Pulitzer Prize Highlights Racial Inequality

Pulitzer prizes were awarded to writers who focused on topics ranging from colonial slavery, to the 20th century of Black life.

Playwright Lynn Nottage (seen above) who wrote 'Ruined', a tale of survival set during an African civil war; she won a prize for drama.

The Pulitzer for general non-fiction went to 'Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II' by Douglas A. Blackmon, an Atlanta bureau chief for The Wall Street Journal.  
  
Blackmon stated of his Pulitzer, "It’s a huge honor for me,
but more importantly I hope it really validates the idea that this is a part of American history that we have ignored and neglected, and it’s time for a really dramatic reinterpretation of what happened to African-Americans during that period of time,” the Associated Press reported.

Newsweek editor Jon Meacham, won the biography prize for 'American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White House'; a best-selling book about a populist president whose sympathy for the less fortunate never extended to slaves (book seen above-r).  

“Jackson represents the best and the worst of us,” Meacham stated according to the Associated Press.

2009 LA

National Congress of Black Women Honor Black Activist Sojourner Truth

Born a slave but reinvented a Black activist Sojourner Truth, will be the first African American woman to have a memorial bust in the United States Capitol presented by The National Congress of Black Women, Inc. 

The late Dr. C. Delores Tucker, had tried to achieve this effort for ten years and finally her dream has become reality as the unveiling of the bust, will include a presentation of Sojourner Truth's poem “Ain’t I A Woman” to be read by actress Cicely Tyson, and musical selections by Lomax Spaulding, Yolanda Adams, and Dorinda Clarke Cole at the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center Emancipation Hall. 

Two hundred and fifty guests and members of the National Congress of Black Women are expected to attend. 

“This accomplishment has been a struggle, but at the National Congress of Black Women, we have learned that it is from our struggles that we gain our victories. We never gave up, no matter what stood in our way. This bust of Sojourner Truth in the U.S. Capitol is an honor to all women, and will forever serve as a part of our history that celebrates the right to vote for all women,” said Dr. E. Faye Williams Esq., national chairwoman of the group.

2009 LA

"Ain't I A Woman"

Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the Negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? 

Look at me! Look at my arm! I have plowed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? 

I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or Negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them. Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say.

If Dr. Martin Luther King Were Alive, What Would He Think About Us Now?

I received an e-mail by a Mr. Robert Lewis. In the e-mail was a story about a man that had a dream about Dr. King (seen above), visiting us in our present day. The story was so moving I felt compelled to share it with you. 

Read below:

I was chillin' at the crib and there was a knock at the door. I opened the door and to my amazement there stood Dr Martin Luther King Jr. He was dressed exactly the way they dressed in the 60's. You know with the suits and the thin neck ties, only he was in black and white like an old movie and the rest of the world was still in color. 

He explained to me that he had been gone for quite some time now (over 35 years) and was lost. He said that the world had changed so much and hoped that I could help him get re-acquainted with our society so he could find his way back to his family. I invited him in and told him to make himself comfortable.

When Martin sat in front of my entertainment system, he asked me about all the contraptions connected to my television set. I explained that one was my VCR and one was my DVD player. Martin asked,"What's a VCR?" "What's a DVD?" 

I explained both technologies to him and he was astonished. Then he asked about the third box. I told him that was my cable box. Based upon the confused look on his face, it was apparent that this to needed explaining. 

I turned on the television and after a brief description and instruction on the use of the remote control, he was off clicking from channel to channel. After a few minutes Martin was working the remote like a pro! Being a man made it real easy for him to fall in love with the remote control. He was very impressed by the fact that there were so many channels geared towards specific interests, sports especially ESPN.

He continued further and eventually stopped at one of the music channels that were airing their hip-hop program. 

Dr. King asked, "What is this?"

I explained that it was a music video and that's the way today's music is presented to the public. As one thuggishly, blinged out video after another was aired I noticed a cease in questions. Martin was silent and his facial expressions changed from amazement to distress and disappointment. 

He asked, "Is this what our music has come to? Is this supposed to be progress? Why do our women condone this obscene portrayal of their womanhood? Have they forgotten the abuse, emotional and physical rape that their ancestors had been subjected to? And why do our young men act this way? Obsessed with materialism and being disrespectful to our women?"

I told him its called, "thuggin". He asked me to explain what thuggin was. 

I said, "It means to be hard and unfeeling...uh you know...a gangsta, ride or die, cash rules everything. Having no respect for anything or anyone. Any negative quality about a man." 

After several strange looks from Martin, I then realized that there was no way to explain or justify "thuggin" to an intelligent person like him. So I changed the subject. 

Abruptly Martin asked, "Could anyone else see these videos?" Anyone who pays for cable I replied.  

"You mean to tell me that you actually pay money willingly to witness this," Martin asked. I could only answer yes, but I felt ashamed to admit this to such a righteous man. 

Martin asked, "Is this behavior accepted by everyone? Where have all the ministers, pastors and leaders gone?" 

I told him there hasn't been anyone who is willing to step out there, and put it on the line since you left here. 

Martin said very sadly,"I never worried about leaving here because I was so sure, that there would be more who would come after me to step up and carry on the fight for equality and respect." 

