The Last Straw

Everyone who knows me knows that I am a full-blown supporter of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, hell I am an alumnus of two at both the undergraduate and graduate level, but Bobby Jindal is really making my nerves bad. For those of you unfamiliar with the situation, allow me to offer a brief synopsis. Bobby Jindal, the governor of Louisiana, in an attempt to save some money within the State’s budget, proposed a merger of the University of New Orleans and Southern University at New Orleans and formed a board to write a report on the feasibility of this merger. Jindal cited the close proximity of the two campuses and their low graduation rates as the reason behind this, but I, like most products of the Southern University system, see the disaster that such a merger would create.

First of all, we, the products of THE Southern Univeristy SYSTEM (the only HBCU with its own system with 3 campuses and a law school), would attempt to cause hell to freeze over before we let someone take one of our campuses away from us. I guess Mr. Jindal is not well versed in the writings of Booker T. Washington, who said that the fundamental purpose of Tuskegee University is to give those who would be unable to earn a degree from most other schools a CHANCE to get said degree from their own efforts. Washington later went on to say that if only one of these cast-away students out of an entire freshman class earned a degree then the University would be a success. Hence the lower admission standard for most HBCUs as compared to Predominately White Institutions. But I guess that’s the trend in society these days, people don’t read or find out why things are the way the way they are before they make their commentary. And the funny thing is that with Jindal being an Indian-American, I would expect him to be more sympathetic to minorities, but I guess you forget who you are when you’re a Republican.

I know that the argument that I’m making does not take into accord how the UNO family may feel, but I’m not concerned with them at this point. The report that was compiled by a Colorado group states that the only two viable options are to assemble the two schools into a “University of Greater New Orleans” under the University of Louisiana System or to maintain two separate schools one as a “Metropolitan University” and the other as an “Urban Research University” but would call for new leadership at both schools and would do away with SUNO’s historically black mission, similar to that of Tuskegee. The second option would call for these two schools as well as Delgado Community College to fall under the umbrella of an entirely new system.

Am I the only one who’s lost here??? So now the governor can suggest outlandish proposals and these are immediately brought into action? The governor can remove schools from systems and place them into other systems or just move them into a brand new system all together? This is totally wrong and I think Jindal just bought himself a 12 round legal battle, hope he’s ready for all that. Maybe somebody can explain this madness to me so I don’t look at it as racist or make a bunch of derogatory remarks about Governor Jindal, but until someone can, he’s on my “Fuck You” list, right along with Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, George Bush, Bill White, Tom Joyner and a few others. This proposal could open up the flood gates for other states and probably get some other PWI’s to get law schools on the campuses of HBCUs in their respective systems. I have said for the longest that black folks and their desire to assimilate into Caucasian culture is what killed the HBCU, but if Jindal succeeds in this outlandish proposal and eliminates SUNO from the Southern University System, mark my words, the days of the HBCU are numbered, pray for us!

Don't Apologize For Doing It, Apologize For Getting Caught...

If you haven't heard about blacks being "genetically inferior," read this;

The other day I had my friend post a link on my wall regarding an email that was sent out by a "badass" 3L from Harvard Law School. Apparently, the young woman was involved in a discussion amongst her colleagues in which she conceeded that African-Americans are "genetically inferior" to whites. Well this woman decides to further her opinion by sending out an email to her friends who thought that she had merely used bad judgement and gave her a Jamie Foxx pass (blame it on the goose) by sending an email to these same associates that bolstered her sentiments and gave "persuasive athority" to support her reasoning. This same email was forwarded to the Harvard chapter of the Black Law Students Association which was in turn forwarded throught their (unofficial) listserv and made it's way to the ugly world of the internet. (Glad to know that the messiness that I experienced in law school is also prevalent in Tier 1 law schools.) From the BLSA listserv, this email made it's way to nationwide news, Media Take Out, Facebook, and Twitter. Black folks were angry that Harvard BLSA didn't have a response to the hurtful email, while others were looking for whoever they could blame, and others were calling for the third year student to lose her Federal clerkship. My question to all readers of this posting is "why are we surprised?"

A few years prior many people wondered why I supported Ron Paul in his political endeavor after he said that all black and Latin males at the very least are semi-criminal. But I like Paul because at least he doesn't attempt to conceal his racist views, something that I appreciate. Given the history of our country, I think that everyone has some racist views, not calling them all racists, just people having those kind of thoughts. With that being said, we should all appreciate any opportunities to know who thinks less of us merely based upon our race, gender, orientation, and/or upbringing. I've never been a fan of the political way of thinking in which u have to put on a front and seem to be everyone's friend when u drag folks through the mud behind their backs. So everyone who disagrees with me should understand why I say that I'm not mad at the racist student's email. Furthermore I'm not mad at HBLSA's lack of response, nor the fact that the Federalist Society has actively came out and stated that the student is not involved in their organization nor where the comments made at a Federalist Society function. What I expected to happen did, Harvard has apologized and the racist student has in turn issued her own bullshit apology. But that's where I get upset at.

Like the title of this posting reads, I much would prefer for people to apologize not for the dumb shit that they do, but for getting kaught when they do they dumb shit. My father raised me to say what u mean and mean what you say, so you'll have to excuse me when people issue apologizes for things that they said. How about you not apologize for what was done and apologize that u hurt people's feelings, I think that would be received much better, if not, at least it's the truth. I think what troubles me the most is the reality that this student is not the only one who thinks in such a manner. When I applied to law school I scored a 155 on the LSAT and was bewildered how I was told that my mid-fifties percentile assigned to my score was good. I had heard often that it was a good score for a black male and was totally upset by that notion. I'm not an affirmative action baby, nor am I privy to playing off advantages that others may give me. Was my LSAT score good because my genetically inferior brain could never anticipate getting anything close to a 180? Or maybe that's the reason why law schols at HBCUs which cannot seem to get bar passage rates of 70 percent account for greater than 80% of all black attorneys in the US?

I'm not sure how to feel about this whole situation and write this for help on how others should feel. One one hand I'm appalled at this commentary and subsequent email, but on the other hand I agree. On one hand I want this woman to lose everything that her Harvard education is about to get for her, but on the other hand I pity her for not being to express her self in a closed environment and that being exposed to the world at large. But at the end of the day, TI said it best; all this dumb shit is just fuel to my fire, MOTIVATION!!!

Tell 'Em Why You Mad, Son...

First of all, if you haven't seen the debauchery that has been the subject of many a tweet, Facebook status, blog, and vlog, please click this link...

Now, I know that this has been widely commented upon and the like, but since I'm not a total fan of other genres of music other than Rap, R&B, and Reggae, I actually didn't catch the VMAs last night. Besides, this is my blog, and I'll write on whatever I want (sorry, I had a Kanye moment).

Kanye West, Mr. Super Producer Extraordinaire, what else is there to say about you? You have been outspoken in the plight of my fellow New Orleanians in our strife with the federal government ("George Bush doesn't care about black people"), and you have never bit your tounge when it come to matters that you find important but let me go ahead on and help you out a bit, Mr. West. First of all, I love how opinionated you are, and furthermore, I admire your asshole tendencies (takes one to know one, right?). But secondly, Kanye must come to terms with what I am slowly grasping, that being an asshole is not always admirable. (Some will be in shock that I said that) Kanye, we all understand how hard you work, and how far you have come, believe me, we do. But sometimes your rants make you seem more like a primadonna, spoiled rich girl, or pissed-off ex-girlfriend than the self-proclaimed "New King of Pop." Besides, didn't you say that you don't fuck with Pop after feeling disrespected at the 2007 VMAs? Now for my contention...The award that was given was not Kanye's to win, thus making his comment unnecessary and a showing of bad judgment and ungentlemanly amongst other things. Kanye told us all about how George Bush really feels about black people but what he failed to realize that a large percentage of White America doesn't care about black people. Michael Jackson was the first black performer to crack in the MTV video rotation as a frequent showing, so what makes you think that it would be entirely different in 2009? It is still White America who watches MTV, and you know they love their darlings. Think Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, or Britney Spears before the drugs, you can't say anything bad about them. So why would you think that Beyonce would have one that against the new little darling of 2009? Kanye West must realize that to whom much is given, much is required, and that turning on White America knowing that they are the ones who actually buy records, might not be the smartest of moves. That was an embarrassment to Black America. Kanye has proven to America that he is brazen, but had no thought behind his actions. MTV does not control who wins what at the VMAs, the fans do, and in that he should consider American Idol, Americas Best Dance Crew, and even the Presidential Election and come to grips with that fact that for the most part, Black America doesn't vote.

And the end of the day, its not as racist as I and others allude to, Kanye just needs to think before he acts, before we all look at him like the Mad Rapper of old Bad Boy Records, okay he's mad, but no one really understands, and no one really cares. You wanna dress like a gentleman, then act like on, Mr. West...

