Barry Shaw Sr.

RIP Don Cornelius

2012-02-02T08:12:00.003-05:00

Don Cornelius’ “Soul Train” became the longest-running first-run nationally syndicated show in television history, bringing African American music and style to the world for 35 years. Cornelius started in the insurance business, then became a radio DJ and television news announcer and sportscaster.

Inspired by “American Bandstand,” he devised a similar program spotlighting black music and introduced it on the Chicago UHF station WCIU in 1970. It was syndicated in 1971, and Cornelius soon moved the production to Hollywood. Cornelius was the deep-voiced host, and in addition to major black artists the show also attracted such R&B-leaning rock performers as David Bowie and Robert Palmer.

Cornelius stopped hosting in 1993, and though “Soul Train” ceased production in 2006, its archives continue to circulate through YouTube, DVD sets and BET’s Centric channel.

Cornelius died Feb. 1, 2012, of a gunshot wound to head at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 75.

Soul Train Legend Remembered as Pioneer

The Way to a Man's Heart

2012-01-30T21:33:00.002-05:00

How many times have you heard the aphorism, "the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach?" In other words, if you're a good cook, this enhances your chances of finding a man. Another fallacy is to find a man who is "God-fearing," "church-going," or "equally yoked." Equally yoked entails more than a religious connotation, and should not be used as such. Doing so, leads to the indictment of one's character, when you know very little about the individual. The idiom is actually biblical; it's used religiously and taken literally, because of the bible passage below.

2 Corinthians 6:14, "Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?"

What is critical in two people coming together and staying together, is that they are on the same page; they are both financially responsible; can handle pressure situations without resorting to scapegoating, and the quality of each others character coupled with spiritual maturity. Religious beliefs are more hereditary than anything else and often serves as a clandestine smoke screen that can do irreparable damage to a relationship.

Continued on Yahoo Contributor Network

Relationships: Too Far Gone

2012-01-27T14:36:00.013-05:00

I took a course, about 20 years ago, called, "The Psychological Issues in Black, Male/Female Relationships." The class was very interesting but most of the semester we argued back and forth and the instructor was more of a facilitator or referee. At the end of the day (end of the course) we really didn't learn very much because most of our debates were confrontational, as most debates regarding black, male/female relationships are today. Until we all get to a level where we are beyond scapegoating, beyond religious differences, beyond the inner conflict that exist between black folks, we will always disagree.

I have written quite a few articles about relationships. This does not make me an expert on the subject. However, through years of research, being in a few relationships, and the quiet reflection that comes with spending time alone, affords me the opportunity to shed some serious light on the issue of why we can't get along.

It never really matters whether the reader agrees or disagrees. What matters is, did he or she get the intended point of the article?

The point is always the same, and it's an old Indian proverb that states, "We're branches of the same tree, how foolish for those branches to fight amongst themselves." This is what we continue to do, not only within the black race, but throughout the human race.

I'm at the point now where I truly don't believe we will see much of a positive difference in our lifetime, maybe in our children's lifetime, but not in ours.

We are too far gone to turn it around now. Collectively, as a human race we are more inclined to move toward absurd, uneducated decisions based on greed and jealousy, rather than come together and support a logical decision based on mutual admiration, respect, research, study, and love.

We talk a good game, when we're sitting in church, when we're faced with adversity, but the norm is indifference, arrogance, and disdain for one another. To our misfortune and detriment, there is no immediate end in sight to our spiritual confusion and moral ignorance.

B. E. Shaw Sr.

Misconception abt Stripper Pole

2011-10-03T09:05:00.006-04:00

An email conversation between myself and a female acquaintance, went something like this:

Barry: If she likes to hang with her girlfriends every so often, I would not have a problem with that, as long as she's faithful to me, she could even go to a male-strip-club if she wanted, with her friends, because that would only get her fired up, and when she gets home, I'd be waiting to "scratch that itch" for her.

Jeannie: I couldn't help but chuckle at your strip club comment. My ex would've never in a million years said yes! But then of course he had major insecurity issues. I wouldn't have a problem with the person I'm with hitting "hot spots" occasionally with friends either as long as respect is never forgotten. Shoot, I just might be motivated enough to buy my own stripper pole...lol!

Allow me to school women on the whole "stripper issue." And your comments are encouraged.

First of all, I don't go to strip clubs. I used to, years ago, but even then it was infrequent. I never made strip clubs a habit for two reasons: (1) strips clubs are very expensive, and (2) you really get nothing for the money you're spending except an erection. Unless you're paying major bucks to sit in the VIP section you can't lay a finger on the strippers. If you do, you are immediately kicked out of the club - it happened to a friend of mine and it was extremely hilarious because he's like, "let's go guys," and we're like, "you better go sit your ass in the car, we're not being escorted out - you are." Furthermore, if a woman has a man that likes to hang out at strip clubs she has an entirely different set of problems.

I understand it's different with the women strip clubs, I'm told women can touch the guys.

I wouldn't mind my woman going every now and then because I know that it wouldn't do anything but TURN HER OWN, and when she comes home I'm going to WAX that AZZ good! (sorry to be so blunt, just making a point).

Now, about the "stripper pole." There was an episode of "King of Queens" that said it all. If you're not familiar, or have never seen the sitcom or this particular episode, then you don't know what I'm talking about (view the clip in the video below this blog post). The bottom line, every woman doesn't do well with the stripper pole, and really, instead of turning your man on, it is really more of a turn-off. Most women don't quite comprehend a man's mentality behind the pole. I believe women have the false impression that because it has become rather popular, and there are stripper-pole-classes, that most men automatically like it. What the wife or girlfriend doesn't grasp is that when we see women on the stripper pole these women have bodies/figures like Angela Bassett; asses like J-Lo; look like fashion models, and are in the age range of 20-25. To top it off, these are women that we cannot have which only adds to the allure and lust of the situation. However, when we see our significant other on that stripper pole, and in many cases she has no idea what she's doing, it sheds a whole new light on the pole. And we can't really say what's on our mind at that particular time because it would come off as offensive, she gets mad, won't give you any, you're left high and dry, then you have to go out and buy flowers just to smooth the situation over.

We see you all the time! We see you when you're not looking your best (we still love you of course) and we see you when you're looking absolutely stunning. We walk in the bathroom right after you've come out (and vice versa). I'm saying all of this to say that the "stripper pole" is a bit overrated and not for every couple.

View Pole Dancing Episode of King of Queens - Part 1
View Pole Dancing Episode of King of Queens - Part 2

Pyramid Scheme or Multi-Level-Marketing

2010-05-19T22:44:00.003-04:00

A pyramid scheme is a non-sustainable business that involves the exchange of money, usually in the form of a sign-up fee, and usually has no product or service. They are illegal. The only people that are able to make money on a pyramid scheme are the people at the top of the pyramid.

Pyramid schemes promise very high returns in a short period of time for doing nothing other than handing over your money and getting others to do the same. The fraudsters behind a pyramid scheme may go to great lengths to make the program look like a legitimate multi-level marketing program. But despite their claims to have legitimate products or services to sell, these fraudsters simply use money coming in from new recruits to pay off early stage investors.

Difference between Pyramid and Multi-Level

One difference is that members at any level of a multi-level marketing model can make income through the company’s products and/or services without signing up any new members. The second difference is that multi-level marketing companies are LEGAL!

Examples of Multi-Level Marketing Companies

* Avon Products;
* Tupperware;
* Herbalife;
* World Financial Group;
* Nu Skin/Pharmanex/Big Planet;
* Xango

Nobel Peace Prize

2009-10-27T17:34:00.002-04:00

My congratulations to President Obama for receiving the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. This is a great and unexpected honor and well deserved. I think the U.S. media will downplay this accomplishment because half the nation appears to be against President Obama (for whatever reason, because no mortal can clean up the mess Bush left in less than a year, not even two years). We have to realize as Americans, Black, White, Red, or Brown, we are all in this together; we are all banches of the same tree. Here's a portion of the CNN story:

(CNN) -- President Barack Obama said Friday that he was humbled by the decision of the Norwegian Nobel Committee to award him the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize.

"I am both surprised and deeply humbled," Obama said at the White House. "I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments. But rather as an affirmation of American leadership. ... I will accept this award as a call to action."

For those of you who are upset about the fact that President Obama received such a prestigious award watch the video below of Norwegian Nobel Committee Chairman Thorbjorn Jagland as he explains why.

If you decide not to watch/listen to the video, at the end, Chairman Thorbjorn says it was a unanamous decision, out of the 5 people on the committee who voted. The only people who have a problem with President Obama being name Nobel recipient appear to be some Americans. Not only do they have a problem with it, but they use words such as appaling, and undeserving. Many are even going so far as to now call the Nobel Prize a sham. I wonder why?

As an American, you should be proud of the fact that your president has received this award. He has also stated that the 1.4 million prize money that goes with the award will be donated to charity. Let's face it, no matter what Obama does, he could "walk on water," and he'd still have major critics. What's a bit ironic, is the guy who is interviewing Thorbjorn says, as he makes his argument for the committee possibly making the wrong choice, "he's been president for less than one year." However, his short time in office doesn't seem to matter when he is being criticized on other fronts. Get an award, recognized across the Globe, now all of a sudden his short tenure matters. As usual, this is another situation that shows the true colors of America, and that is the color of RACISM.

We're all BRANCHES OF THE SAME TREE people. We're either going to live together in PEACE or we will PERISH together in TURMOIL, and no matter what, it appears that we have chosen the latter.

Read my comment on Opposing Views

Tribute to the King of Pop

2009-09-07T15:22:00.001-04:00

Like most African American men in their 40's (and toward the tail end of 40 I might add), I am a huge Michael Jackson fan. When I heard of his passing on June 25th, it hit me like I had lost a very close friend. It hit me like someone passed who I grew up with, because I did grow up with Mike. I didn't know him personally as most did not, but I have always been, along with millions of others, his number one fan.

Therefore, when the media would say harsh things about him, or criticize his fleshly and human foibles, as we all have, I took it personal. It's just like a close family member. That family member may have his/her ups and downs, and have to deal with the myriad vissicitudes of this life, but we never turn our back on them, especially if they have a kind heart. And a kind heart was certainly the epitome of Michael Joseph Jackson.

So MJ fans, go to my Tribute to Mike Blog and leave your comments. This blog is about uplifting and sharing positive thoughts about the King of Pop. Any negative comments are deleted and not debated in any way, shape, or form, and the perpetrators IP address is blocked. I owe that much to my friend Michael.

Michael Jordan # 23

2009-09-07T10:05:00.000-04:00

They keep asking, "the next Jordan," who will be the next Jordan? Is it LeBron, Kobe? Kobe has won championships, LeBron has not, at least not yet. He will get one or two championships before his career is over. The problem with trying to crown the next "Jordan" is the fact that MJ was so far ahead of the game and ahead of his time on the basketball court. Watch some of the videos of Jordan and you will clearly see how much quicker he was than anyone else on the court. As his quickness began to lessen he used his overall ability and winning attitude to continue to dominate the game. He was like Mike Tyson in his prime where Tyson intimidated and won the match before the first punch. So to was Jordan, pretty much his entire career, he won before the first shot.

Furthermore, today there are at least four players in the league that have similar, dominating, game-changing abilities and those players are: LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dewayne Wade, and Dwight Howard. These players will offset each other in their quest for championships. Therefore, just because of their competition they won't be able to match the hardware Jordan has. Kobe might get to six rings but Shaq would have contributed to three of those rings. Jordan had his peers as well, Charles Barkley, Dominique Wilkins, Clyde Drexler, and Hakeem Olajuwon (Larry and Magic were toward the end of their careers when Jordan burst upon the scene).

No offense to Clyde, Charles, Dominique, and Hakeem, but Jordan still stood head and shoulders above them. Olajuwon got his two rings when Jordan decided to try baseball. Once his-Airness returned, so did his championships.

I had the priviledge to watch Jordan his entire career. Now that he is being enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame, I salute MJ for a brilliant and exciting career. Also, I'd like to thank MJ for the MySpace comment a couple years ago. I'll never delete it.

Back-in-the-day

2009-09-06T09:12:00.001-04:00

I'm going back-in-the-day, going old-school with these pictures. The fella in the white pants to the left, and killer shoes is my late brother, and this photo was taken around 1972. You could not tell him that he was not cool. I saw this picture in an old photo album. It was taken by me, in a bedroom he and I shared as kids. My brother, Kent, was about 13 or 14 in this picture.

Kent completed his mission on this earth in 1992, so I figured, what the heck, I gotta put this on my blog. Because if he were here, he'd certainly be against my posting this picture. Sorry bro, but when I looked at the picture it evoked one of those LMAO, specifically the SHOES. I couldn't laugh too hard though, because I had my own pair of what would be considered today, as outrageous boots. If you had a sense of style back in the 70's and early 80's, then you had a pair too. I could never get down with the platform shoes though. I was way too skinny for platforms. But I had some boots, in 80-81, that are, to this day, my favorite boots of all time. These were killer boots; they were burgundy, with tan suede on the sides; a full boot. I would sport these boots to the club and really used to get some nice compliments. I have a picture that I will post in the next day or so.

The picture to the left is of me and an ex-girlfriend. She was really cool, grew up in Dallas, TX, and I'd like to give a shout-out to Katina, a class-act with a great sense of humor. If she's married now, no disrespect to hubby.

The shorts WERE in style and I am not gay! If a guy wore short-shorts like that today, in public, that would more than likely indicate that he is not heterosexual. No offense to my Gay brothers and sisters out there.

Some of my Favorite Flicks

2009-09-04T22:39:00.000-04:00

White Oleander
starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Alison Lohman. This story is about a young teenagers journey through a series of foster homes after her mother (Michelle Pfeiffer) is sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for killing her boyfriend.

The teenager, Astrid (Alison Lohman), has to basically grow up on her own and comes of age while dealing with a "me against the world Mom," from prison, and being shipped from one dysfunctional foster home to another. The movie depicts a very poignant dramatization of what many kids in foster homes have to deal with.

While having to navigate through the harsh reality that her mother may never come home, Astrid is forced to grow up very quickly. Her mother's advice to her from behind bars in confusing but has a ring of truth that the daughter just can't quite get a handle on.

What Dreams May Come

Starring Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr., and Annabella Sciorra. This is a difficult movie to analyze and really falls under the category of, "you just have to see it" more than anything else. In a nutshell, Chris Neilson (Robin Williams) dies and finds himself in a heavenly place surrounded by beauty that is essentially created from his own imagination. He later finds out that his wife has passed because of the grief surrounding the death of their son. Charlie's dilemma is, he's in a heavenly place, or realm, he learns of his wife's demise, so where is she? Why isn't she here? And the story takes off from there.

Love Field

featuring Michelle Pfeiffer and Dennis Haysbert, set in 1963, and released in 1992, is really the type of movie that's difficult for me to watch, being African American. I continued watching this particular movie because of the powerful performance of one of my favorite actresses, Michelle Pfeiffer. But any movie that features the bitter racial hatred that once existed in the United States is a bit hard to swallow. I'm always amazed at the audacity of one group of people actually believing they are superior to another simply because of the color of the skin. That's always been somewhat mind boggling for me, even as a kid who grew up in the South, in the 60's and 70's. Although blatant racism no longer exist in major cities in the U.S. (but still thrives in the smaller cities and pockets of rural America) the Spirit of Superiority (in many Caucasian people) and the Spirit of Inferiority (in many Black people) is alive and well. You can clearly see this Spirit with events such as the OJ murders (men unfortunately kill their wives almost daily in America and no one really cares, but not in the OJ case) and our first Black president. If Mr. Obama sneezes wrong, he is highly criticized. And as a nation, we simply do not realize that we are in this mess together, and we will only survive together.

Anyway, I digress. "Love Field" is about a Dallas housewife, Lurene Hallett (Michelle Pfeiffer) whose life revolves around the doings of Jacqueline Kennedy. She is devastated when President Kennedy is shot a few hours after she sees him arrive in Dallas. Despite her husband Ray's prohibition, she decides to attend the funeral in Washington, D.C. Forced to travel by bus, she befriends Jonell, the young black daughter of Paul Couter (Dennis Haysbert). Sensing something wrong, her good intentioned interference leads the mixed race threesome on an increasingly difficult journey to Washington with both the police and Ray looking for them.

Stir Crazy

"That's right, we Bad!" and "My brother was real short we couldn't even see him." Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder are at their best in this classic comedy. The scene when they first entered the prison is hilarious. Pryor and Wilder made a phenomenal comedy team, it's a shame they didn't do more movies together.

I actually had the privilege of seeing Richard Pryor live in concert in Dallas, Texas some 20 years ago and he did not disappoint. Richard Pryor is the Michael Jackson, the Michael Jordan, and the Babe Ruth of comedy; there will never be another.

Pay It Forward

Here's a movie that I would see on the cable guide for some years and I would always skip over it. So one day, I say, why not, there's nothing else on, I may as well check this out. The first 30 minutes or so, I wasn't quite getting what the writer was trying to do. However, as the plot came together, aided by one of the greatest child actors of all time (in my opinion); best known for his "I see dead people" line in "The Sixth Sense," Haley Joel Osment, I began to see this was a rare, and significant movie. The tagline reads like this:

"Like some other kids, 12-year-old Trevor McKinney believed in the goodness of human nature. Like many other kids, he was determined to change the world for the better. Unlike most other kids, he succeeded."

Pay It Forward is a poignant and moving tribute about the potential of the human spirit, and why we are here on this earth, all displayed in an adolescent.

The movie also features Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt (I'm a huge Helen Hunt fan).