Former KKK Supporter Apologizes

I'll end on a bright note given that this is a disturbing subject.

ABCnews.com reported that Elwin Hope Wilson, 72, and a former KKK member, is seeking forgiveness for his racist past.

Wilson who has brutally beat black people, burned crosses, and been an avid supporter of white supremacy is reportedly finding repentance in his old age.

Wilson has even taken his apologies into predominately black churches for all to hear.

Stories like this one bring hope that people will see the reality that we are all human and equals.

White Supremacist Meeting Cancelled

UPI.com reported that a meeting of a white supremacist group scheduled to take place in Boston has been cancelled.

They had rented space out in a hall but the owners of the venue pulled the plug.

The point that I wanted to make with this article is that white supremacist meetings still take place. They may even have been devout KKK members.

Again, its 2009, and we still have people who believe that one race is superior to all others.

Obama Chia Pet? Seriously??

Why is it that everyone feels compelled to capitalize on the Obama presidency? And why must it all be so tied in to race? The answers to these questions are priceless.

TBO.com reported that Walgreen's stores in Tampa and Chicago recently pulled this Obama inspired Chia pet from their shelves.

Walgreen's spokesman Robert Elfinger stated that "We decided to pull the product so we're not subject to any political interpretation of the product".

So corporate liability is more important that racism huh?

The Racism Doll Test

Good Morning America is doing a 3 part series analyzing race relations today called "Black and White Now."

The first part is extremely compelling.

In the 1940's a common sociological test used to analyze race relations was the doll test. This experiment presented young African American girls with two toy dolls, one white and one black.

63% of the girls chose the white doll, saying that it was prettier.

ABC decided to try the test out today. This time of 16 African American girls, some 80% favored playing with the black doll. MSNBC did a similar test as well, their video is posted below.

It's incredible to see such young and naive kids responding in such racially bias ways. Unfortunately, it's clear that race socialization begins at an early age, and it's not all positive.

Racism Well And Alive In NYC

Huffingtonpost.com reported that a summit in New York City this past week discussed the problem of race relations in the city's restaurant industry.

The summit, appropriately entitled "The Great Service Divide" focused on the city's highly racist hiring practices. An experiment was conducted in which matching applicants were sent to apply to 327 high end restaurants, one white, one black.

The results were despicable, but not too surprising.

The people of color were half as likely to get job offers, and even less likely to get an interview. Is it 2009 or 1960?

While it is disturbing to see these facts, I am appreciative that someone felt the need to bring the issue to the forefront.

New York City, commonly thought of as one of the most diverse cities in the
country....

"True Colors?"

I'm honestly not quite sure how I feel about this one.

A new web series on crackle.com called "True Colors" claims that it's "aim to extract funny by exposing the racism that's just below the surface of American life, with covert spy cameras."

What is funny about any kind of racism is unclear.

In this episode, someone apparently thought it was funny to see how an African American woman would react to finding out her doctor was a KKK member.

Check it out, I'm just curious to know who finds any humor in this.

From Crackle: Dr. KKK

"Still Two Nations?"

A conference today, March 20, at Duke University entitled "Still Two Nations?" is underway to discuss whether or not America is still divided by issues of race today.

Duke Professors Paula McClain, William Darity, and University of Maryland Professor Bonnie Thornton Dill conducted the conference.

NPR's radio program "Tell Me More" covered the event.

Paula McClain gave evidence of racism when she was closing on a home loan with her husband. She stated that her loan form was pre-filled with white under ethnicity because the loaners assumed that because of their great credit that they must have been white.

The overall consensus among the professors was that although race relations have improved, that race is still very present in American society today.

Professor Darity stated that even today whites "still have the highest status and the greatest amount of resources both economically and politically."

Rush Limbaugh Blames Affirmative Action

This guy really grinds my gears.

Rush Limbaugh, among many other negative comments about our President, has actually claimed that Barack Obama only won the Democratic ticket because of affirmative action.

He stated that he won because "no one had the guts to stand up and say no to a black guy."

These are the type of comments that fuel racism. I'm all for free speech as endowed by the constitution, but where do we draw the line? How is it okay to pollute the media with such outwardly racist propaganda?

Young Boy Dies, Was it Racism?

Last May, a UK man brought his 4-year- old son who was suffering a seizure to a local hospital. He claims that hospital staff did not expedite his son's admittance because he was black.

The young boy died subsequently died.

According to BBC News, the father raised allegations of racism to police who he says failed to conduct a proper investigation into the case. Almost a year later, he is still grappling with UK police over the issue as he is still mourning the loss of his child.

The investigation is still underway, so I cannot say with certainty that racism is the root cause of this death just yet.

But isn't it despicable that it might? Even the possibility that a young boy died in 2008 because of racism is disturbing.

Unfortunately these are issues that must still be addressed today. Regardless of how far advanced we are in terms of technology or capitalism, a social phenomenon called racism still has a hold.

Eleven Oscars in 80 Years?

Is racism a thing of the past?

CNN has reported in an article entitled "Black Actors Still Face Oscar Challenges" that in the past 80 years, only 11 black nominees have won Oscars.

With incredible actors like Will Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Morgan Freedman, and Halle Barry, just to name a few, it makes you wonder: how is that possible?

Is it that black actors aren't as talented as white ones? Or is there a mark of racism here?

NAACP Sues Two Major Mortgage Lenders

CNN reported that on March. 13, the NAACP filed lawsuits against Wells Fargo and HSBC alleging "systematic, institutionalized racism" in their sub prime lending.

The two companies allegedly gave African-Americans sub prime rates when they qualified for better rates and as a result African-Americans have been hit harder than others in the recent mortgage crisis.

Both Wells Fargo and HSBC deny allegations of racism.

This type of racism, the institutionalized form, is not found nearly as often as others. If it is found that the allegations are true, these two companies, likely already in financial struggle, will have to pay both financially and also in terms of company reputations.

"Obama Fingers"

This one is truly unbelievable.

The New York Daily News reported that a German frozen food company is capitalizing on President Obama's popularity with their own brand of fried chicken called "Obama Fingers."

A sales manager for the company actually said " the connection between Obama and fried chicken - a stereotype long associated with African-Americans - never occurred to her."

It really is dispicable how many people play dummy when it comes to race.

Russian Ice Cream Ad Racist?

As if the New York Post's chimp cartoon wasn't enough.

A Russian ice cream company created this advertisement which is (with much reason)being interpreted as highly racist.

Not only is the ad callously trying to play on the pun of chocolate and vanilla but the title of "Flavor of the Week" also implies that President Obama's popularity is based on trend rather than legitimacy.

Adage.com published an article depicting their own sentiment over the controversial ad.

It's incidents like this one that make me think: Why does anyone think this is funny or even appropriate?

Jackie Mason Sparks Controversy

Legendary comedian Jackie Mason referred to President Obama using a Yiddish word considered a racial epithet on March. 12 at a New York show.

The New York Daily News reported that after Mason used the word " schvartze" which means black in Yiddish, some fans actually booed him and walked out of the venue.

Mason, 72, responded to the accusations saying "It's not a demeaning word and I'm not going to defend myself."

He also referred to himself as "an old Jew" who was raised in a family who used the word.

This brings up the issue of tradition. Why should it be okay for older people to use these kinds of words just because they always have?

Everyone, old or young, should abide by today's ethical standards.

Black in America

CNN has truly impressed me.

Their long running documentary entitled Black in America takes a real unfiltered look at racism in America today; an examination that many other media outlets conveniently remain oblivious to.

I recently watched part of the documentary for the first time and was shocked and pleased by the blunt style in which they portray the facts.

I highly recommend that anyone interested in race relations watch this.

Rupert Murdoch Apologizes

On Feb. 24, Rupert Murdoch, chairman of the New York Post, issued an apology for the controversial cartoon that many people found racist.

According to a CNN article, Murdoch responded saying "I can assure you -- without a doubt -- that the only intent of the cartoon was to mock a badly written piece of legislation."

Despite the fact that the NAACP has called for the cartoons creator to be fired, Murdoch made no mention of such a motion.

Although it was an apology that needed to be made, it seems to me as though it was done for public relations purposes rather than for true regret of poor judgement.

If he really was apologetic, he would have fired the cartoonist, or perhaps the editor who neglected to see the racist correlation.

The First Lady Plays a Role Too

It's not just President Obama and his administration that play a role in revamping America's image in America and across the world.

The First Lady Michelle Obama represents a significant figure in the cause as well, and she hasn't wasted any time getting involved and trying to make a difference.

Just a few days ago she opened the doors of the White House to young children and spoke to them about the meaning of Black History Month.

It will be interesting to see how she changes the role of the First Lady.

Our Image Abroad

CNN political analyst Bill Shneider wrote an article today entitled "Obama Begins Repairing America's Image Abroad."

He feels like the job has begun, but the road ahead is very long and arduous. President Obama just recently traveled to Canada where he was bombarded by throngs of citizens who wanted a chance to meet him.

Canada never hated us, so this isn't a huge step forward, but it is a start.

The true test of improving America's image will be, in my opinion, successfully ending the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and coming to terms with the entire Middle East.

But I'll take what we've gotten thus far.

Nation of Cowards?

The very first black Attorney General, Eric Holder, controversially made the comment that he thought regarding racial matters, America has been a "nation of cowards," according to an article published by the Associated Press. The above photo is courtesy of the AP.

As one would expect, the comment was not very well received.

For all of those under the facade that racism is officially over given that we have a black president now, this must have been pretty offensive.

Was it a politically smart thing to say? Probably not, in fact, definitely not. Is it true? It's debatable. What isn't up to interpretation, however, is the fact that racism is still alive and well in our society.

Holder should have just framed what he wanted to say in more politically sensitive way.

President Obama's picture taken down?

This past Presidents Day, President Obama's picture was taken off of a sign at Peterson Airforce Base.

The justification was that people complained that "the image did not fit the holiday commemorating the birthdays of past presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln" according to The Gazette. (a small online paper based out of Colorado)

The head of the local chapter of the NAACP thinks it was a highly racist move, and I agree. Since when did we set the definition of Presidents Day as a commemoration of the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln?

