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Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 4993
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 17, 2007 - 07:03 pm: | 
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Coming-Of-Age Ball for Black Males
By DIONNE WALKER
Jun 17, 2:23 PM EDT
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Just 30 minutes before the Phi Beta Sigma "beautillion" starts, a year of planning for the boys' glittering debutant ball threatens to unravel: What should be a trio of white-gowned female escorts is only a duo.
That could mean one "beau" won't have a partner for the intricate ballroom dance the boys have practiced for weeks.
"I think it's gonna turn out OK," organizer Elmer Seay Jr. says.
There's more at stake than a fancy dance. The beaus in white tails and glinting white shoes are young black men, honor roll students bound for college.
Seay has challenged statistics showing young black males battling grim rates of joblessness, poverty and unintended fatherhood. He has arranged career forums and corralled the teens into dance classes and etiquette lessons.
Most important, he and his fraternity brothers have offered genuine concern for their future.
By evening's end, beaus Jarratt Day, Mark Turner II and Kevin Wyatt will emerge as upright, goal-oriented men.
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The Links, a Washington-based social group for affluent black youths, has spent 50 years hosting black-aimed coming-out functions - cotillions for girls and increasingly popular beautillions for boys as young as 9.
"African-Americans weren't permitted to participate in the cotillions that were held mainly by white, aristocratic social clubs," explains Janet Walker, head of The Links.
Today, these events draw black parents seeking opportunities to highlight the good in their sons.
"A lot of people are just fed up with the way that black men are portrayed in the media," Walker says.
In addition, beautillion participants get scholarships, and contacts.
"If you want to go to fraternities or college and stuff, this is a step," says 17-year-old Julian Alford, who is eyeing the University of Virginia.
In a studio, Kevin Wyatt claps and tumbles to African music as the beaus practice a celebratory dance.
There's plenty to celebrate. For starters, no more stiff ballroom moves.
"The type of dancing we were doing? Boring, I'm not going to lie to you," the 17-year-old says after practice.
His ball cap tilted to the side, a tiny diamond dotting his ear, Wyatt is an academic-minded baseball player who volunteers with children. But he worries about his future.
"I fear that I'm going to give up and not keep going," he says, as the studio clears.
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While others celebrated the desegregation of schools in the '50s, Charles Crute Jr. remembers an uncle warning that blacks would abandon their sense of community.
"I've grown and matured to understand what he meant - we lost ourselves," the 58-year-old former detective says as six professional black men with him agree.
It's five days before the beautillion, and the men of Phi Beta Sigma have met to iron out details.
They're multi-degreed, representing decades of black male success. They've paved the way and worry today's black men have fallen behind.
"We need black men to look at the home and at the children that are theirs," says James Quash Sr., 84. "We need them to take a look and do something."
The men created the Richmond beautillion in 2001, mimicking an event they saw in Washington.
The idea is to recognize young black males who are doing right, while giving them an official ceremony that says it's time to grow up.
They've groomed 42 boys and seen them off to schools like Howard University in Washington and Morehouse College, in Atlanta.
Still, what started as 16 potential beaus this year shrank to eight by the second group meeting. And five of the remaining group - including Julian Alford with his two jobs, church and wrestling - were just too busy to commit.
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On the night of the beautillion, Seay can finally relax as the third young woman arrives. Soft string music starts and the starched beaus take the spotlight, twirling their dates in dainty pirouettes.
As Mark Turner II finesses his way across the floor, his father watches with pride. The elder Turner drove eight hours from Atlanta to attend, one of several recent gestures to smooth a relationship strained by distance and tension with his former wife.
"He's going to start to deal with things that unfortunately his mother can't help him with," the elder Turner says.
Mark, 18, a tennis player with a 3.7 grade point average, says things have been "in the middle" since his dad began visiting more. "I was open to the opportunity, but bitter," he says.
