Scholarship In Action

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Scholarship in Action 

This week, Bennett College President and prominent black scholar Dr. Julianne Malveaux wrote a strongly-worded article about the economic suffering taking place in the city of Detroit. In the article, Malveaux describes Detroit as Ground Zero for the black economic experience over the past two years.
"Only one in four young black men graduates from high school in Detroit. The rest are lost and left out, swallowed by a city where urban blight, industrial desertion, and educational failure define daily life. Detroit is ground zero, exemplifying the absolute worst of urban life."
Dr. Malveaux goes on to highlight the problems that are caused in our communities by decaying schools and poor investment in urban infrastructure. She mentions that President Obama was quick to support the automakers in Detroit, yet there are quite a few urban citizens of the city who have yet to feel relief.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

TI (aka Clifford Harris) is my favorite rapper, and the person I consider to be one of the most talented artists in America.  I’ve made no secret about my appreciation for his music, and from friends of mine who know him, I can say that he is genuine about reducing gun violence among our youth.  TI is also the artist that I would have gambled on to have the greatest likelihood of turning his life around.  He has a lot to live for, and people who love him.   He’s made his mistakes, but I was convinced that he’d grown from them.

Now, after hearing about his arrest for drug possession, I’m not so sure if TI has learned a thing.  In fact, I’m having a hard time distinguishing TI from his self-destructive counterpart, Lil Wayne.  And yes, I will say this in public: I think Lil Wayne is an idiot.

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by Dr. Boyce Watkins, The Coalition for Black Male Athletes, Syracuse University Scholarship in Action  

Maurice Clarrett, the embattled former superstar of the Ohio State Buckeyes, is getting another chance to play football. Clarett just signed a one-year deal to play for the Omaha Nighthawks in the United Football League. This is the first time Clarett has put on a football uniform since spending three and a half years in prison for having a hidden gun and holding up a couple outside a night club.
"I am humbled by the opportunity the Omaha Nighthawks have given me and will dedicate myself on and off the field to prove that I can be a valuable member of the team and the Omaha community," Clarett said. "I am committed to working hard to earn the right for a second chance in football and more importantly in life."
Clarett is now 6-feet tall, 220 pounds, which makes him 10 pounds lighter than he was when he played at Ohio State. The coaches were astonished at his physical shape, giving him credit for keeping himself prepared. He is allowed to be out of the state for 30 days at a time, but his attorneys are hoping that a judge will rule that Clarett can leave the state for the entire football season. He is now 26-years old, meaning that he is at his physical peak.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

He came, he saw, he conquered. Well, sort of. President Obama took the nation’s attention for about 20 minutes tonight to deliver a speech about the end of America’s military involvement in Iraq. Sitting in the Oval Office with pictures of his family in the background, President Obama effectively told America that the last eight years are over. He thanked the troops, thanked the American people, and reminded the Iraqis that we still support them. He was being presidential, as he normally is.
The president worked to build bridges with Americans who disapprove of his performance. He mentioned how the high cost of the war reduced the nation’s ability to sustain its middle class. He talked about how patriotic Americans both approved and disapproved of the war, and even mentioned an earlier conversation he’d recently had with President Bush. He also reminded the American people that by ending military operations in Iraq, he was keeping one of his most significant campaign promises.

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by Dr. Boyce Watkins – Scholarship in Action 

Jordan Miles is a black teenager in the city of Pittsburgh. Miles also attends one of the city’s most prestigious performing arts schools. On a cold winter night earlier this year, Miles claims he was assaulted by three plain clothes police officers. According to the lawsuit Miles’ attorneys have filed against the city, the officers assumed that Miles was a drug dealer and conspired to file false charges against him to create a story to cover up their actions.
Miles says that he was walking to his grandmother’s house when officers Michael Saldutte, David Sisak and Richard Ewing approached him. Miles claims that the officers proceeded to chase him, kick him and beat his face into the ground. The damage to Miles’ face was extensive, and the officers allegedly pulled one of his dreadlocks from his head.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

I wrote recently about how the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is now seeking to hire Ebonics translators to help them to apprehend drug dealers. The group seems to believe that by learning the underpinnings of urban language, it can find a way to bring down "Pookie nem" on the corner. The website Newsy.com covered the article that I wrote, with a few other scholars providing their own insights into how and why this decision might be implemented. While I am certainly listening to the discussion, I am not sure what it would mean to establish Ebonics as it’s own language or to try to teach it in school.

Does the teaching of Ebonics mean that we treat urban dialect as a class? If the kids and teachers acknowledge the language structure of Ebonics, do we continue to reinforce the use of what some might consider broken English? If the language is acknowledged in school, does that mean Employers and universities will accept graduates who speak and write in Ebonics? If not, is there any sense in solidifying a student’s desire to speak in a way that doesn’t match the rest of us? I’m not so sure.

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by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

I recently read a very interesting story about how so many black athletes are being hammered by the financial devastation of child support.  Their paychecks are getting zapped to nothing, only to buy Coach purses and hair weaves for the women who’ve had their children.  Perhaps the sex was good enough to justify the misery, but I’ve never had sex that good.

New York Jets running back Antonio Cromartie is one famous case of “I’m Bound to be Broke-itis.”  Cromartie, who is 26-years old, has eight children with six women in five different states.  In fact, the Jets had to front Cromartie $500,000 to settle his paternity situation before he even started playing for the team.  There are quite a few other cases worth mentioning, but I won’t waste time laying out the issues.

What I will lay out is an added perspective that might help brothers realize  the utter stupidity of putting themselves in situations that will keep their pockets empty, kill their ability to support a family down the road and possibly lead to incarceration.  Getting caught under the neck of the merciless child support system is an absolutely horrible feeling.  Children are a beautiful gift from God, and we can all appreciate a pretty woman, but if you let this stuff get the best of you, you’re begging for a life of misery.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University Scholarship in Action 

I still remember when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans five years ago. I’d just attended the Essence Music Festival the year before, only to hear that the very same streets I’d visited were now flooded with water. It was also the week of my first confrontation with Sean Hannity on the air. Donald Rumsfeld had come on the show right before me, and Hannity and I were arguing about why it seemed that the government spent more time planning to shoot "looters" than actually saving the people in the flood. Rarely before Katrina had we witnessed such a gross dehumanization of our fellow American citizens.
President Obama sought to commemorate the anniversary of Katrina by speaking in New Orleans this weekend. He told the students at Xavier University that he plans to stand with the community when it comes to making sure they know the Federal Government is behind them in the on-going quest for full recovery.
"My administration is going to stand with you, and fight alongside you, until the job is done," Obama said.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University, Scholarship in Action 

One of the most magnificent voices in all of music is owned by Fantasia Barrino, the singer out of North Carolina. Most of us know that Fantasia attempted suicide recently. Of course the suicide attempt led to instant national media attention, and she was all over the news telling her story. Her management team, understanding the value the incident could have for her brand, pushed out the Vh-1 special before you could say the words "publicity stunt."
Now, I’m not here to say that I know what happened to Fantasia or whether the suicide attempt was genuine. But one thing that remains fundamentally true is that she’d been highly upset over the decline of her career. Also, we know that the television specials and additional PR from the incident have put Fantasia in the limelight in a way that far exceeds what she had access to last month. The final thing we know is that Fantasia is working furiously in the studio to get an album out in order to profit from the re-establishment of her celebrity status. Unfortunately, her team may be looking to replicate the experience of Jennifer Hudson after her difficult experience last year.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

Glenn Beck and Al Sharpton Hold Rallies on the Same Day?

• I was all set to go to Washington DC this weekend to participate in the rally to commemorate the … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Aug 28th 2010 10:06PM | Comments (0)

by Dr. Boyce Watkins 

Daniel Andre Green was convicted of killing the father of former NBA star Michael Jordan. Nearly 17 years after his conviction, his case is starting to fall apart. The problems stem from a faulty crime lab in North Carolina, where multiple mistakes have been made over the last two decades.
Green told the Associated Press that the lab mishandled its reports, and that evidence supporting his case was denied to him in court. He has trained himself in the law and worked on his own case since the date of his conviction. Much of the recent attention to the case is due to a report concluding that the lab mishandled Green’s case, along with 200 others, over a 16-year period ending in 2003.
"I’ve always known that I’m walking out of prison," Green said. "I’ve known that because I’ve believed, ultimately, the truth has to come out."

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Scholarship in Action – Syracuse University 

The Associated Press is reporting that the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is considering hiring translators to help agents understand the language of drug dealers. Apparently, the agents are having trouble interpreting the words and sentences being used by suspects during wiretaps. The agency reached out to some translation services companies to find someone to help them with the problem. No, this is not a joke.
"They saw a need for this in a couple of their investigations," Special Agent Michael Sanders said. "And when you see a need – it may not be needed now – but we want the contractors to provide us with nine people just in case."
Yes, this story is making me laugh as much as you are. When I heard that the DEA was considering such a move, I could almost appreciate their intentions, but I think they might be a bit misguided. The first thought that came to mind was whether or not they are presuming that drug dealers speak a dialect of English which matches that of the rest of urban black America? Sure, there are going to be similarities, but most of my urban friends don’t understand drug dealers either. Dealers don’t just sound like rappers, but actually structure a variation of language and sophisticated codes that nearly anyone would have trouble translating. Rather than hiring an ebonics expert to understand the lingo of drug dealers, they’d be better off hiring a former drug dealer.

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by Dr. Julianne Malveaux, President – Bennett College

Only one in four young black men graduates from high school in Detroit. The rest are lost and left out, swallowed by a city where urban blight, industrial desertion, and educational failure define daily life. Detroit is ground zero, exemplifying the absolute worst of urban life. It had a passionate champion in Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, who recently lost her bid for reelection. But as passionate as Cheeks Kilpatrick and Senator Debbie Stabenow have been about Detroit, this is a city that won’t bounce back without revolutionary intervention.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins 

Respected CBS News correspondent Harold Dow died on Saturday at the age of 62. The death is a shock to all of those who follow black public figures, as Dow was one of the most respected black journalists in America.
Dow leaves behind his wife Kathy and their three children. Dow was with CBS for nearly 40 years, covering some of the leading stories across America. He even covered the kidnapping of Patty Hearst and the release of Nelson Mandela.
Dow is the winner of the prestigious Peabody Award and the Edward R. Murrow Award. He was also nearly killed during the falling of the twin towers on September 11,2001. One of his greatest feats was getting the first interview with OJ Simpson after the murders of Ronald Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson.

Click to read.

