Good for the University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi has shortened its fight song, hoping to discourage fans from responding to the song with a traditional chant of “the South will rise again,” the Associated Press reported. The student government has been trying to change the chant to “to hell with LSU,” citing the way the phrase about the South [...]

Join the 21st Century Louisiana

In an age in which we have seen a dramatic increase in interracial dating and marriage, this article below that I received from a friend today showcases that there are a few living in the dark ages. Read all of it here. Interracial couples in Houston are a normal sight; however, one supporting Obama is [...]

Tracking Hate Groups

The Southern Poverty Law Center, located just down the road from my house in downtown Montgomery, Alabama, seeks to address the problem of race and racism in America by tracking and monitoring hate groups. Their mission is of the up most importance when it comes to protecting the liberties of all Americans — regardless of [...]

Mascots and Race

Being a person that discusses historical and anthropological matters related to race and culture, I try not to get wrapped up in emotions about such matters. Being an avid sports fan, I pay close attention to schools’ mascots. About a decade or so ago, the NCAA started questioning the “sensitivity” of schools using American Indian [...]

FOX NEWS

According to Keith Olbermann:  in his view, folks that watch Fox News are “tin foil hatters, conspiracy theorists, paranoids and racists.”

Above: Does FOX attack Blacks?
The crowd of some 150 people wielded a petition with more than 600,000 signatures objecting to news coverage by Fox, owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, organizers [...]

Black Minstrels on the Breakfast Table

While drafting my fall syllabus for AP United states history, I thought about how I might go about teaching the antebellum south; I do not like the way I teach it now; it is too simple, detached, uncomplicated, and fast. Thus I thought about placing the center of the unit on southern class differentiation. I [...]

Gates

There is still an unfortunate reality in America when it comes to race: There are those who hold power and those who are forced to sub come to it. Although America  arguably has the best of race relations in comparison to many European nation-states that face ethnic tension, the dark reality of race is that [...]

Emmitt Till

I honestly cried as a 9th grader the first time I heard the story of Emmitt Till’s fate. It was far more emotional and less academic at that time in my life; however, the more I think about Till’s fate and the social condition that brought about it, I am reminded that the historical often [...]

Malcolm X and The Black Middle Class

I spend a bit of time in my United States History course talking about the greatness of Malcolm X; I do contend that by his death he had not reasoned with his hate, but instead, moved past it towards a conclusion of racial reconciliation. I will admit that I  admire Malcolm X — not so [...]

An Approach to Teaching about the Nazi Youth

I never show movies in class; however, I love using clips that make some historical point. Oh, I think this one does. I really hate teaching about Hitler; I must compete with the History channel.

Teachers of Color

Above: Danielle Milton, Jillian Thompson, and Ariel  Johnson during homecoming week in November.
The love and want and need to see different types of people is not a liberal or conservative thing; it is a matter of beauty and hope that brings all of us together; I smile knowing that I love all types of [...]

The Moral of The Fox and the Hound

This post is about my best friend. A person I miss everyday. It is about a relationship that got away due to elements of a false faith in God, class, and race. This is about a relationship that has shaped my ideological and intellectual construct; it is about a relationship that pushed me towards the [...]

Thoughts on Genocide by Chris Tutunjian

Chris Tutunjian is a sophomore student at Houston Christian High School; he is currently enrolled in Advanced Placement World History, a course taught by my department head Christine Metoyer. Chris offers an interesting analysis into the 20th century problem of Social Darwinism. I have closed the comment box on this post, but ask that many [...]

Thoughts on Race Matters by Dillon Sorensen

Dillon Sorensen is a sophomore student at Houston Christian; Sorensen, who is a regular here at the Proletarian, offers this piece from the perspective of a middle class white student attending an affluent private school; if you follow the comments left on this blog, you are well aware of the depth and complexity offered by [...]

The Black Bourgeoisie and Uncle Tom

I posted this a while back but thought after recent developments it would be of interest to jump start this conversation. A very good friend of mine contends that I am a bit confusing in that I am a conservative dresser, teach in a conservative school (my 2nd one), and address life outside of academic [...]

Another Reading of West’s Race Matters and the Christian faith

It was during my senior year in high school when Karlyn Hunter introduced me to the thinking and writings of Cornel West. I believe I have read Race Matters some 10 – 12 times since high school, and I guess 13 times if you count tonight. West, who is a self proclaimed Chekhovian Christian [...]

Sundown Towns

“Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American out African Americans (or sometimes Chinese Americans, Jewish Americans, etc.) by force, law, or custom. These communities are sometimes called “sundown towns” because some of them posted signs at their city limits reading, typically, “Nigger, Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On You In ___.” Some towns are [...]

Being Uppity — Not me, Obama

My friend Jaylon Williams came across this story a few days ago and sent this to me. Topics of race and politics are inevitable — Obama or not. I have been called a number of things, but never uppity.
Republican Congressman Lynn Westmoreland has come under fire for referring to Senator Obama and his wife Michelle [...]

This is Not a Joke by Chris Berry and the Political Cartel

One of my favorite blogs is that of the Political Cartel; I suspect I like this blog because the authors showcase a political and ideological leaning much different from that of my peers while I was a student at Harding University. Moreover, they are smart and fun to chat with from time to time. Here [...]

Real Olympic Heros

” “Black Power Salute” was the moment during the 1968 Olympics, in which African-Americans Tommie Smith and John Carlos exultantly gestured skyward, effectively leveling the playing field for civil rights. During the Mexico City games, Smith won the 200-meter race, setting a world record, and Carlos placed third. On the podium, they made a statement for [...]