Top Black Stories 2013

(Baltimore, MD) Since I've been writing this column you've been able to look back and also look ahead. There are a number of changing dynamics in the Black community at-large, but unfortunately some things remain the same.

Things that influence this year’s list include such factors as actions/in-actions of the President, the cheapening of Black Life, and the impact of post colonial life on the continent of Africa.

Let me update you first on some items I talked about last year.  The Trayvon Martin case continued to linger despite a verdict which found George Zimmerman innocent. In Mali, French forces were able to beat back a coup de tat but, the county/region continues to be unstable.

As always my annual disclaimer, the selection of subjects and news items are mine alone.

10. Slavery/Subservience goes mainstream. I have marveled at the reaction of the majority community to a pair of films, The Butler and 12 Years a Slave. These are remarkable stories. In "The Butler," we see life through the eyes of someone serving the President. In 12 Years a slave, we experience the brutality of slavery. Some people would rather you forget the indignities of being sub-servant.

9. Forget Getting a Television Show, "Gettin in Where You Fit-in." If they won't green-light your television show turn to the net. Off color humor is finding audiences. For the last couple of years one of the funniest people on the plant is Issa Rae, the creator of the online series, "The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl." (http://www.issarae.com/services-view/awkward-black-girl/) Rae has proved her worth with an infusion of cash from Rapper Pharrell Williams. She recently signed a deal with ABC with Shonda Rhimes (http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2012/10/04/shonda_rhimes_issa_rae_collaborate_awkward_black_girl_gets_abc_comedy_deal_.html). She is rumored to be in the running to be Nina Simone in a bio pic.

Issa Rae

If she can get a deal then why can't Azie Marie Dungey get one as well? Dungey has proven her worth with the "Ask a Slave Series."( http://www.askaslave.com/). Saturday Night Live please explain to me again, why can't you find Black Female comedians? Update, there is one coming in January. (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/13/business/media/snl-to-add-black-female-cast-member-in-january.html?_r=0)

8. Bankruptcy in Detroit - Early this year people imagined Motown was on the comeback. There was a successful Broadway play (Motown). Then reality hit. The trial of Kwame Kilpatrick ended the era of corrupt Mayors,  but the city found out it was broke. The Republican Governor said enough was enough. He put the city in receivership and appointed a receiver who took the city into bankruptcy. Biggest loser’s city pensioners. If no one is betting on Motown, why is the owner of Quicken Loans buying up so much property in the city?

7. Africa Implosion - with much of Black America consumed with domestic events few are paying attention to the continent. I talked about Mali last year but, ethnic and religious strife are becoming all too common. Here are but a few items, a bombing at a Kenyan Mall, ethnic strife in Nigeria, the Central Republic of Africa has descended into total chaos, and Southern Sudan is in midst of collapse.

Renisha McBride

6. Dying While Being Black - So when is it okay to kill a Black woman? Apparently, when they knock on your door seeking help. Case and point, 19 year old Renisha McBride of Detroit.  She had been in an accident. She sought help at a home in Dearborn Heights. Instead of rendering assistance the white homeowner took his shotgun and  blew her head off thinking she was an intruder. Four days later he was reluctantly charged with murder. (http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20131106/METRO01/311060086#ixzz2jttmHPxk)

5. My Soul Looks Back and Wonders- this was the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington. When it was conceived it was a radical idea. One of the speakers that day was a preacher named Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His "I Have Dream” speech is now memorized by millions and serves as an inspiration, including to President Barack Obama. Dream children dream.

4. The Affordable Care Act/Obamacare - this was the year of real implementation but, at every step the presidents critics have tried to thwart it, including shutting down the government. Have there been problems? Yes, the roll out of the healthcare website, canceling of policies, etc... Did I miss that more people who didn't have healthcare are now covered? Those states with highest rates of uninsured persons don't want federal help but they're okay if these people don't have health insurance?

3. Aw Naw, people saying stupid stuff. This category used be assigned to people in the majority race but it has transcended. These weren't always you're usual suspects. From Fox's Megan Kelly's rant of Santa Claus and Jesus being white to comedian Steve Martin suggesting the spelling of lasonia would be different depending on whether you African-American or Italian-American. Don't even get me started about the Miami Dolphins Offensive lineman Richie Incognito.

But I'm not letting Black folks off. Kenan Thompson told TV Guide, the reason there are no Black female comedians on SNL "in auditions they just don't seem to be ready." Que the neck role, and the "no he didn't" from sisters.

To add insult Kayne West, who  doesn't know when to stop, suggested he was going to change the meaning of a confederate flag. So he embossed the emblem on a jacket. I guess a lot Brothers down south didn't buy this?
There were a lot people saying stupid stuff. In the age of social media all this got attention, Why?

2. Grambling - this HBCU has had a storied career. It's former head coach, Eddie Robinson, always did more with less. This came to a head this year when the school forced the team to travel 20 plus hours to a pair of games. While their rivals flew to the site (FYI they lost the game). They fired Hall of Fame Coach Doug Williams because he asked his friends to donate money to put a new floor in the weight room. The President didn't like he what he did and used it as cause to remove him. The interim coach had a full scale mutiny on his hands when the team refused to practice, then refused to play a Jackson State Homecoming game. The schools President says his hands were tied because the governor cut his funding and it was time for the football team to feel the pain the rest of the university was feeling. Not a good look all the way round.

1. The death of Nelson Mandela - I never meet Dr. King, or Malcolm X but I did meet Nelson Mandela. It was on a tarmac at Washington National Airport during his first visit to the United States. Innocently, he asked a small group of us why we were there? He knew the answer. I would win a National Journalism Award from NABJ for my coverage of him.

 I watched him come out of jail after 20 plus years without any bitterness. I saw him become the President of South Africa. He asked those who were oppressed and the oppressors to forgive. It was tough. Then when his term was over he retreated back to the village he called home. He wasn't a saint. Mandela kept his friends despite the many critics who wanted him to distance himself from them.

There is a void without him. He had moral authority and that unique ability to "converse with the Kings, Queens and Heads of States and yet keep the common touch." I know I will never see nor meet anyone like him in my lifetime.



Person of Year - Shonda Rhimes

If you don't know who she is you ought to. She is on a hot streak like no other in Hollywood. She is the creator of Scandal and the executive producer of Grey's Anatomy. She has taken ABC from a basement dweller to the top of the heap in ratings. Her story lines blur traditional storytelling. What really makes her "hot" is she has been able to marry traditional media with social media (Scandal is one of the most tweeted shows on television). She actually did a rerun with tweets. They have literally given her the right to greenlight (which means to go into production) on any show she wants.

Top Ten Black News Stories 2011

Once again I bring you my top Black stories. I know the list should be longer but it should give you pause. Additionally, we lost of number of people. Some them were friends, acquaintances, and people you should know about. I'm thinking of putting them in separate posting. Feel free to add to my list.

10. Hazing at FAMU. As a member of Historical Black Fraternity I can tell you this nonsense has got to stop. The “Divine Nine” (Black Fraternities and Sororities) recognized many years ago these brutal hazing incidents (some which ended in lawsuits) would diminish our good works. Our process for membership has changed and those still practicing these crude and deadly rituals will be sued and taken to court for damages. I’m sadden this happen in a marching band, but this madness must end.

9. The ladies rock. I’m not talking about Diva’s these are three women who garnered the Nobel Peace Prize. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakkol Karman are this year’s winner. These three ladies have faced mounting challenges and prove female interest worldwide are to be dealt with.

8. The passing of Gil Scott Heron. Heron’s body of work transcends time. From his early work as an author, to his clarion call “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” and reminding all of us we could be, “Living in a Graveyard Three Miles Down.” His politics became poetic H20-Gate Blues, Pardon Our Analysis, and B-Movie.

7. Bizarre statements about Black folks. I thought we had run out of dumb things people say. There appears to be a war on poor/Black folks. Forbes Magazine article, “If I Was a Poor Black Kid” is insulting. Ann Coulter suggesting (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYDGMt68K6o) “our blacks beat your black.” Come on Man. Herman Cain acknowledging he is friends with the Koch Brothers (conservative financiers who have vowed to unseat the President). “I’m their Brother from another mother.”

6. Books on Blackness. I want to point out a pair of books which I’ve had a chance to read. Toure’s book, Who’s Afraid of Post-Blackness? , and Dr. Lester Spence’s Stare in the Darkness, The Limits of Hip Hop and Black Politics.

5. The unveiling of the MLK Monument. I met the pair of gentlemen who happen to come up with the idea (they are members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.). I was there when the designed was unveiled with the Coretta Scott King and Bernice King in attendance. I have given every year to see this monument built. So you can imagine my joy when it was unveiled.

4. Revolution. There is a growing sense repressive regimes days are numbered. It may have started in Tunisia but it has spread from Egypt, and Libya. On the verge are Syria, and Yemen. Waiting in the wings, North Korea, will they be next.

3. No Credit for Accomplishments. The President’s critics are numerous but “can a Brother get a break.” Let's run down the list. Healthcare Law, getting Osama Bin Laden, assisting with removal of Mumar Kaddafi, and pulling troops out of Iraq would normally get you some love. Critics have been relentless.

2. Herman Cain. From out of nowhere Cain dominated the airwaves and was considered a front runner. He championed his experience as an Executive; he honed his skills in talk radio; and became a favorite speaker at “Tea Party Rallies.” As they say, "be careful what you wish for." It didn’t take long for media to review his record. That record included charges of sexual improprieties with several woman that were settled outside of court. The bombshell however he had a 13 year liaison with a woman in Atlanta, and his wife didn’t know?



1. OWS- Occupy Wall Street. Gordon Gecko in the movie Wall Street proclaimed “greed is good.” For a number of people on Wall Street they’ve done well despite a sluggish economy. It didn’t sit well with the number of people who lost jobs this year. This protest morphed without a consistent message. What did they want; who do they represent; and what is their issue? They never answered their questioners, but got noticed. Especially, when a former vet in Oakland is nearly beaten to death, and passive protesters at a California University are peppered sprayed.

Person of the Year: Harry Johnson, President of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Project.

I met Harry Johnson in Fayetteville, Arkansas. We had a simple but candid conversation. I’ve worked for him when he was the President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. When he assumed control of MLK Memorial Project, I knew he was the right man for the job. He shepherded the fundraising for the memorial with insurmountable challenges. He was to begin fundraising on 9/11 but he had to postponed it. Still he pushed ahead. He lived through the various challenges to the memorial design. He weathered critics who asked why a Chinese sculpture? On the week of the unveiling he had to decide whether to proceed with an impending hurricane on Sunday. Oh, did I mention he had to deal with the first ever serious earthquake on the east coast in nearly 100 years. He reluctantly, postponed the unveiling. Yet he delivered again with the President addressing the assembled. What a year, and what an individual who stayed true to his convictions.

Top Ten Black News Stories 2010

In this year’s Top 10 Black News Stories for 2010 I saw a lot of surreal moments. Some things will be obvious others may seem odd. I always encourage feedback because it’s always helpful as I try to give voice to those stories which seemed to be lost in the mix.

10. Getting Your Street Cred by Going to Jail – The "Thug Life"–yea that’s for me? No. Singing/Rapping about a life behind bars may seem easy but trying to practice what you preach has its problems. "Nah, it ain’t what its crack up to be.”

9. The Pain of Africa – For African – Americans the promise of a homeland is often clouded by the strains of dysfunction. I’ll mention a few: The current president of Ivory Coast refuses to give up power because he lost an election; Sudan set to hold election to divide country between north and south; and Uganda preachers suggesting people kill all homosexuals on religious grounds. Oh yea, I didn’t forget about the Somali Pirates, Robert Mugabe, Algiers homegrown terrorist or problems in Egypt where Hosni Mubarak is talking about seeking another term in office (he’s been in power since Anwar Sadat).

8. Identity Politics – Pandering to white constituents can be hazardous to your political health. In Washington, Mayor Adrian Fenty was ousted because he wasn’t Black enough according to some voters. This lead political observers to conclude, a new wave in Black politics was happening. See my earlier observations in my “Authenticity” post.

7. I Can’t Get Jailed/Arrested/Censured, I’m a Black Politician – The poster children for this post include Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Prince Georges County Executive Jack Johnson, and Congressman Charles Rangel. Honorable mention includes Rep. Maxine Waters and Detroit Councilwoman Carolyn Conyers.

6. Punditry – When you live in a democracy such as ours you get to say what you want. Unfortunately, some people in the news business have allowed lunacy to prevail. Things I heard and said hmmmm!!! “The government is putting in place death panels.” “Tell the government to keep its hands off of Medicaid.” “The president is a socialist who is following in his father’s Marxist footsteps.” How about providing the public with a little balance or honesty?

5. Black Farmers – I started covering this story in the early nineties. I met several of these farmers and they told me how the Department of Agriculture wouldn’t give them the time of day and worked to get their farms taken over by white farmers. They won in federal court but it took them until this year to get the money they were owed. The bad news is more than half the Black Farmers are dead/or lost their land.

4. The Gulf Spill – I feel for people along the Gulf Coast. The BP Spill was the worst environmental disaster in this nation’s history. People make their living on the Gulf. Pictures of oil spewing out of a pipe underwater became a daily phenomena. I’m still chilled by workers picking up oil on the beach.

3. The President – What a year. He passed several signature pieces of legislation (Health Care Law, DADT, START Treaty, STIMULUS, Bailed out the auto industry etc…) but it could not save his party from a “Shellacking” in the midterms. “Whatca gonna do now?”

2. Unemployment – With unemployment hovering around 10% (its near 20% in Black communities) the prospect of change doesn’t seem in the offing. Manufacturing jobs which sustain the Black community has all but disappeared. Can’t believe some politicians have suggested unemployment insurance is a disincentive to look for job. This is cruel.

1. Technology – You are interfacing with it every day and some people suggest they can’t do without. Black folks are embracing technology in ways that are amazing. From Twitter, Facebook, Skype, I phones, IPods, I pads, Bluetooth, Blackberry etc…. you can’t get away from devices. Adding to this change is Mark Zuckerberg (founder of Facebook).
He decided to donate $100 million to assist Newark, NJ school system. The gift proves change can happen in cities not just in suburbia. I wish more tech millionaires would get out of their suburban cocoons.

Person of the Year: Dr. John Boyd. Ten years after dragging their feet congress sent a 4.6 billion dollar bill to the President to assist Black and Indian Farmers. Dr. Boyd made it his personal crusade annually bring his tractor to Capitol Hill. He worked through both Republican and Democratic administrations. I’ve known him personally and watch him work the backrooms, the halls and the President to get this piece of legislation passed. He is the personification of perseverance.,