same year.

Those figures, IASP said, make it clear that higher income alone will not lead to increased wealth, security and economic mobility for African Americans. Consumers of color face a gauntlet of barriers — in credit, housing and taxes — that dramatically reduce the chances of economic mobility, it said.
Indeed, the data indicate that the general trend in lending, in which consumers of color pay more for accessing credit, increases their debt and blocks opportunities to move forward, putting them at a severe economic disadvantage. These are concerns that must be addressed through the creation of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency, now being debated in Congress, and other policy changes, IASP said.

“The data suggests we need renewed attention to public policies that provide real opportunities for advancement by reducing barriers to mobility inherent in our tax system and increasing transparency, regulation and access in our housing and credit markets,” said Laura Sullivan, another co-author.
Several factors help explain why improving targeted public policies would reduce the racial wealth gap and lessen the increased reliance on debt. One factor is that over the period studied there was an increasing dependence on credit markets to make ends meet. Among those with no financial assets, credit is often an emergency resource to help cover a job loss or medical emergency.

A second factor is that deregulation of the lending market brought a proliferation of high-cost credit, including securitized subprime and predatory loans, payday lending and check-cashing stores. Consumers of color were targeted in this market and resorted more frequently to credit cards and other forms of high-cost debt in the absence of assets or extended family resources to draw upon.

“The data make a critical contribution to the debate today about how to ensure greater economic security and opportunity for all our citizens. A racial wealth gap affects all of us because it means that a large portion of the population cannot contribute to building the wealth and strength of our nation, and that is a drain on us all,” said Meizhu Lui, director of the Insight Center for Community Economic Development’s “Closing the Racial Wealth Gap Initiative.”

Source: Science Daily (May 17, 2010)

LeBron James Better Than Michael Jordan? I Don’t Think So?

By Gary A. Johnson

I want to be as fair as I can to LeBron James. He came into the NBA as arguably the most hyped and talked about high school athlete of all time.  He did not pronounce himself “King James.” The media put that crown on his head and for the most part this young man has worn it well exceeding almost every expectation.

Looking back there were signs of intoxication.  James chose to wear the No. 23 jersey.  Now I understand that move was to pay homage to Michael Jordan, however, that only serves to fuel the conversation that LeBron James is declaring himself the next Michael Jordan.

In terms of his off the court business moves, LeBron is coming close to being a global icon, some would say he has achieved that goal.

I am here to tell you any argument or comparison of LeBron James to Michael Jordan needs to STOP right now.  After the last two seasons of being knocked out of the playoffs, and particularly the way the Cleveland Cavaliers were bounced from the NBA semifinals earlier this week, there is nothing to talk about.

LeBron and the Cavaliers quit in the fourth quarter of their last two games.  Their last performance was worse than choking in my view.  When you choke you’re at least trying.

LeBron James is a great player—throughout the regular season.  At this point in his career, LeBron James has morphed into an Avatar built for ESPN and other sports stations highlight reels.

Comparing LeBron James to Michael Jordon is cruel and not fair to LeBron.  In fact, it’s probably a borderline call to compare LeBron James to Kobe Bryant. Jordan and Kobe never quit.

This is not to say that years from now, when LeBron’s playing days are over that he won’t eclipse both Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, but from what I can see, it’s simply unfair to do that now.

Michael Jordan has six championship rings.  Kobe Bryant has four championship rings.  LeBron James has none.  At this stage of his career the only measuring stick for LeBron James is championship rings.  So the question in my mind is this:  “Can LeBron James win a championship in Cleveland, Ohio?”

The Cleveland Cavaliers team have tried to surround LeBron with a cast of players but this efforts have fallen short.  I think it’s time for LeBron to move on to another city and get motivated with the only challenge that is keeping him from true greatness—a NBA championship.

I don’t want to hear any comparisons of LeBron James to Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson or any other great player until LeBron wins a championship.  Outside of that STFU!

Let’s just wait until LeBron’s career is over and then we can accurately reflect on his entire body of work and then discuss his place in NBA history.

Gary A. Johnson is the Founder & Publisher of Black Men In America.com a popular online magazine on the Internet and the Black Men In America.com Blog. Gary is also the author of the new book “25 Things That Really Matter In Life.”

New Religious Jim Crow In America

By Nadra Enzi If you’re Black and Muslim in this country, you’ve been looking over your shoulder at least since September 11th. Historically that’s always been the case. Racists have always considered Muslims the worst threat to business as usual. That’s why recurrent domestic incarnations of the Crusades rear their pointy heads. The ” Religious ” Right has made it no secret that they hate Islam, not the terrorist branch, but any version of this way of life. Period. This sad spectacle is made even more so when Black folks join the fervor. Islam’s history in Black America is overwhelmingly one of liberation within a hostile society. We have set the standard for opposing discrimination and promoting dramatic self-development. The same racists who claim to be caretakers of the nation’s Judeo-Christian ( and Islamic ) heritage also treat their Black Christian brethren like second class citizens. The same applies to racists within Islam. Black Muslims have also been very vocal about prejudice among Arabs. As a group, we bow to God and none other. That stance doesn’t make it easy for those intent upon abusing you. While a friend calls me an unorthodox Muslim I am proud to be part of a way of life that can regularly offer the world epic figures like Noble Drew Ali; the Honorable Elijah Muhammad; Malcolm X; Muhammad Ali and others. Black folks should realize that our difficulties aren’t religious in nature. Being a majority Christian minority inside a majority Christian country still hasn’t stemmed the tide of injustice. Reformers have arisen to bridge gaps and in recent years some mainstream denominations have apologized for their avid support of slavery and Jim Crow. Conservative Black Christians should view the ” Religious ” Right agenda very cautiously. If American Muslims are defeated iby this latter day Crusade, the ” Religious ” Right sights once more return to their alleged brothers in Christ who happen to be another color. While not as obvious as Klansmen burning crosses, the ” Religious ” Right influencing the Republican Party possesses the same bigotry toward Black Christians; Jews and others who don’t make their narrow grade. They know they need Black faces to legitimize their latest appeal to bias so the recruitment drive is on! Faith; family and community are universal values Black Christians and Muslims share. We face the same broad culture; experience the same social changes and enjoy progress equally. In that light signing onto the ” Religious ” Right’s anti-Islamic agenda is as wrong as our Muslims joining Al Qeda factions. While the Black community isn’t a monolith it does agree on common concerns. That’s why listening to these dubious outsiders doesn’t benefit us. While concerned Muslims and Christian alike work to stem the tide of inner city violence and hopelessness the “Religious ” Right sits in judgment uptown. Their interest rests in an insular vision of their faith that folks like us would do well to avoid. For the record, as a safety rights activist I oppose domestic crime everyday. As a self-described MUST ” Muslim United Against Terror ” that should tell you my stance on terrorism, whether the perpetrator is a misguided Muslim; crazed Christian or whatever! Obviously, there are good conservative Christians in all communities. As a Black man and God conscious person I can’t say this applies to the current” Religious ” Right. To these jaundiced eyes, they represent little more than a new form of religious Jim Crow. Boys, your sheets are showing. NADRA ENZI AKA CAPT. BLACK promotes crime prevention and self-development. http://www.captblack.info

THE MIS-EDUCATION OF THE BLACK MAN

By Raynard Jackson

In 1933, Carter G. Woodson published his classic book entitled, “The Mis-Education of the Negro.”  The premise of his book was that Blacks need to be self reliant and not look for others to do for us what we can (and should) do for ourselves.  Woodson thought that the dominant society was teaching Blacks to have an attitude of dependency and subservience, as opposed to controlling their own destiny and teaching their children the truth about the contributions Blacks made to this country’s history.  Woodson was a prolific journalist, author, and a historian who was known as the “Father of Black History.”

According to Woodson, “History shows that it does not matter who is in power… those who have not learned to do for themselves and have to depend solely on others never obtain any more rights or privileges in the end than they did in the beginning.”  Woodson continues, “When you control a man’s thinking you do not have to worry about his actions. You do not have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. He will find his ‘proper place’ and will stay in it. You do not need to send him to the back door. He will go without being told. In fact, if there is no back door, he will cut one for his special benefit. His education makes it necessary.”

The above quotes by Woodson could be very easily directed at the media chosen Black leaders of today.  You know who they are, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Tavis Smiley, Cornell West, Michael Eric Dyson, etc.  Especially when it comes to these folks singing the praises of the Democratic Party.  Listening to these guys you would think the Republican Party is filled with white racists whose sole purpose in life is to advocate policies that will be detrimental to the Black community.

