Photo Highlights: Community Leadership Luncheon held at Lone Star Community College

(A Lone Star Student speaks on the importance of cultural understanding between teacher and student.)

(LSCC North President Dr. Steve Head shares plans with the community for the construction of a 70,000 square foot location being built in the historic Acres Homes Community.)

(Lone Star College Professor Rhonda Ragsdale shares her perspective on culture and education.)

(Educator, Marlon Henderson(r), empasized the need for a real study in Black History.)

(Community Activist Deric Muhammad and Dr. Head take questions.)

(Atty. Warren Fitzgerald (standing) spoke to the need for community's to accept the responsibility of teaching culture to it's youth. Seated (l) is Black Broadcasting Network President Yusef Muhammad.)

(One of many Lone Star students weigh in on the discussion.)

(Educator Alicia Jackson and Community Activist Parnell Herbert (l) listen attentively to the candid discussion.)

Deric's Debate: "THE DEATH OF IMPOSSIBLE"

(This Opinion-Editorial appeared in a recent edition of the African-American News and Issues)

By: Deric Muhammad


There once was a stalker named “Impossible.” He followed his prey 24 hours a day; 7 days a week and labored without let-up to make people believe in him. Every time his victims called the police on him they would claim it was just “impossible” to catch him. Every time they tried to shoot him they would say he was “impossible” to hit. He doomed an entire people with the cancer of impossibility.

Then one day a genius decided that he would ignore “impossible”. Since it seemed he couldn’t be killed, arrested, convicted or locked up he decided that the best way to deal with the stalker was to become a stalker, himself. The genius became a 24/7 stalker of thought process called “possibility”. This naturally infuriated impossible and a showdown took place.

This genius and “possible” fell deeply in love. It seemed like every time they got together they produced something great. The more they produced the more confident they became in their relationship. They became stalkers of one another and “impossible” had a “hissy fit”. He soon died a natural death. He just could not live with the reality that possibility was more powerful than he.

I offer this little anecdote as a picture of what holds us back from making progress as individuals and as a people. It is the way that we think. As children we though anything was possible, including climbing a 20 story building in a red and blue Spiderman costume. Somewhere along the way grown folks introduced us to the stalker of impossibility.

No one told that youngster that you CAN climb that building. You just need a bungee cord, helicopter, crane or an elevator to do it.

What do you desire in your life that someone has told you is impossible? We are all products of the race of life ran by billions of sperm cells and we were the winners in that race. Considering those odds, we are all miracles. Every time you look in the mirror you are looking at the impossible made possible, by God.

Contradictory to my own little story, you do not have to be a genius to produce greatness. Start by becoming a stalker of possibility. The hardest thing to kill in the universe is “thought”. If you notice, the genius never tried to kill “impossible” he just replaced it with a new thought.

When someone tries to convince you that a worthy goal is impossible get the hell away from them. Treat them like they are stalkers. Then you must become a stalker of the thought process of possibility, creating a picture of your desire in your mind and not stopping until you reach your goals.

Nearly a year ago, a Black man raised his right hand to become the president of the United States of America. Whether you agree with his performance as commander in chief, or not, we must all admit that he evaded the stalker called impossible and courted possibility. Mahatma Ghandi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Beethoven, Tiger Woods and many other great men past and present defied the odds to do what conventional wisdom declared could not be done. And while we marvel at their work past and present, we must position ourselves to manhandle the future with the power of possibility.

The Honorable Elijah Muhammad used to say that when God created Himself he destroyed “the impossible.” So whenever we entertain the thought of “impossibility” we are trying to resuscitate an already-destroyed idea. “Impossibility” is already dead; we just need to stop trying to revive it.

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Bout Set for March 13th

This May Be the Fight of the Century!!!

"INVISIBLE TEARDROPS"; The Societal Effect of the Molestation of Black Boys

(This opinion editorial appeared in the Deric's Debate column of a a recent edition of the African-American News & Issues)

By: Deric Muhammad

They play tough positions on professional football teams, hold high political offices, supervise construction shifts and preach in the pulpits of spiritual places of worship. They are leaders of street organizations, captains of corporate industry, hard-core rap stars and short-order cooks. Who are they? They are Black males who were molested as boys.

While the rape and molestation of females has spawned a plethora of preventive programs and inspired international dialogue, the ever increasing rape of young boys is still a taboo subject. Statistics say that the abuse of young boys is on the rise, but I wonder how accurate those stats could be given the fact that most men who have been abused would never discuss or admit it.

As a Black male in America I have never had a friend, associate or family member confess that they were sexually abused. As an activist, I have assisted many with different types of criminal cases, social issues and problems. However, I have never received a phone call from a male stating that he had been sexually violated. It can be likened to the proverbial bowling ball underneath the living room rug; you can’t see it, but you can’t stop tripping over it.

How many Black men walk the streets of America suffering from such an unfortunate past? How many of them fear society’s ridicule if they should choose to talk about it? How many sick molesters of boys depend on this very fear to remain unpunished and continue their victimization of the innocent? And how much financial resource, time, energy and organization is being invested in programs that identify, support and promote the healing of men who were molested as children.

Recently famed movie director/actor/entrepreneur Tyler Perry personally went on record about being abused as a young boy. Hundreds of news reports quoted Perry’s sentiments about a deceased man whose family asked that Perry pay for his funeral. Perry reportedly refused, but later regretted it. He said that there would have been something powerful about burying the man that molested him.

Whether people agreed with Perry’s sentiments or not, you have to respect his courageous address of his past in hopes of inspiring someone else’s future. Years ago Oprah Winfrey went public about details of her experience being molested as a young girl. The world showered her with sympathy and rallied around her in support. I wonder if Mr. Perry has received the same outpour considering he is a man. God forbid the same world that rallied around Oprah secretly sees Mr. Perry as a weak human being because of his reported past.

While the Catholic Church has for years been marred by scandal on top of scandal surrounding this issue, I contend that child molestation has no religion. While it happens every day in the Black community, it is very seldom discussed. Too often the pain and embarrassment of the community is made to be more important than the pain of the victim. So while we are able to put on a good face for the community in the end it comes back to haunt us.

Psychologists say that boys who have been molested tend to suffer from depression, repressed anger, emotional confusion and fear. Many suffer from identity crisis’, drug addiction, alcoholism and the inability to maintain good relationships. Many go on to become molesters themselves repeating the very horrific acts that inflicted such great pain in their lives. Some end up committing suicide leaving their families with unanswered questions and visible teardrops.

While it should be clear that we as a community must do more to protect our young girls from rape and molestation, we must not forget to sharpen our collective eye to protect our boys. We must be mindful of their surroundings at all times and be careful whose hands we leave them in.

Parents must teach little boys regarding appropriate contact versus inappropriate contact with others. This conversation is no longer just reserved for little girls.

If you are a man who has suffered this kind of abuse, seek refuge in God for He is the master healer of all wounds. Be encouraged and know that the abuse from your past makes you no less of a man. As a matter of fact your strength to persevere in the name of God makes you greater than most men. Much respect to Tyler Perry.

Deric Muhammad is a Houston-based community activist who blogs at http://www.askbroderic.blogspot.com/

My Monday Morning Jab: "Speak A Word of Inspiration this Week"

"The power of life and death is in the tongue. You never know when a word of inspiration can stop someone's expiration. EVERY TIME YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH IT IS A SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT. Don't blow it!!!"

-Brother Deric

Join Us for a Community Leadership Luncheon/ Roundtable Discussion about the Importance of Culture in Education

The Importance of Culture in Education

(Join us for a Lone Star Community College Community Leadership Luncheon; Thursday Dec. 3rd, 10am at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive. Please RSVP via email at cece.l.sutphen@lonestar.edu.)

By: Deric Muhammad

When a White female Lone Star College Professor posted this flyer in an effort to attract more Black students to her American History class things got heated. Many in our community begged to question the motive of an educator who would put two plantation dwelling youth, with tattered clothing, playing in a cotton field on a flyer to represent Black people’s journey in American History.

The words “come and learn about your community too” didn’t help the poorly chosen photograph either. I don’t know if the flyer increased enrollment in her class, but it definitely increased Lone Star College as a conversation piece on Twitter and Facebook. How could someone create a flyer so culturally insensitive? What educational institution would approve such a thing? And how should a community respond when images and words such as these give the appearance of disrespect for our contributions to American history?

Well of course the first thing that we did was call the school’s president in efforts of obtaining some explanation and expressing community concern. It was through him that I learned that Lone Star College was an educational institution with approximately 80% Black, Hispanic and other enrollment. He used the term “minorities”; a term that I don’t necessarily agree with. However the faculty at Lone Star College is 80% White. At this point things began to make sense.

When the overwhelming majority of your students are Black and Latino youth from the inner city and the overwhelming majority of your professors are Anglos from suburban and rural areas you are bound to run into some cultural barriers. While Conroe is only about a 20 minute drive from Acres Homes the cultural changes drastically on the other side of that 20 minute drive. But the question that we must ask is “are these cultural differences an impediment to the educational process?”

When a people have survived a psychologically traumatizing ordeal like American slavery, unfortunately a high level of sensitivity becomes a part of their culture. It could be likened to the suffering of Jewish people under the sickness of Adolf Hitler and their cultural resolve that it should happen “never again.” Society handles the suffering of Jewish people very delicately. Sometimes out of respect; sometimes out of fear.

Black people are a people who are still going through a healing process. Slavery, racism, discrimination and injustice have raped us of a dignity that we held dear since the beginning of time. Our suffering must be discussed, but it must be discussed in careful and delicate fashion lest one make a common chiropractic mistake. If a chiropractor is not careful he could further injure the very patient that he is trying help walk upright.

I eventually met with the Lone Star College President, the Dean of schools and a few other faculty members. The professor who created the flyer and teaches the course was present as well. When I first saw the words and images on the flyer I assumed that either someone was trying to make mockery of our sojourn in America or someone had become a little overzealous in an attempt to include “our community” in the course curriculum.

Nevertheless it was what Obama calls a “boneheaded” error. In all fairness to the professor, you cannot have an honest discussion about American history without talking about the savage institution of slavery that helped to build this nation. I, honestly, appreciate any professor who would have the courage to even bring it up. All we ask is that if you are going to talk about it; know what you are talking about. And if at some point you realize that you don’t all you have to do is “ask somebody.”

This is the importance of community relationships with educational institutions. It is a relationship that can close the gap between cultural sensitivity and education. The president of Lone Star issued a letter of apology for all who were offended by this handbill and so did the professor.

Monday Morning Jab: "The Danger of Gambling With Your Thoughts"

By: Deric Muhammad

The mind is a powerful thing. That statement is a gross understatement. "As a man thinketh, so is he" is and always will be a mathematical statement. No matter how hard we try to hide our thoughts, they eventually manifests in what we say and ultimately what we do.
Our condition usually bears perfect witness to the way that we think. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad taught that man's brain is "infinite." This is a very powerful statement. Man's brain is so powerful that anything that he or she truly believes can be achieved. Unfortunately most human beings have been conditioned to give way to limitations that those who rule the world don't even pay attention too. We are all products of our thoughts.

Most of us go throughout the day "gambling" with thought. We allow ourselves to be destracted by destructive thoughts. What I mean by "destructive" is we allow ourselves to be programmed by information and ideas that work "against" what we desire to achieve in life. Once our conscious mind feeds these self-defeating thoughts to the subconscious mind failure is inevitable. What we must do is reverse engineer this process and program our minds to think forward and not backwards. We must stop throwing the dice with our thoughts!!!

I observe world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather during his, sometimes, televised training sessions. Mayweather is aguably the most ambitious trainer in sports. He trains nonstop, sometimes spontaneously at 3am in the morning. He leaves the nightclub parties, goes home and puts in his "miles. The proof is in his performance. Many people can't stand him, because they say that his arrogant, cocky and obnoxious. The same could be said about Muhammad Ali. But both of these great fighters professed their greatness so loud and long that they began to believe in it themselves. I think Mayweather talks so much trash in training that he convinces his conscious mind to convince his subconscious mind that that he is the best and that he is going to win. Hate him or love him; he is undefeated. It's not so much that he is playing a mind game with his opponent as it is he is playing a mind game with himself.

I am not encouraging you to be proud, arrogant or boastful. I am encouraging us to program our minds with the affirmatives of a champion. The greatest way to do this is through prayer and meditation on your desired goal; then you must get up and "work, work work" to make it a reality.

This week determine a goal that you want to accomplish. Box out all negative, lukewarm thinking and declare that "it will be so" with the help of God. Talk to yourself about it. Yes, I said talk to yourself (most of do it anyway). Turn off the football game, soap opera, 106th and Park, Twitter and all things not associated with the reaching of the goal. Instead read a book that inspires you to reach the goal, contact mentors that can guide you in the right direction and most importantly talk to God. Your mind is the most valuable resource that you possess. If you feed it productively it will draw unto you all the right things. Don't gamble with your brain cells by giving them over to negativity and non-productivity. You will ultimately be fed from the universe what you have already fed to your own brain, so why leave it to chance. This is my Monday morning jab. I pray it connects.

Connecting Our Youth to the International Struggle Against Poverty

Educator, Wakiti Muhammad helps the students of Elevated Places organize shoes to be sent as gifts to impoverished countries.

(This is a repost from the Brother Jesse Blog (Weblog Awards's Black Blog of the Year)

by Jesse Muhammad - Staff Writer


The Final Call Newspaper

(Blogger's Note: This is an excerpt of a story that will appear in an upcoming edition of The Final Call Newspaper)

Although the United States is facing an economic crunch, some parents are lining department stores to fulfill holiday wish lists. On that list may be the latest Air Jordans while globally there are millions of children desiring only a pair of shoes.

Any brand will do.

According to statistics from the World Bank Group, every year Americans spend $256.0 billion on clothing and $50.7 billion on shoes.

Around the world there are over 300 million children walking around shoeless. Every year over one million of those children die from preventable diseases caused by the lack of proper shoes.

“The lack of shoes around the world is a serious crisis,” says Hajah Young-Sall, founder of the Atlanta-based organization YES, Inc.

The mission of YES, Inc is to improve the quality of life for African people by providing them with basic human necessities such as shoes. Mrs. Young-Sall was inspired to serve the shoeless population over twenty years ago after a family trip to Senegal, West Africa in the late 80’s.

“I was saddened by the living conditions in Senegal. In particular the enormous amount of men, women and children walking around barefoot,” Mrs. Young-Sall told The Final Call.

According to the website of YES, Inc., shoes are a rarity for people in the impoverished parts of Africa, Asia and South America to the point that some never have a new pair of shoes in their lives. Research by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that there are many hazards associated with going barefoot in contaminated soil, dirt water, and sand.

One of the most deadly is hookworm disease that can lead to parasitic infections in barefoot individuals. Parasites also breed in stagnant water in which many children swim and even drink from when necessary. If left untreated, these parasites can result in internal poisons, the loss of limbs, chronic illness and even death.

“As we prepared to depart to America from Senegal, my son asked if he could leave his shoes with his friends who didn’t have any,” says Mrs. Young-Sall. “This sparked the idea to start a shoe drive for the people of Senegal.”

Thus, the group launched the “Shoes for Africa” humanitarian project to collect new and gently-used shoes. Over the last five years alone, YES has collected and distributed over 35,000 pairs of shoes to Senegal. Donations to the project have been received from supporters in North America and as far as New Zealand.

The initiative has also sparked several schools to get involved and launch their own shoe drives. Patrick S. Muhammad, an assistant principal, has built momentum in the Dekalb County public school system with a goal to ship 5,000 pairs of shoes through YES, Inc. by February 2010.

“The number of shoeless children in the world is a serious crisis. Children without shoes in Africa are even hindered from going to school due to diseases. I wanted to get our youth in America involved,” Mr. Muhammad told The Final Call.

Before partnering with YES, Inc., Mr. Muhammad had authored the children’s book “Wear my shoes, please”. The book chronicles three illustrated African refugees who came to America sharing only one pair of shoes between them before eventually receiving a donation from a bully turned friend. The book is being used as a teaching tool in elementary schools in Illinois, Kentucky, Texas, New York, and Georgia.

To date, Mr. Muhammad’s network of schools has collected over 2,000 shoes. One of the schools utilizing the book and participating in the shoe drive is The Elevated Places located in Missouri City, Texas, right outside Houston.

“I truly wanted the students to take part in this project to expand their perception of community service. Our job is to prepare our children for service on a global scale,” says Wakiti Muhammad, co-director of The Elevated Places. The school has collected over 200 pairs so far.

“We Americans can be very materialistic. We have an immense amount of everything because we overindulge in ourselves and don't think about our community,” says Aishah Muhammad, 8th grader.

Ayinde Muhammad added that “in places like Africa, many don't have access to basic needs such as food, shelter, or even clean water. It is our duty to help those who can't help themselves.”

(For information on how to launch a “Shoes for Africa” drive in your city log on to www.yesshoesinc.org. Visit the official website of Patrick Muhammad at http://www.patricksmuhammad.com/)

Tiger Woods Reportedly Seriously Injured in Car Accident

Media outlets worldwide are reporting that golf megastar Tiger Woods has been seriously injured in a car accident outside his home in Florida. Reports claim that Woods was leaving his home at about 2:30am this morning when he was involved in a single-car accident allegedly striking a tree. Our prayers go out to Tiger Woods and his family. Unfortunately media outlets are already reporting speculative information that might lead to the vilification of Tiger. I won't repeat any of the myriad of "might be's" that talking heads are already hurling at the brother and his character. How about we wait and see if the man is okay, before we hurry toward the next headline seeking the make merchandise of the man's misfortune. Tiger Wood's mastery of the game of golf has inspired millions across the planet. We pray that this is but a bump in the road on his journey to be a champion.

Verse of the Week: "The Ghetto" By: Rakim

I learn to relax in my room and escape from New York


Take a trip through the womb of the world as a thought

Thinkin how hard it was to be born

Me being cream with no physical form

Millions of cells with one destination

To reach the best part that's life's creation

Nine months later a job well done

Make way cause here I come

Since I made it this far can't stop now

There's a will and a way and I got the know-how

To be all there is to be and more

To see all there is to see before

I'm called to go back to the essence

It's a lot to learn so I studied my lessons

I thought the ghetto was the worst that could happen to me

I'm glad I listened when my father was rapping to me

Cause back in the days they lived in caves

Exiled from the original man and strayed away

Now that's what I call hard times

I'd rather be here to exercise the mind

Then I take a thought around the world twice

From knowledge the form back to knowledge precise

Across the desert that's hot as the Arabian

But they couldn't cave me in cause I'm the Asian

Reaching for the city of Mecca visit Medina

Visions of Nefertiti then I seen her

Mind keeps travelin I'll be back after I

Stop and think about the brothers and sisters in Africa

Return the thought through the eye of a needle

For miles I fought and I just fought the people

Under the darks skies on a dark side

Not only there but right here's an aparthied

So now is the time for us to react

Take a trip through the mind and when you get back

Understand your third eye seen all of that
It aint where you from it's where you at

Brother Jesse Muhammad Addresses the "HATER" That Lies Within

Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Dear Naysayers: You can't make chess-like moves with a checkers-like mind

by Jesse Muhammad
(Reposted from the Brother Jesse Blog)

It's Tuesday morning.

Another day has presented itself for you to do something extraordinary.

Another day to do something unique. Another day to not wait for a miracle, but to be the miracle.

You have mentally rehearsed your agenda for the day. Maybe you have a huge million dollar deal to close. Maybe there is a deadline you have to meet by the close of business. Or you procrastinated all last week until now your workload has piled up. But you're ready to tackle the tasks at hand. You're on the verge of releasing a new book or unveiling a new initiative in your company.

You look in the mirror and say "Man, I am great".

No matter how large the problems may seem, you're focused. You're confident. You know it can be done today.

Then it happens.

A naysayer from inside or outside of you creeps in to impact your excitement. From within, the naysayer comes in the form of fear, doubt and even low self-esteem. Outside it could be a negative text message, a draining email, gossiping conversation or a phone call with so-called constructive criticism. All of a sudden you become stagnate. Your energy is diminished. Your fire has went out and you haven't even left your house yet.

What happened? The naysayers got the best of you.

But today you choose to ignore the naysayers because you're operating on another level. You're playing chess while the naysayer is still playing checkers. Your thoughts are not the same. Your moves are not the same. Your objectives are not the same. The boards may look the same but tactics and strategies are different. It's chess not checkers to some of us.

The great ones know how to use the naysayers as fuel and feed off the obstacles in the road ahead. So we would like to dedicate this blog to all of the naysayers. We can't hear you because we're too busy achieving greatness. Make history....Become a L.E.G.E.N.D. (Let Every Goal Evolve Not Die)

Will you join us naysayers?

My Monday Morning Jab Pt. II; THE POWER OF SINCERITY

By: Brother Deric Muhammad

        Every child is born in a state of sincerity. Everytime he or she cries, smiles or throws a tantrum it is sincere. At some point in the child's development it learns how to utilize those smiles, tears and tantrums to manipulate situations and circumstances to achieve short term goals. The hope, then, becomes that we will grow out of our manipulative ways when we become adults; more spiritually mature. Unfortunately sometimes it gets worse before it gets better. Hence, the difficulty factor in finding sincere people in today's world.

     I contend that you CAN find sincere people in today's world and the first place that you should look is in the mirror. If you don't see him or her, fret not; the insincere man or woman in the mirror is the human being that you have the ability to change. In other words, the best way to inject sincerity into an insincere society is through self improvement. I'm on my way to the mirror right now.

     This week I would like for you to take a journey with me; a journey of self appraisal and sincerity. Have you ever been inspired to join a church, mosque, organization, fraternity or sorority and once you've dedicated yourself to that cause or organization you found difficulty. Sometimes disunity, disorganization, fussing and infighting, mismanagement and an overall betrayal of the general objective of the organization can disappoint you to the point where you want to leave. It is at that moment that you must meditate and collect your thoughts about why you joined the organization in the first place.

     I know people who go to law school with a sincere desire to make change. Once they graduate, pass the bar and began to practice they immediately run into a criminal justice system that vehemently resists change. Their desire to make change then turns into a desire to make dollars and they usually end up moderately wealthy, yet unfulfilled. How about the married couple that says "til death do us part" at the ceremony, but it does not last. Too often we start off with a sincere and noble motive in our endeavors, but end up frustrated and abandon the goal. What has happened? We've allowed negative forces and circumstances to tamper with our sincerity.

     Sincerity to the soul is much like the chin to a boxer. It must be protected at all costs if you are to finish the fight. My boxing trainer taught me that there are nerves found in the chin that are so sensitive that one blow can end a fight in a split second. The same goes for us all who strive for true success; especially those of us who seek to help in the cause of the resurrection of Black people and humanity in general. We must always be in the moment, remembering why we do what we do. We must never forget what brought tears to our eyes that made us want to help in this cause. We must look beyond our people's faults, see their needs and sincerely desire to help them. We must, at all costs, protect the sincere motive that God gave us when we said that we wanted to be helpers in a cause that is bigger than us all.

      This week we must reflect on the best part of self; the self with no ulterior motive. We all have it within; it's just buried under our need for money, ego-gratification, attention, recognition, high position, sex and other forms of excess. The sincere "you" wants to go to worship service this week, but the jaded "you" doesn't want to hear "that man", that may have offended you, preach. "He makes me sick", is what we say. It may be that you lost your luxury vehicle to repossession and you don't want anyone to see you get off the Metro bus. But if you are sincerely coming to worship the Lord it doesn't matter what others say or do. Do not allow yourself to be enslaved by the gossip and murmuring of others. Evidently they have forgotten why they came to the house of worship; that's why they have so much time to talk about you. I say pull up to your mosque, church or temple on a mule if you have got too; keep it real with yourself at all times and never forget why you came in the first place.

     Don't just go through the motions this week. Stay in the moment being ever cognizant of why you do what you do no matter how insignificant the task. There is a part in the lessons of the Nation of Islam where it states that each student can practice his or her labor while under study if we are "sincere." Sincerity allows us access to the power of God. Keep your hands up and your chin down this week. Pray for clarity and sincerity, work from your heart and watch God do extraordinary things through us ordinary people. This is my Monday Morning Jab. I pray it connects.
        

