May 30th, 2008
The Clinton campaign and their surrogates have injected sexism as a main reason for her defeat in clinging the Democratic Party’s nomination. Geraldine Ferro, the first woman vice-presidential candidate for a major political party wrote an Op Ed on this subject In the Boston Globe called “Healing the wounds of Democrats’ sexism”. She made prior comments that being a woman of any color is a greater handicap than being black.
As unfortunate as it is, there is no doubt this historic nominating campaign has pitted a black man against a woman. But just how far has the women’s movement come? That depends on who is asked. First, it begs the question, which women’s movement? The white middle class women’s movement or the women of color movement? This election cycle has exposed a generational and ethnic split among women. Read the rest of this entry »
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May 13th, 2008
When did it become bad to be intelligent and educated?
As I listen to political pundits, many if not all of whom are wealthy, one would think it was a travesty to build oneself up! In particular, it has become routine for certain commentators, particularly conservative talk radio hosts anoint themselves as the voice of the working class, which is, according to them, in-compatible with educated Ivy Leaguers like Barack Obama no matter their background. Unfortunately, the Clinton campaign has also pushed this rhetoric, even though she, like Mr. Obama is also a graduate of Ivy League education and is worth over $100 million. Republican Party strategist Karol Rove told Newsweek Magazine “You argue the son of a single working mom can’t be an elitist. But it’s not where you start in life; it’s where you end up.”
Connecting education with elitism is extremely dangerous and anti-democratic for two reasons. Read the rest of this entry »
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May 10th, 2008
Race relations in the United States is an uncomfortable topic. Every year, we openly talk about the horrors of the Holocaust, and the global terrors of genocide and poverty that continue to plague the world. Why can’t we have an open and honest discussion about Race in America?
As a 27 year old African-American woman, Senator Barack Obama’s speech on Race in Philadelphia was the most candid I’ve heard in my lifetime. The speech included different points-of-views. In my opinion, the comparisons of sexism and racism are silly. On one occasion I’ve been told how far I’d go if I was a man, and on another I was told that if I wanted a political career in Pennsylvania I better move to Philadelphia. I currently live in Central PA. These two “isms” are separate but equal. One is not more important than the other as it has been suggested throughout this primary season.
One line that strikes me, is when Senator Obama discusses the Iraq War. He states he does not just want to end the war but “the mentality that got us into the war.” Read the rest of this entry »
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March 5th, 2008
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February 27th, 2008
What would the media say if Presidential hopeful Barack Obama has lost 11 straight contests in a row? Would they say he is inching his way back to becoming the biggest “comeback kid” in American political history? Would they continue to give him chance after change, state after state, debate after debate to “stop the momentum”? Read the rest of this entry »
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March 9th, 2007
AS I SEE IT ROGETTE NICOLE HARRIS
Friday, March 09, 2007
With the new “hope” for property tax relief en tering Pennsylvania with full force, many people are taking note of the current observance of National Problem Gambling Week that is running through Sunday. There is a myth that to be a problem gambler, one must gamble frequently, which is false. The mere definition of problem gambling defines it as a problem when a person’s gambling compromises or damages their personal, family or vocational pursuits. Read the rest of this entry »
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January 18th, 2007
Many have speculated on who the first Black President will be. Many believe that person would have been former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Even after that ship passed, many still would not give up the notion of him running for the highest office in America. Others have suggested Condoleezza Rice as a possible candidate, although she also has the barrier of being a woman. Currently; however, a new possible Black candidate is creating a lot of buzz. His name is Barack Obama.
But who is Barack Obama? Read the rest of this entry »
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With the Iraq war deciding the 2006 Mid-term elections and the appointment of a new Secretary of Defense, Presdient Bush outlined his new Iraq strategy to the American Public in a televised speech (read more). He provided more details of a new Iraq strategy that he feels will end the sectarian violence in Iraq and “help Iraq’s democratic government succeed.” “Only the Iraqis can end the sectarian vilence and secure their people,” the President said. Iraqi leaders undersatand and are attemting to shoulder their responsibility, Bush said. “But they need our help, and it is in our interests to provide that help,” he added. Bush’s new Iraq strategy has 6 main points: