Trayvon Martin Racial Murder: Why no National Outrage from rest of America?

A 17 year old, 140lb boy, Trayvon Martin was gunned down and killed on Feb. 26, 2012, just 70 feet from his father’s home in a gated community in Sanford, FL, a suburb of Orlando. His killer was a self-appointed security captain of the community who profiled Martin and followed him as he walked home from the store. Trayvon who was visiting his father and stepmother was carrying a bag of skittles and a can of Arizona Iced Tea and was unarmed.

The security captain, George Zimmerman is 26 and weighs 240lbs has STILL not been arrested. He stated that he felt threatened and shot Trayvon in the chest with his 9mm pistol in self defense. Commentator Herndon Davis explores the multi-tiered levels of justice in America; racial, ethnic, gender, sexual orientation and tries to makes sense of the Trayvon Martin killing.

Breaking News and Savvy viewpoints

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Herndon Davis
http://www.wix.com/herndon_davis/herndon
herndondavis@aol.com

Jeremy Lin: 3 Things to Learn from Racial Controversy

New York Knicks breakout star player, Jeremy Lin has become the center of discussion concerning racism in sports and professional athletics. Despite the recent flurry of racial/ethnic slurs there are 3 lessons that can be learned from this incident. Herndon Davis, Host of P.P.E. - Pop, Politics & Entertainment explains.

Mardi Gras 2012 in Mobile, AL with Herndon Davis

The American Birthplace of Mardi Gras is in Mobile, AL and is actually celebrated across the entire Gulf Coast in cities in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Lousisana and Texas. Herndon Davis of P.P.E. - Pop, Politics & Entertainment who is also a native of Mobile, AL takes us on a tour of Mardi Gras 2012 in Mobile, AL!

Shocking Abortion and Healthcare Laws Pending Passage

A new law in Virginia forcing women to be vaginally penetrated in order to take a medically unnecessary ultrasound as a prerequisite to having an abortion and a new law that gives your employer the moral conscience to deny you medical coverage is what's happening in American politics, Feb. 16, 2012. Herndon Davis, host of P.P.E. -- Pop, Politics & Entertainment explains!

Whitney Houston: 3 Spiritual Lessons from Life, Death

The triumphant life and tragic death of Whitney Houston brings to mind three spiritual lessons that can be gained from her life. Herndon Davis, host of P.P.E., Pop, Politics & Entertainment shares these lessons from the amazing life of singer, actress and model Whitney Houston.

Catch up with P.P.E. - Pop, Politics & Entertainment with host, Herndon Davis.

A collection of interviews and commentaries conducted by host, Herndon Davis focusing upon personalities, entertainers and leaders from diverse background

CNN's Roland Martin, GLAAD and Sensitive Gays

CNN's contributor, Roland Martin has come under fire recently from gay media organization, GLAAD for tweeting inappropriately on Super Bowl night. Host, Herndon Davis of P.P.E. (Pop, Politics & Entertainment) explores the often sensitivities of LGBT organizations.

Politics 101: Understanding PACs and Super PACs

The American political process is being heavily impacted by the creation of the Super PAC which in 2011 raised $96M. So what exactly is a PAC, a Super PAC and its other two hybrids and what should you the American voter know about its influence in the 2012 Presidential Election? Host, Herndon Davis of P.P.E, (Pop, Politics & Entertainment) explains.

Soul Train's Don Cornelius Suicide, Depression in Elderly

Soul Train Founder Don Cornelius’ suicide spotlights the issue of depression and suicide in elderly people. Host, Herndon Davis of P.P.E. (Pop, Politics & Entertainment) explores these issues and also celebrates the life of Don Cornelius.
http://youtu.be/ThEb6KfKr9U

Herndon Davis
herndondavis[at]aol.com
youtube.com/HLDATL

Beware: People with Hidden Camera Phones or iPhones Videotaping You!!

Beware of people with hidden camera phones or iPhones taking video and photos of you in public, in restrooms and in locker rooms and then posting it on the internet!! Host, Herndon Davis of P.P.E. (Pop, Politics and Entertainment) explores the growing epidemic of social media gone wild. Don't be a victim, look and be aware!!

Paul Deen and Diabetes 101

Paula Deen disclosed recently that she has type 2 Diabetes. Herndon Davis of P.P.E. (Pop, Politics & Entertainment) gives a crash course in Diabetes and comments on Paula Deen's missed opportunity to shine more light onto the issue.

Red Tails Interviews with Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrance Howard, George Lucas and Anthony Hemingway

RED TAILS starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terrance Howard is directed by Anthony Hemingway and executive produced by George Lucas. Herndon Davis, of P.P.E. (Pop, Politics & Entertainment) has interviews with all four men along with footage and the history behind the Tuskegee Airmen from which the movie RED TAILS is based.

Technology Tip (Wappwolf)from Herndon Davis of P.P.E. - Pop, Politics & Entertainment

Herndon Davis, host of P.P.E. - Pop, Politics & Entertainment reviews a new startup firm, Wappwolf that's created an app that automates file handling including functions such as editing thru Dropbox. Check it out and it's free!!

