A black bourgeoisie perspective on U.S. politics
Much thanks to the outstanding Dr. Melissa Harris-Lacewell of Princeton for recognizing JJP and our frequent contributor and co-conspirator Elon James White. That’s a big honor coming from her. We sure do appreciate the shoutout and I hope we can collaborate someday. You can follow her fascinating twitter stream at @harrislacewell. BTW, I agree about Coates too. That’s one dangerously on-it brother. From the Politico’s “Arena Digest: Up-And-Coming Politicos”:
Melissa Harris-Lacewell, Professor, Politics and African-American Studies, Princeton:
The mainstream media barely notice, but the era of Obama has ushered in a robust crew of young black political commentators. With the power of new media these African American voices are engaged in critique, praise, and cultural production inspired by the Obama candidacy and presidency. Although many of these voices existed before Barack Obama’s candidacy, he has been a catalyst in their growing audiences.
Here are some of my favorites.
1. The writers of the smart, timely blog “Jack and Jill Politics” Led by Cheryl Contee and Baratunde Thurston, Jack and Jill Politics is a must visit site for a new generation of black voters.
2. Political comedian and commentator Elon James White of This Week in Blackness He has a growing following both at TWiB and at Huffing Post. Elon James White is the perfect comedian for the Obama era, talking race while exploding racial stereotypes.
3. Atlantic Monthly writer Ta-Nehisi Coates is absolutely one of the most insightful African-American voices in the public arena.
Cheryl Contee aka "Jill Tubman", Baratunde Thurston aka "Jack Turner", rikyrah, Leutisha Stills aka "The Christian Progressive Liberal", B-Serious, Casey Gane-McCalla, Jonathan Pitts-Wiley aka "Marcus Toussaint," Fredric Mitchell
Special Contributors: James Rucker, Rinku Sen, Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, Adam Luna, Kamala Harris
Technical Contributor: Brandon Sheats