Dallas South Blog Top 10 Posts of 2007
Since this seems to be the time for countdowns and lists, I thought I'd throw one in as well. Here is a look at my Top 10 posts from 2007.
10. Dear 7-11; could you please fix your sign in Oak Cliff June 17th
On May 2, a severe thunderstorm passed through Oak Cliff knocking down trees with 100 mph winds. A local 7/11 sign was left in the storm's wake, and 6 weeks later it still had not been fixed. Soon after this post was written, as new sign replaced the broken one.
9. Trenton Doyle Hancock’s work part of ‘Fast Forward’ exhibit at Dallas Museum of Art March 28
It's pretty special watching a childhood friend grow up and become a world famous artist. It's also special to have an outlet to share that friends gifts with those who may not be familiar with his work. Trenton provided a glimpse into the mind of a master in this post.
8. 10 Places to go in Dallas July 4
This post was a personal indulgence, forcing me to contemplate what I like about the city I live in. The list one part my favorites, one part suggestions for visitors. With that formula, Brooklyn came out on top.
7. 15 year-old shot and killed by DART police officer; departments 1st ever fatal shooting May 7
This is the sad story of a boy shot by DART police early one morning at a rail station. I questioned whether the officers could have possibly restrained the young man without the use of deadly force. My post inspired 56 comments at Pegasus News, many of whom were put off by the mere suggestion.
6. Don Imus calls Rutgers Women's Basketball Team "nappy headed hos" April 6
There isn't much to say about this one. Man calls women hos. Women are angered. Man is suspended. Women hold press conference. Man is fired. Man gets another job. Man hires black sidekicks. Man gets paid.
5. Day of Blogging for Justice – Jena Six deserve Justice August 30th
The AfroSpear collectively blogged about Jena on the same day and soon there after the media began to pick up on the story. Over 40 bloggers participated in the effort.
4. Informal Survey – Dallas Morning News portrays blacks as athletes, homeless, bank robbers, suspect November 30th
I thought this was a throw away post that I did last month. I put this "survey" together in less than an hour, but it became one of the most viewed posts I've ever written. I heard from Dallas City Hall, the Morning News, and many others who were shocked by the images portrayed on the pages of the paper.
3. Ten Opinions/Observations from September 20th rally in Jena, Louisiana September 23rd
This post recapped my experience traveling to Jena, Louisiana for the rally in support of the Jena 6. This was a historic day where black people from all over the country came together on one accord. This site was one of the few who posted on the story from the beginning and attended the rally.
2. Top Ten Misperceptions/Miscalculations relating to the Paris Texas story March 25
Really this represents all of the Paris, Texas stories that you can find links to in the right column of this page. Prior to this Dallas South was a "local blog." Everything about the website changed during this story, including my understanding that there is no such thing as "local" on the internet."
1. Howard Witt/Chicago Tribune expose racial unrest in Jena, Louisiana May 21
On May 21, my blogging colleagues and I posted a Chicago Tribune story written by Howard Witt regarding the plight of six young men in a place called Jena, Louisiana. How could any of us have known what this article, these posts would spur in terms of a "new civil rights movement." Nearly four months to the day, tens of thousands of Americans marched on the premise that every citizen deserves equal justice.
Dallas South was credited with helping to propel the story of the Jena Six into the mainstream media. All I did was post Mr. Witt's article, and subsequent stories that came out of Jena. But that was my part to play, and so it was.
What I've learned this year is that if we all do our part, there is no limit to what we can accomplish. I could never have imagined that God would use this site, and the many that I am affiliated with, to achieve so much this past year. Yobachi Boswell has an excellent recap at at BlackPerspective.net (see Black Blogging Year in Review) of accomplishments black bloggers helped facilitate.
Also the readers of these sites have played an important role as well. Spreading news word of mouth, signing petitions, donating money, and writing letters have all played a part in a successful year. There is much work to be done, but I pray that we can build on the momentum gained in 2007 and go even farther in 2008.
