Activism
Rewind: Judge Joe Brown Says James Earl Ray Didn’t Assassinate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr (Video)
April 4, 2017
It’s been almost 50 years to this date, April 4th, that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was assassinated in Memphis Tennessee. Judge Joe Brown was the last judge to preside over alleged shooter, James Earl Ray’s case. To this very day Judge Joe Brown still believes “he didn’t kill him.” Judge Joe Brown says he didn’t believe Ray was the gunman despite his guilty plea. Joe Brown denied that he was involved in Dr. King’s murder but plead guilty because he felt it was in his best interest under the circumstances given.
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Cover Story, Education, Human Interest, Interview, Investigation, Politics, Videos | 
Tags: Dr. Martin Luther King, Joe Brown, Jr (Video), Jr; MLK, Judge Joe Brown, Martin Luther King, Rewind: Judge Joe Brown Says James Earl Ray Didn't Assassinate Dr. Martin Luther King | 
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Men’s Rights & Gender Equality Explored In New Documentary called “The Red Pill” (Trailer)
April 3, 2017
When the societal scale of justice tips, we expect them to tip towards fairness; to balance the disadvantaged, right? But what happens when the scale tips too far? What’s worse, what happens when the ‘newly vicitimized’ are persecuted for coming forward…let alone for standing up for themselves? Why all this double-talk and roundabout conjecture speak? Because this post is about men speaking up about how they are being victimized by a culture that more and more favors women – at the expense of men.
When a feminist filmmaker sets out to document the mysterious and polarizing world of the Men’s Rights Movement, she begins to question her own beliefs. The Red Pill chronicles Cassie Jaye’s journey exploring an alternate perspective on gender equality, power and privilege.
Intriguing. And now Cassie Jaye no longer even calls herself a feminist. She must have found some deep sh!t. Hit the jump for an extended teaser trailer and expo on “The Red Pill.” And you can get deeper in depth with USA Today on the topic of ‘masculinity under fire’ by following the link below.
MORE: MEN PAY A STEEP PRICE WHEN IT COMES TO MASCULINITY (USA TODAY)
Posted in Activism, Film, Human Interest, Investigation, Trailer, Videos | Tags: Cassie Jaye, Feminist, Men's Rights Movement, Men’s Rights Activist, The Red Pill | No Comments »
Stafford Battle – “MLK Mix”
March 31, 2017
Who really killed Dr. Martin Luther King? Who did it?!
Smooth with the undeniable roughness. Call for justice from Stafford Battle in the form of a battle hymn. Powerful song singing to the hearts of those who seek righteousness; especially those who can stand the heat, stay in the kitchen, AND stir the pot. And look, Dr. Cynthia McKinney, the firebrand politician and activist is definitely on board!
Have you heard ‘MLK Mix’ by Stafford Battle on #SoundCloud? This song is an absolute "must-hear." Still need justice.https://t.co/uTY2RRTXC2
— Cynthia McKinney PhD (@cynthiamckinney) March 31, 2017
Lots of revelations and little discussed facts in here, too.
Posted in Activism, Hip-Hop, Poetry, Politics, Videos | Tags: Cynthia McKinney, Dr. Martin Luther King, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Martin Luther King, Martin Luther King Jr., MLK, MLK Jr., MLK Mix, Stafford Battle | No Comments »
Black Women’s Defense League (Video)
March 28, 2017
Something about that U.S. Army Oath Of Allegiance comes to mind: ‘support and defend… against all enemies foreign and domestic.’ The documentary above starts off getting right into the range of threats posed to the Black woman by a myria of factions, all the way down to Black men. In the tradition of the Black Panthers, and holding to their radical activist philosophical underpinnings in many ways, the Black Women’s Defense League (BWDL) is all about Black women fighting against the oppressor for each other.
VICE’s Wilbert L. Cooper meets the Black Women’s Defense League, a Dallas-based womanist organization notable for its pro-gun stance. As he follows them from their political education classes to their firearms training, he sees how they fight against White supremacy and patriarchal violence.
