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Issue: 139

May 19, 2005

Cover Story

Black Labor’s Voice Amidst the Madness

By The Black Commentator Guest Commentator

For the first time since one faction of the AFL-CIO declared war on the other nearly a year ago, Black trade unionists from across the U.S. and Canada will gather later this month in an attempt to force the contenders for control of the labor federation to recognize the interests of African Americans. “We…have a…

For the first time since one faction of the AFL-CIO declared war on the other nearly a year ago, Black trade unionists from across the U.S.…

Continue reading 13 min

Commentary

Excuses, Excuses: How the Right Rationalizes Racial Inequality in America

By Tim Wise Guest Commentator

Part I of this article appeared in the May 5, 2005 issue of BC. “It’s the crime stupid!” Thus read the first line of an e-mail I received a few weeks ago. This particular love note came from someone who had run across an old article of mine in which I had discussed racism in…

Part I of this article appeared in the May 5, 2005 issue of BC. "It's the crime stupid!" Thus read the first line of an e-mail…

Continue reading 11 min

Commentary

The Color of Politics and the Idiocy of American Racism

By Rodney Foxworth

“We have not yet reached a situation in which white people and white cultural agendas are no longer in the ascendant. The media, politics, education are still in the hands of white people, still speak for whites while claiming—and sometimes sincerely aiming—to speak for humanity.” – Richard Dyer “There is a physical difference between the…

“We have not yet reached a situation in which white people and white cultural agendas are no longer in the ascendant. The media, politics, education are…

Continue reading 7 min

Commentary

Punks Jump Up to Get Beat Down: The Permanence of U.S. Mediocrity

By Jonathan Scott Guest Commentator

After Bush won re-election, many on the white left went into a self-serving identity crisis. Have we lost touch with the Christian fundamentalists? And the whole war thing, maybe it’s not such a bad idea after all, killing them before they kill us. Howard Dean says he now supports the U.S. occupation of Iraq, and…

After Bush won re-election, many on the white left went into a self-serving identity crisis. Have we lost touch with the Christian fundamentalists? And the whole…

Continue reading 14 min

Commentary

Song of a Never-Was South – Will Disney re-release a twisted film?

By Hollis Henry

“Davy, Davy Crockett, trackin’ the redskins down!” the song goes. If you want to hear the rest, buy Walt Disney’s “Davy Crockett – The Complete Televised Series,” DVD. The lines, and other choice lyrics like “them redskin varmints,” are from the theme music of the 1950’s show. The DVD was released in 2001. For over…

"Davy, Davy Crockett, trackin' the redskins down!" the song goes. If you want to hear the rest, buy Walt Disney's "Davy Crockett – The Complete Televised…

Continue reading 10 min

Commentary

Malcolm X and the Music

By Norman (Otis) Richmond Guest Commentator

El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X) was assassinated 40 years ago, on February 21, 1965, because of his attempt to internationalize the AfricanAmerican liberation struggle. Malcolm was born 80 years ago on May 19, 1925. While it is unlikely that U.S. President George W. Bush will acknowledge these facts, people from Cape Town to Nova Scotia…

El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X) was assassinated 40 years ago, on February 21, 1965, because of his attempt to internationalize the AfricanAmerican liberation struggle. Malcolm was…

Continue reading 8 min

Justus - A conscious comic for the unconscious world

Cartoon

Justus – A conscious comic for the unconscious world

By The Black Commentator Guest Commentator

Press the F11 key for full screen view This is the first panel of a 4 panel cartoon strip. Click Next to see panel 2. “Justus” – a comic strip that “reveals the unconscious faults of adults through the insightful innocence of children.” Its subtle semi political undertone is heightened by a humorous and contemplative…

Press the F11 key for full screen view This is the first panel of a 4 panel cartoon strip. Click Next to see panel 2. “Justus”…

Continue reading 1 min

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