DL hughley said a very funny joke today

he said in 2008...everybody got what they wanted...

Blacks folks saw Obama elected

white folks saw OJ go to jail

obviously the best highlight of 08 will be obama and of 2009 jan the 24th as well....

but also GEORGE BUSH DODGING THOSE FLYING SHOES !!!! PRICE LESS !!!

I was hoping more folk would contribute
will add my tuppence after xmas

Well for me 2008 has been an epoch for the Black man world wide......people may disagree..but for me this has been a year when we are men began standing on our own terms and not anyone elses...

Usain Bolt:





The memory of what he did to established runners with style panash and ease will live long in the memory... Also the memory of the Chinese playing some serious reggae dub plates in tribute to Mr Bolt was another moment for me..

But the best moment was the pride i personally witnessed where Jamaica wasn't the dirty word in peoples mouths and the pride Mr Bolt gave to Jamaicans world wide, was fantastic....equal I'd say to the pride and feeling Obama's win gave imo...

Well Done Mr Bolt love that picture of you putting Mr T Gay in his RIGHTFUL place behind you!!!




The emergence of the Jamaican sprinters to not only attack but also dominate the once mighty American team was also another big highlight of 2008....Both Men & Women well and truely manners the Americans in the Olympics....

Another big highlight was the rise of Paul Ince.....



Yes I know he got sacked from Blackburn But I don't think we should forget that he got MKDon's promoted to League one, won a major cup in his second club and was The FIRST Black man born in Britain to get a chance on MERIT in a premership club...Respect to the man...

Naturally I have to mention another black man..yes i know he is bi racial...but!!!



For sheer discipline, brilliant and natural driving..man he is the BEST i've seen for sheer determination since Schumacher and Mansell..who for me were the two I rated before Lewis came on the seen...

For the fact that Lewis won the championship, against the obvious cheating of the FIA, and the open hostility of practically the whole F1 paddock..again for me his win is on par with the determination matched only by Obama's two year campaign for president...

Second isn't it good to see a BLACK father promoted as a positive influence instead of the johnny come laterly hanger on..in he glow of the 'white' woman..so well done to Mr Hamilton fine job...



Well I don't really think I need to expand too much on why Obama is in my big highs for 2008, yes i know some people think he will eventually sell out.. and they maybe right..

But there is no denying his place in history and there is certainly no denying his incredible achievement in beating Hilary Clinton [ the odds on favourite for Dem nominee], If he only got there far he would have made history...

But to then go that bit further and Beat John McCain and all the Dirty tricks, I personally think when history reviews this part of his life, they will applaud what was a monumental achievement by any standards by anyone BLACK or WHITE...



Yea i know that no everyone will agree with this.. but this is a PERSONAL choice and I applaud the achievement of this young lady to win a competition she was throw out of 3 years ago...

The determination to remain focused, fight for her dreams and to finally realise it massive achievement and I'm personally very pleased for her...

My lows........unfortunately and with regret!!



Yet more upheaval in Central Africa... Whilst I know that at the bottom of all this mess is European through Arms sales and exploiting the crisis to snatch the minerals of this region...

I cannot help but feel sad that despite the decades of this infighting that appears to be circular..that some parts of Africa is no further forward than they were since gaining 'independence'...

part one....

Talking of Which......[/color]



I am eternally speechless how all the hopes and aspirations I once had for this country, has slowly but surely disintegrated into the nightmare that many European predicted would happen when Ian Smith was kicked out of then Rhodesia... I find it difficult to listen to Bob Marley's tune about the country without thinking WTF happen and how did it happen!!!


Sadly too many of our Stars have passed too many to recall them all.. but personally I was sad to lose Mr Hayes...mR cool himself!!!



And



Man This man was funny..his death at such a young age was truly a big loss

My hopes for 2009.....

