By Raynard Jackson – I have known Tom Joyner (nationally syndicated radio host) for many years. We are not hanging out buddies, but we have always enjoyed talking and joking with each other. He is an “old school” soul who has done a lot of good in his life. But, in recent years, his very […]
Raynard Jackson
Independence Day 2011
by Raynard Jackson – More than 40 years ago, both political parties (Democratic and Republicans) made strategic decisions that are still being felt today. In the 1960s, the Republican Party formally adopted the “Southern Strategy.” The Southern Strategy was a deliberate strategy by the Republican Party of the 1960s concocted to win elections in Southern […]
Shaquille O’Neal, the Center of Attention
By Raynard Jackson – Last week, N.B.A. great Shaquille O’Neal announced his retirement after 19 years of playing professional basketball. He stood 7’1” and weighed over 325 pounds (depending on the day of the week). He was one of the biggest people to ever play the game. He left Louisiana State University (LSU) after 3 […]
It’s About Time
By Raynard Jackson – I have worked around 3 Republican presidents (Reagan, Bush, and Bush) and I can tell you for certain that one sure-fire way of learning a president’s priorities, is by who he agrees to spend time with (as in meetings). A president’s time is scheduled to the nth degree. So, if the […]
Black Women No Longer Have Their Essence
By Raynard Jackson – Essence Magazine used to be the preeminent magazine for Black women in the U.S. They, like many Black publications, have lost their relevance; and in the process become an embarrassment to the very group they claim to target. Essence was founded in 1968 by Ed Lewis, Clarence Smith, Cecil Hollingworth, Jonathan […]
Un-“Common” Thoughts – Rapper Common at the White House
By Raynard Jackson – Last night Michelle Obama hosted an “Evening of Poetry” at the White House. She invited an eclectic group of poets to recite their poetry. But, Fox News and right wing radio has singled out one performer—the Grammy award winning rapper Common—to be on the receiving end of their ire. I don’t […]
SEAL of Approval
By Raynard Jackson – Of course all the talk this week has been of the killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan by the elite Navy SEAL Team 6. I was hoping, at least in the U.S., that this event would allow America to come together, if only for a moment, and reflect on what […]
Trumped – Donald Trump Hijacked by his Own Ego
By Raynard Jackson – When Donald Trump began to make public overtures about his possible interest in running for president of the U.S., I thought he could be a substantive wild card in the race. I thought Trump could be a viable candidate because he does have a successful track record as a businessman. During […]
Can Africa Make The Cut
Raynard Jackson – Whenever the U.S. government enters into a state of fiscal austerity, politicians always look for budget cuts from programs they deem to be less important or have little or no constituency. Foreign policy budgets, especially those directed towards Africa seem to always show up near the top of that list. The left […]