Three Way Dance Time: It’s the First of December, but were still reeling from Thanksgiving Weekend from the food and pumpkin pie. This dance, I’ll comment about Ferguson more, the updated backlash against Sasha and Malia, and plus Facebook got me flagged which was in my opinion that shouldn’t been so dirty. And no, I didn’t post no naked pics or anything that is racist or sexist towards anyone that is a equally a human being.
First take: Ferguson. We’ve seen the protests. We’ve seen and watched the decision of former Police Officer Darren Wilson not to be indicted on the shooting death of Michael Brown. Yes, I’ve said former because over the weekend, he resigned. And he’s a potential target. Just like Zimmerman. We’ve seen the flames that torched the buildings and squad cars. We’ve see them all, even more of the protesting in the streets. We’ve seen it all on MSNBC, CNN, and the dreadful spin of Fox News. We’ve seen it. And yes when the folks protest they expect anger in the streets to get a point across. We’ve seen the protests on Black Friday that had those lying on the floor in a mall in St. Louis. And no, for the record I didn’t spend a penny out of my pocket to spend on Black Friday. Learned that lesson from a long time ago.
But in the recent events, centered the NFL again, and no it’s not just the Packers beating the Patriots at Lambeau. It’s really around the St. Louis Rams and the five players that came out in their intros with the Hands Up Don’t Shoot gesture. And the “Conservative-like media” and the likes of Morning Joe, that had to get shocked and mad over these football players doing the silent protest! Earlier in the year, in the NFL Preseason game between the Packers and Raiders, one of the running backs of the Silver and Black, Maurice Jones-Drew scores a Touchdown run and after that, he did the Hands Up Don’t Shoot Gesture. Where was the outrage in that? And this was directly after Michael Brown was shot. Athletes of back in the day (whom were black) were not just winning ball games, breaking records, and setting new tones for the victors. They were also making statements for keeping that black pride, and also solidarity of support of those who were killed. I wasn’t around when this happened, but we all know about the Black Power Salute of the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico. John Carlos and Tommie Smith were two African Americans that won as we know. When they got their medals, they took their shoes off, stepped on the podium and when the National Anthem was played, they bowed their heads and had their fists in the air. But also, according to the story, they received death threats for their gesture. Think about this, 1968 is same year that Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated. The “Original” Civil Rights Movement ended in the same year. James Brown released the song “Say it loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud” around the same time when Tommie Smith and John Carlos got their medals. When you think of all of those things, some of that I think parralles today, but in a different sense. What I mean by a different sense, many today don’t want to get all revolutionary and such and to start up a scene. I’ve said this many times. And I also asked this question, where are the NEW civil rights leaders at? Some might say Puff Daddy or Jay Z, but no. They might not go for it! They (like others) might “donate” but won’t join the fight that got them there when they were alot younger back in the day! See this is why this era needs to get with the program when things like this happen. And those in the conservative like media, white media, and those I dare say in the progressive, liberal sides of Morning Joe persay needs to get out of the bubble and actually HEAR and SEE what is taking place with the like of Ferguson! It’s not just Ferguson, Milwaukee, Chicago, South Central LA, New York, Ohio or whatever that we see or read about young blacks males getting killed by the cops or neighborhood watch folks. It’s really an ongoing fault in the cog of the Justice System unfairly against Blacks in this country! The struggle continues!
Now for the 5 players of the St. Louis Rams, (and I’m not a fan by the way), the players of Jared Cook, Kenny Britt, Stedman Bailey, Chris Givens and Tavon Austin. But, here is thought: are they Americans, too? Do they have a right to free expression, or free speech? They have the right! I don’t care if the St. Louis Police Association, Charles Barkley, or freaking Mike Ditka believes they were embarrassed or wrong. NO THEY WEREN’T! I wouldn’t be shocked if any of the black Green Bay Packers of Eddie Lacy, Randall Cobb, Mike Neal, Richard Rodgers, Mike Daniels, Datone Jones, or even Micah Hyde, or Davante Adams would have came out of the tunnel at Lambeau Field or at an community anti-violence event in Milwaukee and d0 a “Hands Up Don’t Shoot” gesture in support of those who have been shot for no apparent reasoning! And I know if that were to happen, many in Packer land might not wear a jersey of these players, or have a poster hung in the bar or in your kid’s rooms be taken down all because of a silent gesture of protest. This is not just about winning ball games, scoring touchdowns, or racking up stats. It’s not! It shouldn’t be about when things hear about folks getting shot or killed there are those who say “Let’s go to a ball game!” Wrong answer. Yes, you can go to a ball game, but when you go home…….will that same person be there in a good way sharing a beer or nachos in a nice way be the same person at the dinner table, or helping the kids homework afterschool? Or taking that person to church for a Worship Service on a Sunday Morning? Just asking!
Futhermore this NFL Hands Up Gesture might go for about 2 weeks!
Second take: Sasha and Malia getting dissed.
Can we qrown folks stop messing with Sasha and Malia?! This GOP Staff Person. We all heard this right? But before I get even further, review this:
And after that, she made this apology:
Yes. She apologized. But her days as a GOP Staffer was gone. Fired. The unemployment line has a new member by the name of Elizabeth Lauthen. Hey Elizabeth how does it feel to be in that line of disrepectful folks having the fortitude per say to go after young black female teens that are apart of the first family? Really? And to do it on Facebook?!! Seroiusly?!! Talking crap about Barack and Michelle is one thing, but the children, NO! Just a future warning here don’t be surprised if Sasha and Malia run for office in their later years. If they like amongst others who felt disrespected growing up by bigoted/stuck up adults who pretend they are all about the people, and all about this and that. But when this comes out, are they still that same person. My mother once said to me, you have to monitor yourself. Real talk. This is also a reminder that when you talk about folks in a mean way such as this, they might turn around and take away somethings that mean to you. Oh, lets say like penions, retirement funds, Union stuff, needs of transport, burial expenses, social security, your health needs. Does any of that stuff sound familiar? I’ve heard this in my Milwaukee Black Radio Market, and I’m saying it here, those boys and girls that are targets now, they might be your even worst enemy when rocking the canes, walkers, living it up in the retirement homes about to die! And you might wonder, why they are doing this? What did we do to cause this?! Some might say, “back in 2014 you were talking smack about us about our pants sagging, our hair, our music, our way of dancing, always texting on the phone, always on Facebook, etc. You disrespcted us!” Some of you might be like, that might not happen. But what if it did? I know I might be speaking gibberish on things that might not occur, but it might occur! Whitney Houston once said that the children are our future. Well are they?
This latest stunt is nothing new. Sasha and Malia have been targets of Glenn Beck and many others in the Right Wing-Fox News-Rush Limbaugh dialouge of all things. They were wrong then, and they are wrong now. All of this, is just even more hate against the first black president and his family. But to attack on young black girls? Where are those who defended the Bush Twins when they were drunk? Hello?!!! Nobody don’t want to comment that? When the President said that leave the children out of this back in his running days, he meant that! End of Story. But I think that needs to comeback even more for the sake of Sasha and Malia. And many others who feel the exact same way.
Watch your words. If it’s archived in the next 20 years or more, and if that comes back in a future Throwback Thursday, don’t be shocked!
Third take: How many of us ever got “flagged” by Facebook? Even if it’s something you haven’t really done intentional. Well, this past weekend, I tried to upload a video on Facebook for my High School Alumni and then it was removed. And get this they claimed that it was all some copyright violation notice. Here is the note by the way:
This is got to be the worst note. Stupid. And get this, I wrote a note to Facebook recently and I want this to happen: I want Facebook to look over the video that was attempted to upload. Here is the thing, the pictures I used were from a recently Alumni Holiday Gathering in Downtown Milwaukee. They were my pictures that I took personally! I put the pictures onto the program called Flipagram along with a choice of music that I chosen for it called “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. In which I paid for! I paid a $1.29 from Google Play for that one song to be used for a slide show. And then when I attempted to put that onto my Alumni Facebook Group, it was rejected due to some copyright notice. This bugs the HELL out of me! In response, I written to Facebook in this matter personally the next day. This is what I written to them:
To whom it may concern:
This letter is in response to the “Alleged Violation” Message that was informed to me on November 28th, 2014 about a video I tried to upload onto one of the Facebook Group Pages. The video that was deleted or removed by you was made by me on Flipagram for my High School Alumni Group. The pictures that I selected came from my own collection in terms of my own choosing. They were NOT made for any violations that you, the company proposed and approved.
