Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Talks with Tavis Smiley

Watch the full episode. See more Tavis Smiley.

A Sermon from an Old Dusty Painting

Don't act brand new. You all have seen this picture before. Whether on your Granny's wall in the den, on the church fan, or in the index section of that beat up Bible that sits in the back window of yo momma's Buick, you know this picture. This picture hung in my house for many years right beside the thermostat. This hanging dustbucket(we never cleaned it) spooked the hell out of me whenever I glanced at it. I always wondered why this picture was in every African-American household I entered. Is this what everybody hides their safe with? That question burned in me for years until now.

The Light of the World (1853–54) is an allegorical painting by William Holman Hunt representing the figure of Jesus preparing to knock on an overgrown and long-unopened door, illustrating Revelation 3:20. According to Hunt: "I painted the picture with what I thought, unworthy though I was, to be by Divine command, and not simply as a good subject." The door in the painting has no handle, and can therefore be opened only from the inside, representing "the obstinately shut mind". Hunt, 50 years after painting it, felt he had to explain the symbolism. (Wikipedia)

 

 

Rev. Gardner Taylor, who is regarded to many as the greatest living preacher, takes a moment to explain what this picture really means. The interpretation really astounded me. All these years, this dusty picture actually meant something. Art imitating life, I suppose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ADJUST YOUR COLOR: THE STORY OF PETEY GREENE

I will be brief in my commentary. Petey Fuckin Greene. This guy just blew me away. I didn't see the movie "Talk To Me" starring Don Cheadle, and I'm glad I didn't. In a age where many African-Americans are afraid to be truthful and display parrhesia, Petey told it like it was/is. I always identify with the grassroots stories like this that always stay close to the people instead of chasing national attention. Cool fact: He died exactly one year before my birthday. You also see cameos by Donna Brazille and Howard Stern. Enjoy the docu. Especially the watermelon piece.   

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Members Only.......

Born January 27, 1930, Rosemark, Tennessee. Moved to Memphis 1948. Played with Billy 'Red' Love and other influential Delta musicians. First recording was Dry Up Baby (Modern 848). Entered Armed Services 1952, joined Johnny Ace Revue after discharge, having signed with Duke Records. First smash hit, It's My Life Baby, 1955 followed by years of consistent success in R&B market.

In the 50s and early 60s, Bobby "Blue" Bland was one of the main creators of the modern soul-blues sound. Along with such artists as Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, and Junior Parker, Bland developed a sound that mixed gospel with blues and R&B. Bobby's style of soul-blues was punctuated with a big-band sound and slick, B.B. King-flavored guitar riffs.

Bland was born and raised in Rosemark, a small town just outside Memphis. In 1947 he moved to the city with his mother and began his career, first as a singer in the gospel group the Miniatures, then in the loosely knit blues group the Beale Streeters, which included such future blues stars as Johnny Ace, B.B. King, Junior Parker, and Rosco Gordon .

Bland's first recordings were from 1950 to 1952, when he cut sides for the Modern and Chess labels. Being drafted into the army in 1952 put his career on hold, but shortly after his discharge in 1954, he began a long-term relationship with Duke Records. This would result in dozens of records, many of them big sellers in the R&B market.

Bobby's first Duke single, "It's My Life, Baby," was released in 1955. Two years later, he scored with the seminal Texas shuffle "Farther Up The Road" (115 k, 10 sec.), which went to number 1 on the R&B charts. Follow-up records included two 1961 hits, "I Pity the Fool," which also made it to number 1 on the R&B charts, and "Turn on Your Love Light," which went to number 2. "That's the Way Love Is," a 1963 release, gave Bland his third number 1 hit.


From 1957 to 1961 Bland played the chitlin' circuit with Junior Parker and his band, the Blue Flames. But in 1961 Bland broke with Parker, went out on his own, and rose to his greatest popularity. Because Bland neither composed nor played an instrument, he relied on others for songs and inspired instrumentation. Joe Scott, his bandleader and arranger, and for years one of Duke label owner Don Robey's chief talent scouts, helped create Bland's big-band sound. Just as important to Bland's sound was guitarist Wayne Bennett, who complemented the horns and Bland's vocals with jazz-influenced solos,a la T-Bone Walker and B.B. King.

