Blogs

By Raynard Jackson

NNPA Columnist

Last week, I criticized President Obama for his anemic, voiceless, almost whispered response to the tragic death of Hadiya Pendleton.  She was a 15-year-old honor student who was shot and killed in Chicago two weeks ago after having performed at Obama’s inauguration.

To my total amazement, there was a torrent of criticism from within the Black community about Obama’s tepid public statement about Hadiya’s death.  I was proud that many in the Black community finally

By Raynard Jackson ~

  Just over a month ago Mitt Romney addressed the NAACP during their national convention.  I thought Romney’s speech was horrible and quite a waste of time because he said nothing that would be of any interest to the Black community.  You can read that column at:  http://blackpressusa.com/romney-and-the-naacp-a-missed-opportunity/.

This column set off a firestorm of reactions from across the country.  Most people, of all political stripes, thought my analysis was right on the

June 29, 2012

Raynard Jackson

Now that Romney is the defacto nominee for the Republican Party, I have been reflecting on the state of the presidential race as it enters the final stretch.  As a political strategist, I understand the necessity to run to the right during the Republican primary and then migrate to the center during the general election.

It is common knowledge that Romney has no intention of focusing on the Black vote during the general election.  From a raw po

Raynard Jackson ~

   Those who have followed my writings over the years know that I am not very fond of the modern day NAACP. They have strayed very far from their original mission and have become a patsy for the Democratic Party. They are more concerned with having a photo taken at the White House than being the picture of equality and fairness for those with no voice.

The group was founded in 1909 as a civil rights organization. Its charter stated their mission as: “To promote equality of rights

May 18, 2012

Raynard Jackson

Former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, once said, “To every man there comes a time when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a great and might work; unique to him and fitted to his talents; what a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared or unqualified for the moment that could be his finest hour.”

Zakiya Randall has been tapped on the shoulder and has proven that she is woefully unprepared and unq

December 15, 2011

Raynard Jackson ~

 How many of you fly on airplanes or frequent government buildings?  If you do, you know you must show some type of government I.D. to get on a plane or enter into a government building.

To my knowledge, I have never heard anyone claim they were discriminated against if they were not allowed to fly or enter a government building because they didn’t have an I.D.  To the contrary, people know the rules in advance, so therefore they comply. 

I don’t know anyone (yo

December 8, 2011

Raynard Jackson

Former presidential candidate, Herman Cain, proved that despite a load of God given talent, he was unable to be a serious contender for the highest office in the land. 

In the immortal words of former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, “to every man there comes a time when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a great and mighty work; unique to him and fitted to his talents; what a tragedy if that moment finds him unprepared

December 1, 2011

Raynard Jackson

Presidential candidate, Herman Cain, has had another trying week on the campaign trail.  Those who follow my columns know that I don’t usually write about issues that are salacious in nature, but, the situation with Cain has caused me to make a rare exception. 

Cain’s campaign has caused America to suffer from one massive “Cain Drain.” 

Cain’s candidacy has caused America and Americans to lose their minds!

What was Cain thinking when he decided to run for president wi

November 3, 2011

Raynard Jackson

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has been the talk of DC this week, but for all the wrong reasons.  A political newspaper released a story about Cain being accused of sexually harassing two women while he was CEO of the National Restaurant Association (NRA) in the ‘90s.

According to the newspaper, Cain reached an agreement to settle with the two women for an undisclosed amount of money and all the parties were bound by a confidentiality agreement tha

October 6, 2011

Raynard Jackson

Howard University, in Washington, DC, is one of the elite Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the U.S.  Howard students are quick to call their school the “real H U!”  The reason is so they won’t be confused with another well know HBCU—Hampton University.

But after years of frustrating experiences with Howard University, I have come to the conclusion that they are truly the “real H U.”  But, in this case, the H U stands for “Horrible University.

September 15, 2011  
by Raynard Jackson

Last December, I wrote a column titled, “Michael Vick--From Vick-tim to Vick-tory.”  The premise of that piece was that Vick made poor decisions which ultimately caused him to serve time in a federal prison.  After leaving prison, his lifestyle suggested that he had truly turned his life around.  This again involved Vick making decisions that impacted his life.  So, almost a year later, I wanted to write a piece to update my readers on this wonderful story

August 18, 2011

Raynard Jackson

How long will the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) continue to behave like a person who has been diagnosed with erectile dysfunction (ED) and has been prescribed Viagra by his doctor?

The male psyche is extremely fragile and when the doctor prescribes Viagra to him, initially it is a huge blow to his ego.  Then, there is an initial state of denial, followed by acceptance.

So it is with the CBC and their relationship with President Obama.  Obama has all but ignored

July 14, 2011

Raynard Jackson

Last month I was stunned while watching and listening to Beyonce being interviewed by Piers Morgan (from CNN).  Beyonce was promoting her new album and agreed to do what would normally be considered a routine interview.

Morgan asked Beyonce one question that was totally inappropriate.  I was quite offended that he would totally disrespect his interviewee; but what was even more offensive was the response that was given by the interviewee—Beyonce.  You can watch the

June 30, 2011

Raynard Jackson

More than 40 years ago, both political parties (Democratic and Republicans) made strategic decisions that are still being felt today.

In the 1960s, the Republican Party formally adopted the “Southern Strategy.”  The Southern Strategy was a deliberate strategy by the Republican Party of the 1960s concocted to win elections in Southern states by exploiting anti-Black racism among southern white voters.  These voters were previously loyal to the Democratic Party becaus

Originally Published on July 2, 2009

Raynard Jackson

Like a candle in the wind,

Your life came to a sudden end.

With “A Child’s Heart,”

You began your start.

You brought joy to many,

But in the end, you didn’t have any.

You had money, fortune, and fame,

If that’s all we remember, what a shame.

Now, they all say, “I Want You Back,”

But is that all just an act?

They all said, “I’ll Be There,”

I am not sure they really care.

While you were making your journey home,

Sharpton was already in front of the micro

May 5, 2011

Raynard Jackson

Of course all the talk this week has been of the killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan by the elite Navy SEAL Team 6.  I was hoping, at least in the U.S., that this event would allow America to come together, if only for a moment, and reflect on what makes America such a wonderful place.  But, I guess I was a bit too optimistic!

The word SEAL is an abbreviation for SEa, Air and Land.  They are part of the Naval Special Warfare Command (NSWC).  They were formerly refe

April 28, 2011

Raynard Jackson

When Donald Trump began to make public overtures about his possible interest in running for president of the U.S., I thought he could be a substantive wild card in the race. 

I thought Trump could be a viable candidate because he does have a successful track record as a businessman.  During next year’s presidential campaign, the economy will be the number one issue—this would have played right into Trump’s strength.

But, Trump has allowed himself to be hijacked by h

February 3, 2011 

Raynard Jackson

With the beginning of Black History Month two days ago and the upcoming Super Bowl on Sunday, I thought I would bring you a story that has gotten very little attention, especially in the Washington, DC area.

How many of you are familiar with former professional football player Tony McGee (Washington Redskins) and the Wyoming 14?  It’s very unfortunate that most of you have never heard of either.  They represent everything good about a previous generation that ma