As I was cleaning out my inbox, I ran across a few interesting stories that I had either been sent or starred for later review.
CNN.com: Police: Four boys sexually assaulted 8-year-old girl
(CNN) — Four boys ages 9 to 14 have been charged with sexually assaulting an 8-year old girl, police in Phoenix, Arizona, said Wednesday.
The girl was lured into a vacant storage shed by the suspects, who offered her chewing gum, police said at a news conference.
The girl was restrained while the boys — ages 9, 10, 13 and 14 — sexually assaulted her, police said of the July 16 incident.
All the suspects except for the 14-year-old live in the same apartment complex, according to Phoenix police Sgt. Andy Hill. The 14-year-old has been charged as an adult, Hill said.
Detectives said the girl was placed in the custody of Phoenix child protective services after the attack because of her parents’ attitude toward her.
The girl and the boys charged are all from families that have come to the United States from the West African nation of Liberia, police said.
What the hell is this? What ever happened to 9 year olds riding bikes? Her parents are blaming her? Can someone tell me why CNN found it necessary to mention the children were from Liberia? [Thanks Charles]
Link: http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/07/22/arizona.juvenile.sexual.assault/index.html
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At yesterday’s White House Press Conference to discuss health care, Barack Obama was asked about the recent arrest of Henry Louis Gates. This response came the very same day as Dr. Michael Eric Dyson’s column, calling out the President to renew his pledge to eradicate racial profiling. [Thanks Margaret]
Dyson wrote,
“To Gates’ credit, he realizes that racial profiling happens regularly to poor black folk, and he has pledged to do something about it. But another famous black figure associated with Harvard must renew his pledge to get rid of racial profiling and spare the nation the illusion that his success represents a post-racial America. While it’s not likely he’ll be unjustly arrested in his House, he’s got to make sure that the same privilege extends to millions of other black folk who don’t live on Pennsylvania Avenue.”
Did Obama address this as you would have liked him too?
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Yes sistas, this is a real commercial! I have received confirmation that this was on the air!
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think this is cool by any means, but that is because I don’t ever want to see Black people made mockery of or publicly embarrassed . I realize that we probably do not own KGB, and do not own the networks that are airing this foolishness; however, I must ask do we have any responsibility to change our behavior that is producing these images, and serves for the basis of these types of commercials?
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NPR: Rapper Feud Mirrors World Politics: Jay-Z Schools Us In U.S. Hegemony
President Carter: Lookin' real federal!
George Washington University Professor and director of the Institute of Middle East Studies, Marc Lynch made a recent analysis of how fueds in rap music mirror world politics. [Much appreciated Kabrielle]
Professor Lynch writes,
The difference today is that we’re in a uni-polar world with the United States on top. In the rap world, Jay-Z is that guy.
The Game is the erratic wildcard.
“He’s North Korea; he’s Iran,” Lynch says. “He might not win, but he can hurt you if he drags you down into this extended occupation, this extended counterinsurgency campaign.”
Are we serious here? Am I the only one who hates to see good research dollars and airtime go to waste. As the director of Middle East studies, isn’t there a real conflict in Middle East that could use your attention? Get outta here with this mess. I’m just thankful this didn’t come from a professor at Bethune Cookman!
Link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106857447
If this story gets one more person to listen to NPR (that wouldnt otherwise), I’m justified. What is it you’re always saying about the lower numbers on the FM radio dial?
Plus the arugment I liked best was how the Game doesnt have to WIN a battle with Jay, he just needs to survive to increase his position…baby steps playa.
CNN mentioned the boys were from Liberia because it is an important, valid aspect of the story. Their family is blaming the girl for bringing shame on their family, and it isn’t because they are from America. Their Liberian background is integral to understanding why they did this to the girl, as well as understanding why the family has rejected her when they should be embracing her and caring for her.
This isn’t a Liberian family which has been in America for 6 generations. They are just coming from Liberia, and in Africa, gang rape is the norm. This is what they choose to do with their time. Ethnically cleanse through murder and rape.
Gee, maybe that’s why they mentioned it…Know what I mean Einstein?
Have you been in a cave for the last decade?
You get paid to blog??? What sort of qualifications do you need to become a blogger? A laptop and a heartbeat?? Because David Brooks and George Will YOU ARE NOT.
In addition, your complaining about CNN mentioning the boys were from Liberia, but a picture of barefoot African Americans, in tattered clothes working the fields with a small child in tow adorning the top of your web page… That’s “OK”?
You are like Perez Hilton.
I really hate that story about the boys sexually assaulting the girl. I didn’t know I’d have teach my little Miriam at such a young age how to stab someone. But alas, classes will begin tomorrow. And I too noticed too them pointing out that they were from Liberia. Highly unnecessary. Although I did wonder their race while I was reading it, but they never say “some white boys did it.” Glad the media never ceases to amaze me.
Obama thinks he’s slick with that pause, bc I *DIED* when he said he would have gotten shot. Then that pause!! I’m adding comedian to his ever growing list of Superpowers.
As a one time weave wearing girl, I thought that commercial was HILARIOUS! And I’m sure that’s *exactly* what that Yaki is made out of! And *nothing* is going to make
bitchesladies stop wearing weaves. Good luck.I’m always weary of things/people/cities with Lynch in their name, but that’s just me. I just can’t with him. I’m not even sure if I’m mad that he chose Jayz and The Game (wtf?) or that he’s using these references in Middle East Studies.
UsArabs are gangsta as it is and don’t need no analogies!!Wooow. Chris R. Is really mad! He can start a blog too you know, its free!…and u don’t have to read this one since u hate it so much…and if u would’ve taken the time to read the “about us section” or even simply the title, u’d understand what the picture is about. Wikipedia is free also and I suggest you look up the definition of “sharecropper”.
Also thank you, Chris R for ur tidbit on Liberian culture, because the CNN article didn’t mention any of that. The key thing was “8 year old girl gang raped by teens” and then mentioned that the teens were from Liberia, read: BLACK. But since you have explained to us the beauties of Liberian Culture I guess its ok for this young girl to be gang raped “since that’s their norm.” I just hope that next time, I get raped its by a Liberian so it’ll be ok. In the words of Sam L, “I hope they burn in hell.”
That’s right, I said it.
Supergirl*thatswho
-not a writer, just a reader and fan of the blog. Thank you. Big ups to the stable nation of Ghana!!