‘States’ Archives
Chicago Urban Prep Story Defies Conceptual Entrapment »
By Charles S. Mombo In his book, Black Demons: Mass Media's Depiction of the African American Male Criminal Stereotype, Dennis Rome, a sociologist and associate professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at Indiana University Bloomington tried to open people's eyes to a form of indoctrination they experience day in and day out. [...]
Illinois Democrat Lieutenant Governor Whites Only Need »
By Charles S. Mombo The slot for Lieutenant Governor of the State of Illinois became available after Pat Quinn, the former lieutenant governor succeeded Governor Rod Blagojevich who was impeachment and removal from office. It should be noted that while the Governor and Illinois and the Lieutenant Governor are technically "running [...]
The Real Victims of Kansas City Massive Schools »
By: Charles S. Mombo Despite the anger and frustration expressed by parents, students and teachers; Kansas City’s school board has decided to go ahead and close 29 of the district’s 61 public schools, according to them, “to try to prevent bankruptcy”. According to the school board, the closure will go ahead to help in [...]
Necessity Entrepreneurs »
Some referred to it as unintended entrepreneur, accidental entrepreneur or forced entrepreneur. The so-called expert are defining unintended entrepreneurs as individuals that are just plain lucky or newly unemployed that have formed their own small businesses as a result of the shrinking job pool. I do not agree with the assumption that luck has [...]
Naomi Campbell Refuses to Turn the Other Cheek »
It appears that the leggy supermodel Naomi Campbell is not familiar with the phrase turning the other cheek. The phrase in the Christian doctrine that refers to responding to an aggressor without violence. The phrase originates from the New Testament, the Gospel of Matthew in the GOOD BOOK during Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Campbell, 39 [...]
Indicted Illinois Governor Blagojevich Speaks on »
According to The Daily Northwestern newspaper, former Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich will speak at the university at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 2. The event is titled “Ethics in Politics: An evening with Former Governor Rod Blagojevich.” The event is sponsored by College Democrats of Northwestern University. The former Illinois [...]
Crook County Chicago Illinois? »
By Charles S. Mombo One of Cook County's most not-too-famous son, Al Capone, was onces quoted as saying, "A crook is a crook, and there's something healthy about his frankness in the matter. But any guy who pretends he is enforcing the law and steals on his authority is a swell snake. The worst type of these punks is the big [...]
Paucity of African-Americans in the Winter Olympics »
Four years ago, during the February opening of the 2006 Winter Olympics Games in Torino, Italy; Brian Gumbel compared the Games to a GOP convention. In his own words: Finally tonight, the Winter Games. Count me among those who don't like 'em and won't watch 'em. In fact, I figure when Thomas Paine said “these are the times [...]
African American and Blacks Unemployment Rate Still »
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics The unemployment rate fell from 10.0 to 9.7 percent in January, and nonfarm payroll employment was essentially unchanged (-20,000), the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Employment fell in construction and in transportation and warehousing, while temporary help services and retail trade added [...]
New Orleans, Chocolate City, Elects Landrieu, a White »
New Orleans' former Mayor Ray Nagin's eight tumultuous years of leading the Chocolate City, a predominantly African-American city has come to an end. From ever indication, the residents citywide seem eager to move on without him. New Orleans woke up this morning to a new mayor. Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Mitchell Joseph [...]
An Interview with Fashion Designer Terri Stevens »
Image credit: Barbara Nitke By Charles S. Mombo Terri Stevens has made a name for herself. The beautiful and talented Stevens is a fashion designer and former participant of Project Runway. Stevens owns and designs for her line of clothes - Michael Joseph and funkinbeautiful. She is known across the country for her original style and [...]
An Interview With T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh »
By Charles S. Mombo Raised on the South Side of Chicago by her grandparents and great grandmother, T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh (pronounced Ta-Kee-ah Kristle Kee-Mah), is her name personified: a prism of energy and vision. From age three she sang, danced and recited original poems and stories. She wrote her first play and her first song in [...]
Dancing in the End Zone at Trinity United Church of »
After vacillating between wanting to go and not wanting to go to church on New Year's eve, I am very glad that I did make the right decision by going. I attended the 10:00 p.m. New Year's Eve Watch Meeting service at Trinity United Church of Christ located at 400 West 95th Street in Chicago. The Praise Ministry literally got the [...]
An Interview with Chicago’s Chef Yowceph Ben »
By Charles S. Mombo Whenever I am in the City of Big Shoulders for some work thing, I always find time to sneak away and gravitate toward one of the world's best coffee shop locate on Chicago's South Side - MySoul Café located at 7201 and Exchange Avenue. The warmness of the café seems to be an extension of its friendly [...]
An Interview With Illinois U.S. Senatorial Candidate »
By Charles S. Mombo Since 1870, the United States Senate have had ONLY 6 African-American Senators. Two out of the six were Republicans elected during the Reconstruction era and four out of the six were elected in modern era. The last three African Americans or Blacks to serve in the U.S Senate were from Illinois. The six African Americans [...]
ChocolateCity Honors Sgt Albert Dono Ware »
By: Charles S. Mombo It seems like it was just yesterday when you arrived from Liberia. It seems like it was just yesterday when you graduated from Corliss High School. It seems like it was just yesterday when you left Kennedy-King College and Chicago State University and joined the Illinois National Guard for 2 1/2 years. It seems like it [...]
Sen. Graham Sees Blacks Among South Carolina Problems »
By Tolbert Yarkpawolo When Lindsey Graham replaced retired Senator Strom Thurmond as Senator of South Carolina in 2002, it appears that Graham inherited more than Thurmond's political slot. Senator Thurmond was considered by some as a racist bigot and one of the most detestable politicians that the United States has ever produced. [...]
DHS Illegally Spied on Farrakhan and Nation of Islam »
WASHINGTON — Homeland security officials improperly gathered intelligence on the Nation of Islam, a black Muslim group, but government rules were "unintentionally and inadvertently violated" and only publicly available information was collected, according to documents made public Wednesday. Internal correspondence shows the 2007 [...]
Tiger Woods Strange Car Accident »
During the early hours of Friday, November 27th, Tiger Woods was involved in an apparent one-man car accident. What appears to be unusual is the circumstances surrounding the accident and how the story continues to change as the clock ticks. What is officially known is that – around 2:25 a.m. Tiger left his house in Windermere, Florida, got [...]
Secrets and lies in relationships: Is it ever okay to »
“Communication is critical in relationships, but the only thing worse than a lack of communication is secrets and lies between you.”—Rhonda McKnight, author of the novel, Secrets and Lies I’ve always been blessed with nice skin, so whenever I have a pimple on my face it’s a major intrusion. I hate that toxic, [...]
Heather Ellis and the Bizarre Walmart Incident »
By Charles S. Mombo CNN News reported last night that Heather Ellis, a 24 year-old African American Xavier University graduate could face fifteen years behind bars for assaulting police officers and resisting arrest after she cut the line at Wal-Mart store in Kennett, Missouri. On Nov. 18, her case went to trial in Dunklin County, Mo., on two [...]
Rep. Cao Ignores Republican Groupthink »
Rep. Anh "Joseph" Quang Cao of Louisiana appears to be an independent thinker and does not subscribe to the Republican Party Groupthink mindset. (more...)
Chicago Disses Its Black Founder – Jean Baptiste »
Unless you have had a Chicago connection, there is a strong possibility that you have not heard the name Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable. Way before the Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, Millennium Park, Sears Tower (or whatever they call it these days), Du Sable was one of the first non-Indian settler, and one of the first [...]
I Will Not Officiate a Black and White Couple Wedding »
According to Judge Keith Bardwell, who is also an elected Justice of the Peace in Tangipahoa Parish's 8th Ward in Louisiana, his refusal to issue a marriage license and preside over the wedding of an interracial couple is based solely on his (more...)
The Code of the Street and African-American Adolescent »
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), a research and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice, has issued a report reaffirming the “Code of the Street” theory of urban violence developed by Yale professor Dr. Elijah Anderson. (more...)
A Kardashian Doctrine for Black Men? »
Unless you've had your head in the sand you might have heard about the Bush Doctrine. (more...)
Black Hair Business – Are the Koreans Unfairly »
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p96aaTSdrAE One of my greatest admiration of the United States of America is its private enterprise system. The private enterprise system is an economic system that rewards an individual for her ability to perceive a need and service that need by creating a demand for her prospective consumers. (more...)
Ashley Jewell, Fiance of Housewives Kandi Burruss is »
Atlanta’s Channel 2, WSBTV.com is reporting that an arrest was made in the murdered of Ashley A.J. Jewell. Ashley was the fiancé of Kandi Burruss, the newest cast member of the hit reality show “The Real Housewives of Atlanta.” Jewell also appeared regularly on the show. (more...)
Chicago Public School and The Wet Monkey Theory »
I first heard about The Wet Monkey theory several years ago while in graduate school. I am not sure if the Wet Money theory is an urban legend or an actual theory. From every indication, it seems to be based on the famous Pavlov's salivating dog experiment. (more...)
What Would Dr. King Do Regarding Sibling Fight Over »
Whenever I hear the name Dr. Martin King Jr., I immediately form a mental image of a man of peace, reconciliation, cessation, armistice, conciliation, concord, accord, amity, friendship, love, treaty, truce, unanimity, union, and unity. On the other hand, whenever his name is mentioned in conjunction with his children, I immediately form a [...]
Former Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan is a Worthy »
Chicago Bull's former superstar Michael Jeffrey Jordan was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in a ceremony in Springfield, Massachusetts. Jordan, 46 year-old is considered to be the game's greatest player. (more...)
Rep. Joe Wilson – Clownish Discourteous and »
Representative Joe Wilson, the 5th term Republican Senator from the 2nd District of South Carolina made a fool of himself tonight by shouting "You lie!" during President Obama's address to the Congress and the nation. (more...)
Chicago Actor Tanner Faces Prison for Stolen »
Chicago born actor, Antow Tanner, 34 year-old, pleaded guilty yesterday in a Brooklyn court to selling more than a dozen social security numbers for $10,000. According to court documents, he told the judge that he was a middleman in the stolen or dead people social security numbers scheme. (more...)
California Outlaws the Display of Noose »
Approved by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on August 5, 2009 and filed with the California Secretary of State on August 6, 2009, Bill Number: AB 412 has now become a law. (more...)
President Obama Approves $2B For Cash For Clunkers »
Source: WeBuyJunk Today, President Barack Obama signed a bill that added more money into the the Cash for Clunkers program. Late Thursday evening, in a rush to finish business before their August recess. The Senate voted 60-37 to approve an additional $2 billion for the program. The House had already voted to extend the program last Friday. The [...]
Illinois’ nonsensical and preposterous candy tax »
In a “by any means necessary” attempt to patch the state's budget shortfall, the State of Illinois has come up with a nonsensical and preposterous tax scheme whereby candy, which was previously classified as food in the food group, will be moved to its own group - candy group. (more...)
Why Plaxico Burress and not Dick Cheney? »
They say Lady Justice is blindfolded, but I am starting to believe that she occasionally peeps through her blindfold with with one eye open. There is a perception that low tolerance, lack of patience and lack of sympathy is hardly applied whenever an African American, especially a wealthy athletics, acts “stupidly” and [...]
Birthers still have issue with President Obama’s »
Recent comments from the likes of CNN's Lou Dobbs when he reported that, “Hawaii officials had destroyed Obama's original 1961 birth certificate,” without citing a source seems to be adding more fuel to the fire of the birthers' claim that the 44th U.S. President is not a citizen of the United States of America. (more...)
Obama – I will get shot if I try to break into »
President Barack Obama said “if I were to break into the White House, I will get shot.” The president was responding to a question by Sun-Times Washington Bureau Chief Lynn Sweet, when she asked what he thought about the recent arrest of Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.? (more...)
Legally smoke 10 grams of marijuana in Chicago and pay »
Cook County Board members passed a proposal that decriminalizes the possession of less than 10 grams of marijuana. If approved, officers will have the discretion to write a ticket of $200 or issue misdemeanor charge. (more...)
Philadelphia Police and Racism the City of »
Whenever I heard the word “Philadelphia”, the immediate visual connection that comes to mind is the May 13, 1985 incident in which police dropped bombs as an alternative to waiting to issue arrest warrants on members of the Africa family and the MOVE organization. (more...)
Kimberly Anyadike – Young African-American breaks »
Kimberly Anyadike became the youngest African-American female to fly in a private airplane from coast-to-coast returning on July 9th. The flight started on June 29 with an initial estimated return date of July 4. (more...)
Michael Jackson named Diana Ross as alternate guardian »
Just days after family members said Jackson did not have a will, one suddenly surfaced. Lawyers filed his only known available will on Wednesday in a Los Angeles court. The will, dated July 7, 2002, estimated his estate at that time at more than $500 million., giving his entire estate to a family trust but specifically excluding his former wife [...]
Supreme Court Agrees with New Haven White Firefighter »
The U.S. Supreme Court made a decision on June 29, 2009 regarding the case of Ricci et al vs. Destefano et al. Basically in 2003, 118 New Haven, Connecticut firefighters took examinations to qualify for promotion to the rank of lieutenant and captain. Promotion examinations in New Haven were infrequent, so the stakes were high. All of the [...]
Chicago Ain’t That A Bitch »
Ain't That A Bitch is taken from the title song of John Guitar Watson's album. Johnny Guitar Watson's career went back to the early 50's in Houston. He was born February 3, 1935 in Houston, Texas and died May 17, 1996 in Yokohama, Japan. His outstanding musical talents are comparable to those of Jimmy Hendrix, Eric Clapton and B.B. King. He was a [...]
Apology accepted, where’s my damn 40 Acres and a »
The United States Senate approved a fiercely worded resolution couple of days ago that attempts to formally apologize for the "fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity of slavery" of the African-American people. It's strange that their unanimous resolution came only after America elected it's first African American [...]
Tennessee GOP Staffer depicts President Obama as a »
Sherri Goforth, a staffer in the office of Tennessee Grand Old Party (GOP) state senator Diane Black emailed a picture of the American presidents. The problem is the slot representing the 44th president, President Obama, was replaced by the head of a Golliwog. The Golliwog (originally spelled Golliwogg) is the least known of the major anti-Black [...]
Finding that beauty salon, hair salon, spa or »
For most people, including males and females, there is absolutely no compromising when it comes to the appearance of their hair and the need to having it look elegant, healthy and stylish. As a matter of fact, a recent study just released by The Nielsen Company noted that if money was not an issue, most people would continue to care for their hair [...]
The only Bailout Airport Shuttle Service in »
By Armah Karnley We are proud to introduce you to our new airport shuttle service, serving the Baltimore/Washington, DC & Northern Virginia Metropolis. DC VAN SERVICE provides dependable Airport Shuttle Service Solutions geared towards meeting and exceeding your expectations at all times. Our drivers are courteous and experienced [...]
Rapper T.I. new address Forrest City, Arkansas 72335 »
Rapper Clifford Harris, Jr. popularly known as T.I. is expected to have a change of address by midday Tuesday, May 26, 2009. His new address will be in Forrest City, Arkansas, Zip Code 72335 at a minimum security prison. Just in case you plan on calling him, Forrest City, Arkansas is on the CDT (GMT -05) time zone. The temperature on the day of [...]
Rapper Dolla gunned down in Los Angeles »
Despite not knowing about Dolla, it saddens me to hear about another young person getting kill especially while trying to make some positive changes to his life. His killing comes 12 years after rapper, Notorious B.I.G., was shot in Los Angeles. (more...)
La Marque Texas elects first Black female mayor »
On Saturday, the city of La Marque in Galveston County, Texas made history by electing the first African American woman as mayor in the entire Galveston County. Geraldine Sam, 57 year-old is a lifelong resident of La Marque and a first grade teacher at Simms Elementary School. (more...)
Is Familycide the White Men Solution to Hardship? »
If you don't know what familycide is, do not feel bad because few months ago, I had not heard of it or knew what it meant. The word familycide is a combination of the words family and suicide. If I was given the task to define the word for Webster Dictionary, I will define it as follows: Familycide – is the [...]
Wake Up, Detroit You have a Special Election! »
Our team arrived in Detroit today to cover the upcoming special election. We drove around the good, the bad and the ugly parts of the city trying to engage the locals about the upcoming special mayoral election which is scheduled for Tuesday, May, 5. Actually, most of the people we spoke with were not aware of the election, did not know the [...]
Office of Congressional Ethics investigates Rep. Jesse »
When the Federal grand jury investigated the alleged corruption in the Blagojevich administration, they did not report any wrong doing on the part of Illinois Democrat Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. Despite the fact that Federal authorities have already questioned Illinois Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. and other cooperating witnesses [...]
Chi-Town – America’s Third Most Miserable »
By: Charles Mombo Call it whatever nickname you want: My Kind of Town, Beirut by the Lake, Second City, Chicagoland, The Big Onion, The City That Works, The Chill or Chi Ill (Chill as in Chicago Illinois), Hog butcher for the world, Tool maker, Stacker of wheat, Player with railroads, The nation's freight handler; Stormy, Husky, Brawling, City [...]
Sen. Gregg’s withdrawal smells ungraciously »
After begging the Obama's administration to considered him for the position of U.S. Commerce Secretary, the Republican Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire made an above-face by withdrawing his consideration. Following is Senator Gregg Statement on His Withdrawal for Consideration of Commerce Secretary I want to thank the President for [...]
Detroit’s Kwame Kilpartick released from prison »
At 12:35 a.m. Tuesday morning, Detroit's former mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, 38-year-old, strolled out of the Wayne County Jail. He said nothing to reporters as he was whisked into a Chevy Suburban. The former mayor spent 99 days in an isolated cell. "He's upbeat. He's not bitter. He has grown. ... He wants to get on with his life," [...]
Life Term for robbery – Cruel and Unusual for Ian »
In 1990, when Ian Manuel was 13, gang members instructed him to commit a robbery. During the botched robbery attempt in downtown Tampa, Florida, Ian shot and wounded a woman. He turned himself in to the police. Ian’s attorney told him to plead guilty in exchange for a 15-year prison sentence. Ian accepted responsibility and pleaded guilty [...]
Obama: Washington Needs Some Chicago Winter Toughness »
Speaking to the fact that most schools in the Washington area were shut down on Wednesday due to a little melting temperatures, rain, sleet and then overnight freezing temperature, President Obama said "My children's school was canceled today because of what, some ice?" Obama added "As my children pointed out, in Chicago, school [...]
Chicago School bans visiting fans from sport events »
The Public League of the Chicago Public School (CPS) announced that it is taking striking and necessary actions by banning fans of visiting teams from attending sports events. This dramatic measure is to curb a rash of violence that has erupted at CPS basketball games. Chicago Public Schools director of sports administration Calvin Davis [...]
Congratulation Illinois Junior Sen. Roland Burris »
Common sense prevailed when the Democratic machine, including Senator Harry Reid and Senator Richard Durbin when they finally did the right thing by rightfully allowing Roland Burris to fill the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. The fact is the Democratic party did not have a leg to stand on by trying to prevent Senator [...]
The Roland Burris’ saga – ain’t that »
By: Charles Mombo Last Wednesday a meeting was scheduled at Roland Burris’ request with Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Majority Whip Richard Durbin of Illinois. After the hour long meeting on Capitol Hill, Reid and Durbin told reporters that they would consider Burris' appointment if: It is [...]
Son of Former Liberian Prez Taylor sentenced »
By: Tolbert Yarkpawolo Charles "Chuckie" Taylor, 31-year-old, U.S.-born citizen and the son of former Liberian President Charles Taylor Sr. was sentenced Friday to 97 years in prison for charges including torture and conspiracy, according to a federal court in Florida. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Chuckie moved to [...]
Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon indicted »
Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon was indicted Friday on 12 counts of corruption as part of a long-running investigation that saw a councilwoman indicted earlier this week. In the 28-page report, Dixon was indicted on 12 counts of corruption, including four counts of perjury, two counts of misconduct, three counts of theft and three counts of [...]
Jim Crow, Roland Burris and the 111th Congress »
By Charles Mombo With an uncomfortable resemblance of scenes from the Jim Crow era, the Illinois Senate appointee Roland Burris, who is an African American was escorted out of the Capitol in the rain after being turned away when he arrived for the swearing-in ceremonies of the 111th Congress. Legislation known as Jim Crow laws separated people [...]
