THE LIGHT

You can measure a nation by the way it treats the least among them

The comical political euphoria that is gripping black America is almost knee-slapping funny to me. Because of my outward smirk, people often ask me, [make that, people often TELL ME]… Ray, why don’t you like Barack, man? As if I am breaking some silly fraternity Faux Pas. The internal giggling intensifies when I respond with: First of all I could never dislike someone that I have never met. That would be ignorant. An objective voter would assess it would be equally ignorant to proudly and blindly support someone they have never met either. But, I digress. As crazy as (local congresswoman) Cynthia McKinney was (and still is) at least she came to my house for a pledge and support. So if I were to try to defend her at least I have a REAL, first hand foundation. Starting to see the light?

Nevertheless, its this type of social observation that got me ushered out of an Oprah book club meeting, when I simply stated, I think Oprah lowers that standard of journalism. Can you believe they kicked me out of the meeting for that? And, the meeting was at my house. I have come to the conclusion that Barack and Oprah have managed to elevate their social platform so high that they are above CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. Think about that for a second! They have not only circumvented the First Amendment Right, they are now reached mythical proportions. Like that of Gandhi, the Pope or Jesus Himself. Actually, I hear people criticizing the latter three all the time and defended much less. Imagine that Heavenly round-tabled discussion.

I think the saddest part of this commentary is layered with irony. For starters, it is my belief that Barack would warmly welcome an open conversation about some of the issues that I have raised (on this site) and that most loyal supporters are in total oblivion to. His two-time Patriot Act support would top that list. I believe his concerted effort to remain race-neutral is worth a lunchroom discussion. Especially since big, fat white women still clutch their purse when I enter an elevator and I am not going to raise anyone’s taxes. We’d probably need more than a lunch to discuss, The Point System, World Banking, Katrina, the real predators behind 9-11, and finally, the consolidation of banks that are being neatly veiled as a “middle class” Bailout. Barack, is so smooth, I almost fell for that one. ALMOST!! We would have to go to sleep-a-way camp to discuss why black kids are moving target practice for white police officers. My rabbit ear antenna must have failed when Oprah did that show.

Now, I know what you electric sliding Barack line dancers keep telling me… Man, just wait until he gets into office, he’ll address all of that and more. Funny, these same loyalists said that about Bill Clinton.

Remember him? Yep, that dumbly dubbed “Black President.” That's right the same president that called your boy…, Boy!! Oh, boy! Clinton and Barack appear to be boys, again. It is amazing what a 30-minute infomercial and a singing, fat lady (warming up an Oval Office) will do for a friendship. Man, politics make for strange bed fellows.




Rest well, Barack. I know black people and their euphoria…. it can turn like an off-key Mary J. concert or a crowded Barney revival. If that happens give me a call man, you know I’ll listen. After all that’s what REAL friends are for.

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1 love,
Ray Lewis

STRANGER THAN FICTION

"Majority rule only works if you're also considering individual rights. Because you can't have five wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for supper."

Larry Flynt


I remember back in 1985 when the [then] Washington Bullets drafted Sudanese standout 7-7, Manute Bol. At the time bean pole Bol was the tallest NBA player ever.

Two years later the perennial cellar dwelling Washington Bullets Mensa management showcased their “wizardry” again when they drafted 5-foot, 3 inch Muggsy Bogues—who (to this day remains) the shortest player in NBA history. (Queue Ringling Brother’s music here)

These circus-like shenanigans prompted starting Bullet forward, Mike Giminski, to question who will Washington draft next year, “The Bearded Lady?”

Well, worry no longer Giminski, the Nation’s capital is at it again, and this time they actually drafted a woman—albeit, beard-less. (Drum roll, please) In 2008, with world peace, the economy and home foreclosures at stake, the Washington Republican team draft, Friends sitcom reject, Sarah Palin.



Yep, the McCain camp selected a scandal-ridden, snowball tossing, igloo-living, birth control-less, soccer mom, who runs a state that’s whiter than a Taye Diggs barbeque. Palin’s first order of business is to continuously jar the memory of a 72-year-old presidential hopeful, who is one horror movie scene away from an eternal soil bath.



I don’t know what it is about those “game day” Washington DC execs, but it’s clear they (at least) have a sense of humor. There is an unwritten rule in sports (and politics) that state: If you are not going to win the game, you at the very least) should make the game entertaining. I believe the GOP’s week-long celebration has eclipsed that fact. Speaking of funny, has any one seen Condi?

