In today’s world when we hear most of our African-American youth share their career dreams, I’ve seen more than a few adults roll their eyes or shake their heads when the child states aspirations along the lines of becoming a professional athlete, dancer, rapper, singer, Oprah, or essentially anything that would put them in the spotlight instead of “having to work hard.”

In the past few weeks I met a young man who is a musician, but is probably working just as hard enough not harder to live his dream as those of us punching a clock on weekdays.

Darnell Levine (www.darnelllevine.com) is a name that’s probably unfamiliar to most but once you hear his sound and see his dedication to his craft for lack of better terms, you get “it.” Darnell is a singer/songwriter who excels in the jazz and pop genres and some might say comedy as well. He’s released two solo albums, and his current CD “Journal Entries” is available on amazon.com.

This summer he is trying to make (are you listening Magic Johnson) history by becoming the first artist to ever tour exclusively at Starbucks. He’s named his mission “The Darnell Levine Summer Music Tour Experience Exclusively at Starbucks” and so far, he’s hit several cities around the southwest side of the United States including Lexington, KY, Cincinnati, OH, Nashville and he has one more week of touring.

Darnell is responsible for booking the locations, mapping routes, looking for sponsors, maintaining his website, creating design elements for the website, selling merchandise—and really, need I go on?

As everyone knows the rising economic costs have been hard on most, so can you imagine what it’s like for a (young) musician funding this tour exclusively on tips and merchandise sales because he’s following his heart and a lesson we all learned as a child, “finish what you start.”

So, while some of the children today just may be looking for the easy way out and the quickest way to the red carpet, maybe a few of them will be like Darnell Levine and try to make history as they pursue their dreams.

- L.C. Butler

Since the Obama camp hasn’t called me for my recommendation yet, I’m going to put it out there anyway. Obama needs a little help because he is inexperienced in foreign affairs and military operations, so who better to assist him in running the country than Retired General Colin Powell.

His crediatials are so deep that people once wanted him to run for President. Remember…I thought so.

In case you forgot:
*He is an American statesman and retired General in the United States Army.
*He was the 65th United States Secretary of State (2001-2005), serving under President George W. Bush. (the first African American appointed to that position.)
*As a General in the United States Army, Powell also served as National Security Advisor (1987–1989) and as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (1989–1993), holding the latter position during the Gulf War.

After leaving his position as Secretary of State in the Bush administration and looking back on his decision to become an author and consultant, it’s obvious he has the foresight of Nostrodamus and the intuition of Spider-Man.

That keen instinct could help us domestically and internationally becuase it appears that the current administration hasn’t found a way to learn from a pattern of poor descisions. In order to prevent the country from continuing on this path, I recommend that Obama select Colin Powell as his running mate.

Now back to reality. The most obvious reason that won’t happen is because some Americans aren’t willing to vote for the most qualified Presidential candidate because he’s Black. I believe you can increase that number by 50% if their was an All-Black ticket. We can’t ignore ignorance, therefore we must acknowledge that some citizens will vote based on color, not creditials, but they also have a right to choose based on whatever criteria works for them.

I have heard some female supporters say they will cross party lines and vote for Repubican nominee John McCain because they felt Hillary was mistreated and not shown the respect she deserves ( Note to Hillary supporters: As my mother would say,” you have to give respect to get respect”. Karma is a bitch!). Be careful what you ask for because if Mrs. McCain is an indication of the future of women, please see The Stepford Wives. (I never met the woman but thought she was in the movie.)

Well if they are willing to cross party lines and vote for McCain, I wonder how many republicans would vote for Obama-Powell since Colin Powell is a Republican?

Damn! Another reason why this won’t work. If not VP, definately a Cabinet member or key advisor… It’s probalby easier to cross racial lines than party lines.

Don’t let the clean cut Catholic face fool ya! Father Pfleger tears this young reporter a new one when he begins talking out the side of his neck about Rev. Wright, Min. Farrakhan, Dr. King and Sen. Obama. Take a few minutes and check out this brilliant act of verbal self defense…

PART 1

You want more…

PART 2

Looks like they won’t be interviewing the Father anytime soon.

My cousin sent me this and I have to let you know that I’m feeling it. If you feel it too, let the world know on Super Tuesday.

The problem is that the public “school system” hasn’t evolved nor implemented an effective “educational system” that allows our kids the proper tools to succeed in today’s world. Some school systems can’t provide an adequate learning facility for our children to learn, yet we put our children in this environment and expect them to learn and be able to compete on a global scale…that’s bullshit.

Since the public school system is under serving our children, those of us who can afford private schooling for our children usually do so, but a friend and team member of mine, Sandra Frazier, recently wrote a book entitled “Private School, It’s Not Just for the Wealthy Anymore” that puts economics aside and reinforces the importance of a parent’s passion, commitment and dedication to their child’s education. Her book guides you through the process of applying to private schools and shows you how to cut costs on everything from uniforms to fund-raising.

Sandra says,”The biggest part of the process is preparing your child through parenting. Being an involved parent in your child’s activities and learning is essential to making the best educational choice for your family.” Visit www.abettertomorrowpublishing.com and order your copy NOW!

So, before you exercise your right to vote, make sure you are an educated voter that votes for someone who cares about the education of your kids.

This week, I have taken five steps more than my usual count with thoughts of you in my future. My time has been well spent with thoughts of you and I and has turned personal time into our time.

Every love poem ever written was written with the feelings I have for you. Do I understand? No, yet I enjoy the passion and love bestowed up me, so much I am motivate to add my own to the list.

My heart amazes me at how it has defeated insecure thought of you and others and how I have forgotten all about my ‘others.’ But I am also amazed at how strong the heart is and how fragile the feelings are it possess.
GOD’s love has to be incredible to even allow me to taste this emotion and indulge myself in this intangible, indescribable, intoxicating emotional journey that ends tomorrow.

I thought, OK, I’ll just come back next week when the new shipment comes in and just pick one up, but to my dismay they were ‘SOLD OUT’ again. I tried calling all around town and no one had a Wii.

So I got up early one Sunday morning and stood in line at the Circuit City at 9:00am (one hour before they opened) and I learned that people were there since 6:00am. They received vouchers so that when the store opened at 10:00am they were able to pick up their Wii’s. This was unreal! I have never chased a product and this will be the last time. No Wii for me this Christmas. I hope I can find one for my husband’s birthday in April.

McNabb was clearly unhappy that the Eagles drafted quarterback Kevin Kolb with their first pick in last year’s draft and that’s always a sign that (more…)

Although I won’t tell you the movie, I will tell you that if you watch movies like I watch movies, you will find so many flaws in the character that you will find yourself cheering for the ‘dark seekers’. Humans have contracted a man-made virus that has infected almost 98 percent of the world and have become these “animals” that live in the darkness and are most powerful at night. Sound familiar…I thought so. They reminded me of the vampire mutations in Blade II, which believe it or not was a better movie.

This film was like watching Will Smith try and do his best Tom Hanks (from Cast Away) impersonation. He was on screen so much that I can almost tell you how many grey hairs he has in his beard. He did a good acting job, but the story line and character was weak. Hopefully, it will be a success because if not, Hollywood’s not as forgiving as Black people.

Since $10 is hard to come by for a movie these days, I AM LEGEND is a good bootleg and will be even better On Demand, but is at its best when you can watch it from home.