Thank you and Returning to Normal Soon

 

To our wonderful readers,

You may have noticed that we've slowed down a little bit on the posts lately. We, the writers of the site are students with jobs and September has been a very busy month. But we'll be back to normal soon providing the best in contrarian discourse.

We are working on some great content for you, planning some events in New York and soon we will have a new logo.

We did want to take the time to thank all of you for your support. The results of which are reflected in our numbers which we are very proud of.

Since our launch in July we are approaching 900 readers (unique visitors) in 32 countries on 6 continents! Ivyhorsemen.com is truly global. We are encouraged by these results as we move to forge a space for intelligent, honest conversation that ponders new paradigms and re-examines past frames.

Please continue to support us. Take some time to look back at some of our most popular articles (listed below) and share them with your friends and family--and please, please comment. We love them and would like to see more.

Think of our content as a conversation starter for which we welcome you to offer your own thoughts sparking fruitful discourse.

With deep gratitude,

The Ivy Horsemen

You can always contact us at IvyHorsemen@gmail.com

Most Popular Articles

• Mad Men Dosen't Have to Care About Black People
• On the Importance of Black Literature
• Kanye West Again?
• No More Mr. Nice Guy, Mr. President. We need a Fighter
• America and the Black Experience
• The Death of Decorum
• Bi-Racial, Not Black Dammit
• A Modern Method for Hanging Up
• Is Gay the New Black?
• Americans Far Beyond Europeans in Race Relations?
• The Black Athlete: Gifted and Cursed
• Animosity Against Obama is based on him being a Black Man, Jimmy Carter Says
• Obstruction of Judgment: On Reason, Faith, religion and Spiritually Part II
• Trying to Repay Student Loan Debt
• Green Hearts in the Right Place While Heads May Not Be
• Immigrant Blacks Outperform Native Born Americans in Education
• Single Black Women Are Choosing to Adopt
• Debunking Doubt and the True Believer
• A Future for the Historically Black College
• Eyes on Juan Williams
• Is Post Racial Really a Codeword for "Class Based"
• Current College Costs is a Democratic Crisis

Grim News Remains for Job Seekers

According to the New York Times the news is fairly grim for job seekers. The ratio of job seekers to available jobs is 6:1 and employment prospects appear to be diminishing according to the latest data. This implies that there is more uncertainty in the economy and companies are unsure about their specific prospects going forward. Stimulus spending has not been the impetus for more job growth, and job weakness appears across all the major sectors. The expected robustness in the Government sector, due to the stimulus package, has not yet materialized.

Locally, in New York City, the jobless rate is currently at 10.3% far above the national average of 9.7%, and far above the statewide rate of 8%. Of course the large losses in the financial sector have played a part in the rising rate. While Fed Chairman Bernanke, declared an end to the recession for the rest of the US, NY Governor Patterson sounded an ominous note for the State, and City when he opined that New York will face "tough sledding" for another year or more. Here at IvyHorsemen we would like to hear comments from our readers on their employment situation, and/or job prospects ahead.

SAVE MONEY Mr. President!

If you are tired of hearing how expensive including a public option in a health care reform bill would be you can now officially tell these people, otherwise known as Republicans or Blue Dog Democrats, to GET REAL! The Congressional Budget Office, the non-partisan federal agency in charge of providing economic data to Congress is now projecting that a bill that includes the public option would actually SAVE at least $85 billion. This is great news for those of you who are looking for a Change they can believe in!

“I wanted to take the house back.”

Those words were spoken by Bill Cosby in a recent interview with The Root. His choice of words is particularly compelling when in 2009 it appears that too many households are not under the control of the parents, but instead are controlled by outside forces that appear to be insidious and far too compelling to the impressionable minds within said households. When Mr. Cosby speaks of taking back the house, I'm reminded of the voices within my own household as a child. Far be it from me to pretend that my house was perfection incarnate, however there was no doubt as to who was in charge. Perhaps it is a function of the information age that so many parents feel besieged. After all in 2009 it is far more difficult to prevent culture and media, whatever that may be, to infiltrate ones home. Perhaps what is considered culture bears close scrutiny, yet that is a conversation for another time.

At this point we should just concentrate on "taking the house back" from those influences that are not positive, and progressive. Many have pilloried Mr. Cosby's stance on black culture, parenting, education, et al. However no one has come forth with their own vision of what "taking back the house" should mean. Instead we find critics, such as Mr. Dyson, offering up easy to digest platitudes and ad hominem attacks upon Mr. Cosby. While Mr. Cosby may have used language that offends some parties, there is no denying his deep and passionate commitment to black family and education. He has been a strong advocate for the UNCF and he and his wife Camille Cosby have made major gifts to educational institutions. It is my opinion that Mr. Cosby deserves a platform, and most importantly the ear of the audience. It is imperative that we examine the issue that Mr. Cosby dares to address in a new way, outside of the specter of victimhood, but instead as fully empowered individuals able to shape our own destinies. I am not suggesting that structural issues do not play a part, I am simply agreeing that in our own way, all of us must work to "take back the house".

In light of this week's 25th anniversary of the Cosby Show, Mr. Cosby's agitating for greater cultural responsibility rings an alarmist tone to many. Many would say he is disregarding certain barriers as well as ignoring systematic racists practices. I would counter those arguments by raising issues of responsibility, self respect, and accountability. The debate seems rigidly aligned along two polar opposites. One side would heap responsibility on society, and the other side believes that those Mr. Cosby seems to be addressing, bear all the responsibility. As usual the truth is more nuanced. Racists practices have taken a toll on many, while many have abdicated any personal responsibility. Is it possible to address both issues of structure as well as personal responsibility? Mr. Cosby surely seems to believe this, and I agree. There should be no zero sum argument.

A reliance on big structural change avoids the personal responsibility that Mr. Cosby preaches, while an over emphasis on personal responsibility neglects the ground level issues that still exist. I believe that Mr. Cosby intended to spark a dialogue and not necessarily solve the problems on his own. He provides some solutions but the ultimate solution will come from individual head of households. I think the issues that are brought up require a multi faceted approach not just relying on individuals, or governments but perhaps private sector involvement in order to address education, media, and culture. As we enter what many have termed a post racial era the debate will only become more intense. Here at the ivyhorsemen we look forward to chronicling the debate and offering our opinion and interacting with our readers about these very important issues.

Haven of Luxury, Going Frugal

The Japanese luxury goods market appears hardest hit by the global recession. A New York Times article outlines the shifting outlook of the Japanese consumers and their new found appreciation for thrift. Many analysts foresee this trend becoming permanent. This certainly augers in a new era for luxury brand makers, as they relied heavily on Japan's $15 - $20 billion luxury market to sustain their business amidst previous financial crises. Apparently the thirst for thrift in Japan has become all encompassing to the delight of Wal Mart subsidiary Seiyu. While in prior years Seiyu's bottom line floundered to the point that they had not made a profit in 7 yrs prior to 2009. This year they likely will be profitable. Predictions must be made at ones own peril, however early data suggest that luxury in Japan may indeed become just that, a luxury, instead of the norm in the coming years.

America and the Black Experience, Part I

For many people of color the words of W.E.B Dubois have at some point been at the forefront of their consciousness, many of us have struggles with "this sense of always looking at one's self through the eyes of others, of measuring one's soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity, and of a two-ness, of being an American, a Negro: two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder." Dubois contemplating this idea of the double consciousness as early as 1897 in a piece written for the Atlantic Monthly and the fact that these same idea's are at work in the mind of many today is someone amazing.

If we are to be fair, in terms of how we look at race we are in unchartered territory, and territory that quite frankly, I'm a bit anxious about. In fact, on November 4, 2008 a sickness came over my stomach when I heard news anchors proclaim that we had now entered a post-partisan and post-racial world made all the more confusing for people of my generation: the diversity generation. We grew up learning about how different we were and how great it was that we were all different from each other. For us to overnight proclaim victory over our long struggles with race and ethnicity at a moment when we have a heightened awareness of just how different from each other we are is at best disorienting and at worst a pipe dream. I'm sure it could be argued that perhaps this the quick progression of diversity to post-racialism is one of the reasons we are seeing a proliferation of coded racial language in our political discourse. Interestingly enough, I think we are now beginning to see one of the failures of the diversity movement, the failure to acknowledge just how similar we have become.

As a black American I find the struggle to preserve the idea of a black culture one that is very contentious in and of itself both personally and politically. Personally, I find it contentious because it is just so unclear as to what we are referring to when we look at the idea of black culture, in the mainstream discourse "black culture" and "hip hop culture" have become almost indistinguishable and it becomes very easy for black culture to be constructed negatively as a list of all that plagues many blacks in America. This perspective is often implicitly promoted with the disproportionate amount of attention young black males in prison get in the media, or the overexposure of rap artists in the media who are less than eloquent in their speech. It's also noticeable in the way many media outlets cover successful black people or programs targeted at black people like the Harlem Success Academy are outliers in the "black world," in some ways it implies the amusement and pity with which Dubois discusses in his idea of the double consciousness. Let me be clear, in no way am I trying to disparage the Harlem Success Academy or any other program that is doing wonderful things in our cities throughout the country my point is that through the coverage we often see how the idea of a negative perception of black culture is allowed to stick in the minds of many Americans.

I would argue we are indeed seeing this play out in our political discourse today, ultimately through the experiment of having the first person of color to be elected as President of the United States. I have no idea, whether or not people like Congressman Wilson and Sarah Palin (who throughout the campaign invoked the vocabulary of race-baiting) are racist and to suggest they are without knowing them is irresponsible, however, it is clear that their words do have consequences and I think the idea of the double consciousness is one that must be revisited. Is the idea of being an American and black antithetical to one another, when so many of us insist on having a black history month? Is the idea of black culture inherently a negative and anti-intellectual one? Is the idea of black culture still even viable now that it is possible to for one to rise to the top without being part of a single 'black' institution whether it be a college, greek based organization or the 'black' church? What happens when the "amused contempt and pity" comes from someone who looks like you? When someone who looks like me goes out of their way to ignore me have I become invisible to them too, is this a victory for post-racial thought? We'll delve into these questions and more as the year goes on, so stay tuned!

Animosity against Obama is based on him being a black man, says Jimmy Carter

 
In an interview with Brian Williams on NBC, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter expressed his belief that much of the furor directed at President Barack Obama is based on him being a black man.

Carter, himself a southerner and former governor of the state of Georgia said he has seen the south and the rest of the country come a long way. He however believes that the racism of old still exists and has arisen out of the belief by whites around the country that African-Americans are unqualified.


Watch Carter's comments below.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Kanye West? Again?

I wanted to refrain from commenting on the recent Kanye West incident due to the possibility that I would arrive at a carcass of an already decomposed horse. However, in the wake of his outburst it is clear that too many people are misguided in their attempts to explain his behavior. It is my opinion that the man is clearly in need of some sort of direction. Many have offered up the stock, "He lost his Mother" recently excuse, or reason in order to explain his odd behavior. To that I ask, where is his Father? Or is his Father not a integral part of his life? If so, perhaps that, more than his Mother's passing explains his irrational and definitely annoying behavior.

His behavior is more becoming of a diva, but then again that appears to be quite common behavior for many young males in the spotlight. He and Terrell Owens in my opinion both could benefit from some strong male influence in their lives. Sadly with the marginalization of the family, and particularly the father figure I highly doubt that anyone would raise the possibility that this is precisely what they are lacking. I am quite sure a myriad of excuse makers will rally around Mr. West yet again, all the while ignoring the elephant that sits squarely in the proverbial black community's living room. Until the next act of buffoonery by yet another entertainer/athlete/"spokesperson" requires some commentary, I bid you farewell.

End of Home Buyer's Tax Credit?

There is a looming fight in Congress over the Government sponsored Home Buyers incentive program. Last winter Congress passed legislation for the $8,000.00 tax credit in order to provide some incentive for home buyers at a time when the housing market was at a low point. The current debate in Congress centers on whether the government should be extending a program that could amount to $15 billion more in Government spending.

However there are some in Congress who would further extend the program and nearly double the tax credit to $15,000.00. While I am in favor of stimulating the economy I fear that this effort merely benefits those who do not need such assistance. It also smacks of blatant redistributive policies in the words of Dean Baker of the Center for Economic and Research Policy.

