BUILDING YOUR FICO SCORE TO 800
TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF MEN
VOTE YOUR
CAN DETERMINE IF YOU LIVE OR DIE
IS THE
BLACK
AMERICAN DREAM UNDER ATTACK?
HIIT EXERCISE KILLS DIABETES OCTOBER 2020 ISSUE
INSIDE ON THE COVER
18
YOUR VOTE CAN DETERMINE IF YOU LIVE OR DIE
The 2020 election has never been more critical for people of color.
LIFE 12 IS THE BLACK AMERICAN DREAM UNDER ATTACK? We examine the pressure of being black in America today and how the bubble could burst on the whole thing.
10 HIIT EXERCISE KILLS DIABETES Learn how to use exercise to naturally reduce and maintain your blood sugar levels using High Intensity Training.
2 OCTOBER ISSUE / CODE M
[INSIDE]
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CHARLAMAGNE THA GOD EXPANDS HIS LISTENING AUDIENCE Charlamagne tha God Launches Black Effect Podcast Network With iHeartMedia.
7 REVIEWS CODE M Readers sound off on their thoughts about past issues and how they feel about the topics discussed in past issues.
14 BUILDING YOUR FICO SCORE TO 800 Get a better understanding of how your credit score is determined and how to fix it.
17 MAN CODES Read incredible quotes delivered by some of the most influential men of color around the world.
22 POISON, PURPOSE AND POWER Examining our responsibility for the November election. We have options and no room for mistakes.
28
26 DELETING MY WHITE FRIENDS
THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES Take a look at fall fashion and bring your wardrobe to a whole new level.
FROM SOCIAL MEDIA A four-part series dealing with friends on social media who you thought were friends.
30 Black Businesses are Open for Business
4
OCTOBER ISSUE / CODE M
Support black businesses during the pandemic.
CODE M / SPRING ISSUE
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6 SPRING ISSUE / CODE M
REVIEWS [HEALTH]
Congratulations on giving us a different perspective of what it’s like to be an officer of color. I had no idea that black police officers deal with so much. Overwhelmed! Lakisha H. (New York, NY)
I really have no words to express my deep love for this magazine. I needed something like this in my life and cannot tell you how much I enjoy reading about the different things that our men of color are doing. Continue to lead us in discovering the true talents of our people. I will spread the love with as many people as possible and I look forward to the next issue. Raymond V. (Memphis, TN) To Whom It May Concern, Who do I have to thank for creating such a wonderful representation of our people. I
watch and look at YouTube videos of us constantly being harassed and profiled and my soul needed something. I realized after downloading and reading your latest issue that my soul needed balance. We do not get enough balance in our lives when it comes to seeing positive images and stories about our men. CODE M does just that. I never realized that reading this would have the impact that it does on me. Thank You! Shelbert R. ( Las Vegas, NV) This is simply the most powerful thing I have read in the last year. The content is brilliant and I just love what you are doing. Keep up the good work. Lynn W. (Chicago, IL)
My Brothers, I am doing something that I rarely ever do anymore, I have to say something publicly about what just happened to me. I was told to go to the website www.codemmagazine.com and take a look. I have to admit I could not stop reading the articles.
Then I downloaded the magazine and began to look through it. It has been a long time since I felt the need to say something. How can I get any of the back issues that were published in the past? Derrick B. (Atlanta, GA)
To Stephen Curry , Thanks for making our company aware of the wonderful opportunity to work and engage the staff of Code M Magazine. We find ourselves living in interesting times and we need a platform that gives rise to the success of men of color. There are so many cases where we have been cast in a negative light. I personally want to thank you and your team for your efforts. CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER, STEPHEN CURRY
Winston T. (Lake Charles, LA) CODE M / OCTOBER ISSUE 7
[OPINION]
5 SPRING ISSUE / CODE M
[HEALTH]
TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF MEN
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Stephen Curry
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Code M Magazine was created to be a guiding force in creating a dialogue for black men everywhere. Code M focuses on the conversations of advancement, mental health, career choices, the political landscape and relationships that define and shape the lives of black men everywhere.
Code M Magazine is published by CODE MEDIA GROUP, LLC © 2020 All Rights Reserved
CODE M / SPRING ISSUE
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LIFE HIIT EXERCISE KILLS DIABETES By Brad J. Bowling
T
here is so much that is known about how to naturally reduce the impact of diabetes on the body. For those who suffer from Type 2 diabetes, individual health plans are the key to success if you are going to attempt to conquer the disease that effects 34 million people a year, or 10 percent of the population. This article could not be complete if there was no mention of the need to eat healthy. If you do not consume large amounts of sugar and carbohydrates, you do not have to burn them off. It is recommended that anyone with Type 2 diabetes monitor their blood sugar levels on a regular basis to discover what foods spike and reduce blood sugar levels With COVID-19 and the changes in society today, it is more important that people who working from home exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Any exercise is good exercise, but there are certain exercises that produce better results for maintaining diabetes than others. High intensity interval training (HIIT) has quickly become the exercise of choice when striving to impact Type 2 diabetes. HIIT involves alternating between short bursts of increased intensity exercise and rest — for instance, running and then walking on and off throughout the workout. The CDC recommends getting at least 150 minutes a week of brisk walking or a similar activity, which comes out to about 30 minutes a day, five times a week. The best part of an HIIT workout plan is it can be done at home, with little to no equipment. HIIT workouts can include: burpies, jumping jacks, push-ups, bicycle kicks, up/downs, short sprinting, planks, resistance band training, and a host of other options. What makes HIIT such a good option for beating and killing diabetes? Here are several benefits:
• • • • • •
HIIT can burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time Your metabolic rate is higher for hours after exercise It can help you lose fat HIIT can improve oxygen consumption It can reduce heart rate and blood pressure Blood sugar can be reduced by HIIT
By increasing the blood circulation in your body, you effectively reduce the impact that diabetes can have if living a sedentary lifestyle. Studies have shown that intense, interval-based training forms, like HIIT help, blood flow and blood vessel dilation. Blood flow improvements were noticed within an hour or two of exercising. Researchers have noticed that those who do HIIT workouts have better managed glucose levels than those that do not, and even those who exercise with normal steady-state workouts. So take a few moments and pick your plan, ramp up slowly, and enjoy seeing the results you always envisioned from working out. Type 2 diabetes does not have to be a slow death sentence anymore. 10
OCTOBER ISSUE / CODE M
High Intensity Training has become one of the top choices for reducing blood sugar levels.
CODE M / AUGUST ISSUE 11
[LI FE]
IS THE
BLACK
AMERICAN DREAM UNDER ATTACK By David Christel
O
nce again, America is at a major crossroads, one that could adversely affect the lives of millions of African Americans. With all the upset over innocent Black people being murdered by law enforcement officers, racial profiling, COVID-19 extinguishing the lives of Blacks at a rate three times that of White people, healthcare disparities, educational and economic inequality, and more — Blacks are once again being courted by our two political parties to vote for their candidate. Some Blacks are saying that their choice will be based on “the lesser of two evils.” Others are saying they’re not going to vote as neither candidate cares one iota for Black lives. Still others believe that their vote doesn’t matter in a systemically racist society, so why bother voting. Then there’s a final group that believes that this time around, the Black voting bloc has a chance to turn the tide so significantly that the US will finally create a major paradigm shift in its long-standing inequalities so deeply embedded in America’s psyche. Yes, this November could be a turning point. If 12 OCTOBER ISSUE / CODE M
[ [LLI I FFEE] ]
the incumbent president should win again, then we know we’re in for another daunting four years of Black lives being systematically corralled into ever-smaller corners of existence. The fight for survival will need to be upped several notches. If a new president is elected, the question is: After November, then what … what comes next … what’s the plan? We can’t rest on our laurels. Blacks have had to prove themselves over and over and over. That will still be the case, even with a new president, for one simple reason: racism, resentment, and hatred will still be lurking in the hearts of men and women, people who are unable to see and comprehend beyond their narrow worldview. When Barack Obama became president, people believed a new day had dawned. Yes and no. America had to get used to the idea of a Black family being in the White House and leading this country. A lot of people were elated and began to feel that there was hope for America. Conversely, a lot of people were furious, and they began planning, creating obstacles, getting their ducks in a row. It took eight years before the tables turned. The hidden racist-supremacist dream — America’s shadow side — was now set free. And we now have a country roiling in turmoil. That is not the American dream, that is not what any of us envisioned for our country, it’s not what has been laid out in our Constitution. Instead, we have institutionalized racism that’s insinuated itself into every aspect and level of American society, most notably in our criminal justice system. Black Americans are more likely to: • • • • •
have their cars searched be arrested for drug use be jailed while awaiting trial be offered a plea deal that includes prison time serve longer sentences than white Americans for the same offense
•
be disenfranchised because of a felony conviction, and •have their probation revoked What that means is the cards — and your civil rights — are stacked against you. It means that to NOT vote could mean you being accosted just for being Black. It could even mean going to prison or being killed. As we’ve seen time and again, being an upstanding member of our community, being a known figure in business, education, sports, law, entertainment, and politics doesn’t mean squat if you’re Black (see Jamie Foxx, Chris Rock, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey, Attorney General Eric Holder, Isaiah Washington, Ron Simms, Florida State Attorney Aramis Ayala — the list is endless — all of whom have been racially profiled and harassed by cops). The quest for equal civil rights has been with us since the inception of this country. Blacks have struggled, protested, and died for this cause. The quest continues, it must. But in order to get there, we have to vote. Every vote matters in order to attain all the things we’ve sought since America began: the same rights as any other person — unconditionally. Being Black has been politicized and manipulated by those who want to return to “the good old days,” of supremacy and those who seek nothing but power, authority, wealth, control, and position. It’s up to us to continue to right wrongs, to change policies, to ensure reparations, to institute restorative justice, to establish and immortalize our unequivocal and inalienable civil rights. So vote — to save your life and all Black lives. To ensure you are heard and counted, consider how you can enact real, widespread, and lasting change. Know your history, get involved, and “become the solution.” Vote because your life depends on it!
CODE M / OCTOBEER ISSUE 13
[LIFE]
uring the pandemic people have discovered a need to question everything. Where we live, where we work, how we spend our money, and how we spend our time. While travel and dining have taken a huge hit, things like pools and RV sales are exploding. Excellent credit has always been an important component to living responsibly, but today it has become even more important as people change careers, move households, and embark on opportunities. Achieving an 800 Fair ISAAC Corporation (FICO) score can seem like a daunting task, but is easier than you think if you understand the five principles of how your credit score is determined. Here is a closer look at the five credit scoring factors: PAYMENT HISTORY Payment history determines 35% of your credit score. How timely you pay your bills affects your credit score more than any other factor. Serious payment issues, like charge-offs, collections, bankruptcy, repossession, tax liens, or foreclosure can devastate your credit score, making it almost impossible to get approved for anything that requires good credit. You can dispute collection accounts by writing letters to Experian and TransUnion. DEBT RATIO Your debt level determines 30% of your credit score. As a guideline, you should keep your credit card utilization at 30% or less, meaning only charge up to 30% of any card's available limit. Having high balances or too much debt can heavily affect your credit score. The good news is that your credit score can improve quickly as you pay down your balances. If you are looking to build your score, you can get secured credit cards that report monthly and pay off the balance monthly to increase your score. CREDIT HISTORY The age of credit is 15% of your credit score and considers both the age of your oldest account and the average age
YOUR FICO SCORE
BUILDING
D
800 TO
By Brenda Whymer
of all your accounts. Having an "older" credit age is better for your credit score because it shows that you have a lot of experience handling credit. Opening new accounts or closing existing accounts can lower your average credit age. For that reason, it's typically not a good idea to open several new accounts at once. Transferring balances to a new credit card is only recommended if you are seasoned in understanding your credit. CREDIT TYPE Two basic types of credit accounts exist; revolving accounts and installment loans. Having both types of accounts on your credit report is better for your credit score because it indicates you have experience managing various types of credit. It's even better if you have loans for different types of assets, such as a car or a home, in addition to credit cards, and maybe a student or personal loan. However, the types of credit only constitute 10% of your credit score, so not having a certain type of credit, such as an installment loan, won't devastate your scores. INQUIRIES Each time you submit an application that requires a credit check, an inquiry is placed on your credit report showing that you've made a credit-based application. Inquiries make up 10% of your credit score. One or two inquiries won't hurt much, but several inquiries, especially within a short period of time, can cost you many points off of your FICO score. Keep your applications to a minimum to preserve your credit score. Typically, the inquiry will drop off your report after two years. If you are looking to purchase a car, get a preapproval from a credit union, then test-drive several vehicles without letting them pull your credit. Building your FICO score is half the battle, maintaining a good score is the other half. Be careful of co-signing for other people and never share your score online unless you trust the institution you are sharing it with. With COVID-19 this is the perfect time to build your scores if they are low. You never know when you will need your credit.
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[LIFE]
CODE M / AUGUST ISSUE15
RACE
16 AUGUST ISSUE / CODE M
[ V [I LDIEF OE ]]
MAN CODES: * “The electoral college is a disaster for a democracy.” Donald J. Trump * “There's no such thing as a vote that doesn't matter.” Barack Obama * “I knew that I could vote and that that wasn't a privilege; it was my right. Every time I tried I was shot, killed or jailed, beaten or economically deprived.” Stokely Carmichael * “Talk is cheap, voting is free; take it to the polls...” Nanette L. Avery * “When picking a leader, choose a peacemaker. One, who unites, not divides. A cultured leader, who supports the arts, and true freedom of speech, not censorship.” Suzy Kassem * “Voter apathy is a civic abdication.” Charles M. Blow
QUOTES BY PEOPLE OF DISTINCTION
* “If you are bored and disgusted by politics and don't bother to vote, you are in effect voting for the entrenched Establishments of the two major parties, who please rest assured are not dumb, and who are keenly aware that it is in their interests to keep you disgusted and bored and cynical and to give you every possible reason to stay at home doing one-hitters and watching M-TV on primary day. By all means stay home if you want, but don't bullshit yourself that you're not voting. In reality, there is no such thing as not voting: you either vote by voting, or you vote by staying home and tacitly doubling the value of some Diehard's vote.” David Foster Wallace * “Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.” Abraham Lincoln
By Bilal Akram
* “You can lead if you can serve. You can serve when you can love. You can love when you are graced. The truth is that God knows love will be needed in volume, this is why he made his grace abundant. Leaders are lovers. Misleaders are haters!” Israelmore Ayivor * “In a petty theft you steal money, gold etc.; in an electoral theft you steal the future of a country! The second crime can be committed only by the meanest people! Such a heavy crime results in a heavy price!” Mehmet Murat ildan * “There are pastors who are paid to convince church members to vote for certain political parties. Bible say check all the spirit. Your vote is your choice. It should not be motivated by scriptures or manipulate by your pastors. Colossians 3:9-10” De philosopher DJ Kyos
Pictured from left to right: Charles M. Blow, Mehmet Murat ildan and Nanette L. Avery. CODE M / OCTOBER ISSUE 17
COVER
VOTE YOUR
CAN DETERMINE IF YOU LIVE OR DIE THE 2020 ELECTION HAS NEVER MEANT MORE TO WHERE AND HOW BLACKS LIVE AND THRIVE TODAY. by Brad J. Bowling
T
here has never been a more critical time for Blacks to vote than the 2020 election. Our decision to vote, or not to vote, could have far-reaching impacts on our communities that will last for decades. Voting in the 2020 election could literally mean life for death or death for some people depending on where you live. In the early 1900s Black people migrated north for a better life. Called the Great Migration, many blacks worked as sharecroppers and could neither buy land nor afford much because the laws and practices in the Deep South prevented them from a better lifestyle. Most Blacks in 1910 could not advance beyond a 9th grade education. If you wanted a better life for your family, you
DEATH FREEDOM
OPTIONS JOBS
CHOICE
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HEALTH SCHOOLS
JAIL
[COVER]
TRUMP’S IMPACT ON JUDGES DURING HIS FIRST TERM
had to do something drastic. Today people would never consider moving their entire family for better opportunity, but in the early 1900s that is exactly what blacks did. Blacks moved entire generations of families from Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia to the north for a better life and equal opportunity. Blacks found jobs and were able to move from the cotton fields to the factories as they found new and better ways to support their dreams. They also found less resistance to being black. It was still a problem, but it was more manageable. Today Blacks face another crossroad. Depending on where you live, you face segregated housing, low job opportunity, increased profiling by the police, and a higher prosecution rate by the legal system. Voting may not completely solve
these problems, but it could have a major impact on the policies of the people who are elected at the state, county, and local level. In 2016 Donald Trump won the presidency. That voting result has led to him appointing over 158 federal judges and 2 supreme court judges. These appointments, republican in nature, will offer conservative decisions when it comes to prosecuting crimes that involve blacks. When you hear about the same crime being committed by people of different cultural backgrounds, but with different outcomes, it stems from the court being influenced by the judge’s own prejudices.
Working with the Senate, President Trump has now had 158 judicial nominees confirmed to the Federal bench – a historic transformation of the judiciary. President Trump has nominated and had confirmed two Supreme Court justices, 44 Circuit Court judges, and 112 District Court judges. President Trump has appointed more circuit judges by this point in his presidency than any president in recent history. Approximately 1 out of every 4 active judges on United States Courts of Appeals has been appointed by President Trump. This historic transformation is only accelerating, with President Trump on pace to have more judges confirmed this year than in 2017 and 2018 combined.
Voting in the 2020 election can mean the difference between life and death
HOUSING SUPPORT
FAMILY LIFE
JUDGES
MAYOR BUDGETS
CODE M / OCTOBER ISSUE 19
[COVER]
for some. The Breonna Taylor case is just one example of how voting has impacted this case. As of this publication date, Breonna Taylor’s killers have still not been brought to justice. Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron has avoided any prosecution of the police officers that killer Taylor. The decision to elect Cameron means that Blacks in the state of Kentucky now have to consider if they will get a fair trial, justice, or even fairness when it comes to the justice system. Blacks can no longer think that their single vote will not impact the outcome of an election.
and justice.
Blacks are now considering moving back to the South where there is more space, seemingly better opportunity and a better life. Ohio, Michigan, and New York have all had population reductions in the last 20 years due to people wanting a better and healthier lifestyle.
In 2020 the election goes beyond the justice system. The Pandemic has created another major voting concern for people of color. Housing, funding, employment, and population are all increasing concerns for how we live and vote.
The reversal "began as a trickle in the 1970s, increased in the 1990s, and turned into a virtual evacuation from many northern areas in the first decade of the 2000s," says William Frey, a Brookings Institution demographer who has laid out the reversal in painstaking detail in his new book Diversity Explosion: How New Racial Demographics Are Remaking America. The movement, he writes, is driven largely by younger, college-educated African Americans, as well as baby boomers, like Sharpe Haywood who are nearing retirement.
Black people are literally dying because they live in areas where housing practices were either restricted or politically manufactured to create dwelling ghettos. These ghettos are perfect conditions for contracting and spreading COVID-19. If you live in a city where the population is large and condensed then your chances are higher of becoming infected.
"When you leave metropolitan cities like New York, you want to come down to some bedroom community where you don't have to worry about much," she says. For Sharpe Haywood and her family, Palm Coast's biggest selling point is something that isn't there: segregation, formal or informal, among any of its neighborhoods. "You're free to live where you can afford to live," she says.
Housing choices and job choices all stem from voting and where you live. Blacks must become more aware of the long-term effect of who we elect and how they will govern us as citizens. The time might be right for Blacks to consider moving in mass quantities to find better lives
In the early 1900s Blacks moved for more financial opportunity. Today blacks need to consider moving to locations that offer more equality in the legal justice system. For instance, Madison Wisconsin might seem like a nice place to live. But Dane County has one of the highest
20 OCTOBER ISSUE / CODE M
[COVER]
prosecution rates of minorities per capita, that most US counties. For a Black person, the choice to move to Dane County could mean certain prosecution if they enter the justice system. Blacks need to do their homework before they decide to relocate or remain in the city where they live. The 2020 Census determines where funding will go for the next 10 years. While completing the census is patriotic, Blacks need to become more diligent and discriminating with thier federal dollars. Just like a school-age student picking a charter school, Blacks need to pick cities to live in that will yield the best outcome for them. Voting has never been more important for Blacks. The 2020 election could determine if the people you love get fairness and equality or injustice and biased prosecution. So when you go to the booth, vote for your candidate, but vote and make your voice heard.
CODE M / AUGUST ISSUE 21
OPINION
POISON PURPOSE OR POWER
Examining our responsibility for the November election. We have options and no room for mistakes. by Cynthia Curry
I
n this country, systemic injustices have caused many throughout the world to unite behind a common cause. Like the bite of a poisonous snake, where the venom remains, the devastation may not be realized until it is way too late. Unless the venom is extracted, surviving the attack becomes next to impossible. For those impacted by economic, health, education, cultural and now pandemic barriers, their lives have been poisoned. The silent code to thrive is embedded within those who know how the system really works, leaving the least advantaged easy prey to injustices that continue to destroy the essence of 22 OCTOBER ISSUE / CODE M
[OPINION]
humanity. Our instantaneous culture often prevents an introspective look at our wounds which prolongs the healing process. How does a nation heal when the very ones we rely upon to make things right were once cloaked in hoods and hidden in back woods? They now wear badges and have legal access to oppress, dominate, and wound those they deem less desirable. They continue to do what they want and get away with it, because there is no accountability. Let’s be clear, there are many good, even great police officers, but cameras don’t lie, and death does not give second chances. Obviously a blatant problem. For those who disagree and say, “I have black and brown friends.” To them I say, “Thank you, but think about this?” Have you had a real discussion with your friends about their personal experiences? If you haven’t, trust
me, there is a story, several of them. Regardless of their position in life, there is are unpleasant, haunting encounters. Are you bold enough to discuss the present unrest and look behind their curtains, or maybe look behind your own? You might be surprised, no actually disgusted, about what you find. If you choose to avoid or remain silent for the sake of friendship, then you must question, the true nature of those relationships. “The talk” is not about putting anyone on the spot, it is about understanding that invokes changed hearts and minds. As we’ve seen, letting things fester creates a toxic forum that will eventually explode. Let’s get back to basics, the meaning of protest is merely expressing disapproval of, or objection to something. Everyone has that right.
I am all for protest when there is a definite goal that at some point and time is accomplished. For example, most parents have protested to a teacher about their child’s grade, a company about the amount of a bill, an employer about the fairness of a raise, or a doctor about a particular diagnosis. There is a saying, “Actions speak louder than words,” but is that true in this culture of protest? One of the major concerns surrounding protests is discerning whether you are exuding emotionalism, which does not help any of the legitimate causes. To decide, ask these questions. Is real progress being made? Are laws being targeted that will trickle down to the local level? What local officials are being engaged to assist in your efforts? Do you even know your local, state, nationally elected politicians?
Change has to be incorporated into our laws. When protest lack purpose, it also lacks power. Protest should never be a fad or the latest trend, but a method to social, economic, and judicial
They continue to do what they want and get away with it, because there is no accountability
CODE M / OCTOBER ISSUE 23
[OPINION]
change. Anytime we destroy businesses, invoke fear and hatred, then the labor of all who have legitimately gone before us is in vain. It is plain old ignorance, which does not discriminate and goes wherever it is tolerated. Ignorance in this country seems to be the new normal, and is not only tolerated, but celebrated. So, if you are 18 years and older, your marching means nothing until you can walk into a polling place and vote. Truthfully, you have no right to protest otherwise. Voting means your voice counts. So, instead of participating in a protest, be sure you have registered to vote. That is how you make your marching count. Nothing is more egregious to a true cause than self-indulgent emotionalism. It derails the careful planning of those with strategies, by those with their own diabolical agendas. Instead of spotlighting real issues, it dis-
tracts from those who cannot speak for themselves. That highlights the worst, rather than the best in us. Back up your words with action. With the anticipation of mass turnouts for this election, there is a nationwide shortage of poll workers who can make anywhere from $10 to $20 an hour. As a registered voter, you can work the polls. With this pandemic, and so many who are out of work, this is a great time to participate in the democratic process and earn some extra cash. Think of it, this year is only the 100th anniversary of women being given the right to vote. Yet, black women
had to wait an additional 50 years for the privilege. So, protest, take a knee, hold that sign, wear your tee shirt, shout, but get to the polls and vote. The earlier, the better. That is how sustainable change happens. There is a wonderful biblical story in the Book of Esther (Chapter 4) about a protest that resulted in radical change. It is an example of protests with purpose. The deliverance of our Jewish brothers and sisters did not just happen. There was a definitive strategy that everyone agreed upon, participated in, and united behind because their lives depended on it. Like them, if we unite in one accord, for a common good, our protest will not only save lives, but build bridges that every man can cross. Systemic poison will cease and a new era of liberty and justice for all will finally emerge. The late, great Senator John Lewis said, “Let’s get into some good trouble.� Who knows, maybe you have been born for such a
[COVER]
CODE M / AUGUST ISSUE 27
[OPINION]
DELETING MY
WHITE FRIENDS
FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
A FOUR-PART SERIES DEALING WITH FRIENDS ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHO YOU THOUGHT WERE FRIENDS UNTIL YOU READ THEIR POST. By Melvin Jones
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his pandemic has put us in a crazy time. I’ve equated it to watching the Netflix movie The Birdbox because we’ve been sequestered in our house and we were given the impression that, “If you come outside and just breathe the air … you’re going to die!” It’s left a whole nation in their homes in survival mode. As for me, it’s allowed me to get some of my projects accomplished and devise a plan of action towards my next book. During this time of the pandemic, it has allowed a lot of people to spend a lot of time on social media. Lord, if I see another “Challenge” pop-up on my feed, I am going to scream. This time has also allowed me to digest the unnecessary brutality inflicted on my people; the deaths of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. Both deaths were tragic and unnecessary; BreonnaTaylor was killed when the police raided her house on a “No-knock” warrant and did not identify themselves as officers. Furthermore, they went to a location where the person who the warrant was issued for didn’t live anywhere near Breonna, and they already had the person in custody when they executed the warrant. Not only was Ms. Taylor killed, but the police charged her boyfriend for attempted murder because he returned fire; he thought that he and Breonna were being robbed. While Breonna’s death is tragic, frustrating and unfortunately, sounding all too familiar, the incident with Ahmaud Aubery really hit home for me. Everyone in the world has been talking about how many pounds they have put on since the pandemic, gaining that “Rona weight.” Even though my gym had shut down just like everything else, I set in my mind that I was not going to be that person; I refused to gain any 26 OCTOBER ISSUE / CODE M
significant weight. So, I decided to do some running around my neighborhood (truthfully, it’s more of a slow jog/fast walk. But don’t judge me). Ahmaud was minding his own business when three men racially profiled him and killed him for … GETTING SOME EXERCISE!? SERIOUSLY!? Not only did that incident bring out a wide range of emotions in me, but I was reminded of my own incident of racial profiling just a few days earlier. I had gotten a royalty check and I went to the ATM of the bank where I have an account (by the way, the bank is in the neighborhood where I live and is where I opened my account). I planned on depositing the check at the ATM machine. In the process, I signed the check, pulled out my checkbook, entered the transaction, and because there was no one behind me, I took the time to balance my checkbook (don’t judge me). Next thing I knew, I saw lights and I heard a voice saying over a speaker, “PUT YOUR HANDS OUT OF THE WINDOW, WHERE I CAN SEE THEM!” I was perplexed. What in the world was going on? Now, I immediately complied with the officer’s directions because the last thing that I wanted to happen was for me to be on social media for this! I gave the officer my license, registration, and proof of insurance. Then, I was asked, “What are you doing over here?” “First of all, I LIVE over here! Second, I was making a deposit and was taking the time to balance my checkbook since there was no one behind me. What seems to be the problem?” What I found out was that someone called the police stating, “… a black man in a ‘suspicious looking car’ was in front of an ATM machine, and he appeared to be doing something to the machine.”
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I had to show the officer the deposit slip, my checkbook, my debit/ATM card, and where I got the check from to prove to him that I was doing nothing illegal or ill-gotten. At the same time, another police cruiser came by … I guess the officer needed “backup.” After thirty minutes of questioning, I was let go. As I got home and sat in my chair, I was frustrated and saddened; frustrated by the fact that this incident I had just experienced is not isolated or a rarity … it is commonplace. I was thankful because the incident could have ended a lot worse, but it still didn’t sit right with me. Then, just as I was digesting the incidents of Mr. Aubery and Ms. Taylor, I saw the video of George Floyd. Oh my Lord! I could only watch the video once, that was enough. The range of emotions I felt as I watched that video were so high, I felt my skin itch as I began to break out in a cold sweat. I watched as the officer showed no remorse and had a callous look on his face as if he didn’t care while he had his weight on George Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and forty-four seconds (thank you, Dave Chappelle, for the time)! In that time, Floyd was compliant, and he was begging for air as he said, “I can’t breathe!” (Just like Alton Sterling.) Then, I was almost brought to tears when I heard this man cry out for his mom … a woman who had passed away, as he was taking his last breaths. The hurt, the despair, the anger I was feeling at that moment … it’s unexplainable.
Unfortunately, this was again … not an isolated incident. This type of discrimination, excessive force, and police brutality has been going on for generations. But like the murdering of Emmett Till and some other isolated incidents, this killing took on a whole new meaning and it had sparked a renewed outcry for not just civil rights … but human rights. With me being born in the Generation “X” timeframe, I admittedly criticize Generation “Z,” their music, their style of dress, and their habits are from another planet to me. However, that generation has access to more than I could have ever dreamed of when I was their age, and they are a lot more “woke” than my generation. I appreciate them for bringing the truth to light: there is a systemic problem in this country when
it comes to human rights, human decency, and racial discrimination. I was encouraged when I saw that the “Black Lives Matter” movement was on a global scale. I realized that the cries of a group of people was not totally unheard and that the world could see that there is injustice going on. I looked at the posts and the galvanization of people demanding change from the government. To quote Professor X from the old school rap group, X-Clan, it was “Vainglorious.” Please look for our November issue when Melvin Jones continues on with his opinion on how it feels to deal with racism from life-long friends who he thought loved him.
CODE M / AUGUST ISSUE 31
FASHION
The Emperor’s New Clothes EXPLORE NEW FASHIONS WITH FASHION EDITOR ANTHONY KIRBY. By Anthony T. Kirby
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e have made it to my favorite season of the year, fall. Going to love the days without the heat and humidity, fall colors in the foliage, and cooler evenings. My main attraction to the fall season is the wardrobe conversion from Spring/Summer to Fall/Winter, which is not necessarily an immediate transition. We have been affected by global warming, so we will still have warmer days well into the early months of fall. I recall the days when we had those first brisk days of fall. I couldn’t wait to be attired in a Doeskin blazer; Bengal stripe cutaway shirt; cocoa solid grenadine tie; lightweight, pearl grey flannels; and dark brown, suede Oxfords. That was just one of many fall looks I wore and saw renditions throughout the city. That has all changed this year. Our fall is going to look a lot different in this COVID-19 period. We may not see the many gentlemanly styles associated with the season. As most of the reports have mentioned, corporate companies have made the decision not to have their employees return back to the office for the remaining 2020 calendar year. Most retail menswear shops and department stores have reopened, but what will men be buying from these shops if they work remotely from home? 28 OCTOBER ISSUE / CODE M
I have taken part in several Zoom calls, in which there may have only been one person on the call to at least a dozen. Most calls have been casual in nature; but when you have calls with potential clients or upper management, how should one appear? How do you strike the right balance between your corporate look for the office and your casual home wear? Here are a couple thoughts: 1st – Grooming is key: Just because you are only going from your bed to the kitchen, living room, or your home office does not mean you do not
have to wash up. Shower, comb your hair, or tend to your locks. Trim your beard or mustache. Brush your teeth. You will feel good as though you were going into your place of work. 2nd – Style is key: With dress code standards relaxing more than ever now across a varied corporate industry (banking, law, finance), we have found a way to bring in a relaxed look that doesn’t require suits and ties. Working from home and being on a conference call showing up in a graphic t-shirt or your old college sweatshirt is not ideal. Set yourself apart. Stand Out – Look Sharp! Make your momma proud. Start with the base, which would be a blazer or a patterned jacket. The blazer is a staple that all men should have in their wardrobe essentials. Throw it on with a sport-shirt, fancy t-shirt — I’m not talking Hanes 3-pk. It can be a Uniqlo or striped t-shirt from Sunspel. The patterned jacket would be one you probably wouldn’t wear to the office, but it will work perfectly for your video conference. Consider patterns in bold plaids, checks, and vivid solid colors. Express yourself. Next. What to wear under the jacket? Now if you are not feeling the t-shirt look, here is where you can go for the well-attired look or keep it dress casual. It can be a dress shirt or sport shirt. With a dress shirt, it can be as simple as the classic Oxford
[FASHION]
button-down to a custom striped shirt with contrasting white collar and cuffs. It’s all about you and your personal style. If you are going with a sport shirt, I would go with color and fun patterns. How about an up-up-and-away balloon sport shirt by DeCarlos Bespoke of Jersey City, NJ. The online shop has an array of all things, like fancy sportshirts. Is that it? That is all you have to do when showing up for work from home. Now if you are looking to put the cherry on top, I recommend either a tie or a pocket square. Did I hear, “Hell No!” Why not? Don’t you want to present your best self? You don’t have to look like a schmuck. You may only have the tie on for an hour or so. The pocket square completes the total look. I will let you forgo the tie if you put a pocket square in. Take a look at the collections of ties and squares
from the FINICKEY “Swing-Tie” collection and some of their wool/silk squares in urbane patterns. This is all about “from the waist up,” you don’t have to be concerned with what you’re going to wear on the bottom. It can be jeans, grey flannels, pj bottoms, or go raw/natural — just remember not to stand up until you’ve turned the camera off. These ideas are expressions for creating or identifying your personal style outside of what was the norm of the corporate dress code. No one else can define your wardrobe style for you. You have many choices for how you want to show up. It is all entirely up to you.
CODE M / AUGUST ISSUE 23
BUSINESS
BLACK BUSINESSES ARE OPEN DURING THE PANDEMIC By Anthony T. Kirby
“Commit your work to the Lord, then it will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3
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recent Saturday, I was driving up Germantown Avenue to Chestnut Hill, a neighborhood section of Philadelphia that has several blocks lined with independent shops, restaurants, and small galleries. This drive was a little different because the retail shops along the avenue have just been given the green light to re-open under the guidelines of physical distancing. Just weeks prior, the area was quite different. The stores were shuttered due to COVID-19. Then the stores were all boarded up with the recent modern-day lynching of brother George Floyd. Our city did not escape the civil unrest of racial inequality that had spread across the country. The purpose of my driving to the Hill was to visit a fellow colleague in men’s footwear. It’s an independent shop called Style by Blain owned by Voltaire Blain. He is one of a couple Black-owned retail shops here in Philadelphia that offer men’s luxury footwear and made-to-order clothing. Style by Blain has been in busi30 OCTOBER ISSUE / CODE M
ness for the past two years. I am rooting for his continued growth and success here in Philadelphia. At one time, our city had the best in menswear shops; everything from business attire to clothing for a weekend at the Clubs that you had to put on layaway weeks prior. I wanted to visit his shop to see if he was able to re-open after being shut down for about four months. Many businesses could not make it after the shutdown was lifted. This was definitely hard for retail businesses that were not “essential businesses.” Also, Black-owned retail shops got hit even harder. Lots of businesses did not qualify for SBA (Small Business Association), PPP (Paycheck Protection Program), or EIDL (Emergency Injury Disaster Loan).
Many businesses had to close. The city of Philadelphia is about 45 percent African American, but only about 2 percent of businesses are Black-owned. This was a double-edge sword for many small mom-pop shops owned by Black and Brown people. A lot of my fellow black-owned menswear businesses are doing their best to keep their shops open. It is going to be a long road back to the levels of business we were receiving prior to world events. They’re going to need yours and our support to keep them sustained. So, when I finally approached Style by Blain with the “Open” sign in the window, I was both elated and encouraged. Seeing Blain in his rightful place on the floor doing what he does best, engaging his clients in a one-on-one experience with beautiful shoes made by the Style By Blain is open and ready for business in the Philadelphia area.
[BUSINESS]
likes of Alden (US); Gaziano & Girling (UK), and Paraboot (FR). This told me that there is definite hope in the menswear industry. This is just one of many upbeat stories I am looking to share in upcoming issues. COVID-19 is still with us. We are witnessing spikes in many locations that had early re-openings. We do not know what the next couple of months will look like. I want all of us to be inspired and be supportive. As men of color, we love dressing. We do! I do not know any brother who wakes up and wants to dress like a schmuck. This is an opportunity to support local, Blackowned men’s specialty shops. It can be t-shirts, suits, neckwear, jeans, hoodies, sneakers, and all things apparel related. It can be a physical brick-n-mortar or online. Again, I am
going to be your concierge to identifying these great talents of style in upcoming articles. Please email me comments, inquiries, or let me know about Black-owned menswear businesses.
Blacks businesses have to work hard to return a profit. The Pandemic has only increased their focus.
CODE M / SPRING ISSUE 29
[BUSINESS]
BLACK EFFECT IHEART RADIO FORMS A NEW PARTNERSHIP TO EXPAND BLACK PODCASTS. By Herm Abrams
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HeartMedia forms a partnership with Charlamagne tha God to create the Black Effect Podcast Network. Known for his syndicated radio show “The Breakfast Club,” Charlamagne wanted to expand his reach and platform by bringing more stories about Blacks and topics that involve blacks to the airwaves. The Black Effect Network is scheduled to launch this fall with 18 podcasts on iHeartRadio and is positioned to become the largest publisher of content dedicated to Black listeners in the country. “The Breakfast Club,” which averages 4.5 million listeners on a weekly basis will serve as the base for Charlamagne’s Podcasts. The show will replay on the new network and increase the new networks visibility.
Charlamagne tha God
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Others involved in the new network are Jess Hilarious, Tamika Mallory, and attorney Eboni K Williams. All shows on the Black Effect Podcast Network will be distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network, which hosts more than 750 original podcasts spanning genres including business, sports, spirituality, technology, entertainment, family, comedy, and true crime. The company’s podcasts are distributed on all major podcast platforms, including the iHeartRadio app.