Ican’t seem to get the song “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye” out of my head. That song played over and over in my mind as weeks became the days leading up to January 20th, 2017. It’s been fitting. I’ll miss the elegance and class President Obama and his extraordinary wife Michelle brought forth as… Continue reading Trumped: One Black Man’s Response To America
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What Donald Trump Can Learn from Spike Lee
“I pledge that I will be the president for all Americans… Working together, we will begin the urgent task of rebuilding our nation.” —President-elect Donald Trump, November 9, 2016 This fall semester I am teaching a new course called HIST 289: Spike Lee’s America. The course uses Spike Lee’s filmography to engage students in discussion… Continue reading What Donald Trump Can Learn from Spike Lee
Trump Is Right about America’s “Inner Cities”–but Wrong on Everything Else
Donald Trump’s archaic use of the term “inner cities,” illustrates a couple of important points regarding where reality and urban revitalization meet. America is experiencing a historic tide of re-urbanization, and areas once called “inner city”—such as Harlem, New York City—are now hot property. So what was Donald talking about? He correctly notes the critical… Continue reading Trump Is Right about America’s “Inner Cities”–but Wrong on Everything Else
Views from the Mecca: A History of Student Takeovers at Howard University
“You gotta to conform to the society in which you live. You got to live within it or outside of it. You can’t straddle the fence. Now are you going to live outside of the American culture or are you going to live within it? As long as you stay in America, you got to… Continue reading Views from the Mecca: A History of Student Takeovers at Howard University
I am Wakandan: Black Panther brings ‘Nu Africa’ to the mainstream
“Imagine if all the rappers were to get with all the athletes or activists for a conference in Zaire to meet with all the ambassadors in the motherland, tell ‘em we comin’ back for her…. What if Jay and Bey bought some land in Egypt? Make Obama the president. His daddy from Kenya so that… Continue reading I am Wakandan: Black Panther brings ‘Nu Africa’ to the mainstream
Learning with a Panther: Using Comic Books to Inspire Minority Students
I oversee education majors looking to teach social studies at middle and high school levels. Recently, one of my black male students asked for tips to make his class more interesting. Most of his seventh grade kids were from low income families and were behind on their reading level. My suggestion was to try comic… Continue reading Learning with a Panther: Using Comic Books to Inspire Minority Students
The Michael Vick Experience: From Prison to Redemption, 2007-2017 (pt. 3)
This three part series walks through the rise, fall, and redemption of Michael Vick, NFL’s outcast turned prodigal son. If you missed it, catch parts one and two here. As Vick was made his comeback professionally he maintained his commitment to speak out against dog fighting. He traveled around the country speaking to youth and… Continue reading The Michael Vick Experience: From Prison to Redemption, 2007-2017 (pt. 3)
Endnotes to Jay-Z’s “Moonlight”
“We stuck in La La Land. Even when we win, we gon’ lose.” – Jay-Z On June 30, 2017, Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) released his 13th studio album 4:44, arguably the most personal and socially conscious album of his career. Subscribers to his online streaming service, Tidal, are privy to music videos for the songs on… Continue reading Endnotes to Jay-Z’s “Moonlight”
Endnotes to “The Story of O.J.”
“Light nigga, dark nigga, faux nigga, real nigga. Rich nigga, poor nigga, house nigga, field nigga. Still nigga, Still nigga.” -Jay-Z On June 30, 2017, Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) released his 13th studio album 4:44, arguably the most personal and socially conscious album of his career. Subscribers to his online streaming service, Tidal, are privy to… Continue reading Endnotes to “The Story of O.J.”
Hollywood & Hidden Racism in America, 1967-2017
“I would have voted for Obama a third time if I could.” -Dean Armitage In the closing moments of the 2017 film Get Out, the protagonist Chris Washington chokes the life out of his girlfriend Rose Armitage. Chris is a 26-year-old dark skinned black man and Rose is an upper class white woman. Watching Chris… Continue reading Hollywood & Hidden Racism in America, 1967-2017