Why do African American actors hate themselves so much?

http://www.thegrio.com/entertainment/is-black-film-comedy-dying-in-drag.php# Read full post

Is the Government to Blame for Our Problems?

Dear friends,

It's not the government that's controlling the people. After all, the government is run by human beings… Nevertheless, we live in a market-driven, possession-oriented society, so our "values" are controlled by "the market". Moreover the corporations that control this market also control the government and the rest of society - and the way that we think and act.

Therefore, our energies are focused on "what we have" as opposed to "who we are". That means that our government is more of an illusion that we have about some kind of order to our society, when reality, we are all agents of the system whose values are based upon randomly using each other as means to ends, showing no empathy to anyone, be it personally or professionally.

G. Djata Bumpus
Read full post

Obama and African American Spirituality

"Please remember that our spirituality should be a vitamin - not a drug."
(originally posted 9/14/08)



Dear friends,

According to almost all of the agencies of the mass communications media, if he is successful, which I believe he will be, Senator Barack Obama will become our nation's "first Black president". I do not like that moniker though. I find that notion bothersome, because, at least to me, it trivializes both the historical and present contributions made by African Americans to both the development and continued proliferation of the United States as an advanced world power.

In other words, to imply that Barack Obama winning this election is the greatest achievement of our cultural group, ignores the fact that the active protestations of African Americans have been at the lead, in enhancing both freedom and democracy, at every historical stage in this country, for all citizens. This includes the time when a "6-2' mulatto" man named Crispus Attucks, standing in the front of a group of English colonists, against British troops, on the Boston Commons, was the first one shot and killed that special day. That confrontation, of course, was the catalyst for the official start of the War of Independence that turned thirteen colonies into the nation in which we now live - and love.

African Americans are an African people, from many different African cities and villages, who were forcibly made part of an enterprise that initially began amongst Arabs and Eastern Europeans (from where the word "slave" came), about a thousand years or forty generations ago as the International Slave Trade. However, it deteriorated into being what Dr. W.E.B. DuBois described as the "hunting of black skins" not long after Christopher Columbus' famed voyage across the Ocean Sea, renaming that enterprise the Atlantic Slave Trade.

Yet, the institution now known as the "Black Church" did not begin when European enslavers used red-hot iron brands and scarred captive African workers, so-called slaves, while reading the latter verses from the Holy Bible, in a process called seasoning. Rather, the Black Church started in the holds of the aforementioned enslavers' hideous vessels. Again, people from different cities and villages, speaking different languages and having varied customs, were now forced to embrace that which they shared as Africans - their religiosity.

But when we talk about our "souls"/spirituality it seems to mean different things to different people. And so, in his work called After Many a Summer Dies the Swan, Aldous Huxley offered, "Our 'souls' are so little 'us' that we cannot even form the remotest conception how 'we' should react to the universe, if we were ignorant of language, or even of our own language. The nature of our 'souls' and of the world they inhabit would be entirely different from what it is, if we had never learnt to talk, or if we had learnt to talk Eskimo instead of English. Madness consists, among other things, in imagining that our 'soul' exists apart from the language our nurses happen to have taught us."

Huxley makes an observation here that helps to explain the photo above, which shows Senator Barack Obama, literally, surrounded, in a very private situation , by a group of fellow African Americans - engaging in a group prayer. To be sure, they are not concerned with whether or not he belongs to a particular religious denomination. There is something much deeper happening there. For African peoples have appreciated their spirituality, long before they had ever heard of Europeans, or even Asians, for that matter.

In his book African Religions and Philosophies, John Mbiti reveals, “Wherever the African is, there is his religion: he carries it to the fields where he is sowing seeds or harvesting a new crop; he takes it with him to the beer party or to attend a funeral ceremony; and if he is educated, he takes religion with him to the examination room at school or in the university...Traditional religions are not primarily for the individual, but for his community of which he is a part...What people do is motivated by what they believe, and what they believe springs from what they do and experience. So then, belief and action in African traditional society cannot be separated: they belong to a single whole.”

Up until the end of 19th Century America, religious institutions were largely community-oriented, among both African Americans and European Americans. Today, however, for the most part, in this possession-oriented society, the individual as a "believer", as opposed to his or her membership in a community of believers, is what is promoted as the greatest importance to the commonweal.

