The Naked Truth

Bad Parents Ruin Good Children

thenakedtruth — Sun, 25 May 2008 20:44:22 +0000

We got the nerve to talk about how “bad” these children are nowadays.

Naw, baby, it’s not children that are bad. Rather it’s the parents that are bad because of their poor parenting skills.

Back in the day, “Mama them” knew how to raise children. They didn’t have much in terms of money and possessions but they did instill in us good, old-fashioned morals and values.

My, how things have changed.

It’s said we used to have consciousness and no money, now we have money and no consciousness.

Now, Black folks worship the god of materialism. We think good parenting is about giving our children material things. Today’s parents are so focused on giving our children everything they want that our children aren’t receiving what they NEED.

What do our children NEED?

They NEED our love, attention, affection, nurturing, guidance, protection, emotional security, etc.

They NEED a positive relationship with parents and the adults in their lives. In other words, they NEED all things money can’t buy!

It’s time for us to get back to the basics of raising children. It’s time for grown folks to step up and change our priorities and values.

We start by letting go of the dysfunctional American culture values of selfishness, individualism and materialism. Then we replace those dysfunctional values with functional values that help our children live healthy, productive well-balanced lives.

The time is now Black folks…let’s get it together.

Side note: I recorded this episode outdoors. So you will hear the beautiful sounds of the birds in the background.

Broke Christians - Are Preachers to Blame?

thenakedtruth — Sun, 18 May 2008 23:00:26 +0000

Many Christians are in debt or bankrupt. Others are losing their homes to foreclosures and the subprime lending scandal.

In the midst of this some preachers are telling their congregations to make bad financial choices in the name of faith and praise.

Faith is good. Praise is wonderful. However, they are not enough. We need common sense and reason in handling our business affairs.

People need sound, practical financial advice. People need financial education to get out of debt - and to stay out.

Sean Bell Murder: Time for a New Black Values System

thenakedtruth — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:30:01 +0000

An article I read about the Sean Bell murder case inspired this episode. The article is entitled “Sean Bell Murder = New Black Bachelor Party Paradigm” on LivingInBlack.com.

As you recall, our son Sean Bell was shot 50 times and murdered by the NYPD outside of a strip club where Sean had his bachelor party.

The article focuses on the need for Black men to abandon the white male idea of the bachelor party (strip clubs, exotic dancers, alcohol, drugs, etc.) and to embrace a new type of bachelor party that empowers the Black family.

The author suggests that if we had a different type of bachelor party paradigm perhaps Sean Bell would still be alive.

I expand on the article by advocating the need for Black people and Black men especially to make different lifestyle choices.

Black men are a target. The justice system is not just. Brothas must not make it easy for the enemy to “get at them.” Brothas must avoid certain situations and circumstances that make them “sitting ducks.”

The “injustice system” won’t change so we must change!

Jesus Commands Black Self-Love

thenakedtruth — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:46:44 +0000

Rena and I chime in on the topic of Black self-love. We discuss why it’s important and necessary for the Black church to teach Black people to love themselves.

Black Jesus - Why Black Christians Reject Him

thenakedtruth — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:36:02 +0000

Rena and I keep it going with a free-style conversation about the way in which Black Christians reject the notion that Jesus was a Black man. They don’t even entertain the possibility that their “Lord and Savior” is a Black man.

Many are quick to say that “His color doesn’t matter.” We beg to differ. “Images create our reality.” For centuries our view of God, Jesus - and ourselves - have been shaped by a lie. What’s the lie? That Jesus is a white man.

The false image of Jesus as a white man is an intentional psychological assault on the identity, self-esteem and divinity of Black people around the world.

If you think his color/ethnicity/identity doesn’t matter, maybe this podcast will cause you to repent (rethink) that belief.

We also touch base on the slave-master dynamic present in the Christian church and how racism/white supremacy has distorted God, Jesus, the Bible and Christianity.

Take a listen…

The Wright - Obama Drama

thenakedtruth — Sat, 03 May 2008 03:15:44 +0000

Jeremiah Wright, Obama’s former pastor, has stirred-up more controversy a week before the Indiana, North Carolina primaries.

What and who’s behind Wright’s media tour? How will this impact Obama’s campaign? Rena and I address these questions and much more.

Barack Obama - Getting Beyond the Hype

thenakedtruth — Fri, 02 May 2008 22:42:26 +0000

The following is a sneak preview, if you will, of The Naked Truth podcast. It contains excerpts from a previously recorded program.

In February 2008 Rena and I sat down and discussed the hype surrounding Barack Obama. We examined the Obama phenomena from various angles. We looked at why Black people, initially, didn’t support Obama and why Black people support him now.

We discussed why he appeals to white people. We also raised some key questions: Are people expecting too much from Obama? And is he really that different from Hillary Clinton?

You can decide for yourself.

Racism, Protest and the Black Church - Part 2

thenakedtruth — Thu, 01 May 2008 22:26:26 +0000

The following is a sneak preview, if you will, of The Naked Truth podcast. It contains excerpts from a previously recorded program.

Rena and I conclude our freestyle conversation. We contend that we can’t end racism, but we can overcome it. It will take more than protests and rallies of course.

Racism is a system run by the ruling elite/oligarchy. It is also a form of warfare perpetrated on Black people. Therefore, we must be mindful of this in order to overcome racism, achieve equality and command respect.

Racism, Protest and the Black Church - Part 1

thenakedtruth — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:29:45 +0000

The following is a sneak preview, if you will, of The Naked Truth podcast. It contains excerpts from a previously recorded program.

Last year Rena and I engaged in a conversation following the Jena 6 demonstration in Jena, LA. During our “free-style” exchange, we covered a great deal of territory.

We explored the effectiveness of marches, the Black church’s role in empowering Black people and whether we can overcome racism.

Welcome!

thenakedtruth — Thu, 01 May 2008 20:14:19 +0000

Join Renee and Rena for some Naked Truth!