Veteran’s Day 2013, was more than merely a few more hours away from money-related work. The U.S.A., collectively, paid a proper tribute this past Monday to its military men and women who have continued to defend the country and to keep many of us safe from foreign harm. The day was also very important to the African American community. It was a day to reflect once again on the consistently significant role Blacks have played in the development of this country, in spite of the too-frequent underappreciation of that fact.
Category: Opinion
The masks we wear: trick, treat, and tragedy
In 1896, “Lyrics of Lowly Life,” a collection of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poetry was published. Although his poem was specifically focused on African American people, in this 21st century, it is apropos to many.
The politics of history
Last years’ smash film hit, “Lincoln,” was a great piece of cinematic work. It deserved all of the accolades it received. However, based as it was on the intensive research and documentation that director Spielberg said was done in preparation for shooting the film, it was rather amazing that some very fundamental aspects of President Lincoln’s character and signature executive order were not included anywhere in the film.
‘Lazy’ and crazy
Voter suppression is alive and well, especially in the state of North Carolina, where a Republican official, Don Yelton, proved himself to be at best intellectually limited, and at worse, downright crazy.
The politics of delusion
Sen. Rafael Edward “Ted” Cruz, (R-Texas) will not go away. Unlike a House Republican who only has a two-year term and has to constantly rerun for office, the good Senator Mr. Cruz, who was one of the primary architects of the recent government shutdown and the attempt to irreversibly damage the ‘full faith and credit’ of the U.S. government, was elected to a six-year term in November 2012.
Stop the slavery comparisons
The brilliant surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Carson, is out of order and out of control when he compares the Affordable Care Act to slavery. As a physician, he must know how many people lack healthcare, and how much work this administration has done to right that wrong.
The Politics of Street Lit
Since the creation of Black American (African American) culture, every generation of Black folks in the U.S. has produced its own creative literature, music, dance, etc. That is because part of the consistent core and character of Black culture is its continuing liveliness, quest to “tell the truth about what it is” and its ability to “snatch whatever good got left in the shadows and corners of life.”
Detroit bankruptcy: undemocratic, fiscally imprudent
You don’t have to be from Detroit to be angry at what is happening there. And you don’t have to be from Detroit to lend your voice to an injustice that not only affects Detroit, but also the rest of the nation. If you agree with the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition on this matter, please go to change.org, search for Detroit bankruptcy, and sign the Rainbow/PUSH-sponsored petition.
A gilded gift
Giving further compelling evidence that Black culture is waning steadily and speedily into oblivion, ushered there by this generation of Black folk, recently Dr. Dre (Andre Young), in collaboration with Interscope Records mogul Jimmy Lovine, announced a $70 million donation to the University of Southern California, a school Dr. Dre could not have gained admission to ‘straight outta Compton.’ He went to Centennial High and transferred to Fremont, before attending Chester Adult School.
Nice house, kid in college
While some members of Congress are foregoing pay as long as other government workers are shut out of their offices, Republican Congressman Lee Terry (R-Neb.) says he won’t be giving his up.

