Post-VP-Debate Feedback: 'TWIB,' Professor Butler
Check out our talk with professor Anthea Butler about the vice presidential debate.
(The Root) -- The vice presidential debate was as exciting as everyone predicted. From a defiant Paul Ryan to a laugh-in-your-race Joe Biden, fireworks flew the entire 90 minutes. This Week in Blackness and The Root provided live debate coverage immediately after it aired.
Check out #TeamBlackness -- co-hosts L. Joy Williams and Aaron Rand Freeman -- talking with professor Anthea Butler from the University of Pennsylvania about Biden, Ryan and all things debate.
Philly Teacher Compares Student's Romney Gear to KKK T-Shirt
Is this type of behavior ever OK?
( The Root) -- Sixteen-year-old students shouldn't wear shirts that show support for Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney -- it would be the equivalent of a black person wearing a KKK shirt.
This was the supposed logic of a teacher in Philadelphia recently when a young girl wore a Romney-Ryan tee to geometry class. "I think she did it because she's against Mitt Romney," says Samantha Pawlucy, the sophomore who has accused her geometry teacher of ridiculing her and causing students to do the same.
I've been fairly critical of the GOP presidential hopeful, but even I can't co-sign this. If the student's version of events is true (the teacher claims she was joking), this is completely wrong. If the student had walked into class wearing an "I Enjoy Vagina" shirt, then yes, I could see a teacher saying you can't wear that. However, this is an overstep by the teacher that doesn't actually help anything.
The only folks who have pushed this story so far are Fox News and other outlets looking to make Obama and Obama supporters look like mean, evil bullies. If you support the president and are in a position of power over anyone, you shouldn't abuse it like this. I'm genuinely hoping there is more to this story -- that the student is skewing something more innocent. Otherwise I find myself agreeing with Fox News.
And let's be honest -- that's a horrible way to start your day.
Political Ads Gone Wild: Obama and Big Bird
The president released a new political ad to capitalize on Romney's Sesame Street comment. Is this smart?
(The Root) -- This is not a joke. This is not an SNL skit. This is an actual ad.
I'm not sure how to feel about this. I traffic in humor, so I'm all for mocking people, but I'm not sure we should see this with an "I'm Barack Obama, and I approve this message" statement. If this were a super PAC ad, I may have laughed and continued with my day, but the president, for better or worse, actively chose to be above the fray in the last debate. And now the campaign wants to get froggy? And why would they want to keep reminding us of the debate? I know I don't want to think about it anymore.
Satire and humor are great tools in politics, but please leave them to the professionals. Just be presidential and point out the lies, Mr. President. The rest of us can handle the mocking.
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Romney on Foreign Policy: Obama Lite?
Elongated Thoughts: The Republican candidate for president gave a speech. Did he say anything that matters?
(The Root) -- Mitt Romney is presidential. Don't believe me? Watch a video of the Republican candidate giving a speech on foreign policy on Monday.
That was so presidential! I'm in awe of the presidential-ness. That guy is president material. I'm assuming that's the point of this, because otherwise, what the hell was that? Romney didn't draw that much of a line between him and President Obama, besides upping our submarine manufacturing and paying lip service to Israel. But something clicked in my head as I watched the former Massachusetts governor.
President Obama is in the rare position of being considered a strong Democratic president on foreign policy and protecting the country. He killed Osama bin Laden! Romney gaffed his way through Europe. So why make a speech in which he barely draws a line between himself and Obama?
It seems like Romney just wants to be seen as at least sorta like Obama. If Romney can come off like Obama, who's competent in the foreign policy sphere, then those who do respect Obama's methods but aren't too excited about the economy can feel good about voting for the guy with no foreign policy or military experience.
He's like Obama without being Obama.
Elon James White is a writer and satirist and host of the award-winning video and radio series This Week in Blackness. Listen Monday to Thursday at 1:30 p.m. EST at TWIB.FM and watch at TV.TWIB.ME/LIVE. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Tumblr.
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Postdebate Reactions: 'TWIB' and The Root
Elongated Thoughts: See what we talked about after the first presidential debate.
(The Root) -- The first presidential debate is over. Whether you agree or disagree with the contenders for the highest office in the land, the one thing that can't be argued about is performance. Or can it?
Watch The Root and This Week in Blackness' postdebate coverage last night featuring Anthea Butler, David Swerdlick and Imani Gandy, along with my co-hosts, L. Joy Williams and Aaron Rand Freeman. Check it out!
Elon James White is a writer and satirist and host of the award-winning video and radio series This Week in Blackness. Listen Monday to Thursday at 1:30 p.m. EST at TWIB.FM and watch at TV.TWIB.ME/LIVE. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Tumblr.
Like The Root on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.
