He Lied!!!

Most of us knew that something wasn't quite right with the police report that Cambridge police officer Sgt. James Crowley submitted concerning his arrest of esteemed Harvard professor Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Well the stuff has finally hit the fan! AP reported that Sgt. Crowley lied about two things: the 911 caller's description of the men and the conversation that he had with the caller before he entered the house. According to the article released Monday, the caller never described Dr. Gates and his driver as "black men" and the caller never even spoke with Crowley before the incident as he had reported.

The official 911 tape was released and, according to the report, the caller stated, "One looked kind of Hispanic, but I'm not really sure. And the other one entered and I didn't see what he looked like at all. I just saw it from a distance…" Crowley's police report said, "went on to tell me that she observed what appeared to be two black males with backpacks on the porch." That was lie number one.

The caller's lawyer revealed lie number two. CNN reported that the lawyer said, "Let me be clear: She never had a conversation with Sgt. Crowley at the scene." Crowley said that he spoke with her at the scene.

Some may see these lies as trivial matters, but they have completely blown Crowley's side of the argument. If he lied about these two things then he's lying about everything and shouldn't be trusted.

I can't believe some of the comments that I've read about this matter. I only urge people to know the facts before they speak.

Many have called President Obama's "acted stupidly" comments out of line. For those people, were Crowley's actions intelligent? Or maybe they were somewhere in the middle?

Ok. Let's be for real.

One blogger said that black men need to step up and be "responsible" for their actions. I call that comment a clear case of trying to divert the attention of this serious matter.

Others wrote that the cop was doing his job by arresting Dr. Gates; I beg to differ. The radio transmissions released by the police department proves that Gates did indeed identify himself, unlike what most are speculating.

So after identifying himself, Dr. Gates was arrested? Isn’t this quite strange? How in the world could this matter escalate to that? Because he was irate? Wouldn't you be if a police officer accused you of trying to break into your own home?

Crowley's actions were racist, maniacal and extremely unethical. I'm sorry Cambridge Police Department, but those are characteristics of someone who should not be protecting our streets or administering the law.

Since these new developments, the country will be paying close attention to how this matter is resolved. I urge this police department to cut ties with this officer or they will be forever labeled as a department who condones racial profiling.

He should be made the example of what America will not accept.

The world says goodbye to the King of Pop

On a blog about the arts, I would be remiss not to mention anything about the passing of the unquestionable "King of Pop." Michael Jackson died today after going into cardiac arrest. He was 50 years old.

I must say that the world will never be the same. More importantly, the music world will never be the same. There's so much pain as I type these words because we didn't just lose a pop icon. We lost Michael. True fans know what I mean by that statement.

I've always been told to see a bright side to any bad situation. And it's been hard with this untimely death, but I think I've found one. Even though the world will forever mourn this death, I am glad that he has once again become to fans what scandals tried to deprive him of being: a king.

Since his death earlier today, there have been no jokes about him sleeping with underage boys or bleaching his skin; there have only been stories about his countless Billboard hits and the music that he influenced.

It's sad to know that roughly around the time that he was making "We are the World" at the ripe age of 25, he was middle-aged. From "Thriller" to "Billy Jean" to "Butterflies," his music was unparalleled.

I know that in life everyone must face this monster we call death, but this just doesn't feel right. And as the world tries to get over this shock, we will never forget the man who started the break dancing while singing, grabbing the crotch while performing, and who made jheri curls actually look somewhat cool.

We'll miss you Michael.

Terminate Oklahoma state troopers who attacked paramedic

The Oklahoma State Patrol officers who attacked the paramedic en route to the hospital should be fired.

I am so sick of all of this police brutality and people coming up with ways to justify it. When I saw the video, I couldn't believe my eyes. This wasn't your average "street thug,"which is the excuse that most cops use for stopping and/or roughing up black people. This was a paramedic answering his call of duty and taking a woman with severe chest pains to the hospital.

If these men are allowed to keep their job, I will lose all respect for officers of the law.

This is not the early 1900's where cops can abuse and kill African Americans with no respect for the law or human decency. Their termination should be used to send a message to cops nationwide: it's a new day in America and we WILL NOT accept you all abusing your power!

Click on the link to check out the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KluItc365hU

Letterman should NOT be fired!!!

Letterman’s show has been on for years and his script has not changed: he makes off-color jokes about anyone who passes under his radar.

Most people who aren’t living under a rock know this.

With this being said, why are people calling for him to be fired? I’ll tell you why: because they are bitter about McCain/ Palin losing the 2008 election and Letterman is an Obama supporter. People are tiptoeing around the subject, but that is the truth behind all of this.

I’ve read that he shouldn’t have targeted a political figure’s child, but if my memory serves me correctly, Clinton and Bush’s daughters were all targeted. People, including politicians and other talk show hosts, used to call Chelsea Clinton ugly and called the two Bush daughters drunks.

He made the joke about Palin’s daughter Bristol (who I assume he was talking about and who is 17 or either 18 years old) because she conceived a child before marriage and to poke fun at the Republicans who stress strong family values in their platforms but don’t practice it. It’s a fact that Palin’s family created a hypocritical situation with the unplanned pregnancy.

My mother was watching Fox News at her job (Trust me, it was not her choice; her employer had it on) and she told me about someone on there saying that Malia and Sasha Obama should be “fair game” because Palin’s daughter was targeted. Those are innocent young girls and how dare someone feel that way. Attacking young children is unethical, period.

All in all, they should keep Letterman and not even consider letting him go. He is a staple in late night television and we won’t have anyone like him to come for a long time. This is not like a Don Imus situation where he called someone a “nappy headed hoe.” It was a joke which was in bad taste and which he apologized for.

Was it off-color? Yes. Should he be fired for doing what he was hired to do? No way.

My Thoughts: The Harlem Renaissance

Some of the best art known to the African American community was birthed at this time. From the music to the poetry, these people had it going on. I chose to post this poem because it is amazing to me how it still echoes how many African Americans feel about their country of residence. Enjoy.

AMERICA by Claude McKay

Although she feeds me bread of bitterness,

And sinks into my throat her tiger's tooth,

Stealing my breath of life, I will confess

I love this cultured hell that tests my youth!

Her vigor flows like tides into my blood,

Giving me strength erect against her hate.

Her bigness sweeps my being like a flood.

Yet as a rebel fronts a king in state,

I stand within her walls with not a shred

Of terror, malice, not a word of jeer.

Darkly I gaze into the days ahead,

And see her might and granite wonders there,

Beneath the touch of Time's unerring hand,

Like priceless treasures sinking in the sand.

Why I Love ColorofChange.org

This is such a wonderful Web site because it enables everyday citizens to become activists. You may want to take a stand on an issue and may not feel like marching or coming into contact with anyone. ColorofChange.org allows you to have your wish and become an activist right from the comfort of your own home.

I've been a member almost since their beginning, and I love it! I stay informed on all of the infringements of justice and do my part as an American citizen. They recognize the fact that most people believe in "strength in numbers," and that is just what they allow us to have.

One of their most famous campaigns was when rapper Nas delivered a petition with tens of thousands of signatures to Fox News, calling them out for their racist views and "sly" attacks on President Obama and his wife. More recently, they collected over 40,000 signatures to deliver to Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal to urge him to accept all of Louisiana's portion of the stimulus money.

Go on their site and read some of the campaigns--- I guarantee you that you'll want to get involved and become a member. Talk about history in the making...this is activism at your fingertips! Thanks ColorofChange!!!

March on Louisiana State Capitol

In a state where our justice is so lopsided, many critics refer to it as "Louisiana-style" just like our red beans or jambalaya. The Louisiana NAACP, Concerned Citizens Coalitions and many other individuals marched to the state capitol to demand justice for all. One of our main concerns was that Governor Bobby Jindal needs to accept all of Louisiana's portion of the stimulus money offered by President Barack Obama. I think our state's share was over $98 million. Maybe it's just me, but when I look and see the condition of the hoods of New Orleans or the elderly of my community not being able to afford all of their medication, I can't fathom why Jindal would want to turn any money away...