tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post1159257418571538069..comments2024-03-18T22:34:29.437-04:00Comments on field negro: The Reality Of Hopelessness.field negrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15411743587725023134noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-74114659812158572312009-01-26T13:54:00.000-05:002009-01-26T13:54:00.000-05:00And now you have the previous "quarantine" of brok...And now you have the previous "quarantine" of broken down, impoverish, under-educated ghettos seeping out into the suburbs. Oh just wait. America is going to flip the hell out.<BR/><BR/>Previously, these sorts of conditions were tolerable by the general public and politicians because they didn't have to look at it or deal with it (except for us brave urban warriors who walk through it every day) - now with systemic crisis causing ripples in public service funding (or, as in the case of California, state default), the suburbs are about to get a whole lot less American dreamy moving forward.<BR/><BR/>Good. We had this coming. We should have treated our own better. <BR/><BR/>And now we ALL have to pay the piper. Wooo, doomsday is going to be a BLAST.Jr Deputy Accountanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12886649539758133191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-6948291441724977782008-08-09T23:22:00.000-04:002008-08-09T23:22:00.000-04:00[quote]Got my glock cocked, runnin this thing, ya ...[quote]<B>Got my glock cocked, runnin this thing, ya understand We be steamin.. blazin.. nines, pumps, and K's, and Holly Grove 17th</B>[/quote]<BR/><BR/>Interesting that the key talking point by many is that "today society is civilized enough for us to not need guns". Field-Negro - you call me a "suburban dweller who is unattached from the streets". It is clear based on these lyrics that you and others are clueless as to the realities in these particular people's lives.<BR/><BR/>[quote]<BR/><B>And I had represented a few of the grandsons with criminal cases; including the young buck who was running this particular set a few years ago.</B>[/quote]<BR/><BR/>Field-Negro - as a defense attorney who is listening to this - DO YOU EVER WONDER ABOUT THE VICTIMS of these criminal's actions? Do you know if they received JUSTICE when this "Thug In Training" assaulted them?<BR/><BR/>[quote]<B><BR/>But as I looked around this Southwest Philly neighborhood, I could never have imagined that a place like this could exist in the land of the free. It was, in a word, hell.</B>[/quote]<BR/><BR/>Last time I was in Philly, Field-Negro I walked up to the original duplex that I grew up in in the Overbrook section. It was for sale. I approached 3 young boys who were sitting outside as if I was interested in purchasing the property. I started to talk with them about what is going on in the community (which was obviously declining). It was clear, Field-Negro that these parts of Philly are suffering from MENTAL UNEMPLOYMENT among the people which is the basis of their LABOR FORCE unemployment. <BR/><BR/>You really need to challenge the POPULAR IDEOLOGY that you favor regarding its indoctrination of these people which told them that outside benefit was going to RAIN DOWN UPON THEM as their RIGHT to "SOCIAL JUSTICE".<BR/><BR/>Now you all (your ideology and party) have absolute control over the city and the prosperity that people VOTED FOR remain elusive. That same EXPANSIONARY CHASE which kept them UNITED and NOT ASKING QUESTIONS is being used again to allow the political force that is using them to EXPAND once more.<BR/><BR/>[quote]<B><BR/>And I had represented a few of the grandsons with criminal cases; including the young buck who was running this particular set a few years ago.</B>[/quote]<BR/><BR/>Again - do you ever think about the VICTIMS of these people's antics? Here you are seeking JUSTICE for the assailant. Who provides JUSTICE and RESTORATION for their POOR VICTIMS who's only crime is that they are trapped in the same neighborhood as this thug criminal element? Don't they deserve a piece of your justice?<BR/><BR/>[quote]<B><BR/>It's a shaky truce that we have, and everyone knows the rules. I won't charge them for legal advice, and they will (at least pretend to) listen to me.