Although I am disappointed that Senator Obama resigned from Trinity United Church of Christ, I'm not surprised. Once he no longer needed Trinity to bolster his credibility as being 'Black enough', and once he secured the overwhelming majority of Black votes, he could afford to dump Trinity. (However, I have always thought that those who questioned whether he was 'Black enough' were ridiculous; we, people of African descent in this country, are not a monolithic group. We come from all kinds of backgrounds and have all kinds of experiences - things that really shape how we see the world and how we think.)

I'm glad I never bought the Kool-Aid about Sen. Obama being a different kind of politician, who brings so much change to the political process. I've always evaluated him as a man (not God), a politician (who will do what he needs to get elected), and a great strategist (what he has pulled off so far in this campaign is just amazing) who has run an excellent campaign. I'm glad that I didn't deify him b/c he has proven himself like so many politicians of all ethnicities -use 'em & dump 'em.

On a side note, I'm glad you're going to discuss the story of Aaralyn Mills (and her sisters.) The Post article was incredibly moving. The courage that she displayed and continues to display, the strength it took for her to move on and break the chain of incest is just amazing- especially since her father was a very important part of the Civil Rights Mov't. It seems that many adults, especially her mother, failed her. I would have given the mother the benefit of the doubt, but after her comment in Post discussion, I felt that she just doesn't get it. All I wish Aaralyn Mills and her sisters is everlasting love and peace from now on.

Sent by KALW Country | 2:45 AM ET | 06-03-2008

I know this isn't mentioned in the blog but I wanted to say that I loved loved loved the commmentary you had on the show about African American ice hockey fans. My boyfriend is African American (and I am white) and he played hockey in college. I know people assume that my boyfriend is white because I am white, but when I talk about how he plays hockey it is the final nail in the coffin. No way could he be black if he dates a white girl and plays hockey! I always love to look at people's faces when they first meet him after having heard me talk about him and they realize he is not what they expected at all. It's just a small way of showing people how they should never really make assumptions about other people, because they are normally wrong. African American hockey fans and players DO exist, and I was happy to hear your segment about the small but growing segment of African American sports fans that enjoy hockey.

Sent by Sidra | 1:28 PM ET | 06-03-2008

About Sex And The City Movie:

Michel,

As a HUGE fan of the TV series, I couldn't wait to see the movie. I'm all for diversity but I didn't watch SATC because of that. I watched it for the universal theme it covered - love. Oh and the fashions didn't hurt.

So there weren't many African-American characters but at least SATC wasn't like another group of NY friends where no black character showed up to get coffee at "Central Perk" for about eight years. I'm just saying . . .

About SJP's character Carrie, she was actually a regular columnist but fell broke due to her labels addiction, then she took up a freelance writing on the side (with Vogue no less)to save her apartment after a break-up and later found success with publishing a book.

But I agree with you on Blair Underwood's character - didn't get that. Seriously, a fine doctor working with the NY Knicks who was swooned over by many before Miranda, come on! We're talking about Blair Underwood here.

Getting back to the movie: I'll give it three and half stars out of five. It could have been four but there was just something missing with the Jennifer Hudson's character.

I thought it was a good role for her after her Oscar win to get involved with another iconic themed show even it was for a small part. But I felt the writers made such hasty work of the said character or maybe it was the director who left some scenes in the editing room.

Sent by Moji | 1:49 PM ET | 06-03-2008

I enjoyed the movie, Michelle. It evaporated from my brain immediately after I stepped out of the movie theatre, but while I was there it was great fun. I think pretty much all the characters from the series were cartoons, but cartoons can be fun. As usual there were no black folks to be found in the series and it didn't seem plausible that in the movie Carrie would all of a sudden be bestest friends with her new black assistant. I didn't even know Carrie knew black folks existed. I saw the series episode when Blair Underwood was in Sydney Poitier mode, but missed the episode when he morphed into Snoop. C'mon, would Underwood really go for Miranda? Charlotte maybe. The serious issues that the movie tackled felt a little - what? - maybe a little out of character for the movie - like it was a "very special episode" of Blossom or something. Real issues - like forgiveness, couples struggling with fidelity - were tackled, but somehow it never really felt like anything real was at stake. Even Carrie being left at the alter felt more like melodrama than drama and melodrama is much closer to cartoon. So that's what it felt like walking out of the theater - that I had watched a pretty entertaining cartoon. Wanna watch a really good movie that also features great clothes? Pick up the "Toni Takitani" DVD directed by Jun Ichikawa. It also features a woman obsessed with fashion. "Toni Takitani" has a little more meat on the bones.

Sent by Stanley | 2:21 PM ET | 06-03-2008

On another NPR show's blog, they had a discussion of White people not wanting to say anything about race for fear of seeming racist. I've had that same feeling about "Sex and the City." Since so many women just LOVE this show, I didn't want to say anything for fear of seeming sexist.

But, thank you, I feel vindicated. OK, it's make believe, but $500 shoes? How freelance are you? You should at least have a book deal! And, as you said, they're in New York, and every Black may as well be Stephen Fetchit (sp?), every Latino Speedy Gonzalez, and every Asian Fu Man Chu. And, how much sex was there REALLY in "Sex & the City?" It should have been called "Jimmy Choos & the City."

Sent by Matthew Scallon | 5:34 PM ET | 06-03-2008

Hi Michel!

Ok, I'm so glad you're talking about S&TC. It's interesting you mention Blair Underwood's character - I was always shocked by that parting scene with Miranda in the stairwell, when he turns out to be such a jerk! I read an interview with the S&TC writers in Marie Clair yesterday, where they said his character was only supposed to last 4 episodes - but they asked him back, expressly to play the jerk, to make it crystal clear that Miranda would NOT go back to him. (And henceforth, back into the loving arms of Steve). So, you weren't the only one for whom the character metamorphosis seemed a little abrupt.

I admit I got a kick out of the fashion porn in the movie...and saw it on opening weekend with girls and requisite high heels...oh yes I did! The guy characters all seemed a little wimpy. Big: "I just want it to be YOU and ME." Please! Anyway - LOVED Jennifer Hudson! (But then, she may have just been playing herself - a really sweet girl - and, I naturally like that really sweet girl).

Also, I haven't been keeping up with the blog: are you back in non-waterlogged offices now? I hope so, for you and your kitchen's sake!

Sent by Tolly Moseley | 9:45 AM ET | 06-04-2008

I listening to your segment on gentrification made me cringe. It all sounds a little like a white guilt massage. Before moving to San Francisco 100 years ago I lived in Washington D.C.. Washington D.C. was sold from under most black folks by a black major and city counsel. In my view Michel's comment is completely right. It is all about policy and not so much about feelings. It is also about leadership. Marion Berry smiled and glad handed while selling NW, SW, and finally chucks of SE D.C. to the highest bidder. In cities like these across the country with black leaders in office my question is WHERE IS THE LEADERSHIP.

Don't get me wrong as a person who now lives in a very tony neighborhood in San Francisco I have my "all yuppies must die days" but I do not blame folks who are struggling to own a home and buy one in dying communities of color. Let's be clear many of the neighborhoods are dying because no one has come to their rescue. Red lining, criminal lending practices have been true but where were the folks we elected to office to provide some equality and relief.

If you wanna have some group talks I say first invite the elected folk over for a come to Jesus conversation and the the bank lenders for some pound cake.

Sent by Raul | 2:09 PM ET | 06-04-2008

I went to see SEX &....on opening day. While I did not see much of the series, I looked foward to seeing the city and the fashion. It did not disappoint. An unexpected pleasure was being in a theater full of happy women! There's nothing like it. Everyone at the movie seemed to be such loyal fans. They were so happy their excitement spilled over. I enjoyed seeing the women's friendship on the big screen. I was touched by how fiercely the ladies protected their Carrie. I hope that as women we can offer that type of love and support to the women in our real lives.

Sent by Lori A H. | 5:17 PM ET | 06-04-2008

Gentrification? Try "smart growth"!

According to a May 18 story in the Chicago Tribune, the green mob's "smart growth" housing limits have kept Washington County, OR's housing prices rising while the rest of the country sees prices in decline.

Bark up the right tree!

Sent by True_Liberal | 5:32 PM ET | 06-04-2008

Sex and the City...I loved the show I haven't seen the movie yet. Why? Because unlike the characters I am a single mom with a 16 year old autistic son and a 11 year old. So going to the movies with the girls doesn't happen often. But I must admit that is and was always the appeal of the show for me. Hey we have plenty of reality don't we? We can beat the drum of diversity all day long Sex and the City would be one of many on that list. Please tell me when there has been a diverse show on television depicting a real African American woman? Not the finger snapping maid or secretary, not the angry woman, or the want to be white girl. So like The Matrix, Star Wars, and yes oh yes Harry Potter...I want to see the movie for the sheer enjoyment of not being "real" for two hours. Seeing some gorgeous clothes and can we talk about the shoes? Did they broach what it's like to be a woman trying to find love in 2008? Probably not. But did they prove women will come out in droves for a good fashion shoe fest and pay top movie dollars for it? I think so.

There was just so much to comment on this show :) The gentrification segment...UGH. I am so tired of the talk and no action. There isn't an adult living in any decent sized city who hasn't seen what's happening and understood why it's happening. Talk is great...understanding is wonderful...but can we get our elected officials to start making some changes please???

Sent by Cat | 5:50 PM ET | 06-04-2008

SEX AND THE CITY

Wow! Your talk about Sex and the City really left me reeling. I was blown away by Ms. Nomani's almost retrograde attitudes towards the sexuality expressed by primarily one of the characters. In the interest of full disclosure I always thought of the show as something I didn't like but then I'd watch an episode and was pleasantly reminded of how much I liked the writing and the "message" which was almost always affirming and full of love for women.

I understand Michel's objections to the show. In the 1980's as a gay man of color I really couldn't stand to watch one more movie about men (mostly white) with AIDS being played out in very large well appointed NYC apartments with weekends in the Hamptons. I also have to say that I can't remember the last film made by black folk that I could identify with either. The lack of person's of color bothers me but there is a human experiences being played in most of the Sex in the City stories I've seen which I can connect to on some level.

It really is time that some one out there to make a multicultural, urban, sophisticated film/hbo show about grown folk with educations, lives and diverse interests that don't include the ghetto and grandmama on crack.

If you love the film that's all good if it's not you're thing that's cool too. Any either case maybe the next time you wanna send $500 on shoes or buy that $12 latte you might take a beat and spread some of the money and the love around. The world, your block needs the compassion and the spare change.

Sent by Raul | 8:28 PM ET | 06-04-2008