Princeton Seminary Professor Target of Racism by Students

Really, really late to the game on this one, but I'll post about it anyway.

It appears that Princeton Professor Yolanda Pierce was the victim of racist flyer posted on that campus. To say that this saddens me is a gross understatement. I'd write more but a lot of people have expressed emotions on this better than I probably could. Unfortunately, I think we should all brace ourselves as more craziness is likely to follow the inauguration.

Melissa Harris-Lacewell
"I am also beside myself that you, Yolanda, were personally attacked in a racially hateful flier distributed on your campus. I know that you are not yet ready to talk about the event because you are considering a whole set of legal and personal responses. But sister, I need to tell our guests here at The Kitchen Table about this disgusting act. These hateful creeps, also cowering beneath anonymity, distributed a newsletter called "The Foreskin" all over Princeton Theological Seminary's campus on Thursday.

In their vile, racist, publication they mock the newly elected president of the student body who is a terrific young black man. They also went after you, Yolanda, belittling you as an African American woman and making fun your scholarly contributions and your service work on campus. When I saw this thing it took absolutely everything I had not to come over to your campus with a torch and start setting things on fire until we get some answers. (Notice how I am signing my name to this as I write it.) "

HAGAR'S DAUGHTERS: Princeton Seminary Professor Target of Racism by Students

Black Women Blow The Trumpet

Black on Campus

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Down Goes OJ

So, they finally got their man. OJ Simpson was sentenced today and will do at least 9 years in prison for killing his....oops.

No, OJ Simpson is going to jail for at least 15 years for...what exactly? OJ thought some people took his property. OJ got strapped and went after them. Those guys just happened to have video cameras, tape recorders, a live blog, a court stenographer, etc to record all the events that occurred. OJ is taken to court and found guilty. OJ is sent packing for a LONG time.

Before I go any further, let me clearly state I don't have any sympathy for the Juice. OJ turned his back on the community a long time ago. A friend mentioned how it surprised him that everyone in the black community has basically shrugged its shoulders about OJ's legal problems given the reaction to his first acquital. I explained to them that the reaction to the first acquital was more about beating the system than any true concern for OJ. Also, I think the majority of OJ's street cred was coming from Cochran and not him. So no, no one really cares that the brother is going down now.

So why I am writing about it? I can't get past the stench of all this. This verdict is pretty blatant revenge for OJ walking the first time around. While I can even understand him getting some jail time, he could do up to 33 years for his "crimes." That's just insane.

I just can't imagine that anyone other than OJ with no prior convictions would be sentenced to that kind of hard time.

Getting back at someone for being found innocent of previous crime isn't something new, but it's not something I can go along with. Cochran mopped the floor with the LA District Attorney's office and OJ was found innocent. Period. End of story.

Or at least it should have been. Not excusing OJ because he shouldn't have handled the situation like that, but come on. At least 15 years over some football cards?

This verdict and sentencing was all about revenge on this guy for being found innocent of a crime. Decisions like this should be frowned upon no matter who is at the receiving end of it.

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OK, Fine - DON'T Reach Out to the Black Community

Enough of the attacks on the black community by the gay community.

Hey! Andrew Sullivan and Dan Savage! You are not helping matters!

All you are doing is making those of us in the black community who are sympathetic to your cause angry.

And yes! I am religious! Sorry about that!

Here's a tip. Trying to bring people over to your cause by attacking them and their religious beliefs is probably not a sound strategy.

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Big 3 = Big Change of Heart

At least for me.

When I first heard about the automakers wanting more cash, my reaction was like most people - no way.

Now, I must admit that I have softened considerably on my position.

Why? Because as usual it's all the lil' people who will get screwed on this.

The leadership of the Big 3 is a mess. They have completely mismanaged their businesses and that plays a huge part in their current situation.

But are they really any worse than their Wall Street counterparts?

I gotta give a pretty loud no to that one.

Much was made of them showing up in corporate jets. Well, do we really doubt that the CEO's of the banks would have done the same if they had been flying in from Detroit? Is there any doubt that the Wall Street folks showed up in limos and have been eating at the finest restaurants in town for the last few weeks?

