President Obama has released the following statement on the disturbing video of Laquan McDonald being shot and on the peaceful demonstrations in his hometown of Chicago.
Like many Americans, I was deeply disturbed by the footage of the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. This...
Posted by President Obama on Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Today is Thanksgiving and it's supposed to be a day of thanks and arguing with family members you hope not to see again until next year. After reading post on social media about black people and the appropriateness of us celebrating the holiday I did a online search on the topic. I found several post and articles and I read a recent and interesting article at Ebony.com on the topic by by Vann R. Newkirk II and Kymone Freeman. This paragraph stood out to me.
...To celebrate Thanksgiving requires a bit of contortion from those of us who try to be socially conscious. The image of Pilgrims eating peacefully with American Indians at a shared harvest feast presents a faulty view of the founding of this country—one typically framed as though there was a willing hand off between Native and White. This obscures the history of violence and oppression, and it also manages to both legitimize and whitewash our country’s terrible actions toward its indigenous people. As a Black American who works every day to hold our country accountable for its rampant racial inequality that is a continuum of centuries of racism, terrorism, and genocide, Thanksgiving is truly a tough holiday to process.
So based on your beliefs and life experiences do you believe that African Americans should celebrate Thanksgiving?
Police have arrested two men they have been seeking in connection with the shooting of five protesters the Black Lives Matter encampment Monday night.
Minneapolis police said they arrested a 23-year-old white man in Bloomington at 11:20 a.m. Tuesday. A second shooting suspect arrested in south Minneapolis at 12:05 p.m. has been released after questioning.
About 2:30 p.m., two men turned themselves in, police said, saying they were white, one age 26 and another age 21. They were being interviewed by investigators, officials added.
Authorities are weighing whether to treat the shooting of five people protesting near the Minneapolis Police Department’s Fourth Precinct station Monday night as a hate crime, sources familiar with the investigation said Tuesday morning.
The victims, all black men — ages 19 through 43 — were taken to hospitals with noncritical injuries, according to police.
Read more: 3 in custody, 1 released in 4th Precinct shooting; march to downtown ends
WARNING: Graphic Video, viewer discretion is advised. Chicago Police released dashcam video that shows a police officer shooting 17-year-old Laquan Mcdonald in 2014. Watch the tragic and disturbing video below.
Wow, here is another example of Ben Carson showing he does not get it. He is spreading the fallacy of how black men carry themselves has anything to do with how police treat them. Whether dressed in a business suit or a sweat suit, if you're a high school dropout or have a PHD you will still be treated the same by some police officers. SMH! George Cook AfricanAmericanReports.com.
Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson told a group of African-American civic leaders on Saturday that he is still waiting to see evidence of racial bias by law enforcement agencies in the U.S.
The only major White House hopeful who is black, Carson also mused during a criminal justice forum that he never had problems with police as a young black male in Detroit "because I was taught by my mother to be very respectful of authority."
Carson later demurred when pressed on whether he could offer examples of "institutional racism" in America. "It probably exists somewhere," he said. "If it exists, expose it. ... That's your best defense."
Read more: Ben Carson tells black leaders he's seen no racial bias by US police
Aiming to change the way black girls are perceived and perceive themselves, with support from a few big names when it launches in 24 states across America and delivers thousands of free Barbie dolls in various cities, The Black Doll Affair’s message will go into overdrive on December 5th.
Lead by Taye Diggs’ kid sister, ShalomIsrael Diggs, on Saturday, December 5th, 2015 at 1:00 pm in 24 states across America, 36 Black Doll Affair Ambassadolls (city and state representatives for The Black Doll Affair) and hundreds of living Dolls (women of all nationalities, primarily black) will deliver a message of self-esteem! That moment in time will mark The Black Doll Affair’s largest black doll delivery ever! Since 2007, supported by their members, fans and corporate sponsors like Macy’s and Mattel, The Black Doll Affair has donated thousands of toy black dolls to little girls across the country and, earlier this year, thirty new Ambassadolls came on board to help this Christmas.
