While waiting two hours in a Lake County Ill hospital complaining of severe pain, Beatrice (ed.–previously i wrote “beverly”) Vance died of a heart attack. This after she clearly reported symptoms that indicated that a heart attack was imminent (ed. — previously “eminent” doh!). Officials charged the hospital staff with murder, and in an interview with NPR’s Farai Chideya one of them noted that Vance’s race likely played a role. Farai talked to me about it afterwards. One of the things I’ve been reiterating to my black politics class is that care is a political resource. As it is finite, people make decisions–who gets it? who doesn’t? When we’re talking about something like a hospital, the allocation of care becomes political, racial, and in this case, deadly.
September 19, 2006By: The Good Doctor Category: cultureComments
I don’t read literature blogs. Until I started checking out Tayari’s website on the regular (what’s the deal with themjones kids anyway? do they come out the crib writing?). Recently she’s been engaging Sara Gran in a minor teaching moment. I thought I’d jump in with my two cents. (more…)
When Bush offered churches the opportunity to get federal aid folks thought he was trying to erase the Church/State distinction, and to at least demobilize black churches. (If he can’t get black people to vote for him, at least he can keep black pastors pacified enough that they don’t turn out voters against him.)
Although I still think the jury is out on both, it appears that fewer black churches took advantage of this opportunity than folks thought. Black people are all about making a way out of no way. Those few black churches who were able to get resources were likely doing so holding their nose.
The Boggs Center will be hosting a Fall Conversation Series. Those in or around the Detroit area should make every effort to check this out. Boggs is a revolutionary in the real sense of the word. For those (like me) unable to make it, check out some of her writings. Let me know what you think!
My most recent commentary just came out today. I remember welfare repeal like it was yesterday. Probably the two things I most remember are Clinton’s use of black single mothers to sell the program, and the fact that Maxine Waters didn’t even fight the bill. Bad news. And even though the bill hasn’t hurt as much as I thought it would, it’s still bad policy.
September 12, 2006By: The Good Doctor Category: generalComments
I’m getting picked up today a bit later than usual. So I thought I’d end the day with some random links that may be of interest to you. Let me know what you think! (more…)
September 07, 2006By: The Good Doctor Category: cultureComments
At my old haunts I had a category called “Wiley” named in honor of the late Ralph Wiley who passed away suddenly a couple of years ago. Wiley, perhaps the best sports journalist of his and I’d argue ANY generation, not only was a wordsmith par excellence, but was one of the first sports journalists to bring racial politics into discussions of sports. (more…)
September 07, 2006By: The Good Doctor Category: media, nprComments
Just what we need. Bob Johnson wants to create a production house specializing in black family comedies. I can just imagine what the movies will look like. Check out my NPR commentary.
I am currently an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Johns Hopkins University. My specialties are racial politics, urban politics, black politics and public opinion. My book Stare in the Darkness: Rap, Hip-hop, and Black Politics will be published in August 2010. More information about me and my work can be found here. I can be reached at UNBOWED AT GMAIL.COM
