"The Wanda Sykes Show" Has Been Canceled

Well,I am sorry to see Wanda Sykes lose her gig on Fox. There just aren't enough blacks on television & her show's cancellation only adds to that fact. To tell the truth,I never liked her brand of comedy.I used to see her do skits on "The Chris Rock Show"& she was alright. But not good enough for me to tune in to "The Wanda Sykes Show."

But since her popularity is so high,I'm sure she'll turn up elsewhere.

Here's more from Deadline:

"I hear Fox is canceling The Wanda Sykes Show after one season. The late-night talk show started off strong but tumbled in the ratings as the season went on and fell below the performance of predecessor Mad TV in the Saturday 11 PM hour."(END OF EXCERPT) Read the rest here.

Arizona Passes A Law That Bans Ethnic Studies Classes!

Have you heard about Arizona's latest law? Well,they are now concerned about ethnic studies being a part of their curriculum.They claim that these type of classes"promote resentment"of other racial groups.It seems peculiar that most Arizonians don't believe that their new immigration law"promotes resentment"of other racial groups.

Here's more from the L.A Times:

"A bill that aims to ban ethnic studies in Arizona schools was signed into law Tuesday by Gov. Jan Brewer, cheering critics who called such classes divisive and alarming others who said it's yet another law targeting Latinos in the state.

The move comes less than 20 days after Brewer signed a controversial immigration bill that has caused widespread protests against the state. The governor's press office did not return requests for comment Tuesday evening.

HB 2281 bans schools from teaching classes that are designed for students of a particular ethnic group, promote resentment or advocate ethnic solidarity over treating pupils as individuals. The bill also bans classes that promote the overthrow of the U.S. government.

The bill was written to target the Chicano, or Mexican American, studies program in the Tucson school system, said state Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Horne."(END OF EXCERPT) Read more here.

State Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Horne was on CNN tonight defending this bill that Gov. Jan Brewer signed into law.He was debating Dr. Michael Eric Dyson,a professor of sociology that specializes in ethnic studies.During the debate,Tom Horne said:

"Don't divide kids by race. Don't propagandize kids that they are oppressed & that they have no future & that they should be angry at this country. Teach them that this is the land of opportunity where if they work hard they can achieve their dreams.And teach them American history."

Well, Mr. Horne, I agree that we should teach kids American history. Not just European history throughout an entire textbook that purports to teach American history.There would be absolutely no need for ethnic studies classes if folks like Tom Horne weren't so interested in selling the American dream.American history textbooks are filled with partial history & propaganda.

Tom Horne wants to teach people how they should view America presently.I thought history was about everything that transpired in the past.Even the parts of history that you would like to stay buried should be studied.In Tom Horne's opinion,ethnic studies must be suppressed because they shed light on oppression.

Even though I tried so hard to fight oppression,somehow I have been the victim of racial oppression all too often.But,I guess you would have to get in my skin to even comprehend the dilemma I've been in.It' s easy as hell to ignore oppression when you have never been oppressed yourself.I wish that Tom Horne had it right on Anderson Cooper 360 tonight.

Unfortunately,Michael Dyson was the bearer of the awful truth.The American government has historically divided people by race.I guess Tom Horne wants me to forget all about the oppressed people that make up my familial history & focus my attention on the American dream that was denied to them & their kind for oh so long.

Well,it ain't happening Mr. Horne. Whether or not schools offer ethnic studies to my kids or not,I will teach them the dark,oppressive side of American history that my ancestors were a part of. Unlike you,I can't just focus on the myth that if you work hard you can have whatever you want in America.

Barbara Ehrenreich knows. Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America is a book written by her.Even if you get rid of ethnic studies, people will still learn about oppression from books like hers.Ehrenreich's book has been studied on college campuses across the country.

It is a part of everyday life & this book points that out. It's hard for all races to achieve the American dream.But,it's even harder for black folks. That's the cold,hard truth that Tom Horne is afraid that ethnic studies classes will bring to light. He doesn't want the oppressed to realize their condition.

The CVS Manager That Killed A Shoplifter Ought To Be Charged With Murder!

A CVS manager that killed a 35 year old unemployed barber over toothpaste & crayons should have at least been charged with manslaughter.After all,his death was ruled a homicide by the Cook County medical examiner's office.Despite that fact,the Chicago police have decided not to file any charges against that CVS employee.This just proves that some people really do get away with murder.

That drug store manager was overzealous in trying to capture a thief.And he ought to pay for what he did.I have worked in retail for years.And one thing that I learned is that you should never attempt to apprehend a fleeing suspect.Whatever they took isn't worth taking their lives or having yours taken from you.

Here's more on this story from Chicago Breaking News Center:

"The conduct of the drug store manager involved in the death of a suspected shoplifter is under investigation by his employer and he will not be allowed to return to work until that probe is complete, the company said today.

"We are investigating this unfortunate incident and are fully cooperating with police," CVS spokesman Michael DeAngelis said in an e-mail in which he acknowledged the company investigation.

DeAngelis refused to discuss company policy regarding employee handling of suspected shoplifters and if the store manager violated those guidelines. The store manager, reached by the Tribune at his west suburban home, declined to comment.

Chicago police earlier said no charges would be filed against the employee who on Saturday put a chokehold on Anthony Kyser, 35, whose death was ruled a homicide by the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Meanwhile, the former wife of the shoplifting suspect questioned this morning why he had to die over a minor offense.

Ann Marie Balboa, who in September divorced Kyser, her husband of 5½ years, described him as good-hearted and credited him for helping raise her three boys.

Although Kyser had a criminal past, she said, two things surprised her about the chain of events that led to his death on Saturday morning: The fact that, Chicago police say, he stole toothpaste and crayons from a CVS pharmacy, and was killed by an employee from there when he did so.

She disagreed with the decision not to pursue charges against the store manager. Police said Kyser's death was accidental.

"How's it accidental?" Balboa said. "You're choking the [expletive] out of somebody. He [the employee] should be fired. He should be facing criminal charges. You don't take someone's life over toothpaste."

Authorities said Kyser was shoplifting from the CVS Pharmacy in the 2600 block of South Pulaski Road just before 11 a.m. Saturday. He was chased out of the store and ran into an alley next to the building. Kyser fell unconscious during a struggle with the employee of the pharmacy, officials said.

Chicago Police Lt. Maureen Biggane, a police spokeswoman, said officers responded to calls of a battery in progress. She said an off-duty Cook County sheriff's correctional officer was on the scene, called 911 and remained there until an ambulance arrived.

When Chicago police arrived to the scene, Biggane said, Kyser was unresponsive.

Kyser, whose last known address was in the 1400 block of South Hamlin Avenue, was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:38 a.m.

Biggane could not say why Kyser's death was determined to be accidental. A spokesman for the Cook County state's attorney's office, which determines whether charges should be filed in a criminal investigation, said the office this afternoon has not been asked by Chicago police to review the case.

Balboa said she had also heard reports that more than one person may have been involved in Kyser's death. "When you're choking someone, you have to be really, really strong," she said, adding that when Kyser died, one of her sons said to her, "Mom, pops was strong. Mom, it had to be more than one person."

Balboa said she used to work in a retail store and said employees aren't supposed to chase shoplifters out of the store.

"You risk your life on the line," she said. "You don't go chasing the thief because you don't know what (weapons) they had."(END OF EXCERPT)Read the rest here.