American Gangster

I went to You Tube to see if i could find a few of BET's American Gangster clips, but had no luck. Have any of you watched that show? You have to admit, some episodes are more interesting than others. My favorites--as far as being psychologically/emotionally disturbed after watching them were Tookie Williams and the Chambers Brothers.

My issue with the show is that they don't begin where the so-calleld gangsters lives began. We have to hear the final bit to their story and then backtrack. This is a poor hook. If it wasn't for DVR I wouldn't have the option of fast forwarding through that mess. I want to know their backgrounds first then hear what lead to their demise. This demise is usually caused by one of two things, greed or needing one last run before you get out of the game.

One thing that bothers me about the show is that it's just disturbing to know that most of these brothers were real leaders and entrepreneurs. Given a different upbringing, mentors, a non-racist society, or even just plain ol' the right guidance, they would have all been in different situations and possibly unheard of. Most times the government/FBI/police had no clue what was going on with these individuals, how much money they'd acquired, or what they were in to. What's really a shame is that all the people featured are doing life (or something close) in prison--except of course Tookie.

My boyfriend, being the historical/fact driven commentator he is, and I had a discussion about the Chambers brother episode this morning. He went on to reveal the large percentage of African-Americans who are living in poverty and such today. It just really makes me question what my mother did or what happened to me to help me make it to a better situation. I mean, my mother was always working, I was always home alone (even at night), and there was nobody there to check my homework or to help me. Why was I able to go on to college, escape pregnancy/drug use/etc/etc?

Then I think about how the African-American students at my own school are often ignored. When they are acknowledged its typically to note that they are a discipline problem or failing. In my opinion, our new day begins with the education system, but there are so many things wrong with it. Do you want your black child being taught by a white woman who knows nothing about his background or culture and who can't figure out how to blend those two things into their own class lessons? Our black students are the pearl of that school and the administrators and teachers refuse to believe it.

The problems in America begin with the education system. We can teach children so many things in our classrooms, but since it won't happen, African-Americans will continue to be the main features of shows like American Gangster, The First 48, Cops, etc. Did you now that 60% of the prison population is comprised of people with mental disabilities and emotional disturbances? What are we doing about that? Not a damn thing. And what's really a shame is when I teach kids who are 18 years old who can't read any better than a first grader. What do we expect him to go out into the world and do? Rob, steal, and kill! What else?

Again, my rant is done. I wasn't trying to get deep or intellectual at all. Just wanted to express a few thoughts that I've been considering. Before I committ my crimes, I'm going to do some serious research. Once I make/get the money, I'm taking it to South Africa where I'll live out the rest of my life teaching at Oprah's school--even though I'm hating on Oprah for not opening one in the U.S.. Forget that mess she was talking about kids here not wanting to learn. That's messed up Oprah.