Click here to listen to Dr. Boyce Watkins discuss whether or not college is a good investment during a recession.
Friday, January 14, 2011
90 Girls Pregnant at the Same High School – 11% of the Female Population
from AOL Black Voices
What in the world is going on at Frayser Middle/High School in Memphis, Tenn.? More girls are carrying babies than backpacks!
There are a reported 90 teen girls who are pregnant now or who have had a baby this school year. Eleven percent of the school's female population is already in the throes of parenthood.
Now an all-out campaign is being launched to deter teen pregnancy at the school.
Teen pregnancy is a big problem in Memphis and Shelby County, where the population is predominantly black and poor.
Sixteen-year-old Terrika Sutton (pictured above) is one of the Frayser students who became pregnant. Sutton, who has a 2-month old daughter, says she was in her fifth month when she found out she was expecting a child. The teen Mom surprised her parents and classmates alike when she broke the news to them about her situation:
Dr. Boyce Video: Cam Newton, Auburn and the NCAA
by Dr. Boyce Watkins – Syracuse University, Scholarship in Action
The "What the hayell" segment asks serious questions about events, institutions and individuals in our society who lead us to be confused about their behavior. One serious point of confusion is the NCAA, Auburn University and the treatment of star quarterback Cam Newton. Newton helped bring in a $21 million dollar payday to Auburn University with his recent NCAA championship. He also helped the school earn millions throughout the year through ticket sales, jersey sales and national television appearances. Yet, to this day, Cam and the other players on the Auburn University basketball team will see no piece of the multi-million dollar pie generated by their labor.
A Tragedy and My Apology
by Dr. Julianne Malveaux, President – Bennett College
My cellphone pinged on Saturday to say I had a message. I was in the middle of lunch and chose to ignore it. When I picked it up a couple of hours later, I felt the same sickness that millions did, learning that Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford was shot in an assassination attempt. Television news bubbled over with the news, with fact, spin, and interpretation. Would all 435 members of Congress need ramped up security? Was hate speech the basis of this shooting? I even saw Neil Boortz, the peripatetic Atlanta lawyer and talk show host suggest that President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama had been guilty of some of the same hate speech that the right has been accused of. Please.
The talk about hate speech, however, is important and I'm going to own my part of it, and apologize. A bazillion years ago (actually in 1992) I made a wisecrack about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Anyone who knows me would see it as a wisecrack, but those who don't saw it as hate speech. Here's the background. Thomas said he would live to be 120 to stay on the court to frustrate liberals. I replied that the average black man had a life expectancy of about 65, and that if his wife fed him lots of butter and eggs (if her recent call to Anita Hill is any indication she isn't cooking much these days), ingredients for high cholesterol and heart trouble, he'd die an early death. Conservatives called it a death wish. Death by breakfast, I responded, still in jest. As if someone were standing over Thomas with an Uzi forcing him to eat that butter and eggs. The wisecrack has to be taken even less seriously if Justice Thomas' purported commitment to physical fitness and working out is taken into consideration.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight: Rev. Jesse Jackson Talks Prisons, Money and Politics
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
I've always had a special admiration and appreciate for Rev. Jesse Jackson. While most of us know Rev. Jackson as a public figure and prominent Civil Rights leader, most of us don't know about the difficulties he's endured while fighting for African Americans over the past 40 years. There were days when money was tight and death threats were at his front door, but he continued to push on.
In fact, there was a time when Rev. Jackson was listed as one of the top three human beings on earth most likely to be assassinated. This was right after the murder of Dr. King, so you can imagine the pressure one would face from loved ones to give up the struggle and instead aim for self-preservation. But that wasn't what he did, as he persevered and stood strong for his community. So, love him or hate him, you must admire anyone who is so consistent in his role as a public servant, for I assure you, the job is not easy by any stretch and the sacrifice is tremendous.
