The 16-Year-Old Who Could Take It All
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Unlike many rappers in hip-hop who are obvious industry pinheads just trying to cash into the bank, Kanye West knows more. Yet, that is perhaps the very problem: he knows more and yet does nothing to actually fix the problem.
I get that "Revolution" isn't trying to be groundbreaking drama, but it's been most compelling when it was unpredictable. This is an interesting premise that's been established. Keep us on our toes, and we'll be more invested.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) just released the latest data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) on Americans' sugar consumption, and the results are quite surprising. Here are some of the findings that really grabbed my attention.
Growing up in Tulsa, my dream was to play in the NBA. I am fortunate to have been able to achieve my dream, and now helping other kids follow their dreams has proven to be just as impactful on my life as every minute that I played in the NBA.
President Obama impeccably and eloquently made the connection between the role Morehouse has played in shaping today's world and the role it will play in shaping the future.
Truth be told, slurs are common around the water cooler, reflecting a dehumanizing view of criminal defendants that comes from years of locking them up, one person of color at a time.
After my sister died from breast cancer three years ago, I asked, during my mammogram, whether I should get tested for the breast cancer gene. I was warned that doing so, particularly if I tested positive for the gene, could mark me as an individual with a so-called pre-existing condition.
I'm honored Andrea Morehead could share some advice for other busy moms and her thoughts on early education.
Barack Obama visited Morehouse College on Sunday to give a refrain on the responsibility of Morehouse Men and black America to find dignity and progress in self-reliance, a refrain that has simultaneously proven exciting and excruciating for African Americans over the last four years.
I'd believed that I was headed for greatness, but they had revealed in me a thing that was seemingly so dirty, so disgusting that my other talents paled in comparison to the supposed vileness of being a practicing homosexual. And for this they bullied me right out of the church.
I was a 25-year-old documentary filmmaker from New York working on a show for MTV. He was a 21-year-old dancer in East Oakland trying to move on with his life after the murder of his little brother. I spent a year embedded in his life, and got a front row seat to an American epidemic.
Something is clearly wrong with our state when all the death sentences are coming out of one county. We are in a crisis when our state, which is 4.3 percent African-American, has a death row that is 100 percent African American. A broken system has produced flawed results.
I ask you, fans across America and around the world, to root for Memphis -- both the Grizzlies team and the city. Maybe a Grizzlies championship can provide just the "grits" this Southern city needs.
there's the almost ritual expectation by the public that second term presidents will be dogged by some scandal. This was the case with Eisenhower, Nixon, of course, Reagan, Clinton and George W. Bush. This shouldn't surprise.
The loneliness of that realization, that my daughter might have to shoulder the consequences of these stigmas, made me heartsick. I'd made myself believe she would only be challenged by her race and gender, not the basic ability to speak her mind.
On this 50th anniversary of the Birmingham Children's Crusade it is a time to remember, honor, and follow the example of the children who were frontline soldiers and transforming catalysts in America's greatest moral movement of the 20th century.
There is no way to make up for decades of discrimination that crippled the proud history of black farm ownership in this country. But we can do our best to move forward.
The first step to overcoming an addiction is admitting that you have one. In order to rid oneself of addiction, one must declare it. My name is Fire Burgess and I am a diehard fan of misogynistic Rap music.
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Notes of a Military Son
During this week -- Military Families Week -- I am reminded of the valuable lessons I learned from my father about the humanity and importance of those who defend our freedom.
My Dad, Clifford Alexander, is a "first" in many ways, born in 1933, an only son of two civic-minded parents who were deeply immersed in their community, Harlem. His parents were both bright, and while neither had college degrees they knew that education was the road to their son's life success, and he graduated from Harvard College and Yale Law School -- an incredible success for anyone, much less an African-American of his generation.
He then made a career of leaping over racial barriers and breaking down doors. He served several presidents, and in 1977 President Carter asked Dad to serve in his Administration, as Secretary of the Army.
