subject & author of Why Black Men Love White Women

Rajen Persaud is based in NY & I just ordered his book. It should make interesting reading. He would LOVE to be in the doc. Here's his message board, which as you can imagine is pretty inflammatory: http://www.whyblackmenlovewhitewomen.com/wwwboard/

His site of course is whyblackmenlovewhitewomen.com

ABOUT (from his site)

The Question has always been "WHY". Why do Brothers always wind up involved with some white woman? From the days of heavy weight champion Jack Johnson to the present situation NBA all-star Kobe Bryant, Black women have always asked - why? White men tried viciously to prevent it, white women could do nothing about it, and Black men were empowered by it.

So what is it this all about? Well it is time to stop wandering in the wilderness of speculation and take a provocative journey into the world of Western Sexual Politics. After reading Why Black Men Love White Women you will not watch a movie, read a magazine or newspaper, watch television, listen to music, socialize, or observe your society in the same way.


All your sensibilities will be adjusted and your intellectual spectacles will be much clearer. Every aspect of your environment will be automatically scrutinized, evaluated, and analyzed with a much more critical eye. For many it may just be a ratification of their own conclusions. But by far this book will put your mind to work in ways you ordinarily would not imagine.

Why Black Men Love White Women is well written, humorous, entertaining, enlightening, educational, emotional, intelligent, and informative. There is nothing else like it on the market and no other writer than Rajen could have brought you such a broad, open and fair-minded, and balanced approach to the subject.


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Booking and publicity: mgrey@whyblackmenlovewhitewomen.com
Business Affairs: tlayne@whyblackmenlovewhitewomen.com
Author: rajen@whyblackmenlovewhitewomen.com

Nicole Johnson- Miss AMerica 99 v.s IR Relationships-- Potential Subject

Her views came to light in 2000 as a part of a GOP political rally.

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On August 1, Nicole Johnson, the 1999 Miss America appeared on C-SPAN's Washington Journal fielding questions by phone regarding the Republican National Convention, among the topics was Bob Jones University. One caller stated that she was against interracial dating. Ms. Johnson echoed her agreement, but stated that she would only frown on interracial dating in her family.

To hear and see the interview, click here, requires RealPlayer or similar software: http://video.c-span.org:8080/ramgen/kdrive/wj20000801_c2k.rm?start=1:07:27.0&end=1:31:05.0

To visit Ms. Johnson's official website: http://www.nicolejohnson.com/

nicolejohnson@juno.com
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Former Miss America, Nicole Johnson dissed interracial relationships in a C-SPAN interview on Tuesday, following her appearance at the GOP National Convention in Philadelphia. The telephone question-and-answer portion of the interview turned ugly when the beauty queen responded to a caller's comments about the ban on interracial dating at Bob Jones University by saying of interracial dating, "I wouldn't smile upon that."

Miss Johnson, who's reign as Miss America 1999 ended in September of last year, focused her Miss America platform primarily on diabetes research and education. Johnson was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 19 during her sophomore year of college at the University of South Florida and has since been insulin-dependent. She is currently working as an international motivational speaker and freelance reporter/anchor on The Christian Broadcasting Network and on The Odyssey Network.

Her involvement with politics had been suspended until after she returned her Miss America crown, at the suggestion of pageant officials. In her interview, Johnson said that political involvement as Miss America is "Not really recommended...I had received recommendations that maybe I should temper some of my views and try to go mainstream and go with the flow, at least for that time." But having shed her title, Miss Johnson joined comedian Ben Stein in "rallying the crowd," as she put it, at the Republican National Convention on July 31.

Bob Jones U. President as a Subject...

Bob Jones Bends (as you probably know, in 2000, they caved on their idiotic policy...)

In an interview with Larry King on Friday, Bob Jones III, the president of the now-famous University which was at the center of a George W. Bush controversy, made an announcement that surprised many: Bob Jones University's policy against interracial dating, which they believe to be against the teachings of God, has been dropped. In his words, "We don't have to have that rule. In fact, as of today, we have dropped the rule."

So sudden and unexpected was the announcement that even current students of the university were said to have gasped at an assembly in the school's auditorium where they watched the interview on CNN's "Larry King Live."

This interview came after a March 3 announcement on the school's website responding to recent media attention. In the letter, Bob Jones, III addressed the issue of religious freedom as well as asking the nation to decide if their institution is "racially bigoted" or not. Jones, III stated in the letter, "We work hard at promoting racial harmony in our local community." I guess that's as long as that racial harmony doesn't get too harmonious, if you know what I mean.

A Multiracial Activist's History with BJU
Bob Jones' students weren't the only ones who were surprised at the announcement. Shortly after King's interview with Jones ended, James A. Landrith, Jr. of The Multiracial Activist posted the following message to our very own Race Relations forum.

Landrith has his own history with Bob Jones University. In addition to maintaining an extensive collection of links to articles and information about Bob Jones University, Mr. Landrith, who is interracially married himself, sent an application to BJU in 1998. The University's response to his application was not unlike their standard defense of their policy. In a letter to Landrith, Jonathan Pait, the university's community relations coordinator reiterated their policy all the while maintaining that, "Although there is no verse in the Bible that dogmatically says that races should not intermarry, the whole plan of God as He has dealt with the races down through the ages indicates that interracial marriage is not best for man. We do believe we see principles, not specific verses, to give us direction for the avoidance of it."

Bob Jones, himself said as much in his interview with Larry King. "We can't point to a verse in the Bible that says you shouldn't date or marry inter-racial," Jones said to which King replied, "You can't back it up?" Jones conceded that he had no bible verse to back it up. And that's when he dropped the bomb, in what almost seemed to be an impromptu decision at the nudging of Larry King.

What Does It All Mean?
So what does this decision mean for all of the interracial couples who were chomping at the bit to be admitted to Bob Jones and now have free reign to attend the school with the full permission of the administrators? Probably not much. See, students at Bob Jones aren't permitted public displays of affection, anyway. No hand holding for young lovers on that campus. Dancing is apparently a no-no, as well. (Can somebody say, "Footloose?") So there probably isn't much likelihood that an interracial couple on campus would really be identifiable as a couple anyway; or any couple for that matter.

Which sort of makes the whole ban on interracial dating seem even more silly, doesn't it?

But maybe that's why Bob Jones III was able to make the decision so easily. Because it was "of such insignificance," as he put it, in the first place. It was, in fact, the press who made the issue of the situation, not the school's administrators, according to Jones III. And in the end, it would seem it was the press, and possibly people like Landrith, who ultimately convinced Bob Jones University to change their policy.

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Here's the CNN transcript of the Larry King interview: http://cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0003/03/lkl.00.html

Erica Childs -- "expert" subject

Erica Childs of Fordham would also be great as she studies extensiveely interracial relationships and patterns. However, I also think that we need to get the academic heavy weights weighing in-- hooks, west, et. al. ... The distributor that I was talking to said that they would almost guarantee you having a higher sale.

This is an abstract from a talk that Erica gave entitled Interracial Violence: An Analysis of Oppositional Responses to Interracial Couples:
-From its inception in slavery and the economy of the American South, relations between blacks and whites have been closely monitored and restricted. Historically, legal statutes were used to prevent interracial unions from occurring, especially between black men and white women. Those involved in interracial relationships were jailed, whipped, beaten and lynched: more specifically black men were frequently lynched, castrated, and even whole black communities were destroyed over the rumor or implication of an interracial sexual encounter. Therefore, lynchings and random killings of blacks were common throughout the early twentieth century and even during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. In contemporary American society, those involved in an interracial relationship (or in certain cases, even those believed to be in an interracial relationship) often experience verbal harassment and violent opposition. A case study of recent incidents where individuals where brutalized and even killed, such as the Yusuf Hawkins murder, the 1994 Long Island beating of a black man, and other less publicized cases will be used to illustrate the violence that interracial couplings still invoke. Qualitative interviews with interracial couples will also be used to reveal how the everyday experiences of interracial couples often include oppositional reactions as well as verbal and physical harassment.

