Georgia governor refers to African Americans as "colored people"

During a speech about an education proposal Georgia Governor and Trump supporter, Nathan Deal refereed to African Americans as colored people. Deal later tried to say that he was clumsily talking about the NAACP and apologized. Even with that apology the fact that he used the term "colored people" says a lot about the man's mindset. Watch more on this story below:

Black church set on fire & vandalized with "Vote Trump" graffiti

Hopewell Baptist Church, a black church in Greenville Mississippi was set on fire and vandalized with graffiti that read "Vote Trump". Most of the damage to the 111-year-old church was to the sanctuary and there have been no reports of injury.

During a press conference officials that the incident is now being investigated as a hate crime. Greenville Police Chief Freddie Cannon called the incident "a form of voting intimidation".

The FBI released a statement on the burning:

“The FBI Jackson Division is aware of the situation in Greenville, and we are working with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to determine if any civil rights crimes were committed.”

Jim Johnson entering N.J. governor's race

Jim Johnson, a former U.S. Treasury official and federal prosecutor has announced he's running for governor of N.J., wading into a Democratic primary that many considered over before it officially began.

Johnson, of Montclair, has opened a campaign office in his hometown, looking to mount a challenge against banking executive and former U.S ambassador Phil Murphy, who kick-started his campaign with $10 million of his own money and is considered the odds-on favorite for the governorship.

Johnson told NJ Advance Media on Monday that he's running on a platform of rebuilding the state's economy, restoring bonds in the community and renewing trust in government.

"I believe that elections, at the end of the day, are about the people who go to the voting booth," he said.

Johnson is a former undersecretary for enforcement at the Treasury Department, where he oversaw the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Secret Service, U.S. Customs and other agencies during President Bill Clinton's administration.

He also headed up New Jersey's Advisory Committee on Police Standards, which was formed during the late 1990s when the State Police was under federal monitoring for racial profiling, and has helped shape recent reforms including the Attorney General's Office's policy on the use of body-worn cameras.

[SOURCE: NJ.COM]

NAACP office sues North Carolina, alleging voter suppression

The North Carolina NAACP has filed a federal lawsuit against the state for what it alleges is a Republican effort to suppress African-American voters.

The lawsuit, filed Monday, seeks to stop county election boards in North Carolina from canceling voter registrations. Three counties have canceled thousands of voter registrations based off what the NAACP alleges is “a single item of returned mail, sent via a coordinated campaign, led by individuals with GOP ties.”

The NAACP also aims to restore the already canceled registrations before the election.

In at least one county, African Americans were disproportionately affected, accounting for 65% of the voters whose registrations were nixed, despite making up just one fourth of the population.

Read more: NAACP office sues North Carolina, alleging voter suppression

Antron Brown is now a 3 time NHRA Drag Racing Series World Champion

Antron Brown is officially a three-time NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world champion, locking up his third overall and second straight Top Fuel title when Doug Kalitta lost to Steve Torrence in the second round at the NHRA Toyota Nationals.

Brown has been the dominant Top Fuel racer this season, winning seven times in 11 final-round appearances and tallying an amazing 51 round-wins through the first 22 events. Though he has done well all season, Brown has been particularly strong during the Countdown to the Championship. Brown entered the playoffs ranked No. 1 and never surrendered that position, thanks to an effort that included wins in Charlotte, Reading, and Dallas. He also qualified No. 1 in Dallas, an event that he dominated to all but shut out the rest of the competition in the championship chase, leaving Texas with a 150-point advantage.

Brown made history in 2012 when he won his first Mello Yello world championship to become the first African-American NHRA world champ and first black driver to win a major U.S. auto racing championship title.

[SOURCE: nhra.com]

Book Of The Month: Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death, and Redemption in an American Prison by Shaka Sengho

If Ava Duvernay's documentary "13th" resonated with you then Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death, and Redemption in an American Prison by Shaka Senghois a book that you need to check out.

A memoir of redemption, reform, and second chances amidst America's mass incarceration epidemic.

Shaka Senghor was raised in a middle class neighborhood on Detroit’s east side during the height of the 1980s crack epidemic. An honor roll student and a natural leader, he dreamed of becoming a doctor—but at age 11, his parents' marriage began to unravel, and the beatings from his mother worsened, sending him on a downward spiral that saw him run away from home, turn to drug dealing to survive, and end up in prison for murder at the age of 19, fuming with anger and despair.

Writing My Wrongs is the story of what came next. During his nineteen-year incarceration, seven of which were spent in solitary confinement, Senghor discovered literature, meditation, self-examination, and the kindness of others—tools he used to confront the demons of his past, forgive the people who hurt him, and begin atoning for the wrongs he had committed. Upon his release at age thirty-eight, Senghor became an activist and mentor to young men and women facing circumstances like his. His work in the community and the courage to share his story led him to fellowships at the MIT Media Lab and the Kellogg Foundation and invitations to speak at events like TED and the Aspen Ideas Festival.

In equal turns, Writing My Wrongs is a page-turning portrait of life in the shadow of poverty, violence, and fear; an unforgettable story of redemption, reminding us that our worst deeds don’t define us; and a compelling witness to our country’s need for rethinking its approach to crime, prison, and the men and women sent there.

BUY THE BOOK

Kindle ____Paperback

A Conversation with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Kareem Abdul Jabbar visited the Harvard Institute of Politics where he sat down for a Q&A with Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. The two discussed a variety of topics including President Obama, politics, social change, education, the black middle class, Black Lives Matter, Colin Kaepernick, and of course a little basketball. Watch their discussion below.

Loretta Lynch not happy with FBI Director James Comey letter to Congress

On Friday, James Comey, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, acting independently of Attorney General Loretta Lynch, sent a letter to Congress saying that the F.B.I. had discovered e-mails that were potentially relevant to the investigation of Hillary Clinton’s private server. Coming less than two weeks before the Presidential election, Comey’s decision to make public new evidence that may raise additional legal questions about Clinton was contrary to the views of the Attorney General, according to a well-informed Administration official. Lynch expressed her preference that Comey follow the department’s longstanding practice of not commenting on ongoing investigations, and not taking any action that could influence the outcome of an election, but he said that he felt compelled to do otherwise.

Comey’s decision is a striking break with the policies of the Department of Justice, according to current and former federal legal officials. Comey, who is a Republican appointee of President Obama, has a reputation for integrity and independence, but his latest action is stirring an extraordinary level of concern among legal authorities, who see it as potentially affecting the outcome of the Presidential and congressional elections.

“You don’t do this,” one former senior Justice Department official exclaimed. “It’s aberrational. It violates decades of practice.” The reason, according to the former official, who asked not to be identified because of ongoing cases involving the department, “is because it impugns the integrity and reputation of the candidate, even though there’s no finding by a court, or in this instance even an indictment.”

Traditionally, the Justice Department has advised prosecutors and law enforcement to avoid any appearance of meddling in the outcome of elections, even if it means holding off on pressing cases. One former senior official recalled that Janet Reno, the Attorney General under Bill Clinton, “completely shut down” the prosecution of a politically sensitive criminal target prior to an election. “She was adamant—anything that could influence the election had to go dark,” the former official said.

[SOURCE: THE NEW YORKER]

Sixers apologize to Sevyn Streeter

After taking a public beating on social media and a not so public beating from some of the team's players, the Philadelphia 76ers have issued an apology to Sevyn Streeter for not allowing her to sing the national anthem while wearing a shirt that read "We Matter."

The statement reads:

"We are sorry that this happened. After receiving feedback from our players, basketball operations staff and ownership group, we believe that the wrong decision was made, and Sevyn should have been welcomed to sing. We apologize to her, and in an effort to move the conversation forward, we have reached out to offer her an opportunity to return and perform at a game of her choice. We are waiting to hear back.”

Color Of Change PAC launches #VotingWhileBlack

–Color Of Change PAC—the PAC arm of the nation’s largest online racial justice group—is launching #VotingWhileBlack, a first-of-its-kind program that uses cutting edge digital communications tools to engage Black voters in a massive modern-day volunteer effort aimed at getting out the vote in races up and down the ballot in swing states and holding politicians accountable to Black communities after Election Day.

