The Boyce Blog

I hated what Chris Brown did to Rihanna. I was angered, disappointed and irritated by the fact that many are quick to forgive egregious behavior on the part of celebrities, and a hit song can forgive all sins. At the same time, celebs are just like the rest of us, full of complexities that the world may never come to understand. Rihanna has walked away from Chris and she is now telling the entire world how bad of a man he is, and we're all taking her side.

The problem for Rihanna, however, is that her actions aren't making much sense.

Rihanna's recent whirlwind media tour has included the likes of ABC News, MTV and other major media outlets. Throughout this tour, she has allowed the world to enter into her dark reflection on the relationship she had with Chris Brown, with that reflection seeming to have almost no productive purpose. I am not sure why the he-say/she-say between two 19-year old kids should be the concern of the nation. But then again, I am sitting here writing about it, so I am as guilty as everyone else.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Dr. Boyce Watkins: Black Columbia Professor Punches His Co-Worker over Racial Disagreement

When I heard that black Columbia University professor Lionel McIntyre punched out a white university employee, I was obviously taken aback. I was even more intrigued by the fact that the two were having a heated conversation about white privilege when the alleged punch took place. Given that the fight was in a bar, I immediately thought about the Jamie Foxx excuse: "blame it on the alcohol." My goddaughter is an athlete at Columbia, but I had no idea that Columbia University professors could be so athletic in their free time. Although professor McIntyre's actions are obviously inexcusable, the truth is that our actions "under the influence" tell a deeper story about our psyches, so there is more to this incident than meets the eye.

1) Call me crazy, but I understand how Lionel McIntyre felt. I would never punch out anyone from the frustration I've felt when dealing with white privilege, but then again, that is probably why I chose not to drink alcohol, since I am genuinely concerned about how I might react to the stinging pain of consistent racism. What is also true is that although some black scholars are afraid to admit it, many of us have felt incredibly angry and irritated by the arrogant nature of white privilege within academia. It's not that black scholars dislike their white colleagues, it's that many of us are tired of being thought of as second-class citizens. If any black Ph.D. student or professor says they haven't thought about jumping over someone's desk and "whooping ass" at least once, they're telling a lie. Some of us hold in the frustration until we die of heart disease. Some of us submit ourselves to the system and become groveling Sambos, while many black scholars simply leave academia altogether. Either way, there is as much frustration for black scholars in America as there is within nearly every other profession dominated by whites. So as the comedian Chris Rock once said in a skit about O.J. Simpson, "I'm not saying he should have done it, but I understand."

Heather Ellis Trial: New Prosecutor Has Confederate Flag on His Book Cover

Should we be concerned about this? Our rally is in Kennett, MO on November 16 at 11 am.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

News: Prosecutor Removes Himself from the Heather Ellis Case

Heather Ellis is shown alongside her mother, Hester Ellis, outside the Justice Center at Bloomfield last month following her pre-trial hearing in a case that has gained national attention. At right is Ellis' attorney, Timothy Hunsaker from the St. Louis firm of Rosenblum, Schwartz, Rogers and Glass. Also pictured (at left) is an unidentified member of the American Civil Liberties Union.
(Staff photo by Noreen Hyslop)

A motion filed in a Dunklin County courtroom brings a new twist to the case against Heather Ellis, a case that has garnered national media attention.

Ellis, an African-American woman from Kennett, is charged in connection with an incident at the Kennett Walmart in 2007 during which she was arrested and charged with two counts of the Class C felony assault on a law enforcement officer, one count of the Class B misdemeanor peace disturbance and one count of the Class A misdemeanor resisting arrest. Ellis was charged as a result of a scuffle that broke out in a checkout line at the store, following Ellis being accused by associates employed by Walmart of cutting in line.

The motion in question, filed by Ellis' attorney on November 2, involves Ellis' legal representation requesting Dunklin County Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Sokoloff to recuse himself from the case.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Dr. Boyce: What do the Cleveland Murders Say about Our Respect for Black Women?

Anthony Sowell is a name that most of us would like to forget. Sowell is the 50-year-old man in Cleveland found to have 11 corpses in his home after being arrested on a rape charge. His neighbors noticed the smell, but some blamed it on the sausage factory next door.

Sowell's case jars the mind, and even the sight of him makes me want to change the channel. But not only is Sowell repulsive, the circumstances under which these women were killed are equally alarming.

All of the women were African-American. All of them were poor, marginalized and ignored by society. Some of their families called police to report them missing and the police refused to thoroughly investigate. Even Sowell was intelligent enough to know that he was taking the lives of women who would not be missed, telling one of the victims that no one would care if she disappeared. In Sowell's warped mind, many of these women had already disappeared. The truth is that he was absolutely correct.

The Anthony Sowell case is one that requires us to stop and reassess our values. Why are some people considered to be less worthy of police protection than others? I recall hearing a police officer explain to me that he felt that the job of the police was to simply protect the rich from the poor. I was under the false impression that their job was to protect the good from the bad. Apparently, Sowell's victims were not wealthy enough, blonde or blue-eyed enough to be defined as inherently good. Their disappearances were deemed unworthy of the attention of Nancy Grace or anyone else for that matter.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Dr Boyce - Chris Brown vs. Rihanna: Time to Butt Out

When I heard that Chris Brown hit his ex-girlfriend Rihanna, I was concerned and surprised. I also found myself irritated by the fact that many women, along with my teenage daughters, were quick to forgive Chris for his actions, primarily because they think he has a great voice and a cute face. I had little sympathy for Chris Brown, and doing something like that to one of my girls would’ve had him singing a cappella for the rest of his life.

But that’s where I have to get off the Chris Brown bashing bus. In spite of my frustration with Chris’ behavior, I cannot endorse the media’s decision to turn his relationship with Rihanna into a one-sided slugfest, committed by yet another violent black man whose rage consistently overrides his intellect. I also cannot endorse Rihanna’s decision to bring ABC News into her relationship, portraying herself as the completely innocent victim who was terrorized by the big, scary black man. Yes, she is the victim, but we all know that love is not that simple.

Let’s be clear: No man should ever put his hands on a woman in a violent way. We all agree on that. Not only is it morally wrong, but it’s an easy way for a man to find himself in jail (especially if he’s black). We should also agree that no woman should put her hands on any man. The second point might be subject to disagreement, but the truth is that you shouldn’t hit someone if you don’t expect to get hit back. While that person might end up being punished by the police, you might end up in the morgue. We can also agree that the disproportionate amount of force that a man is capable of inflicting is a legitimate reason that the man is more to blame than the woman, even if both parties are involved in a physical altercation.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

News: Jay Z vs. Beanie Sigal: A Lesson in Corporate Power

Consider it a strange dream, but I had some thoughts about the Jay-Z beef with the rapper Beanie Sigal. No, I'm not here to talk about keeping street cred. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Half of the artists in the hip hop industry are not nearly as hard or as real as they claim to be. They're too smart for that. The guys who are really as hard as most rappers claim to be are either in a jail cell or a casket. That's the truth.
What got my attention was when Charlamagne Tha God was fired from 100.3, "The Beat" in Philadelphia. I've known Charlamagne for years from our work on The Wendy Williams Show, so this made me a little upset. What was even sadder is the allegation that Jay Z may have played a role in getting Charlamagne fired, in large part because Charlamagne conducted an interview with Jay-Z's new rival, Beanie Sigal. This incident represents more than the standard thuggery that some might see on the surface. Instead, it brings forth a plethora of issues that relate to business, entertainment, money and corporate power. Here are some quick thoughts:

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Need a Ride from Memphis to support Heather Ellis?

Monday, November 2, 2009

Dr. Boyce Watkins: Michael Baisden Steps to the Plate on the Heather Ellis Case

Just when you thought black celebrities didn't care anymore, the "Bad Boy of Radio,"Michael Baisden announced today that he is going to give $5,000 to the legal defense fund of the family of Heather Ellis, a 24-year old black female college student who faces 15-years in prison after cutting in line at a Walmart.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Dr Boyce Watkins: Ben Bernanke’s Racially Ridiculous Comments

I've always had mixed feelings about Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. I feel that he is better than the previous chairman, Alan Greenspan, but the Fed Chairmanship (like the presidency) is almost never given to the right man. Just the fact that it is almost always given to a man is problematic enough, and the truth is that only white men need apply for the job.
Well, when you are limited in your option pool for the top job, bad leadership and flat out ignorance can sometimes be the result. While Fed Chairman Bernanke might know some nuts and bolts about economics, he appears to be shockingly misinformed about economic disparities between blacks and whites. His embarrassing and highly inappropriate statements at Morehouse College serve as a significant case in point.
In a recent interview at Morehouse, the Fed Chairman was asked what he felt to be the reason for the wealth gap between blacks and whites. In response, Bernanke said that the gap was due to a lack of "financial literacy" and "financial education" on the part of African Americans. That's all he mentioned.

click to read.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Dr. Boyce: NCAA May Hire a Black President? Who Cares

I am not a fan of the NCAA, a sports league that earns money on the par of the NFL and NBA, but has somehow decided that they don’t have to properly compensate their employees or give them standard rights to negotiation. What’s worse is that the NCAA does tremendous harm to the African American community, sucking up kids with hoop dreams and destroying their futures with inferior educations.

When I recently read that the NCAA may be hiring a black president (Dr. Bernard Franklin), the only thing I could say is “whoopty-damn-doo.” While some of us might be tempted to applaud such an achievement, we must fully understand that the disease of racism is sometimes delivered through the hands of a black overseer.

Dr. Franklin, while running around the country applauding his organization for giving one opportunity to one black person, should probably think of the thousands of African American families being used up by the very system he has been trained to manage. The NCAA is, without question, one of the most exploitative regimes in the history of America, right next to slavery and the prison system. Billions are earned each year off the backs of African American families, while the league has worked together with Congress to create a nexus of regulations that keep the athlete and his/her family from getting a piece of the economic pie.

Dr. Boyce Watkins on AOL – 10/28/09

The Latest

Mistakes Couples Make When Mixing Love and Money Together

As I prepare for an appearance on ABC News to talk about money and relationships, I thought I ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (0)

Dr. Boyce Money: Do Entrepreneurs Need an MBA? Probably Not

I am going to say some things that will take money out of the pockets of people like myself. But ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (1)

Tyler Perry Is Right and Spike Lee Is Wrong

When I first heard about Spike Lee's attacks on Tyler Perry's films as being on-screen coonery, ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (20)

Dr. Boyce Money: Was Good Hair "Da Bomb" or "A Bomb"?

I love Chris Rock, a brother and kindred spirit. He's the kind of guy who can make people laugh ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (2)

Judge Herman Thomas Has Sodomy Charges Dropped

Herman Thomas, an Alabama judge previously accused of sodomizing and paddling inmates, was ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (5)

Is the Swine Flu Reaching a State of Emergency?

There have been recent reports in media that the Swine Flu situation has risen to a state of ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (3)

Black College Student, KKK, 15 Years in Prison - Why We Will March

When I recently announced that we were going to march in Kennett, Mo., in response to the Heather ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (3)

Federal Housing Tax Credit: Want $8,000 Dollars from Obama? Just Buy a Home

Today, I got a call from NPR about the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit being offered by ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (3)

Lil Wayne's Automobiles: Ever Seen What He's Got at the Crib?

This is actually footage from 7 years ago, when Lil Wayne was much younger. Yes, he is on his way ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Blackvoices Autos | Comments (8)

Natural Remedies for the Swine Flu That Everyone Must Know

Most of us are worried about the Swine flu and what it could do to the health of our nation. While ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (2)

Triple Threat - Mother, Wife, Career Woman: What Does it Take?

An entrepreneur doesn't think like everyone else. She is willing to take chances, disciplined ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (1)

Financial Lovemaking: Man Shoots Boy for Sleeping with His Daughter

I have daughters and I love them all. They are all at "that age," between 16 and 20, where they ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (7)

Dr. Boyce Money: Rapper Nas in Serious Tax Trouble

Hip Hop Wired is reporting that the rapper Nas is having some serious financial problems. In ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (20)

Dr Boyce Money: Everything You Need to Know About Credit Scores Pt 1

Given the growing importance of credit scores in our economy, I thought I would do a Dr. Boyce ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (0)

Method Man, Wesley Snipes Arrested for Taxes, but Not Nicolas Cage?

I've met Method Man only one time, and I've never met Wesley Snipes or Nicolas Cage. In spite of ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (5)

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Dr Boyce: Spike Lee vs. Tyler Perry - What Gives?

tyler-perry_spike-lee

I woke up this morning to see that Tyler Perry is being forced to defend himself against nasty allegations coming from Spike Lee. Spike has made it clear that he doesn’t appreciate what he perceives to be “coonery” in Tyler Perry films and TV shows. When I saw Perry flat out say that the accusations “pissed him off,” I thought, “Wow, now that’s an honest brother!”

I grew up on Spike Lee and I’ll always love him. I am also certain that images of black people singing, dancing and eating chicken certainly won Perry instant favor with the not-so-in-touch executives in Hollywood. But here are three reasons that Spike Lee might be wrong about Tyler Perry:

1) Tyler Perry is not all about Madea: I went onto BET a few times to talk about Hip Hop. My hoity-toity friends in academia (many of whom pride themselves on writing research papers for journals that nobody ever reads) criticized me for being “unscholarly” by talking to rappers. But my response was that hip hop culture has a dramatic influence on the young minds that I am trying to reach with education. You don’t get a baby to eat healthy by only forcing vegetables down his throat; you sprinkle sugar on the food to get the child’s attention. It’s not always a matter of forcing people to consume what they NEED – you should also be willing to let them have some of what they WANT. Every positive black movie doesn’t have to be a PBS special.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Why We Must March for Heather Ellis Now

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, MSNBC’s TheGrio.com

On November 16, 2009, the Your Black World Coalition, NAACP, National Action Network, and Southern Christian Leadership Conference plan to converge on the small town of Kennett, Missouri to fight for justice in the case of Heather Ellis, a 24-year-old college student who faces 15 years in prison for cutting line at a Wal-Mart.

When Justin and Journi, my assistant's children, brought this case to my attention, I was heartbroken. Their passion about the charges pushed me to action, so I reached out to others to form the "Journey for Justice" to honor the two young children who inspired us to take action in Heather's case.

I have spoken with the Ellis family extensively, and I've also spoken with those who are familiar with the case. It is my opinion that this trial represents one of the greatest travesties of justice imaginable. The greater concern is that Heather's dilemma is not the root of the problem - it is merely a symptom of broader systemic patterns of civil injustice.

In nearby Poplar Bluff, MO, a 15-year old boy, Walter Currie Jr., was doused with gasoline and set on fire by his classmates, with the perpetrator allegedly yelling racial epithets as he did it. Heather's case is just the tip of the iceberg when referring to the ultra-conservative Bootheel area, less than 100 miles away from the town where Rush Limbaugh was born.

Here are the 5 reasons why we will march on Kennett and why we are not going to stop:

Rally to be held in Kennett, Missouri in Support of Heather Ellis

To join the Your Black World Coalition, please visit www.YourBlackWorld.com.

From Dr Boyce Watkins

www.BoyceWatkins.com

To the Your Black World family:

When the children of my assistant Shauntay (Justice and Journi) brought the case of Heather Ellis to me, I was in disbelief. I was shocked that in 2009, a young college student, with no criminal record, could face 15 years in prison for cutting line at Walmart. I was even more appalled by the threats from the KKK and allegations by local leaders that the town went as far as blacking out the local news coverage during the minutes that the family held a press conference in support of their daughter. We sent information about the case to CNN and other media outlets, and they covered it (along with BET, Essence, ABC News and others), but I don't feel this is enough. We've decided that we aren't going to take this sitting down, and we hope you won't either

In honor of Justice and Journi, the two young visionaries who convinced me to take on this issue, we've created the "Journey for Justice," set to take place in Kennett, Missouri on Monday, November 16 at 11 am. On that day, we are going to meet at the Walmart where the incident took place (1500 1st St., Kennett, MO) and march to the steps of the courthouse(Square 200 Slicer St.). You can find out more information about the case and rally on the site www.TheHeatherEllisCase.com. Given that the prosecutor in the case (Stephen Sokoloff) has asked for a change of venue (to Bloomfield, MO - a town with less than 20 black people), some of the details of the rally might change (I have no doubt that they are scheming to make this as difficult as possible). But I can guarantee you this: On November 16, we are heading down there to fight against the madness occurring in this county, no matter what the cost.

I am humbly and passionately requesting that others join us on the court house steps on November 16. Heather's trial is November 18, but we want to make our point before the trial begins. Please share this message with anyone you know (you can use this form letter to cut and paste to your friends), and please offer rides to anyone who would like to be a part of this movement. This is NOT going to be an easy fight. This town is very close to Poplar Bluff, where 15-year old Walter Currie Jr. was doused with gasoline and set on fire with his attacker allegedly yelling "Burn nigger burn" while he did it. Walter and Heather could be my kids or your own - we've got to do something.

Also, below there is full contact information for Walmart executives that Shauntay provided for the Your Black World family to use. If you are concerned about this injustice, please email the individuals on this list and share your thoughts. If you are looking for a form letter to email/fax/send to the Walmart executives, please click here.

Obviously, Heather's legal defense is going to be expensive for the family. If you wish to make a donation of any amount, please click here to do so. I assure you that this money will go right to the family's legal fees - I'll see to it that it is not used improperly. If you wish to provide any other kind of support (i.e. putting together bus trips or sharing organizing experience), please click this link. You can also call (888) 315-1591.

Given that professors are usually trained to sit in the Ivory Tower and watch the world go by (which bothers me, since I think that Black Professors should be connected to our communities), I admit that I am still learning how all this works. So, I would like to thank Elliot Millner, JD from Your Black World, Rev. Al Sharpton of the National Action Network, Rev. Dwight Montgomery from the Memphis chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, King Downing, JD from the Sean Bell Coalition, and Rev. Jessie Bonner from the Sikeston, MO chapter of the NAACP, who have been quite helpful with this case. Of course, I thank Pastor Nathaniel Ellis, Heather's father, who has represented the family with tremendous grace and dignity.

To find out more about this case, please visit www.TheHeatherEllisCase.com. Also, I've written some things about the case on MSNBC and AOL Black Voices as well. We are going to fight like crazy for this girl, and I sure as heck don't plan on losing.

God bless all of you,

Dr Boyce

Here is the contact information for executives with the Walmart Corporation. For those who cannot attend the rally, I humbly ask that you challenge each of your friends to send an email and/or letter or make a phone call to any of the individuals below, requesting that they intervene to support Heather's case.

If you can't see the image, you can find it by visiting www.TheHeatherEllisCase.com.
Here are other people you might want to write to or call as well:

US Attorney General Eric Holder:

950 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC. 20530-0001

(202) 514-2001

Click this link to reach out to Chris Koster, the Attorney General for the State of Missouri. Here is a form letter you can use for either AG Holder or AG Koster.

To join the Your Black World Coalition, please visit www.YourBlackWorld.com.

Media Matters Talks about the Heather Ellis Case

Racial injustice rears its ugly head again, this time in rural Missouri, where heavy-handed prosecutor Stephen Sokoloff is threatening to impose a lengthy prison sentence on a woman after an altercation at a local Wal-Mart almost three years ago.

In January 2007, 20-year-old Heather Ellis, then a student at Xavier University, and her cousin David went to a Wal-Mart in Kennett, Missouri, near the Tennessee border, in an area commonly known as the Missouri Bootheel. Kennett, in rural and conservative Dunklin County, which boasts that it seceded from the Union during the Civil War, is overwhelmingly white.

At the check-out line, the pair split up in order to find the shortest line. When Ellis left her line to join her cousin at a shorter line, customers complained and a store employee accused her of cutting, at which point an argument ensued and a manager notified a security guard, an off-duty Kennett Police officer. The situation escalated from there:

In the Ellis version, she was shoved by another customer, had her items pushed aside by the clerk and then was short-changed when she finally was checked out. The police affidavit contends, at numerous times, Ellis became belligerent, loud, abusive and cursing when she was told to leave by the store's assistant manager. Summoned by a frantic phone call from her son, as the pair walked out to the parking lot, [Ellis' aunt] Blackmon says she arrived in time to witness her niece being brutalized by police during attempts to place her in a squad car.

[...]

Ellis was charged with disturbing the peace, trespassing, resisting arrest and two counts of assaulting a police officer. Yet, curiously after being described in the police affidavit as "completely out of control" during her arrest, she was released to the custody of her parents to receive medical attention only 45 minutes after being jailed. However, her arrest triggered a whole series of problems. Although she returned to school in Louisiana, two months later, an attorney hired by the family tried to talk Heather into taking a plea deal offered by powerful Dunklin County Prosecutor, Stephen Sokoloff.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

News: 15 Years in Prison for Cutting Line – Pretrial Has Begun

Click to Play

Heather Ellis is a college student facing15 years in prison for cutting line at Walmart - visit www.SaveHeatherEllis.com for more details on the national protest to be held in Kennett, MO on November 14.

According to the family, the prosecutor in the case, Stephen Sokoloff, has asked for the trial to be moved to Bloomfield, MO, a town with less than 20 African Americans in it.

Dr Boyce Watkins and Rev. Al Sharpton are planning a march in Kennett to support Heather Ellis.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

A Man Shoots the Boy who Sleeps with His Daughter

I have daughters and I love them all. They are all at "that age," between 16 and 20, where they tend to love the boys that you want to beat down the most. Every time I hear them express their undying love for Lil Wayne, I can only think about him having 3 women pregnant at the same time. When I see a Chris Brown poster in their room, I remind them that Chris was accused of having boxing practice on Rihanna's face.

But as a father, you can't protect your daughters from themselves. Some things they have to learn on their own. And if sleeping with a pants-saggin, "purple stuff dranking," gold grill wearing, 10,000 tattoo having buffoon is the way they need to learn their lessons, you just kinda have to deal with it.I empathize with Wade Edwards, the man accused of shooting a boy for sleeping with his step daughter. Wade shot the boy four times, aiming for the "relevant zone" with each bullet. But while I can understand Wade's anger, I do not, for one second, condone his actions.

If the link above doesn’t work, click here.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Dr. Boyce: Rapper Nas Has Tax Trouble

Hip Hop Wired is reporting that the rapper Nas is having some serious financial problems. In addition to owing his wife Kelis $44,000 per month in child support, it turns out that the artist also owes the federal government another $2.5 million in taxes. Here are quick thoughts about Nas, love and money:

1) Nas has a complicated life. His decision to marry the "love of his life" is going to cost him for the rest of his life. The rapper's tax situation could be due to irresponsibility (as appears to be the case with Method Man and Nicolas Cage), or it could simply be a matter of using write-offs that were not allowed by the IRS. We can't assume that Nas' tax trouble automatically makes him into a horrible citizen.

News: Protestors Planned to Fight Black Student’s Arrest and Trial

Kennett, MO. – Heather Ellis, a young college student out of Kennett, MO is now facing 15 years in prison if she is sentenced after being accused of cutting line at a local Walmart. Her case has gotten the attention of the nation, and has been the subject of extensive online protests.

Heather was in a Walmart store 3 years ago with her cousin. The two split up to find the shortest line. Since her cousin was in the shorter line, Heather joined him. That’s when the clerk accused Heather of cutting in front of the other customers. An argument ensued, leading to the manager and security guard being called, and finally the police.

The incident left Ellis, an honor student on her way to medical school, charged with disturbing the peace, trespassing and two counts of assaulting a police officer. After Heather refused to sign a plea agreement, Stephen Sokoloff, the town’s prosecutor, filed felony charges against Heather.

Dr. Boyce on Serena Williams

Serena Williams has been listed as a headliner for this year's Australian Open. The problem is that it's not clear whether she'll be allowed to play.

Because of a recent outburst in which she threatened a line judge, Williams may be banned from at least one Grand Slam tournament. According to published reports, Williams told the judge, "You don't know me. You better be right. I swear to God I'm going to take this ball and shove it down your throat."Given that a ball going down your throat might actually kill you, the judge felt that Serena had threatened her life. Then again, Serena's from Compton, a town that has become famous for finding creative ways to kill people. Serena does not, however, need to take "the hood" with her all the way to Australia.

To make matters more interesting, Serena recently got naked for the cover of ESPN magazine, certifying her status as an iconic and thought-provoking figure for the early 21st century. These two events, plus the fact that she just happens to be one of the most dominant female tennis players in history, makes her the kind of woman we'll all be talking about for the next 100 years. Our great-grandkids won't be talking much about the boring apolitical figure called Michael Jordan. We'll congratulate Tiger Woods for being the first incredibly rich black man to consistently beat the crap out of the arrogant guys at the country club. Serena Williams' name, though, will come up in classes on feminist theory, history and sociology. Like Muhammad Ali, Serena is becoming bigger than her sport, and my greatest hope is that her ability to transcend tennis is guided by a desire to serve all humanity, and not just herself. Her nude body on the cover of ESPN is her way of yelling to the world that she is more than a tennis player. I agree that she is.

If the link doesn’t work, click here.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Method Man Arrested for Tax Evasion - Why Not Nicolas Cage?

Click to Play

Method Man was arrested for not paying $33,000 in taxes, but Nicolas Cage owes 6 million and hasn't gotten arrested - what gives?

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

The Campus Accountability Project (CAP)

To sign up for the Your Black World Coalition, please visit www.YourBlackWorld.com.

Dr. Boyce Watkins

www.BoyceWatkins.com

Hello to the Your Black World Family,

Think for one second and ask yourself: How many Black professors did you have in college outside of those who taught African American studies? Have you ever wondered why other students get to have professors who look like them, but Black people don't expect to have that same right? Imagine how much more comfortable your college experience would have been if you'd had a few more professors who looked like you. That is what I am here to discuss.

I am working in conjunction with the National Action Network on "The Campus Accountability Project." The goal of this initiative (which is going to last for no less than 10 years) is to directly confront the fact that most American campuses (HBCUs included) have a horrifically low representation of African American faculty, especially at the tenure level. As we know, America has a very twisted history when it comes to diversity and treatment of people of color, and this history shows itself in the present every single day. I remember being personally frustrated during my collegiate experience, given that I attended 4 years of college and another 7 years of graduate school without having ONE SINGLE AFRICAN AMERICAN PROFESSOR in any department, in any class, at any time.

This is WRONG and our students should not be forced to attend college within the confines of such an uncomfortable reality. Personally, the experience can be traumatizing for our children and obviously leads to high drop out rates of Black college students. The acceptance of this way of life relegates Black people to second class citizenship status in many of America's colleges and universities. Our children deserve better than this.

So, rather than just complaining about it, we are going to do something about it. We are engaging in a national campaign for campus accountability, to encourage campuses to become more diverse. We plan to conduct a series of meetings with university leadership, state legislators, legal counsel and community activists to ensure that our voices are heard.

The ideology is very simple: Diversity matters and campuses are ignoring it. Additionally, diversity should not be laced with cosmetic tokenism, athletic scholarships and polite little King Day Celebrations. It should be about respecting diverse ideas and ending the academic imperialism which disrespects Black scholarship and Black students, putting the needs of the African American community solely on the back burner. Black athletes give nearly a billion dollars a year to the NCAA on the football fields and basketball courts; well, it's about time we start to get a return on our investment.

If you believe in this cause, I hope you will forward this email to as many people as you can. This affects any American wishing to go to college (even if you didn't graduate), those who went to college and those who have children that they expect to send to college (which should be all of us, since education is crucial for success in this economy). I personally plan to push this initiative at least until the year 2020, and I believe that by engaging in firm, direct and aggressive action, we can make a tremendous difference on this issue.

There is a role for everyone here, since we are all hurt and affected by this problem. So, I encourage you to call your own campuses and alma maters and hold them accountable. IT IS NOT NORMAL for you to never be allowed to learn from a Black Professor. We deserve the same privileges received by the White students, and universities must be pressed to explain why there are tens of thousands of qualified Black professors that they reject for hire or promotion every year. Some will try to tell you that they can't find qualified minorities to hire, but that's simply a lie. The problem is that the powers that be tend to believe that those who are different are inferior, which is reflective of the White Supremacist foundation of the decision-making infrastructure of most American campuses (notice there were no Black people on most of these campuses for the first 80 - 100 years of operation. When Black people arrived, they certainly had no decision-making rights). There's no point in tap dancing around the issues and change will only be made if we are willing to fight for it.

Below, there is a very short survey to help us collect data on your college experience. It will only take 1 minute to fill out (it's very short) and it sorts you into HBCU and non-HBCU categories for the 4 questions provided. We also ask that you join the Campus Accountability Project to help us make America's campuses into trust worthy incubators of Black intellectual development. We know that a mind is a terrible thing to waste, but brilliant Black minds will always be wasted without the presence of high quality Black mentorship. Had I not met Dr. Tommy Whittler (the only Black professor in the entire Business School at The University of Kentucky), I never would have become a professor.

To fill out the survey, please click here. To sign up to join the Campus Accountability Project, please click here.

Be blessed, be strong and be intelligent. DO NOT spend one second being afraid. Life is too short for that.

Sincerely,

Dr Boyce Watkins

Syracuse University, Your Black World

The Latest from Dr Boyce Watkins on AOL Black Voices

Pregnant 12-Year-Old Found: Father Accused of Incest

A few weeks ago, we reported on the story of two sisters, one of them a pregnant 12-year-old, who ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (21)

Eddie Griffin: Going for Broke - and Getting There

I had a lot of fun watching the new Vh-1 show, "Going for Broke," starring comedian Eddie Griffin. ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (21)

Dr. Boyce and Keith Murphy Discuss Economic Empowerment

In this interview below with the great radio legend Keith Murphy, we discuss the power of high ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (0)

What Do Obama's Death Threats Say About America?

What do you make of the chaotic environment surrounding President Barack Obama? In the CNN ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (8)

Dr. Boyce Money: Lost Your Job? Senators Might Help You

The Senate has been mingling with the idea of extending jobless benefits for those who've lost ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (1)

Is the Swine Flu Scare Nothing But Hype?

Swine flu season is coming and the world is ducking for cover. Media coverage of this phenomenon ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (0)

Dr Boyce Money: Five Ways to Know You are a Credit Card Crackhead

Sometimes your finances can get so out of whack that you can only laugh in order to keep from ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (0)

DC Budget Cuts Can't Overcome a Mother's Love

My mother gave birth to me when she was 17-years old. As a teen mother who didn't have a lot of ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (1)

Judge on Trial for Allegedly Sodomizing, Spanking Inmates

Alabama Judge Herman Thomas has a problem. The Mobile County Circuit Judge was accused of checking ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (30)

Dr. Boyce Money: Is a Lack of Sex Grounds for Divorce?

I live in New York, so I get the chance to meet a lot of interesting cab drivers. I love listening ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (14)

Think Nike's Done With Michael Vick? Think Again

I was excited to hear that Nike signed Michael Vick again after his dogfighting ordeal. You can ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (7)

Are Prescription Drugs America's New Addiction?

Most of us think that drugs which come out of a legal manufacturer are going to be safer than those ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (6)

Financial Lovemaking: Managing "Baby Mama Drama"

Most of us know about "baby mama drama," since some of that drama may occur within your own home. ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (2)

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

The Dispute between Martin Luther King's Kids

Click to Play

Dr Boyce Watkins discusses the legal dispute between the children of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

My Colleague Dr. Julianne Malveaux on the Unemployment Rate

The bureau of labor statistics issues a report, The employment situation, on the first Friday of every month (www.bls.gov). For the past several months, the report has contained no surprises. We know the jobless situation is getting worse, and we only wait for their statistical confirmation of our pain.

This month the unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent. More than 200,00 jobs were shed, but more than that, more and more people are shrugging the labor market off, feeling that they can't find work. The 9.8 percent for everyone translates into 9 percent for whites, 12.7 percent for Latinos, and 15.4 percent for African Americans. But the reported data are only part of the fact. According to BLS, the real overall unemployment rate is more like 17 percent. Using the same algorithm, the rate for African Americans is more like 27 percent.

Translation. One in six Americans is jobless. More than one in four African Americans cannot find work. Everyone else in the universe has been bailed out, especially the bankers and mercenaries of our world. What about the people, the ones who need their job to buy food, to pay for school supplies, to sustain families? These are the folk who have been ignored by the so-called economic recovery, the folks who have been shrugged off by the notion that the economy is in recovery.

MLK’s Angry Children

Click to read on MSNBC’s TheGrio.com

Martin Luther King is rolling in his grave. Yes, I said it. So sue me.

Well, you might actually do that if you were one of Martin Luther King's children. In fact, yesterday Martin Luther King III and Rev. Bernice King - who were suing their brother Dexter for mismanaging the funds in their parents' estates - avoided a jury trial and settled their longstanding feud. The three children had been the only shareholders in King Inc, the corporation created to control their father's valuable legacy. Dexter is still the president and CEO of the estate, and had been, until late last night, its administrator.

Martin and Bernice had accused Dexter of wrongfully taking money from the family, alleging that he took "substantial funds" out of their mother's estate and "wrongfully appropriated" money from their father's. I am not sure what the difference between "wrongfully appropriating" money and good old fashioned stealing is, assuming that there is one, but perhaps I am not wealthy enough to know the distinction. Of course Dexter denied the accusations.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Did Obama Deserve to win the Nobel Prize? Black Scholars Speak Up

Marvin Lynn, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Curriculum & Instruction
Faculty Affiliate, African American Studies
University of Illinois at Chicago

I think he deserves the award because, as they said, he has established a different tone in the world. Two years ago, America was despised around the world. This is not the case today. Of course people still have criticisms of our policies etc but our global neighbors hated Bush so much that it was making global travel a frightening experience for Americans. There has been a shift in how people see us. That is directly tied to President Obama's diplomatic stance on a variety of issues.

Dr. Wilmer J. Leon

Political Science Professor at Howard University

Host of “On with Leon” – Sirius/XM Satellite

This is an incredible personal accomplishment for the Obama's, a wonderful international recognition of the shift in American foreign policy, and a compliment to the intelligence of the American electorate The Nobel committee is acknowledging the positive shift away from the unilateral exclusionary foreign policy of the Bush 43' administration to the multilateral inclusionary foreign policy direction of the Obama administration. The illegal invasions of sovereign nations, torture, and the ignoring of ecological issues of the Bush 43' administration only brought instability and insecurity for America and the rest of the world. President Obama offers hope through honest diplomacy and open dialog. This is the true path towards peace and security for all.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Joe Louis, Jack Johnson, Barack Obama and Financial Independence

Click to Play

In this web chat, Dr Boyce Watkins talks about the legacy of Jack Johnson and how this translates to present day America, enslavement of the black man.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

LA Times Quote that we can never forget

"A word to the Black Man. … Do not point your nose too high. Do not swell your chest too much. Do not boast too loudly. Do not be puffed up. … You are on no higher plane, deserve no new consideration, and will get none. … No man will think a bit higher of you because your complexion is the same as that of the victor at Reno." – The LA Times, Shortly after Jack Johnson became the heavyweight champion of the world.

My interpretation of this quote: America will always dislike a proud black man and do what they can to humble him. Be proud and don't let ANYONE steal your manhood.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Dr. Boyce: Eddie Griffin – Going for Broke

I had a lot of fun watching the new Vh-1 show, "Going for Broke," starring comedian Eddie Griffin. Griffin is one of the funniest comics in America, the comedian that Chris Tucker could have been (if he would simply stop disappearing between Jackie Chan movies).

On the show, Griffin gives insight into his personal life, which is both intriguing and disturbing. The show is called "Going for Broke" for a reason, because Eddie just might actually get there.
Here are some reasons that Eddie Griffin might actually become the broke celebrity that he is trying to become:

1) He spends like a damn fool. One of the easiest traps for an entertainer to fall into is the "infinite money trap." That's when the person thinks that they've got an endless supply of cash, giving them ability to spend whatever they want on whatever they want. Apparently Eddie may have fallen into this trap, since his Bentley was being repossessed in an early episode of the show. Eddie's conversation with his accountant was also revealing, as the words "all the accounts are empty" seemed to strike him hard. With all the success that Eddie Griffin has had, it is difficult to imagine that he would be completely broke. But the truth is that this kind of thing happens all the time.

If the link above doesn’t work, click here.

Obama Wins the Nobel Prize - Dr. Boyce Chat

Click to Play

Dr Boyce does a web chat about President Obama's Nobel Prize Win.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Dr. Boyce and Rev. Al Sharpton Discuss Michael Vick, Couples and Money

Click to Play

In this episode of "Keeping it real with Rev. Al Sharpton," Dr Boyce Watkins and Rev. Al discuss Michael Vick's deal with Nike and how couples ruin their relationships over money.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Dr Boyce Talks Economic Power on XM Satellite

Click to Play

Dr Boyce Watkins appears on the Urban Journal with Keith Murphy on Sirius/XM Satellite to discuss the role of economic empowerment and his new book, "Black American Money."

Monday, October 5, 2009

Dr Boyce: Nike Isn’t Done with Vick

Dick's Sporting Goods recently made a decision that is bad for business. Taking one of the boldest, and perhaps silliest, stands of any corporation in recent memory, Dick's decided not to sell Michael Vick jerseys in any of their stores.

Perhaps they earned a few dog-loving customers, but they lost the support of any shareholder who cares about making money. It's one thing for lynch mobs to embrace vigilantism, but another for a corporation to engage in the same irrational behavior. Vick paid his debt to society; it's time to move on with our lives.

The top brass at the Nike Corporation are smarter than the management at Dick's Sporting Goods, but they too understand the need to stay away from Michael Vick, at least for right now. When asked to respond to rumors that Vick had signed a deal with Nike, the company gave an immediate and resounding "no." After the Nike denial, Michael Vick's agent, Joel Segal, had to backpedal faster than an NFL defensive back to kill any indication that his client has re-signed with the "big swoosh." However, the confidence with which the signing was announced indicates that the relationship might be deeper than we think.

The truth is that I don't believe a single word of the Nike dismissal. Like the big egos in Beyonce's song, Nike's swoosh is " too big, too wide, too strong" for them to sit idly by as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of the NFL makes his return to the game. Nike executives have seen Vick grace the cover of Xbox games and sports magazines and often refer to him as the man who "revolutionized the quarterback position." They know that Vick is not washed up, and that some of his best years may still be ahead of him.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Dr Boyce and Min Louis Farrakhan on Kiss FM in NYC

Click to Play

Dr Boyce Watkins and Louis Farrakhan discuss the death threats surrounding President Barack Obama

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Dr Boyce discusses Obama Death Threats on CNN

Click to Play

Dr Boyce Watkins and Jamal Simmons a former DNC Communications Advisor, discuss the death threats on President Obama's life and whether or not these threats are related to race.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Dr. Boyce Watkins on AOL Black Voices – 10/2/09

Dr Boyce: Think Nike's Done with Michael Vick? Think Again

I was excited to hear that Nike signed Michael Vick again after his dog fighting ordeal. You can ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (0)

Financial Lovemaking: Managing "Baby Mama Drama"

Most of us know about "baby mama drama," since some of that drama may occur within your own home. ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (0)

Dr Boyce and Farai Chideya Discuss Life as an African American

In the video below, Farai Chideya and I are on NPR "News and Notes" discussing the economy of the ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (0)

Dr. Boyce: Black Scholars Speak Out on the Sale of Ebony Magazine

I've always felt that the role of black scholars is to speak up and out on issues of relevance to ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (0)

Senate Finance Rejects the Public Option on Health Insurance

Liberal Democrats chose not to inject the widely debated Public Option into the healthcare ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (0)

Dr Boyce Money: Learning Entrepreneurship from Madam CJ Walker

The other day, I caught up with Fenorris Pearson, CEO of Global Consumer Innovations. Fenorris is ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (0)

The Cheapest Car in the World, but you can't buy it in the US

At $2500, the Tato Nano is the cheapest car in the world. But you can't buy it in the US and some ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Auto Insurance | Comments (0)

Financial Lovemaking: Who Keeps the Ring if the Engagement is Called Off?

This video below answers an important question that many of us may end up confronting at some ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (3)

Dr. Boyce and Rev. Al Sharpton on the Death of Derrion Albert

I spoke with Rev. Al Sharpton in our weekly meeting on his radio show, which you can listen to ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (13)

Company Makes Money from Deadly Urban Trend: "Sipping Syrup"

You've probably heard the phrase "sippin syrup," used in reference to the act of mixing cough ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (1)

What you MUST Know About Your Property Insurance

Nippets of insurance news you can use: Things your property insurance doesn't cover: In our last ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (1)

Lamar Odom and Khloe Kardashian Get Married: Questions I'd Like to Ask

Today, we are going to use an interesting story in black celebrity news to teach a short lesson ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (30)

Dr. Boyce and Rev. Al Sharpton Discuss Barack Obama, Black Politics, David Paterson

This week, Rev. Al Sharpton and I discussed President Barack Obama's racialized fight with the ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (2)

President Obama Talks Health Care at Congressional Black Caucus Conference

In an appropriate show of respect, President Barack Obama addressed the Congressional Black Caucus ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (9)

Don't Let Your Spouse Control All of Your Finances

Financial News Blast for the week of September 26, 2009 - Click on the link for the title to read ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (1)

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Dr Boyce Watkins on CNN: The Facebook Death Poll on Obama

Transcript from CNN.com

This morning the Secret Service and the FBI are investigating a threatening poll that was posted on Facebook. It posed the question, should Obama be killed? Hundreds of people responded before the social networking site took it down.

Joining us to talk more about what may be behind it, from Syracuse, New York, Boyce Watkins -- he's a Syracuse professor and resident scholar for AOL black voices -- and from Washington, Jamal Simmons, former DNC communications adviser now with the Raben Group, a communication consulting firm.

Let's take a look, gentleman, first of all, at what the poll said posted on Facebook. And again, it was only for a few hours. It said, "Should Obama be killed?" The responses, yes, maybe, if he cuts my health care, and no.

It was put up by a third party application. More than 700 people responded before it was taken down. Boyce, what did you think when you saw that?

BOYCE WATKINS, PROFESSOR, SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY: Well, obviously, I was sickened by it.

What's interesting, though, is that this poll in itself is really more of a symptom of a bigger problem that exists in our country. We know this president gets more death threats than pretty much any president in recent history.

And so if we really just focus on this issue and don't focus on the broader problem, we'll really miss the point, because we have to realize that America is a country that's sick with the disease of racism.

And the disease of racism has its greatest impact on those who think who think they've been cured. So I'm not so angry about this incident as much I am about the environment that's been created around our president.

Obama's Facebook Threats: Dr Boyce and Warren Ballentine 092909

Click to Play

Dr. Boyce Watkins and Warren Ballentine get on national radio to discuss the Facebook threats of President Barack Obama.

Dr Boyce and Rev. Al Discuss Murder of Chicago Teen Derrion Albert

Click to Play

In this episode of "Keeping it Real with Rev. Al Sharpton," Rev Al and Dr. Boyce discuss the murder of Chicago Teen Derrion Albert, as well as the pending bankruptcy of Ebony Magazine.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Dr Boyce Watkins: Company Makes Money Off Illegal Drug

by Dr Boyce Watkins

You've probably heard the phrase "sippin syrup," used in reference to the act of mixing cough syrup, codeine, and soda together to create a relaxed feeling within the person who consumes the beverage. The "drank" has become quite popular, particularly in the south, as rappers have done their jobs of giving free promotion to an illegal product that has managed to make teenagers even less productive than many of them already are.
It was only a matter of time before corporate America stepped in to make money off the trend. Meet the new drink on store shelves: Sippin Syrup. The drink doesn't use any illegal products, but produces the same "lean" effect that many young people seek from the cough syrup product on the street. Harmless enough, right? Not so fast.
Officers in the Houston area are concerned that the product sold on store shelves is nothing more than a gateway to an incredibly dangerous and addictive drug. The snazzy ad campaign fully leverages the power of the brand of "purple stuff" being sold on the streets already. Teenagers who can't get the real stuff would likely be enticed by the substitute until the door is open for the actual product.

If the above link does not work, please click here to see Dr Boyce articles on AOL Black Voices

Dr. Wilmer Leon: Michael is not “The Man of Steele”

Not to be outdone, in response to America electing its first African-American President, on January 30, 2009, the Republican National Committee (RNC) elected Michael Steele, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland, as its chairman. It was a long and painful process, but on the sixth and final ballot, for the first time in its history, the Republican Party elected an African-American to manage its affairs.

During his acceptance speech, Chairman Steele said, "To Americans who believe in the future of this country. To those who stand in difference with us, it's time for something completely different, and we're gonna bring it to them. We're gonna bring this party to every corner, every boardroom, every neighborhood, every community and we're gonna say to friend and foe alike: We want you to be a part of this, we want you to work with us, and for those of you who wish to obstruct, get ready to get knocked over."

These were very powerful and encouraging words, especially coming from an intelligent African-American man who was speaking to a political party dominated by white men who are not used to African-Americans speaking to them so forcefully and directly. To bring forth "something completely different"; to take the party to "friend and foe alike," to "knock over" decades of neoconservative ideology and racism would take a Superman. Unfortunately, these encouraging and powerful words ring hollow when compared to the reality of Chairman Steele's actions. Michael is no Superman. He's not "The Man of Steele."

Monday, September 28, 2009

Dr Boyce: What’s Wrong with Ebony Magazine?

The black journalism students here at Syracuse often come to me to find out how the industry works. They sometimes instinctively wonder if their professors' stories about being in a CBS newsroom in 1982 are going to help them survive in a world run by Twitter, Myspace and Facebook. The answer is a resounding "probably not."

While respecting the journalism professors teaching their classes, I simply use examples like Ebony Magazine to help them realize that black media is changing, and sites like theGrio.com, BlackVoices.com, and TheRoot.com, are examples of how black media has evolved. In fact, a journalist who doesn't understand technology and business models is in danger of starting his/her career as a dinosaur.

When it comes to recent reports about Ebony Magazine being offered for sale, I admit that I was saddened, but not surprised. The Ebony Fashion Fair has become one of the most celebrated events in black America, and the magazine has been nothing less than a tremendous source of national pride since its creation in 1945. But in the age of the web, oversized bureaucracies can be crushed under the weight of their own arrogance. Bloated payrolls, pompous corporate functions and a sense of entitlement make them easy prey for quick, hungry and rapidly evolving competition.

In spite of the tremendous love we have for Ebony/Jet, the truth must be confronted when realizing that it is what radio was to TV or what the train was to the airplane. Like radios and trains, there is still a place for print media, but that role is no longer dominant. The current economic climate only accelerated the inevitable, since advertisers were eventually going to stop spending $50,000 for magazine ads when they can buy the same number of eyeballs for $5,000 or less.

I present the following 5 questions I'd like to ask out loud about both Ebony Magazine and the state of African American media:

Click to read more at AOL Black Voices

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Dr Boyce Watkins on AOL – 9/26/09

The Latest from Dr. Boyce Watkins on AOL Black Voices - visit www.BoyceWatkins.com for more information and join the Your Black World Coalition

President Obama Talks Health Care at Congressional Black Caucus Conference

In an appropriate show of respect, President Barack Obama addressed the Congressional Black Caucus ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (4)

Don't Let Your Spouse Control All of Your Finances

Financial News Blast for the week of September 26, 2009 - Click on the link for the title to read ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (2)

Five Reasons Obama Could Have Supported David Paterson

President Obama made a very good political decision last week: He threw another black man under the ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (6)

BET's 'Skank Robbers': Did They Step Over The Line with Black Women?

During the BET Awards, Martin Lawrence and Jamie Foxx did a skit called "Skank Robbers," which you ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (5)

Dr. Boyce Money: No Property Insurance Can Destroy You Financially

Most of us know very little about the ins and outs of property insurance. Christopher Chestnut ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (0)

Dr Boyce and Kevin Powell on CNN: Does America Hate Black Athletes?

I have a tremendous amount of respect for Kevin Powell. Kevin is one of those guys who's had a ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (5)

Money Blast: What You Should Know about Credit Scores

Financial News You need to know: What you need to know about credit scores: Get educated on what ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (2)

Why You Might Not Want to take the Swine Flu Vaccine

Everyone is reeling over the H1N1 Virus, otherwise known as "The Swine Flu." The concern is ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (2)

Black Spin News Blast: Why Can't Barack Obama Talk About Race?

Why Can't President Obama Talk about Race? : In this article, we discuss the catch-22 that the ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (2)

ACORN Responds to Allegations from FOX News

Beyond threatening FOX News with a lawsuit, ACORN, the organization that has been under fire for ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (1)

Dr. Boyce Money: Don't Throw Tavis Smiley Under the Wells Fargo Bus

When I read about the predatory lending allegations against Tavis Smiley and Wells Fargo, I wasn't ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (11)

Yale Student Murder Symptomatic of Growing Workplace Violence

The murder of Yale University Lab Technician Annie Le was sad, particularly because her body was ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (20)

Wendy Williams and Dr. Boyce Talk Hip Hop and Money

In this video, I was in studio with the great Wendy Williams. I've written about Wendy in the past, ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (5)

Rev Al Sharpton and Dr. Boyce Discuss Serena Williams, Kanye West

Were there any racial implications to the recent outbursts by Serena Williams and Kanye West? Yes, ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (7)

Financial Lovemaking: Couple Divorces to Save Money

Imagine that you are deeply in love with your soul mate, entering your twilight years together. ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (2)

President Obama’s Falling Poll Numbers

by Dr. Boyce WAtkins

In an appropriate show of respect, President Barack Obama addressed theCongressional Black Caucus Foundation Conference this weekend. His speech focused primarily on healthcare, which has become the latest battleground for our challenged new leader. In the eyes of the public, Obama is no longer the cool, hip politician he was a few months ago. He is now the guy considered to be too moderate to be liberal, too socialist to be conservative, too black to be white and too white to be "down." Obama can't quite be anything to anyone, which is the price he must now pay for trying to be everything to everyone.
Michelle Obama, as lovely as she is, arrived to the event with the president by her side. The couple, when appearing together, present an inspiring portrait of successful black love. Every black woman in America looks at Michelle and dreams of having her own political Mandingo accompanying her and her children to important social events.

If the link doesn’t work, click here to find Dr. Watkins’ articles on AOL

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Dr Boyce: G20 Summit Needs Our Attention

Uncle Ben from Spiderman made the most prophetic statement of the entire film series in his dying days (I almost cried, but don't tell anybody): "With great power comes great responsibility." Most of us understood what Uncle Ben was trying to say, and that includes Barack Obama.

Uncle Ben should have been the keynote speaker at the latest G-20 Summit, taking place this week in Pittsburgh,PA. The G-20 Summit is a gathering of the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors of the world's 19 wealthiest countries, plus the European Union. These countries encompass 85 percent of the world's gross domestic product, so they would probably meet Uncle Ben's qualification for "great power," at least when it comes to money.

The G-20 Summit's primary objective is to achieve broad cooperation on the preservation of international financial stability. The motivations of the group, created in 1999, are seemingly noble and make perfect sense in light of the fact that the global economy has reached an unprecedented level of integration. If large nations do not work together, the world's financial system will be subject to alarming amounts of volatility.

Not everyone can see the vision behind G-20 ambitions. Usually, the gatherings of the G-20 are as out of control as a frat party, as protesters have made a game out of disrupting the meetings as much as they possibly can. To prepare for this year's economic fiesta, the city of Pittsburgh has brought in 4,000 police, 2,000 National Guard troops and 11 Coast Guard vessels.

Police, in an overwhelming show of force, declared Thursday's march illegal almost as soon as it began, firing rubber bullets and canisters of pepper spray and smoke after small bands of anarchists responded to calls to disperse by rolling huge metal trash bins, throwing rocks and breaking windows. As of Friday morning, reports said nearly 70 people had been arrested and police were bracing for scattered protests around downtown.

President Obama, being the conflicted capitalist/black man/ex-community organizer that he is, made some telling comments about the demonstrators.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Did BET Step Over the Line with “Skank Robbers”?

During the BET Awards, Martin Lawrence and Jamie Foxx did a skit called "Skank Robbers," which you can watch below. Some have argued that the video goes over the top, producing stereotypical images of black women to the point of being offensive. Referring to them as "skanks" was enough to draw the ire of many African Americans, but there was also a point in the video in which the narrator says, "From the producers of 'Planet of the Apes'."

By Dr. Boyce Watkins

9:24 AM on 09/09/2009

OPINION - As President Obama prepares to put on a full-court press for health care reform in a speech to Congress tonight, he needs only to look back at one performance from "His Airness" to gain inspiration.

> MORE

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

College News: Is College Worth the Cost?

from the Daily Orange – Syracuse University

No Easy Decision: Higher Education Requires High Contemplation
With the economy just now taking steps to recover from a recession that caused millions of jobs to be lost, the four words, "was it worth it?" have likely been uttered by thousands of debt-ridden college graduates.

According to collegeboard.com, the average yearly cost of tuition and fees at a four-year public college for the 2008-09 year was $6,585, while private schools cost an average of $25,143. The Syracuse University Web site lists its tuition for 2009-10 as $33,630, with its total cost of attendance reaching an estimated $50,100.

Four years later, does this $200,000 expense, whether the financial resources come from family, 40-hour workweeks or loans, guarantee a high-paying job?
As a student with hopes of getting a job whose success I can parlay into a long and happy career, I find college to be extremely important and value the opportunities it has given me. However, I strongly disagree with the notion that college is right for everyone.

