America cashes in on Obama swag

What do you get when you pair what some would call a has-been TV talk show host and a set of cheesy junk swag that looks like chocolate gold coins found in kid’s Christmas stockings?

Montel Williams selling his soul for four commemorative coins.

Colored coins, plates, books, t shirts, backpacks, lunchboxes, calendars and any other soon-to-be garage sale kitsch items have been marketed to the masses all with likenesses of President Obama, his family, Lincoln, Washington and other symbols of Americana.

And just when you thought the guy with the overstuffed stand full of Obamabillia next to the metro stop was enough, you can’t forget the guys sprinkled throughout the city selling “limited edition” Washington DC post-inaugural and Election Day front pages for twice the price.

This truly must be capitalism at its best.

Despite change, blacks still struggle in other nations

While it’s totally inspiring that Barack Obama has created a new image of the Black American, most have forgotten that blacks in other countries still face racial and economic disparities, many far worse than what is experienced here in the U.S.

From African immigrants rioting in the streets of France to Indians screaming what can be perceived as racial epithets to pro soccer players of African descent, black is still at the bottom of the totem pole in the rest of the world.

And let’s not forget the countless stories of women using bleaching and skin lightening creams in places as far as Asia in an effort to achieve fair skin.

The question is not why this is occurring in the 21st, but what can be done to change it and prevent it from occurring in the future.

One band is discovering that music can begin to open doors for honest discussion about race and society in their culture. NPR interviewed Afro-Peruvian band Novalima about their new album and what Obama means to racial discourse in Peru. Click here to listen.

Inaugural Wrap Up: Black people ARE alive to see this day

The news media seems to think that Black America has a really short lifespan.

“Did you think that you would live long enough to see this day (when an African American would be elected president)?”

Now it’s understandable–and a bit hilarious–to see predominately white cable news show hosts and news personalities try to sum up how historical this year’s presidential election is for the nation. But FOX news, MSNBC, and CNN need not overemphasize how black people feel about the moment.

Thank you Stephen Colbert for finding some humor in such a nonsensical issue.

Stephen Colbert speaks to “black conservative” P.K. Winsome about the Inauguration.

It’s pretty obvious. Black people are thrilled!  So don’t bring every black musician, scholar, professor, actor or average citizen to prove, yet again, that the African American community is touched, moved, enthralled, excited, inspired, relieved and any other related adjective about President Barack Obama being elected.

Back to regular programming, please.

Portrait of the president as a young man

In another nod to the incoming president, the National Portrait Gallery unveiled the now-famous Hope portrait of Barack Obama to be housed in the gallery.

The artist behind the portrait, Shepard Fairey, is a self-described “street artist.” His previous work has included  social political, progressive messages as well as featured prominent figures such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The "Hope" portrait is unvelied at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.

Fairey has caught flak for taking money from corporate commissions like Saks Fifth Avenue and for using images from other artists without their permission for his work.

The Smithsonian, however, did not think his use of an AP photo for the portrait violated some copyright laws.

Fairey explains the portrait on NPR’s Fresh Air. Click here.

Inaugural Wrap Up: Baby Soetoro “dreams”

For the first time in a long time, someone other than Barack Obama stole the show. Obama’s niece snoozed through most of the We Are the One concert at the Lincoln Memorial.

Not until U2 rocked it out with Pride (In The Name Of Love) was baby Soetoro-Ng unexpectedly stirred from her sleep, looking a bit annoyed that she had been awaken from sweet dreams.

Barack Obama's niece was a bit pooped during the We Are One concert last Saturday.

Inaugural Wrap Up: Atlanta academy sings praises for Obama

In one of the more inspiring stories of the inauguration, Hotlanta was well-represented in D.C. when a group of kids from the Ron Clark Academy had the opportunity to sing their dedication to the new president, Dear Obama.

Ron Clark and the kids from the Ron Clark Academy sing Dear Obama.

The kids and Ron Clark quickly gained fame when their first song You Can Vote However You Like went viral and garnered over 2 million views on youtube. The song eventually was picked up by several news outlets including CNN, and Oprah featured them on her show and gave the school $365, ooo.

Inaugural Wrap Up: Civil rights song has new meaning

Bettye LaVette and Jon Bon Jovi sing A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke.

When legendary R&B crooner Sam Cooke pinned the words to his prolific civil rights song, he illustrated an uncertain time for blacks in the U.S. and looked toward a more promising future.

It is fitting that the change Cooke wrote about nearly 40 years ago and the change that Obama spoke of in his campaign, culminated in a historic moment for America.

Without further ado

Welcome to Mama Kel Post, a blog about the January 20, 2009 inauguration of America’s 44th president, Barack Hussein Obama. Here you will find thoughtful–and sometimes witty–commentary about the events surrounding this historic day in Washington DC.

Mama Kel Post welcomes comments and discussion about any posts.

Let’s get started!