As the music winds down, the three fathers line up across from their sons. Mark holds a blue candle, his father a medallion, as a man in African garb explains the significance of the ceremony transforming three boys into three men.
One by one, each dad offers his son words of encouragement.
Turner hangs the medallion around his son's neck, whispers "I love you," and hugs the newfound man.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BOYS_TO_MEN?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US
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Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 2278
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 18, 2007 - 10:27 am: |
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Well, whatever it takes to keep these young black men on track. Personally, I could care less about such grandiose social rituals and ceremonies. But if they can steer a young black male in the right direction and prevent him from falling victim to the coon thug culture and jail, I'm all for it.....
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Chrishayden
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 4703
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 18, 2007 - 12:51 pm: |
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Personally, I could care less about such grandiose social rituals and ceremonies.
(And so should any right thinking person. As we step into the 21st Century, Negroes ape 19th century slaveowning whites.
Let's see how this works out for them when they put it on their employment applications or resumes.
I can see a white employer now.
"Beautillion.
Is that like Watermillion?
Why not name your kids Deshonte and Ishkinishkia (You know those senseless "black" names and be done with it? |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 8873
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 18, 2007 - 01:18 pm: |
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Why would anybody put the fact that they participated in a beautillion on their resume? Jews do their bar mitzvah thing. Gangs have their rituals. Let young black men have their moment in the spot light. What harm does it do? |
Serenasailor
Veteran Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 1649
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: 
Votes: 3 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 18, 2007 - 07:24 pm: |
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Well, whatever it takes to keep these young black men on track. Personally, I could care less about such grandiose social rituals and ceremonies. But if they can steer a young black male in the right direction and prevent him from falling victim to the coon thug culture and jail, I'm all for it.....
NOTHING TO SEE HERE FOLKS JUST ANOTHER RACIST, NEUROTIC RANT FROM THE WANNA BE BLACK ELISTIST NEO-CON KING NTFS!!!
I'm sure he does admire those brothas. The "more the merrier". More Black men like his self-loathing, mysognistic, racist friends, who bribe non-Black women with money and "promised" success who wouldn't otherwise be interested there Black asses!!!! |
Schakspir
Veteran Poster
Username: Schakspir
Post Number: 1064
Registered: 12-2005
Rating: 
Votes: 3 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 18, 2007 - 07:49 pm: |
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Yup--nothing to see here, indeed. Just SerenaSailor's own ignorant, neurotic rants and his/her inability to stop shooting up estrogen. |
Serenasailor
Veteran Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 1650
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: 
Votes: 4 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 18, 2007 - 09:42 pm: |
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Yup--nothing to see here, indeed. Just SerenaSailor's own ignorant, neurotic rants and his/her inability to stop shooting up estrogen.
No Bytch the real estrogen abuser is YOU!! Coming on here first pretending to be a Writer, then a Black Nationalist male, then a Homophobic, White worshipping monkey like you. |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 2285
Registered: 10-2005
Rating:
Votes: 3 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 18, 2007 - 10:34 pm: |
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"NOTHING TO SEE HERE FOLKS JUST ANOTHER RACIST, NEUROTIC RANT FROM THE WANNA BE BLACK ELISTIST NEO-CON KING NTFS!!!"
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Nothing like a little humor from the boards Court Jester. Thanks. That made me laugh.
"I'm sure he does admire those brothas. The "more the merrier"."
As I said, before you posted your emotionally hysterical groundless diatribe, I'm for anything that can keep these young black men on the right path and in school. Why you're upset, foaming at the mouth and raving about my comment is....well....typical and predictable at this point.
"More Black men like his self-loathing,......"
Sorry Boo Boo but I have waaaay too much going in my life to hate myself. Unlike you, I have no ego/self esteem issues or sexual idenity conflicts.
"....mysognistic,..."
Really? That's a new one. And you have proof of this, right....?
"....racist friends,..."
