April 2024 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!

*Note: The article “Public Service Announcement: Pseudo-intellectuals” was first published in the April 2022 Edition. To view the full edition, click here. This article was also updated for the April 2023 Edition to view click here.

“We know they (CCP) are turning content creators into foot soldiers.”-U.S. Representative Kat Cammack, Republican-Florida 3rd District

💖For Additional Reading

1.) 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

2.) 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

3.) 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

4.) 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

5.) 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

Art/Film/Literature News

Dune: Part Two

Imagine you are an indigenous inhabitant of a planet rich in a natural resource called spice. This resource is the envy of other planetary nations and source of power for the universe. But the decades long war to steal this resource has left the inhabitants colonized and impoverished. Dune: Part Two (2024, running time 2 hours 46 minutes) highlights both the plight of the Fremen people and the nobles of House Atreides. This movie touches on a range of topics that includes: politics, war, religion, love, and betrayal. The action sequences are well crafted and the use of gigantic worms as ships of the desert was great! A very good movie!

Business/Non-Profit/Inspirational News

Sign of the Times

We are living in uncertain times with wars and rumors of war (see Matthew 24:6-7 KJV). This provides even more reason that you should be prepared. This is not a doomsday message of fear. Activate faith not fear. As Christians, our cornerstone is faith in the Lord Almighty and his son Jesus Christ. The Lord can also guide you to participate in your own protection during troubling times. From Proverbs 27:12 KJV: “A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; But the simple pass on, and are punished.”

For example, consider my homemade analogy: The weather report states Highway A has a lot of flooding, we suggest drivers take an alternate road. City workers are en route to the site, expect traffic delays. Drive at your own risk. Highway B is open and no flooding, but it is out of the way. It will add 15 minutes to your drive and you’re already in a hurry.

A time of uncertainty. What will you do? Activate faith not fear. And prayer is your GPS. When you pray and ask the Lord for guidance, you will receive the instructions that are best for you, your family, and situation. Perhaps, you will be told to take Highway B now. Or, reschedule your appointment and avoid road travel for today. Or, wait two hours then take Highway A. If you chose to go against such guidance and act out of fear, then you drive at your own risk. Do you understand? The ancient Biblical world had wars and times of uncertainty-go back and read those stories. The comforts of living in a modern prosperous nation can induce forgetfulness. But that Biblical world still exists today, it’s just a little older.

I have posted below two sermons by Pastor Roberta Morrison and Pastor Missy Darby that highlight socio-political issues and how to navigate these tumultuous times with biblical insight. Remember, activate faith not fear. And prayer is your GPS. 

*Note: The current article “Sign of the Times” contains an excerpt form the article “Inflation: Rising Food Prices” first published in the May 2022 Edition. To view the full edition, click here.

“Watch what you’re watching. Be careful what you put in your mind and what you allow yourself to see.”-Pastor Roberta Morrison

“We are seeing the radicalization of these young incels. These incels are becoming terrorists.”-Pastor Missy Darby

Book Review

Life Is What You Bake It

Life Is What You Bake It by Vallery Lomas (446 pages, 2021, kindle edition) is a great collection of recipes to satisfy the appetite and soul. The author is a lawyer turned professional baker. She was the winner of The Great American Baking Show and highlights some of the activities from the show. I enjoyed how she used baking analogies to explain the ups and downs of life. She includes early food influences from Louisiana to her study abroad in France. The book is part memoir and part cookbook baked together into a delicious dessert.

🍰Book Quotes:

“Sheet cakes don’t get enough love.”

“I had a burning desire to do something different with my life.”

“I had taken the lemons I was given and made something better than lemonade—I made lemon curd.”

News Videos (6)

“(They) are convinced the best way to achieve their goal of White Supremacy future is to cause a societal collapse by plunging it into darkness.”-U.S. Representative Cori Bush, Democrat-Missouri