It's official this year, Iowans have officially elected more Black presidential candidates than they have lynched — but it is only January. Nevertheless, the Barack bandwagon is getting fairly crowded and unlike most, I have some reservations. It’s nothing personal; in fact, I like the brother with the big- bootied wife. My concerns have varied layers. A) I am always leery of Black folks that white people tote: O.J., Tiger, BET’s Bob “The Hoe is Mine” Johnson, and Al “This Neck of the Woods” Roker... just to name a few.
B) I would love to know who is in charge of the PR machine that is pulling the strings on B-Diddy’s puppet show. I won’t even mention where his money is being laundered. Now I could be just suffering from political paranoia—but that doesn’t mean someone is trying to get US to drink the Kool-Aid. For the sake of argument, let’s assume Barack is in fact who he claims to be — I’d be the first to help him pick his White House team. You may want to close your door for this one.
Press Secretary, Tavis Smiley What Tavis lacks in cool points he more than makes up for with his credible insight. He is the only chit-chat host on TV that has interviewed T.I., (former) Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Mos Def and Babyface with the greatest of ease.
Vice President, Colin Powell. This move can only be surmised as addition by subtraction. Aside from his (still) very credible military experience — imagine the faces at the Bush dinner table when this news hits the Vodka cabinet?
U.S. Secretary of Education, Cornell West. The baggy pants fad will take a back seat (so to speak) to this educational wonder's low maintenance hair style. West’s approach to religion, humanitarian studies and sociological and economic empowerment will be refreshing no matter who is in the Oval chair — Barack just underscores this Black movement that has been idle long enough. A portion of West’s responsibility is to overhaul the arts & sciences taught from pre-school 'til the tassells sway in high school. I have added Bradford Marsalis and Spike Lee to round-out this all-star trio. And now, for once in our lifetime our school daze will be on pace to do the right thing.
Federal Communication Commission, Londell McMillan. Entertainment extraordinaire is the Brooklyn-bred brother that gave Prince his creative freedom (back) just in time to sell his music via the internet long before the birth of an ipod or MAC-10. McMillan’s Spook Who Sat By the Door approach to the music industry could make author William C. Cooper (Behold a Pale Horse) shiver. His checkmate foresight includes an artist coalition campaign to start a 401k and health and benefit plans for artists who typically live rich and die broke. His humble industry moves speak louder than the voices that he represents. When it’s all said and done Londell will be the Nelson Mandela of this crack game neatly disguised as commercial radio.
Add AOL/Time Warner/Turner CEO Richard Parsons to Londell’s camp. Parsons can finally end his Turner reign with a quote from Ice Cube: “How can you be a Nigga for life crew/ with a white Jew/ telling you what to do?”
Secretary of Commerce, Earl Graves. After the assassination of former Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, I am not so sure the Black Enterprise founder will welcome this challenge without a vest. But, like most great leaders sometimes you are not asked to lead — but your exemplary skills make the choice that much easier.
Fifty years ago one would think that the above-mentioned team is just a fictional tale from the crypt. Well, today this very black author is writing this piece from the heart of Stone Mountain.
Thanks Dr. King - I know you are listening. Have a happy birthday.
[click on the Black By Popular Demand] title for bonus track.
1 love,
Ray Lewis