The Minstrel Show Continues...

First of all I would like to celebrate the life of Michael Jackson, the all-time King of Pop, and iconic legend to all the 80s Babies. I, like most other children of the 80s, was looking forward to an MJ comeback, but to echo my some of my other posts, everything happens along God’s timeline, not that of our own. R.I.P. Michael, in your words you’ll always be “Another Part of Me.” Also, part of this posting discusses the Transformers, so if you haven’t seen it, don’t worry I don’t give away any of the plot.

Now, last night I was adamant about going see Transformers 2, and I have a problem with going to the movies by myself so I petitioned one of my frat brothers to go. First of all, the movie is AWESOME, and it’s hot to see “realities” that we could only envision through animation or playing with our toys, *sigh* how simple life used to be as a child of the 80’s. However, one thing that really bothered me was the twins, Skidz and Mudflap. Before seeing the movie, I had read several blog postings about how Michael Bay had a lot of racist connotations within the film, and I won’t go so far as to call Bay a racist, however, I will ask Black America when will the time comes that will stop allowing ourselves to be part of the Minstrel Show that mainstream media frequently portray us as. Don’t get me wrong, some of the expressions made by the twins were things that you may here me say, and were very funny, however, I thought it was a bit much that Hasbro and Bay see the actions of these characters as having “personality.” But when u have two robots who are loud, obnoxious, common, saying whatever crosses their mind, have gold teeth, and are proud of the fact that they don’t read comes off as nothing but what Gorrilla Zoe labeled as a “Hood Nigga.” I’m not saying that we should boycott Transformers or anything like that, but we need to be more conscious of our own appearance and actions so that such characterizations are not made in the name of giving fictional characters personality. Until we come to the conclusion as a people that such actions are not “cool,” the Minstrel Show will continue at our expense.

Another example of The Minstrel Show that we subject ourselves to was evident in the Louisiana House of Representatives this week as a point of personal privilege was granted to commend Hurricane Chris and allow him to perform on the floor of the House. Being from a family with political ties, I know how those with influence want their relatives to have their 15 minutes of fame and gain their respective notoriety, but I mean when do you draw the line and not set your self up for epic failure. Chris I’m pretty sure your Godmother meant well, I mean you do have the #1 song on BET’s 106 & Park (WAIT FOR IT…), the song is #5 on Billboard, you’ve done community service around Shreveport, never been to jail, and graduated high school. Comma but, BET used to be a source of pride in the black community and is now is its own damn minstrel show promoting behavior that we should have deemed unacceptable a long time ago under the guise that its okay because, “we’re black, and we know black people,” so any recognition by BET should be politely dismissed by any self-respecting Black American, yet so many of us don’t respect ourselves. Secondly, mainstream music, especially that of the hip-hop/rap genre really lacks substance these days, so just because people are buying your record doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s a message to be put out there. Now I’m pretty sure that most if not all of Louisiana understands the word “ratchet” to be the equivalent of trifling, so I’m not sure if Chris encouraging the House to be ratchet was appropriate. (Although the House probably does some ratchet things and Boosie did say “we all got some ratchet in us.”) Furthermore, just because a chick is “fine as a bitch, ass and her tits” doesn’t mean I would equate her to Halle, so u just sound dumb, Chris. In addition, aside from the coonery you call music, the state is simple commending you for what you are supposed to do! Even though I’m sure your Godmother believed to be acting in your best interest and congratulating you on your achievement, you should have declined the performance and spared yourself the embarrassment.

So my friends, again its time to hold each other accountable, we have seen the mockery that some people make of us, when we stop allowing it and further perpetuating a stereotype? We really need to do better!

My State of the Union Address

My fellow Americans, November 4, 2008 is a date that will live in infamy in the minds of all African-Americans. That, my friends, is the day that Barack Obama, a black man, became elected the 44th President of the United States. This event is something that will serve as this generation of Black Americans’ defining moment. Our parents can remember what they were doing on August 28, 1963 when Dr. Martin Luther King gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, or even on April 4, 1968, when King was assassinated, but we’re not going to wish the latter on our President elect. Yes, today (last night) is that day for us where we will all remember where we were and what we were doing when we first learned the news that Obama had gained the necessary electoral votes to officially become THE FIRST black man to be elected as the President of the United States. His rise made me realize that “Change” and “Yes We Can” are more than campaign slogans; they are inspirational words that will also etch November 4, 2008 into the legacy that I am still in the process of building.

