Can Ice Cube Escape “Gangsta Rap?”

By Jayar Jackson

Ice Cube, the West Coast gangsta rap icon and member of the pioneering group N.W.A. has a new single and video out.

For many in the Black Community that despised the acronym N.W.A. in the first place, (Niggaz With Attitudes) and felt that their largely misogynistic and extremely violent lyrics perpetuated and advocated a negative vision of Black Americans, Ice Cube should not be winning any NAACP Image Awards.

After so much popularity and controversy over their lyrics that banned N.W.A. from many radio stations and tours, and Ice Cube’s solo career has stretched for almost 20years. Even though Cube’s albums were highly political and included large amounts of social commentary that spoke of America’s hypocrisy and hidden racism, he never completely escaped the gansta rap label he and N.W.A. began with. So with a new album out and his new single entitled, Why Me? is it possible for him to be seen as a positive voice in the eyes of some that only remember some of the violent lyrics of the ‘80s?

Why Me? largely focuses on the senseless murder of Los Angeles High School student Jamiel Andre Shaw who was shot down near his home in March due to random gang violence. After two Latino gang members approached Shaw and asked which gang he belonged to, they shot him after receiving no response, as Shaw was simply a standout football player and student looking forward to going to a major university.

Ice Cube’s video features the family of Shaw and says, “Why you wanna murder me? You never ever heard of me. You don't know who I am. I could be part of your family tree. Sent by G.O.D. To save the word you and me. You never know who you facin.' Who ya chasin.' The life you wastin.'"

These words are obviously in sharp contrast to Ice Cube’s lyrics on N.W.A.’s Gangsta Gangsta, “Heres a little somethin bout a nigga like me. Never shoulda been let out the penitentiary. Ice Cube would like to say. That I’m a crazy muthaf***a from around the way. Since I was a youth, I smoked weed out. Now I’m the muthaf***a that you read about. Takin a life or two. That’s what the hell I do, you don’t like how I’m livin, Well f**k you!”

Due to those kinds of lyrics, I wonder if his previous detractors will even listen to his new song’s message that actually agrees with the overwhelming opinion that this needs to stop. Those that still disparage artists like O'Shea Jackson that recorded songs that spoke of senseless killing and street life need to give his message another chance.

Sure Cube, 39, still uses profanity and the word nigga freely in his lyrics, but if a positive message is what many want to get across to young people that listen to his music, how much pain is it really causing? With his name, notoriety, and respect he still has with fans, every little bit from every influence to change things for the better should be accepted.

Jayar J. Jackson produces The Young Turks Show TYTv: M-F 6-9pm PST, Rolling Post Show 9pm.

Obama Is My Slave?????

By Jayar Jackson

It’s August of 2008 in America. The horrific atrocities that embodied American slavery officially ended at the end of 1865. After 143 years of freedom from the institution of slavery, leading to the struggle of racial equality and eventual opportunity for everyone, we still have Americans that don’t care enough about the country that gave them the opportunity to live free, to respect it.

Doron Braunshtein, also known as Apollo Braun, owner of a New York City boutique, claims he was recently attacked in his store by two African American men for selling his line of “Obama is My Slave” T-shirts.

According to an account from his publicist, the two men worked together - one grabbed Braun's hands while the other kicked him in the testicles. Now, after experiencing the physical fallout for himself, the shirt peddler is reconsidering his merchandise. "I don't want to be killed for my t-shirts. I am still shocked about what happened today but there is a big chance that I will stop selling my anti-Obama merchandise after what happened today. I mean, tomorrow someone can show up at my store with a gun, and I don't want that to happen."

Though he's considering halting the sale of the inflammatory shirts, Braun calls the tees "art" and defends his right to make them. Someone should educate this imbecile on the horrors of slavery since he was never taught in school.

Humans like Braunshtein disgust me. While he cries out for tolerance and understanding, his feeble mind fails to understand that his shirts are inflammatory speech, meant to incite violence and threats towards the Democratic nominee for President, and in this case, himself. This fact can’t be denied as the rest of his line of anti-Obama shirts that sell for $69 carry slogans like, “Jews Against Obama,” “Obama=Hitler,” and “WHO KILLED OBAMA?” Is this garbage supposed to be funny?

I don’t believe that Braunshtein is so stupid to believe that his shirts shouldn’t cause a stir, that they wouldn’t incite violence toward him or anyone else. He’s a business man, smart enough to open his own boutique and keep himself afloat. What I don’t believe he possesses is an understanding or desire to understand what America is.

I like to think that virtually everyone that enjoys the great things America offers has enough of a thought process to be talked to, regardless of how opposite their opinion is of mine. I welcome opportunities to see other people’s point of view as long as I know I am getting the same courtesy in return. Apollo Braun is one of few human beings I’d never like to speak with. His reaction to his assault solidifies his blatant lack of reasoning and provincial mindset.

This reaches beyond my support of Barack Obama for President. I wouldn’t advocate violence upon John McCain simply because I believe he will keep this country I love on its downward path. We forget that we’re dealing with real life when we support our respective candidates. If Braun has something he doesn’t like about Obama, and wants to spread some truth he may have stumbled upon, he has every right to do that. What is it about plastering hate speech on a shirt, advocating assassination, and a regression to a slavery mindset to the country that would make someone vote for his choice, John McCain?

To those that look to defend Braunshtein’s hate speech, think about how quickly someone is booed and shunned when they simply challenge John McCain’s military record. Because he spent time as a P.O.W. and exhibited courage and dedication to his fellow soldiers, it is immediately considered taboo to bring up anything negative he did while serving. Anyone that does is considered unpatriotic and in denial about the courageous things he did while being tortured.

With this mentality firmly in place, I can safely assume that Doron Braunshtein and anyone that thinks his t-shirts are okay to sell are advocating the murder of Presidential nominees; including John McCain, long for the days of oppressive and gruesome slavery, and wish for another Holocaust to occur. Since Braunshtein hates America so much, why doesn’t he just go live somewhere else?

Racism from the Spanish Olympic Basketball Team?

By Jayar Jackson

In anticipation for the Olympics in Beijing, the Spanish basketball team took a picture for an advertisement a courier company had carried in a major Spanish newspaper. In the picture, all the players pulled the sides of their eyes, making the well known "slant eyed" look that mocks Asians' most recognizable feature.

No one on or associated with the team or the courier company that ran the ad seemed to find anything offensive or distasteful about the photo that included a Chinese dragon in the middle of the basketball floor. But many Chinese and other Asians didn't have to look very long to see racism oozing through the page.


The first thing to wonder is "what the hell were they thinking?" These guys aren't isolated to a small village that preaches hate and racism against anyone not like themselves. One of their star players, Pau Gasol, is a very popular NBA player, currently with the Los Angeles Lakers after spending over 6 years with the Memphis Grizzlies. Such a traveled individual must realize how the Chinese, the host country for the Olympics, would take this gesture. Even if he was riding off of the comradery of his fellow Spaniards, as he pulled his eyes back and laughed for the cameras, he must have been thinking in the back of his mind that this won't be something others will understand.

So this begs the question, are the Spanish so racist that they don't even realize it? Or, are the Spanish are just so accepting of other races, ethnicities, and cultures that their offbeat humor is nothing more than a simple joke? Does it really mean that the Spanish Basketball Federation, the courier company, and the newspaper that ran the ad are all so hateful and racist that they would boldly put this highly offensive image out there as they head to China? What is Spain's history with Asian countries...do they have something against the Chinese?

While reading discussions about this touchy subject, I found that some defenders of the Spanish mindset point out that Asian people's eyes ARE slanted and wonder why they are so offended when it's pointed out. Maybe everyone else is being a little ultra P.C. The Spanish always brazenly make fun of others and some say they see it all in good fun, harboring no ill will.

Then again, as I read this story, I got some flashbacks of stories out of Spain where football (soccer) players were mocked and called ugly racist names. As Black players touched the ball, fans would make monkey noises and bananas were thrown in their direction. Sure, those were a bunch of rowdy, out of control soccer fans, typical in some countries in Europe, but what about Luis Aragonés?

The Spanish football manager was caught on tape in front of a bunch of reporters referring to the French player Thierry Henry as "that Black shit." Although he apologized saying he hadn't meant to offend anyone, he continued to defend his comments.

There are racist people in every country in the world, Spain included. They have their preconceived ideas as to what others are like, painting them in a negative light to prop themselves up. This slanted Chinese eyes picture the national team took has to be categorized as racially insensitive. They may not disrespect and hate their Chinese hosts for the Olympics, but they don't seem to care that some jokes are not acceptable, whether they see the offensiveness or not. In the end, some Spanish people are obviously racist and they simply don't deserve a reputable organization to legitimize their hateful beliefs.

Rapper Rick Ross, Studio Gangsta

By Jayar Jackson

Drug kingpin turned rapper Rick Ross is taking some serious heat for his “shaky” past. No, the police are not after him for “making a couple million dollars last year dealin weight.”

They’re not even looking into the hundred favors that “the real Noriega” owes Ross. Rick Ross, aka William Roberts is under fire from hip hop fans that are upset or laughing that his connection to drug kingpins was only while locking them up.

After pictures of a young, clean shaven Ross surfaced last week of him shaking hands as a newly crowned corrections officer, many hip hop fans were in disbelief that this virtual Tony Montana lied to them. “The Boss” proceeded to vehemently deny the accusations, saying that the picture was photoshopped by haters trying to bring him down from the top of the game.

“If this s**t was real don't you think they would have more specifics, like dates and everything? Fake pictures are created by the fake, meant to entertain the fake.”

Mr. Roberts failed to remember what many of our politicians let slip their minds: we keep records of everything; we videotape and take pictures of everything else. So, with his desperate denials out there, the Smoking Gun produced the specifics he was asking for. The dates, salary, and length of time he worked for Florida’s Department of Corrections. Whoops!

Now, let’s keep it gangsta. (I won’t say that anymore.) Does it really matter that William Leonard Roberts was a 19 year old corrections officer for 18 months back in ’95? Does it matter that he talks about knowing the real Noriega? Actually, if you ever really believed that this performer that graced stages and recorded albums was stupid enough to be out on the streets “pushin weight” for a couple million dollars last year, then you should be upset with yourself. Maybe he was talking about pushing your weight to the record store to buy his “street life” music you envied him for.

Hip hop started as a way for the artists to talk about their lives and where they come from. Sometimes the stories spoke of the horrors of the streets, drugs, and crime. This used to educate the people that didn’t live that life about the things that happened outside of their little bubble. Somehow, this ugly street life that no one desires to live turned into a desirable goal by the kids that never lived it. Somewhere along the way, these kids changed their dreams from wanting to go to pharmacy school to just being a street pharmacist. Since some real “Gs” made fame and fortune rapping about their past, everyone else saw the benefits of gangsta rap. If you didn’t live it, just make it up!


We’re so wrapped up in the soap opera that many performers write for us, we’ve been missing how ridiculous the storyline has gotten. Now that one of the script writers has been exposed as a legitimate, law abiding citizen, some are upset?? Trust me, Hulk Hogan didn’t actually get stronger every time The Ultimate Warrior hit him with the chair at Wrestlemania. And what’s so wrong with never being locked up, never getting shot 5 times, and never helping turn your neighborhood into a war zone?

We need to make up our minds about hip hop and our community. One minute, we blame the rappers for writing misogynistic, profanity-laden lyrics about selling drugs and shooting people. We want them to stop glorifying a murderous street life and stop setting negative examples for our kids. Then we call them suckers when it’s discovered that they’re married to their high school sweetheart that they lost their virginity to, they have 2 kids that live in the suburbs, and every time little Ricky swears, he has to put his allowance in the Swear Jar.

And the Oscar, Uh, Election Goes To....

By Jayar Jackson

Campaigning, shaking people's hands, kissing babies, and making inspirational speeches; all this to appeal to enough voters to get elected into office.

I've wracked my brain trying to figure out why no matter what our beloved politicians say or do, good or bad, once many of us have made up our minds made up on "our guy" there's little anyone can do to shake that support.

We think we see the person on stage that we know and love, but in reality, we don't truly know these guys, mostly because they don't want us to, and neither do we.

American politicians are much like our beloved Hollywood celebrities. Sure, many of them are drug addicts or drunks with horrible attitudes when fans happen to meet them, but damn we love that one character they played and the way they delivered that one line from our favorite movie!

They're surrounded by advisors, stylists, speech writers, image consultants, and publicists so much that we see what their crew creates for us. They even ask us in polls what we like and don't like, just so they can mold this perfect image before our very eyes, while we let out ooohs and aaahhs like it's the 4^th of July and we weren't expecting that grand finale we see every year.

Let me take a few of our favorite DC celebrities to see which image-driven, red carpet prima Donna, they embody the most.

Recently defeated Democratic primary candidate Hillary Clinton had an image of a tough, hard as nails candidate with the brains of a scholar, but the delicate touch only a woman could provide. Oh, she can go into battle with the fellas, but offered the sensibility and slight vulnerability no man could ever have…unless he's some kind of wuss.

Kind of remind you of Jodie Foster, doesn't it? She went face to face and matched wits with a flipped out, human flesh-snacking Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, but later showed a vulnerable, but still savvy under pressure side of her in Panic Room, battling three brutal home intruders while caring for her diabetic daughter.

Democratic nominee for President, Barack Obama is the candidate for change, as we've all heard and many have fallen in love with.

It doesn't hurt that many women declare that he's not too hard on the eyes, either.

All candidates seem to say the right things, but Obama has a way of making you "feel" the right things as he says them. Supporters and detractors alike admit that he's an amazing orator, picking up friends and admirers like a rockstar on the campaign trail.

Although people love him for this, those very same things make others dislike him, but the plan is to make EVERYONE adore him. This all-around, good looking, smooth talker makes you wonder when Denzel Washington will be stepping up to fill in when Barack has come down with the flu.

Denzel has been the rookie cop that was catapulted to fame and adoration in the movie Ricochet due to his intelligence, quick wit, and mass appeal to anyone that encountered him. As the consummate good guy, an elaborate plot to ruin his career, reputation, and family life didn't happen.

Although it was a lot of work, all he really had to do was talk and smile for everything to be alright.

President Bush is beginning to wrap up his 2^nd term as the tough guy that you'd love to have a beer with. Bush appealed to the "regular guy" that loves his country, hates it when others disparage it, and will do anything to make sure things go the way he thinks they should. His biggest defenders and supporters admit he's no Aristotle when telling you exactly what he's thinking or how his elaborate plan will work, but dammit, it's going to work b/c this is the United Freaking States!!!

Nobody can see us or be us!!

This never die attitude is what we see every time Sylvester Stallone takes another role. He mercilessly shot bastards in the head in Rambo, took beatings fight after fight in the Rocky movies, and even embarrassed himself in Stop! Or my Mom Will Shoot, but through all those roles and even more, his growling delivery and speech from the side of his mouth never changed, no matter what the public opinion polls said!

When compassion and funny didn't work he just went back to the well, picked up another huge gun in a new Rambo, 26 years later to shoot a few more bastards and beat a few more asses in Rocky Balboa (part 6), 30 years later. Being a tough guy always helps, even in Washington DC.

Now I'm just wondering when we'll find a candidate with enough nerve to move in with his rich uncle, take on two different kinds of aliens, beat up virtually indestructible robots, survive as the last man on earth, and then be a superhero! Maybe Will Smith should just start campaigning now as governor of Pennsylvania and get it over with.

Flopping In The NBA: One Brother Speaks Out!

By Jayar Jackson

Remember when your parents would tell you to clean yourself up, straighten up the house, and pick up your mess when company was coming over?

Sure, your dirty little friends came over all the time and they were never this strict with the rules.

They just didn’t want important people to come in the house and think that they were raising a slob.

Well, the NBA has been welcoming the company of more than just the average everyday fan for over a month now that the playoffs have taken center stage.

In the never ending goal of taking advantage of the increased exposure to expand the fan base, Daddy David Stern and the league have announced plans to impose fines on players for clear cases of flopping. Apparently, they are hearing the chorus of complaints that is growing daily from dedicated fans that see the natural feel of the game slipping away.

The flopping phenomenon that many attribute to being founded by Vlade Divac back in his playing days has become a league wide plague that has seemingly infested every player. The opportunity to add a foul to your opponent’s tally, frustrate the hell out of him, and get control of the ball in crucial situations is just too much of a juicy result to pass up for many.

We see contemporary versions of Divac in the league, making a living off of flailing their arms and stumbling to the floor from the slightest touch, or sometimes no contact at all. As long as bad acting gets rewarded with a trophy, this live theatre on the floor will continue to be commonplace.

Sometimes out of pure retaliation, the “tough guys” of the league have begun to face plant in hopes of sending the league-leading floppers in a tizzy. It’s a horrific cycle that needed to be addressed. But is this the answer? Will this simply put more pressure on the referees to spot, identify, and call the ghost fouls the other way in the heat of the moment while many other things are going on around them?

There are times that they have a bad angle on a play and impromptu meetings are needed to determine the correct call. What will the fate of the refs be when they miss an obvious one simply because some dude that happens to be 6’10” and weighs 270 lbs stands in front of them?

If the fines are retroactive once the league reviews a game from the night before, what will they decide about the outcome of the game being affected by the flop? Can a “flopping ref” be added to the already three refs occupying the floor crowded by giants, cameramen, and pompous millionaires with courtside seats? I don’t think they will agree to moving back 5 feet, as they won’t be able to give high fives to their favorite players as if they know them.

Let’s not forget that these refs deal with home crowds, superstar players, hall of fame coaches, and everyone at home yelling at them for 48 minutes, telling them they’re getting everything wrong. This just might just alter the problem the NBA faces from falling for the flop and turn into how to truly and effectively eliminate it’s stronghold on the league.

There will definitely still be some loose ends to tie up in order to exterminate the virus that so many complain about, but at least the NBA has realized that it left it’s bed unmade, dirty dishes all over the place, and filthy sneakers in the doorway. “You’re not going to embarrass this family when company comes over next time, I know that!”

Jayar is holding it down over there at The Young Turks

Assassination is the Answer

I’m tired of it, period. I’m tired of the latest answer to the mysterious aura Senator Barack Obama seems to have over many in the country.

In what has now become a trend in the heated primaries for the next President, Fox News political contributor Liz Trotta, “joked” over the weekend that assassinating Obama is something we could use.



Fox News Pundit Apologizes for 'Joke' about Killing Obama

This latest violent, savage-like solution to the problem of how to bring down their opponent seems to have caught on in circles of desperate politicians and pundits who are out of answers to the question: “how do I beat this guy?”

Former governor of Arkansas and former candidate for President, Mike Huckabee also “jokingly” had an off the cuff statement about Obama being shot at while speaking to the NRA. Many have taken presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s comparison to the assassination of Robert Kennedy as a sign that she is staying in the Democratic primary race just in case history repeats itself here in 2008.



Let’s see, the American way is to allow candidates to present their stances and solutions to issues that face this country. To let the people, the supposed ones that run this country, know what kind of elected official they will be and through the process of voting, choose a winner. Now that we’ve once again embarked on this journey that we carry out every 4 years, the agony of defeat seems to be too much for some to handle. Now that the protocol strategy of slandering, fear mongering, name calling, and outright lying has ceased to work in a timely fashion, the only option left is…murder.

Is this really what our country has come to? While we try to spread hope, liberty, and democracy throughout the world are we now advocating guns, death threats, and assassination? There isn’t one person in the political sphere that doesn’t realize that there are still people in this country that are so strongly against having the “appearance” of a Black president that they are willing to kill the man that could occupy that role.

They know that Obama has had to utilize the Secret Service sooner than other candidate due to the higher risk he carries while campaigning. If they didn’t, then why haven’t there have been jokes about someone finishing the job on John McCain that the Vietnamese didn’t when they had him as a prisoner during the Vietnam War?

Why wasn’t the latest knee slapping joke in 2004 about John Kerry getting shot while campaigning across the country? They’re not jokes because the country would be left with mouths wide open, looking at the aspiring comedian with enough disgust to bury them on stage. I for one am completely revolted by the desperately barbaric tenor this race has taken.

Although every big named player that has blurted this “gaffe” of calling for an assassination has apologized, it’s disturbing that the thought of such a solution thrives in their minds. If one can laugh and joke about something so horrific, they are providing a window into the way their mind works.

Somewhere along the way from our humble and courageous beginnings as a nation, we’ve begun to forget the elements that made us so great. We still teach our children that if they work hard and strive to be all they can be, anything can be accomplished, even being the President of the United States.

The part we’re forgetting to tell them is that if you don’t win the way you planned to, you can always just ask someone to kill the person that is working harder and is beating you. Proud of yourself?

By Jayar Jackson, producer over at The Young Turks

Robert Johnson In Whiteface Is Making Me See Red!

He Thinks We're That Stupid… Are We?

By Jayar Jackson

Bob Johnson, founder and seller of BET (Black Entertainment Television) and current owner of the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats, is tossing his opinions about the presidential race back in the news.

After a full month has passed, Johnson is regurgitating the comments of Geraldine Ferraro, former advisor to Senator Clinton, saying that Barack Obama wouldn’t be the Democratic frontrunner if he were White.

“What I believe Geraldine Ferraro meant is that if you take a freshman senator from Illinois called `Jerry Smith' and he says I'm going to run for president, would he start off with 90 percent of the black vote?” Johnson said. “And the answer is, probably not...”

When Ferraro came out with the assumption in March that Obama was lucky to be Black, she was called everything from racist to close-minded, and everything in between. After this firestorm forced her to resign as a Clinton spokesperson and "advisor", it seems that Johnson has realized the only thing that halted her statement’s effectiveness was her race.

It was at this moment that he looked in the mirror and thought, “maybe it will work if I say it!! Maybe then the large number of Obama supporters will start to believe that his success is simply dumb luck.”

It is this kind of obviously transparent rhetoric that many Americans hear from politicians over and over again that forces so many to be enthralled by the way Obama speaks to the country; like rational adults that can form a coherent thought. Everyone knows that Johnson is a longtime friend of the Clintons and a staunch supporter of Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination.

Everyone knows that in January he spoke out for the first time against Obama, alluding to his well documented past drug use in a veiled statement, only to deflect and deny critics that pointed out his dirty tricks. Now that he is stepping back into the spotlight in an attempt to rehash the exact same invalid point that didn’t work before, he is blatantly questioning the intelligence of the country.

It seems to upset Johnson that many of Obama’s supporters are Black, assuming that they are too dimwitted to not look further than the color of his skin as a basis for support. Let’s assume that this is the sole reason he has this 90% Black support that Johnson spouted. Does it bother him that Hillary Clinton is the first female candidate with an opportunity to be President of the United States? Does it bother him that Hillary Clinton’s main vein of support that gave her huge leads in polls as primaries approached was due to her 2 to 1 advantage among female voters?

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that these facts don’t rub Bob Johnson the wrong way; they don’t make him think that Hillary Clinton is lucky to be a woman in the political spectrum. He won’t say that if her name was Jerry Smith, junior Senator from New York, not the wife of beloved President Bill Clinton, that she wouldn’t have been the assumed frontrunner and runaway winner of the Democratic ticket.

Johnson won’t say that because he is supporting her for president, so this empty rhetoric can only be applied to her competitor, and frontrunner for the nomination. If he simply discusses actual issues, there's nothing wrong with his support for Hillary Clinton, but he must feel that this won't work.

Johnson continued his freight train of invalid points by telling us Senator Obama doesn’t have the “I-want-to-go-out-and-have-a-drink-with-you–touch.” This statement came from the same man that insinuated that Obama’s status as a freshman Senator is reason enough to distrust his decision making. Now he’s talking about having drinks with our President. Sounds like brainless decision making to me.

Am I really going to vote for a person based on whether or not I can have a good time with them over drinks? That’s what I have friends for, so I’ll just look for the President to handle the truckload of problems we’ll inherit from the current President that everyone felt they could have a drink with. Some one should ask Bob what that got us for the past 7 years.

When desperate statements begin firing out of the mouths of a politician’s supporters, it is always easy to spot them coming. They are usually inflammatory, have no relevance to the reality of the situation, and can easily be applied to their own candidate, leaving the argument pointless and without merit.

This doesn’t matter though, Bob Johnson is betting that voters don’t have the capacity to think about the state of the economy, the incredibly adverse effects the Iraq War has on America, or our pathetic educational system we continue to ignore. He wants us to choose a president based on empty knee-jerk emotional reactions and whether or not some began supporting the candidate because he is…God forbid, Black.

I don't think we're that stupid.

Am I wrong?

Racist Renault Ad?

By Jayar Jackson

The French car company Renault recently found itself dealing with a very touchy subject after pulling a UK ad campaign that used the phrase "N-word" over fears it may cause offense. The print ad states, “For ten days, we can’t use the ‘N’ word.” It was designed to promote a limited-period promotion where dealers were supposedly not allowed to say "NO" to customers, but it received a number of complaints immediately.

From as far back as anyone can remember there have been rules, written and unwritten, that just need to be followed in order to stay out of trouble. Mom used to always say, “Don’t run in the house.” “Stop hitting your brother.” “Stay away from that hot oven.” She wasn’t trying to spoil your fun, she just didn’t want to see you run your head into the corner of the couch or treat that burned hand you laid on the stove.

After learning those painful lessons the hard way, but still wanting to freely live adult life, a natural action vs. consequence meter develops in the mind. It's the unwritten rules that have a great deal of gray area and need some explanation.

Race relations and the historically negative use of the word nigger in the world is one subject that has so many unwritten rules to it that a different author “writes” a new version of it every day. Can rappers say it and not rock musicians? What about nigger vs. nigga? What if this one White guy is singing along to his favorite song that happens to say the word about 30 times?

