The Prince of Politics

HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY NELSON MANDELA

2008-07-18T20:15:00.000-07:00

Mandela's Birthday Wish:
"There are many people...who are rich, who can share those riches with people that are not so fortunate- who have not been able to conquer poverty."

MY VOTE COUNTS!

2008-07-17T20:25:00.001-07:00

If you all don't know- I am all about promoting young people that are doing great things in their communities. We are all familiar with Rock the Vote and the Vote or Die campaign- but there is a young man based in Greensboro, North Carolina that has a movement that is just as empowering as the aforementioned efforts.

Craig Stokes, Founder of My Vote Counts, is a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University and obtained his MBA from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). According to Craig, My Vote Counts "was developed to inspire and encourage all of America to speak up, stand up, and vote for what we feel passionate about (the presidential election, women’s rights, etc). We developed an ethos, which is defined as -”the distinguishing character, beliefs or moral nature of a person, group, or institution” – that truly represents what we want every individual in America, young and old, black or white to adopt and make their own."

Take a moment to visit the website http://www.craigstokes.com/ for more information or to order your shirt.

I have two of these great shirts and will continue to support the movement as I let the world know that "My Vote Counts because I VOTE!"

NAS drops a new album UNTITLED aka (NIGGER)!

2008-07-16T10:54:00.000-07:00

On July 11, 2008, NAS dropped his ninth studio album. 14 years after the release of Illmatic, Nas is still hitting the industry hard with thought-provoking lyrics. His material is just as relevant today as it was in 1994- truly classic music!

True to his M.O. aka modus operandi aka "mode of operation", this latest album shook up the industry well in advance of its release. Nas was the center of a media blitz when word got out the album was going to be titled "NIGGER". The album title was so controversial that it has been reported that United States Congress contacted his label to express concern with the title.

If you are familiar with Nas and his swag- then you know that he rarely does anything without thought. While critics jumped on the title of the album, few stopped to think of what this album would really mean. I was glad to see the likes of Jay-Z, Ice Cube, Alicia Keys, Rev Run, David Banner, Lupe Fiasco, and Common support the Nas and the album's title.

Please go out and cop the album. It is definitely one of the best albums of the year. I have to highlight one of my favorite tracks for yall. "Black President" (track that is playing on the webstie) is a thought-provoking commentary from the artist regarding our current state of politics.

"New-improved JFK on the way

It ain't the 60's again

N!ggas ain't hippies again

We ain't falling for the same traps

Standing on the balconies
Where they shot the King at

McCain got apologies

Ain't nobody hearing that

People need honesty"

After you check out the album, please come back here to discuss what you think about the album, Mr. Nasir Jones, and what we can do as young people to really make change in our communities!

Dress like Michelle Obama- FOR LESS! (Part I)

2008-07-16T09:24:00.000-07:00

On the campaign trail, Michelle Obama's fashion has been chronicled just as often as her hubsand proposed policies. Michelle has been compared to likes of Jacqueline Kennedy and the first Mrs. Bush. Her sense of style is classic and represents the American woman.

Because so many people adore Mrs. Obama's style, we decided to show you how you can get the Michelle Obama look...for LESS! Some of the styles shown will include the exact item(s) worn by Mrs. Obama as well as comparable looks that can be found in stores such as Sears and JcPenney!
Enjoy the article and go out and get the classic first lady looks that will be sure to impress at any occasion.

This is the look that Mrs. Obama wore when she appeared on ABC's "The View". The first dress is the actual dress available at White House/Black Market for $148. Check this link out to view the dress-http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/home.jsp

The next two dresses are dresses from Nordstrom and Sears- selling for $98 and $48 respectively. Get these looks at http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2996778/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014132?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014132&P=1 and http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_031A1811000P?mv=rr.

The next look is the now reknown "Purple Dress". Joining her husband on stage in St. Paul, Minnestoa, to claim the Democratic Presidential nomination, Mrs. Obama wore this stunning sleeveless purple silk crepe sheath made for Mrs. Obama by Maria Pinto, the former Geoffrey Beene assistant who has long been an Obama favorite. This dress retails for about$900. Get comparable looks from Nordstrom and Sears for a fraction of the cost.

The first (bottom) dress comes from Nordstrom and retails for $158. It features the same simple sleeveless silhouette as the original dress. While this dress doesn't have a black belt- the ruched, wrapped bodice gives the appearance of a belted waist. Get this look: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2976509/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014146?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014146&P=2

If you can't afford the $158 look, here's another dress that embodies the spirit of the orignial dress. The second look comes from Sears and retails for $37.50. While it dosen't have the shape of the original dress, the shape will flatter women with more curves. It also is the same rich purple as the originial and has the black belt that Mrs. Obama loves! You can get this look at- http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_031D2224000P?vName=Clothing&cName=Women%27s&sName=Dresses+%26+Social+Occasion

Stay tuned for more "Future First Lady" fashion ideas for less!

99th NAACP Annual Convention

2008-07-14T13:57:00.001-07:00

The 99th NAACP Annual Convention is being held in Cincinnati, Ohio, from July 12-17, 2008. Catch live coverage of the convention at http://www.naacpwebcast.com/naacp2008/.

For more information on the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), visit http://www.naacp.com/.

FIRED UP! READY TO GO!

Has The New Yorker Magazine gone too far?

2008-07-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

Hitting newsstands on July 21st, The New Yorker Magazine cover displays caricatures of Sen. Barack and Michelle Obama. Displaying Sen. Obama as a Muslim and Michelle Obama carrying a gun and fist-pounding Barack- the cover is generating much publicity.

"The New Yorker may think, as one of their staff explained to us, that their cover is a satirical lampoon of the caricature Senator Obama's right-wing critics have tried to create. But most readers will see it as tasteless and offensive. And we agree" said Obama spokesman Bill Burton in a statement.

Sen. John McCain also issued a statement regarding the cover of the magazine. Campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds, expressed in an email statement, "We completely agree with the Obama campaign, it’s tasteless and offensive.”

Is the new cover simply a satirical commentary on the attempts by the right to portray Sen. Barack Obama as a Muslim and unpatriotic liberal? Or, is the cover a tasteless attempt to further scare voters before November's general election?

Let us know what you think?

Sen. Barack Obama vs. Rev. Jesse Jackson...Pesonal Responsibility vs. Government Accountability

2008-07-14T11:01:00.000-07:00

I am a little apprehensive about commenting on the latest media blitz regarding comments made by Rev. Jesse Jackson in reference to Sen. Obama's stance on the personal responsibility of Americans in addressing the many challenges faced by our society. However, I think that both persons are, yet again, being exploited and mistreated by major media outlets.

Do not allow yourself to be convinced that there is a major conflict between these two great leaders of our nation. Also, let us not diminish the great civil rights work of Rev. Jesse Jackson because of his latest remarks.

Sen. Obama has consistently stated that we, as Americans, may not agree with every decision that he makes as President of the United States but that we would always have the opportunity to express our disagreement and move forward in solving the problems of our communities.

Rev. Jackson may have used colourful language (who hasn't?) while expressing his disagreement with Sen. Obama's take on faith based initiatives and the role of government in dealing with social issues- but his message is one that has been a point of debate between black leaders for years.

At the heart of the issue is a difference in opinion regarding the role of personal responsibility and government accountability in solving the many social ills of the black community and even more broadly, the American community. Nearly 100 years ago, Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois differed on the appropriate course of action to move the black race forward. Washington believed that hard work, personal responsibility, and economic advancement were the keys to moving the race forward. Contrary to the beliefs of Washington, DuBois believed that political activism and holding our government accountable (supporting social programs) was necessary to propel the race forward.

Let us not allow ourselves to be distracted from the task at hand. As leaders of today and leaders of the future, it is our time to stand up and step up for change. We must learn from our great history and synergize the ideas of Washington, DuBois, Jackson, Obama and many other leaders of this nation into a meaningful program of action!

Welcome to The Prince of Politics!

2008-07-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

The Prince of Politics is your source for the most interesting political news from an urban perspective!

Are you tired of seeing the same political news from every major media news source presented in the same way? If so, this site is for you!

Check our site hourly, daily, and weekly for the most up-to-date and interesting political news- from important pieces of legislation to what the presidential candidates and their wives are wearing- we've got you covered.