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Time for Arizona to "Point" Gov. Brewer Toward the Door! Her Disrespect of President Obama Is Unpardonable!

Before President Barack Obama made his fifth visit to Arizona on January 25, 2012, I made this prediction ...

"My Brothers and Sisters ... I'm hoping for the best, but I'm afraid that you're going to see the good, the bad and the ugly in Arizona. Please brace yourselves for an interesting roller coaster ride!"

Gov. Jan Brewer did her best to make my prediction come true!

First the Good ...

I attended his speech at Intel and it was thrilling to be surrounded by THOUSANDS of people who support our President and his mission for job creation and getting America on track. We sat in the sun for hours while waiting for Obama to arrive but the atmosphere was very positive. When he arrived, the place was electric and he did not disappoint the crowd! He genuinely seemed excited to be in the Valley. Among the many topics he discussed during his 21-minute speech, he made a strong push for job creation and praised Intel for being an excellent model for how we can revive America's economy.

The BAD and the UGLY ...

While we were in the crowd, most of us had no idea that President Obama and Gov. Brewer exchanged some heated words at the airport just minutes earlier.

From all accounts, she started the BAD and the UGLY when she asked Obama if he read her book in which she trashed him. She also has a history of dogging him about illegal immigration - an issue that started long before Obama took office.

Bottom line, Gov. Brewer is not one of the President's favorite people and he let her know how he felt.

She exchanged words with him because she was surprised that Obama fired back at her and she had the nerve to point her finger at him! A CLEAR SIGN OF DISRESPECT!!

It's about time that our President gave his critics a piece of his mind. People have been taking shots at him for far too long and he has to get tougher with them in order to gain their respect. They still may not like his policies but they'll be a lot more careful about blasting him publicly!

I'm truly disgusted with Jan Brewer and I've got a feeling that African American leaders are going to be calling for her to step down much like Sheriff Joe Arpaio. PhxSoul.com will support that effort!!

Click on the "Comments" link below to share your thoughts!!

 

See President Obama's Speech at Intel in Chandler on January 25!

On a Sad Note - Doc's Place in Phoenix Has Closed Its Doors

It appears that as of June 8, the beat will not go on for Doc's Place, one of the premier entertainment and gathering spots in Phoenix.

Co-owner Nayo Jones has confirmed that the beloved venue has closed its doors - at least for now.

"This is not a somber occasion, this was a business decision that we had been considering for some time," said Nayo, who partnered with her father, Doc, to open the central Phoenix lounge and cafe in January 2009.

Even though Nayo noticed an increase in the number of out-of-town visitors to Doc's Place, she said that it was time for her and Doc "to move on." They both had a desire to focus on other music projects and they were anticipating a slow summer based on the turnout in previous years.

Nayo hinted that Doc's Place might come back in the Fall but admitted that it's a longshot.  

In the meantime, Nayo wants to thank Doc's Place patrons for their support.

"People were in love with our atmosphere," said Nayo. "We did a good job and we left an impression on the community for almost three years."

Editor's Note: Despite the positive approach that Nayo conveyed as she talked to PhxSoul.com about the closure of Doc's Place, this is another incidence of Black businesses that succumb to the lack of support from the Black community. As a business owner, I can tell you all that Doc's Place would not have closed if Black people were packing the house on a regular basis. I went to Doc's Place on many occasions and I saw many a slow night. We must do a better job of supporting our businesses and we must also tell our Black business owners how they can improve so we'll continue to patronize them!

African-American Pro-Immigrant Group Defends Birthright Citizenship and Condemns Attacks on 14th Amendment

Submitted by Opal Tometi

For the past year Arizona has been in the spotlight because of its harsh attacks on migrant populations and people of color. From the signing of the most far reaching anti-immigrant law (SB 1070) that legitimizes racial profiling, to its ban on Ethnic Studies (HB 2281), Arizona is rolling back the clock on the gains that the civil and human rights movements made in the United States of America. In addition to these legislative measures, Arizona recently banned affirmative action (Proposition 107) in the November 2010 election.

Sadly, Arizona’s Governor Jan Brewer and other government officials, like State Senate President Russell Pearce, are relentless in their attack on the migrant community, attacks that also impact the African American community. Pearce’s current foray is on the 14th amendment, an amendment that is well known for both the Citizenship Clause and Equal Protection Clause.  It is now threatened because, after over one hundred years in existence, Pearce wants to ascribe a new interpretation.

