It was supposed to resume at 1, it looks like it will resume at 2.

It’s central time, not eastern.

http://darkstarspoutsoff.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/02/state_of_the_bl_1.html

This covenant does not address the lack of academic effort by some of our young people. In fact, it does not address personal responsibility at all. Cosby was right! Some poor people need to uphold their end in this deal.

Harold Baker, Covenant II addresses it. It specifically states that all children should be achieving at high levels and reaching their full potential. [i]Obviously[/i] they have to take full responsibility for their education in order to do that, or do you need to have every step spelled out for you?

So I guess that any talk of the 70% of children born in black households without fathers was ‘off limits’? This must not be a major issue enough to be addressed by this ‘esteemed’ group of black left-wing loons. Maybe when it hits…oh…90% it will become a hot button topic worthy enough to be added to the rhetoric and hyperbole of these racist gatherings.

As soon as Farrakhan made his comments everyone tried to distance themselves from him. This is the same divide and conquer mentality that has been keeping our people down for years. I am not a Muslim nor a memeber of the Nation ifo Islam but I ask everyone to look and then think on what Farrakhan said. He asked basically asked us as black people to look in the mirror.

In the 60s, leaders like King and Malcom were men you did’nt have a whole lotta questions and what not about their sincerity or integrity, hell Black folks aint stupid, because, not only did we see that their integrity in regards to all African poeple was something that could be documented, hey it was something you could feel!!!,

When you look at a brother or sister, who wants to call themselves a BLACK LEADER and you get the vibe that;

Has he or she, been out to the hood,

to check out how folks are doin;?;(need I say on a regular basis) or do they only come out the castle,

to pass the plate,

to us serfs,

to put our SWEAT $earn$ in?

True! Very True!

My main beef with Farrakhan is that he will follow up these great points with “the government and ALL white people cannot be trusted” talk. He will then pepper it with conspiracy theories that when pressed to provide the hard evidence, nothing comes of it. The result? More mad black folk who will give him a pass for such an “oversight” while holding other folks to a much higher standard.

Hmmmm, we may talk about this one later.

This is the first time I’ve taken to look at the 10 Covenants. I’ll say that I’m only mildly disappointed because I never had very high expectations for it. In my humble opinion, it looks more like an outline for a do-nothing book disguised as a master plan for prosperity. The only ones who’ll prosper are the ones who get the checks from Amazon.com!

My response to each “Covenant” follows:

COVENANT I – Securing the Right to Healthcare and Well-Being

plez’s Response – Good health begins with good living, eating the right foods, exercising, staying away from drugs and alcohol. I guess this should read that everyone has a right to good common sense! Now, if they are referring to health insurance, that stuff costs money… and it’s not an issue for just Black people.

COVENANT II – Establishing a System of Public Education in which All Children Achieve at High Levels and Reach Their Full Potential

plez’s Response – Good Education and Achievement can be accomplished in our public schools, but it requires a substantial investment by the community. Parents must be intimately aware and actively participate in their children’s education. They must raise money or “booster” to alleviate budget shortfalls, they must meet with teachers and let the teachers know the high expectations for their children, and they must followup to ensure their children are being taught properly. Parents must also make sure that their children are prepared for school everyday and they must discipline (and allow school authorities to discipline) their children.

COVENANT III – Correcting the System of unequal Justice

plez’s Response – Stay out of the System … don’t start none, won’t be none! I know “ish” happens, but when it does, quietly work to resolve the problem and don’t make it worse by NOT using good common sense.

COVENANT IV – Fostering Accountable Community-Centered Policing

plez’s Response – I don’t understand Convenant IV. I live next door to a policeman.

COVENANT V – Ensuring Broad Access to Affordable Neighborhoods that Connect to Opportunity

plez’s Response – Why must where you live be a ghetto? And if it is a ghetto, clean it up. I paid a little bit more to live in my neighborhood, so I wouldn’t have to deal with folk that carry a ghetto mentality with them.

COVENANT VI – Claiming Our Democracy

plez’s Response – I don’t understand Covenant VI (I guess I should go out and buy the book, huh?!?). Democracy isn’t for everyone (look at Iraq) and quite frankly, I’m glad that a lot of people who have no idea about researching issues and candidates’ stands on various issues don’t go out and vote. If you only vote for someone because of their race, religion, or party affiliation, I would prefer that you didn’t vote!

COVENANT VII – Strengthening Our Rural Roots

plez’s Response – I don’t understand this one, either (something tells me that they had planned to have 10 Covenants and they started to run out of ideas). My new #7 – Emphasis on Personal Responsibility

COVENANT VIII – Accessing Good jobs, Wealth and Economic Prosperity

plez’s Response – Get up every morning, even when you don’t feel like it. Get to work or school early, try being the first one there everyday. When you get there, do what you’re supposed to do. You’d be surprised how well the rest works out for you. (See my New #7)

COVENANT IX – Assuring Enviromental Justice for All

plez’s Response – This may require some government intervention (I’m sure the book has a template of the letter that you need to send to your congressman and/or senator telling them about the environmental conditions in your area along with some basic instructions on how to start an investigation).

COVENANT X – Closing the Racial Digital Divide

plez’s Response – Give me an (excuse my French) effin’ break! There’s not a public school or public library in the United States that is not on the ‘net. It’s 2006, if you are on the wrong side of the “divide”, shame on you!

This Covenant is Excellent!