More Images from the Nov. 5th "Raising Boys" Documentary Premier

Pictured with "Raising Boys" Producer; co-executive producer Lawrence Moody of Moody Entertainment.

Houston City Councilman Jarvis Johnson opened the premier with powerful remarks encouraging single mothers and admonishing absentee fathers.

Famed entertainment Attorney Ricky Anderson shared words of strong support for the project which will air nationally on Anderson's Black Broadcasting Network which is set to launch in early2010.

Single mom, Alicia Jackson (2d from left) and Atty. Sadiyah Evangelista (2d from right). Both were featured in the documentary.

With event coordinator, Sister Oni X. Thanks Sister Oni.

Pictured with K.I.M., CEO of Atlanta-based entertainment site shuddup.com. She flew in with some friends to attend the premier. Thanks K.I.M.

Amy Stromski (r) of Mary Kay provided some awesome gift bags for the single mothers who attended.

The woman who was the inspiration for the documentary; my mom, Mavis Jackson.

"Frui-D'Licious Catering" provided delicious cuisine for the evening. Awesome!!!

The sisters from the Nation of Islam lit up the evening with their presence as well.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Daddy/Daughter LOVE

FAMILY ROAD TRIP!!!! LSU vs Auburn Game

Myself and members of my family recently took a "road trip!!!" to Baton Rouge, La. to attend an LSU football game supporting my little cousin R.J. Jackson (#28). We had a great time, as always. We don't get to spend as much time together as we did when we were younger so this trip was very special to us. Here are a few photos that I wish to share with you. Ain't nothin' like family.

My Older Brother Ed, as always on the iphone; headed to the Tiger Stadium.

Fam Shot!!!

With my "little cousin" Ebony. She's a sophomore at Texas A&M University. Brilliant too!!!

Brother Jesse and Sister Shareefah took some time off to make the trip.

Sunday morning breakfast with my peoples. That's R.J. to the far right, (l-r) my cousin Lakeisha, my cousin Deric, Jesse and Shareefah, (kneeling) my big brother Ed holding my beautiful niece.

EBONY TURNED 21...but to us she will always be 12!!!! Love you cous.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: My "little" Cousin R.J. Jackson

I love this shot!!! It's a picture of my "little" cousin R.J. Jackson a wide-out for LSU. He's like 6'1, 215, but he is still my little cousin. He is real special to me for many reasons; one being he is named after my father who is the older brother of his dad. My dad died in 1983 and my uncle decided to name his firstborn son after him. When you are named after another human being you have the power to carry on the name making it greater in the next generation. I am proud to see my cousin carry my dad's name. Not because he has exemplified pure greatness on the football field, but because he is a very hard worker that is earning everything he gets. It is because he suffered severe injuries early on in his college career, yet persevered under trial and disappointment until his time came. It is because he is an outstanding student-athlete who earned his bachelors degree last May and will have his masters degree in May 2010. It's because he's the type that could lead his team in receptions, as well as prayer. And more than anything it is simply because he is a good guy. I really didn't mean to say all that (but I guess I did). I just wanted to post the picture because I like it. Get 'em J!!!

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Breaks His Silence

GRANTS FIRST PUBLIC INTERVIEW WITH THE FINAL CALL NEWSPAPER'S ASHAHED MUHAMMAD 

In 2001, at the age of 31, he became the youngest mayor elected in the city of Detroit. Dubbed the “Hip Hop Mayor” by the media and critics, he began an ambitious urban economic renewal campaign in an attempt to revive a city once known for economic opportunities. In 2005, he won a second term and some even felt that he was on the brink of political greatness and possibly earning a new title, “Mayor for Life”, believing that he could be the mayor of Detroit until he decided he no longer wanted the job.

He made a lot of friends but also, a lot of enemies. After a text-messaging scandal, allegations of inappropriate behavior and legal troubles, he resigned from office in September of 2008 and ultimately ended up serving a brief prison sentence. After his release, he left Detroit and now resides in Southlake, Texas with his wife and sons.

Kwame Malik Kilpatrick has learned much, and while passing through Chicago recently, he sat down with The Final Call's Assistant Editor Ashahed M. Muhammad, to tell his story. It was the first interview he has granted since leaving office.

Ashahed M. Muhammad (The Final Call:) Mr. Kilpatrick, thank you for sitting down with us for a few minutes. Of course today is November 4, marking one year since Barack Obama has been elected President. You were a very vocal supporter of Barack Obama's candidacy, what are your thoughts of this first year he's been in office?

Kwame Kilpatrick (KK:) Thanks for having me. This is the first time I've sat down and done an interview with anyone in more than a year. I appreciate you giving me a call and I appreciate sitting down with you.

There are two things when you talk about our President, one, the job of being president and I think that he is handling that in an amazingly well fashion, we have to remember that he is the President of the United States of America. He is not the NAACP leader, he is not the leader of a church, he is the President of the United States. There are global responsibilities that this Nation has that he has to be in charge of exercising. I believe that many people felt that he was going to be more like a mayor or a community leader. So the job of being president, understanding the particular policies that America has gotten itself into over the past 400 years. Understanding the policies that we have gotten ourselves into from a defense perspective, transportation perspective, trade perspective and foreign policy perspective over the last 8-years. How does he operate within that structure? How does he unwind some of the policies of the past, some of the economic decisions that we have made as a country? I say we because we all live here. He now finds himself as being the chief implementer, the chief operator, the chief executive of America's so-called power in the world and I think that he is handling that very well. I believe that when he walked into that office, the first thing was shock and awe. I think he found (out) a lot of things that he did not know (regarding) how bad the problems were, or what position America really (held) on certain issues and I believe he's handled it. He comes out, he talks to the American people. He is being a stand-up president. He's pushing policies that haven't been pushed, like healthcare (and) he's realistically discussing things.

There are some things—of course—that I disagree with, I think just like every American there are some things that I agree with. But I think on the job of being president, he is doing well. I think the other side of that is just being the leader—if you will—of the “free world.” And there is a lot that I believe that every President has to learn on that front. He is very young into his administration, he has only been there 10-months. I believe that he is learning a lot and over the course of the next 18-months, we are going to see how he implements, not just progressive public policies and initiatives but also how he leads with humanity. How he leads the free world. How he makes decisions and how he changes the personality of the United States of America. The personality was definitely changed in the previous 8-years. How does he change the personality, how do you change how people look at us and watch us and how we lead and how we make decisions? I believe that is yet to come. I believe the job of president is good but we will see more from our president in the next 18-months as he gets more comfortable in the position.

FCN: What are your views on some of the vicious rhetoric that you have, heard some of the signs, the mocking of President Obama, the attacks on his character, the so-called “Birther Movement” challenging his American authenticity? Did that surprise you at all being a former elected official to see—well, it probably didn't surprise you because of what you went through but we'll get to that. What are your thoughts on the intensity of the feelings of those who didn't support him and have been working against him and speaking out against him?

KK: It didn't surprise me at all Ashahed. This is the United States of America and unfortunately, race still matters to a lot of people. The evil head of racism doesn't hide, it sticks its head up. And as a matter of fact since Barack Obama has been president it is more overt—I believe—than it's been since the 1940's and 50's and so I am not surprised by it. I think it's an excellent teaching tool, particular for my sons and our people to understand that we still have to build within our community. We still have to work with one another. We still have to connect even with people outside of this country and build collaborations and organizations that help us to prosper, spiritually, economically, emotionally because you are not going to just find that old American baseball and apple pie United States spirit right here in America. You are going to see division. I think he has done a good job of managing it as the President. I think a lot of people even in our own community unjustly criticize him and unfairly criticize him because they picture how they would react, but they are operating on a different level than the President of the United States. I think he's handled it well. I think he's handled some of the issues that he has to handle well. He can not allow himself to be pushed into any corner, a conservative corner, a liberal corner, a Black corner, a White corner. In order for him to actually have credibility to lead on issues that really matter to all of us, he has to make sure that he stands strong on the positions of independence. So he can't allow the press, the media, the rhetoric, the distractions to deter him from his path and I think he has done a good job. I am not surprised at all that the American racists have stood up and started to attack this first Black President.

FCN: In 2001 it made national news when you were elected the youngest mayor ever of the city of Detroit, a place with a long historical political legacy. Detroit, a city with an extensive cultural history is very important to Black people. Describe the feeling when you became the mayor.

KK: My dream in growing up in the city of Detroit was to be Mayor. At the family picnics from the time I was 9-years-old that's what I told people I was going to be. The mayor of the city of Detroit. (Former mayor) Coleman Young was my hero. I had a chance to meet him when I was 10-years old. I won a contest and the winner of the contest got to meet the Mayor. It was about a three minute meeting, I thought it was three hours. So from that perspective, that's all I ever wanted to be. I didn't want to be president; I didn't want to be governor; I didn't want to be a congress person. I just wanted to be mayor of the city of Detroit. I lived there my entire life. I loved the city, so the feeling in 2001 first was shock, then (I was) nervous, then scared but then it's—I really wasn't happy and ecstatic like I thought I (would be). I was immediately hit with the enormity of the responsibility and the fact that most people in that town—particularly those that voted for me were placing their hopes and dreams in me. That is a big, big stressful place to be. So you are happy, but at the same time you are saying “Okay, I asked for this, let me try to figure out how to do it.” That is a big responsibility and you are fighting uphill in a city like Detroit every single day. It's a tough town to work in.

FCN: Now after the first term, it was a hard fought battle for the second. During your re-election campaign, a lot of support came in to assist, you worked very diligently nonstop around the clock along with your campaign team. After the second victory you received more threats, more attacks and it wasn't just limited to people who disagreed with you politically, it extended beyond that. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

KK: One of the things that I see with President (Obama) is, a lot of the attacks are masked in attacks about policy, but they really don't like him. They are really attacks on him, who he is as a person, how he looks. I live in Texas now and I was listening to a group of people talking in a locker room after playing golf one day. It was a group of White men and they just said that they don't like him “he's too arrogant, I can't stand him.” And I used to hear those comments every single day, “I don't like him he's arrogant.” There were never a lot of attacks on my work. We were building more parks than were ever built in the city, building more recreation centers, fixing more streets. We had national events, the Super Bowl, the (Major League Baseball) All-Star game, Final Four. We built seven hotels. The city hadn't built a hotel in 20 or more years. We built five hotels in the first term and two more after that. The Riverfront which has been a dream in the city for 30-years; we did it in four. So it was never really an attack on my work it was who I was. “We don't like him. We don't like the way he dresses, we don't like the way he looks, he's arrogant.” And so what that brought and bred was a theater of hatred. Michigan is very racially separated and the city of Detroit itself is 84 percent African-American and the surrounding suburbs are 86 percent White. There were race riots in the 1940's, race riots in the 1960's and Detroit never really healed from that, and so you stoke that and you start getting the Michigan Militias and all those things different things regarding the race problems. And so yes, we started receiving threats; you know, “we are going to kill your wife, we are going to kill your kids.” Getting phone calls from phone booths a mile from my house. And they use of course, I'm not using the terms that they used but you can imagine. So you start getting those and during the election, the election was hard fought not because of the work, but people not liking me or really proffering this position that “this guy is a bad guy you shouldn't like him” and that is what we had to fight every single day. It got a little hairy but I was never fearful or scared of that at all. I knew God had me and my wife and children knew it as well so we just marched.

FCN: During your time as mayor of Detroit, you mentioned some of the accomplishments such as the building of the hotels, improving the image of Detroit with the Super Bowl, with the Final Four; what accomplishments are you most proud of?

KK: I think that some of those things are the exterior type of things that mayors do. The development success, the operational success in city government and city services, but I really believe that the most successful thing that we did as an administration is also why Detroit has had the biggest fall, is that we restored hope in the city of Detroit. That we could be something better than this degraded, deteriorating city. That we could have new stuff, new opportunities, new businesses, new events and that we could build new housing. People started to believe and more than anything exterior, I think the internal spirit of the city of Detroit started to wake up. That hope, that drive that we could play big, that we could be big time again. More than anything else while the world was using Detroit as the butt of their jokes, we said that we would reintroduce Detroit to the world. And I think that was more important than any of the parks and the streets and the recreational centers and the buildings and the companies. I mean, those things are important because they were elements that added to the hope, but I believe the same reason that I say it was successful is the same reason I feel so guilty about the loss of hope right now and what the city is going through now.

FCN: As it relates to the media in Detroit, I won't mention any in particular but I'm sure that you know what I'm talking about. It seems like even to this day every turn you make, every move you make, you are presented in a certain manner beyond just the natural standard of accountability and responsibility of an elected official. While you were the mayor was this true? And after being the mayor, why do you think that they have continued this seemingly, almost like a vendetta against you, the desire to paint you in a certain way to humiliate you to cause you as many problems or inconveniences as possible getting into your private finances, where you are going and what you are doing and where you are staying and things of that nature?

KK: Yes, it's no question about it. I don't think there has been any mayor in America scrutinized that way. I don't think there has been any mayor as a matter of fact, Coleman Young I think received an incredible amount of scrutiny and he was kind of the poster child for that in Detroit. He was the first Black mayor who really expressed his manhood in a different way than had been seen from African-American man that was projected across the country. But I don't think there has been any mayor scrutinized like I was in that time. Everyday, day-in and day-out it was tough to do the job under that kind of scrutiny. But then afterwards there has definitely been a campaign. There was a campaign—a very aggressive overt campaign. They didn't even hide it. They were against me and now it has turned into something else. It's like, “he didn't die, he wasn't destroyed. We did everything we possibly could and he is still standing, he's still married, he's still happy, he's still blessed” and I think that has been a real issue for a lot of people. In Detroit because of that loss of hope I talked about, the press runs the town. They are leaders of the town. The leadership of the community doesn't make a move if they think the press won't like it. So the commentators now are running the town. Now they even…I'm not the mayor, I've been gone for a year and they come to Texas filmed my house! They legally subpoena my private banking records (and) that of my wife's. They filmed my kid's school, they filmed them at their football games so everybody could know. They put my address where I lived in the paper. They have done some tremendous things. They have conspired, they have consorted with people—and it is well known—to gain information that they didn't have access to. It's really been an incredible ride. I really have been praying about what this is all about. But that aggressive campaign against me has also made me better, it has made me more enlightened, it's made me stronger. It has also strengthened my relationship with my wife, my children, and they are stronger because of it. So I can't say it's been all bad. I know in the Christian church the old ladies use to say “what the devil meant for bad God meant for good.” So some of the things that I think they went out and tried to be detrimental to my life saved me in a lot of ways. So yes, there has been an aggressive evil spirit of campaign but we are still standing.

FCN: I'm glad you mentioned your family. Clearly, they have stood by you and your wife has demonstrated tremendous strength as well as your children with you being in such a public spot. As it relates to Ms. Christine Beatty, the sister who was in the news related to her relationship with you, do you have contact with her, do you all talk?

KK: I'll simply say, I have talked to her since all of this stuff has happened. I try to make sure that she understands that I still care about her very deeply and I simply back up and say first that, a lot of times when women get caught in a situation like that, they are perceived as a wh--- and sorry and I just think that is so unfair. It takes two to tango they say but I think even other than that she is a very good person. She is incredibly brilliant, a 4.0 student, masters (degree) and we made some bad decisions and we are living with the consequences of those decisions. I respect her tremendously and love her and wish her the best. That has been an incredible situation, somebody has been in your life since ninth grade, this is my friend, this wasn't a person that just showed up. Ninth grade and now out of your life and having her own and you have to really figure out how to move forward with your wife and children. So I wish her the best. I have tried to keep tabs and make sure that she is doing all right. But as far as the kind of interaction we had, we will never really have again.

FCN: On a personal level, after all of this, looking back, what did you learn?

KK: I learned several things. One is that sometimes your gift takes you to a place that your character is not prepared to handle. I can be the mayor; I can do it right now. I can go in there right now and put things together. I was truly anointed for that position and I wasn't mature enough in my spirit, in my manhood to handle that responsibility at the time it was given to me. The significant character flaw that I had, it rose up and bit me. I learned that you can go after things before you are ready and so if you are going after it, you need to make sure that your spirit is ready. I learned also how to surrender to His will and not mine. Sometimes when you are going through something—and I am a guy who runs campaigns—I can make this happen. There has never been a campaign where I was picked to win. Neither in the mayoral election, Statehouse election, Speaker of the House election, I was never picked to win. I was always coming from behind. I won every one of them. Nobody was going to out work me. We were going to put together an organization and a plan and when you are going through something like that nothing happens without Allah's permission. So a lot of the times you just have to surrender to his will and learning how to surrender was a major thing for me, getting me out of the way, surrendering to the will of God. I talked and spoke with Minister Farrakhan and the Minister told me—and this was before jail and anything else—he said “you have to surrender, brother, Allah may even allow you to go to jail.” He saw something that I didn't; and I tell you that time was character development, character building, mixed feelings and controversy, understanding the jinn, understanding who I am. A lot of reading and a lot of teaching and a lot of learning. No phone going off, nobody to call, so it was a period of time, short enough where I didn't go crazy but long enough where I got the lesson that I needed to learn. You can't hide and you can't cheat and all those things. Those are elements that I think are bigger issues of character, the big issue of honesty of being a man and what a man is, of standing but also surrendering and the power that gives you when you do that.

FCN: You mentioned your relationship with the Minister. What would you say is the most important thing about having a relationship with a spiritual advisor like Minister Farrakhan? Can you talk to us a little bit about the importance of that relationship throughout the good times and the bad times so to speak—and having his guidance during the time of trouble?

KK: I heard somebody say that you can't judge a tree by the bark it wears but by the fruit it bears. It goes without saying about the incredible leadership that he has given to the Nation and to our community and to humanity. So, I don't want to talk about that, I could talk about that for a half hour but bringing it down on a very practical natural level. I don't know if there is a person walking around today that is more misunderstood, that has endured more hatred, that has endured more enemies, that has endured more threats to his life and that whose teachings and whose gift has been misconstrued, degraded and deformed by those who don't know him, haven't heard and haven't listened. So to talk to somebody like that you automatically walk in with this brother who is (so) beautiful and understanding that it's nothing that you can tell him that he hasn't heard. So you go in the room shutting up. It's not a lot of people that you kind of just say ‘Okay, I'm just going to hear this out.' So that relationship and I was telling my Pastor…the kind of advice and I think there is some privacy there but the type of advice, the type of conversation, the type of knowledge and wisdom that he imparted to me is not just priceless but it was life changing. I appreciate him deeply and thank him immensely for the role that he played in my life, not just directly, Minister Rasul Muhammad, sending him to be there, Brother Victor Muhammad, you know I don't think there would be a Victor Muhammad without a Minister Farrakhan, maybe not an Ashahed. I think just the fruit of this brother also are people who wrapped their arms around me, who aided my family in a time when they really needed it. In the midst of death threats they stood with my wife and children and walked them out and made sure (they were protected) when I was locked away and so, I don't think I have the words to articulate how thankful I am to the Minister (and) also the profound effect and the impact that he has had on my life.

FCN: So what does the future hold for Brother Kwame Kilpatrick? Is there a return to politics possibly back to Detroit, perhaps in Texas?

KK: I don't know. I really believe that this is a period of time where I am trying to commune, study and figure that out. What I learned in politics (is that) it's a very enslaving place to be. It's hard to be free in politics and if the search for your spirit is to be free, it's hard. We do need brothers and sisters to go into elected offices and political offices and do that, but my spirit is telling me something different. Because you are a Democrat or Republican you have to do this but you can't do that and so it's somewhat limiting in what you can actually do and I've done that. I've been in the Statehouse; I've been mayor so I believe there is something else for me. I don't know what that is yet, but I definitely have a testimony now brother! As far as talking to young couples, talking to brothers who are strong, they have it going on, they know exactly what they want to do, how they want to do it but they don't have any God in their life. They don't really move by a spirit. They are not really connected to the community. There is a testimony in here somewhere that I think I can share but I don't know. At this particular time I have no plans to be in elected office. Absolutely not. And I don't know if I will go back to Detroit. My kids want to go back to Detroit everyday, that's their home. They want to be there. But Detroit is going through something that I don't want to be a part of. I think what is happening there now, I believe I was extracted from. What is happening in Detroit is not good so I don't even want to be a part of that, but there is something on the other side that I may want to be a part of so I don't know yet.

FCN: Thank you.

(Please visit http://www.finalcall.com/)

My Monday Morning Jab: FORCE X DISTANCE=WORK

By: Brother Deric

As salaam alaikum (Peace Be Unto You). I once read a book about a Black Panther revolutionary who loved Monday mornings. He loved Monday mornings because he believed they represented a new beginning for him; an opportunity to do this week what was undone last week. I sort of adopted this thought pattern from that book without knowing it. I feel like every Monday morning has a "starter pistol" for an alarm clock. Ready, set, GO!!! Too often we take off after the sound of the pistol not knowing exactly where we are GOING. This is why we must start every day in prayer in meditation for GUIDANCE. Our travels must take us in the direction of our purpose. If you do not know what your purpose is in life, pray hard for such a revelation. Once you find your purpose then you must find your function within that purpose. Once you find your function you must get busy and master your craft.  Mastery takes WORK!!! There is absolutely no way around it. This means that we must be willing to practice, study and endure the grueling grind of task mastery when no one is looking. I once read where the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan said that he wished that his students could see him in his role as a student when no one is looking. He spent hours upon hours practicing his radio broadcasts in the 70's. He spent hours upon hours practicing his violin, beginning at 3am every day in preparation for a performance. Michael Jordan was the greatest on game night because his practice habits were insane. Tiger Woods won the biggest golf tournament in the world and was at practice at 6am the next morning. Too many of us want the success but do not want the sacrifice. We are taught in the Nation of Islam that force x distance = work. This means that we all must summon and impose our will on some object or task that is at rest and then push that object or task in the direction we desire. If you apply the force, but fail to move the object you have exerted the energy, but you have not quite worked. This week, be resolved to MOVE SOMETHING!!! Don't let laziness, doubt, fear or anxiety cripple you. Devote yourself to the completion of something bigger than yourself this week and don't stop until you reach that goal. This will give you confidence to tackle the next thing. Before you know it you will be moving at a fast pace toward your desired goals. This is my Monday morning jab. Ouch. I think I just got hit!!!!

Throwback Verse of the Week: "Wake Up" by Brand Nubian

The attribute haji helper to another god
Indeed he Allah God Islam
As I proceed to civilize the uncivilized
Word of wisdom to the groove from the wise (speak on it God)
I guess I'm like the verbalizer for the fact I'm movin blackwards
This asiatic black man is a dog spelled backwards
The maker, the owner, the cream of the planet earth
Father of civilization, God of the universe
Manifestin thought with my infinite styles
Making sure this travels, twenty-three million miles
The other six I set the crucifix
Because the heart of the problem is this.. (speak on it God)
Preacher got my old earth puttin money in the pan
For the rest of the week now I'm eatin out a soup can
He has a home, drives his caddy through town
Has my old earth believin that he's comin from the ground (Jesus)
Slain are those who fought for what was right
Slayed are those who fell victim to the bite
A drug controlled substance, contained in a vial
Set up by the devil as he looks and he smiles
Good at the game of tricknology
But I have knowledge of myself you're not foolin me
You see, the answer to me is black unity
Unification, to help our bad situation
I wrote this on a day of wisdom power
All bein born to myself (god!)
I won't diss the next brother to be paid that's not my trade
It's just the plan that is designed by the colored man
Now our babies are born to think this is the way of us (way of us)
That's the way the devil wants it so it is no fuss (it is no fuss)
It's just that sad old song self-destruction
To stop our reproduction

FARRAKHAN ISSUES WARNING OF REPENTANCE DURING "THE TIME AND WHAT MUST BE DONE"

The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan delivered a high spirited, serious message today entitled "The Time and What Must Be Done". He dealt with issues including America's view of President Obama, the ineffectiveness of the educational system, Black on Black violence, self-hatred and most important the changing of the ways of the "man in the mirror." If you missed it please go to http://www.noi.org/ and watch it at no cost to you. I want for my brothers and sisters what I want for myself. Today I recieved divine guidance. Get yours!!!