An email has recently been circulating decrying a Stanford University poll showing how many Americans have negative feelings toward blacks. The poll was most disheartening in that it showed some pretty low scores for Democratic voters and suggested that many will not vote for Obama simply because of his race. To that I have to ask: People actually get paid for this?

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In part one of this post I asked the question: Are there African Americans who are carrying on the tradition of banjo playing? And answered: Not that I’m familiar with. Of course the fact that I’m unfamiliar with something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. So feel free to hip me to any contemporary or traditional banjo playing that’s going on in the black community. In the meantime I am hip to Béla Fleck and his band The Flecktones. You can’t find a more eclectic and talented ensemble anywhere on Earth. In this article I’ll be reviewing the Flecktones album The Hidden Land.

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