Here is what readers of Global Black News have to say. You can have a voice as well, tell us and your fellow readers what's on your mind.

Send A Letter To GBN

Revisiting The Black Rapper As Pimp (November 9, 2003)

To whom it may concern:

The notion that Gangsta Rappers mirror the general zeal in America (and the world) to exploit any and everything to make money is certainly not new. This "revelation" in no way excuses the persistent exploitation of negative racial stereotypes by far too many Rappers.

I personally believe many Gangsta Rappers possess the creative talents to successfully express themselves in a way that does not exploit negative racial stereotypes. Their choice underlines the overriding requirement to make money at any cost.

One would have hoped that after that 10th or 11th million is made, somebody would have the courage to try something different. Perhaps the old paradigms can be successfully challenged. At any rate, Gangsta Rap has become very repetitive. The Pimp "spin" is not original enough to change this.

George Seals

To GBN, (November 9, 2003)

We are trying to get it together here in Kansas City, Kansas. We have nothing here and we are constantly watching the Mexican Americans, the Asian Americans, the Iranians and certainly the caucasion form associations and stick together.

We as black people need to get real serious and save our money together and help our needs. We need to get our people out of this rut of being consumers and not being capable home owners with training and education.

We must start now by not buying Christmas toys or Christmas and celebrate Kwanzaa. When we celebrate Kwanzaa we can make things for each other by pulling names and not giving to everyone. Don't buy for Easter save our money for our children's education and homes and small or large businesses. Very soon we are going to wipe out something that is very important to us and that is the love of us. We have spent all our life loving everyone but us and it is time for us. It is all about us. Whenever we pass bills or protest, things only work out for others and not specifically for us.

I say reparation now.

Beverly J. Darby, Community Activist

Barbershop: What's Really Going On? (New Response to old article) October 28, 2003

(Refering to Ice Cube and Cedric the Entertainer)

Well water always seeks to the lowest level, that is what happens when ice melts. It is because of men and women that had the courage to stand before white men with guns, dogs, water cannons that Icemelt and Cedric have the opportunities they have now. Neither of these punks would have the courage to engage as Black People did during the sixties, and being and old guy from the Bronx (deleted) both of them.

William Smith

Democrats and Republicans Have us in Trouble (October 27, 2003)

It is interesting how the Republican sophists are now claiming that everyone missed the boat on what would happen in Iraq after the sky war was won. What these dishonest folk are not saying is that when the decision was being made to go into Iraq they were calling those who disagreed with them "unpatriotic."

We are now in Iraq and we do not know how to get out. Saddam is gone and we now have to carry his load, we have to see that his people have the best benefits.

Unfortunately, we do not have unlimited resources. What we give to the people of Iraq we have to take from our people at home.
Presently, both Republicans and Democrats have to explain to their constituents why they have to sacrifice so that the people of Iraq can have a better life.

How this problem effects the next presidential election will be determine by how much the voters wish to sacrifice. If the people of California are typical of the people in the rest of America, both Democrats and Republicans will have big problems need next.

The people in California changed their governor but their financial problems and their state legislature still remain. The only thing that is gone from California is the national media people. They are back to important issues like Kobe. And we wonder why the vast majority of Americans have been turned off?

Louis A. DeFreitas, Sr.

Topic: Liberia to Israel: Fixing US Settler States

Hi, My name is Georgia. I am in (my) first year (in the) university in Queensland, Australia, one part of my course is modern history and I am investigating George Bush senior and George Bush juniors involvement in Liberia.

I have read one of your articles on the website and wondered if you could give me some more information on the political position of Liberia during the terms of George Bush snr and jnr in your opinion. This would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.

Georgia Peard

Topic: Comments On US, Bush and Iraqi War

Comments From Louis DeFreitas,

On one day we are told that three soldiers died in Iraq. The next day we are told that two soldiers died in Iraq. And, the next day we are told that only one soldier died in Iraq. We are not told the names of the deceased soldiers. They are not humans to our government and our media people. They are just statistics. Our soldiers have become expendable in Bush's War.

We are told that we are safe in America because there has not been an attack in America since the last World Trade Center and Pentagon bombings. One would think from listening to this spin that we had weekly or monthly bombings before this attack on America soil. Actually, the enemies of America waited nine years before hitting the World Trade Center for the second time.

Next year this time the race for the White House will become more public. The news programs today just give us speculations, mainly from white men. How broke we are and how many soldiers we will have lost next year this time will give us the true facts to make judgments on who must lead this country.

Maybe by that time we will know the names of the soldiers we have lost in Bush's War.

Topic: A Tale of Two Cities

Your information that you wrote in the article of Benton Harbor and St. Joe is so far off from the truth that I'm not even going to get into it. I'm going to guess that you probably didn't even investigate your facts properly. You probably wrote this article all based on what you heard from people talking on the street. If you want to write an investigative article like that you need to do it properly. As a resident of Benton Harbor I was outraged and embarassed by that article.

Sara Herzog

Ms. Herzog was notified that the article was written by a community organization (B.A.N.C.O) that was formed and based out of Benton Harbor, Michigan.

Topic: DEF SHAM: Russell Simmons - New Black Leader?

Mr. Ajamu,

Thank you for writing the article re: hip hop (DEF SHAM: Russell Simmons - New Black Leader?). Mr. Russell is not a leader in my eyes. - He is getting rich off our young black youth. who know nothing of what is going on in this country to effect their future.

The lyrics of the rappers are degrading to our people and our young women. Our young people are totally oblivious to what is going on everything is against them. the schools jobs the killings of each other among the rappers - I could go on and on.

Mr. Russell should use his money and his influence to enlighten our black children. But we as a people are being used once again. by our very own. It is a sad state of affairs. LOOK AROUND AND SEE WHO THE MAJORITY IS NOW, WHO ARE GETTING THE JOBS, NETWORKING, OPENING BUSINESSES. WHAT ARE THE BLACK PEOPLE DOING. COMPLAINING AND SITTING AROUND WAITING FOR A HANDOUT. LOOK WHAT'S HAPPENING IN HARLEM. We as a people BETTER WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE.

Topic: The Kobe Bryant Case: A Symbolic Interpretation

I enjoyed the article comparing Kobe Bryant with many historical victims of injustice. Being from Boston, I would have included the Charles Stuart case. In the late 1980's, Charles Stuart shot his pregnant wife to death, then shot himself(a flesh wound) and shouted out the 'N' word a few times, during the ambulance ride to the hospital. That was all it took for the local news stations to get up in arms. Soon afterwards, Mayor Ray Flynn and Police Commissioner Mickey Roache sent the police department on a rampage through the black community. An arrest was made and the brother almost went to trial.

It took months before common sense prevailed(the vast majority of murders are committed by spouses or close aquaintances). In the end there was no justice. Charles Stuart committed suicide by jumping off a bridge(he never went to jail). His brother who conceiled evidence(the murder weapon included) was never charged with anything. Stuart's son was delivered and lived for several days, before he passed on. Hundreds and hundreds of African American men were harrassed for months. The city even instituted a policy of "Stop and Search," where you could be on your way from work in your suit and tie at 5:00 or 6:00 in the afternoon and the police stop you while you were walking home and search you. I give credit to the wife's family. They set up a foundation in her memory and tried to bring something positive out of this tragedy.

Enough with my mini history note. I made a few observations while reading the article. I'm not sure that we should compare Kobe directly with some of these cases. Many of these historical cases deal with people who didn't have an opportunity for fair legal representation or justice. It's true that pointing a finger is still enough to get me or any Black man behind bars, at least temporarily, but Kobe may well end up getting a fair trial and an aquittal. It will cost him millions of dollars and may destroy his marraige, but Kobe's personal poor judgement may have done that on it's own. Peace, DC

Topic: Bush's Goree Island Speech: Truth or Hypocrisy

Dear Mr. Bakari,

I really appreciated your response to the Bush nonsense in Africa.

Sincerely,

William Loren Katz

Topic: The Hidden Ones: A MultimMedia Expedition

This article was absolutely wonderful. I truly wish I was able to attend. I would like to know if there is an audio or video tape available from this conference? If you don't have it, where can I purchase it?

Sis. Carol

Topic: J.A. Rogers: A Man who Exploded Myths

I was only sixteen years old when I came across one of Mr. Rogers book in a black book store, and what struck me was its title'100 Amazing Facts About The Negro.' Mr. Rogers was an informative and brave pioneer of Afrocentric studies, who has left a profound legacy for humanity.

Topic: Bush's Goree Island Speech: Truth or Hypocrisy

Brother, Akil.

My name is Khalid.

Let me start by saying I enjoyed your recent article on George Bush and his true intentions in Africa. I'm a 27-year old man who's fairly educated on our history, their history and the current times we live in.

To keep it really brief, I pose this question:

Over the course of the last 30 plus years (after the deaths of Malcolm & Martin) we (black people) have had a small amount of people - such as yourself - who have truly shown a concern about the well being of our people, politics, culture, economics, etc, etc. While seemingly the majority of us have had the "if you can't beat 'em join 'em attitude), thus getting caught up in the chase for the almighty dollar.

My opinion is it's time to stop crying foul, complaining, and begging the "powers that be" for our due equality. The ONLY way that we will EVER get that is by us uniting and confronting these..."powers" by any means necessary.

So my question - why not (and not just you) WE stop complaining and get ourselves together. The way I see it, we will never get our just due waiting. I would like to see brothers like you - through your writing - to start "rallying the masses" if you will, because we can't get anywhere divided. I know it takes more than one person, but hey, what do you think about it?

peace

Topic: Bush's Goree Island Speech: Truth or Hypocrisy

Fear not, Mr Akil,
You're not alone! Excellent article!

La Verna Gaines

Topic: Kobe Bryant Watch

What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty?
Furthermore, we cant compare this case with the
O.J. Simpson case, because the circumstances are
different.

Robby,
Madison, FL

Topic: Is There Room for Conscious Hip Hop?

Dear Mr. Akil,

I want to thank you so much for your article on positive hip-hop that I found through the google search engine. My little brother has been heavily influenced by the drug and violence-laden gangster rap he's been listening to since he was 11 years old. Now he is 17 and locked away for holding up a drug dealer with a stolen pistol. Although I am heartbroken over the direction my brother's life has taken, I felt a moment of hope on my last visit to see him. He told me that he wanted to change the music that he listened to, because he was sick of living life to a constantly negative soundtrack. I promised him that when he comes home in a few months I would get him some new hip-hop CD's by artists with a positive message. Your article gave me some great ideas of where to start. I can't wait to check out some of the artists you listed, and I hope that the positive hip-hop movement will have a stronger influence on my brother and other kids just like him all over the country. Thank you for bringing some heart to the hip-hop resources on the internet.

Sincerely,

Rosie Young

Topic: Fathers Day Article

Thank you for spreading such positive information.

Itisha

Topic: R. Kelly: The X Files

I really enjoyed that topic and I agree with you 100% thank you for looking out for those of us who are tring to make it ...........

Topic: Response To Reader Who Believes Naming A Site Global Black News Is Racist

GREAT SITE!

In reference to Jeffery, YOU NEED A REALITY CHECK! Calling a site "Global Black News" is not a racist thing. READ THE ISIS PAPERS by Dr. Frances Cress-Wellsing, and do a THOROUGH look at HISTORY, NOT HIS-STORY so that you can TRULY UNDERSTAND who IS RACIST and WHO CANNOT BE RACIST. Last time I checked, racism WAS, IS, AND ALWAYS WILL BE (as long as we are alive) SYNONYMOUS WITH WHITE SUPREMACY! HOTEP!

Sincerely,

The Deep One

Topic: J.A. Rogers: The Man Who Exploded Myths

Hotep, Peace & Blessings GBN:

After pulling out one of my volumes of "Sex and Race" this night which
I've owned for about twenty years now, to confirm an important aspect of African history for a less fortunate sister friend in terms of the heinous and persistent consequences on the psyche of the unconscious pathology of "white supremacy" in the world for African people, later in the wee hours of the night/morning I decided to go on-line, and then decided to see if there was anything on the internet on our brother J.A. Surprisingly, there was the brief but cogent biography at your site.

Brother Rogers was for me, when I first was introduced to his work prior to purchasing Sex and Race from Ms. Hilga those many years ago, like Bro. Malcolm was for the profound and cherished impact on and for the liberation of my mind and restoration of my identity as a black person in this contemptuous U.S. racist leviathan, ever mutating, ever festering and transmogrifying in new and insidious realms of ugliness and evil. . . .

I think you are absolutely correct, amongst other things, that the
impact and importance of J.A. Rogers is yet to be fully understood and
appreciated, not only because of the inherent merit of his work
scholastically, but because of the delirium of states like apprehension,
fear, bewilderment, nausea and such, manifest by the visceral knowing of truth when exposed to his material as was the case when I showed a few college associates as a student back when I had newly acquired Sex and Race; as in getting ill because your paradigm is in conflict and you know a revolution has to take place within if you are to continue to make sense of the world, or you do nothing and cannot escape the gnawing sense of despndency in staying a little shattered because of it.

At any rate, thanks for being there, and let us work for allowing J.A.
Rogers to get his full recognition as the great historian that he is.

Yours in struggle and enlightenment,

Bro. Mujib

Topic: Is Hip Hop A Culture

Wow. I just read a very interesting email that said to comment, mail this address. That is why you are receiving this message. I just read the article where you discussed when you went to Florida A& M and the students had no idea how to explain how Hiphop is a Kulture. Well that is so believable. I am so glad you took the time to sit in on the lecture and then write this article because now, with your permission of course, I am going to forward it to everyone on my list and possible post it on my tripod.com site.

But you know what the real problem is, we don't study our history. You have young adults between the ages 18-20 who don't know Fresh Prince use to be a rapper. I mean for real. He wasn't the illest out there but he did make history by winning that Grammy and being the first Hiphop artist to do so. The are not familiar with the Forefathers of Hiphop Rap. Which is sad. But those of us who do, I feel it is our duty to teach the people who lack knowledge. Hiphop is a well know lifestyle and culture of many but it started with us as a people. So the job is to teach and also be willing to learn.

That is all I wanted to say.

Thanks for the article, please reply to let me know if I have your permission to forward and post on the site!!!

Angie "The Hiphop Angel" of MassAppeal Media

Topic: President Mugabe & Charles Barron

Thank you for this information on Robert Mugabe and Councilman Charles Barron!

Arleen Hunt

Topic: NY City Councilman Charles Barron & President Mugabe

(We have an older article on Councilman Charles Barron hosting a visit to NY by President Mugabe (of Zimbabwe) on our website. Evidently he appeared on a TV show this week, which caused us to get a lot traffic concerning these two men. This letter and the next two are a sample of them.)

I just saw councilman Mr. Barron on Fox News and he acted as if he was uninformed of the reasons we were in Iraq. We are freeing the Iraqi people and helping them to govern themselfs. Americans are dieing to free the people and give them a chance to be free and live without fear from Saddam's Government and to protect America. There are so many Iraqi's who are thanking God we're there and are joining the US troops. We must trust our Great President and his team. Thank You, James D. Tubbs Santa Clarita, Calif.

P.S. Mugabe is a beast, liar. murderer and rascist. Having him in New York thanks to Mr. Barron is a bad bad thing. Thank You for reading this. We must respect each other and work together to bring peace to ALL peoples, no one is better then his fellow man. I'm native America and we have been here for 2,000 years, and anglo but I'm an America first. Thank You again. As my grandson would say, PEACE.

James D. Tubbs

Topic: President Mugabe & Charles Barron

Thank you for this information on Robert Mugabe and Councilman Charles Barron!

Arleen Hunt

Topic: Random Question

Why is it black news and not just news. Do you have to be racist people.

Jeffery

Topic: Call for Help!

I am sending you this email on behalf of my brother Leverne Williams who is incarcerated for a crime that he did not commit. He asked me to contact your papaper on his behalf because he would like to go public with the immoral and unjustly charges brought against him. He is serving a fifteen year sentence for a robbery that three other men commited while borrowing his vehicle. All three of the men have confessed to the crime, they have written statements to exonerate Mr.Williams of any involvement or knowledge of the crime. Only one of these men are serving time while the other two have never been charged or prosecuted for the crime although they confessed. Due to crooked procedures of the Da' s office and police force of Dutchess county in the state of New York, my brother never recieved a fair trial. Now he is trying for appeal and we would like you to offer your support and if possible a little assistance. My brother is a local business owner with three children and would like to come home and countinue on with his life. The DA has a personal vendetta against him due to his past criminal history, from when he was a teenager. Prior to this incident he paid his debt to society and has turned his life around. Following this email I will send you a letter as well as the legal documents of the case including the signed statements from the other three men. I am a young black woman tired of seeing my young black brothers getting unjustly treatment when it comes to the judicial system because of their past and the color of their skin.

Taifa Pharoah

Topic: Tears of the Sun: Movie or Propaganda?

I have to agree whole heartedly. I firmly believe that the US with another 'Coalition of the Willing' will be on the African continent with a decade.

Now that Iraq is poised to become the 51st state, with Iran sure to follow, the US will have a central staging ground in the Middle East to launch whatever offensives that they deem fit.

With movies like "The Seige" and "Tears of the Sun", I think it is HIGHLY likely that the US government helps grease the Hollywood gears to promote public acceptance of sometimes questionable acts. I think for the most part, that they play different media off of each other... ie. a TV movie of the week sets the stage for the political 'justification' for a feature film that is released shortly after showing thinly vailed sub-plot as 'justified retaliation' to the underlying theme of the previous project. The subconscious of the viewing audience connects the two and says, "I'm OK with the slaughter of these people, because these people are bad." It is yet another way to desensitize the general public to the horrors of war.

All in the name of 'The American Way of Life'. Within it's borders, that phrase carries an entirely different meaning than outside.

It's interesting to notice however, that the two films that I mentioned didn't do very well at the domestic box office.

Topic: Is There Room for Conscious Hip Hop?

As a conscious mother of a teenager, it was most informative reading your article. I got into a heavy debate with a conscious and well-informed sister concerning my extremely prejudiced feelings about the lyrics and impact rap music. She shared with me that there are many rap artists who create music with positive, intelligent and motivating lyrics. This profound sister also let me know that these artists are not privy to the fat contracts that the other commercials rappers get. It is unfortunate that for true artistic rappers to be appreciated for their talent they would have to compromise their creative integrity. Most popular songs and video are just "soft" porn set to music. Profanity and disrespect for one another is now accepted as "artistic".

How is it acceptable, and considered to be a compliment, to be referred to as a "B----", a "H-" or a hoochie mama? Why do young sisters find it necessary to gyrate and bounce thonged buttocks, while humping their barely clothed body on a "metal-toothed, didn't comb his hair, wearing pants which don't stay up, and thinks of young girls as 'chickens', male who respects no one, not even himself. Most gangsta rappers who say they are expressing the life they lived are "full of it".

How many have really had the hard ghetto life they express through profanity, glamorization of gangsta life, etc. Those who promote this type of music need to really take a good look at themselves. They have sold out to white amerikka for cars, gold teeth and 'bling-bling'. What example do they set for their children, our children and our community? What are they doing to the community? Impressing upon our youth to make money by any means. Drug dealers and prostitutes use the same philosophy. In addition, why have we let white amerikka dictate to our community what is viable entertainment? Profanity and lewdness sells so positive music with positive messages are not worth airtime? Our numbers are large enough that we should not have to depend on white corporate amerikka to dictate what is viable entertainment for our people. The monentary pittance they hand out is only breeding distruction of community morals, dignity, respectability and pride while they line their already fat pockets. At what price to us. We are better than their hand outs, our children deserve better and we owe them better. Please, all of you truly conscious rappers, keep your creative talents flowing... you have won this mom to your side and she is very grateful.

Peace and Blessings,
Efua Ansa

Topic: Shaq and Yao Ming

The article was interesting. My only comment is that the NBA and others who use the "Yao Ming Dynasty" phrase, checked with the Asian journalist on staff to see if the Asian community would be offended by the term.

This in my opinion, highllights the importance of why people of African descent must "represent" their own in the media. This is done by getting into "positions" where their opinions are sought before making insulting or racist statements about athletes or others.

Until we stop spending our money with people who insult us this will always be the case.

SWEETUC

Topic: Is Danny Almonte the Real Issue?
(Sometimes we even receive e-mails on articles nearly 2 years old)

This was an interesting article on Danny Almonte. I even agree with your analysis, but maybe you can explain something to me ?

Why is it that we as African Americans champion the cause of other ethnic groups ? when they speak they do not say "Blacks and Hispanics, only we do.

In every case, the people who we have (since the Civil Rights Movement on) included in our struggle, have benefited from our advocacy and have surpassed us in terms of economic stability.

When there is a racial conflict involving Hispanics and whites, they do seek justice for all people, they seek justice for their own.

Maybe you can help me to understand what is going on here.

SWEETUC

Topic: Tears of the Sun: Movie or Propaganda?

Thank(s) for that article. I tried to explain to my friends, family why I did not want to promote this movie in any way, even though a black man is the director. all I can say is thank you, I thought I was the only one.

Bonita Penn

Topic: The Cultural Jacking of Hip Hop

My name is Universal, a hip hop artist and producer from Queens, New York. I came across the Global Black News and of course was drawn in due to the mutual idea of conscious hip hop. I consider myself a child of the the hip hop culture, and can recall a time when I would enjoy the light of which my music was given. There is a lack of exposure of any music of which relays positive messages to our youth. As a man of 25 years old, I feel that we must take hold of our resposibility, and guide our children in the right direction. If it is the music of which keeps their attention, then we should ensure that the images are ones of which give them a well lit path towards prosperity..

Uni

Topic: Barbershop: What's Really Going On?
(Sometimes we recieve e-mails on older articles)

Hi. I just read your response to the film Barbershop. I just wanted to take a moment to respond because I read the comments as not just being about humor, but some of them as recognizing that there were hundreds of nameless people who fought for civil rights and who never won the honor and prestige that Rosa Parks did, simply because white folks were willing to listen to someone who had the backing of an organization such as the NAACP. To me, I thought it bold to point out that there were several hundreds of people who deserve to be honored because they did do the same thing as Rosa Parks, they just didn't have the political power. Just a thought.

Maya Hunter

Topic: The Cultural Jacking of Hip Hop

I just read your piece on Davey's hip hop web site. I must say, I totally agree with your piece. As a lover of the hip hop culture, I hope and pray that this doesn't get taken away from us like Rock and Jazz. We need people like yourself to keep pushing this thought to our people. I am doing my best in a somewhat related field, (video production). It has been a pleasure reading your piece. God bless. Peace.

Raj

Topic: Blacks Over-representation in the Armed Services

Newsflash - Poor rural Southerners are PROUD to be over represented in the military, and especially the combat arms. S. Marc Prince

P.S. Somebody needs to coach Mugabi, "peasants" are endemic to Monarchy or Feudal systems, not Democracies or Republics. He gives himself away.


Mark Prince

Topic: The Cultural Jacking of Hip Hop

Your article on hip hop was good, but I believe that hiphop is so big of a culture that it creates a checks and balance system. Rapping is cool but the culture has so many interest groups that will quickly call out fakeness. The underground checks the mainstream and the mainstream depends on the underground for new aspects of hiphop. Maybe you guys should write an article about hiphop creating what black leaders talked about in the past. A seperate state of existence without physically leaving America to go to AFRICA. HIPHOP is more of a culture it is a economic power of black America. We to started focusing on using hiphop to create our own companies that supply food, shelter all other human needs. We have covered music and fashion now we have a long way to go. We need to use the money we make from hiphop to spread our wings into real estate,food,aviation etc. There are so many avenues we have not touched yet. My partner and I own clothing line and from that, we will branch out into other needs for example the first cereal company, furniture company, or health care system(kaiser) for inner city cats or the first banking system for the hood, damn a cashing check spot. Hiphop can be the best thing that ever happen to the blackman or the worst thing but it depend on us and how we are going to use this golden oppurnity to save ourselves.

Jonathan Nelson
INFANCY CLOTHING
www.infancy-exclusive.com
301-515-0868

Dear Mr. Akil,

Topic: The Cultural Jacking of Hip Hop

I am writing to you in reference to your article published on the allhiphop.com website about the hijacking of hip-hop culture. This article hit home with me because I felt I could identify with what you classed as a different culture 'attempt[ing] to enjoy hip-hop'. I am a Caucasian female, half-Finnish, half-Lebanese, born in England, raised in Cyprus, and now live in Italy whilst I attend university in England. Having roots in so many different places, I have created a culture of my own which mainly incorporates Finnish and Cypriot traditions, and Cypriot and English styles of life. However, the one thing I could not appreciate from any culture apart from the Cypriot, was the music. Greek music can be extremely meaningful, full of passion, or sadness, or reminiscing. It's not like most other pop-music cultures who cater for the teenage population and release the same unoriginal songs time and time again.

As a young child in Cyprus i befriended an African-American who introduced me to hip-hop. From day one I loved the beats, the rhythm, the meaning... basically everything about it. And it stuck. To this day I love hip-hop, but I also understand more of the culture. Sure, not everything, but I'm learning. And I'm always interested to learn more. At my university over half the population is black. As a freshman, I noted a few surprised faces when, me, your average Arab-looking girl, emerged from the room blasting an old M.O.P album. One guy thought it was funny, you know, white girl listening to black music when she 'doesn't know shit about what it's saying'. With time, though, people got to know me, the black populace of my university no longer thinks I'm weird and have accepted me as a friend, often coming to my room to borrow this album or that album :)

Anyway, I've talked long enough. My point is, it's not always other cultures attempting to enjoy hip-hop that take the black culture away from it. Yes, it's true of Eminem, as you noted. But it's also true of artists like Ja Rule, who rap about how many women they've slept with or how much weed they've smoked. Bling bling, hoes, & bitches. In some sense, I believe the writer of the article in the New York Times was right. And that doesn't mean I'm saying you're wrong, but simply focus a little more on what's going on within the hip-hop culture. And besides, look on the bright side of the fact that different cultures want to be a part of the hip-hop culture. It's something interesting, intriguing, and enjoyable that leads people to choose hip-hop over their own culture. Who knows, it may even eventually provide the melting pot for the whole world.

Nadia Tuominen

Hello there,

The main purpose of these mail is to thank you for your contribution towards African development. And also to wish you "A MERRY XMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR and may god continue to help you in all your endeavours.

OLUGBENGA OGBAMOLA
AFRICAN INITIATIVE

In Reference to Dr. Boyd Graves Fight To Establish the Origination of the AIDS Virus

We must take action...and not only send funds to Dr. Boyd Graves...but also for all of us to flood our communities with the literature that Dr. Graves sends to us..This should be a nonstop effort, a IN THEIR FACES CAMPAIGN. We should all have literature to pass out on our daily travels that we download from Dr.Graves site --- or the info that he sends us...especially the time table -- We must all study intensely and circulate what he is giving us..and approach these Negro leaders ---with signs in their face to in this regards. Our major concern should be fighing this issue -- AIDS which wants to reduce the world's population and take all of Africa's resources...

Regards,

Linda Belriver

Topic: BET Shows Its' True Colors!

Thanks so much Bakari for your informative article regarding BET. I agree with everything you said. As Black consumers, we need to be able to turn the switch off immediately to the livelihood of companies like BET who think they can takeover and marginalize the programming. The worst thing we can do is continue to support them. And for the so-called business folks who use us to build their empire and then sell out, I've got nothing good to say about them. They will have to live the rest of their lives, in seclusion, counting their money with their heads hung in shame.

Kendrix

Topic: Barbershop: What's Really Going On?

Good Article! Have you read The BarberShop Trick: How Hollywood controls the Mind of Americans and Blacks written by Kmt Shockley? The website is www.BarberShopTrick.com

Robert Radford

A Call For Help

Pursuant to subject matter, I made a website in honor of my brother David Bennafield who is now deceased. With info from various FBI agents and other sources. I called it the Destruction of America and the truth about the 9/11 attacks. The website is at: http://davidbennafield.tripod.com . I am also involved in missing children. Our missing children site is at: http://dbenna521.tripod.com/cobra . I have been attempting to reach the Rev. Al Sharpton, however, I notice that when you go to that website at: www.nationalactionnetwork. com that it is not in service. I also would like to reach Spike Lee relevant to a book manuscript which was written in 1954 and was stolen temporarily by a major recording company of which Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor helped me to get it back. Would you have this type of information on how to reach these individuals? Any help or consideration would be deeply and most heartily appreciated. Thank you and God bless.

dbenna

Topic: BET Shows Its' True Colors!

It was easy to realize the direction of BET after the VIACOM purchase. However, there have been many references to how Bob Johnson was a "sellout". But,there are many blacks with and could combine their resources for Mr.Johnson's offering. So,how many offered exactly what VIACOM offered Mr.Johnson. Also,are their any blacks trying to get VIACOM to sell so that black issues can be represented better.

Can you give the names of Black businesses that are solely,strictly,undeniably owned by one,or more blacks? No white involment at all that is giving us coverage of Black issues that is the magnitude of what BET was before Mr.Johnson sold the company.

Also,there was great expectation that Tavis Smiley would be on a major television network. What happened? Yeah right! We can barely get comedy on major networks.So,when will Tavis be on a major network? When it happens,the powers that be complain and the show be canceled in the name of ratings then what and by the way that also will be a "white" owned station,so what would be the difference in Bob Johnson having sold BET to VIACOM.

Sincerely,
C.W. Oyster

Topic: BET Shows Its' True Colors!

I enjoyed your article on the gutting of BET News.

I unfamiliar with the Major Broadcasting Channel and I
would like to know more about it.

I would appreciate any and all information you could
share with me about this station.

Thanks in advance.

Sincerely,

Baiano Rey

Topic: Israel, Palestine & You

I am a Black American trying to understand the plights being suffered between the Palestinians & Israelis. As you already know, the US doesnt do well of educating us on international affairs, especially in underpriveledged Black schools. As a result, please excuse my ignorance, my world history is horrible, but could you please enlighten me on the following questions? I'm trying to become abreast of the Middle Eastern situations because their lives do impact ours and the future of the world's society. I would be in of utmost humble appreciation for your time!! Please excuse the dumb questions, but here goes:

1. What is an Arab? I see no Arabian country on the map.
2. What is a Palestinian? ( I do see that on the map)
3. What is a Jew? ( I do see Jeruselum)
4. What is an Israelie? ( And I do see Israel, so how come these two names seem to be used to refer to one and the same people?)

I commonly see Arabians & Palestineans in the same sentence, so I'm trying to figure out if one is a subculture of the other? or vice versa?
Same thing for the Jews & Israelites. Is this a subculture or 2 different groups of people?

I realize the Jews are supposed Christians. Are the Palestineans, Arabs, Israelites Muslim?

Who had the land first?

Why was it lost, or was it given away, or taken over?

Who's trying to get it back?

If the issue is land, why can't each just co-exist?

I know these may sound like very dumb questions, but you can help clear up my ignorance so that I may spread proper information amongst my fellow peers, who are also, concerned, but confused.

Thank you!

Peace and Blessings dgipson

We need new leadership in our black world, new voices for the people of color. All the big name's just not doing any good for the people. We don't have the one voice that stands out in the world and making changes. Everyone seems concern about the money they make and want to keep and don't lose face with people. Well Iguess at the age of 37 Iwish REV. KING was alive to help us. We have fallen and unable to get up.

revan sharon