The Black Doll Affair (BDA) announced that it recently named ShalomIsrael as an Honorary Black Doll, appointed her as their Ambassadoll for Harlem, NY and placed her at the helm of its annual national Black Doll Affair Christmas Doll Deliveries in Atlanta - a unique event where living Dolls come to life to deliver donated dolls and a message rooted in self-esteem and love for the doll in the mirror. This year’s Black Doll Affair Christmas Deliveries will occur December 5th at 1:00PM in all time zones. The benefactors of The Black Doll Affair’s gifts have already been chosen by the Ambassadolls. However, in Atlanta at Macy's Greenbriar Mall, beginning at 3:00 PM, on a first come basis, ShalomIsrael and The Black Doll Affair will host a public self-esteem Christmas party and doll giveaway.
"Becoming an Honorary Black Doll has been such a wonderful opportunity. I've had the privilege of meeting amazing women, collaborating with local organizations in Harlem and bringing about self-awareness to myself and others. December 5th marks a very special day. So that I can learn from the Doll that started it all (Dana Hill, BDA Founder) as a new Ambassadoll and take what I learn into Harlem, I am being flown to The Black Doll Affair’s headquarters for its Christmas deliveries at Macy’s Greenbriar Mall. I’m excited to help continue to spread a message of hope, beauty and high self-esteem for black girls,” said ShalomIsrael.
With his book "Chocolate Me" (co-collaborated with his childhood friend Shane Evans) as the official children's book of the BDA and as an Honorary Black Doll Brotha (literally and figuratively speaking, Brothas are what men are called in the BDA), Taye had this to say about his sister joining him in the movement: "I'm proud to know that my sister is aligning herself with the highly esteemed and relevant Black Dolls. The service this organization provides in today's current racial climate is both necessary and appreciated. Knowing ShalomIsrael's enthusiasm and commitment in matters such as these, the possibilities are very exciting! I’m wishing this collaboration good luck, onward and upwards!"
For more information, to get the latest news on Atlanta’s Doll Deliveries and a complete list of doll deliveries around the country, visit blackdollaffair.com. Follow The Black Doll Affair Christmas doll deliveries via our Facebook page at: Facebook.com/theblackdollaffair
About The Black Doll Affair
Founded in 2007, The Black Doll Affair was created as a solution to doll tests that revealed that black children prefer white dolls and view black dolls asugly and bad. Diversity partners with Macy’s, Inc., and Mattel, Inc., The Black Doll Affair [BDA] is a social organization and self-esteem movement driven by its primary members, The Black Dolls. Secondary members are the Black Doll’s Porcelain Pals (non-black members) and Brothas (male supporters). The Black Doll Affair has grown into 24 states across America and Washington, DC. The Black Dolls range in shade and shape. Eighteen years and older, from college students to grandmothers, career women to ladies of leisure, they are women that band together to tackle the black girls issues with shadeism, self hatred and low self-esteem. To deliver their message of internal and external beauty, they donate toy black dolls to toddlers, host self-esteem summitsfor teens and produce special events that promote and uplift black women. For fun, the Dolls, their Porcelain Pals and Brothas, enjoy each other at social play dates. To express the importance of community service, annually they donate hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars to philanthropic causes that affect all races. These are the Affairs of The Black Dolls. For more information log onto blackdollaffair.com
Media Contact
Black Doll Affair Publicity
404-590-3655
***@blackdollaffair.com
Milton Pitts Crenchaw, of the original Tuskegee Airmen, was one of the first African Americans in the country and the first from Arkansas to be trained by the federal government as a civilian licensed pilot. He trained hundreds of cadet pilots while at Alabama’s Tuskegee Institute in the 1940s and was the catalyst in starting the first successful flight program at Philander Smith College in Little Rock (Pulaski County) from 1947 to 1953. His combined service record extends for over forty years of federal service from 1941 to 1983 with the U.S. Army (in the Army Air Corps) and eventually the U.S. Air Force.
Crenchaw received partial training and physical examinations at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, before returning to Tuskegee for another phase of primary instruction and advance courses in aviation piloting. He graduated with his civilian pilot license and then commercial pilot certificate on August 11, 1941. Crenchaw became a primary civilian flight instructor and eventually one of the two original supervising squadron commanders under Chief Pilot Charles A. Anderson. He and Charles Foxx were the first instructors for the first group of student pilot trainees between 1941 and 1946.
[SOURCE]
On 11/16/2015 a "State House Rally for Justice" was held outside the NJ Capitol building by the NJ Clergy Coalition for Justice. Inspired by the #BlackLivesMatter movement the rally was just not a protest but presented state legislators with three items for legislation to aid in police reform.
1.Legislation that mandates body cameras for all officers in New Jersey.
2. Legislation that calls for an independent prosecutor when an officer is charged with shooting and killing someone.
3. Proper education and training for law enforcement to manage implicit biases.
Watch NJ State Legislators such as Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker and NJ State Senators Nia Gill, Ron Rice, and Ray Lesniak address these issues at the rally below. *Former Speaker of the House and Assemblywoman Sheila Oliver and NJ Senator Peter Barnes were also present but a certain person's iPhone ran out of storage, sorry.
NJ Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker.
NJ State Senator Ray Lesniak.NJ State Senator Nia Gill
NJ State Senator Ron Rice
Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins is trying to help the family of a slain high school football player by paying for the funeral, according to a Sacramento city official.
City council member Rick Jennings on Saturday confirmed to multiple media outlets that Cousins, who wanted his gesture to remain anonymous, wanted to take care of the funeral expenses for Jaulon Clavo, a Grant Union High School senior who was reportedly shot in the neck while driving with four other players.
Cousins reportedly has attended Grant Union football games, watching from the sideline, and has made donations to inner-city high school in the past.
The gesture shows another side to Cousins, who made headlines last week after reportedly confronting Kings coach George Karl with a profanity-laced outburst. Cousins, who returned Monday after a four-game injury absence, apologized Wednesday for his actions.
Georgetown students began a sit-in Friday outside University President John DeGioia’s office, calling for him to change the name of Mulledy Hall, a newly reopened dormitory named for a former university president and slaveholder.
Between 20 and 40 students arrived outside the office at 9 a.m. and intend to stay until the building closes at midnight, returning again Saturday morning.
A group of the demonstrators met with DeGioia within an hour of beginning the sit-in, but plan to continue until the building’s name is changed, according to posts on the event’s Facebook page by organizers.
The sit-in was announced at a solidarity demonstration on Thursday, during which students spoke about their experiences as racial minorities on campus and called for a list of six demands to be fulfilled, including changing the names of three buildings, developing an endowment to hire more black faculty and staff and instituting programs and plaques on campus to recognize the role of African Americans in the University’s history.
A Working Group on Slavery, Memory and Reconciliation, which was convened earlier this year in response to backlash toward the building’s name, met with DeGioia to discuss the protesters’ demands. As of 2:45 p.m., no public statements had been made, and demonstrators have declined to comment.
Read more: Georgetown Univ. sit-in demands building name change
Howard University officials say they're increasing security on campus and at nearby Metro stations after an online threat was detected.
The threat was made against the university and its students, Howard officials said Thursday, but did not elaborate further.
One Howard student told reporters the threat was posted on the anonymous website 4Chan. The student, a freshman, said her resident assistant sent students a screenshot of the threat and warned them to be safe.
Howard officials said security has been increased out of an "abundance of caution." Students won't be penalized for not attending classes if they're concerned, the officials said.
Howard asked anyone who sees something suspicious to call the Howard University Department of Public Safety at 202-806-1100 or D.C. police at 202-727-9099.
[SOURCE]
A white college student suspected of posting online threats to shoot black students and faculty at the University of Missouri was charged Wednesday with making a terrorist threat, adding to the racial tension at the heart of the protests that led two top administrators to resign earlier this week.
Hunter M. Park, a 19-year-old sophomore studying computer science at a sister campus in Rolla, was arrested shortly before 2 a.m. at a residence hall, authorities said. The school said no weapons were found. Boone County prosecutors announced the criminal charge later Wednesday and recommended that he be held without bond.
The author of the posts, which showed up Tuesday on the anonymous location-based messaging app YikYak and other social media, threatened to "shoot every black person I see." The posts followed the resignations on Monday of the University of Missouri system president and the chancellor of its flagship campus in Columbia.
Another threat said: "Some of you are alright. Don't go to campus tomorrow." The message seemed to echo one that appeared on the website 4chan — a forum where racist and misogynistic comments are common — ahead of the deadly campus shooting at an Oregon community college last month.
Read more: Online threats against blacks net arrest at Missouri campus
Essence compiled a list of the ten best workplaces for African Americans. Check out that list below and learn more about the ten companies here.
1. QUICKEN LOANS
2. Credit Acceptance
3. ULTIMATE SOFTWARE
4. ALLIANCE DATA
5. NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
6. CARMAX
7. HYATT HOTELS CORPORATION
8. QUIKTRIP CORPORATION
9. JM FAMILY ENTERPRISES INC.
ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
Today University of Missouri President Tim Wolfe resigned. He resigned due to the pressure coming at him from many groups over his handling of racial incidents on campus. Now many are whining that he should not have resigned as he didn't commit any of those alleged incidents. That may be true, but he did nothing to change the environment in which they occurred and continued to occur. There was no institutional control and if there had been any at all things would not have gotten to the point they did. As president he had a duty and an obligation to set the tone for what would be acceptable on campus. He failed at that.
Groups had been protesting for months about his lack of action and or lack of communication. It's clear from a discussion with a group of ten black members of Legion of Black Collegians about systematic racism that their issues were not taken seriously at all by him.
Oh really @UMPrez this is what you think Systematic oppression is?!? @umcurators @CNN @Oprah pic.twitter.com/eSuOqPfT2b
— QianaJade (@Qiana_Jade) November 7, 2015Even in his own statement on November 6, 20125 before the players threatened to boycott Wolfe admitted that there was racism on campus:
Racism does exist at our university and it is unacceptable. It is a long-standing, systemic problem which daily affects our family of students, faculty and staff. I am sorry this is the case. I truly want all members of our university community to feel included, valued and safe.
The question is why didn't he do ANYTHING about that long-standing racism? Wolfe's job is to set up an environment which is conducive for ALL students to learn. He failed to due that for black students affected by on campus racism and he failed the rest of the student body by allowing this to become a major distraction.
It should not have taken the threat of a boycott from football players from upcoming games for the racial situation on campus to be addressed. If Wolfe had shown just an ounce of empathy he would still be president today.
Now this story does not end with Wolfe's resignation and there is much hard work to be done on campus, but his resignation hopefully signals a new beginning. a new beginning that's not possible with Wolfe there.
Tim Wolfe had to go.
George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.com< EMAIL/p>
The Mizzou Family stands as one. We are united. We are behind our players. #ConcernedStudent1950 GP pic.twitter.com/fMHbPPTTKl
— Coach Gary Pinkel (@GaryPinkel) November 8, 2015
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon has released a statement on Missouri players boycotting games and practice. Read that statement below.
"Racism and intolerance have no place at the University of Missouri or anywhere in our state," he said. "Our colleges and universities must be havens of trust and understanding. These concerns must be addressed to ensure the University of Missouri is a place where all students can pursue their dreams in an environment of respect, tolerance and inclusion."
This is a great story. All too often we accuse our black athletes of being selfish and not being socially conscious . These young men are doing the right thing and taking a stand against racism on their campus. This is not an symbolic gesture either, while some may go the NFL many others will not so some are legitimate risking their education and their spot on the team. I am so proud of these young men right now. George Cook AfricanAmericanReports.com.