In a recent interview Snow White Sarah said: What exactly does a Vice President do??? Hmm, I have not seen her one page resume, but based on that answer she actually may be over-qualified for this ticket. Now then, assuming she is going through with this charade, I thought it was only fair that I post some her duties; which I obtained from an "unnamed source" that rhymes with Billary:

o Color code index cards to ensure John McCain memorizes the addresses of all his homes.
o Change the lock on the White House bar and medicine cabinet.
o Keep a fresh set of depends for long McCain trips.
o Raise the minimum wage. Once this passed, that bill will be called the “In-Law.”
o Extend a hunting invitation to Barack and Biden and forge Chaney’s signature.
o Make Eskimo Pies mandatory in all school lunch programs.
o Make sex with a 16-year-old illegal unless the teen’s mom is running for Vice President. In that case, make it illegal to discuss it.
o Attend funereal ceremonies of World Leaders that the President murdered.

Man, if I knew the only criteria for the First Lady gig was love for the outdoors and babysitting illegitimate children of teen moms, I would’ve nominated Magic City “dancer” Cinnamon Buns. Heaven knows over the years I have contributed enough to her campaign.

This race would be knee-slappin’ funny, if it were not so pain-stalking sad. As I see it, the presidential seat is to simply instill hope. And, clearly Barack read that chapter of the Ringling Brothers handbook. He is such a great politician (FYI: That’s not a compliment). The overwhelming moral duty of the president is to uphold the will of the people. Unfortunately, those people include some of my friends, who swear Barack is “The Chosen One.” Who knew God was a Democrat?

That will of the people also includes my next door neighbor; who last year, took the seats out of a rented Honda Odyssey and showed a bootleg copy of “Boomerang” on the side of their vinyl-sided house.

I had a hard time holding back the laughter during the restaurant scene when 20 Grace Joneses put their legs in Eddie Murphy’s faces at dinner. After the movie I advised my neighbor what a bad idea it was to show movies on the side of the house. She told me that it’s Black History Month..., besides that fact she told me that her Section 8 vouchers are like a Visa cards; “it’s accepted” everywhere.

The people have spoken and the Washington Minstrel Show rolls on.

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1 love,

Ray Lewis

CULTURE CLUB

"No culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive."
--Mahatma Gandhi

The western hemisphere's 2008 calendar has just reached the half way point, which metaphorically indicates that life in America is really about to heat up. Yeah. Unfortunately, for more and more U.S. residents this warmth is not always fuzzy.

The Barack Watch
Any day now Barack Obama will step to a podium near you to make his triumph speech underscoring this new & improved culture that he is attempting to bring to Washington. I wonder what side of his dark suit his flag pin will reside? I don’t know why but this ornamental presidential nominee kind of reminds me of putting pretty, decorative curtains on the window of an abandoned building. I’ll admit I am almost intrigued by the colored man’s victory and (flat-out) shocked that he only had to denounce two of his life-long friends to get there. Hell, even the Cripps had to murder a neighborhood homie for their stage credibility. Maybe world domination is different.

For now, I have all but exhausted my analysis with Washington and its cultural politics throughout this humorous race. However, Barack, if you are listening; if your intent is to re-energize my interest, you can start with painting the color of the White House.

NOTHING BUT NET

The NBA Championship between Los Angeles and Boston swings into action this week; and the Disney Network couldn’t be happier about this fairy tale ending to what is sure to be a TV ratings bonanza. This fact will be accentuated by the idling of American Idol. (Addition by subtraction I presume). Fear not hoop historians, while this series isn’t the art of wars like the battles between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson that mere fact won’t stop ABC’s parents, The Disney Company from selling it as such. After all, perception is everything, right Barack? On the court you’ll be so inundated with constant reminders of the NBA’s yesteryears, that you are liable to forget that not long ago, league MVP Kobe Bryant was sneaking up behind white girls and invading their sexual culture. Or, so I’m told. In all honesty, most of the players in this Boston/Los Angeles series are not old enough to understand what the NBA historical culture really exudes. And, for the ones that do understand this culture, David Stern made them “dress” accordingly.
It’s funny how Stern's dress code took the hip out of the hop, but still allowed Jay-Z to represent the (soon-to-be) Brooklyn Nets during the draft lottery. Stern was “masterful” in mandating the suit and ties, but, like most masters, Stern underestimated the core culture.

