Jack & Jill Politics

How about Tavis' state of the black union and whether or not such forums hold a real relevance for Black America amymore? There was an article on theroot.com today referencing this same topic.

Baratunde,


I think you should consider talking about the limited access to good health care for poor, working class and even middle class blacks in America. (Potential sub topics: (1) the long term impact of exposure to the toxic chemicals in the FEMA trailers in New Orleans; (2) the boy in D.C. who died a few weeks ago because his mother had been unable to find a dentist who accepted Medicare to address the abscess he had in one of his teeth; (3) overcoming the taboos in our communities with respect to getting treatment for mental health and sexually transmitted diseases.

please let me insist.


there is a lot of merit in all suggestions above, but it is for pure justice first that we pay attention to those whose land we took.



no! we did not take it. it was others. but it is for those why we are here, and we do, in fact, occupy it.



and it is therefor that there is a lot of merit in what we say about it.



which means that there is merit and justice in speaking with and for our indian bothers.



we should not miss this opportunity. you all know what there is between indians and blacks. now let's get that on the positive side.



and, if we can, let's be one. let's try it. let's not wait.



let's not actually have a black president before we realize that we have an important role to play.



let's speak up now. it's doing the right thing.

yeah@communitycheckup...
That was a dirty-dirty trick on HBO's part...that promo where Clay Davis says his trademark, "SHeee__(self-censorship)." was priceless. That's how I was feeling...actually more like WTF?



I see that there's much interest in discussing violence toward black women...I would like to know why you all feel that this violence is "race-based" vs. being "Passion Crimes."



Particularly with the "Sheriff in GA" case, I don't see anything racially specific that could have been done to prevent what happened. That boy was just crazy. Am I missing something???

Faith, I agree with you. There has been a growing amount of violence towards women and it should be discussed.


A great deal of the problems that occur in the black community stem from the lack of a proper family structure and a lack of respect towards women.

Webb, yes, all The Wire episodes *were* on OnDemand a week early--all except the final episode. I had the same fantasy you had of coming home, having dinner, and checking out the last show tonight. In fact it's been on my mind all week and I even blogged about it. Much to my surprise, they decided to not do this one on OnDemand. We'll all have to wait until next Sunday. Shyyyyyytttttt...

I would like a discussion on Iran's president recent visit to Iraq and what that means to the US.


I would like to know if we cleared a path (by getting rid of Saddam Hussein) for Iran to work to together-possibly against the US.

I'd like to hear a discussion about the rise in violence against Black women and their children. We have the incident at the housing complex in West Palm Beach all the way to the murder of the Sheriff in GA allegedly by her son. How do we help so many Black women in peril and set up some net to help prevent these thing from happening?

@communitycheckup:


I agree about topic #3...that show should be prerequisite for anyone analyzing "local" AA politics in urban settings...but here's some news that I didn't learn until about episode six:



HBO puts the episodes out early ON-DEMAND.



...what does this mean? It means that you don't have to wait until Sunday to see the Finale. YOU CAN WATCH IT TONIGHT ON HBO ON-DEMAND.



As soon as I get home, I'm gonna eat, have me a drink and watch it.



As for topic #5, I agree too:

We really need to discuss this Kwame Kilpatrick situation. I'm suffering from some serious ambivalence about that dude.

Looking forward to hearing you on NPR. Here are some non-election topic ideas.


1. A study came out last week about America's incarceration rate. It found that 1 in 9 young black men are in jail. The rate for all men is 1 in 30.

2. A NYT op-ed came out arguing for a return to the term "black" instead of "African American." Is it time? Would it mean anything?

3. Fun topic: The Wire is on its final show. Farai interviewed some of the cast in a prior edition.  Reflections on the series and predictions for the final show?

4. Plies' "Bust it baby" casting call. The depiction of black women in the video is very disturbing and has gone viral on YouTube. Exploitation or personal responsibility?

5. Kwame Kilpatrick: 'nuff said.

Please discuss the current Mayor of Detroit Kwame Kilpatrick.


There's a lot that can be said about this Morehouse Man...His mother chairs the CBC and he's a member of my generation...He is a son of priviledge...the ultimate embodiment of the Black Bourgeoisie.



There's a level of sensationalism that accompanies his story, but the situation that's playing out in Detroit merits serious debate and discussion.

Jill, how about Baratunde discussing the obvious sexism rampant in the Congressional Black Caucus.


I did a story about it regarding their treatment of incoming freshman Donna Edwards, after they pitched a fit with the SEIU for endorsing her:



http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task;=view&id;=544&Itemid;=1

i know this will come very much as out of the box, but i wonder when will it be time to link up with american natives.


blacks and indians. those having suffered from slavery and those who suffered (actually some still suffer) genocide. now that should present much common ground.



a black man running for presidency. some lakotah declaring independence. at the same time.



skin color is just skin deep. there are people who suffer, and that makes them brothers.