Keepingitreal

Just because I smile at you, don't mean I'm trying to get in bed with you

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Common and the Drunk Fan

Can We Be Frank?

Randomness...Can we be Frank? Did any of us really think that 50 Cents actually stood a chance against Miss Kanye? I'm mean, c'mon on now, we should have known better. I will say though, ego and all,absolutely fascinated with the ways in which Kanye has been able to unapologetically flaunt his nerdish, queerish/punkish ways. The constant diva tantrums [exhibit A] the extravagant, feminizing frames and tailored suits; the fashion editor position at Complex Magazine, the strange relationship John Legend...I love every dam bit of it. What’s also interesting about Kanye is the way in which he embodies what one of my old mentors, Manthia Diawara, used to call "homeboy cosmopolitanism": a sort of hybrid amalgamation of black “high” and "popular" (low) culture. By situating himself within the Hip Hop genre, Kanye earns "street" credibility, even while subscribing to the logic of black middle class respectability ("the college graduate," etc). His performance persona can be situated within a long genealogy of "elegant" black male stars like Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte, though he's not quite as polished. But again, thats the goal--I think. Go on Kanye, I aint mad at ya! Check out Miles Marshal Lewis’ take on Kanye over at the BronxBiannual blog. SOURCE OF THIS STORY

London unveils Mandela statue

A statue of Nelson Mandela is being unveiled in London's Parliament Square today. Mr Mandela, who is 89, and his wife Graca Machel are joined by the Mayor of London and anti-apartheid campaigners, as well as gospel singers and dancers. This report from Emily Buchanan: Listen to the story The nine foot bronze shows Nelson Mandela standing and gesturing, as if making a speech. The idea for the monument was initiated by the anti-apartheid activist, Donald Woods. He chose the sculptor Ian Walters who began the work six years ago. Sadly, neither man lived to see today's ceremony. The statue's fate has been dogged by arguments over where it should go, as well as its artistic merit. The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, had wanted it to stand on the north side of Trafalgar Square. But in 2005 Westminster Council refused permission, saying it would clutter the space needed for large events. It was finally agreed it should face the Houses of Parliament and stand alongside other great leaders, such as Winston Churchill, Benjamin Disraeli and Abraham Lincoln. Gordon Brown will attend the unveiling. Yesterday he described Mr Mandela as 'the most inspiring, the greatest and the most courageous leader of our generation'. SOURCE OF THIS STORY

Emily Buchanan, BBC

Apology for slavery would be nice, but not enough

BY DEWAYNE WICKHAM  --- At long last, this nation is on the verge of apologizing for its greatest sin. During separate meetings in Las Vegas with members of the Trotter Group, an organization of black columnists, Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama embraced the idea of a national expression of regret for slavery. That's a good thing. But where does it leave us? For 246 years, slavery was a widely accepted part of the fabric of American life. The enslavement of millions of blacks - and the neo-slavery that emerged during the Jim Crow era after slavery was abolished in 1865 - fueled this nation's economy for nearly three and a half centuries. "I think an apology for slavery is a good idea to consider," Clinton, the frontrunner for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination said. "A number of states are now doing it ... like Virginia, the capital of the old Confederacy. So, there is an evolution that is taking place here." In fact, four states - Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia - have formally apologized for their role in this nation's slave trade. But so far, neither Congress nor a sitting president has mustered the courage to do so. CLINTON CAME CLOSEThen-President Bill Clinton came close during a trip to Africa in 1998. During a stop in Uganda he said, "Going back to the time before we were even a nation, European-Americans received the fruits of the slave trade and we were wrong in that." Hillary Clinton, the former president's wife, made it clear she's willing to go further, if she makes it into the White House. "What the states are doing could be given more prominence if the federal government were to say ... we need to do this as well," she told the black columnists. When we met with Obama a day later, he told us, "I could see the need for an expanded conversation about slavery because I don't think that we've ever fully acknowledged the cost of slavery. If I'm president, certainly I could issue an apology. But I'm not sure ... that's what would transform the country." NO RIGHTING THESE WRONGS A national apology for slavery from the president and Congress could have a cathartic effect for many black people, but it wouldn't be enough to right the wrongs that racial inequities - the awful byproduct of slavery - have produced. What am I talking about? For about as long as anyone can remember, the black unemployment rate has been double the rate for whites. Some will argue that black joblessness is driven by a lack of education. But that doesn't explain how in July, the unemployment rate for blacks with a high school degree (7.3 percent) was higher than the rate for white high school dropouts (5.9 percent). And black people whose education extends beyond a bachelor's degree were no more successful finding work than white job seekers who had attended college but didn't receive a degree. Both groups had a 3.8 percent unemployment rate last month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. NUMBERS DON'T LIEAs bad as this is, there's more that an apology for slavery wouldn't correct. In 2005, the most recent year for which data is available, black people with a bachelor's degree earned $1,500 less, on average, than white high school graduates. Black people with a master's degree earned an average $56,477 while whites with a master's degree earned an average $69,535. And blacks with doctoral degrees were paid nearly $12,000 a year less than whites with the same education, according to census figures. It's good that several states have apologized for participating in slavery. And a formal expression of regret from Congress and the president could help heal some of the wounds that slavery opened - wounds that still fester. But words alone won't be enough to undo this nation's most troubling racial inequities. Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer

Daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. Dies

ATLANTA - Yolanda King, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s eldest child who pursued her father's dream of racial harmony through drama and motivational speaking, has died. She was 51.King died late Tuesday in Santa Monica, Calif., said Steve Klein, a spokesman for the King Center. The family did not know the cause of death, but relatives think it might have been a heart problem, he said."She was an actress, author, producer, advocate for peace and nonviolence, who was known and loved for her motivational and inspirational contributions to society," the King family said in a statement.Born on Nov. 17, 1955, in Montgomery, Ala., Yolanda Denise King was just an infant when her home was bombed amid the turbulent civil rights era.She became an actress, ran a production company and appeared in numerous films, including "Ghosts of Mississippi," and as Rosa Parks in the 1978 miniseries "King." "Yolanda was lovely. She wore the mantle of princess, and she wore it with dignity and charm," said the Rev. Joseph Lowery, One of her father's close aides in the civil rights movement. "She was a warm and gentle person and was thoroughly committed to the movement and found her own means of expressing that commitment through drama." The Rev. Al Sharpton said he expressed his condolences to her brother Martin Luther King III on Wednesday. Sharpton said Yolanda King was a "torch bearer for her parents and a committed activist in her own right." MORE ON THIS STORY

Ashford and Simpson

Seeing the dynamic duo shake their shimmy and serenade a captive audience to a string of hit songs they wrote, produced or sang in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s was sheer joy.That was the scene at the world's famous Apollo Theater over the weekend as the Harlem landmark kicked off its eagerly anticipated Apollo Legends Series.Ashford & Simpson headlined the bill that also featured R&B diva Melba Moore as the opener. The crowd, as can be expected, was just as lively as the show -- and kept this chronicler in stitches during and in between a timeline of classic R&B songs. Moore, at 61, is looking better than ever and is a delight to watch on the stage.The Tony Award winning star of hit Broadway shows such as 'Hair,' 'Timbuktu,' and 'Purlie,' ran through a string of her most beloved tunes including 'Loves Comin' at Ya,' 'You Stepped Into My Life,' and the R&B hit 'Falling.' At one point -- in between her campy display of gut-busting octaves -- she reached down to drink an elixir (of some sort) out of a peculiarly-packaged container. One orchestra section patron yelled out, "Put the beer can down, Melba," sending that section of the audience into a frenzy. As she ran through the numbers, she offered up anecdotes of years of yore -- providing a nostalgic context to her musical legacy. She also let the audience in on a relatively unknown fact of how her and Ashford & Simpson met decades before -- all three sang jingles in New York City before making it big as music acts. Ashford & Simpson went on to write Ray Charles' chart-topping hit 'Let's Get Stoned' and Moore went on to make her theater debut. MORE ON THIS STORY

Halle Berry: "We'll Redefine What Marriage Is"

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (April 5, 2007) -- Fresh off of receiving her star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame, Halle Berry sat down with Access Hollywood's Nancy O'Dell to discuss the powerful position she's at in her life, as well as her wishes for a family. In her new film "Perfect Stranger," Halle plays an embattled and "tortured" woman, who overcomes adversity by using her brains and sexuality -- which is just the kind of role she likes."I love women that are alive and real," she tells Access. "And I love characters that are you know, vulnerable and not afraid to be vulnerable and who are somewhat troubled, because I like to see characters overcome you know, an issue. I like it when--especially women characters--when they refuse to be victimized, but decide to get the power back and to win. That is something I really love to play. "When asked about her name coming before co-star Bruce Willis' name in the credits of the film (a huge rarity for females in the business), Halle is modest, yet thankful for the opportunity to be considered "equal" to a big male movie star. She says, "I like to say we're side by side. That feels more like the right thing...I feel very much like his equal and his peer and that feels good, to be equal with a man like Bruce Willis, equality feels really good."But perhaps "equality" is an understatement, as Halle was recently named "The Most Powerful African-American Woman in Hollywood" by Ebony magazine. Yet even with that title bestowed upon her, she's characteristically modest. "That's a nice feeling," she says. "Just to feel like within the black community I've been able to make a contribution on any level feels pretty important."Halle's power stems not only from her talent, but also from her passion, drive, and focus on what matters in her personal life. After making it through two very public divorces, she's found a new partner in Canadian model Gabriel Aubry, and while she has no intention of getting married again, she says "I have a wonderful guy in my life, and we'll redefine what marriage is." MORE ON THIS STORY

Eddie Robinson Remembered As Legend

Eddie Robinson inspired young men to do great things, to make the most of their lives. And many of those he touched never played a down for him during a 57-year coaching career at Grambling State. "There is no question that Eddie Robinson was a figure that was larger than life for most African-American young men of that era," Washington coach Tyrone Willingham said Tuesday. Robinson died Tuesday at the age of 88, 10 years after he retired. He built Grambling State, a small historically black school in northern Louisiana into a football powerhouse, sending more than 200 players into the NFL and winning 408 games in a tenure that began in 1941. "At that time, Grambling was The Program and Eddie Robinson was The Man. One of the first football camps I ever attended was in Shenandoah, Va. The reason I attended was because Eddie Robinson was going to be there. ... He stood for all the right things," said Willingham, one of six black head coaches at 119 major college football schools. MORE ON THIS STORY

Tuskegee Airmen Being Honored for World War II Service As First U.S. All-Black Aviation Unit

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas -- Recognition has been a long time coming for Milton Crenshaw and other members of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first all-black unit in the Army Air Corps. But now, in the span of one week, Crenshaw has been honored by the state of Arkansas, and he and other survivors of the unit will receive the Congressional Gold Medal for their work as fighter pilots during World War II. Without men like Crenshaw, the unit would not have been successful, Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe said Tuesday as he presented Crenshaw a plaque for his dedication, service and commitment. "I don't think there's any question that nobody had a greater track record as a unit in World War II that the Tuskegee Airmen," Beebe said. "Over 100 kills and...not a single loss in combat as a result of enemy fire. That didn't just happen, somebody trained those guys to that good," MORE ON THIS STORY

Criticism of Andy Young

Andy Young: sellout

The AJC takes a look at the growing criticism of Andy Young and his work on behalf of authoritarians and gold-mining interests in Africa: Last month, for instance, in an article published in Harper's magazine, Washington editor Ken Silverstein declared that "Andrew Young's days of do-gooding have long since passed."In a phone interview, Silverstein condemned Young's role as a door-opener for corporations doing business in Africa."Who benefits from Andy Young's relationship with the government of Nigeria? It's not the Nigerian people," said Silverstein, a former writer with the Los Angeles Times. "As I see it, the primary beneficiaries of his work in Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa are these corrupt, authoritarian regimes he works with and his private corporate clients."But there is more on the Web that will turn your stomach, such as his praise for Iraq War architect Paul Wolfowitz "The more I read about Paul Wolfowitz, the more I realized we had in common," confessed Atlanta's former mayor and shameless son Andrew Young, in his opening remarks before a Wolfowitz speech at an Atlanta synagogue, Sunday night. A lot of people are sick of Young's turn to the dark side: "When you look at it, it's really not all that surprising," offered Dr. Keith Jennings. "This is the same Andrew Young that went straight from the King memorial celebration in Washington, DC to a Republican fundraiser across town where corporate fat cats showered Bush with campaign cash to do what he does for them. Those are the circles he moves in now, and that's who the brother is."Young is on the payroll of Barrick Gold, which Cynthia McKinney denounced for the killing of African miners, as you can read in this Greg Palast piece. MORE ON THIS STORY

Sharpton Visits Thurmond's Birthplace

AP) A prominent civil rights leader, the Rev. Al Sharpton, traveled Monday to the birthplace of pro-segregation U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond to visit the grave of a Thurmond relative who held one of Sharpton's ancestors as a slave. Sharpton's trip to this rural town also included a visit to a cemetery where slaves are buried in graves marked only by small stones. He urged all blacks to explore their histories despite "the ugly things it might reveal." The civil rights leader recently learned of his family's link to that of Thurmond, a segregationist from South Carolina who later softened his stance before he died in 2003. When he found out, Sharpton called it "probably the most shocking thing in my life" and wants a DNA test to see if their families were linked by blood. MORE ON THIS STORY

THE MELVIN VAN PEEBLES How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company Interview with Kam Williams

Born in Chicago on August 21, 1932, Melvin Van Peebles is best known as the incendiary iconoclast who financed, wrote, produced, scored, edited, distributed and starred in Sweet Sweetback's Badass Song, (1971) the politically-progressive picture which single-handedly inspired the rise of the blaxploitation genre. What few folks realize, however, is that moviemaking was only a fraction of this Renaissance man's many talents. Premiering Thursday, Feb 15 at 9pm Est. on IFC, How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (And Enjoy It), a retrospective on the versatile maverick's entire career, reveals a man who also spent time as a novelist (in French), playwright, composer, painter, astronomer, enlisted man in the Air Force, and as a stock trader with a seat on the American Exchange on Wall Street. Here, Melvin shares his thoughts with me on just about everything. KAM WILLIAMS: Hey, Melvin, thanks for the time. MORE ON THIS STORY

Women of Power Unite in Phoenix

Steve Harvey broadcasts live, women achievers honored at national conference: February 8, 2007--Nearly 700 people, mostly women, are soaking up success tips, business insights and power networking at the 2nd annual Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit (WPS). The conference really kicked off last night in Phoenix, Arizona with the Women of Power Legacy Awards Dinner. Receiving awards were Ruth Simmons, president of Brown University, entertainment executive Suzanne de Passe, dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison and Faye Wattleton, the president of the Center for the Advancement of Women. Black Enterprise recognized these African-American women for their power, influence and achievements which have left a legacy of success for women of color in every career field. The mistresses of ceremony were the gracious wife of Earl G. Graves, Sr., Barbara Graves, who is vice president/ general manger at Earl G. Graves Ltd., and the poised Valerie Morris, a correspondent at CNN Business News MORE ON THIS STORY

Do NFL Hiring Practices Still Need Race-based Monitoring?

Do NFL Hiring Practices Still Need Race-based Monitoring?
First Black Super Bowl Head Coach Says ‘Yes’

Source: China Daily; North American ed.
Publication date: 2007-01-31

MIAMI: A black head coach is guaranteed to lift the Vince Lombardi trophy for the first time once the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts have thrashed out the Super Bowl on Sunday. But it is not yet time to shelve the Rooney Rule which ensures NFL teams interview at least one minority candidate for any head coaching vacancy says the Bears' Lovie Smith. Smith faces Colts' Tony Dungy in an historic showdown between African American head coaches in the NFL title game. "I would like to think owners would hire the best coach but I'm here because of the Rooney Rule," Smith told reporters during a news conference on Monday. "I definitely think we have to keep it in place. MORE ON THIS STORY

Happy Birthday, Champ!

By: John DeMarchi
POSTED: 10:03 EST, January 17, 2007

Muhammad Ali turns 65 today. The heavyweight champion who was hailed as "The Greatest" is a senior citizen now, eligible to collect Social Security. He also continues to battle Parkinson's Disease. In a 21-year pro career, Ali fought 61 times, winning 56. Bob Arum promoted 25 of those bouts. "I feel terrible about what happened because for better or worse I played a part in it," Arum told the Associated Press. "Not that it wouldn't have happened if somebody else was involved. But I feel I played a part in his physical decline.... Here was a guy who my memories of him were larger than life. He was full of life, like nobody I've ever seen in my life.... Now to see what is essentially a shell of what was is hard. Every time I see him I'm glad to see him, but I feel terrible."

I Have a Dream

WE Have A Dream...

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day folks. Check out Common and Will.I.Am's new video for "A Dream", a song they wrote for the new movie Freedom Writers:

James Brown's Body Has Not Been Buried

By KATRINA A. GOGGINS, Associated Press Writer - The body of soul singer James Brown has yet to be buried as attorneys and his children work to settle issues surrounding his estate, including where he will be laid to rest. For now, his body lies in a sealed casket in his home on Beech Island, said Charles Reid, manager of the C.A. Reid Funeral Home in Augusta, Ga., which handled the services. Brown died of heart failure Dec. 25 at age 73. His will has yet to be filed, said Buddy Dallas, an attorney for the singer. The room where Brown's body lies is being kept at a controlled temperature, and security guards keep watch, Reid said. The funeral home delivered Brown's body after services Dec. 30, Reid said. Brown's home has been locked since hours after his death to protect his memorabilia, furnishing, clothes and other personal items, Dallas said. "Just imagine what would have happened," Dallas said. "Items of James Brown would have left there like items off the shelves of Macy's in an after-Christmas sale. MORE ON THIS STORY

ELLA FITZGERALD GETS U.S. POSTAL HONOR: 'The First Lady of Song' to be on Stamp

NEW YORK -- The U.S. Postal Service will honor Ella Fitzgerald as the 30th inductee into its Black Heritage stamp series.  Fitzgerald was widely known as "The First Lady of Song Her extraordinary vocal range and flexibility, combined with her gift for pitch, rhythmic sense, and flawless diction, made her a favorite of fans, songwriters and other singers The stamp image is a portrait based on a photograph taken circa 1956 that captures the joy and excitement that Fitzgerald brought to music. Nancy Wilson, Fitzgerald long-time friend, internationally-renowned song stylist and actress; Ray Brown, Jr., Fitzgerald's son; Jennifer Sanon, vocalist; James Moody, saxophonist and NEH Jazz Master who performed with Fitzgerald; Phoebe Jacobs, Fitzgerald long-time friend and Executive Vice President, The Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation, Inc.; Paul Davis, Fitzgerald stamp artist; Ethel Kessler, Fitzgerald stamp designer; Kathy Brown, Executive Director, Jazz at Lincoln Center; Delores J. Killette, Vice President and Consumer Advocate United States Postal Service; Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, Pastor, Abyssinian Baptist Church, New York, NY When: 11 a.m. (ET), Wed., Jan. 10, 2007