Black America, we have to realize that 2008 isn’t really that different from 1963. The ugliness that is racism, whether we choose to believe it or not, still exist in our great nation, and we have the nerve to call ourselves progressive. In a time where we are seeing that anything is truly possible, we cannot afford to sell ourselves short. Society has become so technologically advanced where we can have news correspondents interact with each other via hologram, where we can instantaneously receive news, gossip, and messages, yet a wise man named Alphonse Karr once told us; “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”

If you were following the results as closely as I was, you would have seen the results that I saw at http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/president/. I was disturbed, although not really shocked to see that most of the Confederate South voted Republican. This is why we heard voters express their concerns for the Republican ticket, but say that they would not vote for Obama without giving reason. We all know the reason. I’ve long remarked that being Republican works if you’re rich, but most of the poorer states including my beloved Louisiana, were engrossed in red on those result maps. Let me ask of you CNN, MSNBC, FOX and many other media outlets, if we as a people are that blind to the facts that we would logically reason that only the state of the economy and the war in Iraq were the two major issues in the 2008 Presidential Election, without including race? This is the same election where we have had McCain supporters boo at the mention of Barack Obama during his concession address in Arizona. This is the same election where comments full of the same ignorance and hate as experienced in the 1960s can still be seen on many webpages including FOX’s (http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/11/04/wrap-polls-start-close-frenied-day-voting/comments/). And I’ll refrain from any mention of the Jena 6, Jenarlo Wilson, and many other media circuses that let us know the ways of the South. However, this is the exact same election where many others commented that if Barack Obama were 100% white McCain would have conceded the election weeks ago.

For me, November 4, 2008 was the realization that Kevin Garnett had it right all along in June; “anything is possible.” I am not regarding this date as many in our race may, that this is our free pass to do whatever we like, but I am just as pleased as the next man. Yeah the marchers of the 60s had it right, change has come, but it has indeed come and will continue to do so at a price. And the subjects of my previous postings including Pampy, Jesse Jackson, and Rev. Wright, amongst others, should act accordingly. Responding to comments about my status; “Kellen Daranda J.D. is hoping that Barack Obama becoming the 44th President of the U.S. will not make him say; ‘they should've never gave u niggas a President!’,” I am just as happy as all of you to see Obama in office, I just hope that our people do not choose to “show their color” simply because they can no longer cite “when a Black man becomes President” as their time frame for getting things accomplished. And furthermore, in our quest to check off our objectives, we should realize that nothing will be given to us. In a time frame much shorter than our arrival to this nation we have seen special interests groups such as the gays acquire rights much faster than those of us who have had no choice in what we are. (Hey, these are MY thoughts; I never said I was “politically correct.”) Here we are still waiting on our 40 acres and a mule, and now were supposed to expect that everything will work itself out because we have a black man in office?

The good that I have learned from Barack Obama is that Democracy in America is not overly influenced by improper motives such as race, and because of that is not dead. The niggers, spics, and chinks did not elect Barack Obama, America did. Besides if we look at the ethic makeup of the United States, we will see that the minority ethnic groups combined still do not equal the majority and that Black America is no longer the largest minority group. So we cannot be lead to believe that it’s the Blacks who are on welfare and that it’s the Black male who is in prison instead of college. Maybe now that society has seen a piss poor campaign get the results it should have expected from day one, it will be more willing to lend an ear to our plight. But we cannot just expect it to happen, we have to make it happen, believing that “yes, we can.”

Barack has also shown me that my previous blog posting was all wrong, I should not beat myself up regarding my shortcomings, that’s not disrupting the trend of what I had previously viewed as mediocrity, that is giving up. Despite not being where I want to be physically, mentally, financially, or emotionally, I have to take things one step at a time and see that I do have the testicular fortitude to know that I am able to change things. So what I don’t have a job at the moment, I’ll get one. So what I’m nervous about my bar results, everyone else is just like many have been before us, and many will continue to be after us, despite where they obtained their legal education. So what I’m single, it’s the time for me to fix myself. Today I’ve seen a black man become the first person to do something, being defiant enough to earn acceptance, yet conducive enough to have it given readily. I have seen a vision of my own future, far removed from the rut that I have dug myself into.

I want to thank my friends, family, and fraternity for their words of encouragement in my downward spiral and would like them to welcome back the man that has earned their love and respect. I hope that you all regard November 4, 2008 in the same respect that I do, realizing that change begins with one, and that you too can do it. So today, November 5, 2008 please remember; Carpe Diem, I know I will.