Black clergy demand Senate consider Obama Supreme Court nominee

Black clergy from across the country are expressing outrage about the Republican-led Senate’s vow to block any nominee President Obama picks to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court, saying it reflects racism and disrespect.

The National African American Clergy Network held the Friday conference call to express its outrage about the nomination process. On Feb. 22, coalition members issued a letter and video urging the GOP-controlled Senate to consider Obama’s nominee. They said they received no response.

The Rev. Barbara Williams-Skinner, the network’s co-chair, said the group is asking the Senate “to do nothing special for President Obama. Just do your job. Just do what the Constitution says and that is to hear the nominee and to vote on the nominee.”

The clergy leaders hope African-American voters will contact their senators and consider their treatment of the nomination process when they vote in upcoming primaries and the general election.

[SOURCE]

Trooper who arrested Sandra Bland formally fired

A Texas state trooper indicted over the arrest of a black woman who was later found dead in a jail cell was formally fired on Tuesday. Watch the story below.

Ben Carson releases statement on suspending his campaign

Republican candidate Ben Carson has finally admitted what many already knew. He has no path to victory to win the Republican nomination and is suspending his campaign. He sent the following email to his supporters:

As one of my most dedicated supporters, I wanted you to hear this directly from me.

I have decided not to attend the Fox News GOP Presidential Debate tomorrow night in Detroit. 

Even though I will not be in my hometown of Detroit on Thursday, I remain deeply committed to my home nation, America. 

I do not see a political path forward in light of last evening’s Super Tuesday primary results. 

However, this grassroots movement on behalf of “We the People” will continue. 

Along with millions of patriots who have supported my campaign for President, I remain committed to saving America for future generations. We must not depart from our goals to restore what God and our Founders intended for this exceptional nation.

I appreciate the support, financial and otherwise, from all corners of America. 

Gratefully, my campaign decisions are not constrained by finances; rather by what is in the best interest of the American people. 

I will discuss more about the future of this movement during my speech on Friday at CPAC in Washington, D.C.

Thank you for everything.

Sincerely,

Nine Republicans Reject Naming Post Office After Maya Angelou

Congress held a vote today on the rather mundane subject of renaming a post office, which normally passes with all 381 votes going for the renaming. That was not the case when a vote was held to rename a post office in Winston-Salem, N.C. after the world renowned poet and Presidential Medal of Freedom winner, Maya Angelou.

The measure did pass with 371 votes, but its very telling that a party that claims not to be racist has nine white men voting no on naming a post office after a black woman.

The nine Republicans who voted against naming the post office after Maya Angelou were GOP Reps Mo Brooks of Alabama, Ken Buck of Colorado, Michael Burgess of Texas, Jeff Duncan of South Carolina, Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin, Andy Harris of Maryland, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, Alex Mooney of West Virginia, and Steven Palazzo of Mississippi. Rep. Don Young of Alaska voted present.

Rep. Steve Israel, D-Ny., released a statement saying:

"Naming post offices is one of the most benign and bipartisan duties we perform in the House of Representatives, and there is rarely any opposition. That's why I was shocked today as nine Republicans voted against naming a post office after Maya Angelou, indisputably one of our country's greatest poets, authors and civil rights activists. The fact that these nine Members would cast a no vote shows a blatant disrespect and only adds to the damaging actions they've taken this year to reverse progress from long and hard fought civil rights battles."

Republicans release video reaching out to African Americans

It's now March of 2016 and the GOP being the GOP waited until February 29, the LAST day of Black History Month to release a video showing focusing on African Americans. What's very interesting is the video titled We Are The GOP, was released after the Donald Trump/David Duke/KKK controversy. Gee, wonder if there's a connection there? Watch the video below.

Bernie Sanders supporters making republican mistakes when it comes to attracting black voters

Bernie Sanders supporters are passionate in their support of their candidate, and there is nothing wrong with that. As a matter of fact it’s great that so many young voters are energized and excited about presidential politics.

What’s not exciting is that they knowingly or not have taken to using Republican tactics to attract black voters. Instead of working to make sure black voters know Bernie Sanders civil rights record and what his platform is as it pertains to African Americans, they are busy attacking Hillary Clinton.

Much like the Republican strategy has been used against President Obama they are letting us know what they are against but not what they are for. Talking badly about someone black voters like and respect does not help your cause at all. It hasn’t helped Republicans attract black votes, and it didn’t work too well in 2008 or 2012.

We are reminded ad nauseam about Hillary Clinton being First Lady during Bill Clinton’s criminal justice reforms, her super predator comments, and her treatment of #BlackLivesMatter. I can remember all of those attacks, but you know what I can’t remember? Bernie Sanders stance on issues that affect African Americans.

Whatever you think of Hillary Clinton she has put the work in with many in the African American community to earn their support. None of her supporters are going to change their minds because of a negative post on Facebook or a negative tweet on Twitter. Since many are older voters, they will ignore those type of post because they have better things to do than deal with negativity.

Try posting, tweeting, and talking about the positives for the candidate you support. If you want people to listen about Bernie Sanders talk to them and not at them, you just might get people to listen.

In short, stop acting like Republicans.

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.com georgelcookiii@gmail.com

In the interest of full disclosure Mr. Cook is a Hillary Clinton supporter but a Democrat first.

The Hartford Sponsors Smithsonian National Museum Of African American History And Culture

The Hartford announced its founding sponsorship of the Smithsonian’s newest museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, NMAAHC. The company made a $1 million contribution over five years to support the design and construction of the building, scheduled to open Sept. 24 in Washington D.C.

“The Hartford has been a part of American history for more than 200 years, growing, thriving and changing along with our nation,” said Susan Johnson, head of diversity and inclusion at The Hartford. “We are proud to be a founding sponsor of the National Museum of African American History and Culture and celebrate the important contributions of African Americans to the American Dream.”

Virginia Sen. Donald McEachin files papers to run for Congress

Virginia Sen. A. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) has filed paperwork to run for Congress.

“As I said all along I’m very interested in the fourth congressional seat, but right now I’m busy doing the people’s business here at the General Assembly,” McEachin said through a spokeswoman. “I will have a lot more to say about Congress right after we adjourn.”

Chris Rock opening monologue at 2016 Academy Awards

Here is Chris Rock's full opening monologue at the 2016 Academy Awards. Rock addresses the topics of race, Hollywood and a boycott on the Academy Awards during the opening of Sunday evening's Oscar Awards in his own comedic way.

What to do since you are not watching the Academy Awards.

By George L. Cook III, AfricanAmericanReports.com georgelcookiii@gmail.com.

Author’s Note: I might suggest at least tuning in to see the beginning of the show and to hear Chris Rock’s monologue and see how he addresses the #OscarsSoWhite issue.

Many African Americans have planned not to watch tonight’s Academy Awards show in response to the #OscarsSoWhite controversy.

Now there are a good number who had no plans to watch the show anyway, but there are some who normally do if for no other reason than to post negative tweets about it.

Now for those few who had actually planned to watch it, but have chosen instead to support the #Blackout movement I have a few suggestions as to what you might do tonight.

* Watch the All Def Movie Awards show on Fusion TV, which is airing the same time as the Academy Awards. You will have to search for the channel though and then hope that you are subscribed to it.

* Watch The Black Panthers: Vanguard of a Revolution here: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/videos/the-black-panthers-vanguard-of-the-revolution/

* Read a book. I don’t care which one, just read a damned book and educate yourself. It can’t hurt.

* Watch tonight’s episode of The Walking Dead. Yes, I know they have a habit of killing off black people, but the show has more black characters than most “black” shows to begin with. In the interest of full disclosure, I have to admit I’m a huge TWD fan, so I may be biased here.

* Sit down and talk to those people called your family. Those are the people that live in the same house, normally have the same last name, and you may have occasionally seen them at the dinner table, you may even have spoken to them before.

* Go see the Jesse Owens biopic RACE, I think it’s still in 10 or 12 theaters nationwide.

* Go to sleep. A little extra rest before the start of the work week never hurt anyone.

All Def Movie Awards Winners

In a comedic response to the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, music mogul Russell Simmons and comedian Tony Rock have started the All Def Movie Awards to honor primarily, but not exclusively, black film professionals. Check out the list inaugural winners of the All Def Music Awards below. The show will air Sunday Night, 02/29/2016 on the Fusion network opposite the Academy Awards.

Best Picture
Straight Outta Compton
Accepted by Ice Cube and O'Shea Jackson Jr.

