Category Archives: Black America

Why Pastor Jamal Bryant Didn’t Listen To Chris Brown

Nearly two years ago next month, the black church and various other media outlets and blogs couldn’t wait to dispel the latest sentiments from a message involving mega church Pastor Jamal Bryant. Bryant, who’s certainly no stranger when it comes to controversy both in and outside of the pulpit, received an enormous amount of scrutiny and public backlash when he preached a sermon that contained a line from current R&B bad boy Chris Brown and his latest song at that time, “These H**s [Girls] Ain’t Loyal.” Seems like the mega church Pastor can’t leave these ‘girls’ alone as yet another woman has come forward alleging Bryant is the father of her newborn son. According to reports from The Christian Times, the child’s mother, Latoya Shawntee Odom, a 34-year old Californian massage therapist, bare it all to Obnoxious Television through a series of text messages that she had a sexual relationship with the popular pastor and gave birth to his son, who she named John Karston Bryant, in July 2015. The woman also freely and willingly provided Obnoxious Media a copy of the paternity tests that Bryant has requested and paid for. The test was carried out by LB Genetics, one of the most trusted DNA testing facilities in California among U.S. federal courts. The facility specializes in paternity, family relationship, and human identification testing. Test results sent to Odom showed that Bryant is 99.9999% to the 10-month-old boy.

The founder of Empowerment Temple A.M.E. Church and son of Bishop John Richard Bryant, the charismatic pastor have undergone several scandals involving women before which eventually lead to the divorce of his now estranged wife, Gizelle Bryant, back in 2008. Bryant appeared to show a level of contrition and sincerity in an interview he did with Roland Martin entitled, Drama in the Church: Temptation Ended His Marriage, Nearly Destroyed the Ministry of Pastor Bryant. In the candid 2013 interview, the then rejuvenated reverend spoke about how God restored his ministry after an extramarital affair nearly tore it apart. As Bryant explains:

“My father [Roland] asked me a critical question: ‘Were you preaching for applause? If you were preaching for applause and the people—it was a performance. But if you preaching because of your calling—your assignment; the same passion you had when there was thousands; is the same kind of intention now that you got to have now there’s been reduced to hundreds’” (…)

Since the interview, Bryant was again catapulted to the spotlight and appeared on numerous nationally syndicated platforms, reality shows as a spiritual adviser, mentor, and recently as a prominent voice in the Black Lives Matter movement. Just last month, Rev. Bryant held a peace march which signaled the one-year anniversary death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, and the civil unrest that transpired. As reported by the Baltimore Sun, Bryant left an online message asking those listening to invite as many people as possible, and to come from all across the region. Bryant further stated:

“Come in from D.C., from Virginia, from Delaware, from Philadelphia, from New York. Come on y’all. Stand with Baltimore. Let’s make a change. Let’s change this city. Let’s change the narrative. Let’s change a generation.”

Now with this latest scandal being added to his philanderous belt, reports have also surfaced that Mr. ‘Black Lives Matter’ Bryant also pressured Ms. Odom to have an abortion because his career—I mean ministry, couldn’t sustain another devastating blow. The tumultuous timing couldn’t have come at a more celebratory time in Bryant’s life as he and several others who I call, ‘motivational ministers’, are set to star in an upcoming show called, The Preachers.

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It will be interesting to see how Bryant’s church and those in the clerical hierarchy handle or discipline the reverend this time (if at all) due to his ‘celebrity’ status. Among a plethora of issues which reside in the Negro church, the ongoing lax of church discipline when it comes to certain leaders (mostly males) is staggering. Whereas if this had of been a woman caught ‘hoeing it up’ in like manner, not only would she had been told to step down, but she would have been ostracized in front of that congregation and told to leave the ministry. The double standard is indeed frightening when it comes to these popular ministers who, no matter what they do, people will claim they have been called of God and will tell you to keep your mouth off the manned or woman of Gawd (you know, the whole touch not my anointed scripture). It truly baffles my mind because you would think if this pastor was bold enough to recite some Chris Brown’s lyrics in his sermon, at the very least you would think he’d watched himself in this current “exposure” culture. No, I’m not excusing passa Bryant for his continuous indiscretions out of the pulpit. As the saying goes, ‘What’s done in the dark will eventually come to the light,’ even if that light is for attention that could pay dividends that  includes a reality show—which leads me to Latoya Odom. I find it strange that Bryant’s massage mistress would come forward with this (not surprisingly) bombshell against him even though he’s supporting their lovechild financially. The DNA test as reported and leaked by Ms. Odom herself was done last year in August according to Obnoxious Television’s blog. I guess she wants to put it all out there and not look like the typical church jump off, but to become transparent with her future audience because after all, she’s studying to become, you guessed it—a pastor herself. I guess this trial or test will become a testimony for either Bryant or Odom as well. The only surprise is who will regurgitate that line first between the two.

Peace and love y’all!

My Thoughts on Shining a Light: A Concert for Progress on Race in America

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The issue of race has always been a complex and controversial subject in this country. Black folks have spent years discussing racism on various platforms, rallies, talk shows, radio shows, and through classic literary works. Nevertheless, the discussion of race has eluded the Negro unless discussed in an academic setting i.e. an English or Sociology course; but as a matter of political demagoguery, racism is often used by white liberals to deter blacks from ever voting Republican thus ensuring the black vote remains predominantly Democratic. So when the issue of race is addressed between American blacks and whites it’s mainly used to guilt naive white people due to the legacy of slavery; and to instigate and inflame blacks linking them to slavery and reminding them of systemic racism through post-traumatic slave disorder. I personally do not espouse to the post-traumatic slave disorder rhetoric; however, that is not to say that racism doesn’t exist in this ill-gotten country. As cynical as this may sound, racism will always exist in America no matter how “progressive” talking heads and celebrities want to say otherwise. Such is a case involving a Kentucky circuit court judge, Olu Stevens, who’s been making headlines because he decided to dismiss a primarily all-white jury panel (40-1) in a case involving two black men and a white family. Judge Stevens became “deeply offended” towards the victim’s family (Jordan Gray) who wrote an impact statement letter expressing her daughter’s continual fear towards “all black men.” Stevens has been called racist for both dismissing the panel jury and criticizing the Jordan family for “accepting that kind of mentality.” That mentality, Stevens is referring to is a generalization for an entire race of people; something black folks are continually stigmatized by American whites. So as I viewed Shining a Light, would there actually be an honest and candid discussion about race? Or with all of the celebrity A-listers would I just be in for something similar to Lou Rawls’ Negro College Fund with a hint of Live 8 and Sunday’s Best?

A+E Networks "Shining A Light" Concert
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 18: (L-R) Recording artists Zac Brown, Tori Kelly, Jamie Foxx, Jill Scott, Eric Church, Miguel and Smokey Robinson perform onstage at A+E Networks “Shining A Light” concert at The Shrine Auditorium on November 18, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for A+E Networks)

The event seems to focus on what they call the tragic events which happened in Charleston, SC involving the deaths of nine congregants at the Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church because of their race. Call me a conspiracy theorist but I believe the attack was a hoax/false flag event like just many other ‘terrorist’ attacks happening recently. The crisis actors, the shooter going to a fast food restaurant after being arrested, and the families being awarded $29 million dollars two days after the shooting. Oh yeah, and all of them forgave the guy which is part of the reason why their having this concert for race progress. The program wants everyone but especially black folks, to sing those typical civil rights anthems of “We shall overcome,” and “Someday we’ll all be free,” which was actually performed by John Legend and Pink. The Shining a Light program included a diverse group of people from different ethnical backgrounds mostly speaking on the importance of change, equality (which to me is a bad word), love, and oneness which when I hear that and equality; the real racial rift primarily between blacks and whites, will not be addressed. Instead, programs like this will focus on social justice reform which to me means more young millennials forming groups using social media to lash out at the slightest form of micro-aggression.

There was an interesting turn in the program when they decided to speak to the wives’ of Ferguson, Missouri police officers. This was done to fuel the liberal narrative which is that blacks only have racial issues with white law enforcement officers. Again, this is not to say that there isn’t a substantial divide between many law enforcement officers and blacks. I mean, racial profiling does exist, but if you were to ask the wives’ of some of the officers interviewed, they said race didn’t play apart in the death of Michael Brown; an absolute “No-No” to the Ferguson protestors and others. Then there was the interview Missouri Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson, who was called to police the demonstrators after the Ferguson riots (while becoming a media darling as well), elaborate on the necessary steps needed by everyone to build trust in law enforcement and the community. After a few performances, the scene shifts to another city—Baltimore, MD–which was affected earlier this year by racial tensions between blacks and police. Rather than bring up the Freddie Gray case, they decided to film singer/songwriter Alicia Keys visiting a community center and speaking to a group of single mothers. Single mother’s which included the liberal media’s mother of the year for smacking, I mean rescuing her son; Toya Graham.

