Martellus Bennet not going when New England Patriots visit the Trump Whitehouse

Now I don't care much for the New England Patriots (although as a NY Giants fan I probably should like them) but I'm really liking one of their tight ends, Martellus Bennet. Bennet has been outspoken on social issues of importance to African Americans such a Black Lives Matter. He has spoken in support of Colin Kaepernick's protest and against Kanye West visiting Donald Trump. But I'm really loving him for saying he won't be following tradition and going with the rest of the New England Patriots organization to receive congratulations from Trump at the White House when that visit happens.

Martellus Bennett said to reporters:

"I haven't thought about it. I am not going to go," the New England Patriots tight end said. "I can elaborate later on in life; right now I am just trying to enjoy this ... People know how I feel about it, just follow me on Twitter."

Why Black History Month is important to Black children.

By George L. Cook III African American Reports

His this is George l. Cook III of African American Reports and I would like you to watch my short 58 second video titled why Black History Month is important to black children. Near the end of the video a box will appear in the upper left hand corner titled Black History Month. Click that box to check out a series of 35 second videos on great men and women in Black history.

National Association of Black Journalist Statement on Tamron Hall's Departure From NBC

The National Association of Black Journalist has released the following statement on Tamron Hall's departure for NBC:

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is saddened by Tamron Hall's departure from NBC. She broke ground as the first black female "Today Show" cohost and was enjoying ratings success alongside Al Roker during the show's third hour of programming.

NBC has been a leader for diversity in broadcasting, but recent reports that Hall and Roker will be replaced by former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly are being seen by industry professionals as whitewashing.

Published reports suggest Kelly will be replacing "Today's Takes," the hour of programming led by Hall and Roker. Roker tweeted last week that the show leads the ratings in its time slot and consistently beats its competition. This achievement deserves praise, not punishment, as replacing talent often is associated with low ratings performance. Kelly has a well-documented history of offensive remarks regarding people of color. On The Kelly File, her Fox News show, the host said then-First Lady Michelle Obama's commencement address at Tuskegee University pandered to a "culture of victimization."

While NABJ wishes Hall well on her next move, NABJ requests a meeting with NBC leadership on the top-rated show's dismantling. We look forward to dialogue and resolve regarding black journalists and their continuing roles at NBC both in front and behind the camera.

About the National Association of Black Journalists:

An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization for journalists of color in the nation, and provides career development as well as educational and other support to its members worldwide.

[SOURCE: NABJ.ORG]

If conservatives/republicans really care about gun violence in Chicago...

OPINION: By George L. Cook III African American Reports.

If conservatives/republicans really care about gun violence in Chicago, then what are they going to do about it? They may make some token gestures to help but they wont tackle the biggest issue.

Trump did not rename black history month, Obama used African American History Month also

In this era of fake news many web sites are posting stories about Donald Trump changing the name of Black History Month to African American History Month. The sites base this fake news on the title of Trump's proclamation. The title is President Donald J. Trump Proclaims February As National African American History Month

There's just one problem with their story, President Obama also used the same phraseology in a 2013 Black History Month proclamation. Read that proclamation below.

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

January 31, 2013

Presidential Proclamation: National African American History Month, 2013

By The President of The United States of America

A Proclamation

In America, we share a dream that lies at the heart of our founding:  that no matter who you are, no matter what you look like, no matter how modest your beginnings or the circumstances of your birth, you can make it if you try.  Yet, for many and for much of our Nation's history, that dream has gone unfulfilled. For African Americans, it was a dream denied until 150 years ago, when a great emancipator called for the end of slavery. It was a dream deferred less than 50 years ago, when a preacher spoke of justice and brotherhood from Lincoln's memorial.  This dream of equality and fairness has never come easily -- but it has always been sustained by the belief that in America, change is possible.

Today, because of that hope, coupled with the hard and painstaking labor of Americans sung and unsung, we live in a moment when the dream of equal opportunity is within reach for people of every color and creed.  National African American History Month is a time to tell those stories of freedom won and honor the individuals who wrote them.  We look back to the men and women who helped raise the pillars of democracy, even when the halls they built were not theirs to occupy.  We trace generations of African Americans, free and slave, who risked everything to realize their God-given rights.  We listen to the echoes of speeches and struggle that made our Nation stronger, and we hear again the thousands who sat in, stood up, and called out for equal treatment under the law.  And we see yesterday's visionaries in tomorrow's leaders, reminding us that while we have yet to reach the mountaintop, we cannot stop climbing.

Today, Dr. King, President Lincoln, and other shapers of our American story proudly watch over our National Mall.  But as we memorialize their extraordinary acts in statues and stone, let us not lose sight of the enduring truth that they were citizens first.  They spoke and marched and toiled and bled shoulder-to-shoulder with ordinary people who burned with the same hope for a brighter day.  That legacy is shared; that spirit is American.  And just as it guided us forward 150 years ago and 50 years ago, it guides us forward today.  So let us honor those who came before by striving toward their example, and let us follow in their footsteps toward the better future that is ours to claim.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim February 2013 as National African American History Month.  I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA