Months ago, I decided not to discuss race and all the drama surrounding it because I frankly became racially burned out. So to keep my therapy (via blogging) going I turned to photo-blogging & I have been enjoying it.

Although there have been many things in the news & some things that needed to be in the news I stayed quiet but was like damn, I would like to discuss that on the “Mindspill.” I guess to quench my thirst for Black news discussion; I turn to NPR’s “News & Notes” program, especially the Blogger’s Roundtable. Sometimes I find myself joining their discussions as if I was there, which may mean I am crazy, but it helps pass the time away when I am washing dishes etc.

I thought it was funny last week, when I was listening to the N&N Blogger’s Rountable and heard Ferai Chideya asked the bloggers if too many Black bloggers are addicted to race, which was a play on Blogger Shelly’s (“Boring Black Chick“) post “UK & US: Differences in Black Blogging and Culture.”

“Whether it’s serious or humourous, intellectual or frivolous, it is very apparent that African American bloggers have race at the top of their agenda. Everything is distilled through an exclusively race-biased lens or is brought back to black/white racial politics.”

I agree somewhat with Shelly & appreciate that she opened up a dialogue that will allow many of us to look at ourselves.

Anyway, I want to lightly touch on some Black news topics because I really have to get this off my chest.

  1. Michael Vick – Who cares that he got sentenced to 2 years?!? His ass is lucky that he did not get the 5 he was facing & this is not even including state charges that he is yet to face. One thing that killed me was how so many Negroes were rallying behind him & we know he fucked up. I am not a dog lover & in fact I hate dogs (sorry dog lovers) but I would never wish to see harm on them or any animal and anyone knowingly harming any living being or thing needs to go down.Why do we as Black people rally behind someone we know is damn well guilty & needs to get brought up on charges (except for the 1st OJ trial, I know he didn’t do it!).
  1. Mandatory Drug Sentencing – Well you all know that I recently did a little research paper on mandatory drug sentencing for my Eng Comp class which means that I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with only 3 more classes to go. While writing the paper I was reading up on the next faze of the debate of the recent decision to relax the sentencing guidelines for those busted for crack possession. The sad thing is that the sentencing mandatory minimums were relaxed but not equalized to the mandatory minimums of those busted for powdered cocaine & the 100:1 ratio is still in effect.Now that we are at least making some progress on sentencing disparities, Congress is looking at making the new sentencing guidelines retroactive & it is up for a vote tomorrow. Whether it goes retroactive or not, it has major implications for the Black community. If it goes retroactive, it will mean that 19k drug dealers/users will be released from prison over the next 2 years (give or take a few months). If it does not go retroactive, it will mean that the gub-a ment thinks that Black people aren’t shit & that we are expendable.

    With all that said, I have decided to position myself with those (like Hilary Clinton) who believe that this should not go retroactive. I am basing my decision on the fact that with all of the discussion in Congress & the Sentencing Commission, no one has mentioned anything about training programs for these 19k prisoners facing an early release. I am talking about programs, such as job training, parenting, education, rehabilitation etc. The types of programs that would help transition them back into society smoothly. When you think about it, the people got caught up into drugs because they had/have no options (so they say), they are uneducated & or economically challenged or marginalized in some other way.

    If these convicts are released now with no assistance I see the drug problem getting worse or morphing in untold ways. After all, if you have no skills & drugs are all you know, what the hell are you going to do???

  1. I Love New York – I have been watching this show ever since season 2 started & I feel guilty as hell about it. VH1 is pimping out buffoonery, minstrelism & overall a poor representation of Black people & women in particular & I am all up in it helping to keep these fucked up shows on the air.With all this said, I am watching the finale tonight & am rooting for “Punk” even though he has that fucked up s-curl & horrible colored contacts. Of all the guys left, I think he would work out the best. On another note, if you are watching this guilty pleasure also, did you see it last week when the families were on? I through up in my mouth when I saw Punk’s sister. She is ugly as hell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Correction: I had it twisted because I though the finale was last night but it was not! Further more Punk got kicked off so now it is down to Bitch ass Tailor Made & Ass Kicking Buddha. Hmmmm, not sure what I would like to see happen now. I really think Punk did not get chose because he did not offer that much drama. New York really looked hurt to see him go, so I am wondering if the producers had anything to do with the final decision??????? Guess I will see what jumps off next Monday.

Race rant over for now. Back to my personal drama & photography!

Oh wait, I need to mention that I was on the Alexyss K Tylor’s “Vagina Power” show last week. The show was on Why Men Like Sneaky Pussy. You can listen to it here & I am on like the last 40 minutes or so. Warning, if you listen & are a prude, do not be shocked when you here me say pussy, hot dick & nuts or getting fucked in the face OK! Here is the link