l i s a l a p e e r y . c o m

Amy Winehouse was denied entry to the US to perform live at the Grammys. Why? Columnist JohnRidley asserts it's unfair because other dangerous souls are allowed to travel freely, such as cigarette manufaturer bigwigs. Read about it here.

First they struggled through Hurricane Katrina. Then they were whisked away to far-off places like California and Vermont. Then they return to Chocolate City to fight for their homes, and essentially, to keep the city Chocolate. Plans are in the works to totally demolish four housing projects - St. Bernard, B.W. Cooper, C.J. Peete and Lafitte - even though they withstood the hurricane's wrath unscathed. The 4500 units will be replaced with fewer mixed-income housing. Read all about it here.

What's scary as well is the number of people who voted the projects should be demolished on neworleans.com.Now, this is just a poll and it'sonline. It could be one fool clicking yes for days. But chances are the percentages are pretty accurate, which is sad.

We've all heard of delegates, but what about superdelegates? The Democratic party bigshots who get a mock vote and a lot of libation in the Presidential election? Read about it here. It could mean Sen. Hillary Clinton wins the Democratic Party Presidential nomination, by default.

In other news, Rolling Stone magazine's next cover story is about Britney Spears, an American tragedy. What is really tragic is that news organizations will not stop talking about her. Who on Earth could get better in any situation with 20+ photographers following them and countless articles about their every move available 24-7? Obviously the family has some issues and they need to deal with them. Since suicide has been mentioned too much with regard to Spears, it's time for no more stories, no more pictures, and no more making money off of this poor soul's demise.

Picture of monkeys replaced the outgoing mugs of African American CEOs Stanley O'Neal of Merrill Lynch and Richard Parsons of Time Warner on Goolge News search over the weekend. Google claims it's a technology glitch that just keeps happening. It has in the past, and you can read about that here. It's bad enough that these two got caught with their hands in the cookie jar. They are two of the highest paid African Americans in corporate America. Add to that their careers ended with them being linked to monkeys, not men. That's not racist, is it?

The idea is that on Friday. November 2^nd we (African Americans and anyone else who is sick of injustice) spend zero dollars or pennies in protest. Why?

Injustice. September saw a slew of nooses hung around the country in public places, at least along the Atlantic coast. Georgian Genarlow Wilson faced 10 years in prison and a sexual offender label for having oral sex  as a teenager, with another teen. He served time in the case but was released late last month. The war in Iran was sold to many Americans with lies, and our troops are under-serviced in terms of the right types of ammunition, food and clothing and benefits still. Exxon and other oil companies are still posting huge profits while most Americans choose between healthy dinners and gas. The President recently vetoed a children’s health insurance bill, but asked for $190 million more for the war. The US approved the North America free Trade Agreement, gave China trading, and instituted deregulation. Now we have to deal with lead in children’s toys and imitation products sold at dollar stores. Our jobs are moving more and more overseas.

Is an economic blackout, designed to show the government our power and displeasure, the right way to protest? I’m not sure. However, it is one way, and it’s happening right now. IF every person with African American blood flowing through their bodies kept their wallets shut on Nov. 2, the US economy would find millions missing at the end of the day. If other people stand with us even more money will be missing. It will be obvious to the powers that be something has to change.

The National Blackout is being done in conjunction with supporting only African American businesses, and business owners who show support for the Blackout. The organizer of Nov 2, Warren Ballentine, is asking any and everybody to support this cause; race may have been the beginning idea, but we, as always, need all the help we can get. Yes, Ballentine is an attorney and a Radio One talk show host, but no movement is really about the organizer. It’s about the people who participate.

So, for those who say they just have to spend money, spend it with the aforementioned businesses if possible. I personally will spend $3 to park tomorrow, because sick days are scarce these days. Otherwise, I’d just stay home.

For those of you who say this will never work: what do you suggest? What are you going to do? (those questions aren't rhetorical. Please, comment).