BOBBEE BEE: I AM TRAYVON MARTIN (PG-13) STRONG LANGUAGE &VIOLENCE

by Kevin Powell

I am Trayvon Martin.

So are you. And so is any human being who has ever felt cornered, in a dark and desolate alley, between life and death. Add the grim reality of skin color in America, and you have the disastrous spectacle of 250lb George Zimmerman, 28, pursuing 140lb Trayvon, 17, until that man-child is screaming "Help!" - and then gasping for air after a bullet from Zimmerman's 9mm handgun had punctured his chest. A majority-white, gated community became, on 26 February, the makeshift mortuary for a black boy who will not get a chance to live, to go to college with his exceptional high school grades, to make something of his life. Trayvon's fatal act: a mundane walk to the nearby convenience store to buy a can of iced tea and a bag of Skittles.

This is what racism, the American version of it, means to black boys like Trayvon, to black men like me. That we often don't stand a chance when it has been determined, oftentimes by a single individual acting as judge and jury, that we are criminals to be pursued, confronted, tackled, and, yes, subdued. To be shocked and awed into submission.

The police authorities in Sanford, Florida, where the shooting occurred, are apparently so mired in racial prejudice and denial that George Zimmerman, at this writing, still has not been arrested nearly a month after Trayvon was killed - in spite of Zimmerman being told, on 911 police dispatch audio, not to follow Trayvon Martin.

In spite of Zimmerman being charged in 2005 with resisting arrest with violence and battery on a police officer. In spite of Zimmerman calling the police 46 times since January 2011. In spite of Zimmerman, according to neighbors, being fixated on bracketing young black males with criminality. In spite of Zimmerman being

the subject of complaints from neighbors in his gated community due to his aggressive tactics. In spite of the officer in charge of the crime scene also receiving criticism in 2010 when he initially failed to arrest a lieutenant's son who was videotaped attacking a homeless black man. In spite of Zimmerman violating major principles of the Neighborhood Watch manual (the manual states: "It should be emphasized to members that they do not possess police powers. And they shall not carry weapons or pursue vehicles.")

In spite of Zimmerman not being a member of a registered group, which police were not aware of at the time of the incident. And in spite of the Sanford, Florida police failing to test Zimmerman for drugs or alcohol. (A law enforcement expert told ABC that Zimmerman sounds intoxicated on the 911 tapes, and that drug and alcohol testing is "standard procedure in most homicide investigations".)

Finally, what was a man like George Zimmerman doing with a gun in the first place? And will Florida's very controversial "stand your ground" self-defense law prevent Zimmerman from ever being prosecuted, especially as he and his lawyers are claiming he was protecting himself from harm?

Finally, does any of the above truly matter, if the shooter has white skin and the victim's is brown?

We've heard, since President Obama came into office, that we suddenly, miraculously, live in a "post-racial" America, that there now is such a thing as "post-blackness". Try telling that to the families of Trayvon Martin. Or Ramarley Graham. Or Sean Bell. Or Oscar Grant. Or Amadou Diallo. Or Emmett Till. Or the Scottsboro Boys. And numberless others in modern US history.


American racism is not merely a distortion of human psychology that teaches the George Zimmermans of our nation to see Trayvon Martin as nothing more than a criminal; it is also the debilitating disease that allows us, on the one hand, to denounce the alleged atrocities of Kony in faraway Africa we've seen in that ubiquitous viral video, and on the other, to overlook the Trayvon Martins, just as we ignore the routine stop-and-frisk harassment of legions of black and Latino young males.

We are trapped in the stereotyping that saw my friend's son being told by his teacher in Fairfax County, Virginia recently, as he reciited a Langston Hughes poem,that he needed to read it "blacker". The stereotyping that allows us to cheer loudly for the majority-black college basketball teams during March Madness, yet won't permit us to pay attention to Trayvon Martin's parents, clearly shattered, pleading for some shred of justice.

The Justice Department's intervention is welcome, if belated. But it is American racism that constrains our leaders, like President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder, from speak forcibly and publicly about this destructive cancer for fear of alienating "regular" folks. If the president could call on Sandra Fluke considering the insult she'd received from Rush Limbaugh, we should be able to expect him to offer his condolences to Martin's parents for the grevious injury they have received.
For the sake of Trayvon Martin, and the Trayvon Martins who never had this sort of mass outcry, something must be done. But if we choose to turn our ears and hearts away from his parents and his community, then Trayvon Martin's blood will be on the hands of this entire nation. Will we ignore that call for help, as Trayvon's went unheeded?

BOBBEE BEE AND FANNIE FOUR EYES: SPEND LESS; GIVE MORE

BOBBEE BEE AND FANNIE FOUR EYES: SPEND LESS; GIVE MORE
by Lauren Murrow and Rachel Mount

Twenty bucks buys movie tickets or a weekend's worth of lattes. But you can do a world of good-from feeding an endangered animal to educating a child-for even less.
$1
Two books shipped to a classroom in Africa. In many schoolrooms on the continent, 20 children share one textbook www.booksforafrica.org
$2
A set of drumsticks for a low-income public school student learning to play the drums. www.littlekidsrock.org
$3
A field trip to a museum, concert, or theatrical production for a high-risk youth. www.createnow.org



$4
Two hours of prepaid phone time for a soldier stationed overseas to call home. Started by teen siblings in 2004, Cell Phones for Soldiers has since mailed more than 1.5 million calling cards to American troops. www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com
$5
A one-burner kerosene stove for a family that would typically rely on an open fire. The stove is reusable and less environmentally taxing than the cutting of timber. www.foodforthepoor.org
$6
Measles vaccinations for children in a developing country. www.doctorswithoutborders.org
$7
A week's worth of food for an abandoned dog or cat a shelter run by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. www.aspca.org


$8
A medical teaching doll, to be used in educating a child about his or her cancer treatment. www.stjude.org
$10
Cloth and tools so an Afghan woman can become self-sufficent by taking a six-month tailoring course through Creating Hope International and the Afghan Institute for Learning. www.globalgiving.org
$10
A box of nails used to adapt a disabled veteran's house, from Homes for Our Troops, an organization that provides full accessibility to the injured at no cost. www.homesforourtroops.org
$11
Eleven trees to be planted in Alabama communities devastated by the April 2011 tornadoes. www.arborday.org
$12
Twenty pounds of multipurpose soap to help families germ-free around the world, through Oxfam. www.oxfamericaunwrapped.com
$14
Two nutritious meals delivered by volunteers from Meals on Wheels to a housebound senior citizen. www.mowaa.org
$15
A backpack and school supplies for one homeless or low-income urban child. www.cradlestocrayons.org

BOBBEE BEE AND FANNIE FOUR EYES:8 WAYS TO ACHIEVE EMOTIONAL BALANCE

FANNIE FOUR EYES: 8 WAYS TO ACHIEVE EMOTIONAL BALANCE
by Amber J.Adams
1. Sing out, sister

Whether it's your favorite spirtual Sunday service or power ballad by Beyonce', singing along can boost your mood and your immune system, according to a German study. Next time you have the urge to belt out a tune, let your voice soar, even if you are a choir of one.
2. Tune in to your Zen

Mindfulness meditation-the practice of consciously directing your attention to the present moment-reduces blood pressure and increase a sense of well being, according to paper published in Perspectives on Psychological Science. You can get your om on anywhere, says Ghylian Bell, founder of the Urban Yoga Foundation in New York City. Close your eyes and concentrate on the sound of your breath as you inhale and exhale naturally. "If your mind wanders, let the thoughts play out without judgment until you come back to the breath," says Bell. "By focusing on breathing, you tap into the body's ability to self-regulate and heal."

3. Wear a happy face.

This is one instance where it doesn't pay to fake it. A Michigan State University study found that workers who flash a real rather than phony smile could boost their sense of joy. The reason? A genuine grin requires you to tap into a pleasant memory or positive thought, which researchers theorize may result in an increase in mood-boosting dopamine levels.
4. Get into the game

Research conducted at East Carolina University found that people who played casual video games for 30 minutes had a 50 percent decrease in anger and a nearly 50 percent decrease in tension compared with nongamers. The positive feedback you receive from the game may trigger the body's relaxation response, while the concentration required to master it can distract from distress, say researchers.
5. Hug it out

A quick cuddle with a loved one can lower your stress, according to investigators at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. They measured the blood pressure and heart rate of nearly 1000 couples before and after requiring them to undergo a stressful event-delivering a speech. The pairs who engaged in ten minutes of hand-holding followed by a quick hug before going onstage had lower blood pressure and heart rate than those who had contact-with the African-Americans tested recording the greatest decrease in stress levels. Even if you're not planning to go in front of an audience anytime soon, take time to dole out the hugs to your partner, mom, child or best friend-you'll both feel better.

6. Rock away stress

Turns out rocking chairs aren't just for soothing babies and sipping lemonade. A University of Rochester study found that senior citizens who rocked for 80 minutes daily experienced fewer symptoms of anxiety. People of all ages may benefit from the gentle swaying, says Nancy M.Watson, Ph.D., R.N. , the study's author. No rocker? No problem. Mimic the motion in any chair, or even sitting cross-legged on the floor, to reap similar benefits.

BOBBEE BEE: THE GREED OF MARCH MADNESS

by Eric d.Graham

NORTH CAROLINA (BASN)---Gordon Gekko famously said in the movie Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps that "Greed is good, now it seems it's legal."

Yes, Greed has become legal and it has gotten greedier.

And in this BRAVE NEW WORLD, the bankers have become the new bank robbers. Universities operate like corporations. And coaches make decisions like CEOs.

The need for excess wealth has become a major factor behind college athletics, especially in football.

