Shelley's Story

At age 27, Shelley Barnes is a two-time breast cancer survivor. She recently took the time to share her story with huevoicesdotcom. Please take a listen.




Shelley's Story Continued....

My Black Agenda AND Your Black Agenda (COMMENTARY)

There has always been a divide of ideology in Black America. W.E.B. Dubois felt the need to highlight the plight of blacks and agitate the confines of racial injustice, while Booker T. Washington preferred that blacks concentrate on making a way for ourselves and refrain from bucking the status quo. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached peace and togetherness, while Malcolm X touted the need for self-preservation. Spike Lee's body of work depicted self-pride and honed in on police brutality. Tyler Perry has seen unprecedented success by conquering box-offices and creating a multi-million dollar business as Madea.

Needless to say, we won't always agree on how we should move forward, but it cannot be ignored or taken for granted that we do face issues today as a people. Funny enough, I've heard that we are not a monolithic group. Yet when it comes to poor health care, unemployment and high school drop-out reports we all seem to fall inline together. You can take the time to laugh, I'll wait....

The question of should there even be a Black Agenda has floated around as of late. My colleagues and I have exchanged passionate, constructive debate over the matter and my conclusion still stands. Given the history of black folks in America I can't recall a time when there wasn't a need for an agenda, even today. It is often ignored in media but the systematic racism and inequality is still too comfy in our society.

Please let me say that The Black Agenda is not based on the premise of exclusion but the need for empowerment. It is a plan and timetable set forth to recognize and improve critical areas within the black community. So, now that I have shared mine. What is Your Black Agenda?

One on One with Freddie Howard

Former publisher of the historic Afro American Newspaper recently died. Now former colleague and friend Freddie Howard opens up about Murphy and legendary sports writer Sam Lacy.

One on One with Pastor Jamal Bryant

Rev. Dr. Jamal Bryant, pastor of Empowerment Temple, talks about his work with the new TV One reality series K-Ci & Jo-Jo Come Clean.

Proper Identification Please! (commentary)

In my teen years, hip-hop had me in a whirlwind and I emulated rappers to no end. Yeah I was grateful to have good parents, but I didn't look up to them at the time. Instead, I looked up to cats like Wu-Tang Clan. I identified with the hoodies, Timberlands and the rebellious persona.

Which brings me to the reason why I decided to write this piece. A couple of weeks ago I found out on Twitter that Antoine Dodson was making an appearance at the BET Hip-Hop Awards.For those who aren't in tune with pop culture (don't worry I struggle myself), Antoine Dodson is the vivacious young man from Huntsville, Alabama who became an overnight Internet sensation after his colorful soundbite in a news story. According to the report, an unknown man climbed into his sister's bedroom window and allegedly tried to rape her. Following his classic act of buffoonery on the news an Internet meme entitled "Bed Intruder" was made out of the soundbite courtesy of The Gregory Brothers.



"Bed Intruder" managed to reach well over a million views and landed as a top rated R&B single on iTunes. And to top it off, every body's favorite Amos & Andy caricature made it to the big time-the 2010 BET Hip-Hop Awards-. Sorry, I'm not a fan of Dodson or the "Bed Intruder Song". It was buffoonery at its best and I honestly think the television news network demonstrated poor judgement.

Now I understand the power of media and how it can influence us all. Whether it is a movie trailer starring our favorite actor or a rally for Jena 6 broadcasted on Black radiu, We consume can even determine how we view ourselves. This becomes especially crucial when it involves the youth, who will gravitate to whomever they can identify with the most.

Please don't take this as a self-righteous attack on pop culture. Nor is it a sermon I prepared for the social network congregation. This is simply a message to be mindful of the images we uphold. Of course no one's perfect and we all fall short sometimes of good deeds, but let's not fall short of good character.

One one One with E. Raymond Brown

Filmmaker E.Raymond Brown sparks a new and daring conversation with his debut film Ghetto Physics. Along with co-director William Arntz, Brown explores the dynamics of high-powered entities that exploit. Using the archetypal psychology of pimps and prostitutes, Brown breaks down the social, political and economical constraints that he feels manipulates society.

One one One with Sharon G. Flake

Author Sharon G. Flake has garnered national attention for her youth fiction books that often sheds light on critical issues of today's youth. Her stories of confusion, despair and love brings a realistic tone rarely seen in literature for young African-Americans. Flake takes the time to talk about her work including her latest book You Don't Even Know Me.