Activism
Deray McKesson Speaks On Bernie Sanders, ‘Black Lives Matter’ And More (Video)
Outspoken activist Deray McKesson stopped by The Breakfast Club to chat with the crew on a variety of relevant current topics… issues that Bernie Sanders’ campaign has brought to light, how the Black Lives Matter movement matters, how more celebs should use their platform like Beyonce did in her Super Bowl performance. Lots of good content. Great interview.
Cenk Uygur Speaks On How Muhammad Ali Should Truly Be Remembered (Video)
Muhammad Ali… He was a strong, proud Black man and he didn’t mind telling you…
– Cenk Uygur
Powerful! Cenk Uygur gives us 5 minutes of RAW commentary to set (or keep) perspectives straight on the legacy of Ali. Don’t let all the soft, lofty words now being spoken about The Greatest in this time of mourning make you think Ali was whitewashed or weak (or even worried about being ‘liked’) in any way at any time in his life.
Muhammad Ali has been described as transcending race, but that takes away from his powerful stance on being a Black man. Cenk Uygur, host of The Young Turks, delivers his Final Judgment on Muhammad Ali’s legacy.
It is important that for all the ways that Ali should be remembered – winning fighter, charismatic public figure, ambassador for peace and justice – we must NEVER forget that Ali was NOT living to win approval from the majority. As much a warrior out of the ring as in, he spoke harshly on injustices perpetuated by America and the White majority in the U.S. and abroad; refusing to be part of or tacitly endorse it in any way.
Good to keep that straight.
Radical Life of The First Lady of New York (Video)
Wowwwww! So THAT’S how Broadly is gonna start this episode on The First Lady of New York? Click play and you’ll see. Don’t misuse this 10 minutes of your day…watch this clip! Starts with shocking (for some) commentary, but gets into some frank and earnest discussion with Chirlane McCray over a variety of societal issues.
Broadly sits down with Chirlane McCray in Gracie Mansion to talk media scrutiny, sexual fluidity, breaking down the stigma around mental illness, and having radical politics in one of the nation’s oldest houses of political power.
When you hear ‘First Lady’ you think Michelle Obama, of course. But McCray has some real things to say. This clip may well make you add her to your short list.
(Sexual fluidity. Okay, gotta add that to the vocab.)
Ali: The Mission (Mini-Documentary)
Even before The Champ’s passing, you’ve probably heard about his nobility and heroism outside the ring. Given that, this 30-For-30 documentary short’s content may not shock you; but the story should warm your heart and make you miss him a little bit more.
Ambassador Ali. Fighting Parkinson’s all while winning over folks worldwide including Saddam Hussein; which was key. You’ll see why when you watch.
(Narrated by John Legend.)
R.I.P. Muhammad Ali
As much as we want it not to be true, reporting from CBS Sports, BBC and myriad news media confirms that the man known worldwide as The Greatest, Muhammad Ali, has passed. He was 74 years old.
Born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Ali stepped into the world’s spotlight by winning a gold medal as a light-heavyweight at the 1960 Rome Olympics. He would go on to defeat Sonny Liston in 1964 to claim his first world title and became the first boxer to capture a world heavyweight championship on three separate occasions. Retiring in 1981, Ali won 56 of his 61 fights as an active professional. However, his accolades do not stop there. Sports Illustrated recognized Ali as “Sportsman of the Century,” and the BBC named him “Sports Personality of the Century.”
Though later more understated as an elder statesman of sport, remembering Ali’s boldness and bigger-than-life presence over the years is what is likely driving the water from your tear ducts now. Even now you hear his braggadocio echo…
I float like a butterfly; sting like a bee.
I am The Greatest!
I shook up the WORLD!
I’m a bad man!
But he was also a champion for Civil Rights and Human Rights the world over. An outspoken member of the Nation Of Islam, a conscious objector to the war in Vietnam (convicted for his stance), a goodwill ambassador (notably meeting Fidel Castro when U.S. – Cuba relations were still very cold) and so much more. Too much more to do justice to his legacy in this Memoriam, but please, if you will, say one more time as he would, “The Champ is here!”