Short note from Dr. Boyce Watkins 

Spelman College was chosen as the #1 HBCU in the country in a recent ranking by U.S. News and World Report.  The title is well-deserved, since I don’t know of a single Spelman grad who isn’t doing quite well.  But some complain that the self-confidence of Spelman grads can sometimes breed arrogance – you know, the woman who wants to be CEO of the company on the first day.  In fact, I know employers who refuse to hire Spelman grads at all.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University Scholarship in Action 

Mark Emmert, the new president of the NCAA, plans to endorse a system for collegiate athletics that disallows players to play one year and head to the NBA. Instead, Emmert wants a system in which the age limit is removed (which is what kept players like Carmelo Anthony from going pro right out of high school) with players being forced to decide whether they wish to declare for the NBA draft or go to college. If they choose to go to college, they are not allowed to play in the NBA for either three years or when they turn 21, whichever comes first. In the face of the new rule, players are pushed to make the decision sooner, and are locked into that decision for at least three years.
Bethlehem Schoals and Tom Ziller of Fanhouse.com write on the racial dimension of this issue in the following way:

Click to read

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University Scholarship in Action 

I just returned from Haiti, a country that continues to be devastated by the recent earthquakes that rumbled the soil in it’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Haitians lived under an umbrella of tragedy long before the earthquakes took place, and the suffering has only intensified since the media has left its shores. One thing that most of us believe, including myself, is that Wyclef Jean loves Haiti. His candidacy for president of Haiti was met with open arms by some, and folded arms by a few others. The evidence of disdain was presented to me personally when Wyclef had to cancel an appearance on my show due to the number of death threats he’d been receiving.
The mixed response to Jean’s announcement reflects the multitude of perceptions that various stakeholders have when it comes to the idea of Wyclef becoming president. I have spoken privately to friends in hip hop who’ve assured me that Wyclef has an infinite supply of love for his home country and wants to do what’s right. But I’ve also met with friends who feel that Wyclef is a beacon of self-promotion who cares far less for Haiti than for his own bank account.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Black Scholarship in Action, Syracuse University 

The James E. Clyburn University Transportation Center at South Carolina State University has been spending money for the past 12 years, but no one seems to know exactly where that money went. State Senator Robert Ford has recently called for an investigation into the center to find out details on how funds have been managed. Even Rep. Clyburn has become a critic of the center’s management as of late.
The Post and Courier, a newspaper out of Charleston, SC has conducted its own investigation using an open records request. The newspaper has described the university’s records as "a convoluted system of record-keeping, with no central control and records on the same subject located in different offices or buildings."
There was a consultant’s report recently completed by the firm Elliott Davis which concluded that the university’s system of grant management not only makes it difficult to track the money, it also makes it tough to find out whether the objectives of the grant were accomplished.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Institute for Black Public Policy

Yoseph Robinson was a good man and role model. He’d converted to Judaism after his fight with drugs and often reminded others of the importance of being morally strong. He upheld these values until his last moments when he died protecting his girlfriend from a robbery.

Lahava, a woman helping Yoseph write a book, was laughing and joking with a man when he suddenly demanded her money. Robinson told the man to leave her alone, and that’s when a struggle broke out. Yoseph was shot several times in the arm and chest and died on the scene. The robber got away on foot in the Brooklyn area.

Before his untimely and unfortunate death, Yoseph Robinson served as a role model for neighborhood children. Everyone loved him, and he was writing a book on his transformation out of drugs and into a more productive life. As he died, he told his girlfriend to tell his daughter how much he loved her.

Click to read.

Dr. Boyce Watkins, Scholarship in Action 

I went to Florida this week and found myself surprised by what I saw on TV. It was then that I became aware of the nasty political battle going on between Jeff Greeneand Kendrick Meek (pictured). Both men are fighting to win the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate, and both are playing dirty in order to get there.Greene is a billionaire investor who has enough money to run one of the nastiest campaigns Floridians have seen in a while. Meek is also a power broker, being the son of prominent African-American political figure Congresswoman Carrie Meek.
I admit that I found the nastiness of the political ads to be unique, intriguing and even a little entertaining. Each politician presents himself as a good family man who wants to serve the country, and each points to the other as devious, manipulative and damn near criminal. The Democratic primary battle in Florida makes for astonishing political theatre at the expense of Florida taxpayers.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Black Scholarship in Action  – Syracuse University 

Community advocates recently accused Attorney General Eric Holder of "dragging his feet" on the issue of prison rape. The AG has been asked to set national standards to keep inmates from being subject to sexual abuse during their time in prison.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, roughly 4.5 percent of all prison inmates report being victims of sexual assault during their time in prison. It is also reported to happen to roughly one out of every eight juveniles who are incarcerated.
Pat Nolan, Vice President of Prison Fellowship, argues that setting standards would be a good way to reduce the problem of prison rape. He mentions that increasing the lighting in the prisons, screening staffers and having independent supervision of facilities can make a tremendous difference.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

Steshawn Brisco is one of the men who will likely be charged in the shooting ofTanaja Stokes, an 8-year old girl in the South Side of Chicago. Most shocking is that Brisco said that he "didn’t care" that there were children in the area when he began firing and that he "let the whole .40 clip go."
Tanaja’s cousin was also injured in the shooting.
A second suspect is being sought by police. The person in question is allegedly a juvenile who is well-known throughout the community. "I am begging you, turn yourself in. End the circle of violence that hurts this great community," said Police Commander Keith Calloway.
The death of Tanaja Stokes is part of the continuous nightmare that refuses to wake us up as a community. The cycle of violence in Chicago is out of control, and other cities across America are faced with similar tragedies on a regular basis. The cold reaction of the alleged perpetrator in this crime adds a more disturbing element to this already alarming situation.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University

I’ve made it clear in the past that I support the notion of Scholarship in Action.  While some know the Syracuse University interpretation of this concept, I have found that in some cases, African American scholarship is left in the margins of academic work.  Therefore, I felt the need to expand on this concept with what I call “Black Scholarship in Action,” which is based on the idea of black scholars becoming engaged with the world and doing what is right for our communities.

Here are some thoughts on what Scholarship in Action means to me as an African American Professor:

1) Re-connecting with our communities and using our expertise for the greater good.  We have too much brain power and too many problems to allow our greatest intellectual resources to be locked away writing research papers that hardly anyone is ever going to read.

2) Being courageous enough to honestly share our insights with the world, even if they are not popular.  Capability without courage makes you socially impotent.

3) Following up our rhetoric with assertive action.  There is nothing more to say about that.  Talking about something is not the same as actually doing something.  We have to make sure we know the difference.

4) Confronting consistent discrimination within academia.  Too many universities consistently deny hiring and tenure to African American scholars, and this has to stop.  Universities must be held accountable to their data, and if a campus has any department that has not tenured an African American in more than a decade, they should be sued for racial discrimination, especially if it can be proven that African Americans with strong credentials are applying for positions in that department.

Again, these are the Dr. Boyce Watkins perspectives on what it means to be a high action scholar, so your views might differ from my own.  But it is my firm belief that The Age of the Black Scholar has arrived, especially if we decide that it’s going to arrive right now.  No one can stop us, but us…..so let’s define our own destiny.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Black Scholars United

Serious charges of racial discrimination have been laid out against a Chicago couple for refusing to sell their home to a black comedian and his family. Apparently, the family’s real estate agent informed government officials that the couple chose not to sell their home to the comedian because he is black.
George Wilborn is not only the victim of the couple’s discrimination, he is also a co-host of The Michael Baisden Show. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced on August 10 that they will charge Daniel and Adrienne Sabbia, as well as their real estate agent Jeffrey Lowe with violation of fair housing laws.
According to HUD, the family and their agent stalled negotiations with Wilborn and even took the home off the market in order to avoid selling it to him. Wilborn and his wife Peytyn offered $1.7 million for the house, which was the highest offer the couple had received in two years. Lowe, the real estate agent, admitted that the couple did not want to sell the home to the Wilborn family because they are black.

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Why Every Black Child Should Have a Passport

• I went to visit my daughter in Kentucky recently. I love spending time with my kids, which has … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Aug 12th 2010 1:51PM | Comments (0)

Naomi Campbell Accused of Lying About Blood Diamonds

• Supermodel Naomi Campbell is refuting allegations that she lied in the war crimes trial of former … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Aug 11th 2010 2:40PM | Comments (5)

Three Mistakes Often Made When Sending Your Kids to College

• I’ve been teaching at the college level for a while. The most interesting thing about it is that I … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Aug 11th 2010 2:08PM | Comments (8)

Black Professionals Must Network to be Successful

• When I was younger, I remember hearing cliches like, "It’s not what you know, it’s who you know." … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Aug 10th 2010 11:00AM | Comments (8)

Leader Working to Economically Empower His Community

• Walt Dixie isn’t just the president of his chapter of the National Action Network, he’s also a … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Aug 9th 2010 9:08PM | Comments (1)

Glenn Beck: Obama’s America is like ‘Planet of the Apes’

• It appears that Glenn Beck enjoys the idea of comparing black people to monkeys. Beck’s latest … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Aug 9th 2010 11:33AM | Comments (139)

Serial Killer in Michigan Targeting African American Men

• There are reports of a serial killer in Flint, Mich,, who is allegedly targeting black men in the … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Aug 6th 2010 6:55PM | Comments (131)

Achieving Your Goals and Building Your Career: How to Get It Done

• I must first start this article by making it clear that I am not a man who knows all the answers. … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Aug 5th 2010 6:50PM | Comments (5)

Naomi Campbell in the Middle of a Blood Diamond Trial

• Naomi Campbell, the supermodel known for attacking her personal assistants, is involved in a … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Aug 5th 2010 5:53PM | Comments (7)

Cornel West Is Upset With President Obama

• Dr. Cornel West apparently has a bone to pick with President Barack Obama. Over time, the good … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Aug 5th 2010 12:14PM | Comments (237)

On August 29, we will commemorate five years since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, and since subsequently levees broke, drowning the city in feet of water. Five years ago our nation exhibited some of the most profound indifference to human beings as thousands of New Orleaneans were stuck without food, water, or sanitation in the Super Dome. In the aftermath of those five years, those divisions of race and class have determined which individuals have recovered from Katrina and who has not. Five years after the levees broke, the City of New Orleans is still bruised from the tragedy of a natural disaster, a man-made disaster, and an indifferent government.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Scholarship in Action

Many conservative pundits are raising Hades over the fact that GDP growth for this quarter was only 2.4 percent, lower than the rates of five percent and 3.73 percent for the last quarter of 2009 and first quarter of 2010, respectively. They’ve tried to hang President Obama to the cross over this one, arguing that we have a “double-dip” recession in store and that the data serve as evidence that his economic policies have failed.

These so-called “pundits” are as wrong as purple shoes with polka dot slacks, and let me tell you why.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

Dr. Cornel West apparently has a bone to pick with President Barack Obama. Over time, the good Dr. West has become increasingly vocal in his critique of Obama, and even went as far as to say that Obama treated him "like a cub scout," when refusing to address his concerns about the administration’s behavior.
"Well, I’ll tell you, I had not talked to my dear brother since the Martin Luther King gathering in South Carolina, and very briefly Super Tuesday. But he did come and make a beeline to me after his speech on I think it was Thursday morning in Washington, D.C. I hadn’t seen him for two and a half weeks, and he made a beeline to me, though, brother, and he was deeply upset. He talked to me like I was a Cub Scout, and he was a pack master, you know what I mean?

