Since it was apparent that Barack Obama would be the 44th POTUS, the term "Post racial America" has been flowing in the national conversation.
I spent a considerable period of time searching for a definition for the term post-racial. It is interesting that there really is not one given by any viable source. I read plenty of definitions on conservative blogs. Which all seem to lean towards the theory that in a post-racial America the rights of white citizens would be lessened to the point where they would not be able to recover their positions of power.
But one of my greatest passions is the issue of race, which also leads to issues of immigration, assimilation, affirmative actions, social justice, etc. It irks me that the elitist liberal media has annointed Barack Obama as a "post-racial" candidate. (By the way, I have no idea what the working definition of "post-racial" is; when the media gets into the meta-sociological, it always turns out to be a disaster.)
I believe that The Right has a interesting opportunity to capture the sentiments of those who want to move beyond race, into a near color-blind society, by using conservative principles of old. I tell everybody that one of the top reasons I am a registered Republican is the fact that The Left is interested in what I can contribute as a Korean-American or Asian-American; The Right is simply interested in what I can contribute as an American. Source
I find this to be an interesting observation. Especially after the vicious racial tone of the national campaign
The Gotham Gazette has a great article on the $825 Billion Dollar American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan unveiled on Jan. 15 by House Democrats. They note it is breathtaking in its no no hair removal scope and cost. Intended to retain and create 3.7 million jobs over the next two years, the $825 billion package of federal government investments includes dozens of spending measures ranging from $200 billion in fiscal relief to help state and local governments, to $6 billion to extend broadband to rural areas, a 21st century version of Depression-era rural electrification. Two thirds of the total value consists of spending, with one third for tax cuts.
Negotiated with President Barack Obama's transition team, the plan - a.k.a. Stimulus II or ARRP - is an important first step to halt the downward economic spiral triggered by last fall's financial meltdown. As large as it is, though-5 percent of gross domestic product-it is not sufficient to create a sustained scholarships for women recovery.
The Gotham Gazette notes: It is no exaggeration to say that this is the worst economy since the Great Depression. The 2.6 million jobs lost in 2008 were more than in any year since 1945. Overall unemployment could be 9 percent by the end of the year and 11 percent in 2010 in the absence of the recovery plan, according to economist Zandi. Already, unemployment among adult black men is 13.4 percent.
AAPP: Bingo! Unemployment among adult black men is 13.4 percent.
The folks at Policy link are right, "In order for the stimulus to truly put us on the path to sustained economic recovery, investments must be made in workforce training and apprenticeship programs that help lower-income people and communities of color access quality employment in the infrastructure arena, while also building a pipeline of workers for the future.
Construction jobs are quality jobs that pay family-supporting wages with benefits. however, it is a sector of the economy that has largely excluded whole ab circle pro reviews segments of society. A study of 25 major metropolitan regions found that white males dominate construction work regardless of the racial and gender composition of the local workforce as a whole. Nearly 140,000 black workers are essentially “missing” from the construction workforce in the regions analyzed, and are the most underrepresented (relative to their rates of participation in other industries). The study also found that the most significant gaps in black employment in the construction sector were in the regions that had the largest African American populations (e.g., Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, and Houston).
At the same time, there are projected to be significant labor shortages in the construction sector as older workers retire in large numbers. Additionally, new technology and building requirements will require more training for both new and existing workers in the trades and many other jobs in design, architecture, engineering, environmental remediation, energy conservation, and construction management.
As noted by Policy Link there are two immediate actions can be taken by the federal government to address existing inequities and worker shortages in the construction sector that will be essential to the smooth flow of infrastructure recovery dollars.
First, allocations for infrastructure projects should be conditioned on the development of explicit commitments by states and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs— agencies designated to allocate federal transportation funds) to set aside a minimum of one percent (no says: AAPP it should be 10 percent) of project funds for workforce education programs, apprenticeship programs, and first source hiring policies that will benefit low-income communities of color.
Second, the federal government should make a parallel investment to quickly expand local capacity to deliver workforce education and training programs for vulnerable communities. Years of neglect and financial cutbacks have severely limited the capacity and expansion of community colleges, community-based organizations, unions, and adult education programs to provide the basic skills and workforce education programs.
AAPP: It's important to note, most of the jobs created by in the stimulus plan will require background investigations, and many black men who have been involved in the criminal justice system may not be able to get the job(s). Maybe it's time to connect the Danny K Davis Second Chance Act of 2007 to the stimulus package?
The big news in Chicago seems to be, as the Chicago Sun Times notes, how Blagojevich won't participate in impeachment trial. We also read how prosecutors want Blago tapes released to Senate and how Gov. Rod Blagojevich's lawyers expect his removal from office. Well, I guess that will end the drama in Chicago.
Maybe then, people will turn to the Chicago economy, and Chicago jobs, and how, as the Chicago Tribune notes, the economy meltdown presents obstacles to King's push for economic justice as Obama takes office — The focus of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s acceptance speech for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 wasn't what had been accomplished — but rather his view of what still needed to be done.
More than four decades later, King scholars say he would take the same approach at this historic moment — the inauguration of the first black president at a time when the nation is facing its greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression.
The crisis could widen the already large financial gaps between whites and blacks and make it more difficult to attain King's dream of economic equality in America.
"I believe that Dr. King would caution us not to rest on the election of a black president and say our work here is done," said Kendra King, associate professor of politics at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta.
AAPP: I had the opportunity to speak with Jerry Robinson, president of The Poor People’s Campaign and Floyd Davis, Vice President, of The Poor People’s Campaign, who have decided to take the Poor Peoples’ Campaign to another level. These two Chicago based insanity workout review grassroots activist saw the Poor people’s campaign lie dormant for over 40 years, and decided to re-establish the Poor Peoples Campaign, as a grassroots national organization headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
Back in the Day
Resurrection City, June 1968
There are still people around who can remember back in November and December of 1967, Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) met with leaders of the movement following the passage of civil rights legislation, concerned about the emergence of black power movement and the urban riots of the previous summer. SCLC decided to launch the Poor People’s Campaign, Inc., a movement to broadly address economic inequalities with nonviolent direct action. From 1965 and 1966, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King brought the brilliant organizing insights of the SCLC to the slums of Chicago to confront the evils of a number of slum lords. King moved his own family into a rundown housing unit in Chicago’s Lawndale community (renamed Slumdale at the time by its occupants), where they endured for a time the harrowing poverty, squalor, and overcrowding that other slum residents had endured for decades. I’m also reminded that Dr. King was able to inspire many grassroots people in Chicago interested in the Poor People’s Campaign, Inc.
Fast Forward
Since 2003, Jerry Robinson and Floyd Davis of Chicago, both long time residents and community activist in Chicago re-established the long dormant Poor People’s Campaign, Inc. Today, The Poor People’s Campaign, Inc. is working to help poor and low-income people of Chicago achieve economic prosperity and self sufficiency.
To achieve this goal, they have developed networks of community-based organizations that assist clients with comprehensive self sufficiency services. “These networks, says Jerry Robinson, help poor and low-income individuals enter the workforce.” Jerry Robinson says, “The bottom line is we connect our clients to income-enhancing benefits that help them move toward financial independence and self sufficiency.”
The Poor People’s Campaign 21st Century Style
Both Jerry Robinson, Floyd Davis, who are quintessential grass roots organizers, are not taking their efforts lightly. Floyd Davis says, “The Poor People’s Campaign, Inc. board of Directors has worked with a community development consultant out of Washington, DC to develop and approve a business model that includes a 5 year chihuahua training business plan.” Floyd Davis say, “We are taking grass root organizing to the next level, we will be using technology, including twitter, my-space, You-tube, and other social networking sites to organize and fund raise.”
Jerry Robinson said, “We understand that in order to succeed in our efforts to improve the plight of the poor in Chicago, we must work with Chicago’s local workforce system, the Chicago Workforce Board and a variety of local, state and national organizations.”
He also said The Poor People’s campaign will link to a variety of public, private, and non-profit agencies, and will collaborate with city and county agencies such as, the Chiaco Department of Children and Youth Services, the Chicago Jobs Council, Chicago Public Schools, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development.
Jerry Robinson and Floyd Davis say they are excited about the level of support they have received from Congressman Danny K. Davis, Congressman Bobby Rush, and the office of Mayor Richard M. Daley as they have developed and grown the Poor People's Campaign to a viable organizatiion addressing the many need of poor People through the metro Chicago community.
Jerry Robinson said, “We plan to expand nationally to key partnership cities, including, Peoria, Illinois, Rockford, Illinois, East St. Louis, Illinois. and Los Angeles, California, in order to serve the poor people in those cities, with a clear goal of expanding nationally in major urban cities, to develop and implement projects and programs to create economic opportunity for people who are struggling to move out of poverty.”
Floyd Davis said, “We plan to work with city agencies to ensure that the new Green-collar economy and economic stimulus plan works for the poor as well.” Floyd went on to say, The Poor People’s Campaign, Inc. plans to provide meaningful employment opportunities – full-time jobs with living wages and benefits – to poor people in the targeted metro-Chicago area communities.” He went on to say, “Our plans are also to provide necessary supportive services to make employment possible, including life skills training, job training, quality accessible childcare, and transportation.”
Jerry Robinson said “the bottom line is poor people need jobs.” He went on to say, “The Poor Peoples Campaign will work with the city and county to recruit and train residents for construction jobs, as part of the Obama Economic Recovery Plan.” Our plan is to work with the Chicago Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and area labor unions to develop the best possible Economic Recovery implementation strategy that includes poor people.
The Poor People’s campaign, Inc. is located on the web at: www.poorpeoplescampaignppc.org
Howard Kurtz reported how John McCain couldn't stop providing access and interviews to the media because, as John McCain said, "that destroys credibility."
Howard Kurtz reported that as the JetBlue charter from Michigan touched down in South Carolina, he strolled up to John McCain's front-row seat -- none of his aides batted an eye -- and asked if he would continue to chat with reporters around the clock if he won the Republican nomination.
Kurtz also noted that most candidates, after all, grow more cautious around the media mob as the stakes get higher.
McCain said he couldn't stop, because "that destroys credibility." And besides, he said, "I enjoy it a lot. It keeps me intellectually stimulated, it keeps me thinking about issues, and it keeps me associated with a lower level of human being than I otherwise would be."
Howard Kurtz reported how John McCain couldn't stop providing access and interviews to the media because, as John McCain said, "that destroys credibility."
Howard Kurtz reported that as the JetBlue charter from Michigan touched down in South Carolina, he strolled up to John McCain's front-row seat -- none of his aides batted an eye -- and asked if he would continue to chat with reporters around the clock if he won the Republican nomination.
Kurtz also noted that most candidates, after all, grow more cautious around the media mob as the stakes get higher.
McCain said he couldn't stop, because "that destroys credibility." And besides, he said, "I enjoy it a lot. It keeps me intellectually stimulated, it keeps me thinking about issues, and it keeps me associated with a lower level of human being than I otherwise would be."
It's time for Barack Obama to rally his base again.
Well it's the fall 2008 Presidential campaign, and it looks like the Republican's have their videos all lined up. It seems that there is no stopping the garbage they are throwing at Barack Obama. Hillary and Bill showed them how to throw the kitchen sink and him, and the Republican's are going at him with what I call, "a combined Billary and John strategy with a Palin Twist." More to come folks, more to come. It's time for the Barack campaign to show it is not weak, while at the same time staying on message. The Barack campaign has to respond to the lies more assertively. The bush camapign is speaking to and rallying it's base, Barack has to do the same - rally his base.
As reported by the NY Times the McCain campaign has struck back, twice today. 'The latest is an ad featuring wolves or Alaskan huskies leaping out of the wilderness to attack Governor Palin. This one reminds us of the bear in the woods ad from years past during the Reagan era. And one in 2004, when President Bush put out a wolves’ ad about terrorism.
The NY Times also reports that the McCain ad also showcases a pack of wolves, or maybe hungry, lean Alaskan huskies (it’s hard to tell in the scary darkness of the video), which the campaign says will be broadcast in key states. It’s not hard to make the leap from the ad’s use of a wolf to the generic derogatory term of a preying man, a wolf in that parlance, on a woman. And it ultimately suggests that Governor Palin is a victim of Democratic attacks.
Forget how worn that “lipstick on a pig” talk is getting at this point. Let’s, uh, put a little gloss on that for a second, even though the liberal blogosphere and others have been awash in media-bashing today for anyone even writing about Senator Barack Obama’s comments that the McCain campaign is putting “lipstick on a pig.” He contended that it was all about the McCain-Palin ticket representing no change.
It's time for Barack Obama to rally his base again.
Well it's the fall 2008 Presidential campaign, and it looks like the Republican's have their videos all lined up. It seems that there is no stopping the garbage they are throwing at Barack Obama. Hillary and Bill showed them how to throw the kitchen sink and him, and the Republican's are going at him with what I call, "a combined Billary and John strategy with a Palin Twist." More to come folks, more to come. It's time for the Barack no no hair removal review campaign to show it is not weak, while at the same time staying on message. The Barack campaign has to respond to the lies more assertively. The bush camapign is speaking to and rallying it's base, Barack has to do the same - rally his base.
As reported by the NY Times the McCain campaign has struck back, twice today. 'The latest is an ad featuring wolves or Alaskan huskies leaping out of the wilderness to attack Governor Palin. This one reminds us of the bear in the woods ad from years past during the Reagan era. And one in 2004, when President Bush put out a wolves’ ad about terrorism.
The NY Times also reports that the McCain ad also showcases a pack of wolves, or maybe hungry, lean Alaskan huskies (it’s hard to tell in the scary darkness of the video), which the campaign says will be broadcast in key states. It’s not hard to make the leap from the ad’s use of a wolf to the generic derogatory term of a preying man, a wolf in that parlance, on a woman. And it ultimately suggests that Governor Palin is a victim of Democratic attacks.
Forget how worn that “lipstick on a pig” talk is getting at this point. Let’s, uh, put a little gloss on that for a second, even though the liberal blogosphere and others have been awash in media-bashing today for anyone even writing about Senator Barack Obama’s comments that the McCain campaign is putting “lipstick on a pig.” He contended that it was all about the McCain-Palin ticket representing no change.
oops, did I say that, wrong heading folks. I should be ashamed of myself, but I'm not.
Well it looks like the folks who are advising Brack Obama are finally doing like I suggested yesterday in my post, Barack is finally hitting back (well... somewhat).
He needs to stop playing jump rope and double dutch with Mccain and Palin. playing jump rope won't win him the election. American's want someone tough in the White House. it's time for Barack to show he is tough. I told you I'm not the only one wanting Barack to take off the gloves. Terence Samuel, the highly respected Deputy Editor of The Root is providing his own observations on this issue. In his post, Slaughter The Pig. Terence Samuel says, "Team Obama needs to break out the knives and start rolling in the mud, too." Here is more of what Terence Samuel has to say:
"So we wake up this morning to a Web ad from the McCain-Palin campaign accusing Barack Obama of sexism. It is a swift and superb effort and, from what we know about these things and the political climate in which we live, likely to be effective. It is a quick and dirty piece of television remarkable for the jaw-dropping, breath-taking, head-shaking dishonesty on which is it based.
The basic charge is that Obama called Sarah Palin a pig, and that is sexist. Nevermind that it never happened. It is now clear that the Republicans' strategy for victory is not to discredit Obama's views or his policy positions but to destroy the man himself.
Based on the current trajectory, what Obama may have coming will make the swift-boating of John Kerry look like a campfire song. And if Democrats are nervous and a little dispirited today it is because they have seen the effectiveness of this approach before. More importantly, they have seen it in combination with the complete inability of their own candidate to effectively respond. Obama's speech on charter schools and the importance of education in Dayton, Ohio yesterday did nothing to advance his candidacy. Instead, all the energy and resources of his campaign were spent explaining that the phrase "You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig," is an old English axiom meant to convey that deception has limits. Even McCain has used the phrase on occasion.
With undecided white women moving to McCain, the sexism ad will further monopolize Obama camp resources."
Obama's counterpunches so far, have sounded a little bit naïve, almost idiotic:
"…The American people aren't stupid. They are going to get it," he told MSNBC's Keith Olbermann early this week. "But we've got to make sure that we are being clear, not only that they [the Republicans] will not bring about change, but the very specific kinds of changes we want to bring, in terms of green technology jobs in America, investing in our education system, making college more affordable, making health care accessible to every American."
This is not a civics seminar; it's a knife fight, and the McCain camp is bringing automatic rifles.
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Terence Samuel, The Root
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AAPP: I hope team Obama, including Jim Margolis get the message. As I asked before, Why is Obama's media campaign so weak? Maybe Obama needs some grassroots people (of all walks of life) on his campaign staff advising him on what can work for his advertising. Yes, His ads got him to this point, but I have to say... they are not working now. Terence Samuel and Sandy Goodman are both right. The public is lapping up McCain and Palin's garbage. And Obama better do something to change that if he wants to be the next president.
Of 1,417 Taser deployments by officers between December 2004 and June 2007, nearly 67 percent were used on black suspects, according to an audit conducted for the city by a team of criminology, statistics and mathematics experts. About 25 percent of Houston's population is black.
The audit was requested by Houston Mayor Bill White in 2006, after several high-profile incidents. That year, Houston Texans offensive lineman Fred Weary was shocked during a traffic stop, and an officer called to quiet a noisy music club shocked musicians and concertgoers. The latter incident was videotaped and widely viewed on YouTube.
Minister Robert Muhammad, with the southwest regional headquarters for The Nation of Islam, said the study shows that police are more apt to use the weapons on black suspects than suspects of other races.
Blacks are getting Tasered like crazy in Houston, Taser's are the new bullwhips...
Visit the blog; Tasered While Black for more examples of taser abuse against black folks. Don't forget to make a contribution to keep the Tasered While Black blog going.
For the Bridge to Nowhere before she was against it
Less than two years ago on the campaign trail, Palin actually ran for governor on a pledge to support wasting federal money on the so-called "Bridge to Nowhere." Once Congress killed the project, she kept the money anyway. But today she claims she was against it all along. Which is it?
Friendliness with Big Oil pays big dividends for Palin
Palin claims she stood up to Big Oil, but that’s not what the oil industry lobbyists who poured thousands into her last campaign would call it. For someone who thinks we can drill our way out of our problems, Palin didn’t bat an eye when it came to helping Dick Cheney’s friends in Big Oil export natural gas from Alaska.
Standing up to special interests…with a little help from lobbyists
As mayor of Wasilla, Palin hired a lobbyist tied to indicted Bridge to Nowhere sponsor Ted Stevens to get the tiny town millions in federal earmarks. Putting a Big Oil lobbyist on her ticket as lieutenant governor gave a big boost to her run for governor, too.
Playing the earmark game to win
As mayor, Palin hired Wasilla’s first federal lobbyist to win the town tens of millions in federal earmarks. As governor, Palin has requested hundreds of millions in federal earmarks for Alaska. As a vice presidential candidate, she says she’s opposed earmarks all along. Oh really?