You have Black entrepreneurs who have been able to make a great living by selling goods and services to the federal government.  But, they are totally unaware that former president Richard Nixon is the reason they have these opportunities.

On March 6, 1961, President Kennedy signed Executive Order 10925.  It required government contractors to “take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color or national origin.”

It was during the Nixon administration that affirmative action became what we know it to be today.  It was adopted as a federal mandate for companies with federal contracts and for labor unions whose workers were engaged in those projects.  The late Arthur Fletcher (a Black Republican and dear friend) was put in charge of creating and enforcing the plan.  Fletcher call it the Philadelphia Plan.  Fletcher was serving in the Department of Labor.  He was Assistant Secretary for Wage and Labor Standards (he was one of the highest ranking Blacks in the Nixon administration).   As head of the United Negro College Fund, he coined their famous slogan, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”  I guarantee that you have never heard the UNCF or Black Democrats ever publically give attribution to Fletcher having created this (especially as a Black Republican).

Fletcher’s plan required federal contractors to meet certain goals for the hiring of Black employees by specific dates in order to combat institutionalized discrimination on the part of specific skilled building trade unions.

In 1971, Nixon issued Executive Order 11625, which was subsequent to him creating the Office of Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) in 1969.  The order gave more authority to the Secretary of Commerce to, “implement Federal policy in support of the minority business enterprise program; provide additional technical and management assistance to disadvantaged businesses; and to assist in demonstration projects; and to coordinate the participation of all Federal departments and agencies in an increased minority enterprise effort.”

Presidents Reagan and Bush (the elder) signed Executive Orders 12320 and 12677, respectively in regards to the board of advisors for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  The purpose was to ensure these institutions would be made aware and take advantage of a full range of partnership opportunities with various federal agencies.

Most recently, Republicans spearheaded The Minority-Serving Institution Digital and Wireless Technology Opportunity Act.  The Senate bill was drafted by then senator George Allen (R-VA) and co-sponsored by Trent Lott (R-MS).  The companion house bill was drafted by Congressman J. Randy Forbes (R-VA-4^TH).  The purpose of the bill was to assist minority serving institutions in upgrading their technology infrastructure.  The bill appropriated and authorized $ 250 million per year for five years ($ 1.250 billion).  These were not loans, but grants to help make these schools more competitive with non-minority institutions.

So, my point is, the Republican Party does have a very positive story to share with the Black community if they leave the heated rhetoric behind and focus on the substance of their actions.  Listening to the media appointed Black leaders, you would think Republicans are walking around in white sheets.   You have Black entrepreneurs who have made millions of dollars from government contracts, but yet they savage the very party that allows them to make this type of money.  You have Historically Black Colleges and Universities who poison the minds of students with liberalism without exposing them to other views.  You have Black college students berating Republicans by way of email, text, and twitter messages using the very technology that Republicans made possible.  It was not Democrats who spearheaded this (they voted for the bill), it was a totally Republican initiative.

For the Republicans who want to continue to write off the Black vote and the media appointed Black leaders, you both have been mis-educated and need to explore a new school of thought.

Raynard Jackson is president & CEO of Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC., a D.C.-public relations/government affairs firm.  He is also a contributing editor for ExcellStyle Magazine (www.excellstyle.com).

The Incomparable Lena Horne

By Gary Johnson

Lena Horne had beauty, talent, grace and courage.  The word “iconic” seems like a slight when it comes to describe her enormous impact on the entertainment industry. Lena Horne conquered movies, television, recordings and Broadway.  Lena Horne was great because of how she stood and what she stood for.  She lasted so long.  She was truly a treasure.

Horne, whose career spanned more than 60 years, died Sunday, May 9, 2010, of heart failure at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, said her daughter, Gail Lumet Buckley. She was 92.

As a singer, I rank Lena Horne with such greats as Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRae, Billie Holiday an Ella Fitzgerald. Horne continued to perform in her 80’s before living the quiet life with her family.

From what I could gather, Lena Horne had a fierce individualism that led to her re-defining the roles and images for blacks in films.  Lena Horne was a strong woman with dignity and it came through in her films, television appearances and in her music.

Watch Lena Horne sing two of her most popular songs, “Stormy Weather,” and “If You Believe.”

I’ve read many obituaries today about Lena Horne and the Los Angeles Times stands out as one of the best.  Click here to read it.

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) announced its prime time lineup on Friday, May 21, will pay tribute to Lena Horne.