Recent Stories
The Politics of Public Integrity and Ethics in Office
Practical Politics
This is not the first time this column has discussed public integrity and ethics in elective office in California, and it probably won’t be the last. But, gosh, another California State Senator indicted on federal charges of corruption, fraud, and even gun-running? And another democrat, too? Is it raining California political crooks now? Water, we certainly do need, but this is more like hot, moldy lard streaming greasily down onto our heads. Is this one of the pitfalls of living in the California paradise? You can’t trust the folks who take an oath to promote your best interests?
The Politics of Easters Past and Presen
Practical Politics
Okay, I’ve got a bone or two to pick. Given that Easter Sunday is the quintessential Christian holiday/commemoration, why is it designated on different Sundays every year? In other words, which actual Sunday did Jesus arise? Isn’t that important? The Resurrection on floating Sundays? That’s simply not logical. Where is the hew and cry about this apparent anomaly? I can’t be the only poor pew-sitter who sees this as an issue?
The Politics of Claiming Residency and Crying Foul When Caught
Practical Politics
State Senator Rod Wright, a former staffer for Congresswoman Maxine Waters and a veteran California lawmaker, has this February been convicted of being a law breaker. That’s relatively old news. The new news is that California State NAACP president, Alice Huffman, is convinced Wright has been selectively targeted and wrongly convicted. As such, she feels, we, the public, should continue to stand behind and support Senator Wright and agitate for his conviction to be overturned.
The Politics of Points of Order
Practical Politics
As more and more of the Black Arts generation abruptly slips into the grave, the issue of the readiness of the Millennials for the next generation of leadership forces itself forward.
The Politics of Recognizing Black Genius
Practical Politics
With today’s cell phones, you can talk to virtually anyone on the planet. Inside every cell phone you have a compact speaker, microphone, keyboard, display screen, and a powerful circuit board with microprocessors that make every phone a miniature computer. When connected to a wireless network, this bundle of modern-day technologies allows you to make phone calls or exchange data with other phones and computers around the world.
The Politics of Snow Flying
Practical Politics
Dressed in white, shaded in black against all that snow and ice, Shani Davis looks good again. Without the most recognizable name of Lindsey Vonn in the Sochi Olympics, and with Apolo Ohno’s retirement, the most likely prominent face of the American Winter Olympics presence will be Mr. Shani Davis, Chicago native and repeat world champion. Imagine that—a Black snowman, and a fast one too.
A Pan African Step Forward
Practical Politics
From January 14-16, in Johannesburg, South Africa, approximately 160 attendees from 20 countries crowded into a series of rooms in the Jubilee conference hall at the University of Witswatersrand—the higher education pride of South Africa—to convene what the organizers called the 8th Pan African Congress.
Mr. Mandela: Once More, with Feeling
Practical Politics
On Dec. 5, 2013, the day Mr. Mandela transitioned, the last and probably the best, movie made about his life and significant legacy premiered in Toronto, Canada. The movie was and is, “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” and it is based on Mr. Mandela’s autobiography published in 1995.
The anachronistic politics of at-large voting
Practical Politics
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Unified School District School board was considering whether to hold a special election or appoint someone, like a superbly qualified George McKenna, Ed.D., to serve out the term of the recently departed and very effective board member, Marguerite LaMotte.
The politics of building legacies and sleeping in peace
Practical Politics
On Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, the Xhosa son of South Africa, rested his head one final time. His personal struggles and his championing of those agitations of his countrymen for dignity and justice came to a close. Certainly the symbol and longevity of his well-lived life spent so lavishly on the quest to raise the best in mankind to an honored place in human engagement had not ended.