Tavis Smiley, Wells Fargo and Black Accountability

When I read about the predatory lending allegations against Tavis Smiley and Wells Fargo, I wasn't surprised. Not because I feel that Tavis is some kind of crook, but because economic downturns are usually when everyone's dirty laundry gets aired out. The high flying 2000s were a decade of extravagance, overspending, easy money and troubled relationships. The party was bound to end. Smiley's party has ended with Wells Fargo, as the company has been accused of using Tavis Smiley and financial expert Kelvin Boston to convince African Americans to sign on to loans that turned out to be predatory. Neither Boston nor Smiley is willing to disclose the amount they were paid for the service, but I'm sure it wasn't chump change.
I've been open and honest in my critiques of Tavis Smiley in the past, but I give credit where it's due. I've always felt that Tavis Smiley is a man who works out of a sincere respect and appreciation for the black community. He is not out to hoodwink, swindle or hurt us, at least not deliberately. At worst, Smiley is guilty of being caught in a situation that he may not have fully understood.
Although I agree with the black community's decision to hold Tavis Smiley accountable for his actions, I want us to be cautious of going overboard in our judgments. Here are 5 things I want to say about Tavis Smiley:

Click to read on MSNBC’s TheGrio.com.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Dr. Boyce Watkins on AOL Black Voices – 9/22/09

From AOL Black Voices

Black Spin News Blast: Why Can't Barack Obama Talk About Race?

Why Can't President Obama Talk about Race? : In this article, we discuss the catch-22 that the ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (0)

ACORN Responds to Allegations from FOX News

Beyond threatening FOX News with a lawsuit, ACORN, the organization that has been under fire for ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (1)

Dr. Boyce Money: Don't Throw Tavis Smiley Under the Wells Fargo Bus

When I read about the predatory lending allegations against Tavis Smiley and Wells Fargo, I wasn't ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (3)

Yale Student Murder Symptomatic of Growing Workplace Violence

The murder of Yale University Lab Technician Annie Le was sad, particularly because her body was ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (5)

Wendy Williams and Dr. Boyce Talk Hip Hop and Money

In this video, I was in studio with the great Wendy Williams. I've written about Wendy in the past, ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (2)

Rev Al Sharpton and Dr. Boyce Discuss Serena Williams, Kanye West

Were there any racial implications to the recent outbursts by Serena Williams and Kanye West? Yes, ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (6)

Financial Lovemaking: Couple Divorces to Save Money

Imagine that you are deeply in love with your soul mate, entering your twilight years together. ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (2)

Dr. Wilmer Leon and Dr. Danny Boston Discuss the State of the Economy

In this audio interview, Dr. Wilmer Leon and Dr. Danny Boston discuss the state of the economy. ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (0)

Michael Baisden and Dr. Elaina George Explain Health Care Reform

Although many Americans have seen and heard the insane debate over health care, almost no one ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (0)

Dr. Boyce Money: What's The Difference Between a Credit Union and a Bank?

In the fundamentals of black wealth building, we must start by making fundamental choices, such as ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (0)

Shocking Video: 5-Year-Olds Being Taught to 'Bump and Grind'?

1) 5-year old children being taught seductive dancing: Is this appropriate? 2) Serena Williams ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (6)

Dr. Boyce Money: President Obama's Slam to Wall Street

The president recently gave an interesting address to Wall Street on the anniversary of the start ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (4)

Monday, September 21, 2009

Dr Boyce: Obama’s Racial Quagmire

Dr. Boyce Watkins

A few years ago, Dr. Cornel West wrote an outstanding book called "Race Matters." In the book, he explains why a post-racial America is not yet a reality. Race certainly matters in our nation, and we don't need to look any further than the anti-Obama lynch mobs to find evidence of this fact.

What is most interesting is that the people who hate Obama for being black don't even realize that this is the reason they hate him. That's how the social sickness called "racism" sneaks into the very fabric of the social infrastructure on which our country operates.

President Obama's recent experience is yet another reminder that the disease of racism has its greatest impact on those who think they've been cured. In spite of his continuous efforts to "just get along" with those on the right wing, they have insisted upon engaging in some of the most pathetic, thug-like behavior imaginable, creating a climate unlike anything our country has seen in the last 30 years.

If you think this has nothing to do with Obama being black, you need to open a history book. Lynch mobs rarely attacked a black man just for being black. They attacked him for being black and doing something that white people found to be unacceptable.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

U. Michigan and the “Optional” Practices

The University of Michigan football team has a storied tradition when it comes to winning. The program is equally storied when it comes to making money by putting athletes on the field no matter what. This football factory rivals the other bastion of athletic exploitation down the road: my alma mater, The Ohio State University.

It was recently unearthed that The University of Michigan has been using "optional" practices as a way to push athletes against their will. Players and their families have reported that any athlete who doesn't attend the "optional" practices has a strong likelihood of being punished by the team.

I have just one question: why is anyone surprised? The only thing surprising to me about the University of Michigan case is that someone is actually willing to testify against the university. I am simply stunned that the players are bold enough to stand up for their rights in light of the fact that there are extreme penalties for athletes who have the audacity to think for themselves.

For college athletes, loyalty to the NCAA is not a choice. The officials who run college sports serve as the judge, jury and executioner in all cases related to athletic conduct. Like Michael Vick's pit bulls, athletes within the NCAAsystem are domesticated, indoctrinated and brainwashed from the minute they set foot on a college campus.

The same way that many major retailers look the other way when five year olds are employed in third-world factories, the NCAA doesn't do a very good job of enforcing the standards within its very own rulebooks. The only standards that seem to be applied strictly are those that keep the athletes and their families away from the multi-billion dollar revenue-generating machine that pays for the massive salaries of college football coaches. This is nothing less than a slap in the face to the players and their families, who give so much on the field.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Dr. Wilmer Leon: What a Congressman Can Learn from a Tennis Star

On Saturday September 12^th, at the U.S. Open semifinals, Serena Williams was caught in a “human moment” that she wishes she could change. After being called for a foot fault by a line judge Ms. Williams launched into an “f-bomb” laden tirade saying in part, “If I could, I would take this @#$#ing ball and shove it down your @#$#ing throat…" The resulting unsportsmanlike conduct penalty cost Ms. Williams the match.

On Monday September 14^th Ms. Williams offered a written apology. In it she said, "I want to sincerely apologize first to the lineswoman, Kim Clijsters, the US Tennis Association and mostly tennis fans everywhere for my inappropriate outburst … I really wanted to apologize sincerely...I think the lady was doing the best she could. She was just trying to do her job.”

Some have questioned Serena’s sincerity and others have questioned the timing of her apology. These questions may be valid but at the end of the day Ms. Williams did the right thing. She took responsibility for her behavior and apologized directly to all of those whom she attacked and offended.

On Wednesday September 9^th, Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) had his own “human moment.” During President Obama’s speech to a joint session of Congress on health care, Wilson shouted at the President “you lie”. Shortly after his outburst Congressman Wilson called the White House to offer his apology to the President. President Obama did not take his call. It was accepted on his behalf by Chief of Staff Rhom Emanuel.

Congressman Wilson has been asked by members of his own party as well as Democrats to formally apologize on the House floor. He has refused to apologize on the floor of the House saying, "I've apologized one time. The apology was accepted by the president, the vice president. ... I am not apologizing again … I believe that is sufficient."

As a result of Congressman Wilson’s failure to apologize on the floor, the House passed a “resolution of disapproval” by a 240-179 vote. Congressman Wilson has now been duly punished for his outrageous and childish behavior.

Even though polls show a strong majority of American’s oppose Congressman Wilson’s actions, Republican Party leadership stands behind him. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said the House Democrats are guilty of “stunning…. Hypocrisy.” GOP leader John Boehner (R-OH) said that the action initiated by Wilson's fellow South Carolina colleague, Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC) — is "patently partisan." Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) circulated a letter of support for Wilson.

Dr Boyce and Al Sharpton Speak on Kanye, Serena

by Dr Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University

Were there any racial implications to the recent outbursts by Serena Williams and Kanye West? Yes, there were. In my latest conversation with Rev. Al Sharpton, we break down these interesting events, all of which occurred during the past week. We can agree, however, that there are certainly things more important than worrying about Serena Williams and Kanye West. But these situations, in light of the backdrop of Obama's comments about Kanye, might provide true teachable moments regarding America's tattered racial history.As I've written before, Serena and Kanye have a lot in common, but nothing in common, all at the same time. Serena's actions were justifiable, given the intensity of the situation and the fact that the line judge made the wrong call. At the same time, most of us can agree that Serena went over the line by threatening to "shove the ball down the f**ing throat" of the line judge because of her mistake. Yes, Serena, you are from the hood. But you don't need to take it back to the hood to make your point to a U.S. Open line judge.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Howard University Responds to Student Demands

In an effort to address the student demands raised during the Sept. 4 protest , President Sidney A. Ribeau and Interim Provost and Chief Academic Officer Alvin Thornton sat down with The Hilltop to go through each presented demand.

Howard University President Sidney A. Ribeau

Demand: Hours of the Financial Aid office should be immediately extended until 7 p.m. until the set purge date with staff (i.e. certified financial aid officers and managers) in place to render quality customer service and to serve the unusually large number of students who have yet to be validated.

Response: “That’s something that I agree with and will, in fact, do,” Ribeau said.

Thornton said even before students raised the concern, this issue was a priority. He said that the office will be open from 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m. until the set purge date. He said additional staff people will be needed, but they have agreed to move a substantial part of the operation back to the Amour J. Blackburn Center. Ribeau said this move will be completed by Friday. “It’s not easy, but that’s what we’re going to do.”

Demand: 24-hour, 7-day a week access to the Undergraduate Library and Founders Library, as well as significant capital improvements and renovations to Founders Library and Undergraduate Library.

Click to read more.

How to Interpret Serena Williams

MSNBC’s TheGrio.com

Black women are too aggressive. They are vicious, nasty, neck-swinging, over-sexed, amazons who utilize every available opportunity to tell off anyone in their path. They hate black men and they even manage to find creative ways to hate one another. We've now come up with a one-dimensional way of describing an incredibly diverse group around the world. That is what the world does to black women, and it is the same thing they do with black men. Personally, I'm getting sick of it.

In our natural aversion to such blatantly biased characterizations like the one presented in the first paragraph, we then go to the other extreme: Black women are all perfect, beautiful, loving, enlightened creatures who can do no wrong. All the problems of the black family belong solely to those "trifling brothers who just can't get it together," and even when black women appear to be wrong, it's just because the rest of us "are too weak to handle strong and intelligent sistuhs." Sorry my friends, stereotyping is wrong, even when it works in your favor.

Serena Williams' tirade during the US Open on Saturday was offensive and sad to watch. She embarrassed herself and her family by threatening to "shove the ball down the f***ing throat" of a line judge during an internationally televised event. At the same time, Serena was in an extremely tense situation, the judge made a horrible call, and this was one of the biggest matches of her career. The judge had no business making that kind of call at that time, especially one that was ultimately incorrect. Serena simply said exactly what I certainly would have been thinking myself.

Dr. Boyce: The President Gets Tough with Wall Street

The president recently gave an interesting address to Wall Street on the anniversary of the start of the financial crisis which began last year (and also got him elected). One year ago, the fall of Lehman Brothers left the nation scrambling to find ways to secure critical liquidity to a financial market that was on the brink of devastation.
In his speech, the president wasn't nice. He received applause from the audience only one time, so they don't like him as much as black people do. What's also clear is that he's not President Bush: Wall Street doesn't want Barack Obama to be president, but he is exactly what they need right now.Our banking system is ranked 108th in the world in terms of stability, behind Tanzania. What's even more frightening is that while being incredibly reckless, our banking system is the most powerful in the world, driving the strongest economy on earth. We can't afford to be silly or irresponsible.
The president focused his conversation around three key adjustments:

Serena Williams Must Play by the Rules like the Rest of Us

This past Saturday evening, on a second serve at 15-30, 5-6 in the second set at the U.S. Open semifinals, Serena Williams was called for a foot fault by the line judge. Based upon the judges call, Ms. Williams walked towards the judge, pointed her racquet at the judge and launched into an “f-bomb” laden tie raid saying in part, “If I could, I would take this @#$#ing ball and shove it down your @#$#ing throat…"

This exchange resulted in Ms. Williams being penalized a point for unsportsmanlike conduct. This penalty resulted in the match being awarded to her opponent, Kim Clijsters. Some are now questioning the chair umpire and tournament referee Brian Earley’s decision. With Ms. Williams being African American, many are crying foul based on race. Others are objecting to what some believe to be a ticky-tack call, especially at such a key point in a match.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Dr Boyce on AOL Black Voices– 9/14/09

The Latest

Kanye West and Serena Williams: Big Egos Cost Big Money

When Kanye West stood on NBC four years ago and said "George Bush doesn't care about black ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (0)

The Odd Relationship Between Insurance Companies and Doctors

One of the things missing from the healthcare debate in the black community is how insurance ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (0)

Financial Lovemaking: Is Kelis Being Greedy with Nas?

In this episode of Financial Lovemaking, we dig deep into the situation with Nas and Kelis. As you ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (9)

Dr Boyce: Black Athlete Punches White Player, Loses Career

When I saw the video of the punch out by LeGarrette Blount of The University of Oregon, I was ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (18)

Dr Boyce: What's Wrong with Howard University?

Today, I got with my co-host on Financial Lovemaking, Ms. S. Tia Brown, to talk about the situation ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (2)

Barack Obama Got Gangsta with His Critics: Good for Him

The other day, I mentioned that it was time for President Obama to get tough with his critics. ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (8)

Dr. Boyce: The 5 Lowest Paying Majors in College

According to the "College Majors Handbook," the 5 lowest paying college majors are Social Work, ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (2)

How to Avoid Catching the Swine Flu

The H1N1 virus is making headlines this year, as the world is finding out that the Swine flu can ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (0)

6 Things Insurance Companies do to Keep You from Getting Paid

As we learn how the insurance industry works, I thought I'd reach out to prominent Atlanta ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (1)

Barack Obama Might Have to Get 'Gangsta' -- You, Too

I once saw a documentary by filmmaker Byron Hurt, called 'Barack and Curtis,' comparing President ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (10)

Howard University Student Controversy Over Financial Aid Problems

Howard University has a problem. Apparently, the school's students have taken lessons on freedom of ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (25)

If You Ever Win the Lottery: 5 Risks You Don't Want to Take

Some of us saw the story about the woman who won the lottery as a teenager and blew her money on ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (28)

Black News in Black America

... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (3)

Man Arrested for Slapping Another Person's Child in Public

Have you ever been in the grocery store and fantasized about "whooping" somebody else's screaming ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (121)

Dr. Boyce Talks Money and Sex on ABC News

I recently appeared on ABC News to talk about Financial Lovemaking, and the link between sex and ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (0)

Dr Boyce: Kanye, Serena and the Cost of Getting Ugly

When Kanye West stood on NBC four years ago and said "George Bush doesn't care about black people," I applauded. When he acted a fool on stage after not receiving some award he deserved, I laughed. When he came out with that really weird CD after dealing with personal crises involving the loss of his mother and break up with his fiance, I sincerely felt for him (but never bought the album).
But after Kanye's stunt last night on the MTV Video Music Awards, I wanted to slap him. Damn brother, that was just pathetic. When Beyonce told you she liked men with big egos, you surely put that theory to the test.

Kanye West's decision to bum rush the stage and yank the mike out of the hand of Taylor Swift, a 19-year old woman winning her first award has finally certified him as the jackass that everyone thought he might be. I have been a big supporter of West, and I still support him to a point. He brings some degree of intelligence to hip hopthat the industry has needed for a long time. But the truth is that his actions last night were rooted in extreme selfishness and horribly arrogant behavior. Not good for Kanye, nor anyone else.
This must have been "The weekend the black folks went wild," because Serena Williams had an equally problematic outburst at the US Open. After a very bad call by one of the judges, Serena felt the need to offer to shove the ball down the "f*cking throat" of the woman for making her mistake. OK sistuh-girl, does the judge really need to have the ball shoved down her throat?

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Dr. Boyce: Violent Punch and Racial Injustice at The University of Oregon

When I saw the video of the punch out by LeGarrette Blount of The University of Oregon, I was shocked and disappointed. This knock out blow that the athlete laid on Byron Hout of Boise State certainly has no place in the game of football - at least after the clock has struck zero. The University of Oregon acted immediately, suspending Blount for the entire season, effectively ending his career with the team. This incident is also going to likely hurt his chances of having an NFL career.

Here are some reasons that Oregon State was dead wrong in their decision.

1) The the university has no right to be judge and jury on this case. Where's the union for college athletes? Oh yeah, they don't have one. This incident is a reminder and sick reflection of the fact that college student athletes should have the same labor rights as the rest of us. Instead, they are subject to the harsh decisions of universities who care more about their revenues and reputations than the athletes themselves. Before you destroy a young man's career, there should be hearings and a full investigation by a trustworthy panel of individuals who consider his well-being as part of the process. The idea that someone moved so quickly without knowing all the facts is absolutely ridiculous.

2) He is young. Since when can't one 22-year old football player punch out another one and not pay for it for the rest of his life? Does it really make sense that the university feels that this man's years of hard work are so disposable that they can simply throw them in the trash without consequence? Coaches are arrested for DWIs, commit crimes and do all kinds of egregious things, and are simply expected to go find another job. Blount, because of NCAA restrictions, can't simply join the team at another university. His career is over.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Race Not a Factor in Track Athlete’s Gender Testing

By Dr. Boyce Watkins

MSNBC’s TheGrio.com

6:20 PM on 09/10/2009

The world is now talking about Caster Semenya, the South African athlete who has been subjected to gender testing after dominating the field in the 800-meter run at the 2009 World Championships. Recent reports by the Daily Mail of London and the Sydney Morning Herald of Australia state that the test has revealed that Semenya "is a hermaphrodite with no womb or ovaries." Some have argued that Semenya was the target of the investigation because she is black, but I am not sure if I am on board with that presumption.

If the reports are true, I am not surprised. Race issues to the side, I too found myself wondering if I was seeing things, as I watched Semenya thump her chest in victory and speak with a voice that could bring Barry White back from the grave. I was disturbed, but open-minded, for I considered Semenya's case to be an opportunity to explore cultural variations in gender perception.
Another use of the word "race" applies when analyzing Semenya's time in her race of choice, the 800-meter run. Not only did this 18-year old come out of nowhere to run a time which instantly dominates the world's most highly trained 800 meter runners (1:55.45), but her time was nowhere near the world record (1:53.28), set by Jarmila Kratochvilova of Czechoslovakia in 1983. Like Semenya, Kratochvilova could easily be mistaken for a man.

Dr Boyce: Good Job, Mr President

by Dr Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University

The other day, I mentioned that it was time for President Obama to get tough with his critics. Their below-the-belt attacks on the Beltway were getting to the point of embarrassing our great nation. We were reverting to 1920s lynch mobs and watching behavior that fell short of the threshold of human decency.
Well, when you're confronted with a monster, you sometimes have to become one. And last night, the president was a monster.I applaud his firm approach when dealing with his critics. President Obama stood tall and strong, showing the vision of a great president. He also confronted Republican lies and misinformation directly. From a political standpoint, the speech was a mobilizer, which is called for when the opposition refuses to work with you and consistently pushes to dismantle your agenda. The right wing does not like this president, and they are using dirty tools of American racism and distrust of black men to win their fight with Obama.

The battle was further energized by the ridiculous outburst by South Carolina Republican Jim Wilson, who shouted "You lie!" in the middle of the President's speech. Sorry Joe, bad move. Sometimes your enemies can be your greatest allies, and in this case, Obama needs to send Wilson a Thank You card. His actions were yet another spread of icing on the cake of energy that the president created with his stellar performance before Congress.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Dr Boyce Education: 5 Lowest Paying Majors in College

According to the "College Majors Handbook," the 5 lowest paying college majors are Social Work, Special Education, Elementary Education, Home Economics and Music/Dance. As a college professor for the past 16 years, I was only surprised that other "interesting" majors were not on the list, such as Philosophy or Anthropology. In a recent NPR interview, I spoke on the value of going to college and whether or not it's worth the expense. The answer to this question is very simple: It depends.

Here are some things to remember when choosing a major for yourself or your children in college:

1) Know what you are getting. Don't major in a low paying major expecting to make the same money as business school students. It's simply not going to happen. Pick a major with the salary expectations that make you comfortable. Money doesn't have to be important to you, just make sure you're honest with yourself about how important money actually is.

2) Make sure that your major can help you repay your student loans. Most young people who went to college are going to die in debt. Don't let yourself become one of those people.

Obama prepares for pivotal health care speech

Obama Needs to Be Like Mike

By Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University

MSNBC’s TheGrio.com.

Related News

Michael Vick warns students about the dangers of peer pressure

Welcome to the age of "No Child Left Un-Politicized"

This week, Michael Jordan will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He will always be remembered for his many accomplishments and record-breaking achievements in the sport. However, as President Obama prepares to put on a full-court press for health care reform in a speech to Congress tonight, he needs only to look back at one performance from "His Airness" to gain inspiration.

Twelve years ago, in the NBA Finals, Michael Jordan was going to lose. Sick with the flu, he could barely walk, and his aura of invincibility had been shattered in the eyes of the American public. Mike was going to finally relinquish one of his many titles and Karl Malone was going to get the championship that we all now know he never received.

But Mike was Mike, and Karl wasn't. Mike found a way to win and Karl Malone found a way to become "posterized" as yet another footnote in the astonishing legacy of the great Michael Jordan. Every great man or woman has an opportunity to build his or her legend, and it comes during the most trying of times. It is how we respond to these moments that make the difference between becoming Michael Jordan or just another Charles Barkley.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Barack Obama Might Have to Get “Gangsta”

by Dr Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University

I once saw a documentary by filmmaker Byron Hurt called, "Barack and Curtis," comparing President Obama to the rapper 50 Cent. Such a comparison might seem silly, given that one of these men is the leader of the free world and the other is a wealthy "gangsta" with more business sense than a Harvard Professor. But in this case, Barack might want to learn a bit from Curtis in order to get a little "gangsta" with the Republican Party, because the right wing has already gotten incredibly "thugged out" with him.

Through a web of lies, unfair attacks and orchestrated campaigns to discredit the president, the right wingers have been relatively successful in slowly eroding Obama's base of support. While President Obama once rode the wave of 60% approval ratings and amazing popularity, the numbers are now hovering around 45% and morale within the Obama camp has been dramatically weakened. Let Obama lose an additional 10% of his supporters, and you've got another President Bush.
I've been critical of President Obama when he was wrong, and that won't ever change. But I stand by my assertion that Barack Obama is the most intelligent and capable leader our nation has had in a very long time. He is certainly better than John McCain and Sarah Palin, whose intellectual and professional flaws make a mockery of our political system.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Dr Boyce in the New York Times

What kind of returns do you expect on your educational investment?

A National Public Radio segment on Tuesday, titled “Is a College Education Worth the Debt?” questioned the necessity of a college degree in an economic downturn.

Korva Coleman asked her guests, two college professors and one graduate student, “If college education doesn’t always get you a job, but it almost always gets you in debt, is it worth going to college?”

Update | 2:06 p.m. (My colleague, David Leonhardt, offers his own answer to this question in his blog, Economix. In fact, he points out, “the gap between the pay of college graduates and everyone else has reached an all-time high, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows.”)

Richard Vedder, a professor of economics at Ohio University, took the view that college isn’t necessarily worth the cost. “I think some kids are going to college that probably shouldn’t go to college,” he said. He spoke with a scientific concern for the oversupply of college graduates, which, he said, currently outstrips demand.

“We are starting to graduate, I don’t want to say too many students, but it’s becoming more and more difficult for new college graduates to get jobs, independent of the recession.”

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Dr Boyce supports Howard Student Protests

Howard University has a problem. Apparently, the school's students have taken lessons on freedom of speech to heart and actually believe they have a voice in running the campus. That problem is magnified by the fact that they are finally speaking up on issues of mismanagement and incompetence that plague many universities around the nation, particularly Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

We all know that HBCUs can be amazing places to get an education. But we also know that many HBCUs are as slow as molasses when it comes to adopting the necessary administrative adjustments to keep up with the demands of college students. We also know that many HBCUs are not even hiring very many black professors, particularly in business and the sciences (Howard University is one of them). Not having the funds to engage in sound administrative policy is almost understandable. But ignoring calls for appropriate change because it undermines your quest to maintain power....well, that just makes you a black version of the Bush Administration.

Diddy Weighs in to Support Howard University Student Protests

Diddy has tweeted his way into the fold of the protests going on with students at Howard University regarding problems in delayed financial aid. Here is a sample of what he has released:

"NO JUSTICE! NO PEACE!!! Let me know if yall need me to come down there yall! I got yall BACK! Let's go!!!"
And just to be clear he's not encouraging violence, Diddy then wrote, "Do what we did and take IT OVER!!!! Let's go! And do it in a peaceful way but DO IT!! ... If your at HU go to the A building now and make sure they feel you!!! And send me updates!!! Let's go!"

Friday, September 4, 2009

The President Declares National HBCU Week

by DANIELLE CANADA September 3, 2009, 10:36am

HBCU Alumni will be thrilled to learn that the week of August 30 through September 5, 2009 is officially National HBCU Week. The White House released a proclamation from the President officiating the week and praising HBCUS for spawning some of America's most notorious Black leaders.

“For more than 140 years, HBCUs have released the power of knowledge to countless Americans. Graduates of HBCUs have gone on to shape the course of American history-from W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington, to Langston Hughes and Thurgood Marshall. Today, in twenty States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin_Islands, these colleges and universities are serving hundreds of thousands of students from every background and have contributed to the expansion of the African American middle class, to the growth of local communities, and to our Nation's overall economy…”

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Dr Boyce on ABC News

I recently appeared on ABC News to talk about Financial Lovemaking, and the link between sex and money. I've discussed relationships and money several times on AOL in the past, but I think that I should quickly lay out some very interesting similarities that may not have crossed your mind. As I teach my Personal Finance Class at Syracuse University this semester, I am reminded that managing our money is linked to managing our love, which is critical to the ultimate goal of effectively managing our lives.

1) Many people think about both sex and money every single day. Don't lie, you know you enjoy thinking about sex, even if you aren't getting any. But chances are, you also think about money, whether it's figuring out how to get what you need or how to keep what you've got. Even most rappers spend all their time talking about either sex, money or how they use their money to get more sex. It's actually a universal concept.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Dr Boyce Watkins on AOL – 9/3/09

Dr Boyce and Rev. Al Sharpton Discuss Chris Brown, Domestic Violence

What does the Chris Brown/Rihanna incident say about the state of relationships in the African ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (1)

Is College a Good Investment During a Recession?

I was invited onto 'Tell Me More with Michel Martin' to discuss college and whether or not it makes ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (2)

Kentucky State University Embroiled in Controversy

Shanelle Walker is not your typical college student. She was elected student body president at ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (3)

Black CEO says that the MBA is Worthless

I don't have an MBA, and I've never wanted one. I earned several masters degrees and a PhD, but I ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (4)

Rules for College Success Part 2

This is part 2 of the article "Rules of College Success," out of the book, "Everything You Ever ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (1)

Rules for College Success Part 1

The following is an excerpt from the book, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About College." ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (1)

University of Memphis Professor Writes Shocking Letter on Racism

Professor Larry Moore at The University of Memphis is on a mission. The African American ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (13)

Dr. Boyce Money: What Chris Brown Can Learn From R Kelly

I spoke about Chris Brown on CNN not too long ago, and I am sure I'll be talking about him now. ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (13)

Dr Boyce: What You Should Know About the Insurance Industry

The insurance industry is tricky, but it might make sense to turn the spotlight to explain how ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (0)

Setting Goals and Reaching them Part 2

A few days ago, I wrote a piece on setting goals and reaching them. Now, I am going to go full ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (0)

Dr Boyce: How to Set Goals and Reach Them

Many of us want something in life. But as the rapper Coolio used to say, "Wishing is for suckers." ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (0)

Why Allen Iverson Can't Get a Job

The NBA and NFL are fickle places. We forget that professional sports is more of a business than ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (15)

Michael Jackson: Murder, Money, Medicine and Mayhem

I was as shocked as anyone to see that Michael Jackson's death was ruled a homicide by the ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (22)

Dr. Boyce Money: Fox News, Glenn Beck Lose Advertisers

Glenn Beck of Fox News is under major fire for calling President Barack Obama a racist. As a result ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (19)

Protecting Yourself When Dealing with Insurance Companies

One thing missing from the healthcare debate coming out of the White House is a call for ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (0)

Sunday, August 30, 2009

The Justified Outrage of African American Scholars

Professor Larry Moore at The University of Memphis is on a mission. The African American professor has decided to take on his campus for not being diverse enough. Dr. Moore has done what black professors and students across America are doing, which is holding their campuses accountable for their lack of desire to recruit, promote, and reward faculty of color. This issue affects everyone, since most black college students never have the chance to be taught by an African American without taking courses in the African American Studies Department.

In an open letter written to state legislators, Dr. Moore has made his issue clear to the American public and put his university "on blast" for problematic recruitment and retention procedures. As a fellow business school professor myself, I say to Dr. Moore, "Way to go brother."

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Black Professor Open Letter to Univ. of Memphis on Racism

An Open Letter to the Shelby County Legislative Delegation
With Regards to the 1960's Style of Black Tokenism
Practiced at the University of Memphis Under
Joyce Raines and Ralph Faudree

To the Legislative Delegation:

This letter is addressed to you as representatives of the taxpayers of the state of Tennessee who contribute a substantial portion of the operating budget of the University of Memphis, as trustees of state businesses who donate substantial funds to the University, and as guardians of our students who pay tuition to the University. This letter concerns the operation of the University under the current President Shirley Raines and Provost Ralph Faudree, particularly with regards to none foreign born black faculty and graduate students at the University of Memphis.

While most major universities are aggressively trying to recruit, retain, and promote qualified black faculty and graduate students, the University of Memphis, under this current administration, appears to operate under a 1960s form of tokenism, of marginalization, and of benign neglect of those black faculty members who have not been hand-picked by the administration for success, positions, promotion, and salary, as well as an apparent lack of interest in black Phd candidates.

Click to read more.

Dr Boyce Watkins on MSNBC’s TheGrio – 8/26/09

about Dr. Boyce Watkins

Teddy was a lion for civil rights

By Dr. Boyce Watkins

8:30 AM on 08/26/2009

OPINION - In a multitude of areas including housing, income, and civil rights for African-Americans and all minorities, Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts has been on the front lines.

> more
Cocktail of unethical behavior and incompetence killed MJ

By Dr. Boyce Watkins

8:15 AM on 08/25/2009

OPINION - It was Dr. Conrad Murray's cocktail of unethical behavior and extreme incompetence which ultimately killed the most well known entertainer in history...

> more
Felix the Cat flap signals era of racial paranoia

By Dr. Boyce Watkins

8:30 AM on 08/20/2009

In an article for the Financial Times, Ferguson compared President Barack Obama to Felix the Cat, stating that Obama, like the cat, is "black and lucky."

> more
The return of the prodigal quarterback

By Dr. Boyce Watkins

6:40 AM on 08/14/2009

OPINION -- I was as shocked as the rest of America to hear that Michael Vick has been signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. Although I've always supported Vick's human right to fairness...

> more
NCAA treating black athletes like second-class citizens

By Dr. Boyce Watkins

8:50 AM on 08/11/2009

The revolution has been televised. I always knew it would be, since African American athletes have always been center stage in the NCAA's multi-billion dollar money machine...

> more

Dr Boyce Watkins on the cover of MSNBC.com – Ted Kennedy

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – MSNBC’s TheGrio.com

(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, FILE)

Many of us once joked that Bill Clinton was the "first black president" (which he wasn't). We had it wrong. If such a title were to be given to any white man, that should have to be the late Senator Ted Kennedy. He was never president of the United States, but he was certainly one of the kings of his generation.

As a member of the Senate since 1962, Senator Kennedy had a long career fighting for those forced to live in the underbelly of a capitalist society. Over the last 47 years, he has done it better than nearly any politician in American history. African-Americans were among the many beneficiaries of his passionate life's work, and for that, we will always be appreciative.

In a multitude of areas including housing, income, civil liberties, and equality, Ted Kennedy has been on the front lines. His brother John introduced the Civil Rights Act of 1964, considered to be one of the most impactful pieces of legislation ever produced by our government. After John's death, Ted and his brother Robert were instrumental in seeing that the bill was passed.

Senator Ted Kennedy then went on to help pass one law after another to support the rights of the elderly, the sick, the poor and the incarcerated. He introduced the Americans with Disabilities Act, The Civil Rights Act of 1991, The Civil Rights for Institutionalized Persons Act, among others. He also helped to amend the Fair Housing Act, and has fought relentlessly for those who've never known the comfort of attending an Ivy League University.

Senator Kennedy's political compassion, as well as his complicated coping mechanisms, may be linked to the tragedy he experienced during his life. As a young child, he watched his sister Rosemary endure a failed lobotomy, saw his brother Joseph die in World War II and then witnessed his older sister Kathleen's death in a plane crash. This tragedy was compounded by the assassinations of his two brothers, Robert and John during the 1960s. This kind of pain doesn't heal easily, and few families endure such an amazing amount of personal tragedy. It is quite possible that the weight of his psychological pain gave Senator Kennedy the ability to empathize with the struggles of others, as well as the strength to fight through hurdles presented by his adversaries.

Dr Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Dr. Boyce Watkins on AOL Black Voices – 8/25/09

The Latest

Michael Jackson: Murder, Money, Medicine and Mayhem

I was as shocked as anyone to see that Michael Jackson's death was ruled a homicide by the ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (1)

Dr. Boyce Money: Fox News, Glenn Beck Lose Advertisers

Glenn Beck of Fox News is under major fire for calling President Barack Obama a racist. As a ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (3)

Protecting Yourself When Dealing with Insurance Companies

One thing missing from the healthcare debate coming out of the White House is a call for ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in Black Voices Insurance | Comments (0)

John Calipari Doesn't Care about Black People?

After reading about Kentucky Coach John Calipari being found guilty of cheating by the NCAA, I ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (3)

Are Doctors to Blame for the High Cost of Healthcare? Not Quite

Dr. Elaina George, a prominent otolaryngologist in Atlanta, has a bone to pick with President ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (2)

Al Sharpton and Dr. Boyce Talk Barack Obama, Michael Vick

I was a recent guest on "Keeping it Real with Al Sharpton" (audio is below). I like Rev. Al, and ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (13)

Black Boy Kidnapped in Oakland: Some Questions I'd Love to Ask

When I read about the recent kidnapping of 5-year-old Hasanni Campbell, my heart skipped a beat. ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (38)

Costco Responds to the 'Lil Monkey' Black Doll Controversy

We recently discussed the situation with Costco and its "interesting" decision to put "Lil Monkey" ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (22)

BV on Money: Is the Economy Really Recovering?

The economic downturn has hurt us all. Black unemployment has been nearly 70% higher than that for ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (1)

Financial Lovemaking: 2 More Links Between Sex and Money

As part of my series on comparisons between sex and money, we will continue with parts 3 and 4 ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (1)

Financial Lovemaking: What Sex and Money Have in Common

Some people think that money and sex have nothing in common. Actually, they have everything in ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (1)

Dr. Boyce: Sgt. James Crowley Comes Back in the Public Eye

Sgt. James Crowley of the Cambridge Police Department is now a hero among his peers. In light of ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (4)

Monday, August 24, 2009

Dr Boyce: John Calipari’s Funny Relationship with Black People

After reading about Kentucky Coach John Calipari being found guilty of cheating by the NCAA, I wasn't surprised in the least. Calipari has never been known for producing the most highly educated athletes in the world (his graduation rate among African American athletes is 44 percent), and he seems to want to win above anything else. The idea that my alma mater, The University of Kentucky, would immediately step in to pay tens of millions of dollars to a coach that has been proven to be a cheater makes a powerful statement about the ethical disposition of this university. Kentucky is like many NCAA institutions in their mass pillage of African American athletes for the sake of their multi-million dollar fortunes.

John Calipari and his old school, The University of Memphis, have been charged with having an SAT exam taken for a player on the basketball team (believed by many to be Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls). According to several published sources, the SAT exam was falsified during the 2007 - 2008 season. The team has been required to give back 38 wins from that season, costing the school millions in revenue. These kinds of abuses don't just occur at The University of Memphis. The University of Kentucky's basketball program has nearly received the death penalty for its long list of violations in the past, so it is only fitting that they hire yet another arguably unethical coach to continue their storied tradition. Here are some quick thoughts about John Calipari and The University of Kentucky:

Sunday, August 23, 2009

News: Dr Boyce and Dr. Wilmer Leon Talk About the NCAA on Sirius/XM

Dr. Boyce Watkins of Syracuse University and Dr. Wilmer Leon of Howard University speak about the NCAA class action lawsuit. The NCAA is being sued for illegal use of player images.

Click here to listen!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Your News: Dr. Boyce Joins the Al Sharpton Show

Dr Boyce Watkins of Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coalition is now slated for a weekly segment on "Keeping it Real with Al Sharpton." The show is currently syndicated in 18 cities across the nation and adding new affiliates each week. Every Monday from 1:15 - 2:15 pm EST, Dr. Watkins and Rev. Sharpton will discuss political issues of the day and matters affecting our nation. To find out more about the show, please visit www.SharptonTalk.net or www.BoyceWatkins.com.

To see Dr. Watkins' latest articles with MSNBC's "TheGrio.com", please visit this link: http://www.thegrio.com/author/dr-boyce-watkins-1/

To see Dr. Watkins' latest work with AOL Black Voices, please visit: http://blogs.blackvoices.com/bloggers/boyce-watkins-phd/

To listen to Dr. Watkins' last conversation with Rev. Sharpton, please click here.

In light of President Obama's recent announcement that African American education should be a top priority for Black leadership, Dr. Watkins will be speaking with Rev. Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill and other African Americans on ways to directly challenge the astronomical dropout rates for African American students. Many of these issues are addressed in Dr. Watkins' book, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About College." To start the academic year, Dr. Watkins will be distributing free e-copies of this book to members of the Your Black World Coalition during the month of September, 2009. We will also be reaching out to President Obama to offer support in solving this problem, for we firmly believe that managing the dropout rate is one of the keys to saving our great nation.

For more information, please visit www.BoyceWatkins.com.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Dr Boyce and Al Sharpton discuss Barack Obama

Dr. Boyce Watkins of Syracuse University was a guest on “Keeping it Real with Al Sharpton”. Click here to listen!

Dr Boyce Money: What’s Going on with the Economy?

The economic downturn has hurt us all. Black unemployment has been nearly 70% higher than that for white Americans, and the blow is even greater for people of color, since there is less black wealth to fall back on during tough financial times. We must remember, however, that the global recession has literally led to starvation around the world, as there were many citizens who could barely buy food even during the good times.

The IMF's chief economist, Olivier Blanchard, says the global recession had "left deep scars, which will affect both supply and demand for many years to come." Blanchard also makes the additional point that economic models used to understand past recessions cannot be used to understand this one. When attempting to understand the cyclical nature of African American wealth, the models are even sketchier than they are for the rest of the world.

If you want to understand what happened to our economy, imagine you have a friend who appears to have the flu. The standard flu recovery time is going to be just a few days, so you expect to see them back at it within a week. They then go to the doctor, and it turns out that they have a sinus infection, extending the recovery period at least another week. But instead of coming back to work in 1 - 2 weeks, they are sick for an entire month. Well, this warrants another trip to the doctor, where you find out that the person actually has HIV. This changes the entire treatment strategy, since the short-term problems were nothing more than symptomatic triggers of serious long-term health issues. What's worse is that with or without serious intervention, the patient may never be completely healthy again.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Dr. Wilmer Leon Speaks on Our So-Called “Post-Racial America”

In 1903 W.E.B. DuBois wrote in The Souls of Black Folk, “The problem of the twentieth century is the problem of the color-line, --the relation of the darker to the lighter races of men in Asia and Africa, in America and the islands of the sea.” In 1968 the Kerner Commission determined "Our nation is moving toward two societies, one black, one white—-separate and unequal."

In 21^st Century so-called “post racial” America the problem is still race. African American’s like Derryl Jenkins are still being brutalized by the police in north Minneapolis, MN; shot in the back of the head while handcuffed like Oscar Grant in Oakland, CA; and mistaken for perpetrators and killed by fellow officers like Officer Omar Edwards in New York City.

Many questions still need to be answered about these latest tragedies. What leads these officers to perceive people of color as a threat? Why do the police feel the need to use excessive force first and ask questions later? This takes me to the continual discussion about racism (white supremacy), its perceptions, and emotional responses that people of color deal with all too often.

5 MORE Things College Students Do to Destroy their Lives

Yesterday, I posted a list of 5 things college students do to ruin their lives. Now, I am going to give you 5 more things. This is an excerpt from my book, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About College." Education is one of the most important things for our people, and we need to make sure our kids are prepared.

by Dr. Wilmer Leon

www.WilmerLeon.com

On December 10, 2007 suspended Atlanta Falcon’s quarterback Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison for his role in a dog fighting ring. He was also found to have been involved in killing pit bulls that did not demonstrate sufficient fighting prowess.

Michael Vick, once one of the highest paid players in the NFL with a 10 year $130 million contract that provided him with an $11.4 million salary in 2006 and $6 million salary in 2007 made 12 cents an hour in his job at the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan. He filed for bankruptcy; claiming assets of $16 million and liabilities of $20.4 million. Vick is on the hook for judgments of $2.4 million to the Royal Bank of Canada and $1.1 million to Wachovia Bank, both because of loan defaults, and $4.5 million for a sports agent who sued him and won.

On July 20, 2009, after serving 18 months of his 23 month sentence, Michael Vick was released from Leavenworth Federal Prison. After having served his time, on August 13, 2009 signed a two year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Five Words to Describe the Return of Michael Vick

By Dr. Boyce Watkins

6:40 AM on 08/14/2009

(AP Photo/Ric Feld)

I was as shocked as the rest of America to hear that Michael Vick has been signed by the Philadelphia Eagles. Although I've always supported Vick's human right to fairness, I never thought he'd be back on the field so fast. I was honestly happy to see him get a second chance, but not as happy as his bill collectors.
I have five words that describe the thoughts running through my mind regarding the return of the prodigal quarterback:

1) Redemption: Michael Vick was in his early to mid 20s when he committed many of his most egregious crimes against animals. His age does not, in any way, excuse him from necessary punishment. But the truth is that if any of us were forced to pay a lifetime price for dumb things we did in our twenties, we'd all die in debt. The problem with the way most Americans decided to attack Michael Vick was that there didn't seem to be any finite point at which we could all agree that his punishment should end. PETA wanted to barbecue Vick and the rest of America seemed to think that he was a modern-day OJ Simpson (he was acquitted, by the way). The public response to Michael Vick was a reminder of America's disturbing past of mob attacks against black men who were believed to have committed a crime.

2) Philadelphia: Michael Vick wasn't going to be signed in a touchy-feely city. He needed to be signed in a place where morality is optional and even a mass murderer can get on the field if he knows how to win. Philadelphia is that kind of town. I love the city immensely, but the truth is that when it comes to sports, many Eagles fans wouldn't care if Michael Vick had run a human death match syndicate. In fact, they might think it was kind of cool. If Michael gets on the field and helps the team win, Eagles fans are going to give him an extra dose of brotherly love.

Dr Boyce on AOL Black Voices – 8/13/09

Dr Boyce: Why Michael Vick's Return is a Good Thing

He's back. After a 2 year saga that kept my head spinning, the young man who made a terrible ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (7)

Dr. Boyce Education: What College Students Should Not Be Doing in the Summer

The following is an excerpt from the book, 'Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about College.' ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (0)

Financial Lovemaking 101: How The Wrong Marriage Can Destroy You

Many times, when I talk about portfolios, wealth and investing, I am talking about LOVE. Money is ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (0)

Dr. Boyce: Four Political Viruses That Threaten Healthcare Reform

I admire President Barack Obama. The man took on a presidency that I wouldn't wish on my worst ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (0)

Dr Boyce Money: Wells Fargo's Bad Relationship With the Black Community

Wells Fargo was recently hit with another discrimination suit in the state of Illinois. This is ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (0)

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Dr. Boyce: Michael Vick is Back

He's back. After a 2 year saga that kept my head spinning, the young man who made a terrible mistake is finally being allowed to make a living. I have supported Michael Vick all along, but not because I felt that he was innocent. I've supported him because I do not believe that dog fighting is the kind of crime that deserves a lifetime punishment. So, to the extremists at PETA who want to see Michael Vick burn in the hell of unemployment and incarceration for the rest of his life, I only have one thing to say: grow up.

Michael Vick's reinstatement to the NFL and recent signing by the Philadelphia Eagles unleashed a plethora of thoughts within me. On some level, his return is a bit of an "Athletic Juneteenth" for those who tire of seeing our country make African American athletes into public enemy number one whenever they screw up. To this day, we act as if Marion Jones is the devil, Barry Bonds is a monster, and Terrell Owens is some kind of criminal. This treatment is nothing new, as black athletes have been getting villified for decades, and their molehills are consistently turned into mountains, ripe for high-tech lynchings. This is the tradition of America.

It only seems appropriate that Michael Vick sign his contract in a city like Philadelphia, the place that I love and fear at the same time. I love the city because they've supported me in my work with the great Wendy Williams, Dom Giordano andCharlamagne Tha God. But there is a dark side of "Killadelphia" that shows itself in the way they support their sports teams. They are the fans that cheered when it appeared that Michael Irvin may have broken his neck, so they sure as heck aren't going to pay much attention to animal rights protestors blocking their path to a Super Bowl. In a city like Philly, the slogan is simple: "If you win, we forgive all sin." Vick will be right at home.

Al Sharpton: Time to Shut Down some Prisons

(AP Photo/Danny Johnston, File)

by Rev. Al Sharpton

As the battle lines for health care reform are being drawn - and redrawn - a silent segment of the population is strategically left out of the conversation. It's a group of individuals who have been deemed enemies of society, and cast away behind iron bars to fend for themselves. In California's 33 prisons, healthcare is so inadequate that one unnecessary death takes place per week, as inmates are often stacked in triple bunk beds in hallways and gymnasiums. With nearly twice the number of prisoners than they were designed to hold, California prisons will have to reduce at least 40,000 prisoners in the next two years - and it's about time.

Federal judges just released a 184-page order demanding that California's inmate population be reduced by 27%, and gave the state 45 days to come up with a plan. In what they termed an "unconstitutional prison healthcare system", the three-judge panel concluded that disease was spreading rampantly and prisoner-on-prisoner violence was all but unavoidable. Forced to close a $26 billion dollar budget gap, California will now have to look at mechanisms to reducing its extensive prison spending, which in 2007 topped out at nearly $10 billion (approximately $49,000 for each inmate).

Whether it's for pure economic reasons or for an actual concern over the well being of prisoners, California will hopefully serve as an example for a reversal of the ever-growing prison industrial complex. A system that unfairly profiles and detains minorities, American jails produce a vicious cycle of recidivism and community breakdown. Last year, the Pew Center on the States released a scathing report stating that one in every 100 American adults was in jail, and that an astonishing one in 15 black adults was behind bars. According to government reports in 2007, there were three times as many blacks in jail than in college dorms, with Latinos not far behind at 2.7 times more behind bars than in secondary schooling.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Dr. Wilmer Leon and Dr. Robert Brown Speak on Stress Management

Two educated Alpha Men on Sirius/XM break it down for the world to see. Dr Wilmer Leon and Dr. Robert Brown discuss how to cope with the stress of a changing environment. Click here to listen!

Dr. Wilmer Leon: Is Health Care Reform on Life Support?

According to 2008 U.S Census Bureau data approximately 47 million or 15.8 percent of the U.S. population, were without health insurance during 2006 — a 4.9 percent increase. In 2005, census figures showed that 44.8 million people, or about 15.3 percent of the population, lacked health insurance coverage. According to a report released by the Institute on Medicine, the average cost of family health-care coverage more than doubled from 1999 to 2008, from $1,543 to $3,354.

Based upon these realities, presidential candidate Obama made health-care reform a central theme of his campaign. He promised to achieve universal health care in his first term and to cut the average family's health care health-care costs by $2,500. In the on-going health care reform debate it is very important to remember that as a result of this and other campaign promises, President Obama won the 2008 presidential election with 53% of the popular vote to Senator McCain’s 46% and 68% of the Electoral College vote to McCain’s 36%.

According to a New York Times/CBS News poll taken in June, 85 percent of respondents said the health care system needed to be fundamentally changed or completely rebuilt. According to a June poll conducted by the Employee Benefit Research Institute 83 percent of respondents favored and only 14 percent opposed “creating a new public health insurance plan that anyone can purchase.” These numbers indicate that health care reform is very important to the American people.

Dr Boyce: Finally, the NCAA Has Been Sued

By Dr. Boyce Watkins

8:50 AM on 08/11/2009

In this April 3, 1995 photo, UCLA's Ed O'Bannon celebrates after his team won the NCAA championship game against Arkansas in Seattle. O'Bannon is suing the NCAA over its use of former student athletes' images in DVDs, video games, photographs, apparel and other material. (AP Photo/Eric Draper, File)

The revolution has been televised.

I always knew it would be, since African American athletes have always been center stage in the NCAA's multi-billion dollar money machine. Millions of Americans go mad during the month of March to see "Tyrone G. Anyhood", the latest corporate product being lined up on the Great American assembly line of mass exploitation and academic fraud.

The NCAA has profited handsomely from the black community's commitment to producing and delivering hoop dreams that put young black men on the court during the hours they should be spending in a book. We perform death-defying athletic circus acts for the amusement of America, while universities profit under the guise of providing education. The NCAA's professional sports league has created hundreds of multimillionaires and has facilitated the purchase of summer homes, yachts and private planes for many of the fat old men who refuse to even hire African American coaches.

Some of the players have finally said, "enough."

Ed O'Bannon, a former star for the UCLA Bruins, has put his name at the top of an historic class-action lawsuit being filed against the NCAA for the illegal use of player images in videogames. This lawsuit is significant and opens a Pandora's Box of disturbing issues, like a maid charged with cleaning out a house with dead bodies and asbestos. To make things simple, here are just a few reasons the suit may actually end up having massive implications for the African American community:

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Dr Boyce Watkins on AOL – 8/11/09

The Latest

Love Gone Bad: Scorned Women Krazy Glue Man's Genitals

OK, if you cheer when you read this story, then you need some serious help. If you squirm when you ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (0)

Black Professors, Black Scholars and Intellectual Suicide

If you've ever attended college, you've interacted with a professor. If you were lucky, you might ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (16)

Dr. Boyce Money: Soulja Boy's Bad Financial Advice

In his video called 'Rich N*gga Sh*t' (I can't even write the title, because I don't want to ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (17)

Dr Boyce: Why Everyone Should Go to College

The following is an exerpt from the book, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about College." ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (34)

Financial Lovemaking: Tiny, Toya, Weezy and TIP

OK, was I confused when I found out that Tiny and Toya (TI's "baby mama" and Lil Wayne's ex-wife, ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (21)

Dr. Boyce: 'Jungle Monkey' Cop Sues City of Boston?

I did some commentary on CNN last week about Justin Barrett, the cop who referred to Harvard ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (35)

Dr. Boyce: Jasmine Sanders Makes it Big in NYC Radio

Jasmine Sanders is more than the woman who works down the hallway from Wendy Williams. She is a ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV Black Spin | Comments (2)

Dr Boyce Money: Is the NCAA Racist or Just Getting Rich?

In a letter written to NCAA president Myles Brand, Chairman Bill Thomas of the House Ways and Means ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (17)

Financial Lovemaking: Should You Marry a Professional Athlete?

Many of us remember the nearly $822,500 gambling debt and subsequent arrest of former NBA star ... Read More
Posted by Boyce Watkins, PhD in BV on Money | Comments (3)

Dr. Boyce: The Intellectual Suicide of the Black American Scholar

If you've ever tried to go to college, you've interacted with a professor at some point in your life. If you were lucky, you might have run into a black professor. Chances are, you probably never had a black professor in college. Personally, I'd never taken a class from a black professor until I actually became one, since many universities don't hire black scholars very much. When universities hire black scholars, they enjoy getting rid of them after concluding that they are not as qualified as the white people on the faculty. Like my respected colleague Dr. Cornel West, I've had battles on this issue with my own school, Syracuse University, which has a horrible history when it comes to hiring black people who don't dribble a basketball. Even Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs) have this problem. Have you ever counted how many black professors there are in the sciences and business schools of HBCUs? The numbers might surprise you - your kids are not being taught by black professors as much as they might lead you to believe.

What is saddest, however, is not the racism of academia. Even more shocking is the manner by which many intellectuals (black and non-black) are "dumbed down" by the way scholars and professors are trained to think. Rather than exploring the world and engaging in high action scholarship, we are trained like monkeys to sit inside our man-made bubbles within the ivory tower, focusing on miniscule, insignificant problems. Once these problems are solved, we are told to publish the work in academic journals that are read by a very small number of people in our tiny little niche. We become like some Baptist ministers who are so caught up with the collection plate that they no longer care about God - professors are here to share knowledge, and we've lost the desire to educate anyone other than ourselves.