Herndon Davis
herndondavis@aol.com

Joyful Noise Interviews: Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, Keke Palmer, Jeremy Jordan

Herndon Davis of P.P.E. (Pop, Politics & Entertainment) spotlights the movie, "Joyful Noise" with interviews with Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, Keke Palmer and Jeremy Jordan. You've got to catch this heartwarming, gospel music family movie opening this Friday, January 13, 2012

Mark Wahlberg's "Contraband" Interviews, Behind the Scene and Clip Interviews

Get the Hollywood scoop on the new movie “Contraband” starring Mark Wahlberg, Kate Beckinsale, Givoanni Ribisi and Ben Foster. Herndon Davis, of PPE (Pop, Politics & Entertainment) has behind-the-scenes clips, movie scenes and interviews! Contraband opens in theaters Friday, January 13, 2012

Herndon Davis
herndondavis@aol.com

Moon Pie Drop over Mobile, AL

America's fastest growing New Year's Eve Drop is in Mobile, AL,the birthplace of American Mardi Gras. On Dec. 31, 2011, an estimated 61,000 people crammed foggy downtown Mobile just a few feet away from the Mobile River to see a 350 pound Moon Pie drop from the city's second tallest building. Herndon Davis of P.P.E. (Pop, Politics & Entertainment) was there to cheer his hometown on!! Bands performed that night were Lakeside and Three Dog Night.

Buy a copy of Repackaged Common Sense for $10!!!

Buy a copy of
Repackaged Common Sense for $10
"Where God and Career Intersect"

$10.00

Applying Spiritual Laws to your Career and Business
Does God play favorite in the Workplace?
Does prayer really help in getting jobs and promotions?

Read more here: http://tinyurl.com/y2q3wjc

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UPCOMING: WASHINGTON, D.C. SPIRITUAL WORKSHOP

PRESENTS

A workshop presented by Herndon Davis, author of the New Thought Spiritual Career Management book, “Repackaged Common Sense.”

Location: Unity of Washington, DC @ 1225 R Street NW, Washington, DC, 20009 (U Street Metro Stop Green line.)

Date: Sunday August 28
Time: 12:30pm – 2:30pm
Cost: Workshop is free/open to the public. Books on sale for $10.

Sign Up: Go here http://www.unitywdc.org/classesWorkshop.htm and click on the Workshop arrow to “Negotiating Career Success While Maintaining Your Spiritual Self” or call 202-543-1414

New Thought Approaches to Career and Spirituality

Herndon Davis, MBA, author of the book, Repackaged Common Sense presents his new lecture series “New Thought Approaches to Career and Spirituality.” Mr. Davis is available for Workshops, Keynote Speaking Engagements, Panel Discussions and Consulting Opportunities for:

§ Churches and Spiritual Centers

§ Corporations

§ Not-for-profits

§ Colleges/Universities

The Intersection of Spirituality, Career and Business

Pictures from my Workshop at Conscious Mile Center for Spiritual Living, Mobile, AL

Pics from my Embrace and Facilitate Change Workshop

7/20/2011 at Conscious Mile Center for Spiritual Living, Mobile, AL

Herndon Davis: Workshops, Keynote Speaker, Panel Discussions

Mobile, AL Spiritual Life and Career Change Workshop: Wed. July 20, 2011

PRESENTS

“Embracing and Facilitating Life and Career Change

against the backdrop of a recession”

With Herndon Davis, author of the New Thought career and spirituality book, “Repackaged Common Sense.”

Workshop Overview: Provide an understanding of the need for life and career change, the process of identifying life’s cyclical patterns and the spiritual techniques used to facilitate versus fighting change in our lives especially during the current economic condition.

Location: Conscious Mile Center for Spiritual Living, 1230 Montlimar Drive Mobile, AL 36609, (On Montlimar Drive between Airport Blvd and Michael Blvd.) (251) 343-0777

Date & Time: Wednesday, July 20, 2011 @ 7pm

Cost: Suggested Love Offering of $10. Books will also be available for purchase for $10.

Washington, DC Workshop 8/28/11 @ 1pm EST

BREAKING:Washington, DC-Maryland-Virginia: I will be conducting "Negotiating Career Success While Maintaining Your Spiritual Self" workshop in Washington, DC on Sunday August 28 at Unity of Washington, DC @1225 R Street NW, WDC, 20009 (U Street Metro Stop Green line.) Immediately AFTER morning worship service 12:30pm - 2:30PM. Workshop is free/open to the public. Books on sale for $10. See you 8/28!!

Herndon, herndondavis@aol.com

Weiner Scandal Raises 3 Issues Concerning Sexting and Online Sharing

By: Herndon Davis, http://tinyurl.com/2vf8qgr

When the personal collides with the professional against the backdrop of technology what are the rules? This is the heart of the issue of the Weiner scandal when the married US congressman finally admitted to sending graphic pictures of his body to several women. Online dating, relationships, sharing and over sharing across social media platforms is nothing new but where exactly it’s leading us is indeed new. Once again this scandal pushes us to a new frontier of both the spoken and unspoken rules of online relations when it comes to everything from dating, employment, etiquette and appropriateness.

The Weiner scandal raises 3 thorny issues when it comes to online sharing and sexting.

1. Is online dating really cheating? If there’s no sex, no kissing and no human contact then is sending pictures of yourself or even your naked body to someone other than your spouse or significant-other considered cheating? Well the answer should be a no-brainer with a collective and resounding YES, but there are still many who see online affairs tantamount to harmless flirting something that is often done in person. They hold on to this “look but don’t touch” mentality. But in reality if you’re baring all and sending intimate photos or video of various body parts to strangers you’re attracted to then you need to drop the pretense and call it an adulterous affair. In fact it should be allowed to stand as such in all divorce proceedings across the nation and be enshrined within our legal system thus expanding the legal definition of adultery in every state. So the debate on this issue should be long over. Online cheating is equivalent to physical cheating.

