CW Political and Social Thought

Cursory Reading of White Male Privilege

I have already talked about white privilege, so I don’t need to revisit that issue again, at least not now. What I want to discuss in this entry is the privilege of being white and male in this country. I know that most white males do not feel that they are advantaged in this way, but we need only look at the system that has been set up in order to realize how white males enjoy privileges that the rest of us don’t. Here, I don’t just mean the obvious. We all know that white males run our Congress, our state legislatures, the presidency. We all know that American history has been constructed in a way that shuts out women and minorities. We are told to praise the Pilgrims, but forget that African Americans first settled in the United States in 1619. (By the way, the Pilgrims arrived in 1607.) There were the 49ers, but what about the lives of Chinese immigrants who had already populated the coast. In the 1840s, Native Americans ruled nearly half the South. Is that the story we are told? No. The problem is that white males are still writing our history. For reasons related to racism, sexism, and ideological beliefs in their natural position in the United States, they have continued to give as little power and recognition as possible to other groups. As an African American, I am baffled that I don’t learn of David Walker, Maria Stewart, Robert Duncanson, Elijah McCoy, Benjamin Davis, Madame Sissieretta Jones, Denmark Vesey…. When white historians go to look for “history” within the African American experience, they won’t find the same type of history. It does not have the same shape and substance, neither does it have the same ebb and flow. The immediate post Civil War period was a liberating time for African Americans. Never had they accumulated so much power. Even today, the extent of their freedom is unprecedented. They wielded political power as lieutenant governors and state representatives. In fact, the South Carolina state legislature had a majority of African Americans. Unfortunately, this period is often given another tone. It is seen as a low period in American history. Hmm…I wonder why. I begin to think that the film Birth of a Nation had a more powerful influence than I initially thought. White power is alive folks. And its demise must be first met with recognition that white males’ hold on power is indeed contrary to the democratic values that they and we supposedly espouse.

Interesting Facts about James Brown

While he remained the hardest working man in Hollywood even up until his death, participating in his annual Christmas toy giveaway on Friday, December 22, James Brown succumbed to pneumonia on December 25th.  There is no doubt that he will be dearly missed. I've included some interesting facts about his personal life and career.

Pseudonyms: "Mr. Dynamite," "Soul Brother No. 1," "the Minister of Super Heavy Funk" and "the Godfather of Soul"

First Top Single: "Please, Please, Please" (1956)

Last Hot Single: "Static, Pts. 1 & 2" (1988)

Wives: 4

Most Notable Quote: "Disco is James Brown, hip-hop is James Brown, rap is James Brown; you know what I'm saying? You hear all the rappers, 90 percent of their music is me," he told the AP in 2003.

In Action: "When Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered in 1968, Mr. Brown was due to perform in Boston. Instead of canceling his show, he had it televised, and Boston was spared the riots that took place in other cities. "Don't just react in a way that's going to destroy your community," he urged."

Most Depressing News For Him: His oldest son, Teddy, died in a car accident in 1973.

Most Outrageous:       In 1987, intoxicated on PCP, he burst into an insurance seminar adjoining his own office in Augusta, Ga., then led police on a car chase across the South Carolina border.

www.nytimes.com

Homage to Oprah

Get Your Dreamgirls Ticket!

GET YOUR DREAMGIRLS TICKETS!

I GOT MINE! 

Who is the Hottest Interracial Couple?

Star Jones Gets a Prank Call

Star Jones received a prank call on her Radio One talk show. It's an unfortunate event, but Star makes the best of it.

Blackfaced Elves in Europe

Why is this image largely acceptable in certain parts of Europe? Well, the answer has less to do with what we Americans think and more to do with tradition.

"Sinterklaas or Saint Nicholas is assisted by many mischievous helpers with black faces and colorful outfits, modeled after 16th century Spanish clothing. These helpers are called Zwarte Pieten (Black Petes). During the Middle Ages , Zwarte Piet was a name for the devil. Having triumphed over evil, it was said that on Saint Nicholas' eve, the devil was shackled and made his slave. Although the character of Black Pete later came to acquire racial connotations, his origins were in the devil figure. This racialization is reflected in the reworking of the characters' mythos. From about 1850, Pete was said to be an imported African servant of Saint Nicholas. Today however, a more politically correct explanation is given: Pete's face is said to be "black from soot" (as Pete has to climb down chimneys to deliver his gifts). Nevertheless, the tradition has been accused of being racist, and attempts have been made to introduce Gekleurde Pieten (Coloured Petes), who are coloured blue, red, etc., instead of black. This phenomenon of "Coloured Petes" was introduced nationally in 2006 in the Sinterklaasjournaal (a TV news bulletin about Sinterklaas, which runs from the end of November until December 5). The explanation given for this was that "Sinterklaas passed through a rainbow with his boat". Most of the people are against this plan.

Traditionally Saint Nicholas only had one helper, whose name varied wildly. "Piet" or "Pieter", the name in use now, can be traced back to a book from 1891. The idea that Sinterklaas has not one but many helpers was introduced by Canadian soldiers who had liberated the Netherlands during World War II and helped organize the first post-war Sinterklaas celebration.

In other regions where Sinterklaas is celebrated, like Southern Belgium or Northern France, Saint Nicholas has different companions.

Credits: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas#Zwarte_Piet

Myths about Christmas

#1 Jesus Was Born on December 25th
"The idea of celebrating the birth of Christ on December 25 was first suggested early in the fourth century. This was a clever move on the part of Church fathers, who wished to eclipse the December 25 festivities of a rival pagan religion.The celebration of Christmas took permanent hold in the Western world in 337 with the Roman emperor Constantine. Christianity had become the official state religion in 313 AD. By 354, Bishop Liberius of Rome reiterated the importance of celebrating not only Christ's death but also his birth."
"Most biblical scholars and preachers readily admit that they know Christ was not born on December 25th. However, they claim that this day is as good as any other to celebrate the birth of Jesus, despite the fact that it was originally a pagan celebration called Saturnalia which commemorated the birth of the sun god."

#2 Poinsettias Are Poisonous
"The poinsettia poison myth had its origin when a young child of an Army officer in Hawaii died of poisoning, incorrectly assumed to be a poinsettia leaf. A 50 lb. child would have to eat more than 1.25 lbs. or 500 - 600 leaves , according to the POISINDEX Information Service. Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants lists the symptoms of eating Poinsetta as vomiting as a side effect of ingesting otherwise harmless poinsettia leaves."

#3 "The Twelve Days of Christmas" Is Coded
"According to myth, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" refers to particular beliefs of Christianity. Here is how it goes. It also may vary depending on the denominational faith.

Partridge in a pear tree = The One true God revealed in the person of Jesus Christ
Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity
Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch" which contain the law       
        condemning us of our sins.
Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments of the Catholic faith
Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Spirit
Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed  

This 1870 English Christmas song with origins running deeper in history in France was merely a silly Children's memory game."

#4 Santa Claus Was Created By Coca Cola
"Haddon Sundblom drew his first Santa portrait for Coca-Cola in 1931... which popularized an existing image of Claus. In 1804, the New York Historical Society was founded with Nicholas as its patron saint, reviving the Dutch tradition of St. Nicholas as a bringer of gifts. In 1809, Washington Irving published his satirical A History of New York, by one "Diedrich Knickerbocker," poking fun at New York's Dutch past, St. Nicholas included... in Dutch, "Sinterklaas". Irving revised his History of New York in 1812, adding details about Nicholas' "riding over the tops of the trees, in that selfsame waggon wherein he brings his yearly presents to children." In 1821,William Gilley wrote a poem about a "Santeclaus" who dressed all in fur and drove a sleigh pulled by one reindeer. On Christmas Eve of 1822, Clement Clarke Moore, wrote down and read to his children a series of verses; his poem was published a year later as "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas" ...more commonly known today by its opening line, "'Twas the night before Christmas . . ."

#5 Three Wise Men at Jesus' Birth
"Mathew 2:1 tells us: "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem . . . ". That is the extent of it. There is no mention of THREE wisemen and no mention of camel! Also, Matt 2:11 states "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him . . . ". Note that it mentions a child in a house, rather than a baby in a manger... so this is a postbirth event."

Credits: http://users.aristotle.net www.cvc.org

Black Cinema: Films We Treasure

Who is Your Black Couple of the Year?

 

Donald Verus Rosie

It's a case of choosing the lesser of two evils. I think that Donald Trump and Rosie are both so damn annoying. I mean how many times can you say "You're fired" before it gets old. And was Rosie's show not the most annoying thing ever? Like she really could compete with Oprah! Anyway, here is the video where Trump blasts Rosie. I think he does a pretty good job. I hate Rosie and think that her negativity will bring The View down. She is a royal bitch and according to Trump a "loser."

GAY CELEBRITIES WHO WE LOVE!

Military Believes that Gays Are OK

"A new poll shows that a strong majority of U.S. military personnel are comfortable with gay people. The poll, by Zogby International and the Michael D. Palm Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara, reveals that 73% of those in the military are personally comfortable with lesbians and gays and that 23% say they know someone in their unit who is gay or lesbian, including 21% serving in combat units.

"Today's poll is one more nail in the coffin of 'don't ask, don't tell,' " said C. Dixon Osburn, executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, in a statement on Tuesday, when the poll results were released. "Those who defend the law have argued that openly gay personnel harm military readiness. This research highlights the absurdity of that hypothesis."

The poll surveyed 545 soldiers who served in Iraq and Afghanistan." (The Advocate) 

How Thin Will Star Jones Get?

Ok before I begin this, I want to say that I love Star. I think that she is fabulous. I don't think that her wedding was over the top. I don't think it was too terrible of a problem that she did not disclose her weight loss secret. I do think that it was perfectly acceptable to take corporate gifts for her wedding. I think that she is a diva who is entitled to whatever fits her fancy. If she wants to outfit her apartment in leopard fur, hell she's Star Jones! Now, I think that she is becoming the incredible shrinking woman and this does not do well for her image. Divas are worthy of their title because they listen to no one but themselves. (Think Madonna, Diana Ross) Star is obviously losing so much weight as a response to heightened criticism. I think that she ought to reconsider the weight that she's at now. She is skinny as hell. As a Black man, albeit a gay one, I just don't like it. Black women are supposed to have a little meat on their bones. Star, if you have health issues, what is so wrong in moderating your weight. I think Star needs to gain some weight. I don't even feel that she is the same person. I miss her abrasiveness. I miss her honesty. I miss her Black female power. But I also miss her humility.  Maybe, Oprah can help her on that. Until then, let us wish Star the best.

Winner of ANTM, Caridee!

We Love New York!

Though New York got dumped twice by Flavor Flav, she keeps pressing on. She will star in a reality show where fifteen men will vie for her love. I just think that New York is so fabulous! Gay men really like fabulous things..diamonds, drag queens, Cher, Whitney, and New York! They say that all that glitters isn't gold, but in this case, it doesn't matter. New York appeals to gay men like few have. She's got the attitude. The fashion. The clever isms. Here's a clip of her upcoming show debuting on January 8th on Vh1.

Whitney Houston, The Comeback!

Whitney is Back! Well, not quite yet. She will be among a number of prominent gospel and R&B singers included in the upcoming soundtrack of Tyler Perry's "Daddy Little Girls". The album, which will precede the movie, arrives January 16th. Whitney marks a milestone in her career by performing with her cousin Dionne Warwick and her mother Cissy Houston. While, this is not a first for the mother-daughter duo, the title of the song, "Family First" appropriately describes a first for the Houston family. Others singers appearing on the album include; Yolanda Adams, Anthony Hamilton, Brian McKnight, R. Kelly, Beyonce, Destiny Child's LeToya Luckett, the late Gerald Levert, Vanessa Williams,  A romantic drama about family, community and love against the odds, Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls stars Gabrielle Union and Idris Elba (HBO's The Wire, The Gospel, Sometimes In April) in writer/director Tyler Perry's follow-up to his number one box office hits, Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Madea's Family Reunion.

Virgil Goode is Not Only an Asshole, But a Bigot

This is a letter that Representative Virgil Goode (VA-5) sent to members of his constituency. We have to understand that this letter has less to do with immigration or the first Muslim's request that he use the Koran and more to do with Virgil Goode's ignorance and bigotry. He is my congressional representative, I am ashamed to say. His remarks do not represent the vast majority of educated people. His comments seek to exclude over two million Americans. If we say that we respect their right to religion, then we have to respect a Congressman's request to use his religion's holy text.

Our Constitution obligates us to give every citizen equality before the law. There is no right or privilege that a Christian can enjoy that a Muslim cannot.

Dear Mr. Cruickshank:

   Thank you for your recent communication. When I raise my hand to take the oath on Swearing In Day, I will have the Bible in my other hand. I do not subscribe to using the Koran in any way. The Muslim Representative from Minnesota was elected by the voters of that district and if American citizens don’t wake up and adopt the Virgil Goode position on immigration there will likely be many more Muslims elected to office and demanding the use of the Koran. We need to stop illegal immigration totally and reduce legal immigration and end the diversity visas policy pushed hard by President Clinton and allowing many persons from the Middle East to come to this country. I fear that in the next century we will have many more Muslims in the United States if we do not adopt the strict immigration policies that I believe are necessary to preserve the values and beliefs traditional to the United States of America and to prevent our resources from being swamped.

The Ten Commandments and “In God We Trust” are on the wall in my office. A Muslim student came by the office and asked why I did not have anything on my wall about the Koran. My response was clear, “As long as I have the honor of representing the citizens of the 5th District of Virginia in the United States House of Representatives, The Koran is not going to be on the wall of my office.” Thank you again for your email and thoughts.

Sincerely yours,
Virgil H. Goode, Jr.
70 East Court Street
Suite 215
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151

Cruickshank had never communicated with Goode’s office about Muslim immigration or official uses of the Koran. According to Goode’s office, Goode had received a flood of e-mails from constituents in response to newly elected Minnesota Representative Keith Ellison’s declaration that he would use the Koran, not the Bible, when being sworn into Congress next month. This letter was Goode’s response to those e-mails; Goode’s office says Cruickshank received the letter in error.

Contact Virgil Goode! STOP BIGOTRY NOW!

http://www.house.gov/goode/contact.shtml

Guide to Golden Globe Nominees And Predictions

64TH GOLDEN GLOBE PREDICTIONS

1. BEST MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA

BABEL Winner
BOBBY
THE DEPARTED
LITTLE CHILDREN
THE QUEEN

2. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA

HELEN MIRREN — THE QUEEN
PENELOPE CRUZ — VOLVER 
JUDI DENCH — NOTES ON A SCANDAL
MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL — SHERRYBABY
KATE WINSLET — LITTLE CHILDREN

3. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - DRAMA

LEONARDO DICAPRIO — BLOOD DIAMOND Winner
LEONARDO DICAPRIO — THE DEPARTED
PETER O'TOOLE — VENUS
WILL SMITH — THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS
FOREST WHITAKER — THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND

4. BEST MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL

BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN Winner
THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
DREAMGIRLS
LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
THANK YOU FOR SMOKING

6. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL

ANNETTE BENING — RUNNING WITH SCISSORS Winner
TONI COLLETTE — LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
BEYONCE KNOWLES — DREAMGIRLS
MERYL STREEP — THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
RENEE ZELLWEGER — MISS POTTER

6. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A MOTION PICTURE - COMEDY OR MUSICAL

JOHNNY DEPP — PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST Winner
SACHA BARON COHEN — BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN
AARON ECKHART — THANK YOU FOR SMOKING
CHIWETEL EJIOFOR — KINKY BOOTS
WILL FERRELL — STRANGER THAN FICTION

8. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE IN A MOTION PICTURE

JENNIFER HUDSON — DREAMGIRLS Winner
ADRIANA BARRAZA — BABEL
CATE BLANCHETT — NOTES ON A SCANDAL
EMILY BLUNT — THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA
RINKO KIKUCHI — BABEL

10. BEST TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA

GREY'S ANATOMY (ABC) Winner
24 (FOX)
BIG LOVE (HBO)
HEROES (NBC)
LOST (ABC)

15. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES - COMEDY OR MUSICAL

ZACH BRAFF — SCRUBS
ALEC BALDWIN — 30 ROCK
STEVE CARELL — THE OFFICE
JASON LEE — MY NAME IS EARL
TONY SHALHOUB — MONK

Big in 2006!

