This week we have 5 Young Black Americans. 6 Questions.
Sable: 31, Writer/Blogger, Seattle
Nate : 26, Baltimore Orioles Ticket Operations & Fan Services, Baltimore
HollyGoLightly: 29, Operations Manager, Atlanta
Luvvie: 24, marketing coordinator, Chicago
James: 26, project manager, tshirt designer (aTYPICALsOLE), store owner (OTR), Cincinnati
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. The current argument in America is whether or not the First Lady can wear shorts. Of course she can, so lets not ask that. What would the First Lady have to wear for you to REALLY get up in arms?
Sable: Kanye West’s girlfriend’s string bikini. If I see the FLOTUS with nothing more than string up her ass- then we can talk. Until then everyone needs to STFU and sit down. I just love how Michelle is so on point that pundits have nothing more to opine about than what she wore that day. Michelle could run around dressed like Wonder Woman and it would be juuuust fine by me. this is such a huge non-issue, people should be ‘shamed for spending so much damn time on it- except the FXP roundtable, of course.
Nate: As long as she’s not wearing something that could get her posted on hotghettomess.com she’s cool. She would have to be wearing something outrageous or very inappropriate for me to think “really…what made her think that was alright.” Barack would shut it down before she even made it out the house.
HollyGoLightly: For me it would have to take some sever tackiness for me to be like “WTF? Who’s your stylist?” I think she dresses appropriate for the occasion.
Luvvie: The FOTUS can wear whatever she wants, as long as it wasn’t made for Mama Tina’s Fall Collection. Or a BabyPhat jumpsuit.
James: “A bop coat” …you know one of those short winter baby phat joints, with the fur on the hood lmao. Such as the following: http://tinyurl.com/kj7yjh
2. After the AKA President spent almost $1 million dollars of someone else’s money on a wax statue of herself, what other undeserving public figures or celebrities do you see next in line for an infamous tribute?
Sable: I could mostdef see Joe Jackson (MJ’s father) wasting money (and our time) doing something insane like blasting his ashes into space, or hell, even a waxed figure isn’t too far of a stretch. I am sure he’d want it stored right next to that AKA heffa with his hand strategically placed on her wax ass…or her purse.
Nate: I wasn’t sure who to choose for this but I just thought in terms of if this celebrity was gonna be rewarded/recognized prematurely in their career for their “achievements” it would be Lil Wayne.
HollyGoLight: Just because I am an a** I’m just gonna say George Dubbya Bush!
Luvvie: I could see Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson getting a figurine in honor of their permed hair. They’d call it “Fried & Dyed but not quite laid to the side”
James: Shaq
3. An 80-year-old Columbus, OH woman was recently slammed to the ground and arrested after she wielded a knife in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart. After watching the video, were the police justified in their approach to arresting the woman?
Sable: Police are almost never justified (from the peoples’ perspective) in their approach, but as is typical they won’t be held accountable for what they did to that poor woman. Grandma was not a threat, even with the knife. Now, if she’d had a switch, another story entirely.
Nate: I don’t think the actions of the officer were necessary to disarm the elderly lady, but her actions were justified given the situation. She did have a knife, in a public parking lot, and not knowing the mental state of the elderly lady the officer thought it was appropriate to physically remove the weapon from the lady before she either harmed herself or someone else.
HollyGoLightly: I have yet to see the video but just the thought of slamming a poor old woman to the ground is pitiful especially without knowing her state of mind. Like did she have Alzheimer’s? There’s no way they should’ve had to be so forceful with her. (Disclaimer: I have a MAJOR soft spot for the elderly)
Luvvie: The only threat an 80 yr old poses is telling too-long stories (see: don cornelius). The Police were uncouth for that. UN.COUTH.
James: I think it was excessive, but in that woman’s (police officer) mind it might have seemed more extreme. Hindsight is 20/20, but in the middle of what was happening she made a rash decision. I think she should be reprimanded for excessive force, as it was unwarranted, but I wont rule out the possibility if the officer felt threatened in the heat of the moment.
4. Plaxico Burress will soon be sentenced to 2 years in prison for shooting himself in the leg (weapons charge), Mike Vick was just recently released from an 18 month prison bid for killing dogs (running a criminal enterprise across state lines), and Donte Stallworth recently served 30 days in jail for vehicular homicide. Anything wrong with this picture? Or is the criminal justice system doing what its supposed to?
Sable: You know that whole, “driving while Black” thing? We teach our sons and brothers, husbands and fathers how to conduct themselves while behind the wheel so as not to go to jail or worse, get shot by trigger happy police. Apparently we aren’t teaching our Black male athletes that they are not only held to a higher standard than anyone else, but also how to behave so as not to get in trouble. You know you a Negro when you shoot your own damn self, and then go to jail for it. Really? Really?! Mm. Of course the criminal justice system is biased. We know this when we come out the womb. Just because you have a fat contract and White women (yup, I said it) falling all over you does not mean you’re above being singled out and made an example out of.
Nate: There is something wrong with the sentences they received when you do a comparison of the crimes that each individual committed. Stallworth should’ve received the longest sentence for committing vehicular manslaughter, while intoxicated. Vick caught a bad sentence because of the power of groups that advocate for the proper treatment of pets, and that fact they were able to make it a federal charge. Plax should’ve received the lightest sentence because the only person he harmed was himself, but the mayor vowed to punish him to the fullest extent, and make an example of him. At the same time, he didn’t have a license for the gun, so he loses for wearing sweatpants out and not putting the safety on. The criminal justice system is doing what it’s supposed to for the most part, but I still have no idea how Stallworth got out after 30 days.
HollyGoLightly: At first glance one would ask why did Donte only get 30 days and he took a life, but after looking at how the situations were handled by the men the criminal justice system actually did what they were suppose to! Donte manned up for what he did- he called the police and apologized to the family. He showed a lot of remorse. Whereas Vick and Plaxico had no empathy and possessed a “I don’t give a flip” attitude. Most people may think Donte’s sentence was light but he has 10 yrs probation and his license has been banned in florida for life!
Luvvie: I’m sorry but I don’t give 2 damns bout Mike Vick or Plaxico. Besides, I think Plaxico is really going to jail for having such a ridiculous name. His mama ain’t wish him well AT ALL.
James: Laws are highly subjective to where they happen. Plaxico broke the law, flat out. even though he hurt himself, rules are rules. Mike Vick shouldn’t have had to go through what he went thru, but again rules are rules. In my opinion the law (against dog fighting) shouldn’t exist, but since it does he had to do the time. Donte Stallworth; JUST WRONG. However, it also shows that money talks becaused the deceased’s family definitely took the money.
5. The health care debate is turning into an issue like we have never seen before. Are Americans making a big deal over the right issue, or is there another policy issue which you deem to be more pressing right now?
Sable: Far too often we get into the habit of saying “this is more important than this”- we need to break ourselves of that- we’re smart, we can multitask as needed. That said, healthcare has to be dealt with ASAP. The insurance industry is out of control; when you let people die to secure your profit, there is a problem. We, as a country, do need to break the mentality that everything has to be done for profit- just because that’s the way it’s been done in the past doesn’t make it right, and certainly doesn’t mean we should continue to do it. If we woke up tomorrow and the roles were reversed, scared, affluent, White America would be marching on Washington for healthcare. Healthcare for all truly is one of the top moral issues of our time. Not only that, but it will be a huge part of the Obama legacy- and he knows it.
Nate: I understand the concern that people have regarding healthcare but still see issues of education, poverty, housing, and hunger as more pressing issues.
HollyGoLightly: Its a very important issue but for me the focus should be on sending the troops home!
Luvvie: There are always more pressing issues than what the media decide to harp on. For example. Why is Lil Wayne still not being forced into getting a vasectomy, or at least being quarantined somewhere? All that freaking he does with no prophylactics is a public health issue. Which coincidentally brings us back to the need for unversal healthcare. Well, it’s a circle of life indeed.
