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Martin Luther King Jr.'s Action Plan
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a man that was moved by the spirit to move a nation toward a better way of life. Dr. King was a man that used his connection to the Holy Spirit to dare to have the dream. At the same time, my fellow Americans, he also had action items, and…
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A Democratic Tough Guy—Who Knew?
The successful return of Capt. Richard Phillips of the Maersk Alabama—a small but significant overseas victory on the Obama watch—highlights some interesting contrasts in the president’s approaches to foreign policy over the past several days. In reaction to the launch of a North Korean missile, the Obama administration ardently pursued the support of other world…
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Does Steele Need Limbaugh?
The big wins posted by Democrats at the polls in November led to an all-out culture war within the Republican Party. Since then, the party has sought to redefine itself, re-imagine its purpose and reinvigorate its followers in order to be competitive again in 2010. So far, not so much. But one of the important…
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Why Tavis is a Genius
Tavis Smiley’s genius doesn’t come from his radio and television talk shows, nor does it come from his appearances as a guest social commentator on multiple international outlets. It comes from his formation and continuation of the “State of the Black Union” annual symposium. The genius of the panels during C-SPAN’s most-watched event doesn’t come…
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Don't Protest the New York Post
Yes, I saw the cartoon published by the New York Post. Yes, it was insensitive, and yes, it was racist. Everyone knows that the imagery of a monkey serves as a powerful slur against African Americans, especially black men. The New York Post should be ashamed. But, if we are going to organize a protest…
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Damned If You Do…
I can hear it now. Better still, I have heard it already. “Michael Steele is nothing but a token pick by the Republican Party.” “Republicans only did this to have a black leader to match Obama.” Well, true and false. Michael Steele is the new chairman of the Republican Party in some part (if not…
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Our First 40 Days
Sometimes new politics means more than just new voters, new leaders and new policies. There are times when it serves as the spark for something more. Now is that time for African Americans. There is a call out there for a ”Festive 40-Day Fast for the Future.” The idea is to establish and achieve a…
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The GOP's Silver Lining
Being a Republican on Capitol Hill may be a little lonelier over the next two years than it has been over the past two. In the U.S. Senate, Republicans can look back just two short election cycles and be wistful about what they’ve lost: a Republican president, a GOP-controlled Congress and, more broadly, the country’s…
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The Elephant in the Room This Thanksgiving
Nov. 27, 2008—Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. For those of us in the warmer climates, it means gloating about not having to slog through cold, snowy and overcast weather that plagues so much of the rest of the country. Here in Charlotte, I give thanks each November for being able…
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Poll-arized Mistrust
Recently, at a forum at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, one participant directed a query at me: “Did you read the article on The Rootthat talks about how the Republicans are planning to steal the election? How do you feel about that?” the young woman asked. My response was that I found…
Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude
