Election Night Results and Protection section

The editors have been working on posting the Election Night Results and Protection section at our sister-site, IMDiversity.com, whittling down the crazy array of info out there to compile live coverage streams, a shortlist of places to locate coverage, as well as a detailed section of resources (some ethnic- or language-specific) for identifying, reporting, and getting assistance confronting any voter intimidation, obstruction or other problems today.

Anyone who encounters voter obstruction is encouraged to consult the section, and/or to contact 1-866-OUR-VOTE (English), 800-966-5946 (Multingual Asian), or 1-888-Ve-y-Vota (Spanish), as well as the US Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Voting SectionCall 202-307-2767 or toll-free at 800-253-3931.

New Features: Students & the Shaky Economy

Everybody's talking about it. But how does today's shaky economy affect students?

From our Campus & Student section, two timely new features zero in on the problem of shrinking dollars in the face of the rising costs of being a student.

Campus and the Economy: How Wall Street Woes Impact You
You're getting back to the books and may be buried in the fervor of a still-fresh semester. But when you come up for air, you're likely to find that Wall Street's woes extend to campus corridors. How so, and what you can do to survive what may be a rough ride?

Rising College Costs - It is a Presidential Campaign Issue!
It's not just the
economy that tops voters' concerns. The rising cost of college is a critical,
yet largely overlooked issue for voters this election, according to a new
National Education Association (NEA)/Project New West survey.

Updates to Mother Lode of Career Opportunities and Contest

The staff has updated the extended online edition our Mother Lode of Career Opportunities feature following the submission of information by scores of new employers who told us they are offering opportunities to entry-level candidates.

In addition, the online edition of the Mother Lode, announced last month in our First Semester 2008 Super Issue, features an expanded section of advice letters from Career Directors at some of America's leading universities.

Not only can visitors to the Mother Lode find a comprehensive collection of entry-level opportunities with employers of all types and sizes, but afterward enter our contest to win a free AKB-220, the water-resistant, flexible, and dust and contaminant proof take-anywhere keyboard from Adesso.

So stop by and explore the newest batch of employers who said they are actively recruiting seniors and recent graduates, and some who are are also recruiting interns. New employers are being added on more or less a weekly basis!

CNN Reports: Colin Powell endorses Obama

CNN is reporting that "Former Secretary of State Colin Powell announced Sunday that he will be voting for Sen. Barack Obama, citing the Democrat's 'ability to inspire' and the 'inclusive nature of his campaign.'

"I think he is a transformational figure, he is a new generation coming
onto the world stage, onto the American stage, and for that reason I'll be
voting for Sen. Barack Obama," Powell said on NBC's Meet the
Press.

"Powell said he was concerned about what he characterized as a recent
negative turn of Republican candidate Sen. John McCain's campaign, such as the
campaign's attempts to tie Obama to former 1960s radical Bill Ayers.

"'I think that's inappropriate. I understand what politics is about --
I know how you can go after one another, and that's good. But I think this goes
too far, and I think it has made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. It's
not what the American people are looking for,' he said."

Read the full report on CNN: Colin Powell endorses Obama

Online Preview: First Semester Super Issue 2008

We are pleased to announce that we've kicked off the online preview of the Career Planning & Job Search Issue of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Magazine, available on college campuses nationwide this semester.

Featuring the annual Top 100 Ideal Employers Among Diverse Students, the edition has several articles designed to help seniors optimize their job searches in a tough economy. Some of these provide expert advice on all stages of the Senior Year Job Search Calendar from preparing for the on-campus interview to understanding how to work a career fair to determining how and why to apply to grad school. Among the articles posted today are some extended versions of the magazine features.

Readers can visit our homepage at www.blackcollegian.com to view the current Monthly Issue Highlights, which include:

• Publisher's Message
• Barack Obama: Not a Sudden Miracle or Simple Twist of Fate
• Got Purpose? Got Passion?
• How to Work a Career Fair
• Study Abroad: Your Opportunity to Discover the World
• Question: How to Break into the CIA? Answer: Get an Internship
• Job Search Calendar for Senior Year

Online-only homepage features posted for the weekend also include Kam Williams' interview with Spike Lee, with a trailer of Lee's new film, The Miracle at St. Anna, and a review of the cool take-anywhere, flexible and water-resistant AKB-220 computer keyboard by Adesso, which we'll be giving away in a contest this month.

Additional features from the maagzine will be posted throughout this week and into the semester, so stop back.

Announcement: THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online Poetry Workshop

Calling all student poets and rappers!

The editors invite you to submit your original, unpublished works for our new feature, THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online Poetry Workshop!

