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Local News/Books ‘How the Audacity of Dopes Is Ruining America’ by D.L. Hughley with Michael Malice By Kam Williams Special To The Skanner News “The American Dream is in dire need of a wake-up call… If only Uncle Sam could see us now. He’d roll up his sleeves, ball his hands into fists, and knock some sense into this nation of ours… But he’s not around. So some other proud American has to tell this country what it needs—not wants—to hear… As a stand-up, I’ve traveled this country for decades, seeing it at its best and at its worst. And what I’m seeing [now] is terrifying to me. When I see something that’s f#cked up, I can’t remain silent. I ask why… It may sound funny, but to me this s#it ain’t no joke.” — Excerpted from the inside cover/press release No stranger to controversy, D.L. Hughley has a knack for pushing people’s buttons while keeping his finger on the pulse of pop culture. For instance, a few years ago, the caustic comedian landed in hot water when he came to the partial defense of Don Imus after the shock jock had insensitively referred to members of the Rut- gers University’s women’s basket- ball team as “nappy-headed hos.” Hughley said Imus had it half- right in that the girls were indeed “nappy-headed.” Now, the irascible troublemaker is at it again, stirring the pot of political incorrectness by poking fun at everyone from President Obama (“big ears” and “a goofy smile”) to Tiger Woods (“a buck- toothed chigger playing a white man’s game”) to Bill Clinton (for being blacker than Obama) to Her- man Cain (“He’s not bright. He’s not entertaining… Why do we need to see this clown dance?”) to Mitt Romney (“shallow… a man completely out of touch”) to Min- ister Farrakhan (“White people’s least favorite black person”). I Want You to Shut the F#ck Up: How the Audacity of Dopes Is Ruining America is a metaphysi- cal call to arms ostensibly designed as this election year’s answer to the 2008 presidential campaign’s The Audacity of Hope, as suggested by the book’s not so subtle subtitle. For, besides knocking icons off their lofty pedestals, D.L. raises a number of issues which he feels need to be addressed to preserve the union. For example, as far as the disre- spect shown the President, he believes not only that “the opposi- tion to him is fueled by race” but that “the deference to him by his own people is also fueled by race.” Later, Hughley blames black females for the disintegration of the black family, saying “Our sis- ters have forgotten how to land a man and how to keep him,” before he takes a page out of fellow Kings of Comedy Tour alumnus Steve Harvey’s love advice primer to teach the ladies the tricks of the dating and marrying trade. Not that D.L. lets brothers off the hook entirely. By his estima- tion, about 90 percent of African- American men have a “P#ssy-Now” philosophy, mean- ing they’re more than willing to play hooky from school or skip work for a shot at a sexual con- quest. And there’s a heavy price to pay long-term for such reckless behavior. Meanwhile, Hughley has no problem with the “N-word,” since he fervently believes that “Racism is an attitude, not a vocabulary test.” In fact, his only regret about the slur is that nobody has come up with an epithet “that makes white people just as uncomfort- able.” Overall, Hughley proves himself a master at provocation, even if his intriguing tome doesn’t really provide pat answers to America’s pressing problems. Disease continued from page 1 Researchers believe ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease has environmental triggers, so they are looking at Northport for clues. About 1.4 million people nationwide have ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, a simi- lar inflammatory bowel condition. The ill- nesses affect about one in every 200 people. Both diseases are believed to have environ- mental triggers, but despite extensive research the causes have never been identi- fied. Last year, 119 current and former North- port residents took part in a health survey designed by Dr. Josh Korzenik. Seventeen had confirmed cases of either ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. ``That’s about 10 to 15 times what we’d expect to see in a population the size of Northport,’’ said Korzenik, director of the Crohn’s and Colitis Center at Brigham and C O M Women’s Hospital, one of Harvard Medical School’s teaching hospitals. ``I’m not aware of any other cluster like it.’’ Researchers have long suspected that from coal-fired factories and vehicle emis- sions became a part of many people’s daily lives. Northport might help provide some The border town is located downwind and downriver of a smelter in Trail, British Columbia, that’s run by Teck Resources. For years, the smelter dumped pollutants into the Columbia River environmental toxins play a role in Crohn’s disease and colitis, which have symptoms including abdominal pain and diarrhea. Both illnesses emerged after the Industrial Revolution, when exposure to pollution M U N I T answers. Korzenik has ruled out a genetic influence in the town’s cluster: Few of the individuals were related. Seven of the 17 cases were people who lived along Mitchell Road, Y C A L E N where sulfur dioxide emissions from the smelter killed farmers’ crops in the 1920s and 1930s, leading to an international law- suit. For a century, the smelter now owned by the Canadian mining company Teck Resources also dumped millions of tons of waste laden with heavy metals into the Columbia River. David Godlewski, vice president for Teck American, the U.S. subsidiary of the Cana- dian company that owns the smelter, declined to comment to The Spokesman- Review. In past interviews, however, Teck Resources officials said that ongoing plant upgrades have reduced the Trail smelter’s air and water emissions by 95 percent. Korzenik plans to expand the health sur- vey to gather information from other com- munities near Northport. D A R S EATTLE 2012 CENTRAL AREA COMMUNITY FESTIVAL. This one day event will showcase the positive features of the Central Area Community with the corporations of local businesses and organizations that will provide resources and educational services to the community. All day event. Garfield Community Center, 2323 E. Cherry St. If you have an event you want to share with the community, email it two weeks in advance to The Skanner at info@theskanner.com Thursday August 16 COMMUNTIY CELEBRATION FOR RAINIER PLAYFIELD PLAY AREA AND BASKETBALL COURTS. Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Brandon Roy Foundation and the Rainier Community Center Advisory Council invite the public to come out and play. Enjoy treats, hoops, play and music. 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 3700 S. Alaska St. in Columbia City. Saturday August 18 Page 2 The Seattle Skanner August 15, 2012 Sunday August 19 OTHELLO PARK INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL. Pack up the family and come down to Othello Park in South Seattle. Lots of music, vendors, food, entertainment and much more. 4351 S. Othello St. All day long event. Saturday August 25 FIRST ANNUAL HEALTH & EDUCATION FAIR & RUN AT JUDKINS PARK. The event is both a fundraiser and an opportunity to enhance and support a culture of academic excellence and well-being among communities of color. 10 a.m. FREE ARTS IN THE PARK AT THE PUYALLUP FARMERS MARKET. All supplies are provided, and artist assistants will be on hand to help out. Stop by, create art and learn more about upcoming art creations. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Pioneer Park and the Plaza at City hall, Puyallup, WA Saturday – Sunday August 25 – 26 Tuesday August 21 GRAND CELEBRATION OF THE COMPLETION OF RAINIER VISTA. The program will start at 5 p.m. and will be followed by unit tours, live music and family activities. appetizers and refreshments will be served. 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. intersection of 31st Ave. S. and S. Genesee St. SAND MANDELA CREATION TRADITIONAL DANCE AND BBC FILM HIGHLIGHTS TIBET FEST. Seattle Center Armory and Fisher Pavilion, explores the cultural roots and contemporary influences of Tibet through live performances, cultural displays, hands on activities, food and much more. Noon – 6 p.m. Both days. Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St.