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, TheLoop21.com

It seems that the world has grown irritated with Essence Magazine for hiring a new white fashion editor. Michaela Angela Davis, a former employee, has blasted the organization for effectively betraying its constituents with the non-traditional hire. She cites mass discrimination that has historically occurred within the fashion industry and seems disappointed that “our space” no longer belongs to us.

I certainly empathize with Davis’ point. Davis is a strong and direct black woman (I had her on my show), one who has very little tolerance for those who deviate from what she perceives as righteous ideology regarding women and minorities. Her passion for the issues that affect us seems to come from a genuine place, like a black woman who has seen enough and refuses to allow herself or anyone like her to be victimized by a clearly racist and sexist society. 

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World

Theresa Lumpkin was, until yesterday, the mother of 13-year old Robert Freeman Jr. of Chicago. Her tenure as his parent ended with the young boy was shot and killed on the South Side of Chicago in what many believe to be a case of mistaken identity.
Witnesses say that the murder was deliberate, as the gunman shot the young boy multiple times.
"My baby was just lying there,” said Lumpkin. "He tried to get up. He tried to fight for his mama. He tried to fight for his life.”
Neighbors who saw the incident did not want their names to be published.
"I was running out [of] the door to say, ‘Stop shooting that baby,’" one neighbor said.
Robert had 22 bullet holes in his body, according to doctors. The people of the community say that he was apparently targeted because he had the same complexion, height and hairstyle of another boy who was the actual target. Police are investigating whether the shooting was due to a dispute over drugs or money.
This was the fourth teen shooting in the area this week.

Click to read.

Click to Play

Boyce Watkins and Charles Ogletree Appear on Al Sharpton’s Hour of Power

To hear what other black public figures had to say, please click here.

The family of Sean Bell has stood tall during this tragic and difficult ordeal and for that they should be commended.  Rev. Sharpton and the National Action Network should also be commended as well for their continuous pursuit to seek justice.  I continue to pray for the families of Sean Bell, Joseph Guzmen and Trent Benefield.

The pattern of police shooting unarmed innocent black men is becoming all too common.  However, it magnifies symptoms of a deeper problem of insensitivity and detachment within police departments across the country.   

Today it is clearer than ever that we need vigorous action by local and state authorities and the U.S. Department of Justice to enforce civil rights laws, EEOC, contract compliance and affirmative action. I hope the President and his administration will address these issues head-on to deal with issues surrounding equal protection under the law for all Americans.

From Dr. Boyce Watkins:  Most of you know what I think about the Sean Bell shooting and subsequent settlement.  But I reached out to a few of my friends to get their takes on the situations.  You can read their comments below:

Dr. Michael Eric Dyson:  I am glad that the City of New York will pay the family of Mr. Bell – and Mr. Guzman and Mr. Benefield – for the egregious injustice of Bell’s death and the shootings of Guzman and Benefield by undercover cops.  The Bell murder highlights the need for the end to racial profiling of minorities and police brutality against blacks.  While the condition of the settlement precludes admission of wrongdoing, we all know that vicious racist practices often have lethal consequences for minority citizens.  I pray this settlement helps the families and reminds us of the need for true justice.

Rev. Al Sharpton: National Action Network and I have said from the moment we were called the day Sean Bell was killed and Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield were wounded that we would stand by the family no matter what. Nicole Paultre Bell has to labor to raise two children with no father and to provide for them and Joseph Guzman still carries bullets in his body and may never be able to work a regular job. Trent Benefield carries scars for life.

The settlement must all provide for their families but this in no way mitigates or repairs the permanent damage done to them and the pain it has caused them forever nor does it diminish the outrage in the community. We will always pursue justice for the family of Sean Bell, Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield."

Dr. Julianne Malveaux:  What is the price of a life?  The $7 million settlement in the Sean Bell case offers relief to an aggrieved family and rights a wrong.  It also raises issues about the ways that law enforcement personnel interact with the African American community.  Bell was at the cusp of an exciting life, on the eve of his wedding day. He should not have died, and the life in this settlement caution for each of us to take care of all of us and to be cautious and careful about the meaning of life.  Both bullets and assumptions killed Sean Bell. Neither assault is acceptable

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Scholarship in Action 

Black farmers across the United States have been the victims of systematic discrimination for several decades. This has been proven in court, and the United States Department of Agriculture has agreed to pay a $1.25 billion dollar settlement. What is saddest about the settlement, however, is that Congress has not yet approved the funds. This is another form of racism that the farmers must face, since their justice is being consistently denied by government officials who are insistent upon remaining stubborn.

The USDA came under increased scrutiny recently in the unjust firing of Shirley Sherrod. I am hopeful that the sloppy handling of the Sherrod incident is not indicative of the way the USDA does business. In fact, groups have been calling for the firing of the Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. At the very least, the way Ms. Sherrod has been treated should be a lightning rod to bring the plight of black farmers to the surface of our collective conscience.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University 

Nigel Carr was expected to start for the Florida State Seminoles at linebacker this season. Those plans are probably going to be altered, now that Carr faces a slew of felonies related to burglaries he allegedly committed this week.
According to Tallahassee police, Carr burglarized a parked SUV, stealing the victim’s book bag that contained her purse and other valuables. Carr allegedly dumped the items into a nearby trash can and police say they found the victim’s credit card on the floor board of a vehicle being driven by Carr.
Surprisingly, Carr is also a suspect in another car burglary on campus and faces charges from alleged marijuana possession. His career is in serious jeopardy and may likely be coming to an end.
I am not sure what the reasoning might be behind this alleged incident, assuming that the police version of the facts are accurate. Nearly any crime involving a college athlete on the weekend or at night makes me wonder if alcohol or drugs were involved. Carr’s charges for marijuana possession lead me to suspect that this is a strong possibility. For some reason, we’ve fed our young people a set of beliefs that create a culture of substance abuse as a fundamental part of college life. As my daughter prepares for college, I make it clear to her that she should be strong enough to not follow the crowd. I am not one to tell her to refrain from alcohol consumption, but I let her know that college can be a blast without risking rape, illness, incarceration or death, which occurs each year in alcohol-related incidents across the country. While we can’t say that substance abuse played a role in the Carr case, this point should be made nonetheless.

Click to read.

Brought to you by The Great Black Speakers Bureau, the #1 Black Speakers Bureau in the world.  To join the Your Black World Coalition, please visit YourBlackWorld.com.

Hey peeps,

if you’d like to contribute to the cost of sending Asha Castleberry, one of our representatives, on a humanitarian mission to Haiti, please click here.  Any support would be greatly appreciated, and I really want to see Asha make this trip.  The world has forgotten about the suffering of Haiti since they are no longer in the media, but be clear – the suffering continues.

Beyond that, I just went to get a passport and driver’s permit for my daughter the other day.  I believe that all of our children need passports so they can see the world and broaden their horizons.  One of my kids just got back from France, and I can see how her perspective has changed already.  My little girl is starting college this fall, so we are both excited.  The primary lessons I gave to her are the following: 

1) Avoid the culture of rampant alcoholism and irresponsible sexual choices that exist on many campuses. Everything must be done in moderation (although I make it clear that she has a right to make her own decisions – I am not a helicopter parent).

2) Study 4 – 6 hours per day, just like a part-time job. I am not sending my child to college to be average, and neither should any of us.  If kids can work 8 hours a day at McDonald’s, they can study four hours a day.

3) Visit your professors at least once a week.  They need to know your face, since this influences your grades and also makes a difference in the quality of letters they write for you later on.

4) Study in a quiet place with no distractions so you can get your work done.  Studying in a dorm room with the TV on means that you’ll waste time and not be able to have any fun because you’ll need twice as much work to get half as much done.

5) Have a blast – college is the most fun you’ll have in your life.  College is about much more than just studying. But by having a proper balance, the fun can really begin once your educated and doing well financially.  I didn’t really start having fun until I had a little money in my pocket and saw the benefits of a good educational foundation.

I explained to her that most college professors automatically give you a "B" for simply doing what you are told.  To get an "A," you just have to do a little bit more.  The key word that she and I remember is "consistency."  Students who cram and wait to the last minute always end up stressed out with a poor performance.  Those who study consistently typically dominate the rest of the class.  That was the only reason I was able to do so well in college, since I was nobody’s Rhodes Scholar in high school!
I thought I would share some of the info I give to my daughter so you can share it with your kids.  After teaching at the college level for the past 17 years, I’ve concluded that it’s just a hustle with a simple formula.  If George Bush can graduate from Harvard, then all of our kids can be outstanding scholars.  Push your kids to be the best, and to take the word "me" out of "mediocrity." If you want to read more, please feel free to get the discounted version of my book, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about College."

Sincerely,

Dr. Boyce

Click here to listen

The Latest from Dr. Boyce Watkins on AOL Black Voices

Alabama Coach Calls Sports Agents "Pimps": No, He’s the Real Pimp

• University of Alabama coach Nick Saban has made a serious mistake in terminology. During a recent … Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 26th 2010 10:04AM | Comments (5)

Former NBA Player Lorenzen Wright Has Gone Missing

• Lorenzen Wright, formerly of the Atlanta Hawks, has been missing since July 18, according to … Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 25th 2010 8:44PM | Comments (5)

Dr. Boyce Video — S. Tia Brown and I Talk Financial Lovemaking

• S. Tia Brown is a sassy, intelligent woman with a lot of interesting opinions. We also tend to … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 26th 2010 12:08PM | Comments (0)

Undocumented Workers Leaving Arizona: Good for Black Folks?

• The recent immigration law in Arizona has led to both controversy and immediate, undeniable … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 26th 2010 11:15AM | Comments (1)

Obama’s Approval Rating on Economy Drops: Why Is That?

• A recent CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Survey sent bad news to the Obama Administration this … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 26th 2010 5:16AM | Comments (2)

Reggie Bush USC Debacle is About NCAA Exploitation

• Some of you may have recently read about former University of Southern California standout Reggie … Read More
• By Dr. Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 24th 2010 5:35PM | Comments (17)

Dr. Boyce Video — Madam Prezident – The Dopest Black Poet in America

• If you want to know who my favorite spoken word artist happens to be, its Madam Prezident out of … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 24th 2010 5:51PM | Comments (6)

President Obama Says Vilsack Jumped the Gun on Shirley Sherrod

• President Obama recently spoke with ABC News and some other media outlets about the case of Shirley … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 23rd 2010 4:37AM | Comments (11)

Dr. Boyce Video — Black Filmmakers Dorian Chandler and Keisha Dutes

• I had a chance to sit down with award-winning filmmaker Dorian Chandler and radio show host Keisha … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 22nd 2010 5:16PM | Comments (2)

Dr. Boyce Video — Black Female Athletes Excel in the Ivy Leagues

• As most of you know from my book ‘Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about College,’ I am a strong … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 22nd 2010 3:51PM | Comments (2)

Barack Obama Celebrates Victory on Financial Reform

• President Barack Obama has reason to celebrate after signing legislation to overhaul the nation’s … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 22nd 2010 10:41AM | Comments (3)

CBC Gets Involved With Shirley Sherrod Firing

• Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, has stepped in … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 22nd 2010 5:52AM | Comments (12)

