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Kanye West is white America's worst nightmare. Because as much as one may attempt to dismiss him, you still have to turn on your regularly scheduled late night comedy program and stare him in the face. You can't avoid Kanye. He's made very sure of that.
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If you see a black man smiling wider or poking out his chest more than usual this week, you can probably assume that his excitement was caused, at least in part, by the rousing address given by President Barack Obama at the Morehouse College commencement.
I could not have imagined on Nov. 19, 1998, that within ten years, an African American would be elected president, and my ideological allies would respond with a rhetorical and political assault that made my own attacks on Judge Tauro look polite by comparison.
The GOP has transformed the stereotype of who is a government leech into the perennial political attack point that the government is too big, wasteful and intrusive. And that those who appear to benefit most from government should pay the most for it.
For me, having taught "Genealogies of Black LGBTQ/SGL Culture and Politics," the first LGTBQ studies course at Morehouse and only the second at a historically black college, this semester, President Obama's small utterance in his commencement address is groundbreaking.
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It was the summer of 2006, when I stepped off the cool airplane into the heat and humidity at Monroe Regional Airport. I was back in the Louisiana of my ancestral roots. My body was filled with great anticipation.
Living in a society where citizens are conditioned to believe that being black and male is synonymous with crime is severely misguided, out of context to centuries of brutal oppression recorded in history.
There is no doubt that the opportunity to re-elect America's first black president contributed to record black turnout last year. But, no matter who is on the ballot in 2014 and 2016, we must continue to exercise our voice. We must continue to exercise our vote.
Connecting more minorities to the nation's emerging tech-based economy (via these high-tech industries) is of vital importance for our collective economic future. This bridge-building isn't always easy, however.
Because of my mom, when I see women doing things that men are typically mostly known for doing, I revere them. Thus the reason why I was drawn to Rowena Husbands, celebrity photographer and entertainment manager.
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I am proud to be part of organizations like the Connecticut Sun and the WNBA that put such emphasis on giving back to the communities and people that support them.
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Growing up in Tulsa, my dream was to play in the NBA. I am fortunate to have been able to achieve my dream, and now helping other kids follow their dreams has proven to be just as impactful on my life as every minute that I played in the NBA.
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Is Obama Cursed?
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Tiger's Rival Makes Racist Joke
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Black Unemployment At Depression Level Highs In Some Cities
By Janell Ross for The Huffington Post: CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- In the decade leading up to the Great Recession, Wanda Nolan grew accustomed to steady progress.
From an entry-level job as a fill-in bank teller, she forged a career as a commercial banking assistant, earning enough to become a homeowner. She finished college and then got an MBA. Even after the recession unfolded in late 2007, her degrees and her familiarity with the business world lent her a sense of immunity to the forces ravaging much of the American economy. Nolan was an exemplar of the African American middle class and the increasingly professional ranks of the so-called New South.
But in September 2008, everything changed.
A bank human resources officer called her into a private conference room. "All I heard was, 'Your position has been eliminated,'" says Nolan, 37, who, despite being one of the more than 13 million officially unemployed Americans, still spends most days in her self-styled banker's uniform of pearls and pants and practical flats. "My mind started racing."
More than two years later, Nolan is still looking for a job and feeling increasingly anxious about a future that once felt assured. Her life has devolved from a model of middle class African American upward mobility into an example of a disturbing trend: She is among the 15.5 percent of African Americans out of work and still looking for a job.
For economists, that number may sound awful, but it's not surprising. The nation's overall unemployment rate sits at 8.8 percent and the rate among white Americans is at 7.9 percent. For a variety of reasons -- ranging from levels of education and continuing discrimination to the relatively young age of black workers -- black unemployment tends to run twice the rate for whites. Yet since the Great Recession, joblessness has remained so critically elevated among African Americans that it is challenging longstanding ideas about what it takes to find work in the modern-day economy.
Millions of people like Nolan, who have precisely followed the oft-dictated recipe for economic success -- work hard, get an education, seek advancement -- are slipping backward. Even as they apply for jobs and accept the prospect of a future with less job security and lower pay, they remain stalled in unemployment.
Trading down has become a painful truth for much of working America, but this truth becomes particularly stark when seen through the prism of race. Only 12 percent of all Americans are black, but working-age black Americans comprise nearly 21 percent of the nation's unemployed, according to federal data. The growing contrast between prospects for white and black job-seekers challenges a cherished American notion: the availability of opportunity and upward mobility for all.
"Over the course of the recession, the unemployment disparity between college educated blacks and whites actually widened," says economist Algernon Austin, director of the Race, Ethnicity, and Economy program at the Economic Policy Institute in Washington. "If black workers who are the most prepared to compete and work in the new economy can't find jobs, that's something that we as a country have to take seriously."
Read more at The Huffington Post
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Comments: (80)
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By: Keenan on 5/01/2011 3:59PM
Eric, you stated that the majority of people who come to this country learn english, yet only 8% of blacks speak spanish. Your argument doesn't make any sense to me. Are you saying blacks must learn another language in order to compete in the California job market? Someone from another country can simply walk across the boarder and tell our American citizens you can't get a decent waged job unless you learn OUR language?
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By: pimpinperry2 on 5/01/2011 8:19PM
Keenan...
In a market like California where there is a large hispanic population it would be helpful if blacks were to learn some spanish. As an employee you definitely would come in contact with spanish speaking people therefore you can tell any potential employer that you're bilingual. Or at the very least be able to speak enough spanish to communicate.
We have to face the facts. America has become much more diverse. Who knows - in the future we may have to learn to speak chinese.
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By: Eric on 5/01/2011 9:15PM
What I'm saying is clear. But, since most people like yourself don't understand is that you have to invest the time, and the energy to develop yourself! That takes on several aspects like securing a good quality education, which can include learning a new language. What's wrong with that? Everyday someone comes to these shores that "can't" speak one word of English, but over time most learn the language! Now, if the job market requires one to learn let's say Spanish, then what's the problem? You either return to school to facilitate that process, or invest in a learning aid like the Rosetta stone as a good example. The real issue here is that the overwhelming majority of black people just won't get off their butts to do that! It's called "growth and development!" Why are most black people so afraid to learn, and grow? That's the very issue that continues to confront black people! Also, the very thing that they continue to deny, reject, and fail to engage in, that's only continuing denial, and pure laziness! If, you want to compete in the job market of today, then you do what's necessary to be successful! Most black people would rather only continue to do what they do best, and that's only to complain! For those black people that live in places like California, Texas, New Mexico...just as an example where states have a fairly sizable Spanish speaking population there's no reason why black people can't also learn to speak Spanish, just like those that can't speak English can go to free night school to learn. Most black people are too involved in partying, hanging out, doing drugs along with their usual unacceptable behaviors to even consider thinking about self development. But, when no opportunities come their way then here again comes the race card! Enough is enough! Either get involved, or go dig a hole in the ground, and jump in! And, you don't understand that reality? You need to open your mind, and stop with the excuses.
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By: pimpinperry2 on 5/01/2011 8:28PM
@ Bruce....Yes, I told you would to see more intelligent conversation on these topics instead of the usual ignorant comments. Or the personal attacks when one doesn't have a valid argument. But I don't see that happening anytime soon.
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By: pimpinperry2 on 5/01/2011 8:30PM
That first line should have read " I too you like "
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By: Eric on 5/02/2011 2:44AM
@ deez
Sounds a lot like when the pilgrims gave fake, worthless beads to the native Americans....then turned right around, and stole their land! Black people are for the most part caught up in that same pathetic "slave mentality" of dependencey! It's beyond being shameful! But, sadly to most blacks it's "all good" as long as it's free! but, intelligent people know that nothing is really free in this world! Just, look at black people to see what their real priorities are! Getting almost anything for free in their eyes is a "get over"! But, they are the ones that have really been gotten over on...again! Also, I agree that the black psyche is so convoluted that black people have their polarities reversed! To them the truth is bad, and lies are good! Willie Lynch revisited! Sad, but very true!
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By: smarterpaydotOrg on 5/02/2011 7:54AM
The key for black americans with or without a degree is to find something that they can turn into a career or business opportunity just like our ancestors did in their time.
I totally agree @pimpinperry2 comment above, he hit it right on the head. We need to start creating our own opportunities and stop expecting others to give it to us. And thats exactly what smarterpay(dot)org does, for those of us who are willing to work for ourselves at home.
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By: Keenan on 5/04/2011 2:10AM
Eric, if you google, PUBLIC SAFETY KEENAN PATRICK PRYOR, you will find that I have executive produced a very funny web series. I've also produced a feature film, an off-broadway play, and this December I will have associate produced a documentary. I assure you, I agree with you when you say that blacks must take it upon themselves to get the ball rolling. What I'm trying to make you understand, is that not every black person in America has 120 or higher IQ. What I see happening is that working class jobs are being given to hispanics. It bothers me, I'm sorry.
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By: Eric on 5/07/2011 2:33AM
And, who's fault is that? That black people as you say are uneducated? Resulting in them not having any marketable skills! Where's their personal responsibility, or that of their parents? That's what I'm talking about here! Excues don't carry any more weight!
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By: Keenan on 5/07/2011 2:46PM
Eric, I've never said, black people are undeducated. You said that.
I said, that not every black person has a genius IQ. Nor does 90 percent of all races. I won't fight you with, it's clearly a waste of time.
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