The 14th amendment to the Constitution was written when slavery was finally outlawed in the United States. It granted formerly enslaved Africans in America full citizenship, and overturned the Supreme Court’s 1857 decision in the historic Dred Scott v. Sanford case. In plain speak, the 14th Amendment was meant to ensure that all people born in the United States would be treated as equal citizens under the Constitution. However, Pearce is trying to strip away the citizenship rights of children who were born in the U.S. to parents who are not recognized as legal residents.

Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) Executive Director Gerald Lenoir explains that, “attempts to undermine the 14th amendment are unconstitutional and are part of the tradition of racism and xenophobia that our ancestors have fought hard to dismantle. Furthermore the term ‘anchor baby’, which has become associated with this bill is pejorative and is used to criminalize children of immigrants, especially those of color.”

This attack on the rights and dignity of children demonstrates a sad shift in the trajectory of the national discourse on immigration. The assault on birthright citizenship through distortion of the 14th amendment and the reversal of gains made through the  struggles for civil rights, only aims to disenfranchise the growing number of people of color in this country.

Arizona State Senate President Pearce, the key author and principal in pushing forward this legislation, has been known to fraternize with white supremacists. This is not the kind of thinking that we should allow to shape our nation. In this day and age when black and brown communities are continually marginalized and disenfranchised, we cannot allow for a reinterpretation of the 14th amendment that would only create a new caste of second-class noncitizens with no rights in any country. We cannot allow for the normalization of this type of anti-migrant policy that further institutionalizes xenophobia, racism and injustice in the U.S., as well as dismisses the gains of the civil rights movement.

As Martin Luther King, Jr. poignantly said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”  The Black Alliance for Just Immigration will stand with immigrant communities in Arizona and across the country in opposing the reinterpretation of the 14th Amendment and in asserting the birthright citizenship rights of children of undocumented immigrants.

Opal Tometi was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona and is the National Organizer for the Black Alliance for Just Immigration. The Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) is an education and advocacy group comprised of African Americans and black immigrants from Africa, Latin American and the Caribbean. BAJI engages African Americans and other communities in dialogue that leads to actions that challenge U.S. immigration policy and the underlying issues of race, racism and economic inequity that frame it. The Black Alliance for Just Immigration's articles do not necessarily reflect the views of PhxSoul.com.

Is It Too Far-Fetched to Dream About a More Meaningful Way of Celebrating Dr. King's Legacy?

Submitted by DaVaun Sanders

Hundreds of participants gathered on the grounds of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church on Monday morning for the city of Phoenix annual march in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy. For Arizonans still stunned over the Tucson shooting nearly two weeks ago, the peaceful demonstration was a timely event.

March participants came from all walks of life, representing various demographics, organizations and causes. A broad spectrum of ages were on hand despite the crisp morning from toddlers in strollers to grandparents in wheelchairs. The day quickly warmed as the marchers rounded a corner in downtown Phoenix, to end among the festivities held in Margaret T. Hance Park.

Senator Leah Landrum Taylor addressed the gathering, calling for a moment of silence in memory of the Tucson shooting victims. Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox, State Representatives Catherine Miranda, Ben Miranda and Ruben Gallego; and Councilman Michael Johnson were among the politicians on hand to offer words on the dire state of civil rights in Arizona.

“We need to have hope,” said Representative Gallego. “We will be proud of Arizona before this year is over.”

Another person of influence on stage was Salvador Reza, a key leader in the Puente Arizona movement for immigrant rights. “We are going to change the composition of the state legislature,” Reza vowed. “It cannot go on like this.”

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” is an often used King quote that fits Arizona particularly well. While the downtown march serves as an opportunity to memorialize the civil rights leader, plenty of other causes showed their share of banners—from infant circumcision to immigration rights.

As the holiday continues to evolve into an annual platform for the civil rights cause du jour, it is imperative for African Americans to ensure progress among our own areas of need. Celebrating the gains embodied by the Martin Luther King holiday is an important part of our national identity, especially in a state that resisted recognizing the holiday for so long. To do otherwise would be a disservice to Arizona African American leaders who fought for civil rights progress, people such as Reverend Warren Stewart, Dr. Gene Blue and Bishop Henry Barnwell.

Yet we must ensure that our cultural celebrations are firmly girded within a larger framework of education and community awareness. We must be vigilant against romanticizing our civil rights history while also avoiding the castration of it. Do our youth march out of a deep respect for our forefathers, or to earn extra credit and volunteer hours? Both? Or neither?

The rhetoric surrounding the MLK holiday can deceive us into accepting that another three-day weekend is proof that everything is fine the way it is. It's not. We need more than a day of service for the work required to repair our state; to redress the suspect laws, embarrassing education standards, police misconduct and minority profiling that plague Arizona.

“Commit to changing one thing before you die.” Ben Jealous, NAACP President in 2010 lecture remarks at ASU.

If Monday was just an extra day to sleep in, this one is for you. What can you do this year to improve your community? Volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Arizona? Perhaps assist a community garden in South Phoenix? Create internship opportunities for youth at your business?

We can no longer reap the benefits and rest on the laurels of dead men. It's time to redefine how we remember the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Then perhaps one day, our descendants will march in honor of the King they saw at work in each of us.

Kingdom or Confusion? Black Youth Are The Key

Submitted by Marcus Bellamy of The Black Organizing Network

“The hard cold facts today indicate that the hope of the people of color in the world may well rest on the American Negro and his ability to reform the structure of racist imperialism from within and thereby turn the technology and wealth of the West to the task of liberating the world from want.”  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos Or Community? (Beacon Press, 1967)

Voting?  Not nearly.  Holding hands?  Quite the contrary.

By 1967, Dr. King had run far afoul of United States consensus about what it meant to be a “responsible civil rights leader.” His very public criticism of the Vietnam War evoked criticisms from within his own ranks of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference all the way to the Oval Office.

It was either Andrew Young (later CEO of Wal-Mart and short-lived Trilateral Commission member) saying that King was “spreading the movement too thin,” other Black preachers suggesting that “peace and civil rights don't mix,” or President Lyndon Baines Johnson himself, in a fit of white racist backlash, asking, “What is that goddamned nigger preacher doing to me?” after King's speech at Riverside Church on April 4th, 1967.

From 1965 until his death in 1968, Dr. King was radicalized.

In the same book quoted above, he reflects that the sole act of ensuring the vote for Black folks was not enough to fundamentally alter power relationships in American society.

In '65, King moved to Chicago in order to understand the problem of poverty in Northern ghettos.  By doing this, he developed a critique that America, with all its technological breakthroughs, space voyages, and domestic riches, must not have truly wanted to make “war on poverty” because providing adequate employment, housing and education for the poor would really have been a skirmish compared to the massive expenditures on NASA explorations and the Vietnam War budget of $332,000 per enemy kill.  This critique, linking poverty to the United States being an empire which sought to extend its power by any means necessary, compelled the elite in the United States to assassinate him.  However, Dr. King was not the first, nor was he the last to be dealt with in this fashion.

Each year, the nation conveniently repackages King into a safe Hallmark card that is fit for everybody's viewing and digestion. “Controversial” parts of his life such as his calls for a “radical redistribution of political and economic power,” “a revolution in American values,” and an end to “racism, materialism, and war” do not fit into this Hallmark card.

Our question should be, “Who wrote this Hallmark card?  Why did they do it?  What interest do they have in making us forget (or never even acknowledge) Dr. King's full history?”

Unfortunately, due to the fervor we Blacks in Arizona experienced in just getting the holiday sanctioned, we have taken a very leisurely approach to studying Dr. King and the context of his resistance.  If more of us were informed about Dr. King, his peers, his followers, his historical antecedents and his successors, the youth that we consistently criticize would not have the lethargic “here we go again” look on their faces when King Day and Black History Month roll back around every year.

Indeed, we as elders, who are supposed to have either lived the history (“I marched with King”) or know it by heart (“Y'all got it easy.”), have reduced our liberation struggle to Saturday chores.  At this point, Dr. King is merely interrupting cartoons, cereal and video games.

The youth are not to blame, we are.

How do we change this? The Black Organizing Network proposes a mass re-education campaign.  This campaign is multi-purpose and multi-message (a few of which are included here):

1) Develop alternative “schools” (as long as they are disciplined, these could be discussion groups, film clubs, Saturday schools, etc.) for Blacks (youth and elders alike) headed by capable facilitators who can administer history conversations accompanied by multimedia and connect seemingly “long time ago” events to our current situation as Africans in America.

2) These conversations will demythologize the movement. By this, I mean that Dr. King, Rosa Parks and Malcolm X are not the only Black people who ever resisted. Frankly, we haven't even properly understood those three people, much less their larger contexts. But by continuing to misunderstand them, and yet reference them, we have effectively told ourselves and young people that “Black leaders lived from 1957 until 1968. Black leaders are either men who speak at podiums all the time or women who stay quiet unless they say 'no.'” And then, also mistakenly, we present King and X as some kind of polar opposites from which young people have to choose.

