News Media – Hamp's Corner of America

Celebrating Our 50th Wedding Anniversary

My wife and I celebrated our 50^th Wedding Anniversary on Saturday at the Pittsburg Senior Center. Our actual anniversary was on August 31^st. We choose to celebrate it on Saturday, September 1st to get the venue for the party. Family, friends were in attendance on a holiday weekend. Relatives from our hometown, friends from near and far made it even more of an extraordinary celebration.

Our son, Richie “Tycoon” Hampton acted as the Master of Ceremony. He also performed his releases, “Family,” and “Ain’t Goin Nowhere.”

The “Called-2-Praise” Dancers performed to the Fantasia & Tye Tribbett collaboration of “I Made It.” They did an encore dance to “Your Spirit” by Tasha Cobbs Leonard. All were excellent at their craft.

Our Guest brought gifts, cards, although please believe me when I say, we were not expecting that type of support. Maybe we were just naïve in thinking people would not show their support with beautiful gifts. To us it was about sharing a special milestone in our lives with some of the people we treasure as friends and family. There were those who could not be there for a multitude of reasons and was kind enough to let us know. Just know that by being invited, Sandra and I consider you to be an essential part of our walk of life.

All in attendance will get a heartfelt “Thank You” package via the US mail or personally delivered to you. We will add pictures of the event, and a personal note of our gratitude. Please be patient for that. Again, it was so amazing to look out over the audience and see people who we have met at one time or another and try to keep as friends in our lives. It took us a while to learn to associate with individuals who share common goals and beliefs yet remain special in their own way. For the most part, they and we are people who shy away from the drama of living but hone in on the joy along with rewards that God has planned for us. Just know that friends and family in that hall plus some that were not in attendance have a special place reserved in our hearts. After all, you are real people.

Some may wonder how do you end up staying together for so long much less fifty years? One answer is we never thought about it with each passing year. There was never a shortage of love and respect from either one of us. I would say that is one of the major components that helped us through the trying times. The big one for me is communication between the two of us.

We started out as friends, lovers and running buddies. I thought I knew all about life and she let me feel so. No doubt I have good common sense but not as much as I might think I have at times. She challenged me at every turn which kept me on my toes. I was and still are under enormous pressure not to fail or disappoint her. She amazed me with her patience with family, people, and events. A trait that I sometimes struggle with today. We always had each other best interest at heart, no matter the situation.

A Leo man and Aries woman, two fiery combatable yet compatible signs. Some had reservations about us staying together for a week much less than a year. And here we have surpassed fifty years? Wow! What a trip. In short, we don’t really know how we did it. We do know that we come from families that had histories of staying together through thick and thin. I do remember telling her in the very beginning. She didn’t marry any member of my family. Nor did I marry any member of hers. It was going to me and her from then on out, no matter what anybody thought or how they would advise either of us. Having said that our parents and many others thought we were a cute couple. They cheered for a successful long union. Those who have passed would be proud.

I should add we made up our mind to not have a big wedding. One reason is that we didn’t have big money. Besides, we didn’t think a big wedding was necessary at the time. We made an appointment to be at City Hall on a specific date and time. We got married in front of a justice of the peace. One of my best friends, Jr. Ballentine was there as a witness. That morning of August 31, 1968, we walked down to City Hall as neither of us had a car. After the short but tender ceremony, we walked eight or nine blocks to a tavern. Where I got into a pool game. Eventually, my new wife got tired of waiting for me. She walked back to her mothers’ house while Jr and I stayed at the tavern shooting pool. We hooked up again later that evening.

Now let me explain how it was with my buddies and me back in the day. There were no traditions that we hip folk followed at the time. If one were to traditionally zig, just to be different, we would zag. Our generation felt the old people had screwed up society so bad, the only option we had was to tear it up and rebuild it. So, to ensure your understanding of the point, the type of tradition didn’t matter. We realized we were following our parent’s example of getting married when they were young. Funny how some of life’s historical patterns repeats itself.

Our love and appreciation to Gloria Jones (Event Planner) along with her crew in providing logistical support for the entire affair. Thanks to the attendees love and support shown…

Peace & Blessing…stay vigilant for our American rights. Make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo

Subscribe to this blog at https://wp.me/p65rCa-kA

Join us for the live broadcast of our bi-monthly BTR Shows at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica

We are in a continuing effort to publicize my book, Gracie Hall-Hampton, the Arkansas Years 1917-1953. It’s based upon the life of my Grandmother. The Novel examines an era of Jim Crow that many in our society may have forgotten occurred against people of color. Meanwhile, we celebrate the publication of my latest and fifth book, Misguided Intentions. A book where family relationships are questioned to the core. Click on the publisher-Authors page at https://outskirtspress.com/MisguidedIntentions

Get any of my books by visiting my Amazon.com Authors page at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B017TYFKBI?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at http://hcoa.net/ and http://www.chiia.com/home.html. Our Retail Site is https://frostyltd.com/frosty-ltd-com

I Remember The Old Christmas Seasons

Tis the season when I become nostalgic and remember Christmas time at my parents and an assortment of relatives’ houses. Being raised in Milwaukee, I understood what the late Bing Crosby meant by a White Christmas. We wished for light snow instead of a snowstorm. If that be the case, I would grab my snow shovel and go around the neighborhood knocking on old people doors. They would pay a reasonable price for me shoveling out the walkway to their house. If you knew my father, you would understand where I got the idea. Like Codis the first I would take every opportunity to earn a dollar. Mind you I performed those tasks early in the morning. So I could be back in time to enjoy Christmas Day with my family.
Oh, what Christmas Days those were; it seemed longer back in the day. My stepsister and I had to wait for momma and daddy to get up before opening any presents. They would usually come out of their room around nine o’clock. It was a long agonizing wait because we were up as early as five o’clock. The big day always seemed to fall on a day after our parents spent Christmas eve playing cards, nipping at beer or alcohol and entertaining guest.
In time, Mama Rosalie would begin to cook breakfast. Another long agonizing time as we had to wait until she finished cooking. She would not open her presents until after breakfast. Daddy followed suit which would make me and my stepsister so anxious. Then after waiting so long, we wouldn’t get a lot of the toys we wanted. We mostly received school clothes, things we needed and books. Over the years we got used to it. We didn’t have a chimney, so Santa Clause didn’t stop by our house. My daddy would joke about shooting Santa if he came through our Third-floor window. That’s when we realize there was no Santa. Because daddy would never shoot Santa, would he? We found other ways to amuse ourselves by collecting or earning money to buy ourselves a toy or two.
By early afternoon, the visitors would start to stop by and wish us a Merry Christmas. If an Uncle or someone didn’t come to our house, my father would allow me to ride with him to their home. It must have been a golden rule established in my relatives’ southern hometowns of Arkansas. Go by and visit the sick and shut-in. Always check on your family members. Somehow between Christmas Eve and the big day, we would see all our relatives for a minute or two. At one time, I thought every black person in Milwaukee was related to me in some form or fashion. Daddy seemed to know everybody in the city.
Yes, I do remember Grandma Gracie who had her own little apartment within walking distance of our house. Cousin Buddy, his wife Ruby and their three kids (Louis, Larry and Ruby Jean) who lived on the first floor of our three-story building. From other places in the city, there was Uncles Monroe, Aunts Mittie Lue, Calvin & Marjorie, Peach & Vernese, Abe & Rose, Curtis & Verdia, Clarence & Gertherene. Aunt Lacireen & Uncle RT, Aunt Lena & Uncle Colrolus still lived in Arkansas. Of course, they all had kids, some were the same age as me. While others were older and younger, there were cousins Roy Lee, Johnny Lee and Vernell to name a few. This was to name just a few whereas we all managed to see one another during the holiday season. Our parents would look to that ritual.
It is that foundation from which I was raised I find comfort in being myself. One always found themselves protected from all the outside ills of society. If somehow, we encountered a problem we always knew how to handle it. Or our parents and that assortment of relatives would come to the aide of those who needed it; anytime and anyplace. They were people who worked hard, played hard and worship God on Sundays and other occasions.
I can’t tell you how many times my Grandma Gracie said she was going to pray for me. Especially during my teen years. When I was finally allowed to go around the corner from my house. Or that old warning, “Boy you are getting a little big for your britches, aren’t you?” With that, she meant I was beginning to act outside my age. They never wanted you to grow up so fast.
I think about those people today. I missed the conversations we had about family, history, life and the current state of the black race. Now you may understand why I write books and articles about those people. How I do miss my mother, father, stepmother, mother-in-law, uncles, aunts and a host of other goodwill people of their ages. Around Ninety-Eight Percent of those old Southern Souls have passed on and left a legacy of people like their children and me. I, my siblings and cousins who are left are now the older generation of migrates from Bradley County, Banks, Arkansas and the surrounding area. With pride, we say we are chips off the old blocks.
Don’t get me wrong, I love and enjoy the family my wife and I have brought into this world. I am always happy to see or talk to my sisters, brothers, and countless cousins spread throughout the United States. My wife and I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy the career success we had before retiring from the rat race. But we also know that success is a credit to those old Southern Souls and God. We love and enjoy the new friends and acquaintances we’ve made and can claim today. Yet, there is no denying the value of having come from those Southern Souls of the past. God broke the mold with many of those people. I know that many of you know exactly what I am talking about from members of your own family. May they rest in peace knowing they did a very credible job at life.
Peace, stay vigilant for our American Rights, Blessings and Merry Christmas to you all…from the Hampton Family.
Codis Hampton II
Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo
Subscribe to this blog at https://wp.me/p65rCa-j8

Join us for the live broadcast of our bi-monthly BTR Shows at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica
We are in a continuing effort to publicize my book, Gracie Hall-Hampton, the Arkansas Years 1917-1953. It examines an era of Jim Crow that many in our society may have forgotten occurred against people of color. Meanwhile, we celebrate the publication of my latest and fifth book, Misguided Intentions. Click on the publisher-Authors page at https://outskirtspress.com/MisguidedIntentions
Enjoy the book I wrote honoring my father, entitled Remembering Moz. Get a copy at https://outskirtspress.com/rememberingmoz
Get any of my books by visiting my Amazon.com Authors page at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B017TYFKBI?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at http://hcoa.net/ and http://www.chiia.com/home.html. Our Retail Site is https://frostyltd.com/frosty-ltd-com

My Country, Tears for Thee

I am an avid fan of Joy Reid. She burst on the scene in the mold of Rachel Maddow, both excellent political commentators are on MSNBC. So here I am going through my Saturday (8-12-2017) morning ritual of cleaning out my email while watching Ms. Reid during her 7:00am-9:00am show.
A little over a half hour into the show as Ms. Reid was reporting on Alt Right’s march on Friday night, came “Breaking News” as they say. Filmed as it was happening Saturday morning, pictured were thugs for lack of a better word holding white shields with a black X painted on them. They were shown attacking counter demonstrators while protecting their own space in the street. Bottles were being thrown from in back of the protestor’s line. Some of the shields had KKK printed on them. There was no sign of a police officer, National Guard, or any crowd controlling authority.
It was like watching a gang fight that would die down for a minute. Words were shouted, and someone would be pulled in the demilitarized center. One or two of the shield welding group of white nationalist or KKK would proceed to strike the victim with whatever they had in their hand. Eventually, they would pull back into their group feeling good about their personal conquest. Someone would start right back up when confronted with someone who was an enemy in their mind. The only bodies missing were anybody in authority. Later on that afternoon, a pair from one of the white supremacy groups ran down a bunch of counter-protesters on the sidewalk with an automobile. This act resulted in one death and numerous injuries. Twenty-year-old James Alex Fields has been arrested and charged with murder in the case.
The Donald came out hours later on Saturday and made a comment that many sides were involved. After two days passed, he was goaded into making a public statement prepared by his handlers. By Tuesday afternoon, the real Donald Trump came out in force. In the words of the late Maya Angelou, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”
Millions of Americans already knew who the Donald was by his actions over the years. In spite of all the evidence that came out during the campaign. A large enough of voters in Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania disregarded the evidence and voted for him. They helped get elected. It has yet to be reported if all those people are members of the White Nationalist Party or KKK. It is highly unlikely. There are all types of races and creeds in that voting bloc. If they were unsure of before, they now should know who and what Donald Trump is and stands for.
Now, what is the question we all should ask ourselves? Where do we go from here? The President of the United States has outed himself. White Nationalist, KKK, Trump, Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell and their supporters are not to be trusted with our country. Their interest is clearly about some subverted view of the United States of America. They clearly are not entirely aware of the Constitution, wars and undeclared wars, or the core values of the US. They all seem to subscribe to the notion that this country is their personal piggy bank, stomping grounds, or have the sole responsibility for guided its direction or redirection.
Today, August 16 is my birthdate. At my age, I can actually say I’ve seen a lot of change in this country. Most have been for the better and some for the worst. I’ve experienced racism up close and personal. For that matter, every now and then I still run into a racist during my daily travels. Yet, I’m acutely aware of what this country stands for, and I subscribe to those ideals. I love American History with all its flaws and inconsistencies. In the end, I understand what a vast majority of people in this country want America to be. That is not the vision of the white nationalist, Alt Right, KKK or Trump and similar politicians.
We all were put here by God almighty. Some choose not to acknowledge it by having faith in the same. I want to follow and pray every day. Can you imagine not being a Christian? The beauty of this country is you can practice any denomination of religion. You are free to pursue any occupation you choose. You can live anywhere you want, love anybody you like, raise a family and teach them to aspire to be whatever. Compared to other countries an assortment of freedoms is at your disposal.
I am not so naïve that I believe everyone can benefit from or practice these freedoms. There are many reasons why someone can’t enjoy a particular freedom this country promises. But there are also legal ways and means for a person to force another to capitulate. So the promise is still here more so than any other place on earth. And that is where we would like to keep it.
We want to avoid the thoughts of people like Trump. Our country is not for rent, sell, or loan to any one group or individual. To the dictators and one man rulers around the world, our democracy may be just over a couple of hundreds of years in years. But don’t bother trying to influence political figures or maneuver our elections to your liking. We may be slow to respond, but when we do, history has proven that you don’t want the people of the United States as your enemies. If anything America is resilient and is a foe, you would rather not confront.
As long as we fight for our core values individually, in concert and by our votes, we can determine our future. So thanks to the Donald, he may have finally awakened some people with his assertions. But most of us already knew the America our ancestors built and died for. We unlike some others of privilege have served in the military. Some of us saw or know of the death of young men and women who fought and died for the rights these racist groups now enjoy when marching in protest. We prefer that America other than the one that minority of racist, hoodlums, and self-interested politicians think we will become because of their actions.

Peace, stay vigilant for our American rights. Make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II
Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo
Subscribe to this blog at http://wp.me/p65rCa-hM

Join us for the live broadcast of our bi-monthly BTR Shows at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hampscornerofamerica
We are in a continuing effort to publicize my book, Gracie Hall-Hampton, the Arkansas Years 1917-1953. It examines an era of Jim Crow that many in our society may have forgotten occurred against people of color. Meanwhile, we celebrate the publication of my latest and fifth book, Misguided Intentions. Click on the publisher-Authors page at https://outskirtspress.com/MisguidedIntentions
Get any of my books by visiting my Amazon.com Authors page at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B017TYFKBI?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at http://hcoa.net/ and http://www.chiia.com/home.html.

It’s Much Deeper Than The Donald’s Audio Tape

Wow! It took an audio tape where the Donald was clearly heard talking about grouping women in general and one woman in particular. A tape where he actually used the P word when referring to a woman’s gentiles. That’s where numerous elected Republicans, some who are running for office on this year’s ballot draw the line? Never mind all those things he reportedly said that was degrading to and about women, minorities, and anyone else that he disagreed with in the first place. Never mind his so-called principles on law and order.

The fact that he refuses to recognize a confession with DNA results collaborating the real rapist identity of a white woman jogger in New York. He still thinks these teenagers in 1989, who served some time in jail before being exonerated, are still guilty because they confessed after a long ordeal with New York Police. One could say he was advocating lynching these young boys. And to this day, still, think they are guilty? He also wants to bring back the previously ruled unconstitutional Stop and Frisk law.

He lies and pretty much says whatever he wants on a daily basis. Mrs. Clinton was kind in her description of his part in their October ninth debate. She said Trump delivered an ‘avalanche of falsehoods.’ The rhetoric directed at her and her husband, Bill Clinton along with the Obama administration. Yet, he is the Republican nominee for President of the United States. Most forward thinking people look at Donald Trump and ask ourselves, how did this man become the Republican nominee? He is clearly unqualified for that or any political office in this country.

