In the wake of Obama 2.0, a number of Black talking heads had complained that the President had not done enough for Black people during his first term.  The serendipity of the start of his second term coincides with the 80th anniversary of the release of Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s MisEducation of the Negro, a critique of foibles within Negro leadership. 

Dr. Jeff Menzise, a clinic psychologist, takes advantage of this coincidence and deconstructs Woodson’s work for contemporary Black America in Dumbin’ Down: Reflections on the Mis-Education of the Negro (Mind on the Matter Publishing, $15.95).  In the book, Menzise throws down the gauntlet by challenging academics, politicians, religious leaders and other professionals to acknowledge the deficit in public education and realize the necessity of appropriate instruction and leadership.

Menzise structures his book with a chapter by chapter critique of Woodson’s work. He defines mis-education as instruction that glorifies a victor and denigrates the victim. His work with students, from elementary school to college, provided him a clear understanding of the effects miseducated “leadership” have had on society.

In chapter 12, Gatekeepers and Tokens, for instance, Menzise challenges the notion that all Black leaders are desired by the people to be in charge when in fact some leaders are really opportunists. “The individuals who are slowly creeping into positions of influence may or may not have realized their own mis-education and operate to support and maintain their benefits to the detriment of the group,” he writes.  In this chapter, he also explores the struggle within Black society between gatekeepers and revolutionaries. “The question of ‘who speaks for the Negro’ and what type of leadership is best and necessary has often led to disagreements and sometimes bloodshed.”

In one vignette, Menzise demonstrates the negative effects of one being chosen “third grade class” leader. The simple act of distributing cupcakes empowers the leader to show favoritism resulting in a year-long quid pro quo. Adults behave in similar fashion with larger “gifts” that can edify or destroy careers and people. Unfortunately, the mis-educated adult “class leader” thrives on dissension all the while embittering and stultifying potential in their colleagues. The losers are Black people.

Americans are often amused with British English, such as their wanting to place items in a car’s bonnet (trunk). For an African-centered twist, POH looks at some different ways Gambians express themselves in English.

Do you want to take lunch?
Do you want to have lunch?

I will join the car?
I will take a taxi?

My (mobile) phone is out of minutes?
My time has run out on my (prepaid) (cell) phone.

Honestly!                               
I know what you mean!

How is your body?
How are you feeling today?

According to a new Comscore study, “The New Digital Wallet," mobile devices are becoming more a part of American life.

·  Increased smartphone browsing: Nearly half of all American adults (45%) now own a smartphone. The majority of them (55%) go online using their phones, and 17% of cell phone owners do most of their web browsing on their cell phone.

·  Growing mobile communications: 4 in 10 emails are now being opened on mobile devices. That's a 300% increase in the past two years. We saw with our own emails that up to 30% of people viewed them on mobile devices, compared to around 15% at the beginning of the year.

The Library of Congress' 2012 inductees to the National Recording Registry reflect the diversity and creativity of the American experience.  The Librarian of Congress, James H. Billington, announced the selection of 25 sound recordings to the registry, marked for preservation because of their cultural, artistic and historic importance to the nation's aural legacy. The inductees include:

Descargas: Cuban Jam Session in Miniature, Cachao Y Su Ritmo Caliente (1957)

The Shape of Jazz to Come, Ornette Coleman (1959)

Crossing Chilly Jordan, The Blackwood Brothers (1960)

Hoodoo Man Blues, Junior Wells (1965)

Wild Tchoupitoulas, The Wild Tchoupitoulas (1976)

Saturday Night Fever, The Bee Gees, et al (1977)

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