Black History month

I have no problem with Black History month because every month is white history month, dude- it wasn’t until 1926, 150 years after the Declaration of Independence that Negro History week, known know as Black History month began.

Dr. Carter G. Woodson, son of two former slaves earned his Ph.D. from Harvard. The scholar was disturbed to find in his studies that history books largely ignored the black American population-and when blacks did figure into the picture, it was generally in ways that reflected the inferior social position they were assigned at the time. Woodson, always one to act on his ambitions, decided to take on the challenge of writing black Americans into the nation's history. He established the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now called the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History) in 1915, and a year later founded the widely respected Journal of Negro History. In 1926, he launched Negro History Week as an initiative to bring national attention to the contributions of black people throughout American history.

Woodson chose the second week of February for Negro History Week because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly influenced the black American population, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln

So if one is of the Caucasian persuasion, I’d enjoy the view. The first 43 Presidents. Domination of the media. All but a small percentage of college football coaches, despite the fact most players are African American. White history- it’s what’s for dinner.

Why The Flint Journal will Fail

If all goes to plan, effective June 1, 2009 The Flint Journal, along with sister papers The Bay City Times and The Saginaw News will adopt a three day per week print product distribution ending an era of a daily newspaper in Michigan’s fourth largest city which stretches back over 100 years. Don't expect this to last and here is why:While management of the paper touts the availability of news seven days per week on Mlive as an outsider one must consider the following reasons this plan, like the previous two buy outs, along other hair brained schemes will fall short: Bad management, poor execution, lack of a well thought out plan, inadequate funding, understanding competition, insufficient marketing or research, inability to adapt to a changing marketplace and failure to keep overhead costs low.One could end this denunciation here and now simply focusing in on point one- bad management. In Other cultures, specifically Japan- when an organization fails supervisors take the sword and responsibility for it. Another example is professional sports. If the Yankees or Tigers fail to win consistently, they fire the manager. The Flint Journal rewards incompetent managers by promoting them or reassigning them. From there, management shapes their staff of mediocre minions and lackey losers. The same team of retreads that brought you the first two buyouts and a failing product are the architects of the latest restructuring. ‘Nuff said? I wouldn’t want to be a passenger on that Exxon Valdez.Remember In Touch, In Depth and Involved? Wasn’t that the feel good trilogy of the past decade? So the company issued a few half-assed internal memos with logos they paid way too much for and flung in futility this ill-fated concept to oblivious readers and advertisers. Failing to execute tangible results from this nebulous effort contributed to the financial ruin now at the doorstep of 200 E. first St.Thinking clearly eludes The Journal’s higher echelon also. Word is in the last five months Peter Principle management has fired or laid off their top classified producer, their top national advertising producer along with a veteran production employee who sharpened their own skill set at every turn to help the company was laid off in favor of an employee who retains their job on the basis of nepotism. Adding insult to injury are the 25-50% pay cuts those who remain are offered while they are told “you’re lucky to have a job.”Failure to fund future efforts will plague the three-day a week paper too. Taking shortcuts and underpaying performers by the publication is a recipe for disaster. In the past the Journal ran on the cheap, taking eons providing modern technology to their sales staff, expecting them to sell with stone knives and bear skins. If red ink is flowing faster than employees are being dismissed, proper funding will not be there.A culture of arrogance has been the history of the paper, with those possessed with the most self-importance occupying management positions. This has led to past instances of ignoring or not understanding threats to the paper. Don’t expect this to change. The Journal is already cooking numbers regarding Mlive. Saying Mlive is the top newspaper web site in the state is deceiving- the site serves eight markets. Unique to Flint, there are plenty of opportunities for competition to come in with a web based news site, or, a daily paper. Word is management feels by going to three days a week will only reduce revenues by 25%- based on that alone the paper will cease to be in a few months.As mentioned before, the paper has cut loose human capital that supported valuable research. This will result in millions of dollars left on the table, or, in a shrewd competitor’s pocket. Marketing at the Journal is nothing more than a country club designed for one or two events- those who care in this department are overworked, underpaid, overwhelmed and discouraged from giving suggestions for fear management might be shown up.We’ll finish up here on the final two points- arrogance and incompetence tie in heavily to the Journal’s inability to adapt to a changing marketplace. Why many who drew a paycheck from the paper have been heard saying as recently as a year ago that newspapers will never die and advertisers will always need them. Where the hell have they been? What kool aid have they been drinking? The publisher stated this week classified revenues were heavily responsible for falling revenues, yet, no changes have been made to management or the model of the department for years- except for driving out revenue producing people or ideas. Mlive is difficult to navigate and mediocre as an advertising opportunity. Yet, throughout the latest in buyouts, layoffs and salary reductions don’t expect to see those who rule the roost to take a financial hit. They’ll still be overpaid ineffectual bunglers who burglarized Flint and Genesee County of its daily newspaper, and in the not too distant future- the three day per week paper as well.

economics

I live in the epicenter of the economic crisis- ....Michigan..... Though born and raised around those who toiled in factories for wages earned by the blood and sweat and struggles of their forefathers and mothers, who by founding the UAW made it possible for a strong middle class and vibrant economy for nearly three generations, I chose a different route. .. ..The factory floor was not for me- but it was those who worked tirelessly for the Big Three that made my vocation and lifestyle possible. Upon graduation from High School 35 years ago I entered into a career path which included Retail and outside sales. My prosperity was contingent upon middle class wage earners who purchased the products and services necessary to keep Michigans economic muscle possible. During my working years I valued continuing education, earning my BA and MA in Business, furthering my expertise and contributions to both my community and workplace. .. ..I purchased two homes, saved for my three children so they could attend college. One has already attained their degree, another is close, but I fear there could be a shortfall for the third as the unthinkable happened to me- in November, at the age of 52 years, just three weeks after the most historic election in our lifetime, I lost my job of eleven years as a salesperson for a newspaper, forced out by a struggling industry... ..Like many, I was on the wrong side of the ledger my vacated position would save my company money. Though I was a top sales achiever, procuring plus business even in this challenging economy, I was a disposable commodity. So three days before Thanksgiving I joined the swelled ranks of the unemployed. Educated, experienced, ambitious and out of work. .. ..I saw the hardships my neighbors had endured over the years in this Great state as layoffs and plant closures littered the landscape, crushing dreams and hopes of a stable retirement. Many of those thrown out of work were victims of dubious decisions and products from the domestic auto industry. Many from rising health care costs others simply were like me, on the wrong side of the equation. .. ..Since my untimely termination, I have searched for work at little or no avail. My unemployment insurance benefits took nearly seven weeks to kick in. Phone lines and internet sites to the State’s unemployment office were more jammed than rush hour in ....Los Angeles..... My present plight, one that I never thought could happen to me, often gets discouraging, but there is hope. As roads turn to dust, bridges buckle and schools crumble, I am confident congress and the President will pass a stimulus package that will get people back to work .. ......Michigan’s destitution is nothing new, but those who endure want to work. To innovate, to build, repair and pave the future so the next generation can enjoy the prosperity which has passed us by. I too continue- to search, submit resumes, apply for work and attend interviews. If we act now, our greatest days are ahead of us- if not, we’ll continue to see more misery and poverty, ultimately dismantling the struggles of those who fought so hard to build and maintain a middle class and their benefactors- people like me.