baratunde.com - Latest Comments in OK, Obama Needs To Have A Press Conference On All Things Black

Re: OK, Obama Needs To Have A Press Conference On All Things Black

baratunde — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:48:08 -0000

late is no problem! i've been working on the standup version of this. will
try to post some video in the next week or so

Re: OK, Obama Needs To Have A Press Conference On All Things Black

EJ — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:21:18 -0000

I'm a little late... but this shit is no less hilarious.

"i'll take your silence as agreement..."

you're my hero ;)

Re: OK, Obama Needs To Have A Press Conference On All Things Black

baratunde — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:10:51 -0000

DEFINITELY Michael Jackson. 1983? yeah, the gloved one wins that hands down

Re: OK, Obama Needs To Have A Press Conference On All Things Black

julia — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:27:10 -0000

I love you.

p.s. Michael Jackson. Right?
p.p.s. Could you please publish a Stuff Black People Like follow-up to that janky white people book/blog?

Re: OK, Obama Needs To Have A Press Conference On All Things Black

Anika Malone — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:59:39 -0000

Figures those SIMs at HuffPo wouldn't appreciate it. Great job. And since I won't read that blog anyway, I'm glad it's here.

Re: OK, Obama Needs To Have A Press Conference On All Things Black

Anika Malone — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:57:55 -0000

Yes! Then I got to Jovaunte and I was done. I'm still laughing.

Re: OK, Obama Needs To Have A Press Conference On All Things Black

tiffany — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 23:57:04 -0000

@Xoloitzquitle: HIV is a global epidemic, but because we have these little things called countries and borders, each epidemic must be addressed *within* borders. To discuss HIV/AIDS *globally* (and yes, I missed the link to the PDF on the bottom of his healthcare page) without addressing the crisis among blacks here at home makes politicians (*cough*cheney & edwards in '04*cough*) look supremely out of touch and as though they disregard the populations they'll be serving.

And yes, Baratunde, I stand corrected on the HIV point. But I still stand by my statements that Obama has the same duty to speak to black folks that any other presidential candidate does and that every group has the right to demand that their concerns be specifically addressed by a presidential candidate.

Re: OK, Obama Needs To Have A Press Conference On All Things Black

baratunde — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:51:14 -0000

The first part of Obama's HIV/AIDS plan focuses on the US and specifically mentions the dismal rates of infection and death among black men and women. See here (PDF)

Re: OK, Obama Needs To Have A Press Conference On All Things Black

Xoloitzquitle — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:43:33 -0000

Is the US not part of the *GLOBAL* community? Epidemics need to be addressed at global scale, not national, HIV included. "When Germs Travel" is a good book that discusses this.

Moreover, implementing health care policy that is effective is a holistic way of addressing the needs of the many marginalized communities in this country. While the diverse communities that make up this country have their unique needs and concerns, the balkanization of politics will only destroy a campaign towards unity.

Re: OK, Obama Needs To Have A Press Conference On All Things Black

tiffany — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:49:34 -0000

Baratunde, every other candidate makes an effort to address black issues and concerns. While on the one hand I understand Obama's race-minimizing strategy, he doesn't want to be the black candidate.

On the other, I expect him -- as a politician -- to tell me what he will do for me and mine. And there are some legitimate issues that are uniquely black. What policies, for example, will Obama implement to help stem the tide of HIV infections among black people? He mentions *GLOBAL* HIV on his web site. But not a blip about HIV in the U.S. Yeah. Someone needs to call him on that.

I'm not saying he has to become Tavis Smiley's new BFF, but to ask what will he do for black people is a legitimate question. He's distanced himself from some of our major organizations and media outlets in a way that would outrage us if he were white or Republican. As Zora Neale put it: "All my skinfolk ain't my kinfolk." Obama shouldn't get a pass on black issues just because he's black.

Re: OK, Obama Needs To Have A Press Conference On All Things Black

Xoloitzquitle — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 23:23:23 -0000

Since he is half white, does he have to prove himself to the white community too?

Or is that next week?

Do you have the questions for that session?

Or does he have to eat poi at the luau to show he is truly from Hawaii? Does he surf?

Didn't he grow up in Indonesia? How about he be tested on Gamelan instrument skills? We would want the Indonesian American community think that he was ignoring their concerns, would we?

I am happy everyone is so focused on these important matters and qualifications. I thank you for your vigilance.

Re: OK, Obama Needs To Have A Press Conference On All Things Black

Christina — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 22:29:51 -0000

This white girl is still laughing over whites as blue-eyed devils. Oh, and Michael Jackson, by a well manicured nose.

Re: OK, Obama Needs To Have A Press Conference On All Things Black

baratunde — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 22:11:55 -0000

thanks homey!

Re: OK, Obama Needs To Have A Press Conference On All Things Black

nezua — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 21:57:44 -0000

dude, by the time i got to "please complete the following popular music lyrics" i was laughing so hard i was coughing like a sick dog.