Look, everyone. I've added new crap to the page. So now the three of you who read this thing can have an even easier time browsing through it. Woo, hoo. Now you can see the latest posts and even search the entire FBESP. Exciting doesn't even come close, I know. Try to contain yourselves. Such behavior is unbecoming demure socialites.

Lauryn Hill Is Not a Racist

Today in class a student was shocked that I consider Lauryn Hill cool. (The journal topic was: "Who is the coolest person in the world and why?" -- of course DLF is at the top of the list, but I spoke about many others too.) This student explained that Lauryn Hill admitted to being racist; I asked her to clarify, but she couldn't recall Ms. Hill's exact words. Suspicious, I went looking for the truth when I got home. I found it -- as I so often do -- at Snopes.

MTV would later announce the allegation against Hill wasn't true, but by then it was too late — the rumor was already in motion. In the wake of this slander, Hill did call in rebut the comment on the Howard Stern Show. On numerous other occasions, she has denied saying anything remotely resembling the statement credited to her. In response to her critics, she offered: "What I did say was that I love my people, black people, and I will continue to make music for them."

It's funny how money changes situations. Miscommunications lead to complications.

The Urgency of Revolution


Many years ago I decided that our society needs a revolution if we are to transcend this potentially suicidal phase of our evolution. I believe it must be nonviolent in nature -- since violence breeds violence -- but it must take place with all speed. Sometimes (much of the time, actually) I feel like it's not happening quickly enough; indeed, that we're backsliding and going further down the spiral.

On the other hand, I recognize that [a] sometimes when things get worse the conditions are played out for more people to recognize (thus the ironic majesty of Huey Freeman's claim during the Clinton years that "we need a Bush in the White Hourse"); and [b] the revolution "takes time and space," to use Boots' words.

So is patience a virtue? Obviously, I can't allow myself to burn out; but neither do I ever want to believe that merely doing a little bit here and there is enough. I don't think these questions can ever be answered -- and I know every revolutionary in history, from Douglass to Tubman to Assata to Che to Mandela to Muste has likely wrestled with exactly these concerns.

If I believed in property damage, I could throw a brick through a window. Somehow grading essays doesn't feel as revolutionary.

TimeWaster™

You've seen the Bunny Exorcist. Now enjoy the Bunny Shining. Courtesy of ABS.

Today I'm listening to: Babbletron!