More than 30 football players at the University of Missouri will not participate in any practices or games until Missouri System president Tim Wolfe resigns or is terminated. Several black team members announced their decision to strike on social media Saturday night and Missouri's Legion of Black Collegians posted a statement on behalf of the team with a picture of players unified in support of the boycott.
Wolfe's response to a series of racist incidents has been considered inadequate by many students who believe racism has poisoned the campus. A graduate student, Jonathan Butler, announced earlier in the week he was going on a hunger strike until Wolfe was removed. The most recent racist incident came Oct. 24 when a swastika was drawn with human feces on a college dorm's white wall.
Missouri's athletic department issued a statement saying it's "aware of the declarations made tonight by many of our student-athletes. We all must come together with leaders from across our campus to tackle these challenging issues and we support our student-athletes right to do so."
Read more: Missouri football players to boycott until president Tim Wolfe resigns
Many conservatives seem confounded by the fact that Ben Carson is not being received warmly by the African American voters. Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and like minded ilk seem to think that Carson's great personal narrative should have blacks flocking to him to hear his message. By focusing on his narrative they are overlooking a lot of other issues that black voters have with Carson. Check out my fictional conversation between a black voter and a conservative Carson supporter which may better help to get my message across.
CONSERVATIVE: With his great life story and all I can't see why more blacks are not flocking to Ben Carson.
BLACK VOTER: Yes, he has a great life story but what does that have to do with being president? You know that we can separate the world class neurosurgeon from the horrible candidate?
CONSERVATIVE: What, you can? But doesn't his life story at least require that you as a black person take a good hard look at him and his policies?
BLACK VOTER: Do the dumb things he says about African Americans and his allowing himself to be used to attack President Obama warrant him not even getting my attention?
CONSERVATIVE: But his narrative!
BLACK VOTER: Does his narrative mean that I should ignore his lies about West Point and stabbing someone?
CONSERVATIVE: But he made it, he has such a great life story.
BLACK VOTER: Yes but his tax plan is a complete joke. He says he would base his plan on tithing, really?
CONSERVATIVE: Again, his life story.
BLACK VOTER: So I should ignore the fact that he would do damage to programs like Affirmative Action and financial aid programs that helped HIM get into and through college?
CONSERVATIVE: You are overlooking all he overcame in life.
BLACK VOTER: But I'm not overlooking the fact that he wants to do away with many of the programs that helped own HIS family eat and keep a roof over their heads?
CONSERVATIVE: You are focusing on the wrong thing here. Ignore what comes out of his mouth and just focus on his life story, he became a world class neurosurgeon for God's sake!
BLACK VOTER: That is a great story but what comes out of his mouth says to me that he wants to be the magical negro and have no one else climb the ladder after him.
CONSERVATIVE: Magical Negro?
BLACK VOTER: Ask Clarence Thomas, he'll fill you in on that.
CONSERVATIVE: But he was raised by a single mom and look how successful he is.
BLACK VOTER: Many black children are raised by single parents and go on to be successful. They may not become neurosurgeons but they become Mayors, Congressman, doctors, lawyers, police chiefs, teachers, engineers, military officers, upper management, college deans or presidents, small business owners, and more. Carson's story is not as rare as you would like to think it is.
CONSERVATIVE: Okay, then what about the fact he's black? You guys voted for Obama in droves because he's black.
BLACK VOTER: So why didn't we vote in droves for Jesse Jackson?
CONSERVATIVE: I don't know.
BLACK VOTER: Maybe because we are a lot more pragmatic that you guys give us credit for. Yes, we voted for Obama in big numbers but many also felt that he could actually do the job. Carson has MUCH to show and prove before we reach that point. Also when it comes to black issues Rand Paul seems to be more on point that Carson.
CONSERVATIVE: BUT HIS LIFE STORY!
By George L. Cook III, AfricanAmericanReports.com EMAIL