On ‘support and defend’… These sistas are definitely doing community education, empowerment and nutrition programs the Panthers intiated and implemented. But note the use of the word ‘many’ when it comes to what Pather traditions BWDL will support and defend… Founder Neicy X says that, unlike in the past, BWDL is NOT toeing the line for ‘the cause’ so far that it even compromises the liberty of women – like not standing against the abuse of their mates. No! ANY enemy, including an abusive husband/mate/relative, can catch a bad one!
Interesting viewpoints – about the right to self-defense, gun ownership (and the U.S.’s racist historical stance against Black ownership) and the inherent dangers, how some see women with guns as sexy (which BWDL does not mind, but stresses that the guns ‘are for USE’) and more – shared in this VICE short documentary.
Young ‘Yoga Warriors’ Fighting For A Better Future For Themselves (Video)
March 27, 2017
Providing focus and structure to our youth. Off the streets, out of trouble, onto a directed path of achievement; by getting onto the yoga mats. These kids are learning coping skills, and they are choosing ‘to live by choice, not by chance.’ Great stuff!
These teenagers in Baltimore are practicing yoga, meditation and martial arts to help them cope with emotions and control impulse actions. It’s part of Project Pneuma, which means ‘breath’ in ancient Greek, set up to support young black men in overcoming some of the barriers that might hold them back at school.
– Guardian US
– @ojones1
Posted in Activism, Human Interest, Videos, Youth | Tags: Baltimore, Breathing new life, Guardian, Guardian US, martial arts, meditation, Project Pneuma, Yoga, Yoga Warriors | No Comments »
DJ CAVEM Moetavation – “I’m a Sunwarrior” (Prod. By Sticman) [Video]
March 25, 2017
You remember us talking about Ietef Vita aka DJ CAVEM on here, right? Well, the O.G. (Organic Gardener) is back with some more real talk… and granted, a bit of product promotion, in a dope visual presentation. Beautiful! In many ways. Just press play. You’ll see.
Produced by DJ CAVEM and Sticman of Dead Prez.
Posted in Activism, Food, Health and Wellness, Hip-Hop, Music, Product, Progressive, Videos | Tags: Dead Prez, DJ CAVEM, DJ Cavem Moetavation, I'm a Sunwarrior, Ietef Vita, SticMan, Sunwarrior | No Comments »
Activist Tim Wise Gives “Anti-Racism” Lecture at University Of California (Video)
March 25, 2017
Nearly 90 minutes strong, this is video of the lecture given by Anti-Racist Tim Wise as part of UC Santa Barbara’s “Resilient Love In A Time Of Hate” series. Designed and delivered to ‘promote conversation and creative work that will forge a love-driven response to hate, hurt, and fear.’
Posted in Activism, Lecture, Videos | Tags: Advocacy, Anti-Racist, Anti-Racist Advocacy, Anti-Racist Advocate, Santa Barbara, Tim Wise, University of California | No Comments »
All Jokes Aside (Documentary)
March 25, 2017
Something about every time Tichina talks in this is moving. Just saying.
This “All Jokes Aside” video is a VH1.com documentary that celebrates black female comedians and takes a closer look at their varied representations and styles. After the jump, you can watch the Q&A panel moderated by Franchesca Ramsey. Featured in the documentary are Tichina Arnold, Michelle Buteau, Marie Faustine, Tiffany Haddish, Luenell, Yvonne Orji, April Reign, Amanda Seales, Sasha Stewart, Sydnee Washington, and Debra Wilson.
A Closer Look At The Story Of King Kong (Video)
March 21, 2017
Talk about knowing what you are getting into. The folks behind the latest King Kong movie declare they are doing their adaptation in a way different way than the way the story has been brought to screen historically… the way this docu-short makes clear. The math on the story of King Kong to date, King Kong’s Story = The Tragic History Of The Slave Trade.
Megaton mic drop.
Careful watching this one in [culturally] mixed company. True, the revelations in this expose clip won’t be so much so to Black people contentwise. Rather, we’re more surprised that someone actually ‘said it aloud for everyone to hear.’ But for any who end up screen-gazing in wide-mouthed astonishment – that someone could draw such distinct parallels between the Kong story and the history of the African slave trade – is it really THAT hard to make the connection?
