he is asked often by african- american reporters if he has an african-american agenda, and his answer is, at this time, my overall agenda is the best thing to help african-americans. it is sort of a sense that he is not trying to develop an agenda specifically for african- americans, and i think, politically, that is probably smart. >> when you look at presidents, it is often said that arthur like kitchen cabinets -- they are like kitchen cabinets. did any african-americans have influence? >> more recently, we have that african-americans in key positions like colin powell. before that, one example is a person named william slade. abraham lincoln trusted his judgment, and felt that he was in contact with everyday america. he actually got -- bounced each lines off of william slade, and took him with him when he spoke, including at gettysburg. he wanted to see what his valet thought about it. that is remarkable. the person he trusted with the gettysburg address, it was is african-american the valet. >> this was a free man? >> at this point, absolutely, yes. he had been a slave. >> there

in this case, the notion of the african-american staff and the first african-american president is so much more intense. >> host: yeah. let's go back to george w. bush and the household staff. the certain of reyou knowon that george herbert walker bush talked about. any staff members george w. bush was close to? >> guest: i didn't find any particular staff members, no. but the staff that he knew when his dad was president, as you say, it was almost like sort of a reunion with the bush family when -- after the clinton period of bush the son came back. then the father would come back for visits. so that sort of enhanced the whole notion of sort of the bush family knows the household staff. the household staff liked the bushes in some ways because they were so predictable. that's very important to have consideration for the household staff. some presidents were late, some presidents were like lyndon johnson would say i'm going to have 50 people for dinner in two houses. take care of it. bush's were much more willing to give people notice and understand when some things couldn't be done.

this training program for african americans in tuskegee, alabama. i found a memo where he figured out when the press deadline would be for the weekly black newspapers on the last day before the 1940 election and he released this press announcement that roosevelt was doing all these things for african-americans just hours before that deadline so he guaranteed the top headline on every black newspaper in the united states on the day of the election was going to be roosevelt create programs for blacks, promotes first black general, all these things. very astute political. there are moral reasons for doing this. there are political reasons for doing this. you don't have to be too much of the senate to believe roosevelt did this more for political reasons than for anything else but he did create the program and tuskegee. that created some divisions within the african-american community. the naacp had been lobbying all along for the creation of integrated flight training. it is easy to get african-americans into flight training. just let them in existing

he was widely reviled in the african-american community for this. some of his policies on segregation and so on were also widely criticized. personally, he really didn't have any serious african-american advisors. in the executive order that satisfied dollars for minority businesses to compete for. >> guest: right. >> host: how do you reconcile -- >> guest: that's a very good point. there's so many other things with nixon. there's all kinds of contradictions there. i mean, you know, he set up the environmental protection agency. and he's not thought of as a particularly environmentally sensitive president. in china, he's a hard-liner in some ways on war issues. vietnam, another issue where he's had a very mixed record. but i think the problem he had in the context of the book and this discussion on presidents on race and african-americans is that he couldn't be relied on to stay with a principle or a conviction if the politics told him to do something else. that was the perception and that's the way a lot of people think of nixon, of course, his nic

a panel on african-american economic history. our coverage will continue three hours from now with a panel discussion on african-american humor. that will be followed by a panel on african-american history and finally about six hours from now we will wrap up with a discussion on the first years of the obama administration. that is coming up in the 2011 harlem book fair. right now united negro college fund president michael lomax on the state of african-american literacy. >> good morning, everyone. welcome to the thirteenth annual harlem book fair. i am max rodriguez, founder of the event. [applause] >> thank you. i would like to thank you for joining us for a conversation in community, conversation in books, conversation on who we are, where we see ourselves, where we hope to see ourselves and how we get there. that is what we do at the harlem book fair. we assess ourselves and celebrate ourselves and plan for ourselves and our families and children and our community and bring in the author's that talk about the theme that drive

, an african american woman would protect her man's manhood. there's this interracial romance that happens, black man, white woman, and how this is all viewed. she said how she felt her character had to really stand up to protect her man and as a consequence it became part of the play. the african american woman will not tell earl that his wife has actually left him already and run off with another man. she doesn't tell him that because she's trying to protect his manhood. those are things i think if you are a smart playwright, you really take advantage of your very smart actors and your very smart directors. again, this thing where it's always coming down it ego. at sundance, in every rehearsal process, i like being part of a very generous workshop. if you were in there you would say, wow, it's pretty free-wheeling. for example, you have 9 characters, 9 story lines that all are trying to be pieced together so they all are introduced, they all intertwine and at the end they are all resolved in some form or fashion. it's a delicate architecture.

in this other african-american of 100 students who start the 9th grade in that african america, only three -- only three will complete college. compared to 10 white students. now the ten is nothing to be proud of. but the three is appalling. much of the difference between the college graduation rate of people of color and the majority population is, of course, financial. the cost of college, and the inability of millions of family incomes to keep pace with the cost continues to be the single largest factor in the inability of families of color to send their sons and daughters to college. and the inability of those sons and daughters once enrolled to stay in college and graduate. ask any college president, ask any african-american college president, ask any president, what's the number one barrier, staying in school, paying tuition, and room and board. the country, in other words, has allowed more out of neglect and indifference than by intention, i believe. the development of a system of de facto educational failure. that impacts all children unacceptably and more children of color s

i want to know how many companies were african-american own. we heard testimony this afternoon about the fact that there are not enough. i agree with that. i want to know what companies were present that are african- american owned? >> there are several, actually. >> as part of each team, i do not know how many for each team, but there were african american companies on each one. i know that -- i'm just going off the top of my head. commissioner torres: i can wait. i'm not a supporter of proposition 209. i think it is embarrassing that a minority person sponsored a that initiative. be that as it may, i think it is our duty as a public agency to make sure that when we go over all of these proposals and, in fact, there is some concern, and some concern i shared over the years, that we need to make sure we have out reached so that not only african-american, but latino-owned companies are included, especially with the local hire provisions that i know will be difficult to implement. you have done an incredible job of doing that. how are we going to

i just did team teaching on african-american jewish political thought. next year i'm teaching another course on martin and the influence on art, and a whole range of courses. most having to do with either history, political thought, 19th century political thought or doing with critical race theory, african-american political thought. >> host: you're the author of "look the negro". what's that? >> guest: a group of essays relating to race and film, and two other occasional essays as well, so, for example, i have an essay there on representation of race in a movie, you know, "the lion king" that many of us saw a long time ago. i have an essay on med ya representations of race during the king uprising in a book i edited and also interesting piece engaging another philosopher around the reading of the british stair movie. unlike the du bois book, it's less an engagement to reconstruct the thought of a particular thinker. again, it has more to do with race and contemporary culture, representations of race. >> who in your view, if any, is similar to du bois to

a central part of the history of african culture and essentially early rappers, african rappers. they were like the troubadours from your. they went around and commented on society. they spoke before the kings of various african nations and they added humor or they humorously criticized. the african slaves brought federal judiciary with them, and so when you get to america and you have them in a bonded situation you have an entirely different kind of emergence of that humor because we are in africa they could. >> freely about whatever they wanted to speak about here they couldn't. that his wife the initial title of this book which has been changed to a history of african-american humor but the long title was there before. i spoke about the underground nature of african-american humor because one of the most prominent features or characteristics of african-american humor at the outset was that it was underground. it was hidden, because africans could not say what they wanted to. the satirical humor the day brought with them, the satirical, verbal descriptions or comments, commenta

economic recession and the african. american community it's a it's an economic depression with unemployment rates soaring high is in the low twenty's and in some communities like cotton for example the most probably the most famous african-american community in the country is not in the world the unemployment rates among african-american men it's fifty percent and higher in that community and that is just an astounding figure i had it but i think it's a stain on our fabric of the country at this particular time so very well said don thanks so much for being with us tonight thank you so much for having town america still has a long way to go to fulfill the dream right with your cane fortunately it seems that most of our country is at least moving in the right direction. it's the good the bad of the very ignore it negative mostly ugly first the good research is cern the european organization for nuclear research as we speak the largest and most profound experiment of our time is underway deep underneath the nations with i

in the part of the african-american community with the police department. one great, sage mind said people tend to hate each other because they fear each other. they fear each other because they do not know each other. and they do not know each other because of a lack of communication. going back to my days on this board, i often sat in in chamber and said we will never deal with this mistrust of the police personnel until we get the patrol, police personnel, in these challenged communities in which they will know the community, the community will know them. but in our police departments there has been major resistance to the idea of officers living in the community and having a beat in the community like they do in certain upscale communities around this nation. and including san francisco. so that we can only, supervisor cohen, i feel in part deal with this question of mistrust when we get more african-american police. i'm not saying only an african-american can do quality policing, but there's a greater opportunity for one to do it. it ought to be an int

the wealth of the average african-american house or. the average white house or the income gap between whites and blacks and latinos and hispanics is also growing and there are millions and millions of families in communities of color across the country that are literally living from paycheck to paycheck and you know if they do in fact in mind so many of them have fallen off of their employment rose into. a state of unemployment there too they're experiencing difficulties qualifying for unemployment insurance for for many of these states so they end up a c.p.s. mission at this particular moment in history of the country is just this critical as it was right in their place he was from one hundred two years ago. time you mentioned that what's going on in the states with republican governors one of the things the seems common across them is this alex sponsored legislation that requires a driver's license or similar id to vote and. this is targeted right head on an urban people you know i mean i would have d.c. you're right i don't own a ca

those are things that don't just affect the african-american community. they affect the immigrant populations, the latino communities in many districts in this community, the asian communities as well. we need to implement policies. i was warmed by what i heard from the mental health department with regard to intervention, early intervention. in the communities. putting clinics in the districts. i believe that these are effective ways to gain traction on these issues. i also hope to see more involvement from the sheriff's department. i think that inputting the sheriff in place of the police department where we have issues with rebuilding trust is an important change. one of these places where we see that is an important shift, i anticipate, getting deputy sheriffs to do the booking rather than the police department. thank you for your time. chairman mirkarimi: thank you. next speaker, please. bithe way, all the rest of the cards that i have here and other people who want to speak, you should just come on up. >> living in the bay view and working in visita

in the country, we too much attention to african-americans, etc.. so it would be naive to think that he doesn't have this going on in his head. should he make some strong statements and should he have a strong policies as regards to poverty? of course, people claim he does, he just has talked to some other things that clearly that is a major issue and dealing with it as vigorously as with any other issue. >> you brought up the tea party and i feel when you say in the tea party and conservatism is going to cost controversy. i'm going to read a couple of paragraphs from the book. what it all adds up to is an america that is psychologically and politically divided in the most bizarre way. one american celebrating the rise of a black president and the beginning of the end of racism while the other drowns in paranoia and racial fear. in one american anger is mellow and in the other it explodes and the future seems brighter than ever while in the other is cloaked in gloom. the biggest locus of anger these days seems to be not in the nation's black and bro

is that what the african governments are looking for? >> well, it depends on how you define a partnership of equals. i think by this term it means that this is a partnership of mutual respect and the past that was always up the case. hundreds of years ago, but nowadays, i think that germany is looking forward to deepen its relationship with africa and in the long run, it has to be a partnership of equals. >> in your assessment, why has germany decided to change its strategy now and will this initiative be a good one? > well, i cannot really see a change of strategy. this is a very good initiative. i think that it is more the trial to unify the different policies of the different german ministries. doocy, we have the foreign office, we have the ministry of economic development and cooperation, we have the ministry of economics, we have the economy, we have the ministry of environment could all of them are dealing somehow with africa. this is an attempt to unify this to one comprehensive single approach for the benefit for the african part

from the dispersal of africans throughout the world.do that through compelling and innovative exhibitions, public programs, and education programs. our goal is to celebrate and present for appreciation to our broad and diverse public the controversial energy contributions of people of african descent to world culture in all aspects in all areas, including politics, culture, economics, education, just in all aspects of cultural forms of expression. >> one of the fascinating things since 2005 when the museum was established, is that it has become clear from science that all of humanity originates in africa. how does that influence the education programs or presentation here at moad? >> obviously, being able to attenuate that, and there is a sign at the door that says, "when did you know that you were african?" our point is that we share a common dna, and it connects us on a number of different levels. this institution is an institution available to everyone, a resourced for everyone. >> you have both permanent and temporary exhibitions, r

for african-americans.it has been down since the election. in my own survey it is not as high as 70% but closer to 30% or 40% who were saying that would help them. but i also think the obama election is not just one phenomenon that accounts for all of this. it takes place against the backdrop of many things. certainly a huge event and one that for many people of color and others as well indicates things may be possible in this country that a lot of people thought were impossible a few years ago. it is an event that i call the end of final revelation. a series of things that happened which cause a lot of people to sit back and say let me rethink some fundamental assumptions i have always made about where this country is and where it is possible for people to go. >> what if he loses in 2012? >> the gain in you saw from his election in 2008 will there be a resumption of danger? >> first of all i am very careful to state in the book that there's a lot of angry people out there. that hasn't changed. there are a

. >> what is the correct south african, dare i say it, african's way of pronouncing this? >> charlize theron. >> sexier. say that again. you obviously were raised south african and presumably came to l.a. with a broad south african accent. and then you quite consciously went and taught yourself how to speak in an american accent, right? >> yeah, i mean, look, it was kind of -- i was kind of pushed let's start with the obvious question. how do you actually pronounce your name? >> charlize theron. >> that's the american way. >> yes. yes. it's how -- it's what i thought would be easier for people. >> what is the correct south african, dare i say it, african's way of pronouncing this? >> charlize theron. >> sexier. say that again. you obviously were raised south african and presumably came to l.a. with a broad south african accent. and then you quite consciously went and taught yourself how to speak in an american accent, right? >> yeah, i mean, look, it was kind of -- i was kind of pushed into a corner. i started going out on auditions. and the feedback was always, she's real

so his experience although he is african and american, is dramatically different from many african-americanswho have come through the storm. they can trace their essential history through slavery and the painful nature of racism and white supremacy in this country. so getting a sense of who the man is sort of helps us to struggle in terms of how to respond to the current issues. >> and at the same time may i just add? >> , on, let's go. >> at the same time with a family in the white house that represents all of the historical moments of the black experience in terms of michelle obama through the eastern south and to be moved inland that took place out of alabama and the great i gration and then what is this major moment in the formation of the black community, community formed by immigration and obama's mother was much more conscientious about teaching him african-american history and the black experience that many black families are today. [applause] >> housing listening to malcolm x. >> and we need to take that seriously. >> okay, we would like you to have brief questions because we want t

some having to do, as you might guess, with african-american political thought.course on du bois, on martin delainey. i also teach for systematic courses, critical race theory. i'm teaching -- >> in each shi's critique of modernity. i just finished team teaching with a colleague on african-american/jewish political thought. next year i'm teaching at course of the influence on art. so a whole range of courses, most having to do with either history political thought, is theth century german political thought, or having to do, again, with critical race theory. >> you're also the author of "look a negro." >> yes, that's right. >> what is that? >> that's a collection of essays relating to representations of race in film. and a few other caigal essay -- occasional essays as well. so, for example, i have an essay there on representation of the -- you know that movie, the lion king? i have an essay on media representations of race during the rodney king uprising, a piece that was originally publish inside a book i edited called requested reading rodney king." al stanley

you obviously were raised south african and you presumably came to l.a. with a broad south african accent, and you quite consciously went and taught yourself how to speak in an american accent, right? >> yeah. i mean, look, it was kind of -- i was kind of pushed into a corner. auditions, and the feedback was always she's really great, but can she do it in an american accent. my english was very poor, and i still you'll hear -- i'll make a lot of grammar mistakes. >> do you speak african fluently? >> every day. i speak everyday to my mother. >> let's hear it, come on speak african to me. [ speaking foreign language ] >> wow, i didn't know you fancied me. that's amazing. that's incredible. so you speak it completely fluently? >> oh, i think more fluently than i speak english. yeah, definitely. >> well, miss theron. woody harrolson got me very excited about interviewing you. >> woody? >> yeah. because he said charlize is not like a delicate girl. she's a classic broad in terms of being a beautiful woman, incredibly talented, and also able to tell more vulgar

. >> what is the correct south african, dare i say it, african's way of pronouncing this? >> charlize theron. >> sexier. say that again. you obviously were raised south african and presumably came to l.a. with a broad south african accent. and then you quite consciously went and taught yourself how to speak in an american accent, right? >> yeah, i mean, look, it was kind of -- i was kind of pushed into a corner. i started going out on auditions. and the feedback was always, she's really great but can she do it in an american accent. my english was very poor. and i still, you'll hear, i make a lot of grammar mistakes. >> you can speak south african fluently? >> every day. my mother lives two miles away from me. let's have a burst. come on. i would love for you to speak south african to me. [ speaking foreign language ] >> wow, i didn't even know you fancied me. that's incredible. you speak it fluently? >> i think more fluently than i speak english. yes, definitely. >> well, ms. theron. woody harrelson got me very excited about interviewing you. >> woody? >> yeah. because yo

i just finished teaching african-american jewish political thought.next year and teaching in other corners on heidegger. so it'll range of courses, most having to do with 19th century german political thought, or having to do with critical race theory and african-american political thought. >> ewart also the author of book, a. what is that? >> guest: that his essays written to representations of race and film. and to other occasional essays as well. so for example, i have an essay there in representation of race in a movie, lion king, gave us all a long time ago. i have an essay by media representations of race during the rodney king of praising, the piece i was originally published from an uprising. also interesting piece engage in another philosopher around his reading of a reddish stare movie. so is unlike the du bois book, it is less an engagement and to reconstruct a thought of a particular thinker. again, it has more to do with race in contemporary culture representations of

. >> it was a time in peru when the africans were prohibited from playing or making instruments. >> (speaking spanish). >> so they were forced to make their own instruments. >> (speaking spanish). >> so they use the surroundings and big jars and they used to have water or other type was drinks. >> (speaking spanish). >> covered with leather skin. >> (speaking spanish). >> and they make the drums. >>. >> (speaking spanish). (drums). (applause). >> (speaking spanish). >> this instrument is called dungo. >> spr (speaking spanish). >> we have two but only one was used. >> (speaking spanish). >> this is one that was used north of the capital. >> (speaking spanish). >> in the cities of the country >> (speaking spanish). >> when he was a child he was able to see those instruments and on extension today. (drums). (applause) . >> this is a donkey's jaw. it could be a horse or a donkey. >> donkey's jaw. >> and it's played by spiking it and to make the rattle sound and also creates this. (applause). >> (speaking spanish) sorry. (speaking spanish). >> this is the kahita and it is created as the -

saying that obama's selection creates more forrtunities african-americans. it has gone down a bit. and certainly in my own surveysi it's not as high as 70%.as 7 it's closer to about 30%,un 40 percent you're saying that i is going to help them, but i also think that the obama election is not just of -- is not just one phenomenon that accounts for all of this. i think that takes place against a backdrop of many things. it is certainly a huge event, and one that for at least many people of color and others as well, indicates that things may be powerful in this country that a lot of people thought were impossible even a few years ago. it is an event which -- i call it the final revelation, a series of things that happen which cause a lot of people to sit back and say, wait a minute. let me rethink some fundamental assumptions i have always made about where this country is and what is possible. >> so what if he loses in 2012? >> well, i think -- >> the gain you saw from his election in 2008, will there be a resumption of anger? >> well, first of all, i am very ca