"The DONkey IgnoraMUS
and the Elephant"
Copyright © 2007 - 2010 by Stan Daniels,
Editor,
Urban Cartographer Online
The "DONkey IgnoraMUS" statement was made on
the 39th anniversary of the murder and assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the 35th anniversary of the death of
Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. who were Champions of Human Rights and proclaimers of the Good News of the love of God for
all of humanity.
The infamous abusive remarks let the "elephant" of awareness about widespread media abuse out of the room.
That "elephant" threatens to trample the cash cow of ill gotten gain by the conglomerates that have a stranglehold
on so much of the airwaves and entertainment industries.
The issue of abuse of the public airwaves in the greedy pursuit of excess profits has been raised by many people for several
years.
Persons who overlook the fact that responsibility is inseparable from freedom ought to consider the fact that people have
always been held accountable for the consequences of their actions.
What might happen to someone who falsely shouts "fire" in a crowded theater or, in this post September 11, 2001
world, "hijack" or "bomb" on a crowded airplane?
We do NOT suggest that anyone try it!
Decades before the present media and entertainment fueled "ball of confusion," there were clear warnings of
impending danger from many people.
  
Among them Malcolm X issued many clear wake up calls and Martin Luther
King, Jr repeatedly challenged people to think. Both urged constructive action.
The renowned call-out from Malcolm X rings just as true today as when he first proclaimed it: "You've been hoodwinked.
You've been had. You've been took. You've been led astray . . . You've been bamboozled!"
This was long before the "Ghetto Dogs" (howling, scowling, growling and prowling), and other walking and talking weapons of mass destruction and suicidal havoc were unleashed on many unsuspecting communities and families.
Ossie Davis, the world famous and respected actor and his wife and acting partner, Ruby Dee, helped to open doors and widen
horizons for Black people on stage and screen.
They fought zealously for Human Rights from Washington to Hollywood.
Ossie Davis gave the
Eulogy for Malcolm X.
When the couple was honored at the Kennedy Center in December, 2004, Ossie Davis stated:
"We knew that every time we got a job and every time we were onstage, America was looking to make judgments about all
black folks on the basis of how you looked, how you sounded, how you carried yourself. So any role you had was a role that
was involved in the struggle for black identification. You couldn't escape it."
Artists and entertainers have had a major impact on societies throughout history.
Whether the influence was positive or negative depended on the message being proclaimed.
Adolph Hitler used musicians and artists to help mobilize millions of his followers into heinous acts of genocide and mass
murder.
He and the Nazis effectively used the communications media to sway the population to move in the directions they wanted.
On the other hand, art and entertainment media can be powerful forces for liberation, education and human progress.
Many artists and entertainers supported the freedom movement for Human Rights during the Mighty Times portrayed in the documentary movie
about the legacy of Rosa Parks.
There was a message in and from the community that clearly demanded
"R-E-S-P-E-C-T !"
"Back in the 'Day',"
Before education became a "white
thang."
Photograph copyright © 1964 - 2010 by Stan Daniels,
Editor,
Urban Cartographer Online
Perhaps an updated sign could read
"My mother's not a 'B'
My sister's not a 'ho'
Please don't step with that to me
And you'll stay up off the 'flo'"
From WASH Your Dirty Laundry!
© 2005 - 2010 by Stan Daniels,
Editor,
Urban Cartographer Online
People in the African American community have been making outstanding
progress for many decades.
Such leading publications as The Network Journal, Jet, Crisis, Ebony, Final Call, Essence and Black Enterprise have often reported and featured these achievements.
Creative problem solvers and activists have developed such advances as the Millions More Movement and the Covenant with Black America in constructive
response to contemporary challenges.
Unfortunately, however, far too many people have swallowed the poisoned "Kool-Aid" from irresponsible and
greedy segments of the media.
As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. so eloquently observed: "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance
and conscientious stupidity."
They have produced in their own localities a Hot
Ghetto Mess to the detriment and endangerment of everyone.
Concerned educators point out alarming statistics that describe the emergence of a new "middle passage."
With
more African Americans presently entering jails and prisons than colleges and universities, by the year 2020, if current
trends continue, more Black males will be imprisoned in the United States than were held in bondage during slavery.
This
21st Century version of America's "Peculiar Institution" is fully allowable under the Thirteenth Amendment.
It
simply spells out the conditions that permit slavery and involuntary servitude.
When this is considered along with personal and public health concerns resulting from
current behavioral issues, major calamities loom ahead.
In the old German legend, the "Pied Piper of Hamelin" lured the children away because he was not compensated
for getting rid of the rats.
In the contemporary (or should it be contemptible) American perversion, the very well compensated "Paid Poopers
of hambone" are rats because they are luring the children away to death and self destruction of their own
communities!
Did you ever wonder how black folks got to America in chains in the first place?
In response to these and other crises, people in several cities are acting to recapture their culture and heritage from the
interlopers and terrorists who have hijacked major segments of the entertainment media and others who place future
generations in serious jeopardy.
"Welcome to Urban America"
Illustration courtesy of
Rob Lawlor, Philadelphia Daily News,
Interclub Coaches Association &
Intercity Sports Review Online
Reprinted with permission.
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
Washington DC
Washington DC
Intercity Community Affairs
and More
Click to join Intercity Community Affairs
"WONDERS NEVER CEASE!"
Recently, while reading incoming items at our world news desk, the Editor
nearly fell out of his chair.
If as many people who are concerned about the Governor not buckling his seat
belt were as concerned with Imus not buckling his mouth, this would be a much better and safer planet with far fewer
"inconvenient truths."
--30--
The Editor
Please check back often for updates on this developing story.
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