black…MYstory

…sorry…really bad joke.

When I saw this, I mentally filed this under the “1,000,000+ things I should have thought of” category.

Blackbird is a new web browser targeted for the African American web user.  Based on the popular Firefox 3 browser, Blackbird offer tools that help African-Americans locate culturally-specific sites and resources on the web.

Of course, the browser has detractors who label it racist and exclusionary for its targeting of black-centered resources (Editorial comment: Why is it that I only hear these complaints about black-focused content?).  However, as the article states, branded browsers are nothing new:

Indeed, Blackbird’s concept of a browser tailored towards a community is nothing new. The Flock “social browser” (which we’re fans of) offers some appealing integration with social networking and webmail services, and even built-in tools for blogging and photo sharing. A spinoff of Flock, called Gloss, also offers similar custom tools and Blackbird-like content customizations for women. “We call it an ‘identity browser,’” Young explained. “I could make a browser for the lovers of Warcraft. Would that be exclusionary of other people? No, I would just be bringing those people closer to the sites and resources that they are probably interested in.”

In other words, why not?

I, for one, have gotten many emails over the years from people asking about where they can track down African-American-focused content on a variety of subjects but, given my limited reach on the internet, am unable to steer them to a lot.  Perhaps, for those folks, a browser such as Blackbird may fill that need.

I think I might have to download a copy and check it out.  As far as I know, only a Windows version is currently offered (any chance of a Linux version, folks?) but, I’ll try it out anyway.  It sounds promising.

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Donna Brazile offered appeared on the panel at the New Yorker magazine’s “If I Were Running This Campaign” forum.  In this segment from the panel, Brazile offers wisdom and understanding about the intersection of race and politics, as well as why, regardless of the outcome of the presidential race, America can’t afford to go back on the issue of race.

The video is below:

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Well, the time that people like the Pat Buchanan’s of the world fear is on its way.

A new census report shows that, combined, minorities will constitute a new majority in America by mid-century.

By 2042, there will be a greater number of non-whites than whites and by 2050, a full 54% of America is expected to be non-white.

Hispanics will be the largest “minority” with an estimated 133 million out of a projected total U.S. population of 439 million.  Black people will constitute some 65.7 million and Asians will see their numbers grow to an estimated 40.1 million.

In my child’s lifetime, he may very well see a major shift in the racial/cultural dynamics in America.  Something tells me this is going to be a most interesting ride.

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Given my previous post, I found this clip particularly appropriate for what I was trying to convey, especially seeing what’s going on in the current presidential race.

Tim Wise has been on the forefront of dealing with the issues of race and racism for quite some time, now. Here’s an excerpt he’s given on white privilege and the roots of racism in America. He clearly breaks down down something that I have shared with my circle of friends for years — race, as an issue, is really a facade used to tell white people that, if you have nothing else, you have white skin privilege and that makes you superior. However, in the end, those conveying that notion are using it to preserve and expand their own power, influence, wealth, etc.

The video is below:

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Today marks 40 years since the day Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

I know some will take this opportunity to raise questions about his character but, let me be clear — regardless of what one might say about Dr. King, it’s takes extraordinary courage to keep going knowing that your life and the lives of your family were under constant threat.

I can only say thank you to a man that tried to leave the world a better place than he found it, which is much more than I can say for the current leadership of our country.

So, to remember Dr. King, I want to share with you the last speech he gave before he was murdered.

The audio is below.

 

 I've been to the Mountaintop: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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To be honest, I usually skip watching the “State of the Black Union” because, I just don’t see very much substance there. However, I will say that there were some definite highlights this year. Dick Gregory was absolutely on fire and clearly generated a huge buzz with his comments, which ranged from the humorous to the absolutely profound. Al Sharpton also got big props for calling out the Clinton camp and its supporters for its race-baiting during this campaign season. I have a few clips from the speakers below.

Al Sharpton on Clinton Changing Rules and Comments

Michael Dyson on if Barack Obama Becomes President

Dick Gregory on Bill Clinton the “Black President”

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I’m about to make a terrible stereotype about some of my younger brothers and sisters. I see too many as totally disinterested in seeing themselves as part of a greater black family and instead choose to see themselves as individuals who just happen to be black. Many also take on a mentality of “as long as I’m okay, everything’s okay”. In other words, if things are good for me then, if they’re bad for someone else, it’s purely a shortcoming on their part.

Of course, as individuals, it is their prerogative. However,
at what cost does this come to black people as a whole?

At a recent Martin Luther King Day observance in Roxboro, NC, such questions were asked.

One comment really stuck out that indicates, to me, how artificial these distinctions that some folks draw really are. It was offered by Dr. Kenneth R. Hammond:

“The world tries to make us believe that our dreams are unworthy and the sneaky weapon that can do that is prosperity, which can make you forget your God, forsake your father’s house… make us cruel to each other … and make us forget the bridge that brought us over.

…

Don’t get hung up on this prosperity thing for if the truth be known, most of us are one check away from welfare”

Well put, indeed.

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Now, though I give props for Obama’s win in Iowa, I must keep things in perspective. I am no Obama fanboy. In fact, posts like this and this should indicate to people where I stand on Obama. Neither he nor any other candidate has earned my vote, yet.

You see, I like the idea of change. However, change can mean anything. Or, worse yet, it’s easy to talk of change but, I have heard so much lip service given to the notion that I have to question if a person is truly going to deliver on what they claim. With that being said, sometimes you have to look at a persons past actions/statements to determine if you can believe them. This applies for Obama or any other candidate but, since I am talking about Obama, specifically, I have to share with you an article that appeared last month on ZNet. It’s called, Obama Speaks: “Oh Great White Masters, You Just Haven’t Been Asked to Help America” and offers another view on the thoughts and actions of Barack Obama. It’s a good read and I encourage you to check it out.

As voters, it shouldn’t be just about who we find most electrifying or most electable. We also need to know if our interests will be represented.

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Okay, I’m about a day late getting this to you but, last night, NBC Nightly News began a week-long series on African-American women. In it, they are examining the progress of black women in terms of education and careers, familial relationships, politics and health.

This sounds like it could actually be a pleasant alternative to the media images of black people that are normally splashed across television screens. Therefore, I encourage you to check it out and give NBC your feedback on this coverage. Perhaps they can be inspired to be more inclusive in their coverage in the future.

At any rate, I think I’ll be checking it out.

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“We ask black people: it’s time. It’s time for us to come together. It’s time for us to rebuild a New Orleans, the one that should be a chocolate New Orleans. And I don’t care what people are saying Uptown or wherever they are. This city will be chocolate at the end of the day.”

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, Jan. 17, 2006

It’s been nearly 2 years since Ray Nagin made that declaration but, sadly, it seems that between Hurricane Katrina, broken levees, FEMA and President Bush’s broken promises, a black New Orleans is looking like a thing of the past.

Months back, we saw efforts to purge displaced black voters from New Orleans’s rolls. So, we knew what was at hand.

Now, another sign indicating the displacement of black people has appeared. For the first time in two decades, a majority-white city council has been elected.

I believe that this is just a foreshadowing of things to come. New Orleans, with its flaws, was still a vibrant and important piece of black Americana. Sadly, today, this appears to be washing away.

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