Henry Louis Gates Jr., was interviewed on the Public Schools Insight blog regarding his new idea behind helping African-American students in the classroom. Gates’ goal is to use genealogy and DNA research to revolutionize the way history and science is taught to inner-city African-American Students. He want to give students the chance to examine their own DNA and family histories with hopes they’ll become more engaged in their history and science classes.

I read a book a while back called “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, that states people are inherently interested in themselves and are likely to befriend someone who focuses on their needs. If given the opportunity, I think these kids will be able to see how science and history can be used in real life situations. Since they are able to research their own family history, the lesson becomes more personal and gets the entire family involved in the child’s learning experience. How many times have you sat in a classroom wondering whether you’d use any of the stuff you learned outside of school? This is one way to bring that information to life.

The fact that it is a six week course is good because it’s long enough to get the kids interested in learning. The question is what happens after the course is complete? Do the students return to studying for state exams (remember we can’t leave any child behind) or will the teacher build off of what they’ve just learned? I’d also like to see the trial program initiated in a school in the south. There’s a rich history of Black America here and it would be interesting to see that information shared with the public.

I’m curious to see how well this idea will take off. According to the interview Gates has had a positive response, but as we all know anytime something new is presented to help kids learn it’ll be scrutinized by some. My opinion is if it can spark excitement in the minds of young kids in regards to learning, I’m all for giving it a try. I’ll be keeping an eye on this to see what happens.

I want to hear from the teachers and parents out there. What do you think of this?

Here’s the full interview with Gates.

Not since the 1992 Olympics have I personally followed the games with much scrutiny. Several factors contributed to an uninteresting 2004 Olympics including an unexciting USA Men’s basketball roster being among those. Well, the 2008 Olympics have “redeemed” anything that happened in Athens and basketball has actually been far down the list of redeeming factors. For something so grandiose I could never do it justice with just one posting so I offer for your approval my first in a series of three reviews of the Games we know and love as the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

How better to begin a recap than beginning with the Opening Ceremony? I know some folks weren’t fans but I thought it was SPECTACULAR! All commendations go to the Chinese for organizing such a visually appealing show. Obviously, a lot of hard work, practice, and dedication went into the production of such a grand performance. I thought the drummers, with their excellent precision, were off the chain. My wife nearly had a conniption because she has a phobia of too many things moving simultaneously. I guess anything involving China shouldn’t be part of her daily dose of television.

The other thing that struck awe for me during the intro ceremony were the moving Chinese printing blocks. The blocks represented China’s legacy as the first country to use paper or to print words. Again, the synchrony and precision involved with performing inside of something so large certainly took hundreds of hours to prepare.

Moving on to the beginning of the actual games, there were several benchmark moments that kicked off these games. Several performances come to mind such as Nastia Liukin, the flop of the US Boxing team, and Mr. Indelible himself; Michael Phelps. His performance during the Beijing Olympics has been so well-documented his surname has been made an adjective; Phelps-ian. Still, even Michael Phelps would admit that he wouldn’t have been able to achieve his, um, Phelpsian feat without the contributions of teammates like Cullen Jones. Cullen was born in Bronx, New York and grew up in New Jersey having once almost drowned at an early age. Jones was able to take that experience and turn it into a strength as now he’s the first African-American to share a world record in swimming and only the THIRD African-American to ever make the US Swimming Team. His story is reminiscent of Shani Davis during the Winter Olympics a couple of years ago. I just wish we could have seen more of Cullen in other competitions. A million congratulations go to both Cullen and Shani as they tear away at preconceived notions of what a Black athlete should be.

Check back for the Part II portion of my Olympics recap as I dive into the Jamaican assault on track sprint competitions, Keeth Smart, and how NBC’s camera crews can’t discern Dateline investigative work from giving Lola Jones her space after a heartbreaking loss. Until then, enjoy this video from Cullen Jones on his victory.

Shawn Williams interviews Aaron Paz of El Paso about a petition he’s circulating to get Hillary Clinton on the Obama ticket as Vice President. I thought this was interesting because it’s a long shot that Hillary will accept the petition. I wish people could just rally around Obama and leave this issue alone. Paz at the time had collected 100 signatures and the minimum needed to submit the petition is 300. Guess we’ll see how it goes later.

I personally think this is Hillary’s fault. After loosing the nomination, she failed to do a better job with moving her supporters to the Obama camp and made things worse when she made known her wanting to be the vice president. It was a spirited primary and both sides did what they had to do, but there could only be one winner. No matter who Obama chose, it would have been the “wrong” person. If he would have chosen Clinton, then all the Obama supporters would have been up in arms.

Interested in following the coverage of the Democratic National Convention from a blogger of color’s perspective? Check out the widget on the right sidebar. I’ll have it up this whole week. It will make keeping up with the credentialed blogs a little easier.

If you want to add it to your blog, go to pspauld’s Grazr page.

More free stuff from MoveOn.org. They want to give away a half a million of them as quickly as possible, so I’m sure they’ll be going fast. Get one while you can.

Hey,

Want a free Obama/Biden sticker? MoveOn’s giving them away totally free–even the shipping’s free. I just got mine, and wanted to share the opportunity with you.

Click this link to get a free Obama/Biden sticker:

http://pol.moveon.org/barackstickers/?id=-9122269-ktz.8Wx&rc=

Thanks!

I heard about this on the radio and wanted to post it, but I couldn’t remember the details. Just so happens a friend of mine works with AIDS Foundation Houston and sent me the link. The testing started yesterday, but there are other days and places you can go to get tested and a ticket. I’ve posted before about AIDS in the black community and it’s a problem that can be controlled.

For more information visit this link

The City Of Dallas, 979 The Beat, MLK Jr. Family Clinic, Dwaine Caraway and Rickey Smiley are teaming up to Fight the spread of the HIV Virus in the Dallas Metroplex. Over the Next five weeks we will get information out to the public on Free HIV Testing sites across the Dallas Metroplex and it’s our collective goal to get 3000 people tested. On September 14, 2008 at Dallas City Hall a “HIP HOP for HIV” Concert will be held at Dallas City Hall and all of the people that took the test during the testing drive will receive a free ticket to attend. THIS WILL BE A TICKET THAT MONEY CANNOT BUY!

To get a free ticket just take a “free - confidential” Hiv Test Monday through Friday at any of our testing sites listed below or at our four jumbo sites. After completing the test you will get one free ticket to the concert while supplies last. You can test this week at following locations. It’s the Hip Hop for Hiv Awareness concert brought to you by 97.9 the Beat, Your interactive Hip Hop Station!

HIP HOP for HIV Concert Artist Line Up
September 14, 2008

Bun B
Mike Jones
David Banner
Pleasure P
Young Berg
Day 26
Trap Squad Cartel
Prime Time Click

The 1st Annual Hip Hop for Hiv Awareness Concert…..
Dallas has the highest percentage of HIV positive
people in the state..So Stop playin’…
It’s time to get serious and get tested!

Know Your Status!
This is the ticket money can’t buy!

For all my Dallas folks, I received this in an email from Kane Lee.

DALLAS’ DEFINITION DJ’S TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY WITH BACK-TO-SCHOOL GIVEAWAY

With school near its starting date, parents may feel more financial worries than the usual bills and groceries, but how they will pay for new school clothes and supplies for their children. However, Dallas-Fort Worth’s own Definition DJ’s will assist and give back to the Fort Worth community in their first official Definition DJ School Supply/Clothes Giveaway. The event will take place from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Da Spot Urban Wear located at 6442 Brentwood Stair in Fort Worth, TX on Saturday August 23.

