This day in History: Mass joins union

On this date, in 1788, Massachusetts became the 6th state to join the union.

Justin Barrett: The Officer is NOT a Gentleman

When word got out about Boston Police Officer Justin Barrett's comments about Dr. Gates, Jr. and the incident involving Cambridge Police Officer James Crowley, I had a feeling that it would be hard for Office Barrett to prove why he should keep his job.

Well, he was fired by the Boston Police Department on Friday.

George Bush: Not missing you Homie

This is an actual billboard in Minnesota (Wyoming, MN).

It doesn't surprise me because there are people or groups that have
money that they're willing to spend on billboards such as this on.

Now, I would be very surprised if, while driving eastbound on the Mass
Pike, I saw a similar billboard near the Allston/ Brighton toll
plaza. Thank goodness!

Follow Worcester Is MAJOR! at http://Twitter.com/worcismajor.

People of Worcester

As many of you know, recently the Belmont Street Community School here in Worcester was the victim of terrible vandalism. The school was forced to close for three days while it was brought back to working condition. As the grassroots organization that advocates for a better public education for all students in Massachusetts, we wanted to help spread the word about an opportunity to support this school and its students.

Worcester Public School Community Unites
Belmont Street School Fundraiser
Thursday February, 4 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Coral Seafood: 225 Shrewsbury St. Worcester, MA 01604

Kweisi Mfume: The Conversation

I guess the Former NAACP President and U.S. Congressman had some interesting things to say, and I wonder if those that attended got some "gems" from his speech?

If you read the 2 comments that have been posted on the article on the T&G, it leads me to believe that people aren't open to listening, and, while disagreeing, realizing that LIFE is political.

Well, let's see how a speaker such as David Wilson is received when he visits WSC on Feb. 25th to talk about race in America.

Black History Month: Mixed Feelings

I've known Black History Month, which began as Negro History Week in 1926, by Carter G. Woodson, since I was 4-years old. Growing up in a largely Black, West Indian community, it struck me as comical that I was learning about what Blacks had faced in the South, and even what the slaves had faced in the Virgin Islands.

It wasn't until I was in the third grade that it started to make sense and I began to appreciate the contributions by so many determined and selfless Black people. Still, I was perplexed because there were so many contributions made by White, Yellow and other folks, that I struggled to understand why another person would look down on another human being for being 'different'? It took alot of explaining and patience on my parent's part, and, certainly, on my grandparent's part, having been born in 1920 in the British Virgin Islands.

Still, today, some argue that Black History Month should become a thing of the past, because the United States has the first bi-racial (some would argue and say Black) President.

Some see Black History Month or as officially proclaimed by President Obama on Februar 2, 2009, "National African-American History Month.". Obama called for," all people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs that raise awareness and appreciation of African-American history."

While Black History Month has become a fixture in schools, some would ask if we still need to celebrate it in the new century?

Some would argue that Black History Month should be eliminated because it does nothing more than promote division, because of the stain of guilt that many Whites feel. Does this hinder people's growth of accepting differences and having frank conversations about them? Some would say that it does.

So, as I write this on the first day of February 2010, I write this knowing that it's important to know the history and give voice to those that struggled and even died, so that I can write such a piece, as a Black man.

As a race of human beings, we have to learn how to have those uncomfortable conversations without jumping to conclusions; we have to allow human beings to be just that, human beings.

Education, open dialogue,s willingness to learn and think beyond the self is key and that goes for Black, White, Yellow and Brown. We are, after all, One Nation Under A Groove!

Random Grammy Fact

The Black Eyed Peas were the last group Eazy-E signed to Ruthless
Records before he died.

They were called the 'Ahkban Clan' at the time.