Racism in high school year book

Imagine that it’s the of the school year. You have graduated and your getting your yearbook for all your friends to see and then you realize that your actual name has been replaced by a “ghetto” or racist name. A name like Crispy Nanos or Shaniqua by someone. That’s what happened at a High School in Covina California. watch the story by clicking the link below:

http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/blacknewsblackviews.html

Barack Obama was right about black fathers

I’m sure by now that you have all heard Barack Obama’s speech on Father’s Day weekend about black father’s stepping up to the plate and being more involved in their children’s lives.

 

But what you really have not heard are attacks against Barack Obama’s comments from many of those who attacked Bill Cosby. Now there are a few who voiced their negative opinions some blogs going as far as to say he betrayed have his race ( http://www.blackagendareport.com ) But many have not said much. You know why?

 

Because Barack Obama is right.

 

Now some may say he is just pandering to white conservatives in order to get their votes but so what if he is. His message is not any less true.

 

We need our black men involved in our children’s lives so that black boys know how to be a good man and black girls have an idea of what a god man is.

 

There is no disputing the reports that children who have fathers involved in their education do better as a group. There is no disputing that these same children are less likely to end up in prison. There is no disputing that these children are less likely to grow up in poverty.

 

Black men we owe it to our children to make sure that they do better than we did. The true measure of a man is not how tough you are, what kind of car you have, how much money you have. It’s not any of that. It’s how you take care of “Yours”. The true measure of a man is how you ensure your children’s future.

 

That being said, let’s not forget that the MAJORITY of black fathers do the right thing. Yeah, I know about the 70% number of black children born to single mothers but that does not equate to 70% of black men not being involved in their children’s lives. That only means that they don’t live with the mother.

 

One last point. It’s just not black men that need to step up. If you have ever been to a PTA meeting or Parent/Teacher Night forget color just count the number of men that are there. I’m sure women will outnumber them at least 3 to 1 if not more. So while this is an issue that has the spotlight shining on black fathers it is not unique to them.

 

To all the good black fathers out there keep doing what you are doing and set the example. Although you are rarely acknowledged  even by our own I just want to let you know that you are appreciated.

 

George Cook
www.letstalkhonestly.com

 

 

 

Man graduates 2 colleges in 1 day

Anthony Carter an African American man and former resident of Newark NJ did something remarkable on Wednesday 05/21/08. He graduated from not one but two different colleges one being prestigous Columbia University in New York. Read more by clicking the link below:

http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/blacknewsblackviews.html

 

White valedictorian at Morehouse College!

For the first time in it’s 141 year history historically black college Morehouse will have a white valedictorian. Watch the video by clicking the link below:

http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/blacknewsblackviews.html

HBCUs asking alumni for more financial help

As state and private funds shrink, historically black colleges are refreshing outdated efforts to solicit former students, by adding specialized staff, crafting personalized “asks,” improving campuses and increasingly using Internet outreach.

Read the entire story by clicking the link below:

http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/blacknewsblackviews.html

The Ebony Power 150 List

The Ebony Power 150 List

Every year Ebony Magazine releases a list of the top 150 most influential African Americans. This years list features people involved in  politics, business, entertainment, education, and more. It includes people such as Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington, Barack Obama, Deval Patrick, Tavis Smiley, Cornel West, Tony Brown, Russell Simmons, Mellody Hopson, Robert Johnson and more. You can see the entire list by clicking the link below:

http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/blacknewsblackviews.html

Only 50% of urban students graduate

According to a report issued by America’s Promise Alliance founded by Colin Powell and his wife Alma Powell only half of children attending public school in urban areas graduate. Being as many African American and Hispanic children attend inner city schools this is having a devastating effect. In the words of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, “When more than 1 million students a year drop out of high school, it’s more than a problem, it’s a catastrophe,” Read the entire story by clicking the link below

http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/blacknewsblackviews.html

Interview with African American astronaut, Leland Melvin

Leland Melvin is an astronaut that was on the last shuttle mission STS 122 in 2008. Mr Melvin is also a former NFL player and a chemist.

Melvin because he is a great example of what a education can do for African American children when it’s stressed in the household. He also is showing black kids they can succeed in something other than sports and entertainment. Leland Melvin has traveled across the country, talking to thousands of students and teachers about space exploration, and inspiring them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Click the link below to hear listen to my interview with Mr. Melvin.

We discuss:

His football career and how a injury ended it.

The importance of education.

The loss of his fellow astronauts aboard the shuttle Columbia

http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/LTHpersonoftheyear.html

George Cook www.letstalkhonestly.com

Interview with African American astronaut, Leland Melvin

Leland Melvin is an astronaut that was on the last shuttle mission STS 122 in 2008. Mr Melvin is also a former NFL player and a chemist.

Melvin because he is a great example of what a education can do for African American children when it’s stressed in the household. He also is showing black kids they can succeed in something other than sports and entertainment. Leland Melvin has traveled across the country, talking to thousands of students and teachers about space exploration, and inspiring them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Click the link below to hear listen to my interview with Mr. Melvin.

We discuss:

His football career and how a injury ended it.

The importance of education.

The loss of his fellow astronauts aboard the shuttle Columbia

http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/LTHpersonoftheyear.html

George Cook www.letstalkhonestly.com

Are black colleges still relevant?

Are black colleges still relevant? I believe they are if for no other reason than they give many African Americans a chance to go to college that they might not otherwise get or be able to afford. Read a great article by James O. Maxwell on this topic by clicking the link below:

http://www.letstalkhonestly.com/blacknewsblackviews.html