How to make hot ice

Names

After Judge Cabrera's historic ruling, little Clitoria Jackson will likely undergo a name change.

( DETROIT ) In a decision that's expected to send shockwaves through the African-American community-and yet, give much relief to teachers everywhere-a federal judge ruled today that black women no longer have independent naming rights for their
children. Too many black children-and many adults-bear names that border on not even being words, he said.

'I am simply tired of these ridiculous names black women are giving their children,' said U.S. Federal Judge Ryan Cabrera before rendering his decision. 'Someone had to put a stop to it.'

The rule applies to all black women, but Cabrera singled out impoverished mothers. 'They are the worst perpetrators,' he
said. 'They put in apostrophes where none are needed. They think a 'Q' is a must. There was a time when Shaniqua and Tawanda were names you dreaded. Now, if you're a black girl, you hope you get a name as sensible as one of those.'

Few stepped forward to defend black women-and black women themselves seemed relieved. 'It's so hard to keep coming up with
something unique,' said Uneeqqi Jenkins, 22, an African-American mother of seven who survives on public assistance. Her children are named Daryl, Q'Antity, Uhlleejsha, Cray-Ig, Fellisittee, Tay'Sh'awn and Day'Shawndra.

Beginning in one week, at least three white people must agree with the name before a black mother can name her child. 'Hopefully we can see a lot more black children with sensible names like Jake and Connor,' Cabrera said... His ruling stemmed from a lawsuit brought by a 13-year-old girl whose mother created her name using Incan hieroglyphics.

'She said it would make me stand out,' said the girl, whose name can't be reproduced by The Peoples News' technology. 'But it's really just stupid.' The National Association of Elementary
School Teachers celebrated Cabrera's decision. 'Oh my God, the first day of school you'd be standing there sweating, looking at the list of names wondering 'How do I pronounce Q'J'Q'Sha.'?' said Joyce Harmon, NAEST spokeswoman. 'Is this even English?'

The practice of giving black children outlandish names began in the 1960s, when blacks were getting in touch with their African roots, said historian Corlione Vest. But even he admits it got out of hand.

'I have a niece who's six. I'm embarrassed to say I can't even pronounce her name,' said Vest, a professor at Princeton University . 'Whenever I want to talk to her, I just wait until she looks at me and then I wave her over.'

Cabrera's ruling exempted black men because so few of them are actually involved in their children's lives.

http://thepeoplesnews.wordpress.com/...-stupid-names/

Its the cheetahs vs the Hippos

Economist George Ayittey sees Africa's future as a fight between Hippos -- complacent, greedy bureaucrats wallowing in the muck -- and Cheetahs, the fast-moving, entrepreneurial leaders and citizens who will rebuild Africa.

Talib Kweli Speaks On Obama and American Politics

It is the last year of the Bush administration and thank God. I usually rail against being described as simply "political rapper", and I haven't voted since Bill Clinton first ran for President. I was following the tradition that Black Americans have had of voting for democrats since we got the right in 1964 (temporarily). Then, Clinton, as president's go, seemed better than Bush Sr., but I did not like his policies in Sudan or the constant bombing of Iraq. I also did not like the way our government dragged us thru the Lewinsky scandal. I felt betrayed by the system, and I stopped voting, no longer accepting of the lesser of two evils. I knew the two party system was designed to fail us. I knew that politicians must lie for a living, because it would be impossible to make good on their promises. I knew about the lobbyists and the PAC. I did not make it my issue, but if someone asked me, I would explain why I didn't vote. Most of the time people talked to me like I lost my mind, but every once and awhile someone understood. I knew that our ancestors fought and died for the right to vote, but I didn't feel like voting for the lesser of two evils in a broken system was the proper way to honor them. It was pageantry, and I wasn't with it. I wasn't with Vote or Die, because I knew that voting itself, with no real knowledge of who is paying these candidates to run million dollar a day campaigns, is far from a revolutionary act. I haven't even started to talk about the electoral college that they taught us about in grade school. In this republic, delegates votes are counted, and states with more land have more votes. You can technically have more votes, but lose the election. When the verdict is in question, the Supreme Court decides, as they did when Al Gore clearly won the election but lost due to bipartisan bullshit. The bankers of the world pay our politicians, and often tailor laws and regulations to line their own pockets. I have often stated that I cannot participate in a system that not only is designed to see me fail, but corrupts itself as well.


This was all before Barack Obama threw his hat in the ring. I, like many, appreciated his effort from the sidelines, watching him do the dance on the news. I found myself relating to him and enjoying hearing him speak, but I still remained distrustful of politicians in general. I felt like I could serve my community in many ways on a grassroots level that proceeded politics. I started to see the Obama campaign doing that grassroots work. I hear him speaking about poor people, the environment, things that I haven't heard from politicians who have electability. My criticism of the political system is that it siphons out rational thought because who have to be all things to all people. You can't stand for anything doing that. I remember when Obama spoke out against the war, early. I think the time he spent as a civil rights attorney on Chicago's south side gives him a unique perspective. I often hear about his lack of experience, but his experience is one that I most closely identify with. I'm not saying I could be president, but I am saying that our government could use a new energy. In order for a revolution to happen, you need revolutionary writers, soldiers, teachers, poets, musicians, garbage men, cab drivers, politicians, across the board. Everyone will not always agree, but the things we agree on, we should strengthen. When I was younger, none of this really mattered. Now I have two beautiful children, and Barack Obama is an incredibly positive influence on them. I want them to know they can be anything they want.


With that said, I still feel the same as I do about the political system, and one man can't change it. But this man deserves our support nonetheless. I appreciate what he's doing, and there comes a time in history when change is necessary for all of us to prosper. I can't be critical of a society that is scared of change, but be stubborn in my ways for the sake of it. I support Barack Obama and encourage others to take a real look at his campaign so they can come to their own conclusions. I am not delusional about what the office of the president represents, but my support for him is just that, support for someone speaking my language amidst an ocean of doubletalk. Thank you for you time. - Talib Kweli, MCEO, Blacksmith

Kenya/africa-which way forward

We are headed towards the end of the fist decade of the 21 st century.Africans are still lagging behind on the world economy.It seems like the African people have become synonymous with negativity since their 'independence',keeping in mind that i am speaking in general here.
Africans have been unable to compete when it comes to global trade.We are forced to submit.Poor planning has led to increase in epidemics not to mention hunger and drought,we are lagging behind in terms of technological advancement,illiteracy and ignorance,failing leadership,and now the impeding danger of global warming on the continent of which few have a clue about its consequencies.The list of issues is long and i can go on for days.
People seem to be preoccupied with negative notions like which ethnic group rules,killing each other and what not.
It makes me wonder if it has ever occurred to people that if we continue this trend we might as well call it a day on the world map.Which way do we go from here?