Today in History

July 27, 2004 – Barack Obama delivered the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in Boston.

 A candidate for the Illinois senate then, that speech brought him national recognition.  In a politically polarized America, he urged national unity. “There’s not a liberal America and a conservative America—there’s the United States of America,” said Obama. “We worship an awesome God in the blue states, and we don’t like federal agents poking around in our libraries in the red states. We coach Little League in the blue states, and yes, we’ve got some gay friends in the red states.”

July 27, 1962 – Martin Luther King, Jr., is arrested and jailed in Albany, Georgia.  At a city hall prayer vigil, police handcuffed the civil rights leader on charges of disorderly conduct, failure to obey a police officer and obstructing the sidewalk.  He and other civil rights activists were leading a protest against segregation.

Black History Month

It took me 8-days to decide whether or not I was going to write
something, about the fact that it's Black History Month.

I've known Black History Month, which began as Negro History Week in
1926, by Carter G. Woodson, since I was 4-years old. Growing up in a
largely Black community, it struck me as comical that I was learning
about what Blacks had faced in the South and even what the slaves had
faced in the Virgin Islands.

It wasn't until I was in the third grade that it started to make sense
and I began to appreciate the contributions by so many determined and
selfless Black people. Still, I was perplexed because there were so
many contributions made by White, Yellow and other folks, that I
struggled to understand why another person would look down on another
human being for being 'different'? It took alot of explaining from my
parents and grand parents, who were born in 1920, in the British
Virgin Islands.

Still, today, some argue that Black History Month should become a
thing of the past, because the United States have elected the first
Black President.

Some see Black History Month or as officially proclaimed by President
Obama on Feb. 2,"National African-American History Month.". Obama
called for," all people of the United States to observe this month
with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs that raise
awareness and appreciation of African-American history."

Black History Month has become a fixture in schools, but do we still
need it today?

Some would argue that Black History Month should be eliminated because
it does nothing more than promote division, because of the stain of
guilt that many Whites feel. Does this hinder people's growth of
accepting differences and having frank conversations about them? Some
would say that it does.

So, as I type this on the 8th day in the month of February of the year
2009, I still am perplexed by the question, "Do we need to continue to
celebrate Black History Month?" I do believe that we must know our
history and not run from it, and that goes for the Black, White,
Yellow and Brown. We are, after all, One Nation Under A Groove!

100 Miles & Runnin'

To think that Barack Obama has been the President of the United States for 12-days is overwhelming and I still smile a Kool-Aid smile everytime I hear Young Jeezy, Jay-Z and Nas's remix for My President. Some of the lyrics are R.A.W., but they still ring true from an artistic stand point.

When one stops and thinks of the mess President Obama and Vice President Biden have inherited, the song "100 Miles & Runnin'" by N.W.A., again, from an artistic standpoint, there's no denying how instrumental N.W.A. was in the rap game; also their music struck a nerve within me as a youth and it still does today as an adult, comes to mind.

There's alot of work to be done and it does seem like there's a new bootstrapping mentality that's becoming contagious. Shoot, I'm just happy to see people that otherwise were happy wallowing in the belly of beast feel inspired to go to school, teach their children and get a job, even if it means, pardon the phrase, "shoveling shit for a time". It's time to "Get Busy" like Sean Paul and get to steppin'!

Oh No, They Didn't?!!!!!!

First Lady Michelle Obama is not playing around when it comes to her girls. She’s reportedly upset with the Beanie Baby company for making these “Sweet Sasha” and “Marvelous Malia” dolls. Through her spokesperson, she released a statement calling them “inappropriate”.

Ty (the company that manufacturers the Beanie Babies) says these dolls have nothing to do with the First Daughters and people are misunderstanding them to be dolls modeled after Sasha and Malia Obama. Even though the spokeswoman for the company originally told Crain.com that the dolls were designed with he Obama girls in mind. Now she’s retracting it.

The dolls hit shelves right before President Obama's Inauguration this month.

A Man of the People

One of the interesting things about President Obama that gets folks is how down-to-earth he is and, more importantly, how comfortable he is with who he is. It's very evident and you can see just how much as he visited Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, D.C..

President Obama & First Lady Obama

Priceless!

The Oath (Remixed)

Many people around the world watched as Chief Justice John Roberts and President Barack Obama fumbled their way through the 35-word oath of office.

In the beginning, it appeared that Barack Obama was a little nervous and jumped the gun by stating his name before Chief Justice Roberts finished the line Barack was supposed to repeat.

The Constitution sets out the language that should be used in the oath:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

The first glitch occurred when Obama spoke before Roberts completed his line.

Roberts started out, “I Barack Hussein Obama,” and at that point Obama jumped to repeat those words. But Roberts wasn’t finished:

Roberts: I, Barack Hussein Obama …

Obama: I, Barack –

Roberts: … do solemnly swear …

Obama: I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear …

Then it was Roberts’ turn to flub. He incorrectly recited the next phrase, putting the word “faithfully” at the end and using “to” instead of “of”:

Obama smiled and paused as he seemed to recognize the wording was out of order, and then but repeated Roberts, who at the same time attempted to correct himself.

Roberts: … that I will execute the office of president to the United States faithfully …

Obama: … that I will execute …

Roberts: … the off — faithfully the pres — the office of president of the United States …

Obama: … the office of president of the United States faithfully …

The two got the rest correct, including the non-obligatory “So help you God?” “So help me God.”

The swearing-in was viewed by millions who saw Obama take the oath with a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln at his first inaugural.

When Brown can stick around.....

The 44th President, Barack H. Obama, has been sworn in and it took Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, who helped found one of the oldest Civil Rights groups(Alabama Civic Affairs Association) and marched with Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered the best quote of the day.

brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead man and when white would embrace what is right.

Here's the full text of Rev. Lowery's benediction:

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, thou, who has brought us thus far along the way, thou, who has by thy might led us into the light, keep us forever in the path we pray, lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met thee, lest our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget thee.

Shadowed beneath thy hand, may we forever stand true to thee, oh God, and true to our native land.

We truly give thanks for the glorious experience we've shared this day.

We pray now, oh Lord, for your blessing upon thy servant Barack Obama, the 44th president of these United States, his family and his administration.

He has come to this high office at a low moment in the national, and indeed the global, fiscal climate. But because we know you got the whole world in your hands, we pray for not only our nation, but for the community of nations.

Our faith does not shrink though pressed by the flood of mortal ills.

For we know that, Lord, you are able and you're willing to work through faithful leadership to restore stability, mend our brokenness, heal our wounds, and deliver us from the exploitation of the poor, of the least of these, and from favoritism toward the rich, the elite of these.

We thank you for the empowering of thy servant, our 44th president, to inspire our nation to believe that yes we can work together to achieve a more perfect union.

And while we have sown the seeds of greed — the wind of greed and corruption, and even as we reap the whirlwind of social and economic disruption, we seek forgiveness and we come in a spirit of unity and solidarity to commit our support to our president by our willingness to make sacrifices, to respect your creation, to turn to each other and not on each other.

And now, Lord, in the complex arena of human relations, help us to make choices on the side of love, not hate; on the side of inclusion, not exclusion; tolerance, not intolerance.

And as we leave this mountain top, help us to hold on to the spirit of fellowship and the oneness of our family. Let us take that power back to our homes, our workplaces, our churches, our temples, our mosques, or wherever we seek your will.

Bless President Barack, First Lady Michelle. Look over our little angelic Sasha and Malia.

We go now to walk together as children, pledging that we won't get weary in the difficult days ahead. We know you will not leave us alone.

With your hands of power and your heart of love, help us then, now, Lord, to work for that day when nations shall not lift up sword against nation, when tanks will be beaten into tractors, when every man and every woman shall sit under his or her own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid, when justice will roll down like waters and righteousness as a mighty stream.

Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around ... when yellow will be mellow ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen.

Stop the Insanity!

The man hasn't been sworn in and everyone and their step-brother have made articles of clothing, sneakers, hats, watches and even underwear biggin' up Barack Obama a/k/a/ BO.





Here are just a few of the items that need to be donated to those less fortunate:

Defacing the American Flag in the name of Obama?

Photo source: Baltimore Sun

US Flag Code: “The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.”

Baller-in-Chief

It was only a matter of time and a Brooklyn, NY man is hoping to cash in on the Obama-mania taking place by creating the Obama basketball sneakers.




I don't know if I'd spend my hard earned dollars on these sneakers, but you can't Mitchell Rose's hustle. Now, I wonder if Obama will hit Mr. Rose with a Cease & Desist for using his name and likeness? That would be Baller for Real move.

Barack Obama x The Amazing Spider-Man Comic Book Release

With the Obama fever soon to hit a pinnacle next week, the President-elect and his childhood love of Marvel Comics resulted in the release of a special edition of The Amazing Spider-Man for issue #583. The comics storyline features attempts by the Chameleon to ruin Obama’s inauguration day only for Spider-Man to come in and save the day (no surprises there right?). The comic book was officially released on Wednesday, January 14th and largely sold-out however a massive amount have made their way to eBay.

Movie: Any Given Tuesday in Brooklyn

I love when people are inspired to GO HARD and do something that others said couldn't be done!

