April 2022 Edition

Culture & News

Public Service Announcement: Pseudo-intellectuals     

The following P.S.A. is based on my own opinion and observation. It addresses a section of content creators and does not apply to all content creators. There appears to be a rise of pseudo-intellectuals in the social media sphere, particularly in the African-American community. I have noticed some Black YouTubers who promote explosive racial commentary, hostile gender rhetoric, and/or paradoxical eugenics arguments spoken by both men and women.

These content creators push the idea that they address legitimate issues in the Black community, such as relationships/dating or absentee fathers. But if you didn’t already know that they were Black people, their content would probably be considered anti-black racist rhetoric. Or at the least, a form of racial self-hatred or just bad behavior. Their YouTube content seems more like entertainment. They provide a little truth mixed in a bowl of poison. And they are ready for you to eat the entire meal.     

Let me be clear. The U.S. constitution guards freedom of speech for its citizens and protects those individual voices. But the public must exercise discernment of those same voices. Currently, we are in a heated social-political climate that can incubate criminal intent that wears a disguise on social media. Be careful. There can be individuals who are funded by foreign governments or other entities to push a nefarious agenda. They seek out potential recruits or intend to increase the flames of social chaos.

Their job is to seduce everyday people into suspicious ideologies, because they are being paid to do so. Keep in mind, there are allegations of views and subscriber numbers being available for content creators to purchase. Also, some callers to these social media shows have the potential to be rehearsed. Another notable tactic, is to engage in explosive, inflammatory rhetoric, malicious arguments, or promote half-truths.

Finally, it is quite possible that some of them are already under some form of law enforcement monitoring or federal investigation. Such explosive rhetoric and the solicit for donations tends to attract the eyes of law enforcement. Basically, don’t become one of their victims. Do your own fact checks and exercise discernment.

Yes, there are issues in the African-American community that need intervention and can benefit from a healthy debate. But the cherry-picking of data, deliberate misrepresentation of facts, greed, and malice is not the road to recovery. We all can do better in terms of the dialogue with these community issues. And be careful out there!

For Additional Reading

Times of India: Signs to Spot a Pseudo-intellectual Person (2021)

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/love-sex/signs-to-spot-a-pseudo-intellectual-person/articleshow/84583182.cms

PRX The World: Russian trolls tried to recruit a prominent US activist. He didn’t take the bait, but others did (2017)

https://theworld.org/stories/2017-10-24/russian-trolls-tried-recruit-prominent-us-activist-he-didn-t-take-bait-others-did

WSB-TV 2 Atlanta News: Atlanta-based activist allegedly used BLM group to launder more than $200K for personal purchases, FBI says (2020)

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atlanta/atlanta-based-activist-allegedly-used-blm-group-launder-more-than-200k-personal-purchases-fbi-says/IO7SSWUMDZEVLFKBKZQFI57LHM/

Forbes: Social Media Is Full Of Fakes – As In Fake Followers New Study Finds (2021)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2021/11/17/social-media-is-full-of-fakes–as-in-fake-followers-new-study-finds/?sh=1d709c33673c

Art/Film/Literature News

Women in Art

The ability to create wondrous works of art is not gifted to only one gender. There are many women artists throughout history and in modern times, who have produced beautiful masterpieces. Although acknowledgement of their achievements has been lacking, efforts are being made to be more inclusive of their works.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts located in Washington, D.C. features women of the art world. They offer virtual resources, online exhibitions, and collections. There is an online exhibition of artist Graciela Iturbide who photographs her homeland of Mexico. The black and white images shows the diversity of Mexico and includes photos of the Seri ( whose name means “those who live in the sand”) an indigenous people.

Look below for the posted videos of three talented artists: Aramis Hamer, a former nurse who creates beautiful acrylic paintings, Jennifer Packer whose paintings provoke a depth of feeling, and the 90 years-old Audrey Flack who pioneered a road of abstraction to photo realism.  

Business/Non-Profit News

Sankofa Beer

Sankofa Beer Company is based in Washington, D.C. and produces craft beer. The founders celebrate their connection to West Africa in name and spirit. Their beer flavors include: Hypebiscus, Harmattan Haze, and Cocoa Coast. Please drink responsibly.  

DC Beer: Sankofa Beer Reflects on Their First Year of “Culture Meets Craft” (2019) https://dcbeer.com/2019/02/07/sankofa-beer-reflects-on-their-first-year-of-culture-meets-craft/

Book Review

Pandora’s Dreams

A team of university scientists make a neuroscience discovery that allows for dream capture and storage. This new technology brings rewards and consequences. Read more of this interesting story in the book: Pandora’s Dreams: After Dinner Conversation Series by Peter Beaumont (18 pages, 2021, kindle edition).

One scientist reflects on the situation: “Some of the team weren’t happy about blurring the boundaries between science and capitalism…” (kindle p. 5).

This is the 3rd book I’ve read in the A.D.C. Series (1st= Rainbow People of the Glittering Glade, 2nd= My Fellow Immortal Americans). Of the three, it’s the shortest in length but presents a good moral-ethical dilemma as in the other shorts. Also, has great discussion questions at the end.

Per discussion questions: “Do you think there are areas of scientific research, like…that should be banned from ever being researched?” (kindle p. 11). A good short story!

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