ASK ROLAND ANYTHING
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Roland Martin goes on-air each Sunday on Washington Watch, but he’s online every day so send him questions about whatever it is you want to know. Want to discuss politics? President Obama? Race? Here’s the place to do it and don’t be surprised if your comment ends up ON-AIR.
Fill out the comment section below to leave your thoughts. And don’t forget to let us know where your from (city/state).
I would like see President Obama to show some back bone. He should be passed his honeymoon period. I do expect him to now lead. Stop playing mr.nice guy. Your charge is to now clean up the mess that was passed on to you. It is amazing to me that people have forgotten what has happened in the last 8 years. All do respect Mr. President now is the time to stop playing president and to be the president that I had a part in electing. There is alot of waiste in govement programs, one example section eight is a joke, over-sight is lacking. Section doesn’t checks on it clients one a year for renewal of a housing contact or if there is a reported problem. I see you women that are on section 8, move in boy friends, children may on live with them at the time of yearly inspection. Food Stamps another issue. People are choosing to be poor, because the systems haven’t placed a time limit of services. The new poor are people like me that believed working and being honest was the way to retirement. Eight years of bad choices, took a toll on economy. Okla
Roland first of all let me tell you I like the way you stand up for our people, it is a blessing to see a black man a man of God. now for my comment, I listened when you spoke about your parents anniversary, well my husband & I have been married for 50 years on Sept.23, we eloped when I was 17 & have had a wonderful & blessed marriage, it has not always been smooth but 99% of the time it has been, & the best part of it is we are still in love with each other & love being together. Our 4 children gave us a beautiful anniversary renewal cermony & reception,God blessed us with 4 children,8 grandchildren & 2 great grand children. I wished we would have known about the marriage summit because I know we can help couples see how & why the should stay together. Thanks Roland & God bless you and those you love.
Carol Gilmore
Thanks for your perspective on the need for stronger marriages in our communities. Our children deserve two loving parents raising them. When we have strong loving families we’ll have stronger communities. – That’s my perspective!
Hello Roland, I caught you on the Rickey Smiley Show and plus I had been following CNN during the campaign. I love Foriegn affairs. Your comments on Afghanistan and the Middle East made me hungry. I was wondering if you had any publication out on the subject. Any publication ok ? Thank You for all that you do.
Roland, Would You Please Stop Cursing on TVONE? You donot do that on CNN, so don’t do it here.
Like I tell my students, there are millions of words in the English Language, so use them please.
It is okay to be intelligent, dignified and Black. That is our heritage.
Hello Roland, I wanted to comment on your segment today on marriage. Being a single mother, I find that some want to blame the plight of gangs etc. on single mothers, which is simply biased. Marriage is nearly dead in the black community not because of the woman as suggested in your show today but partly because black men are not interested in marriage mostly anymore let alone date exclusively. I recently heard on a radio show (Ballantyne) that many (black) men don’t want to get married for fear of child support when the marriage ends; this to me just plain spells irresponsible. I think black women should be commended for being the strong women they are instead of as the congressional representative eluded to today as “.. give me health care, give me food stamps, give me a job…” I mean come on. that is so unfair; the game has changed and black men are no longer engaged. Why don’t you focus on the irresponsibility of the men in our communities instead of tearing down the black female. I am sure the rep’s constituents are some single black women in DC too. I hope she knows that. Also the 39.6 figure also includes not just “never married” women but divorced women and widowed women; a lot of black men ARE IN PRISON TOO! so where is the outrage of them leaving their children to go to jail leaving these, for lack of a better word, bad black single mothers alone to do the best they can. I just feel that in the black community, the idea of marriage is no longer the norm but the abnormal mindset of black men, which is sad. And let me tell you that because of attitudes like this and the bias of some towards single mothers as seemingly held by your guest today, I, for one, do not intend to have another child period but I can tell you this I will not marry a man who will make my life miserable.
I’m really glad you have your own show. I’m pleased to see tvone step up to give our perspective on things.I say if you have to curse frm time to time say what you feel. I get so sick of people trying to be so “politically correct” that nothing gets said and nothing gets done.We have some very serious issues going on out here. People tell me I should be a politican, I tell them im to honest and would have to cuss someone out every now and then. I also feel as far as cnn and msnbc who have round the clock news. They have only a handful of shows that are really worth watching. In this day and age people need a reality check, Until we address poverty with some real solutions we will continue to see crime destroy our nieghborhoods and act as an assembly line to the prison system. Do what you do, Roland. We must take back or gain control of the political and economical power we do ignorantly give away.
Hello Mr. Martin,
I am just wondering if anyone is talking about the rise of HIV in the african american population in Washington,DC? I went to a conference in Savannah, GA organized by Morehouse Medical School and I found out that one out of every 25 African Americans in DC is HIV positive.
Thanks for listening.
Roland
Can your show provide:
Much more Tara Wall (smart and well spoken) and much less or NO April (Urban radio). April is loud and rude and does not know what she is talking about.
Clarence is good
Hello roland and how are you my brother. I appreciate Ms. Tara Wall on her show. She is very intelligent, well spoken and beautiful to say the least. It is good to see and hear a conserative black women explain her position in a positive and understanding way. As for Mr. Obama, he should have not been awarded The Nobel Peace Prize. He has not done enough to warrant it. In my estimation of Pres. Obama, he has to have a backbone & have some true grit. He is weak and feminized. It is sad to see that in a black man. I hope you much sucess brother roland with this show and please have Tara Wall back on the show as well other sisters who are intelligent. As for the brothers bring on some who are not feminized. I would recommend checking out this brothers website http://www.johnecoleman.org This man knows how to deal with the African-American male.
Roland the show is excellent!I’ve been in your corner since your WVON show. Keep up the good work, and keep both ladies on as much as possible.
Roland,
Thank You for a great show! I love it!It is very informative and thought provoking. I wanted to make a comment regarding Gay people and their HEALTH CONCERNS. I think they should have rights only because they are human beings. I don’t think they should have rights because they are GAY. No one should have rights because of their SEXUAL PREFERENCES!
The debate over illegal immigration shows a fundamental misunderstanding of what’s at stake: The nation itself!…..A few fundamental principles define a nation (1)existence of government, which is there to define and execute law (2)culture…the glue that holds a nation together is its common language, culture and ideals!…..Without common values, the political and moral fiber of a nation frays!……(3) but first in importance is the establishment of borders!…..We identify a country on a map by where its borders lie!…..The truth is the main reason illegal immigration hasn’t been curbed is that the government doesn’t respect its own laws enough to enforce them!…..President Roosevelt said: “Either a man is an American and nothng else, or he is not an American at all!……President Adams said:”Cast off the European skin, never to resume it!…..How do we let a another culture come into our country and just take over?……I ride down the streets of my town and see Mexican flags outside of businesses and plus the businesses are all in are all in Spanish!…..We worry about the war, health care, s.s., etc. and about our children not having the future of America!……But look around…..The war on America is in America with another culture eating it up and nobody is doing a damn thing!
I watched you throughout the Presidential campaign and you were wonderful. Congratulations on your new show. Please do a feature on New York State Governor David A. Paterson. He is a powerful role model for many people. He has a difficult job particularly during very trying economic times and he gets negative media coverage. I believe that the media coverage is biased with clear racial stereotyping and bias related to his disability (blindness). Governor Paterson’s life story is compelling and he is brilliant. Thank you.
Roland: I appreciate your program and your interest in looking at issues often ignored by some other cable channels, and when covered by others are done so with bias. I would like to see more discussion about immigration issues and, in particular, the contributions of non-European immigrants to the United States. Congresswoman Yvette Clarke touched briefly on this but there was not enough time to get into details. She mentioned the diversity of her constituents as heavily Caribbean/West Indian. Like you, I was at the Congressional Black Caucus 2009 Dinner/Awards. Interesetingly, four of the awardees had Caribbean roots – what I term, recent immigrants roots. That is a testament to contributions of non-European immigrants, in these cases of the African/Caribbean Diaspora, but is just a small example.
Roland, your show is great. I appreciate TVOne for giving you this great opportunity. I wish your show would air on Sunday morning in same time slot as This Week, CNN, and David Gregory’s show. It’s refreshing to get political, social, and economic points of views from people of color-who also contribute greatly to our society and who makes a difference. We need more of this type diversity shown to the American people. Too bad, CNN couldn’t use you in this way.
Thanks for bringing the spotlight to Senator Burris-a brilliant, intelligent politician. His short explanation on the public option was so simple and understandable. Too bad mainstream political media only wants to showcase Mr. Burris if it’s negativity involved. He definitely has something to say on the subject of politics.
I love this show. I used to be a Sunday morning news show junkie but stopped when they became less about news and more about being controversial. Deborah Mathis is fantastic. Thank you so much for this program.
I loved the show as usual today. Senator Roland Burris was awesome and I love how strongly he feels about his job and his beliefs. I’m glad that he chose to focus on the issues and the impact his votes can have as a Senator instead of spending his last months in office campaigning and raising money. I think he made a very wise choice. The panel was very interesting and informative as well. As to the hip-hop representative, I would have preferred to hear from Common, Kanye, Nas, Professor Griff or KRS-1 instead of Ludacris, but he wasn’t bad. Some of his lyrics just bother me, and Ludacris hasn’t seemed to realize the damage of those types of lyrics yet. I commend him for his efforts through his charitable foundation and hope that he “sees the light” some day soon as it relates to those woman-demeaning lyrics of his.
Mr. Martin,
When will you co a show about the “Birth of Humanity and CIVILIZATION”? All of the research proves that HUMANITY began in Africa. African Men and Women did love,respect and work with each other for survival. Africa men were there for their families, wirhout their support we would not have the HUMANITY we have today. This research also proves that there is only one HUMAN RACE. This research also proves that CIVILIZATION all began in Africa. Mr. Martin our people need to learn the truth. We need to learn that Black Men ruled the World until about 2000 years ago.
ASE’
Roland it would be informative to get someone from HUD in to give us information on what HUD is doing to monitor the banks that got taxpayer money and are denying us mondification attempts without valid reason. I would like to see more teeth in the program because Bank of America isn’t complying
Hello Mr Martin Thanks for the news you are doing a wonderful job. I can not wait to see you put M Steele in his place on Sunday he what can I say He sounds so craazy how can he side with those re. that are haters why can t the world pull together. this country belongs to everybody blacks whites mixes what ever color you claim . The president needs to stay on track and not give fox news the time of day fox news people are white niggers meaning they are innarant that is why I hate it when black folks call each other that word if they looked it up in the dict. they would stop calling each other that
Hello Mr Martin Thanks for the news you are doing a wonderful job. I can not wait to see you put M Steele in his place on Sunday he what can I say He sounds so crazy how can he side with those re. that are haters why can t the world pull together. this country belongs to everybody blacks whites mixes what ever color you claim . The president needs to stay on track and not give fox news the time of day fox news people are white niggers meaning they are innarant that is why I hate it when black folks call each other that word if they looked it up in the dict. they would stop calling each other that
Dear Mr. Martin:
I am seeking community support for my cousin and her teen daughter in Tumwater, Washington (Olympia area) regarding a race issue. On Monday,her daughter and a causcian female had a verbal arguement at school. The causcian female struck first, and her daughter defendented herself. While detained her daughter was the only teen handcuffed and read miranda rights without a parent present or contacted. The school suspended her for 45 days, not the other student. Furthermore, she requested the presence of her mother on 3 sepearate occassions in the presence of the vice principal, and the police department. As a result, she refused to comment until her mother was contacted.
For she had previously reported racial harrasement,in which a teacher phoned to apologize for the other students harrasment. Phrases such as “Go back and pick cotton; big booty Ho”,and the school continued to ignore her complaints. This event occured on November 2, which was her 16th birthday, she spent in a juvenille detention center. She had no contact with her parents for over 24 hrs. On this day she was taught by the school administration and police department that racial inequality exist within society. You are guilty until proven innocent.
I would like to know if you can bring someone in from the Whitehouse to look at investigating why these banks such as Bank of America, who took our taxpayer dollars, are not helpinmg to bail their customers out? I would like to see reps from the banks on your show to answer why they are failing to pass on bailout!!
I watched the show you did with Republican Michael Steele. If and political candidates want to win the votes of the Barrack followers I recommend that they advertise in a way that tell voters how their work/position relates to fulfilling the work of Barrack. Most folk don’t understand the role that the candidate’s position plays into the big picture. They need to express to the people how a vote for them will help continue the work of our president and actually show us how the (2) positions tie into each other.
Just my thoughts,
Latasha
I have observed and heard many individuals including your guests refer to the President as “Mr.” and not “President”. It stings as a clear sign of dis-respect as though he is still running for the office. Your thoughts.
Congresswoman Lee should have left the loud, distracting bracelets at home. The sound of the bracelets were so loud,it overshadowed what she had to say.
I heard Roland say to Michael Steel (who at times is a real joke as a leader-but that’s another story)that Republicans have been invited onto his show but have not accepted. I ask you Roland, do you really think White Republicans would legalimize your show by making an appearance? By the way, I saw Michael Steel on This Week this morning-which was not pre-taped and there was a contrast in his political rheortic tune compared to how he presented on Roland’s show. He was more courteous, polite, and politically tolerant than he was on George’s show. Michael was down right rude and disrectful to Gov. Kane. George did a poor job of moderating. Because, Michael should have been made to shut-up when Gov. Kane spoke.
Connie, this issue you are addressing should be aggressively presented to mainstream media (CNN, MSNBC, Good Morning America) but more importantly to the US Attorney General’s office-Eric Holder. These are issues Holder’s office has got to begin addressing in our judicial system. Of course, you need to reach Rev. Sharpton. But, don’t leave out Michael Baisden and Tom Joyner-to bring awareness to this ever occurring issue in our communities and judicial, so-called justice system. My prayers are with your family but more importantly, the action of justice needs to be on your family’s side at this time. Where is your local NAACP? I know they mostly respond in the media when someone is called a nigger-but maybe they can make an appearance to help out.
Hello Roland
On the issue of unemployment from what I have witness with my on two eyes it seem that hard core Republicans that I have work with in the constrution business have been willing to fire and lay people off to make the president look bad. And in the process bring suffering to themself and there family. How can we connect with these people and begin the healing process afther the eletion of The PRISDENT OBAMA.
Hello Mr. Martin,
I really enjoy your show and I am glad to see a politcal talk show that is in the interests of black people. I would only like to know what will it take to get your show to air not only on Sundays but everyday.
Hello Roland,
Congrats on getting this program. I stopped watching the other news programs because I couldn’t tolerate the slanted, ignorant views toward our president. Your program is refreshing to watch and gives an intelligent view to the yay and nay side of the topics. I was very disappointed with your guest Mr. Dyson. He is to be referred to as Mr. Dyson that is his title despite you calling him Dr. Dyson by showing him respect. However, Mr. Dyson repeatedly referred to our President as Mr. Obama. This is the same disrespect that he receives from the main stream media. What was even more disrespectful was that you and your guests didn’t bother to correct him on this. He was permitted to call him Mr. Obama. As you said the President is not a prophet but the President but he doesn’t own a magic wand to wave to correct all the ills of this country in 10 months or 4 years.
Mr. Martin,
I am your #1 fan from Shawnee,KS. My alarm is set for 5AM Monday morning to catch what I have missed. While others were watching Obama, I was watching you. My heart went out to you during the Obama campaign. Your humility and love for your people was highly demonstrated on the night of Obama’s election. Love, Grandma 63
Mr. Martin, I enjoyed your show but this Sunday’s show was kind of upsetting to my wife and me. We are Senior Citizens who lives a quiet life in retirement.
We are Seniors who watched the rise of our President for some time now. It was hard watching you and Dyson take whacks at the President on your new show. You and Dyson behaved like Tea-Baggers.
I categorically disagree that President Obama should address issues of race without specific provocatio. We never had an African American male Commander in Chief, cut him some deserved slack. Republicans are doing enough to President Obama.
Mr. Martin, I want to congratulate you on your new show. This Sunday my husband and I watched your show. However, this was my very first time watching your show and the reason is I stayed home from church.
It was not pleasing to my ears of what I heard you and Dyson said about President Obama. First, i want to say you allowed Dyson to continue calling President Obama (Mr. Obama) That’s not nice. Give the man respect. He earned it, the hard way, but he made it and I applauded him.
It seem as though you and Dyson expect President Obama to solve, racism, proverty, and other ills within ten months.
Rep Barbara Lee was very professional. She explained to the audience about the Laws that President Obama has passed within ten months. When she finished her statement you didnot commment. You went straight to Dyson and continued to ridicule President Obama. Dyson stated that President Obama is not a Prophet but yet you want President Obama to do the work of a Prophet.
Let’s even up the playing field. Do not become Tea-Baggers.
Educate our people on the good things President Obama has done. Please leave the negative comments to the Republicans. Senior Citizen
My question to you roland, in your estimation how will the economy fare in 2010? I presume you know gold is at $1200 an ounce & the dollar is falling at a rapid rate? Have you thought about advising black folks to invest in precious metals from your show? Also, let Ms. Tara Wall know she is the most beautiful woman on TV.
Roland, I enjoy your show for the most part. However, at times the interaction between your self, and the panel gets too wild. It seems everyone wants to out talk other panel members. They(the panel) need to be more respectful to each other. Discussions at times are out of control. You should brief them to smoothout and control their emotions.
Roland,
Two questions—
#1 – What is the difference between the Public Option, which will be government-run, and the present Medicaid? and
#2 – What exactly does the CBC do because the only member I have ever seen do anything is Maxine Waters. The plight of Black folks has remained the same or become worse. What I call “the new plantations” (prisons) are cropping up everywhere and the populations are overwhelmingly Black and Hispanic. So, what do they do?
Roland, I love your show, but i wish black people would stop repeating what comes out white peoples mouth and use their own brain.
Roland
Your show is getting better—thanks. I appreciated your final comments on Chairman Steele and agree that it would be foolish to think one party represents one group of people, African Americans, like any group, should not be ridiculed for selecting a particular party
On a previous note, I asked you why April gets her clothes provided on your show when she is supposedly a member of the working media. This seems like a clear compromise and makes her less credible. It does not appear that any other panelist accept free clothes from your show or its sponsors What’s up with that?
Roland, i love your show. It remined me of the old Lead Story on BET. Were are u on health care? and why do u think the party in charge now will pay if health care is not past. Dont u think that it is the republicans who are going to pay a price.
Hi Roland,
I grew up watching Lead Story on Sunday mornings. I couldn’t wait to see who George Curry had on the panel from week to week and what interesting topics they would discuss. Today I have the same feeling about Washington Watch!
Thanks also for providing a platform where African American journalists can have intelligent, spirited discussions about issues of importance to our community.
Keep up the great work!
Carla Tyler Chase
Pikesville, MD
Love the show Roland and it’s about time. Do you mind if I send a email to CSPAN to have the Washington Watch in their Sunday political line up.
roland what is
Roland what is your take on Obama bowing to the Japanese leader? Also, what is your take on former Gov. Sarah Palin media tour so far? I know Oprah was thrilled to see her lol?
