Why does Hillary get the Black vote? (aka Why I love Barack)

I was checking out Bossip and saw an article on recent comments from Jesse Jackson. They were related to politics and you can check it out here.

The reader comments turned into a debate over Hillary, Barack and others. Of course, I had to comment. Since I wrote a novel and haven't written lately, figured I'd post my response. lol. Seems to be a trend...no blog post for a month...Bossip post gets me heated.

Before the novel…let’s get this straight…1. One should not support a candidate on race, gender or *gasp* electability alone. 2. NONE of the candidates have experience as president. ALL of the candidates will need “on the job training” as Hillary calls it. lol.

I support Obama because he's the best candidate IMO. Reading his book and learning about the actual man and the choices he’s made, led me to trust him and that’s not something I do easily. When given a chance to earn top dollar in some fancy law firm, he went to the Southside to help REGULAR folks like me. Could he be a puppet? Maybe. But, I don't think so. The above example (and many more that I read) lead me to believe in his moral character and what he TRULY stands for.

Truthfully, all politicians are puppets to some degree or another. They have to play to both sides and know how to straddle the fence. But, I'm not sure why we'd elect someone who has SHOWN us exactly how effective they are when needed and is nothing more than a talking piece. How exactly has Hillary shown her ability to lead the country? She’s polarizing to both Republicans and Democrats. She and Bill’s movement towards the right hasn't exactly earned points with Democrats. And now Bill is hanging with Bush Sr.?! I am not a conspiracy theorist; however, I believe she and Bill are now part of the New World Order with Bush, Cheney, Thompson and ‘em. That “no ways tired” nonsense seemed like a routine from the “baiting negroes playbook” and yet we failed to jump on that. Why?! That showed what she thinks of us. Throw a little slang at ‘em and you got ‘em. She talks the talk but is not walking the walk.

We Black folk give her credit because of Bill. No matter what you say, that's the truth! Being Bill's wife is not true experience. She didn't know he was creeping in THEIR home with another woman. How much did she really learn about his job and what it takes to do it? Recently, Bill said he opposed the war from the start. Oh really? Hillary said she supported the war because, by watching Bill, she understands these situations. Well apparently she was watching Bill from the wrong angle because, she voted for the war and continues to straddle the fence on ending it.

Don’t get me started on Bill! Black president my ass! As a teen and young adult, I was all about Bill. But that love affair has died. As I got older, I learned more about his policies and realized he is FAR from the left and was damn near a Republican when he left office. That’s why his approval ratings were so high! Some call these “centrist” politics what we need. But, Black people, we need to read between the lines and look at the policies these folks create. For example, did you know BILL CLINTON is the guy who signed off on making drug dealing a DP offense? Oh, he added dozens of crimes to the federal DP list and opened the floodgates for more of us to get death in what is known to be an unjust system.

When given the chance to address the disparity between crack and cocaine sentencing, he chose to only “recommend” change while he oversaw legislation that made those disparities law. And now, under the Bush administration, the Justice Department has changed its guidelines…but that law stands in the way! Bill pushed folks off welfare. On the surface, it may have sounded good. But what has changed?! I don’t see it, where’s the training and development he promised? Where are the economic gains and independence for our community?

It doesn’t take much to go to Wikipedia or wherever you research to see the policies and laws these people support. Read up on NAFTA and some of Bill’s other disasters. Giving Hillary credit because of Bill is not really saying much at all. What EXACTLY did she do, as first lady or Senator, which worked and made us better? Yes, she did draft a healthcare bill and told us “it takes a village.” But, that healthcare bill was not jiving with the times and her new one isn’t either. Go to her site and read her plan…then check out Barack’s. He is being truthful when he said her “plan” is to force us to get insured. That’s not a damn plan. That’s not dealing with the real issue…which is cost.

During the recent debate, Hillary called $97,500/year middle class. When questioned, she basically said “well that’s who I represent.” Meaning, she represents the wealthiest in the country and will create policy based on them. Those PACs and lobbyists she takes money from -- unlike the other Dems -- will be her new constituents. Now I could just look past these facts – my husband and I make more than that – but I’m worried about us as a community and want to raise up the bottom. What are we doing about poverty? Who can we trust to really address the issue?

We as a people need to stop voting in fear. That “most electable” stuff is BS. Black folks and women could play an important role in this election. So, we’re the ones who can determine what is electable. “The Man” does not have as much power as we give him. But he gains it exponentially when we choose to vote in fear or even worse…not voting at all.

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!!

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.