Best Actress
Sanaa Lathan - The Perfect Guy

Best Actor
Michael B. Jordan - Creed

Best Director
Ryan Coogler - Creed

Lifetime Achievement Award
Will Smith
Presented by Tyrese Gibson

Vanguard Award
Norman Lear
Presented by Jerrod Carmichael

Best Helpful White Person
Christoph Waltz
(Accepted by Robin Thicke, who accepted "on behalf of all White People")

Best Bad Muh Fu$&a Award
Denzel Washington

Most Quoted Movie
Friday
Presented to Ice Cube

Best Black Survivor in a Movie
Ice Cube as Danny Rich in Anaconda
presented by Gary Owen

Most Likely to Steal Your Girl Award
Amber Rose

Melissa Harris-Perry Email: Why Walked Off Her MSNBC Show

Melissa Harris-Perry, host her own talk show on MSNBC, has accused executives at MSNBC of effectively silencing her show, and says she has no intentions of hosting this weekend. She released the following email to her staff explaining her reasons for doing so.

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Dearest Nerds,

As you know by now, my name appears on the weekend schedule for MSNBC programming from South Carolina this Saturday and Sunday. I appreciate that many of you responded to this development with relief and enthusiasm. To know that you have missed working with me even a fraction of how much I’ve missed working with all of you is deeply moving. However, as of this morning, I do not have any intention of hosting this weekend. Because this is a decision that affects all of you, I wanted to take a moment to explain my reasoning.

Some unknown decision-maker, presumably Andy Lack or Phil Griffin, has added my name to this spreadsheet, but nothing has changed in the posture of the MSNBC leadership team toward me or toward our show. Putting me on air seems to be a decision being made solely to save face because there is a growing chorus of questions from our viewers about my notable absence from MSNBC coverage. Social media has noted the dramatic change in editorial tone and racial composition of MSNBC’s on-air coverage. In addition, Dylan Byers of CNN has made repeated inquiries with MSNBC’s leadership and with me about the show and what appears to be its cancellation. I have not responded to reporters or social media inquiries. However, I am not willing to appear on air in order to quell concerns about the disappearance of our show and our voice.

Here is the reality: our show was taken — without comment or discussion or notice — in the midst of an election season. After four years of building an audience, developing a brand, and developing trust with our viewers, we were effectively and utterly silenced. Now, MSNBC would like me to appear for four inconsequential hours to read news that they deem relevant without returning to our team any of the editorial control and authority that makes MHP Show distinctive.

The purpose of this decision seems to be to provide cover for MSNBC, not to provide voice for MHP Show. I will not be used as a tool for their purposes. I am not a token, mammy, or little brown bobble head. I am not owned by Lack, Griffin, or MSNBC. I love our show. I want it back. I have wept more tears than I can count and I find this deeply painful, but I don’t want back on air at any cost. I am only willing to return when that return happens under certain terms.

Undoubtedly, television nurtures the egos of those of us who find ourselves in front of bright lights and big cameras. I am sure ego is informing my own pain in this moment, but there is a level of professional decency, respect, and communication that has been denied this show for years. And the utter insulting absurdity of the past few weeks exceeds anything I can countenance.

I have stayed in the same hotels where MSNBC has been broadcasting in Iowa, in New Hampshire, and in South Carolina, yet I have been shut out from coverage. I have a PhD in political science and have taught American voting and elections at some of the nation’s top universities for nearly two decades, yet I have been deemed less worthy to weigh in than relative novices and certified liars. I have hosted a weekly program on this network for four years and contributed to election coverage on this network for nearly eight years, but no one on the third floor has even returned an email, called me, or initiated or responded to any communication of any kind from me for nearly a month. It is profoundly hurtful to realize that I work for people who find my considerable expertise and editorial judgment valueless to the coverage they are creating.

While MSNBC may believe that I am worthless, I know better. I know who I am. I know why MHP Show is unique and valuable. I will not sell short myself or this show. I am not hungry for empty airtime. I care only about substantive, meaningful, and autonomous work. When we can do that, I will return — not a moment earlier. I am deeply sorry for the ways that this decision makes life harder for all of you. You mean more to me than you can imagine.

Yours always,

Melissa

Rosa Parks archive fully digitized by Library of Congress, now available online.

Rosa Parks’ archive of letters, writings, personal notes and photographs has been fully digitized by the Library of Congress and is now available online.

The library announced Wednesday the collection of 10,000 items belonging to Parks is available to the public.

Her collection was kept from the public for years because of a legal battle between her heirs and friends. But in 2014, philanthropist Howard Buffett bought the collection and placed it on long-term loan at the national library.

