O, Yes We Did.

If you didn't already hear, I'm glad I could be the one to tell you, but you're kinda late on this.  Barack Obama will be our 44th President. My campus, like many others across the country (globe, potentially?) is going nuts.  I even saw the President make an appearance at the all campus party going on outside our campus center and on the football field/the hill.  I'd love to write a long critical post about the dangers of celebrating too quickly, potential spins on this victory and which people feel entitled to/should claim it right now--but I've got an all-nighter to pull, plus I don't want to spoil this moment too soon, so I'll instead share some music.

J. Kwest - I Am (Obama)

J.Kwest - I Am (Obama) from Endangered Peace on Vimeo.

So, second even bigger shout out to Mica.  I was just checking out this video on Blind I by J. Kwest for "I Am (Obama)" and recognized a bunch of shots of Pilsen and Mica's Mural--twice!  That's pretty cool.  The mural she worked on was part of a community art project organized through the National Museum of Mexican Art.

Some more music by Damu the Fudgemunk who produced this Yes We Can beat just for the occasion.  Aside from funky sound quality on my end, I'm really feeling what he did with this.  Check it out and get more info at Wonka Beats.  

Finally new Nas and Green Lantern recorded last night.  Seen on Miss Info.

ok ok ok, final post--cutest video ever. Just watched it on Feministing.

Obama: Hate the game, player.

This shouldn't really be my post, but the madman sent me a link to a story on Gawker about a local reporter named Nicklaus Lovelady in Georgia and I couldn't resist sharing this brief soundbite for those swing-staters doubting the senator's cool.

According to the post, at a 2006 Southern Illinois appearance, Lovelady stood up to ask Obama a question and was initially dismissed by the senator who thought he was from a college paper because of his "baby face." Upon hearing Obama's comment, the crowd of 800 people, including a female reporter that Lovelady had been eyeing, burst into laughter prompting Lovelady to write a harsh column shortly after the incident.

But who would have expected a state senator to call the reporter and issue a public apology. Friends [(c) J.McCain ], I think I'm going to be sending out some greeting cards in the near future with a little snippet of Obama saying, "I'm calling to publicly apology for messing up your game."

Boomp3.com

Oh man...

I guess his biggest flaw might really be that he's just "a little too awesome."

Speaking of which, I was in Chicago last weekend and got some pics of the police and barricades surrounding his house and the synagogue across the street, which members must now enter through the back door. Talk about racial irony...

Yes, I realize this comes across as having a twinge of stalker. But please, don't hate the player, hate the game. And you know you'd have snapped one too if you were across the street.

Racism in 2008 Presidential Election: Stakes Is High

Absolutely everything about this whole campaign makes me sick. Blech.

Do the world a favor, and choose wisely.

Y'all know them stakes is high

And while you're waiting for you download, send your full name and state to 

endracistcampaigns at gmail dot com and sign my friend's petition. Whether 

or not you're for or against Obama, I'm hoping you're at least against arab 

xenophobia and islamophobia being encouraged and used in the campaign. 

Here's the petition:

Dear Obama Campaign,

We, as Obama supporters, are strongly disappointed at the compliance by
the Obama campaign with the anti-Arab/anti-Muslim rhetoric that has become
acceptable in this campaign season. While we plan on voting for Obama in
this election, we demand a more nuanced and confrontational approach to
the racist comments that have become an unquestioned part of the national
conversation over his merit for presidency.  While we understand that
Obama wants to distance himself from the scary and hurtful images
associated with Islam and Arab culture in this country, he needs to do so
not by complying with those stereotypes, but rather by drawing their
existence into question. He needs to directly confront McCain’s racist
comments over the weekend of Oct 11th , and he needs to make more of an
effort to end this racist dialogue before the elections in November.

As avid supporters of Obama, we feel it is our obligation to make sure
that he stays true to his slogan, that this campaign is truly “the change
we can all believe in.”  We believe in Obama, and for this reason, we feel
we must voice our concern and disappointment with his campaign’s response
to these issues, but also our hope and belief that Obama can and will find
a solution to this problem that is based on the unity that he preaches,
and not the distance and dissociation that he is fighting against.