Martin becoming more and more disgusted watching the videos being aired -- stood up and said, "This is how we overcame?" 

He grabbed my cable box, ripping it from the back of the television and smashed it on the floor. Being who he was and knowing deep down he was right, I couldn't get mad. 

As we stood there looking at the wreckage that was once my cable box with an awkward silence, Martin then apologized and asked could we please leave because he just wanted to see his family.

"Is there any place that I can go to get some gifts for my family?" Martin asked. I knew just the place.

We got in my car and headed to the mall. Dr. King was fascinated by the size of the mall and selection of different stores. It must have been a weekend because as we started to walk around, I noticed that the mall was filled predominately with teenagers. Many of them were loud and using profanity. 

Martin asked a young brother in front of a group of his friends, why is it necessary to be so profane and conduct himself in way that was not only disrespectful to himself but to his people. 

The young brother said, "F---- you man! Ni**a, you ain't my daddy! 

I had to restrain Martin from disciplining the young brother. I asked the teenager, "Do you know who this is? He replied, "Hell naw, he ain't iced out so why should I care!" At this point I was ready to snatch my man up, but Martin urged me to let it go.

After Dr. King was able to calm down he realized that the young people, were only imitating what they saw on the music videos that he had seen earlier. 

"They have been infected with the ignorance of the images they covet. So this is our future?" 

I suggested that we just get the gifts and go. As I started to walk further I noticed Martin, walking back towards the door that we came in. 

I ran after him shouting, "Whoa, where are you going?" 

With a distressed look Martin said, "I'd rather go back."  

"Why?" I asked. 

He said, "You don't understand, I never got to see my kids grow up. I missed the holidays, graduations and birthdays, all in the name of sacrifice. I felt it was necessary to bring about equal opportunity and a brighter future for this generation. All I see is that a few of us got rich, and the rest became slaves again."

I said "What are you talking about, this isn't slavery!" 

Martin looked at me and replied, "Oh it isn't?" 

He turned and walked towards the doors and exited the mall. I tried to keep him from leaving but out of nowhere this security guard gets in my way, and tells me that I can't go with him. I wrestled myself away and bolted out of the exit but once I got outside he had vanished.

As I stood outside panning the parking lot to see if I could find him, an Escalade on 24's bumping some ignorant thug anthem was coming right at me. 

All I could do was brace myself for the impact. Right before the SUV hit me I awoke out of my dream. As I lay in a puddle of sweat, I tried repeatedly to shake the dream but I couldn't. 

I remembered those who sacrificed their lives for us and I wondered, what it would be like if we had to stand before them and justify what we have become as a race. I also wondered what made me have such a dream. 

After hours of thinking I concluded it was probably guilt. The guilt of knowing that we have fallen way short of Martin Luther King's dream. 

In fact it's closer to a nightmare!

Interracial Couple Brutally Murdered for Loving Each Other

The murder of a White Marine sergeant and his African-American wife, was found to be the handiwork of four other Marines who were angry over the mixed race relationship. 

Investigators found Sgt. Jan Pietrzak (seen above-l) and his wife Quiana (seen above-r), in their California home bound in red duct tape with gunshot wounds to their heads in October. 

Police kept insisting the couple were slain for their money, but a key prosecution witness revealed a stunning bit of information; that racist remarks were spray painted on the walls of the couples home The New York Daily News reports.

“Nigger Lover” was written on the wall near the master bedroom and on a bathroom mirror. Riverside County Homicide investigator Benjamin Ramirez testified at a preliminary hearing, according to the News.

Four Black fellow Marines are  responsible for the brutal homicide of the twenty-four year old Marine, and his twenty-six year old wife. 

Prosecutors allege that the Marines – Pvt. Emrys John, 18; Lance Cpl. Tyrone Miller, 20; Pvt. Kesuan (Psycho) Sykes, 21 and Pvt. Kevin Cox, 20 – burst into the Pietrzak’s home in Temecula, Calif., with shotguns; tying up and torturing the couple. The marines repeatedly raped Quiana before Pvt. John, shot them both in the head.

They all pleaded not guilty but if convicted the men will face the death penalty. 

The investigator stated when he arrived at the Pietrzaks’ home, that Quiana was found leaning against a couch with red duct tape covering her eyes and gunshot wounds to her head and right side. 

Her husband “was found leaning against his wife, his face, wrists and ankles bound with red duct tape. He had been shot in the right cheek, and there was blood ‘almost covering his entire face," the News reports citing investigator Ramirez.

Moreover, it was noted that two sofa cushions were apparently used to muffle the gunshot blasts and “evidence the killers tried to cover their tracks by setting a small fire. They left behind foot prints that tied them to the crime,” Ramirez said.

The victim's mothers wept during the two day hearing. “We’re going to visit our children at the grave,” Henryka Pietrzak-Varga of Bensonhurst said later. “That’s all we have left after this.”

Pietrzak’s mother and Quiana’s mother Glenda Faye Williams-Jenkins, never believed their children’s murders were about robbery. 

It is unclear why Riverside County Prosecutor Dan DeLimon, refused to delve into the racial angle, he said. “That will be addressed when the preliminary hearing continues on May 8,”

WHEN WILL THE HATRED END?!

2009 LA