by Dr. Boyce Watkins--Courtesy of The Grio.com
There was a time when I thought that Barack Obama and Tiger Woods were "Teflon Negroes": men with the ability to transcend race in a way that makes the rest of us look silly and small-minded. Obama's success in the 2008 presidential election almost made me wonder if I was the only one who couldn't see the vision of a truly "post-racial" America.

Unfortunately, 2009 brought a new set of realities, and one can only wonder if ignoring blatant racial humiliation (as Tiger and Barack have done) is ever a productive long-term strategy, whether on the golf course or in the White House.

The Republicans have amazed me with how well they've risen to the occasion of finding creative and unethical ways to undermine a black man in power.

Not that their viewpoints don't have elements of legitimacy, it's just that there are times when I wonder if there are far too many members of the right wing who've simply let go of any desire to remain connected to that little thing called "reality."

The deceitful lies and illogical rants that drive the emotions of the party right now are simply mind-boggling.

A recent poll by Daily Kos Research 2000 out some disturbing data about the Republican paranoia surrounding President Obama.

I won't try to give you an overview of the key results, I'll just let you read them for yourself:

• 39 percent of Republicans believe Obama should be impeached, 29 percent are not sure, 32 percent said he should not be voted out of office.

• 36 percent of Republicans believe Obama was not born in the United States, 22 percent are not sure, 42 percent think he is a natural citizen.

• 31 percent of Republicans believe Obama is a "racist who hates white people" -- the description once adopted by Fox News's Glenn Beck. 33 percent were not sure, and 36 percent said he was not a racist.

• 63 percent of Republicans think Obama is a socialist, 16 percent are not sure, 21 percent say he is not.

• 24 percent of Republicans believe Obama wants "the terrorists to win," 33 percent aren't sure, 43 percent said he did not want the terrorist to win.

• 21 percent of Republicans believe ACORN stole the 2008 election, 55 percent are not sure, 24 percent said the community-organizing group did not steal the election.

• 23 percent of Republicans believe that their state should secede from the United States, 19 percent aren't sure, 58 percent said no.

• 53 percent of Republicans said they believe Sarah Palin is more qualified to be president than Obama.

Ok, let's start from the beginning. I confess that I've never heard of Daily Kos/Research 2000, and you probably haven't heard of them either. It appears that, based on their website, they go out of their way to present legitimate statistical results.

Personally, I could not help but to be skeptical about the fact that Daily Kos is known for being a left-leaning website to begin with, but that doesn't mean that their results are not as accurate as any other poll.

Truth be told, I'd love to see the results replicated by pollsters who appear to be a bit more neutral.

With that said, the Daily Kos 2000 poll results are not completely inconsistent with what the rest of us have been witnessing over the past several months.

The Republicans are more determined than ever to obstruct the progress of the United States government.

By using half-truths and leveraging racial distrust to slow our nation's ability to pass critical legislation, the Republicans have become the Axis of Ignorance, engaging in some of the most unpatriotic and uncivilized behavior we've witnessed in modern-day American politics.

But while we must hold the Republicans accountable for their collective temper tantrum, it might make sense to go to the root of it all. The partisan divide in Washington, while expected, didn't necessarily have to happen.

One can wonder if Democratic post-election euphoria didn't transform into left-wing arrogance and irrational expectations, reflected by the self-serving antics of Democrats who were able to take advantage of Republican defiance.

Senator Ben Nelson is the first name that comes to mind, given his move to get the rest of the nation to pay for Medicaid costs for the state of Nebraska as a condition for his signing onto the Democrats' health care plan.

There is also the fact that some might wonder if President Obama's rhetoric about reaching across the aisle should have been replaced by a greater commitment to actually mobilizing and unifying Democrats in the same manner as Republicans.

The liberals who loved him a year ago are hardly inspired by him now, and Democrats don't seem as synchronized in standing by the president as Republicans are in jointly defying him.

Some may not have noticed, but Obama's massive backlash gained a great deal of momentum when his push for health care was briefly upstaged by a little spat between a police officer and a professor last summer.

Many don't connect the Henry Louis Gates incident with the tea parties and the borderline racism Obama faces today, but we must recall that after "Gates-gate,” Obama immediately lost 7 percent of his white support.

Additionally, Obama's Gallup poll disapproval rating rose by 5 percent during the week and half that the scandal took place.

The idea that a third of the Republicans in the Daily Kos 2000 poll consider Obama to be a racist is a reminder that even the subtlest alignment with African-Americans is going to result in severe attacks from a right wing being driven by intellectual rodents.

What's even more disheartening for Obama is that while the Republicans are calling him a racist, many African-Americans are calling him a sell-out. Sometimes, when you straddle the fence, you just get cut by the barbwire in uncomfortable places.

I am not sure how President Obama is going to get out of this one. The natural improvement in the business cycle is going to work in Obama's favor in 2010, as he will find himself well-positioned to take credit for the new jobs that will be created as a result. If he can get a jobs bill passed (which the Republicans are likely going to do all they can to stop), this might serve the president well.

The greatest problem for President Obama right now is that it has become stylish for Republicans to defy him, and any moderate Republican who jumps ship to support the president's initiatives will find himself/herself at serious risk of losing their political seat.

The moves by Republicans are no longer being driven by policy--they are being driven by emotion and ideology.

They are more like an uneducated cult than a political party is, which is a dangerous thing.

MCJ Special Focus

What Stops Us From Being Healthy?

File photo

One reason for our being unhealthy is the historical and continuing legacy of limited access and poor quality health care. If you have heard the term “health disparities,” it usually means that there is a gap between African Americans and Whites in our level of health and/or our ability to obtain quality health care.

The United States prides itself on having the best medical system in the world. There is no doubt that this is probably true if you are sick. But it does not provide the same outcomes based on race, gender or income.

However, African Americans do not get the same outcomes no matter what. That is to say, that even if you are college educated and has a good professional job; you still have a risk of getting substandard care.

And if you are a poor black person, you can forget it. Poor whites still have better outcomes than poor blacks. These issues are external or outside our immediate environment. That means that we must advocate and hold these systems accountable.

Another reason for our poor health is the choices we make for ourselves, our families and our community on a daily basis. We receive a lot of information on what is good for us, such as eating healthy foods, exercise, drinking alcohol in moderation, no drugs, don’t smoke, etc.

However, information is not enough. What about motivation? What do we need to make that step towards a better life for ourselves, our families and the community.

You may ask why does she always talk about self, family, and the community? I do this because they are not independent of each other. Until we realize this, we will continue to not see real change in our circumstances. These issues are internal or inside our immediate environment. That means that to some degree the control is with us and our actions.

So what stops us? The issues previously discussed are reasons for our condition, not excuses. We spend too much of our time on excuses. I look at the weight I have gained over the last 8-9 years.

I had a good excuse. I could not exercise because of my bad knees. Then I had a knee replacement in 2004 on my left knee and found out I cannot have surgery on the right knee which is just as bad. It has taken me at least another two years to begin to stand and walk for any period of time. I am getting older and I know that my metabolism is slowing down. So what is stopping me now?

It is not the system, it is not lack of education, it is me. We must face what the real issues are. It was my way of dealing with a busy job and lifestyle, frustrations with what I see in my family and community. But I realize that the most important thing I can do is to be around to make a difference.

The task seems almost insurmountable at times, but we must take that first step. It can be a small step as long as it is in the right direction. I decided to stop eating fast foods. It forces me to plan for my meals rather than just putting anything in my mouth. Look at what you do and what you can change. How does this affect others in your family? It can’t be seen as something forced.

It will not work. What role do you play in your family? Is it important for you to have a good quality of life? Not just be alive. How many of you are just alive? I am going to work on it one day at a time. What about you?

by Oskar Garcia , THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LAS VEGAS - A 22-year-old Virginia woman who said she once thought her only talent was singing is the newest Miss America, emerging from a field of 53 contestants.

Caressa Cameron, a broadcast journalism student at Virginia Commonwealth University, now plans a second year away from college as she travels extensively to raise money for charity and carry the 89-year-old pageant’s crown.

``I hope to gain inspiration, I hope to gain momentum so that when this 365 days is over, I can shoot through the moon,’’ Cameron told The Associated Press.

Cameron, the first black Miss America since Ericka Dunlap in 2004, says she wants to get a master’s degree and eventually become a news anchor.

Cameron, the daughter of a background researcher for the government and a contractor, said she was inspired to compete in pageants at age 14, when Miss Virginia 2003 Nancy Redd visited her school.

``At that time, all I knew that I could do was sing - that’s all I had,’’ the Fredericksburg, Virginia, native said.

Cameron said that after that visit, she decided to try out for a school musical, which snowballed into more opportunities in the arts, drama and other areas.

``More doors and more doors continued to open,’’ she said. ``It’s so important that we reach our young people, because there are so many young people that are at the very same crossroads that I was at.’’ ``We need those people to let them know that just because your circumstances are a certain way, you don’t have to succumb to them,’’ she said. ``You can do something amazing, like become Miss America.’’ Cameron won the title and a $50,000 scholarship Saturday night after strutting in a skintight yellow dress, belting Beyonce’s ``Listen’’ from ``Dreamgirls’’ and advising parents to limit video games and television when asked about childhood obesity during an onstage interview.

Cameron won her state’s title on her fourth try, and said she saw pageantry as a way to raise money and awareness for her platform issue, AIDS awareness.

She said the issue is personal for her because her uncle died of AIDS and her family fostered a young girl who lived with the disdease.

She was recognized by Congress in 2007 for her work to bring instant-result HIV testing to her home state.

Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution honoring civil rights pioneer Ruby Bridges based on the efforts of a first grade class in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) and Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee) introduced resolutions in the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, after hearing about a classroom project at Barton Elementary School in Milwaukee to honor Ruby Bridges’ efforts to integrate schools and improve public education. Bridges was the subject of the famous Norman Rockwell painting “The Problem We All Live With,” of a young African-American girl being escorted into school on her first day.

What started as an individual classroom project at Barton has now become a resolution passed by both chambers of the U.S. Congress - officially honoring November 14, 1960 as the first day of integrated schools in New Orleans and commending Ruby Bridges for her bravery.

“Nearly 50 years after Ruby Bridges became the first child to break the color barrier in New Orleans elementary schools, her heroic efforts continue to inspire the lives of children across the country, and one first grade class in Milwaukee in particular,” Senator Feingold said.

“I congratulate the students at Barton Elementary for their great effort to raise awareness of Ruby Bridges’ story of courage and lifelong commitment to improving educational opportunities for all children.

“I am pleased I was able to work with Congresswoman Moore and help advance the students’ efforts from the classroom through the United States Congress.”

Congresswoman Moore said, “I am so inspired by these young students. Their efforts to raise awareness of a brave little girl on the frontlines of change nearly 50 years ago brought about action in the halls of Congress.

“They not only learned lessons about diversity and inclusion, they also learned first hand that this is the people’s government and that their voices count. I am glad to work with Senator Feingold to help further these students’ efforts, and I couldn’t be prouder to lead the House effort to recognize Ruby Bridges as we begin Black History Month.”

"It has been my privilege to work with the caring and compassionate children at Barton Elementary on this special project. Because of the heroic efforts of Ruby Bridges, this particular class of first graders, and all children in our fine nation, have had the opportunity to learn and grow together.

It gives me great pride to know that even our youngest citizens can use the power of the pen and the spoken word to make great achievements in this world.

It is my hope that by the 50th Anniversary of School Integration, we will be able to make November 14th a national day of celebration in honor of the courage of Ruby Bridges and all children who make a difference in this world by working together... a nation of children united!

Thank you to all of the members of Congress who supported "The Little Project That Could!," said Laura Floryance, first grade teacher at Barton Elementary School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Even though Ruby Bridges endured riots and protests and retaliations against her family, she attended school at William Frantz every day during the 1960-61 school year. In 1999, Ruby Bridges established the Ruby Bridges Foundation to help eliminate racism and improve society by educating students around the country about her experiences, discussing ongoing efforts to promote diversity and providing lessons students could take back to their communities. The Ruby Bridges resolution passed the U.S. Senate on November 10, 2009.

Pulse of the Community

Question of the Week: “Who is your favorite Black History person?

Photos and question by Harry Kemp

Craig Jackson: “My favorite African American history person is Malcolm X because he was a man of character and integrity. he was a proud, humble Black man who loved Black people and promoted self-love, doing for self and knowledge of self.”

Fred D. Curtis: “My favorite African American was Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. because he was a man of character; a visionary and a very spiritual, humble man. “I think his ‘I Have a Dream’ speech represents our dream coming true with Barack Obama becoming president.”

Delores Jefferson: “My favorite was Dr. Martin Luther King. (He) marched and stood for so many great things: peace, rights for all people, jobs with equal pay (and) not based on color. He was a family man and he was a man that would pray.”

Carmenetta Malone: “I’d like to say I have a favorite, but I don’t. I love all who paved a way for us. This would include all my ancestors who shed blood, sweat and tears for us to be here. I am intrigued by Nkrumah, Robeson, Fannie Lou, King Malcolm and more.”