The only conclusion I could come away with after watching Shining a Light is that as far as racial progress goes the only thing blacks will ever get out of these events is more awareness spreading using the black struggle, hardships, and tragedies, as the face of another agenda altogether. It’s the equivalent of Black Lives Matter using murdered black males as a front, but the real agenda is equal rights which are more geared towards gender, sexuality, and cultural (social) Marxist thought; instead of the issue of black lives. Shining a Light is no different because though it may tout that they’re raising concerns about racial divisiveness and criminal reform; however, the actual issue of race-relations gets curtailed to interactions with police and ultimately, as a society we need to do better. That’s integration 2.0 ladies and gentlemen. Unfortunately, these groups only tend to the stereotypical impoverished single mother (i.e. the Toya Graham’s of the world), her children desiring to grow up in safer conditions, and the often absenteeism of the illegitimate father. I wonder if Judge Stevens would consider this too as an over generalization of an entire race? Certainly, the liberal media doesn’t have a problem with it

The problem of race, racism and racial progress will only be talked about from the level of which the media covers it using spin control to cause division. So while racism and discrimination does still exists to a degree; however, going to the same people you’re saying is oppressing you and asking them to fix it; is absolutely asinine. If we really want to deal with racism we need to look no further than the blacks post Reconstruction. They had a different attitude, mindset, work ethic, determination, and strength. Yet somewhere along the road of opposition and overt oppression during the 20th century; that Negro lost his way and is bordering extinction. So as long as there are events like Shining a Light, Black Lives Matter, and a host of various social justice groups; black people will still be left singing the same Negro spiritual: “We shall overcome,” for another 50 years.

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Black Death Grows in Its Capacity; but We’re Numb to Its Reality

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I was recently having a sincere conversation with the “Mother of all Civilization,” (just kidding) my very own mother as she wanted to share with me a word or message she kept receiving in her spirit. “Black people are on the verge of extinction,” she lamented in a brittle voice. It was as if she had read my mind or the very auspices of my heart. I find it often difficult to share such grief with anyone of related melanin in fear of coming off as a cantankerous pessimist, or your message being compared to the guy who just got saved and wants to share his religion like my name was Sharif; and you’re trying to reach Negroes like O-Dog and Caine. They don’t want to hear it because they rather live in this strong delusional state of what Taleeb Starkes would call “niggertivity.” The only time we’re actually awaken [briefly] from our stupor, is if we’re gunned down by white cops or are angered by any black who speaks critically of us who you call quote on quote, “Uncle Toms.” Does it mean I condone unarmed black people being gunned down by potential rouge cops? No. But even the media’s over-sensationalizing of the term “unarmed” has been nothing bait used to rattle our frail emotions to even further demonstrate that some black people are still gullible to slave-like pathology. We’re still under the impression that our local police departments are in our neighborhoods to serve and protect us when in reality they are only there to police us. This is why when you go into a predominantly all-white neighborhood suburb, YOU are quickly spotted and monitored by casual residents and so-called neighborhood watchmen a la the Zimmerman’s of the world (or the ones who are classified as white) and soon enough your presence is known on a cop’s radar under suspicious activity. The new Ferguson, or Cleveland, is doing the same song and dance with its historically favorite dance partner: The white liberal. After the riots and protests that erupted in Baltimore after the death of Freddie Gray, Cleveland has been selected to potentially participate in the “riot lottery,” where criminals become martyrs by way of police brutality; meanwhile agent provocateurs infiltrate these marches in lieu to destroying a section of the city all in the name of “No Justice, No Peace.”

As I and many others have already stated before, black lives really don’t matter to black folks unless that life is taken by the quote on quote enemy called “the white man.” The ear ticking doctrine of victimization brought to you white liberals, black apologists posing as intellectuals, and race hustlers has made many Negroes obsessed with the rhetoric of white supremacy while conveniently ignoring the sheer violence that permeates our city streets. For example, in the month of May alone, the city of Baltimore had 38 homicides according to a recent article published by Fox News’ Perry Chiaramonte. Since Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake gave protesters carte blanche during the riots in April, local residents turned criminals have become embolden knowing the police are the last people to stand in their way.

“The criminals are taking advantage of the situation in Baltimore since the unrest,” Lt. Gene Ryan, President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3, which represents officers in Baltimore, said in a statement provided to FoxNews.com. “Criminals feel empowered now. There is no respect. Police are under siege in every quarter. They are more afraid of going to jail for doing their jobs properly than they are of getting shot on duty.”

