Category Archives: Politics & Public Affairs

In the Line of Duty (From my book, “Sometimes Blue Knights Wear Black Hats”)

The heroes are dead and nothing else matters Under a gray sky the women are dressed in black At the grave site hearing homilies paying homage to heroics Their sobs background music to pontificating politicians Under a gray sky the … Continue reading

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PROSECUTORS, POLICE-INVOLVED SHOOTINGS, THE CONSTITUTION, THE KKK, POSSES, AND THE RULE OF LAW

I’ve been thinking about when state prosecutors fail to do their jobs in police-involved killings of unarmed individuals, that is, fail to get indictments – though we all know, those of us who have studied the criminal criminal justice system, … Continue reading

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Charles Barkley Should Shut Up!

Charles Barkley the NBA “great,” in response to the Michael Brown killing in Ferguson, Missouri, stated in a CNN interview that “this notion, that cops are out there just killing black men, is ridiculous.” Remember the “I am not a … Continue reading

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From my book, “Sometimes Blue Knights Wear Black Hats” — for Eric Garner, RIP

Blue Knight Riders They don’t wear white sheets Or burn crosses in the night, But there’s an unmistakable connection Between these blue and white knights. They kill innocent Black males For horrific crimes real and imagined, And because grand juries … Continue reading

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The Mussolini of Manhattan Speaks of Ferguson, Missouri

In light of the protests in the aftermath of the no indictment of the Ferguson, Missouri police officer who shot and killed an unarmed teenager, Michael Brown, the Mussolini of Manhattan, i.e., former NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, stated that police … Continue reading

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Excerpt from my book, “Black Shadows and Through the White Looking Glass: Remembering Things Past and Present”

From George Washington to George Bush. From the birth of a nation to a kinder, gentler nation. From Thomas Jefferson to William Jefferson Clinton. From Democratic Republicanism to the New Democrats. From honest Abe to tricky Dick to Slick Willie. … Continue reading

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The New York Post, Commissioner Broken Windows, Chief Banks, and “Sometimes Blue Knights Wear Black Hats”

I don’t believe anything written in The New York Post, not even the Sports Pages. Actually, I don’t read the Post.  I went to Alexander Hamilton High School (now Paul Robeson), and know that Hamilton started the Post.   I know Hamilton … Continue reading

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Two Classic Speeches on Voting

With Election Day right around the corner, now is a good time to read or re-read two pieces, Frederick Douglass’ “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro,” given on July 5, 1852, and Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or the … Continue reading

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Malcolm X’s “The Ballot or the Bullet” (April 3, 1964)

Mr. Moderator, Brother Lomax, brothers and sisters, friends and enemies: I just can’t believe everyone in here is a friend, and I don’t want to leave anybody out. The question tonight, as I understand it, is “The Negro Revolt, and … Continue reading

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Frederick Douglass’ “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” (July 5, 1852)

Mr. President, Friends and Fellow Citizens: He who could address this audience without a quailing sensation, has stronger nerves than I have. I do not remember ever to have appeared as a speaker before any assembly more shrinkingly, nor with … Continue reading

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