No Warning Shots Fired.com will partner with Chuck D's (Public Enemy) Air America program "On the Real" to produce a segment featuring commentary from TRUTH Minista Paul Scott.
The program airs Sunday Nights at 11PM EST.
Scott's segment will air a couple of times each month.
Keep checking No Warning Shots Fired.com for dates and times.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Jerk Dancin' in Durham
Photo: Mark Wallace (Crush 1)Jerk Dancin' in Durham
Paul Scott
Twenty-five years ago, Hip Hop kids like me were being kicked out of malls for holding impromptu break dance competitions to the chagrin of mall security. Well, times have changed and members of my age group are no longer doing windmills and back flips. However, some things have remained the same. A generation later, kids are still getting run out of malls for dancing.
The latest dance sensation sweepin' the nation is called "Jerkin'" inspired by a song by new Hip Hop crew, the New Boys called "You're a Jerk. " The New Boys are following a trend started by artists like "Soulja Boy Tell em" who put new songs on youtube with funky dance moves and become overnight superstars with a nation of teens following in their dancin' shoe steps.
Songs like "You're a Jerk" have also fueled dancing competitions called "battles." Go to any mall and you will see kids square off to engage in rhythmic combat. That is until some dude in a fresh pressed white shirt, a Dudley Doright mountie hat holding a billy club crashes their party.
It takes one back too a simpler time when a gathering of young folks meant that they were watching their homeboys dance, not engaging in violent confrontations.
Durham resident Mark Wallace has fond memories of those days.
Back in the early 80's, Wallace, then known as "Crush 1" used to electric boogie down the streets of his native Manhattan along with his homies, "Dizzy Doez and "Kippy D." He was also a member of one of the most popular break dancing crews of the day , The Rock Steady Crew, which gained national attention for their many movie appearances and their groundbreaking segment on ABC's news program, 20/20, of which Wallace was a part.
Before turning his energies to breakin', Wallace had his share of run ins with the law for tagging trains in Brooklyn.
However, dancing kept him from doing a lot worst things than spray painting his name on trains.
"Breakin' started at the heart of the heroin era and the dealers were trying to get kids involved in the drug trade, says Wallace. "Breakin' gave us a way out."
Poppin' and Lockin' also kept him out of neighborhood gangs like the Decepticons.
"We built a fortress that they couldn't penetrate", he says.
Just as dancing was able to stop gang violence in New York during the 80's, could it also stop gang bangin' in Durham in 2009?
Wallace thinks it can.
"Gang members will want to embrace this art form, he says. "Where they now identify with colors, they will identify with dance moves."
It's not like Durham doesn't have the space for dance competitions. How about that CCB plaza area downtown that is rarely used? Or that new park that they built downtown?
The city has the means but do our officials have the will?
While "Jerk" contests might not save all of Durham's kids, it will serve as an outlet for a bunch of energetic teens whose main complaints are that there is "nothing to do in Durham."
Local Jerk dancer, Nia Scott agrees. "There isn't enough stuff for me and my friends to do, she says. "We get tired of hanging out at the mall."
If dancing stops one child from going down the wrong path, isn't it worth a few boom boxes blaring downtown?
It helped Mark Wallace.
"There's no telling where I would have been without break dancing."
Mark Wallace is a health coach and authority on break dancing. To contact him call (631)428-6425)
Paul Scott writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com. He can be reached at (919) 451-8283 info@nowarningshotsfired.com
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
NWSF Exclusive: Archer's Aim on Target
Archer's Aim on Target
Paul Scott
I don't know if you've seen the old HBO series, "The Wire" but it's about a neighborhood in Baltimore that even the cops are afraid to enter. There are real life 'hoods in Durham that remind you of that series. "The Bottom" is one of them.
If you aren't from Durham you probably only know the area by the names of the streets that often appear in newspapers because of drug arrests and murders, Enterprise St. and Scout Drive.
This is the area where Barry and Carmen Archer have decided to develop a youth program.
"Everywhere I've lived has been a hood," says Barry Archer who moved from Richmond, Indiana to Durham in 2006. While in Indiana, the Archers formed the award winning Barak Source for Learning, a program that focuses on diversity training, conflict resolution and community building.
Three years ago they moved their family of eight to Durham to not only be closer to family but they thought that they could be part of the solution to some of the city's problems.
In 2008, Barry says that he saw a lot of children walking aimlessly around the area of the Southside Community Center so he decided to volunteer to pilot a summer program. So this year, Barak Source for Learning teamed with three associates, Zayd Malik Shakur, Christopher Brown and Kevin Spencer and formed the Advanced Educational Program. They developed a summer curriculum based program at the center that ran from June 22-July 17.
The program served 30 children who showed up at 7:30 every morning just in time for a hot breakfast. Barry said that he asked the young men that hang out on the corner to help provide security for the children.
He also said that he brought in police officers to discuss such hot button issues as police brutality.
"It was an opportunity for the children to feel better about the police and the police to feel better about the children, said Carmen Archer.
"It removed the uniforms because uniforms are gang symbols, too," Barry added.
This is just the beginning for Barak Source for Learning as they will partner with other community organizations this fall to provide conflict resolution and other community services.
While so many people are throwing darts at Durham's youth, it's good to see the Archers are aiming in the right direction.
Barak Source for Learning can be reached at (919) 824-3627 or baraksourceforlearning@yahoo.com
Paul Scott writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com. He can be reached at (919) 451-8283
Paul Scott
I don't know if you've seen the old HBO series, "The Wire" but it's about a neighborhood in Baltimore that even the cops are afraid to enter. There are real life 'hoods in Durham that remind you of that series. "The Bottom" is one of them.
If you aren't from Durham you probably only know the area by the names of the streets that often appear in newspapers because of drug arrests and murders, Enterprise St. and Scout Drive.
This is the area where Barry and Carmen Archer have decided to develop a youth program.
"Everywhere I've lived has been a hood," says Barry Archer who moved from Richmond, Indiana to Durham in 2006. While in Indiana, the Archers formed the award winning Barak Source for Learning, a program that focuses on diversity training, conflict resolution and community building.
Three years ago they moved their family of eight to Durham to not only be closer to family but they thought that they could be part of the solution to some of the city's problems.
In 2008, Barry says that he saw a lot of children walking aimlessly around the area of the Southside Community Center so he decided to volunteer to pilot a summer program. So this year, Barak Source for Learning teamed with three associates, Zayd Malik Shakur, Christopher Brown and Kevin Spencer and formed the Advanced Educational Program. They developed a summer curriculum based program at the center that ran from June 22-July 17.
The program served 30 children who showed up at 7:30 every morning just in time for a hot breakfast. Barry said that he asked the young men that hang out on the corner to help provide security for the children.
He also said that he brought in police officers to discuss such hot button issues as police brutality.
"It was an opportunity for the children to feel better about the police and the police to feel better about the children, said Carmen Archer.
"It removed the uniforms because uniforms are gang symbols, too," Barry added.
This is just the beginning for Barak Source for Learning as they will partner with other community organizations this fall to provide conflict resolution and other community services.
While so many people are throwing darts at Durham's youth, it's good to see the Archers are aiming in the right direction.
