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Some say that we should never say never.  They say be open to the unexpected. You don’t know what will happen.  You don’t know what you are capable of doing or will do in any given situation until you’ve encountered it, so why say ‘never’?  You will undoubtedly go back on your word.

But it’s important to say ‘never’.  You must set boundaries and know your limitations so you don’t make the same mistakes over and over.  So go ahead and articulate the limits in your life.  Say what you will never do - or do again.  Set your limits and your goals. Words have life.  Even if you don’t achieve the first time, keep striving, keep thriving, and keep living.

The surveillance video that was recently released by the Sanford Police Department showing Zimmerman in handcuffs without visible blood on his shirt, face, nose or head has caused most objective observers of this controversy to begin to doubt Zimmerman. In fact the video reveals no visible injury to his person. Yet this is not the issue and Zimmerman, even with the release of this video, still has a strong defense. (more…)

Former Speaker of the House (AP)

Many of Newt’s critics including the respectable Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC) are concerned that Newt’s statements concerning President Obama and food stamps are a part of the “Southern Strategy,” and a play on racial undertones reminiscent of the Black Ghetto Queen. If these connotations were true, it would imply the former Speaker is actually saying that he will bring back jobs to Blacks. Considering the disparately high unemployment rate amongst Blacks, why is this not a good thing? It is a fact that Blacks are disproportionally affected by the 2008 economic collapse more than any other racial group. According to the recent December 2011 job report, Black unemployment is approximately 15.8%, compared to 7% for Whites and 11% for Hispanics. Thus far, Newt seems to be the only Republican candidate that has made it a point to address joblessness within the Black community. Why unemployment is significantly higher for Blacks is a different discussion for another post, but whatever the theory it is a subject that needs much attention. (more…)

Many were shocked by the information contained in the Schott 50 State Report on Public Education and Black Males.  The report revealed that while 78 percent of White males graduate from high school nationwide, only 47 percent of Black males graduate.

And even closer to home, the figures show that while 68 percent of White males in NY State graduate, only 25 percent Black males graduate.  And in NY City – which has the largest Black male enrollment – while 50 percent White males graduate, only 28 percent Black males graduate.  Overall, each year over 100,000 Black male students in New York City alone do not graduate from high school with their entering cohort.

Socio-economic factors such as poverty, lack of parental involvement, the break-down of the Black family unit, failing schools and bad teachers have all been fingered as the culprits which give rise to the inequity in public education among the races.

Harlem Children’s Zone CEO, Geoffrey Canada, offered two theories to explain the inequity, the ever increasing sub-standard public education system and the lack of support for Black male students and their families.

Dr. John H. Jackson, CEO of the Schott Foundation, however, urged people to consider external factors – such as economics and incarceration – which obviously play a huge role in why ‘brothas’ aren’t finishing school.

Let’s face it, if the factors mentioned above were responsible for the low rate of Black males who graduate, then those factors should equally impact the Black female – the  sister of the Black male.  But studies have shown time and time again that this is not the case.  The graduation rate for girls is higher than that for boys.

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