Atlanta’s Own Bishop Feelgood—Eddie Long

bishop eddie long

Bishop Eddie Long Much to the chagrin of Black gay men everywhere, who have enough to deal with without the latest outing of a Black pastor, and to the relief of Catholic priests everywhere, all eyes are on Atlanta’s Bishop Eddie Long. A prominent Black evangelist accused of coercing four young male members of his mega-church into sexual relationships. They don’t call Atlanta the Black gay … [Read more...]

Mitrice Richardson: Blame the Victim

mitrice richardson

Sheriff Lee Baca and cohorts are continuing their cover-up in the murder of Mitrice Richardson and the role their agency played.On the defensive after challenges and accusations were made, Baca and the Office of Dependent Review (and yes, I said Dependent Review), are now toting around a report  to the media that says that deputies acted properly in the arrest and handling of … [Read more...]

Representing: The Future of Blacks in Law Enforcement and Fire Emergency Services in Los Angeles

black fire and police leaders

When you think about law enforcement and fire emergency services in Los Angeles County, very rarely do the names Sam Haskins, J.B. Loving, Robert William Stewart, James L. Garcia, and Van Davis come to mind.They are not names that you hear or read about everyday in the news, but just the same, these men paved the way for the Black men and women working in law enforcement and fire emergency … [Read more...]

Jury Deliberates: Oscar Grant’s Family Speaks Out

oscar grant family

Oakland and Los Angeles residents are preparing for a verdict in the Johannes Mehserle shooting of Oscar Grant.  Family and friends are filled with apprehension and hope that the jury will come back in their favor and find the ex-Bart officer guilty of second-degree murder and voluntary or involuntary manslaughter.New Year’s Day 2009, responding to reports of a fight on a Bay Area Rapid … [Read more...]

California Assembly Outdoes the LAUSD and City of L.A. in Sending Mixed Message with AB 1832

Vote!

It is precisely underhanded and sneaky actions like the passage of AB 1832 -- a Democratic-sponsored piece of legislation which raises the ballot initiative filing fee over a six-year period from $200 to $2,000 -- that make me raise an eyebrow whenever I hear a lawmaker proclaim how important California voters are to the political process and that our ideas matter.Authored by Democratic … [Read more...]

If Michael Jackson’s Last Doctor Is Guilty of Manslaughter, So Am I

Dr. Conrad Murray

If Dr. Conrad Murray is guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson, well then so am I and about half of America.For the record, I’m not currently on any prescribed medications. Nor am I one of the eccentric Jackson fans still living in Neverland and disbelief on exactly who Michael Jackson was. And for the sake of clarity, he was a gifted and talented man who had a … [Read more...]

New Year New Hype

Nigerian terrorist bomber

As America closes out 2009, we usher in the New Year with a newly refreshened and heightened sense of panic. This, after last week’s would be attack by 23-year-old Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab whose failed attempt to ignite an incendiary device aboard a Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit has quite conveniently reminded us all just why we need our government to impede on … [Read more...]

He Was Either Going to Carjack, Mug, Rape, or Kill Me — or All of the Above

Mugger

I joke a lot about how being single is oftentimes better than being in a relationship or being married, however, there are sometimes when that is not the case.I am a creature of habit. I don’t know why I am that way but I am. I find comfort in routine. I shop at the same stores, go to the same Starbucks, leave for work at the same time, return home around the same time, and the same goes for … [Read more...]

L.A.’s Marijuana Problem (and the Solution)

medical marijuana

Okay, so for the past week the Los Angeles City Council has been dealing with this issue of weed (i.e. pot, ganja, bud, mary jane, etc.).At issue is whether or not they can legally allow dispensaries to accept cash contributions as long as they comply with state law.I think the state law is very clear in that these dispensaries cannot sell marijuana over the counter; they can just be … [Read more...]

Black People: It’s Time to Nut Up or Shut Up

mitrice

On any other occasion, had the Los Angeles Police Department arrested and booked a young Black female and then let her go in the middle of the night without her purse, car, or cell phone, in the middle of nowhere, never to be seen again—Black people would be screaming, "Off with their heads." We’d probably be ready to burn down police headquarters if the same law enforcement agency then took … [Read more...]

One on One with LAPD Chief-Designate Charlie Beck

Incoming and outgoing LAPD Chiefs, Charlie Beck and Bill Bratton (Photo/Nick Ut)

Okay, I’ll admit it. I didn’t think it would be possible–given the way I feel about former LAPD Police Chief William Bratton, but I have to say, I’ve taken a keen liking to LAPD Chief-Designate Charlie Beck.I pride myself on being able to read BSers from the jump. I have to say, Beck didn’t come off as one. He came across as sincere, humble, and ready to do the job. Now that I think … [Read more...]

Real Talk From L.A.’s Top Cop on His Decision to Leave, His Successor, and Black Los Angeles

Jasmyne_Bratton_1

I have to admit that I am sad to see L.A.’s top cop leave. While my opinion may not be in the majority as it relates to Blacks here in Los Angeles, Police Chief William Bratton has definitely been my favorite police chief. His "tell it like it is" attitude won me over a long time ago. While some of his comments, as controversial as they were, made headline news time and time, under his … [Read more...]

Leave it to Fox’s “The Cleveland Show” to Pick Up Where BET’s “We Got to Do Better” Left Off

Cleveland

It could be because for the first time America has a Black president and the First Lady is a sista, and together with their two beautiful Black daughters overnight improved the international image of Black people, let alone Americans. But leave it to the diabolical minds at Fox Networks to pick up where BET left off with the debut of their newest show “The Cleveland Show,” where in just 22 … [Read more...]

What Do Fox News and the Black Media Have in Common?

Media-blitz

…Neither was included in President Obama’s Sunday health care talk show pr blitz.So President Obama went on the Sunday talk shows regarding his healthplan–ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN and Univision, yes Univision.  Which on the whole, I don’t have a problem with, except for the fact that there’s no Black media on this list whatsoever.  And like the President himself said on the David … [Read more...]

Don’t Be Afraid of the Black Girl: Serena Williams

Serena Williams

What happened during the women’s semifinal at the United States Open between Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters is yet another example of how Black women are still seen as threatening and hostile.Serena Williams may be one of the world’s greatest tennis players, but don’t get it twisted, she’s still a sista and she's known for being a very serious and tense tennis player. So if she … [Read more...]