The Ultimate Tribute to Otis Redding

Jay-Z and Kayne. Together. Nuff said.

Due online and in retail stores next month is their tribute to Otis Redding, simply titled, "Otis."

This is what happens when old school intersects hip-hop at just the right angle.

Jay Z: "I'm about to call the Paparrazzi myself!"

Kanye: "The Hermes of Verses"


I can't wait!!

The SAG-A Continues - Should US Airways Apologize?

You know the story.

Last month, a US Airways pilot removed and arrested Deshon Marman because passengers had complained about Marman's "sagging" pants.

Since it was revealed the US Airways allowed a white male passenger to fly in what would essentially be categorized as women's underwear, all charges against Marman have been dropped.

However, the San Francisco NAACP and others are demanding an apology from US Airways.

The airline refuses to apologize and I'm sure a lawsuit is on the way.

What do you think? Should Marman cut his losses, pull up his pants and move on? I mean, there are no criminal charges pending and he still has his scholarship (as of this writing).

Or, do you think that there is a double-standard in the airline industry (as in the rest of America)?

Should Deshon fight for what he believes or pick his battles?

I'd love to hear from you.

Oakland Jazz Festival, Saturday, July 23, 2011

KBLX Presents:

KEM, BONEY JAMES, WILL DOWNING, LALAH HATHAWAY, LLOYD GREGORY and more!
Starts at 12 Noon

Dunsmuir Hellman Historic Estates (Dunsmuir House & Gardens)

1-800-745-3000

www.oaklandjazzfestival.com

Congratulations to Kimberla Lawson Roby

On Friday, July 1, 2011, Kimberla Lawson Roby received the 2011 Phenomenal Woman Writer Award at the Bayou Soul Writers and Readers Conference in New Orleans.

If you haven't discovered Kim Roby, you're missing out on one of our great contemporary African American writers.

www.kimroby.com

Book Review: "Uppity - My Untold Story of the Games People Play," by Bill White

Bill White, who's now in his mid 70s, was an All-Star first baseman for many years with the New York Giants, St.Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies before launching a stellar broadcasting career with the New York Yankees for 18 years. He left the broadcast booth to become the President of the National League for five years.


I would say that Bill White’s book “UPPITY My Untold Story of the Games People Play,” is really the same old story by another eyewitness in a different setting.

The story is rather predictable: a talented youngster from humble beginnings nonchalantly finds himself in all the right places at all the right times and makes all the right moves as he encounters racism all along the way.
Given this compact synopsis, I find myself looking for the proverbial miniature violin to play him a “woe is me,” sad tune.

However at each major event of his life that furthers his career is a game in which he is a pawn being played by “white folks” to manipulate his blackness to their benefit. But when he responds without the customary “thankya suh,” he is deemed as being "uppity."

I liken Bill’s story to one of the personal stories that follow the premise of the book “Alcoholics Anonymous.” The premise is set in the title; that a Black man could be called “uppity.” It thereby follows Bill’s story to illustrate and offer a personal account of the premise.

I could identify with Bill White even though I am not a major leaguer or former television celebrity or hob-nobber with Major League Baseball’s elite. I, too, sometimes feel that I was hired at my job because they didn’t have enough blacks at the time. I also feel as if I am held to a different standard than my other non-black coworkers.

“UPPITY” is a good honest read and has a lot of relevant associations to actual baseball history.

I enjoyed Bill White’s story very much.

www.hachettebookgroup.com

(Reviewed by Richard S. of San Francisco, California)

Regina Belle Headlines Bay Area Black Expo - Sunday, July 24, 2011

Oakland Coliseum
7000 Coliseum Way
Oakland, California

www.BayAreaBlackExpo.com


Presented by KBLX

Charges of Racial Profiling Against U.S. Airways Lodged by NAACP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NAACP Mounts Protest Against Racial Profiling by U.S. AIR

The San Francisco NAACP joins Mrs. Donna Doyle in protesting the mistreatment of her son, Mr. Deshon Marman by U.S. Airways and the San Mateo County Police Department. Mr. Marman, a student and football player at the University of New Mexico was arrested per request of U.S. Airways by the San Mateo Police Department when he did not immediately pull his pants up while boarding the plane.

As President of the San Francisco Branch NAACP, Dr. Amos Brown decries African American youth being subjected to double standards of such imbalanced law enforcement. While we have great concerns with the baggy pants fad and believe that when in public young people should always present themselves in a respectful and dignified manner, it is clear that in this case the punishment doesn’t fit the crime.

This unjust enforcement also represents a double standard as we have the facts that just six days before Mr. Marman’s incident, according to Philip Caulfield of the New York Daily News (website article), U.S. Airways let a “scantily-clad cross dresser” fly free of harassment or discrimination.When asked why a cross-dresser would be allowed to fly without any bother, the airlines has said they have no dress code. It is the contention and concern of the NAACP that if there is no dress code, why was this young man singled out and arrested?

It is around this question and concern that a press conference has been arranged for Friday, June 24th, 2011 @ 10:00a.m. in the lower level of the Administrative Building of Third Baptist Church, 1399 McAllister St. Then, this Sunday, 26th, Mr. Marman’s mother, Ms. Doyle, will appear at Jones Methodist Church, 1975 Post Street, San Francisco, CA @ 3:00p.m.where the NAACP will host a public forum addressing this and other issues regarding the quality of life for African Americans in the City and County of San Francisco.

For any further questions please call (415) 559-2978.