I came across an interesting piece in the Austin American-Statesman about a Ghetto Handbook that was distributed among Houston school employees.  According to the Statesman, the eight-page booklet, subtitled "Wucha dun did now?", was handed out to about 15 Houston Independent School District police officers at a May roll call meeting. The Statesman goes on to say that the booklet billed itself as a guide to Ebonics, teaching the reader to speak "as if you just came out of the hood." It included definitions such as: foty: a 40-ounce bottle of beer aks: to ask a question hoodrat: scummy girl This "publication" went out in May, but it was supposedly three months before Houston ISD officials became aware of the incident. The officer who distributed the booklet has been suspended pending an investigation. See Houston Chronicle coverage of the incident here. 

Texas Death Row inmate Kenneth Foster's life was spared when Governor Rick Perry stopped his execution and reduced his sentence to life in prison.  the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles voted by a 6-1 margin that Foster's sentences should be reduced. "After carefully considering the facts of this case, along with the recommendation from the Board of Pardons and Paroles, I believe the right and just decision is to commute Foster's sentence from the death penalty to life imprisonment," Gov. Perry said in a statement. Former President Jimmy Carter and South Africa's Desmond Tutu were among the thousands who had petitioned Gov. Perry on Kenneth Foster's behalf.  Foster told prison officials that he was surprised, "but I had faith he was going to do the right thing," according to prison system spokeswoman Michelle Lyons. Perry used the fact that Foster -who drove the getaway car in the 1996 slaying of Michael LaHood Jr.- was tried at the same time as the triggerman Mauriceo Brown as the basis for his decision.  "After carefully considering the facts of this case, along with the recommendation from the Board of Pardons and Paroles, I believe the right and just decision is to commute ...

I encourage readers to visit some of the other writers who took part in Thursdays Blogging for Justice.  And if you are compelled please contact media outlets and encourage them to pay more attention to this story.  For a list of contacts click here. List of Bloggers for Justice 1. Wayne Hicks http://electronicvillage.blogspot.com/ Cincinnati, OH 2. D. Yobachi Boswell http://www.blackperspective.net Nashville, TN 3. Daz Wilson http://purplezoe.blogspot.com/ 4. Francis Holland http://afrospear.jconserv.net/ 5. Jim D. Walton http://www.blackinbusiness.org/ 6. Cooper http://wonderlandornot.net 7. Yolanda http://ebonymommy.com/blog/ 8. Vanessa Byers http://vanessabyers.net/ Miami, FL 9. Sincere http://sincere-thoughts.blogspot.com 10. Pia http://courtingdestiny.com 11. Adrianne George http://blackwomenineurope.blogspot.com/ Sweden 12. Eddie Griffin http://www.eddiegriffinbasg.blogspot.com Fort Worth, TX 13. PB http://www.savantwriter.blogspot.com Kansas City 14. Tom Autopref http://automaticpreference.wordpress.com/ 15. Dave J. http://wanderingether.blogspot.com/ Haslett, Michigan 16. B. Medusa http://www.mnemosyne-blog.net/ 17. Shawn Williams http://www.dallassouthblog.com Dallas, Texas 18. Deidra http://blackandmissing.blogspot.com Baton Rouge, LA 19. AAPP http://www.AfricanAmericanPoliticalPundit.com & www.Africanamericanopinion.com 20. Invisible Woman http://invisible-cinema.blogspot.com/ San Fran, CA 21. Plez http://pajoyner.blogspot.com Atlanta, GA 22. Shanikka http://www.maatsfeather.com/frontPage.do 23. Mahogony Diva http://mahogonydiva.blogspot.com/ 24. Saba http://charlotte.greasyguide.co

Why does everyone want to convince me that justice is blind? Why do people want to make me believe that the lady with the scale never peaks under that blindfold to take a look at who stands before her awaiting her ruling? Today, a number of bloggers are writing in support of the Jena 6. By now, most should know who they are, but in case you don't I'll give a quick review. On May 18, Howard Witt wrote an article in the Chicago Tribune that exposed the nation to racial unrest in Jena, Louisiana. It all started when black students at the local high school sat under a tree -after asking permission- whose shade had traditionally been reserved for white students. According to Mr. Witt's article the following events occurred following this simple protest by the black students last September: * The next day three nooses were hanging from the tree * Once three white students were identified as having hung the nooses on the tree, the school superintendent suspended them for only three days. (The principal had suggested expulsion). The superintendent felt the nooses represented a "youthful stunt." * Fights broke out at the high school ...

The Afrosphere Jena 6 Coalition “ask that the mainstream traditional media step forward and discharge their duty to provide coverage of this vitally important event to their viewers and readers and act as “the fourth institution" of governmental "checks and balance” that constitutional framers intended the press to be.” To further this effort the Afrosphere Jena 6 Coalition will embark on a ‘Day of Blogging for Justice’ on Thursday August 30th. Jena, LA, August 29, 2007 --(PR.com)-- There is growing concern surrounding the Jena Six case in Jena Louisiana. Yet, inexplicably, the national media, most particularly on television, has been abysmally silent on an occurrence of grave social, political and legal importance. The 'common folk' media of the blogosphere, has stepped up to the plate in the absence of adequate traditional media coverage. Bloggers have taken to hanging banners to blog side-bars and placing them in blog entries at an increasing rate; displaying the words 'Free the Jena 6' accompanied by the evocative symbolism of a noose hanging from a tree. On these blogs strategies that can assist in bringing awareness to these young targets of racist psychological abuse are finding willing participants in discussion, and action; ...

I've been wondering throughout the Michael Vick situation whether or not the life of a dog means more to the American public than the life of a human.  It seems there is more outrage at the senseless deaths of pit bulls than there is to the senseless death of people. Leona Helmsley has now confirmed my thinking.  The Times Online among others has reported that Helmsley "left her pet dog in the lap of luxury with a $12 million dollar inheritance – more than she bequeathed her human descendants."  The Times goes on to say that Helmsley "cut two of her four grandchildren out of her estate entirely but bestowed a fortune on her beloved fluffy white Maltese bitch Trouble." Now you have it.

I'll be the first to tell you that I'm a big Owen Wilson fan.  Wedding Crashers was one of the funniest movies in years, and he was a big reason why.  His cameo in Night at the Museum was very good, not to mention  turns in Meet the Parents & The Royal Tenenbaums. But just because he's funny on screen doesn't mean he's exempt from the everyday problems we all go through.  On Monday night I saw stories floating on the web that Owen Wilson had allegedly tried to commit suicide on Sunday. Comparisons to the coverage of Wilson's apparent attempt on his own life and reports that Terrell Owen's had overdosed almost a year ago are valid since Wilson is from Dallas.  Granted he was in L.A. at the time of the incident, but you would think a native son would be covered thoroughly. The first report in the Dallas Morning News was in Tuesday's GuideLive Section.  The headline, on  page 3E, reads "Owen Wilson in 'good condition.'" The story ran showing the picture to the right of Wilson with a half smile.  No where in the above the fold article was the word suicide mentioned.  Now are ...

The NAACP issued the following press release urging citizens to pressure Congress to step up recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast region. The Issue: In the next few days, Congress will return from recess with 60 days to decide on the 2008 Federal Budget, including continuing funds for Gulf Coast recovery efforts and assistance for Katrina survivors. But, the President’s budget proposal does not provide adequate funding for many of the key programs that provide housing, education and health care assistance in the region. The President’s budget does not renew the $500 million Social Service Block Grant to help hurricane ravaged areas of the Gulf Coast fund child welfare, employment services, and other state and local social programs.  And neither the President’s budget nor any proposals from Congress include additional funds for The Road Home, a program designed to help those displaced by Katrina and Rita with housing issues, even though this program was forced to stop accepting applications on July 31st  because of a $5 billion shortfall. THE ACTION We Need You To Take: Contact your Representative and both your Senators. To contact your Senators and Representative, you may: Make a Phone Call: Call your ...

I am proud to introduce a new member to the Dallas South Family: Dallas South Sports .  Dallas South Sports will take a keen interest in High School football in Southern Dallas, as well as college football, the NFL (heavy on the Boys), Fantasy Football and eventually basketball at all levels.  We'll also show the Rangers a little love from time to time. There will be a few growing pains as it was with Dallas South Blog, but I'm looking forward to giving at local sports coverage a little Southern Flavor if you will.  Take a moment to check us out (click here if you missed the first link), and I'll introduce everyone to the contributors a little later. 

              Last week I came across the plight of Kenneth Foster, a man on Texas' Death Row for a crime that was committed in his presence.  Eddie Griffin (visit Eddie's blog here), has been keeping me up to speed on efforts to stop  Kenneth's execution which is scheduled for this week.  I asked Eddie to share more on Kenneth's situation with our readers.  Visit FreeKenneth.com to find out more.  Dallas South Blog: Eddie, what exactly was Kenneth Foster convicted of and when? Eddie Griffin: Kenneth Foster was convicted as an accessory to a (1996) robbery and murder committed by another man, simply because he was in the company of the assailant and the driver of the vehicle in which the assailant fled the crime scene. Under the Texas “law of parties”, he can receive the same punishment as the guilty shooter. DSB: When is he scheduled to be executed? EG: He is scheduled to be executed August 30, 2007. [Time: Unknown] DSB: Why do you and so many others believe that he deserves clemency? EG: Mr. Foster was 19 years old at the commission of ...