Barak Source for Learning can be reached at (919) 824-3627 or baraksourceforlearning@yahoo.com
Paul Scott writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com. He can be reached at (919) 451-8283
Letter to the Editor: Newspapers' Doom
The Durham Herald Sun is running a part of my letter to the editor today. Although, it is about newspapers in my neck of the woods, it probably applies to your city too. The original letter is below:
When I recently read Gary Gaddy's column and editor Bob Ashley's response regarding the pending doom of newspapers like the Herald Sun, I was reminded of Bill Clinton's description of an ideologue. Clinton said when others see the futility of digging a deeper ditch the ideologue says give me a bigger shovel.
So it is with newspapers and their reluctance to change.
Gaddy is correct in his assessment that traditional media are quickly sinking into the Dead Sea of irrelevancy. Unfortunately, instead of patching the hole in the boat the editors are more than happy to go down with the ship.
Newspapers are big on tradition and you stand a better chance of finding a cure for the swine flu than getting them to change their antiquated methods of operations.
Although, Ashley sings the praises of the Herald Sun's attempt at new media , what the paper needs is new ideas not new aps.
Gaddy mentions that newspaper readers eventually age and die off but unfortunately old ideas are immortal. As long as there is one elderly person left reading the Herald Sun over his Sunday morning Bojangles biscuit and coffee, it will be business as usual.
The power is in the pen; a power that newspaper executives aren't willing to give up. To borrow from the the uncompromising words of Charleton Heston, in order to get the pen from an editor you're gonna have to pry it from his cold dead hands.
When I recently read Gary Gaddy's column and editor Bob Ashley's response regarding the pending doom of newspapers like the Herald Sun, I was reminded of Bill Clinton's description of an ideologue. Clinton said when others see the futility of digging a deeper ditch the ideologue says give me a bigger shovel.
So it is with newspapers and their reluctance to change.
Gaddy is correct in his assessment that traditional media are quickly sinking into the Dead Sea of irrelevancy. Unfortunately, instead of patching the hole in the boat the editors are more than happy to go down with the ship.
Newspapers are big on tradition and you stand a better chance of finding a cure for the swine flu than getting them to change their antiquated methods of operations.
Although, Ashley sings the praises of the Herald Sun's attempt at new media , what the paper needs is new ideas not new aps.
Gaddy mentions that newspaper readers eventually age and die off but unfortunately old ideas are immortal. As long as there is one elderly person left reading the Herald Sun over his Sunday morning Bojangles biscuit and coffee, it will be business as usual.
The power is in the pen; a power that newspaper executives aren't willing to give up. To borrow from the the uncompromising words of Charleton Heston, in order to get the pen from an editor you're gonna have to pry it from his cold dead hands.
Monday, July 27, 2009
NWSF Bullet: Sleepin' with the Enemy
I know that they say that politics makes strange bedfellows but this is ridiculous.
The Hill is running a story on the controversy between Radio One's owner Cathy Hughes and Rep. John Conyers. For those unaware, the Hill is not a Hip Hop magazine that little teeny boppers read but one of the major newspapers that politicians who make the laws that effect the lives of your family read every day like the Bible.
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/bitter-feud-between-black-radio-cbc-over-royalties-2009-07-27.html
What is interesting about the article is that it points out the the information that Ms. Hughes is using to attack Rep. Conyers was obtained from the Landmark Legal Foundation.
http://realityradioonline.com/audio/09-07-21-09-realityradioscript.pdf
According to the organization's website, it "is one of the nation's oldest and most successful conservative public interest law firms," is part of the "Ronald Reagan Legal Center" and prides itself on being "The Best Investment a Conservative can make."
What is also interesting is that in 2007, the group nominated Rush Limbaugh for the Nobel Peace Prize. Which makes sense because according to the nomination press release "Rush Limbaugh serves as an unpaid member of Landmark’s Board of Advisors."
http://www.landmarklegal.org/uploads/Limbaugh%20Nobel.htm
But yet this is where Hughes got her information for her latest attack on Rep. John Conyers who is known outside of Detroit, not for the Performance Rights Act (HR 848) but for his tireless work fighting for Reparations for African Americans (HR 40).
http://www.johnconyers.com/issues/reparations
Didn't our high school teachers always advise us to "consider the source" before we put out information? Especially when that information is used to attack a black leader.
Now, I know about the Chinese proverb that says "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." But doesnt' that make the friend of my enemy, my enemy?
I'm just sayin......
The Hill is running a story on the controversy between Radio One's owner Cathy Hughes and Rep. John Conyers. For those unaware, the Hill is not a Hip Hop magazine that little teeny boppers read but one of the major newspapers that politicians who make the laws that effect the lives of your family read every day like the Bible.
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/bitter-feud-between-black-radio-cbc-over-royalties-2009-07-27.html
What is interesting about the article is that it points out the the information that Ms. Hughes is using to attack Rep. Conyers was obtained from the Landmark Legal Foundation.
http://realityradioonline.com/audio/09-07-21-09-realityradioscript.pdf
According to the organization's website, it "is one of the nation's oldest and most successful conservative public interest law firms," is part of the "Ronald Reagan Legal Center" and prides itself on being "The Best Investment a Conservative can make."
What is also interesting is that in 2007, the group nominated Rush Limbaugh for the Nobel Peace Prize. Which makes sense because according to the nomination press release "Rush Limbaugh serves as an unpaid member of Landmark’s Board of Advisors."
http://www.landmarklegal.org/uploads/Limbaugh%20Nobel.htm
But yet this is where Hughes got her information for her latest attack on Rep. John Conyers who is known outside of Detroit, not for the Performance Rights Act (HR 848) but for his tireless work fighting for Reparations for African Americans (HR 40).
http://www.johnconyers.com/issues/reparations
Didn't our high school teachers always advise us to "consider the source" before we put out information? Especially when that information is used to attack a black leader.
Now, I know about the Chinese proverb that says "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." But doesnt' that make the friend of my enemy, my enemy?
I'm just sayin......
NWSF News: The Black Rage in the Obama Age Tour
No Warning Shots Fired presents the "Black Rage in the Obama Age Lecture Tour" featuring TRUTH Minista Paul Scott. Scott will lecture on the state of African Americans in the so called "post racial" Obama Era.
To book a date contact No Warning Shots Fired (919) 451-8283
To book a date contact No Warning Shots Fired (919) 451-8283
Sunday, July 26, 2009
From Sister Souljah to Sister Soledad
From Sister Souljah to Sister Soledad:
The Etiquette of Black Rage in the Obama Age
Paul Scott
Back in the late 80's, rap activist Sister Souljah lit a powder keg in this country with her sharp criticisms of America's treatment of African Americans. Her rhythmic rebel rousin' rap had black folks of my generation ready to stand up and fight the power at the drop of a hat. Twenty years later, we have CNN's Sister Soledad O'Brien whose sanitized social critiques make me want to drink a peach smoothie and pet a poodle.
There has always been a bitter debate between black folks who advocated building this country up and those who thought that it was more politically expedient to burn it down.
But with an African American as head of the free world the argument takes on new nuances. What is proper black rage etiquette in the Obama age?
Since slavery, black rage has been expressed in many ways
During the antebellum period it took the form of insurrections by Nat Turner and Denmark Vessey who didn't have the patience to wait for an Honest Abe to come along to emancipate them so they took matters into their own hands.
Black discontent took the form of marches and protests from the early 20th century through the Civil Rights Era when Martin Luther King and other leaders marketed their rage in a way to appeal to the moral consciousness of Joe Public only to have it doused by the fire hose squadrons of Bull Connor.
An alternative was offered by the "militants" of the Black Power Era who replaced the sweet gospel harmony of "We Shall Over Come" with the chants of "Burn Baby Burn."
Although middle America frowned on this expression of frustration, Kwame Ture (Stokley Carmichael) said in 1968 that although a lot of middle class folks didn't like it when activist, H. Rap Brown threatened to burn the country down ,every time he said it they got a poverty program.
Seems like throwing a brick through a window has its merits.
This radical idea was not lost on the Johnson and Nixon administrations as Lyndon B. Johnson set up The National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders to study America's racial unrest and Richard Nixon replaced Black Power with Green Power, offering educational and business loans for any one willing to abandon militant Marxism for the American dream of Capitalism.
The age of Reaganomics produced a new form of rage expression called Hip Hop, as the next generation of black youth saw the gains of their parents begin to go up in smoke. Now black rage had a funky beat to accompany racial incidents in places such as Miami and Virginia Beach.
Hip Hop also articulated black outrage during the "LA riots" of 1992 after four white police officers were acquitted for beating Rodney King, a black man. The Bush administration followed the lead of the Nixon administration by pumping entrepreneurial start up money into South Central Los Angeles.
During the Clinton administration black rage became apolitical apathy. Even Hip Hop became transformed into gangsta rap where calls for black solidarity were replaced with the glorification of black on black violence.
The 21st century brought about the quieting of racial unrest in the aftermath of 9/11 as any questioning of governmental policies may have gotten you tagged as a terrorist and spirited off in the middle of the night to a cozy cell at Gitmo. However, with the anger over the perceived delayed government reaction to Hurricane Katrina and the jailing of the Jena 6, black rage was broadcast by a coalition of black radio hosts who used the airwaves to promote mass nonviolent protests.
But now we are in what many consider a "post racial' America where black folks are urged to be on their best behavior less they blow it for Obama.
So, what's a man who experiences a bout of moral indignation to do?
Now, black rage is neatly packaged in cute little documentaries like CNN's Black in America series.
Harvard professor Henry L Gates was able to express his disgust over his arrest by Cambridge police officers by pleading his case before America on every television network in the country including a prime spot during Soledad O'Brien's Black in America II press conference. However, we all aren't best buds with the Commander in Chief who had his homie's back against the boys in blue and whose friendship guaranteed him continuous news coverage.
So what about the rest of us ?
I think that most black folks would agree that ideally, the best way to get results is through diplomacy; airing discontent in a calm, rationale manner and letting the truth prevail.
But if that doesn't work, there's always the brick.
Paul Scott writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com (919) 451-8283
The Etiquette of Black Rage in the Obama Age
Paul Scott
Back in the late 80's, rap activist Sister Souljah lit a powder keg in this country with her sharp criticisms of America's treatment of African Americans. Her rhythmic rebel rousin' rap had black folks of my generation ready to stand up and fight the power at the drop of a hat. Twenty years later, we have CNN's Sister Soledad O'Brien whose sanitized social critiques make me want to drink a peach smoothie and pet a poodle.
There has always been a bitter debate between black folks who advocated building this country up and those who thought that it was more politically expedient to burn it down.
But with an African American as head of the free world the argument takes on new nuances. What is proper black rage etiquette in the Obama age?
Since slavery, black rage has been expressed in many ways
During the antebellum period it took the form of insurrections by Nat Turner and Denmark Vessey who didn't have the patience to wait for an Honest Abe to come along to emancipate them so they took matters into their own hands.
Black discontent took the form of marches and protests from the early 20th century through the Civil Rights Era when Martin Luther King and other leaders marketed their rage in a way to appeal to the moral consciousness of Joe Public only to have it doused by the fire hose squadrons of Bull Connor.
An alternative was offered by the "militants" of the Black Power Era who replaced the sweet gospel harmony of "We Shall Over Come" with the chants of "Burn Baby Burn."
Although middle America frowned on this expression of frustration, Kwame Ture (Stokley Carmichael) said in 1968 that although a lot of middle class folks didn't like it when activist, H. Rap Brown threatened to burn the country down ,every time he said it they got a poverty program.
Seems like throwing a brick through a window has its merits.
This radical idea was not lost on the Johnson and Nixon administrations as Lyndon B. Johnson set up The National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders to study America's racial unrest and Richard Nixon replaced Black Power with Green Power, offering educational and business loans for any one willing to abandon militant Marxism for the American dream of Capitalism.
The age of Reaganomics produced a new form of rage expression called Hip Hop, as the next generation of black youth saw the gains of their parents begin to go up in smoke. Now black rage had a funky beat to accompany racial incidents in places such as Miami and Virginia Beach.
Hip Hop also articulated black outrage during the "LA riots" of 1992 after four white police officers were acquitted for beating Rodney King, a black man. The Bush administration followed the lead of the Nixon administration by pumping entrepreneurial start up money into South Central Los Angeles.
During the Clinton administration black rage became apolitical apathy. Even Hip Hop became transformed into gangsta rap where calls for black solidarity were replaced with the glorification of black on black violence.
The 21st century brought about the quieting of racial unrest in the aftermath of 9/11 as any questioning of governmental policies may have gotten you tagged as a terrorist and spirited off in the middle of the night to a cozy cell at Gitmo. However, with the anger over the perceived delayed government reaction to Hurricane Katrina and the jailing of the Jena 6, black rage was broadcast by a coalition of black radio hosts who used the airwaves to promote mass nonviolent protests.
But now we are in what many consider a "post racial' America where black folks are urged to be on their best behavior less they blow it for Obama.
So, what's a man who experiences a bout of moral indignation to do?
Now, black rage is neatly packaged in cute little documentaries like CNN's Black in America series.
Harvard professor Henry L Gates was able to express his disgust over his arrest by Cambridge police officers by pleading his case before America on every television network in the country including a prime spot during Soledad O'Brien's Black in America II press conference. However, we all aren't best buds with the Commander in Chief who had his homie's back against the boys in blue and whose friendship guaranteed him continuous news coverage.
So what about the rest of us ?
I think that most black folks would agree that ideally, the best way to get results is through diplomacy; airing discontent in a calm, rationale manner and letting the truth prevail.
But if that doesn't work, there's always the brick.
Paul Scott writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com (919) 451-8283
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Radio One Needs to Stop Snitchin'
Radio One Needs to Stop Snitchin'
Paul Scott
Since Black America is still buzzing about the recent events involving swimming pool discrimination and police misconduct, when I heard Lil Wayne's latest song preempted on the local Radio One affiliate by a news flash, I thought that surely they must be tackling one of these pressing issues.
Nope. It was just the latest attack by Cathy Hughes on Rep. John Conyers, Rep Shelia Jackson-Lee and anyone else who doesn't follow blindly behind the anti Performance Rights Act propaganda wagon.
Now I've heard a few spots on Ms. Hughes' soapbox, Reality Radio but episode # 9 is some foul stuff. To borrow from old school group, Club Nouveau, "situation # 9 is blowin' my mind."
The spot is an attempt to discredit Rep. Conyers by trying to tie him in with his wife's ongoing legal troubles.
Now, I'm not a fan of the "Stop Snitchin'" Movement as I believe that it has caused irreparable harm to our community. However, in this case, I do feel like rollin' up on the next Radio One customized van I see and slapping a big "Stop Snitchin'" sticker over the logo.
In the hood, a "snitch" is someone who rats a homie out (often fabricating the truth) in order to save his own hide. I guess in this case it also means rattin' someone out to get legislation blocked.
Cathy Hughes is carrying this beef with John Conyers entirely too far.
This is definitely some grimy Fox News type stuff. I would expect this from Bill O'Reilly but a black woman?
It's one thing to have a disagreement with someone but to use the airwaves to assassinate the character of a well respected black leader over a difference of opinion is a darn shame.
Haven't we learned anything from Biggie and Tupac?
As much as we chastise the boyz in the hood for going to war with each other because of a perceived "mean mug," is this really any different than trying to destroy someone's political career over of a, relatively, simple disagreement?
Maybe Ms. Hughes has been listening to too many of those gangsta songs that she pumps on her stations. And all this time I thought that the violent lyrics only had a negative affect on young folks.
I guess episode 10 of Reality Radio will feature Hughes and her posse of Radio One execs rappin' about rollin' into D-Town and bustin' a cap in Rep. Conyers.
It's a shame that in 2009, even with a black man in the White House, black folks have not learned to respectfully disagree with each other without gettin' into some hot ghetto mess.
Even though some are claiming that we are in some sort of "post racial" America, it seems that intra racial hatred is still alive and well.
I guess the O'Jays were right when they sang:
"For the love of money people don't care who they hurt or beat"
Paul Scott writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com (919) 451-8283
Paul Scott
Since Black America is still buzzing about the recent events involving swimming pool discrimination and police misconduct, when I heard Lil Wayne's latest song preempted on the local Radio One affiliate by a news flash, I thought that surely they must be tackling one of these pressing issues.
Nope. It was just the latest attack by Cathy Hughes on Rep. John Conyers, Rep Shelia Jackson-Lee and anyone else who doesn't follow blindly behind the anti Performance Rights Act propaganda wagon.
Now I've heard a few spots on Ms. Hughes' soapbox, Reality Radio but episode # 9 is some foul stuff. To borrow from old school group, Club Nouveau, "situation # 9 is blowin' my mind."
The spot is an attempt to discredit Rep. Conyers by trying to tie him in with his wife's ongoing legal troubles.
Now, I'm not a fan of the "Stop Snitchin'" Movement as I believe that it has caused irreparable harm to our community. However, in this case, I do feel like rollin' up on the next Radio One customized van I see and slapping a big "Stop Snitchin'" sticker over the logo.
In the hood, a "snitch" is someone who rats a homie out (often fabricating the truth) in order to save his own hide. I guess in this case it also means rattin' someone out to get legislation blocked.
Cathy Hughes is carrying this beef with John Conyers entirely too far.
This is definitely some grimy Fox News type stuff. I would expect this from Bill O'Reilly but a black woman?
It's one thing to have a disagreement with someone but to use the airwaves to assassinate the character of a well respected black leader over a difference of opinion is a darn shame.
Haven't we learned anything from Biggie and Tupac?
As much as we chastise the boyz in the hood for going to war with each other because of a perceived "mean mug," is this really any different than trying to destroy someone's political career over of a, relatively, simple disagreement?
Maybe Ms. Hughes has been listening to too many of those gangsta songs that she pumps on her stations. And all this time I thought that the violent lyrics only had a negative affect on young folks.
I guess episode 10 of Reality Radio will feature Hughes and her posse of Radio One execs rappin' about rollin' into D-Town and bustin' a cap in Rep. Conyers.
It's a shame that in 2009, even with a black man in the White House, black folks have not learned to respectfully disagree with each other without gettin' into some hot ghetto mess.
Even though some are claiming that we are in some sort of "post racial" America, it seems that intra racial hatred is still alive and well.
I guess the O'Jays were right when they sang:
"For the love of money people don't care who they hurt or beat"
Paul Scott writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com (919) 451-8283
Friday, July 24, 2009
Obama's Solution for Race Relations: Let's all Get Drunk
Obamas Solution for Race Relations: Let's all Get Drunk
Paul Scott
It seems just like yesterday when black folks were cheering on President Obama for dissin' the cop, Sgt. James Crowley who allegedly assaulted Harvard Professor Henry "Skip" Gates.
(Wait a minute. It was yesterday.)
After all, as they say in the hood, you're supposed to ride for your homies when they get harassed by "the popo."
But not so fast.
Seems that as of today the Prez has done the reverse moonwalk in regards to his previous statement that the Cambridge police officers "acted stupidly," when they busted Dr. Skip for breaking into his own house.
Now, I didn't jump on the bandwagon with the folks who wear proclaiming Dr. Gates the official poster child for police brutality in the post racial Obama age. This very moment in some hood, somewhere, some brother is getting a Rodney King styled beat-down as you read this.
But I don't really see how Skinny Skip would pose a threat to anybody. (My 90 year old neighbor, Mrs. Jefferson can knock Gates out on a good day.)
But that's beside the point.
The point is President Obama was right the first time. It was stupid.
But now the Prez is saying that maybe he misspoke.
Now he's saying that Crowley is a "good guy," a real credit to the boys in blue, everywhere.
He also says that it is because of the past that African Americans are a little sensitive when it comes to matters like this.
Uh..no...We are "sensitive" because stuff like this is happening in the present.
President Obama is also inviting Crowley and the Skipmiser to the White House to crack a few brewskis.
So, I guess that's the Presidents solution to this countries "race problem."
Let's all go to the bar, get plastered and sing old Willie Nelson songs until we pass out.
And just think.
Fifty years ago, instead of marching through Alabama and getting sprayed by fire hoses and bitten by police dogs, all Dr. Martin Luther King and them had to do was invite Bull Connor over for a couple of 40ozs of Colt 45...
Well, in the words of that dude from the Bud Light commercials...
"Here's to you Mr. President, for your overly simplistic analysis of race relations.... "
"misteroverlysimplisticpresidentonracerelations "
Paul Scott writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com (919) 451-8283
Paul Scott
It seems just like yesterday when black folks were cheering on President Obama for dissin' the cop, Sgt. James Crowley who allegedly assaulted Harvard Professor Henry "Skip" Gates.
(Wait a minute. It was yesterday.)
After all, as they say in the hood, you're supposed to ride for your homies when they get harassed by "the popo."
But not so fast.
Seems that as of today the Prez has done the reverse moonwalk in regards to his previous statement that the Cambridge police officers "acted stupidly," when they busted Dr. Skip for breaking into his own house.
Now, I didn't jump on the bandwagon with the folks who wear proclaiming Dr. Gates the official poster child for police brutality in the post racial Obama age. This very moment in some hood, somewhere, some brother is getting a Rodney King styled beat-down as you read this.
But I don't really see how Skinny Skip would pose a threat to anybody. (My 90 year old neighbor, Mrs. Jefferson can knock Gates out on a good day.)
But that's beside the point.
The point is President Obama was right the first time. It was stupid.
But now the Prez is saying that maybe he misspoke.
Now he's saying that Crowley is a "good guy," a real credit to the boys in blue, everywhere.
He also says that it is because of the past that African Americans are a little sensitive when it comes to matters like this.
Uh..no...We are "sensitive" because stuff like this is happening in the present.
President Obama is also inviting Crowley and the Skipmiser to the White House to crack a few brewskis.
So, I guess that's the Presidents solution to this countries "race problem."
Let's all go to the bar, get plastered and sing old Willie Nelson songs until we pass out.
And just think.
Fifty years ago, instead of marching through Alabama and getting sprayed by fire hoses and bitten by police dogs, all Dr. Martin Luther King and them had to do was invite Bull Connor over for a couple of 40ozs of Colt 45...
