Nobel Winner Issues Apology For Comments About Blacks

by Cornelia Dean

published: The New York Times, October 19, 2007

James D. Watson, who shared the 1962 Nobel prize for deciphering the double-helix of DNA, apologized unreservedly yesterday for comments reported this week suggesting that black people, over all, are not as intelligent as whites. In an interview published Sunday in The Times of London, Dr. Watson is quoted as saying that while there are many people of color who are very talented, he is inherently gloomy about the prospect of Africa.
(full NYTimes article)

Ten Thousand Idiots

by Hafiz, Sufi Poet, Persia 14th century

It is always a danger
To aspirants
On the
Path

When they begin
To believe and
Act

As if the ten thousand idiots
Who so long ruled
And lived
Inside

Have all packed their bags
And skipped town
Or
Died.

signified, signifier, signify, signifyin'

signified |ˈsignəˌfīd| noun Linguistics- the meaning or idea expressed by a sign, as distinct from the physical form in which it is expressed. Compare with signifier .

signifier |ˈsignəˌfīər| noun Linguistics- a sign's physical form (such as a sound, printed word, or image) as distinct from its meaning. Compare with signified .

signify |ˈsignəˌfī| verb ( -fies, -fied) 1) [ trans. ] be an indication of : this decision signified a fundamental change in their priorities. • be a symbol of; have as meaning : the church used this image to signify the Holy Trinity. • (of a person) indicate or declare (a feeling or intention) : signify your agreement by signing the letter below. • [ intrans. ] [with negative ] be of importance : the locked door doesn't necessarily signify. 2) [ intrans. ] informal (among Black Americans) exchange boasts or insults as a game or ritual.

signifyin' is Amiri Baraka doin' UGLY.

bell hooks: Cultural Criticism, Transformation

8 video clips, will run in order or use menu to navigate.

STUART HALL, RACE: THE FLOATING SIGNIFIER

This is a one hour piece that is downloadable. Hall argues that race is like language, and that visible differences are employed to explain socio- cultural differences.

Oscar Brown, Jr- "The Beach"

..a call to arms for Baby Boomer Soldiers

Poets Riff on Communication

...from Def Comedy Jam

Blind Men and the Elephant

An ancient Tale...


...In various versions of the tale, a group of blind men (or men in the dark) touch an elephant to learn what it is like. Each one touches a different part, but only one part, such as the side or the tusk. They then compare notes on what they felt, and learn they are in complete disagreement. The story is used to indicate that reality may be viewed differently depending upon one's perspective, showing how absolute truths may be relative; the deceptive world of half-truths...
Wikipedia entry

SONNY ROLLINS PODCAST

Juke Joint

A mixed bag...

...of solid infotainment.

translumination

An experimental documentary in three acts...

c2005 by Craig Herndon

IT DON'T MEAN A THING...

BLACK STEREOTYPES

Che Dies 1967 NYTimes

CONTEST

HONEY CHILD

Separate But Equal...

c2004 Craig Herndon