Black Candidate Puts ‘Not the White Man’s B*tch’ on Ballot Description

• Ieshuh Griffin is a legislative candidate from Wisconsin who seems willing to do whatever it … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 22nd 2010 12:25AM | Comments (75)

Dr. Boyce on TheLoop21.com

• 
  Raise your kids to be money smart, your retirement will thank you

  Fri, 07/23/2010 – 00:00

  Your children should help you in your golden years, teach them good habits now. …

  Read More

• Hip-hop ain’t nothing but b*tches and money

  Fri, 07/23/2010 – 00:00

  What’s wrong with an artist making a legitimate living without going to prison? …

  Read More

• Tiger’s brand is gold but Venus and Serena are one of "us"

  Wed, 07/21/2010 – 00:00

  The Williams sisters give us something to cheer about. …

  Read More

• Tracy Morgan’s chuckle over Mel, is he as bad as Whoopi?

  Tue, 07/20/2010 – 08:10

  If you make white people laugh, watch the opportunities roll in. …

  Read More

What Does It Mean to be a "Sellout"?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins

What does it mean to be a sellout?  Most of us grew up on this term, but I would be willing to bet that most of us don’t know what the word actually means.   Back in the 1980s, the term “sellout” applied to someone who was all too quick to give up his blackness in exchange for a seat at the white man’s table.  It could also relate to someone willing to do nearly anything to earn a buck.

Obviously, being a sellout means that you’ve sold something.  But that’s not an entirely accurate definition, since we all sell something at some point.  Most of us have been in situations where we wanted to take a stand on an issue, but simply decided to choose our battles in order to protect our opportunities.  That doesn’t necessarily make you weak, but there is a thin line between selling something and selling out completely.

So, perhaps the term “sellout” means selling something of tremendous value in exchange for greater opportunity or financial prosperity.  Can we agree on this definition?  Good, now lets’ get to the nitty-gritty.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins 

University of Alabama coach Nick Saban has made a serious mistake in terminology. During a recent press conference, Saban was asked to respond to NCAA investigations involving one of his players, Marcell Dareus. Dareus allegedly attended a party that was sponsored by a sports agent, which would be an NCAA violation.
Saban then referred to sports agents as "pimps," complaining about how they are determined to undermine the sanctity of college sports by giving the athletes money or expensive gifts. In light of the fact that Saban felt the need to use such harsh language, I thought I might help him to assess what it truly means to be a pimp.
A pimp is someone who does the following:

Click to read.

• 

• 
  Raise your kids to be money smart, your retirement will thank you

  Fri, 07/23/2010 – 00:00

  Your children can have a huge impact on the comfort, or lack thereof, you will experience when you decide to retire. …

  Read More

• Hip-hop ain’t nothing but b*tches and money

  Fri, 07/23/2010 – 00:00

  Why should an artist be embarrassed to make a legitimate living without going to prison? …

  Read More

• Tiger’s brand is gold but Venus and Serena are one of "us"

  Wed, 07/21/2010 – 00:00

  The Williams sisters give us something to cheer about. …

  Read More

• Tracy Morgan’s chuckle over Mel, is he as bad as Whoopi?

  Tue, 07/20/2010 – 08:10

  If you make white people laugh, watch the opportunities roll in. …

  Read More

• Despite banker influence, Financial Reform is pretty good

  Sun, 07/18/2010 – 00:44

  It’s a proud achievement for Obama, but the GOP will turn it against him …

  Read More

The Obama Deception Video Creates Claim Censorship

• I watched a recent video apparently made by Alex Jones, the creator of the film, "The Obama … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 19th 2010 7:04AM | Comments (2)

Tea Party Express Spokesperson Expelled for Racist Remarks

• The National Tea Party Federation, a group that represents the interests of Tea Party movements … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 19th 2010 6:28AM | Comments (2)

Mel Gibson: What You Probably Don’t Know About His Money

• Most of us have spent a great deal of time hearing the most shocking details of the relationship … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 16th 2010 11:52PM | Comments (16)

Dr. Boyce Video — Sherri Shepherd Stops by for a Conversation

• I like Sherri Shepherd very much. No, really I do. Unlike some of the less desirable creatures I’ve … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 16th 2010 1:10AM | Comments (6)

Rush Limbaugh Insults Black People With ‘Cracker’ Remark

• Rush Limbaugh is at it again, earning his paycheck from Premier Radio Networks. Recently on his … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 15th 2010 8:09PM | Comments (47)

Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton Downplay Tea Party Racism

• To the surprise of some, Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have pushed attention away from the … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 15th 2010 1:58PM | Comments (9)

How to Financially Destroy Your Children Right Before You Die

• I had a friend who shall remain anonymous. Actually, this person was a very close friend, almost … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 14th 2010 3:19PM | Comments (3)

Major Legal Problems for AKAs

• The women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. are in the middle of a crazy legal situation that … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jul 14th 2010 1:21PM | Comments (30)

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, The Institute for Black Public Policy

Recent polls are showing that 6 out of 10 Americans are losing faith in President Obama’s ability to run our nation.  This decline in the president’s numbers is in stark contrast to where the numbers were at the start of his presidency.  They are also reflective of the general fact that Americans are losing faith in government.  While 60% of Americans polled say they have little belief in President Obama, 68% said the same thing about Democrats, and 72% said the same about Republicans.

I don’t agree with these assessments, since President Obama has proven time and time again that he is the most qualified candidate for the job.  The broader challenge for the American people is that there are almost never enough good candidates available.  The elitism that leads our officials to only consider Harvard and Yale graduates for the White House or Supreme Court nominations is disturbing, and such a limited set of selections is what causes us to choose incompetent individuals like George W. Bush or Clarence Thomas to run our country.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins

I’ve always defended Michael Vick .  I’ve never supported him because I liked him as a human being or thought he was a good person.  Most of my support for Vick has been driven by my commitment to fairness, and the fact that the punishment must fit the crime.  When you go back in time, it’s not uncommon for black male athletes to be treated like animals when they make the same mistakes that are made by the rest of us, and I just won’t have it.  When Michael Vick did his time for dog fighting, I was convinced that he’d learned his lesson and was ready to become one of the great comeback stories in all of sport.

Click to read.

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University

When I recently read the open letter to the rapper Slim Thug(pictured above), written by Columbia Professor Marc Lamont Hill (pictured below), I was concerned. I love "Slim Thugger" and his musical brilliance, but putting him in an intellectual toe-to-toe with one of the most brilliant young scholars in America is like puttingLennox Lewis in a boxing match with Beyonce. Marc is my boy, and incredibly sharp, and I would encourage him to pick on someone his own intellectual size. Simultaneously, I encourage Slim Thug to quietly walk away and shut up. He needs to stay in the booth and use his intellect for something other than ridiculous social commentary.
But Slim Thug asked for his public butt whooping, after engaging in one of the most feeble and misguided critiques of the African-American woman that I’ve heard in quite a while. Even for a rapper, he sounded as if he needed to be educated on what black women are all about. Here are Slim’s words, "straight out of the negro’s mouth":

Click to read

DR. BOYCE: The Spendaholic’s Guide To Budgeting Your Money

By Dr. Boyce Watkins June 8, 2010 12:50 pm

Read more about DR. BOYCE: The Spendaholic’s Guide To Budgeting Your Money

TAGS: black wealth, personal finances

Dr. Boyce: Was NWA Political Genius or Rebellious Teenagers?

By Dr. Boyce Watkins June 7, 2010 3:15 pm

Read more about Dr. Boyce: Was NWA Political Genius or Rebellious Teenagers?

TAGS: black scholars, hip hop, rap, rappers

DR. BOYCE: Black Memphis Wealth Drop Is National Trend In Making

By Dr. Boyce Watkins June 1, 2010 12:12 pm

Read more about DR. BOYCE: Black Memphis Wealth Drop Is National Trend In Making

TAGS: Memphis, race, wealth, Wells Fargo

by Dr Julianne Malveaux

Our economy generated about 431,000 jobs last month. Good news? Only if you don’t count the fact that more than 400,000 of the jobs were temporary jobs connected to collecting data for the Census. Those jobs won’t last for long and when the dust clears the current 9.7 percent unemployment rate, down from 9.9 percent a month ago, is likely to rise again.

Still, those who are desperate for good news are clinging to the fact that there are more jobs out there. What they don’t understand is that people are looking for something more than a few months of work here and there. Nearly seven million Americans have been out of work for more than half a year. What has this done to their finances?

Of course the situation is worse for African Americans, even though black unemployment dropped from 16.5 to 15.5 percent last month. The 15.5 percent is a modest estimate of what is really happening. The U6 number in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Situation report includes discouraged workers, those working part time that really want full time work and others peripherally connected to the labor market. That number dropped last month from 17.1 to 16.6 percent for the overall population. While the BLS does not report the number for African Americans, using the same relationships, the African American U6 number is at least 25.6 percent. That means that one in four African Americans is jobless!

Click to read.

Woman Gets Fired for Being Too Sexy on the Job

• Most of us think that beautiful people are allowed to get away with whatever they want. Debrahlee … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jun 5th 2010 1:16PM | Comments (6)

Congressional Black Caucus Members Try to Limit Ethics Office

• Nearly half of the members of the Congressional Black Caucus have agreed to try to reduce the … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jun 3rd 2010 8:02AM | Comments (1)

Artur Davis: The Black Politician Who Can’t Get Black Votes

• Rep. Artur Davis is a black man. I feel the need to make this statement, because Davis’ … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jun 3rd 2010 6:31AM | Comments (5)

Aiyana Jones: Evidence of Police Cover-Up in Shooting of 7-Year-Old

• The attorney for the family of Aiyana Jones, a 7-year-old girl who was shot and killed in a police … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Jun 2nd 2010 2:36PM | Comments (8)

Black Memphis Sees Wealth Drop: National Trend in the Making

• The New York Times recently wrote about the economic challenges of black residents of Memphis, … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on May 31st 2010 11:12PM | Comments (7)

Glenn Beck’s Attack on Malia Obama: A New Low for Fox

• I admit that I was taken aback by the attacks of Fox News host Glenn Beck against President … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on May 31st 2010 10:20PM | Comments (189)

Avoiding the Coming Retirement Nightmare: What You Must Do Now

• Most Americans are not ready for retirement. Many of us will go broke during old age or find … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on May 31st 2010 2:44PM | Comments (2)

Financial Lovemaking: Do Tiny and Toya Romanticize Prison Love?

• Some have noticed that on the new BET show, ‘Tiny and Toya,’ that their main men, T.I. and Lil … Read More
• By Boyce Watkins, PhD on May 28th 2010 11:08AM | Comments (9)

• Aiyana Jones Funeral Brings Hundreds To Mourn Loss of Little Girl

  12:12 PMMay 23

  Source: BV Black Spin

  I spoke with The Rev. Al Sharpton about the death of 7-year old Aiyana Jones last Monday. I could hear in his voice that he was genuinely concerned about what happened, and attempting to determine whether or not the police had done anything wrong … Read More