An ethics record to rival Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney has had a lifetime to accumulate a reputation for shady ethics, but Sarah Palin is catching up fast. Just like the politician she hopes to replace, Palin has come under fire for politicizing top offices of law enforcement in both City Hall and the Statehouse.
A closer look at Palin's record in office
The McCain-Palin team has been touting her executive record as mayor, but did they mean to highlight her experience growing government spending and expanding debt?
You have read the Headlines, Poll shows big shift to McCain among white women, Huge: 20-point shift towards McCain, or New poll shows white women supporting McCain after chosing Palin ... But hey, These types of stories have been going on for some time.
The question still remains. Will whites vote for a black man for President of the Unted States? Let's not be all politically correct people. Lets take a look at what's going on in America. White folks are flocking to the Republicans. White woman are starting to look at the biggest liars in Presidential history as an alternative to Barack Obama. So now the question is what will happen if Barack Obama loses? Oh is that a bad question to ask? I'm not the one asking the question, but guess what a whole bunch of black folks are.
As reported in The Root, Sophia A. Nelson writes about that Nightmare. "Here is the nightmare scenario: Nov. 1, 2008, Barack Obama is leading in the national polls by a comfortable margin. Nov. 4, 2008, he loses the election, either by a whisker or by a margin large enough to suggest that it was never really close. All indications are that the loss will be blamed on "race" and "racism." People will say that cynicism and fear won out over hope and change, that a "black man" still can't get a fair shake in America. Dispirited supporters will argue that the great American scourge of race, "our great birth defect" as suggested by Secretary of State Condi Rice in an interview last March cannot be defeated.
Recent polls following the conclusion of the Republican Convention have made a possible Obama loss a hot and emotional topic. Even contemplating the scenario brings with it a host of additional worries. Could anger and disenchantment cause riots in the streets? Could an Obama loss actually set back people's aspirations, leaving them to feel that Dr. King's great dream is not only unfulfilled but trampled?
AAPP: Is the question a reasonable on to ponder? what do you think? will whites vote for Obama in November or will white voters go with the Palin/McCain ticket.
Who is advising Brack Obama? Hey, Jim Margolis, Why is Obama's media campaign so weak? Maybe Obama needs some grassroots people(of all walks of life) on his campaign staff advising him on what can work for his advertising. Yes, His ads got him to this point, but I have to say... they are not working now.
I agree with Sandy Goodman who recently wrote in the Huffington Post, "John McCain's current ads and comments on Obama are false, ridiculous and beneath contempt. But they are working. The public is lapping up McCain's garbage. And Obama better do something to change that if he wants to be the next president."
Sandy Goodman has lots more to say in the article. One of the most important points is this: "Obama has his work cut out for him. He must find a way to combat McCain's so far successful campaign of character assassination or risk losing the election. This is a year the Democrats should win everything, after eight years of the disasters Republicans have foisted on this country and the world. But remember what happened to John Kerry, a war hero who earned a Silver Star and two Purple Hearts, smeared and beaten by a candidate who used political pull to duck that war and then disappeared for a year instead of putting in his required reserve time; with a runningmate who got five deferments, the last one by hiding in his wife's bed and getting her pregnant. In politics as elsewhere in life, truth, justice and virtue too often don't triumph. Neither will Obama if he doesn't figure out how to combat McCain's gutter campaign."
AAPP: Sandy Goodman is right, Obama has his work cut out for him. From the outside looking in I must say that his media camapign is really weak. Obama needs to rally his base, along with un-happy Republicans and independent swing voters. He needs a strong media campaign and strong surrogates on the campaign trail slicing and dicing the Mccain/Palin lies. Let's hope this new ad (below) is the start of stronger ads to come.
Obama should not go too aggressive himself, or they will say he is an angry black man. yet, he still must get his ads stronger, if he wants to be the next president of our United States.