The audio portion: again, I used that my own collection through Flipagram in which I attempted to use for the video. And thusly, I paid for the song through Google Play with my own money and it was legal without any problems. I know about Copyright uses and the responsibilities behind them. And I understand the sources of making sure that it stays protected of the recent Digital laws. But I feel that my video that I wanted to show SHOULD NOT HAVE been removed because of this. And plus I uploaded Flipagram Videos before, with their 30 second previews of the songs, and I had NO problems or concerns on Facebook. I had no warning messages received based on the latter of concern. In regarding this situation, and with your Copyright rules and regulations, what Flipagram music and videos are appropriate for Facebook, and what is not appropriate? As a customer, I demand a right to know!
I am enclosing this letter, along with the email message you sent me to clarify my story.
Now I’m not alone in this. First of all, instead of me writing on my Facebook Wall or their help pages, I did the one thing that few do nowadays: write a letter. Whenever you or anyone you know feel that something is wrong or needs to be clarified for ANY MANNER, write a letter. Make sure it’s clear and concise and straight to the point. And also make sure you got proof to back you up just in case. Either a picture, or now a link to a website that you know it’s good and clear to bring this up. And I’m sending a “friendly warning” to the company right now that if they do not respond in at least 30 days from the day of the letter or their notice, I will have no choice but to file a complaint against the company. I’ve done it before with other companies and businesses with the Better Business Bureau. I got my facts and proof to set this up! Beware, Facebook Company. I like you, but I have to come after you like a deadly animal.
When I was on Facebook sometime after, I visited their help pages, and in that same section where it was talked about videos being pulled from the site due to copyright violation of alleged, I’m not the only one. I’ve read about those who tried to upload videos of tributes, and many others with music like country or others. And they got the warnings also! Like I said in the note, I posted videos on Facebook before and I didn’t get flagged or warned. What is this?! A complaint is coming to them. Plus also, I do respect the rights of music in a digital rights stance, but I never stole the music or manipulated the music being copied or other concerns. Matter of fact: here is the link of the slideshow that I did for my High School Alumni that Facebook wouldn’t show.
And that goes for any company. I usually put companies on notice in which that the Better Business Bureau is involved.
My Double Take: An innocent Milwaukee mother shot dead and 45 is making racist remarks!
Posted: July 18, 2019 in #BlackLivesMatter, #blacktwitter, African American Stories and Viewpoints, African-American Introversion Bliss, Black Empowerment, Black Milwaukee, Black stories that all should know and realize, BREAKING NEWS!, Calling those out to be accountable!, Commentary by all means, Community Concerns, Controversial Factors, Crime, Decision Factors, Every American MUST realize!, July 4th, Juneteenth Day, Milwaukee African American Commentary, My Double Take, Myths and Truths, News and politics, President Barack Obama, Racism, Revolutionary and Conscious, Scratching My Head All This Time, Southeast Wisconsin Matters, The Hypocritical Minded, White Supremacy is a Problem!, Wisconsin African American CommentaryTags: 45, American Flag, Crime, Democrats, GOP, Milwaukee, President Barack Obama, Racism, The Squad, Wisconsin
Its been a long minute since that I written a double take on anything. But in the recent events of a triple homicide and also just today, 45 is up to some go back where you came from remarks to OUR 4 US Congresswomen that are all minorities, was one of the disgusting and vile commentary out this man’s mouth! So yes, we are mad as hell! And as I speak on this date being hot, guess what? The heat is on.
