The "retardation" of Africa:Colonialism and white supremacy to blame for poverty in Africa, not low IQ says race professor

A Liverpool-born associate professor from Miami University in the USA has hit back at an LSE researcher who claims that low IQ is to blame for poverty in Africa, citing colonialism and white supremacy for its under-development.

Scientific racism reached its peak during European chattel enslavement

A Liverpool-born associate professor from Miami University in the USA has hit back at an LSE researcher who claims that low IQ is to blame for poverty in Africa, citing colonialism and white supremacy for its under-development.

The row erupted after Asian lecturer Satoshi Kanazawa recently published research in the British Journal of Health Psychology claiming that low intelligence is the cause of poverty, disease, low life expectancy and high infant mortality on the African continent.

Kanazawa’s research compared the IQ scores with indicators of poor health in 126 countries and claimed that the countries with the poorest health have the lowest IQ ratings. The findings already attracted criticism from development NGO War on Want, who said that similar theories had already been disapproved and accused Kanazawa of rekindling “racist stereotypes.”

But an LSE spokesperson defended Kanazawa’s right to publish the research on the grounds of academic freedom, saying that his evidence was based on empirical data. But theories denigrating African people are nothing new. Dr Mark Christian, Associate Professor at Miami University who was born in Liverpool told Black Britain:

“There will always, I'm sorry to say, be views from people of colour who've been educated in the West and from a Western point of view that will fall prey to pseudo-scientific theories that consider Africans or Asians as not as intelligent as those persons considered "White" of European origin.”

Read the rest on Black Britain!

Commentary of the week: For all the defeated Black Republicans......

Well, Michael Steele here in Maryland never had a chance at winning the Senate race, despite taking those cute pictures with a dog he doesnt even own and looking like a big smiley b--ch all the time, but this article on BAW has some good tips for other Black Republicans who need to up their ante with the black community.....

They need to stop with the condescension and cheap psychology -- like claiming that that black people are stuck on the “Democratic plantation.” What that implies is that black Democrats have a slave mentality. It’s offensive in that it implies that most of us vote Democratic because white Democrats tell us to do so; that we’re too passive or stupid to compare the records and the facts for ourselves.

I choose to remove myself from that Republicrap foolishness and be an independent. But its funny watching you all go back and forth at each other; kinda like Jim Jones vs. Jay Z; an entertaining and sad spectacle.

Harsh Times....my review....

Harsh Times on IMDB What I expected this movie to be about when I saw the preview weeks ago was a Mexican thug who becomes a cop and ends up in a tug of war mentally between the streets and his role as a cop. Instead what I saw was something of a cross between Training Day and Friday. It was a story about the lives of 2 Latinos in the barrio of Echo Park in LA. Like most kids who done dirt in the hood and the main character did dirt in Iraq, they got issues but their lives have come to a point where they are going to leave the past behind, get real jobs and go straight. However, the hood is still in them; they are into drugs, cheap liquor, scuffling with the local gangs and traffiking dope. All this drama leads to a vague but disturbing climax as the hood takes these guys under.

What I liked about this movie:

The setting....there hasn't been any movies lately that capture that East LA flava; I think this caught that in the best way ever since Mi Vida Loca back in 1993.

The women...Or should I say "Firme Hienas"(thats Latin Lingo there for ya)?All the ladies in this flick were hella tight! The main character had a girl he was going to marry who lived in Mexico; and she was the bomb. You dont see many hot Latinas in the movies these days, but there were plenty in this movie.

The Latino street culture...This movie portrayed it well, at least as good as it gets in the movies.

The message.....I thought that despite all the flaws this movie had, there was a positive message for all the youngsters out there who are attracted to the "thug life", and this movie addressed the affects of war on peoples psyche, and the sacredness of human life.

What I Didn't Like......

The soundtrack....Im not talking about what they will put out in the stores, but what I heard in the movie. Instead of some LA gangsta rap, reggeaton, or even salsa, I heard alot of old stuff I havent heard in like 12 years, like the 2 Live Crew, MC Breed, and the song "Dazzey Dukes". West Coast Latino rap is getting popular, and there are plenty of artists out like Mr Shadow, Mr Sancho, Lil' Rob, NB Ridaz, Mr Capone-E, and the list goes on. Also, why no special appearences of these rappers, or maybe even B-Real, Sen Dog, Frost, Chino XL, T-Bone, etc could have had guest appearences or cameos in the movie.

Christian Bale....he was so annoying. I think he was good for the part, but why all the serious overacting?

Uneccesary drama...In one scene, they are sitting in a bar, and some guy they are doing "bizness" with gets murdered, and hes all on the ground, bleeding and blood is all over the ground. That was one scene that didnt add or take away from the story, really. This and some other scenes were too over the top and excessive.

The ending...On the one hand, you can take the ending and read too much into the symbolism and hidden meanings of the movie. On the other hand, you can just come to the conclusion that this movie was going nowhere and needed to end in any way possible because people's patience generally runs out after two hours.

If you havent seen it yet....I suggest, wait for it to come out on DVD! That should be next month. Check out the review on PopMatters

INTERVIEW WITH RAP GROUP RHYTHM RUCKUS -VERMONT HOMEGROWN IS BACK!

Dr. Caucasian and Scribe1 are Rhythm Ruckus. Since their live debut, opening for Ol' Dirty Bastard in 2004, they have been the go-to supporting act for national rap artists touring in New England. Now located in NYC and Boston respectively, Doc and Scribe are working toward breaking Rhythm Ruckus on a major scale. In the past two years, they've recorded the “Narcotico Spectre Trilogy” of EPs and played shows with C-Rayz Walz, Immortal Technique, Gift of Gab (of Blackalicious), Breez Evahflowin', Mike Relm (of Invisibl Skratch Piklz), Zion I, Jedi Mind Tricks, Sabac Red (of Non Phixion), LIFE Long, and Q-Unique. Rhythm Ruckus has also headlined shows at Galapagos, Bowery Poetry Club, Skidmore College, Tufts University, Marymount Manhattan College, Hampshire College, Pearl Street and the Iron Horse (Northampton, MA). Rhythm Ruckus' latest industry demo was produced by the legendary Nonezeo (Notorious B.I.G., Vast Aire, Black Rob) and recorded at the Dojo in Brooklyn. They've recently collaborated on tracks with Breez Evahflowin' and Chris Ballew of the Presidents of the United States of America. Dr. Caucasian’s solo LP “Fucking Try Me” was released in the Fall of 2005. The next Rhythm Ruckus LP "We Blow Minds For A Living" will be released in Winter 2006. Check out my interview with the controversial, thought provoking lyricists Rhythmn Ruckus!

1) For the people who don't know, tell us your group name, your names, and what city are your repping? That’s Rhythm Ruckus out of Saxtons River, VT. Scribe1 is now located in Boston; Dr. Caucasian is now located in New York City.

2) What group or MC was the most influential in getting you to rap and in your rhyme style? We grew up on NWA, Biggie, Busta Rhymes, Cypress Hill, cats like that. As far as the style, that’s an amalgamation of everything under the sun. No genre limitations, no concern for image or what’s considered cool, we don’t care.

3) Collaborating with Chris Ballew of the Presidents of the USA must have been interesting. What came out of that? Nothing really came out of it per say except we got to work with one of our all-time heroes and idols as kids and PUSA is still killing shit. We might do something again in the future.

4) Tell me about your upcoming album, “We Blow Minds For A Living.” We Blow Minds For A Living represents the death and re-birth of hip-hop on our own terms. It ain’t even a rap record, it’s a cataclysmic event.

5) Do you think that in this day and age, hip hop and politics can co-exist? Of course. Rap music is a commentary on society and politics are always going to be inflammatory to the point that lots of motherfuckers have to speak on the subject.

6) You've played shows with a ton of artists. My favorite of your list was Immortal Technique. What do you think was your best show or the show that was the best experience of all the shows you ever played? Every show is our favorite; we especially enjoy playing with cats that we respect immensely and finding that they’re actually cool people.

7) What audience are you trying to get to and reach with your music? Also, where can I or anybody else get your music? Rhythm Ruckus is for everybody that’s mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. A lot of stuff is available at http://www.ruckusnet.com/– go get it! We Blow Minds For A Living will be in a store near you when it surfaces.

8) Any shout outs or anything else you want to tell the people? The only difference between now and the Holocaust is there wasn’t advertising on the box cars.

This should be interersting; the BET Hip-Hop Awards is coming along......

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Black Entertainment Television Friday announced a stellar lineup for the 2006 BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta.

On the roster for the Nov. 15 awards ceremony are Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Young Jeezy, The Game and others, BET said. The BET Hip-Hop Awards were created to celebrate the history and culture of hip-hop.

Hosting the awards will be comedian and actor Katt Williams. Joining Williams will be Grandmaster Flash, who received the I Am Hip-Hop Icon Award, BET said. Flash is credited with helping to make hip-hop into a musical genre.

