Activism
Abraham Bolden, America’s First Black Secret Service Agent, Reveals How Intelligence Was Mishandled At The Time Of JFK’s Assassination (Video)
November 28, 2015
Plenty of folks have advanced conspiracy theories regarding President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. But how about one who KNEW the President personally, who had enough access to uncover proof to substantiate his theory? One who is willing to go on record with former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura… Yeah, guest Abraham Bolden is blowing the whistle and the lid off!
Abraham Bolden is the first Black man to serve on a U.S. President’s special detail as a secret service agent. He was appointed by John F. Kennedy himself. And yet, despite that landmark title, he was still sent to prison for what he believes was a set-up for blowing the whistle on the Secret Service’s misconduct prior to the assassination. For this special edition of Off The Grid, Bolden joins the Governor to reveal how the secret service mishandled intelligence at the time of JFK’s murder.
This is a MUST WATCH! The impact of the loss of President JFK was incalculable… but Governor Ventura is damn sure not afraid to try! See his ‘grade’ of JFK as part of an epic, but very reasoned, rant after the jump.
Posted in Activism, History, Interview, Politics, Series, Videos | 
Tags: Abraham Bolden, Assassination, Ex-Agent, Ex-Governor Jesse Ventura, Former Governor Jesse Ventura, Former Secret Service Agent, Governor Jesse Ventura, Jackie Robinson Of Secret Service Agents, Jesse The Body Ventura, Jesse Ventura, JFK, Mishandled Intelligence, Off The Grid, OffTheGrid, personally appointed by JFK, personally appointed by the President, Secret Service, Stay Vigilant, StayVigilant, The Body, whistle blower, whistleblower | 
No Comments »
Sports Legend Shots: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar With Harsh Commentary On Michael Jordan’s Lack Of Activism (Interview Audio)
November 27, 2015
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. NBA all-time leading scorer. Legendary center of the Los Angeles Lakers through the 1980s. But Kareem is also an actor (even co-starring with Bruce Lee), activist, and author. Since retiring from the game in 1989, he’s written several books, become a columnist for Time magazine, and continues to comment on issues of the day. He has since he was a college standout at UCLA. He has to…
“When something happens, it doesn’t matter if it’s convenient or not — if it’s time to speak up, you have to speak up. You can’t be afraid.”
– Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Good stuff. But what has the Interwebs abuzz… When he calls out arguably the greatest b-baller ever, Michael Jordan, for NOT speaking up. Hear the interview below.
NPR SPORTS: KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR SPEAKING ON MICHAEL JORDAN, LEBRON JAMES AND MORE
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Interview, Politics, Progressive, Series, Shots, Sports | Tags: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michel Martin, NPR, NPR Sports | No Comments »
Kevin Powell Speaks On His Relationship With Tupac Shakur, Shares ‘Rikers Island Interview’ Audio From 1995 And More (Video)
November 27, 2015
Very few people know the turmoil that erupted between 2Pac and the Notorious B.I.G. better than Kevin Powell. A political activist, author, and journalist who first became known as a cast member on the original season of MTV’s The Real World, Powell made perhaps his biggest impact as a senior writer for VIBE magazine in the mid-’90s. It was there that he had the opportunity to chronicle the life and career of Tupac Shakur. He penned three highly acclaimed cover stories about the enigmatic superstar. including one based around an interview conducted when Pac was locked up on Rikers Island.
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Hip-Hop, History, Interview, Series, Videos | Tags: 2pac, Complex, Complex News, Kevin Powell, Notorious B.I.G., Rikers Island, Rikers Island 1995, Rikers Island Interview, Tupac Shakur | No Comments »
Politics: Killer Mike Endorses Bernie Sanders For President (Video)
November 24, 2015
If you lean to the left (e.g. are likely to vote Democrat in the coming 2016 U.S. election), you should be gathering information and forming impressions NOW. Because before you know it, you will have a decision to make. Every person who has ever run for office has understood that, in order to win, she or he must be supported and admired (and hated) by the right people. So, if you’re thinking Hilary Clinton’s the one, I hope you are learning who is for and against her. Alternatively, if you are taking a hard look at Bernie Sanders – “feeling the Bern” as it were – then you should take a look at the clip above. We KNOW you love Hip-Hop and the Culture if you come to this site often. But maybe “Politics As Usual” has soured you on voting (or even caring). I hope you read my VOTE DAMMIT! posts on here (whether you lean left or right). But maybe they don’t fire you up. But this vid… this vid right here… Just play it. Watch Killer Kill From Adamsville, and it will GIVE YOU BACK YOUR FIRE and make you care about the fight again. In a most powerful way, his speech above makes it clear: Killer Mike Endorses Bernie Sanders, the next President of the United States!
