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Home Issue: 132

Issue: 132

March 31, 2005

Cover Story

The Worst Black Congressperson – David Scott

By The Black Commentator Guest Commentator

Most of you don’t even know his name. David Scott (rhymes with rot) is the most non-representative Black person in the U.S. Congress. The very worst. Rep. Scott, whose district lies south of Atlanta, runs with a gaggle of renegade rightwing House members that includes Harold Ford, Jr., of Memphis, Alabama’s Artur Davis and fellow…

Most of you don’t even know his name. David Scott (rhymes with rot) is the most non-representative Black person in the U.S. Congress. The very worst.…

Continue reading 5 min

Commentary

Freedom Rider: Self Hatred at Harvard

By Margaret Kimberley Guest Commentator

Nothing can ruin a Sunday morning like a New York Times magazine article with a dubious title such as, “Toward a Unified Theory of Black America.” The alarm bells are immediate because the Times loves to give attention to black people who are either in jail or on welfare or who have impeccable credentials but…

Nothing can ruin a Sunday morning like a New York Times magazine article with a dubious title such as, “Toward a Unified Theory of Black America.”…

Continue reading 5 min

Commentary

No Fools Allowed

By The Black Commentator Guest Commentator

As approaches birthday number four, we once again find ourselves at odds with Harvard University. In this issue’s Freedom Rider column, Margaret Kimberely writes about self hatred at the venerable institution. Nothing can ruin a Sunday morning like a New York Times magazine article with a dubious title such as, “Toward a Unified Theory of…

As approaches birthday number four, we once again find ourselves at odds with Harvard University. In this issue's Freedom Rider column, Margaret Kimberely writes about self…

Continue reading 12 min

Guest Commentary

Credit, Conspicuous Consumption and Crisis in Black America

By David Crockett, PhD Guest Commentator

It seems that were it not for bad news there would be almost no news in Black America these days. Black folk, in case you hadn’t heard, are in the midst of yet another crisis. This time it’s a debt crisis, particularly in short-term revolving debt (primarily credit cards, but also payday loans, car title…

It seems that were it not for bad news there would be almost no news in Black America these days. Black folk, in case you hadn’t…

Continue reading 12 min

Guest Commentary

Debt Slavery: What the Bankruptcy Bill Could Do to You

By David Swanson Guest Commentator

The U.S. Senate has passed a dream bill for credit card and financial service companies that, if passed by the House, will land millions of American families in debt slavery. Rather than being able to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and make a difficult new start, families and individuals will be placed on long-term payment…

The U.S. Senate has passed a dream bill for credit card and financial service companies that, if passed by the House, will land millions of American…

Continue reading 23 min

Commentary

Think Piece: Incident on a Friday Night in Detroit

By Ron Scott Guest Commentator

Ten years had passed since I’d been the target of ten cops near Beaubien and Monroe Streets in Detroit’s Greektown District. Back then, in 1994, I found myself on the ground beneath one police officer’s shoe and another officer’s knee, guilty merely of standing on the corner and watching the tourists go by as I…

Ten years had passed since I’d been the target of ten cops near Beaubien and Monroe Streets in Detroit’s Greektown District. Back then, in 1994, I…

Continue reading 7 min

Guest Commentary

‘Ghetto’ – The New N-Word

By Harold M. Clemens Guest Commentator

“Ghetto,” when used colloquially as an adjective, is the most racist, derogatory word in the common lexicon, given its so subtle insinuations and layers. Employed to mean “uncouth,” “unruly,” or “parvenu,” “ghetto” is the most popular, new code word to stigmatize blacks. Referring to unacceptable behaviors as “ghetto” clearly links those behaviors to “the ghetto,”…

"Ghetto," when used colloquially as an adjective, is the most racist, derogatory word in the common lexicon, given its so subtle insinuations and layers. Employed to…

Continue reading 6 min

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