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	<title>Uptown Notes</title>
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	<description>The Keyboard's Mightier than the Sword</description>
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		<title>More Black History, Less Black Mythology</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Every Black History Month there are a slew of pieces on why the month is irrelevant, unnecessary, etc. This is [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/more-black-history-less-black-mythology/</link>
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		<title>My Beef with Drake &#8230; and Common</title>
		<description><![CDATA[My twitter profile reads, &#8220;Scholar, author, hater of Drake.&#8221; Of all the things on that profile &#8220;hater of Drake&#8221; is [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/my-beef-with-drake-and-common/</link>
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		<title>Kicks Crazed &#8230; or Capitalism?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A few days before Christmas 2011, Nike re-released the Concord Jordans to wild fanfare. As a rash of people lined [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/kicks-crazed-or-capitalism/</link>
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		<title>Writing for Ebony.com</title>
		<description><![CDATA[How are you doing Uptown Notes readers? I know I&#8217;ve been pretty absent but I&#8217;m back! I recently joined Ebony.com [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/ebony/</link>
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		<title>If Walls Could Talk</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We are in a very special moment. Recently a dear friend of mine and great comrade told me about an [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/if-walls-could-talk/</link>
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		<title>Where there&#8217;s smoke, there&#8217;s fire</title>
		<description><![CDATA[About two years ago I sat down for a conversation with TheGrio.com discussing the role of discrimination and testing in [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/where-theres-smoke-theres-fire/</link>
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		<title>Tonight: Men&#8217;s Roundtable on helping end gender violence at CCNY</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Tonight from 6 to 8pm at City College in the Morales/Shakur Student and Community Center (NAC 3/201) in Harlem I [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/tonight-mens-roundtable-on-helping-end-gender-violence-at-ccny/</link>
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		<title>Troy&#8217;s Ending Should Be Our Beginning</title>
		<description><![CDATA[For days, months, and years family and friends of Troy Davis have been praying that his execution would not occur. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/troys-ending-should-be-our-beginning/</link>
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		<title>Why Lupe isn&#8217;t a Fiasco</title>
		<description><![CDATA[“I think I’m Malcom X, Martin Luther/ Add a King, Add a Jr.” –Lupe Fiasco Building Minds Faster (B.M.F.) Recently, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/lupe-isnt-a-fiasco/</link>
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		<title>Ignoring Canaries in the Mine</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I had the honor of being invited by Holly Kearl, author of Stop Street Harassment, to be a guest male [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/ignoring-canaries-in-the-mine/</link>
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		<title>Let&#8217;s Talk about Sex(ual Violence).</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;m literally sitting here disgusted. I just have read about and heard discussion of the latest gang rape allegations in [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/lets-talk-about-sexual-violence/</link>
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		<title>TED Talk by Tony Porter: A Call to Men</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Everyone should watch this video of Tony Porter as he delivers a talk in DC earlier this month on masculinity. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/ted-talk-by-tony-porter-a-call-to-men/</link>
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		<title>Modern Day Slavery: GA Prisoner Strike</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I recently penned a piece on TheGrio.com about the Georgia Prisoner Protest that is being overlooked by too many. Please [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/modern-day-slavery-ga-prison-protest/</link>
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		<title>Our World Our Familia Benefit Celebration</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Marc Lamont Hill, Susan L. Taylor, Talib Kweli, Kephra Burns, and April R. Silver invite you to a benefit celebration [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/ourworld/</link>
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		<title>I&#8217;ll be back. I&#8217;m in the lab&#8230;</title>
		<description><![CDATA[You may have noticed that I haven&#8217;t been posting much on here lately, don&#8217;t worry! I&#8217;m in the lab cooking [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/ill-be-back-im-in-the-lab/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: For (Stuffed) Colored Girls</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Okay, some of you may know that there&#8217;s this little Tyler Perry film coming out today &#8230;if you don&#8217;t, oh [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-for-stuffed-colored-girls/</link>
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		<title>(Mis)Reading Malcolm</title>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;All the real OGs, I&#8217;m a solider cause you told me study Malcolm, Garvey, Huey/ Study Malcolm, Garvey, Huey, their life [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/misreading-malcolm/</link>
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		<title>Mean Girls of Morehouse &#8211; NPR Tell Me More</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Last week, I had the pleasure of being on NPR&#8217;s Tell Me More with host Michel Martin to discuss the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/mean-girls-of-morehouse-npr-tell-me-more/</link>
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		<title>Debating Education Reform</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently, I had the pleasure of appearing on &#8220;Our World with Black Enterprise&#8221; hosted by Marc Lamont Hill. The show [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/debating-education-reform/</link>
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		<title>Who&#8217;s Afraid of Gender Bending Morehouse Men?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This morning I have a piece posted on theGrio.com where I discuss the response to the forthcoming Vibe article, &#8220;Mean [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/whos-afraid-of-gender-bending-morehouse-men/</link>
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		<title>Conquista Dora the Explorer</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Today many will celebrate Columbus Day, I won&#8217;t. Here&#8217;s a little history lesson for all the kids home from school. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/conquista-dora-the-explorer/</link>
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		<title>Silencing Race in Education Reform</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The recent buzz around education reform is growing, but silenced in this buzz is race. The amazingly taboo yet significant social phenomena is giving way to colorblind policy makers and educational activists. Can we truly transform an educational system if we don't take account of one of its most enduring cleavages? ]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/lets-talk-about-race-in-ed-reform/</link>
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		<title>Suburban School Inequality</title>
		<description><![CDATA[For the past few years, I have been diligently working on issues of inequality in well-resourced school settings. My book [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/suburban-school-inequality/</link>
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		<title>Waiting for School Reform</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This morning, another piece of my writing on education reform and &#8220;Waiting for Superman&#8221; was posted on theRoot.com. This is [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/waiting-for-school-reform/</link>
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		<title>Please don&#8217;t wait for Superman (Review of Waiting for Superman)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This week &#8220;Waiting for Superman&#8221; premiered nationally and it has reignited the conversation on the United States&#8217; failing schools. The [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/please-dont-wait-for-superman-review-of-waiting-for-superman/</link>
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		<title>More than Class: School Reform and Violence</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Nationwide, the conversation on education is increasingly dominated by teacher accountability, charter schools and test scores. While these things are [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/more-than-class-school-reform-and-violence/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Biblical Marriage</title>
		<description><![CDATA[As you may know, I support gay marriage (yes, it is a civil rights issue.) As you may also know, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-biblical-marriage/</link>
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		<title>No to a Ground Zero Mosque. Yes to a Community Center.</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Yesterday, protests at Ground Zero continued to gain international attention. What's at issue is a figment of the American public's imagination: the ground zero mosque. Herds of "well-intentioned" Americans flooded lower manhattan to chant down the construction of what they are calling a ground zero mosque, but what really is an Islamic community center. This case is a powerful lesson in framing, which I was first introduced to by the George Lakoff but you and I experience constantly. If we want to make sure The Community Center at Park 51 is built, we've got to re-frame the conversation, or else the Islamophobes have won!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/no-to-a-ground-zero-mosque-yes-to-a-community-center/</link>
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		<title>Why Obama&#8217;s Race to the Top is Dangerous</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Since the introduction of the Race to the Top fund I&#8217;ve had a series of nagging concerns about what Obama [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/why-obamas-race-to-the-top-is-dangerous/</link>
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		<title>Courting Justice for Oscar Grant?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;Justice for Oscar Grant!&#8221; As I sit in front of these keys I know that I could have written this [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/courting-justice-for-oscar-grant/</link>
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		<title>Our NAACP Problem</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently, a firestorm surrounding Shirley Sherrod erupted. A spliced video of her speech ended in her force resignation from the USDA and condemnation by the NAACP. Following the debacle, there were multiple editorials and comments about the failures of the NAACP. While I completely agree the NAACP and USDA failed to respond appropriately to Sherrod, I don't think the picture that has been painted of the NAACP is accurate or contemporary. Beneath I offer some reasons why and what it means for movement building.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/our-naacp-problem/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: &#8220;Drake perhaps cue cards would be appropriate&#8221;</title>
		<description><![CDATA[So you all know that I&#8217;m a hater of Drake (here&#8217;s a partial explanation offered by Marc Lamont Hill), nothing [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-drake-perhaps-cue-cards-would-be-appropriate/</link>
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		<title>Michael Steele like Me?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[For a few years now, Michael Steele has been trying to meet me on Beat Street by being more &#8220;Hip-Hop&#8221; [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/michael-steele-like-me/</link>
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		<title>Struggling to Watch the World Cup</title>
		<description><![CDATA[With the World Cup coming to an end yesterday in South Africa, here&#8217;s my commentary on African-Americans and World Cup [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/struggling-to-watch-the-world-cup/</link>
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		<title>Questions- I&#8217;m just askin&#8217;</title>
		<description><![CDATA[1) Isn&#8217;t WorldStarHipHop just the digital equivalent of BET? 2) Speaking of which, why does Riff Raff (of from G&#8217;s [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/questions-im-just-askin/</link>
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		<title>Happy Born Day Tupac Amaru Shakur</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Let me get it out of the way: I wasn&#8217;t the biggest fan of Pac&#8217;s music. I am the dude [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/happy-born-day-tupac-amaru-shakur/</link>
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		<title>All Eyes on the D(etroit)!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Detroit is a microcosm of Black America. I believe if you cannot love Detroit, you cannot fully love Black people. The Detroit Metropolitan area represents the best and the worst that Black folks in this country have to offer. Detroit is under intense scrutiny as of late and the flashing lights of attention may have served to take the life of seven year old Aiyana Jones as a TV crew filmed a home-raid by the Detroit SWAT. With all the fascination with Detroit around the nation we get the problems of the city beamed into our homes via satellite, but it makes me wonder, is there more there than what we normally see? ]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/all-eyes-on-the-detroit/</link>
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		<title>My President is Black, is his agenda too?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Not too long ago, I had a chance to discuss the question of a Black Agenda and President Obama with [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/my-president-is-black-is-his-agenda-too/</link>
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		<title>Arizona: For Whites Only?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently, I penned a piece discussing the need for Black folks to join in with the fight against Arizona’s racist immigration [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/arizona-for-whites-only/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Swagger Wagon</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I told ya&#8217;ll to stop using the word swagger back in 2008. See you didn&#8217;t listen, now we have the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-swagger-wagon/</link>
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		<title>Black Male Privilege Panel Discussion 5/17 @ 7:30pm</title>
		<description><![CDATA[On next Monday the 17th at 7:30 pm there will be a panel on Black Male Privilege at the Brecht [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/black-male-privilege-panel-discussion-517-730pm/</link>
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		<title>The Bell Curve &amp; Charter Schools: The Not So Odd Couple</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Yesterday the NYTimes ran an interesting Op-Ed piece on Charter Schools by Charles Murray entitled, "Why Charter Schools Fail the Test." I read through it quickly and thought it to be arguing two main things: standardized tests were weak measures and that school choice was a democratic right. Sounds agreeable, right? But why was this written by Charles Murray author of the thinly veiled racist polemic The Bell Curve?]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/careful-of-some-school-choice-advocates/</link>
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		<title>Black and Brown Unite to Fight SB 1070</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The term racial profiling has been part of my vocabulary and reality for nearly 15 years now, but it shouldn’t [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/black-and-brown-unite-to-fight-sb-1070/</link>
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		<title>Silencing Sexual Assault</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Originally published at The Atlanta Post The internet is a funny thing and Twitter is a funny place. I find [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/silencing-sexual-assault/</link>
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		<title>CUNY Haiti Benefit and CCNY Health Fair &amp; HIV Summit</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Some days I&#8217;m so immersed in work and other matters that I forget to mention how amazing the students here [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-sat-cuny-haiti-benefit-and-ccny-health-fair-hiv-summit/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Trick Play &#8230; Fail</title>
		<description><![CDATA[So I like watching sports highlights. Over the years I&#8217;ve seen a number of trick plays that have impressed me. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-trick-play-fail/</link>
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		<title>Count &#8216;em all &#8230; at home!!!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Unless you have been in hiding, you have noticed the Census 2010 is in full swing now. From rapping commercials [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/count-em-all-at-home/</link>
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		<title>Can Charter Schools Save Urban Education?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[There is a quiet storm brewing in American schools. While the nation is keeping close watch on health care reform [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/can-charter-schools-save-urban-education/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Rap Battle Translated</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I love Hip-Hop. I love battles. I hate the same tired themes and references in them. I love this translation. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-rap-battle-translated/</link>
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		<title>The Hope Against Hate</title>
		<description><![CDATA[On Monday night, Tavis Smiley’s convening “We Count! The Black Agenda is the American Agenda” aired on CSpan. What? You [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/the-hope-against-hate/</link>
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		<title>Welcome to the Minstrel Show.</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Some of you may know I recently went to see the Scottsboro Boys (musical) at the Vineyard Theatre here in [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/welcome-to-the-minstrel-show/</link>
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		<title>Missing Malcolm</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I recently penned a piece for the new website The Atlanta Post about the passing of Malcolm X and the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/missing-malcolm/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Mike Tyson&#8217;s Punch-Out + Epic Beard Man</title>
		<description><![CDATA[For all my folks who remember Mike Tyson&#8217;s Punch-Out on Nintendo and for those of use who watched &#8220;Epic Beard [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-mike-tysons-punch-out-epic-beard-man/</link>
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		<title>It&#8217;s Bigger than Toure&#8217;s Tweets</title>
		<description><![CDATA[“Fire Toure!” is a call being made from many corners these days, but I’m not sure I can go that [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/its-bigger-than-toures-tweets/</link>
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		<title>I&#8217;m Boycotting Black Award Shows</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;ve been running around so much for the past week I forgot to post my reaction to the NAACP Image [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/im-boycotting-black-award-shows/</link>
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		<title>Yes Virginia, there is Black Male Privilege</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A few days ago, my talk at the 143rd Morehouse Founder&#8217;s Day Symposium went up on the web. The talk [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/yes-virginia-there-is-black-male-privilege/</link>
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		<title>Breaking Down and Building Up Black Men</title>
		<description><![CDATA[On February 10th, I had the pleasure of joining an esteemed set of scholars for the 143rd Founder&#8217;s Day Symposium [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/breaking-down-and-building-up-black-men/</link>
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		<title>Pants on the Ground was Political</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;ve recently penned a piece for Centric&#8217;s new Culture List blog on the Pants on the Ground video. While the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/pants-on-the-ground-was-political/</link>
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		<title>BHC: Teaching can be misdirected energy</title>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;Traditionally, in American society, it is the members of the oppressed, objectified groups who are expected to stretch out and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/bhc-teaching-can-be-misdirected-energy/</link>
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		<title>Christopher Rios &#8230; The Big Punisher</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This morning I woke to #RIPBIGPUN as a trending topic on twitter and was conflicted about bigging up Pun. Pun [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/christopher-rios-the-big-punisher/</link>
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		<title>BHC: Women as Leaders</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Today&#8217;s BHC (Black History-Contemporary) speaks to the position of Women, leadership, and racial uplift. Undoutedbly we are accustomed to hearing Black HIStory but there [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/bhc-women-as-leaders/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny (Late Edition): Wrong on many levels</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I love hip-hop, love some reggaetón too, I love the youth, but I&#8217;m pretty sure I don&#8217;t love this! How [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-late-edition-wrong-on-many-levels/</link>
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		<title>Questions: Global and Local</title>
		<description><![CDATA[1) So you watched Pants on the Ground and laughed. Did you notice that General Larry Platt had on a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/questions-global-and-local/</link>
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		<title>Harlem for Haiti 4pm today at State Building</title>
		<description><![CDATA[hat tip to @AroundHarlem]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/harlem-for-haiti-4pm-today-at-state-building/</link>
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		<title>Haiti in Context: Voices</title>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;History is not a procession of illustrious people. It&#8217;s about what happens to a people. Millions of anonymous people is [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/haiti-in-context-voices/</link>
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		<title>Haiti in Context: History</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Note: This is a Partner Post to Haiti in Context: Voices. Please check out both. They represent some of the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/haiti-in-context-history/</link>
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		<title>Helping Haiti</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I write this post with a heavy heart for the people of Haiti and its Diaspora. As you likely well know by now Port-au-Prince, the nation's capital was hit with a 7.0 earthquake and many sizable aftershocks. Given that Haiti is the most impoverished nation in the Western Hemisphere, the consequences of this "natural disaster" are far beyond what many of us can conceive. I see this as a time for us to join in support in spiritual, emotional, physical and economic ways. I've outlined some ways for you to help us do this.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/helping-haiti/</link>
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		<title>R.I.P. (Rise in Power) Black Harlem!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[On Tuesday, the New York Times published a story entitled &#8220;As Population Shifts in Harlem, Blacks Lose Their Majority.&#8221; The [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/r-i-p-rise-in-power-black-harlem/</link>
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		<title>Negro Please! The Census &amp; 3 things to care about</title>
		<description><![CDATA[And one of them is not the use of the word Negro which has BEEN appearing, including on the 2000 [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/negro-please-the-census-3-things-to-care-about/</link>
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		<title>Where did you place your faith?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This is my reflection on Imani: Faith&#8230; Faith is often thought of in a religious and spiritual way. Having grown [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/where-did-you-place-your-faith/</link>
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		<title>Creating Community</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This is my reflection on Kuumba: Creativity I have to admit, I never really remember reading the &#8220;official definition&#8221; of [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/creating-community/</link>
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		<title>Growth in Purpose</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This is my reflection on Nia Purpose &#8221;To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/growth-in-purpose/</link>
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		<title>Ujamaa does not mean Black Capitalism</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This is my reflection on the principle of Ujamaa &#8211; Cooperative Economics&#8230; The title of the post is a variation [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/ujamaa-does-not-mean-black-capitalism/</link>
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		<title>Battle of the Sexes Redux</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This is my reflection on Ujima: Collective Work and Responsibility For more than a year, I&#8217;ve entertained way too many [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/battle-of-the-sexes-redux/</link>
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		<title>Identity, Self-Determination and Then What?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[My reflection on the second principle of the Nguzo Saba of Kwanzaa is Kujichagulia &#8211; Self-Determination &#8220;To define ourselves, name [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/identity-self-determination-and-then-what/</link>
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		<title>Fighting for Unity?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This is my reflection on Umoja, the first principle of Nguzo Saba of Kwanzaa&#8230; Does it make sense that fighting [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/fighting-for-unity/</link>
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		<title>Quit Frontin on Kwanzaa</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A year ago, I began a series on Kwanzaa, this year I will finish it (thanks to all who remember [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/quit-frontin-on-kwanzaa-2/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Empire State of Mind II</title>
		<description><![CDATA[So for the past X months everyone who visits NYC finds it necessary to sing some part of Empire State [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-empire-state-of-mind-ii/</link>
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		<title>The Possible and the Probable Part 2: Urban Education</title>
		<description><![CDATA[To me, the situation of urban education is much like the common cold, as technology advances, we find more and more options that tend to abate sickness, cover the symptoms, but still there is no cure. The biggest confusion that I see emerging around urban education is the highlight of a few successful schools in a city and mistaking that as the probable, that is what will likely happen, in the city as the whole.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/the-possible-and-the-probable-part-2-urban-education/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Do the Right Thing &amp; Sesame Street</title>
		<description><![CDATA[As 2009 draws to a close, let us not forget that we celebrated two cultural phenomena: 20th anniversary of Do [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-do-the-right-thing-sesame-street/</link>
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		<title>&#8220;With the last words on my lips, I am &#8230; a revolutionary.&#8221;</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A year ago, I did a tribute post to the late Fred Hampton on Uptownnotes.com and one year later I [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/with-the-last-words-on-my-lips-i-am-a-revolutionary/</link>
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		<title>The F word: On feminism, being an ally &amp; social justice</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I am an African-American man. I am a heterosexual man. I am a middle-class man. These three statements are the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/the-f-word-on-feminism-being-an-ally-social-justice/</link>
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		<title>Precious, CNN on Black Men, Mommy Memoirs, and Gay Rights: Addicted to Race</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently, I had the pleasure of being on the Addicted to Race podcast. I was on with Tami from What [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/precious-cnn-on-black-men-mommy-memoirs-and-gay-rights-addicted-to-race/</link>
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		<title>Precious was Extra-ordinary</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I just watched Precious, Lee Daniel's film based on the novel Push by Sapphire, and the only way I can find to describe it is extraordinary in the superlative and literal sense. Extraordinary, in the superlative sense, for its craftsmanship in visually and textually telling a narrative of the composite character Precious. It is extra-ordinary (beyond ordinary), in the literal sense, in that it concentrates on a particular set of lives ravished by sexual abuse, physical abuse, and poverty. This is not the tale of all in poverty, but it is a tale that exists.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/precious-was-extra-ordinary/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Diasporic Hip-Hop Love</title>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s been a minute since I dropped a Friday Funny on ya&#8217;ll, probably because I&#8217;ve been traveling the Diaspora for [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-diasporic-hip-hop-love/</link>
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		<title>Dear Old Morehouse</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Dear Old Morehouse,

I've been trying to avoid writing this for some time now. As an alumnus of the institution, it's hard for me to see you in such condition. Many of my fellow alumni complained of your disrepair and your besmirched image when they heard about students being beaten for their sexuality, shooters graduating, and cross-dressing, but I have got bigger concerns. While all these things mattered to me, they did not disturb me because of what was being done to the image of our institution, they disturbed me because they demonstrated that Dear Old Morehouse was terribly unequipped to deal with the realities and lives that Black men in America live now. In fact, it is the Old Morehouse that is more dangerous to me than any student with a gun, sagged pants, or high heels would ever be to me. Let me explain.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/dear-old-morehouse/</link>
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		<title>Preventing More Derrion Alberts</title>
		<description><![CDATA[For the past few weeks I've remained unsettled by the videotape of Derrion Albert's death at the hands of Black youth in Chicago. Like many, I avoided the tape for days on end, only to finally watch it in horror, with pain, and without direct recourse. This feeling of paralysis that many of us have felt is not one that is new to our community, whether it was the viewing of Emmett Till's body in Jet or the railroading of the Central Park Five, the loss and defilement of Black male life at the hands of those Black, White or other remains sickening. 

We, the concerned, the tired, and the committed have a rare opportunity to join not just in frustration, but in production. This week, at the Think Tank for African American Progress&apos; meeting in Memphis, Tennessee entitled: &#34;What is the future of Black Boys?&#34; While the media, and by admission in many of our community, suggest there is little being done to combat the conditions that black male youth face, there is work, there is opportunity, and there is the need for your voice and energy.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/preventing-more-derrion-alberts/</link>
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		<title>BHC: MLK on Self-Determination and Black Self-Love</title>
		<description><![CDATA[An video excerpt of a speech from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr which deals with Black self-determination and Black Self-Love, likely from a 1967 or 1968 speech.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/bhc-mlk-on-self-determination-and-black-self-love/</link>
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		<title>&#8220;I&#8217;m for gay rights but&#8230;&#8221;</title>
		<description><![CDATA[So for the past few years I&#8217;ve been jousting with my family and loved ones around the issue of same [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/im-for-gay-rights-but/</link>
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		<title>BHC: Criticism and the Soul of Democracy</title>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;Honest and earnest criticism from those whose interests are most nearly touched, -criticism of writers by readers, of government by [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/bhc-criticism-and-the-soul-of-democracy/</link>
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		<title>Why WE Love to Hate Kanye (Black Middle Class Blues)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[On Sunday night, Kanye West once again burst into the limelight with his interruption of Taylor Swift&#8217;s acceptance speech at [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/why-we-love-to-hate-kanye-black-middle-class-blues/</link>
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		<title>The Real &#8220;Danger&#8221; of Obama&#8217;s Education Speech</title>
		<description><![CDATA[There are real dangers to Obama's education speech for Sept 8th, but they're not what the Right are talking about.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/the-real-danger-of-obamas-education-speech/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Digital Black Falling Down</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Times are tough but thankfully the iphone is providing some relief. Here&#8217;s a brotha who takes Falling Down to a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-digital-black-falling-down/</link>
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		<title>Where Political Hip-Hop Lives</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Hip-Hop has been political, you just haven't been paying it attention. My reflection on the Black August Hip-Hop Project.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/where-political-hip-hop-lives/</link>
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		<title>What are you doing for Black August?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The month of August has been the seat of many important events in the history of African people, particularly people [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/what-are-you-doing-for-black-august/</link>
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		<title>Uncorking (race/gender) talk in Chicago</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A look at what happens when race and gender are uncorked in a chicago eatery]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/uncorking-racegender-talk-in-chicago/</link>
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		<title>Really RBG: Remembering Brother Garvey</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Today marks the birthday of the one of the greatest African leaders of all time, the Honorable Marcus Garvey! While [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/really-rbg-remembering-brother-garvey/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Structural Racism Analysis Fail</title>
		<description><![CDATA[So one of the problems with being a sociologist of race and offering public commentary is it sometimes creates the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-structural-racism-analysis-fail/</link>
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		<title>An Overdue Thank You to Charles Huntley Nelson</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A tribute to Atlanta artist Charles Huntley Nelson]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/an-overdue-thank-you-to-charles-huntley-nelson/</link>
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		<title>Make Art, Make History &#8230; Make Art History? at The Fak&#8217;try</title>
		<description><![CDATA[You know how you say &#8220;what is there to do today/tonight?&#8221; Well I have an answer for you from today [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/make-art-make-history-make-art-history-at-the-faktry/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Respect your elders &#8230; as they drop it like it&#8217;s hot.</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We here at Uptown Notes are very much in accord with the African belief of respecting one&#8217;s elders and are [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-respect-your-elders-as-they-drop-it-like-its-hot/</link>
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		<title>Black Birthers and the Problem of Bad Information</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Do you know some Black birthers? I bet you do!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/black-birthers-and-the-problem-of-bad-information/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Gates Home Security</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Finally a skit on Gates that made me laugh. Hat tip to ZM]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-gates-home-security/</link>
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		<title>Because summer is finally here&#8230;</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I can enjoy songs about summer&#8230; check the video by Dead Prez for Summertime and make sure to cop &#8220;Pulse [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/because-summer-is-finally-here/</link>
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		<title>Addicted to Race Podcast: Flash Point Racism</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Guest on Addicted to Race podcast 112 on Gates, Obama, and deeper racial dialogue.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/addicted-to-race-podcast-flash-point-racism/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Birthday Sucks (Birthday Sex Parody)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[So there are few things I find more ridiculous than Jeremih&#8217;s (where the hell did the &#8220;a&#8221; in his name [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-birthday-sucks-birthday-sex-parody/</link>
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		<title>On Swimming Pools, Harvard Arrests, and Flash Point Racism</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Why I didn't jump up and talk about swimming pools or Skip Gates ... and maybe why you may not as well.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/on-swimming-pools-harvard-arrests-and-flash-point-racism/</link>
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		<title>Happy Birthday Assata: Affirmation</title>
		<description><![CDATA[One of my favorite portions of Assata are the verses interspersed. In honor of our great freedom fighter Assata Shakur [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/happy-birthday-assata-affirmation/</link>
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		<title>Re-Post: Death of Autotune and &#8220;Acting White&#8221;</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I love Hip-Hop, I love educational research. I love the piece my colleague Christopher Emdin, of Teacher&#8217;s College- Columbia University, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/re-post-death-of-autotune-and-acting-white/</link>
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		<title>Cornel West and Carl Dix at CCNY Tonight</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Cornel West and Carl Dix tangle at CCNY on Tuesday night.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/cornel-west-and-carl-dix-at-ccny-tonight/</link>
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		<title>Speaking at the NAACP Centennial Convention Monday</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This Monday July 13th I will be speaking at the NAACP Centennial Convention on Educational Advocacy. ]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/speaking-at-the-naacp-centennial-convention-monday/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: What Single Women Can&#8217;t Learn from Michelle</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This is a pretty good one that comes from the Root. It&#8217;s time we had a little fun with the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-what-single-women-cant-learn-from-michelle/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Because you still watch BET</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Here is a hilarious edition of This Week in Blackness by Elon James White. This week&#8217;s BET awards were &#8230; [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-because-you-still-watch-bet/</link>
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		<title>More than Just the Man in the Mirror: MJ, Race and Social Justice</title>
		<description><![CDATA[What Michael Jackson taught me about Social Justice]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/more-than-just-the-man-in-the-mirror-mj-race-and-social-justice/</link>
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		<title>Saturday Funny: Offering Time &amp; Chamber Floor</title>
		<description><![CDATA[You've never given this much to the Lord or to the LA legislature!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/saturday-funny-offering-time/</link>
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		<title>Check the fresh: New Muslim Cool</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I thoroughly enjoyed New Muslim Cool for its careful treatment of Hamza who beautifully embodies two of the most powerful social forces of the past 30 years: Hip-Hop and Islam. As a child of Hip-Hop and an admirer of Islam, I was pleased to see that the "new muslim cool" may just be the maturation of the old muslim cool. ]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/check-the-fresh-new-muslim-cool/</link>
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		<title>Lions and Tigers and Black Leaders! Oh my!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We remain in a moment where people are beginning to realize that the election of Barack Obama does not mean a Black political agenda, one in which race is central, will continue to be pushed into the public sphere. So the question becomes, who advances the concerns of the faces at the bottom of the well?]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/lions-and-tigers-and-black-leaders-oh-my/</link>
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		<title>Link Round-Up: Top Chef, Obama in Cairo, and Carradine</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This week, I&#8217;ve got a nice set of deep and thorough posts on some things you may have seen recently, [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/link-round-up-top-chef-obama-in-cairo-and-carra/</link>
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		<title>Danger! Your Suburban Bubble is Under Attack!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The recent death of Chris Jones, attributed to a gang in suburbia has sparked more hysteria about the violence, gangs, and most importantly race without mentioning race. ]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/danger-your-suburban-bubble-is-under-attack/</link>
