HBCU Student Not Allowed to Graduate Because of Facebook Post

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, YourBlackWorld.com – Scholarship in Action 

Roman Caple is a senior at St. Augustine’s College.  He was set to graduate this weekend until he was informed by the school that he wouldn’t be allowed to walk with his classmates.  Caple says that his punishment was due to a Facebook post that allegedly "jeopardized the integrity of the college."

Caple argues that the reaction of school administrators came as a result of his posts following a tornado that hit Raleigh, NC two weeks ago.  But he says that most of his comments were meant to be uplifting.  One of his posts said the following:

"We all need to set our differences aside and help one another. Falcons we will continue to fly high because that's what we do. Help your neighbor, if need be, Falcons are one."

Detroit’s NAACP Honors Kid Rock and His Confederate Flag

 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World – Scholarship in Action 

The NAACP of Detroit has committed what appears to be an incredibly sad act by giving it's Great Expectations Award to Kid Rock during it's annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner.  It's ironic that the NAACP is giving an award to someone who regularly uses the Confederate flag during his concerts.  The civil rights supporter in me doesn't understand the NAACP's actions, but the Finance Professor in me understands their actions perfectly.

Here are some questions for the NAACP as they honor one of their greatest heroes, Kid Rock:

1) If Kid Rock were not a donor to your organization, would you have given him this award?  Probably not.

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Malcolm X’s Interpretation of Fox News Racism

 

Watch the video below to understand the nature of Fox News Racism.  There’s a historical context to all of this, whether we’re talking about the Birther Movement, the Tea Party or any of the other activity coming from the Right Wing.  Check it out below or click here to watch.

 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYg4N1_9zEg]

Denver Broncos Player Jason Hunter Stabbed by His Girlfriend

Your Black World Reports

Jason Hunter of the Denver Broncos was stabbed by his girlfriend Wednesday morning, according to police.  Hunter is currently in stable condition.

"There case is still being investigated, so there are a lot of details we don't have yet," Detroit Police Sgt. Eren Stephens said.

Luther Campbell Raises Just $250 for His Mayoral Campaign

Your Black World Reports

It looks like the phrase “Too legit to quit” doesn’t quite apply to Luther Campbell.  The former leader of “2 Live Crew” has raised a reported $250 for his campaign to run for Mayor of Miami. Campbell was hoping that a recent fundraiser would bring him $5,000 to $10,000, but he was wrong.  Campbell is now $150,000 behind the fourth-highest fundraiser, Jose "Pepe" Cancio. 

NY Mayor Goes Nuts After Finding Out that Diddy Got a Police Motorcade

Your Black World Reports

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg went on a tirade after finding out that the NYPD gave the rapper Sean “Diddy”Combs a police motorcade to make a $75,000 event in New Jersey.  The mayor launched a probe into the incident, stating that it is unacceptable for anyone to receive police assistance with taxpayer dollars.  Officers from NYPD internal affairs went to the Midtown South precinct to go through logs, records and work schedules to find out who was responsible for what happened.  They are also reviewing videotapes from 35th Street and Times Square to find out more information.

Students Fight to Save HBCU in Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Eye-level watermarks, gutted buildings and rows of mobile classrooms linger as reminders of the flooding from Hurricane Katrina that nearly wiped out Southern University at New Orleans in 2005.

Now the predominantly African-American university faces what students and administrators view as a new threat: Gov. Bobby Jindal's proposal to consolidate the school with the nearby, mostly white University of New Orleans.

Famous Athletes Who Went Broke

 

In 2008, the NBA Players’ Association claimed that 60 percent of pro basketball players go broke within five years of retirement. It’s not hard to see why. In the annals of “easy come, easy go,” few people see it come and go like professional athletes.

While it’s true that many take their salaries and invest them in sensible and enduring business ventures, many others squander their multimillion-dollar salaries on expensive cars, jewelry and mansions, and when the checks stop coming in, they have little to show for it.

Nicki Minaj to Attend the Royal Wedding

Your Black World reports

Hip hop star Nicki Minaj has reportedly rented a spot near Westminster Abbey, where the royal wedding is set to take place.  The problem is that she wasn’t actually invited to the wedding, but just wants to be there to see it.   Prince William and Kate Middleton are going to be married on April 29, and despite being on tour with Britney Spears, Minaj has rented a private jet to take her across the world to check out the events.

I guess this refutes the notion that hip-hop stars don’t believe in fairy tales.

Donald Trump Says Obama Was Not Qualified for the Ivy Leagues

 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World – Scholarship in Action 

It appears that Donald Trump just won’t give up.  In an interview this week with the Associated Press, “The Donald” said that President Obama was a poor student who didn’t deserve to be admitted to Harvard University.  Trump doesn’t actually have proof of his assertions, but that’s never stopped him before.

"I heard he was a terrible student, terrible. How does a bad student go to Columbia and then to Harvard?" Trump said to the Associated Press. "I'm thinking about it, I'm certainly looking into it. Let him show his records."

MC Hammer Reinvents Himself in Silicon Valley

 

Is it possible for the music industry to learn something from an artist who hasn't had a hit song since the mid-'90s?

In the case of MC Hammer, it just might.

To many in the music industry, Hammer is a has-been rapper who squandered a fortune and eventually faded into musical irrelevancy. But in Silicon Valley, he's a respected entrepreneur, investor and adviser with a reputation as a savvy early adopter of new technology.

That's quite an achievement in a region that views most celebrities with suspicion.

Jalen Rose Didn’t Seem to Know that He was Under Arrest

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World 

It appears that Jalen Rose of ESPN (and the Fab Five at Michigan) wasn’t aware that he was being arrested when he was stopped for DUI. Here is a transcript of Jalen’s interaction with the police officer in the back of a squad car on the night he was arrested for drunk driving:

Jalen: "So what are we doing right now?"
Cop: "We're gonna go to the police station right now."
Jalen: "To do what?"
Cop: "You're under arrest."
Jalen: "For what, sir?"
Cop: "For drunk driving."
Jalen: "But I wasn't really drinking."
Cop: "Um, okay."

Student Gets Life in Prison after Harvard University Murder

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World – Scholarship in Action 

When most of us think about Ivy League universities, we picture places of higher learning, tranquility and inspirational endeavors. Most of us don’t think about students getting shot over bags of marijuana. But it still stands that Jabrai Jordan Copney is going to prison for a murder that took place on the Harvard University campus.

The murder occurred in 2009 and Copney has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The jury took three days to come to its conclusions, and sentenced the 22-year old Copney to spend the rest of his life in prison. He was also convicted of possession of a firearm, but not of armed robbery.

Meet Rocky Clark: His Insurance Company Has Left Him to Die

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World – Scholarship in Action 

The story of Rasul "Rocky" Clark is a cautionary tale to all the mothers who send their sons to the football field on Saturday afternoon. Ten years ago, Clark was living the dream of many African American males: he was one of the stars of his high school football team, playing the game as running back.
Rocky's dream came to an end with one hit too many. The player was paralyzed from the neck down, rendering him unable to move, walk, stand up, or use his arms for the rest of his life. He will never run down the field, experience sex, wash himself or even breath properly again. He has one lung, and his life expectancy dropped dramatically on the day of his horrible injury. In fact, part of the reason his family is now broke is because medical experts and insurance companies didn't expect him to last for even a decade.
Rocky just found out that his $5 million dollar insurance policy has reached the lifetime maximum, meaning that his insurer is not going to pay anymore of his expenses.

Tupac Shakur’s Lost Jailhouse Interview

 

Your Black World reports

The late Tupac Shakur Spent a lot of time in jails and prisons before his death.  In the interviews below, he candidly discusses life as a prison inmate, the inspiration for his music and life as a young black male in America.  Check it out.

Dr. Boyce Spotlight: The Rapper Common Is an Uncommon Talent

For more information about Common, please visit GreatBlackSpeakers.com

With his Multi-Grammy Award winning music career and his continued work in film, Common has emerged as one of Hollywood's most sought after leading men. He has been seen on the silver screen in films such as SMOKIN ACES, AMERICAN GANGSTER, WANTED, TERMINATOR SALVATION and was most recently in DATE NIGHT and JUST WRIGHT.

Prior to acting, COMMON rose to prominence as one of hip-hops most poetic and respected lyricists having recorded over eight albums. In 2004, he partnered with Chicago native and rap music mega-star Kanye West to produce BE, which went on to garner four Grammy Award nominations. In 2007 COMMON released his critically acclaimed seventh album Finding Forever where it debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart and it went on to earn a Grammy award. His eighth album, Universal Mind Control, was released in 2008 and recently nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Rap Album. He is currently in the studio working on his upcoming album The Believer.

COMMON is a regularly requested guest speaker known to motivate and empower collegiate minds while speaking at prestigious universities across the Country. In 2007, he launched the Common Ground Foundation, which is dedicated to the empowerment and development of urban youth in communities by helping them to realize their full potential.

 

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Miami Dolphin Brandon Marshall Stabbed by His Wife

From CNN

(CNN) — The wife of Miami Dolphins star receiver Brandon Marshall has been charged with stabbing him in the abdomen with a kitchen knife during a domestic violence incident, according to a report from the Broward County, Florida, sheriff’s office.

Michi Nogami-Marshall, 26, was charged Friday evening with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, which allegedly occurred in their Southwest Ranches, Florida, home, according to the sheriff’s report.

Brandon Marshall’s injuries are nonlife-threatening, said spokeswoman Veda Coleman-Wright of the sheriff’s office.

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Gov’t Tells Snoop He Can’t Sell His Destructive New Drink

 

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World – Scholarship in Action 

Sixteen separate states are stepping in the way of Snoop Dogg’s latest big money venture with the Pabst Brewing Company. Attorneys General from Arizona, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Ohio, Tennessee, Washington, Utah, California, Idaho and Connecticut stood against the release of Snoop’s drink in their territories. Additionally, Guam's attorney general and the city attorney general of San Francisco all signed a resolution stating that the drink Blast by Colt 45 is dangerous and being marketed to young people.

The drink contains 12 percent alcohol and is sold in 23.5 and seven ounce containers. It is said to have as much alcohol as five beers in one can. There are several fruity flavors for the drink, including: grape, raspberry watermelon, strawberry lemonade and blueberry pomegranate flavors.

Man Gets $85K for Being Falsely Accused of Rape

From Philly.com

 

Eugene Robinson wants the world to know that he is not a rapist.

Ever since police mistook him for a wanted sex offender in 2008, he's told anyone who would listen that they have the wrong guy.

Now, after a three-year struggle to clear his name, Robinson, 60, can breathe easier, even chuckle at the horrific mix-up that landed him in jail for a year and prompted his fiancee to leave. Earlier this month, city lawyers admitted that police made a mistake and agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by Robinson.

"I'm not an angel," Robinson said. "Don't claim to be an angel. I've done some things, but see, I would never violate a woman. Even in my worst days, I would never violate a woman."

Robinson's Kafkaesque nightmare began Aug. 4, 2008, when he opened up the Daily News and saw his mugshot under the headline "WEEK'S MOST WANTED."

A Young Poet Wants to Stop the Abuse: Back-Hand

Do we live in a society that is a bit too ready to accept domestic violence?  Are there women being abused who are afraid to speak out?

Black News: Police Can Now Empty all Contents from Your Cell Phone

Your Black World reports

The Michigan State Police are planning to use a gadget that works with a “Universal Forensic Extraction Device,” that can copy all of the contents off someone’s cell phone. This includes all texts, emails, phone calls, pictures and videos. The device works on 3,000 cell phone models. The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan is asking a lot of questions about the device.   They speculate that it can be abused to violate the civil rights of countless American citizens.

Police are arguing that the device can be used to keep important evidence before trial, but the ACLU wonders if the devices are being used to get private information from citizens who are not under suspicion. They also wonder if the information is being gathered without the consent of the motorist or a search warrant. Civil Rights advocates argue that the device violates the Fourth Amendment, which forbids illegal search and seizure. When the ACLU wrote a letter to the police department, the department asked for over $500,000 for the release of the information.

 

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Hip Hop News: LiL Wayne Producer Files $20M Lawsuit

From MTV.com

It's almost a given. An artist scores a major hit that sells millions of records and a short time later is sued by someone either claiming he or she actually wrote the song or worked on it and didn't get a fair slice of the pie.

Cue the lawsuit from the producer Darius Harrison (a.k.a. Deezle), who has filed a court action against Young Money Entertainment and Cash Money Records, claiming that he has not gotten his paper from the sales of Lil Wayne's smash hit "Lollipop" and the album it was featured on, Tha Carter III.

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Black First Grader Handcuffed After Temper Tantrum

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Your Black World – Scholarship in Action 

A 7-year old special ed student became upset while decorating an easter egg, and ended up being handcuffed by the NYPD as a result.  Joseph Anderson, a first-grader, was taken to the hospital in metal handcuffs by the police, in spite of the fact that his mother said she was on her way to pick him up.

"He was crying and saying, 'I want Mommy,'" said his mother, Jessica Anderson. "Why handcuff him? Why get the cops involved? He's only 7."

According to his mother, Joseph has been wetting himself and vomiting since the incident, which took place on April 13. 

"If he hears an ambulance, he runs under the bed and screams, 'They're going to get me,'" said his mother. "He's really traumatized. I don't let him watch the news anymore, because if he sees cops, he cries."

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Jim Jones Gets Proposed To: What to Make of That?

by Patrice Johnson, Your Black World 

A picture of reality star, Chrissy and her fiancé, famous rapper Jim Jones

I absolutely LOVE reality T.V. and the reality show, ‘Love & Hip Hop’ is no exception. After watching todays episode on VH1 I remembered the look on Chrissy’s face when she proposed to Jim Jones. Tears rolling down her cheeks, her hands trembling and then SHE popped the big question!

 

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Technorati Tags: jim jones,chrissy,love and hip hop

Black At Ya – By Vigalantee: Tell Us What You think

What’s Wrong with LeBron James Mother? Video Shown of Gloria Fighting with Hotel Valet

 

Three thoughts that come to mind as I watch the video of LeBron James’ mother getting into a fight with the valet at a hotel:

1) What the hayell?  - Yes, if my mama ever acts this way, she and I might have to have a nasty conversation or two.  I truly feel sorry for LeBron, who has been embarrassed by his mother in the past on multiple occasions.

2) This is what happens when we drink too much in public and forget that our child is a celebrity.  When you’re in the public eye, everyone is always watching.  You can’t sneeze, use the bathroom, or buy groceries without people scrutinizing every little thing you do.  Alcohol reduces our inhibitions and makes us unaware of our surroundings.  That’s why I don’t drink.

 

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