Who Is Derek Black

Well, I can tell you he’s not Black or African American. Sadly, he is a 20 year old kid with a vision to be the next leader of White Supremacy or I guess White Nationalism.

You say potato. I say what the f*ck ever.

I subscribe to “Details” magazine and they ran article titled, “The Great White Hope” with the byline “On the surface, Derek Black is just another baby-faced fan of Taylor Swift and Twilight but underneath lurks the next David Duke.” Needless to say I read the article.

Intriguing?

Yes.

I will admit that any kid who appears in an HBO documentary about hate at age 12 is certainly worth the read but definitely saddening at the same time. For David Duke to gush about being in his presence, it let’s you know that hate is and always will be apart of our society even when it seems like Obama’s election was sounding the alarms for change.

You probably wonder like I did how you could learn hate at such a young age. It’s easy…bad parenting. From the article, his father, Don Black, “is an ex-member of the White Youth Alliance and former national Grand Wizard of the KKK who worked on David Duke’s campaigns in Louisiana, and who today — with his son — runs the leading white nationalist website, Stormfront.org.

Now here comes the icing…

His mother, Chloe Black, is David Duke’s ex-wife! In a strange bit of irony, Chloe Black was employed by the Glades Academy which is a school for underprivileged minorities.

No, seriously…

She was working for Emilia Fanjul whose family apparently has the sugar game on lock. I couldn’t figure out if she still worked for the school so I did some digging. From the number in this article, it is her voicemail. Apparently, the irony in hiring women with a racist past to do PR work for a school for underprivileged minorities was lost on some people. Hopefully she is not using her pay to help her unemployed husband fund the hate site.

Speaking of the deadbeat, Don Black did time for, get this, trying to overthrow the government of Dominica! He wanted to replace the predominantly Black government with a White one. Here’s how the conversation would have gone if I were a lost White guy:

Don Black: I have an idea
Me: Shoot!
Don Black: I want to start an all-white nation.
Me: Sounds dreamy.
Don Black: There’s a catch. We have to overthrow a government.
Me: Really? That’s it. All we have to do is overthrow a government? Are you a fucking idiot? That idea blows ass.

I’ll take you seriously one moment then laugh at you when you leave. I’ve done that to people for less than coups. I can assure you.

Back to the kid though, he is a bit trife. On President O, “He’s a big marker.” He goes on to say, “I don’t expect in four years to be living in a wasteland of burning tires but for me Obama is one step away.”

Oh the story gets sweeter…

The kid was elected to a government position by a following composed of predominantly older Cuban men. He defeated a Cuban community activist. Seriously? I am not making this up. In a bit of justice news, they refused to seat him in the position because he did not sign the party oath pledging to avoid any conduct injurious to the party’s reputation. It just goes to show that you really need check your candidates’ backgrounds to make sure they aren’t racist, maniacal radicals.

This article was a lot to swallow and if you google their family, it’s absolutely mind blowing that there are people with their heads that far up their derrieres. I only wrote this little blurb as an informational piece because I found it so shocking. I didn’t go to the website because frankly it’s late and I don’t need to go to bed with that anger built up. Idiocy, I’ve found, is not a functioning sleep aid. Some of these folks need to pray to the White Jesus on their walls.

Hook (Hustleman)
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Where Do You Meet Decent Guys!?!?

An age old question FINALLY gets an answer that’s not CLICHE!

Before I dive in though, I must ask: because this question was asked of me, does it mean that I am a decent guy and would thus know where they are? I’ll make an affirmative assumption regarding that presumption and say “thank you”! (Sorry, I watched “V For Vendetta” again recently)

Let’s get into it!

Ladies not only am I going to tell you what to do to increase your chances of finding a decent guy — but if fate is not on your side and you don’t find him in the place I recommend — I GUARANTEE, your consolation prize will be amazing!

And did I mention that my answer is not a cliche?!

Oh yeah, this will be a good one — strap in people. Let’s Go!!! (c) Diddy

Drum Roll Please! The place you should immediately begin looking for a decent guy is….