Still, the congregants of Black churches have always been at the forefront of our cultural group's social progress, by engaging in activities that deal with our outer as well as our inner liberation, such as church folks helping to free captive workers (so-called slaves) during the period of chattel slavery to organizing then leading protest marches and providing facilities for breakfast programs for school children, as they did in the Sixties and Seventies - to helping to lead the fight against apartheid in South Africa, during the Eighties.

Unfortunately, too often today, a lot of concentration is on “being saved” and using the word “God” in every other sentence as some type of password to have membership in "the herd". Many folks are even using religion as a narcotic - like heroin or cocaine; a common refrain from them is: "I'm high on Jesus!".

Also, having “fellowship” is another term that is being bandied about these days. I went to a church, quite recently, whose Sunday program sheet read at the bottom, after the hymns and prayers listed: Worship ends, Service begins. Unfortunately, and shamefully, this was NOT in a Black church.

Black preachers must imitate the life of the historical Jesus who fed the hungry and healed the sick - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The latter did not just sit around and pray. S/he "worked" for change. During 1963, in his now famous Letter From a Birmingham Jail, Dr. Martin Luther King wrote, in part:

"There was a time when the church was very powerful in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people in power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians for being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators"' But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were "a colony of heaven," called to obey God rather than man. Small in number, they were big in commitment. They were too God-intoxicated to be "astronomically intimidated." By their effort and example they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide. and gladiatorial contests.

Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an arch-defender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's silent and often even vocal sanction of things as they are.

But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Every day I meet young people whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust.

Perhaps I have once again been too optimistic. Is organized religion too inextricably bound to the status quo to save our nation and the world? Perhaps I must turn my faith to the inner spiritual church, the church within the church, as the true ekklesia and the hope of the world. But again I am thankful to God that some noble souls from the ranks of organized religion have broken loose from the paralyzing chains of conformity and joined us as active partners in the struggle for freedom, They have left their secure congregations and walked the streets..."

While Dr. King's "letter" was largely directed towards "white" clergy, today, these words, very much, apply to most African American clerics across the nation, as well. That is a fact that should bring a feeling of shame to many who call themselves ecclesiastics. The Black Church has the power to change things! It is not up to "God" to make this world better. After all, if it is, then why does "He" need clerics?

Finally, to be sure, African peoples of the Americas, have a lengthy history of identifying with spiritual things. Had we not, then there would have been no way for us to have endured the long voyages crunched up beside - and stacked up on top of - one another in our mutual stench, for months at a time, much less being able to sustain ourselves, for centuries, in chattel slavery, as well as the continued impropriety directed towards us, even at this present date, by many of our fellows citizens, at all levels of society. Therefore, the real "spirit" of African American people is reflected in our legacy - a lengthy struggle for equality, dignity and justice. Friends, the power of love and its goodness will overcome the weakness of greed and injustice.

Moreover, please remember that our spirituality should be a vitamin - not a drug.

One Love, One Heart, One Spirit,
G. Djata Bumpus Read full post

About Erotic Relationships between African American Men and Women

Dear friends,

Prior to the Civil War, it was not uncommon for a free Black man who was in love with a woman who was held captive to sell himself to a slave master, whether that slave master was Black or white (and yes there were thousands of Black slave masters in the antebellum South), with the promise from the aforementioned slave master that he would free his female captive who that Black man wanted to marry, after a term of however long upon which they'd agreed.

After the Civil War the relationships between African American men and women remained fairly secure… However, especially starting with the first massive migration to the north (or here up South as opposed to down south), during WW1, the new northern African American male began taking on the traits of his European American counterparts. It became even worse after the second massive migration to the north (or here up South) during WW2 by African American males.

Still, the idea that females, regardless of skin color, are socialized from a very early age that their primary objective in life is to maintain the approval of boys and men, and having babies in order to "hook" a man, so that he will care for her for the rest of her life is the biggest problem. Of course, once most men - African or African American, Caribbean, Latino, Asian, Indigenous, European or European American, are able to get past their pathetic insecurities and inadequacies that have them  needing to find self-worth at the expense of females, then they will do as I did, that is, raise their daughters to be independent yet cooperative, self-sufficient, competent, loving, caring, and prosperous adults. That will also have a huge affect on how boys are raised. But this will require that both males and females embrace value judgments that are not based upon using each other as means to ends so that they can collect as many trinkets and baubles as possible.

G. Djata Bumpus Read full post

Remember what Curtis said, "Keep on keepin' on"

"There' still a lot of love among us, and there's still a lot of faith, warmth, and trust..." - Curtis Mayfield








Dear friends,

As is made so obvious by the song on the link below, Curtis was truly a prophet.
Enjoy!

