BHC: The Diaspora

“They talk about the failure of socialism but where is the success of capitalism in Africa, Asia and Latin America?” -Fidel Castro

BHC: Negro-American?

One ever feels his twoness-an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.
- W.E.B. Du Bois, Souls of Black Folk

BHC: A Black Woman's Smile

This video is a poem performed by Ty Gray El. I was forwarded it and thought it's a good watch. I'm embedding the video, watch it, then read my comment below please.







But what, besides "her man", makes the Black woman smile? I'm with 90 percent of the message, but the "Black man" come back and take responsibility ending was not my cup of tea. Your thoughts?

BHC: The tragedy of the Black Bourgeoisie

"The tragedy of the black bourgeoisie in America is not that it simply "sells out," since all bourgeois classes are prone to compromise their sovereignty in a crisis. It is rather that no class the world over sells out so cheaply as the American black bourgeoisie ..."
-Harold Cruse from The Crisis of the Negro Intellectual: A Historical Analysis of the Failure of Black Leadership

Black History - Contemporary

Each year, Black History Month is ushered in with mild fanfare from Black folks and Whites. As some of my students told me, "We probably don't need it anymore because we learned it all in school already." (Don't worry I took me about 2 minutes to blow that assertion out of the water) Still, I think it's important to contribute to the work that our ancestor Carter G. Woodson initiated. Black History has been and should be a living history. With that being said, I've decided to contribute to the project. All too often, we compartmentalize the utility of our history. "Teach the children their history so they know who they are(were)." History must apply to the contemporary contours of life. If it doesn't, we risk making Black history, the present, and the future a mockery. I'm creating a post category called BHC which stands Black History-Contemporary. These posts, in my humble opinion, reflect Black History but are pertinent in the contemporary day and age. For those reading, most will acknowledge Black history is relevant, but how do we agree on yesterday's meaning for today's relevance? The posts will be short, feel free to share you thoughts.

More Questions than Answers

1. Since when did so many folks get hyped over the primaries?
2. How the hell did Danity Kane go platinum?
3. Why has it been 10 years since Black Star released an album?
4. Was it ironic or tragic that Pimp C died off that syzurp (and sleep apnea)?
5. What ever happened to the Black radicalism?
6. Why when I buy stuff in the hood the signs say "no refunds"?
7. Isn't that some form of human rights violation?
8. Why was Abdul Rahman wearing Timberlands in the re-enactment scenes of Prince among Slaves?
9. Why are people still fighting against Black History Month?
10. Can it be that it was all so simple then?

If you've been worried bout where, I've been...

For all those who have been wondering and persistently asking, "Where the heck you been [in cyberspace]?" The answer is, here. I've been working on my website, which still isn't ready, and in January I was guest contributor on Blackprof.com. I had a great time commenting over there and engaging with visitors of the site. For those who clicked over and supported THANK YOU!!!

For those who missed my posts over there, here are the links:

The Value of HBCUs


Your Inner Uncle Ruckus and Black Progress


Does it make sense/cents?


The New Race Politics?


I Believe the Children are (a reflection of our) Future