First take: An innocent mother loses her life. Many of us in the community had heard of the triple homicide that occurred in the city of Milwaukee in late June. The area was near 85th and Grantosa which is not far from my sister’s residence that this senseless murder happened. When word got out that the victims were dead by one shooters, one of the victims was a daughter of my Lay Minister from his first marriage. The victim was named Sonya Collins. And according to the reports, she was killed due to the fact that she was trying to protect her children. And the attacker, Oshonti Cannady at age 21 did the job not only on Sonya, but also on two other women at the scene. After that part of the week was dismal, many of us my church was just talking about the incident that was still fresh in our minds. But I kept thinking about the family and MANILY the father of the daughter that I know that had to be extremely hurt over the senseless loss of her daughter. Here’s the thing, Sonya was just 41 years old. She was a mother that once again was trying to protect her children. Her babies! As any mother (excuse me, REAL MOTHER) would do in any situation by standing and protecting her kids! And all that ended in a senseless manner. Oh yes, duirng the week at Church, yes we were talking about it. And yet many of us recalled how many on the congregation lost their loved ones in a senseless manner in the past. Me, I lost 2 cousins in 2002 and 2010. Both in the Summertime. In the months of July and August. We were rocked with grief and anguish. One of my cousins was just 21 years old that started his own business of a Ice Cream Parlor in the inner city of Milwaukee. And going to school to UW – Milwaukee. What lead to the killing at the time was his car. My cousin was driving a 1996 Chevy Lumina that he bought with his own money. And with that, a set of rims that was purchased. These were the rims that many were being targeted for killings and crimes. Unfortunately for my cousin, he was being chased at least 3 times for his car. In the early morning of late July in that year. Here it was a young black male, from a good family, educated, had a job of his own, and yes we do talk about the endangered species when it comes to our African-American Males! Weeks later in my church then, the attacker of my cousin was caught and was sentenced to more that 10 years in prison. And all of this was because of some car rims that many wanted in a criminal manner. In all GETTING CAR RIMS!
My other cousin was a mother, whom was stabbed to death by her alleged boyfriend in August of 2010. And was so shocking for my youngest cousin, she saw the stabbing in a closet with grief and shock. This is one of my father’s nieces. And usually when we get together for family outings or meetings, it usually involves a Funeral. Am I alone that goes through this? When family members most gather for funerals to say goodbye to a member that was known or not known well? But many of us in the family are trying to change the concept in which gathering at funerals are not the always norm everytime. But getting to my cousin that was stabbed in 2010, we also felt the concern that her children will have to live with their Aunt and Uncle without their mother being around everyday. Weeks later, my cousin’s attacker was found and caught in the state of Illinois and was sentenced for the murder. All of this was 9 years ago in the hot summer of Milwaukee.
Getting back of course: When I explained all this in church in early July, I told my Lay Member and as well as my UMM Men’s Church member (who also lost his nephew in the same day as Sonya Collins) that the attackers are just “running and hiding.” But eventually will get caught. I made a prediction that they will get caught and will not get far. I made a prediction about this and held nothing back based on I know. Well guess what ladies and gentlemen, on July 13th, 2019 in the same day that Sonya Collins was laid to rest, her attacker was caught and captured. Sonya was murdered in late June. I said either a couple of weeks or a month that the capture would happen. I asked the family and the church this question: “What did I tell you?” I told them this would happen. Now since the capture that has happened let the true justice, and I mean “TRUE JUSTICE” must commence and come into play. I got another say on this: I thinking that the sentencing part of this, Oshonti will probably get at 10 years to life in prison. Why I am saying all this on this blog full of nice things? Guess what, I’ve mentioned this before and yes this all comes to those like, we need to take back our neighborhoods, our cities, or Black Lives Matter. Oh of course that many will scream out the question of “What about black on black crime?” This example was and is still in the crawl of most white folks asking when a black male/female gets killed by white folks with badges and guns or by senseless attackers. And of course in our black community we always say that we need to do better for our people in all, but some of us get reality checked ourselves that incidents like this complex every single time. Sometimes we ask about “why blacks don’t celebrate the 4th of July” when we see or read about bodies in the street? And usually that about police brutality. But when one of our own do this, we kind of run and hide from the question. I’m speaking the truth to power. When this happens in all we need to hold ourselves very accountable in terms of US being killed by others. As for these murders, we can go to the government and continue to regulate and try to regulate NEW Laws, but many we need to do it ourselves! It starts with US!
Second Take: take a look of this mess from today. We’ve all seen it while working on the job.
Oh, and see this also:
Did anyone believe the B.S. and I mean the B.S. coming out of this so-called President’s mouth? This is supposed to be the leader of the free world that supposed to set an example of positive. But many should not be surprised that this fool of the leader had to call out 4 of our US Congresswomen of Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlab, Ayanna Pressley, and yes Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. All 4 of them had the message to “go back to where they came from”. And also this is sending shock-waves not just in the United States, but also the world. 3 of 4 Congresswomen are U.S. Citizens but Omar is an immigrant that became a citizen 19 years ago. So yes, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is a U.S. Citizen!
“The newly assembled Squad” had a response in regarding 45 dumbfound remarks:
I need to ask, this why do we say to folks, “go back where you came from?” And second, why are we saying this in 2019?! This is all about the one thing that many are beginning to understand that #whitefear is in the minds of those who want to keep the United States of America all under the white rule. Under the White Supremacy that many of us non-whites are sick and tired of. What they are really saying that we should be running this country, not many of the minorities.
Let me be clear to the idiotic bigots that want this to happen. You are indeed playing yourselves!
Even the so-called president whom made the statement is playing himself with these remarks. And yet, you got many folks like him are nodding in agreement. “Go back where you came from” is nothing more than a racist code word by stating that “we don’t want you”. Or “You can’t be us because you aren’t one of us.” or “You’re not our type.” Or many other warning signs of fear that many of the 45 Supporters don’t even want to condemn the so-called president of the remarks he’s stated! Let’s be real: 45 or Trump doesn’t give a rat’s carcass about no minorities in the majority that doesn’t agree with him.
LOOK HERE! THESE ARE #FACTS! And many of us whom are born here in the United States aren’t going back to bow down to the conformity of others that doesn’t make sense! It didn’t make sense back then, or when it started and it sure is hell doesn’t make sense NOW! All this “Go back to where you came from” is dumb!
And oh, here is a flashback: Remember when Obama was in office? Remember when the right wing fans about telling him or commenting about him going back to Kenya? His father was Kenyan Born. Oh yes conservatives and Tea Party Baggers you should remember! And that includes this birther crap (take our country back) that wanted to see if he’s a Citizen, or a Christian (even though he went to Rev. Jerimiah Wright’s Church in Chicago) , or even all of this stuff that didn’t make sense that Obama should do during his 8 years in the chair. This “all going back” crap has been heard so many times from Black folks, Latino Folks, and many others that the so-called 45 President labeled the countries “Sh*tHole Countries”. Some of those so-called “Sh*thole Countries” are laughing the crap out of us. They are. And in fact, I don’t blame them! And when 2020 gets here and if this So-Called President gets reelected, you know that the joke will be on us United States Citizens. Matter of fact, the joke was on us since November of 2016 that many voted him over Hilary, who had EXPERIENCE! But no, the so-called “silent majority” in this country is dumb. The same silent majority that voted up for 45 and those whom are actively wearing those #MAGA hats has racial ties, believe it or not. THINK ABOUT IT!
I’ll bet many years ago used it as a weapon to make the minorities inferior because they didn’t fit the system. Oh really? There have been many times the American Flag was used as a weapon against those whom have been label inferior in this country as a symbol of oppression. That is true. Even though it looks good “on display” as I said in the past. But of course that the flag had oppression viewpoints on how it was presented to scare or to make those less than worthless. Yes I’m talking about black folks that were fighting to get a seat at the table. And were still fighting TODAY to get that chance.
CALLOUT! For all the folks whom assumed that black folks ran their course: NEWSFLASH! the folks have NOT ran their course. We’ve only just begun again.
This is why every 4th of July and every Juneteenth Day, as much as everyday I say these words: “THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES”. And this example is one of them!