G. Djata Bumpus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-l91O9VxN0 Read full post

"Our Sacred Earth" a ooem

 

“Our Sacred Earth”
by G. Djata Bumpus

What is
Sacred?
Is it that which
Creates
&
Maintains
Life – and Love?

What is
Un-Sacred?
Is it that which
Destroys

&
Abolishes
Life – and Love?

Read full post

Muhammad Ali and the Jackson Five - 1977

Dear friends, 

On the link below is a 7 minutes-long interview with Muhammad Ali, where he is joined by the Jackson 5. The main point that he raises here is the need for African Americans to begin thinking about how we can come together and uplift ourselves from our historical lower middle class status. Enjoy! 

G. Djata Bumpus  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PM8IP5d9GO8&NR=1 Read full post

Archie Shepp on Obama's "Race" speech of 2008

"Mr. Obama- Barack- is attempting to confront-and resolve -a dichotomy between his political oratory and the simple reality of being a Black man..."
(originally posted 6/8/08)




Dear friends,

Soon after I sent him the text from Senator Obama's now famous speech on "race" that the candidate made, in Philadelphia (2008), the following letter was e-mailed to me, by an old and dear friend (who is also my chief music mentor). He is more commonly known as a legendary leader in the musical idiom known as "jazz". In any case, with the generous permission of this elder, I am sharing the aforementioned letter with you. It appears below.
**************************************
Re: Obama's defining speech on "race" in America

Thank you Bro' Bumpus . Perhaps the question is "What Is an American"? Notwithstanding the fact that America is a continent not a country; moreover, that places like Arizona, California, and Texas used to be Mexico and now "Americans" wish to build a wall to keep out the former occupants.

Mr. Obama- Barack- is attempting to confront-and resolve -a dichotomy between his political oratory and the simple reality of being a Black man. He has even fessed up to enjoying a fiery lecture on a Sunday morning, (one worthy of - Jesse- I might add - or the lesser known"Pork Chop" Davis), and why not? The latter are telling our story and they "run it down".

Is it so difficult to be Black and still to admit that fact with all its implications? What would the American cultural landscape look like without the children of the Sorrow Songs, Armstrong, Bird, 'Trane, and "Duke", Mahalia, Nina , Marian Anderson, Paul Robeson? No other people did it-make music the way we do -dance the way we do. We don't have to apologize for being who we are, nor subtly- one might say -subserviently merge our identities with others- ashamed to acknowledge a rich and incomparably diverse history.

As you have yourself rightfully pointed out, we Black folks are proud because we have fought long and hard for freedom going all the way back to the time we were enslaved. Our experience has formed the basis for ensuing struggles- including the fight for women's rights. We don't have to become Americans. We were ready for full citizenship when we arrived in the 17th century. It was they who called themselves, 'Virginians', or Carolinians', who murdered their Black fellow citizens during the 19th century riots in New York. They were not ready for a united people of America.

When Ray Charles sings "God Bless America" I become an "American". It takes a Black man to sing that song, to understand its words. Black folks are as American as the soil along the Misssissippi delta. We built the cities of New Orleans, Charleston and Atlanta. We constructed the East Coast railroads and picked the cotton, which were responsible for the bourgeoning industry in the North.

We sing original folk songs like "John Henry" even 'til today, to commemorate our toil. Richard Wright, the great African American novelist who wrote the book "Black Boy" (very controversial for its time, but went on to become a literary success) indicates 10 subjects - that are taboo when a Black man speaks to a "white" man. The three that stick out in my mind are white women, politics, and race. White people can and should solve the problems that only they themselves can resolve -peacefully - we pray - for it is after all they who have created the chaos in which the world is mired.

Best Wishes,
Bro' A Shepp

Editor's Note: Relating to what Brother Shepp has mentioned above, long ago, Dr. W.E.B. DuBois wrote: "The discovery of personal whiteness among the world's peoples is a very modern thing...The ancient world would have laughed at such a distinction...by emphasis and omission to make children believe that every great thought the world ever knew was a white man's thought, every great deed the world ever did was a white man’s deed..."darkies" are born beasts of burden...Such degrading of men by men is as old as man and the invention of no one race or people...It has been left, however, to Europe and to modern days to discover the eternal worldwide mark of meanness - color!". - "The Souls of White Folks" Read full post

War - To Proselytize, Murder, and Rape

Dear friends,

 Many ordinary people, especially those who have never served in any kind of military capacity, are unaware of the acts of rape and murder combined as being "traditional" behavior in human warfare. Of course, it is well-documented that around 2500 years ago, Hebrew/Jewish armies murdered and raped people, and burned the books of the villages that they attacked, then forcibly converted their victims to Judaism.

