Archive for November, 2008
Darwin, Lincoln and…Haiti?
Was there a relationship between Lincoln and Darwin? In the 19th century, both the scientist and the anti-slavery president were near-mythical figures. With the theory of evolution and the Civil War, each touched off a revolution that changed the world. Coincidentally (but do coincidences exist?) they shared a birthday. What is the Haitian connection?
Haiti: The Phantom State Strikes Again
The Haitian state has consistently failed to provide basic minimum standards of safety, including access to food, clean water, safe roads and buildings, along with adequate schooling and health care. One of my Haitian friends says that Haiti is not a failed state, rather it is a “phantom state.” Yet this phantom is fatal.
Gaspard in the White House – Take 2
Gaspard will be the President’s liaison to the constituency that elected him (unions, grassroots organizations, citizens groups, etc), and his eyes and ears with respect to everyone out there who expects their needs, wants and expectations to be met.
When Obama Became Black, But Not Lwo or African
S.M. Sangmpam captures the sentiments I expressed long ago about Barack Obama, the young man with the strange first, middle and last name who defied stereotypes to rise above the fray and pull millions behind his bid for the presidency of the United States. This article is an important reminder that there’s been a constant effort to pigeonhole the new President.
Haitian-American Patrick Gaspard to Be White House Political Director
The Daily News broke the story that Patrick Gaspard will take over the White House political office that really got a bad name when Karl Rove presided over its operations. Times have indeed changed in America.
BET Jams to feature Sounds of Jakmel for one year
The BETJ series, When the Walls Talk, will air Sounds of Jakmel twice a month from December 2008 to November 2009. Featured will be performances by Emeline Michel, RAM, Tabou Combo, Sunpie & the Sunspots, as well as interviews from many involved with the Jacmel Music Festival
Leo Coltrane: Catch this Musician Before He Gets Away
Leo Coltrane’s most recent music is a saga of travels, love found and lost, of appreciations and apologies. The result is a rich mix of seasoned hip hop stories layered with appealing harmonies
Honor Your Children Today!
November 20 is known as Universal Children’s Day. It is the day when the United Nations adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 and 30 years later in 1989 the Convention on the Rights of the Child. I truly hope that President Barack Obama will direct his administration to do what none of the American Presidents since 1989 have been willing to do: proclaim that the US will not only ratify the Convention but champion its observance throughout the world with meaningful policy initiatives.
Our Climb Will Be Steep
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you – we as a people will get there.
Amazing Turnout at the Polls in Maplewood, NJ
people turned out to vote today in Maplewood, NJ for the young man with the uncommon first, middle and last name who had come virtually from nowhere armed with a sophisticated grasp of domestic and international politics to speak truth to power, claim the mantle of the civil rights movement and vow to bring forth a more perfect union
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