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We Down with GOP
As Rick Warren’s Saddleback presidential faith forum approached last Saturday, I ran to the store before it closed to pick up a few items. At the register, the conversation quickly turned from my purchases to politics. The problem with politics, the white male cashier said with more than a hint of cynical frustration, was politicians,…
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The Conversation in St. Paul
It was striking, the tears that welled up in the eyes of Texas delegate Anne Price Mills as she spoke of her devotion to her candidate at the Democratic National Convention. She was talking to CNN’s Suzanne Malveaux on the convention hall floor. The way she gushed about inspiration, experience and presidential credibility seemed emblematic…
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Poll-arized Mistrust
Recently, at a forum at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, one participant directed a query at me: “Did you read the article on The Rootthat talks about how the Republicans are planning to steal the election? How do you feel about that?” the young woman asked. My response was that I found…
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The Elephant in the Room This Thanksgiving
Nov. 27, 2008—Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. For those of us in the warmer climates, it means gloating about not having to slog through cold, snowy and overcast weather that plagues so much of the rest of the country. Here in Charlotte, I give thanks each November for being able…
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The GOP's Silver Lining
Being a Republican on Capitol Hill may be a little lonelier over the next two years than it has been over the past two. In the U.S. Senate, Republicans can look back just two short election cycles and be wistful about what they’ve lost: a Republican president, a GOP-controlled Congress and, more broadly, the country’s…
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Our First 40 Days
Sometimes new politics means more than just new voters, new leaders and new policies. There are times when it serves as the spark for something more. Now is that time for African Americans. There is a call out there for a ”Festive 40-Day Fast for the Future.” The idea is to establish and achieve a…
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Damned If You Do…
I can hear it now. Better still, I have heard it already. “Michael Steele is nothing but a token pick by the Republican Party.” “Republicans only did this to have a black leader to match Obama.” Well, true and false. Michael Steele is the new chairman of the Republican Party in some part (if not…
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Don't Protest the New York Post
Yes, I saw the cartoon published by the New York Post. Yes, it was insensitive, and yes, it was racist. Everyone knows that the imagery of a monkey serves as a powerful slur against African Americans, especially black men. The New York Post should be ashamed. But, if we are going to organize a protest…
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Why Tavis is a Genius
Tavis Smiley’s genius doesn’t come from his radio and television talk shows, nor does it come from his appearances as a guest social commentator on multiple international outlets. It comes from his formation and continuation of the “State of the Black Union” annual symposium. The genius of the panels during C-SPAN’s most-watched event doesn’t come…
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Does Steele Need Limbaugh?
The big wins posted by Democrats at the polls in November led to an all-out culture war within the Republican Party. Since then, the party has sought to redefine itself, re-imagine its purpose and reinvigorate its followers in order to be competitive again in 2010. So far, not so much. But one of the important…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
