Shirley Chisholm and Elijah Cummings each have demonstrated qualities I very much admire.
I became aware of Chisholm in the 1970s, through my dad. Like Chisholm, he was a former schoolteacher, and a blunt speaker. When Chisholm ran for President in 1972, he campaigned for her, despite understanding that her effort was in large part symbolic.
On Wednesday, Feb. 26, Elijah Cummings, a member of the House of Representatives for more than two decades, presented a model of behavior we could all benefit by emulating. In his role as chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Cummings showed both skill and dignity in managing the hearing of Michael Cohen.
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Kick Him When He's Down
Tomorrow is the last day of Black History Month. When we reach Thursday, I'll return to that topic one last time. But events today cause me to sidetrack.
My cousin Lex has suggested, on more than one occasion, that in large part I blog, not to offer positive policy positions, but to bash Donald Trump and today's Republican Party.
You nailed it, Lex.
During today's public hearing of the House Oversight Committee, the 17 Republican members of that Committee came across as venal, self-righteous, and almost sadistic in their questioning of Michael Cohen. He, on the other hand, and despite his admission of at best poor judgment, appeared open and honest.
Individual Republican Representatives, like Jim Jordan and Mark Meadows, should be ashamed of their conduct today. They should consider emulating Mr. Cohen's dignity and sensitivity to truth.
My cousin Lex has suggested, on more than one occasion, that in large part I blog, not to offer positive policy positions, but to bash Donald Trump and today's Republican Party.
You nailed it, Lex.
During today's public hearing of the House Oversight Committee, the 17 Republican members of that Committee came across as venal, self-righteous, and almost sadistic in their questioning of Michael Cohen. He, on the other hand, and despite his admission of at best poor judgment, appeared open and honest.
Individual Republican Representatives, like Jim Jordan and Mark Meadows, should be ashamed of their conduct today. They should consider emulating Mr. Cohen's dignity and sensitivity to truth.
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Ida Wells
Shades of Rosa Parks.
Ida B. Wells-Barnett, a journalist, activist, and researcher, fought sexism, racism, and violence in the United States.
In 1884, Wells-Barnett was thrown off a first-class train in Tennessee,despite holding a legitimate ticket. Wells-Barnett sued the railroad, and won at the local level of the judiciary. But the decision in her favor was eventually overturned in federal court. More than a decade later, in 1892, she wrote an expose about the lynching of African-American men that enraged locals in Memphis. Those citizens burned her newspaper's office and drove her to move to Chicago, where, in 1893, Wells-Barnett, joined other African American leaders in calling for the boycott of the World’s Columbian Exposition.
Along with Rosa Parks and Fannie Lou Hammer,
Ida B. Wells-Barnett figured prominently in fighting for freedom, equality, and human rights.
Ida B. Wells-Barnett, a journalist, activist, and researcher, fought sexism, racism, and violence in the United States.
In 1884, Wells-Barnett was thrown off a first-class train in Tennessee,despite holding a legitimate ticket. Wells-Barnett sued the railroad, and won at the local level of the judiciary. But the decision in her favor was eventually overturned in federal court. More than a decade later, in 1892, she wrote an expose about the lynching of African-American men that enraged locals in Memphis. Those citizens burned her newspaper's office and drove her to move to Chicago, where, in 1893, Wells-Barnett, joined other African American leaders in calling for the boycott of the World’s Columbian Exposition.
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| Rosa Parks |
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| Fannie Lou Hammer |
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| Ida B. Wells-Barnett |
Ida B. Wells-Barnett figured prominently in fighting for freedom, equality, and human rights.
Monday, February 25, 2019
Johnny B. Good
Among black musicians of the 1950s and 1960s, none played a more important role in popularizing rock among whites than did Chuck Berry. Not only the rhythm that drove his work, but also the near-poetry of his lyrics, helped people appreciate and share the vitality of black music.
My personal favorite is Johnny B. Good. Its lyrics have been called genius. It's been performed by such rock icons as John Lennon. Click here to enjoy it, or here to appreciate its near-poetry.
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Poet and Anthropologist
Like Langston Hughes,
Zora Neal Hurston was a member of the Harlem Renaissance. Like him, she was a university graduate and a prolific author. But unlike Hughes, Hurston was also a practiced social scientist - an accomplished anthropologist. Most of Hurston's work in that field centered on Haiti, its culture, and its practice of voodoo.
Zora Neal Hurston was a member of the Harlem Renaissance. Like him, she was a university graduate and a prolific author. But unlike Hughes, Hurston was also a practiced social scientist - an accomplished anthropologist. Most of Hurston's work in that field centered on Haiti, its culture, and its practice of voodoo.
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