Politics in Color: Sources for "Race-Based" News

Among the usual talking heads that dominate news circuits, very few are people of color.

However since the election, more African-American and Latino pundits and scholars are offering their take on the political scene. The blogosphere is also bubbling with commentary from a race-based perspective.

In this era of Obama and Sotomayor, we should examine how our new multicultural political leaders impact future policies and society as a whole. A few of my choice sources for "race-based" news after the jump.







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Danielle Belton, provides her daily take on politics and pop culture as the self-proclaimed "The Black Snob." I can't get enough of her hilarious and often spot-on commentary on the Obamas in the White House. A must read!

Many of us in Chicago know Roland Martin from his days editing the Chicago Defender, but Roland hit the national scene during last year's election as a regular on CNN. He's due with his own show Washington Watch with Roland Martin on TV One this fall, focusing on African-American issues.

@UrbanJibaro fills my Twitter feed with fascinating links and info on the urban Latino community. From cultural trends to what the Sotomayor nomination means to young Latinas everywhere, blogger George Torres brings a unique voice to the online world and encourages other Latinos to join the dialogue.

Ester Cepeda, Chicago's first Latino metro columnist, chronicles immigration, education, and other topics of importance to Latinos at her blog, 600 Words. She recently featured 10 Latinos making a difference, to give props to Chicago Latinos always being left out of mainstream publications’ "Who’s Who" lists.

So these are the folks I'm checking out these days - give 'em a visit and let me know what you think in the comments section.

Engrossing posts, YouTube new media views, and tweeted releases

Some good reads for social media communications:

• Can you squeeze that press release into 140 characters? Learn the value of making some important announcements on Twitter : Digital Connections
• You spent a couple hours on that blog post - how can you make sure it lives more than a few minutes?: Traffikd
• Want a deeper understanding of the internet and social media and what it all means? Get bummed out by reading too much? Check out this list of 80+ videos that enlighten and inform: open thinking

Yes, the title is not very SEOed - I couldn't help myself. Do as I say, not as I do.

(perplexing image from Jenkins Computer Service & Repair Webpage Design & Hosting web page, which is under construction)

Great Online Sources for Women's News

This afternoon I attended The Working Lunch, Women Employed's annual fundraiser. This "power luncheon" brings together women from all over the city to affirm their commitment to ensuring economic advancement for all women.

I couldn't help but be inspired and appreciate being around smart, driven women. Its a shame we rarely hear critical stories that impact women - usually they take a back seat to the latest gossip or fashion trend.

When I seek relevant and engaging information specific to women's' issues I turn to a few key sources...check them out after the jump.



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Tuesday Blast - the Chicago Foundation for Women's weekly E-Update. My favorite section is their weekly take on a media story; CFW deconstructs reporting on women's issues and uncovers the myths and stereotypes that still get perpetuated. Last year after the Eliot Spitzer scandal, CFW notes the real issue left out was how women get caught up in the sex-trade industry in the first place.

Jezebel - Now this website may first strike you as a landing place for all things fluff, but its written with such sass and wit, its almost laughing at you not with you. While giving you the latest celebrity and pop culture news, the bloggers touch on very important issues of self-image, domestic violence and gender equity.

Women Employed - Check them out on Twitter and read tweets about important issues regarding pay fairness. I'm partial to WE because I serve on their Advocacy Council, but they are truly are a valuable resource for information affecting working women.

Viva La Feminista - Chicago mom, activist and Latina blogger (and fellow WE Council member) Veronica Arreola shares powerful commentary on issues surrounding diversity, feminism and parenthood.

Julie's Health Club - Chicago Tribune fitness and health writer Julie Deardorff's blog is my go-to spot for personal health information. Julie touts her blog as the place where "alternative and mainstream health meet." From best foods to eat after working out to best fitness apps for iPhones, Julie covers a wide range of issues for health-conscious women.

Again these are my favorite sources - I know there are tons of others. Tell me what you like to check out in the comments below!

Image by www.webtvwire.com

Attracting web readers with smart titles and headlines

Communications folks moving from brochures and press releases to blog posts and tweets need to consider key differences between writing static printed content and dynamic web content. SEO, RSS, metatags and other web doodads might take a while to internalize, but one thing social media newbies (or n00bs, in the parlance of our times) can optimize right off the bat are titles. Poynter Online's E-Media Tidbits blog pointed out a good list of things BBC web editors do well with their headlines - these are also good for communicators to consider when titling a blog post or other piece of information:

• Keep it short so that it can be read quickly and fit into aggregators and social media tools.
  
• Clearly summarize your item and make it understandable out of context - most folks will come across your item in an aggregator, social media site, search, feed, widget, or some other way - don't get so artsy or clever that a person seeing the title alone won't know what the heck it is.
  
• Front-load the title with the most important keywords, since most people when reading lists of titles just scan the first couple words. This also helps Google and other search engines find you.
  
• It should be predictable. Make sure those who click on your title get what they were told they would and are not disappointed when they come to your content.

For example, I wanted to title this post "Crafting a crafty title can make your content fly into the world wide web like a majestic eagle, or magical fairy," but I didn't. With this shorter and more explicit title, you can share this post on Facebook, Twitter, Digg, etc. (just click on "SHARE THIS" below) and your friends, pseudo-acquaintances and other readers will know what it is about and if they want to click.

Remember: if you do things right on the web, your content is not only sitting on your website or blog waiting for people to find it - it's showing up in searches and Facebook feeds and aggregators and sharing sites. A thoughtful web-optimized title makes a big difference in who and how many engage with your message in the pixelated world.