Filed under: Mass Appeal
Well, you know how the saying goes. You can’t win em’ all.
How apropos, because on my monthly visit to NPR’s News and Notes today, I pretty much struck out.
I knew something was wrong from the moment I arrived at NPR’s Mass Ave. studios (pictured above) and tried to get validated for parking. My Ethiopian brothers weren’t tryin’ to let a brotha park and validate as instructed. So I ended up blowing lots of energy and time on getting this ironed out, and barely made it to the booth for the start of the show.
The show’s usual host, Farai Chideya, was out on assignment today, so her replacement Tony Cox hosted. Dude’s a consummate pro, so this is certainly no knock on him. But Farai and I have a nice little rapport developing. She knows I’m News and Notes’ “keepin’ it real” guy, and knows how to set me up perfectly for punchlines. Tony’s great, but we don’t have the chemistry, and it sorta showed.
Continuing the baseball metaphor, I got to bat leadoff today. The fellow guests were Desmond Burton of Afronerd, and Aimee Laramore of A Work in Progress and Political Season, both great bloggers with sites you should peep.
Our topics today were good, but didn’t really lend themselves to my “shtick”. We talked about racial codewords in Corporate America, the kerfuffle over Disney’s The Frog Princess, and Ebony magazine’s series of “Cool” covers. So as a result, I kinda came off as the goofy guy with poor punchlines surrounded by two very serious bloggers who were far more polished. It was not my finest hour.
So much for my nomination as the new King Of All Blacks.
Have a listen and judge for yourself. I’m going somewhere to cry in my cereal, now that Kashi is on sale again.
Question: Did AB strike out royally or was this merely a base hit?
Listen to The NPR News and Notes Blogger’s Roundtable [NPR]
Filed under: Mass Appeal
The Blogger’s Roundtable segment usually airs around 1:30pm EST. Peep your local listings and listen-in live, or stay tuned and I’ll drop the archived link here shortly after the show ends.
I’ve very quietly launched a bunch of new features and enhancements to keep AB.com fresh -n- clean over the past couple of months. Some of you might have quietly caught the kewl new “Necktie” logo. It was designed for me by a very talented cat named Bradford Coleman, who just happens to be an art student with his own website. Be sure to peep that and support the brother.
Some of the other features have been perhaps more noticeable. There’s the new “bookmark” feature at the end of each post that makes it easier for you to pass along your favorite post. Subscribing to posts and/or comments is easier with the new RSS widget. I added the recent comments plug-in (aka: AverageNation™ Says…) at the behest of a few of you who needed easier ways of keeping up with the chatter here. The AverageNation™ Top 10 ranks you guys by how profilic you are with the Say Whuts. The PayPal Donation link is there just in case you wanna show this site some financial love, but are too cheap affected by this recession to purchase an official AB.com T-shirt. There’s Live Traffic Feeds and a Recent Visitors Map if you’re just curious about who else is coming here, from where, and why.[1]
Forget Lauren London, AB.com is really Nu-Nu.
Because I know how Black folks love exclusive stuff, I’ve also expanded the scope of topics. Now that I’m no longer a hostage to that darned Democratic nomination, I’ve gotten back on my creative grizzly. You’ll see loads of new regular series like WorkPlace 101, C.Y.I.N. Case Study, We Owned The 80′s, People I Strongly Dislike, and When Bad Movies Happen To Good Casts. The GuestList has expanded to include regular drops by co-defendants AverageCommenters™ EbonyGentleman and your new favorite CJames. And sure, I’ll be talking about current events and Politrics As Usual, but you’ve prolly also noticed far more sports and general pop culture. Call me many things, but one-dimensional ain’t one of em’.
And of course, there’s the ads. I’ve tried to make them as discrete as possible, but they’re there, and they’re unavoidable so get used to it. It’s never been my intention to monetize this site, but once the daily hits started skyrocketing, it seemed silly not to. How can I leave good money on the table when I’ve got a kid who’ll need tuition for UPenn in about 16 years?[2] Do you guys have any idea how much UPenn costs for a mere semester?
So please, click on some friggin’ ads already!!!
Just do it once a day please. Buy some junk on Amazon.com. Click on one of those AdSense links, then come right back. You’re not just spreading the word about male-pattern baldness, you’re also helping a middle-class black child pay for his Ivy League tuition. It’s like the United Negro College Fund and some cheesy Spike TV infomercial rolled into one.
So again, I repeat: Please click on at least one Google-sponsored ad per day!!!
Educate a village. Build a future. Save a child. And whatnot.
[Editor's Note: It's 11am on Friday. Already today, thanks to your click-thru's, I have made more AdSense revenue than the previous month combined. In a single 1/2 day! Keep on clickin' thru, and send my kid to Harvard instead!]
The final new feature is called Poll Position. Thanks to the magic of Blogger widgets, I’m now going to be running a weekly poll of some sort. These will sometimes be timely and topical (ie: current events), other times administrative (ie: the current one about the site’s visuals), and often they’ll just be plain Negro Nonsense (ie: what’s the best “hood/corner store/bodega” snack of all time?). Sometimes these will be multiple choice (like this week’s if you didn’t notice). I’ll give a recap of each poll shortly after it closes. Stand up, and have your vote counted! It’s all about Democracy! Power to The AverageNation™!
AB.com’s pretty close to 600 posts in just over a year, and I’m personally on the verge of turning this blog into something far bigger than even I could have ever imagined. Stay tuned.
As I always say, this is you guys’ blog, not mine. Thanks for supporting me, and I hope you stick around.
We’re just gettin’ started.
Question: What is your favorite new feature here at AB.com? Is there anything else you’d like to see? Have you clicked on an ad yet? A child’s very expensive education depends on it, what’re you waitin’ for?
Bradford Coleman’s Intellibrotha Blog
[1] Thembi did a hilarious post on common search terms that lead people to her site. I may crib this idea too, cause folks search for some really odd idd’ish, man. You wouldn’t believe how popular “Al B Sure”, “KFC Commercial” and “Supermanning Dat’ Ho” are.
[2] Of course, he could always go to my Negro College HBCU, but that’s not gonna be cheap either. Click on an ad, already.
Filed under: AvB Instant Classics, Barry 4 Prez, C.Y.I.N., Crap Music, Judge Joe Brown Says : "DO BETTER.", Knee-Grow Please, Mass Appeal, MLK is Crying Inside, Nigga Nonsense, Web Junk
It’s pretty hard to size up this “breaking news” story without getting the full context of what Jesse allegedly said. But since the Internet’s goin’ nuts, I guess I should weigh in.
Jesse Jackson would like to tell Barack Obama that he is sorry for ripping the presumptive Democratic Nominee with comments that are said to be very nasty and according to a report from CNN they are too bad for them to say on the air. One report notes that conservative radio host Sean Hannity revealed on air that that Fox News is in possession of an exclusive tape of Reverend Jesse Jackson, recorded after an interview when he thought the microphone was off, slamming Barack Obama for “talking down black people on matters of faith” among other issues.Jackson told CNN that the interview had wrapped up and he didn’t realize his remarks were captured by a “hot” microphone. In a helpful tip to folks like Jesse Jackson that they might want to understand that all microphones are live and hot and all cell phone have cameras and video.
“Barack, he’s talking down to black people,” Jackson said in a short clip the network aired this afternoon on “Special Report with Brit Hume.”
Hume reported that Jackson also “threatened to cut off a certain part of Obama’s anatomy.”
Here’s the offensive comment.
And here’s Jesse’s “apology”. I haven’t seen this sorta clumsy backpedaling since that one season Prime Time suited up for the Skins.
I’m sure you guys are looking for me to bash Jesse as being some obsolete relic of the Civil Rights era, but really, what’s the point? The man’s already done enough harm to his own reputation. He doesn’t need my help.
And besides, he’s completely and totally entitled to his opinion, just like anyone else who thinks Obama should be talking more about the “issues of Black America”. I don’t particularly agree with his assertion, as anyone who’s been here for some time knows, but Jesse’s done more than enough in his lifetime to earn the right to speak his mind. I’ll vouch for him on that one.
If nothing else, I’m disappointed that he for some reason thought he had to apologize. Andrew Young said some pretty greasy stuff about Obama a few months back, and I don’t think dude ever bothered sending calla lilies and a card reading “I’m so sorry”.[1]
Andrew Young’s Thug Thizzle > Jesse Jackson’s Tapdancing.
T(r)avis Smiley’s Crabs >>> Jesse Jackson’s Tapdancing.
AB Banning Bamas From The Comment Boards >>>>> Jesse Jackson’s Tapdancing.
True Hateration means never having to say you’re sorry.
I mean seriously, why is dude channelling Young Buck all of a sudden?
“A Nigga just get confused.” Classic.
Young Buck Cryin’ To 50 = Jesse Jackson’s Tapdancing.
If that’s what you meant, stand by your words! I’d have more respect from him if he just came out and was like “Yeah that’s right, I said it! So what you beige punk, you wanna make somethin’ of it? Come on! Let’s roll!”
But he had to apologize. Why?
Sadly enough, even Jesse Jr. (who’s a co-chair for the Obama campaign) jumped in the fray, throwing his own Daddy under Barry-4-Prez the bus. Huh?
His comments triggered condemnation from an unexpected source: Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.), Jackson’s son.In a statement released by his office, Jackson Jr. said he was “deeply outraged and disappointed in Rev. Jackson’s reckless statements about Sen. Barack Obama.”
“His divisive and demeaning comments about the presumptive Democratic nominee — and I believe the next president of the United States — contradict his inspiring and courageous career,” the congressman said.
“Rev. Jackson is my dad and I’ll always love him,” he said. “He should know how hard that I’ve worked for the last year and a half as a national co-chair of Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. So I thoroughly reject and repudiate his ugly rhetoric. He should keep hope alive and any personal attacks and insults to himself.”
What the hell is wrong with this Negro? I wouldn’t throw my Pops under nobody’s Greyhound. Bump dat’ Jesse Jr.! That’s some ole’ bullsh*t!
I’m sure the d-bags at Fox News (what the hell was Jesse doing over there in the first place?) will have a field day with this one, and point at it as more evidence that Obama is out of touch with the AverageBro. But let’s not forget, these are the same d-bags who were referring to Michelle-O as a “baby mama” just a few weeks ago.
Spare us the drama guys, we know you don’t care about us.
The more I think about it, the more I’m wondering if this whole thing wasn’t orchestrated on some level, just like my tin-foil hat musings theory about Rebb’n Wright’s comedy routine at the Press Club a few months back. Both incidents give Obama a clearcut opportunity to kick some member of the Whitey-scaring old guard (Farrakhan, Wright, Pfleger, Al, Jesse) to the proverbial curb, thus eliminating them as debate fodder.
These folks have run a relatively flawless campaign that’s on the verge of selling a biracial Junior Senator as the POTUS. Would you really put this past them?
I’m just sayin’. Think about it.
Question: Did Jesse owe Obama an apology? Is Jesse Jr waaay outta pocket for puttin’ his Pops on blast publicly? Is my conspiracy theory too far out there? Just how disturbed were you by that Young Buck/50 Cent audio?
Jesse Jackson Tape: Open Mic Catches Audio of Disparaging Obama Remarks [National Ledger]
Jesse Jackson Jr.: Jesse Jackson Sucks At Life [Wonkette]
Previous Editions of C.Y.I.N. Case Study [AB.com]
[1] Oh. I guess that’s just my thing.
Filed under: Mass Appeal
I did NPR’s News and Notes With Farai Chideya again this afternoon. I was running a bit early to the studio, so when I arrived, they put me in the green room until the on-air talent was done. No sooner seated, none other than Democratic Baller and Shotcaller Donna Brazile comes walking out the booth. I shoulda seized the moment to plug AB.com and ask for a hookup over at CNN, but the whole thing happened so quickly, she didn’t even look up and notice me. Maybe next time.
Today was a pretty good show with three very timely issues discussed. We talked about the whole “terrorist fist jab” issue that just got a Fox News host canned, the ridonculously silly Spike Lee vs Clint Eastwood feud, and the potential impact of Hip Hop Superdelegates for Obama.
Riding shotgun were my girl Valencia Roner of Diary of a Content Black Woman, and the ever cool L.N. Rock of African American Political Pundit.
Listen to AB on NPR News & Notes With Farai Chideya [NPR]
Filed under: Mass Appeal
I’ll be making the monthly rounds on NPR’s News and Notes with Farai Chideya tomorrow (Wednesday the 11th). We’ll be discussing the media frenzy over the “Obama Dap”, rappers making political endorsements (how timely), and lots of other fun stuff.
The Blogger’s Roundtable segment usually airs around 1:30pm EST. Peep your local listings if you wanna listen in and watch me make a fool of myself in real-time. Otherwise, stay tuned, and I’ll drop the archived link here shortly after the show ends.
Filed under: Mass Appeal
I’ll be making the monthly rounds on NPR’s News and Notes with Farai Chideya tomorrow (Wednesday the 11th). We’ll be discussing the media frenzy over the “Obama Dap”, rappers making political endorsements (how timely), and lots of other fun stuff.
The Blogger’s Roundtable segment usually airs around 1:30pm EST. Peep your local listings if you wanna listen in and watch me make a fool of myself in real-time. Otherwise, stay tuned, and I’ll drop the archived link here shortly after the show ends.
Filed under: Mass Appeal
[I sure hope ya'll get the point of this photo.]
Yep, another landmark post.
I’ve made a habit of highlighting landmark posts here, so why not continue the tradition? It’s only right.
Wow, just over a year, and half a thousand already. Time flies when… well you know the rest. I don’t really know how we went from two readers (me and AverageSisInLaw) for over a thousand in barely a calendar year, nor do I know how much longer I’ll be at this, but I appreciate everyone who stops by here for my unique blend of Elitist Ghetto-Bourgeois Intellect and Negro Nonsense each day. I guess this means I must be doing something right, so why stop now?
I would start givin’ shout outs and the obligatory thanks, but I did that already a couple of weeks ago. So, how about we all just break out the CapriSuns[1] and toast to another five-hunned?
So, before I start getting all wistful and go dig up that godawful first post just for the sake of Negro Nostalgia, I’ll just say thanks, and keep ridin’ with your boy.
Question: What can I do to ensure ya’ll stick around for another 500?
[1] Just in case you were curious about the origin of that whole CapriSun thing, here’s your explanation. Watch the whole thing or you’ll miss it.
Filed under: Mass Appeal
I did NPR News and Notes with Farai Chideya as expected today. As is my typical routine, I hopped the train to Chinatown, grabbed some Starbucks, and made the (rainy) trek down Seventh Street to Mass Ave. When I arrived at the studio, I found a pleasant surprise. The show’s hostess, Farai Chideya, was broadcasting live from DC, as opposed to her usual spot in Los Angeles. I’ve been a long admirer of Farai’s work, from her books like Don’t Believe The Hype, to her recent guest appearances on HBO’s Real Time With Bill Maher. She’s as cool as expected in person and all-around “good peoples”, so this was definitely a bonus.
We ran through a number of topics, including the “cluster” that is the Democratic nomination for President, the Philly Police Beatings, and The State of Illinois vs Robert Sylvester Kelly. Also on the panel today were Meji Alabi of anythingBlack and Shay Riley of Booker Rising.
You can listen to the Blogger’s Roundtable segment by clicking here.
Although I went all Nat Turner and talked over my fellow guests the last time I was on NPR’s News and Notes with Farai Chideya, they keep inviting me back for some odd reason.
I’ll be on the show today (Monday the 12th) around 1:20pm EST. Peep your local listings if you wanna listen in and watch me make a fool of myself in real-time. Otherwise, stay tuned, and I’ll drop the archived link here shortly after the show ends.