Now sure, you will make your own decision in that ballot box, but a candidate is known and judged by the company she or he keeps; and the enemies she or he makes. Do your research. Who is in who’s corner? What fights is your candidate picking? I’m not sure I completely #FeelTheBern yet, but the temperature is rising.
Oh, and just in case you are thinking this is just more ‘politicking’ peep after the jump. The whole event, including what Bernie Sanders has to say (and eat).
– @ojones1
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Hip-Hop, Opinion, Politics, Progressive, Speech, Videos | Tags: #FeelTheBern, Bernie Sanders, Campaign 2016, El-P, Endorsement, Feel The Bern, Killer Mike, Michael Render, President, Run The Jewels | 1 Comment »
Yasiin Bey – “No Colonial Fiction”
November 20, 2015
Shout out to the family of Tamir Rice… Young blood is flowing… but school’s closing.
– Yasiin Bey
Bey speaking truth and love with guts. Sending blessings to the family, but keeping the light on the murder of 12-year old Tamir Rice by police in Cleveland (Ohio, USA) last year. Let the pain move you to DO SOMETHING like the song says. Check out Yasiin’s interview and strong commentary on Tamir, misplaced Muslim hate and more after the jump.
Posted in Activism, Hip-Hop, Interview, Music, Progressive | Tags: A Country Called Earth, Abuse of authority, abuse of power, ACCE, Conflict, Government, Hate, Immigration, isis, islamophobia, NO Colonial Fiction, Police brutality, policy, Refugees, Syria, TAMIR RICE, Universal Declaration Of Human Rights, Yasiin Bey | No Comments »
Activism: Producer/Director Quentin Tarantino Speaks Out On Police Brutality (Video)
November 11, 2015
Ultimately, what I feel is it’s a problem with White Supremacy in this country.
– Quentin Tarantino
Whoa. Lean in, folks. Get this frank commentary on police brutality from a member of Hollywood’s elite. Someone who could expect live his entire life without actually experiencing it, but compelled to speak on it, check out what Quentin Tarantino has to say about civic authorities abuse of power and its roots. His comments so far overall have been fiery enough to get police & organizations across the country to call for a boycott of “Hateful Eight” (the forthcoming latest Tarantino movie).
Um, yeah. Good luck with that, officers…
Larry Wilmore Gets Activist Deray McKesson To Speak On #AllLivesMatter And More (Video)
November 2, 2015
We’ve seen it play out in the media; and probably in our everyday lives. Someone says #BlackLivesMatter and you get #AllLivesMatter in response… likely from someone that doesn’t get that the former exists as a slogan because, currently, not everyone holds the latter to be true. The Nightly Show panel digs into this discussion, using Presidential Candidate Jeb Bush’s dismissive ‘they want free stuff’ quip as a jumpstart for it. See that above.
After the jump: The show guest, #BlackLivesMatter activist Deray McKesson, laid out how that #AllLivesMatter doesn’t matter much. McKesson has clapped back at Bush and other outspoken Conservatives via social media and in-person appearances; letting them and people know about institutional racism’s true effects on our country and oppressed people in it today.
Paris Speaks On His History With Sway, Hip-Hop Then & Now And More (Video)
October 30, 2015
Make way for a Hip-Hop PANTHER… P-Dog… Paris… arguably one of the most revered & feared (depending on what side of his commentary you fall). Above, a dude he has been down with since way back, Sway, is giving Paris the platform to speak his truth. And he will. Sway and Paris talk about the music and grind back in the day, views on government (USA), on the evolution of Hip-Hop and more.
Did you know Paris holds multiple college degrees? Did you know he did a bid in the ‘corporate’ world for a while? Did you know Paris’ “Pistol Politics” album is out now? At least one of those answers should be ‘yes’ off jump (link to album in earlier post below). Raise your score to 3 out of 3, and learn lots of bonus stuff, by watching the insight-filled interview above.
Hip-Hop… played a large part in raising my awareness… Contrary to what’s going on right now, the exception to the rule was foolishness, back in the day. And now the exception to the rule is anybody talking some sense.
– Paris
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Hip-Hop, Interview, Radio, Series, Videos | Tags: Paris, Pistol Politics, Sway, Sway Calloway, Sway In The Morning | No Comments »
Paris Speaks On His New “Pistol Politics” Album, Police Brutality And #BlackLivesMatter (Video)
October 29, 2015
I’m not really a proponent of “Hands Up, Don’t shoot.”
I’m on the “You Shoot, We Shoot” page.
– Paris
The Black Panther of Hip-Hop. Whew, 25 years, and he is still talking armed revolution. Though his rhetoric is toned down just a touch, it is still that of a man on fire. He talks up the line up of guest appearances on his album (like Dead Prez, Chuck D and Kam) that spit righteous revolutionary fire on “Pistol Politics,” too. Apropos for these times of inadequate education, rampant poverty, police brutality and more afflictions affecting our community #BlackLivesMatter
Click Here For Paris’ commentary continues [with views on gun violence] after the jump below….
PREVIOUS: PARIS – NIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES (OFF THE PISTOL POLITICS ALBUM)
Race (Trailer)
October 16, 2015
Looks good. The Jesse Owens story should be told with reverence, passion and a duty to the entire truth. A talented brother who wanted, worked and deserved to be the best. He was, and when he went to the Olympics; the world would soon know, too.
Track and field star Jesse Owens overcomes adversity to win four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games.
But Jesse and his people deserved, even before all that, to be FREE. And yes, he let the world know that, too. Check out the trailer. Should be something special hitting theater screens February 2016.
Posted in Activism, Film, History, Politics, Sports, Trailer, Videos | Tags: Berlin, Berlin Olympics, Jason Sudeikis, Jesse Owens, Olympic Games, Olympics, Race, Stephan James | No Comments »
Muslim Counter-Protest Strategy: Kindness Conquers Hate And Fear (Video)
October 16, 2015
So, another dope clip from AJ+ shows up in my Facebook feed: This time about a one-woman Anti-Muslim protest outside a mosque in Ohio. Police were on hand, and it could have gone badly but… well, I won’t spoil the clip. However, what I will do is embed The Young Turks commentary on the clip above. Sure, they have a boldly liberal slant on almost all things; but I always admire the way they come with a combination level-headed delivery and passion in their interpretation. Same here. The original clip, which I’m betting you will love, appears after the jump. But TYT head honcho Cenk and analyst Ana above… They will make you think. Good stuff!
One of the anti-Muslim rallies that happened in the country didn’t have the best turnout. A protest in Ohio only attracted one demonstrator. She was greeted by Muslim protestors who wanted to educate her on their religion. Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian (The Point) hosts of The Young Turks discuss.
Posted in Activism, Human Interest, Videos | Tags: AJ+, Ana Kasparian, anti-muslim, Anti-Muslim Rally, Anti-Muslim Rally Ends In The Best Way Possible, Cenk Uygur, counter-protestor, hugs over hate, Love From Muslim Community, mosque, Muslim, Muslim Community, Protester, Protester Gets Lots of Love From Muslim Community, protestor, Rally, The Young Turks, TYT | No Comments »
Mobile Showers Show Compassion For The Homeless And Common Sense (Video)
October 14, 2015
I ran across a great AJ+ mini-documentary shared in my Facebook stream and went hunting for embed code on YouTube to post here. Found it… after running across this The Young Turks commentary on it. See TYTs Ana Kasparian and Ben Mankiewicz talking about how Bathrooms On Wheels this applied common sense can help meet a need AND restore human dignity; and calling San Francisco’s (California, USA) government and people on their bullsh!t along the way.
