Written by Aerial

Last week The Atlanta Post reported that there were 13 top selling Black Authors that readers may not agree with as the best representation of the genre but that these 13 authors were some of the best selling black authors over the last five years.

Ok I was interested from the title to read about my favorite artists and learn about new ones but the information preceding the pictures of the authors as well as information about the authors were skinny. The Atlanta Post could have at least mentioned the books that made these people famous and or information on how long they have been writing… I don’t know, something more than the back flap of their books.

The fireworks of the story didn’t start for me until I read the comments. Had me laughing, agreeing, researching the viewers suggestions… everything the article should have had me doing. But, readers and commenters of The Atlanta Post, I will say they warned us, they said “the list hinges on book sales, rather than critical reviews.”

We need to learn how to read and discern differences between fact and opinion. This writer was just stating the statistics (the fact). Click on the link below, click on the numbers to go through authors one through 13, then come back and tell us what’s your opinion on the piece, readers of The Black Intel.

The Atlanta Post’s 13 Top Selling Black Authors

Now that we’re grown and have graduated, we can seriously ask “What the hell were all those unnecessary college courses for?” I mean for real, a journalism major taking micro economics. What was that class about anyway? If it wasn’t for my math genius best friend I would have NEVER passed. Can anyone tell me what micro economics is now? Smh. The government just sucked all of my little monies.

Ugh money… government… school. How many of you have begin paying back on your student loans? Crickets aye? Well neither have I so don’t feel bad. I wish I could but it just doesn’t seem more important then the mortgage, car note or even my credit card bill. Am I doing the right thing by pushing and pushing the deferment or are my interests adding up and I’m too dumb to realize?

I mean I know I should pay it and I think that the more I push it the more interest accrue and if I don’t pay it will go on my credit but what else should I and millions like me know? Somebody… anybody? Maybe I should have paid attention in micro economics after all. I still have the book because the bookstore wouldn’t buy it back. Let me wipe the dust off and school myself real quick before I’m in backdoor debt.

In case you had not googled the word yet, Wikipedia & Dictionary defines Microeconomics as ‘a branch of economics that studies how the individual parts of the economy, the household and the firms, make decisions to allocate limited resources, typically in markets where goods or services are being bought and sold. Microeconomics examines how these decisions and behaviors affect the supply and demand for goods and services, which determines prices, and how prices, in turn, determine the supply and demand of goods and services. This is a contrast to macroeconomics, which involves the “sum total of economic activity, dealing with the issues of growth, inflation, and unemployment.”‘

Students take advantage of all of your classes. There is something to learn from everyone, every experience and every class.

Love,
The Editor
Aerial

Long gone are the days of helping your fellow man just because it was the nice thing to do. Men would hold the door for women and youth would hold the door for their elders. People would just do things, not because they were getting anything in return… just… because. But of course everyone knows that what goes around comes around so if you do something nice for someone, someone will eventually do something nice for you. Once upon a time being nice, having manners and giving a care were second nature.

Have you ever seen the movie “Pay it Forward”? It opened my eyes to things that were already in my control, I just never exercised the power. I will be completely honest and say that sometimes I fall short. When I really don’t feel like doing something, I do it anyway only by repeatedly saying to myself “persevere girl – you’re going to heaven.” It’s trifling I know but hey, that’s my motivational speech to myself. Without it lots of people would be stranded, hungry or salty because I give plenty rides, pickup plenty food and do way more than my contractual agreement.

That brings me back to college days, ethics class, when I learned about Kitty Genovese, the New York City woman who was stabbed to death in the entrance of her apartment complex. No one helped. Dozens of people were looking out of their windows but only one person called the police, only after the killer had stabbed, left, changed clothes, came back, stabbed some more then raped her dying body. Sure we commend that one caller for calling and finally allowing the police to come do their job but what about the other people? And even he didn’t follow through, reports said he wouldn’t answer the door to talk to police, his nephew had to go to police with the information he told him. Neighbors said they didn’t want to get involved. What if Kitty was you’re mother, sister, daughter? Wouldn’t you help then?

