Please Help Me Get to Blog World Expo – October 14 – 16

Hi All:

I am in need of sponsorship to the Blog World & New Media Expo in Las Vegas from October 14 – 17th.  This opportunity will not only allow me to gain the most recent developments in the blogging and social media world; it will allow me to get up close and personal to other bloggers and social media gurus to develop relationships that cannot be done online.

The cost of the Expo is $1195. Right now, the going rates for airfare and hotel for one person is approximately $800.

Donations can be financial; any Vegas hotel or airfare connections you have; or
accumulated points for airfare and hotel. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

In exchange for your sponsorship, I am going to share my knowledge with you via an educational session upon my return.  If you are not in Chicago, I will schedule a virtual video educational session.

Please call me at 877.570.5228 if you have any questions or would like to discuss any Vegas or airline connection you have. Otherwise, you can make a donation through PayPal below. Thanks for your help!

How Many Towns & Cities Were Like Tulsa in 1921?

My friend, Tasha Clopton-Stubbs, wrote an article, “Tulsa Race Riot Victims Seek Justice ‘Before They Die’” for a local newspaper.  For those that don’t know, an entire neighborhood was burned down because of “perceived” racial issues.

Known as The Black Wall Street, the affluent black neighborhood of Greenwood was completely burned down, during a racial conflict in 1921.  This community had everything it needed within the community, so there was no reason for the residents to leave for anything.  Because of racial ignorance, it ceases to exist today.

These are my thoughts on this story.  These black folk were doing what they needed to do make lives for themselves; therefore, they created their own community and made things happen.  The white folk on the outside looking in did not like the fact that these black folk could live so prosperously.  So what did they do?  They burned down the entire community .

So, this is yet another double standard in America.  In those days, some of the white people didn’t want to help black people get a hand up but they didn’t want them to have anything either.

And what’s really bad about this is that it this is not widely shared like it should be.  So, thanks to Tasha and The Chicago Chapter of the Black Wall Street District (BWSD) for enlightening us.

Is this happening today in this “recession?”  What are your thoughts?

Media's Love – Hate Relationship with Black People

I think mainstream media has a love-hate relationship with black people.

On the one hand, they overload the airwaves with negative images, messages and music about black people.  On the other hand, there appears to be an obsession with this culture they only know about from a distance.  Maybe their curiosity is what makes them mock those people they only know about through speculation and assumptions.

For example, there is an obsession with African American features. Today they are being negatively portrayed in music videos with emphasis on sexuality, not  true beauty.

Prior to the Black is Beautiful movement, black people were treated as unworthy of media attention unless they were buffoonish.  But when they became beautiful to mainstream media, everyone noticed.  Their hips, lips and high cheekbones were emphasized, not their booties. Today women of other races are getting surgeries for thicker hips and lips.  Which leads me to ask: if you hate me that much, why are you trying to look like me?  AND, unless it’s on 20/20 or some other news show, reports will these topic will NOT be seen on TV.

Also, generally speaking, a certain style of slang is associated with African Americans.  Why are there McDonald’s commercials with non-black people speaking slang?  They are not good enough to be on TV but their “vernacular” is so cool that you try to get other people to imitate it?  NICE!

I have a question that is not on topic.  Why is there a show about black hair and not one on white hair?  They use just as many extensions as black people do yet it is not reported.  What’s up with that?  Please explain because I don’t get it.

What are other examples of the media’s love-hate relationship with black people?

Honoring the “SafeRide” Home Program

Wisconsin is known for brewing old-fashion, home-made golden beer. After an evening of good times and good brew, the last thing a person should do is drive.  To ensure that beer-loving residents can have their drink and safe ride home, too, the Tavern League of Wisconsin (TLW) established the “SafeRide” Home Program (“SafeRide”).

Designed to eliminate drunken driving arrests and lower the amount of OWI’s (operating while intoxicated), the ultimate goal of “SafeRide” is to make Wisconsin a safer state. In 1999, Wisconsin Act 109 was established to provide an overview of the activity occurring in the taverns, and to decrease the number of death, accidents and arrests resulting from driving under the influence of alcohol.

Tavern owners that participate in “SafeRide” can receive up to $10,000 in grant money. This grant money is put in an account for the tavern. For every ride that is given, the taverns are required to record the amount charged for the ride. At the end of the month, the total costs for the rides are totaled.  TLW then reimburses the tavern for the rides from its designed account.  Once the funds in the account have been used, the taverns are asked to raise money for the funds that go towards the “SafeRide.”  Once the tavern has raised the money and uses it for the program, the tavern can reapply for the grant. A 50% matching fund is applied towards the program.  What this means is, TLW will provided the grant available for the tavern, then it’s the taverns responsibility to raise the funds to keep it going.

Currently, taverns located in 46 out of 72 counties, including Oshkosh and Baraboo, have established “SafeRide” Home Programs. The program is continually expanding. As recently as May 26, 2008, Ballyhoos Bar and Restaurant in Lincoln County started a SafeRide Home Program for patrons who are too intoxicated to drive home.

The Tavern League of Wisconsin deserves to be recognized for all their time, effort and hospitality in helping to make Wisconsin a safer state. Established in 1935, this 5,000 member non-profit trade association has been committed to reducing the number of drunk driving accidents, injuries and deaths by helping citizens become responsible drinkers.  Pete Madland, the Executive Director of TLW proudly shared that the biggest accomplishment of the organization is “making public that positive things CAN come from taverns.”  Not only does their passion drive them to make Wisconsin a safer state, it also drives them to help other organizations in their state.  TLW has donated five million dollars to over 5,000 charities in Wisconsin in 2008 alone. In 2007, they donated six million dollar to WI charities.

To learn more about the Tavern League of Wisconsin’s passion for keeping Wisconsin safe, visit their website at http://www.tlw.org/

I would like to thank Pete Madland, Executive Director of the Tavern League of Wisconsin and Mike Fick from Ballyhoos Bar and Restaurant for the time they’ve taken out of their busy schedules to answer my questions.

The map of the participating counties in the “SafeRide” Home Program is directly from the Tavern League of Wisconsin’s website. The direct link is; http://www.tlw.org/public/content/Documents/saferide_map_2007_02_19.pdf

Wisconsin is known for brewing old-fashion, home-made golden beer. After an evening of good times and good brew, the last thing a person should do is drive.  To ensure that beer-loving residents can have their drink and safe ride home, too, the Tavern League of Wisconsin (TLW) established the “SafeRide” Home Program (“SafeRide”).

Designed to eliminate drunken driving arrests and lower the amount of OWI’s (operating while intoxicated), the ultimate goal of “SafeRide” is to make Wisconsin a safer state. In 1999, Wisconsin Act 109 was established to provide an overview of the activity occurring in the taverns, and to decrease the number of death, accidents and arrests resulting from driving under the influence of alcohol.

Tavern owners that participate in “SafeRide” can receive up to $10,000 in grant money. This grant money is put in an account for the tavern. For every ride that is given, the taverns are required to record the amount charged for the ride. At the end of the month, the total costs for the rides are totaled.  TLW then reimburses the tavern for the rides from its designed account.  Once the funds in the account have been used, the taverns are asked to raise money for the funds that go towards the “SafeRide.”  Once the tavern has raised the money and uses it for the program, the tavern can reapply for the grant. A 50% matching fund is applied towards the program.  What this means is, TLW will provided the grant available for the tavern, then it’s the taverns responsibility to raise the funds to keep it going.

Currently, taverns located in 46 out of 72 counties, including Oshkosh and Baraboo, have established “SafeRide” Home Programs. The program is continually expanding. As recently as May 26, 2008, Ballyhoos Bar and Restaurant in Lincoln County started a SafeRide Home Program for patrons who are too intoxicated to drive home.

The Tavern League of Wisconsin deserves to be recognized for all their time, effort and hospitality in helping to make Wisconsin a safer state. Established in 1935, this 5,000 member non-profit trade association has been committed to reducing the number of drunk driving accidents, injuries and deaths by helping citizens become responsible drinkers.  Pete Madland, the Executive Director of TLW proudly shared that the biggest accomplishment of the organization is “making public that positive things CAN come from taverns.”  Not only does their passion drive them to make Wisconsin a safer state, it also drives them to help other organizations in their state.  TLW has donated five million dollars to over 5,000 charities in Wisconsin in 2008 alone. In 2007, they donated six million dollar to WI charities.

To learn more about the Tavern League of Wisconsin’s passion for keeping Wisconsin safe, visit their website at http://www.tlw.org/

I would like to thank Pete Madland, Executive Director of the Tavern League of Wisconsin and Mike Fick from Ballyhoos Bar and Restaurant for the time they’ve taken out of their busy schedules to answer my questions.

Were Mostly African Americans Shown in Line for Food Benefits?

A caller on Am 1690 WVON in Chicago pointed out that each time Chicago news stations showed images of people in long lines waiting for food benefits that were provided by FEMA, most of them were African Americans as evidenced by this photo.  Since I only watch the news sporadically, I have no opinion on this.  However, I would like to ask people who actually viewed the report:

1. Did you mostly see African Americans waiting in long lines for food benefits?
2. Where there facilities located in non-African American communities  accepting applications?
3. If you did see mostly African Americans, how did that affect your opinion what them as a group?

Please share your thoughts.

Photo: Chicago Breaking News