West and Coates should look East

Can we not acknowledge that there are deep disagreements among us with our very lives and destinies at stake? — Dr. Cornel West in Ta-Nehisi Coates is the neoliberal face of the black freedom struggle, Guardian, Dec. 17, 2017 Quoting Dr. Cornel West’s words seemed to be a good initial approach as I partially unpack […]

Reimagining Black Alabama and Doug Jones’ odyssey

Now that the Alabama Senate election is over … (Laughing) Well, for most of y’all … I can share some updated thoughts while weaving in Doug Jones’ upset victory over Roy Moore. My thoughts haven’t changed, mind you. And Lawd knows I still think the correct candidate won. I simply did something quite deliberate in […]

Losing Alabama — the choice between Doug Jones and Roy Moore

Who is Alabama Senate candidate Doug Jones? Not sure if his supporters care to know much beyond the two most obvious things. He’s not his Republican opponent, Roy Moore. “He convicted the [1963 Birmingham] church bombers.” And there’s that ridiculous campaign piece designed to convince readers how Jones is sharp on the issues most important […]

Atlanta, inequality, Keisha Lance Bottoms and this strange fascination with an airport

Atlanta’s mayoral race is one of those stories I should have rapped about a long time ago. Just never got around to it. I couldn’t predict Keisha Lance Bottoms’ victory but I also didn’t think Vincent Fort — my choice — would be the next mayor. Most of the candidates appeared neither confident nor specific […]

Sunday Smack: Big, Responsible Tobacco?

Is it possible to be a “responsible company operating in a controversial industry” like tobacco? song currently stuck in my head:“planet queen” – t rex

To Save Society by Destroying It

Evangelical White Southerners — in normal times — would cite their Christian values as they disqualify accused child molester Roy Moore’s Alabama Senate candidacy. But … these evangelicals feel their way of life is under attack in an increasingly rotting world that’s falling under the influence of amoral Liberals. Moore is viewed as a one […]

Donna Brazile on DNC Rigging — Lies, Realness Or What?

After looking at journalists pound the tweet button for more than a week as if it were a defibrillator — and perhaps it was — in mortal defense of the Democratic National Committee against disgraced ex-interim Chair Donna Brazile’s allegations of primary elections-rigging, I think it’s time for me to share some thoughts about simple […]

Happy Born Day, Joni.

Wishing healthful birthday blessings to Joni Mitchell, who turned 74 yesterday but battling a rare and painful disease. I’ve been playing her Ladies of the Canyon album and thinking about how her music is ageless — still enjoyed by adults of all ages. Truly one of the most captivating songwriters in music history. Care to […]

In Loving Remembrance of Muhal Richard Abrams

The passing of Muhal Richard Abrams is another one of those somber events that took me a while to process. I have so many thoughts. So many emotions, wrapped around memories. Abrams’ music helped to secure my love for the avant-garde side of Jazz music. Unlike some of you, I didn’t come out of the […]

Trump: America’s Most Unfiltered President

In my earlier piece on the Niger ambush deaths of four American soldiers, I made a reference to Donald Trump being the most unfiltered US president in modern history. Puerto Rico’s experience with Trump and Hurricane Maria offers a close look at how unfiltered behavior works. With all due love, Puerto Rico is a colony, […]