a few last minute pointers for Barack Obama…

Here are some key last minute points that Barack should hammer home during the final hours of Election 2008.  In no particular order:

• Assure White America that Black folks are not going to enslave them.  Tell them upfront that we are not looking for revenge.
• Assure White America (and Black America) that Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Rev. Jeramiah Wright, and Louis Farrakhan will have no place in an Obama Administration.
• Remind all of his supporters that the fight doesn’t stop with the vote.
• Remind Black folks not to celebrate too hard if he becomes President.  Why?  Look, some White folks are gonna be very angry/scared/depressed in response to an Obama victory.  They might very well be lookin’ for some get-back.  Don’t provoke them with excessive celebration e.g. rockin Obama Tees and poppin’ Champagne bottles at the office – in a “Soul Train line” – while blasting “ain’t no stoppin’ us now”.  Do that shit at the crib or at Church.  And when you get back to the office on Thursday – on Thursday – act like nothing has happened.
• Urge people not to riot if he loses the election is stolen.
• More than a few Black people lost some tried and true White homies (Hillary supporters) over the jolting course of this social and cultural powder-keg of a campaign.  Barack should gently nudge Black folks to determine if any of these relationships are worthwhile and salvageable and if so to go about the work of rekindling these friendships.
• To assuage the concerns of some Black folks that continue to charge Barack with, “forgetting where he came from”, the Big “O” should acknowledge a few of the key Black people that helped him to arrive at this momentous occasion.  Especially his barber.  Barack’s fade, waves and line were consistently TIGHT throughout the entire campaign cycle.
• Let everyone know that if he wins the election, this does not mean that America has finally overcome the “race problem”. 
• In case the election is lost stolen, Barack should point out to his supporters that he/we came this far together.  And that we have come too far – accomplished too much to turn back now.  He should embolden his supporters to continue to march bravely forward and carry on with the great change-work that THEY started.

Humbly Submitted.

kd

most racist campaign: Hillary Clinton or John McCain

Obama Bucks: Barack, Chicken, Watermelon, and Kool-Aid (the red flavor)

 

“Why is everything always about race with you people!?!” 

You people…

I betta-not EVER AGAIN hear the above got-damn question come out of a White person’s thin-lipped mouth.  Get the story here: OBAMA BUCKS .

*This story was first seen at:  News and Views, the companion blog to NPR’s News and Notes.

My “Recession 08″ Survival Tips…

My name is not Hank Paulson nor am I an economist.  Nonetheless, I feel quite comfortable and confident (damn near cocky) in asserting that our economy is F’d up.  And the so called experts are still scrambling to figure things out.  I think.

Yeah, I know the DOW surged on Monday.  My reaction, “That’s cute”.  However, it doesn’t signal that we are out of the woods.  Quite the contrary.  It’s the credit crisis and the slowing global economy, not the DOW, that we should focus our fleeting attention on.  And the unsettling fact of the matter is that we have yet to suffer the real fall out of this incipient economic crisis.  In plain speak, it is going to get worse before it gets better.  Again, I’m no expert.  I’m no doom & gloomer.  But I can see the writing on the wall.  As far as I can detect, the tell-tell signs of a failing economy are ubiquitous.  Allow me to share a personal example that illustrates my point.  Over the last month, I’ve observed increasing numbers of  well-to-do White Hyde Parkers shun the over-priced Treasure Island Supermarket for the very cornerstoreesque Village Foods.  I don’t know about you, but when upper-middle class White folks start braving certi-saver products, the stench of decaying flesh (fresh meat section), lotto lines out the door, and wine-heads paying for a 5th with loose change, it’s time for a brotha to adjust accordingly.  That said, below is an abbreviated list of the belt-tightening measures that I’m taking to weather our Country’s financial downturn.

Hair Cuts:  I’m cut my own hair.  You can do the same.  Go to Wal-Mart and cop a Wahl or Oster Home Hair Care Kit.  I prefer Oster, the design of the blades seems better suited for Black hair.  The key to success w/ do-it-yourself hair cuts is to resist the urge to try anything fancy.   Trust me, I’ve seen many a hairline disappear – forever – because someone got a little too overconfident in their home hair care abilities.  Keep it simple.  This is more about function than style.  The point is to keep up a well groomed appearance.  If absolutely necessary, every now and then, you can visit your Barber/Stylist for a professional lining.  My barber (Ishat Hyde Park Hair Salon) doesn’t really charge me for this service, but I’ll usually hit him off with a budget-sensitive tip of $2-$3.

Costco:  This is pretty self-explanatory.  I buy in bulk.  And this may take away from my street cred, but I create and use a grocery list.  I strongly encourage you to do the same.  Freestyle impulse shopping ain’t the best look right now.  I’m a devotee of Costco.  From my experience Costco has the best bulk variety to choose from.  As an added come-up, If you go at the right time, you can make a substantial meal by grazing at the numerous food sampling stations set up in damn near every aisle of the store.

Food/Cooking:  Lately I’ve been stocking up on more starches than usual.  I’m trying my best to stick with the complex starches/carbs: whole grain breads and pastas; yams or yellow potatoes instead of white potatoes; brown rice instead of white.  I always have plenty of health/protein bars stashed away as well.  A note of caution, please resist the urge to stock up on processed or pre-packaged foods.  Too much sodium.  I don’t want Black folks to emerge from this special period with high(er) blood pressure and diabetes.  In terms of cooking, on Sunday afternoons or early evening while watching football,  I try to prepare a gigantic meal or two that’ll carry me through the week e.g. chili, lasagna, soups, stews, etc.  An additional benefit of soup/stew style meals is that they allow you to dump in a variety of nutrient rich ingredients from each of the key food groups, especially veggies.

Cable:  I downgraded to basic cable.  I can’t completely get rid of it yet.  I’m addicted to the Discovery Channel.  Straight up Edutainment like BDP.

At Work “The Surge”:  Businesses are going under left and right.  Downsizing is in the air.  Now is the time for your best work ever.  Pour that shit on.  Finish any outstanding projects.  Call in favors from clients/vendors.  Have them send in messages about how valuable you are to them.  Over communicate.  Master the art of memos.  And – I know this is gonna be hard for brothas – but get over your aversion to attention to detail.  Trust me. The corporate cleanersare coming and they are looking for anything – no matter how small/trivial – that can be used to justify your dismissal.  Also, try to aggressively position yourself for a key role on an uber-important company project.  Stay close to the office-stars.  Stay away from office-losers, the trouble makers.  And work on your personality.

Phones:  I don’t have a home phone.  Between the celly and gmail all my communication needs are covered.  With the cell phone, so as not exceed my service plan, I try not to talk w/ my peeps until after 9 pm or on the weekends.  9 times out of 10 we just shooting the shit anyway.  And as far as texting goes, I set up a one word texting limit.  I know that it may seem difficult to effectively communicate with just one word, but from my experience, if it’s a close friend or family member, you can damn near communicate with each other telepathically.  If one word texting or telepathy is too difficult for you, you can eliminate most communication barriers by creating a glossary of text terms and symbols to be shared with your squad via email.  Lastly, get rid of any unnecessary features.

Fitness:  My gym allowed me to downgrade my membership.  You might also be able to put your membership on hold.  The other option is to cancel.  If you do cancel: 15 push ups, 20 sit ups, 30 air squats, and 15 squat thrusts.  Do as many sets as you can in 20 minutes, 4-5 times per week.  For more home work out ideas check out www.crossfit.com.  Fellas, you probably won’t gain any muscle size with  this, but it will help to burn of all the extra carbs you’ll be consuming.  It will keep you lean.  For variety, pull out and dust off those old ass Tae-Bo DVD’s ya’ll been holding onto.  And chill with the treats!

Treat your S.O. Right:  Go overboard, not monetarily/materially, but emotionally.  Now is the time to cuddle, and cuddle some more.  This ain’t the time to be arguing over bullshit.  And players – now is definitely not the time to be trickin’ off.  We are in a recession.  Tis the season of monogamy.  Emotionally, mentally, and financially, it’s what makes the most sense at the moment.  So love the one – the “1″ - you’re with.  Ya’ll gonna need each other to get through this mess.

The “Get Up”:  This is a series of monthly house parties (remember those) that I’m organizing with my closest friends.  You gotta – “Get Up” – with yo’ peeps when times are hard.  You need them.  They need you.  You need each other.  Good people, good music, and good laughs will help to keep the blues at bay.  To pull it off, all you need is food (potluck), drink, a DJ or Itunes/IPOD, some descent speakers, and a crib – preferably one with a basement that can comfortably accommodate up to 25 people.

The bottom line is to be smart – be prepared.  And if things turn for the better sooner rather than later, you’ll have some money saved up.  If not, you’ll be well equipped to calmly navigate the treacherous  economic road ahead. 

Stay Well;

kd

Video: War (Insert Patriotism) What is It Good For – Edwin Starr

Stirred up by the hate and fear-mongering of the McPalin ticket, good ol’ American patriotism has been on full display as of late.  The below video/song best captures my reaction to the ugliness that I’ve witnessed.   As you listen, every time you hear brotha Edwin shout, “War!”, insert the word “Patriotism” in its place.

 

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WARNINGS: these posts deserve another looksy…

Warning #1:  “If Barack Becomes President…”

 

Warning #2:  “Things we should do…”

quick question: for the last 2 weeks has America been the greatest country in the world?

Considering the FACT that we are in an economic depression.  Considering the CRASH of the stock market.  Considering all of the mudslinging in the Presidential race.  Considering all the racial tension bubbling over…  Can we you believers still, at this precise social/historical moment, stand on the claim that this is the greatest country in the world?

CNN Responds to My Post with this segment: Prejudice in the election?

OH SNAP!!!  CNN responds to my post from yesterday with a timely segment about race and politics.  Okay, they didn’t really respond to little ol’ me - but it is a heck of a coincidence.  Whatever the case, kudos to the folks at CNN for sparking this much needed conversation.  Looks like I’m back in the mix commenting/ranting about all things Campaign 2008.

Stay Well.

 

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Imagine: November 5, 2008. The front page of your morning paper reads???

I’ll Start.  “Barack Wins!  Bin Laden Orders Al-Qaeda To Stand Down”.  Have at it.

I’m not writing anything else about Election 2008 Until…

I’m self-imposing a moratorium on commenting about Campaign 2008.  I’m tired of all the politalking, the stump speeches, the faux-debates, the mudslinging, the absolutely useless media coverage.  And can we please do away with the damn polls!  It’s the same stories and soundbites and finger-pointing – by the same people - over and over and over again.   So, as far as I’m concerned, there really isn’t anything riveting or substantive to talk about.  That is, unless someone in the mainstream media or the blogosphere has the balls/ovaries to spark up a national conversation about the 800 lb. guerrilla in the room.  You know exactly what I’m talking about.  I’m sure you’ve been thinking about it, and maybe even discussing it under your breath.  What’s the 800 lb. guerrilla that I speak of?  It’s the persistently ignored fact that the race for the White House is as close as it is because one of the candidates is Black.  And relatedly,  the only reason that the vast majority of  “undecideds” (mostly White) remain undecided, is because on the one hand – in their rational minds – they know that the McCain/Palin ticket is a fucking joke.  On the other hand,  they just can’t quite bring themselves to vote for – gulp - a negro.  Just to be clear, I’m saying that if Barack were White, this thing would’ve been over a long long time ago.  Why isn’t anyone touching this?  Why isn’t this headline news?  Is it because the shot-callers in mainstream media don’t know?  Or could it be that they don’t care?  Whatever the reason, I refuse to contribute anything else to this white-washed amateurish real-time work of political pop-fiction that’s been over-sold to us as insightful, objective, and professional campaign coverage.

Frank Talk (like Steve Biko);

kd