The Regressive Nature of Progress

In our most recent history, we’ve witnessed a great amount of progress, mainly the election of the first U.S. President of color and just today the naming of the first woman four star Army general.  Sadly though, there have been some setbacks including the passage of Proposition 8 (and some blaming its passage greatly on African Americans), as well as this unfortunate comment by Lindsay Lohan:

Thankfully, with all of this CHANGE going on some voices are reverberating as strong as ever.  Watch this video from Keith Olbermann concerning love, politics, marriage and Prop 8.  I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone so eloquently describe the complexity (and conversely, the inherent simplicity) of this issue.

For more information concerning four star general Ann E. Dunwoody, read a CNN article here.

What is “being Black”?

Later this month CNN will host a two night series called Black in America.  This show, hosted by Soledad O’Brien, will examine the lives of African Americans covering a range of topics including academics, health and family.  As part of the special, you can view celebrities and leaders share their opinions about Black culture.  I took special note of Whoopi Goldberg’s points about being called “articulate” and in light of Obama’s candidacy for presidency, this is an idea that is just as applicable now.  She also discusses her own personal philosophy view of race that I very much agree with.  Soledad O’Brien explains the intent behind the special and her hopes that it will garner discussion and provide a lot of questions for all of us to think about.

And, the series also includes an episode about the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. commemorating the anniversary of his death.  I would definitely encourage you to view the videos on the website and the issues they bring up.  You can view the videos here.

Jackson loses his marbles, AGAIN!

 

He sure looks happy, doesn't he?

 

Jesse Jackson has managed to create quite a bit more controversy for himself.  This time his comments were directed at Barack Obama.  In an appearance on Fox news, Jackson made some comments about Obama stating that Obama “talks down to black people” and that Jackson wants “to cut his nuts off.”  According to Obama and Jackson they are “longtime friends.”  Certainly we all have had quarrels with our friends, but I can’t say I’ve threatened to cut off any part of a friend’s body. 

Anywho, the interesting spin on this story is that people have claimed for decades that Jackson is a divisive force in the black community and now with this recent blunder, a lot of folks are claiming he just needs to disappear in oblivion.  One person even had the audacity to state that “Jesse has not done anything for the black people but ride Dr. Martin Luther King’s coat tails.”  As much as I don’t like to say it, Jackson has not only done a lot for African Americans, but all Americans alike.  I just can’t justify the incredibly dumb, sensationalized tactics he frequently employs.  Check out this clip on YouTube from MSNBC.