Then, in spirit, join with mourners around the world dealing with the reality that The Champ is with us no more. Hit the jump for some remembrances, quotes and video footage.
Rest Well, Champ.
– @ojones1
Eye Candy: Iskra Lawrence Making A Statement (Video)
Man oh man, what a woman! This Honey comes with snacks! Back to the thickness for yours truly. Iskra, I am truly yours! Everyone, feast your eyes on the Eye Candy who is bold with her bodacious bod; and she is no punk when it comes to punking haters either. Watch this montage on her shutting down evil fat shaming commenters AND making new fans at the same damn time. Instagram game is a perfect 10, too.
Pass me them chips, Iskra, with your FINE self!
The Breakfast Club Welcomes The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan (2016) [Video]
You should know that Minister Farrakhan does not do ‘short and sweet’ talks. Watch the Breakfast Club give the Minister all the time he needs (well over 90 minutes strong) to get this Knowledge to the people.
The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan discusses the Presidential election, improving urban communities, creating a new economic structure, educating our men and much more. The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan discusses why women should dress conservatively to not attract evil men, black men being feminized, thoughts on George Zimmerman plus much more.
Comedian Louis CK Puts White Privilege In Perspective (Video)
3 brilliant minutes from Louis CK on white privilege. Wrapping ugly truths is comedy is a gift.https://t.co/bND8oBTMN4
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) May 20, 2016
Preach!
This is dope. Okay, if you are not already, get into the comedy of Louis CK. He goes HARD with his brand of social commentary; not so serious that you will not get in a gut-busting chuckle, but you definitely get the point. And he does not just save it for the stage. Here he is giving it to Jay Leno and his audience a while back. White privilege is real; too real.
And anyone who says America’s history of slavery is way in the country’s rearview, f#ck you! See? Too strong, Gotta mix that sh!t in with some comedy, like Louis does. Watch.
(Shout out to Shaun King for the Twitter chatter that matters.)
Scholarly Rhymes: Black Thought Going Hard On Harvard Yard (Video)
Yo, this is more than a suntan. It’s living color!
– Black Thought
The Roots emcee doing the lyrical d-a-m-a-g-e! Welcome to the Harvard i-lab. This is The Other Side Speaker Series featuring Black Thought the Super Lyricist with more and more BARS… steel BARS… hitting ’em in dead their eggheads!!
Common x Malik Yusef x Kumasi x Aaron Fresh x Choklate x Laci Kay – “Trouble In The Water” (Video)
I know I’m supposed to help. That’s what I’m made for…
– Common
Shout to all the heads reading this who remember that Hip-Hop was a STRONG platform for social commentary; and to those who remember when performers used to posse up to magnify the message they spit. This “Trouble In The Water” song and visual is that at level 10! Press play and feel it. And if you do indeed feel it, consider signing this petition from The Hip-Hop Caucus (which produced the song and video) demanding that Rick Snyder (Governor of Michigan) create a compensation fund for Flint’s water crisis victims.
Politics: Bernie Sanders Rally In South Bronx With Rosario Dawson, Spike Lee And More (Video)
I’m very excited about the fact that I don’t have to vote against someone… that I get to vote for someone… who’s on our side… who marched with Martin Luther King… who can draw a crowd that makes me dizzy with happiness and love and excitement.
– Rosario Dawson
Feel that? It’s the Bern! Great lead-off to an hour-strong ‘Bernie Sanders For President’ rally in the South Bronx (New York) by the uber-sexy (yes) actor-activist Rosario Dawson. Spike Lee and other noteworthy folks were on hand. Thousands of fanatic supporters. And the Senator-Who-Would-Be-President, Bernie Sanders.
Coming for those electors, New York. Game on, Hillary. This is it! Press play #FeelTheBern
Phife – “Nutshell” (Video)
The family of Malik “Phife” Taylor have decided to see his wishes through; releasing music that he had been recording for his new album, “Give Thanks.”
Phife loved his fans, and was so excited for them to hear his new music. I feel like he would have wanted it this way.
