Thursday, March 13, 2008
Special Cross Post From Living Out Loud with Darian
The Tragic Homosexual
This post is the brain child of an loldarian.com affiliate who wished to remain anonymous. It's a thought provoking piece that I think everyone can relate to on some level. We look forward to hearing your feedback.
The Tragic Homosexual
I have been teetering on the idea of talking about the dynamics of gay, and straight relationships. I for one am a successful, attractive, outgoing black male in a booming metropolis [Atlanta] and I am single. I casually date, and often times reduce myself by logging onto sexually laced websites like Adam4Adam, Men4Now, and Black Gay Chat, but I find it incredibly difficult to analyze the totality of a 3-D individual from a one dimensional profile. So I decided get a dog this year. Hey, I figured it would be better to come home to an object that has the ability of loving another unconditionally then to come home an empty apartment. And while on the surface my story might seem depressing, or empty. Once you begin to analyze the many intricacies of my life I think you would find that my life isn't all that different from many people in today's society. Well, except for my being content with my choices.
Gay or Straight we are in a time of isolation. It seems that we are so geared towards creating plentiful lives for ourselves, by way of our high demanding jobs, whether they be one or more that often times prevent us take the time to invest in each other. Gay or Straight most of us come from shaky families where the "Family Matters" mantra was out the minute the show was cancelled. Thus making the average person a little hesitant to open up as quickly as others would like. Gay or Straight we've grown up with the ideals and principles of never settling for what we just don't want. Gay or Straight everyone is struggling with relationships.
I'm sure my incoherent rants may have you puzzled but I assure you there is a method to my madness, and a point to this commentary.
I have a friend of a friend who recently separated from his wife about a year ago. After many years of trying to live the façade of holy matrimony - my friend of a friend decided to come out to his wife and attempt to live his life – and "with no apologies". After separating from his wife and dabbling into the gay dating scene he managed to get involved with a porn star and build a life together. They dated, moved in, and attempted the "American Dream" all within a few short months. And like all rushed relationships, it abruptly ended with all the drama, and high-octane antic that even the most salacious episode of Jerry Springer couldn't make up. Suddenly my friend of a friend finds himself involved in a domestics dispute. After going through the motions of all the drama my friend of a friend bitterly decides to move on. Well after another year of casual dating my friend of a friend decides that he would rather go back to his wife and just be married then to deal with this [and I'm quoting] "empty lifestyle". And that's where I have my issue.
Since when did the gay lifestyle become some empty? Why is that we as men, or hell, as people don't assume responsibility for our own actions? Why is that when a relationship doesn't work out, which if we're being honest is probably based on some poor decision that you made, we blame the lifestyle?
I mean lets have a real talk moment. Most of us value a 32-inch waist over principles, value and virtue. Most of us are looking for that 10" pole in between their legs rather then a great personality. Yet when we go after those superficial notions, and we end up with an STD or a broken heart we blame the lifestyle, and never ourselves. And additionally, why are so many gay men under the idea that the straights have it any better? I mean many of us love Sex In The City for the shoes, and Samantha's unwavering sexcapades. But at the heart of that miraculous HBO drama is the message that dating is hard no matter who you choose to sleep with.
In conclusion I am just so over the tragic homosexual who allows their bad choices of men, and relationships erode the idea that love is possible. You can embrace single hood for all its glory, or you can simply put more value into your decision to find a mate and truly live happily ever after. But please, just stop blaming the universe for your bad choices.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Does MSM FINALLY Get It? Al Shaprton is a SELF-ABSORBED Opportunist!!
Today's story in the Palm Beach Post was nothing short of spectacular. Perhaps spectacular is an overstatement, but I just get all giddy when the Civil Rights Era rejects make themselves look like the "chitlin' eatin' negroes" (CEN) they are.
It comes as no surprise to me that during Sharpton's media circus, he stormed away from the spotlight when NAACP reps attempted to shine as well. It was just too funny, but also very telling. How is this man committed to the cause of preserving civil rights and crusading for social justice? He isn't; he is committed to himself and his own enterprises. Sure, he may be your garden variety hate-mongering, race-baiting, press-and-curl pompadoured, ghetto, pulpit pimp, but he's so MUCH more! He's a crass opportunist!
Thank you Al for showing us your morbidly obese backside. I am so glad that you had a tantrum on camera and made an ass of yourself even MORE than you usually do. My only regret is that more CEN's weren't there to partake in such a spectacle. Perhaps next time you'll get into a fist fight or a WWE brawl, but I can only hope.
You demonstrated your gross ineptitude at advancing your self-serving agenda. You also made it clear that a woman being raped and tortured by ten little fuck-ups is an afterthought and that the true victims were the sociopaths who violently attacked her and viciously raped and tortured her. You attempted to draw a parallel between the little black fuck-ups and the little white fuck-ups, and framed your argument in such a way that provided an excuse for the rape. You justified what they had done based on their upbringing and external social and societal factors.
Most of all, you have provided me with a seething anger that has motivated me to work feverishly until your organization is destroyed.
For that, I thank you!
Sidebar: Big Ups to Symphony for your quote at the end of the story!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
AL SHARPTON and the NAACP WANT FREEDOM FOR RAPISTS (That way, they can rape again and kill you too!!)
So it seems that my anger fest has been capped with a cherry on top! The NAACP and Al Sharpton of the National Action Network stood with the families of the Dunbar Village RAPE SUSPECTS to host a press conference in protesting the treatment of the Rape Suspects. Sharpton compared the Dunbar Village teens to a set of white teens who raped some teenage girls in Boca Raton.
Sharpton and the NAACP support criminals. This of course is nothing new, but please remember these are the same organizations that were silent about the VICTIM of the Dunbar Village Rape. Where is the equity? Who's truly guilty of preferential treatment? Symphony of Essential Presence does a wonderful job discussing this bastard's latest bullshit rant.
Sharpton and the NAACP support criminals. This of course is nothing new, but please remember these are the same organizations that were silent about the VICTIM of the Dunbar Village Rape. Where is the equity? Who's truly guilty of preferential treatment? Symphony of Essential Presence does a wonderful job discussing this bastard's latest bullshit rant.
What F@ckery is this? AL SHARPTON TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF DUNBAR VILLAGE RAPE SUSPECTS!!!
I am a reasonable and sensible man. I consider myself pretty patient and sometimes very forgiving. However, when I reach my limit things don't stay so pretty. You see I use to have a pretty short fuse that used to get me into TONS of trouble. I learned to control that fuse for the most part because explosive anger takes away from one's credibility and demonstrates to outsiders that I can't control myself.
Today is one of those days where my anger will be evident in this blog post. I hope Al Shaprton has a heart attack and a stroke all at the same time. He is a useless, piece-of-shit, civil rights era reject, and isn't worth the flesh his sorry ass is printed on! Today, yes TODAY that fat bastard will be in West Palm Beach, Florida to advocate for the RAPISTS involved in the Dunbar Village Rape Case. To be fair, he'll also be in West Palm Beach filing a lawsuit to prevent the State of Florida from holding their Democratic Primary.
What disgusts me most about Al Sharpton and his "chitlin eating ilk" is their hypocrisy. After my counter protest of Sharpton and his Hate Crimes March in Washington, DC, I had been contacted by a resident of Dunbar Village, Ms. Citoya Greenwood. Ms. Greenwood thanked me for bringing more attention to DV and also wanted some assistance in planning a community town hall meeting to address the needs of the residents of Dunbar Village.
For those who are still unaware, DV is a hell hole on earth. It is the place where 12 black male teenagers forcibly entered the apartment of a 35 year old Single mother and her 12 year old son. It is the place where these junior sociopaths raped, tortured, and sodomized this woman for three hours. It is the place where her son was beaten, tortured, and mutilated and forced to have sex with his mother at gun point by these 12 little bastards. For months, not a single black "leader" or social justice group did anything to assist the victim and her son. It was not until bloggers like Symphony at Essential Presence, Gina at Whataboutourdaughters?, and Professor Tracey at Aunt Jemimas Revenge started blogging about this tragedy that MSM began talking about it. The rape occured on June 18, 2007. Where were you when it happened? Did you hear about it?
Fast forward to November 2007. I learn that the Pompadoured, Do-Nothing, Hypocrite himself, Al Sharpton would be in DC chiding the government for it less than stellar record on prosecuting hate crimes. This would set the stage for a confrontation that would ask him and his supporters, "Why the hell are you STILL silent?" There would be 5 of us and countless stories in several national newspapers. You would have thought that the publicity surrounding the ineptness of our black leaders would have shamed them into doing something to actually HELP the residents of Dunbar, but no. They greeted our protests with the usual response, "I didn't know" or " Well no one asked me" as if these opportunists EVER need an invitation to be media whores. Did the Jena 6 or Genarlow have to ASK anyone to get involved? Still, Al in fact was a liar. He had been invited to Dunbar on several occasions and for every invite he spurned or simply ignored the request.
It was not until Ms. Greenwood had contacted him directly, while he was in West Palm Beach for a completely separate event, that he and his NAN reps decided to tour the housing project. He had promised to be a part of the community Town Hall meeting (its dates were changed multiple times to accommodate HIS schedule) and he had even promised to spend the night in Dunbar Village just to get a feel for what the residents had been dealing with for years. He failed to show for the meeting and canceled 1 hour BEFORE he was supposed to show up citing inclement weather and travel conditions. No flights from NY to FL had been canceled. He simply failed to show. Ms Greenwood spent two months organizing and planning this meeting. She contacted elected officials, community groups, legal aid groups, and HUD officials. She single handedly brought them all together and Rev. Al PROMISED to be there. After all, the meeting was to convene on a Tuesday evening because that was the only time HE would be free.
He failed to show and Ms. Greenwood was forced to make this announcement to her community. She is now being harassed by other residents, Laurel Robinson, HUD Director for West Palm Beach, and has become a target because she chose to be a voice for the marginalized.
Reverend Al COULD NOT show up for Citoya, the rape victim, or the residents of Dunbar Village, but he can show up to ADVOCATE for RAPISTS! What kind of FUCKERY is that?!?!?!
The message is clear people. Negroes like Al want us to believe that Black people LOVE criminals. If we didn't, why are NATIONAL organizations so quick to run to the defense of violent black offenders and rapists? Why are black female victims ignored in MSM, while black male perps get TONS of media coverage followed by a rationalization spin doctoring that excuses their crimes?
I posted a piece that Professor Tracey wrote last Saturday about the Soul on Ice Effect and how it relates to the dehumanization of black women and children. READ IT!
I am drawing another line in the sand TODAY.
Monday, March 10, 2008
The Soul on Ice Effect - Why the Lives of Black Women and Children don't Matter by Professor Tracey
Former Black Panther Eldridge Cleaver published the world famous manifesto Soul On Ice in 1968, many consider this work a classic political text. I do not. While I acknowledge the power in Cleaver's words, the text is also infamous for Cleaver's admission of being a rapist. Cleaver attempts to justify his rapes of white women as a strike back at the white man and a way to recover his black manhood, as he states about his rapes ["an insurrectionary act. It delighted me that I was defying and trampling upon the white man's law ... defiling his women."]
As frightening and problematic as that explanation is, Cleaver admits to "practicing on black girls in the ghetto" first. Cleaver never served a day in prison for his assaults on black women, in fact he would become a celebrated black leader during the Black Power movement, a voice of the people, black people. I have always been troubled by this glaring double standard image of Cleaver and the Black Power movement. Forty years later, black women as rape victims, murder victims are considered even less valuable than they were in 1968. We are expendable. And it is not just because white people have devalued the lives of black women, we have, the black community. We make excuses for black men who hurt and kill, for black men who hurt and kill their own people.
On my blog, I have covered the gang-rape at Dunbar Village in West Palm Beach, the slaying of an entire deputy sheriff's family by her own son in Atlanta, the murder of Nailah Franklin in Chicago, the senseless murders of black women and children on Hovey Street in Indianapolis and on Lester Street in Memphis. All these cases have received more detailed attention on black-owned blogs than on the mainstream media. Our so-called black leadership, the Al Sharptons, the Jesse Jacksons, the Tavis Smileys, the Cornell Wests, including black presidential candidate Barack Obama have been woefully silent and hopelessly inadequate at making any of these cases have any sense of importance in terms of getting a resolution or some sense of justice. The overall black community has been outraged and saddened at these cases, but not enough to last more than a few days, no lasting impression. Once the bodies get buried, our collective interest wanes. We just seem to wait for the next case.
All these cases represent one black woman gang-raped, her black son beaten and terrorized, six black women and six black children murdered. I do not discount the value of the 2 black men that were murdered as well, but a running total of 12 to 2 in less than a year is shocking. When one considers that the suspects in all these cases are black men, one must feel a deep sense of unsettling despair about these cases. Where is the collective black outrage? Black folks mobilized and marched with passion for the quite frankly, extremely unworthy Jena 6 group, but have been virtually dead silent about the black women and children that have been battered, raped, and murdered, then discarded like paper cups when the picnic is finished.
Recently, the two high profile murders of a Auburn University student, Lauren Burk and a UNC Chapel Hill student, Eve Carson received the lion's share of media attention as is the habit when young and privileged white women are murdered, I was reminded again of the scant attention that black women regardless of age, social or economic background that are missing or murdered ever receive. When confronted with the fact that the alleged murderers of these women are black men, I was reminded of Eldridge Cleaver. I wondered if these same black men that murdered white women so callously and senselessly, what were they doing in the black communities where they came from? How many of their own people had they victimized before they moved on to harming people that would attract the attention to mobilize the police to stop them? How much "practice" had they had in our community before they moved on to white communities?
White people will make no excuses in these cases. They will accept nothing less than the highest level of prosecution under the law. Not just because the murderer was black, they demand the same when the murderer is white, they will demand justice because one of their own has been senselessly murdered, for no good reason at all. Where are the Megan's Law and the Polly Klass' laws for black children? Jerry Lee Lewis career was destroyed when he married his 13 year old cousin, but black folks celebrate R. Kelly for his sexual relationships with underage girls. Why does this man still have a career? Do you actually think white people would have waited this long for such a clear case of pornography, underage sex and statutory rape to be prosecuted if R. Kelly was white or his victim was?
Black people should be outraged that black murderers are allowed to "practice" in our neighborhoods first, before they move on. Black people should be outraged that convicted murderer Jessie Dotson was released from prison, only to commit multiple murders of his own family members just two months after his release.
Yet, we won't be, we will make excuses. We will talk about what these black men didn't have and how they didn't get what they needed. We will blame white people, we will blame the prison system, the educational system, we will blame television, music, and movies, we will even blame the victims themselves, but we will most certainly refuse to hold the murderers 100% accountable. We will refuse to call for justice and demand that these predators be locked up and the key to their freedom forever destroyed. And that makes absolutely no sense at all.
It doesn't matter if black men feel trapped by their personal circumstances and the only people available to hurt and destroy are black women and children, you don't have the right to murder people. It doesn't matter how dire your life, no matter how much you are struggling, you have no right to murder people. It doesn't matter if you suffered racism or any kind of discrimination, you have no right to murder people. No matter how hungry you get, no matter how desperate you get, you have no right to take someone's life. That is what is supposed to separate us, human beings from wild animals.
We really need to stop wondering why black women and children that go missing or turn up murdered get scant attention in the white-owned mainstream media, we, us, black people have made it a standard practice in our own communities. The black community repeatedly fails to openly and honestly discuss and confront domestic violence, rape, incest, or sexual abuse in our own communities, but we expect white people to care about black victims of these types of crimes when we do not.
The black community continuously asks and expects black women to hold black families together in the most trying and difficult circumstances without the assistance of the majority of black men and then have the nerve to ask black women to be the most forgiving and understanding victims in the universe when the perpetrators are black men. We are always expected to blindly support black men no matter what they do to us, no matter how they fail us, and never ask any questions, but do black women receive the same kind of unconditional support and protection? I think not, the Soul On Ice Effect has become standard practice in the black community.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Updates!!!
I see the week-in-review format has been working rather well on other blogs because it allows authors to string together completely unrelated stories in one post. Having been at a loss for words lately (totally ironic since I've been commenting on so many other blogs), I present to my readers, BLKSeaGoat's Weekly Round-Up!!! I'll try to post the good, bad, ugly, and WTF?, but not in necessarily in that order. I haven't come up with a clever name for my weekly recap and I am open to suggestions.
I have really been inspired by a number of bloggers who keep me wearing my thinking cap because of how awesome their writing skills are. If you good folks in the blogosphere haven't been to their sites already, you MUST visit Aunt Jemima's Revenge by Professor Tracey, Black Women Vote by SheCodes, and for inspiration and spiritual enlightenment, Character Corner, by AttorneyMom. I have been learning so much about so many things and I can credit reading these blogs for that. My writing skills are above average at best, but for some great thinking coupled with an exceptional use of language and mastery of grammar and mechanics, check them out PRONTO! Of course I am and will always be a fan of Whataboutourdaughters? and I thank Gina along with her readership for always being on alert and posting "news that I can use". I've also started reading some other authors, Torrance Stephens, Jasmyne Cannick, and Average Bro and I'll be getting around to all of you I see on a regular basis in the comments sections of the various blogs I enjoy.
This week has been an interesting one for me. As I shared with SheCodes earlier this month, I will be transitioning into a new position with a new agency as I have been ready to move on for some time. What was so great about this new job is that my hiring manager CALLED me and basically made me an offer before the position was even available. I felt flattered and a little cocky (I have to be honest) because I was the FIRST person who came to her mind as this opening came in her department. She strongly encouraged me to submit my resume and vitae, provided me with some plausible arguments as to why I was her first choice, and recommended me with high expectations to her Executive Director. It was all so surreal that I still can't believe that things unfolded they that they did. I am glad though; I GOTS DA SKILLZ 2 PAY DA BILLZ... Okay, I know that wasn't even funny, but I am so excited!
My only regret is that I will miss the direct service aspect of my current position. However with my new job I'll be able to affect change on an even broader level; to me, my societal impact will be much more tangible than it was before.
I am a Barack Obama supporter NOT a stan. I have rational reasons for supporting my candidate of choice as well as reasons for NOT supporting his opponent. While Sen. Clinton bested my candidate in Ohio, Texas, and R.I., he still leads in the delegate count. I have signed up to go volunteer in PA, the last great prize for the Democratic nominee unless FL and MI re-vote. I am still confident that Senator Obama can clinch this nomination and become president, but he really needs to start getting into Hillary's treasure trough of opposition research. Roland Martin stated it as plainly as possible: "make Hillary DEFINE her 35 years of experience." Future Mr. President, you have to do this if you expect HOPE for CHANGE to carry you to the Oval Office.
As usual, Whataboutourdaughters? scoops a story that I would have otherwise ignored unless it was posted on their website. It seems that American Pop Culture's obsession with celebrity is so powerful that grown women will bear their naked asses on camera for the world to see, ONLY to get a date with an ugly ass mud duck inferior rapper. The contest, sponsored by Plies was called the "Bust it Baby" contest, after one of his songs about a woman he admires for her sexual prowess and penchant for casual sex. The video is NSFW and is incredibly disgusting. If watching women debase themselves in every way causes you to vomit uncontrollably, you may not want to view this video. I was so repulsed by it I created a PowerPoint response and posted it on YouTube.
Jasmyne Cannick has a bone to pick with infamous drag performer, Shirley Q. Liquor. For those of you who are unaware, SQL is a character of Charles Knipp, an obese, gay white man who performs his character in blackface. Shirley Q. Liquor is a malt-liquor chugging, promiscuous, multiple-baby-daddy-having, under-educated, poor, welfare check receiving, black woman with 19 children. Her spawn are named after food products, liquor beverages, and venereal diseases. SQL hails from the South and is the self-proclaimed "Queen of Dixie". Jasmyne has launched a campaign against SQL and Knipp in an effort to get Knipp's appearances canceled at various gay pride events and conventions. You can read more about the protest and campaign here.
Now, I have no problem with Jasmyne's position about SQL, but she actually JUSTIFIES why it's okay for black male drag performers to mar the image of black women, but scowls at the same performances being done by a white man. One cannot have it both ways. You can be upset at the media portrayal of black women regardless of the race of the person engaged in the stereotypical depictions. I signed to petition as a show of support, but I remain a bit ambivalent about Jasmyne's motivation for going ape shit on SQL. I wonder what the National Black Justice Coalition has to say about SQL? I wonder why White Gay America (there are many gay Americas) is so missive about SQL's brand of humor, but gets outraged when straight comedians use terms that are offensive to homosexuals?
R.I.P - 17 year old Simmie Williams was ambushed and gunned down for what many believe was his transgender identity. Feministe published a really great post on this tragic event .
I am going to start taking my blog more seriously. I know, I know, I've said that before, but I'll be freeing up my work schedule soon for some much needed blog time. I have TONS of things to write about and I'll be getting of my lazy behind to actually do more.
The Good Blogs
I have really been inspired by a number of bloggers who keep me wearing my thinking cap because of how awesome their writing skills are. If you good folks in the blogosphere haven't been to their sites already, you MUST visit Aunt Jemima's Revenge by Professor Tracey, Black Women Vote by SheCodes, and for inspiration and spiritual enlightenment, Character Corner, by AttorneyMom. I have been learning so much about so many things and I can credit reading these blogs for that. My writing skills are above average at best, but for some great thinking coupled with an exceptional use of language and mastery of grammar and mechanics, check them out PRONTO! Of course I am and will always be a fan of Whataboutourdaughters? and I thank Gina along with her readership for always being on alert and posting "news that I can use". I've also started reading some other authors, Torrance Stephens, Jasmyne Cannick, and Average Bro and I'll be getting around to all of you I see on a regular basis in the comments sections of the various blogs I enjoy.
New GIG!!
This week has been an interesting one for me. As I shared with SheCodes earlier this month, I will be transitioning into a new position with a new agency as I have been ready to move on for some time. What was so great about this new job is that my hiring manager CALLED me and basically made me an offer before the position was even available. I felt flattered and a little cocky (I have to be honest) because I was the FIRST person who came to her mind as this opening came in her department. She strongly encouraged me to submit my resume and vitae, provided me with some plausible arguments as to why I was her first choice, and recommended me with high expectations to her Executive Director. It was all so surreal that I still can't believe that things unfolded they that they did. I am glad though; I GOTS DA SKILLZ 2 PAY DA BILLZ... Okay, I know that wasn't even funny, but I am so excited!
My only regret is that I will miss the direct service aspect of my current position. However with my new job I'll be able to affect change on an even broader level; to me, my societal impact will be much more tangible than it was before.
Election updates
I am a Barack Obama supporter NOT a stan. I have rational reasons for supporting my candidate of choice as well as reasons for NOT supporting his opponent. While Sen. Clinton bested my candidate in Ohio, Texas, and R.I., he still leads in the delegate count. I have signed up to go volunteer in PA, the last great prize for the Democratic nominee unless FL and MI re-vote. I am still confident that Senator Obama can clinch this nomination and become president, but he really needs to start getting into Hillary's treasure trough of opposition research. Roland Martin stated it as plainly as possible: "make Hillary DEFINE her 35 years of experience." Future Mr. President, you have to do this if you expect HOPE for CHANGE to carry you to the Oval Office.
Hot Messes
As usual, Whataboutourdaughters? scoops a story that I would have otherwise ignored unless it was posted on their website. It seems that American Pop Culture's obsession with celebrity is so powerful that grown women will bear their naked asses on camera for the world to see, ONLY to get a date with an ugly ass mud duck inferior rapper. The contest, sponsored by Plies was called the "Bust it Baby" contest, after one of his songs about a woman he admires for her sexual prowess and penchant for casual sex. The video is NSFW and is incredibly disgusting. If watching women debase themselves in every way causes you to vomit uncontrollably, you may not want to view this video. I was so repulsed by it I created a PowerPoint response and posted it on YouTube.
Blackface Minstrel or Flattering Admirer?
Jasmyne Cannick has a bone to pick with infamous drag performer, Shirley Q. Liquor. For those of you who are unaware, SQL is a character of Charles Knipp, an obese, gay white man who performs his character in blackface. Shirley Q. Liquor is a malt-liquor chugging, promiscuous, multiple-baby-daddy-having, under-educated, poor, welfare check receiving, black woman with 19 children. Her spawn are named after food products, liquor beverages, and venereal diseases. SQL hails from the South and is the self-proclaimed "Queen of Dixie". Jasmyne has launched a campaign against SQL and Knipp in an effort to get Knipp's appearances canceled at various gay pride events and conventions. You can read more about the protest and campaign here.
Now, I have no problem with Jasmyne's position about SQL, but she actually JUSTIFIES why it's okay for black male drag performers to mar the image of black women, but scowls at the same performances being done by a white man. One cannot have it both ways. You can be upset at the media portrayal of black women regardless of the race of the person engaged in the stereotypical depictions. I signed to petition as a show of support, but I remain a bit ambivalent about Jasmyne's motivation for going ape shit on SQL. I wonder what the National Black Justice Coalition has to say about SQL? I wonder why White Gay America (there are many gay Americas) is so missive about SQL's brand of humor, but gets outraged when straight comedians use terms that are offensive to homosexuals?
R.I.P - 17 year old Simmie Williams was ambushed and gunned down for what many believe was his transgender identity. Feministe published a really great post on this tragic event .
Posting on the Regular (I promise)
I am going to start taking my blog more seriously. I know, I know, I've said that before, but I'll be freeing up my work schedule soon for some much needed blog time. I have TONS of things to write about and I'll be getting of my lazy behind to actually do more.
Monday, February 25, 2008
COGIC Bishop GUILTY OF CHILD MOLESTATION
Atlanta - Rapists abound in COGIC!!! This story is so disgusting and this man's wife needs her wig readjusted. I have a sincere hatred for child molesters and I hope the good Bishop gets his ass raped WITHOUT VASELINE during his long prison sentence. Once again, COGIC drops the ball when it comes to protecting its sheep. This story was lifted from the AJC.com website.
Pastor convicted of molesting foster child
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 02/24/08
A Decatur pastor faces at least 25 years in prison after being convicted of aggravated sexual battery and child molestation of his 15-year-old foster child, authorities said.
DeKalb County prosecutors contend Bishop Frederick Kelley, who headed Greater New Macedonia Church of God in Christ, had a history of child molestation and rape involving family members going back 35 years.
Kelley has vehemently proclaimed his innocence.
He was in the DeKalb jail Sunday awaiting a sentencing date after a jury found him guilty Friday of two counts of sexual battery and four counts of child molestation.
The minimum sentence is 25 years. The jury acquitted him of rape.
Kelley was arrested in January 2007 on charges of rape and molestation involving a 15-year-old foster girl in his house.
The pastor proclaimed his innocence in a TV news broadcast.
The newscast prompted three of his relatives to tell police that he molested or raped them years before, said Peter Boehm, the DeKalb prosecutor who handled the case.
"They had thought he stopped — or 'hoped,' I guess, is the better way to say it," Boehm said.
Attempts to reach the Kelley family for comment were unsuccessful Sunday.
Boehm introduced four other child molestation cases, involving Kelley's family members and another foster child, during the eight-day trial in Superior Court that ended Friday.
The first case involved a family member who was 12 years old when the incident allegedly occurred in 1972, Boehm said.
The woman testified at the trial that she awoke one night and found Kelley on top of her. She shoved him off, and Kelley "pretended to be sleepwalking," Boehm said.
Another family member testified that the pastor impregnated her in 1979, when she was 15.
DeKalb prosecutor Boehm alleges that in 1993, Kelley molested the daughter of the first victim.
Kelley eventually targeted foster children he and his wife supported, Boehm said.
Besides the 15-year-old who filed the charges for which Kelley was prosecuted, another foster daughter, age 14, testified the defendant inappropriately touched her when he came into her bedroom one night in 2006 but claimed to be "praying over her."
Kelley's wife testified that her husband was guilty only of an adulterous affair with the girl who became pregnant in 1979.
The Kelleys raised the baby he fathered as their own child, Boehm said.
That affair was the only sexual misconduct Kelley and his wife acknowledged, Boehm said.
"They denied all the others," he said.
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| Find this article at: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/dekalb/stories/2008/02/24/bishop_0225.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab |
Sunday, February 17, 2008
8 Die In ILLEGAL DRAG RACING ACCIDENT!! *Giggles*
File this one under the "What the F@CK were they Thinking?" category. I mean, the loss of human life is tragic, but forgive me for being a little cynical if STUPIDITY was to blame. The victims ranged in ages from 20 - 60 and the eldest victim was a 61 year old grandfather whose body was torn apart while he was trying to get a glimpse of the race.
This is just too damn sad. People have complained about the police not responding to calls from neighbors about all of the noise and commotion (the races started at 12:30am and the accident occurred at 3:30am). Again, instead of black people holding themselves accountable for their actions, we have community groups and the victims' family members blaming everyone else EXCEPT themselves.
To the families and survivors: I will not apologize nor offer my condolences for your pain because your family members were STUPID! Be grateful that you're still living and hopefully you'll take this opportunity to act like you have some damn sense next time.
Read the full story here.
This is just too damn sad. People have complained about the police not responding to calls from neighbors about all of the noise and commotion (the races started at 12:30am and the accident occurred at 3:30am). Again, instead of black people holding themselves accountable for their actions, we have community groups and the victims' family members blaming everyone else EXCEPT themselves.
To the families and survivors: I will not apologize nor offer my condolences for your pain because your family members were STUPID! Be grateful that you're still living and hopefully you'll take this opportunity to act like you have some damn sense next time.
Read the full story here.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Happy Black History Month!!!
I absolutely LOVE this song and it took me 4ever to find it. If only I had gone to youtube FIRST!! The lyrics will follow. ENJOY and forward this video to as many children (and clueless adults) as well.
The Crown (with Gary Byrd)
Stevie Wonder / Gary Byrd
People of the world wherever you be
Welcome to Cosmic YOUniversity
Where life is the journey and love is the trip
And the study of them will make you hip
I'm professor of the rap and when I speak
I guarantee that my lines will not be weak
They say a mind is a terrible thing to waste
That's why I'm here and on the case
Rapping up every mind with a special degree
In socio-psycholo G.B.E.
The Gary Byrd Experience is my course
When you take my class you will feel the force
'Cause I know the roots that the rap is from
When I speak to you I am not dumb
Hear my rap and begin to dance
And I promise you this you will advance
You may have seen the Raiders of the Lost Ark
But you still left the theatre in the dark
So clap your hands to the beat as the Wonder sound
And the G.B.E. shine on the Crown
Chorus (Background)
You wear the Crown
I wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, the Crown
I said a once upon a time in Alkebu
Lived the kings and queens who looked like you
It was a land of sun with a golden shine
A place that once was yours and mine
Home of many great dynasties
Who created science and astronomy
Where the Romans came to study math
And the Greeks found out about the path
In case you wonder what else they did
The Alkebu-lans created the pyramids
And before Napoleon could even blink
In Alkebu there stood a giant Sphinx
Some say they came from outer space
But they are a part of the human race
If you know the place where they can be found
You may be the one who can wear the Crown
Chorus (Background)
You wear the Crown
I wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, the Crown
I wear the Crown
You wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, get down
We wear the Crown (Crystal Blake)
We wear the Crown (Stevie Wonder)
Not the greatest dancer with the baddest shoe
Not the slickest rapper that you ever knew
Have worn the Crown though they wanted to
But they'll want to until they die
Not a man of science with a Ph.D.
Not a lady of law Masters' Degree
Will wear the Crown unless they can see
A unique reality
You see when you say you wear the Crown
Make sure you know it is profound
In case it sounds like a mystery
I'm talking about our story
It can make Akhnaton nod to you
It can make Nefertiti beckon you
With the Crown you will begin to glow
When its secret you begin to know
Next time you feel like you're in a rut
Go see the mighty kingdom of King Tut
It will blow your mind no doubt it's true
'Cause guess what King Tut looks just like you
You were Cleopatra Queen of the Nile
The sun would wink when it saw you smile
You were the Hannibal of the history book
And the earth would tremble at your very look
You were the builders of the pyramids
You were the face upon the Sphynx
You rode on the Nile in grace and style
Look at yourself today and think
See the hieroglyphics upon the wall
Like the dancers on the floor they will not fall
If you take one look it will astound
And then you will see who wears the Crown
Chorus (Background)
You wear the Crown
I wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, the Crown
I wear the Crown
You wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, get down
(repeat chorus 2 more times)
Stevie Wonder-
I do recall so very well
When I was just a little boy
I used to hurry home from school
I used to always feel so blue
Because there was no mention in the books we read about my heritage
So therefore any information that I got was education
Bums, hobos at depot stations
I would listen with much patience
Or to relatives who told the tales that they were told to pass ahead
And then one day from someone old
I heard a story never told
Of all the kingdoms of my people
And then how we fought for our freedom
All about the many things we have unto the world contributed
You wear the Crown
We wear the Crown (Crystal Blake)
We wear the Crown (Stevie Wonder)
It's not Star Wars, it's not Superman
It's not the story of the Ku Klux Klan
The Crown will appear in the G.B.E.
But it's never seen on your T.V.
It's in black and white in your gold mine
A picture so old it defies time
Alex Haley drew it in his book
It's what Kunta kept in his other foot
Ghana Songhay and old Mali
They are the roots of your own family tree
Kingdoms so vast and knowledge wise
They removed cataracts from human eyes
And yet today some refuse to see
And live in fear of their discovery
Now in fourteen hundred and ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean...true
But years before in Alkebu
A ship set sail with a chocolate crew
2,000 years before Columbo came
The Olmecs paid tribute to their fame
Stone heads with faces eight feet high
That the Hulk could not lift to his thigh
Though the facts historians avoid
First to arrive was the Africoid
It may shock the House and Shockley, too
And if you're not prepared it may shock you
While some had doubts that the world was round
In America guess who wore the Crown
Chorus (Background)
You wear the Crown
I wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, the Crown
I wear the Crown
You wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, get down
When you wear the Crown you will not need
To smoke, to coke, to dust or speed
With the Crown you can become the high
And you will make it if you try
But don't you ever forget what it will take
To wear the Crown you cannot fake
If you gonna lead you got to be a king
And give the world your everything
Or be a man like Malcolm X
And demand for all the very best
Or conduct a railroad like Harriet
We all owe her a lifetime debt
If you gonna fight don't do it free
Make 'em pay to see just like Ali
Or sing like Ella and make them guess
Is it you or is it Memorex
If you play a sport become number one
Like Joe Louis and Jackie Robinson
Make Doctor "J" your shining star
Shoot like Magic, dunk with Jabbar
Or if you can write then write some books
Like Langston Hughes or Our Miss Brooks
And if you think you're smart
Don't deceive us be an Imhotep, be a genuis
And don't let anybody confuse the fact
You don't wear the crown just because you're black
Everybody in the world has a Crown and place
That becomes their culture and their face
And so it is, we will not deny
Our history or buy the lie
We have no claim to be renowned
When we were first to wear the Crown
Chorus (Background)
You wear the Crown
I wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, the Crown
I wear the Crown
You wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, get down
The Crown (with Gary Byrd)
Stevie Wonder / Gary Byrd
People of the world wherever you be
Welcome to Cosmic YOUniversity
Where life is the journey and love is the trip
And the study of them will make you hip
I'm professor of the rap and when I speak
I guarantee that my lines will not be weak
They say a mind is a terrible thing to waste
That's why I'm here and on the case
Rapping up every mind with a special degree
In socio-psycholo G.B.E.
The Gary Byrd Experience is my course
When you take my class you will feel the force
'Cause I know the roots that the rap is from
When I speak to you I am not dumb
Hear my rap and begin to dance
And I promise you this you will advance
You may have seen the Raiders of the Lost Ark
But you still left the theatre in the dark
So clap your hands to the beat as the Wonder sound
And the G.B.E. shine on the Crown
Chorus (Background)
You wear the Crown
I wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, the Crown
I said a once upon a time in Alkebu
Lived the kings and queens who looked like you
It was a land of sun with a golden shine
A place that once was yours and mine
Home of many great dynasties
Who created science and astronomy
Where the Romans came to study math
And the Greeks found out about the path
In case you wonder what else they did
The Alkebu-lans created the pyramids
And before Napoleon could even blink
In Alkebu there stood a giant Sphinx
Some say they came from outer space
But they are a part of the human race
If you know the place where they can be found
You may be the one who can wear the Crown
Chorus (Background)
You wear the Crown
I wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, the Crown
I wear the Crown
You wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, get down
We wear the Crown (Crystal Blake)
We wear the Crown (Stevie Wonder)
Not the greatest dancer with the baddest shoe
Not the slickest rapper that you ever knew
Have worn the Crown though they wanted to
But they'll want to until they die
Not a man of science with a Ph.D.
Not a lady of law Masters' Degree
Will wear the Crown unless they can see
A unique reality
You see when you say you wear the Crown
Make sure you know it is profound
In case it sounds like a mystery
I'm talking about our story
It can make Akhnaton nod to you
It can make Nefertiti beckon you
With the Crown you will begin to glow
When its secret you begin to know
Next time you feel like you're in a rut
Go see the mighty kingdom of King Tut
It will blow your mind no doubt it's true
'Cause guess what King Tut looks just like you
You were Cleopatra Queen of the Nile
The sun would wink when it saw you smile
You were the Hannibal of the history book
And the earth would tremble at your very look
You were the builders of the pyramids
You were the face upon the Sphynx
You rode on the Nile in grace and style
Look at yourself today and think
See the hieroglyphics upon the wall
Like the dancers on the floor they will not fall
If you take one look it will astound
And then you will see who wears the Crown
Chorus (Background)
You wear the Crown
I wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, the Crown
I wear the Crown
You wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, get down
(repeat chorus 2 more times)
Stevie Wonder-
I do recall so very well
When I was just a little boy
I used to hurry home from school
I used to always feel so blue
Because there was no mention in the books we read about my heritage
So therefore any information that I got was education
Bums, hobos at depot stations
I would listen with much patience
Or to relatives who told the tales that they were told to pass ahead
And then one day from someone old
I heard a story never told
Of all the kingdoms of my people
And then how we fought for our freedom
All about the many things we have unto the world contributed
You wear the Crown
We wear the Crown (Crystal Blake)
We wear the Crown (Stevie Wonder)
It's not Star Wars, it's not Superman
It's not the story of the Ku Klux Klan
The Crown will appear in the G.B.E.
But it's never seen on your T.V.
It's in black and white in your gold mine
A picture so old it defies time
Alex Haley drew it in his book
It's what Kunta kept in his other foot
Ghana Songhay and old Mali
They are the roots of your own family tree
Kingdoms so vast and knowledge wise
They removed cataracts from human eyes
And yet today some refuse to see
And live in fear of their discovery
Now in fourteen hundred and ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean...true
But years before in Alkebu
A ship set sail with a chocolate crew
2,000 years before Columbo came
The Olmecs paid tribute to their fame
Stone heads with faces eight feet high
That the Hulk could not lift to his thigh
Though the facts historians avoid
First to arrive was the Africoid
It may shock the House and Shockley, too
And if you're not prepared it may shock you
While some had doubts that the world was round
In America guess who wore the Crown
Chorus (Background)
You wear the Crown
I wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, the Crown
I wear the Crown
You wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, get down
When you wear the Crown you will not need
To smoke, to coke, to dust or speed
With the Crown you can become the high
And you will make it if you try
But don't you ever forget what it will take
To wear the Crown you cannot fake
If you gonna lead you got to be a king
And give the world your everything
Or be a man like Malcolm X
And demand for all the very best
Or conduct a railroad like Harriet
We all owe her a lifetime debt
If you gonna fight don't do it free
Make 'em pay to see just like Ali
Or sing like Ella and make them guess
Is it you or is it Memorex
If you play a sport become number one
Like Joe Louis and Jackie Robinson
Make Doctor "J" your shining star
Shoot like Magic, dunk with Jabbar
Or if you can write then write some books
Like Langston Hughes or Our Miss Brooks
And if you think you're smart
Don't deceive us be an Imhotep, be a genuis
And don't let anybody confuse the fact
You don't wear the crown just because you're black
Everybody in the world has a Crown and place
That becomes their culture and their face
And so it is, we will not deny
Our history or buy the lie
We have no claim to be renowned
When we were first to wear the Crown
Chorus (Background)
You wear the Crown
I wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, the Crown
I wear the Crown
You wear the Crown
So proud to say that we all wear the Crown, get down
Monday, February 11, 2008
An Open Letter to the Black Community
Dear Black Community,
I am a 32 year old Black American male currently residing in Washington, DC. I write you today to express my bewilderment at our complete lack of respect for each other particularly, our black women.
Today, after reading a post on the blog, “What About Our Daughters?” (www.whataboutourdaughters.com) , I discovered that comedian, D.L. Hughely will be hosting the NAACP Image Awards. While I respect the Civil Rights and Social Justice principles the NAACP strives to maintain, I must publicly express my extreme disappointment with the selection of Mr. Hughley as the host.
For those of you who are unaware, Mr. Hughley is the black Don Imus. Hughley’s disparaging remarks about Black women have been broadcast around the globe and immortalized in print media. He specifically addresses Black women as “hoes” and during an appearance on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, referred to black women as “some of the UGLIEST women [he’s] ever seen”. When will we draw a line in the sand? How is this acceptable behavior for a man who is hosting one of the most important events in the NAACP’s history?
DL Hughley’s selection as show host makes him a quasi-spokesperson for the NAACP, if only for just one night. It is insulting, abhorrent, and hypocritical that the NAACP would choose a man who espouses such misogynistic and racially insensitive garbage. What’s even worse is that companies with which we do business are sponsoring this event and thus, they are providing the financial support for Hughley to continue his tirade. He now has an even wider audience to market his misogyny and hatred of black women- and WE as consumers have paid for him to have such a luxury!
These are the companies that have chosen to support the double standard of misogyny in the black community by sponsoring the NAACP Image Awards Show on February 14th, 2008 on FOX.
Federal Express (www.fedex.com) *Sponsors of the Nominees’ Luncheon and Golf Tournament
AllState Insurance Company (www.allstate.com)
BestBuy (www.bestbuy.com)
American Airlines (www.aa.com)
Chevy Motors (www.chevymotors.com)
Ford Motor Company (www.ford.com)
Sprint PCS (www.sprint.com)
Wachovia Bank, N.A. (www.wachovia.com)
Ciroc Vodka (www.ciroc.com)
Crown Royal (www.crownroyal.com)
Johnnie Walker (www.johnniewalker.com)
Bank Of America (www.bankofamerica.com)
Blockbuster Video (www.blockbuster.com)
CBS (www.cbs.com)
Safeway (www.safeway.com)
Television Week (www.tvweek.com)
Walt Disney (www.disney.com)
Please contact the Corporate Communications and Social Responsibility Departments for these companies and ask them why they support insulting black women and intra-racial misogyny. I know I will.
Regards,
Shane AKA BLKSeaGoat
http://blacksapince.blogspot.com
I am a 32 year old Black American male currently residing in Washington, DC. I write you today to express my bewilderment at our complete lack of respect for each other particularly, our black women.
Today, after reading a post on the blog, “What About Our Daughters?” (www.whataboutourdaughters.com) , I discovered that comedian, D.L. Hughely will be hosting the NAACP Image Awards. While I respect the Civil Rights and Social Justice principles the NAACP strives to maintain, I must publicly express my extreme disappointment with the selection of Mr. Hughley as the host.
For those of you who are unaware, Mr. Hughley is the black Don Imus. Hughley’s disparaging remarks about Black women have been broadcast around the globe and immortalized in print media. He specifically addresses Black women as “hoes” and during an appearance on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, referred to black women as “some of the UGLIEST women [he’s] ever seen”. When will we draw a line in the sand? How is this acceptable behavior for a man who is hosting one of the most important events in the NAACP’s history?
DL Hughley’s selection as show host makes him a quasi-spokesperson for the NAACP, if only for just one night. It is insulting, abhorrent, and hypocritical that the NAACP would choose a man who espouses such misogynistic and racially insensitive garbage. What’s even worse is that companies with which we do business are sponsoring this event and thus, they are providing the financial support for Hughley to continue his tirade. He now has an even wider audience to market his misogyny and hatred of black women- and WE as consumers have paid for him to have such a luxury!
These are the companies that have chosen to support the double standard of misogyny in the black community by sponsoring the NAACP Image Awards Show on February 14th, 2008 on FOX.
Federal Express (www.fedex.com) *Sponsors of the Nominees’ Luncheon and Golf Tournament
AllState Insurance Company (www.allstate.com)
BestBuy (www.bestbuy.com)
American Airlines (www.aa.com)
Chevy Motors (www.chevymotors.com)
Ford Motor Company (www.ford.com)
Sprint PCS (www.sprint.com)
Wachovia Bank, N.A. (www.wachovia.com)
Ciroc Vodka (www.ciroc.com)
Crown Royal (www.crownroyal.com)
Johnnie Walker (www.johnniewalker.com)
Bank Of America (www.bankofamerica.com)
Blockbuster Video (www.blockbuster.com)
CBS (www.cbs.com)
Safeway (www.safeway.com)
Television Week (www.tvweek.com)
Walt Disney (www.disney.com)
Please contact the Corporate Communications and Social Responsibility Departments for these companies and ask them why they support insulting black women and intra-racial misogyny. I know I will.
Regards,
Shane AKA BLKSeaGoat
http://blacksapince.blogspot.com
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Donnie Mc Clurkin and the FAILURE OF BLACK CHURCH LEADERSHIP
This video echoes my sentiments. Please visit his youtube page as well. He has some really great videos on bible exegesis.
Obama Claims Delegate Lead!?!?!?!?
 | |
| Obama claims delegate lead | |
| In a surprise twist after a chaotic Super Tuesday, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) passed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) in network tallies of the number of delegates the candidates racked up last night. The Obama camp now projects topping Clinton by 13 delegates, 847 to 834. Clinton was portrayed in many news accounts as the night’s big winner, but Obama’s campaign says he wound up with a higher total where it really counts — the delegates who will choose the party’s nominee at this summer’s Democratic convention.  Obama won 13 states, some of them smaller, and Clinton won eight.
| |
| TM & © THE POLITICO & POLITICO.COM, a division of Allbritton Communications Company | |
62 Year Old Grandmother Turns Out to be a CRACK DEALER!!!
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/wireStory?id=4240885
This is just too much. What happened to the days when grandmothers baked pies or cobblers or made delicious homemade meals to supplement their retirement income? My grandmother worked and had a career well past her retirement. When her income changed and she started drawing from her pension fund and retirement savings, she adjusted her spending habits.
It seems that Henrietta Daise (doesn't that just sound all grandmothery, like Gertrude, Hortense, Lilly, or Wilma?) found a new way to supplement her income and augment her 401K and Annuities. Like so many others who came before her Ms. Daise decided that entrepreneurship was in her blood and chose to be a CRACK DEALER!
I am both laughing and crying at the same time. Not only was she a CRACK DEALER, when her house was raided, she figured she would hide her merchandise in the same places most grandmothers (at least mine did) kept cash... her bra!! Could you imagine asking your grandmother for "Ice Cream Truck" money and crack rocks falling out with MOUNDS of cash? What a mess. Henrietta, I just can't give you the "You Need To Be Slapped Unconscious" Award because I refuse to advocate slapping a woman, but Ma'am you are a DAMN FOOL!!! Thank God you were able to raise your 7500.00 bail! Although you're a CRACK DEALER, I don't think jail is a good place for a 62 year old GRANDMOTHER no matter how HORRIBLE you are.
For that I will give you an Honorable Mention for the YNTBSU.
Story here.
Monday, February 4, 2008
The First Ever "You Need to be Slapped Unconscious" Award - Donnie McClurkin WINS!!!
I am not terribly proud of or sympathetic to Pastor Donnie McClurkin these days. When he isn't spouting homophobic rhetoric and then retracting or filtering his statements, he's engaged in a new hobby. Yes, it seems that the top-selling Gospel Artist and self-proclaimed poster child for surviving sexual abuse is busy supporting accused serial rapists, sexual abusers, and molesters. For this alone, he gets my first ever "You need to be Slapped Unconscious" Award!
Now many of you may ask, "Shane, why are you so harsh? What could Donnie have done to deserve an award such as this?" It's simple; Donnie is a hypocrite and an opportunist. If anyone should be opposing Sherman Allen it should be him. I'm getting ahead of myself so I'll offer up some more background on why Christians, particularly those members of the COGIC, Inc. should be outraged.
About a week ago I wrote a post about the sorry state of Black Leadership and posed the question about why we continue to support them. In the article I did a small feature on the Rev, Sherman Allen of the Shiloh Church Ministries. For those of you who are unaware or simply refuse to acknowledge the truth, Rev. Allen has been accused of abusing, raping, and beating 35 women during his tenure as pastor of the Shiloh Institutional COGIC. In fact, evidence exists that COGIC had KNOWLEDGE of these allegations as early as 1996, but the earliest incident occurred as early as the late 1980's. COGIC did nothing to rebuke or punish Rev. until AFTER the death of Bishop G.E. Patterson. Bishop Charles E. Blake, current presiding Bishop issued this statement through his spokeswoman, Alayna Adams,
"The Church of God in Christ does not condone any inappropriate behavior from any of its representatives, and does not comment on pending litigation against the Church or its representatives until a case has been brought to trial and an official ruling has been made. Until then, Pastor Sherman Allen has been suspended from all national and local pastoral roles and activities within the Church of God in Christ. This is Church policy and we will honor this policy for the case against Allen."
Pastor Allen's response was to resign and resume his role as chief apostle of his church, renaming it the Shiloh Church Ministries. To this date, he is continuing to preach, teach, and pastor the Shiloh church even after being besieged by bankruptcy and this sexual scandal. So what's happened to the victims? I wish I could tell you, but reporting on this case has been intermittent and sketchy at best.
How is any of this related to Donnie McClurkin? Funny one should ask! I contacted the Shiloh Church Ministries this morning and Donnie McClurkin is one of their CONFIRMED speakers for their Prophetic Conference 2008 in addition to 7 other speakers. So, now I think it's befitting of anyone with a conscience to ask, Donnie, why? COGIC, why? Rapist Allen, why?
For now, we'll focus on Donnie McClurkin. Many of you already know that Donnie McClurkin professes that God delivered him from homosexuality or as he states on the Perfecting Faith Church website, "sexual ambiguity". Donnie asserts that he was never given an opportunity to explore or discover his own sexual identity because he was violently raped and molested as a child. As painful as those memories were for him, Donnie maintains that it was the power of God the freed him from bondage. How then, is it possible for him to attend a conference sponsored by Rev. Allen? Please view the police report against Allen that describes his sadism and demonstrates his level of depravity. This police report should probably not be viewed by anyone under the age of 18 and in some jurisdictions, 21.
When I contacted the Perfecting Faith Church office, I spoke with a young lady who refused to answer my inquiry regarding Donnie's involvement with Sherman Allen. She suggested that I contact McClurkin's Administrative Assistant, which I did, but he was unavailable and I left a voice mail message. Undaunted, I sent an email to McClurkin's personal email address listed on his website www.donniemcclurkin.com. I have not received a response from either person.
THE CHARGE
To my fellow bloggers it has become clear to me that WE ARE THE VOICES for those that are marginalized by anyone. We stand at the proverbial gate as guardians for those who have been exploited and abused by others. I urge each and every one of you reading this post to show it to others and even more, those who would dispute the truth of its contents. When people are unable to be vulnerable at Church, something is terribly wrong! Our silence implies that we condone and approve of this type of behavior. Where is the outrage? Why are we not filled with righteous indignation collectively?
You wanna make a difference? Stop agreeing to foolishness! Stop supporting these people who don't support you! Stop deifying these pastors, preachers, and other religious leaders in an effort to EXCUSE their behavior. Reverend Allen is a sociopath and Donnie McClurkin, as well as the other featured speakers are opportunists and purveyors of false doctrine. How else would one explain their willingness to be affiliated with an accused Sexual predator? Did Jesus die for this?
The links:
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2007/09/sherman_allen_resigns_from_the.php
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2007/05/sherman_allen_gets_spanked.php
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2007/07/bank_seeks_permission_to_forec.php
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2007/06/o_lord_trouble_so_hard.php
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2007/03_04/2007_04_13_Lyons_DavinaKellys.htm
http://cbs11tv.com/religion/Sherman.Allen.Pastor.2.502526.html
http://www.charismamag.com/display.php?id=16636
http://www.lawhbb.com/news_events/pdfs/ShermanAllenPoliceRpt83.pdfhttp://www.lawhbb.com/news_events/pdfs/Kelly_v_Allen_petition.pdf
The Speakers:
Bishop LISTON PAGE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuWiHAVnWf0
Pastor Donnie McClurkin
http://www.donniemcclurkin.com/
Dr. SHAWN MONTEIRO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVXdigCBUkI
Prophetess JANICE MIXON
http://www.janicemixonministries.org/
Dr. DANA CARSON
http://www.danacarsonministries.com/v/vspfiles/V4_Backup/ind ex.htm
Prophetess KEELY PETTY
http://www.bethelsa.org/home.html
Pastor WILLIAM O'NEAL (of Houston, TX)
Bishop CALVIN BLAKE
The Churches:
Shiloh Church Ministries, Inc.
1270 Woodhaven Blvd.
Ft. Worth, Texas 76112
817.451.1270
Info@shermancgallen.org
http://www.shermancgallen.org/assets/html/contact.htm
Perfecting Faith Church
Pastor Donnie McClurkin
311 North Main Street
Freeport, NY 11520
(516) 223-8300
www.perfectingfaith.org
Make your displeasure known to all of those people and institutions listed.
I struggle with you,
Shane AKA BLKSeaGOAT
Thursday, January 31, 2008
It's getting MESSY at Greater Mount Calvary!!! Gay Men are in the CHOIR!!!
Good morning people! Let me start with a special shout out to Pam's House Blend and Living Out Loud with Darian for following the story that's the subject of this post.
I decided to take a break from my Kwame Kilpatrick rant to bring you BREAKING NEWS! It seems that there are some gay men who sing in the choir at CHURCH! Gasp!!! Oh the horror! The Shock! I am abhorred..... NOT!
For many of you who are completely clueless, gay men have been a part of gospel music since its inception. I can't remember a time in my life when I did attend church, that there WEREN'T any homosexuals in the choir.
It doesn't stop there though. Gay men are the reason gospel music exists as it does. We are creative, talented, ambitious, and we have a knack for taking charge (mainly because we LOVE attention).
Now you may all have your own opinions about whether GOD hates gays or not. I don't really care. If you express those opinions here in the comments section, please respect my blog and respect me. We can have a dialogue without resorting to name calling or condemning each other to hell. If you act like you don't have any home training or sense and I will savage your ass something terrible!
On to the story... It seems that an angry member of one of the choirs at Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church wrote an open letter to the pastor, Bisop Alfred Owens, to formally out several males and two females. In the letter she calls the people out by name and even provides details about what kind of sex they engage in, who they are currently dating and how they get together for sex parties! I'll post a part of the letter here that I read on What's Tea.com (used to be a gay gossip site but has since been turned into a porn site. NSFW), but you can actually read the Washington Blade Article here.
So to the gay men and women outed in this letter and given Greater Mount Calvary's icy reception towards gay people, why do you continue to attend church there? Why continue to be disrespected and pimped for your gifts?
Talk among yourselves; I need coffee right now.
I decided to take a break from my Kwame Kilpatrick rant to bring you BREAKING NEWS! It seems that there are some gay men who sing in the choir at CHURCH! Gasp!!! Oh the horror! The Shock! I am abhorred..... NOT!
For many of you who are completely clueless, gay men have been a part of gospel music since its inception. I can't remember a time in my life when I did attend church, that there WEREN'T any homosexuals in the choir.
It doesn't stop there though. Gay men are the reason gospel music exists as it does. We are creative, talented, ambitious, and we have a knack for taking charge (mainly because we LOVE attention).
Now you may all have your own opinions about whether GOD hates gays or not. I don't really care. If you express those opinions here in the comments section, please respect my blog and respect me. We can have a dialogue without resorting to name calling or condemning each other to hell. If you act like you don't have any home training or sense and I will savage your ass something terrible!
On to the story... It seems that an angry member of one of the choirs at Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church wrote an open letter to the pastor, Bisop Alfred Owens, to formally out several males and two females. In the letter she calls the people out by name and even provides details about what kind of sex they engage in, who they are currently dating and how they get together for sex parties! I'll post a part of the letter here that I read on What's Tea.com (used to be a gay gossip site but has since been turned into a porn site. NSFW), but you can actually read the Washington Blade Article here.
So to the gay men and women outed in this letter and given Greater Mount Calvary's icy reception towards gay people, why do you continue to attend church there? Why continue to be disrespected and pimped for your gifts?
Talk among yourselves; I need coffee right now.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is February 7, 2008... KNOW YOUR STATUS!
All,
Just a reminder that February 7, 2008 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. I am posting this on today to give everyone a week or so to discover what activities are going on in your local area. Please visit www.blackaidsday.org for more information.
Since African Americans are disproportionately affected by the devastation of HIV/AIDS, please KNOW YOUR STATUS. GET TESTED. USE CONDOMS.
I have worked in this field for approximately 10 years now, first as a scientist and now as a social worker. Please don't sacrifice your health to fear and ignorance. Even if you test positive for HIV your life isn't over; there are resources available to you, your loved ones, etc. to help you live a full and happy life.
HIV/AIDS does not discriminate on a basis. Even if you have unprotected sex just once, you have put yourself at risk for contracting the virus. Please visit www.thebody.org and www.blackaidsinstitute.org for more info on how to prevent HIV transmission.
Disgraced, womanizer, hypocrite, and quintessential chilin' eatin' NEGRO - Kwame "Can't keep my D@#$ in my pants" Kilpatrick to apologize at CHURCH!
Oh what a tangled web we weave when we practice to deceive... using text messages and the CHURCH!
It was reported yesterday in the Detroit Free Press that the Dishonorable Kwame Kilpatrick, Mayor of the Motor City, that he would be making an address about his affair with longtime aide, Christine Beatty. Although Ms. Beatty has resigned, sources in the Mayor's administration have confirmed that Kwame's pimp speech will be nothing more than an apology for getting caught.
Now get this, Elder J. Drew Sheard, an official of the Church Of God In Christ-the world's largest pentecostal religious body, will host the philandering mayor at his church, the Greater Immanuel Institutional COGIC. Apparently the church will be empty and will make the perfect backdrop for a mayor who is trying to save face after getting caught with his hands in Christine Beatty's coochie jar.
While I realize that Christian principles compel christians to forgive infinitely, I have to wonder, what kind of example is Pastor Sheard setting by allowing this womanizer to use the church as a vehicle to justify Kwame's adultery, corruption, and perjury?
I was under the impression that COGIC was hell bent on holiness and as the bible states "shunning the very appearance of evil". Guess I was wrong. I guess I'm also wrong about citing hypocrisy in Drew Sheard's support of the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2004. In an effort to protect the "sanctity" of marriage, COGIC issued a proclamation condemning gay marriage. Now I have my own reason for not supporting the religious sacrament of marriage and I think that the societal benefits and legal protections conferred on married couples should be available to all people regardless of their marital status. How then can Drew Sheard support the sanctity of marriage while approving of the actions of a serial adulterer and a LIAR?
So because Kwame will make his speech from a church, I suppose that will be grounds for making this all go away. Just say sorry and EVERYTHING will be alright. I wish the residents of Detroit well, but you guys are incredibly stupid for supporting this fool, as well as the one who pastors him. Perhaps Elder Sheard's time would be better spent on counseling Kwame about keeping his dick in his pants.
(Source)
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Question for the Day: Why are Black Leaders so Brazenly Corrupt and Why do Black Folks Perpetuate Their Foolishness by Supporting Them?
O.K. , it's been far too long since I've posted something that gets back to the reason I created this blog. Initially, my intention was too focus on how black people have lost their minds as a collective. At some point, I segued into "BLKSeaGoat: the Mini-Series" as a means of venting, but now that has to change. Today's post will be a lengthy one, but I need to know something: Why are Black Leaders so damn trifling?!?
People, what the hell is going on with black leadership these days? In the past 15 years we have abandoned common sense and purpose for self-service and exploitation. We engage in fraud on the regular, blame it on white people, and then attempt to save face and our sullied reputations by "finding religion". We wallow in foolishness, arrogance, and victimology, then we spin our bad behavior by comparing ourselves to white people using goose-gander analogies.
Frankly, I don't really give a rat's shaved ass about what white people do because I expect so little out of them. They have controlled political and societal constructs for millenia and have done so to ensure that they are the perpetual recipients of all the goodies that follow thereafter. I'll state this bodly with confidence and bias: I HOLD BLACK PEOPLE TO A HIGHER STANDARD! So what if white people are inherently corrupt, black people had the moral high ground to justify why institutions like slavery, segregation, and racism were wrong. Now, it seems that as they playing field becomes more level and black people are starting to climb the upper echelons of leadership and achievement, we feel that we have license to act a damn fool and NOT be called out on it!
I stated at the beginning of this post that in the past 15 years we've gone crazy, but I'm not gonna go back that far-- I don't have to; let's have a sample of what I'm talking about, shall we?
Recently I am sure that many of you have heard about the shenanigans of Detroit's ghetto-assed mayor, Kwame "the Pimp" Kilpatrick. If you haven't, I'll bring you up to speed. It seems that the mayor of the Motor City and his COS, Christine Beatty used city funds to help finance some secret rendezvous. What's so wrong with that? Well, nothing if they both weren't married, and if they both hadn't been using their city issued Blackberries TO MEMORIALIZE their sexual escapades. To make matters worse, when rumors of their affair transformed into a 9 million dollar whistle blower lawsuit, they LIED under oath about doing the nasty. Kwame even pontificated about how noble his ghetto family was and how outraged he was at the suggestion that he and Christine were lovers. The text messages stated otherwise.
To add insult to injury, Kwame has been a corrupt mayor from Day ONE. Detroit is a dead city and the slew of chitterling eating black leadership has EVERYTHING to do with it. Kwame's mother, Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick is just as wretched as her stupid son for defending is silliness, but clearly hearkens back to her housing project roots with this passionate defense of her son. With an example like this is it any wonder why Detroit is a hell hole?
Yes, I am probably walking a tightrope over the lake of fire by posting this, but I just got wind of the information. Thanks to my homegirl, DeenaJonesOne on youtube.com and her "Church Hurt Movement", I have discovered that Jesus LOVES coochie, spankings, and apparently Crystal Meth. It seems that Bishop Terry Hornbuckle of the Agape Fellowship Christian Church in Arlington, TX was sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping and drugging 3 women, 2 of which were his parisioners, and one those women being a 17 year old girl.
But it doesn't stop there folks! Renee Hornbuckle, wife of Bishop Rapist, has assumed leadership of the church she founded with her husband (while he was screwing everything in sight) and decided to take both his salary and her salary (although she had done NOTHING to justify being paid by the church... unless you count supporting a rapist as her ministry) and combine it in to one fat salary to make about 16K a month. Not bad for a church on the brink of bankruptcy after being found liable in several civil lawsuits brought by the victims of Bishop Rapist.
Apparently Jesus finds spanking a naked buttocks quite scintillating, but not enough to do it himself. Jesus instead took the form of a paddle and placed himself in the hands of Bishop Sherman Allen, also of TX. Reverend Allen has been accused by at least 35 women of both physical and sexual abuse. True to cult leader fashion, Allen explained to the women that it was God's will for him to spank their asses and then "fill them" with his blessed penis. He is currently in the Bahamian ISLANDS no doubt hiding from people.
For more information about these and other sexual predators running wild in Jesus's Name, please visit bishop-accountability.org.
Why do we support people like this? What will it take for black people to abandon these folks and admit that these types of people are pieces of shit... without assistance from "evil white people"? This seems to be a common theme in the black community and it's killing us. Why are we so enamored with Marion Barry, Sharpe James, Bill Campbell, Kwame, Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson Lee, Alcyee Hastings, William Jefferson and other black elected officials, that we are blinded by their serious lack of personal integrity and honesty? Why do we attend churches pastored by Rapists, Womanizers, Homophobes, and Money Hungry Hypocrites? When will we begin to hold black people accountable for their foolishness WITHOUT attributing it OR minimizing it to a diatribe about "the MAN"?
Some of us have sense, but for the most part, many of us are completely LOST.
My Inspiration(s) For Today's Post
People, what the hell is going on with black leadership these days? In the past 15 years we have abandoned common sense and purpose for self-service and exploitation. We engage in fraud on the regular, blame it on white people, and then attempt to save face and our sullied reputations by "finding religion". We wallow in foolishness, arrogance, and victimology, then we spin our bad behavior by comparing ourselves to white people using goose-gander analogies.
Frankly, I don't really give a rat's shaved ass about what white people do because I expect so little out of them. They have controlled political and societal constructs for millenia and have done so to ensure that they are the perpetual recipients of all the goodies that follow thereafter. I'll state this bodly with confidence and bias: I HOLD BLACK PEOPLE TO A HIGHER STANDARD! So what if white people are inherently corrupt, black people had the moral high ground to justify why institutions like slavery, segregation, and racism were wrong. Now, it seems that as they playing field becomes more level and black people are starting to climb the upper echelons of leadership and achievement, we feel that we have license to act a damn fool and NOT be called out on it!
I stated at the beginning of this post that in the past 15 years we've gone crazy, but I'm not gonna go back that far-- I don't have to; let's have a sample of what I'm talking about, shall we?
Recently I am sure that many of you have heard about the shenanigans of Detroit's ghetto-assed mayor, Kwame "the Pimp" Kilpatrick. If you haven't, I'll bring you up to speed. It seems that the mayor of the Motor City and his COS, Christine Beatty used city funds to help finance some secret rendezvous. What's so wrong with that? Well, nothing if they both weren't married, and if they both hadn't been using their city issued Blackberries TO MEMORIALIZE their sexual escapades. To make matters worse, when rumors of their affair transformed into a 9 million dollar whistle blower lawsuit, they LIED under oath about doing the nasty. Kwame even pontificated about how noble his ghetto family was and how outraged he was at the suggestion that he and Christine were lovers. The text messages stated otherwise.
To add insult to injury, Kwame has been a corrupt mayor from Day ONE. Detroit is a dead city and the slew of chitterling eating black leadership has EVERYTHING to do with it. Kwame's mother, Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick is just as wretched as her stupid son for defending is silliness, but clearly hearkens back to her housing project roots with this passionate defense of her son. With an example like this is it any wonder why Detroit is a hell hole?
Jesus Loves Coochie and Spankings
Yes, I am probably walking a tightrope over the lake of fire by posting this, but I just got wind of the information. Thanks to my homegirl, DeenaJonesOne on youtube.com and her "Church Hurt Movement", I have discovered that Jesus LOVES coochie, spankings, and apparently Crystal Meth. It seems that Bishop Terry Hornbuckle of the Agape Fellowship Christian Church in Arlington, TX was sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping and drugging 3 women, 2 of which were his parisioners, and one those women being a 17 year old girl.
But it doesn't stop there folks! Renee Hornbuckle, wife of Bishop Rapist, has assumed leadership of the church she founded with her husband (while he was screwing everything in sight) and decided to take both his salary and her salary (although she had done NOTHING to justify being paid by the church... unless you count supporting a rapist as her ministry) and combine it in to one fat salary to make about 16K a month. Not bad for a church on the brink of bankruptcy after being found liable in several civil lawsuits brought by the victims of Bishop Rapist.
Apparently Jesus finds spanking a naked buttocks quite scintillating, but not enough to do it himself. Jesus instead took the form of a paddle and placed himself in the hands of Bishop Sherman Allen, also of TX. Reverend Allen has been accused by at least 35 women of both physical and sexual abuse. True to cult leader fashion, Allen explained to the women that it was God's will for him to spank their asses and then "fill them" with his blessed penis. He is currently in the Bahamian ISLANDS no doubt hiding from people.
For more information about these and other sexual predators running wild in Jesus's Name, please visit bishop-accountability.org.
Now for the ICING on this Sordid Cake
Why do we support people like this? What will it take for black people to abandon these folks and admit that these types of people are pieces of shit... without assistance from "evil white people"? This seems to be a common theme in the black community and it's killing us. Why are we so enamored with Marion Barry, Sharpe James, Bill Campbell, Kwame, Maxine Waters, Sheila Jackson Lee, Alcyee Hastings, William Jefferson and other black elected officials, that we are blinded by their serious lack of personal integrity and honesty? Why do we attend churches pastored by Rapists, Womanizers, Homophobes, and Money Hungry Hypocrites? When will we begin to hold black people accountable for their foolishness WITHOUT attributing it OR minimizing it to a diatribe about "the MAN"?
Some of us have sense, but for the most part, many of us are completely LOST.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Happy New Year!!! 17 days later... DON'T SHOOT ME!!!
It's 2008!!! I have had a birthday (I'm a Capricorn) since my last posting and I've been busy. I had to complete two fellowship applications, debate about my preparation for Law School, and determine what things I'll be improving about myself this year. The other reason for my absence has been my own undoing... laziness! I just haven't felt like writing much of anything lately, but I feel the spark today. This will probably be a very lengthy post, but so much has happened that I want to play catch-up.
New Year, New Start, New/Re-connections
My New Year was EXCEPTIONAL!!! I had an absolute ball as I spent it in NYC with some close friends and one of my cousins who is also gay. It was wonderful being back in my old stomping grounds and I was surprised that while much had changed-much still remained the same. GGG Bar and the Monster were still going strong, Chi-Chi's was the hot spot for the hot boys, and my friends had gotten apartments in Chelsea and the West Village. New York is unlike any place I've ever been to or lived in this country. I spent New Year's Eve in the presence of a very handsome man I met at Chi-Chi's; too bad he was from New Jersey and not DC. It was cool though. After a night and early to mid morning filled with revelry, I ended up visiting family and staying a few nights for the rest of my trip.
New and Re-connections
I met many new people with whom I will probably stay in touch. I also made the end of 2007 my "unofficial" time to reconnect with family members I hadn't seen since I was a child or teenager. During Thankstaking 2007, my mother's family converged on Long Beach, CA for a family reunion honoring the oldest living relatives in our family. It was quite a coincidence that we had both patriarchal and matriarchal representation. See, over the years our family had torn themselves apart over trivial squabbles that were blown out of proportion. Some of the people I saw during that time I hadn't seen since I was 7 or 8 years old; I'm in my early 30's. However, when we all got together and we began to recite the Black Family Pledge during our dinner program, people seemed to forget about all that had happened. My mother cooked enough seafood gumbo (from a recipe that's been in our family for 7 generations and she and I are the only living relatives who know it) for an army and as it seems, there were more than enough people there to devour it. Suffice it to say, we have vowed to keep in touch and we are planning our next reunion in Beaumont, TX and we'll be making a road trip to Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Reconnecting with my Spanish Side
The last time I saw my father was in 1997. The last time I saw anyone in his family was probabaly 1990. There are many reasons why I chose to keep myself from him and his people that I won't get into now. I did have an opportunity to tell why I resented him so much, why he was such an awful parent, why it was time for me to let go of all of that. I do not expect us to start having this idealized, after-school-special, type of relationship. I just didn't want to carry around anymore negative energy. Anger, hurt, bitterness, and resentment affect us in ways that we don't realize until it's too late. I didn't want too late to catch me sleeping. Truthfully, I am sure that there was some cosmic reason for him to be absent from my life when I needed him most. He was in no shape to be a father; active drug addiction, unresolved issues with his own father, and an overall propensity for irresponsibility were reasons enough. At the time that I did live with him, he convinced my mother that he was stable enough to be my father; he lied. Had it not been for my stepmother (my mother was 3000 miles away) and my desire to have a relationship with the man whose sperm created me, I'd have gone out of my mind. At this point in my life though, I think I turned out alright despite everything else. Forgiveness is a beautiful thing and I realize how liberating it is when you practice it.
On New Year's Day, after one hell of a night in NYC, I joined my father, his new wife and daughter, and the rest of the family for dinner. The women all got together and made Siparro (I don't speak spanish, so I'm sure I have butchered the spelling), a stew with vegetables, chicken, lamb, pork, and beef, while the men sat in the living room, drank beer and rum shots, and did nothing. When I went into the kitchen to start helping with the meal, the women started yelling at me (in love and jest) of course, because I didn't fit into the traditional Dominican male role.
Now in my mother's house and in our family, you better volunteer to help unless you're a guest. Even if you're a guest, when you volunteer to help my mother says that it's a sign you have good home training. With my father's family, the roles are very gender stereotypical and specific. Women cook, clean, and maintain the house. The men go out and work, but even if the women have jobs, they are still expected to maintain their domestic duties at the same level as their non-working counterparts. I was uncomfortable to say the least, but I didn't want to offend. Quite an interesting dynamic and everyone spoke spanish except for me. Needless to say, I felt isolated and I think they understood my body language because they stopped speaking so much in front of me. Note to self: Must purchase Rosetta Stone!!!
On New Year's Day, after one hell of a night in NYC, I joined my father, his new wife and daughter, and the rest of the family for dinner. The women all got together and made Siparro (I don't speak spanish, so I'm sure I have butchered the spelling), a stew with vegetables, chicken, lamb, pork, and beef, while the men sat in the living room, drank beer and rum shots, and did nothing. When I went into the kitchen to start helping with the meal, the women started yelling at me (in love and jest) of course, because I didn't fit into the traditional Dominican male role.
Now in my mother's house and in our family, you better volunteer to help unless you're a guest. Even if you're a guest, when you volunteer to help my mother says that it's a sign you have good home training. With my father's family, the roles are very gender stereotypical and specific. Women cook, clean, and maintain the house. The men go out and work, but even if the women have jobs, they are still expected to maintain their domestic duties at the same level as their non-working counterparts. I was uncomfortable to say the least, but I didn't want to offend. Quite an interesting dynamic and everyone spoke spanish except for me. Needless to say, I felt isolated and I think they understood my body language because they stopped speaking so much in front of me. Note to self: Must purchase Rosetta Stone!!!
New Start
2008 promises to be an excellent year for me because I say it will be. This is the year that I'll be applying to Law School and in the fall beginning a health policy fellowship with an opportunity to work on the hill. There are other things that I have in the works, but I'll have to keep you posted as things develop.
ALL THE BEST IN 2008!!!!!
2008 promises to be an excellent year for me because I say it will be. This is the year that I'll be applying to Law School and in the fall beginning a health policy fellowship with an opportunity to work on the hill. There are other things that I have in the works, but I'll have to keep you posted as things develop.
ALL THE BEST IN 2008!!!!!
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