The Sister Circle Girlfriend Chats is a fictitious online radio show hosted by 5 women who happen to be girlfriends. It is a platform where women come together to support each other during human issues they have in life. They laugh, they cry and they get real girlfriend solutions if they choose to take heed. Sometimes they don't take heed. The sisters sit in a circle each week and talk about the issues they want to discuss. They allow callers to call into their show to share their feelings, concerns or comments. Nothing is off limits!
The ladies start off their 2018 Sister Circle welcoming their audience into the New Year. They have a very controversial guest on the show to discuss his ideology of black women poor choices linked to crime in their communities. A few of the ladies do not agree with Dr. Toussaint; some do! Dr. Don Toussaint is a bestselling author. He is a professor of African American Studies at a prestigious institution. He has a popular syndicated television show called My Life in The Machine that he co-produces on WSB-TV in Atlanta. Dr. Toussaint proclaims that black women are the main ingredients to crime and poverty in the black community because they make bad choices when they select their mates.
Valeria:
Welcome to our first show of 2018. We would like to extend our blessings and love to you for this New Year. I am reluctant to give this opening in light of the disunity we have established on the topic we are about to discuss. When we started Sister Circle Girlfriend Chats we made a vow to remain open to bring all issues to our table without prejudice; no matter how hard it would get. Dr. Toussaint is our special guest today. Welcome Dr. Toussaint, you are very welcome to chat.
Dr. Toussaint:
Thank you very much Valeria. I want to thank you and all of the Sisters for having me on the show. I deeply value how hard it was to agree to have me on here and appreciate your efforts to have an open mind.
Iona:
As a black and Italian woman; which I am very proud of, I do not agree with you. I do NOT like your views nor do I wish to have you advocate them on this show. I think the majority of our viewers would utterly agree with me.
Dr. Toussaint:
Well, I don’t have to guess which one of the Sisters didn’t want me on the show today. Please, just hear me out before you jump down on me, Iona. I know you are fiesta. I understand your plight.
Iona:
Yes, I sure didn’t vote to have you on; more like the opposite. You are correct!
Kayla:
Welcome to the show Dr. Toussaint. First of all, I would like to acknowledge our viewers are independent thinkers. They think for themselves. We can’t assume or predict what our audience will or will not agree on; reducing their intelligence to ad absurdum. Can you please tell us more about your interpretations on single black women and crime?
Dr. Toussaint:
Public assistance or welfare was created in 1935. Black children grew up with a mother and a father from about 1920-1960. The decline began when the influx of welfare occurred in the black community, after 1960. Black women selected knuckle heads to have babies with, then they were stuck raising children by themselves. If they had babies out of wedlock they knew they could receive public assistance to help them take care of their children so they kept having them. It is the reason why I think welfare should be abolished. If black women didn’t have the choice to lean on someone else to care for their own children, they would pick a man who had strong character; financially responsible, and a man who wants to build something with them as a family. This is where we are today. In 2017, you have single black women depending on a government check. They continue to have babies by men who don’t have jobs, a plan or who doesn’t seem to want much out of life. Most of the crime and gang activity is found in households of single mothers in light of their bad choices in men. High school drop outs are the result of single mothers; the list goes on and on.
Iona:
Kayla, you of all women, do not have any insight to speak on the issues of black women. Dr. Toussaint, as a single woman of 2 children, I was never on public assistance. I have always worked extra hard for everything I have. My kids father is abundantly in their life. He is not in my life. We were in engaged to be married but I did not want him to marry me because we had kids together. As a single parent, I am passionate about anyone who tries to stigmatize single black women bad mothers. There are millions of black women who are not on welfare; who are making good choices with the men they lay with. As a black man you should be able to empathize with what we go through. As a copywriter I had to work triple hard to get to where I am at 25.
Kayla:
Iona, if you are referring to me be a white woman, you are totally erroneous. I have a right to voice my opinion just like anyone else on this show. I think you are taking this way too personal. I do identify with you being a single mother. I have always loved and supported you beyond our skin color. Dr. Toussaint makes some good points. I am sorry if you feel some kind of way about me agreeing with him. The topic is about black women and crime. It would behoove those black women who are constantly using welfare as a crutch, to try and stand on their own. There is nothing like having your own; working towards your goals or seeing your visions come to pass. They have the same opportunities as anyone else if they would apply themselves just like you did; like we all have done. Also, technically I have African blood in me. My great-great grandmother’s father was a Moor; part of the West African empire of Kings and Queens. Although my skin is as white as snow, I know my history and I am proud of it.
