Faith in Action

That’s right ladies and gentlemen. Despite the tumult that she has recently experienced in her own past marriage(s); “Dr.” Juanita Bynum will now be giving counsel to those couples who are planning to move forward with divorce proceedings on the Divorce Court television show. (Only in America can you have television shows centered around failed marriages. How does our society create a market for this mess!?)

I’m not one who totally discredits the marital counsel of those who have been divorced. Certainly, some of those individuals have learned much about marriage and themselves making them perfect candidates to point out potential potholes for others. However, I remain concerned that the wounds in “Dr.” Bynum’s relationship are still too fresh…too new to be able to counsel in a balanced and thorough way. (Even Star Jones - after her Bynum-esque wedding of the century went the rational route and is now engaging in a quiet divorce and is asking for “privacy with her thoughts“. That’s what newly divorced people do! They go sit down somewhere and get themselves together. They don’t call a press conference the day after the marital explosion claiming to be a spokeswoman for battered women across America!)

Wait. There’s more. According to this report, Bynum will also be talking about her divorce on the show. Talking about how she loves herself more now (nooooo really?), how she’s “done”, and how the rumors about reconciliation are false. Though her appearance on the television show could affect the mediation that she and her estranged husband are presently engaging in; Bynum will be on the set and in front of the cameras anyway.

Her marketing machine continues to roll full speed ahead. Bynum is certainly an ambitious sista who is striking while the iron of her own celebrity is hot. She seems to be jumping on every opportunity to get in front of a camera, call a conference, or sell a product.

I don’t know folks. I know I’m biased against Bynum for a number of reasons so perhaps I’m being too harsh and a bit unfair. I know I’m not one that’s interested in building a marketing empire that’s centered on me, but is there anything wrong with her doing it? Maybe I need to cut the sista some slack.

ACTION ALERT!
Proctor & Gamble wants to hear from you!
April 2008

Great News!

As a result of the Parent Television Council’s “Rap on Rap” study, (in collaboration with the Enough is Enough Campaign) Proctor & Gamble would like to know whether you as a consumer would like them to change their advertising during music video programs on BET and MTV that glorify violence, drug use, drug dealing, contains sexually explicit theme, and portray men of color as pimps, gangsters, and thugs. P&G has set up a toll-free number to record your input.

Proctor & Gamble Contact Information

Please call (800) 331-3774.

Then, press 1 for “English”. You will then be prompted as follows:

“Thank you for calling P&G. If you are calling about our advertising on BET & MTV, please press 1.”

(press “1″ here)

The message will then say,

“We appreciate your taking the time out of your day to share your thoughts with us. For your convenience, we’ve set up this quick and easy way for you to register your opinion. If you would like us to change our advertising on BET & MTV, please press 1. If you would like us to continue our current advertising on BET, please press 2.”

(Press “1″ here)

You will then hear - “Your opinion has been counted and is being shared with the appropriate people in our company. For more information on our company, please visit us at www.pg.com. Thank you.”

END OF RECORDING!

If you are concerned about the issue of corporations sponsoring and marketing adult-themed content to children and youth, and content that glorifies drug use, degrades women, and glorifies a criminal lifestyle, call this the toll-free number above.

Also, share with ALL of your friends, co-workers, and family members who are concerned about this issue as well by clicking “Email This” at the top and send this email to those in your address book. Let’s make a change. Let your voice be heard.

You may also fax the Consumer Relations department at Proctor & Gamble at (513) 983-2881.

Once you do it, post a quick comment below sharing your experience calling the number and why you decided to support. Thank you!

My Vote’s for Obama (if I could vote) …
by Michael Moore

April 21st, 2008

Friends,

I don’t get to vote for President this primary season. I live in Michigan. The party leaders (both here and in D.C.) couldn’t get their act together, and thus our votes will not be counted.

So, if you live in Pennsylvania, can you do me a favor? Will you please cast my vote — and yours — on Tuesday for Senator Barack Obama?

Read More

Baltimore City Public School System
By Marvin “Doc” Cheatham, Sr.

Recent violent occurrences in our Baltimore City Public School system should finally be the wake-up call for all of us to get actively involved in the education of OUR children.

The Family and Community Engagement Policy of the Baltimore City Public School System, approved May 25, 2004, needs to be scraped. Some of the language can be retained, but this document is merely words and not a plan to really engage parents, residents, community organizations, faith based institutions and businesses.

