President Obama launched his re-election campaign last week, and now for the next six months, the nation will be witness to the Republicans attempt to derail the most significant change to ever effect the Presidency of the United States. At least from a complexion perspective. Maybe even from an ideological perspective. Barack Obama is clearly one of the most pragmatic Presidents we’ve ever had. His pragmatism, at times, may have been viewed as compromise politics, but he remained true to his commitment to change the system of politics in Washington, while not allowing the system to change him. That has … Continue reading →

The City of Los Angeles was the site of the significant urban riot in the history of America. Let’s state that off the top…Over $1.2 BILLION dollars in damages (which they estimated at $400 million then) and a BUNCH of excuses as to why it happened—like we didn’t know. The combination of harassing police, economic redlining, joblessness and cavalier leadership mixed with a corrupt judicial decision…and BOOM, Los Angeles went up quicker that a flame on a barbeque pit when squirted with lighter fluid. On the first night of the riots, the police pulled back and let the city burn. … Continue reading →

The racial events of the last two months have refocused the nation’s attention on race, particularly what seems to be the duality in the application of laws to black and white. The fact that five blacks were shot (three died) in Tulsa, Oklahoma while the Sanford, Florida county prosecutor has chosen not to send the Trayvon Martin case to the Grand Jury has people of good conscience and common sense shaking their heads around how this 400 year race thing continues to play out in the most egregious ways toward African Americans. Race continues to be the third rail of … Continue reading →

Journalist Gerald Rivera set off a national firestorm when he suggested that the hoodie that Florida youth, Trayvon Martin, was wearing cost him his life. What Rivera is suggesting, in an offbeat way, was that Martin was profiled by the clothes he was wearing—not such an outrageous assertion—given that it applies to black and Latino youth more than white youth. White youth in hip hop gear—baggy or sagging pants, “wifebeater” t-shirts and sweatshirts with hoods on them (hoodies) aren’t considered “suspicious.” Don’t think for a minute that Trayvon’s killer, George Zimmerman, missed—for even a minute—that Martin was African American. It … Continue reading →

The local government redistricting process has concluded, at least the city council aspect, and not a minute too soon. It has been painful for the black community to watch its leadership implode, and turn on each other, like they have. Where was Rodney King when we needed him? Oh, that’s right…they’re holding him for April and the 20th Anniversary recognition of the 92 riots. Plus, the “all get along” speech wouldn’t affect these three black city councilpersons very much—at this juncture. They don’t need motivation speeches. They need therapy. Some are suggesting it is too late for them to make … Continue reading →