Archive for May, 2008

30
May

Friday’s Grapevine

Newspaper/Globe

  1. ABC News reports how the Obama campaign is tightening security in response to an increasing number of racist incidents. One expert quoted believes that “The real possibility that an African-American could win the White House in November, along with the anonymity of the Web, which lends itself to expressing extreme views, has galvanized a certain segment of the population.”
  2. The final decision on whether to seat the delegates from Florida and Michigan - a decision which might swing the balance of numbers from Obama to Clinton - is to be made soon by the Democratic Party’s rules and bylaws committee. The Daily Voice profiles the undecided African-American members of that committee.
  3. Jimmy Carter, whom the African-American vote put in the White House and who grew up in a predominantly Black area, discusses with the Voice of America his concerns about race in America, but adds “I hope that this year will bring an end to it, or a substantial end.”
  4. The Dallas Voice analyses a recent report from the National Black Justice Coalition and Freedom to Marry which reveals that African-Americans are considerably less likely than other communities to accept “marriage equality” for gays and lesbians. According to the study, African-Americans are “virtually the only constituency in the country that has not become more supportive over the last dozen years”.
  5. Community forces are swinging behind Mayor Daley of Chicago, who has called for help after a bloody weekend of violence in his city. Black Entertainment Television is planning a series of summer concerts and documentaries promoting non-violence, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Continue reading

By Staff 1 Comment
Categories: misc
28
May

Wednesday’s Grapevine

Newspaper Stacks


Links to news that matters to you.

  1. The San Francisco Chronicle hails the new head of the NAACP, Benjamin Jealous, and analyses how his election is the harbinger of a new wave of Black leaders - those not from the churches or the civil rights movement.
  2. As pressure grows to unify the divided Democratic party, Slate.com explainshow the historical experience -  particularly the JFK-LBJ 1960 campaign - supports the idea of a unified Clinton-Obama ticket.
  3. Two Clinton-era laws that regulated adoption, making it illegal for adoption agencies to consider the race of the babies under their care, are being closely examined, says the Chicago Tribune. This follows the release of a report that reveals unexpected consequences that suggests that the laws are not benefiting minority babies, as they were expected to do.
  4. Problematic lending practices to subprime customers have caused hundreds of African-American neighbourhoods across the country to lose value precipitously and slide into urban decay. Newsweek investigates one such case in Cleveland.
  5. A truly puzzling form of discrimination is highlighted by the Washington Post. A new survey of medical practitioners reveals that doctors in intensive-care units are less likely to discuss prognoses and how to manage end-of-life care with African-American families than with those of other races. Continue reading

By Staff 1 Comment
Categories: misc and politics
24
May

Weekend’s Grapevine

Newspaper/Globe


Links to news that matters to you.

  1. A Washington Post editorial pays tribute to the pathbreaking and inspirational career of L. Douglas Wilder, the first African-American to be elected governor. Charismatic and efficient, Mr. Wilder was an excellent governor of Virginia, says the paper: “His decision [to retire] marks the end of one of the most remarkable careers in American politics in any era, and a farewell from center stage for an outsized, prodigiously gifted public servant.”
  2. There is now little or no doubt that John McCain is serious about engaging with the African-American community. In a wide-ranging interview with Essence, McCain says that he will go places where Republicans do not normally go - including the NAACP convention. This is not about electoral politics, says McCain: “But does that mean in my campaign I am going to get a majority of the African-American vote? Probably not. But what it does mean, what I’ve committed to, is assuring and promising all Americans whether they vote for me or not, I am going to be their president.”
  3. Barack Obama, campaigning through Montana, was adopted into a Crow tribe, according to ABC News. His adopted name: Barack Black Eagle.
  4. And in Florida, Barack Obama’s troubles with Jewish voters over Israel continue. CBS reports on a torrid session at a Boca Raton synagogue. “”If my policies are wrong, then vote against me because my policies are wrong… but don’t vote against me because of who I am.” Continue reading

By Staff 0 Comments
Categories: misc
23
May

Name the Greatest Hip Hop Albums Since 2000


kanyewest.jpg

Friday is sports/entertainment day on invisible blog.

by Jason Proe

I recently watched clips from a show MTV did called Hottest MCs in the Game. The goal of the show was to determine the ten “hottest” MCs “in the game right now.” A panel of hip-hop experts sat around a table and selected the top ten. I was pretty impressed by the panel, the depth of discussion and their reasoning seemed pretty sound for most of their choices. A lot of the rankings hinged on mix-tapes, which I don’t listen too anymore so I can’t say I understand all their choices. Apparently, 50 cent puts out good mix tapes which explains his ranking.

  1. Kanye West
  2. Jay-z
  3. Lil Wayne
  4. Rick Ross
  5. Snoop Dogg
  6. 50 cent
  7. Lupe Fiasco
  8. Young Jeezy
  9. Andre 3000
  10. T.I.

This show and the panel’s discussion reminded me of the days when I used to avidly read The Source (I link to the Wikipedia page because for some reason there website is still under construction!) before it lost all of its journalistic integrity. I always thought the reviews were good, although there was clearly a northern bias. Because I grew up in the south, The Source exposed me to a lot of music that I wouldn’t have purchased otherwise. For example, I am a huge Wu-Tang fan because 36 Chambers received 5 mics in the Source. Before there were MP3s I probably purchased at least 3 tapes and 2 CD’s of this album to replace old ones.

I did a quick search on the “internets” to see if I could find a list of the albums that have received 5 mics over the years. My first thought after finding what I thought was a reputable list was, “I only have tapes of some of these albums and I am too cheap to buy them again in digital format. What should I do? Do I even own a tape deck? How do I digitize them?” Concerning my last question, Lifehacker has a pretty good guide on converting tapes to digital format. Of course, you could always just by the CD.

My second thought was, “I can’t believe I don’t have a copy of The Chronic anymore.” I broke down and bought that immediately. My third thought was, “Where are Outkast’s other albums?” Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik - classic. ATLiens - classic. Stankonia - also a classic. Again, northern bias.

Finally, the last five albums on the 5 mic list (with the exception of The Blueprint) are questionable. The last five albums to receive 5 mics from The Source are:

  1. 2001 — Dr. Dre
  2. Stillmatic — Nas
  3. The Blueprint — Jay-Z
  4. The Fix — Scarface
  5. The Naked Truth — Lil’ Kim

Again, these albums were released after the Source lost all credibility, but DAMN. Lil’ Kim got 5 mics? Where does one go to find a reputable list of the best hip-hop albums over the last 8 years? If you know, give us a shout in the comments. My personal project in the next few weeks is to compile a reputable list. Feel free to chime in. Check back here in a couple of Fridays for the best hip-hop since 2000!

By Jason Proe 3 Comments
Categories: sports/entertainment
22
May

Thursday’s Grapevine

Newspaper Stacks


Links to news that matters to you.

  1. The Washington Post investigates the lasting divisions that have resulted from the Democratic primary campaign. Some Clinton supporters, especially older women, are particularly angered by the belief that denying Obama the nomination would alienate African-Americans.

  2. And Vibe worries that the Asian-American demographic is being ignored by all three candidates.

  3. Esquire points out that tensions between Hispanics and African-Americans need to be seen in the context of the divisions within the Hispanic community itself, divisions,  imported from their countries of origin.

  4. As fears of a recession gather in strength, the Louisiana Weeky considers the effect that would have on working-class families. It quotes a recent report from the Center for American Progress that notes that minority households are ”more vulnerable and are likely to suffer first and to suffer more”.

  5. African-American professionals are particularly hesitant to move to areas where they are unlikely to have supporting networks. Minnesota, a state without a large minority population is one such: but the state’s companies are now aggressively recruiting minorities - and, what’s more, banding together to make sure they want to stay, Minnesota Public Radio reports. Continue reading

By Staff 0 Comments
Categories: misc and politics
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