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Jesse Jackson made some headlines the other day when he was asked about President Bush's Housing Subprime Lending Fallout Plan. Jesse Jackson grabbed the microphone from the reporter stood in front of the TV camera man and stated: "Bush Offers an Umbrella When We Need a Tent" - Jesse Jackson Says Jess Jackson's basic premise is that the President's Plan to stop the free-fall of coming foreclosures did not go far enough. He later seemed to imply that what has happened so far is a drop in the bucket, compared to what lies ahead as folks fail to meet their increased home payments as their variable interest rates take hold. I'm sure if Jesse Jackson had his way he would ensure that every black African...

Choices you make could be a matter of life and death. Or they could be a matter of joy or despair. Sometimes we're not happy with any of our alternatives. But champions know how to take lemons and make lemonade. There's lots of excitement and enthusiasm about the 2008 US presidential campaign. Reporter, journalists and political scientist are loving it. I've received numerous emails with different angles and perspective on the candidates and issues. I'm pleased that the diversity of choices has prompted the American people to examine their values and give thought to what's best for our country. But, do most people vote on issues? Or, are decisions based on emotional appeal? The internet has had a...

Choices you make could be a matter of life and death. Or they could be a matter of joy or despair. Sometimes we're not happy with any of our alternatives. But champions know how to take lemons and make lemonade. There's lots of excitement and enthusiasm about the 2008 US presidential campaign. Reporter, journalists and political scientist are loving it. I've received numerous emails with different angles and perspective on the candidates and issues. I'm pleased that the diversity of choices has prompted the American people to examine their values and give thought to what's best for our country. But, do most people vote on issues? Or, are decisions based on emotional appeal? The internet has had a...

Black African American. I am a black African American. Michael Baisden, syndicated host of a popular black radio talk show, asked a question about why people consider themselves black. He has a multiracial but predominately "black" listening audience. I only heard a portion of the discussion but during that time, no one came up with what I thought was the obvious answer. That's how people of African descent were defined in American society. Anyone with more than 1/40th black blood was considered black and was subject to the discrimination that was directed toward blacks. Back then the term was Negro and it's derogatory counterpart n--ger. Then with the black power movement "Black" became...

On December 24th 2007 I sat and listen to Steven Emerson, Executive Director, of Investigative Project on Terrorism, which was taped on December 6, 2007. I was amazed that he was talking about false law suites that were being filed against him, by a radical Islamic group. Well, after living in America all my life I have noticing that the mainstream media has been silent against unjust tactics toward the poor and the minority. Why now is he rallying the media to protect their free speech to expose the evil of a group outside and inside of America? If the media is free to ignore the unjust tactics against the poor in America, why now, because the rich are under attack should we, the poor and...

With spring moving into summer for most of the country, the opportunity to blow off some steam or make a deal outside the boardroom with a golf club is beckoning. And, marketers who are looking for more "green" should be looking on "the green." Prominent figures giving credence to this idea are, of course, President Obama and Tiger Woods. The Associated Press reported this month that the President has recently had four golf outings in five weeks. Mid-June marks the start of the U.S. Open 2009 whose website is featuring Tiger in their Player Bios section. During Black History Month earlier this year, the PGA of America presented a display at the PGA Historical Center honoring four groundbreaking...

So, media savvy Jesse Jackson got caught with his proverbial pants down. The microphone was still on as Jackson uttered the now infamous words "See, Barack's been talking down to black people. ... I want to cut his nuts of." Interesting how someone who must obviously be very familiar with the functioning of media equipment managed to commit such a faux pas. I don't think there's a political pundit alive that believes that Jackson intended for his words to go unheard. The problem is that Jackson and Obama approach black politics from very different angles. Jackson has always attempted to rally the troops to action with inflammatory words and combative beliefs. His blame-it-on-the-white-guy politics...

In her book Salvation: Black people and love author bell hooks examines society's dependence on the strength and love of a black female parent. She begins the chapter on this topic with looking at how in the midst of this dependence, we must acknowledge the reality of the contradiction that is placed on the black woman. She writes, "An overwhelming majority of black folks will testify that they were first loved by a black woman. In African-American life, black women have been love's practitioner's. Amazingly, despite how easy it would have been or would be for black women to give up on love given the adversity we have had to confront on these shores, many of us have held to our hope in love...

