I Complain A Lot

I really do.

In fact, looking back over my posts on this blog, I found that roughly 95 percent of them have some sort of complaint about the way the world works at their core. Complaining is cool, but I realized that I don't offer a bunch of solutions, which makes my complaining seem a lot like whining.

Anyway, I was strolling through the blogsphere and touched down for a minute at Nat Turner's Revenge. While perusing the brother's site, I came across a post he did about one of my favorite topics, HBO's The Wire.

I'll save my gushing explanation of the show for another time, since those of you who have read this blog for a while have heard it all before. Instead, I want to talk about one of the issues raised in the post about the show.

One of the main elements of The Wire is the futility of the War on Drugs and the impact that war has had on low-income people, particularly black folks. Anyway, the creators of the show did a piece for Time Magazine where they discussed one of their solutions for dealing with the War on Drugs and it was a doozy. You can check out the short article here.

As you can see, the authors advocate that anybody sitting on a jury that is considering a case involving drug violations vote for acquittal regardless of the guilt or innocence of the accused. They point out that jury nullification is an acceptable protest for citizens to engage in, particularly if the want change. The show's creators said that this strategy shouldn't be used if violence is involved in the case, but is justified if it is strictly a drug case.

Now that is interesting.

Before I even discuss the merits of this strategy, I would like to point out that it's kind of ironic that the show's creators advocate for it because in The Wire's final season one of the most loathsome characters on the show avoided prosecution through jury nullification.

State Senator Clay Davis, a snake who had his hands in more pockets than a Calcutta thief, managed to avoid conviction on accusations that he misused public funds by convincing a black jury that his prosecution was a result of rich, white folks looking to give him the shaft. Despite the mountain of evidence against Davis, the jury decided that racism was a bigger deal, and let him walk. The response by several characters, whose dialogue was of course okayed by the show's creators, expressed their disgust with the outcome and the jurors. So, it would seem that the show's creators only support jury nullification when it's used for issues they agree with it.

But, I digress.

The idea of using your position on a jury to write historical wrongs is one I've thought about on many occasions. I've never sat on a jury, but I've often wondered how I would comport myself if given that opportunity. I don't know if I would be able to sentence another black man to the hell that is prison, even if I think they are guilty of a heinous crime. I know for certain I would never be able to convict someone of a crime that could result in their death.

However, I don't believe that every juror should refuse to convict criminals on drug convictions simply to prove a point. On one hand, it would definitely send a message to the government that there needs to be a change in how law enforcement and the judicial system handle the drug problem. On the other hand, if criminals, (and despite the wrong done to them, these people are criminals) are allowed to operate without fear of consequences, I don't see things getting any better for folks in the hood.

The judicial system may be corrupt and unjust, but there is no denying that it is a deterrent.

I would rather see people focus their protests and complaints on impacting those areas where real change can be made to the system, instead of nullifying juries. I know the creators of The Wire have no faith in "systems," but I don't see how the world can work without certain systems. I think we as a nation need to figure out a way to force the government to spend more money on items like education, infrastructure and public services instead of just agreeing to let crack dealers walk.

But, while that sounds like a good solution, it's still pretty vague. In concrete terms, I think we need to advocate to change the funding mechanism for local school systems, that we need to do away with mandatory minimum drug sentences and that we need to make an immediate investment into job training and educational services for prisoners.

Schools should not be funded based on the affluence or lack of affluence of the local tax base. We need to have one big pot that allocates the same amounts to every student and also pays for capital improvements based on a priority system as opposed to a patronage system.

As I've said before, mandatory minimums are unjustly enforced and unfairly remove decision making from judges. There is no justification for the gap between the sentences for crack cocaine and powder cocaine, but, more importantly, it makes no sense to automatically sentence people to a decade in prison without considering the actual circumstances of their crime.

Finally, the way we treat prisoners in this country is atrocious. If we want prisoners to be positive, contributing members of society we have to spend money on helping them achieve those goals. We cannot warehouse them in cesspools that encourage recidivism much more than rehabilitation. Everyone understands that most prisoners lack education and job skills, let's rectify that problem to make them productive again.

I think that if more Americans rally around these three goals we can see immediate changes in our country, changes for the better. Otherwise we're doomed to fight the same drug war over and over, with our only recourse being to punish offenders harshly or let them free to commit more crimes.