2. When it comes to sharing information online, exactly how much should your employer be involved? Should your company or boss be allowed leeway in telling you what to post, what to take down and continue to use social media as a means of sifting through employment candidates and justifying it as reasons for termination? Court cases all across the nation with varying resolutions are constantly challenging the law on the matter of social media, technology and employment.

Bottom line HR professionals and hiring managers are using social media as the newest baseball bat against employees stretching the boundaries on how employees should conduct themselves outside of working hours. Granted when an employee disparages their employer, manager or colleagues and boasts the name of their company in their online profile, then that indeed is an issue. But when companies overreach and attempt to control the individuality of their employees online outside their work environments, then that is something completely different and must be challenged by employee advocates.

3. Pictures, videos and written posts last forever and can affect you in multiple sometimes painful ways. Think about it. For the first time ever an entire generation of people will be tracked online for the course of their entire lives. From silly pre-teen posting, college-level video or written rants, to adult employee online debates; a person’s complete life potentially could be captured online, archived and retrieved years later even if posts, pictures, videos and accounts have been “deleted.” When it goes online it lasts forever. So how exactly will this affect people in the long run should they decide to marry and start a family, run for public office, seek out higher corporate positions, or even enter the ministry. The consequences of naïve, reckless posting, revealing videos, picture taking and writing can seriously impact the lives of individuals for the remainder of their lives across all spectrums of life not just employment.

How can you tell your children not to drink or do drugs when there are high school or college photos and videos of you doing the same? How will your spouse feel if your high school or college sweetheart who is now your Facebook friend refuses to take down pictures or videos of you two in a loving or sensual embrace? And how effective will your ministry be if self-doubting video posts on the existence of God from your pondering college years keep popping up on Youtube? Depending on how much information is posted online throughout an individual’s lifetime and how it is being archived decades from now, a person could go to the grave at a ripe old age with an online dossier following them. That online dossier instantly becomes their obituary not what family and friends remember.

So the Weiner scandal beyond its titillating details should actually provide us with a reflective look at how we use, engage and entertain using social media as well as the use of our personal discretion and appropriateness as the lens through which we move forward with it. Remember, think before you write, pose, video and post!

Herndon Davis is a media analyst, speaker, and author of the book, “Repackaged Common Sense.” He can be reached at herndondavis@aol.com and www.herndondavis.blogspot.com

Will States follow Michigan’s Ferocious Takeover/Privatization of Poor Cities, School Districts?

by: Herndon Davis, http://tinyurl.com/2vf8qgr

If you’re a poor city with dwindling residents, virtually no tax base with staggering debt and feeble ineffective leadership, should the state government be allowed to dismiss the input, vote and will of the people and their elected officials by stepping in to takeover, deed transfer and privatize the entire town? And should the same be allowed if you’re a failing school district, water board, fire, police department or simply any mismanaged publicly entity? If you live in the state of Michigan the answer is yes which in recent months has passed and now is implementing a hyper-aggressive takeover and privatization law across the entire state. Although US states already have such emergency takeover mechanisms, few are as aggressive and wide-reaching as Michigan’s. In reality more states must become more opened-minded to this type approach but with a staggered and moderated caution especially as America’s economy continues to teeter.

In Michigan czar-like powers are being given to Emergency Financial Managers (EFMs) providing them complete autonomy over everything from ending government contracts including collective bargaining agreements with unions to firing employees, closing and merging schools and departments and overriding legislation passed by elected officials and voted on by the people. Alarmingly if Michigan’s dictator takeover approach proves to be fiscally successful and also survives constitutionality challenges, this type law might become the wave of the future for states seeking to close their budget gaps with troublesome and poorly run cities.

A deeper analysis of this situation and its future implications can be seen through the lens of two cities, Benton Harbor, MI and Prichard, AL. They’re located over 900 miles apart, nestled in distinctly different regions of the country but they both share a commonality of generations of high crime, drugs, urban blight and many years of political corruption and financial mismanagement.

Benton Harbor, MI with a population of 10,779 and a per capita income of $10,235 became the first city to be taken over by Michigan state government via an EFM. And according to an investigative report by MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, the city’s only asset, a beach side park overlooking Lake Michigan is being readied to become part of a $500M, 538 acre Jack Nicholson designed golf and residential development.

Meanwhile, Benton Harbor’s EFM, Joseph Harris has fired dozens of city employees and according to the New York Times, is even considering a plan to merge the city’s fire and police departments where the police could put out fires and fireman could answer burglary calls. Quite a mess indeed but if successful, the Michigan law could travel south to the heart of Dixie in the state of Alabama where another city is hovering over despair.

Prichard, AL, home to 27,725 residents with a per capita income of $13,003 has filed for bankruptcy twice in 1999 and 2009. And several years before that the city removed a former mayor from office for neglect of duty. But recently the city received international attention because of its pension fund woes when the fund ran out of money back in 2009. And then the unthinkable and the illegal happened, the city stopped making pension payments to its 150 city retirees. But fortunately, just a few weeks ago the city of Prichard and its retirees agreed to a settlement that would give reduced one-third pension payments to each of the still living 140 retired employees.

And similar to the city of Benton Harbor economic growth has been very hard for the city of Prichard to come by. Residents have for years resisted the idea of being annexed to next door Mobile, AL a city of 200,000 people. And voters of Mobile County which includes Prichard shot down a 2004 amendment which would have allowed Prichard to set up a special international trade zone potentially making the city an import hub for countries across the continent of Africa. Today the city barely exists.

So should the state of Alabama become emboldened by the success of Michigan’s fiercely omni-powerful takeover and privatization law, then Prichard and dozens and potentially hundreds of others cities across every corridor of the nation could possibly be appointed a leader who manages solely to the bottom line of a managing private company allowing zero input from communities they represent.

Currently there are just under twenty US cities nearing bankruptcy but there is an estimated $2 Trillion public pension funding gap facing states, cities and counties across the nation as reported by the Financial Times. So given the potential for bankruptcy and pension fund default, is taking over poorly run communities really such a bad idea? Is it an overreach of government or simply a heavy-handed fiscally prudent and operationally efficient form of government?

Well Michigan State Rep. Fred Durhal Jr. (D) believes the former citing the US Constitution Article 1 , Section 10, Clause 1 which he explained during an April 25, 2011 MSNBC interview as being “The ability of the federal government to stop any state from being able to squash contracts.” He added that the state of Michigan also has a Home Rule Act which “allows cities, villages and townships to be able to function and make their own laws.”

In my opinion, I think there needs to be a very cautious in-between approach when it comes to takeover/privatization laws. Some cities and their constituents have been notorious for sending back to public office shady individuals and downright crooks to govern their districts and that’s really their business. But when a community’s mess endangers the welfare of others such as retired city employees in terms of their pensions or thousands of school children who have an inferior education in comparison to the school district down the road, then something or someone must to take control!!

So should Wall Street privatization firms and solo EFM czars control our local communities? Hell no! But when it comes to the betterment and protection of society from the wildly spinning out-of-control neighboring communities, it is most definitely worth having a tough, take-no-prisoners takeover/privatization mechanism in order to stop the bleeding and to start the growth in our cities and communities large and small.

Herndon Davis is a media analyst, speaker, and author of the book, “Repackaged Common Sense.” He can be reached at herndondavis@aol.com and www.herndondavis.blogspot.com

Is Filming the Police a Felony or a Right?

By: Herndon Davis, http://tinyurl.com/2vf8qgr

Across America and the world a growing number of court cases dealing with the legality of videotaping and photographing the police are slowly forcing laws to catch up with rapidly evolving multimedia advancements. In the meantime innocent people are being charged with an array of felony and misdemeanor counts ranging from wiretapping, obstruction of a police investigation/justice, resisting arrest and videotaping of police.

In a frighteningly eerie way America’s law enforcement are treating its citizens similarly to the way citizens were being treated in Iran, Libya and in other parts of the world when unrest has occurred. They confiscate cameras, delete footage, raid people’s homes and seize computers and hard drives all while displaying an overwhelming force of aggression towards everyday citizens. The reason behind this alarming trend is simple, it is the fear of police that they will be publicly misrepresented and embarrassed by the power that we as citizens possess within our Smartphone’s and through our 5 inch long, high-definition video cameras.

Ever since society leapfrogged into the digital era amateur video footage has helped to solve a wide range of crimes including those committed by rogue cops who’ve been caught doing everything from body slamming teenagers to kicking, punching and beating suspects to death. But thankfully the majority of law enforcement is not “dirty” and in fact uses videos cameras to assist them in doing their jobs as well. For instance video cameras are attached to the dashboards of police vehicles to help them in identifying suspects and also in giving an accurate detailed account of encounters with its citizens.

However the existing laws or lack thereof which addresses the legality of videotaping and photographing of police can vary dramatically from local to state jurisdictions across the country. Just this past week the Spokane Washington sheriff’s office removed a reference from its website referring to photography as being a "suspicious activity” after it was contacted by advocate, Carlos Miller a multimedia journalist who runs the blog Photography Is Not a Crime (http://www.pixiq.com/contributors/248.) But in September 2010, a Maryland Circuit Court judge dismissed wiretapping charges against a motorist who was arrested for audio recording his encounter with a Maryland state police officer. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Maryland lauded the decision as “Vindicating the First Amendment right to document what public officials say and do.”

And this past week also saw two other court cases which gave us grave concern. In Orlando, Florida a court trial began against John Kurtz who was charged with a felony count of wiretapping in addition to resisting arrest when he refused to stop recording a police officer’s arrest. Kurtz could face up to 6 years in prison if convicted. Also a 15 year old high school student, Khaliah Fitchette was named as plaintiff in a lawsuit filed by the ACLU-New Jersey against Newark, NJ police for violating her first and fourth amendment rights when she refused to stop videotaping officers remove a passenger from a city bus.

Fitchette was arrested and sent to a youth detention facility then sent to an adult facility and finally was driven to her mother’s workplace once police ascertained they had no basis for arresting or detaining her. As a result this young lady has a police record which could seriously affect her college admissions and her ability to be hired for certain jobs. Again all of this occurred because of what?? She used her cell phone to videotape in a public place.

Granted I genuinely understand the valid concerns of police. They feel that video footage could be selectively edited and used to show only the worst aggression tactics being used without showing in proper context the events that led up to it. This often embarrassing footage typically ends up on Youtube and on hundreds of other video sharing sites across the web before authorities are able to fully explain their side of the story. As a result, this creates a public relations nightmare and deep community resentment towards the police.

But not every citizen journalist is out to stick it to police. Instead technology is viewed as the equalizer of truth, an opportunity to tell the full and complete story so that justice is served, not swept under the rug by a few rogue members of law enforcement.

As these legal cases continue to escalate in number and more innocent people are charged with felonies and sentenced to prison, the law has no choice but to speed up its evolution in order to address the new media dilemmas that technology is rapidly creating for society. And let’s hope that its sooner rather than later!

Herndon Davis is a media analyst, speaker, and author of the book, “Repackaged Common Sense.” He can be reached at herndondavis@aol.com and www.herndondavis.blogspot.com

Racial Media Bias in Schwarzenegger vs. Tiger Woods Sex Scandals?

By: Herndon Davis, http://tinyurl.com/2vf8qgr

Yesterday I read a Facebook posting that noted the stark differences between the media coverage of former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s infidelity and marital separation and the media coverage of pro golf champion Tiger Woods near identical sex scandal. The implication was that Schwarzenegger’s media coverage has been far less chaotic and much less venomous because he is white while Tiger Wood’s media coverage was not only hyper-sensationalized but salaciously and viciously reported because he is of African American descent.

After thinking about it further I agree there are definitely stark differences in the style, degree and even depth of reporting between the very similar sex scandals. However I do believe these differences are based primarily on three very important factors.

1. Timing. Back in 2009 Tiger Woods had a minor car accident outside his Florida home which began the unraveling of his life. This actually occurred the day after Thanksgiving. In fact when the whole revolving door of Tiger’s sex life was disclosed it happened between Thanksgiving 2009 with an initial tabloid story all the way into January 2010 when over a dozen mistresses came forward and started getting agents, lawyers and interviews on television.

The holiday season is typically a slow time from a media perspective. Most news stories generated are angled around the holiday season and related fluff. So the Tiger Woods story literally filled up national and local airwaves and broadcasts because there literally were no real competing news stories vying for air time or print space.

Meanwhile the Schwarzenegger-Shriver separation was announced May 10, 2011 and revelation of a love child on May 17, 2011. But these announcements had to compete with the sex scandal of IMF Chief Dominique Straus-Kahn, the Mississippi River flooding from the Midwest into the deep South, the Mideast uprisings and protests in Syria, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Yemen plus the falling but still very high gas prices and the continued political chatter concerning the death Osama Bin Laden.

This is quite a difference from having to compete against new stories concerning how many shopping days are left before Christmas.

2. Image. Before Arnold Schwarzenegger became a womanizing politician he was a womanizing actor and before that he was a womanizing body builder. Get the point? In fact Arnold has been quite open admitting to his past bad boy behavior and he has never presented himself in a moral, holier than though light. And there have been plenty of rumors as well as tabloid accusations of his womanizing which have haunted Schwarzenegger in both his single and married life, so this recent bombshell was really a very loud crash.

In contrast, Tiger Woods for years has gone through great pains to consistently portray himself as a clean cut, youthful, straight laced and squeaky clean role model. The brand continued to expand when he married his trophy wife, Elin and became the picture perfect loving and devoted husband and doting father of two.

Tiger’s brutally tarnished image and huge fall from grace drove the media frenzy more so than Schwarzenegger’s further tarnished image and short stumble from a diminished legacy as a highly ineffective governor.

3. Age of Children. Schwarzenegger’s four legitimate children range from ages 21 to 13. In fact some of his children are chatting it up on Twitter openly discussing their parent’s breakup and subsequent revelations. In stark contrast, Tiger’s two children were just 2 years and 9 months old at the time that his sex scandal.

It’s one thing to shame your 50-something wife and almost- to-completely grown kids with an infidelity/ love child scandal. But it’s something totally different to shame your 20-something wife and very innocent children both under the age of 3. Men who turn their backs on their young families always irk the ire of those watching and it makes for perfect sensational media coverage.

So are there major differences in the media handling and coverage of the Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tiger Wood’s sex scandals? Heck yes!! Is it racially based? No, it is a result of a combination of factors that provide for a very different interpretation and response. Let’s hope this current scandal is over by the summer so we can focus on more important matters like the price of gas!

Herndon Davis is a media analyst, speaker, and author of the book, “Repackaged Common Sense.” He can be reached at herndondavis@aol.com and www.herndondavis.blogspot.com

Sugar Ray Leonard's Sexual Abuse Revelation Sheds Light on Dark Issue

by: Herndon Davis, http://tinyurl.com/2vf8qgr

Former boxing champ Sugar Ray Leonard revealed that as a teenager he was sexually abused by a “prominent Olympic boxing coach” which he details in his soon to be released memoir. In sharing this with the world Leonard joins other high profile male sexual abuse victims such as CNN’s Don Lemon and filmmaker, Tyler Perry in shedding much need light upon a very dark issue across American and the world.

Far too often the mainstream media image of sexual abuse victims has almost exclusively been that of vulnerable females both children and adults. But hardly has the media lens of attention and the collective American conscience been focused steadily upon the plight of boys and adult male victims of sexual abuse. In fact it’s one of America’s dirty little secrets, the seemingly growing pandemic of male sexual abuse.

According to the male sexual abuse advocacy organization, 1in6 (http://1in6.org), at least 1 in 6 men have experienced unwanted or abusive sexual experiences before age 16. And this statistic is thought to be a low estimate. Highly under-identified and under-reported male sexual abuse is an invisible emotional virus wreaking havoc upon scores of boys and adult men. The National Organization on Male Sexual Victimization (http://www.malesurvivor.org), explains that the culprit is masculine gender socialization which dictates and “declares that males, even young boys, are not supposed to be victims or even vulnerable” and that we as a society “learn very early that males should be able to protect themselves but in truth, boys are children - weaker and more vulnerable than their perpetrators - who cannot really fight back. “

This type thinking couldn’t be more evident than by the numerous marches, rallies and lobbying days at state legislatures advocating for tougher sexual abuse laws and increased funding to help female sexual abuse victims. Frankly, you would think this was completely a women’s issue similar to that of breast or ovarian cancer versus a human issue that affects us all. Everyone regardless of gender, race, ethnicity and social status are potential victims of sexual abuse.

And even if we weren’t sexually abused, it’s still everyone’s issue because as wives, partners, parents, children, additional relatives, friends and even co-workers we must deal with the sometimes extreme and erratic behavior of some sexual abuse victims. When this issue is ignored, swept under the rug and downright denied by well meaning but misguided principled Americans, males victims of sexual abuse will often spiral downward into depression, drug and alcohol addiction, have relationship and intimacy problems and exhibit lifelong anger issues among other challenges.

Simply put, the sexual abuse of boys and adult men is much more prevalent in this country than previously thought, a fact that middle-America dares not admit. Further, there is a deep seated and very unfair resistance to not admit and not support the emotional and physical recovery of male victims.

I thank God for the bravery of Sugar Ray Leonard, Don Lemon and Tyler Perry and the scores of other men who have come out of the darkness of fear and shame in order to shine the light of knowledge and understanding upon this vile yet invisible problem across America. And now we must follow their lead by sharing this knowledge with others.

Herndon Davis is a media analyst, speaker, and author of the book, “Repackaged Common Sense.” He can be reached at herndondavis@aol.com and www.herndondavis.blogspot.com

Schwarzenegger Love Child Highlights Need for Stronger Political Morality Litmus Tests

By: Herndon Davis, http://tinyurl.com/2vf8qgr

The shocking revelation that former California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger fathered a “love child” with a member of his household staff while married to his now separated wife Maria only highlights the increased need for stronger morality litmus tests for politicians. Yes, there is indeed a concept called separation of church and state, but does that necessarily mean morality has to be thrown completely out the window?? I think not!

Once again the 2012 presidential field is peppered with a thrice married candidate, Newt Gingrich. He runs on the tail end of several high profile sex scandals from the past few years involving US Senator John Ensign, US Representatives Chris Lee, Mark Souder, Eric Massa and Governors Mark Stanford, Eliot Spitzer and Jim McGreevy plus dozens of other state and local level politicians.

Their personal indiscretions and moral frailties have only caused distractions by taking away energy from running the business of government and greatly disenfranchising voters and residents of their districts. So the best way to avoid future office holder scandals that suck up the political oxygen and prevent work from getting done is to establish and enforce stronger morality based litmus tests for all candidates and current office holders alike. Although this is already being done as part of the vetting process in both major political parties, I think swifter citizen-led action groups akin to moveon.org should be created to block and even remove candidates based upon immoral behavior, revelations or scandals.

In fact we should have non-binding initiatives that keep candidates in check on the morality front by implementing the following:

1. In addition to taking an oath of office all existing public officials would be required to also sign a pledge of morality to its constituency vowing not to engage in any immoral acts, which specifically include infidelity, drug and alcohol abuse. Should they break this citizen pledge of morality, office holders would agree to step down immediately from public office or risk being the target of an aggressive citizen online/offline recall campaign.

2. And for those thinking about running for public office, candidates must disclose through a citizen-led initiative all extramarital affairs , “love children” and drug and alcohol abuse in order to prevent surprises years later. It’s much better to come clean and to be upfront than to have secrets and filthy laundry jumping out the closet later. Let’s leave the drama for Hollywood not the hallowed halls of government. And as a reward for being honest and upfront, the candidate would then be allowed the opportunity to run for public office. Should they win, they must take the citizen pledge of morality.

3. Finally, all married presidential candidates must not be divorced and be married only once. The only exceptions would be if a presidential candidate was widowed and then remarried or if the candidate were single, but again no multiple marriages. Why you ask? Well just think about it. If a man has three wives and two failed marriages such as presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, is he really be fit to run the country if he can’t even manage or run his marriage or household? If you happen to cheat on your wives, will you turn and cheat on your country in some form or fashion through your politics and decision making? If you lied in your marriage which is a sacrament before God will you then turn and lie to the American people?

Overall, if stricter morality litmus tests combined with citizen-led non-binding pledges were enforced in this country, I believe America would see a better quality fit of political candidate rise to the forefront. The best candidate to take public office may not really be the most brilliant or the smartest person. If you remember former President Bill Clinton was smart as a whip, but his presidency and the good work he had done was nearly toppled by an Oval Office indiscretion.

The vast constituency in every local, state and federal district in this country deserve far better from their representatives. And it’s high time we start holding their feet to the moral political fire.

Herndon Davis is a media analyst, speaker, and author of the book, “Repackaged Common Sense.” He can be reached atherndondavis@aol.com and www.herndondavis.blogspot.com

Will Black America Embrace CNN's Don Lemon's Coming Out??

By: Herndon Davis, , http://tinyurl.com/2vf8qgr

Courageously, CNN news anchor, Don Lemon has publicly come out as a gay, partially in hopes of helping gay youth embrace their orientation since many have in recent months resorted to suicide due to relentless school bullying and societal homophobia. But will Black America, deeply entrenched in its cultural and religious homophobia accept him? Well let’s see.

If Black America could embrace, accept and defend a convicted dog fighter, a suspected murderer and suspected pedophiles in the name of Michael Vick, OJ Simpson, Michael Jackson and R. Kelly then why could it not further embrace, accept and defend an educated, articulate, highly visible and very successful cable news anchor in the name of Don Lemon? So far black community praise of Don Lemon’s coming out has been lukewarm to tepid to say the least. Although lauded within black lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) circles, his monumental step has barely registered a peep on black mainstream media radars.

For instance, Lemon’s coming out broke the news cycle on late Sunday afternoon and reverberated across the web that night into Monday throughout the day. However when I checked several black news websites at 11am EST Monday, there was not a news story posted. And when I checked several black gossip websites that NEVER miss an opportunity to gay bash black gay men, there was not a peep, hence there has been a virtual black media blackout on Lemon’s coming out.

I also checked several LGBT advocacy websites and verified that their listservs did not note Lemon’s coming out as well. All of this contrasts tremendously with the hysterical reporting by these very same media outlets when it came to exposing the low down, down low (DL) men stalking the lives of black women with HIV. Further, I find it astounding that arguably the most high profile and successful black news media personalities on television today comes out to help bridge understanding concerning sexuality and acceptance and absolutely no black leader comes out in support of him.

So why has it taken a full news cycle for the tepid applause to begin trickling in? Lemon, with his upcoming book release has the potential of changing the lives of many young people and adults alike who’ve struggled with sexuality issues most of their lives. He also has the potential of bridging the gulf and sometimes antagonistic relationship that exists between black gays and straight blacks, the Black church, the job and in society in general.

Whether you are straight or gay, you should embrace Don Lemon’s coming out not because of a politically correct induced statement but because he is someone taking a risk, placing himself, his career and even his physical safety on the line in order to help so many others. And that within itself is well worth my support. Congratulations to Don Lemon!!

Herndon Davis is a media analyst, speaker, and author of the book, “Repackaged Common Sense.” He can be reached atherndondavis@aol.com and www.herndondavis.blogspot.com

Alleged Sexual Assault by IMF Director Spotlights Many Faces of Rapists

Photo by: Robert Stolarik for The New York Times

by: Herndon Davis, http://tinyurl.com/2vf8qgr

Jaws dropped around the world last Friday when managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and a serious 2012 French presidential contender, Dominique Strauss-Kahn was yanked off an Air France flight by police minutes before take-off from New York City’s JFK airport. Strauss-Kahn was later picked out of a line up and arrested by New York City police for allegedly committing “a criminal sexual act, attempted rape and unlawful imprisonment” against an African immigrant hotel housekeeper from the Bronx. As shocking as these alleged events might be, I believe that the biggest takeaway from this is that the potential face and background of a rapist can be just as varied as society itself.

Who would dare imagine that one of the most influential men in the world, a highly regarded global thinker and someone who’s been instrumental in guiding Europe through its financial meltdown and back to solvency would be charged with sexual assault and attempted rape?? A womanizer yes, but a rapist, surely not! Well think again!

First, we must remember that these charges are only alleged. They have not been proven to be true or false in a court of law. Further, Mr. Straus-Kahn plans to refute those charges according to one of his attorneys, Benjamin Brafman, who stated in a New York Times interview that Straus-Kahn “will plead not guilty. “

Second, we have to recognize that a person’s wealth, prominence, respectability or global influence does not preclude them from being or becoming a rapist. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), there are at least 15 types of sexual assaults, all with their own unique set of circumstances, none of which hinges on financial or political wealth as being an excluding factor.

Instead one must look at a person’s personality traits and characteristics in order to shed light on identifying the many faces of a potential rapist. According to anti-violence entity, No Nonsense Self-Defense, there are numerous tell-tale signs that indicate someone might be or might become a potential rapist. An individual who is emotionally or verbally abusive to others, is hostile or bullying, displays excessive anger, brooding, has obsessions over people, has physical tantrums and exacts revenge on others are all characteristics and traits to look out for. So just because someone has a fortune in their bank accounts or has celebrity clout with paparazzi following them doesn’t automatically mean they aren’t controlling, bullying or have bursts of excessive anger. If anything their money and clout can help to hide these traits from being seen to the rest of the world.

Third, we must never forget that sexual assault and rape is indeed sexual violence driven by the need of a person to control or to prove a point and often is exacted out on people mostly known to them whether intimately or through a casual acquaintance. So the face of a rapist could literally be anyone that you may know. However, in the Straus-Kahn case, statistically he would represent the minority of cases of a stranger sexually assaulting another person, but these cases do occur and they simply cannot be ignored in assessing this particular alleged assault.