So why are the Big 3 getting so much more venom than the Wall Street folks? I gotta go with the White Collar vs. Blue Collar line of thinking and that's the main reason I'm softening my stance on this.

At the end of the day, no matter how stupid these guys were we all know they are not the people who will pay the ultimate price if they are not bailed out. It's all the workers they have across the nation that will. The last thing we need is more out of work people.

I agree that their should be tough stances on how the money is given. Specifically, there should be assurances that the Big 3 won't lay off any workers if they are given the bailout. Sorry, but if you're gonna take taxpayer cash you gotta make sure those people still have their jobs. If that condition is met, I won't have a problem with giving these guys loans.

The hearings have just begun, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out. Still, if the people standing to lose were a bunch of investment bankers instead of blue collar workers, I'm pretty sure the check would have already been written.

And that's just a shame.

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Bloomberg & Plaxico Pt. 2

Dwil of Sports on My Mind made a comment this morning that sparked my memory. I also think it explains Bloomberg's interest in this. One Word.

Diddy.

We all famously remember Puff walking on a gun charge several years ago. Bloomberg pushed this law through partially because of that case. Now Bloomberg has another target now and wants to nail him to the wall.

It's still wrong.

Bloomberg has essentially declared Plaxico's guilt with no trial. He has all but told the judges and attorneys of NYC that they better put this guy behind bars. You also have to wonder how this will affect a jury. I've got to think he's completely poisoned one.

Sorry, but I just don't think this was a good thing. Again, let the court system do its job. His speech was just over the top and out of line.

Also, I have searched the internet for a while now and I can't find any similar speeches aimed at all of his buddies on Wall Street. Surely he is just as upset at the folks who destroyed the American economy?

Again, just because he's a celebrity doesn't mean he deserves any more or any less attention than any other person.

Also, don't just jump on your soapbox when there is an easy target. America is always ready to destroy an a black athlete, guilty or not.

I would be FAR more impressed if the mayor had given this kind of speech condemning his wall street chums.

Side Note - Still waiting for the NRA to come out and defend Plaxico's right to carry a gun.

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Mayor Bloomberg Obviously Has Everything in NYC Under Control

What else can explain his grandstanding on the Plaxico Burress issue? Mayor Bloomberg has stepped up and wants the District Attorney's office to throw the book at the Giants wide receiver.

Before getting to the mayor, let's get a couple of things out of the way.

I don't think Burress was dumb for having a weapon. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, athletes are a target. And no, I don't think they should just lock themselves in a room somewhere and never go out. I don't own a gun, but the thought has crossed my mind. I hope I never feel like I need to go out and get one, but won't condemn those that do.

I do think he was dumb for not getting it properly registered. There is simply no way that his team of handlers could not have gotten this accomplished for him.

The cover up at the hospital was a bad move, but I'm not too angry with him for that either. Given everything he stands to lose, I can't blame the guy for trying to keep things on the hush.

I do think it was dumb that he shot himself (if that's what happened).

What Burress did was a series of stupid moves. Should he be punished. Yes. Probation and community service sounds just right.

3 or so YEARS in jail? Ummm. No.

And that's why I don't like Bloomberg's stance on this. Right off the top, there are just too many issues going on right now for the mayor of NYC to be flexing his muscles over something like this.

However, the bigger issue is that the only reason this is being pushed is because it's Burress. If I am wrong and someone can whip out stats proving that EVERY person who has violated this law was given at least the minimum sentence and no plea deals, then I will quickly write a retraction. But I'm pretty sure that is not the case.

And among those people who have gotten off with plea deals, you can bet that a number were dealers, rapists, murderers, robbers, etc...

You know, real criminals who hurt people (well, hurt people other than themselves).

If you aren't going to force this law down the throats of the real criminals who actually do hurt and steal from people then don't jump on your soapbox to take down a guy just because he is high profile. There are some very appropriate punishments for Plaxico. Even if you want to throw him in jail, 3 years is excessive. At the end of the day, the guy only hurt himself literally and in his own wallet.

Leave this issue to the lawyers and courts and stick to making things right in the city. Don't throw the book at the famous guy and let the actually crooks plea out of these offenses.

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Yeah, No S$%t - The US economy is in a recession...

I mean, seriously, did these guys get paid to make this announcement?

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