kirbyourmystery: Tokyo???

kirbyourenthusiasm: Back in Action!!!

Bloggers,

Sorry for the major hiatus. . .Life awaited me but unfortunately kept me away from informing you on all the great buzz I've been hearing coming out of the entertainment industry. . .

First, let's discuss the meteoric rise of Lady Gaga. Now although I'm not a huge fan of hers, I can't deny her talent nor her nack of making some really catchy-ass songs (I find myself constantly singing "I want your loving/I want your revenge/You and me can have a Bad Romance" lol). Although most people are already comparing her as the next Madonna, I'm here to say: Whoa-Nelly!!!

I like her as an artist, I really do. But she has a lot of miles to go before she can be called the next Madonna. . .A LOT. Plus, I thought Britney Spears, the Princess of Pop, was next in line to covet Madge's throne. Given her line of accomplishments, I would say that the crown is rightfully Britney's. Now I know most people would say "But Lady Gaga can sing, play piano, etc. and the only thing Britney have are autotune and mediocre dance moves" But let's back up and ponder this for a second. . .

First, not to take away from any artist that has uber-talent and has made it big in the Pop genre, but let's be honest: IT'S POP MUSIC. It is and always will be that super-catchy, anyone can sing, shake-your-booty type of music. The pop genre could care less about actual vocal talent, especially with the rise of autotune and studio pitch correction. You can't deny that one of the reasons you probably like your favorite pop song is that you can actually sing along to it while shaking your booty. . .

Second, Britney Spears was not and will not ever be known for her vocal abilities. I love that baby to death, but she can't blow like Mariah (well "old" Mariah). Her strong point has always been she could sing catchy songs and dance her ass off. You can't deny that you didn't get life off of the "Slave 4 U" and "Toxic" music videos. You loved her and bought her music because of that fact. Get over it. Also, I'm sorry but even with Britney Spears going crazy and having babies, Lady Gaga could never hold a candle up to Britney Spears dancing, then and now. The girl has been dancing since her "Mickey Mouse Club" days!!! You can't compete with that!

Third, a lot of Gaga fans say that she's more artistic and likes to push the boundaries with her image and music. But let's give credit where credit is due. Although Madge is famous for pushing the boundaries of sex, Britney made it okay for Pop artists to grow into their sexuality and not be ashamed of it. She went from Girl-Next-Door with "Oops, I Did It Again" to a grow woman with "Slave 4 U". She made it okay for artists who basically grew up in the media to not be ashamed that they were growing up and becoming sexual. Because as much as these Christian Conservatives like to deny it, we all have sex and/or do sexual acts and/or have thought sexual things. So what's wrong with seeing it on TV? But back to my point, Britney paved the way for artists like young Gaga to express her sexuality. . .point blank. Give credit where credit is due and don't try to think that what Gaga is doing is new. She's just continuing the trend and she needs to do just what Rihanna says "it's just the way the game is played, it's best if you just wait you turn."

Now, since we are on the topic of Rihanna, I must say that I absolutely LOOOOOOOOVVVVEEE "Rated R". OMG! Now I've been a fan of Rihanna since her "Pon de Replay" days. I was bumping her music in my car back then and didn't give a rat's ass who cared. But even though I was a little scared about this album and even referring to it as ultimate pop manufacturing, this album was any thing but that. It was dark, raw, edgy and just amazing. Since it's debut there has never been a day gone by that I either haven't listened to the whole ablum or at least one song. This, in my opinion, was the album she needed to make following that undoubtedly dark time in her life. And she let's you know that. Although I feel that I would have chosen singles and their order differently, you can't deny that any song that does come out isn't good. It may not be "Pop" material but to me it's Grammy material. Rihanna is growing as an artist and as an image and there is no way to go but up from here. Keep dusting off your shoulders, my Bajan sister.

Now, on to the men. Well I don't really care for male singers that much but I got to say, Trey Songz latest album "Ready" is on point. This is true R&B for the new generation. It would be safe to say that Trey has officially taken over R. Kelly's crown. With songs like "I Invented Sex", "Say Ahh", and "LOL :-) " I can't help but to feel some type of way. Even with the video for "I Invented Sex" I started to have heart palpitations because my little ol' heart couldn't take it. I though I was watching a really high quality sex tape, lol.

But anyways, I'm tired and I really need to get some shut eye. . .But I'm definitely back so be ready. . .

kirbyourmovies: Ciara in "Mama, I Want to Sing"

This should be an interesting film. . .Just to see if Ciara has any acting talent. Here's the trailer. . .to me it's a little cliche, but the message is all too commonly overlooked by society: be yourself.

This film is based on the hit off-Broadway stage play by Vy Higginsen. It was loosely based on the career of her late sister, R&B vocalist Doris Troy, whose big hit was 1963's "Just One Look." The musical ran for eight years at Harlem's Heckscher Theater, making it the longest-running off-Broadway black theater musical in history.

kirbyourconcerts: Beyonce sings "Halo" in Sydney to a little girl with leukemia

OMG. . .My wife is truly a good woman. There was not a dry eye in that arena and definitely not by my computer. . .And the most wonderful thing about Beyonce is that she doesn't do this type of stuff for publicity or so that people will talk about her on the news. She did it because she is a good person and because she wanted to. And to all her haters, keep drinking that Haterade if you want because my girl is going to keep doing her regardless of what any of you has to say. She is a good person and I hope that this video gives you a glimpse of what an awesome person she is. . .

kirbyourshenanigans: SMH. . .Kanye West being totally disrespectful to Taylor Swift

Now I'm sure by now you've heard about Kanye's total disrespect for Taylor Swift at the MTV 2009 VMAs. I'm just glad that my wife Beyonce was the classy lady that she is and gave Taylor her time for her acceptance speech. . .Now, I WAS a Kanye fan, now I AM not. And although I agree that Taylor shouldn't have won (and that's my opinion), Kanye shouldn't have done that. That was classless and a total disrespect to not only Taylor but to her fans that voted (hello!!!) and Beyonce, because he had no right to stick her in the middle of it. I'm just glad that my wife saved the day and hopefully Kanye learns to keep his mouth closed.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm all for freedom of speech. But I'm also a huge proponent of class, and he had NONE! To get up there live and do that just shows that you can take someone out the hood, but you can't take the hood out someone. . .smh

Just in case you haven't seen it I posted the video blow. If you like to see it again, it's below. So watch and enjoy!

kirbyourmusic: James Morrison "Songs for You, Truths for Me"

Now I've always been a fan of this little white man. From his debut album "Undiscovered", the title truly embodies this "undiscovered" gem--that is, he's not constantly followed by the mainstream media (*cough* John Mayer *cough*). His raspy, soulful voice makes your panties wet (just kidding, but really), but more importantly, what he sings about is truthful to himself. So that's why when I found out about his sophomore album (please excuse me if I'm a little late, I mean he's "across the pond" for goodness sake! lol) I had to jump on it. And the title of the album "Songs for You, Truths for Me" made me melt like a Hershey's Kiss in the microwave. . .And if the title wasn't enough, the songs were just as awesome. He's truly an artist that sticks to his craft and does it very, very well. . .Sidenote: He could get the business. . .and that's no joke. . . lol. So if you like "Blue-Eyed Souls" just as much as I do, then download his album, sync, listen and enjoy!

Download Link: Storage.to

kirbyourmusic: Wyclef Jean's "Patwa Swagga Mixtape"

While up in NYC, I occasionally listen to the radio. . .just to see if there's anything I like that I haven't stumbled upon yet. And guess what? I have. . .Just goes to show you that you can learn anything at any time. But anyways, while listening to Hot 97 I happen to hear some Caribbean music. Well apparently there was this Caribbean/West Indian parade going on in Brooklyn and Hot 97 was there celebrating, dancing, and playing music. But on top of wondering why have I not heard about this parade until then, I started to hear this mixtape because they were premiering it on the radio. I was jumping and dancing wondering who the heck this was. . .Then it was announced that it was Wyclef Jean. I was shocked. . .Don't get me wrong I like Wyclef, but he's not someone I would called one of my favorite artist. So I was even more excited when I heard that his mixtape was free online! Now I loved that. . .Free AND good music. . .hard to come by. Anyways, I, being the ever-giving blogger of music (j/k) wanted to share this good music with you. . .So download, upload to iTunes, sync it with your iPod/iPod Touch/iPhone, relax and enjoy the sounds of the Caribbean. . .

Download link: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=KJHM7U2A

kirbyourmusicvideos: Madonna's "Celebration" Video

Now I like Madonna. . .Minus the hyper-sexuality, her music makes you want to dance. . .like seriously. And the Queen of Pop does it again with this one. . .So sit back relax and let the music take control. . .

kirbyourchoreographer: Tucker Barkley

Tucker Barkley. . .simply amazing. If I could have his babies, I would. . .lol. They would be cute, limber, loose, dancing babies. When I get enough guts, I'll go take one of his classes but for right now I'll just stick to admiring him. . .Enjoy!

kirbyourchoreography: Britney Spear's "Slave 4 You"

Although hyper-sexualized, you can't deny that this is some awesome choreography. . .Enjoy!

kirbyourchoreography: Janet Jackson's "All Nite (Don't Stop)"

Now the fusion of music and dance this something that is near and dear to my heart. . .If I ever get the chance to do both on a very large scale, I will be eternally grateful to God. . .But until that day (if it comes) I always enjoy looking at music videos with amazing choreography. The song by itself is mediocre (I'm sorry but there's is nothing special about it) but the fusion of music and dance in this video is what makes this song awesome!!!! So sit back, relax, and enjoy the show!

Janet Jackson - All Night (Don't Stop)
Uploaded by ineptique. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

kirbyourthrowbacks: Janis Joplin, The Original "Blue-Eyed" Soul. . .

I'm in a 60s mood right now (mostly when I'm feeling very Zen-like, lol) and I happened to stumble upon this oldee-but-goodee: Janis Joplin's "To Love Somebody". Now I remember some years ago BET had this segment called "Blue-Eyed Soul" in which they showed music featuring white artists singing R&B/Soul. The line-up included Jon B., Christina Aguilera, Pink, and N'Sync, to name a few. However, now I just realized that they left out a very important woman, the originator of "Blue-Eyed Soul": Janis Joplin. This woman would and still could have you feeling some type of way. . .She was a deeply troubled woman but she let you know through AMAZING music that in this struggle between Love and Life we are not alone. . .So sit, relax, and enjoy the wonderfulness of Miss Joplin.

kirbyourmusic: Radio Virgin

"In the beginning of time there was quiet. It was an erie calm that held on as long as it could across the whole universe. Then...Bam! There was a gnarly explosion. So gnarly that when the dust cleared there was rock. Then, millions of years later, there was rock music!"
-Radio Virgin

Radio Virgin, a Chicago and LA-based music group has really caught my attention over the past 3 months, and it's not just because one of my friends is a guitarist for the band (although I thank

him for introducing me to his band!). When I listen to their music, it evokes a style-fusion that you don't see much nowadays. . .a kind of 60s psychedelic funk in a 21st century life. . .displaced in time but rightly so. They make you fall in love with them through that kind of Zen-like feeling and incantation of psychedelic kings and queens like Mr. Hendrix, The Beatles, and Janis Joplin but with a 21st century ambiance with the likes of John Mayer and Adam Levine. . .This is a band I hope you all enjoy and support (as I will/do!)

You can find them on Facebook (become a fan!) and on MySpace (www.myspace.com/thehellavision) to friend them and listen to their amazing music!!!

kirbyourupdates: kirbyourenthusiasm is making the transition to an all music blog!

Hello bloggers/subscribers,

First off, I'm sooo sorry I've been off on my updates. The life of a jack-of-all-trades, master-at-none is not an easy one. . .Had to get upon my grown-up grind and take care of some business. . .lol. But I'm back now and ready to take it to the next level with my blog. . .

I originally intended for this blog to be something of a catch-all blog that really alludes to my personality. However, as I'm making my way into this world, I'm realizing that MAYBE (and you have to understand that this is a BIG one for me, lol) I want to master something: music. I've always loved music, and combined with dance, there's nothing more amazing that I'd rather do. . .So I dedicating this blog to bringing you all updates on the new/hot things in the entertainment/music/dance industries because although I'm not usually into the whole pop culture scene, the craft I've started to fortify lends itself to outside influence. . .Because what we all need to realize is that NOTHING is completely new. . .Everything is sampled and/or borrowed from something else. So the things that I post on my blog from this point seriously influences my craft and what I hope to become; whether it be positive or negative. . .So sit back, relax, and let me kirbyourmusicenthusiasm. . .

kirbyourliterature: Author E. Lynn Harris dead at 54

Source: CNN.com

E. Lynn Harris, the author who introduced millions of readers to the "invisible life" of black gay men, was a literary pioneer whose generosity was as huge as his courage, friends said Friday.

E. Lynn Harris touched fans with his courage and his kindness, friends say.

Harris, 54, died Thursday night while on a business trip to Los Angeles, California, said Laura Gilmore, his publicist.

Harris wrote a series of novels that exposed readers to characters rarely depicted in literature: black, affluent gay men who were masculine, complex and, sometimes, tormented.

Keith Boykin, an author and friend, said Harris encouraged the black community to talk openly about homosexuality.

"We have a 'don't ask, don't tell' policy in the black community," Boykin said. "E. Lynn Harris encouraged people to ask and to tell."

In books like "Invisible Life," "A Love of My Own," and his New York Times best-selling memoir, "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted," Harris virtually invented a new genre: books that depicted black gay men living double lives.

Though Harris wrote primarily about black gay men, some of his biggest fans were black women. His books became staples in black beauty salons, bookstores and book clubs.

"It was hard to go on a subway in places in New York or D.C. and not see some black woman reading an E. Lynn Harris novel," Boykin said.

Harris was an unlikely literary pioneer. He was a former IBM executive who decided to write about his life. He started off in 1991 selling books from the trunk of his car to African-American beauty salons and bookstores.

He eventually became one of the nation's most popular writers with an estimated 4 million of his books in print.

Tina McElroy Ansa, author of "Taking After Mudear," met Harris at the beginning of his literary career when he was selling his first book "Invisible Life." She said they were both so poor they only had enough money to buy each other's book.

Ansa said she took Harris' "Invisible Life" home and was stunned by the time she reached page 20. She came across a scene where Harris depicted two black men playing in the snow with one another.

She immediately dropped the book, called Harris and told him she had never read such a scene before.

"I had never seen homosexual love in African-American men portrayed that way," she says. "It was playful, loving, and it wasn't hidden."

Years later, when Harris became successful, he thanked Ansa for her early encouragement.

"He gave me a string of pearls," Ansa said.

In 2000, Harris told the magazine Entertainment Weekly how important "Invisible Life" was for him.
''When I wrote "Invisible Life," it had to be the first book out of me -- it helped me to deal with my own sexuality,'' Harris said. "'For me, my 20s and early 30s were spent just hiding and running, because there was no one to tell me that my life had value and the way I felt was okay.''

"It's heartbreaking; he had such a generous spirit," said Tananarive Due, author of "Blood Colony."

"When I was just starting out, he flew me to an event out of his own pocket and put me up just because he thought more people should know my work," Due said.

Harris was as generous with his fans as he was with his friends, some said.

They describe an author who held dinner parties for aspiring writers at his home, loved meeting and hugging fans at book readings, and never seemed to let his fame change him.

"You could get trampled at an E. Lynn Harris reading," Ansa said. "People loved him."

Due said Harris would answer up to 200 e-mails from his fans each day. She said Harris had been a cheerleader in college "and a spirit of joy followed him through his life."

"He genuinely loved being around people and remembered names," Due said. "I remember seeing him at an event in Florida, and one woman in the crowd raised her hand and he said, 'Oh, Mary, you were here for my hardcover book signing.'"

Nonetheless, Harris had his share of personal pain.

He was born in Flint, Michigan, and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. In his 2003 memoir, he wrote about enduring abuse by his stepfather and an attempted suicide in 1990.

And he had critics. Some said Harris was a mediocre writer who stumbled on a winning literary formula. Boykin says Harris was stung by some of the criticism.

"He always said 'I'm not a James Baldwin,'" Boykin said, referring to the openly gay black author from the 1960s. "He was writing accessible literature for the masses."

Boykin said Harris received most of his criticism not from outraged straight critics, but people within the black community.

"He was hurt by some of the criticism from some black gay men who felt he wasn't portraying them accurately and others who thought he was telling too much," Boykin said.

In a 2003 Detroit Free Press interview, Harris said he resisted becoming an advocate for gay rights.

"It's such a small part of who I am, " he said. "It's what I do when I'm with my partner that puts this label on me. Most of my friends are straight. I tend to have a regular life, if you will."

Due said there has traditionally been a lot of pain associated with homosexuality in the black community. Harris took a little of that pain away with his life and his books.

"He really helped let the air in," Due said. "He helped us all breathe a little better."

Let the black community, not just the gay black community, mourn for this great literary loss. . .

kirbyournews: Family learned over Internet that son was killed

Source: CNN

Abayte Ahmed and her husband learned of their son's death in the most heinous fashion. A family acquaintance called and told them to click on an Internet site. There on the screen were photographs of their 20-year-old son -- the boy with the movie-star looks -- shot through the head thousands of miles away in Somalia.

Jamal Bana died in Somalia. Several missing Somali-Americans are believed to have fought there.

"He must have been somewhat disillusioned and indoctrinated, because he didn't have any clue about Somalia at all," his mother said, fighting back tears and barely able to speak about her eldest son.

Jamal Bana had been missing for months from his Minneapolis home. His family is still grappling with the circumstances surrounding his death in a land they had fled -- an African nation wracked by chaos and violence.

The FBI said Bana's death is part of a sweeping federal investigation into a recruiting effort in the United States by a Somali terrorist group called Al-Shabaab, which has ties to al Qaeda. More than a dozen young men of Somali descent have disappeared from the Minneapolis area in recent months. At least three, including Bana, have ended up dead in Somalia, community leaders say.

Bana was the kind of son a modest immigrant family pins its hopes on. He was the eldest of seven and studying engineering at local colleges. But last fall, his family said, he disappeared without any warning. A few days later, the phone rang. All that could be heard was a quick sentence. "I'm in Somalia," his mother quoted him as saying. He then hung up.

Communication from then on was scarce. In calls or text messages, the family said, Bana was guarded, as though someone was watching or listening to him.

On July 11, the family received the call telling them to look on the Internet. Bana's father broke down in tears when he saw the photos. One image was a close-up of his son's face, a bullet wound on one side of his head. Another showed the body being carried through the streets of Mogadishu on a stretcher.

His parents said they believe their son was brainwashed and recruited to fight in the civil war between Somalia's unstable transitional government and Al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab remains entrenched in northeast Somalia and in sections south of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, after fighting that has uprooted more than 200,000 people since early May, according to the United Nations.

The question immigrants in the United States want answered is: How have their youth ended up so far away?

One of the missing youth, Shirwa Ahmed, 27, blew up himself and 29 others last fall in Somalia in what is believed to be the first suicide bombing carried out by a naturalized U.S. citizen. Ahmed had traveled from Minneapolis. The attack raised red flags throughout the U.S. intelligence community and sparked an investigation by the FBI.

Just weeks ago, community activist Abdirizak Bihi lost his 17-year-old nephew, Burhan Hassan, in Somalia. Asked if his nephew had been kidnapped from Minneapolis, Bihi said, "They kidnap them in the sense of mental kidnapping, not physically. But they play a male role of mentor."
Bihi and community leader Omar Jamal said they hold one place at least loosely responsible: the Abubakar as-Saddique Islamic Center, the largest mosque in Minneapolis.

"All these kids missing, they all have one thing in common: They all participated in youth programs in that mosque," said Jamal.

Jamal and Bihi said leaders of the mosque, at the very least, allowed people to come around their facility and recruit young men to fight in Somalia -- a charge the head imam denies. CNN was not allowed inside the mosque, but was granted an interview with the imam at a different location.

"This is the baseless accusation really," said Sheikh Abdirahman Sheikh Omar Ahmed. "The mosque -- the mission of the mosque -- is to worship. And people come to worship and go. We don't have any control over what comes through everybody's mind or ideology."

Sheikh Ahmed said at least two of the young men who died in Somalia did worship at his mosque. But he said no recruiters came around the mosque to pull them away, and said his mosque does not support Al-Shabaab. He added that he has encouraged local families to keep their young sons from going to Somalia.

Federal authorities recently made their first arrests in the case, charging two Minnesota men, Salah Osman Ahmed and Abdifatah Yusuf Isse, with one count each of providing material support to terrorists and conspiracy to kill, kidnap, maim or injure people overseas, according to the indictment.

CNN could not reach Salah Osman Ahmed's attorney for comment. Published reports indicate he planned to plead not guilty. Isse has pleaded guilty and is cooperating with federal authorities, officials said. In court papers obtained by CNN, Isse's attorney said, "Mr. Isse will not be the last defendant indicted."

A local attorney involved in the case said at least seven Somali-Americans have been questioned by a grand jury. An FBI official said the bureau cannot rule out the possibility that some of the young men involved could be trained to carry out terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.

Meanwhile, CNN has learned more about how Shirwa Ahmed and Burhan Hassan made their way overseas. A travel agent in Minneapolis, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the two men paid about $1,800 in cash for tickets to Nairobi, Kenya, or to Dubai, U.A.E. The travel agent said he thinks the two men then made their way to Mogadishu from those cities on a Somali carrier.

For Bana's family, it's all too much to bear. Omar Boley is a close friend who grew up in the same tribe as Bana's family. He said Bana's mother is having difficulty coping with everything that has happened in recent months.

"She doesn't want to hear the story again," he said. "She told me, 'Whenever I see someone talking about my son, I feel bad. I can't sleep. I feel sick. So this happened, nothing I can do. We pray for him.' That's what she said, and that's what I believe."

My thoughts and prayers goes out to this family, and I hope you all do the same. . .

kirbyourtechnology: iPhone Helps You Find Weed

Source: ABC News

Thanks to a new iPhone application, marijuana users with a prescription will be able to locate their connection--make that medicinal marijuana provider--with relative ease!

Launched by AJNAG (Activists Justifying the Natural Agriculture of Ganja), a web-based community advocating for medical marijuana, the Cannabis app takes those seeking medicinal marijuana through the entire process of obtaining it. The app is downloadable from Apple's store for $2.99.

Now, wow. I've seen it all. . .Really Apple??? I'm ROTFL as I'm typing this because I just can't believe it. . .I guess the government has finally found a way to identify all the weed heads. . .lol

How do you feel about this???

kirbyournews: 8 Year Old Raped by 4 Boys; Family Blames Her

In Phoenix, Arizona four boys between the ages of 9 and 14 are in police custody after they allegedly raped an 8-year-old girl.

The boys, ages 9, 10, and 13 are being detained at the Juvenile Corrections Center. The 14-year-old, Steven Tuopeh, has been remanded as an adult.

The rape happened about 5:15p.m. July 16 in a toolshed. Police say the girl was lured into the shed with the promise of chewing gum. The boys allegedly restrained her while taking turns sexually assaulting her.

According to police, the victim and the suspects are all from Liberia, West Africa, and appeared to have known each other.

The child is currently in Child Protective Services having been disowned by her parents after the assault. Detectives say her parents blame her for being victimized and bringing shame to their family.

All the suspects have admitted their involvement in the sexual assault. The 9-year-old is facing one count of sexual assault, the 10-year-old is facing charges of kidnapping and 2 counts of sexual assault, the 13-year-old is facing kidnapping and 3 counts of sexual assault, and Tuopeh is facing kidnapping and 2 counts of sexual assault.

