Love Jones

As I sit and enjoy my summer or lack thereof, I began to realize that many of the people I’ve grown up with or knew from school are either married, getting married, or recently engaged. Now this is all fine and dandy being that we are all 25+, but now I’m constantly getting asked the question (mainly by my mother) when I’m going to join the club. At first I had a slight mid- life crisis before the mid-life, but then I realized it’s all about timing. And right now it’s obviously not my time to be in a relationship (or married). Right now I have tunnel vision, well really I just want finish Graduate school, every time Sallie emails me I get depressed all over again. *sigh* (college students feel me). I’ve come to realize the value that higher education has on a young African-American woman like myself. I figure at the right time everything relationship wise will fall into place. Don’t get me wrong, there is someone I'm interested in, but once again timing is everything. We are both focused on being successful in our own right, can’t argue with that, right? Who wants to be with someone that hasn’t accomplished anything, dreams are great, but at some point you need to show some results.

Marriage is something that I only want to go through once. So many couples rush to jump the broom, but never take the time to truly get to know the person they are marrying. With an extremely high divorce rate, I feel it’s only right to have a marriage that is a success story versus just another statistic. Many studies have suggested that not only are less African-American couples getting married, but more are also getting divorced. The reason behind the high divorce rate is the lack of education amongst married African-American couples. The lack of education leads to money issues, which is a very prominent reason for couples getting divorced. Although I think the logic behind African-American couples divorcing is very true, more African-American couples are being educated now than ever before. So will this hopefully change the divorce rates among African-American couples, since many studies show that the lack of education plays a large role, let’s hope so! So maybe when the time is right I'll be in a relationship of my own. Who knows, one day I too will join the club. At least now I understand that it’s okay to have tunnel vision and focus on accomplishing goals, as long as time doesn’t slip away.

So ladies (and gentlemen), I have to ask, what are your thoughts on marriage within the African-American community? Do you feel that more or less marriages are succeeding?

Congratulations to all those mature enough to take the next step!

Britt Daise
Urban Echelon Magazine & BlogSpot

Twitter: thisisbee

Sixty Years and We’re Still Fighting

This Saturday marks the 60th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, this landmark ruling struck down school segregation and marked a major turning point in the civil rights movement. For African-American’s this meant that we could be afforded the same educational opportunities as our Caucasian counterparts, right? Wrong. Although that’s what Brown v. Board of Education set out to do, in many situations and in many inner cities it did just the opposite. President Obama admits that we still have issues of segregation within our education system. President Obama was quoted as saying, "we must continue striving toward equal opportunities for all our children, from access to advanced classes to participation in the same extracurricular activities," Obama wrote. "Because when children learn and play together, they grow, build, and thrive together."

You can either agree or disagree, but the facts are on the table. In larger inner cities where there is a higher concentration of minorities many students are moved from one failing school to another. Then you have this aspect of gentrification, where a large influx of higher salaried and educated people move into these declining neighborhoods leading to property taxes being raised and the poor being forced out. So where are these people forced to go? It’s simple, to another declining neighborhood where they can afford to live that has an equally declining school system.  Many inner city schools lack the proper funding, and many extracurricular programs are forced to be dropped.  Many of these extracurricular programs such as art, music, and/or sports are the reason many inner city students flourish in schools. When we take this programs out of the schools we lose talents, what I mean by this is many students don’t find school appealing anymore they give up on their talent of playing piano, because without the music class at school they would not be able to afford the lessons.

On the surface many typically do not think about whether schools are segregated or whether every child is afforded the same education as a child living in a school district where all the houses are $500,000 plus, but this is something that we (by “we” I mean our minority population) need to step up and fight for equality within our school systems, especially in our inner cities. These kids do not deserve to get these inexperienced teachers, lack of funding which leads to the cutting of many programs. They deserve to have nice classrooms, with up to date textbooks, everyone issued a brand new Apple IPad to do their work on, and the opportunity to play lacrosse if their heart desires (amongst other things).

 In 2013, the NationalAssessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) took a selected group of 12^th graders in order to see if they were at or above the “Proficient” level for Mathematics and Reading. In both subjects Blacks and Hispanics (minorities) had a drastically lower percentage and were not deemed at or above the “Proficient” level as their Asian and White counterparts. Could this be as a result of the minority groups not understanding the material (which goes back to the school system and its teachers)? Or maybe an issue of less minority parents completing the high school level, which would put them in a better position to help their children? Either way, the gap in the inequalities of education received among students within the United States is at an all-time high. It seems as if history is either repeating itself or this generation has never stood up to the rights which were granted to us in the Brown v. Board of Education decision. Change will only come if we continue to voice our opinion in numbers versus sitting back and allowing this landmark case to dwindle between the cracks.

So I have to ask, how far do you think we've come since the landmark decision?

Britt Daise

Urban Echelon Magazine & Blogspot

Twitter: thisisbee

Useful links:

USA Today

The End of an Era: Racial Implications, The NBA and Oakland

This morning I was on Facebook, just checking on my notification and doing a lot of thinking. I share a lot of different things that I feel are important on my page and every once and a while there may be a debate started on my page. I recently posted an article that was attempting to explain the logic and benefits of the Golden State Warriors firing a fan and player favorite, Coach Mark Jackson. This relief of his duties came off the brink of a 50+ win season and 2 straight playoff appearances. The Warriors were in fact a laughable team before Mark Jackson that achieved this in just his 3rd season of ever being a head coach. Mark Jackson was known for his cool demeanor and faith based approach that may have rubbed some players the wrong way such as Warriors Center Andrew Bogut. This approach was not an issue of most players in the locker room but the Mark Jackson and the Warrior Management did not see eye to eye. Despite becoming a decent seed in the extremely talented western conference, achieving 50+ wins and having franchise changing coaching career... Mark Jackson still knew his job was on the line. No matter what he achieved.

When I posted the article, I thought nothing of it. I woke to a cold comment by a San Francisco State student named Tyla Brown, whom I grew up with in Oakland and went to Frick Middle School with. She has always been extremely smart and those kinds of people that I grew up with I love to hear speak on things like this. She was kind enough to let me allow you guys to see her argument from my personal page and put it in the article. Thanks Tyla.

The argument that she had was extremely valid. To the normal fans cheering from places that aren't in the Bay Area this may not exactly make complete sense. Being that the fact that the team is getting better. The Warriors have a Class A coach that many people feel may become one of the greats. Why complain? Well Mark Jackson was released not on performance but on the personal opinions of him by the Warriors Front Office. This may not be racially charged but it may very well be. Mark Jackson was extremely "black" and not afraid to show it. This can be seen in his interviews or simply by the "unplugged" segments of NBA games with his numerous Muhammad Ali references. Can't get much blacker that Ali unless you quote Malcolm X. The Warriors since new ownership have changed a lot of things and this may be one of the largest and symbolic. They also have plans of moving the team that is shared between San Francisco and Oakland back to a brand new San Francisco stadium. This adds to the racial implications of their plans being that Oakland is a place that is majority African-American and San Francisco is a place that is not. The two places have two different kinds of stigmas and stature in American economy and ideals. 

The movement of the team is not just a concern to the fans because of moving the team across the bridge. The teams in Oakland have provided services that have helped to maintain the city's public school athletic programs and provided free tickets, dollar games, and among other things. I still remember my first Warriors game playing for D.B.C. in Oakland at Frick. I paid nothing to go. The things that these teams bring are irreplaceable in a city that has 22% of its households in extreme poverty according the 2010-2015 Oakland, California Consolidated Plan. The youth of Oakland, California would lose role models in a land where there is not much success of the same color. ESPN’s Tim Keown wrote this about the city and its team issues, “The stipend that comes with a head-coaching position in one of the six Oakland Athletic League high schools is $2,400, unchanged since 1986. Each OAL school receives $400 per season -- per season -- to cover football equipment. Without the generosity of the Raiders, who donate hundreds of pairs of cleats every year to the schools, many kids wouldn't be able to play. Without the renovation of Skyline's baseball diamond by the A's, there might never have been another true hop. Beam bought Skyline an ice machine before he left. Think about that: The school didn't have an ice machine. Now at least a player at Skyline who sprains his ankle can stem the swelling with a bag of ice.” This city that is now the robbery capital of America, has low school funding and had a 2011 violent crime rate per 100,000 of 1682.7 will gain another reason to lose hope with the loss of  teams that have grown to be pillars of the community. 

To some, these changes in Oakland team dynamics may represent a distance that is developing between not only what the team used to be and what the team used to personify. How the hometown Warriors used to be the Oakland team and now they expanding to belong to the world such as the old L.A. Lakers. These changes may be positive and bring revenue and light to the issues that go on in the city of Oakland and also San Francisco that has its own crime, drug and prostitution issues. Either way Mark Jackson will be missed and the racial implications will probably never be admitted if they exist. In light of the Donald Sterling issue, it may not be a surprise if there is a racial undertone or two. The reason for firing Mark Jackson was expressed as his "us versus them" attitude toward the front office along with his inability to coach the team how they wanted it coached. That may be very well true. Yet, my first question is what exactly started that attitude? In 3 years of coaching, how many mistakes do you get if the team is consistently improving? Steve Kerr is a big catch that can't get many complaints from NBA fans but you can't help but to wonder what was the true problem...

Question of the Day - PWI vs. HBCU

As someone that has been blessed enough to attend both a PWI (undergrad) and an HBCU (graduate), I can see where there is a difference between the two (by difference I’m not pertaining to equivalence in grading between the two). The major difference that I see is that HBCU professors tend to genuinely care more about their students as far as it comes to learning the material and passing classes. At a PWI you are basically on your own, they (some) could care less if you pass or fail. I enjoyed my experience at my PWI, but I feel I’ve gained way more by attending an HBCU. Yesterday a screenshot of a tweet surfaced all over social networks and raised many eyebrows. The tweet stated, “A 4.0 at a HBCU is not equivalent to a 4.0 at a rigorous PWI”. So I have to ask, is there a difference in grading at a PWI vs. an HBCU?

Question of the Day - Double Standard?

The Knowles-Carter family has recently made headlines when a video emerged that showed Solange Knowles violently attacking her brother-in-law Jay Z. Jokes were said and meme were made, but this is a bigger issue than what we may let on. In some cases women are in fact the aggressors and not the men; however, women often times aren't scrutinized or punished as much as men. So this raises an important question, is there a double standard in domestic violence when it comes to women versus men?

NFL Changing with Time?

If you were watching the NFL Draft this past weekend then you are aware of all the new editions to the teams. One team in particular that made headlines was the St. Louis Rams. The St. Louis Rams drafted Michael Sam in the seventh round. If you’re not a fan of football your first reaction to this would be “who cares”. If you, like myself are a fan of sports and/or your favorite team is the St. Louis Rams (GO FALCOLNS!) then this news would be of importance to you. The deal with Michael Sam is that he became the first openly gay professional football player. Many people have had their own personal opinions about him coming out and how it would change the nature of what is said to be a “manly” game. Now I have a few issues with this. Is he any less of a man just because he’s gay? Or is it the fact that he’s openly gay in what is seen as a straight sport?

Miami Dolphins player Don Jones had a lot to say on his twitter account about Michael Sam’s showing of emotion i.e. kissing his boyfriend. Jones tweeted out “omg” after the kiss was shown and then replied “horrible” to a follower asking if he was referring to the kiss. Jones was later fined an undisclosed amount of money and barred from team activities until he finishes “training for his recent comments made on social media.” Other players such as former NFL player Derrick Ward showed their dismay towards ESPN for showing Michael Sam kissing his boyfriend. The bigger question is, was the punishment too harsh for Jones? Or because he represents the team as a whole he should be held to a higher standard?

Times are changing and unfortunately whether people like it or not they have to either make that change or stay in the past. The LGBT community is growing and will soon continue to emerge into these sports that are deemed as "straight" sports. I commend players such as Michael Sam and Jason Collins for being bold enough to step out and say that they are gay. Even though we may have religious or personal beliefs that go against what the LGBT community stands for at the end of the day we are all human beings and should be treated as such.

Britt Daise

Urban Echelon Magazine & Blogspot

Twitter: thisisbee

Talking Your Way Out The NBA

Last night Clippers Owner Donald Sterling, who made most of his fortune in the Real Estate industry, was interviewed for the first time since the release of the racially insensitive comments recorded in his conversation. The original conversation that lead to his NBA ban has been a popular topic of conversation since there release and has brought to the forefront many old racist ideas that still exist in 2014. The words of Mr. Sterling were enough to make someone cringe and the ignorance of the woman involved made the situation no better as he told her how he did not appreciate pictures with "black people" on her Instagram. He also made statements saying that he did not want her to bring any black people to the games. It is to be noted that the woman behind this scandal, V. Stiviano, was not his wife and is of African American and Hispanic decent.

These statements have gotten Sterling banned from the league and may cause a chance of his family losing the team as a whole but these statements have also brought healthy conversation to the table. The issue of race is clearly alive and well in our nation. In the latest interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper,  Sterling did not clear the air at all but seemed to dig a bigger whole for himself. He began the interview stating the expected "I am not a racist" quote and claims that the Clippers players still love him. As he has said before the interview that he is Jewish and from inner city Los Angeles, California therefore he couldn't be racist. The past of this man says different as he has paid millions in settlements regarding racial housing discrimination and has been accused by long time Clippers executive and NBA legend, Elgin Baylor,  as being racist and having a "plantation mentality" towards the team. Baylor said that Donald Sterling once said that he want a "southern white coach" for his African American team.

