Jackson Free Press

Greetings! My guest is one of the many street corner philosophers/intellectuals, handymen and jack-of-all-trades who cannot find a job as a black male. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome D. Invisible Mann.

Kunta: Brother Mann, I empathize with your struggle. So why are you invisible, man?

Mann: The street-corner think tank and I conclude that a society in denial has become insensitive to our plight. The recent recession really has messed us up. And when we turn to crime and abusive behavior as a last resort, people see us on prime-time TV shows like "Cops," "Killer Cops," "Cop Killers," "Rescue 911," "411," "777-9311" and "Stories of the Highway Patrol." But as Al Jarreau once sang, "You don't see me when I'm trying to do right."

Instead we get hassled and hustled because we are not BMWs (Black Men Working).

Our legs are broken, and we are called cripples. Our eyes are gouged, and we are called blind.

And who wants to look at a man who has been jobless over a year. This is why I am D. Invisible Mann.

Kunta: What do you do with your idle time, brother Mann?

Mann: I'm studying online classes in culinary arts and interior design on a computer I built after finishing a correspondence course in computer technology.

Kunta: Pookie's grandmomma is giving us a cue to get off her porch.

My guest has been the aspiring BMW, D. Invisible Mann.

Ken Stiggers is a TV producer in Jackson and the host of the Lyric Lounge, now Thursdays at Daiquiri World, 1766 Ellis Ave. at Raymond Road.

Previous Commentsshow

"Instead we get hassled and hustled because we are not BMWs (Black Men Working). "Our legs are broken, and we are called cripples. Our eyes are gouged, and we are called blind. "And who wants to look at a man who has been jobless over a year. This is why I am D. Invisible Mann. " I really don't know what to say about this piece, but I'm so surprised that no one has commented on it as it's simply a superb piece of writing and political thinking. Those three sentences there are short and sharp and contain an incredible amount of wisdom. I guess I'd just like to thank Mr. Stiggers for writing it.

jason

Aug 15 2004

I really don't know what to say about this piece, but I'm so surprised that no one has commented on it as it's simply a superb piece of writing and political thinking. Jason, I agree with you. I'm not sure that a lot of people know how to respond to Stiggers, but his short satires are infused with many things that need to be said. He is amazing. Thanks for pointing it out.

DonnaLadd

Aug 15 2004

Wow and thanks for your comments! I'm happy that someone responded to what I write. Usually, people who know me professionally will comment on what I write. I guess other readers are not sure about how to respond. sometimes I feel as if I'm waisting my time. Then there are folk like Jason who give me hope. Thanks Jason! Thanks Donna!

Stiggers

Sep 4 2004