The Batts Report on BlogTalk Radio

11/08/2019

" . . . Hopefully, being unsung will not stop any American from being informed and concerned about government influence in our personal lives . . ."

In this country, democracy is symbolic with freedom of speech.

07/23/2019

At the suggestion of a mutual online friend, I connected with Battinto Batts Sr. I had relocated back to Illinois in 2008 and was in the process of preparing to be a caregiver.

Blog Talk Radio was new to me. I learned of it through another online friend who had a broadcast. By the time I learned of The Batts Report, it was in progress for a while. I was on as a guest to talk about my interests of that day.

In the early days of Blog Talk Radio, approximately two hours were given to each account. The first hour was given to news updates and commentary. The second hour is where roundtable discussion took place on the hot topic of the hour.

Once my interview was done, I was invited to participate in the roundtable discussion for that day. Many broadcasts were done before I was asked to consider being co-host.

This was a big deal to me because I had been living with spasmodic dysphonia (laryngeal dystonia) for ten years. It was promising to me I had some value to be productive.

During one show, Battinto asked did I have a nickname to use on-air. I told with him how and why I created Divabylaw as username. It had nothing to do with being fashion forward or having a big bank account; but more to do with my name being unavailable.

I could give an abbreviated version of how I got involved with The Batts Report, but as a tribute to the legacy of the elder Battinto Batts as I knew him, I believe it is necessary to reveal how strongly he believed in providing solutions for problems in the community.

Once I learned the purpose of The Batts Report, I supported the effort because of shared values about community.

Participating on The Batts Report with Daddy Batts was a lively learning experience on- and off-air.

History verifies how much was accomplished by word of mouth. Times were such that people looked out for each other and worked together for common causes and values. That was the spirit in which I worked with The Batts Report.

After each episode, Daddy Batts and I would debrief the session and plan for the next show. It was also a time when he’d talk about our place in American history.

As the show evolved, Daddy Batts chose a theme song, “Only a Look.” He said, if people would just take a look at what is happening in the world they may see how important it is to better the community..

I lend this brief history as a tribute to Daddy Batts and how he cherished working to build The Batts Report. I shall miss working with Battinto Batts Sr., better known as Daddy Batts. He loved his community. The Batts Report is testament to his legacy.

Photo by TaiLi Samson on Unsplash

01/02/2019

Thank you for stopping by The Batts Report on BlogTalk Radio page. Battinto Batts Sr. will be greatly missed. Per discussion with his family, strategy for a new direction is in progress.

11/28/2018

Net neutrality repealed has the potential to neutralize American economy and freedom of speech.

11/06/2018

Fear has a lot of people afraid to say what they really think about any issue.

Since "free [expression] of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to peaceably assemble, or to petition the [government] to [remedy unfair situations]" are protected by the First Amendment, you would think are able to talk about any issue and still be in good standing with neighbors, family and friends.

It is good to see an increase in registered voters, but converting your registration to a turns up the volume on the voices of We the People.

10/01/2018

09/25/2018

American democracy allows its citizens to say what is on their minds (supposedly) without retaliation. It is easy to imagine civilized talks where a person respectfully listens (without interrupting) as the other person makes a point.

Even the word, "democracy" gives the impression of civilized, cultured citizens living on American soil as good neighbors looking out for one another.

In many areas, the American Dream feels like a nightmare in broad daylight.

At this point in American history, the power of the vote has been proven to effect change, even though the change has been gradual.

Given the process of checks and balances, between our three branches of government, gradual change is inherent.

There is no avoiding gradual change.

Moreover, gradual change happens by applying steady pressure through your voice; your voice at local town hall meetings ... your voice through letters to your senator, congressman, congresswoman, local elected officials ... and ... your voice through your vote.

You might say, you are not into politics and that you have more important things on your mind. Life may be going well for you, but life for other people who need government help can live with hope and be inspired to keep doing their part to improve their lives knowing such help is available if needed.

Some non-voters may despise election time (as well as the reasons) they hear on why they should vote.

Then too, some non-voters may have no guilt and feel no shame because certain language in the Constitution implies allowance of slavery in a different form.

Per democracy, people who refuse to vote have the right not to vote. Also per democracy, people who refuse to vote can still enjoy the same benefits of the vote brought about as a result of people who go to the polls to vote.

06/21/2018

Many people may believe it is in poor taste to compare past immoral atrocities of America with immoral atrocities in progress at this time.
Anyone who is not able to think objectively, will say people who bring up past atrocities do not care about the current atrocity where children are separated from parents who are arrested for trying to illegally cross the Mexican border.
Where can American families run to keep their children out of harm’s way? Given the different countries represented by descendants of immigrants and slaves, suggesting groups of people go back to countries where they never lived can only be rhetorical.
Mexican families risking arrest to bring their children to a safe place is a loud cry for help.
As with any discussion, it is easy to say what should be done. What can be done is prayer.

A common refrain is that such actions are “un-American” and run counter to the nation’s values. Yet the separation of families has deep roots in the American past.

08/18/2017

Only because people from different backgrounds and ethnic groups are publicly standing for justice together is why (some people say) that's the best outcome of Donald Trump being elected President of the United States.

Domestic terrorism does not get a pass.

For many, what is out of sight is out mind: but the Civil Rights Movement is yet moving forward. The media does not report current activity of the Movement the way it does for random shootings and police-involved shootings.

However, The Civil Rights Movement never stopped moving.

We do well to review true American History.

When John F. Kennedy became president in 1961, African Americans throughout much of the South were denied the right to vote, barred from public facilities, subjected to insults and violence, and could not expect justice from the courts. In the North, black Americans also faced discrimination in hous...

07/28/2017

“The Unexpected Mistrial of Bill Cosby” would be a powerful documentary … if such a documentary existed. What events led to Cosby’s accusers coming forth? Most of the women came forth past the statute of limitations. What was really going on?

In any discussion about Cosby, you will hear mixed emotions. “Did Bill Cosby really do those things? No! He is being setup! Were those women telling the truth? No! They were paid to lie! Is there a conspiracy to smear the legacy of Bill Cosby? Why wouldn’t there be a conspiracy to get people to lose faith in an educated Black man committed to delivering positive images for Black families in mainstream television? Okay. The conspiracy theory is a stretch.

During an interview on The Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM (published June 30, 2017 on YouTube), Dave Chappelle is asked for his thoughts on Bill Cosby. It is apparent Dave has empathy for the women who came forth and what they allegedly suffered; however, Chappelle only recited what was written by another source.

My colleague and I discussed our opinions of the interview and of Bill Cosby. It became apparent our views differ. However, we agree Bill Cosby has given mainstream television positive images of successful Black people as white collar workers in The Cosby Show and positive images of college students of an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) in the show, A Different World.

Ironically, one media source states the National Broadcasting Company and Universal (NBC) accepted Cosby’s idea to portray a white-collar family that was originally pitched to be a blue-collar family. The Cosby Show enjoyed record-breaking viewership at a time NBC was slipping in the ratings, but the increase in viewers was not enough to allow Cosby to share in the decision-making process on how the shows should lineup. Rather than the show, Family Ties, Cosby wanted his show, A Different World to follow the Cosby Show broadcast.

Moreover, that same media source implies, Bill Cosby created his own downfall for insisting The Cosby Show be followed by A Different World in the lineup. Whatever the case, these shows are still making a difference in—not only—Black families, but in any family sharing values on education and hard work to improve family life.