On the other side of the debate sits Mr.Zandi, Moody's Chief Economist, and Mr. Glassman of Morgan Stanley who favor extending the program into a new fiscal year. What the debate shows is that the economy is far from peak levels and that there remain many disparate opinions on how to best kick start what is clearly a flagging economy.

Another Venerable Institution Faces Bankruptcy

On September 9th, 2009 a venerable dining institution, New York's,Tavern on the Green, filed for Bankruptcy protection. Tavern on the Green's business skewed heavily towards corporate events and banquets, as well as foreign tourism. As early as 2007 business began to decline, and the 2009 financial crisis proved too much to overcome. There were also issues with the license renewal process, according to sources within the New York Parks Department which oversees the granting of the Tavern's operational license which is due to expire in December 2009.

Many interested parties have come forth to assess possible takeovers but so far none have stepped up to finalize a deal. It will indeed be a sad occasion should Tavern on the Green indeed cease to exist. Indeed it can be said that the closing of this landmark perhaps ushers out an era where corporate spending propped up many establishments in the hospitality industry. I am interested in the hospitality landscape in New York as it seeks to realign and reconfigure itself around perhaps less lavish spending. Or perhaps this is merely a one off and the good times will continue for both New York diners and restaurant owners alike.

The Death of Decorum

Last night during the President's address to Congress, Representative Joe Wilson, a Republican from South Carolina interrupted the President by shouting "You Lie". The outburst apparently left many members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, stunned. Pardon my cynicism but I am actually stunned at the fact that they claim to be stunned. Where have these, allegedly, esteemed representatives been for the past two decades? Have they not witnessed the rise of talk radio, the blogosphere, and assorted other new media where discourse is truly bereft of any decorum and civility and instead is rife with personal attacks, vitriol and all around ignorance all being spouted under the guise of freedom of speech.

It is my opinion that freedom of speech carries with it a grave responsibility, particularly when one is providing leadership to constituents. I have no doubt that Mr. Wilson is an upstanding citizen, and I surely do not mean to imply that he is alone in violating decorum. I take issue with those who would only point to this latest public breach of decorum as a watershed moment. Frankly both parties, and their supporters have been complicit in creating the current climate of hysteria, fear mongering, and outright disrespect towards hallowed institutions. Let us be clear, dissent and disagreement are essential elements for a thriving democratic society. However when we veer from the path of mutual respect the outcome is one that truly denigrates not only the political process, but cheapens the public debate.

During the presidential transition in January of this year, former President George W. Bush was heckled by some supporters of current President Obama. I took umbrage at their disrespect as I believe that it violated decorum at a moment that called for civility and a respect for the office of the President. Moments such as these we are discussing in my opinion create a climate where each citizen believes it appropriate, nay, necessary to succumb to his or her basest instincts. Name calling, epithets, and the like are currently part and parcel of public discourse. Here at Ivyhorsemen we pride ourselves on critical discourse, and lively debate. However we call for a return to civility where impassioned disagreement need not devolve into baseless attacks, anonymous innuendo and needless vulgarity. As my colleague noted in a previous column, it is high time for the adults in the room to step forward and take charge of the debate, and hopefully steer us on a more civil course of discourse.

Moyers: “No More Mr. Nice Guy, Mr. President. We need a fighter.”

 

The editors of Ivyhorsemen.com regularly discuss among ourselves that one of the biggest problems with American media today is there are no adults in the room. By that we refer to the lack of reverence and respect Americas have for those in the current news profession business. Olbermen, O'Reily, Hannity, Beck and their colleagues primarily hold the attention of people who think a certain way. None hold a general audience whom are interested in real content void of partisan quips.

Walter Cronkite was the adult for America in the 60's and 70's. As lead anchor for CBS News, the country trusted him as he frankly and intelligently presided over useful conversation about the issues of the day. Unlike the shock-jock tabloid-like pundits who rule today's cable news, Cronkite was a true journalist. And when he delivered commentary it was clear it was his own editorial-not blended in with news content in an inseparable mush of propaganda and mindless rhetoric. Democracies need people like this to exist in the culture to moderate national debates and call fouls.

Bill Moyers is the closest America has to anything Cronkite worthy. Though not at the helm of a major network, his Bill Moyers Journal on PBS, effectively examines pertinent problems of America. He invites thoughtful minds on-air to engage in discourse where they can complete their sentences without being shouted down. Moyers is one of the few voices of reason on TV who did not start his career as a stand-up comedian. He was also the only newsman to sit down with Jeremiah Wright to in attempt to get a more rich discussion of his views and ministry rather than replay short inflammatory clips.

Moyers tackles everything from politics, economics, religion and race. He has a kind but direct way of discussing issues that both gets at the heart of problem, but doesn't offend the viewer. It's a special gift. He directed his September 4th, end-of-the-show editorial at the nonsense that has become of the health care debate in America. As usual, he holds no punches, but retains his classy and respectful manner in doing so.

He tapped into my personal irritation and anger at President Obama, whom I lay much of the blame for what has become a circus on the health-care debate. The man is the President of the United States, and is he has not used his bully pulpit wisely, nor forcefully to guide the country in a particular direction. Watching him over-compromise and appease unreasonable people at the expense of those who supported him is beyond disappointing.

Take a moment to listen to Moyers' very much needed commentary and a more needed direct message to the President.

Obstruction of Judgment: On Reason, Faith, Religion and Spirituality, Part II

 

(Continued from On Reason, Faith, Religion and Spirituality, Part I: Debunking Doubt and the True Believer)

"Too much knowledge can be a bad thing," someone once told me in an a conversation about religion. In an attempt to answer my question about why Adam and Eve were scolded for eating from the Tree of Knowledge, he countered by saying that "too much worldly knowledge can confuse people and move them to doubt 'the word'." What he refers to as confusion I call critical thinking, and if any one's religion cannot withstand the inquisition of bright minds who have legitimate questions, it's not worth being called a system of faith.

This move to thwart knowledge is connected to the long history Christianity has in dissolving debate in the face of science, logic and reason. Organized religious institutions have long fought against those who question. If these inquisitors are also armed with scientific proof and logical reason, they are often scolded and ignored. In one-on-one conversations, many believers shift the discourse to concepts like "a personal relationship" which would in essence make the Bible void, since it's built on a personal understanding of God. But of course these believers will still refer to their very flawed book to back up their escape clause.

The traditional and modern Black Church has carried on this attitude of deflecting questions. The Black Church is being defined here as protestant/non-catholic churches who believe in Jesus, have grown and thrived in the United States and colonized areas and boast majority membership from Black people. I have met the most resistance to legitimate questions from Black Americans (and Africans and Caribbeans) who are religious.

This reaction generally comes as a surprise. I was raised Catholic and went to Catholic Schools so questioning Church doctrine and the Bible was normal. If there was any situation where I asked a question a priest, brother, nun or teacher could not answer, they were at least polite in the graceful way they chose to change the subject or pseudo-acknowledge my point.

It's very rare that I find Black folks who are willing to discuss their faith without repeating a chorus of sayings, becoming overly agitated and taking their frustrations out on me. I'm always respectful in my inquires and never insult, but the sheer consistency and I imagine, "on-pointness" of my questions makes them obviously upset. Some part of me understands this, for when I was in my "church boy" phase I felt that ball of irritation rise when people questioned my practices in ways I thought were disrespectful. It's a difficult emotion to express, but I would say a large part of the feeling is that questioners did not speak my language.

Believers talk in a way that other believers understand. This isn't a code language as much as it is a group of people who share this common way of seeing the world, because they have accepted the same God and view of it (him/her). So much doesn't have to be explained through original thought. Riding on cues, sayings and emotion is enough to communicate a feeling in the spirit in ways that seem to be impossible with words.

I no longer speak this way. And when I hear the same lines and scriptures I once relied on used to answer my questions, I often bring up a contradictory one which makes them mad. Most draw back and leave me with a polite statement which basically says "I'm done talking to you and you are Godless that's why you cannot understand me." Others are more active and blatantly tell me why logic and the practice of reason itself is wrong (see this piece's opening line). Some try fear and proclaim my eternity in hell, with a smile as they assert they will dwell in a white mansion forever.

