Friday Commentaries.

The following is why I reject the views of the moderates. For years and decades, some desire us to be moderate, so we can please people who don't think as we do. That is fantasy since historically, many people have awakened not by moderation, but by the truth. For example, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a letter while he was in a Birmingham Jail back in 1963. He didn't criticize progressives. He exposed white moderates since they were more concerned with the status quo and comfort than freedom and justice for black Americans. This fact is accurate today. Not to mention that the American political mainstream is so far right today. FDR called for universal health care in the 1940's. Dr. King called for a guaranteed annual income for Americans in 1968. Hubert Humphrey called for direct government investment in employment back in the 1970's via his Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment Act, the first attempt at full employment legislation. The political establishment is much more conservative on economic issues today (since the 1980's) than back in the 1960's and the 1970's. The moderate professes to desire people to experience peace, but they refuse to engage in an ideological struggle for that peace. At the same time, the Right scapegoats the Left for polarization while this same Right ignores Trump supporters assaulting protesters and crowds of Trump acolytes enacting hate crimes at a high level. Peace is not attained by compromise or giving in.

Historically, sacrifice and solid effort have caused tranquility to flourish. The Confederacy lost by a conflict, which Union leaders of many colors were active in defeating the bigoted rebels. A unified front against fascism defeated the Nazis. Jim Crow apartheid in America ended by a courageous confrontation against evil. I can go down the list of other occurrences as well. Therefore, either we are hot or cold. We aren't lukewarm. We are clear that we desire universal healthcare for all, social justice, and racial justice. There is no question that we want to end to police brutality, to have our civil liberties protected, and to witness workers' rights. We believe in the rights of women, the human rights of immigrants including undocumented immigrants, reparations (as have been given to Jewish people, Native Americans, and others throughout human history), and the flourishing of black communities (as I am a black man). The creed of promoting the general welfare is part of the progressive credo. We cherish that credo permanently including the goal of justice for all.


Kanye West gave a 10-minute monologue to Donald Trump. He wanted to support Trump. It discussed race and culture in America. His purpose was to desire to do something about the situation in Chicago and the prison industrial complex. Trump made this a show, and Kanye brought a provocative presentation. The truth is that we have issues in the African American community, but Trump is a person who doesn't represent what we, who are black Americans, desire. We are a compassionate people. We also desire what other communities want. We want community development, investments in education, the ending of police brutality, respect outlined to our families, and healthcare being more available and affordable. It is easy to target Kanye West since he's an easy target. He has mental health issues, has self-hatred, and is wrong in agreeing with the Trump agenda.


What is important is promoting a progressive agenda for our people and our descendants. Also, Jim Brown was there in league with Trump. Brown disappoints me, but that isn't shocking since Jim Brown believes in rigid capitalism and he rejects nonviolent resistance. I believe in nonviolence and self-defense at certain circumstances. Therefore, we are clear to oppose Trump, because of his sexism, his racism (as proven by his comments about the Charlottesville tragedy, his words about majority countries of black African descent, and his views on the Central Park Five), and his xenophobia. Trump used Kanye as a prop to advance his cause. We don't believe in torture and stripping net neutrality. So, we desire the general welfare to be advanced.

Legend is an apt description to describe her. For decades, she has not only performed in crowds internationally. She is a constant advocate for helping others and building communities. Her name is Lana Michelle Moorer or MC Lyte, and it was her birthday yesterday. She is 48 years old, and she was born in Brooklyn, NYC. At the age of 12, she started to rap involving hip-hop. She made classic records found in albums like Lyte as a Rock. She worked in the new jack swing genre with music as well. She is the first soloist woman rapper to be nominated for a Grammy. Cold Rock a Party was a song shown by her including Missy Elliot (she is from my state of Virginia) back in late 1996 when I was in middle school at the eighth grade. MC Lyte is an actress too. She has been on Moesha, Cousin Skeeter, New York Undercover, My Wife and My Kids, and other shows. Lana Michelle Moorer appeared in the films of Train Ride, Civil Brand, and other movies. She donated a turntable, records, and her diary to the Smithsonian Institution. MC Lyte opened Shaitel or a Los Angeles boutique that sells accessories from belts to sunglasses. She has spoken in colleges and wrote a book too. MC Lyte is a leader in building up great skills for future generations. She recently married Marine Corps veteran and entrepreneur John Wyche in August of 2017. Bless their Union. Exquisite talent, personal excellence, and golden, charismatic swagger relate to her life. I wish Sister MC Lyte more Blessings.

By Timothy