Dad was responsible for military operations worldwide, wielding civilian powers that were only surpassed by the President himself. His service as Army Secretary immersed him in a world in which there were clear chains of command and protocol, and fixed notions of rank and power.
In my father's eyes, his powers also carried responsibilities and courtesies, and he made it a point to always try to respect the dignity of everyone he encountered. He also deeply valued the ultimate commitment to country that the men and women who serve in our armed forces -- our nation's greatest patriots.
He was at the top of the chain of command, but he never saw himself as superior. It was quite the opposite; he knew that his service was equal to all who served -- one man among thousands in service to country.
Dad made the quality of life of the soldier his top priority. Every time he visited an Army base, he scheduled an hour at the base gym for a pick-up basketball game with the enlisted men and women. He broke it down: Running the court, in shorts, on the floor, there is no rank.
The lessons came all the time -- daily life, leading by example. I recall one weekend morning when he and I walked out the back door of our townhouse to pick up some groceries. As we walked through the alley, a homeless man approached us, and my father greeted him with a hearty "Good morning, sir."
I had seen soldiers and four-star generals offer Dad the same greeting in the halls of The Pentagon, and at Army bases around the world. After we moved along, unprompted, Dad reminded me of something: "He was somebody's baby one day."
Those words with that context remind me of the common humanity that my parents value so much. Their respect for others, and pride in our own identity as African-Americans, informed their -- and eventually my -- sense of self and commitment to service.
My family was immersed in a generation of change defined by public service and social activism. Our life was defined by my parents' work, and by the values inculcated by our day-to-day existence.
So in Military Families Week, I spend a little extra time thinking about those who commit themselves to country, so that we can live in these remarkable times today. Every day, I am thankful for our armed forces, and I pay particular tribute to the individual men and women serving all around the world.
Dad is 77 years old, and just as committed as ever. In the past few years, he carried on his own mission to speak out against the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy that was a blight on our nation. He articulated the fight as one over the basic human dignity of those who serve our nation with pride and distinction.
He won't be still, he won't be silent. I honor the individuals who wear The Uniform, as he taught me.
My Dad, Clifford Alexander, is a "first" in many ways, born in 1933, an only son of two civic-minded parents who were deeply immersed in their community, Harlem. His parents were both bright, and while neither had college degrees they knew that education was the road to their son's life success, and he graduated from Harvard College and Yale Law School -- an incredible success for anyone, much less an African-American of his generation.
He then made a career of leaping over racial barriers and breaking down doors. He served several presidents, and in 1977 President Carter asked Dad to serve in his Administration, as Secretary of the Army.
Dad was responsible for military operations worldwide, wielding civilian powers that were only surpassed by the President himself. His service as Army Secretary immersed him in a world in which there were clear chains of command and protocol, and fixed notions of rank and power.
In my father's eyes, his powers also carried responsibilities and courtesies, and he made it a point to always try to respect the dignity of everyone he encountered. He also deeply valued the ultimate commitment to country that the men and women who serve in our armed forces -- our nation's greatest patriots.
He was at the top of the chain of command, but he never saw himself as superior. It was quite the opposite; he knew that his service was equal to all who served -- one man among thousands in service to country.
Dad made the quality of life of the soldier his top priority. Every time he visited an Army base, he scheduled an hour at the base gym for a pick-up basketball game with the enlisted men and women. He broke it down: Running the court, in shorts, on the floor, there is no rank.
The lessons came all the time -- daily life, leading by example. I recall one weekend morning when he and I walked out the back door of our townhouse to pick up some groceries. As we walked through the alley, a homeless man approached us, and my father greeted him with a hearty "Good morning, sir."
I had seen soldiers and four-star generals offer Dad the same greeting in the halls of The Pentagon, and at Army bases around the world. After we moved along, unprompted, Dad reminded me of something: "He was somebody's baby one day."
Those words with that context remind me of the common humanity that my parents value so much. Their respect for others, and pride in our own identity as African-Americans, informed their -- and eventually my -- sense of self and commitment to service.
My family was immersed in a generation of change defined by public service and social activism. Our life was defined by my parents' work, and by the values inculcated by our day-to-day existence.
So in Military Families Week, I spend a little extra time thinking about those who commit themselves to country, so that we can live in these remarkable times today. Every day, I am thankful for our armed forces, and I pay particular tribute to the individual men and women serving all around the world.
Dad is 77 years old, and just as committed as ever. In the past few years, he carried on his own mission to speak out against the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy that was a blight on our nation. He articulated the fight as one over the basic human dignity of those who serve our nation with pride and distinction.
He won't be still, he won't be silent. I honor the individuals who wear The Uniform, as he taught me.
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Comments: (24)
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By: Ken on 4/14/2011 2:54PM
Sorry Capt but I have had friends complain about VA as well so it does look like you're taking cheap shots at TK for stating "her" experiences from "her" perspective as a "vet" herself!!
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By: walt on 4/15/2011 5:19AM
The unpatriotic comments on here is why black people can't get nothing and won't get nothing! STOP THINKING ABOUT YOUR FREAKING SELVES AND JUST BE BLESSED THAT YOU HAVE THE PRIVLEDGE, RIGHT, AND HONOR TO SERVE IN THE GREATEST MILITARY IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD!
From an African-American Soldier!
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By: Bertha on 4/14/2011 7:02PM
It can't be that bad, my Son-in-law just retired after serving 30 years in the Air Force with all kind of honors. My Grand-son, his son is now serving in the Air force also. We are proud of both of them, and all of the other young men and women who are serving our country.
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By: Linda on 4/15/2011 10:00PM
I have a brother who serve in the Army doing the Vietnam war. He came home additive to drugs he also learn that he had liver problem associate with getting Hepertatis doing his service in the Army. Addition is a very powerful and depressed feelings. He has been trying to enter a rehabitation center The VA told him he had to get cleaned before they would help him find a Rehab center. This is very confusing if he is seeking help to get off this damaging addition. why not get help from your VA in your city where you live? He is asking for help to get clean so why would they tell him he can not get help until he is off of what ever drug he is taking. If he is able to get clean his self. he wouldn't need the VA help at all? This is wrong, sensely, and cruel, and in human. Thanks
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By: monie on 4/16/2011 2:40PM
How in the world can someone even compare welfare to military...my understanding of welfare was one whom is not employed meaning not working or not able to find work...hmmm. Soldiers of every branch works 10 folds harder than any job force in the united states as far as im concerned and endure much more,and with the way things are going there's much more to come..many lost there life to protect not only our country..but others also,that comment that was made was very out of line...soldiers are losing families at home just because they have to be away from them for such long periods of time...Soldiers truly deserve a standing ovation for what they go through,and endure on a day to day basis and most of all through out there Military careers!! Hooah!! to all that serve,and that have served.I salute to you,and GOD BLESS ALL!!
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By: bijiaoai on 4/16/2011 8:28PM
bijiaoai
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By: bpbankrupt on 4/17/2011 8:06AM
Sundays Sermon –
What is a child?
A child comes from a mold & stamp that only Jesus Christ creates and like ALL Creations, he or she is special. Created like most with the best ingredients from rainbows to stardust to dolphins to whales to rivers to lakes to marshes to wolves to trees to alligators to sea to wetlands to mountain peaks, to polar bears to the Earth & Heavens.
And then the creation morphs into an FBI agent and what makes the FBI agent different:
THEY KNOW HOW TO CONTROL THEIR FREE WILL IN SYNC WITH THE SPIRIT OF JESUS CHRIST and the harmony of the Earth and all of Christ’s creations and they carry a passion to spread Good Man.
U ARE ONE ENTITY in the U.S. THAT not only meets but EXCEEDS expectations;
You have reached the bald headed one at the top of Goldman Sachs and IT IS FEAR that controls our market today and keeps it in place and congratulations to all who have contributed because you perform a good service, but it is this same FEAR and MORE IMPORTANTLY u instill in EVIL Man & those ANYWHERE that want to hurt our hearts and stray from Christ mis-using their free will during 2011 2012 201.
