from the week of February 11 2007
I am down in Memphis, Tennessee today, where I've spent part of the weekend visiting my godsons.
Tomorrow I am headed to Oxford, Mississippi, where I will be speaking at the University of Mississippi. I've been to Mississippi many times before, but I've never spoken there.
The University of Mississippi has changed a lot since President Kennedy had to send in U.S. marshalls to allow a black student named James Meredith to enroll there in 1962. In fact, over the weekend, Angela Davis spoke on campus.
When I was a kid, my great grandfather and great grandmother would take me and my sister down to Mississippi during the summer. We had a colorful host of family members with names like "Brother Boy" and "Fannie Mae" who lived in the state.
The last time I remember visiting Mississippi was in 1988 during the Dukakis for President campaign. I was traveling on the campaign plane with Governor Michael Dukakis when we visited Philadelphia, Mississippi, the site of the famous murder of three civil rights workers. The murder was later the subject of a Hollywood movie called "Mississippi Burning."
I don't expect anything quite so dramatic at my speech Tuesday night. After all, this is the new South. But I will be curious to see just how much the state has changed since my last visit.
Posted on February 12 2007, 9:26AM | Permalink
I'm still down south, where I will be speaking tonight at the University of Mississippi. The speech takes place at 7 p.m. in the Ford Center for the Performing Arts. The event is free and open to the public.
Meanwhile, back up north, I noticed today that Jennifer Hudson will be on the cover of the new Vogue magazine. The photo shoot was done at Harlem's historic Apollo Theater, although the cover photo looks like it could have been taken in any studio anywhere in the world.
And there's already been some Internet buzz about the picture itself, taken by photographer Annie Leibovitz. Some say the photo is not very flattering of Hudson, who is actually a beautiful woman.
Meanwhile, Clay Cane goes back and looks at other black women who have graced the cover of Vogue.
In any event, it's great to see Jennifer on the cover of Vogue. I'm just waiting for her to win an Oscar in a few weeks. She's my pick for best supporting actress.
Posted on February 13 2007, 10:52AM | Permalink
Happy Valentine's Day!
This is my last day down south for this trip. I've had a great time down here, including a very warm reception at the University of Mississippi.
I even had a chance to visit the famous Lyceum, the place where James Meredith tried to register in 1962 to become the first black student at Ole Miss.
I'm traveling today, so I won't be updating the site again until I get back to New York later this afternoon.
Meanwhile, I noticed that Beyonce is now gracing the cover of the new Sports Illustrated magazine swimsuit issue. Usually they pick models for this honor, so it's an unusual choice to select a pop star. But given Beyonce's celebrity, it's not surprising.
All this publicity bodes well for Dreamgirls. Now two of the three original Hollywood Dreamgirls are covering magazines. Yesterday we talked about Jennifer Hudson, and today it's Beyonce. Congrats to both.
Posted on February 14 2007, 8:40AM | Permalink
Just in time for the latest controversy, I will be back on CNN tonight for the "Paula Zahn Now" show.
I don't know the topics yet, but I imagine we will probably get to discuss the Tim Hardaway "I hate gay people" comments. Can't wait for that one.
If you miss the show tonight, don't worry. I will also be back on again Friday too. The Paula Zahn show airs at 8 p.m. Eastern tonight on CNN.
Meanwhile, I will also be interviewing former NBA player John Amaechi this weekend. If you have any questions you'd like to ask Amaechi, please let me know and post a comment here on the message board. Thanks.
Posted on February 15 2007, 9:17AM | Permalink
I know, I know. I was just on CNN last night, but I'm back again on the Paula Zahn Now show tonight. The new show airs live at 8 p.m. Eastern tonight (Friday, Feb. 16) on CNN.
Tonight we talk about two primary issues. First, we talk about the 2008 presidential campaign. Second, we discuss why minorities are most likely to lose out when the government takes private property through "eminent domain."
There may be other issues depending on the news today. Also, I don't know who the other guests and panelists will be tonight.
Last night I made my second appearance on the Paula Zahn show (the first was last month). I spent most of the time arguing with Republican political strategist Amy Holmes. But it was all positive.
I also had a chance to meet former NBA player John Amaechi. We had to reschedule our weekend interview, but I will be talking to him again soon. Stay tuned.
Posted on February 16 2007, 9:12AM | Permalink
Last night was a real surprise on Paula Zahn Now. Originally we were supposed to talk about the 2008 presidential campaign and the impact of "eminent domain" on minorities. But live TV is always changing.
Instead we talked about three new topics last night: Anna Nicole Smith, a New York City condom distribution plan, and a Washington state initiative which would require married couples to have children.
I actually got a little riled up when I was speaking last night, but it was a great opportunity to talk about these issues from a personal perspective. (Watch the video here.)
And I guess people liked it. I will be back on Paula Zahn's show this Wednesday (Feb. 21) for another appearance. Stay tuned for more details.
Posted on February 17 2007, 3:11PM | Permalink