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I ran into Grant Harper Reid at the Harlem Book fair last Saturday. A couple of years ago we published, a review of his book Rythm for Sale. I asked him to link to his page on AALBC.com and he did it immediately--from his homepage (screen shot below). I often lament the fact that reciprocal links (I link to your website and you link to mine) is a thing of the past--replaced by a drive to gather as many fans, followers, and likes on social media. I've always asserted this change in our collective behavior has weakened mission driven independent sites and strengthened revenue driven corporate sites. As the handful of massive sites gain strength and indie die off, the world web web becomes a less interesting place. But I sense the tide is changing as authors like Grant are much more willing to link to something other than Amazon and social media sites. Author Jewell Parker Rhodes supports and links to the bookseller Indiebound in her campaigns with us. Rhodes goes out her way to support indie platforms... There is hope for us after all

In an interview with our very own Kam Williams, Dr. Julianne Malveaux said Obama's image as a community organizer in Chicago might be more a “manufactured mythology” than reality. Read the detail in her book. Are We Better Off? Race, Obama and Public Policy

I have always felt that once Obama made up his mind to run for president, everything he did was calculated and manufactured and compiled on a to-do list. He would have been right at home with The Kennedys who under the guidance of Patriarch Joe Kennedy all mapped out their political aspirations in accordance with shrewd long range strategies. Of course this is what politics are all about; laying the groundwork and creating an impressive resume, be it authentic or crafted. And opportunists are well-served. FDR, criticized his predecessor Herbert Hoover's handling of the economy during the Depression and then once elected, he implemented many of Hoover's plans and re-named them "The New Deal." Creating a false scenario worked for a youthful JFK who called for "A New Frontier" during his presidential run but once he got in, he was reluctant to tamper with the old status quo. Obama shed his suaveness and went through the motions of being a grass roots organizer on his way to seeking office, finally embracing the "audacity" to be the standard bearer for "Hope", - a noble goal that always suckers in disillusioned voters in the race to become head of the country, a strategy Bernie also benefited from. And, of course, "the fool who shall remain nameless", touts the "Make America Great Again" catch phrase that is a.threat more than a promise. As much as she is criticized for being devious, Hillary Clinton is in good company when it comes to her male colleagues. And so it goes...