Definition DJ Dre initially began an unofficial back-to-school giveaway each year until the group decided to take the event to the next level in 2008. In turn, the first annual official Definition DJ School Supply/Clothes Giveaway will continue to accomplish what DJ Dre started. The event focuses on the importance of school in the lives of youths, and it will extend donations of supplies and clothes to students throughout Ft. Worth.

Various independent record labels throughout the area donated money, clothes, and supplies for the students, including Madd Dawg Records and Major Money Entertainment. The supplies include pencils, notebooks, folders, and many more necessities to accommodate the students for a successful and hard-working new school year.

In addition to the DJ’s, 97.9 The Beat; 104.5; Casa 106; numerous major and local artists, Ozone Magazine; Unsigned Magazine; Block 2 Block Magazine; The Dallas Morning News; Dallas Observer; Fort Worth Weekly; Fort Worth Star Telegram; Fox 4 and KTVT 11; and local celebrities are set to make appearances in order to inspire the students on the significance of a good education. The invites and the confirmed include Trap Squad Cartel, S. Poe, Monty Wayne, UAN, Big Chief, Bossaliny, Gator Mane, Big Tuck, Fat Bastard, TBG’s, Lil’ Spain, Lil Will, J.P., Rhino Records, Stampede Records, She Ent., CNBC, Baby C, Jin Ent., and many more. They will also remain for autographs and photos. Stampede Records, Inc.artist include: Bloc Bleeda, DK..Mike Mike, Big Boy B.. Da Team, IBR headed by Ms. P, Julia and Tray..Free BoLeg…

Fun-filled activities will also be available throughout the entire event. A tent that includes a DJ and a dance area and an air bounce for the younger children will be set up, and free food and refreshments will be served while the supplies last.

The Definition DJs hope that this event will shed a new light on the kids on the importance of a good education, and that it will ultimately encourage them to remain in school.

### FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT THE FOLLOWING:
S DOT ENTERTAINMENT
PUBLICIST-ALMOND SEALS
(254) 371-0783
S DOT ENTERTAINMENT
CEO- S. POE
(469) 272-7080
DEFINITION DJ JACK FRAUST (972) 891-5352)
DEFINITION DJ INQUIRIES CONTACT SWAY (214) 392-1876

I received all of these over email so I’m not sure of the source. Here are some pictures and the program from Bernie’s funeral service. Read through the program and check out all he’d done in his lifetime. The list is versatile and it shows his range as an actor and comedian.

I’m not sure how bad or how long he had it, but sarcoidosis is a tough disease to live with. My father-in-law had it and he told me how rough it was not being able to do the things he used to do. It pulls on the body and you’re in a constant state of trying to catch your breath.

The comedy world has lost one of the best. The family requests that donations be made at www.berniemacfoundation.org, which aims to find a cure for sarcoidosis.

Chicago Tribune Article

Bernie Mac Funeral Program

(more…)

I got some of the photos in an email from a friend. I thought they were pretty funny so I thought I’d share some of my favorites. Just wanted to start your “Hump Day” off with a good laugh. You can submit your own looks like photos to totallylookslike@gmail.com.

see famous look-a-like faces

Too obvious…

see famous look-a-like faces

All he needs is the Eye of Thundera…

see famous look-a-like faces

Luda!…

see famous look-a-like faces

(more…)

I know! I’ve haven’t been good at posting this every month, but I have a good reason. The purpose for this post is to inform you of the new laws and acts enacted by President Bush. It’s good to know what’s going on because some of them may benefit us as a people. It’s important for us to watch every step our government takes. We elect them, so we need to make sure they are doing their job. The laws I list are posted at whitehouse.gov. For a more unbiased version, I’d recommend doing additional research at govtrack.us. As always feel free to leave any additional comments.

I fell off from doing this the past couple of months, so I grouped May and June together.

On Friday, May 2, 2008, the President signed into law:
S. 2954, which extends many authorities provided under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 for two weeks, through May 16, 2008.

On Tuesday, May 6, 2008, the President signed into law:
H.R. 4286, An Act to award a congressional gold medal to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in recognition of her courageous and unwavering commitment to peace, nonviolence, human rights, and democracy in Burma.

On Wednesday, May 07, 2008, the President signed into law:
H.R. 5715, the “Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008,” which is designed to provide continued availability of access to the Federal student loan program for students and families.

On Thursday, May 8, 2008, the President signed into law:
S. 2457, which authorizes the Mashantucket Pequot (Western) Tribe to lease certain land to entities for up to 75 years, rather than 25 years as under current law,
S. 2739, the “Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008,” which designates the 106,000-acre Wild Sky Wilderness in Washington State; designates three new National Heritage Areas; expands several national parks; authorizes funding for specified water projects; modifies two existing energy programs; applies U.S. immigration law to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and grants the Commonwealth a non-voting delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.

On Tuesday, May 13, 2008, the President signed into law:
S. 2929, which extends programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965 through May 31, 2008.

On Sunday, May 18, 2008, the President signed into law:
H.R. 6051, which extends many authorities provided under the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 until May 23, 2008.

On Monday, May 19, 2008, the President signed into law:
H.R. 6022, the “Strategic Petroleum Reserve Fill Suspension and Consumer Protection Act of 2008,” which suspends temporarily the acquisition of crude oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

On Wednesday, May 21, 2008, the President signed into law:
H.R. 493, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008

On Friday, May 23, 2008, the President signed into law:
S. 3029, which extends the authorization of certain Small Business Administration programs until March 20, 2009.

On Tuesday, May 27, 2008, the President signed into law:
H.R. 3522, ratifies a settlement between the Jicarilla Apache Nation and Rio Arriba County, New Mexico; and
H.R. 5919, which makes technical corrections regarding the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2007.

On Friday, May 30, 2008, the President signed into law:
S. 3035, which extends programs authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1965, through June 30, 2008.

On Tuesday, June 3, 2008, the President signed into law:
H.R. 2356, which encourages the display of the flag of the United States on Father’s Day;
H.R. 2517, The “Protecting Our Children Comes First Act of 2007,” which reauthorizes Justice programs related to missing and exploited children through FY 2013;
H.R. 4008, the “Credit and Debit Card Receipt Clarification Act of 2007,” which specifies that certain entities that printed an expiration date on certain credit and debit card receipts were not in willful noncompliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act;
S. 2829, which makes special immigrant visas available for certain Iraqis and Afghans who worked directly with the U.S. Armed Forces; or who were employed by the U.S. Government; and
S.J.Res. 17, which encourages the United States to initiate international discussions with other Arctic nations to negotiate an agreement for managing migratory and transboundary fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean.

On Friday, June 6, 2008, the President signed into law:
H.R. 1195, the “SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008,” which makes miscellaneous changes to laws relating to the Federal Aid Highway, Mass Transit, and Highway Safety Programs.

On Friday, June 20, 2008, the President signed into law:
S. 2420, the “Federal Food Donation Act of 2008,” which requires that the Federal Acquisition Regulation be amended to provide that certain contracts includes language encouraging the donation of excess food.

On Thursday, June 26, 2008, the President signed into law:
H.R. 3179, the “Local Preparedness Acquisition Act,” which authorizes the use of Federal supply schedules by State, local, and tribal governments for acquisition of law enforcement and security-related items, including firefighting and rescue equipment;
H.R. 3913, which amends the International Center Act to authorize the lease or sublease of certain property located in the District of Columbia to an entity other than a foreign government or international organization;
S. 1245, which amends current law related to mutual aid agreements entered into by governmental entities in the National Capital Region to provide support in emergencies; and
S. 2516, the “Kendell Frederick Citizenship Assistance Act,” which requires DHS to use the fingerprints provided by an individual at the time of enlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces to satisfy any requirement for background and security checks in connection with an application for naturalization through service in the Armed Forces.

On Monday, June 30, 2008, the President signed into law:
H.R. 2642, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008