</B>[/quote]<BR/><BR/>Field-Negro in this TRANSACTION that you had with this young man who is poised to spread more death and destruction.......You provided HIM the benefit of FREE LEGAL ADVICE. What did you ASK OF HIM to complete the transaction among EQUALS? It appeared that you received the benefit of LISTENING TO YOU. When you learn to ASK SOMETHING OF HIM in the display of the VALUE OF YOUR TIME he will gain respect for you that he does not have. Instead he now figures that YOU ARE GOING TO BE THERE TO PROTECT HIM from his LATEST ASSAULT ON THE BLACK COMMUNITY - dealing DEATH one kilo at a time. <BR/><BR/><BR/>[quote]<B>Was he trying to confess to a crime, and justify why he did it because he was hungry? "Well you not hungry anymore right?" "Naw, Mr. Lawyer man, I can eat now. And I got a young jawn (That's Philly speak for any pronoun you want it to be. In this case he was talking about his child)</B>[/quote]<BR/><BR/>Clearly "WRAP IT UP" DOES NOT WORK. The cycle of human destruction within the Black community continues. Here we have a young Black male armed with sperm but not skills. He doesn't have his own life together and is on the verge of destroying other life within the Black community and yet he has a new life that he has added to the mix. In order to feed this new life - he, a predator, needs to DOPE UP some other vulnerable set of Black people to feed his own.<BR/><BR/>Is this not like a hyena on the plains going after zebra and gazelles Field-Negro?<BR/><BR/>[quote]<B><BR/>"Oh that's the kind of weight you moving around here?" "Naw not yet, but soon. I mean you cool and all lawyer man, but when I go down it will be for some big chumpy (another one of those Philly words) type shit.</B>[/quote]<BR/><BR/>I can only guess that your "lawyerly commitment" to this distributor of death is worth more than the CONSPIRACY that he just told you about to kill Black folks by dealing death?<BR/><BR/>Field-Negro - I can understand why you and I differ so much on the issue of so-called "Torture". Here you had a Thug In Training tell you exactly what he was going to do (ie: There is a bomb planted somewhere on a subway that is going to kill many people). Where as in the question of torture in your abstract theory this person telling you this has RIGHTS and you should exert no force upon him <BR/>because his rights trump the consequences that his actions are going to do to the other innocents....in this case HE TOLD YOU IN ADVANCE what he was going to do. You are able to walk away from him with this critical information but not do anything in conjunction with the AUTHORITIES. Thus when his kilo arrives he is going to distribute time lapsed death in the community and you pride yourself that you did not lay a hand on him - physically or legally - via passing even the slightest information to those who are charged with keeping law and order WITHIN the community - doesn't have to be a COP but even a Block Captain.<BR/><BR/>This is the reason why you are forced to shoot for "BOIL THE OCEAN" societal change POLITICALLY. You and your ideological soul mates are so averse to "going RIGHT" and squeezing out the CANCER CELLS one bit at a time that you must always go on the EXPANSIONARY, control the entire society and DISTRIBUTE RESOURCES per the government and all will be healed.<BR/><BR/>It is those of us who RESIST your national confiscation so that SouthWest Philly can be patched up to a point which THEIR INTERNAL ECONOMY DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR THEM who are the reason why SouthWest Philly is the way it is......in your perverted way of thinking.<BR/><BR/>[quote]<B><BR/>Amazing, his ambition in life was to get a lawyer who specializes in federal cases, because he plans to move enough drugs to get the federal government on his case. But he was hungry once, and he doesn't ever want to feel that way again</B>[/quote]<BR/><BR/>HOW did he get such ambition Field-Negro? Was he told that he was intelligent, EQUAL, competent and that HIS ACTIONS of HIGH INTEGRITY were necessary for the entire community to prosper? Or was he told that by VOTING and staying UNIFIED that the people outside of the clutches of Philly will be made to SHARE, even if it is unwillingly?<BR/><BR/>[quote]<BR/><B>President Obama. It has a nice ring to it. I wonder if he will come to Southwest Philly? <BR/></B>[/quote]<BR/><BR/>He does not need to go to SouthWest Philly. He needs to go to Chicago and see what the imposition of ACORN POLICIES have done. This is the group in which he was a COMMUNITY ACTOR-VIST for years ago when he wanted to "get in touch with the Black community". This group is a CAPITAL DESTRUCTION group.<BR/><BR/>Obama and the MACHINE that he is a part of does not need to go to SOUTHWEST PHILLY Field-Negro. They need to be HELD ACCOUNTABLE for these wastelands!!!Constructive Feedbackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13417405356099504421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-19724919553043091752008-08-09T22:51:00.000-04:002008-08-09T22:51:00.000-04:00FieldNegro - before I start bashing you, your ideo...FieldNegro - before I start bashing you, your ideology and the situation that you present to us - DO YOU AT LEAST FEEL SORTA CHEAP after this experience? I mean hear you are "sellout out" your life for the machine, the ideology and the prevailing economic force that dominates the City Of Philadelphia and seek more national entrenchment and all the while in front of you are the FRUITS of what they have delivered to you! This 85% Democratic city of Philadelphia.<BR/><BR/>What are you and other operatives ultimately working for Field-Negro? If you claim that it is on behalf of the streets of "SouthWest Philly", "West Philly" and "North Philly" - you are LYING!!<BR/><BR/>It pains me to see my home town having degraded to the extent that it has. Those houses in SouthWest Philly have been in a massive state of disrepair for more than 20 years. What you need to focus on is either MOVING the people out to places around the country where there are "CONSUMERS OF LABOR" who can purchase that which they have to sell in the way of their skills OR lobby for Philadelphia and other urban dinosaurs to drop their HOSTILE POLICIES which drove the "consumers of labor" out in the first place.<BR/><BR/>What good is THEORETICAL union benefits and protection......when you don't have a DAMNED JOB to express them on? <BR/><BR/>(Please note Field-Negro - I now use your blog as the official murder count of the City of Philadelphia. Thanks for keeping it up to date.<BR/><BR/>http://malcolmxpark.org/?cat=14)Constructive Feedbackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13417405356099504421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-48315978059600439632008-08-07T21:03:00.000-04:002008-08-07T21:03:00.000-04:00randi523 and a2dak:However, a lot of it has to do ...randi523 and a2dak:<BR/><BR/>However, a lot of it has to do with kids raising kids, and fathers who enjoyed making babies, but deserted the mothers when it came time to raise them. Half of the kids living today have more brothers and sisters who by the way are by more different mothers than I care to mention. However, we already know that it’s usually the females who get all the blame for it and the short end of the stick. Nevertheless, some of these men need to keep their penis in their pants if they’re not ready to honor their part of the baby making process.<BR/><BR/>There is one particular neighborhood out here where I live that was so bad, until the police wouldn’t even go out there. Drug dealers had shot out the streetlights and kept shooting them out. It took an acid spill for money to, finally, be poured into that neighborhood for redevelopment, in order for the streets to be cleaned of the crime that went on out there. It was one of those areas that looked almost like the picture on this topic. You go out there now; you wouldn’t even recognize it because of redevelopment. The majority of the bad element out there is either dead or in prison.<BR/><BR/>We had a two other ones that was so bad, until they resembled New Jack City, because the drug dealers had took it over. People couldn’t even go visit their friends without being stopped by drug dealers, and basically, no one wanted to because they didn’t want to get caught up in the cross fire. Laying face down on their floors became a daily habit and way of life because of the drive-bys and walking around in their living rooms or sitting down on their couches was too dangerous. Redevelopment changed that the same way it did in the area I mentioned above in the prior paragraph. Granny just thanks God daily that I never had to live like that or in those three areas.<BR/><BR/>However, we not just going to put the blame on the drug dealers, because our government has a lot to do with it too, and it’s enough blame to go around from the drug dealers, parents, government, schools, poverty, and the list goes on.<BR/><BR/>The thing is what are folks who are concerned going to do about it besides complain about the problem? I talk to young men and women every change I get and have even wrote young men in prison to get them to turn their lives around when lead to and have had success in reaching them and getting them to change their lifestyle. I have some peculiar methods sometimes in grabbing their attention at times depending on the circumstances, but so far it has worked and they call me Granny too. <BR/><BR/>When you can walk into a place where young men have guns piled high on a table getting ready to go and retaliate, get them to change their minds, break down and cry. Then you come back, holler at me, because I've done this before. You see, Granny is not only talking the talk, walking the walk, she is living it. I don’t feel that all kids are lost, because they can be persuaded, it just takes some effort on people who want to see a change behalf, love, and respect. In addition, if given a chance, the majority of those drug dealers would make great CEO’s. I totally agree with you there.<BR/><BR/>BTW, most girls choose to do what is right, with the exception of those ones who get tied up with the wrong male living the fast life,and even most of them want to do what is right. They just weak.GrannyStandingforTruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18393482390585845081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-61754553932074123032008-08-07T20:16:00.000-04:002008-08-07T20:16:00.000-04:00randi523 and a2dak:I need to clarify something wit...randi523 and a2dak:<BR/><BR/>I need to clarify something with both of you to avoid a misunderstanding. I wasn't referring to the drug dealer. I understand that this article mentioned one, but that is not what I had in mind when I wrote what I did. Because I am totally against drug dealers bringing poison into our neighborhoods, and I'm just as much against those politicians and big wheels that smuggle it into our neighborhoods and get away Scott free with it, while our young black men waste away in prison doing both of their time. <BR/><BR/>In my opinion, drug dealers are not using their head and misguided, because the outcome of selling drugs only leads to two outcomes in life—death or prison. It's just another form of genocide in which our young black men are caught up in a game that is bringing death to our neighborhoods in three ways—the users, dealers, and innocent victims caught in the crossfire of their drug wars. In addition, it has made people prisoners in their own homes decked with bars on the windows. <BR/><BR/>Granny has attended four funerals in one day before a few times behind what crack does to a neighborhood. I hear of kids killing kids on a regular basis. Granny has even witnessed a young person being shot and take their last breath as death took over their body at all places, a funeral repast. What makes it even worse is all of these kids killing each other parents were friends, grew up together, socialized together, and imaginary boundary lines didn’t exist back when they were coming up.GrannyStandingforTruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18393482390585845081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-45092339559466595912008-08-07T10:26:00.000-04:002008-08-07T10:26:00.000-04:00a2dak makes a poignant statement: "Anyone can achi...a2dak makes a poignant statement: "Anyone can achieve in this country if they are willing to pay the price. We have to stop telling our young men what they cannot do."<BR/><BR/>Because, really, if one thinks about it, by just accepting the excuses made for Black men selling drugs, under-achieving, shunning education/knowledge, etc., it is like you are indirectly telling our young men that they cannot be successful in this life unless they sell drugs. <BR/><BR/>But if a non-Black person even insinuated that a Black person could not succeed in America by hard work and education but by selling drugs or relying on the 'system', we'd be up in arms! Very contradicting.Allison Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17058178511898387086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-38776760471688847912008-08-07T10:07:00.000-04:002008-08-07T10:07:00.000-04:00Granny,Just as randi523 said, there are no promise...Granny,<BR/><BR/>Just as randi523 said, there are no promises. We all know that. I've made preparations in case of an unforeseen emergency. However, if I need to go work at Wal-Mart or go back to McDs to feed my family, you better believe that I'll be working both at the same time while trying to get back on my feet. <BR/><BR/>The problem is that a lot of people refuse to EVER work at a place or a job that they believe is "beneath them". They can make make more money selling drugs, so they do that instead. However, we all know that is short lived. By the time they're locked up, I'd have another job. <BR/><BR/>Anyone can achieve in this country if they are willing to pay the price. We have to stop telling our young men what they cannot do.A2daKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09524395109206895764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-88340912698819814112008-08-07T09:50:00.000-04:002008-08-07T09:50:00.000-04:00I am in total agreement with Anon 9:25 PM's statem...I am in total agreement with Anon 9:25 PM's statements.Allison Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17058178511898387086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-46719187727107132402008-08-07T09:47:00.000-04:002008-08-07T09:47:00.000-04:00Granny said:"The only thing that Granny has to say...Granny said:<BR/><BR/>"The only thing that Granny has to say to those of you who have made it and think that since you've made it, everyone else should be able to make it too. All that's fine and dandy, but I just have to remind you that your paycheck is not guaranteed with the way things are going right now and with economy as fragile as it is at this present time.<BR/>Sometimes I wonder if anyone has even given this some thought, you know, the fact that we're headed towards a paperless society where money will be worthless and won't do you no good."<BR/><BR/>Interesting statements. Yes, we all know our paychecks are not guaranteed-heck, nothing in life in guaranteed. But I'm sure the guy in this article didn't go out and get a nice job and get laid off after 15 years, had a mortgage, car payment, and bills, and THEN decided to sling drugs. I'm willing to bet this guy hadn't had 2 jobs, and is probably not even 21 years old. Has his WHOLE life ahead of him to try many things to achieve success, but he gave up and started slinging drugs. I've lost a couple of jobs, been hungry, catching the bus, etc. I NEVER entertained the thought of selling drugs, and I'm sure many, many, many other people facing financial hardships haven't either. NOT A GOOD ENOUGH EXCUSE.<BR/><BR/>You mentioned a paperless society, where [cash] money will be worthless. Well, that spells doom for a drug dealer, right, unless he gets a portable credit card reader?? STILL NOT A GOOD ENOUGH EXCUSE.<BR/><BR/>Like I said in a previous post, please do not mistake my not condoning the selling of drugs for elitism, or looking down on anyone. I grew up in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Mobile, AL, and my mother still lives there. I have no reason to cast judgement on anyone. I'm just tired of everyone making excuses for these able-bodied Black men out here that would rather resort to crime than go out and make an honest living. All of us have to start somewhere, and more than likely, that start is not at the Fortune 500 company as the VP. <BR/><BR/>And, I AM NOT one of those people that looks down on poor people/people needing a helping hand. I volunteer with child advocacy programs (CASA), homeless shelters for women and children, and food kitchens, and I'll be applying for Big Brothers Big Sisters soon. So I'm not one that's just talking the talk and not walking the walk.Allison Mirandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17058178511898387086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-76730818014900750952008-08-07T06:09:00.000-04:002008-08-07T06:09:00.000-04:001. The guy is assuming he'll still be alive to pot...1. The guy is assuming he'll still be alive to potentially be prosecuted.<BR/>2. He seems to think he's an actor in a gangster film.<BR/>3. If he thought more positively he could use that focus and commitment to crime to say going to business school and running a company [of course a lot of those CEOs are crooks too].<BR/>4. What is wrong with people today?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-65514617340644095062008-08-07T04:29:00.000-04:002008-08-07T04:29:00.000-04:00Whelp, I've read just about what everyone has to s...Whelp, I've read just about what everyone has to say about this topic. Some of the arguments were pretty good in behalf of the poor. <BR/><BR/>The only thing that Granny has to say to those of you who have made it and think that since you've made it, everyone else should be able to make it too. All that's fine and dandy, but I just have to remind you that your paycheck is not guaranteed with the way things are going right now and with economy as fragile as it is at this present time.<BR/><BR/>Sometimes I wonder if anyone has even given this some thought, you know, the fact that we're headed towards a paperless society where money will be worthless and won't do you no good. <BR/><BR/>We all can say what we would, or what we wouldn't do, or what we should do, but you really don't know what the future holds for you, and yes, what you might do to survive. An illness could strike, or lost of a job, or the company could be outsourced, or layoffs, etc. <BR/><BR/>The banks are folding,the stock market is very unstable, and face it the economy ain't looking so hot, you really don't know what you'd do or wouldn't do or how you would do it, until that times comes. <BR/><BR/>I've witness people riding high and living good in my life time, and in a blink of an eye, they lost everything they had. Yup, stripped down to nothing, but the clothes they had on their back. The odd thing is that it was those same people that they looked down on that came to their rescue. Don't think for a minute that some of your relatives or friends that are prospering will be the ones to come to your rescue. Nope, because those will be the very ones that will surprise you and feel just like you feeling now about those less fortunate than you.<BR/><BR/>Life is strange sometimes when you look at it. Poor people will give a person their last to help someone in need or each other, but people who have it will act like they deaf and dumb when you need a helping hand and going through hard times. Yup, those will be the very ones that will turn their back on you, including your relatives.<BR/><BR/>Field:<BR/>Yup, I live on the leftcoast.GrannyStandingforTruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18393482390585845081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-21005003592983327382008-08-07T02:22:00.000-04:002008-08-07T02:22:00.000-04:00Thank you for an important and poignant essay on t...Thank you for an important and poignant essay on the conditions of Black America's poor and hopeless...<BR/><BR/> It lays bare the iniquity that America wants hidden. You write the truth. It must be told.<BR/>Keep Writing. <BR/><BR/>From the Field,<BR/>Black RoseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-61767527241507720702008-08-06T21:25:00.000-04:002008-08-06T21:25:00.000-04:00Field, This article is total bullshit. If these ch...Field, <BR/><BR/>This article is total bullshit. If these children are hungry I know one place which will feed them both in mind and stomach, this place is called School. Last time I checked our schools served both breakfast and lunch. Two out of three meals are totally free. In addition, these children can gain an education which will enable them to remain “fed‘ the rest of their lives. Black children will remain hungry as long as its culture continues to promote poor education and a lack of a work ethic. As for poverty in this country there are plenty opportunities to raise oneself out of poverty without selling drugs as your teens aspire to do. In order for black society to advance we must embrace the values of an obama versus jesse Jackson and al sharp ton. Obama believes in hard work, sacrifice, and personal responsibility instead of demagoguery and propaganda. One could argue Field is dishing the same propaganda that Jackson and shaprton are serving Federal prison is hardly something to aspire to. I hate to say it field but if this teen is accepting your advice chances are he will be a lifer. Field I hate to say I don’t believe your free advice because pro bono is one concept you are not familiar with. For real change we need Obama 08 because YES WE CAN!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-39185177185896718812008-08-06T20:18:00.000-04:002008-08-06T20:18:00.000-04:00akdak:I think what's currently happening is ever w...akdak:<BR/><BR/>I think what's currently happening is ever widening gap between rich and poor. I am suggesting another book entitled "The Two Income Trap: Why Middle-Class Mothers and Fathers Are Going Broke" by Elizabeth Warren and Amelia Warren Tyagi writing in 2003 that discuss the problems along with writing about bankruptcy and rising rates of foreclosures, and that was before any mention of the sub-prime scandal. During the 50s and 60s, many blue collar workers made good wages which pushed into into middle class. Unfortunately, manufacturers are closing factories. Look at what's happening in Michigan which the three auto makers who were the big employers in the state are now laying off thousands of workers and the idea of the middle class is shrinking.<BR/><BR/>In this current climate, it's going to be difficult to do and I am sure anyone who are writing comments agree that times are tough. We are spending more money on gas and food. Imagine living in a rural area where you need a car to get to work, and you cannot afford go because of price of gas. Most people who are working and poor, I know it's oxymoron but it's a realistic paradox there are people out there who are working and are barely making it. The government has not changed of what is considered living on the poverty line. $18,000 for a family poverty is considered above the poverty line, an amount that has not changed in 30 years. Technical, the government does not have defined what is considered middle-class in this country. A single person making $45,000 is consider middle-class, but so is a a family of four. Amazing. <BR/><BR/>The American Dream is an advertising concept created in the 1950s to get consumers to purchase goods such as home appliances and automobiles after WWII, and people were suckered into buying things because we deserved, consumerism at it's best. It's really kind of scary that I know this, but there was a great documentary on the history channel called the 1950s where the author David Halberstam discusses the idea of the American dream.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-1554617045931401922008-08-06T19:51:00.000-04:002008-08-06T19:51:00.000-04:00Chica,I hate to tell you this but your post reads ...Chica,<BR/>I hate to tell you this but your post reads as grade inflation. Normally I would not point out the glaring inconsistency between what you purport and what is visible. There are trolls for this sort of work and they are very proficient. <BR/><BR/>Think of this as a gentle nudge to achieve.<BR/><BR/>If you would like to see actual writers may I suggest the eminent Field, the atheist PZ Myers, the femme blogger Pandagon and Badtux. Each of these is far superior to my scribblings and would give you the template for success.<BR/><BR/>MoldAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-47053098832112370262008-08-06T19:47:00.000-04:002008-08-06T19:47:00.000-04:00I am always at the tail end of the comments (sigh ...I am always at the tail end of the comments (sigh . . . ) <BR/><BR/>but Field . . . did you or did you not just drink the Obama-ade??? and hardly anybody noticed?!<BR/><BR/>I do agree that "just" having Obama as president isn't going to solve things--yeesh, nothing's going to help this messed-up country--but nevertheless, I know it's way better than the alternative.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-74522525542741430622008-08-06T19:04:00.000-04:002008-08-06T19:04:00.000-04:00Anonymous at 6:16. Please explain. Is it that the...Anonymous at 6:16. Please explain. <BR/><BR/>Is it that they cannot, will not, or don't know how? I'm not convinced that they "cannot live this american dream". Why not? Why can't they? If they worked hard, stayed clean and educated themselves, why can't they achieve for themselves what's out there? Others are doing it. Why can't they? There are only a few Bill Gates. But, anyone can take themselves from where they are to bigger and better things. <BR/><BR/>For what it's worth, I believe that black youth mainly lack good examples on what's needed to fully reach their potential and achieve in this country. For years, wealth wasn't available to us. Therefore, as a whole, we never really learned how to develop and keep wealth.<BR/><BR/>Not sure what's possible on a large scale. But, IMHO, being a good example, creating experiences and helping those within your reach is a good start.A2daKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09524395109206895764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-39592378123072451992008-08-06T18:16:00.000-04:002008-08-06T18:16:00.000-04:00field, things like this break my heart. as a Black...field, things like this break my heart. as a Black American it pains me to see this same thing in southwest GA, West B-more and D-town. It's sad and what makes me even more upset is that I don't know what I can do about it on a large scale. Even though many of our brothers and sisters in the west indies or in africa don't understand that coming to america is all good but there are many black people who cannot live this american dream you guys might come here to chase.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-83887034942822785332008-08-06T17:56:00.000-04:002008-08-06T17:56:00.000-04:00Yobachi, I am honored fam.Yobachi, I am honored fam.field negrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15411743587725023134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-12916075946982599432008-08-06T17:55:00.000-04:002008-08-06T17:55:00.000-04:00Yobachi, I am honored fam.Yobachi, I am honored fam.field negrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15411743587725023134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-56248740371417205082008-08-06T17:51:00.000-04:002008-08-06T17:51:00.000-04:00FN,Very insightful words there. I can relate to th...FN,<BR/><BR/>Very insightful words there. I can relate to the dialogue because I once lived as the young man who spoke of never wanting to be hungry again. I even accepted the fact that 'the inevitable' was inevitable and I even looked past that risk as being worth it - that's pretty much the sentiment of many who are just tired of struggling and not really wanting to go through the proper steps (which you and other have) in order to make a true change in their lives and communities.<BR/><BR/>Also, great point about the children who suffer the most when it's all said and done. They have not been taught how to properly deal with poverty, so they repeat the same 'emotions' of the ones who never took the time to school them on how to <I>really</I> eat.Donhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02904024507867487521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-80003130029120573102008-08-06T17:43:00.000-04:002008-08-06T17:43:00.000-04:00You finally get the point. Good for you. For a min...You finally get the point. Good for you. For a minute there, I thought you didn't care about black folks anymore.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-15867178232518947142008-08-06T16:53:00.000-04:002008-08-06T16:53:00.000-04:00Jibreel:Perhaps one day you would like to give a l...Jibreel:<BR/><BR/>Perhaps one day you would like to give a lecture on the power of positive thinking. I have had conversations with individuals on topic of poverty who do not understand that poverty does not only exist in the inner cities, but in pockets across the country. For instance, Marks, Mississippi if most people do not remember or know, but Martin Luther King, Jr. visited the area before his death. Marks, Miss was poor then, and it has not changed in over 40 years. Not only do I believe that racism is part of the problem, but classism. People do not like the poverty stricten, and cannot understand why they would continue to live in those conditions year after year. For many families poverty is generational and a cycle. We do not want to see poor people because it is reminder that some of us are not far from being in the same place. Some bad breaks like a medical condition that could ten of thousands of dollars, and some of us will be wearing a pickle barrel as an outfit, and living in a cardboard box. The prospect of being poor terrifies some of us, therefore we criticize them and promote stereotypes as we do with race, gender, and sexual orientation.<BR/><BR/>Jibreel, Europeans have a lower number of individual living below the poverty level because it managed to have programs in place to help people. I have always believe that in addition to public primary schools, secondary education should be free as well. Also, giving the fact that the United States seems to brag about being the richest country in the world, we should not have poverty period. I do not know if you ever traveled outside the country, but I will never forget when I vacationed in the Bahamas, a native man asked me if I lived in the projects. There is a preception around the world that all black people are poor and live in the projects. Of course that was some years ago, and many of the projects have been torn down, but that he asked me spoke volumes. It's a great paradox in this country, and people outside and living her does not understand why it exist.<BR/><BR/>In Marks, the biggest business in the area are the casinos and that's a 100 miles away from the town, so getting there isn't accessible. Welfare office is more than 50 miles limiting one's ability to receive services for healthcare or food, and education well let's just say it's lacking as well.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-51621530994662617372008-08-06T16:45:00.000-04:002008-08-06T16:45:00.000-04:00Enron? Kenneth Lay? Worlcom? forget who, the rapis...Enron? Kenneth Lay? Worlcom? forget who, the rapist who was raped as a kid? Cold hearted world makes cold hearted neighborhoodsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23428832.post-36947107687616475332008-08-06T15:47:00.000-04:002008-08-06T15:47:00.000-04:00Phil4Real said... ”Easier said than done Randi. Wh...Phil4Real said... <BR/><I>”Easier said than done Randi. Whens the last time you lived in a young black mans shoes..... We're losing the war on the young black man. I can confirm that he's hopeless in America.... </I>”<BR/><BR/>sigh... All you're missing now is the violin.<BR/><BR/><BR/><I>"Yeah he probably should've stayed in school, but mama got laid off and somebody had to make some money.</I>"<BR/><BR/>Somehow a black female always has to be a scapegoat in this.<BR/><BR/><BR/><I>"If you're a school teacher, volunteer your time to convicts. They need education too."</I><BR/><BR/>They had their chance, they can read books in their libraries, in between the three meals a day. Black society need to expend their time and focus to keep black children in school. These children need those resources to compete with today's educational/economical market. Forget the raping murdering stealing fighting drug pushing criminals. <BR/><BR/>I don't mince words a long day at work.La♥audiobookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00113372034561824170noreply@blogger.com