Bland worked with Scott and Bennett until 1968 when the band broke up, partially the result of Bland's alleged alcohol problems. But Bland resuscitated his career in 1972, this time with producer Steve Garrie and bandleader Ernie Fields, Jr. Rather than dwell on R&B ballads, Garrie gave Bland a blues-based sound that resulted in two of his more commercially successful albums: California Album (1973) and Dreamer (1974). Both works were released on the ABC-Dunhill label, the company that purchased Duke in 1972.

Despite Bland's extensive recording catalogue, his long-term success on the R&B charts, and his near-constant touring (often with longtime friend B.B. King), he rarely crossed over into the pop realm. Dozens of blues and R&B influenced rock vocalists, however, have credited Bland as a main influence. Throughout the 70s, 80s, and early 90s, he continued to record, mostly for the Jackson, Mississippi, blues label, Malaco. Bland was inducted into the Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. He continues to perform regularly.



For Those of You Seeking Knowledge............

I absolutely love this track!!!! Giving love to Jackson, MS artists Skipp Coon, Luca Brazi, and David Banner. Listener discretion is advised.

Educate yourselves. Stop being stupid.

Cornel West Criticizes Tyler Perry

I get torn to pieces when I "lovingly critique" Brother Tyler, so I will keep my mouth shut and let Dr. West speak for me.

Street Fight

Last night, at the Houston Museum of African American Culture, I was privileged to attend a screening of the film "Street Fight", which shows the necessary but nasty battle between Councilman Cory Booker and Incumbent Mayor Sharpe James. In the film, young Cory Booker tries to win the hearts, minds, and votes of Newark voters in the 2002 Mayoral Race. It was not an easy battle to say the least. Booker had to fight against dirty machine politics from the James camp. They said he wasn't black enough. They said he was a golden boy-outsider-carpetbagger that wanted to wave his Ivy league education around to poor people. In the end, the voters' voices were heard. Only one candidate could emerge from a modern day political "Street Fight".

After the film, there was a Q & A session moderated by the world renowned, Brother Jesse Muhammad, who is a blogger, staff writer for the Final Call newspaper, motivational speaker, and political community activist. You can catch up with him via his great blog,  http://jessemuhammad.blogs.finalcall.com/ or via Twitter @brotherjesse.

Brother Jesse led the discussion on a few questions:

1. What could Cory Booker have done differently?
2. What lessons did both candidates learn?
3. Should we have a responsibility to groom our future political leaders?
4. Has politics gotten cleaner or dirtier?

Answer those questions after you view the film. I would love to discuss your point of view and mine in the comments section.

So without further adieu, I give you "Street Fight" in many parts......................................

Cry Freedom (The Story of Steve Biko)

Cry Freedom is a 1987 British drama film directed by Richard Attenborough, set in the late 1970s, during the apartheid era of South Africa. It was written from a screenplay by John Briley based on a pair of books by journalist Donald Woods. The film centres around the real-life events involving black activist Steve Biko and his friend Donald Woods, who initially finds him destructive, and attempts to understand his way of life. Denzel Washington stars as Biko, while actor Kevin Kline portrays Woods. Cry Freedom delves into the ideas of discrimination, political corruption, and the repercussions of violence.
The film was primarily shot on location in Zimbabwe due to political turmoil in South Africa at the time of production. As a film showing mostly in limited cinematic release, it was nominated for multiple awards, including Academy Award nominations for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song. It also won a number of awards including those from the Berlin International Film Festival and the British Academy Film Awards.
A joint collective effort to commit to the film's production was made by Universal Pictures and Marble Arch Productions. It was commercially distributed by Universal Pictures theatrically, and by MCA Home Video for home media. Cry Freedom premiered in theaters nationwide in the United States on November 6, 1987 grossing $5,899,797 in domestic ticket receipts. The film was at its widest release showing in 479 theaters nationwide. It was generally met with positive critical reviews before its initial screening in cinemas. (via Wikipedia)

Enjoy. Denzel is great, as always.