Jigga Man 1 Jewish Man 0

Bottoms Up
The other night I was on my way home, nodding to Meshell Ndegeocello’s new joint—which is simply sick, unless you don’t understand the black music culture. You knew they’d be one digression, huh?

In any event, there was a homeless guy petitioning for food on the corner of Spring St. and the eastbound I-20. About 50 yards to his right, there were a bunch of other men petitioning for the butt buffet at Magic City. Distracted by the “dance team” entering Atlanta’s cultural landmark, I almost ran into the back of the car in front of me that rolled down the window to give the homeless guy a case of bottled water. This transaction took long enough for me to miss the light. I turned down MeShell’s “Solomon” to attempt to ask the homeless guy why he was pouring the free water onto the pavement. Then I realized being homeless in America is still better than being a citizen in 70% of the rest of the world. The rest of my ride was fairly quiet, like the vocal roots of my culture.

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1 love,
Ray Lewis

CHANNEL ZERO

Even after all my logic and my theories, I add a mutha f@!&#, so you ignorant niggas hear me. -- Lauryn Hill The Score 1996

It’s an overcast warm April day in the “A.” Most of the half black/half “other” in the poor man’s version of Chocolate City are probably out spending their direct-deposited earnings on items that underscore why we wake during the weekdays to... fight traffic, engage in water-cooler conversations about the weekend, file paperwork, attend meetings answer phones, send emails, then break for lunch. After lunch we attend more meetings, answer more phones, and send more emails only to conclude by fighting traffic to get back to our foreclosed-riddled neighborhoods. We do this only to wake on Mondays (if you are lucky) to do it all again. We do this for the better part of our weekday lives and on our ironically touted "off days" one has to wonder is this ritual going to be the symbolic meaning for the dash on the stoned headboard, once we are laid to rest? I wonder.

The clouds will probably hide the sun for most of this spring Saturday, so I plan to buy some music, thus drowning my modern day slave wages in beats and rhymes until the gridlock forms on Monday morning. I can’t really fault my southern MASTER for this one because, unlike 200 years ago when that boat docked, I agreed to these terms, for better and for worse.

When I heard Tavis Smiley was leaving the Tom Joyner Morning Show my conflicted emotions concluded with…, hmm, didn’t Tavis agree to Uncle Tom’s terms? Besides, how bad can the traffic going to and from his Los Angeles studios to conduct a 10-minute soliloquy twice a week? It can't be much worse than being strapped to a tracking device of a 9-to-5? I sometimes wonder why corporate America spends so much time and money monitoring and recording what I do at work, when I am seated in an open cube. As usual I digress.


You can record Tavis’ commentary in an open forum around 8:24am EST on Tuesdays and Thursdays (until the ink on his resignation dries in mid June). Word on the wire is, Smiley got tired of Joyner’s empty-headed audience throwing darts at his Obama theories. Smiley’s tireless efforts to get his people (my people) to start using their heads for something other than a hat rack drove him to resign from his twice weekly moral monolog, according to Joyner. Smiley's open criticism of Barack Obama’s illusive attendance at the Tavis' black agenda revivals and townhall meetings drove a wedge between Tavis and the black audience from Joyner’s jovial congregation. I imagine nothing hurts a parent more than a life-long commitment of protection only to find out your child touched the stove once your back was turned. That pain accelerates when the child grows up and questions the parents’ intent from the start. That must hurt more than slavery itself.

Brotha Tavis, I think it is important to note that your agenda goes against the very grain of the media platform on which you stand. The reason your broadcasting check has so many zeros is the financial advertising rewards from the black radio format that is sweeping the country like toxins in meat. For a minute, forget the Ringling Brothers Circus you resigned from (at least J. Anthony Brown is funny). Take for example, “The People Station” in Atlanta. This V-103 morning show staff consists of 2 chimps and an unfunny cross-dresser — the latter being slightly redundant. You can fill Phillips Arena 20 times and New Birth twice with the sub zero IQ levels in that Peachtree booth. V-103's illiterate news, the retarded rhetoric, and the poisonous music rotation makes Tom, Sybil, J, and Ms. Dupree seem like Cornell West students. I cannot tell you how many people have kicked me out of their black community forums for expressing my disdain for V-103. And, I will never resign from my commentary until black radio begins to address: real musicians, the housing crises / predatory lending, the origin behind the AIDS virus, world banks (not just the one’s that financed 911), immigration, cloned cows, chicken shacks, check cashing booths, bar coded currency, V-Chips, recording contracts, healthcare, reparations, and Hollywood---and this is just my Black History Month agenda. It'll be hard to listen to a Chingy song after that conversation, huh?

The black radio apathy doesn't stop here, my brother. Travel to any city in Black Town USA and you’ll find the same black radio ritual with a Hot so-and-so, a Quiet this-and-that, Kiss what-not, or a Smooth jazz joint that rotates Kenny G residuals.


The one commonality with all of these stations is, some rich, fat white guy named Bob reclined in a long-back, leather swivel seat setting the black agendas and ignoring my black history demands. This man reaches WAY more black people than you or I combined. Furthermore, he pays some of these hot air personalities 10 times what Uncle Tom pays you. How else can you get a conscious black person to play a song like "The Hoe Is Mine" 30 times and never play a joint by Pharoahe Monch or Mos Def or Donnie or..



The fact of the matter is Mr. Charlie autographs the bottom of the checks and is controlling the strings on the top of this Universal Soul Circus called black radio. Mr. Charlie is kind enough to beep-out the “N” word from most of the Hoe songs.., ‘cause, he wouldn’t want to offend you. Naturally, Tavis, if you come to the black radio meetings on Tuesday and Thursday questioning or upsetting the white man’s agenda (which includes Barack), well you are going to face some hurdles. Not from the white man, but from the black man.. like the one who pulled the trigger on Malcolm. (see why I am not invited to cookouts anymore?).

Tavis, if you are listening black people love Barack and there is nothing you can say to change that fact. Those minds are made up. Period. The only time you will see any progress is when the burn from the hot stove fries their flesh. Just imagine the pain when our people find out that a parent's hug or kiss and a handful of coco butter won’t make that four-year ailment disappear.

And, now a word from our sponsors.

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1 love,

Ray Lewis

W.W.O.D.?

“The most essential ingredient in politics is sincerity and the sooner you learn to fake it, the more successful you’ll be.”

DEAR BARACK:
What’s going on man, this is Ray Lewis. Nah, not that one, but that’s funny though. I am far from the Ravens’ Ray, in fact, the last time I was in a limo (of any kind) was to bury my Aunt Vicky who raised me like one of her own sons. You see, Barack that’s how black folks are doing it in these parts. You may want to mention that to the bias media jockin’ you and Tiger, while clutching their purse when I get in the elevator. Oddly, this floral love fest with you is not just the media.

If my Aunt Vic was still here I am sure she would love you too. She would be no different than the slave ships of black folks that “pledge their allegiance” to you as well. Barack can you believe that one brotha told me that you were The Chosen One. Yep, just like Gandhi, Martin or well, you know Who. For the life of me Barack, I cannot figure out why my people feel so strongly about a man they hardly know, yet half of these same people don’t even speak to their neighbors. I am really puzzled by that, hence this letter to you. Barack, I simply want to know What Will Obama Do? I hope you don’t mind me calling you Barack.., after all, I hear your name mentioned so much in my circles I should probably call you dad.

When I am done I hope that you have the "audacity" to answer some burning questions that I have and (questions) your rock star-like fan base have a difficult time articulating (at least to my satisfaction). Sometimes, Barack these community forum debates— that border on civil disturbances—get so ugly that I have to walk away.

For example, one day I was in the barbershop and asked this hypothetical question:


What if Obama is a sly product of Karl Rove’s twisted, yet extremely effective, political strategy to keep “their man” (who just happens to look like one of us) in the Oval Office? I thought it was a fair question—one that I’d be curious to hear about your retort. Nevertheless, the barber I posed the question to called me Willie Lynch!! Can you believe that? Between you and me I knew he read about Willie Lynch from a car flyer the week before, but I was still almost offended. I was happy that he used his prior week’s street knowledge to mount his weak defense. After all, Barack, for some of us flyers are the only true form of education we have. I hope you address that on your road to the riches.

BACK AT THE SHOP

At this point it didn’t even matter that the barber didn’t know who Karl Rove was. But that’s what I am trying to tell you, Barack; I haven’t seen this much defense since the O.J. trial. In this barbershop it is now harder to find an O.J. supporter than it is to find a monogamous governor. Did you ever think that the annual Freaknik Fest would’ve moved from the Atlanta city streets to mayor and governor’s offices in New York? This CHANGE you speak about has many subplots, huh? As I digress.

Barack, how’s the wife doing? I ask because (at times) it seems like this campaigning is really getting to her.

I know she is strong and no matter what happens she's already elevated the First Lady's dress code. But take a minute and find out for me how she’s doing. Never mind us, Barack take care of her. Michelle seems cool to me.

Anyway, man I know you are are busy so I am going to wrap it up soon, but I have a few more really important questions to ask. Is that okay with you?


After you announced that you were officially running for office… how did you get the security detail from the alphabet bureau – headed by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff? Are you telling me the same Michael Chertoff (who was then Head of FEMA) and stood idle as black folks were washed ashore during hurricane Katrina is now in the business of protecting black folk’s lives? Come Barack, talk to me. If you don't want to answer that one, please tell me how Chertoff got a promotion after the genocide in Katrina? This change is really confusing me, man.

I also want to know, why you keep telling people that you are going to pull the troops out of Iraq and America still occupies every single war region that was fought by our military. Every one. If you win the nomination, please don’t play that card with McCain. He only looks stupid. I know he is a republican, but you may want to two-way Colin should that debate arise.

Can you please tell me what is going to happen to the people (like me) that simply refuse to put the V-Chip in their arm?



I am curious why do we need new borders in Mexico and not Canada? I know it has to be way more complicated than Mexicans look like you and Canadians look more like the Kennedy’s? Talk to me man, becuase secretly, Barack I am rooting for you. Just don't tell my people in the shop, becuase debating with them about you means more CNN and less BET and I can't thank you enough for that. FYI: Bob Johnson is an ass isn't he? You know, if you look real close at Chelsea Clinton's kinky hair...

Seriously though, I hear that banks are gearing up for the market collapse. Did you hear that? Once the currency fails, the government will institute the long-awaited Point System, so they can LITERARILY track every financial move made in the country. So, if you are not in the system you are done. And, if you are in the “system” you are really finished. Talk to me, man cause the people in the shop are voting because you are black and articulate. Personally, that offends me more than the Willie Lynch comment.

Finally, man, if Karl’s Klan is not behind you and you win the nomination, I will be the second to congratulate you after Michelle. However, if the market collapses, the troops stay in Iraq, and gas hits $6 dollars a gallon – all on your watch in the Oval Office, do you think many black or white people will remember your DNC speech?
I know the staff at the Cash N’ Carry barbershops won’t remember, because with this pending Points System implementation cash-only businesses will be the first to go.
On your trip to the White House., you may want to holla at them...

They'll need a change.

'Assalamu Alaikum

please click on (WWOD) blog title to view video

1 love,

Ray Lewis

Disclaim HER

Who wants to be well-adjusted to injustice? -- Cornell West



The eagerly awaited, long anticipated new joint from the Princess of peace, Erykah Badu officially dropped in an unrehearsed 37th birthday gift to herself. This CD,... in a word is BANGIN’. But, before you cash in your Bush swindled refund check to add the new Erykah to your collection... We must do a little housekeeping first.

We are going to blow-up all the conflicting CDs in your collection. Now then, you will need some lighter fluid, a ski mask, gloves, goggles and roughly 1/16 of an acre... which is significantly less than Spike’s 40. Ready? Walk outside and start your large bonfire – be extra careful if you have a perm. Once the fire hits 2-story proportions, empty any (and all) of the following casually-termed music from your collection. Let’s start with: Destiny’s Children (even the ones with Michele), next up, P-Don’t He, Jermaine Dupri(hold on to the flicks of Janet), Ashanti, Clingy, the Ding Dong Twins, Keisha Cole, Akon, J. "I wish his birth were a" Holiday, Mario, Rhianna, Trey Songz, Robin Thicke (put his wife's pictures in that pile with Janet's). Okay, we are almost there. Toss in Chris Brown, Chrisette Michele, and Chris Cringle..., wait… we need something really flammable!! Ah, toss-in Tyler Perry….. ah, the soundtrack. Now that's a fire!! Now that the flame is really hot, go back inside and insert Erykah. Common & Andre use your discretion.

The new millennium musical mix of Nina Simone/ Billie Holiday/ and the early Ms. Hill is back with her fourth show-stopper entitled,
New Amerykah (Pt. 1: 4th World War).



