theFreshXpress Roundtable

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We have a new weekly feature here at FXP: theFreshXpress Roundtable. Each week we’ll bring you 5 Young Black Americans from across the country, ask them 5 questions, and watch the answers fly. Being the PULSE of Young Black America, we figure its a good look to discuss what’s been going on in our world lately. This week we have:

Jennifer Garrett,a 24 year old Executive Recruiter/Business Developer in Atlanta, GA

Gregory Roberson, a 23 year old Law Student in Washington D.C.

Makia Kambon, a 26 year old Special Events Planner in New York City, NY

Eddie Maisonet, a 25 year old Retail Client Manager in Cincinnati, OH by way of Oklahoma

Lovette Ajayi, a 24 year old Marketing Coordinator in Chicago, IL

Check out what our Fresh Roundtable participants discuss, and chime in on your own at the end. Kickin’ knowledge and having fun… its what FXP is all about.

1. Starting May 12, Mike Vick will serve 2 months of house arrest, then he can start trying to get back in the NFL. In the meantime, his attorney has stated that he has a construction job lined up for $10 an hour. Is this best he can do? If he’s not throwing a ball, he has to work for $10 an hour? What does this say about athletes and the type of education they receive?

Jennifer Garrett: Being that I went to a school in which often times athletes are pushed through, and having done a paper or two myself (not for any players at MY school of course), I would say this speaks volumes. Most of these players are still at a 10th grade level. Aside from that, Vick is just not in a good position. Public Opinion of him is in the tank, and it wouldn’t matter if he was a Rhodes Scholar at this point. I still also think that this job they have “lined up” for him is another PR stunt to show his humility and remorse at the situation. I am almost certain they could do better than that. Hell he could work at Gap for more than that. However though, what does need to be talked about it what happens when they retire or get hurt. No one teaches these athletes how to handle their money. Broke comes at you fast.

Gregory Roberson: I don’t think the construction job speaks to the student-athlete education broadly but to Vick specifically.  Anything other than physical labor for him at this point is a liability to any company wishing to hire him. His well documented criminal past and uncertain future make any substantial investment in his career a risky one.  Unfortunately that’s how far the star has fallen.  He only spent two years at Va Tech so his college education is but marginally useful.

Makia Kambon: First, I think he needs a new lawyer because he never should have gone to jail in the first place! And if you needed more support for that statement, I know high school students that make more than 10.00/ hr. As an NFL player I KNOW he has 3 college years under his belt. Hell, I’d hire him for at least 12.50/ hour and STILL let him work from home!! You don’t have to be smart to get a good job. I’ve worked with plenty of idiots during my professional career. He’s no dummy when it comes to football, so the real insult is to place him in any job outside of his expertise.

Eddie Maisonet: I think its just demonstrating the fact that he’s working to show that he’s willing to work and put money in his (and his family’s) pocket. I’ve got to believe that something better than that will be headed his way, but let’s be real, it’s a recession out here in these streets and anything you can get is better than nothing real talk.

Lovette Ajayi: That’s what happens when you get a college degree in “Leisure Studies”.

2. Plies has a new TV series coming out. He’s trying to find himself a female he can give his stamp of approval to, and label them a “Goonette.” Plies defines a Goonette as a strong, independent female… a female hustler. You want more insight? Check out this trailer:

Basically, the ‘Goonette’ Plies wants to feature first is a Little Person Stripper. What do you think of Plies and this Goonette phenomenon?

Jennifer Garrett: Wait what? Plies is still relevant? The definition given in the info section of the video was enough to make my head spin faster than Linda Blair in a nightie. I’m terrified to even watch this. I think Plies needs to sit down. After his “Bust It Baby” auditions, I thought someone from the H.B.I.C. or even the H.N.I.C. clan had surely swept down and handled the business of getting rid of this guy. Being from Florida he makes me ashamed of my state. His music is played hard down there and people actually buy into this hype. I don’t even know what to say. He won’t stop until we make him. We will never make him because even the most educated and so-called classy black individuals still give this fool the attention that he needs to continue.

Gregory Roberson: Don’t really mess with Plies like that.  Can’t stand his music or his image, they both seem fake to me.  Thugs singing love songs, heard it all before.  Next.

Makia Kambon: So my love/hate relationship with rappers and their reality shows is the same love/hate relationship I have with with Strippers and strip clubs. On one hand you don’t want to hate on their hustle because they work for themselves, they make lots of tax-free money, and they have 10 fans for every one hater. Meanwhile the rest of us sit at a desk all day, hating our job, wishing we had all 3. On the other hand, I can’t be proud of them in front of my parents, the kids and certainly not white people. As a yuppie, talented tenth, and young black professional, I’m proud to embrace these titles. Some ladies don’t identify with any of those groups, so if Bust-it-Baby, Nasty Girl, or the Goonette shoe fits you…

PS. Plies could still get it…LOL

Eddie Maisonet: Not responding to this coonery. Anyone who thinks this is a good idea needs to question their dreams and ambitions in life. Next question.

Lovette Ajayi : iRebuke it in the name of all things uncouth. Goonette sounds like what they called the hoodrat smurf. iCant and iWont.

3. President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama met with Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II this week, and headlines were made when the Queen and Michelle Obama embraced each other. The Queen isn’t known as being touchy feely, yet she was willing to stand with her arm around Michelle Obama for a long period of time. What do you think about Michelle Obama’s potential as a worldwide icon? Is she the next Mother Teresa? Princess Diana?

Jennifer Garrett: Thank you so much for asking this question with common sense. The media blitz around this thing is absolutely shameful. I think it says a lot that My Queen (Ok.. not mine, but as my family is British and still not American citizens, I tend to claim her) was willing to break protocol and embrace My First Lady. The Queen is a woman of class and esteem and is run by tradition yet she is human and could sense a genuine and sincere individual in Mrs. Obama. She was probably surprised by the action, but didn’t take offense to it (thus her embracing back) because I’m sure she is just pleased to have in her company someone that she more than likely can relate to. I bet if she could she would let Mrs. Obama sit on her Royal Court. *gets misty eyed* First Lady Obama will be the next Mrs. Obama.

Gregory Roberson: Don’t know about Michelle Obama’s potential as an ambassador of goodwill and hope.  She seems certainly polarizing (to no real fault of her own) here in America.  I think each First Lady has this potential but only a handful have realized it.  She’s not as politically active as Hillary Clinton was when Bill was in the White House.  She also hasn’t taken up a cause like Nancy Reagan or Barbara Bush.  She has the potential to be the next Eleanor Roosevelt but she’s gotta step in front of the mic and let her voice be heard on hard issues.  Dressing fashionably everywhere won’t get it done.

Makia Kambon: As a huge Princess Di fan, I think Michelle fits the bill all the way!(Minus the man hopping) She loves big hair, her fashion sense is timeless, and her poise is unmatched! I couldn’t have chosen a better American Princess myself. She is “powerful beyond measure”, and doesn’t fear that at all. Like Mother Teresa and Princess Diana, she is not afraid to do what she was released from the heaven to do. She will take women of the world to a whole new level, spiritually. I hope she is never taken from us too soon like the late Princess, but when it is her time, I have no doubt that God will welcome her with open arms saying “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Eddie Maisonet: I think The Queen probably didn’t know what to expect, and Michelle isn’t tiny. Michelle’s listed at 5’11″, Queen Elizabeth is maybe 5’2″. When’s the last time you hugged anyone a foot taller than you? If they got a hold of you, you aren’t going anywhere! LOL, ok for real, along with her height, I believe her presence (and Barack’s) is monumental globally. Now, I wouldn’t go as far as to crown her Mother Teresa or Princess Di, but she can definitely be a world beater.

Lovette Ajayi: Michelle Obama isn’t the next Mother Theresa or Princess Diana. She got them both beat on the fashion game (may they rest in peace!). However, I hope she changes the world enough to have a legacy as bright as theirs. Those are some big shoes for her to fill, but I think she may be up to the challenge. Michelle is a BADDDD chick!

4. Madonna is looking to adopt an African child for the second time. Angelina Jolie’s attempts at adopting international children have been well documented. Should they be focused on helping American children find homes?

Jennifer Garrett: I am deeply saddened by the crimes and atrocities occurring all across the world. With that said there are problems HERE in this country. We have to start fixing home first! I’m going to start an organization to send all orphaned American children to countries across the world so that they will have a better chance at being adopted. I love me some Angie but I don’t know how they can walk the streets with their rainbow coalition from across the globe all the while ignoring the children here that need families. I mean if you want a family that looks like a Marble Cake then fine. However as big time humanitarians and philanthropist could you also please do something to at least make American Adoptions easier and more attractive to American families? Thanks.

Gregory Roberson: I don’t really see much wrong with this.  At the end of the day, these celebrities have the freedom to adopt whoever they want.  Whether we should dictate what nationality that should be limited to is unfair and paternalistic.  Finding a home for thousands of children might possibly never have the impact of raising one and loving it as your own when, in many instances, no one else would do so.

Makia Kambon: I once heard a quote that “Humanitarians are so concerned with the forest that they forget about the trees.” Madonna and Angelina are world humanitarians that contribute their time and money to support their philanthropic interest in many countries across the globe. If they want to pick one tree out of this global forest, then more power to them. Plus, I applaud anyone who takes care of kids that don’t belong to them.

Eddie Maisonet: I think both options are correct, the dilemma in Africa is beyond belief and anything celebrities can do to shed light on the problems in the mother land is a great idea. However, I would like to see America take care of…America. That’s what killed me in the Bush administration, that we were so concerned on all of these overseas issues that we never take care of home. I bet Madonna ain’t gonna take in Jammal from Watts who’s mama passed away in a drive-by.

Lovette Ajayi: They say charity begins at home but these people went to the market (not saying Africa my homeland is a marketplace or anything but just using it for analogy…) Mkay I’mo be quiet and just quit while I’m behind.

So I couldn’t quit and wrote a post about it at my blog. Check it.

5. FXP On the Spot: You’ve found Kwame Kilpatrick’s old Blackberry, and it has texts and picture messages from none other than Mrs. Obama. There is no way you can get close enough to the Commander-In-Chief to try and tell him on the low. What do you do?

Jennifer Garrett: Lord Jesus be a fence. I would probably go into shock and take to drinking. Actually, and this is going to sound HORRIBLE. But I would bury that thing. The Obama’s have done so much for Black Love I would refuse to aid in bringing that down. I mean what’s done in the dark always comes to the light, but I won’t be the one shining it. I just couldn’t. I would break it, burn it, bury it, and say a prayer that Mrs. O has a twin sister with the same name and perhaps it was some kinky role playing thing they were into. Or maybe Pres. Obama was in on it, and they were on some WIll & Jada. Whatever the case may be, I would be a Monkey’s Uncle before I destroyed the hope that the Obamas give us.

Gregory Roberson: As terrible as it sounds, I got to sell that bad boy.  I can’t imagine any more powerful and highly valued photo in the world.  I wouldn’t even necessarily sell it to a paper, but to whoever would need/want it most.  I saw that J-Lo got $8 million for first photo rights to her newborns.  I’d be willing to bet that these would go for at least $50 mil to a paper, $100+ mil to the Republican Party, and who knows what the Dems would pay for it.  College tuition for my family is locked up for generations.

Makia Kambon: Immediately I would think what I could get out the deal. That could probably include anything I could imagine. Bottom line is I wouldn’t tell… STOP SNITCHING! LOL.

Eddie Maisonet : Why do I have to do anything, it ain’t none of my business. I ain’t no snitch. Maybe he already know, Kwame could be sliding him some dough to keep it on the low. Maybe that’s why Detroit’s in such an economic decline, Obama’s taking the money out of his city. General Motors you get no money!

Lovette Ajayi: PSHT! I aint saying NOTHING! And ruin that utopic visual of Black love? I’d just need my 3rd eye to go blind as I act like I didn’t see it.

Tagged as: Barack Obama, Kwame Kilpatrick, Michelle Obama, Mike Vick, Plies, Queen Elizabeth

Article by FreshXpress Staff

theFreshXpress.com is a collection of free thinkers and individuals that have come together to give voice to a nation of young African Americans. It is our mission to provide fresh thought, fresh perspectives, and fresh debate on issues relevant to the African American community.

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