Wall Street meets Sesame Street: A Critique of 2011 State of the Union Speech

"I'm not sure how we'll reach that better place beyond the horizon, but I know we'll get there. I know we will."

Alright, let's discuss last night's State of the Union speech. I liked some things about it and I hated some points about it. I will say this year's speech was levels better than last year's Rex Ryan-like pep talk turned atrocity and frankly, I feel this was his best speech as of yet. This speech had more substance than ever, but still not enough for me to shut my mouth. Still too much pretty rhetoric and not enough realistic solutions. He really showed me how much of a typical politician he is by easing over to the center to appease the right and in turn alienating the progressive base.

Now I can truly appreciate his ability to bring both sides together for common good, but because Conservatives have gained the House, he is leaning to the right in his policies. Politically, that's a very smart thing to do. He's a smart man approaching re-election. He needs to show voters he can unify the country, but many political philosophies lack principle. These policies/agendas lack the principles he campaigned on. They lack the principles of the left.

So I'm not going to make this a beat down session because he did make some great points on key issues in which I liked. What were they?

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1. I absolutely love the plan for a 5 year spending freeze. This plan calls for saving $78 billion in Defense spending. Obama is under pressure from the public and lawmakers to cut spending. Several Republican lawmakers have proposed cutting $100 billion from Obama's budget for the current year. The move is almost identical to the freeze Obama called for in his address to the nation last year at this time — his current proposal would cover five years, not three years — and ultimately it may have little effect. Congress decides the budget on its own terms, and Obama has even less sway than he did in his first two years on the job now that Republicans have taken control of the House. And might I add, you could hear a pin drop when Obama presented this plan.
2. Barack also said that the very same Tax Cuts for the wealthy 2 percent that he approved just a month ago, will not be extended in 2012. That was a good thing to hear, but Barack is good at saying stuff but not doing it (Gitmo). We will have to wait and see if he is serious about that. Personally, I'm on the fence. When we give tax cuts to the well-to-do and do nothing for the poor and working class, the gap between the have and have-nots spreads even more.
3. Barack is a nerd. Maybe not a policy nerd like Bill Clinton, but he's bright. He's a professor. I personally think he's a better professor than president, but that's not the issue. I love how he encouraged our children to serve their country through teaching. "We have to our kids that it's not the winner of the Super Bowl who deserves to be celebrated but the winner of the science fair." I wonder if he would still feel that way had the Bears made the Super Bowl. Moving on, we have to get our brightest minds in the classroom molding our kids' brains, but we have to give them more incentive. I will touch on that later.
4. Barack boldly said he would veto any earmarked bill that comes to his desk. Do I believe him? Absolutely not, but he said it so now I have more things to hold him accountable for. Gives me more to blog about.
5. He also mentioned immigration reform. We educate bright minds and ship them away. That's pretty stupid. In a country where a deranged lunatic can buy guns and bullets at Wal-Mart hours before he murders everybody on Aisle 3, what's wrong with allowing "American born immigrants" to make a living in this country?

I know, I know. Many of you are surprised that I actually had something positive to say about his speech. I've told you folks many times that I like the man, I just hate his policies. There's is a difference. Hate the deed; not the doer. That being said, what are my critiques of the speech? Have a seat. We're gonna be here a while. Let me grab a Snickers.

