Civil Rights icon John Lewis revives gun control push after Las Vegas shooting

Civil rights figurehead Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, re-upped the pressure on his Republican colleagues Wednesday to pass gun control legislation in the aftermath of Sunday’s mass shooting in Las Vegas.

Lewis and several of his House Democratic colleagues held a press conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to honor the victims of the shooting and protest Congress’ inaction on gun control in recent years. He was joined by House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and former Congressman Gabby Giffords, who narrowly escaped death after she was shot in the head at a constituent meet-and-greet in 2011.

“This Congress has failed the American people. As in Newtown and Aurora and Charleston and Orlando, now in Las Vegas, how many more must die? A hundred? A thousand? 10,000? A million? What is your blood price? How many more must die?” Lewis asked, according to Politico. “But there’s no number, is there? There’s no amount of blood or pain or death or suffering that would move this Congress to act. We hold moments of silence and vigil. We offer our thoughts and prayers, but it’s all a show, a placeholder until people forget.”

The group called for passage of a bill that would strengthen firearm background checks. Lawmakers also want Congress to establish a bipartisan Select Committee on Gun Violence to study the issue and recommend other potential legislation.

Their effort did not work. House Speaker Paul Ryan declined to bring up for a vote anything that would tighten gun laws and raised the prospect of punishing the Democratic lawmakers for breaking the chamber’s rules.

Minds are not likely to change this time either. Lewis reportedly approached Ryan earlier this week to see if he would come to Wednesday’s press conference, Politico reported. Ryan declined.

[SOURCE]

US Virgin Islands is grappling for attention after being hit by two hurricanes

Depending on what media outlets Americans engage, they might think that Puerto Rico is the only US territory hit by hurricanes recently, but that's not true.

The US Virgin Islands were hit twice - by Hurricanes Irma and Maria - and for the most part have been overlooked in the national disaster relief conversation, said US House of Representatives Delegate Stacey Plaskett.

The Category 5 storms left the community without power and Internet service, preventing many stores and pharmacies from serving customers who mainly use cards to purchase essential items.

"We hear headlines about what's happening in Puerto Rico," she told MSNBC's Joy Reid last week. "I can't tell you the low morale that the people of the Virgin Islands have right now about how the federal government and the rest of the Americans feel about them because we hear nothing - nothing about the people of the US Virgin Islands."

"And unfortunately, some of us are beginning to think that maybe it's because the US Virgin Islands is a primarily black territory that we're not hearing anything in the news," Plaskett added. "There's no discussion about us."

Read more: US Virgin Islands is grappling for attention after being hit by two hurricanes

African-Americans should apply for gun licenses to scare lawmakers into action

By Leonard Greene NY Daily News

America would have tighter gun laws in 24 hours if every black person in America went out and bought a firearm.

In fact, black people wouldn't even have to purchase the guns. All we would need to do is fill out the gun license applications and get background checks.

Lawmakers would be passing stricter gun laws quicker than you can say bump stock.

That's the evil attachment Las Vegas madman Stephen Paddock used to legally turn his semi-automatic weapon into a rapid-fire killing machine when he unloaded Sunday on a crowd of country music concertgoers, killing nearly 60 outside his Las Vegas hotel.

In the days since, the White House has reaffirmed its commitment to the Second Amendment.

But how quickly would that change if black people started exercising their Second Amendment rights, and took advantage of ridiculous open carry laws?

Elected officials would amend the Constitution in a heartbeat, because nothing would scare America more than the thought of a heavily armed black population.

Not a credit card data breach.

Not North Korean nukes.

And, nothing, not even holding a gun to their heads, would move members of Congress to pass meaningful gun control faster than a flood of applications from black people threatening to stockpile weapons of their own.

I call it the Hotel Pool Theory.

Not long ago, racist white people were so against swimming with blacks that many hotel owners shut down their swimming pools rather than desegregate their facilities.

Likewise, Republican senators, and even the National Rifle Association for that matter, aren't about to stand around and let law-abiding black people have equal access to guns.

Not under today's laws, where restrictions are so lax you can practically buy a gun out of a vending machine or get one free with a gas station fill-up.

According to the Congressional Research Service, there are already more guns in the United States than there are people.

What we need are stricter laws, and legislation that would outlaw bump stocks instead of imposing “additional regulations” as the NRA suggests.

Applications from African-Americans and background checks on black buyers would be more than enough to scare lawmakers into action.

Source: NY DAILY NEWS

March for Black Women Draws Hundreds in Washington, D.C.

A few weeks before the 20th anniversary of the Million Woman March, hundreds of Black women mobilized in Washington, D.C. last Saturday for the March for Black Women.

The rally was spearheaded by the civil and human rights organization Black Women’s Blue Print. A statement from the group said the gathering aimed to “denounce the propagation of state-violence and the widespread incarceration of Black women and girls, rape and all sexualized violence, the murders and brutalization of trans women and the disappearances of our girls from our streets, our schools and our homes.”

Saturday’s demonstration coincided with the March for Racial Justice. The intertwining of the two events was absolutely intentional, according to the executive director of Black Women’s Blue Print, Farah Tanis.

“I said to myself that there will not be another March for Racial Injustice that does not truly center black women and their issues,” Tanis told the Washington Post.

The organizers of the March for Black Women told the Post they wanted their demonstration to cater to women who felt left out of the Women’s March on Washington. Many women of color believed the January march was geared toward White feminism and felt excluded by the rally.

“In this highly political moment of the 20th anniversary of the Million Woman March, the March for Black Women will amplify the struggles of Black women in the rural South—the “Black Belt,” and demand a cease and desist of all threats to those of us who are immigrant women across the country living in fear of deportation,” the rally’s statement continued.

“On September 30, 2017, Black cis and trans-identified women will remove the gags from our mouths, protest in collective action and lift the foot of imperialist white supremacist patriarchy off our necks,” the page read. “We call on every Black woman from every U.S. city, every walk of life, every demographic to rise together within our differences and face our common oppressors.”

Read more March for Black Women Draws Hundreds in Washington, D.C.

Panthers QB Cam Newton says TD celebration was for 'Black Power'

After Cam Newton scored a rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter of Sunday's win over the Patriots, the Panthers quarterback stood with a raised fist in the end zone.

Newton, who stood during the national anthem before the game, said Wednesday he might have some sort of protest in the wake of President Donald Trump's divisive comments last weekend.

Newton's touchdown gave Carolina a 30-16 lead early in the fourth quarter and the Panthers held on for a 33-30 victory. Newton, who threw for 316 yards and three scores while rushing for 44 yards and the 7-yard touchdown, explained his touchdown celebration following the game.

"It was to signify Black Power, but more importantly, I pray every night for God to give me a pinnacle to give people hope," Newton said. "I did it to raise — to show Black Pride because I am an African American, but more or less, I want all people just to see when I play, I want them to see the joy that I go out there and play with.

Read more: Panthers QB Cam Newton says TD celebration was for 'Black Power'

New Nielsen Study Reveals Growing Spending Power, Influence of Black Women

A new report detailing the record-setting spending power of African American women has further buoyed the confidence of Black female entrepreneurs, who said the information proves their undeniable value to the United States and the global economy.

The report titled, “African American Women: Our Science, Her Magic,” was released by Nielsen during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual legislative conference; it revealed that African American women’s consumer preferences and brand affinities are resonating across the mainstream culture, driving total Black spending power toward a record $1.5 trillion by 2021.

The report also noted that Black women comprise 14 percent of all females in the U.S. (“24.3 million strong”) and 52 percent of all African Americans.

With an average age of 35.1 years (versus 42.8 for non-Hispanic White women and 39.4 for all women), Black women have enjoyed steady growth in population, incomes and educational attainment.

Sixty-four percent of Black women currently enroll in college right out of high school and 23 percent over the age of 25 have a bachelor’s degree or higher, up from 18 percent in 2005.

Further, the report noted that the number of businesses majority-owned by Black women grew 67 percent between 2007 and 2012, more than all women combined.

