Sun, Nov 22, 2009
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Name:
leeneepoo
Comment: I know this is a positive message that 'James' is trying to send but, did he forget that "Mad-dog shot his son "JJ" over gang violence....when I read this article that episode came to mind..too funny
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Name:
bigheadbull2
Comment: Good lookin man
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Name:
ChocolateBrownGal
Comment: Scared straight for gang bangers. I hope this will be a wake up call for them.
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Name:
barnone
Comment: >>>LEENEEPOO.... ever heard of the saying, there is a time and place 4 everything. i swear, that's what's wrong w/ our people. always looking 4 a damn laugh. grow up.
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Name:
McNasty
Comment: Well, it's something! I hope it has some kind of an impact on them that they are able to bring back and articulate what they experienced. It's time to stop all this unnecessary violence in the black community - too many innocent by standers are getting caught by the bullets.
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Name:
leeneepoo
Comment: Barnone> there is nothing wrong with looking for a little humor in serious things, in fact its a part of life and death..when a person dies people often times think of things that make a person laugh because of something the deceased used to say or do. You can find laughter, peace and calm in the midst of turmoil and in the midst of positive attributes. Sure I found my laugh this morning because it just took me back to when the program used to air on television and the good ole' days of youth...so sure I laughed and it felt good, I felt a calmness and I remembered when. Don't knock the statement he might just use it as an analogy to deterred some of the gang-bangers due to that is the only language they may understand...Peace
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Name:
gingerg
Comment: These gang bangers are hardcore. While I can appreciate the spirit behind the effort, if they haven't been taught about our history, including the horrors of slavery, earlier in the life, they are not going to "get it" now.
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Name:
barnone
Comment: considering the state of black people, worldwide, and specifically the black male, there is nothing humerous whatsover re: this matter. i do believe laughter is good 4 the soul, however our men, especially our young ones r n a state of crisis. i can't nor wish 2 find nE humor n that.
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Name:
gingerg
Comment: And one more thing about young black males. There is no shortage of meetings, community forums, conferences, etc. where people come out and hear about the same problems over and over and talk about what we "need to do," yet, next year the story is the same, if not worse.
What is the answer?
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Name:
whatdat
Comment: Great idea! John Amos is a good brotha who tries to do the right thing. I'm sure he will help them understand during the voyage that most of their ancestors lived in societies much more orderly and civil than the savages that kidnapped them. Gingerg, Cleo Sloan was a hardcore gang member from about 11 to age 30 or so. Then he starred learning about his history and now he is a director. His documentary is "Bastards of the Party". If you watch the DVD, you will be impressed by this genius of a brother. Learning his past for the first time late in life has changed his whole outlook and now he is determined to benefit the same community he devastated.
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Name:
barnone
Comment: >>>GINGERG>>> back 2 the basics. i've said it b4, intergration was the worse thing 2 happen 2 the black community. why? b-cuz our people abandoned their standards, morals, etc. to assimilate n2 the status quo. our people r n need of spiritual healing, and i'm not talking about going 2 church. i'm talking about the healing of the black soul. overstanding what happened 2 us as a people and why we r where we r at this juncture. we as a people spend far 2 much time trying 2 imitate and emulate yt folks. our story is not theirs. we have a story of our own. a culture of our own. and we need 2 truly begin 2 overstand that, embrace it and celebrate it. and lastly, i know most blacks don't want 2 hear this, but we as a people really need 2 begin embracing the concept of an external plan. historically, amerikkka represents a land of captivity for us, so we will always b catching h.e.l.l. as long as we remain n our former slave masters' house.
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Name:
TJthemilitant
Comment: Saw the CNN piece a couple of days ago... An unbelievable tear jerker!..You mean to tell me damn near 30 students were killed since the start of the school year, and Chicago is not in a state of emergency?!!..Whose protecting our kids?...I've never felt so helpless in my life!
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Name:
butterpecanrican
Comment: If this doesn't teach those knuckleheads then nothing will. I need to be on the lookout for this.
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Name:
gingerg
Comment: A lot of this boils down to basic lack of respect for human life. The odd thing is that you don't see them preying on people of other races. It is always their own and they don't consider the consequences - 20 years to life or better.
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Name:
sweetpea
Comment: I think it is a great idea and it should be experienced not only by gang memebers but other young & some older African-Americans who don't have a clue what our ancestors went through. It it a miracle that we survived as a people.
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Name:
katgrrrl
Comment: LOL w/ leeneepoo. Good Times gave us a forum to laugh at some situations that weren't really funny. I'll always love it for that. This is an interesting idea. I hope to God that it works. I'd like to think that if many of these gang bangers knew anything about our history, they'd turn over a new leaf. Spread the knowledge...and hope it helps.
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Name:
soulmusic101
Comment: Good to see one of the have's reach out to the have-not's instead of lookin down on "them"....
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Name:
gingerg
Comment: Sweetpea, the downside of this is that our people learn about the brutality of slavery and what the ancestors went through, but so little is taught about the accomplishments of African people
(i.e., leaders, kings, queens, scientists, mathmeticians, scholars,educators, physicians, philosophers, etc.). If there's no balance, in time, the message will be lost.
Also, we have to consider what is going on in places like Darfur and the Sudan. People of color are mercilessly killing one another and that leads to a lot of misperceptions, stereotypes and apathy. People have to care about themselves, too.
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Name:
TesticAl
Comment: This is a good thing. Props to Mr. McDowell. I love their shakes.
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Name:
oshun
Comment: oh snap, testicAL! not "mr mcdowell!" LOL
but on a serious tip, this is a wonderful idea, perhaps one that should be undertaken annually with a different group of youth and young adults. i believe after experiencing just a small part of what our ancestors endured during the middle passage alone will broaden the perspective of the majority of the trip's participants.
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Name:
whatdat
Comment: <<Ex-gang members turned filmmakers, Big Heat, Du Low and C Rock make a film that depicts the heart of madness that is gangs in Los Angeles. This controversial film is creating a storm of discussion in the community, forcing many to see the gang problem in a whole new light. For anyone who ever wanted to know what really is going on 'in the hood' this film is for you.Why We Bang takes you face to face with gang members, people you would normally run from. There they ask the questions you would probably ask if giving the chance. In any event some of the answers will chill your soul and others will point to a ray of hope.The feeling is like you are sitting there with hard-core gang members, you will feel fear, sadness and anger. This film will move you.The most striking moment in the film is the point where mothers who have lost children to gang violence tell their stories of pain and trying to cope with their lost.This film is amazingly done, and captures the STREETS like no other film before it. In a word 'POWERFUL'>>
http://hollywoodblackff.bside.com/?_view=_filmdetails& filmId=21699265
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Name:
Train
Comment: I grew up in Compton (1116 S. Pearl Ave)during the 1970's until the mid 80's when I left to go to college in Baton Rouge. Point being is that I saw many shootings and the helicopters during my years living there and let me tell you that it's a lot worse now with the latinos banging as well there. I'am sick and tired of folks using excuses for why young cats decide to gang bang which there are none in my book. I didn't grow up in a rich household and I dayum sure didn't have the latest in clothes but I do have a lot of common sense and an awareness of right and wrong. The biggest problem in black america is the breakdown of the family unit which has affected everybody til this day.
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Name:
gingerg
Comment: Speak on it, Train! That is the bottom line - breakdown of the family structure. Even folks coming out of slavery tried to maintain some semblence of family and went back to find their wives, children, parents, etc. if they could.
They would be ashamed of what we have allowed to happen (i.e., folks "hitting" anybody they meet in the club, creating children that they neither want nor intend to love and nurture, a lack of common decency and morals, popping our fingers to music
that degrades our men/women). Let me leave this alone before I get mad.
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Name:
Train
Comment: I applaud Mr. Amos efforts and I hope that once a few of those youngsters will take the message and spread among their homeboys and so on. Only we can solve the problems in our families and our neighborhoods. Not the U.S. Govt, the black church, Jesus, the mayor,Dr. Phil or the governor......it's all on us to take appropriate action and make it happen. Eventhough my wife and I have been living in Atlanta the last few months I still keep tabs on what's happening in Compton and from what I was told two days ago from a childhood friend of mine was that the latino gangs are on a mandate to kill one black per day....imagine that???
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Name:
Story2tell
Comment: Will it work? I have no idea. But at least he is taking an action and not just holding another rally, making another speech or writing another book. It's good even if it affects just one of the brothers, and if that brother is able to teach another...and so on...
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Name:
Train
Comment: Something has to be done because we got brothas going to prison left and right leaving these youngsters to be raised w/out a dad and the cycle goes on and on. Maybe if these youngsters will actually see where who our "real" enemy is and the history behind that then something will light a fire under them and they will have love in their heart for other brothas instead of hatred. We have to stop being our own worse enemy and condoning destructive behavior.
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Name:
mseffy
Comment: Train>>I applaud your answer and would like to add a personal experience. I had family impacted by Katrina. I have spent over $20K of personal money to help them get on their feet, including showing them hope and the possibility of a better life. They are enrolled in tutoring and counseling. IT TAKES FAMILY. YOU WHO ARE responding to this story....what are the needs in YOUR family and will you give unselfishly to help??? Each one, bring one. Volunteer to do it for someone you don't know, if your family is together. We must help ourselves, and volunteering is the cheapest, best way to begin. Peace and blessings.
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Name:
nycmckoy
Comment: I love this. I am always going to support anything positive that may help rescue those of my people who need it.
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