Black Tie Lounge

I'm almost done reading "The Truly Disadvantaged" and I am wondering why I didn't read it sooner. Back in 2003, when I was taking African Studies, Dr. Kershaw recommended that I read it. The book takes a look at how the liberal perspective of race and discrimination is not broad enough to explain why the ghetto underclass has become increasingly cut off from mainstream American society. I thought it was stricking was that the exodus of middle class black families left the underclass without the resources to maintain the institutions that could have better developed the areas (churches, businesses, and leaders). The exodus of black middle class families also affected the socialization of those in the ghetto. Poverty became a way of life that these people became used to. Imagine what it is like to know that your grandparents grew up poor and to see your mother unemployed for long periods of time barely surviving. Not only was poverty something you saw, but it was lik...

For some reason I do not trust McCain. It's not a black and white thing but I can't help but to watch a debate and write him off. He seems to try so hard to knock Obama off his feet and make him look uncredible. He likes to point out things that Obama voted on that show him as being wishy washy. Thanks Obama for clarifying your stance. Then the DC voucher. McCain, please let it go. He just had to get the last word in. I do not trust McCain. So I'm big on education. McCain said to invest in programs like Teach for America. I agree. Allow kids to go to the school of their choice. I agree. Especially in the urban schools that are majority black and latino. They lack so many resources and have horrible teachers that could care less. I agree! One thing I'm not sure if McCain considered that urban youth have tried but parents that send their kids to the good schools don't want the kids from the ghetto going to their schools. So they make zoning and busing policies to keep...

Sometimes I think I'm weird. I probably am. Most people use their blog to talk about issues in their field. Others use it as a journal. Blahzay blahzay. I'm going to do my best to share things without revealing too much, since I want to be ethical and not demean anyone's character. I'm taking an independent study on diversity issues in public relations. I'm enjoying the reading but all this time on my hands has me putting things off. Right now I'm reading the Truly Disadvantaged and American Apartheid. Both books look at the factors that have contributed to the ghetto underclass. As much as I don't want to play a race card, racism, segregation, discrimination, and prejudice are embedded in the fabric of American life. American Apartheid looks at how racism and segregation have been main factors in the creation and maintenance of the ghetto. In the 1920's racial violence was high in northern urban cities. Aside from racial violence neighborhoods develo...

It has been awhile since I have written. At first I was so addictive to blogging but as I became more and more nervous about my writing style and being more politically conscious, I have definitely fallen back. Why? I don't know. I go through phases where I try to be one thing and then I move on to another. Earlier this year, I tried to write for the CT. Hence my latest blogpost. That didn't fly over and it was mostly due to a miscommunication by the staff. Oh well, I can find other places to get my writing out. Why this concern with publishing? Well, this is my last year of graduate school and for now I am trying to get a job at a PR agency. Which agency you ask? I'm not sure. They all look the same as far as I can see. Really, I want an organization that is ok with the fact that I do not know fully what I want to do. I like PR because it provides me with the variety I need and communication is a strength of mine. Either PR or teaching. I've been doing quite a bit of s...