Barack cannot do this alone!!

Let's start out today's posting by refreshing everyone's memory with this 22-second YouTube clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aLGkFpsdHo.

I'm sure you haven't forgotten about this debacle, neither have I. Rev. Jackson seems to have developed a selective memory. On the eve of a titanic shift in the American political establishment, one of our 'revered' leaders makes a comment that was heard around the world. Unbelievable. Rev. Jackson, aren't you the same man who just 20 years ago, stood in President Obama's shoes? Didn't you march with Dr. King and fight for equality amongst the poor and disenfranchised citizens of color in Chicago? Oh I get it…maybe you made the comment because it wasn't your beloved namesake in the shoes of Barack Obama. You remember your son, Jesse Jr., the same individual who tried to buy President Obama's vacant Senate seat back in 2008. The infamous Senate Candidate #5, who turned out to be a federal informant. Who are you?! This is not the way it was supposed to be! You're a student of Dr. King, where did your fire go? How are you making yourself and your leadership position relevant to your community, especially my generation? Since when was corruption, lies and deceit the new standard for our black leaders.

Now you 'Senator' Roland Burris. You know, I was actually rooting for you at one point during this entire circus show. It wasn't until you literally went on a media blitz that forced US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to seat you, amongst many uneasy feelings. But as usual, you and your friends turned this into a racial issue rather than focusing on the best interests of the citizens of Illinois. You had everyone believing your story, and POOF you became the new junior Senator of IL after testifying that you weren't involved in ANY 'quid pro quo' dealings with the now ex-Governor of IL, Rod Blagojevich. Just when we thought the Illinois Senate drama was over, you now come out and say that you were contacted by Blago's cronies and told to raise $10K for his campaign. Let me just go ahead and say it…GET OUT!!!

Kwame Kilpatrick………I don't even have the energy to say anything about you……………………

It's such a shame that in all of these cases, the legacies of these African-American public servants will be marred with shame. I'm not trying to attack these gentlemen, but as a socially conscious aspiring black leader, it is my responsibility to hold these men accountable for corruption, media malfeasance and just plain ol' tomfoolery.

What happened to organizations that were created to uplift and affect issues in our community, NAACP?? For example, instead of fighting to end generational poverty on the Southside of Chicago, the NAACP would rather insert itself into irrelevant matters like the XM & Sirius Satellite Radio Merger? If you don't believe me, click here. WHY ARE YOU IN COLLUSION WITH BUSINESSES THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR PURPOSE? Obviously, your leadership is unstable, you're on your 3^rd CEO in less than 5 years…

Where did the fire go?? This is not us. This is not how we were taught. The state of our African-American leadership in this country – it is depreciating at an alarming rate. For citizens (such as me) that actually want to hold elected office at some point in the future, you surely make it difficult for us to establish credibility. At no time in American history have there been so many African-American leaders at all levels of government. Correspondingly, never has there been such a systematic breakdown of our black leadership establishment amongst our senior leaders. I believe that there has been a selfish paradigm shift, giving those who "came before us" an attitude that ALL dues have been paid by their work. Well folks, we still have plenty of work to do, especially now that our fearless leader has assumed the highest office of the land. For some reason, there is no longer a hunger for change or a righteous anger at our current state in America.

Thank GOD for Barack Obama for taking us leaps and bounds. He cannot do it alone! If we don't get it together, all of the hard work our ancestors invested, all of the history that President Obama has made will be shelved. I'm not one of those critics that just has a lot to say but no action. Mark my words current black leaders…we're coming and on our way there, we're gonna be all up in your face until we all get it right.

Madea: The Deconstruction of the African American Matriarch

Matriarch:  a highly respected woman who rules or dominates a family, group or state.

What a way to kick off my first post, than to discuss something that I’m sure many people feel very passionate about…in this case its Tyler Perry’s fictional, elderly, bespectacled and beloved character, Madea.  Now I’ll admit, a few years ago when my aunt Doris introduced me to my first Tyler Perry play, I found Madea to be just as funny as the next person.   Now here we are many years later.  The “Madea” franchise has grossed millions of dollars for Mr. Perry and has allowed him to truly become a household name in the African-American community as well as a trailblazer in cinematic media.  Here’s where I take issue with the “Madea” character.  I realize that what Mr. Perry does is merely comedic expression, but I think with the latest installment of “Madea Goes to Jail”, we have hit a new low.  Mr. Perry was on the Larry King show last week and Larry asked him about his inspiration for the “Madea” character.  As expected, he said that she is a mixture of his mother and aunt and she represents every African-American Matriarch throughout history.  I don’t know about you Mr. Perry, but the women in my family are not gun-toting, blaspheming felons that have a threat prepared for anyone that dares to say a word.  As Madea continues to make the rounds through the rest of our popular culture, this caricature of our mothers, aunts, grandmothers, etc., goes right along with her.  The African American woman is arguably the strongest individual figure in this country; do we not at all feel that the Madea character is slowly eroding this notion?  One thing that I heard Dr. Maya Angelou say is “when people show you who they are, believe them the first time.”  With this thought in mind, the Madea character is destroying a symbol that has changed my life.  Mainstream society will see this character and make a great assumption about a key element of our culture.  My friends know that I have a very strong relationship with my both of my grandmothers.  One time at work, I stated that I was going to visit my grandmother for the holidays and a co-worker proceeded to ask me if my grandmother was like “Madea”.  Of course I snapped her into correction.  I don’t want people to think that our beloved family matriarchs are anything like this figment of Tyler Perry’s imagination.  For those of us that have relatives that behave like this character, more power to you.  We also have relatives that are similar to Nino Brown from New Jack City or Ebony from Player’s Club but we are quick to hide them from society and persecute film-makers that continue to perpetuate those stereotypes.  Tyler Perry’s explanation for going forward with these characters is that through all the comedy, his movies have a message.  Well I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of his movies conveying an oversimplified moral sermon to cover up for the sheer ‘coonery’ that exists in some of his films.  I am in no means suggesting a boycott of Tyler Perry’s films, but we need to think about the kind of signals that we’re sending out to the rest of the world.  Out of all the movies that Mr. Perry has created, none have gained more notoriety than the ones that star Mabel “Madea” Simmons.  Now that these films have successfully reached the mainstream, Madea is brought up in every interview.  All of the news reporters and talk show hosts want to know about Madea.  “Oh she’s so funny”, “Where do you pull your inspiration from for the character”.   Every time he says “Madea is just like many of the matriarchs in our community”, I CRINGE!    Over the past year, the African American community has experienced a meteoric resurgence of pride with the election of our new leader.  Let’s ride this wave!  Let’s continue to build on the momentum!!  Let’s demand more from our entertainers!!! I realize that the same argument that I’m making for the obliteration of Madea can and SHOULD be made for Flavor Flav, Ray J, etc., but I am focusing on Madea because I think that society is patting Tyler Perry on the back for these “wonderful” films and our community needs to call him to task.  One thing I can guarantee, the Academy will continue to encourage Tyler Perry to create more Madea movies.  Madea Goes to Space, Madea Goes to Paris, and Madea Goes to Hell.  One thing I KNOW…Madea won’t go to the Academy Awards.