The Democratic debate last night was interesting. It was different than the previous ones. It was a passionate debate that dealt with ideological and generational divides in the Democratic Party. Many candidates wanted a moderate approach and others wanted a more progressive approach to solve problems. First, it is important to acknowledge that the debate took place at the HBCU of Texas State University at the great city of Houston, Texas. HBCUs have a great role in American history. Their contributions to our society is legendary. Sanders sounded hoarse in the start of the debate. Sanders had a stronger debate performance as time went on. Biden was the main standard bearer of condemning Medicare for all. He wanted a public option added to the ACA. Kamala Harris spoke in stories about her experience. Kamala Harris is a graduate of Howard University, which is a HBCU. Harris wants more investments in historically black colleges. Julian Castro not only criticized Biden, but he was eloquent on many issues as well. Beto had his strongest debate performance to date.
He came out strongly against gun violence with cogent arguments on the gun control debate. Andrew Yang spoke clearly on the situation of automation and the need to do something about it. Cory Booker wanted no personal attacks on the candidates on the stage, and he spoke about his political policies in Newark, New Jersey. Biden said that Warren and Sanders didn't have details on how to pay for their health care plans. He implied that they had plans that were unaffordable. Elizabeth Warren was very prepared to not only articulate the progressive position on various issues clearly, but why she believes what she believes in (and how to pay for it). Pete Buttegieg expressed his idea that he has the vision to advance the future. Many candidates wanted an end to college student loan debt (of almost 2 trillion dollars) and affordable education. The issues of race and the criminal justice system were talked about in detail on that night.
Amy Klobuchar criticized what she called both extremes, but progressive leaders have brought clean water, the civil rights legislation, and other blessings in our society. Being extreme for justice is no vice. Bernie Sanders criticized Biden on the NAFTA issue. Biden voted for a resolution that caused the Iraq War. Many in the mainstream media support Biden overtly, because they want a centrist consensus instead of revolutionary changes in the system (because they benefit from the system being centrist). Some moderators wanted to red baiting forgetting that there are different variations of socialism. Norman Thomas, Albert Einstein, Dr. King, and other leaders embraced many socialistic principles.The theme of this debate was about the promotion of progressive principles.
Today, Trump has cut regulations in dealing with clean water. These regulations came from the Obama years. We have water crisis in Newark, Flint, and in other places of America, and now this male wants to cut legitimate regulations involving water. He is a total disgrace. Trump is the most anti-environmental President in American history. Not even George W. Bush did these actions as it relates to the environment. Obama-era water regulation called Waters of the United States, or WOTUS, that limited the use of polluting chemicals near bodies of water, streams, and wetlands is now gone. Trump said that he did this to protect farmers, but clean water is a universal ideal that must be defended. We need real leadership federally that honors environmental justice.
I certainly disagree with Lord Jamar's views on women and hip hop. Lord Jamar is famous for being part of Brand Nubian and for his controversial views. Many of his views are fine like his critiques about Eminem. His other views in my view are repugnant. One of his repugnant views is that women aren't representative of the essence of hip hop (and that he doesn't really deal with women rappers). That is not only ignorant and sexist. That is against history. Black women were involved in the foundation of hip hop since the beginning of it. Sequence is an early woman hip hop group with massive talent. Lauryn Hill, Rah Digga, Rapsody, Jean Grae, Queen Latifah, and other women hip hop artists have shown lyricism, diversity, and dynamic talent. He is nowhere near the grand puba of what hip hop ought to be. Hip hop was originated created by our community as a means for us to express the lives, the graffiti, and the issues of the ghetto. It is also a universal art form which means that people of every background can be a part of it as long they honor its black foundation. He has the right to listen to what he wants to listen to, but people have the right to critique him too. I oppose racism and I oppose Hotepism. I find it ironic that he targets people like Kanye West (who has problematic views), but when 50 Cent talks to him like a dog, he is not with that same energy of aggressiveness toward him. That is what you need to know. One thing about me is that I don't fear any man on this Earth. Too many Hoteps are around claiming to be the sole arbitrators of Blackness when true Blackness is diverse not monolithic. Therefore, we have to uplift our Sisters. If you want to be free, you are required by birthright to defend black women.
By Timothy
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