Soul Fixin'

Etta James Got Jokes
When audio of Etta James' rant against President Obama and Beyonce hit the net, I had a feeling the 71 year old legend was simply joking and entertaining her audience. I was absolutely right. It was all a joke! Check out what Etta had to say. "I didn't really mean anything," James said. "Even as a little child, I've always had that comedian kind of attitude. ... That's probably what went into it....they were all laughing, and it was funny." As for Obama, James said she "always thought he was handsome and he was cool." [NYDN]

Random Sh*t

From President To Chia Pet
Obama-mania has clearly gone too far. In an attempt to gain a piece of the 'Obama pie' Chia Pet has released a special edition Obama Chia Pet.

Artful Thinking

More Obama Art
Here is another piece of Obama-inspired artwork. I don't know who the artist is, if you know please let me know. Enjoy!

Fashion Forward

Obama Rejects Sean John Designs
The publicity surrounding Michelle Obama's dresses, Malia and Sasha's J. Crew inauguration outfits and Aretha's regal hat is astounding. Designers have become overnight celebrities. Interest in the outfits of First Daughters Malia and Sasha led to the crash of the J. Crew website. Aretha's hat is the buzz of the blogosphere, the man responsible for making the hat has received hundreds of calls from people who want to buy the 'Aretha hat.' Needless to say, the worldwide publicity can launch a company to the next level. It's no surprise that Diddy's label Sean John presented Mr. Obama two Sean John tuxedo sketches in hopes that Obama would wear one for the inaugural celebrations. President Obama stuck with a more Presidential look courtesy of his designer of choice, Chicago based Hart Schaffner Marx. 

Artful Thinking

Obama Art
I, like so many others, have grown tired of the constant Obama news coverage but I can't get enough of the Obama artwork, this piece was created by artist David Choe.

Politics As Usual

Just My .02January 20, 2009. A day I will never forget. As I watched the inauguration, there was jubilation in my soul. A black man ascended to the highest office in the land. It felt like the ancestors were celebrating within me. Dr. King & Coretta were jumping for joy within me. Medgar Evers shed tears of happiness within me. Emmett Till stood in awe within me. Curtis Mayfield sang 'People Get Ready' within me. A Black President. A Black First Lady. A Black First Family. Genuine black love on display for the entire world to behold. A world that for so long doubted our love was authentic or relevant. Black love is black wealth.
I'm well aware that this moment transcends race and color. As Barack Obama once said, "I've always been clear that I'm rooted in the African-American community but not limited to it." Barack, a unifying force of gigantic proportions, reached out to all Americans in ways his opponents and predecessors failed to do. He changed the dynamics of politics and made Americans, young and old, black and white, Hispanic and Asian, rich and poor, feel apart of the process. We viewed Obama not as a politician but as a man who understood the plight and aspirations of average Americans during these troublesome times. For once, it genuinely feels like we've got a friend in The White House.

Random Sh*t

This Picture Is Priceless 

Countless photos of the inaugural ceremony and celebration are floating around the net. One photo stands out above the rest.

Politics As Usual

Good Bye Mr. Bush!!!

Politics As Usual

Is Obama Just More Of The Same?
Barack Obama's historic campaign centered around a single word, CHANGE. As it turns out, Barack Obama isn't quite different from past Presidents. In a recent New York Daily News article, author Ian Strock highlights the similarities between Obama and previous Presidents. Strock concludes that Obama is more typical than John McCain. Let's take a look at some of these similarities based on characteristics:

Age of Presidents on Inauguration Day
Barack Obama: 47 years, 169 days old
Average Age of Previous Presidents: 55 years, 117 days old
John McCain, if elected: 72 years, 114 days old
Children
Barack Obama: 2 daughters
Previous Presidents: 3.7 children
John McCain: 7 children
President/First Lady Age Difference
The Obamas: 2 years, 166 days
Previous Presidents: 5 years, 16 days
The McCains: 17 years
College/Career
The most popular college for future Presidents is Harvard. Obama becomes the eighth Harvard alumnus in the White House. Half of Obama's predeccessors were lawyers, as he is.
Family Tree
23 of the 42 Presidents have been related to each other.
Obama is related to at least 6 former Presidents, James Madison, Harry Truman, Lyndon B. Johnson, Gerald Ford, George H.W Bush and George W. Bush.
McCain is not related to any former Presidents.[NYDN]

Random Sh*t

Through The Eyes Of A Child

The New York Daily News asked kids from the NYC area to send in letters to President-elect Barack Obama. More than 1,000 kids responded - here are my two favorites.
Mustafa Sener, age 6, Brooklyn.

Maurice Williams, age 4, Brooklyn.

Random Sh*t

Barack's Wax Figure
Nope, that isn't the real Obama. Five days prior to Barack's historic inauguration, Madame Tussauds Museum has unveiled a wax figure of him. I still can't believe a black family will reside at The White House. Wow.