Finally we must remember that anyone can be a rape victim whether female or male, young or old, straight or gay. If you are a man, gay or an older person, there is additional stigma to being a rape victim. There is less reporting for fear of ridicule, public retaliation and/or a deep shame. Rapists thrive in this as their covert behavior silently expands to other victims. So identifying who they are makes it even more difficult. As the facts come to light in the Straus-Kahn alleged sexual assault case, we must remember not to make assumptions about the physical look or background of rapists but instead be aware that the face of a rapist could actually be your very own.

Herndon Davis is a media analyst, speaker, and author of the book, “Repackaged Common Sense.” He can be reached at herndondavis@aol.com and www.herndondavis.blogspot.com

Just in case you missed it...........

Just in case you missed them, here are my lastest commentaries. Please share them with others.

-America Must Understand and Pass the Dream Act

http://tinyurl.com/5wxj4uc

-The 3 Problems with the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN)

http://bit.ly/k02rwL

-The Real Reason behind High Gas Prices and 3 Things Pres. Obama, Congress Can Do

http://tinyurl.com/3zet5z3

-Can America Spiritually Celebrate Bin LadensDeath?

http://tinyurl.com/5tj556l

Herndon Davis

Media Analyst

Media Kit:http://tinyurl.com/2vf8qgr

Blog: http://herndondavis.blogspot.com/

America Must Understand and Pass the Dream Act

America Must Understand and Pass the Dream Act
by: Herndon L. Davis, http://tinyurl.com/2vf8qgr

If America took the precious time to get to know and to understand the lives of millions of individuals directly impacted by the passage of the Dream Act, then this pending piece of legislation would overwhelming be approved by the US Congress. Earlier this week, Pres. Obama renewed his commitment to sign into law the Dream Act should it pass both the US House and Senate. A day later Dream Act bills were reintroduced into both chambers and currently has a growing bi-partisan support. In fact the Dream Act has historically been introduced into Congress since 2001 but consistently has been blocked by conservatives fearing national security and the encouragement of more illegal immigration. But in reality, the Dream Act would give a pathway to citizenship to young people bought into this country illegally as minors by their parents. So they’re already living and working in this country and pretty much spent the majority of their lives living in the US.

Over the past four years statistics from the Pew Hispanic Center and the Center for Immigration Studies have estimated between 1.2 to 2.1 million young people could qualify for citizenship amnesty through the Dream Act which would require them to complete at least a two year college degree or two years towards a four year degree or enroll in military service for at least two years. And if passed, the Dream Act would only be enforced for those ages 18-29 at the time of its passage.

Sadly this would come too late for an untold number of older illegal immigrants brought to this country under the exact same circumstances. A few years ago I met someone in Los Angeles who for his safety I will call ‘Sam’. What I didn’t know about Sam at first was that he harbored a deep, dark secret that kept him from living a “normal” life. One day over a cup coffee, in a hushed paranoid tone, he confided in me that although he was in his mid-thirties and living in this country since he was a toddler, he still was not a US citizen.

Between a negligent attorney who did not properly file the necessary paperwork and the sudden death of his mother, Sam had to start the process of applying for citizenship all over again. He’s now being sponsored for permanent residency by his sister and her husband, both US citizens. This will then allow him to eventually apply for citizenship a few years later. So by the time Sam officially becomes a US citizen he will be over forty and would have lived over four decades of his life in a legal limbo.

So what has life been like for Sam and the millions of others in his situation? Well for starters with Sam living in the state of California he could not apply and legally receive a valid driver’s license, unlike in ten other US states which issued illegal immigrants a driver’s license prior to 2005.

This also means that Sam has been unable to fly on an airplane, vacation or travel extensively because he isn’t able to legally obtain a California state issued ID. Further, Sam hasn’t been able to complete college either because he didn’t qualify to receive federal financial aid such as the Pell Grant. Instead he’s had to pay 100% of his college expenses. And although he works fulltime, it is a low paying job with virtually no benefits. To make matters worse, other students in Sam’s situation have been accepted into some of the most academically competitive but extremely expensive colleges and universities. And heartbreakingly, they cannot attend because there are no financial assistance options available to them.

But fortunately, a few states have recognized the need to assist long-term immigrant students. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, eleven states offer these students in-state tuition eligibility.

Simply put, millions of children and now a growing number of adults who were brought to this country against their will through illegal means are now paying the severe consequences of their parent’s actions. I’m sure that if Sam knew that as a young child he would have to duck and dodge for the rest of his life struggling to find work, receive earnings under the table, not be able to finish college, to drive a car, vacation or travel across the county without the assistance of someone who is a US citizen; I’m sure he would have objected to his mother’s well intentioned actions.

Finally, we must remember that these young people and adults did not break the law, their parent’s did. And we should not punish them based upon the illegal acts of their parents. Creating a path to citizenship for those impacted by the Dream Act is the decent, fair and more importantly the moral thing to do as a nation. We must provide this youth sub-population an opportunity to enroll in college and to take advantage of student loans, enroll in the military, work legally and build a prosperous career so that they too might be able to live the American dream. We must pass the Dream Act in 2011!

Herndon Davis is a media analyst, speaker, and author of the book, “Repackaged Common Sense.” He can be reached at herndondavis@aol.com and www.herndondavis.blogspot.com