The Baltimore City Public School System’s Office of Parent Involvement and School, Family, Community Connections is failing in its objective to promote ongoing community engagement activities in our schools. Outside agencies and individuals are not participating at truly beneficial and successful levels, in helping our schools achieve greater success. We must be careful in engaging some of these non-profits that are only involved to receive funding for their experimental project that show no real benefit for our children. Communities, contrary to the schools allegations, are not being encouraged at the level we must have them to become increasingly more involved and committed to the shred responsibility of improving our schools.

Read More

The room was packed. On one side residents and supporters from Park Heights ready to tell why they didn’t want liquor stores in their community anymore. On the other side, many Korean merchants and a curious rowful of residents who were coming to defend their business.

The hearing started with a disappointment. We who had come to challenge Slaters Market (the grocery market that sells alcohol next to ketchup) were shocked when we learned during the hearing that the attorney from Community Law Center, Inc. (Michelle Pierce, Esq) had made a “gentleman’s agreement” with the attorney representing Slaters. The agreement was that they would take the liquor bottles off of the shelves that had condiments on them and in exchange there would be no protest of their license. What?!

Read More

Sponsored by Citizens for Change, Inc.
www.EnoughisEnoughCampaign.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 7, 2008 Contact: Julia Pollard - 301 238-4826

Joint Study On BET & MTV Video Content Complete

Washington, DC - The Enough Is Enough Campaign and the Parents Television Council will hold a Press Conference this Thursday, April 10, 2008 to release the results of a joint study analyzing the music video content on select BET & MTV music video programs. The Press Conference will be held at the National Press Club - 529 14th Street NW, Washington, DC at 12:30 p.m. EDT.

For the past eight months, the Enough is Enough campaign has been protesting the corporate sponsorship of lyrics and images that degrade women, glorify violence and criminal activity, and negatively stereotype black and Latino men as “pimps”, “gangsters”, and “thugs” in the entertainment industry. Since September 2007, the campaign has been holding weekly rallies outside the DC residence of Debra Lee, CEO Black Entertainment Television (BET) and the New York residence of Philippe Dauman, CEO of Viacom. After receiving national attention, the campaign is now expanding to engage advertisers whose commercials sponsor offensive and adult-themed programs that are marketed to youth.

Read More

Friday was a long day, but I did get a chance to drop in on the King Commemorative March and Rally in West Baltimore. The event was put on my Wayland Baptist Church’s Community Development Corporation. Dick Gregory was the keynote speaker and he was….Dick Gregory. LOL

It was so funny watching the faces of the dignified pastors as Gregory said some off the wall stuff! You know how he mixes comedy with political commentary. One minute he’s talking about manganese and the next minute he’s talking about wishing he was back in school since all these teachers now are having sex with the students! Crazy. I got some video from the event and I’ll try to have it up later this week. In addition to speeches there was dancing, singing, and great music. An all around great event. Good job to all involved!

Last week, I was blessed to be invited to Baltimore’s School of Original Thought to speak for their Manhood Seminar. SOT is a Muslim private school that produces some of the best and brightest students in the city. I was honored that they would consider inviting me to their school to speak to their young men. We had a wonderful time of sharing and I was extremely impressed with the academic gains that these students had made at such early ages. I was told of student after student who had completed their studies at age 13 or 14 and who would be going to college in the Fall.

These boys were highly intelligent, extremely respectful, and obviously destined for greatness. The staff is doing a marvelous job of cultivating the minds, hearts, and spirits of the younger generation. I have driven by the school often over the years always wondering what goes on in there. I no longer have to wonder nor just drive by. They asked me to stop in and say “hello” whenever I would like. My family just got a little bigger.

Last week, I was blessed to able to do a little gardening at Cardinal Sheehan School in Baltimore. The school has partnered with a new initiative of the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future. Through the Food and Faith Initiative, churches are being encouraged to reclaim the land and start urban gardens that become assets to the congregation and surrounding community in many ways.

Being that I am in the very beginning stages of beginning my garden, I thought it would be a great opportunity to get acclimated to what I would be doing all summer. As the prices of food at the market increases and there is growing concern about what actually is in the food that we’re eating; I’ve concluded that having my own garden would be a great way to save a little money and control what I’m putting in my body.

Thank you 3rd Graders at Cardinal Sheehan and Food and Faith for allowing me to participate. I will be back!

Click here to learn more about the Baltimore Food and Faith Project.

Hat Tip: Baltimore Examiner

Len Lazarick, The Examiner

Annapolis -
Wider collection of DNA samples from anyone charged with a violent crime tentatively passed the Maryland Senate on Tuesday.

But seven of the 10 African-American senators voted against the measure despite concessions they won from Gov. Martin O’Malley on a key component of his anti-crime agenda. Many black lawmakers said O’Malley’s proposal had potential to create another kind of racial profiling, with little knowledge of how genetic information could be used in the future.

Despite misgivings, Sen. Verna Jones, chairwoman of the General Assembly’s Legislative Black Caucus, voted for the bill initially — “a vote that’s very difficult for me” — then switched her vote after the measure passed on a preliminary 36-to-11 vote. She asked to have her name removed as a co-sponsor.

“I do have a problem with this bill, but I wanted to be supportive,” Jones told The Examiner. “I don’t think it’s as tight as it should be.”

The Senate amended the bill to make it similar to the one passed by the House last Wednesday. DNA samples would only be collected after a person was charged with a crime of violence, not after arrest, as O’Malley originally proposed.

The DNA would be tested after conviction, and it would be automatically expunged if the suspect was acquitted. In an important difference with the House, the Senate version “sunsets” the law — automatically repeals it — in five years.

“I had worked very diligently with the governor’s bill,” said Sen. Lisa Gladden, vice chairwoman of the Judicial Proceedings Committee and a public defender in Baltimore. “I still think it’s a bad bill.”

“I know who’s going to be in the database,” Gladden said — “poor people, African-American people.”

Sen. Delores Kelley, D-Baltimore County, said the bill was “premature” since O’Malley has neither provided the funding, created a commission of experts nor set up the regulations to be make sure the laboratories doing the testing were credentialed.

Four conservative Republicans joined in the opposition. “These are innocent people” from whom the DNA will be collected, said Sen. Alex Mooney. “We don’t know what they can do with DNA yet.”

Both sides expect the measure to be sent to a conference committee to work out differences between the two houses.

HERE IS HOW THE SENATE VOTED:

Nays (11):

Joan Carter Conway, D, Baltimore City
Ulysses Currie, D, Prince George’s County
Nathaniel Exum, D, Prince George’s County
Lisa A. Gladden, D, Baltimore City
Janet Greenip, R, Anne Arundel County
David C. Harrington, D, Prince George’s County
Andrew P. Harris, R, Baltimore County & Harford County
Delores G. Kelley, D, Baltimore County
Allan H. Kittleman, R, Carroll & Howard Counties
Alex X. Mooney, R, Frederick & Washington Counties
C. Anthony Muse, D, Prince George’s County
E.J. Pipkin, R, Caroline, Cecil, Kent & Queen Anne’s Counties

Yeas (36):

John C. Astle, D, Anne Arundel County
David R. Brinkley, R, Frederick & Carroll Counties
James Brochin, D, Baltimore County
Richard F. Colburn, R, Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot & Wicomico Counties
James E. DeGrange, Sr., D, Anne Arundel County
George W. Della, Jr., D, Baltimore City
Roy P. Dyson, D, Calvert, Charles & St. Mary’s Counties
George C. Edwards, R, Allegany, Garrett & Washington Counties
Jennie M. Forehand, D, Montgomery County
Brian E. Frosh, D, Montgomery County
Robert J. Garagiola, D, Montgomery County
Barry Glassman, R, Harford County
Larry E. Haines, R, Baltimore County & Carroll Counties
Nancy Jacobs, R, Cecil & Harford Counties
Verna L. Jones, D, Baltimore City
Edward J. Kasemeyer, D, Baltimore County & Howard County
Nancy J. King, D, Montgomery County
Katherine A. Klausmeier, D, Baltimore County
Rona E. Kramer, D, Montgomery County
Mike Lennett, D, Montgomery County
Richard S. Madaleno, Jr., D, Montgomery County
Nathaniel J. McFadden, D, Baltimore City
Thomas M. Middleton, D, Charles County
Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr., D, Calvert & Prince George’s Counties
Donald F. Munson, R, Washington County
Douglas J.J. Peters, D, Prince George’s County
Paul G. Pinsky, D, Prince George’s County
Catherine E. Pugh, D, Baltimore City
Jamie Raskin, D, Montgomery County
James N. Robey, D, Howard County
Jim Rosapepe, D, Anne Arundel & Prince George’s Counties
Bryan W. Simonaire, R, Anne Arundel County
J. Lowell Stoltzfus, R, Somerset, Wicomico & Worcester Counties
Norman R. Stone, Jr., D, Baltimore County
Bobby A. Zirkin, D, Baltimore County