The American Race

Latino Identity and Obama vs. McCain

On July 25th I joined Roberto Lovato of New American Media (see sample of his work on the subject here) at the 2008 Unity Convention of black, Hispanic, Asian and Native American journalists in a panel discussion: Cooperation, Competition or Coopetition? : Black-Latino Politics In the Post-Southern Strategy Era

I'm not sure how much we resolved. My take was based heavily on this Pew Hispanic report about the centrality of whiteness in Latino identity. But moderator Ray Suarez (of PBS NewHour fame) did leave me pondering one thing I hadn't considered before.

Latinos may be climbing a ladder into the American social mainstream that, despite our accomplishments, African-Americans have not really been permitted to ascend. But, as Suarez pointed out, in today's global sweatshop economy, the ladder is constantly sinking as the price of the American Dream rises out of sight.

Here's a link to a story about the panel in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

Later Last Summer

The thermometer was still topping 80 degrees last week, so forgive my extra-long summer vacation.

Full disclosure: I've been flushed out in preparation for taping a segment on NPR (WNYC-NY) talk show host Brian Lehrer's cable TV show this afternoon. We're supposed to discuss what I talk about—race, politics, identity and culture—and the medium in which I'm talking right now.

Cutting to the chase, after a whole morning of catching up to what I've missed in this corner of the blogoverse, one post at Friends of Justice, itself linking to a recent New Republic article, said everything that might need to be said in a fleeting 20 minute television segment.

The post: Jesse, Al and the Mainstream Media

The TNR piece: Who Keeps Sharpton and Jackson Powerful? The White Media

What all do they say?

• the race/black black blogosphere has the same issues with traditional/mainstream media that the rest of new media has, only they're much more politically personal
• the black and non-black bloggers on our topics have an uneasy, sometimes suspicious co-existence in this corner of cyberspace.
• the Jena Six story is still the biggest thing to come out of the race/black system  of the blogoverse so far. Meaning, unfortunately, there's more than a little investment in claiming ownership for it's impact, and the right to define leadership.

It used to be that just showing up was winning half the battle. Lately, it seems like the Rev's Sharpton and Jackson only lose by showing up. It doesn't seem fair, but maybe they've had it coming. Blame this too on our little system of blogs and websites that have so broadened a political conversation that, as the TNR piece correctly points out, the mainstream media allowed Sharpton, Jackson and other 'annointed' civil rights leaders to dominate.

Ok, gotta get my shave on for another fleeting brush with fame....

"And I Haven't Had A Bad Day Since..."

The memoir I co-authored with the congressman from Harlem, Rep. Charles B. Rangel, is finally rolling out this week; I'm very proud, and a lot busier than I expected as a result.

(Among other things, I just built the RangelBook.com website.)

At 76, the 18-term congressman is promoting "And I Haven't Had A Bad Day Since" at a pace that would drop someone a third his age. Try two major book signings, 23 radio, 2 web, and 11 national television appearances since Sunday April 1!

Ok, I am biased. But I stand behind the publisher's short blurb:

"…And I Haven’t Had a Bad Day Since,” is the engaging, often humorous and sometimes bittersweet memoir of Charlie B. Rangel, from his youth as a dropout on the streets of Harlem to the frozen battlefields of the Korean War, through the rough and tumble of Harlem clubhouse politics and finally the chairmanship of the most powerful committee in Congress. Rangel’s story reveals the emotional making of a very public man through the context of his times: the post-war experience of black American empowerment.

At least until I can write a better one.

Here are some quick links to the media hype. Then I'm off to start building a website that I promise will add some multimedia value to this unique story of African-American becoming.

"Meet The Press" (Tim Russert asks about Democrats stiffening opposition to the Iraq War) click here to get to a video podcast download of the show, then slide to about 31:50 (works cool on iTunes).

"Lou Dobbs Tonight" (CNN, April 3) (Lou Dobbs actually read this book, and the interview suggests he loved it. Click here for the print version on the CNN site, then click "watch Lou's interview..." link in the third paragraph.  (Windows (ugghh) Media Player may be required)

"Daily Kos" (long interview about the war, the Dems, and the book.)