BET will also feature the unveiling of the Best United Kingdom Hip-Hop Act as part of the awards show, a news release said.

Source:UPI

Week in review 10/23-10/27

I started out the week listening to the CD for the funk/latino/rap group 40 Watt Hype, and I wanted to write a review, but I just didnt have the time. It's a good CD available for download on Emusic, and I'm going to write that review this week for sure. On Tuesday, I read about "Gangs and Street Power" which is part of a series being written by Darryl James of EUR Web about gangs and their birth. In this part he talked about how drugs and guns came into the whole gang thing as an initiation into street organizations. On Wednesday, it was all about white America scrutinizing the black senators who are trying to make a come up. Its funny how in articles like "Obama is overrated" and then the anti Harold Ford political advertisment showing how he is "messing with white girls" like it really matters makes you think that white America doesn't want black politicians to succeed. Harold Ford will be the second black senator after Obama if he wins. And regardless of whether he wins a senate seat in Maryland or not, in terms of blackness, this punk Michael Steele does not count. I dont care if Russell Simmons is supporting him. Quite frankly, I dont care who Russell Simmons supports!On Thursday, I found an interesting definition in Wikipedia-"Black Supremacy" On Friday, I was wondering, why are 2Pac fans (most of whom probably didn't like his music when he was alive)mad about the upcoming 2Pac album that Afeni is putting out?

Seriously to diss an album you never heard is really a depressing look at some of the fan base that Tupac has. A world loved icon not only in hip hop culture; but Tupac was a poet, actor, writer, activist and a strong Black man who made his mark in this world and is due more respect than he is showed. The most distressing thing is to see Afeni have to go thru this with every album that Amaru puts out.

But these people who are mad are the same ones who brought that crappy 2Pac album that Eminem put out a couple years ago. If Eminem put out this one, they'd buy 2 copies of each and tell everybody else to do the same. Screw 'em.

The tramp stamp?

I dont know what it is with me, but I felt the urge to do some research on the origins and stigmas surrounding the lower back tattoo AKA "tramp stamp". I couldn't believe it, but there is even a definition on Wikipedia! What is the origin of this design? Is it merely for whores, sluts and strippers?

Quite simply, the reason people get lower back tattoos vary, but the simple stigmas surrounding them exist, as can be seen in random Google and Yahoo! searches:

BabyNamesWorld.com: "I am afraid to say but yes they are indeed known by that and aka c_m target. Guys are not nice about this. Look nice, can hide, but labels you as a [she-goat] I like them but wouldnt get one for that reason."

Raven Mack:"America’s a great place because there’s all kinds of weird shit around to occupy time, whether it be drugs or porn or weird chicks with tattoos on their lower back highlighting the fat ass they’re barely covering up with a pair of blue jeans."

Mother Tongue Annoyances: "Let me repeat what I think is a key part of the Wikipedia definition: "the lower back tattoo functions as body decoration, while underlining sexual attractiveness." "

E's Surf Report:Speaking of that tramp stamp, big stripper/slut tatoos on the lower back, I saw the funniest thing this weekend at the 24 Hr Fitness off of Bryant. There was this short dude, in his 30's, with a flabby behind that was walking butt naked in front of me to the showers. The guy had a big stripper tatoo above his ass on the lower back. It was so hilarious!

And I can go on for ages...the whole idea is that the lower back tattoo seems to be synonymous on a surface level with whores, sluts and strippers. It simply is, as the guy in the Wedding Crashers movie said, a "bulls eye" for Playboys!

However, I came upon this site "The Tao of Tattoos", and as much as I am always doing research to get to the root of something, I found this interesting quote:

According to ancient beliefs the lower back is an area that has a lot of stored energy in the form of 'kundalini' so this may explain why people are naturally drawn to this area. A lot of people have reported extraordinary sensations when getting lower back tattoos done. Kundalini is a Sanskrit word whose essential meaning is circular or winding. It is also a name used in Yoga for a snake like inner energy. It is believed that this energy was stored in the lower back area.

Now, this doesn't mean that a woman who has a lower back tattoo put it on there because of some ancient beliefs. Truth of the matter is that she may be a stripper, a whore, or a slut on one hand, but on the other hand she might be just a trend follower or somebody who got the lower back tattoo because she thought it looked sexy! Following that logic, its one thing to put on a pair of lower rider jeans to look sexy; styles can be switched up. But, a lower back tattoo is something that more or less could be for life, even after the novelty of it has came and went (if that kind of novelty has such a short life.)

