Interview

Well, well, well...our good sister, the history teacher who we call Let Me See Your Transcript did an interview with a retired journalist named Albert Lanier.

Albert Lanier is a retired freelance journalist who had a 22-year career.  His bylines include the Honolulu Weekly, Pacific Business News, Edible Hawaiian Islands, Asian Week, and Hawaii Magazine.  

Mr. Lanier also wrote a piece on Umar Johnson entitled Catch Him If You Can:  The Life and Lies of Umar Johnson, dated July 21, 2020.  In part, Lanier says, in regards to Umar Johnson:

In fact, it is difficult to believe that Johnson is a mental health professional upon seeing his interactions with individuals online. When answering questions one-on-one from African-American women (apparently his primary demographic group), he referred to them as “gorgeous” or “beautiful” as a preface to listening to their questions. This is clearly not how any professional psychologist should or does act. This comes off as language more suited to singles bar or dating website than a psychologist and educator.

As an aside, in addition to Umar Johnson recording himself talking to women like he's on a dating app or singles bar, it bothers me to NO END that Umar Johnson often does this while laying in bed.

Moving on...

The sister Let Me See Your Transcript (LMSYT) interviewed Mr. Lanier.  It was enjoyable, in my opinion.  My thoughts are as follows:

1.  Lanier has a decent grasp on what Umar Johnson is about.

2.  Lanier is right about Umar Johnson attempting a long con (versus a short con).

3.  Lanier is right that Umar Johnson is a phony.

4.  Lanier is right about the Black media letting us down with regard to Umar Johnson.

5.  Lanier states the Jermaine Shoemake is an actor playing the role of Umar Johnson.

Lanier makes other observations about Umar Johnson and what he represents to Black people, specifically talking about what some have called the Savior Complex.  Umar also has borrowed heavily (stolen) from Dr. Amos Wilson, Dr. Frances Cress Welsing, Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, Steve Cokely, Khalid Muhammad and others to develop the character we know as Umar Johnson.  And Jermaine Shoemake took Umar Johnson on the road and started, as Paige from DeeDee & Paige might say, talking out of his cheeks.

I can buy all of that.  

And I contend that the so-called FDMG school came out of Umar's cheeks.  It only makes sense, since there is no Board of Directors, no budget, no ability to pay anyone, no answers to direct questions, and no concrete plans.  Umar Johnson claims he spent $20,000 to $25,000 for blueprints yet he's still finding rooms.  Umar Johnson, once again, NEVER intended to open a school.

Now,  to be fair, I have to speak on the criticisms of the interview.  The critiques I've seen all along the lines of:

1.  Lanier isn't Black so he shouldn't have anything to say about what happens to Black people.

2.  Lanier insulted a Black woman, namely Tiffany.

To those criticism, I have two things to say. 

Firstly, no one ever said that all those who consider ourselves members of the Anti Fraud Warrior movement are Black.  In fact, I'm almost positive that some of us are NOT Black.  I'm willing to bet that some of us are Latin-X, white, or mixed race.  I'd be willing to bet that most of us are American-born, but I'm sure that some of us live in the UK, Europe, the Caribbean and perhaps even Africa. 

I didn't know that being against fraud was race-specific or country-specific.  Remember, Umar Johnson took his con game all over the world.

As to Tiffany, I have never paid very much attention to her.  It's hard for me to listen to her.  I will say this.  What I have seen of Tiffany has been of her being disrespectful (even to Umar Johnson's father), showing parts of her body on YouTube, as a way of disparaging another woman, and claiming that is being unapologetic African, trash-talking people for his/her (alleged) sexuality, all with a filthy cursing mouth.  

Honestly, I don't think anyone would be talking about Tiffany if her speech and behavior weren't so vile.  And if Tiffany can dish it out, she should be able to take it.

Overall, my opinion of the interview mirrors that of SC Johnson, who posted in the comments under the interview video, and I quote... 

Good job with this interview. This gentlemen spoke nothing but facts about Umar. If we as the black community would have collectively checked Umar years ago...this man would have had nothing to say about Umar. Ignore those clowns saying you should have not interviewed this gentleman. You are on the right side of history.

SC Johnson 

Great interview, Albert and LMSYT!

 

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Does Umar Johnson need a 302 involuntary commitment?
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