In Tearful Speech, Michelle Obama Recognizes Her Own Life in Hadiya Pendleton’s

http://mybrownbaby.com/2013/04/in-tearful-speech-michelle-obama-recognizes-her-own-life-in-hadiya-pendletons/

By NICK CHILES

Sometimes it feels like the rest of us operate in a separate world than our lawmakers in Washington. I’ve been getting that feeling a lot lately watching the contortions they have been going through to prevent gun control legislation from even making it onto the floor of the Senate for a vote—never mind actually passing legislation expanding background checks, which is a measure supported by 90 percent of the country.

I also got that feeling listening to the incredibly moving and personal speech First Lady Michelle Obama gave in Chicago on Tuesday about Hadiya Pendleton and the challenges being faced by young people in her city. While the First Lady supposedly breathes the same suffocating air as the Washington lawmakers, she clearly is not from the same world. While they worry about how taking a stand against gun violence might upset the NRA and endanger their reelection, Michelle understands deep down in her gut the world that young people in our country like Hadiya Pendleton inhabit. Because it used to be her world. And when she spoke at a luncheon in Chicago, the first lady brought all the power and emotion of her life experiences to bear.

In the midst of her speech, the first lady delivered one of those shocking lines that remind us how different it feels to African Americans when the occupants of the White House look like us. It was the same shock we got when the president said that Trayvon Martin could have been his son.

It Needs To Be CED: Corruption, Politics As Usual

By BIG CED

The recent ‘discovery’ of corruption in New York politics should come as to no surprise. Well, at least to a skeptic like me. Politics have stopped being about ‘the people’ years ago and yet, people are still fooled by the politicians who will do anything to make a buck or take monies to further others’ causes based on the amount of the checks. Why do you think lobbyists make so much money?

The lobbyists are just legal corruption providers, operating, on surface, to appeal to whatever politicians they can get in their pockets, for whatever causes that will line their pockets further. They are just a mere step below the corrupt players who do it in the back alleys. Only difference is that the politicians allow them to bid for their corruption, er, services legally, as I am quite positive that there are more ‘perks’ included under the table that greatly influences the hands that are being greased.

Mike Muse: The Music Man and The Political Provocateur

By BIG CED

It’s not far fetched, especially these days, to see cultures intertwined within each other. Things that would have been impossible years ago could be the norm now. Is there such a thing as strange bedfellows anymore?

Music has crept into politics and in some cases, it is the background of the campaign. Some people enter one arena and shine in another. This is where Mike Muse, CEO of Muse Recordings, enters. No, he didn’t provide the soundtrack or even a song in the re-election campaign of our nation’s first bi-racial president. All he did was “Kick in the Door” like The Notorious B.I.G. and is now a member of President Obama’s National Finance Committee.

Not bad for a boy growing up in the Midwest who now resides in, arguably, the biggest and most electrifying city, New York.

Who is Mike Muse? What is your background and tell me about Muse Recordings and your accomplishments with the label.

Election Day Excitement: In the Words of JET Magazine, Our President is LEGEND

http://mybrownbaby.com/2012/11/election-day-excitement-in-the-words-of-jet-magazine-our-president-is-legend/

By NICK CHILES

Saigon – Blown Away

Oh, So Now it’s a Black Thing?

There was never anything wrong when whites voted for whites in 100 percent of the presidential elections until 2008. Now, there are complaints of blacks voting for blacks because they are black? Now, it’s about race, although it was never about race when it was white candidates?

This topic of conversation has taken on new light since former Secretary of State Colin Powell stated he would be voting for President Obama once again. For those who don’t know, Powell was the most recognizable black Republican when he was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005.

Daily Word October 25, 2012 – Never Stop Fighting!!

Never Stop Fighting!! – Daily Word October 25, 2012   TO HEAR THE AUDIO VERSION OF THE DAILY WORD **

REV AL SHARPTON Talks Politics in Heed Magazine Fall Issue!

