NPR: News & Views

July 31, 2007

Video of the Day: 'The Simpsons', Kenyan Style

In today's "Africa Update," Farai spoke with NPR Africa Correspondent Ofeibea Quist-Arcton about how a small Kenyan village is cashing in on the success of The Simpsons. Reuters news service (via AOL) has more:

Geoffrey Bennett

King To Soon Stand in Nation's Capital

Between Washington, Jefferson, and Lincoln, there soon will stand a King.

The Martin Luther King Junior National Memorial will be built among the famous presidential monuments in Washington D.C. Set to open by early 2009, it will feature his famous words carved in stone, a waterfall, a grove of trees and a statue of Dr. King. All of this will take $100 million to complete.

On today's show, Farai spoke with Harry Johnson, president and CEO of The Washington D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation.

He explained how the foundation has handled building a big, expensive project on a very precious piece of federal land and offered his part on the controversy surrounding the foundation's choice of an artist to create the King statue.

Below are some artists' renderings of the planned memorial. Tell us what you think: Will the foundation be able to raise the remaining funds for construction? What do you think about the look of the monument? Is this long overdue?

Aerial View MLK Memorial Site
Aerial View of the Memorial Site
Courtesy of The Washington D.C. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation

Continue reading "King To Soon Stand in Nation's Capital" »

Geoffrey Bennett

Walter Reed Tries New Approach, Nike Settles Suit

The Washington Post: At Walter Reed, a New Approach -- "After revelations this year of squalid living conditions and bureaucratic nightmares at Walter Reed, the Army took the unusual step of creating the Warrior Transition Brigade. It brings in combat-seasoned officers and sergeants to assist the facility's nearly 700 outpatients -- tracking their recovery, ensuring that their appointments are kept and watching out for their morale."
More From Today's Show: Sweeping Changes to Care Sought | Will Suggestions Be Brought About?

The Virginian-Pilot: Vick Bankrolled Dogfighting, Co-Defendant Says in Plea Deal -- "A co-defendant told federal prosecutors that NFL star Michael Vick 'almost exclusively funded' a dogfighting operation and provided the money to bet on matches, according to court documents related to the man's guilty plea."

The New York Times: Kenyan Farmers' Fate Caught Up in U.S. Aid Rules -- "As the United States Congress debates an omnibus farm bill, it is considering a small change that advocates say could make a big difference to the world's hungriest people: allowing the federal government to buy some food in Africa to feed the famished, rather than shipping it all overseas from America."

Chicago Tribune: Nike Settles Discrimination Suit -- "Nike Inc. has agreed to pay $7.6 million to settle a race discrimination lawsuit by current and former African-American employees of its Niketown store on Michigan Avenue."

Geoffrey Bennett

July 30, 2007

Defining Blackness

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It's time again for our recurring series, "Speak Your Mind," where we invite our listeners to weigh in on the issues and news that matter most to them.

This entry comes from "News & Views" reader and frequent commenter Moji Oderinde of Oakland Park, Fla.

Courtesy Moji Oderinde

"I watched the CNN /YouTube debate. I must admit it was nice to see a different format with individuals in the comfort of their surroundings posing questions to the Democratic presidential candidates. But with any new thing, the novelty soon fades, and that was how I felt when I heard the couple of questions from an individual posed to Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

The questions were how Clinton would answer those doubters who feel her gender makes her unqualified for the presidency; and to Obama, what he would say to those who think he is not black enough. "Not again," I said to myself. I wasn't surprised about the gender question, and it will keep on being asked until America finds the courage within herself to vote for a woman as the president. But isn't it strange we convey a country as a female possession but have a hard time seeing a female at the helm of the land's highest honor? It is just a thought, but I digress.

The second question about the sufficiency of Obama's blackness was what got me riled even into the next day, when my aunt asked for my opinion on the debate. I told her I was really glad that holding a public office is not my lot or desire in life because I wouldn't have to show how "black enough" I am by defending the fact that I am born to African parents or have lived in other parts of the world as a kid -- because Obama is just like me.