Sorry, but I don't have any racist friends. Unlike your twisted racist fantasies and skin color obsessions, the people I associate with judge people by their personal efforts, personalities, achievements, intelligence, character, etc....-not their skin color or race.
".....who bribe non-Black women with money and "promised" success who wouldn't otherwise be interested there Black asses!!!!"
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ya know, your imbecilic accusations and toxicity only elicit laughter. No one could ever take you seriously. Question SS: Why you make up the most ridiculous shyt and throw it out there as if there is any hint of possibility or links to reality? Why? Bribing non-black women with money and promises of success..???? OMG!!! What in the hell do you smoke or drink before you post these weird and twisted groundless allegations???? But I have to admit, they are funny. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
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Serenasailor
Veteran Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 1651
Registered: 01-2006
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 - 03:49 pm: |
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First of all Sir I am not your BOO BOO!! I am not a female and if I was I would not be YOUR female.
Secondly, whats with the HA!HA!HA! The fact that you are typing out your laughing is a little "moronic" don't you think?
Also, unlike you I am not obsessed with judging Black ppl based on there socio-economic level.
Also, unlike you I am not obsessed with distinguishing myself and my counterparts from other Black ppl by reverting into some Antebellum, plantation, mammyish diatribe of separating the "Good" Niggas from the "Bad" Niggas and instructing us to do the same.
NOW!! DID YOU or DID YOU NOT say that you had some busted, "Carltoneque" homeboy in NYC who made a degrading comment about Black women's hygiene?
Saying: "That the only time Black women washed there feet is when they had a doctor's appointment".
DID YOU or DID YOU NOT make an ignoramus comment about Black women and welfare. Then compared them to your Asian counterparts who you noted: "Were doing quite well"?
DID YOU or DID YOU NOT tell Igbogirl that the reason why your "busted ass" Black male counterparts refused to date Black women because of there skin color, hair texture, hygiene, etc?
SO I'M SORRY MY FRIEND YOU DO HAVE RACIST FRIENDS!!
Or maybe is it that there reality is so "warped" like your own that you don't consider there comments racist??
INQUIRING MINDS WOULD LIKE TO KNOW!!!
Obviously my accusations are not "groundless".
And maybe your "idiotic" way of trying to deny them is "imbecilic" in itself. |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 2289
Registered: 10-2005
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 - 04:51 pm: |
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"First of all Sir I am not your BOO BOO!! I am not a female and if I was......."
Oh...?? Uh huh.....I see...... Ok......
Secondly, whats with the HA!HA!HA! The fact that you are typing out your laughing is a little "moronic" don't you think?"
Because you make me laugh! Seriously, I do look forward to your posts and responses SS. I always ask myself, Why all the histrionics and emotional raving over the most insignificant posts and opinions by others? And then your constant irrational accusations of homosexuality (something you continually evade answering -what's up with that??) and accusing people of being Uncle Toms and not having the intelligence or right to give a personal opinion without being under the mind control of white people. It's hilarious! And yes, I know I shouldn't laugh at you but I can't help it. But no disrespect....Ok? Now, let's address your list of silly and bogus accusations............
"Also, unlike you I am not obsessed with judging Black ppl based on there socio-economic level."
Wrong! I don't judge people for being poor. I grew up poor. I know what is like to be poor. I judge people for their personal behavior, lack of responsibility and the inability to do the right thing for themselves, their children and the community they live in. NOT THE SIZE OF THEIR BANK ACCOUNT OR THEIR W2 FORM. Got it..??!!
"Also, unlike you I am not obsessed with distinguishing myself and my counterparts from other Black ppl by reverting into some Antebellum, plantation, mammyish diatribe of separating the "Good" Niggas from the "Bad" Niggas and instructing us to do the same."
First of all, I never called anyone "Good Niggas" or "Bad Niggas". I don't use the term -you do! Secondly, I distinguish myself from people who indulge in self destructive irresponsible behavior just as you distinguish yourself from street thugs and drug dealers. Are you starting to see the light now....???
"NOW!! DID YOU or DID YOU NOT say that you had some busted, "Carltoneque" homeboy in NYC who made a degrading comment about Black women's hygiene? Saying: "That the only time Black women washed there feet is when they had a doctor's appointment"."
Uh huh.....and? That was his opinion -not mine! Am I some how responsible for what another person thinks or believes? His bizarre opinion (and he did say a black women told him that) is not indicative of the majority of people I interact with. So, his opinion in no way represents what the core of the people I associate with, think or believe. Again.....Ya got it..??!!
"DID YOU or DID YOU NOT make an ignoramus comment about Black women and welfare. Then compared them to your Asian counterparts who you noted: "Were doing quite well"?"
Uhhhhhh....no I did not. And you cannot prove that I did! Another example of your groundless silly paranoid fantasies.......
"DID YOU or DID YOU NOT tell Igbogirl that the reason why your "busted ass" Black male counterparts refused to date Black women because of there skin color, hair texture, hygiene, etc?"
Wow! You're on a roll aren't you??!! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! See, this is exactly what I'm talking about. Then you wonder why I laugh at you all the time. Read this: I NEVER SAID THAT AND YOU HAVE NO PROOF THAT I DID!! Do you just make things up and hope that someone will admit it? Where do you drudge these ridiculous accusations up from?? I never, ever said I had male friends who did not date black women because of their skin color, hair texture or hygiene..!!!!!!! Are you smoking crack while you're writing..?????
"SO I'M SORRY MY FRIEND YOU DO HAVE RACIST FRIENDS!!"
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Stop...stop!! You're killin' me! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
"And maybe your "idiotic" way of trying to deny them is "imbecilic" in itself."
No, I don't think so. But your groundless unprovable racist paranoid accusations having given the term doofus new meaning. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! See -you're making me do it again.......
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Serenasailor
Veteran Poster
Username: Serenasailor
Post Number: 1652
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 - 11:42 pm: |
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Unfortunately the only person around here who has been getting "high" is YOU!! For you not to remember things that you obviously said and everybody else remembers is a SHAME!!
Nothing you or anybody else says or does on this board affects me one way or the other. I have a life. And it does not involve listening to the racist diatribes from the likes of YOU!!
My brotha you must have walked outside in your "lily" White neigborhood and got knocked upside the head by the KKK because you don't even remember saying the things you did.
I remember it like it was yesterday. You were telling us about some trip you took to the Philipines when you were in the military. You told us about how racist the ppl were in that country. Especially, against darker-skinned ppl. Then you ended the story by saying that many of your Black male friends who chose to date marry out did so because they couldn't "stand" the skin, hair texture, hygiene etc of Black women.
DID YOU or DID YOU NOT say that???
Or maybe that "crack" that you accused me of smoking "fried your brain".
Also, I don't use the term "Uncle Tom". I will leave that up to you. Right along with your plantation names of Negroes, coons, monkeys, apes etc.
I would never use the term "Uncle Tom" especially against you. I don't know you that well enough to do that. However, I do find it rather odd that a Black man would refer to his friends as "his Black friends". But "whatever floats your boat".
Lastly, distinguish yourself from WHAT??? Who cares what those Ghetto Black ppl are doing in the streets? Who made you so IMPORTANT that you feel you must "keep up appearance" and distinguish yourself from anybody?
And it also makes me wonder what kind of ppl you associate with whearas you must feel that you must distinguish yourself from anybody!!
AGAIN! INQUIRING MINDS WOULD LIKE TO KNOW!!
So the next time you revert back into your "ole plantation tales" by Uncle Remus and friends. About the "Good Niggas and the "No-account Negroes". PLEASE leave me out of it!! |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 2295
Registered: 10-2005
Rating:
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 - 12:57 pm: |
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"For you not to remember things that you obviously said and everybody else remembers is a SHAME!!"
SS, I have a very good recall of what I say. You have accused me of statements I did not make. Now, if you have any proof that I did, post it! It's a simple as that. Remember, the burden of proof lies with you since you are the one making the allegations -not me!
"My brotha you must have walked outside in your "lily" White neigborhood and got knocked upside the head by the KKK because you don't even remember saying the things you did."
Ummm, the area is actually mixed but regardless, for some strange reason, you seem bent of projecting your own fears and racial issues on me by constantly accusing me of things I did not say. I'm just calling you out for your fantasies. Again, provide the proof or reference for your allegations. What part do you not understand?
"I remember it like it was yesterday. You were telling us about some trip you took to the Philipines when you were in the military. You told us about how racist the ppl were in that country. Especially, against darker-skinned ppl.
True. But it wasn't a trip, I was living there. Anyway, Asians, as a group, do have serious skin color issues. The lighter and brighter, the better. That's just they way they are. It's another reason the Northern Asians (Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, etc) look down on the Southern Asians ( Filipinos, Thais, Malaysians, etc).
"Then you ended the story by saying that many of your Black male friends who chose to date marry out did so because they couldn't "stand" the skin, hair texture, hygiene etc of Black women."
Uhhhhhhh....that's not quite true. I know you are attempting to build a case by stating I have a circle of black male friends who reject black women for racial reasons and therefore I am guilty by association. Read this: ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! Yes, I do know black males who are married or dating non-black women. And I have black male friends who are married to or date black women. I do not ask nor inquire as to what they do in their private lives or why they are with the women they are with. It's none of my business! I have been very clear about this and you know it! AGAIN, IT'S NONE OF MY BUSINESS (NOR YOURS) AS TO WHY SOMEONE IS WITH ANOTHER PERSON -I DON'T CARE! You're the one who descends to histrionics and hysteria because of someones choice of a mate -not me!!! That's your thing.
Now, I believe I know where you are making your mistake. I have previously told stories about black males who did not date black women for whatever reason. I have seen quite a bit of that. In fact, on my recent trip back to Ohio, a life long friend of mine (who is a black female -graduated from high school together), told me her brother has never dated a black woman in his life. She said he constantly mocks and laughs at black women because of their weight and hair (weaves and wigs). It's stories like that that are fueling your delusions of complicity. But I never said they were my running partners or close associates. Two different things my friend. Get the facts straight!
"However, I do find it rather odd that a Black man would refer to his friends as "his Black friends". But "whatever floats your boat"."
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! You don't get it do you? I have friends of every conceivable race and ethnic background. SS, unfortunately, the IT field is not well represented by black folks. I would love to see more. When I was back in Ohio, I was looking for an old history and art professor at the university. I met a black student in the department who was a Network Security and programming major. I was extremely happy to see this. But there are not many. Anyway, many of my friends are in the IT field and they are not black. Sorry if this upsets you but that's the way it is. But my friends are not limited to the IT field. They are into various occupations. And to address your paranoia about my comment of my so-called "black friends", I discuss racial issues with them -not others. So your assumption that my statement is tantamount to a white person saying, "Hey -look at me! I have black friends! I'm not prejudice!", in order to prove that they are not racist, does not wash! I know you want to believe that but it (along with your other contorted beliefs) is not true. Sorry to disappoint you......
"Lastly, distinguish yourself from WHAT??? Who cares what those Ghetto Black ppl are doing in the streets? Who made you so IMPORTANT that you feel you must "keep up appearance" and distinguish yourself from anybody?"
Wow! You are sooooo desperate to make a point aren't you? Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! The aforementioned is so ridiculous and absurd, I'm not going respond to it. The answer is so obvious and you're frantically trying to build a case with nothing but unprovable silly accusations and sophomoric race baiting tactics. Look SS, if you're going to accuse me of something -have something of substance!!! Ya got that..??!!
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