Created and run by Black leadership, #VotingWhileBlack focuses on the issues affecting Black communities that are central to this country’s success—from police violence and an unfair criminal justice system to a changing economy and the lack of investment in our schools and communities—in a way that other groups linked with specific political parties or candidates cannot be. While there are other campaigns focused on bringing Black voters out to the polls, #VotingWhileBlack puts voter persuasion at the center, getting out the vote for specific candidates whose positions matter for Black communities—and collectively impacting races from the presidential race to down ballot races like those for Senate and district attorneys, where the winners will have the power to make important decisions that will significantly impact Black communities.

“This is a truly unprecedented program that’s laser-focused on mobilizing Black voters around the issues that matter most to our community,” said Color Of Change PAC spokesperson, Rashad Robinson. “Down ballot races, like those for district attorneys, often don’t get much attention. But, we know all too well how much the perspective and practices of these local prosecutors impact Black communities. Rather than shoving these races to the sidelines, #VotingWhileBlack puts them front and center in our voter outreach—and we’re doing so by engaging our communities not on the basis of political parties, but based on building independent political power that will be around after the election to hold those we support accountable. We’re translating the presence and visibility of our issues into the power to change the rules.”

#VotingWhileBlack engages voters and communities with text-a-thons, online voter guides, social media activations, digital chase ads, and email engagement, and provides a full suite of digital tools and graphic content to help Black voters and allies reach out to other Black voters. Using cell phones to directly communicate with Black voters, #VotingWhileBlack is driving engagement in down ballot races that are often neglected by other voter outreach programs, including district attorney races in Franklin County, Ohio (Columbus); Orange County, Florida (Orlando); Hillsborough County, Florida (Tampa); and Harris County, Texas (Houston). The program is also targeting key Senate races in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Florida, where wins could prevent the Senate from coming under the control of far-right politicians.

“A key part of our program is holding politicians accountable after Election Day,” said Arisha Hatch, Director of Color Of Change PAC. “For far too long, elected officials have pursued Black folks’ votes, but then failed to champion our issues once they’re in power. We’re mobilizing Black communities to vote strategically, shape political agendas, move the needle on key issues, and ultimately hold elected officials accountable for the promises they make at election time.”

Already, #VotingWhileBlack has held text-a-thons—virtual or in-person gatherings where highly motivated Black voters come together in a lively atmosphere to text other Black voters about key races—in major cities including New York, Washington, Miami, Oakland, Houston, and Philadelphia, with plans to hold more in states including Illinois, California, and New Jersey. The goal of these text-a-thons is to ensure that 2 million contacted voters go to the polls and that they’re equipped with all the information they need—including local down ballot voter guides and turnout reminders—to make informed choices in races across the ballot. So far, over 1,000 volunteers have sent over 800,000 initial texts to eligible Black voters.

Color Of Change PAC is engaging partners including: John Legend, who’s hosting virtual text-a-thons; and National Nurses United, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., which  hosted or participated in in-person and virtual text-a-thons with their members.

The #VotingWhileBlack campaign follows Color Of Change PAC’s high-profile campaign pressuring corporations to divest from the RNC in protest of Donald Trump’s bigotry, which resulted in companies like Coca-Cola, Apple and HP withdrawing or reducing their financial support of the convention, and cost the Republican Party millions of dollars.

For more on #VotingWhileBlack, visit http://votingwhileblack.com.

Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson endorses Hillary Clinton

Following in the footsteps of Brittany Packnett, another prominent leader of the Black Lives Matter movement, DeRay Mckesson is supporting Hillary Clinton

“I am voting for Hillary Clinton,” Mckesson wrote in a Washington Post op-ed. “Clinton’s platform on racial justice is strong.”

McKesson went on to write:

I agree with Clinton more than I disagree with her... The [racial] unrest and activism over the last two years has undoubtedly pushed Clinton, specifically on key issues that she and other Democrats otherwise would not have addressed as forcefully as the party’s platform does: private prisons, an increased minimum wage, the role of institutional and implicit bias in sustaining unjust systems and acknowledging the need to address racism directly, to name a few.

Clarence Thomas was not snubbed by the National Museum of African American History & Culture

By George L. Cook III African American Reports.

Many conservative websites have locked onto this narrative that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has somehow been snubbed by not being included at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Now according to these sites we should all be outraged by this and demand that Thomas be included in the museum. They would have everyone believe that Thomas was not included because of his conservative beliefs and that most black people simply don't like the man (Okay that last part is true, but not why he wasn't included). But there are a few things they fail to mention.

Clarence Thomas is not the first black Supreme Court Justice, that would be the legend, Thurgood Marshall. So other than making it to the bench what has Thomas done to deserve an exhibit at the museum? He is considered a mediocre jurist at best and it's big news when the man ask a question during a hearing. You don't get an exhibit for being a bump on a log.

What's also not mentioned is that Thurgood Marshall is in the museum but not as a Supreme Court justice but for his work in civil rights. The museum does not currently have an exhibit on the Supreme Court.

Linda St. Thomas, chief spokesperson for the Smithsonian Institution, made this statement about Thomas’ exclusion:

“There are many compelling personal stories about African-Americans who have become successful in various fields, and obviously, Associate Justice Thomas is one of them,” said spokeswoman Linda St.Thomas. “However, we cannot tell every story in our inaugural exhibitions.” There is no exhibit on the Supreme Court or the justice system, the museum notes.

The late Justice Thurgood Marshall was featured in the museum because of his work on landmark civil-rights cases such as Brown v. Board of Education, according to the museum.

So you see Thomas couldn't have been excluded from the museum as there is no exhibit for him to have been excluded from.

By George L. Cook III African American Reports.

Colin Powell is supporting Hillary Clinton

You knew this was going to happen, right? Former Secretary of State Colin Powell announced that he will vote for Hillary Clinton at a luncheon on Tuesday.

Powell made his announcement at a Tuesday event hosted by the Long Island Association, a business group focused on development in Long Island, New York.

The announcement was confirmed by Powell's chief of staff, Peggy Cifrino.

NAACP seeks federal probe after noose put on black student

The president of the Mississippi NAACP is demanding a federal hate crime investigation after the parents of a black high school student said as many as four white students put a noose around their son's neck at school.

Jay Z to Stage Hillary Clinton Concert in Swing State Ohio

Jay Z will stage a concert in support of Hillary Clinton in the swing state of Ohio before Election Day, according to Buzzfeed. Details of the concert were not formally announced.

The Cleveland concert will focus on mobilizing black voters ahead of the November 8th presidential election; while Clinton currently holds a narrow lead against Donald Trump in most polls in the crucial swing state, a huge turnout by the African-American community would make it difficult for Trump to capture the Buckeye State, Buzzfeed reports.

Both Jay Z and Beyoncé have been staunch supporters of Hillary Clinton, participating in fundraisers for the candidate. The couple even hung out with former president Bill Clinton during the Made in America festival in Philadelphia.

[SOURCE]

Special honor: Stretch of Indiana Highway renamed to recognize Tuskegee Airmen

Those who drive on Interstate 65 through Jackson County (Indiana) will be reminded that America’s first African-American aviators and their support staff prepared for war here, while fighting for equality at home.

Beginning Friday, highway signs designated the stretch of the interstate from Seymour to the Bartholomew County/Johnson County line as the Tuskegee Airmen Highway in honor of the aviators, some who trained during World War II at Freeman Field in Seymour and Atterbury Air Force Base in Columbus.

Read more: Special honor: Stretch of I-65 renamed to recognize Tuskegee Airmen

Singer kneels while singing national anthem before NBA game

Denasia Lawrence performed the national anthem before an NBA preseason game between the 76ers and Heat on Friday night while kneeling at midcourt. She then opened her jacket to show a shirt bearing the phrase "Black Lives Matter." Lawrence explained her actions in a Facebook post:

When I took the opportunity to sing the national anthem at the Heat game, it was bigger than me. Right now, we’re seeing a war on Black & Brown bodies— we’re being unjustly killed and overly criminalized. I took the opportunity to sing AND kneel; to show that we belong in this country AND that we have the right to respectfully protest injustices against us. I took the opportunity to sing AND kneel to show that, I too, am America. As a social worker, I’ve worked with youth, families and veterans, and everyday they all teach me the value of fighting against injustice— that all are treated equally no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, or physical abilities.

I didn’t get paid to sing the national anthem; nor was this moment about any sort of fame. Black Lives Matter is far larger than a hashtag, it’s a rallying cry. And until our cry is rightfully heard, protests will still happen and demands will still be made!

Watch her performance below.

Donald Glover cast as young Lando Calrissian

Lucasfilm announced today that Donald Glover, an acclaimed actor, award-winning writer, and Grammy-nominated artist, will be playing the part of Lando Calrissian in the still-untitled Han Solo Star Wars film, helmed by directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Glover will join Alden Ehrenreich — previously cast as Han Solo — in bringing two iconic Star Wars characters back to the big screen, but at a time in their lives previously unexplored. This new film depicts Lando in his formative years as a scoundrel on the rise in the galaxy’s underworld — years before the events involving Han, Leia, and Darth Vader in The Empire Strikes Back and his rise to Rebel hero in Return of the Jedi.

“We’re so lucky to have an artist as talented as Donald join us,” said Lord and Miller. “These are big shoes to fill, and an even bigger cape, and this one fits him perfectly, which will save us money on alterations. Also, we’d like to publicly apologize to Donald for ruining Comic-Con for him forever.”

Glover is best known for creating and starring in the critically acclaimed FX series Atlanta (which had the highest premiere numbers for any basic cable comedy show since 2013), as well as for starring in four seasons of the show Community, and for his Grammy-nominated album Because the Internet, performed under the name Childish Gambino. In addition, Glover appeared in the Academy Award-nominated The Martian, and will be seen in the upcoming Spider-Man: Homecoming.

The untitled Han Solo movie is set for release in 2018.

[SOURCE]

Free screening of "13th" in Hillside NJ

On November 4, 2016 there will be a free screening of Ava DuVernay's acclaimed documentary "13th" at Hillside High School, 1085 Liberty Avenue in Hillside NJ. The screening begins at 6:30 PM and will be followed by a panel discussing the film. Admission is free.

This event is sponsored by Supreme Strategies Inc, The First Baptist Church of Hillside, and the Hillside Board of Education. Any inquires can be directed to Anthony Salters at anthonysalters@aol.com

SYNOPSIS: Filmmaker Ava DuVernay explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation's prisons are disproportionately filled with African-Americans.

If Kaepernick upset you, Trump's lack of patriotism should have you furious

By George L. Cook III AfricanAmerican Reports.Com

During the NFL's preseason so called "patriots" were apoplectic that SanFrancisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick refused to stand for the national anthem out of respect to black men who have been gunned down by police.

Kaepernick's actions were just the worst thing ever. These people thought that Kaepernick was disrespecting our fallen soldiers and those serving right now. Kaepernick's stance was an insult to our nation's police officers and would lead to more disrespect for police. There were calls for the 49ers to punish or fine him, some threatened to stop watching NFL games if no action was taken although they were no legal reason to do so.

Worst of all he was unpatriotic in a country where he made millions, you know like Donald Trump. Trump though gets a pass from his supporters for being unpatriotic.

That's right trump is unpatriotic. What else would you call a man who refuses to say that he will acknowledge and accept Clinton as President of the United States WHEN she wins the election. How can a Trump claim to want to make American great again when he doesn't follow our time-honored traditions when it comes to a peaceful transition of power? That tradition is what makes America's democracy great and not a banana republic.

If you were mad at Kaepernick you should be furious with Trump. Kaepernick's actions haven't hurt anyone or anything other than some people's feelings. Trump's stance could hurt a whole lot more and put a permanent stain of this great experiment we call democracy.

By George L. Cook III AfricanAmerican Reports.Com