http://archives.michronicleonline.com/articlelive en-us http://archives.michronicleonline.com/articlelive N/A rebecca.bare@michronicle.com Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:04:02 CST 20 http://archives.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/blogs/18/REMEMBERING-THE-TIME-MY-LIFE-WITH-MICHAEL-JACKSON.html Well, despite what the title of my blog suggests, I never knew Michael Jackson but growing up in the ’80s in the inner city without feeling, seeing and listening to his influence is like saying I learned American history without any mention of George Washington.Michael (I never called him Mike or knew anyone who did) was prominent in urban American culture during the ’80s.  Maybe that is putting it mildly.  Throughout my life, I can’t really remember a time when Michael didn’t have a hit record.  So in honor of his life, I wanted to give a small retrospective of his influence on my life as a young woman who enjoyed his music.1978-1986: WANNA BE STARTIN’ SOMETHIN’…Elementary school.  I lived three blocks east from Detroit’s infamous Mack and Bewick intersection.  Violent crime was everywhere and the crack epidemic was growing.  Nancy Reagan wanted us to “Just Say No” and one of my methods of escape was music.  Mom and I lived with Grandma in a two family flat.  I remember playing “Thriller” on my little Fisher-Price record player.  I wanted a Michael Jackson lunchbox like my best friend in school.  Mom couldn’t afford it because she already purchased a Gremlins lunchbox for me.  She used to listen to his previous album, “Off the Wall,” but I preferred “Thriller.”  Vincent Price’s bloodcurdling cackle at the end of the title track scared me more than the drug dealers on the corner.  Michael just had one of his first facial surgeries.  I was convinced that he and Diana Ross were the same person.1988-1991: “ANNIE, ARE YOU OK?  ARE YOU OK ANNIE?”Middle school.  I began to prefer hip-hop to pop.  KRS-One reminded us that we were “headed for self-destruction.”  Crack was at an all time high.  Black men were declared an endangered species due to the high murder count.  I suspected that my uncle fell prey to drugs and Mom warned me about strange men offering candy and, of course, dodging stray bullets.  Music videos were more commonplace but my family couldn’t afford cable TV, so I watched what I could on network TV.  Michael was still in my stereo but he met with stiff competition from his baby sis, Janet.  She impressed me with her video for “Rhythm Nation,” but once I saw his “Smooth Criminal” video, I became devoted to Michael again.  Me and other classmates would sing “Man in the Mirror” during lunch by the lockers.  I wanted to marry him so he could teach me the “moonwalk.”1992-1998: “JAM! IT AIN’T TOO MUCH FOR ME”High School.  The number of homicides was getting ridiculous as Detroit became more acquainted with West Coast gangsta rap.  I attended one of the most underprivileged high schools in Detroit and walked home every day praying that I wouldn’t get killed by a stray bullet.  I adored Michael in secret as my friends were digging Snopp Dogg and Dr. Dre.  Michael became more passé, but I happily saw Oprah’s famous interview with him, his guest appearance on “The Simpsons” and the TV premieres of his music videos (“Remember the Time”, “In the Closet” and “Black and White”).  Michael now looked like a White woman, but I still loved him even though he didn’t make as many hit songs during the ’90s.  I was undecided about the whole child molestation issue.  I hoped it wasn’t true but I was skeptical.  I was still unsuccessful learning to do the moonwalk.1999-2009: “THAT’S THE CHANCE I’LL TAKE…HEAVEN CAN WAIT”I had graduated high school and college.  Grown woman.  Didn’t idolize Michael as much as I did as a kid but enjoyed hip-hop songs with samples of his songs.  He’s looking old now.  His moonwalk was lackluster and I gave up learning it.  Him dancing with Usher was not his best moment to me.  A part of me wished he could just retire quietly and rest.  Rumors of him having money troubles surprised me (“Isn’t he the same dude with the Neverland ranch complete with zoo and amusement park?)  He released “Invincible.”  I noticed more Black people listening to it than Whites.  Only a few songs charted.  He was still the King of Pop to me.  I was in shock when he died.  Decided that maybe it was a good chance to honor his memory by learning to do the moonwalk nearly 25 years after he first did it.  Rest in peace, Michael. Dina Peace Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://archives.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/blogs/17/DONT-SOFTEN-THE-BLOWS.html From a Father’s perspectiveBy DarnellI was recently watching TV with my son and a report came on about Chris Brown. In it, Chris Brown was on the streets of Hollywood walking (post Rihanna beat down) and there were a few families walking near him that recognized him. Now these families with teenagers and kids ran up to him shaking his hands, cheesing in his face, posing for pictures, having the kids all up on him like he is the greatest guy in the world.My son asked me, “Isn’t that the guy who beat up Rihanna?” I said it was. My son said,  “Then why are they treating him like he’s a great person to meet?” Chris Brown (aka C-Breezy) in happier times.  Photo- bebo.comI thought to myself and I informed my son that for celebrities and other people we want to make excuses for. we soften the blows. That’s why the world excuses a professional woman beater like Chris Brown. This is his first full-blown offense in the public eye (he’s had a couple of past incidents) that cost him endorsements and money. When you can drive a Lamborghini and headlock your woman, punch her multiple times in the face, bust her head on the glass and not crash the vehicle you are driving... mmm...let me take a wild guess…perhaps you have done this before, you are a professional. I also pointed out from the police report that Rihanna, being able to get the keys out of the ignition, tried to take control of the situation but instead decided to sit on the keys of the man who is kicking her butt.  Let me think...you’ve done this before and you’ve been in this situation with him before. These people need help but being on the front lines with our children and community we need to keep the heat on these areas of life and not ease up of because they are famous. It sends mixed messages.As a single father raising a son in this society I feel it is imperative that I tell it like it is to my son and not let him get caught up in rhetoric that personifies the world we live in. When I say softening the blows, I am speaking of emotional, mental, psychological, spiritual and verbal truths that need to be revealed. We pull back for the sake of celebrity, for political, business, family and last and many times first, our own egos.  We want to justify our beliefs in celebrities and others, including family members and friends we know are wrong.I am teaching my son how to live in the real world and operate in the fake world that glosses over many things. There is no protection when a person is getting their butt beat. So don’t gloss over the severity of the issue by using words that gloss it over. Be real with your children and prepare them so that are not caught off-guard.There are skirmishes in many relationships. We have all been through it at one level or another. Arguments that lead to clothes being thrown out, dishes broken, cars keyed, tires slashed, windows broken, holes in the drywall, a push here to get someone off you, a smack because they came home too late…you know what I’m talking about. You have told your children I’m going to whoop you or beat your butt. You know you have. They already know what it means. They’ll be all right if you tell them what really happened in a situation like this. Just don’t send mixed signals to them.Don’t soften the blows for these people — uncles, moms, aunties, dads, grandmas, cousins, friends, celebrities. They’ve got to know that what they did is unacceptable. That’s when the process of stopping abuse starts. If they continue on that road, there are consequences. Don’t soften the blows. Let’s show our kids and our community that this is unacceptable. My grandfather says, “You are going to face it one way or the other,” so the way I choose is that I would rather my son hear it from me than in the streets. SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://archives.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/blogs/16/MIDDLE-EAST-PEACE-IS-AN-INSIDE-JOB.html DISHING IN THE D WITH DINAMetro Detroit will always be considered home to me.  I was born in Motown and I went to school and college here.  I live north of Eight Mile now but I have come to understand no matter where I go- Toronto, New Orleans, L.A. or D.C., Detroit is in my heart.  It resides in my molecular structure like DNA and it conditions my outlook that is rooted in hard work, cultural heritage and of course, the divine art of hustling my talents.Though I am sometimes introspective, I am always open-minded and curious to the world around me.  Being raised in the D has afforded me a certain perspective to life that is unique and so very valuable.Being a Detroit Girl is a gift from the Almighty’s benevolence.  I am pleased and excited to share my experiences with you.  Let me be your tour guide using words as my compass and life experience as my map… Welcome to Detroit!I was chatting with a friend of mine on Facebook way past my bedtime last night and we were talking about President Barack Obama’s trip to the Middle East.  Now, I usually don’t pay an extreme amount of attention to politics but at least in my recent memory, this seems to be one of the most publicized efforts by a U.S. President to bring about diplomatic relations between Palestine and Israel.So, does that mean that saying “Peace in the Middle East” will be cool as it was in 1991 when all the rap artists were saying it?  Maybe not.  It probably ranks up there with other horribly outdated vernacular like “Cold Chillin’” and “Funky Fresh”.  But needless to say, this seems to be one of the most pivotal moments in history when people of all creeds can come together in brotherhood.Or so we are told.I know that I am a member of the Press but some of the stuff I am reading about in newspapers on President Obama’s trip to Cairo leaves me with the impression that this whole ordeal is quite sugarcoated.  People are expressing pride for our President as he ventures off to what many Americans deem as hostile territory to initiate conversations that will hopefully one day finally bring out (dare I say it) peace in the middle East.I am sure Obama is taking some aspirin for the headaches to come.  People are really expecting a lot out of his administration including being a strong influence to cease a war between two factions that has existed since Biblical times.  Does change happen with the politicians?  Can the course of this bloody fight that claims the lives of millions end with a well-publicized speech in front of cameras and dignitaries and journalists?  I understand that a lot can be accomplished with the support of elected officials but I think that change starts at home, or as Senator Debbie Stabenow told me recently, “A speech is good, but it doesn’t get the job done.”Last winter, I wrote a short article about Obama being elected and I spoke about how maybe he was influenced by some of the titans of the Civil Rights period.  I had mentioned the influence of Islam in the struggle for equality for voting, housing and education rights for Blacks.My article was greeted with praise from readers who took the time out to write me except for one reader who was disturbed on how in the world Muslim people had anything to do with Civil Rights in this country.  This reader mentioned his understanding of Islam as a religion spread by the sword and something to stay away from..“This being the case,” the email continued, “I cannot fathom how such a violent (at its core teachings) religion helped anyone…”I am not Muslim (or religious for that matter) but growing up in Detroit, I became well acquainted with the Islamic culture that resides in Motown.  As I informed the reader above, Malcolm X, one of the most influential leaders of the Civil Rights Movement was also a powerful Muslim through Elijah Muhammad’s Nation of Islam who had influenced millions worldwide of all faiths and races who were oppressed by larger political and cultural infrastructures.As I grew to become a young adult, I gravitated in circles where people desired a connection to their African roots.  The brothas wore dashikis and participated in slam poetry contests.  The sistas wore natural hair, stacked silver jewelry and long flowing clothing.  Hanging around friends like that informed me of where to get good quality uncut fragrance oils (“Hey gurl, you need to go to that Muslim brother’s shop for some good Oud oil”), a decent bean pie (“My sista, that Muslim bakery is the best in town for bean pies) or even when I just need a quick snack on a hot day (“Dina, why did you go to the Coney Island?  You should’ve drove down Wyoming near Fenkell.  The dudes from the Mosque was out there with their bags of fresh fruit!”).I have so many friends and mentors that are or were Muslims and I don’t see them any different than my friends who are of the Christian faith.  If you are my friend, I have already deemed you as a decent person.  I walked past an Islamic center that was vandalized near Wayne State awhile back and realized that maybe the vandals didn’t know any Muslim people that were good and decent like I do.  Michigan is home to the largest concentration of Arabic people outside of the Middle East and the city of Dearborn, a Detroit suburb, has enough mosques in it to make you think that you were in Mecca.  I went inside of a gas station that was run by some Arab-Americans.  The cashier was ringing up my purchase when I heard melodic chanting from a nearby stereo.  I immediately recognized it as the Muslim call to prayer.  “Does that offend you?” the cashier asked me.  I said it didn’t and as a matter of fact, it sounded quite nice.Why would someone expressing his or her faith be offensive, I asked myself.  The naiveté soon wore off and I had to remember that people fear what they don’t understand and they dislike anything that is considered a threat.   I don’t know all of the reasons why some people dislike Arabs and Muslims and I won’t pretend that everyone will get along just because they are in the same city, country or world.  Human nature is not that diplomatic all the time.  I admit that I haven’t had been acquainted as much with Detroit Jewish community but because we are all people, I think that we can all get along but it starts in our own hearts, homes and family.  Peace in the Middle East and in the world begins with what we tell ourselves.  It begins with what we tell our children.  Only then can change really begin because like most things, it is an inside job.     Dina Peace Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CDT http://archives.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/blogs/14/2009-Inauguration-Blog.html Tell us your opinions of Bankole Thompson's coverage of the 2009 Inauguration. Just click the ADD COMMENT box below! Join Michigan Chronicle's Senior Editor, Bankole Thompson, as he reports on President Obama's Inauguration! The Michigan Chronicle will provide frequent coverage and analysis of the events surrounding the first African American man to be elected as our nation's Commander-in-Chief. Tell us your opinions of Bankole Thompson's coverage of the 2009 Inauguration. Just click the ADD COMMENT box below! Bankole Thompson Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:00:00 CST http://archives.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/blogs/13/PRIME-POLITICS-BLOG.html A Weekly Look At The Politics That Impact Your Life... Bankole Thompson Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 CDT http://archives.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/blogs/9/Countdown-to-Denver-With-Bankole-Thompson.html Join the conversation with Michigan Chronicle Senior Editor Bankole Thompson about issues you want to see addressed at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Col. Aug, 25-28. Tell us who you think should be Sen. Barack Obama's running mate in the 2008 presidential election. The Michigan Chronicle will provide coverage and analysis of the week long convention from Denver where Sen. Barack Obama will officially receive his party’s nomination for president of the United States of America. Join the conversation now! AC_FL_RunContent( 'codebase','http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,28,0','width','728','height','90','src','file://///Realtime01/RT_Internet/Real Times Websites/Site Definitions & Architecture/michronicleonline.com/adpeeps/uploaded_banners/BankoleObamaBanner','quality','high','pluginspage','http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash','movie','file://///Realtime01/RT_Internet/Real Times Websites/Site Definitions & Architecture/michronicleonline.com/adpeeps/uploaded_banners/BankoleObamaBanner' ); //end AC code   Bankole Thompson Wed, 20 Aug 2008 00:00:00 CDT http://archives.michronicleonline.com/articlelive/blogs/8/CNN-Documentary---Black-In-America-Blog.html Tell us what you think about this monumental documentary and Bankole Thompson's exclusive interview.  Just click the 'Add Comment' box below!Michigan Chronicle, Sr. Editor and noted author, Bankole Thompson takes an in-depth look at CNN's Black in America series for readers, a first for one of America's most influential Black newspapers headquartered in Detroit, the nation's largest Black city. Check out Thompson's cutting edge analysis on issues raised in the documentary that was recently shown in Detroit and his exclusive interview with Soledad O'Brien, CNN Anchor, Special Correspondent & Producer of the landmark documentary in a 2-part series. Get copies of the July 9th & 16th editions of the Michigan Chronicle to read what Thompson and readers are saying about CNN's romance with Black America and the issues facing us since the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Tell us what you think about this monumental documentary and Bankole Thompson's exclusive interview.  Just click the 'Add Comment' box below! Bankole Thompson Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 CDT