The library now holds about 7,500 manuscript items and 2,500 photographs from Parks, including the Bible she kept in her pocket, letters from admirers and her Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Read Rosa Park's archive here: ROSA PARK PAPERS

Democrats create PAC to maximize black voter turnout

Black lives matter — and so do their votes.

But without a rock star candidate like Barack Obama to draw African-Americans to the polls, concerned Democrats carved a new path to give black voters a boost.

The group of political and civil rights operatives created a political action committee to maximize black voter turnout in the battleground states of Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Virginia.

President Obama has brought nearly 4 million new black voters out to vote since 2008, according to Democratic officials.

“In a crucial election like 2016, it takes a multipronged approach to make sure black voters not only turn out in numbers, but also see their issues represented in the White House,” said Marc Morial, president of the Urban League.

Morial is among the names behind Black Votes Matter PAC, designed to put the focus on issues important to black communities in those states and the rest of the country.

The Black Votes Matter PAC will be run by Charlie King, who ran the New York State Democratic Party for Gov. Andrew Cuomo and headed up the reelection effort of U.S. Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-Harlem).

Read more: Democrats create PAC to maximize black voter turnout

Spike Lee radio ad in support of Bernie Sanders

Director Spike Lee became the latest black celebrity enter the battle of presidential endorsements. This week the Bernie Sanders campaign released a radio ad called "Wake Up" featuring Lee. Listen to that ad below.

James Clyburn: Sanders' free college plan would hurt HBCUs'

South Carolina Congressman James Clyburn, who recently endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, told NewsOne Now in a phone interview that rival Bernie Sanders' free public college plan would hurt Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

"If you say that you're going to have college -- free two-year college -- among public institutions, why would a student go to an HBCU? And most of which are private institutions," said Clyburn. "What will happen is these HBCUs will all close down all across America because they would not be able to afford to stay open."

HBCUs account for less than 3% of all of the universities and colleges in the U.S., but produce 22% of bachelor's degrees earned by African-Americans, according to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, a national organization that supports HBCUs. HBCUs are already facing serious economic difficulties due to low enrollment and tighter PLUS loan requirements that were passed by the Department of Education in 2011, according to the fund.

PLUS loans declined substantially at HBCUs in 2012 and 2013, according to the Institute of Education Sciences. That same year, enrollment also declined dramatically.

"If you tell me you're going to provide the resources for people to get these educations, than I'm all for it," Clyburn said.

Clyburn's comments come as Sanders has been trying to boost his appeal among black voters and expand his voting base as the Democratic primary expands to more diverse states. He's currently completing a "Feel the Bern" HBCU tour, in hopes of appealing to younger African-American voters.

[SOURCE]

Ben Carson tells supporters he will continue his campaign after South Carolina disaster

Ben Carson came in 6th in the South Carolina Republican primary with just 7.2% of the vote. Despite this Carson promised his supporters during his post primary speech that he would not be dropping out of the race. He says he's staying in for the good of the United States, but my guess is he's angling for a shot at the Surgeon General spot or a short lived talk show on Fox News. Watch Carson's speech below.

Danny Glover Speech at Bernie Sanders Campaign Rally Greenville South Carolina

Watch Bernie Sanders supporter, Danny Glover's speech at a Sanders rally in Greenville South Carolina on 02/21/2016.

Why this Hillary Clinton supporter has much love for Killer Mike

Rapper Killer Mike (His Momma named him Micheal Render) has been a very vocal and active supporter of Bernie Sanders. As a guy who grew up listening to Rakim, Public Enemy, Poor Righteous Teachers, X Clan, and KRS-One, I'm no big fan of his music (I know I come off as a hating old man.). So why you ask would I, a Hillary Clinton supporter have so much respect for this young man?

Because he unlike many celebrity supporters has studied up on things and has a good idea of what is being discussed. When he appears on television, you don't have to worry about this intelligent, well-spoken man embarrassing black people. If you debate this man don't underestimate him and consider him just a rapper because he will destroy you with well thought out arguments.

Killer Mike can intelligently debate the issues and defend his stance on the issues. I can see this young man as a political contributor to a news network or working on or in campaigns one day. And yes, I can see him running for office.

So although I don't agree with him on this current Democratic primary (Go Hillary), I am very proud of these young black man.

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports. Email: georgelcookiii@gmail.com

Former Black Panther freed after 40 years in solitary confinement

Albert Woodfox, a man once linked to the Black Panther Party who spent 43 years in solitary confinement at a notorious prison in Louisiana has been released.