Friday, June 06, 2008

Barack and Michelle Bumpin' Fists--So What!

Once again, the media is grasping at straws to come up with a story on Barack Obama. Why is the bumping of fists between the democratic presidential nominee and his baby boomer diva wife a BIG DEAL?

It says two things: Some journalists don’t seem to have a clue as to what real news is anymore. It also points out the lack of experience many reporters have when it comes to reporting. Instead of focusing on the admiration Michelle Obama was showing for her husband, they chose to focus on bumpin’ fists between the two as something mysterious and a possible code for something else. WHATEVER! Get a clue---take a racial interpretive language class. And while you’re at it, attend a black church on occasion to get a sense of what really goes on there.

#2: Newsrooms in America lack some serious diversity---especially when it comes to management. I know this from first hand experience because I never worked in a newsroom that had an African-American News Director.

If Michelle clicks her heels three times the next time we see her on stage, will this be interpreted as her desire to go to Kansas or is that a hint that she’d like to be “knockin’ boots” with her husband?

Sunday, June 01, 2008

The Legacy of Hillary Rodham Clinton

When the Democratic Presidential Primary campaign began more than a year ago, I was excited over the idea that America had a chance to make history. In spite of the number of candidates in the race, I was certain Hillary Clinton would be in the running. In spite of the rumors that circulated about her as First Lady, I was still rooting for her as a fellow baby boomer woman. I have shown her no ill will.

BUT---

With the help of the media, Senator Clinton has turned into a ruthless, vindictive, politician. Riding on her husband’s coat tails, she attempted to pimp the Black vote. When that didn’t work, she turned her backs on them and went for the whites with no education. (That’s how she referred to the reason why she won in West Virginia and Kentucky)

She has been a chameleon throughout this campaign---changing her campaign strategy to whatever will win her votes. And what is alarming even more so is the way some fellow baby boomer women are behaving about this campaign. I have read nasty posts from women who threaten to vote for the Republican or not vote at all if Hillary doesn’t win the nomination.

Yes, I do believe she has been unfairly depicted on occasion. There have been some awful things said about her by the male press but when she turns around and gives them more ammunition to work with, what is one to think? To bring up the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy as a reason to stay in the race is ludicrous and suspicious.

So what will be the legacy of Hillary Rodham Clinton after this campaign is over. I’m sure her supporters will say she was a fighter right down until the very end. That may be true but that fighting spirit has done more in the past several months to destroy the image of women and the Democratic Party than the Republicans could ever do. I’m sure Rush Limbaugh, Pat Robertson and the good old boys are thanking her for her tenacity.

But the bigger picture here is: What does this really say about the baby boomer generation? You don’t see young people (under 35) running around acting as hate mongers over a presidential primary. Yes, baby boomers are the generation who took a stand on many causes like civil and women’s rights, and the war in Vietnam----but what are we now?

Take a look in the mirror and you might see YOUR PARENTS.

Passing the Torch from Baby Boomers to Millennials to Gen Z

Whether baby boomers can accept it or not, a changing of the guard has taken place with  millennials and the up and coming Gen Z generations...