Posted in Activism, History, Opinion, Videos | Tags: back story, backstory, King Kong, King Kong Movies, Kong: Skull Island, Slave Trade, Story Of King Kong | No Comments »
Cover Story: The Illegal Harvesting Of Black Men’s Organs
March 21, 2017
When I found out about that movie, “The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks,” coming out on HBO in April, I felt the urge to do some digging now. Surely, medical science is not doing us like they did in the Tuskegee Study; or perhaps burying our stories still (like they tried with Henrietta Lacks). Nope. They are just harvesting our organs now and…
…WAIT WHAT???
Dammit. Damn it to hell!
MORE: THE ILLEGAL HARVESTING OF BLACK MEN’S ORGANS (AFFINITY MAGAZINE)
– @ojones1
Children As Young As Four Work 12 Hours A Day To Make Your Smartphone Work (Video)
March 7, 2017
Damn. And while the States stay distracted by whatever the f*ck the President is up to or not, and whether we care if Nicki will clap back at Remy or not, THIS deplorable despicable sh!t is going on. Watch above and read on… and prepare to get MAD!
‘Slavery is alive and well’ is no metaphor, people. We’re talking about miners in The Congo who are worked near death daily in unsafe conditions for nowhere-near-livable pay. And many of the miners are MINORS, some as young as four f*cking years old! All this to dig up as much cobalt as the developed world can buy to make smartphone and electric car batteries.
Regulate the mines? Yeah, right. Read more about the tragedy and challenges of this situation by following the link below.
MORE: FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN MINE 12 HOURS A DAY (TRUE ACTIVIST)
Posted in Activism, Business, Cover Story, Investigation, Travel, Videos, Youth | Tags: child exploitation, child labor, cobalt, cobalt mining, Congo, exploitation, Inside the Congo mines that exploit children, mining, Sky News | 1 Comment »
Chance The Rapper Speaks On His Frustration Over Chicago Public School Funding (Video)
March 7, 2017
Chance The Rapper clip above; saying he was feeling a kind of way (not the good kind either) after his conversation with the Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner about funding from Chicago Public Schools. Chance is not the first in Hip-Hop to go hard for his hometown, for the kids & community; but the occasion is still too rare among folks with the bully pulpit and the bucks in our culture. And if you peep after the jump, you will see that Chance is putting his money on the table… even as the Governor and his ilk are taking money ($215 million) off it.
Salute to Chance The Rapper. He put up. Hope he doesn’t shut up until the state does right and puts some bread up, too!
– @ojones1
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Cover Story, Education, Hip-Hop, Human Interest, News, Politics, Videos | Tags: 1 million dollars, ABC News, Arts & Enrichment Programming, Arts And Enrichment Programming, Chance The Rapper, Chance The Rapper Donates $1M, Chance The Rapper Donates $1M to Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Public School, Chicago Public School Funding, CPS, education funding, one million dollars, Press Conference | No Comments »
We’re Seeing More And Bigger Black Movies, But Are African Americans Making Any Real Gains In Hollywood? (Video)
February 28, 2017
Hmmm… did anyone see the Steve Harvey-esque goof on the announcement for “Moonlight” winning The Oscar? This ‘New Hollywood Diversity Report’ segment on Roland Martin’s show might put that mistake in a different light. It’s kind of like there’s less hate for Black people in Hollywood… Now they just aren’t really paying us much mind. No shots, no hate, just saying.
The fourth annual Hollywood Diversity Report is out, and while there has been some improvement, Black people are still trailing behind their white counterparts in many ways.
– Roland Martin
New Hollywood Diversity Report Released: Are African Americans Making Any Gains In Tinseltown? https://t.co/fpu853w0ep #NewsOneNow
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) February 25, 2017
Posted in Activism, Business, Panel, Series, Television, Videos | Tags: Alexis McGill Johnson, Diversity, Hollywood Diversity Report, Perception Institute, Roland Martin, TV ONE, TVOne | No Comments »
Classically Beautiful: The Discussion (Docu-Series)
February 23, 2017
Visuals for this “Classically Beautiful” series begins with the NYC discussion and continues after the jump, taking the discussion to New Jersey. Each discussion clip relates multiple perspectives from women who are learning to fully embrace who they are and what they represent.
To the core, this piece is a representation of how we manifest our truths and convictions, how we identify ourselves in the face of adversity, and the power of dialogue. Dialogue so powerful that it can influence, encourage, and inspire us to exist with purpose, or fire. The way that you communicate and the things that are communicated to you will shape and build you for the rest of your life.
– Coal Brown Creative
Gotta love this. There are only so many ways that we can tell our beautiful and incredible sistas how beautiful and incredible they are. Watch as they share how they have learned to tell it, to boldly declare it, to themselves!
Posted in Activism, Human Interest, Series, Videos | Tags: Classically Beautiful, COAL CROWN CREATIVE, New Jersey, New York, NJ, NJ Discussion, NYC, NYC discussion | No Comments »
Civil Rights Activist And Icon Dr. Bernard LaFayette On ‘Love Ultra Radio’ (Live Interview Tonight)
February 21, 2017
I felt such a rush, and a potent mix, of emotions once Love Ultra Radio green-lit this interview event. This will be something of a fireside chat with Dr. Bernard LaFayette – a living legend, civil rights warrior, and Kingian scholar (who even today teaches the history and methods of activism and nonviolent protest made known in the States by those aligned with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.). And shout out and respect to the bredren Jah Prince and super-producer Iman Lexington for throwing open the doors and welcoming Dr. Lafayette warmly.
Oh… and that hey-I-know-that-name feeling you are getting… that is because I recently mentioned his name in the opinion piece I posted a few weeks back about the Talledega College marching band playing President Trump’s inauguration (link that here).
Want to know what is so awesome, inspiring, and awe-inspiring? I did not really get to know Dr. LaFayette as the man who boldly walked with MLK Jr. and Jesus Christ since his youth. Nah, I got to know him as my high school principal back in Tuskegee, Alabama. I got to know him as the guy that cheered us on our sideline win, lose or lose badly. And as husband to my late Grandma’s longtime friend and across-the-street neighbor, Mrs. Kate (Bulls) LaFayette, who with my Aunt Tammie (Cottrell), helped me get this all set up for tonight.
Yep, and I got to know Dr. LaFayette as the Reverend who eulogized my beloved Grandma (another Tuskegee Legend) and presided over her home-going a couple of years back. Yeah. Doc took time from the never-ending work of uplifting and educating the people of the world, of ensuring that more and more of us learn to love and respect each other, to even fight for each other… without raising fists or firearms to do so… That man, came to sit with the family; share some memories and food; and wipe away a few tears.
Long enough story made only a bit longer: I am honored to know the man honored with the 2016 Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Reconciliation and Peace; and to know that he is NEVER to busy to talk to us… like he will tonight. I hope you will tune in to Love Ultra Radio tonight at 10pm EST to get to know him better, too. See the flyer above for details on the interview. And check out the linked article below for more info on the Doc.
MORE: CIVIL RIGHTS ICON STILL HAS WORK TO DO (DR. BERNARD LAFAYETTE)
– @ojones1
Posted in Activism, EVENTS, History, Human Interest, Interview, Podcast | Tags: Bernard LaFayette, Bloody Sunday, Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Edmond Pettus Bridge, Kingian scholar, Mahatma Gandhi International Award, Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Reconciliation and Peace, Mahatma Gandhi International Award Honoree, Selma, Selma March, The March Across the Edmond Pettus Bridge | 1 Comment »
Smart Money: Millennials & Money (Video)
February 21, 2017
This is the year to level up the #BankBlack and #BuyBlack Movements. Nice work doing so here by OneUnited Bank, the African American Film Critics Association and BMe Community; bringing us their “Smart Money” financial literacy video series. Set to cover topics from saving money to building credit to creating jobs and supporting community development.
Financial literacy and stability, for ourselves and our community. Yes, we STILL can… together!
Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots Are Going To Meet President Trump At The White House… Well, Most Of Them Are (Video)
February 13, 2017
Nelly joins Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe to talk about the Patriots visiting President Donald Trump at the White House.
When you are right, you’re right. Nelly’s right. Period! Tom Brady, great QB, captain of the team and a leader on field; but every Pats teammate need not follow him to the White House. No need to take a damn vote either. Brady was a grown man who decided not to go see the President a while back; and Martellus Bennett and Devin McCourty are grown men who get to NOT go, too.
Shannon had some good commentary in there, too.
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Hip-Hop, Panel, Series, Sports, Television, Videos | Tags: Donald Trump, Fox Sports 1, FS1, Nelly, President Donald Trump, Shannon Sharpe, Skip Bayless, Super Bowl, Two Patriots will skip their White House visit after Super Bowl, UNDISPUTED, White House Visit | No Comments »
Celebrities, News Anchors And More Share When They Realized They Were Black (Video)
February 13, 2017
I remember growing up how ‘tough kids’ would always remark and bark about how they would have fought if ‘massuh’ hit them with a whip back in slavery times. Even then I knew that was nonsense, bravado, untestable braggadocio bullsh!t. A whip would make a 1500-pound bull jump; not much fight in anybody AFTER getting hit.
Fight BEFORE, or run away. Yeah, back back in the day, I knew I would have played it ‘smart’ like that. But watching this… this is within these folks’ lifetimes, some even younger than me… These stories are NOT whip lashes, but Whites lashing out against my people in the vilest ways. Inhumanely… like they were acting to deny or strip away their humanity. And soon after the clip above started to play, I felt like I would have responded the way Jason George did – blacked out with rage #BlackOutRage
In “The Souls of Black Folk,” W.E.B. Du Bois talks about the first time he realized his skin color made him different. We asked celebrities, CNN anchors and reporters, and others to tell us when they first realized that being Black affected how people treated them. Share your own story with #RealizedIWasBlack
But I must say, making it to the end made me think of when I realized I was Black. I then realized that I don’t have an awful story to share. You see, I’m from Tuskegee. I was raised there. I grew up steeped in Black History. Loved on, scolded, chastised, challenged (by well-meaning adults and bullies) that were Black. Hell, being light-skinned, I was the guy who got ‘janked’ (meaning ‘joned’ or ‘cracked on’ or whatever your word for verbal hazing is) for being damn near White.
However, I was taught my history; ALL of it, MYstory, not HIStory. And I was imbued with a certain forgive-if-you-can-but-NEVER-forget attitude that persists today. I am sure that is why I often toss a ‘Black History’ lecture into conversations… Which likely why I often proclaim, “I’m from ‘Skegee, and that makes me the Blackest man in the room.” My upbringing and attitude is what steels my nerve and puts a fire in my belly when I watch or hear or read anything about how Black folks are mistreated – by individuals or institutions. I am usually able to channel my #BlackOutrage (see what I did there? #BlackOutRage to #BlackOutrage hash flip) positively… to fight negativity nowadays. But I also KNOW that is because my ancestors took the lashes, took the lynchings, took the billy club beatings… picked the cotton, picked their battles, put up with losses, pushed through struggles, put in ballots, and punted White Power in its azz to get them out and make Tuskegee the Black Mecca of my youth (Google ‘Gomillion v. Lightfoot‘). So while I do not have a story to share like those in the clip above, I feel them. I really feel them as they are told.
That said, I do remember that White security guy that used to follow my brothers and me around the grocery store when we were kids like we might shoplift. But he was a weirdo.
Watch the clip above. Compelling! Follow the link to CNN for even more.
MORE: I REALIZED I WAS BLACK (CNN)
– @ojones1
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Videos | Tags: CNN, First Time I realized I Was Black, Race, race relations, Racism | No Comments »
James Baldwin: ‘I Am Not Your Negro’ (Official Trailer)
January 6, 2017
“In his new film, director Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished – a radical narration about race in America, using the writer’s original words. He draws upon James Baldwin’s notes on the lives and assassinations of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr. to explore and bring a fresh and radical perspective to the current racial narrative in America.”
“One of the best movies you are likely to see this year.”
– Manohla Dargis, The New York Times
In theaters February 3rd
IAMNOTYOURNEGROFILM.COM
Posted in Activism, Education, Film, History, Human Interest, Interview, Trailer, Videos | Tags: Documentary, I Am Not Your Negro, James Baldwin, Samuel L. Jackson, Trailer | No Comments »
Political Analyst Angela Rye On Trump, CNN, The Electoral College & Her Recent Ordeal With The TSA (Video)
January 6, 2017
“Angela Rye discusses her role as a political analyst on CNN, Donald Trump’s Cabinet, and her highly publicized encounter with sexual harassment with the TSA.”