Now hundred dollar hand-shakes, million dollar meetings, and billion dollar bowl games dominate the headlines more than touchdowns and homecomings.

The integrity of the game is gone.

Plus, the evolutionary concept of survival of the fittest is the new business model.

And since recruitment is the foundation of college football, national television exposure and multi-million dollar television contracts have become top priority.

Many people blame the University of Texas and their Longhorn Network for starting this mess, but this has been going on for years.

Now everybody is jocking for position and making business moves as college football expands beyond its borders.



Consider the recent trend in college football, where conferences are merging like banks in order to produce super conferences.

The arrangement and alignments of these new conferences have nothing to do with geography, academics, scholarships, sportsmanship or school pride.

These new conferences are being designed to generate mega-bucks.

"With all the conference realignments, universities are needy to do what's best for them." said Texas head football coach Mack Brown, who recently signed a $5.1 million contract, which is the second highest in college football.

“We have to make money. I've been an athletic director. Coaches are making money. Facilities are growing at each school. Programs are growing. So there's no way athletic directors and presidents can look at these situations without considering the financial side of it."

Yes, it is purely about cash because college football is big business.

Plus, these young muscle-bound athletes fund the operation.

As a result, I return to the wisdom of Gordon Gekko once again, who said, "It's all about bucks (money) kid, the rest is conversation. It is a zero sum net game. Somebody wins; somebody loses."

Yes, this is the God honest truth.

To borrow from Charlie Sheen, who played the character Bud Fox in the original Wall Street, universities are "Winning!" while the athletes remain broke and college coaches get cuddled with million dollar contracts and bowl game bonuses.

Yes, money is the driving force behind these so-called amateur games of competition.

Let's stop living in denial.

With the current corruption that continues to spread like cancer throughout college sports, we, however, can't play race blind politics. Because politically, most of these athletes being exploited by this system of greed are players of color.

College sports, in effect, has grown to become one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in America.

Bernie Madoff, in fact, would be extremely proud of the NCAA.

Because every shrewd capitalist knows that "the mother of all evil is speculation."

By definition, speculation means engaging in a risky business venture on the chance making a huge profit.

And without a doubt, the NCAA has taken its risky business model and made billions of dollars off the blood, backs, and bodies of these young athletes.

But without fear, we now must name the villains and the victims of this system despite the victories.

Why? Because this current system of exploitation by the NCAA is failing and eventually its bubble will violently burst.

This Ponzi scheme operating by the NCAA can be exposed once sports reporters decide to stop dumbing-down athletes and start educating them about the game behind the game.

This, however, will be a difficult task because most athletes are still blinded by the spot light of playing on national television and possibly living out their dreams of playing in the NFL. Therefore, we must dim the light so they can see the picture much clearer.

Because even though the NCAA continues their unwavering argument of false scarcity, they are really operating from a space of excess abundance.

The crisis in collegiate athletics, in fact, is a crisis of distribution. In other words, if they learn to share, we can all live in prosperity.

As a result, I suggest that the players stand-up as a united front and OCCUPY THE NCAA like the protesters are doing in Manhattan at Zuccotti Park and throughout the globe.

We could call this monumental event the DAY of OUTRAGE, which athletes all over the country will spontaneously take off their shoulder pads and walk-off the field during the college bowl series.

Hopefully, this protest will cause a domino effect.

Next, during the NCAA basketball tournament, another protest will be sparked, which will be brilliantly named a MARCH ON MADNESS.

With that said, we return to the wisdom of Gordon Gekko, who said "Money is not the primary asset in life. Time is. "

Therefore, we pray that the NCAA's time of exploiting athletes will come to an abrupt end.

Power to the players, because the time is now.

BOBBEE BEE: LET'S BE BETTER PARENTS

1.) I will give rather than control

2.) I will trust rather than mistrust
3.) I will listen rather than react

4.) I will celebrate rather than judge the difference among us

5.) I will be honest with and honor my feeling as well as those of others


6.) I will feel adequate without feeling quilt

7.) I will find a way to express anger without hurting others

8.) I will be grateful for and appreciate the gifts we each bring

9.) I will take time to consider, review, and reflect before deciding on a course of action in an unwanted situation

10.) I will parent with love

BOBBEE BEE: I AM GOING TO COLLEGE

WE BELIEVE.
We are the young men of Urban Prep.
We are college bound.
We are exceptional-not because we say it, but because we work hard at it.
We will not falter in the face of any obstacle placed before us.
We are dedicated, committed and focused.
We never succumb to mediocrity, uncertainty or fear.

We never fail because we never give up.
We make no excuses.
We choose to live honestly, nonviolently and honorably.
We respect ourselves and, in doing so, respect all people.
We have a future for which we are accountable.
We have a responsibility to our families, community and world.
We are our brothers' keepers.
We believe in ourselves.
We believe in each other.
We believe in Urban Prep.
WE BELIEVE.

To learn more about "In the Mind of Bobbee Bee" please contact us at lbiass34@yahoo.com