Anderson@Large

In the Belly of the Beast

OK, I'm settled in and looking around the Media Filing Center.

I see a lot of familiar faces from the mainstream media. As they deign to check out bloggers row, they may wonder who let us in.

I guess the debate about whether bloggers are journalists is over.

As Mahalia Jackson sang, "my soul looks back and wonder how did I make it over."

Race Matters

From the mouths of youth, the first question about race shows that the kids are alright.

Today's Supreme Court decision limiting the use of race to promote diversity underscores that elections matter and have consequences beyond who gets to occupy the Oval Office.

A Bird's Eye View

My friend, Charles Ogletree Jr., is in Cramton Auditorium.  Tree texted me that the Congressional Black Caucus is in the house, there's high energy but too few youth.

Two Americas

I'm here in the Media Filing Center and Spin Room in the Blackburn Center on the campus of Howard University for the "All-American Presidential Forums on PBS," moderated by Tavis Smiley.

On the way here, I asked my cabbie, Zena Mitika, an Ethiopian, what he would ask the presidential candidates if given the opportunity.

Without taking his eyes off the road, Zena said he would ask why America is so concerned about helping others around the world when there is so much need here at home, including in the nation's capitol.

Zena said Africans understand you have to start at home. "It starts with you own family. It starts with America first."

Zena would ask the candidates about the racial gap in economic opportunities between white Americans and minority Americans.

Live From Howard University

For the first time, bloggers will be credentialed to cover a presidential candidates forum.

We (yes, I’m included in the mix) will be in the house for the “All-American Presidential Forums on PBS,” moderated by Tavis Smiley.  The Democratic forum will be held at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium tonight.

Tavis said:

All-American Presidential Forums were created to provide fresh perspectives and an unprecedented level of inclusion for all Americans in general, and people of color in particular, in these critical discussions about our country's future.

The questions asked at the All-American Presidential Forums will be taken from the issues outlined in “Covenant With Black America."

Democratic presidential candidates -- Senators Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and Christopher Dodd Barack Obama, former Senators John Edwards and Mike Gravel, Congressman Dennis Kucinich and Governor Bill Richardson -- will be questioned on domestic issues by Michel Martin, Ruben Navarrette Jr. and my buddy DeWayne Wickham.

Bloggers will get a crack at the candidates after the forum during the media availability in Blackburn Center.

I will be blogging live from the forum so you can send your comments here.

The forum will be held tonight from 9:00 pm to 10:30 pm ET.  To check your local listings, click here.

Democratic Presidential Forum

Mark your calendar for the "All-American Presidential Forum on PBS,"  moderated by Tavis Smiley.  The forum will be held on Thursday, June 28, 2007, from 9:00 to 10:30 p.m. ET.

Stay tuned.