Well, in the words of that dude from the Bud Light commercials...
"Here's to you Mr. President, for your overly simplistic analysis of race relations.... "
"misteroverlysimplisticpresidentonracerelations "
Paul Scott writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com (919) 451-8283
Thursday, July 23, 2009
NWSF News 7/24:Why We Blast Our Radios
No Warning Shots Fired News: Why black folks blast their radios.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
NWSF News 7/23: Drugs in the 'hood
In the latest edition of No Warning Shots Fired News' "Black in the 'hood" series, TRUTH Minista Paul Scott reveals how drugs got into the black community.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
NWSF News 7/22:Dr Henry Gates and Post Racial Racism
Continuing with the No Warning Shots Fired.com series "Black in the 'hood" our answer to CNN's "Black in America," TRUTH Minista Paul Scott discusses Harvard professor Henry "Skip" Gate's arrest:
Monday, July 20, 2009
NWSF News: Black in the 'hood Part I
Since CNN is doing Black in America II, this week, No Warning Shots Fired News will be doing "Black in the 'hood." In Part 1, TRUTH Minista Paul Scott tackles "What happened to black leadership ?"
Sunday, July 19, 2009
NWSF News 7/20:CNN's Black in America Sideshow
No Warning Shots Fired News: TRUTH Minista Paul Scott on CNN's Black in America II "Let the sideshow begin!
Livin' in a Zoo:CNN's Black in America II
Livin' in a Zoo:
CNN's Black in America II
Paul Scott
"I'm kickin' cold facts so true
Feels like I'm livin' in a zoo"
Public Enemy
Step Right up! In this cage we have the tame, "Negro-intellectualus." Notice his freshly pressed shirt and creased pants. Go ahead and pet him. He won't bite...However, watch out for this next animal, "Thug-ignoramus." Beware of his gold teeth and if he starts reaching for his waist band, call security, immediately!
On July 22 CNN will air Black America Part II, their second attempt to paint a pretty picture of black America for their audience. I don't know about y'all but I'm kinda tired of being poked, prodded and examined by TV network execs on a life long mission to find out what makes dudes like me tick.
No disrespect to Soledad O'Brien and the rest of the crew who produced the program but I don't think these types of shows are meant to enlighten black folks, especially the boyz in the hood.
As my lil homie Jae would say,
" How many times are you gonna describe my kitchen to me when we're livin' in the same house?"
We all have members of our families that run the gamut from "Left out Lamont," who can't keep a steady job to Buford "lil Boo Boo" Jenkins who got his degree, became a stock broker and never looked back at the 'hood.
So, we have our own "Black in America" reality series every family reunion complete with ribs and Marvin Gaye CD's.
Shows like Black in America are definitely for the Caucasian persuasion as they have always been curious about black folks.
Scholars like Dr. George GM James and William Leo Hansberry have said that the ancient Greeks were fascinated by the Egyptians and Ethiopians. The early explorers of Africa were also intrigued by the riches of the continent, so much so, that they stayed for hundreds of years.
However, after the Trans Atlantic slave trade, Africans stopped being objects of adoration and became oddities.
There are tales of Africans being held as exhibits in zoos in New York and during the early 1800's the voluptuous Saartjie Baartman aka "Hottentot Venus" was paraded around Europe so white men could gaze at her "donk."
During the late 1960's, white America's curiosity about black folks became a matter of national security because of the various "riots" that were spreading like wildfires .
In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson created the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders to find out why black folks were so angry.
The Commission released what was known as the Kerner Report which pointed to the media as partial causes of the "riots."
According to the report,
"Important segments of the media failed to report adequately on the causes and consequences of civil disorders and on the underlying problems of race relations. They have not communicated to the majority of their audience-which is white-a sense of the degradation , misery and hopelessness of life in the ghetto." The report also complained that the media was guilty of giving " disproportionate amounts of time to emotional events and militant leaders."
As far as solutions, one of the things that the report suggested was that the media needed to:
"...publish newspapers and produce programs that recognize the existence and activities of Negroes as a group within the community and as a part of the larger community."
So, the networks have followed this method of operation since then , only deviating, briefly ,during the LA Rebellion of 1992 because of their underestimation of the political potential of Hip Hop.
It must be noted that these programs also try to convey the idea that black assimilation into white culture is the ultimate manifestation of black achievement and the benchmark as to whether one has "made it" or not.
While many have quoted from WEB Dubois' , "The Souls of Black Folk," few have had the courage to pose the fundamental question that he raised in his essay "The Souls of White Folk,"
"But what on earth is whiteness that one should so desire it?"
He goes on to say that "Europe has never produced and never will in our day bring forth a single soul who cannot be matched and over matched in every line of human endeavor by Asia and Africa."
However, millions of Americans will spend hours this week watching CNN give complex answers to simple questions such as "why inner city black kids are killing each other" when black psychologist Dr. Bobby Wright gave us the answer over 25 years ago in his work "The Psychopathic Racial Personality"
"Blacks kill Blacks because they have never been trained to kill Whites, therefore it is outside their experience."
End of series.
Just once, I would like to see a network do a six hour series on what produces the white male superiority complex in men like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. Or who controls the economic system that keeps the hood in perpetual poverty ?
But I guess the worn out topics of black pathologies and the salvation of assimilation are better for ratings.
Oh, well. As Blue Magic once sang,
"Let the side show begin...can't afford to pass it by...guaranteed to make you cry..."
Paul Scott's blog is No Warning Shots Fired.com He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com (919) 451-8283
CNN's Black in America II
Paul Scott
"I'm kickin' cold facts so true
Feels like I'm livin' in a zoo"
Public Enemy
Step Right up! In this cage we have the tame, "Negro-intellectualus." Notice his freshly pressed shirt and creased pants. Go ahead and pet him. He won't bite...However, watch out for this next animal, "Thug-ignoramus." Beware of his gold teeth and if he starts reaching for his waist band, call security, immediately!
On July 22 CNN will air Black America Part II, their second attempt to paint a pretty picture of black America for their audience. I don't know about y'all but I'm kinda tired of being poked, prodded and examined by TV network execs on a life long mission to find out what makes dudes like me tick.
No disrespect to Soledad O'Brien and the rest of the crew who produced the program but I don't think these types of shows are meant to enlighten black folks, especially the boyz in the hood.
As my lil homie Jae would say,
" How many times are you gonna describe my kitchen to me when we're livin' in the same house?"
We all have members of our families that run the gamut from "Left out Lamont," who can't keep a steady job to Buford "lil Boo Boo" Jenkins who got his degree, became a stock broker and never looked back at the 'hood.
So, we have our own "Black in America" reality series every family reunion complete with ribs and Marvin Gaye CD's.
Shows like Black in America are definitely for the Caucasian persuasion as they have always been curious about black folks.
Scholars like Dr. George GM James and William Leo Hansberry have said that the ancient Greeks were fascinated by the Egyptians and Ethiopians. The early explorers of Africa were also intrigued by the riches of the continent, so much so, that they stayed for hundreds of years.
However, after the Trans Atlantic slave trade, Africans stopped being objects of adoration and became oddities.
There are tales of Africans being held as exhibits in zoos in New York and during the early 1800's the voluptuous Saartjie Baartman aka "Hottentot Venus" was paraded around Europe so white men could gaze at her "donk."
During the late 1960's, white America's curiosity about black folks became a matter of national security because of the various "riots" that were spreading like wildfires .