The latest U.S. Census figures show African- American women have majority ownership in more than 1.5 million businesses with over $42 billion in sales.

“This report is helpful to show banks and brands that Black women are highly qualified to be recipients of fair lending and to be fairly represented in advertising campaigns,” said Samantha Gregory, the founder of the website richsinglemomma.com, a platform developed to help single mothers earn extra cash. “As a Black woman in technology and personal finance, who is also a business owner, those statistics are useful, when I am making a case for working with brands for my blog and business.

Read more: New Nielsen Study Reveals Growing Spending Power, Influence of Black Women

Mothers of NFL players send open letter to Trump in defense of their sons

The Professional Football Players Mothers Association has sent an open letter to Donald Trump in response to his attack on them and their sons over his mistaken view that they are degrading the American Flag. Read that letter below:

The National Museum Of African American History And Culture Is Getting Its Own Stamp

The National Museum of African American History and Culture will finally make its stamp debut next month after its issuance date was initially postponed by the US Postal Services.

The “Celebrating African American History and Culture Forever stamp” recognizes the richness of black history and its intrinsic connection to American history. It is also part of the US Postal Services Forever series and will go on sale Oct. 13 after a dedication ceremony at the actual museum.

“Black history is inseparable from American history, and the black experience represents a profound and unique strand of the American story,” USPS said. “This stamp issuance recognizes the richness of that experience by celebrating the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC.”

[SOURCE: ESSENCE]

Georgetown Law students take a knee to protest speech by Attorney General Jeff Sessions

Dozens of Georgetown University students gathered Tuesday on the steps of McDonough Hall to protest an address from Attorney General Jeff Sessions that lambasted schools for infringing on students’ free-speech rights.

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee kneels on House floor in solidarity with black athletes

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) kneeled on the House floor Monday night to show solidarity with NFL players defying President Trump to protest police brutality.

First MLB player takes a knee during national anthem

Looks like Trump's attack on black athletes in the NBA and NFL has backfired and has now spread to Major League Baseball.

Bruce Maxwell, son of a US Army veteran and Oakland As backup catcher became the first Major League Baseball player to kneel during the National Anthem. He did so after talking with his teammates and the general manager.

Maxwell stated:

“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. These guys are my family; the Oakland A’s is the only family I’ve ever had in professional baseball. So being able to sit down and confidently have this conversation with David and with Bob Melvin and with my teammates before the game was something huge that I felt like needed to be done.”

“The point of my kneeling is not to disrespect the military. It’s not to disrespect our constitution. It’s not to disrespect our country … I’m kneeling for the people that don’t have a voice. This goes beyond the black community. This goes beyond the Hispanic community.”

Maxwell plans to continue to kneel for the anthem in the future:

“People think athletes should shut up and get their money and play their sport, but no matter how much money we make, no matter how many touchdowns we score, no matter how many home runs we hit, it doesn’t mean we aren’t people. Our paychecks don’t silence us.”

Bruce Maxwell First MLB Player To Protest National Anthem

Trump has an more of an issue with black athletes who protest than with white nationalist

By George L. Cook III African American Reports

There is a famous Maya Angelou quote, "When Someone Shows You Who They Are, Believe Them ."

Donald Trump has issues with Colin Kaepernick, Jemele Hill, and Stephen Curry (Wonder what they all have in common there?), all athletes are people in sports who don't support him or that have PEACEFULLY protested, but he seems to have no issues with white nationalist.

Trump's words last night at a campaign rally for Luther Strange show that he is very upset about attacking NFL players who kneel during the national anthem. He is more upset about that than white nationalist who marched while making anti-Semitic slurs at the University of Virginia, or the white supremacist who injured many and killed one person in Charlottesville. Trump showed more passion in calling black NFL players "son of a bitch" than he ever did when he was forced to denounce the alt-right. Watch that segment of his speech below:

Wow he seemed pretty fired up there and got a great reaction from the crowd filled with his supporters. But that wasn't enough; Trump had to take a shot at Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors after they pretty much said they didn't want to visit the White House to be honored for the 2017 NBA Championship.

In a response that took far shorter than the 48 hours it took to respond to the horrible events in Charlottesville, Trump tweeted:

Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating,therefore invitation is withdrawn!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 23, 2017

Of course what Trump did there was quit before he could be fired or dumped a girlfriend/boyfriend before they dump you. Trump also doesn't understand that you can't rescind an invitation that was never given or that was not going to be accepted anyway.

As every day passes he is showing that he doesn't care about anyone but his base, the rest of us be damned.

If not a racist then Trump is a man who has no problem being associated with racist or defending them.

The man has shown us who he is. Believe him.

Theatrical production to showcase last year of Martin Luther King's life

You think you know Martin Luther King Jr.'s story? Tavis Smiley is willing to bet you don't.

To mark the 50th anniversary of King's assassination next April, the radio and TV host is planning a nationwide tour of a theatrical production focusing on the last year of King's life, a time when he was reviled by some for expanding his critique of America beyond its racism to poverty issues and the Vietnam War.

"I don't want this anniversary to come and go without people finally coming to terms with wrestling with who Martin Luther King really was," Smiley told The Associated Press in an interview on Wednesday, the day before the official announcement of the production.

"Death of a King: A Live Theatrical Experience" is based on Smiley's 2014 book of the same title. Smiley will narrate from his book, and will be accompanied by jazz pianist Marcus Roberts.

The production will travel to 40 cities still to be determined. It is set to kick off on January 15, the day of the national holiday named for King and his actual birthday, and run through April 4, the anniversary of the day he was fatally shot while standing on a balcony at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968.

Learn more about Death of a King: A Live Theatrical Experience: Death of a King: A Live Theatrical Experience

Andre Ward retires from boxing at age 33

Pound-for-pound king and unified light heavyweight world titleholder Andre Ward said in a statement on his website that he is "leaving" boxing.

"I want to be clear -- I am leaving because my body can no longer put up with the rigors of the sport and therefore my desire to fight is no longer there," the statement said. "If I cannot give my family, my team, and the fans everything that I have, then I should no longer be fighting."

On Thursday, the 33-year-old Ward (32-0, 16 KOs) told First Take more about the thought process behind his decision to retire.

"People see what I do fight night," he said. "They see under the lights, but they don't see the toil, they don't see the grind, they don't see just the pain, the physical pain that you go through, not just in the fights, but to prepare and to get ready for those battles."

He added: "I felt the physicality of the sport -- not just in-the-ring stuff, but the training and the preparation -- start to take its toll on me for the last two or three years, and I bit down and continued to push through. And at this point, it's time, and I know it's time."

Read more: With desire to fight gone, Andre Ward retires from boxing

Trump's pick for head of HBCU initiative lacks experience in academia or government

President Trump's pick to lead the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities fits the mold of many of the administration's key appointments.

Like many administration officials, Johnathan Holifield, a speaker and consultant named executive director of the HBCU Initiative Monday, has a track record in the private sector but practically no experience in government or with the institutions he'd be working to advance. Organizations representing historically black colleges offered tentative praise of the pick. But commentators on issues affecting minority institutions were quick to note Holifield's lack of experience working with HBCUs.

Reactions among some observers of HBCU institutions verged on befuddlement.

Marybeth Gasman, director of the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions, said entrepreneurship and innovation are important objectives for institutions to pursue. But she also said it was important for anyone in the office to have a deep familiarity with historically black colleges and their needs.

Gasman said she was skeptical, however, that any executive director would accomplish much in this administration.

"I don’t see Trump caring about HBCUs, as he has demonstrated this lack of care," she said. "I hope that Holifield does well, but I don’t see anyone working with the Trump administration having autonomy or being able to make substantial important changes."

Julianne Malveaux, an author and former president of Bennett College in North Carolina, said Holifield has tremendous business acumen. But she noted that many other individuals with entrepreneurial experience have also been more engaged with historically black colleges.

"The 45th president has done little to earn the trust of the HBCU community; this appointment does not engender trust, but instead suggests a 'wait, see and hope for the best' attitude," Malveaux said.

[Inside Higher Ed

City to deposit $20 million in Chicago's last black-owned bank

The last black-owned bank in Chicago is set to receive a $20 million deposit of city funds.

City Treasurer Kurt Summers on Monday announced the deposit into Illinois Service Federal Savings and Loan Association.

Founded in Chicago in 1934 to help give the black community better access to credit, ISF Bank is one of just more than 20 black-owned banks in the country, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

The deposit is meant to help drive economic development in the city's neighborhoods, Summers said.

"It's about being a community bank," said Summers, noting that his office works to invest in the city's neighborhoods and institutions. "Community banks are a great opportunity for that because they are designed for the sole purpose of reinvesting in their local area."

On average, the city keeps between $300 million and $700 million on deposit in banks. In order to receive deposits of city funds, financial institutions must go through a special certification process.

The deposit at ISF Bank, which went through the certification process, is the first the city has made with the intent to bolster a community bank, Summers said.

Read more: City to deposit $20 million in Chicago's last black-owned bank

Donald Glover takes home two Emmy Awards for Atlanta

By George L. Cook III African American Reports

Actor, director, writer, producer, (and singer) Donald Glover had a very good night at the 69th Annual Emmy Awards.

The multi-talented creator of the TV show "Atlanta", which airs on the FX Network took home two Emmy Awards.

Glover won the category Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series making him the first African American to do so for directing a comedy.

But making Emmy Award history was not enough for Glover,he also won the category of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

Congratulations to Donald Glover and what seems to be a bright future.

Phil Heath wins his 7th consecutive Mr Olympia!

Love him or hate him, the king stays on top. Phil Heath has won the 2017 Mr. Olympia making this his 7th consecutive Mr. Olympia contest. Heath is now tied with bodybuilding legend Arnold Schwarzenegger for second most Mr O victories. While many question Heath's gut and feel he was not in his best shape the judges felt that he did just enough to edge out Big Ramy. The question now becomes can he catch Ronnie Coleman and Lee Haney who both won eight consecutive Mr. O victories and maybe eventually pass them or will Big Ramy finally live up to the hype and beat him next year.

But that's a story for next year.

Congrats to Phil Heath the 2017 Mr. Olympia winner!

Olympia 2017 Men’s Bodybuilding Results

1. Phil Heath

2. Big Ramy

3. William Bonac

4. Dexter Jackson

5. Shawn Rhoden

6. Roelly Winklaar

7. Nathan De Asha

8. Brandon Curry

9. Josh Lenartowicz

10. Cedric McMillan

Congressional Black Caucus rips DOJ decision on police program

Cedric Richmond, the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) ripped the Trump administration's move on Friday to roll back an Obama-era program that oversees and rates how police officers work with members of the communities they serve. The move was made just hours after a St. Louis cop was found not guilty in the murder of Anthony Lamar Smith

“This is yet another example of what the black community has to lose under this administration," Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.) said in a statement.

“This decision is wrong, reckless, insensitive, and immature. It also further divides police departments and communities – rich and poor, black and white," Richmond said.

“In the midst of protests in St. Louis, Mo., in response to the acquittal of a cop who killed a 24-year-old African-American man, the Trump Justice Department is gutting an important federal program that is focused on restoring trust between communities and police departments and monitoring progress in this area," Richmond added.

The Department of Justice announced changes Friday targeting the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) Collaborative Reform Initiative for Technical Assistance.

The initiative was created under former President Barack Obama and allowed police departments and cities to seek federal help on various issues, including police shootings and alleged brutality.

[SOURCE: THE HILL]

Maxine Waters to Jeff Sessions: 'Now you know how the African Americans you disrespected feel'

Auntie Maxine is at it again.

Rep. Maxine Waters, one of the staunchest foes of President Trump, mocked Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Twitter following a report that President Trump berated and humiliated him by calling him an idiot for allowing the appointment of special counsel Robert Mueller. Read her tweet below:

To Jeff Sessions, how does it feel to be dragged & humiliated? Now you know how the African Americans you disrespected feel

— Maxine Waters (@RepMaxineWaters) September 15, 2017