Frank Denbow
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Frank Denbow commented on Michael Eric Dyson on Rev. Wright on November 17, 2008, 9:41 PM
Michael Eric Dyson is one of my favorite speakers on politics, hip-hop and the black community. His words resonate with me greatly and I appreciate all of his contributions. I have to take issue with the full defense of Reverend Wright, however. The reliance on conspiracy theories to fill in the gaps in understanding of the motives and intentions of those with power and influence is not admirable when it is unsubstantiated. It feeds into the same fear-mongering that you decry from the Bush administration. The Reverend Wrights of the world do not seem to explore these landmine issues with a care necessary to sincerely inform their constituents, rather than their emotions. Some of his statements (like the AIDS soruce) are just plain wrong and have no factual basis. We need to ensure that truth is upheld, or else our unwavering support of Rev Wright will lead to more black leaders closer to Khalid Muhammed and Malik Zulu Shabazz than Mr Dyson. I also would like to ask at what time do we let go of history in order to evolve socially? Will we ever be at a point where the tinge of Jim Crow is just a historical mention, instead of a burden that black Americans will carry with them wherever they go? The black leaders that rely on making the visceral pain seem present, then motivating that anguish into hatred for its perpetrators. This way of thinking does not move us forward and instead seeks to connote that "separate but equal" was the right way all along. We should applaud useful and thoughtful critique of American policy in the church, but not at all costs. As you say, this is true patriotism.
Frank Denbow commented on The Piracy Paradox on November 24, 2008, 2:59 AM
I try to think of the privacy paradox in relation to these questions? In relation to authenticity. What is it like to live in a completely authentic society? One that is able to transfer the semantic meaning to each other perfectly? Will it matter if there is no money? -> What is philosophically wrong with "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need" if we understand the abundance possible in intellectual property? Does the lack of curiosity for understanding nuance hinder us? Does our insistence on getting to the sound byte, tweet, news segment lose having a deeper understanding of truth. (Slightly off topic but....) I argue that Obama is as successful as he is because he has always kept up an appreciation for nuanced understanding of the world with humility. A politician is a politician is a politician, but this is a big step forward for many reasons.