Cultural Critic. African American Studies Scholar. Author. Educator.
The 20th Annual Gwendolyn Brooks Conferencefor Black Literature and Creative Writing Builder of Positive Reality: A Celebration of the Lifelong Achievements of Dr. Haki R. Madhubuti
Featuring the legendary Nikki Giovanni Also featuring: Angela Jackson, Jan Carew, John Fountain, Staceyann Chin, Nnedi Okorafor, R. Dwayne Betts, Malik Yusef, Roger Bonair-Agard and many others.
April 1-3, 2010Chicago State University Cordell Reed Student Union Rotunda 95th Street & King Drive Chicago, Illinois 60628-1598
For schedule information, go to: www.csu.edu/gwendolynbrooks. Free for High School and College Students with valid school identification For more information on this event, please contact the Gwendolyn Brooks Center via e-mail at gbrookscenter@gmail.com or at 773-995-4440.
Subject: Mr. President - What have you accomplished in the past 12 months?
"Robert P. Watson, Ph.D. Coordinator of American Studies Lynn University" Email: rwatson@lynn.edu
I am always being asked to grade Obama's presidency. In place of offering him a grade, I put together a list of his accomplishments thus far. I think you would agree that it is very impressive. His first six months have been even more active than FDRs or LBJs the two standards for such assessments. Yet, there is little media attention given to much of what he has done. Of late, the media is focusing almost exclusively on Obama's critics, without holding them responsible for the uncivil, unconstructive tone of their disagreements or without holding the previous administration responsible for getting us in such a deep hole. The misinformation and venom that now passes for political reporting and civic debate is beyond description.
As such, there is a need to set the record straight. What most impresses me is the fact that Obama has accomplished so much not from a heavy-handed or top-down approach but from a style that has institutionalized efforts to reach across the aisle, encourage vigorous debate, and utilize town halls and panels of experts in the policy-making process. Beyond the accomplishments, the process is good for democracy and our democratic processes have been battered and bruised in recent years.
Let me know if I missed anything in the list (surely I did).
1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending 2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices 3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women 4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq 5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB 6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information 7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family 8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act 9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible 10. Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House 11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration 12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date 13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan 14. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research 15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research 16. New federal funding for science and research labs 17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards 18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect 19. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools 20. New funds for school construction 21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out 22. US Auto industry rescue plan 23. Housing rescue plan 24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan 25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying 26. US financial and banking rescue plan 27. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed 28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards 29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops 30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010 31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols 32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic 33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions 34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office 35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job 36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast 37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles 38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales 39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government 40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children 41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program 42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba, allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones 43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions 44. Expanding vaccination programs 45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters 46. Closed offshore tax safe havens 47. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals 48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back 49. Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices 50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources 51. Lower drug costs for seniors 52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings 53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel 54. Improved housing for military personnel 55. Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses 56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals 57. Increasing student loans 58. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program 59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy 60. Established a new cyber security office 61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc. 62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts 63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness 64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient 65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced 66. Improving benefits for veterans 67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration 68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud 69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco 70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules 71. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports 72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons 73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen. Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive 74. Making more loans available to small businesses 75. Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare 76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court 77. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans 78. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000 79. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel 80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan 81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan 82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans 83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production 84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters 85. Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket 86. Held first Seder in White House 87. Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured 88. Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform 89. Has announced his intention to push for energy reform 90. Has announced his intention to push for education reform
Oh, and he built a swing set for the girls outside the Oval Office
A Sankofa Moment: The History of Trinity United Church of Christ
This is my fifth book.My first four books were collections of sermons.I owe the publication of those books to Reverend Jini Kilgore and to Dr. Colleen Birchett.It was their idea to publish my sermons.They took the tapes of my sermons, edited them and then "shopped around" for publishers.
This is my first attempt at writing a book, however, that is not a collection of sermons.
"...a fascinating history of a local church that has made an impact, not only on its city, but on the world."
Morehouse Whiz Kid is Causing a Stir: 13-Year-Old Dominates College
At thirteen years of age, Stephen Stafford is causing quite a stir at Morehouse College . Stafford has a triple major in pre-med, math and computer science. Though he loves playing video games and playing his drum set, he is no typical teenager.
"I've never taught a student as young as Stephen, and it's been amazing," said computer science professor Sonya Dennis. "He's motivating other students to do better and makes them want to step up their game."
Stafford began his college career at the age of 11, after being home-schooled by his mother. Stafford's mother said that when Stafford began to teach her instead of being taught by her, she knew he needed to be in a college environment.
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City Council landmarks home of 'Raisin in the Sun' author
February 10, 2010 7:23 PM | No Comments | UPDATED STORY The Chicago City Council granted landmark status today to the former homes of several famed African-American writers -- as well as to a library and a former museum -- for their contributions to the city's Black Renaissance Literary Movement in the mid-20th century.
The Lorraine Hansberry House, 6140 S. Rhodes Ave., was home to the author of the acclaimed play "A Raisin in the Sun."
The drama was inspired in part by her experiences in that home: Her family's three-year legal battle for the right to live in the predominantly white neighborhood culminated in 1940 with a U.S. Supreme Court decision that helped end racially discriminatory housing covenants in the city.
The Gwendolyn Brooks House, 7428 S. Evans Ave., was built in 1890 and was home to the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, author and professor for more than four decades.
The Richard Wright House, 4831 S. Vincennes Ave., was home to the author of "Native Son." Wright lived on the second floor of the brick two-flat from 1929 to 1932.
The Griffiths-Burroughs House, 3806 S. Michigan Ave., was the first home of the DuSable Museum of African-American History.
The George Cleveland Hall Branch Library, 4801 S. Michigan Ave, helped foster the work of many local writers.
Landmarks designated by the city are protected from significant alterations and are eligible for preservation incentives, according to the city's Department of Zoning and Land Use Planning.
Black Author wins The Matrix Copyright Infringement Case This little known story has met a just conclusion, as Sophia Stewart, African American author of The Matrix will finally receive her just due from the copyright infringement of her original work!!!
A six-year dispute has ended involving Sophia Stewart, the Wachowski Brothers, Joel Silver and Warner Brothers. Stewart's allegations, involving copyright infringement and racketeering, were received and acknowledged by the Central District of California, Judge Margaret Morrow presiding.
Stewart, a New Yorker who has resided in Salt Lake City for the past five years, will recover damages from the films, The Matrix I, II and III, as well as The Terminator and its sequels. She will soon receive one of the biggest payoffs in the history of Hollywood, as the gross receipts of both films and their sequels total over 2.5 billion dollars.
Stewart filed her case in 1999, after viewing the Matrix, which she felt had been based on her manuscript, 'The Third Eye,' copyrighted in 1981. In the mid-eighties Stewart had submitted her manuscript to an ad placed by the Wachowski Brothers, requesting new sci-fi works.
According to court documentation, an FBI investigation discovered that more than thirty minutes had been edited from the original film, in an attempt to avoid penalties for copyright infringement. The investigation also stated that 'credible witnesses employed at Warner Brothers came forward, claiming that the executives and lawyers had full knowledge that the work in question did not belong to the Wachowski Brothers.' These witnesses claimed to have seen Stewart's original work and that it had been 'often used during preparation of the motion pictures.' The defendants tried, on several occasions, to have Stewart's case dismissed, without success.
Stewart has confronted skepticism on all sides, much of which comes from Matrix fans, who are strangely loyal to the Wachowski Brothers. One on-line forum, entitled Matrix Explained has an entire section devoted to Stewart. Some who have researched her history and writings are open to her story.
Others are suspicious and mocking. 'It doesn't bother me,' said Stewart in a phone interview last week, 'I always knew what was true.' Some fans, are unaware of the case or they question its legitimacy, due to the fact that it has received little to no media coverage. Though the case was not made public until October of 2003, Stewart has her own explanation, as quoted at aghettotymz.com <http://aghettotymz.com/%3E; :
'The reason you have not seen any of this in the media is because Warner Brothers parent company is AOL-Time Warner... this GIANT owns 95 percent of the media... let me give you a clue as to what they own in the media business... New York Times papers/magazines, LA Times papers/magazines, People Magazine, CNN news, Extra, Celebrity Justice, Entertainment Tonight, HBO, New Line Cinema, DreamWorks, Newsweek, Village Roadshow and many, many more! They are not going to report on themselves. They have been suppressing my case for years.'
Fans who have taken Stewart's allegations seriously, have found eerie mythological parallels, which seem significant in a case that revolves around the highly metaphorical and symbolic Matrix series. Sophia, the Greek goddess of wisdom has been referenced many times in speculation about Stewart. In one book about the Goddess Sophia, it reads, 'The black goddess is the mistress of web creation spun in her divine matrix.'
Although there have been outside implications as to racial injustice (Stewart is African American), she does not feel that this is the case. 'This is all about the Benjamins,' said Stewart. 'It's not about money with me. It's about justice.'
Stewart's future plans involve a record label, entitled Popsilk Records, and a motion picture production company, All Eyez On Me, in reference to God. 'I wrote The Third Eye to wake people up, to remind them why God put them here. There's more to life than money,' said Stewart. 'My whole to the world is about God and good and about choice, about spirituality over 'technocracy'.'
If Stewart represents spirituality, then she truly has prevailed over the 'technocracy' represented in both the Terminator and the Matrix, and now, ironically, by their supposed creators.
Stewart is currently having discussions with CBS about a possible exclusive story and has several media engagements in the near future to nationally publicize her victory. June 13th 2004. Sophia Stewart's press release read: 'The Matrix & Terminator movie franchises have made world history and have ultimately changed the way people view movies and how Hollywood does business, yet the real truth about the creator and creation of these films continue to elude the masses because the hidden secret of the matter is that these films were created and written by a Black woman...a Black woman named Sophia Stewart. But Hollywood does not want you to know this fact simply because it would change history. Also it would encourage our Black children to realize a dream and that is...nothing is impossible for them to achieve!' Greg Thomas, Editor