The Latest from Dr. Boyce Watkins – 1/13/11
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Black Women, Mass Incarceration and the Market for Finding a Husband
- In a very compelling article, The Economist magazine stepped away from its standard delivery of ... Read More
- By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jan 13th 2011 11:27AM | Comments (27)
Dr. Boyce on NPR: What Obama Needs to do For Black People
Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight: Rev. Jesse Jackson Talks Money, Prisons, Black Issues
- I've always had a special admiration and appreciate for Rev. Jesse Jackson. While most of us ... Read More
- By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jan 13th 2011 10:22PM | Comments (0)
Obama Speech Tucson: Memorial Hits a Homerun in a Polarized Nation
- President Barack Obama has done it again. Like Michael Jordan in the Eastern Conference Finals ... Read More
- By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jan 13th 2011 9:46AM | Comments (37)
Palin uses 'gangsta rapper defense' in Tucson blame game
2:21 PM on 01/12/2011
OPINION - Palin reminds me of rappers who gladly use their public platforms for personal benefit, yet neglect any responsibility for the negative outcomes of their words...
Tavis Smiley: The Good, the Bad and the Interesting of Smiley's Coming Forum on Obama, Politics
- Yesterday, I rushed through the snow to do an interview with NPR's 'Talk of the Nation' to ... Read More
- By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jan 12th 2011 12:09PM | Comments (69)
Writer Who Asked If the Church Keeps Black Women Single Has Some Answers: Dr. Boyce Spotlight
- Given that I've always been concerned about the breakdown of black families, I thought I would ... Read More
- By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jan 12th 2011 10:52AM | Comments (8)
Crosshairs: Company Attacks Palin, Says Obama Should Not Speak to O'Reilly During the Super Bowl
- Credo Mobile is a wireless company that has no problem engaging in the political issues of the ... Read More
- By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jan 12th 2011 1:14AM | Comments (33)
F. Lee Bailey Says He Believes O.J. Murder Was a Drug Hit
- One of O.J. Simpson's attorneys, F. Lee Bailey, says that there was strong evidence held back ... Read More
- By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jan 11th 2011 12:49PM | Comments (60)
Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight: News Anchor Cheryl Wills Teaches Empowerment Through Book, 'Die Free: A Heroic Family Tale'
- What is your name and what do you do? My name is Cheryl Wills and I am an author and television ... Read More
- By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jan 11th 2011 6:33AM | Comments (6)
3 Things Obama Must Address for Black People
- I was shaking my head over and over again in preparation for a conversation we are going to have ... Read More
- By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jan 10th 2011 8:16PM | Comments (81)
Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight: Keri Hilson on Money Management & Social Media Brand Building
- What is your name and what do you do? Keri Hilson and I'm a R&B/Pop Singer and also write ... Read More
- By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jan 10th 2011 4:15PM | Comments (5)
Tucson puts gun control politics back on the map
8:09 AM on 01/11/2011
OPINION - Guns plague black communities all across America, in large part due to those who make billions by allowing guns to hit the streets by any means necessary...
On Founder's Day, Delta Sigma Theta Is Sitting on Millions of Dollars
- I never joined a fraternity during college. My sister and brother pledged, but I was too broke to ... Read More
- By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jan 13th 2011 1:35PM | Comments (3)
On Founder’s Day, Delta Sigma Theta Is Sitting on Millions of Dollars
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
I never joined a fraternity during college. My sister and brother pledged, but I was too broke to afford the expense of joining any organization other than the "Broke Negroes of America" club. Also, I was concerned that spending six weeks being mistreated, awakened in the middle of the night and yelled at would cause two unfortunate outcomes: 1) My GPA would drop, and 2) I'd end up going to jail for issuing a couple of beat downs.
But even though I chose not to pledge during college, I gained a degree of respect for many of those who decided to do so. Quite a few members of the African American community are proud of the black greek tradition and find it to be one of the cornerstones of cultural, economic and political power within our society. While the college students get a bad rap for using their greek identity as an excuse to wear matching clothes and have more parties, there are more mature members who see their involvement as an avenue for political and social engagement.
Black America is in consistent need of organizations designed to pursue our collective purpose. Our community lacks the economic and political infrastructure necessary to lift us from the bottom of America's racial caste system. Delta Sigma Theta is part of that tradition, as are other African American sororities and fraternities.
What’s It Like to be a Teen Mother?
From the blog Themochamusings.com
A teen mom holding her baby
I sat down with an 18-year-old girl who is the mother of 10-month-old boy and she told me what it was like to be a teen mom.
Q: What’s the hardest thing about being a teen mom?
A: No sleep. Your baby takes over. Babies live life on their on schedule and you have to adjust. The other thing is that I’m nervous to leave him to go to work or school because I don’t want anything to happen to him.
Q: How did you imagine motherhood while you were pregnant?
A: All the stereotypes that you hear about being a teen mom. I imagined the worst of it… not having a life anymore, breaking up with your baby’s dad, everything is harder… stuff like that.Continue reading →
How Prison Affects Black Women’s Ability to Find a Husband
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
In a very compelling article, The Economist Magazine stepped away from its standard delivery of international political updates to dig deeply into the experience of the African American woman. In the article, economists analyze dating for black women as a market, where men and women enter the market to search for a suitable mate.
The author starts off with a simple example to help make his point. He says "IMAGINE that the world consists of 20 men and 20 women, all of them heterosexual and in search of a mate. Since the numbers are even, everyone can find a partner. But what happens if you take away one man?"
Then, citing the work of Tim Harford, an economist in England, the author says that because one out of the 20 women faces the possibility of never finding a husband, she tries harder to get a man, perhaps by dressing more seductively or doing things the other women might not do. She may even steal a man from someone else. This then affects what other women do to find and keep their own men, and also the behavior of the men themselves.
Obama Speech in Tucson Hits a Homerun
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
President Barack Obama has done it again. Like Michael Jordan in the Eastern Conference Finals with 10 seconds left on the clock, the president sank the speech that would help to shape his presidency for much of 2011. Utilizing his opportunity to address the nation after the unfortunate shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, the Obama speech in Tucson was reflective of the decency that allows our president to transcend the pettiness of his adversaries. He stood his ground without fighting his enemies, and reminded the country that "we can all do better."
The president encouraged those listening to communicate "in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds." The Obama speech also conceded that there is no way to know who was responsible for the shooting that killed six and injured 13 others. But he did say that our nation's polarized political conversation can be handled in a way that is respectful and productive.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
As Iverson Steps into the Sunset, Will He Become Another Black Male Statistic?
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
I only saw Allen Iverson play in person one time during his storied and remarkable basketball career. It was in New York, where he put a special hurting on the Knicks. Stephen A. Smith was in attendance, and it was also the first time I'd been in the same space as either man.
Of course Iverson was more dazzling in person than he'd ever appeared on TV. You could easily argue that by being equally good at football and basketball as a high school athlete, Iverson was one of the greatest athletes of all time. As a high school player, Iverson led his team to state championships in both sports, and he was also Mr. Football in the state of Virigina. As a professional, he continued to be an athletic machine rarely seen at any level of professional sports.
Missing Honor Student’s Case Should Get More Attention
Two weeks after a 16-year-old North Carolina girl disappeared while visiting relatives in Baltimore, police appear to be hitting a dead end in the investigation.
There are no suspects, no motive and few leads to follow in the disappearance of Phylicia Barnes.
"It is almost like she completely vanished," Baltimore police spokesmanAnthony Guglielmi told AOL News today. "We have nothing tangible in terms of leads. There was a big meeting today -- we have gone 14 days now -- and not a single sighting or a single tip has turned out to be true."
