An Austrailian Magic Trick

I'm sure most are aware that Australians are gifted in areas of swimming and rugby, but I bet you didn’t know that they are amazing magicians, who would give David Copperfield a run for his money. They're able to accomplish in 5 minutes what Michael Jackson took years to do, albeit reversed. Australia has successfully changed the race of some white/pacific islanders in to that of Black Sudanese, all while creating an environment of mass hysteria and fear. I say little Kim, stop wasting time and money in your pursuit of whiteness, just board a plan and go to the land of race changers; Australia. Check it out!

Guess who's fly!

Yea I didn't know I had fly friends either. Check it out!

Conflicted traveler

I've been thinking long and hard about my summer travels. The gut wrenching anticipation of yet another bitter cold upstate winter has pushed my healthy obsession with Latin America, into a full blown addiction. While this addiction/obsession with Latinoamerica seems to help alleviate seasonal gloom that winters this far north bring, I’m not completely adamant about spending some summer time down there. I’ve been thinking about some other destinations that I’ve yet to travel to, or have been putting off, and thought I’d share some of my possible summer travel itinerary. In no particular order let me start off with my long overdue trek to Europe, my mother’s mother land. Yes it’s been quite some time since I’ve set foot on the shores, of what many in this hemisphere call the land of evil socialism, but this summer is looking ripe for a quick sojourn over the pond. I’m thinking of London to Paris, then heading south to Espana, and possibly a quick stay in Morocco. I think Sverig will have to wait another time. I know it sounds like a great trip, and I’d hate to break my promises to friends/family over there about this summer being the one where I finally fulfill years worth of empty promises, but South Africa is hosting the world cup. I’m feeling a bit conflicted about yet again ditching my plans for travel to Europe over SA, but it’s the world Cup, and the first time an African Nation is hosting it. To make matters worse is my growing interest in traveling to, as one of my friends described, “a real first world country”; Japan. I've been thinking about a little trip out east, because I’ve yet to be in a city as overwhelming as NYC, and think Tokyo just may be the only city to rival my beloved NYC.

Mexican the new black

Mexican is the new black. I know it's popular to claim that Arabs are the new black, and this post ins't in any way an argument against that, but seriously in some places in this country being Latino, and more specifically Mexican, or Mexican looking (See Dominicans African blood does have its advantages…sometimes), means that there’s a high chance you’re illegal; contribute to the localized drug trade, steel jobs from white Americans; I mean American citizens; and sometimes blacks, or at least when it advantageous to say so. And guess what, if you’re murdered it was almost definitely warranted, for the aforementioned reasons.
So last night I’m casually watching CNN’s series Latino in America, which a few scenes left me utterly speechless, although not surprised. Soledad O’Brian , who let me mention because I think it’s relevant, is part Afro Cuban, and usually CNN’s go to girl for all ethnic reporting (if only she was part Asian, then they’d have all their bases covered), was interviewing an “anti immigration activist”, who for the valid reasons stated above stands wholeheartedly against illegal immigration. In one scene Soledad is questioning him about purported job losses due to Latino immigration, in which he responds that neither he nor his friends have lost any jobs due to immigration. This then prompts O’Brian to ask him why is he so anti immigration, and in a seemingly genuine stance of solidarity with his African American brothers, offers that they take jobs away from the Blacks, all while straightening out his confederate flag. And no that wasn’t me trying to be funny, he really was adjusting a confederate flag hanging on his porch. Dear: sir, illegal immigration activist, I apologize for not graciously accepting your unselfish backhanded gesture of solidarity with legal colored citizens, I mean, negro, I mean African American brethren, but I got a little fixated on the confederate flag.
But even more disturbing than his transparent savvy, was his support for 4 PA teens who beat to death a Latino man last year. And in case any of you reading this jump to conclusions, you should know that he wasn’t beat because he was Latino; it was because he was illegal. That’s right. According to one credible woman, lacking shoes, who interrupted O’Brian’s interview with a local civil rights activist, the young man was murdered not because he was Latino; it was because he was illegal. Although I had trouble deciphering what she was saying in the midst of her incoherent tirade, she was very successful at conveying her hatred for Latinos, and I’ll go out on a limb and say anyone generally not white. She did however fail to mention one caveat in her justification for murdering illegals, successfully undermining what little intelligence she has. Could it be race? I mean Vincent Chin wasn’t murdered because he was Chinese American; it was because he was a Japanese foreigner steeling jobs from Americans, and the murder a couple years back of Sean Bell, well he must have been an illegal from who knows…that country called Africa.

