culture

Underlying President Barack Obama’s historic election as the first African-American president of the United States remains a campaign promise to find new ways of re-engaging the world and to create a “new American leadership” for a “common humanity.” In recent years, unilateral foreign policy endeavors and egregious human rights abuses have resulted in a dramatic…

AP: High Court Upholds Abu-Jamal Conviction; Black Militants Still Have ‘Free Mumia’ to Fall Back On AJE: Israeli Army Won’t Shoot Messenger, Will Shoot Medic According to Reports CNN: South African Leader Has Corruption Charges Dropped; South African Leader Not Mandela FG: Finally: Thunder and Lightning Give Us Tickets to the Gun Show ESPN: Class…

MONDAY SFC: Six Members of Family Die in Murder-Suicide WP: Surprise, Surprise: Israeli Military Finds No Misconduct in Gaza War FOX: White House Not Super Into Auto Industry Plan, Says ‘Try Again’ NYT: Cholestrol Drug May Cut Risk of Clots; Not a License to Eat More Bacon DS: Dallas Cop Apologizes to Moats (That Should…

Mention the phrase “soul man,” and a litany of names runs through your mind: Otis Redding, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson, Teddy Pendergrass and, of course, Sam Cooke. Even newbies like Anthony Hamilton and Jaheim are likely to make the cut, particularly for those who like their contemporary soul,…

Reading obituaries about John Hope Franklin reminded me about a long-standing beef I have with a certain limited way of thinking about who African Americans are. For me, though, the telling biographical fact was where he was born—Oklahoma. In its obituary, the Raleigh News & Observer said the eminent historian “gave definition to the African-American…

With her alabastrine skin and magnificent mane of dreadlocks, the performance artist M. Nahadr has a presence on stage that is hard to ignore and even harder to forget. Recently featured in Elle and Maxim magazines, the Maryland native combines music, poetry and theatre to create stage pieces such as MADWOMAN: A Contemporary Opera or…

Baseball gets its 2009 season underway this weekend, and rather than break out a crystal ball about all 30 teams, let’s look at a few key flashpoints. There won’t be a “this year’s Rays.” Last season, the Tampa Bay Rays stunned the sports world by going from a perennial cellar dweller, 66-96 in 2007 for…

CNN: Casualties, Up to 40 Hostages in Upstate New York Siege AP: Jobless Rate at 8.5%; 91.5% of America Real Shook Right Now American Prospect: Terence Samuel Discusses New $1T Man, the IMF; Ted DiBiase Jealous AJE: Sarkozy Rejects Obama’s Afghan Plan, Forgets French Could Have Been His 2nd Language NYT: Iowa Courts Lifting Ban…

WP: Blago Expected to Be Indicted Today (Did You Hear that Roland?) CNN: Michelle Obama Hugs Queen, (White) People Freak Out Reuters: Sarkozy Gives G20 Presser, Asked If Obama Hug Freaked Him Out Too BBC: G20 Seals $1T Deal; Media Asks, “No, But for Real, Did You See That Hug”? NYT: China Looks to Own…