Friday, October 1, 2010

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Bsi 2,025.67 +3.49 +.17%

Gotta say, after all the stories of broke ex-ball players, it's nice to read about someone who's doing well after retirement.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Bsi 2,022.18 -16.43 -.81%

Okay, we've been silent on the whole Bishop Eddie Long thing -- respecting due process and all -- but the more we read about this the more we think if it's not this horrible mess, then something else is certainly amiss in the black church.

Y'all know something's up when Soledad O'Brien's on the case.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Bsi 2,038.61 +11.55 +.57%

Maybe that myth about crabs in a barrel is just that... a myth.

"Affluent Blacks More Charitable, Feel Greater Responsibility to Provide Financial Support to Family Than Non-Blacks, Northern Trust "Wealth in Black America" Survey Shows"

Of course the article goes on to say that too few have wills or estate transfer plans, but we'll take the good news, cause good Lord knows we can use it.

BUY

Michele Norris' new memoir

SELL

MC Hammer's retaliation record.

Jay-Z takes a shot at Hammer and what's he gonna do about that, Hammer?

We must admit... this was our jam.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Bsi 2,027.06 +6.37 +.32

Lil' Wayne celebrates his 28th birthday by releasing an album that shoots to the top of iTunes -- while in jail. What'd you do today?

Friday, September 24, 2010

Bsi 2,020.69 +0.0 0.0%

We at the Index apologize for the timing of our posts, but it's been a long week of moving and work. Normal posting will resume Monday.

WINNERS

LeBron James (LBJ6) 17.48 +2.39 +13.67%

Interestingly enough, King James' Q rating didn't suffer among African-Americans.

You've probably heard about his plummeting Q rating (the industry standard for measuring an athlete's familiarity and appeal). According to The Q Scores Co., for non-blacks, LeBron's positive Q rating went from 18 percent in January to 10 percent in September and, more telling, his negative Q rating went from 24 percent to 44. Nearly half of the non-blacks in this country don't like the dude. Meanwhile, LeBron's positive Q rating among blacks went from 52 percent in January to 39 -- a noticeable drop -- but his negative Q rating barely budged, going from 14 percent to 15. Among African-Americans, says The Q Scores Co. executive vice president Henry Schafer, the shift in opinion was mostly to neutral.

LOSERS

Bishop Eddie Long (BEL) 3.59 -4.59 -56.11%

And I thought my week was bad.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Bsi 2,020.69 +4.28 +.21%

Mad Men gets a black woman this weekend, the rising star Naturi Naughton.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Bsi 2,016.41 -5.13 -.25%

Kinda lame to party like you just won the Super Bowl after winning only your first game. But throw a DUI on top of it, in New York City, when the team you play for has set up a car service for players and well that is just too dumb, Braylon Edwards. Not Plaxico shoot yourself in the leg dumb, but well on the way.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Bsi 2,021.54 -2.19 -.11%

This is not a personal attack, but know who's not "exhausted". The no-answer-having voices on the President's right who are becoming emboldened by the idea of middle class fatigue for a problem they created.

BUY

Chocolate Genius Inc.'s Swansongs

SELL

The Melting Pot

As these maps illustrate, we're not a integrated as we think.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Bsi 2,023.73 +8.13 +.4%

ESPN is launching a new network focusing on HBCUs. Which can only mean one thing... more marching bands.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Bsi 2,015.6 -.89 -.04%

Weather because he skin has been "lightened" or whatever, all the handwringing over the Gabourey Sidibe Elle cover shows that there's not much you can do to make the black media

happy.*

WINNERS

For Colored Girls... (FCGWHCSWTRIE) 2.87 +.76 +26.48%

While here have serious doubts about the movie we must admit two things: first, it's not for us. Second, the posters are pretty damn good. Possibly the most artful thing TP has been associated with (IMHO).

LOSERS

Reggie Bush (RB25) 4.1 -1.88 -31.44%

Ouch. Stiff-armed. The Heisman gives Bush "The Heisman".

Not so fast, Reginald.

*Yes, we're completely aware that a blog that attributes a negative value to something like P-Diddy changing his name from Puffy is in danger of calling the pot African-American. We're comfortable in that irony, though.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Bsi 2,016.49 +5.73 +.28%

We're REALLY stretching the definition of "firsts" to get excited about with this one, but since we're fans of the show we're as happy that Kevin Sbraga's the first black winner of Top Chef as anyone.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Bsi 2,010.76 -17.16 -.85%

Pity, empathy and disgust -- the emotional gamut we ran upon learning that Civil Rights activist/photographer Ernest Withers informed on Dr. King and others for the FBI. You can't judge until you've walked in the man's shoes, but this certainly isn't a good thing -- at all.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Bsi 2,027.92 +4.19 +.21%

We really hope this is the last time that we write this name, but thank God Montana Fishburne is out there seeking help. Seriously.

BUY

Mike Vick

Can you say "quarterback controversy" in Philly?

SELL

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Ducking/issuing racist statements about Manny Pacquiao? Allegations of domestic abuse? Money May ain't quite living up to his championship aura.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Bsi 2,023.73 +5.43 +.27%

Kudos to the Washington Post for writing about a forgotten piece of American history, the Negro Motorist Green Book.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Bsi 2,018.3 +11.12 +.55%

BHO gets an assist from the courts which declare "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" unconstitutional.

WINNERS

The Smiths (SMTHS) 33.93 +5.69 +16.77

No... not Morrissey. Forget China, we gotta worry about the Smiths taking over. Next up, Willow.

LOSERS

Ray Lewis (RL52)* 1.49 -.59 -28.37%

Good thing it's football season, Ray. Cause this ain't your finest moment. Of course, it's not your worst either.

*By the way Ray-Ray, we're not calling you a loser. Far from it. We DO NOT want to make you angry. Believe us.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Bsi 2,007.18 +3.33 +.17%

Hey, if getting your ass beat by the police, precipitating an officer trial that begets a riot and leads to your ending up on "Celebrity Rehab" en route to finding the right one doesn't end up as a romantic comedy I don't know what will. Just call it The Rodney King Story.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Bsi 2,003.85 -10.23 -.51%

Post-Racial America: where you can still get away with calling a black man "boy".

We hear cats acting like people is big on the Internets, so...

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Bsi 2,014.08 -3.66 -.18%

The Index mourns the loss of Jefferson Thomas, one of the "Little Rock Nine" who integrated Central high school in Arkansas in 1957.

BUY

Undercovers

Screw it, we'll give "black Heart to Heart" a shot.

SELL

Dancing Black Traffic Cop

Save it for the clubs, buddy.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Friday, September 3, 2010

Bsi 2,017.74 +2.99 +.15%

We don't know about you, but we're just glad this week is over.

WINNERS

Jay Pharoah (JPHRO) .99 +.99 NA

Is Saturday Night Live about to hire a Negro -- specifically this guy? Even if they mess up and don't this impressionist's profile has been raised over the past couple days.

LOSERS

Wal-Mart (WMT) 1.29 -.46 -26.29%

Guess who segregates their books by race? That ain't part of no Dewey Decimal system.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Bsi 2,014.75 -7.61 -.38%

T.I., didn't you just get out of jail? Damn, man!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Bsi 2,022.36 0.00 0.00

So over seven years after "Mission Accomplished" we're saying that the Iraq War is over. But we all know it's not. 50,000 troops on the ground says so. Here at the Index we understand why for political reasons, now's not the time to address curtailing America's imperial ambitions (and that's if the POTUS even believes that's something worth addressing), but the sooner we have that conversation in this country the sooner we can get to actually pressing issues.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Bsi 2,022.36 -2.71 -.13%

Kanye didn't listen when they said Wu-Tang Clan ain't nuthin' ta fuck with cause he and Raekwon done fucked with it -- for Justin Bieber's "Runaway Love."

BUY

Mic Sounds Nice

BET does a doc on women in hip-hop. It does sound nice.

SELL

Alveda King

Taking her name and lending it to the Tea Party "cause" gets you the gasface.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Bsi 2,025.07 +3.1 +.15%

Between Sharpton and Beck, after this weekend we've had about all the politics we can handle for a while so how about this: big ups to Lewis Hamilton for winning the Belgian Grand Prix.

We'd say that maybe Lewis could become the Tiger Woods of racing, popularizing it among a whole new demographic, but we're tired of that story, too.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Bsi 2,021.97 +9.11 +.45%

As Glen Beck brings his re-writing history circus to D.C. this weekend let's take time to remember the true March on Washington.

WINNERS

Spike Lee (SPK) 19.49 +4.1 +21.04%

The more "God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise" and fewer "Miracle at St. Anna" the better for Mr. Lee's legacy.

LOSERS

Mississippi (MS) 9.19 -3.97 -30.17%

Mississippi fails again. In 2010 there's a middle school in the state where there are restrictions on what race someone can be when running for class office. We wish we were making this up.

Are you kidding me?!

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Bsi 2,012.86 +6.55 +.33%

Good for Shirley Sharrod for standing by her principles and declining the USDA's job offer. If they're so willing to throw you under the bus once, don't think they wouldn't do it again.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Bsi 2,006.31 +6.49 +.32%

Okay, so the DEA wants to hire Ebonics translators. You know what? Not the craziest thing we've ever heard. And if it means getting black people jobs in this economy we say go for it.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Bsi 1999.82 -3.19 -.16%

The Index mourns the loss of "48 Hours" correspondent Harold Dow.

BUY

Cee-Lo Green and "Fuck You"

Yeah, all that stuff we said about Bed Intruder Song -- well, it didn't take long for that to look like a silly prediction.

SELL

50 Cent

Responding to Cee-Lo's song out of nowhere just two days after it comes out seems kinda desperate and uninspired to me. Leave the Youtube parodies to the amateurs, Curtis.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Bsi 2,002.01 +5.55 +.28%

Not to go all Bill Maher New Rules on you, but here's a simple rule of thumb. If you claim to care about the Constitution and still have a problem with building a mosque in lower Manhattan, than you are an asshole. That's all there is to it.

Get riled up about something that matters.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Bsi 1996.46 -18.43 -.91%

If one-in-five Americans still believe Barack Obama is a Muslim I think we know the over/under on percentage of hopeless idiots in the country, too.

Sigh.

WINNERS

Antoine Dodson (TWAND) 1.39 +1.39 NA

As uncomfortable as we are with certain aspects of this meme we have to say that there hasn't been a catchier single this year. And we're not alone in thinking that as Mr. Dodson checked in with a Top 100 Single this week. We don't know if that says more about the power of the Internet or the state of the music business.

With Wezzy locked up someone had to take over, right?

LOSERS

Antonio Cromartie (AC31) .39 -1.01 -72.41%

Let's just say he didn't come off as Dad of the Year on the HBO series "Hard Knocks."

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Bsi 2,014.89 -3.46 -.17%

Overheard at the New York Post's Page Six:

"Should we fact check this piece on Desiree Rogers stabbing Obama in the back by taking her new job at Johnson publishing to make sure we got everything right?"

"Why? We get this. I mean, it's not like there are TWO black Johnson media empires or anything."

And that's how they get shit wrong. Too lazy to be real.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Bsi 2,018.35 +4.79 +.24%

Just so we're clear, Dr. Laura Schlessinger is resigning because she can't say "nigger" on the radio without people getting upset. Somehow she's conflated that with some sort of First Amendment infringement, but then again she's not smart so we're not surprised by any of what's transpired.

Good riddance.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Bsi 2,013.56 -14.37 -.71%

Andrew Sullivan's blog has been on point lately dealing with a downright devastating statistic. From John McWhorter's review...

One of the most sobering observations made by [author Amy] Wax comes in the form of a disarmingly simple calculus presented first by Isabel Sawhill and Christopher Jencks. If you finish high school and keep a job without having children before marriage, you will almost certainly not be poor. Period. I have repeatedly felt the air go out of the room upon putting this to black audiences. No one of any political stripe can deny it. It is human truth on view. In 2004, the poverty rate among blacks who followed that formula was less than 6 percent, as opposed to the overall rate of 24.7 percent. Even after hearing the earnest musings about employers who are less interested in people with names like Tomika, no one can gainsay the simple truth of that advice. Crucially, neither bigotry nor even structural racism can explain why an individual does not live up to it.

BUY

Childish Gambino

SELL

Lance Stephenson

Born ready? Not if you're abusing your baby's mama*. Just sayin'.

*Allegedly. Due process and all.

Monday, August 16, 2010

Bsi 2,027.93 -5.31 -.26%

The Index mourns the loss of vocal great Abbey Lincoln.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Bsi 2,033.24 -4.83 -.24%

While it's really just a bureaucratic miscalculation during a time of great need in many communities the Atlanta Section 8 News story is being treated as another "look at all the Negroes looking for free hand outs" story. Good to know.

WINNERS

Desiree Rogers (DROG) 4.91 +.88 +17.92%

The former White House social secretary has bounced back post-Salahigate and will be the new Chief Executive of Johnson Publishing group.

Guess who's on the list after all.

LOSERS

Charles Rangel (CRHAR) 14.59 -8.01 -35.44%

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Charlie Rangel's War
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Bsi 2,038.07 -9.54 -.47%

Montana Fishburn got into pornography to become famous... and it's working. This is not setting the best example, people. Not at all.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Bsi 2,075.1 -3.11 -.15%

Pray for Fantasia, but call it Hilton's Law or Kardashian's Law or whatever, if there's one thing people should know by now it's that if you make a sex tape people you don't want to see it are going to do just that.

Put the cameras down in the bedroom, people.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Bsi 2,078.21 -5.29 -.25%

At a Pennsylvania church fair there was a shooting game where contestants could fire at the likeness of a black president holding a health bill. Again -- church fair. But there's not an element of crazy racism underlying it I'm sure. None at all.

WTF?!?!

BUY

Moon Molson

SELL

Kanye West and the Illuminati

I guess it's not hip-hop if there ain't some Illuminati shit, right?

Monday, August 9, 2010

Bsi 2,083.5 -11.57 -.55%

For the record, we believe that had Omar Thornton shootings in Connecticut proceeded to trial they would justifiably be prosecuted as a hate crime. No one, though, should take any joy in that. And that there's a portion of the right who'd make hay with it in order to chase "reverse racism" ghosts in the name of political gain is further evidence of a particular stain of political bankruptcy running through their end of the discourse. The summer of the shitty dialogue on race continues.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Bsi 2,095.07 +8.17 +.39%

If you're on the right, you know your premise for changing the 14th Amendment when even Alan Keyes doesn't back it.

What other wake up call could you need?

WINNERS

Gay Blacks (GAAY) 33.59 +9.43 +28.07%

Well, at least in California... for now.

Get yours, girl.

LOSERS

DAS EFX (DFX) .29 -.43 -59.72%

Accoring to Gawker they want more than efx... they want a manager. And they're looking for one on craigslist. Yikes.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Bsi 2,086.9 +16.88 +.81%

The Elena Kagan Supreme Court confirmation process has gone smoother than almost any in years. Again, we all got gripes, but BHO keeps getting it done.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Bsi 2,070.02 +2.88 +.14%

Now Bill Cosby has something else in common with Mark Twain.

*Happy birthday Mr. President.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Bsi 2,067.14 +19.53 +.94%

Baby steps, but it seems as though congress will ease the disparity in sentencing between crack and powder cocaine convictions.

BUY

Black Folks Sanity

The Fox News audience is less than 2% black. And those folk are probably just there making sure they don't get away with any more crazy shit.

SELL

Tea Party Diversity

They threw a party to show how diverse they were -- they just forgot to tell the brown people.