Genuine Negro Jig

No, the title of this post doesn't refer to Harry Reid's painfully back-handed "compliment" of Barack Obama. It's the cleverly provocative title of the newest album from the Carolina Chocolate Drops, an all black string band from North Carolina. The album blends a delicious stew of old-time string music, blues stomps, and Celtic arrangements with an acappella ballad, a Tom Waits cover, and a reworking of Blue Cantrell's R&B hit "Hit 'Em Up Style" thrown in for good measure. The album relies heavily on fiddle and banjo, but also incorporates beat-boxing, jug-blowing, mouth harps, and, I suspect a washboard or two among the beautifully varied vocal styles. While the album harkens back to the era of Harry Reid's birth (1939) and before, these musicians are decidedly of the Obama generation. Unlike the Obama Administration, however, the Chocolate Drops have the courage of their convictions and exude an authentic love of their source material. In short, while Obama seems only to pay lip service to his base these days, the Chocolate Drops play directly to theirs.

FACEBOOK - THE UNLIKELY POLITICAL THINK TANK

Over the past several months, I've engaged in many political debates on facebook. I've really enjoyed this venue, because facebook is an interesting melting pot where people of vastly differing political opinions coalesce together with only the most tenuous connections to one another. While you might never make the time (or even have the opportunity) to grab a beer with that old acquaintance from high school with whom you have little in common any more, the click of mouse suddenly brings them squarely into your day to day world and social circle. If you ever use facebook for political rants or posting, you might find yourself debating this person about your most heartfelt, passionate beliefs despite the fact that you haven't spoken to one another in years.  This same dynamic literally grows exponentially when you factor in all of your friends' acquaintances who might comment on their political postings. At this point, you might even find yourself debating tax policy with someone you've never met who lives hundreds of miles away from you simply because you have a mutual friend on facebook (a situation I've found myself in fairly often lately, and highly enjoy.) I love the fact that such a situation draws one out of their comfort zone, and forces them to engage with ideas they typically dismiss. It has also made me a think a great deal about what, if anything, most Americans who thoughtfully engage with politics have in common.