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Outraged Activists Revoke “Free Black Passes” for BET and the Minstrel Show Industry

BET Minstrel Montage Longstanding black discontent with the character and content of BET, MTV and much of commercial black radio is giving way to open protest. African American protesters are regularly showing up outside the homes of corporate execs, including the black ones who have made billions beaming degraded and degrading images of African into black homes and around the planet, demanding something better. Will they abandon the old C. Delores Tucker stance of blaming artists and consumers for an approach that questions corporate decision making power over the media universe? BAR talks to Rev. Delman Coates of the Enough is Enough Campaign.

Free The Jena Six: And A New Generation Of Activists Are Engaged In The Jim Crow Struggle

Anthony Samad
Anthony Samad
This week, thousands of people will descend on the small Louisiana town of Jena to take a stand against Jim Crow justice. No small town has gotten as much attention for its racial politics since Forsythe County, Georgia in the late-1980s. That, of course, was an extension of Birmingham and Selma and other small towns that became the focal points of racial injustice after local issues became national protest movements. Being under a national microscope ain’t easy when justice is being twisted. And it’s obvious justice has been twisted. Even the state of Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeals is saying so.

Knowing the Difference Between a Conscious Black, A Negro and A Ni**a. Our Progress Depends On It.

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Anthony Asadullah Samad, Ph.D.
As the politics of progressivism becomes more an examination of social engineering whereby segments of society seek to establish a social pecking order based on achievement of the collective, the progress of Black America still represents the most suspect proposition. While there are more examples of black achievement on an individual basis, there is a decline in wages, jobs and wealth among African Americans in the collective.

Inactivism with Comfort

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Darryl James
In responding to one of my recent columns, someone suggested that Black people can never be of one accord because we are far too diverse.



It's an interesting concept, but one that spits in the face of our actual history and one that ignores the fact that some of us who were born in comfort have little concern for those who were not.



It is part of the American way to blame the poor and the oppressed for their condition.


Getting Black Boys To Read Books: Hip-Hop Enters The Fray (and that might not be a good thing)

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Anthony Absadullah Samad, Ph. D.
In a materialistic world, what is the most valuable thing you can give your young boys? Nope, it's not money-they'll spend it on rims and shoes. Nope, it's not "bling"- they'll only create a false illusion of wealth that, in the end, they'll pawn. Nope, not video games - it only makes them fat and lazy (but they'll have strong thumbs). How about a book? Yes, a book.

Each Day Allowed Wake Up And Kiss Excellence As You Strive For Excellence

Donald L. Dowridge, Jr.
Donald L. Dowridge, Jr.
Saturday afternoon in Tampa maybe some clouds moving and making way for another wonderful day of sunshine upon God's earth. I can't help but to stop and think about the babies who are lying in a nursery and have no idea what type of family they will go into. Will that baby have ties into a well to do family that will love him/her and guide them with a skillful hand? Will the picture be twisted where that same infant will find him/herself in a family where they will be abused and treated as a refugee? I will admit I have a heart in this situation because I am a product of the latter.

I Don't Love It, But I Won't Leave

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Darryl James
Last week, when I wrote a piece about the Fourth of July, some morons came with what they know as the end all and be all of arguments: "Love it or leave it."

That even fell from the filthy lips of some confused Negroes.
That argument is old, tired and stupid.