Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum accused of racially insentive remarks.

Rick Santorum                   Newt Gingrich

Presidential candidates Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum are fending off accusations that they made racially insensitive remarks at a New Hampshire town hall meeting last week regarding blacks and the nation's public assistance program. Newt Gingrich says that the media is taking the remarks he made regarding what he would say to the NAACP if invited to speak completely out of context.

 "The African-American community should demand paychecks, and not be satisfied with food stamps. Now there's no neighborhood I know of in America where if you went around and asked people, 'Would you rather your children had food stamps or paychecks?' you wouldn't end up with a majority saying they'd rather have a paycheck, and so, I'm prepared, if the NAACP invites me, I'll go to their convention and talk about why the African-American community should demand paychecks, and not be satisfied with food stamps."

Gingrich responded to his critics saying that his remarks were far from insensitive.

"I think you'd have to be nuts to read those two paragraphs and conclude anything except that I was saying that every young American deserves the right to pursue happiness," he said. "Every neighborhood in America deserves a chance to have paychecks instead of food stamps. And I was saying something which I thought for a Republican candidate would come as a refreshing positive, which is why I would be happy to go to the NAACP convention and talk about creating greater opportunities for all Americans."

Rick Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator came under fire for remarks he made in Sioux City, Iowa. 

 "I don't want to make black people's lives better by giving them somebody else's money. I want to give them the opportunity to go out and earn the money and provide for themselves and their families."

Santorum denies making that statement.  I'm not going to call Gingrich or Santorum racist but I will say these kind of remarks are insensitive and completely out of touch. It's clear to me that neither has a clue about the African-American community's wants and or needs.  Both seem to be relying on old stereotypes to make a point. If they did they would realize that many African-Americans are hard working citizens like every one else in this country. If you are going to say something make sure you have sufficient evidence to back your claim.

According to 2010 Department of Agriculture data, 34 percent of food stamp recipients were white, 22 percent were African-American, 16 percent were Hispanic, 4 percent were Native American and 3 percent were Asian.  Instead of making broad generalizations and divisive comments both should have done some research.  I am so sick of  public figures who make these broad statements only to later deny ever saying them. I'm not only fed up with Republicans but also with Democrats. I am sick of both parties slinging mud, propaganda and generalization that have no sound basis. The best thing for voters to do in 2012 is to stop relying on political campaign commercials and embellished speeches and instead do sound research.

Donny Hathaway- This Christmas



Enjoy this holiday classic by the late great Donny Hathaway!!

Man,You Need To Look Up: A Message from Author Lela Jefferson

A few months back I had the pleasure of interviewing this positive sister. Author Lela Jefferson has returned to Capricorn Groove as a guest writer blessing us brothers with some words of encouragement. 

Man, You Need To Look Up!
by Lela Jefferson

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

Recently I sat down and had a conversation with one of my dear friends about Men. It was not one of those stereotypical sessions where you have two girlfriends talking about guys and dogging them out. Trust me it was far from that scenario. We spoke of how important it is for men to see God as their ultimate source for how to love others unconditionally, to forgive and forget, to trust, to be an example of integrity, knowledge, wisdom and how quite simply provide for themselves and their families.

You see, God is the ultimate provider and father; when he created Man he fashioned him after himself. Man was created because God desired to have a family/people to commune, provide for and share his abundant kingdom with. Just like God, Man has that very same desire ingrained in him; to provide for those he cares for his own family.

In order for Man to be the true provider which he was created to be he has to be whole heartily in relationship with God. Without this relationship it will be near to impossible for him to be a true sustainer. When Man begins to trust in only what he creates of his own hands and things of this earth like money he is trusting in what is temporal. God is forever and will never lose value, dry up or spoil.

If there is no consistent communication between God and Man, the seeds of confusion can be planted and quickly take root and eventually bear fruit. Fruit like fear, lack, despair, depression, anger, and desperation on the side of man. God is confident in who he is. Man on the other hand until he is rooted and ground in the knowledge of God and his love will always try to make things happen out of his own abilities which are limited.

Man should never get this reality twisted. Man did not create God, God created Man. And when he did, he did so with a purpose in mind. Man was to be fruitful and multiple on this earth. He was to further God’s kingdom until it spread across all four corners of the globe; making a perfect copy of God’s kingdom in heaven on earth. Man was created to be the steward of this planet. Yet, when he disobeyed God’s commandment and did not take responsibility for his own actions, he created a communication break down.

