CEDTalks

The NBA Playoffs is one of my favorite sports tourneys; with its classic battles of big stars and compelling storylines, the tournament is rarely short on fireworks. The 2014 NBA Playoffs has been no different, yet some of the biggest sparks were launched from outside the arena. Over a span of three weeks, comments from NBA owners and officials on race, specifically African Americans, has caused a stir at both water coolers and television networks alike. In a feat unpredicted by the best psychics, the NBA, a league in which over 70% of the players are Black, has shown that prejudice is as common as ever.  While this should come as no surprise, it must be noted that these beliefs and actions now surface in more..."creative" forms. For the African American community, a huge challenge remains in developing a sound attack against the misconceptions. Creating a balance between acknowledging certain prejudice and stereotypes and making a planned effort not to perpetuate these...

"Racism is taught in our society, it is not automatic. It is learned behavior toward persons with dissimilar physical characteristics." -Alex Haley "It's hard out here for a pimp." Stories like Fruitvale Station (starring Michael B. Jordan, above) offer chilling descriptions of some of the elements Black still face today. While there are more sophisticated ways to describe the daily challenges of life in America as an African-American in 2013, the phrase synonymous with the critically acclaimed film   Hustle & Flow   sums up Black life in a honest and relatable manner. In fairness to our predecessors, society has made great strides in civil rights and the financial and career ceilings for Blacks are considerably higher than in previous eras. Despite this, the quandary of creating and maintaining a high quality of living looms large for Blacks individually and collectively. Social issues wage war on the African American family; the  Black u...