Headlines: More Sad Stats on Black America, AIDS

U.S. Blacks, If a Nation, Would Rank High on AIDS
The advocacy group Black AIDS Institute released a report, saying that if black America was its own country, it would be number 16 on the list of countries with the highest amount of people living with AIDS. 600,000 African Americans currently have AIDS, and as many as 30,000 are being infected each year.

AIDS-Related Deaths Decline 10% in 2007
The United Nations says the number of new AIDS infections, as well as the number of deaths has dropped significantly over the last year. There were 2.7 million new HIV cases in 2007, which is down from the 3 million in 2001. The UN has attributed this trend to increasing AIDS awareness, prevention tactics, and access to treatment.

McCain Charge Against Obama Lacks Evidence
John McCain has launched a renewed attempt to discredit Barack Obama's trip through Europe and the Middle East. McCain alleges Obama canceled a visit to a military hospital because he could not take reporters with him. Critics of the ad claim that there is "no evidence that the charge is true."

Continue reading "Headlines: More Sad Stats on Black America, AIDS" »

Blake Bishton

6:23 PM ET | 07-30-2008 | permalink

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Making Marriage and Money Work

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For an upcoming economics segment with Dr. Julianne Malveaux, we're going to focus on how to best handle your finances in a marriage.

Should you and your spouse have separate accounts? How much do you put in? How do you handle the bills? What about creating trusts and wills? What about beneficiaries (especially if there is an ex involved)? And what are the financial legalities of living together, before and after marriage?

Tell us how you make it work. Or, if you have a question you want to ask on the air, leave us a comment -- with an accurate e-mail address, which will not be made public -- and we'll get back to you.

Geoffrey Bennett

4:24 PM ET | 07-30-2008 | permalink

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Ludacris Blasts Clinton, McCain in Pro-Obama Song

Rapper Ludacris, who owns a spot on Obama's Ipod, has released a new song called, "'Politics: Obama Is Here."

As you might imagine, controversy is already a-brewing.

Here are some highlights:

Hillary hated on you, so that b^$&%* is irrelevant

Paint the White House black and I'm sure that's got 'em terrified

McCain don't belong in ANY chair unless he's paralyzed
Yeah I said it cause Bush is mentally handicapped

Take a listen:

Obama's camp condemned the song earlier today:

"As Barack Obama has said many, many times in the past, rap lyrics today too often perpetuate misogyny, materialism, and degrading images that he doesn't want his daughters or any children exposed to," said spokesman Bill Burton. "This song is not only outrageously offensive to Senator Clinton, Reverend Jackson, Senator McCain, and President Bush, it is offensive to all of us who are trying to raise our children with the values we hold dear. While Ludacris is a talented individual he should be ashamed of these lyrics."

Geoffrey Bennett

4:02 PM ET | 07-30-2008 | permalink

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U.S. Lawmakers Apologize for Slavery

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Tuesday marked the first time the federal government has ever offered up a formal apology for the "fundamental injustice, cruelty, brutality, and inhumanity" of the legal slave trade and segregation of African Americans.

The man who introduced the resolution in 2007, Congressman Steve Cohen, lauded the event:

"This is a historic moment in the ongoing struggle for civil rights in this country, and I hope that this legislation can serve to open the dialogue on race and equality for all," he said in a statement.

"Apologies are not empty gestures, but are a necessary first step towards any sort of reconciliation between people," said Cohen, who represents the area of Memphis, Tennessee.

Click here to read the full transcript of Rep. Cohen's formal resolution.

Cohen won his seat in 2006, after beating the younger brother of former Rep. Harold Ford Jr. He now represents a largely black district and is up for reelection.

What do you think of the apology and of Cohen's motivation for seeing it through?

Geoffrey Gardner

12:06 PM ET | 07-30-2008 | permalink

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Calif. Assembly Speaker Karen Bass On Life, Career

Grassroots activism has made a big difference in the life of Karen Bass. In the 1990s, Bass was a working single mom, trying to get control of her crack-ridden South Los Angeles neighborhood.

She founded a group called the Community Coalition; it propelled her to the California State Assembly in 2005.

Last May, Bass became the first black woman to be named assembly speaker.

She talks with Farai Chideya about her rising profile and her new level of responsibility.

Geoffrey Gardner

7:33 PM ET | 07-29-2008 | permalink

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Anti-Muslim Bias in Presidential Race?

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One of the great things about doing this show is getting to do topics that bounce off the headlines, but go a bit deeper into social issues. Today we tackled politics and Islam.

Today we asked the question: why so many Americans think -- wrongly -- that Senator Barack Obama is Muslim ... and why do they find that idea disturbing? Have the senator and his staff themselves shown an uneasiness with Islam? And what about Senator McCain?

A Pew Center poll recently found that one in ten Americans believe that Obama is a Muslim. The poll numbers we don't have are whether people who think he's a Muslim would vote for him. Last month, two Muslim women in headscarves were barred from sitting behind Obama's podium at a Detroit rally. The campaign apologized.

