As many of you know this past Summer in Detroit, MI. the NAACP held a mock funeral for the N-Word! The Minority Report had the opportunity to help participate in and coordinate this enormous undertaking. The criticism of the time was simply the burial may be today, but the resurrection would be really soon. MTV Reports:
The n-word it is.
On Friday night at New York’s Roseland Ballroom, Nas announced the title of his next album: He said it will be called Nigga and released in December. A source close to the project confirmed the name on Saturday. Read the rest of this entry »
Mychal Bell, the 17-year-old “Jena 6” teen who was released from jail a week after civil rights leaders, preachers, students and other activists stormed into the tiny Louisiana town to protest his harsh prosecution, is back in jail.
A judge found that Bell had violated his probation for prior juvenile convictions. CNN reports that the troubled teen is now being held at the Renaissance Home for Youth in Alexandria, La. Read the rest of this entry »
Well readers I am back. As the great hip hop producer Timbaland once stated, “It’s been a long time, I shouldn’t have left you without a dope beat to step to.” What can I say IT happens..Sue Me! Good to Be Back!
Yesterday Jurors in the State of Texas versus Priscilla Slade case announced that they were deadlocked 6-6 . State District Judge Brock Thomas declared a mistrial in the case. Supporters of Slade call it justice while critics say this sets a bad precedent for those that seek to fiscally mismanage state and student dollars. Most agree that it’s time to move away from this negative publicity that continues to plague the university. The prosecutors in the case have declared that they are going to retry the ousted President, while others cry to leave well enough alone. I personally never felt she should have went to jail whether she was found guilty or not. Sometimes I think the results of justice being carried out can be more damaging then an actual conviction. Innocent or Guilty, Priscilla Slade can never again work as an university president or even as an accountant, the damage has been done, and the mountain has fallen. Let’s move on for the good of the university.
Today the Houston Chronicle released their endorsements for the highly contested Houston City Council Races. Check out the link below to see the chronicles list of candidates.
Looks like the same folks are back at it trying to suppress the vote. The House passed a Voter ID Bill on yesterday after hours of much debate. This legislation would require voters to present 2 forms of identification to cast a ballot in the absence of a voter registration card. In addition, it would require voters that did have a voter registration card to present identification to cast a ballot. The proponents of this bill believe that it will fight off voter fraud. However, this bill is nothing more than a modern attempt to surpress this vote. This is nothing more than a strategic effort that has taken place nation wide by conservatives. The bill was put forth 2 years ago in the state of Georgia and other states around the country. The bill also passed the House of Reps in Texas two years ago, but was defeated in the Senate after a threatened filibuster by State Sen. Rodney Ellis. Communities of Color and the elderly will be the highest demographic by this piece of legislation. Althought the methods have changed, the game remains the same. Someone once told me that if it wasn’t important to vote that people would not have tried so hard to keep it away from us. This speaks to the issues of the day, where see the same old problem of attempted voter surpression.
Yesterday Governor Rick Perry’s Office released as statement regarding Texas Southern University being placed under conservatorship. The interesting thing about this action is that it comes against the recommendation of the Governor’s own TSU Blue Panel Commission. I don’t think Gov. Perry gets it. Texas Southern University does have financial issues this is true. But understand that these issues have come as a result of his actions. He appointed the board that he has now asked to resign. Now, he is going to appoint this conservator. Mr. Governor, it may be time to return TSU to the hands of those that it serves. Perhaps the answer is simply stop appointing folks that are owed political favors and start appointing folks that are going to take a strong stance in reforming the university. Mr. Perry proceeded to take this action after receiving a letter from State Rep. Garnet Coleman and Sen. Rodney Ellis who represent Texas Southern University, and 15 other legislators asking him not to take conservatorship as an option. I think it’s about time for Gov. Perry to start listening and stop hearing his own drummer.
The top ten rule is still under fire in the Texas Legislature. I warned you about this a month ago. Have you made your phone calls, emails, or letters yet? Check out the article in today’s chronicle. This is becoming a serious issue for communities of color. Check out the link below.
State Senator Dan Patrick (R-Harris) has filed a bill to give a $500 incentive to mothers that give their children up for adoption as opposed to choosing to undergo an abortion. Now I have never been the smartest man in the world, however I don’t think that borderline baby selling is a healthy alternative to abortion. It amazes me how the right wing constantly puts forth moral solutions for society’s “ills” which carries less moral character than the problem they seek to solve. Im just saying…..
On Monday, the Texas House of Reps Committee on Higher Education heard testimony on eight bills regarding reform of the top ten percent law which guarantees admission to Texas Universities for all Texas high school seniors which graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class. In 2005 an attempt to hijack this law through legislation was thwarted through efforts of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus led at that time by Rep. Garnet Coleman (D-Houston) along with other Democratic House Members. Rumor has it that this effort has gained momentum during this legislative session as critics negate the need for the law since the US Supreme Court has ruled that race can be used as a factor in admissions. The immediate reality is that the law benefits rural pre-dominantly Caucasion high schools as equally as it benefits urban pre-dominantly African American high schools. Once again progress in this state which has benefited the African American community is at risk of being rolled back. Write or call your legislator and let them know that we support top ten percent. If your legislator is in favor of this law, then write or call Rep. Geanie Morrison, Chair of the House Committee of Higher Education, and let her as well as members of the committee know that we won’t allow progress to be rolled back in this state for communities of color.
