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Home Issue: 167

Issue: 167

January 19, 2006

Cover Story

Fighting the Theft of New Orleans-The Rhythm of Resistance

By The Black Commentator Guest Commentator

“I don’t think it’s right that you take our properties. Over my dead body. I didn’t die with Katrina.” – Lower 9th Ward resident Caroline Parker. “Joe Canizaro, I don’t know you, but I hate you. I’m going to suit up like I’m going to Iraq and fight this.” – New Orleans East resident Harvey…

"I don't think it's right that you take our properties. Over my dead body. I didn't die with Katrina." - Lower 9th Ward resident Caroline Parker.…

Continue reading 11 min

Commentary

Freedom Rider: Oprah’s Best Self

By Margaret Kimberley Guest Commentator

Until recently, Oprah Winfrey’s biggest sin was to unleash Dr. Phil’s loud mouth quackery on an already troubled nation. Dr. Phil is part of the Oprah empire, which consists of celebrity news and advice on how we ought to be “our best selves.” Oprah should be given credit for accomplishing what generations of English teachers…

Until recently, Oprah Winfrey's biggest sin was to unleash Dr. Phil's loud mouth quackery on an already troubled nation. Dr. Phil is part of the Oprah…

Continue reading 4 min

Commentary

Radio BC: Harold Ford Jr. Sucks Up to Bush and His War

By The Black Commentator Guest Commentator

Harold Ford, Jr., the Black Congressman from Memphis, Tennessee, is a clear and present danger to African American political cohesion. As such, he represents a grave threat to progressive politics in the United States, because fully half of Americans who can reasonably be described as progressive, are Black. African Americans are the bulwark of what’s…

Harold Ford, Jr., the Black Congressman from Memphis, Tennessee, is a clear and present danger to African American political cohesion. As such, he represents a grave…

Continue reading 3 min

Commentary

Bruce’s Beat

By Bruce Dixon Editor

Real journalists, the way we used to hear it explained, are called to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. They provide citizens with the useful and empowering information needed to comprehend the world and stand up for their own interests. BC‘s own Margaret Kimberley is a real journalist. Her June 23 Freedom Rider column,…

Real journalists, the way we used to hear it explained, are called to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. They provide citizens with the useful…

Continue reading 4 min

Guest Commentary

Turning Democracy Right Side Up

By Ryan Paul Haygood Guest Commentator

Nearly fifty years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in a voting rights speech given before an audience of 20,000 in Washington, D.C., recognized that “all types of conniving methods are being used to prevent Negroes from becoming registered voters.” Unfortunately, Dr. King’s words ring true today in Alabama, where the Secretary of State, the…

Nearly fifty years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in a voting rights speech given before an audience of 20,000 in Washington, D.C., recognized that "all…

Continue reading 3 min

Guest Commentary

Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Expansive Dream

By The Reverend Irene Monroe Editorial Board

Many people working for justice today stand on the shoulders of Martin Luther King, Jr., but I believe King’s vision of justice is often gravely limited and misunderstood. Too many people thought then, and continue to think, that King’s statements regarding justice were only about race and the African-American community. We fail to see how…

Many people working for justice today stand on the shoulders of Martin Luther King, Jr., but I believe King's vision of justice is often gravely limited…

Continue reading 6 min

Guest Commentary

Stalling the Dream: Racial Gaps in the Car Culture

By Meizhu Lui Guest Commentator

Fifty years ago, the late Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus, catalyzing history-making events. Imagine, however, if Rosa Parks had lived in New Orleans in September 2005 and was trying to escape from the gathering clouds of Hurricane Katrina. Would she have jumped in her car? Would she…

Fifty years ago, the late Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus, catalyzing history-making events. Imagine, however, if Rosa Parks…

Continue reading 7 min

Guest Commentary

A Canadian Ban on U.S. Rapper?:50 Cent Solutions to One Dollar Problems

By Mesfin Aman Guest Commentator

There is political opportunism, scapegoating, and desperation, but Toronto Liberal MP Dan McTeague has raised (or rather lowered) the bar with his suggestion that Immigration Minister Joe Volpe ban New York-based rapper 50 Cent from entry into Canada for a series of concerts beginning in December. What is equally surprising is that Toronto’s “leftist” mayor…

There is political opportunism, scapegoating, and desperation, but Toronto Liberal MP Dan McTeague has raised (or rather lowered) the bar with his suggestion that Immigration Minister…

Continue reading 4 min

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