What is BEE? BEE refers to measures, actions or programmatic steps geared to enable meaningful participation of black people in the economic mainstream. It is a response to our particular reality born of racial capitalism, the fusion of apartheid with the capitalist system. Rationale for BEE The BEE commission, chaired by Cyril Ramaphosa, and assisted by Saki Macozoma, Derek Cooper, Patrice Motsepe, Gloria Serobe, Danisa Baloyi, Buhle Mthethwa, Vuyo Jack, Ronnie Ntuli, Loyiso Mbabane, Imogen Mkhize, Alan Hirsch, Philisiwe Buthelezi and Lionel October, broadly outlined BEE in a 2000 report, which led to the government's implementation of BEE. Many companies see it not only as a moral obligation, but...

Housed in a beautiful ivory building, the Dallas African American Museum is a culturally important destination on your holiday in South Western United States. For more than a quarter of a century the museum has represented one of the areas minorities and their cultural heritage to visitors and residents alike and has been a beacon of cultural exchange and integration between communities. Started in 1974 as a part of the Bishop College Special Collection, the Museum has operated independently since 1979. The significance of the museum in Dallas over numerous others that also represent the culture of African Americans through out the USA is that it is the only such institution in South Western United...

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (MLK Jr.) is a national holiday that was established in 1986. This holiday is held in honor each January 15th or around that time on the third Monday in January of Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. King was a strong social activist who fought for equality among the races, workers rights and protested against the Vietnam War. The Reverend was assassinated in 1968 and on his death a bill was introduced in congress to make King's birthday a national holiday. However the holiday wasn't officially recognized until the eighties. Many teachers look to holidays such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day as an educational opportunity. This holiday offers insights into social studies...

There have many attempts to bring the conciousness of people of color together. To remind them of their great heritage prior to the shallow depiction of our great accomplishments that have been watered down through time. Where we only get a weak version in the so called Black History month. Nuwaupians of the world are having their very way of life and culture attacked by a negative force and establishment that is full of hypocrisy. In a country that boast of freedom for all its citizens history shows what happens to any person of color who dares to excercise those rights. They will be discredited, character assassinated, made a mockery, deported and if that doesn’t work they will even kill them...

Elementary and Middle schools across the country bring in assembly programs as educational and entertaining enrichment for their students. These programs reinforce educational curriculum, but also provide students with an important exposure to live performances, theatrical arts, and appropriate audience behavior. There are hundreds of professional speakers, authors, magicians, musicians, and athletes who have assembly programs available to elementary and middle schools. This guide will help you make your school assembly show planning easier. Assembly Programs With A Message Most school assemblies have a theme or message that can be tied into the student's curriculum, or to social / behavioral...

Comedians seem to be the supermodels of the millennium. They are hosting radio shows, presenting the news and even winning seats in congress. Recently, some comedians have even wandered into the realm of documentary production. And I don't mean documentaries about themselves working as comedians. They are producing documentaries tackling serious subjects. In 2008, Bill Maher produced Religulous, a documentary starring himself travelling around the world asking people about their religious views in an effort to understand why people believe in a higher power. He clearly had an agenda: prove through comedy that people who believe in God are stupid. While the movie was funny and thought provoking, his...

In some African traditions, the griot held the story of the local people - the village, family or clan. The griot pulled together the strands of the story which represented the various people who took part in it. Kept these strands and held them safe. Savored them, treasured them. Wove them together to form a cloth, a whole that blended the assorted colors and shadings into a pattern which told the story of the people. The people then heard their story. Their tongues sang it. Their feet danced it. Their hips swayed it. Their hands drummed it. Their fingers carved it. The stories of their ancestors, treasured, remembered, shared, and preserved for future generations. I was very fortunate in that my...

Anyone who lives within their means suffers from a lack of imagination. - Oscar Wilde Markers, crayons, textbooks, desks. The list of supplies needed for a home school can run longer than the Boston Marathon. As a parent who has decided to educate your student independently, you can find yourself with an exhausted wallet and a frazzled brain. Fortunately, you have stumbled upon this article. As the second in this article series, this piece suggests ways to get free and valuable resources to educate your child. Use the ingenious tips below to stock your supply closet without breaking your bank. RUMMAGE. Most cities or towns designate days on which residents can dispose of large items. On these days...

Many forthright and honest Americans criticize the looters after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. But it is not right, they do not know what it is like to be a Black American. They do not understand the lifestyles in New Orleans. They have never lived in the hood. How dare they attack the looters, these fine upstanding citizens! It was over 36-Hours after the Hurricane's Eye had passed or about 27 hours after the last Gale Force winds had cleared before anyone went and broke out windows to go get a new TV Set? The power had only been out for a little over a day, before anyone borrowed any free high fidelity electronics like 84' Flat Panel HDTVs or Surround a Sound Systems. People watching the...

"The death of August Wilson does not simply leave a hole in the American theater, but a huge, yawning wound, one that will have to wait to be stitched closed by some expansive, poetic dramatist yet to emerge." - Peter Marks. Washington Post On Monday Oct. 17, Broadway's Virginia Theater will become the August Wilson Theater. Moving from the nether side of Pittsburgh to a marquee on Broadway is a journey found in the movies of American myth makers. Its the type of journey that keeps Don King waving miniature American flags and hip hop cats cloning clothing lines. It's the American Dream to the extent that it is the Dream personified. Rags to riches. Catfish to caviar. The whole nine. But...

Billboard, radio, Television, newspaper, advertisement, World Wide Web, Book ,CD, video Cassette, SMS, computer game, mobile computer; we are besieged by these medias. The world today is dominated by the media power. Different images, analysis, news and realities are produced according to the Media's attitudes, attachments and ideologies and all these can belong to the sponsors who are from different racial, ethnical, religious, political, economical and identical backgrounds; People who support media financially, ideologically and politically. So the produced reality cannot be the real reality because it is nourishing from sponsors` ideological viewpoints What Baudrillard mentioned as "hyper...

A huge variety of wigs which are suitable for African American women is available. Real hair or human hair wigs are the top of the line in quality and are also the most expensive. These wigs are often made from hair which comes from China or India. This is thick black hair which is ideal for black women's wigs. It makes wigs which can be styled to any fashion the wearer desires. This is very good quality hair and is used to make either long or short hair wigs. If you are unsure which length will be most suitable it is best to buy a long wig. If later you decide that you want a shorter style it can be cut to length just like your own hair. Full lace and front lace wigs are very popular. Each hair is...

While most of the writings on Martin Luther King, Jr. focus on the civil rights movement, little effort has been made to place his speeches and worldview in the context the Freedom and struggles in Africa and other Third World countries. King was informed and inspired by the liberation struggles in Africa and other Third World countries. What has emerged from the voluminous materials and books written about Martin Luther King, Jr. is a single, truncated dimension of King and his worldview. For the most part, the legacy and true meaning of King has been highjacked by historians and writers and striped of its subversive and anti-establishment content. Africa played an important role in informing both...

The Resurrection of the African-American Family             I admit that I had deep reservations about writing this essay.  I had doubts, uncertainties, and insecurities.  Would I be able to clearly and concisely capture my strong opinions and emotions about a sensitive subject and its relevance in history?  After much deliberation, I decided I had no choice but address this topic that merited my attention. Ultimately, my subject chose me as a conduit to reveal both unpleasant truths (past and present) and hope for the future.             Writing about issues of race is challenging.  As much as our society has evolved, most people are uncomfortable with the realities of...

Brazil is a very large and diverse country which makes planning where to go more difficult, here we'll look at some of the best places to visit in Brazil. Probably the most famous city in Brazil is Rio de Janeiro, meaning the River of January in English. Rio was the capital of Brazil from 1763 - 1960 and is now the most visited city in Brazil. When visiting Rio there are some must see places to go, firstly the beaches, with Copacabana and Ipanema being the most famous. Another must see place is Christ the Redeemer "Christo Redentor" which is a statue of Jesus on top of a mountain which can be seen from practically the whole city, finally the other must see place in Rio is Sugar Loaf mountain "Pao de...

Sad to say, thousands of people are negatively affected by the lack of sunshine. It seems that the cloudier it is, the worse they feel. Is there a way to combat these feelings of being down or it is only a matter of purchasing a sun lamp? For some, buying a special lamp helps them to get over the depressed feelings when there is little sunshine but this doesn't have to apply to all. Part of the transformation beyond whether the sun shines is to change how you think and view life. This is a basic tenet of most things positive and how you view the weather around is just the same. There is positive in everything around you if you just open yours eyes and heart. This isn't just a corny expression...

Asics is a Japanese company that officially started business on September 1, 1949 under the name Onitsuka Co., Ltd.  Its founder - Kihachiro Onitsuka - set up shop in Kobe, Japan.  Onitsuka had a mission.  He wanted to use sports to rehabilitate youth in Japan growing up in the aftermath of World War II.  Kobe, Japan had been badly destroyed by B-29 bombers on March 17, 1945.  The attack resulted in the death of 8,841 civilians and the destruction of 21 percent of the urban area.   Onitsuka did not have any experience making shoes when he decided to start his own company but this lack of experience did not dampen his ambition.  Onitsuka Co., Ltd. was the first Japanese company to design...

Wild cotton has been grown, harvested, spun and woven into fabric since prehistoric times. This plant has survived thousands of years living in the dense tropical regions of Africa, India, in the Americas and in Australia. Archaeological evidence shows that one variety of cotton was cultivated by people of the Upper Nile (now Sudan) around 12,000 years ago; another type of wild cotton was raised in Coastal Peru 10,000 years ago; while yet another species grew and was woven into beautiful textiles at Mohenjo-daro in the Indus River Valley of West Pakistan (about 5,000 years ago). The oldest cotton fragments though were found in Mexico where the cloth and fiber found is believed to date back 5,000...

We have all heard the saying, 'Where there is a will, there is a way' but one athlete competing at the 2010 Vancouver winter Olympics will be testing the strength of the expression to its limits. Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong of Ghana will take part in the slalom as his country's only qualifying athlete and the only black African skier. Already known as the 'Snow Leopard' due to his trademark leopard-print ski kit, he is going to be highly visible in Vancouver - even without the media frenzy that will no doubt surround him. In interviews, he's made it quite clear that he does not want to just ski down the mountain, he wants to be taken seriously as a competitor. With so much attention already focused on...

Sudan seems to be an independent country, however under strong influence of different ethnic and religious conflicts it is torn among different ethnic and religious groups. To certain extend we could compare situation in Sudan to the political situation in India before Rajiv Gandhi. There was a leader needed who was able to show to all of different fighting groups for the local independence a common aim to achieve, global independence of the whole country. All of those people had to learn how to respect other groups, their tradition and religion. There is no possibility of uniting the nation without common understanding among all of the groups fighting for freedom. Someone could say that the...

This is the story of a brand which has matured over the past 100 years into a global superbrand and an example of the power of branding regardless of time, politics, race or culture. It helped heal the wounds after a bitter war over a century ago and caused national sportsmen to rebel against their own governments and later united a nation after apartheid was dismantled and, as a result, yielded what is widely viewed as one of the 100 Greatest Sporting Moments in history. Today, after repeated onslaughts by politicians with racial quota systems and unsuccessful threats to change its name, the brand has emerged stronger than ever, and stands proudly for winners and the ultimate respect a sporting...

Apartheid literally translates as "apartness" from Afrikaans. Apartheid was a system of racial segregation that was enforced in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. Racial segregation and the dominance of whites had been traditionally accepted in South Africa prior to 1948, but the general election of that year, Daniel F. Malan officially included the policy of apartheid in the Afrikaner Nationalist party platform, bringing his party to power for the first time. Although most white acquiesced in the policy, there was bitter and sometimes bloody dissension over the degree and stringency of its implementation. Under apartheid, people were legally classified into a racial group - the main one being White...

"> It wasn't until I moved to the US that I started drinking coffee regularly and became what they call in the Netherlands a 'koffieleut', which translates literally into 'coffee socialite.' Although the average European drinks more coffee per year than the average American, the cultural importance and its effects on the average European seems to me smaller than that on the average American. After all, coffee is a cultural obsession in the United States. Chains with thousands of branches like Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks dominate US daily street life. Especially in the morning (90% of coffee consumed in the US is in the morning), millions of white foamy cups with boldly imprinted pink and orange...