Listen on:
Episodes
Monday May 01, 2023
Sunday Apr 30, 2023
Sunday Apr 30, 2023
by: Howard Castay
CBSRadio News is reporting that TikTok is now banned from use across the entire State University System in Florida. Universities across the state are prohibited from using campus WI-FI or school-owned devices to access the platform, after a recent decision from the Florida Board of Governors.
The ban includes the includes the state's largest institutions: the University of Florida, Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of South Florida.
Meanwhile, the State of Arkansas is on the verge of passing a bill to require all children to need their parent's permission, in order to access all social media sites.
The Arkansas majority-Republican House approved by an 82-10 vote the restrictions, which have the support of GOP Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The proposal goes back to the Senate, which approved an earlier version of the bill, but needs one more vote before it can head to Sanders’ desk.
Jondrea Smith calls the government's actions to ban TikTok, "rulership and not government."
"Their plans will stifle communication and the sharing of ideas, not to mention small business commerce," Smith said.
Smith is a woodworking digital artist from the Mississippi Delta.
After living in New Orleans for 12 years, he and his wife (who has family in Louisiana), moved to Birmingham.
Smith's work includes turning wood into furniture pieces, in addition to commemorative pieces, and other creative art.
"I feel this move is also somewhat racial because it constricts the African Diaspora. We are naturally creative, our dance, our music, our food. We communicate and share our thoughts and ideas within our culture."
"Now, our fundamental freedoms appear to be at risk," he said.
"Word of mouth is very important in our culture. It creates sales for us entrepreneurs. If this goes away, so does the outlets we presently have for customers to discover our work. TikTok gives a platform that is the sole avenue for many minorities."
While focused on social media freedoms for his business, Smith agrees that parents need to control how much time their children spend with TikTok and other social media, however, they should not have to leave, "tracking tokens to state agencies."
"Arkansas needs to explain how they plan to protect the privacy of its residents, parents and children, who use social media. What security will you provide to verify people?"
"This kind of thing makes me really uneasy. There is no public outcry, no public health issue for passing a law to clamp on the use of social media. Again, it's rulership and not government. Content filters are not a state function."
Here are just some of the reasons why Smith feels a TikTok ban doesn’t make sense:
For many content creators, TikTok is a sole source of livelihood. Many Black entrepreneurs rely on the platform to generate revenue and expand their business. TikTok’s popularity spans many industries, including fashion, music, food, and art, all parts of the African Diaspora.
TikTok offers new ways for students and young adults to learn. The platform is rich in easy-to-digest video resources, from financial planning to home renovation hacks and meal prepping.
Banning TikTok takes away from our fundamental freedoms. Americans have the right to pursue their dreams and be entertained. If Congress bans TikTok, who knows what is next?
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Tuesday Apr 25, 2023
Sunday Apr 23, 2023
Sunday Apr 23, 2023
April 23, 2023
by: Howard Castay
Lafayette, La. - Shauna Sias is a nurse expert in bullying and suicide prevention, and diabetic care.
Outside of her professional job however, Shauna calls herself, "The Conduit," a name that someone dubbed her after she started posting information on facebook, that many persons were unaware of.
But in June of 2022, Sias moved what became her platform, "The BullyBox Passion Project," to TikTok, where she is currently growing impressions, with 14,700 likes to her posts, and 2,194 followers.
"I'm like an information highway for all of Louisiana. And, Tiktok is helping me get to folks right where they are," Sias said.
"I've been told the information I give, good, bad or neutral, has been quite beneficial to many people, including parents and children."
"Tiktok is a very beneficial medium, if used correctly. I believe it's more accessible than the internet in certain demographic locations," she said.
"Tiktox reaches more people than what television, radio or newspaper could ever do."
She said, "The Bullybox Passion Project," was birthed in 2019 after the suicide of 13-year-old Traeh Thyssen, a student in Baton Rouge, "who was allegedly buillied in the classroom.
"There are situations in our public schools that no one knows. There are rights that you as a parent have - you need to know what they are, and how you can exercise them. Education is just one of the topics on my show," Sias said.
The Opelousas native calls the recent scrutiny by the government over TikTok ridiculous.
"If you don't like it, don't use it. But you do not have the right to tell someone where they can and cannot receive sources of information. It's the same concept as regulating my uterus," Sias said.
"Why ban TikTox when the NRA is still in full effect!"
"Americans love things that are colorful, and entertaining. TikTok does that - it makes America feel good."
Here are Silas' suggestions for the government, when it comes to TikTok:
Employees should not put any information about their job on TikTok, but they should be allowed to use their phones on a break, or at lunch, at their desks if they so wish.
Encourage parents to supervise their children - find out how much time they're spending on TikTok, and what they are looking at.
Focus on more gun control, and expand programs to fight suicide and bullying in schools.
(Click to listen to a few excerpts of my interview with Sias).
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Louisiana Dance Musician calls on fans to help him save TikTok
by: Howard Castay
Cupid, a.k.a. Bryson Bernard, who dubs himself, "the line dance king," credits social media for reinventing his career among age groups in some of his fan base.
However, he said the changes have been more noticeable since TikTok arrived in 2016.
The Lafayette native has grown in popularity worldwide, after recording the single, the "Cupid Shuffle," in 2007. The song peaked at number 66 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Since then, the singer and songwriter has morphed into someone he calls the king of dance music. And as of late, he credits TikTok for helping him secure that title.
"Tiktok is music to the people," Bernard said. "It's a direct connection for music and dance, and also a great resource of information."
"With TikTok, I have tripled my exposure to audiences, as opposed to my past promotional strategy."
Describing his TikTok success, he said his new song, "Flex," has over 10 million impressions on TikTok and the "Cupid Shuffle," has, "way more than that number."
"What's interesting though, is that since TikTok's inception, I've been watching kids who weren't even born 17 years ago when I made the Cupid Shuffle, dance like crazy to it. Then, I'm watching the Cupid Shuffle fans, dance to Flex."
"Speaking for myself, I think TikTok has been a huge influence."
Now, the artist is asking fans to save TikTok by placing #saveTikTok on all their TikTok videos.
The reason? What has his ire is news from Capitol Hill that some members of Congress want to ban TikTok for all Americans, citing unfounded national security concerns.
Also, in Louisiana, there is a bill currently in the legislature (which is currently in session), HB 361 by Rep. Daryl Deshotel, R-Marksville, to prohibit the use of TikTok on state devices or networks.
Here are some of the singer's objections on why a TikTok ban doesn’t make sense.
It seems like the government is trying to control people. Is the government upset because they can't figure out how to make money off of it, so they are throwing in the towel?
Not having the power to control the media. Real life situations! Just think if there wasn't TikTok. When would we have found about George Floyd? Or Ahmaud Arbery?
Viewing TikTok as a threat to personal freedom. For instance, some teenagers are making thousands, hundreds of thousands of dollars without a proper education.
American Propaganda. We're told China is destroying America. But has the government checked on the things we're doing? Why are government contracts being leaked? That's not TikTok's fault!
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Monday Apr 17, 2023
Monday Apr 17, 2023
A black teenager rings the wrong door bell in Kansas and was shot. Also reports of four people shot at a birthday party in Alabama.