The New “New Deal.” Same Ol’ Deal?

Perry County, Tennessee decreased their unemployment rate by at least 3% by following a New deal model. Started by FDR during the Great Depression, the Work Projects Administration (WPA) put thousands of people to work building bridges, parks, and highways while also employing writers and artists. The WPA was particularly successful in rural areas…

No wonder why Perry County is following its example.

In using welfare money from the stimulus package, Perry County was able to subsidize 300 new and diverse jobs. Jobs were created for both adults and students, in areas such as transportation, hotel work, and even mural painting.

Just as in the thirties, Perry County is seeing the benefits of such employment…And not simply in the numbers. Although their employment rate has increased, the benefits are displayed throughout the county. From new art work created by young people employed by local artists to an increase in hotel bookings, the advantages are giving the county new hope. As stated by recently employed Scott Kimble, “This job here is not a permanent fix…We still need some kind of industry to look and come into Perry County. But for right now we’ve got hope, and when you’ve got hope, you’ve got a way.”

Posted by:

Kiera Aaron

So a President, a Cop and a Professor Walk into a Bar!

So a president, a cop, and a professor walk into a bar…

Wasn’t last night’s meeting sort of a like the beginning of one of those old ethnic jokes. Ok not a joke, more like a weird analogy that is supposed to have some type of deeper moral meaning, except you can’t really tell what it is because all of the participants are intoxicated.

Usually those jokes end with the least powerful ethnic person, (usually the darkest skinned person) with a proverbial piece of pie on their face. But in this scenario the least powerful person was a white police officer! Talk about a change. (Did you see that they tried to balance the equation out by bringing Vice President Joe Biden into the discussion. )

I’m glad President Obama had the guts to talk about this issue. But if we are really going to solve the lingering oppression that continues to impact society we are going to have tackle this issue systematically. Structural racism is embedded in America’s DNA. Beers in the White House garden just ain’t going to cut it.

I know that it will be a tough conversation, but I think most Americans are ready to be grown ups about it. Well, maybe not Glenn Beck.

Check out what the League’s Khari Mosley had to say about this issue. He was interviewed by a Pittsburgh television station about Gates’ arrest, and he had some very insightful (some would say controversial) comments.

Posted by:

Biko Baker

All of America’s Racial Problems Will Be Solved Via An Ice Cold Beer

Ok, maybe not. But here is a pic from Obama’s “Beer Summit” with Harvard Professor Skip Gates and Officer James Crowley.

Hopefully these guys can all get along. Check back tomorrow for an update.

Posted by:

Biko Baker

The Top 5 “R.I.P. Dead Homies” Songs On My iPod

So this site is supposed to focus on civic engagement and political issues,  but let’s keep it real, music has always been our soundtrack for change. After all, where would the world be without the music of artists like Nina Simone, Bob Marley or even Michael Jackson.  Music sort of helps us get through the day, ya know what I mean?

Speaking of soundtracks, a funny thing happened yesterday when I was listening to T.I.’s album King.  By the time TIP got to the second verse of “Live in the Sky” I realized that the song was my favorite on the album.  After thinking about it for a couple of minutes, I decided that most times my favorite jam on every album is the proverbial “R.I.P. Dead Homies” song ( you know, the song where rappers pay respect to their fallen loved ones).  Unlike when MCs talk about their expanding bank accounts or sexual conquests,  rappers just can’t fake emotion when they talk about the pain of death.  I guess it’s sort of like the blues.

So this morning I decided to put together a list of the Top 5 “R.I.P Dead Homies” songs currently on my iPod. More after the jump.

… Continue Reading

Posted by:

Biko Baker

Wait…Did We Get A Health Care Deal?

After months of debate, backbiting, and deal making, it finally looks like Congress is ready to start dealing with the health care crisis. Bout time they started acting like grown ups.

I’m still trying to figure out what happened yesterday, but it looks like no one is really happy with the deal. Seems like there was a lot of back room negotiating.

Check out this insightful article I found at OurFuture.org. It breaks down the all moving pieces of the health care fight. Check back for an update about this important piece of legislation.

Posted by:

Biko Baker