Smiling in Your Face

"And all the time they want to take your place. Backstabbers, backstabbers....

Y'all know that cut, it's classic soul music. Every time I hear somebody discuss the possibility of Barack Obama inviting Hillary Clinton to be his vice-president, that's the song that pops into my head.

Backstabbers.

Come on now, does anybody in the their right mind really believe that Hillary Clinton would do her best to make sure Barack Obama won the general election and then had a successful tenure as president? Anybody who believes that needs to come down to New Orleans because I've got some top of the line levees to sell you.

Goodness gracious, this is getting ridiculous.

Besides the obvious disconnect inviting Lord Hildermort on to his ticket would cause considering Obama's message of change, the sheer stupidity of allowing someone who has questioned your intellect, character, qualifications and faith in God to share power with you doesn't mesh with the intelligence Obama has projected. If there's one thing Obama has not been, it's stupid. He's been a little naive, occasionally unprepared and incredibly humble, but nobody can look at the arc of his campaign and call him stupid.

Well, nobody but Geraldine Ferraro.

See, that's just it. Hillary Clinton has fully embraced the darkside during her campaign and if Obama agrees to align himself with her, it's only a matter of time before he joins Anakin Skywalker in that pit of lava. He cannot avoid the corruption that emanates from the pores of the Hillbillies, it is impossible to escape the reach of their vileness.

I would seriously have to reconsider voting for Obama if he linked up with Hillary. I like the brother, I love what he's talking about doing and I like how he carries himself. That said, if you're willing to join forces with racist scum (yeah, I said it) then you might not be the type of brother I want representing me in the White House.

It's sad that Obama has to even consider offering her this olive branch. If Hillary had conducted her campaign with even a scintilla of decorum, we would not be in a situation where scores of 50+-year old feminists are considering voting for a man that calls his wife a cunt, just to spite Obama. Read that sentence again; women are on record saying they would support John McCain even though he called his millionaire, former mistress wife a cunt in public?

And people want to pretend like Hillary is blameless?

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiittttttttttt

Obama must forge his own path and he cannot do that carrying the burdens of Hillary and Bill. Not only are they despised by many on the right and left, but neither of them would shrink from wedging a steak knife between Obama's shoulder blades at the slightest chance that they would benefit. Shoot, would Obama even feel comfortable eating and drinking knowing that Hillary only needed his death certificate to punch her ticket to the White House?

I know I wouldn't.

Biting the Hand with the Food

The ungrateful Negro is an enduring American icon.

It's that trifling coon who hates to work, but loves to eat and fuck on somebody else's dime. Oh, the Asians, and the Indians and even the Mexicans have all done stints with the Scarlet L (for lazy) on their chests, but it's been black folks who've never been able to shake that label. No matter how many toilets we clean, how much garbage we collect, the most prominent stereotype assigned to black folks is the one of stupid, savage and lazy brutes.

See, that stereotype, which is taken as fact by a substantial portion of this country, has certain folks peeved that Barack Obama is even under consideration for the job of President. Come on, if you thought their beef was with Rev. Wright, or Michelle's American pride or even with Obama's liberal viewpoint, you were only fooling yourselves. Nah, these folks don't trust a black dude to work hard and lead their country because they believe niggers are trifling.

Period.

It's that type of attitude that causes white folks to look for a way to attribute any success by a black person to somebody else. For evidence of this compulsion, check out this column in Time.

The column does its best to use racially sensitive terms and actually acknowledges that most of the attitudes that prevail among "Reagan Democrats" are not based in fact. However, it posits that even if these ideas are erroneous they must be respected and dealt with because the people with these ideas have power.

Now, that's troubling in some ways, but I'll avoid biting into that apple for now. Instead, I want to focus on how the article claims that Obama owes the Clintons some gratitude because the stances they took on controversial issues actually made it easier for Obama to be where he is now. The author claims that even if the Clintons are stepping on some toes with their behavior now, they deserve respect and credit for what they did in the past.

Man, crackers be cracking me up.

I'm sorry if my language offended any of y'all, but that was the way that sentence formed itself in my mind. That whole column just reeks of a certain level of arrogance that seems incredibly common among a certain group of folks. The idea that Obama, who was an underdog and put together a winning coalition despite the long odds and racist attacks of Clinton, owes the Hillbillies some gratitude is hilarious.

The entire premise turns on the idea that if Clinton hadn't sacrificed his principles to carve out a centrist position that appeases racists and their ilk then Obama would be shit out of luck. Basically, every position that Clinton took that appeared to be a big loogie in the face of black folks and other minorities actually was for our benefit, and Obama needs to be more grateful.

See, that idea is at the core of the arrogance displayed by Bill, Hillary and their supporters. Unfortunately, that arrogance can also be found in many random white people in this country.

Throughout history they've been encouraged to view black folks and other minorities as disadvantaged malcontents who may be getting the short end of the stick, but only because they deserve it. This worldview has provided justification for heinous behavior against Native Americans, Asians, Latinos and blacks.

Thousands of illegal lynchings? Well black people do commit crimes.

Internment of the Japanese and the seizure of their property? Well, can't be to careful with that yellow fever.

The blatant genocide of Native Americans including biochemical warfare? Well, if God didn't intend for white folks to rule America he wouldn't have let it happen.

The dominant worldview states that white folks and their emissaries are justified in almost every action they take because they're the ones who have done the hard work in lifting this country to its current position of prominence. It says that Obama needs to grateful to a man who basically called him an unworthy, affirmative action baby who needed to learn his place if he didn't want to be branded an uppity nigger.

At least that's how I see it.

There is no reasonable explanation for this arrogance, no way to make it right. It is asinine and not based on reality. The reality is that Obama owes nothing to the Clintons and even he previously did, their actions in this campaign and his own forbearance have paid that debt.

Paid it in full.

Somebody Get a Muzzle

What does this heifer have to say for the Democratic elite to give her a big old STFU?

Y'all know who I'm referring to, She Who Shall Not Be Named if you're a fan of the young wizard from Hogwarts. Coming off her latest resounding victory at the hands of white folks who think the only good nigger is a dead nigger, she had the audacity to invoke the specter of the 2000 Florida election when arguing for the state's delegation to be seated as is.

Yes, The Nutcracker went there.

I know there has been a lot of talk recently about just how much sexism Hillary has faced in her run for the White House and I'm pretty sure some of the terms I've used for her in this piece so far could be called sexist. If some of y'all think that invalidates my entire point, I understand your feelings and wish you well. After all, if somebody said some blatantly racist shit I would tend to ignore them as well.

With that said, of all the ballsy things the New York Senator has done during her campaign her latest move just crossed into a brand new territory of arrogance and evilness. Everybody knows that Florida Democrats still bear the scars of that 2000 election when the Supreme Court pimpslapped the voters and got Bush his money. Many of them can't go to the polls without getting flashbacks of hanging chads and Katherine Harris' makeup.

So, for the former Arkansas First Lady to compare what's happening to her to what happened to Gore is just ridiculous. First, her dumbass actually agreed not to count Florida's votes when she thought she would have this whole exercise wrapped up on the first Super Tuesday. She made the pledge, but now that she's losing, she wants to backtrack like a young Michael Jackson.

In addition, it's more than a little bit shady to implicitly compare your Democratic competitor to George Bush, particularly after you've already called him a pompous, elitist pansy.

See, Barack Obama has shown some amazing restraint in this campaign when it comes to the machinations of Billy Boy's main squeeze. A cat like me would have gone off at the mouth a longtime ago and probably ruined any shot I had at being President. This shady heifer has been throwing rocks and hiding her hands this entire campaign, and now she's ratcheting things up when it's obvious that she has no shot whatsoever to pull this thing out.

The Democratic leadership needs to get off their asses and make some moves now because I'm becoming increasingly pissed at the long leash they are giving Hillary to hang herself and Obama. It's to the point now where not only is she openly appealing to racism, but she's also appealing to fears of voter disenfranchisement.

What the fuck does she have to do to get called out? Does she have to call Obama a nigger on live television? Give John McCain a sensual massage?

What does she have to do?

Can I Borrow A Dollar?

And I'm not talking about that great Common album.

Nah, I'm talking about that latest news that the Queen of Darkness, also known as Hillary Rodham Clinton, is roughly $20 million in debt.

Now, I don't know about y'all, but I'm pretty sure that I don't want another president who doesn't understand the difference between red and black. As in, they don't understand the difference between being in debt and running a profit.

Hillary has consistently pointed to her husband's ability to balance the federal budget as proof of her fiscal acumen, but considering the way she has run her campaign that claim is looking shaky.

