The Black Male Re-Imagined|99Problems.org

Last week, I was in New York where I spent a few days in the mix with some of the non-profit sectors and Hip Hop’s elite such as American Values Institute, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Open Society Foundations, as well as Geoffrey Canada of The Harlem Children’s Zone who kicked off the conference by being the host facility of the panel that featured Russell Simmons, Nick Cannon, & Lupe Fiasco. The conference focused on trying to create a better portrayal of blacks, males in particular, on the big screen and in the music. I wanted to be a fly on the wall. On one hand, I have every right to be in that room but I represent a demographic that don’t even know that room exists.

PEEP THE REST OF MY OPINIONS INSIDE

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DJWillieShakes

[VIDEO] The Clipse – Life Change (Ft. Pharrell)

It’s not often that I listen to a Hip Hop song and hear anything uplifting within its lyrics. These guys have made an interesting comeback. Peep! … Continue Reading

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DJWillieShakes

Changing of the Guard

Tuesday night was a paradigm shift in Pennsylvania History! Old blood was retired and new blood was given a chance! Many in Pennsylvania knew Arlen Specter as a moderate conservative in Pennsylvania who back in 2008 switched to the blue Democratic side to ensure his re-election to the United States Senate. Many would say that the Obama effect is failing as OFA canvassed, robo-called and phone banked the citizens of Pennsylvania to ensure voter turnout for Senator Specter. However when it came down to it Tuesday, the voters of Pennsylvania were not happy with where Mr. Specter stood on different issues within our state and his long run in congress and so many felt that it was time for a new young person in office.

… Continue Reading

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Kirin Kennedy

Pres.Obama: 3-Pointer & Some Change!!!

I’m inside Suite, a nice club/lounge in Milwaukee, with Biko at the bar looking at the big screen and there’s President Obama & CBS Sports, Clark Kellogg playing a custom game of HORSE at the White House. As a smile comes across my face, I began to ponder, is it me, or does President Obama remind you of yourself? Whether you’re an African American male or Caucasian female, it’s safe to say that our current President is more down to earth than other President we’ve experienced.

Or maybe I just can’t relate to 60 year old white guys with money and bombs on deck. I’ll tell you one thing, at the 3:57 mark of this video, the President yells out’ “WAPP” before making his shot and that’s totally me. I, myself, love to talk s*%@ before completing a shot or anything for that matter. In fact, I’m sure “Wapp” is a slang terminology that could’ve only derived from the urban demographic. And for the naysayers that can’t appreciate the President being a normal guy and wondering why he isn’t focusing on current events (like the Final Four), he jokingly addresses it by his comments made after a successful shot that followed a few missed ones, “I’m not going down easy, I got a few other things on my mind.” HAHA, now, I can def. respect that Mr. Pres!!!

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DJWillieShakes

Enviromental Protection Agency Getting Its Bars Up!

Just hopped off a video announcement from Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency and definitely a top pick on the short list of D.C. insiders who are really taking their title/mission to heart.

On what is coincidentally (purely surely) the first day of the international COP15 summit, the EPA announces that their thorough (musta been really thorough) analysis of all the available facts leads to one simple conclusion: greenhouse gases “threaten the public health and welfare of the American people.”

There’s more:

“These long-overdue findings cement 2009’s place in history as the year when the United States Government began addressing the challenge of greenhouse-gas pollution and seizing the opportunity of clean-energy reform,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.

Great talking point from Mrs. Jackson and my instinct thinks she’s legit. When asked on the call about the timing of the EPA’s announcement, when House reps have indicated no movement on environmnetal legislation until early Spring (months from now), Lisa Jackson said the EPA did not want to wait to get the ball rolling and hoped that Congress would “follow the ball.”

Translation: watch out, world. Apparently it’s not a pre-requisite of American political power to actually lose total touch with the land and your people!

Keep it up, Mrs. Jackson.

Posted by:

Sam Patton