Do the right thing Spike Lee’s. Long gone are the days of helping your fellow man just because it was the right thing to do… or are they?

Love,
The Editor
a.k.a Aerial

“If you can’t have what you want, start wanting what you have.”
That’s a nice quote isn’t it? Uplifting, reassuring? Well I don’t completely agree with it.
How about “Never settle for less than you deserve.”
Yeah I like that one a lot better primarily because this is your life and you should live it to the fullest. Never compromise.

I think that a lot of us are doomed from the beginning. If you’re smart, you’re a nerd. If you’re dumb just pick up a basketball and snag us a scholarship. What we fail to tell our children is “that is not all you’re good at.”

One thing about shooting hoops to earn a scholarship is… (taps the glass ceiling) you might want to work on being a scholar as well. Most children will ditch classes to go to the gym and practice their jump shot. Stop leading these kids on, thinking they can substitute a ball for a book. Oh and don’t be so quick to pull out your camera phone when lil ReRe is putting down her bottle to back it up in her saggy diaper. We told her to join the pom pom team instead of encouraging her to write for the school paper.

Believe me – I’m guilty too. I wanted my 20-year-old brother to be a ball player. He’s is 6′ for goodness sake, he has the talent but he doesn’t have the passion nor patience for school. Needless to say he has taken a semester off to re-evaluate his game plan, we can’t choose for them. And yeah I sing “dance too much booty in the pants” when my 11-month-old sister starts tapping her foot … BUT I see my mistakes, I admit them and I’m ready to change. Change with me. Please?

Love,
The Editor
a.k.a. Aerial

How many tattoo’s do you have? Ok are any of them on your neck, collarbone, hands or wrist? Yes? Ok now where did you say you worked? Definitely not for the government and it’s funny because D-boys ALWAYS say they work for the “city” when they don’t wanna tell you their real occupation. Notice how I didn’t even ask if he had tattoos… I already know.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a “hoodie hood” with a fitted cap, crisp beater, shorts that look like pants and some fresh white nikes. But where can you take him other than the corner store? Where can he even take himself?

This gentleman came to my place of business yesterday with some name brand frames, no prescription; checkered yet name brand button down, khaki pants and sperrys. A typical “gangster” attempting to dress up without loosing who he really is (a street guy who loves name brands). I knew the glasses were not prescription because the brand name was covering the left lens. His teeth were gold (non removable) and his hands had “Magnolia 3rd Ward” tatted upon them. Then he had the nerve to ask me to put in a good word for him. Boy did my eyes get to rolling.

Who can expect to get a job, in the public, talking and assisting customers looking like that? Do we even think about this before we allow ourselves to become a drawing board?

So I ask again and maybe this time you won’t be so anxious to answer. How many tattoo’s do you have? Are any of them on your neck, collarbone… Oh you don’t? Wow neither do I, we are apart of a dying breed Sir. Now what position are you applying for?

Love,
The Editor

News Website THE WEEK says:

A Swiss company has begun selling extra-small condoms—called “Hotshots” — made for boys as young as 12, after a government study found that adolescents in Switzerland are not using proper protection when having sex. The Swiss Aids Federation and family planning groups pushed for the smaller condoms—which for now are only being sold in Switzerland—on the theory that teens would be more likely to wear Hotshots, which are 1.7 inches wide, than standard condoms, which are 2 inches wide. Will marketing condoms to 12 year olds keep them safe, or just encourage them to have sex?

Selling kids tiny starter condoms is ’so wrong’: This sends the “worst possible message” to boys, says Rachel Henwood. “Randy pint-sized” men already see sex everywhere, and think it’s cool. Tell 12-year-old boys that having sex is okay as long as you put on a Hotshot, and they’ll run out looking “for 12-year-old (or God forbid, younger) girls to test them out on.”

The idea of extra-small condoms is disturbing … but smart: “As much as the idea of a 12-year-old having sex makes me uncomfortable,” says Ronda Kaysen, “I think this is great. Kids are having sex whether we like it or not,” so making a condom they can actually use is a necessary part of any effort to protect them from sexually transmitted disease and unwanted pregnancy.

Technology isn’t the answer: Getting engineers to design a “training-wheel condoms” won’t solve the tween sex problem, says Rod Dreher. In fact, when you have enough sexually active 12-year-old boys to “economically justify the manufacture of training-wheel condoms,” your society’s troubles probably run “far deeper” than you think.
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Aerial of The Black Intel says:

We have to teach safe sex somehow. Just because we are not talking to the kids doesn’t mean they aren’t doing it. How old were you when you first started having sex? Come on, be honest. Not the age you tell your aunt or your sex partner… the REAL number. Ok now subtract five years from that and that is the average age kids these days are having their first sexual encounter. Protecting THEM helps to protect US… think about it.

Have you said your please and thank you’s today? Where is our home training? Just because we are not getting our home training at home anymore means we shouldn’t search for and use them daily? Lets see: we wear our house shoes outside of the house, bath robe outside of the bathroom, under garments… well you see where I’m going with this.

I’ve always said that my child (whenever he or she is conceived) will be the most well mannered, well behaved creature ever, simply because I can not stand a snot nose, smart mouthed crumb snatcher, but as parents who can we blame but ourselves? Well I am not a parent so I guess I’m talking to you or the person behind you. Who can you blame but yourself?

Each child must know that it is not only improper but impolite to not address an adult as Maam or Sir. Funny be it though, whenever I use the word Maam to a woman older than myself, guess what they say to me… “who are you calling Maam, I ain’t that old.” I’m channeling Ed Lover right now … C’MON SON! We have to do better people. Teach the children! When was the last time you said Maam, Sir, please or thank you? Like Katt Williams’ said in “It’s Pimpin Pimpin,” “Don’t worry, I’ll wait.”

We must set a good example. “Do as I say not as I do” is sooooo contradictory of how a child is suppose to be raised. If the child sees right, they will know right. It is then up to the child to act right or not. As opposed to only knowing and channeling the wrong that is seen in their own home. Lets create a better future for our self, for our offspring, for our race; starting today. Please?

Love,
The Editor
*thank you*

It’s Black History Month Black people. This is our month! What are you doing to make history?

I hear many people saying they disagree with Black History Month. Some asking why it is just one month devoted to Black History, or asking in turn when White History Month is? I say to that, Black people are never satisfied. We must embrace the past! We must embrace the past so that we can know where we came from and how we must progress from there.

We were slaves… remember? Dumb, dirty and inferior, let them tell it, we didn’t know much about ourselves let alone our ancestors or forefathers until one smart Black man made a move to show the importance of our heritage, of our history. In 1926 United States historian Carter G. Woodson created “Negro History Week”. Woodson chose the second week of February because the 12th and 14th marked the birthdays of two Americans who greatly influenced the lives and social condition of our people: former President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass.

Then we upgraded in 1976, fifty years after the first celebration, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History used its influence to institutionalize the shifts from a week to a month, and from Negro history to Black history. Think of how proud Black people were during this time, how much they had to endure to make sure we were present in the history books… now look at us… ungrateful.

Don’t talk about it, be about it. If you don’t like something just dive in head first and make a change. Extend Black History by being about it; just as Woodson has, just as President Barack Obama has. Children 20 years from now will be quizzed on how influential January 20, 2009, what it meant to us then, what it means to them now. Think about our fellow minorities who don’t even have a month of celebration. How can we help them progress? History is not just about what happened to us, but how what happened to us has helped changed the world. It’s bigger than you thought, right? Nah you knew this, you just don’t care. But you should, especially this month… especially this month!

It’s Black History Month people. This is our month! What are you doing to make history?

Love,
The Editor

by Nicole Williams

I was lurking around Facebook the other day and this guy I went to high school with popped up in the “suggestions” area on the home page. I noticed that his name is hyphenated and it threw me for a loop. Further investigation led me to see that he’s listed as “engaged” to a girl whose last name matches the name he added to his own. As the frown appeared on my face, the thought of a man taking MY name in marriage disgusted me. The Nicole inside my head couldn’t call him a punk fast enough.

But why? What’s wrong with a man taking his intended wife’s name in marriage? Plenty.