OMFG!!! I can't begin to express my outrage at this incident and sadness for this little girl. I just pray to the Lord that she will be all right. . .

kirbyourmusic: Jazmine Sullivan sings "Home" from "The Wiz" at age 11

I'm a firm believer that Jazmine Sullivan is one of the most underrated artists out here. Not only is her voice immaculate, it's soulful too. So while I was random Youtube-ing, I came across her singing "Home" from The Wiz at the age 11. Now The Wiz is one of my all-time favorite musicals, and Diana Ross to me sung "Home" the best out of all the various Dorothys on Broadway (but of course my opinion is biased since I'm a hardcore Diana Ross fan, lol). So I was a little critical about how a child at age 11 could do justice to a song as deep as "Home". I mean, the lyrics evoke a longing and a passion that I feel that only someone with a little more experience (i.e. older) can bring out. But after seeing/hearing this Youtube video, there was no doubt in my mind that Jazmine Sullivan SAAANG that song. There were parts that I wanted to get up and shout because she just sung the hell out of it. I even had to say that she beat Ms. Ross (and if anybody knows me, that's a huge compliment). So please enjoy this song and this artist because it's only people like us that can get music back to the way it should be, and Miss Sullivan is definitely a prime example. . .

kirbyoureducation: Harvard professor Gates arrested

Okay. So I was catching up on my daily news and found this article. After reading it in its entirety I have a hard time believing what actually happened in this incident. Not only are the stories completely different, I'm finding it hard to believe the officer or the professor. According to the officers' report they responded to a call Thursday from a woman who said she saw "a man wedging his shoulder into the front door" at Henry Louis Gates, Jr.'s house near the university. Gates refused to identify himself to a police officer, claiming the officer was a racist.

Sgt. James Crowley, one of the officers involved in the incident, stated in the report that he told Gates he was investigating a report of a break-in at the residence. According to the report, Gates "opened the front door and exclaimed, 'Why, because I'm a black man in America?' "

Crowley wrote in the report that he warned Gates two times he was becoming disorderly. After Gates continued to yell and accuse him of racial bias, Crowley wrote he arrested Gates for "loud and tumultuous behavior in a public space."

Okay. So after this I felt like the officer was within his right to arrest this man. However, after reading Crowley's side of the story I was completely confused. . .

A statement by Gates' lawyer said that the incident occurred when Gates returned to his home after a trip to China.

Gates, accompanied by a driver, found the front door damaged. He entered the house with his key through the rear door. Then, he and and driver were able to force the front door open. An officer arrived and told Gates he was investigating a call about a breaking-and-entering at the residence.Gates identified himself at the officer's request.

"He [Gates] turned to walk into the kitchen where he had left his wallet. The officer followed him. Professor Gates handed both his Harvard University identification and his valid Massachusetts driver's license to the officer," Gates' lawyer wrote.

Ogletree's statement also said that Gates asked Crowley for his name and badge number several times without success.

Then, when Gates followed Crowley to the front door, Crowley said, "Thank you for accommodating my earlier request, and then placed him [Gates] under arrest," Ogletree said.

Now Gates has one of 20 prestigious "university professors" positions at Harvard University, and joined the faculty in 1991. He is considered one of the nation's pre-eminent scholars of African-American studies. In 1997, Time magazine placed him on its list of the 25 most influential Americans. So, pretty much, he's a big deal.

Now, I feel as if I'm a pretty fair-minded when it comes to issues like this. Having a father in law enforcement, I empathize with what police officers go through. And honestly, if I were to go off the statement alone, I would totally side with the police officers. However, given the intellectual prowess that this professor has, I find it hard to believe that he would do something like this. It would seem to be out of his nature (or at least I hope). And I'm not saying that just because someone is smart, they couldn't do such things. But I also think that as a police officer you wouldn't arrest someone for no reason (or at least I hope). So I find it hard to believe any of their stories. . .

If you want to read more about this story and read a copy of the police report click here.

What do you think???

UPDATE: All charges have been dropped against Mr. Gates