Constance:
Kayla…wow! I had no idea. We have to explore this topic further on the show. Iona, are you okay?
Dr. Toussaint:
Iona, I didn’t state all black women were practicing this form of dependency. I try my best not to generalize. I am stating how welfare is pure mollification; especially for black women. It is used to disable folks. All I am saying is we can do better.
Iona: (Mumbles)
I am fine…just fine!
Constance:
Dr. Toussaint, I don’t agree with you because as a biracial woman we cannot go around blaming black women for everything. My mother is Caucasian and my father is African. He is from Ghana. My parents are still together. Yes, black women like all women, can make better choices in their lives. The world isn’t perfect. People make mistakes. Black men have to take responsibility as well for all these children out of wedlock. Why don’t you create some type of organization to help black men be better men? Iron does sharpen Iron.
Valeria:
Yeah but come on Constance. My parents are both Hispanic. My father is Puerto Rican and my mom is Cuban and African. In my family we get married. We don’t choose men who are losers and continue to have baby after baby with them. I can understand having 1 baby out of wedlock; that is a mistake. If you continue the same cycle; having 2, 3 then 5 that is a problem, NOT a mistake Constance. I concur with Dr. Toussaint. Welfare is a system set-up to pacify black women.
Dr. Toussaint:
I am working on teaming up with a few celebrities to form a national mentoring group for men. You’re right. We have to be part of the solution. I would like to co-sign on what Valeria articulated. The issue is black women raising their kids on their own. Why are they raising their kids own their own? If they are encouraged to use the gifts and talents that they were born with and mate with men who have a solid family structure, they won’t need welfare. They will be better off. They are destroying communities with this kind of practice they have now.
Trisha:
Well I am on the same team with Iona and Constance. I believe things are situational. There are more black women entrepreneurs; more black women educators and even more black women who are getting married yet you wish to focus on the negatives. Maybe you should publish more about that. There may be a percentage of black women who are crippling themselves with the welfare system but why is that your focus Dr. Toussaint? You have authored several books. I recently started reading “Getting Dope in Hope” which is a really good book for young and old folks. You have a national syndicated television show. You are a well-known professor. What is it that you are really trying to accomplish? I don’t get it.
Dr. Toussaint:
With all due respect to you Trisha. May I ask what your nationality is? Unlike Valeria and Kayla, you, Constance and Iona don’t want to receive what I talking about. I thought I was very clear but I will make it cogently clear, again. Black single women who are welfare recipients are the number one reasons why there is so much crime in the black community. They select the wrong men to have babies with; therefore, their bad decisions spill over into bloodlines of crime and long-lasting poverty. I am concerned for this group of black women because I know they can do better. If we take welfare away they will have no choice of dependency but their own. I bet they will wait until they are married or select a suitor with the means to help them take care of their family.
Valeria:
The focus is not on men; it is black women. They are the ones who have the babies. They are the ones who decides to lay down with a man and have his baby. I agree black men should take care of their children 1000% but women are in control of their bodies. If you continue to practice bad behavior and you know you’re going to find yourself raising your children by yourself, why would you keep doing that! Black boys need a father as well as black girls. If the head is gone, the entire household falls apart as we have witnessed in the black community.
Trisha:
Dr. Toussaint, my mother is Asian and my father is African American. I identify mostly as a black American woman because those features are more visible in my appearance. I embrace all of my ancestry. There are so many different elements that go into black women laboring in their welfare status. I get that they are responsible for their own. The small populace who are on welfare have stories just like we do and we don’t know their story. It is easier said than done for you to tell someone to get off of welfare. Are you going to employ them? They need training and jobs if the government cuts them off of welfare. What is the plan?
Constance:
I knew it would happen! We have every phone line jumping off the ringer so we will get ready to talk to our audience. If you would be so kind to hang around for a few more hours to answer any questions Dr. Toussaint we would appreciate it.
Dr. Toussaint:
Absolutely. I look forward to speaking to all callers in hopes of bringing awareness. Thank you.
Iona:
I can’t wait to hear from you guys! Remember you can call in anonymous.
Tune in next time (February) to find out what the audience has to say about Dr. Toussaint. What do you think about it? Stay tuned!
Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in all of the characters and the advice is not real. It is fiction.
The ladies start off their 2018 Sister Circle welcoming their audience into the New Year. They have a very controversial guest on the show to discuss his ideology of black women poor choices linked to crime in their communities. A few of the ladies do not agree with Dr. Toussaint; some do! Dr. Don Toussaint is a bestselling author. He is a professor of African American Studies at a prestigious institution. He has a popular syndicated television show called My Life in The Machine that he co-produces on WSB-TV in Atlanta. Dr. Toussaint proclaims that black women are the main ingredients to crime and poverty in the black community because they make bad choices when they select their mates.
Valeria:
Welcome to our first show of 2018. We would like to extend our blessings and love to you for this New Year. I am reluctant to give this opening in light of the disunity we have established on the topic we are about to discuss. When we started Sister Circle Girlfriend Chats we made a vow to remain open to bring all issues to our table without prejudice; no matter how hard it would get. Dr. Toussaint is our special guest today. Welcome Dr. Toussaint, you are very welcome to chat.
Dr. Toussaint:
Thank you very much Valeria. I want to thank you and all of the Sisters for having me on the show. I deeply value how hard it was to agree to have me on here and appreciate your efforts to have an open mind.
Iona:
As a black and Italian woman; which I am very proud of, I do not agree with you. I do NOT like your views nor do I wish to have you advocate them on this show. I think the majority of our viewers would utterly agree with me.
Dr. Toussaint:
Well, I don’t have to guess which one of the Sisters didn’t want me on the show today. Please, just hear me out before you jump down on me, Iona. I know you are fiesta. I understand your plight.
Iona:
Yes, I sure didn’t vote to have you on; more like the opposite. You are correct!
Kayla:
Welcome to the show Dr. Toussaint. First of all, I would like to acknowledge our viewers are independent thinkers. They think for themselves. We can’t assume or predict what our audience will or will not agree on; reducing their intelligence to ad absurdum. Can you please tell us more about your interpretations on single black women and crime?
Dr. Toussaint:
Public assistance or welfare was created in 1935. Black children grew up with a mother and a father from about 1920-1960. The decline began when the influx of welfare occurred in the black community, after 1960. Black women selected knuckle heads to have babies with, then they were stuck raising children by themselves. If they had babies out of wedlock they knew they could receive public assistance to help them take care of their children so they kept having them. It is the reason why I think welfare should be abolished. If black women didn’t have the choice to lean on someone else to care for their own children, they would pick a man who had strong character; financially responsible, and a man who wants to build something with them as a family. This is where we are today. In 2017, you have single black women depending on a government check. They continue to have babies by men who don’t have jobs, a plan or who doesn’t seem to want much out of life. Most of the crime and gang activity is found in households of single mothers in light of their bad choices in men. High school drop outs are the result of single mothers; the list goes on and on.
Iona:
Kayla, you of all women, do not have any insight to speak on the issues of black women. Dr. Toussaint, as a single woman of 2 children, I was never on public assistance. I have always worked extra hard for everything I have. My kids father is abundantly in their life. He is not in my life. We were in engaged to be married but I did not want him to marry me because we had kids together. As a single parent, I am passionate about anyone who tries to stigmatize single black women bad mothers. There are millions of black women who are not on welfare; who are making good choices with the men they lay with. As a black man you should be able to empathize with what we go through. As a copywriter I had to work triple hard to get to where I am at 25.
Kayla:
Iona, if you are referring to me be a white woman, you are totally erroneous. I have a right to voice my opinion just like anyone else on this show. I think you are taking this way too personal. I do identify with you being a single mother. I have always loved and supported you beyond our skin color. Dr. Toussaint makes some good points. I am sorry if you feel some kind of way about me agreeing with him. The topic is about black women and crime. It would behoove those black women who are constantly using welfare as a crutch, to try and stand on their own. There is nothing like having your own; working towards your goals or seeing your visions come to pass. They have the same opportunities as anyone else if they would apply themselves just like you did; like we all have done. Also, technically I have African blood in me. My great-great grandmother’s father was a Moor; part of the West African empire of Kings and Queens. Although my skin is as white as snow, I know my history and I am proud of it.
Constance:
Kayla…wow! I had no idea. We have to explore this topic further on the show. Iona, are you okay?
Dr. Toussaint:
Iona, I didn’t state all black women were practicing this form of dependency. I try my best not to generalize. I am stating how welfare is pure mollification; especially for black women. It is used to disable folks. All I am saying is we can do better.
Iona: (Mumbles)
I am fine…just fine!
Constance:
Dr. Toussaint, I don’t agree with you because as a biracial woman we cannot go around blaming black women for everything. My mother is Caucasian and my father is African. He is from Ghana. My parents are still together. Yes, black women like all women, can make better choices in their lives. The world isn’t perfect. People make mistakes. Black men have to take responsibility as well for all these children out of wedlock. Why don’t you create some type of organization to help black men be better men? Iron does sharpen Iron.
Valeria:
Yeah but come on Constance. My parents are both Hispanic. My father is Puerto Rican and my mom is Cuban and African. In my family we get married. We don’t choose men who are losers and continue to have baby after baby with them. I can understand having 1 baby out of wedlock; that is a mistake. If you continue the same cycle; having 2, 3 then 5 that is a problem, NOT a mistake Constance. I concur with Dr. Toussaint. Welfare is a system set-up to pacify black women.
Dr. Toussaint:
I am working on teaming up with a few celebrities to form a national mentoring group for men. You’re right. We have to be part of the solution. I would like to co-sign on what Valeria articulated. The issue is black women raising their kids on their own. Why are they raising their kids own their own? If they are encouraged to use the gifts and talents that they were born with and mate with men who have a solid family structure, they won’t need welfare. They will be better off. They are destroying communities with this kind of practice they have now.
Trisha:
Well I am on the same team with Iona and Constance. I believe things are situational. There are more black women entrepreneurs; more black women educators and even more black women who are getting married yet you wish to focus on the negatives. Maybe you should publish more about that. There may be a percentage of black women who are crippling themselves with the welfare system but why is that your focus Dr. Toussaint? You have authored several books. I recently started reading “Getting Dope in Hope” which is a really good book for young and old folks. You have a national syndicated television show. You are a well-known professor. What is it that you are really trying to accomplish? I don’t get it.
Dr. Toussaint:
With all due respect to you Trisha. May I ask what your nationality is? Unlike Valeria and Kayla, you, Constance and Iona don’t want to receive what I talking about. I thought I was very clear but I will make it cogently clear, again. Black single women who are welfare recipients are the number one reasons why there is so much crime in the black community. They select the wrong men to have babies with; therefore, their bad decisions spill over into bloodlines of crime and long-lasting poverty. I am concerned for this group of black women because I know they can do better. If we take welfare away they will have no choice of dependency but their own. I bet they will wait until they are married or select a suitor with the means to help them take care of their family.
Valeria:
The focus is not on men; it is black women. They are the ones who have the babies. They are the ones who decides to lay down with a man and have his baby. I agree black men should take care of their children 1000% but women are in control of their bodies. If you continue to practice bad behavior and you know you’re going to find yourself raising your children by yourself, why would you keep doing that! Black boys need a father as well as black girls. If the head is gone, the entire household falls apart as we have witnessed in the black community.
Trisha:
Dr. Toussaint, my mother is Asian and my father is African American. I identify mostly as a black American woman because those features are more visible in my appearance. I embrace all of my ancestry. There are so many different elements that go into black women laboring in their welfare status. I get that they are responsible for their own. The small populace who are on welfare have stories just like we do and we don’t know their story. It is easier said than done for you to tell someone to get off of welfare. Are you going to employ them? They need training and jobs if the government cuts them off of welfare. What is the plan?
Constance:
I knew it would happen! We have every phone line jumping off the ringer so we will get ready to talk to our audience. If you would be so kind to hang around for a few more hours to answer any questions Dr. Toussaint we would appreciate it.
Dr. Toussaint:
Absolutely. I look forward to speaking to all callers in hopes of bringing awareness. Thank you.
Iona:
I can’t wait to hear from you guys! Remember you can call in anonymous.
Tune in next time (February) to find out what the audience has to say about Dr. Toussaint. What do you think about it? Stay tuned!
Disclaimer: The opinions and views expressed in all of the characters and the advice is not real. It is fiction.