The "believers" of Christianity - a religion that grew out of Judaism - which itself influenced the birth of Islam, always acted in the same way that their Hebrew predecessors did. Therefore, raping and proselytizing those who survived the heinous assaults is the rule, rather than being the exception.

Even worse, such victims/new converts, sometimes, became the next group of conquerors themselves. As a matter of fact, during wars, considering the amount of rape victims who are not killed and become pregnant, the lunacy of Adolph Hitler with his fantasy about there being an "Aryan race" is totally exposed. After all, if one simply goes to the literature, s/he will find that the dark-skinned Mongolian Huns, who were originally led by a man named Attila, raided much of the area now known as Europe, for centuries, murdering the male inhabitants and raping women and little girls, in the process, making "mixed" children. 

Of course, Amer-Asian children from the Vietnam war era are proof of the continued savagery of some American soldiers and others who keep the incredibly despicable murder/rape tradition intact, now followed by troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Yet, while it is not always rape, per se, unfortunately, we see the results of this same type of inhuman and vicious sexual impropriety here-to-mentioned, from politicians, actors, athletes, musicians, and other "celebrities" who have both broken the hearts of and abandoned women and their children, spread around our country - and the world. 

 Finally, rape happens right here in the states to women in the armed forces, perpetrated by their own male "comrades" - all of the time. Not just when they are in a war. Again, please go to the literature. I challenge you. If you are unaware of that simple fact, then you may have a different view of how this country has been run,, since its inception. To be sure, this says a great deal about the overall direction that we need to be heading. President Obama's signing, and subsequent re-authorization of, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is an important start.

 One Love,
G. Djata Bumpus
Read full post

What is an American?

"Human progress has only occurred due to the efforts of many different peoples. No one body of folks deserves credit for all human accomplishment to this date. Surely, no such group ever will."

Dear friends,

Human progress has only occurred due to the efforts of many different peoples. No one body of folks deserves credit for all human accomplishment to this date. Surely, no such group ever will. In a book written two generations ago called The Study of Man, author Ralph Linton summed it up best when addressing the question, "What is an American?" He wrote:

Our solid American citizen awakens in a bed built on a pattern which originated in the Near East...throws back the covers made from cotton, domesticated in India...goes to the bathroom, whose fixtures are a mixture of European and American inventions, both of recent date...washes with soap invented by the ancient Gauls...Returning to the bedroom - puts on garments whose form originally derived from the skin clothing of the nomads of the Asiatic steppes, puts on shoes made from skins tanned by a process invented in ancient Egypt...Before going out for breakfast - glances Through the window, made of glass invented in Egypt...stops to buy a paper, paying for it with coins, an ancient Lydian invention...At the restaurant - (the) plate is made of a form of pottery invented in China...has coffee, an Abyssinian plant, with cream and sugar. Both the domestication of cows and the idea of milking them originated in the Near East, while sugar was first made in India...finished eating - settles back to smoke, an American Indian habit...while smoking - reads the news of the day, imprinted in characters - invented in Germany...and, if - a good conservative citizen ,gives thanks to a Hebrew deity, in an Indo-European language, for being 100 percent American.

All peoples have played or are playing a role that contributes to human progress, regardless of their continental origins, much less the colors of their skins. Moreover, at the basis of human civilization is a cooperative effort to co-exist. In fact, it is only within the context of our association with others do our lives have meaning. After all, we know that "value is a social relation". In other words, to sit in a room with a billion dollars of currency means absolutely nothing, until one either leaves that setting and associates with someone else, or, in modern times, transacts by computer with another. Therefore, at least to me, as opposed to that which we possess, it is that which we share amongst all of us (i.e., human beings) - ideas, emotions, spirituality, and muscles) which is most responsible for and essential to humankind's proliferation.

One Love,
G. Djata Bumpus Read full post

"...this is a White Supremacist nation! So what's really the beef?"

Dear Friends,

At least to me, it is interesting that so much attention is being paid to a nasty, old, demented man, as opposed to the real issue here of a young woman, as every other young woman in this society starting at The very early age of being a toddler, finds her self-worth in receiving approval from others, especially boys as well as men of any age.

To be sure, Ellen DeGeneres and other wealthy older women, under the guise of being "lesbian", are certainly just as culpable as Sterling and his ilk.

Besides, why are African Americans so upset about words from a flighty-minded elderly man, but afraid to denounce the fact that so many scores of millions of European Americans mean-spiritedly pit themselves against millions of their fellow citizens, by making the phony claim of being "White" thus forming an artificial "majority" group, while calling the latter just mentioned "minorities"?

I mean, that's why this is a White Supremacist nation! So what's really the beef? It's just the usual drivel from the useless to us, but useful to the rulers, mainstream government- and corporate-controlled media.

Liberation!

G. Djata Bumpus Read full post

Black Wall Street Massacre

Dear friends,

 This 10 minutes long video is a remarkable display of what Rap and Hip-hop could have/should have become. That is, instead of becoming art as a liberating force, they became nothing more than narcissistic buffoon minstrelsy!

Liberation!

G. Djata Bumpus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wOu7H3ohvs
Read full post

Esther Phillips sings "Home is where the hatred is"

"You keep sayin' 'Kick it - Quit it, but have you ever tried?..."

Dear friends,

Gil Scott-Heron "covered" this classic by Esther Phillips. The lyrics are incredible. Please enjoy!

G. Data Bumpus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvdnMzQGbEQ Read full post

Dr. Julianne Malveaux on a variety of issues.

"
"Despite the prominence of Oprah Winfrey, the profound wisdom of poet Maya Angelou, the gentle grace of businesswoman Susan Taylor and the small, but powerful influence ofAfrican-American women in an array of occupations, we are virtually invisible in the policy context and demeaned and distorted in popular culture..." - Dr. Julianne Malveaux



Dear friends,

Dr. Julianne Malveaux is a distinguished scholar and now Bennett College president emeritus who never seems to shy away from providing thought-provoking analysis and biting critique, regarding any number of social issues. Moreover, at least to me, she reminds, especially many men, that things that women see as in their best interests are not always what men seem to think as being in the interests of all. Recall clueless Steve Harvey's moronic notion, Act like a lady - think like a man"?

At any rate, on the link below, is a page from her Website that shows a host of short interviews and the like. Enjoy!

G. Djata Bumpus
http://www.juliannemalveaux.com/latest_columns.html Read full post

Empty Talk about Economic Development

Dear friends,

In Alaska, the entire state not just one city, for example gives several thousands of dollars to the family of each newborn child. Basically, it’s nothing short of a bribe to get people to live in that cold place. Yet, where is the economic development there and what is economic development?… Almost everyone works either on a military base or for some business that is directly connected to a military base.

Ultimately, the end result of economic development should be human, not corporate. In other words, genuine economic development will ensure that each child upon reaching adulthood will be independent, self-sufficient yet cooperative, thoughtful, and competent, while being a loving and caring person.

Moreover, in a nation that bases its legitimacy on its threat capacity through the police and military, not the vote, the onus is on the corporate rulers and their lackey politicians to not only control and maintain their wealth- holding status with its accumulation process, but to increase its magnitude. Considering that, empty talk about changing inequality remains just that. Capitalism must go!

G. Djata Bumpus
Read full post

The latest claim that is en vogue: Being "Gay"

Dear friends,

On the en vogue claim of being "gay": It's interesting that with such a lack of people being able to relate to each other (especially by skin color and sex/gender, much less employer/employee), in this market- driven country of ours, the "market" currently thrives upon its insatiable greed, since the 80s, with the latest commodities: gay night clubs, gay magazines, gay marriage, gay this, gay that.

So many people find their purpose by informing their identity through an impulse/the human sexual appetite, as opposed to informing identity through their connection to familial generations/humanity.

What a meaningful way to look at life. What is the future for America?

G. Djata Bumpus Read full post

Why African Americans need to wake up and Denounce Capitalism!

http://www.linktv.org/video/8240/richard-wolff-democracy-at-work-a-cure-for-capitalism#.Uvy5Gk2PPUc.facebook Read full post

The Gullabiliity of African Americans on Facebook

Dear friends,

I've been engaged in the topic about Black folks, especially men, being lynched regularly Down South (as opposed to here Up South (Philly, NYC, and Boston) in years past. It started over a post called “10 outrages reason black people were incensed in America”. Why would anyone either want or need to read this?

