by kspence | May 11, 2012 | Black Politics, Gender and Politics, Sex and Sexuality |
Yesterday, Dr. Boyce Watkins tweeted a link that implied that 2/3 of African Americans are against same-sex marriage. The link led to a story by NewsOne that affirmed that, yes, 2/3 of African Americans polled in a quick internet survey attached to a story ABOUT...
by kspence | May 10, 2012 | Black Politics, Black Popular Culture, Gender and Politics |
Folks reacted to the Trayvon Martin tragedy in a number of ways, many taking advantage of social media. In fact it's pretty safe to say that without social media, Zimmerman would never have been charged. But some of the reactions themselves contain...
by kspence | May 8, 2012 | Black Popular Culture, Hip-hop, Pop Culture
I knew I'd name the title of my book Stare in the Darkness as soon as I knew my book would be about rap, hip-hop, and black politics. Thought it was a dope title. But I wanted to pay homage to Rakim. Even though he wasn't as prolific as Run DMC, as the Beastie...
by kspence | May 6, 2012 | Black Politics, Public Health |
Today (Sunday, May 6, 2012) Alice Randall, author and activist, wrote an article on race and obesity in the New York Times. (HT to Tanehisi Coates.) Randall believes that health disparities are the most important civil rights issue of our times, and took the...
by kspence | May 2, 2012 | Pop Culture |
A half hour ago I found out that Junior Seau, an All-Pro linebacker who spent most of his career with the San Diego Chargers, died apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In response, an ESPN sports reporter asked that we pause what we're doing and think...
by kspence | Apr 17, 2012 | Black Politics, Media Appearances |
A few weeks ago I was on Morning Edition talking about Obama's response to Trayvon Martin's murder. I wanted to emphasize the constraints Obama faced as he tried to meet the needs of black constituents. And I did so, in part, by referring to the thin line...
by kspence | Apr 9, 2012 | Neoliberalism |
When I first commented on the Trayvon Martin murder, I noted that few people emphasized the fact that Martin wasn't murdered in a city like Baltimore, but rather in a gated community. Ironically it's called "The Retreat." A week later, Richard...
by kspence | Apr 5, 2012 | Marc Steiner Show, Media Appearances |
[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=mtMAz9H53Eg[/youtube] The Urbanite annually makes a list of Baltimore change-makers. This year I was honored for my work on the Baltimore Mixtape Project. I was and am honored to have been chosen. Particularly given the work that...
by kspence | Apr 2, 2012 | Black Politics, Crime and Punishment, Racial Politics
Was on NPR's Morning Edition on Friday, March 30, with David Greene talking about the constraints Obama faces when talking about race, specifically dealing with the Trayvon Martin case. I thought Obama's comments were spot-on, given that the case still...
by kspence | Mar 22, 2012 | Black Family, Crime and Punishment, Gender and Politics, Racial Politics, Urban Politics |
The more I think about the Trayvon Martin case the more upset I get. And the more I both reach for my pen, and believe that the President should make a public statement. Over at Ta-Nehisi's spot I wrote a quick version of what that statement could look like. The...
Recent Comments