April 2023 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

Reuters: U.S. charges Ex-Fugees rapper, Malaysian businessman Low over funding in 2012 election (2019)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-fraud-idUSKCN1SG2BR

*Note: The article “Public Service Announcement: Pseudo-intellectuals” was first published in the April 2022 Edition. To view the full edition, click here.

Art/Film/Literature News

Chocolate Kiss

Ashley Valentine is an entrepreneur with the motto “I don’t want to be in love.” But could cupid’s arrow be pointing at her anyway? To learn more about her love journey watch the movie: Chocolate Kiss (2020) starring Kristin Clarke and Edward Donaldson. This cute indie movie takes place in Michigan and has humor, heart, and chocolate kisses. You can watch it for free on Tubi, click here or for Amazon rental, click here.

Business/Non-Profit News

This Is It! Southern Kitchen & Bar-B-Q

Shelley Anthony is the owner of This Is It! Southern Kitchen & Bar-B-Q Restaurant which has eleven locations in Georgia. He is the son of restaurateurs who opened the first Black-owned diner in Tampa, Florida. Mr. Anthony has a tenth grade education and has been in business for forty years. I look forward to reading his book: God Has A Plan For the Underdog.

Atlanta News First: ‘This Is It’ Restaurant celebrating 40 years of business (February 2023)

https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/02/07/this-is-it-restaurant-celebrating-40-years-business/

Book Review

Brown Girl Rising: A Poetry Memoir

Michele LaMar-Thomas has birthed an engaging book: Brown Girl Rising: A Poetry Memoir (2022, 59 pages, kindle edition). This short but powerful read covers several topics such as family, love, faith, politics, and grief. Some favorite poems from the book include: Sisters, Texas, we have a problem, Epic, The Blessings of a Grandfather, and Sassy Lady. A very enjoyable read!

💖Some favorite lines of poetry:

“Who else can tell my truth?”

“Reminiscing of countless sunrises”

“The people discern your hypocrisy”

“Poetry is silent like stars in night’s sky”

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