What if an anchor on television is explaining the story of the infamous Kramer-from-Seinfeld rant where he exhibited deeply suppressed negative feelings towards Black people? If they use the term “N-Word,” are they in the clear? What actually happens to Black people when the word enters their ears? If a hunter says the word in the woods and no on else is there to hear it, did he actually ever say it?

When discussing such a controversial and damaging issue such as this, where virtually everyone from the Black community has an opinion and reason to despise the word, we have to realize the reasons why we condemn it. Its usage is born and bred in hate, oppression, brutal murder, and exclusion; those are the consequences we must look to evade.

Celebrities, public figures, and companies that use the word for hateful discourse get into so much trouble for it because they are often influential to many of their followers. A majority of these fans mindlessly follow their lead, causing them to develop irrational and prejudiced beliefs about Black people. Coincidentally, these irrational beliefs lead to abhorrent actions such as hate crimes, limitations of rights, or unfair treatment in everyday life, from police stops to restaurant service.

When trying to rid the world of such despicable behavior, we have to clear our minds and correctly charge each offense for the correct crime. Utilizing a play on words which is very well known throughout the world the way Renault did doesn’t automatically incite the ignorant behavior that historically comes with its usage. You can get hurt running through the house, but why can’t you run in an open, grassy field? Let this French company run, frolic, and jump in this ad. There’s no couch in sight, all they can do is get a grass stain on their knees.

The Death of Sean Taylor, From A Black Man Who Needs To Keep It Real

My Perspective Is What Everyone's Thinking But Just Won't Say

By Jayar Jackson

Even at his funeral, the NFL and the Washington Redskins team are still grappling with the tragic reality that Sean Taylor is dead.

The 4 year star of the league lost the battle for his life after intruders allegedly broke into the house as he and his Latina girlfriend slept around 1:45am. This story takes an interesting turn as everyone learned that Taylor’s house was broken into just over 1 week earlier in which the intruder(s) left a kitchen knife on a bed. With this in mind, Taylor grabbed a machete that he kept under his bed for protection when he was awakened Monday by loud noises.

Now its time to keep it real.

With the haunting images of a knife probably purposefully left on a bed along with the victim looking to defend himself with a machete, there will be speculation that he made some enemies in the past and was targeted for this brutal murder.

Some unconfirmed reports even say that when Taylor’s girlfriend tried to call 911, she discovered that the phone lines were cut, forcing her to use her cell phone to place the call. His 2005 arrest for aggravated assault involving firearms in a dispute over a possible theft of Taylor’s ATVs automatically label him a bad guy to some.

The violent shooting death of Denver Broncos defensive back Darrent Williams on New Year’s morning of this year is one of the first things that come to mind when this case is discussed. Williams was senselessly shot in the neck and killed outside of a Denver nightclub from a drive-by shooter’s gun. Although never involved in any criminal activity, this young player also lost his life while simply celebrating the holiday that everyone else enjoyed that night.

Known for his extremely aggressive tactics on the field, his brashness towards the media, and possession of a machete under his bed, many could believe that Taylor’s perceived character brought the wrong kinds of people to his bedroom door Monday night. Let’s be honest, when professional athletes go out or are seen in public, they are treated like kings; adored by fans but envied by lowlifes that never made anything out of their existence. They are walking dollar signs that could equal an easy and profitable hit for thieves, murderers, or the all too common jealous individual. Many in the hip-hop community refer to them as haters.

Many are big, and physically fit men that don’t feel they have to worry about being muscled or intimidated by the average Joe Schmo off the street. Sadly, with this guard being let down, athletes such as Antoine Walker and Eddy Curry were robbed at gunpoint earlier this year, with Walker facing the barrel of a gun for the second time in his own house. Walker was also robbed outside of a restaurant in 2000.

With this apparent targeting of rich, well-known athletes, what are young, oversized, well-paid men to do? Hire security, don’t leave the house, or try to protect themselves and their family the way any other man would do in America? The constant public relations worry of being seen with a weapon or having an entourage with weapons may discourage many from going that route, in fear of being ousted by the league and by fans. They are easily labeled a ‘bad role model’ or a ‘gang banger’ when these types of stories come out. While there really are bad role models and professional athletes that can’t leave bad company alone, we can’t forget that there are many more that are targeted for simply being who they are. While the football world remembers Sean Taylor and mourns his passing, let’s not forget this bizarre and absolutely threatening scene that played itself out twice in his house and even his bedroom as he slept with his girlfriend of 7 years and daughter of only 18 months. Hold your judgment and place yourself in the shoes of a talented athlete that only just began to stand out on a huge stage requiring patience, dedication, and courage in the face of threats that most 24 year-old men couldn’t begin to handle.

"Nigger" Hits the Streets in December: Are You Really Trying To Rush Rapper Nas' Upcoming Album?

Don't Hate On This Brother Just Yet, He Just Might Surprise You

By Jayar Jackson

Hip Hop superstar, and respected lyricist Nas has quite a bit of steam behind the December 11th release of his new album “Nigger.” Fox reported that a source close to Def Jam chairman Antonio “LA” Reid said Nas wouldn’t be releasing an album this year, and it definitely wouldn’t be called “Nigger.”

Contrary to the always honest reporting of Fox News, Reid boldly stated that “We stand firmly behind and beside our artists with pride and with pleasure. Anything Nas wants to do, I completely stand beside him. Nas is prolific, he's prophetic, he's a genius, an amazing artist of respect. So, while I'm not sure exactly all that [the title] entails, I know it's smart, so I stand behind him. That's real.” Support for Nas’ controversial title included fellow well respected artists Common and Method Man.

Now before the detractors’ heads explode, and vow to never buy their another Nas, Def Jam, Common, or Method Man record ever again for the first time, let’s remember who we’re talking about and what he’s saying. Nas is the artist that has always brought some kind of meaning and purpose to most of his lyrics, somehow finding a way to still speak to hardcore hip hop fans that have been hypnotized enough to accept hip hop as a mindless genre, talking about hos, rims, shooting, and money. When many artists speak positive messages, they’re written off as corny, but his single, “I Can” still came across.

“I'm a street disciple,” Nas explained. “I'm talking to the streets. Stay out of our business. You ain't got no business worrying about what the word 'nigger' is or acting like you know what my album is about without talking to me.” For all the critics that look to jump to conclusions about how he’s trying to degrade his race and continue to bring the conversation down to calling himself and his brothers niggers, a good place to start is by asking, “What does the album “Nigger” mean?” When respected poets utilize the word to make a point, they are primarily seen as deep and thoughtful. Just because Nas curses and has done collaborations with the likes of Diddy, Ginuwine, and Timbaland, his perceived thoughtfulness that he’s always brought to his albums is quickly forgotten, all over this word.

Are these blind critics assuming that Nas can’t carry a conversation about the words and inspiration that went into this title? Maybe they think he was falling asleep from all the weed those rap guys smoke all the time and when asked what the title should be, he said, “Aw…Nigger.” To be this ignorant is accepting and owning the term that too many hateful people harbor, thinking that this word can get the mildest mannered Black man to snap upon overhearing it. Maybe he’s trying to diffuse the “power” that many racists believe it has over us, which some of us continue to mentally bow down to. Perhaps he’s sick of an entire country afraid of saying, hearing, or writing the word without a couple of asterisks and squiggle lines to censor it. Or what if he just like the way it rolls off of his tongue?

What does Nas mean by the title on this new album? Until we stop haphazardly labeling him a nigger by refusing to ask the question, and instead choosing to ignore it until it miraculously disappears, we’ll miss his point and keep ours bottled up as well. Now remind me again, what would that accomplished?

LAZY, FAT, IGNORANT AND TOTALLY NON PRODUCTIVE: NO, NOT BLACK PEOPLE, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AMERICA

The U.S. Is Oil Obese And Folks Are Completely Oblivious

By Jayar Jackson

Everything is going to be fine, it always is. As a Black, red-blooded, apple pie eating, Ford driving American, this is what I have always believed. We have the dollar, the best movies, the best celebrities, the best scientists, and the best food, so deal with it!

We’re the big, bad, United States. We’re the bastion of freedom and self expression. This is the reason that citizens of other countries around the world either want to be an American or want to hate Americans. Since we’re used to everything we see ending up alright and taken care of without giving it another thought, we have developed a sense of complacency. With this pompous and personal view of our world, startling stories about our massive consumption of oil and ridiculous gas prices is just another temporary hiccup to the American machine. Little do we know that these temporarily high oil prices are fueling one of the biggest transfers of wealth in history.

According to the Washington Post, it is pumping more than $2 trillion into the pockets of oil companies and oil-producing nations this year alone. Since our heartland isn’t exactly flooding with oil fields, this huge number that is not spiking, but simply rising means those other nations are the ones benefiting from our belief that everything will be alright. $4 to $5 billion more for crude oil per day compared to five years ago? We don’t have to worry, our part of that bill will come back, this is America.

Americans feeling the pride of being the world’s superpower for this long should realize that money equals power. This power can be utilized for jobs, sophisticated science, state of the art development within cities, and influence. If we continue to sit back and assume that everything will be alright, we could look up and see countries that we’ve always seen as chumps trying to tell us what to do. Conscious citizens have been screaming from the tops of their lungs, begging for a new direction that will focus our weakening dollar more on ways to take a new step. We need some ass kicking personal trainers to run us into the ground and whip us into shape.

Sadly, we, the overweight dreamers elect these politicians based on things that are the furthest thing from how they will keep us on pace with the changing world. Think about it, your out of shape cousin Arthur isn’t going to stop in at Ballys Fitness and look for the personal trainer with the wart on his nose, yanking the donut out of the hand of his client with the sweaty back. When they enter the gym, they hurry by the personal trainers’ table hoping not to hear, “have you received your complementary training session, sir?” He just motors to choose a treadmill in the corner with the best view of some hot bodies. After going over two new exercises, Arthur can go home, take off the still brand new pair of tennis shoes he never broke in from a new year’s resolution 10 months ago, and feel the weight come off. Another year in the bag!

Our ugly, mole-covered politician will never be hired to whip us into shape because it’s too much work for us to feel the burn and give up the family sized pack of oil donuts we add to our 40 gallon tanks everyday. No need to think about that spare tire, we have the technology of Bridgestone Run Flats. Everything is going to be fine…it always is, right?

2008 Presidential Campaign: Voyeuristic Voting Leads To Presumed Patriotism In Obama's Race For The White House

Was The Movie "Mean Girls" Really About Hillary Clinton and The State Of Presidential Politics?

By Jayar Jackson

Backstabbing, bickering, and blatant lying fills the air. Every time a person speaks, every member of a rival clique plugs their ears and screams, ‘la la la la, la’ in hopes of not hearing a single word uttered. This is not the scene at a local high school where 84 minute jailbird Lindsay Lohan designs a dirty plan to destroy the reputation of the cool girl that no one "truly understands". The only other event for such juvenile and mindless games must be a good old fashioned American election.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama complained and defended himself recently, after an internet photo surfaced of him in a very salacious pose. At Iowa Senator Tom Harkin’s annual Democratic fundraiser, the photo displays Obama with his hands in front of him, near his crotch no less, during what is said to be the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance. With fellow presidential hopefuls Bill Richardson and Hillary Clinton along with Senator Harkin’s wife cascading behind him in the photo, many Americans gasp at this supposed lack of respect and honor he has for the country, as they patriotically stand with right hands over hearts.

Since the picture was first criticized by the News Busters blog, claiming to “expose and combat the liberal media bias,” conservative readers took the non-story to their computers and skewed the facts from there in mass emails. Now Obama irritatingly has to defend his patriotism and allegiance to the country he is campaigning to be the leader of in the wake of played out, pathetic statements comparing his name to the terrorist George W. Bush is unconcerned about hunting down. In addition, references to the brain-dead controversy over him deciding to stop wearing an American flag lapel pin are revived in idiot circles all over. His salient and unnecessary explanation was middle-schooled with thumbs jammed in ears.

For the sake of the delivering one nugget of truth to these drooling, childlike followers, the picture was not taken during the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance, but during the singing of the National Anthem despite what the meaningless emails read. Secondly, who cares? Although the United States Code says that during the National Anthem, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart, how does that qualify or disqualify anyone from being American enough to be seriously considered for the office of President?

The state of our election process is deteriorating from being a high school popularity contest to rituals that resemble primates beating their chests and screaming the most emotionally charged phrases. Even people that are quick to respond to such statements that tap into their prejudices and fears should be able to realize that petty differences such as where Obama’s right hand is won’t quench their desire to be safe and defeat America’s opponents. Logic should scream that Barack Obama shouldn’t have to tell you that his grandfather taught him the Pledge of Allegiance when he was 2 years old. Common sense should prevail when you wonder if his missing American flag lapel pin allowed over 3,800 U.S. soldiers to be killed in Iraq on false pretenses.

Questioning if he will restore habeas corpus, privacy, and civil rights to all American citizens, including ones that have sex in their own homes differently than him is a nice place to look first. Will the healthcare puzzle that many other countries figured out be solved? How about whether or not our troops that the Republican Party claims as their own will begin to be treated with the dignity, respect, and basic treatment that they deserve when/if they return home? Do our third world-like cities such as New Orleans have the capabilities to survive another Hurricane Katrina? Will it take over two more years of filth, disease, and random violence to begin to revive our lost city? What steps will he take to stop the terrorist-recruiting and anti-American practice of torture that yields false information? Is the candidate going to threaten another sovereign country with unprovoked attacks because of what their leader likes to say about others?

If you think the answers to these questions lie in his American flag pin, whether or not he places his hands on his chest, butt, crotch, or stomach during the national anthem, or if his name comically sounds similar to that of a Muslim, then have fun in your fantasy world called the Matrix. When you see an agent, run, Neo, run!

Under Attack, Bobby Brown Goes Country To Get His Groove Back: Good Luck With That Brotha!

Being Bobby Brown has had better episodes. After experiencing severe chest pains a few weeks ago, Brown was taken to two different hospitals before finally being admitted for having a mild heart attack.

The 38 year-old singer and former member of ‘80s R&B boy band New Edition has no history of heart problems as doctors attributed the attack to stress and diet, despite what many must have thought upon hearing the news. Since Brown has been known to use drugs along with ex-wife, ex-diva Whitney Houston (looking like her old self again with daughter Bobby Christina pictured below), it’s not a stretch to wonder if the years of abuse played a part in the struggling health of such a young man.

With the days of “Candy Girl” and “Mr. Telephone Man” flashing before his eyes in a hospital bed in Tarzana, California, he made a goodbye video just in case he didn’t pull through. When asked to tell if there were any secrets to tell, he admitted his love for his girlfriend/manager, declared that the heart attack was not brought on by drugs, claiming he’s been clean for over 2 years, and gave Whitney two final words in the form of a vulgar gesture.

Bobby has received a great prognosis from his doctors and should fully recover, giving him the opportunity to become the "captain of country?"

We'll find out during the course of a new reality show. The CMT series "Gone Country" will star the former New Edition member as he tries his hand at wooing a hillbilly loving audience.

A group of d-list celebrities will all live together in a Nashville mansion and after a couple of weeks, the celebrity considered to be the best suited to go before a country audience will get to record and release a song. The six-episode series will begin airing in January, 2008, just in time for the custody battle to subside and maybe a promise never to return to VH-1 to do another "Being Bobby Brown."

Our boy Jayar Jackson contributed most of the story on this piece.

Female Singers Beyonce & Gwen Steffani Take On The Muslim Faith In Very Different Ways!

What's The Real Story Behind Beyonce Malaysia No Show?

by Jayar Jackson

The ever popular Beyonce Knowles has abandoned plans to perform her first concert in Malaysia due to “scheduling conflicts.

She is instead set to perform in neighboring Indonesia on the Nov. 1 date previously set for Kuala Lumpur, where the Muslim government is known to require western performers to cover up more than they’re used to.

This new level of comfort would make the 26 year-old diva cover up from the top of her chest to her knees, including her shoulders. Recent speculation says that these guidelines are the catalyst behind the “scheduling conflict” that pushed Beyonce to Indonesia, which is also a Muslim country, but doesn’t have all of the guidelines that exist in Malaysia. Performers can do as they like there, according to the frustrated Chairman of the company responsible for bringing Beyonce in the first place. Many promoters have noted the fact that Western acts have to deal with building pressure from the Malaysian government to keep scantily-clad clothes and sexy dance moves out of their children’s eyes.

Muslim students and activists called for Gwen Stefani’s performance in Kuala Lumpur to be cancelled in August because of her sexy reputation while on stage. Instead of arranging a scheduling conflict, Stefani adhered to the guidelines and wore clothes that revealed little skin, later calling it a “major sacrifice.”

Beyonce must have seen the warning signs of Stefani’s censorship and began to wonder how she could sing, “Don't you see my body? I want to let it out tonight. Wanna party, wanna dance, wanna be myself tonight, me bodied,”and do the Pee-Wee Herman dance at the same time.

If I was there watching her wrapped from chin to toe, I’d be the first asking for a refund. Believe that!

Padres Baseball Star Milton Bradley Is Out: Did This Black Man Get A Raw Deal Or Is He Just Another Whining Brother?

By Jayar Jackson

Milton Bradley of the San Diego Padres will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL. With one week left in the season and San Diego in a close playoff race against the Philadelphia Phillies, this couldn’t have come at a worse time. Baseball is a risky sport sometimes, with all the sliding into bases, balls flying at players’ heads, and outfielders colliding with the wall or each other.

Bradley was involved in one such collision in the Padres’ 7-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, but his season ending injury came after he safely made it to 1st base in the 8th inning.

While jawing back and forth with first base umpire Mike Winters, Bradley decided to call time and get into the face of Winters, like most baseball managers do to prove a point. The commissioner's office said Monday it is investigating whether the volatile Bradley was baited by Winters.

Their confrontation actually began in the 5th inning when Bradley struck out, watching a pitch. Home plate umpire Brian Runge asked Bradley if he had flipped his bat in the ump's direction after taking the called third strike to end the inning. Runge indicated that the first base ump told him that Bradley had, which he disputed. Bradley has gotten in trouble for this very same offense in 2003 with another umpire, so these actions seemed to be in his blood.

Upon comfortably arriving at 1st base with both of his knee ligaments intact 3 innings later, he asked Winters if he told Runge he threw his bat. Padres’ first base coach said that Winters used profanity towards Bradley right before the blowup that could not be printed.

"You guys couldn't print it,” the manager told reporters in San Francisco. “In this situation, it escalated to a point where some things shouldn't have been said. I didn't hear what Mike said. My understanding is ... they were profane.”

During the scuffle and attempts to restrain the outfielder with a reputation for completely losing his temper, Bud Black, his own manager, accidentally wrestled his knee into the very uncomfortable position that tore the ligament in question. Black said, "He's a very strong guy. My thought was, 'I've got to do everything I can to keep Milton away from any confrontation because if he gets suspended it's going to cost us games.” Ironically, his motivation behind getting involved caused Bradley to not get suspended, but miss the end of the season anyway.

Taking Bradley’s history for losing his cool into consideration, this apparent lack of professionalism from the umpire may go unpunished. While some players get a bad reputation for their temper while in the heat of competition, it’s even more essential for the umpires to be held to a higher standard in determining the outcome of games.

Needless to say, Bradley was not happy with the way the ordeal turned out calling Winters’ actions “the most unprofessional and most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.” “It's terrible. And now, because of him, my knee's hurt,” Bradley said Sunday. “If this costs me my season because of that, he needs to be reprimanded. I'm taking some action. I'm not going to stand pat and accept this.”

The Votes Are In: It's Time Fox News' Bill O'Reilly Gets The CBS Dan Rather Treatment

Bill O'Blivious

By Jayar Jackson

Conservative Fox News channel host and talk radio show host Bill O’Reilly illustrated some widespread racial ignorance regarding Black Americans and their lifestyle on his September 19 radio show. While discussing a recent and apparently inaugural trip to for dinner at Sylvia’s with Rev. Al Sharpton, O’Reilly shared with his audience surprising facts about the Black-run restaurant being like any other one in White neighborhoods. Listen to his outrageous conversation here.

While the media giant claimed no racial intent in his revelations about Black Americans, his unawareness to the fact that Black people are “normal” was blisteringly clear. The way he proudly asserted that Black people are BEGINNING to move forward in this country, owning businesses and not embodying the slow, lazy, illiterate and dumb stereotypes, showed that he felt he had stumbled upon some information unbeknownst to the world. Being the roving reporter that he is, O’Reilly felt the need to deliver this breaking news of responsible and cheerful Black life that so many others in this country just don’t see.

While the media giant claimed no racial intent in his revelations about Black Americans, his unawareness to the fact that Black people are “normal” was blisteringly clear. The way he proudly asserted that Black people are BEGINNING to move forward in this country, owning businesses and not embodying the slow, lazy, illiterate and dumb stereotypes, showed that he felt he had stumbled upon some information unbeknownst to the world. Being the roving reporter that he is, O’Reilly felt the need to deliver this breaking news of responsible and cheerful Black life that so many others in this country just don’t see.

Although these comments that border on insanity were delivered on national airwaves across the country, it’s not an Imus or racist moment, just a revealing one. I cannot conclusively say that Bill O’Reilly’s brain dives into hate or belief that the color of one’s skin determines success in life, and that his is superior. I also cannot say that he doesn’t believe this either, as these eye-opening experiences to common Black life exposed just how detached he is from it.

It is obvious that he definitely has sweepingly preconceived ideas about Black Americans; that a majority chooses to live a sub-par life due to a failure to use their own brains, and that civilized behavior is only prevalent in White culture. His use of the terms “respectful” in describing how Black people responded to him and “I couldn’t get over the fact” give you an idea about what he previously thought about Black culture.

Instead of racism, what we’re dealing with here is O’Reilly’s incomprehension of certain parts of the world around him. Sadly, he is not alone in these beliefs, but this ignorance doesn’t automatically make those that think like O’Reilly racist. We as humans generally have a fear of the unknown. This fear can lead certain people to the hate and revulsion that is racism, though. Like my boy Yoda from Star Wars so eloquently said, “Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.” Just ask the Jena 6.

Orenthal James Simpson Puts Race Back In The Ring: White Folks In That Corner, Blacks To The Left -- To The Left

Looks Like The Simpson Racial Spectacle Is Coming Live Via The Web, Who Needs HBO?

Arrested on robbery, assault, burglary and conspiracy charges, according to police, O.J. Simpson allegedly led a group of armed men in to a hotel room full of sports memorabilia collectors that knew OJ. One of the alleged victims even recorded the exchange with an audio recorder, which captured the ex-NFL star yelling profanities while continuously asking the men if they thought they could steal his “stuff” and sell it.

Ok, time for the Black Americans to get in their corner and the White Americans to get in theirs, and have another 13-year battle over whether or not OJ is the anti-Christ. Whenever the name OJ Simpson is mentioned, it becomes almost mandatory for White folks to start talking about decapitation, while Black folks to refer to Mark Fuhrman and a tainted crime scene.

Saying OJ’s name three times while staring at a mirror will instantly make all of the suppressed racial tension that still exists in this country to resurface. It will work on you, try it tonight! If you’re White, all of a sudden, you’ll think that your Black co-worker must have gotten the job because of affirmative action since he came from a bad neighborhood, and then you’ll remember your favorite pen has been missing for a couple of days. Check your pockets and count your money. If you’re Black, you’ll…well, you’ll be just fine, you will see things just as crystal clear as you always have about the rampant racism instituted, facilitated, and condoned by the government in America. (Sorry, I’ve already said his name 3 times, I’m powerless.)

Its ok to admit it, we’ve come a long way in this country from the days of segregated water fountains and unfavorable seating arrangements on buses, but when a murder occurs involving a Black and White person, each race tends to blindly take the side of Team Black and Team White for an argument that convinces no one of anything.

The truth is that the friends and family of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown can dislike Simpson and never think of anything else except for finding a way to get payback. For everyone else in the country to associate their deaths as something that personally made their lives worse is bordering on insanity.

These people have no emotional ties to these families or victims; it’s based in subliminal thinking that Team Black got an unfair victory over Team White while the justice system let it happen. Adding insult to injury and pushing the racial divide even wider was the sight of almost every Black person celebrating the verdict. Black people won the biggest upset of the century on the road among a hostile crowd and danced in their faces.

All of a sudden, it was thought that Black folks loved to see a White woman get her head damn near chopped off. In reality, there was no reveling in the Black community that the murders took place and that there were two less White people in the world.

Black people wanted the other side to finally feel what it was like to see your country’s justice system blatantly screw your entire race over with a murder acquittal that seemed so open and shut. They’ve felt this pain for most of the century, headlined by the murder of Emmitt Till in Mississippi in 1955.

These acquitted murderers that arguably committed a more heinous killing than OJ Simpson was accused of, even openly admitted to the crime 1 year later, much like Simpson did in his book this year, outlining how he did it if he had done it.

Now that OJ has had his 236th lapse of memory that he is the poster child for racial tension and payback for a majority of the country and he rushes a hotel room with accomplices, the discussion goes far away from this arrest and alleged crime, and on to beheadings and an arranged crime scene.

Look forward to seeing Fred Goldman on TV and in interviews about this crime that has absolutely nothing to do with him or his tragically murdered son.

It’s because we really don’t care about the victims of this hotel robbery, and we don’t care that they had guns pointed at their faces and were shoved around the room. Hell, we don’t even care about the group of men that accompanied OJ into the room who were holding the guns that aided the crime. Justice for this crime is not what’s on the minds of opponents to OJ Simpson. The sooner everyone admits that the obsession over this is based upon race and revenge for the system working their way or not working their way, the sooner we’ll be able to honestly hear what’s being said. This issue isn't very complicated, it's black and white, literally.

Keep talking, it’s the only way they’ll ever hear you.--JJJ