So, does Senator Obama's refrain that he is a "proud Christian" show uneasiness with being painted as a Muslim? What about Senator McCain, who last year said in an interview that a grounding in the Christian faith is key to the leadership in the White House. "This nation was founded primarily on Christian principles," Senator McCain said, adding that when it comes to electing someone to the White House, "I prefer someone who I know who has a solid grounding in my faith."

To help us explore presidential politics, culture, and Islam, we spoke with Imam Zaid Shakir, a resident scholar at the Zaytuna Institute in Berkeley, California. He converted to Islam while he was in the military. We also talked to Julia Shearson, the director of the Cleveland, Ohio, chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Imam Shakir argued that the international threat of terrorism has been unfairly expanded so that all Muslims are seen as suspect. He said:

"With Muslims being identified generally speaking with terrorism ... then Muslims become painted with this broad brush and a lot of stereotypes are generated, and with the incidents of September 11, 2001, I think that trend was accelerated."

Julia Shearson made the case for religious pluralism being a part of politics, saying:

"Muslims are part of the fabric of American life. We all know that there's no religious test for higher office. We know that America was established purposely this way by our founders. We know that there have been Muslims in the Americas since 1320. There were Muslims coming on the ships with Christopher Columbus in 1492. ... Our voice, and our insights, our opinions should be taken into account, particularly at a time when the United States has difficulty understanding the Muslim world."

Now, that may be true, but I have seen (and plan to report on) tensions between Muslims and non-Muslims on the grassroots neighborhood level. In some cases, I'm talking about American-born black folks -- some Muslim, some Christian -- who share a neighborhood, and a race, but religion seems to be a wedge.

Would love to hear from people who live in neighborhoods where this is an issue, and of course, get everyone's views on how they see the issue of Islam and the election playing out.

Farai Chideya

6:16 PM ET | 07-29-2008 | permalink

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Headlines: Bush Condones Execution of Military Man

Bush: Former Army Cook's Crimes Warrant Execution
President Bush declined to commute the death sentence of Ronald A. Gray, an Army cook who was convicted of multiple rapes and murders, saying that his crimes warranted execution. This marks the first incident in 51 years where a president called for the death sentence in regards to an individual in the U.S. military.

Ads Putting Candidates Over an Oil Barrel
As voters getting angrier about rising gas prices, the GOP is bracing itself for an onslaught of ads attacking their vast array of oil company connections. Oil companies are beginning to worry about how much power they will have in Congress and the White House after Election Day.

Ex-Newark Mayor Faces 20 Years for Corruption
Former Newark Mayor Sharpe James receives his sentence today for his corruption conviction. Federal prosecutors were seeking up to 20 years, but such a sentence seems unlikely.

Continue reading "Headlines: Bush Condones Execution of Military Man" »

Blake Bishton

2:40 PM ET | 07-29-2008 | permalink

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Share Your Stories of Addiction

Geoffrey Bennett, NPR

In August, we'll kick off a new, month-long series on addiction. We'll hit issues like drugs and alcohol, but we'll also delve into lesser known topics, the physiology of addiction, and interventions.

To that end, we're soliciting your stories. Have you or a friend/family member suffered from or battled back from addiction? If you are open to speaking with us on the air, please leave an accurate e-mail address -- which will not be made public -- and we'll get back to you.

Geoffrey Bennett

1:04 PM ET | 07-29-2008 | permalink

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Oliver Stone's 'W.' Trailer Released Online

Last we checked, this isn't supposed to be a comedy ... but Thandie Newton as Condi Rice (1:10) sure is special.

Geoffrey Bennett

12:05 PM ET | 07-29-2008 | permalink

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Headlines: Candidates Split on Affirmative Action

Obama, McCain Split on Affirmative Action
In an interview Sunday, John McCain endorsed a proposed ballot measure to end race and gender-based affirmative action in Arizona. Barack Obama told journalists at the UNITY conference the same day he was "disappointed that John McCain flipped." Obama went on to discuss his vision for a more effective model of affirmative action.

Bombings in Baghdad, Kirkuk kill 57
The relative calm Iraq has enjoyed for years was broken when 57 people were killed in two simultaneous attacks today. 280 people were wounded. The attack in Baghdad by three female suicide bombers was on a group of marching Shiite pilgrims, while in Kirkuk a Kurdish demonstration was targeted.

Campaigns Turn Attention to Florida's Black Voters
Both presidential candidates are expected to address audiences at the National Urban League convention this week in Orlando. Outreach efforts to Florida, largely targeting African-American voters, are becoming a high priority for both campaigns.

Continue reading "Headlines: Candidates Split on Affirmative Action" »

Ashley Lystne

5:11 PM ET | 07-28-2008 | permalink

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Obama Meets and Greets with Minority Journalists

Returning from his trip abroad, Senator Barack Obama made time on Sunday to speak with journalists of color at the UNITY Convention in Chicago.

In the following 17-minute video of the event, Obama shares his thoughts on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, European relations, and a host of domestic issues.

The latest Gallup poll suggests Obama's international jaunt did, in fact, help him -- at least temporarily. Weigh in with your thoughts by leaving us a comment below.

Geoffrey Gardner

4:50 PM ET | 07-28-2008 | permalink

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To Whom Does Harlem Belong?

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Harlem, New York -- home to a famed cultural renaissance ... and an age-old debate over gentrification, some of which played out on today's show.

Tony Cox explored both sides of the issue, in conversations with the so-called "Queen of Harlem Real Estate," Willie Suggs, and Nellie Hester Bailey, executive director of the Harlem Tenants Council -- a non-profit, social justice organization.

Suggs explained newcomers' migration to Harlem this way: "Nobody that I know wants to live in a slum. If you can bring crime down and eliminate vacant buildings, people will simply feel safer and want to move there," said Suggs.

But Hester Bailey added this cautionary note: "I am not one of those community activists who see development as all bad. ... But people who have stayed there [in Harlem] are being priced out, pushed out and harassed out by landlords who want to see a maximum return on their investment."

Though Suggs admitted the "face [of Harlem] is changing," she says "the culture is not going anywhere," adding, "the culture is even more vibrant because we have people now that have money to contribute to [cultural organizations]."

What do you think? Have you seen gentrification play out where you live? If so, tell us about it.

Geoffrey Bennett

1:22 PM ET | 07-28-2008 | permalink

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Chorus of Voices Needed to Drown Out Ignorance

Areva D. Martin has this week's installment of "Speak Your Mind." Her op-ed titled, "It Takes a Chorus of Diverse Voices to Drown Out Ignorance," is focused on the recent incendiary comments of radio host Michael Savage.

Martin is an attorney based in Los Angeles.

On Wednesday, July 16th, AM radio talk show host Michael Savage, whose weekly show, Savage Nation, reaches an audience of eight million Americans via 350 stations across the country, attacked minority children and their families for falsely claiming to have asthma so that they can get "the extra welfare ...and ...extra help in school."

He called their ploy "...a money racket." Savage punctuated his commentary with fake coughing to demonstrate how easily the crafty minority children fool school nurses.

Michael Savage

So far, the reaction from the mainstream media has been overwhelmingly consistent -- rampant apathy.

This is in stark contrast to events in 2007, when less than eight days transpired between radio shock jock Don Imus' equally racist comments about Rutgers University's female college basketball team and his official firing from CBS Radio.

In the week and a day that lapsed between the initial "nappy headed hos" incident and Imus' termination, a number of prominent journalists and community leaders called for Imus to step down. Their voices were joined by outraged basketball fans, advertisers who pulled their support of Imus' show, and thousands of everyday Americans who rallied to the cause.

The cascade of Imus protests that eventually pulled the shock jock into the vortex demonstrated the power of an outraged coalition of diverse voices -- a diversity noticeably absent from l'affaire du Savage.

Continue reading "Chorus of Voices Needed to Drown Out Ignorance " »

Geoffrey Bennett

7:05 PM ET | 07-25-2008 | permalink

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Headlines: Pillay Appointed UN Human Rights Chief

Leaving the Bench to Stand Up
Navanethem Pillay, the first woman of color to be appointed to the South African High Court, faces new challenges now that she has been named the UN's new chief of human rights. Despite criticism that she is not qualified for the position, she says she is used to it, citing that she was not allowed to sign a contract without her husbands consent for years even though she has a law degree. "The first time I entered a judge's chambers was when I entered my own."

House Passes Broader Plan to Fights AIDS
The House approved a bill Thursday to finance a five-year, $48 billion plan to fight AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. The legislation will provide funds to AIDS-devastated nations in sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, and other areas worldwide. The bill also puts an end to American policy that disallows people who are HIV-positive to get U.S. visas.

Obstacles Linger for Obama
Despite the monumental coverage Obama has received abroad, he is struggling to turn this coverage into a substantial lead over John McCain, who is using the opportunity to make Obama look elitist and arrogant. "I'd love to give a speech in Germany ... but I'd much prefer to do it as president of the United States, rather than as a candidate for the office of presidency."

Continue reading "Headlines: Pillay Appointed UN Human Rights Chief" »

Blake Bishton

6:36 PM ET | 07-25-2008 | permalink

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Sick Joke? Cops in Hot Water Over Doll's Head

Dozens of angry citizens and community leaders turned out to Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem on Thursday to protest two white cops who drove around with a black baby doll's head attached to their antenna. The cops claim they didn't know the doll's head was there - which means, in the least, they aren't especially attentive officers. According to BET News:

State Senator Bill Perkins, who reported the incident to police earlier in the week, was outraged that police officials suggested someone likely had stuck the head there as a prank. "That is what you call a classic case of blaming the victim," said Perkins. "A classic case of being dismissive about an offense that would in other circumstances warrant the dismissal of a police officer."

He said that residents told him they tried to capture the offensive object, but a plainclothes officer emerged from the car and took it down.

"They approached the car and asked why they had a Black baby doll head on the top of their car. The guys laughed it off and disposed of it inside their trunk," said witness Desiree Murray. "Then after that, that's when all the commotion came about. You know, the community was very upset, because we do have to live here."

FOX News was on the scene and interviewed several local residents for their reaction.

As always, we love to hear your opinion. Please feel free to leave a comment below.

Geoffrey Gardner

12:49 PM ET | 07-25-2008 | permalink

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What Did You Think Of CNN's 'Black In America'?

