Blues Legend Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton

Blues legend Willie Mae 'Big Mama' Thornton recorded "Hound Dog" in 1952 and as far as I am concerned this is the definitive version of the song. Forget the most famous cover of this song done by Elvis Presley a few years later, Big Mama owns this song. Elvis' lifeless version of the song made him rich and famous, Thornton's version got her $500. Her career spanned over 40 years, she performed on the chitlin' circuit, in juke joints and toured Europe. She died of a heart attack in 1984.

Al Sharpton Gets A Real Job

Reverend Al Sharpton with the late great Godfather of Soul, James Brown
Photo: Photographer4you

MSNBC announced earlier this week that the Reverend Al Sharpton will host 'PoliticsNation'. That's too bad because I can think of at least five other black journalists/commentators, all of whom would have made a much better choice than the good Rev. A few people come to mind:

1. Melissa Harris-Perry, currently a commentator on MSNBC, is a political science professor at Tulane University
2. Tamron Hall, anchors 'NewsNation' on the network
3. Gene Robinson, opinion writer for The Washington Post and frequent MSNBC commentator
4. Gwen Ifill, senior correspondent and sometime anchor of PBS' Newshour
5. Roland Martin, political commentator on CNN
6. Juan Williams, Fox News commentator

I'm not a fan of Rev. Al or his hair and the rest of the aging civil rights mafia who are stuck in the 1970s. It has always been an all male fraternity. For some, the hustle has been to shake down corporate America, claim to be our representative and secure high-paying jobs for themselves, their family and friends all at the expense of  guilt-ridden CEOs. Some are in it for their ego, others are in it for the money, for the Rev it could be a little of both.

The folks at MSNBC are probably thinking they are doing us all a favor by hiring Sharpton. I don't think so. The fact that the Rev. is hosting a show isn't going to make me want to watch. I  sometimes wonder what goes through the heads of the network executives, there is no diversity on network television, just the same old tired faces and points of view. By throwing the Rev. into the mix, they aren't going to make it any better.

The National Association of Black Journalists wasn't too far off the mark a few weeks ago when they were criticized MSNBC for hiring Sharpton. They were right. I know they made peace with the Rev, but MSNBC could have done better and deep down I think Sharpton does too but he's not going to let that stand between him and a hefty paycheck. Al Sharpton is the salve that they hope will shield them from cries of racism and lack of diversity on the network. MSNBC could have done better.

Link of the Day: The 50 Richest Members of Congress

Roll Call magazine has just published a list of the 50 richest members of Congress and it is not exclusively Republicans. Some of these folks aren't just a little rich, they are very rich. It's no wonder things don't get done, some of these people are protecting their own interests. They don't have to worry about getting or keeping a job, feeding their families or being uninsured. They are the richest of the rich and based on net worth, they belong to a club that none of us will ever be a member of, no matter how hard we work or how much we save. We elect millionaires to Congress and expect them to look out for our interests. Seems obvious to me this strategy isn't working.

Just for Idris Elba

British Actor Idris Elba

Okay Idris, I heard you when you said black men are never labelled sexy here in America but I know you didn't mean it. You obviously have never been in a room when your name comes up and all of the women, black and white, start throwing around words like "sexy", "handsome" and how much they enjoyed watching you in (fill in your favorite Idris Elba movie here).


You first caught my attention in HBO's series, "The Wire". You worked the role of Stringer Bell. You made him smart, sexy and street. I mourned some when your character was killed off but I knew it was coming. Forgive me, I didn't go to the theater to see you in that movie with Beyonce. I just couldn't do it even though you were in it, the trailers were horrible and Beyonce's acting just turned me off. Sorry.

I lucked out though. When BBC America starting showing episodes of the psychological crime drama "Luther" earlier this year, I was right there. I did not miss an episode and can hardly wait to see series two which is currently showing on BBC One and not here. Though totally different from "The Wire", it is one of the best police dramas on television ever. Rarely does a black actor have an opportunity to play outside the stereotype; John Luther is complex, brilliant and black. I know you upset plenty of folks when you were cast as the Norse god Thor but I was not one of them. 

My Brother's Keeper

I was going to try to ignore Republican Congressman and tea party darling, Allen West but he doesn't want me or anyone else to. Aside from being obnoxious and overbearing, he has settled nicely into his role as defender of all things racist, misogynist and Islamophobic. His childish taunting and name-calling has gotten him plenty of attention. To me, he always seems to be picking on women, homosexuals and Muslims and when he gets challenged on it, he sends out responses like this.

