Are Black people stupid?
Part 3: Don't Blame White People!
FACT 1: In 1860, 98% of all Blacks in America worked for White people. In 2001, 98% of all Blacks in America still work for white people. Source: https://powernomics.com/
QUESTION 1: Your Ancestors Were Slaves. Who Owns the Photos of Them?
FACT 2: “The person who hits the shutter button and takes the photograph is the one who owns the copyright on the image,” Mr. Mattei said. “That’s 100 percent the law, and it’s been the law forever.” Source: U.S. Copyright Law and nytimes.com
QUESTION 2: Do White people own more images (photos and videos) of Black people than Black people?
RESPONSE: Yes.
Getty opens access to 30,000 images of black diaspora in UK and US
Jointly owned by the Getty (White Folks) Research Institute and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (i.e., replete with many "go-along-to-get-along" Negroes serving on the Museum Council).
Although hosted by Black folks (DJ Envy, Charlamagne tha God and Jess Hilarious), White-owned and controlled iHeartMedia, Inc. does not broadcast The Breakfast Club to make money for Black people, or to promote an exclusive "pro-Black" agenda, but to make money to sustain White-ownership and control.
Likewise, White-owned and controlled iHeartMedia, Inc. did NOT recently create its "Black Information Network" to make money for Black people.
The newly established philanthropic business model for White-owned and controlled States Newsroom was not created to focus on the socio-economic status of Black people, but to focus solely on the "generic" status of state politics and policy, which was abandoned due to severe staffing cuts and business closures by traditional mainstream newspapers and broadcast media.
QUESTION 3: If you don't own and/or control the print, photo and video images of yourself and your race how can you possibly control the character, scope, and accuracy of the "narrative" of what people say about you?
Whoopi Goldberg
disciplined by White Owned media for her comments about Jewish peopleYe (Kanye West)
disciplined by White Owned media for his comments about Jewish peopleKyrie Irving
disciplined by White Owned media for his comments about Jewish people
CLICK ABOVE PHOTO FOR INFO CLICK ABOVE PHOTO FOR INFO CLICK ABOVE PHOTO FOR INFO
RESPONSE: You don't.
OBSERVATION: Notably absent from the negative criticisms of Goldberg, Ye, and Irving is the following article from the Los Angles Times: How deeply Jewish is Hollywood? C'mon - "When the studio chiefs took out a full-page ad in the Los Angeles Times a few weeks ago to demand that the Screen Actors Guild settle its contract, the open letter was signed by: News Corp. President Peter Chernin (Jewish), Paramount Pictures Chairman Brad Grey (Jewish), Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Robert Iger (Jewish), Sony Pictures Chairman Michael Lynton (surprise, Dutch Jew), Warner Bros. Chairman Barry Meyer (Jewish), CBS Corp. Chief Executive Leslie Moonves (so Jewish his great uncle was the first prime minister of Israel), MGM Chairman Harry Sloan (Jewish) and NBC Universal Chief Executive Jeff Zucker (mega-Jewish). If either of the (Jewish) Weinstein brothers had signed, this group would have not only the power to shut down all film production but to form a minyan with enough Fiji water on hand to fill a mikvah." Source: Los Angeles Times, December 19, 2008, by JOEL STEIN
Goldberg, Ye, and Irving did NOT, do NOT control the "narrative" of the media engines they use to convey their message. In "Hollywood" and for all mainstream media, ultimate control has been and continues to be primarily dictated by White men, and most likely, White Jewish men.
Given the aforementioned, let's look at Black owned and/or controlled media in Omaha, Nebraska.
Surely, there's an expectation that Black owned and/or controlled media would at least represent the character and scope of content, accuracy, and quality comparable to White owned and/or controlled media, right? "Quality" is as important to Black people as it is to White people, right? Right? Surely, the six-(6) key components of journalistic reporting - who, what, where, when, why, and how - are as important to Black people as they are to White people, right? So, the point of the following assessment of Omaha's Black owned and/or controlled media is not to assail it. On the contrary, here's my question: Black owned and/or controlled media have access to the same journalistic standards and technologies (software, hardware, cameras, etc.) as White owned and/or controlled media, so why is there such a stark difference in the "look and feel" and overall quality of product?
The Omaha Star is a newspaper founded in 1938 in North Omaha, Nebraska, by Mildred Brown and her husband S. Edward Gilbert. Housed in the historic Omaha Star building in the Near North Side neighborhood, today the Omaha Star is the only remaining African-American newspaper in Omaha and the only one still printed in Nebraska. It may be the only newspaper in the United States started by an African-American woman. Source: Wikipedia
As reported in the "North O Report" published by NoiseOmaha.com in 2017: For almost eight decades, The Star, has provided a positive counter-narrative to the crime-focused coverage of North Omaha by many mainstream local print and broadcast media outlets. One younger community member said The Omaha Star wasn’t as relevant now, and that many residents don’t have a clear sense of what its future is. "People have thoughts about how it can reinvent itself, or reconnect itself to the masses of people. Whoever has those plans or whatever those plans are, they haven't been rolled out yet," they said.
Given the ever increasing importance of mass media communications as a tool to inform, educate, and manipulate both targeted and diverse audiences, and how media is often "weaponized" to strategically make Black people appear stupid, lazy, violent, uneducated, etc. - all to the detriment of Black people, one might think the Omaha Star is dedicated to presenting a positive "look and feel" image of itself and of Black people, right? Given the aforementioned, what's the "look and feel" of the Omaha Star right now?
NOTE: The above work product was previously sent to the Omaha Star which did not respond.
Ms. Strong elected not to discuss the Omaha Star's use of her NIL.
The Omaha Star elected not to respond to my inquiries in this regard. One might think UNMC's Dr. Sheritta Strong would be concerned how her "image" is being presented "to the world" by the Omaha Star, and one would be wrong, because Dr. Strong elected not to address my inquiries in this regard. Nevertheless, below, I inserted a properly pixelated photo that does not distort Dr. Strong's image. Should "quality" matter, even for Black people?
NOTE: The above work product was previously sent to the Omaha Star which did not respond.
Ms. Strong elected not to discuss the Omaha Star's use of her NIL.
"One younger community member said The Omaha Star wasn’t as relevant now . . . "
NOTE: The above work product was previously sent to the Omaha Star which did not respond.
QUESTION 4: Of course, people make errors, which are unintentional, but if you consistently, repeatedly demonstrate that you don't care about the content and quality of your "work product" or your reputation, what do you think people say about you?
THE MESSAGE: When Black people have ownership and/or control, don't blame White people for your failure to control your "look and feel" or your failure to control the narrative!
Okay, what about Black owned and/or Black controlled broadcast and social media dedicated to presenting a positive "look and feel" image of of Black people in Omaha, Nebraska.
THE MESSAGE: When Black people have ownership and/or control, don't blame White people for your failure to control your "look and feel" or your failure to control the narrative!
NOTE: The above work product was previously sent to 95.7 FM
NOTE: The above work product was previously sent to 95.7 FM
NOTE: The above work product was previously sent to 95.7 FM
NOTE: The above work product was previously sent to 95.7 FM
An empty studio? Really?
The intent, of course, is to provide informative, educational, and engaging content. Unfortunately, if you consistently, repeatedly give the appearance that you don't care about the content and quality of your "work product" or your reputation, what do you think people say about you and/or your business enterprise? Is it truly that difficult to create a set that effectively showcases the program, host, and guest?
NOTE: The above work product was previously sent to 95.7 FMTHE MESSAGE: When Black people have ownership and/or control, don't blame White people for your failure to control your "look and feel" or your failure to control the narrative!
NOTE: This above and below work product was previously sent to the EWC Communications
Be aware that some guests conflict with both the "look and feel" of your branding and the "narrative" you're communicating.
OBSERVATION: Given the greater "value" of Ernie Chambers to the EWC YouTube.com channel, programs should be produced with: (1) an intro that effectively introduces him to new audiences, especially individuals outside of Omaha, Nebraska who are not familiar with his accomplishments; (2) on-screen graphics (including artificial backgrounds) and audio/video content that validate the veracity of his comments; and (3) without distorting audio and his image via artificial backgrounds.
EWC ORIGINAL UPDATE (by Trip Reynolds) Ultimately "on-air" program aesthetics are the responsibly of the producer, or show runner. Since the dawn of photography and its evolution to film and video, its "common sense" to place the subject matter or host in the center of the frame, and you will not find a "talking head" program broadcast locally or nationally by ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX, etc., where the program host is filmed with a flower pot hanging upward and left-of-center AND where the program host is filmed right-of-center and BELOW the lower third of the frame.
Senator Ernie Chambers is the single greatest elected member in the history of the Nebraska legislature, and Nebraska's single greatest Black elected official. Great care should be taken to avoid exploiting his image, especially due to a lack of professionalism, which can easily be corrected without cost. Although he's no longer serving as an elected official, as represented by the EWC YouTube.com broadcasts, Senator Chambers remains a "public figure." Accordingly, there should be an expectation of professionalism in the quality, character, and scope of content. Likewise, there should be an expectation of feedback regarding unprofessionalism, negligence, and incompetence in the production of such content.
Again, you will not find a "talking head" program broadcast locally or nationally by ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, FOX, etc., where the program host is filmed with a flower pot hanging upward and left-of-center AND where the program host is filmed right-of-center and BELOW the lower third of the frame. "Quality" is as important to Black people as it is to White people, right? Right? Apparently not.
THE MESSAGE: When Black people have ownership and/or control, don't blame White people for your failure to control your "look and feel" or your failure to control the narrative!
There are some "usual and customary," some basic broadcast standards for both commercial and public broadcast, such as: don't eat on camera; don't comb your hair on camera; don't floss your teeth on camera; host and guests should dress professionally - not sexy or too casually; don't dress on camera; don't fidget or constantly shake or move on camera; both the studio and set should appear neat and cluster free; because the aforementioned distract from and draw unnecessary attention away from the topic, and worse, prompt viewer not to watch. Plus, given that anyone might see web-based broadcasts, including potential sponsors, advertisers, and philanthropic organizations, a sloppy set with a sloppy looking host and sloppy looking guests are counterproductive to attracting, building, and sustaining revenue streams. Equally important, a dedicated camera should be affixed to each host and guest, plus one or two cameras for a wide and/or midrange shot for all in-studio talent. Note the following:
Is Gayle King's plunging neckline really necessary to report the news? Are women coerced to be sexual objects? Click here.
ABOVE: Dedicated cameras on individual guests are not obstructed by microphones, but wide-angle shot of microphones cover faces of guests. BELOW: Conversely, Howard Stern's set might appear to be expensive, but take a close look; it's really nothing more than a couple of desktops, curtains, soft blue lights, and blue paint - and properly arched microphones never cover the faces of guests from any angle.
It's really not that expensive or difficult to create and maintain a clean, unclustered set. For example, presented below are several sets routinely and interactively used during the operation of Community Telecast, Inc., a.k.a. CTI22. These sets, including furniture and backgrounds, were either constructed by the President/CEO and Chief Engineer, or acquired from Goodwill, or acquired as a result of being discarded or donated from viewers, organizations, etc.
DEDICATED SEATING FOR 1 to 3 DEDICATED SEATING FOR 1 to 31 TO 3 OPTIONAL VANITY LOGO PLACEMENT OPTIONAL VANITY LOGO PLACEMENT OPTIONAL VANITY LOGO PLACEMENT
WITH SOFA CHAIRS & OPAQUE BACKGROUNDOPTIONAL VANITY LOGO PLACEMENT OPTIONAL DIMMED OR COLORED LIGHTING
WITH VANITY LOGO PLACEMENTOPTIONAL THREE-(3) HIGH CHAIR SET-UP
WITH TABLE AND COLORED LIGHTINGOPTIONAL VANITY LOGO PLACEMENT
WITH TABLE / HIGH BACK CHAIRSOPTIONAL SOFA CHAIRS WITH
VANITY LOGOOPTIONAL VANITY LOGO PLACEMENT
WITH SOFA AND CHAIROPTIONAL VANITY LOGO PLACEMENT
WITH "TALK SHOW" DESK AND SOFAINFORMAL SITTING ON STOOLS DEDICATED SEATING FOR UP TO 5
WITH OPTIONAL VANITY LOGO PLACEMENTDEDICATED SEATING FOR UP TO 5 Again, it's really not that expensive or difficult to create and maintain a clean, unclustered set, even when, as with CTI22's program producers, who routinely refused to adhere to their executed contracts, their financial commitment to CTI22. Unfortunately, CTI22 did not have revenue to pay for monthly accounting services, and CTI22's President/CEO was a pastor - not a business professional. As a human resource executive I've held immediate responsibility for hundreds-of-millions of dollars; therefore, approximately six-(6) months prior to volunteering to help CTI22, I produced the financial exhibit below to help guide CTI22's budgeting. This accounting greatly alarmed the President/CEO and ultimately prompted me to volunteer. The color "red" in the following exhibits indicates individuals, churches, and organizations that did not pay their monthly fees as contracted. Nevertheless, CTI22's real costs to produce their content for broadcast included: facility rental to O.O.I.C.; monthly expense to purchase, repair, and maintain camera equipment; damage to equipment due to water leakage from the O.O.I.C. roof; expense to set builds; broadcast and office materials, equipment, and supplies including DVDs, DV tapes; travel expenses to record and broadcast remotely; etc.
Despite false claims by individuals and groups, as established by "XIII" and "XIV" of the Community Programming Agreement, CTI22 was prohibited from selling any aspect of broadcast time or advertising any commercials, but could only charge for the cost to produce content for broadcast.
QUESTION 5: Given the blatant failure of program producers to pay-their-way, and the fact that CTI22 did not receive any funding from Cox Communication, no funding from the City of Omaha, and only one-(1) grant during its twenty-(20) years of operation, who paid the balance due in rent to O.O.I.C., and for the purchase, repair, and maintenance of camera equipment; water leakage; broadcast and office materials, equipment, and supplies including DVDs, DV tapes, travel to record and broadcast remotely, etc.?
RESPONSE: Who paid? Unfortunately, financial support from Black residents was, at best, inconsistent or non-existent. So, the President/CEO of CTI22 (Rev. Dr. Everett S. Reynolds) paid balances due from his retirement income, and the Chief Engineer (Everett S. Reynolds, Jr.), and the General Manager (Trip Reynolds) paid balances due from their freelance work independent of CTI22. Most importantly, claims that CTI22 was a "family business" were not only wrong, but deceitful, because the only reason Dr. Reynolds' sons helped in the operation of CTI22 was because:
1. Cox Communications asked Rev. Dr. Everett S. Reynolds to manage Channel 22 (not the reverse), because as President of Religious Telecast, Inc., Dr. Reynolds always complied with the Community Programming Agreement, but the Latino and Black individuals who also managed content on Channel 22 were literally selling air-time, which was a violation of the agreement.
2. CTI22 routinely broadcast PSAs requesting viewers to volunteer, but Black, Latino, and White residents of Omaha refused to do so without pay; and
3. As represented by their perpetual love and commitment to help their father, Rev. Dr. Everett S. Reynolds' two oldest sons volunteered to help their father without compensation. Family? To be clear, Rev. Dr. Everett Reynolds was a "pastor," who volunteered to help run Channel 22 because he valued giving, in his words, "good folk an opportunity to exercise their Freedom of Speech." His oldest son was an electrical and computer technician - not a production or creative artist, but Cox required a "technician" manage the technical operations of Channel 22, which is why Everett Reynolds, Jr. volunteered to help his father. Trip Reynolds was/is not from Omaha, had been living in Denver for sixteen-(16) years, but shortly after moving to Omaha he became aware challenges faced by CTI22. Notably, Trip Reynolds was/is proficient in all aspects of print and broadcast media (radio, television, film, internet) including public and media relations as result of having literally created, hired, compensated, and disciplined thousands of such positions in various industries (aerospace, K-12 public education, property/casualty insurance, publishing, healthcare, municipal government, etc.); and after discovering the lack of community support, he volunteered to share his expertise to support his father's commitment to the community. Conversely, Rev. Dr. Everett Reynolds' youngest son (and his son's adult children) NEVER made any financial or on-site personal commitment to volunteer in support of his father's/grandfather's commitment to CTI22 or civil rights.
THE MESSAGE: When Black people have ownership and/or control, don't blame White people for your failure to control your "look and feel" or your failure to control the narrative!
Given the aforementioned, frankly I considered the character, scope, and quality of broadcast operations at CTI22 . . . crappy. Many broadcasts started late; guests and hosts arrived late or failed to show; program hosts literally ate their fast food dinners "live" on camera; the set backgrounds and staging was too limited; the quality of sound and videos ranged from lousy to mediocre; and the program schedule was too heavily configured with religious content (over 50%). Accordingly, instead of hoping for, asking for, praying for "hand-outs" from White people, this is what CTI22 did:
Additionally, in an effort to wrestle control of the "narrative" about Black people from White-owned and controlled mainstream media in Omaha, I conceived the North Omaha Media Center (NOMC), which would consolidate established minority-owned and/or controlled media under one-(1) united umbrella of independently-operated organizations.
Collectively, "we" would control the "narrative," and push content between and within our members to generate revenue streams - just like Disney strategically manages content between Marvel Comics, ABC-TV, Touchstone Films, ESPN and dozens and dozens of other entities it owns and/or controls.
Unfortunately, it became necessary to abandon the project after separate meetings with Dr. Marguerita Washington at the Omaha Star and Jim Nelson at Jim Nelson Media Services, because both denied interest in or support of the proposal; and Revive! Omaha refused to respond to my requests to meet. Here, yet again, was that same old story of Black people refusing to work together. Nevertheless, CTI22 continued to expand its media footprint to showcase the greater Omaha community:
“EYES WIDE OPEN”
WITH
SUSAN SMITH
“SABAR A OMAHA”
WITH
MARINA ROSADO
“PEOPLE TALKING”
WITH
CHERYL WESTON
“101 EAST”
WITH
FAUZIAH IBRAHIM
“Chief Standing Bear Awards Luncheon”
with
Judy M. gaiashkibos
“KARAOKE THROWDOWN”
WITH DJ HOWIE
“LATINO PERSPECTIVE”
WITH
BEN SALAZAR
“TIMOTHY ASHFORD
P.C.L.L.O.
ATTORNEY
AT LAW"
“ASIAN WORLD CENTER”
WITH
DR. MAORONG JIANG
REPUBLIC OF LAKOTAH with RUSSELL MEANS
AND
NATIVE AMERICAN
POW WOWS
Conversely, the Urban League of Nebraska routinely allocated its broadcast time for the immediate benefit of Empowerment Network, and was informed to discontinue such practice in compliance with the CPA. Notably, the President/CEO of the Urban League of Nebraska, Thomas H. Warren was a member of the Empowerment Network. In response to direction from CTI22, the Urban League of Nebraska terminated its program, which clearly foreshadowed future practices of the Empowerment Network.
CTI22 EXTENDED AN OPEN INVITATION TO ELECTED OFFICIALS TO USE COMMUNITY ACCESS TELEVISION.
WHY DO (DID) YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS REFUSE TO BROADCAST ON
CHANNEL 22?MAYBE YOU SHOULD
ASK THEM?
INTENTIONALLY BROADCAST IN
"BLACK & WHITE"
TO PROMPT VIEWER ATTENTION
Below, previous letters to members of the Omaha City Council
May 12, 2008 December 16, 2008 May 15, 2009 May 18, 2009 Partial Contact List
Accordingly, as independently validated by White people, because ultimately, White people own and control all aspects of the Franchise Agreement and possess final decision-making authority, CTI22's market share for community access broadcasting was significantly larger than the national norm of less than 5% to range from 13% to 26% of cable provider's (Cox's) subscribers. Arguably, CTI22 was becoming too successful, which historically is not a good thing for Black owned and/or controlled businesses, such as the Negro Baseball League, Motown, Black Entertainment Television (BET), Softsheen, etc.
To download the report by Moss & Barnett, click here.
CTI22 had positive meetings with Chris Sehring at Channel 3 and Jeff Miller at Fox42, but Sarah Smith at Channel 7 and Charlie Petersen at Channel 6 did not respond to my request. To read page 2, click HERE.
VIII. Cox has previously installed an initial fiber optic line to the three-(3) origination sites: however, TKN (The Knowledge Network), H & W (Health and Wellness - Creighton University) and CTI (Community Telecast, Inc.) shall pay the cost of any location changes that require the relocation of Cox's fiber optic link.
CTI22 informed Cox Communications of its request to relocate to the Center Mall, and initially Cox refused to respond for over a month until finally directing CTI22 to request approval for its relocation from the City of Omaha; then, the City of Omaha directed CTI22 to secure approval from Cox Communications; and the City of Omaha and Cox Communications jointly conspired - for over two years - to prevent the relocation of CTI22 into the Center Mall by creating an administrative merry-go-round, which included denial of service and failure to respond to complaints. Notably, as Cox Communication informed the City of Omaha and CTI22, the analogue line used to broadcast content on Channel 22 could be split into four-(4) to six-(6) digital lines which would enable Cox to add more channels into its cable system and potentially generate greater profit.
Point of fact, as required by the Community Programming Agreement, CTI22 sent monthly reports to the City of Omaha and to Cox Communications detailing its broadcast schedule and station operations; and the broadcast demographics changed as programs were added or dropped. For example, the percent of Latino content on CTI22 ranged from a low of 5% to a high of 33%! Additionally, Deputy City Attorney Thomas O. Mumgaard, Cox Communications and others sought to intentionally find fault with CTI22's broadcast practices, but found absolutely no merit, no truth to any allegations or hearsay Hardick and others deceitfully and maliciously promoted.
Then, on December 4, 2012 CTI22 was directed to include all content from Cox Channel 109 into CTI22's broadcast schedule. As validated by the exhibit below, program content on Channel 22 dramatically changed. Religious broadcasts increased from 20% of content on Channel 22 to nearly 40% of all content. Consequently, the more robust and diverse demographics achieved by CTI22 were lost.
Jim Nelson Media Services KPTM Fox 42 PropertyBanc Community Telecast, Inc. / CTI22
Notably, as detailed in its response to the RFQ, only CTI22 offered partnerships, content, production, and broadcast facilities for the immediate benefit and access of all citizens of Omaha.
In summary:
Integration doesn't mean a damn thing unless you OWN it!™
Trip Reynolds
What is the historic, prevailing, and perpetual "narrative" for Being Black?
First, consider the following current "narrative" produced by White-owned and controlled research institutions defining the state of Blackness in the United States of America:
With few exceptions, the "narrative" constantly researched and promoted by White-owned and controlled research institutions, businesses and media is Black under-achievement, Black failure, Black crime, etc.
With few exceptions, the "narrative" primarily used by White-owned and controlled K-12 schools, colleges, universities, businesses, and media to promote Black success is confined to sports and entertainment.
Again, with few exceptions, the "narrative" constantly researched and promoted by White-owned and controlled research institutions, businesses and media is Black under-achievement, Black failure, Black crime, etc.
Again, with few exceptions, the "narrative" primarily used by White-owned and controlled K-12 schools, colleges, universities, businesses, and media to promote Black success is confined to sports and entertainment.
To be clear, with few exceptions, the "narrative" constantly researched and promoted by White-owned and controlled research institutions, businesses and media is Black under-achievement, Black failure, Black crime, etc.
To be clear, with few exceptions, the "narrative" primarily used by White-owned and controlled K-12 schools, colleges, universities, businesses, and media to promote Black success is confined to sports and entertainment.
Let's recap, with few exceptions, the "narrative" constantly researched and promoted by White-owned and controlled research institutions, businesses and media is Black under-achievement, Black failure, Black crime, etc.
Let's recap, with few exceptions, the "narrative" primarily used by White-owned and controlled K-12 schools, colleges, universities, businesses, and media to promote Black success is confined to sports and entertainment.
Let's recap, again, with few exceptions, the "narrative" constantly researched and promoted by White-owned and controlled research institutions, businesses and media is Black under-achievement, Black failure, Black crime, etc.
Let's recap, again, with few exceptions, the "narrative" primarily used by White-owned and controlled K-12 schools, colleges, universities, businesses, and media to promote Black success is confined to sports and entertainment.
Maybe . . .
you should just give up?FACT:
Black women who do NOT go to college have a greater net worth (of $0.00) than Black women who go to college ($-11,000).
In case you've forgotten, with few exceptions, the "narrative" constantly researched and promoted by White-owned and controlled research institutions, businesses and media is Black under-achievement, Black failure, Black crime, etc.
In case you've forgotten, with few exceptions, the "narrative" primarily used by White-owned and controlled K-12 schools, colleges, universities, businesses, and media to promote Black success is confined to sports and entertainment.
The "value" of a Black man
having a real opportunity to take
care of his family?
"Color Him Father"
Do you get the point?
James Baldwin
on the Dick Cavett ShowDo you get the point?
Educator Jane Elliott
Do you get it?
Well, do you get it?
Have you seen enough?
RACISM IS INTENTIONAL AND PERPETUAL IN OMAHA, NEAgain, look at this graph
(at left), are you really so . . .
stupid . . . that you fail to
comprehend the "narrative"
of what being Black actually
means, and has
always meant, in the
United States of America?I'm not insulting your intelligence; however, Albert Einstein did so when he said: “Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
QUESTION: Except for a few tokens, the overall social and economic status (i.e., equal access to education, employment, housing, health care, and the political process) for the overwhelming majority of Black people, and other people of color, did not change during the 1870s, 1880s, 1890s, 1900s, 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and the 2010s - and it never will. Where's any evidence to the contrary?
ANSWER: There isn't any.
Second, if the past and "current" status of Blackness is not gloomy enough, consider the following projected "narrative" produced by White-owned and controlled research institutions defining the future state of Blackness in the United States of America through 2260:
Nothing changes: The Racial Wealth Gap, 1860 - 2020
As researched by Derenoncourt, Chi Hyun Kim, Kuhn, and Schularick in their March 8, 2021 report, “The Racial Wealth Gap, 1860 - 2020,” the wealth gap between Blacks and Whites has never been abated, has only increased significantly; and if present trends in the data continue, the racial wealth gap is headed to a steady state with average White wealth at least five times greater than average Black wealth - even through 2260! Click the image below to read the full report.
Click the above image to download the report.
Third, and most importantly, don't be angry, don't be mad, don't get violent, don't riot, don't hate White people, because to do any of the aforementioned is just as stupid, if not worse, than continuing to do nothing or expecting handouts from White people.Instead, your highest priority is, not should be, but "is" to recognize:
"We have the power of numbers, the power of organization, and the power of spirit. Let me explain what I mean. Sixteen million people are a force to be reckoned with, and indeed there are many nations in the U.N. whose numbers are less."
Paul Robeson
Source: "Here I Stand" © 1958 by Paul Robeson
(Legendary Black American athlete, bass baritone concert artist,
stage and film actor, and political activist), page 92, fifth paragraph
"How long are you gonna sit around begging
White people to do for us when we have the power
to do for ourselves?"
Minister Louis Farrakhan
Integration doesn't mean a
damn thing unless you OWN it!™
Trip Reynolds
A fundamental marketing strategy is used in the majority of television commercials:
1. Tell them.
2. Tell them what you told them.3. Tell them again.
So, I'm "telling" you . . . again . . .
"How long are you gonna sit around begging White people to do for us when we have the power to do for ourselves?"
Minister Louis Farrakhan
Clearly, do NOT blame White people for the stupidity of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, and his lack of business acumen and lack of "Blackness" for selling Motown to White people. Do NOT blame White people for the stupidity of Robert L. Johnson, and his lack of business acumen and lack of "Blackness" for selling BET to White people. Do NOT blame White people for Oprah Winfrey's hatred of Black men, her hatred of the traditional Black family and marriage, and her extremely low self-esteem that propelled her to be perennially obese; but question why Winfrey launched the television success of two White men who were already "rich," Dr. Phil McGraw (Dr. Phil) and Dr. Mehmet Cengiz (Dr. Öz), instead of using her media influence to make Black men and Black women multi-millionaires. Do NOT blame White people for Bill Cosby's predilection to satisfy his sexual fantasies instead of using his creative and financial influence to work with other prominent Black people to create a Black-ish version of Disney, TimeWarner, Comcast/NBC/Universal, Sony, etc. Do NOT blame White people because the biggest and wealthiest Black musical artists like Michael Jackson and Prince had a predilection for drugs instead of using their creative and financial influence to work with other prominent Black people to create a Black-ish version of Disney, TimeWarner, Comcast/NBC/Universal, Sony, etc. Do you get it? Stop blaming White people; instead blame Berry Gordy, Oprah, Bob Johnson, Prince, Spike Lee, Michael Jackson, Bill Cosby, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, 50 Cent, Beyoncé, Tiger Woods, Floyd Mayeather, Jr., Jay Z, Tyler Perry, Cathy Hughes, etc.
QUESTION: Again, do White people own more images (photos and videos) of Black people than Black people?
RESPONSE: Yes. Keep in mind, the overwhelming majority of television programs, films, commercials, print advertisements, books, magazines, social media, internet web sites, music companies, music publishing, etc. are all owned and/or controlled by White people. Take a look at the following graph.
Multi-Media White Owned and Controlled Black Owned / Controlled Disney AT&T Comcast
None.
Instead, "they" control the "look and feel" and "they" write the "narrative."
Just ask Denzel Washington
Instead, "they" control the "look and feel" and "they" write the "narrative."
Just ask Dave Chappelle
"Why doesn't a slave
run from one plantation
to another plantation,
because the master
over there might
be nicer?"
Dave Chappelle
The Walt Disney Company is an American diversified multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. The company established itself as a leader in the American animation industry before diversifying into live-action film production, television, and theme parks. The company is known for its film studio division, The Walt Disney Studios, which includes Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, 20th Century Studios, Searchlight Pictures, and Blue Sky Studios. Disney's other main segments are Disney Media Networks, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, and Walt Disney Direct-to-Consumer & International.
Number of employees: 223,000
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational conglomerate holding company headquartered at Whitacre Tower in Downtown Dallas, Texas. It is the world's largest telecommunications company, the largest provider of mobile telephone services, and the largest provider of fixed telephone services in the United States through AT&T Communications. Since June 14, 2018, it is also the parent company of mass media conglomerate WarnerMedia, making it the world's largest media and entertainment company in terms of revenue. As of 2018, AT&T was ranked #9 on the Fortune 500 rankings of the largest United States corporations by total revenue.
Number of employees: 247,800
Comcast is an American telecommunications conglomerate headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is the second-largest broadcasting and cable television company in the world by revenue and the largest pay-TV company, the largest cable TV company and largest home Internet service provider in the United States, and the nation's third-largest home telephone service provider. Comcast services U.S. residential and commercial customers in 40 states and in the District of Columbia. As the parent company of the international media company NBCUniversal since 2011, Comcast is a producer of feature films and television programs intended for theatrical exhibition and over-the-air and cable television broadcast, respectively.
Number of employees: 190,000
COMCAST OWNS ALL
OF THIS, and THIS.
December 11, 1997
Steven Reddicliffe, Editor in Chief
Letters Department
TV Guide
Radnor, Pennsylvania 19088Dear Mr. Reddicliffe:
I greatly applaud TV Guide's on-going recognition and celebration of Star Trek through the collectors editions covers. In addition to being a fan of Star Trek, I've also been a reader of TV Guide since the early 1960s. But, I'm very disappointed in your presentation of the Star Trek captains.
True, each captain was presented but not in proper Trek chronology. Worse, it's insulting because - on the face of it - yet again white males AND a white female must FIRST be recognized before a Black man's rightful achievement can be recognized. Yes, you applauded Star Trek but obviously you don't know what "TREK" is about. Trek was not and is not about one race or sex being better than another. For one thing, Trek is about the individual being recognized for his or her accomplishments, or failures.
In your "From the Editor" article you saw fit to list the Trek captains in their proper chronology. If "race" and "sex" wasn't an ISSUE then why did you change the proper Trek chronology by sequencing Kate Mulgrew's "Captain Janeway" before Avery Brooks' "Captain Sisko"? Sadly, even your internet home page (during this period) positioned a picture of Captain Janeway before Captain Sisko.
Captain Kirk is my favorite. However, I equally respect the characters of the other Trek captains and the actors who bring these characters to life. Respect. Proper respect for the characters, the actors.
I simply request you "respect" the values of Star Trek should TV Guide decide to celebrate Star Trek turning 40 or 50! Please.
Sincerely,
Trip Reynolds
In 2018, Forbes published its assessment of the richest Black and African (yes, there's a big difference) people in the world.
Aliko Dangote Sugar, Cement, Flour 14.10
Mike Adenuga Oil, Telecoms, Real Estate, Bamking 5.30
Robert Smith Venture Capitalist 4.40
Oprah Winfrey Television, Media 2.70
Isabel Dos Santos Oil, Telecom, Investments 2.60
Patrice Motsepe Mining 2.50
Folorunsho Alakija Oil 1.70
Michael Jordan Basketball, Marketing 1.65
Strive Masiyiwa Telecoms 1.39
Mohammed Ibrahim Mobile Telecoms 1.18
So, given the aforementioned, clearly, there are extremely rich Black and African people with expertise in diverse industries; so why don't these rich Black and African billionaires form a multi-national business conglomerate (like Warner Bros. Discovery, Boeing, General Electric, Disney, Sony, General Motors, Panasonic, etc.), or like the Chinese, use their collective wealth and business acumen to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery, or Boeing, or General Electric, or Disney, or Sony, or General Motors, Panasonic, etc.? So, are Black people stupid?
Integration into White society has NOT and will NOT end the perpetual racism and oppression used by White people against Black people.
Muhammad Ali interviewed by David Frost in 1974Clearly, do NOT blame White people for the stupidity of Berry Gordy, and his lack of business acumen and lack of "Blackness" for selling Motown to White people. Do NOT blame White people for the stupidity of Robert Johnson, and his lack of business acumen and lack of "Blackness" for selling BET to White people. Do NOT blame White people for Oprah Winfrey's stupidity and hatred of Black men, her hatred of the traditional Black family and marriage, and her extremely low self-esteem that propelled her to be perennially obese; but question why Winfrey launched the television success of two White men who were already "rich," Dr. Phil McGraw (Dr. Phil) and Dr. Mehmet Cengiz (Dr. Öz), instead of using her media influence to make Black men and Black women multi-millionaires.
It's wrong and stupid to ignore the perpetual existence of systemic racism and system sexism, and it's also wrong to blame every White person for the sins of the past. Likewise, given that White-male conservatives and White-male liberals have always been in exclusive control of the U.S. government and all aspects of business, industry, and public and private education, and that the socio-economic status for the overwhelming majority of Black people and other people of color has not improved under either political paradigm, it's wrong and stupid to champion one extreme as being better than the other.
So, again, don't blame White people, especially White men, for the perpetual "stupidity" of Black people, other minorities, and women to constantly feel-the-need to have politically powerful and financially successful White men to validate their creative and technical accomplishments. Again, don't blame White people, especially White men, for the perpetual "stupidity" of Black people, other minorities, and women to constantly feel-the-need to have White men to validate their creative and technical accomplishments.
In Nebraska, communities throughout the state are encouraged to have "local rule" to determine and govern the boundaries and administration of local school districts except, of course, if you live in a predominately Black or Latino area. In Nebraska, an attempt for "local rule" or self-governance by Black and Latinos was labeled "segregation," but it remains perfectly okay and legal for White people in west Omaha to segregate themselves socially, culturally, and economically from Black people who predominately live in north Omaha, and Latinos who predominately live in south Omaha. Why did the author of LB 641, Nebraska State Senator Ernie Chambers, want "local rule" for Black people and Latinos? Here's why: Since admitted to the Union in 1867, for one-hundred-and-fifty-three-(153) years, White people have consistently been in complete control of all aspects of the education of Black and Latino students (funding, curriculum, hiring of teachers and administrators, location of schools, etc.), and NEVER in the history of the state has the educational performance of Black and Latino students equaled the performance of White students - NEVER. So, after one-hundred-and-fifty-three-(153) years of perpetual failure, what justification is there that White controlled school districts are truly capable of educating Black and Latino students? None.
It's a well-documented practice that the majority of White people pick and chose "if and when" they elect to integrate. Let me be clear, I'm not promoting separatism or isolationalism, which is statistically practiced by most White people. Integration has its place and purpose, especially for White people who continue to generate a significantly greater financial benefit from integration than do Black people or other people of color. In order for Black people to dramatically improve "our" socio-economic status, integration and assimilation into White culture should not be an obligatory act; integration should be a consideration, but integration should not be our focus.
So, are Black people stupid?Although the socio-economic status for the overwhelming majority of Black people in Nebraska has not improved under the political administration of Pete Ricketts or any previous governor, nevertheless, as usual, a bunch of Black folks are apparently willing to appear in a "photo op," wearing a big Cheshire Cat grin, shuckin' and jivin'. According to linguist Barbara Ann Kipfer, the origins of shuckin' and jivin' may be traced to when "black slaves sang and shouted gleefully during corn-shucking season, and this behavior, along with lying and teasing, became a part of the protective and evasive behavior normally adopted toward white people."
Instead of shuckin' and jivin' with Governor Ricketts collectively seeking a handout, why don't these Black people combine their collective intellect, finances, and resourcefulness to create a "photo op" celebrating dynamic Black owned, Black controlled business?
Nevertheless, when it's time for Black folks to grab that token photo op with yet another White politician, of course, they'll all remember to . . . smile!
CLICK THE THOUGHT BALLOONS ABOVE FOR FACTS THAT EXPLAIN WHY SHUCKIN' AND JIVIN' IS NO LAUGHING MATTER
THE MESSAGE: When Black people have ownership and/or control, don't blame White people for your failure to control your "look and feel" or your failure to control the narrative!
THE MESSAGE: Again, given that anyone might see web-based broadcasts, including potential sponsors, advertisers, and philanthropic organizations - from anywhere in the world, a sloppy set with a sloppy looking host and sloppy looking guests are counterproductive to attracting, building, and sustaining revenue streams. Quality matters, even to Black people. Therefore, clean-up your act, be responsible and actively and consistently control the narrative of how and what people say about your . . . Blackness.
THE MESSAGE: Instead of focusing on the "big picture" of creating a vibrant and extremely competitive Black-owned and controlled media conglomerate, Omaha's Black-owned and controlled media continue to wallow within their penny ante, small-time media silos that do not threaten or challenge White-owned media and have absolutely no impact on the greater Omaha community. Here's what it looks like:
KMTV-TV
Court TV on 3.2, Laff on 3.3, Ion Mystery on 3.4
Cozi TV on 6.2, H&I on 6.3, Ion on 6.4, Start TV on 6.5
MeTV on 7.2
Stadiumon 15.2, Charge! on 15.3
satellite of KUON-TV. World on 26.2, Create on 26.3, PBS Kids on 26.4
MyNetworkTV/Dabl on 42.2, CW on 42.3, Comet TV on 42.4 REALITY CHECK: Black people have absolutely no control over the "look and feel"
of their images and "narrative" on any television stations in metro Omaha.
OR CONTROLLEDHickory Radio, LLC
Religious
Gospel Music Omaha
Urban gospel (limited range)
Active rock
News Talk Information
University of Northwestern - St. Paul
Contemporary Christian
Classic hits
Walnut Radio, LLC
Oldies
Independent Omaha Radio Project, Inc.
Variety
Douglas County School District 001
News Talk Information
Pop contemporary hit radio
North Omaha Loves Jazz Cultural Arts and Humanities Complex
Classic R&B (limited range)
Classic rock
Hickory Radio, LLC
Oldies
News Talk Information
Omaha Community Broadcasting
Urban contemporary (limited range)
Pop contemporary hit radio
Adult contemporary
The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
Classical
Malcolm X Memorial Foundation
Classic R&B (limited range)
Sports
Bible Broadcasting Network, Inc.
REALITY CHECK: Black people have absolutely no control over the "sounds" and "narratives"
used to define or describe them on any mainstream radio stations in metro Omaha.
As reported by census.gov, in 2017 there were only 872 minority businesses in Omaha, and collectively that's Black, Latino, Asian, Native Amerian, etc. Nevertheless, instead of joining forces for mutual economic benefit, Omaha's Black internet media, which is often funded/financed and controlled by non-minorities, continue to wallow within their penny ante, small-time media silos.
To view web site, click the following link or image below. https://connectblackomaha.com/
To view web site, click the following link or image below. http://www.omahablackbusinesses.com/directory/
To view web site, click the following link or image below. https://reviveomahamagazine.com/
The Empowerment Network presents itself as the pinnacle of Black leadership in business, politics, and Black culture for metro Omaha, but its flagship web site promoting a directory of Black businesses is littered with outdated and inaccurate links. Of course, individual businesses have an obligation to maintain the accuracy of their web presence, but Revive! Omaha also has a responsibility to conduct routine "due diligence" to ensure the veracity of all data published on its site. Of course, people make mistakes, typos, etc., but when mistakes are prevelant - again, should "quality" matter, even for Black people? Or perhaps, the "idea" is to make Black businesses look stupid, lazy, and indifferent to their own economic success?
Click the above image to enlarge, or click the link below to visit web site.
https://reviveomahamagazine.com/business-directory/wpbdp_tag/education/
To view web site, click the following link or image below. https://www.theonemarketplace.com/
REALITY CHECK: Although Black people exercise more control over the "look and feel" of their images and "narrative"
on some web sites, unfortunately their overall presence and power is diluted because they lack the business acumen to unite,
build, and strategically push content and generate revenue streams between and within each other.
QUESTION: If you don't own and/or control the print, photo and video images of yourself and your race how can you possibly control the character, scope, and accuracy of the "narrative" of what people say about you?
And you really think there's a difference?
NOTHING CHANGES - As with Disney's 2020 film, "Soul," it's the demonstrated practice of Disney, throughout its history, to animate Black characters with extremely big noses, big lips, protruding "bug-like" eyes, distorted ears, and protruding jaws. Plus, except for Denzel Washington's appearance in "Remember the Titians," and the animated 2009 film "Princess and the Frog" it's rare or impossible for an "attractive" Black man or an attractive Black woman to be cast in leading role in a Disney film; and images of a loving Black family structure are rarely or never in the script.
Soul (2020)
CLICK ABOVE IMAGE TO ENLARGE
RESPONSE: You don't.
Disney's
Black Panther
(2018)
Disney's live action film, "Black Panther" from 2018 did not champion "Blackness," oh no, as usual, it exploited it to the tune of $1,346,913,161 - which went to White-owned and controlled Disney. The film did not feature any
"A" level expensive Black talent (Dwayne Johnson, Will Smith, Denzel Washington), so it was cheap to showcase "B" and "C" level and unknown Black talent.Blackness? Most importantly, the "big elephant in the room" or central "problem" with this film, as with the comic book origin, is we're supposed to believe the world's most highly evolved and scientifically advanced society, a society composed entirely of Black people, did absolutely nothing but to watch or ignore as their Black peers endured 250 years of slavery, 90 years of Jim Crow, 60 years of separate but equal, 35+ years of state-sanctioned redlining! Not until May of 1865 were slaves in Texas told of President Lincoln's "Emancipation Proclamation of September 22, 1862" that freed them nearly three years earlier. But given their knowledge of world affairs, what excuse did Wakandans have to ignore the suffering of their peers through 250 years of slavery, 90 years of Jim Crow, 60 years of separate but equal, 35+ years of state-sanctioned redlining?
Are Black people really that stupid, or brainwashed, or naive, or selfish? Well, are they??? How does an enlightened Wakandan society ignore a world-wide political imperative to kill, kill, kill and continue to kill or enslave or rape or discriminate or oppress Black people and other people of color - and even White people too?
Keep in mind, this film is a White man's idea of what it would be like for a Black man to lead the world's most highly evolved and scientifically advanced society, which again is a major problem for this film. Yes, the film was directed by a Black man, Ryan Coogler, and written by two Black men, Joe Robert Cole and Ryan Coogler. But the "Black Panther" was created in 1966 by two White (Jewish) men, the legendary Marvel Comics writer Stan Lee and equally legendary Marvel Comics artist Jack Kirby. The problem is not with Lee and Kirby, because Marvel Comics has always been a White owned and operated company, and accordingly, as White people, they make the rules, they make all exceptions to the rules, and given their control of all aspects of media, business and society White people have always defined the "images" of Black people they want all people throughout the world to see and digest. Arguably, Lee and Kirby created the Black Panther comic book to intentional exploit and profit from the civil rights movement, or whatever, but the creation of "The Black Panther" in 1966 intentionally omitted the social and political context of "being Black" during the 1960s, such as:
But the Marvel comic book and Disney's newly created Marvel Cinematic Universe blatantly ignored all of the aforementioned and so much more. Why is the aforementioned important? Simply put, it makes as much sense for the original 1966 "Black Panther" comic book and this 2018 film to ignore the reality of "Being Black" as it would have been for "Born on the Fourth of July (1989)" to ignore the plight of wounded Vietnam war veterans, or for "Schindler's List (1993)" to ignore the Holocaust. It matters. The Black life experience matters. "The Black Panther" intentionally skipped over the inherent social and political context that defines and confines Blackness throughout the world. Again, it matters, and the Black Panther is not relevant to Black people because he failed to address his "Blackness."
In the film, Erik Killmonger's father left Wakanda to fight for oppressed Black people in the United States, but T'Challa's father killed him. In summary, the "Black Panther" is an Uncle Tom. An "Uncle Tom" is a Black person who is knowingly and intentionally subservient to, gives preference to, worships, or acknowledges White people as his (or her) superior. Disney controlled the "narrative." Get it?
Where's the movie about a hidden and technologically superior race of Jewish people living in Jewkanda who had the power to conquer the entire world; and easily free Jewish people from the stench of Hitler's genocide of Jewish people - but they did nothing to prevent the Holocaust?
Do you seriously believe Disney's going to release a movie, "JEWKANDA - Jew-Man's Paradise," that champions how a technologically advanced Jewish society "ignored" the extermination of six-(6)-millions Jews? Conversely, Disney has no problem releasing a film that champions how a society of highly evolved and scientifically advanced Black people ignored the enslavement and perpetual oppression of Black people around the entire world.
By the way, it goes without saying, but in hindsight, some Black people are just too stupid to get the "big picture," so I'll ask this final question:
QUESTION: What do you call it when someone, or an employer, or an organization ultimately owns or controls every aspect of your work product, and intentionally limits your access to and/or within to distribute your work product in the "marketplace" that's supposed to be open to everyone?
CLICK ABOVE IMAGE TO ENLARGERESPONSE: Monopoly - the exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service; or if you live in Omaha, Nebraska - it's perpetually called segregation.
Keep this in mind every time you see LeBron James shoot a basketball in a sports league that's overwhelmingly owned or controlled by White people, or Whoopi on Disney's "The View" or on Paramount's "Star Trek: The Next Generation," or all those Black faces on White-owned FaceBook.com, YouTube.com, Instragram, etc.
As in the rap song, "So Many Wayz," by DJ Quik, "Cause if it don't make dollars, suckers you know the poem, cause you either pimp'n this game or you just hoe'n!
That's right, you either pimp'n (as engineered and sustained by elite, politically powerful and wealthy White people) this game (survival) or you just hoe'n (Black people).
Way too many Black people have been bending over for so long, taking it, that they no longer know how to stand up. Too weak? Too scared? Too brainwashed? Too stupid?
To recap, if you don't own and/or control the print, photo and video images of yourself and your race how can you possibly control the character, scope, and accuracy of the "narrative" of what people say about you?
CLICK ABOVE IMAGE TO ENLARGE
Maybe, just maybe, discovering the first-person "Black perspective" on events would be far more . . . enlightening!
I welcome your feedback.
For Part 1, click here.
For Part 2, click here.
For Part 4, click here.
For Part 5, click here.
Trip Reynolds
trip.reynolds@yahoo.com
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Reynolds' Rap First Amendment to the United States Constitution - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. |