As the interview developed,  Sterling seemed to take a unique stance in racially based questions. This man began to diagnose the issues in the black community. Stating that when African Americans get large amount of money, they do not help the black community.This statement may unfortunately hold weight although he said this with racial bias and with comparison that seemed to paint the Jewish as a superior race. As I look back into my own childhood, I cannot think of many times that children in the City of Oakland were helped by a wealthy African Americans. Besides people in church, there aren't many times that children in inner cities are exposed to African Americans in suits at all. NBA players and entertainers may donate at times to sports teams, give small charity from programs and holiday ham yet alot of the times this seems like a drop in the bucket to places that can have a 50% poverty rate from African Americans.

Sterling went on to speak of Magic Johnson individually saying that he is not a good role model for inner city Los Angeles due to him having HIV. He says that Magic Johnson should be ashamed of himself and asked "what has he done in East L.A". Magic Johnson in many people's eyes was the first notable African American to bring big business to inner city neighborhoods that constantly lack investment. Statements about Magic Johnson seemingly stem from the jealousy of his mistress taking instagram pictures and talks of Magic Johnson planning to buy the Clippers due the NBA pushing for a change in ownership. Although Donald Sterling's wife Shelly Sterling is attempting to keep her half of the team and may succeed, there is a chance that these comments may reflect negatively on the Sterling Family's stake in the Clippers. This may be the sign to Magic Johnson to push for the team. Magic Johnson is to comment of CNN with Anderson Cooper later on today.

While Donald Sterling has forced us to look at issues of race, there are bigger issues involved. As African Americans we have to make a investment in the communities that we call home. This regards ownership and expansion of businesses beyond liquor stores. Sterling's comments show that it is not just a "black radical" that has noticed that blacks have not made a investment in their own race. Truth of the matter is that racially the world is separate and people identify with there own races. As we talk about Oprah, P.Diddy, Dr.Dre and even Magic Johnson we have to be critical of them. What have they really done with these hundreds of millions of dollars in the communities that African Americans grow up in. All charity is not the same and some charities are for show. What can 50 million dollars do for HBCUs? What can 50 million dollars do for the failing schools in inner cities? What can 50 million do for places like Oakland, Birmingham and Chicago? It will do a whole lot for the community and keep people like Donald Sterling from feeling as superior as they do now.

“Black Excellence Talent Spotlight” - Alyssa Gant

The Urban Echelon “Black Excellence Talent Spotlight” is designed to showcase young professionals and their talent. This “Black Excellence Talent Spotlight” goes to Alyssa Gant a native of Atlanta, GA and a current student at Stillman College.

How do you define black excellence?

Black excellence is about owning your heritage and prospering in a system that is designed to keep us stagnant. Black excellence is not so much about tangible things such as money, cars, and clothes but about having wealth of the mind and soul. People should be able to feel your brilliance when you walk into a room. In general, I define black excellence as resilient, empowering, courageous, intellectual, loving, and beautiful.

How long have you been doing your talent?

I have been writing poetry since elementary school. However, It wasn't until the 9^th grade, in my American Literature class, that I discovered my potential.

What initially drew you to your talent?

Poetry always came naturally for me. Whenever I felt the need to express myself I would pick up a pen and write. It’s somewhat of a paradox but I lose myself in poetry just to be found over and over again.

What makes you and/or your talent unique?

I am unique because I march to the beat of my own drum. We live in a society where celebrities set the trends that influence the way people dress, think, and behave. I have always had a rebellious spirit. I deliberately choose to be myself and I am not afraid to do what works for me. I realized, at a very young age, that authenticity is way more valuable than imitation.

Royal

By: Alyssa Gant

I wonder what would happen if WE. BOUNCE. BACK

Like the elasticity of elastic bands being stretched by heavy hands

Lassoing nappy strands running amuck like wild stallions

We, are wild ones

Like ravenous wolves we feed off of each other

We are course as ringlets colliding creating thunderclaps

Unable to be permeated by the teeth of my rattail comb

Our mentality is kinky and dying of thirst like un-watered roots gasping for precipitation

Aching to be touched like fingertips cascading over rough, dry, untrodden scalp

We have been systematically changed

Psychologically arranged

Culturally estranged

Like house Negroes and uncle Toms who have forgotten where they came from

Hoodwinked,

Bamboozled,

And shortchanged out of our education

From segregation

To discrimination

To the manipulation of our history

Our ethnicity is fleeting like wild roses withered by erosion

And left blowing in the wind

This predisposition to believe that we are inadequate based on the color of our skin is an albatross draped off of collarbones like present-day lynching

With their reprogramming and conditioning they’ll make you believe that there is something wrong with pigments too vibrant to be silent

My melanin screams like a crescendo of a 1920s jazz band

My melanin screams like bullhorn voices aimed at revolution

Like clenched fists aimed for Heaven showing everyone that WE. ARE. HERE!

My melanin screams like underground poets exchanging lyrics with the wind on the streets of Atlanta

I am unapologetically black

Black as ebony skin kissed by a brazen sun

Black as the heavenly blanket of an Egypt night

Black as the womb of the African continent in its first trimester

Black as the Raven’s wing outstretched and ready to take flight

Does it offend you that I wear my crown like others wear diamonds around their necks?

It was passed down to me

By men and women who were regal

And I believe, fiercely

That we are more than what we have been reduced to

I’ve dreamt of African Queens like children dream of princesses and in my dreams we were intertwined with the soul of Nefertiti like Egyptian lace

Perfectly threaded

No stitch exposed

And we were royal.

“Black Excellence Business Spotlight” - HBCU Excellence

The Urban Echelon “Black Excellence Business Spotlight” is designed to showcase young professionals and their businesses. This “Black Excellence Business Spotlight” goes to Belinda Cook and her business HBCU Excellence. Belinda is a D.C. native and a senior at Bennett College majoring in Business.

When did you start your business?

• I started my business December 2014, but didn’t release information until April 2014.

Why did you start your business?

• I started my organization to promote students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). However, since branding my organization I have added t-shirts and plan to expand with more apparel.

What is the goal or mission of your business?

• My goal is promote students attending our illustrious institutions, while spotlighting to the greatness that we produce and things happening on the campuses nationwide.

How do you define black excellence?

• I define black excellence as GREATNESS! African American students putting their best foot forward while serving in all capacities i.e. Community Service, Studying Abroad, Employment, leadership opportunities and giving back as a whole. For so long we have been shed in a negative spotlight and this is my opportunity to showcase our young brothers and sisters doing the right thing.

Instagram and Facebook: HBCUExcellence

Personal Instagram Page: Thatsling_

Make sure to show your support! 

Crown Him King of Hip-Hop Billionaire's

If you already haven’t heard, you will soon find out, West Coast rapper Dr Dre is set to become hip-hop’s first billionaire. Apple is set to acquire Beats Electronics for a reported $3.2 billion. Under the Beats Electronics umbrella you have Dr Dre’s Beats by Dre. So what does this mean for Dr Dre? This means that not only will he take in $1 billion, but he will become a billionaire. So you’re probably saying that somewhere I did my math wrong, and my answer to you is, “actually I didn’t”. For those that may not have known let me break it down for you.

Beats Electronics was founded by Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine. For those that do not know who Jimmy Iovine is, I suggest you do a quick google search, if not, read on. Jimmy Iovine is a music producer, co-founder of Interscope Records, and is the current chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M. Iovine is definitely a well-seasoned man in this music industry.  Iovine and Dr Dre founded Beats Electronics in 2008. Through that they acquired other investors in order to make Beats Electronics what it is today. They signed a deal with Monster in order to manufacture and develop the Beats products, in which the deal was short lived because they now manufacture and develop their own products. During this time HTC acquired a large share of the Beats Audio to exclusively market the Beats Audio in their smart phones, as well as give consumers a least expensive version of the beats headphones. From this you saw the popular Beats by Dre, and later on the Beats Pill, Beats Audio in HP computers and Chrysler cars, as well as the new Beats Music app that allows subscribers to stream and listen to music through Beats audio.

By selling this Apple becomes the” head honcho” in the headphones and audio market. Do you think Apple will properly utilize all the things that they are set to acquire? In my opinion Apple needs another Steve Jobs, in order to fully market and make the best of this acquisition. Those will be hard shoes to fill, but this will be Apple's opportunity to fully capitalize on the fact that they've acquired one of the worlds largest headphone and audio brands. Being that Apple is paying well over what Beats Entertainment is worth which is $2.2 billion, I wonder what exactly they have up their sleeves. Nonetheless this is a smart move for Dr Dre, Jimmy Iovine, and all those that are involved. I still see Dr Dre and Jimmy Iovine playing vast roles in Beats Entertainment even after the acquisition. But the ultimate question is how is this going to change the state of Hip-Hop, everyone wants to be #1 on that Forbes list. We will see how this plays out. What are your thoughts on Apple possibly acquiring Beats Entertainment?

*sidebar* What about that Detox album?! I guess we will keep hope alive!

Britt Daise
Urban Echelon Magazine & Blogspot

Twitter: thisisbee