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“I Hate Myself!”: What are Respectability Politics, and Why do Black People Subscribe to Them?
You may not be familiar with the term “respectability politics”, but you’ve heard them before. Maybe you’ve even engaged in them. Whether it’s Don Lemon’s recent rant, actor Romany Malco’s open letter to Trayvon Martin sympathizers following the George Zimmerman trial, Bill Cosby’s 2004 “Pound Cake speech” and even The Talk co-host Sheryl Underwood’s remarks…
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Gov. Bobby Jindal Wants to End Race? No Thanks.
I used to believe people were confused about the meaning of words involving social justice. I figured when someone referred to any discussions about race as “racist” he or she was simply misinformed. Now, I know better. Some people have redefined words like “racist” in order to avoid talking about race. Others do so purposefully…
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Rand Paul Comes to My Alma Mater: Thanks for Trying…
…no really. Thanks for trying. I do recognize the importance of Rand Paul being the first Republican elected official in decades to speak at Howard University. And while I think it’s silly at best to call such an effort “courageous”, it does speak to the importance Paul places on reaching out to voters his party has marginalized…
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Political racism and Pres. Barack Obama
On Feb. 1, 2012, the Huffington Post reported that Republican Kansas House Speaker Mike O’Neal forwarded an email stating the following: “At last — I can honestly voice a Biblical prayer for our president! Look it up — it is word for word! Let us all bow our heads and pray. Brothers and Sisters, can…
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Pop star, “Sweet Micky” declared Haiti president
Michel Martelly, a Haitian popular singer known by the stage name “Sweet Micky,” was officially declared the earthquake-devastated country’s next president, election officials said Wednesday.
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California Republican apologizes after sending racist Obama e-mail
Orange County Republican party official Marilyn Davenport apologized Monday night to fellow party members for sending out an email depicting President Obama’s head on the body of an ape.
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Blacks seek new political power in once-white suburbs
With more blacks moving from city to suburb, the National Urban League says it is worried states may improperly seek to stem the political clout of African-Americans as they spread into historically white districts.
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Two FAMU Alumni Serving As Chiefs-of-Staff in Congress
“It should come as no surprise that our students go on to hold high-ranking positions, including elected positions.I believe it is important that everyone realizes that FAMU is and has always been in the business of making leaders for our community.”