His latest stunt is comparing himself to the great Harriet Tubman who lead hundreds of slaves out of bondage. I guess all of the attention you've been getting lately for your feud with fellow Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz must have gone to your head so you decided to call out Democrats Maxine Waters and Barbara Lee. Too bad the folks on Fox News didn't call you on it. Allen West, you are not fit to hold Ms. Tubman's head scarf. You lack the dignity, self-respect and determination to even attempt such a selfless act as leading enslaved people out of bondage. Since we're talking about plantations and overseers, I'm certain you would have been in the house snitching on Harriet for trying to lead slaves to freedom. 

I don't want to be on anyone's plantation. I am neither Republican or Democrat. I find the Republican party is hostile toward women, the poor, blacks, Latinos and anyone who isn't rich so there is no way I am supporting any political party that promotes racism, vilifies the poor and thinks I can't be trusted to make decisions about my own reproductive health.

As for those tea party crazies, there aren't even words to describe their venomous, hateful ideas but West has embraced them and proudly flaunts them. His own insensitivity and indifference to others also extends to his unemployed brother, Arlan whom he sent to the Congressional Black Caucus' job fair in Atlanta.  I see you got checked by Congresswoman Maxine Waters whom you singled out for special criticism as overseer of the plantation. Your tea party friends probably encouraged you to do that, but it wasn't such a good idea, you'll see. 

And another thing, where are you and the rest of your black Republicans when one of your candidates throws around words like "tar baby" and "big black cloud" to describe President Obama? As much as you run your big mouth, you are noticeably silent then. You probably think this kind of name calling is okay because you know deep down, they aren't talking about you since you aren't a part of that plantation. You think you're special? You'll see.


I can't help but defer to a brilliant post by blogger Abagond entitled "Black People: The Republican User's Guide", which explains most black Repulicans:

“Black People: The Republican User’s Guide” (2009, 3rd edition) has, so far as I know, never been written, but it is not hard to guess some of what would be in it:

Introduction:

The purpose of the Republican Party is to pass laws that favour the rich and block those that do them harm. This is done mainly by:

•  
  Keeping taxes low
• Slowing change in society

To achieve this requires the votes of millions of Americans on election day who will be harmed by such policies. Fortunately, most voters are white racists. Take advantage of that:

Chapter 1: Divide and conquer:

The main trick is to get Americans to think race is more important than class so that they vote against their class interests.

The only thing that most voters have in common with the rich is a white skin colour. Use that to make them feel like they are on the same side as the rich. Strengthen that feeling by telling them that they too can be rich one day (even though most never will).

This divides the working- and middle-class vote, weakening it as a serious threat to Republican policy.

Chapter 2: At least I’m not black:

Paint black people as completely screwed up: poverty, drugs, crime, broken homes, bad manners, low morals, etc. Since most whites already look down on blacks and since most know so few of them, this will be easy.

You want them to feel that no matter how bad things get, “at least I’m not black”.  This allows them to accept things the way they are and not demand policies that would hurt the rich.

Chapter 3: Racialize social problems:

Crime, gun violence, drugs, poverty, failing schools, absent fathers and all the other ills of American society must either be blamed on blacks or be seen as mainly affecting blacks. That way little will be done about them, keeping taxes low.

Chapter 4: Black pathologies:

Blacks must be blamed for their own troubles.

This is extremely important. It goes beyond excusing government inaction and keeping taxes low: Blacks are the single biggest threat to keeping American society the way it is, as shown by the civil war and the civil rights movement.

Therefore black leaders must be killed, imprisoned, driven out of the country or made to look laughable.

Chapter 5: Rented Negroes:

Right-wing think tanks and news organizations should hire articulate, well-dressed blacks who are willing to:

1. Make white people feel glad that at least they are not black.
2. Racialize social problems.
3. Push the idea of black pathologies.

A black face makes these much more believable and harder to argue against.

Chapter 6: Fear of a black president:

If the president is black paint him as a enemy who is out to destroy the country. Even if you have to destroy the country to do it.

Appendix:

Here put all those twisted numbers and misleading charts from right-wing think tank “studies”.

I leave “Black People: The White Liberal User’s Guide” as an exercise for the reader.

Viktoria Tolstoy Jam Session

Swedish born Viktoria Tolstoy has one of the most beautiful voices of all time. Although she primarily sings jazz, she does pop tunes too. I stumbled across her while listening to one of my favorite weekly shows on BBC Radio Ulster, After Midnight with Lynley Hamilton. She is stunningly beautiful and is the great, great grand daughter of the Russian writer Leo Tolstoy. The legendary album "White Russian" which was recorded entirely in Swedish is considered one of her best but "My Swedish Heart" is my favorite. Many of her performances and videos can be found on YouTube.

