Barack Obama - 'Is he too likeable to white people?"'

Here is an interesting article on Barack Obama and the Dream of a Color-Blind America

" Sen. Obama continues to trail Sen. Hillary Clinton by substantial margins in national polls. Even with white support, he could become the equivalent of Eugene McCarthy in 1968 or Howard Dean in 2004, candidates who stirred fervor among white college students and intellectuals but were unable to win the nomination."

Read the article HERE






























AAPP: Hillary Clinton - 'Is she too likeable to white people?"'

American Gangster

Have you noticed how in just a few months black men have been turned into:

The American Gangster?

Have you wondered how this happened?
Is it right?
Why is Black America allowing it?

Who are the real American gangsters?

Black Bloogers Voice Concerns about Micheal Baisden

Black bloggers unite against Micheal Baisden.

Unified in support of Color of Change. Here is a sample of what black and other bloggers are talking about:

Michael Baisden 0% Accountability - The Color of Change = 100%
by AAPP
It appears that Radio personality Michael Baisden, a nationally syndicated black radio host who is leading a major fundraising drive on behalf of the Jena 6, has declined to reveal how much he has collected and where the money is. ... African American Opinion

Michael Baisden Attacks Color of Change
by Thin Black Duke aka Kevin Slant Truth

Michael Baisden Apologizes to Color of Change
by Eddie G. Griffin Eddie Griffin BASG


Michael Baisden Attacks Color of Change and Jena 6 families
by Jill Tubman
Despite direct communications with Michael Baisden and his staff, Baisden has chosen to air falsehoods promoted by one of the Jena 6 father, Marcus Jones. Jack and Jill Politics -

Jena 6 Families to Black Blogosphere..."We Don't Know Who Y'all
by g-e-m2001
Micahel Bell's Daddy ( the one who can't stop his child from repeatedly violating parole), gets on the Michael Baisden show and says he doesn't know WHO Color of Change is and then goes on to slander ALL Black activists online. What About Our Daughters

Michael Baisden's "Jena-Gate" a Sham for Ratings
ByAndre Banks
After colorofchange.org helped drive the Black netroots toward the Jena 6 campaign and worked non-stop to turn that campaign into national news, radio host Michael Baisden has dragged some disgruntled family member on the air..

I'M CALLING MICHAEL BAISDEN OUT!
by Exodus Mentality
Exodus Mentality

Jena 6, the Black netroots & the importance of media literacy
by Chris Rabb
Recently, a storm has brewed over allegations by popular radio host Michael Baisden that progressive advocacy group, ColorofChange.org, has defrauded one of the Jena 6 families. It is a serious, unsubstantiated and ridiculous charge.
afro-netizen.com

Baisden issues part of an apology to Color of Change
by Prometheus 6
Prometheus6.org

Only Color of Change Has Fully Accounted for Its Jena Six Funds
by Francis L. Holland Blog
Chicago Tribune. Many other groups that have raised money for the Jena Six have failed to immediately account for and disburse their funds, including the NAACP and radio personality Michael Baisden, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The Francis L. Holland Blog

Michael Baisden Smears, Then Half-Ass Apologizes to Color of Change
by rikyrah Mirror On America

Michael Baisden is wrong and should apologize
by blogdig.net
Michael Baisden is wrong and should apologize.by George Cook

People Who Live in Glass Houses
byJane Hamsher
Michael Baisden, a nationally syndicated black radio host who is leading a major fundraising drive on behalf of the Jena 6, has declined to reveal how much he has collected.firedoglake.com

More on Michael Baisden’s bizarre allegations
by alanbean Friends of Justice

NAACP - Modern Day Robin "Hoods" In Reverse

The NAACP - A modern day history of taking from the Rich "To Give To Themselves."







Well, Well, The NAACP has collected over $20,000 for the Jena 6 defendants, and plans to "deduct" money for organizing expenses. Yes, the NAACP, is collecting money on behalf of black folk, and cutting itself in with a piece of the money given by David Bowie and others for the legal defense of the six young black men.



As reported by Chicago Tribune Senior Correspondent Howard Witt, "a spokesman for the NAACP, which collected nearly $20,000, including a $10,000 check from musician David Bowie, said it is winding down its Jena 6 fund and preparing to distribute the remaining cash to the attorneys for the six youths after deducting some of its own organizing expenses." More HERE

I guess the NAACP needs to take from the rich and steal from the poor. But they are not the only ones.

I mean this is a group that seems to continue a history of providing a lavish lifestyles for its womanizing CEO's, and defending lawsuits brought by woman employees against NAACP CEO's. This is another group that has had no transparency and accountability over the years regarding money raised and money spent in the name of people of color.



My simple questions are: Where is the money NAACP? Why do you need to charge these 6 defendants with administrative fees? Just place the full check in the mail without any fees. Infact they should receive simple interest on the account that has been gaining interest in your bank account. How much does a stamp cost?

Michael Baisden 0 Accountability - The Color of Change = 100% Accountability

Something just does not smell right. Something is going on with self promoting, wanabe new civil rights leader, Michael Baisden, and its not only Sex and Lust but it sure could be lies.



As reported by the Chicago Tribune. It appears that Radio personality Michael Baisden, a nationally syndicated black radio host who is leading a major fundraising drive on behalf of the Jena 6, has declined to reveal how much he has collected and where the money is.

The report by Chicago Tribune senior correspondent Howard Witt indicates only one national civil rights group, Color of Change, has fully disclosed how the $212,000 it collected for the Jena 6 via a massive Internet campaign has been distributed. The grassroots group, which has nearly 400,000 members, has posted images of cancelled checks and other signed documents on its website showing that all but $1,230 was paid out in October in roughly equal amounts to attorneys for the Jena youths.

Just weeks after some 20,000 demonstrators protested what they decried as unequal justice aimed at six black teenagers in the Louisiana town of Jena, controversy is growing over the accounting and disbursing of at least $500,000 donated to pay for the teenagers' legal defense.

Parents of the "Jena 6" teenagers have refused to publicly account for how they are spending a large portion of the cash, estimated at up to $250,000, that resides in a bank account they control.

Michael Baisden, a nationally syndicated black radio host who is leading a major fundraising drive on behalf of the Jena 6, has declined to reveal how much he has collected. Attorneys for the first defendant to go to trial, Mychal Bell, say they have yet to receive any money from him.

More HERE

Bloggers RoundTable

Putting a Face to the Voice

News & Views gives a big shout-out to today's bloggers' roundtable guests -- (from left) Baratunde Thurston of Jack & Jill Politics, Desmond Burton of Afronerd, and Lauren Williams of Stereohyped -- photographed at NPR's New York studio

Bloggers' Roundtable: 'Jena Six' Charges Reduced

Micheal Baisden - 0 The Color of Change - 1

Black bloggers upset with Micheal Baisden


Micheal Baisden

I had planned not to blog on this issue, but I guess I must. I know Jill from Jack and Jill Politics will be posting on this issue too. We discussed this issue yesterday evening and agreed not to post until things played out. I guess its not going to play out, anytime soon. so I urge you to read this post, and check out Jack and Jill Politics blog too.when I talked with Jill she wanted to jump feet first... Well let me let her tell you vs me.

I think its a damn shame that Micheal Baisden and the Color of Change are going at each other in a 'public debate' about $$ and cents regarding the Jena 6 Legal defense effort. This, after the great work of the color ofchange.org, Micheal Baisden, black bloggers, grassroot people, black college students and other stakeholders to drive the Jena 6 campaign.

Candidly, if Micheal Baisden wants to take on some groups that are not accountable for $$ they receive go after the NAACP, Black Mega Churches, and some of the folks he is currently grinning with (Jesse and Al) in a PR campaign regarding his work on Jena 6.


Eddie Griffin

It appears that radio talk show host Michael Baisden has allowed a disgruntled family member to make "on the air" negative accusations against the Color of Change. Based on what has been made public thus far from the Color or Change, it appears that the allocations are not valid. This is not to say that the Color of Change should be left off the hook. They too could have done thing differently. The Color of Change should have made a transparent monthly accountability statement on their website to keep all informed of the $$ raised and the distribution.

Now we learn, Eddie Griffin, a black blogger, is leading the charge in support of the Color of Change. He and other black bloggers are challenging radio personality Michael Baisden.

Eddie Griffin is not the only black blogger calling Michael Baisden out. Blogger Exodus Mentality says he is disappointed at his allegations against Color of Change. More HERE Dallas South Blog is also following the Michael Baisden /ColorofChange.org; issue. While the Color Of Change Defended Themselves Against Michael Baisden. Blogger Prometheus 6 is also placing heat on Baisden. Well, it seems like the heat is on for Michael Baisden to answer some questions.

One does have to wonder if this is just a "Jena-Gate" for Ratings? or is there something bigger going on. Update: This whole issue becoming a big deal reminds me of COINTELPRO case when the FBI infiltrated the Panther Black Party.

Here are the facts as stated by the color of change:

• ColorOfChange.org has disbursed $210,809.90 of the $212,039.90 collected as of the last reporting period (October 4th). These distributions cover all invoices we've received from the young men's legal teams to date. $33,150.00 was sent to Louis Scott, Marcus Jones' son's lawyer on October 7th (Scott was able to request $35,339.98 but only provided an invoice for $33,150).

  Here are images of the deposited checks to the defense teams, proving they received the funds.

• The Jena 6 families are all aware of how we raise money and how we distribute it. We make payments to their attorneys at the families' sole direction. Within 24 hours of receiving written authorization from the family, along with an invoice from an attorney, we send checks for up to 1/6 of the total amount donated.

  Here are the authorizations signed by the families, starting with Marcus Jones'.

• Michael Baisden claims to have a letter signed by all the Jena 6 families that implies that ColorOfChange.org is acting against the wishes of the families. This is false. One parent who signed the letter says that it made no mention of ColorOfChange whatsoever. Two families say they did not sign the letter at all.

  Here is an email sent to Michael Baisden's team by one of the parents who did not sign the letter, asking to see a copy of the letter.

• ColorOfChange.org is known by all the Jena 6 families. Our executive director, James Rucker, has met with the families on at least five occasions in Jena and has positive relationships with all of them, with the exception of Marcus Jones.

  Michael Baisden's staff know this, because we put them in touch with Jena 6 families with whom they had no relationship.

• Michael Baisden and his staff know the facts. James Rucker has talked with Baisden directly, as well as Pamela Exum and Yvonne Gilliam who work for Michael Baisden. From the start, we have explained our procedures to Baisden and his staff; we had them verify payments were received by lawyers; we had them verify our process with the lawyers and families--it was in response to an inquiry they started, driven by Marcus Jones' accusations almost two months ago.

  In mid-October, Yvonne Gilliam, who works for Baisden indicated by phone that every lawyer she'd contacted had received their checks.

• Marcus Jones stated that David Bowie contributed $10,000 to ColorOfChange.org's fund and Baisden let the accusation stand. Bowie's contribution was made to the NAACP for Jena 6 legal defense and was widely reported--ColorOfChange.org never came in contact with this donation. A link to the NAACP's press release about that donation is here: http://www.naacp.org/news/press/2007-09-18/index.htm.
  
• Michael Baisden has shown a reckless disregard for the truth. Marcus Jones has been making false allegations about us for months. However, responsible journalists check facts and then report accordingly. We've fielded inquiries from CNN, the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Black America Web, and others, based on Marcus Jones' allegations--they all concluded the claims were without merit and refused to give him a stage to speak.

  Despite knowing the reality of how ColorOfChange has managed the fundraising and distribution process, Baisden has joined with Jones in launching baseless attacks.

• ColorOfChange.org exists for one reason: to organize and amplify the political voice of Black America and our allies. Michael Baisden claims to share this goal but he is using his show to recklessly attack an organization that has a clear record of doing the real work he claims is important, in Jena and beyond.

AAPP: I guess Micheal should hear the words of Jill of Jack and Jill Politics when she wrote, "Baisden -- you still have a chance to rescue your credibility and Step Off."

Black Face from The College Campus to The Department of Homeland Security

Here is an interesting post I found regarding the timely topic of blackface and its the history and role in American life. The Post Black like you by Paul Demko at citypages.com

The Strib and others carry reports today about six Hamline University football players who have been suspended for dressing in blackface for Halloween. John Strausbaugh's extremely interesting 2006 book Black Like You, scrutinizes the history and role of blackface in American life. One curious fact that Strausbaugh points out is that the use of blackface has become surprisingly common in the last decade--especially on college campuses.

Indeed a quick Nexis search of the terms "blackface," "controversy" and "college or university" yields 188 stories in the last five years. This Halloween, for instance, four white students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign sparked controversy when they painted their faces brown to imitate the Jamaican national bobsled team, while four Colorado College hockey players (including two Minnesotans) were suspended after donning blackface to imitate the characters on "Family Matters." In January students at Clemson University marked Martin Luther King Jr. Day by hosting a "Ghetto Fabulous" party featuring white students in blackface swilling 40s and sporting fake teeth grills. In 2005 it was students at Stetson University raising eyebrows when they painted their faces black in imitation of the school's basketball squad.

AAPP: Now we learn the the U.S. Department of Homeland Security finds Black Face funny. The Department of Homeland Security even gave an award to an employee who won a Halloween contest for portraying prisoner in blackface.

Think Progress Reports, "Bush official lauded racially offensive Halloween costume. Julie Myers, head of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement division, has apologized for “awarding ‘most original costume’ to a Homeland Security Department employee who dressed in prison stripes, dreadlocks and dark makeup for a Halloween gathering at the agency.” The AP reports:

Julie Myers, assistant secretary overseeing Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement division, was part of a three-judge panel that lauded the costume, worn by a white employee, last Wednesday. She also posed for a photo with him." More HERE.

AAAPP: The employee who wore the costume was not identified, but ICE spokeswoman Kelly Nantel said he was counseled by his supervisor. He was not wearing blackface but makeup that was a darker color than his skin, I guess this should not surprise many black people. The both George Bush and George W. Bush are famous for having people in their administration that may just be whites in blackface.

One Reason

Here is one reason why black men, women and children should not use the word nigger. Remember these photo's if and when you ever use the word again. Check out how whites enjoyed the lynching events. Photos' courtesy of withoutsanctuary.org Don't forget to purchase the book. Pass this blog page on to someone else.

The lynching of Lige Daniels. Onlookers, including young boys. August 3, 1920, Center, Texas.

The lynching of James Clark, handcuffed. July 11, 1926, Eau Gallie, Florida.

Ink inscription on reverse: "July 8, 1926. Rocky Water Camp Fla." Local newspapers reported that the chief of police and the sheriff were overtaken by a mob while transporting James Clark to trial in Titusville. It was the third lynching of a black man in that region in two months.

The corpses of Ernest Harrison, Sam Reed, and Frank Howard hanging from a rafter in a sawmill, jagged circular blade in lower right hand corner. September 11, 1911, Wickliffe, Kentucky.

AAPP: If your last name is Harrison, Reed or Howard, and you have family from Kentucky, you may want to check if those lynched were family members.

Photos' courtesy of withoutsanctuary.org

And for you old and new school brothers, still using the word.

Lynching of African American male. 1960, McDuffie County, Georgia.

John Richards hanging on a tree, jubilant lynchers, a freshly hewn pine coffin. January 12, 1916, Goldsboro, North Carolina.

The lynching of Rubin Stacy. Onlookers, including four young girls.
July 19, 1935, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

PS, Lynching black was not just for the South.

The lynching of nineteen-year-old Elias Clayton, nineteen-year-old Elmer Jackson, and twenty-year-old Isaac McGhie. June 15, 1920, Duluth, Minnesota.

The lynching of Will James.

Composite photo, Will James portrait in center and three scenes of his lynching. in top right corner the lynching site of Henry Salzner, lynched the same night as Will James. November 11, 1909, Cairo, Illinois

The lynching of Will James.

Lynching scene. Commercial Avenue jammed with spectators below the electrically lit Hustler's Arch. November 11, 1909, Cairo, Illinois.

The lynching of Joseph Richardson, damaged shoeshine stand. September 26, 1913, Leitchfield Kentucky.

African American male standing on buggy, back to the camera, feet shackled, stripped, deep lacerations and wounds. Onlookers, one with a bloodstained shirt. Circa 1900, location unknown.

We cannot allow America to keep our black men who were killed by America faceless. Look at this man, he was a man, son, probably a husband, probably a father, a man loved. Look at his picture. This is just one of the reasons we should stop using the N word.

------

Let's not forget. Americans did not only lynch black men. Black women and children were lynched as well.

The barefoot corpse of Laura Nelson. May 25, 1911, Okemah, Oklahoma.

Don't forget to watch The Noose: An American Nightmare: The noose, a symbol of hatred from America’s dark past, has resurfaced. Why is it back? CNN’s Kyra Phillips investigates the shocking history of the noose and its re-emergence across the United States. Watch Thursday, November 1, at 8 p.m. ET. "Never Should We Forget" our own history in America!




For those who say, lynching was our past. I say, read the news, read Blogs, and watch watch CNN's The Noose. I also say, like Jews in America, and across the world with the holocaust, "Never Should Blacks Forget."

Vote for Black Women in Europe Blog

Vote before 8 November!

Please vote for the Black Women in Europe Blog to win in the International Blog (Non UK) Category! Thanks.

AAPP

Hat Tip Adrianne George

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf

Bush's "Democracy On The March"

His buddy, Musharraf, Declares Emergency Rule in Pakistan

Constitution Suspended; Chief Judge Fired

As reported by the WaPo -- Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday declared emergency rule, suspended the constitution and fired the country's chief justice, extraordinary steps that gave him almost absolute power in a country that he described as spinning out of control.

The government deployed hundreds of army rangers on the streets of Islamabad, arrested some opposition figures and blacked out privately owned television stations across the country.

Wapo also reports:

For Musharraf, who has become deeply unpopular in recent months, the moves represented a drastic gamble and came despite intense appeals from the United States and other Western allies to stay within the bounds of the Pakistani constitution.

In an emergency order, Musharraf cited rising extremism and a judiciary "at cross purposes" with the rest of the government as reasons for the moves. But the timing suggested he was also attempting to extend his rule as both president and army chief. The Supreme Court had been reviewing a challenge to his candidacy for another presidential term, and was expected to rule as early as next week.

The court made a defiant but ultimately unsuccessful attempt Saturday to block Musharraf's implementation of emergency rule; in response, seven dissident justices were immediately removed from the bench. Musharraf said the Parliament, where he holds a commanding majority, would remain intact. Democracy On The March? Nah

Read More HERE