Hall of Fame baseball player Monte Irvin dies at 96

Hall of Famer Monte Irvin, a power-hitting outfielder who starred for the New York Giants in the 1950s in a career abbreviated by Major League Baseball’s exclusion of black players, has died. He was 96.

Irvin was 30 when he joined the Giants in 1949, two years after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. Irvin spent seven of his eight big-league seasons with the Giants and one year with the Chicago Cubs in 1956. A native of Haleburg, Alabama, Irvin played in the Negro, Mexican and Puerto Rican leagues during his 20s.

Irvin batted .300 or more three times with a high of .329 in 1953. He finished with a career average of .293 with 99 home runs and 443 RBI, numbers that would have been far higher if not for the game’s racial segregation.

Irvin was one of the most important contributors during the Giants’ amazing pennant drive in 1951 when they overtook the Brooklyn Dodgers after trailing by 131/2 games in mid-August. Irvin batted .312 with 24 homers and an NL-leading 121 RBI.

That year Irvin teamed with Hank Thompson and Willie Mays to form the first all-black outfield in the majors. He finished third in the NL’s MVP voting.

Irvin is survived by daughters Patricia Irvin Gordon and Pamela Irvin Fields and two granddaughters.

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It's official, Ryan Coogler to direct Marvel's Black Panther movie

Coogler, the director of the "Rocky" sequel "Creed," will direct Marvel Studio's upcoming "Black Panther" in 2018, the studio's first film starring an African-American superhero. Coogler will be also be the first African-American director in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a film franchise that has made over $9 billion at the worldwide box office.

Coogler will be also be the first African-American director in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a film franchise that has made over $9 billion at the worldwide box office.

"We are fortunate to have such an esteemed filmmaker join the Marvel family," producer and president of Marvel Studios Kevin Feige said in a statement. "The talents Ryan showcased in his first two films easily made him our top choice to direct 'Black Panther.'"

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Canada rejects African-American's fear of US police asylum claim

A Canadian tribunal has rejected a claim for refugee status from an African-American man who said he feared persecution and police abuse in the United States based on his race, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada said on Friday.

While saying he did find Kyle Lydell Canty to have a genuine fear of returning to his home country, adjudicator Ron Yamauchi said that was not enough to grant asylum.

A string of shootings of black men by U.S. police over the past 18 months have led to widespread protests and the issue has fueled a civil rights movement under the name Black Lives Matter.

"The Act does not protect claimants from every form of ill-treatment, suffering, and hardship," he wrote in the decision, dated Dec. 3. "It is addressed at situations of persecution, which is serious harm, an interference with a basic human right."

He added: "There are no substantial grounds to believe that his removal to the United States of America would subject him personally to a danger of torture."

Canty filed for asylum in September after coming to Canada as a tourist.

Read more: Canada rejects African-American's asylum claim

Vixen: The black superhero show you didn't know about

You probably haven't heard of Vixen a show that airs on on CW Seed. The show features a black female superhero from Detroit via Africa.

It is based on the DC Comics character Mari McCabe / Vixen, a costumed superhero crime-fighter with the power to mimic the abilities of any animal that has ever lived on Earth. The series is set in the Arrowverse, the same fictional universe as Arrow, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow. The six-episode series concluded on September 29, 2015. On January 10, 2016 it was announced that The CW renewed Vixen for a 7 episode second season, set to premiere in 2016.

Check out the first episode here: http://www.cwseed.com/shows/vixen/vixen-season-1/?play=24dac429-d147-4492-bbe9-818188019537

Whoopi Goldberg can call herself whatever she wants!

By George L. Cook III.

I'm sure many have heard Whoopi Goldberg's comments about her not being African American on the TV show The View and heard about the backlash that followed on social media. Just in case, you missed it read Whoopi's comments below.

“You know what uh uh! This is my country,” Goldberg said. “My mother, my grandmother, my great-grand folks, we busted ass to be here. I’m sorry. I’m an American. I’m not an African-American, I’m not a chick American, I’m an American!”

Now I identify as African-American and have my own opinions about what Goldberg said but you know what, THAT DOESN'T MATTER!

My argument against those who have a problem with the term African-American or any other hyphenated identifier has always been that we as Americans have the right to identify however we want. So to me, those African Americans upset at Whoopi for simply wanting to identify as American are being hypocritical. This is about being able to identify as you want not on making others identify as you would like them to. Whoopi Goldberg has that right to call herself whatever she wants whether anyone likes it or not.