CNN's Black in America was a ratings success. And now that it's over, the reviews are rolling in ...

Here's a sampling:

* "The documentary's failing is that it provided little historical context for what it showed."

* "Man, I miss Ed Bradley. Now HE would have put together a heck of a series on Black people and not just rehashed and reheated the panels from Tavis Smiley's State of the Black Folk's Union, presented by Exxon Mobil, McDonald's and Rudy Ray's Rib Shack and Waffles."

* Overall, the series does a bang-up job of demonstrating so much that is troubling about the "state of blacks in America." But it does little to provide underlying context.

Farai spoke with CNN's Soledad O'Brien on Monday. She explains the motivation behind the docu-series and how it came together.

Flashback: CNN Airs 'Black in America'; Will You Watch?

Geoffrey Bennett

12:19 PM ET | 07-25-2008 | permalink

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Headlines: Obama Delivers Speech In Germany

Obama in Berlin
Barack Obama spoke to an estimated crowd of 200,000 in Berlin, Germany today. According to the polls, 72 percent of Germans favor him, with 11 percent supporting John McCain. Click here to read the transcript of his speech.

Sudanese Leader Mounts Charm Offensive
Facing charges of genocide, Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir stopped in El Fasher, Darfur, to visit peacekeeper headquarters, discuss his plans for building new schools, and reach out to rebel groups. Al-Bashir's charm offensive seems to be an attempt at showing some good will, in hopes that the UN will intervene in the case.

Fearsome Zimbabwe Militias are Also Afraid
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has managed to keep his ZANU-PF party in control with the use of his youth militia known as the "Green Bombers." Zimbabwe citizens are terrified by them, but recent interviews of Green Bomber members reveal that they are just as afraid as their fellow citizens.

Continue reading "Headlines: Obama Delivers Speech In Germany" »

Blake Bishton

5:28 PM ET | 07-24-2008 | permalink

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Headlines: CNN Trains Its Lens on Race

CNN Trains Its Lens on Race
In a year that marks both the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Barack Obama's rise to become the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, CNN set out to explore how black people are feeling, thinking and doing. The effort has been spun into a pair of two-hour documentaries: "The Black Woman and Family," which airs tonight, and "The Black Man," set to broadcast tomorrow.

Strengthened Storm Rakes Texas Coast
The first bands of Hurricane Dolly raked south Texas and northern Mexico this morning with a deluge of rain and high winds. On Tuesday, Gov. Rick Perry declared 14 counties in South Texas disaster areas in anticipation of flooding and mobilized 1,200 national guardsmen. Three shelters were set up in San Antonio to take in refugees should there be a massive flood.

Envy's in the Air Over Obama and the Press
In response to the overwhelming press coverage Obama has received during his trip through the middle east, McCain has launched a new retaliation campaign against him, accusing the media of being 'in love' with the Illinois Senator. Watch the video here.

Continue reading "Headlines: CNN Trains Its Lens on Race" »

Ashley Lystne

6:17 PM ET | 07-23-2008 | permalink

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112-Year-Old Artist Draws on Life Experience

Calloway's drawings could be worth thousands of dollars.

Black Voices

Frank Calloway isn't your normal, everyday art sensation. For starters, he was born in 1896. That makes him more than a decade older than John McCain's mother, Roberta. The 112-year-old diagnosed schizophrenic spends seven to nine hours per day drawing colorful 30 foot murals of the rural South that he remembers from his childhood.

"I couldn't get time to go to school much, stopped in the third grade reader, that's all I could get, third grade reader," Calloway said in a recent interview. "A school teacher put me to drawing a long time ago, drawing pictures."

But aside from the occasional drawing, his talent lay dormant until he took an art class in the 1980s and began to draw again, which has continued to this day.

Calloway still has a full head of closely cropped white hair, gets around on his own and goes on excursions and restaurant outings organized by the nursing home, Moncrief-Craig said.

"Most people see his age. You know, what I see is his ability, the beauty that he actually puts on paper, that comes out of him and his mind," she said.

Artist Frank Calloway hard at work on one of his murals.

Black Voices

Frank's art has created quite a stir outside of his nursing home in Alabama. Appraisers have told Mr. Calloway and his guardians that the murals could be worth thousands of dollars. The American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore will borrow 18 scrolls from Frank for an exhibit in October called "The Marriage of Art, Science and Philosophy."

Plans are for Calloway to attend the opening of the Baltimore show. It will be his first trip on an airplane and likely the first time he's left Alabama. Hutto said she looks forward to sharing his work with a wider audience.

"His art overcomes boundaries. People may say, 'Well, he's a folk artist. I don't like folk art.' But if you ever meet him, there is such life in what he creates, and you can't look at one of his paintings without seeing that smile, without seeing that gentle man."

For more on Frank's amazing story, head on over to Black Voices.

Geoffrey Gardner

12:12 PM ET | 07-23-2008 | permalink

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Article on Black Womanhood Goes Big

A friend of mine sent me a link recently to a Washington Post article called "Black. Female. Accomplished. Attacked." by Sophia Nelson. It's gotten over 1,300 comments on the Washington Post blog. It reads in part:

Recently, a friend who's a married professional mother of three girls wrote to me: "I think one of the most interesting things about Michelle Obama is that what she and her husband are doing is pretty revolutionary these days -- and I don't mean running for president. For a black man and woman in the U.S. to be happily married, with children, and working as partners to build a life -- let alone a life of service to others -- all while rearing their children together is downright revolutionary.

That's a bittersweet assertion ... I personally don't think black love is as endangered as headlines make things out to be. But I was at a birthday dinner this weekend with four great single black women in their thirties and I thought: Hmm, someone needs to start a new old-fashioned matchmaking service ... not the snooty kind ... not the anonymous kind. It would make a ton of money.

But how would you approach bridging the gap between smart black folks, who have seen a little too much disappointment, to form partnerships without a struggle?

Farai Chideya

7:58 PM ET | 07-22-2008 | permalink

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'Vanity Fair' Takes On Obama 'New Yorker' Cover

Vanity Fair

So ... what do you think?

Related: Vanity Fair Covers The New Yorker

Geoffrey Bennett

3:01 PM ET | 07-22-2008 | permalink

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Headlines: Obama Gets Backing on Iraq Plan

Obama's Views Resonate in Iraq
As Barack Obama nears the end of his trip through Iraq, the effects of his presence there are already being felt at home and abroad. Despite John McCain's repeated insistence that setting a date for withdrawal from Iraq is dangerous, Iraqi government official Ali Dabbagh seemed to be supportive of Obama's stance.

Mugabe, Foe Shake Hands, Will Hold Talks
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and leader of the Movement for Democratic Change Morgan Tsvangirai shook hands in Harare along with Arthur Mutambara -- leader of a breakaway faction within the MDC. The three leaders have agreed to discuss working towards an "inclusive government."

Anti-Obama Movie Campaign Starts
The conservative research organization Citizens United plans to debut their new film in September. The movie is called Hype: The Obama Effect. Their recent press release describes it as "a full-length, feature documentary that goes beyond the media adulation surrounding Barack Obama's meteoric and unexamined rise to the national spotlight."

Continue reading "Headlines: Obama Gets Backing on Iraq Plan" »

Blake Bishton

2:24 PM ET | 07-22-2008 | permalink

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Poll Finds Obama Isn't Closing Divide on Race

Supporters reach out to shake hands with Barack Obama in Bristow, Virginia.

Mandel Ngan, Getty Images

Later this week on News & Notes, we'll take a closer look at the recent New York Times/CBS News poll on race and this election cycle.

The Times' analysis begins:

"Americans are sharply divided by race heading into the first election in which an African-American will be a major-party presidential nominee, with blacks and whites holding vastly different views of Senator Barack Obama, the state of race relations and how black Americans are treated by society."

Among the findings:

-- Nearly 60 percent of black respondents said race relations were generally bad, compared with 34 percent of whites. Four in 10 blacks say that there has been no progress in recent years in eliminating racial discrimination; fewer than 2 in 10 whites say the same thing.

-- Black voters were far more likely than whites to say that Mr. Obama cares about the needs and problems of people like them, and more likely to describe him as patriotic. Whites were more likely than blacks to say that Mr. Obama says what he thinks people want to hear, rather than what he truly believes.

-- Among black voters, who are overwhelmingly Democrats, Mr. Obama draws support from 89 percent, compared with 2 percent for Mr. McCain. Among whites, Mr. Obama has 37 percent of the vote, compared with 46 percent for Mr. McCain.

And as political analyst James L. Taylor wrote for us in our Political Positions column:

"There is nothing novel about the responses in this poll as they relate to how different groups see race progress. Black Americans have been perennially skeptical of group to group relations, no matter how individual African Americans might excel in society."

What do you think of the poll and its findings? If you have a question you'd like us to consider on-air -- or if you want to help us frame this conversation in a new way -- leave us a comment.

Geoffrey Bennett

1:39 PM ET | 07-22-2008 | permalink

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Media Coverage Skewed In Obama's Favor?

John McCain talks to reporters in front of his bus, the Straight Talk Express, in February 2008.

Don Emmert, AFP/Getty Images

On today's show, Farai spoke with NPR senior Washington editor Ron Elving and media analyst Andrew Tyndall about the enormous media coverage surrounding presidential candidate Barack Obama compared to that of rival John McCain.

For example -- reporters are swarming the Obama campaign as he continues his fact-finding travel abroad. In contrast, only one reporter and one photographer met John McCain's plane last night, as it landed in New Hampshire.

Do you see a disparity? If so, to what do you attribute it?

Geoffrey Bennett

1:20 PM ET | 07-22-2008 | permalink

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Headlines: Obama Agrees to Late Unity Appearance

Obama Agrees to Late Unity Appearance
Senator Barack Obama plans to address the UNITY convention on Sunday, July 27, after he returns from his trip to Europe and the Middle East, in lieu of the promised "presidential candidates forum" with Senator John McCain. The organization said it still hoped John McCain would change his schedule and appear.

Zimbabwe Rivals Sign Agreement
Zimbabwe's feuding political leaders, President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, met for the first time in years today, in a ceremony overseen by South African president Thabo Mbeki. The two signed a preliminary agreement laying out the terms for negotiations to wrest the nation out of political chaos.

Marion Jones Asks Bush to Commute 6-Month Sentence
Disgraced Olympic track star Marion Jones has asked President Bush to commute her prison sentence for lying to federal agents about her use of performance-enhancing drugs and a check-fraud scam. Jones entered prison March 7, after being sentenced in January to six months in prison.

Continue reading "Headlines: Obama Agrees to Late Unity Appearance" »

Ashley Lystne

6:12 PM ET | 07-21-2008 | permalink

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Dr. Dre's Mom Tells Of 'Long Road Outta Compton'

You may not know who Verna Griffin is. But you probably know her son -- rapper and music producer, Andre "Dr. Dre" Young.

She talks with Farai Chideya about her new memoir, Long Road Outta Compton, which details her turbulent childhood, failed marriages and her son's rise to fame.

You can listen to the entire interview here.

Geoffrey Gardner

2:56 PM ET | 07-21-2008 | permalink

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Is 'Black Hole' A Racist Term?

A Dallas County official says terms like "black hole," "angel food cake," and "devil's food cake" are racist terms.

A meeting of county commissioners turned tense when someone used the term "black hole" in the presence of Commissioner John Wiley Price.

Watch this video clip of the back and forth and share your thoughts. Is Price going too far?

Geoffrey Bennett

1:23 PM ET | 07-21-2008 | permalink

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CNN Airs 'Black in America'; Will You Watch?

CNN.com

On today's show, Farai spoke with CNN's Soledad O'Brien about the network's "landmark multimedia event," Black In America.

The series kicked off in April with a retrospective on the King assassination and picks up this Wednesday and Thursday (9 PM ET) with special reports on black men and women.

In a previous comment, reader Jon J. wrote, "You can bet CNN's little series will be fluff." Do you agree? What are you expecting from this series? And will you watch?

Geoffrey Bennett

12:16 PM ET | 07-21-2008 | permalink

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Denver to Hide Homeless During DNC Gathering?

When Barack Obama and thousands of other Democratic party bigwigs descend upon Denver next month for their convention, a key constituency might be missing -- the city's homeless population.

The Rocky Mountain News has the report:

Hundreds of Denver's homeless could be cooling their heels in a movie theater or museum while the Democratic National Convention is in town next month.

The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless plans to get 500 movie tickets as well as passes to the Denver Zoo, Denver Museum of Nature and Science and other cultural facilities for the people it helps.

Bus tickets will be provided for events beyond walking distance, said John Parvensky, the non-profit's president.

Many day shelters will have expanded hours during the convention, and big screen TVs are being donated to some shelters so patrons can watch convention goings-on without being caught up in the mayhem.

... But not everyone buys it.

"It just sounds like another way to get rid of them," said Kayne Coy, 17, who volunteers feeding the homeless twice a week at Civic Center Park through the Food Not Bombs organization.

Read the rest, and take our poll:

Geoffrey Bennett

11:45 AM ET | 07-21-2008 | permalink

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Headlines: Obama, McCain Abandon UNITY

UNITY Presidential Candidates Forum All but Dead
Promises of a presidential candidates forum next Thursday at the UNITY: Journalists of Color convention in Chicago have been a major drawing card, but it is now clear that both senators have other plans. On July 24, John McCain is to be in Columbus, Ohio, for a town hall meeting on cancer, while Barack Obama is to hold talks in Berlin, Germany, as part of his European tour.

A New Rights Chief for United Nations
On Thursday, United Nations officials announced that Judge Navanethem Pillay of South Africa will be named as the UN's new human rights commissioner. Born in 1941, Pillay experienced many human rights violations firsthand while growing up, and was the first woman of color on South Africa's High Court. She was also a part of the Rwanda war crimes tribunal.

Governing in Black and White
As November nears, voters are beginning to weigh how each candidate will affect race relations if elected. A recent New York Times poll said that "about half of black voters said race relations would improve in an Obama administration, compared with 29 percent of whites. About 40 percent of blacks said that Mr. McCain, if elected president, would favor whites over blacks should he win the election."

Continue reading "Headlines: Obama, McCain Abandon UNITY" »

Blake Bishton

6:52 PM ET | 07-18-2008 | permalink

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Chante Moore: P. Diddy Stole My Hit Song for J.Lo

With hits like "Chante's Got A Man," "Straight Up," and "Love's Taken Over," singer Chante Moore -- who has been on the R&B scene for over a decade -- could have had another: "If You Had My Love," as performed by Jennifer Lopez. (Moore's is called "If I Gave Love.")

Moore sat down with NPR's Tony Cox and explained how P. Diddy laid claim to a song she recorded, and had producer Rodney Jerkins write a similar version for Lopez.

The two also talk about the ups and downs of Moore's career, the trials of her teenage years, and her first solo album in eight years. It's titled, Love the Woman.

Take a look:

(We reached out to reps for both Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and Jennifer Lopez for comments. Neither responded by press time. We'll update as necessary.)

Geoffrey Bennett

11:36 AM ET | 07-18-2008 | permalink

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Super Bowl Champ Tells of Troubles & Triumphs

New York Giants star receiver (and ESPY Award winner) David Tyree visited the NPR West studios this week, and sat down for an interview with our very own Tony Cox.

The pair spoke at length about his miracle Super Bowl catch, but also delved into the more serious subject of Tyree's past -- which includes an arrest for selling marijuana -- and his subsequent spiritual rebirth, which has carried him all the way to the top.

You can listen to the entire interview here.

Geoffrey Gardner

5:33 PM ET | 07-17-2008 | permalink

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James L. Taylor: Voting for Barack Obama

"Casting a vote for Obama is the cheapest way to fundamentally change the way Black Americans see America," says James Lance Taylor.

In this week's installment of Political Positions, Taylor offers an essay titled, Voting for Barack Obama: Is It the Polls or Poles?

Taylor is associate professor of politics at the University of San Francisco and president-elect of the National Conference of Black Political Scientists.

When W.E.B. Du Bois wrote Souls of Black Folk just over a century ago, he discussed frustration with how others seemed to look at him, and blacks in general, as if to ask, "How does it feel to be a problem?"

The success of the Obama campaign seems to be stirring a renewed sense of confidence among segments of the larger African-American population. I cannot say for sure how widespread it is, whether it is mere anecdote or just a superficial impression, but many Americans of African descent seem especially locked into the implications of an Obama candidacy for their social standing in America.

Barack Obama addresses a crowd at a January 2008 campaign rally in Hanover, New Hampshire.

Michal Czerwonka, AFP/Getty Images

Long ago, Alex de Tocqueville argued, that if democracy were ever to be real in America, it would be through the improved social and equality statuses of blacks in the country; their status, then understood in terms of the whole group, would be the best evidence of the democratic capacities of the American social and political system.

The newest CBS/New York Times poll suggests that African Americans are enthusiastic over the Obama candidacy and campaign, but still pessimistic about the broad state of race relations between the major groups, namely blacks and Caucasian Americans.

Ironically, whites are more optimistic about the state of race relations and levels of racial discrimination than blacks. But three of ten are far more skeptical about Barack Obama and his potential presidency.

By a full three percentage points (91 to 88 percent), white respondents said that they would vote for a black candidate more than did black respondents. When compared to white voters, by one percentage point (six to five percent) blacks said that they would not vote for a black candidate. But they overwhelmingly support Obama. What gives?

It should be remembered that black American men and women were initially more enthusiastic about the Bill and Hillary Clinton campaign than the Obama campaign. Black women, by more than 10 percentage points, supported Hillary Clinton over Obama, who nevertheless had the support of three out of four black women.

Once Obama passed the "electability" test in Iowa, African Americans -- across categories of gender, age, region, class, and ideology -- became more open to the possibility of what, in the 217 years of the Office of the American President, was believed impossible in the lifetimes of most living Americans.

But we stand less than four months away potentially from one of the most important moments in, not just American, but Western World history; for only in Cuba (Batista is alleged to have had African ancestry) and Mexico, have men of African descent governed a non-African, Caribbean, or Haitian country in the modern world.

Continue reading "James L. Taylor: Voting for Barack Obama" »

Geoffrey Bennett

5:32 PM ET | 07-17-2008 | permalink

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Headlines: Gene Variation May Raise Risk of HIV

Gene Variation May Raise Risk of HIV., Study Finds
A genetic variation that once protected people in sub-Saharan Africa from malaria may have left them more vulnerable to infection by HIV. A 25-year study tracing infections revealed that African Americans who carried the variation were 50 percent more likely to acquire HIV than African Americans who did not. More than 90 percent of people in Africa carry this variation, as do about 60 percent of African-Americans.

Obama and McCain Expand Courtship of Hispanics
Latino voters have complained in the past that politicians view them as a one-issue bloc, concerned only about immigration. But Obama and McCain are taking care to avoid that trap, emphasizing a number of issues important to the community, and investing in campaign tactics never before afforded to Hispanic voters.

Warrant for Sudanese President Is Talk of Security Council
In a closed session Wednesday, the UN Security Council began its first discussion on Sudan since prosecutors at the International Criminal Court requested an arrest warrant for Sudan's president. Russia and China voiced concerns about the possibility that the Council could intervene to forestall the prosecution.

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Ashley Lystne

2:58 PM ET | 07-17-2008 | permalink

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Jesse Jackson Uses N-Word on Fox News Tape

Barack Obama photographed with Jesse Jackson in Chicago in January 2007.

Jeff Haynes, AFP/Getty Images

Consider this part two of last week's Jesse Jackson "hot mic" controversy.

The news industry blog TV Newser is reporting that Jackson uses the "N-word" on tape, though not specifically in regard to Barack Obama:

TVNewser has been sent the transcript of what Jesse Jackson said Sunday morning July 6, as he prepared for an interview on Fox & Friends Weekend. Below is the partial transcript we received in our tips box, and confirmed to be authentic by Fox News Channel representatives.

Jackson: "Barack...he's talking down to black people ... telling n----s how to behave."

