20-Month Old Baby Murdered In His Car Seat

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Rashad Walker Jr. was just 20 months old when he died. The young child was killed in the back of his mother's minivan in Syracuse, NY. when he was shot by up to 10 bullets that hit the vehicle at 4:30 pm this past Sunday. The child was asleep at the time, according to the Syracuse Post Standard.
Walker died at 6:45 pm, in the hospital and he was not the intended target. His mother was holding him when paramedics arrived on the scene.
The story of Rashad Walker is clearly one of the most tragic incidents we've read about all year. It takes us back to the police shooting of Aiyana Jones, the 7-year old in Detroit who was shot while sleeping during a police raid. This story is also personal to me because I live in Syracuse, a city that (like so many others) continues to be plagued by gun violence.

Click to read.

Tiger’s Ex-Girlfriend Gets Treated for Love Addiction

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

I wonder if the goal of anyone who gets involved in a celebrity sex scandal is to try to become famous for something else. It doesn't matter what you're famous for, as long as people know your name. Well, Rachel Uchitel, formerly known as one of Tiger Woods' 10 billion mistresses, has taken on a new role as a public love addict. She is now going to be part of a new show hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky, in which he addresses the challenges that addicts face. Yes, her addiction to love will be placed right there next to addictions to crack, crystal meth and alcohol. Interesting.
I scoured the web searching for a good, scientific definition of love addiction, but it was tough to find. I did find something on loveaddicts.org with 40 questions to know whether or not you're a love addict. The site was created by a counselor who gives help to those who want it. She even offers a 12-step program to help those who are addicted to love.

 

click to read.

How Capitalism Can Be Designed to Kill You

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

After witnessing the deaths of innocent citizens all across America, the FDA took a second to realize that perhaps the energy drink craze should be regulated a bit more than it has in the past. One of the most interesting drinks on the market is Four Loko, a caffeinated alcoholic beverage that is being gulped by the gallon. The government has forced the removal of the drink from store shelves, reminding us that sometimes, the presence of Big Brother can be a good thing.

Those in the Tea Party who want to see smaller government might want to take a moment of pause to realize that government intervention can be helpful when it comes to protecting citizens in a capitalist society. Many Americans are tempted to buy into the idealistic notion that a completely free society works all the time for everyone, but it is sobering to remember just how harmful unregulated capitalism can be.

 

Click to read.

Al Sharpton Attacked by the New York Daily News

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

It's not easy fighting for civil rights and running organizations that stand up for the freedoms of the oppressed. If you're good at what you do, your enemies will try anything to take you down. On top of that, many of the people you are fighting for, via self-hatred, may be skeptical of your efforts and willing to partner with oppressive forces to undermine your work. Even worse, your constituents may not have the means to help you face the massive financial responsibility that comes with serving your community. Freedom damn sure ain't free, and most leaders have the receipts to prove it.
I don't get as many calls for help as Rev. Al Sharpton, but I get my fair share. The most difficult thing about receiving these requests is that you want to help everyone, but are constantly struggling to find the resources to get the job done. If you ask for help to pay the cost of the trip, people think you're somehow trying to swindle them or earn an unnecessary profit from the work you do. The truth is that everybody's got bills to pay and the bigger your name, the more people think you're made of money.

 

Click to read.

Dr. Boyce Watkins Talks about Paying College Athletes

 

Transcript for an interview with Dr. Boyce Watkins of Syracuse University about whether or not college athletes should be paid.

 

- What, in your opinion, are the benefits of paying collegiate 
athletes, especially those from low-income backgrounds?

I don't necessarily care if college athletes are paid.  I just think they should have labor rights.  That means that they can negotiate a fair market salary, as well as make their own endorsement deals, rather than allowing universities to make deals for them and keep all the money.  The benefit is that the athletes in poverty would be able to use their prodigious human capital to make a living for their families.

- Would you be in support of paying all college athletes, or simply the 
ones from the major revenue sports like basketball and football?

I believe that any athlete in any sport that generates revenue should have access to the free market.  We are not a socialist country, so the idea of paying everyone the same doesn't make much sense.  So, if a tennis player is going to draw a crowd and can negotiate compensation, fundamental American labor rights say that he should be given the right to do so.

Click to read.

Black Women in the Workplace: Changes Need to be Made

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

When a very important member of my management team told me that she was going to take time off to have a child, my brain stopped in its tracks. I wondered how we were going to remain fully productive, how long she would be gone, and how I should respond to such a sensitive situation. I then realized that, like so many American business owners, I was thinking like a man. Once I came to my senses, I let go of my personal concerns and focused solely on supporting her in this important step. I then realized that this interaction happens in workplaces across America, and the results are not always so amicable.

The United States is among the worst of industrialized nations when it comes to comes to making allowances for the professional challenges that women face relative to men. A woman who stops working in order to have children and/or raise a family may find that when she returns to the workforce, her opportunity set has diminished significantly. This doesn't even consider typical gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment and other daunting barriers to advancement.

You may already know that according to the US Department of Labor, women now outnumber men in the workplace (64.2 million to 63.4 million). This takes us a long way from the days when women weren't allowed to vote, or female attorneys couldn't be more than legal secretaries. Given that we have grown so much as a society, our nation has to step into the 21st century when it comes to equalizing the employment landscape.

 

Click to read.

Study Says that One-Third of Men in South Africa Have Committed Rape

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

A study commissioned by the Medical Research Foundation, a group funded by the South African government, has wielded some disturbing findings about violence against women. According to the study, more than 1-in-3 men of Johannesburg have committed rape at some point in their lives. Roughly seven percent of the men sampled admitted to participating in a gang rape.
The study also found that over 51 percent of the 511 women surveyed had been victims of violence from men. Also, 78 percent of men admitted to committing a violent act against a woman. One fourth of the women in the survey said that they'd been raped, but only about four percent of these rapes are reported to police.
These findings are similar to a 2008 study that found that 28 percent of the men in Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces had committed rape against a woman or girl. Also, one-third of the men said they did not feel guilty for what they'd done. Two-thirds of the men claimed to have committed rape out of a sense of entitlement, and others raped out of boredom or a desire to punish women who'd rejected them.

Click to read.

President Obama Elbowed in the Face Playing Basketball

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

It's hard to imagine the deep national security implications of being the man who elbowed President Barack Obama in the face on the basketball court. But that's what Ray Decerega will be talking about for the rest of his life. Decerega is the Director of Programs for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, and also the man who issued a public statement after it was determined that he was the one who busted the president's mouth wide open.
"I learned today the president is both a tough competitor and a good sport. I enjoyed playing basketball with him this morning. I'm sure he'll be back out on the court again soon," Decerega said.
The men had gathered to play five games of five-on-five when the incident took place. The games reportedly included Obama's nephew Avery Robinson, his assistant Reggie Love and Education Secretary Arne Duncan. Obama's Press Secretary Robert Gibbs had this to say:

 

Click to read.

Ugly Betty Actor Michael Brea: “I Killed the Demon Inside My Mom”

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

"Ugly Betty" actor Michael Brea did an interesting interview with the New York Daily News this week, after being sent to jail for allegedly murdering his mother with a samarai sword. The actor argues that he was "doing the work of God" when he continuously chopped at his mother's body. He also says that he believes there was a demon inside her.

"I was slashing my mom and I heard the police knocking on the door yelling, 'Michael, open up, Michael, open up,' but I knew they wouldn't open the door and stop me because the spirits were protecting me ... I just kept cutting her. No one could stop me. I was doing the work of God," he said.

Click to read.

Why is the Congressional Black Caucus Being Scrutinized so Heavily?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Last week, I found myself speaking about Rep. Charlie Rangel more than ever before. In case you haven't noticed, the future of the seasoned lawmaker has come into question in light of investigations alleging him to be involved in a slew of ethical violations. Sunday, I had a conversation with Rev. Jesse Jackson on the air regarding exactly what's going on with Rangel and his political career. Then Monday, Rev. Al Sharpton and I talked about the broader scenario as it relates to black lawmakers. Just when I thought we were done speaking about investigations against black people in Congress, the conversation turned toward Maxine Waters and the slew of other CBC members currently being investigated.

Defending (or not defending) one black lawmaker after another led me to a moment of pause, where I asked the question that's been asked before, but perhaps not vocally enough: Why are so many black lawmakers being targeted for investigations anyway? According to the late Ron Walters, the most respected black political scientist in the country, "it is curious ... that in over 30 of the probes the new Office of Congressional Ethics was considering, the only active investigations were on black Congresspersons."

 

Click to read.

Sarah Palin Says North Korea is Our Ally? Is She Fit to be President?

