Accusations and muscle shirts and conjecture, oh my! The “innanet” is exploding! I still don’t want to post anything that leans one side or the other. Plus, it’s so disturbing to read all the biting and scathing commentary from people who are upset with Long and from those upset with the three young men filing the suit. People can be really mean! So here are some posts I’ve found interesting that analyze the peripheral issues.
Yesterday, this story hit the airwaves (and Twitter) like wildfire.
I am one of those people who tries not to come up with my own conclusions before facts are presented (I said try!). I almost wish that lawsuits were kept secret until right before the trial because the court of public scrutiny can be a major bitch. So here are my thoughts on the story, which are unrelated to what I think about the case itself.
1. While we should reserve judgment until more facts are made available (please remember Shirley Sherrod), we must see that there are two sides of the coin. These are allegations. Which means Long is innocent until proven guilty. However, we must be careful to not cast judgment on the accusers. This morning, the head of PR at New Birth said in an interview on V-103 that we must remember that these guys have been on the other side of the law. I have two problems with that: a – It’s a common tactic to criminalize the victim. Many victims don’t have pristine backgrounds, but that shouldn’t bar them from speaking out when they’ve been harmed. b – I would just expect a little more from a church. If you’re not ready defense-wise, then just say “he didn’t do it” and leave it at that. Trashing these guys who have been members of the church, participants in the programs, and on the church payroll isn’t a good look. So I said all that to say–to be neutral is to stay in the middle. Jumping on the accusers/possible victims is still picking a side and is just as bad as jumping on Long’s case before he has had the chance to defend himself.
2. This case immediately made me think of Juanita Bynum getting mollywhopped in a parking lot and all the backlash that caused. We church folk have to remember that we go to the House for the Word and to worship God, not bask in the pastor’s fervor. They are not superhuman. They are people too, and when we keep that in mind, it’s easier to swallow when things happen. Yes, they are spiritual leaders, and we must believe that God will lead us to where we’re supposed to go to hear His message and to fellowship with other believers, despite whatever imperfections the pastor has.
2b. There are folks who love when stuff like this hits the media so they can talk about how religion and spirituality are irrelevant and the church is full of fake people. But as we all know, the church is full of sinners, and that’s the point. No one is perfect, but we can all be saved under the perfect love of Christ. So, stay strong, folks. Especially you guys on Twitter and Facebook who may be inundated with defending your faith.
3. Regardless of whether or not Long did it or not, I hope people in power positions everywhere are taking note that you have to protect yourself from even the appearance of malfeasance. Of course, it’s not always preventable, but be aware of rumors and take heed to not feed into those rumors. Also, know that what is done in the dark will always come to the light. I say that as a tribute to all these politicians (who have a duty to the public just as spiritual leaders do) who keep getting caught because they thought they were invincible then end up resigning. People who are in public leadership roles are held to a higher standard, so just know there is only so much privacy to be expected. Which is sad, yes, but it’s reality. So this is to you and to me, just be careful out there.
I’ll be watching the news and reading the paper just as you will. Just keep Long, the two young men, all the families involved, New Birth, and this entire society in your prayers, as I will.
I discoveredthis reportpublished by the Schott Foundationtoday, and my heart is heavy. Just take a look at some of these stats.
Nationwide, in 2008, white male students graduated at a rate of 78%, while black male students graduated at a rate of 47%.
The gap has widened–in 2006, white male students graduated at a rate of 75%, which means there was a 3% increase over the two year span. Black male students graduated at a rate of 47%–no change.
The ten lowest performing states (including the district) for black males are: GA (where I live – 43% graduation rate), AL (42%), IN (42%), DC (41%), OH (41%), NE (40%), LA (39%), SC (39%), FL (37%) , and NY (25%).
Side note: 25%?!?! 25%, New York? Whoa!!! The graduation rate for white males was 68%! That’s a 43% gap!
Before I launch into my diatribe about the plight of our children, let me highlight some positives in the report:
The ten best performing states for black males are: ME (98%), ND (93%), NH (83%), VT (83%), ID (75%), MT (73%), UT (72%), SD (71%), NJ (69%), and IA (63%).
Side note: Now, this is good and all,… but I will have to pull the population data for these states to see just how many black male students were there in the first place.
Two of the best performing large districts for black males are in GA: Gwinnett County (58%) and Cobb County (51%).
Now, listen, I know that everything in this report can’t be fully analyzed (and please remember that this report provides more than just graduation rates–it also has reading and math test average scores, advanced placement, special education, and discipline data) until they are put in context (I do this every day for a living). BUT, at the surface, it’s obvious that we have a problem, a serious one. Here are my initial thoughts in reaction to this report.
