Activism
Police Brutality: Alex Landau’s Near Fatal Traffic Stop (Video)
August 26, 2015
Man, this ain’t the only work that StoryCorps is doing; but wow, capturing stories like these is so important! I can remember my late Grandma living across the street from a dear friend who had vivid memories of the earliest of Jim Crow times… but she NEVER spoke about it. When asked, she would quickly offer a monotone “we don’t talk about those times” response bereft of any emotional content. The truths and experiences that neighbor could have shared; but she didn’t want to. Respect shout to StoryCorps for giving a platform to those who want to share… in this case who NEED to share… even when the story is soooo AWFUL.
Alex Landau, an African American man, was raised by his adoptive White parents to believe that skin color didn’t matter. But when Alex was pulled over by Denver police officers one night in 2009, he lost his belief in a color-blind world — and nearly lost his life. Alex tells his mother, Patsy Hathaway, what happened that night and how it affects him to this day.
– @ojones1
Big Piph x Tomorrow Maybe – “Untouchable in Deez African Streetz” (Video)
August 14, 2015
Two folks I feel honored to know – JayForce (really cool dude who is a real Force in ATL Hip-Hop and purveyor of The Culture worldwide) and the homie Big Piph (who JayForce has greenlit me to post on before). Piph is also a positive force in Hip-Hop worldwide; even teaching about the art/culture on a United Nations trip a while back. That’s right, and that ain’t all. Check out the ‘Experiences’ section of his www.BigPiph.com site for his globetrotting edutainment and real life adventures.
To me… What is really so dope though… To this day my brother answers when I call, does what he can (for whoever he can), and is a straight up and down good person… who just happens to be one fly azz emcee! I have borne witness to that since back when he appeared on a talk show I produced years ago.
As Biz rapped, “Damn it feels good to see people up on it!” See Big Piph back on it in the Motherland. Got a montage-style video above for him and his band Tomorrow Maybe doing “Untouchable” live.
– @ojones1
Posted in Activism, Hip-Hop, Human Interest, Travel, Videos | 
Tags: Big Piph, BPTM, Epiphany, Tomorrow Maybe, Untouchable, Untouchable in Deez African Streetz | 
1 Comment »
Bryant Gumbel Speaks On His Son Being Victimized By ‘Blue on Black’ Crime (Video)
August 12, 2015
For as far back as I can remember, I have stood on the ‘Blackness’ of Bryant Gumbel. Time was, back in the day (on NBC), folks thought he was a sellout or out of touch with his community (calling him way worse). His harder-hitting stances and tenure on HBO Real Sports have given him the Bryant-don’t-play-that edge that has backed haters off a bit over the years; but still, some folks were still playing him like he wasn’t Black enough.
Any haters out there left, eat it! Sh!t or d!ck, you choose. Mr. Gumbel is one of us who can articulate the struggle ALL people of color face in this life…from a personal point of view. Watch him speak on it; relating events that included cops victimizing his son.
Sportscaster and TV host Bryant Gumbel reveals his personal feelings on the recent surge of “Blue on Black” incidents involving police violence against minorities in this interview that airs on PBS on Aug. 6, 2015. For more visit www.charlierose.com.
#BlackLivesMatter
#TheyReallyShould
#EspeciallyToUsBlackFolks
#BlueOnBlackCrime
– @ojones1
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Interview, Politics, Series, Television, Trailer, Videos | Tags: Abuse of authority, abuse of power, Blue on Black crime, Bryant Gumbel, Charlie Rose, PBS, Police brutality, walking while Black | No Comments »
‘Legal Equalizer’ App To Help You Know Your Rights And Protect You In Encounters With Police (Video)
August 3, 2015
“This app is something that we truly believe in…that’s going to make things more equal for everybody. That’s the point of this app. We want people to know their rights. We want people to have their friends and family contacted…when they have any kind of interaction with law enforcement officers.”
– Mbye Njie
This is the type of thing apps should be doing. Music, movies and games are fine; but how about securing your liberty. Think about it: Your rights are your RIGHTS, but only if you remember to invoke them! And will you remember your rights when local law enforcement is tapping on your window during a ‘routine’ traffic stop? The police are trained to get information from suspects they might otherwise withhold; but you should NOT be treated like a suspect if you are not. Cops would certainly not mind a little leeway in dealing with a ‘tough arrest.’ Perhaps knowing their curbside investigation is being recorded – and that your friends, family and/or lawyer has been notified – is better for EVERYBODY… the peace officers AND the people they’re sworn to PROTECT and serve.
And what if you are detained or taken into custody? With this Legal Equalizer app, you can be reminded of what the authorities can and cannot do or ask. It would probably comfort you a bit to also know that you won’t spend time in a squad car station without your folks knowing AND knowing where you are (yes, the app will send the location to whomever you designate as well).
Bravo, Mr. Njie for taking huge steps to bring technology to this fight for our lives! Want to help? Watch the above update video, and check out the GoFundMe page for the Legal Equalizer.
MORE: LEGAL EQUALIZER
Posted in Activism, Mobile App, Product, Technology, Videos | Tags: Abuse of authority, abuse of power, App, know your rights, Legal Equalizer, Mbye Njie, Police brutality, protect and serve, protect yourself, Smartphone | No Comments »
Sandra Bland: How Did An Improper Turn Signal Lead to Her Death? (Video)
July 24, 2015
Recently the country has had their eyes on Texas yet again for another encounter of cops and the treatment of Black Women. Â A couple months back there was the incident of cops in McKinney TX violently attacking young black children and a young sista was slammed to the ground and sat on by a Race Soldier I mean officer of the law. Â Now in Waller County, TX the sad story of Sandra Bland who was found dead in her jail cell after she was arrested for a turn signal violation. Â The local cops have claimed it is suicide but the Bland family disagrees and thinks their is foul play. Â A lot of people across the country thought the same especially since Sandra Bland was an outgoing 28 year old who just landed her dream job at her alma mater Prairie View A&M University. Â That doesn’t strike me as someone who wants to kill themselves over a traffic stop. Â Dr Boyce Watkins uses his platform to speak on this topic and invites Yvette Carnell founder of ( BreakingBrown.com ) & Benjamin Dixon ( TheBenjaminDixonShow.com ) to join him and go deeper into this incident and what it represents. Â The sad reality is this traffic stop led to this woman’s death and the officer who is paid to protect and serve did his part to ignite confrontation. Â This is great discussion by free thinkers not controlled by corporate media. Â Video of the officer pulling Sandra Bland over after the jump.
-ArtByOdell Twitter/SoundCloud
Posted in Activism, Cover Story, Human Interest, News, Panel, Politics, Videos | Tags: Benjamin Dixon, Breaking Brown, Dr Boyce Watkins, Police Misconduct, Sandra Bland, Your Black World, Yvette Carnell | No Comments »
Nelson Mandela’s Old Johannesburg Hideout Gives South African Artists & Entrepreneurs A New Home (Video)
July 18, 2015
Nice! Shout to The Daily Beast for bringing this Johannesburg gem to light. A center for entrepreneurship and culture that was once at the heart of the anti-apartheid movement. In South Africa, if you want to realize a dream, this is the place – apparently to work it or witness the work come to fruition. Great look at the people and art of Johannesburg in this clip.
Posted in Activism, Art, Business, Travel, Videos | Tags: anti-apartheid, apartheid, back packer, backpacker, culture, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, Graffiti, Johannesburg, mural, post-apartheid, South Africa, The Dose of Cool That Saved Johannesburg, tourism | No Comments »
‘White Squad’ Helps People Of Color Enjoy White Privilege (Video)
July 18, 2015
Mm hmmmm! This is going to enlighten some, sting others, and make most of us laugh. Good! Saw MTV coming with something truly bold and provocative (no, not a ’16 & Pregnant’ spin-off) – a biting satire called “White Squad.” Part of the network’s Look Different campaign against prejudice, it features a ‘consultancy’ that offers advice and provides stand-ins to help clients of color get fair treatment in situations where being lighter (read: White) is an advantage.
As the “White Squad” site says, “White privilege is real. White Squad is fiction.” So, in a way that respects our intelligence (and sometimes may have us forgetting that it’s just TV), “White Squad” brings up and faces down uncomfortable societal issues. While being tongue-in-cheek funny, it makes us ALL think about how people of color are treated. Now, if MTV’s broaching topics they should ‘leave alone’… that is, if “White Squad” content threatens to make folks uncomfortable… then those folks should should watch. “White Squad” and the Look Different campaign was meant to reach them; not just so-called ‘offenders’ but those who have accepted being ‘offended’ as part of being part of society, too.
Fair is fair for everyone; not just the fairer-skinned. That’s what this site says. Watching you MTV. VERY interesting…
Posted in Activism, Comedy, Television, Videos | Tags: Look Different, MTV, White privilege, White Squad | No Comments »
Tariq Nasheed’s ‘Code Of Conduct Tour’: Atlanta Q&A Session (Video)
July 17, 2015
National bestselling author and producer of critically acclaimed documentary series “Hidden Colors”, Tariq Nasheed spoke in Atlanta recently at the Alliance Theater. Â Tariq is currently on his “Code of Conduct Tour” where he started off in Philadelphia making a stop in Atlanta and finishing in Detroit July 18th. Â I was in attendance for the lecture and it was information filled as Tariq gave the packed theater a set of codes that the African American community can put to use to empower the community. Â This clip is from the Q&A he had after his speech and be on the lookout the full lecture that will be available for purchase soon Click Here to follow Tariq Nasheed for updates.
-ArtByOdell Twitter/SoundCloud
PREVIOUS: TARIQ NASHEED – HIDDEN COLORS 4 (VIDEO)
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Activism, EVENTS, Human Interest, Lecture, Politics, Progressive, Videos | Tags: Atlanta, Code of Conduct, Lecture, Melanoid Nation, Tariq Nasheed | No Comments »
Big Sean Proving That One Man Can Change Detroit (Video)
June 24, 2015
I think kids in general have raw talent… It’s before the world gets to them… All they have is their imagination and their beliefs…
– Big Sean
Awesome stuff! Big Sean giving back to the community and tapping an undervalued renewable resource: the energy youth can devote to pursuing dreams (like he did). Feel the power in this clip!
What does Infinite Possibilities look like? For Big Sean it’s going back to Detroit where he first imagined a life in music. Big Sean returns to his high school, Cass Tech, to build a recording studio and inspire the imaginations of a new creative class. The Infinite Possibilities of ZX Flux #IMAGINEDBY Big Sean and adidas Originals.
Akon Talks To Al Jazeera About His Art, Philanthropy And Impact On The World (Video)
June 22, 2015
Senegalese-American recording artist Akon comes onto Talk To Al Jazeera about U.S. race relations, “rebranding” Africa, and his music. Some poignant moments with punch in this interview, but it all comes from the right place. Perspectives from an African living in the U.S., who has drawn a conclusion that native born Americans of African descent have reached time and time again: “America was never built for Black people.”
Watch.
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Interview, Series, Television, Videos | Tags: Akon, Al Jazeera, Al Jazeera Network, America was never built for black people, Talk to Al Jazeera | No Comments »
The Red Cross Raised $500 Million Dollars For Haiti Earthquake Relief But Only Built 6 Homes (Video)
June 9, 2015
We are all aware of the tragedy of the 2010 Earthquake that hit Haiti and ravaged the country.  The relief funds started to pop up everywhere  and one of the main organizations waiving the flag was the Red Cross.  The organization raised around $500 Million dollars to help rebuild Haiti.  A recent NPR report though has shown that the Red Cross has only built 6 new permanent homes with all of that money.  So this has people asking where did the money go?  Yvette Carnell of BreakingBrown.com along with Ben Dixon speak about what happened and the controversy surrounding this.  Here is a link to the full NPR Report that details more on this headline.
Posted in Activism, News, Opinion, Politics | Tags: After The Haiti Earthquake 2010, Ben Dixon, Breaking Brown, Haiti, Red Cross, Yvette Carnell | 1 Comment »
Minister Louis Farrakhan Speaks On His Life, The Nation, The Way Forward And More (Video)
June 8, 2015
I don’t do [many interviews]… When I did interviews… they sent their best at me… When they could not defeat our arguments, they decided to ban me from television; and they banned me from going to Black colleges, and even White colleges, to deliver a message. So… many people thought I had died.
– Minister Louis Farrakhan
Respect, respect, RESPECT! Power 105’s Breakfast Club with the ultimate ‘get’ – an exclusive sit-down with the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. Sure, there are a few chuckles, but this interview reveals insights (so many insights) from the Minister – his views on this generation, how he came to the Nation of Islam, outside influences on internal struggles in the Black community, what it takes to make a better tomorrow… SO MUCH MORE!
