Jackson resolution shot down, can it make a comeback?

Rep. Jackson Lee spoke at Jackson’s Los Angeles memorial where she introduced the Jackson resolution. Lee held up a framed copy of the resolution which praised Jackson for his talent and humanitarian efforts.

Just a few days later the bill came under fire by Republican critics calling it unnecessary legislation when Congress has so much to do. The most controversial remarks coming from Rep. Peter King a republican from New York, who called Jackson a “pervert” and a “pedophile”.

House speaker Nancy Pelosi has now joined the opposition in striking down the resolution. “I don’t think it’s necessary to have a resolution,” Pelosi told reporters.

I’d like to have a clear understanding on why Pelosi feels the resolution is not necessary. Michael Jackson was indeed the greatest entertainer of all time and a humanitarian. Jackson’s humanitarian efforts date all the way back to 1979. In January of 1979, he donated a unspecified number of books to the Chicago Public Library and promoted reading through a program called Boogie to the Book Beat. His work continued in the 80’s donating to campaigns against drinking and driving, UNCF scholarship fund, underprivileged children, burn victims and the list goes on and on.

“Guinness Book of Records” names Michael as the Pop Star who supports the most charity organizations. More than thirty charities have been supported by Jackson over the years yet Pelosi calls the resolution unnecessary. How many charities and foundations does one have to start and give to make a resolution necessary?

All over the world Jackson has been presented with humanitarian awards yet here in his own country some question whether or not it is necessary to honor him.

The Michael Jackson resolution is awaiting action in the House Foreign Affairs Committee which Rep. Lee is a member of and Rep. King is not. Maybe Lee can push for this resolution and it can make the comeback Michael never had a chance too.

King of Pop and the racial divide

Websites, blogs and chat rooms a week after Jackson’s death are racially divided.

According to a Pew Research Center poll while the majority of African -Americans have closely followed the Jackson coverage, fewer than one in four whites say they followed the coverage. A poll done by CNN indicated that a majority of whites say they aren’t Michael Jackson fans compared to three-quarters of non-white respondents that say they are fans of the singer.

Several factors about Jackson seem to have ignited this racial divide. A child molestation trial in which even with a full acquittal the stain didn’t go away. The King of Pop lived like royalty and resentment seems to come along with prosperity. And we can’t over look the fact that he is an African-American male.

Many will use President Obama to rebut the fact that stereotypical fears of black men still linger. However, during and after his election polls constantly showed that even with a high likability rating the majority of whites still held on to the stereotypes of black men. And when the final election results came in the majority of whites still voted against him.

Jackson quickly learned that being the King of Pop didn’t change the fact that he was a black man. All the good that he did in the world seemed to disappear with the blink of an eye. Long before he stepped foot in a courtroom the stereotypes of black men and sex crimes surfaced. And the acquittal was viewed merely as another celebrity using their name and money to get off.

Instead of all the ridicule, Jackson should be honored for the great artist, cultural icon and humanitarian that he was. Some will undoubtedly continue to dig for dirt and talk about the alleged drug abuse and child molestation. “Innocent until proven guilty” may never mean much when it come to Michael Jackson. This is especially true when the country continues to be racially divided.

America’s youth vote disappoints again

By: LaToya Hopkins

What did youth do in this historic election?

Voting records for the 2008 presidential election are rolling in and again America's youth did not turnout in the record numbers that were expected.

In the 2004 election 17 percent of 18-29 year olds voted and in the election 18 percent of 18-29 year olds voted. With all the rhetoric about the importance of the youth vote there was a mere one percent increase. Following all the support Obama gained from youth while campaigning they didn’t make it to the polls.

The Obama campaign for change, utilized current technology that today’s youth gravitates towards like facebook, text messaging, and email but that effects look minuscule. Colleges held rallies and dorm storms to register young voters but even those techniques proved unsuccessful.

Obama gained a large number of votes from black youth, right?

Wrong, Historically Black Colleges and Universities were again unable to get there students to the polls in large numbers. North Carolina A&T State University, Winston Salem State University, and Bennett College all HBCU’s in North Carolina a battle ground state had numerous voter registration rallies on campus leading up to the election but they seem to have been ineffective. Now that the numbers are in one thing is clear, even black youth didn’t vote in large numbers.

One example, the precinct on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University where 3,298 registered to vote and only 1,746 turned out to vote.

With today’s youth looking at Obama’s win in the election as a victory that played a major part in how will the voting trend ever improve. When will youth in America realize the power in the right to vote and take advantage of that power?

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