:: Coupled with the incarceration rates of our black men, this is certainly alarming. Our futures are in jeopardy if we can’t reel this on in. When folks start droning on and on about the plight of the educated black woman, this is the stuff we really need to be focused on–the root of these problems. If you think black women can’t find suitable mates, then we need to figure how to reverse this–not let it fester and perpetuate. The black community is at danger when we can’t get our kids through the bare minimum level of schooling. And we’ve known this, right? But now, here it is staring us in the face through this report. So what we gone do now?
:: Yes, it’s time for my me vs. we soapbox. So many of the black community’s problems are embedded in the fact that we have become so disjointed from each other. So many of us go day to day thinking about only ourselves and our short-term happiness. And while those are certainly valid thoughts, we should also be thinking about our community and our collective long-term happiness. Yes, the parents are responsible for their kids, but I still believe the African proverb that it takes a village to raise a child. We need to be reaching out to those less fortunate than us through mentorship and even advocacy. Give up a weekend to volunteer with an organization that focuses on our youth. Skip a couple of coffee breaks and donate that money to charity or your alma mater or to buy a book for a neighbor’s child. There are so many ways we can get beyond ourselves and redevelop our interconnectivity. And that’s vital.
:: Black folks aren’t the only ones that should be worried about this. Listen here–the performance of each and every one of our kids is factored into the overall graduation rate. Guess what–if we can get these rates up, the overall rate will increase as well. How can we expect to have competitive communities if we aren’t effectively training our future workforce? It’s no wonder (besides other educational factors) thatthe U.S. has gone from #1 to #12 in college completion rates for young adults in one single generation. This has a direct impact on how competitive this nation is compared to other countries. As I’ve said time and time again, what we do for our kids today molds what our society will look like tomorrow. And guess what–you can support the cost of quality public education today or you can support the cost of programs that support the unemployed and those not even in the labor force tomorrow. You can run, pulling your kids out of school and putting them in private schools instead of getting involved with the local school board and making your concerns heard through local politics, but trust me, you. cannot. hide. Uneducated kids grow up to be uneducated or miseducated adults. (Sidenote: I mean, educated kids can grow up to be miseducated as well, but that’s not relevant to today’s post, so moving on…)We cannot continue to be okay with shortchanging our kids.
:: Y’all know I’m not a problem-oriented person. I’m solution-oriented. So what do I want you to do? I want you to read this report and really think about the repercussions. Tell me how you feel about it in the comments. Then I want the mentors, tutors, volunteers, philanthropists, and advocates out there to keep doing what you do, and I want the teachers to continue going into those classrooms and busting your patootie everyday even though you are likely underappreciated. I want you guys out there to continue (or start) reading the news and keeping up with issues like this one that impacts us so adversely. And I want anyone who is looking for something to do to become a mentor. You don’t have to be well off to be a mentor. Join Big Sisters/Big Brothers or go through your district to see what opportunities are available or take some interest in someone at your church and be a light in a kid’s life. Show them that they are cared for and encourage them to be their best. Just because you can. It only takes an hour here or there to make a difference. Do your part.
So yesterday, when the clip of Shirley Sherrod came out, I was so disappointed in her. Here’s the clip.
Why would she set herself up like that, I said. There is a such thing as oversharing, ma’am! Why would you make a public speech and a tell a story about how you didn’t give someone your best because he wasn’t black. Whether you think it’s personally acceptable or not, you know it goes against work ethics. Further, you know that as a black woman in America, you can’t go around revealing that you’ve done stuff like that. What did you expect?!
I ranted, and I cosigned to other rants about the lack of professionalism.
Then, I got an email from Color of Change and decided to watch the entire video.
QUITE a different story. Ms. Sherrod’s actual point was that through a real-world scenario she learned that racism is not the only problem that plagues this country–classism is pervasive as well and has to be overcome. Ms. Sherrod’s story is about how the first time she had to help a white farmer save his farm, she wasn’t too enthused. She was thinking, I don’t have to do much because I can just take him to “his own kind” and they’ll take care of him. She soon found out, though, that “his own kind” didn’t give a cat’s patootie about this poor farmer, even cheating him out of his money while not doing the legal work “his own kind” was being paid to do. Ms. Sherrod stepped back in and used all of her resources to keep this man’s farm off the auction block. The story is about overcoming one perceived reality and learning just how important her job was in the lives of these rural stakeholders. She is reminding us that sometimes we have to get past “color” and recognize the “oppressed” and help them, a point that I think most of us would appreciate.
So why didn’t we know that yesterday? Why were we misled by even the NAACP on her comments? Why did the White House even fully back the Agriculture Secretary’s decision to ask for and accept Ms. Sherrod’s resignation?
I’ll tell you why. Because the media has power that is unimaginable and because people do not do their due diligence, even when they hold someone else’s future in their hands.
I’m disappointed in myself. I am. I KNOW better than to take someone’s word for it (even the NAACP, unfortunately) without doing my own research to come up with my opinion. I am fully aware of how people’s words can be manipulated to suit agendas.
I am also disappointed in the NAACP, who definitely should not have taken someone else’s clip and made statements against Ms. Sherrod in the media. She was speaking before an NAACP local chapter’s banquet, for goodness sake!! It’s THEIR tape ultimately. It’s not enough to me that today they rescinded their statements. They should have reviewed the video in the first place and stood up for this woman and the speech that was presented. Do they not have faith in their own organization that they aren’t confident that they wouldn’t have asked her to speak if she weren’t going to give an inspiring and educational message (as she did)? The ball was definitely dropped.
I am also disappointed in Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for taking the clip and running with it. As her superior, he has access to her record and should have given her the benefit of the doubt long enough to review the whole tape. Actually, even if he didn’t give her the benefit of the doubt, he should have reviewed the whole tape. I mean really. Do you really request someone’s resignation without all the facts? Especially if she was asserting to him that the clip was taken out of context.
I am, in addition, disappointed in the White House for fully supporting Vilsack’s decision without watching the whole video. It didn’t dawn on anyone that maybe Ms. Sherrod wasn’t blowing smoke and that the clip could have blown out of proportion? Or are they just willy nilly handing over support to any government agency head that needs it?
Who am I not disappointed in? The right-wing manipulators who saw a prime opportunity and took advantage of it. They have been battling these Tea Party issues, and they saw an opening to use the media and coerce everyone into thinking about something else for awhile. They succeeded. Even if just for a day.
This is a lesson to us all that we should wait until we have full (or close to full) information before jumping up on a soapbox and/or a bandwagon and condemning people. We should wait until we have enough details to really determine what has happened, especially if we have power and influence.
Watch the video. If you agree with me that Ms. Sherrod should be reinstated in her position, please visit this link, and make your voice heard.
<<< ::Update:: >>>
Since, the following articles and videos have hit the net. Tell em, Ms. Sherrod.
Re: “the bittersweet” feelings she has, I feel her. I wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t accept the position if it’s offered back. As my mom told me earlier: Damage control is a bitch, ain’t it?
Boo @ Roland. Why is he not even letting her talk? You didn’t listen to her yesterday (as many of us didn’t), and you still aren’t today! Sir, apologize for jumping to conclusions and then make whatever point you were trying to make. Someone on Twitter said that she still overshared, and I don’t agree. That clip didn’t even almost include her entire story (beyond the entire speech). How do you tell someone how to get past racism if you can’t present a personal experience that ended in her getting past it and helping someone she never would have considered just as vigorously as she would have those she was in the position to help. Big picture here, folks. We’re not talking about someone who evolved over a long period of time, who mistreated a white farmer or two and then saw the error of her ways. When she first MET the white farmer, she sized him up but even then, she didn’t deny him help–she sent him to someone she believed would help him. When that help didn’t come, she evolved and came to learn that people don’t always just care about color–they care about who has and who doesn’t, and she helped him. Now, if lil ole me got that from her speech, I don’t get why it’s so difficult to get. I mean, I know I may be smarter than the average bear, but geez. I would expect a little more from Mr. Martin.
The following video after the Roland Martin one is a little disconcerting too. I appreciate that she is finally heard and that the farmers involved are heard, but the interviewer clearly still hasn’t watched the video!!
Soon after, the Rev. Al Sharpton said black leaders should refrain from calling on the administration to apologize, saying that creates the impression that black leadership is fractured. “We are only greasing the rails for the right wing to run a train through our ambitions and goals for having civil and human rights in this country,” Sharpton said.
Al, I’m usually with you, but seriously? If the administration had the wherewithal to make a statement backing the gross overreaction by Vilsack, then it had the responsibility to apologize after finding out the whole thing was a ploy to counter racism claims and not even substantiated. C’mon, Al.
In political matters, we HAVE to do better at showing up prepared for battle and not being bullied into battle before you’ve had a chance to know what you’re fighting about. Why was responding to the Tea Party and FOX News guy more important than understanding the situation itself?
The verdict of the Johannes Mehserle trial came in. He was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. Guilty – yes. Involuntary manslaughter – no.
For those of you who may not know, Johannes Mehserle is a former Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) police officer who shot Oscar Grant in the back while lying face-down on the Oakland subway platform. How is that involuntary? Where is the justice? Did the jury really believe this trained police officer’s story that he thought he had pulled his taser? Even if it was a mistake (which I don’t buy), why would he have even needed a taser?
At some point, police brutality and misconduct needs to be addressed. I firmly believe that police officers should live in the communities they protect and serve. They should be community stakeholders and invested in the wellbeing of the communities. They should not be people who react and respond out of malice or even fear because they aren’t in tune with those areas.
Now I don’t know all the circumstances surrounding Mehserle and his employment with BART. I do know, however, that it’s a downright shame that a police officer can be caught on video shooting an unarmed man who is lying face-down on the floor in the back and not be charged or convicted of murder. This crime was indeed NOT involuntary. It was reckless, unnecessary, and senseless.
I hope that in the aftermath of the Mehserle verdict, the riots cease and that community leaders, along with community members, start really considering strategic implementation of efforts to prevent such travesties. We have to protect, not destroy, our communities. Reactionary, unproductive violence is definitely not the answer.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21
One of my favorite sets of childhood memories is riding down to the neighborhood fire station with my mom to vote. Several of my family members were poll workers, so it was always a friendly experience that I looked forward to. The best part of the going to the poll was fake voting. 🙂 There were child-size voting machines there, so I got to click down the old school pegs and “cast” my vote as well. I’m sure this is one reason I’m civically engaged as an adult.
On Saturday, July 10, 2010, from 8:30 am to 5 pm, Fulton County is hosting its first Family Voting Day. Serving a dual purpose, this event will allow yet another opportunity to cast ballots for the primary election early, and it encourages families to vote together (and expose kids to the duty of being heard through voting).
It’s important to vote–but it’s imperative to be an educated voter. If you’re a Fulton County resident, below are some links to help you prepare for the Tuesday, July 20 primary. If you’re not a Fulton County resident, please visit your state’s Secretary of State website and your county government website to find information on registering to vote (deadlines and rules), poll locations, and candidates. Be engaged in your community.
It’s too late to register to vote in the upcoming primary, but here is the linkto future registration deadlines and election dates. You can still register to vote in future elections.
Need to check your voter registration status or find out where your poll is? Click here.
Are you not able to vote on the 20th or attend Family Voting Day? Here are the locations for early voting.
Don’t know what we’re voting for in this election? Here are sample ballots: Democratic andRepublican.
Interested in upcoming debates? Go here.(Also, stay tuned for more information on the gubernatorial debate hostedTau Epsilon Omega ChapterofAlpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.)
Finally, for more information about the candidates, visit this site.
Get involved. Remember that local politics are just as, if not more, important as national politics. Don’t just complain–identify your issues and make your voice heard. Voting is your bare minimum civic responsibility. Do your part.
This AJC article made my day. I am a firm believer in spending your money where you pay your taxes. This movie theater is my local theater, and I was really sad at the end of the last year when it closed. I wasn’t even in town to see one more movie! I haven’t been to the movies half as much since its closure–for several reasons, including the fact that the other theater near my house isn’t as reliable (think late starting and unfocused movies).
Beyond that, though, I think this is a newsworthy topic because as soon as I posted the article on Facebook, I got comments about how hood this theater and the mall are. Well… Part of the reason they’re “hood” is because they’ve been abandoned by the very people who would make a difference. I have neighbors who will drive 20 minutes to a crowded theater in a neighborhood they will never live in to not be around “the element” just to find those folks in “the element” who actually have cars met them there.
Now, I’m no fool. I know not to go to Greenbriar on the opening night of a Madea movie. Wait–I don’t go see Madea movies anywhere on opening night (I probably won’t see them in a theater at any time–just not my thing). I haven’t seen the excessive dirtiness people cite when talking about this theater. And I’m a movie LOVER so I have been to some theaters in my day. The workers are polite (and probably will always be because I’m a regular and I’m always polite too), and I see them cleaning after each movie like I do in other theaters. I’ve been to this theater at all times of day and into the night. With friends and by myself (yes, I love movies that much). I’ve never been mugged. I’ve never heard gunshots. I’ve never felt concerned for my safety. In fact, there have been times that workers or security guards make a point, without being asked, to watch me to my car if I’m unescorted.
When people with the resources patronize their neighborhood businesses, then maybe it won’t be such a struggle to keep those businesses open. Greenbriar does not have as many offerings as other malls, but guess why?? Because the demographics of the people shopping there don’t attract the kind of businesses that could actually flourish there if the demographics of the neighborhood were the consideration. But if the folks who live there aren’t going there, then businesses aren’t going to cater to them. In my dreams, Greenbriar would have stores that would bring people to our area and spend their dollars. But we can’t attract others if people would rather go to the Cumberland Macy’s, even if they don’t need to shop anywhere but Macy’s, when there’s a Macy’s down the street. And at risk of people stealing my secrets, my Macy’s is a great one because I can ALWAYS find my size in suits because I don’t have to worry about people in my income demographic going over there to purchase them. (Unfortunately, I have a shoe size that isn’t as easy to find. Poo.)
So! Am I ashamed of being happy and excited that Greenbriar has new investors and my theater is reopening? NO! Am I happy yet another beauty supply store is being opened? No, but that’s a part of the reality. I hope people will start patronizing the businesses in their neighborhood so that the businesses desired will have a reason to be there. The proverbial “element” is in control when “the element” is the only group vested in or supporting area businesses. Kinda like the Census (in which I hope all of you will participate)–you gotta be counted to count.
So this article was published earlier this week, and a few people have asked my opinion. Well… Here goes.
It took me a while to mozey on over here because while I do think this is a case of racism (and a dash of sexism), I don’t think that argument is sound or viable enough as the schools chosen are of the smallest of the public universities in Mississippi. I am opposed to the merging of MS’s universities, but not just because of said -isms. Lemme tell you why.
1. I do think there needs to be some reform in higher learning in the state. But I think that reform needs to happen across the board. Yes, duplication and underperformance is an issue in some of the 8 public institutions. I’d like to see what the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or some other commission that includes representation from each university is doing/can do to encourage partnership across schools in various areas and to discuss and strategize coordination of services and other planning and policy issues. I really think that a commission should be able to come up with creative ways to address issues.
2. I think it’s mighty coincidental that Delta State wasn’t mentioned in any of these articles. Delta State, which is across the street (literally) from Mississippi Valley and which has a student population not much bigger than Alcorn State and which has been having some financial and operational issues itself, was not one of the schools proposed to lose its identity. That bothers me. A more believable proposal would have been to set up some kind of cooperative if not merger with Delta State and Valley. Not Alcorn, Valley, and JSU, which are nowhere near each other.
3. Ok, so SWAC and small universities may not be much to some, but it would seem to me that the governor of the state would consider the dynamics of each of its HBCUs. Different histories, different focuses, different cultures. I really can’t imagine ALCORN of all schools becoming Jackson State. LOL how hilarious. So ok, you say you will save $35 million (which is less than 10 percent of the state budget), but how much money will be lost on rival games and activities, that bring in ticket revenue and tax revenue? Oh yeah, I forgot, usually the numbers of people attending these types of events are underreported. Hmmm…
Over the past few years, every so often, at least once or twice a year, I hear talk of the significance and need for HBCUs. And of plots to get rid of them. Well, as an HBCU grad who has attended (and earned multiple degrees from) private and public institutions, an HBCU and a PWI, they are definitely needed. Especially in the South. Research has shown that HBCUs have a profound impact on the education of minority students, in term of graduation rates, percentage of students in scientific fields, and even in percentage of students moving on to and finishing graduate school.
4. I really can’t comprehend how significant savings will be realized if the campuses stay open. The HBCUs are past what I would think comfortable driving distance is for students or teachers who want to teach at multiple campuses. But I could be wrong. I don’t think it’s that feasible to share staff or to close entire departments. Unless he’s planning to fire presidents or something. I’d like to see details of the savings forecast.
5. Finally, it seems every time MS is in a budget crisis, which could have been somewhat buffered had Barbour taken the stimulus money (he rejected $56 MILLION), education is taxed. That’s not cool. Education is the linchpin of hope and rising above expectations. If you want to attract residents and businesses, you have to have a strong education system, from Pre-K to graduate school. If you want to attract young professionals, they need options on continuous training. If you want to strengthen your homegrown talent, you have to teach and train them to hold the skills you will need in the future. Education needs to be added to–not taken away from.
I hope this proposal is thrown out of the window. I hope those at the Capitol today make an impact on the viability of passing this proposal. Happy Friday!
Real Middle School Mom of Atlanta 