Just one really..that the achievements of some of the people I've mentioned will trigger a different mindset in ALL AFRICANS to start to do thing on OUR terms and not on the terms of others in 2009...Time to stop beg friend and to be who we should be I think!!![/size]

Wow too many arenas to mention, although I have to say relinquishing the gold medals in the marquee races at the Olympics was a low for me in 2008, I guess one gets spoiled when they dominate upwards of 20 years or more (cough, wink, smile) but hey it was about time someone else elevated their game I guess, right KJ? LOL!

I'm going to go with the gains in the entertainment industry ...


Television made gains with some outstanding performances by familiar faces....starting with the often over-looked Blair Underwood who at one point was on 3 shows in 2008 and as usual delivered the goods.

While my heart was broken over Mekhi Phifer's death scene on the Television series ER in 2008, the long running program added the incomparable Angela Bassett to it's lineup. Kudos to Phiffer for showing so much grace and tenderness as there wasn't a dry eye in the house as his character Dr Greg Pratt exited the building.

Speaking of Bassett, the untouchable leading man she is often paired with on the big screen, made his debut on telelvision. Lawrence Fishburne has joined the cast of CSI. What a treat for long-time fans of Fishburne and Bassett who will never forget their performances in the biopic, What's love Got to do with it, Boyz in the Hood and Akeelah and the Bee.

I must also mention, 2 other under-rated actors who have been around for a minute but never get the credit they deserve.....Lance Reddick from HBO's The Wire can now be seen on the new Fox sci-fi series Fringe

And Hornsby who plays the patriarch on the family series, Lincoln Heights.

For the most part with the exception of some reality tv shows which will remain nameless, 2008 showed the brothers in a positive light and it was much appreciated. There is still much work to be done however.

At the Movies...we had some quality films:

Spike Lee's Miracle At St. Anna
The Express
LongShots
7 Pounds
Secret Life of Bees
The Family that Preys
Cadillac Records
.......Just to name a few

If you want to keep getting quality, you have to support it and not wait til the DVD comes out.

Before moving on, I have to give a mention to a couple of imports from your neck of the woods who are are outstanding actors...Eammon Walker who can be currently seen in Cadillac Records and Idris Elba (Rock-n-Rolla) who will be in the upcoming release Obsessed, opposite Beyonce.

Music wise....the following artists did it for me in 2008
Jennifer Hudson
Anthony Hamilton (if you like pure soul)
Gyptian
Lemar (why this brother hasn't broken through over here remains a mystery)
Jasmine Sullivan
Ledisi
Brandy

We lost some cultural icons in 2008

In addition to Hayes and Mac who were already mentioned....

Bo Diddley..for the youngsters check his skills


Singers, Odetta & Miriam Makeba

4 Tops Frontman, Levi Stubbs
Here's a clip for the old schoolers


Also passing in 2008...Norman Whitfield...if this songwriter/producer's name doesn't ring a bell I'm sure his work will...
* 1963: "Pride & Joy" - Marvin Gaye

* 1966: "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" - The Temptations
* 1966: "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" - The Temptations
* 1966: "(I Know) I'm Losing You" - The Temptations
* 1967: "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" - Gladys Knight & the Pips, also recorded by Marvin Gaye and Creedence Clearwater Revival
* 1967: "You're My Everything" - The Temptations
* 1967: "I Wish It Would Rain" - The Temptations


* 1968: "Cloud Nine" - The Temptations
* 1968: "Ain't No Sun Since You've Been Gone" Diana Ross & The Supremes
* 1969: "Friendship Train" - Gladys Knight & the Pips
* 1969: "Runaway Child, Running Wild" - The Temptations
* 1969: "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" - Marvin Gaye
* 1969: "I Can't Get Next to You" - The Temptations


