The Ivy Horsemen

The Day The Empire Lost His Mind

2011-12-10T00:23:00.000-05:00

Last night the NBA committed suicide. The Owners specifically. They killed all the goodwill the fans had left after one of the most obnoxious lockouts in sports memory. I say obnoxious because at a time when we are asking everyone of the little people to take a haircut seeing owners bullying their employees whom they have frequently overpaid is difficult to stomach. However we sports fanatics

To The Good People at Icebreaker

2010-10-06T13:44:00.008-04:00

Icebreaker a New Zealand based manufacturer of merino wool clothing thought that the accompanying photo was a clever ad campaign. Furthermore they placed the photo within their employment ad on Craigslist. Clearly no one at Icebreaker headquarters had an inclination that this photo could be interpreted in a number of unflattering ways. Suffice to say that we here at IvyHorsemen felt compelled to

LeBachelore, or How to Fail at Exiting Gracefully

2010-07-10T11:44:00.007-04:00

Obviously we have all been witnesses to LeBron James' dramatic exit from Cleveland. Lost amidst the hue and cry by those either pro or con are the actual facts that should be up for debate. Many columnists have done a fine job of stating their objections or support for Mr. James. What is disappointing is when African American writers of renown fail to articulate facts and instead fall into

Employers: Don’t Demand What You Cannot Demonstrate

2010-07-05T20:16:00.001-04:00

IVH readers who have been looking for work within the past three years are very familiar with the ridiculous standards employers are demanding to perform the most basic of work. Our readers who haven’t been looking have no idea how preposterous the requirements have become. Often you will find 3, 5, 7, even 10 years experience required for an entry–level position. Or a list of skills fitting

Harlem On My Mind

2010-06-14T16:28:00.004-04:00

Walking through Harlem, during the am rush hour does strange things to my mind. I find myself looking at people, people who look like me, who have aspirations, dreams, bills, family, and favorite tv shows as though we have little in common. I find myself subconsciously, or consciously counting the number of men who “look” like they are on their way to work. It’s fairly easy to discern that

Was Picking This Offensive?

2009-12-16T20:03:00.002-05:00

Last week Publisher's Weekly ran this cover promote African-American books. The image incited criticism and chargers of insensitivity. But is this really? What's the problem? It looks like art to me. Predictably, PW issued an apology and their reasoning for using the photograph. The image was a photograph taken from a new book from W.W. Norton, Posing Beauty: African American Images from the

Booker one of America's Best Leaders says Harvard and U.S. News

2009-10-27T10:01:00.001-04:00

Newark, NJ Mayor, and Ivy Horsemen favorite, Corey Booker was recognized as one of America’s best leaders. The list complied by U.S. News and the Center for Public Leadership at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government highlights leaders from a variety of fields. The criteria was based on three factors, sets direction, achieves results and cultivates a culture of growth.

Top 40 under 40

2009-10-26T13:08:00.002-04:00

CNNMoney.com released their annual "40 under 40" list of the most talented business leaders under the age of 40. There are several noteworthy inclusions, specifically the co-founders of Twitter, as well as CNBC news anchor Erin Burnett. What did catch my eye was that Jay-Z and Steve Stout were on the list. The other interesting entry was Ralph Gilles, the CEO of Dogde, as well as Chrysler's SVP

Quick News: Nigerian Children Witches?; Cosby Rap Album; HBCU’s are clueless says White House; Gates Gives $10 Million of Black Museum

2009-10-19T08:33:00.001-04:00

International: Nigerian Christian Churches Denounce Children as Witches. Some Christian churches are performing deadly exorcisms on young children accused of being evil in Eket, Nigeria. One such incident involved nine-year-old Nwanaokwo Edet. The AP Reports: [He] lay on a bloodstained hospital sheet crawling with ants, staring blindly at the wall. His family pastor had accused him

Thank you and Returning to Normal Soon

2009-09-29T12:32:00.001-04:00

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

Grim News Remains for Job Seekers

2009-09-29T10:14:00.002-04:00

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,

SAVE MONEY Mr. President!

2009-09-28T11:51:00.004-04:00

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

“I wanted to take the house back.”

2009-09-21T10:15:00.004-04:00

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

Haven of Luxury, Going Frugal

2009-09-21T09:28:00.005-04:00

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

America and the Black Experience, Part I

2009-09-16T19:41:00.004-04:00

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,

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

2009-09-16T15:23:00.002-04:00

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

Kanye West? Again?

2009-09-16T12:27:00.005-04:00

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

End of Home Buyer's Tax Credit?

2009-09-16T12:04:00.006-04:00

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

Another Venerable Institution Faces Bankruptcy

2009-09-16T11:54:00.004-04:00

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,

The Death of Decorum

2009-09-10T10:58:00.004-04:00

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

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

2009-09-07T09:50:00.001-04:00

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

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

2009-09-06T01:00:00.001-04:00

(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

Green Hearts in the Right Place while Heads May Not Be

2009-09-04T14:35:00.002-04:00

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

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

2009-09-04T13:18:00.004-04:00

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

Americans far Beyond Europeans in Race Relations?

2009-09-03T19:57:00.005-04:00

“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

Trying to Repay Student Loan Debt

2009-08-31T05:40:00.010-04:00

A common discussion amongst the editors at the Ivyhorsemen.com is the absence of the younger generation of Americans in the national debate about big issues. Problems such as the rising cost of education, the increasing cost of living and a diminishing overall American job market has created conditions that are likely to progress into doom in the near future for anyone under the age of 40. Yet,

A Modern Method for Hanging Up?