That's the question being debated afterSarah Palin said in an interview withGlenn Beck Wednesday that North Koreawas a U.S. ally.

When asked by Beck how she would handle a situation like the one that was developing in North Korea, Palin responded: "This is stemming from, I think, a greater problem when we're all sitting around asking, 'Oh no, what are we going to do,' and we're not having a lot of faith that the White House is going to come out with a strong enough policy to sanction what it is that North Korea is going to do."

It is unclear whether Palin is talking about sanctions against North Korea, or U.S. sanctioning -- i.e. approving or supporting -- its actions.

Palin continued: "Obviously, we gotta stand with our North Korean allies," when Beck interrupted and corrected her to say "South Korea."

Click to read.

Dr. Julianne Malveaux’s New Book on Surviving and Thriving

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Dr. Julianne Malveaux is second-to-none. One of the most respected and prolific scholars in the history of black America, she is truly an intellectual soldier. With a PhD in Economics from MIT, Dr. Malveaux has produced scholarly work that serves as nothing less than a guide book for overcoming the prodigious number of problems being faced by black America today. She is also a champion for women's rights and issues that uniquely impact African American women.
AOL Black Voices had the chance to catch up with Dr. Malveaux to discuss the release of her new book, "Surviving and Thriving: 365 Facts in Black Economic History," and she had this to say:

1) What is your name and what do you do?
I am Dr. Julianne Malveaux, an economist, author and President of Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, North Carolina.
2) What motivated you to write your book, and what can people learn from it?
When people think of the economy, they rarely think of African American people as important contributors, as thivers instead of simply survivors. There is such inspiration in our economic history and I was passionate about lifting it up.

Click to read.

Obama Pardons Turkeys, but No People: What Does That Mean?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

This week, the president made me laugh. That was saying a lot at the time, given that I was exhausted from traveling across the country for Thanksgiving. The source of my entertainment was the president's annual turkey pardon, in which he pardoned four turkeys, thus saving them from the fate that typically befalls turkeys at this time of the year. Being endangered and running from extinction, I figured that this is one thing that turkeys and black men have in common.

One of the things that got my attention was a very telling statistic about our president. After being in office for 22 months, the president has not granted or denied a single pardon. The only other president in recent history to have granted such a small number of pardons this deep into his presidency was Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush.

Click to read.

How to Set Goals and Achieve Them

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

I felt that today would be a good day to talk about living life to the fullest.  I'm no expert on this, but I've learned a few things over the years that I can share with you.  One thing I can say for sure is that most of us are not reaching our potential, as we find that the words "woulda coulda shoulda" dominate our daily dialog.

Well, life is too short to be mediocre, so it's time for you to start being your best.  Here are a few tips on how to reach your goals.  The list is simple and to the point, and I suggest you read it every day of your life:

1) Always have a goal: Life is no fun if you aren't striving for something.  A man or woman without any goals in life is effectively just waiting to die.  Rather than making your life about simple survival, you may want to find a way to give it some purpose.  Keep the list of goals with you at all the times, so you can always remember what you're meant to do.

Click to read.

Congressional Black Caucus Gains Power After Mid-term Defeats

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

While the mid-term elections were a blood bath for the Democrats, one group that came out surprisingly unscathed was the Congressional Black Caucus. Members of the CBC and the Hispanic Caucus will hold roughly one-third of all Democratic seats in Congress (61 out of 190), increasing their power within government. They also plan to use this influence to focus on job creation.
The Democrats who took the greatest drubbing during mid-terms tended to be the centrists of the party. The Black and Hispanic caucuses, however, only lost four out of 60 bids for re-election. Silvestre Reyes of Texas, a member of the Hispanic caucus is now the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, and Maxine Waters will be the second leading Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. Their increases in power came largely because of the defeats of other Democrats.

Click to read.

Bishop Eddie Long Trial Date Set for Next Summer

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Bishop Eddie Long appeared in a courtroom Friday to deal with accusations of sexual coercion being brought by four young men who were once members of his church. The judge decided that the trial should begin by next summer, unless the case is settled via mediation before that time.
Attorneys in the DeKalb County courtroom gathered for both sides to determine the status of the case. A tentative trial date has been set for July 11, 2011. There will be mediation before that time, set to take place in February.
Anthony Flagg, Maurice Robinson, Jamal Parris, and Spenser LaGrande are arguing that Bishop Long used his influence over them to coerce them into sexual relationships. They claim that the relationships took place during their teen years, and that inappropriate contact occurred during some of their trips together. Long's church, the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, hasn't argued for Long's innocence or guilt. Instead, they've simply acknowledged that Long did share hotel rooms with some of the young men and that they did take trips together.

 

Click to read.

Dr. Boyce, Al Sharpton Discuss Charlie Rangel, Feminism and More

Dr. Boyce Watkins and Rev. Al Sharpton Discuss Black Women and Feminism

Dr. Boyce Watkins Discusses the Bush Tax Cuts on CNBC

Dr. Boyce Watkins Discusses the Bush Tax Cuts on CNBC

Dr. Boyce Video: Terrie Williams, Depression and the Black Community

It’s Time to Confront Deadbeat Parents….All of Us

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

My entire life, I've seen the costs and consequences of parents who don't want to pay to take care of their own kids. My father abandoned me when I was child, and to my knowledge, paid zero or close to no child support. Over the years, I had two relationships with women who had children with men who'd had forgotten that their kids existed. That led to me paying child support for my own child, in addition to the children of other people who were ignoring their responsibility. In fact, to this day, most of my "adopted children" need money from me every other week to pay for things that their parents should be paying for. I admit that sometimes, it's draining.
I'm not the only one who goes through the challenge of paying for deadbeat parents. All across America, quite a few people have either been abandoned by deadbeat parents, paid the price for deadbeat parents or become a deadbeat parent themselves (you know who you are). It occurs in every community, so we cannot pretend that black people are the only ones who do this. But for some reason, there is a code of silence when this kind of behavior occurs in the black community, especially when the father is the perpetrator of this heinous crime. I say it's time for this to stop.

 

Click to read.

Schomburg Center Direct

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

Khalil Gibran Muhammad appears to be a great choice to head the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. A 38-year old assistant professor of African American History at Indiana University, Dr. Muhammad has already achieved a great deal in the world of black scholarship. His book, "The Condemnation of Blackness: Race, Crime, and the Making of Modern Urban America," has done quite well, and he is respected by quite a few black scholars across the nation.
Muhammad also has pedigree: He is the great grandson of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, legendary leader of the Nation of Islam. Therefore, his scholarly work with a predominantly white institution (Indiana University, which is no stranger to racial problems, I went to graduate school there) is supplemented by his connection and deep commitment to issues that affect real people in his community.

 

Click to read.

Facebook Banning Pastor Had Affair with His Male Assistant

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University  - Scholarship in Action 

Apparently, the words "thou shall not use Facebook" don't quite trump the words "thou shall not have a three-way sexual relationship with your wife and a male assistant." The Rev. Cedric Miller became a national name last week after demanding that his entire New Jersey congregation delete their Facebook pages. The move was thought to be an incredibly bold statement about the impact that Facebook has on relationships, where old boyfriends/girlfriends never quite go away.
To the surprise of many, it turns out that Rev. Miller may have his own reasons for wanting Facebook out of his life. There are reports that the pastor had a three-way sexual relationship with his wife and a male assistant at the church. Rev. Miller, who heads the Living Word Christian Fellowship Church in Neptune Township, New Jersey, confirmed the information, which had been printed in a local newspaper.
The 48-year old pastor also demanded that all 50 of his married church officials delete their Facebook pages or quit their leadership posts. He told married members of his church to share their login information with their spouses. He said that he plans to leave Facebook this week himself.

 

Click to read.

The Latest in Dr. Boyce Video – 11/20/10

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  Dr. Boyce Video: Why is the Black Man Always a Suspect?

  You know how it works: Someone comes into the police station claiming to be the victim of a ...

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• 

  Dr. Boyce Video: Black Men Need to Mentor One Another

  What does it mean to be a black man in America? Most of us have a variety of perspectives when it ...

  Read More

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  Dr. Boyce Video: Terrie Williams, Depression and the Black Community

  I had the opportunity to speak with Terrie Williams, author of the book, "Black Pain." I have a ...

  Read More

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  Dr. Boyce Video -- What Makes a Celeb Trashy vs. Trendy?

  A huge part of a celebrity's brand is determined by how they look. Did they show up to the red ...

  Read More

• 

  Dr. Boyce Video --The Importance of Owning Your Own Business

  In case you didn't know this, one of the things that most people think about every single day is ...

  Read More

• 

  Dr. Boyce Video -- The Future of Hip-Hop, Part 3

  What is the future of hip hop? I have our panel together to discuss the issue once again. They are ...

  Read More

• 

  Dr. Boyce Video: Dream Hampton & Marc Lamont Hill on 'Black August' Rap Documentary & Prisons

  I got a chance to speak with Marc Lamont Hill, a brilliant young professor at Columbia University, ...

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  Dr. Boyce Video: The Future of Hip-Hop, Part 2

  If you're anything like the rest of us, you are probably sick and tired of much of the hip hop ...

  Read More

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  Dr. Boyce Video -- 'Raised by The Mistress,' A New Look at Black Love, Part 2

  This is the second part of my interview with author Jamilah B. Creekmur. I enjoyed speaking with ...

  Read More

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  Dr. Boyce Video -- 'Raised by The Mistress,' A New Look at Black Love, Part 1

  One of the most interesting things about black people is that we are able to build love in some of ...

  Read More

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  Dr. Boyce Video: What's Wrong With Hip Hop?

  What's Wrong With Hip Hop? Click below and discuss this issue along with my esteemed guests in ...

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  Dr. Boyce Video: Black Relationships Don't Seem To Work, Why?

  PRODUCTION PLAYER! DO NOT DELETE. ...

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  Dr. Boyce Video: Meet Bruce George, Co-Founder of Def Poetry Jam

  PRODUCTION PLAYER! DO NOT DELETE. ...

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  Dr. Boyce Video: Would You Be OK with a Part-Time Man?

  PRODUCTION PLAYER! DO NOT DELETE. I have a theory that I've wondered would hold ...

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  Dr. Boyce Video -- S. Tia Brown and I Talk Financial Lovemaking

  S. Tia Brown is a sassy, intelligent woman with a lot of interesting opinions. We also tend to ...

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Carville Says Obama Has One Testicle

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University –Scholarship in Action 

Political analyst James Carville, known for being a man who doesn't hold back on his words, made a comment about President Barack Obama that was heard around the world (well, at least they heard it on CNN). At a breakfast event recently, Carville said, "If Hillary (Clinton) gave up one of her balls and gave it to Obama, he'd have two."
Of course Carville was asked if he would apologize for his remarks, which he may or may not have expected to end up on national news. Instead, he refused, saying that his comment was a joke and that there was no need for further analysis. He didn't seem willing to elaborate on what he meant when disrespecting the president's manhood, but his decision not to back off sends a signal that he's not always happy with the president's policies.
Carville, an Obama supporter (well sort of), is a highly progressive and well-respected political consultant. He has helped to anchor the success of campaigns in all areas of politics, going back to the 1986 gubernatorial win of Roberty Casey. He achieved national prominence after helping Bill Clinton become President of the United States in 1992.

 

Click to read.

Report: College Basketball Players Not Graduating at the Same Rate as Other Students

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

A new study by The College Sport Research Institute at The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill has revealed disturbing information about the academic hurdles of college basketball players. According to the study, the graduation rates for NCAA Division I men's basketball players is 20 percentage points less than the average for full-time male students.
The study goes on to show that the gap grows even further in top-ranking conferences. The authors present evidence that there is a 30.8 percent graduation gap when leading conferences are considered separately.
Women are better off than men in the study. Female basketball players find that their graduation rates are still worse than their peers, but the gap is not as great as it is for the men. For women, there is a 6.2 percent differential overall and a 14.6 percentage point differential in top conferences.

Click to read.

What Black Folks Can Learn from the Arrest of the DC County Executive, Jack Johnson

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action 

I was saddened to hear about the recent arrest of Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson and his wife Leslie. Both Jack and his wife are well-respected in the DC area. Both have served their communities for decades, and both of them represent the essence of Prince George's County, the most affluent county in the United States with an African-American majority population.
Johnson was once an important ethical and legal protector of the county, serving as its lead Prosecutor. His wife has served the community for over 30 years in numerous capacities. He was also the first African American to become County Executive in the DC area. So, why are Johnson and his wife facing up to 20 years in prison for evidence tampering and destruction of evidence, among other charges? In fact, the story is quite bizarre, with reports of the FBI allegedly recording Johnson telling his wife to put nearly $80,000 in her underwear.

 

Click to read.

Dr. Boyce on TheGrio.com – 11/19/10

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  Palin's 'Taliban' tweet antics prove she's unfit to lead

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  11:13 AM on 11/06/2010

  OPINION - The idea that she can't even control the technology on her Blackberry tells us loud and clear that she is not the person who should have access to nuclear warheads...

  > READ MORE

• 

  Why a Palin presidential run should scare Obama

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  8:01 AM on 10/29/2010

  OPINION - Palin's unimpressive, yet lovable demeanor will help her to secure even more followers than she has now...

  > READ MORE

• 

  Why hip-hop culture is hooked on drugs

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  8:47 AM on 10/20/2010

  OPINION - The connection between hip-hop, black men and criminal activity is a powerful trinity that threatens to derail our entire community...

  > READ MORE

• 

  Can Tyson find redemption in China?

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  8:17 AM on 10/19/2010

  OPINION - The first thing that the life of Mike Tyson teaches us is the importance of remaining humble and focused...

  > READ MORE

• 

  The sour and sweet of politicizing fatty foods

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  8:40 AM on 10/08/2010

  OPINION - Apparently, 51 percent of African-Americans are considered overweight. That officially makes us the heaviest people in America...

  > READ MORE

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  Obama should redecorate White House to have common touch

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  8:08 AM on 10/04/2010

  OPINION - We're in a four-quarter game of this administration, and at half time, the president is still behind...

  > READ MORE

• 

  Lady Gaga leads while celebs of color sit on sidelines

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  8:37 AM on 09/21/2010

  OPINION - If a wealthy white woman can become passionate and committed enough to impact the world in which she lives, why can't black entertainers do the same?...

  > READ MORE

• 

  Eddie Johnson's actions are par for course in today's politics

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  7:58 AM on 08/31/2010

  OPINION - But there is a deeper, more relevant question to be asked about the allegations against Eddie Johnson: Even if she broke the rules, is she clearly less ethical than other...

  > READ MORE

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  Is Obama's media blitz brilliant or will it backfire?

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  10:47 AM on 07/29/2010

  OPINION - The age of the Internet requires a new style of connected interaction and leadership that makes our president touchable for those whom he claims to represent...

  > READ MORE

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  Why Obama will never be 'black enough' for some white journalists

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  8:05 AM on 07/27/2010

  OPINION - Everyone seems to feel justified in defining what it means for a black politician to have a 'genuine black experience'...

  > READ MORE

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  Do blacks feel betrayed by Obama's silence on race?

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  8:22 AM on 07/23/2010

  OPINION - President Obama has been as silent as a church mouse on some of the most riveting and racially-traumatic events to occur in recent U.S. history...

  > READ MORE

• 

  USDA official's remarks put NAACP on defense in race debate

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  11:26 AM on 07/20/2010

  OPINION - Shirley Sherrod, the NAACP and the Tea Party are all reflections of the most extreme parts of all of us...

  > READ MORE

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  Gates 'teachable moment' one year later: What have we learned?

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  12:21 PM on 07/16/2010

  OPINION - The conversation on race should begin in the streets of America, where working class people of color sometimes find themselves trapped in a police state...

  > READ MORE

• 

  What's wrong with Whoopi Goldberg?

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  3:41 PM on 07/13/2010

  OPINION - What exactly would Mel Gibson have needed to say or do in order for Goldberg to have a problem with it?...

  > READ MORE

• 

  Does NBA management suffer from a 'slave master mentality'?

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  9:20 AM on 07/12/2010

  OPINION - Rev. Jesse Jackson is right when he says that LeBron James is seen as a piece of property by guys like Dan Gilbert...

  > READ MORE

• 

  Earth to Rush Limbaugh: Barack Obama is no Black Panther

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  9:23 AM on 07/08/2010

  OPINION - Limbaugh recently claimed that President Obama has deliberately allowed unemployment to grow in the United States as 'payback' for slavery and oppression...

  > READ MORE

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  How the unemployed have become a scapegoat for Congress

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  2:57 PM on 07/01/2010

  OPINION - This will be the first time in U.S. history that unemployment benefits are allowed to expire when the unemployment rate was over 7.2 percent...

  > READ MORE

• 

  Why there should be a black backlash against BET

  By Dr. Boyce Watkins

  10:43 AM on 06/28/2010

  OPINION - Through the years, the BET Awards have become a staple of unhealthy and counter-productive broken black family fun...

  > READ MORE