Monthly Archives: January 2013
“A More Perfect Union: Choosing Our Better History”
January 23, 2013
The offer of a political proposal on King Day.
“Spirit Matters Talk Radio”From Matters of Religion to Matters of Politics…Spirit Matters… #Spirit Matters
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/truthworks
Call In Line: 914-338-1610
ABOUT SOUL AFIRE
A new and urgent broadcast experience . . .
Soul Afire is a live talk radio program hosted by Dr. Matthew V. Johnson, Sr. The call-in program Inspires and Incites the personal spirit to come alive and reach for the fire within. Whether your life moves in the nests of tumbleweed against desert dryness or flows quietly in the sanctuary of lush foliage of a tropical riverbed, you live by the realm a claimed or neglected human spirit. Soul Afire is about the human Spirit and how it navigates Blackness. The program will feature Dr. Johnson’s weekly commentary, “Spirit Matters”.
ABOUT REVEREND DR. MATTHEW V…
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Deeper Than Reality TV: It’s Not About a Rapper or His Babies Mamas l For Harriet
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Deeper Than Reality TV: It’s Not About a Rapper or His Babies Mamas
ook a long time to assemble my thoughts on Shawty Lo’s new show and the outrage it’s inspired primarily because I was deeply conflicted. Shawty Lo’s recklessness is indefensible. I have no desire to defend the show or its right to be on the air. I don’t believe that the arrangement the rapper has with his 10 children’s mothers and 11 children is a justifiable alternative family structure. The discussion around the show, however, has been largely unproductive and intellectually lazy. Too many men and women missed the greater, ongoing tragedies in black communities that this show represents.
Prescriptions of marriage for all Black women who wish to have children are bullheadedly misguided. Marriage, across many segments of American society, is dying, and black folks aren’t going to revive it. Yet compassionate conservatives continue pushing it without acknowledging that this institution simply does not align with the lived experiences of most Americans. Now that white folks are doing it in larger numbers, cohabitation and unwedded co-parenting will be normalized, but it’s a shame that majority culture has to adopt a habit so it will not be seen as pathological among blacks. Out of Wedlock shamers feel emboldened because their ideologies are validated by majority culture. That will soon not be the case.
Read: The Trouble with ‘Baby Daddy’
If teaching young Black couples the value of marriage were the answer to problem of abandoned children, these discussions wouldn’t be necessary. Blacks are extremely conservative when it comes to theoretical moral stances, but morals, standards, and ethics are not fixed. They are situational and contextual. They require continual evaluation. I’ve known many men and women who’ve expressed a belief in the value of marriage who went on to have children out of wedlock. Things happen. Life happens. Stern lectures and catchy slogans don’t displace real trials and tumult life brings.
Marriage fell out of favor in Black communities decades ago because of shifting economies and values, and the shift we’re seeing away from marriage largely reflects that in the whole of America. When black folks do it, it’s primitive behavior. When white folks do it, it’s cultural evolution.
Read: The Single Mom’s Guide To Raising Strong Kids
We have yet to discuss real solutions. Pro-marriage advocates refuse to acknowledge that a likelihood to marry is tied closely to education. College-educated women marry later and stay married longer. We also know that better health outcomes and financial stability also accompany formal education. Why then would “personal responsibility” campaigns focus exclusively on fertility. If you want young Black women to lead more stable lives, encourage them to stay in school. Of course, acknowledging that fact requires reading beyond the headlines, and takes away the fun of slut-shaming. But that’s a real solution – not a hash tag. A diploma.
Then again, higher education has become increasingly unattainable for those without family and financial support, and those are the women most at risk. The education solution does not account for the women who will not ever earn a diploma. That means we must turn to the women themselves and the families they produce.
Read: We, of the Fatherless Tribe: An Abandoned Black Girl, My Love is Different
In order to progress past the hand wringing, black communities have to embrace and encourage supportive, non-traditional families. This is, however, difficult to do with a family that is the result of the kinds of coercive sexual relationships that produced Shawty Lo’s situation. The majority of the mothers met the rapper when while they were underage or barely legal. This man is a predator, and he created a family born not of consent and support but of the perceived limits of black women’s romantic options. Without a commitment or assurance of stability, the women had his children. It seems they settled for what was available to them rather than what they deserved. It’s a mindset not uncommon in women – onne that stems from internalizing constant degrading messages.
Our worlds are limited by constant attacks. I question the motives of the black women bloggers who’ve taken this as an opportunity to further degrade women who clearly cannot see how valuable, beautiful and capable they are. You cannot claim to care for black women, especially those at risk of exploitation, and hurl the same insults at them as everyone else. Quite frankly, if you don’t hesitate to refer to black women as livestock, you’re not really for us. If further stripping Black women of their humanity is a central component of your movement, I have no choice but to hope for its speedy demise.
Read: He’s Not Ready For Marriage and I’m Taking it Personal
We grossly underestimate the intelligence of the women who find themselves in less than ideal romantic and child-rearing entanglements. In reality, women must get creative in order to navigate the landmines of patriarchy. “Respectable” black women talk down to those they presume don’t know any better and do nothing but preach to the wannabe upper class choir.
Alternative families can be beautiful; however, ideally those family structures would be created with consent and support. Support is more than financial. We must demand men assume emotional responsibility for their children as well as financial culpability. This requires a fundamental reimagining of the foundational roles of fathers. The problem cannot rest solely at the feet of women who birth the children.
Read: Missing Daddies, Angry Mamas and a Self-Perpetuating Cycle
Shawty Lo and the mothers of his 11 children didn’t reveal to me anything I hadn’t seen or imagined. But they did force me to think through the ways we can improve the lives of the adults and kids caught up in less than ideal circumstances. Attempting to silence or erase them won’t fix anything for the countless other women who face similar challenges. Empower women to pursue higher education. Empower them to seek partners that will uplift them. Empower them to use birth control and condoms. We must remember that strong families cannot exist without strong women, and the work of building them never ends.
Kimberly Foster is the founder and editor of For Harriet. Email or Tweet her.
Soul AFIRE kicks off 2013 Season In Conversation with Frank Schaeffer
January 9, 2013 10 pm ET
In Conversation with Frank Schaeffer
In “America’s White Male Problem” published this week, Frank Schaeffer writes, “We have a white problem. I’m a 60-year-old white male father and grandfather. My son served in the Marines. I own a gun. I have handwritten notes from George Bush Sr, Jr, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford both to me and to my late father expressing gratitude for our contributions to the “fight” for traditional values and the Republican “cause.” Been there, done that !
I spent my youth not only as part of the Republican Party but helping to organize the culture wars that have come near to destroying our country. I have worked with the very kind of people who are now the hard-core Republican right. But I have changed my views. I may not be one of them any longer, but I bring an insider’s knowledge to the table. Overlay a map of the states with the safe gerrymandered congressional districts that sent us the Tea Party Republicans hijacking our country and you’ll find it’s the same map by and large of the former slave states.”
ABOUT FRANK SCHAEFFER
As the son of Francis Schaeffer, Frank Schaeffer has been no stranger to the rigours of evangelical/fundamentalist Christianity. Francis believed he had the answers to the questions of the ages with his belief in fundamentalist doctrine and he was largely responsible for the rise of the Religious Right in American politics. As his son, Frank lived through and participated in the despicable intersection of religion and politics…
Frank Schaeffer is a New York Times best selling author. His books include Crazy for God: How I Grew Up as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back and Sex, Mom, and God: How the Bible’s Strange Take on Sex Led to Crazy Politics–and How I Learned to Love Women (and Jesus) Anyway.
Frank is a survivor of both polio and an evangelical/fundamentalist childhood, an acclaimed novelist of 4 novels including Portofino who overcame severe dyslexia, a home-schooled and self-taught documentary movie director, a feature film director and producer of four low budget Hollywood features Frank has described as “pretty terrible.” Frank’s nonfiction includes “Keeping Faith-A Father-Son Story About Love and the United States Marine Corps” and AWOL-The Unexcused Absence of America’s Upper Classes From Military Service and How It Hurts Our Country.” Of Frank’s writing Jeff Sharlet (The New Statesman October 25, 2007 ) writes, “‘Crazy For God’ is a brilliant book, a portrait of fundamentalism painted in broad strokes with streaks of nuance, the twinned coming-of-age story of Frank and the Christian right.” Jane Smiley (The Nation October 15, 2007) writes: “‘Crazy For God’ offers considerable insight into several issues that have bedeviled American life in the past thirty years, and… when taken in conjunction with [Frank Schaeffer’s] other works (notably the Calvin Becker Trilogy, [‘Portofino,’ ‘Zermatt’ and ‘Saving Grandma’]), it gives us not only a handle on the mess we are in but also quite a few laughs…” Frank’s three semi-biographical novels about growing up in a fundamentalist mission: “Portofino,” “Zermatt,” “Saving Grandma” have been translated into 9 languages. “BABY JACK,” a novel about the class division between who serves and who does not, was published in 2006. USA TODAY said, “The reader marvels at how Schaeffer makes this concise chorus of social conviction moving and memorable…” Frank can be contacted at frankschaeffer.com
His published commentary, “America’s White Male Problem” published this week, he writes, “We have a white problem.
I’m a 60-year-old white male father and grandfather. My son served in the Marines. I own a gun. I have handwritten notes from George Bush Sr, Jr, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford both to me and to my late father expressing gratitude for our contributions to the “fight” for traditional values and the Republican “cause.” Been there, done that!
I spent my youth not only as part of the Republican Party but helping to organize the culture wars that have come near to destroying our country. I have worked with the very kind of people who are now the hard-core Republican right. But I have changed my views. I may not be one of them any longer, but I bring an insider’s knowledge to the table. Overlay a map of the states with the safe gerrymandered congressional districts that sent us the Tea Party Republicans hijacking our country and you’ll find it’s the same map by and large of the former slave states.”
His conversation with Dr. Matthew V. Johnson will include discussion of this commentary and the prosperity movement in America.
LIVE and CALL- In
914-338-1610
ABOUT Soul AFIRE
SOUL AFIRE with Dr. Matthew V. Johnson
A new and urgent broadcast experience . . .
“Spirit Matters Talk Radio”
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/truthworks
Soul Afire is a live talk radio program hosted by Dr. Matthew V. Johnson, Sr. The call-in program Inspires and Incites the personal spirit to come alive and reach for the fire within. Whether your life moves in the nests of tumbleweed against desert dryness or flows quietly in the sanctuary of lush foliage of a tropical riverbed, you live by the realm a claimed or neglected human spirit. Soul Afire is about the human Spirit and how it navigates Blackness. The program will feature Dr. Johnson’s weekly commentary, “Spirit Matters”.
From Matters of Religion to Matters of Politics…Spirit Matters… #Spirit Matters
ABOUT REVEREND DR. MATTHEW V. JOHNSON Matthew V. Johnson, Sr., is a graduate of Morehouse College and earned his Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Philosophical Theology from the University of Chicago. He has done post-graduate studies in Psychoanalysis and is a member in training at the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. In the ministry for thirty years, Dr. Johnson is the Pastor of Church of the Good Shepherd-Baptist located in Atlanta, GA.
Soul AFIRE
http://ww.soulafire.wordpress.com/
Like us on FB: SoulAFire
Twitter: @ASoulAFire #SpiritMatters
Email: soulafire@truthworksnetwork.com
TruthWorks Network:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TruthWorks
On the Web
http://www.truthworks.wordpress.com/
http://www.truthworks.ning.com/
THIS IS AN INTERNET-BASED BROADCAST ! YOU CAN LISTEN FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD VIA INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE
Call In Line: 914-338-1610
TruthWorks Studios:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/TruthWorks
Soul AFIRE Opens 2013 Season In Conversation with Frank Schaeffer l January 9, 2013 l 10pm ET
January 9, 2013 10 pm ET
In Conversation with Frank Schaeffer
In “America’s White Male Problem” published this week, Frank Schaeffer writes, “We have a white problem. I’m a 60-year-old white male father and grandfather. My son served in the Marines. I own a gun. I have handwritten notes from George Bush Sr, Jr, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford both to me and to my late father expressing gratitude for our contributions to the “fight” for traditional values and the Republican “cause.” Been there, done that !
I spent my youth not only as part of the Republican Party but helping to organize the culture wars that have come near to destroying our country. I have worked with the very kind of people who are now the hard-core Republican right. But I have changed my views. I may not be one of them any longer, but I bring an insider’s knowledge to the table. Overlay a map of the states with the safe gerrymandered congressional districts that sent us the Tea Party Republicans hijacking our country and you’ll find it’s the same map by and large of the former slave states.””
ABOUT FRANK SCHAEFFER
As the son of Francis Schaeffer, Frank Schaeffer has been no stranger to the rigours of evangelical/fundamentalist Christianity. Francis believed he had the answers to the questions of the ages with his belief in fundamentalist doctrine and he was largely responsible for the rise of the Religious Right in American politics. As his son, Frank lived through and participated in the despicable intersection of religion and politics…
Frank Schaeffer is a New York Times best selling author. His books include Crazy for God: How I Grew Up as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back and Sex, Mom, and God: How the Bible’s Strange Take on Sex Led to Crazy Politics–and How I Learned to Love Women (and Jesus) Anyway.
Frank is a survivor of both polio and an evangelical/fundamentalist childhood, an acclaimed novelist of 4 novels including Portofino who overcame severe dyslexia, a home-schooled and self-taught documentary movie director, a feature film director and producer of four low budget Hollywood features Frank has described as “pretty terrible.” Frank’s nonfiction includes “Keeping Faith-A Father-Son Story About Love and the United States Marine Corps” and AWOL-The Unexcused Absence of America’s Upper Classes From Military Service and How It Hurts Our Country.” Of Frank’s writing Jeff Sharlet (The New Statesman October 25, 2007 ) writes, “‘Crazy For God’ is a brilliant book, a portrait of fundamentalism painted in broad strokes with streaks of nuance, the twinned coming-of-age story of Frank and the Christian right.” Jane Smiley (The Nation October 15, 2007) writes: “‘Crazy For God’ offers considerable insight into several issues that have bedeviled American life in the past thirty years, and… when taken in conjunction with [Frank Schaeffer’s] other works (notably the Calvin Becker Trilogy, [‘Portofino,’ ‘Zermatt’ and ‘Saving Grandma’]), it gives us not only a handle on the mess we are in but also quite a few laughs…” Frank’s three semi-biographical novels about growing up in a fundamentalist mission: “Portofino,” “Zermatt,” “Saving Grandma” have been translated into 9 languages. “BABY JACK,” a novel about the class division between who serves and who does not, was published in 2006. USA TODAY said, “The reader marvels at how Schaeffer makes this concise chorus of social conviction moving and memorable…” Frank can be contacted at frankschaeffer.com
His published commentary, “America’s White Male Problem” published this week, he writes, “We have a white problem.
I’m a 60-year-old white male father and grandfather. My son served in the Marines. I own a gun. I have handwritten notes from George Bush Sr, Jr, Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford both to me and to my late father expressing gratitude for our contributions to the “fight” for traditional values and the Republican “cause.” Been there, done that!
I spent my youth not only as part of the Republican Party but helping to organize the culture wars that have come near to destroying our country. I have worked with the very kind of people who are now the hard-core Republican right. But I have changed my views. I may not be one of them any longer, but I bring an insider’s knowledge to the table. Overlay a map of the states with the safe gerrymandered congressional districts that sent us the Tea Party Republicans hijacking our country and you’ll find it’s the same map by and large of the former slave states.”
His conversation with Dr. Matthew V. Johnson will include discussion of this commentary and the prosperity movement in America.
LIVE and CALL- In
914-338-1610
ABOUT Soul AFIRE
SOUL AFIRE with Dr. Matthew V. Johnson
A new and urgent broadcast experience . . .
“Spirit Matters Talk Radio”
Listen Live: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/truthworks
Soul Afire is a live talk radio program hosted by Dr. Matthew V. Johnson, Sr. The call-in program Inspires and Incites the personal spirit to come alive and reach for the fire within. Whether your life moves in the nests of tumbleweed against desert dryness or flows quietly in the sanctuary of lush foliage of a tropical riverbed, you live by the realm a claimed or neglected human spirit. Soul Afire is about the human Spirit and how it navigates Blackness. The program will feature Dr. Johnson’s weekly commentary, “Spirit Matters”.
From Matters of Religion to Matters of Politics…Spirit Matters… #Spirit Matters
ABOUT REVEREND DR. MATTHEW V. JOHNSON Matthew V. Johnson, Sr., is a graduate of Morehouse College and earned his Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Philosophical Theology from the University of Chicago. He has done post-graduate studies in Psychoanalysis and is a member in training at the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. In the ministry for thirty years, Dr. Johnson is the Pastor of Church of the Good Shepherd-Baptist located in Atlanta, GA.
Soul AFIRE
http://ww.soulafire.wordpress.com/
Like us on FB: SoulAFire
Twitter: @ASoulAFire #SpiritMatters
Email: soulafire@truthworksnetwork.com
TruthWorks Network:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TruthWorks
On the Web
http://www.truthworks.wordpress.com/
http://www.truthworks.ning.com/
THIS IS AN INTERNET-BASED BROADCAST ! YOU CAN LISTEN FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD VIA INTERNET OR BY TELEPHONE
Call In Line: 914-338-1610
TruthWorks Studios:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/TruthWorks
TruthWorks Network 
Jan 9
Posted by TruthWorks Network
Monday, January 7, 2013
What We Can All Learn From Whores
(But first, a disclaimer: I don’t believe in “whores.” I don’t believe in assessing the character of a person based solely on their sexual behavior. I think all people make different sexual choices that, if they are practicing them with equally consenting, adult partners, are awesome for them. But for the purposes of this exercise, let’s assume whore = the agreed upon social norm that a woman who engages in sexual behavior including but not limited to; sex with a high number of partners, multiple partners #atthesamedamntime, leveraging sex for material goods, etc. is a hoe.)
Posted in Blackblogasphere, Commentary, Women's Issues and Womanist Thought
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Tags: society