Stanford Law Professor Ralph Richard Banks Encourages Black Women to Explore Interracial Relationships

Stanford University law professor Ralph Richard Banks' just published book, "Is Marriage for White People?" encourages black women to cross race lines more to find a husband.

From the Toronto Sun: Richard Banks' just published book, "Is Marriage for White People?: How the African American Marriage Decline Affects Everyone," is sure to spark controversy through its suggestion that black women would benefit both themselves and the black race if they crossed class lines less and race lines more.

In his just-published book, Stanford University law professor Ralph Richard Banks says black women are more than three times as likely as white women never to marry. And when they do marry, they are more likely than any other group of women to marry a man who is less educated or earns less than they do. Banks also says that African-Americans have become the most unmarried people in the US.  

"We are the least likely to marry and the most likely to divorce; we maintain fewer committed and enduring relationships than any other group," he writes. "Not since slavery have black men and women been as unpartnered as we are now. Although the African-American marriage decline is especially pronounced among the poor, it is apparent as well among the affluent: doctors, lawyers, corporate professionals."  

The book also confronts some uncomfortable truths about relationships between black men and women. Banks says he has discovered that many black women have become bitter because they face a relationship market with too few black men who are stable and employed. "More than 1 in 10 black men in their 20s or early 30s is behind bars and a black man's lifetime likelihood of losing his freedom is 1 in 4," he writes. "And however much they understand the social circumstances that lead black men to criminal activity, most black women, like women of all races, don't want an ex-convict as a husband." Source: Toronto Sun

Personally, I see nothing wrong with interracial relationships. If the person you fall in love with is white or Asian, then go for it and stop settling for a black man just because he's black. Love knows no color. At least, it shouldn't.

Due to Rash of Sex Scandals, What Do We Do In Our Bedrooms?

In light of recent sex scandals involving powerful men who are married, it makes me wonder what goes on in bedrooms across America. It has become apparent that some essential component that keeps our relationships/marriages working is missing.

You have heard it said many times, but I think it bears repeating over and over again; if your marriage isn’t working in the bedroom, it won’t work in the kitchen or dining room or living room. The intimacy in the marriage bed is what keeps our primary relationship in the home going. Make no mistake about it, the primary relationship in the home is between the husband and wife; everything else is secondary. We need to get our priorities straight and understand that this essential relationship must be maintained at all costs. This is the foundation on which the marriage is built. When this fails, everything fails.

In today’s world our lives are so busy the typical woman is juggling many different roles. She is wife, mother worker, CEO, or professional, working taking care of her family fixing dinner, helping with homework, including doing light housekeeping. At the end of the day she is tired from all the multitasking she has had to do; is it any wonder she has no energy left to enjoy sex?

On the other hand, her husband has thought of nothing but sex all day. In fact he so intently focused on the pleasure of his wife’s company it enabled him to survive the stresses of the day. Tonight when he nudges her, he is reliving the fantasy he has had all day. But she groans, please tomorrow, I’m too tired.

You can see the problem developing. Somehow his needs and hers have to be met to remove complacency from their marriage. Otherwise pretty soon in an effort to have his needs dealt with, he will find a way to do so. Strip clubs and gentlemen’s clubs do not exist only for the single man. A vast majority of the men who patronize these places are married. Which leads me to ask, what is really going on in our bedrooms?

Most men have a fantasy of their wives as a Victoria’s secret supermodel. I don’t think it matters whether you are a size 2 or size 20; the thing is find a way to place yourself solidly in his mindset that you are the living embodiment of his dream. I was raised on the thinking that a man wants a lady in the living room and a you know who in the bedroom. This was the older generation’s way of explaining that your husband’s satisfaction is your responsibility. It is easy to say they didn’t work outside the home so they could be ready to perform all sorts of acrobatics in bed. But think about it for a minute, it seems to embody the thinking of men today.

I’m an advocate for marriage. I want to find a way to make it work so that all the individuals involved can lead largely satisfactory lives in marital relationships where their sexual and emotional needs are met. I do know that there are men who grapple with or who may have had prior existing sexual issues long before their wives arrive on the scene. These will affect the current marriage if they are not handled. Bear in mind that unresolved emotional and sexual issues do tend to surface. So the thing to do is deal with your issues before they deal with you.

My friends, learn to maintain your primary relationship. Husbands, treat your wives as the queen she is. The marriage vows says forsaking all others, keep this in mind the next time the temptation to walk away from your marriage to unzip your pants and fall into a bed that is not your own. Wives do what only you can do to please your husband. If nights are too tiring then find a way to create that intimacy whether its early in the morning or spice up your relationship by pretending to have an affair with each other and meet at home in clandestine manner. Whatever you do it should be just be the two of you. Maintain your marriage, work at it and return to the intimacy and excitement you first had when you had just met. Let us make what happens in our bedrooms stay in our bedrooms for the good of the marriage.

Pope Benedict Compares Saving Homosexuals to Saving the Rainforest from Destruction

Well, the latest religious leader to join the dust-up over gay and lesbian rights is none other that Pope Benedict. He said that saving humanity from homosexual or transsexual behavior was just as important as saving the rainforest from destruction. Really Pope Benedict? The survival of the rainforest is akin to saving a homosexual from destruction? Totally insulting and reprehensible on his part. Many homosexuals don't see their choice as one leading to destruction. The last people who need to talk about ruining someone's life is the Catholic church. Pope Benedict, how about those priests that literally destroyed the lives of innocent kids when they molested them repeatedly? Was saving them comparable to saving the rainforest?

"(The Church) should also protect man from the destruction of himself. A sort of ecology of man is needed," the pontiff said in a holiday address to the Curia, the Vatican's central administration. "The tropical forests do deserve our protection. But man, as a creature, does not deserve any less."

The Catholic Church teaches that while homosexuality is not sinful, homosexual acts are. It opposes gay marriage and, in October, a leading Vatican official called homosexuality "a deviation, an irregularity, a wound."

The pope said humanity needed to "listen to the language of creation" to understand the intended roles of man and woman. He compared behavior beyond traditional heterosexual relations as "a destruction of God's work." He also defended the Church's right to "speak of human nature as man and woman, and ask that this order of creation be respected." Source: Reuters

I agree with him to a point, but the Roman Catholic church managed to conceal thousands of cases of homosexual acts of many priests, so to compare being a homosexual to saving the rainforest is actually an insult. Personally, the only thing I agree with him on is the issue of marriage. If it ever comes up for a vote in Georgia, I will most definitely vote against gay marriage. Sorry, folks, as a Christian, I just can't bring myself to see marriage as anything other than between a man and a woman. He needs to apologize to these people for that comparison. Since when is the rainforest on par with humanity for the same attention and compassion? Isn't he stoking homophobia from his comments?

Pope Benedict Compares Saving Homosexuals to Saving the Rainforest from Destruction

Well, the latest religious leader to join the dust-up over gay and lesbian rights is none other that Pope Benedict. He said that saving humanity from homosexual or transsexual behavior was just as important as saving the rainforest from destruction. Really Pope Benedict? The survival of the rainforest is akin to saving a homosexual from destruction? Totally insulting and reprehensible on his part. Many homosexuals don't see their choice as one leading to destruction. The last people who need to talk about ruining someone's life is the Catholic church. Pope Benedict, how about those priests that literally destroyed the lives of innocent kids when they molested them repeatedly? Was saving them comparable to saving the rainforest?

"(The Church) should also protect man from the destruction of himself. A sort of ecology of man is needed," the pontiff said in a holiday address to the Curia, the Vatican's central administration. "The tropical forests do deserve our protection. But man, as a creature, does not deserve any less."

The Catholic Church teaches that while homosexuality is not sinful, homosexual acts are. It opposes gay marriage and, in October, a leading Vatican official called homosexuality "a deviation, an irregularity, a wound."

The pope said humanity needed to "listen to the language of creation" to understand the intended roles of man and woman. He compared behavior beyond traditional heterosexual relations as "a destruction of God's work." He also defended the Church's right to "speak of human nature as man and woman, and ask that this order of creation be respected." Source: Reuters

I agree with him to a point, but the Roman Catholic church managed to conceal thousands of cases of homosexual acts of many priests, so to compare being a homosexual to saving the rainforest is actually an insult. Personally, the only thing I agree with him on is the issue of marriage. If it ever comes up for a vote in Georgia, I will most definitely vote against gay marriage. Sorry, folks, as a Christian, I just can't bring myself to see marriage as anything other than between a man and a woman. He needs to apologize to these people for that comparison. Since when is the rainforest on par with humanity for the same attention and compassion? Isn't he stoking homophobia from his comments?

Roseanne Barr Lashes Out at African-Americans Overwhelming Support for Prop 8

The blame game has begun for the fact that Proposition 8 went up in smoke for the gays and lesbians in California. So much so that Roseanne Barr, the self-appointed moral compass for the cause, is now lashing out at African Americans for overwhelmingly supporting Prop 8. She accused blacks of being "bigots" and "ignorant" for supporting the amendment, which amends the state constitution define marriage as between a man and a woman. So, who if Roseanne Barr? The last time I checked we are no longer in slavery and Jim Crow, so we don't have to be told how to vote and who to vote for.

Why is the blame being leveled against blacks in California? Are there other ethnic groups who voted in favor of the amendment? Since when do we owe the gays and lesbians a favor? Personally, I define marriage between a man and a woman. The Bible clearly states that "'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." (Leviticus 18:22). I don't profess to know what God's intentions are or if there is even a God, though I believe in my heart there is one, but I do know that I have the freedom to make the choices I feel are right for me. I have no problem with gays and lesbians being given all the rights they deserve, but not the right to marriage. Sorry, that is my biblical belief.

On her blog, “Roseanne World,” Barr said that the “70% of black church going Californians who voted this cycle voted for prop 8 (sic)” had “misused” their votes, and were inspired by their “immoral” and “hateful” pastors and clergy.

“They voted to destroy the constitution that Obama will hopefully uphold against their wishes, by making sure that church and state remain separated,” Barr wrote.

“They showed themselves every inch as bigoted and ignorant as their white christian right wing counterpartners who voted for mccain-palin and bush-cheney,” she added.

According to CNS News, Randy Thomasson, president of Campaign for Families and Children, said Barr has long been associated with the homosexual activist community – and homosexual activist groups have staged riot-like protests in recent days against Mormon churches and other supporters of Proposition 8 in Los Angeles and Palm Springs.

Even homosexual Web sites are reporting that racial epithets – including the “N” word -- have been used by homosexual activists against African-Americans, he noted.

"How is it that those who demand tolerance from others are so intolerant of the people's vote to reserve marriage for a man and a woman?" asked Thomasson.

Even liberal activists are appalled at the display of what they acknowledge is racism. So because blacks did not vote for the proposition we are being labeled as bigots. Responding as though gays and lesbians in California are owed a favor by African Americans is reprehensible. This is not the way to advance equality. It is destructive and deeply offensive. I think Roseanne Barr has forgotten that most Americans oppose gay marriage, so why blame just blacks and Mormons?

Roseanne Barr Lashes Out at African-Americans Overwhelming Support for Prop 8

The blame game has begun for the fact that Proposition 8 went up in smoke for the gays and lesbians in California. So much so that Roseanne Barr, the self-appointed moral compass for the cause, is now lashing out at African Americans for overwhelmingly supporting Prop 8. She accused blacks of being "bigots" and "ignorant" for supporting the amendment, which amends the state constitution define marriage as between a man and a woman. So, who if Roseanne Barr? The last time I checked we are no longer in slavery and Jim Crow, so we don't have to be told how to vote and who to vote for.

Why is the blame being leveled against blacks in California? Are there other ethnic groups who voted in favor of the amendment? Since when do we owe the gays and lesbians a favor? Personally, I define marriage between a man and a woman. The Bible clearly states that "'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." (Leviticus 18:22). I don't profess to know what God's intentions are or if there is even a God, though I believe in my heart there is one, but I do know that I have the freedom to make the choices I feel are right for me. I have no problem with gays and lesbians being given all the rights they deserve, but not the right to marriage. Sorry, that is my biblical belief.

On her blog, “Roseanne World,” Barr said that the “70% of black church going Californians who voted this cycle voted for prop 8 (sic)” had “misused” their votes, and were inspired by their “immoral” and “hateful” pastors and clergy.

“They voted to destroy the constitution that Obama will hopefully uphold against their wishes, by making sure that church and state remain separated,” Barr wrote.

“They showed themselves every inch as bigoted and ignorant as their white christian right wing counterpartners who voted for mccain-palin and bush-cheney,” she added.

According to CNS News, Randy Thomasson, president of Campaign for Families and Children, said Barr has long been associated with the homosexual activist community – and homosexual activist groups have staged riot-like protests in recent days against Mormon churches and other supporters of Proposition 8 in Los Angeles and Palm Springs.

Even homosexual Web sites are reporting that racial epithets – including the “N” word -- have been used by homosexual activists against African-Americans, he noted.

"How is it that those who demand tolerance from others are so intolerant of the people's vote to reserve marriage for a man and a woman?" asked Thomasson.

Even liberal activists are appalled at the display of what they acknowledge is racism. So because blacks did not vote for the proposition we are being labeled as bigots. Responding as though gays and lesbians in California are owed a favor by African Americans is reprehensible. This is not the way to advance equality. It is destructive and deeply offensive. I think Roseanne Barr has forgotten that most Americans oppose gay marriage, so why blame just blacks and Mormons?