Anti-Racism Activist Tim WIse

I'm fairly familiar with Wise's work. He's an author, essayist, and lecturer on anti-racism. After reading this blog entry of his, you'll see that his last name's very fitting.

This is Your Nation on White Privilege
By Tim Wise

For those who still can’t grasp the concept of white privilege, or who are constantly looking for some easy-to-understand examples of it, perhaps this list will help.
White privilege is when you can get pregnant at seventeen like Bristol Palin and everyone is quick to insist that your life and that of your family is a personal matter, and that no one has a right to judge you or your parents, because “every family has challenges,” even as black and Latino families with similar “challenges” are regularly typified as irresponsible, pathological and arbiters of social decay.
White privilege is when you can call yourself a “fuckin’ redneck,” like Bristol Palin’s boyfriend does, and talk about how if anyone messes with you, you'll “kick their fuckin' ass,” and talk about how you like to “shoot shit” for fun, and still be viewed as a responsible, all-American boy (and a great son-in-law to be) rather than a thug.

White privilege is when you can attend four different colleges in six years like Sarah Palin did (one of which you basically failed out of, then returned to after making up some coursework at a community college), and no one questions your intelligence or commitment to achievement, whereas a person of color who did this would be viewed as unfit for college, and probably someone who only got in in the first place because of affirmative action.
White privilege is when you can claim that being mayor of a town smaller than most medium-sized colleges, and then Governor of a state with about the same number of people as the lower fifth of the island of Manhattan, makes you ready to potentially be president, and people don’t all piss on themselves with laughter, while being a black U.S. Senator, two-term state Senator, and constitutional law scholar, means you’re “untested.”

White privilege is being able to say that you support the words “under God” in the pledge of allegiance because “if it was good enough for the founding fathers, it’s good enough for me,” and not be immediately disqualified from holding office--since, after all, the pledge was written in the late 1800s and the “under God” part wasn’t added until the 1950s--while believing that reading accused criminals and terrorists their rights (because, ya know, the Constitution, which you used to teach at a prestigious law school requires it), is a dangerous and silly idea only supported by mushy liberals.


White privilege is being able to be a gun enthusiast and not make people immediately scared of you.


White privilege is being able to have a husband who was a member of an extremist political party that wants your state to secede from the Union, and whose motto was “Alaska first,” and no one questions your patriotism or that of your family, while if you're black and your spouse merely fails to come to a 9/11 memorial so she can be home with her kids on the first day of school, people immediately think she’s being disrespectful.


White privilege is being able to make fun of community organizers and the work they do--like, among other things, fight for the right of women to vote, or for civil rights, or the 8-hour workday, or an end to child labor--and people think you’re being pithy and tough, but if you merely question the experience of a small town mayor and 18-month governor with no foreign policy expertise beyond a class she took in college--you’re somehow being mean, or even sexist.


White privilege is being able to convince white women who don’t even agree with you on any substantive issue to vote for you and your running mate anyway, because all of a sudden your presence on the ticket has inspired confidence in these same white women, and made them give your party a “second look.”


White privilege is being able to fire people who didn’t support your political campaigns and not be accused of abusing your power or being a typical politician who engages in favoritism, while being black and merely knowing some folks from the old-line political machines in Chicago means you must be corrupt.


White privilege is being able to attend churches over the years whose pastors say that people who voted for John Kerry or merely criticize George W. Bush are going to hell, and that the U.S. is an explicitly Christian nation and the job of Christians is to bring Christian theological principles into government, and who bring in speakers who say the conflict in the Middle East is God’s punishment on Jews for rejecting Jesus, and everyone can still think you’re just a good church-going Christian, but if you’re black and friends with a black pastor who has noted (as have Colin Powell and the U.S. Department of Defense) that terrorist attacks are often the result of U.S. foreign policy and who talks about the history of racism and its effect on black people, you’re an extremist who probably hates America.


White privilege is not knowing what the Bush Doctrine is when asked by a reporter, and then people get angry at the reporter for asking you such a “trick question,” while being black and merely refusing to give one-word answers to the queries of Bill O’Reilly means you’re dodging the question, or trying to seem overly intellectual and nuanced.


White privilege is being able to claim your experience as a POW has anything at all to do with your fitness for president, while being black and experiencing racism is, as Sarah Palin has referred to it a “light” burden.


And finally, white privilege is the only thing that could possibly allow someone to become president when he has voted with George W. Bush 90 percent of the time, even as unemployment is skyrocketing, people are losing their homes, inflation is rising, and the U.S. is increasingly isolated from world opinion, just because white voters aren’t sure about that whole “change” thing. Ya know, it’s just too vague and ill-defined, unlike, say, four more years of the same, which is very concrete and certain…


White privilege is, in short, the problem. (Source)

Preach it White man! Preach it!

"So Sambo beat the bitch?" - Sarah Palin

Alaskans Speak (In A Frightened Whisper): Palin Is “Racist, Sexist, Vindictive, And Mean”

by Charley James –
“So Sambo beat the bitch!”

This is how Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin described Barack Obama’s win over Hillary Clinton to political colleagues in a restaurant a few days after Obama locked up the Democratic Party presidential nomination.

According to Lucille, the waitress serving her table at the time and who asked that her last name not be used, Gov. Palin was eating lunch with five or six people when the subject of the Democrat’s primary battle came up. The governor, seemingly not caring that people at nearby tables would likely hear her, uttered the slur and then laughed loudly as her meal mates joined in appreciatively.

“It was kind of disgusting,” Lucille, who is part Aboriginal, said in a phone interview after admitting that she is frightened of being discovered telling folks in the “lower 48” about life near the North Pole.

Then, almost with a sigh, she added, “But that’s just Alaska.”
Racial and ethnic slurs may be “just Alaska” and, clearly, they are common, everyday chatter for Palin.

Besides insulting Obama with a Step-N’-Fetch-It, “darkie musical” swipe, people who know her say she refers regularly to Alaska’s Aboriginal people as “Arctic Arabs” – how efficient, lumping two apparently undesirable groups into one ugly description – as well as the more colourful “mukluks” along with the totally unimaginative “f**king Eskimo’s,” according to a number of Alaskans and Wasillians interviewed for this article.

But being openly racist is only the tip of the Palin iceberg. According to Alaskans interviewed for this article, she is also vindictive and mean. We’re talking Rove mean and Nixon vindictive.
No wonder the vast sea of white, cheering faces at the Republican Convention went wild for Sarah: They adore the type, it’s in their genetic code. So much for McCain’s pledge of a “high road” campaign; Palin is incapable of being part of one. (More Stuff...)


Let's see how the MSM spins this. That's if they even wanna touch it. They're so enamored with this politically empty woman with all of their coverage of her beauty pageant days and game-winning jump shots that they forgot to mention that she touched on nothing of grave concern to the American people in her RNC speech. Dumb voters get what they deserve though. Her fans are too busy consuming fluff rather than concerning themselves with where this country is going.

Palin's embroiled in a scandal, but who gives a fuck? I mean, giiirl, did you see her frames? Black and Brown girls are vilified for getting knocked up but we've got lay off her daughter? Conservatives are conveniently turning a new leaf on teenage pregnancy and the use of the gender card and only The Daily Show is brave enough to call them out on their shit? This "woman" is sharing a ticket with a man who is against equal pay for women, and her female fans aren't taking issues with this? This nutjob is still a staunch supporter of pro-abstinence education after her daughter is pregnant --- where's the sense in that? Even if a woman or girl becomes pregnant through incest or rape, abortion is still a no-no in her book. So we should be going back to the days of bloody hangers left behind in an alley, right?

"Oh fuck the issues. She brought the championship home for her high school." - Stupid Americans

Americans "get the leaders they deserve..." - Bill Maher

Undeniable truth starting from the 2:00 mark.

Obama's DNC Speech

Although I won't be voting for Obama, I'm very proud of this moment in Black History. I never thought I'd live to see this day. Ever. Much props on this great speech.

Kucinich's "Wake Up America" Speech

Tell it, Kucinich! Tell it!

The Archie Bunker Vote

I remember when everybody was doing cartwheels and the electric slide when the democrats won the majority. Man please. My cynical ass was unimpressed because it's obvious that the democratic party doesn't serve as a good alternative to the republican party. They're always kowtowing and trying to appeal to the Archie Bunkers of America.

Why is this voting bloc so sought after? They're miserably dumb and have no business voting. It's one thing to be ignorant and open to different ideas but it's a whole 'nother thing to be shamelessly ignorant and stubborn. I really think IQ tests should be a part of voter registration. We've gotta weed out the bullshit. We can't be upset with sorry politicians when idiots keep putting them back in office. Call me psychic, but I had an inkling that we were in for some real shit when Bush stole the first election. Unfortunately, the Johnny-come-lately asses are starting to realize that Bush is a miserable failure.

When the presidential election turns into some high school popularity contest, you know we have a serious problem. The thing about this particular popularity contest is that it's being conducted by the bitter, least likely to succeed students. You know the types. They're the ones who are mocking Obama for being healthy (orange juice vs. coffee, taste for arugula, being fit). They're the idiots who can't relate to an overachieving, Ivy League-educated (half) Black American man from humble beginnings that recently paid off his student loans but can relate to an underachieving, Ivy League-educated White American blue blood dolt. They're the idiots that get riled up over gay rights rather than abject poverty and piss-poor school systems. They're the idiots that still think that there are WMDs to be found. They're the idiots that believe that Osama and Saddam were in cahoots when they're fundamentally polar opposites of one another. They're the idiots that question Obama's "American roots" because of his tanned skin and African name as if White skin and European names are historically American.

Whatever happened to priorities? Don't you want the next generation to have it better? Shouldn't our schools be on par with one another? Don't you wanna breathe in air that you can't see? Is the idea of fresh water not sexy enough? Why does a lapel pin made in China mean so much? Whatever happened to holding the government accountable for the economy? Why vilify illegal immigrants when it is greedy US employers that are passing up Americans for them? (And let's not forget that there are Americans who believe that they are above the work that illegal immigrants do) With that (il)logic, I guess Indians should be vilified cuz they are killing the customer service game right now.

You know, I actually do understand why the Archie Bunker voting bloc is sought after --- political exploitation. Ignorant and fearful people are easily manipulated by their emotions. You see how politicians treat them. They're not spoken to or treated as adults. They appeal to the Archie Bunker types' senses by hitting up bars and throwing back a few shots. Politicians feel the need to adopt the vernacular of Archie Bunker. Politicians feel the need to discuss moral fiber and faith ad nauseam. The issues don't seem to take center stage too often. They're too occupied with trying to convince Archie Bunker that they're just like them when they're not.

Politicians (and conservative media) have a major role in dumbing down the Archie Bunker voting bloc by not speaking honestly and accurately on the aforementioned issues. The political scene is a lot like the mainstream rap scene in a sense --- they're both in the business of retarding their audience cuz they've got their own agenda. But when the hell is the audience gonna wake and realize that they're being taken for a ride?

Going Green

Call me a flip-flopper but when I see that there isn't a desire to change, when my votes and needs as an American are being disrespected, I will defect and join a space that has my interests at heart. I was a Democrat, then Independent, and I will soon be changing my political party to Green.

I respect their platform. They're not kowtowing. They're not appeasing to racists and chauvinists. Their platform is radical in the sense that they are pro-American. They have strong ideas on education, the economy, affordable housing and gentrification, HIV/AIDS in America, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Y'know --- issues. And they're proud liberals.

I know some will say that it's not wise to vote for a candidate that's least likely to win. What I say to that is it is not wise to continue throwing your vote away. It is not wise to subscribe to a two-party system when it is not working. We need different perspectives brought to the political table. Americans have the right to plentiful options and it is time that we act like it.

Voting for the FISA Bill, kowtowing to AIPAC, changing positions on oil drilling, coming off soft to appeal to stubborn and ignorant voters --- I can't accept that. And I won't accept that for the superficial desire to have a Black president.

Cynthia McKinney - Run Cynthia Run
Rosa Clemente - Rosa Clemente, VP Nominee for the Green Party

Michael Moore Keeps It Real

How The Democrats Can Blow It ...In Six Easy Steps
A blueprint for losing the most winnable presidential election in American history
MICHAEL MOORE

For years now, nearly every poll has shown that the American people are right in sync with the platform of the Democratic Party. They are pro-environment, pro-women's rights and pro-choice. They don't like war. They want the minimum wage raised, and they want a single-payer universal health-care system. The American public agrees with the Republican Party on only one major issue: They support the death penalty.

So you would think the Democrats would be cleaning up, election after election. Obviously not. The Democrats appear to be professional losers. They are so pathetic in their ability to win elections, they even lose when they win! So when you hear Democrats and liberals and supporters of Barack Obama say they are worried that John McCain has a good chance of winning, they ain't a-kidding. Who would know better than the very people who have handed the Republicans one election after another on a silver platter? Yes, be afraid, be very afraid.

In an effort to help the party doofuses and pundits — and the candidate himself — spare all of us another suicide-inducing election night, as the results giving the election to the Republican pour in, here is the blueprint from the Democrats' past losing campaigns. Just follow each of these steps and you, the Democratic Party establishment, can help elect John Sidney McCain III to a four-year extension of the Bush Era.

1. Keep saying nice things about McCain.
2. Pick a running mate who is a conservative white guy or a general or a Republican.
3. Keep writing speeches for Obama that make him sound like a hawk.
4. Forget that this was a historic year for women.
5. Show up to a gunfight with a peashooter.
6. Denounce me! (More Stuff...)

I've gotta agree. This will be another close election.

RIP Isaac Hayes

Awwww man :-( I loved his music.

Pioneering musician Isaac Hayes dead at 65
Memphis TV station says singer found on floor near home treadmill

Isaac Hayes, the pioneering singer, songwriter and musician whose relentless "Theme From Shaft" won Academy and Grammy awards, died Sunday, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office said. He was 65.

A family member found Hayes unresponsive near a treadmill and he was pronounced dead about an hour later at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, according to the sheriff's office. The cause of death was not immediately known.

In the early 1970s, Hayes laid the groundwork for disco, for what became known as urban-contemporary music and for romantic crooners like Barry White. And he was rapping before there was rap. (More Stuff...)

Here are some videos to remember him by:


"Theme From Shaft"



"Walk on By"

Fela Gets an Off-Broadway Play

Fela Off Broadway

For those unbeknownst, Fela Kuti is a legendary Nigerian performer and the founder of Afrobeat. He is admired amongst my relatives and amongst many Nigerians because of his talent, political commentary on albums, and his outspokenness on Nigeria's politrix.

Some of you may already be familiar with his son Femi. He collaborated with Common on "Time Travellin" for Like Water for Chocolate.

To learn more about Fela, check out these links:
Fela Kuti - Wiki page
The Fela Project