I saw and loved the Black Panther. While I rooted the titular hero, my favorite character was Eric Killmonger (I know he's the bad guy) while I know others loved the funny but strong Shuri character. Others liked M'Baku, king of the Mountain tribe. So, who was your favorite character?
Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) said America needs practical gun laws to prevent the murder of its children, in a powerful statement to MSNBC following the recent mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
Harris went as far to say, “We cannot tolerate a society and live in a country with any level of pride when our babies are being slaughtered,”. Watch her statement below:
This cannot be a political issue. We have to have smart gun safety laws - our babies are being slaughtered. pic.twitter.com/Z62eK5LkhP
— Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) February 15, 2018
LeBron James laid into President Trump in a new video from Uninterrupted, saying that the president doesn’t "give a f---" about the American people.
In the video, which was filmed in January, ESPN’s Cari Champion interviews James and Kevin Durant while driving the NBA stars in an Uber.
"The number one job in America, the ... person is someone who doesn't understand the people, and really don't give a f--- about the people,” James said of Trump.
Champion raised the issue of what she called Trump’s "racist comments." The interview was conducted near the time last month Trump was under fire for referring to Haiti, El Salvador and African nations as "shithole countries.""It's not even a surprise when he says something,” James said. “It's, like, laughable; it's laughable and it's scary."
He added that he wants to use his platform as an athlete to set an example for what is acceptable.
“While we cannot change what comes out of that man’s mouth, we can continue to alert the people that watch us, that listen to us that this is not the way,” he said.
Jordan Peele took home the top prize for best original screenplay (film) Sunday evening at the Writers Guild Awards for his racially conscious film "Get Out."
The win marks Peele's latest award in a string of prizes, further cementing his place as a strong contender for next month's Academy Awards.
Peele, who said he began writing "Get Out" in 2008, dedicated part of his acceptance speech to other writers.
"This was a passion project. It was something that I put my love into, I put my soul into, so getting this from you means so much," Peele said of the film, a horror-satire exploring an interracial relationship gone wrong. "Keep taking chances, take big risks, put your love into it. It does pay off."
The writer and first-time director beat out other strong contenders "The Shape of Water," "The Big Sick," "Lady Bird" and "I, Tonya."
The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery unveiled the official portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama. Barack Obama's portrait was created by Kehinde Wiley, a black artist best known for his vibrant, large-scale paintings of African Americans. Michelle Obama's portrait was created by Amy Sherald, the winner of the Portrait Gallery's 2016 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. Some people like them while others hate them. What do you think?
In Jim Crow America, it's no wonder that Jack Johnson was the most despised African-American of his generation.
The first black boxing heavyweight champion of the world, Johnson humiliated white fighters and flaunted his affection for white women, even fleeing the country after an all-white jury convicted him of "immorality" for one of his relationships.
Now, more than 100 years later, Johnson's great-great niece wants President Donald Trump to clear the champion's name with a posthumous pardon. And she has the backing of Sen. John McCain, who has supported a Johnson pardon since 2004.
"Jack Johnson was a boxing legend and pioneer whose career and reputation were ruined by a racially charged conviction more than a century ago," McCain said in a statement to The Associated Press. "Johnson's imprisonment forced him into the shadows of bigotry and prejudice, and continues to stand as a stain on our national honor."
Johnson, the son of former slaves, defeated Tommy Burns for the heavyweight title in 1908 at a time when blacks and whites rarely entered the same ring. He then mowed down a series of "great white hopes," culminating in 1910 with the undefeated former champion, James J. Jeffries.
"He is one of the craftiest, cunningest boxers that ever stepped into the ring," said the legendary boxer John L. Sullivan, in the aftermath of what was called "the fight of the century."
In addition to his flashy boxing, Johnson refused to adhere to societal norms, living lavishly and brazenly and dating outside of his race in a time when whites often killed African-Americans without fear of legal repercussions. In 1913, he was convicted of violating the Mann Act (also known as the White-Slave Traffic Act), which made it illegal to transport women across state lines for "immoral" purposes. The criminal charges sprung from a relationship he started with his future wife Lucille Cameron, an employee at Cafe de Champion, a mixed race nightclub he opened on Chicago's South Side.
After seven years as a fugitive in Canada, Europe and other countries, Johnson eventually returned to the U.S. and turned himself in. He served about a year in federal prison and was released in 1921. Cameron and Johnson eventually divorced and Johnson died in 1946 in an auto crash in North Carolina, supposedly after racing angrily from a segregated diner that refused to serve him.
The stain on Johnson's reputation forced some family members to live in shame of his legacy — the exact opposite of how Johnson led his life.
Family "didn't talk about it because they were ashamed of him, that he went to prison," Linda E. Haywood, a 61-year-old Chicago resident, said of her great-great uncle. "They were led to believe that he did something wrong. They were so ashamed after being so proud of him. The white man came and told them that he did something wrong, he did something dirty and they painted him out to be something that he wasn't."
Haywood said she didn't find out she was related to Johnson until she was 12. She remembers learning about Johnson when she was in sixth grade during Black History Month, and only learned later that he was kin.
Haywood has pressed to have Johnson pardoned since President George W. Bush was in office, a decade ago. Posthumous pardons are rare, but not unprecedented. President Bill Clinton pardoned Henry O. Flipper, the first African-American officer to lead the Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry Regiment during the Civil War; he was framed for embezzlement. Bush pardoned Charles Winters in 2008, an American volunteer in the Arab-Israeli War convicted of violating the U.S. Neutrality Acts in 1949.
Haywood wanted Barack Obama, the nation's first black president, to pardon Johnson, but Justice Department policy says "processing posthumous pardon petitions is grounded in the belief that the time of the officials involved in the clemency process is better spent on the pardon and commutation requests of living persons."
The Justice Department makes decisions on potential pardons through an application process and typically makes recommendations to the president. The general DOJ policy is to not accept applications for posthumous pardons for federal convictions, according to the department's website.
"In terms of Jack Johnson, I think the Department of Justice came back recommending — not recommending a pardon on that," press secretary Robert Gibbs said in 2009.
A spokeswoman for Obama declined further comment.
Haywood wants the history books rewritten.
"Knowing that he was treated unfairly and unfairly convicted and targeted because of his choice of companions, who happened to be Caucasian, that's wrong," she said. "It bothered my people to the point they didn't even want to talk about it. My mother didn't even want to talk about it. That's stupid ... It bothers me.
"The last thing you want to do is die and have your name tarnished. That's wrong. You don't want it to be tarnished if you're living."
The Black Panther movie is coming soon and many black celebrities, churches, social groups, etc. are taking the Black Panther Challenge and making sure that black children are able to see the movie. There is a very good reason why, it's very important for black children to see themselves portrayed in a positive light so they they know that they too can be heroes. Watch more on this topic in the video below.
The stamp art features a photograph of Lena Horne taken by Christian Steiner in the 1980s. Kristen Monthei colorized the original black-and-white photo, adding a background reminiscent of Horne’s Stormy Weather album, with a few clouds to add texture and subtly make the album reference. “Lena Horne” is written along the bottom of the stamp, with “Black Heritage,” the stamp series title, at the top. “USA” and “Forever” appear on the lower right-hand side above Horne’s name. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp.
Order the stamp here: USPS: The Lena Horne Stamp
Bresha Meadows, the Ohio teenager who killed her father after he allegedly terrorized and abused her family for years, is finally home.
On Sunday, Bresha, who is now 16, was released from the residential mental health facility where she spent the last six months. Her case attracted national media attention, and opened up a conversation about how black women and girls are treated by the criminal justice system when they claim self-defense.
Bresha was 14 when she fatally shot her father in the head while he was asleep. She and her siblings alleged that her father, Jonathan Meadows, 41, was physically and verbally abusive toward them, often threatening them with the same gun Bresha fired. Her mother, Brandi Meadows, called Bresha a hero, and told reporters that her husband beat her ruthlessly in front of the children.
“I believe that she saved all of us,” she said.
Bresha’s case was propelled into the national spotlight thanks to the work of a small organizing collective, dubbed #FreeBresha, which advocated on behalf of the teen after her arrest. They organized book drives and letter-writing campaigns to the prosecutor, and started a petition to demand Bresha’s immediate release. Over 100 domestic violence organizations endorsed the call to drop the charges. A fundraiser for Bresha has raised over $150,000.
“Bresha should never have been incarcerated, but it is a win nonetheless,” two of the organizers, Colby Lenz and Mariame Kaba, wrote in an op-ed welcoming the teen home. “The punishment system was unsuccessful in disappearing this young Black woman.”
Prosecutors charged Bresha with aggravated murder, and sought to try her as an adult, which meant she potentially faced life behind bars. Ultimately, she was tried as a child, and last May, she pleaded true to a charge of involuntary manslaughter, the equivalent of guilty in juvenile court.
She was sentenced to a year in juvenile detention, with credit for time served, as well as six months at a mental health facility and two years of probation. On Sunday, she was released into her family’s care.
Her record will be sealed and expunged when she reaches adulthood.
When asked if he would be taking the traditional trip to the White House to be honored by Trump, Philadelphia Eagles safety and Super Bowl champion Malcolm Jenkins says he is not anticipating going. He also stated that he had nothing to say to the sitting President. Eagles defensive end Chris Long and wide receiver Torrey Smith have said they would not travel to Washington D.C. also.
Philadelphia Eagles safety and Super Bowl champion Malcolm Jenkins says, "I personally do not anticipate attending (a victory event at the White House)" https://t.co/y3iENKNvfu pic.twitter.com/kLZa2Wq2Vr
— New Day (@NewDay) February 5, 2018
Both Bernice King and The King Center took to Twitter to respond to the Dodge/Ram Truck Super Bowl commercial that used Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's "The Drum Major Instinct" sermon to sell trucks, although they would have the public believe that the ad was about community service. Read those tweets below:
Neither @TheKingCenter nor @BerniceKing is the entity that approves the use of #MLK’s words or imagery for use in merchandise, entertainment (movies, music, artwork, etc) or advertisement, including tonight’s @Dodge #SuperBowl commercial.
— The King Center (@TheKingCenter) February 5, 2018
Here is #DrumMajorInstinct in its entirety. Learn about #MLK from him. Please listen to/read his speeches, sermons and writings. Understand his comprehensive teachings and his global perspective. Study his nonviolent philosophy. It’s more than a tactic. https://t.co/56fiF8r6iP
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) February 5, 2018
Dennis Edwards, the former lead singer for The Temptations, whose gritty voice carried some of the biggest hits of the Motown era, has died, according to his booking agent Rosiland Triche. He was 74.
Edwards, who would have turned 75 on Saturday, died Thursday night in Chicago after suffering from a long illness, Triche told CNN. Triche described Edwards as "the ultimate showman."
The Grammy Award-winner's voice was prominent on hits including "Cloud Nine," "Papa was a Rollin' Stone" and "I Can't Get Next to You."
Edwards joined The Temptations in 1968, replacing lead singer David Ruffin, just as the group launched its funk-psychedelic sound. He left and rejoined the group several times over the decades.
Everyone believes that Marvel's upcoming Black Panther movie will be a massive hit at the box office on its opening weekend, but it may be even bigger than initially thought. Earlier projections had it headed for an opening in the $120-$122 million range, but more recent projections show that Black Panther will have one of the biggest openings in Marvel history for a movie without Avengers in the title.
Per Variety:
Disney-Marvel’s “Black Panther” is heading for as much as $150 million in its North American opening on the four-day Presidents Day weekend, updated tracking is showing.
That’s significantly above the first tracking on Jan. 25 for the Chadwick Boseman tentpole, which initially placed the debut in the $100 million to $120 million range for the Feb. 16-19 period. “Black Panther” could break the Presidents Day weekend record of $152 million, set in 2016 by “Deadpool.” It will easily top the second-highest debut for the four-day holiday, set in 2015 when “Fifty Shades of Grey” opened with $93 million.
Black Panther opens on February 16, 2018.
The movie is directed by Ryan Coogler and stars Chadwick Boesman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Angela Basset, Forest Whitaker, and Sterling K. Brown.
Talented Academy Award winning actress, Octavia Spencer is giving back to underserved communities by buying out a theater to allow families to see Black Panther who otherwise may not have been able to.
Via Instgram Spencer announced her plan to buy out a theater in Mississippi when Black Panther opens on Instagram Wednesday, saying she'll be in the state when the movie opens on Feb. 16.
Florida could soon help diversify the U.S. Capitol's Statuary Hall, by replacing a Confederate general's likeness with the hall's first statue honoring an African-American woman.
The state Senate voted unanimously Wednesday to install a statue of educator Mary McLeod Bethune in the spot where a statue of Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith still stands.
"It's a way of recognizing our history, but also our diversity. It shows Florida in our best light," said the bill's sponsor, Democratic Sen. Perry Thurston. "It's a major message. It shows not only Florida, but the nation that we are coming together and trying to recognize all of our history."
Bethune founded Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls in 1904, which eventually became Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach.
Two years ago the state Legislature voted to remove Smith's statue from the U.S. Capitol over the objection of some members who said that was an effort to erase Southern history.
Smith is famously remembered as the last Confederate officer to surrender a significant force at the end of the Civil War, nearly two months after Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in Virginia and formally ended the war on April 9, 1865.
The law requiring the removal of the Smith statue set up a process to replace it.
An independent committee reviewed 130 recommendations from Floridians and presented the Legislature with three choices: Bethune; Marjory Stoneman Douglas, who wrote "The Everglades: River of Grass" and is credited with helping create that national park preserving 1.5 million acres (607,000 hectares) of wetlands in southern Florida; and George Washington Jenkins, who started the Publix supermarket chain.
Bethune was the committee's only unanimous choice.
President Donald Trump opened his first State of the Union address Tuesday night touting low unemployment rates among black Americans.
The Congressional Black Caucus was not very impressed and released the following tweet in response:
Much like the money he inherited from his father to start his business, @realDonaldTrump inherited the low black unemployment rate from @BarackObama. #SOTU #ThanksObama
— Black Caucus (@OfficialCBC) January 31, 2018
The CBC also showed their lack of enthusiasm for Trump's remarks about the African American unemployment rate by giving little to no response:
Members of Congressional Black Caucus offer no reaction as Pres. Trump says "African-American unemployment stands at the lowest rate ever recorded" in #SOTU address https://t.co/q18EZzVe9p pic.twitter.com/Xxkqc7hFt9
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 31, 2018
Freelon Adjaye Bond/SmithGroup’s Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C. has been selected as the winner of the Beazley Design of the Year for 2017.
Presented by the Design Museum in London, the award is given to the project that best meets the criteria of design that “promotes or delivers change, enables access, extends design practice or captures the spirit of the year.”
In being named both overall winner and winner of the architecture category, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture outpaced impressive shortlisted projects from OMA, Zaha Hadid Architects, and more, as well as winners from five other categories: Digital, Fashion, Graphics, Product, and Transport.
'We couldn’t look any further than the Smithsonian for the overall award. It is a project of beautiful design, massive cultural impact, delivers an emotional experience and has a scale deserved of this major award,” said jury member Ozwald Boateng OBE. “You enter the building clouded in darkness and work your way through the displays and end bathed in light - this is a project that feels like a major turning point.’
Read more: Smithsonian National Museum of African American History Wins 2017 Design of the Year.
“This nation has always been a melting pot of people from different countries, different ethnicities and different races. Rather than celebrating this diversity, the current Administration continues to attack immigrants and people of color, many of whom have spent their entire lives in the U.S. and do not know another home. Nearly 44 million immigrants currently reside in the U.S. Over 20 million of them are naturalized citizens. Thirty six percent of U.S.-born children of immigrants are college graduates— 5 percent higher than the national average —and 64 percent are homeowners, which is on par with the national average. Immigrants are our neighbors, colleagues and friends and are productive members of our society.
“Mayors have an obligation to defend the cities they are elected to serve, and protect society’s most vulnerable citizens. The rhetoric coming out of the White House is disheartening and offensive to the hardworking immigrants living and working legally across the country. The cities we represent are not ridden with gangs, cartels and criminals as this Administration claims. In fact, a 2017 Cato Institute study found that the 2014 incarceration rate for 18 to 54 year-old immigrants — both authorized and unauthorized — was considerably lower than that of the U.S.-born population.
“It’s time this Administration holds itself to a higher standard. This is not a country of racists and bigots. We are a country that proudly houses a diverse population, each with a unique background and story. It is un-American to attack immigrants and the people seeking to protect them. We stand with the hundreds of mayors who want their cities to remain safe places for immigrants to call home. Our communities will continue to safeguard American values, and remain welcoming places for all, for the sake of our security and our national character.”
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