I DON’T KNOW.

But the good news is: YOU DO!

Ok, enough with the playing here’s your breakdown on what to do if you want to increase your chances of running into a decent guy.

First. Stop Looking.  And I don’t mean that fairy tale nonsense about how “you’ll find love as soon as you stop looking for it”. I mean really

STOP LOOKING.

Instead, look in the mirror. Look at your life. Think about what you still want to do with it. Anything and I mean ANYTHING you still want to do with it. Anything you still want to learn from it. And then begin mapping out how to do it.

Gardening, Cooking, Web Design, Softball, A Marathon or Tri-Athlon, Yoga, Tai Chi, Be a Big Sisters, Coach a kids league, Volunteer at a Women’s Shelter, Take an Investment or Savings Seminar.

Something that YOU want to do to enrich YOU!  I know we’re in a recession, but there are still A LOT of ways to cheaply learn, give and better yourself; starting with classes/seminars at your local library, cheap classes at your community college and I know for a fact that any of the clubs and organizations I mentioned above would LOVE to have you.

Here’s the point. This is VERY simple math.   Meeting people is a numbers game.  The ONLY way to encounter a greater number of decent guys is to encounter a greater number of people! But if you encounter people who are giving, volunteering, engaging, learning, caring, and chasing a dream — even if it’s just learning how to cook the dish they usually buy at a restaurant — your chances of running across someone decent are EXPONENTIALLY greater.

You’re first thought may be, “c’mon J, how many guys am I meeting at Big Sisters of America?”.  But to that I would say: you’re thinking about it wrong. Think about every person that brought one IOTA of good to your life.  Now matter how small a deed it was.  How often was that a RANDOM encounter — a CHANCE happening? How many times have you met someone and thought “what are the odds” or “small world”. Using the Big Sister’s example — let’s say you befriend just ONE person there. That’s a night at the movies hanging out with a friend you may have otherwise spent at home. It’s her favorite bar/restaurant that you’ve never been to. It’s a wedding, charity or sporting event you never would’ve attended.  Now add all of those people up!

More importantly though, this is all a bi-product of steps you were taking to BETTER YOURSELF! And surrounding yourself with people who want to do the same is a great start. It lets you know you have at least ONE decent thing in common and that’s not a bad place to begin.

That’s my theory on this. There is no magic bar or club that you haven’t been to. Get out and do something positive for YOU and you’ll run into more people with a positive mindset. A positive mindset doesn’t always translate into a “decent guy”, but look at it this way. The worst case scenario is a better you.

But if none of this is anything you want to do, then it may be time to ask yourself a tough question.

How “deserving” of a decent guy is a woman who has no interest in bettering herself…

Peace, Love & A Better You,

J (Pres)
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Black Hypocrisy…

A lot of people are upset about the California Supreme Court’s decision regarding Prop 8. But the fact is; the failures that led to this issue lying at the feet of the court occurred long ago. Black voters shoulder no more blame than any other group for Prop 8’s ability to pass. We are, however, guilty of the greatest hypocrisy.

Here’s why:

I believe people who are gay, are born gay. I also believe that if you think it’s some “choice” that is made – you are an idiot. To straight men and women who would suggest that sexuality is a choice, I would like to ask:

When did you make your choice?

I’m a straight man. There wasn’t a day in my life when I woke up – stretched – and then thought:

Hmmm. I’m getting older now. I should probably decide if I’m gonna go with this penis thing or roll with the ol’ vagina”.

Maybe that was just me though. If you had a day like that, please tell us about it in the comments section.

My point is this: If you allow for the fact that gay people are born gay – then yes, black people who voted for Prop 8 are undeniably hypocrites. You’ve taken away a right (marriage) from a group of people because they were born a certain way.

REALLY?

That doesn’t sound familiar to you?

That doesn’t sound like the exact same thing that was done to us? How do you muster the hate, audacity or ignorance to do it to someone else? The civil rights movement wasn’t generations ago – it was ONE generation ago. When I heard tales of racism and injustice they didn’t have to come from my great grandfather. They came from my father!

