2011 hrc national dinner.

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending the HRC National Dinner. It was a fabulous evening focused on civil and human rights. This was HRC president Joe Solmonese's last dinner before he plans to step down. Among guests were President Barack Obama, Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Sarah Jessica Parker, Cyndi Lauper, and Betty DeGeneres.

The speeches focused on marriage equality, hospital visitation, hate crimes legislation, and of course the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. It was an amazing night, seeing everyone come out in support for equal rights.


text and video of the speech
huffington post article
cyndi lauper

where's hip-hop in the white house?

Today I read an article in the Washington Post regarding President Barack Obama's lack of recognition toward hip-hop artists since he's been in office. I largely concur with Chris Richards' assertion. Obama has highlighted music as an important cultural element, and has held many concerts, but has yet to show appreciation for an art form that rallied to get him into office. There are many "safe" artists to choose from, but it hasn't happened.

One can assume that Obama is still tiptoeing the very thin line between embracing the hip-hop community and catering to constituents who remain dubious about rap music.

He took a similar approach during the campaign, adopting Jay-Z's dirt-off-your-shoulder gesture during a speech in North Carolina, while distancing himself from a Ludacris song that hurled pointed insults at Hillary Rodham Clinton, John McCain and George W. Bush.

While I also understand Obama's hesitation, I think he needs to tow the line a bit more. As much as I love him, he seemed ready to shake things up all around. There is a way to make hip-hop culture a conscious educational tool. He should use that to his advantage and acknowledge what the music has given him. Bring hip-hop to the House!

love conquers hate.

Last Night I had the opportunity to attend Love Conquers Hate at the Human Rights Campaign. It was a landmark day for civil rights and LGBT rights because President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into law. This has been a long time coming, and it is now over eleven years since Shepard's ordeal and tragic death. Daniel and Judy Shepard spoke about hope and progress in the incredibly moving and emotional ceremony.

What is the Hate Crimes Prevention Act?

The new law gives the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability (HRC).

I wanted to call attention to this because it is important to write congress and let them know that we want to keep moving forward for equal rights. This victory is great, but hopefully there are many more to come.

my president is black, my lambo's blue.

Young Jeezy - "My President"


Nas - "Black President"


P.S. Do you think Pac cares that Nas sampled him when it's a matter of civil rights? I feel he'll be watching from the sky tomorrow and loving it all. Holler if you see me at the inauguration!

the revolution will not be televised...

There was a change in me from the moment I stepped into Jonathan England's Intro to African American studies class nearly four years ago. I realized that African American studies was one of my life's passions, following on the heels of my hip-hop addiction and continuing interest in black culture. And yet the cynic in me did not think I would live to see a black president. Last night was, and will continue to be, one of the proudest moments of my life. It is a day that will live in my heart forever. It is a story I will tell my children and grandchildren as I teach them equality, progress, acceptance, and unity. All is not fixed by this great gesture, but with Barack Obama as the President of the United States there is an overwhelming feeling of hope.

As I walked into the jam-packed Bohemian Caverns on election night, there was a sense of positive but nervous energy. I got on the moon bounce, drank some Ciroc, and celebrated every time a state went blue. Then at about 11 PM, CNN projected Obama to be the winner. Everyone went wild, screaming and shrieking, and hugging. I was crying for civil rights, for human rights, for the hope that I didn't allow myself to have until the very moment it all happened. The streets were insanity, and it was a great great moment to be in our nation's capital.

Obama's acceptance speech was a powerful statement of what has and will be achieved. He spoke American spirit, and promise, an entity that pushes us forward and allows us to set aside our differences to become one. Causing sobs to escape my lungs he referenced Martin Luther King Jr. in saying:

And it is that [American] promise that forty five years ago today, brought Americans from every corner of this land to stand together on a Mall in Washington, before Lincoln's Memorial, and hear a young preacher from Georgia speak of his dream. The men and women who gathered there could've heard many things. They could've heard words of anger and discord. They could've been told to succumb to the fear and frustration of so many dreams deferred. But what the people heard instead – people of every creed and color, from every walk of life – is that in America, our destiny is inextricably linked. That together, our dreams can be one. "We cannot walk alone," the preacher cried. "And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back."

So bump some old school jams and pour out a little liquor for those who passed before they could witness this. We are living a revolution. "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"