 As aforementioned above, the police’s main job in most of these modern urban cities of terror is to police you [us] however; if the police can’t perform they’re primary duty in neighborhoods filled with mothers like Toya Graham, who became mother of the year several months ago for “recusing” her son from participating in the Freddie Gray riots, the end result is more black on black crime equaling more black death. The mere mention of black crime is a big “no-no” in the black community not because of the actual tragic circumstances that stem from it; rather, it’s because other ethnicities—especially white people—do it too. They’ll tell you that whites commit crimes against whites and Asians commit crimes against other Asians etc. But I’m quick to tell them is that those other cultures don’t glorify, celebrate, or has a culture of violence aka “hood life” which is accompanied by rap lyrics that affirms them as being real niggas for committing such acts.

Speaking of rap lyrics and rappers, it seems to be a dangerously murderous trend for up in coming artist these days. Rappers Chinx and Young Pappi are the latest tragedies in a sub culture that has intoxicated the youth to embrace “savage life” through the popularity of “Drill Music” which many thought was a trend, has now become a staple in rap music no longer allowed to be bound to Chi-city. Unfortunately, it is this same city—Chicago—which continues to make headlines nearly every calendar holiday season due to its numerous shootings of the wounded and the deceased. This past Memorial Day, for example, Newsweek reported that at least 56 reported shot in Chicago’s violent Memorial Day Weekend. Bias is the African-American who can say their city is no different from any other city.

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Black Death has engulfed and subjugated our so-called black community into a plague that could only be reminiscent of the European Plague. Reminiscent because our loyalty to the criminal and the debaucher, the violent and unruly, the elongated sickness that plague the heights of our community commonly called the ghetto. It is here were black elitist rises to the supremacy of blackness under the heel of white folk, but psychologically, above the minimalistic cognitive attention span of the average Negro. Black Death has become in its earliest infantry, nothing more than artistic letters and colorful life-like pictures or photos of individual people with sketches designed on t-shirts; to now trendy hashtags on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. This plague has contaminated what most pro-blacks call “Mother Earth,” but that’s after the descension or the facilitated and orchestrated fall of the black man. The roles in traditional marriage and relationships have been reversed. Through social programming which produces socialist, communist even fascists thought; the black woman through her early foremothers siding with Marxists, feminist, welfare policies and values—aided by the failure of black fathers—created the epic anarchy which exist in your local black community.

What must be understood when trying to deal with the complexity of black Americans, is the dealing with this mentality of “being a real nigga” which permeated our local inner cities. For instance, we used to have ‘models’ of reverence and consistency. We had women and men, who we looked to as status quo or people we could resonate with. However, because the seed of ‘big momma’ was implanted in us like a seed, we have grown to nothing but the black woman running the family with the black man’s role being socially marginalized; and his authority practically obsolete. In 2015, you have black women being indoctrinated by the likes of Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, and others, spouting this “You don’t need a man,” (which is actually anti-man) for nothing, overly ambitious to the level where you actually want to be A MAN—but not it knowingly consciously.

 

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There’s a prodigious issue with our black women because not only have they adopted the role of “provider” but they have become unofficial leaders which makes them unqualified affirmers when it comes to our children. Affirmation and character (truly) comes from a father who loves, disciplines and encourages their children. However, black women have eaten from the tree of forbidden fruit, and she has become a competitor—not a companion–to the black man, an adversary rather than an ally. Degrees, feminist theory, government assistance, child support, and minimal opulence have consumed the mind of those who dashiki-wearing Negroes render as “queens.”

As uncomfortable as white people are in discussing structural racism and white privilege; such is the same when discussing the contentious black crime argument with Negroes. Yes, contentious argument because many blacks will point to its oppressor due to the racism and systematic racial oppression. Just recently film director Spike Lee made a reference to black crime with CNN’s Anderson Cooper. One must speculate and ask are blacks upset with what Lee said, or is it because he said it on a public ‘white’ platform? The platform is often bastion of criticism due the inferiority factor and the left right paradigm in politics (politricks) where many blacks often prefer the canon of white liberal rhetoric of encapsulating hundreds of years of racism. Tavis Smiley used to hold a summit called State of the Black Union; where he enlisted notable African-American scholars, speakers, teachers, politicians and entertainers; to discuss black progress and sanctity or in other words, “what do we need to do next.” The Negro has yet to test this hypothesis of ‘what to do next’ because the next has falls squarely on the individual first; then the collective—without the assistance of white folk. So while intellectual misfits speak on the ills on slavery, Jim Crow, Black Codes, redlining, mass-incarceration through the prison-industrial complex, the War on Drugs, police supplying guns in poor neighborhoods, and on and on and on. The blame whitey card gets minimized when the name of Kendal Fenwick is echoed from a rotten grave.

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While many in black America rallied around a Missouri student who decided to starve himself because he and his peers felt they were ‘oppressed;’ the murder of Kendal Fenwick, gets swept under the rug. A known community activist, Fenwick died trying to protect his family of three; from the same ‘niggertivity’ most Negroes want to blame white folk for on a systematic premise. He was killed by drug dealers who were mad he built a fence to keep them away from him and his family. Brother Fenwick’s achievements and impact was reduced to a mere statistic as he became victim 295 of a 300 and counting murder rate this year in the city of Baltimore. I repeat; the same city that immortalized Freddie Gray as if he were Kendal Fenwick; is the same city that glorifies its petty hustlers. This nigga syndrome which has crippled the psychology of the American Negro mind; and has reproduced a legacy of excuses, victimization, self-hatred without self-actualization, from an oppressor whose shown his hand of supremacy by way of classicism; a weakened harnessed enemy who rather have a democratic liberal be its defense then going out on its own. Part two coming soon when I’ll deal with the new ‘Black Codes.’

 

Peace and Love y’all!

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Raven Symone Said What?! (Again)

THE VIEW - Cristela Alonzo (ABC's

Once again the Negro community is up in arms about the recent comments made by the eccentric former child star Raven Symone. In a segment on the barely watchable show called The View, Symone did what she shouldn’t have done (give her opinion) about a list of “ghetto names” and since the taping there’s been a fury in black community ever since. To be fair, the non-black, black woman actress has been making headlines since arrival on the show from making outlandish comments referring to First Lady Michelle Obama as an animal, Harriet Tubman shouldn’t be on the U.S. currency, and she doesn’t want to be labeled gay, lesbian or as an African-American. Symone, who is approaching her 30’s, has decided to align herself with the new-age, millennial crowd which consists of cultural-Marxists ideas and beliefs in pursuit of a better America where racism, sexism, and classism no longer exists. Negro, please. In this latest episode of quote the Raven nevermore, Symone explains why she wouldn’t hire someone with the name “Watermelondrea.”

The media backlash got so bad (mainly from Twitter) that her father Christopher B. Pearman, decided to come to his daughters defense. Here is an open letter from his Facebook page:

To My Dear Friends,

There has been much talk today about my daughters comments on her show The View. People have been hitting me up all night questioning me about her remarks. Let me say this……I haven’t managed Ravens career in over 10 years. This woman is grown, has her own management team, has her own opinions, right or wrong, and is responsible for her own words and actions. A woman wrote to me tonight and said she couldn’t support my book because of the words of my daughter. What she fails to realize is that my book is about teaching your child to believe and achieve. Raven has achieved incredible success, and this cannot be denied!

Children grow up and become influenced by many things, situations and people. I certainly don’t agree with what she said….but she is damn near thirty years old. She’s a grown ass woman making grown ass mistakes. We all have been guilty of this.

I did my best as her father, mentor and career manager. I believe I did a Wonderful job. Aside from this inexcusable gaffe, her 29 years in the entertainment industry has been quite successful, for there have been only an Elite Few Child Stars to last this long and have little to no controversy. For this, I am Very Proud!

Raven is a really Beautiful, Sweethearted, Human Being.I should know. Her Mother and I Love her Very much and will always support her and have her back. Even if sometimes……….she says some dumb S#%T!

To see Raven and our families story go to:
Www.dream-so-big.com

Since the ‘gaffe’ remarks made by the former Cheetah Girls star; Symone has since recanted in a statement saying her “comment was made in poor taste; and she’s an equal opportunity employer and has never discriminated against anyone.” Okay black America, lend me your ears. Although what Raven said was indeed in poor taste, but how many quote on quote ‘ghetto’ names do we come across on the regular? How many Laquandra’s, Shaquilia’s, or Negroes named after automobiles (Lexus, Mercedes) have you encountered and immediately though to yourself, “These parents are taking this name creativity way too far.” We laughed and made Sha Nay Nay (played by Martin Lawrence) famous. It was nearly two years ago when a fight video went viral with the name ‘Sharkeisha No,’ from an actual girl named Sharkeisha (Shark+eisha)!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nd9g6T_U_wA“>

While I’m sure Raven Symone has beyond earned her first class ticket abroad the fictitious ‘Coon Train’;(according to y’all) however, what she said about ghetto names wasn’t too far off. I get the fact that no one should discriminate against anyone based on their name; however, in reality it happens more often than we realize. In addition, your name says a lot about you so when it comes to naming your children, Leslie sounds a whole lot better than LeShaniqua. One means “devoted to God” and the other means, well, you get my point. Peace and love y’all.

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