For days I’ve been mulling over what to say about Amazing Spider-Man #583, the well-publicized Marvel comic that features a chisel-jawed President Obama. But honestly, I’ve got nothing. It’s like writing about the time Mr. T appeared on Diff’rent Strokes. Or reflecting on the subtext of Scooby-Doo Meets the Harlem Globetrotters. “I know it wouldn’t [...]
Archive for January, 2009
22 Jan
The Inaugural Poem You Haven’t Heard
While the crowds gather in Washington, I will admit this: it is enough that it happened, more than enough that we see him standing there shattering all our good excuses: no, not bliss, not some balm over the wounds that still hurt, but it is enough to say that we saw it happen, the thing [...]
20 Jan
“But Now I Think I’m Able To Carry On…”
posted with vodpod Video h/t Ta-Nehisi Coates (Also check out his excellent interview on Fresh Air). Also: “A Prayer for the Nation and Our Next President, Barack Obama,” Text of Opening Inaugural Prayer by Bishop Gene Robinson
16 Jan
Take A Break, People!
Plenty of well-meaning voices will tell us in the days to come that Barack Obama’s presidential victory, while historic and worthy of praise, means that the work of racial justice and equality has only just begun. To guard against complacency, the watchful and wounded will be full of meaningful warnings, counseling caution, and with the [...]
11 Jan
Frodo, Prejudism, and “Flight of the Conchords”
The second season of “Flight of the Conchords” premieres on HBO this Sunday, January 18 at 10 pm! Woohoo! My DV-R will be working overtime to catch new episodes of “24″ and “Lost,” but I’m most excited about the deadpan hilarity of New Zealand’s “fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo” as they try [...]
7 Jan
A Different Kind of New Year’s Resolution
On New Years Eve 2008, I decided to opt out of the French Quarter fireworks ritual that I’d maintained over these past few years and instead, stay home and reflect on my goals for 2009. In an effort to visualize and truly remind myself of where I’d like to focus my thoughts this year, I [...]
1 Jan
“You Know I Don’t Mean You”
This week I spent some quality time with Dear Darkness: Poems by the incredible poet, Kevin Young. He draws on his Louisiana roots in this new collection, mourning the loss of family and faith with the characteristic voice of a bluesman. Poems such as “Another Autumn Elegy” are particularly moving, while other verses use images [...]
