The Electoral College: Introduction and the 2016 Presidential Race

Well, it’s finally over. The 2016 Presidential election, it’s done. What seemed like a sad reality show come to life finally ended and the results are clear. America chose Hillary Clinton for President. Almost 2.9 million more Americans preferred Clinton, as a matter of fact. Clinton took 48.2% of the popular vote, or 65,844,954 votes to Donald Trump’s 46.1% or 62,979, 879 votes. However, despite Clinton winning in a clear landslide vote vs vote, Donald Trump won the Presidential Election by attaining 306 Electoral Votes to Clinton’s 232; this made Donald President Elect and left Clinton with more votes than any other losing Presidential candidate in U.S. History. 

From the Holler!: New Year’s Edition

The unofficial hiatus is over.  I taught another class at the University of North Georgia, which was an absolute thrill. I finished up my first semester teaching at West Hall High School, another amazing experience. Additionally, I worked some on the side with friends on a new political blog/podcast. We’re still ironing out the kinks on that project. I cannot begin to count the number of times I’ve sat down to write a new post, or share an event, only to get sidetracked. However, it is my New Years Resolution to be more attentive toward this blog. What better way to start the year than some recent highlights? 

The Birth of a Nation: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Back in April I posted about an upcoming film, The Birth of a Nation, that is coming to theaters this year.  I thought then, and still do now, that the movie comes at a much needed time as the country struggles to come to terms with its current racial dilemma. Additionally, I was excited at the prospect of a movie which covers a time and topic in history that is often overlooked; slave rebellions. That was before Gabrielle Union’s op-ed about Nate Parker’s rape allegations grabbed my attention. 

More Confederate Flags and Donald Trump

Donald Trump spokeswoman supporter Kayleigh McEnany sought to educate former South Carolina legislator Bakari Sellers on CNN the other night about the meaning and history of the Confederate Battle Flag. Needless to say, opinions varied widely. Here is the exchange. 

Hillary Becomes the Nominee

Regardless of your political identity, you have to admit this is pretty historic.

Police Officer Fired Over Confederate Flag

The headline pretty much says it all.

A Roswell pastor said a police officer was fired on Thursday after the Roswell Police chief received a complaint that a Confederate flag was flying outside the officer’s house where an official police vehicle was parked in the driveway.

Read the rest at the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

“A City too Busy to Hate” and Mayor Kasim Reed

Ever since the Civil Rights era the city of Atlanta has often dubbed itself the “city too busy to hate.” Now that the city is in the throes of this generation’s protest, Atlanta seems to be adopting that moniker once more. Check out this inspirational video from 11Alive created after NAACP led protests in the city. 

Donald Trump’s Confederate Flag

After the Charleston Church shooting last year Confederate Flags and iconography suffered tremendous backlash. Most notable of which was the removal of the Confederate Battle Flag (CBF) from the grounds of the South Carolina State House. Naturally, with every backlash comes the counter-backlash. One year later in the midst of a Presidential election, the flag and those that wield it have found a new ally…Donald Trump. 

The Declaration of Independence

Comical presentism. 

The Young Turks, The Blaze, and Race