The world is going through an enormous transformation. It is literally throwing up on itself with fury from all its planetary shifts and weather changes...We witnessed much of this in the ungodliness that occurred during Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath....We must keep the faith. "That which is done in darkness, shall be revealed to light," this much I know is true.
"The cloud of First World pissing and moaning hanging over Generation Y was rendered null and void in April 1994, when extremist Hutus in Rwanda's government ordered the wholesale slaughter of the nation's million plus Tutsis. When the blood dried three months later, an exact body count proved elusive -- perhaps because there was no one on the cleanup crew with 800,000 fingers. What's for sure is that it was the most efficient snuffing of life since we dropped a pair of WMD on Japan.
Paul Rusesabagina, a Hutu, was managing a swanky Hotel des Mille Collines when the carnage started. Though the price of a one-night stay at the hotel was roughly half the average of Rwandan's annual income, Ruseabagina opened the hotel's doors to scores of fleeting Tutsis and kept the machete mobs at bay through a combination of diplomacy and alcohol. His Autobiography "An Ordinary Man" reveals the mental and emotional process Don Cheadle's Oscar-nominated portrayal of him in "Hotel Rwanda" couldn't."
-- Philadelphia Weekly (James Houston)
Check him out on April 11th, 8pm Free Library 1901 Vine St.
That's all it ever takes. Just one ordinary person, being brave enough to do something extraordinary. Remember, he was a Hutu. He was helping what would have normally been his "enemies." And yes, we as a people must take responsibility for our part in some of these atrocities, particularly here in America. It's not always as simple as black vs. white. The real enemy has no face. We must ALL take a stand for righteousness and truth.
One.
"The cloud of First World pissing and moaning hanging over Generation Y was rendered null and void in April 1994, when extremist Hutus in Rwanda's government ordered the wholesale slaughter of the nation's million plus Tutsis. When the blood dried three months later, an exact body count proved elusive -- perhaps because there was no one on the cleanup crew with 800,000 fingers. What's for sure is that it was the most efficient snuffing of life since we dropped a pair of WMD on Japan.
Paul Rusesabagina, a Hutu, was managing a swanky Hotel des Mille Collines when the carnage started. Though the price of a one-night stay at the hotel was roughly half the average of Rwandan's annual income, Ruseabagina opened the hotel's doors to scores of fleeting Tutsis and kept the machete mobs at bay through a combination of diplomacy and alcohol. His Autobiography "An Ordinary Man" reveals the mental and emotional process Don Cheadle's Oscar-nominated portrayal of him in "Hotel Rwanda" couldn't."
-- Philadelphia Weekly (James Houston)
Check him out on April 11th, 8pm Free Library 1901 Vine St.
That's all it ever takes. Just one ordinary person, being brave enough to do something extraordinary. Remember, he was a Hutu. He was helping what would have normally been his "enemies." And yes, we as a people must take responsibility for our part in some of these atrocities, particularly here in America. It's not always as simple as black vs. white. The real enemy has no face. We must ALL take a stand for righteousness and truth.
One.
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Re: Paul Rusesabagina (Rwandan Hutu) April 11th...
Wed, April 19, 2006 - 11:52 AM"And yes, we as a people must take responsibility for our part in some of these atrocities, particularly here in America. "
What responsibility do I hold as an American citizen in the ethnic cleansing of another nation? What part did I play in it?
And if you mention the WMD's in Japan, well let us not forget WHY those bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Japanese declared war on the US by act of aggression in the surprise attack and bombing of Pearl Harbor and the killing of many innocent people, including our servicemen and servicewomen. After fighting a very bitter war for awhile, the US was tired of it. So, the US bombed them and this was instrumental in ending the war the Japanese started against us. They asked for it, they got it, they backed down and now they are a very very very rich nation. We rebuilt them, and they ran with it.
One of the smartest things on this planet for an impoverished nation holding some kind of serious military might to do is to declare war on America, let tens of thousands of their men get killed in a useless war against us, then surrender. They will get rebuilt, have a lot of financial boosts and assistance, and eventually, they will be able to rival other first world countries in the global economy. The key of course, is to surrender. If they don't surrender, they get jack crap. If they surrender, we will bring them into the 21st century. -
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Re: Paul Rusesabagina (Rwandan Hutu) April 11th...
Wed, April 19, 2006 - 4:29 PMI think the more important question is not, "what part do I hold as an American citizen in the ethnic cleansing of another nation?" but what part do we as Americans (black, white, red or other) hold in the atrocites HERE in America? African Americans BUILT this country. It became a rich nation because of the free labor, blood, sweat, tears of my ancestors. We were raped, burned, mutilated, lynched because of FEAR. This "ethnic cleansing" as you speak of, is more pronounced here than any where in the world. Yet, it's more subliminal and less overt now...It's masked and disquised in racial discrimination in the workforce, in education, in housing, etc. Benign, socialistic programs like affrimative action allow a few of us entry ...But the masses of people of color are still living in poverty, with poor educational resources, poor healthcare, low income housing, and the lack of basic sustenance. So, yes, we do share a responsibility in the atrocities that continue to affect millions of people...Instead of pointing the figure at other countries, what are we doing about making life better for millions of people HERE in America? -
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Re: Paul Rusesabagina (Rwandan Hutu) April 11th...
Thu, April 20, 2006 - 9:12 PMOkay, your complete lack of a grasp on the reality of America has lost your case with me. After seeing what was going on in Bosnia and hearing some American compare that with America, well, forget it pal. You lost me for good, and nothing you say from here on out will mean diddly-squat to me.
As for inadequacies in America, I know so many teens in my town alone who drop out of FREE public school and get pregnant so that they can get "free" housing and move out of momma's house, simply because momma won't let them party and smoke cigarettes. You can go on and on about how poor our education system is and how that is the cause for these lowlifes, but our schools are placed in an area where very rich kids go as well. Therefore, the rich families ensure that our schools have top-notch teachers and equipment for everyone. They don't go through the class roster and say "all the poor non-whites have to go to other classrooms so they can't use all the nice new stuff the rich white kids parents bought". I am sick and tired of people making poor life choices on their own and then blaming it on "the system". Get over your color dammit. It is an insistance on blaming your color for all life's ills that will continue to keep people of color who refuse to take control of their own lives down. Ask a black judge who grew up in the streets how whitey kept him from ever having a life. Ask a black geneticist who struggled and fought her way through school because her momma was on welfare how the system prevented her from making it in America. Sorry pal. You CHOOSE to not stand up and make it, or you CHOOSE to not let the circumstances of your life keep you where you were born. And to put a finer point on it, blacks and browns and yellows (since you are so big on color distinctions) CAN go to college. They CAN work two or three jobs to pay for it, just like many whites have to. They CAN find scholarships, especially when there are a lot of black-only, brown-only, and yellow-only schollarships out there specifically to help those groups out. I even earned a scholarship for (and this is paraphrased) "Old Biddies Going Back to College After a 10-Year Hiatus"
On another note, when all my bosses were black, and all my employees were black, and I was one of three white people (by skin color only because I am actually mixed-race, but they didn't know that), please tell me how me and the other two non-blacks were keeping everyone else down. Please explain to me how they were the minority, and the three of us non-dark complected people were the majority. Explain how all three of us were provided better job opportunities and pay scales than all the blacks there, to include those appointed over me. Give it up pal. Your argument had a place in the 60's and 70's, but now, the playing field is fairly equal. If you were an illegal alien you might be able to claim the issues of unfairness towards you in America, but simply being an illegal alien makes you undeserving of anything an American citizen gets.
I am done with this thread... -
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Re: Paul Rusesabagina (Rwandan Hutu) April 11th...
Sun, April 23, 2006 - 6:40 PM
Wendy, i see you're still carrying around all that racist texas hate inside you...
i thought you would have learn something by now and grown a little bit... nope, you're looking at all this on an individual basis and not a socially. (is this some messed up personal vendetta you have of black people based on your personal history)
you don't have a clue do you? or know anything about city planning and development?
or the structor of schools and the state or the legal system?
so what if you know someone that's doing better than you and that happen to be black...
who cares?... do the numbers.. socally as a whole african americans lives
are at stake. the system has structured it this way...
look at Katrina in New Orleans ..it's the same thing that's been happening on a daily bases around the states...every hood USA ... every south side ...
and that's right, even so much more than your poor white trash, do the numbers; follow Govt spending, look at educational system and why some schools get more or less.
where are your stats wendy, talk is cheap ...show me why we no longer need affirmative action...show me why it's no longer a concern to be African American, show me the equal playing filed... and how the dream has arrived...SHOW ME Wendy? huh?
show me your proof... not your personal hang ups
show me that being black in America is no differnet that being white ..show me that black people aren't being targeted with the war on drugs, which in really is the war on poor black people ...who are forced into the black market...show me the benifits of how the poor pay the most taxes show me wendy ...i have the numbers do you?
black up all your talk with facts...
just because we got a few spots that make it at the top...or the mastas table
or we got a "black women" in the white house..what?
we no longer have a need to fight for social justice? Or to fight for womens rights, and social equality and justice? it's this type of country Texas style of confusion that got us in these wars to begin with and got Bushshit in ...
Wendy so let's get rid of all socal programs ...all the laws for womens rights
it's this type of thinking that's hurting women...and other minorities
i recommend getting a real education outside of Texas (one of the most racist states in america)
individually i tell people they can do anything but not socially
yeah you get a few of the so called "who make it" most of them are sell outs, uncle toms...house negros on the pay roll...just to have one little spot to make it look diverse and give the office some color
and yes IT IS about color ... you know a god when you pass one... people get scared, and start locking doors and shit, they know they're guity... same way they do in the educational system, the legal system, and the job market ...it's that simple
i work with some of the top firms in diversity recruiting in every state USA, how many executives are being hired... how many in most corporations ...how many in the Tech fields
i know the numbers...do you?
it's easy to make it out of college who's hiring black folks?
as for Japan these are war crimes should have never happened...you don't kill inocent women and children for generations to come to end a war... that's why your so called american is so ampted about stoping other countries from getting them...yet the US is the only one to have done this horrible act...
you stand behind these killings and mass murderings because you've been brained washed TEXAS STYLE
"that it somehow saved our men"... who told you that lie?
get out of here with that crap...is this what they teach you in Texas huh?
WAR CRIMES ...no atomic boom should have EVER been dropped
learn about causes and poltics of war before you start lipping off ..and watch your mouth when it comes to my brothers and sisters ...you're not mixed either so stop frontin
Texas for gods sake -
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For those who want to learn...
Sun, April 23, 2006 - 8:23 PM"black up your talk with facts..."
I know this might have been a typo, but "black up" was so on point ...The words and insights were clearly understood....at least to those who are willing to listen and learn...The problem is people don't want to hear the truth, and many whites who want to understand, can't. We are living in two separate worlds -- the haves and the have nots -- the system is designed to keep black people shackled and out of the game. Period. Very little has changed in America, only the tactics have changed.
Try this: Google: Felons+Jobs+race
You should be able to find a study that was conducted about 3 years ago that found that white felons were interviewed and offered positions at a higher rate than Black non-felons.
That's right, even whites with records got hired more than blacks who have never gone to prision.
Poor black neighborhoods are patrolled more, black males are pulled over more and randomly searched more, asked to take off their clothes, their shoes, etc. They may do a bid of 5 years for crack and/or gun possession, while white men commiting the same crime, might serve a year to 3 for possessing cocaine (which obviously costs more than crack) and/or illegally carrying a gun. Even then they may get off on parole in less time. When was the last time you saw a white man leaving Wall Street in his Marc Jacobs suit getting pulled over after reaching in his side pocket for his stash?
Young black boys are ending up in jail for common adolescent behavior like fighting, truancy, stealing and experimenting with drugs. Our schools and our criminal justice system are becoming modern day plantations for warehousing and enslaving bright young minds.
As Chaz said, the numbers are there for those who want to learn the truth. For those who don't, I wish you well. -
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Re: For those who want to learn...
Fri, May 5, 2006 - 12:27 PMEducation, Employment/Economics, Incarceration/Crime
Over the past 20 years, the plight of Black men in America has consistently gotten worse, but over this last year, it has become catastrophic! By virtually any measure -- education, family matters, economics, employment, health, incarceration -- the life spirit of Black men in America is being crushed! Now is the time for action and change or it will be too late.
The latest education completion rate data from the National Student Clearinghouse and the Schott Foundation for Public Education show that only 2.5% of Black male freshman students from Chicago public high schools graduated from college by the time they were 25 years old; nationally, only 41% of Black male students graduated from high school; and of the too few Black males who enrolled in college, only 22% graduated after six years. This is an educational holocaust that guarantees utter and complete devastation in Black communities across America in coming decades! As Black men have little success in education and less access to the economic mainstream of America, many Black communities will not be able to survive.
Recently, staff at The Black Star Project was told there should be no more reporting of the facts about the sorrowful plight of Black men in America. Unfortunately, it is not the reporting of the facts that is the problem. The problem is the “hellish” factual reality that millions of Black boys and men live through everyday in America. This outrage must be reported until the Black community and America rise to the level of action required to solve this problem. Simply reporting or not reporting the news will not improve the lives of Black men, the lives of their children or the communities in which they live. We must have positive, concerted and coordinated action from the Black community and from America.