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1. "America still has the most prosperous economy in the world." If that ain't a lie, I don't know what is. As of October 2010, according to the US Treasury, China owns $906.8 billion of U.S. debt. That's not prosperous. The national deficit is $14.5 trillion. That ain't prosperous. Unemployment rate is 9.1 % as of December 2010. That means 28,210,000 Americans don't have jobs. That ain't prosperous folks. No reason to lie about it.
2. There was no mention of the poor and destitute. 43 million Americans living in poverty and no mention of them? 8 million of those folk are our precious children and no mention of them?
3. He wants Congress to give corporate tax breaks. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? So you just signed off on tax breaks to the wealthy that will account for a big chunk of the budget and now corporate tax cuts? Who do you think are the owners of these corporations? The same people who just got tax relief last month! So the rich basically will pay no taxes for the next two years while the poor folk who voted Obama in office are digging for lunch in a local dumpster. This guy is a joke.
4. Earmarks. I know what he said about them, but I think he's full of it.
5. Race to the Top. or shall we call it Wall Street meets Sesame Street.  If you're not convinced by now that Obama is in bed with Wall Street and privitization, then you are naive and you should stop reading right now. He talked about competing and competitiveness all night. Out-innovate. Out-educate. "If you show us the most innovative plans to improve teacher quality and student achievement, we'll show you the money."
   We'll show you the money. Jerry Maguire politics. I thought he was supposed to change that?  Well Mr. President, the fallacy in your plan is the money is going to the wrong place. Don't load up one school with millions and forget about others. Its not the students' fault, its the teacher's fault. How do we rid the classrooms of poor teachers and attract the best minds away from Wall Street to Sesame Street? You raise the standards and qualifications to teach our children and then YOU HAVE TO PAY THE TEACHERS ON THE SAME LEVEL AS ENGINEERS AND INVESTMENT BANKERS. Teachers average $35K while bankers and engineers make an excess of $100K. And you want our children to enlist and fight on the battlefield of education for peanuts? You're out of your mind Mr. President! Our teachers are OVERWORKED AND UNDERPAID. YOU WANT TO BE COMPETITIVE? YOU WANT TO SURPASS CHINA WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION? THE SOLUTION IS VERY SIMPLE. SHOW THE TEACHERS THE MONEY, PAL.

There you have it folks. My thoughts on the speech. I have no hope for this President. I'm sorry. He's shown me enough. I rate the speech a C-. A lot of fluff and no substance as always. But at least he looked at the camera. Thanks for reading my friends! God bless you!

Meeting Dr. West

Yeah, that's me. And yes, that's my hero Dr.Cornel West. No, I didn't photoshop this. It was hard to get a picture with him and so I had to sneak behind him and get some random guy to snap the picture. Don't judge me.

I met Dr. West at a luncheon on MLK Day in Port Arthur, TX. The event was hosted by the MLK Support Group in Port Arthur led by the legendary and courageous Hargie Fay Savoy, whom you see with Dr. West in the picture.

I was invited by Ms. Savoy's daughter, Jacky, who m was a gracious host. We had never met, but through a mutual Facebook connection, we hooked up. I would like to thank her for that. I told y'all favor is all over my life! Hearing West speak was everything I expected and more. Honestly, he didn't say anything new to my ears because I have listened to all his lectures and speeches given for the last 3 years. He still spoke with so much power and greatness. The majority African American crowd hung on to his every word except when he slid in a quick jab at President Obama. Black folk love Obama, Dr. West. You might get cut talking about Barack. They might even cut your hair. And it needs to be cut immediately.

When I got close to him his bodyguard nudged me back. I asked him to take a picture of me and Dr. West. He gave me that "negro please" look. So finally I pushed through fat people, old people, and children to get my chance to talk to the freest black man in America. I extended my hand to the brother and he reached out and we shared a hug and I thanked him for changing my life and to continue to carry the legacy of Martin King. The brother looked me in the eyes and said "Thank you my brother. You stay strong." That was all I needed to hear to continue my fight to change lives and the struggle against injustice in any form. 

Meeting West was cool and I embraced the moment. At my high school commencement, Andy Young gave the keynote. Afterwards, I approached him and told him how ugly his tie was. I didn't understand who he was at the time. I wish I could have that day back. me and my damn mouth! I didn't screw this up with Dr. West. I enjoyed seeing/hearing him speak. I told my brother that this was a step toward me keynoting luncheons one day. Greatness is on the horizon. Thank you for reading!

What's New in 2011

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--

And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over--

like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags

like a heavy load.

Or does it explode

  Hola Brothers and Sisters!!! It is an absolute pleasure to be with for the first time in this brand new year!!!! I haven't updated this darn blog since October but in my absence, surprisingly, my audience has grown! My daily hits have been astronomical and I thank you all for viewing! Next time I would like you to leave a quick comment because I love to hear your feedback, whether positive or negative, and I love a good ole debate.

2011 has started off well for me and I hope it has been great for you. I'm not one to do the New Year's resolution thing. I feel you should out a realistic plan in action and be disciplined all the time in whatever your goals are. Last year around this time I actually put some real goals on paper and they came to pass for me, so this year I'm setting my sights even higher.

Let me tell you a quick story. My biggest dream EVER has been to have my own radio show. I've known that since I was probably 8. The aspirations to be Mike Jordan have come and gone. The aspirations to be the first Black President have faded away, but that everlasting hunger to voice my thoughts to the world abroad still remains. Hence why I started this blog. Anyhoo, so when I graduated high school I went directly to the Air Force. While there, I had an grand opportunity to audition for an anchor spot for the Air Force news. I was giddy and excited and I ran at the opportunity! The day came and I went into the room with this very nice lady. She handed me a script and asked me to read. I did so. No rehearsal, no practice. I felt I did decent but she didn't agree. Her evaluation of me has stuck with me everyday of my life for the past 7 years: "You have a southern drawl that can't be corrected". Say what? I beg your pardon? I was crushed. Not only was my little ego crushed, but my dream was crushed. Here is an expert in the field (as far as I knew) telling me that my geographical dialect would stop the future Damien Thaddeus Jones show. I believed her. I came back down to Earth and stopped dreaming. I was too country. But I will add to that, everybody that knows me, even before then, know that I specifically worked on my grammar so people wouldn't know I was from the South by talking to me. Guess I didn't fool her.

While on leave the next year, I went home to visit a friend. Her grandfather, a media mogul in the southern US, and his wonderful wife have run a dynamic radio station for many years. He didn't know me well. We had met maybe once or twice and I was just some bumbling fool chasing his granddaughter. I didn't stand out to him, but I always admired him and still do because he is a brutally honest and successful black businessman. He doesn't take any shit from anybody.

So I'm talking to the old man. He asks me a few questions about my future. I tell him about my dream crushing encounter. The old man looks me square in the eyes and tells me something that has stuck with me since that day 5 years ago: "Young man, don't you ever let anybody, especially these white folks, tell you what you can't do. If that's what you want to do, do it!" Wow. Thanks old wise man. I really needed that. I needed to hear that. His words pointed me to the final lines in the masterful poem "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley:

"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul."

In 2010, I released a lot of demons and embraced the fact that I'm a Jesus loving free black man. Now its time to go to the next level. In 2011, I'm making my dreams come true. I'm going to start my radio show entitled "The Damien Thaddeus Show". It doesn't seem like a lot to you and it won't hit the airwaves with a huge bang, but it means the world to me and my evolution. Many folk die and never live their dreams. Well, I won't be one of those people.

The aim of my show is to get young progressive voices heard that are frustrated with good ole boy politics in this country and are on the verge of giving up hope. I'm young so I'm reaching out to the young demographic. I want to reach out to the hopeless minorities that feel the government doesn't care about them. I want to energize the young people to take ownership of the direction of our country. And we can change America and this world, one issue at at time. I'm very excited and I hope you guys will support us in this venture. The first show will air between March and June of 2011. A great deal of planning and meetings are required to present a good product for the masses. If any of you need a platform to express your views, ideas, events, projects, philosophy, or if you just want to have rich dialogue with brilliant minds on the issues of the day, we would be glad to have you. Email me at damienthaddeus@yahoo.com and share what you want to tell the people and we may choose you to be a guest on the show. Please stay tuned for updates on the show. We are striving for greatness!