Holloween: License to offend

What do you call slutty cops, sexy babies, scantily clad nurses, and license to be grossly offensive? Give up? Yes you’re right Halloween. And it’s right around the corner. People with an affinity for death, blood and gore, love this holiday, and they’re usually identifiable, not by their ghoulish costumes, but more by their incredibly tacky over the top decorated homes. You know, the homes with an overabundance of skeletons, pumpkins, and more recently inflatable giant pumpkins with plastic windows, and either a skeleton or witch inside holding a sign that reads: trick or treat/happy Halloween.
This seemingly innocent holiday has been hijacked by peoples’ inner ho and inner racist. You see, for some strange reason people like to dress in all kinds of disparaging costumes. For the first, they have a knack at turning anything into a sexpot, and I mean anything. Who else turns a baby onesy, into a firm fitting cat suite, with pacifier, and baby bottle, exuding all kinds of desperation, uh em I mean sex. The later usually cling onto any outlandish racial caricature from years gone by. The afro wigs, the Rasta Mon locks, complete with tacky skull cap in Rastafarian colors and my favorite the infamous black face. These grossly offensive costumes are defended in the name of Halloween, while one’s hypersensitivity is called out.
Not surprisingly this years the costumes have become a lot more creative/offensive. In addition to the infamous black face, Halloween goers who are determined to offend, now have an option between black face and yellow face.

Top ten black film clichés

In the midst of my procrastination I managed to muster some energy and allocate some of my time towards creating a compilation of the top ten, tired, stereotypical, black film clichés. I can’t take sole credit for this idea. My Girl Danielle and I were talking, and very casually stumbled upon the idea of creating such a list. Now of course the list is based on my own anecdotal observations, so please feel free to comment, and let me know if I’m way off mark or on point.
10. Coming in at number 10 is morbid obesity. Think Martin Lawrence in Big Mama’s House, Monique in every one of her roles, and Eddie Murphy in every role he’s had in the past 10 years. We as Americans are bombarded daily about the dangers of the epidemic that is morbid obesity, but Murphy has single handedly turned it into a pandemic in black film. Somewhere in between Coming to America, and hunting for man sex, which subsequently lead to his run with the law, Murphy has donned countless fat suits, and made millions exploiting obese black folk.
9. Climatic gun shoot out. What black film doesn’t have one of these? Name one, I dare you to. Think Morris Chest nut’s dramatic murder sequence as Ricky Baker in the film Boyz in the Hood, or Queen Latifah as herself in Set it Off, unleashing a storm of gunfire. You see these violent climaxes are an essential component of black film. They provide shallow depth to an otherwise awful film.
8. Gabrielle Union, Vivica A. Fox, Nia long. Yes all beautiful, talented, accomplished thespians, but any black film that’s come out in the last 10 years is guaranteed to star one of these fine ladies.
7. Angry black women. Any film starring two or more black actors increases the likelihood by 50% that one of the roles will be an angry black woman. You see you just can’t have a black film without an angry black woman. Think Angela Basset in Waiting to Exhale. The only black film that does’t star an angry black woman are black gay porn flicks.
6. See Number 6 is a wild card, and that Wild card is Tyler Perry. Mr. Perry has made a fortune off of every black film cliché, and I very well could have used him in any category. Because of this I’ve decided to dedicate a whole number to him. Seriously check out one of his films, they’re simply 2 hours of black film clichés.
5. Head twisting. Midway down the list is the infamous head twist. You’ve all seen it on the McDonalds commercials that air on UPN and BET networks. Black women twisting their heads in all kinds of directions, enjoying a quarter pounder with the commercial’s narrator speaking in extra heavy black accented vernacular. Pretty much any black film will have numerous scenes with head twisting.
4. Did I mention Gabrielle Union, Vivica A. Fox, Nia long, oh yea they were number 8, but seriously you can’t escape them when you’re watching black films.
3. Church. You see like the essential climatic gun fight, the church is almost equally important. There are two places where one is likely to observe the church in black films, and it is usually in the middle or at the end of the film. See, the church scene is interchangeable with the climatic shoot out scene. This usually works a little better at adding more depth to the film, cause Lord knows we black folk loves us some Jesus, which brings us to the number 2 cliché.
2. Jesus, son of God, the almighty, the third part of the trinity, whatever you call him, we black people love us some Jesus, and there is just no way a black film can be complete without him.
1. Rounding out our all time, top ten black film clichés, are in fact clichés themselves, but not just any clichés, they are biblical clichés. Have you ever been going through some difficulties, and have someone tell you to “let go and let God”? Yea I’m not sure what it means either, but rest assured it’s been said in about every Tyler Perry Film, and about 75% of other black films. Or How about “God don’t give you nothing you can’t handle”? Um I beg to differ, but yea it’s another overused black film cliché.

Pre defense offense speak

So just what exactly is pre defense offense speak? A friend of mine recently posted a video online that pointed out the illogical insanity behind the Idea of “no homo”. For those of you who aren’t in the know and clueless about the meaning of” no homo”, it may be wise to first mention “no homo”s less gayer, slightly more racist, better known twin brother: “ I’m not racist but” . See both “no homo “ and “I’m not racist but” spring from the same nonsensical mother. While the specific offense both “no homo” and his brother “I’m not racist but”, try to remedy, are different, both are inherently flawed in the same way. Both brothers tell you they’re not either gay or racist, but then in a seemingly illogical gesture refute their preface with a self incriminating statement, causing one to doubt their heterosexuality and claim of not being a racist.
Sadly “no homo” and “I’m not racist but” are joined by a younger sister, “as a grown women”. Again like her older brothers, “As a grown women” ‘s logic flows in much the same illogical vein. Ironically enough “As a grown women “claims that it is her maturity that dictates her behavior and When prompted by certain chicken heads, contends that as a grown women she doesn’t like to slice a ho’s face, but when the statement as a grown women comes out of “As a grown women”’s mouth, it’s almost a guarantee that a ho’s face is getting sliced.

District Nein

This past summer I totally geeked out. Not only did the new Star Trek film debut, but there was a new sci fi film called District Nine, shot produced, and directed by South Africans. Yea I become a little discouraged when I discovered that the director was Afrikaans, but this was the new post apartheid South Africa. Right? I had big dreams for this film. I saw the cast making the international film festival rounds, catapulting the film's actors into the upper echelons of Hollywood, becoming household names, essentially becoming the Slum Dog Millionaire of Africa.

All this would have been great, provided that the few black Africans in the film that played an integral part were not quasi cannibals, and prostitutes. No seriously, I'm not making this up for those of you who’ve yet to the film. Now for those of you who accuse me of being overly sensitive when it comes to matters regarding race, I'll have you know I in fact appreciate good racial humor when done right, and when it's authentically funny. I'm waiting for a film starring Rush Limbaugh, and Glenn beck as black face brothers, searching for their long lost Uncle Tom, played by Michael Steele. Now that would be hilarious.

The objectification of my affection

You finally make it to that exotic destination you've been dreaming 0f since 1995. You're about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’ve saved like you've never saved before, so you can live it up. You go all out and purchase that $700 camera that you think will give your photos that professional national geographic touch. So when your feet finally hit the tarmac, cause we all know these kinds of destinations don't have covered walkways from Plane to terminal, you whip out your camera , worth half a year’s salary for the people in your host country, and start snapping. You take a picture of the sign at the airport the reads "Welcome to (insert third world nation here)"! You snap a photo of the pretty flight attendants wearing some sort of traditional garb, or repeatedly bowing at you, providing you with an authentic welcome to their country. You clear customs and make your way via taxi into the city, where the real photo treasure trove lies: the locals.

We're all guilty of this. For some reason or another it seems ok to objectify people when traveling. Imagine Foreign tourist snapping photos of native New Yorkers (ok forget about the red tourist buses in Harlem). How odd would that be? Or just shopping in your local super market taking pictures of Peggy perusing the different varieties of SPAM. Awkward right? There’s a fine line between being a responsible, and conscious traveler. A responsible traveler, doesn’t litter, tips the appropriate amount, and doesn’t feed the animals, err I mean give money to the beggars. The conscious traveler doesn’t turn the lives of ordinary locals into a national geographic photo shoot. The conscious traveler doesn’t try to get some photos of (insert ethnic name here) breast feeding her child, with breasteses all out. The conscious traveler doesn’t border on creepy pedophile and snap random photos of anonymous local chil’run (that’s children in Lil Wayne). I know sometimes their too cute, and I've done this myself, but I wouldn’t want some stranger taking pictures of my kids. Basically the Conscious traveler doesn’t turn people into objects. Save all that picture taking for the pyramids and temples, and if there just happen to be people in the photo, who are not the main objects of the picture, bonus!

To Cuba or not to Cuba...?

I've been caught. There really wasn't any reason for this entry other than I love this photo and needed a reason to post it. Oh yea, and a friend of mine just posted pictures of a trip to Cuba this summer, and it's got me jonesing for a chance to travel to the communist island nation. Is it really such a bad idea to travel there? Whats the likelihood that I get slapped with a $15k fine by the U.S Treasury Dept?

The anti ga ga

Just a quick acknowledgement that in the midst of all the synthesizers, scantly clad dancers, and extreme makeovers there still exists original music artists. Yes artists that write and produce their own music, and even play instruments. Looking forward to more performances by Black August sans after party shenanigans....lol

Disclaimer: I love all music, but really respect originality

Things to know before you go.....and get murdered

Ok, so I'm a little late on Annie Le's tragic murder, but I don't think it’s sensitive to write about that. What I'm more interested in is the insight her story provides, and what it tells us about our country. Others have commented on the huge disparity in news coverage between white women and women of color who go missing, and look at Le’s case as an exception, rather than the rule when it comes to missing women of color. You all remember that one black women that went missing last year right? Or the one Latina women who disappeared 4 months ago in LA? Or that other Asian women who no one has seen in over 3 years. Ok I don’t remember either, and it's not because there aren’t missing Asian, black and Latina women out there, it’s because the media, well just doesn’t seem to give a damn.

The media may not care about all you non-white missing women, but I do, so I'm unselfishly offering some sound advice to women before you go and get murdered. One of the most important, and I stress IMPORTANT ways to ensure media coverage of your murder, is to make sure you're white. Preferably WASPY- Scandinavian white, blonde hair blue eyes. This creates the best fodder for the media, and your murder will surely create a frenzy, increasing the likelihood that your murderer will be caught. And to all my Mediterranean looking sisters out there don't lose hope; the media still cares about you. Lacy Peterson: case in point. Now if you’re not lucky enough to be white when you're murdered, there are some things that will trump your race and get you the media attention you deserve. We've seen this work quite well with other murdered/missing women of color, and that is having the right pedigree. You need to be at least upper middle class and attend an Ivy League institution, or at least a tier one school. It also doesn’t hurt to be incredibly attractive. No one wants their Oprah interrupted by a breaking news alert with some homely looking women. Make it worth the interruption!

Finally if you get murdered or disappear and lack all the above mentioned qualities there is one last hope to get you that all important media coverage. This works for women of all colors, but works particularly well for women of northern European extract oddly enough. That is women, to make sure your murderer is a physically imposing black man. The more imposing the better. He should be at least 6' and should be at least 3/4 of his height in width. Another important characteristic to look for in your murderer is that he has an ethnic sounding name. The names that garner the most attention are usually Muslim ones, often names taken after a quick stint in prison. Also if you're able to, make sure that your murderer has some funky hairstyle. Ideally locks work best, but unkept afros will suffice. If you can manage to get murdered by a guy fitting this description you've increased your chances of at least Fox News covering your case. Good Luck!

The Fool's Golden State

With little more than a few months left of my program I've been looking into jobs, and considering the west coast. I'm ready to trade in 6 months of miserable weather for year round sun, beach, and surf. When I tell this to some of my friends who are die hard east coasters, they often contend that while the weather over there maybe be sunnier and warmer, Mother Nature seems to have a grudge against the Golden state. These east coast friends of mine usually hang on to their undying love of the east coast, by mentioning how the big one is coming, the possibility of war between Arizona and Cali over water, and the a slight chance I may run into one of the housewives of OC. Of course all these arguments against moving to the other side of the continent are valid, especially the last one, but I find east coast winters a compelling enough reason to risk it all.
Unfortunately all the aforementioned dangers pale in comparison to the economic situation the state is facing. The state of California is the 8th largest economy in the world, and when it rains in an economy that size it pours. There’s been some unprecedented action taken by the state government, in an attempt to halt the state's financial bleeding. Massive amounts of teacher layoffs, which have resulted in teacher hunger strikes, some of the highest foreclosure rates in the country, Government issued IOU’s instead of wages, and the highest unemployment rate in 70 years.
Last year I traveled to the golden state, before the near collapse of the American financial sector, and was a bit startled by the culture shock I experienced. Growing up in the east coast people tend to be a bit more modest about wealth. The countless $100k + cars I saw were a big departure from the average $40k cars common here in the east. I remember talking to a friend of mine from San Francisco, who lamented that California represents everything that’s wrong with America. Big cars, gross materialism, unaffordable mortgages; essentially an unsustainable lifestyle. Now I'm not arguing against these things, but an economy based on 70% consumption can’t be a sustainable one, and I wonder if my friend was indeed right in his caricature of the Golden state. Does the land of sun, surf and beach represent what's wrong with America?
Disclaimer: this aint a dis to all my west coast people (sorry)

What's good for the biracial goose may not be good for the black gander

I've wanted to write a little something about mixed race identity in America for a while. No, no I'm not tragic, or confused, and contrary to Peace Justice Bardwell's unselfish concern for others I think I ended up pretty ok. There seems to be a growing mixed raced identified movement taking place in America. I remember speaking about Obama being the first black president, and suddenly being chided by a mixed race women, protesting that he was in fact biracial. I guess growing up where I did and having always been the only brown boy, being able to identify as biracial or mixed race was always a decision made by others. I'm not complaining about that option being taken away from me, I in fact think it helped me circumvent some of the identity perils that mixed race folks go through growing up in such a racially polarized society, but I have to admit I do find this increasingly popular way of self identifying a bit jarring. It still feels a bit foreign to me. I cautiously support people identifying anyway they see fit, but I stress CAUTION. Let me explain. Government monies are allocated to different communities based on population. In this context race is largely political. So it seems counterproductive to have 25% of African Americans claiming mixed ancestry because Grandma says there’s some Cherokee somewhere in the family. Not to mention that there is now a push to have Latinos identify themselves along racial lines and not ethnic ones. So what does this mean? Simply put it means less monies going into communities of color where it’s needed most. I also wonder what role culture plays in this. So I've heard that I have a little Seminole Indian in me (no really I do, seriously), but never having grown up with that culture is it fair for me to claim it as my own? I've probably been impacted more by Puerto Rican culture than my own 1/32nd Seminole Native American culture. It seems only fair that one must live the culture first hand, before you can claim it. Please rest assured people, I’m not advocating the rule of hypo descent, I don’t think having dual identities are mutually exclusive. You can be both black and biracial, or hapa, and Asian all at the same time. I guess the point of this entry is to frame the mixed race movement in a macro context; what’s good for the individual may not be best for the community. If you're interested in mixed race identity check out this video, starring a friend of mine. (Props to Charles!)

Nation building; one soccer match at a time

Most who know that Africa is not a country, also know that the continent has all the trimmings of an unstable region. Colonialism check, insufficient crumbling infrastructure check, and major interethnic tensions double check. After Europe was finished slicing and dicing the continent in every which way, frenemies were made, enemies forced to pretend to be friends, and voila, special interest groups created in the form of ethnic groups, all competing over scarce resources, only widening interethnic gulfs. Perhaps, though just maybe Football, (soccer in American) may be able to help bridge some of these ethnic cleavages, and do what the mad/imperialistic/dash/scramble for Africa failed to do; nation build.
Last night I was laying in my bed listening to the BBC on the radio. In between tossing and turning, my interest piqued in the broadcast as they were covering Ghana's win at the Under 20 World Cup Match over Brazil. It was hard to make out the conversations between the BBC news correspondent and the Ghanaian football fans, being drowned out by the madness that ensued after Ghana’s triumphant win against the legendary football team that is Brazil, but what I did hear over and over again was a pride in not any particular ethnic group, but in Ghana. One over jubilant fan poignantly shouted that Ghana was often considered the Brazil of Africa, but now Brazil is considered the Ghana of South America.

The big black, asian, white, elephant that sometimes looks Latino in the room.

So of course there some things about Obama I'm not crazy about. I think he panders too much to the right; I think he undermines himself by making bipartisanship one of his main objectives; I find him leaving much to be desired when it comes to LGBT rights, but I do honestly appreciate the diversity he's brought to the white house. What I mean by that is not just fact that America has a black identified biracial man as Commander in chief, but the different representations of different racial groups in his family. I have a hard time separating his blended family from the direction he seems to be taking the country in, and wonder how his experience in such a family has influenced his decision/policy making. Pundits often mused about his different family, but fell short of commenting on what influence this may have on his Administration. I for one think it’s for this reason the Obama Administration is so diverse. Now this isn’t commentary on any of his positions on the countless pressing issues America is facing, but rather a light heart reflection on the first extended family, and an observation that this is the first time that a majority of Americans can see a little of themselves represented in the white house.

My favorite color of the rainbow is white

So you've spent about an hour filling out your match.com dating profile. You're hoping to make a connection with that special someone who matches your personality traits in 100 or so different dimensions. You know that all this work is worth it, right? Maybe not so much. At least not according to this interesting study by okcupid blog I came across, highlighting the fact the race is by far the biggest determinant in whether or not you'll receive a response to your dating profile. While I don't find any of these findings particularly surprising, they do confirm what I've always thought to be true. Most people's eye on the prize comes in the form of white men and women. There's nothing wrong with that, in fact I wouldn't be here without a white woman, but it does beg the question; what’s wrong with all the other pretty colors of the rainbow? Why not as much love? White men and women are hands down the most desired people according to okcupid's study, while black women seem to fare the worst, and all men of color seem to be about the same. In an apropos gesture I've included a photo of the most undesirable hottest couple on TV.

Traveling Epiphony

Winter break is quickly approaching and I'm thinking of some places of traveling to. Two years ago I went to Peru, and have to say it was one of the most amazing places I've been to. Being a native of the north east accustomed to the bitter cold, I usually opt for repose on beautiful beaches with turquoise waters, and most importantly warm temperatures, which brings me to the point of this entry, and that is how my travel philosophy has evolved since then. Prior to my discovery of this amazing country, and in the midst of my blissful ignorance, traveling was just an escape, and superficial appreciation of some of the local tourist attractions. I've always enjoyed traveling and it’s been one of my passions since I was a kid, but my time in Peru struck a spiritual chord in me and changed my perspective on travel. I'm not sure if it was the light headedness due to the elevation, or the unbelievable kindness of the people (except the one guy who tried to rob me), but my time there made me seek out something a little deeper from that trip. This December I will be taking a family trip to Panama, and I’m really tempted to head a little further south and reunite with Peru. We'll see.

Black is the new Green

I don't know for certain what the public opinion is on the creation of green jobs/economy and people of Color's role in that industry, but I think it would be safe to assume that most have the image of weathered hippies, sustained on a steady diet of granola and leafy greens, sporting Birkenstock sandals and thick woolly knittings, which makes the work of Van Jones for many reasons so inspiring. A man who contrasts sharply with that image, Van Jones an accomplished attorney founded Green for All, a national NGO dedicated to "building an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty, in 2007. He most recently made headlines by becoming the Obama administration's czar on green jobs, and more recently made bigger headlines by becoming one of the conservative right's victims, linking him to some unsavory radical left agenda. Consequently Jones decided it best to resign, but alas all is not lost. Echoing a sentiment that Arianna Huffington made on her Post, Jones is most effective in the community, not stuck in the thick muddy waters of Washington bureaucracy. Jones' presence in the green movement is not in itself inspiring, but it’s his ability to connect the empowerment of communities of color to the realization of such an economy. Why can't Harlem, Oakland, and East LA be the epicenter of this revolution? I think it’s in these communities where Mr. Jones needs to be.

A relationship of convenience

Being stuck up here at Latitude: 43.45 N, Longitude, or better known to most of you as Oswego NY, always gets me thinking about the equator. A few years back I developed a healthy obsession with all things Brazilian. I took a class on identity and politics, and wrote a paper on minority representation in Brazil,and repeatedly watched the film " Cidade de Deus", this obsession eventually culminated with my journey to Brazil. After some time being away from OZ, this obsession waned, and ironically enough now that I find myself back here I'm noticing myself slowly falling back in love with Brazil and Latin Music. But the point of this entry, isn't to write about my returning interest in Braziian and Latin culture, but share what I've been listening to on my ipod and Pandora stations. While some of the artist aren't Brazilian, they are none the less talented, and more people north of the equator should be listening to them. Cesoria Evora has had a steady place on my play lists, and although not Brazilian, she's Cape Verdian and sings in Portuguese. Another great artist is Sergio Mendes. He recently teamed up with the Black Eyed Peas, but his older work is where you catch glimpses of his genius. lastly, but definitely not least is the Buena Vista Social Club. There's not more to say about these guys other than Brilliant! Enjoy!

Bringing an end to tragic mullatos

We all know we're living in the age of Obama, but just what exactly does that mean? I don't think anyone is foolish enough to say that we are now instantly a nation free of racism, but I do think the age of Obama represents what more and more American families are starting to look like. I've heard Obama called the first Blasian president ( referring to his Asian sister's family and childhood in Indonesia,and Hawaii). While not of Asian ancestry he is half Kenyan and Half white, And these blended unions seem to be more and more common. But there is one man that doesn't feel these types of unions are healthy, and in fact result in ill adjusted children. Apparently Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish is going to put and end to all the tragic mulatto's out there the best way he knows how; by denying marriage licences to mixed race couples. Check out the story from the AP below.

NEW ORLEANS – A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have. Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.

"I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way," Bardwell told the Associated Press on Thursday. "I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else."

Bardwell said he asks everyone who calls about marriage if they are a mixed race couple. If they are, he does not marry them, he said.

Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.

"There is a problem with both groups accepting a child from such a marriage," Bardwell said. "I think those children suffer and I won't help put them through it."

If he did an interracial marriage for one couple, he must do the same for all, he said.

"I try to treat everyone equally," he said.

Bardwell estimates that he has refused to marry about four couples during his career, all in the past 2 1/2 years.

Beth Humphrey, 30, and 32-year-old Terence McKay, both of Hammond, say they will consult the U.S. Justice Department about filing a discrimination complaint.

Humphrey, an account manager for a marketing firm, said she and McKay, a welder, just returned to Louisiana. She is white and he is black. She plans to enroll in the University of New Orleans to pursue a masters degree in minority politics.

"That was one thing that made this so unbelievable," she said. "It's not something you expect in this day and age."

Humphrey said she called Bardwell on Oct. 6 to inquire about getting a marriage license signed. She says Bardwell's wife told her that Bardwell will not sign marriage licenses for interracial couples. Bardwell suggested the couple go to another justice of the peace in the parish who agreed to marry them.

"We are looking forward to having children," Humphrey said. "And all our friends and co-workers have been very supportive. Except for this, we're typical happy newlyweds."

"It is really astonishing and disappointing to see this come up in 2009," said American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana attorney Katie Schwartzmann. She said the Supreme Court ruled in 1967 "that the government cannot tell people who they can and cannot marry."

The ACLU sent a letter to the Louisiana Judiciary Committee, which oversees the state justices of the peace, asking them to investigate Bardwell and recommending "the most severe sanctions available, because such blatant bigotry poses a substantial threat of serious harm to the administration of justice."

"He knew he was breaking the law, but continued to do it," Schwartzmann said.

According to the clerk of court's office, application for a marriage license must be made three days before the ceremony because there is a 72-hour waiting period. The applicants are asked if they have previously been married. If so, they must show how the marriage ended, such as divorce.

Other than that, all they need is a birth certificate and Social Security card.

The license fee is $35, and the license must be signed by a Louisiana minister, justice of the peace or judge. The original is returned to the clerk's office.

"I've been a justice of the peace for 34 years and I don't think I've mistreated anybody," Bardwell said. "I've made some mistakes, but you have too. I didn't tell this couple they couldn't get married. I just told them I wouldn't do it."

Tragic Blasian

I recently spent 2 months traveling through China this summer, so when I came across this next story I was instantly interested in it. Lou Jing a 20 year old Shanghainese women, who by the way speaks better Shanghainese than Mandarin, and no English, entered a singing talent contest this past September. Her story probably wouldn't be too interesting, especially because she doesn't appear to be a good singer, except for that fact that Lou Jing is half black. In a country where in my experience I could count the amount of black people I saw on one hand, and where every other TV commercial is an advertisement for some sort of skin whitening lotion, I'm pleasantly surprised to see how well adjusted she seems to be.

Racist Couture?

Anyone who knows me knows I'm no fashionista, so from a fashion standpoint my point of view may be null and void, but I think I may have some merit on the racial front. I came across this story on the Huffington post. High fashion model dons some uber expensive couture clothing, is photographed by a leading fashion photographer, and things couldn't get any edgier. But wait, they can. Paint the model black! when I first saw the photo I have to admit I wasn't instantly offended. I thought it was a cheap and unoriginal way to get an edgy photo, but not necessarily offensive. What I find upsetting is that with all the naturally brown and black models, did the art directer really need to paint this white model black? Couldn't they have just gone to Naomi Campbell, the go to black model?

A Real Peace Maker

So Obama gets a Nobel Peace Prize, despite waging two wars, and is selected to address the HRC, and stand by idly while the armed forces discharge honorable gays and lesbians simply for being just that; gay and lesbian. I get why he's holding out a little longer than some would like when it comes to the rights of the LGBT community, and I think he spoke directly to the angst some in the community have.
On a more positive note was Julian Bond. Bond is a man who has a committed track record of social justice and civil rights. As former leader of the NAACP, who has fought for civil rights, the argument that gay rights are not civil rights were symbolically shot down by his mere support of LGBT agenda. Check him out below.

Hope for the Continent

We've all seen the images; infants with bloated bellies, emaciated women, these are unfortunately the images most associate with Africa. All this despite roughly a trillion dollars of aid pumped into African countries, yielding little results. So what is the answer? I've recently read a book by Zambian economist Dambisa Moyo. She Argues that aid is actually the culprit behind these images, and is perpetuating extreme poverty in many African countries. Check out the video and see what she has to say about aid. If you're interested read her book, Dead Aid.