Basic Black Blog
Mar 05 2010
Guest Editorial by Rev. Irene Monroe: African Americans and Abortion Ad
Black Community??s Division on Abortion Ad Campaign by Rev. Irene Monroe Given the history of the exploitation of African American women??s reproductive system for involuntary sterilization, medical experimentation, monetary compensation, and political gain, it??s difficult for many in the black community to not see an anti-abortion ad campaign specifically targeting the African-American community in Georgia ?? with read full article

Feb 26 2010
Basic Black Panelist Peniel Joseph in The New Yorker
The New Yorker gave a great review of the new book by author, historian and Basic Black panelist Peniel Joseph. Dark Days, Bright Nights is a chronicle of the Black Power Movement up through the election of Barack Obama.

Feb 25 2010
Guest Editorial: Rev. Irene Monroe
Do We Still Need to Celebrate Black History Month? By Rev. Irene Monroe February 1 began Black History Month, a national annual observance since 1926, honoring and celebrating the achievements of African-Americans. This February 1, the International Civil Rights Center and Museum (ICRCM) opened in Greensboro, North Carolina, honoring the courageous action of four African- American students. Their read full article

Feb 24 2010
Guest Editorial: Talia Rivera
Boston Street Workers Threatened By Talia Rivera Executive Director Villages Without Walls The last six months were difficult for those who work the dangerous streets of Boston. In August, a street worker was shot in the head while talking to a teenager with whom he worked. And over the last few months, three street workers were arrested on drug read full article

Jan 12 2010
Beyond dog whistles…
From Bill Clinton’s remarks to Ted Kennedy (that Obama “would’ve been getting us coffee…”) to Harry Reid’s remark about Obama’s lack of a “Negro dialect” (whatever that is…) and John Edwards, John McCain, and Sarah Palin in between. If the past week is any indication, it looks like there will be a lot of revelations read full article

Jan 07 2010
The 2010 Census is counting Negroes…
I’ve always thought the census was important for legislative/representation issues, but I haven’t really thought about the census until, well, the last time the census was taken. And every time it comes up, Americans (primarily people of color) question how they are being categorized. It’s as though the categorization becomes a definition and everything the read full article

Jan 05 2010
Language matters…
I really hope Micheal Steele heard himself… From my point of view (and dare I say the view of other thinking folks) “injun” is the equivalent of the “n-word” for Native Americans. V. Linson

Jan 05 2010
Tiger Woods on the cover of Vanity Fair…
(January 5, 2010) Wow… this story will not stop. As I understand it, the photos in this issue were taken years ago (by Annie Leibovitz) so it seems the only winners here are the magazine and the photographer (’cause Tiger is keeping a low profile these days). I’ve always thought Leibovitz’s work was nothing if not striking. read full article

Basic Black Featured Video
Basic Black
Basic Black LIVE: The Congressional Black Caucus, Faculty Diversity and Tavis vs. Rev. Sharpton
(Originally broadcast February 25, 2010) This week we take a look at the corporate connections of the Congressional Black Caucus, the challenges faced by professors of color in pursuit of tenure, and the public feud between Tavis Smiley and Rev. Al Sharpton.