And please don’t go dragging Jesus into this. The bible has been twisted by every group in power as reason to disenfranchise another since the day it was printed. The bible “allowed” whites to subjugate American Indians and turn Africans into slaves. Shall we stone adulterers as well? And while we’re referencing the Good Book – isn’t vengeance the Lord’s anyway? If you aren’t gay—and you’re not actually marrying gays yourself—you and your God are fine, right?

But let’s say you disagree with the biblical reasoning above – here is the best part. You’re gonna love this…

God has nothing to do with marriage in this country anyway. (Ironically enough, if he did they probably wouldn’t fail at better than 50%). Marriage isn’t a religious institution. 1000 priests, rabbis and ministers can pronounce you man and wife all at the same time. You know what you’ll still need…

A LICENSE!

Yeah, the same thing you need to drive an RV! God doesn’t make you married in this country! The lady in the marriage license office who hates life because she is working for the government makes you married. A trip to that lady after a trip to the Justice of the Peace and the deed is done. If that is the case, how can you justify voting on a governmental process because off some religious belief??

I’m surprised at how few blacks share my adamance and disgust. The fact that most of my people oppose gay marriage and/or are homophobic is utterly saddening to me. I remember how Madeline Albright reacted to the genocide in Serbia while in the Clinton administration. Her anger wasn’t because she was Serbian – it was because she was from a family of Holocaust survivors and the thought of genocide ANYWHERE sickened her.

Why not us? Why doesn’t the mere thought of another group of people having their freedoms trampled, no matter who they are, sicken us? 1964 was less than 50 years ago. And we are already fine with stripping another group’s fundamental rights because “boys kissing is yucky”?!? You know what else was once considered “yucky”??

Brown skin!

For most gay couples it’s about health benefits, tax considerations that traditionally married couples get, being considered a “family member” when you have to visit a sick partner in the hospital or raising a family together. I don’t have the heart to tell people they can’t have those things because they kiss a different gender of human being goodnight. I certainly couldn’t hide behind Jesus to do it.

It’s almost funny — most homosexual men and women come from straight, traditionally married parents. Perhaps we should just consider outlawing marriage all together. It’s the number one producer of gays!!

Black people, we have to do better…

J (Pres)

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Obama Continues to Make History…

The last few days — culminating with this morning — have been truly amazing.  Nearly rivaling Obama’s historic rise to the presidency itself, annoucements were made confirming the appointments of Charles Bolden, NASA’s first black administrator and Sonia Sotomayor, the first latina nominated to the supreme court.

Bolden is not only a retired Marine general, but has also flown two space missions as pilot and two more as commander.  He flew more than 100 sorties in Vietnam from 1972-73.  And after the Challenger accident in 1986, Gen. Bolden was named the chief of the safety division at the Johnson Space Center with responsibilities for overseeing safety in the return-to-flight efforts.  (So after one of the worst disasters NASA had ever seen, a black man was appointed to fix the issues and prevent them from happening again.  I bet he and Obama had no problem relating to each other.)

Sonia Sotomayor is a “moderate-liberal” who is of Puerto Rican descent.  If you’re in the mood for a drastic understatement, allow me to oblige.  Sonia rose from “humble beginnings” at a housing project in the South Bronx.  (End understatement.  If my mild sarcasm was lost on you — visit a housing project in the South Bronx sometime).  From there Sotomayor worked her way to Princeton University for her undergraduate degree and on to Yale Law school.  Her nomination, if confirmed, would elevate her from her current position as judge on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.  For the partisan panderers or bigots affirmative action flag burners — you should know that she was appointed there by George H. W. Bush (a republican male, in case you forgot) — or as I like to call him “Bush the Tolerable”.

Both of these folks have qualification in spades.  It’s an indescribable feeling to know that their work and accomplishments have transcended cries of foul over race or gender.  However that is not the only goal.  This country will truly be its greatest when those cries no longer exist…

Peace, Love & A New Day,

J (Pres)

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Grade Barack w/ CNN

Watch The CNN National Report Card: First 100 Days on Wednesday, April 29 (7pm ET) and let your voice be heard.  Vote on how President Obama and other elected officials have handled their first 100 days in office, as well as how the country is progressing on significant issues.

This is definitely one to tune in for.  I think anyone giving him an A is getting ahead of themselves but I think anyone failing him is certainly jumping to conclusions.  100 days isn’t enough time for much.  If all of his bills were passed he’d have close to FDR (who got through 15 I believe), but while that would be impressive — it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans if the bills get through and they don’t work.

As it stands I think he’s gotten 6 passed with 6 or 7 more stuck in Congress.  Ya gotta give him an incomplete — but if you put a gun to my head and force me to choose, my man gets a B.

 

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Let’s Get Down To Business - Credit Crisis

No, I mean real business.  Every morning you see and hear news of joblessness rising — this morning was no exception — credit being frozen — astronomical bailout numbers — and much much more…

But do you know why?  I mean really know HOW WE GOT HERE…???

As you may have gleaned from some of my other posts, I like the occasional sports wager.  I like to research a side and make a bet corresponding to my confidence level.  Most of all, almost more than the money, I love the feeling of being RIGHT (almost more than the money).  You see as much as I love sports, I love that exercise of researching and placing my money where my confidence lies even more.

That’s why I like to follow the markets… (although lately, I don’t even want to look).  I love researching a position and then laying my stakes.  I realized that investing was nothing more than legalized gambling with MUCH better odds (if you have the patience).  I learned this around the age of 15 and have been in love ever since.  The Wall Street game is better than Vegas will ever be…  But if you aren’t like me and have a few questions about just what the hell is going on and how we got here — you really need to see the videos below.

It’s a few minutes long — but I promise you it will change your life.  It is a cartooned example of exactly what happened to the housing markets, banks and investors — and how it led us to the credit crisis we are now in.  It uses everyday terms and lays things out in ways everyone can understand.  Hopefully, the more people understand how we got here, the greater our chances will be of NEVER returning.

I’m absolutely sure this is the least sexiest article I’ve written.

I’m also absolutely sure it’s the most important…  WATCH — and if you already know — SHARE!!

The Shocking Finale…

–Pres

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National Day of Service

Please help someone do something positive today.  Peace & Love — The TruthMerchants

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Barack Obama - The SECOND Black President??

Today’s post is written by T. Freeman author of The Organization.  His second book, Sons of Sin, has just been released.

———————————-

You won’t find this in your history books or in Wikipedia but the first black president of the United States was John Hanson and he was elected November 5, 1781 eight years before George Washington took office. I know what you’re thinking…I was thinking it too. George Washington wasn’t black and everybody knows he was the first President of the United States, right?

Well yes and no.

George Washington was America’s first official president but under America’s first government, The Articles of Confederation, there were 8 heads of Congress, which was the highest government position available. In a sense this made the president of Congress as powerful as the modern day Commander in Chief. The Articles of Confederation was drafted in 1777 with final approval coming on March 1, 1781 making John Hanson, a black man, America’s first official head of Government.

How did a Black Man become President in a racist America?

John Hanson was a Moor. Moor’s where some of the only respected Black people on earth at the time. In fact it was illegal to take a Moor as a slave.

John Hanson was unanimously elected head of Congress and even received a vote from George Washington. He took office just as the Revolutionary War ended. Almost immediately, the troops demanded to be paid. As would be expected after any long war, there were no funds to meet the salaries. As a result, the soldiers threatened to overthrow the new government and put Washington on the throne as a monarch.

All the members of Congress ran for their lives, leaving Hanson as the only guy left running the government. He somehow managed to calm the troops down and hold the country together. If he had failed, the government would have fallen almost immediately and everyone would have been bowing to King Washington. In fact, Hanson sent 800 pounds of sterling silver by his brother Samuel Hanson to George Washington to provide the troops with shoes.

Hanson, as President, ordered all foreign troops off American soil, as well as the removal of all foreign flags. This was quite the feat, considering the fact that so many European countries had a stake in the United States since the days following Columbus.

Hanson established the Great Seal of the United States, which all Presidents have since been required to use on all official documents. President Hanson also established the first Treasury Department, the first Secretary of War, and the first Foreign Affairs Department. Lastly, he declared that the fourth Thursday of every November was to be Thanksgiving Day, which is still true today. The Articles of Confederation only allowed a President to serve a one year term during any three year period, so Hanson actually accomplished quite a bit in such little time. So what happened?

Why don’t we ever hear about the first seven Presidents of the United States?
It’s quite simple - The Articles of Confederation didn’t work well. The individual states had too much power and nothing could be agreed upon. A new doctrine needed to be written - something we know as the Constitution. And that leads us to the end of our story. George Washington was definitely not the first President of the United States. He was the first President of the United States under the Constitution we follow today. And the first seven Presidents are forgotten in history.

• John Hanson (November 5, 1781 – November 3, 1782)
• Elias Boudinot (November 4, 1782 – November 2, 1783)
• Thomas Mifflin (November 3, 1783 – October 31, 1784)
• Richard Henry Lee (November 30, 1784 – November 6, 1785)
• John Hancock (November 23, 1785 – June 5, 1786) Due to Hancock’s failing health, he did not report to Congress, and the following two chairmen acted as president in his stead:
• David Ramsay (November 23, 1785 – May 12, 1786)
• Nathaniel Gorham (May 15, 1786 – June 5, 1786)
• Nathaniel Gorham (June 6, 1786 – November 5, 1786)
• Arthur St. Clair (February 2, 1787 – November 4, 1787)
• Cyrus Griffin (January 22, 1788 – March 4, 1789)

It should be noted that some historians say John Hanson was white….this is just one side of the story.  But it’s certainly worth your time and effort to research the story of John Hanson for yourself and come to your own conclusions.

–T. Freeman

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Ish You Should Know - The Billion Dollar Man

Far too often African-American history lessons are reduced to the same laundry list of black “firsts” only taught in February. Even more often as of late, it seems the accomplishments in the fields of sports and entertainment have been given more light. Today black judges, politicians, and CEO’s don’t get much press until it turns bad. This has got to change. Those who follow me know I loves me some money, so naturally I’m all over anybody gaining wealth. We all know the billionaires Bob and Oprah, but I would like to introduce you all to Reginald F. Lewis, the first black billion dollar businessman.

Being born in 1942 and growing up in East Maryland definitely didn’t afford Reginald any of the opportunities that most of us have taken for granted. Yet at age ten he set up his own newspaper route to deliver a local African-American newspaper. He started with ten stops and flipped it to over a hundred in two years and then sold the route for a profit. I don’t know about you but at 12 I was flipping off of mattresses not flipping a profit on a business. Sounds like a bad mo fo right? You don’t know the half.

Never out of work Reginald took a standard job at the time washing dishes at a local country club. There he worked with his grandfather who spoke to him the simple words, “know your job and do it well.” So often in life we tend to over complicate things. These seven words are ones you can live your entire life by. After beasting in high school to the tune of being the starting quarterback, shortstop, small forward, (oh yeah…captain of all three!) and student body vice president the real fun began.

College was at Virginia State on a football scholarship that got cut short by an injury. But an ACL can’t stop your grind! Reginald generated so much business as a photographer’s sales assistant he was offered a partnership. He turned that down and went on to become a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity Inc. and graduated on the dean’s list. Reginald F. Lewis knew he wanted to be a lawyer but little did he know he would be much more.

Out of all of his accomplishments this is the one that continues to blow me away. The summer after graduation, the Rockefeller Foundation sponsored a program at Harvard Law School in an attempt to introduce some black students to the fine art of law. After lobbying for and gaining acceptance, Reginald was invited to attend Harvard Law School in the fall. BEFORE he applied! I repeat. A black man in 1965 was admitted to Harvard Law School before applying. The only man at the time to hold that distinction. Think about that for a moment…

1965!

Some people were still sharecropping in the South. And he’s talking his way into Harvard! Brilliant!

This is where things get big. Two years after graduation and working with a prestigious law firm in corporate law, he and a few others set up Wall Street’s first African-American law firm. Being a NC boy it warmed my heart to see that he represented the Wilmington Ten and was instrumental in getting them more of the money they were owed. He sure is racking up a lot of “firsts” considering most people never heard his name.

His next move was to establish an investment firm whose first move was a 22.5 million dollar buyout of a struggling textile company. Using the same acumen that flipped that newspaper route for him, he led the company to it’s two most profitable years ever. Selling the company in 1987 for $65 mil, making a 90 to 1 return on his own investment. Guys on Wall Street would slap their grandma for a return like that now.

Before 87 was done, Reginald added another first to his list. But not just an African-American first this time. The $985 million buyout of Beatrice Foods (renamed TLC Beatrice Int’l) was the largest offshore buyout by an American company….ever. Just as steadily as he worked his way into Harvard, he worked down the company’s debt and brought the company’s revenues to $1.5 billion.

And there it is folks… The first black owned billion dollar business.

TLC Beatrice made it’s way up the Forbe’s 1000 and was the largest African-American owned company in the U.S. The richest black man of the 80’s (estimated net worth was $400 million) was not Michael Jackson or Jordan. He was a hard working businessman who needs his own shoe, shirt, or line of something so more kids can want to be like Reggie.

–Seymour Monet

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Ish You Should Know - How To Cook A Steak!

How to Cook a Steak

I mentioned in my list of things that guy’s shouldn’t do that burning a steak is next to a capital offense. I then started to think about all the times I have seen marvelous cuts of meat not only hockey pucked up but also undercooked, over seasoned, and just downright tough as taffy. So, I figured I would enlighten all the bovine challenged out there how to properly handle beef. (No porno quote intended).

I feel like a bit of education is need first though. In order to cook a steak properly, you must first understand what you’re working with. This knowledge is vital because each cut requires a different method of cooking. Learning your cuts and understanding the traits of each, is the first key to preparing a great steak. You can find cooking times here.

Generally speaking, the one common denominator to look for across the meat board is marbling distribution. Marbling is the white fat that you see in all cuts of beef. An even distribution throughout the meat is a good thing. Remember this. Rib eyes tend to have more marbling than other cuts. Naturally, if you are trying to avoid fat in your diet you will have to go for leaner cuts. Thus you will have to do a tad bit more for flavor.

Knowing your cooking method is the next step on the road to the perfect steak. From pan searing to grilling there really is no one perfect way to cook a steak. I prefer a charcoal grill, while some others might prefer the crust of a pan sear. Since I prefer charcoal, most of the advice that I’m going to give you revolves around an open flame. However, depending on the cut, there are more desirable methods to achieve desirable results. You can learn more about cooking methods here.

The next key is often overlooked but is basic common sense. Allow your steak to become as close to room temperature as possible before cooking. Simply put, a cold steak takes longer to get to the desired temperature risking charring on the outside.

I can’t stress the next point enough. A good cut of beef is flavorful enough! You do not need to over season or over sauce it. I don’t knock it if that’s how you like it. But I feel they are best with a little olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly cracked pepper….maybe a little garlic if you’re feeling jazzy. Here is a good place to find some steak recipes and other general information.

Closely following the importance of that step is this: While cooking, never touch your steak other than to turn it. Don’t be the guy pulling a Jason on the meat; wasting all the juices. Always use tongs and try to time it so you only have to turn it once. Do not put the steaks on while the grill is at its peak. Cook some dogs first or something. Flame ups are your enemy here first and foremost. If you run into an inferno you can’t handle just close the vents, close the lid and it should die out. If you can, make a squirt bottle to keep handy then do so. Refrain from playing hot potato with the meat while the fire is dancing. Charred steak is an affront to steak lover’s everywhere. There are places in the South where you will get jumped for burning food on the grill.

If you follow these steps and study up you should never run into that polite smile, half grimace of someone biting into your nasty ass food. Holla.

I.M. Haight

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