2008.10.21
The new me
You've probably noticed in the past few days that your responses haven't gone up as promptly as they usually do. Here at In the Flow, we're doing some behind-the-scenes reconstruction. Ya'll know I'm techno-illterate so I'm trying to figure out how to do this thing. So I'm asking your patience, but in the meantime, some of your responses are still going to the old platform, and I'm having to cut and paste them over to the new platform. Jim, my I.T. savior/guru, suggests you to replace your old "In the Flow" bookmark with this new one: http://blogs.roanoke.com/rtblogs/shannaflowers/
That way, all your comments will go to the right platform and can get approved more quickly. Thanks for your patience, and keep that thoughtful discourse (and trash talk) coming!
s
The blog is like a fine wine ... it's worth the wait.
Comment by Mike — October 22, 2008 @ 4:22 am
Oh, I thought by "new you", you had early-voted for McCain.
Comment by Ed S. — October 22, 2008 @ 10:20 am
You wrote an article about black men not being involved in the lives of the children they father - either physically or financially. I would like to have the specific percentage you quoted. Was it 68%?
I live near Roper, NC where it is not uncommon for 13 and 14 year old black girls to become pregnant out of wedlock. What strikes me as very wrong other than the obviuos - 13 and 14 year old girls getting pregnant in a State where any activity of a sexual nature is illegal if the participants are under 15.5 years of age - is that the men - some as old as 35 and 40 years - are never charged for rape or sexual misconduct nor are they turned in as the parent of the child. I am told that the young girl will receive a monthly check as much as $1,750 and will receive multiple checks if she has more children. Statistically they only spend about $200 of these funds on the child a month using the rest of the money for themselves. All tax free of course.
The local high school teacher says he can not get his students to learn or pass tests, that they quite often talk only about ways to get "their" check. This teacher also stated recently that his female students that are 14 years old were participating in a thong contest at a local illegal drug, booze, and prostitution house commonly known as a shot house. I tried to do something about this place and my life was threatened by local county officials. I was told by the local planning, zoning, and emergency services director, "If you investigate that place (called locally "the Barn") you will be killed, and by the way my father sold illegal substances from that place!" To me that sounded like a threat of murder with a confirmation of family ties to the place by a local official. It should be noted this same person got an award from President Bush for her volunteer work recently. I am sure the Pres. did not know all he should have before giving that award.
I live at ground zero. I see the real heart of this situation. It has always been my understanding that if I had children out of wedlock and walked away from them as these men do I would be 1) getting married, 2) paying child support, or 3) going to jail. How and why do these men get away with this horrible neglect? It is obvious that the laws I live under do not apply to these black folk. What's up with that?
I want to have an open mind and live fairly and freely with all Americans - black, red, white, and yellow. We should all live as Americans first and formost in my mind. But when you live at ground zero of BENT RULE HELL it is really hard to see the light. Will you please answer my e-mail?
Thanks. Threatened in NC.
Yes, the percentage is 68 percent of black children are born to single mothers. Curious that I received your response today, the same day we had a very good commentary in the paper decrying the local rate of teen pregnancies. Being a teen mom is a rough road, regardless of race. I don't subscribe to the belief that girls keep having babies for paychecks. I think they do it out of hopelessness and lack of self-esteem. And yes, I agree with you that these older men preying on young girls need to be held legally accountable. I'm sorry, but a 25 year-old-man having sex with a 13-year-old girl is not my idea of "consensual."--s
Comment by TotemJack — October 22, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
Thanks for the heads up, Shanna; I've seen the platform switch on another RTWN blog, too, and the adjustment to the changes will likely settle pretty quickly. But meantime, there was a mistake in your cut and pasting: several messages that were submitted for the "Colin Powell" thread seem to have been inadvertently pasted to the "McCain Is No George Wallace But..." thread.
Specifically, messages that are now listed as # 15, 16 and 17 under "...No George Wallace...", and possibly others as well, belong on the Powell endorsement thread. I'm certain because I submitted #15 in reply to a Powell thread post by LRS, and clearly so did the others. At the least, I wanted to note their misplacement, should it prove impossible to restore them to the correct thread, as they supply additional thoughtful responses, and offer the answers to questions asked by LRS.
You're right, PJ. For that I apologize, and I'll fix it. --s
Comment by PJ — October 22, 2008 @ 1:51 pm
New you? I thought you meant you had been to the hairdresser and gotten a new do. LOL
Shoot girl, after wearing the wash-n-wear 'fro for 37 years, why would I change it now? Besides, my weekly cuts are contributing to the college funds of my barber's kids.--s
Comment by Di — October 22, 2008 @ 10:50 pm
Nice flashy and chic.....
I like it!! Now as soon as I can figure how to post a icon to the comment I'll be a happy camper.
Comment by Backlash — October 23, 2008 @ 12:52 pm