I admit, I like them, I think they are hot, but as I have shown in this post, the stigmas surrounding them are too negative, and though nobody should care if they are labeled a slut or a tramp, and the fact that nobody should be seeing it unless they show it to the whole world, all things should be considered........

How could we forget....???

Trips me out how alot of this generation of hip hop fans can break down Tupac's life story down to every date, place and event that Tupac ever experienced, but when it comes down to other history, they remain totally ignorant.

Like this week marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Black Panther Party. However, unless you watch History TV or C-SPAN, you would never know it!

I guess given that its an old school thing, a whole other generation and time, and alot of these kids might think, "If that group were so great, then why are things still so messed up today?"

That whole era of the late eighties, with Public Enemy teaching kids about Assata and Huey Newton, made movements like that relevant to us who lived at that time. When that got played out (after the movie Malcolm X came out), and when "gangsta" moved in, that paved the way for somebody like Tupac to replace Malcolm X as a relevant figurehead for black history.

I still think that the legacy of the Panthers is relevant for this generation and beyond. Check out BlackPanther.org to see what I am talking about.

Washington Post:Pulse of Go-Go, Promise of Peace Mingle at D.C. Dance Event for Youth

The teenagers started lining up early on the lilac stairs, arriving by Metro, bus and car and on foot. Word had spread: The Market Lounge in Northeast was playing go-go.

At the door, they waved their ID cards, and soon they were in the middle of a throbbing dance floor, 100 teenagers dancing elbow to elbow, holding up T-shirts honoring their dead homies and flashing neighborhood signs with their fingers: Lench Mob (Woodland Terrace), Choppa City (Anacostia), Simple City (Benning Terrace).

That's about the time at many go-gos that fights break out and someone winds up shot or dead. But here, the two police officers assigned to the event didn't budge, pretty certain there'd be no trouble.

These teens and preteens trained -- took lessons -- to come to this club.

They sat through two documentaries. They endured tough-love lectures.

They made a pledge: We will not come to go-gos to settle scores. We will not fight. We will abide by the rules and be respectful.

Check out the rest in the Washington Post

Yasmin Shiraz talks politics of hip hop culture

Author and former Mad Rhythms magazine publisher, Yasmin Shiraz is embarking on a series of book talks-dubbed the Politics of Hip Hop Culture tour-on college campuses and bookstores discussing the behind-the-scenes politics of hip hop culture. Drawing on her 12 years involved in the entertainment industry as publisher, marketing consultant, journalist, and researcher, Shiraz has crafted two breakout novels that drip of realism, dramatic storytelling and backstage incidents that you won't see on television.

Read more about it on Frost Illustrated!

Visit her blog at Yasminshiraz. blogspot.com

Miss New York....


You just have to love New York from the "Flavor of Love" show; she's crazy, and she just makes me laugh. No shame in her game. She curses, she smokes, she argues with the other girls at the drop of a hat! Every major issue a woman could have, she has. But I can't help it, I luv her to death! Will she be Miss Flav? It's 9 PM, and I am waiting.......

Miss New York, in her own words....."[Will I do it again?] Ummm, probably…..NOT. What it is is that the success of the show, it's a great show. I often watch the show, I love the show, but you gotta remember I never went on the show to be famous. I just went on the show to give my heart to a wonderful man and to see if we can be together or not. Yeah, I am a little tired of the camera action." See, now doesn't that prove this show is real?

Don't be ashamed....say it loud!


"I'm a little mortified to tell some of my co-workers that I'm into the show," Toni Rasavong, an intern at CBS5-TV in San Francisco, says sheepishly. "They work on news programs with serious subject matter. And 'Flavor of Love' ... well, it's just kind of trashy."

Say it loud, I like trash and I'm proud! On the real though, I tell everybody that Im into Flavor Flav. Do I care what people think? Hell naw! Matter of fact, I hope they take offense...

Read more about this "shame" in the Contra Costa Times....

Why can't I quit u, Flav????


I've had my eyes glued to the Flavor of Love show all season and today, almost all day. I just can't stop! Even though I've seen every show I have to watch them again! Plus, I'm just all up in arms waiting for the season finale! Who will he pick to be "his girl"? Will it be the superbiootch New York or the halfway decent halfway busted looking Delishis? Im betting it will be Delishis. I just cant wait to see! Plus New York's mother is like totally scary! I know I've said this show is stupid and ignorant and Flav is a total stereotype and whatnot, but I just can't get enuff!

It's all about Flavor Flav! Yeah boy!

No More Boondocks?

Universal Press Syndicate announced on Monday that Aaron McGruder's wildly popular comic strip "The Boondocks" will be ending this November.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the comic strip, which is currently in reruns, was initially set to return with new material in October but Universal reportedly said that it could not get a commitment from McGruder on when, or if, he would return to work on the strip.

McGruder announced a six-month sabbatical in March reportedly to concentrate on other projects including the animated version of "The Boondocks" for Cartoon Network. While the strip is ending syndication, the cartoon will continue to be in production.

"Aaron is a brilliant cartoonist who brought a revolutionary voice to the comic pages," Universal President Lee Salem said. "Our hope is that we can work with him in the future, either in newspapers or in different media"

The strip began in April 1999 and at its peak had about 300 clients, according to Universal. The comic also spawned several book-length collections including Boondocks: Because I Know You Don't Read The Newspaper, A Right To Be Hostile and Public Enemy #2.
Newspapers and other media outlets currently carrying the strip will be allowed to until November 26.

Also:Beanie Sigel, "I Am No Longer Under Def Jam, Signed With Def Jam, Or Dealing With Def Jam Or Roc-A-Fella At All" and Method Man Not Dropped From Def Jam, Says Label Reps

Source: SOHH

Hip hop music fans have more sex: Study

After reading this....Fans of hip hop music are likely to have had more sexual partners in the last five years while many of those who prefer classical strains will have tried cannabis, according to a study released on Thursday.

I'm wondering, more sex than people who listen to jazz? Amazing!

Read more about it in Times Of India

Crackheads Gone Wild

I often forget that there still is a "crackhead" culture. I remember when I see crackheads on the streets of DC or in Maryland. But this is off the hook: somebody made a DVD called "Crackheads Gone Wild". The things people will do for $. This is crazy!

The stupid things college kids do.....

After reading this....Seventy-four members of the Florida A&M University Marching 100 have been placed on academic probation and, separately, the entire band faces possible suspension after accusations that some members stole sheets, pillows and other articles from a hotel after a road game in Detroit.

I'm just shaking my kid, wondering how kids are going to blow a whole season over some sheets and towels. Stupid! Think, kids, think. I'll bet they didnt even need the towels or sheets; they probably just thought stealing them would be "the cool thing to do." Dummies!

Read more in Black College Wire

9/13/1996-The day the music died....
I like that song "American Pie" which has that line "the day the music died". It wasnt that literally rock n' roll died, it was that pretty much an era ended and in came in a couple of years of really bad rock music until Hendrix got big.

For hip hop, Tupac's death was alot like when Buddy Holly died. However, Tupac's death differs in context; what Tupac rapped about, the life he chose as oppossed to the life he had the potential to live, the mentality he preached as a reaction to the establishment, and what he stood for.

I saw the movie Resurrection today and what suprised me about Tupac was how articulate he was. Back in the mid 90s most rappers like all the guys down with the Wu-Tang Clan and the Lost Boyz, they were the stars, but when they got interviewed, they just came off as ignorant and dumb in my opinion, saying "You know what Im saying?"at the end of each statement, or some other dumb played out hip hop cliche.

Not Tupac. When the camera was on him, he spoke using proper English, grammer, and the occasional "you know" but everybody talks like that. Tupac could get around regular street cats and speak their language, but he could still present himself in such a way that showed his true intelligence.

I'm like damn, I'd give up all the rappers today to just get Tupac back, for real. Let him be the only rapper, because 97.5% of these MC's today dont need to even exist.

The Breakin' DVD collection

Being as into the ol' skool as I have always been, I brought a couple days back a box set of all the Breakdance movies of the early 80's. It included Beat Street and Breakin' 1&2. I just had to have it. Check it out at Freak Film Central.

Check out these hip hop releases for September.

Plus: It's that time of year: The Billboard Awards! And Dallas Cowboys vs. DC Redskins(a very important DC game)!

Why did I sit through that show?

Ok, the MTV VMA'sweren't that bad....I do have a headache now because of it though. Some parts of it were just so annoying (like this Jack Wack, I mean Black, why MTV, why?)He was so unfunny he made Damon Wayans at the BET Awards earlier this summer look like a comic genius. But, the most interesting part was the dude who interrupted when J Lo was giving that award to one of those rock bands for I guess song of the year or video of the year, whatever. That dudes website is MTV6000. He's some guy who crashes award shows and sells DVDs doing it. His site must have been getting a ton of hits because it wouldn't load. I guess I'll check tommorow.