R. Kelly Leads A Back-to-School Parade

I know I'm a little late on this one but seriously? R. Kelly was honorary grand marshal of a back-to-school parade in Chicago. Damn. I know he was not convicted of child pornography and all along declared his innocence in varying degrees. I don't think this was a good idea but black folks are the most forgiving group of people in the world. I guess it's okay as long as it's not your underage daughter or sister he's pissing on.

In spite of the adversity in his career and personal life, some folks still rush out to buy the latest R. Kelly CD. Aside from a few songs, Kelly's music is mostly raunchy, expletive-filled nonsense but you can dance and bob your head to it. Ever been at some wedding reception or reunion and the DJ plays that step song? You will get knocked down by folks racing the dance floor. 

What makes Kelly an odd choice for this parade is the fact that he is a high school drop-out who is functionally illiterate. It's probably just me but this reinforces the idea that education is not important. After all, if R. Kelly can drop out of high school and go on to make millions, why can't any kid from the south side of Chicago do the same?

Shout-out to the ghetto intellectual for this tidbit.

Overheard in Iowa

"In fairness, since I have been called a socialist who wasn't born in this country, who is destroying America and taking away its freedoms because I passed a health care bill, I am all for lowering the rhetoric."

Earlier this week, President Obama responded to tea party activist and heckler Ryan Rhodes. Rhodes thought he'd make a name for himself and gain the respect of tea partiers far and wide by heckling the president when he shook hands with the crowd in Decorah, Iowa. Ignoring the president's call to tone down the political rhetoric, Rhodes said this isn't likely to happen and went on to tell reporters after the confrontation that he still believes the President is a socialist. As if he was going to say anything different?


I doubt if Rhodes knows that he is stumping for corporate America and the super rich and being played for a sucker like the rest of those tea party folk who let their racism  patriotism fool them into voting against their own interests. Ever since that black man got elected president of their United States, they have lost their minds. Where was all this patriotism and concern for government spending when the last President Bush took the country from a budget surplus to a trillion dollar deficit?


It's unfortunate that the news media actually takes the tea party people seriously. They get quoted and covered like they are a major political force while the opinions of average Americans are ignored. According to the most recent The New York Times/CBS poll, 73% of Americans do not support the tea party and 43% believed that they have too much control in the Republican party. I don't think Republicans are listening because the latest candidate to jump into the presidential race is Texas Governor Rick Perry. I don't why, but something about this guy seems very off; he reminds me of a low-rent side show barker with his pouffy hair and fake 'Man o'God' persona. With the exception of Newt Gingrich, the rest of the candidates are pandering to crazy; if any of these people get elected President, I will certainly leave the country.


Side note to Herman Cain: It ain't workin' for you bro. We already elected one black President and the likelihood of that happening again soon is unlikely so no matter how much you try to ingratiate yourself to the tea party crowd and the disenfranchised, your campaign is DOA. Your novelty has worn off like a new toy the day after Christmas. You can make one outrageous claim after another to get attention, but folks just ain't feelin' you (okay, maybe Vanilla Ice). You have played yourself. I'll get to Florida Representative Allen West, later.

Only the Good Bits

Not only will Spike Lee's head explode but mine will too over the news that Lionsgate Studio is in talks to give Tyler Perry his own network. First Oprah and her dismal OWN network, now Tyler Perry. BET had better watch it's back. The thought of seeing episodes of "Meet the Browns" and "House of Payne" interspersed with movies and stage plays featuring Madea makes me want to commit hari kari.

In spite of reviews, I have no plans to see "The Help". Viola Davis is a beautiful, talented actress but I'd rather see her in something else. I'm not saying black actresses should not play maids, but I have a problem with stories written by white women depicting a black woman's experience during the civil rights era (or any era for that matter). From the reviews, I've read, the important history and events of that era were glossed right over.

This is the typical "black people's lives are only relevant when white people are involved" plot.  If the same story were written by a black writer, it would not have been made into a movie, let alone generated any kind of interest in Hollywood. We are not yet a post-racial America. This movie might ease some white guilt over what really happened during the civil rights era--lynchings, murders, sit-ins, bombings, etc., you and I know some folks will see that movie and mistake it for something like the truth like the most recent attempts by some right wing politicians to glorify slavery and the Jim Crow.  I'm feeling Melissa Harris Perry on this one, I have not seen the film or plan to. I can't go there.

I'd love to hear the word "bitch" retired permanently from our vocabulary. A friend and I had a long discussion about it awhile back. She said she had heard women call each other that word so many times, that she really didn't want to ever hear it again. I don't blame her. I've heard the word used much more often than I care to and every time, it sounds like an insult no matter what the intent. I hear women calling each other bitches like it's a term of endearment but it's not. Of course, all of the misogynist rappers are quick to call a woman a bitch and much worse. I've notice that some women don't seem to be bothered by it. If I were them, I would.

And lastly, the Queen of Crazy has won one the Iowa straw poll. Imagine that. Not wanting to be outshone in Iowa, my favorite half-term Governor popped up at the Iowa State Fair. That will teach you not to try to steal her thunder, she wants you to know that she can jump in the race anytime she wants to. She is there like a fly circling a pile of elephant dung, buzzing, hovering and biding her time. Sarah Palin is an attention whore. Watch her, she'll be poppin' up at the next Republican primary. She does not know when to stay in Alaska or how to keep her mouth shut. Here's hoping she'll do both.

No One Cares Tavis

Tavis Smiley and Cornel West

Ever since he skipped the State of Black Union Conference in 2008, Barack Obama has been on Tavis Smiley's shit list. For more details click here. Tavis has been relentlessly unforgiving toward President Obama and has been one of his harshest critics. No doubt Tavis is a person holding a grudge. He has joined forces with the other Obama critic, Princeton Professor Cornel West and doing a Poverty Bus tour. Just recently, comedian Steve Harvey has jumped into the fray by calling both Smiley and West Uncle Toms. Here we go.

Note to Tavis: Take it from me, there are a whole bunch of people who haven't been invited to the White House and even more people being overlooked by the president. Have you seen the number of people now receiving food stamps, who are unemployed and living in poverty? Bet they've never been invited to the White House either. For now I think you need to put that massive ego of yours aside and stop whining about not getting an invite. It's not about you Tavis.

So while you and Cornel West do your Poverty Bus tour, I hope you have a chance to think about how you have made some black folks a whole lot poorer. I haven't forgotten about your Wealth Building seminars a few years back. Wells Fargo was one of the sponsors and was later sued in multiple states for predatory lending aimed at the blacks. Typical practices included redlining which put black folks in high risk and unfairly priced loans which later led to higher rates of foreclosure in black neighborhoods. I hope you are espousing the dangers of predatory lending on your bus tour.


Of course, you weren't aware that Wells Fargo was peddling sub prime loans to the black folks attending your seminars. You later admitted that you were a victim of the same practices. I don't find this likely but if you say so. I have a suspicion that your problem with President Obama is really about you and not much else. 

Pandering to the Crazies

At last, a Republican who isn't afraid to stand up to the "crazies". New Jersey Governor Chris Christie nominated Sohail Mohammed, a lawyer who happens to be Muslim, to the New Jersey Superior Court. Seems some people in his own party, were not so happy about Governor Christie's choice.

Never mind that Mr. Mohammed is highly qualified, he was named as one of the most influential people in the state and been named New Jersey "Super Lawyer" every year since 2006, it's the fact that he is Muslim that concerns his detractors. It probably didn't help that Mr. Mohammed defended people who were falsely accused of being terrorists after 9/11. Must be something subversive right?

Islamophobia runs rampant in some ranks of the Republican party and borders on an obsession with some especially those tea party folks. We have identified the enemy and he is Muslim. These same people have been instrumental in getting anti-sharia laws introduced in more than a dozen states and into the law books in Oklahoma and Arizona. Who even heard of sharia law until these folks started running around talking about how threatening it is? So much for religious tolerance and love thy neighbor, these folks ain't having it.

I applaud Governor Christie for finally calling these people out for their ignorance and stupidity, someone needed to do it.

The Queen of Crazy

Republican Presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann

If the eyes are a mirror to one's soul, Michele Bachmann must be certifiably crazy. Forget  the 'Queen of Rage' title, she's more 'Queen of Crazy', the eyes say it all. Perhaps Newsweek tweaked the picture to make her seem more otherworldly but I wouldn't let this woman walk my dog and I don't even own one.

I don't like Michele Bachmann's hateful, divisive brand of politics. She always manages to say something really, really stupid and really, really offensive. She must have the intelligence of a soup spoon. She gives most women a bad name but smart women don't get put on in the Republican party, instead you get women like her and the half-term former governor of Alaska spewing lies and nonsense. 

If you dislike pettiness, you might as well stop reading now. If I were Bachmann, I would ask my plastic surgeon for a refund or discount on future work. Her attempt to look more youthful makes her look more deer in the headlights. Bachmann might be fine for her constituents in Minnesota but if she ever gets elected president, we should all be very afraid.

As If The Kardashians Really Matter

The Kardashians

Note: I'd rather show you this photo than the requisite photo of an emaciated African woman clutching a dying child in her arms. I've seen enough of those pictures to last a lifetime.