This question is sounding like a broken record. Various many media outlets have featured commentaries about his so-called "blackness" -- or lack thereof -- during the past five months. I was impressed that he answered the question with a sense of humor, while expressing his belief in the "core decency of the American people." However, I have to say that Obama's answer was also good "politician speak." He avoided the issue because just like the many others who have asked this question in the past, the poser of that question on YouTube was African American.

Finding the answer to this peculiar question is an exasperating process because we (as blacks) have no concrete response to defining the ambiguous term called "blackness." After all, we were the ones who dubbed Bill Clinton "the first black president," making him one of "us." On the other hand, we have a black Supreme Court judge in Clarence Thomas, who denies that affirmative action had anything to do with his own success. So through his perception of being a self-made man, Thomas keeps making court rulings that make you wonder if he ever was one of "us." Not only that, we have whites who think they are black for wearing cornrows as hairstyles or black designer threads!

Imagine my surprise reading an article last week regarding a documentary by Paul McKenzie titled "Black like Beckham." You have got to be kidding me. If David Beckham is black, then I'm the soccer messiah. But we give the real brother (Obama) a hard time about his blackness for reasons that are beyond me: his mixed heritage, world travels and Ivy League education. Isn't this the same brother who took civil rights cases as a lawyer and made an uncommon decision to not support the Iraq war while his counterparts did? If you ask me, those actions give credence to the content of his character; and in my eyes that makes him black enough." -- Moji Oderinde

If you have a submission, leave us a comment and we'll contact you. Remember -- the range of topics is totally unrestricted. But all submissions have to adhere to our guidelines. So help us help you "Speak Your Mind."

Geoffrey Bennett

Finding Love of a Different Faith

Dara and Oded Pincas photographed on their wedding day.

Courtesy Dara and Oded Pincas

As part of the month-long series on religion in black America, Farai spoke with an interfaith and interracial couple, Dara and Oded Pincas, about how they've navigated the unique challenges posed by race and religion.

"Finding someone is finding someone who really understands you and may not look like you on the outside," said Dara.

Dara is Baptist and African American; Oded is Jewish and immigrated from Israel ten years ago. Both are attorneys in New York, and they are expecting twins in December.

"We will definitely offer them a choice [of religions]," said Oded. "I think the most important principle is to embrace our different religions and, in this case, ethnicities. It is going to be a challenge, but we are up to it."

Are you involved in an interfaith or interracial relationship? What has been your experience? If not, do you approve of such relationships?

Geoffrey Bennett

Video of the Day: Femi Kuti Doing His Best

On today's show, Nigerian musician Femi Kuti talked with Farai about his music; the legacy of his father, Fela; and his enduring love for Africa.

So today's clip comes from one of Kuti's concert stops last year in Clearwater, Fla. He performs his song, "Do Your Best."

Have you ever seen him perform live? What's your favorite Femi Kuti song?

Geoffrey Bennett

Cities Sue Gangs, African Diamond Smuggling

The Associated Press: Cities Sue Gangs in Bid to Stop Violence -- "Fed up with deadly drive-by shootings, incessant drug dealing and graffiti, cities nationwide are trying a different tactic to combat gangs: They're suing them."

The Christian Science Monitor: Fighting Diamond Smuggling in Africa -- "The diamond pits of Sierra Leone haven't changed much since the war ended five years ago. Spread across the muddy, cratered moonscapes, hundreds of hunched men still break their backs day after day sifting through wet gravel with crude shovels and sieves."

The New York Times: Handmade Alabama Quilts Find Fame and Controversy -- "Until a decade ago, worn-out quilts made by generations of black women in this remote, rural loop of land were stuffed under mattresses or burned to keep mosquitoes away. Bill Arnett, an art dealer, found a market for the handmade quilts."

The Washington Post: Minorities Start Fewer Businesses, Study Says -- "Black and Hispanic budding entrepreneurs face greater odds in opening a business than their non-minority counterparts, according to a new small business study."

Los Angeles Times: Filmmakers Put Their Faith in the Gospel -- "Jeff Clanagan wants to ride Tyler Perry's coattails. So does 20th Century Fox. They are pairing up to make several Gospel-inspired films that are much like the ones that have made Perry a sensation."

The New York Times: In Illinois, Obama Proved Pragmatic and Shrewd -- "Mr. Obama did not bring revolution to Springfield in his eight years in the Senate, the longest chapter in his short public life. But he turned out to be practical and shrewd, a politician capable of playing hardball to win election (he squeezed every opponent out of his first race), a legislator with a sharp eye for an opportunity, a strategist willing to compromise to accomplish things."

Geoffrey Bennett

July 27, 2007

The Week That Was ...

iStockphoto

-- We asked you to send in your questions about topics we cover on the show -- like Africa and personal finance. Our economics contributor, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, offered advice to a listener trying to climb out of debt.

-- Our "Video of the Day" series kicked off with a little jailhouse rock -- a thousand prisoners in orange jumpsuits busting a move to MJ's "Thriller."

-- CNN paired up with YouTube for an interactive debate fit for conversation on our bloggers' roundtable.

-- Farai interviewed filmmaker Michael Moore about his movie, Sicko, and his thoughts about healthcare. Before it was over, she squeezed in a question about his own health.

-- We announced the upcoming launch of our newsletter, "News & Notes Daily." Sign up now!

-- A seemingly incessant loop of Beyonce's unceremonious tumble down a flight of steps was seen 'round the world -- including right here on "News & Views."

-- We ended the week on a soulful note, with Farai's interview of R&B legend Roberta Flack.

Make it a good weekend.

Geoffrey Bennett

One-On-One With Michael Moore

Earlier this week, I had the chance to speak to Academy-Award winning filmmaker Michael Moore.

We spoke about his new doc, Sicko, which during its first week hit the top 10 movie grosses.

It's about healthcare ... the way, he argues, that the for-profit system of hospitals, HMOs, and pharmaceutical companies are undermining American health, including African-American health.

Moore was very calm and collected when we spoke, but he's known for blasting reporters from time to time, as with this kerfuffle on CNN:

I even asked him about his weight and taking personal responsibility for your health.

He took a pause ... and I thought to myself, "This could go either way." And then he chuckled and talked about how he had been walking more, eating more vegetables, and had lost 30 pounds.

Michael Moore, photographed in June 2007 (left) and August 2004 (right) / Getty Images

You gotta catch the other things he said. And in the meantime, what do you think of Moore; his ability to harness new media; and the substance of Sicko?

Also, If you have any healthcare horror stories -- or success stories -- we'd like to hear those. Who knows, we could include you on a future broadcast.

If you have a story to share, please be sure to give us your e-mail, phone number, and real name in the body of the post. We will delete it before we publish the post to maintain your privacy.

It would be great to give you a call and get you on the air if we can.

Looking forward to hearing from you ...

Farai Chideya

Video of the Day: Roberta Flack's 'First Time'

From Geoff:

Farai's wide-ranging interview with the incomparable Roberta Flack aired today. Take a listen. In it, Flack reveals the inspiration for the tune of her classic hit, "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face."

So it's only fitting that today's clip is of Flack performing the song -- here, on the BBC show The Rock 'n' Roll Years 1972.

And this is Farai here ...
I LOVED talking to Roberta Flack. She talked, sang, told stories... for 40 minutes. If I had had another hour, I would have stayed on with her for another hour.

I would love to see her write a book ... and she's interested.

Stay tuned!

What is your favorite Roberta Flack song?

-- Geoff and Farai

Geoffrey Bennett

Stock Market Plunges, Americans Graduate Cuban Med School

Getty Images

The Baltimore Sun: Dow, Nasdaq, S&P Plummet Amid Unease Over Lenders -- "Wall Street suffered one of its worst losses of 2007 yesterday, leading a global stock market plunge as investors succumbed to months of worry about the mortgage and corporate lending markets."

USA Today: Legacies Linked, Bonds and Selig Are Warily Apart -- "Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig and San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds spent all but one day this week in the same cities, at the same ballparks, even talking to many of the same people. They could be celebrating Bonds' final approach to Hank Aaron's hallowed career record of 755 home runs. Instead, they have not spoken, maintaining an icy silence."
Plus: Vick Protests Dominate Opener of Falcons Camp

The Associated Press: Eight Americans Graduate From Free Cuban Medical School -- "Four New Yorkers, three Californians and a Minnesotan, all from minority backgrounds, have studied in Havana since April 2001, forming the first class of American graduates from the Latin American School of Medicine. [They] say they will put the education paid for by Fidel Castro's communist government to use in hospitals back home."

The New York Times: Making a Hard-Life Story Open a Door to College -- "Antoine, who is African-American, will begin his senior year in September at his large, predominantly black and low-income high school just outside Washington. He had come to Howard for an intense four-day workshop in the complex process he will have to master if he is to fulfill his aspirations of upward mobility: applying to college."

More Headlines:

Will Whoopi and Sherri Bring Us a Whole New 'View'?

Group: Spain Not Protecting Migrant Kids

Geoffrey Bennett

July 26, 2007

Video of the Day: Beyonce Takes a Tumble

If you watched any of the cable nets yesterday, you probably saw it ... and if you listened to the radio this morning, you might have heard mention of it -- the clip of Beyonce falling head-first down a set of stairs during a concert stop in Orlando, Fla.

It's rather ironic that the slip happened during her song, "Ring the Alarm." But ever the pro, Beyonce got back up and finished the routine.

She reportedly joked with the crowd afterward, asking them not to upload the clip to YouTube. But not all were compliant ...

Geoffrey Bennett

Home Loan Discrimination, Social Influences on Obesity

omniNate, Flickr.com

BusinessWeek: Gov't Probing Home Loan Discrimination -- "The Justice Department is investigating several possible instances of discriminatory mortgage lending, and plans to open more probes soon. House members said at a subcommittee hearing that evidence of racial discrimination in the mortgage market is especially troubling given the surge in home-loan defaults that has showed signs of expanding beyond the market for borrowers with weak, or subprime, credit."

Time: Obesity Is Contagious, Study Finds -- "Wondering why your waistline is expanding? Have a look at those of your friends. Your close friends can influence your weight even more than genes or your family members, according to new research appearing in the July 26 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine."

ABC News: Spielberg Mulls Quitting Olympics to Pressure Chinese on Darfur -- "Steven Spielberg, under pressure from Darfur activists, may quit his post as artistic adviser to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, unless China takes a harder line against Sudan, a representative of the film director tells ABC News."

The Associated Press: Cuba Looks Back Without Fidel Castro -- "Interim leader Raul Castro led tens of thousands of loyalists in celebrations marking the launch of Cuba's revolution Thursday, filling in for his ailing brother, Fidel, as his provisional government took on further airs of permanence."

Geoffrey Bennett

July 25, 2007

Video of the Day: Battle and Norman Square Off

I'm on a few different e-mail listserves, and three people have sent this clip to me over the past week -- completely independent of one another. Coincidence? Perhaps. But I feel compelled to share the love.

It's a clip, featuring opera divas Jessye Norman and Kathleen Battle performing -- throwin' down, really -- at Carnegie Hall during a 1991 taping of their show, Spirituals in Concert.

Here, they sing "Scandalize My Name." Enjoy:

What is your favorite YouTube performance clip? If you have one you want to share, post the link!

Geoffrey Bennett

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Geoffrey Bennett

NOLA Cop Acquitted, Africans Hopeful for Future

Mario Tama, Getty Images

Associated Press: Judge Acquits New Orleans Cop in Videotaped Beating -- "A former police officer accused in the videotaped beating of a man in the French Quarter after Hurricane Katrina was acquitted Tuesday by a judge who heard the case without a jury. 'I didn't even find this a close call,' said District Judge Frank Marullo."
Plus: Doctor Cleared in Katrina Hospital Deaths

The New York Times: Africans Are Wary but Hopeful, Poll Shows -- "Despite a thicket of troubles, from deadly illnesses like AIDS and malaria to corrupt politicians and deep-seated poverty, a plurality of Africans say they are better off today than they were five years ago and are optimistic about their future and that of the next generation, according to a poll conducted in 10 sub-Saharan countries by The New York Times and the Pew Global Attitudes Project."

Reuters: Oprah Tops List of Highest Paid TV Stars -- "Oprah Winfrey, host and supervising producer of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show,' earns an estimated $260 million a year, according to a list in TV Guide magazine's July 23 issue."

The Baltimore Sun: Magic Johnson to Receive New Freedom Award -- "Former NBA star Magic Johnson leads the list of people named yesterday as recipients of the National Civil Rights Museum's annual Freedom Awards. Also named were historian John Hope Franklin and Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf."

Geoffrey Bennett

July 24, 2007

Singer-Songwriters, CNN Democratic Debate

Beyonce at the 2007 BET Awards

Getty Images

The Associated Press: Singer-Songwriters, or Just Singers? -- "'I give other people credit where credit is due, like Beyonce really did vocally arrange ('Irreplaceable'),' Ne-Yo says. 'So for someone to come in and take my credit because they are who they are? That doesn't work for me. I don't care who you are. I'm not going to give you something you don't deserve.'"

The Associated Press: Clinton, Obama Clash Over U.S. Diplomacy -- "The rival camps of Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama clashed Tuesday over the meaning of Obama's claim in a Democratic presidential debate that he'd be willing to meet with leaders of rogue nations such as Cuba, North Korea and Iran."

The Atlanta-Journal Constitution: NFL to Vick: Stay Away From Camp -- "NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has ordered Falcons quarterback Michael Vick to stay away from the team's training camp, which begins Thursday, until league officials complete a review of his indictment on federal charges related to dogfighting."

The Christian Science Monitor: Reporter's Notebook: Covering Clinton in Africa, Day 5 -- "It's hard to see much of the country as we whiz through Tanzania while the former president sees his antimalaria programs at work."

Geoffrey Bennett

Video of the Day: CNN YouTube Debates

Today's clip comes from last night's CNN/YouTube debate. It was billed as an historic opportunity for "real people" to pose pressing questions to presidential candidates in an official debate forum. The Democrats were able to answer 39 of the reported 3,000 questions submitted to YouTube.

Here's how some professional TV watchers weighed in:
Paul Brownfield of The Los Angeles Times: "didn't amount to a lot more than an interesting town hall"

The Associated Press: "provocative, video-driven debate"

Jeff Jarvis of The Washington Post's Channel '08: "too many obvious, dutiful, silly questions"

Ted Johnson of Variety: "provocative twist to a format already growing a bit stale"

As a sample, I've pulled this exchange about healthcare. It didn't provoke the most fireworks or TV-ready soundbites, but I think it best highlights the effectiveness of the YouTube method.

While it's one thing to hear a hypothetical question about providing affordable health insurance -- it's quite another to hear it from someone suffering from breast cancer.

While we're on the topic of healthcare, be sure to listen tomorrow for Farai's interview with filmmaker Michael Moore. His film, Sicko, has already been a lightning rod for conversation on this blog, and this interview won't disappoint.

Geoffrey Bennett

July 23, 2007

Digital Divide, Baseball's Dwindling Minority

John A. Ward, Flickr

The Washington Post: Binary America: Split in Two by A Digital Divide -- "This is the digital divide, now more than a decade old, a rarely discussed schism in which the unconnected are second-class citizens. In some parts of this so-called Internet ghetto, the screech of a telephone modem dialing up to get online is not uncommon."

The Dallas Morning News: Baseball's Dwindling Minority: Young, Black Players -- "The fact is, 60 years after Jackie Robinson integrated Major League Baseball, considered one of the most important moments in this country's history, the African-American baseball player is slowly disappearing from the game."

Reuters: Clinton Pilots Subsidized Malaria Drugs In Africa -- "Former President Bill Clinton launched a program on Sunday to make subsidized malaria drugs available in Tanzania in a test scheme that could serve as a blueprint for Africa as a whole."

Reuters: Cuba's Castro Still Sidelined A Year After Surgery -- "A year after emergency surgery forced Fidel Castro to hand over power for the first time since his 1959 revolution, he has become a prolific writer on world affairs but shows no sign of returning to lead Cuba."