HEED MAGAZINE GETS POLITICAL WITH REVEREND AL SHARPTON Issue features Reverend Al Sharpton, Romeo Miller, Israel Houghton, Brian White, Omari Hardwick and many more.New York, NY (October 22, 2012)— As America steps on the heels of what promises to be one of the most significant elections of this country’s history, Heed Magazine joins in on the political conquest enlisting one of the nation’s most influential voices of our day. Succeeding its sizzling Summer 2012 Issue with the always-entertaining Raven Symone, Heed switches gears and shifts into politics with the outspoken and opinionated community leader, activist, and host of MSNBC’s Politics Nation, Reverend Al Sharpton!

Pregnant After Rape? It’s God’s Will, According to Indiana Senate Candidate

http://mybrownbaby.com/2012/10/pregnant-after-rape-its-gods-will-according-to-indiana-senate-candidate/

 By NICK CHILES

Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock in a debate last night offered the women of America a vicious kick in the gut, suggesting that women who get pregnant from a rape should still be forced to deliver a baby because it’s “something that God intended to happen.”

These guys clearly have no shame.

Mourdock is a Tea Party-backed candidate who beat moderate Republican Sen. Richard Lugar, a longtime Senate veteran, in the Republican primary earlier this year. During the debate, Mourdock said that he would allow abortions only when the mother’s life was in danger.

“I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realize life is that gift from God,” Mourdock said. “And I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen.”

Word of advice to Republicans who might be listening: When we’re talking about the rape of women, it’s probably best to leave God’s name out of it.

Why I’m Voting For Barack Obama In the 2012 Presidential Election

http://mybrownbaby.com/2012/10/why-im-voting-for-barack-obama-in-the-2012-presidential-election/

by Denene

Last night marked the last of the debates between President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and with just two weeks to go before I head over to a local Atlanta church, my daughters in tow, to cast my vote in the 2012 presidential election, I could not be any more clear about who will get my support: Barack Obama is my guy.

Before you go dismissing my decision as nothing more than the black lady voting for the black dude, let me be very clear: I’m not looking at melanin; I’m looking at policy. Does his skin color matter to me? Of course it does. I’m proud of this intelligent, thoughtful, strong black man, husband and father of daughters, whose family and life (before the White House) mirrors my own. Still, my connection with Barack Obama lies not in the color of his skin, but the content of his character—the part of him that appeals to me as a woman, a mother, a provider, a small business owner and an American with a brain and a conscience.

ROLAND MARTIN DECLARES PRESIDENT OBAMA WINNER OF SECOND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

ROLAND MARTIN DECLARES PRESIDENT OBAMA WINNER OF SECOND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE   Political analyst and Washington Watch hostRoland Martin cites President Obama the clear winner in Tuesday night’s second presidential debate. “The President walked in with a totally different attitude than he had the previous week,” said Martin. “Mitt Romney tried to stand up and get in his face. The president basically laughed it off. He was very effective at turning away from Romney and turning back to the voters to answer their questions.” While providing debate analysis with Jeff Johnson on BLIS.FM, Martin shared the following updates via Twitter and Facebook:

Obama’s Neoliberalism Bites him in the Libyan Ass

 

http://rawdawgb.blogspot.com/2012/09/obamas-neoliberalism-bites-him-in.html

By Torrance Stephens

As I write, this, I already anticipate a backlash from the mass of Obama felatio administrators within the African American community, but I know all too well as Huxley wrote, “facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored and that one cannot argue with an idiot for they will beat you down with experience and win every time.

The situation which the US find’s itself in Syria was all our doing and 99.9 percent of the blame can be placed at the feet of the current Administration, President Barack Obama in particular. For it is President Obama’s incoherent and fatuous policy in Libya based on the use of force when he wants to when US national security is not even in jeopardy that got Ambassador Steven’s killed.

Jobs Report Isn’t Good News as Most Think

 

http://rawdawgb.blogspot.com/2012/09/jobs-report-isnt-good-news-as-most-think.html

By Torrance Stephens

This past Friday, the August jobs report was released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. According to the report, total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 96,000 in August, and the unemployment rate edged down to 8.1 percent. Specific employment increases were in food services and drinking places, in professional and technical services, and in health care.

Almost automatically, proponents of the Obama Administration as well as political pundits touted this as good news and as being proof of the effectiveness of the President’s economic policy. Unfortunately, few if any political talking heads discussed this in reference to the general citizenry of America or offer that the aforementioned may not be the case.

If one actually takes the time to read the report and do some basic math, they would clearly see that for the average American, the data does not provide such a rosy picture. First, is the obvious observation of that 119,000 fewer persons were employed in August compared to the month of July and that Manufacturing employment edged down in August (-15,000).

Apollo Theater and BET Networks Present “Vote Like Your Life Depends On It” Town Hall Forum

 

The Apollo Theater and BET Networks Presents

“Vote Like Your Life Depends On It” Town Hall Forum

Panelists Reverend Al Sharpton, Michael Eric Dyson, Elinor Tatum, Keli Goff and James Braxton Peterson To Discuss Key 2012 Election  Issues Affecting the African American Community

Event Launches New Apollo Uptown Hall Series

Free to the Public

Live Stress Free!! – Daily Word August 20, 2012

 

Live Stress Free!!- Daily Word August 20, 2012 TO HEAR THE AUDIO VERSION OF THE DAILY WORD **

Hip Hop 2 Vote Is Coming To Your Town To Educate and Empower The Community

 

Hip Hop 2 Vote is hosting a nationwide event to discuss and examine the most important issues on the ballot this year to the hip hop community.  Hip Hop artists & Activist, Hakim Green, Queen Yonasda and Malika from MTV’s Making The Band are some of the few  organizers that have set up panels that will combine live performances and round table discussions with community leaders and entertainers across the country to bring attention to the issues.

As we approach the crossroads of this crucial Presidential election it’s important to understand exactly where the candidates stand to identify exactly what are the issues and how they will affect each and every one of us. Hip Hop 2 Vote is a non-partisan organization created by Jay Waddy to educate and engage young adults in urban communities by empowering them and encouraging them to use their right to vote!

US should think twice about Attacking Iran

http://rawdawgb.blogspot.com/2012/08/us-should-think-twice-about-attacking.html

By Torrence Stephens

Obama should think twice about Iran More and more each day appears that the US is inching its way closer to an armed conflict with Iran — something I think will hurt the US more than Israel in the long term. All because the big bully on the block, Israel is purported to be “facing grave danger.” This is mainly being promoted by Zionist from everywhere this side of the Pecos River. My question is why do we have to defend Israel, a nation with the largest army and only nuclear arsenal in the region?

We all are well aware of the fact that Israel is no friend of Iran, or of any other Islamic and predominantly Arab state in the region. Thus, Israel is the one making trouble yet they want the present administration to decide to launch a pre-emptive war in what are probably the world’s most volatile environs.

When Economic Growth Looks Like a Recession

 

http://rawdawgb.blogspot.com/2012/07/when-economic-growth-looks-like.html

By Torrance Stephens

For the past five years I have been writing about the perspective of factors that may drag down the US economy to near ruin, here, here, here, here, and here are just a few. All based on knowledge of the current parameters of the global economy. In simple term, data suggest that like the global system, the US financial system is severely top heavy with debt and our economy is dragging, stagnate and getting worse with each passing day. The sad thing is that the US government seems not to be telling the truth and wants to paint a rosy picture of all is getting better.  But no matter what they are saying and no matter what the Federal Reserve Bank does, it won’t be enough to put Humpty back together again, or be able to avoid another major economic downturn. And even sadder is that these issues persist no matter which political party is in power.

Ten Ways Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are more alike than Different

 

http://rawdawgb.blogspot.com/2012/07/ten-ways-barack-obama-and-mitt-romney.html

By Torrance Stephens
There are just a few months left before the November Presidential elections. The choice has been mad for many in the simple terms of Democrat or Republican and Obama versus Romney. However, what is not known to most is that these two individuals actually are more alike than different.  We know about the basics: that the both like Star Trek, attended Harvard Law School and the Television situational comedy Modern Family, but they are just as alike from a policy perspective.  The following are ten examples in which they are more alike than different.

1. The signature legislative accomplishment of Obama which Romney has said he will repeal and replace “ObamaCare” was “RomneyCare,” which was the model for The Affordable Care Act.

2. Both wants to expand federal spending on Medicaid to help each state cover residents who cannot afford health insurance.

3. The big Wall Street Banks who received TARP bailout money that were top Obama donors in 2008 are top Romney donors in 2012.

Black Urban Media: The New Blackploitation

http://rawdawgb.blogspot.com/2012/07/black-urban-media-new-blackploitation.html

By Torrance Stephens

Information is freely available everywhere. So much that it is easy to verify and substantiate with a little effort. However, for most African Americans, the major news topics of the day are ignored by their most treasured sources of information – black owned urban media and radio.

Now if you want to find out about the release of an album, which is sleeping with who, the latest baby momma or what celebrities were fighting at the club, black urban media is your place. Most it seems to have adopted the playbook of the National Enquirer. Now they will cover every itty bitty nuanced piece of information on Love and Hip Hop Atlanta, Real Housewives and Basketball Wives, as well as stories on young black men being shot by white men, but only after it becomes the focus of the world. And let us not forget President Obama, it seems as if the only politics covered dally with the commander in Chief 95 percent of the time. But rarely anything else. You won’t find anything on the Eurozone Crisis, or the LIBOR scandal, or serious presentations of what is occurring in Libya, Syria, Somalia, or even the continuing crisis in Haiti or the senseless shootings in Chicago.

Stand Tall! Stand Firm!! – Daily Word July 2, 2012

 

Stand Tall! Stand Firm!! – Daily Word July 2, 2012 TO HEAR THE AUDIO VERSION OF THE DAILY WORD **

Fifty Percent Unemployment for Blacks in New York – may become national norm

http://rawdawgb.blogspot.com/2012/07/fifty-percent-unemployment-for-blacks.html

By Torrance Stephens

With the growing troubles of the Eurozone economic crisis, most recently as it pertains to Greece, massive bailouts for Italy and Spain and a recent request for European Central Bank support for more loans for Cyprus, the US economy continues to stall with projections of stagnant growth and perpetual unemployment above 8 percent.  Now, with major banks being downgraded across the nation, it is clear again that blacks will bear the brunt of the economic downturn.

Historically, blacks always suffer disproportionately in times of economic hardship.  Today it may be even worse than past decades, in particular in urban areas. According to a new study conducted by Dr. James Parrott, chief economist for the Fiscal Policy Institute, more than half of all of African-Americans in New York city who were old enough to work had no job at all in the past year based on an analysis of employment data compiled by the federal Labor Department.

Justice Antonin Scalia’s dissenting opinion Use Pro Slavery Argument Suggesting 14th amendment is unconstitutional

http://rawdawgb.blogspot.com/2012/06/justice-antonin-scalias-dissenting.html

by Torrance Stephens

With the recent ruling by the Supreme Court pertaining to the Arizona immigration law, most pundits have focused on the subject of the “show me your papers” clause. However, for African Americans what is more interesting and significant is the dissenting opinion proffered by conservative Justice Antonin Scalia.

In his own words, Scalia wrote: “Today’s opinion, approving virtually all of the Ninth Circuit’s injunction against enforcement of the four challenged provisions of Arizona’s law, deprives States of what most would consider the defining characteristic of sovereignty: the power to exclude from the sovereign’s territory people who have no right to be there,” Scalia’s opinion said.

Harlem Charity Event To Help NYC Inner Kids

NYC OFFICIALS, ENTREPRENEURS AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS “GAMBLE ON YOUTH”

– HITS, Inc. and the 300 Club Host The Fourth Annual Uptown Summer Classic:”The Red Door” Charity Casino Night to Inspire Service and Support Inner City Youth –

HITS: Michael Richardson Youth College Tour at Howard University

Harlmen, NY(BlackNews.com) — On Saturday June 30, Hearts in the Streets, Inc. (HITS) will host the 2012 Uptown Summer Classic: The Red Door to benefit NYC students through the Michael Richardson Youth College Tours. The casino themed event will include a night of music, games and fun while also recognizing professional trail blazers that have demonstrated a commitment to giving back.

The event will take place from 7pm to 12am at the Historic Alhambra Ballroom located at 2116 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. (At 126th Street). Hosted by Camille McDonald, America’s Next Top Model, along with New York state elected officials, The Red Door will attract more than 500 young professionals with a common interest of striving for success while serving their communities.

Americas Biggest Threat is EU Sovereign Debt Crisis not AQAP

http://rawdawgb.blogspot.com/2012/05/americas-biggest-threat-is-eu-sovereign.html

By Torrance Stephens

Okay, let’s get this straight. The injudicious assertions promulgated by political charlatans on both side of the aisle from Obama to Congressman Pete King that America’s biggest threat is Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) is feculent and even dangerous. In fact it is one of the more laughable jactitations proffered in recent years and ranks up there with the suggestion that America is post racial or even that Wall Street and bankers can police themselves.
In all honesty as things stand, our truest and greatest threat is the European sovereign debt crisis and not AQAP. For if the chickens come home to roost, with the chickens in this sense being the massive preponderance of complex financial papers and derivatives which remain without a true valuation and inundate the global markets, and then we have seen nothing yet in terms of an economic disaster. I means, what is on the horizon given what is occurring in Europe will eventually demonstrate that what we just observed with regards to JP Morgan-Chase and Jamie Dimon will be just a drop in the bucket.

Where is Black Twitter? In the back of Twitter like the back of the bus

http://rawdawgb.blogspot.com/2012/05/wear-is-black-twitter-in-back-of.html

By Torrance Stephens

I first signed up for Twitter in 2006. I used it rarely as a means of contacting other bloggers. I left it alone for a while because all I shared was what I read in newspapers and my blog post. I didn’t like it at the time because in order to do such, I had to copy and paste, and that was time consuming. At first I followed other bloggers, but as the social outlet evolved, I began to follow less people and more news sources, publications and outlets. I really got involved when the tweet meme became prevalent and more common, allowing me to share what I read, as I did initially without actually going on twitter just by clicking on a little green button.

Twitter is a valuable tool and fits into the premonitions proffered by Gil Scott Heron when he orated that “You will not be able to lose yourself on skag and skip, /Skip out for beer during commercials, /because the revolution will not be televised.” For if there is to be another revolution, we have already seen the impact social media like twitter can play. In Egypt for example findings from the newly released second edition of the Arab Social Media Report by the Dubai School of Government provided empirical data that Twitter as well as facebook “abetted if not enabled the historic region-wide uprisings of early 2011.” Not to forget that use of social networking sites assisted in helping activist organize and bring attention to efforts that eventually led to the destruction of decades of autocratic rule in Egypt and Tunisia and publicity to public malcontent pertaining to the regimes in Syria, Libya, Yemen and Bahrain.

Stand Your Ground, Domestic Violence and Black Ballerinas: Melissa Harris-Perry Talks Black Women

http://mybrownbaby.com/2012/05/stand-your-ground-domestic-violence-and-black-ballerinas-melissa-harris-perry-talks-black-women/

By Denene Millner

Have I told you lately how much I super heart Melissa Harris-Perry?  Her self-titled show on MSNBCgives me life—not just because the Tulane professor is absolutely brilliant, but because she is one of the rare TV political analysts who actually talks masterfully—and gives a doggone—about issues affecting women in general and women of color in particular. Such was the case this past weekend, when she featured ballerina Misty Copeland and violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins in a discussion about the importance of the arts for black children, and dedicated a significant portion of her show to the pathetic Stand Your Ground law that threatens to send Florida domestic abuse victim Marissa Alexander to prison for 20 years for firing a warning shot as her husband attacked her.

I don’t always get to tune into Melissa’s Sunday morning show—sometimes, church calls. But when I do watch, I’m consistently tickled by the subjects she chooses and the mastery, wit and humor she brings to the discussion. She won me over months ago when she spent almost the entirety of her show talking to a panel of African American and Latina mothers about our value—our purpose in the upcoming presidential elections, and why our struggles make us a key voice that politicians need to pay attention to. Sure, some of my MSNBC favs, like Rachel Maddow (I’m a total Maddow stan) and Ed Shultz train their laser-sharp analysis on issues relevant to our every day lives, but there’s something to be said for the nuanced perspective that comes when a smart black woman brings her experiences and thought process to the table.

Will our Next War Be in the South Pacific With China?

http://rawdawgb.blogspot.com/2012/04/will-our-next-war-be-in-south-pacific.html

By Torrance Stephens

Okay, I didn’t want to but I feel as if it is my duty. Reason waits for no one to present timely analysis in a world in which billions of dollars are spent to wage war on emotions such as terrorism in places like Somalia alone, when poverty continues to expand and metastasize by leaps and bounds her at home. Nor could I wait for common televised media outlets to present breaking news, seeing they are two days behind print media, which is two days behind the internet. Not to mention it is obvious the .blogspot.com/2012/03/black-and-illiterate-i-cant-read-but-i.html”>televised media’s goal is identical to the rule of oppression, based on the incessant rash of treatments inundated with coverage of George Zimmerman, the secret service and any one of several reality shows purporting to display talent, it is unthinkable that the presentation of actual news content is important or possible.

 

Black men: Already Dead in America

http://rawdawgb.blogspot.com/2012/04/black-men-already-dead-in-america.html

by Torrance Stephens

“You are already dead to the world.” This was written by the Marquis de Sade in The 120 Days of Sodom and Other Writings . Unfortunately, via logic and real life occurrences, it is clear that this is consonant with the manner in which men of African descent are apprised in the United States. It is so bad that many of us do not even respect our own lives let alone the life, well-being and prosperity of another.

It should be obvious to the astute and free thinker, after all even prior to the founding fathers, the historical fact is that slavery had been a prominent feature of America almost two centuries before the founders took up the process of writing a constitution and that there had been few if any real efforts to end the ugly and barbaric practice according to, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Jay. Even with the constitution, the development and acceptance of the continuous tradition as to how European Americans perceived individuals form Africa, whether slave or free man has been consistent upon these shores ever since.

The 411 on Obama Era Blacks

http://rawdawgb.blogspot.com/2012/04/411-on-obama-era-blacks.html

By Torrance Stephens

Attribution is extremely important in writing. Over this past week, I picked up a copy of the Nation Magazine at my local library. There they have a basket where people can bring their used magazines for others to read. It is there where I pick up the Nation along with “The Smithsonian”, “Reason” and my new favorite “The American Conservative.” Strange since they attack republicans and democrats equally and tend to be libertarian in purview, but the writing is unquestionably some of the best this country has to offer. Any Who.

I was reading an article by Dorian T. Warren who currently is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science and the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. In the article he made reference to the phrase “Obama era blacks.” His piece was about how African Americans who generally support Obama have a higher level of trust in government, than we have had historically, given what he describes as the “persistently high levels of black unemployment, rising to Depression-like numbers in many urban areas during the Great Recession; increasingly punitive criminal justice policies and the disproportionate imprisonment of minority offenders; a reneged government commitment to addressing inequality and poverty, as seen in welfare reform and the declining real value of the minimum wage; and an ongoing failure to provide equal access to high-quality public education, whether K-12 or higher.”