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Hillary vs Obama
By Chris Langley
The Hillary vs Obama poll results are interesting. This poll was based on your thoughts on Senators Clinton and Obama on four different topics.
Although Obama is experiencing tremendous support within the African American community, there is still some doubt that he will be elected President 62 percent of those polled feel that Americans are not more likely to elect an African American President over a woman. Half of those polled feel that with two years in the Senate, Senator Obama has enough experience to occupy the White House, while votes were split on whether Senator Clinton would fare better at tackling foreign affairs issues. Lastly, 40 percent of those polled feel that Senator Obama is better equipped to keep America safe and strong versus 32 percent for Senator Clinton.
I ve spoken to many people at various functions about this topic, and some were surprised to hear the poll results.
Many people were interested in the subject, but several of them did not participate in the poll. We may run a similar poll in the future, and I encourage you to invite all of your friends and family members to participate and be heard. Continue to log onto the site, participate in the polls and look for the results as they are a reflection of your thoughts collectively.
This weeks poll is based on the Bush administration. Should VP Cheney be impeached I encourage all to participate, be heard, and let your voice speak to power
Blackballot.com focuses on gathering African American opinions on various topics. Our research specialists develop surveys that help measure customer satisfaction and loyalty, brand equity, PR efforts, and public opinions. Whether you want a complete strategy toanalysis plan or a dozen questions answered quickly, weve got the expertise you need to get the job done.
For further information on research and polling solutions, please contact Vice President of Sales, Chris Langley, at chris blackballot.com.
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Behind The Scenes Politics The David Paterson Inaugural Reception
BlackBallot.com is proud to bring you Behind the Scenes Politics The David Paterson Inaugural Reception. David Paterson became the first African Amercan elected Lieutenant Governor in the state of New York, the highest state wide position ever held by an African American.
Lt. Governor Paterson was first elected to the N.Y. State Senate in 1985 at the age of 31, and he has repeatedly broken barriers, demanded change, and passed legislation on behalf of disenfranchised and disadvantaged New Yorkers throughout his career.
More than 2,000 people attended the celebrations, including Governor Eliot Spitzer, Senator Charles Schumer, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, and City Council Members Inez Dickens and Robert Jackson. Please click on the following links to see the various dignitaries.
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The Claire Huxtable Prototype
Does the Perfect Woman Exist
By Danielle Young
What defines the perfect woman What traits come together to create a creature that should be emulated throughout time Many would say it depends on the person what they like or dislike. Perhaps this is true, perhaps what I am about to write about is merely an opinion and not a fact. Either way, it is a perception that has grown to consume me. Are you out there Claire Huxtable You remember her, Claire Huxtable from The Cosby Showmother, wife, counselor, daughter, career woman, all around Superwoman. In growing up watching this show, I came to realize Claire was indeed the archetype of a perfect woman.
Physical preferences aside, Claire Huxtable was a powerful woman. She was beautiful, intelligent, spoke three languages, had five children and kept her shape. She had a strong career and so had her own money. She didnt need Cliff  her husband , but she loved him, wanted him, and quite frequently desired him. Claire had no trouble telling Cliff when he did something wrong and no trouble applauding his wins. She knew him better than he knew himself, and if anyone, including her parents, raised up to insult her husband, she would tear them apart. She was spectacular.
Women such as Claire are so very rare, so very few and far between that it could leave a feeling of hopelessness for men in pursuit of their ideal woman. Women today are broken, worn, and damaged. Many are not fit for the tutelage for the next generation. They have nothing but baggage and or negativity to pass on to their child. Each generation perpetuates more decadence into the next. I think of images of Claire as I listen to young ladies on the train cursing at their children. These women seem to breed the same women over and over again.
Where does one search for Claire There are no set places to find her. Granted, she is intelligent a college graduate. Could men search colleges It would seem to be a good start, but she isnt there. Todays students are lacking, both morally and academically. They  get by with a few sessions of cramming and some good luck. Even those that excel are so preoccupied with one thing or the other that they fail to develop the social andor domestic skills necessary to round
out their Claire Huxtable personas. They are so fixated on being equal to, or for some better than, men that they forget to be women. They lose that delicate femininity that makes them so powerful.
Can men search for Claire in the homes She was a mother, and a good home provider. But she is not there, in the homes. Todays housewives baby mothers are decadent. Their ambition has been crushed by one stimulant or another, be it a man, a situation, or just sheer laziness. They lose their shape, lose their drives and goals and become complacent. They have lost that energetic defiance that makes them so lust worthy.
Claire Huxtable seems almost non existent, but she is out there. In the meanwhile, what men can do between dead end relationships is to create, to foster, more Claires. Men need to stop beating women down, both physically and mentally. They need to stop adding on baggage to an already overburdened soul and start removing tit. They need to stop pacifying and start analyzing so we can help to define, or in some cases redefine, the strong women of tomorrow.
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Is Hip-Hop Dead ?
By A.L. Lang
With its commercial introduction to the world in 1979, hip hop has been through many shapes and forms. As we have progressed through the millennium, weve seen Hip-Hop go from the East, West, MidWest, and Southern regions. Throughout history, changes have always occurred in other music genres. Purists in all other genres arguably concur on whats purein their respective genres.
As far as hiphop is concerned, New York City is the mecca of the art form. This art includes graffitti, break dancing, emceeing , and djing. Many purists feel that the appreciation and passion of the art form is missing. One rapper in particular, Nasir Jones a.k.a. Nas, released an album called HIP HOP IS DEAD . Nas brilliance is causing a ruckus among fans and in the industry as well.
The albums message states that a lot of young rappers of today arent paying homage to the rappers before their time. It also states that youngsters dont know or recognize any history of the art form, often disrespecting pioneers of the game. Many of these young rappers, particularly from the South, feel that Nas is a bitter New York rapper, afraid of the new southern reign of the game. Nas , a 10 album multiplatinum artist, even admits he himself is guilty of killing hiphop, with subjects hes
rapped about is the past. He states that money and hiphop going corporate are the causes of the destruction of the art.
Nas acknowledges the pioneers, and the art form, just as any other actor, comedian, or musician would in their own craft. Call it passing the baton or bridging the gap like the song that he recorded with his father, jazz musician Olu Dara. He is currently on a Kanye West song alongside, Rakim and KrsOne, called Classic. This song is being used in a Nike Air Force One sneaker promo which compares the timeless sneaker to hiphop. With major influences from rappers KoolG Rap and Rakim, Nas continues to educate the youngsters about these legends, which will lead to
the promotion of projects for them as well. With the song called Where Are They Now, Nas goes through a roll call of many rappers he mentions from the golden age of hiphop. This track will send most youngsters to their Google search engines.
In an interview with local Philadelphia radio personality and former rapper Monie Love, Atlantas own, rapper Young Jezzy questioned Monies knowledge of hiphop totally unaware that she is a pioneer. He boasted about record sales and questioned Nas street credibility, saying that Nas didnt sell drugs like he did. A rumored apology followed from Jezzy to Nas.
Another reason why the art is declining is due to technology. CD sales are declining due to an enormous amount of downloading and file sharing. Record labels as well as artists are losing millions in revenue. Many consumers feel that the music has changed and is diluted, so instead of purchasing an entire CD, they select the songs of their liking.
And what has happened to the female rapper In this day, female rappers have become extinct. In the days of the Salt n Peppas, Queen Latifahs, Eves, and a whole slew of others, why arent they selling anymore Are todays females living up to misogynistic lyrics of the past from male rappers Well, you have the Trinas, Jackie Os, Khias, and the Remy Mas. What is wrong?
In the past, weve learned from the lyrical content of rappers. Krson, Rakim, and Chuck D of Public Enemy, kept you thinking. Chuck D once coined hiphop as the ghetto CNN. Public Enemy kept the Black Panther movement of the 1960s, alive. Being the leader of PE, with his forceful, bass voice , along with the comical, treble sidekick, Flavor Flav, Chuck D educated us on our history and existence in America. To be honest, I didnt know who Joanne Chesimard Assata Shakur was until Chuck uttered her name in a song.
Krsones lyrical content was very educational as well. Hed challenge philosophies, religions, cultures, and world view politics. Hes been a paid speaker at
many colleges and universities as well. Known as the teacha in the group Boogie Down Productions, he is known as the best live performing emcee of all time. He started the temple of hip-hop which consists of the elements of the culture,emceeing , djing, break dancing, and graffiti art. He is the strongest advocate of the art form.
Rakim, formerly of the group Eric B  Rakim, is praised as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time. He raised the bar with his metaphoric, smooth, elaborate phrasing flow. He was an emcee who rapped about rapping. All students of emceeing wanted to emulate Rakim. He once said that he wanted to flow in the same pattern as a saxophones instrumentation on a jazz song. Also known as The God Emcee,this member of the five percent nation enlightened us with knowledge of self in his lyrics. He is also a huge influence on the rapper Nas.
With the current induction into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, legendary group, Grandmaster Flash The Furious Five became the first rap group inducted. This is a major milestone for this form of music. Hopefully, the young rappers of today can learn about history and humble themselves. Will rappers begin to educate us like they did in the past Will the lyrics continue to be cliche Lets keep hiphop alive.
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Keep Up With The  Latest
By Jason Harrison
The dress code of the urban youth is drastically changing with the rise
of the rockstar living presented by todays most popular artist such
as Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and Usher........Most artists are dressed in brands such as Ed Hardy, Tru Religion, Antik, Great China Wall, and Raw 7. These popular brands are considered very stylish, extravagant, and pricey as well. Great China Wall hoodies are often between 1 to 2 thousand dollars which is some what a deal considering that all hoodies are all handmade. Great China Wall hoodies are featured in many hip hop and pop rock videos linking the two once distant genres together.
Syncing music, lifestyles, and cultures through clothing and fashion
Initiatives, other popular brands such as Christian Audigier designer of the Ed Hardy brandare slowly becoming popular with todays young urban generation. Upcoming fashion designers are also using their inspiration to find ways to merge fashion senses.
As the partnership between urban music and fashion progresses, BlackBallot.com will keep up with the latest fashion via me, Mr. Insight. My column Fashion by Mr. Insights is designed to allow you to stay in play, to "tune-in" to the latest urban fashion sense. From runway selections of the elegant Vera Wang to the dazzling hiphop and rock and roll's "Great China Wall", all fashion is influenced by urban culture.
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