That may not be a popular stance but I believe it's one that those who want to be treated fairly and equally should embrace. Whoopi still stands up for African American causes and issues and how she identify does not change that.

I, you, and Whoopi Goldberg can call ourselves whatever we want. What we call ourselves is not the most important issue, though. It's what we do to make things better that ultimately counts.

SANDRA BLAND'S FAMILY REACTS TO TROOPER INDICTMENT, FIRING

Sandra Bland's family is reacting to the news that Brian Encinia, the Texas state trooper who arrested Bland during a traffic stop has been charged for perjury and will be fired. Encinia faces up to 1 year in jail. Watch Sandra Bland's family react below:

The Best Man Wedding gets a release date

Universal Pictures’ THE BEST MAN WEDDING will be released on Friday, April 15, 2016

About THE BEST MAN WEDDING

The cast of THE BEST MAN series returns to celebrate the group’s most unexpected wedding to date. Malcolm D. Lee again writes and directs the third film in his signature hit series, and Sean Daniel ("The Best Man Holiday") returns to produce THE BEST MAN WEDDING alongside Lee.

Historic Black Church Donates $1M to Smithsonian's African-American History Museum

A historic black church based in Virginia has pledged to donate $1 million to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African-American History and Culture.

Alfred Street Baptist Church, a historically black congregation in Alexandria that traces its history back to the early 1800s, has announced their donation for the educational institute.

"ASBC has always been a leader in community outreach and missions within the faith-based community," said the Rev. Howard-John Wesley, lead pastor of Alfred Street Baptist, in comments to The Christian Post on Monday. Wesley added that this was the first time a faith-based organization had donated $1 million to the Smithsonian.

Killer of Walter Scott released on bail

A police officer who shot dead a black motorist in South Carolina has been released on $500,000 bail, The Post and Courier newspaper reported Monday.

Michael Slager, who was dismissed from the North Charleston police force after the incident, had been held in jail since his arrest in April for killing 50-year-old Walter Scott.

"The decision was met with gasps from Scott's family and with tears from Michael Slager's wife and parents, who appeared together for the first time in the downtown Charleston courtroom," the daily reported.

"Slager was released at 7 pm after posting $500,000 bail, a jail spokesman said. Under a surety bond, he would have to pay $50,000 of that total," it added.

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Tyler Perry On Critics Who Say His Movies Negatively Portray Black Community

Tyler Perry might be one of the most successful men in the entertainment industry, having built a movie and TV empire, but the producer, director and actor still faces his fair share of critics.

Perry, 46, has come under fire from people who believe that his films are damaging to the black community by exploiting black stereotypes in the characters he creates.

But Perry admits that he's surprised by the backlash.

Read more: Tyler Perry Responds to Critics Who Say His Movies Negatively Portray Black Community

National Society of Film Critics : Best Actor Micheal B Jordan

The National Society of Film Critics voted Micheal B. Jordan best actor for his performance in Creed. Like all other winners his victory was announced via Twitter.

BEST ACTOR: Michael B. Jordan, "Creed"

— NSFC (@NatSocFilmCrix) January 3, 2016

Creed passes the 100 million dollar mark!

By George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.com

Much like the underdog hero that the Ryan Coogler directed film's title refers to, the movie Creed has turned out to be the underdog film that reached blockbuster status.

No, it didn't do Star Wars The Force Awakens type numbers but it did gross 100 million in a very crowded and powerhouse field. The movie has made an estimated $103,456,653 as of 01/03/2016 per Boxoffice.com. The movie grossed 100 million plus while in direct competition with The Hunger Games: Mockinjay Part II, Peanuts, The Good Dinosaur, SPECTRE, and later crossed the 100 million mark in the massive movie presence that is Star Wars The Force Awakens.

The small film had about a 35 million dollar budget and early projections had it making something in the 80 to 85 million range. It obviously meet and exceeded those expectations.

This is quite an accomplishment for director Ryan Coogler and proved that a well made and good film can attract an audience regardless of the competition or color of the cast. The movie could also get an best supporting actor Oscar nomination for Sylvester Stallone thanks to Coogler's direction. Although it's a long shot Tessa Thompson deserves a best supporting actress nomination also.

Don't know if Ryan Coogler or Micheal B. Jordan will be nominated but all involved deserve congratulations.

Let's all give Ryan Coogler and Creed a hand for passing blockbuster status!

Fayetteville NC pastor convinces church gunman to give up rifle

A man with a semi-automatic assault rifle walked into a downtown Fayetteville NC church during a New Year’s Eve prayer service.

The church’s pastor is City Councilman Larry Wright.

The incident at Heal the Land Outreach Ministries, off Campbell Avenue, ended peacefully, although many of the 60 members in attendance were startled, and at least one person — a pregnant woman — slipped out of the service.

Wright said he was able to calm the armed stranger, take away his weapon and then pray for him before Fayetteville police officers arrived.

Wright said the man, who has not been identified by police yet, was carrying the rifle without a clip in one hand and a loaded ammunition clip in the other hand. But, Wright said, he didn’t know if the rifle had a round of ammunition in it.

Wright stepped down quickly from the pulpit when he saw the man, who appeared to be in his late 20s.

The man continued moving toward the front of the church, pointing the rifle into the air.

The two met, near the front of the sanctuary.

“Can I help you?’’ the pastor asked the man.

Wright, who is a 57-year-old retired soldier, said the man’s answer determined his next action.

“If he was belligerent, I was going to tackle him,” said Wright, who is 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds.

But the stranger was calm, and Wright took the weapon from him. He then patted him down, and the pastor summoned four strong deacons to embrace the disarmed man, in an effort to make him feel welcome.

Wright then prayed for the man, who fell to his knees and began crying.

The man was then invited to sit on the front pew, and Wright resumed the Watch Night service. During the altar call at the conclusion, the man came forward and asked for salvation.

“He gave his life to Christ,” Wright said in an interview Saturday with The Fayetteville Observer.

Someone had called 911, and before the service had ended, police had arrived. But Wright said he asked the police to remain outside.

“I didn’t want to interrupt the service,” said the two-term councilman, whose church members call him Bishop Wright.

One of the church deacons, 67-year-old Sylvester Loving, said the congregation had been talking that evening about violence in other churches around the United States, before the man entered with the rifle.

“I think that night the spirit of God was definitely in the place,” Loving said.

Police Department spokesman Lt. David McLaurin said the incident was noted as a “Call for Service.’’ Notes regarding the call, McLaurin said, indicated the man was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center at his request as a voluntary commitment.

Wright said he never got the man’s last name before he was escorted away, but he hopes to contact him again.

“I want to follow up with him and see that he’s getting the help and resources he needs,” Wright said.

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Court filing says Freddie Gray complained of 'bad back'

Freddie Gray, who died after sustaining a neck injury while riding in a police van in Baltimore, told officers he had a "bad back" weeks before his death, according to court documents filed by attorneys for one of six cops charged in the case.

Lawyers for Caesar Goodson, 46, the officer who drove the van carrying Gray, filed the motion seeking the dead man's medical records last month.

The filing suggest lawyers may try to convince a jury that Gray was already injured at the time of his fatal encounter with police.

Read more: Court filing says Freddie Gray complained of 'bad back'

Natalie Cole dead at 65

Renowned R&B and jazz vocalist Natalie Cole died on Thursday at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. She was 65.

The daughter of the late Nat King Cole died of congestive heart failure related to ongoing health issues, CBS News has confirmed.

Her family released a statement saying, "It is with heavy hearts that we bring to you all the news of our Mother and sister's passing. Natalie fought a fierce, courageous battle, dying how she lived..with dignity, strength and honor. Our beloved Mother and sister will be greatly missed and remain UNFORGETTABLE in our hearts forever."

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Is the #NoJusticeNoLebron movement fair to Lebron James

LeBron James spoke publicly for the first time since a grand jury declined to press charges against the police officers responsible for the November 2014 shooting death of Tamir Rice. James has caught a lot of flak for claiming not to know much about the Tamir Rice case. The backlash has lead to the creation of the #NoJusticeNoLebron hashtag which is part of a movement to get Lebron to boycott playing games until justice is served for Tamir Rice.

According to ESPN made the following statement to reporters Lebron James on the topic of the Tamir Rice case:

"But I think the most important thing that we all need to understand, the most important thing, this issue is bigger than LeBron. This issue is bigger than me; it's about everyone. And gun violence and tragedies and kids losing lives at a young age, some way, somehow we need to understand that that matters more than just an individual."

"First of all, I think I've been very outspoken about what I believe in," James said. "What hits home for me, what I am [knowledgeable] about. There's been so many more issues that's gone on that I haven't spoken about.

"There's been the San Bernardino massacre, there's been guys going in movie theaters, shooting up movie theaters, there's been other issues. Those are not something that ... I don't have much knowledge of so I don't speak about it. So for me ... if I feel like it's something that I have a lot of knowledge about [I'll add my voice to the issue], because I don't like to speak when I don't know about it.

After reading his statement do you feel that the whole #NoJusticeNoLebron movement is fair to Lebron? Does he owe something to the people who help him make millions a year?

New Year's Eve terror plot in Rochester NY foiled

A Rochester man was arrested for attempting to provide material support to Islamic ISIS, a designated foreign terrorist organization. Emanuel Lutchman, 25, was charged by criminal complaint.

Fact Check: Does Donald Trump Have Strong Minority Support?

By J Clifford 

One of the most important tasks of independent sources of information during a political campaign is to keep track of the simple accuracy of information, comparing the assertions people make in pursuit of election with the available facts. So, when John Simmons, one of the more frequent readers of Irregular Times came forward last night with the claim that, “You know the funny thing is that even the minority groups (even Muslim Americans!!) Are supporting Trump,” I thought it would be worth checking out.

If the very same minority groups that Donald Trump frequently insults support his presidential campaign nonetheless, it would suggest that Trump’s election is nearly certain, and that liberal concerns about Trump’s arrogant treatment of minority groups is not reflective of the concerns that most members of those groups have for themselves. If, on the other hand, John’s statement is inaccurate, it would reflect a striking discrepancy between political reality and the political perceptions of a fervent Trump supporter.

Here’s what I found:

– In a poll of registered Latino voters in battleground states, only 15 percent expressed support for Donald Trump.

– In August, although Donald Trump claimed to have the support of a majority of African-Americans, a Quinnipiac poll found that only 8 percent of African-American respondents indicated that Donald Trump cared about their concerns, and that only 3 percent of African-American respondents would vote for Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton. A November Public Policy Polling survey found that Donald Trump had just a 9 percent favorability rating among African-Americans.

– The same November Public Policy Polling survey found that, among Americans categorizing themselves as neither African-American, European-American, or Latino, only one out of every three of respondents rate Donald Trump favorably.

– There has been no poll of Muslim voters in the United States to determine the level of support of Muslim voters for Donald Trump, so it appears that John has simply fabricated his claim of Muslim support for Trump out of thin air. However, a 2011 poll by the Pew Research Center found that only 11 percent of American Muslims identify as Republicans, 70 percent identify as Democrats, and the rest as independents.

In short, there is absolutely no evidence that Donald Trump has strong support from any minority group in the United States. Ethnic minorities are strongly opposed to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. The Trump agenda of ethnic and religious and broad cultural hostility seems to have alienated almost everybody but heterosexual European-American Christian Republicans.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel Announces Police Training Overhaul

After the recent deaths of Laquan McDonald, Bettie Jones and Quintonio LeGrier, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is making some reforms when it comes to how and when Chicago Police use deadly force. While these changes are for the better it infuriated me that these are things that are not already in place in a modern big city police department. George Cook AfricanAmericanReports.com.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced Wednesday that the city will overhaul police tactics and training to mitigate tension between residents and officers following the outrage caused by the deadly police shootings of Laquan McDonald in 2014 and Bettie Jones and Quintonio LeGrier on Saturday.

Emanuel said that any officer involved in a shooting will be put on desk duty for 30 days. Previously, they were only subject to three days of desk duty, even if the shooting was fatal.

The police department will also double the number of tasers used by police to 1,400 and will encourage trained officers to use them first before drawing a gun, Emanuel said.

After reviewing crisis response tactics over the past couple months, the city of Chicago has set an initiative to improve communications between officers and individuals in tense situations.

"Force can be the last option, not the first choice," Emanuel said. "The goal is to make sure everyone goes home safely."

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Bill Cosby's lawyer releases statement on "unjustified" charge.

Bill Cosby's lawyer, Monique Pressley has released the following statement after Cosby was arraigned on a second-degree felony charge of aggravated indecent assault by the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

"The charge by the Montgomery County District Attorney's office came as no surprise," the statement to Us read. "Filed 12 years after the alleged incident and coming on the heels of a hotly contested election for this county's DA during which this case was made the focal point. Make no mistake, we intend to mount a vigorous defense against this unjustified charge and we expect that Mr. Cosby will be exonerated by a court of law."