We are pleased to offer this feature after receiving so many inquiries from aspiring and published student poets throughout the years, and encourage you to view the works of the creative writers who contributed to the feature for its launch this summer, including:

Ronald P. Clark
8-Trak
Rob Hill
Alisha Jones
Aeryn Davis-Batiste
Shekelia Baccus
Terentius Booker

Have good work to share? Contact us at the workshop!

Obama's Energy Plan

Although this link is a couple months old, but covers current questions recently raised about Obama's longstanding work toward American energy independence.  It seems that Obama's Presidency may loosen the vise-grip that the "military/oil/industrial complex" has held on our nation's leadership for generations.  In short, Obama's vision may best improve foreign policy in trade and war, while addressing gas prices, and global warming.  

Obama and Maliki, see "Eye to Eye"

Obama's exemplary leadership shines as he visits Afghanistan and Iraq.   Recent meetings with President Talabani of Afghanistan, and Prime Minister Maliki of Iraq, as well as General Petreaus, demonstrate a preparedness to fulfill his anticipated role as Commander in Chief.  

Obama Watch: Online Resources

The Official Obama08 Website…
http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

Click here to join “the largest grassroots movement in the history of politics, OBAMA ’08.” This is the “Official Obama ‘08” website. You can join for e-mail blasts, and find news, blogs, and issues our Presidential hopeful is facing day to day. Although this site isn’t “cutting edge” it does feature a map to help you connect to local and national grassroots events, giving voters a unique opportunity to get more involved in the political process and help shape the future of political platforms. Our voices must be heard!

Obama Watch: National Security

My Plan for Iraq – by Obama
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/opinion/14obama.html?_r=1&ref=opinion&oref=slogin
This New York Times article gives Obama’s views and plans for resolving the ongoing War in Iraq. Obama’s approach is uncompromising, humanitarian, compassionate and well thought out. This is leadership, not a front for backroom business deals or coded pseudo-nationalistic rhetoric. We may finally have a leader as President.

Curious about Obama’s plans for National Security?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/16/AR2008071602695.html

Obama addresses National Security…
Senator Obama addressed through ads and campaign announcements outlining some of his vision for addressing issues of National Security. His ideas for Change we can believe in included… “a cybernuclear proliferation with outline of planned policies and approaches to

Obama Watch: Can Obama unify Americans and the World?

Can Obama unify Americans and the World?
http://www.ebonyjet.com/politics/national/index.aspx?id=8617

Senator Obama travels to Europe this month, to garnish and anchor international support for his 2008 Presidential Campaign. It seems that resistance to his inevitable leadership is most consistently based on a racially charged resentment. On the other hand, support for Obama seems both because of and in spite of race. Obama’s support seems consistently led by those who are “thinkers” embracing a global-world-village. It seems that humanity across national and cultural borders, are all poised and ready for the overdue eradication of assumed “white” privilege and superiority. Change is in the air…

Obama Watch: TASTELESS CARICATURE (The New Yorker)…

TASTELESS CARICATURE (The New Yorker)…
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080714/pl_politico/11719

How much does RACE factor into the Presidential Election?

Magazine portrayals of Presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama, clearly convey the polarizing and inherent sentiments stirred by American race consciousness.

The Associated Press and Obama’s spokesman slam the New Yorker’s “Tasteless and Offensive” portrayal of Senator Obama in a turban “bumping fist” with his wife donning not only an exaggerated Afro, but fatigues and an M-16 slung across her shoulder. Caricatures have always had their place in political satire, but where is the line drawn? How might race shape the expectations, perceptions, and reactions of all Americans? Only time will tell… but it seems that Obama’s Presidency would shed light on a lot of America’s covert and overtly racist sentiments.

Obama Watch 7-10

United for Change
http://my.barackobama.com/ufcvideo
This short but sensitive video, demonstrates the need for people to come together, black, white, young, and old. In United for Change, people are coming together as neighbors and communities, those who all agree that there is an urgent need for change in our nation. Senator Barak Obama clearly represents change and thus hope for unity. His approach to government and the numerous issues we face, have remained focused on the interests and needs of the people. In this particular video, we get a heartwarming introduction to the spirit of change that people are pursuing in their support of Obama. Although, this video as many others doesn’t offer detailed information on his policies, accomplishments, or goals for the Presidency, it does convey the unity that his Presidency promises for our nation. Unity is the hope that this nation is in urgent need of, and Obama represents that hope for positive change.


Star Jones' Response To Bill O'Reilly's Racist Comment
http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2008/02/26/open-letter-star-jones-checks-bill-o-reilly-s-racist-remark/
Star Jones – slams Bill O’Reilly for using the terms “lynching” and “party” in the same sentence, while referring to the “next First-Lady” Michelle Obama. Bill O’Reilly apparently “hung himself” by trying to make an analogy between his use of lynching and Justice Clarence Thomas’ use of the term during his confirmation hearings. Star successfully challenges the inherent assumption of entitlement, lack luster excuse of an apology, and the threatening and apparently threatened posture of some Americans who apparently still believe that the American dream still has no room for real equity for all people…. GO get ‘em Star!

Democratic Party Hosts Platform Meetings….
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/listening/
Democratic Platform Meetings are being held from July 19 to July 27, everyday Americans will be hosting Platform Meetings across the country. This is a long overdue opportunity for everyday people to shape the Democratic Party’s platform by shaping what issues are in the forefront. Formerly, this seemed reserved for major campaign contributors, organizations, and political pioneers. This is already an indicator of positive CHANGE… something Senator Obama’s campaign seems poised to promise and deliver.

Dr. Sidney A. Ribeau Named 16th President of Howard University

Washington, D.C., (May 7, 2008)—Sidney A. Ribeau, Ph.D., has been named President of Howard University, one of 48 private doctoral/research intensive universities in the United States, the University’s Board of Trustees announced today. He was the unanimous choice of the University’s Trustees. Dr. Ribeau becomes the 16th president of the nation’s premier historically black institution of higher learning.

Dr. Ribeau has been President of Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, for 13 years. At the University he initiated a number of successful, innovative, values-based initiatives that provide students with an academic environment that develops culturally literate, technologically sophisticated, productive citizens.

See full release at Howard University site.

2008 Pre-Graduation Virtual Career Fair Winds Down this Weekend

As we move toward the conclusion of this year's Pre-Graduation Virtual Career Fair at THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online, ending this coming weekend, we are pleased to announce the addition of new opportunities links and recruiter's messages by additional participants including...

• Citizen Schools National Teaching Fellowships
• Civilian Opportunities with the Department of Navy - Naval Inventory Control Point
• New opportunities added by IBM

Additionally and simultaneously, a number of fresh featured Internships/Fellowships and Entry-Level/New College Hire/Trainee Jobs have been posted the job channels published by our sister-site, IMDiversity.com, which is also a co-sponsor of the Career Fair.

These free seasonal features are intended to connect diverse students and new college graduates to employers who are currently publishing opportunities available to students or to entry-level candidates. Additionally, though, many more employers who may be open to considering entry-level applicants will continue to post open positions at our job banks at http://jobs.black-collegian.com/ and http://jobs.imdiversity.com/. We encourage our repeat student visitors to be sure to update your resume(s) and contact information for the summer before leaving campus.

Deadline Extended for Obama Organizing Fellowship

The deadline has been extended for applying for the Obama Organizing Fellowship, originally announced in our April 21st post. The new deadline is May 15 at midnight.

To read more about the program, see Do You Want to Become Part of a New Generation of Leaders? added to THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online.

To apply, go to http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/fellowsapp?source=imdiversity

Obama Reaches out Beyond Campaign with Organizing Fellowship

This release from the Obama campaign came to our editors and struck as particularly interesting in this primary elections year, as it appears to look beyond just this season, and to position the Obama phenomenon as more than just a race to be a party nominee -- but even the roots of a movement.

According to the release, the grassroots fellowship program "is more than just a strategy to win an election. It's about strengthening our democracy by bringing more people into the political process.Fellows will be trained in the basic principles of community organizing and placed in communities all over the nation for a minimum of six weeks, starting in June."

In highly personalized language, the message announcing the fellowship to supporters recalled Obama's own early days as a community organizer in Chicago:

When I was a young man, I was inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and the
idea of people working at a grassroots level to bring about change. I got my
chance on the South Side of Chicago, as a community organizer, and it was the
transformative experience of my career.

It allowed me to put my values to work and to see that real change comes not from the top-down, but from the bottom-up, when ordinary people come together around a common purpose. The experience changed the course of my life -- and I want to share that kind of opportunity with you.

That's why we're introducing a program that's going to train a new generation of leaders -- not only to help us win this election, but to help strengthen our democracy in communities across the country.

If you apply and are selected, you'll be trained in the basic organizing principles that this campaign and our movement for change are built on. You will be assigned to a community where you'll organize supporters. Assignments will begin in June, and you'll be required to work a minimum of six weeks over the summer.

This program is designed to give you real world organizing experience that will have a concrete impact on this election.

Although the chosen fellows would undoubtedly be deployed strategically to aid the Obama campaign up through the convention, the fellowship -- as opposed to regular volunteer drives -- recognizes that the impact Obama has had in motivating young voters' passions must be matched by training, experience, and long-term vision that could outlast his own candidacy and this election.

His interest in developing training opportunities for young people also pre-dated his candidacy. As the Senator argued in THE BLACK COLLEGIAN's interview with him shortly before he entered the race (see U.S. Senator Barack Obama on Black Student Political Clout):

One of the things I think is important, not just [for] elected officials but
older folks generally, [is giving] young people the opportunity to get involved.
So, for example, I’ve set up a range of internships in my office. I do a
training program for young people who are interested in politics. I think that
in every institution, whether it’s a law firm or church or what have you, making
sure that young people are given entree and opportunity to exert their
leadership – and to do substantive work, not just licking envelopes or fetching
coffee – I think that’s critical. In the African-American community in
particular, I think sometimes we have a tendency for our leadership to be very
protective of their turf and not invite young people in until it’s way too late.
The earlier we’re grooming young people and giving them leadership
opportunities, and pushing them up front, the better.

To learn more about the Obama Organizing Fellowship -- and to apply or refer a friend -- see :
http://my.barackobama.com/fellows

Updates: New Employers to Our Career Fair

We're pleased to announce that a number of new employers have joined our THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Spring 2008 Pre-Graduation Virtual Career Fair since our last blog post.

Additionally, we wanted to encourage patricipants who apply for jobs through the Fair to remember to stop back and take our Career Fair Survey. It will not only help us to follow up with employers and improve our next Fair, but survey respondents will also be eligible to participate in THE BLACK COLLEGIAN Online Collegiate Focus Group for a $50 honorarium.

These new employers have joined others who have us that they are still welcoming entry-level, new grad and student candidates for open jobs or internships this season:

• Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote
• Halliburton
• Hercules Incorporated
• Kaiser Permanente
• National Research Council of the National Academies
• Target
• U.S. Department of State

Nominate Educators Who Helped Journalism Diversity

From our friends at Black College Wire, this release about an initiative by the National Conference of Editorial Writers, of interest to students of journalism:

The National Conference of Editorial Writers annually grants a Barry Bingham Sr. Fellowship — actually an award — "in recognition of an educator's outstanding efforts to encourage minority students in the field of journalism." The educator should be at the college level.

Nominations, which are now being accepted for the 2008 award, should consist of a statement about why you believe your nominee is deserving.

The final selection will be made by the NCEW Foundation board and will be announced in time for the Sept. 17-20 NCEW convention in Little Rock, Ark., when the presentation will be made.

Since 2000, an honorarium of $1,000 has been awarded the recipient, to be used to "further work in progress or begin a new project."

Past winners include: James Hawkins of Florida A&M University (1990); Larry Kaggwa of Howard U. (1992); Ben Holman of the U. of Maryland (1996); Linda Jones, Roosevelt U., Chicago (1998); Ramon Chavez, U. of Colorado, Boulder (1999); Erna Smith of San Francisco State (2000); Joseph Selden of Penn State (2001); Cheryl Smith; Paul Quinn College (2002); Rose Richard, Marquette University (2003), Leara D. Rhodes of the University of Georgia (2004), Denny McAuliffe of the University of Montana (2005), Pearl Stewart of Black College Wire (2006) and Valerie White of Florida A&M University.

Nominations may be e-mailed to Richard Prince, NCEW Diversity Committee chair, richardprince@hotmail.com.
The deadline is May 15.
Thanks!
---
Richard Prince
Diversity Committee chair
National Conference of Editorial Writers
Alexandria, Va

Conference: A Better Economic Deal for Young People

Release from " A Better Deal":

It's getting harder for young adults to get ahead in America. Compared to previous generations, today's 20-somethings earn less, carry more debt and pay more for everything from health care to housing. With young people voting in record numbers, it's time to put this generation's economic crisis on the national agenda and build a movement for a better deal.

May 8 & May 9
The Liaison Capitol Hill
415 New Jersey Ave. NW
WASHINGTON, DC

What: Hundreds of young activists meeting to learn about their generation's economic crisis. The conference is not just about ideas, though – it's about action. Attendees will get the tools to connect politics to the personal financial struggles of young voters, and get hooked up with others to build a movement for a better deal in their communities.

This conference is FREE and limited travel scholarships are available

Details: http://www.abetterdealconference.org/

Partnership:
Rock the Vote, Common Cause, Campus Progress, The Student PIRGs, Young People For, Voto Latino, Young Workers United, Mobilize.org, Black Youth Vote, United States Students Association, Third Wave Foundation, Hip Hop Caucus, Center for Progressive Leadership, Qvisory, The Roosevelt Institution, Drum Major Institute, Generation Change / Center for Community Change, Building Movement Project, Future Majority.com, CIRCLE, The American Prospect, NCLR Líderes, NAACP Youth and College Division, Interfaith Youth Core, APIAVote, The Project on Student Debt