See the full AJ+ video after the jump.
– @ojones1
David Banner Talks About Taking Hip-Hop To The Next Level, Making “My Uzi” And More (Video)
September 26, 2015
If we don’t do something… Hip-Hop is not gonna be ours anymore… It is up to us… We gotta push Hip-Hop to another level… The White boys are getting more and more lyrical, and we’re basically mumbling.
– David Banner
Man that Banner: Always an interesting interview. He talks about Hip-Hop, its slipping from the grasp of Black people as originators (as did Rock and as R&B is about to), about “My Uzi” (featuring Big K.R.I.T.), about the almost-done album “The God Box,” and more.
POWERFUL interview. Please watch attentively. Share enthusiastically. Enjoy and be enriched!
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Hip-Hop, Interview, Videos | Tags: Big K.R.I.T., Big Krit, David Banner, Lyrical vs. Mumbling, My Uzi, Whites Are Getting More Lyrical | No Comments »
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of The Revolution (Trailer)
September 11, 2015
New film by acclaimed documentarian Stanley Nelson about the rise and fall of The Black Panther Party. Learn more about the movement at The Black Panthers website. In theaters soon. Watch the PBS trailer for “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of The Revolution” above.
U.S. President Barack Obama Tries Some Alaskan Salmon With Bear Grylls… And Talks Climate Change (Video)
September 11, 2015
And now a word from our President: Come to combat climate change. Stay for the wild salmon… with Bear Grylls. Hilarious AND awesome at the same damn time! Watch President Barack Obama grub with Grylls in the great Alaskan wilderness. Be sure to check after the jump for more on the real reason the President was in America’s northernmost state.
.@POTUS tries salmon half-eaten by a bear in Alaska with @BearGrylls. Can you bear to watch? http://t.co/eAVC9RjeMV https://t.co/w62B28gn98
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 8, 2015
(Wow. Hope that bear didn’t come back for that fish though. Or any other wild beast for that matter. Too far up for “Sasquatch”… maybe a Yeti or something.)
MORE: PRESIDENT OBAMA’S TRIP TO ALASKA
– @ojones1
Posted in Activism, Human Interest, Lifestyle, Nature, Politics, Progressive, Science, Series, Television, Trailer, Videos | Tags: Alaska, Barack Obama, Bear Grylls, Climate Change, Environment, environmentalism, POTUS, President Barack Obama, Sasquatch, WAKE UP CALL | No Comments »
Talib Kweli And Bill Maher Discuss #BlackLivesMatter Protesters Interrupting Bernie Sanders’ Presidential Campaign Speech (Video)
September 9, 2015
Bill Maher: Why Bernie Sanders? …If you’re gonna interrupt somebody… This guy had a hundred percent approval rating from the NAACP.
Talib Kweli: NAACP liked Donald Sterling, too.
And folks, that’s how we dig into a real conversation! Watch the video clip above and gain some perspective.
A while back, #BlackLivesMatter shut down a speech appearance by 2016 Presidential hopeful and leading American Progressive Bernie Sanders. Many disagreed with the women who took the mic. But EVERYONE paid attention, talked about it, talked about #BlackLivesMatter from many angles. Whether you ultimately agree or disagree with the tactic, Kweli does make a couple of solid points. The first, the duty of activist-protesters is to disrupt and gain the platform (which #BlackLivesMatter did LITERALLY). The second, NO candidate should take the Black vote for granted in 2016.
Very interesting. Do you agree with Kweli? Discuss…
PREVIOUS: TALIB KWELI – F#CK THE MONEY FEAT. CASSPER NYOVEST (VIDEO)
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Hip-Hop, Interview, Opinion, Politics, Progressive, Series, Television, Videos | Tags: Bernie Sanders, Bill Maher, Black Lives Matter, BlackLivesMatter, HBO, Presidential Campaign, Protest, Real Time With Bill Maher, TALIB KWELI | No Comments »
From Gangs To Gardens (Documentary)
September 8, 2015
We do this in Hip-Hop! For the community’s health, no beef with peeps and no beef going into your peoples – that’d sum up where Ietef Vita aka DJ CAVEM stands on things. Refreshing points of view like this and more put forth in the “From Gangs To Gardens” documentary on the ex-gang member (co-produced by M1 of Dead Prez) – trailer above, full film linked below – and in Vita’s “Wheat Grass” music video presented after the jump.
Better living, that’s the real bling according to the B-Boy, O.G. (Organic Gardener), vegan emcee and youth advocate Vita. Respect.
Classic Clips 1996: Snoop Dogg x Tupac Shakur Mobilize The Community To Vote (Video)
September 4, 2015
Remember when Hip-Hop HAD to say something?? Even the most gangsta, clowning around, sex-driven, smoke-you-down, or whatever rap act had to have a stance on, or answers to, the political questions of the day back in The Golden Era. Well, check out some visual ’90s gold: Death Row Records labelmates Snoop, Tupac, Hammer (yup)… even CEO Suge Knight at a political rally doing right by the community. Great clip!
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Hip-Hop, Politics, Throwback, Videos | Tags: Classic Clips, college age voters, Community, Death Row, Death Row Records, get out the vote, Marion Knight, Marion Suge Knight, right to vote, Rock The Vote, Snoop, Snoop Dogg, Suge Knight, Tha Row, Tupac, Tupac Shakur, Vote | 1 Comment »
Dr. Umar Johnson Gets Detailed on ‘The Breakfast Club’ About Issues Affecting the Black Community (Video)
September 1, 2015
Although I don’t speak with Dr. Umar Johnson on a regular basis I still consider him a friend. I went to school with Umar Johnson before he became “Dr. Umar” & it wasn’t uncommon for us to have many conversations years ago about what’s going on within the black community. Not only are we both from North Philly, but we have both served as the President of our school’s Black Student Union at different times. We’ve organized & traveled to the historic Million Man March in D.C. with a large group of brothers as well has having mentored young students through an organization called ‘Positive Images’ back in Pennsylvania for a few years. He was always an avid debater on a variety of issues & always held true to his convictions. Rarely have I’ve seen him back down from a heated debate even if it centered on something as simple as hip hop music or sports during lunch in the cafeteria. One thing that I can co-sign is that Umar has always been consistent in who he was & in his beliefs.
So of course it’s difficult for me to believe any of his recent detractors who try to say he’s anything less than authentic. Dr. Umar Johnson didn’t just pop up overnight because he’s been doing this for as long than I’ve known him. I’m excited yet not surprised to see him finally breaking through with his greater message to better the situation for African-Americans & others around the world through a Pan-Africanist viewpoint. Although he continues to travel around the globe delivering his message & through a variety of grassroots lectures that most people have posted on youtube, I feel proud & happy to finally see him start to reach the audiences who best need to hear his message. It was always his life work to do what he’s doing at this very moment. Check the interview with Dr. Umar Johnson with “The Breakfast Club” at Power 105 in New York above & get some food for thought.
Posted in Activism, Cover Story, Hip-Hop, Human Interest, News, Opinion, Radio, Videos | Tags: Breakfast Club, Dr. Umar Johnson, education, Power 105, The Breakfast Club | No Comments »
Throwback: Dave Chappelle In This 1990 ‘Spread The Word – High School HIV/AIDS’ Public Service Announcement (Video)
August 26, 2015
Okay, stop giggling. Dave really meant this. Trying to get down with a serious work on a serious topic. Thinking about where he was in his career when this came out, let’s say he succeeded on several fronts. Eventually finding his comedic lane to ride gave him a bigger voice for a much larger audience; but this shows that the actor/comedian already had a mind to say something of substance before he really got on. Watch.
Okay “Control Your Jimmy” is funny… but don’t bag on the man’s skills. You see he is not rapping today.
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Health and Wellness, Hip-Hop, Throwback, Videos | Tags: AIDS, Dave Chappelle, HIV, HIV/AIDS, PSA, PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT, Spread The Word | 1 Comment »