Politics As Usual

It's A Celebration!!!
What: We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial
Where: The Lincoln Memorial
When: January 18
Who: Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Bono, Garth Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellencamp, Usher Raymond IV, Shakira, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, will.i.am, and Stevie Wonder. Among those reading historical passages will be Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifah and Denzel Washington.
*Admission is free & open to the public.
To be presented exclusively by HBO on Sunday, January 18 (7:00-9:00 p.m)

Random Sh*t

Obama, The iPod Dock

Check this out. Taiwan-based company Ozaki has created an Obama iPod speaker dock. The $99 product won't be available for purchase until Ozaki finds a distributor. The Obama dock, which features Barack decked out in a CHANGE t-shirt, dances and sways to music. It won't be long before someone deems the product offensive. What do you think? Offensive? Fantastic?

Artful Thinking

Obama, Obama, Obama!!!
President-elect Obama has inspired a plethora of folks, artists included. Check out the collage of Barack inspired artwork.

Fashion Foward

Barack This Tee
2009 will bring about a change to Public Soul Announcement. Soul music will always be at the root of this blog, however, it will branch out to include fashion, culture, literature, social issues, politics, food and a bunch of random ish. This post marks my first fashion based post. I've always had a great eye for fashion. My closet doesn't quite reflect that, limited funds = limited fashion. I discovered the fly Obama tee above at Concrete Loop. Actor Michael K. Williams was Baracking it at the premiere of Notorious. The limited edition shirt is available here.

Soul Fixin'

Obama Disappoints With Latest Pick
Rarely do I disagree with President-elect Barack Obama. He is responsible for making astute decisions throughout the campaign and during the current transition phrase. In the weeks that followed his historic victory, Obama has appointed numerous 'Clintonites' to key positions within his cabinet. It has now been announced that a favorite of the Clinton White House will lend her voice to Barack Obama’s historical inaugural swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 20.  Aretha Franklin, that is. The 'Queen of Soul' performed at two Clinton inaugural balls, entertained in the Rose  Garden and received the illustrious Kennedy Center honor. In 1999, she was awarded The National Medal of Arts by President Clinton.Sister ReRe is a living legend, her career has been marked by a slew of achievements, acclaim, and milestones. Aretha has won an astonishing 20 Grammy Awards including the Living Legend Award and Lifetime Achievement Award. The Memphis born- Detroit raised, gospel bred singer was the first black woman to grace the cover of Time magazine and she was the first female to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Without a doubt, Aretha is worthy of sharing the national stage with Obama. While we all love us some 'Retha, I was hoping Team Obama would pick a performer that mirrored Obama's campaign; young, fresh, innovative, ground-breaking, and energetic. Jill Scott immediately comes to mind. Chrisette Michele and Ledisi fit the bill. Other emerging acts and established soul singers such as Raheem DeVaughn, India Arie, John Legend, and Anthony Hamilton are suitable picks. Needless to say, this blogger is a little disappointed with Obama's selection of Soul Singer -In- Chief, if you will.

Soul Fixin'

Will.I.Am Declares 'It's A New Day'

Support for President-Elect Barack Obama has come from all corners of the globe and all arenas, from Hollywood to sports to music. The latest wave of support comes from Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.I.Am, who recorded the track 'Yes We Can' earlier this year. In the wake of Obama's historic election, Will.I.Am created a follow-up to 'Yes We Can,' 'It's A New Day.' The video features cameos from noteworthy Obama supporters and footage from Obama's big moment in Chicago. While 'It's A New Day' captures a historic moment in our nation's history, we can not allow ourselves to live in that moment and became complacent. We have to turn that moment into a movement. A movement for CHANGE. A portion of Dr. King's dream manifested itself in the election of Obama. It is now up to us to make sure the rest of his dream becomes a reality.

Soul Fixin'

History In The Making
In the aftermath of a historic election, a Jay-Z track titled ' We Made History' has hit the net thanks to Kanye West. The track is a subtle ode to Barack Obama's victory. On the Kanye produced track Jay spits " Where are you victory? I need you desperately/ Not just for the moment, to make history." "We Made History" is expected to be on Jay's upcoming project The Blueprint 3.

Soul Fixin'

A Change Is On The Horizon
While others said 'no we couldn't,' I knew we could. Yes We Can is now Yes We Did!!! Last night was surreal, I couldn't believe it. This morning as I sat at my computer desk and the gospel song 'Never Would Have Made It' bellowed through the speakers and tears streamed down my face the reality of it all began to sink it. I know the ancestors, especially those who built the White House, are rejoicing. I know Medgar Evans has joined hands with others who bled, suffered, and died to give us the right to vote and are singing that old negro spiritual "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Roun'."

Video Soul

"it's been too hard living but I'm afraid to die
cause I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
it's been a long, a long time coming
but I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will..."