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Editor's Note:

Humanity is unique among earth's creatures in having the freedom to choose courses of action and either reap and/or pass on the consequences of those choices to fellow inhabitants and future generations on this planet.

Perhaps this fact presents the greatest agony to the God of Abraham Who has repeatedly pleaded with and urged humanity to "choose life" and yet has had to allow events to unfold within His sovereign parameters unless He merely wished to create robots.

Please be among those choosing life.

Your work shall not be in vain since the Scriptures confirm that those who do choose life shall win in the end.

Yes, Jesus loves YOU!

The Bible tells me so.

--30--

The Editor



 Copyright © 2007
Urban Cartographer Online

OFFERING RECONCILIATION

The "Offering Reconciliation" Project
The "Offering Reconciliation" Project, initiated by the Israeli Friends of the Family Forum
presents to the public at large, the idea of reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians through Art.
Please Read More

News Item:
In one of America's major cities,
3 and 1/2 years after
Bill Cosby caught unmerciful grief for his
"Pound Cake" comments
lifted wildly out of context by the media and critics,

An Updated Report

The 21st Century KKK

"KIDS KILLING KIDS"
( - Rev. Vernon Williams)

"Welcome to Urban America" 

1974 Illustration courtesy of
Rob Lawlor, Philadelphia Daily News,
Interclub Coaches Association & Intercity Sports Review Online
Reprinted with permission.

Since most of the material on this page was originally published -
The following May 2011 CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) report reveals:

Gun Crime Among 10-19 Year Olds
Higher Than Any Other Age Group in the USA!

More firearm homicides were carried out by 10 to 19 year old Americans in metropolitan areas than all the other ages, the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) report issued by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has revealed.

The firearm homicide rate in the USA compared to other developed nations is alarming.

Firearm homicide rates per 100,000 people:
USA - 4.2
which is
5 times the rate of Italy which is 0.81
10 times the rate of Canada which is 0.4
12 times the rate of Finland which is 0.35
17 times the rate of Australia which is 0.24
20 times the rate of France which is .21
28 times the rate of England/Wales which is 0.15
70 times the rate of Scotland which is 0.06
and 210 times the rate of Japan which is 0.02

Please Read More Here

With the complete report Here

Image © 1986, 1996, 1998 Interclub Coaches Association
Reprinted with permission.

Unless you get your spiritual self together, you ain't going to beat it.

Unless you get your spiritual self together - because we're not just flesh and blood, we are spiritual beings.

Unless you get that part of yourself together you're not going to beat this.

Unless you recognize the fact that you're a spiritual being, unless you recognize the fact that before you even heard of drugs, especially before you started doing them, you were living, you had a life, and you were going along with your program and you were doing what you do and all that.

William "Smokey" Robinson
on the Tavis Smiley program
March 1, 2011

Become a Peacemaker!

You can help by standing strong
with a sustaining presence.

 

10,000 Men - A Call to Action

For more information
call 215-731-0541.
Kenny Gamble & Bill Cosby

Over 10,000 Black Men Answer Call

Black Men Answer Call

"A lie can get halfway around the world
before the truth can even get its boots on."
- Mark Twain

The "Good Book"
&
Media Responsibility?

Please read and consider

Exodus 20:16
&
Proverbs 12:17-23
&
Ephesians 4:29

As world events unfold before our very eyes, it would do us all well to consider the consequences of our words and actions and govern our lives accordingly.

The "people of the Book" who worship the God of Abraham in the Judeo-Christian-Islamic community should always remember our accountability and responsibilities to a "Higher Authority" - the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe.

Community Protests BET Event

Black Entertainment Television is coming under under increasing scrutiny by members of the community portrayed in its programs.

On Saturday night, (January 12, 2008) the Rev. Delman Coates, pastor of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, Maryland, and his organization bused several hundred people into the District of Columbia to protest the "BET Honors Awards Show," at the Warner Theater.

Please read more here

and check out the comment below.

"I attended the protest as well and was so glad I did!
The turnout was great and I know the message was heard loud and clear!
BET and networks like it need to get their acts together.
Its time we start demanding programming that truly represents the community and consumer and that's not only entertaining but socially responsible.
Put some clothes on those women in the videos.
Stop playing videos and music that encourages social intolerance, hate, drugs, violence, and disrespect of our women and communities.

I admire the diligence and dedication of this campaign effort.
If we had more of that in our community with other things, God knows where we would be today.
Kudos to you all and thank you for taking a stand for our young people!!
Corporations have a responsibility to us as consumers and its high time they are called on their 'foolishness' (saw that on a shirt).
Its not as simple as just changing the channel.
That will not solve the problem.
Keep up the good work everyone!

-Your Philadelphia area supporters...God Bless you all!!"

Please read more here

Pressure is forcing changes at BET

Opponents of Viacom-owned Black Entertainment Television
programming and web offerings have taken their fight to advertisers.
Please read more here

RAPPERS EXPOSED:

THE LIES THAT 50 CENT, T.I,
SNOOP AND OTHERS
TELL OUR KIDS

New York City rapper releases video that brings the truth about Hip-Hop into schools

and, talks to 6th and 7th graders about the lies of popular rappers, their lyrics,

and the negative influence of the music they listen to.

Lavoisier

(Queens, New York December 8, 2007)-- It's no secret that Rap is under fire these days, and artists that glorify illegal drug sales, violence, and misogyny are being called into account for their lyrics. Despite the best efforts of national icons like Oprah Winfrey and forums held by Congress to address the situation, the most effective voice to speak out against rappers might come from the most unlikely of places: A Rapper.

"Everybody in the hood is not (a) gangster. It goes back to music: they want to be what they hear, so they put on an act," says a 6th grader from the Trey Whitfield Academy in Brooklyn, NY. She along with other 6th and 7th graders were being interviewed by rap artist, Lavoisier, for their perspective on the state of Hip-Hop. Lavoisier quickly points out that while many try to emulate rappers, the rappers themselves don't live up to the lifestyles that they glorify in their songs.

"They're lying to somebody. Either they're lying to you on the record, or they're lying to the media to protect their integrity when they say it's only music and not real." As Lavoisier speaks, the kids are all ears, being made well aware of Lavoisier's own history as a former drug dealer and gang member from the streets of Coney Island, NY. His bold approach and willingness to name names has earned him the nickname "The Rap Terrorist", and he lives up to the title, schooling youngsters in this classroom project.

The footage has been compiled into a scathing 15 minute documentary which includes song and video quotes from rappers such as 50 Cent and T.I. The video is steadily gaining attention on internet platforms such as YouTube and MySpace.

Lavoisier is signed to independent record label, AOmega Global Military, and he has appeared on BET's airing of the "Higher Ground" documentary, while his music has been featured on soundtracks and national compilations distributed by Sony/BMG in upwards of 180,000 copies. He is frequently called upon to speak at jails, schools, detention centers and churches to hold seminars and give lectures on the influences of hip-hop culture. The classroom video can be viewed at: www.aomegamusic.com

For more information on this topic and interviews with Lavoisier, please contact Sonia Cornerstone at 347.328.3085 or email Sonia at Soniacecily@aomegamusic.com

Editor's Note:

With the possible exception of such others on the domestic "front lines" as school teachers and public safety (police, fire and emergency medical) personnel, our mayors are in the best position to really see "what's going on" in our communities.
It would do us all well to at least listen to and consider what they say.

From More Than 350 Cities

CONCERNED MAYORS
SPEAK OUT!

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy speaks during a press conference regarding gun legislation with members of Mayors Against lllegal Guns in City Hall Council Chambers.

Pictured with the Mayor (from left) are Parsippany Mayor Michael Luther, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Mayor Healy, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.

Neighborhoods or "Hood" Neighbors?

A Mystery Solved?!?

"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous
than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."

- Dr Martin Luther King, Jr  (1963)

The fatally violent "DRINK, EAT & KILL" tragedy described in news items above, from which this page derives part of its title, occured in a curious milieu.

It is reported that the party was one of a series of nightly events that had been occuring on several consecutive days.

A notable feature of the late night assemblies was the persistant presence of loud "gansta rap" songs during each of the affairs.

(The public schools in that municipality were closed for a week long recess.
Conspicuously absent at the "thug parties" were Asian and Caribbean young people.
They must have been at the library like the high school student who informed the Editor about the school closings.)

What part, if any, did the entertainment media play in the outrageous incident?

How much do the messages of the songs have to do with the de-stabilization of many families, communities and societies around the world?

Please read an eye opening four-part series concerning hip hop and violence for some food for thought.

It was a
CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)
documentary.

It may still be available if you
search the Internet.

"Liberate the minds of men and ultimately
you will liberate the bodies of men."

- Marcus Garvey 

Listen to

                    A Message in the MUSIC                                         A Message in the MUSIC                                         A Message in the MUSIC                                         A Message in the MUSIC                                         A Message in the MUSIC

“Heal This Land I Call Home”

SOME TIMELY THOUGHTS

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Reflections of Then and Now"

An icon of the Human Rights movement gives some helpful insight worth considering today.
An Interview with
Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth

"Is Bill Cosby Right?"

Journalist Juan Williams offers a bold critique:
There's a crisis in the community, and all of us (especially the church) have a role to play in healing the damage.
Christianity Today Interview
with Edward Gilbreath

COMMENTARY:
Bill Cosby’s New Book

"Come On, People"
Review by: Joseph C. Phillips,
BlackAmericaWeb.com
"Come On, People"
Akin to Marcus Garvey’s Appeal,
"Up, You Mighty Race".
Please Read More

"From Auction Block to Hip Hop"

From Auction Block to Hip Hop asks how far will one Hip Hop mogul go selling stereotypes of Black, Latina and Asian women of color in his chase for the almighty dollar.
Read More Here

Nearly three years before
the world famous
Bill Cosby Speech
of May 17, 2004

Minister Louis Farrakhan
Challenged the Hip Hop community
to Accept the Responsibilities
of Leadership

at the Hip Hop Summit
in June of 2001!

NEWS EXTRA!

 

Concerned persons are actively
making a difference for the better
in many communities, including:

Atlanta

Atlanta

Baltimore

Camden

Chicago

Chicago

Detroit

Detroit

Jersey City

Los Angeles

Montgomery

Montreal

Newark

Newark

Newark

New York City

New York City

New York City

Philadelphia

Philadelphia

Philadelphia

San Francisco

Washington DC

Washington DC

Intercity Community Affairs
and More

Click to join Intercity Community Affairs

Become a Peacemaker!

You can help by standing strong
with a sustaining presence.

 

10,000 Men - A Call to Action

For more information
call 215-731-0541.
Kenny Gamble & Bill Cosby

Over 10,000 Black Men Answer Call

Black Men Answer Call

Rev. Al Sharpton:
" 'Reach up' to stem violence"
Read More Here

More updates are coming soon.

Bill Cosby’s New Book

"Come On, People"



Learn more and/or order Bill Cosby's book
from the Official Bill Cosby Web site.

A Message For These Times

See, what God is saying to us today, through the -- through the transition of Coretta Scott King, is that we, here in this world, right now, are suffering from a -- complications of cancer, from materialism, and -- and greed, and -- and selfishness, and arrogance, and elitism, and poverty, and racism, and perversion, and obscenity, and misogyny. and idolatry, and violence, and militarism.

It's a cancer that's eating away at the very essence and the nature of what God created human -- humankind to be, for, he created us to have rulership in and dominion in the earth, and not allow the earth to dictate to us.

But, now, what has happened... ... is that the very earth, the very creation that he put us in charge of, is now controlling us.

And instead of us reproducing other people who look like God, who talk like God, who act like God, who think like God, who do business like God, who govern like God, who entertain like God, we're not reproducing anything, because the cancer is eating away at us.

He's saying, roles have reversed. Creation has become your king, instead of you being the king, he said, because the very trees that I created for you, instead of you having dominion and authority over them, they are now dictating how your families look, how your friendships look, how your governments look, how your media and entertainment industry look, how your youth population looks, because, in fact, money is made from trees.

And the Bible says that the love of money, not money itself -- see, God didn't have a problem with leaving us riches and -- and wealth -- of -- of materials and resources. He doesn't have a problem with billionaires and millionaires.

In fact, God has left enough for everybody to be a billionaire, in fact. What he has problem with is our affinity to, our loyal to, our soul tied to money in such a way that the love has overtaken us, and now we have escalating divorce rates. And now we have people doing violent things in the street.

He's saying, now we have people that their only preoccupation is, how can I make more money? And he interjected Martin in time to tell America, there is a danger when you become a thing-oriented society, rather than a people-oriented society.

So, Coretta Scott King's transition is calling for a new birth.

And we missed it. We missed the fact that the one who really caught the heart and the spirit of Dr. King and wouldn't let us forget time and time again, as you saw on the video, that it's either nonviolence or nonexistence, that was Coretta Scott King.

She held it down. God gave her the grace to be able to live as long as she did.

And, when she transitioned, she transitioned to a better place. But she left us, as Joshua did with the children of Israel, with this question, or statement: Choose ye this day.

And, if I might abbreviate for her, which way you gonna live?

From
Elder Bernice King's 

Eulogy for Coretta Scott King

February 7, 2006

WHICH WAY YOU GONNA LIVE?