Please stay!

Well well well, looks like the "slave catcher" who inspired me to blog is kind of leaving the game. I read this while snooping in on another blogger. I love how he didn't link girlfriend, and I refuse to link her as well. So here is a little gem written by Ms. Thing from that blogger's site:

"This blog is undergoing a transformation. I love blogging and writing, but I’ve grown increasingly dissatisfied with this blog’s format. I’m running into the same issues I dealt with about a year ago: disenchantment with politics, finding time to do more off-blog and faith-focused writing while keeping up with client work.
My blogging has slacked off the past few months because I feel directionless. My intent in starting this blog was to share my views, and that goal has been accomplished. Plenty of people know exactly how I feel about race preferences, race hustlers, illegal aliens, child killing-supporters, and people who call “good” that which is perverse.
My focus in life is gradually shifting away from maintaining a daily political blog and everything that goes with being a “top” blogger: recognition from other political bloggers, invitations to political events, blog conferences, lots of links, high traffic, etc. It’s startling to think my desire for those things is receding when I’ve spent the past three years pursuing them. Who in her right mind, one may ask, would give that up?
Maybe turning 40 (in May) has something to do with it. Certain birthdays seem to signal big changes for me. As I approached 30, I was determined to stop drinking before my birthday. When I turned 35, I knew I had to get serious about writing. Now that 40 is approaching, it’s time for another change.
I doubt I’ll ever give up blogging, but perhaps it’s time to give up La Shawn Barber’s Corner as it currently exists. I’ve been thinking of closing shop and reopening under a new banner, so to speak, a blog that is less focused on politics and more on faith, writing, and things that make me happy instead of what makes me angry (although this blog would remain accessible as archives). While I could just as easily do that on this blog, LBC has too much baggage attached to it. Starting a whole new blog would feel like a proper “new beginning.”'

Hey LaShawn, don't let the type key hit you where the good lord split you. My only regret is that you didn't stay around long enough for me to lay a royal smack down on your ass. I say this, because I despise everything about your phony sanctimonious behind. Like some of the other African American bloggers out here (you know who you are) who think their shit doesn't stink, you were a legend in your own mind. (Check out how the blogger I lifted this post from exposes LaShawn for the liar that she is about her daily hits) And in case you didn't know it, you are someone who has been propped up by right wing white males out here to say: "See, some of them think just like we do."

And what really sets me off, is when you throw religion and faith into the mix. Like you know Jesus (if there is such a person) anymore than I do, and he gave you the right to speak for him about all things political and social. Give me a f*****g break! I do believe that if the big guy wanted someone to speak on his behalf, the last person he would choose is LaShawn f*****g Barber ~~~Ohhh just typing your name gives me the Willies~~~

So bye LaShawn, I wish I could say that I will really miss you, but I won't......well I take that back; I will miss you, because you banning me from your blog, inspired me to start my own. So hey, I guess I should thank you for your IP banning fetish (You have been celibate for how long?)

"LBC has too much baggage attached to it. Starting a whole new blog would feel like a proper "new beginning"'

Amen sister.

No love for the Gipper.

I have never liked Ronald Reagan. I always thought-until the frat boy came along of course, that he was probably the worst President in the history of the Republic. I never bought into his phony ass cowboy persona, or his so called quick wit and great communications skills. To me, he was created by America's media, and his greatness was a figment of our imaginations, caused in part by a need to feel good about ourselves after the gloomy seventies.

"Mr Gorbachov tear down that wall" my ass, that wall was coming down with or without the "great communicator". And the hostages were coming home as well.Timing is everything in politics, and no one was luckier when it came to timing than the Gipper. But all that's not why I despise the Gipper and everything he stood for. No, driving through South West Philly today-an area that is about as safe as a Baghdad market these days-I realized why I really despise the faux cowboy from California.

Now I am not one who believes in conspiracies. I really think that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, the World Trade Center was blown up by a bunch of crazed terrorist who call themselves Al Qaeda, and man really did land on the moon. But I do believe that the Reagan administration was indirectly responsible for the flow of crack cocaine that hit our urban areas in the eighties. See I believe that story by Gary Webb from the San Jose Mercury News, about the Reagan administration funding the Contra's and allowing them to flood the West Coast urban markets with crack cocaine. I do believe that they did it in order to fund the Contras as they-the Contras- attempted to over throw the Sandinista Government in Nicaragua. Why you say? Well it seems that the Sandinistas were Socialist in their thinking, and we just couldn't have another left leaning government in our back yard now could we. I mean who knows, before you know it we could have had another Cuba on our hands.

So what did we do, we (Reagan and the CIA) allowed our cities to be flooded with a potent cheap form of high known as crack cocaine. This insidious drug, would eventually destroy the fabric of many of our urban areas, and our families for years to come. As a result of crack, we have lost an entire generation of African Americans. (Maybe two) If you don't believe me, take a trip to any inner city in America, and see how many grand parents are raising their grand children. Or, see how many homes have been abandoned and foreclosed on after grandma and grandpa died. Check out the rising prison populations and then check out the race, poverty level, and the background of most of the inmates there.

Every time I see that ex convict, Ollie North, on the FAKE NEWS NETWORK, I want to puke. I mean the nerve of him to even show his face in America after all the shit he did to destroy this country. Now the guy has his own show, does speaking tours, and is the darling of the conservative right. And they wonder why black folks will never come into their so called "big tent". It's because we are scared you will fold the tent up with us in it, and burn the mother fu***r, that's why we won't come in it. We don't trust you, and why should we? Because of your cowboy hero, our families and our communities are in crisis, and who knows when we will recover.

I am driving past boarded up home after home. I still see the crack addicts doing their dawn of the dead walk, and the dealers with their nice whips, and their entourage. There isn't much open space or green, and when you do see them, they are filled with trash, bottles, and who knows what else. Yep, this neighborhood like so many others in Philly is fu***d up. It's like it's not even a part of America. Trust me, I have been through the ghettos in West Kingston, and this isn't much better.

But this is what happens when a government that is supposed to be looking out for its citizens abandon them. This is what happens when we get too cute and intellectual for our own good. (See Iraq) We worry about the spread of socialism in our back yard and the effects it will have on our country, while destroying a part of the very country that we are supposed to be looking out for in the first place.

So now as America crumbles from within, we are stuck with yet another President that Americans tried to make great. Only this time we can't. We cant ignore the terrible job that he has done, and what a terrible cost we are paying for his phony ass war. Reagan was smart, he waged his little dirty war in a clandestine manner, and he made sure that the only people that would be hurt were poor African Americans in America's inner cities.

Not so with this President; his f**k up is front and center for all to see, and most Americans ain't liking the picture. If this had been the Gipper, he would have sold it better. At least he can communicate, and he is a good actor. Just look at all the people that still love him and think he is great.

Jessie said he would rather have "Roosevelt in a wheel chair that Reagan on a horse". I don't know Jessie, I would have preferred if we never had Reagan at all.

When all else fails, just sing & dance with some black folks

Quick, what do all these people have in common? I. Lewis Libby, J. Stven Girles,David H. Safavian,Roger Stillwell, Claude Allen, and Darleen Druyun. If you guessed former Bush appointees who have been convicted (yes convicted) of a crime, move to the head of the class.

And let's not forget all the Bush officials who are currently under a cloud of suspicion. People like Alberto Gonzalez-we all know about his current problems-Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank, who helped a certain lady he was getting his freak on with get a high paying job there. Then there is Karl Rove, and his potential violation of the Hatch Act, by carrying on his sick partisan politics with the people's equipment. And to think, Republicans used to call Clinton corrupt. Oh, and did I mention the Pentagon's cover up of the Pat Tillman killing, or the way they lied about Jessica Lynch in order to put a white heroines face on the war? "I think that he feels deeply sorry for the family and all that they've gone through...and he hopes that people are held accountable." Yeah right,where have we heard that before?

And this Tillman thing is really troubling. According to the frat boy, he did not learn of the circumstances surrounding Tillman's death until after the May 3, 2004 memorial service for Tillman. (Tillman died on April 22,2004) The frat boy's press secretary, Dana Perino, says that she is not sure whether the frat boy learned about how Tillman died from the press or the Pentagon. (How come this white house can never remember shit?) Mmmmm,didn't a top general send a memo just seven days after Tillman died saying that it was "highly possible" that Tillman was killed by friendly fire? And didn't the the good general say that his warning should be sent to Bush? Now you must ask yourself; did the frat boy get the warning before his speech in late April of that same year, or did he get it after,as he is alleging? Well, given the frat boy's record with the truth, you would be a whole lot safer betting on the fact that he knew.

So it's been a rough patch for the frat boy, and the latest Wall Street Journal polls bare that out. So what's a President to do? Well you could find some African drummers and bust a move on the White House lawn. Yeah I saw you George, you were alright up there shaking your "money maker". Laura was a little stiff though; but hey, you actually had some rhythm. Somehow I was feeling you a lot more than your side kick, Karl Rove. Homeboy just looked down right pathetic when he tried to do that whole rap thing. It came off as condescending and contrived. And the house Negro dancing behind him didn't help. I guess Karl just doesn't know how to do that hug and dance with a black person thing like you do George. Oh I saw you George; when you went down to the Gulf Coast after Katrina, you made sure you were hugging some black folks; you always do. I swear your handlers sure know how to find the black people in the crowd. What do you do when you go to a NASCAR event? "Did you see any, any blacks at all. We need one for photo op. Well I saw one on the way in Sir. Well go get him man, the event is almost over." You must love when those sports champions visit you at the White House. Lots of blacks to hug, hold, and do a little cheesing with. Nothing like a little cheesing with the black folks to make you more sympathetic huh George. They really taught you well in Texas, cause you sure know how to get along with black folks when you have to.

But good for you, I am sure that's a skill that is coming in handy right about now. Heck, given the way things have been going for you lately, I bet you are one white man who is glad black folks are here to sing and dance with.

I wish I was a white person's pet

especially a dog.

In case you didn't know this; white people really really treat their pets well. I swear, white people love their pets more than they love people. Seriously, they have clothes for their pets, gourmet foods for their pets, exercise schools for their pets, they take their pets in their cars everywhere with them, they have pet hotels,......well, you get the picture. I hope your life never depends on a white person choosing between you and their pet, or trust me, you will be a dead SOB.

I heard a white guy on the radio once talking about the fact that he just paid $3,000 to try to save his dog's life after some type of growth was found on its throat. He says the dog was old (11 years old I think) and even though the dog died, he said it was worth every penny. And I have a co-worker who pays $30 per day to keep his dog in the doggy day-care while both he and his wife are working . And he is not alone. If you have some money and want to open a profitable business, you might want to consider a doggy day care or a pet hotel in Center City, Philadelphia. You would be rich!

Ten people were shot to death this past weekend in Philadelphia, but that was still page two news here. Now I guarantee you that if there were ten dogs shot all across the city, white people would be losing their f*****g minds. It would be on FOX and CNN. "What? Ten dogs shot? My God what is this country coming to? How can someone just shoot an innocent dog?" The life expectancy of the average white person's pet is probably longer than that of an infant in most poor neighborhoods in this country. The infant mortality rate of puppies as opposed to little Indian and poor black and white children. Mmmmm, it would be interesting to find that out, wouldn't it? Hey, I am sure it's close, cause I bet white people spend more on their pet's health- care than us black folks spend on our own kids. (Someone should consider doing a study on that one)

And don't even get me started about you black folks and your pets. Damn you all treat your pets bad. I mean why would a dog or a pet even want to be owned by a black person? And honestly, you all don't need to be having pets any damn way. You don't have to do everything that white folks do. They can afford it, you can't. I remember I had a black lab when I was in law school, named Virgo -may his soul rest in peace. My girlfriend at the time didn't even want Virgo in the house when she came over, (black folks don't keep their pets in the house) and she would lose her f*****g mind when Virgo came around her. I bet if I had a white girlfriend she wouldn't have had a problem with Virgo being in the house. Why? Because white people are programed from child hood to love their pets. Black people are programed to treat their pets like....well animals. We use them to guard our shit while white folks see them as a part of the family.

So now the country is in an uproar because poison was found in some pet food. As a result, white folks are losing their freaking minds again. Law suits are flying left and right, every major news outlet is on the story, and even congress is getting involved. I saw a white lady in the paper and she was beside her self with grief and rage because her pet had died from tainted pet -food. The inhumanity! I mean, the in-pet-manity! I really hope that the Republic can survive this.

Any day now those CEO's from Purina and all those other pet companies will be doing a perp walk just like Ken Lay from Enron did.  White folks will be watching and cheering every tortured step.

On a more serious note:

Before I go I would like to apologize to Condoleezza Rice for referring to her as the "bad perm lady" in the past. I am publicly apologizing (something I never do) because in light of what happened recently with Don Imus, I realize that I am somewhat of a hypocrite. I can't rip the old coot for calling my sisters "nappy headed hoes", when, in essence, I was doing the same thing in a public forum about the most powerful sister in the country.

So Condi, I am sorry for my choice of words, and I will never call you the "bad perm lady" again.

The Field Negro Dilemma

"Nothing a white man with a penny hates more than a nigger with a nickel" ~~Chris Rock~~

I know this very old gentleman in Louisiana, who does very well for himself. He dropped out of school in the eight grade to work in the fields, and while working as a farm hand for a very wealthy white family he taught himself auto mechanics by working on farm tractors and other equipment.

So this man eventually started his own automotive business and became very well to do. Although watching the way he lived, you would never know it. I once asked him why he lived such a spartan existence in spite of his obvious wealth, and he told me somtething that reminded me of the Chris Rock joke. "I can't got around here acting like I have more money than my white customers, hell, they would never come back to my business."

Anyway, I thought about that man and the Chris Rock joke again while debating a white blogger on Maryscott's excellent web site, My Left Wing. There I was again caught up in a debate with someone from the majority population ("every time I try to get out, they pull me back in") about the same sh**, that we argue about every time. If it's not, "why do you call yourself the field negro, that is so 1950's? Or why don't you people stop playing the victim role and pull yourselves up by your boot straps? Racism does not exist anymore, it's all in your minds. " And so it goes, back and forth with people who don't get it and never will.

But then when you make the argument that you are not a victim, and that you are not some woe is me handkerchief head Negro, that's when you get the I know you are a "nigger with a nickel" argument, and that's when the venom really flies. Because what the f**k are you doing advocating for black causes on the Internet when you are one of the Negroes who made it? Hell, you might even make more money that I do Negro, so you got a whole lot of f*****g nerve crying racism and inequity in our society when your black ass made it. So you see the Catch 22 here, you can't win if you are a field Negro with house Negro money, or a house Negro comfort level. If you have house Negro money you should think like the house Negro and not care about Negroes who are left behind in the fields. Because after all, you could be in the house too, you just choose to be in the fields.

What these narrow minded individuals don't and will never get, is that as a person of color I don't see myself as just an individual; I see myself as being part of a larger group, a collective. And because of the f****d up way we are in this society, so does every one else.
Don't tell me that every black person in this country wasn't on pins and needles when the shooting went down at Virginia Tech. From Oprah, to Colin Powell, to Condi Rice, they were all saying; "please Lord don't let this shooter be a Negro." And yep, my black ass was saying it too. How do you think I felt when I found out that one of the D.C. snipers was not only black, but was a Jamaican to boot. A double whammy for the field. It's why black folks who couldn't stand O.J.'s house Negro ass cheered like crazy when he was found not guilty, even though Helen Keller could see that the mother f****r did it. Its that collectivism that drives white folks and some black folks crazy. But the sad thing is, that they view us as a collective as well. Don't for a minute think that the black thug pictured on the front page of the local paper, who assaulted the little old lady, is any different than field Negro, attorney, in the majority population's eyes . Ask Oprah, her black ass got shaded in a high end department store just like Shanequa from North Philly. Why? Because her ass is black that's why, and she is a part of the collective. Yeah Oprah, your black ass might be worth a billion, but when that store clerk sees you coming, she still sees a black person first.

But can you imagine if Oprah was in a chat room and trying to agitate or make an argument in support of black people? "Oprah how dare you say there are problems in America, you are worth billions, you have more money than I ever will and I am white." Hey America can't be all that bad, your black ass seems to be doing alright." All the time Ignoring the fact that Oprah is one out of 13 million.

"Oh field Negro, you are just playing the angry black man role, what do you have to be angry about? You seem to be doing pretty well yourself. Stop playing the victim, you are not a victim buddy, you probably make more money than I do."

But let me paraphrase my man, potential baby daddy, Chris Rock again: "So do you want to trade places with me 'Charlie' since I make more money that you do? Ahhh no field, I think I will stick this white thing out".

Yeah, that's what I thought.

A conservative and a coward.

This post is about two types of people, the good and the not so good.. ahhh change that; the good and the ignorant.

I will start with the good. When I got into this blogging thing about a year ago, one of my first intellectual battles was with a brother named Cobb, who happens to be conservative blogger from the West Coast. The brother and I clashed ideologically over the crisis in Darfur, and what should be African Americans response to it. I posted what I thought was a passionate piece, and he responded. Of course, I fired back, and so it went with my man and I for awhile, but behind the disagreements, the respect grew.

Well fast forward over a year later, and I found myself having lunch with my man right here in my hometown of Philly today. Through the power of the Internet and e-mails, we stayed in touch, and when my man told me he was coming to Philly to work his software magic for a health care conglomerate, I decided to reach out and hook up with him.

So Cobb, it was nice meeting you my man, I was surprised at how much we have in common, and how easy it was to get along with you. At the end of the day, we both want the same good things for our people, we just might disagree at times on how we can accomplish those goals.

So that was the good. Now let me tell you about the ignorant. In fact, I will show you the ignorant. I have posted the e-mail exactly as I got it from one of my trailer park friend, who apparently took a break long enough from mixing his moon shine to reach out to the field.
So here it is: (And yes homey I am publishing your e-mail address)


Wed, 18 Apr 2007 21:19:03 -0700 (PDT)
From:
"x x" Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Subject:
Your blog....
To:
fnblg@yahoo.com

"Hey Field Nigga....

Love your integrity!
Especially when you dont accept reality that a coon sista is a lying nappy headed ho in the Duke Lacrosse case.

Nice to see that you call it fairly.

Don Imus = racist
but Gail Crystal Mangum = undaunted, proud sista

lololol

Yep, white people really give a shit what opportunistic niggers like you think. (thats sarcasm, ya darkie) Always willing to play the race card when it suits your purposes. Always looking the other way when its time to take responsibility for doing so.
Has Sharpton apologized for Tawana Brawley yet?
How about Jesse for "Hymie-town"?

Better yet, are either of them... or the New Black Panthers... going to come to Durham to apologize for stirring up racial hatred?

White people arent going to take you or them seriously until you acknowledge your own hypocrisy.
Peace out!
Brother...

lolololol "

Yes folks, this is the type of ignorance I deal with via e-mails from my friends in NASCAR country from time to time. And you should see the search words people use before they stumble on my site. "nigger monkeyes, smelly niggers,negroes and animals,how to keep a negro from your daughter", and on and on. And people wonder why I am always angry.

But anyway, thank you xx, -they never leave their real names, cowards are like that. Although maybe xx is his real name; after all, I doubt if home boy can read- you can go and call your cousin now, I think she needs a date for the weekend.

The field is out.

If a child dies in the desert.....

Over a year ago, a colleague of mine who happens to be a very successful personal injury lawyer, was telling me about one of his more successful trials. Homeboy was explaining to me what a great case he had because the victim in this particular case had a very bright future and was from a very solid middle class family. In the personal injury world, that meant dollars, because the award for damages are often based on the future earnings of the victim in a particular case. (Think of the recent settlement for those NASA astronauts who perished on the Columbia space shuttle)

Fast forward to April 18, 2007. And I am thinking about those horrific killings up at Va Tech,and the poor families of those students. For some reason I started thinking about that discussion with my colleague. All those bright futures, all that potential, and all those dollars. I shudder to think what will happen if the first family that sues the University (and someone will sue) gets a favorable judgement. Virginians, your taxes could be going up soon. But this post isn't even about that. It's about the value we as Americans place on peoples lives based on who they are, or where they live. Looking back at it now, I still can't believe how matter of fact my colleague was when talking about that case. It was as if he was talking about a bunch of spread sheets, or profits and losses, and not someones lost loved one.

But isn't that par for the course with most Americans, and not just heartless lawyers? Unless of course,we are talking about upper middle class college kids in Blacksburg Virginia, or upper middle class high school students in Columbine, Colorado. A life is as valuable as a mere glance at the nightly news, or a passing eye on the front page while we make a dash to the sports section to read the latest scores. Let's think about it for a minute; 183 dead Iraqis today and counting, did we even give it a second thought? Of course we didn't. After all, they are just a bunch of Iraqis. They are not white, they are not well to do, and they are not smart kids in one of our finer schools. But does that make their lives any less precious, or their deaths any less news worthy? We certainly act like it does. We have become almost numb to the daily killings in Iraq, and the young black males in America's inner cities who seem to murder each other for sport. Only when something like this happens do we wake up and say; "what the f**k is happening in our country"?

How many will die in Darfur before I finish this post? "If a child dies in the desert and no one gives a damn will anyone make a sound?" I doubt it, because it's just some African child in the desert. But this isn't just another rant from the field who thinks he has all the answers, because I don't. And honestly, I am more curious than anything else; I am really not preaching here, I am just wondering, because I really don't know what to make of all this s**t.

So the beat goes on, we will be inundated for the next few days with more news about this sicko. (he even sent NBC News a f*****g press kit for crying out loud) and like everyone else, I will be watching, because I live in America, just like you do.

Before I go, I would like to say that I am so proud of a project that I am fortunate to be a part of. Five brothers and sisters, who to me, are some of the brightest and most insightful people blogging out here. They have started the AfroSpear, which is something that I and many other progressive black bloggers have been screaming to see for awhile now. Well now it's here, and the beauty of it is that everyone will be a part of it. Whether it's with links to your individual blogs, or comment posts, and even your own essays. It will be your page too, and your chance to truly become interactive with other like minded people out here.

We will be sharing ideas, thoughts, and different ways we think we can improve our race and ultimately, our country. And We will be wanting your input, as well as an honest no holds barred debate on the issues and subjects that we confront on a daily basis. Issues that are so important, that we just can't afford to ignore them anymore.

So head over there, check it out, and start writing!

"There was blood everywhere"

Those tragic words came from the lips of a Virginia Tech student, after a campus massacre in the rolling mountains of Western Virginia took the lives of thirty two of his fellow students. Hey, all I know about Virginia Tech is that Michael Vick played some serious football there, and it's in a beautiful part of the country. But today I also learned this: That Virginia Tech was the scene of the largest single day killing spree in American History. In one day, some animal managed to do- what is for us here in Philly, a months worth of killings.

This was horrible, and it seems like every time we think that these unspeakable acts can't get any worse, they do. From the former Marine who took out sixteen people from a tower on the University of Texas. To the depraved animal who bound and executed five little Amish girls in Lancaster Pennsylvania, because of his sick delusions. Somehow it just seems that these types of tragedies keep happening over and over again, and unfortunately, we can't figure out what is in the American psyche that causes it.

And before I write one more word, let me say this right now: I feel for those victims and their loved ones, and I would never minimize what they are experiencing, or what they had to go through today.

Now here comes my rant: We as Americans like to think that we are above harboring pure evil in our hearts. We like to think of ourselves as morally superior to other people in the world, because, this is, after all, America. It's hard for us to fathom one of our own committing these horrific acts against a fellow American. Yet time and time again, it happens, and these acts are not only committed by adults, but by children as well.

So what is it that's driving those of us in our society to commit these acts, and why does it keep- happening? Isn't it funny how conservatives spend all their time trying to scare us into being afraid of the Muslim bogeymen and terrorist who would bring harm to us, yet our own children have shown that they are capable of acts that are just as heinous and despicable? Maybe we should focus more of our war on terror right here at home.

I know that in the neighborhoods of our inner cities people live with terrorist every day. Try telling a retired grandmother who just cashed her social security check, that the ignorant ass young buck waiting to jack her isn't more dangerous than Osama bin Laden. I see where the President and members of congress came out and spoke about this tragedy today, and they tried to offer comfort and words of encouragement to an uneasy nation. "Schools should be places of sanctuary and safety and learning." Yeah I hear you Mr. President, but it sure would be nice to hear you make a statement to all the poor people in inner cities all over our country. People who have to listen to gun shots night after night, and who see the blood of their children in the streets when they wake in the morning. It's nice that you have offered federal aid to the people of Virginia to help them cope with this tragedy, but what the f**k? There have been over one hundred and twelve murders in my hometown alone this year, and I guarantee you there ain't no federal aid on the way. Again, I feel for those who lost loves ones today, but you know what, I feel for all the people who have lost loved ones here in my city so far this year as well.

Now you will hear all the NRA apologist say; (they come out of their holes every time there is a mass killing now) "Guns don't kill people, people kill people". Yes that may be right, but I guarantee you that it wouldn't be so easy for "people to kill people" if they didn't have such easy access to guns. Or how about this one: "Well if one of those students were packing heat they would have been able to stop the gunman before he could have killed more people." Yeah right, like a mother f****r wants to be packing his Glock along with his organic chemistry book in his book bag every fu****g day.

But hey, such is life in this John Wayne culture of ours in America. We have to be free to keep purchasing our guns and killing each other at will. You never know when an unjust government might want to infringe on our Second Amendment rights. Or God forbid, a liberal might get out of line.

Dear Mr. Imus:

Here is hoping that this letter finds you in good health. I say this because I Have been seeing you all over the television lately, and quite frankly, you don't look so hot.

Now Don, you don't know me, I am one of millions of people of color in this country who you offended with your fool hardy and insensitive remarks about those fine young women from Rutgers. But unlike most of those other people, I didn't want you fired. I was fine with you being on the radio, because I honestly believe that people like you and your cohorts need to be given a forum. After all, how else would people like me know that people like you still exist and are so prevalent in modern day America? Honestly Don, if it were not for you hurting those young ladies, I would have been glad for your little slip up. I will tell you why. We Americans need that kind of reminder every now and then to jar us back to reality about our racial divide in our country.

Trust me on this one Don, I know why so many of your fellow Americans in the majority population were so frustrated with you. After all, you did the unpardonable by making your racist views public. Don, you must have missed the white memo; don't you know that as a white person you are never ever supposed to make your true feelings known when it comes to matters of race? These discussions should only be held amongst other white people who you really trust, and in the privacy of your own home.

So you f****d up Don, there is no kinder way to say it. But again, I am not going to beat a dead horse, what was done is done and it's over now. (Well, until the next white man ignores the memo)

I know that every one is saying that this will start a great nationwide discussion on race, and organizations will now come together to try and change the racial climate in this country and bring the races together. But let's be honest, this will all last until the next hot news story. Who knows, maybe J-Lo and Marc Anthony will break up and she will start dating P-Diddy again. Or, some no talented actor or actress will over dose on coke, and the stories will monopolize the news cycle instead of your infamous comments.

Don, I also see that you were disappointed with Harold Ford Jr., for abandoning you and not coming to your defense after you suffered death treats for supporting his senate run in Tennessee. Well Don you should have known better. I could have told you that Harold is nothing more than an opportunistic weasel who would sell you and his own people down the river if it meant more votes. He used you Don, just like all this politicians and famous journalist who used your show to sell their books. See how fast you can lose your friends when you disobey the memo Don? But don't worry, they will all be back, they just have to wait for this all to die down a little.

Finally Don, you made the mistake that most other out of touch white folks make; you held Reverend Al up as the leader of all black people in America. Don, if you should poll black people you would find that most of us don't even agree with Al and Jessie most of the time. So your first silly move was going on the Reverend Al's show, and legitimizing the good Reverend in this debate. I am sorry you did it too, because it gave your fellow white folks an excuse to use their famous racial bogeyman to detract attention from the real debate, and the real issues surrounding your comments.

Oh, and one other thing, I know Karl Rove and the White House is happy for you, because your ignorant and racist ass statements pushed their little e-mail deleting issues, and the war in Iraq off of the front page for awhile. So unlike the rest of us, my man Karl and his cronies are probably saying go Don go just keep those racist rants coming.

Anyway, here is wishing you all the best. And although I know the people you directed your comments at forgave you, don't for a minute think that I do. Still, I did not want you to lose your job, and here is hoping you will bounce back and end up on the FOX NEWS channel as a host or something. I honestly think you would fit right in there.


Sincerely,


Your fellow American, and former nappy headed ho, the field Negro.

The Dukies & The I Man

Folks please excuse me if I can't really post all of my own sh** tonight. Unfortunately, I have been watching bits and pieces of Roots on tv One, and I am too pissed off to focus.

Instead, I have this excellent post from ABC's Terry Moran about the Duke rape case fiasco:

"Mike Nifong, the North Carolina prosecutor who pursued a case of rape and kidnapping against three Duke University lacrosse players, has been found to have been reckless and deceitful in the discharge of his duties according to the state's attorney general. He abused the power the people of Durham granted him. Based on the public record of what he did in this case, he may well be properly disbarred.

The accuser in this case has been shown to be either a vicious liar or a troubled fantasist.
The three young men who she accused are truly innocent of the charges brought against them according to the North Carolina Attorney General and the investigation led by his office.But perhaps the outpouring of sympathy for Reade Seligman, Collin Finnerty and David Evans is just a bit misplaced. They got special treatment in the justice system--both negative and positive. The conduct of the lacrosse team of which they were members was not admirable on the night of the incident, to say the least. And there are so many other victims of prosecutorial misconduct in this country who never get the high-priced legal representation and the high-profile, high-minded vindication that it strikes me as just a bit unseemly to heap praise and sympathy on these particular men.

So as we rightly cover the vindication of these young men and focus on the genuine ordeal they have endured, let us also remember a few other things: They were part of a team that collected $800 to purchase the time of two strippers. Their team specifically requested at least one white stripper. During the incident, racial epithets were hurled at the strippers. Colin Finnerty was charged with assault in Washington, DC, in 2005.The young men were able to retain a battery of top-flight attorneys, investigators and media strategists.
As students of Duke University or other elite institutions, these young men will get on with their privileged lives. There is a very large cushion under them--the one that softens the blows of life for most of those who go to Duke or similar places, and have connections through family, friends and school to all kinds of prospects for success. They are very differently situated in life from, say, the young women of the Rutgers University women's basketball team.

And, MOST IMPORTANT, there are many, many cases of prosecutorial misconduct across our country every year. The media covers few, if any, of these cases. Most of the victims in these cases are poor or minority Americans--or both. I would hate to say the color of their skin is one reason journalists do not focus on these victims of injustices perpetrated by police and prosecutors, but I am afraid if we ask ourselves the question honestly, we would likely find that it is. Look for a moment at what James Giles endured:

I hope we all keep him and others in mind, as we cover the celebrated exoneration of well-heeled, well-connected, well-publicized young men whose conduct, while not illegal, was not entirely admirable, either. They aren't heroes. They aren't boys. They are young men who were victimized by a reckless prosecutor-and had the resources to fight him off"

Thank you for that excellent and insightful post Mr. Moran, I know some of your fellow white people have been killing you for this one, but the field has your back. I blogged about the same damn thing before all the charges were dropped by the North Carolina Attorney General's office. Who by the way, went out of their way to say that these boys were innocent. (When was the last time you heard a prosecutor say that?)

Well, they ain't innocent in my book, and as far as I am concerned, the only difference between them and Don Imus is a few million viewers.

I'm out.

The field is ready

for this national conversation on race. This is all I have been hearing since the latest little racial dust up in our little slice of heaven on earth called America. "We need to be talking to each other. Maybe this Imus thing will be good for all of us in the long run because it will start a national conversation on matters of race."

OK fair enough. So I headed to a very white part of Philly, where I will see lots and lots of white people... alright you got me; there is nowhere in Philly with lots and lots of white people. Instead, I will head to upstate Pennsylvania, where I know all I will see is white people. After about an hours drive up the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I see what I was looking for, a large gathering of "normal" looking white people. I think we are in a mall or something. Hey, white people love malls, what can I tell you.

"Dear white people, my name is the field Negro, and I am from Philly, I am hear to participate in a part of the national conversation on race in America with you."

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"please folks feel free to comment at any time about anything having to do with race"...........................................................................................................................



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"Anybody have any questions for me?............................Anybody? Yes you sir.".................................."Yeah did you ever play football or something, you look like a football player." "No sir, I did not." "Well you are from Philly are you an Eagles fan?" "Ahhhh yes sir I am. But let's stick to the issue of race shall we." "Well isn't your quarterback black?" "Yes he is, but I just want to talk about race as it effects us as Americans both in a social and cultural context. So let's talk" ......................................................................................................................................
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Maybe we will have this conversation at another time.

"... nappy-headed hos"?

I know I am late to this party, (this is why I hate to be out of the fields even for a minute) but I must comment on the latest little...ahem ahem, racial problem facing America, compliments of famed radio shock jock, Dom Imus.

Let me begin by thanking my girl "i am not star jones" for blogging about this story last week, and being the first to bring it to my attention. This is what I love about the "blackosphere", it helps to push a story so fast.

Now quite a few people will not like this post, because I doubt seriously if what I am going to say is the conventional thinking among black folks. But I wouldn't be me if I didn't speak my mind and keep it one hundred with you. Scary as this is going to sound, I actually agree with ...gasp, John McWhorter on this one. This is probably the only time that I will ever agree with home boy, but he is right about this issue. Don Imus is one man who speaks for many, and who represents a type of thinking in this country that us black folks need to simply start ignoring. He could do a thousand Mea culpa's on Reverend Al's radio show, and it will not change what is in his heart. I have been trying to preach on my blog from day one, that you cannot regulate or legislate morality. Don Imus is a racist and a hustler, who speaks to a very wide base, and tells them exactly what they want to hear. He can do this, because they are either too afraid to say it, or, whatever environment they are in, prevents them from doing so. And believe me when I tell you, he and his sidekicks have done quite well for themselves insulting black folks and other minorities.

So let's make no mistake, Imus didn't make his millions because he didn't have an audience. His Schick is quite popular, and his is the number one radio program in many major markets. (What does that tell you about your fellow countrymen?) So as he goes on the latest white man racist apology tour; just remember that his program regularly plays hosts to major politicians and journalist-resident house Negro, Harold Ford, happens to be one of his favorite people in the world- including many of the very people who will be now condemning him for doing what they do privately in public.

But I am sorry, I can't get all bent out of shape over the Imus comments. Why? Because I have come to expect it from his ilk. I refuse to act like the police inspector from Casablanca and be "shocked, shocked", that such racism exists in America. You will start hearing any day now, about other insensitive and racist things Imus and his sidekicks have said in the past, (called the New York Knicks "a bunch of chest pumping pimps", called Ben "Whitehorse" Nelson, Senator from Colorado, "the guy from F troop") and I am sure that you will be shocked, shocked , that this has been going on under your noses all this time. Yeah right, you must not live in the same America that I do. Here is a news flash; this is exactly the type of shit many of these folks sit around and say when your black ass isn't around. So don't get it twisted; all the marching in the world and all the preaching by Jessie and Al won't change that. And we better start getting our shit together among ourselves (yeah some of our own high profile entertainers call our women hoes too) and stop worrying about some racist cowboy from New Mexico, or else we will be hearing allot more of that type of ignorance from politicians and influential thinkers as well.

"I did a bad thing but I am not a bad person"

I am sure you don't think you are Mr. Imus. In fact, given the nature of modern day America when it comes to matter of race; you are quite the norm.

Un Bonjour de Montreal

Sorry for my lack of updates folks. I am blogging from Montreal this Easter Sunday, and I have been here since Friday. I heard it said somewhere that Montreal is a great city because Europeans always feel like they are in North America and North Americans always feel like they are in Europe.

Truer words were never spoken. I feel like I am smack in the middle of Paris or some other European city right about now; but that`s cool with the field. A little change of culture is a good thing. I also have to say for the record, that the people here are great. It`s a very cosmopolitan city with just about every race and nationality in full effect. Lots of museums and great restaurants if you are into that type of thing, and the scenery is all that.

So I am having a good time. No complaints from the field about this trip...well, (like you didn`t see this coming) although its`no biggie. Yesterday my lap top started acting up, and when I tried to sign on to the kiosk Internet machine in the Complexe Desjardins, I noticed my URL was blacklisted. Like what the f**k? Asa, lord omar, and the rest of my Canadian buds will have to tell me about that one. Maybe it`s just typing in the word Negro that sent some sort of block on that bad boy. (Just a case of the Canadian PC police gone crazy) Who knows; but now my curiosity is peeked.

But that`s it, my only complaint so far, that and the high taxes on clothes. You have to understand, I live in Pennsylvania where there is no tax on clothes, so that took some getting used to. Unfortunately, it more than ate up the difference in my favorable exchange rate on my dollars. But hey, it`s all good.

Anyway, I will be home tomorrow, and I have a few things on my mind. I can`t wait to be back in the comfort of the fields where I can speak my mind to my hearts content.

Oh, there is one other thing I love about this place, there is no FAKE NEWS here!

We could learn so much from the Canadians.

Au revoir! And Happy Easter to all the Christians in the house.

The Rise Of The Patio Negroes

Folks, I hope you don't mind if I introduce a couple of new words into our lexicon. I have been trying to come up with a way to describe some of these new crop of Negroes that have been popping up all around us lately, and until recently I could not put a finger on them. But all that has changed now that I can put a name to the faces.

Readers of this blog know about my frustration with the Obama phenomenon and my inability to blog about him, or take a strong position one way or the other about his candidacy. No matter how much I tried I could not find the passion to either endorse or disavow the brother. But now, thanks to a good nights sleep, and a eureka moment while sitting in court today, it hit me. Now I think I know what makes it so hard for me to size up brothers like Obama.

Now don't get me wrong, I like Obama. From what I know about him he seems like a decent guy and I hope he goes all the way to the White House. (Although I am pretty sure I have a better chance of going all the way with Lark Voorhies than that ever happening) So it's all good between the field and half and half man. Trust me, this is not a bash Obama post, but it is about the type of Negro he appears to be.

So let's look at these words I have coined for the Obama types shall we: I call them patio Negroes. They are not quite in the house, but they sure as hell ain't out here in the fields with us. So this makes them patio Negroes in my book, half way between the fields and the house. Wisely moving between both worlds and doing what it takes to fit in when they have to. Juan Williams is a patio Negro. I can't stand the guy for being on the FAKE NEWS NETWORK, but when he slams one of those assholes over there and calls them on their bullshit and I am forced to say: way to go Juan, you tell those mother f*****s. Oprah Winfrey, I guess, could be considered a patio Negro, for the same reasons that Juan is. Some days you want to hug her and say; Oprah is out here in the fields with us, and on other days you find yourself saying; that damn Oprah is in the house serving pancakes to Missy. Tiger Woods is a patio Negro. You will be cheering like hell for him to beat all those old white men this weekend at Augusta, but.....there is the white wife, the passionate obsession for being viewed as a color neutral icon, and all that white love. Condi was a patio Negro until recently. Now she is nice and comfy in the house.

For the record, patio Negroes can go either way. That's' one of the differences between a patio, house, or a field negro. A patio Negro can choose to become either a field Negro or a house Negro. A good example of this would be Harold Ford; who went from the patio right into the big house. Or, for the other side of the equation, look no farther than Bill Cosby; who left the patio and said f**k it, I am going to the fields.

Back in the day when Malcolm gave his speech it was so much easier. It was really black or white then. Either you were in the house or you were in the fields. If Malcolm had to make that speech today he would have to add yet another type of negro to the mix, and we would have had to incorporate this Negro into the debate, and change Malcolm's speech. But that patio Negro couldn't make up his mind if he loved or hated his master. When he saw master's house burning, he was torn between running to fetch some water or just watching it burn. When you told the patio Negro; let's run away from here, he would say: Can you give me a day or two to think about it, I am not sure if running away from Massa is the way to go.

But it's all good, the field won't rip the patio Negroes, at least there is hope for them. They can still come to the fields and see the light. House Negroes, like Clarence Thomas and Ward Connerly, on the other hand,will never come to the fields. Because to them, the house is theirs as well as their Master's, and they will be damned if they give that up.

Some notable patio Negroes:

1. Magic Johnson
2. Will Smith
3. Tom Joyner
4. Tavis Smiley
5. Colin Powell
6. Tyra Banks
7. Bob Johnson
8. Serena Williams
9. Lovie Smith/Tony Dungie
10. Beyonce Knowles

Some random toughts before I go:

I was wondering; is there a bigger prevaricator out here than Mitt Romney?
And how much do you think I would have to pay to get and Ambassadorship to Jamaica?
Seems one of the frat boy's friends just got a "recess appointment" by our sneaky ass President. This, after the guy dropped $50,000 to fund the "Swift Boat" smear campaign.
So if it took $50,000 to get the Belgium gig, do you think I could get Jamaica for say $10,000?

"Made In Texas" Sold By Fox News

"George W. Bush and his allies are in charge at the moment,even if they are not in control. But they represent a receding wave, not the wave of the future. The renaissance of Southern conservatism in American politics at the turn of the twenty-first century is an aberration. Protestant fundamentalists are a shrinking minority among Americans; and whites in Texas, although they dominate the electorate , are already a minority in a state where they are outnumbered by Latinos and blacks.

Trigger -happy, free- spending, Bible-thumping Southern conservatism of the kind symbolized by George W. Bush is doomed in the long run. The only question is how much damage it will do before its unregretted demise."

~Michael Lind~

While reading that quote from Michael Lind, which I found in his excellent book, "Made In Texas", I realized why I despise THE FAKE NEWS NETWORK and everything they stand for so much. It's because I can see that they have made a calculated effort to prey on the fears of Southern white Protestants and red state conservatives all over the country. And with their constant news coverage of the Muslim and Negro bogeymen, and their chicken littleesque screams of a coming World War III, their play on white Southern fears is clearly working. After all, what better way to put the fear of God into a good Southern white family that give them constant coverage of those Negroes committing crimes in the inner cities, or Muslim bogeymen getting ready to strap on bombs and head to the "Mall Of America".

So I watch as their hosts act as cheerleaders for the Bush administration, and their news remain constantly clouded by an extreme right wing bias. I am amazed when I listen or read other people who tell me that I should ignore Fox, because they are insignificant. "It's just entertainment" they say, "they are not important in the larger scheme of things". Well I say nothing could be farther from the truth. Fox News is dangerous, as is this administration that we currently find ourselves living under. And when working in unison they are more dangerous than a Joe Frazier combination. Together they have succeeded in pulling a ruse on all of us. Bush enacts the policies, and Fox sells it under the guise of giving us news. As the Guinness guys would say; BRILLIANT!

It has been a heck of a partnership, but like Mr. Lind says, it's coming to an end and starting to unravel. The FAKE NEWS NETWORK is starting to lose ratings points, and the frat boy's administration is in free fall. Looks like the American people are finally starting to see them for the lie rs that they are. I don't even blog about all their bull shit anymore, because, quite frankly, it's just too much. It's like shooting fish in a barrel with these guys.

"The failure of the nation to Americanize the South has made it possible for the South, under leaders like George W. Bush, to attempt to Southernize the United States.... Southern Conservatism has always hurt the South. Now thanks to the South's influence in Washington, Southern conservatism is hurting the United States and the world" ~Lind~

Mr Lind could have added that Fox is helping to promote that Southern influence, not only in Washington, but like the frat boy, in the entire country as well.

So listen up CBC, it's not too late.Tell the FAKE NEWS NETWORK that you cannot in good conscience participate in their phony ass debates; and give them back their checks. If they try to gag you by saying you breached a contractual agreement, tell them to go f**k themselves and sue you. Hey, if they do, solicit funds to pay for your legal defense. In fact, I have a check waiting right here to sign, just tell me who to make it out to.

Oh, before I end this post, I see where "straight talk" McCain visited Baghdad and declared that it was safe to walk some streets in Baghdad now. (yeah tell that to the Iraqis Mr. "straight talk") Why he even took a stroll in an open air market. Of course he had a few hundred of his closest military friends with hm; including snipers, assault helicopters watching his back, and a bullet proof vest to boot. Yeah, I guess under those conditions it would be pretty fu****g safe.

But anyway, since the good Senator is feeling like taking nice long walks in dangerous places, I would like him to take a walk with me in Southwest Philly one weekend night this summer. (Any weekend night, I will let him pick it) It will be great, we can get some Chinese take out, head to Woodland Avenue, and just bond with our peeps on the corner. How about it Senator? I think it's a win win for you. You could get yourself some black votes, and some white voters will vote for you because you will show them that you are a man of courage who is not afraid to go anywhere in your own country.

So do we have a deal? Hey, have your people call me I can make it happen.

Oh, but one thing, no military OK, just you, me, and maybe a few of your aids. I mean we wouldn't want all the people in the neighborhood to get nervous with all that military presence. Hell, they might get Frank Rizzo flashbacks. (which honestly, probably wouldn't be a bad thing) So do we still have a deal Senator? If we do holla at the field.

"I have been here many times over the years.... never have I been able to go out into the city as I have today"


Hopefully you will be able to say that after your trip to Philly Senator, but please don't forget to wear your bullet proof vest, you might need it.

It's Never Sunny In Killadelphia.

Hello Reverend T.D.Jakes, welcome to Killadelphia. Nice of you to visit and grace us with your presence. I see you had over 5,500 faithful people come to listen to you at Enon Baptist Church on Sunday. Apparently you had a rally with the good folks from the church to pray for us and deplore all the killings we have been having in our fair city lately. Thank you for that.

Let's talk about those killings shall we: As of the time of me writing this post, we are up to 104 and counting. (Now that could change before I finish this post)The most of any city in America. Any city! That includes New York, Los Angeles, and Houston. Cities that the last time I checked, are all larger than Philly. The latest killing comes to us by way of the Kensington section of town, where a woman's body was found beaten and with a plastic bag wrapped over her head. And, of course, there was the usual random shootings and assaults. "It was a gory night" said one poor overworked police officer. Yeah but no different than any other night here in Killadelphia, lately. Honestly, I have become almost completely numb to this sh*t.

Well I was almost numb to it; and then I read an account from a police officer who was in the middle of the chaos and it woke me the hell back up. The officer tells it like this: "Fourteen year-old Tarton George was dead,the victim of an apparently calculated drive by shooting at 10:20 PM, in North Philly. The doctors at Temple had cut open George's 21 year old companion,whom police have not identified, and were messaging his heart when his younger brother began to tell police what happened.

The boys mother cut him off and loudly warned her son "not to say a f*****g word. Don't talk to the f*****g cops," another police officer quoted the woman as saying. "We handle this our own way." "I couldn't believe it," said one of the officers who asked the Philadelphia Inquirer (from where I got this story) not to identify him.

Then moments later four young men ran up to the victim's brother and told him to "say nothing to the cops." The scene, according to those who were there, grew even more surreal. The Mother of a third shooting victim arrived and told the police: "I know who did it, and he's in this crowd." As the woman looked around for the gunmen, the crown berated her and told her to keep silent, the officer told the Inquirer. "People were telling her to be quiet and saying,'We'll get you bitch.'" The cops then called for reinforcements.

"How are we supposed to end this when we're up against these kind of societal values?" "It's discouraging and an absolute disgrace" said another officer, Sgt. Anthony McFadden.

Officer, I couldn't agree with you more. And true confessions; I battle police officers on many a day in court on behalf of my clients, but I feel for some of these guys out here grinding on these mean streets while trying to keep us safe and protect their necks at the same time. I have to honestly ask: What the f**k is wrong with our people? Why don't we value each other's lives? And what is it with this ignorant ass culture we have created where it's OK to protect those who take the lives of our children? I am sorry, but this ignorant sh*t has got to stop. We are destroying each other, and some of these mothers and adults who were charged to protect their children, are no different than the ignorant ass criminals who are out here doing this sh*t. Sorry, but I have to keep it one hundred percent with you: Many of these mothers and guardians benefit from the criminal enterprise of their children, and far too often they know exactly what's going on. Yet, they don't weep and moan until it's their own child's blood dripping on the street.

Personally, I am sick of the bull sh*t. Sick of the rallies; the teddy bears on the corner; sick of the Mayor and his empty ass statements; and sick of our do nothing police chief whose sorry ass should have been fired about fifty murders ago.

"If I was the devil I wouldn't even come to Philly with all these preachers, and powers you've got"

Sorry Reverend Jakes, the devil is already here.