In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson created the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders to find out why black folks were so angry.
The Commission released what was known as the Kerner Report which pointed to the media as partial causes of the "riots."
According to the report,
"Important segments of the media failed to report adequately on the causes and consequences of civil disorders and on the underlying problems of race relations. They have not communicated to the majority of their audience-which is white-a sense of the degradation , misery and hopelessness of life in the ghetto." The report also complained that the media was guilty of giving " disproportionate amounts of time to emotional events and militant leaders."
As far as solutions, one of the things that the report suggested was that the media needed to:
"...publish newspapers and produce programs that recognize the existence and activities of Negroes as a group within the community and as a part of the larger community."
So, the networks have followed this method of operation since then , only deviating, briefly ,during the LA Rebellion of 1992 because of their underestimation of the political potential of Hip Hop.
It must be noted that these programs also try to convey the idea that black assimilation into white culture is the ultimate manifestation of black achievement and the benchmark as to whether one has "made it" or not.
While many have quoted from WEB Dubois' , "The Souls of Black Folk," few have had the courage to pose the fundamental question that he raised in his essay "The Souls of White Folk,"
"But what on earth is whiteness that one should so desire it?"
He goes on to say that "Europe has never produced and never will in our day bring forth a single soul who cannot be matched and over matched in every line of human endeavor by Asia and Africa."
However, millions of Americans will spend hours this week watching CNN give complex answers to simple questions such as "why inner city black kids are killing each other" when black psychologist Dr. Bobby Wright gave us the answer over 25 years ago in his work "The Psychopathic Racial Personality"
"Blacks kill Blacks because they have never been trained to kill Whites, therefore it is outside their experience."
End of series.
Just once, I would like to see a network do a six hour series on what produces the white male superiority complex in men like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. Or who controls the economic system that keeps the hood in perpetual poverty ?
But I guess the worn out topics of black pathologies and the salvation of assimilation are better for ratings.
Oh, well. As Blue Magic once sang,
"Let the side show begin...can't afford to pass it by...guaranteed to make you cry..."
Paul Scott's blog is No Warning Shots Fired.com He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com (919) 451-8283
Saturday, July 18, 2009
TRUTH Minista Teams With AllHipHop.com
Starting next week I will be doing a weekly column for the premier Hip Hop website, All Hip Hop.com. I have contributed some essays over the years to AllHipHop.com but a regular column will help enhance our mutual interests to inform, educate and entertain.
Friday, July 17, 2009
TRUTH Minista On C-Span
Below is a clip where I commented on President Obama's NAACP speech on C-Span's Washington Journal . I come on at the 13:45 mark.
http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/07/17/WJE/R/21046/Friday+July+17.aspx
http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/07/17/WJE/R/21046/Friday+July+17.aspx
NWSF Weekend Report 7/18:Whip It Like a Slave
No Warning Shots Fired News: TRUTH Minista Paul Scott discusses Dem Franchize Boyz and Lil Wayne's song "Whip It" (Like a Slave)
Thursday, July 16, 2009
NWSF News 7/17:NAACP Convention: Obama Goes in Hard on Black Folks
No Warning Shots Fired News: TRUTH Minista Paul Scott asks "Why does President Obama go from a bleeding heart Liberal to a Right Wing Ultra Conservative when he talks to black folks?"
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
NWSF News 7/16: The Educational Gap
No Warning Shots Fired News: TRUTH Minista Paul Scott addresses the educational gap between black children and white children.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
NWSF News 7/14: Judge Sotomayor's Supreme Court Hearing
TRUTH Minista Paul Scott: Are Latinos smarter than white men?
It depends on which Latino and which white man. "...Even Slow Poke Rodriguez is smarter than Rush Limbaugh..."
It depends on which Latino and which white man. "...Even Slow Poke Rodriguez is smarter than Rush Limbaugh..."
Monday, July 13, 2009
TRUTH Minista and Chuck D Discuss Obama's African Trip
Below is a link to Chuck D's (of Public Enemy) Air America 7/12 On the Real Show.
Chuck and I discuss President Obama's trip to Africa at about the 5 minute mark:
http://airamerica.com/node/107925
Chuck and I discuss President Obama's trip to Africa at about the 5 minute mark:
http://airamerica.com/node/107925
No Warning Shots Fired News 7/14
TRUTH Minista Paul Scott to Valley Club in Philly: "Find a short diving board and take a long walk...."
Sunday, July 12, 2009
No Warning Shots News 7/13
No Warning Shots Fired News for 7/13: We all know about the "Good Ol' Boys Club" made up of white men but is there a "Good Ol' Brotha's Club in the black community?
The Good Ol' Brotha's Club
The Good Ole Brotha's Club:
The Manipulation of the Black Mind
Paul Scott
A few years ago, a movie came out called Barbershop that enraged many of the Civil Rights folks. In the film, Cedric the Entertainer's character, "Eddie" went on a tirade and started busting up many myths plaguing the black community such as how Rosa Parks was the first woman to stand up or sit down for Civil Rights and the belief that all black folks thought that OJ Simpson was innocent. Although the scene ticked off some Civil Rights leaders, to me, the moral of the story was very clear; all black folks don't think alike.
I thought about that movie, last week ,while listening to a popular nationally syndicated black radio commentator urging his listeners to bombard Fox and CNN with emails demanding that he and a couple of other guys get more airtime. Sadly, the short list of names that he gave were already the ones that serve as the "go to people" when it comes to interpreting black thought to the masses.
While many black folks complain about a "Good Ol' Boys" Club made up of white males with the same political ideology who have a monopoly on politics, economics and anything else that they wish to control, there also exists a "Good Ol' Brotha's" Club in the black community. This network is made up of a few black intellectuals and civil rights leaders who speak for all black folks.
Historically, white America has believed that all black people have the same collective ideology so they have never really needed more than one official spokesperson.
This goes back to the late 1800's with Booker T Washington, who was considered by many to be the first national black leader. Washington gained national prominence after he delivered his "Atlanta Compromise " speech during the Atlanta Cotton Exposition in 1895.
What was dangerous about Washington leadership was the creation of the Tuskegee Machine which was used to silence and in some cases crush any who were in opposition to his position.
In the introduction to Booker T Washington's "Up From Slavery," Louis R. Harlan described Washington's Tuskegee Machine as "a network of his supporters and lieutenants in every avenue of black life." He goes on to say that Washington controlled "the editorial policies of nearly all of the black weeklies through subsidies and in a few cases, outright ownership."
So you have the seeds planted of the shaping of black thought over a century today that continues with the Good Ol' Brotha's Club and their domination of the press; both black and white.
It must be noted that when one speaks of the "black press" it is not to be misinterpreted to mean those local media outlets that are allowing the grassroots to express their thoughts but the national press that for decades has served as the only "legitimate" voice of black America.
In his book "Black Bourgeoisie, " E. Franklin Frazier says this about the black press in 1957.
"Although, the Negro press declares itself to be the spokesman for the Negro group as a whole it represents, essentially, the interests and the outlook of the black bourgeoisie."
In that chapter, he refers to Ebony and Jet as part of this elite group, two magazines that are still shaping black thought in the 21st century.
As far as the white press, they just need one of the Good Ol' Brothas to measure the temperament of the black community after some provocative action on the part of white America. They just need to be warned when the natives are restless and what it will take to simmer them back down.
Now, I don't mean to knock the next man's hustle, as the members of the Good Ol' Brotha's Club have worked hard to get where they are. WEB DuBois faced this same delima when addressing the power of Booker T Washington in "The Souls of Black Folk" but came to the conclusion that
"the hushing of criticism of honest opponents is a dangerous thing."
It must be noted that what black people need is not spokesmen but master teachers to supply the black masses with information.
This is what has always frightened those in power, not an emotional people but a well informed people.
As much as members of the Good Ol' Brotha's Network claim that they are the most enlightened and "baddest brothers on the block," as Grandma used to say when I got too big for my britches, "as bad as you may think you are, there is always somebody else badder."
There are many scholars in the black community who are experts in their respective fields and although you may hear them online on Internet radio networks such as Harambee.com or LIBradio.com, they will never be allowed to rival the platform given the Good Ol' Brothas.
Why?
As comedian, Katt Williams would say , a Chrysler 300 looks just like a Rolls Royce Phantom until a Phantom pulls up beside it.
It must be noted that the best of us have always been the ones that will bring life changing information to the masses of black people or in other words the bravest among us tell black folks what white folks don't want us to know.
We need to establish more diversity of thought in the black community not for the benefit of white America but to elevate the consciousness of black people.
Even if it means crashing the next Good Ol' Brotha's party.
Paul Scott writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com http://www.nowarningshotsfired.com
He can be reached at (919) 451-8283 info@nowarningshotsfired.com
The Manipulation of the Black Mind
Paul Scott
A few years ago, a movie came out called Barbershop that enraged many of the Civil Rights folks. In the film, Cedric the Entertainer's character, "Eddie" went on a tirade and started busting up many myths plaguing the black community such as how Rosa Parks was the first woman to stand up or sit down for Civil Rights and the belief that all black folks thought that OJ Simpson was innocent. Although the scene ticked off some Civil Rights leaders, to me, the moral of the story was very clear; all black folks don't think alike.
I thought about that movie, last week ,while listening to a popular nationally syndicated black radio commentator urging his listeners to bombard Fox and CNN with emails demanding that he and a couple of other guys get more airtime. Sadly, the short list of names that he gave were already the ones that serve as the "go to people" when it comes to interpreting black thought to the masses.
While many black folks complain about a "Good Ol' Boys" Club made up of white males with the same political ideology who have a monopoly on politics, economics and anything else that they wish to control, there also exists a "Good Ol' Brotha's" Club in the black community. This network is made up of a few black intellectuals and civil rights leaders who speak for all black folks.
Historically, white America has believed that all black people have the same collective ideology so they have never really needed more than one official spokesperson.
This goes back to the late 1800's with Booker T Washington, who was considered by many to be the first national black leader. Washington gained national prominence after he delivered his "Atlanta Compromise " speech during the Atlanta Cotton Exposition in 1895.
What was dangerous about Washington leadership was the creation of the Tuskegee Machine which was used to silence and in some cases crush any who were in opposition to his position.
In the introduction to Booker T Washington's "Up From Slavery," Louis R. Harlan described Washington's Tuskegee Machine as "a network of his supporters and lieutenants in every avenue of black life." He goes on to say that Washington controlled "the editorial policies of nearly all of the black weeklies through subsidies and in a few cases, outright ownership."
So you have the seeds planted of the shaping of black thought over a century today that continues with the Good Ol' Brotha's Club and their domination of the press; both black and white.
It must be noted that when one speaks of the "black press" it is not to be misinterpreted to mean those local media outlets that are allowing the grassroots to express their thoughts but the national press that for decades has served as the only "legitimate" voice of black America.
In his book "Black Bourgeoisie, " E. Franklin Frazier says this about the black press in 1957.
"Although, the Negro press declares itself to be the spokesman for the Negro group as a whole it represents, essentially, the interests and the outlook of the black bourgeoisie."
In that chapter, he refers to Ebony and Jet as part of this elite group, two magazines that are still shaping black thought in the 21st century.
As far as the white press, they just need one of the Good Ol' Brothas to measure the temperament of the black community after some provocative action on the part of white America. They just need to be warned when the natives are restless and what it will take to simmer them back down.
Now, I don't mean to knock the next man's hustle, as the members of the Good Ol' Brotha's Club have worked hard to get where they are. WEB DuBois faced this same delima when addressing the power of Booker T Washington in "The Souls of Black Folk" but came to the conclusion that
"the hushing of criticism of honest opponents is a dangerous thing."
It must be noted that what black people need is not spokesmen but master teachers to supply the black masses with information.
This is what has always frightened those in power, not an emotional people but a well informed people.
As much as members of the Good Ol' Brotha's Network claim that they are the most enlightened and "baddest brothers on the block," as Grandma used to say when I got too big for my britches, "as bad as you may think you are, there is always somebody else badder."
There are many scholars in the black community who are experts in their respective fields and although you may hear them online on Internet radio networks such as Harambee.com or LIBradio.com, they will never be allowed to rival the platform given the Good Ol' Brothas.
Why?
As comedian, Katt Williams would say , a Chrysler 300 looks just like a Rolls Royce Phantom until a Phantom pulls up beside it.
It must be noted that the best of us have always been the ones that will bring life changing information to the masses of black people or in other words the bravest among us tell black folks what white folks don't want us to know.
We need to establish more diversity of thought in the black community not for the benefit of white America but to elevate the consciousness of black people.
Even if it means crashing the next Good Ol' Brotha's party.
Paul Scott writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com http://www.nowarningshotsfired.com
He can be reached at (919) 451-8283 info@nowarningshotsfired.com
TRUTH Minista on Air America 7/12
I am scheduled to be on Chuck D's On the Real around 11:20 PM or so EST
To listen live:
http://airamerica.com/onthereal
To listen live:
http://airamerica.com/onthereal
Introducing No Warning Shots Fired News
Starting today No Warning Shots Fired.com launches a daily news commentary by TRUTH Minista Paul Scott on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/nowarningshotsfired
The first edition is below:
No Warning Shots Fired News 7/12: Obama's Trip to Africa on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/nowarningshotsfired
The first edition is below:
No Warning Shots Fired News 7/12: Obama's Trip to Africa on youtube.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Sacha's Little Black Sambo
Sacha's Little Black Sambo:
Hollywood Still Pickin' on Picaninnies
Paul Scott
Back in the late 1800's a Scottish woman wrote the controversial book "Little Black Sambo." Although, the story was about a dark skinned Indian child with exaggerated Negroid features who liked to rumble with tigers, Sambo gave birth to a long line of Sambo- like comedic characters for the next century .
Based on the reviews of Sacha Cohen's new movie, "Bruno" some people still find this type of racially, offensive humor hilarious.
According to the trailers for the upcoming movie, Cohen plays Bruno, an Austrian, homosexual fashion reporter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAGpmNb2xfQ
However, the part that they are highlighting in the commercials deals with Bruno adopting a black baby to whom he ,lovingly, refers to as "Gayby."
When we first meet Gayby he is being lifted out of a box at an airport by Bruno who is decked out in traditional African ceremonial garb.
The reason for the black baby in the box:
"Angelina's got one. Madonna's got one. Now Bruno's got one."
Later there is a scene where the baby is covered with bees, which I suppose is a reference to those Sally Strothers "Feed the Children" info-mericials with Ethiopian children covered with bugs.
In the movie Bruno, also mentions that he swapped his Ipod for the baby.
Not very funny to a person whose ancestors were traded for cheap gin and rum.
Of course, the Hollywood honchos and their stable of PR apologists will swear that there is ,absolutely, nothing offensive about this movie, as it is a satirical film that pokes fun at many cultures. Anyone offended by the movie just can't take a joke.
We are not amused.
I have an embedded keen sense of when people have stopped laughing with me and have started laughing at me. So excuse me for being a little hypersensitive.
Also, I am aware of the mass media's historical use of "picanninies" to sell movie tickets and boost ratings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSfGvptL_TY
From the Topsy character in Harriet Beacher Stowe's, well intended, Uncle Tom's Cabin novel to those old Shirley Temple movies and even to the 80's "Arnold" character on "Different Strokes," who would puff his cheeks out and go "What you talkin' 'bout Willis" in every episode to the absolute delight of his adopted white father and white housekeeper, the picaninny character has survived.
As Thomas Cripps wrote in the outstanding anthology "Split Image: African Americans in the Mass Media by Janette Dates and William Barlow:
"Hollywood movies have always exhibited a sort of cultural politics in their treatment of ethnicity but their usages of African Americans have always seemed resistant to change, even under the pressure of social crisis."
Even with two beautiful black girls living in the White House, Hollywood is still pickin' on picaninnies.
Now, I'm sure that some of my "post racial" black and liberal white friends will say that I need to calm down; perhaps get a cup of green tea and mellow out.
I do have a sense of humor, black folks have a long history of "playin' the dozens" and dissin' each other for fun. But there is always a point where a "yo mama is so black joke" goes too far and then...
Pow...In the face!
As the late comedian Richard Pryor said in his skit that was immortalized via Public Enemy's sample on "Prophets of Rage"
"I have a right to be hostile. My people are being persecuted!"
Sacha Cohen needs an old fashion back ally beat down for exploiting black babies like that.
(So, if I ever catch you in tha hood, homie be prepared for a behind whippin'.)
Why is it that black folks are the only ones who have to wait for an official national consensus before they express outrage. Or they must wait until some black leader gives them the green light to get angry and then the red light to tell them when to chill back out?
In 2009, I don't have to wait for Rev. Al or anybody else to give me permission to express my sense of moral outrage.
For too long African Americans have been at the bottom of the ladder of social advocacy.
When members of the Jewish community were upset over a verse in Michael Jackson's "They Don't Care About Us," it did not take an act of Congress to have the song pulled from store shelves.
Even if someone abuses a squirrel while filming a nature flick, you can bet that a militant group of PETA activists will mobilize in a matter of hours in front of the director's house pelting it with pistachio nuts.
Black folks should demand the same respect instead of buying into the coming PR spin that Bruno is a humanitarian effort with the sole purpose of bringing about a new era of world peace and universal brotherhood.
I guess that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. One man's treasure is another man's piece of racist trash.
Paul Scott writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com He can be reached at (919) 451-8283 info@nowarningshotsfired.com
Hollywood Still Pickin' on Picaninnies
Paul Scott
Back in the late 1800's a Scottish woman wrote the controversial book "Little Black Sambo." Although, the story was about a dark skinned Indian child with exaggerated Negroid features who liked to rumble with tigers, Sambo gave birth to a long line of Sambo- like comedic characters for the next century .
Based on the reviews of Sacha Cohen's new movie, "Bruno" some people still find this type of racially, offensive humor hilarious.
According to the trailers for the upcoming movie, Cohen plays Bruno, an Austrian, homosexual fashion reporter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAGpmNb2xfQ
However, the part that they are highlighting in the commercials deals with Bruno adopting a black baby to whom he ,lovingly, refers to as "Gayby."
When we first meet Gayby he is being lifted out of a box at an airport by Bruno who is decked out in traditional African ceremonial garb.
The reason for the black baby in the box:
"Angelina's got one. Madonna's got one. Now Bruno's got one."
Later there is a scene where the baby is covered with bees, which I suppose is a reference to those Sally Strothers "Feed the Children" info-mericials with Ethiopian children covered with bugs.
In the movie Bruno, also mentions that he swapped his Ipod for the baby.
Not very funny to a person whose ancestors were traded for cheap gin and rum.
Of course, the Hollywood honchos and their stable of PR apologists will swear that there is ,absolutely, nothing offensive about this movie, as it is a satirical film that pokes fun at many cultures. Anyone offended by the movie just can't take a joke.
We are not amused.
I have an embedded keen sense of when people have stopped laughing with me and have started laughing at me. So excuse me for being a little hypersensitive.
Also, I am aware of the mass media's historical use of "picanninies" to sell movie tickets and boost ratings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSfGvptL_TY
From the Topsy character in Harriet Beacher Stowe's, well intended, Uncle Tom's Cabin novel to those old Shirley Temple movies and even to the 80's "Arnold" character on "Different Strokes," who would puff his cheeks out and go "What you talkin' 'bout Willis" in every episode to the absolute delight of his adopted white father and white housekeeper, the picaninny character has survived.
As Thomas Cripps wrote in the outstanding anthology "Split Image: African Americans in the Mass Media by Janette Dates and William Barlow:
"Hollywood movies have always exhibited a sort of cultural politics in their treatment of ethnicity but their usages of African Americans have always seemed resistant to change, even under the pressure of social crisis."
Even with two beautiful black girls living in the White House, Hollywood is still pickin' on picaninnies.
Now, I'm sure that some of my "post racial" black and liberal white friends will say that I need to calm down; perhaps get a cup of green tea and mellow out.
I do have a sense of humor, black folks have a long history of "playin' the dozens" and dissin' each other for fun. But there is always a point where a "yo mama is so black joke" goes too far and then...
Pow...In the face!
As the late comedian Richard Pryor said in his skit that was immortalized via Public Enemy's sample on "Prophets of Rage"
"I have a right to be hostile. My people are being persecuted!"
Sacha Cohen needs an old fashion back ally beat down for exploiting black babies like that.
(So, if I ever catch you in tha hood, homie be prepared for a behind whippin'.)
Why is it that black folks are the only ones who have to wait for an official national consensus before they express outrage. Or they must wait until some black leader gives them the green light to get angry and then the red light to tell them when to chill back out?
In 2009, I don't have to wait for Rev. Al or anybody else to give me permission to express my sense of moral outrage.
For too long African Americans have been at the bottom of the ladder of social advocacy.
When members of the Jewish community were upset over a verse in Michael Jackson's "They Don't Care About Us," it did not take an act of Congress to have the song pulled from store shelves.
Even if someone abuses a squirrel while filming a nature flick, you can bet that a militant group of PETA activists will mobilize in a matter of hours in front of the director's house pelting it with pistachio nuts.
Black folks should demand the same respect instead of buying into the coming PR spin that Bruno is a humanitarian effort with the sole purpose of bringing about a new era of world peace and universal brotherhood.
I guess that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. One man's treasure is another man's piece of racist trash.
Paul Scott writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com He can be reached at (919) 451-8283 info@nowarningshotsfired.com
Thursday, July 2, 2009
TRUTH Minista on Harambee Radio 7/2
I am scheduled to be on Harambee Radio 7/2 at 10PM ESTto discuss "Fakin' the Funk on the Fourth."
To listen live:
http://www.harambeeradio.com/
To listen live:
http://www.harambeeradio.com/
My Letter in USA Today 7/2
The USA Today is running a letter to the editor that I wrote regarding the call for black folks not to celebrate this false Fourth of July.
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/07/july-fourth-thoughts.html
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2009/07/july-fourth-thoughts.html
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