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I do extensive research on the topic of interracial
dating/marriage/sexuality etc. and this university is the only one I know of
that has a policy that they openly admit to. Though through my research I
have come across other schools where multiple students argue that their
interracial marriage or relationship caused them to be discriminated against
or mistreated by the faculty and/or institution in some way or another. For
example, Brigham Young University suspended an African-American student from
the BYU football team because he engaged in premarital sex which is a
violation of the Mormon code of conduct. According to this player, as well
as others, most players are sexually active, but the fact that this black
player had a white girlfriend was a factor in his being disciplined when
others were not. So it is not that uncommon for individuals to encounter
problems on college campuses due to an interracial relationship.


Erica Childs
Fordham University
chito@murray.fordham.edu

new subject - Joseph -- vibrant, energetic

This man and his family are awesome. He's New York - based, and I think that he and his wife would be great once we determine the route you want to go with our storytelling.:
Joseph Foti, Esq.

- Tell us about yourself.
I am a 29 year old Italian-American,
writer and former sex crimes and domestic violence attorney married for
two years now to my wife, a beautiful African-American woman named Tameka. We have a wonderful one
year old son named Kai. I am a lifetime New York City resident, writer and attorney who worked in the Kings County DA's office, for their Sex Crimes and Domestic Violence bureaus from these experiences I wrote my first novel "The Carrot and the Mule. A contemporary fiction novel which details the dangers of racism, sexism, domestic violence and toxic relationship's. I've published several poems and short stories for various anthologies and literary magazines. I've recently had my short story the picnic published by Velvet Illusion literary magazine a magazine championing for civil rights and environmental ethics. Samsara, the literary magazine dealing with suffering and healing has recently agreed to publish my short story Vegetable Lasagna. To see more information visit my website www.hometown.aol.com/jfotibooks


- What are your views on interracial relationships?
I see no real difference in interracial relationships and same race relationships. Being a member of an interracial relationship I know that love is indeed color blind. The only problems come from those ignorant of the fact that we are all inherently the same being human beings and neither the color of ones or their religion changes that.


- How did you meet your wife?
On the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. One morning I was staring out at the ocean contemplating my next chapter when I spotted this beautiful ebony princess who was visiting her cousin in New York and waiting in the park for her to get off work. She noticed me scrabbling notes in my book and looking at the ocean and asked what I was doing. I was taken by her immediately and asked her to dinner. One thing lead to another and four years later we've been happily married for two years and have a beautiful one year old son named Kai.


- How were you treated by friends, family, coworkers, strangers an interracial couple?
Growing up and New York I was lucky to have a very cosmopolitan family who judges people by their actions not the color of their skin so it was not a problem. I've also surround myself with friends who don't judge people by their race or religion. My wife being from the South, North Carolina, I was a bit worried however her family was also very accepting. That said whenever we are visiting North Carolina there are always those people who stare and shake their heads but we pay them no mind choosing not to let the stares of fools occupy her time.


- Being in an interracial relationship, did this change you in any way?
It's taught me to the importance of trusting my heart and judgment and the not letting naysayers tell me what I know to be right.


- How will you explain races, racial identity and interracial relationships to your kids?
I will tell my son that it's important to identify and understand both his Italian and African American heritage and culture. This said he should not fall into the trap of thinking his is entitled to something or is less than something because of his ethnic origin. I will teach him that we love him very much and he has value which is something no one can take from him unless he lets them. I will tell him about Frederic Douglas, born a slave and not allowed to go to school, he rose to be well respected and the editor of his own paper. If he could overcome those obstacles, there is nothing in our time that we cannot over come.


- What advice will you give to interracial couples?
Follow your hearts and don't let others deter you from what you know is right. Do not doom yourself to live a life full of regrets, for the things you should have done.


- What inspired you to write this book?
A passion bordering on obsession to tell a new and interesting story which not only entertains but opens the readers eyes to problems in society and self exploration they may not have thought of. My writing is full of deep meanings and hidden messages buried underneath a very entertaining tale. My stories are intended to appeal both to those readers looking for symbolism as well as those preferring excitement. After working in the sex crimes and domestic violence bureaus of the Kings County District Attorneys office I wanted to write a book detailing the dangers of domestic violence and toxic relationship's. Issues that apply to all races. It was written to be a book that makes a difference and should prove helpful not only to battered women but all members of our
society searching for happiness in life. I wrote the book to be
racially neutral in that the protagonist's love Sara is described
as beautiful and petite but of no specific race. I wanted the
reader to understand that the problems the characters face,
trust, cheating, love, lust, abuse, no sense of self, are not
race specific.


- Tell us about the book
The Carrot and the Mule, is about a young law student named
Roger who survived an abusive childhood to make it to law
school where he falls in love with Sara, a seemingly good and
pure fellow student who also suffers from childhood maladies.
What follows is a thrill ride of betrayal, lust, greed, murder and
suicide as Roger tries to protect Sara and himself from a bevy
of characters who seemingly block their way to happiness.
What makes this novel unique is its concentration on the
consequences of making the supposed moral choice. A brief hint; choosing the moral path does not always lead to happily ever-after. Although parts of the novel deal with the darkest of human emotions, from feelings of emptiness to complete failure, the overall message is extremely uplifting. It demonstrates that no matter
how far we may seem to fall as long as there is life, there is hope and a chance for redemption. In the end, it is always up to the individual to choose. To read a sample chapter visit my website www.hometown.aol.com/jfotibooks


- Are you working on a new book now?
My next novel is called Sunnyside. It about two abused children growing up in a surreal toxic neighborhood and trying to survive and escape to happier lives. Interracial relationships are detailed in depth and the bigotry that those engaged in them are subject to is also starkly depicted. It is about four hundred pages and in the revision stage. Hopefully I will have finished it within the next six months.


- Any other thoughts or advice.
To those in interracial relationships; continue to follow your hearts and be glad you've found someone you can share your life with. Don't let fools and bigots lead you off the path you know is right.




Joseph's novel was released in October 2002 and is available online at Amazon.com, BarnesandandNoble.com, PublishAmerica.com, and all major online distributors including Blackwells Online bookstore in the UK. It also is available by order at all major bookstores and signed copies are in selected Barnes and Nobles Bookstores in New York City and North Carolina. The British Library Legal Deposit Office has recently requested a copy of his novel "The Carrot and The Mule" to be featured in reading rooms through the British Library System in the UK. Also The New York Public Library Brooklyn Division has decided to include his book in its Brooklyn Heights Branch. The novel is currently being reviewed by reviewers in India, England, and British Columbia giving it international exposure. On September 10, 2003, The Brooklyn Public Library, Cortelyou Branch, has invited Joseph to lecture on the Dos and don'ts of writing and the domestic violence aspects of his novel "The Carrot and the Mule." And the Windsor Terrace Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library has done the same for Wednesday, November 12, 2003, from 1:30-2:30.


The author have appeared on several radio programs in NYC including The Dr. Jeff Gardere show, 1600 AM. To see more info including international reviews, newspaper articles, upcoming events and to read a sample chapter and a short story recently published in Velvet Illusion literary magazine a magazine championing for civil rights, and environmental ethics visit Joseph's webpage www.hometown.aol.com/jfotibooks.

email: JF519@aol.com
www.hometown.aol.com/jfotibooks
http://www.mixconnections.org/interethnic.html