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		<title>No really, can&#8217;t stop laughing my a** off</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I like to laugh ... particularly at people trying to break coconuts.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/no-really-cant-stop-laughing-my-a-off/</link>
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		<title>Sotomayor Round-Up</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A brief round-up of the best pieces on Sotomayor's nomination by Barack Obama for the Supreme Court.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/sotomayor-round-up/</link>
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		<title>Directing the New Black Left</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This Sunday, in Harlem, find out and discuss the direction for the new Black Left.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/directing-the-new-black-left/</link>
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		<title>Belated Friday Funny</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This is sssssssooooooo ignant and ssssssoooooo wrong, but I really did laugh out loud!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/belated-friday-funny/</link>
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		<title>Mos Definitely.</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Mos is back on the radar. Dropping a project and reuniting with Talib Kweli this week. I'm there.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/mos-definitely/</link>
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		<title>Honor Malcolm: Support Troy Davis and Fight Police Brutality</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This post will not be a lofty tribute to Brother Malcolm, if you would like to see one like that, check it out here. This will be a call to action, because that is one of the things El Hajj Malik El Shabazz was about. Today is a National Day of Action to Stop the Execution of Troy Davis and today I saw a heinous video of a young teenager brutalized by the Police of Toledo. I do not doubt that Malcolm would have been disturbed to action by both. Let's honor him by doing the work!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/honor-malcolm-support-troy-davis-and-fight-police-brutality/</link>
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		<title>The Possible and The Probable Part One</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I spend most days in the classroom teaching on issues of race, social class, mobility and opportunity. The discussions I have always intrigue me, particularly because most of my students are people of color from working class backgrounds. After listening and reading, I'm beginning to think the belief that anything is possible, clouds us from seeing what is probable. I say this not to be a pessimist, rather because I wonder what the line between naivete and willful denial of reality is. And if there are or what are the consequences for this thinning line for our people.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/the-possible-and-the-probable-part-one/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Black Public Opinion</title>
		<description><![CDATA[When is Black public opinion not public opinion... just ask the washingon examiner and Stephen Colbert!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-black-public-opinion/</link>
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		<title>Torture in American Schools by Jewel Woods</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Last weekend, at the Malcolm X Grassroots Unity Brunch one of the topics covered was violence against LGBTQ people of color. I think it was Kenyon Farrow who mentioned the suicides of Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover and Jaheem Herrera who are both Black boys who recently committed suicide because of peer bullying and hatred. Jewel Woods, of the Renaissance Male Project, writes a clear indictment of the ways that our schools allow torture and why boys of color are particularly at risk. What can we do to prevent torture in our schools and ensure a safe and whole development for all our children.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/torture-in-american-schools-by-jewel-woods/</link>
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		<title>An in-depth look at Obama&#8217;s first 100 days</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We take Obama's first 100 days to task in an in-depth post that no one will read ... or I just clown and link to funny stuff like Richard Pryor ... find out which one it is.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/an-in-depth-look-at-obamas-first-100-days/</link>
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		<title>Education Link Round Up</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Here are some interesting links on education research or education related things.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/education-link-round-up/</link>
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		<title>This Sunday: No! The Rape Documentary with Director and Activists</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This Sunday's Unity Brunch of the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement and The Women of Color Caucus will present a Film Screening and Panel discussion of the film No! The Rape Documentary. Guaranteed to be a powerful, insightful and uplifting. Come on out!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/this-sunday-no-the-rape-documentary-with-director-and-activists/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Popeye&#8217;s Pay Day &#8230; say it ain&#8217;t so!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Okay, so I managed to not succumb to the foolishness known as Popeye's Pay Day (yeah, you know the special they were advertising) but leave it up to Fox in Minnesota and my people to make it into a news story. Okay, I guess this is funny, but I think I really want to cry! It's stuff like this that makes me wonder if we gonna make it!?!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-popeyes-pay-day-say-it-aint-so/</link>
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		<title>If a picture is worth a thousand words, what about this billboard?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[So I got an email yesterday with a link to this sign and I was wondering what your thoughts are on this? I imagine there are two basic reactions: 1) Outrage and ready to take the makers to task or 2) Shaking your head and laughing it off. Which camp are you in? Do you have a different reaction?]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/if-a-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words-what-about-this-billboard/</link>
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		<title>The Black Princess &#8230; and a Non-Black Prince???</title>
		<description><![CDATA[So by now, I'm sure you've heard that Disney has been working extensively on the "The Princess and The Frog" their first foray into a Black Princess. And some of you are now saying, "But Dumi, didn't you hear? The Prince isn't Black?" Why yes, I did hear that, but I'm not sure it really moves me. I've got questions for Disney and You!
]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/the-black-princess-and-a-non-black-prince/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Oh Hell Nawl on Mother Nature</title>
		<description><![CDATA[So what should be really funny is by the time this posts I should be in the air en route [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-oh-hell-nawl-on-mother-nature/</link>
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		<title>Did Hip-Hop pass me by???</title>
		<description><![CDATA[So you know you're getting old when folks tell you that the "future" is coming and when you look to see what they're talking about you don't get excited. That's been my feeling for the past couple of months when people ad naseum tell me that Wale, Drake, Charles Hamilton, and the list goes on are the future of Hip-Hop. I just don't feel these cats yet, but I have to give props where they are due. I messes with Kid Cudi.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/did-hip-hop-pass-me-by/</link>
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		<title>Art that Heals</title>
		<description><![CDATA[In the Welsh-Asante Aesthic model there is no form without function. In the production of SOARS, by A Long Walk Home you have a powerful art form that is not only stunning but begins the work of healing. Read more about it here.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/art-that-heals/</link>
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		<title>Getting to the roots of Somali Piracy</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Over the weekend I reluctantly listened to the news as they discussed Somali Pirates and the container ship Maersk Alabama. Yesterday's decision by the US Navy seals to kills three Pirates further saddened me. While I've heard people quickly jump behind the American crew and ship,  most of this has occurredwithout context. This isn't to suggest that if you read these links, watch these videos, etc. that you will or should support the Pirates, but I am pretty sure it will help you better generally understand some of the dynamics that the Somali people live under.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/getting-to-the-roots-of-somali-piracy/</link>
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		<title>The Questions: TV makes you smarter edition</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The questions return, this time I'm talking about TV because I don't feel like talking about books or the news :)]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/the-questions-tv-makes-you-smarter-edition/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Which one is it National Review?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The conservative news magazine has been really consistent with their critique and analysis of Obama, check out the March and April Covers.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-which-one-is-it-national-review/</link>
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		<title>Out of the Mouth of Babes: Children&#8217;s worlds from NYC to Santiago de Cuba</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Today, Pintando Postales opens at the Brooklyn College library and it is a rare opportunity to hear and see the world through children's eyes in New York City and Santiago de Cuba! The work is a multi-year project executed by Katie Yamasaki, but more importantly it lifts the voices and worlds of school-aged children between New York City and Santiago de Cuba in correspondence.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/out-of-the-mouth-of-babes-childrens-worlds-from-nyc-to-santiago-de-cuba/</link>
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		<title>Why do we ignore modern day slavery?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Slavery did not end, it's just been updated in the form of human trafficking! Beneath you will find a video that I was recently emailed that features a song by Peter Buffet andAkon. The song is entitled, "Blood into Gold (Remix)" and was commissioned to heighten awareness of modern day slavery in the form of human trafficking. Human trafficking is a major problem throughout the globe, but flourishes in many places throughout the African Diaspora. Please spread the word and also visit www.istheresomethingicando.com  to find out how to move from awareness to action!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/why-do-we-ignore-modern-day-slavery/</link>
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		<title>Rest in Power John Hope Franklin</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Yesterday, at the age of 94, the unparalleled historian of the African-American experience John Hope Franklin passed away into the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/rest-in-power-john-hope-franklin/</link>
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		<title>Wellness Weekend</title>
		<description><![CDATA[So yesterday I was all existential on twitter, which I rarely do, so today I'll mesh them on my blog. I'm declaring this weekend "wellness weekend" because I was passed three events happening in NYC that stimulate the psychological, spiritual, mental, and physical. Most are free or low cost. Check them out!

]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/wellness-weekend/</link>
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		<title>Why the Pope needs to take a Statistics class.</title>
		<description><![CDATA[First, let me say that I pay little attention to the Pope or his statements. I spent eight years of my life in catholic school ignoring Pope John Paul II and now Pope Benedict XVI has joined that club. In a recent visit to Africa, Pope Benedict exclaimed, “You can’t resolve it with the distribution of condoms,” the pope told reporters aboard the plane heading to Yaoundé. “On the contrary, it increases the problem.” Now let me explain why this is wrong!!!!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/why-the-pope-needs-to-take-statistics-class/</link>
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		<title>V Day in Harlem</title>
		<description><![CDATA[On April 11th, V Day will be celebrated in Harlem with performances of the Vagina Monologues at 6 and 8pm at the Maysles Institute. The recent headlines have put domestic violence, sex and race on the national radar, though most of the conversations have been too shallow and misdirected for my liking (that's for a different post). The Vagina Monologues is a uniquely powerful performance and movement to not only stop violence against women but also resurrect love for womanhood in a world where misogyny is the norm.  Please SUPPORT!!!!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/v-day-in-harlem/</link>
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		<title>I come from under a rock, Jim Cramer is crawling under one</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Jim Cramer of Mad Money's interview from the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. I'm sure Jim Cramer wishes he never did this interview and the one they kept referencing.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/i-come-from-under-a-rock-jim-cramer-is-crawling-under-one/</link>
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		<title>Re-Claiming or Re-defining Arab???</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Root has an interesting piece on the reclaimation or redefinition of Arab by Saaret Yoseph. What do you think [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/re-claiming-or-re-defining-arab/</link>
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		<title>Thinking and Doing Race today at CCNY</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Today CCNY will feature a lecture by Kwame Appiah on "Race and Genomics" as well as host a stop on the "Live from Death Row" tour. Great chance to think about race theoretically and practically.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/thinking-and-doing-race-today-at-ccny/</link>
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		<title>R.I.P. to the King of New York</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Today is Biggie day. I let the man speak for himself. Rest in Peace.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/rip-to-the-king-of-new-york/</link>
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		<title>Going homeless for one week</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This week, my dear friend Yusef Ramelize, took on the issue of homelessness. No, he didn't decide to volunteer at a soup kitchen. No he didn't decide to give out change to someone he saw as he was exiting the platform. No he didn't email his friends and tell them they should join a "homelessness sucks" cause on facebook. He decided to raise awareness about the issue of homelessness by getting a first person experience. Yusef is going homeless for one week.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/going-homeless-for-one-week/</link>
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		<title>Broken Social Contracts and Silent Consent</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I was so moved by the trailer to Social Contracts by Laura Rahman that I had to post it and write a post. An insightful clip of documentary dealing with issues of sexual violence in the Black community.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/broken-social-contracts-and-silent-consent/</link>
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		<title>Check out G-Trification at the Harlem International Film Festival Today</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Check out a free screening of G-trification a short film by Karra Duncan today (2/26) at 5:30pm at the Harlem School of the Arts during the Harlem International Film Festival. It's a short, potent, and poignant commentary on transformation uptown.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/check-out-g-trification-at-harlem-international-film-festival-today/</link>
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		<title>Panel on NCLB at CCNY</title>
		<description><![CDATA[On Feb 25th, City College of New York will host an important panel on No Child Left Behind and Urban Schools. R. L'Heureux Lewis will moderate with panelists Christopher Edmin, Winthrop Holder, and Marcus Winters. 5-7pm in Shepard Hall Rm 250.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/panel-on-nclb-at-ccny/</link>
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		<title>A Libation for Brother Malcolm</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A libation for our ancestor Malcolm X and two events uptown to commemorate the 44th anniversary of his assassination and entry into the ancestral realm.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/a-libation-for-brother-malcolm/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny/ Inspiration: Whattup my president?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Apparently people are replacing the N-word with President ... even NY1 covered it ;)]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-inspiration-whattup-my-president/</link>
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		<title>NY Post Action today &#8230; and student activism ain&#8217;t dead!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Protest actions: Today a rally against the NY Post for their incendiary "political" cartoon. Student take back NYU and stream occupation live.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/ny-post-action-today-and-student-activism-aint-dead/</link>
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		<title>Ugh, can someone explain this to me?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[ I really hope Delonas has a helluva explanation for this political cartoon ... http://tinyurl.com/k6ybp]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/ugh-can-someone-explain-this-to-me/</link>
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		<title>Re-Post: Sarah Palin and the Rise of the Playboy Electorate?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[A Re-Post Jewel Woods' article on Sarah Palin and Men's votes from Alternet.org.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/re-post-sarah-palin-and-the-rise-of-the-playboy-electorate/</link>
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		<title>Re-Post south side scholar: Let&#8217;s All Point &amp; Laugh at Rihanna</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This is a repost of a powerful piece on Rihanna, Chris Brown, and Domestic Violence in the Black community. Taken from South Side Scholar.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/re-post-south-side-scholar-lets-all-laugh-and-point-at-rihanna/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Happy 100th Colored People</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Happy 100th anniversary NAACP... now change you name immediately!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-happy-100th-colored-people/</link>
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		<title>Education is more than a Mind Game</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This past week, renowned Psychologist Richard Nisbett published an opinion piece in the New York Times entitled, "Education Is All in the Mind." While I've come to respect Nisbett for his research and advocacy against polemics such as The Bell Curve, his recent piece misses the mark. The central issue is that Nisbett privileges psychological factors over other factors and leaves the reader to think what it takes to repair schools essentially are "mind games."]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/education-is-more-than-a-mind-game/</link>
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		<title>Dialogue of Black Jewish Relations at NYU Gallatin</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This week, on Thursday the 12th, I will be a featured panelist at New York University's Gallatin School. I will be on a panel discussing Black and Jewish Relations as part of their Black History Month Programming. From the look of the panelist it's going to be a lively and engaging discussion. More information is provided beneath.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/dialogue-of-black-jewish-relations-at-nyu-gallatin/</link>
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		<title>The Recession and the Ivory Black Tower</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The arrival of the recession didn't really hit me that much. I remember the basic economic principal that I was taught when I was younger, "As the supply of jobs goes down, demand for education goes up." While this is still probably true, this past week's events really made me take a deeper stock of my position as an academic and the ways that the University system is insulated, but not impervious. This past Friday, Clark Atlanta University dismissed 100 staff members, including 70 faculty citing financial difficulties.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/the-recession-and-the-ivory-black-tower/</link>
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		<title>Questions the NYC edition</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;ve been crazy busy, so here&#8217;s a quick questions post&#8230; I&#8217;ll be back! 1) How is it that a Village [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/questions-the-nyc-edition/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funnies: Pics worth a thousand words</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Other sites have moving photo tributes, if you want those, go there. If you want something funny, here are two great pics that made me laugh out loud.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funnies-pics-worth-a-thousand-words/</link>
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		<title>1.20.09</title>
		<description><![CDATA[As the clock struck midnight and November 20th rolled in I thought about how 1.20.09 was emblazoned in my memory. I recall seeing bumper stickers years ago that had the date and "Bush's Last Day" proudly marked. I waited for the date and was glad to see it arrive. I was in DC for inauguration weekend, so like many others, I was out partying. I knew that I had to get up at the crack of dawn, so I left my celebration and attempted to hail a cab to my residence. The weather in DC was a bitter, bitter cold, but I didn't worry because as I approached a major thoroughfare I saw an ample number of cabs. I saw people hopping in and out of cabs and raised my hand to hail one. As I stood with my hand out, buzzing from the revelry of the weekend, taxis buzzed past me.I am overjoyed that the Obamas challenge stereotypes and have seeped through the pores of seemingly non-porous barriers, but that doesn't often mean much for how we get along each day. Seeing race is not the issue, the system of racism is. ]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/12009/</link>
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		<title>Discussing Inauguration on NPR today</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Today I&#8217;ll on NPR&#8216;s New and Notes on their bloggers roundtable discussion inauguration and coming challenges for Barack Obama. You [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/discussing-inauguration-on-npr-today/</link>
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		<title>BHC: MLK on White folks and the Pace of Progress</title>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;I have been dismayed at the degree to which abysmal ignorance seems to prevail among state, city and even Federal [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/bhc-mlk-on-white-folks-and-the-pace-of-progress/</link>
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		<title>Friday Funny: Can you roll with me to the Inauguration?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The event is finally arriving, the inauguration of Barack Obama. And while I am a strong critic of Barack Obama I can appreciate a good celebration, so I’ve decided to go on a hate moratorium and attend. As a result a bunch of folks have been asking me where I'm going to be at. Well I'll only tell you dependent on how you do on this quiz, much like a NCLB test, your answers are gonna be of consequence. Please choose the best answer

1) Inauguration is not _________________.
a) Freaknik
b) Juneteenth
c) All Star Weekend
d) All of the above]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-can-you-roll-with-me-to-the-inauguration/</link>
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		<title>Review of Notorious aka the Worst of Biggie</title>
		<description><![CDATA[So I had no intention of writing a review of the new movie on Biggie, Notorious, but the reviews that I've been reading have left me with no choice. I will keep my comments brief and give you the punchline upfront. The movie sucks, if you have ten dollars I can think of plenty of other things to spend it on. In fact, if you were going to take someone else, you two can put your money together and get two snuggies ... they even come with a free reading light. As a fan of the man and the music, this movie fell short from start to finish. When the movie ended I wanted to leave and put on a Mister Cee Mixtape like the " Best of Biggie" to cleanse my eyes and ears of the visual catastrophe that should be called "The Worst of Biggie."]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/review-of-notorious-aka-the-worst-of-biggie/</link>
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		<title>Review: The Break/s by Marc Bamuthi Joseph</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently, I had the chance to check out one of my brothers weave his craft in the city. Marc Bamuthi Joseph is the truth. Read that again, the man is the truth! I have been familiar with Bamuthi’s musings and deeds since the mid-90s but his recent show The Break/s: A dream journal presented as a mixtape for stage, which headlined the Hip Hop Theater Festival demonstrates not only that he’s a great performer but that he is beautifully human. The battle for balance and transformation are beautifully captured in Marc Bamuthi Joseph’s piece The Break/s, more so than any other performance piece I’ve seen in years. Check it out at LOCATION until Saturday (1/18) in NYC at the New York Public Theater with Under the Radar or catch him on the road as he brings The Break/s to the nation.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/review-the-breaks-by-marc-bamuthi-joseph/</link>
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		<title>Reflections on being a Revolutionary</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The term revolutionary is often batted about and is bestowed upon most anyone who finds their ideas falling to the left of the political mainstream. For that reason we have more coffee shop revolutionaries than I can shake a vegan biscotti at! Now I don't mean that as pot-shot against coffee shop poets (okay, well maybe I did a mean it a little) but really its about the question, "What does it take to be revolutionary?" I was left deeply reflecting on that after watching Che.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/reflections-on-being-a-revolutionary/</link>
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		<title>It wouldn&#8217;t be right without a 2008 Rap-Up</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Here is Skillz's 2008 rap up ... why are there so many versions of this on Youtube? And why did he hit it on the head with Nas, R. Kelly and the Inauguration? ]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/it-wouldnt-be-right-without-a-2008-rap-up/</link>
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		<title>BHC: Media Distortions</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you&#8217;re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/bhc-media-distortions/</link>
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		<title>Reflections on Ujamaa: Cooperative Economics</title>
		<description><![CDATA[What would our communities look like if we concentrated on contributing positively to each other lives, rather than concentrating on accruing financial capital? Basically, the desire to make money often takes precedent over our ability to contribute to each others well being. "Support Black Business" this was my approach to the principle of Ujamaa for years, but I realized that supporting a business by someone who looks like me will likely get our people no closer to liberation. Need an example, just turn on BET.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/reflections-on-ujamaa-cooperative-economics/</link>
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		<title>Reflections on Ujima: Collective Work and Responsibility</title>
		<description><![CDATA[When it comes to discussing collective work and responsibility, I usually end up on the other side of most conversations which seem to start with, "The reason Black folks can't get ahead is..." or "We're just like crabs in a barrel..." While these conversations have their place, I think we have been conditioned to overlook the collective work that we take part in daily. While there are many issues that face our community, many of use continue to struggle and fight but don't receive the acknowledgment that is deserved.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/reflections-on-ujima-collective-work-and-responsibility/</link>
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		<title>BHC: Kwame Ture on Zionism</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Yesterday and today, some of the most violent attacks on the Palestinian people in decades were launched by the Israeli military. As I write this, the death toll is approximately 280, and the number of innocent lives that will continue to be lost are unknown. I value human life and really have dreamed about a peaceful middle east, but now, more than ever, I'm concerned that my wishes have been nothing more than a dream. The question of Zionism remains one of the most politically contentious among global citizens today. Beneath you will find two videos from the greatKwame Ture (Stokley Carmichael), who left the earth in 1998, speaking on the distinction between Judaism and Zionism and his position on imperialism. Please listen. We can no longer afford to not value human life.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/bhc-kwame-ture-on-zionism/</link>
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		<title>Reflections on Kujichagulia: Self-Determination</title>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.&#8221; Naming: What&#8217;s in a name. If you&#8217;ve been [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/reflections-on-kujichagulia-self-determination/</link>
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		<title>Reflections on Umoja: Unity</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Umoja- Unity One of my boy&#8217;s who said the other day, &#8220;Having a Black family without drama is like having [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/reflections-on-umoja-unity/</link>
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		<title>Quit Frontin on Kwanzaa</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Being Pan-African is a weird thing. To many folks it means wearing dashikis, avoiding swine, and shouting ase at every opportunity. I, however, realize that you aren’t going to do that. For most Black folks, the holiday of Kwanzaa is one tied to Pan-Africanism and thus gets mentioned more in their living rooms on TV commercials than at family gatherings. I've decided we've been frontin' on Kwanzaa for no real good reason.  I think now, more than ever, we run the risk of being allured by an Obama presidency into thinking we have arrived at the promised land. Look around your family, your neighborhood, your nation, and tell me if we can afford to continue to not be self-reflective and work towards a better community? If you cannot take seven days to redefine you relationship to the people who live with you, love you, and look like you, what kind of change are you really invested in?]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/quit-frontin-on-kwanzaa/</link>
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		<title>&#8220;I am an American&#8230;&#8221;</title>
		<description><![CDATA[I don't think I was really prepared for those four words, but as the clock struck midnight and November 5th rolled in I started hearing and reading the words "I am an American," from many of my friends and family. Well, much like my man Ice Cube said, "I'm here to deprogram you, don't forget what they made your great grandmama do, your great granddaddy do without a dollar or a penny or a thank you...". I am very thankful for an electoral victory, but an election can't erase the reality that we came from or live in.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/i-am-an-american/</link>
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		<title>Bloggers Roundtable today: NPR News and Notes</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Today I'll be doing the bloggers roundtable on NPR News and Notes. Check your local NPR listings or look for it on the webpage and podcast later today. I'm scheduled to be on with some very interesting folks: Felicia Harvey from BlackPoliticsonttheWeb.com and Lenny McAllister from Lennymcallister.com]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/bloggers-roundtable-today-npr-news-and-notes/</link>
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	<item>
		<title>Racial Identity and the Workplace</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This past week, I had a chance to appear on NPR&#8217;s News and Notes with Farai Chideya and discuss racial [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/racial-identity-and-the-workplace/</link>
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		<title>Did you forget about Kahlil Gibran International Academy?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Over a year ago, controversy over the Kahlil Gibran International Academy unfolded, if you don't know who Kahlil Gibran was stop reading and click here - yeah, he's that important, in Brooklyn. The visible battle over the mission of the school, its practices, and its leadership put the academy in the national spotlight for discussions of ethnicity, language, religion and identity. But soon, this spotlight faded and many have forgotten that the school still is in operation. Colorlines runs a great web article by Seth Wessler entitled, "Silenced in the classroom" on what is happening with the school now. ]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/did-you-forget-about-kahlil-gibran-international-academy/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Next Stop Education</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Recently, Roland Fryer &#8211; economist, NYC Public Schools&#8217; Chief Equity Officer, and the public&#8217;s latest cat&#8217;s meow, was on the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/next-stop-education/</link>
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	<item>
		<title>Friday Funny: The Mystery of Blagojevich&#8217;s hair solved!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[People have been tripping over the corruption of the governor of Illinois and his hair. But for some strange reason [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-the-mystery-of-blagojevichs-hair-solved/</link>
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	<item>
		<title>Finally some logic in discussion of Detroit</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The Automaker &#8220;bailout&#8221; remains a hot topic and the conversation about it on the web and in the mainstream press [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/finally-some-logic-in-discussion-of-detroit/</link>
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	<item>
		<title>Friday Funny: &#8220;Oh yes I do&#8230;&#8221;</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Paula Deen is certainly out to create the most ignorant and death riddled food ever... and for some reason we still tune in. Check out the video.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-oh-yes-i-do/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>In Remembrance of Chairman Fred Hampton</title>
		<description><![CDATA[In an age when grassroots Black leadership has become distilled, sanitized, and all too often co-opted, we are often left [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/in-rememberance-of-chariman-fred-hampton/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>December Questions</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Just in time for some snowfall and to pay rent, I present five quick questions. 1) Now that Kanye and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/december-questions/</link>
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	<item>
		<title>Why Forte&#8217;s free and Mumia is not</title>
		<description><![CDATA[So in bizarro world news yesterday, my phone and twitter started blowing up about the commuting of sentence that John [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/why-fortes-free-and-mumia-is-not/</link>
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		<title>Obama is the Pres, but I voted for Shirley Chisholm*</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The campaign and victory of Barack Obama were historic. In leading up the election I received a text that said, "Rosa sat so Martin could walk, Martin walked so Obama could run, Obama ran so our children can fly!" This message, while inspirational, demonstrates the ways that one of the most historic and powerful presidential runs ever gets looked over, if not just downright ignored. In 1972, the campaign of Shirley Chisholm broke both the gender and race barrier in American presidential politics, but her campaign is still relatively unknown. Let me start this with an admission, I knew thatChisholm ran in 1972 but I had no idea about the discourse she pushed, assassination attempts, and what was certainly more than a symbolic run. After watching Chisholm 72- Unbossed and Unbought, I was amazed at her vision, inspired by her bravery, and humbled by the ways we leave her out of history. That is a living example of why we need herstory, particularly within the Black community.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/obama-is-the-pres-but-i-voted-for-chisholm/</link>
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	<item>
		<title>Friday Funny: Times are Hard</title>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-times-are-hard/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Can the Big Three die and the People Live?</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Over the past week, the media and everyone who could jump on the bandwagon of wagging fingers, frowned brows, and [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/can-the-big-three-die-and-the-people-live/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>Check me out on News and Notes Today</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Tune your radio into NPR &#8230; okay well maybe you don&#8217;t have a radio, in that case, check out NPR.org. [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/check-me-out-on-news-and-notes-today/</link>
			</item>
	<item>
		<title>On your morning commute</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Check out the article by Jason Fink in AM New York (as one of my friends politely or rudely called [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/on-your-morning-commute/</link>
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	<item>
		<title>Prop 8, the Left coast and Lefty Politics</title>
		<description><![CDATA[People were shocked by the passage of Prop 8 and the votes of African-Americans... should we be? "In many ways, folks have been shocked that voting for Left or progressive politics doesn't necessarily mean that you support social justice or equality for all. I can't help but think that we have assumed for far too long that coming from a certain background, speaking a certain tongue, wearing certain buttons inherently connects our struggles for justice. In reality, a social justice orientation is taught one, a lived one, a challenging one. If we are not forever questioning our oppressions and our own privileges I've come to believe we are playing party or ideological politics, not engaging in politics of change and justice. Our inability to see our connectedness and divergences in our struggles have ended up making justice for  "just us." ]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/prop-8-the-left-coast-and-lefty-politics/</link>
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	<item>
		<title>Friday Funny: Bush is still at it</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Yesterday Outgoing President George W. Bush gave a speech on the market at the Manhattan Institute, this is probably my [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/friday-funny-bush-is-still-at-it/</link>
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	<item>
		<title>Ahhh&#8230; Hip-Hop</title>
		<description><![CDATA[So I&#8217;m often frustrated by what plays on the radio&#8230; well actually I don&#8217;t even listen to the radio so [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.uptownnotes.com/ahhh-hip-hop/</link>
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