First, he ate from the Tree of Life that God explicitly told him not to. Then he hid from God and lastly he blamed Eve who had not been given the commandment in the first place from God to obey. Man/Adam was the one that God ultimately held responsible for following the community / Garden of Eden, his rules. Here is where fear came on the scene and Man began instead of looking up for guidance from God, he began to look down and around himself to see how he could make things happen…

Man, you need to look UP!

For more Lela Jefferson check out her sites

www.lelajefferson.com

http://www.memoirsofablackgirl.com

http://poetryofablackgirl.podOmatic.com

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Back to School: The adventure continues

 I have been so busy this fall but hey I ain't complaining.  October was a very demanding month for me,  I had to prepare for a gospel concert, ( I had two solos), prepare my own solo set for the Sugar Bar concert,  learn my scenes for my acting class and try to maintain my A average at Berklee College of Music.   I don't know how I did it but I di it all. Everything turned out great.   I got standing ovations for my performances, great accolades  in acting class and I am maintaining my A average at Berklee.  This is what happens when you get focused and stick to you guns.  The point I am trying to make is to not get caught up in what you have to or how long it's going take to complete a task.  Don't worry yourself, don't talk about it be about and everything will be alright.

Albums you need to check out!!!

The holiday season is quickly approaching and some of the best in the business are offering up new albums, I've decided to highlight a few must haves.

Mary J. Blige: My Life II The Journey Continues  The Queen of Hip Hop Soul returns with the follow up to her classic My Life album.  Although Mary has been one of the most prolific artists in the game, her My Life  album  is considered her signature career defining effort.  Can My Life II measure up?  Mary rarely lets us down I'm sure this one will be another hit. Guest include Beyonce, Nas, Drake and Busta Rhymes. Go support the Queen!!

 Betty Wright & The Roots: Betty Wright The Movie    The clean up woman is back!!  Funky soul legend  Betty Wright has joined forces with The Roots  for this wonderful new album with a 14 tracks and a cool title.  This is truly a match made in heaven.  Betty Wright and The Roots blend the old school with the new with guest like Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg and Joss Stone, but the album stays true to Betty Wright.  This album is a must have.

Rhianna: Talk That Talk  The sexy pop diva offers up another album, this megastar turns has been turning out new albums every year racking up the hits and tearing up the pop charts.  One thing I can say about Rhianna is she always offers up some fun and catchy tunes. 

Eric Roberson: Mr. Nice Guy   I know many of you might be saying who it the world is Eric Roberson? No he's not as popular as some of the others on this list but he is truly worth the listen. This independent soul crooner has written some of the most heartfelt soulful music you ever want to hear.  Check this album out you won't be disappointed.   One of my favorites is the single Picture Perfect featuring Phonte.

Etta James: The Dreamer.   After 50 years in business the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee,  Etta James retires from the game with her final album The Dreamer.  On this album Etta puts her signature spin on classic Jazz and R & B tunes.  Some of the artist she covers on this album are the late great Ray Charles and the rock group Guns & Roses (Welcome to the jungle).  Trust me you won't be disappointed  Etta James sang these songs in a way that only she could. She's one of the greats and this album would  a nice addtion to your collection. Go out and get her final effort.

Rapper Heavy D. Remembered

The sudden death of  rapper Heavy D last week shocked the Hip Hop community.   During the late 80s and 90s Heavy D and The Boyz had a string of hits such as  Now That We Found Love,  The Overweight Lover, Black Coffee,   Is It Good To You, he also wrote and performed the theme song to the hit 90s show In Living Color and was featured on several  R & B hits with groups like Soul 4 Real and icons Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.

While other rappers were rising to fame in the 90s with their tales of gangster life, using profanity and violent lyrics, Heavy  D proved you could keep it clean and still be at the top of the charts without being considered corny.  Everybody loved Heavy D, he is one of the few rappers I know that even older people adored.    

Heavy who was born Dwight Arrington  Myers will be laid to rest next week  November 18, 2011 at Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, New York.    The rap legend died Tuesday November 4, 2011 after collapsing in the hallway of his Beverly Hills condo.  He was 44 years old.