Hi George Cook here and on this page I will post news stories of interest to African Americans that may not get that much coverage in the main stream media. You can give your opinion or comments by emailing me at george@letstalkhonestly.com
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07/04/08
African Americans and Patriotism.
First let me wish you a happy and safe July 4.
Check out this great NPR Show Talk of The Nation which focuses on African Americans and patriotism. It focuses on how many African Americans have to reconcile the history of the United States with their love of country. A country that still has a long way to go when dealing with race: Click the link below to listen:
The National Black Republican Party ( all 4 of them...lol ) have launched a series of attack ads that portray Barack Obama as elitist and the Democratic Party as racist. I have to give the GOP credit for using the few black members of their party to say things that they wouldn't dare say. Watch the ads below:
Give your thoughts on the stories posted on the LTH OPINION BOX. Just type in a nickname, click the message box, type your opinon and click go
07/02/08
Black inmate killed by gaurds, vigalante justice?
Ronnie White who was in jail on charges he killed a police officer ( Cpl. Richard Findley RIP ) in a hit and run accident of Maryland was starngled with in his jail cell. The problem with this story is that his cell was in an isolated area of the jail that was only accessable by the jail gaurds. The FBI and Maryland State Police are now investing. Watch the story below:
07/02/08
Pros and cons of the Pill tricky for black women
African-American women taking a low-dose oral contraceptive may see an increase in markers of increased risk for developing heart disease or diabetes, a study shows.
In white women, oral contraceptives promote resistance to the effects of insulin, reduced ability to process glucose, and high levels of triglyceride fats in the blood, Dr. Anne E. Summer and colleagues from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, point out in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology.
These effects are linked to metabolic syndrome, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes.
However, the pattern of risk factors generally differs in black women. "Compared with white women, African-American women are more insulin resistant, have a higher prevalence of glucose intolerance, and paradoxically lower triglyceride levels," the investigators note. "Therefore, the metabolic effects of oral contraceptive pill observed in white women cannot be extrapolated to African-American women."
To look into this, the researchers examined the effect of oral contraceptives on insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and triglycerides in 104 healthy, non-diabetic African-American women. Of these subjects, 21 were taking oral contraceptive pills and 83 were non-users (controls).
The participants underwent a variety of tests, such as to measure blood lipid levels while fasting and to determine tolerance to an oral dose of glucose.
The women who used oral contraceptives had significantly higher glucose levels at 2 hours on the glucose tolerance test and they had higher fasting triglyceride levels. They were also significantly more resistant to insulin than the controls.
Analysis of the data demonstrated that oral contraceptive pill use a significant determinant of 2-hour glucose and triglyceride levels, as was body mass index.
The researchers therefore divided the participants into non-obese (BMI less than 30) and obese groups, and repeated the analysis. This showed that non-obese oral contraceptive pill users were more insulin resistant than controls and were more likely to be glucose intolerant.
"Assessing the risks and benefits of oral contraceptive pill use is complex and requires careful consideration in African Americans," the investigators conclude.
SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology, June 2008.
07/01/02
Black churches in Texas vandalized.
For the second time in as many months a black church has been vandalized in Texas. Click the picture below to hear more on this sad story.
06/30/08
Rodney Mason; an African American Hero
I'm sure Rodney Mason would not consider himself a hero. But this wheel chair bound man started a team in Newark NJ for the local kids in his neighborhood and has become more than just a coach. He has become a mentor and a father figure to these kids. So if a man in a wheel chair can do this there is no excuse for anyone else not to reach out to our youth. Read his inspirational story link by clicking the below:
White-power groups claim ranks are growing, supremacist activity up in reaction to candidacy
June 23, 2008
Eli Saslow
WASHINGTON POST
Barack Obama's historic victory in the Democratic primaries, celebrated in America and across much of the world as a symbol of racial progress and cultural unity, has also sparked an increase in racist and white supremacist activity, mainly on the Internet, according to leaders of hate groups and the organizations that track them.
Neo-Nazi, skinhead and segregationist groups have reported gains in numbers of visitors to their websites and in membership since Obama secured the Democratic nomination June 3.
His success has aroused a community of racists, experts said, concerned by the possibility of the country's first black president.
"I haven't seen this much anger in a long, long time," said Billy Roper, a 36-year-old who runs a group called White Revolution in Russellville, Ark. "Nothing has awakened normally complacent white Americans more than the prospect of America having an overtly non-white president."
Such groups have historically inflated their influence for self-promotion and as an intimidation technique, and they refused to provide exact membership numbers or open their meetings to a reporter.
Leaders acknowledged that their numbers remain tiny – "the flat-globe society still has more people than us," Roper said. But experts said their claims reveal more than hyperbole this time.
"The truth is, we're finding an explosion in these kinds of hateful sentiments on the Net, and it's a growing problem," said Deborah Lauter, civil rights director for the Anti-Defamation League, which monitors hate group activity.
"There are probably thousands of websites that do this now. I couldn't even tell you how many are out there because it's growing so fast."
Neo-Nazi and white power groups acknowledge that they have little ability to derail Obama's candidacy, so instead some have decided to take advantage of its potential.
White-power leaders who once feared Obama's campaign have come to regard it as a recruiting tool. The groups now portray his candidacy as a vehicle to disenfranchise whites and polarize America.
Don Black spends 16 hours each day on his laptop computer reading hundreds of derogatory Obama comments posted on Stormfront. org, a website with the motto "white pride world wide."
Black, a former Ku Klux Klan leader, launched the site in 1995 to create a central meeting place for the white power movement. In the wake of Obama securing enough delegates for the nomination, Stormfront, he said, has begun to fulfill his vision.
A site that drew a few thousand visitors per day in 2002 has expanded into Black's full-time job, attracting more than 40,000 unique users each day who can post on 54 different message boards, he said.
Almost all white power leaders said they are benefiting from the rise in recruits. David Duke, a former Louisiana state representative and a long-time advocate of racial segregation, said hits to his website have doubled. Roper said White Revolution receives about 10 new applicants each week, more than double the norm.
The groups also despise presumptive Republican presidential candidate John McCain for his moderate views on immigration and his willingness to stick with the Iraq war.
Better for Obama to win, leaders said, because his presidency could fuel a recruitment drive big enough to launch events that the white power movement has spent decades anticipating.
"One person put it this way: Obama for president paves the way for David Duke as president," said Duke, who ran for president in 1988, received less than 1 per cent of the vote and has since spent much of his time in Europe. "This is finally going to make whites begin to realize it's a necessity to stick up for their own heritage, and that's going to make them turn to people like me. We're the next logical step."
06/28/07
Racism in high school year book
Imagine that it's the of the school year. You have graduated and your getting your yearbook for all your friends to see and then you realize that your actual name has been replaced by a "ghetto" or racist name. A name like Crispy Nanos or Shaniqua by someone. That's what happened at a High School in Covina California. watch the story below:
40 Best Companies for Diversity
In selecting the top 40, BE conducted a comprehensive outreach effort to the CEOs and diversity executives of the top-grossing 1,000 publicly traded companies and the 50 leading global companies with significant U.S. operations. BE's corporate diversity survey focused primarily on activities related to the participation of African Americans and other ethnic minority groups in four key areas: supplier diversity, senior management, board involvement, and employee base. Related Items:
Recognizing Best Companies for Diversity
Aetna - Hartford, CT
Aflac Inc. - Columbus, GA
ARAMARK - Philadelphia, PA
AT&T Inc. - San Antonio, TX
Bank of America - Charlotte, NC
The Coca-Cola Co. - Atlanta, GA
Comcast - Philadelphia, PA
DaimlerChrysler Corp. - Auburn Hills, MI
Denny's Corp. - Spartanburg, SC
Eastman Kodak - Rochester, NY
Eli Lilly & Co. - Indianapolis, IN
Exelon Corp. - Chicago, IL
Fannie Mae - Washington, D.C.
FedEx Corp. - Memphis, TN
Ford Motor Co. - Dearborn, MI
General Mills, - Minneapolis, MN
General Motors - Detroit, MI
IBM Corp. - Armonk, NY
Johnson Controls Inc. - Milwaukee, WI
Kellogg Co. - Battle Creek, MI
Marriott International Inc. - Washington, D.C.
McDonald's Corp. - Oak Brook, IL
MGM MIRAGE - Las Vegas, NV
Pepco Holdings, Inc. - Washington, D.C.
Pepsi Bottling Group Inc. - Somers, NY
PepsiCo - Purchase, NY
PG&E Corp. - San Francisco, CA
Pitney Bowes - Stamford, CT
Ryder System Inc. - Miami, FL
Starbucks Coffee Co. - Seattle, WA
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.
- White Plains, NY
State Farm Insurance - Bloomington, IL
Texas Instruments, - Dallas, TX
TIAA-CREF, - New York, NY
Toyota Motor North America Inc. - New York, NY
UPS - Atlanta, GA
Wachovia Corp. - Charlotte, NC
WGL Holdings Inc. - Washington, D.C.
Xerox Corp. - Stamford, CT
Yum! Brands Inc. - Louisville, KY
Ralph Nader says Obama "talking white"?????
Independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader has accused Barack Obama of using "white guilt" to get white voters to support him and also of "talking white"
He says Obama is avoiding discussing issues of importance to black voters so that he will appeal to more black voters. Read the article and check out Nader's thoughts on Barack Obama by clicking the link below:
Imus who last year got in trouble for his nappy headed ho remark has said something on his new radio show about NFL star Adam ( Pac Man ) Jones that many feel perpetuates negative stereotypes about African Americans. Read more about this story by clicking the link below:
LANHAM, Md. (AP) — Democratic lawyer and nonprofit executive Donna Edwards won a special election Tuesday to become Maryland's first black woman elected to Congress.
Edwards beat Republican Peter James in the race to serve the remainder of former U.S. Rep. Albert Wynn's term in Maryland's 4th District. Wynn left office May 31 to take a lobbying job after losing to Edwards in February's Democratic primary by 22 percentage points.
Edwards, 49, will hold the seat for the rest of the year. James also won his party's primary in February, meaning he and Edwards will face each other again in November's general election.
Once she is sworn in, Democrats will have 236 seats in the House to Republicans' 199.
The victory also gives Edwards a chance to establish some seniority if she is elected to a full term. A half-year spent in the House could give her a slight edge over other incoming freshmen, such as better committee assignments.
Edwards most recently led the nonprofit Arca Foundation. Her win in February was her second try at the seat after losing to Wynn in 2006 by a slim margin.
With about 25 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday night, Edwards had 93 percent of the vote, or 2,853 votes, to James' 6 percent, or 189. Voter turnout appeared to be low.
Buoyed by support from powerful interest groups and unions, she capitalized on voter distaste for Wynn's positions and votes on issues like the war in Iraq and the housing crisis.
James, 52, of Germantown, focused much of his campaign on trying to alert voters to what he says are fundamental flaws in the nation's banking system. He describes himself as a Republican in the vein of Ron Paul, the libertarian-minded Republican presidential candidate.
Maryland's first black elected congressman was Parren Mitchell, who served from 1971 to 1987 in the 7th District, according to Jennifer Hafner, the deputy director of research at the Maryland State Archives.
Racism in NASCAR????