Names are significant. What you call someone expresses endearment, ire, esteem, contempt etc. Because of this, I am not a fan of nicknames or the diminutive form of most names. (i.e. Nikki for Nicole, Billy for William, etc.) I like the identity that my whole name encompasses.

When a woman gets married, she takes the last name of her husband to align herself with him as a means of protection. Though taking the groom’s name is a matter of tradition now, there was a time when a woman had to have her husband’s name in order to be legally entitled to his assets in the event of his death. Using the man’s last name establishes him as the head of the household. Surely it is possible for a woman to be quite established on her own (think: Oprah) and such a woman may choose to hyphenate her last name to maintain the identity connected to those assets separate from her husband’s. All of this makes sense to me.

Why would a man want to hyphenate his name? As “progressive” as it may be, it is emasculating for a man to take a woman’s name in any form. It basically says that he isn’t about anything and/or he’s not the head of his household. He might as well polish his nails and birth the babies. Taking a woman’s name dishonors that man’s father. My dad would be pissed if I had a fiancé who thought he was going to take my name. But my dad is the least of that dude’s worries. The women in my family would rip him to shreds.

Challenging this dude’s masculinity exposes a double standard, I know. however, just like some stereotypes are rooted in truth, some double standards are just ok. There are definitely some things that a woman can and should not do, like play football, propose marriage, and take out the trash. Similarly, there are ways a man establishes dominance that separates him from a woman. Call me old fashioned. I never claim to be a feminist.

When I marry, I am taking my husband’s name. He cannot have mine. I’m anxious to know how you all feel.

Which would you rather read about? A newborn panda bear or a child molester that just moved to your county?

Those of you who answered panda bear either really likes baby panda bears or is one of the many people that are sick and tired of hearing disturbing news from the media. Those of you who answered child molester either have children or will be the next senator. Drastic equation I know, but in my best DMX voice I must ask “What do you really want from a journalist?”

Many people opt to get their news from media outlets other than television so they can choose what type of news they take in. I’m sure the numbers would show that people spend more time and more search engine power looking up celebrity gossip as opposed to serious world changing news. Journalists call the two: soft news and hard news, or as I like to call it: bubble gum and steak. One difference between hard and soft news is the tone of the presentation.

A hard news story takes a factual approach: What happened? Who was involved? Where and when did it happen? Why did it happen? A soft news story tries to entertain or advise the reader. Here is some bubble gum for you: who doesn’t want to hear about the new iPhone that records and streams live video? It’s probably sold best when said “girl when you see your best friend’s boyfriend in the club grinding on a hot young tender and you can immediately stream to your best friend’s phone as well as online for the whole world to see!” Now who wouldn’t want to catch a player up!? Soft news is a clear winner because it could be both factual and entertaining. Hard news is just serious. Who wants to be serious all time?

In September 2009 the Kanye and Taylor Swift fiasco was publicly aired. It was devastating right… wrong: soft news. Two weeks later the tragic beating and death of Derrion Albert surfaced: hard news. Which do you know more of? Which do you still talk about? Which do you even care about? Both Kayne West and Derrion Albert are from Chicago, so a Chicagoan would know and care about both, but I can bet $5 everyone is still talking about crazy ass ‘Ye (and yes I can talk, as I am rolling my neck and smacking my lips, because I’m a Chicagoan.) But for those of you not in or from Chicago, which got more coverage?

Has everyone forgotten the type of world we live in? Life is not all about skinny jeans, Ciroq, bald head Amber Rose or even lace front wigs… SURPRISE! We live in a world where bad things happen and the only way you would be able to hear about these things is through media outlets: newspapers, magazines, radio, television or the internet. Knowledge is power people. It has always been better to have known and dismissed than to never have known at all.

From now on I urge you, young business people, to stay focused on what’s really important in life. Continue to support the hard footwork journalist risk their lives doing. They go directly to the war zone to report, some go undercover to get the real nit and grit… do we even appreciate their hard work? Value the timeliness of the information given, the factual although sometime sided words. Think about what it is you really want from a journalist. If it’s a drastic change from the one we have, then maybe you should be the one implementing it.

Love,
The Editor