3)  The so-called Civil Rights Movement was not a fight for the right to vote. The Civil Rights Movement was a certain wing of the Black Liberation Movement, which dates back to Africa being invaded by Arab and then later European enslavers (e.g. centuries ago). The Black Liberation Movement itself must also be understood as part of the global struggle for self-determination of dispossessed peoples.  Self-determination should be understood as the power to control one's own destiny. Voting is only one tiny way to affect the condition of a people. Furthermore, in a historical moment like today when voting for presidents and local candidates who are chosen for us by individual rich people and corporations, sheroes and heroes such as Fannie Lou Hamer, Ella Baker, Dr. King, and even those who actually were murdered in the act of registering Black folks to vote would likely not emphasize the vote as a tool to control our own destiny today. Therefore, the myth that has been imposed upon youth and elders alike that our ancestors “died for the right to vote” is a silly assertion at best that this campaign must correct immediately.

4) We have won nothing. Even Dr. King himself, in the same book quoted throughout this article, said that laws and investigative commissions do nothing to enforce justice. Through accurately understanding our collective history, and not just King and Juneteenth, we integrate our Black youth into the larger reality of being members of the 1,000,000,000 strong African family. Like any family, this one has responsibilities, culture, history, and other elements to which we must stay true and struggles that we must continue. 

By forwarding this proposal, the Black Organizing Network is not merely saying “we ought to,” “we need to,” “y'all gotta stop,” or other ego-stroking manifestos frequently spoken at meetings.  We are finishing our Dr. King mixtape (soon to be made free to the public via CD and mp3 podcast download) and are available to facilitate discussions, presentations, or classes on Black history/contemporary issues.  Our goal for 2011 is to institutionalize alternative media and alternative education within the Black community in Arizona.  By institutionalize, we mean make them concrete and consistent so that people can sense it on a regular basis.

The “hard cold facts” that Dr. King cited above are still applicable today.  It is first and foremost Black folks within the United States who must make the necessary alterations to this society's power relationships so that other global freedom movements can gain some breathing space, since the United States itself holds so much power over so many other nations.  Therefore, from now on, we must hold each other accountable for a precise commemoration of our history.  Without understanding what Dr. King truly represented on a global scale, we will fall into a distorted way of commemorating him: marching in the streets with no purpose, and forgetting about it the next day (sound familiar?). 

Marcus Bellamy is a member of The Black Organizing Network.  Footage from their recent events can be found at www.blackorganizing.net or www.youtube.com/user/blackorganizingaz and the organization's email address is blackorganizing@gmail.com. The Black Organizing Network's articles do not necessarily reflect the views of PhxSoul.com.

Local Black News Outlets Are YOUR Voice and We Are Telling You That WE Need Your Support!

How important is your local BLACK media to you?

If PhxSoul.com, the Arizona Informant, the Arizona Black Pages and The Soul List weren't already established, how would YOU find out about the Black community in the Phoenix area?

We don't have a Black FM radio station here. We don't have a prominent Black television show here.

According to 2010 Census figures, African Americans make up 4 percent of Arizona's population and we are VERY spread out! There isn't one predominately Black neighborhood here even though we have considerable numbers in South Phoenix and Maricopa (south of the Valley of the Sun).

So I ask again, how would YOU find out about the Black community in the Phoenix area if Black media wasn't here?

I've had discussions with a few people in the Black Media community and we are struggling with one common theme ... how do we encourage MORE African Americans to financially support us?

How do we get more black businesses to advertise on our Websites and in our newspapers/magazines?

If you don't own a company, how do we get black people to buy newspaper subscriptions or simply DONATE to us?

Are we doing something wrong? Is Black media irrelevant in today's society?

I talk to many people about the lack of unity in Arizona's Black community. I agree that this is a problem. You can travel to other cities with large Black populations like Washington, DC, Chicago, Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles and see how successful, progressive and VISIBLE we are!

It seems to me that if so many Black people in Arizona would like to see more togetherness here, you would consistently pump your dollars into your newspapers, magazines and Websites!

Here's a litmus test ... ask 10 black people you know if they spent any money on a Black newspaper, magazine or Website last year. I'll be shocked if more than two say yes.

People ... YOU can't afford to hold out on Black media - especially in Arizona! If you don't invest in your news organizations, who else will?

I estimate that if each African American in this state invested ONLY $10-20 PER YEAR with each Black media outlet here, we would have more than enough money to provide a serious boost to our community. With your investment, Black media may even bring that Black FM radio station that you desperately want!

But we can't accomplish any of our goals without you! I encourage each of you to contact every Black media outlet to see how they plan to help the community if you spend your money with them.

If you make a non tax-deductible donation to PhxSoul.com, buy a PhxSoul.com shirt, purchase banner advertising, or attend a future PhxSoul.com event, I promise that I will:

• Provide more jobs to qualified people who need them.
• Partner with professionals/corporations that offer valuable information related to business, finance, housing and education.
• Host more family friendly events and entertainment.
• Sponsor organizations that uplift and mentor youth.

Bottom line, if you can't put your money behind the media that serves as your voice, we'll be talking for another 100 years about the same issues that afflict our people instead of actively implementing solutions!

Being a Parent Is a Job that Fills Me with Pride! Only Those Who Are Ready Should Apply!

It's been a week since my wife and I welcomed our son into the world and I'm still in shock over the fact that I am a father!

Don't get me wrong, our baby was not an accident - we planned to have him. But even after all the advice we received from family and friends, the Lamaze classes and other research we performed, there's no education like having your baby here live and in person!

I might be biased but I think our son, PhxSoul, Jr., is the most beautiful baby I've ever seen! I instantly fell head over heels in love with him the moment I saw him come out of the womb!

I cried like a little girl as the doctor announced, "Here's your son!"

I could barely see through my tears as the medical staff helped me cut his umbilical cord. Seeing him in a completely vulnerable state after his birth immediately kicked my protective nature into overdrive!

I told my son that I would do everything in my power to make sure he is happy and safe for as long as I am here on Earth. He squeezed my finger while I talked to him as if to say, "I trust you Dad."

I've had a lot of time to reflect during PhxSoul, Jr.'s, eight days of existence and I know that I am truly blessed. He is a gift from God. He's healthy, strong, doesn't cry much, eats like a horse and is very affectionate. I can tell he's going to be a Mama's Boy like me.

Fatherhood has quickly become my passion and it's obvious that it's going to take a TON of time, love and energy to be the best parent I can be!

I applaud all the single parents out there because I don't know how I could raise my son without my wife!

I'm not totally sure what my point is with this blog but this week has taught me to never take parenthood for granted. Being a mom or a dad is an absolute privilege, not a right.

I know it is my duty to provide a completely positive environment for my son. I won't shelter him from the ills of society and I may not be perfect, but it would be irresponsible for me to not want the best for my seed.

I am so excited about what the future holds for my son and I wish nothing but the best for all parents out there!

PhxSoul.com Thanks Arizona Residents for Voting! What Are Our Thoughts on the 2010 Election?

By now you know that November 2 was bloodbath for Democrats in the state of Arizona and across the nation.

The election clearly showed that millions of Americans are unsatisfied with President Barack Obama even though he's had less than two years to correct all of the mistakes that were made by George W. Bush during his eight years in the White House.

The Republican Party has taken over most local offices and has a stronghold on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

How will President Obama be able to successfully lead the country for the rest of his term(s) while having to deal with so many politicians who oppose his policies and efforts?

Will the Republicans really do a better job of getting this country "back on track?" If they can't, will they continue to blame President Obama? If you thought FOX News made you sick before, enjoy the next few years!! 

Here are some of the key election contests that PhxSoul.com was focused on:

• The controversial and tongue-tied Jan Brewer will serve as Arizona's governor for the next four years (55 percent of the vote).
• U.S. Senator John McCain collected more than 58 percent of the vote to remain in office.
• Ben Quayle captured more than 52 percent of the vote to become Congressman in District 3. Remember him? He said Obama was the "worst President in the history of the United States!" I hope our President orders a major audit of Quayle's taxes in 2011!
• Good to see that State Senators Kyrsten Sinema (Distrct 15 - Democrat) and Leah Landrum (Distrct 16 - Democrat) remained in office. Also, I'm happy to see that Ruben Gallego (Democrat) will be one of the District 16 State Representatives. He's a good guy.
• Cody Williams destroyed his competition in the South Mountain Justice of the Peace race.
• Betty Thompson stayed on as a Roosevelt Elementary School District Board member. Unfortunately, Wilbert Hill and Dr. George Brooks, Jr., lost their bids to be on the Phoenix Union High School District board.
• Sherry Williams ran a commendable campaign for the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court post but was denied - party politics got in the way! She did a great job getting the word to the community though.
• It came as no surprise that Proposition 107 passed. Yep, race- and minority-based preferences in government contracting and programs are gone! Will be interesting to see how this affect us in the next few years. 
• Fortunately, Proposition 302 was rejected so Arizona will retain the Early Childhood Development and Health Board and programs and keeping any money in the early childhood development and education fund.

PhxSoul.com encourages you to visit the Arizona Secretary of State Website and azcentral.com for results on other races that appeal to you.

Also, be sure to share your Comments below!

Sources: Arizona Secretary of State Website and azcentral.com

VIDEO: Ward Connerly States His Case for Getting Proposition 107 Approved in Arizona @noaz107

See His One-on-One Conversation with PhxSoul.com Intern Heather Jackson

It is the moment we have all been waiting for ... Ward Connerly finally came out to Phoenix to speak about Prop 107.

Connerly, who is Black, has been a staunch opponent of affirmative action and has been endorsing efforts to implement legislation that would ban race- and gender-based programs in Arizona.

On October 14, the Goldwater Institute hosted the debate and open forum which pitted Arizona State House Minority Leader David Lujan against Connerly.

During the debate, Lujan did an admirable job of pointing out the numerous reasons why Arizonans should reject Proposition 107. Connerly used the debate as an opportunity to explain why he feels Arizonans should approve the Proposition in the November 2 election.

After the debate, Connerly took time out to give PhxSoul.com's Heather Jackson a private interview.

Although we don't agree with his viewpoints on Proposition 107 and affirmative action, we appreciate his willingness to address our questions.

You're Going to "Fall" in Love with Seasons 52 Fresh Grill and Wine Bar in Phoenix @Seasons52

Is it possible for a restaurant to serve affordable and great-tasting healthy food in a romantic and vibrant atmosphere?

I'm not completely sure if I ever wanted an eatery to have all of those ingredients, but after I got a chance to sample some of the great dishes and wines at the new Seasons 52 Fresh Grill and Wine Bar, I'm definitely sold on the concept!

There's no doubt that Seasons 52 Fresh Grill and Wine Bar is going to be one of the hottest restaurants in the Valley once it officially opens on Oct. 25 at the Biltmore Fashion Park, 2502 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix.

It's a beautiful and large place complete with private rooms, a huge bar and a prime location.

I was recently treated to a five-course meal which included a crab and guacamole appetizer, spinach salad with toasted pine nuts, cedar plank roasted salmon, goat cheese ravioli and desserts called mini indulgences. I tried the pumpkin pie mini indulgence and it was amazing!

The best part about this meal ... every item on the menu is under 475 calories! You don't have to load up your plate with salt, pepper or hot sauce to bring out the flavor. It's hard to believe that the most expensive entree is under $30 - you'll see what I mean when you visit Seasons 52.

Yes, I'm aware of the fact that some African Americans will be skeptical - some Biltmore-area businesses and landlords haven't been kind to us.

However, I encourage PhxSoul.com readers to give Seasons 52 a chance ... the staff will be good to you and the food will be good for you!

Phoenix Resident Forms Conscious Thinkers Meetup.com Group for African Americans

Click here to check out The Conscious Thinkers!

Looking for an opportunity to socialize and dialogue with mature men and women in the African American community?

Phoenix resident Audrey Jenkins has formed a Meetup.com group called Conscious Thinkers which targets people who are concerned with the lack of togetherness and dedication within our communities.

The Conscious Thinkers group is here to provide networking; resources; friendships and most of all togetherness.

Conscious Thinkers enjoys getting together for stimulating conversation and sharing our resources. Only true conscious & mature thinkers need inquire.

VIDEO: August 31 Forum Helps Educate ASU Students About Proposition 107 @noaz107

"Arizona Civil Rights Initiative" Will Be on the November 2 Ballot - Vote NO!

Submitted by Heather Jackson, PhxSoul.com Intern

Arizona State University's National Pan Hellenic Council (NPHC) wanted ASU students to make an informed decision before voting on the November 2 mid-term ballot which will include Proposition 107.

Thus, the NPHC hosted a forum on August 31 at the Tempe Campus to further educate attendees about the proposition and how it would affect ASU students if it passed.

They also clarified which minority- and gender-based programs would be eliminated. For more information about Proposition 107, please visit www.protectarizonafreedom.com.

Please view Heather's Jackson's report below:

SB 1070 Protests Further Demonstrate the Fact that Arizona Is In a State of Chaos

Photo by Puente Arizona

Submitted by DaVaun Sanders

Citizen protests against Senate Bill 1070 continued to escalate this week, as the law was set to go into effect on July 29th. Demonstrators took to the streets all across Arizona and the country on Thursday. In downtown Phoenix, organizers engaged in several acts of civil disobedience in addition to rallies, vigils and prayer gatherings.

Protesters marched on downtown after an early morning prayer service at Trinity Cathedral. Their numbers grew gradually into the thousands throughout the day in the face of triple-digit temperatures and humid weather.

The actions continued despite U.S. District Court Judge Susan Bolton's order on the day prior, which essentially deprived the bill of its race-profiling teeth. Governor Jan Brewer filed for an appeal of the federal injunction on Thursday, but must wait until November for a ruling, as her request for an expedited hearing was denied.

"We need to explore any and all options, including the possibility of tweaks to SB 1070, to get the legislation implemented as soon as possible," Brewer stated in comments reported by the Arizona Republic.

This admission by the Governor may serve to fuel demonstrators from the Puente Movement, the National Day Laborer's Organizing Network and the Unitarian Universalist Association. Puente demonstrators, including civil rights leader Salvador Reza, have already been arrested going into the weekend.

The events in downtown Phoenix represent a paradigm shift in America, as generations, social media and political awareness conjoin to shape an uncertain future. Immigrant rights are often portrayed as a solely Hispanic cause in Arizona, but the Thursday rally did not reflect that preconception.

Predominantly white baby boomers and elders were also on hand, wearing bright orange t-shirts, several with white clerical collars visible beneath. Upon arrival from the morning march, they sang “This Land is Your Land” in Cesar Chavez Plaza. Hispanics made up the larger contingent of rallying youth, some wearing teal Puente Arizona t-shirts, leading chants and pounding away on drums. The merging of these distinctly different groups, peppered with more ethnicities in between, proved to be striking.

Chants resounded through downtown as the rally gathered momentum, echoing through the adjacent Wells Fargo plaza, where curious employees looked on from their cigarette breaks. Plainclothes officers and  Puente organizers meandered through the crowd like rival generals, observing and reporting with walkie talkies or cell phone Twitter updates.

“Stop the injustice, stop the hate—we don't want your police state!” Youth shouted through megaphones. Inevitably the crowd spilled into the streets. “Arrest Arpaio, not the people!”

Acts of civil disobedience ensued as dozens of intimidating Phoenix SWAT filed into the street in riot gear. Officers warned the crowd to remain on the sidewalk, or face arrest. Reporters and cameramen swarmed everywhere for any signs of escalation, lending a frantic air to the scene as arrested demonstrators were pulled into awaiting vans. The overpowering media presence played an indelible role here, creating a feedback loop of hype.

There were moments of potential ugliness that nearly bubbled into the more carefully orchestrated aspects of the day. Several frazzled officers and rifle wielding deputies at the downtown jail dragged away protesters who chained themselves to the building, and attempted to disperse the crowd several times before finally gaining control of the street. Officers arrested some of the people with visible relish, however restrained.

“Cops and the Klan go hand in hand!” Crowd members chanted defiantly. “This is what a police state looks like!”

Back near the Wells Fargo Plaza, a pair of incredibly brave (or incredibly foolish) minutemen attempted a feeble counter-protest. The two were quickly enveloped in argument by the anti-SB 1070 crowd, and eventually escorted away by police for their own safety.

Many Americans will conclude that Arizona remains trapped in some peculiar time warp, where Sheriff Joe Arpaio is this generation's Bull Connor. Yet away from sensation hungry cameras, moments of levity occurred among the people who fell on different sides of the law's enactment.

“I have no opinion on that, sir,” said one SWAT officer when asked about the law, immediately pointing out the public information officer for media queries. “He's the only guy out here wearing a tie.”

As the SWAT officer monitored the sidewalk from behind reflective black sunglasses and bulletproof vest, he added thoughtfully, “People should be allowed to say what they think, though.”

Some zealous, high school-aged protesters were quick to hurl 'Nazi' and raise middle fingers to police, in addition to the Klan epithets. Several of these instances were redirected by stern-faced elders, or equally zealous—but somewhat more conscious—college age members of the protest.

Elsewhere, a group of police gave each other wry grins after accepting water from a passing protester. Their 'thank-you's' were sincere. A Hispanic onlooker and White SWAT officer both held sweat drenched and angry expressions, but also shared a laugh when an enterprising cameraman scrambled atop a van to record the arrests on Washington Street. Puente volunteers picked up empty water bottles throughout the demonstration, even as their movement leaders were arrested.

These sorts of moments will likely go unnoticed in the drama surrounding SB 1070 until the appeal process is complete. The potential for Arizona to move forward is ultimately reflected in the individuals on either side of this legislation, who chose to remain quietly, beautifully human during the protest of an inhuman law.

Follow DaVaun Sanders on Twitter @davaunwrites

 

Video of the SB 1070 Protests by DaVaun Sanders

Photos of the SB 1070 Protests by DaVaun Sanders

The Arizona I Once Adored Will Die Once SB 1070 Is Officially Born on July 29

For the Latest News Regarding SB 1070, visit azcentral.com

Submitted by Tremaine Jasper, Owner/Editor of PhxSoul.com

Arizona, brace yourself for July 29 - the day SB 1070 goes into effect!

This is a day when the eyes of the world will be fixated on our state! If you thought the criticism was bad when Gov. Jan Brewer signed the bill on April 23, 2010, wait until July 29, 2010 when the law is OFFICIAL!

Critics say the law could lead to racial profiling (PhxSoul.com agrees). Supporters argue the law is necessary because the federal government hasn't done enough to curb illegal immigration.

Groups in Phoenix and around the nation will be hosting "marches, rallies, religious events, and decentralized acts of civil disobedience" on July 29 (and beyond).

The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit that claims SB 1070 is not constitutional. U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton implemented an injunction on July 28 that takes the teeth out of several major portions of the law. Unfortunately, Judge Bolton didn't completely overturn the law. Read azcentral.com for more SB 1070 updates.

No matter what happens in regards to SB 1070, Arizona will come out as a loser. Our state has lost millions in tourism dollars and it has been branded as a backwards, racist place to live.

I've always done my best to defend Arizona and I don't ever plan to leave, but I will certainly shed a tear of shame for my beloved home on July 29.

And I believe that U.S. Senator John McCain, State Senator Russell Pearce, Gov. Brewer and all Republican politicians who bash President Barack Obama and support SB 1070 should be ashamed too.

Why?

Because they know deep down in their hearts that the only reason why this law was proposed is because they didn't want a Black Democratic President to get all the credit for stopping the "illegal immigration problem" in Arizona.

How many years has McCain been in office? Since 1982? It's taken him 28 years to make immigration a top priority! He's a Congressman! He couldn't influence the Federal government to stop people from crossing Arizona's border illegally before President Obama came into office? Illegal immigration isn't a "problem" that was born yesterday.

Do these Republicans remember that President Obama has only been in the White House for less than two years? Do these Republicans understand that President Obama must focus on a million other issues that affect our nation? How can they expect him to fix everything that's broken into our country immediately?!

Eventually, President Obama was going to get it done but he and his team needed more time to develop a Federal solution. SB 1070 is a joke!

The Relationship Guy: When It Comes to Love, Talking About Money Is a Worthy Investment of Your Time

PhxSoul.com columnist, "The Relationship Guy," will provide his monthly perspectives on love, dating and relationships. PhxSoul.com encourages you to read The Relationship Guy's takes and share your feedback!

I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine about relationship finances. We seem to have conflicting opinions about relationship money management. I thought to myself that I was glad I was not in the relationship with my friend or the woman in question. The scenario focuses on a woman, but we all know the gender component can be changed.

This couple has been together for more five years and their three children are ages 10, 8 and 3. The wife has been employed at her current company for almost five years and earns an income of approximately $50,000 annually. The husband owns a business that generates almost a six figure income after all expenses are paid. Looking at this family from an outside view, most would say they have more than enough to live comfortably.

The husband owns a financial consultation firm which means he is very good with handling money and providing advice to others.

However, his wife feels that she doesn’t need his assistance with her finances because she had been doing her own accounting and budgeting before they met.

Unfortunately, they have engaged in bi-weekly heated discussions because the wife is consistently requesting that the husband provide her with additional money from his business account because she runs out of her funds before her next pay check.

The husband makes sure the mortgage, car notes; insurance, medical and other assorted bills are paid from a joint account they both monitor. They each keep an individual account for personal purchases.

The wife’s complaint is that it’s OK to go over her budget every now and then. The husbands concern is she isn’t staying within her own budget.

Most of the money to support the family comes from his business as they agreed to split the bills according to the percentage of annual income in reference to the household budget. This allows for the wife to have less of a financial obligation to the budget and more to her personal wants.

Even though the woman earns approximately $50,000 annually, she feels that it is “the Man’s” responsibility to maintain the home. Whatever the wife brought in was what she called “gravy.” She further expressed that men should just understand that going over budget is “normal” for most women.

So, is it right for men to have to suck it up and expect to be in the red each month or just make this addition to the budget? What is a man to do?

It appears that the discussion of “family” money management needs to occur in detail before a couple says, “I do.” Many successful singles establish their spending habits before getting married and are reluctant to change even when they know it’s in their best interest. As long as there is a savings component in the budget, then what the wife or husband spends her money on is not an issue.

All in all, it appears sex, religion and money must be discussed in the same detail as two people going into business together. All things must be clear with no ambiguity. We call them “pre nuptials” but that’s really saying we may not know the expectations and goals of our partner.

Bottom line, turn off the phone, put down the X-box and get to know your mate before going to the altar.

If you would like to contact “The Relationship Guy,” please click on the Comments link below or send an e-mail to therelationshipguy@cox.net. The Relationship Guy’s articles do not necessarily reflect the views of PhxSoul.com.