James: Health care is very important, one of the most important issues in America (a nation supposed of great wealth). I think that it’s worth all the attention if they get it through, but if they don’t then all this commotion would be all for not.
FXP in the Fire: You have two options: Meet your soulmate today and be broke for the next 10 years or be told you’ll never find that person or get married, but you’ll receive one million dollars yearly for the next 10 years. Which do you choose… love or money?
Sable: Love, no question.
Nate: Homeless broke or check-to-check broke??..I’d probably choose the love over money though. I’d definitely be happy getting a mil for the next decade but think having a soulmate would be a source of joy for a much longer period of time, as long as I’m eating and have a place to live I’m good.
HollyGoLightly: The Dreams album come to mind… I’ve been happily single for 10 years and it sure would been nice to have them millions!!! So imma gonna say the money for a million Alex!!
Luvvie: I know a thug like me o_O is supposed to take the money and run but I can be broke as hell. If I have love though, I’d have some form of happiness that money couldn’t buy. This little light of mine will indeed shine.
James: Money. I’ll have my family and friends lol.
That wraps up this week’s roundtable. Let us know what YOU think about these topics in the comment section. If you’re interested in being on a future Fresh Roundtable, contact SWaltonJr@gmail.com.
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.
FreshXpress has written 238 article(s) for us.
Senor_H_El_Jefe (24)
bitter black dude (15)
Abdul Wilson (12)
JG* RunsTheKitchen (12)
the uppity negro (12)
J Mark (11)
Idu Charles (10)
true2me (9)
E. Reed (7)
R0cktheMike (6)
Yvonne (6)
Ashleigh L. A. (5)
blackchild (5)
Garfield (5)
Diggame (4)
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
#1. I honestly feel that it doesn’t matter what the Obama’s they can’t win for losing, many people in this country scrutinize every little thing that they do, they can’t at this point remove them from the position that they are in, so they’ll do their best to make them look bad while they’re there.
#2. I can’t think of anyone, I’ll agree with Joe Jackson, maybe it’ll have the pumpkin head that Jimmy Kimmel digitally adds to him.
#3. Slamming an 80 yr old woman to the ground regardless of her mindset, unnecessary, she had a knife, not a gun.
#4. Plaxico, should serve his time, what if, and I know that it’s what if, but that bullet could have easily injured an innocent bystander, also, why does he have an unlicensed weapon, could he not afford the license, is he a felon, and therefore can’t obtain a license, to bad for him. Mike Vick, I hope sticks with the work that he’s doing with the Humane Society, but what he did, and was involved with was cruel, uncaring, and disgusting. There’s something to be said about a person, that can promote and watch those animals tear into each other the way that they do, it should be illegal, and Vick and whoever else involved in such acts should be punished Some may argue that in ancient times these dog breeds were bread for fighting amongst many other things, but they also chopped peoples head off in those ancient times, would that be okay today. Yeah I’m sure they made examples of Vick and Burress, but they put themselves in that position. As far as Stallworth, I believe that he would be in jail if the deceased family would have fought a little harder, but that falls in the “MONEY TALKS” category. I’m sorry, he may not have ran the person down purposefully, but his reaction may have been a little better if he was sober, besides what ever happened to limo’s. 30 days, and a life was ended, WOW! That’s worth a bit more than 10yrs probation and losing your license in on state. I’m sure he’ll just have someone drive him around, wait if he had done that in the first place he could have avoided this situation altogether.
#5. There are many issues that should be dealt with, I agree with Sable as far as the multitasking goes, but heath care is a huge factor. Although I may be a little biased considering I received a bill for $400 bill because my insurance wouldn’t cover the entire cost of some preventive procedures that needed to be done to prevent me from getting cervical cancer, STRAIGHT B.S, but again, I may be a little biased.
… Right now, I’d choose love, but that could change. J/K