Category Archives: American Politics

SOTU 2012…Disney Meets Washington

Posted by Wonder Woman on

Disney Meets Washington

SOTU 2012 WW Style!

As I tucked my kids in for bed last night I was not the only one telling fairytales and painting dreams of a most vivid and vibrant future and a “happily ever after.” I was joined by President Obama in fantasy and fiction telling. As we lay our “kids” to bed in the hopes they are nourished in the dreams and alternate realities we lay out for them, what did we really say? NOT MUCH!! Although I was preaching from the gospel of Disney. Mr. Obama’s  fairytale should have come from the Brothers Grimm!

 

We all knew what he would say; we just wanted to see the delivery. Something akin to watching the Olympics. We knew the routine but will it be presented in the manner in which it had been so well scripted and crafted? Yes he stuck his landing pretty good last night. He got 9’s and 10’s from the masses of those holding out for hope and change 3 years in, but for those of us living in reality we walked away questioning “where IS the beef?”

For those of us in Wisconsin who seem to have short term memory loss regarding this president, I was baffled that his message was not met with a little more pessimism. He had promised so much yet delivered nothing to those who waited in vain for the man who would supposedly lace up his sneakers and join the picket line. I watched as these same people who are so disgusted with the progress in Wisconsin and Milwaukee, give a clear pass to this man simply based on his vocal stylings. What else could it be? He has created no substantial hope or change, just more of the same. He is an average politician with above average rhetoric but we dare not call him out or lest we be cast out of this sheep society for free thought.

If you had put his record out there of job loss, dismal education progress, and his relationship with Wall Street/rich cronies, just to name a few, you could easily compare him to Scott Walker, but you would love him instead of hate him. And I make this comparison using the left’s logic. If I took left pundit talking points and used their definition (or rhetoric) of failed leadership, I could easily insert and invoke the name of Obama and be meaning Scott Walker (or vice versa). “Doesn’t care about blacks, loss of economic empowerment for blacks, hanging with the rich instead of the poor, doesn’t give his millions to charity,” etc. al.

The man who met with Hispanics and the LBGT communities but told us to stop our whining, this is your hero? The same man who left you at the altar in Wisconsin and never backed you up when you absolutely needed him, you want to give him another 4 years to do the same ignoring of you? I just do not get it. I really don’t.

He spoke about teachers and supporting good ones, while letting bad ones go. That is just what we did here in Wisconsin! You are welcome Mr. President courtesy of Governor Walker and the Republican Party. We gave back to the school districts and tax payers what the union fat cats took away. We gave communities tools like Act 10 and the right to not have to enter into affluent contracts with the likes of WEA Trust who were really only union tax stealing money pits. Instead we put in accountability and mandates to teach our 4 year olds how to read or answer to” we the people.” We chose CHOICE over forced; we opted out of unhealthy relationships and into thriving partnerships of true transparency and government of the people, by the people. We created a manageable budget and began to pay back those we owed.

The President thrust out General Motors as if it is the company we once knew it to be. It is not! The jobs are mostly gone. The company is pretty much fluent in Spanish or Asian. Sure on the books some of it is here but it is not the General Motors your parents once owned or worked for! Those jobs are gone and only administration and lobbying positions remain. We as a country do not own much at all as most of our jobs are all overseas and creation has been in stagnation. We are owned by China and have a downgraded credit rating. Mr. President close the tax loop holes already. You keep saying it but you never do it. Stand for something before you use Martin’s name. We bailed out everyone but the middle class yet you stood their last night and spun yarns of the brightest of prosperities which is neither our reality nor will it be anytime soon.

He said the unemployment cycle was “a maze.” You betcha it’s a maze and under whose watch did it become this ongoing forest of trees for which we cannot see the sun anymore?

He talked about the American Dream, the precious American Dream as if it was the governments to give and take away. What happened to capitalism and free enterprise? What’s mine is mine dammit! It is not the government’s to do with as it sees fit. You can have your taxed share, but you are not entitled to sustain life on the backs of the middle class and do away with the things that make people self-sufficient. Government is not supposed to be growing and all powerful. Its job is to monitor and assist, not become the provider and head of household. It is already enough that welfare, the great failed social experiment, has grown and continues to fester yet we wonder why jobs are going away, education sucks, and the onus of personal responsibility has been replaced with apathetic sheep who know nothing of economic empowerment and SAVING!!!

Mr. President you warned about shady dealings in the Congress but yet you have no answer for Solyndra or the “Fast and Furious “ programs. Did you think we would forget? How about the fact that the CBC Head, Emanuel Clever said if it where Clinton and he had done what you have done to your own, he would have been marched upon. Africa is seeing the worst of times yet you do far less than the last president.  Not to mention you an African killed leader we had no impending threat from. You are one of their own sons, their own. If you could do this to them why should we African Americans expect more?

However we extended our card and gave this “brother” a great big pass and turned a sorry blind eye to our treatment. We keep worrying about the known racists yet we refuse to call out the ones WE OURSELVES keep in the dark. And if we don’t bring him and those like him to light, who are we to demand anything more from anyone else when the most powerful person on the planet is given a pass to ignore and destroy us? Sheep! Stand and defend yourselves.

We in Wisconsin have our own flock of sheep and we sheep follow loyally those with family name and privilege to the grave in hopes they may rise to the standards of their ancestors. Most of them have not and yet we say nothing or elect more of them or give them new titles and benefits without questioning one word about their lack of assistance and support to this community. We also follow those who have been our “brother” or “sister” because we are too wimpy to ask them what they have done for us, US!!!! So it is no surprise to me that the Wisconsin black will not stand now.

As an aside the potential candidates for many of our races here back home in “Wisconsinland” (which seems to be the last bastion for real hope and change) have criminal backgrounds or of misappropriation of funds that should send us screaming away if we really wanted to make a difference. Instead we line up and get their white “masas” to line up for us too! Sandy Paasch has no business in county politics! Barrett has no business in state politics! They are not our allies. Barrett has reigned over a Milwaukee that had gone from #3 in segregation to #1, staying strong in first place, and yet we clap and cheer him on. No one vets these new black potential candidates anymore in the community. We depend on Bice, Ingram, or Kane to possibly do that. One little visit to CCAP should put the fear of God into your hearts and wallets, but we only use that on potential soul mates.

Sorry went off on a little tangent, but it needed to be pointed out…

MILWAUKEE CITY AND COUNTY RESIDENTS USE CCAP and/or GOOGLE AND VOTE ACCORDINGLY!!!

Just a little friendly warning before you regret giving even more pathetic, benefit seeking, lying, cheating, living off us, smile in your face, dagger behind the back, desperate for incomes, lacking leadership, low life scum, these new jobs and then wonder why we cannot get rid of them and why our communities look tore up!!! HALLEJUAH AMEN! I hope I emphasized enough that there are some real threats to our own community from within trying to take advantage while we are putting all our resources and attention into getting rid of Scott Walker. WATCH OUT LITTLE SHEEP! Danger, danger!!!! Scott Walker is NOT our biggest threat.

As with any relationship do a little searching and ask them the questions. CCAP and Google are our best tools in deciding local elections.

I will elaborate more on this as we get closer to these elections.

Anway back to POTUS. His speech was great. I respect the man, I really do, but at the same time like any jilted lover, I cannot forget! “Let’s stay together.” Indeed Mr. President. I will meet you on Main Street but I will not be messed over twice, not if I can help it. You made promises of hope and change, gave us visions of grandeur and have delivered very little especially to US!

So as with any fairytale, I have come to the conclusion that American reality was not found in the great oratorical spectacle given last night. It is pending lore from the fairytales found in the Brothers Grimm tales. Three years of ignoring US and ignoring the platform you ran upon shan’t be rewarded but must be accounted for and we are owed an apology at the very least for invoking in America, especially Black America, visions of a real future of growth and opportunity. Very little progress was made in the great race debate and that was because it was used, used to create feelings of true change and real hope when in reality there really never was an US in your heart. Just opportunity for you and yours alone.

Whites cannot say it, nor will they address it openly or honestly. They are scared and have their own agenda which is not ours at all. Instead they created Occupy movements that mask their criticisms and racism. They do not intend to give you more rope, nor do they intend to ever” Occupy” us with money or time. They simply do not have need for us and use us as a means to an end. This, this was another failed experiment in social justice gone horribly wrong. I hope we at least can see that this man is not MLK or Malcolm. He does not intend to change the path of the African American or make a significant dent in Black history, other than being the first biracial president with a hype swag and flare. This man is a smooth-talking object of affection sent from the left, designed to tide us over until they get their power and move on sans us.

Peace Family,

WW

We Are All Witnesses But To What?

Posted by Wonder Woman on

We Are All Witnesses But To What?

Black Athletes & The Black Movement Vs. Selling Their Brand

Back in the day, most Black athletes were not only about the business of winning, they were about the advancement of our people and improving our quality of life. These brave warriors not only took hits and punches in their respective sports, many lost revenue and major endorsements to promote Black Power and to keep our voice relevant in the political arena as well as the sports arena.

Significantly starting with the breaking out of Michael Jordan and others to follow; sure they are great athletic stars but they are making conscious choices to not take political sides. Instead they elect to become “brands” and sell their voices to the highest bidder.

Everyone associates MJ with Nike, but how many people want to take him to the hole on the sweatshops and Nike debate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike_sweatshops)? Why won’t MJ take his money and create a Black factory in the urban areas, or demand that Nike do so?

Magic Ervin is known for doing business in the Black community but the list of Black Athlete Entrepreneurs grows shorter with every sport season gone by. Most are electing to create foundations (tax write offs some and others are legit foundations) and some are electing to put their money into causes, but yet and still very few are lending their power to our movement. They are not (to coin a current phrase) “taking their talents” back to the hood of things.

Muhammad Ali caused a national debate by not serving in the military. John Carlos and Tommy Smith shocked the world with their black-gloved fist held high to show Black solidarity. Now, the only movement we see is the campaigning for draft picks or monetary rights to jerseys and apparel. A far cry from the movement that was started not so long ago. We are still not free in this country yet WE entertain billions, even across the globe and create a ridiculous amount of revenue for the NBA and NFL cartels! Please see this article on how much they actually make off the backs of our people. Yet we see very little coming back to the Black community.

http://oneluvsports.blogspot.com/2011/06/one-luv-sports-evil-trolls.html

And if we are not seeing enough of them acting a fool on Twitter or some other social networking site, now their wives and baby mommas are reaping the rewards by showing up on reality TV, showcasing to the entire world the ignorance people to some degree are associating with modern Black culture.

No we all don’t have weave and we all are not angry! TV is a messed up place right now!

Who is the next Jim Brown, Kareem Abdul, Bill Russell, John Carlos, Tommy Smith, or Muhammad of our time?

Is it time to stop helping the Kobe’s, Lebron’s, Williams Sisters, and Tiger’s launch their brands and refocus them back to the real cause of empowerment, civil rights, and moving the entire Black race forward?

Peace Family,

WW

See below for an excellent piece on this topic.

Athletes and Politics

By JOCKlife Sports (Contributor) on September 26, 2008

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/61761-athletes-and-politics

In 1968, John Carlos and Tommy Smith took a stand. After medaling in the ’68 Olympics they climbed up on the podium quietly slipped a single black glove on their hand and with their medals draped around their necks, lifted their gloved fist above their heads as a salute to the millions of African-Americans at home who had yet to obtain their Civil Rights.

During those same Olympics, the future Heavy Weight Champion, George Foreman took a stand of his own. After winning the Gold medal in boxing, Foreman took a small American flag and paraded around the ring waving it gleefully, the antithesis of John Carlos and Tommy Smith.

One year earlier, another boxer made a huge sacrifice to take a stand against something he did not believe in. Muhammad Ali refused to take the step forward symbolizing the induction into the United States Army. Ali believed that the Vietnam War was unjust and that Blacks in America were being oppressed by the same government he was being asked to defend. No doubt Ali paid a heavy price for displaying such courage out of the ring. He was stripped of his title, denied the opportunity to make a living in his chosen profession (boxing) and generally vilified by the power structure. Ali never wavered. Today, he is known simply as the greatest!