Unless she's going to let Billy Boy hold the checkbook from now on.

It's About Damn Time

Regular readers of this blog know that I spend a lot of time discussing the assorted ways black folks get shafted in America. Hell, I started this blog because my friends and family got tired of me constantly complaining about injustice and suggested I spread my bad news to the world.

But, sometimes I have to take a break from complaining about the ways the white man holds us down and point out the ways black folks, or rather some black folks, eff things up themselves.

Today is one of those days.

My senior year in college a video hit the streets that had every dorm room buzzing and cats holding carefully organized viewing parties. The video was guaranteed to shock and titillate, and depending on who you watched it with (the person would have to be a stone cold freak) it might even lead to some horizontal slam dancing.

That video was the R. Kelly sex tape.

Don't look at me like that because some of y'all were holding viewing parties too. I was actually introduced to the tape by a young lady I was trying to get next to senior year. She had obtained a copy from somewhere and offered to bring it up to my dorm room so we could view it together.

For about an hour, we watched a portly man with braids who greatly resembled one Robert Kelly engage in various sex acts with women until he ended the tape by pissing on one prone girl. We rewound the tape several times to determine if the girl looked underage before concluding that she seemed to have the body of an adult, but might look a little young in the face. The young lady then prepared to leave my room, but not before making one last comment about the size of the Pied Piper's penis.

It was not my finest hour.

When that tape surfaced, I, and many of my friends, had several debates about whether the King of the Remix was a pervert or a poor sap who got caught up. Judging by the young lady's body we agreed that it would be easy to mistake her for an adult, but given Kelly's previous suspect behavior with Aaliyah, we weren't so sure that he was unaware of the girl's age. After all, as men, we all knew cats who sought out young girls to have sex with for a variety of reasons. Plus, several cats from the Chi swore that The Fool with the Mask was known to visit high school campuses looking for fresh meat.

Whatever our thoughts on Kelly's guilt or innocence, we all agreed that his ass was headed to jail. There was a tape of him having sex with a young chick that everybody in the hood had access to, so we were certain that it wouldn't be long before the law was picking his crooning ass up. Sure enough, not long after the tape dropped, Kelly was arrested and held a bizarre interview on BET where he found Jesus.

Now, given the tape, I think most of Black America assumed it wouldn't be long before Kelly was singing in the shower with a bunch of naked men, but we were very, very wrong. In fact, it has taken R. Kelly more than five years to ever see the inside of a courtroom on these charges. During that time he's released several albums, fallen out with Jay-Z and come to represent everything that is wrong with R&B today.

He's been busy.

However, his sabbatical is over and his trial began on Tuesday. And I for one think that it's about damn time.

When I read that story it really shocked me to see exactly how long it had been since Kelly was first accused, and also to see the perverse machinations the defense was expected to employ to generate the right mood in the courtroom. I understand that every defendant deserves the best defense, but the portion of the story where they talk about exactly how Kelly should react when he sees the sex tape was a bit much. I guess it does makes sense that the defense would prep Kelly because given his massive stupidity he might decide to break out in song when the prosecution cues up the tape:

I don't see nothing wrooooooooong, with a little bump and grind.......

Anyway, what's really sad about this whole debacle is how Kelly has managed to maintain his popularity while being accused of child rape, even though the entire hood has seen the video. I think we all can admit that if R. Kelly was poor ass Leroy from around the way, nobody would be picketing at his trial in support of his cause and he would have never been able to blame these accusations on the nefarious schemes of "The Man."

This is one of the cases where a rich and crazy black person has decided to royally eff up, and then jump on the abused black people's bandwagon to escape persecution. Other examples of this phenomenon involved Orenthal, Michael and Pacman. In all of these cases, the individuals involved made decisions that can only be described as asinine, and then decided that the terrible consequences of their choices could only be due to the fact that they were black. And there have always been poor saps willing to buy this reasoning.

Look, we all know that black folks can get screwed, but we as black people cannot support scumbags like R. Kelly. I know that Woody Allen is just as despicable, but we can't worry about what kind of weirdos white folks want to do business with; we have to take care of our own houses. We must demand equal and fair treatment, but that also means that we accept equal and fair punishment.

And for God's sake, please destroy all of your R. Kelly CDs, dude is just nasty.