Geoffrey Bennett

Video of the Day: Prisoners Reenact "Thriller"

It's the hottest clip of the moment: an estimated 1,500 inmates at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines performing the iconic choreography to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" in total lockstep. (And that's to say nothing of the guy who dressed up to portray the role of Ola Ray.)

Not much is known about how or why this performance was organized, but taken at face value, it's pretty amazing.

Geoffrey Bennett

July 20, 2007

The Week That Was ...

-- Our "Video of the Day" series kicked off with a little jailhouse rock -- a thousand prisoners in orange jumpsuits busting a move to MJ's "Thriller."

-- CNN paired up with YouTube for an interactive debate fit for conversation on ourbloggers' roundtable.

-- Farai interviewed filmmaker Michael Moore about his movie, Sicko, and his thoughts about healthcare. Before it was over, she squeezed in a question about his own health.

-- We announced the upcoming launch of our newsletter, "News & Notes Daily." Sign up now!

-- A seemingly incessant loop of Beyonce's unceremonious tumble down a flight of steps was seen 'round the world -- including right here on "News & Views."

-- We ended the week on a soulful note, with Farai's interview of R&B legend Roberta Flack.

Make it a good weekend.

Geoffrey Bennett

David Beckham, Honorary Black Man?

David Beckham pays a visit to Nelson Mandela during his team's first match in South Africa in 2003.

Getty Images

Many of my friends joke that David Beckham followed me to Los Angeles, a claim that I am sure his wife Victoria would not appreciate.

That aside, I have to say, the fascination of U.S. tabloids with the Beckhams has left me with a sense of deja vu. I went though all of this palaver almost 10 years ago when it was announced that an up-and-coming football star David Beckham, who everyone (now known in the U.K. as just "Becks") was soon to marry Posh Spice (aka Victoria Adams), one-fifth of the biggest girl group in the world.

No one could have predicted how "major" he would become. (If you saw Victoria Beckham Coming to America, you'll get the reference). And I certainly would not have predicted that so many people (myself included) would come to love Becks in spite of ourselves.

And I am pretty sure that very few people would have thought about naming David Beckham an honorary black man. That was until one journalist, Paul McKenzie, produced a documentary, called Black Like Beckham (geddit the play on the phrase "Bend it Like Beckham"??!). For a while, a few people were confused.

Victoria and David Beckham

Getty Images

Well, lets face it, Beckham isn't black, is he? And no amount of cornrowing his golden locks is going to change that fact. McKenzie claimed that he produced the documentary to celebrate "a new urban Britain where young black and white people are getting more and more comfortable with each other by the day and where black people for the first time ever are comfortable having a white man as a role model."

OK, so Beckham doesn't hide the fact that, for example, he has many black role models; some of his favorite designers are black (Wale Adeyemi, for example). And when black members of the English football squad were subjected to monkey chants in Spain during a football match in 2004, Beckham spoke out against it, and people appreciated it. Fair enough, he was the captain of the national squad at the time, so he had to. But you get my point! He could have been much less vocal about the whole issue.

That said none of this maketh a black man of David. He's cool. We could probably hang out, he would probably have my back if someone hurled a racial insult at me. And if I was a fly (is that what the kids say these days? LOL) fashion designer, maybe he would make me rich by buying my clothes. But I am not. But either way, David, call me ...

Christabel Nsiah

Bias Found in ER Care, FEMA Knew of Toxic Trailers

Paul Keleher

The Boston Globe: Tests of ER Trainees Find Signs of Race Bias in Care -- "Deeply embedded attitudes about race influence the way doctors care for their African-American patients, according to a Harvard study that for the first time details how unconscious bias contributes to inferior care."

The Washington Post: FEMA Knew About Toxic Trailers -- "The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has suppressed warnings from its own field workers about health problems experienced by hurricane evacuees living in government-provided trailers with levels of a toxic chemical 75 times the recommended maximum for U.S. workers, congressional lawmakers said Thursday."

The Associated Press: Chad's Boy Soldiers Slowly Grasp Lost Childhood -- "The boys, mostly 13-16 years old but some appearing barely 8, have been at this centre run by the Christian Children's Fund (CCF) for 10 days after being demobilized from the FUC, a notorious rebel group whose leader defected to the government."

More Headlines:
Senate Votes to Boost Student Aid

Today's Detroit Has Little to Do With 1967

Geoffrey Bennett

July 19, 2007

What Did You Think About Our Tancredo Interview?

Tancredo at NAACP convention
Getty Images

On today's show, Farai spoke with controversial Colorado Congressman and Republican presidential candidate Tom Tancredo.

You may remember that he was the only GOP member to attend the NAACP's Republican presidential forum during its convention in Detroit.

Plus, he is -- so far -- the first and only Republican to accept our invitation to share his vision for America with News & Notes' listeners.

Listen to the interview again, and tell us what you thought of it and of the Congressman's vision for America.

Geoffrey Bennett

Sharpton on Imus' Return, Lebron to Host 'SNL'

Radio show host Don Imus (R) talks with the Rev. Al Sharpton on Sharpton's radio show about charges Imus made racially charged comments.

Getty Images

The Washington Post: Rev. Sharpton Won't Oppose Imus Comeback -- "The Rev. Al Sharpton, who urged Imus' firing, wouldn't object if the radio personality returned to the airwaves. 'He has a right to make a living,' [Sharpton] said in a telephone interview.

Reuters: Desert Rebellion Buffets North Niger's Economy -- "An uprising led by nomadic Tuareg rebels, who have raided army posts and mining targets in a five-month-old campaign against the government, has turned northern Niger into a military zone."

Eurweb.com: Lebron James to Host 'SNL' Season Premiere -- "It's official: LeBron James will welcome viewers of 'Saturday Night Live' to a new season of the long-running series in September.

CBS News: CDC: Chlamydia Rates Highest Among African-Americans and Teenagers -- "More than 2 million people in the U.S. are infected with chlamydia and 250,000 have gonorrhea. Rates of both STDs were disproportionately high among adolescents and African Americans."

Geoffrey Bennett

July 18, 2007

Greetings from Soulsville

So, tonight I am seeing Isaac Hayes at the famed Hollywood Bowl. Although it is a school night, I am very excited!

Hayes is a legend ... and he's done some amazing things, like starting the Stax record label.

Stax organized the concert Wattstax, which some folks call the Black Woodstock. Dozens of acts gathered to commemorate the 7th anniversary of the Watts Riots.

Here's the trailer for the movie made of Wattstax:

And here is Isaac Hayes singing Soulsville:

Soulsville was my "Staff Song Pick of the Week," by the way.

I've never seen Hayes before live. Let me know if you have and what it was like.

I'll tell you about this concert once I've seen it!

Farai Chideya

Oprah's Obama Bash, Mandela's 89th Birthday

George Burns, Harpo Productions Inc.

Chicago Sun-Times: Oprah Winfrey to Host Obama Fundraiser -- "Save-the-date e-mails for Winfrey's Sept. 8 splash at her home in Montecito, a wooded community in Santa Barbara near the Pacific Ocean, just started circulating, setting off yet another round of buzz about celebrity fund-raising in the 2008 presidential contest."

Reuters: Mandela Marks 89th Birthday By Launching Braintrust -- "Nelson Mandela marked his 89th birthday on Wednesday by launching an international group of elder statesmen, including fellow Nobel peace laureates Desmond Tutu and Jimmy Carter, to tackle the world's problems."

Associated Press: Michael Vick Indicted by Federal Grand Jury in Dogfighting Case -- "When a Bad Newz Kennels dog was wounded in a losing fight, NFL star Michael Vick was consulted before the animal was doused with water and electrocuted. That's just one of the gruesome details that emerged Tuesday when the Atlanta Falcons quarterback and three others were indicted by a federal grand jury."

More Headlines:
Hoops Star Mutombo Wants to Score for His Native DRC

In Mississippi, Ruling Is Seen as Racial Split

Geoffrey Bennett

July 17, 2007

Have a Question About Africa?

NASA

Devastating inflation in Zimbabwe. Genocide in Darfur. Class tensions in South Africa.

It's not all bad news in Africa, but we realize each news story emerging from the continent leaves folks with pressing questions.

What created the crisis in Darfur? How and why are parts of the continent underdeveloped? And what will it take to resolve some of these decades-old crises?

If you have a question about Africa that you've always wanted answered, we're here to help.

Drop us a line via the comment box below, and we'll submit your question to one of our guests or another expert. It may be used on the air during our weekly "Africa Update" segment.

We ask that you provide us with an accurate e-mail address, so we can contact you. (It will not be made public.)

Geoffrey Bennett

2008 Election Reduced to ... a Pillow Fight?

The '08 election season is giving way to a handful of half-dressed, attention-seeking girls, who are pursuing their 15 minutes via YouTube clips. In satirical music videos, each professes their admiration and carnal lusting for presidential office seekers, including Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and now Rudy Giuliani.

Obama's admirer was first out of the gate with a clip called "I Got a Crush." It has ginned up about 2.4 million hits since it debuted a month ago.

The model featured in that clip, Amber Lee, has returned in a new sequel where she defends "her man" against the Giuliani Girls -- a la West Side Story meets the Spice Girls.

Though I'm sure no malice was intended, Sen. Obama doesn't seem to be too amused: "I've got no comment about something like that," he told a reporter who had nerve enough to ask.

It's political theater of the absurd. Herewith are the three clips in their entirety:

The Original Obama Girl:

Obama Girl Vs. Giuliani Girls:

And, not to be left out, Hillary Girl (who is a former 'American Idol' contestant ... right):

What do you make of this trend? Tune into News & Notes tomorrow, as this will be one of the topics broached during the weekly blogger roundtable.

Geoffrey Bennett

Stay Issued In Ga. Execution Case, U.S. Aids Zimbabwe

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Edwin Jackson, University of Georgia

The Washington Post: Georgia Board Grants Stay Of Execution to Consider Case -- "One day before he was to die by lethal injection, convicted cop killer Troy Davis received a 90-day stay of execution Monday from a Georgia clemency board, allowing him time to press his case that he has been the victim of mistaken identity."

The New York Times: U.S. Offers Food Aid to Zimbabwe, Criticizes Gov't -- "The United States offered on Tuesday additional food aid to Zimbabwe to ease its famine but harshly criticized what it said were reckless actions by President Robert Mugabe to try to deal with the problem."

Chicago Tribune: Levee Improvements Bring Flood of Suspicion -- "If another major hurricane strikes New Orleans this year, the Lizanos, who are white, can feel confident that their house will survive, while the Baileys, who are black, can expect to lose their house once again."

More Headlines:

For Blacks, Skin Cancer is Rare but Dangerous

African-American Sailor's Story Comes to Life Through Music

Ex-Legislator in Tennessee Admits Bribery

Obama Call for End to Violence Lacks Audience

Geoffrey Bennett

July 16, 2007

Health Effects of Racism, Troy Davis' Time Running Out

A sign hanging in Rome, Ga., in 1943.

Courtesy Library of Congress

Our 100th Blog Post!

The Boston Globe: How Racism Hurts -- Literally -- "Black women who pointed to racism as a source of stress in their lives, the researchers found, developed more plaque in their carotid arteries -- an early sign of heart disease -- than black women who didn't. The difference was small but important -- making the report the first to link hardening of the arteries to racial discrimination."

The New York Times: As Execution Nears, Last Push From Inmate's Supporters -- "Though prosecutors have considered [Troy Davis'] case solved for nearly two decades, a chorus of eyewitnesses say the police arrested the wrong man. Now, on the eve of execution, scheduled for Tuesday, they have joined his family and his lawyers in an effort to get the courts to hear new evidence they say proves he is innocent."

The Associated Press: No Longer Famous, Wally Amos Still Baking -- "Wally Amos will always be famous, even though he can't call himself that anymore. The man who created the Famous Amos cookie empire three decades ago and eventually lost ownership of the company -- as well as the rights to use the catchy name -- is now running a modest cookie shop in Hawaii."

The Washin