NAACP Statement on the Fatal Shooting of Alton Sterling

NAACP President and CEO Cornell William Brooks today issued the following statement regarding the fatal shooting of 37-year old Alton Sterling after an encounter with police in Baton Rouge, LA:

“Yet again Americans are confronted with another fatal shooting of an African-American at the hands of the police. Behind the latest horrific video and hashtag is the humanity of a young black man slain on film whose name was Alton Sterling. The death of another African-American – captured in shocking detail on video - at the hands of those sworn to protect and serve the community is heartbreaking. Beyond heartbreaking, this latest tragedy calls for officials to break the inertia that may paralyze local and state authorities in insuring justice for the family, friends and community of Alton Sterling. 

“Specifically and first, all state and municipal authorities should be directed by Governor Edwards to cooperate with and actively support the ongoing Justice Department investigation. Second, the cooperation with the the federal investigation should be monitored by state authorities, and if the facts bear out, pursue the filing of state charges.  Third, based on the results of all state and federal investigations, if and as the facts warrant, the police involved in the shooting of Mr. Sterling should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Fourth, the Baton Rouge Police Department should undergo a thorough and comprehensive review to insure that its policing practices adhere to the Justice Department protocols and the Presidential Commission on 21st Century Policing.

“Sadly, the video of Alton Sterling’s death appears to be an ugly replay and remix of so many tragedies involving the police. In 2015, 27 people lost their lives at the hands of police in Louisiana, 14 of those were African-Americans. In the same year, 1000 people lost their lives in police custody across the United States.  These tragedies, as well as our communities and country, demand wholesale reform.

“This is precisely why the NAACP is calling for the Protect with Respect Policing Reform Agenda.  First, we are calling on states to pass comprehensive racial profiling laws. One racial profiling law, co-authored and passed with the support of the NAACP in Missouri enabled the Department of Justice to hold the Ferguson Police Department accountable through its “pattern and practice” investigation.

“Second, we demand full support of and passage of two crucial pieces of federal legislation.  Last summer, the NAACP led a 1,002 mile march from Selma, Alabama to Washington DC to demand members of Congress pass the Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act (LETIA) and the End Racial Profiling Act. LETIA addresses the issue of police accountability and trust between police departments and their communities. The legislation also provides incentives for police organizations to adopt standards to ensure that incidents of misconduct are reduced through management training and protocols. ERPA would create a federal prohibition on racial profiling, mandate data collection, provide funding for law enforcement retraining and withhold funding to law enforcement agencies that do not comply. 

“Third, as the two presumptive presidential candidates criss-cross this country, we want them to clearly state their commitment to address criminal justice reform and the issues of racial profiling, use of excessive force, and stop and frisk abuses.  As the two candidates lead rallies and fundraising events seeking our support and our vote, we must demand that they support legislation to reform our fractured criminal justice system and end the murder of black and brown men and women at the hands of police.

“Today, we mourn the tragic loss of the life of Alton Sterling and pray for his family and community. But we must also turn our anger and determination towards efforts to ensure there is a transparent and through investigation, demand our legislators and police officials support efforts to reform our criminal justice system at every level, and pass reasonable legislation that would end racial profiling.

“We applaud the efforts of the Baton Rouge NAACP, led by President Mike McClanahan, to support the community and lead the call for a thorough, independent investigation into the shooting death of Alton Sterling.” 

Black congressmen respond to shooting death of Alton Sterling

Several black congressmen/women, such as Rep. John Conyers and Rep. Barbara Lee took to Twitter to respond to the shocking video of Alton Sterling being shot to death by Baton Rouge police. Read their responses below.

#AltonSterling was shot in cold blood. @TheJusticeDept needs to investigate this atrocity & bring #justice to his family. #BlackLivesMatter

— Rep. Barbara Lee (@RepBarbaraLee) July 6, 2016

More than 550 police-involved shooting deaths this year. A Federal response to use of force is long overdue. #AltonSterling

— John Conyers (@RepJohnConyers) July 6, 2016

.@RepRichmond: There’s a "deep reservation" that justice will ever be served https://t.co/RoyrqfdwtY #AltonSterling https://t.co/1EuNqCPD4L

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) July 6, 2016

Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) says #AltonSterling shooting a reminder of need for more police oversight/data collection pic.twitter.com/hD9KYjxehv

— Wesley Lowery (@WesleyLowery) July 6, 2016

US Dept. of Justice investigating Alton Sterling shooting

The U.S. Department of Justice is launching into a civil rights investigation regarding the fatal Baton Rouge police shooting of Alton Sterling at a convenience store early Tuesday morning.

Federal officials will collect all the available facts and evidence related to the shooting in order to "conduct a fair, thorough and impartial investigation," FBI New Orleans division spokesman Craig Betbeze said Wednesday morning (July 6).

Betbeze said the FBI was unable to comment further on the investigation due to its ongoing nature. Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore III said in a news statement that he supports the federal review of the shooting, calling the move "a very important decision taken to ensure that our community can have confidence" in the police department's commitment to transparency in fatal officer-involved shootings.

[SOURCE]

Cleveland Indians legend Larry Doby nominated for congressional medal

Today, U.S. Reps. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ) and Jim Renacci (R-OH) honored Larry Doby’s many achievements and contributions to American major league athletics, civil rights, and the armed forces by cosponsoring the Larry Doby Congressional Gold Medal Act to posthumously award him the Congressional Gold Medal.

"Like me, Larry Doby started out as a kid on the streets of Paterson, New Jersey, but he went on to blossom into a sports legend, a pioneer of American civil rights, and a man of great service to his country," Rep. Pascrell said. "Larry handled adversity with strength and served as an inspiration for minority kids and adults since his landmark introduction to the major league. Paterson couldn't be prouder to call him one of our own, and now we call on Congress to bestow this overdue honor to Larry's family. I appreciate my friend my Ohio, Rep. Renacci, for joining me in this bipartisan effort to recognize a great American."

In one of his first acts upon coming to Congress in 1997, Rep. Pascrell sponsored legislation in Congress (H.R. 2116) designating the post office at 194 Ward Street in Paterson as the Larry Doby Post Office, which was signed by President Bill Clinton and became Public Law 105-162. In 2012, the United States Postal Service released a commemorative postage stamp with Larry Doby’s likeness. Pascrell joined the USPS for a ceremony to unveil the stamp at the Larry Doby Post Office.

"Baseball before Larry Doby and Jackie Robinson was informally segregated. While Jackie Robinson was the first African American player in the National League, the Cleveland Indians made Larry Doby the first in the American League – forever changing the face of baseball," Rep. Renacci said. "Not only did Doby wear an Indians’ uniform proudly as the first black player to play in the World Series, but he wore our nation’s uniform while he served in the Navy during WWII. I am pleased to join my friend and colleague Rep. Pascrell in introducing this legislation to honor Larry Doby for the great strides he made for the game of baseball and the civil rights movement in the United States. Go Tribe!"

“The Cleveland Indians organization is very proud of Larry Doby’s legacy,” said Indians Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Bob DiBiasio. “Mr. Doby, a symbol of equality and freedom of opportunity, stood with grace, dignity and a competitive spirit that resonated throughout Ohio and across America.”

Congressional Gold Medal

The Congressional Gold Medal is awarded by an act of Congress and requires two-thirds of the House of Representatives and the Senate to cosponsor before the legislation can be considered in Committee or by the full House. Congressional Gold Medals have a long history in the U.S. Congress with the first medal being awarded in 1776 to George Washington. Since then, Congress has authorized over 300 medals to be awarded. Jackie Robinson received his Congressional Gold Medal in 2003.

Biographical information

Lawrence Eugene “Larry” Doby was an extraordinary individual and a sports legend that broke through racial barriers by becoming the first African American to play professional baseball in the American League. Upon his honorable discharge from the United States Navy in 1946, Larry Doby played baseball in the Negro League for the Newark Eagles. In 1947, his contract was purchased by the Cleveland Indians where he began his illustrious 13 year career in the American League. After appearing in 1,533 games and batting .283, with 253 home runs and 969 runs batted in, and being voted to seven all-star teams, Larry Doby was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998.

In addition to being the first African American to hit a home run in a World Series, Larry Doby was deeply committed to his community. In expression of this profound commitment, Larry served as the Director of Community Relations for the NBA’s New Jersey Nets. This position granted Larry the opportunity to leverage his character and stature to participate in and influence youth in many of New Jersey’s inner cities.

Shonda Rimes responds to petition to fire Jesse Williams from Grey's Anatomy

Jesse Williams' great speech at the BET Awards last week led to a Change.org petition asking for him to be fired from Grey's Anatomy. The petition, created on Friday, gained more than 5,000 signatures within four days.

Erin Smith, the creator of the petition writes:

Jesse Williams spewed a racist, hate speech against law enforcement and white people at the BET awards. If this was a white person making the same speech about an African American, they would have been fired and globally chastised, as they should be, but there has been no consequences to Williams' actions. There's been no companies making a stand against his racist remarks and no swift action condemning his negative attitude. Why was Burke's character fired from Grey's Anatomy after his inappropriate homophobic slur, but nothing for Jesse Williams? Why the one-way street? Why the support for a hater? Why the hypocrisy? #AllLivesMatter All humans bleed the same color. #EqualConsequences4RacistBehavior

Grey's Anatomy creator, Shonda Rimes Twitter response to the petition was short and sweet:

Um, people? Boo don't need a petition. #shondalandrules

— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) July 5, 2016

Kevin Durant statement on joining the Golden State Warriors

Here is Kevin Durant's statement from The Player's Tribune on his leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder and joining the Golden State Warriors

This has been by far the most challenging few weeks in my professional life. I understood cognitively that I was facing a crossroads in my evolution as a player and as a man, and that it came with exceptionally difficult choices. What I didn’t truly understand, however, was the range of emotions I would feel during this process.

The primary mandate I had for myself in making this decision was to have it based on the potential for my growth as a player — as that has always steered me in the right direction. But I am also at a point in my life where it is of equal importance to find an opportunity that encourages my evolution as a man: moving out of my comfort zone to a new city and community which offers the greatest potential for my contribution and personal growth. With this in mind, I have decided that I am going to join the Golden State Warriors.

I’m from Washington, D.C. originally, but Oklahoma City truly raised me. It taught me so much about family as well as what it means to be a man. There are no words to express what the organization and the community mean to me, and what they will represent in my life and in my heart forever. The memories and friendships are something that go far beyond the game. Those invaluable relationships are what made this deliberation so challenging.

It really pains me to know that I will disappoint so many people with this choice, but I believe I am doing what I feel is the right thing at this point in my life and my playing career.

I will miss Oklahoma City, and the role I have had in building this remarkable team. I will forever cherish the relationships within the organization — the friends and teammates that I went to war with on the court for nine years, and all the fans and people of the community. They have always had my back unconditionally, and I cannot be more grateful for what they have meant to my family and to me

KEVIN DURANT 

Sen. Booker declines to discuss being vetted for vice president

In an interview with CNN's Brianna Keiler, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker dodged questions about whether he is being vetted as a potential running mate for Hillary Clinton to her campaign.

“Mother of Hampton Lacrosse”

This is an older but very insipring story. College senior Michael Crawford loved the sports of lacrosse and wanted nothing more than to bring the sport to his school, Hampton University. Michael passed before his dream became reality but his mother Verina brought his dream to fruition. Watch their inspiring story below.

Black-owned media losing influence

For the black community in Chicago and elsewhere, Johnson Publishing Co. represented a certain kind of hope.

The company’s magazines, most notably Ebony and Jet, gained prominence during the struggle for civil rights — Jet published graphic photos of the murdered black teenager Emmett Till that helped intensify the movement — and made it their mission to chronicle African-American life.

So when Johnson Publishing, which is based in Chicago, announced a little more than two weeks ago that it had sold Ebony and Jet to a private equity firm in Texas, there was a sense of loss.

“It was a very heartbreaking day,” said Melody Spann-Cooper, chairwoman of Midway Broadcasting Corp., which owns a Chicago radio station, WVON, aimed at a black audience. “Ebony gave to African-Americans what Life didn’t.”

Ms. Spann-Cooper’s reaction underscored a deeper concern: As racial issues have once again become a prominent topic in the national conversation, the influence of black-owned media companies on black culture is diminishing.

Read more: Black-owned media losing influence

Usain Bolt injured before 2016 Summer Olympics

Six-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt has suffered an injury ahead of Rio after tearing a hamstring at Jamaica's Olympic trials.

Bolt, 29, sustained the grade-one tear during the first round of the 100m and withdrew after winning his semi-final.

He is still expected to defend his 100 and 200m titles as Jamaica's selection policy allows medical exemptions.

Statement from Usain Bolt:

“After feeling discomfort in my hamstring after the first round last night and then again in the semi-final tonight I was examined by the Chief Doctor of the National Championships and diagnosed with a Grade 1 tear. I have submitted a medical exemption to be excused from the 100m final and the remainder of the National Championships. I will seek treatment immediately and hope to show fitness at the London Anniversary Games on July 22 to earn selection for the Olympic Games in Rio”.

Book of the Day: Black Hollywood Unchained

In Black Hollywood Unchained, Ishmael Reed gathers an impressive group of scholars, critics, intellectuals, and artist to examine and respond to the contemporary portrayals of Blacks in films. Using the 2012 release of the film Django Unchained as the focal point of much of the discussion, these essays and reviews provide a critical perspective on the challenges facing filmmakers and actors when confronted with issues on race and the historical portrayal of African American characters. Reed also addresses the black community's perceptiveness as discerning and responsible consumers of film, theatre, art, and music. Contributors to this collection are: Jill Nelson, Amiri Baraka, Cecil Brown, Halifu Osumare, Houston A. Baker Jr., Tony Medina, Herb Boyd, Jerry W. Ward Jr., Ruth Elizabeth Burks, Art Burton, Justin Desmangles, J. Douglas Allen-Taylor, Jack Foley, Joyce A. Joyce, C. Leigh McInnis, Heather Russell, Hariette Surovell, Kathryn Takara, and Al Young.

Ishmael Reed is the winner of the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship (genius award), the renowned L.A. Times Robert Kirsch Lifetime Achievement Award and the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Award. He has been nominated for a Pulitzer and finalist for two National Book Awards and is Professor Emeritus at the University of California at Berkeley; and founder of the Before Columbus Foundation, which promotes multicultural American writing. The American Book Awards, sponsored by the foundation has been called The American League to the National Book Awards’ National League. He also founded PEN Oakland which issues the Josephine Miles Literary Awards. PEN Oakland has been called “The Blue Collar PEN” by The New York Times. Ishmael Reed is the author of over twenty titles including the acclaimed novel Mumbo Jumbo, as well as essays, plays and poetry. Titles include: The Freelance Pallbearers; The Terrible Threes; The Last Days Of Louisiana Red; Yellow Back Radio Broke Down; Reckless Eyeballing; Flight To Canada; Japanese By Spring.

BUY THE BOOK

Google adds first black board member.

Google parent company Alphabet is adding finance chops and diversity to its board with the appointment of economist Roger Ferguson.

Ferguson is the first African American to serve on the board of Alphabet and Google, marking a major milestone in Google's effort to bring more diversity to the technology industry.

Ferguson will serve on Alphabet's audit committee. With his appointment, he receives a $1 million equity grant, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

[SOURCE]

Black Lives Matter leader warns Clinton of convention protests

In an interview with Susan Page of USA Today Black Lives Matter activist, DeRay McKesson warned Hillary Clinton of convention protests – citing the congressional sit-in by House Democrats as a possible model -- amid qualms about her commitment to civil rights. Watch that interview below.

Complaint filed seeking to disbar Marilyn Mosby

I believe that Mosby shouldn't be disbarred or that she should step down. I do believe that the 3 cases so far were not handled well. I also believe there is a case to be made against the six officers but Mosby's office did not/is not making it. George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.com

The prosecutor at the center of the Freddie Gray case has been slapped with a complaint seeking her disbarment. A law professor at George Washington University School of Law has filed the disciplinary complaint with the Attorney Grievance Commission of Maryland against Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby. LawNewz.com has learned that the complaint seeks the disbarment of Mosby for her conduct regarding the investigation and prosecution the six police officers for the death of Freddie Gray.

According to the complaint, filed by Prof. John F. Banzhaf, Mosby violated multiple provisions of the Maryland Lawyer’s Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) including withholding exculpatory evidence, making improper public statements and continuing to prosecute a case after there is insufficient evidence to support a conviction.
Read more: Freddie Gray Prosecutor Marilyn Mosby Slammed With Complaint Seeking Her Disbarment

Quinnipiac University Poll; Trump has 1% of black vote

Donald Trump is notorious for his attacks on Muslims, Hispanics and women — but he is by far faring worst with black voters, a new poll showed Wednesday.

The latest Quinnipiac University poll says the billionaire businessman has exactly 1% of black voter support. His presumptive Democratic challenger, Hillary Clinton, has 91% support from the black voting bloc.

Republican presidential candidates routinely lose the black vote in a landslide. Even so, Trump’s numbers position him to finish the general election with the lowest black support in recent history.

Even Arizona Sen. John McCain — when running against Barack Obama, who would become the first African-American president — won 4% of the black vote in the 2008 race.

[SOURCE]

President Obama Shows Us 5 Things That Are Harder Than Registering To Vote

President Obama has teamed up with Buzzfeed and TurboVote to launch "Turn Up the Vote," an initiative to encourage people to engage in the democratic process and register to vote.

Your vote is not only the most powerful tool we have to shape our collective future, it's easy for you to do. In fact, watch President Obama do a few things that are harder than registering to vote:

5 Things That Are Harder Than Registering To Vote, Featuring @POTUS #TurnUpToVotehttps://t.co/vHfvNl3s5e

— BuzzFeed (@BuzzFeed) June 27, 2016

Charles Rangel Endorses Keith Wright in Democratic Congressional Primary

Tuesday is Primary Day in New York, and one of the biggest congressional races is for the 13th District. For the first time since 1971, Charles Rangel won't be on the ballot as he is finally retiring after more than four decades in Congress.

Now nine candidates are running for his seat in a district that goes from Harlem though Washington Heights and into the Bronx.

After 46 years in Congress, Rangel says the man to follow in his footsteps is New York Assemblyman Keith Wright.

Video: Entire Jesse Williams BET Award Speech

By now you have all heard or seen the actor/activist, Jesse Williams phenomenal speech that he gave after winning a humanitarian award at the BET Awards. Watch his amazing speech on race in the United States in which he calls out everyone including black people and whites who steal black culture below.

Obama’s approval rating at highest level since killing of Osama bin Laden

President Obama’s approval rating is at its highest level in more than five years, an ABC News/Washington Post poll released on Sunday shows.

According to the results of the survey, conducted in the aftermath of the mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., two weeks ago, 56 percent of Americans approve of Obama’s handling of his job as president, compared to 41 percent who disapprove.

The last time the president’s approval rating was this high was in May 2011 following the killing of Osama bin Laden in a nighttime raid led by U.S. Navy SEALS in Pakistan.

According to the Washington Post, Obama is more popular now than Presidents George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush were at this point in their presidencies, though not quite as popular as Bill Clinton in 2000.

Read more: Obama’s approval rating at highest level since killing of Osama bin Laden

Allison Young is missing!

Police are looking for a missing woman, Allison Young whose car was located on the I-55 bridge across the Mississippi River between Memphis and Arkansas.

Police described Young as a 43-year-old black woman who is 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 210 pounds. She has shoulder-length black hair, brown eyes and a medium complexion and was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and white shorts.

If you have any information, call Memphis Police at 545-2677.