A Small Voice In the Nation's Capital! News and issues that you don't get delivered to your front door or tune into at 6 or 11
FROM THE "WHAT HAVE I BEEN TELLING YOU ALL ALONG" FILE
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
and treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
to serve your turn long after they are gone,
and so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you . . .
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it . . .
--Kipling
Where I've Been & What I've Done--The Bio
The search button is FINALLY working! Please take a look at archives and commentaries.
From Dave, a self-described "one of many not-so-angry, compassionate conservative white guy listeners."
"Greetings from a long-time (2 years at least) downloader of the ABW show"Common sense is so addictive! Your comments about overweight, dimple-derriered divas had me laughing so hard I almost drove off the road! But when you focused on the facts about childhood obesity it almost made me cry. It's so sad that the blessing of our nation's food bounty, where not even the poorest go hungry, has resulted in the poorest are at risk for ill health due to overeating. Adults have choices, but kids depend on parents guiding their choices. It's reassuring to hear true community leaders remind parents they have responsibilities. Keep up the good work! I'll keep listening. best, one of your many not-so-angry, compassionate conservative white guy listeners!
Excellent viewpoint and content from Michant2
"Your show is very enjoyable and the content is excellent. I enjoy your point of view on the many subjects that you cover and think that you always hit on things that people are thinking but are afraid to say. It's good to hear someone voice her opinion on relevant topics of today concerning not only black people or black women, but things that affect everyone."
Excellent job on the past 3 shows! from D.H.
"You were awesome as a guest on WWWT-FM. Good job on discussing a wide array of topics including politics, news, education, obese kids, terrible prom attire, etc. . . . I'm looking forward to winning more Sunny James converts . . ."
From Jamie Nero
"I have found your podcasts to be informative, educational and entertaining. In fact, I got a pair of dress shoes repaired after listening to one of your podcasts. Thanks!(I saved some money that day)."
Please, keep sending in those good words. I need your support. Sunny
Did somebody say "support?" Feel free to hit the orange Paypal button to keep The Sunny James Show growing and thriving.
-- Roosevelt Takes A Step Back for Blacks, TIME GET IT!
-- Is There Really a Boy Crisis, Round 10
-- The Promiscuity Vaccine, How Far Will the Right Go? GET IT!
-- Shirley Chisholm's Brooklyn In Jeopardy? GET IT!
-- Ruby Jones one of Newsweek's 15 People Who Made America Great
-- John Q. Porter, Montgomery County Maryland Assistant Superintendent
-- Harlem Puts on the Ritz as Downtown Comes to Visit GET IT!
-- Uncle Tom's Cabin, Now Open for Tours
-- Born to Walk?
-- New Book about Bert Williams, Dancing in the Dark by Caryl Phillips GET IT!
-- Al Green's Too Many and Cannonball Adderley Shows Us Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.Just a couple of songs I've had on my mind. Enjoy
See ya next time, Sunny
Just as a reminder, only the show topics are downloaded with the podcast. Any other ABW musings and astute observations are posted on her website. There are changes underway at the ABW web site. Now there are links to many of the articles and news items. So, if you do want to read an article in its entirety, PDF links and other links are available.
Contrary to news reports, Washington DC has not succumbed to the recent flood waters and been swept away into the Chesapeake Bay. So far 12 inches of rain have fell on the Nation's Capital in four days.But the deluge has not stopped The Angry Black Woman Show with Sunny James and Show #18 from making it to you.
There is some interesting news items included in this show.And I hope you've noticed the links that appear after certain news items.After considerable thought, I decided to include the links to certain stories.I didn't want my listeners to have to go in search of information that I had readily at my fingertips. But as I learned early on in this process, the Great and Wonderful Internet is indeed fallible.So if the links seem to be out to lunch and not working at some point just know I tried.In most cases I will include PDF files which should open automatically in Adobe Acrobat or the Acrobat reader. I will be making gradual changes to the site to create what I had envisioned from the beginning.I hope you bear with me while I make these changes and try to make The ABW's site more functional, helpful and interactive.
So, while you're cruising down the Nile, cavorting along the Pacific or just dangling your toes over the side of your local pier, remember to check in and see what news The ABW has for you.Of particular interest to me for Show #18 were two pieces. The first, an article which reviews a new book about Bert Williams, the legendary and trailblazing vaudeville performer. There is lots of history about African American's role in vaudeville, theatre and performing in black face, but also how they survived racism, race riots and lynching. Also, take your attention to the article about Shirley Chisholm.What a story, what a life!If you're not familiar with the first African American woman in Congress or the first African American woman to run for president, you owe it to your self to become familiar with her story and our Herstory.Take an opportunity to see a recent (June 5, 2006) Peabody Award winning film by Shola Lynch titled Unbought and Unbossed about Shirley Chisholm's 1972 run for president.Shirley Chisholm was a great politician, a spell-binding orator and an amazing woman. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention that Shirley Chisholm's parents were immigrants from Barbados and that is where she received her early education. Her parents sent her BACK to Barbados for a proper British education. Two of her famous quotes:
Of my two "handicaps" being female put more obstacles in my path than being black.