Believe it or not there is racism in the predominantly white sport of NASCAR. I'm shocked and apalled. Now of course I'm being sarcastic here but African American Mauricia "Mo" Grant who has worked in NASCAR for 3 years has NASCAR claiming she was the victim of both sexism and racism which included being called "Nappy headed Mo" Click the link below to read an in depth interview with Mauricia Grant about what went on in NASCAR:
Check out this great Newsweek article by writer Allison Samuels that looks at how many black women seemed to support R. Kelly more than they supported the black female victim. She compares the case to the Mike Tyson case and tries to delve into some of the reasons why so many women supported R Kelly.
Now there is no way that someone saw this doll and did not immediaetly see the racist imlications but obviously sockobama.com did not. This is a toy they have just stopped selling due to a public outcry. Here is there "apology"
An Apology
We are very apologetic to all who were upset by our toy idea.
We will not be proceeding with the manufacturing of this toy.
Thank you. Sockobama.com
06/16/08
Black Republicans torn over Obama Campaign
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Black Republicans such as Armstrong Williams and Colin Powell or torn over whom they will vote for in November. For many this is the first time they have had to make a choice between their own party or another. Read the entire story below:
Al Sharpton accused of Corporate Shakedowns
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This story is on the front page of the Sunday NY Post on 06/15/08. Now in fairness I must admit that the Post does seem to have some sort of persoanl animus toward Sharpton so keep that in mind when reading the story. While this is not the first time these accusations have surfaced this may be the first time a news organization and given businesses and names as to whom may have been shaken down. n Some points:
The NY post admits that it has donated to Sharptons Organization NAN
It can only list 1 paying position that Sharpton was given. A $25,000 a year "diversity" board seat with PepsiCo.
Most "donations" were made to NAN ( National Action Network )
Read the entire article by clicking the link below:
Real men don't walk away from the babies Fri Jun 13, 12:15 AM ET
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By Bill Cosby and Alvin F. Poussaint
Why do we persist in blaming the black family crisis on "unwed mothers"? True, roughly 70% of black babies are born each year to single mothers, mostly poor. One reason for the prevalence of single motherhood: Black females who used to get married when they became pregnant are no longer doing so. More than that, some black women don't want to marry the fathers of their babies because they contribute little beyond their sperm. Due to injustice and bad choices, many black men are unemployed, unemployable, or wards of the criminal justice system.
No one can speak honestly of black family hardships without addressing the issue of the estrangement of "unwed fathers" from their children. Real men do not walk away from the mothers of their babies. A father is expected to help take care of his children, but some of these men have trouble taking care of themselves. The more socially impotent black men are feeling, the more they will rely on sexual conquests to prove their manliness. But having drive-by babies whom they abandon only reflects their insecurity.
The situation is by no means hopeless. Once black men claim their children and feel the warmth of a hug, they will begin to understand what fatherhood is all about. Many young men have been struggling with the challenges that come with greater father involvement. They simply do not know how to be fathers. Many have never seen a real father in action. Later, they do not realize the importance of fathers in a child's healthy development, or the fact that unemployed, separated and unwed fathers can still contribute significantly to their children's well-being.
Thankfully, some African-American men are already confronting the father-child estrangement. They have formed organizations, such as Concerned Black Men, to serve as mentors for young black males. Civil rights and faith-based groups have developed "black male responsibility" projects. National organizations, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, reach out to young black males, keeping them on the path to achievement. Government policies supporting fathers, such as the earned income tax credit, are also important. All these efforts deserve our whole-hearted support for the good of America.
In some difficult cases, men with low self-esteem avoid their children simply because they see themselves as bad role models. What they need to appreciate is that from the moment they commit themselves to their child, they can still become good role models.
Kids, thank goodness, don't ask for a résumé or for references. They don't want to see our bank accounts. They just want fathers in their lives.
Bill Cosby and Alvin F. Poussaint are co-authors of Come On, People: On the Path From Victims to Victors.
06/13/08
Obama Baby Mama!
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Fox News which many consider racist has taken it's attacks on Michelle Obama to a whole new level On a broadcast on 06/11/08 they refereed to Michelle Obama as "Obama Baby Mama". Don't take my word for it look at the picture below on which they use the term in their on air graphic.
Wendy Williams husband conspired to kill rival!
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Kevin Hunter, who is married to Williams, sought out a male WBLS employee for help in finding a hit man to rub out Hot97 personality Tarsha Jones, according to the lawsuit filed Wednesday. Read entire story by clicking the link below:
Call to Oneness update
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Last week a community group in St. Louis held a march to protest the violence in their community. So what happens now? Click the link below to watch video on plans for what's next.
Innocent black man beaten by police
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Leave it to New York police to remind everyone that although Barack Obama has made history that this country still has a long way to go when it comes to black men and the police.
James Minter was handcuffed and beaten Garden City Long Island Police after they mistook him for the wrong man. He cooperated, didn't resist and was still beaten. The police knew they had done something wrong because later on they went to the hospital and tried to apologize and make deals to get Mr. Milner to not file a complaint. What is so sad about them trying to make a deal is that they assumed because he was black that he had some criminal or legal issues they could make "go away". Watch Mr Milner tell his story by clicking the link below:
A Call to Oneness, 20,000 to march in St. Louis
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On Sunday organizers hope to have 20,000 black men marching in St. Louis in an effort to stop the violence in the city. The march wil take place after a weekend of events to bring together people to form ideas to stop the violence. Learn more about A Call to Violence: A Day of Reconciliation by clicking the link below:
African Americans and Depression
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Terrie Williams represented some of the world's biggest celebrities: Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Janet Jackson, to name a few. But Terrie battled something rarely discussed in the Black Community.
Author Terrie Williams discuses her dealings with depression and how it is dealt with in the African American Community in her new book, Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting. Learn more about Terrie Williams by clicking the link below:
White parents adopting black children
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Many black children are adopted by white parents and both parties find out that even in today's society it's not easy. Now some believe that white parents should be educated on dealing with black children before being allowed to adopt them. Besides the fact that at the moment that's illegal it would lead to even less black children being adopted as it would add another hurdle to an already cumbersome process. Read the entire story by clicking the link below:
Oprah's ratings start to drop
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Oprah Winfrey's talk show ratings have dropped 7% over this year. Some of that can be attributed to a decline in the overall television audience. Some say her show is feeling the feedback of her endorsement of Barack Obama which seems to have alienated a part of the middle aged white female audience she caters to. This could be an isue as she gets ready to launch her own network, OWN. Click the link to read more:
He graduates from 2 colleges in 1 day
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Anthony Carter an African American man and former resident of Newark NJ did something remarkable on Wednesday 05/21/08. He graduated from not one but two different colleges one being prestigous Columbia University in New York. Read more by clicking the link below:
Spike Lee calls out Clint Eastwood
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Spike Lee is at the Cannes Film Festival promoting his new WWII film "Miracle at Saint Anna". During a press conference he wondered out loud why there were no black soldiers in either of Clint Eastwoods WWII films "Flags of our Fathers" or "Letters from Iwo Jima". Watch the video by clicking the link below:
Black Pastor attacks Oprah & Barack's sexuality?
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Every once in a while a story comes along that defies belief. This is one. A Reverend from Harlem James David Manning has named Oprah Winfrey, Barack Obama, and Jeremiah Wright the Trinity of Hell and has questioned their sexuality. He calls Barack a pimp and Oprah a whore. Did I mention the fact that he is also a Hillary Clinton supporter? Watch the video below:
Section targeting
01/15/08
Politically Incorrect Obama Cartoon
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Off the bat this cartoon featuring Barack Obama seems pretty messed up but it does convey a sentiment many African Americans have talked or joked about privately among ourselves when it comes to Barack Obama's safety.
01/13/08
Barack Obama's Civil Right Plan
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Click the link below to read a PDF Document containing Barack Obama's civil rights plan. In it he discusses hate crimes, racial profiling, ending deceptive voting practices, and much more:
