Uh-Oh, Now He's Said It

African American Pundit (formerly AAPP) asks:

I am wondering out loud, if Corporate black blogs like The Root and The Grio are working to control black political thought in America?

That's right, he said it, y'all.

He continues:

It gets under my black skin, that so-called black bloggers at (white controlled) corporate black blogs like The Root, owned by the Washington Post, and the The Grio, owned by NBC, are nothing more than a group of organized Obama loyalist who seem to never report on how blacks will lose $194 billion in wealth through 2012, or how the housing crisis continues to hits blacks the hardest and how President Obama (as Russell Simmons recently pointed out in his Open Letter To President Barack Obama) has all but ignored the plight of black America.

Click here to read the rest of his blog.

My sources tell me that a lot of President Obama's policies have directly benefited the Black community, including, but not limited to, the healthcare reform bill.

What do you think? Please post below.

See also: Being a Black Blogger.

More News on Haiti + Grassroots Organising

The Hairoine Haiti Fundraiser tomorrow, Sunday 24th January

The Hairoine shows you how you can help Haiti : Due to the devastating earthquake which hit Haiti , our Hairoine Expo event is now a charity event. When you buy a Hairoine product, all profits will go to the Haitian earthquake relief effort. The Hairoine Founder, Angie (originally from Haiti ) and her husband will also match every Franc / Euro / Dollar raised on the night with their own funds. On Sun 24 Jan at 3pm at The Hairoine HQ, Paquis, Geneva , Switzerland . Tel: 076 414 5456. If you would like to make a contribution go to: www.thehairoine.ning.com

My fellow AfroSpear member African American Political Pundit (AAPP) on his Political Slugfest radio show asks some key questions including:

• Is the U.S. doing enough to help Haiti?
• What are the Black churches doing to help Haiti?

Doctors have been turned back in order to let in the U.S. military.

He makes the point that the response to the Haitian crisis mirrors the response to Katrina.

Alkebulan are organising via Voice of Africa Radio.

Wyclef Jean argues that food aid to Haiti must be sustainable.

People being treated in hospital have been lying in beds without being fed for four days or more. Many of them have had to have limbs amputated. And when they leave hospital, they will be homeless. Click here to read more and to watch the videos.

For more videos on the Haiti crisis, see Africa and Africans on Film.

United Haitins UK (uhuk.org) are organising on the ground. They have sent a representative to Haiti who has a wide grassroots network. People in the UK will be liaising with them.

They report that there is a need for wind-up radios so that people can remain in communication.

The people of Haiti are largely unaware of how strong the response has been around the world. The need to be aware of the love and care that is coming from African people everywhere.

The Israeli response has also been phenomenal.

Feminine hygiene products are also needed.

Next Saturday, 30th January, there will be a follow-up meeting to the press conference last weekend. The meeting will be held at Southwark Town Hall in South London.

Samantha Orobator Has Seen a Lawyer

I have just heard that Samantha Orobator, the Black woman from Camberwell, South London who is being held in prison in Laos, has been allowed to see a lawyer, at last.

There were 10 Laotian high officials present, so she did not have the opportunity to discuss anything confidential. But at least they have let her see a lawyer. She was scheduled for execution but this was changed - only because she is pregnant.

Orobator is accused of heroin possession. She has been held for many months and became pregnant in prison. To read more, see: African American Political Pundit

To watch a video, see: Black Women in Europe

I Keep Crying - Great Post-Election Videos

When I see scenes of these crowds of people celebrating Obama's victory, I cry. I can't help it. I am so emotional about this. This election result is a victory for everyone. Here in London, people keep coming up to me and congratulating me.

My fellow AfroSpear member African American Political Pundit (AAPP) made these videos of people the day after Election Day:

The status quo has been shaken to its very core.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-d4em0tHc8

First Time Voter Aged 60+
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilpqwSGEDZ4

Young Black Voters Barack the Vote
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RUzhcCnCW5c

Interview with a Woman Soldier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0bYxBBEonA

Here are some more interesting videos. Like Whoopi Goldberg, and a lot of other people, I did not, in my heart of hearts, believe I would see this day in my lifetime.

The View on Obama
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=AG2SmyO4YQc&NR=1

Mobs of people in Washington, DC celebrate Obama’s Win
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=n8qcjVa_jjw&NR=1

Just goes to show that anything is possible. There are no limits to what we can achieve. Just like I'm always saying. Turns out it's true!

Check out my book Success Strategies for Black People.

Report Back from the Democratic National Convention

Last night, on my "Success Strategies" radio show, two Black bloggers, African American Political Pundit and Adrianne George of Black Women in Europe reported back from last week's Democratic National Convention in Denver.

They described the "electric" atmosphere at the convention. They had expected only seven Black bloggers to be present, but there were at least 12 (out of 150). But at least 40% of the people there were African American, including delegates as well as people who had just come along because they wanted to be present.

They also talked about whether, and how, Obama will be able to represent the disenfranchised, particularly the homeless.

To hear the recording of the show, visit http://www.blacksuccess1.com/radioshow.htm