Oh Yippeety-Do-Hooray!!!
What a grand day it must be to know that after
1965 when then President Lyndon Baines Johnson signed the voting rights for
Black Americans have been renewed by our present president, Mr. George W. Bush.
Guess what folks this gives us another twenty-five years to have these rights
until seeking another extension later.
I as a Black American don’t
know whether to jump for joy or go into a place of solitude and weep for us and
those granting these rights. It is the most insulting thing that could be
perpetrated on a race of people. How many times a person must be subjected to
this type of humiliation before being handed a full bill of rights? What is the
time limit of an immigrant given after receiving a citizenship certificate? What
period of time is placed on marriage after receiving a license? There are many
instances and questions that can be asked but by now I hope you get my drift.
Most of all to my black politicians it is very disheartening to know that many
are so well polished and educated, haven’t in this period of time since
President Johnson’s first signing questioned this second signing. You are guilty
of wanting to belong so bad you have overlooked the dignity of our people and
your stewardship. From slavery we are still struggling for recognition and
identification. It is time to claim fully what are our rights and stop receiving
handouts of things that is already ours. I bet any groups of people from all
over the world who are American Citizens will never have to be given a new term
limit in order to vote or anything else. Not voting which we all are guilty of
should not constitute term limits.
People open your eyes to the
truth and be realistic of our deeds or lack of it and cease degrading others of
different races no matter whatever your reasons may be.
Mel Alexander
Listen to this song
below and maybe it will open
your mind.
-
What Is It? (That You Are Afraid of):
A
song written over forty years ago and today some mentalities remain the same.
Click here for song
-
From the Los
Angeles Showcase of Soul compilation CD.
The OJ Saga
Continues………..
It is ironic that with so
many well wishers and supporters that OJ Simpson would shock everybody with his
latest statements.
I as so many others truly
believed in Simpson’s innocence due to the awkward circumstances in which the
crime was committed. Secondly, due to his ethnicity it is hard to fathom a
pre-planned execution; a more or less spontaneous act may be understood.
The actions concerning Mr.
Simpson since being exonerated gives off the aura of a psychopathic individual
seeking attention, inflicting mental anguish to an adversary while financially
protecting his family.
Crime against humanity is
intolerable and no one is above the law. God is our secret judge even to OJ
Simpson who may not know exactly who he is, Prince or Pauper.
Mel Alexander
Know Your Candidate Beforehand
It is beyond amazement how
the American political system has failed miserably in selecting a person (s)
that can duly represent the greatest country in the world.
We have the technology, the
leadership ability, the financial means except the God given will to act upon
it. Our first thing is to recognize that the candidates are persons desiring
employment and in the case being for the highest position of the land
requirements are due. Not unlike any worker in the country seeking a job an
application is necessary. This application should cover all aspects of
applicant’s life history, health, religion, social affiliation and etc. The
American public should be encouraged to send in added questions to be
incorporated and used if they genuinely make sense to insure their
participation. Candidates must answer all questions with as a finality statement
of why they are seeking this position. Candidate’s applications then should be
turned over to the investigating units (FBI – CIA and etc.) to check their
authenticity. Candidates failing to pass investigation would be eliminated from
running in the campaign. Imagine how it would eliminate so many interruptions in
debates of candidates due to late discoveries from their competitors. Candidates
would be forced to stick to the issues of how they intend governing a people, a
nation.
More potential good
candidates are lost because focus has been diverted from issues to negativity
thereby allowing the lesser of two evils to slip through the crack and people
become the loser. Thereby they must await another term before the process
continues. Meanwhile corruption and ill will have depleted the gains from people
who need it most.
In hiring man for so lofty a
position we must remember to try to get the best in man and encourage man to
seek the help of God to do his best for his country and people. Too much money,
time , insults and ridicule have been placed on political campaign when all is
needed is the candidates to have an agenda or direction they have in leading the
nation under their leadership and term (s) in office.
So people the
moral of this story is not to put the cart before the horse.
Know your candidates beforehand.
November 20th, 2006, an article published
from the Frost Newspaper got my attention. Once in a blue moon something is
written that pertains to our past, present and possible future. A very
meaningful article that deserves the attention of our entire black population.
Whether everyone agrees or not of its contents, its message is clear and
concise. Professor Clingman, my thoughts and sympathies are with you, keep on
writing and hopefully it will light a fire and open the minds of our somewhat
slumbering giants.
Mel Alexander
Black
Leadership----------serving us or serving us up?
Blackonomics
By James Clingman
“Black America has an over
class that is charged with the responsibility of maintaing the racial status
quo. This black over class is wedded to the white power structure and is opposed
therefore to any independent thoughts or actions which might unite Black
America. The over class is commissioned by white organizations and governments
to keep Black Americans powerless by allying externally with other groups rather
than allying internally with members of their own race.”
-----Claud Anderson, from
“More Dirty Little Secrets.”------
Black leaders, why have you
forsaken us? We have always stood beside you willing to die if necessary, to
protect and defend you against our enemies. Despite all of the sacrifices we
have made on your behalf and all of the support we have provided to your
efforts, you have forsaken us. You have abandoned us. You have relinquished your
position as authentic leaders and opted for a watered-down, tepid, caricature of
black leadership that continuously succumbs to a white dominant society. Instead
of standing up and speaking “truth to power,” you cower in the face of
adversity. Instead of refusing to be bought, you eagerly cut selfish deals that
only maintain status quo, which for black people is a prescription for failure.
You have accepted
subordination, a “less than” description of our people; you have abdicated your
role as spokesperson and warrior for black people by allowing others to define
you; you have accepted the label of “minority,” a term connoting deficiency; you
even promote diversity and multiculturalism but outside of rather than within
our own race. You advise us that we must help everyone else but you fail to lead
us toward self-reliance.
What a tragedy to propose
that black people----whose collective power is virtually nil----should engage in
the struggles of other people prior to winning our own battles. Even sadder is
the fact that you, black leadership, suggest we do not love others because we
refuse your call to action. Some of you even use the oxymoronic term, “black
racism” and the canard of “reverse discrimination” to describe those of us who
don’t follow your illogical directives.
We are offended by black
politicians who rush to the podium to publicly proclaim, “I am not a black
politician; I am a politician who happens to be black and I will work for all of
the people.” How strange it is that we never hear any other politicians make
such a statement. We are insulted by black leaders who turn their backs on the
very ones that elevated them to their lofty perches. We are disgraced by black
political leaders who have sold out, settled in and succumbed to a corrupt
political system. Why have you forsaken us black politicians after being in
office for decades and accumulating wealth for yourself and your families, why
have you turned your backs on us?
Black intellectuals, why do
you lecture us on the economic problems we face but seldom, if ever build
institutions or start initiatives that will solve the problems you decry? Surely
you have the intellectual capacity to lead us to higher economic heights with
all of your degrees and oratory skills. Marcus Garvey did it without degrees but
you hold yourselves up as our intellectual leaders making high-priced speeches
before throngs of black people and have yet to come even close to what Garvey,
Booker T. and others did without the trappings of an ivy-leagued education or a
professorship.
Black religious leaders, why
have you gone the way of the moneychangers? Your influence is the strongest
among black people but you misuse it for your own self-aggrandizement, building
edifices that showcase your power to persuade black people to put up and shut up
when it comes to their money. You can live royally but keep telling us every
Sunday and two or three times during the week that, “somethin’ is about to
happen in this place,” “God is getting’ ready to bless somebody here tonight.”
“It’s your season; the anointing is coming.” Why have you forsaken us in
exchange for filthy lucre and political favors? Have you ignored the greatest
leader’s word in Matthew 20:27 and 23:11: “………he that is greatest (or chief)
among you shall be your servant.”
After we have supported,
promoted and even forgiven black leadership for your missteps and transgressions
against us, you have ignored our needs; you have collaborated against our
interests and you have engaged in actions that keep “the patient” sick, as
Booker T. Washington noted.
You continue to lead us in
circles rather than where we must go and it seems you do not understand the
negative effects your brand of leadership has on us. How is this possible from
intelligent black leadership? Why do you pursue an integration/assimilation
strategy that pushes black people toward the rung of the economic ladder? What
sense does it make for you to remain silent in the face of continued
mistreatment of your people? Or, are we “your” people?
Why have you forsaken us,
black leaders? Why have you become hypocritical and disingenuous in your actions
toward us? Why have you feathered your own nests at the cost of our blood, sweat
and tears? Why have you not provided real solutions to our problems, not just in
words but also in deeds? Are you not capable? Are you willing to sacrifice for
your people? Are you reluctant to do what Dubois asked of you? Have you
disregarded Carter G. Woodson’s plea for “servant leaders?”
We don’t know what your
answers are but we do know that we are tired and we must have a new brand of
black leadership. We cannot afford to wait for you any longer. We love you but
we must move on now.
James E. Clingman, an adjunct professor at the
University of Cincinnati’s African American Studies Department, is former editor
of the Cincinnati Herald Newspaper and founder of the Greater Cincinnati African
American Chamber of Commerce. He hosts the radio program, “Blackonomics,” and
has written several books including, “Black-o-Knowledge-Stuff.” For more
information, go to his website,
www.blackonomics.com or call him at (513) 489-4132
What’s Up? (A Salute to Black History)
I have long had a burning desire to write
something about somebody and a travesty of non-recognition concerning himself
and his accomplishments. This most deserving person is the humble Doug Williams,
former Super Bowl winner for the Washington Redskins and the first member of the
black race to reach that status as a quarterback. It almost seems this
achievement was a dishonor instead of an honor. Many individuals would have been
accorded tons of accolades through the media, possibly a book or two written and
maybe a movie offer. Instead when great moments in sports are shown very little
about Doug escapades are given any attention.
I am appealing to you in black radio as
owners and etc. to exercise your rights to educate your listeners and give pride
to our community. It should be our firm duty to act as a watchdog whenever
possible to uplift the spirit of our people’s greatness. It’s a poor dog that
won’t wag his own tail.
I have followed the career of Doug Williams
and will make an attempt to give a brief summary of his sport’s prowess:
- Doug played for Grambling State
University in Grambling Louisiana under guidance of the story book coach of
all time, Mr. Eddie Robinson.
- Doug was drafted by the new fledging team
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under the leadership of the able John McKay who had
guided the USC Trojan to many successes.
Naturally being a rookie on a team that was
new to the league, Doug’s salary was nothing to write home about. Aside from
that black quarterbacks were risky to owners in that era. John McKay being the
kind of coach he was from Southern California was used to having black
quarterbacks and etc. on his teams made that choice. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
being new to the league and having a need for that position plus receiving Doug
for a good price was glad to go along.
Doug Williams started playing immediately
and within three years he had gotten in the playoff once and overall good record
in the other. He was released rather than being given his worth and sent to
another league that was forming. Within a short period of time the Washington
Redskins under Coach Joe Gibbs had a need for a backup quarterback and the rest
is history.
Doug Williams in the Super Bowl was trailing
the Denver Broncos at half-time substantially. Guess who was the quarterback for
the opposition? The Mighty John Elway – No wonder nobody cares to talk about it.
I rest my case. –
Mel Alexander
Footnote: Somebody must have been reading
the article on our website concerning Doug Williams and wanted to respond with
an introduction – Oh what an introduction on Sunday, February 3, 2008 Super Bowl
42, Doug was given that feeble introduction as a person bringing the
championship trophy to the club owner stand. It was never stated that he was the
winning quarterback and MVP of the Washington Redskins’ Club and the year. That
would have given Doug proper credit and made the overall audience more
enlightened to his accomplishments. In other words it don’t hurt to do it right.
"Ask and it shall be given---------Meanwhile thanks are in order"
1. God---You gave me life.
2. You gave me health.
3. You gave me strength.
4. You gave me love
5. You gave me peace of mind.
6. You gave me a reason for
living.
7. You gave me a reason for my
being a part of you.
8. You give me financial help.
9. Thank you Lord for being
always on time.
10. You give me the comfort I
need.
11. Thank you Jesus for being
dependable.
12. When I have been
down----You lift me up.
13. Thanks for being who you
are.
14. Thanks for my family.
15. Thanks Jesus for the true
friends.
16. Thanks for diverting the
many storms in my life.
17. Thanks Lord for your
overall presence.
18. Thanks to the Lord for
allowing me to know you.
19. Thanks Lord for letting me
know life's trials and tribulations.
20. Thanks Lord for the ability
to recognize Satan's ploy.
21. Thanks Father for my inner
spiritual strength.
22. Thank you Jesus for your
directions.
23. Thank you Master for the
wisdom I have received.
24. Tho the storm of life is
raging, thank you for calmness.
25.
Thank you for your Son Jesus Christ-------May I be worthy of Him.
Amen
“Psalm 118:25 A plea for mercy and personal gain"