Besides, if an intelligent woman sees a book with the title “Act like a lady-Think like a man”, why in the world would she or any female with a brain even look inside the cover?. Likewise, why would any African Americans with even the most infinitesimally small brain be interested in one single reason about why lowlife, scumbag European American s in their most despicable moments ganged up on somebody, whether African American or European American (because they lynched their own too), assault the fighting and screaming victim, until the person was unconscious, then hang the person?

Finally, you can believe that the moron who wrote the piece mentioned above never talks about that aspect. It reminds me of the stupidity on Facebook that has Black people believing that the word picnic, an old French term for such dining, was somehow, instead, derived from European Americans using the term picnic for “picking a nigger” to lynch. We must inform to inspire, not confuse and make people stupid and unaware of that which will allow them to move forward towards liberation. The post mentioned above is incredibly asinine!

G. Djata Bumpus Read full post

Stop and Frisk - Is it a Crime against Morality?

 Dear friends,

The recent decision by Mayor DiBlassio of New York City to not appeal a judge's ruling brings back the argument regarding how the "Stop and Frisk" tactics of urban police are concentrated on, especially, young African American and Latino males, as the latter exist in an aura of suspicion that surrounds them. But do the aforementioned tactics violate "racial profiling" statutes? And do the authorities care, anyway? 

Moreover, as far as suspicion goes, perhaps, the relevant question is, "Since most white collar crime is done by European Americans, everyday, then why not start randomly checking the books of companies, corporations, and banks?" In other words, why is there greater concern for people stealing $20 from a person walking down the street or selling $10 rocks of crack cocaine, than for those who constantly steal millions from tens of thousands of retirement funds and the like,for example?

Nevertheless, some complain of police bullying, while others are rightly concerned about the psychological affects on the victims of unnecessary Stop & Frisk practices. And, does being a "white" cop make one feel like a superior being to those who do not claim that moniker? What about a non-European American cop who doesn't even have any history in this country? How can the government endorse such "privilege" to some of the population under the guise of "democracy"?

And how about the statistics regarding the actions of racist employers/employees and landlords? How many African Americans and Latinos suffer from those injustices each and every minute, every second, everyday, including possible loss of work and loss of residency? Why don't the police randomly stop and question all "white" employers/employees and landlords to check and see if they're committing racist acts?

Two crucial aspects of this racist Stop & Frisk practice aren't mentioned. They are 1) Since the overwhelming majority of gun crimes are executed by those who are not seeking to be detected, then it is, at best, a false abstraction to suggest that guns taken during a "Stop & Frisk" would even be used in crimes other than "illegal possession of firearms" (which means nothing, other than determining who gets to be a George Zimmerman and who doesn't). and 2) The "convenient" war on bullying, the game that is currently being played throughout our society, especially in schools, apparently doesn't include babies being killed by US drone rockets in Pakistan. And so, ultimately, the real issue is: Why can't people live together, without using each other as means to ends? Meanwhile, the Catholic priests, Baptist ministers, Jewish rabbis, and Muslim imams smilingly answer, "Come here, son..I want to share some of myself with you."

Still, Heather MacDonald, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute, admits that the New York City's Stop & Frisk policy may not be perfect. But she points out that crime — especially violent crime — happens disproportionately in minority neighborhoods. ( please refer to "Lawsuit Over NYPD's 'Stop And Frisk' Program Heads To Court", by JOEL ROSE, March 18, 2013)

By the way, women and girls are being violated in every neighborhood, in every state, everyday. Violence against females is, by far, the most frequent, as well as the most vicious crime that happens constantly, in our society. Why isn't real energy put into fighting that "crime"?

Finally, why is Stop & Frisk so conveniently implemented for African American and Latino men? At least to me, the real question isn't "Why does a hungry person steal?" Rather, as it has been asked by others before me, the real question should be, "Why do so many who are hungry NOT steal?" It's all about control! For the legitimacy of our government lies in its "threat capacity" through the police and military. Citizens are forced to be automatons, or else! So why is a human better morally than, say, any cat, dog, or bird?

Liberation!

G. Djata Bumpus

Read full post

A brief glimpse of Dr. King, a true Black leaderi

"Yes, I'm Black..I'm proud of it!...I'm Black and beautiful!..." - Dr. Martin Luther King










Dear friends,

During the two minutes-long video on the link below, Dr. Martin Luther King shows his development as a leader of Our people. At such an important time in history and the burgeoning Black Consciousness Movement that was replacing the impotent Civil Rights Movement, the rulers had to get rid  of him.

Say it loud!!

G. Djata Bumpus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Suw_CQ3zfTY

Read full post