If you haven’t bought a book in a while, skip this purchase (why break the cycle), just rent some rims. For me the true mark of a great artist is their continued growth, the artist’s non-conforming fear of radio asylum and the ability to preach and teach and deliver a head-nodding outreach. Badu may be underrated by those standards. Badu says her motivation for this one is quite simple: “It’s hard to enjoy the fruits of my labor when so many people are suffering.” So this CD is an attempt to address both issues. You can spend an hour on the artwork and the rest of the day digesting the lyrics. The sublets are numerous…, for example, the "radio friendly" single, “Honey” isn’t even listed on the CD cover. And, I thought I hated commercial radio.

The roof rattling, rebel-rousing street anthem “Soldier” is my absolute favorite joint on this 11 track dynamo (12 if you count Honey). Badu says she doesn’t write solutions because she is not qualified. But, she continued, let’s at least get organized and say… “How many people want to change?” That was the philosophical approach and premise of Soldier. Mission accomplished.

In a year where pacifist are torn between the hand-plucked choices of Barack and Hilary, Badu unleashes a gem that underscores that it not enough to have choices – but more important to create them.

please click on blog title for bonus track


1 love,
Ray Lewis

BLACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

“When elephants and donkeys fight, it’s the grass that suffers.”


It's official this year, Iowans have officially elected more Black presidential candidates than they have lynched — but it is only January. Nevertheless, the Barack bandwagon is getting fairly crowded and unlike most, I have some reservations. It’s nothing personal; in fact, I like the brother with the big- bootied wife. My concerns have varied layers.

A) I am always leery of Black folks that white people tote: O.J., Tiger, BET’s Bob “The Hoe is Mine” Johnson, and Al “This Neck of the Woods” Roker... just to name a few.

B) I would love to know who is in charge of the PR machine that is pulling the strings on B-Diddy’s puppet show. I won’t even mention where his money is being laundered. Now I could be just suffering from political paranoia—but that doesn’t mean someone is trying to get US to drink the Kool-Aid. For the sake of argument, let’s assume Barack is in fact who he claims to be — I’d be the first to help him pick his White House team. You may want to close your door for this one.


Press Secretary, Tavis Smiley

What Tavis lacks in cool points he more than makes up for with his credible insight. He is the only chit-chat host on TV that has interviewed T.I., (former) Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Mos Def and Babyface with the greatest of ease.


Vice President, Colin Powell.

This move can only be surmised as addition by subtraction. Aside from his (still) very credible military experience — imagine the faces at the Bush dinner table when this news hits the Vodka cabinet?



U.S. Secretary of Education, Cornell West.

The baggy pants fad will take a back seat (so to speak) to this educational wonder's low maintenance hair style. West’s approach to religion, humanitarian studies and sociological and economic empowerment will be refreshing no matter who is in the Oval chair — Barack just underscores this Black movement that has been idle long enough. A portion of West’s responsibility is to overhaul the arts & sciences taught from pre-school 'til the tassells sway in high school. I have added Bradford Marsalis and Spike Lee to round-out this all-star trio. And now, for once in our lifetime our school daze will be on pace to do the right thing.


Federal Communication Commission, Londell McMillan.

Entertainment extraordinaire is the Brooklyn-bred brother that gave Prince his creative freedom (back) just in time to sell his music via the internet long before the birth of an ipod or MAC-10. McMillan’s Spook Who Sat By the Door approach to the music industry could make author William C. Cooper (Behold a Pale Horse) shiver. His checkmate foresight includes an artist coalition campaign to start a 401k and health and benefit plans for artists who typically live rich and die broke. His humble industry moves speak louder than the voices that he represents. When it’s all said and done Londell will be the Nelson Mandela of this crack game neatly disguised as commercial radio.

Add AOL/Time Warner/Turner CEO Richard Parsons to Londell’s camp. Parsons can finally end his Turner reign with a quote from Ice Cube: “How can you be a Nigga for life crew/ with a white Jew/ telling you what to do?”

Secretary of Commerce, Earl Graves.

After the assassination of former Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, I am not so sure the Black Enterprise founder will welcome this challenge without a vest. But, like most great leaders sometimes you are not asked to lead — but your exemplary skills make the choice that much easier.

Fifty years ago one would think that the above-mentioned team is just a fictional tale from the crypt. Well, today this very black author is writing this piece from the heart of Stone Mountain.

Thanks Dr. King - I know you are listening. Have a happy birthday.

[click on the Black By Popular Demand] title for bonus track.
1 love,
Ray Lewis