The Blacker I Get

The blacker I get
the more violent
I become,
because Justice
for me,
means Justice
for none.

You have stolen my dignity,
my respect, and my soul,
now payback...is a MF,
for all the brothers
who are gone.

I thought all lives matter,
but you keep proving
me wrong.

Blue lives
means Justice,
when the black ones
can't breathe.

Yet you want me to stand,
for all the injustice that I see.

You think you're the man,
but you're really a fool,
because the blacker I get,
the more violent
I do too.

Vengeance,
maybe the Lord's,
when you're
dead,
buried,
and gone,
but today it's my wraith,
that you will feel
on your neck,
when I'm crushing
your bones,
and breaking your back.

For all the years
you have killed us,
without batting an eye.

I refuse to let go, until my
blackness...can rise!

Military Parade Forgot Vets

"As we celebrate America's independence this 4th of July, with a great military parade, not so much as a dime was spent on homeless veterans." 

Although Sen. Maxine Waters recently introduced Bill HR 1856, Ending Homeless Act 2019, president Trump saw fit to spend millions in tax payers dollars on a military parade that didn't do anything to help the hundreds of thousands of veterans who are homeless across the country.

If the parade wasn't being used as a political pawn, the Trump administration might have been able to use the celebration in a more meanful way by offering made-in-America sponsorship opportunities as a means to help homeless vets, or a donation hotline such as 1(800) USA-VETS.

It could have been a win-win across party lines. Showcasing not only America's strength--but truly the spirit of our nation.

Kardashian: Sex Trends & Black Men

The Kardashian's brand of promiscuity has contributed to their sensationalism, and prominence in mainstream America. However, the Kardashians are not only exploiting their own sexuality, but black men and black culture too.

"Kardashians have amassed great fame and fortune. Despite having no real talent, their ability to appropriate black culture into their family-brand has undoubtedly been a great factor in helping them overcome any and all prerequisites for stardom, and success with an estimated wealth at a Billion."

The hall-mark to their success is due in part to the infamous Kim Kardashian and Ray J sex tape that was leaked and sold to Vivid Entertainment for an estimated $1 million.

By William J. Booker

Their attraction and sexual appetite for wealthy and influential black men has fueled their seductive persona world-wide, and has subsequently created an uncanny trend of sorts among women who aren't black, but who now claim to date black men exclusively. Non African-American women are following the Kardashian blueprint for success, but whether it has any merit beyond the sexual objectification of women is left to be seen.

The irony is that the popularity of black men in reality TV franchises like the Kardashians, Love and Hip Hop and Basketball Wives, has had some impact in galvanizing Millennials who side with black men and minorities against President Trump's racists policies and Tweets condemning immigrants, and black athletes who silently protest at NFL games. Black men are truly at the pinnacle of a new world order. The question is, at what cost? NIKE, now in the spot-light for upholding the merits of social justice, has proven that you can be profit-wise and have a corporate moral, ethical and social responsibility at the same time.

Many people applaud Kim Kardashian-West for using her celebrity to get President Trump to commute Alice Marie Johnson's life sentence. Though her talent is not that of a great negotiator, she used her fame and the power of her brand to accomplish something that many people had been trying unsuccessfully to do for years. It was a win-win for her multimillion dollar brand, President Trump, Alice Marie Johnson, and everyone who supported her release from prison. The simple truth is, Kardashians have always loved sex, black culture and black men. It's what made Kim Kardashian-West and her family rich and famous.

10 Reasons Why Chicago is the Greatest City in America…Seriously

we don't claim to be the greatest city in country, we just are. Tourists love us for our deep dish pizza, Chance the Rapper, 5 Star Hotels, and state-of-the-arts hospitals and trauma centers. Let's face it, our mayor is not the only thing that sinks in our beautiful city, just ask any one of our 50 rats...I mean aldermen. 

Chicago is the only city where our star quarterback makes losing look easy. No sense in wasting millions of dollars on a seasoned QB when we got Khalil Mack leading our defense; that $141 million will be well spent way after we win the Super Bowl. Go Bears! 

Our freeways are open to anyone who don't mind getting shot while driving, anytime of the day, because that's just how we roll. Unfortunately, carjacking will cost you extra. 

"We love our sugary drinks tax free, and any president who can shoot basketball, save the economy and look damn good doing it." 

In Chicago, you'll find a camera on every street corner, bus and train because in our fair city crime is like an in-law visiting you for the first time--while you're away at work. You knew the chances of them visiting you one day were high, you just didn't know when. And once you're no longer a virgin to being a victim of our notorious crime, in the city best-known for its crooked politicians, you can sit back and enjoy listening to some good blues music. Chicago and blues, just seems to go hand-to-hand for some auspicious reason.

Yep, I guess you can say we're the city that works, with or without a state budget. Of course we wouldn't be Chicago if we didn't have at least one snowstorm to remind us why we truly love this city. Our kids get to stay home from school, because being a knucklehead is kind of patriotic these days. 

"We're the only metropolis that when we say Netflix and chill we really mean Netflix and freaking chill, because it's cold as hell outside." 

All I'm saying is no matter where you're from, Chicago will always be home to the people who know and love this city for the good parts as well as the bad. And if you're ever planning on visiting the windy-city, make damn sure you're wearing a clean pair of underoos because God knows anything can happen here.

Get On the Right Side of History

As Published by the Chicago Sun-Times, by William J. Booker, June 21, 2019

Mitch McConnell and Republican lawmakers don't think African-Americans deserve reparations for slavery. Although it's true no living white person is responsible for slavery, all living white people have benefited from slavery the same way all living black people wear the scars of slavery.

What we do know is that America was built on slavery, the separation of African families, and the genocide of decedents of African-Americans. We also know that numerous US companies: NY Life, Tiffany and Co., Aetna, Brooks Brothers, Bank of America, Wachovia, and JPMorgan Chase and others got rich from the slave trade.

Slavery helped to create the white middle class, although African-Americans were excluded from benefiting from same government programs that their taxes helped create, denying them the opportunity to create wealth.

It's clear that the Republican leadership is totally against reconciliation or atonement of any kind for centuries of atrocities perpetrated on generations of descendants of African-Americans--including their own constituents.

"The irony is, after all the racist comments and tweets President Trump has made, stoking flames of hate and embolden racists, Republicans could go down in history as actually living up to their montage "Make America Great Again" with one unanimous vote, putting them on the right side of history for once."

Though Republicans lawmakers have no intentions in the slightest gesture. It's apparent that not even a $20 Harriet Tubman bill (Scheduled to be released in 2020) can change the true face of this nation.

As Rev. Martin L. King, Jr. said, “Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check—a check that has come back marked ‘insufficient funds.’ But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity in this nation.”

:: Stepping Into Fatherhood ::

As printed by the Orlando Sentinel, by William J. Booker, June 16, 2019

There are many men helping to raise children that aren't their biological kids. These men have changed diapers, helped with science projects, dropped off and picked up kids from school, attended recitals, baseball games, and have been the voice of reason in an otherwise chaotic world. Some of these men have even helped put kids through college, and taught them a thing or two about remodeling a bathroom, fixing a leaky faucet and changing a car tire. It's the small things that theses men, better known as stepfathers, do that sometimes go unnoticed but are appreciated by their children. Stepfathers are men who have accepted the responsibility of being a parent to children who are not theirs, but love them just the same.

"We shouldn't forget about all the things stepfathers do everyday to help make their children's lives more enjoyable..." 

They may not have asked to be fathers, but they have embraced fatherhood and all the joy, inconvenience and laughter that comes with it. They love and support their spouse's kids as their own. And while any man can essentially conceive a child, let's be especially thankful for all the stepfathers, who have stepped up and shown us what it truly takes to be a great dad!

 “Any fool can have a child. That doesn’t make you a father. It’s the courage to raise a child that makes you a father.” -Barack Obama

Give Chicago Wounded Neighborhoods What They Need

As As Published in the Chicago Tribune By William J. Booker

When neighborhoods of color are disenfranchised, properties are devalued, improvements and services to our communities are never made, and many middle-class people inevitably move to the suburbs. Thus, people who can't afford to move out become trap in an environment lacking opportunity, and struggle to survive by any means necessary. Many of these neighborhoods on the south and west side of the city, fueled by poverty, are now left in ruins and overrun by violence.

"You can't expect a goldfish to survive in a dirty fish tank if you never change the water. Nor can you expect people to survive in communities that lack opportunities & investment." 

It breeds crime in the entire city. However, if you treat people with respect and give them the tools and opportunities necessary to support themselves and their families they can be capable of doing amazing things. But what you can't continue to do is piss on a person's leg and tell them that it's raining. Those days are over.

Thankfully, we now have a Mayor who fully understands the value of strong communities and is willing to do whatever it takes to put an end to a lot of the senseless violence that has taken over the city. In light of it all...the city that works, must work for everyone--no matter what side of town you live on.

:: Mom’s Got Your Back on Field & Off ::

As As Published in the NY Daily News, by William J. Booker, May 12, 2019.

In the wake of the largest NFL draft in history, and after all the analysis and hoopla, no draft would be complete without the proverbial bond captured on television and in newspapers across the country between mothers and their sons. All Americans can feel that tears of joy in celebration of lifelong dreams coming true.

America’s greatest pastime would not be complete without mothers who share a special bond with their sons. Who could ever forget the great Campbell Soup “Mama’s Boys” commercials that feature superstar NFL players alongside their mothers. It’s a fact that mothers are the MVPs in any boy’s life — just ask anyone on the receiving end of a your-mama joke. It’s understood that mothers definitely are no laughing matter.

"When it comes to mothers, they are the best wide receivers whenever you have a problem. They’re as dependable as a linebacker, and like a quarterback they call all the plays." 

They are an essential part of any team on which their son is playing. They can usually be found closest to the field in the stands yelling the loudest in support of their sons. Yes, mother’s baby, father’s maybe. Happy Mother’s Day!

Criminalization of Black Men: Social Impact & Bias

I hate it when I hear Black people say, I wish Black lives mattered to Black people. White people kill White people, but I never hear White people say, I wish White lives mattered to White people. As Black people, we're constantly reminded and programed to think by the media and others that because of Black-on-Black crime, we as a people don't value our own lives. 

The media is guilty of reporting far more stories about Black-on-Black crime; satisfying and confirming many White viewers fears and prejudices about Black men in efforts to garner high ratings. These distorted portrayals of Black males perpetuates a narrative that Black neighborhoods and Black people are more dangerous than White people and White neighborhoods. This often fosters a notion that Black communities don't deserve the same kind of investments, or improvements as White ones. As a result, our properties are devalued, improvements and services to our communities are very seldom made, and many blue collared Blacks inevitably move to the suburbs--taking with them the only sustainable community investments.     

Contrary to what most people think, Black people don't have a monopoly on crime. Although if you listen to the media you might think otherwise. 

"As sick as it sounds, the criminalization of Black men in America seems to be one of America's favorite pastimes. Today, racists have taken extreme measures to exclude Blacks from even socializing in public places by simply calling 911 to have them arrested." 

White Americans have benefited tremendously from keeping valuable resources and investments out of Black neighborhoods. The common practice of redlining by banks and mortgage institutions led to the creation of the National Housing Act in 1937. The Fair Housing Act followed in 1968, but the damage to many Black communities had already occurred. The outcomes were systemic and are still being felt today, and highlighted by the media in their daily bias, and salacious commentary of Black crime. 

What they don't tell you is that the lack of community investment in disenfranchised neighborhoods trap the people who live in them, and has fueled poverty and left many Black neighborhoods in ruins. And while the media tries to remain liberal, their unbalanced perspective of Black men in many cases contributes to racial profiling by the police, stereotypes and creates a more racist sociality.  

It is a sad truth, the American Dream was never meant for Black people. The thought that anyone could come to this country with nothing, work hard and be successful never materialized for many Black folks who were born here; yet faced discrimination around every corner. The ideal of hope and prosperity seemingly overshadowed by a country so filled with hate, that it elected a racist president to lead the nation and its promise of a better America for all people regardless of race, color or national origin. 

Racial equality will always be a challenge in America, but the media must do a better job with its portrayals of African-American males, and provide greater social context, and understanding for how their (the media's) impact on public opinion influences the lives of Black and Brown families.

Black History Month Call for Action

As published in the Chicago Tribune by William J. Booker, February 17, 2019. 

Black History Month is a time to remember, and honor all those who gave their lives and made grave sacrifices to change things for the betterment for all Americans. 

As African-Americans, we represent all those who died before us because of the color of their skin, and because of the hatred that many white Americans felt towards blacks. America has given African-Americans great cause to reflect on a tumultuous past, and while you can't read about all of the horrible things that occurred to our ancestors in American history books, many of us still suffer from these atrocities.

This is why it is important that we not only remember black history, and all that we fought for as a people, but continue to stand together, united and undeterred as all those who came before us did. 

"Though the accomplishments of our civil rights' leaders are great, the fight for equality and against injustice remains a fight that we must continue to overcome. We must not let the deaths of our ancestors go in vain." 

Our communities are suffering and are in great despair, and the future for many of black youth are questionable. Therefore, lets us (make) a pledge, to go back in our communities and work together to create real change. Lets us give our youth new hope, a reason to live and the tools and resources they so desperately need to be awesomely successful.