Take a look at this short film about The Vote 2008 and it's impact on Brooklyn, NY and, ultimately, the world.

To tell you a little bit about the film:

This documentary features interviews with voters outside the polls, Brooklyn residents in the street, as well as different representatives from the Brooklyn for Barack HQ in Bedford Stuyvesant and the Barack Phone Bank in Fort Greene. Exclusive images from the amazing Election block party that took place at New York's only South African restaurant Madiba will transport you on the scene and make you live (or relive) the explosive joy that took the streets by storm as the results were announced.

This short documentary is produced by Caid Productions and co-directed by Thierry Daher and Pierrot Colonna and distributed for free to the community, friends, family and business associates. It is our gift to the community and it will not be sold! It is for that reason that we decided to put it online for all to see and enjoy. We believe it is a small piece of American History and we're proud to have documented it on film.

Any Given Tuesday: In Brooklyn
Uploaded by anygiventuesday

Marvel Comics: Barack Obama x The Amazing Spider-Man

Photo courtesy of Marvel.com

As excitement builds over the upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama, the 44th President of United States, comic book giant Marvel Entertainment announced the launch of a very special edition to commemorate the occasion. Featuring one of Marvel’s most famous character, Spider-man (aka Peter Parker), the upcoming issue #583 of The Amazing Spider-Man will have the superhero thwarting the plans of his long-time nemesis, Chameleon, during a factious January 20th. Thus, saving Obama’s inauguration. The issue will also include a special cover with both men. According to Joe Quesada, the Editor-in-Chief at Marvel, the idea for the mash-up issue came about when they found out Obama was a fan of the title during his childhood. The Amazing Spider-Man Issue #583 goes on sale across the U.S. this coming Wednesday, January 14th.

Editor Note: Due to overwhelming demand after Marvel’s disclosure last week. The company has issue a second printing of the comic. The second printing will feature identical cover art by Phil Jimenez but in a different colorway (see the picture below).

Release Date: January 14th (Wednesday)

Photo courtesy of Marvel.com

It's a New Day

In times like we're experiencing, I look for more Positive Innovators (PIs) such as Will.i.am who inspire people to Dream BIG! This song does it for me every time I hear it and I decided to share it with y'all.

2008 Rap Up!

Every year, my man Skillz comes through with a Rap Up that is highly anticipated and folks call each other and wonder where it is. It's available on the Internet, usually YouTube.com or some other viral video website.

Without further ado, I present to you Skillz: 2008 Rap Up:



If you want to see the 2007 Rap Up, you can peep it here.

Economy: Change won't be so fast

President-elect Barack Obama warned on Friday that economic recovery won’t be as fast as he completed his Cabinet, after naming the secretaries of transportation, labor, trade and small business policy.

“It will take longer than any of us would like — years, not months. It will get worse before it gets better. But it will get better if we are willing to act boldly and swiftly,” Obama said — and he promised to do just that.

Obama declined to put a price tag on an economic stimulus plan he will propose, but signaled that it could be huge because of his priorities: creating jobs, getting the economy back on track and fixing financial markets among them. “That is going to cost a significant amount of money on the front end,” he said.

Barbara Walters Interviews Obama

In case you missed it, President-elect Barack Obama and First Lady-elect Michelle Obama sat down with Barbara Walters for a Barbara Walters Special which aired Wednesday night.

The interview covered, among other things, a potential bailout of the auto industry, bonuses for bank executives and Obama’s negotiations to retain his BlackBerry. Obama also details his biggest fear, and it’s not what you might think.

Obama: Jobs Galore?

In his Democratic Radio Address over the weekend, President-elect Barack Obama discussed his plans to put people back to work and get our economy moving again. Obama has directed his economic team to assemble an Economic Recovery Plan that will save or create 2.5 million more jobs by January of 2011. Let's the games begin!

The Pain & The Cure

With the economy continuing to head south faster than a pole dancer at one of the many gentleman's clubs in Worcester, the price of gasoline continues to go down to a rabble-rousing round of applause.

In times like these we have to find solace where we can get it and nowadays, that solace is scarce.

Senators in Washington, D.C. continue to grill the automotive industry execs and ask why folks like Joe-the-plumber should have to bail the industry out.

Obama chose Eric Holder to be the Attorney General and, once he makes it through the vetting process, he would be the first Black man to head the Department of Justice.

Folks in Loveland, Colorado have decided to pay it forward and spread a little joy to customers that love coffee.

And last, but not least, we look to the holidays to be a time where people slow down a little, get together with friends and relatives, break break and give thanks for what they have.


And here's a Christmas message from the President and the First Family: