Your Black Hip-Hop: Jasiri X Weekly Newscast — Hip-Hop Style!

Hip-Hop Emcee/Newscaster, Jasiri X, returns with his weekly Hip-Hop newscasts. For this week, current events include  the failing economy, George Bush’s confessions, the ongoing Plaxico Burress fiasco, the Detroit 3 Auto-Bailout, Chicago workers sit-in, Clarence “Tom Us” questioning President-Elect Obama’s citizenship, and more:

Your Black Hip-Hop: Jasiri X Weekly Newscast — Hip-Hop Style!

Hip-Hop Emcee/Journalist, Jasiri X, returns for a second season, with his weekly Hip-Hop newscasts. This week’s current events include, O.J. Simpson, Plaxico Burress , the Mumbai attack, Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, and more:

[For the week of November 23 - November 29]:

Your Black Scholar: Hope and Wisdom — By Shannon Joyce Prince

Hope and Wisdom

By: Shannon Joyce Prince

Remember back seven years ago to the aftermath of September 11^th, when the world was divided into the good and the axis of evil, those who had democracy and those whose envy of it drove them to murderous fundamentalism? Remember the charge of the extreme right – that anybody who didn’t support the ‘War on Terror’ or didn’t show the appropriate level of ambivalence towards Islam or Middle Easterners, or paused to quibble over whether or not “enemy countries” had weapons of mass destruction, was unpatriotic and insufficiently American? Remember how the left, the middle, and the moderate right took issue with that kind of Manichean thinking while the war hawks said it didn’t matter if those who were leading us to war were honest or which Middle Eastern country we bombed, because we were representing the concepts of freedom and democracy, thus the nitty-gritty about reality and truth weren’t important?

I’ve been stunned to hear that same kind of rhetoric from the left. Either you support President-elect Obama or you’re a too cool for school revolutionary snob, a Gloomy Gus, or someone too idealistic, unrealistic, or cynical to be pragmatic or useful [...]

More At Your Black Scholar

Your Black News: Secret Service: Sarah Palin Stoked Racial Hate

The Republican vice presidential candidate attracted criticism for accusing Mr Obama of “palling around with terrorists”, citing his association with the sixties radical William Ayers.

The attacks provoked a near lynch mob atmosphere at her rallies, with supporters yelling “terrorist” and “kill him” until the McCain campaign ordered her to tone down the rhetoric.

But it has now emerged that her demagogic tone may have unintentionally encouraged white supremacists to go even further.

The Secret Service warned the Obama family in mid October that they had seen a dramatic increase in the number of threats against the Democratic candidate, coinciding with Mrs Palin’s attacks.

Michelle Obama, the future First Lady, was so upset that she turned to her friend and campaign adviser Valerie Jarrett and said: “Why would they try to make people hate us?”

More At Your Black News

Your Black Life: Gov. Palin Didn’t Know Africa Was A Continent?

Wow. Just Wow. And to think that a mere 7 points made the difference in what could have redounded to one of the scariest sights imaginable (A McCain/Palin administration). As the smokes and mirror clear, aides are foaming at the mouth and letting the dogs loose, on just how unprepared, uneducated and uninformed John McCain’s V.P. was/is. One discovery, however, strikes harder than most:

— What did she think it to be. An island? Perhaps in the middle East…

Your Black Scholar: President Elect Obama – America’s Struggle in Context

President Elect Obama – America’s Struggle in Context

By: Dr. Wilmer J. Leon III

With the election of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States, Americans have taken a giant leap forward. It has taken this country 219 years to elect its first African-American president (George Washington was elected in 1789). It is imperative that this historic moment always be viewed within its proper historic context.

[...]

As I think about President-elect Obama’s defeat of Senator John McCain and bask in the comfort of this historic event, I must also fear its backlash. History tells us that white supremacy dies hard in America and its proponents will not take America’s victory lying down.

I think back to 1908 and Jack Johnson’s defeat of Tommy Burns to become the first African-American boxing heavyweight champion of the world. This led to the search for the “Great White Hope,” James Jackson Jefferies. Before Johnson fought Jefferies on July 4, 1910, the crowd chanted, “Kill the nigger.” Johnson’s defeat of Jefferies ignited numerous incidents of white violence against African-Americans. It set off some of the worst racial violence in American history [...]

Full Article At Your Black Scholar

Your Black Politics: Barack Obama Wins Presidency — Makes History

WASHINGTON – Barack Obama was elected the nation’s first black president Tuesday night in a historic triumph that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself.

The 47-year-old Democratic senator from Illinois sealed his victory by defeating Republican Sen. John McCain in a string of wins in hardfought battleground states — Ohio, Florida, Virginia and Iowa.

A huge crowd thronged Grant Park in Chicago to cheer his improbable triumph and await his first public speech as president-elect.

From Michigan Live

Your Black News: Latest Electoral Votes

From CBS News:

Your Black Hip-Hop: Nas: Election Night

New York Emcee, NaS, who earlier released “Black President,” is back with a new single. His latest, “Election Night,” addresses the emotion many African-Americans are going through, with regard to a potential Obama presidency looming larger than ever:

Your Black News: One Day To Go: Voter Empowerment & Voting Rights

With just one day before the most anticipated political showdown of a generation, certain critical steps must be taken if a repeat of Florida 2000 and Ohio 2004 is to be avoided. Democracy Now! hosted a segment, today, on issues surrounding voter-empowerment and voting-rights:

PART 1:

PART 2:

Your Black Life: Akon To Leave U.S. If McCain Wins

Akon, the Grammy-winning, multi-platinum-selling R&B star, has said that he will renounce his US citizenship and leave the country if John McCain wins next week’s presidential election.

[...]

“If he [Obama] doesn’t get into office, I’m gonna change my citizenship,” he said. “I’m moving back to Africa. You can hold me to that. I’m afraid to live there if he [McCain] is President. The decisions he makes scare me: he’s making selfish decisions, he’s doing whatever it takes to get into office.”

Akon cited the selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as McCain’s running-mate as one of the decisions that gave him concern. “I don’t think he’s going to last eight years,” he said, referring to McCain, “so she’s definitely going to be president. Oh my goodness – that’s scarier. And who would be her running mate? Joe the Plumber?

“I’m very afraid,” he continued. “If the people don’t see [that life in America will deteriorate under McCain], then that’s a dangerous place to be for the next four years. I can’t even envision how bad it’s gonna be [...]

Read More

Your Black Brothers: Juan Williams Stands Up To Sean Hannity!

Is Juan Williams leaving the house? Not sure he’s welcome back on the field, but that’s an entirely different discussion. On Thursday, Sean Hannity, the self-proclaimed McCain surrogate and FOX News host, attempted, once again, to smear Palestinian-native and Chicago professor, Rashid Khalidi. Unfortunately for Hannity, even Juan Williams wouldn’t back him up on his erroneous claim that an association with Prof. Khalidi is synonymous to dancing with the devil. Juan Williams, known for his anti-black sensibilities, seemed to express some frustration with his pal, Sean Hannity, whose desperate strategies at helping McCain win appear to hold no barriers. To put it plainly, Juan Williams called him out on his B.S. and unadulterated hypocrisy:

Video At Your Black Brothers

Your Black News: Black Voters Cautiously Anticipate Obama Win

Lula Cooper expects the tears to flow if Barack Obama becomes the first black president. But she’s not breaking out the tissues just yet.

“I cried when I marked my ballot for him. We’ve had such an incredible journey to this point,” said the former civil rights activist, her voice quavering. “I think he’s going to win, but I really am very, very cautious.”

Like a Hollywood blockbuster whose conclusion feels assured but still sets the heart racing, the endgame of this election has gripped black America with a powerful mixture of emotions.

Obama’s potential victory represents a previously unimaginable triumph over centuries of racism. But beneath the hope and pride lies fear: of polling inaccuracy, voting chicanery, or the type of injustice and violence that have historically stymied African-American progress [...]

More At Your Black News

Your Black News: Ashley Todd: A Counter-Argument to “Post-Racialism”

Ashley Todd: A Counter-Argument to “Post-Racialism”

By: Tolu Olorunda

Staff Writer – YourBlackWorld.com

Perhaps one of the greatest ironies of the 2008 Presidential race is the constant assertion of the notion of a “post-racial” period, while juxtaposed with an endless torrent of refuting occurrences. Last week, Ashley Todd, a Pittsburgh McCain worker, reported a compelling story of being “robbed at an ATM at the corner of Liberty Avenue and Pearl Street in the Bloomfield area around 9 p.m. Wednesday after leaving a Republican phone bank.” To avoid misleading the local police station, Todd was quick to comment that her purported attacker was a “dark-skinned African-American man about 6’4″,” who “stole $60 from her and became enraged after seeing a bumper sticker supporting Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain on her car.”

The bizarre story took an unusual twist when Ashley Todd told Pittsburgh police that her “dark-skinned” bandit made sure to carve “a ‘B’ in her cheek,” when he noticed the McCain sticker on her car. From the onset, this mystery was suspicious at best. Nevertheless, John McCain and Sarah Palin swiftly conducted personal phone calls with the victim: Ashley Todd. Even Sen. Obama’s camp would not risk being charged with condoning this reported act of bestiality. In a released statement, the campaign stated: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the young woman for her to make a speedy recovery, and we hope that the person who perpetrated this crime is swiftly apprehended and brought to justice.” Damn. Tawana Brawley must be feeling pretty disgusted at this point [...]

More At Your Black News

Your Black Scholar: Why Wright Happens — By Debra Dickerson

Why Wright Happens

By: Debra Dickerson

How come white folks can consort with racists but blacks can’t? Not that I’m conceding that Rev. Wright is a racist. But let’s stick to the point.

Jonathan Stein’s post gives me the perfect opportunity to kvetch about something that’s been driving me crazy about the attacks on Obama via Wright.

Stein’s right that vicious ads like this one will give a great many cover to vote against Obama. But here’s the thing: What about the racists and loonies who helped raise most of us? My father was bitter beyond belief about white racism, even though he had white friends and volunteered to fight in WWII. I can separate his horrific life experiences (Jim Crow sharecropper) out from my own (post-Civil Rights Movement) world view, as do most other Americans. When the elders got together and ranted and raved about the white man, I didn’t go upstairs, write a formal denunciation, and secede from my family. I considered the source and was grateful to have been born later. How dare you demand that we have no complaints? Church, and to a lesser and more troubling extent, certain forms of rap ‘music’, are places we go for catharsis. And catharsis ain’t usually a pretty sight [...]

Full Article At Your Black Scholar

Your Black Hip-Hop: Jasiri X Weekly Newscast — Hip-Hop Style!

Hip-Hop Emcee/Journalist, Jasiri X, returns with his weekly Hip-Hop newscasts. This week’s current events include: Gov. Palin’s incompetence, the “Ashley Todd hoax,” Robocalls, Jennifer Hudson’s tragedy, Black-on-Black violence,” lynching in Texas and more:

For the week of October 19 – October 25:

Your Black Power: CNN’s New Hughley Show Reinforces Black Stereotypes

CNN’s new Hughley show reinforces black stereotypes

By: Christopher J. Metzler

In just eight days, America may well elect its first black president. Throughout the long campaign, race has been an omnipresent issue with many asking whether whites and some blacks would reject Senator Obama because of his race.

Most news outlets and commentators have discussed race in a vacuous way for fear of being called racists. In fact, if this election taught us anything about the media and race, it is that most journalists — including white liberals — simply lack the vocabulary to discuss and analyze race, choosing instead to engage in a cacophonous politically correct gab fest.

As the election draws to a close, one major cable news network decided to discuss race in a mephitic way, reminiscent of Amos and Andy, a situation comedy based on reinforcing stereotypes about blacks and widely popular in the United States from the 1920s through the 1950s.

The show’s anchor warned that the election of a President Obama would lead to a health plan with grills for all. Grills are shining metal caps worn on the teeth of blacks while they drink malt liquor from a paper bag. His guest, “Freddie Mack,” attired in the traditional pimp attire complete with hat and bling, described Obama’s fund raising prowess as “Big pimping.” In fact, Freddie Mack went on to say, “Politicians are pimps and the electorate are their hoes.” Thus, he reasoned, “bitch better have my money.” In a response dripping with racism and misogyny, he reminded Americans that the financial crisis was about his sister Fannie May or Fannie may not again, utilizing the hoe moniker for black women [...]

Full Article At Your Black Power

Your Black Politics: Reports Of Voting Irregularities Receive Minimal Media Play

FROM YOUR BLACK POLITICS:

In several key states, voters are reporting of irregularities at the polling booth. Most voters are expressing concern with the electronic voting machine system. Worries of ballot-tampering are sweeping the progressive world, as early-voters share stories of machine malfunctioning. In Tennessee, a filmmaker-couple reported of pushing a button to vote for Sen. Obama, but having the screen instead highlight Green Party Presidential nominee, Cynthia McKinney’s name. McKinney, on Friday, condemned these occurrences and is asking for thorough investigations into the scathing reports. Could this be the Republican strategy: Blame Cynthia McKinney for Sen. Obama’s loss?

Democracy Now! filed a report on these incidents:

PART 1:

PART 2:

Your Black Scholar: Economic Equality and The Myth of “Free Markets”

F*** Joe the Plumber: Economic Equality and The Myth of “Free Markets”
By: Tre Baker
dangerousNEGRO.com

Now I’m no expert economist, so like Levar Burton used to say on Reading Rainbow, “You don’t have to take my word for it…” However, there are some commentators in the media, who claim to be experts, telling outright lies. Maybe it’s intentional or maybe they’re just ignorant, but let me tell you what I think about so-called “free” markets.

The point of this article is to make you aware of the tactics that are being used to distract people from the fight for economic, political, and social equality for all human beings. As soon as the government steps in to do something, you get these self-proclaimed capitalists bitching and raising hell. Now this is not in defense of the bailout, which is an example of when the government goes too far, but it’s more in reference to “Joe the Plumber.” He’s upset because after he buys his business and starts making over a quarter-million dollars a year, he’s going to have to pay more taxes. Poor f’ing Joe. Even when the government taxes half his money, he’ll still be making over 3 times more than the average working American. So while the media is distracting you by worrying about Joe the Rich Plumber, you need to be worrying about the countless other people (plumbers included) barely making it paycheck to paycheck. F*#& Joe the Plumber and McCain’s tricky ass for distracting people from the real issues [...]

Full Article At Your Black Scholar

Your Black Scholar: Exclusive Interview With Dr. Cornel West On Obama, Colin Powell, Hip-Hop & More

STICKY POST — SCROLL DOWN FOR LATEST ENTRIES:

Interview with Princeton Professor and acclaimed scholar, Dr. Cornel West, by Tolu Olorunda.

He is, perhaps, the most well-known public scholar the universe has to offer. Alongside that, Dr. Cornel West has also been celebrated as, America’s leading public intellectual. Judging from his scholarly work, dedication, perseverance, intellectual curiosity and diligence, one can certainly confirm the role he plays as a distinct leader of his peers. Dr. West has continuously proved to be a multi-generational force for good. Through the publication of books, Hip-Hop albums and television specials aimed at young adults, Dr. Cornel West has impacted and transformed a whole generation of love-starved and directionless people. His wit notwithstanding, Dr. West’s ability to interpret the harsh conditions of the financially-disempowered is parallel to none. I had the distinguished pleasure of engaging in dialogue with this esteemed scholar on a wide swath of issues affecting our daily lives. I spoke with him on issues including, the presidential campaign of Sen. Obama, Gen. Colin Powell’s endorsement, the role of progressives in an Obama administration, “Hope on a Tightrope,” Hip-Hop, the next generation of Black public intellectuals, and much more:

Thanks for joining us. What has Dr. West been up to lately?

Oh, I’ve been on the moon. I did 15 events for Brother Obama in Ohio, this past weekend. I did 12, the weekend before that. I’ve been to Seattle, Alabama; teaching full time. I’m blessed though, brother.

How does it feel being a surrogate for Sen. Obama’s historic presidential run?

Well, it’s a good thing, because in the end, it’s really about empowering everyday people, and he’s a major vehicle for that. He’s got some genius and inspiring people that give him a sense of possibility and hope. So, it’s a beautiful thing. But there’s always a tension there because I still got to speak my mind. So, I got my criticisms of the brother; but the most important thing to do, is a full-court press to get people out to vote, and to make sure that we contribute to this democratic awakening that’s taking place. This greed out here is running amok, man.

On the subject of greed; you’ve often talked about the melting of the Ice-Age. Do you feel the Democratic platform addresses poverty in a substantive fashion?

Well, it doesn’t address it as much as I would like [...]

Click To Read The Full Interview

Your Black Politics: Shame On John Lewis… For Backing Down

Shame on John Lewis… for Backing down: Black Leadership in Peril
By: Tolu Olorunda
Staff Writer – YourBlackWorld.com

Why would a seasoned boxer back down from a fight he’s most familiar with? And why would a Civil Rights Icon apologize for condemning unarmed bigotry: INTIMIDATION! Late last week, Georgia Congressman, Rep. John Lewis, attacked the McCain camp for its unabashed authorization of the pejorative rants at McCain/Palin rallies against Democratic rival, Sen. Obama. Rep. Lewis was unfettered in characterizing the McCain campaign’s response to its supporters’ rants as, “shocking and beyond the pale.” Brief reminder: The McCain/Palin rallies had contained crowd-screams of “treason,” “terrorist,” “off with his head,” “bomb Obama,” “kill him,” “traitor,” etc. In reaction to the toxic level of racial hostility being stoked, Rep. Lewis spoke out candidly about the eerie similarity between McCain/Palin rallies and the racial atmosphere of the Jim-Crow Sixties:

“George Wallace never threw a bomb. He never fired a gun, but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights.” Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed on Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama.”

This sobering caution by the Civil Rights Icon was meant to temper the rising heights of vitriol being spewed at Sen. McCain’s Klan rallies. Unfortunately, Rep. Lewis would, soon after, demonstrate why most self-appointed Black leaders have a deficit of – what The Hon. Min. Louis Farrakhan once called – “testicular fortitude.”

Full Article At Your Black Politics

Your Black Sports: Stephon Marbury Politicks With The Homeless

Stephon Marbury watched the final presidential debate in the common room of a homeless shelter on the Bowery with a bunch of guys he met at Two Boots pizza. He kept his eyes on the tiny TV, laughing and scoffing along with the residents as McCain spoke-Marbury does a pretty good imitation of the senator-and smiling when it was Obama’s turn. “Look at Obama,” Marbury said, pointing at the screen. “You feel him. We feel him. You can feel his spirit when he speaks.” At one point, when the debate turned to the economy, Marbury snorted. “Middle class? We don’t have a middle class anymore.”

As the millionaire said those words, the homeless agreed. “I love Starbury,” an excited resident said, referring to Marbury’s affordable sneaker and clothing line. “I can get hot shoes for like $30. Jordan wants me to pay $100.” Others gave him career advice. “Hey, you know, I see you doing good in the sixth-man role,” one resident offered. “It’s just a game,” Marbury answered, pointing at the screen. “There’s more to life.”

Reposted From Your Black Sports

Your Black Scholar: Exclusive Interview With Dr. Cornel West On Obama, Colin Powell, Hip-Hop & More

STICKY POST — SCROLL DOWN FOR LATEST ENTRIES:

Interview with Princeton Professor and acclaimed scholar, Dr. Cornel West, by Tolu Olorunda.

He is, perhaps, the most well-known public scholar the universe has to offer. Alongside that, Dr. Cornel West has also been celebrated as, America’s leading public intellectual. Judging from his scholarly work, dedication, perseverance, intellectual curiosity and diligence, one can certainly confirm the role he plays as a distinct leader of his peers. Dr. West has continuously proved to be a multi-generational force for good. Through the publication of books, Hip-Hop albums and television specials aimed at young adults, Dr. Cornel West has impacted and transformed a whole generation of love-starved and directionless people. His wit notwithstanding, Dr. West’s ability to interpret the harsh conditions of the financially-disempowered is parallel to none. I had the distinguished pleasure of engaging in dialogue with this esteemed scholar on a wide swath of issues affecting our daily lives. I spoke with him on issues including, the presidential campaign of Sen. Obama, Gen. Colin Powell’s endorsement, the role of progressives in an Obama administration, “Hope on a Tightrope,” Hip-Hop, the next generation of Black public intellectuals, and much more:

Thanks for joining us. What has Dr. West been up to lately?

Oh, I’ve been on the moon. I did 15 events for Brother Obama in Ohio, this past weekend. I did 12, the weekend before that. I’ve been to Seattle, Alabama; teaching full time. I’m blessed though, brother.

How does it feel being a surrogate for Sen. Obama’s historic presidential run?

Well, it’s a good thing, because in the end, it’s really about empowering everyday people, and he’s a major vehicle for that. He’s got some genius and inspiring people that give him a sense of possibility and hope. So, it’s a beautiful thing. But there’s always a tension there because I still got to speak my mind. So, I got my criticisms of the brother; but the most important thing to do, is a full-court press to get people out to vote, and to make sure that we contribute to this democratic awakening that’s taking place. This greed out here is running amok, man.

On the subject of greed; you’ve often talked about the melting of the Ice-Age. Do you feel the Democratic platform addresses poverty in a substantive fashion?

Well, it doesn’t address it as much as I would like [...]

Click To Read The Full Interview

Your Black Politics: FOX News Calls Obama Presidency “Unfortunate”

The common-sense bandits – also known as FOX News – are at it again. This time, the insinuation is loud and clear. In an interview with Sen. John McCain, FOX News host, Chris Wallace, asked the Republican Presidential Nominee what life would look like if he lost to Sen. Obama — come Nov. 4th. In the interview in which Sen. McCain descried Gov. Palin as a, “cold political calculation,” who is a “direct counterpoint to the liberal feminist agenda for America,” Chris Wallace hinted at an Obama presidency being synonymous to the world tuning “an unfortunate way.” This was the exchange:

WALLACE: … Have you considered – have you even dealt in your mind with the possibility that you could lose, and could you live with that?

MCCAIN: Oh, sure. I mean, I don’t dwell on it. But look. I’ve had a wonderful life. I have to go back and live in Arizona, and be in the United States Senate representing them, and with a wonderful family, and daughters and sons that I’m so proud of, and a – and a life that’s been blessed.

I’m the luckiest guy you have ever interviewed and will ever interview. I’m the most fortunate man on earth, and I thank God for it every single day.

WALLACE: So if the world turns an unfortunate way on November 4th, don’t feel sorry for John McCain?

MCCAIN: Don’t feel sorry for John McCain, and John McCain will be concentrating on not feeling sorry for himself.

Reposted From Your Black Politics

Your Black Politics: Barack Obama Channels Inner Chris Rock (Mays Gilliam): “That Ain’t Right”

In a rally yesterday, Sen. Obama criticized Sen. McCain’s Health Care plan. Most intriguing, however, was Sen. Obama’s choice of words. In his speech, Obama utilized a catch-phrase popularized by Chris Rock’s “Head Of State” character, Mays Gilliam. “That ain’t right,” Sen. Obama remarked, as he tore apart McCain’s unremarkable Health Care tax proposals.

Watch the eerie similarity between Barack Obama and Mays Gilliam from “Head Of State”:

Reposted From Your Black Politics

Your Black Hip-Hop: Jasiri X Weekly Newscast — Hip-Hop Style!

The fire-breathing Hip-Hop Emcee, Jasiri X, returns with his weekly Hip-Hop newscasts. This week’s current events include, the financial meltdown, Sarah Palin’s abuse of power, John McCain’s “erratic” behavior, and much more.

For the week of October 5 – October 12:

Your Black Politics: When Your Eloquence Is Called Into Question, You Must Be Black

When Your Eloquence Is Called Into Question, You Must Be Black

By: Tolu Olorunda

Staff Writer – YourBlackWorld.com

They say they want you successful, but then they make it stressful

You start keepin pace, they start changin up the tempo

- Hip Hop Artist, Mos Def

If one was to pay close adherence to the words of Sen. McCain in Wednesday night’s presidential debate, such an individual would be led into believing that eloquence is not a gift, but rather a tactic of political expediency. Eloquence defined as, “the practice or art of using language with fluency and aptness,” took a new meaning in last night’s debate. In the debate, John McCain numerously chided his opponent, Sen. Obama, for Obama’s “eloquence,” which he suggested was nothing other than a tool for confusion, deception and manipulation. Arguing against the Democratic nominee’s stance on off-shore drilling, McCain retorted: “Well, you know, I admire so much Sen. Obama’s eloquence. And you really have to pay attention to words. He said, ‘We will look at offshore drilling.’ Did you get that? ‘Look at.’” Whether Sen. Obama is a skillful politician whose word-play misleads supporters is one thing; but for a nation with an obsession for castigating Ebonics-speaking Blacks, Sen. McCain’s remonstration against Obama’s ability to fluently articulate his proposals is a disturbing development [...]

Click To Read Full Article

Your Black Politics: Al Jazeera English Documents Hate-Filled Rants At Palin Rally

From AlJazzeraEnglish:

As the US presidential campaign enters its final weeks, both the Republican and Democratic candidates are hitting the swing states.

But misconceptions and rumours abound and many voters have their facts about the candidates all wrong. Some believe that Democrat Barack Obama is a Muslim, for instance.

Casey Kauffman talked to some Republican supporters after a rally by Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential candidate, in Ohio:

Your Black Education: John McCain Believes Black Students Now Have ‘Equal Access’

Final debate: Did McCain miss mark on education?
By: Rochelle Riley

The moment came near the end of the debate. It was a small gaffe, something celebrity pundits didn’t bother with in the flurry of analysis afterward.

But it was just as telling about how out-of-touch Sen. John McCain is when it comes to American schools.

Despite calling education “the civil rights issue of the 21st century,” McCain said, “There’s no doubt that we have achieved equal access to schools in America after a long and difficult and terrible struggle.”

In what America does John McCain live?

He must have missed the 2002 study done by the Civil Rights Project showing a trend toward resegregation that is pushing schools toward levels of disparity that rival those of 25 years ago — and that poor children still learn in schools that are grossly inferior to schools in wealthier neighborhoods.

He can’t possibly know about the lack of books and equipment in urban schools that are staples in wealthier suburban districts.

And I bet he isn’t aware that many urban districts across America graduate fewer than half of the students who enter as freshmen.

Equal access?

Read Full Article At Your Black Education

Your Black Politics: The Flames Of Hatred

The Flames Of Hatred
By: Tolu Olorunda
Staff Writer – YourBlackWorld.com

We’ve heard it all: the chants, rants, gestures, signs and vitriol-imbued remarks at recent McCain/Palin rallies. As Sarah Palin, the Republican vice presidential candidate, prepares to make a landfall appearance in Indianapolis on Friday, how will Hoosiers conduct themselves? It would be a shame if the reported chants of “terrorist,” “traitor,” “off with his head,” “bomb Obama,” “kill him,” — all vocalized at McCain/Palin rallies within the last week and a half — are repeated, or worse, built upon.

It is no secret that Sen. McCain, his campaign, and Gov. Palin have, within the past couple of weeks, helped stoke the flames of racial-hostility with their unethical swipes at Sen. Obama. “Negative” ads are fair game in a contested election, but charges of terrorism-enabling is beyond the pale — especially when baseless. The politics of smearing one’s opponent clearly outdates the political rise of both presidential candidates, but never in history has a presidential contender accused his opponent of aiding and abetting domestic terrorism. It is inexplicable and morally reprehensible [...]

Read Full Article At Your Black Politics

Your Black News: Rev. Jesse Jackson Under Fire For “Zionist” Comments

The Rev. Jesse Jackson is under fire again. This time, for making candid comments regarding “Zionists” who have “controlled American policy for decades.”The Obama & McCain camps have both released statements repudiating Rev. Jackson’s statements. It remains a mystery, however, what indeed is inaccurate or incendiary about the good Reverend’s comments:

The daily quoted the veteran civil rights leader on Tuesday as having said that although “Zionists who have controlled American policy for decades” remain strong, they will lose a much of their clout when Obama enters the White House.

Speaking at the first World Policy Forum event in Evian, France, Jackson promised “fundamental changes” in U.S. foreign policy. He said the most important change would occur in the Middle East, where “decades of putting Israel’s interests first” would end.

Jackson said that Obama “wants an aggressive and dynamic diplomacy.” He went on to criticize the Bush administration’s handling of Middle East diplomacy, telling the Post, “Bush was so afraid of a snafu and of upsetting Israel that he gave the whole thing a miss. Barack will change that,” because, as long as the Palestinians haven’t seen justice, the Middle East will “remain a source of danger to us all.”

Source

Your Black Sports: Sarah Palin’s Extreme Sports – By Dave Zirin

Sarah Palin’s Extreme Sports

By: Dave Zirin

Ever since Andrew Johnson welcomed the New York Mutuals to the White House in 1867, presidential politics has exploited professional sports. It’s a foolproof way for politicians to show voters they enjoy competition, fair play and are salt-of-the-turf Americans.

Sports signifies different things to different voters. Football (JFK) and baseball (George H.W. Bush) are good. Windsurfing (John Kerry) and hunting “varmints” (Mitt Romney)–not always so good. And no candidate should ever bowl in a necktie, unless he can seriously roll.

Barack Obama’s game is basketball. He shot three-point baskets with the troops in Iraq and his high school b-ball videos have become a YouTube sensation.

[...]

A month earlier, John McCain made his own ESPN appearance. He’s also known to work the crowds at NASCAR events. But no one in this election uses sports like Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. At times on the campaign trail, sports is her primary form of communication with voters outside of her narrow, Christian fundamentalist base. Communication is critical for Palin, since she mangles the English language so consistently that she’s become the subject of ridicule. Talking sports–whether as a mom on the sidelines of her kids’ hockey games or a as an outdoorswoman who loves to hunt and fish–gives her the opportunity to seem genuine, friendly and accessible.

Palin’s politics may be beyond the fringe, but her sporting interests are effortlessly mainstream. In this sense, she resembles the current occupant of the White House [...]

Read Full Article At Your Black Sports

Your Black World Headlines: 10/14/2008

Milwaukee’s Black/White Jobless Gap Highest in U.S.

Sudan to Conduct Darfur Trials For Genocidal Atrocities

South Africa Finally Decides To Take AIDS More Seriously

Black Conservatives Facing Backlash From Black Community

Janet Jackson Cancels More Shows, Postpones “Rock Witchu” Tour

Your Black Politics: The Law Of The Jungle – By Fidel Castro

The Law of the Jungle

By: FIDEL CASTRO

Trade, within a society and between countries, is the exchange of goods and services produced by human beings. The owners of the means of production appropriate the profits. As a class, they are the leaders of the capitalist state and they boast of fostering development and social wellbeing through market. This they worship as an infallible God [...]

Racism is deeply-rooted in the United States where the mind of millions of people can hardly reconcile with the notion that a black man, with his wife and children could live in the White House, which is precisely called White.

It´s a miracle that the Democratic candidate has not met the same destiny as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and others who only a few decades ago dreamed of justice and equality. He is in the habit of looking at his adversary with serenity and of smiling at the dialectic predicament of an opponent gazing into space.

The Republican candidate, on the other hand, who likes to enhance his reputation as a belligerent man, was one of the worst students in his class at West Point. He has confessed that he did not know any Mathematics; it can thus be assumed that he knew less of the complicated economic science.

The truth is his adversary surpasses him in cleverness and composure.

Something McCain has aplenty is age, and his health condition is not safe.

I am bringing up these data to indicate that eventually -if anything went wrong with the candidate´s health, in case he is elected- the lady of the riffle, the inexperienced former governor of Alaska could become President of the United States. It can be noticed that she does not know a thing [...]

More At Your Black Politics

Your Black News: Massive Attemps To Disempower Black Voters Underway

Should Black Voters be concerned with the numerous allegations of Voter-purging? BBC Reporter, Greg Palast, believes so. In this short documentary, Palast reports of bi-partisan efforts, across state lines, to disenfranchise poor and “minority” voters:

PART 1:

PART 2:

If the claim that 2 million Black votes were discounted in 2000 – in favor of a White man  – holds any substance, one can only wonder what measures are being presently taken — given the context that a Black man is running, with a 90% voter turnout rate in the Black Community.

To empower voters, Rev. Jesse Jackson is sponsoring stealbackyourvote.com. Visit for resourceful information on your Voting Rights.

From Your Black News

Your Black Politics: Sen. McCain Promises To “Whip” Obama In Upcoming Debate

In a town hall in Virginia today, the Arizona Senator promised to “whip” Obama’s “you know what,” in the upcoming debate this Wednesday:

“After I whip his you know what in this debate, we’re going to be going out 24/7.”

In a failed attempt to temper the insinuations in his statement, Sen. McCain promised to do this, while maintaining a “respectful” campaign. If only the last week hadn’t happened, such claim might pass the smell test. For a campaign recently accused of Jim-Crow-like activities, any references to slavery might not be the most profitable strategy:

“I wanna emphasize again, I respect Senator Obama, we will conduct a respectful race and we will make sure that everybody else does too.”

Source

Sen. Obama Partly Repudiates John Lewis’ Characterization Of McCain Camp

Sen. Obama has responded to the McCain camp’s demand that he denounce the words of Civil Rights’ Icon, John Lewis, in which Lewis condemned the recent occurrences of invective-filled rants at McCain/Palin rallies, as reminiscent of the climate fostered by 60s’ Alabama Governor, George Wallace. Rep. John Lewis, earlier today, remarked that:

“George Wallace never threw a bomb. He never fired a gun, but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights.” Lewis added that “because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed on Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama.”

Source

In an attempt to ‘play safe,’ while acknowledging the verity of Lewis’ sentiments, the Obama campaign released a statement this evening. It is clear that the Obama camp is nether in direct repudiation, nor embracement, of Rep. John Lewis’ comparison:

“Senator Obama does not believe that John McCain or his policy criticism is in any way comparable to George Wallace or his segregationist policies.  But John Lewis was right to condemn some of the hateful rhetoric that John McCain himself personally rebuked just last night, as well as the baseless and profoundly irresponsible charges from his own running mate that the Democratic nominee for President of the United States ‘pals around with terrorists.’  As Barack Obama has said himself, the last thing we need from either party is the kind of angry, divisive rhetoric that tears us apart at a time of crisis when we desperately need to come together.”

Source

In addition to acknowledged rants of “terrorist,” “traitor,” “off with his head,” “kill him,” and “bomb obama,” at McCain/Palin rallies, News Blaze is reproting that, at a Sarah Pallin rally today, an ‘Obama Monkey Doll’ was proudly showcased by an audience member. From the report:

As the crowd cheered at a Sarah Palin rally this morning in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a man in the audience grinned as he held up a stuffed monkey doll with a Barack Obama bumper sticker wrapped across its forehead.

Source

Your Black Politics: McCain Campaign Hopes To Paint Obama As Extremist, Street Thug, Drug User

At what point does the McCain Campaign come out forthrightly and acknowledge the degree to which they loathe the concept of a Black Man/Woman in the White House. In an appearance on the hard-right radio show of Laura Ingraham, Gov. Palin did not mince words in characterizing Sen. Obama as the epitome of a Black terrorist sympathizer:

“Barack Obama hasn’t told the American people the total truth about that, about his association with Ayers. Doggonit he fails to tell the American people with candor and with truthfulness what his associations are and we have to know… You know there are only, what, 26 days to go…”

She added that “Barack Obama is so far out of mainstream America,” and would diminish the prestige of the United States presidency:

“What does it say when Barack Obama says he would sit down unconditionally with Ahmadinejad, Kim Jong Il and others, unconditionally, and I guess sort of hand over some of the prestige of the United States presidency and validate, I think validate, some of the positions that these dictators have taken.”

Source

This comes on the heels of a McCain Co-Chair accusing Barack Obama of being a extremist, who is both a drug user and a street thug. He suggested that Sen. Obama ought to admit:

“‘You know, I’ve got to be honest with you. I was a guy of the street. I was way to the left. I used cocaine. I voted liberally, but I’m back at the center.’”

Source

Your Black Hip-Hop: Jasiri X Gives Weekly Round Up — Hip-Hop Style!

Hip-Hop artist, Jasiri X, ‘raps up’ the September 28 – October 4 week — Hip-Hop Style!:

Reposted From Your Black Hip-Hop

Your Black Politics: Sen. McCain On Barack Obama: “That One”

Apparently, Sen. McCain’s memory herbal-supplements are as worthless as Howard Dean for President bumper stickers. For he must have forgot his campaign strategist’s many warnings to avoid any racially-stoked or condescending remarks toward Obama. In addition to referring to Obama as, “That one,” Sen. McCain stunningly informed the Black questioner, pictured above, that, “I’ll bet you, you may never even have heard of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac before this crisis.”:

Your Black Politics: Obama Insists Race Not A Factor In ’08 Election

Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is pointing to the success of his presidential campaign as a sign that voters won’t reject him based on race.

“The fact of the matter is people have been continually looking for how race will impact this campaign,” Obama said in a satellite interview Friday with Washington’s WJLA ABC 7. “And yet, I’m here, 30 days out, competitive in Virginia.”

The former Confederate state looked safe for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), but Obama is now pressuring him or beating him in polls of commonwealth voters…

Obama told WJLA’s Leon Harris and Rebecca Cooper that he’ll be able to win over even more undecided voters in Virginia: “I think that it’s just a matter of people getting more familiar with me and knowing what my track record is.”

Obama added that he will do more than big rallies to make the sale. “If you don’t do some retail politics and people can see up close and lift the hood and kick the tires, a lot of times, they’re not going to trust you,” he said…

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Your Black Politics: Who Won Vice Presidential Debate?

In a 90-minute V.P. debate devoid of any mention – despite the Black moderator – on issues afflicting Black people around the globe, who won? The loquacious Senator from Delaware, or the gun-toting puerile-minded Governor from Alaska?

Your Black News: In Less Than 24 Hrs. McCain Changes Mind On Gwen Ifill

John McCain, who less than 24 hrs. ago, expressed complete confidence in Gwen Ifill’s ability to be “totally objective,” now wants to recant his statements. What prompted this erratic move? Only time can tell. In an interview this morning on the laughable FOX News Comedy show, FOX & Friends, John McCain betrayed his previous statement, and embraced the fascistic right-wing attack on Ifill. Sen. McCain remarked that he only wished “they had picked a moderator that isn’t writing a book favorable to Barack Obama.” Adding that, “Life isn’t fair.” Oh, what’s a mega-wealthy 13-cars-and-9-houses-having White male to do (Read: Sarcasm). Well, Senator, you and I both agree on one thing. Life isn’t fair. But before you self-congratulate, think of the billions of Black, Brown, Red and Yellow peoples of the world, and the everyday horror they are subdued by. An horror simply called, reality. Now think of how your overpriviledged status so glaringly contrasts their underprivileged plight. As for whom is both suitable and competent to replace Gwen Ifill on such short notice, I’m not sure, but in the words of a famed Gov. from Alaska, “I’ll try to find you some and I’ll bring them to you.”

From Your Black News

Your Black World: Wanda Sykes Comes Swinging In Jay Leno Appearance

Wanda Sykes brings the house down in this appearance on ‘The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.’ The Comedienne riffs on everything from Barack Obama, to uncommitted voters, to Sarah Palin and the question of media-enabled sexism. Wanda Sykes shows once again, how valuable and critical of a voice she is:

From Your Black Politics

Your Black Politics: First Presidential Debate, Who Won?

In a historic debate between the oldest presidential debater, and the blackest, who won? What are your thoughts, reactions and analysis?

Your Black Politics: Will Mississippi Debate Include Perspective On State’s Racial Past?

Mississippi has been chasing away ghosts for years, trying to rid itself of a past that keeps haunting the present. But the ghosts just won’t leave Mississippi alone.

Chancellor Robert Khayat thought he could perform a little exorcism of his own by bringing the first presidential debate of the general election campaign to his lush campus here, an oasis of culture and refinement in a state often framed by its problems. And its history: Emmett Till, Medgar Evers, Schwerner, Goodman and Chaney, the longevity of the Ku Klux Klan, the Confederate battle cross, which two-thirds of the state’s voters chose to keep as part of the state flag…

Poverty, teen pregnancy, obesity, infant mortality, illiteracy: Mississippi is among the nation’s leaders. “After a while, we become defensive,” said Khayat, an alum who played football for Ole Miss and later for the Washington Redskins…

The state now has more black elected officials than any state in the country, including more than a quarter of the state legislators.. But there has yet to be an African American to win statewide office, and those who have tried have been victims of race-baiting politics, according to some black politicians. It is quite the irony that while Barack Obama carried Mississippi in the Democratic primary — and some Democrats believe he can be competitive, if not win, in the general election — black politicians in the state have had a difficult time winning white votes…

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Your Black Politics: The Slow-Witted Beast: Mass Media Sings the Devil’s Tune

By: Tolu Olorunda

Staff Writer – YourBlackWorld.com

“Unenlightened mass media has served as a covert propaganda machine for white supremacist thought, skillfully manipulating representations to convey to black folks and everyone else the notion, however false, that black life is horrible, that black people are the enemy, dangerous to themselves and others.”

- Acclaimed Scholar, bell hooks, in her highly enriching 2002 book, Rock My Soul : Black People and Self-Esteem.

The “slow-witted beast” is a phrase borrowed from a recent lecture given by Comedy Central’s Jon Stewart, in which he sat down a few corporate journalists and told the brutal and honest truth to their faces. Calling the mainstream press a “brutish, slow-witted beast,” Stewart chastised them for the “false sense of urgency they create, the sense that everything is breaking news.” The Comedy Central host also seemed to be displeased with the level of adulteration that has become normative within the cable news beltway. He said, “The 24-hour networks are now driving the narratives and everyone else is playing catch-up.” No doubt this cry from the hyper-wealthy, White-Jewish comedian is but a mere reflection of the dissatisfaction and discontent most Black, Brown, Red and Yellow peoples around the world have expressed for decades. Peoples of culture/color around the globe have suffered the sting of unfiltered dishonesty, distortion and deformation by the affluent media empires. At the crossroad of a black man rising to the highest pedestal in political platform, journalists of culture/color still remain underrepresented in Washington. It is as though the corporate press has neither the intellect, nor the moral fortitude, to see how grossly illogical it is to host panels of White men/women over the age of fifty, whose attempt – rather pathetic – to “understand” Barack Obama never exceeds the thinking capacity of a fifth grader.

The 2008 Presidential race, particularly with the emergence of Barack Obama, has exposed many, otherwise hidden, insightful details about the media’s laziness and self-obsession. NPR co-host, Brooke Gladstone, affirmed this notion in a recent appearance on PBS’ Bill Moyers Journal…

Click To Read Full Article

Your Black Politics: Time Mag Accuses McCain Of Blatantly Playing “Race Card”

Time Magazine Columnist, Karen Tumulty, is accusing the McCain Campaign, and John McCain specifically, of explicitly playing the proverbial “Race Card,” in a new McCain campaign ad. As tumulty sees it, the ad features “sinister images of two black men, followed by one of a vulnerable-looking elderly white woman.” Karen further noted that the inclusion of the “vulnerable-looking” white woman in the commercial, “doesn’t seem accidental either, given the fact that older white women are a key swing constituency in this election.”

Watch the McCain ad entitled “Advice,” and decide for yourself:

Your Black Scholars: “Reflections On White Anti-Intellectualism” – Tim Wise

Reflections on White Anti-Intellectualism
(Or, What’cha Want With all That Book Learnin’?)
By Tim Wise
September 14, 2008

To hear an awful lot of white folks tell it, the problem with black people is that they just don’t want to work hard enough in school. They act up and refuse to study or get good grades, because they don’t want to be put down for “acting white.” In other words, the African American community is beset by a culture of anti-intellectualism, contrasted, one supposes with our own white culture of studiousness and academic achievement.

When making this argument, and knowing that it might sound a bit disparaging, even racist, we white folks love to refer to the high-profile black folks who agree with us. So we point to Bill Cosby, for instance, who said this same thing a few years ago and hasn’t stopped saying it yet. The fact that a dozen or so studies have found that there actually is no unique peer pressure or ostracism that black kids experience for doing well in school (over and above that which all kids who are viewed as brainy often face) fails to move them. The fact that longitudinal data actually shows that black students are the most likely to believe in the importance of getting a good education, the least likely to cheat and the least likely to skip class appears to matter not.

But what I have always found interesting about the anti-intellectualism charge coming from whites and pointed at persons in the black community, is how readily it emanates from a group of people (white adults) who seem to actually revel in anti-intellectualism, as evidenced by our voting behavior and political sensibilities, made especially clear during the current political campaign.

What else but a deep contempt for education (or book learnin’ as we sometimes jokingly refer to it in the South) could explain why Barack Obama’s Harvard Law School education can be mocked as elitist and out of touch, while John McCain’s bottom-feeder academic record and Sarah Palin’s four colleges in six years…

Click to read full article

Your Black Life: FOX News Host Sean Hannity Abuses Guest — Has History

Strangely, FOX News’ postal boy, Sean Hannity, has a detailed history of abusing his guests — especially those who don’t see the world through the narrow keyhole with which he analyzes reality. The radio/television host, who has rarely used his bully-pulpit for the good of society, shows why a college degree goes a long way in preventing mental decrepitude. Watch as he screams-down his guest, Robert Kuttner, on the pitiful FOX “News” show, Hannity & Colmes:

Also, check out a 2007 interview with Dr. Boyce Watkins, in which the same arrogant disposition of Hannity is displayed: