BlackVoices History Quest: Augusta, Georgia
Pastor Poised To Be First Black To Lead Southern Baptists
Lauren Williams
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December of 2007 was a bad month for wrestler Hulk Hogan. His son Nick was experiencing the grim aftermath of a near-fatal car wreck, and he had just gone through a nasty, public divorce with wife Linda. That's why, he reveals in his new book, 'My Life Outside the Ring,' he came home from the strip club one night, downed a cocktail of Xanax and was reaching for a gun.
But it was a phone call from his 'Gladiators' co-star, boxer Laila Ali, he wrote, that would prevent him from going through with it. She was concerned about his welfare after noticing he seemed "distracted" on the set.
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By Lauren Williams, BlackVoices.comBarack Obama's victory will go down in history as one of the most monumental moments in American politics. But what does it say about popular culture? Author and cultural critic Jabari Asim looks at the relationship between African American cultural figures and Barack Obama in his new book, 'What Obama Means' ($14.95, Amazon.com).
In honor of Obama's historic inauguration, Asim, who is also editor-in-chief of The Crisis, spoke with Black Voices about his book, the cultural icons whose achievements helped pave Obama's way and what our new president's success means to him.
What made you want to approach Barack Obama's candidacy from a cultural perspective?
There was a lot of talk early on about what impact on American culture Obama's campaign would have in terms of how we looked at African Americans. I wanted to reverse the equation and say, "What impact did the culture have on Obama's candidacy?" There have been tremendous advances for African Americans in certain cultural categories like entertainment, sports and business. Politics is a cultural category, so it sort of followed that eventually there would be some kind of extraordinary presence or victory in that field as well.
Do you think pop culture icons like Prince or Michael Jordan or some of the other figures you in write about in your book were necessary in order for Obama to become president?
I do think they're necessary. Historically, in terms of the cultural categories where African Americans have made persuasive advancements in favor of the group, those took place first in categories like entertainment and sports. Even 20 years ago, it was commonplace to say that if you don't play basketball or you don't sing and dance, your opportunities as a black person, and especially a black man, are limited. And we know now that isn't true, but those black men and women who achieved success in those areas help to make it possible.
The College Survival Guide
A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.
Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.
Snacks
You will surely survive with off of a meal plan but it doesn't hurt to stock up on snacks when you don't feel like leaving your dorm room. Bottled water, pop corn, cereal and Ramen noodles are all low budget snacks to stock up on. Just be weary of the freshman 15.
Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.
MP3 Player
With all the stress that comes from school and exams, sometimes it's nice to block out the chaos in your life and even your roommate with music. It's nearly impossible to find students walking to class who aren't jamming to tunes.
Budget
Students who enter college often come in at the ripening age of 18. A great time for credit cards. Parents beware, your child may end up ruining their credit at a young age
Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.
Cleaning supplies
Now you don't necessarily need to bring in the rubber gloves, mop and gas mask but it doesn't hurt to bring along Clorox all purpose wipes for spills or dust. Vacuums and brooms come in handy too depending if you have a carpeted dorm.
Bedding
What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.
Shower shoes
You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!
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