All my life, all throughout grade school, I was under the impression that Presidents Day was a day to commemorate those who have boldly represented our great nation. A birthday never had anything to do with it.

Emerging New Foreign Policy

An article entitled "The Emerging Obama Foreign Policy," published on the Stratfor Global Intelligence website analyzes some of the expectations facing America's new president.

Published just a few days ago, the article takes a real look at America stance on foreign policy, past and present.

The author, Rodger Baker, writes "Whereas Bush often was portrayed as a unilateralist “cowboy,” constantly confronting others and never listening to allies (much less competitors), it was thought that Obama somehow would remake America into a nation that withheld its military power and instead confronted international relations via consultations and cooperation"

He addresses what seems to be a recurrent belief that President Obama's cooperative approach towards foreign policy would be more productive than Bush's cutthroat ideals.

Clinton Helps The Cause Too

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton traveled for the first time since being appointed this past week as well. She toured countries in Asia meeting with world leaders and solidifying her new position.

According to Time.com, Clinton will travel to Egypt for an international conference to discuss the unsettling situation in Gaza.

This photo, courtesy of Time.com, shows the excitement that some Asians felt to meet part of President Obama's administration.

All Smiles in Canada

They spoke about everything from NAFTA to the controversial stimulus plan. President Obama's first trip outside of the U.S was to Ottawa on Feb. 19.

According to Time on CNN.com, (photo courtesy of CNN.com) the meeting was all smiles and very constructive.

It's not Iraq, but it is certainly a good start to revamping America's relationship with other countries.

Racist or Newsworthy?

The Rev. Al Sharpton and CNN's Roland Burris cringed at one NY Post cartoonists idea of comedy.

Many feel as though the chimpanzee in the comic rubs African Americans the wrong way, reminiscent of America's slavery days and the primordial comparison between black people and monkeys.

According to CNN.com, the cartoon's creator claims it was an innocent and newsworthy reference to the deranged chimpanzee that had to be shot in Connecticut this past week.

Could they have chosen another animal for the cartoon? Perhaps.

World Economic Forum

On Feb. 1, Dateline Davos: Obama's World aired on CNN. Christianne Amanour assembled a panel of world leaders to discuss whether or not they believe that President Obama will change the world.



Kenyan Prime Minister said, when asked about Obama that "he said he was extending a hand of friendship to the rest of the world.



The French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner responded by saying "we want to work with President Obama."



When asked about President Obama, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki made it clear that Bush's ideals hurt America's image overseas by responding that "Mr. Obama should distinguish and introduce its differences with -- its policies with President Bush and which aspect he has differences with President Bush. We should know the approaches of President Obama. And we should know the differences between two gentlemen's approaches"



The world certainly seems hopeful about America's new president. It's a sense of hope that we can definitely use right now.

The Lack of Respect

People across the world lacked respect for former American President Bush. With two misguided wars and a completely mismanaged natural disaster among other things, Bush failed our country.

Clear evidence of disrespect is a foreign journalist throwing his shoe at you.

America, with Bush in the white house, was a joke to the majority of the world. This is just one example.

Mexico is Watching

Mexicans, alike, were not oblivious to the occasion. Here, a photo courtesy of Boston.com, shows a Mexican family attentive to the American event.

"We are not your enemy"

Eight years. That's how long former President Bush was in power. Zero. That's how many times he opted to interview with a Arab news channel in an effort to improve America's image since the start of the war.

President Obama, however, is changing that. Just barely two weeks into his presidency he arranged to interview with a Arab news channel based out of Dubai and took the much belated opportunity to tell the Muslim world "We are not your enemy."

It's a sign that real change is here.

"Mr. President"

America's big day also made headlines in far reaching places like Korea. This photo, courtesy of Boston.com shows a local Korean publication's front page on our momentous day.

I cannot honestly recall,in my lifetime, any other presidential inauguration that swept the world the way this one did.

Peace Symbol

A middle Eastern country holding signs of an American president for a positive cause? Yes, it's true.

Barack Obama has come to symbolize peace. This photo, courtesy of Boston.com, depicts a global peace ceremony in Islamabad on Jan. 20, 2009.




It's evident from this photo that although there is much more work to be done in rebuilding America's image overseas, we certainly have a start.

Indonesia

In Indonesia, they actually celebrated with "Obama fried rice" as people filled the streets to take in the experience. Indonesians relate to Obama since he once lived in the Muslim nation.

It's incredible to see what an effect the American inauguration has had on other countries, particularly Muslim countries given the stigmatization of terrorism post 9-11.

But it seems that the past has gone to the way side and anticipation of peace in the future has taken its place.

"The Obama Effect"

It seems that everywhere across the world there is a collective sense of excitement and jubilation.

The Inauguration of President Barack Obama was far more than just a national event, evident in the celebrations that occurred in countries far and wide. This BBC article is only one story documenting praise for our new president.

Kenyans, perhaps more poignantly than others, feel a sense of responsibility for the monumental inauguration of America's first black president. President Obama's father was born in the impoverished country.

America's big day was also the world's big day.