But hold on, the fact that Donald Trump is the Republican Parties Presidential Nominee goes much deeper than a gross audiotape. Remember when he was leading Hillary Clinton in a lot of national and state polls? He, along with his surrogates, the entire Republican Party, and millions of ultra and Alt-Right Conservatives, think Hillary Clinton is the Anti-Christ. They thought that they could sneak an unqualified bigot by the American voters as long as he ran against Mrs. Clinton.

They didn’t say much when he is shouting dangerous rhetoric at his rallies. Phrases like, “they wouldn’t do that in the old days. I like to punch them out.” It was a reference to demonstrators at his rallies.

Oh yes, we look at Donald Trump and ask ourselves, how did this man become the Republican nominee? Well, have you been to the movies lately? Watched TV, listen to some of the songs on the radio? It’s a laboratory demonstration on how to kill and maim with weapons made for killing people. Not for hunting as the NRA likes to tell you. The story lines are brutal and filled with deadly violence. The characters, including the heroes’, are suspect and untrustworthy. All this, while treating their fellow man as if they are our competition or the enemy rather than our next door neighbor. In real life, since when does it take approximately eight to nine supposedly well trained San Francisco Police Officers with weapons drawn to shoot down a man with a knife, killing him? Killing him (December of 2015) because they felt threaten. Does that make sense to you… or anybody?

There is an entire genre of music (Gangster and some mainstream rap) where the lyrics used will turn your stomach. They advocate pimping, calling woman degrading names and suggest the only way to the American Dream is to do whatever you have to do to get paid. Our kids (white, black and all) know the words to these songs before they can recite their ABC’s. Society has changed from the sixties style of “We wish you love and peace” to ‘F_ _ _ you, I got mine, now get outta my face son, while I pig out on what’s mine and cash.’ They are just a minority of rappers and entertainers. But, they are so loud and sell a lot of tapes over and underground. Sometimes you hear them blasting from their cars at the stop light. Their ways and actions are hypnotic to our young folks. Especially to those who don’t have good role models or a loving home life. A great example would be households where babies are raising babies if you get my drift.

If not Donald Trump for president, it would have been someone else with the same type of personality and beliefs. Remember the establishment Republicans tried to tone down their man. They tried to tell him to use the code words, dummy. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell advised him to use a teleprompter and don’t go off message. Now, the same man who was part of the meeting that took place after the first election of Barack Obama electing not to cooperate with the new president in any way shape of form. Now this two-faced American politician says “Don’t ask me about Trump.” Their narrative is still Hillary Clinton is the Anti-Crist. Talk about her, and we will help you get elected. They were all about the Republican majority in the House and Senate.

Remember the first rebranding of Trump begins with his newly selected campaign spokesperson Kellyanne Conway. She was everywhere explaining what the Donald really meant when he slipped back into his real personality. You couldn’t turn on the TV without seeing Rudy Giuliani or Chris Christie explaining what the Donald meant when he went off message. Just like Maya Angelou once said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them; the first time.”

Some may say, by now I am stating the obvious. A post on forwarded to me by my youngest son from Occupy Democrats pretty much starts the conversation. It says “The worst part about Trump isn’t that he’s a racist, sexist, ignorant bigot. It’s that his supporters know that and don’t care.” It only confirms that most people in spite of the narrative you may get in various media outlets know what is going on in these United States today.

Beginning with G Dubya’s eight years, there has been an erosion of race relations in this country. It was more of a quite storm then suddenly becoming louder and louder during the last almost eight years of the Obama administration. Various acts, circumstances have aided the continued change in attitudes or even tolerance by a lot of white people toward Blacks, Hispanics, and Muslim and in the last year or so, a closing of their rank and file. It’s that adage of discussion among them that starts with ‘You’re either with us or against us.

Now this is not meant to group a lot of progressive thinking people into a mob. Nor a recruitment for some far right wing skinheads living in the woods of Iowa or wherever. Because you have to keep in mind those people are in the minority of the US population. But, they are a very loud and shrewd minority. They know how to stroke the fires depending upon the latest threat, as they would call it, to white power. We just have to admit that it is there and not shy away from those who would take us back to the Thirties, Forties, and Fifties.

This no-longer-a-subtle change of attitude was aided by the rise of the Tea Party. Who, by the way, was adopted by the Republican Party. So much so, most establish Republicans added in getting them elected and toning down those who ran for office to be presentable politicians. Do you remember when the Tea Party had placards depicting President Obama as Hitler? They had him dressed in the Nazi’s Army Gear, mustache and hair style. I’d never seen a sitting president disrespected in such a grotesque manner. We almost know by heart and hear the new Jim Crow code words on a daily basis. They are in the print, broadcast, and internet media. They normally have a large picture of the perpetrator with the broadcast of the story. Use the code words boys, folks will know what you are talking about, they urge with a wink. You’ve heard them, Law and Order, Only criminals will have the guns, Illegal Immigrants, Good American, Liberal Politicians, Obamacare, and many others too numerous to mention here. The most popular today is, “Make America Great Again.” That’s right boys when you are for the right things and against the things most Good, and Law Abiding Americans don’t like, you’ve got the ticket. They try to wrap themselves in our United States Flag. They do this as if they are the only Americans in this country.

I am still and always will be a man who loves God, Family, Country and all Gods people. As Americans, we have to understand that these divisions in race relations could and do threaten our very Democracy. My summation to these shifting racial attitudes is the outstanding poem turned into a Documentary from Maya Angelou, “And Still I Rise.”

Peace, make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

Follow Hamp at https://twitter.com/#!/HampTwo

Subscribe to this blog at http://wp.me/p65rCa-eN

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“In my latest book, Remember Moz, Gracie & John Hampton’s First-Born, I wanted to tell the world about a unique individual. Not because he happened to be my father but to explain who he was, where he came from, and how he evolved into the man he became up until his death. In doing so, I wrote of his ancestor’s roots back to and through the Civil War. The inclusion of his birth and upbringing in the heart of Arkansas, or Jim Crow country, add southern reluctance to learn why our country involved itself in a bloodthirsty four-year exercise in the first place? Then you begin to understand why our parents behaved the way that they did. See if I captured the essence of this paragraph.” Get the book via the Authors Page at http://outskirtspress.com/webPage/isbn/9781478766056

Or visit my Amazon.com Authors page at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B017TYFKBI?ref_=pe_1724030_132998070

Our Parent Company and sponsor is CHIIA Group, online at http://hcoa.net/ and http://www.chiia.com/home.html .

What’s Wrong With Our National Media?

I was struck by the abrupt statement from Morgan Freeman while commenting on the Baltimore disturbances. The headline read F_ _ K the Media. This from such a level headed gentlemen who like many of us are disgusted with the coverage of news regarding black folk’s issues.

You don’t have to be in your senior years, or even middle age to have finally had enough of the obvious distortion of incidents by local and national news people. Reporters, news editors, and station owners are no different than the rest of society; they bring their bag of opinions and prejudices to the party too. How they view, an incident depends largely on their interpretation of the facts leading up to, during, and at the concluding summation.

They will have their cameraman point to certain incidents, like burning and looting as an expert picturesque commentary on a lawless band of people. They begin their narrative of explaining what the viewer is seeing by simply stated something like “And there were people taking Flat Screen TV’s, whatever they could get their thieving hands on while causing destruction of private property.” Often what is not said is these people are wearing mask and hoodies to protect their identities. What is not said is that there are people who patiently wait for a national incident to break out. They purchase plane tickets to fly to these hot spots and contribute more to the unrest than solving the problem. Their mission is simple, cause unrest, creating such an environment as to allow for breaking into a storefront business to help themselves before they disappear into the night. They have taken the merchandise of their choice, sold it for cash or taken it back to their home, wherever that is. They are professional looters. You never hear about those people unless there is a need.

Don’t get me wrong, some local black folk are involved in the looting and disturbance too. Most of time, they are living on adrenaline and do not bother with putting on a disguise. Why, because they have a personal interest in the outcome of such incidents. They simply do not care who sees them being disrupting. “Black Lives Matter” they chat. They are angry and lashing out. Of course, we believe rioting, burning or destroying community property is not the way to deal with an incident such as the death of Freddy Gray.