Barnes lives in Monroe, N.C., but was visiting relatives in Baltimore. She was last seen around 2:30 p.m. Dec. 28, when she left the apartment of her 27-year-old half-sister, Deena Barnes. According to relatives, Phylicia Barnes told her sister she was going shopping.
What happened to the teenager next remains a mystery, police said.
Investigators do not suspect Phylicia is a runaway. They do suspect foul play in the case, but at this point they do not know if she is the victim of a homicide or abduction, Guglielmi said.
The Good, the Bad and the Atrocious of the Tavis Smiley Forum on Obama
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
Yesterday, I rushed through the snow to do an interview with NPR's "Talk of the Nation" to discuss President Barack Obama's agenda for 2011 and the issues that matter most to black people. At the top of my brain was the old adage, "It's the economy stupid." So, fitting with my role as a Finance Professor, I led the interview off with financial topics, because it is my opinion that the country can benefit from more audible voices that work to portray the depth of black economic suffering.
I also noticed that someone I don't always agree with, Tavis Smiley, said something similar. In a recent interview with NewsOne.com, Smiley went deep on the fact that black economic problems have been rarely addressed by our elected officials and that our community may need to find ways to amplify its voice. Georgetown University Professor Michael Eric Dyson even went as far as giving President Barack Obama a C- on how he deals with black issues. All of this has been interesting to watch, particularly in light of how President Obama's rise to power has created a peculiar divide within pre-existing African American "leadership." The infamous on-air brawl between Rev. Al Sharpton and Tavis Smiley is a perfect case-in-point.
Dr. Boyce Spotlight: Black Relationships Guru Builds Career from Giving Advice
Given that I've always been concerned about the breakdown of black families, I thought I would reach out to a woman who's made a career out of speaking to the challenges of black relationships. Her name is not Steve Harvey, so she's not a comedian. Instead, she's serious about figuring out what it takes to make our relationships work and she's even asked if the black church keeps women single and lonely. We can't let either black men or black women off the hook when it comes to the breakdown of our families, for both parties react in ways that are reflective of hundreds of years of societal abuse. As a result, black men and women end up angry and hurt by one another with both sides pointing fingers. But at the end of the day, you are the one who is responsible for your own behavior, so if your relationships are all falling apart, your journey must start by glancing into the mirror. While simply choosing better people to date might be part of the solution, that can also be a copout (since you spend your life searching for "the one" who can manage all of your own dysfunction). Instead, honest reflection on the manner by which you go about loving people who come into your life is probably more important. It is because of my concern on this issue that Deborrah Cooper is today's Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight for AOL Black Voices.
1) What is your full name and what do you do?
Deborrah Cooper is my given name. I'm a dating expert, writer/columnist and broadcast journalist. I've been writing controversial relationship based articles and dating advice columns under the pen name "Ms. HeartBeat" since 1992. As a matter of fact, I served as the relationship columnist on AOL's "other" Black channel (NetNoir) in the mid- to late 1990s.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
OJ’s Lawyer Says He Thinks It was a Drug Hit
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
One of O.J. Simpson's attorneys, F. Lee Bailey, says that there was strong evidence held back in the 1995 trial that would have proved Simpson's innocence in the infamous murders.
In a new 20,000-page manuscript, Bailey talks about four individuals whose testimony would have strengthened Simpson's case had it been presented to the jury. Years after the "Trial of the Century," Bailey is opening up and sharing more perspectives on the case that put the entire nation at a standstill.
The document is called 'The Simpson Verdict' and was written in 2007 as part of a book proposal. Bailey argues that it's time that the facts of the case be put before the American public so that others might learn more about what went on behind the scenes.
Auburn University Wins, but at the Expense of the Black Community
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
When I saw the final score of last night’s NCAA championship game where Auburn University defeated the University of Oregon, I sent a tweet to my friends that said, “Congratulations. Your plantation was the strongest tonight.”
As the southerners who love Auburn football celebrate their championship, they may want to take a second to absorb a couple of sobering realities. First, the school got $21 million just for winning that one game. Auburn’s coach, Gene Chizik is due for a multi-million dollar bonus and millions will flow into the pockets of administrators, coaches, commentators, and corporate sponsors, almost none of whom are black.
Oprah Gets Criticized by BET Co-Founder for Lack of Racial Diversity
Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET, had a few concerns about Oprah Winfrey’s net OWN network, citing the network’s lack of racial diversity. On NPR’s “Tell Me More,” Johnson had this to say:
"The only advice that I say, let's open up your circle a little bit more. You know, we love the Dr. Phils. We love the Suze Ormans. Let's open up. There are other people. And there's also African-American experts out there that I think she should start bringing on her show that can reach even a wider audience."
At that point, host Michel Martin mentioned that the network’s whiteness might be confusing to some. Johnson then said this:
"No. Yes," replied Johnson. "And I think she really should do that and not be afraid to do it. There's really a lot of great experts out there that really know the businesses at hand. And I'd like to see her open up her circle to do that."
Monday, January 10, 2011
Three Things Obama Can Do for Black People
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
I was shaking my head over and over again in preparation for a conversation we are going to have on NPR tomorrow about President Obama. The show is called "Talk of the Nation," and I had the esteemed honor of being the resident black guy, as the other two guests are set to discuss various elements of foreign and domestic policy. I'm just joking about the "black guy" thing, since I'm just happy they didn't choose someone like Juan Williams.
At any rate, my brain started spinning on how President Obama can best use the remainder of his first term as it pertains to people of color. I thought carefully about what he's done, what he's doing, what he's up against and what matters to us. In my course of thought, I came to a few conclusions.
Mark Anthony Neal Interviews Khalil Muhammad from the Schomburg Center
Black scholars Mark Anthony Neal and Khalil Muhammad talk about black history, black politics and more
Dr. Boyce Spotlight: Meet Ms. Keri Hilson
What is your name and what do you do?
Keri Hilson and I'm a R&B/Pop Singer and also write songs for other artists.
What are some of the misconceptions people have about celebrities and their money?
People tend to think that celebrities are impenetrable to making mistakes, that because they see you in a video with expensive things that your life revolves around that. I've found that my strongest foundation has been my family and friends now more than ever.
What has been the scariest/funniest/best moment in your career?
The best moment in my career is every time I'm on stage, going over lines and about to perform and I think, "Wow. I'm actually awake. I'm living my dream!"
CNN Asks if College Athletics is a Sweatshop
from CNN.com
On Monday night, with millions of fans watching every play, Auburn will take on Oregon for the national championship of college football.
If you're viewing at home, you may notice the same thing you can observe each season at every massive college football stadium or glistening big-time college basketball arena:
Everyone working in the place is being paid: the hot dog vendors, the television broadcasters, the guy peddling game-day programs, the person who manufactured the university-logo jerseys and caps that are for sale at the souvenir stands, the employees changing lightbulbs in the tunnels. ...
Everyone except the people who are most responsible for putting the fans in the seats and in front of the TV screens at home: everyone except the players on the field.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Moving Beyond the Scott Sisters to Broader Prison Reform
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
I spent some time this week with NAACP officials analyzing the Georgia Prison Strike that occurred last month. The fallout has been unbelievable, as some of the inmates were reportedly beaten with hammers for choosing to participate in the work stoppage. One of the inmates allegedly has brain damage and is in a wheelchair as a result of the beatings. Perhaps that’s what happens when you simply ask for basic human rights, which we’ve denied prison inmates for far too long.
Seeing what happened to these brothers and sisters after this incident was a cold, stern reminder that there is an infinite amount of work that needs to be done to clean up our criminal justice system. Most of us think that prison has nothing to do with us, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. One out of every three black boys born this decade is expected to spend time in state prison, federal prison or local jails. Also, the United States puts more people in prison than any country in the world, and most of us are only God’s grace or one bad situation away from ending up in the big house. Additionally, there are millions of black folks who’ve seen their fathers, brothers, sisters or cousins negatively impacted and traumatized by this system, even when they were innocent. The experience of prison is bad enough and only made worse by not being able to get a job for life, losing the right to vote, and not having access to housing or education.
Republicans Read Constitution, Try to Pretend Slavery Never Happened
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
With the new Republican-led Congress comes the excited arrival of Birthers, Tea Partiers and other strange characters who are seeking to undermine the political stability of our great nation. The week ended with the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, with the sheriff of the town implying that racial animosity and divisive rhetoric of the Right Wing played a role in creating the atmosphere where a political leader was shot in the face and a little girl was killed.
The language of the Tea Party has consisted mostly of thinly-veiled animosity thrust toward the black man in the Oval Office who doesn't seem to know his place. The idea of "taking back America" and "returning America to its roots," can be translated to saying that America isn't a country that's supposed to be run by that " hoity-toity, high fallutin, black guy with the Muslim name."
So, what better way to celebrate new-found Republican power than to read the United States Constitution out loud in the chambers of Congress? Sure, we might bore the heck out of a few lawmakers and waste a day that could be spent doing something productive, but why aim for substance when symbolism is a far better marketing tool?
Dorian Chandler: My Take on the N-Word and Huckleberry Finn
by Filmmaker Dorian Chandler
To censor or not to censor?
That is the question.
This week marked a controversial move by publisherNew South Books and Mark Twain scholar Alan Gribbento remove the word “nigger” from their new edition of Twain’s novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Nigger is used 219 times in the original novel and will be replaced by the word “slave” in the revamped version. The censored version is an attempt to reposition Huckleberry Finn within the American grade school curricula lexicon. By censoring language are we blatantly distorting historical context? Will students get more out of censorship then provoked discourse?
I’m not a fan of censorship, especially when it relates to art and education. As an artist who often uses film and language to explore the complex word “nigger” I have experienced censorship firsthand. My film and website will often be called “N Nation” instead of its original name: “Nigger Nation.” As the filmmaker, it’s disconcerting one would take it upon themselves to edit and censor my work in the very forums it was made to be addressed, like classrooms and film screenings. After its viewing, there is always a dialog seeking to share their experiences with the word “nigger” and it’s place in society. When it is introduced as “N Nation”, it almost mutes the discussion by making it apparent from the start that this is an uncomfortable word to say, let alone have a conversation about.
Sheriff Implies that Congresswoman Giffords Shooting Connected to Racism
Arizona Sheriff Clarence Dupnik says anger, hatred and bigotry are getting out of hand in this country. If you read between the lines, you can see that the sheriff is trying to say that racism may have been part of the reason that Giffords was shot. Perhaps the Republicans will reconsider their rhetoric, since lives are being put in danger by their consistent commitment to capitalizing off the racial hatred of our country.
Should Sarah Palin Be Blamed for the Shooting of Congresswoman Giffords?
By Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
When you campaign using rhetoric that mentions weapons, cross-hairs and reloading against your political enemies, some would argue that you risk inciting violence among those who take your words too seriously. That's the criticism being thrust against Sarah Palin and the Right Wing after the recent shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.). Giffords was shot in the face at point blank range, in addition to a child and judge who were killed on the scene. Giffords is in the hospital in critical condition.
Shortly after Giffords' shooting, critics of Sarah Palin pointed out that the Republican had put Giffords on her "target list" of Democrats that she wanted to get rid of during the mid-term elections. She even created a map with cross-hairs on the districts of these politicians, as if they were target practice. Even months before Giffords' shooting, critics said that Palin's rhetoric may cause violence and put the lives of these political leaders in danger.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Who Killed B.I.G? Police Claim to have Fresh Leads
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University Scholarship in Action
One of the great mysteries of hip-hop lies with the death of the Notorious B.I.G., akaBiggie Smalls aka Christopher Wallace.