Get your breakfast. Click play. Be enriched.
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Interview, Radio, Videos | Tags: Louis Farrakhan, Minister Louis Farrakhan, Power 105, The Breakfast Club | No Comments »
Sorry, Sir, You Don’t Look Like Someone We’d Serve At This Restaurant…Oh You Have A Ferrari?? (Video)
May 26, 2015
Boom! Josh Paler Lin got ’em stuck off the… FAKENESS! And if you are brave enough to put yourself in the position of some of the folks on video here, you might feel convicted. Maybe we can all learn how to apply the lesson of this video somehow.
Lin is right. We should all be treated equally in this society; especially when stepping to a restaurant business that should be into making money more than making snap judgments. Dude was denied service because of his homeless look, but when he came back Ferrari fresh and Cosmo dressed the restaurant staff members were all but begging for him to eat there.
And when a restaurant showed itself to be that thirsty – after being so dismissive and judgmental to him before – all of a sudden, he wasn’t that hungry.
Posted in Activism, Business, Lifestyle, Videos | Tags: appearance, appearances can be deceiving, elitism, elitist, ethics, fairness, homeless, homelessness, Josh Paler Lin, judgment, poverty, Snap Judgment | No Comments »
World Soccer Pioneer ‘Paul Canoville’ Speaks On Being 1st Black Player Signed to ‘Chelsea FC’ (Video)
May 25, 2015
When it comes to Sports being the first or a trailblazer can be good and bad at times.  It’s great if you are the first to set a world record or obtain hall of fame for having the most championship rings.  Well when you are the first to break the color line it can be a difficult process and Paul Canoville knows exactly how that feels.  The first black player ever signed to Chelsea FC (Soccer Team based in London, England) Paul experienced harsh treatment from his own fans and people associated with the team.  His love of the sport helped him push through and he helped the team secure championship silverware and now he is an advocate for the club speaking to kids  about pursuing their dreams and dealing with racism.  On his first trip to Atlanta I got a chance to speak with him for a few minutes about his experience at Chelsea and his foundation.  With Atlanta getting a MLS Soccer team in 2017, we can expect more visits from Soccer legends across the pond!
–ArtByOdell Twitter/SoundCloud
CHECK THE VIDEO TO ‘BLACK & BLUE: THE PAUL CANOVILLE STORY’ BELOW…
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Activism, Cover Story, Human Interest, Sports, Videos | Tags: Chelsea, Chelsea FC, English Premier League, Football, London, Paul Canoville, soccer | No Comments »
Yasiin Bey Speaks On What Really Matters To Him As An Artist (Video)
May 12, 2015
Real emcee and all-around real dude Yasiin Bey gives us about five minutes of discourse on who he is as an artist and expressive human being that is ever-evolving. Remember how Nina Simone posited earlier that artists should speak honestly; about the times and such? Yeah, Yasiin obviously heard the sista’s heart speak and reps that. Took it to heart. Watch.
People take their time to listen to what I have to say; and I really value that.
– Yasiin Bey
– @ojones1
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Hip-Hop, Videos | Tags: Beats By Dre, mos def, Yasiin Bey | No Comments »
What Happened, Miss Simone? (Documentary Trailer)
May 12, 2015
“How can you be an artist and not reflect the times?”
– Nina Simone
Waaaaay more to sista Nina Simone than the Kanye West “Blood On The Leaves†sample; and it looks like NetFlix is going to let us in on the rest of the story. Check out the trailer for the documentary profile of the prolific pioneer artist/activist entitled “What Happened, Miss Simone?” The documentary (due out June 26, 2015) will include comments from her daughter and others close to her, along with rare recordings and footage.
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Film, R&B, Soul, Trailer, Videos | Tags: Miss Simone, Nina Simone, What Happened, What Happened Miss Simone | 1 Comment »
Social Experiment: Jasirah Demonstrates Blind Faith In Humanity (Video)
May 11, 2015
Look at this.
Blindfolded, Jasirah Bin Hitam is an Aboriginal Australian who decided to put her faith in humanity; specifically, the humans from outside her culture who have traditionally be less-than-kind to her kind. Filmed at Cottesloe Beach, Jasirah stood with open arms and offered the ultimate and most basic act of acceptance and universal care for another…a hug.
Even if it’s no big deal to you, think of how big a deal it is in a place where people think it’s a big enough thing to film it. Big enough to reach 200k viral within hours.
“The video is creating important conversation about attitudes toward Aboriginal Australians,†said ICEA [Indigenous Communities Education and Awareness] founder and CEO Lockie Cooke. “It’s so powerful to have created something that has been so popular in our community, which inspires us to continue the work we’ve been doing in the reconciliation space. The way in which the video has been embraced shows that ICEA’s froth is strong and our message, mutual respect for all Australians, is important and relevant to our society.â€
Creating positive shared experiences, building enduring relationships and promoting cultural understanding – that’s ICEA, that’s Jasirah Bin Hitam hugging folks on a beach… and that’s pretty damn cool.
– @ojones1
Killer Mike Speaks On Race And Politics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) [Video]
April 28, 2015
That White House Correspondents’ Dinner we just posted on? Yeah… Killer Mike was there. The man is up on his politics to say the least. He also lectured at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as part of the university’s ‘Hip-Hop Speaker’ Series. Intelligent discourse at one of America’s well-known gatherings of advanced thinkers. Killer Kill has always spoken up (and well) on issues regarding Hip-Hop politics and humanity. The clips from MIT (starting above, continuing after the jump) give more testimony to that.
PREVIOUS: KILLER MIKE – RIC FLAIR (VIDEO)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE VIDEO OF KILLER MIKE’S LECTURE AT MIT BELOW……
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Hip-Hop, Politics, Videos | Tags: Hip-Hop Speaker Series, Killer Mike, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT | No Comments »
APB: “Artists Against Police Brutality” Comic Book (Artwork)
April 28, 2015
A comic book titled APB: “Against Police Brutality” detailing Police Brutality is being put together by Rosarium Publishing. Â Submissions for the project are still being submitted but Artist Ashley A. Woods has been released and it is a telling much needed piece. Â The Artist/Illustrator hailing from Chicago created a touching memoriam piece that features Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Aiyana Stanley-Jones, Amadou Diallo, Cary Ball Jr, John Crawford, Miriam Carey, Rekia Boyd, Tanisha Anderson, and Yvette Smith. Â Sadly all of these Black men and women were killed by Police officers and with all of the unrest going on in Baltimore this looks like something that will continue.
–ArtByOdell Twitter/SoundCloud
Posted in Activism, Animation, Art, Comics, Human Interest, Politics | Tags: Aiyana Stanley-Jones, Amadou Diallo, APB, Ashley A Woods, Cary Ball Jr, Comic Book, Eric Garner, John Crawford, Michael Brown, Miriam Carey, Police brutality, Rekia Boyd, Rosarium Publishing, TAMIR RICE, Tanisha Anderson, YVETTE SMITH | No Comments »
BIGREC – “BLSM” (Respect To J. Cole)
April 11, 2015
People getting fed up, and it HURTS, when it seems that our lives DON’T matter…
New music from the man making sure Real Hip-Hop Is Back and here to stay! The realest part: BIGREC talking to his little boy about dealing with the cops. And not that “policeman is your friend” mini-speech that TV parents (read: White parents) give their kids. This is real life; too real.
Rest In Peace to the myriad of Black Men lost in similar fashion: #RIPWalterScott #RIPEricGarner #TrayvonMartin #RIPMichaelBrown #RIPAmadouDiallo #RIPTroyDavis #RIPOscarGrant #RIPSeanBell #RIPEmmettTill (…and the list goes on).
– BIGREC
Unfortunately, there’s nothing new for Black folk here but the song. That said, like everything BIGREC’s been dropping, this “BLSM” (Black Lives Still Matter) work will hit you in the chest – dead center. And respect to J. Cole, true indeed. He has spoken on occasion on situations, too. FREE download below.
DOWNLOAD: BIGREC – BLSM (RESPECT TO J. COLE)
Posted in Activism, Hip-Hop, Music | Tags: BIGREC, Black Lives Still Matter, BlackLivesStillMatter, BLSM, J. Cole, Respect to J. Cole | No Comments »
