A Setback Is a Setup for a Comeback

Where to begin...where to begin?

For starters, A Setback begins with a very positive message. Like most books of it's genre, it's got upbeat colors and a catch-y slogan for a title. But that's all it really possesses.

To read pass the first chapter was a monotonous experience. The book's message is almost being drilled into the readers head. I suppose for readers that have trouble grasping a concept or cutting a bad habit after the first bad experience, the book's repetitive tone it perfect.

However, for this Howard reader, I would have to pass on picking this book up again for anything other than class and certain not a for suggested read to others.

Should We Really Be Surprised?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trayvon-martin-shooting-and-verdict-huge-racial-gaps/2013/07/22/2b8ca5be-f307-11e2-8505-bf6f231e77b4_graphic.html

Before you read this, please understand it's simply an analysis followed by an opinion. Also, please follow the link above to read the full story on the Washington Post website.

Following the verdict of George Zimmerman in his case investigating his shooting and killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, reactions were vast -- some shocking, some not so much. From a range of people rallying outdoors with posters saying "Racist and Proud" and the Black Panthers putting a price tag on George Zimmerman's head to families figuring out how to education their children on how to behave in their own neighborhoods so that they do not become the next victim.

Black youth in particular have been rallying towards Twitter to express their views, some claiming that this gives some a 'license to murder' or suggesting that 'America will fall further into racism'. Others simply giving advice on how to deal with this event, as if there is some sort of public decorum to address this type of happening.

In this poll by the Washington Post, it is suggested the race does in fact shape the views of the verdict. To so many who were claiming that this is not a race issue, what is to be said? Is it or isn't it? Well it surely seems like it is. And as mostly accurately as I heard it described... perhaps is should not be a race issue, but in fact it is.

According to this poll in particular,  Blacks overwhelming feel that Trayvon Martin's killing was unjustified. While an almost even divide of Whites believe it was either justified, unjustified, or that they do not know enough about it to comment. Don't know enough to comment? How? Furthermore, an overwhelming number of African Americans also disapprove of the 'not guilty' verdict Zimmerman received.

But pass the verdict and the rallying and protesting, it seems people stop caring about going after the justice they believed Trayvon Martin so rightfully deserved. While the numbers do remain consistant for African Americans (81% believing that Zimmerman should be charged for violating Trayvon Martin's rights), the numbers for 'All Adults' shifts in favor of him not being charged.

Do you feel as though further action should be taken against George Zimmerman by the federal government? Or should all Americans simply accept the verdict and move on?

Brainwashed: Challenging the Myth of Black Inferiority - Part One

Chapter 2: Relationship Wrecks

Why Can't We Form Strong Family Bonds?

"Disrespect"

It's a lot more rampant that I had noticed before reading this, but upon a self examination...

I noticed that with in my family that utter disrespect of our patriarchs is rather...dramatic. At one time in their lives, they were in fact family leaders that made important and heavily weighed decisions. But now, as I know them, the patriarch in my family is nothing more than a once "more proud" figure head.

"...43.3 percent of black men and 41.9 percent of black women in America who have never been married...compared to 27.4 percent of white men and 20.7 percent of white women who have never been married."

Okay, so perhaps this is true. Maybe not a reality in my life. But who is to say that this other 60 or so percent of white men and white women have great functioning marriages? And furthermore, it's understandable that nearly half of all black adults in America have never been married. We've been conditioned to believe that marriage is too hard. Black men in particular have been conditioned to believe that marriage is an outdated and ridiculous way of life. It strips them of their "player status."

Is that the issue? That black men and black women have internalized these beliefs? Yes, that is an issue. Ironic how in one point of African-American life marriage was nearly the only thing we had to live for, and even that had to be done in secret and now it is the number one thing we seem to be avoiding.

Richmond to Howard

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