Anderson@Large

File This Under: Not Surprised

Ward Connerly, the race hustler who is paid to oppose affirmative action, is under investigation for allegedly using his nonprofit to line his own pockets to the tune of between $1.2 million and $1.5 million each year.

The New York Times reports:

Ward Connerly, the black businessman who has been the face of the movement to end affirmative action for nearly two decades, is facing accusations from a prominent former ally that he has mismanaged — and exploited for his own benefit — donations to that cause made by fellow conservatives.

Moreover, a group Mr. Connerly founded to advance government policies that are race and gender neutral, the Sacramento-based American Civil Rights Institute, is under investigation by the Internal Revenue Service and by the attorney general of California, according to documents and interviews.

Mr. Connerly has faced accusations of profiteering before, as supporters of affirmative action highlighted his salary in an effort to discredit his cause. But this time, the allegations are more detailed and come from another significant movement figure: Jennifer Gratz, the named plaintiff in a landmark 2003 Supreme Court case that struck down a race-based admissions policy at the University of Michigan.

After she won that case, Mr. Connerly hired Ms. Gratz to conduct research and run campaigns supporting anti-affirmative action ballot initiatives. She resigned last September and, through her lawyer, sent the group’s board a five-page letter, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Time.

Gratz probably knows nothing about “race music,” but she is affirming a truism: Don't start me to talking.

A Room with a View of the Blues

I started out Day Two of the International Society for Technology in Education’s annual conference in the Exhibit Hall. Four hours later, I had visited less than half of the exhibitors.

When I stopped by the Universal Service Administrative Company booth, it was a trip down memory lane.

I was a member of the coalition that advocated for affordable telecommunications and Internet access for schools and libraries, the E-Rate, in the Telecommunications Act of 1996.

In the era of Web 2.0, Internet access alone is not enough. I took this photo in the ISTE Press Room.

As I looked out over the Exhibit Hall, I got the blues knowing that classrooms with high concentrations of underserved students have access to few, if any, interactive tools and solutions.

Black Music Appreciation Month 2011

Duke Ellington famously said: “There are only two kinds of music, good and bad.”

It’s all good as June kicks off African-American Music Month. In a Presidential Proclamation, President Obama said:

The music of our Nation has always spoken to the condition of our people and reflected the diversity of our Union. African-American musicians, composers, singers, and songwriters have made enormous contributions to our culture by capturing the hardships and aspirations of a community and reminding us of our shared values. During African-American Music Appreciation Month, we honor the rich musical traditions of African-American musicians and their gifts to our country and our world.

From the cadenced hums of spirituals to the melodies of rhythm and blues, African-American music has been used to communicate, to challenge, to praise, and to uplift in times of both despair and triumph. The rhythmic chords embedded in spirituals have long expressed a deep faith in the power of prayer, and brought hope to slaves toiling in fields. The soulfulness of jazz and storytelling in the blues inspired a cultural renaissance, while the potent words of gospel gave strength to a generation that rose above the din of hatred to move our country toward justice and equality for all.

Read more: Presidential Proclamation--African-American Music Appreciation Month

In the meantime, let the music play.

The Joint is Jumpin’

Yesterday the Library of Congress launched the National Jukebox, an online collection of popular music, speeches, and rare and historic recordings.

To create a playlist, go here.

Who knew the Library of Congress is the joint!

Merry Christmas, Baby

Old School Christmas Greetings

Election 2010 Postscript

California’s former state treasurer Jesse Unruh once observed, “Money is the mother’s milk of politics.”

It was widely reported the Democratic National Committee budgeted $3 million for African American outreach in the 2010 midterm elections. I am now wondering how much money was actually spent.

National Newspaper Publishers Association Chairman Danny Bakewell told the Final Call:

I talked with Governor (Tim) Kaine myself. We gave him a $2 million budget to begin advertising in every Black newspaper from the first week in September until the last week prior to the election ... I think the Democratic Party spent less than $150,000 in Black newspapers throughout America...

If we’re good enough to elect you, if we’re good enough for you to be able to rely on then we ought to be good enough for you to spend some money with.

Or as Bobby “Blue” Bland would say, Democrats should get their votes where they spend their money.