Growing our awareness and understanding of the problem helps to raise the consciousness of the community enough to design, implement and complete a successful action plan. To solve this problem, we must organize, plan, act and evaluate, and then continuously act again and evaluate again until the problem is solved. The Black Star Project needs your help for an historic and accelerated movement to lift up the Black “invisible” and suffering men in America whose plight is inextricably linked to that of us all.
During the months of May and June in 2006, throughout America, organizers of hundreds of “leaderless,” grassroots, town hall meetings will host sessions (in Wisconsin, California, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, North Carolina, Illinois and in other states) to align on the solutions to the problems of Black men. Solutions and next steps outlined in these highly structured meetings will be shared in communities throughout America. We need people to host meetings in cities, towns, universities, churches and community centers across America.
Pass the word that we must make the change. This is not only a Black male problem—this is an American problem. Black men need to lead the effort to educate, organize and mobilize to lift up Black men, but all of America has a powerful role to play in solving this ongoing, deepening plight of Black men. Black men must become the change that they seek.
For more information on how to sponsor a town hall meeting in your community, please call 312/842-3527, email blackstar1000@ameritech.net or visit www.blackstarproject.org.
By Phillip Jackson, Executive Director,
The Black Star Project,
1333 South Wabash, Box 20, Chicago, Illinois 60605
312/842-3527 or email at blackstar1000@ameritech.net
May 3, 2006 -
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Re: For those who want to learn...
Fri, May 5, 2006 - 12:27 PMFacts about the Deepening Plight of Black Men in America
In Education/Family
* For every 100 Black male Chicago high school freshman students, only 2.5% obtain a bachelor's degree by the time they're 25.
* Only 41% of Black men graduate from high school in the United States.
* Just 22 % of Black males who began at a four-year college graduated within six years.
* 69% of Black children in America cannot read at grade level in the 4th grade, compared with 29% among White children.
* 32% of all suspended students are Black. Black students (mostly Black males) are twice as likely as Whites to be suspended or expelled.
* 67% of Black children are born out of wedlock. -
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Re: For those who want to learn...
Fri, May 5, 2006 - 12:28 PM
In Employment/Economics
* At comparable educational levels, Black men earn 67% of what White men make.
* White males with a high-school diploma are just as likely to have a job and tend to earn just as much as Black males with college degrees.
* Blacks make up only 3.2% of lawyers, 3% of doctors, and less than 1% of architects in America. Many of these are Black women.
* 53% of Black men aged 25-34 are either unemployed or earn too little to lift a family of four from poverty.
* Light-skinned Blacks have a 50% better chance of getting a job than dark-skinned Blacks.
* While constituting roughly 12% of the total population, Black America represents nearly 30% of America's poor.
* 45% of Black children live below the poverty line, compared with 16% of White children.
* The net worth of a Black family in America is $6,100 versus $67,000 for a White family.
* In New York City in 2003 only 51.8% of Black men ages 16 to 64 were employed vs. 75.7% for White men and 65.7% for Latino men.
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Re: For those who want to learn...
Fri, May 5, 2006 - 12:29 PM
In Incarceration/Crime:
* In 2001, the chances of going to prison were highest among Black males (32.2%) and Hispanic males (17.2%) and lowest among White males (5.9%).
* Blacks account for only 12% of the U.S. population, but 44 % of all prisoners in the United States are Black.
* Blacks, who comprise only 12% of the population and account for about 13% of drug users, constitute 35% of all arrests for drug possession, 55% of all convictions on those charges, and 74% of all those sentenced to prison for possession.
* In at least fifteen states, Black men were sent to prison on drug charges at rates ranging from twenty to fifty-seven times those of White men.
* In 1986, before mandatory minimums for crack offenses became effective, the average federal drug offense sentence for Blacks was 11% higher than for Whites. Four years later following the implementation of harsher drug sentencing laws, the average federal drug offense sentence was 49% higher for Blacks.
* The Black male homicide rate is seven times the White male rate.
* A young Black male in America is more likely to die from gunfire than was any soldier in Vietnam.
* The Justice Department estimates that one out of every 21 Black men can expect to be murdered, a death rate double that of U. S. soldiers in World War II.
* 1.46 million Black men out of a total voting population of 10.4 million have lost their right to vote due to felony convictions.
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