You sure do swim against the currents.

"Think for yourself"? I have no doubts whatsoever.

Photo: College antics, circa 1978.

As a white female, I'd be interested to know if you've read any of John McWhorter's books and what you think of him. I've read "Losing the Race" and found a lot of what he had to say to be quite wise. I'm also hoping to get a hold of a copy of Juan William's new book, "Enough".

I still think Al's coming down here to put you in your place. You are not towing the line there buddy.

Hey! Thanks for your twenty years of MC sacrifice.

Al Sharptoungue needs a good old fashioned high and tight - OoRah!!

That was priceless.

I'm hamstrung. I'm in the middle of no where out West on my Verizon wireless card with a signal that is worse than Sharpton's credibility. It's been kind of tough to keep on the cutting edge of some of these subjects. But the situation seems to be well in hand with Old School and Bad at the helm. Thanks guys.

I hope I didn't drive you crazy last night.

I couldn't take another post about who thought someone was a pervert or who's kid got sent to another school.

You seemed to be the only one that had a thought about another subject.

You seem to care more about Al Sharpton the man. I was listening to the message. There are a lot of issues in this world that have dropped by the wayside. I was shocked to hear that 63% of black males are dropping out of high school in South Carolina. That's Huge! It's economic suicide. I just listed a few of the topics that I heard him speak about. And I understood him quite clearly. I don't get caught up in any "man" of this world. I take heed to the message. And, upon hearing something, I either act on it, or I don't. In this case, he touched upon some issues that I think are important. You still didn't tell me where you saw the sign.

"I'm a raciest"

That's his sign!

Talking about dividing the races. You're an idiot. You never saw a sign. Your hood got in the way of your vision.

I was raised that if you ever, and I mean ever, made a comment about someones race you got slapped. When mom slapped you, you better pay attention.

Race was never an issue in my upbringing.

We were raised that if you ever made a comment about someone based on race you wouldn't be able to chew your food at Sunday dinner.

Don't believe me, ask my kids.

Do you recall your blog where you talked about "The Sign"? It was loaded with racist reteric. Don't backtrack.

Where the heck have you been?

He and Jessy have been promoting racism since I was in diapers.

What are you, stupid?

Read some of the other postings I've made. I've asked the "blacks" I work with, again I don't think I'm being politically correct, they all say Al is an embarrassment to the black population.

In my business if you don't "know" the answer ask the people who do.

Al is a raciest period. He has no other function in life.

Tell me, what else does Al do?

Focusing on Al Sharpton the MAN. I don't know if Al Sharpton is a racist or not. I don't personally know Al Sharpton. What I said was that I heard him speak to several issues that I consider to be important. I don't have aids, yet I consider aids education to be an important issue. I don't make minimum wage, yet I consider the minimum wage to be an important issue. I didn't drop out of school, and neither did any of my children, yet I consider the alarming drop-out rate to be an important issue. What I heard him say, and I agree with, is EDUCATION being the key! And for those of us that have been fortunate enough to progress and succeed; reach back and help those who have not. That's what I heard on a talk radio show this week. Anything else Al Sharpton has said or done, I don't care about. On that day, in that hour, he spoke about some serious issues in the community that no one else seems to be talking about.

Fine, go to his service and listen to what he has to say.

Come back and tell us what you learned from him.

I'll take an education from anywhere I can get it.

63% of the black males in South Carolina are fools and they are getting support from those like Al Sharpton who are telling them 'it's not your fault'. I have seen that game since I was a boy in the 40's. Don't buy in to that noise.

You talk about all that you have done and achieved. But have you ever looked back or reached back to help those that were not as fortunate as you were?

But you are not listening. Read Jesse Lee Peterson's book "Scam". That's the best advice I can give you right now. I have helped more people than you have met in your lifetime. Lose the chip or lose the game youngblood - Read the book - you can read can't you?

I can't save the world.

Call Gates if you need more.

In other words, I got mine........You know the rest.

I can't afford it.

Simple fact.

If you want kids from outside the Tax district to attend school here, pay for it.

Real simple.

We continue to build prisons. We pay for the food, housing, utilities, salaries and administration of those prisons.

Now whether a child strays in the wrong direction because he/she chooses a criminal path, or if they become addicted to drugs like meth, or crack, or valium. Chances are real good they will end up dead or in one of these prisons that we built and support.

Seems to me, that if we reallocate those funds, life would be somewhat better all the way around.

Just a thought.

Why should we care if drug addicts and criminals die? They are draining our resources, and not worth the effort.
They are a waste of the clean air and water I need.

The other day I met a person who believes--or claims to believe--that the universe was created in six literal 24 hour days perhaps 10,000 years ago.

My reaction to their statement was similar to my reaction to yours in this post: utter incredulity. Surely, you don't mean this? Surely, no one really thinks like this?

Photo: College antics, circa 1978.

Keeping it real, have you lost your mind? You are EXACTLY who Al Sharpton is looking to recruit and make money off of. Good luck in your bitter struggles. When you are ready to see the light, read, educate yourself, and compete based on hard work and intellect. Your chip is a millstone around your neck. You better reach deep inside and lose that seed of hate and anger.

That a .45 cal. between the eyes costs about .27.

Send me the bill.

I thought you were going to speak with some intelligence. Turns out......YOU'RE AN IDIOT! And by the way, so much for your EDUCATION! Write these words ten times each: Believer and Racist. Goodnight.

I don't condone it, but I realize that it exists.

I have no control over where you're or my kids get sent to school. Nor do I have any control over what "your" kids do with the educational opportunities that they're handed.

However, I do have control over what I will tolerate, and anyone that thinks they're above the laws of this country had better beware that me and my kind won't take it any more. "My kind" refers to law abiding people of no particular race or creed.

The likes of Al Sharpton, and the racist crap he promotes have no place in todays society. You and he need to understand that.

This world has enough to worry about rather than waist time, effort and money on you and your kind.

Make note that "your kind" has no reference to race but rather the lame and lazy of this world.

Try and make a better place for your children verses making your next dope deal.

I don't care where you came from, but I know where you'll end up.

Again I tell you, .27 each.

Send me the bill.

...who cannot figure out this crazy bulletin board.

Please put it in CHRONOLOGICAL order!

Black I am (and confused).

I feel you Man. Discombobulated comes to mind...and that hurts!

Go to viewing options and chose your mode of viewing. Though perhaps it is all the good Dutch beer you tote around. It is messing with your head. LOL

But I'm still not sure.

just because I dislike the messenger. I'm no fan of Al Sharkston, but his statistics do not lie. Black kids are dropping out of high schools in droves and not just in S.C. By 25, over half have been or are still involved, in some way, with the criminal justice system. These stats are just mind-boggling to me. In my youth (don't ask how long ago!) it was just plain INCONCEIVABLE to my peers, black and white, to even consider dropping out of high school. I honestly am afraid for the continuity of the next generation of youths and even more so for blacks general.

This is a quote from Mr. Sharpton.

Sharpton took up Brawley's cause and defended her refusal to cooperate with prosecutors, saying that asking her to meet with New York's attorney general (who had been asked by Gov. Mario Cuomo to supervise the investigation) would be like "asking someone who watched someone killed in the gas chamber to sit down with Mr. Hitler."

Full text

If the messenger is “tainted” and it’s “his” message, then “his” message is also “tainted”.

Why are you so unwilling to accept the fact that the party that actually freed the slaves and passed civil rights legislation might really have the answers? Example: Dr. Condi Rice - do you know of a black, female, democrat with her power? No - you don't and you never have. She is but ONE example.

Brother Rev. Dr. Al is coming down here to make sure you don't leave the 'plantation' friend. I actually spent a few years on it myself, back in the 60's and it was a mistake. When I stopped being racist - I could see my problems and address them. I do not like to discuss racism as I see it as unproductive. I will however gladly talk with any black males who want to talk and listen. I have been both a big brother and a mentor over a dozen times.

"When I stopped being racist - I could see my problems and address them"

A very powerful statement there!! I'm much younger (basing this on your previous blogs) and could not agree more. The world became a much more expansive place when i stopped defining myself and circumstances in the context of "Black". My role in it much clearer.

KeepingItReal: While Al the Shark may have credible information, his message IS NOT one of empowerment. He offers black people nothing of value, nothing that affects constructive change in peoples lives. Instead he continues to promote - for his own sake - the emotional charge of racial "struggle". (And i stress EMOTION - Hot Air). He would have you believe broad-sweeping social change is going to come be means other than people digging in deep, facing the world's challenges (biased as they may be) and doing the real work that reaps rewards. There's no easy road from poverty, disillusionment, etc. - regardless of how you got there. Shame on people like him in perpetuating the thought that collective "struggle" is going to get you somwhere. It's only going to keep him on the lecture circuit and in public spotlight$$$.

I see both good parenting and a desire to "do the right thing" in your words. I have no doubt that success is in your future. My mother used to say "the world is a mirror". I think she was trying to teach me about attitude and anger. Anger is like a cancer that kills the container - let it go. You have obviously learned that at a young(er) age and it will serve you well.

Think foryourself means be a 'critical' thinker. I do not agree with all of the conservative Republican issues nor do I agree with all of the liberal Democratic issues but I do know a race baiter or an excuse maker when I see one and most Democrats fit description nicely. Ironically, the biggest racist are usually the millionare whites in the Democratic party (Like Al Gore) and no one challenges them. They receive a free pass from the whites and the press. Equally disturbing is how many blacks follow media chosen "black leaders" like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and Louis Farrakhan. What that tells me is that there is a strong need for any black male leadership in this nation.

Be a positive force and lead through example. Be prepared to be called a 'token', a 'slave', an 'Uncle Tom' and a 'sell out' (all white references by the way). Just remember that many soldiers preceded you. People like Clarance Thomas, Jackie Robinson, Condoleezza Rice, George Washington Carver, and hundreds more like Lynn Swann and Mike Steele have all been called those names.

Keep up the good work. You have a lot to offer to a world in great need!