If you’ve been paying attention at all over the last few years, it would seem utterly incomprehensible that a plurality of Americans would even contemplate putting the Republicans back into power. But the key term in that sentence is “paying attention,” which is quickly becoming our most dire national deficit. With elections looming, and our […]
hi-tylertraveling
Posted inNews
On wise Latinas, sound bites and politics
I’m long-winded. Wordy. Verbose. You don’t hafta tell me. I know. This is due, in part, to my love of language. It is also a result of my strong desire to be fully understood. When asked a complex question, I feel compelled to respond completely, giving a glimpse into my thought process, exposing the underpinnings […]
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What Nov. 4 meant to me—and America
I’m still having difficulty processing it all. My words fail me in describing this swelling, swirling sensation that encompasses me. Thoughts whirl in my head, cavorting with hope and possibilities they dared not embrace prior to this day. I let them dance. Shortly after 11 p.m., on Nov. 4, 2008, in our family room, I […]
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John McCain, the U.S. and the latest Russian crisis
I’m sorry, but previous presidential election cycles, particularly the last two, have consumed all of my patience. Damn those civics classes for duping me into believing that every four years we Americans carry out our sacred duties, selecting a president in solemn and sober fashion. Far from being exemplary of mature democracy, our elections have […]
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Gassed
Back in the day, they didn’t think I had talent when high-test was less than $2.50 a gallon but now you’ll catch me posted in the whip, just smilin’ swerving the Suburban thru the full serve island profiling: I drive my helicopter to shows splash the front rows with my OPEC flows platinum gas cap […]
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For Eve and Jamiel, and everyone else
She was 22 years old. Bright, engaging, energetic and caring. He was 17. Intelligent, diligent, personable and athletic. Eve Carson, as most of us know, was the student body president at UNC-Chapel Hill. Her all-too-brief stint on this earth was filled with impressive accomplishments. She was a pre-med student, finishing up a double undergrad major […]
Posted inMusic
Talking to The Roots’ Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson: The LP version
I was asked to interview Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson for a brief article in advance of his appearance with 9th Wonder and Duke professor Mark Anthony Neal as part of Duke University’s Soul Power program. It was only supposed to be a 15-minute phone deal, but he was triple booked during my time slot. ?uest, being […]
Posted inMusic
Drummer/ producer/ DJ/ advocate ?uestlove
Hip-hop apologetics is mad 1990-ish to me. And yet, even in 2008, we find that conventional criticisms surrounding sampling law still largely consign hip hop’s aural artists to lesser status because their palettes employ repurposed sound. But if someone like DJ Premier isn’t an artiste, neither was Romare Bearden. This viewpoint, however, remains rarely articulated. […]
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The Clintons clap on beat, but widen the racial divide
With John Edwards’ valiant campaign at a close, it is certain that the Democratic presidential nominee will be either a woman or a black man: History made, heads or tails. But this is not the first time a woman or an African American has run for president. More than 35 years ago, American had both. […]
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Is this love? Maybe not.
If this is love, I don’t wanna see hate, If this is real, I don’t wanna see fake (I’m sayin’)… ‘Cause I don’t know how much more I can take I know that all of y’all can relate “That Ain’t Love,” Little Brother (featuring Jozeemo) A few years ago during a Bible study on leadership […]
