The X Fact(her): Promises are Hard to Keep

For a long time, when I saw kids who were out of control, hugging the block, angry and violent I’d think, “It’s the parents’ fault.” While I still consider the lack of parenting and solid family structure as contributing to the demise of young people, I’ll admit that there are other factors outside of the home that are leading our youth to fail.

Congressman Robert C. Scott wants to save the kids or at least prevent them from falling victim to the lack of resources in their communities and ending up either dead or in jail. He recognizes the flawed and failing infrastructure as well as policies that are making it hard for young black and brown kids (as well as white) kids to succeed. Scott represents Virginia and serves as the Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. … Continue Reading

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Chloe

The X Fact(her): What the Hood Could Learn from the Somali Pirates

Once again American forces have saved the day, popping up in the Indian Ocean to body the four Somali pirates that held U.S. cargo ship captain Richard Phillips captive for five days. Now all the European countries that had been punked by the water thugs for the last couple years are rallying on the heels of America to punish the pirates.

No doubt, more blood will be shed and the already frail country of Somalia—a country that hasn’t had a solid government since 1991, no economy and watches helplessly as mafia run shipping companies dump toxic waste on it’s shores—will be further devastated by those who want to punish it instead of help it.

The pirates vilified by the media are no more than fisherman, who made a living by selling fish and seafood caught off the shore of Somalia, dubbed the Horn of Africa. Left to their own devices they banded together and created a network that manned the shores and waters. Frustrated by the dumping and the damage to their livelihoods they began to tax and hold for ransom boats that entered their territory.

Their mentality: “You not just gonna up in my hood and f*ck my land up. You got to pay!”

Does this sound familiar? … Continue Reading

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Chloe

The X Fact(her): I Got a Gangsta Green Thumb

I haven’t been food shopping in over a month.

I should grow my own food, but don’t. Jay-z said “dig a hole” and maybe I should. Fill it with some seeds, sprinkle with water and some TLC. I’ll be feasting on next season’s dinner in no time.

Seriously, I would love to eat fresh, organic produce every day. A while back I came across this documentary about eight UK adults picked to live in the monkey section of a zoo and eat the exact same diet as monkeys—all fresh and raw fruits and vegetables. One man never saw cauliflower before. In the end they all lost weight, felt better, had improved some of their medical conditions and vowed to each healthier. There is even an American documentary out about the same sort of thing.

… Continue Reading

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Chloe