Today marks an important moment in America’s history of civil disobedience.

In more than 60 US cities, people are participating in rallies to protest the House’s draconian immigration bill. The bill, passed in December, proposes to define undocumented immigrants as felons, construct more walls along the Mexican border, and criminalize those who give assistance, including food and water, to illegal immigrants.

Despite attempts at a compromise bill, which would create a pathway to citizenship for a large section of the country’s 12 million immigrants, have been unsuccessful due to political bickering in the Senate. (This is yet another blow to Bush, who has advocated a “guest worker” bill but also attempted to placate hardcore conservatives who refuse to grant “amnesty” to immigrants)

As a result, people all over the country are leaving work, school, and other commitments in order to fight for immigrant rights. The significance of these protests is enormous, as many of the protesters are undocumented workers themeselves who are participating in their first American civil protest despite threats from employers and fear of government repercussion.

While this bill has immediate repercussions for the Latino community, it is absolutely critical that all of us stand in solidarity with the one million people who are expected to protest today. Without everyone’s collective support and concern, we lose tremendous ground in our quest for social justice.

The latest polls indicate that George W. Bush’s approval rating are at an all-time low. Just 36 percent of the public approves of Bush’s job performance, his lowest-ever rating in AP-Ipsos polling. These numbers stand in stark contrast to the 47 percent that he had just before the 2004 election and the 64 percent that he had in October 2002.

To put the numbers in perspective, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan had ratings in the high 60s at this time in their presidencies. Only Nixon, who was implicated in the Watergate scandal, had a lower rating (28%). The numbers were equally grim for the Republican-led Congress, whose approval rating is 30%.

Despite these numbers and the optimism quickly developing among Democrats that they’ll regain control of Congress, I’m reluctant to count the Republicans out. Why?

Think back to the 2004 election, when the economy was in the toilet, schools were in continued crisis, the country was involved in an absurdly unjust war, and Bush was exposed to most of the country as a liar. In spite of these political advantages, the Democratic party, and John Kerry more specifically, lost the election due to the lack of a clear, coherent, and self-defined agenda.

That said, despite the Republican party’s gross mismanagement of the country, don’t be surprised if things don’t change any time soon.

• After remarrying his wife Kim in January, Eminem has filed for another divorce. Say what you want about Bobby and Whitney, at least they stay together. (That’s a good thing, right?)
• Master P and approximately 30 men confronted Bow Wow backstage at the Nickolodeon awards. Apparently, the No Limit King felt the need to intervene in Bow Wow’s beef with his son (Lil Romeo). Reportedly, he took exception to Bow Wow’s song “Fresh Azimiz”, where he says “18, I’m makin’ more than your dad”. I’m not sure which is more pathetic, the beef itself or 40 year old Master P and his henchmen trying to flex on the  star of “Roll Bounce”.
• Rapper Black Rob was sentenced to 7 years in prison for burglary. After receiving a 2-6 for breaking into a hotel and stealing a purse, Rob failed to turn himself in at the appointed time, resulting in the much stricter sentence. Whoa!

This piece comes from the good folks over at BlackProf.com, who published this yesterday

Barry Bonds, Cynthia McKinney, and the Unnamed Duke Lacrosse Team Rape Victim

by Katheryn Russell-BrownThe Black community is fiercely protective of its high-profile, celebrity members. We’re suspicious of allegations made against them.  We’re particularly likely to close ranks and defend famous Black men who find themselves in trouble with the law.  Just to name a few, there’s O.J., Clarence Thomas, Marion Barry, Mike Tyson, R. Kelly, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jackson.

This practice, which I label “Black protectionism,” is historically-rooted and justified by a criminal justice system that has, from its inception, put Black men in its bulls-eye.

Here’s the thing, though—while the existence and persistence of Black protectionism make sense, there are some aspects of it that cause concern.  How and when does “protecting our own” move us forward as a community?  In a nutshell, can Black protectionism be applied in way that’s transformative?  And what about Black women?  They’re much less likely to receive the same love from the community as Black men: Lani Guinier, Carol Moseley-Braun, Joycelyn Elders, to name a few.  Also, why limit our protective cloak to famous Blacks?  What about everyday Black men and women?  And what about crime victims—shouldn’t they get the community’s vocal support and embrace too?

Three recent cases highlight the continuing viability of Black protectionism.  It appears that Blacks are comfortable rallying behind Barry Bonds, who is now at the center of a media storm about steroid use (incidentally Bonds denies using them and he has never tested positive).  But shouldn’t protectionism also be used to support victims of sexual assault—regardless of whether they’re exotic dancers or beauty contestants?  What about Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney who says that she was “inappropriately” touched by a Capitol police officer? It will be interesting to see whether she receives a racial cloak of support.

There are few television shows that can provoke genuine (i.e. laugh out loud) laughter or anger. Black.White consistently manages to do the latter with its impoverished discussions of race.

Apparently, I’m not the only one exasperated by the show. The show has lost more than 2.5 million viewers since its record tying debut last month.

A few of my issues from last night’s episode:

• Bruno’s dismissal of reparations by saying “Get a job!” I can accept a thoughtful, critical rejection of a pro-reparations position –even if i find it ultimately unpersuasive– but Bruno acts as if Black people are expecting a stack of unmarked bills and a fresh pair of Nikes in the mail with a note saying “Let’s put this whole slavery thing behind us.”
• Bruno’s refusal to to acknowledge that his discomfort with being in a room full of Black men was more than his “not being of that element.” I found it curious that he said he didn’t want to be in a room filled with smoke and alcohol, when he’s visited several bars over the past few episodes.
• Renee’s absurd search for a “white friend.” Why would she think that going to a Bible study with 85 year old women or a quilting session with 55 year old women would produce a normal friendship?
• Everyone’s refusal to acknowledge that Renee doesn’t look White. Maybe no one was surprised that she was Black because she looks like Tisha Campbell!
• Despite Rose’s remarkable development throughout the show, last night’s episode ended with her concluding that “people are just people.” While her determination was informed by a complex understanding of race and difference, such complexity is obscured by the show’s attempt for a feel-good ending.