After a rather trying week (a long story that I don't want to go into), I was glad to find a couple of things in the news that made me smile. The first was an article about the Chester County (PA) Historical Society honoring Bayard Rustin in his centennial year with an exhibit highlighting Rustin's "local roots" (he was born in West Chester, PA). The second was a Washington Post column by Jonathan Capehart explaining precisely why the Gay Right Movement and the Civil Rights Movement are related. In many ways, Rustin represents exactly how the two movements are linked, whether folks like it or not. He was a Black man dealing with the legal imposition of second class citizenship, while simultaneously dealing with the homophobia that was within the Civil Rights Movement. For me, that fact lends even more credence to Capehart's column, as the new marriage equality state of Maryland faces a potential ballot initiative, and many Black pastors in the state (among others, of course) are poised to seek marriage equality's repeal. Should marriage equality not survive the ballot initiative, it will be in part because a strong contingent within the Black community will have voted to deny a different class of people civil rights.
How ironic, and how sad?
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Finally, A Real Investigation?
When President Obama mentioned, during the SOTU, that he was calling on the Justice Department to investigate the actual causes of the "08 crash, I was both glad and skeptical. Obviously, this was a political move by the President coming into his re-election campaign, but it was going to be one that actually makes sense (and one that should have been done, in my opinion, back in late '09/early '10). However, I remember yelling to the television, "what about the proposed settlement that the government and the banks have been squabbling over?"
Well, it looks like I am closer to having an answer now. "Rolling Stone's" Matt Taibbi has been a real hero of mine, with regard to his reporting so extensively on this issue, and I just finished reading his latest post that actually addresses my concerns from Obama's move on this issue. And like Taibbi, I am encouraged by what is being reported (h/t, Taibbi) about the narrowed scope of the potential settlement (only focusing on foreclosure fraud like robo-signing), and the fact that the banks will not get a free pass on their actions leading up to the '08 crash.
I know that there is a general sense on the right that it was poor and undeserving minorities getting loans from banks forced by the Community Reinvestment Act to lend to those folks (still not true, by the way) that "caused" our economic meltdown, but I am glad that we will have people like the New York AG Schneiderman looking directly at the the folks on Wall Street as the real culprits.
Well, it looks like I am closer to having an answer now. "Rolling Stone's" Matt Taibbi has been a real hero of mine, with regard to his reporting so extensively on this issue, and I just finished reading his latest post that actually addresses my concerns from Obama's move on this issue. And like Taibbi, I am encouraged by what is being reported (h/t, Taibbi) about the narrowed scope of the potential settlement (only focusing on foreclosure fraud like robo-signing), and the fact that the banks will not get a free pass on their actions leading up to the '08 crash.
I know that there is a general sense on the right that it was poor and undeserving minorities getting loans from banks forced by the Community Reinvestment Act to lend to those folks (still not true, by the way) that "caused" our economic meltdown, but I am glad that we will have people like the New York AG Schneiderman looking directly at the the folks on Wall Street as the real culprits.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Trying to Envision Solutions
Those who've read this blog know that I LOVE cities. I love the energy, the noise, the conveniences, and even some of the grit (though not too much). I love that more cities are seeing more investment and growth in their historic and commercial cores. I particularly 24/7 cities, where there is always some solid amount of activity anytime one ventures out.
I was fascinated by an article in Slate that I read regarding Detroit, a city that has experienced incredible decline in the last several decades. With the re-emergence of the American auto industry, people have been talking up "Detroit," but this article focused on a documentary that posits whether or not the real Detroit is a harbinger of things to come for the U.S., as we adjust to the new realities of the global marketplace.
As I watched the video clip (which I will include below), I was reminded of the things I saw when I traveled to New Orleans following the Katrina related flooding. It's clear that Detroit, like New Orleans, needs some real comprehensive city planning. Perhaps, Detroit could become a re-imagined city with a smaller footprint. I think that it can be a great potential laboratory, and jobs could be created in a variety of areas as those experiments are tried and tested. Perhaps Detroit needs a well managed overhauling, and one that the people of the city supports, as did the auto companies that have made such a comeback.
I was fascinated by an article in Slate that I read regarding Detroit, a city that has experienced incredible decline in the last several decades. With the re-emergence of the American auto industry, people have been talking up "Detroit," but this article focused on a documentary that posits whether or not the real Detroit is a harbinger of things to come for the U.S., as we adjust to the new realities of the global marketplace.
As I watched the video clip (which I will include below), I was reminded of the things I saw when I traveled to New Orleans following the Katrina related flooding. It's clear that Detroit, like New Orleans, needs some real comprehensive city planning. Perhaps, Detroit could become a re-imagined city with a smaller footprint. I think that it can be a great potential laboratory, and jobs could be created in a variety of areas as those experiments are tried and tested. Perhaps Detroit needs a well managed overhauling, and one that the people of the city supports, as did the auto companies that have made such a comeback.
A Belated Happy New Year
Once again, I am glad to see the back of another rather tough year, and my usual optimism about the possibilities in this new year has returned. I have to admit that I've been surprised by my neglect, if you will, of my blog, and I definitely thought hard of just copying my old posts and shutting things down. But that's not happening today, and that's because a couple of long time readers have been nudging me not to close shop. That nudging reminded me that I'd not taken many opportunities to say "thank you" to the small community that has read my random thoughts and perspectives over the years. I appreciate you more than you know (including those with whom I disagree).
Friday, December 16, 2011
In Memorium
It always amazes me how difficult it can be for me to write when I am sad about something. This week, two people who've influence my life passed away.
The first person, Dr. Valerie French, was a professor of ancient Mediterranean history, and simply one of the nicest and most caring individuals I've ever met. She convinced me to take a chance at teaching an introductory history course with her, even though she knew that I was hesitant to teach in the classroom (I wanted to focus on public history). I am glad she convinced me to teach, because the experience helped me to discover the natural teacher within. Dr. French was a fierce advocate for students, undergraduate or graduate. I am so glad that I had an opportunity to know her, work with her, and learn from her (the art of teaching).
The second person, Christopher Hitchens, was a writer who wrote for Vanity Fair and Slate, to name a few places. And because Washington can sometimes seem very small, I occasionally would see Hitchens out and about in the city. I always read his column first, when my Vanity Fair arrived. I loved that he simply would not suffer fools, and used his pen like a weapon when roused. I often wondered what he would have been like as a Rhetoric professor, though I am sure he would have been brutal (and likely be considered the professor who really taught people both how to think and write). I will miss reading his commentary, and in a way, I wish that he could give us just one final essay, now that he really knows what's awaits us upon death.
UPDATE: 12.18.11
I wanted to add an important update to my comment regarding Christopher Hitchens. As I read Glenn Greenwald's comment on Hitchens' death, I am glad that he reminded me of the things, the many things, that Hitchens wrote that I disagreed with fundamentally, particularly regarding the lead-up to, and execution of the Iraq War by the Bush administration. I will admit that I agree fully with Greenwald's point about Hitchens' increasingly disturbing (to me) views throughout that conflict. I was also reminded of something that I promised myself I wouldn't do: put too much faith in an individual in the world of politics. I'm still learning my lesson. Please check out Greenwald's post. It is well worth the read.
The first person, Dr. Valerie French, was a professor of ancient Mediterranean history, and simply one of the nicest and most caring individuals I've ever met. She convinced me to take a chance at teaching an introductory history course with her, even though she knew that I was hesitant to teach in the classroom (I wanted to focus on public history). I am glad she convinced me to teach, because the experience helped me to discover the natural teacher within. Dr. French was a fierce advocate for students, undergraduate or graduate. I am so glad that I had an opportunity to know her, work with her, and learn from her (the art of teaching).
The second person, Christopher Hitchens, was a writer who wrote for Vanity Fair and Slate, to name a few places. And because Washington can sometimes seem very small, I occasionally would see Hitchens out and about in the city. I always read his column first, when my Vanity Fair arrived. I loved that he simply would not suffer fools, and used his pen like a weapon when roused. I often wondered what he would have been like as a Rhetoric professor, though I am sure he would have been brutal (and likely be considered the professor who really taught people both how to think and write). I will miss reading his commentary, and in a way, I wish that he could give us just one final essay, now that he really knows what's awaits us upon death.
UPDATE: 12.18.11
I wanted to add an important update to my comment regarding Christopher Hitchens. As I read Glenn Greenwald's comment on Hitchens' death, I am glad that he reminded me of the things, the many things, that Hitchens wrote that I disagreed with fundamentally, particularly regarding the lead-up to, and execution of the Iraq War by the Bush administration. I will admit that I agree fully with Greenwald's point about Hitchens' increasingly disturbing (to me) views throughout that conflict. I was also reminded of something that I promised myself I wouldn't do: put too much faith in an individual in the world of politics. I'm still learning my lesson. Please check out Greenwald's post. It is well worth the read.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Sometimes One Has to Laugh, in Order to Keep Calm
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Coates Just Broke It Down
All I want folks to do is read this post from Ta-Nehisi Coates, regarding Rick Perry's painfully bigoted, and factually suspect political ad. It's spot on, in my opinion.
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