All things big and small in 2006! Everything from who came out to who went back into hiding. Who stood up and who faded out! It's all here!

The Seattle Case

The Community Schools v. Seattle School District case before the Supreme Court sheds some light on how the highest court of the land deals with questions of race. It may be surprising to some, but it is very rare for the Court to support policies that differentiate among citizens based on race. Whether these policies do in fact benefit a racial minority is somewhat irrelevant. The Court would rather see a government agency pursue an interest without taking race into account. In the case that the Court does allow race to be considered, it has set an extremely strict standard, where the interest has to be “compelling” and “narrowly tailored”. In other words, any policy based on race must be such that every citizen’s equality before the law must be maintained. That is not to say that the Court does not see that diversity in schools is a legitimate and compelling interest. It has said so. The interesting question before the Court is how can a compelling interest like the demographic makeup of schools be applied without using highly racial policies. I am not sure how the Court will strike this balance. I am afraid that Scalia will say that while racial integration is an important value, there is no constitutional method or outlet. Ginsberg will probably argue that the interest of the government can only be applied through racial means. In which case, school boards can use race as an determining factor in school districting. I believe that Kennedy will be the swing vote in this case. He understands the complexity of the situation in a way that Alito, Roberts, Thomas, and Scalia do not.

What is so interesting about this case is that it is almost meaningless. The school system can accomplish the same goal without using race. While I am not certain, I bet that there is a greater concentration of minorities in a particular section of town. The Seattle school system could simply use geography as the basis of their school boundaries instead of race. If they had, the plaintiffs would not have a case. Too bad they didn’t.

Forsaking the Ideals of Equal and Integrated Education

I wanted to write this entry on the recent case before the Supreme Court on school districting because I believe that we must understand the profound effects the decision could have on integration in the United States. This is not just about local issues or even the issue of school redistricting policies. Our nation is at a crossroads where we have to decide if we will take the ideal of Brown further or if we will forsake it as risky ideology. The world that the Brown decision promised is one in which schools would be integrated and equal. There are no currents trends that suggest that we are moving in the right direction. School systems across the nation are giving into pressure to allow students to attend the schools nearest to them. White people and more importantly middle class people are continuing to move into the suburbs. Experts are saying that with the disappearance of this vital class in the city, racial balance will be near to impossible and education quality will inevitably suffer. Regardless of the legal arguments, we have to understand that the wrong decision by our Supreme Court could make the situation much worse. Today, over 65% of minorities live in a mostly minority school. While, most whites are living in mostly white schools. Will tomorrow hold a more pessimistic turn of events? Well, that depends. What is sure however is that we cannot expect racial reconciliation and acceptance of our children’s generation, if we ourselves are not willing to take the necessary measures to ensure that they understand what is at stake. The point here is that our work is not done. How pitiful would it be if we fail to educate our children about the legacy of racism? Or if we fail to instill in them values that are essential to functioning in a multiracial and -cultural society? Children who are exposed to only one kind of people, will only know how to get along with one kind of people. An incident recently happened at my college where an African American female had to endure the following. This is the account in her own words. Remember, this is 2006.

 

Early Sunday morning at about 1:15AM, I was racially assaulted by two first-year male (presumably white) residents in Page dormitory.
As I was reporting a VSOC in my room, I witnessed these two residents walk through my hall and then heard them run down the stairwell yelling:

"She's a bitch...she's a nigger bitch! She's a nigger!"

As a third-year female African-American student, I am disgusted. It remains apparent that racial and sexual harassment still persist within the University and that students are both the perpetrators and victims of these crimes.“

There is no doubt that the students who spoke those words did so because they are not exposed to enough people of color. If they were, then certainly they would have never used such hurtful language. The fact of the matter is that this is the sort of children we will create if, even for a moment, we believe that Brown has outlived its importance.

Examination Time

Just in case you are wondering, it's exam time for me. Unlike high school, you can't manage to study the night before and expect to do well. Wish me luck...Meanwhile try to guess where I attend college.

Look Who Graces the Lastest Cover of The Advocate!