* 1970: "Psychedelic Shack" - The Temptations
* 1970: "Hum Along and Dance" - The Temptations (later covered by Rare Earth and The Jackson 5)
* 1970: "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" - The Temptations
* 1970: "War" - Edwin Starr
* 1971: "Smiling Faces Sometimes" - The Undisputed Truth, originally recorded by The Temptations
* 1971: "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" - The Temptations
* 1972: "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" - The Temptations
* 1973: "Masterpiece" - The Temptations
* 1973: "Let Your Hair Down" - The Temptations
* 1976: "Car Wash" - Rose Royce
* 1976: "I'm Going Down" - Rose Royce
* 1976: "I Wanna Get Next to You" - Rose Royce
* 1977: "Ooh Boy" - Rose Royce
* 1977: "Wishing on a Star" - Rose Royce
* 1978: "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" - Rose Royce

Next time can you put a *spoiler alert* warning at the beginning of any posts detailing plot lines as we're behind in ER storylines in the UK.

Thanks...and Merry Christmas.

*
Yeah, way to take something out of context and put it in line with some colonialist form of thinking. I mean, that Mugabe has made Somalia look like a blip on the scale, farming projects springing up through out the country and all.
*
Perhaps in 2009 we'll stop eggagerating matters and blaming our own for things while pretending to not see certain imposing factors in a given situation, some things you just can't ''forget'' to factor in, goes for those lost yout's out there still being let down by said form of thinking/the education system in general after 50 years + of our presence in the UK as well as certain other situations we find ourselves in.

Peace
A.B.O

By, ''colonialism'' I'm talking about your comparing him to Ian Smiths rule. As much as Mugabe should step down he's hardly anything compareable to Ian Smith or some of the other ''rulers'' in neighbouring countries. From when there are countless farming and other such projects going on in the country its obvious that the man is a bad politician, a bad leader but hardly some rouge looking to upsurp the resources for himself if he was he would work with the west and sell the land to tescos or Walmart and we wouldn't hear anything more about it.

*
Its that kind of thing I was on about, the whole what they said would happen part. 'They said' the same thing about our emancipation in the diaspora and what, were they right? We've lived up to expectations there as well?
*
Just hope the people there can sort it out and turn things around. Glad to hear the Azanian government vetoed the europeans call for military action.

This has to be remembered as the year of Obama mania, I don't quite agree with the end of the civil rights era scenario many have suggested. Getting a "black man" into the white house is not the end of the story, the struggle for economic and social equality continues. No matter who is in the white house the next couple of years will be extremely tough for black folks around world. Despite this, the rise of Obama has made this year an unforgettable year.


The credit crunch falls under highs and lows, it exposed the corrupt nature of the "advanced capitalist model" and exposed those who claimed to have abolished "bust and boom". As for those wankers sorry I mean bankers...well. The real victims as usual will ordinary people on very ordinary wages. I think we ought to compare the economic performance of many African Countries from the late 1970's and through out the 1980's to the current crisis in "developed" nations was this period Africa's credit crunch era?

Definite lows DR Congo, Somalia and Zimbabwe, the more things change the more they stay the same. The people of those nations have been victims of domestic and international politics - they have been failed once more.

Definite highs Bolt from the blue Usain Bolt at the Olympics, Lewis Hamilton for one of the most exciting F1 world championship wins. Hypocrisy of the British media (as usual) at the Olympics, soon shut the **** up about Tibet and human rights once some fat swimmer and bloke on a bike started winning gold medals. Also some boring swimmer guy won loads of gold medals - whatever!? Biggest sports highlight - Man U bomaye! - Double champions and now world champions.

Other highs - to Baby Bush if the shoe fits...LOL

Britain has learned the American art of "I'm sorry, now for the redemption" racist(allegedly) toilet attendant assaulting average pop tart Cheryl Cole is now the nations darling. London elected a twart as mayor - but then again wasn't much of a choice - added my own candidate to the ballot paper a mr Golly Wogg, I believe Boris wants him for his race advisor. BNP membership list revealed online - "It has people from all walks of life" cry the shocked media - no shit!


Have young people stopped being shot or have the media just lost interest?
Have children stopped being abused and murdered by their parents who have the media lost interest?

In the inquest of Jean Charles de Menezes, the police officers commit perjury - and return to duty - nothing changes there then.

Nobody seems to give a shit that a government that's so good at misplacing our personal data want more and more of It!?!

What did that twart David Davis resign over again? - very effective as I bet not many people remember.

Newstyle:

You point on the encroachment of civil liberties in this country I fully agree, and Yes David Davies did well to stand out against it.

I remember our Trading manager back in 2005, predicting that we were heading for a another recession. It demonstrated for me the futility of trying to predict Markets tops and bottoms, he got it bang on but two years ahead of time. So the recession we are about to face for the next year or two, would be a low point.

Blackneter I would most like to meet would be Kunjufu. He's managed to keep this ship going through some difficult times. And I love the idea that we always seem to have a difference of opinion.

About Mugabe, I think that the Western Media are painting a dim picture of him. It all went Pete Tong when Britain renegaded on their Lancaster House Agreement, so Mugabe decided to reclaim the Lands stolen, since Britain did not follow through on their promise of compensation, this was around 1997 - When Claire Short told Zimbabwe "We (The Labour Party) Don't do colonialism" associating the Tory governments agreement as some acrane Colonialist throw back. After a few Whites had hard times the Sanctions came in and Britain waged war by stealth.

High Point would be Obama, I am hoping it will have the "Roger Bannister" effect. However all this talk about "Change" will seem hollow if he doe'snt do the right thing in regards to that rogue state Israel. Given how he was snuggling up to the Israelis prior to his election it's unlikely he will have the courage to do the right thing rather than toe the Zionist line.

-------------------
@ Nsogbu1562

My bad..certainly not my intent to ruin anybody's viewing. Happy Holidays to you too.
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Keeping on the entertainment front, Another high, this year, in my opinion was how Samuel Jackson seemingly stayed on the grind...this brother was in 4 movies in 2008...Jumper, The Spirit, Lakeview Terrace and Soul Men which I had the pleasure of catching just to see the chemistry between he and the late Berie Mac. It's amazing how at his age, the scripts just keep coming. I can't wait to see what he has in store for us in 2009 and beyond.

personal or new worthy highs and lows for 2008....

I'll stick with the highs
- Met my sister I found about a couple years ago for the first time
- Saw my dad again for the first time in about the same period
- My children's ongoing progress always a good'n
- The year we acknowledge WE CAN and have more than enough proof without a shadow of a doubt to back that....Usain man if he ever wanted his stay....

BNv contributers whom we have enjoyed, but it should also include some of the Africans who we believe have made us either very proud or who have embarrassed themselves totally.

Other than those mentioned the one that stood out to me most was Rory McLeod the snooker player. He's been playing for years and the fact that he was playing Jimmy O'Sullivan means he might just be getting through now. One I'd say to watch out for in 2009. I gather from the Constance Briscoe business could be seen as embarrasing better to let it be.

hopes and fears for 2009, ...
I hope that from this current climate of financial woes we can take full advantage of prices and deals we should have been getting yeeaaars ago before they switch up again.

I also hope that we are even more proactive in our children's education and upbringing as we can be.

please be creative and interesting in your choices...as I'm sure everyone will enjoy reading diverse views from a range of people rather than the some ol' rhetoric..

Facety!

Maybe some of you might like to the one BNV'er you would like to like to meet and why choice too..

I'd like to meet all of my friends for starters especially you Why? because you know plenty tings and we could probably talk for ages - whether you want to or not....bout you need your afternoon nap lol. In fact for the others I could say the same actually. There are many times where I want to move the screen and just talk to you. Now I do wonder what some of you look like but won't go there lol. For some strange reason I think I've met Prince Hakeem but you didn't know it was me.

Another one I'd really like to meet has to be Jett Black. I never got to say amongst my lost essay on the say something nice thread but you are sooo much like my little sister - the amount of times you have me in stitches and it's just the way you would say it too. Even though you like plenty jokes you seem very level headed and straight. I only found out this year you both have your birthdays in the same few days of each other!!

It would also be really cool to meet the village children