-------------------------------------------------------
Please stop those that want to hurt & murder OUR animals like the latest attack “again” on our wolves out west - the PIG gets called again ……we already know wolves can be sprinkled into areas across the US to control deer population, as it started.
Butchering OUR animals Pre-Meditated is a solution ONLY of the EVIL Man Jackal in 2011 2012 201 and this is NOT how we treat our animals in America.
And there is still plenty of territory in Idaho & Montana & the United States today so that this is unnecessary. These are purely pleasure hunts to please the jackal and incite Good Man.
If there are 6 billion people on this planet why are we trying to murder a few hundred wolves and their offspring or any animals AT ALL and this gets Okayed from top non-leadership positions in America?
“By realizing Satan exists, we are thwarting his attempts at destroying Mankind and undermining his ultimate plans, to destroy the creation of a loving and caring God.”
THIS IS THE WORK U DO IN AMERICA FBI, by thwarting his attempts.
Does not at this time Washington, the Red Plague (Lucifer Boehner) and the president ALL become the anti-Christ with this demonic legislature to hurt our animals & we see no remorse from a president or Washington whose ACTIONS SHOW NO OPPOSITION TO EVIL Man.
These Demonic acts just spiral America down and down.
Why would anyone be doing this, when they know the consequences?
Everything is calculated by the anti-Christ black president.
Because they WANT to spat, torch and burn the book of Christ and vindictively rub it into Americans face for pure pleasure.
This is EVIL Man, when the 2 legged mis-creations populations go off the charts and people in top leadership positions sinfully remove other creations.
But now – America TAKES IT BACK –
THIS IS YOUR TIME FBI – THIS IS THE TIME OF GOOD MAN.
U bring THEM the Nightmare of American Justice –
Satan shall Take these jackals down and who follow, inside or outside the blood line, and line their bodies side by side, like a wolf kill, with their tongues hanging out on their side, choking on their blood & their eyes displaying the horror of their agony and & leave them where their souls will be taken to the underworld.
And MOST displayed in the wolf’s dying eyes is the disillusionment that the 2 legged creation was their Friend on this Earth as Christ had promised.
Capture them like Sadaam for they ARE NO DIFFERENT but ARE TERRORISTs IN THE U.S. HIDING BEhind THE US GOVERNMENT.
If we stop this behavior before the Clock of DOOM reaches its final tick – We are rewarded.
2011 2012 201
When Politicians & the president throw dirt at Jesus and what America stands for; and with purpose to INCITE Good Man in America with sinful genocide of Christ’s creations –
We throw dirt at them and SPIT on them & walk away as Christ does,
The anti-christ jackal incites Americans with purpose,
• Lets continue to murder wolves from red plague administration
• Let’s tie up the hands of Good man while the jackal hands over the Gulf to Satan and an Ocean of marine life is poisoned and our animals continue to die in horrific agony.
• Lets build a Mosque next to 911
• Lets murder more wolves
• What side of the muslim world is this president on? We worry for Our soldiers?
The jackal fears OUR Great American Wolves. He fears their innocence & majesty and thus, works hard to destroy them.
Christ’s Kingdom works simple.
It’s only EVIL Man that interprets WITH THE BEAST and takes us down the path with no future.
------------------------------------------------------------
Angry Americans torching Koranies across Idaho & Montana today (hundreds of thousands) protesting EVIL Man in Washington, passing legislature to MURDER MORE of Americas Great Wolves –
Arabic Translations streaming thru al jazeerah – YI YI YI YI YI YI
America – Here are YOUR latest United States PIGS that were voted for and placed into office –
April 11, 2011 – US Congress – Washington – sneaks in legislature to Murder Americas & Christ Great America Gray Wolves & gets signed off with Satan under the Table –
500 were just MURDERED and now Satan comes back for more –
“This stealth attack on wolves -- which circumvents the will of the courts and good science -- was inserted by Representative Mike Simpson (R, ID) and Senator Jon Tester (D, MT). It was approved by the leadership of both the House and the Senate, and it was Okayed by the White House.”
“It is a shameful day for this nation when both parties unite behind the slaughter of an endangered species -- without public hearing or debate.”
AS WE ALL KNOW - THEY MASTURBATED EACH OTHER WITH THE LEFT HAND OF SATAN WHILE THE DEAL WAS CUT WITH MONETARY INCENTIVES UNDER THE TABLE.
Washington PROMOTES the murder & genocide of Christ’s creations and the KORANies, the black anti-Christ & Washington Bible, continue to get toasted ACROSS AMERICA. In fact many people defecate on them or use them inside barbecue pits.
America - Chase them OUT OF THE U.S. with the Legal NRA weapons like the BeASTS do cHRISTS animals and when they CRAWL UNDER A ROCK, GAS THEM OUT OF THEIR HOLE THE WAY THEY DO Christ’s INFANT WOLVE PUPS.
Washington CALLS FOR SATAN & we are ALL in jeopardy & it is ALL of them in Office that allow this EVIL to be implemented by PIGS as they turn the cheek and shake the hand of Satan.
Satan & his Legion gain strength from this EVIL and conjures the 2 politicians & there closest which is the way it works. You CALL FOR the PIG, YOU GET HIM and this is his time & Satan flies HIGH ALL OVER THE GLOBE. You betcha.
– only Satan will play this card !! to murder OUR wolves
Because This time Satan TAKES MUCH MORE THAN THE United States GULF
THE failure for America & the world to heed the warnings of EVIL Man will bring the unseen HORRIFIC/Catastrophic events to the world, that are in the Bible of Jesus and simply because we stray from Christ. It’s the Book for Man’s longevity, a simple recipe.
With EVIL, America can join the British Pig BP. EVIL begets EVIL in 2011 & 2012 until ………..
And for a single 2 legged mis –creation that sees happiness in acts of sadism, YOU CAN BET THAT SATAN WILL WIPE THAT SMILE off and replace it with his serpentine trident through the mis-created face.
There are MANY Edgar Casey’s in America – 1000% correct
Idaho & Montana 2 legged mis-creations are NOW PERMANENTLY marked by the BEAST.
Do YOU follow the violent storms that NOW tear thru US –
U are NEXT Idaho & Montana –
Japan was WARNED & WARNED about murdering Dolphins & Whales well before ………..
The Koranies get toasted ACROSS AMERICA, IN PROTEST OF United States PURE EVIL,
While Washington and SICK politicians
TORCH & BURN THE BIBLE OF JESUS CHRIST IN AMERICA
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By: Leo P. Flood on 4/18/2011 9:35AM
"Hats off to Mark Alexander for penning such a wonderful article. Your father was a rare breed, and many young soldiers today are benefitting from his contributions and his example."
I agree with this; my hat is of to the Secretary and the son that wrote about him. I had the opportunity to serve during the time that he was the Secretary of the Army. He made changes that I didn't think would occur. I begin serving doing just prior to him becoming Secretary and for me as an African American I saw the racism duplicated in the military. With his inspiration I felt that I could overcome the attitudes of a larger group of my officers. I overcame and eventually retired from the US Army and continued to serve by serving those that came after me. Thanks to the Then Secretary of the Army, I made it and assisted others in making it through the Army time period. Tell you father thanks for his service.
Leo P. Flood, Jr.
US Army Retired
And still serving.
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By: T.D. on 4/18/2011 1:00PM
TK
TK's comments hit the nail on the head, I don't know what CPT Thomson was thinking
I'd like to ask Captain Thomson this:
If the Armed Forces was 41% Black during the Reagan era where are they now
It seems so many are denied benefits they need so TK gets cussed out as a result and I don't even know him/her
If there is so much honor in the Armed Forces why aren't you drafting to increase the numbers
If the Armed Forces lost as many people today as they did in Vietnam there would be no Armed Forces
Captain Thomson is not enlisted, he is an Officer and it is fitting that one tell him this:
We work for a living but if it's the Armed Forces you do alot more work than you get paid for
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