OT: Last night's Black in America............

Was I the only one who said "This nicca HUR....." when they showed Chris' face as the driver in that damn robbgery???  GEEZZ!!!!! 

The whole ex-con thing is such a difficult issue - on the one hand you want to 'mark' these folk because they have done something wrong, but at the same time you're putting dead weight on them and pushing them in to a segment of society and cir****tances that easily tempts them to turn back to old ways. To me, that would be like undoing my RNY and then sending me to a buffet with a saucer when there's platters at the end of the line - damn right Imma pick up a platter!

And I loved the school that is combining fitness with education - that's so critical.  Historically our community has always been heavy but we are really taking the cake - literally - these days. 

So what was your take on the show?

There was a time when Black men in America honestly did not want to be considered a thug or crimminal and we dayum sure didn't want to be lumped in with anything dealing with the so-called underworld.  During that time though, it was quite easy to say things about thugs like, "Lock 'em up and throw away the key...  Put 'em under the jail... etc..."  But nowadays, as more and more young black males are committing crimes and then going back to jail repeatedly it's kind of hard to feel that way when its your loved one whose caught up in this plague.

I don't know but Marvin Gaye's song comes to mind: Makes me wanna holler. 

I downloaded that song recently....yes, it is a perfect fit....

Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today - Ya

Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on

In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on

Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby

Good Morning Trina,

I fell asleep so I am hoping to see the rerun. 

morning macklaughin at your silly behind. 

was real tired and fell asleep looking at the dude i guess you're tambout (a young man in jail, locs) wake up and he's got a ceasar, walkin down the street with soledad, then sleepy again - he got into trouble after that?  was he on camera again talking about it? 

the marriage seminar with the couples saying what they learned at their graduation 

even tho i don't really get into his material, i cannot be mad at tyler perry at all.  go future black billionaire. 

for the awake moments i spent most of it thinking when is the part about tuxedo ball coming on?   then slowly....b, this was part 2 of part 2.   ah.

 

yea he got back in trouble - the way they presented it on the show, you didn't immediately think it was him because he seemed to be doing okay......

Imma need to you stay awake for the rerun!  LOL

i'll try.  when?

eta: thx lis!

Hey Marlo,

Looking beautiful in your new avatar pic! I was thinking the same thing about the young brotha that landed in trouble again after being filmed by Soledad! I was thinking WTH! Did he get star struck and want to see himself on camera again...only breaking and entering this time.  The thing that i did notice is that he did not act alone. That dayum peer pressure is a horrible thing...no excuse though but if he had surrounded himself with positive peers...maybe he could have held on! My brother is locked up and its because he was hanging out cosigning with the wrong group of niccas....landed his arse in the slammer because one of the boys got trigger happy. It was the exact same scenario seen on Boys In The Hood! As a matter of fact...it is felt that that movie inspired this fool to repeat the scene!  Its really sad..too many brothas behind bars.

I know economic times are tough...but I know part of the key to help these brothers overcome is teach them a REAL trade and rehab where they can make some real money...money that they can not just get by on....because the street will always be calling otherwise. I know a few young brothers that learned to drive truck when they got out AND they are doing really well! I think being up and down on that road helps keep thiers arses out of trouble too. 

I say...more power to Tyler Perry!

  

Lemme ask you this - do you think it's wrong to exlude ex-cons from receiving assistance?

I think it would have changed Chris' outlook a bit if they at least had food stamps so there was food in the house - I can understand the brother's pressure to provide for his family - you can't feel like a man with your lil baby girl getting by on ramen and spaghetti sauce......

Yes MM...I agree that it would have made somewhat of a difference as long as he stayed away from those negative niccas. That's why he resorted back to the life...because he could not provide for his family. But even that would have only lasted so long before he would start looking at the assistance as NOT enough! The thing that I noticed is that he could not even apply for a decent job..because he had no skills.  They have an excellent rehab program here which teaches the young men a trade and helps them find a job (one THAT they can take pride in).  I can see how hard it was for him settle for cleaning toilets when he is used to rolling in bank and having it all. I mean that would jack up anybody's self esteem.  I myself have been on the straight and narrow for decades but landing back in my previous condition...I would probably resort to some jacked up stuff too...because...your mind will play tricks on you when you are desperate!    


ETA: Sorry...I did not exactly answer your question... While I dont think it is wrong to exclude the excons from assistance....another consequence of their behavior (punishment if you will) but I do think it would be more proactive and helpful to give them say 6 months to a year of assistance upon release to help provide a buffer while they get on their feet. I think this would be a better investment....might help with the recidivism rate a little.

ETA: When I say "decent job" I mean decent in his eyes cuz I know that cleaning toilets, being a maid and all that is decent work . I have been a maid and a nurses aid...cleaning people ****ty asses so I  know that if you really want to make it...you WILL do the work.