Comments on: Lost & Found: The Gates Keepers

By: Ishmael Reed

Ishmael Reed — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:45:52 +0000

you young black intelletuals should be wary of john mcwhorter
the front man for the manhattan institute a eugenics outfit that supports charles murray’s bell curve studies.check them out
at “media transparency.’ he’s being passed around by neo
cons at the new republic and commentary where he said
that i was fibbing about my unpleasant ecounters with the
police and that he never had a problem. now he says it
is a problem, the manhattan institute has sponsors like
chase manhattan bank and so they have given him
enormous media access.

By: Claudia

Claudia — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:19:41 +0000

Hey Miss “I” – thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I’m glad Twitter seems to have calmed down a bit about this whole controversy – it’s easier to spot the worthwhile articles and op-eds now…

By: Claudia

Claudia — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:17:04 +0000

I’m on some of those lists too, Conseula! I think it’s good that folks are slowly starting to voice a bit of skepticism and “critical love” about Gates’ relationship to the academy. I hope it won’t take away from some of the broader issues regarding discrimination at work in our society. But if it also keeps us from tripping all over ourselves to see and promote his next PBS special, I’m TOTALLY FINE WITH THAT.

By: Claudia

Claudia — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:12:58 +0000

I loved that Daily Show segment! Carleen says that Jon and Wyatt Cynac re-enacted the “beer summit” on the show on Thursday, so I’m about to go look for that clip too…

By: Claudia

Claudia — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:02:54 +0000

Greetings Mr. Reed, I'm not sure whether or not this is actually you (or perhaps a representative), but either way, I'm honored that you've stumbled across our blog and left a comment. And I believe this is the cartoon you mentioned. Provocative, to say the least - let the debate continue...!

By: Ishmael Reed

Ishmael Reed — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:58:30 +0000

check out the cartoon about the beer meeting at
sfgate.com search Ishmael Reed

By: Zetta Elliott

Zetta Elliott — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:14:21 +0000

Sadly, I was gagging too hard to finish Reed’s piece, but thanks for taking the time to gather a range of opinions. I most enjoyed Senior Black Correspondent Larry Wilmore on The Daily Show earlier this week–esp the photo of Gates on his oversized tricycle…do check that out if you haven’t seen it yet–hilarious!

http://www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/239848/tue-july-28-2009-spinal-tap

You have to skip to the middle of the first segment

By: conseula

conseula — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:25:50 +0000

Great list. I especially liked Reed’s piece, despite its not-at-all veiled misogyny (which is how I most often feel about Reed’s non-ficition). My own response has been similiar to yours and it’s been interesting to watch people on the various black academic lists I’m on start to question Gates “most preeminent black scholar” status.

By: missincognegro

missincognegro — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:25:48 +0000

I enjoyed this.

Like you, my emotions, thoughts, and perspectives have run the proverbial gamut on Gates-gate. Which, in all honesty, has been a very good intellectual exercise for me. It has forced me to consider many points-of-view, from those of the people you have quoted, to everyday people such as you and I.