Rarely do I encounter someone of African dissent willing to discuss my very legitimate questions. And without exception, these people happen to be those who also share questions. They are at a place where what they have been told is not enough. I've been in that place for a long time. See what the "ignorant" do not understand is that our worldly knowledge only adds to the spiritual doubt that we have. It did not create it. And most times this doubt is not about whether a god exists, it's doubting whether we are really worshiping whomever is out there we call God, correctly. We wonder if we are following a system of beliefs that would truly bring us closer to a better understanding of God and our spiritual selves. For the irregularities, dysfunction and contradictions that exist in the Bible, the Church and it's followers warrant at least a general analysis of their validity.

To the believers; When you encounter someone who questions, please do not assume they know nothing about the Bible or God. Many of us do. And if you are truly interested in helping us explore our doubts, settle your anger and engage in honest discussion without petty retorts.

To my fellow questioners, continue to do so. Do not be dissuaded or intimidated into ignoring your very valid questions. Because those who question and find answers end up becoming the most enlightened, and sometimes spiritual, people. Eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, it's fulfilling.

Green Hearts in the Right Place while Heads May Not Be

The other night I was strolling around Madison Square Garden when I caught my first glimpse of New York's carbon clock. Much like the debt clock originally made famous by Seymour Durst, this seems to be a method for making the public aware of how polluted our planet is becoming. While I applaud activists and professionals for their efforts in bringing this issue to light, I must comment on how ineffective this particular tactic is. While 3 trillion greenhouse gases is a lot, what laymen knows why exactly a greenhouse gas is dangerous and how that number relates to the amount of other gases in the atmosphere?

The debt clock was effective because people know what dollars are, what it can buy and how hard they have to work to earn them. So seeing a clock quickly rack up a voluminous number is salient. But how many people understand carbon pollution, and how that number affects them? I would guess a small number.

Many (not all) environmental enthusiasts fall prey to their own group think and bubble. I often find myself having conversations with people whom I believe care very deeply about the environment, but very clearly have no clue how out of touch they are becoming. This bubble allows good people to miss the fact that the average person has no idea why 3 trillion greenhouse gases is bad.

One of the most famous examples of how narrowed thinking affects awareness initiatives is the war on bottled water. Though water is of paramount importance, this push is ridiculous because it only targets water beverages. Don't all bottled beverages contain water? Why is the Vitamin Water a legitimate purchase when Evian is not? The better campaign is to target all bottled beverages and the containers they come in. That would make sense.

And don't let me start on the suggestions that people carry around a thermos and use these imaginary clean water fountains that are supposedly everywhere (When I've located them in New York I've seen quite a few homeless folks not use them for drinking). If you wish to change people's behavior, you must develop realistic options and methods. Just saying "don't do this, it's bad for the environment" doesn't work.

Back to the clock; It's a interesting idea, but ultimately it will not bring the kind of awareness environmentalists desire. Perhaps a better route would be to translate how a certain number of carbon pollutants affect people. Try telling people [not real numbers] that a year of driving 5 SUVs garners 100,000 units of air pollutants which cause 30,000 children to get asthma of which 75 will die.

This is a good start on the way to communicating with people in ways that work. It must hit home in a real way. Common folks can grasp this and then your gigantic number will have meaning for more people other than those who thoroughly follow and study environmental topics.

For examples of extremely effective public service pieces, check out these anti-smoking ads that City of New York's Health Department developed that still give people I know nightmares. These influenced many New Yorkers to give up smoking or to not begin at all as indicated by the city's smoking rate dropping 20% in five years.

Quick News 9.04.2009: Bush’s Think Tank, Pinky bitten in brawl, Jackson laid to rest, Till’s Casket honored

Bush starts Think Thank

Yes the words "Bush" and "think" in the same headline, insert obvious joke.

Former President George W. Bush continues establishing his think tank by naming Jim Glassman, a long time Washington journalist, as the founding executive director. The New York Times reports, the George W. Bush Institute will be located along Bush's Presidential Library on the campus of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

Bush envisions the organization to be an action-oriented think tank that advances many of the policies he pursed as president.

 

 
Man's pinky bitten off in health care fight and drives himself to hospital

Just when you thought these town halls could not get any worse. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that a 65- year-old man's pinky was bitten off during a scuffle at a MoveOn.org rally in Thousand Oaks, a city northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Two men began fighting after an argument, in which William Rice had his left pinky bitten off. Rice drove himself to the hospital after the incident.

Rice declined to say which side of the debate he is on, but something tells me that he is probably someone who is against the public option, but now realizes how fortune he is to have Medicare.


Michael Jackson laid to rest, finally

After about two months, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Glendale in a concealed monument inside of a mausoleum made of marble and mortar. The Washington Times reports that in addition to Jackson's family, many of the singer's friends were in attendance including ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley, Barry Bonds, Macaulay Culkin and  and the Rev. Al Sharpton.

Forest Lawn Glendale is also the final resting place of Hollywood legends such as Clark Gable, Jean Harlow and W.C. Fields.

Reports claim that the reasons for the prolonged burial were due to additional autopsy requests and attempts to negotiate the Neverland Ranch, Jackson's former home, as the place for his tomb. The latter was abandoned because of the years of potential red tape the family would have to go through with the estate's current owners.


Lynching Victim Emmett Till's Casket to go to Smithsonian

Considered an important piece of the civil rights era, the casket of Emit Till will be featured at the Smithsonian's planned National Museum of African American History and Culture, as reported by the AP.

In 1955, the 14 year-old Till was murdered for whistling at a white woman. He was beaten with one eye gouged out, shot in the head and tossed into the Tallahatche River attached by barbed wire to a 70-pound cotton gin. It was three days before his body was discovered. The main suspects were acquitted, and later admitted to the committing the murder.

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture is set to open in 2015 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. You can view the museum's online collection here.

Americans far Beyond Europeans in Race Relations?

“America has better race and ethnicity relations than Europe because the U.S. had a Civil Rights movement,” someone once told me in conversation a few years ago. It’s an interesting point that I never considered. Before this I actually presumed that Europeans had better views on people of color than Americans (obviously I haven’t traveled very much).

Most of those assumptions came from hearing about authors like James Baldwin moving away to France to escape racism in the U.S. back in the 1960’s. That was over 40 years ago. The 2008 riots in France began to pierce my naive view on race and ethnicity relations in Europe. Many times since then my uninformed view continues to be developed.

Bernard-Henry Lévy, a French author, philosopher and filmmaker, is a consistent, modern-day thinker and activist on issues like this. In 1984 he co-founded the anti-racists NGO, SOS Racisme. The organization supports victims of discrimination (often minorities) in legal trials. They also publish examples of racism in law and society and are effective protesters.

A few years ago, Lévy wrote American Vertigo, a book he billed as a modern Tocqueville, Democracy in America. In the text, Levy speaks on why he believes race and ethnicity problems in the U.S. are better when compared to Europe today. In a 2006 interview with Tavis Smiley, while promoting the book, Lévy said of Americans,

Today, the difference with before is that they are ashamed of being racist. Their racism is expressed in a sort of defensive or repressed way…This is a great change. In France sometimes, they dare again. In America today, they dare less and less. This is the achievement of Dr. King, and of all the revolution of the Civil Rights.

This outward racism doesn’t only occur in France. This week BBC News reported that 60% of Blacks in Moscow have been assaulted physically based on their race, with 80% falling victim to verbal abuse. This unabashed racism would shock most Americans who have only seen (if they have) this sort of blatant hatred in old footage of civil rights protests in the South in the 1960’s.

The article continues to say Blacks in Moscow take precautions like evading large crowds; they avoid using the metro and do “not go out on Russian national holidays or on days when there were football matches.” The last precaution reminded me of a segment ESPN did in 2006 which displays the unconcealed verbal abuse football players (soccer to Americans) face regularly from fans and sometimes colleagues.

Take a moment to view the segment titled “The Beautiful Game Turned Ugly” and let us know what you think about it and racism in America, in Europe, or anywhere.

I would especially like to hear from some of our European based readers on this issue.