2009-08-29T09:44:00.003-04:00

Just an aside from our usual dialogue on culture, politics, education and international affairs, I have the need to vent. This past week I made an inquiry call and received one of the most condescending and rude attitudes I've experienced in a while. Anyone that knows me understands that I don't entertain the ignorant. Out of anger I hung up on the guy, but I was still very annoyed. Somehow

Edward M. Kennedy 1932-2009

2009-08-26T09:15:00.003-04:00

"Like my brothers before me, I pick up a fallen standard. Sustained by the memory of our priceless years together, I shall try to carry forward that special commitment to justice, to excellence, to courage, that distinguished their lives." - Edward M. Kennedy, 1968 Speech

Single Black Women Are Choosing to Adopt

2009-08-25T12:40:00.006-04:00

CNN recently published an article exploring the increase in adoption by single black professional women. As a reason for the increase the article notes the lack of eligible black males, as well as the resistance to marriage amongst the small number of black professional males. While I will not argue that there are many black males who do not view marriage as a viable option, I would also take

Yet Another Industry We Are Losing to China

2009-08-25T00:05:00.005-04:00

President Obama wants to make the United States the leading exporter of renewable energy. According to the New York Times his 7 months in office have coincided with China rapidly taking the initiative to become the leading green energy provider, even within the United States. According to the New York Times the Chinese government has committed huge sums to provide their green energy manufacturers

Introducing America's Next Organic Food Mecca, Detroit!

2009-08-24T23:18:00.006-04:00

Yes, very strange words indeed. Because for most Americans Detroit is definitely not synonymous with food, let alone a thriving and flourishing urban agri-conomy. However that is precisely what Mark Dowie is suggesting in his intriguing article Food Among the Ruins. In his article Mr. Dowie outlines a daring and revolutionary restructuring of Detroit, not as an industrial hub, but instead a

Another One Bites The Dust

2009-08-24T10:14:00.010-04:00

Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress pleaded guilty last Thursday to a weapon charge, stemming from the incident last year in which he accidentally shot himself in the leg at a New York nightclub, and agreed to a two-year prison sentence. This incident in my opinion illustrates the wanton disregard many athletes have for their own career, their safety, and the privileged position

"Mad Men" Doesn't Have to Care About Black People

2009-08-20T20:20:00.007-04:00

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www.");document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));try {var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-10352910-1");pageTracker._trackPageview();} catch(err) {}After reading Latoya Peterson's post on The Root earlier this week I have been

Marshall Plan for Africa?

2009-08-18T11:39:00.004-04:00

Glenn Hubbard, the current Dean of the Columbia Business School believes that a Marshall Plan for Africa is needed in order to push the continent into the 21st Century and fully integrate African nations into the global economy. His column articulates why this plan is necessary but more importantly why the various Aid organizations would be in opposition of such an undertaking. It is my believe

A Future for the Historically Black College?

2009-08-18T07:30:00.005-04:00

Historically Black Colleges have always been a part of my world, I grew up in the Washington Metropolitan Area and remember the buzz each year that would surround Howard Homecoming and the Howard/Hampton football. The title of the "real HU" was at stake every year and alumni on both sides were passionate about the supremacy of their side, regardless of the final score. I was captivated by the

Quick News: NFL Legend Toler Dies; A Birthday Party for Michael Jackson; Cocaine on your Money?

2009-08-18T03:25:00.001-04:00

Burl Toler dies at 81; first African American game official in NFL history From the L.A. Times: Toler died Sunday at a hospital in Castro Valley, Calif., according to the University of San Francisco. He was a star lineman and linebacker on the Dons' 1951 football team that was denied a bowl bid despite a 9-0 record because it refused to leave its two black players -- Toler and

Immigrant Blacks Outperform Native Born Americans in Education

2009-08-18T02:24:00.002-04:00

Immigrant Blacks more Likely than Native Whites or Blacks to Attend Elite Schools Here's a bit of news that confirmed my suspicions. The JHU Gazette reports that immigrant blacks (either American born of immigrants or those who have immigrated with their families) are performing exceptionally well in higher education, according to a study conducted by researchers at Syracuse and John Hopkins.

This Week in Post-Racial America: The Lil Monkey Doll

2009-08-14T06:35:00.003-04:00

Last month a Costo in Greensboro, NC pulled a "Cuddle With Me" brand doll off their shelves due to a complaint and later e-mail blast by an offended customer. BrassKey Keepsakes, the makers of the doll, manufactured a brown-skinned doll adorned with monkeys wearing a headband that read "Lil Monkey" and a fair skinned doll that came with a panda called "Pretty Panda."What's interesting is how such

Friends, How Many Of Us Have Them????

2009-08-13T00:12:00.005-04:00

Young Mister Vick has apparently been spotted out on the town with the Atlanta artist Young Jeezy. There is even a video of the night out on You Tube. On its face, at least to those familiar with the "culture", this is rather meaningless. Mr. Vick does not appear in the club, he merely looks as though he encountered Mr. Yeezy outside of the venue for one of those quick "shout out" type sound

The Black Athlete;Gifted and Cursed

2009-08-12T10:11:00.006-04:00

An argument can be made that one cannot name a more celebrated icon than the American athlete. It is with reverence that grown men speak of their childhood athletic heroes. In the minds of many men those images of athletic exploits, be they gridiron, court, or diamond never fade away. America has a long history of rewarding those athletes it holds close to heart, with untold riches, as well as

What Real Signs of Recovery Look Like

2009-08-10T12:59:00.007-04:00