So, yes. Jesse Jackson did use the "N" word. But it was not directed at Barack Obama. Fox News and Bill O'Reilly have maintained there was more on the tape, but that the un-aired portion was not relevant to the issue at hand: about whether Obama was "talking down" to the black community.

Bill O'Reilly confirmed the report on Fox News earlier today. Share your thoughts below.

UPDATE: Sharpton 'Very Disappointed' With Jesse Jackson

Geoffrey Bennett

5:44 PM ET | 07-16-2008 | permalink

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Basketball Team Visits Africa Seeking Enlightenment

Players visited many different parts of Africa.

SMU Basketball

What can a college basketball team from Texas learn from a 12-day journey through and around Africa? Apparently, lots. In what's easily described as the coolest field trip ever, the SMU men's basketball team traveled across the continent to play and teach the game they love.

Along for the adventure were three locals - SMU players Bamba Fall, Papa Dia and Mouhammad Faye, all from Senegal. While promoting their sport, the Mustangs also sought to better understand their teammates, and themselves.

"It was very eye-opening," says sophomore guard Mike Walker. "You get to know the guys on the team and everything, but to be able to see where they come from and why they act the way they act... is very enlightening."

"What they have to go through just to play the game on an everyday basis just makes you think twice and appreciate what you have a lot more, a lot more," says Walker, who grew up Iowa City, Iowa.

It wasn't just the culture-shocked American players who felt they gained something extraordinary from the trip. The entire team took Africa-centric anthropology classes before and after, and they recorded their thoughts and inspirations by keeping journals along the way.

"I found out I didn't know everything about Africa," Bamba Fall says. "I definitely learned something too."

But what's most important to Fall are the young players from his homeland he hopes to inspire.

"Now they know that without school you can't play basketball," he says, "so I think basketball will help them stay in school."

Check out their official site to learn more about the SMU Mustangs' voyage to Africa.

Geoffrey Gardner

5:14 PM ET | 07-16-2008 | permalink

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Headlines: Obama Stands by His Plan to End War

Obama Stands by His Plan to End War
Barack Obama has begun trying to reassure his supporters that he has not softened on his position regarding ending the war in Iraq. "I will give our military a new mission on my first day in office: ending this war." McCain responded by promising to send three more brigades to Iraq in order to "turn around the war."

Israel Releases Prisoners After Hezbollah Returns Dead Soldiers
In a long-awaited prisoner exchange between Israel and the Lebanese militia Hezbollah, two black coffins containing the remains of Israeli soldiers were carried across the border this morning. Israel released five Lebanese prisoners in return, including Samir Kuntar, a convicted murderer who'd been held for nearly three decades.

McCain Praises Obama in NAACP Address
Sen. John McCain spoke at the NAACP convention Wednesday, looking to close a wide divide on race in the polls. He avoided criticizing his rival before the largely pro-Obama audience, praising the Democratic candidate's success. His speech was centered on education, particularly Obama's lack of faith in public school vouchers for low-income Americans.

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Ashley Lystne

2:48 PM ET | 07-16-2008 | permalink

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Random, But True: Richard Simmons Drops By NPR

Weight-loss guru Richard Simmons dropped by NPR West to tape an interview with NPR's Tell Me More.

And, well ... how should I put this ... he pretty much turned the place out ... singing latest hits from Usher and Alicia Keys in full voice and busting out his best cabaret dance moves.

You'll be able to watch it for yourself soon; ten minutes into his impromptu "performance," we thought it fitting to grab a video camera.

Here's a pic of Richard with some of our staff:

Credit: Bettina Wiesenthal-Birch

(From left to right) Farai Chideya, editor Sasa Woodruff, Web guru Geoffrey Gardner, Richard Simmons, yours truly, and executive producer Nicole Childers

Geoffrey Bennett

6:51 PM ET | 07-15-2008 | permalink

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NAACP's New President in Limbo?

Today, we brought you coverage from the NAACP Convention ongoing in Cincinnati, Ohio. Sen. Barack Obama spoke on Monday (which you can see on our blog). NPR's Audie Cornish was there and gave us a debrief on his speech and the crowd's reaction.

Meanwhile, we reported our way into some interesting news. Ben Jealous, who is scheduled to take over as the NAACP's president in September, has been pretty scarce these days, media-wise. We wanted to speak to him. We learned he had not been officially confirmed by an additional vote that was needed. (He'd already gotten the majority, but not unanimous, support of the presidential selection committee.)

And this weekend, the NAACP's spokesman mentioned to us that incoming President Jealous had not signed his contract. He also said that the decision not to be more available was Jealous' choice, as he wrapped up some pending projects.

We spoke on air today with NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, a civil rights icon who has extended his work in many venues, including with this organization. He also sparred with the NAACP's last president, Bruce Gordon, who quit the post over a year ago.

So you have a 99-year-old civil rights organization that has named its youngest ever president (Jealous). They've chosen not to utilize him during their enormous, election-year convention... which features BOTH major party presidential candidates. I asked Chairman Bond if that meant the entire installation of the next president was in jeopardy, and if he, the powerful board chair, was prepared for the organization to have a strong president.

Bond responded:

I'm ready for Ben Jealous to come on boar