Tremendous amounts of talent are being lost to our society just because that talent wears a skirt.
Just those words alone make being an ABW so much fun.
Show #18
-- Black Men, Revisited. Visit washingtonpost.com for the full series and video component
-- No Way or Any Means for Representative William J. Jefferson
-- Violence with a Vengence in New Orleans
-- The New French Resistance: Hiding Immigrant Children
-- Motherhood a Dying Proposition in Kabul
-- Angola's Mountain of Oil Money Sits Atop of Its Mountain of Waste
-- New Start, Again, for Haiti, Bonne Chance
-- Watch John Run, Watch Jane Read. Boys and Girls Learn Differently
-- High Court Revisits Racial Preferences in College Admissions
-- Geno's Steaks in Philly says, Order in English or Else
-- No Rest for Rosa Parks
-- Starbuck's Venti Will Kill You--Sooner or Later
-- The WEEK's Eric Effron Questions What the Credit Card Companies Want with His High School Son. Americans Have Stopped Saving.
-- Ann Coulter: White Chick Behaving Badly
-- Diary of a Tired Black Man, Where the Beef?
-- PBS airs a Lion in the House; National Geographic Channel airs Drowning New Orleans. Both worth the time.
-- Candy Staton, Ain't She Sweet
See ya next time, Sunny!
Just as a reminder, only the show topics are downloaded with the podcast. Any other ABW musings and astute observations are posted on her website. There are changes underway at the ABW web site. Now there are links to many of the articles and news items. So, if you do want to read an article in its entirety, PDF links and other links are available. (effective with show #18)
The summer weather is upon us here in Washington, DC. While I welcome the down time for the kids, I'm not looking forward to preparation of 3 meals everyday, constant bickering about who watching what on TV and how do I make my own comittment to The Angry Black Woman Show work while the kids are out of school. I'll keep you posted as the time passes.
As I was preparing for this show the grand jury decided not to indict Representative Cynthia McKinney. Hopefully, it will be the last I speak of it.
If any of my listeners know whether "The Diary of A Tired Black Man" has a release date, I like to get that information. Right now it's just a cute 3 minute trailer and as a friend of mine says "the truth [about these issues] lies somewhere in the middle."
Show #17
-- Grand Jury Doesn't Indict McKinney
-- No Way or Any Means for Representative William J. Jefferson
-- Violence with a Vengence in New Orleans
-- The New French Resistance: Hiding Immigrant Children
-- Motherhood a Dying Proposition in Kabul
-- Angola's Mountain of Oil Money Sits Atop of Its Mountain of Waste
-- New Start, Again, for Haiti, Bonne Chance
-- Watch John Run, Watch Jane Read. Boys and Girls Learn Differently
-- High Court Revisits Racial Preferences in College Admissions
-- Geno's Steaks in Philly says, Order in English or Else
-- No Rest for Rosa Parks
-- Starbuck's Venti Will Kill You--Sooner or Later
-- The WEEK's Eric Effron Questions What the Credit Card Companies Want with His High School Son. Americans Have Stopped Saving.
-- Ann Coulter: White Chick Behaving Badly
-- Diary of a Tired Black Man, Where the Beef?
-- PBS airs a Lion in the House; National Geographic Channel airs Drowning New Orleans. Both worth the time.
-- Kai Wright and Mother Jones talk "Upward Mortality"
-- Being a Black Man. The Washington Post Gets It Right
-- Verizon's Pregnant Payday
-- The Period Choices. Yes, that period.
-- Eritrea's Independence
-- What Peace in the Sudan?
-- Liberia's Army Says "yes" to Women
-- Don't Forget to Celebrate JUNETEENTH!
-- Former Governer Wilder and His Slavery Museum
-- The Catastrophe Wasn't Katrina So Says The Washington Post's Eugene Robinson
-- Did Somebody Say CATASTROPHE, They must be talking about the DC SCHOOLS! Yes, in the Nation's Capital, the public school system is broken beyond repair!
-- Books Galore: Black Like You, Slave Religion and Black Men in Interracial Relationships
-- Music is My Muse, Politics My Mistress; The Story of Oscar Brown, Jr. directed by Donnie L. Betts. A documentary about a man I wish was still around.
-- Please take a look at Crisis magazine. It's worth the effort.
That's all for now. I hope to join you again by Father's Day. If I don't, #16 is for black men everywhere. Please take care of yourselves.
See ya next time! Sunny
Breaking News: If ever there was a need for 72 point type, this is it. After 6 very, very, very, very long months without the blessings of the almighty, all knowing, all powerful, all I break you and I make you, ITUNES, has found my lowly little podcast that could worthy of being listed on its sacred listings. They are sending me the illustrated guide to the secret handshake and my special lapel pin asap. In plain language--(drum roll, please)
The Angry Black Woman Show with Sunny James is . . . FINALLY LISTED ON ITUNES.
Hopefully, those listeners who asked about The ABW appearing on iTunes are still around and interested in what I've got say. Now you can easily find and download the show.
Just as a reminder, only the show topics are downloaded with the podcast. Any other ABW musings and astute observations are posted on her website. There are changes underway at the ABW web site. Now there are links to many of the articles and news items. So, if you do want to read an article in its entirety, PDF links and other links are available. (effective with show #18)
SURPRISE! I'm back. Thanks for joining me again so quickly. I always said that I wanted to do this program weekly. But with so many issue swirling during the winter and early spring it was a lofty goal. But my most immediate difficulties have passed and while I know others lurk just around the bend, I hope I meet them with as much fortitude and positive energy as I met my challenges with last winter.
There are several items that I want to draw your attention to once again or if you haven't listened to the program yet.
Please read "Upward Mortality" by Kai Wright. The article can be found in the June edition of Mother Jones magazine or at Kaiwright.com.
Also, make an effort to read the series in The Washington Post on "Being a Black Man."
Please look out for Music is My Muse, Politics My Mistress; The Story of Oscar Brown, Jr. directed by Donnie L. Betts.
If you're in the Washington, DC area, stop by the Mocha Hut on U Street to check out local photograper, Douglas Turner's pictures of the Galopogos Islands. And don't forget to get a bite to eat!
That's all for now. I hope to join you again by Father's Day. If I don't, #16 is for black men everywhere. Please take care of yourselves.
Show Notes #16
-- Kai Wright and Mother Jones talk "Upward Mortality"
-- Being a Black Man. The Washington Post Gets It Right
-- Verizon's Pregnant Payday
-- The Period Choices. Yes, that period.
-- Eritrea's Independence
-- What Peace in the Sudan?
-- Liberia's Army Says "yes" to Women
-- Don't Forget to Celebrate JUNETEENTH!
-- Former Governer Wilder and His Slavery Museum
-- The Catastrophe Wasn't Katrina So Says The Washington Post's Eugene Robinson
-- Did Somebody Say CATASTROPHE, They must be talking about the DC SCHOOLS! Yes, in the Nation's Capital, the public school system is broken beyond repair!
-- Books Galore: Black Like You, Slave Religion and Black Men in Interracial Relationships
-- Music is My Muse, Politics My Mistress; The Story of Oscar Brown, Jr.directed by Donnie L. Betts. A documentary about a man I wish was still around.
-- Please take a look at Crisis magazine. It's worth the effort.
See ya next time! Sunny
Breaking News: If ever there was a need for 72 point type, this is it. After 6 very, very, very, very long months without the blessings of the almighty, all knowing, all powerful, all I break you and I make you, ITUNES, has found my lowly little podcast that could worthy of being listed on its sacred listings. They are sending me the illustrated guide to the secret handshake and my special lapel pin asap. In plain language--(drum roll, please)
The Angry Black Woman Show with Sunny James is . . . FINALLY LISTED ON ITUNES.
Hopefully, those listeners who asked about The ABW appearing on iTunes are still around and interested in what I've got say. Now you can easily find and download the show.
As this season of caps
and gowns proud parents and cheering friends and family is coming into full
swing--I'd like you to consider this.At
the graduation exercise, be it from kindergarten to first grade, elementary to
junior high school, high school to college or college to the real world, the
commencement speaker is the one who is called on to encourage, entice and
motivate even the littlest of graduates to pursue their dreams and to make mom
and dad proud.
But in this age of "Q"
scores and star power and the overall obsession with stars lives--obviously,
because our real lives aren't and have never been good enough--each rite of
passage needs its accompanying star, the person charged with saying "you too
can have a life like mine"or "I'm
worthy of imitation and emulation." Is there any wonder why kids and adults
alike are so obsessed with what Halle, Paris and Angelina wore to some celebrity ball where
diamonds are served with the champagne or the depressing knowledge that their
new 10 billion square foot home will be too small for them in a year or
so.
We have appear in front
of the graduates from their very first graduation, the most newsworthy and
richest people we can find who are willing to speak at the commencement.Is it any wonder that little Suzie and
Anthony may not think much of the quality of the lives of the people around
them, their very own parents, guardians, friends and neighbors?Those lives lived with dignity determination
and an unwavering belief in that kid in the cap and gown.The commencement speaker is charged with
lighting a fire under the graduates, by the very sound of their voice or very
presence at the podium, compel them to greatness.You remember the old saying "go out and seek
your fame and fortune."It's a
philosophy that built America and made stars and robber barons who names we
still speak of with admiration and envy.But it is also a philosophy that is beginning to undo our social and
cultural underpinning.
So at this graduation
season, I encourage the recent or soon to be graduates to believe in themselves and their
success with as much ferocity as those people who stood behind them for all
those years believed in them.And I
encourage them to go into their own communities or the world at large and find
a way to be of service.To the 2007
graduation planning committees of colleges and high schools across the country,
my grandmother is available for speaking engagements; she's the wisest, most
humble person I know. Why not start
teaching young minds that quality, strength, determination, and riches can be
found right in their own back yards and communities.Perhaps if we stop showing these young people
how to worship stars and money, they may actually go out and fix some of the
mess we've left for them.So with that
said congratulations Class of 2006!
-- The ABW Commentary--Graduations. Whose pomp(ous) and what circumstance?
-- See Barack Run? TIME's Joe Klein says he Isn't Not
-- White Guilt, When? Where? What world does George F. Will of Newsweek live in? The world according to Shelby Steele of course!
-- The Gangs of New Orleans. New Orleans moved and they found it again. Let the murder, meyhem, death and dismemberment begin. And you better keep your mouth shut. Yahoo, y'all!
-- Stepping Over the Line. A brief story of immigration from the other side of the fence.
-- The Strange Genius of Oprah from The New Republic
-- All the fluff that's fit to print. The big cover up, why women of color can't find good cosmetics from the Villiage Voice
-- My confused and angry wash and go hair
-- Corey Harris doesn't have to ask for directions from Mississippi to Mali
Just as a reminder, only the show topics are downloaded with the podcast. Any other ABW musings and astute observations are posted on her website. There are changes underway at the ABW web site. Now there are links to many of the articles and news items. So, if you do want to read an article in its entirety, PDF links and other links are available. (effective with show#18)See ya next time, Sunny.
Thank you for joining me for Show #15. I was pleased with the response to the last show. Not that I was the apple of everyone's eye, but least people are thinking. It's always a difficult decision to take on people and institutions that have always been a part of your community, locally or nationally. But, of course, I've always been the one to say that "the emperor has no clothes on." I hope that the Congressional Black Caucus will recogonize that the course of professional aggrandizement and self promotion can not and will not help Black America--but of course it hasn't been about that for a very long time. The annual love fest-cum-fashion show, commonly known as--yes, I meant "commonly" that way--"Caucus Weekend" has been a sham for so long, it doesn't even recognize itself. If there is a REAL agenda for Black America that comes out of that meeting every fall, it's been MIA for so many year now that not even Jack Bauer in 48 could track it down.
To you folks that thought me disrespectful of black preachers and the black church--get over it. Maybe you're too afraid to ask where your dollars are going--apparently, to lot'o life size posters and cut outs. Perhaps when you're ready to buy a home in the next millennium, when housing prices drop below 700K for a 1 bedroom/half bath, you can ask, "Pastor, can you spare a dime?"
If anyone is wondering about my all out girly issues at the end of the show--you know, the make up and hair bit at the end--don't panic. Just something a bit light, it's summer after all and ABWs everywhere have these issues. When I designed the logo for the show last year, I immediately started calling it the "angry hair" logo (you know, black women and hair issue--inseparable). I didn't realize then how that sentiment would come full circle and who the messenger would be (you have to listen to find out). So here's to summer, being hot, sweat, bad nappy hair, good nappy hair, loose, swayin' in the breeze linen drapped over swayin' in the breeze hips of all shapes and sizes. Let the sounds of Corey Harris waft through your space, take a long drink from a very tall, very cold glass of iced tea and STAY COOL!
Show #15
-- Listener mail
-- The ABW Commentary--Graduations. Whose pomp(ous) and what circumstance?
-- See Barack Run? TIME's Joe Klein says he Isn't Not
-- White Guilt, When? Where? What world does George F. Will of Newsweek live in? The world according to Shelby Steele of course!
--The Gangs of New Orleans. New Orleans moved and they found it again. Let the murder, meyhem, death and dismemberment begin. And you better keep your mouth shut. Yahoo, y'all!
-- Stepping Over the Line. A brief story of immigration from the other side of the fence.
-- The Strange Genius of Oprah from The New Republic
-- All the fluff that's fit to print. The big cover up, why women of color can't find good cosmetics from the Villiage Voice
-- My confused and angry wash and go hair
-- Corey Harris doesn't have to ask for directions from Mississippi to Mali
Just as a reminder, only the show topics are downloaded with the podcast. Any other ABW musings and astute observations are posted on her website which is unbelievably free of links and ads (which may be a unfortunate testment to her website's popularity, but that's an issue for another time.)
