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MIJAC WAS SUPPOSED TO PRESENT DIANA WITH BET AWARD: Plus, is the King of Pop moving to Virginia?

 *Fox411 columnist Roger Friedman is reporting that BET had tapped Michael Jackson to present his mentor, Diana Ross, with her Lifetime Achievement honor at the BET Awards last month, but producers were told by his people that he was "too incapacitated to appear."

  "Jackson's people will go crazy when they read this today, but it's 100 percent true," wrote Friedman in his column Tuesday, adding that BET producer Ron Weisner had also planned to include a "25th anniversary of 'Thriller'" segment on the show featuring Jackson.

 "It's the best-selling album of all time and should have been acknowledged," Friedman quotes a source as saying. "But there was too much drama. Michael could not make it. He's isolated and he's failing."

 Friedman is also reporting that the singer has decided to relocate to Virginia following his time in Las Vegas. As previously reported, the singer moved out of his $1 million rental in Sin City last week after his lease expired.

 "Some have speculated that Virginia Beach has been the locale of many recording studios, including those of Teddy Riley and Timbaland," wrote Friedman. "Still, the betting money is on [Jackson's publicist Raymone] Bain, who works in Washington, D.C., keeping a closer eye on her main client and goose that used to lay the golden egg."

ISAIAH WASHINGTON TAKES COMPLANTS TO LARRY KING: Actor details the infamous Dempsey spat that sparked gay-slur downfall.

 *Fired "Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live" Monday night to continue venting about his boot from the ABC series following his use of a homophobic slur.

 The actor has already spoken to various publications regarding his frustration over being fired despite jumping through every hoop the network had placed before him - including a stint in "rehab" and filming PSAs about gay tolerance.

 But King's CNN audience was the first to hear Washington's version of events leading to his on-set blow-up with co-star Patrick Dempsey, which, in turn, led to Washington's use of the slur. Washington has denied that it was directed toward co-star T.R. Knight, who was closeted at the time and claimed the media attention surrounding the fight had forced him to announce publicly that he is gay.

      Washington told King that he was using the word in reference to his own feelings at the time of the fight with Dempsey. Washington said that it was Dempsey's repeated tardiness to the set that sparked the altercation, explaining that the tension had begun building prior to the October 9th dustup.
     
      While on location in Seattle in September, Washington claims that Dempsey showed up three hours late to the shoot and because of the delay, messed up the day's production schedule. While Washington didn't say anything at the time, he told King he was "embarrassed" by the incident and that it kept "gnawing" at him.
     
      Back on the Los Angeles set a month later, Dempsey was again 15 minutes late.
"And I'm thinking, Not again, because what happens on the road stays on the road," Washington told King. "I'm mad. I'm getting upset and I'm feeling like, I didn't say anything then, so what am I going to say now?"
     
      When Dempsey did show up, Washington said, he not only denied that he was tardy, but claimed he was "never late." He also then insisted they wait on costar Ellen Pompeo, who would not appear in the scene but was meant to be heard off-camera, before starting the scene.
     
      "I need Ellen," Dempsey said, per Washington.
     
      "Well, I don't need Ellen," Washington said. "I can act."

      It was that last dig, Washington told King, that "sent it into a different zone. He became unhinged, face-to-face, spittle to spittle, in my face-first. I did not start it. And I'm asking him, why is he screaming at me, why are we doing this? Get out of my face. Several times. Several times.
And he just becomes irate."
     
      Washington said he then pushed Dempsey away and began to say "a lot of things I'm not really proud of, but all referring to myself and how I felt I was being treated. I said there's no way you're going to treat me like a B-word or a P-word or the F-word. You can't treat me this way in front of our crew."

      As for whether the comment was in any way intended or directed toward Knight, Washington replied, "Never, never, never, never."

 Washington goes on to say that he was under a gag order by the show's producer, Touchstone, to keep his mouth shut regarding the whole situation.  He said his relationship with Dempsey was beginning to heal when T.R. Knight appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" claiming Washington "referred to me as a faggot."
     
      "That's a lie," Washington said. "He misrepresented himself."
     
      Speculating on what might have been Knight's motivation, Washington told King: "He has been very disappointed at playing the character he's been playing. He told me that. He was very unhappy at the time. He may be happy now because he's got a really nice bump and he's still on the show. And God bless him. I wish him well."
 
      Washington also said he tried to leave the show twice in order to keep the incident from hurting the production. On his second attempt to resign, he said the show's producers denied his request and instead gave him a "four-point plan" of conduct to follow, including a forced visit to "executive counseling," widely reported as rehab.
     
      Read the entire transcript of Washington's "Larry King Live" interview
here: http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0707/02/lkl.01.html  

KATT WILLIAMS, SNOOP TO ROAST FLAV: Plus, 'Charm School' spinoff ends first season as VH1's third most-watched show ever.

 *Public Enemy hypeman and reality show superstar Flavor Flav will shoot his "Comedy Central Roast" special on July 22 at Warner Bros. studios.

 Katt Williams has signed on to host the show, which will feature such celebrities as Snoop Dogg, Ice-T, Jimmy Kimmel and former lover and "Surreal Life" co-star Brigitte Nielsen making good-natured-but-cruel jokes at the rapper's expense. 

 Sommore, Greg Giraldo, Carrot Top, Lisa Lampenalli and Patton Oswald are also on the bill to roast the honoree, whose rap career spans two decades and was jump-started in recent years with exposure from his popular
VH1 reality show "The Flavor of Love."

      "The Comedy Central Roast of Flavor Flav" will premiere Sunday August
12 at 10 p.m. EST.

 Meanwhile, 4.1 million people saw Sapphyri win Sunday's season finale of VH1's "Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School Featuring Mo'Nique," a series in which ladies who appeared in "Flavor of Love" competed in a series of etiquette courses.

      The season-long ratings, compiled by Nielsen Media Research, made "Charm School" VH1's third-highest-rated series ever.

WAYNE BRADY'S WIFE WANTS OUT: Mandie Brady files for divorce; plus, Brady's 'Lyrics' to battle Fatone's 'Singing Bee.'
 
 *As Wayne Brady's professional life gets busier with a new high-profile television project, his personal life has just taken a turn with the announced end of his marriage.

 Brady's wife of eight years, Mandie Brady, has filed for divorce from the entertainer citing 'irreconcilable differences," reports the Associated Press.  She is seeking joint legal and physical custody of their 4-year-old daughter, Maile, according to court documents filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court. The couple tied the knot in 1999, but separated in April 2006, the papers said.

   Wayne Brady, 35, is the host of a new FOX television show called "Don't Forget the Lyrics," not to be confused with NBC's "The Singing Bee"
hosted by former N'Sync star Joey Fatone. Both programs challenge contestants to accurately sing the lyrics to popular songs when the house band suddenly stops playing the music.

 On June 20th, Fox aired a promo announcing the two-night premiere of Brady's "Lyrics" was scheduled for Wednesday, July 11 (9:30-10:00 p.m.
ET/PT) and Thursday, July 12 (8:30-9:00 p.m. ET/PT).

      The day after Fox's promo, NBC aired a spot during "Last Comic Standing" announcing that "The Singing Bee" -- which was originally set to debut as part of its fall primetime programming schedule -- will now suddenly debut on Tuesday, July 10, one day before Brady's "Lyrics."

REPORTS CONFIRM NICOLE RICHIE PREGNANCY: Dad Lionel says he doesn't know what's going on.

      *Nicole Richie could be headed to jail next week carrying a baby. Of course, this is assuming that she is convicted of her DUI charge, and that TMZ.com's reported confirmation of her pregnancy is indeed true.
     
      The Web site claims Richie and her boyfriend Joel Madden are expecting the little one in six months.  If this is true, soon-to-be Grandpa Lionel Richie says it's all news to him.

      He told "Access Hollywood": "Nicole is probably one of those wonderful people that will not tell her father until I keep going, 'Come on Nic. I'm your father. What's going on?' "(She'll say) 'Nothing dad, nothing.' So right now, she's in nothing mode. I don't know. She'll let me know about it at the very last minute.
     
      "It's the natural instinct to call. When she was 18... I'd call her right away. But now she's 25, I kind of wait. I've learned the lesson now.
So at this point, I feel that if she doesn't call me, it's not really happening.

      "At this point, she's kind of got me on the silent thing, which is OK with me. No news is good news."
     
      Meanwhile, Nicole Richie's trial is scheduled to begin on July 11. If convicted, she faces up to five days behind bars.

EUR FILM REVIEW: Ghosts of Cite Soleil   
Haitians Go Gangsta in Ghetto-Based Documentary

Film Review by Kam Williams

      If you want to get an idea of how much gangsta rap has influenced cultures elsewhere around the world, check out Ghosts of Cite Soleil, a revealing documentary about a bloody turf war inside a notorious Haitian slum.

      What makes this movie compelling is that the leaders of the competing posses, Tupac and Bily, are also blood brothers. And on top of that they are both in love with the same girl, Lele, a French missionary with an incurable case of Jungle Fever for bad boys.

      The film unfolds against the backdrop of the impending fall of the Jean-Bertrand Aristide regime, which is of considerable significance because the gangs are operating with the tacit approval of the outgoing president.

      In fact, these sadistic goons openly brag on camera that they've been armed by Aristide to intimidate and eliminate his political enemies, which might explain why the Marines later land to restore a little law and order.
 
      The screen is filled with unoriginal wannabes sporting nicknames right out of rap videos, such as Tupac and 50 Cent. Where have I heard those before?
And like the icons they adore, they dream of shooting their way out of the ghetto and leaving the life of crime behind to become famous hip-hop stars.
Meanwhile, their behavior mimics that of their heroes which means mostly murder, misogyny, weed, profanity and the N-word. At one point, Bily even says of his own sibling, "If Tupac weren't my brother, I'd kill him already." Charming.

      The only person who seems perfectly safe is the two-timing white woman all the brothers are lusting after. She eventually gives her heart to Tupac and then puts all of her efforts into helping him escape the country. The plan is for them to settle down while he pursues his musical career. And although she succeeds in getting him out, Tupac soon misses the madness and makes the dubious decision to return to his 'hood.

      By the end, most of the people you've been emotionally investing in have either died or disappeared, except for gun moll Lele, of course, who had the sense to stay put in France. This gritty flick was produced with the help of the most famous Haitian hip-hop entertainer around, Wyclef Jean.

      Fascinating stuff, but this portrait of these scary "altar boys" is probably the last thing that Haiti's Board of Tourism wants to see in circulation.

Excellent (4 stars)
Unrated
In Haitian, French and English with subtitles.
Running time: 86 minutes
Studi ThinkFilm

EUR DVD REVIEW: In a Dark Place
Leelee Sobieski Heads Cast in Adaptation of Classic Erotic Ghost Tale

DVD Review by Kam Williams

      *The Turn of the Screw, written by Henry James in 1897, is an erotic ghost tale about a nanny's adjustment to her new job caring for a couple of wealthy orphans in a mansion on a sprawling country estate located in the middle of nowhere.

      Besides the kids, Miles (Christian Olsen) and Flora (Gabrielle Adam), the only other person around of consequence is Ms. Grose (Tara Fitzgerald), a maid who's a bit of a cold fish..

      Initially, Anna (Leelee Sobieski) expects to make a smooth adjustment to her serene surroundings. But soon, she starts getting hints that all is not as it seems at this idyllic oasis. Gradually, she uncovers a series of increasingly disturbing facts about life at Bly House. For instance, she learns that the previous governess died there under mysterious circumstances.

      Next, it comes to light that Miles has been expelled from school for committing an unspeakable infraction. And then, Anna catches glimpses of a couple of ghosts with an ax to grind who are haunting the grounds.

      All this tension triggers a reaction in Anna to her own long-suppressed issues, and she finds herself acting as though she's allergic to clothes. Besides constantly flashing her cleavage and dressing inappropriately in front of the children, her misbehavior leads to a steamy lesbian liaison with the suddenly loosened-up Ms. Grose.

      In a Dark Place is about the 14th adaptation of the Henry James classic, the best known probably being the 1961 version starring Deborah Kerr. The ostensible excuse for this latest endeavor is to allow Leelee Sobieski to announce to the world that she's more than ready for adult roles.

      All grown up Leelee, who took a break from showbiz to attend Brown University, is certainly no longer the innocent child-turned-teen star who we remember from such hits as Jumanji, Deep Impact, Jungle 2 Jungle, Eyes Wide Shut, A Soldier's Daughter Never Cries, Never Been Kissed and Joan of Arc. But given her handling of the material in this eroticized horror flick, it's clear she'll have no problem making the transition to more mature themes.

Good (2 stars)
Rated R for nudity, sexuality and disturbing images.
Running time: 95 minutes
Studi First Look Home Entertainment
DVD Extras: Previews, plus "The Making of" featurette.

EVENT CALENDAR: Sharpton to hold Genarlow vigil; BET's '106' in New Orleans; Harvey, Henson at Essence Fest; Harlem Dance Theatre's 'Romeo and Juliet.'

 *Rev. Al Sharpton plans to hold a vigil in Atlanta today (July 5) for Genarlow Wilson, the Douglas County man who has served more than two years of a 10-year prison term for having consensual oral sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17. Sharpton and his Atlanta Chapter of National Action Network have held numerous rallies and vigils to bring attention to the disparity between Wilson's sentence and other sentences to prove that America has two justice systems. Folks are scheduled to convene at Ebenezer Baptist Church (407 Auburn Ave.) at 11 a.m. to caravan to the Douglas County Courthouse (8700 Hospital Drive, Douglasville) for a noon prayer vigil.

 *Hosts Terrence and Rocsi of BET's "106 & PARK" will tape shows in New Orleans on July 6th, 7th and 8th from the legendary Riverwalk Marketplace (1 Poydras Blvd.) in conjunction with the Essence Music Festival. For audience tickets, e-mail: audience106@bet.com.

      *Steve Harvey and choreographer Darrin Henson present the "Coke Side of Life" during 2007 Essence Music Festival. Harvey will host his nationally-syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show live from the Coca-Cola booth from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. tomorrow (July 6); while Henson will lead the Coca-Cola Hop Dance Class on Saturday from 1:30 to 2:30. Both events will take place at the at the Coca-Cola booth inside of the Morial Convention Center.

       *The Classical Theatre of Harlem will present its staging of "Romeo and Juliet" from July 27-28 in Von King Park, Brooklyn; Aug. 4-5 in Marcus Garvey Park, Harlem; and Aug. 9-10 in Tompkins Square Park, Manhattan.
Actors Robin LeMon and Duane Allen star in the title roles. For more
information, visit www.classicaltheatreofharlem.org. 

JOSEPH C. PHILLIPS: New Jack Affirmative Action Part 2

      *Most Americans favor diversity.  However, very few among us would endorse a policy wherein the local government determined where a citizen could live based on their race – even if such a policy was instituted for the intent of ensuring diversity. “Sorry Mr. Smith we have reached our limit of white families in this particular neighborhood.”  “Too bad Mr. Jones.  I realize your wife has her heart set on this house, but there are too many Black families in the precinct already.” Yet that was exactly the policy of the Seattle School District at least according to the plaintiffs in Community Schools v Seattle School District Number 1 .

      In an effort to address a history of de facto school segregation due to residential patterns, the Seattle School system scrapped its neighborhood schools program and moved to a system of choice.  Students are now allowed to attend any school in the district, however, when there are too many applicants for the available desks at a particular school, the district has resorted to using race as one criterion in deciding admission. 

      The Supreme Court recently decided correctly that the rights of individuals do not disappear because they make decisions that end up in conflict with the social goals of government. The decision in Community Schools as well as in Meredith v Jefferson County School District gives us an opportunity to question why we wish to continue the use of race ratios, which actually reinforce the very stereotypes that prevent real diversity.     

      In support of the respondents in the Seattle case, The NAACP touted social science that purports to demonstrate that Black children perform better in integrated schools.  One of the underpinnings of pluralism is that differences in race or ethnicity do not confer worth.  This, however, seems to scream Black intellectual inferiority.  Are we seriously staking out the position that the less Black kids are around other Black kids the better they do in school?  Why then would anyone want to go to school with Black children?  The truth is that many don’t, and I suspect that is what the school district is truly fearful of.

      (Lest we fool ourselves into believing that objections to the use of race in admissions only rest with a handful of WWP’s (whiney white people) it is worth noting that one third of the plaintiffs in Community Schools were Black parents. In 1966 Black parents were prevented from sending their children to certain schools due to discrimination.  Forty years later Black parents are prevented from sending their children to certain schools because of diversity.  I am not sure this qualifies as progress.  But I digress.)

      It is likely that the schools are not nearly as concerned with diversity as they are fearful of “tipping” and their worry is not that some schools will become too white, but that some will become too black.  That is not to say that the district is not operating in good faith.  The school district is aware that too often perception can become reality and the perception -- buttressed by arguments like those of the NAACP and the fact that there are so many terrible inner city schools -- is that all-Black means all bad. In no time at all a school that tips will be a hotbed of low test scores, high drop out rates, decaying infrastructure and violence. 

      To be sure, there are predominately Black schools that do not become models of dysfunction. Unfortunately, race ratios never give us the answer as to why they are the exception and not the rule, why the school that tips Black will not compete academically with the white school from across town; why it will not excel in debate as well as basketball and why it will not routinely graduate students that will go on to the top universities in the nation. 

      The answers haven’t a thing to do with an imbalance of race ratios.   

      No doubt this decision by the Court will elicit much hand wringing and predictions of doom, but which is the greater danger?  That through freedom of choice it is likely we will end up with a predominately Black school on the North side of town? Or that by limiting freedoms in order to achieve a noble end we end up reinforcing notions of Black inferiority thus undermining the very foundations of a truly pluralistic society?

Joseph C. Phillips is the author of “He Talk Like A White Boy” available wherever books are sold.
joseph@josephcphillips.com 

THE MO'KELLY REPORT: The War on Barack Obama - Part II

    *Ignorance isn’t bliss.  It is dangerous in all of its forms and permutations.  Ignorance is the forefather of racism, sexism and any other “ism” you see fit to include in this conversation.

 Make no mistake, ignorance is not bliss, it’s quite dangerous.

 From time to time I will verbally spar with the random Neocons who populate the various blogs and news media websites.  It’s always good to hear and know what the “other” side is thinking and saying.  It reminds me how much ignorance permeates this country, despite how much enlightenment generally and verifiable information specifically are available at one’s fingertips.

 In part I, I indicated that the effort to discredit and demean Senator Barack Obama will invariably include the characterization of him as being “Un-American.”  From his parochial schooling to even his name; Barack Hussein Obama (yes, that’s his middle name) will be portrayed by his detractors as “Un-American.”

 Arnold Schwarzenegger is “Un-American”…he’s Austrian in fact.  But I don’t remember that being a major component in the discrediting of his California gubernatorial campaign.

 Obama detractors want to point to his early schooling as a sign of “Muslim” sympathy or his present Christian pastor as a radical.  Which is it…is he a radical Muslim or a radical Christian?  Obama detractors will argue both.

 Incredible.  Please pick one ignorant argument and stick with it.

 Despite what social optimists will tell you, this country is not on the precipice of equality and inclusion.  If it were, the immigration debate would be as much about keeping Canadians out as it is Mexicans…and Haitians for that matter.  The complete northern border is open, but Congress is catching hell about an immigration bill that might grant 12 million illegal aliens “amnesty?”

 Well, they wouldn’t be “illegal” if they were respected in the same way as Canadians. 

 If these same 12 million people were born in Canada and walked across the border…then no harm, no foul.  There is an obvious and verifiable inequity in our assessment of rights and privileges.  The immigration debate would be moot the moment Mexicans and other Brown people are treated with the same level of respect as Canadians.  Keep everyone out or let everybody in, but just be consistent.  The immigration debate is a red herring, fueled by racism and irrational fears of terrorism.  Terrorists don’t have to worry about being stopped on planes headed for America when they know they can just as easily fly to America and drive over.

 The immigration debate is a sham, shrouded in racism and terrorism fear-mongering.

 If this country were truly on the verge of equality, the Supreme Court would have ruled differently last week on the issue of public education.  True equality is dependent on the recognition of inherent inequalities FIRST and then moving forward.  To argue that race can not be a factor in the population of public schools yet not acknowledge and address the inherent inequities in public education in terms of quality and access that ALREADY fall along racial lines is a farce. 

 The moment that inner city schools are comparable in quality to the ones residing in suburbia, then and only then can this country argue that race should not be a factor in maintaining scholastic diversity.  The moment that inner city children have equal access to a suburban-quality education, then the Supreme Court will be on to something.  Until then, thanks for proving me right America. 

 But back to Senator Obama…

 The ignorance parading around, disguised as political analysis is pervasive.   From the intimation of Barack being a closet terrorist to even being unintelligent; the facts are clear.  This country is neither ready for a woman or an African-American as president.  Our collective ignorance as a country is far too dangerous and formidable to overcome I would submit.  More than twenty countries have had female leaders and we’re still debating whether we’re “ready” for even one. 

 As for Senator Obama’s middle name of “Hussein”…

 President George Bush’s middle name is ‘Walker’…which is the same as John Walker Lynn…a known terrorist and Taliban…you know, like Osama Bin Laden.  President George Bush has overthrown two governments and threatens to go for number three…but Barack’s middle name is a problem?

 Maybe Senator Obama should have had a nice “American-sounding” middle name like James…you know, like Timothy James McVeigh…

 Granted, Senator Obama trails other candidates in terms of foreign policy experience, but you don’t see the same critique leveled at MAYOR Rudy Giuliani.  If  MAYOR Giuliani is qualified to run the country, so is MAYOR Marion Barry…

 Ignorance isn’t bliss…it’s exceptionally dangerous.

 The War on Barack Obama is well underway, complete with Rush Limbaugh characterizations of Obama as being “The Magic Negro.”  Maybe my memory is flawed, but I don’t remember any African-Americans assessing the “whiteness” of George Bush or any other white popular presidential candidate. 
 To discuss the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama in terms of color but disregard the discussion of how color invariably works against him in the electoral process is too a farce.

 This country will not allow an African-American man any parts of becoming the most powerful individual on the face of the planet.  It is counterintuitive to every American ideal to date.

 There are still dozens of African-American women and children who are missing or have been abducted…yet the only people I see being profiled in major news media are…

 But hey, don’t take my word for it, check the news for yourself.  It’s not even subject to debate.

 George W. Bush just commuted the sentence of Scooter Libby, arguing that “the punishment didn’t fit the crime” yet had nothing to offer Genarlow Wilson in Georgia.  Libby arguably committed an act of treason during a time of war but his punishment was allegedly unjust according to our Commander in Chief.

 Genarlow Wilson continues to sit in jail for a BJ at a party.  The intrinsic value of African-American people is clearly nil.  But hey, don’t take my word for it, just read the news.  It’s not even subject to debate.  Wilson is still in jail and Scooter Libby is probably laughing at him.

 We often talk about what is or is not “racism” in this country…well there you have it.  Not Paris Hilton, not Don Imus, not Isaiah Washington, not Michael Richards…just look at Scooter Libby and Genarlow Wilson.  That says all that needs to be said.

 Senator Obama’s recent fundraising success is nothing less than remarkable and has energized the electorate overall.  That fact shouldn’t be mitigated or disregarded.  $32 million in one quarter is amazing no matter how you choose to count the money.  But if you think that donations are the determining factor in crowning the leader of the free world, you surely have underestimated the evil of greed and power.  Might I refer you to the states of Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004.

 A Black Miss America…ok.

 A Black NFL quarterback…ok.

 A Black NFL coach…ok.

 Black leader of the free world?  Not in my lifetime or yours.  I don’t care if you just celebrated your second birthday…not in your lifetime either.

 All one needs to do is look at this country’s indifference to the plight in Darfur.  Weren’t we supposed to be in the “democracy exportation” business?  Weren’t we supposed to be deposing Saddam because among other things he committed genocide on his own people?  Hasn’t Darfur been officially declared genocide?

 Did I miss something? 

 Or maybe, I could point you to our reticence in South Africa when action instead of sanctions mattered most.  This country will not allow an African-American man become the most powerful individual on the face of the Earth.  You can call me cynical, conspiratorial or even ill-informed, but the truth, facts and most importantly history are on my side.  If America can’t even get behind the fact that Jesus was not a White man in 2007 (although he was born in the Middle East) it’s safe to say she won’t get behind a Black man with a Middle Eastern sounding name as its leader either.

 I wish the world were different, but it isn’t.  A similar level of fervor and excitement accompanied the late Tom Bradley’s campaign to become governor of California.  We remember how that turned out.  More recently, we remember how Harold Ford’s campaign to become senator in Tennessee turned out.  In other words, it did not matter who the best candidate far and away was, it only matters that the ‘other guy’ wasn’t African-American.

 Emphasis on 'guy' and 'not African-American.' 

 If Dr. King, Malcolm X and virtually every other powerful freedom fighter were executed in quest to secure legislative equality for African-Americans, it’s highly unlikely that less than half of a century later an African-American man will call the White House his own.

 Ignorance isn’t bliss…it’s pervasive and quite dangerous.  The War on Barack Obama continues.

The Mo'Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse...as well as entertain. The Mo’Kelly Report is syndicated by Newstex. For more Mo’Kelly, http://www.mokellyreport.com. Morris W. O'Kelly can be reached at mokellyreport@sbcglobal.net and he welcomes all commentary.

REGGAE UPDATES FROM JAMAICA
By Kevin Jackson

STEPHEN MARLEY CONFIRMED FOR NEW YORK REGGAE CONCERT

      *Reggae artiste, Stephen Marley, son of reggae icon Bob Marley is confirmed to perform at the 5th annual Irie Jamboree concert, slated to take place at Roy Wilkins Park, Queens, New York on Sunday, September 2nd.

      The promoters were able to woo the Grammy winning producer, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whose new album "Mind Control"
contain tracks like 'Hey Baby' featuring Mos Def, 'Iron Bars'featuring Julian Marley, Mr. Cheeks and Spragga Benz and 'The Traffic Jam' featuring Damian Marley. Stephen's album is doing well in Jamaica, Europe, and Canada and is generating just as much attention state side - enjoying multiple spins on urban radio stations and cable channels.

      Louie Grant, of Irie Jamboree who helped to orchestrate the deal said, "Sunday, September 2 nd will be another historic day for Irie Jamboree and for all the Caribbean nationals living here in the tri-state area. Anytime we are graced with the presence of a Marley is a very special occasion for us. Over the years, Stephen has consistently delivered quality music in a professional and creative manner, positively reflecting the best of Jamaica. I congratulate him for having the foresight to produce an album of the caliber of 'Mind Control.' I also applaud him as one of our reggae stalwarts who have kept the reggae flame burning internationally for Jamaica" Grant noted.

      The promoters announced that the 'royal family of reggae' Morgan Heritage, singer Luciano, Da’Ville, Jovi Rockwell, Assasin, Anthony B, Beenieman, Mr. Vegas and Lady Saw are also confirmed for Irie Jamboree.

      Last year's Irie Jamboree show featured performances from the likes of Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths, Capleton, Beenieman, Buju Banton and Baby Cham. It attracted a record twenty five thousand patrons. The event earned bragging rights earlier this year at the International Reggae & World Music Awards, copping the award for "Concert of the Year," beating out contenders Reggae Sumfest (Jamaica) and Welcome To Jamrock (Jamaica) amongst others.

      Log on to www.iriejamboree.com or call 1-888-irie-nyc for updates.

•  Esco completes debut album

      Deejay Matthew ‘Esco’ Thompson has completed his debut album. While he is busy shopping the product, Thompson was reluctant to disclose information relating to record label interest.

      Esco recently split from his musical partner Craig ‘Lefside’ Parks, whom he collaborated with on several singles including the chart topping smash Tuck in You Belly.  Esco says both are still good friends and might end up working on projects in the future. 

      Both Parks and Thompson started out as sound system selectors. They were also members of Wayne Marshall’s Marshall Arts band before they decided to pursue their musical interests as the duo Lefside and Esco.

Thompson who is the proud father of a one year old daughter, says fatherhood has changed his perspective on life.

• Sean Paul featured on Eve single Give it to Me

      Sean Paul is featured on rapper Eve’s new single Give it to Me.  The video for the song was recently shot in the US.  It is the second cut from Eve’s forthcoming album Here I Am which will be released on August 7.

      In the past, Sean Paul has collaborated with the likes of Keyshia Cole, Busta Rhymes, Blu Cantrell, Rihanna and Beyonce among others.

•  Chart Updates

      VP Records’ Reggae Gold 2007 edition debuted at number one on Billboard’s Reggae Album chart. The Soca Gold 2007 edition is number six this week.

      On the Germany Reggae chart, Alborosie’s Kingston Town is still at number one, while over on the New York Reggae chart, She’s Royal by Tarrus Riley is still the king of the hill.

      Incarcerated reggae singer Jah Cure holds down the number one spot on the UK reggae chart with Sticky.