Did the Jena Six Buy Bling with Defense Funds?

The quick answer is "no" read on if you'd like...

Bossip.com has posted a youtube video which alleges to show members of the Jena Six flossing with defense funds. And when I say flossing, I really mean flossing...one picture shows Robert Bailey (allegedly) eating hundred dollar bills! But what's the real deal? Should we really "put them back in jail" as Bossip's headline states? Or is this another sign of how quickly we turn on each other?



When I first saw this, my stomach turned...first the appearance on the BET Hip-Hip Awards...and now this! Don't they know we have roles to play when in the public eye? We most certainly can't act "ghetto" when we've reached a certain level of fame (no matter how we got there.) Don't they know how this makes "us" look? Those were my first thoughts if I'm being honest. But, after some thought, what the hell do we expect from kids?

Flossing. Bling-Bling. Making it rain. Stuntin'. These words have become part of pop-culture and are not limited to the hip-hop crowd. I've heard the straightest arrows use these words. So why is it so alarming to see young Black boys acting a fool--like so many of us do when we chase bling and shiny things?

Even more disturbing were the quick-to-judge comments from Bossip's readers. It seems neither Bossip nor its readers bothered to research this! Instead they accused supporters of jumping on Al and Jesse's bandwagon and not checking for the facts. If you have followed my blog, you know I debated this very issue before I jumped on anything!

This is apparently not a new story. A quick Google search led me to an October 1st news article regarding these pictures. These pictures were posted and removed (on MySpace) BEFORE the protest. But, a NEO NAZI group is furthering the story by posting this nonsense on its site and accusing the boys of using defense funds for bling.

According to the parents, checks and money orders come into a P.O. Box and are used for the defense fund only. I remember a recent article which said their defense is exceeding the amount of donations, a number easily tracked based on account statements (I presume.) So I would seriously question these allegations before jumping to conclusions! http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=7134753

I'm not saying these guys are saints...these pictures, if authentic, are troublesome. Seeing them at the hip-hop awards - given the recent controversy - was troublesome. They are certainly not "performing" well. But you know what? I swear I see celebrities and rappers doing much of the same...on Bossip…on a daily basis. So I’m not sure why it is so shocking that our kids would be doing nonsense like this.

I didn't realize equal justice was limited to perfect angels! It was a known fact that Mychal Bell had previous convictions. I never supported them under any illusions. I supported them because no matter what *I* think about a person's choices, intelligence level, race, class, etc., EVERYONE deserves equal justice and those boys didn't get it!!

Mychal out on bail!

Yesterday, Gov. Blanco held a press conference announcing that Mychal's case would remain in the juvenile s system. While his conviction was overturned, he remained in jail because the DA appealed that ruling. So yesterday's news was a big development. I just got home, logged on and saw this headline "Mychal Bell of 'Jena 6' released; bail being posted". How wonderful is that?!

Even better, Al Sharpton made a few comments...

"We do not condone violence of any kind, but we ask that people be given a fair and even chance at the bar of justice," the Rev. Al Sharpton said outside the courthouse.

"Tonight, Mychal can go home, but Mychal is not out of the juvenile process. He goes home because a lot of people left their home and stood up for him," he said.

"Let America know -- we are not fighting for the right to fight in school. We're not fighting for the right for kids to beat each other. We're fighting to say that there must be one level of justice for everybody. And you cannot have adult attempted murder for some, and a fine for others, and call that equal protection under the law. Two wrongs don't make one civil right."

Love it! Get em Al!!

Can we send O'Reilly into exile now?

Just wondering if that's a possibility now. This man has proven to be a cancer on our society. He bashes Al and Jesse--and then does lunch with Al--only to make the most racist comment of our recent history. If you don't know, check this link: http://clips.mediamatters.org/static/audio/oreilly-20070919-race.mp3

O'Reilly and Sharpton "did lunch" at Sylvia's and, to Bill's suprise, the Coloreds were profanity-free, clean and friendly. According to him, we are finally thinking for ourselves now.

This story shows the following:
* Bill does not get out often and, when he does, he wears blinders
* Bill has no idea who Anita Baker is…why is it surprising there was no profanity or rap? Anita is an older R&B singer, where the hell would rap or profanity come into play? What was surprising about her band wearing tuxes? Does this idiot realize how insulting this is to Anita Baker? Damn, do a little research before you stereotype! Hip-hop is only 30-years old, so you can't blame that every time!! More importantly, the entire bit is insulting to Blacks.

You can't negate hate....

LOL. The title is my Jesse Jackson ode ;) I got tired of reading the garbage comments on CNN. So here's what I posted....

I find it appalling for anyone to negate this Imus situation or to pass the blame. Imus clearly has a problem with stereotypes and bias towards minorities. He has called a respected journalist “the cleaning lady” and his producer has likened the Williams sisters to animals. Now he calls a triumphant group of women “nappy-headed hos.” There is no righting this wrong.

Over the past few days, I have read about this so called double standard. Apparently, “urban” DJs and rappers use this term all the time. Well I grew up on hip-hop and listen to “urban” radio daily. I have yet to hear “nappy-headed ho.” I would love for someone to provide details on where this term is used. I am not excusing hip-hop; it definitely has its moments of misogyny. But, doesn’t the world? Have we not limited women since forever? Again, I am not excusing the use of words like “ho.” But, I see it from a different perspective. The music represents the culture we (or maybe “they”) live in. It is not always right nor is always wrong. We cannot blame a music genre for the obvious racism and sexism displayed by Imus and his producer. These are grown men who should know better.

In closing, I would like to point out how some trivialize the involvement of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. If people would read beyond sound bites and mishaps, they would see the truth about both men. They have long histories of civil rights activism and involvement with the “little people” in our country. Think what you will about their mistakes or what appears to be a love of fame. But, no one can negate their contributions.

For the record, both of their histories include fighting against misogyny in rap and violence. Additionally, Mr. Sharpton discusses various topics on his daily radio show. I am not an Imus fan but I do listen to Sharpton. I do not agree with everything he says. However, I am certain he discusses the issues your viewers directed him to. Sadly, pointing out the more important “Black problems” shows just what’s wrong here.

Winners/Losers

It's only humpday but I already have some winners and losers....

Winners:

Rutger's womens basketball team and their coach - I hate to say this but…they made me proud sounding all articulate and what not ;) You know how some like to think articulate Black folk are uncommon (Biden/Obama). Loved how eloquent and respectful they were. If you still aren't offended, something is WRONG with YOU.

Proctor & Gamble, Staples and Bigelow Tea – Kudos for dumping Imus. Green matters more than any color these days (as the Rutger's coach pointed out) and I'm glad a few recognized the power of Black dollars.

Some NFL players – I hear a few players were concerned Adam and Chris were messing with their images. Well, they should be happy now!

Al Sharpton – I don't always agree, but I always respected Al's game. Dude is the best interviewer! I listen faithfully and already knew this. But he really did it to Imus yesterday. If only all journalists were that honest and real.

Losers:

NFL teams – So the new commish wants to hold teams/owners responsible for player misconduct. Wow. I know a lot of folks are worried. I fully expect the draft and future negotiations to focus on moral issues and off-field behavior.

Pacman and his college buddy Chris Henry – Damn. One year for 80k in ones! ;) Just kidding, I realize he was questioned in ten incidents. But, a year still seems like a lot. He's going to miss out on $1.2 million in pay. OUCH! I bet he stays away from Magic City and tries to hunt down those other strippers…he needs his money back! And I'm late because I just realized they played for the same college team. Birds of a feather….

Imus, MSNBC and WFAN – Do I even need to say why? Okay, what the hell is a two-week suspension? Screw y'all!

Hilary Clinton – She just lost my support. Why did I receive an email telling me to join her in sending words of "respect" to the Rutger's team? Um, Hilary, please stop trying to bait us Black folks. If you really want to do something, publicly denounce Imus and vow to NEVER go on his show. My baby-daddy (Barack) is in Atlanta on Saturday. Wanna guess where I'll be?

Bama:

Deion Sanders...that burgundy get-up bothered me. And yesterday he did an interview from his steps...indoors...with a sweater and fedora on...

Update: Imus on Sharpton

Al just wrapped up his interview with Imus. I'll be brief with my recap:

* Imus said he was having a conversation ("shooting the jive" as he said)and got carried away with the jokes. He admitted they were racist but says he was not being racist when he said them. *scratching chin*

* Imus says his work with sickle-cell and inner-city kids proves he is not a racist

* Imus says his friends know he's not a bad guy

* Imus has not thought of the appropriate punishment

* Al said the appropriate punishment is him resigning or being fired. Imus disagreed and said Al (and others calling for firing) are misinformed.

* Congresswoman Carolyn Kilpatrick (and a brother from the NABJ) ripped Imus a new one! They mentioned their daughters and how Imus' comments could affect them. They mentioned how African-Americans already struggle with identity and meeting the White standard of beauty. They discussed how these Black girls were likely struggling at the mostly white Rutgers. At one point, Imus said "There's no pleasing you people." He tried to back-track and said he meant Al and Kilpatrick and NOT Blacks.

* A faithful Imus listener phoned in on his behalf. The listener said Imus led him to do work with inner-city kids and helped his foundation financially. Imus kept saying there are many more who will give like testimony. And the point is? How does this erase what he said?

* Imus tried to call Al out for not knowing what our federal government spends on sickle-cell. He implied that all Blacks should know these numbers and he was somehow more "in-tune" because he knew the numbers.

* Some guy (another Imus fan) called in and said the real problem is...drumroll please...HIP-HOP. What haven't we blamed on Hip-Hop? I am SICK of this nonsense. Back to the caller...he said "nappy-headed hos" is a hip-hop term and that's where Imus got it from. Ummm...NO it's not. Both "nappy-headed" and "ho" predate hip-hop you idiot! And even if it were a "hip-hop term", how do we blame a music genre for an OLD man's comments?

Nappyheaded hos? F*&# Imus!

WTF?! And people say racism doesn't exist....

So Imus and his producer Sid Rosenburg had a ball making fun of Black women the other day. The women of Rutgers' basketball team were called hardcore hos, nappyheaded hos and even jiggaboos....ON AIR....both TV and RADIO!!

This Rosenberg guy is a TRUE gem. He was fired two times before over offensive on-air comments. He basically called Serena and Venus Williams animals and hinted that they look like the Africans in National Geographic magazine. This time around, he added to Imus' racist nonsense. He described the game, a battle of pretty vs. "rough", as being like a Spike Lee film. He said it was "like the jiggaboos vs. the wannabees". How this was relevant I don't know! Why he said "Do the Right Thing" was the movie in question, I really don't know. It was School Daze butthole!

Catch Imus, and his apology, on Al Sharpton today. If your stations do not carry the syndicated show, you can check it out online. The website is sharptontalk.net and the show runs from 1-4pm. If he isn't fired, I say we boycott MSNBC!!