Fresh from my inbox was a teaser email for the 'Kardashian Kollection' which is being sold at Sears, K-Mart or perhaps Craftsman. I'm not sure what they are selling, clothes, widgets or power tools. I don't know and don't care, I'll let someone who really cares about them handle that. I'm still trying to figure out why these chicks are even relevant. There doesn't appear to be a scholar among them but they have mastered the art of being famous for absolutely nothing and making quite a bit of money at it.

Meanwhile, a drought has returned to the Horn of Africa, affecting more than 10 million people in Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Ethiopia. According to Oxfam International, two successive years of lower than expected rain in the region, rising prices for basic food staples and a collapse of the livestock market have created another humanitarian crisis for this region. For information, click here.

While some of us might think losing our AAA credit rating from Standard & Poor's is a major crisis, it pales in comparison to the millions of people affected by famine and drought in East Africa.

Song of the Day: Johnny Cash-Ring of Fire 1963

One of my favorite songs of all time and one of my favorite country and western singers, the late, great Johnny Cash. The lyrics, the music and the horns just work for me.

Hate and Hate, Alike

Spotted on a white supremist website:

Not much to say here except I am always amazed at the amount of time and energy spent on hate. In this particular instance, the entire website was dedicated to the musings and observations by "Aryan" types. Of course most of these people will claim to be Christian and devoutly religious yet have plenty of time to swap jokes, tell stories and affirm alleged stereotypes about black people and of course Jews, Mexicans and other non-white peoples. I guess hatin' is a hobby as much as playing the stock market, collecting stamps and hunting wild game.

Link of the Day: Who's Helped and Who's Harmed By Debt Deal? | The Nation

R.J. Matson, St. Louis Post Dispatch / Politicalcartoons.com

Wondering how you fared in that larger than life debt ceiling law that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Obama? Let's just say if you are unemployed, poor, a student, a Veteran or a senior citizen you should be concerned, very concerned. If you think it's bad now, it's going to get worse. George Zornick breaks it down for you here.

"It's like touching a tar baby"

Even though he is President of the most powerful nation on earth, Barack Obama is afforded very little respect by some people. The fact that he happens to be half black makes some people think they can call him just about every name in the book. They use words like: socialist, fascist, communist, witch doctor, Kenyan-born, Muslim, etc. as if they are dirty words. They are if you are really wanting to call him some thing else without invoking the ire of the one black, sensitive or liberal friend you have who might be offended.

Mind you, the people using words like socialist and communist in the same sentence to describe the president do not know what those words mean,  they just know they are bad because they heard their favorite race-baiting politician or pundit say so. They always stop short of using the word that really comes to mind when discussing him just like Colorado Representative Doug Lamborn did last week:

Clip from ThinkProgress.com

I probably don't need to tell you that Lamborn is Republican and he absolutely would not associate any other president with the word "tar baby". Where I grew up, calling someone a "tar baby" is like calling them a "nigger", it is an insult of the highest order.

Of course once a bunch of people like me have a chance to talk about his ass, Representative Lamborn will of course backpedal and pretend to be misunderstood. He didn't mean it that way.  Hmmmm, black President = tar baby, perfect analogy. I'll overlook the fact that his mother was white and he was raised by his white grandparents and invoke the one drop rule, he's black and not a citizen of this country. He clearly does not deserve the respect. 


We are not living in a post-racial America, we elected a black president but some of us are just dying to call him a nigger.

The End Is Not Near

You would think reaching a deal on the debt ceiling would be most important thing to happen in a very long time, but in fact it is not. The debt ceiling has dominated the news cycle for what seems like forever. To get a visual perspective on the issue, the chart above taken from Think Progress.com that shows the percentage increases for the debt ceiling made over the past ten years.

Just think, until a few weeks ago very few of us even knew what a debt ceiling was but thanks to 24 hour news channels, we have all become experts in one way or another. I bet most people would be surprised to know that under President Ronald Reagan, the debt ceiling was increased nearly 200%. On the low end, the increase under President Obama is a paltry 26% and will not doubt be balanced on the backs of the poor, unemployed and unfortunate.

I guess the good news is the world can go on now that a deal has been reached. We now know with certainty, that this game of chicken is over. Looking ahead to 2012, I'd like to vote a bunch of folks out of office for this political f**kery. This is certainly not the people's business but my memory is bad, so I might forget by the time I go to the voting booth in 2012.

About that debt ceiling, it doesn't matter how high you raise it or how low you make it, there will still be millions of people without jobs, food and a roof over their head right here in America and that should be the most important issue.

**Update: Here's what the White House says about the deal here.