A Conscious Mind

georgia on my mind.
This tends to happen seldom, I come across an article that touches my spirit, forcefully pulling at my soul as I read each and every word. A very recent New York Times article, Displaced Black Landowners Fight to Reclaim Georgia Home, is one such article as it chronicles the story of Harris Neck, Georgia. In the United States and throughout the world, the words 'black' and 'displaced' have become synonymous. The bitter story of Harris Neck, Georgia and it's natives are a clear example. Harris Neck, situated 50 miles south of Savannah and seated in McIntosh County, is one of nature's jewels, a bastion of pristine and untouched salt marshes and tidal waterways. Now, a federal wildlife refuge managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Harris Neck was once home to a vibrant self-sufficient African-American community of 75 families.Some local whites were in a rage over the relatively successful independence that grew in Harris Neck. As a result, white county politicians led federal officials in search of Air Force base site to Harris Neck, bypassing countless acres of uninhabited land. In 1942, the U.S government took possession of Harris Neck and ordered the families to leave. The U.S government provided no provisions regarding new land or future living arrangements. 63 years later, descendants of Harris Neck started a new movement to regain Harris Neck. The movement is ongoing. They need our support, go to the official website of The Harris Neck Land Trust and make a donation.

Soul Fixin'

Thicke Claims VIBE Is Something Else
The album cover for Robin Thicke's upcoming set has surfaced on the net. Something Else hits the streets September 30th. Speaking of Robin Thicke, the blue eyed soul singer claims VIBE Magazine refused to put him on the cover because they have a strict policy against having white artists on the cover. Could this be a case of reverse racism? A strict policy that doesn't allow white artists on the cover? I find it hard to believe. In VIBE's 15 year history, The Beastie Boys, Eminem, Gwen Stefani and Michael Jackson have all graced the cover. Wait a minute, MJ is black, isn't he? Biracial acts such as Mariah Carey, Faith Evans, and Alicia Keys have appeared on the cover of VIBE. Could this be some sort of misunderstanding? Thicke's claim is based on a recent interview he did with the magazine, when the subject of Thicke gracing the cover came up, he was told "we don't put white artists on our covers..." Thicke harbors no ill will towards the magazine, "I respect that because I live in a house with a black woman. I won't use the word racism. I will say it's a tough, but rewarding, fight. I look at Mary J. Blige, somebody who has had only a few pop hits and yet has changed culture, generated new sounds and inspired leagues of artists. She's now a worldwide phenomenon. And it's because of what she stood for; she never gave up." I don't want to call Robin Thicke a liar, but his claims of "racism" seem to be untrue. What are your thoughts?