Roland, I love your show and the fact that you have different people instead of the same ones like most political shows. My question is, just what is it specifically people think the President should do to create jobs? I’m confused. Manufacturing jobs have gone to China and other foreign countries because the owners of those companies decided that paying people a decent wage, abiding by the safety regulations and laws of the US, and the cost of paying benefits can be deeply reduced to locate their businesess elsewhere. Now, I’ve always thought that the main thing to a business owner is their bottom line. So what policy do people really expect the government to be able to do that’s going to create long lasting jobs for the US. Seems to me unless they put a ban on moving a business overseas, what do people expect? Instead why aren’t more people taking the plunge into opening their own businesses and creating jobs, since they seem to think it’s so easy?
Roland, since President Obama has been President black men have been catching hell. They want to put all of them in prision give them time like 10 to 20 years even for something they did not do. I know several people that’s here in the state of Kansas they are doing this way. My son is one he have been serving time for 5 months for driving a car that wasn’t his car. The police beat him while he was handcuffed and shackeled, they put holes in his head they would have killed him but witness was observing. He filed charges on the officer now he was suppose to come home but now they are trying to put a robbery charge on him knowing that he didn’t rob anyone even the appointed attorney said she know that he didn’t rob anyone but that the judge wants him to do 10 years anyway. his trial date is set for December 07,2009 not giving him anytime to get another attorney. They have video that shows that my son didn’t rob anyone but they still want him to do 10 years. This isn’t right but they do this all the time to our black men just send them off to prison for 10 to 20 years knowing that they are not guilty. Again since obama has been president black i know here in Kansas have been catching noting but prison time for things they have not done. We still have invisible chains and we are still slaves to the white man I guess we will be this way until God call us home. But President Obama should be aware of this terrible thing that the police,and judges are doing here in the state of Kansas, if only he would check into this situation witness said when they was beating my son policeman told him this is for Obama Nigger!
Roland,
the majority of AA are hard working, law abiding, patriotic citizens. Our ancestors (some still alive) are still waiting for the full protection of the constitution and bill of rights to extend to our communities, as well. For white american to truly accept AA as viable and as valuable as themselves. It appears to me there are still clear class, economic, educational divisions systemic of the main culprit racism. Do you think a National Summit addressing racism in America spear-headed by the white house is finally in due?
Roland,
You are such a great news commentator and we love your show. I just saw the comment about the New York State Gov. I completely agree. News coverage about this man has been skewed beyond belief. Please get the right information out. People need to see who David Paterson really is and what he stands for. Much love.
KFP
This letter is to inform you of a grave injustice and criminal activities being conducted in the state of Texas. For over thirty years there have been oil, gas, and timber companies engaging in business transactions on properties in Texas without the consent of its owners. Two years ago this injustice was brought to the attention of my family and has since then implicated several families.
When my family was notified in the fall of 2007 by a company interested in building gas pipelines we were to say the least pleasantly surprised. After additional information was brought to our attention concerning heir ship it was further discovered that several transactions had taken place throughout the years of which our family was never notified nor given any compensation.
We have contacted state and federal regulatory and investigative agencies to identify the proper procedures to be compensated for our rights as owners of the property and have been met with several obstructions. Specifically, in Cass County Texas where the property resides there have been several documents discovered to be forged and or altered.
In addition to contacting government agencies we also hired a private attorney practicing in Texas who also presented us with obstructions and appeared to be conspiring with the entities that have been profiting from these business transactions.
My family is prepared to produce documentation of heir ship, copies of lease agreements, abstracts, and other legal documents to prove our standing as owners. Additionally, there are relatives on the property to provide historical account of companies that have been involved.
We feel as a family our last recourse is to raise awareness through media attention in efforts to hold these companies accountable for their actions and reach an agreement to compensate these families.
Hello Mr.Roland Martin if you refer to The Honorable Melody Barnes question from our family then that will brief you to my first question.Secondly it is refreshing to see a well versed intelligent,educated brother covering world news and the presidency in such a positive truthful approach.God will continue to bless your path and we will continue to pray for you and your family.You are a rare person keep up the great commentaries.Thank You In Advance for reviewing African American Land Loss In Virginia and all over the world at 90% we will be completely landless soon. If nothing is done.The Freeman Farm started in 1918 in the questionable amount of 6-800 acres of land.Our great great grandfather’s remains lay on this property 2 graveyards 3 fires on 3 seperate properties .The Freeman family needs intervention in this convoluted case.Mary Wheeler couldn’t have worded our story better it’s tha same kind of behavior.
Roland , Love the show.
You mention Pres Oboma needed to connect with black media that helped him get into the Whitehouse, have you formally invited him on your show to share his health care plan and the job status? What was the response?
Your show on Dec. 13 made me cringe. How dare all of you blame the President. Do your job Maxine Waters. she has been in office for years and now its the Presidents fault. Shame on you all. Mr. Martin stop feeding all the Rush LImbaugh’s of the world. Thats all you did yesterday. Washington watch. who are you watching it for?
I feel some of America is putting too much unnessasary pressure on Obama in such a short period of time; he is not a genie, who can just wave a magic wand and everything will be good in 11 months. You all have to remember, he has to clean up a lot of “Bush’s Bull” and thats not going to happen overnight! As far as Obama not doing enough to help black folks; the question is what are we doing to help ourselves? We cannot depend on him to help us be better parents, spouses, teachers and better community organizers. A lot of the issues black folks face have a lot to do with what we are doing wrong to ourselves. I think we need to give him some time to get all of these important issues sorted out. Black folks seem to forget that instead of becoming a wall street millionaire, Obama chose to keep it 100 and gave his time and support to help educate black folks in the southside of Chicago. Political move? Maybe; but that was how his mother raised him; to help people. At the end of the day, I dont think he will abandon us. But, he is not willing to hold our hand, and he shouldn’t. I also want to add that we shouldn’t always depend on politicians and/or white folks to spoon feed us. We are not idiots! We have to fight for whats ours and demand that we are not forgotten like we always are, but we have to take back our own community and make it pop. Voting at every election is a huge start! Not just cause there is a black man running for office. Our ancestors found tooth and nail to be allowed the right to vote and some of us are too ignorant to keep the torch burning and pass it on to the next generation. The 2010 Census is coming; dont forget to participate so that we can get as much money for our community and resources as possible. This can help keep our kids off of the street, more job training programs, housing, black owned businesses, rehab centers for our brothers and sisters who may have lost their way and got on drugs, transportation, public works to keep our streets clean, medical centers cause we are dying from every damn thing under the sun and maybe better schools if we show up to the school board meetings more often. It all starts with us as a people, not Washington.
Dear Roland, While Obama builds the nation let us rebuild Chicago for Blacks. Remember 43rd. st.; 47th st.;63rdrd st.; 79th st.; 83rd st.; and 87th st.; — they were lined with BLACK BUSINESSES. Where is our power??? We have you, Jackson, and Sharp – Where is your POWER. We need to build a great citY for ourselves and show our talents as Businessmen. We must compete in this Nation. If we do this in Chicago, we can do this anywhere. LET’S GET BUSY. We can get STIMULUS GRANTS to rebuild our businesses.
Hello Roland, merry christmas & happy new year. I see obama wants to still pass this depraved health care bill. It will just devalued the dolalr even more. The demoncrats will have their heads serve on a platter in november 2010 for their madness with this socilaist agenda. obama will probably not win re-election in 2012. white america will lead the way in seeing him be out of office in 2012.
Roland
What is this obsession with President Obama coming to do something for Black people? Think about it; before President Obama we were doing what we were supposed to do as Black people. Certainly oppression and racism is alive and well; and many of our relatives made it up and out less a Black president. I love and support President Obama for what he does for America. As for me and my blackness, I know who my savior is: PERIOD.
Hello Roland Martin. Love your show; so informative towards discussing issues that pertains to the Black community with sincerity. With all of the talks about the financial infrastructure of our nation thru this $700 billion stimulus package, that does not support Black people (as it has been pointed out on your show). I was wondering whether you knew about a book called “Blueprint for Black Power” by Amos Wilson. Where there is a chapter titled “Foundations and Think Tanks: The Selling of Newt Gingrich and the Republican Party 1994″ that reveals how the stage was being set for the $700 billion bailout plan of 2008. I was wondering what’s up with that?
Hello Roland,
Love the show. Rush home from early service to see it each Sunday morning.
Two observations, please don’t be offended. I want to help you. Everyone of your panelist has something very important that your viewers want to hear. That’s why you bring them on.
I, as well as your other loyal viewers want to hear the views of them all during their time allotment. Please see to it as the host that we hear ALL viewpoints as they are made. Other panelist may cut off another. Even you may cut off another person who is speaking. I realize time is short but if everyone is heard during his time allotment then we as the viewers can take in more info to be impowered with. But if everyone is talking at the same time or cutting off one person before their point is made or before they can share the info/insight they have, then it defeats the purpose of the show.
Secondly, even if you don’t like, respect or disagree with April Ryan, it is incumbent upon you to allow her to make her point. Today is Sunday, Dec 27th and for the last two Sundays you have come accross as if you don’t like her or don’t want to hear what she has to say. You almost attack her after she speaks two or three words. You come across to your viewers as if you don’t like/respect her/her views. Even if you don’t, you don’t want to give those vibes across the airwaves. It doesn’t look good. And most importantly, it defeats the purpose of having her on. At least give her a chance to make her point and us, your viewers a chance to hear her. We might disagree with her also but we won’t know if she is not allowed to make her point.
Thank you for reading my comment.
Your soror and sister in Christ,
Eva,
Baton Rouge, La.
Roland & TV One: Bravo to speaking truth to power and for having panelist with a point of view often missing in the general media broadcasts. I love President Obama also and if he believes (as I do) in his faith in Jesus, he should not hesitate when it comes to using his power to help “the least of these” our sisters and brothers. Why should there be a stigma attached when it comes to helping those who suffer the most as it relates to finance, education, jobs and our prisons?
Roland I am so proud you I loved your show today and I hope you keep up the good work.
Hi Roland,
First became acquainted with your style at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis,TN. I really enjoyed your topic this morning and start calling people telling them to listen to your show. You had a dynamic group of guest and I truly enjoyed the education revealed amongst your guest and was proud that I understood and understand what they are saying. I am saying the same thing here Memphis. I Chair the Lorraine Civil Rights Museum Community Oversight Committee and provide platforms for those to express themselves but no one is willing to go farther. I live in a Jim Crow city and I can’t stand it. Politics are a joke because all of our government officials have been arrested in what was called the TN Waltz. I must ask are you married? You are most handsome and even though I saw a ring on your finger I did not want to assume that you are married. I wear a ring when I go out lately because I draw a lot of questions and one being are you married? Nerve wrecking when you know its game. Hit me back or check me out on my FaceBook, nothing much there but a picture. Look up Delia Koen.
Roland I’m one of the blacks who want to make a difference in my community.I live in Brooklyn in the projects,my hood is small.There’s no hope,peace,unity or love.WE have two beautiful churches that’s been in our community for years,And no-one goes,everyone wants to go.But they don’t…I want to help change my community& I need help…starting with my two sons.they are so much more then they believe.I’m starting my life over&I’m doing it in GOD’s will.So I need help.peace&love
Why does divide and conquer still work on BLACKS!!!!!!!????????????
WILL WILL EITHER RISE TOGETHER OR WE WILL FALL TOGETHER
Roland – Put LIsa in contact with some N.Y. connections of yours. This sister needs help in her life and organizing her community.
Nagadef? Habari gani?
The Black Power discussion you african americans held on Dec. 27,2009 proved that you are wooden assimilationists! I am an Afrikan born in amerikkka! As such, I represent us Afrikan Women who bore us slaves, am the first equal opportunity officer to strive to integrate my Afrikan ethnicity @ work, have no illusion of inclusion in white society after their supreme court denied my advocates and me equal protection, and am writing books about this hatred! You and your panelists’ slave names, language, wardrobes, and yearning for civil rights betrays our quest for Hueman rights! On Jan. 1,1863–Jubilee Day–we merely shifted from being chattel slaves to eviction chattel! Mindful of this, we must untwist from Eurocentric cultural values, turn back to our Supreme Being who made us Afrikans, and restore our Afrikan-centered cultural values as the Chosen People in order to achieve real Black Power! That’s r/evolution, not assimilation!
Odabo
Roland Martin with Washington Watch
Show Airing Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009
How can I get a full copy of your progran on a DVD? The program on Black Power in the Twenty First Century.
Thannk you
Great show Roland. I’ve been watching since the beginning. It’s great to have an hour show about politics from a black perspective. However lately you and your guest are getting into a shouting match and sometimes you shut April Ryan out. I’d like to hear from all your guest even the black conservatives. Let them speak April is on the inside and she could tell us things we’d never hear on main stream media.
Keep up the good work and let’s see this show become an daily show and be one of many!!!THANK YOU TV ONE!!
Tony If april wants to keep her job she will NOT tell us what we want to hear, that is what’s wrong with the media they tell us what they want us to know but roland did a very good job on sunday Dec.27, 2009
Roland have you always had medical insurance since you were an adult? If you have you’ve been very Blessed. Your views on the health care bill gives our President a failing grade if this doesn’t pass. After being unemployed for over a year now, I took advantage of the corporate COBRA subsidy, unlike many others who didn’t have this as an option. I say THANK YOU PRESIDENT OBAMA for caring. WE must, I choose to support him. Your comments on today’s Washington Watch, January 3,2010 are heard in many communities. What is it that is said about the power of the tongue? His efforts are more notable than the previous (7) Presidents. This is TV One, not FOX TV or CNN correct?
After watching your the show this morning and reading comments. I understand this generation’s need to be piblic with complaints to the first Black president. When I was police officer in DC, the administration was white. Black officers fussed, and mumbled, but never went to the press about racism in the department. I did and I got a trip to Aspen to the white house conference on youth. when the first black chief was appointed(Turner), now everyone is in the press fussing about this first black chief as if he is not still black. Just because white folks elected Obama does not mean he is not still black. He is in need of our support as he attempts to find a way to deal with white run DC. Wake up. We as a race have not arrived yet, and, we don’t have the luxury of fussing in public about each other. White America uses the fact that we as a race never stick together. Look how the republicans stick together no matter how much they sound crazy, they support each other in public. When are we going to learn that going to school with whites does not make us equal. How can Obama concentrate on black needs in his first year without first handling the economy? The problems of the economy impact us too. Whatever he does will impact our community. The problems that confront out communities will not be solved by Washington. When are we going to wake up? We seem to always want hand-outs. When are black women going to see themselves as more than a “B” and understand that lying down with every boy in the community is not going to make you feel better about yourselves as you put the children you already have at risk by allowing any and everybody into your life? How do we use Obama’s popularity to influence young men to feel better about themselves and stop demeaning themselves with earrings, hanging pants, hair braided like a women? But yet they want people to treat them like men? Obama is not the answer to our community. We are the answer when we change oue view of self!!!!
Roland, I agree with some of your concerns pertaining to President Obama. It seems some of the comments are like old family members. If we like someone, we don’t want anyone to talk about them, if we don’t like someone it doesn’t matter whats being said. We should be able to praise when necessary and hold the praise when we feel its not earned. Yes, people should constantly let our President know what we do not like and keep it in the mix until something is done about it. That’s our right as American citizens. The underground railroad would have never been as powerful if Ms Tubman and others had given up. Don’t give up and don’t give in. Lets stick together.
Yes, the President’s staff, in my opinion, either is not qualified, don’t care or both. Do you need Ivy League education to do what they are doing. There are people on his staff that I fear is do not have his best interest at heart. Is he trusting so-called friends. I have always said the white house is enemy infested. He need someone who maybe doesn’t have so much schooling but common sense and care about the person they are protecting. This include protectin his Wife and children. Remember your friend may be my enemy.
Roland: I am all for accountability, but it is both unfair & unrealistic for anyone to expect the current administration (of less than a year) to be held accountable for the “mess” left behind by the previous administration of 8 years. Where were the cries for accountability then?
Roland,
I love your show.I know you want to give your comments on the questions you ask your guest but…..give them a chance to answer please.
I really want to hear their thoughts. I know this is difficult since you are so informed about that which you speak. This is an interview show so….interview.
I can think of no one who deserves a show more than you.
God Bless
are you scared of the reaction of white america?get angela davis on your show and have a 40year recap!washing up in the dirty water of devils want bring clean thoughts!!!we know the truth!there writing his story and we will be the culture that will be left out!fear of the segregationist shows that black people don’t have voices!!!do you respect our history in america only if the white man tell you his side!!!stop nut’in up and make our nation proud not sorry!!!!this generation of blacks or selfish and don’t want to fight only there brother!aids has a grip on our culture but no black clinics to see if there doing biological warfare and testing there theory!why blacks or first too get it and first to die!!!!they got our leaders speaking and not thinking on the fight against hiv!!!!!
I’m glad to see a show that is finally from the black perspective of polotics. The concern I have is how the main stream media is not reporting to job situation accurately. The reason that the job loss have gone done is because of the fact there are no more jobs out here in which to make a decent living and the majority of the Industrial based jobs from 2000 to 2008 have left this country and went overseas. From 2000 – 2008 companies were given a tax break by the Bush Administration to move theses jobs overseas under the cover of competeing with the global market when in fact it was all about cheaper labor. My question is our current President campaigned on doing something about NAFT, a policy that this counrty can not afford to have, and if jobs are going to come about to help the working poor and the middle class when is he going to start working on some of the unfair trade deals that don’t benifit us as Americans?
Raleigh, North Carolina
I suspect that one of the reasons that Mrs. Obama is not taking the lead in making policy statements is that she has two small children as her first priority. I believe the second reason is the lesson of histoy. The first lady is elected to make policy for the White House not for the nation. Hillary got into trouble because the Clintons did not undersand this limitation. She can be seen to support the presidents policies, but she cannot be seen to be making policy.
I heard on “Washington Watch” that the word Negro is being used on the 2010 Census. I am a 55 year old Black woman and really don’t have an objection to the word. It is really outdated and I don’t expect to be called this. I feel it is equivalent to Caucasian. Why is there always name changes for Blacks and who makes these decisions on whats acceptable? In my life I have heard colored, Negro, Black and African American which our race is suppose to approve of as acceptable. What I don’t like is the African American name tag. I feel this is a way of saying you do not belong to the North America continent. Why aren’t whites given a name to connect them to the continent their ancestors/descendants are from?
I saw Census Ads on BET. Has TV ONE gotten ads for the 2010 Census. TV ONE is the true Black owned cable station. We deserve that advertising money.
Dear Denise,
The term “Negro” is not equivalent to the term “Caucasian” as you wrote. The term “negro” is the Spanish word for “Black.” Therefore, the equivalent term for “White” in Spanish is “Blanco,” or the feminine “Blanca.”
The term “Caucasian” is used to designate peoples whose history is traced to the Caucus Mountains in Western Asian,i.e., Europe, or Europeans.
The term African-American is appropriately used to describe people whose primary ancestry is is traced to the continent o Africa. However, because of historical and present day propaganda (brainwashing) campaigns, which have obviously been successful, some descendants of of Africa have internalized(come to believe in) the brainwashing and are ashamed of their ancestry. They express their ashameness in several defined ways. One is the way you did, by claiming that the term “African-American” implies that you do not “belong on the North American continent.” Nothing could be farther from the truth. Notice how you have totally ignored the fact that the term “American” in “African-American” totally designates you as belonging on the “North American continent.” Since this is the case, one can only suspect that your problem with the term “African” lies within an explanation other than the one you provided.
