Michael Eric Dyson to Cornel West: You ain't that important

Michael Eric Dyson had some choice words for Cornel West during a panel at the 2014 NAN convention. Part of me is happy that someone has finally called Cornel West on his BS but another wishes that the two could have this discussion in private.

During that panel on the state of black intellectualism Dyson made the following comments:

“The prophetic temptation is to believe your voice is the only voice,” said Dr. Dyson. “[You think that] your vision is the only vision. That’s what makes you a genius at a certain level. That’s the nature of genius — but you’re tripping, because you’re not the only one.”

“I don’t see [humility] in a lot of Negroes talking. They act like it’s ‘my way or the highway’ — you ain’t Frank Sinatra!” he continued. “Howard Thurman said, ‘You can go to the Atlantic Ocean, you can dip your glass into the Atlantic Ocean and it may be full of the Atlantic Ocean — but it ain’t all of the Atlantic Ocean. So stop thinking that your way is the only way. It may be a great way, it may be a powerful way that works for you, but one size don’t [sic] fit all. So be honest and humble in genuine terms — not the public performance of humility masquerading a huge ego. No amount of hair can cover that.”

“I’ve probably known him longer than anybody on this panel. Hung out with him,” Dyson said. “I’ve been a victim of his vicious assaults in public. I’ve held my powder. That ain’t my usual nature. [Dr. Farah Griffin] called me up and I listened to Farah. Because she loves us both [and was] trying to negotiate a cease of hostilities. But I’m not going to pretend that it doesn’t hurt for you to call me a sellout because I disagree with you. You can be ‘ride-or-die,’ but while you’re riding — see who your vehicle is rolling over.”

“With [former President] Bill Clinton, you’re rhapsodizing about access [to the White House] — if access is a problem, it was a problem then. Not because you didn’t get a ticket to go to the inauguration for Obama!” Dr. Dyson stated emphatically. “I’m not talking about just [West], he ain’t the only one. But since he’s been public about it, here’s my response to [his criticism]: I love you, but you can’t talk about love and act unlovingly. It’s the personal assault on Obama that I found problematic, not the principled critique. I’m not mad at principled critique, but you still could be wrong. But when you start indicting my soul like I’ve given my soul over to Obama or the devil — now you’re tripping. You ain’t that important. You’re not God to be able to leverage the divine assignment of privilege or punishment.”

President Obama discusses voting rights at National Action Network Convention

President Barack Obama addressed the 16th annual National Action Network convention in New York Friday where he discussed voting rights and a few other topics. Watch the president's speech below:

It's Ken Griffey Jr's fault that more black kids don't play baseball!

Every year about this time we get the various columns and sports talk radio shows about the declining number of blacks in Major League Baseball. Every year the talking and writing heads regurgitate the same reasons:

* It's not exciting enough. ( It is boring as hell. )

* Parents can't afford to put their kids on travel teams. ( Translated you have to go find baseball when other sports will come to you if you are good. )

* Baseball doesn't market itself properly. ( It doesn't unless you remember seeing The Beatles live on the Ed Sullivan Show. )

* Lack of father's in home equates to lack of interest in baseball. ( Utter BS as people are assuming that ALL dads like baseball. My dad hates it. )

* It's easier to get scholarships in football and basketball. ( It is, see second reason. )

While all may have some merit they all miss the point. You see the reason many black kids don't play baseball is all the fault of MLB superstar Ken Griffey Jr.

Why, you ask?

Because he couldn't stay healthy and give kids something to aspire to when it comes to baseball. In his prime Griffey was Jordan or Lebron to many black kids. He was the last baseball player I remember that had many African American kids and adults rushing out to get his Jersey even if they didn't root for the Seattle Mariners.

He was the last baseball player I remember seeing kids emulate and want to play like. The way he seemed to be having so much fun on the field made baseball look fun and cool to many black kids who otherwise would have ignored it. Black kids could relate to Griffey and wanted to play baseball because of that. It seemed that although normally inept at marketing itself MLB had a gem in Griffey and even they couldn't screw this up.

But then came the injuries. When Griffey wasn't Griffey anymore there wasn't anyone there to pick up the slack. Baseball became boring to watch again. Kids lost interest.

So next year when it's time to have the "Why don't black kids play baseball anymore" conversation just remember it's because "Junior" wasn't "Junior" anymore.

George Cook AAReports.com

The 4 African American coaches to win NCAA Basketball Tournament championship.

First let me say congratulations to Kevin Ollie and the UConn Huskies for winning their fourth national championship by beating Kentucky 60-54. Not much was made of Kevin Ollie's race ( that's a good thing ) but that's because of those African American coaches that paved the way for him. Do you know who the other three black coaches to win NCAA national titles are? Find out below:

John Thompson: Georgetown Hoyas.

Thompson and his Hoyas beat Houston 84-75 in 1984 to win Georgetown's first national championship. The Hoyas would return to the national championship game the next year and lose in a classic game against Villanova.

Nolan Richardson: Arkansas Razorbacks.

Nolan Richardson would would the NCAA title in 1994 when his Razorbacks defeated Louisville 82-70. Nolan Richardson would get his team back to the final game in 1995 and lose to UCLA.

Tubby Smith: Kentucky Wildcats.

Tubby Smith would lead the Wildcats to a national championship in 1998 by beating Utah 78-69. The team would make the Elite Eight the next year.

Jonathan Fleming, an innocent man freed after 24 years in prison.

A wrongfully convicted Brooklyn man, Jonathan Fleming is free after spending two decades behind bars for murder. Watch his story below: