Ive got 99 problems and Jay-Z is one.

In order for viable role models to rise up from the African-American community, behavior exhibited by artists like Young Jeezy, Jay Z, etc must be castigated. This has no place in American society and should be deplorable to all the strong African-American men and women that endured racism and slavery and fought for Civil Rights in this country.

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.

Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--

I, too, am America.
Langston Hughes

Well Mr Hughes, you're right more than you know. Indeed, tomorrow has come. The darker brother doesn't eat in the kitchen anymore, but instead, the White House and we all admire the beauty and fortitude. Sadly though, you're right, I am ashamed. I'm ashamed that through social progression and therefore equality, many have refused to relinquish their bigotry and self entitlement. Langston Hughes, Fredrick Douglass, MLK, Harriet Tubman, among others would be ashamed at the behavior and so-called leadership exhibited by modern-day black (pa)role models in the entertainment industry. Until divergent culture stops becoming a podium for perpetuating racism and starts becoming an instrument for social integration or at worst expressive diversity as it was in the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes singing America will be lost in translation. Jay-Z and Young Jeezy are ignorant imbiciles. They're an embarrassment to America. As a strong leader and great example to everyone, I wish President Obama would put on record that these two people couldn't score high enough to clip the roses in the rose garden of the White House. Ignorance never ceases to amaze me.

HE DID WHAT?!?!?

According to Reuters, an Egyptian man offered his daughter to wed the reporter that threw his shoe at President Bush. This is a classic example of how no matter what we(Westerners) do, we'll never understand and/or relate to their culture. Let's recreate that scenario in America. There is no way a man in the US would be admired for throwing a shoe at the Presient. It's a shoe. No C4, no sharp edge, just a shoe. We have Mac-10's and grenades in elementary schools. We have liqour stores next to pawn shops with automatic weapons. This guy would get his lunch money taken and his ass beaten on the playground. He would be the laughing stock of all radical protesters in America. PETA would be gangsta compared to this guy. Not in Egypt or Iraq, though; instead, he's a hero, worthy of "giving" your daughter to marry. Wow. Further evidence, this is a war we can never win.


CAIRO (Reuters) - An Egyptian man said on Wednesday he was offering his 20-year-old daughter in marriage to Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi, who threw his shoes at U.S. President George W. Bush in Baghdad on Sunday,

The daughter, Amal Saad Gumaa, said she agreed with the idea. "This is something that would honor me. I would like to live in Iraq, especially if I were attached to this hero," she told Reuters by telephone.

Her father, Saad Gumaa, said he had called Dergham, Zaidi's brother, to tell him of the offer. "I find nothing more valuable than my daughter to offer to him, and I am prepared to provide her with everything needed for marriage," he added.

Zaidi's gesture has struck a chord across the Arab world, where President Bush is widely despised for invading Iraq in 2003 and for his support for Israel.

Amal is a student in the media faculty at Minya University in central Egypt.

Zaidi's response to the proposal was not immediately clear.

W floats like a butterfly...

I know you've all seen this by now, but it's too good not to comment. Nothing about this video should surprise you. I'm just thankful it wasn't a flaming dagger, an anthrax filled balloon, or gourd of frankincense and myrrh. One thing about the video does surprise me though...he threw official shoes and not sandals. When did this desert footwear transition happen? Where have I been? I need to really brush up on middle eastern fashion...I've really let myself go.