I never hate on anyone who makes a move in order to try to improve his or her station in life. When I’m asked to do commencement speeches each year, I urge the graduates to feel free to move away from their hometowns if another part of the state, country or the world has something better to offer them. I think too many times, people are shackled by the belief that they’re being disloyal or even bourgeois if they leave their roots when, in reality, you can do better and be better if you’re able to spread your wings and become exposed to different people, places and things.
Yesterday, we talked to Alvin Greene, a candidate for Senate from the state of South Carolina. Between the questions asked by Roland and Sybil, it was clear that they were not with this brother at all. They fired off a barrage of really tough questions, like "Where did you get the money to run?""Where is your campaign office headquartered?" And "Are you guilty of being a sex felon?"
Brother Alvin got stumped by most of those questions, and he quickly became a joke to a lot of the listeners. And I have a problem with that.
It could have been different. Before the accusations, before the scandal, before the apologies, there were the makings of a good mayor and a good man.
Kwame Kilpatrick was born into a powerful Michigan political family. His mother, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, a good friend of our show, spent years as a Michigan legislator and from there went on to become the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus. His dad was trained as a lawyer.
One of my favorite J. Anthony Brown impersonations is President Lyndon Johnson addressing the American people to tell them that he’s decided not to run for a second-term. The broken down, beaten down Chief’s words began with “tonight, I come to you with a heavy heart….”
A host of top African-American government, education, religious, and cultural leaders are expected to participate in the National Action Network's forum, "Measuring the Movement," moderated by our own Fly Jock, Tom Joyner, and TJMS political analyst Roland Martin.
It's airing live this morning, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST, on TV One. So tune in, and join us!
So, never mind the passing of the health reform bill. Forget about the importance of mailing back your Census form. Erykah Badu gets naked in her music video, and it immediately grabs our attention.
Anyone who has seen the Beyonce “Single Ladies” video had to wonder what could top THAT. After watching Beyonce sing and dance in less in her underwear, we thought we had seen it all - until Erykah showed it all, for real.
Next week, my crew and I will be on the road for three weeks straight, going from city to city raising awareness for the all-important 2010 Census. The message is clear and simple - so clear and simple, I’m surprised we have to hit it so hard, but that’s what the TJMS and BlackAmericaWeb are here for.
The TJMS' spring break was a time of service. My crew - Sybil, Nikki Woods, Mary Boyce, my wife, Donna, and seven others - flew to Haiti to volunteer at country’s only hospital run by Project Medishare. It was an experience of a lifetime. Seeing it first-hand is the only thing that allows you fully comprehend what happened, what’s needed and why they have such a long journey ahead of them.
I’m writing this letter to you because I have something personal I need to say. Yes, I’m posting it as a blog, and anyone who wants to read it has access to it, but that’s okay. Because I know - and you know - I’m talking to you.
Mainstream media has been hounding me for a quote regarding the Tavis/Rev. Al situation, and I haven’t agreed to respond publicly because I don’t discuss family business outside of the family.
When Tavis Smiley let us know he wanted to make an announcement on the TJMS, we opened the doors as we would any family member. And Tavis, being Tavis, burst in like he’d never left.
