The Odd Couple

Remember those famous comedy teams of yesteryear?
Like, Abbott and Costello, Laural and Hardy, Rowan and Martin, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Burns and Allen. Well, add another comedy team: The I-Man and The Pacman. They are the latest odd couple in the seemingly never ending battle on Race in America. These men are the Felix Unger and Oscar Madison that makes you laugh when nothing's funny. Believe me when I tell you both of these men belong together. I'm not buying anything either one of them is saying. All of a sudden, I'm suppose to believe that Imus (the I-Man), got "the Holy Ghost" and is now a righteous defender against the racial oppression of African Americans and Pacman in his response to Imus' quisquilian comment, plays the victim. Wait a minute! I think we have made progress. Two men: one White-one Black, have both finally spoken with one voice: Dumb and Dumber. Both men suffer from a racialized psychosis that is common to most Americans. Each man lives in a state of denial that has been molded and shaped by our country's psychosocial response to racism. So, when I call Imus and Pacman the Odd Couple - they might have more in common with us than you think.

America's Classical Music

It just occured to me that June is Black Music month. The Popes of Blackness decided that February was too short a month to celebrate all the historical and cultural achievements of "a people," who,Susan Taylor says, "refused to die."
So, they designated another month to acknowledge one of the many cultural tributaries of the African American experience: Music
Black Music Month is a recognition and deification of the creation of an art form forged from struggle and suffering. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes - Black People have used the malfeasance of the American racism experience to create a music that has continued to be worthy of admiration and even envy.
So, it is in honor of this month, that I use this writer's bully pulpit to give attention to Black Music's most powerful art form: Jazz
Jazz is known as America's Classical Music. It's appreciated by many as a global export, but shunned by its own country. So, if you really want to celebrate this month - listen to a Jazz CD. Jazz is the apotheosis of cool. Check out: Miles, Bird, 'Trane, Ella and Sarah and you'll understand what I mean.

Zapped!

Can someone tell me if this is going to make a
difference? The New York Daily News reported yesterday(June 10th) that the NYPD is considering using Tasers in an effort to curb fatal police related shootings. This pilot program was recommended by the Rand Corp.- a organization known for its secret experiments in the areas of military and science.
Here's the problem I have with this concept: adding Tasers with guns just might increase controversial acts of deadly force.
In order to reduce deadly force, the NYPD must work on correcting systemic dysfunctions which lead to tragedies in the first place. The problem is not a problem of adaquate weaponary: it might be the marksmen. Let me make it clear the majority of cops function very well in their anointed profession- its the few that I worry about!
Adding or changing weaponary may not be the answer for a department that in far too many cases has to deal with a pathology among some in their ranks, who rather shoot first, or shall I say "Zapp" first and ask questions later.

Why Hillary Lost(Part 2)

Bill Clinton
Let's face it, Hillary's husband was an albatross. Inspite of his experience as one of America's foremost politicans, and one of the great presidents of the twentieth century - former president Clinton suffered too much from foot-in-the-mouth disease. Bill's constant rants insulting Obama, infuriating Blacks and calling a magazine author, "slimy and a scumbag" - were often a major distraction from Senator Clinton's political agenda.

Why Hillary Lost

Now that Senate Barack Obama has captured the Democratic nomination for President and has possibly postioned himself to make history, if he is elected, let me list the reasons in my thinking why Hillary Clinton experienced defeat.



Clinton's underestimation of her opponent

I believe Senator Clinton did not take Senator Obama seriously enough. And why should she? She has a household name. She had eight years of White House experience. She has more time in the U.S. Senate. All of the above in her mind one thing: experience. Hillary was a shoo-in as far as winning the the Democratic nomination. But she was shocked after losing the Iowa Caucus. Here is this skinny freshman senator from Illinois challenging one of the great political pedigrees in presidential history. It was like David facing Goliath. The giant was slain. Obama's defeat of Clinton is an upset like Leon Spink's shocking victory over Muhammad Ali.