The Beautiful Struggle

Tavis Smiley's PBS talk show is one of the better talk shows on television. Yesterday he interviewed Paul Coates and Ta-Nehisi Coates. Paul Coates is the father who is a Vietnam Vet, and started his own publishing company from his basement. He also worked at Howard University where he was able to send 5 of his 7 kids to school for free because he worked at the school. Ta-Nehisi is the son, and author of the book, "The Beautiful Struggle" he talked openly on the show about navigating through the streets of Baltimore during the initial stages of Crack and the fact that he made it through with the guidance of a forceful father who stressed education. This is not a book review, but I plan to purchase the book, and offer a review later. The link at the top is to Ta-Nehisi's blog on Amazon.

Aftermath of The BET Awards

The BET Awards were rebroadcast last night after originally airing this past Tuesday evening. The telecast displayed the positive and negative images that currently dominate the entertainment landscape in the black community. The positive images from he show:

• Alicia Keys - She continues to perform as a future legend and is mature beyond her years.
• Ne-Yo - The Babyface of his generation. Consummate hitmaker and performer.
• Rihanna - Great performance and poise for one so young.
• The Al Green Tribute: You can't go wrong with Jill Scott, Anthony Hamilton and Maxwell performing your hits. Good to see Maxwell back performing.

The lowlights of the show all follow former NBA player turned NBA commentator Mark Jackson's favorite phrase, "You're Better Than That":

• Usher
• Keyshia Cole
• Chris Brown
• All the Hip Hop Performers

I'm still amazed when I see performers who have had major levels of success give subpar performances. Usher, Keyshia Cole and Chris Brown fall into this category. I'm equally dismayed when I see hip hop performers who have had similar levels of success in their genre, give performances that go to the core of the worst stereotypes relating to our black culture. It's really unnecessary.

Kanye West called himself the King on Tuesday evening. Kanye, if you're the King of Hip Hop please take your rightful place on the throne and guide your knights. Kanye West is too smart and talented to be satisfied with the images being displayed in hip hop. In the words of Mark Jackson, "You're Better Than That", and as role models for today's youth all of hip hop has a responsibility more than ever to display positive images that uplift our children and society.

Real Housewives of Atlanta

Bravo has confirmed that they will be bringing "Real Housewives of Atlanta" to the cable network later this year. Below is a synopsis of the housewives that will be profiled:

-DeShawn Snow: Snow and her husband Eric, captain of the Cleveland Cavaliers, recently moved to their dream home in Alpharetta, GA. Mother to three boys - nine-year-old EJ, six-year-old Darius and five-year-old Jarren, Snow is an active member of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. She exercises her faith by running The DeShawn Snow Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on improving self-esteem in teenage girls. She is a regular on the Atlanta social circuit and extremely active in local philanthropy, sitting on the board of three different charities, all while expertly juggling her busy social calendar with being an NBA wife and keeping up with her boys.

-Kim Zolciak: Zolciak lives in an exclusive gated townhouse community in Duluth, GA with her two children, 11-year-old Brielle and six-year-old Ariana. Zolciak is single, but happily dating with hopes to marry again in the near future. She also has her sights set on fame in the music business as a country singer, and is currently working with Grammy award-winning mega-producer Dallas Austin and will begin recording an album later this year. A staple on the Atlanta scene, Zolciak balances life as a single mom with a vivacious social life. (Under that name, I have found zero info about her.)

-Lisa Wu Hartwell: Hartwell, a resident of a luxurious country club community in Duluth, GA, is a busy career woman who wears many hats - she owns her own real estate firm, Hartwell & Associates, a jewelry line called Wu Girls, a baby clothing line, Hart 2 Hart Baby, and juggles a budding acting, modeling and writing career. She’s a devoted wife to her husband, NFL player Ed Hartwell, and their three children 13-year-old Jordan, ten-year-old Justin and one-year-old EJ. When she’s not running one of her many businesses or running after the kids, Hartwell is very active in Atlanta’s social scene.

-NeNe Leakes: Leakes is an active member of Atlanta society. She resides in the upscale Sugarloaf area of Atlanta with her husband Gregg, a successful real estate investor and business consultant, and their two sons, 18-year-old Brice and nine-year-old Brentt. Leakes donates her time to various foundations and is the founder of The Twisted Hearts Foundation, which brings awareness to domestic violence against women. Never one to sit still, the outspoken social butterfly also hopes to open a luxury boutique hotel in the very near future.

-Sheree Whitfield: Single socialite Whitfield, a resident of the exclusive Sandy Springs area of Atlanta, juggles her busy home life with a packed social calendar. She is a busy working mother to three children -Tierra, Kairo and Kaleigh. Whitfield prides herself on her fashion sense, and owned her own upscale clothing boutique - Bella Azul - for years before closing up shop to focus on her next business venture, a clothing line called “She by Sheree.” Whitfield is opening a new chapter in her life as a single mom while balancing her entrepreneurial spirit and active social life.

The previous renditions of "Housewives" have been interesting and entertaining. I'm sure the Atlanta wives will put on a good show.

Buying Guns Is Big Business

Yesterday the Supreme Court shot down the Washington, DC handgun ban by a 5-4 vote, giving residents the right to keep weapons in their homes, stating that it violated the Second Amendment. Washington, DC, which has the strictest gun laws in the country had prohibited the ownership of handguns in an effort to curb violence.

Jill Porter, of the Philadelphia Daily News writes about the business of gun ownership: from the cost of funerals due to death, to the average medical cost of $20,000 for a serious gunshot wound. Unfortunately everything is about business when a major decision is made, but in Philly alone, 80% of the homicide victims this year were killed with guns. This is simply the business of illegal activity and killing not only in Philly, but many of our major cities and communities. DC officials will attempt to replace the ban with stricter handgun regulations, which may lead to further litigation. Let's hope that the effort is successful.

Patty Jackson's 411 Report

This week's edition of Patty's Report highlights the BET Awards afterparty. If you saw the awards show, there's nothing more to say, but read Patty's column for what's happening in entertainment.

City of Chicago Making Strides to Improve Teacher Quality

The city of Chicago has been making strides in it's attempt to recruit higher caliber teachers for the city's most disadvantaged schools. The results are modest at best, but showed that a better academically prepared teacher had a positive impact on student high school test scores. You have to applaud the city for attempting to close the academic gap between the disadvantaged schools and schools from better performing districts. There's probably not a way to measure the talent that's being lost in our schools simply because of environment and circumstances, which children can't control.

Shaq Offers To Assist With Mortgage Meltdown

Shaquille O'Neal has been receiving plenty of publicity this week for his rap tirade against Kobe Bryant, but very little has been mentioned regarding his attempts to assist Orland, FL residents who are facing foreclosure. He's received thousands of e-mails from residents who are soliciting "the Diesel's" assistance, which may be more than he bargained. O'Neal at present doesn't have a concrete plan, but at least he's trying to assist the less fortunate in times of need.

Chicago Bank Teller Allegedly Steals $300,000 From Elderly Woman

Bank teller, Melindathee Hill, befriended 86 year old Jessie McDonald and allegedly stole $300,000 from her bank accounts over a four year period beginning as early as 2003. Mrs. McDonald and her now deceased husband, who never had children, had saved $400,000 during their 61 year marriage and placed all of the money in Chase Bank. Cautionary tale about the elderly and money management.

Sacramento Charity Struggling to Meet Needs of the Impoverished

Sacramento, CA based charity, Francis House, is struggling in continuing to meet the needs of the "working poor". Shrinking budgets, higher prices, and fewer donations are preventing the charity from keeping up with the increasing number of residents that require it's services. Article illustrates how the "working poor" category is gradually increasing as rising gas and fuel prices continue to hamper individual finances.

Congressional Black Caucus Calls Proposed Foreclosure Bill Unacceptable

A proposed $300 million foreclosure-rescue bill could be passed by the Senate today, but President Bush is threatening a veto. The Congressional Black Caucus is calling the proposed bill unacceptable to Black Americans. The bigger question is how is the bill going to be financed. A bill that offers relief to distressed homeowners should be applauded, and not relegated to posturing along racial lines.

10 Concerns About Obama

I've stated previously why Barack Obama should be our next president. However, in the last few weeks he has lost his edge with recent comments and views on certain topics. William J. Bennett and Seth Leibsohn highlight their 10 Concerns about Obama. Most of the concerns are not new coming from Republican pundits, but Senator Obama needs to be clearer on what he stands for regarding the country's future and stay out of flip flop mode.

Columbia Teachers College Firing Professor Who Allegedly Discovered Hangman's Noose

According to the New York Post, Columbia Teachers College intends to fire Professor Madonna Constantine on grounds of plagiarism. She is presently suspended pending a hearing and is alleged to have committed at least 24 instances of plagiarism.

Imus Says He Meant Nothing by The Pacman Comment

Don Imus stated today on his radio show that he meant no harm to anyone concerning the Adam "Pacman" Jones comments yesterday. Imus stated correctly that he has a black producer and 2 black co-hosts on his show and that he would be insane to make another racially sensitive comment in light of last years University of Rutgers comments that caused him to lose his job at the time. Is it possible that the media is being a little too sensitive this time regarding Imus?

Business of Music Publishing

Martin Brandier is the Chief Executive of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, which is half owner of Michael Jackson's publishing catalogue (the 4th largest music publisher). Great article on Brandier's dealings with MJ, and why music publishing is the real money making arm of the music business. A must read for music enthusiasts.

Actor Hill Harper in Detroit Promoting New Book

Actor Hill Harper, who was a Harvard Law School classmate of Barack Obama, is also a successful author. He's visiting metro Detroit today and tomorrow to promote his new book, "Letters to a Young Sisiter: DeFINE Your Destiny". Harper's goal is to empower and motivate young girls to believe in themselves and not succumb to the pitfalls that often derail our youth. This is a noble gesture by Hill Harper, and we need more celebrities to take an interest in the development of our youth.

Indiana's 38th Black Expo Begins July 10th

Indiana's 38th Black Expo begins on July 10th with a renewed emphasis on education. Business roundtables, free health services and concerts will still be available, but the Expo is adding a forum focusing on cultural competence in education. Understanding the cultures and backgrounds of our children is critical for educators, so they can hopefully determine the best way to reach our children. Parents also need to understand the classroom dynamic, as a means to support the educational system. The inner city systems especially are in need of a drastic overhaul, symposium's focusing on cultural differences of our children should be mandated by Superintendents throughout the country.

Common Is a "Wanted" Man

Rapper, Common, has successfully made the transition from Rapper to Actor and now he's adding Philanthropist to the Rapper/Actor title. He's started a new foundation called, Common Ground Foundation, which will encourage youth to read. Common co-stars with Angelia Jolie in the movie "Wanted" which premieres this Friday. It's good to see a hip hop artist mature to the point of giving back to our youth who so need healthy role models. Congrats on your good deeds, Common.

Obama and Clinton Ready to Haggle Over Campaign Funds

Hillary Clinton has 22.5 million in debt, Barack Obama's campaign has $43 million in the bank. It appears that Hillary and her supporters will be looking for Obama to assist her with relieving some of her debt. Politics is just like any other business. Are we to assume that the amount of support that Obama receives from Hillary will be tied to how much his campaign is willing to assist her with relieving her debt? The answer is probably yes, but Obama may have other issues, since he only raised $22 million in the month of May, which was substantially lower than the $28.3 million that he had been averaging in the previous 3 months.

Obama States That Race Will Be An Issue in The Fall Campaign

Yesterday for the first time, Barack Obama stated that Republicans will use race as an issue. He spoke at a reception in Jacksonville, FL. The exact quote is listed below:

“The choice is clear. Most of all we can choose between hope and fear. It is going to be very difficult for Republicans to run on their stewardship of the economy or their outstanding foreign policy. We know what kind of campaign they’re going to run. They’re going to try to make you afraid. They’re going to try to make you afraid of me. He’s young and inexperienced and he’s got a funny name. And did I mention he’s black?

The link is to CNN playing the audio on air and the subsequent discussion. It's interesting that Obama stayed away from the race issue in his battle with Hillary Clinton. I guess now he doesn't feel like he has to share any of the African American vote, so he's more comfortable in stating the obvious.

The Other Foreclosure Problem!

Abandoned homes continue to contribute to the urban blight in our inner city neighborhoods. Last year the City of Philadelphia enacted an aggressive plan to collect back property taxes from delinquent homeowners. The estimated amount of owed back taxes is $290 million, and the city has begun foreclosure proceedings on residents who aren't able to pay the taxes, although there is a nearly 12 month redemption period.

Barbara Pearsall is featured in this article about the process. She inherited the home and hasn't paid taxes since 1980, and now owes $27,000. She was allowed to go 27 years without paying taxes, and now the city wants the entire amount owed. Ms. Pearsall's home was foreclosed on last November and her redemptive period ends in December. What responsibility does the city have for allowing 27 years to go by without receiving any tax money from a resident? It appears that a compromise should be reached in this matter.

Is Obama More Style Over Substance?

I've been a staunch supporter of presumed Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama since he began his campaign. He's a great orator, he inspires people and appears to have the skills to lead our country. He also happens to be African American. The occurrences of the past week have not caused me to waver in my support of Senator Obama, but they have caused me to pause and reflect on whether he is more style over substance. Something that his opponents have been stating since he began his bid for the presidency.

Political commentator Tavis Smiley was taken to task for challenging Barack Obama on accountability. Tavis openly stated that African Americans should hold Senator Obama accountable for addressing issues important to us, and forcing him to earn our vote. At the time, I was not in agreement with Mr. Smiley, but I am now. Yesterday, Obama reneged on his pledge to accept public campaign financing. He had vowed to accept the financing on several occasions in the past, but I can give him a pass on this because this is simply a strategic move, which will allow him to raise as much money as he can for his election bid. Giving him a pass does not eliminate the fact that this is clearly a change in position.

Within the past week, Senator Obama has stated that he does not support drilling for oil in the states, although gas prices are $4 in most places in the country. He supports alternative fuel sources and a Windfall Profit Tax for oil companies. Both of these stances are clear Democratic initiatives which will not give any relief to the high gas prices. Senator John McCain and President Bush both support drilling in the states, and although the economic relief will not be shown for a few years, it seems to be a better alternative than what Senator Obama is proposing.

Barack Obama has run his campaign as an agent of change. Is there really any change to what he's proposing. He spoke at a Chicago church last Sunday, stressing the fact that we have to limit television watching for our children and stress education. There's nothing new there, except a different person saying it. Kevin Johnson, who is running for Mayor of Sacramento, went back to his old high school and converted it into a Charter School, immediately put in grade requirements, and the students have stepped to the plate improving grades and test scores. Kevin Johnson is an African America.

Is it time for us to review the record of Senator Obama while he was a community activist and politician in Chicago? In reality his wife Michelle is more reflective of the black experience than he is. Should we give him a pass because he looks like us and speaks well? Perhaps it is time for us to hold him accountable to the plight of our existence and just not hand over 90% of our vote to him. He has a ton of style, but Senator Barack Obama please show us the substance.

Violence Outside Philadelphia High School Graduation

Khiry Caldwell walked out of his graduation from Strawberry Mansion High School in Philadelphia on Tuesday ready to take on the world. He was able to walk a block before he was hit by stray bullet. Luckily he only suffered a cracked rib and bruised lung, but this is another sad tale of the continued violence that continues to plague our cities and place all of our people in continued peril. Khiry's goal is to attend college, possibly Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C.. Get well soon, Khiry.

IRS Looking Deeper Into Sharpton's Finances

Earlier this week, the New York Post reported on Rev. Al Sharpton's alleged "shake down" tactics with major corporations. Now apparently the IRS is requesting information from corporate donars for the charitable donations made to Sharpton's National Action Network. Sharpton is labeling the request as continued harassment. It will be interesting to see where this continued battle is headed. Hopefully Rev. Sharpton has been honest in his dealings with these corporations in representing African American interests. Could this be a case of a prominenet public figure making money off of our backs as I mentioned in my Introduction?

Patty Jackson's 411 Report

Since it is my goal to bring conscious and relevant news and commentary to my readers, I'll be limiting my links and information related to the entertainment industry, since there are plenty of sites available to keep us informed. Patty Jackson, who is a long time mid-day broadcaster at Philadelphia's famed WDAS -FM, has given me permission to link to her weekly 411 Report. Patty's report is one of the more concise and will give you the latest updates on what's been happening in the entertainment world. Patty, thanks for the approval.

New Introduction for Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama will be appearing on "The View" today as a co-host. Article profiles the re-introduction of Mrs. Obama.