11 Sharp Black Commentators You Should Be Following - Page 10

by De’Juan Galloway

Traditionally, when the media wanted African-American commentary on the news topic of the day, there were the predictable go-to-guys: Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson or Reverend [insert name here], to name a few. However, in the midst of a digital revolution and in the age of Obama, a new generation of African-American scholars has emerged. While they are all educated, opinionated and engaged, interchangeable they are not.

It is their experiences combined with their individuality that shape their resounding and distinctive voices. Nowadays, in order to have a fresh and modern analysis of political and cultural affairs, the media and the public welcomes these faces. Beyond the national press, these individuals have adopted the social web [Twitter, Facebook] and personal websites as vehicles to communicate their insights and advocate on behalf of the issues dearest to them. Through writings, activism, interviews and commentary, they have proved to be some of the most interesting African-American voices heard above the crowd. And, obviously, there are many riveting pundits out there but we had to narrow down our list to a mere 11. Feel free to cast your votes for other commentators we didn’t mention in our comments section or on Twitter with the hashtag #blackpundits.

Ta-Nehisi Coates

Twitter Handle: @Tanehisi

Web: TheAtlantic.com

Excerpt: On black support of Proposition 8 (gay marriage)…. “There is a deeper dislogic haunting this country on race. It can’t be beaten with facts, stats and arguments. The notion that black people are a problem is superreligious. It is bone-deep.”

About: Ta-Nehisi Coates’ is the senior editor of TheAtlantic.com, where he blogs about culture, politics and society. The Baltimore native is at his best when he ties events of the past to a “contemporary” analyses i.e his reflections on the Civil War illuminate an interesting connection to modern day trials.

Book: “The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two sons, and an Unlikely Road to Manhood”.

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Baratunde Thurston

Twitter Handle: @Baratunde

Web: Baratunde.com, Jack & Jill Politics

About: Baratunde is a comedian, author and vigilante pundit. One part of the team behind Jack and Jill Politics, his incorporation of technology, comedy and political consciousness set him apart as an avant-garde media personality. He is an avid micro-blogger, and political commentator who uses the humor found in everyday life to communicate his insights.

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Lola Adesioye

Twitter: @lolaadesioye

Website: www.lolacreative.com

Excerpt: On the Oscar Grant Case and police brutality… “On occasions it is great that in situations of intense stress, conscious thought takes a back seat and allows for quick, subconsciously driven, gut-instinct level responses. But it can also be fatal when the subconscious thoughts do not line up with reality. Police officer training must entail encouraging officers to examine, uncover and unpack their subconscious notions and ideas about people to ensure that these are not what they are reacting to in the heat of the moment.”

About: The former deputy editor of The Grio and current writer for the stately UK publication The Guardian, keeps her writing and analysis well-grounded and sensible. In other words, she’s not one for B.S. She’s the Nigerian-British girl in America, re-interpreting American politics for a more cynical British crowd and for everyone else as well.

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John McWhorter

Website: The New Republic

Excerpt: On the recent hoopla over Jesse Jackson’s comments on the Cleveland Cavaliers owner…”To treat Jackson as unique in this, worthy of news for statements which, big surprise, do not dovetail with modern America, is like blaming the recession on one Wells Fargo branch in Connecticut. Jesse Jackson is a microcosm.”

About: The conservative columnist for The New Republic integrates his background in linguistics in his lucid commentary on race and politics. One of his many, many published books, for example, is titled “Word On The Street: Debunking The Myth of a “Pure” Standard English.” What sets McWhorter apart from many conservative talking heads is that he simply doesn’t subscribe to a single paradigm but thoughtfully entertains varying views. With each and every column, you can sense you’re getting a thoughtful and well-examined take on the news rather than just a rant strangled with bias. We especially appreciate McWhorter’s analysis of race and education.

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Terence Samuel

Twitter Handle: @TSamuel100

Web: The American Prospect

Excerpt: On Obama and the oil spill…”After a while, not knowing what to do becomes as equally disastrous as doing the wrong thing. The origins of the problem may be different and the functional parallels may be few, but the political consequences promise to be exactly the same. ”

About: Terence Samuel is currently an editor-at-large at TheRoot.com and is a senior correspondent for the American Prospect. Samuel’s bulk of experience in media and in political circles are influential in his compelling analysis. He documented senators while he was writing his book, “A Journey Behind the Closed Doors of the U.S Senate.” Samuel combines this unique experience and a rich journalism career spanning over two decades to elaborate on political affairs with a sense of familiarity.

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Jonathan Capehart

Twitter Handle: @CapehartJ

Web: Washington Post

Excerpt: On Why Obama ‘Can’t Show Anger’… “There are a number of questions to be considered here: whether there are certain ways it is acceptable for black men (as opposed to others) to behave, whether it is fair or appropriate to define Obama or his presidency in terms of his being a black man, and whether Obama should emote just to please the media or anyone else. As one Democratic strategist told me: ‘I don’t need my president to feel my pain. I need my president to take on problems and solve them.’ This is where I and the American people are in agreement.”

About: Johnathan Capehart is a Washington Post editor and reporter, who is known for his unapologetic perspectives on race and politics as well as his uber on-air poise. As one of the few openly-gay media personalities, Capehart champions gay rights issues alongside other civil rights issues. He is a thought leader who continues to represent for the intelligent brothas.

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Danielle Belton

Twitter Handle: @BlackSnob

Website: blacksnob.com

Excerpt: On Sarah Palin: “I swear, running for President has to be the world’s greatest Ponzi scheme. Especially when two-thirds of the American public will not vote for you.”

About: She is the engine behind the widely popular politics and pop culture site, Blacksnob.com. Setting her apart from the crowd her is her sarcastic and witty take on African-American related news (see Condemn This, NAACP!). The self-proclaimed snob is able to apply her “intellectual snobery” across many different subjects and never fails at individualized and clever delivery of the latest headlines.

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Amy Holmes

Website: CNN

Excerpt: Watch Holmes’ controversial commentary on Global Warming.

About: Although it’s difficult to endorse a conservative Republican in this era of absurd right-wing politics, CNN political contributor Amy Holmes offers enough of a reasonable balance to her conservative platform. Even if you’re not a Republican, you still need to know what the other side is thinking after all. She is one of a few African-American figures advocating on behalf of the GOP. During the 2008 presidential primary with senators, Barack Obama and John McCain, the former assistant to Ariana Huffington delivered her unique analysis on the racially charged election. Although she is a registered Independent, nine times out of ten Holmes is on the right side of the things. She is not only an quick-witted voice for the GOP, but, during the elections, she was also the best translator of Sarah Palin’s podium wink fests that often left many with an arched eyebrow of confusion.

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Jeff Johnson

Twitter Handle: @JeffsNation

Web: JeffsNation.com

Excerpt: On Kanye West’s outburst at the ’09 VMAs…

“This shows that you can be at the top of your game and still have a bottle of Hennessy on the red carpet because you ain’t dealt with your stuff. So first of all, as opposed to demonizing the brother, pray for him, and secondly, understand that most of us go through the same things but our stuff isn’t put on television and people [aren’t] talking about it on blogs.”

About: From his early days as Cousin Jeff on BET’s “Rap City: The Basement”, Johnson’s media savvy and ability to contribute analysis on a range of topics in the political and pop culture realms continue to shape his mass appeal. As an activist and journalist, Johnson has become a staple among the young voices for change. Johnson has branded his activism in “Jeff’s Nation,” where the theme is ‘Truth is Power’. As the National Director of the Youth & College division of the NAACP, he continues to tackle social inequalities and to inspire youth.

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Dr. William Jelani Cobb

Twitter Handle: @Jelani9

Web: Jelanicobb.com

Excerpt: On Obama’s impact on race… “Anytime we’ve seen racial progress in the United States, we’ve seen racial backlash.”

About: William Jelani Cobb is an Associate Professor of History at Spelman College. Oftentimes, we can use our knowledge of history to evaluate what’s unfolding in the present. As a historian, Cobb does this effectively and efficiently, whether he is in the classroom or being called upon to contribute to a larger audience.

Books: To To the Break of Dawn: A Freestyle on the Hip Hop Aesthetic and The Devil and Dave Chappelle: And Other Essays