Our complaint is the reporting of the news, incidents, and occurrences are so narrow-minded. At times, it’s as if they are deliberately trying to muddy the waters to prevent anyone from understanding what really happened. You are almost positive the media has gone out of their way to find the most inarticulate bystanders to comment on the incident. That alone feeds into the stereotype of an uneducated race of people. At least, in the case of longer incidents they are finding more credible people to interview. Its just I am reminded of a cartoon I saw the other day. On the one hand, a black man was reading a newspaper headline which read, “Black man killed by Police Officer(s)” so he says…”Again?” The drawing includes a white man reading the headline in a paper, “Black folk rioting in the city” The white man also says “Again” in disgust. The drawing points out the irony and perception of how race is viewed by a black and a white man.

In the Morgan Freeman article, he says MSNBC, Fox News, and CNN are just commentators. Each station shows you a picture followed by what seems like an endless commentary on the subject at hand. What did the perpetrator know, when did he know it, and who did he share it with? What are the laws? Will the president or Congress get involved? Followed by the endless innuendos, action interpretations, and so-called experts in various fields giving you their idea of how it should go. Remember, there are stations like Fox News that subscribe to the tea and Republican doctrine of “hate everything that Obama stands for.”

By the way, why should we not be surprised that the Baltimore Policemen Union has turned on their State Attorney, Marilyn Mosby? She brought the charges against the 5 policemen and 1 policewoman involved in the Freddy Gray case. Monday morning, the Sherriff of Milwaukee County speaking on CNN had a gripe against this young woman. He called it a “Rush to Judgment.” I guess the unwarranted, unnecessary arrest of Mr. Gray was a “Rush to Arrest?” He said he had never seen a case where charges were brought against someone within 24 hours as had Attorney Mosby. Besides having the nerve to issue such a ridiculous statement he was reminded of a fact by the CNN reporter. Attorney Mosby had been conducting her own investigation for two weeks before she got the official package from the police department. As an aside, considering what is going on in the streets of Milwaukee, I would think the Sheriff would too busy trying to clean up his city streets instead of trying to be the voice of fellow officers from another state. Hey, Sheriff, I am Milwaukee raised and still have plenty of friends and relatives there. Please stick to your day job.

And one other thing (is it just me), has the policemen unions in this country become blind to facts and simply out of touch with their average community when they are defending one of their own? Do they remind you of the National Rifle Association? What should we call their tactics, “A Rush to protect their own?” I have no problem with any group or organization in this country looking out for their members except when it comes at the expense of real law and order for all.

What is wrong with the national media, you say? I am glad you asked. I think that they have been on this “Enquire” or “Star” (found at your grocery store rack) reporting cycle for almost two decades. You know; the premise that says the headline is everything. The more spectacular or shocking the better the headlines chance of gaining the interest of a reader. Television Newscasters are no different. They are competing with cable stations that sometimes have a little more leeway than network stations. And most cable stations are directing their rhetoric to specific audiences either liberal leaning (MSNBC) or conservative (almost all other stations) in nature. And the number one station (Fox News) has a tendency to slant every news story while appealing to right-wing Republicans and almost any fringe group that sees the world as black and white. By the way, read the following headline regarding Fox News, http://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/fox-news-apologizes-for-misreported-baltimore-police-shooting-%e2%80%98we-screwed-up%e2%80%99/ar-BBjbhSB, and you get a great picture of what I am talking about here.

Add that to the current 15 to 30-second attention span of most people on the left side of fifty-years-old and…well you get the picture. This may surprise you. All this happens before the race issues are added to the equation. Think about that for a minute. Then you will begin to understand why most national media has a credibility problem. Fact checking has given way to who got the scoop out first? Is it tantalizing enough to grab a large audience?

And finally, a lot of the general public is simply burned out from all the negative political ads, mailing, and billboards. As evidenced by the last mid-term elections. They are trying to turn it off which leaves the diehard conservatives and fringe loonies as the majority of people responding to surveys or commenting on internet columns. Every time someone with common sense contributes to the discussion, they are shouted down by some lunatic right winger. Who wants to try and reason with a fool?

One of my favorite quotes attributed to Abraham Lincoln simply says, “I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.” That is what is wrong with the national media; they have a problem providing the public with “the real facts.”

Peace, make it a day in which Jesus Christ would be proud of you,

Codis Hampton II

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