Guest Editorial by Rev. Irene Monroe In an attempt to dole out advice on the n-word, popular talk radio host Dr. Laura Schlessinger slipped into a rant using it. When a caller — a distraught African American women who called in to be advised on how to handle racist jokes and comments hurled at her read full article


(Originally streamed July 22, 2010)  After the television broadcasts the panelists on Basic Black (produced by WGBH public broadcasting in Boston) delved into a discussion of the notion of “acting white”.  Our panel:  Phillip Martin, senior investigative reporter, WGBH Radio; Latoyia Edwards, anchor, New England Cable News; Davarian Baldwin, professor of American Studies, Trinity College. (Click read full article


Guest Editorial by Rev. Irene Monroe There has been a color change at “Essence.” After forty years of having sisters from the African Diaspora as its fashion director, the new one is white. And the news is sending seismic shock waves to many of its subscribers here in the U.S. and across the globe. New read full article


President Obama hosted a town hall of emerging African leaders on August 3, 2010.  Over 45 nations were represented.  2010 also marks the 50th anniversary year of independence for many countries on the African continent. According to the White House, the schedule for the summit is as follows: DAY 1: The President’s Forum with Young read full article


Much has been written and there’s been much said about the Shirley Sherrod incident.  I’m on my way into the studio to produce this week’s Basic Black (yes, Shirley Sherrod will be one of the topics…) so unfortunately I don’t have the time to write a piece.  In the meantime, I’m more interested in your read full article


To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee turns 50 this month. I read this book and saw the movie in high school.  It’s a beautifully written story and I’ve seen the movie more times than I can count.  But what always struck me about To Kill A Mockingbird wasn’t so much the story as much read full article


“Ex-gay” Donnie McClurkin at Boston’s GospelFest by Rev. Irene Monroe Every year Mayor Tom Menino’s Office of Arts, Tourism & Special Events puts on its annual Boston GospelFest at City Hall Plaza. And because the Gospelfest is a public and taxpayer-funded community event, it??s opened to all — even the African American lesbian, gay, bisexual, read full article


The creators of the new commercial for Kia Soul nailed it.  It??s one of the most creative ads I??ve seen in a while.  It features a crew of hamsters in the voices of the hip hop group The Black Sheep singing The Choice is Yours.  It??s also a very smart ad, especially if you understand read full article


First, full disclosure:  I don??t follow basketball as a game; I??m more interested in the cultural study of sports.  And more importantly, I am a native of Cleveland. But I haven??t lived in Cleveland for a very long time, which is why I watched the whole LeBron James thing with a mix of emotions and read full article


Yesterday President Barack Obama accepted General Stanley McChrystal’s letter of resignation as commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.  General David Petraeus has been nominated to fill the post.