This is a point that I have already broached on the blog, but I am still struck daily at the number of hateful posts, conversations, and overall news coverage that is really part of an anti-Obama backlash. As soon as he was nominated, the level of vitriolic hate speech and more became amplified. We are not in an era of post-race, but rather a new era that harkens back to the days before the VRA of 1965.

The level of hate and support for the revisionist textbooks in Texas are just mere examples. Obama's presidency somehow opened the doors to a level of hate against immigrants, folks of color (racialized people) and more. I am certainly not blaming Obama, but something is going on here. I am looking forward to reading some Critical Race theorists' response to this and imagine that next year's Political Science conferences will broach this topic.

In the meantime, a few suggestions for people looking for solid commentary. Racialicious, The Root, Colorlines (Racewire), Ill Doctrine, Dr. Julia Jordan Zachery, Dr. Joe Feagin, Dr. Ange Marie Hancock, Dr. Tai Alfred, and the Race Ethnicity and Politics section of the American Political Science Association are great places to look for interesting commentary and even, academic articles!

The amount of blogs online is just amazing. I don't know how in the heck to keep up with it and everything else I need to do. Suggestions?

My sweetie uses Google Reader and scans through that. I am not sure if I want to go that route, but as of now, it seems like the most realistic way to go.

I have given the students in my two Summer session courses the option to write a traditional assessment, blog or vlog. It's early in the term, but the majority are blogging. And, I have to say that I am loving this new assignment. I'm finding that with this small "n" so far--the blogs are heartfelt--a mix of reflection, personal, political, and academic.

There is something freeing for some of the students with writing the blog. A few have noted it and I see it in the overall tone and effort of the blog. Thus, in week 3, I'd say that this new assignment is successful.

It's too early to make any judgment on Twitter in the classroom. I'll really save that for the students. I like it, but do they? We'll see with the unofficial assessment and then the Course Experience Surveys!

The National Association of Chicana and Chicano Studies: Posted a response to the AZ Gov's signing SB1070. You can see NACCS response here: http://tinyurl.com/2bz8m6d

Essentially in two pages the association outlines the problems with the law. The best part, IMHO, is the note that the law encourages an "ecology of fear." I would add to that it also exacerbates an environment of hate. It allows people who already exhibit covertly their fear or hatred of others peoples in such a way that legitimates via the state.

Add to this that AZ has now banned Ethnic Studies. Yes, my friends, the state has decided that Ethnic Studies should not be taught. Right around the corner are the book burnings, banning of any Spanish names, and the pinata badges that Latinos will be forced to wear to "mark" them. I am being facetious here, but what do we think is next? Other states have noted that they want to implement similar measures. There is more going on here than a fear or concern for state security.

Will your state, province or locale be next?

The other point that I wanted to respond to. I was sad to read that @samsanator is taking a Twitter hiatus and a blog hiatus. Apparently, she has been getting lots of comments (hate) from allegedly feminist types, who are judging her for (gasp) getting married.

Don't we as a group--feminists, activists, and other social justice types have larger concerns than to judge one woman's decision to marry a man and have a huge celebration? This doesn't mean that she leaves her feminist credentials at the door. No. She certainly practices her feminist politics everyday as a teacher making a difference in the lives of countless students. If anything, this sort of attack merely plays with old tropes that are just not realistic. Some women and men will continue to marry. Some women and mean who are self-proclaimed feminists will continue to marry and we should not castigate or judge them for this.

I hope that she will continue her feminist blogging, if not, she noted that she will opt to continue her blogging on education. Hopefully, she will do both. That is the thing with blogging--it is like graffiti in a washroom. People become so brave and perhaps self-righteous with their computer monitors protecting them.

@samsanator, I hope you enjoy your hiatus. You have many supporters!

It really makes me wonder if these "haters" are even women or even feminists and not just some trolls trying to make things difficult.

I have been meaning to post, but have been more engaged with Twitter. So, I will entertain a few things right now. I don't understand how people in their right mind can support SB1070 in Arizona and how other states are thinking of following suit.

What the new law does is make most persons of color suspect. The law doesn't really do anything besides fear mongering and allows quiet racism to become more vocal. The law should give American pause, as it resembles tactics that the SS employed under Hitler's regime. Yes, I am making a comparison to Hitler.

The Tea Party circus and backlash to President Obama has meant that every fruitcake is now out in the open and proud to join groups wishing harm to the POTUS and voicing sentiments that just a few years back would have raised eyebrows. Now, it is seemingly acceptable to harken back to tactics used in the US, oh, like Jim Crow. Now, instead we have Juan and Josefina Crow tactics--SB 1070.

There is also no coincidence that White Pride groups and Neo Nazi groups in the US have flourished since Obama's Democratic nomination. And, then add the increase of people purchasing guns and the growth of other groups--birthers, etc.

I am on a rant.