African Union statement on Trump's racist comments about Africa

The African Union released the following statement after President Trump referred to African countries as shitholes:

"Given the historical reality of how many Africans arrived in the United States as slaves, this statement flies in the face of all accepted behaviour and practice," AU spokeswoman Ebba Kalondo said.

"This is particularly surprising as the United States of America remains a global example of how migration gave birth to a nation built on strong values of diversity and opportunity."

The African Union (AU) is a continental union consisting of all 54 countries on the African continent, extending slightly into Asia via the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It was established on 26 May 2001 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and launched on 9 July 2002 in South Africa,[6] with the aim of replacing the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The most important decisions of the AU are made by the Assembly of the African Union, a semi-annual meeting of the heads of state and government of its member states. The AU's secretariat, the African Union Commission, is based in Addis Ababa.

Rep. Mia Love demands that Trump apologizes for racist remarks about Haiti and Africa

Republican Congresswoman Mia Love, who is Haitian-American of Utah’s 4th Congressional District issued a statement Thursday in response to a controversial comment by President Trump, in which he decried Haitian and African immigrants coming to the United States from “s—hole countries.”.

Read her statement below:

The President’ comments are unkind, divisive, elitist, and fly in the face of our nation’s values. This behavior is unacceptable from the leader of our nation. My parents came from one of those countries, took an oath of allegiance to it, and took on the responsibilities of everything that being a citizen comes with. They never took a thing from our federal government. They worked hard, paid taxes, and rose from nothing to take care of and provide opportunities for their children. They taught their children to do the same. That’s the American Dream. The President must apologize to both the American people and the nations he so wantonly maligned.”

NYC man raising funds so that black children can see 'Black Panther'

PLEASE DONATE: Help Children See "Black Panther"

New York City resident Fredrick Joseph believes so much that children of color need to see themselves represented positively on the big screen. He believes in that so much that he has started a GoFundMe campaign so kids in Harlem, New York, can go see the Black Panther movie when it comes out in February.

On that GoFundMe page Joseph writes:

The release of Marvel's film the "Black Panther" is a rare opportunity for young students (primarily of color) to see a black major cinematic and comic book character come to life. This representation is truly fundamental for young people, especially those who are often underserved, unprivileged, and marginalized both nationally and globally.

I want these children to be able to see that people who look like them can be superheroes, royalty, and more.

All proceeds will go to paying for the private screening tickets for children and chaperones, as well as refreshments. The release of the film is February 16th, 2018, and the screenings will take place the following week between February 19th and 22nd.

Cost breakdown:

-$13.00 per child ticket

-$13.00 refreshments per child

- $17.00 per chaperone ticket

- $10.00 refreshments per chaperone

*The remaining balance of donations after the movie Experience is paid for will go to the organization*

*All organization donations and movie/refreshment purchase receipts will be sent to campaign donors after the campaign is finished.*

I appreciate you joining me in supporting our children, who need us now more than ever.

For more information please contact: FrederickT.Joseph@gmail.com

PLEASE DONATE: Help Children See "Black Panther"

Congressman Cummings recovering after bacterial infection

Maryland U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings had a medical procedure on his knee Friday to drain a bacterial infection, his office said, hours after his wife announced she was dropping out of the Democratic primary for governor because of "personal considerations."

The congressman's office said doctors drained the infection in a minor procedure. He was admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital Dec. 29.

"He is resting comfortably and expects a full recovery," his office said in a news release.

[SOURCE: Star Telegram]

Thomas Ellis, a Tuskegee Airman, is dead at 97

Former Sgt. Maj. Thomas Ellis, one of six surviving Tuskegee Airmen in San Antonio, died Jan. 2 of a stroke in a local hospital. He was 97.

A draftee, he served as a top administrator with the first all-black Army Air Forces unit and was proud of the unit’s record — 15,533 sorties, 112 aerial kills, three Presidential Unit Citations and 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Known as approachable and easygoing, even with strangers, Ellis also chafed at the racism African Americans endured from white officers during the war and knew the importance of proving that the 332nd Fighter Group was up to the job.

“He was very opinionated, very outspoken,” said Rick Sinkfield, national spokesman for Tuskegee Airmen Inc., which has 1,400 members across the country, around 20 of them pilots from the legendary unit. "He realized he was in the segregated military at the time and so he was very aware all eyes were on those guys to do well.

Ellis will be buried with full military honors at 9 a.m. Friday in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Ellis entered the Army as two-thirds of all Americans did, as a draftee. His daughter, Janice Stallings, said he entered the service in 1942 and was transferred to the Army Air Forces.

Ordered to Tuskegee Army Airfield, Ellis was the only enlisted member in the newly activated in the 301st Fighter Squadron, rising to staff sergeant and becoming an integral member of the 332nd Fighter Group, serving under then-Col. Benjamin O. Davis, who eventually became an Air Force general.

They deployed to Italy, where Ellis earned seven battle stars and left the Army as a sergeant major.

[SOURCE: STARS AND STRIPES]