Black Voting Rights – The other side of the story.

Posted by Little tortillas on

Schools today do not teach actual history bet you didn’t know!

http://www.mrctv.org/embed/102104

Dispelling the Voter ID Disenfranchisement Myth!

Posted by Wonder Woman on

Dispelling Voter ID Disenfranchisement Myth!

Some of my liberal friends would have you to believe that requiring Photo ID’s for voting would disenfranchise millions upon millions of voters and take away our right to vote. I disagree! Requiring Photo ID’s is a simple way to help ensure less fraud in elections. As we witnessed in 2004 and 2008 with the presidential elections, and even now with JoAnne Kloppenburg, voter fraud is a problem. Photo ID is at least one positive attempt to make sure the state of Wisconsin is actively working towards error free elections and fraud at the polls.

I admit I was back and forth on this issue until I went through a 30 day experimental trial of seeing exactly how many times I used my photo ID in any of my life dealings. Actually I was surprised at the times when I didn’t need it and then there were some times while shopping that I was upset it was not asked for. (I think when you spend over a certain amount the seller should ask to see your photo ID and should not settle for a swipe and even giving cash back all without asking to verify your identity, but that is for another day). Continuing on, I had to use ID at the bank obviously, for ALL government business, for my rental space contract renewal, for my car, the library, the doctor’s office, hospital visits-even the ER demands photo ID!! Seriously? Anyway, I also had to use my photo ID for WIC (Woman, Infants and Children program), registering for classes, for purchasing certain items at the gas station, and for a whole host of things that I thought were a bit silly, like a stop at local eatery (the bill was about $5 and I’ve spent more there in the past and was never asked for ID, so I guess it depends on who’s taking the debit card). None the less, there I was pulling out my ID over and over again. I even had to scan my ID and email and fax it to a couple of places for internet shopping or again with government business. It is a rather new ID but it looks worn already. I don’t consider myself some crazed shopper or an “on the go” type of person so I have to say in this society we are very dependent on photo ID’s. That being said why is it such an injustice to ask everyone to show up with a photo ID to vote?

This week the Wisconsin legislature has been working on this bill. The bill’s authors, Republican Rep. Jeff Stone and Sen. Joe Leibham, have modeled their bill after Indiana’s Voter ID law, which was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. According to the Supreme Court case upholding Indiana’s Voter ID bill, “99 percent of Indiana’s voting age population already possesses the necessary photo identification to vote under the requirements.”

Since we have many similarities to Indiana I am going to conclude we share this same population finding. We already have photo ID’s in most cases!

And to clarify, the Wisconsin bill does have a provision to provide free identification for some Wisconsinites.

 

So Let’s Dispel the Most Common Myths

1.    We would disenfranchise the Elderly:

Many of our elderly use Badger Care/Title 19, Medicare/Medicaid, and other government programs like Meals on Wheels. They are more likely to visit the doctor regularly, use debit and credit cards (they are the only ones with good credit left in some cases!). They tend to require medical equipment and services that all requires, you got it, photo ID’s.

Elderly poor are included in #2.

2.     We would disenfranchise the Poor:

Which poor, the poor receiving government services, Qwest, Badger Care, W2, or the other poor, the ones who ????

What I am saying that is if you are poor, we already require photo ID. This means somehow our poor folks out there are already disenfranchised daily trying to get food, medical support, and other government services. So without trying to sound like a heartless …itch, I am asking how are we disenfranchising the poor unless the day of an election they suddenly became poor?

I see very few of the “poverty pimps” in the trenches when the poor are standing in ridiculous lines and trying to get government services, meals, food, clothing, or shelter. Try going to SDC and getting assistance and see how disenfranchised they are for real. They are treated like scum, have to wait all day for a 5 minute interview to be made to feel less human and worse (some of those people at SDC are very miserable individuals), anyway… they go to other venues for assistance and still we have them stand in lines, treat them horribly and now we want the world to show compassion when they vote only? Give me a break!! Have you been to Vliet Street lately? In addition to photo ID’s you also need birth certificates, immunization records, and a few other items if you want specific services so that argument holds no merit with me. One thing you don’t need to have to apply for benefits in this state is the ability to speak the language of our country. Just an aside!!

I would also think if one were that poor, to the point of starvation, maybe voting is the least of their worries. I do think that would stop a few van drops from picking up the homeless from their dinner lines and common hangouts to go and vote for smokes or cash as we have seen in the past. Oh yes and that was Democrats who did that right? Yep it was!

“Constance Milstein, a platinum-card Democrat, flew into Milwaukee a few days before the election to help Gore-Lieberman workers trade packs of cigarettes for votes at a homeless shelter.”

http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2000/12/10/loc_bronson_marlboros.html

3.  We would disenfranchise Those of Other Cultures:

As a bi-racial female, my physical appearance is that of a person of non-Caucasian background. I can tell you that anyone of color who does not have ID is walking a dangerous line in certain situations. With certain common racist practices, in a most segregated state/city, and given the fact that we are of color, we get asked for ID more frequently than our Caucasian counterparts. That is a fact. So why are more Blacks than whites walking around without photo ID’s? Why more Blacks in particular do not have photo ID’s speaks to a long list of issues. We are also the same group that uses a big portion of government services so how can this be? If you need photo ID’s for government dealings, but yet we have 1/3 more Blacks walking around without them? Seems odd to me, but I am sure someone will point out what I am missing.

Our Hispanic Friends: The number of illegal aliens in the state of Wisconsin according to The Pew Hispanic Center says the state has 75000 to 115000 illegal immigrants. There is a tie between Wisconsin and Ohio for the 10th position on the most desirable states for illegal aliens to relocate to: 20 thousand more illegal immigrants reside in each of Wisconsin and Ohio. This is a 20% increase, and the eleventh highest in the nation. So would it be so wrong to wonder and want verify that you are a legal citizen? Maybe this could help us cut down on the number of tax dollars we spend taking care of illegals each year as opposed to taking care of natural born citizens which according to everyone from Obama to Walker we simply cannot do anymore. We are running out of money, actually we have been out of money; we are now screwing up our kids futures.

http://newworldorderdawning.lefora.com/2010/11/07/top-10-states-being-invaded-by-illegal-immigrants-/

So yes I know it is not PC to think out loud like this but better to be honest and say what I know many people think. Are illegal immigrants voting? Are they voting for candidates who will help them get in and stay in this country and thus take more of our discretionary spending? For example, Blacks are seeing less and less scholarship $$ as they have to now divide this money more and more particularly with illegal aliens. Is this fair? And really I don’t mean to sound racist but how are we discouraging illegal behavior and fraud?

4.  We would disenfranchise Young People:

Exactly what young people? Couldn’t be students because last I checked they needed photo ID’s to get loans, scholarships, and grants, and to arrange living on/off campus. Possibly the average 18-25 year old that is not quite sure what they want to be or is hindered by life circumstances would be a candidate for a “pass over” on this. This might be the only group I might consider as they need to be encouraged to vote and to get ID’s. But then again there is a provision to get free ID’s. Darn, back to photo ID’s for you!

As we saw with college students in the state protests, they sure have a lot of time on their hands, are quite inventive, and are so passionate about causes that affect them. So maybe they can make time to put their actions to something useful like getting an ID. We also have a high number of binge drinkers in our state universities so I am assuming they are all of drinking age and show photo ID’s regularly right? Yeah sure!

 

5.    Where’s The Proof?

Those who disagree on photo ID requirements say there is no wide spread proof of voter fraud and election tampering.

However I can think of many incidences in this state that require our immediate attention to this problem. JoAnne Kloppenburg being the latest victim of election fraud!!

“There are legitimate and widespread anomalies, and widespread questions about the conduct of (the Wisconsin Supreme Court) election, most visibly in Waukesha County, but also in counties around the state.” 

JoAnne Kloppenburg on Wednesday, April 20th, 2011 in remarks at a news conference.

http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2011/apr/29/joanne-kloppenburg/joanne-kloppenburg-says-anomalies-were-widespread-/

She and/or her legions of supporters, fans, and the like cited voter fraud and election tampering in her loss to Prosser. And yes she lost!! Now she is wasting money going after nuns and bs that is wasting more and more money. But more power to her!

I saw on my own FB page, read in the Journal/Sentinel and listening to all the talk shows how much fraud people saw. “It made me sick and we need to do something about it!” one man told a talk show host on a popular radio talk show.

Even the Milwaukee Police Department way back in 2004 documented rampant voter fraud. Being a logical thinker, if it was very bad then and nothing has been done since, what must it be like today? EVEN WORSE!

Here is the MPD published report:

http://media2.620wtmj.com/breakingnews/ElectionResults_2004_VoterFraudInvestigation_MPD-SIU-A2474926.pdf

So the next time someone gives you this tired mantra about disenfranchising voters, go buy a pack of smokes, or try to do some banking, or even try to get a damn library book and then tell me how it felt! Where your feelings hurt? Did you feel violated? Were you embarrassed? Did you feel like your civil rights were hindered?

Peace Family,

WW

 

Interesting Statistics from which I based my categories

Wisconsin’s population is substantially less likely to have a state-issued identification. Those without state-issued photo identification and who would need to obtain one under the Wisconsin Voter ID bill include:

  • 23 percent of all elderly Wisconsinites over the age of 65
  • 17 percent of white men and women
  • 55 percent of all African American males and 49 percent of African American women
  • 46 percent of Hispanic men and 59 percent of Hispanic women
  • 78 percent of African American males age 18-24 and 66 percent of African American women age 18-24

[Driver License Status of the Voting Age Population in Wisconsin, 6/05]

http://www.brennancenter.org/page/-/d/download_file_50902.pdf

Looking Like A Fool With Ya Pants On The Ground…SAGGING!

Posted by Wonder Woman on

Looking Like A Fool With Ya Pants On The Ground…

Sagging and Pop Culture’s Effect On Our Community

 

First off you need to support Black Media in Milwaukee! We need to continue showing allegiance to our local talkers, local writers, local griots, and all those helping spread the word!! We need to support the advertisers and the shows 110%. If you don’t have radio access there is an app for that, a podcast, or RSS feed, anything. Show that you are listening and pass it along! Sometimes we may not agree with the person, but it is better to have a voice than dead air and space. We could have no information being passed to the masses at all!

That being said, Earl Ingram is one of my favorite talk show hosts. No we do not see eye to eye on several things, but this brother represents our community, he backs up his words with action and $$$, and he is a man of conviction, showing uncharacteristic leadership in the Milwaukee Black Media by exposing us to a buffet of varying Black voices that until his show, were once demonized by the typical Dem loving Black media that for so long ruled the airwaves.

End of Rant!

Yesterday on 1290 AM WMCS’s Earl Ingram “Evening Rush (3pm-6pm weekdays), Mr. Ingram presented an interesting topic along with Frederick Alexander Meade, a national commentator, syndicated writer, scholar, and socially conscious brother. The topic was about “Sagging” and Meade was going off! Sadly, WW had to work and could not hear it all, but I got to hear most of it and the topic was too good to let it die, so I offer this up as an extension to the subject: Sagging Pants!

For those unfamiliar:

“Sagging is a manner of wearing trousers (slacks, shorts, pants or jeans) below the waist, hanging below the waist area and therefore revealing much of the underwear. Sagging is predominantly a male fashion. Women wearing low-rise jeans to reveal their G-string underwear (the “whale tail”) is not generally considered sagging. (WW says: “the G-string should be included, but that is for another day”).”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagging_(fashion)

 

He was right on many of the points he brought up, it looks ridiculous and it is something we as a community need to address. This should not have to come down to laws, penalties, and fines. However we are not addressing it and it we are 30 years into the fashion “trend.”  A little Google search and one can find videos, websites and everything in between all dedicated to sagging pants. “Pants On The Ground”-An American Idol legend!! Even Brett Favre has his own version of this song! YIKES!!

Should there be laws to address what the community seemingly allows? Our silence is compliance! Meade suggested fines and possible jail time. Some callers commented that we have enough Black men in jail already without adding more of them into this never ending cycle that does not rehabilitate anyone. As for fines, who will pay them and how much should we fine offenders of fashion? Where would they get the money to pay fines and then do we want them having records that follow them the rest of their lives? How do we get people to see this is a sign of ignorance? Not to mention no one wants to see your underwear, especially not anywhere near my food!

Some say “sagging” is a fashion started by the jail population who cannot wear belts because they could be used as weapons or to commit suicide. However our rap stars continue this fashion faux pas to make them look cool and connected to the streets and our young people emulate the look, and so it seems the look will never end. Meade cited other reasons as well that should be considered for banning sagging. One of which is we need soldiers not idiots and that sagging pants can be harmful for your health, if I understood him correctly.

In several published reports sagging pants have been the cause of quite a few freak accidents and deaths. Not to mention news stories that detail people trying to get away from the scene of a crime but get caught because their sagging pants prevented them from getting away. Of course that is a good thing, but still why would you be so stupid? Why are sagging pants associated with negativity and with Blacks, especially Black men?

Some states and school districts already have laws/rules against “sagging.” The ACLU says that “sagging” laws would be challenged by their organization because they are profiling and racist. Are they? If we start down this slippery slope, where do we stop? Do we create laws about tats? What about those silly jackets with huge brand logos on them? Mohawks? God knows I didn’t like them in the 80’s and now I am looking at grown men with them? Have you seen Matt Barnes with that silly Mohawk? You are a Laker now, get rid of it!! Ron Artest got rid of his! (Sorry it’s playoff season had to sneak it in.)

It is bad enough parents are allowing this, but as a society where do we step in? MPS and other school districts already assume the roles formerly held by parents. They are parent, guardian, law enforcement, and now the fashion police? Don’t they have enough to deal with and is it really racist to ask our kings and queens to start dressing the part? Should we start enforcing uniform policies and/or have all out uniforms?

Just prior to the 2008 US Presidential Election, then-candidate Barack Obama appeared on MTV and stated that laws banning the practice of wearing low-slung pants that expose one’s underwear were “a waste of time”. However, he did follow that up with the statement: “Having said that, brothers should pull up their pants. You are walking by your mother, your grandmother, your underwear is showing. What’s wrong with that? Come on. Some people might not want to see your underwear. I’m one of them.”

So family, what do you think? Should we enact laws to curtail this fashion mistake? Should we continue to wait for parents to do their job and stop letting their kids out of the house with sagging pants? What about adults who wear sagging pants and the people who love them? After all this would not be a popular fashion if those of us in relationships with “saggers” stopped seeing this as a turn on and if we as a community started actively protesting this. How we do that without getting the “lovely feedback” that would follow? I have no clue. I have enough problems trying to get my oldest to keep his damn pants up. Publically, I give the look and then a comment, but unless we get it into their minds that no good can come from “sagging” they won’t stop. Even skinny jeans didn’t do the trick (Kanye wore “sagging” skinny jeans) and then we could start a whole other topic on skinny jeans, tight shirts, cleavage, G-strings, holes in your jeans, hair coloring, weaves, short-shorts, and right on down the line.

I think our young people are waiting for us to show up and lead them or guide them. They are tired of going it alone, or knowing that we are afraid of them and therefore allow them to do whatever they want. Time for the collective belt whooping! They need mentors and they need to see positive people doing positive things, dressed like professionals, acting like professionals. They also need us to stop bickering so much and see a community united. They need to see jobs with good managers and real families and all the things that lead to fashion trends and not fashion staples.

Yes that’s a lot to deal with but we must start somewhere. Pulling up your damn pants is a good place to start becoming “a beloved community” (St. Paul/MLK once called us to be) and begin taking back what is ours. Our youth would be phase one! Let’s not destroy another generation!!

Peace Family,

WW

Our goal is to create a beloved community and
this will require a qualitative change in our souls
as well as a quantitative change in our lives.
~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

“Earl Ingram Jr. & The Evening Rush”

http://www.earlingramjr.com

“Sagging”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagging_(fashion)

Droopy Pants Can Kill

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/02/nyregion/02nyc.html