Biggie's murder in 1997 put the hip-hop community on hold and opened the door for a new era with regard to regional divisions in music.
After years of being accused of not telling the entire truth in Biggie's murder, a task force of various local and federal law enforcement officials have now told CNN (see below) that they are actively pursuing leads in the 13-year-old homicide.
Inmates Allegedly Beaten with Hammers after Peaceful Protest
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
Reports are coming out of Georgia that prison guards have retaliated with violence in response to the Georgia Prison strike that took place last month. According to Georgia State NAACP President Edward Dubose, inmates have been beaten with hammers and other foreign objects allegedly in retaliation for their participation in the strike. President Dubose says that one inmate has been beaten beyond recognition and another has suffered significant brain damage.
"They said they [officers] were hitting inmates with hammers," Williams told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "They [guards] said an inmate was trying to escape."
The Department of Corrections has remained stoic and silent on the matter, even to the point of denying that a prison strike ever took place. But advocates for inmate human rights have argued all along that the conditions in Georgia prisons are simply unacceptable.
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Thursday, January 6, 2011
Bill O’Reilly Will Interview Barack Obama Before the Super Bowl
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University- Scholarship in Action
To the surprise of some, President Barack Obama has agreed to be interviewed by Fox News right before the Super Bowl. If that were not enough, the man conducting the interview will be the infamous Bill O'Reilly. The interview will be conducted as part of Fox's pregame coverage.
The decision to do such a contentious interview on one of the nation's largest stages is especially surprising given the White House's decision to freeze out Fox News during 2009. Since that time, the relationship has improved, but the White House is still concerned that Fox News has not been accurate in its coverage.
Dr. Boyce and Marc Lamont Hill on CNN’s Joy Behar Show
Click the video to see Dr. Marc Lamont Hill at Columbia University and Dr. Boyce Watkins discuss Mark Twain and the n-word
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Sleeping Little Girl Shot in a Drive-By
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
Kenyatta Kendrick was just 6-years old and sleeping in her bed when she died. She was the victim of a drive-by shooting. Two teenagers and a 25-year old were charged and may face the death penalty for their offenses.
The three young men being charged are 18-year-old Aaron McDowell, 17-year-old Bernard Nix, and 25-year-old Stalandus Slaughter. The incident occurred in Eclectic County, just 30 miles from Montgomery. Kenyatta was a first grader at Eclectic Elementary School.
"She was asleep in her bed when she was struck by a bullet in her side," Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin told the Associated Press. "Any homicide is bad, but you're dealing with a 6-year-old here."
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Ben Jealous Calls for an Urgent Movement for Justice
An Urgent Movement for Justice
By Benjamin Todd Jealous
(TEWire) - During the past two weeks, in response to successful grassroots campaigns, two governors have released Black Americans who had been railroaded by our nation's criminal justice system.
Together, these cases speak to the urgent need for the work the NAACP and our allies are doing to encourage more governors to use their clemency authority as our nation's founding fathers intended by freeing more deserving people more frequently.
The most recent victory is that of Jamie and Gladys Scott, two Mississippi sisters who have been imprisoned for 16 years on double-life sentences. They were each condemned to this extraordinary sentence as teenagers for a first-time offense in which $11 was stolen and no one was hurt. The Scott sisters were convicted of luring two men to be robbed by three teenage boys. The boys each received eight years and served less than three. Moreover, there are compelling reasons to believe the sisters are innocent.
Man Freed after 30 Years in Prison for Wrongful Conviction
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
Cornelius Dupree was sent to prison in 1979 on charges of rape and robbery. After doing over 30 years in prison, he has finally been set free by the Innocence Project. Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins is also arguing that Dupree "did not commit this crime" and that he should be freed.
If Dupree is freed, he will have served more time in Texas prison than any other innocent person in the history of the state. There are only two others in the country who have served more time and been exonerated, according to the Innocence Project.
"Cornelius Dupree spent the prime of his life behind bars because of mistaken identification that probably would have been avoided if the best practices now used in Dallas had been employed," said Barry Scheck, co-director of the Innocence Project. "Let us never forget that, as in the heartbreaking case of Cornelius Dupree, a staggering 75% of wrongful convictions of people later cleared by DNA evidence resulted from misidentifications."
Monday, January 3, 2011
Was This Black Couple Cheated Out of $800,000 with the Right Answer?
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University
Gabe Okoye and his girlfriend, Brittany Mayti were set up for the opportunity of a lifetime. Appearing on the television show, "Million Dollar Money Drop," they had a chance to walk home with several hundred thousand dollars by correctly answering a few questions.
The airwaves were buzzing after the couple was allegedly cheated out of the right answer on the Fox Show. The question was "Which of these was sold in stores first: the Macintosh Computer, the Sony Walkman or Post-it Notes?" The couple argued for quite a while over which answer was correct. Brittany wanted to put her money on the Walkman, but Gabe was adamant that the Post-it note was the correct answer. So, out of the $880,000 the couple had left, $800,000 was put on the Post-It, while the remaining $80,000 was put on the Walkman. In other words, they were saying that they believed the Post-It Note came out first.
Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight: The Duchess of Black Scholars
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
The role of Super Woman in Black America can be readily applied to a woman who can balance the relentless pursuit of academic achievement, professional success, and outstanding motherhood, all at the same time. Miriam Harris (a.k.a. Duchess) is a textbook example of what we all want our daughters to become. She is a mother of three, and has both a PhD and a law degree. The Ivy League educated supermom is not only "about her business," she is deeply committed to the business of using her vast intellect to make the world a better place for both women and people of color. In other words, she's not just a Black PhD, she is actually a "Ph-Do." AOL Black Voices was able to catch up with Professor Harris for the Dr. Boyce Watkins Spotlight:
1) What is your name and what do you do for a living?
My name is Duchess Harris and I am an Associate Professor of American Studies at Macalester College.
2) What is your area of expertise and what made you pursue this particular area of study?
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Dr. Boyce’s 10 Most Intriguing Black Americans of 2010
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
No, my list is not official, but I had to lay it out there. Also, it's not in any kind of numerical order, except for the guy who stands at #1. For my friends who are not on the list, I apologize, and I admit that the list is biased. Finally, I am sure most of us can agree that, even if we don't admire some of the people on this list, there's no denying that all of them made a significant impact on black America during the year 2010. So, as we move into the "one-one," let's pay a quick tribute to those who kept our heads turning during the year 2010.
1) Barack Obama: Hail to the Chief. President Obama, whether you love him or hate him, has positioned himself as one of the most significant Americans in the history of our nation. This is going to be an interesting year for Obama, as the economy will likely rebound, improving his chances at reelection. At the same time, the growth in Republican power can be a thorn in his side. Obama must be given credit for the fact that he has remained cool under pressure, and has become as much of a social icon as a leading political figure.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Top NCAA Conferences Earned Over a Billion in Profit
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
The 68 teams that played in the top six NCAA conferences earned over $1 billion in profits this year, according to a CNNMoney analysis of the nation's largest conferences. This profit is 11% higher than the profit from last year.
The most profitable team in the country was the University of Texas, which posted a profit of over $68 million. If the players on the team and their families were compensated for the athletes' work on the field, the average player would earn nearly half a million dollars per year. Their coach, Mack Brown, earns over $5 million per year at a time when the rest of the university is facing significant budget cuts.
The profit margin for the leading six conferences is an astonishing 49%, more than nearly any professional sports franchise in the world. Much of this is due to the fact that the NCAA doesn't compensate it's players, which would be a labor rights violation in nearly any other industry.
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