– Deisha Taylor (Phife’s wife)
Deisha, along with Phife’s longtime friend and manager, Dion Liverpool, are leading with this J Dilla produced single, “Nutshell.â€
The family will be donating 50% of the proceeds from the sale of the song to two organizations that were close to Phife’s heart, the American Diabetes Association and the National Kidney Foundation.
Bodyguard Gladstone Alexander Speaks About Malcolm X’s Life, Activism and Assassination (Video)
Emerge Magazine’s assistant editor, Brother Jimmie Briggs, interviewed one of Malcolm X’s security men, Gladstone “Butch” Alexander on April 9, 1994. The two spoke on the last days of Malcolm X. Above: The full interview, covering the full depth and breadth of Malcolm’s story; building to that tragic day.
Stephen A. Smith Says “Racism Doesn’t Exist” For Today’s Youth… They Strongly Disagree! (Video)
ESPN commentator and show host Stephen A. Smith stressed that “racism doesn’t exist†anymore and that “White folks got problems, too,†during a Black History Month speech he delivered at The University of South Alabama. He probably spoke his true convictions, as always. That doesn’t mean he’s not wrong. In fact, watch some youth (Black and White) school ‘folks’ [that believe in Stephen’s point of view]. They have an entirely different truth to share – that racism still exists – with FACTS to back it up. Impressive!
REKS – “Hands Up†(Wink Wink) [Prod. By Streetrunner] (Video)
“Hands Up” (Wink Wink) was made as a wake up call to those tuned out to our realities and engaged by societal distractions. In essence, I believe when a class of citizens are oppressed for an extended period of time, there is a point where they have little choice but to awaken. In today’s America, not much has changed for the masses who were labeled 3/5 of a person in The Constitution. At the song’s root is the idea of being policed differently from our neighbors solely on the basis of our melanin. We are shot in the streets like dogs and described as radical when defending the idea of our freedom.
– REKS
Killer Mike Comments: Bernie Sanders Deals With Dissent While Hillary Clinton Condescends (Video)
Hmmm…some of you, now having seen and heard what Former Secretary Hilary Clinton respond to Ashley Williams’ “bring them to heel” protest, may be saying to themselves (and each other), “Somebody should SAY something.”
Well, Killer Mike is ON IT! After all, stumping for Bernie Sanders AND following up a jab at the Clinton campaign. Win-win, right?
Above: The ladies of The View welcome Killer Kill to clarify some of his hot-button campaign commentary. Oh, and while I am sure I do not have to urge YOU to vote, let the people around know… Whether during early balloting or Super Tuesday… VOTE DAMMIT!! VOTE!
– @ojones1
Neshoba: The Price of Freedom (Documentary Trailer)
“Neshoba: The Price of Freedom” tells the story of a Mississippi town still divided about the meaning of justice, 40 years after the murders of civil rights workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, an event dramatized in the Oscar-winning film, “Mississippi Burning.” Although Klansmen bragged about what they did in 1964, no one was held accountable until 2005, when the State indicted preacher Edgar Ray Killen, an 80-year-old notorious racist and mastermind of the murders. Through exclusive interviews with Killen, intimate interviews with the victims’ families, and candid interviews with Black and White Neshoba County citizens still struggling with their town’s violent past, the film explores whether the prosecution of one unrepentant Klansman constitutes justice and whether healing and reconciliation are possible without telling the unvarnished truth.
Ashley Williams Feels Hilary Clinton Owes Us An Apology. She Wrote A Sign About It. Wanna See It? (Video)
Ashley Williams. Pretty bold. Plus, the topic (the framing of young Black people as ‘super-predators’ as then President Bill Clinton, ultimately signed a ‘Three Strikes” crime bill that locked thousands of them up) deserves national attention that it was not getting until this fundraiser protest move.
Hillary Clinton was at a fundraiser in South Carolina when a Black Lives Matter protester interrupted her speech. She held up a banner that had a pretty devastating quote from the candidate.
Cenk Uygur does make a good strategy point in his critique: If only Ashley could have gotten an answer from Former Secretary Clinton #WhichHilary #BlackLivesMatter
So…why’d she do it? Cenk talked about it. Watch the video straight from Ashley after the jump.