I was told the other day by a friend that even the hate monger, Glen Beck, has gotten drunk again and started meddling in what African-Americans are called. Keep in mind that the problem people like him have is that they didn’t give us that name. They think that we are their children, and therefore, reserve all rights to naming us for themselves. If he had his way, we know what our names would be, it would begin with an “N” but it wouldn’t be “Negro.” (Please don’t respond about the rappers say, this and that. They are simply saying what the likes of Beck pay them to say.)
As an African-American, I am proud of my African heritage, and all other Blacks would be too if they take the time to study the great contributions Africa has given to World Civilization (the propaganda notwithstanding). I have full knowledge of my history and its greatness. I use the terms “African” and “BLack” interchangeably. The difference is one “African” connects one to a historical land base and history, and the other, “Black,” does not. All peoples who MATTER in the context of human affairs, must be connected to a historical land base and history. Hence, “Asian-Americans”; “Irish-Americans”; “polish-Americans,” etc. You never hear these peoples complaining about their heritage. They are proud of it! Because they know its importance in the context of human affairs.
For that very reason, unlike all the other terms used to describe us, the term African gives us the most respect, contrary to what you may believe, and the propaganda that shapes your belief. For example, a few days ago I was listening to an NPR radio broadcast wherein Africans who migrated to “North America” in the early 1960s were relating their experiences. Many said they were advised by their white hosts to always wear their African clothes when venturing out and about. That way, they said they were told, they would not be discrimated against by being mistaken for one of us. You see, at that time, we were still being called “Negroes.” Who respects that? Where is Negro Land on the world map? But Africa is on the map. Isn’t it?
We have not always been enslaved. We have a history that pre-dates our enslavement. We have never been slaves. We were enslaved. We have a glorious history long before our enslavement! We are an African people! Yet, we are deserving of our full rights in this country we built in North America for free.
So to Glen Beck I say, the next time you get drunk, please meddle in someone else’s business and leave ours along.
Have a happy new year, Denise. With much love!
My name is Prof. John J. Womble, Sr., Senior Citizen and Korean conflict Veteran. I currently live in Trenton, NJ. I enjoyed your program that aired on 1-10-10; I hope to see more in the coming months.
My most pressing questions are: How long are the Voters/Main Street/ the Unemployed going to wait for the kind of relief/support that President Obama has given those responsible for the economic crisis that we’re experiencing now (Banks/Wall Street/Auto industry)?
When will the campaign promises made by Pres Obama to the American Voters become more than Political Promises to win the votes needed to achieve his Political Ambitions and why the first two “African Americans” (Drs Bunche/King) who sweated blood for years to receive their Peace Prizes while Pres Obama only made Political Promises to win a Nobel Peace Prize”?
I like so many “Others” need these question answered ASAP.
Signed,
Prof, John J Womble, Sr.
What makes sick is to hear blacks folks running around calling their selfs americans when animals get treated better then we do.
I mean animals has rights and we don’t
Professor Womble,
I’m not Roland, but I’d like to add my two cents if I may.
First, I agree with you totally! The only problem with your observation, as I see it, is in regards to African Americans, there were never any promises made. Robert Gibbs revealed the campaign’s strategy in a television interview during the fall of 2008. He said they went to every group in the country and learned what their issues of interest were, and promised to address those issues if elected. Then he added, “we knew we didn’t have to promise the Blacks anything, because they would just Be PROUD.” How insulting is that? As if we’re talking about Michael Jackson, or Venus and Serena Williams, etc., and not POLITICS, where decisions are made on the ALLOCATION of RESOURCES and the MAKING of LAWS.
So there you have it! That’s why all Blacks got during the campaign were condescending insults, e.g., our children don’t learn in school, not because of a lack of educational resources, but because their no good parents feed them too much “fried Chicken,” etc.,etc. That comment is, as you know, a racist stereotype–Blacks, fried chicken, and watermelon. Many whites were very impressed, as was the intent. And, as Dr. Boyce Watkins has pointed out, there is the continuing stereotypical insult against Black men as being “lazy” and “irresponsible” (remember Ronald Reagan’s “welfare queens”?). When the focus should be on during something on a PUBLIC POLICY level about the over 50% unemployment rate among Black men, many of them possessing advanced university degrees (New YORK Times 12/1/09).
Therefore, if your comments include African-Americans, sorry, many are indeed getting what they wanted as they were wiled into. They are proud! Although poverty among Black children has increased from 1 in 5 (20%) over the past year to about 2.5 in 5 (about 50%), according to people who study those things; the Blacks are proud. Although unemployment has nearly doubled for Blacks in the last year, and is projected to get worse(mostly for Blacks) they are proud. Although home foreclosures have hit Blacks harder than any other group, they are proud. Some have even accepted the “signifying” and “dozens playing” as a true representation of themselves (as long as it’s not a white person saying it on a WORLD STAGE). Note their responses to criticism of their favorite celebrity, they repeat the insults–”these old black folks need to do some-in fo’ they self, an’ stop depending on handouts”, etc. Many of the ones talking like that haven’t lost their jobs YET, you see. As you know, such behavior; accepting insults, and agreeing to be neglected and denied basic rights in the false belief that they are benefiting from the neglect is a sign of severe brainwashing. In this case, the tragic belief that the acceptance of a self-object means acceptance of the self. In fact, upon analysis, neither is true.
So, I’m sorry. But nothing will change until the hypnosis wears off. The good news is, there are signs of a return to sanity every where.
I know you didn’t ask me, but that’s my two cents worth anyway.
Roland,
Why is the major media so easily manipulated by Conservative Republicans?
How can so-called “journalists” allow liars like Rudy Guiliani to say that there were no terrorist attacks during the Bush years and not be challenged immediately?
There is no such thing as “liberal media.” Either these folks are closet conservatives, or they are zombie idiots whose job I could do a whole lot better!
I’d also like to respond to Prof. Womble’s question (How long will it take for Pres. Obama to provide economic relief to main street Americans?)
It took EIGHT years of Conservative Republican leadership to take us from a surplus to a deficit and get us into the economic quagmire we’re in. Yet we expect Obama to work economic miracles in less than two years.
If you think Republicans will come to our economic rescue, you’re deluded. The poverty rate grew dramatically under Bush, especially for Black folks. It’s clear that Republicans care less about fixing the economy than rooting for its failure so they can regain power in the House and Senate.
As long as African-Americans remain complacent, as long as we don’t vote in off-year elections, as long as we don’t write and call our Congresspeople and Senators and hold them accountable to our needs, as long as we allow right-wing tea party fanatics to dominate town meetings (and the national conversation on the economy and healthcare), we can’t complain about Obama or any other politician.
Alana, I agree with your observations about “Conservative Republican leadership.” However, the problem is,the logical structure in which you’ve placed your argument is unsound. Plain and simple; the Republicans have not been in charge over the last year when the poverty rate for Black children has increased from 20% to 50% (not in eight years, but one). And it continues to rise!In fact, Republicans have not been in control of Congress for the past four years.
If you’ve read my previous comments, then you would know that I’m not a Republican of any kind. In fact, I think party labels are for suckers. For example, in recent health care debates on the House floor, it was widely reported that both Republicans and Democrats were reading the same speeches, both pro and con. Then it was discovered that insurance company agents had written the speeches for both parties. That’s where Professor Womble’s keen insight is coming from.
Read his comments again. I think we all would be better off if we stop celebrating and start thinking. Become informed! This is a thinking person’s world. A MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE.
Hello Roland Martin I really enjoy your show. I think there should be more talk on diversity and race relations.
Chesterfield, VA
The Haitia people are suffering from PTS, and shock!!!!! How long are they to walk the streets day and night???? This is disgusting. There is a private island resort they can be evacuated to , or bring cruise ships to evacuate the people so they can rest, bath, care for themselves,and children. Women need special care as well as children. Why are we allowing this?????
there should be freedom for for not just all men, but all peoples.
1/18/10
Did the President use AirForce One and taxpayers money to fly to MA to contribute and rally for the Dem candidate:? If so how will the American people be remeiburse? Wasn’t it a derlection of duty to the American people? Especially, the people of California.
Thank you, Barbara Smith, Democrat
Please let me know if the President used taxpayers dollars to support his candidate MA? I am Dem but against taxpayer dollars being used for politics.
AIR FORCE ONE belongs to the PRESIDENT for four years. GET OVER IT!!! This is for security reasons and part of the Presidential package. All Presidents traveled this way. Why shouldn’t OBAMA?
Mr.Martin, I just finished viewing your show w/ Pres. Obama. I think you dropped the ball while he spoke about education. His daughters attend a private school yet he rescinded scholarships/funding for primarily black children in the DC area to seek educational opportunities outside the public schools. Could that be because he owes allegiance to the Teachers Union? On another subject-he campaigned under a transparent admistration yet he tries to push through a health care policy that most voters are against. I wish he would stand strong & freeze spending on a federal level. He’s proving to be just another lying politician.
ROLAND – YOUR PROGRAM WITH OBAMA WAS GREAT!!!!!!!
To see the two of you in dialogue is definately monumental. The WHITE HOUSE has opened the doors because of President Obama.
It is not necessary to agree – it is about validation.
TV ONE is to be commended for this type of programming. THANKYOU
Will “Living the Dream” be aired again? Thanks.
ROLAND:
The UNCF Institutions can provide the modern BLACK INFRASTRUCTURE. The BLACK CHURCH has dropped the ball.
The UNCF educational system can provide:
DAY CARE
PRE K
CHARTER/ACADEMY SCHOOLS K-12
ENTRPRENEURIAL FOCUSED CURRICULUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE
This focus can provide a VILLAGE for our young and an environment for success for the future. Our young people can be the beginning of the BLACK POWER BASE in America.
The City, State, Federal, and Private funding should not be a problem for this vision.
I am almost 60 years old. I have a Bachelors Degree and an M.B.A.. I would like to see Blacks organize a power base and I see Education as an avenue to accomplish this.
Brother Roland,
Can we expect a country that is controlled by the Wall Street financial institutions, oil cartel, insurance industry, healthcare industry, special interest groups and all the other large corporate comglomerates to recommend changes to the government to assist and help the middle class when all they have done is crush them? The government is allowed by the corporations to have local control over policies but in reality the government has grown powerless to help the people. We the people have fed these corporate giants until they are so powerful and uncontrollable. Change from the present policies is under great resistance because the status quo is enjoying life as it is. Change to provide others with opportunity does not sit well with greedy immoral people. Democrat or Republican when it comes to the special interest they will band together to protect their own interest not those that they exploit. Roland your are absolutely correct when you stated the Democrats cannot get anything done because they are so divided and mostly due to the fact that some Democrats and Republicans are being paid by the same corporations and special interest. The devil is busy and you canot expect immoral unrighteous people to do the right thing. That is insane thinking.
Hi Roland! and thanks again for a great show. However, I would like to ask the question as to why everyone thinks it’s Obama’s job to create jobs? Every state has a local government and a state legislature. I believe that it is the job of the those entities to either create or solicit jobs for their cities. Unfortunately, they were not thinking about these things when they were turning their heads to illegal immigration, which has allowed employers to hire people at lower wages, which in turn lowers our standard of living. Where were the questions and, what policies were being put into place when American companies were fleeing to open businesses overseas, trying to avoid what they considered as cumbersome policies and too expensive operation costs? Someone who had forward thinking, would have looked into these issues and saw what was coming down the road. But as usual, when money is involved, the right thing is never done. Now we have a society, where the education system has all but crumbled because we were too busy trying to allow illegal aliens children to feel accepted in our schools so we dumbed them down, now our education system as a whole is not equipping our children with the type of education they need to fill the types of jobs that we need going into the future. You are not going to be able to live comfortably and buy a house or raise a family being the Fryer at McDonald’s, it’s just not going to happen without a struggle. If companies are not willing to accept the pains that go with operating a business in America for the greater good, then we will never have enough of the types of jobs that people are going to need. And the thing that bothers me is, if you are working at a company, you see before anybody else, what’s going on in that company, so! If there is talk of a layoff, why do people wait until it happens to be concerned. If you see the company taking a different direction, shouldn’t you start looking into your options and possibly start getting the training for your next job or career? I am just not one to blame Obama for not doing all he can. He is one person, and I said it when he was saying his speeches, that people were not going to roll up their sleeves and do all they can, this society has become nothing but a blame game. No one looks into the mirror and says ok! Today is a new day, and what did I do yesterday to help better anything, either for themselves or someone else? We have got to stop looking and saying is he doing all he can do? or is he doing enough? The question is what are we doing to help him? He said it in his campaign, and Michelle mentioned it as well. We all need to take an active part and stop blaming. Millions of us couldn’t even keep our own financial houses in order and the nerve to try to bash someone who is trying to improve things for everyone. No President in my time as an adult has hit the ground running trying to do things to better the common man, and it really bothers me that people are not backing Obama. If he was sitting and twiddling his thumbs, I would say maybe it’s warranted, but he’s not. If I can stand behind him and I’m a registered Republican, who voted for George Bush twice and yes! I still like George Bush, even with his faults, I see know reason why the rest of you can’t see in the heart of Obama, that his intentions really are focused on helping all of us to move forward as a country.
Roland, Invite some of the Republicans to come on your show. (Announce to us in advance) Invite some of the congressman as well. Ask questions of them straight up. Ask them about the horrible work they are doing holding up bills that need to be passed for the American people. Ask them about the horrible comments being made by them and why. How can they contribute to the improvement of the condition of our country? If they are not able to improve our country they need to resign. The American people need help, jobs, homes, health care and a stable America. At this time they are not able to help us, they are holding up progress and the American people cannot move forward. They need to move on to another job, instead of using up the citizens of America’s money. We all know that money is the bottom line; Is money also the reason why Democratics are devided too? Thank you. Linda
To whom it may concern
I Joseph Dewayne Westbrook am a small business owner in Utah, in addition to the struggles of owning a business in this harsh economy we are currently the only minority service-disabled veteran owned business in the state in our field. Westbrook Enterprises LLC (WBE) is a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) company; we are currently the DME provider for the Salt Lake Veterans Affairs Medical Center (SLVAMC). When we were awarded this contract I felt like I had accomplished the American dream, my dream soon turned into the American nightmare. In addition, to the racism that we have endured with working with the SLVAMC, the Salt Lake VA has constantly treated me and my staff like second hand citizens. Well, you see being in the military was a very proud thing for me, as a child some dreamed of being doctors or lawyers, where I dreamed of serving my Country. I was raised with core values that were one and the same of those instilled by Air Force; my tour was cut short due to a life changing accident I suffered in training which resulted in back surgery, shoulder surgery, and a life time of pain and PTSD. Although, I could no longer serve my country I started a DME company which allowed me to service other veterans and allowed me to continue my vision of serving my Country. You see being an American is an honor; I love my Country, and have made many sacrifices for this great country for freedom is not free. Working with the SLVAMC has been horrendous, for example,
• WBE is continuously being railroaded by the VA
• The VA continues to deliberately divert business away from WBE
• The VA does not adhere to policies and procedures mandated by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Acquisitions
• Outstanding payments
• Not adhering to the contract
• No response to issues
• Verbal agreements not followed through
• Contractual obligations not being met
• A complete lack of professional courtesy
• Racism
• Constantly working against WBE to resolve issues, with no explanation
As proud as I am being an American, it is sad that in this great country there are many injustices that are overlooked, I can’t fathom how the Salt Lake Veterans Affairs can conduct business so unethical and be allowed to continue this injustice. For the past 2 years, I have tried resolving these issues with the SLVAMC with no headway, I am pleading for help, not just for me but for the next person, if anybody can be of assistance please help; my contact information is below. Thank You
Joseph Dewayne Westbrook
Westbrook ENT. LLC 8415 South 700 West Unit 10, Sandy, UT 8407 Office 801-568-6800 or 801-568-6800 Cell 970-988-1005
Hi Roland,
I watched your show today none of the guest or your panel mentioned the foreclosure crisis in America. When you think about why people are no longer are engaged you can not forget to mention this crisis that is eliminating the black middle class. We are losing our homes in massive number. African-Americans feel let down because Pres. Obama won’t even come to our community to talk to us, to feel our pain. The President needs to issue a moratorium on foreclosure. I watch the President go to Ohio 4-5 times talking about his economic message but you have a city like Detroit which is deserted and impoverished and he doesn’t go. For many African-Americans we feel that change has not come in the form of a listening ear to our concerns and needs in order to make our community viable again.
In regards to healthcare, what the President needs to do, is pay for the healthcare reform different. I wrote the President months ago and told him that the best way to pay for healthcare reform was to have a consumption tax on fast food, alcohol,and soda. Americans want affordable healthcare without the burden of a higher deficit. We still can put this movement forward, this will force the Republicans to vote on a bill that is cost effective, it will add no money to the decifit and it will not raise taxes on the rich or the poor and there will be no need to penalize cadillac plans. Everyone would be happy, and if the Republicans still say no the American people are smart enough to see that they are not willing to help us achieve a solution to the healthcare crisis. We want a fiscally responsible healthcare reform strategy.
Please have the CBC and NAACP on your show to talk about the STIMULUS FUNDS. How many BLACK organizations have applied for/ getting these funds. How many Jobs were created for BLACKS.
I love your show Mr. Martin and would love to see you on for more than just an hour on Sunday. We need more show like yours that actually inform the black community. Who do I need to contact @ TV One to get this?
I woul dlike to see more BLACK NEWS programs on TV ONE
I sometimes like your show Washington Watch with Roland Martin, however there are times when I do not like your panel discussions, as well as some of your remarks, and how you and the panel always criticizing the President. The President cannot do it all and what you need to do is tell your viewers the importance of VOTING on the local level. I don’t think a lot of people realize the importance of voting locally. If there is one thing you and your panel should know, “nothing happens overnight” and that President Obama is the President of the United States for all the people and not just for the African Americans in the US. Please stop all of the criticism because we need to be more positive and stop acting like donkeys. Let’s show our children that no matter our differences and opinions we still can be supportive of each other. There are times when you all are arguing that I have to turn the channel. Let’s dream the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King. Thanks
The fact that Chris Matthews even mentioned that the president is African-American means that America is NOT POST RACIAL!!! What upsets me over all of this is the fact that no one will simply stand up and say what the problem is. This is ALL about Race. Jimmy Carter said it, we all know it, but we are afraid to say it because it will be considered and “excuse”. In my estimation, the Republicans and some Democrats for that matter will wait until the next White President..male or especially female comes into office, and then they will pass Healthcare and then that person will be credited with finally passing healthcare. If you really think about it, it seems that the democrats are supporting this. Just looking at the Mass. election, the dems just GAVE THE SEAT and THE MAJORITY AND THE ABILITY TO GET ANYTHING DONE away. It was an important seat, and they acted like it didn’t matter until it was already done. If a white president were in office, they would not have let the most important seat in the senate go!!! I would like the President to say..It is horrible that not one republican will break rank and vote for this healthcare bill.
Mark G
San Jose, CA
Hi Roland : glad to see you today on your own show congratulations.President Obama State Of The Union address was great. He has a lot of problems though jobs , the economy , housing and the insurance this is a truckload . One thing is for sure these problems has existed for a long time like many years . The republicans was in office for ten years and did’nt solve the insurance problem and now that the President is trying to solve it they don’t want to cooperate based on what i see the republicans would love nothing more but to make the president take their plan so that they can have all the credit it seems that the republicans are not willing to compromise. Also I think the president was right to let us know what the supreme court has done . I mean is this fair to the people to let corporations have such a huge advantage over the people it’s no way i believe that the people can compete with the massive amount of monies that will be used to sway voters in their favor is a corporation considered to be a people ?
Mr. Martin:
I have watched you on many political forums. I just saw your show “Washington Watch” tonight, and was very impressed. I would like to agree with Mr. Armstrong about President Obama doing something about FORECLOSURES. As Mr. Armstrong said if we don’t have a “roof over our heads” then nothing else really matters…not health care, the wars, or nothing else. It’s then about survival. I was one of President Obama’s biggest fans…signed youth up to vote at my son’s college(Syracuse University) and encouraged family members to vote that doesn’t normally vote.
My husband lost his job with Adcomm Digital in February of 2008 (2 years ago) and has been seeking jobs from janitorial to white collar, but to no avail. I’m totally and permanently disabled due to an on-the-job auto accident while working with the Postal Service in March of 1995. This was an accident where someone else ran a red light and as a result I’m disabled. We have 3 boys (One is a Syracuse Univ. student/athlete graduate, one attending college, and a 2 1/2 year old). My benefits with OWCP was halted 9 months ago due to a claims examiner not performing her job, and as a result we basically lost both incomes. We’ve been struggling to keep our mortgage current that was on a home in the construction phase (95% complete now). We were homeless for 2 years until a couple weeks ago. We’ve been “from pillow to post”…living in hotels, motels, with friends & relatives and sometimes sleeping in places I prefer not to disclose. To say the least I feel like President Obama has failed not only my family, but other middle class families such as mine. When campaigning for President he kept saying he was going to freeze FORECLOSURES and send families huge STIMULUS checks. NEWS FLASH… He hasn’t done either. I’m devastated. Why can’t the President Freeze Foreclosures at least until jobs are more available and the unemployment rate is lower. Simple Question: What are families suppose to use for money to pay mortgages and rent when they have no jobs, and unemployment benefits has run out or is not enough. These are questions most African-American families are faced with… not so much health care, education, and war. Not that we aren’t concerned, but it’s about survival and trying to figure out where your next roof or meal is going to come from. It’s about begging and getting up early in the morning running over town to non-profits to get food and rental assistance if available.
I think you sort of shrugged off the comment Mr. Armstrong made about Foreclousres, because you’re not in that situation. You don’t have to worry about your home, but many of us do, and we want to be heard. Why has the State of California (Republican Governor) been able to mandate a freeze on Foreclosures and the President has his head buried in the dirt. All I heard in his “State of the Union Address” was that of helping Middle Class…guess what there is no Middle Class anymore…It now called POOR & HOMELESS. He’s losing ground with many African-Americans and I’m one of them. I feel like you are not addressing the REAL issues of the recession with regards to FORECLOSURES. Do you understand that this is not only destroying peoples’ lives by taking away their homes, but also it’s breaking up families, destroying BLACK marriages, and then we have other issues steming from this of no father in homes, mothers working two jobs and no longer there to nurture children and teach (education). Please have a forum with Main Street American as my family that has been devastated by what President Obama is simply not doing…FREEZING FORECLOSURES AND SENDING OUT STIMULUS CHECKS. He’s given billions to the banks, and my mortgage company received 23 million dollars, but still won’t modify/restructure my loan. I don’t fit into the “Makinghomesaffordable”, and lots of homeowners don’t. You have to have a loan serviced by FHA to qualify. Mr. Martin, Please look beyond your situation, and listen to the voices that’s not being heard.
Thanks
2-07-10 China! Very good show! Content & direction were relevant. Black people should correspond with China on an economic trade & learning level. Their city models were fabulous, hence I did not see any planned urban blight.
And let me say Roland, I love the layout of your show, the set design, sitting arrangements, colors and pictures are on point and condusive to this progressive news show. I like that you stand for most of it which translates into an inquiring yet aggressive straight up business approach. You and your interviewees even stood up on a commuting train in China, taking every opportunity and second of time to bring a story, a format seldom if ever seen on news shows today. It was a sense of informative well planned urgency.Rignt On! Keep it coming.
The Tea Party and Palin keep saying:”We want our country back” I would like to ask : Want it back from who? We are all Americans…Besides I think the Native Americans have rights to a request like that before any other nationality… And everytime I see a clip on the television I see mostly white people.
Please bring this to the attention of many who might not be listening…After a while background noises get on my nerves…
I think there are many that are angry we have a African American President but the reality is he is doing a good job given the set of circumstances he had to overcome (gigantic deficit and two wars)…He deserves a break for trying to help average everyday people not just those with money.
Does it seem peculiar that the pictures of the Alabama shooting victims who are people of color have not been widely released, in light of the fact the shooter was White.
Yes, it does seem peculiar, yet not surprising. The media has really demonized horrific news when the perpetrator is Black – airing the name and face repeatedly AND referring to our people under 18 as “men and women,” not boys, girls and teens, but referring to 20-something O’Keefe who wiretapped a Senator’s office, brought up false allegations that resulted in Acorn being defunded by the Congress as a kid, and his crimes as pranks because he is White.
The media loses credibility always playing down anything and everything negative White people do from politics to homicides to hate crimes against Blacks. It proves to me that racism is alive and well.
2-14-2010 11:00
I wanted to comment on Sarah Phylin and her critizism of the Democratic and Liberal parties.I do not think it comes as any suprise that Mrs.Phylin has is using a television show to voice her personal opinions against all the people who didnot accept her while she was a Republican VP canidate.She is using the show to gain the support of americans for future political positions in Washington.I donot think it matters what angle she uses to accomplish her political goals including having double standards when using the word retard.She will never be a Hillary Clinton !
Mr. Martin
My husband and I watched you on Feb 14 2010 and we are interested in purchasing the dvd on Black’s in the Military in honor of Black History month 2010 but the title wasn’t given and we can’t find it in the events listed for today. It was advertised as available in Walmart but they had no knowledge of it. Thanks You and may God’s Grace continue to order your steps as you journey thru his will for your life
david and lisa this shows segregation and slap on the wrist justice!the ala. lady killed her brother and the small town rosco p coaltrain let her go!These devils show you everyday there justice is looking who’s in the courtroom to convict! I’m making my last comments simply because it’s like voodoo when people talk about racism and segregation in america!washing up in dirty water and believe n that white america will change is making there freedom game stay the same!believe n rights sats you free in a racist country is there tool too keep you from freedom!They’ve moved the goal post every generation and we believe voting helps our freedom from suffering!they commit treason and not one person stands up and point them out! I’m stopping because our leaders are afraid to unmask klanmen and women and segregationist of there generation!It’s like taking a test and the other side has the answers and there telling you there smarter then you!but,want give answers to solve our problems! to:roland; black political soldiers don’t bow down or make soft shoe political points!All i see is a news commentator watching his talk!the white pundits got you walking on banana pills and egg shells!I haven’t seen any real offense you’ve put too segregationist america!there’z a tresure chess full of facts that never get talked about are put to light!You catz keep playing in there backyards so you can go in there house to be notice!malcoln x,stokey carmicheal,bobby seal,hughie,angela davis, and the minster louis farrakahn make real political arugments!Do your homework!What we see now is what they saw then!those who are alive makes black politics what it is!stop hate n and talk to your real brotha’s and sista’s and stop soft shoe n for white american punditz!!!!!peace and love !!!!fight the power!!!
also ,i put my commentz in blocks for a reason!Our blocks or not structured do too ignorance and obitunist leaders black and white!PEACE AND LOVE!!!!!
1 last thing!It was ronold reagan that made it possible to tri terror suspects in federal courts!stop being a follower of gop political games!research the truth and smack them back with facts not talk!PEACE AND LOVE!!!!my last blogs on this site!!!!!!fight the power!!!!!!!
Just curious….why didn’t the same delegation who went to China concerning economic relationships with Black businesses and Black folks in U.S. also do the same thing with various countries on the continent of Africa?
Additionally, if Chinese businesses do decide to set up shop in the U.S. what type of work environments will these businesses contain? As a person who’s worked in automobile manufacturing for close to 14 years at Honda, I am very aware of how good the prospect of new jobs sounds but I am also equally aware of the many unpleasant realities existent within this type of employment. In Honda’s case, the strong lack of consideration concerning work/life balance, the lack of diversity and the non-union shop approach. These by-products have proved to be very detrimental to many workers and their overall longevity with the company. I’ve also noticed how Honda, in particular, usually locates their manufacturing sites in small, off-the-beaten-track rural locales as opposed to larger urban areas and I do remember the Black delegations’ desire to bring businesses to urban areas in particular.
Dear Mr. Martin: Please if you can. I would like to see some Rep. from The House, Senate, ect come on your show, and do some explaining why we have this gridlock!!.(Even though we already know the answer.)
Roland iam trying to understand how can black peoples who was born in america be call african american I thought a person would have to be born in africa and become a american citizen to be a african american
I wanted to know the name of the brother representing the Black Farmers that appeared on Washington Watch on Feb. 21. I wanted to send his message out to my email buddies to help spread the word.
Roland I here peoples talk about a man being addict to sex Iam a 68 year old man I dont believe its such a thing as sex addiction I thank mens use sex addiction trying to justify a bad behavior
I think you were spot on in your perspective about Tiger Woods speech regarding his marital infidelities. The media seems to have shut out most peoples opinion about this situation. Most people I know, especially golfers don’t care and are only concerned about when he will get back on the golf course. However there seems to be a media backlash that wants to critic his sincerity of his apology. Is this because they think there is more of a public interest if the decency & morality of the speech are undermined with the accusation of insincerity? I saw most polls indicated people felt comfortable with him speaking to the public at all, as well as there were polls with a significant number of people who felt that situation was between he and his family and admired him for taking the steps of doing what was best for his family first and then dealing with his public image. I think the media is upset about how he handled this situation and not addressing this when THEY wanted him too. So now begins the cycle of was he sincere? Could there be a resentment in the media management newsrooms because this Black man stood up in front of the world when he wanted too and then expressed an apology towards his wife, children, mother, and then fans while also addressing his continuation too better himself and his relationship with his wife? As opposed too Gov. Mark Sanford who not only cheated on his wife, but lied about his whereabouts while on tax payers money, as well as , when he finally did address the world publically, HE PROFESSED HIS LOVE FOR HIS MISTRESS, and then he claimed in a later press conference too be working things out with his wife. Wheres’ that outrage?
Tea Party ” AKA ” KKK wants us to go back to the original constitution when we had 13 colonies. That document only pertained to white males only. Blacks and all other minorities couldn’t vote or had the same rights of our white brothers had. We can start from 1965 and work from there. Just because the hood isn’t there doesn’t mean the person has changed his racist views.
have you considered asking Star Parker or Rev.Wayne Perryman to appear on your show?
although he doesn’t identify hisself as a black man……could the mainstream media want to keep this story alive because all of women are white?
Thank you Roland for being you. When I read through the comments, I see as I hear from time to time, Blacks complaining of what the President have not done or what he should be doing. Let’s take accountablility for oneself and asked what are you doing for the Blacks? It began with yourself, your family, your community, your city, and your state. Spineless, I think not. He cannot go in there becoming street, that is what the white Republicans hope for, or every opportunity he get, he bring the “race card”. That would be suicide!He was voted for not only for Blacks, for all races. He has to be for the people, if not there will be a tear!I watched several interviews with Wesley Snipes and when asked about his memories or thoughts on the legendary Michael Jackson who got him on the map, always negative! But, then that has been Wesley since he felt he has arrived. No respect for Black women and now another Black icon, negative comments. This is sad and talk about “spineless”!
There are Blacks in position within programs to help the trouble youths in America that existed before President Obama arrival to the White House, so who can we fault for that? They are able to work hand on with the youths and use the programs to pass them on to gain monies for the programs and feel that it not their problems or that why help to give the kids structure, that it is a waste and do not care and employ employees with the same outlook. We have to take accountability for our own actions! President Obama is not God. And if the Republicans get back into the White House, you will be praying a many days that President Obama serving as President, he will be gone too soon! The men who sit around and complains are the ones that lack being a real man. A real man would roll up his sleeve and make a different and would try to help find a solution. There is plenty of work to do!
I’m Back!!!!!!Having made comments about segregationist in america did’t make you change the soft shoe arguments!Facts don’t make a diffence to a segregationist!They only see a black face.Attacking the sons and daughters of the true people that had crimes against humanity put upon them still too this day!!! Has a history that can show a timeline of seperation by white america.Politics is a simple civics lesson for real americans to be engaged in the process!We The People!Following dixiecrats robo talking points are not real revolutionary counter arguments!Showing there lack of concern about inner cities in every city is treason too america!Don’t you think?Do the stats!From 1963 to 2008 government and private bussiness have abused americans that are brown and chocolate carmel!!Half stepping the fight with a platform is suspect!!!!!
Politics is simple!!!Using admendments and laws too follow up your timelines!!Having each day made bright will bring change!From 1863 to 1865 Texas owes african slave desendants two years of overtime!Black farmers or undercut!From that time to now land have been taken and kept away from african slave desendants!Who are in america!That’s only oneway too show!Show government contracts from 1963 to 2008 and see how tax dollars only went to white ameicans!The race started in 1863 they do owe our people and the red nation!
How do you put that together on a hour show?
Simple! Have a reparation segment!!
also,Look at the Mighty, Mighty,O’Jay’s video Ship Ahoy!Make your way with facts and the real political landscape of today!Show, what it is ,is what it was!!!Sound the drums and the red and black nation will listen!Constutional facts are up too fight!Have a segment jim crowe law!See how our political system attacked and lied for americans!I love my country but my country has not loved me!
I am american i’ve never been too Africa but,government contracts see me as minorities and whites or american so they get 85% to 90% of all major government contracts all that ever been writing!!!!Peace and Love!
How come there is not alot of coverage on the “monkey” reference towards our First Lady? A local author here, in Lexington KY, has four books with depictions of monkey references of black children men and women. She is dying to talk to you. Please call Rosetta Quisenberry at 859-299-7258. Check out here website a www. sagaof the black man.com
@ S. Carol Coleman,
When I was an adolescent, I would spend every summer with my paternal grandmother in Alabama. My siblings and I called her “Big Mama.” She was filled with knowledge and wisdom, although her academic antecedence did not exceed 3rd grade. I learned from her a lesson I’d like to share with you.
She said: “Never let nobody make you feel bad and get you all ‘riled up’ by claiming you look like this or that. When folks call you names, ‘they be talkin’ ’bout they self.”
Subsequently, I learned in school that Charles Darwin posited a theory called “Survival of the Fittest and Evolution,” wherein he claims all humans evolved from lower species like apes and monkeys. Now there are some who disagree, they hold to a theory that they call “Intelligent Design.” Generally, they claim that humans exist today as they always have, based on the ‘Seven-day/Genesis model.” However, their position, unlike Darwin’s model, is not considered scientific. Those holding the “Intelligent Design” position are mostly the right-wing nuts and their zealot followers. The very ones who like to call African Americans such names as you describe.
Anyway, I later learned that the field of “dynamic psychology” supports Big Mama’s position that when people say, or think, things about other people, they are often expressing how they feel about themselves. It is called the “defense mechanism” of “PROJECTION.” It is mostly an unconscious thing, but sometimes it is conscious. Either way, it’s always ascribing ones own thoughts and feelings unto others.
Now do this: Google “Rheus Monkey.” And then decide for yourself whether it looks more like our beautiful First Lady, or the one(s) who is/are circulating the pictures.
After that, let’s get back to the serious business at hand. We need POLICIES to address the economic distress in our commmunities.
I don’t know you, but I love your spirit.
Hey Roland: I love your show. I want you to look at the educational statistics on African American females, as the perception is constantly being pushed that they are doing so much better than African American males. The numbers quoted on your show regarding the disparity between Black males and females attending Black colleges is correct, however, it obscures other facts. These numbers reflect a very narrow percentage of Black females overall. Additionally, this gap is much narrower in predominantly-white institutions. Black females outnumber Black males in college attendance in the 17 – 25 age category, however, of Black folk who return to college at ages 25 – 34, Black males outnumber Black females. Lastly, but most importantly, in grades pre-k through 12, Black females are the second lowest-performing student group in the nation, scoring only a few points ahead of Black males. Also, according to the U.S. Justice Department, African Amreican females are the fastest growing prison population. I present these facts not to have Black girls to compete with Black boys for attention. In fact, my mantra is: Not Less For the Boys, but More for the Girls! All of our children need support. We don’t want to wait as long to intervene on behalf of African American girls as we did with Black boys. Please don’t contribute to the invisibility of Black girls and their needs, by leaving out information about their needs, when reporting on Black educational issues. We need to lift up all of our children. If you would like me to forward you research to support my statements here, please email me. Peace.
Roland why don’t you guys in the media stop playing games and tell the people how many people you guys poll when you talk about the polls, because i know and 1000 people do not speak for all of america
Hi Roland, I love your show however, I have a question that I would like for you to address. I continiously hear that the public is against the proposed new medical bill. I personally have talk to possible 100 or more people and I have consistly received the same information NO ONE really knows what is in the proposed bill. Would you please tell the public what is really in the bill.Yes there is the abortion issue but the current public assistance system has/does cover abortions when necessary, and our taxes have/does pay for the medical procedure for the individuals on public assistance.Pre-existing medical conditions this is a blurred topic that I am not clear on the stance/proposed suggested solution. The bottom line is that I am a employed individual that has/does have health care which has become so expensive that I pray and work very hard not to use it. The reality is that the system is not breaking it is totally broken the medication is drastically over priced based on the cost of manfacturing including the manufactures cost for their employees, benefits,brick and morter. The insurance companies are drastically over charging their vendors the medical system is drastically over charging, and the only winners are/will be the greedy/greedy C level & stock holding politicians of the medical/insurance companies.
Hello Mr. Martin,
Hooray for health care…Now that it has been Jobs and educations. My fear is that the promotion of furthering education is going to put fear upon certain job sections to look for their dedicated workers of low pay to be leaving them soon…but to that fact, when are the “new jobs” are going to manufacture themselves to where someone can actually see the goal for higher learning, as jobs leaves to go over seas minorities would once again be pushed to a servitude position of long hours and lower pay..ie nurses, homecare; I fear that the jobs that are salary based would be kept out of our reach until the “white” group of society has a once again, comfortable financial base.
Mr. Martin,
There are programs from 1998 that have been proven to help kids and adults to learn through faster reading, and the concept of math. Why are we as a country utilizing those tools in the classrooms. Republicans have proven time after time that they don’t care for education, because the more educated you are, the least likely someone would just follow the leader, because he haded the “Lord’s Name” in a speech…
greenville, NC
Some Americans have been made to bear additional crosses. The new crosses imposed by the many Anti-President Obama activists and their supporters are mounting daily. In many multi-cultural workplaces, we are faced with moderate and severe insinuations and accusations that the money issues are escalating due to their idea that our President is a socialist. Some Americans will face layoffs and termination most likely based on the behind the scene tactics imposed by Republicans and Tea Party activists who will do anything to manipulate a point that this is all President Obama’s fault. This was the first of many crosses some Americans are forced to bear by the election of the first African American President often called a Socialist with communist or totalitarian ideas. Activists are foreseeing insurance cost rising, no raises, more layoff down the pipeline, tax hikes, and putting future generations in debt, all President Obama’ fault. Yet, some Americans proudly accept these crosses riddled with lies. We are proud Americans also. Now with the passing of a first health care reform, we are faced another cross to bear. Most likely these activists will hope many Americans will face waiting lists and decreased health quality to prove a point at our expense. Many are hoping the bottom falls out to say “I told you so”. Are these activists really caring Americans, or just playing a political game with our lives, health, and prosperity.
F. Brown they are call racist!!!
Tenay, you are correct and it’s sad to admit it. The worst part about it is the modernization of it. The ideas and actions cause by it was always dangerous, but now with web assistance displaying maps with homes in crosshairs, and talks to reload by supposedly leaders and others talking about throwing bricks including creating fire teams is way over the top. Then when violence erupts, those that initiated it claim that was not their intent. Now, don’t get me wrong and I’m not calling her that posted the map with crosshair a racist, but racists seeing the map could get the wrong ideas and react much violently. We must remember that most, if not all, of these racists are just not that smart.
Roland, for the most part, I enjoy your show from “our” perspective however, I really was expecting it to be more positive than what I see on CNN or MSNBC. Considering 97% of us voted for President Obama, I prefer a more positive outlook on what & how he’s doing. Everybody else beats him up daily & I really don’t want to see that when I watch your show.
Also, as your sister of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, I wish you would not use the term “hazing” when you have a new panel member on. I know you’re just kidding however, you know hazing is illegal & I personally don’t think you should use it.
Thanks Roland.
Roland – You are doing the MISSISSIPPI NEGRO SHUFFLE.
We have talked about JOBS for over a year. OBAMA finally gives us the package. BLACKS have a problem – WE STILL WILL NOT HAVE OUR SHARE OF JOBS BECAUSE WE WE HAVE BEEN LOCKED OUT OF THE BUILDERS TRADE.
WHY ARE YOU SO QUIET. WHERE IS YOUR GROUPIE GROUP. JOBS , JOBS, JOBS.
OBAMA MAN (SUPER MAN) HAS DONE HIS PART.
Roland I would like to encourage those of us who support President Obama to show our support by rallying in Washington D.C..Instead of a Tea Party ,we should rally under the banner of the WE Party as in we the people .We who support our President and know that this country belongs to everyond not just a few psychotic disrepectful anglo senior citizens who can’t except change or inclusion. To the celebreties and people of influence who were so active in President Obama’s campaign I would like to say,If you organize it,we will come!
WE PARTY – I LIKE IT – GOOD IDEA. I WILL PARTICIPATE ALSO.
Roland, I’ve been watching your show for a few months now and I think it is exceptional. My only suggestion is to have three guest panelists instead of four. Three panelists are easier to follow than four.
I appreciate the fact you often have a guest from the political right on the show. It’s good to have people who articulate views from all sides of the political spectrum.
I like to hear diverse opinions and perspectives before making up my mind about an issue.
Thank you for informing, enlightening, and entertaining us.
Keep up the good work!
What is the name of the movie you referenced in the 4/5/10 Black Hollywood Executives show–the one you archived for your nieces/nephews–two words in title is all I remember?
Roland, I herd your comments regarding Virginia Governor McDonnell Declaring April ‘Confederate History Month’. If so, I hope they use it as a teachable moment to denounce the atrocities of slavery. Your comments were excellent.
Last, but not least; why is Nelson W. Winbush, a member of the “Sons of Confederate Veterans”? I know that there is one everytime, but why?
my comments been right on!You make excape arguments for bigets!that cnn commentator carvile wife is a segregationist biget!my comments made you look at the politics of a segregationist!why make your show around there racism!time afther time we take there politics to fit ours!our political knowledge is looked aside do to the segregationist of our day!malcolm x and dr.king politics or needed now!running behind bigets and segregationist is the reason why we stay lost in the belly of the beast!attack them how they attack our leaders!facts or clear and cats like you or scared too make segregationist suffer the truth!soft shoe politics only help white america and gives you a reason not to talk to the real poitical leaders of our nation!my generation is the grandchildren of the black panthers and the kings dream followers!your slipping into darkness and dont see it!Im thru with the soft shoe shows!we get politics 2 hours aweek!playing there game make that goal post move ever day!there z know touch down because there know brothers shut n them up!sarah palin is a joke!she is a racist and dont care about black america and yall let her get away with it!bogus is ,is what bogus want!my comments are ending with i am my brothers keeper and i will keep my brothers safe from segregation and lies!you cant say that cuz you or a token to politics of today!last comments,black people do for yourselves and stop looking to soft shoe commentators for bogus political arguments that want change a thing!peace and love!!!!!
Love you and your show!
I am so proud of you!
Please discuss why do people keep giving Sarah Palin a microphone? Why would george Stephonopulus legitimize her and ask The pres. about her criticism?
When is someone going to tell the truth about this idiot?
Roland,
Every Sunday on Washington Journal they comment on the Sunday talk shows and mention all the guests that are going to appear.
Why don’t you contact c-span and make them aware of your show and of the guests appearing that Sunday?
We need to get more people watching your show.I’ve given up on the other Sunday shows.
Thanks
Chicago, IL.
Roland its great to see someone actually speaking what’s on their mind today in the black community, But here in Georgia, I think they changed the terminology to fit their way of thinking. They still have slavery, or forced labor, the black mentality here is as though they are slave owners themselves. I have found some very nice people, but the ones who are in power or positions of authority they use it like an ax. Civil rights are none existent here and I was wondering what you thought about it, or had to say about this place? I will be watching to see what can be done by me and if there is anything I can do. Please help. Julia
How down here in Georgia, Please publized the civil rights violations, forced labor and disability rights violations. please help!
Good afternoon Mr. Martin: on saturday I watched the Southern Republican conference long enough to hear Mr.Harold Caine speak praising H. Barber, the goenor of MS. At the end of his speech, he told the crowd not to be surprised at a “dark horse” woould be in the running against President Obama in 2012. Was he a part of te civil rights movement because because he reminded me of the “yousa”mentallity of long ago. Please listen to his speech and give your comment(s) on it. Mrs. Chavis
When are we going to have Rallys like the Tea Partiers supporting our President,since he is moving trying to help the poor and disavantage in this country? We support him for the Presidential vote .Now we must show our faces in numbers again!! Lets Show up and show our support for the President wherever the tea party is!! Wake up people,there is something sinister in the making of resentment against this president. Are we going to just set back and let him fight the fight by himself ,and we just give lip-service?
Mr. Martin, I saw National Action Network’s National Leadership Forum on TVOne April 17. The panelists, especially LaKimba DeSadier and Marc Morial of the National Urban League, had good information to give. But a lot of what was said sounded like gibberish because the panelists were interrupted and rushed to give specifics about their 12-month plan to help African American communities. I thought it unfair for the moderator to have his say uninterrupted and with some profanity mind you, yet the panelists were interrupted quite often by the moderator. Next year please allow the panelists to have their say without interruption, overcuts and profanity Mr. Martin.
Can you invite a so-called Tea Party member to your show and ask them why the Tea Party are not protesting corporations that deliberately send jobs to other countries. Prime example is Whirlpool. Despite receiving generous tax breaks and incentives, Whirlpool laid off 1500 people and move the jobs to Mexico to increase their profit margin.
The corporations are raping this country and more of an “enemy” than the government, and it is amazing that the Tea Party crowd remains silent on that fact. It is also interesting that the Tea Party formed last year to protest big government and spending in spite of the previous administration increased the size of government more than any other.
Were we told back in 2003 that the Iraqi war will cost about $60 billion? Fast forward to 2010, and we have spent nearly $1 trillion in two wars and the Republicans have no problems with it. It was also convenient that the Bush administration keep the true cost out of the budget.
I find it amazing that the Republicans can find money to fight a war and rebuild another country but refuse to spend one dime in helping people in the U.S. That $1 trillion in 2 wars is your health care reform.
Hi Roland,
I watched “Measuring the Movement” today on tv and have a question for you. What do you feel can be done about encouraging young black men and women who did NOT attend HBCUs to help mentor and build our people/communities. I’m a 25 yr old male from Chicago and have my BA from a university that is not an HBCU, although I do support what HBCUs represent. I’m doing my part by mentoring my people, but I find that many of our people who did not attend HBCUs fear being ostracized by their people and subsequently do not lend a helping hand. Ostracized because of the way they talk, dress, the type of music they listen to, etc. This is not a novel issue, but in moving our people forward it deserves much greater attention and a resolution.
@Antonio
Your message is enlightening. I also like your LINK.
Roland should envite the tea party to his ahow.
THE GREATEST OF THEM IS THE SERVANT TO THEM
Roland – Have a panel of MINISTERS on your show and aske them what should CHURCHES DO for the communities they are in
Dear Roland,
Yesterday’s “Measuring the Movement” panel discussions were very informative. I submitted a question ahead of time. Although it was not selected, I was more concerned that the topic was never addressed. That topic concerned the role that organized labor, the unions and the building trades specifically, are playing to deprive African-American men and women of job opportunities in construction.
One of the major keys to any effective jobs agenda, must be a top to bottom reform of the relationship between the building trades and African-Americans.
If President Obama can call the banks to the White House for a “Come Home to Jesus” session about how they are failing the American people, the President should do the same with the unions.
At the same time,there cannot be an effective jobs initiative at any level of government, unless this issue is addressed head-on by civil rights leadership with the buidling trades, at the local, state and national levels, with built-in accountability systems that are jointly reviewed by both labor and civil rights leadership.
I suggest that you invite the new president of the AFL-CIO on to your show as a panelist, along with black trade unionists and civil rights leaders and debate job access and troubling worksite issues on air.
Georgetown University is home to a labor institute call the Kalmanowitz Initiative, which is dedicated to the academic study of the history, challenges and opportunities of the American labor movement. Maybe someone from that group could be a resource for you.
Even the few African-Americans who are working, are having their hours cut by
white worksite foreman, who are showing blatant favortism to their relatives. Nepotism has long shut African-Americans out of the skilled trade unions and nepotism is rearing its ugly head now at construction sites, during the worst economic down-turn since the great depression.
The “Measuring the Movement” was excellent and educational “must see TV” for all Americans, irrespective of race or ethnicity. Your handling of the panels was superb, especially your insistence on making all the panelists commit to measurable outcomes in their respective areas.
It would have been great, in that context of hold the panelists accountable for measurable outcomes,to hear how the Democratic panelists would have handled this issue, because I believe that they are frightened of the unions.
It would have been equally informative to hear how the Republican panelists would have handled this issue, because their intervention would not conflict with their political philosophy.
Republicans could help African-American people in this area and gain significant political traction on this issue, by doing so, but they are, as always, oblivious to opportunities to become credible to African-Americans, except through whinning about black leadership not meeting the GOP halfway. I am a former black Republican, so I know from first hand experience, about which I speak.
Civil rights leadership needs to apply much greater pressure on the unions and the building trades to open up their ranks. Otherwise, the suggestion by Urban League President Marc Morial to have federal stimulus dollars sent to Mayors and Governors and not just to Governors, will not produce signficant job creation for African-Americans. Most big city mayors are Democrats and Democrats are finacially beholden to unions.
For this reason, the absence of any discussion concerning African-Americans and the building trades was a missed opportunity during “Measuring the Movement” which I hope can be cured somewhat on a future episode of ”
Washington Watch.” Progressives inside the labor movement realize that the future of American organized labor rests in part on their ability to effectively organize in communities of color.
I am African-American and was raised during a time when Walter Reuther, A. Philip Randolph and John L. Lewis were admired in my home, almost as much as Dr. King, Malcolm X, the NAACP, SNCC , SCLC, the Urban League, CORE, Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglass and W.E.B. DuBois.
It is long past time for Civil Rights leadership and the national media to fully engage this issue, which relates directly to jobs and African-american unemployment.
I want too know what is congress and the economic panel going too do about summer programs for these kids too rebuild there self esteem and the economy and too keep our young off the street during summer months also i would like too say if someone woould look into the summeer program of the 70’s and 80’s they would see how much kid really like going too work and making there own money now that they have takin that away our children are just lost with know where too go but the streets so please the next time you see al sharpton would please ask him about the summer program for the 14-18 kids cause i really think this is wat our problem is for our children i raised 5 kids alone and all have a work ethic ability because i told them they need too learn a skill and they all started out with a paper route and now they all have a sense of what workin can do for them and there children. thank you mrs.morgan
i’m from chicago and rockford, il and i think if we want this we can make it happen so please let me know how this can work
I would like to purchase the “Believe” video of President Obamas’ campaign that you showed on your show previously.
Secondly, of the 40 million Blacks who are not able to vote; it is because of racial profiling, jailed with felony charges, left on the record, purposely to prevent Blacks from their “right to vote”. Jails have been built since the March on Washington quietly and Bill Clinton the first republican/democratic president built more jails during his presidency than any president since Nixon,Bush,Reagan,Bush,and Clinton. Yet schools have no money for rebuilding. Public housing was torn down with the intent of causing “homelessness” and it did. For thirty years since the civil rights act, Blacks were driven out of employment, even the unions did not help, we got our holiday but we are paying for it in a backlash of depression; The jails are privately owned so that they do not come within governmental discretion. You think water boarding was just done to foreigners? Economically, each prisoner yeilds the slave owner about $50,000 per inmate that is more than they would earn if allowed to be free men and women.Three strike laws with beefed up felony charges, even if reduced to misdemeanor sentences, are left on the record to prevent voting rights, employment etc. it serves as a dishonorable discharge or worse.Say someone is caught with a weapon, the book is thrown at them, and in court the charges are reduced to a fine. The felong charges remain on the record, not the reduced charges which serves to eliminate Dr Kings’ efforts that led to his death, for Blacks to have the leverage with a right to vote. The second amendment that a “whiteman shall own his “servants,” etc should be challenged and eradicated.
I would like to purchase the “Believe” video of President Obamas’ campaign that you showed on your show previously.
Secondly, of the 40 million Blacks who are not able to vote; it is because of racial profiling, jailed with felony charges, left on the record, purposely to prevent Blacks from their “right to vote”. Jails have been built since the March on Washington quietly and Bill Clinton the first republican/democratic president built more jails during his presidency than any president since Nixon,Bush,Reagan,Bush,and Clinton. Yet schools have no money for rebuilding. Public housing was torn down with the intent of causing “homelessness” and it did. For thirty years since the civil rights act, Blacks were driven out of employment, even the unions did not help, we got our holiday but we are paying for it in a backlash of depression; The jails are privately owned so that they do not come within governmental discretion. You think water boarding was just done to foreigners? Economically, each prisoner yeilds the slave owner about $50,000 per inmate that is more than they would earn if allowed to be free men and women.Three strike laws with beefed up felony charges, even if reduced to misdemeanor sentences, are left on the record to prevent voting rights, employment etc. it serves as a dishonorable discharge or worse.Say someone is caught with a weapon, the book is thrown at them, and in court the charges are reduced to a fine. The felony charges remain on the record, not the reduced charges which serves to eliminate Dr Kings’ efforts that led to his death, for Blacks to have the leverage with a right to vote. The second amendment that a “whiteman shall own his “servants,” etc should be challenged and eradicated.
I would like to purchase the “Believe” video of President Obamas’ campaign that you showed on your show previously.
Secondly, of the 40 million Blacks who are not able to vote; it is because of racial profiling, jailed with felony charges, left on the record, purposely to prevent Blacks from their “right to vote”. Jails have been built since the March on Washington quietly and Bill Clinton the first republican/democratic president built more jails during his presidency than any president since Nixon,Bush,Reagan,Bush,and Clinton. Yet schools have no money for rebuilding. Public housing was torn down with the intent of causing “homelessness” and it did. For thirty years since the civil rights act, Blacks were driven out of employment, even the unions did not help, we got our holiday but we are paying for it in a backlash of depression; The jails are privately owned so that they do not come within governmental discretion. You think water boarding was just done to foreigners? Economically, each prisoner yeilds the slave owner about $50,000 per inmate that is more than they would earn if allowed to be free men and women.Three strike laws with beefed up felony charges, even if reduced to misdemeanor sentences, are left on the record to prevent voting rights, employment etc. it serves as a dishonorable discharge or worse.Say someone is caught with a weapon, the book is thrown at them, and in court the charges are reduced to a fine. The felony charges remain on the record, not the reduced charges which serves to eliminate Dr Kings’ efforts that led to his death, for Blacks to have the leverage with a right to vote. The second amendment that a “whiteman shall own his “servants,” etc should be challenged and eradicated. Los Angeles,CA
Why do you use the label “African-American” instead of BLACK? And when did you start using the label African-American? “Black Entertainment Television” has been using Black since its inception 30 years ago and “Black Enterprise” magazine for the past 40 years. You graduated in 1987, that label wasn’t even out then. Why did YOU change up and when?
Tracey Jones
Hello Roland! I am a public school teacher in Philadelphia. Mayor Nutter of Philadelphia was on your panel. The issues presented in Mesuring the Movement are a reality in the city of Philadelphia. My current school located in South Philly is being shut down; therefore, we have to move to another location that has a very bad reputaion for a disruptive learning enviornment not conducive to a good education. The only positive thing about the school is that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. presented one of his greatest speeches “Learn baby Learn, so you can Earn baby Earn” I’m holding on to that legacy for my self and my students. I will have a positive attitude and will to continue to give back. However, we now hold programs such as Dream Academy at our current location along with other programs to help with our youth and community that were presented on your panel. My spirit is broken because of the move. The current building is one of the oldest schools in Philadelphia. They will shut it down to sell and turn into high price condos and force our children to walk blocks away from home when a school could be remodeled like the homes in the neighborhood. The community is changing over to great places to live without schools for our children to attend-leading to houses our people can’t afford. We spend money on jails with central air for criminals but provide broken down schools for our children with mold, mildew, abestos, boarded up windows with little air, and falling down roofs. What was mayor Nutter’s pledge to his city? Higher taxes on soda and pay for trash pick up? Yet city workers use tax money to drive to work everday in municipal vehicles on a daily basis including all departments. My concern is, why do we always have to make good things out of bad things. Why can’t we at least have a silver spoon with our schools being new and our neighborhoods being just as good. They say they put a “band-aid” on our issues, instead of solving them or preventing them. I’m surprised that your panel had a city official that has issues in his city that leaves our youth and communities without a voice. So, I’ll be silent and hope for the dream to come true beginning with my forced transfer to a school that does carry a legacy but will live without a voice to sing. Do we have a voice? What can be done?
Roland,
Why are we not talking about the “Achievement Gap” which should be at the top of the list of conversations. The truth is we talk all around it, and this is the most serious of matters for our young people.
I did some research on the Achievement Gap data in California schools. African American students across the board from grade 2-6 API test scores were 160 points less than white students in those same grades.
Do you want to know what is wrong with our children in high school, Elementary school. Elementary school is the foundation in the building of an education and our children are not getting a foundation.
We say it is a parent issue, then we say it takes a village to raise a child. Which one is, cause we need to decide and either stop talking about whats wrong because we can not change it or get busy being village.
I am currently working here in Oakland with an organization that is going into our elementary and middle schools (mostly retired or semi-retired Black men) supporting, teachers, administrators, but most of all supporting our children. The work is powerful and has great potential in helping to shape the academic success of our children.
This is my truth “knowledge is power, and it is not smart to be stupid.” We must show up to have the lives we deserve we need knowledge and this is not currently happening well before middle or high school.
I have to talked to too many people who have no idea what the “Achievement Gap” is and how it is playing out for our children. The world we live in requires test taking, our children can do anything that we can instill as belief in them.
I know that they say “ignorance is bliss”, but the truth is ignorance is only blissful, for the one who is not ignorant.
Continue to BE a blessing, as proof that you ARE blessed.
Hi Roland-Will u pls call out AZ officials?Pls remind them that being white doesn’t make u more of an American. We r a nation of immigrants. I wonder if they r going to track how many white people get stopped because they appear to be Irish or Italian.PLs have them clarify reasonable suspicion. Does the hispanics in AZ walk aroundin ponchos and somberos and even if they did,is that really a legit reason to stop someone? I feel sorry for the poor souls who still take pride in their heritage.
My question is regarding the Immigration Issue stemming from the passing of the Arizona Bill. We have heard the President say that he is the President of all people and not really wanting to get stuck on an issue for one particular race, so how does he plan to address the immigration issue because he has already spoke out against it publically? For whatever reason, the hispanics always seem to be willing to take to the streets to challenge something that they feel affects their people. We as blacks should take note of this. I personally don’t plan to help boycott or protest, but to those who do, I suggest you make your signs to address the particular issues regarding blacks. There is a underlying message here, it is not just a group of people worried about being asked for papers, it is the need for a race of people to make their presence in this country stronger to the point to where their vocies become crucial in the law making that will be passed and we will be obliged to abide by. So please don’t get caught up in the emotions, but take the opportunity to mobilize and have your voices heard. When you look at things like this, at first it just seems like people doing the right thing, but I don’t see them addressing it from a stand point of all people, just people of hispanic background. What other race of people can selectively pick what laws they will abide by and be catered too in the process? Hispanics think that just because the Mexican government does not take care of their citizens, that if they make it across the border that they should be able to stay, get jobs, raise families, and everything is ok? No consequenses? If they ask and receive amnesty this time after we were told the last time that it would never happen again, I say we grant amnesty to every black man incarerated for selling drugs in the 80s. If he was only selling drugs because he had went on several interviews and was never hired, then what else was he to do? He was only selling a product to someone who wanted it, and he was selling it because he wanted to eat and take care of his family. Sounds crazy? Well, it’s exactly the excuse the Hispanics are using to justify why illegal aliens should be allowed to stay. I don’t care how difficult it is, those who are here illegally should be deported and not given one chance to become a citizen. History does and will repeat it’s self, and I don’t know about the rest of you, but I already experienced life under the control of a majority race, and I don’t care to go back to that era. So we must stay on the President and other elected Officials that to keep what’s best for ALL AMERICAN citizens, not just a group who is the fastest growing nationality in this country because I am not looking forward to nor do I want to become an extension of Mexico. To those who say oh! that won’t happen, look around you at everything else they said wouldn’t happen, because if your not careful, it does happen!
I am see Arican Americans supporting Latinos on this immigration issue. It is no secret that Latinos do not like black folks,I understand that this dose not apply to all of them. But the majority of them will tell you if ask how they feel about African Americans. Although I dont agree with the law in Arizona,but there is this clandestine part of me that relish in the fact that latinos are subject to the same racisms from white folks that the black people indure daily. Maybe this will be a wake up call for latinos and there negative attitudes towards Afican Americans;you see in the eyes of white racist you are no better than US!!!!
I am confused when I see Arican Americans supporting Latinos on this immigration issue. It is no secret that Latinos do not like black folks,I understand that this dose not apply to all of them. But the majority of them will tell you if ask how they feel about African Americans. Although I dont agree with the law in Arizona,but there is this clandestine part of me that relish in the fact that latinos are subject to the same racisms from white folks that the black people endure daily. Maybe this will be a wake up call for latinos and there negative attitudes towards Afican Americans;you see in the eyes of white racist you are no better than US!!!!
In terms of the ‘reform’ of wall street, has any thought be given to revamping the rating agencies like – Moody’s etc., since they are not neutral and a rating can be influenced.
Roland,
I ask that you please discuss the Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell Repeal Movement that is going on as fervently as the Immigration Reform Movement. It affects Black people who are serving and who desire to serve in the military, gay or not. It is an issue of equal treatment.
I’d like to know where can I get
that info that Smokey Fontaine mentioned on the 5/2 show. It was
about getting a website started with
a certain point of view. Or, a site
that motivates people?
Thanks.
Mrs Sandar Bullock owes Blacks in america an explanation because her husband had an affair with a woman with visible racist symbols after they adopted their black son. Then Mr.George Lopez’s wife made a comment on E last night that his nick name is LBG while putting the peace sign up. Now either I’am to sensitive or you tell me because I Hope that adopting black kids is not the new legal slavery, because if they wanted to help black kids they would offer help in youth community development, youth jobs in building better communites and so on.
Mr Martin,
I’d like to know why when there are all these different “State of Black Americas,” there isn’t more emphasis put on personal finance. You see, I’m not saying all these symposiums are not needed, I just don’t think there is enough emphasis put on the right thing – personal finance. We constantly talk about how much money we spend as Black people, but no one spends enough time telling Black people about how to take care and keep more of the money they earn. There is never any talk about investing in stocks or real estate. Mr. Martin, I’m three years new to investing and I’m convinced if someone took the time to show the common working class Black people how their money can increase exponentially in the market, as opposed to incrementally in the bank, many of our problems will start to be resolved. Let’s face it, the majority of our issues are money related. When we speak about supporting businesses in our neighborhoods, most people are only concerned with how does that benefit them. We don’t support the businesses in our neighborhoods because due to the tax base, they are usually of a lower quality than we like. If people are taught and encouraged to seek the services of a good financial adviser so that they can save and grow their money, perhaps our property values increase as we now have more money to make improvements. Our tax base increases and better quality businesses move into the neighborhoods because now there is a base to support it. I could go on but I think you might get my drift by now. Besides, this is so long you probably won’t read it anyway. Mr. Martin, I do believe that if more emphasis is put on personal finance, It’s not going to matter as much who is in the White House, Congress or the Senate. Keep up the good work.
Watching your show 5/9, while talking to the guy who interviewed black college students, you kept going back to the word ‘illegal’ immigrants when talking about the students concern for future employment. You are missing one very important point, the illegals don’t necessarily affect graduates, it’s the LEGAL ones that are taking our jobs – especially in IT. The government keeps allowing more and more H1B visas and they are taking our IT and engineering jobs and driving down our salaries.
The companies tell the gov that they can’t find qualified Americans for these positions, that may be somewhat true because they have been hiring them for years and trainig them on the leading edge technologies, and giving them the oppt. to get tenure in these technologies.
Also, with all of the terrorism that this country claims they are so worried about, how come they give them access to so much important data stored in databases, don’t they realize the danger that places us in. But all to save a few dollars, which by the way, the Indians send their money back home, the only thing they spend money on here is real estate, taking our land as well.
They use the minority business grants and aid to start up IT recruiting companies, and then don’t even hire, or submit Americans for hire, to their clients. And I have had to interview with some hiring managers, who could barely speak english to interview me.
Roland, this is an important issue and the president needs to address it. The graduates will find it hard if they are in these majors, I hold a Masters in IT, and years of experience not necessarily in the newest technologies cuz I can’t get it, trained, but cant get the jobs, and it’s very hard for me. Some blacks that I know who have been in IT for years have given up and had to start over doing something else, which cuts their pay.
The whole world is run on technology, and if we cant get the experience, we will be left behind.
HELP ME PLEASE im about to lose my home i ca’nt pay my property taxes i need to know what i can do to keep this from heppening im waiting on disability and i have a 17 year old daugter my # is 770 513 3610 email spirit1257@yahoo.com
Roland,
Short & Sweet,I would love for you to come out to our college campus in enlighten our students on current events and how decesions are being made from the federal to local levels today!! I want the youths to know how the impact,these decesions will have on their tomarrows. I would also like to discuss bigger issues, on how communities can work together in PRODUCE!! their own energy resources, to know the real difference in consuming everything and producing nothing. This is one of the biggest problem that plaques our communities. I look forward to chatting with you soon!! Thanks Roland for the space to share… pealuvcmon@yahoo.com
Why hasn’t the Obama administration made the voting rights act permanent and why he hasn’t given the black farmers their settlement money yet? And why do people who are against the Arizona immigration law liken to Nazi Germany and haven’t read the bill to fully know what’s in it?
Today there are many black politicians and black women that are angry because Obama didn’t nominate a black woman or man to the u.s. supreme court.
Why?
when many of you just a year ago had a serious problem with
BLACK ARTISTS ASSOCIATION NYC asking Mrs. Obama why she refused to wear clothing made by black designers or to support young at risk black kids entering fashion design during the first 100 days of the Obama administration?
Many of you told BLACK ARTISTS ASSOCIATION “Mrs. Obama can wear what she wants.”
Well… Mr. Obama can nominate any woman he feels like. and he chose to nominate a white woman, just as Mrs. Obama chose to wear a asian, latino and white designer the first 100 days of the Obama administration.
SO WHY ARE YOU COMPLAINING?
FYI: A black designer is not in the Smithsonian Museum being honored for dressing the first black first lady, Jason Wu is.
HISTORY: For 232 years all white american presidents with all white first ladies have been dressed by all white designers, save for Mrs. Kennedy’s wedding dress being designed by a black woman.
It took a white first lady to give a black designer that honor at The White house which was built by slaves.
And according to AM NY newspaper it took Black Artists Association efforts to get Mrs. Obama to wear african-american designer Tracey Reese for the first time.
The newspaper reported: “for the first time in White House history, an african-american designer has found her way into the White House closets thanks to the outrage at Black Artists Association NYC.”…
MORE HISTORY: Because Black Artists Association chose to inform the public about these fashion facts
BAA was met with death threats from black people and media lynched by every black blog, magazine, newspaper etc…
Now… today, these same black voices are asking why “Mr. Obama did not nonminate a black woman or man to the supreme court?” how sad is that?
Because of this sad fact, is why Black Artists Association will continue to help the black community in any way that we can.
I don’t understand what the big deal is about the nonminating a black woman because to me if you hire a black person it like hiring a white person with dark skin. look at roland and guest if you close your eyes and just listen to the show you like they were all white.
you would think they were all white
I AGREE WITH TENAY//////
Most BLACK middle class capitalists has learned the OPRAH MODEL for success. That is appeal to the whites – they have the money and will support your success – Blacks rarely support our businesses and do not provide the large advertising dollars that whites do.
Roland want to go to CNN. He must appeal to whites in order to accomplish this. WENDY WILLIAMS, WANDA SYKES, etc. are some examples. THE TERM FOR THIS IS WHITEWASHED.
Middle class BLACKS must be POLITICALLY CORRECT to succeed. This political middle ground is what OBAMA must appeal to as well.
BET’s success with WHITES, especially men is the jiggle videos of black women, this is the same in LATINO TV.
TV ONE does not have this appeal. their viewership is mostly BLACK with lower viewers. Economically Blacks do have the disposable income for luxury
added cable programs. WE LOVE TV ONE AND SUPPORT THEM HOWEVER WE CAN.
The lower class BLACKS – rappers, hip hop – are independent CAPITALISTS. THEY HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE SO THEY HAVE BECOME SUCCESSFUL ALL OVER THE WORLD. I CALL THEIR MUSIC TRUTH MUSIC. THEY TELL IT LIKE IT IS. I SUPPORT THEM AS WELL
This morning before I went to church, I got a little of your show, I’m glad to see you with this show, as wish you success. This MOrning V. Jarrett, very smart lady,I thank he know what he is doing, no one would ever know what was in the other choices file that they will open them up to Scrutinay, we can sit and whine and complaint, no one know what would have hurt the other choices, Roland do you Remember the President Picked a Black Transportation Seccretary,he couldn’t take the Scrutinay he bailed, mind you that was the first and then he replaced the second Nominee he bailed on the President,how many Black’s would have gone through what Sotomayor went through, do you see what this Nominee is going through now, being called all sorts of names, we can sit and whine,talk is cheap,you see what this lady is facing and it not pretty, which is wrong, the things we don’t get the facts we just know that we are entitle.
Another thing we whine about what the President not doing, where are the Black leaders, and the Senators and the State Governors, this President did what he said he was going to do,why they are not putting the Pressure where it should be, they State Governor,find out where money have gone, are they still in fear of the white man, and another thing, what are doing for ourselves? Roland,you know about this Gulf Mess, you see all kinds of People trying to invent or come up with ideal on how to get rid of the Oil Mess, who do we see (Poor Unemployed white male)Where is our (Poor Unemployed Black Male)? NOt one. Now someone is going to hit the Jackpot. I have three sons one who spent 8 yrs. in the Military, one who spent 3 yrs. in Prison for drugs and I would say is sort of lazy looking for a big money job,the money that was in prison don’t shy away from work, he have a little Car wash, business, he got a contract with the Car dealer and Military son have been working since he got out of the Military and he’getting ready to go back to school. One son that’s looking for a Big Paying Job is still unemployed, my mother always told me a baby have to crawl before he walk, but one thing he did agree with me on that we don’t see one Black trying to invent anything. Roland we need to help ourselves,and the Analyst need to get out and do they home work and Challenge some of these people, who can’t find a job. Roland back in 1998 I went from making 21.00 an hr., to 6.00 an hr. doing hard work, working with the handicap, which some are very mean people, but I needed a job,My faith kept me going, my friend called me one got me another job in the field I use to work Aerospace Inspector for the Gov., for yrs., I couldn’t find a job, so I took what could get. The President is everybody President, not just the black or hispanic, it kind of anger me, put the Criticism where it belone to the black leaders and they governors and senators, and what stay’s on our people and the white and hispanics, vote knowing he is doing everything he can, it took 8 yrs., to get in this mess and it will take more then 15 Mos., to get out of it., where was all this whining when Bush was in the seat, we just went along with the music no complaints, now we have a President (Black)and all we do is whine, we worse then these Racist Morons, we liked it when Louis Farrakhan spoke. We Destroy ourselves
Roland,
I really enjoy the re-airing of the program on Monday mornings. I am an early bird and like coffee, morning inspiration and my morning news especially when I can get it from a Martin perspective. It helps to balance my morning and counteract the Morning Joe talking heads.
This is a good step in the right direction for TV One! We need more informative programming that represents our perspective.
As an entrepreneur, husband and father of three school aged children, I delight in intelligent and informative programming from an African American prospective to start my day. It is necessary for so many reasons and will help to define and reinforce a mission of purpose and goals for many communities in peril.
Congratulations to you and the TV One family for hearing the heartbeat of our communities and being a part of our lifeline. Keep the beat!
Warm regards,
V.WADE
The DEAth and Dying of our young African Ameriacn Men, by violence and crime and the neglect of our Afican American Women is our greatest delemna and crisis as a people. Can We, through the media, which is so powerful, launch a nation wide campaign that is targeted at young Black men and women? A campaign that will say to them that we love them and we want to see them around and productive next week! Let’s start ridiculing the drug dealers and gang leaders and their stupid punkish followers and “wannabees”. Let’s start ostraciizing them with the powerful use and potency of the media. We must stop glamorizing and making the behavior of drug and gang affiliation behavior,as an attractively yet infamous appeal. We need to call these fools that kill innocent babies children “fools and legions of satan and modern day “Uncle Tom” agents of the e Klu- Klux Klan. We need now to send a message, now and forever, that “Drive By’s” are done by stinking and slimy cowards and weak “little tatooed boys”. Men face and fight their enemies —Face to Face!.—Not moving in a fast moving car at 30- to 40 miles per hour!
Keep up the good work Roland!…but help us Also–by the use of the power of media—make the imagery and the glamour of “American Gangster” a stupid self-genocide mischaracterization of the power of our people..—The pervasive and powerful media is the best and most formidable weapon we have in our arsenal for self development, definement- and physical and cultural preservation —today! and that is a fact!…May God continue to Bless You and Yours gracefully and abundantly!
Your Friend and Comrade— in our Struggle for Knowledge/Truth, self-and cultural Preservation and spiritual Righteousness! Harry S. Eure–Omaha, NE
The Nike Air Max Air Tailwind dropped this weekend at House of Hoops locations in three bright colors: red, yellow and blue. The performance support system found in the upper of the original Air Tuned Max models put a lifestyle twist on performance models, and it has been applied to several Nike Basketball shoes including the Air B Huarache. Individual shots of the pack after the jump.
Please address the notion that the President has not shown enough emotion or anger during this BP crisis. I’m glad he hasn’t fallen into the trap because you know as soon as he shows the least amount of anger, he’d be labeled an angry black man. The media would be saying “why is he so angry”?
Today your panel & you, like most analysts all parrot the same response. The president is not angry enuf; not “give ‘em hell” enuf. The president hasn’t been able to fend off or ward off critics since he was elected. He is either naive, not smart enuf or not engaged enuf to handle these situations. Are you all disillusioned
HC supporters or just unaware of the President’s job and schedule? One thing our community can do right now is quit worrying about what the president is doing and more about getting educated so we can handle high tech jobs in the Cities. These are the ONLY jobs left in the USA.
I agree with you claudia.Roland and his crew think they are entertaining.
THEY ARE AN INSULT TO TRUE JOURNALISM IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY. We are ashamed of them – not the president.
@Claudia Thomas,
This post is specific to your comment about Blacks need to “quit worrying about what the president is doing and more about getting educated so we can handle high tech jobs in the cities.” Implicit in that comment is the fallacious belief that all Blacks have to do is get an education and all is well. while I agree with you that we should focus on education, however, if your comment was maeant to assert that the reason for the disproportionate Black unemployment is Blacks are not qualified for high tech jobs, or whatever, then I’m sorry but I have to disagree with you respectfully.
That kite just isn’t going to fly anymore within an informed discussion. The hundreds of thousands of Blacks who are unemployed are so not because they aren’t qualified, but due to racial discrimination. We need a public policy aimed at ending this injustice, begining with the enforcement of Civil Rights laws that many Blacks died and went to jail for a generation or so ago. Some are still in jail for their efforts on our behalf. And while some Blacks are apparently all too willing to accept a deficit (Black inferiority model) to explain the conditions in our community, those who study and keep up with the facts know better and are not in “denial,” or “rationalizing” our way to our own doom.
Politicians work for the people. They are servants of the people, they are not idols to be worshiped. People who live in dictatorships are taught to worship a “Dear Leader” as a God. In this country, we vote for representatives in government and if we are responsible, we demand that they do their jobs whom ever they are, just as we must do ours where ever we might work or get fired. When we fail to hold ALL elected officals accountable, we end up paying a dear price as we are now by not demanding policies to remedy the inhuman conditions in our communities. This affects all of us because if if things continue to get worse as they now are, none of us will be able to come outside this summer. In some communties it is already that way.
It is time for us to grow up and become responsible, more community minded, and stop hiding behind false victories as a means of feeling better about our personal selves, while showing no love, altruism, or emphaty for the millions of people on our own level with whom we must interact with on a daily basis. These people are our brothers and sisters, cousins, uncles and aunts, friends and neighorbors. When did we stop caring about them?
I respect your oppinion, but I disagree and wish you would become more informed in these serious times.
Why has the prison idustrial complex received so little of the spotlight when it is the question of the 21st century? Why are prison incarcerating so many of us and why is it now private enterprise? What impact does it have on today’s society? Please answer,directly,these questions, if you can. Cordially, Valerie Fair
Another question!
Who is making money in the prison industrial complex?
@Valerie:
I don’t know whether your question was directed at me or not. But since I often post comments specific to the topic you asked about, I hope you don’t mind if I interject my understanding of the matter. Given the intelligent nature of your questions and the manner in which you framed them, I suspect you already know a great deal about the subject.
You are correct in stating that the prison industrial complex is the question of the 21st Century. It should have been the question (issue) of the 20th Century. There are two primary reasons that it, in my view, is receiving so little attention: (1)it is a stealth public policy that is being carried out against African Americans disguised as fighting crime, when in fact its purpose is to enact slave-like control over Black people. So why would anyone expect the mainstream media to tell them that? (2) Mainstream Civil Rights organizations have not emphasized it enough within their own agenda priorities. Sure we get the occasional high profile cases of brutality, but there has been no sustained mobilization around the systemic nature of the problem. Or its effects of producing a legalized caste condition upon Black people, mostly men, but increasingly woman, into perpetual exlusion from society in terms of their ability to lead normal productive lives; become employed, have families (be responsible fathers), vote, benefit from college grants, access housing, or even public aid until they can get on their feet, etc. These legal and societal sanctioned policies, which are driven by racism, creates a vicous cycle which leads them in most cases quickly back into prison. The system marks them for life, which common sense informs us is its intent.
For more detailed information on this topic, I refer you to what is an excellently researched and scholarly book by Michelle Alexander– “The New Jim Crow: Mass Inceration in the Age of Colorblindness.” It is perhaps the best
source available in a long time that informs the reader of the specific POLICIES involved in this devestating evil against the African American communities as well as the political orgin, cover, and motivation of the deliberate process. Its cover is the so-called “War on Drugs,” its motive is racism and returning its victims to the Jim Crow/slavery status.
Another source of information on this not enough discussed topic is the Justice Policy Institute(JPI) website. There you can find a range of information on the flawed strategies and funding priorities for this national policy of mass incarceration. What is interesting, and immediately becomes clear, is the policy makers are fully aware that the continuous dumping of billions of dollars into the current approach does not prevent crime. Instead the current approach of building more jails while closing schools and vital social service programs only makes the problem worse.
Another factor, in fact a key one, in the mass incarceration process is mass unemployment. Read the JPI’s discussion about what it was told upon questioning the increased billion of dollars for mass incarceration (new prisons, publicly and privately owned) in the 2010 and 2011 National budgets. ANALYZE what is the meaning of the JPI being told that new prisons were needed BECAUSE of the massive UNEMPLOYMENT situation.
Then ANALYZE the fact that nothing is being done to decrease unemployment in the African American communties. Then ask yourself what is the relationship between new prisons to accomodate the unemployed while nothing is being done to decrease unemployment. And in case there is some “denial” in your mind, particularly in this age of celebrity worshipping, remember that the RELATIONSHIP between the two (prison and unemployment) is already known by the policy makers own admission!!!!
All this is going on in the age of “colorblindness” and “post-racial society,” this and that. While we celebrate and point fingers at each other as being the cause.
In terms of those who benefit from the destruction of Black families and communities via mass unemployment=mass incarceration, they are everyone whose living and racist personality needs are associated with and based upon it: jail keepers, contractors, all-white communities where prison provides jobs, etc. I have other observations that I’ll keep to myself at present.
In closing, if you go to the website Voxunion. com, you will see a heading :”African or American and the new Jim Crow.” click on “Read more.” Then listen to the interview. In it, one of the two sisters being interviewd is the author of the book listed above, Michelle Alexander, she explains the details much better than I have, or can. Also while you are there, watch the featured video “The end of poverty,” but hurry because I think they change the format weekly.
After having done that, listened to the interview, and read the book, you then have the responsibility to share information with others. That’s how this issue can receive the critical attention it needs. If you are going to post on this site, it is best to use one of the permanent pages, because the others are usually covered up quickly by freshman level “trolling” about what amounts to nothing.
@Karla:
Your point was powerful. Thanks for the compliments. However, do not respond to any more freshman level trolling.
@Those who refuse to understand.
All the talk about how Black enterainers, etc., with money can save our communities is unrealistic. If you take all the Black entertainers in this country and summed their “wealth” against the problem, we wouldn’t get pass the starting gate. Even if they were of the mind-set to help the community, as some of them are.
Oprah has about one $1 billion, it is alledged, Bob Johnson has another, Tyler Perry has closed to $ 1 billion, some others have several $ million, and they could help some, there’s no question about that. If we paid taxes to them they could help more.
But we need at least $500 million to provide summer jobs for our youth TODAY, to keep them out of trouble. We need no less than $150 BILLION to put the adults back to work. Another $10 to $15 BILLION to train those who need training for jobs. Another $5 BILLION to $6 BILLION to upgrade the infrastructure of schools, upgrade facilities, put computers on our children’s desk like other children have, etc.
That kind of money is not available to us from our “made it” folks, even if they wanted to serve in that capacity. There is no way that can happen without PUBLIC POLICY interventions. There is now way that can happen without our “due.” Why are we so reluctant to request that our tax dollars be returned to us for betterment like everyone else in this country? What is wrong with us, that makes us think that we are undesevring of fairness? That makes us think magically. That makes us front off about what we have, when every scientific study, from every direction, informs us that in the final analysis, we do not have a pot to ……….cook peas in.
First of all great show and you are a hustler. Im only 30 so most would think i probably dont know much but i know the truth and i would like a meadian to speak it is there any way you can help a young brother do what you do maybe on a smaller scale. I want to say the things that need to be said.The media will only allow you to speak but so frankly and I know theres other responces you would like to give as a black man so how can i accomplish what i trying to do. Please help im willing to work hard and take criticism. Black people need to stop lyng to thereselfs. White people need to stop lying to us. I want to expose the lies.
I just wanted to know when will Warren Ballentine be on Washington Watch (at least as a part of the weekly panel sometimes)? I’ve seen Joe Madison on there several times, but I NEVER see Warren Ballentine. What’s up with that?
You keep thinking that If racial discrimination goes away blacks will get jobs. That just isn’t so. While people who make their living telling us it’s racial discrimination, continue to agree with this premise. Meanwhile, you better check the stats. most blacks & browns don’t finish high school at least a major portion do not. They’ll never be really employed and that’s the truth Ruth. As for the Prisons, I guess we can give up getting to boys before jail. Maybe we should concentrate on getting them a GED so they’ll have something when they get out. Many say you cannot help a person unless they want to be helped. When blacks see their general overall wealth go up, then perhaps we can start work on getting Black Senators, who make policy in the US.
Why is it that term “post-racial” has come into use after the election of a Black President. I am amazed to see that some groups now see the U.S. as being “post-racial”, when I as a Black man know better. To them it may be the end, but for us it’s just the beginning. I seriously hope that people don’t believe we are all of a sudden living in a post-racial society and everything is “all good” now that we have a black president. The U.S.A’s #1 underlying problem has been “race”, and will continue to be our “skeleton in the closet” until there is serious discussion. So the term “post-racial” should only be used in the context of the U.S.’s future, not it’s present.
Anticipating the report next week; I’m all for helping our neighbors, brothers, and sisters–but how many times do we keep digging out a region built on sinking sand? It’s a mistake to build a port city 4 feet below sea level, and it’s a mistake to build a state economy on digging a mile deep in the ocean for an environmentally dangerous fuel source. The baseline infrastructure issues need to be addressed.
Now we’re mad at the President whether he allows business as usual which created this disaster or if he asks for a moratorium until we can figure out how to proceed safely? We keep arguing over the same old no-win energy scenarios.
Let’s begin to hold our President accountable for leading us to energy which improves our national defense, balance of trade, job creation, and environment. We ALL have to sacrifice to gain the benefits of domestically produced renewable energy for future generations. Before pointing at the President, let’s make sure we’ve looked in the mirror and are doing our part.
Happy Fathers’ Day To All Fathers. If you’re blessed enough to have had all the love you’ve given through-out the years returned as I was today, then you must be Happy indeed. It is always good to be loved back, whether it’s famliy, or politics.
As I enjoyed my love returned, I could not help but think of those less fortunate than I have been thus far. I thought about the men, who over the years, I have seen cry real tears from their souls because they could not support their families. Some of them well trained in their fields, but who were / are being deprived of opportunities because of their race. Some of them were not so well educated in the pure academic sense. But were able bodied and willing to push wheel barrows and pour concrete on construction sites and work machinery in factories, etc. Fields where countless thousands of jobs exist and will continue to exist where no advanced academic skills are required. Where training requirements are met via on the job processes. There are many thousands more such jobs. But they are deprived of these jobs. Instead, these jobs are given to others, who not only do not speak English, but in most cases never finished 8th grade, and never saw a computer, or even, in some cases, a television before entering this country a day or two before they are hired.
Now, let’s be clear! I’m not angry with them, nor am I blaming them for seeking a better life. Therefore, I’m not blaming them for making themselves available, giving the racists a long sought option to not hire Blacks and still get the needed labor requirements met in order to operate their businesses. Nor am I under any illusion that they are hired over Blacks because they work for “cheaper” wages. They are paid less than whites, but more than Blacks. I’m intimately conversant with the stats in this regard. I know, as I’ve pointed out a number of times, that Blacks on average (as a group) earn less than any other demographic in this country, regardless of type of work or educational attainment levels. (See Personal Income in the United States.)
However, what I do find disturbing is the fact that some Blacks continue to blame other Blacks for the outcome of racism. They never want to examine its impact. Instead, they perilously ignore it and look under every rock to find a loop-hole to deny it, and, are therefore
“fixated” on the faults of each other. But when you control all the institutions that feed information into the brain-computer (the mind) as the practioners of racism do, then you can achieve such feats.
In fact, if you know that some Blacks will accept such brainwashing propaganda from other Blacks more readily than they will from whites, you simply hire Blacks to spread it for you. Thus, for the past forty years we’ve had a group of Blacks, calling themselves “Black conservatives” saturating the air waves telling Blacks that racism is not the problem, that society is “colorblind,” rather it is Blacks own lack of “personal responsibility” that is the problem. Therefore, it is unreasonable to assume, given the omnipresence of the propaganda, that it wouldn’t have an effect on some. Afterall, such Black “pundits” who only comprise about 5% of the Black population have been catapulted to represent over 95% of Blacks on television giving perspectives on matters of race.
A spell has been casted on many Blacks. A spell that causes them to forget in their belief in, and adovacy about, the “deficits” of blacks that when the Civil Rights Movement opened university doors in the 1960s, Black students flooded through those doors. When jobs were opened up, Blacks flooded in. When job training programs became available, the Black poor and unskilled flooded in. But these doors have been and are still being closed. Yes, closed by the same policy makers who hired the conservatives to tell us it is our lack of “personal responsibility” that is the problem. Ask Ward Connely why Black enrollment is down at almost every predominantly white university in the country. Since he likes to talk about the “deficit” of Blacks. Ask him why is he leading a movement to turn back the clock in this regard under the “colorblind” pretense for a sinecure.
Those who have fallen under the spell of these huslers can be identified by their attitudes as expressed in their comments in regards to their defense of racism (whether conscious or unconscious). When one points out that under the guise of a “colorblind” society, the new tactic of racism (New Jim Crow) has “felonized” in some cases up to 3/4 of Black males and thereby placed them in a permanent “caste” status, they will falsely claim that by pointing out that fact, one is suggesting that nothing be done on the child rearing front to prevent this. You see, it’s always the victim’s fault (oh, excuse me, we’re not victims anymore, we’re “survivals” now,’ because, you see, if we consider ourselves “victims” it will immobilize us, even though we have not made or sustained a movement since we had enough sense to know that we were victims). And all that is wrong must be our fault since society is “colorblind,” oh, excuse me again, that’s the old outdated term, the new term for telling the same lie is “post-racial.” So those who are thus mislead never consider that these young men and women are hunted down for felonizing like a hunter does in a stalking sporting game. Only it is not a game but public policy. They never consider that many of these people come from homes where every effort was made to prevent their becoming involved in the felonizing process. And what they REALLY never consider is that regardless, it is wrong to felonize and incarcerate Blacks for what others are not felonized for.
When one speaks of Blacks being discriminated against in access to, and retention in, the job market, they will argue that Blacks are “unqualified.” The same argument that New Jim Crow makes. They will point to the much “ballyhoed” high “drop-out” rates of Blacks. But it will never occur to them that many of these Blacks are not “drop-outs” but “push-outs.” They will never believe me should I inform them that these young people tell me that many school “counselors” encourage them to drop out. It is all part of the felonizing process. Studies inform us that Black children are punished in schools up to 66% greater than others for the same alledged violation of school policies. And are being arrested as young as 5 and 6 years old for things such as “spit ball” fighting and having scissors in their back packs. But these researchers are just whites trying to trick us that racism not only still exists, but is destroying us in the age of post-racialism. And when we are told that that we have lost economic ground with the wealth widing four fold since the Reagan years, its just talk.
So who cares, after all, no Blacks are good, except for one man, so this reasoning goes. Afterall, society is post racial. So it must be the Blacks fault. And here they go bothering the president about jobs with their ole unqualified selves. These people never think that each year, many thousands of qualified young Blacks graduate high school and college. They possess computer skills, math skills, critical thinking and problem solving skills, teamwork and other required social skills. Yet they are refused entry into the job market. In these cases, parents certainly are not blame. Where then should blame reside? The answer is clear–PUBLIC POLICY. Love that has not been returned.
But these are good and decent people. They are people whose values of law abiding hard work have long been the foundation of the African American community. They are simply being mislead. I do not take criticism of them lightly. Most are not dissociative (hysterical) thinking neophytes who can’t understand that political power is not based purely on overall numerical dynamics, but quantum relationships specific to balances. For example, Blacks have elected all Democratic presidents and most senators for years. This occurs when the white vote is split relatively evenly between Dems and Repubs. Moreover, during the recent Health Insurance debate, the votes were so tight during legislative negotiations that one man out of 100 (in this case, one out of sixty, Senator Bill Nelson (D) Nebraska became a powerhouse, demanding all kinds of perks for his state and was granted them. (But I digress.) Most of these good and decent people also know that “justice” does not come before “power.” They know that it is power that brings about justice. They are familiar with the famous Fredrick Douglass quote: “power concedes nothing without a demand, it never did and it never will.” They know that the end to Old Jim Crow did not come BEFORE the Civil Rights movement, but only happened as a result of it. These good and decent people know these things. They are not freshman level trolls.
But what these good and decent people like Claudia Thomas, have forgotten, or, perhaps never understood, is that Old Jim Crow has changed his clothes but not his intent. He has become more finessed in his anti-Black racist behavior. His finesse is manifest in Black unemployment being 60%+ greater than whites’ (and Kevin Banks you were correct–its not O.J. Simpson’s fault. He does not set or enforce public policy). Again, when confronted about his behavior, New Jim Crow (or his sinecurists) say its the Blacks fault because they are unqualified. Despite countless thousands of Blacks being overlooked daily for far less qualified whites. When confronted about the disproportinate numbers of Blacks being felonized, New Jim Crow says they are criminals, despite whites being given passes for far more serious, or the same, legal violations. When confronted about the hundreds of billions of dollars in lost assets spcific to Black home foreclosures (wealth never to be passed on to children and grandchildren), New Jim Crow says they bought more house than they could afford. Despite the fact that Blacks who qualified for prime loans were steered to Subprime loans at rates up to 90% more than whites according to some reports. And even when given prime loans, the Blacks were charged higher interest rates than their credit grades deserved them. Old Jim Crow stood in school house doors with dogs and axe handles. New Jim Crow sends his children to private schools outside of Federal government’s purview, but he still reins over public schools where his axe handle has become under funding, outdated books, and the criminalizing of our babies as young as 5 and 6 for spitball childish pranks, whose history is as old as school itself. Jim Crow’s new lynchman’s noose (although he displays his old noose sometimes for nastalgic sake) has become his lending contracts and prosecutorial decisions, his denying fully qualified Blacks access to the job market, etc. And his hiring of Blacks to spread his message and defend his actions. A slick, high-tech, con game, which takes advantage of Blacks’ deceny and longing to believe that at last racism is over and they have been accepted. A cruel, merciless, ploy indeed. It is so slick it causes some to deny, and, or, ignore the reality of their own life experiences.
New Crow rails against public policy to create jobs. Him, and his zealots, give false council about the “deficit” this and that, as a rationale for their Jim Crow intent. He rails, but yet sneaks to the jar and licks all the Stimulus honey when no one is looking. He rails, but never mentions that when former president Jimmy Carter left office the deficit was about $79 billion. Within one year, Reagan had run it up to over a $ 1 trillion. with tax cuts for the riches of the rich, using a “supply-side” economic theory whose author, David Stockman, has said he proposed it as a joke. The deficit hawk rails, but never mentions that when Bush II took office there was a budget surplus. But when he left 8 years later there was a deficit of over $ 9 trillion. And when confronted, former Vice President Dick Cheney said :”Deficits don’t matter.” And the deficit hawk, he was quiet as a church mouse. As Stevie Wonder sang, and Rev. Joseph Lowery was much criticized by right wingers (Black and White) for paraphrasing at Mrs. Coretta Scott King’s funeral: “Nothing for the old, sick, and poor, but for war there always are billions more.” Why then are Democratic leaders allowing the Tea party and their corporate sponsors to win the ideological war in this regard? More appropriately, why is Black America allowing it to happen? The answers are simple. The tea partyers are the only ones making their voices heard. Secondly, too many African Americans are asleep at the wheel. Blaming each other while expecting the car to drive itself.
Limiting its voice to rediculous claims of “nobody criticized Bush.” When in fact, Bush left office in total disgrace. So much so that he was disinvited from attending his own party’s National Convention in 2008. We need to grow up and accept responsibility to become informed.
We must let all candidates running in the 2010 midterms know that we hold the balance of elective power, and, deficit, or no deficit, we need our needs met. We need jobs for those already trained and skilled (those who have done everything they were asked to do, stayed out of trouble and completed school), we need jobs training and placement for those who for one reason or another were unable to avoid Jim Crow’s new noose. We need an end to Blacks being thrown out of their homes. We need equal funding for all schools. We need complete and measurable follow-up on the proposal to change the “War on Drugs” from a “Criminal Justice” model to a “Public Health” model. That way (when the open hunting season on them is over), our young men can turn into contributing members of their communities (rather than manufactured liabilities)and go to college or trade schools rather than jail and marry our daughters and have families. We need Civil Rights laws enforced, so employers will know that if they discriminate against qualified Blacks they will be punished.
But we can never make these appropriate demands as long as we are misinformed about racism and how it operates in its new suit. We can never make these demands as long as we continue to worship the president rather than follow his leadership. THE PRESIDENT SAID TO STAY INVOLVED. That was good leadership. It is time Black America follows his leadership. And that means not to be sidetracked by being agaisnt anyone, but by being FOR something. If this is not done, the victory we so proudly celebrate will be a pyrrhic victory, a shield behind which Jim Crow hides as he increases his destruction of African Americans under the pretense that a Black president means all racial problems have been solved. The reality of such a set-up is not hard to understand for those who are lucid and informed.
Happy Fathers’ Day.
Jwill7, that was a deep post. Very deep. Black men need jobs. They don’t need people telling them how to be fathers. If these people we elect can’t do their jobs and bring jobs to the black people, we need to let them be what they are trying to be, preachers. Don’t tell my man how to be a father because that’s not what we elected them for. We elected them to bring jobs to us like they did the tea party and Mexicans.
Jwill7, I know you know some of these suck up people who don’t want it dropped like you drop it will be hating on you. Their job is to keep people like you quiet. But keep dropping facts. And if they don’t get invited to a party because they couldn’t shut you up so what.
Thanks Rae williams, I read your post and I’ll try to show my basic writing skills from now on. You are right about that.
@Karla:
Hello, my dear sister. I’ve just had an opportunity to respond to your insightful post. Once more I value your compliments, and I am pleased that you find my ideas worthy of positve feedback.
You are correct in your position that the best way to help a man become a good father is to facilitate his having a job. Let his children wait in the window anticipating his coming home from work as many of us did as young children. Let him reach into his pocket for ice cream money. Let him and mom go five minutes without fussing and fighting about bills to pay with no money. Let him feel worthy about himself as a provider for his family. Then he, and she, can have the peace of mind to focus on keeping their children out of the penitentary. Then, together, they can fight the IMPOSED “youth culture” that prepares their children for the Jim Crow game hunters’jail. And with luck, they might succeed, as many do. Indeed, I agree with you on that point, and any other “solution” is just “signifying” and “playing the dozens.”
However, I must say that I’m somewhat confused by your assertion that someone is “hating” on me. I don’t think anyone on this blog is hating me. Sure I’ve posted some comments that riled certain people; they’ve had their say, and I’ve had mine. There haven’t been any acrimonious responses directed at my comments in quite a while now. And should someone disagree with me, he / she is well within his / her rights to do so. Anytime someone puts an idea into the public sphere, then he /she must be prepared to be either agreed or disagreed with. That’s life.
I hope you’re not talking about my blog-debate friend Rance. I’d hope that it has already been established that she and I are simply disagreeing about ideas, and when all is said and done, we aqgree on more than we disagree about. I HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF RESPECT FOR HER. As I’ve said repeatedly, Black people like her are the foundation of our communities. They demand that our youngsters study hard, that they stay out of trouble, that parents are responsible, etc. All of these are core values of African American culture. So my disagreement with her is not a fundamental one, but one based on a different perspective on what the cause of the problem is.
There are others who propose on this blog that African Americans can go it alone without policy assistance specific to a return on our political and tax dollars investments. They argue that to expect such reciprocity is “begging.” I disagree. I know, as many others know, that every group in this country is sustained in one way or another by governmental assistance, and I’m not even talking about the richest of them all–Wall Street. But the white middle class was created by governmental assistance after World War II. The GI Bill, home loans (by the way that’s when subprime loans were first invented for Blacks only), on and on. In fact, the white middle class is largely sustained today by governmental programs: Medicare, homeowner’s assistance programs, tax filing credits, a recent raise in income qualifying levels for college aid, 98% of all the recent stimulus funds for jobs creation (and over 90% of all jobs created by government over the past thirty or so years)just to name a few.
Also, todays Black middle class mostly work in some governmentally supported capacity: teachers, professors, social workers, municipal workers, and other public sector employees, etc. All of these public sectors are taking unprecedented economic hits. It is for that reason, that people who study these things know that what’s left of the Black middle class is now direly threatened. And the poor have long been forgotten, except for when they become useful political fodder in a “let’s impress whites” game of “signifying” and “playing the dozens.” That is why I have consistently advocated that we get “our due.” If we are going to play the game of politics, then let’s play the game the way it is supposed to be played. That’s all I’m saying. And who is more deserving than us? Afterall, we built the country for free. That is not even debatable! I support the idea of Black self economic reliance 100%! There is NO fundamental disagreement between those taking that position and my own position. But what share of the economy do we have? Plus, it will take time and much effort for most in our community to achieve the cultural concrescence that is necessary to effectuate such an honorable and essential reality. Placed in the context of that reality, it is also not debatable that there are hundreds of thousands of people who are hungry and homeless in our community right now! Who is helping them? They need help right now!! Many of them were middle class last year or so. That is why we can’t wait. And that is why those who are yet to suffer their fate should be careful in their cold heartedness. We must remember to want for, and do unto others, as we would want for, and have done unto us. It’s just that simple!!
In terms of my own behavior, every service I use is with Black businesses: Physician, dentist, attorney, banker, insurance agent, auto purchase and maintenance, contractors (home repair and plumbing), lawn care, etc. It is how I live. It is where my heart is. I just know that the kind of money we need right now is not available in our communities (hundreds of billions of dollars) to put our already trained people to work, and train those needing training. Particulary, given what we have loss over the past thirty to forty years; especially in the last three to four years. And the losses mount daily. So there is also no logical reason for anyone to “hate” on me in that regard.
The only Black people with whom I have a fundamental disagreement are the so-called “Black conservatives.” That’s not going to ever change!!!!!!! I detest the fact that they’ve allowed themselves to be used for money as public spokespersons for the forces of New Jim Crow that have destroyed, or nearly destroyed, every gain Blacks made in previous generations by speciously claiming — while they provided cover for the destruction– that society was / is ‘colorblind’ and Blacks’ problem was not due to historical and contemporary racism but a “lack of personal responsibility.” They made, and still make, these ridiculous claims with crossed eyes and straight faces even though there is no evidence to support such claims anywhere in our history or contemporary experience. They take advantage of the devastating results of their bosses’ policies to convince the credulous ones among us to join them as advocates for our own demise. They argue that poor Blacks have lost their “social currency.” But when confronted by Blacks who understand the relationship between things in a systemic sense, how one link in a chain affects the connecting link, these store purchased hustlers start speaking “in tongues.” My disagreement with them is most fundamental. It always will be.
Finally, if by your statement that someone will “hate” on me, you meant someone who doesn’t blog on this site, then, frankly, I care as much about that as I do a fly’s wedding. Regardless what size the fly is, a large super fly, or small tiny fly. I care as much about that as I do a worm’s prom, whether it’s a small or super worm. As long as ROLAND permits me to do so, I will continue to post comments on this site regarding socio-cultural, political, environmental, and economic issues impacting the lives of African Americans as I see them. Roland said it is permissible to discuss issue of race on HIS blog. Those who disagree with my ideas are free to post and state so. If I find their disagreements worthy of a response, I will clarify my postion in a response.
Besides, I struggle to understand why anyone would be so insecure as to “hate” on a blog post. I wish you had been more specific about that. Thanks again for the compliment.
Jwill7, some of these people you brag on about reading books and being debater. Well go to the celebrity page, they be all up in lisaRaye’s business. just pulling your coat.
Concerning Chris brown- Why does no one ever bring up/consider using his story as a way of discussing the cycle of abuse. For years he watched his mom being beaten by his stepfather as a child and even told her as a young boy that one day he would go to jail for killing her abuser.When young white celebrities get in trouble people discuss the causes for their behavior, stressors counseling etc. but with Blacks we are just labeled as “bad/evil”
Roland, I think that General McChrystal wanted out because he does not want to be known as the General who lost the Afghanistan War. What better way to be relived from your duties than by talking about your boss President Obama & his administration in a magazine. I’m sure I am not the only person who can see this. McChrystal now gets to retire & get his benefits, and the fact he was fired or resigned, one day may show how smart he was. I pray for General Petraues and that he will advise the President wisely, but this is a war that must end. To many young people dying. Why do we thiink we can change something that goes back to over 2000 years in biblical times. The children of Isaac & Ishmel will never work together or stop believing in their beliefs or change their views of their God.
AJ St. Louis, Missouri
In Exodus 20:3-5, talks about Idolatry. Within the past 75 years, during the Civil Rights Movement, we have made some gains and some losses. We have integration in connecting with another group, however, lost parts of ourselves in the process. We also have acquired new issues that have yet to be resolved. In these times, when we have gained in leadership, we have some lost quality in ourselves. For instance, if it is black, it is not good. The reason why I mentioned idolatry is because, during the U.S. Topeka Board of Education decision, it was studied that we do not like ourselves as black people, therefore, we want to be white in so many words.
You mention problems of Education now. Think about this. We had problems with education then. It still had not been resolved. Now we have more money NOW, but we have problem with education. Wondered why???? Idolatry.
Hope this be a wake up call.
Roland, In dealing with the issue of Black Power or Black Leadership, the most overlooked issue is molding young Black leaders. I believe that the African principle of training one’s replacement has been forgotten. I believe that NY is an excellent example of this where Congressmen Rangel and Conyers have not gone the extra mile in terms of creating their replacements, shutting young Black politicians out of office and closing their circle off to them. As a young Black man looking to get into politics, I am facing this barrier currently. I believe that the Black politicians and Black political media would be much better served by bringing young people into the debate legitimately as opposed to assuming what they think and what they want. It does a lot for any young person to be able to sit at the table while the elders are talking, even if he or she can say nothing at all. But seems like nowadays, young people can’t even get in the room. The Democratic Party has done a poor job of cultivating young leadership unlike the Republicans who are actively recruiting the young and steeping them in an understanding of what the Conservative agenda is from an early age. The Democratic Party must catch up. But irregardless of political ideology, building a political bridge into the future on the backs of young black political analysts, commentators, pollsters, scientists, strategists, and candidates is the only way to go. I don’t see that bridge being built. I just see the same faces. And the young Black politicos we do have seem to have gone around the Black establishment for support because it’s simply not there. So help me to help you to help us. Thanks Roland.
Roland, In dealing with the issue of Black Power or Black Leadership, the most overlooked issue is molding young Black leaders. I believe that the African principle of training one’s replacement has been forgotten. I believe that NY is an excellent example of this where Congressmen Rangel and Conyers have not gone the extra mile in terms of creating their replacements, shutting young Black politicians out of office and closing their circle off to them. As a young Black man looking to get into politics, I am facing this barrier currently. I believe that the Black politicians and Black political media would be much better served by bringing young people into the debate legitimately as opposed to assuming what they think and what they want. It does a lot for any young person to be able to sit at the table while the elders are talking, even if he or she can say nothing at all. But seems like nowadays, young people can’t even get in the room. The Democratic Party has done a poor job of cultivating young leadership unlike the Republicans who are actively recruiting the young and steeping them in an understanding of what the Conservative agenda is from an early age. The Democratic Party must catch up. But irregardless of political ideology, building a political bridge into the future on the backs of young black political analysts, commentators, pollsters, scientists, strategists, and candidates is the only way to go. I don’t see that bridge being built. I just see the same faces. And the young Black politicos we do have seem to have gone around the Black establishment for support because it’s simply not there. So help me to help you to help us. Thanks Roland.
DeMario John Greene of Washington, D.C., Howard Univ. B.A. 2010, Political Science
I’ve constantly heard people complain about the President and askk why doesn’t he do this or that. Before the Fourth oj July unemployment has been blocked. The President told us on TV who blocke this -THE Republicans”. Where is the outrage. The Tea Party got traction because it made noise and got on TV. When the President was pushing Health Care How many Black people were at these meeting and voicing support? In November the Primaries will occur how many people will be out voting or will they sit back and complain. The President is one man. A summit was held but I have’t seen anyone on tv pushing some idas. We will constantly be ignored because we complain and it goes no further. A site titled “Health Care. Gov” is online has anyone used it and if not why not. We have have Republicans want to eliminat Medicare and repeal Health Cre Reform. some have said that people getting unemployment were spoiled and that this makes people not go and look for work.What will it take to get people moving. We will never be respected or listened to. I am 65 year old kidney transplant patient and I have signed petitions, called and written my representative about Health Care, Wall Street Bill and anything else that will adversely affect me. If the Republicans win and take over we have no one to blame but ourselves. We should also let individual Democratic Representatives know when we are doispleased. We as Black people have a serious choice we can either complain and sit back or visibly do something to let the country know what kind of America.
Mr. Martin:
Why is it that Channels like fox News exist? They hate to own up to Slavery and the pains, that keep on getting worse to many people. Why dont people just admit they feel guilty for the many lives they destroyed. They are being cowards by passing the blame to us and the President of the United States. Whites needs to grow up and quit digging the hole deeper. They have tried to eliminate us from all walks of life, however, we are stronger than they can even imagine. Also, why do they make fun of Afican Americans, when they did this to us as a complete race of people. I do not need any hand outs, I am educated, my kids are educated, yet and still when we apply for a job or work on a job with these people, they give us hell. I wish we had a nation we can flock to. This will allow everybody the realization, how important our race is and will always be. to the United States of America. My book “The Dream Is In You,” Vivian Coofer Darden. http://www.amazon.com
Thanks for accuracy of the news. And also for not selling out.
I pray for our culture of our people. African-American, Black people, we did not do this to ourselves but the white man is the evil one. We are who, we are because of slavery, lets not talk about each other. We need to understnd our differences and come together as a whole complete race of people, loving one another and forgetting what the past has done to us. Whitewashing, brain washing, given to us by our parent the slave master. STOP IT. Now the slave master has given us enough negativity, that if we do not change and wake up, we will finish ourselves off. May The God Who Causes Us to Become what he Purposes, Direct us to true happiness, love and understanding and financial security. Taking back our lives. shutting out the white negative man and his deadly influences.
I have mentioned his name and have asked this question many times and it has not been aired Whats the problem?! Why aren’t African-Americans using the plan laid out by Marcus Garvey and moving, building or investing in Haiti or Africa?! Are we still massa’s slaves scared to build our own nation are we complacent with being shot by police in Oak-town marching and crying about how we have no jobs yet spent $900 billion in ‘09 only to still be shot by police in Oakland and crying about prison, poor education and joblessness. It’s 2010!!! Black Folk grow up!! I have a solution. And I learned from Marcus Garvey yet every Black intellegenci ignores it. Hip Hop is NOT dead! http://www.thegogettersunion.blogspot.com
Roland nobody with good sense is going to blame president obama for this oil spill so stop hating on the president i see it all over your face
Mr. Martin first and foremost congratulations on all your success. Now I just have a question which I have yet to see anyone bring up or even appear to elude to, as to not inflame or make matters “worse”. Yet it needs, I believe , to be asked. We have all heard of the Grant case in Oakland. We know the verdict of the police officer involved. As much as we try to avoid it we also have to accept there is an impressive number of cases like it. Of police brutality that for some reason or another goes unpunished throughout this country. So the question. Why would a community continue to allow their own to be subjugated and treated that way by the police and or government without retaliating in some credible fashion. Are we as citizens of this country so afraid of the power of the police and government that we will continue to tolerate this without an equal reaction. Why is it that we no longer react to this kind of injustice in the manner in which it was dealt? The only reason people do anything in this world, good or bad, is because of forethought of the repercussion. For some reason we are made to believe that this is not the case when it comes to our government. Are we that afraid? Thank you for your time.
Roland: I am steaming! I am watching Ben Jealous of the NAACP on your show this morning. I support the NAACP’s stand against the Tea Party and most of the other stances that he and the NAACP have taken of late. I do not feel, however, that he has the right to close down discussion about education, as if he is the first and last word on the matter of how the African American community moves to pursue educational equality and excellence. Who is he to say that we won’t discuss, nor pursue vouchers. He does not make that decision for me, and for millions of other African American parents and educators. He is playing an obstructionist role here. There are many in our community who happen to be quite informed on this matter, and we disagree with the position that the NAACP has continually taken on this issue. Despite the fact that American schools have failed our students miserably, the NAACP has always stood on the side of the unions and the monopolist city or county school system. Many African Americans disagree with this position and we are asking the NAACP to get out of the way if they really support or want to continue to represent our community on issues of education. They are out of step here, and have been for a while. While I personally do not support vouchers, I see that there are many African American parents who do. I encourage Jealous to expand his thinking here. He stated on your show today that vouchers have traditionally been used for Whites to move their kids out of the system and we should not support them for this reason. So what? Why can’t we turn this paradigm upside down and use them to support us moving our children to good African American-headed private schools who need the support, or use them to supplement our sending our children to private schools of our choice? If a voucher is only $6,000 and the parent wants to subsidize the rest of their child’s tuition, it is their choice. Private school education is traditionally paid for by parents anyway. Parents understand this going in. Why cut off assistance to parents who need it, regardless of the amount? It might make the difference between a parent realizing his or her vision for his or her child’s education, or their not being able to realize this vision. I know whole families who have chipped in, in addition to the voucher and made it work, despite high private school tuition, because education at the chosen school was of value to them. I also know a parent who has worked hard at home with her son for years, however, the neighborhood school where she was sending him, did almost nothing to ensure his learning. The mother was not the most educated woman herself, but she valued education highly and made sure that her son did homework and was prepared for school every day. By fifth grade this child was only reading at a second grade level. As a result of the current school choice laws that are on the books as a result of the voucher debate and Supreme Court decision,and because she was able to demonstrate that the district was neglegent in providing the kind of education that it was supposed to provide to her son, she was able to pull her son out of the school, and to use the funds that the district gets from local and federal governments to educate her son, to underwrite her son attending a private school. In one year the boy’s reading level improved by two grade levels. By the end of the next year he was reading above grade level. This is a true story. The district no longer gets money for her son and fails to educate him. Her child is being educated. If the NAACP, unions and others get their way, parents living in failing urban districts will no longer have the right that the parent that I described above did. They will have to accept non-standard conditions for their child, because people like Jealous find it politically expedient for them to do so. We need a full discussion, devoid of political interests, about education in the African American community. People like Ben Jealous, who can afford the best education for their children and who by virtue of his organization’s funding or development needs, leans towards supporting the unions and existing school districts, does not make the call for opportunities available to my children or others in my community. Concerned parents who are responsible for raising their children, and who do the work everyday to get their children some place promising do, albeit in partnership with others in our village. Jealous and NAACP please…
Roland, do you think that you jumped the gun with everyone else, with your comments about the woman from USDA on CNN?A journalist should check out the facts before offering an opinion. Blasting that Black woman was not cool.
This question relates to my sister. Her name is Grace Hammond. She resides at 867 South 19th Street Newark, New Jersey 07108. Q-What can one do when a fixed mortgage is treated as a sub-prime mortgage?
Roland:
One of the biggest new stories Mrs Shirley Sherrod to date and your Sunday Morning show is in reruns.How disappointing that only show from an African American prospective and you’re not in the game. How can you want to taken seriously or be in the game if you’re not playing.I’m sure there is someone who could “substitute” for the vacationing Roland Martin. Roland also owes Mrs. Sherrod a public apology ‘ON HIS SHOW” while looking at her.He as well as Ben Jealous was played by the racist Andrew Breitbart and they too must be held accountable. Roland by having Mrs Sherrod as a guest and Ben Jealous by resigning as President and CEO of the NAACP, clearly he cannot handle that position.