Vice President Kamala Harris delivers special remarks during CNN’s second annual “Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom” concert.
Vice President Kamala Harris delivers special remarks during CNN’s second annual “Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom” concert. pic.twitter.com/h3eBUHo3Gj
— CNN (@CNN) June 20, 2023
 |
| USS PHILADELPHIA |
“This simply was the right decision,” said Parker. “I believe acknowledging and addressing past injustice only makes us stronger, because it brings us ever closer to the ideals upon which our nation was founded.”
The ‘Philadelphia 15’ were fifteen African-American Sailors assigned to USS Philadelphia who, in October 1940, authored a letter published in the Pittsburgh Courier describing the racial discrimination, abuse, and inability to advance into other, higher-ranking positions. They urged African-American mothers not to let their sons join the Navy and were subsequently discharged because of the letter with “bad conduct discharges,” or “undesirable” charges.
After thorough review of the case by leadership within the DON, it was deemed appropriate and necessary to correct the record and upgrade the discharges of these Sailors.
“The record contained evidence that suggested the race of these sailors may have been a factor that impermissibly motivated some of the decisions made by the Navy regarding these sailors,” said Bobby Hogue, Principal Deputy ASN M&RA. “That was enough for me to initiate the case.”
If any family members of the Philadelphia 15 would like to reach out to the DON for future notifications on the topic or more information, please reach out to PTGN_CHINFOnewsdesk@navy.mil or 703-697-5342.
Members of the Philadelphia 15:
Ernest Bosley, Arval Perry Cooper, Shannon Goodwin, Theodore Hansbrough, Byron Johnson, Floyd Owens, John Ponder, James Ponder, James Porter, George Rice, Otto Robinson, Floyd St. Clair, Fred Tucker, Robert Turner, and Jesse Watford.
The Blackening a horror movie spoof featuring a majority Black cast opens in theaters June 15, 2023. PLEASE SUPPORT THIS FILM!
The Blackening centers around a group of Black friends who reunite for a Juneteenth weekend getaway only to find themselves trapped in a remote cabin with a twisted killer. Forced to play by his rules, the friends soon realize this ain’t no motherf****** game. Directed by Tim Story (Ride Along, Think Like A Man, Barbershop) and screenplay and screen story by Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip, Harlem) & Dewayne Perkins (The Amber Ruffin Show, Brooklyn Nine-Nine), The Blackening skewers genre tropes and poses the sardonic question: if the entire cast of a horror movie is Black, who dies first?
Lionsgate and MRC present, a Story Company / Tracy Yvonne / Artists First / Catchlight Studios production.
The Blackening stars Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, X Mayo, Dewayne Perkins, Antoinette Robertson,Sinqua Walls with Jay Pharoah and Yvonne Orji.
NAACP sent an open letter to President Joe Biden emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive student debt relief and calling for him to fulfill his promises to the Black community.
Read that letter below:
NAACP open letter to Biden Administration emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive student debt relief... by George L. Cook III on Scribd
Daniel Penny has been indicted in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely on a New York City subway train last month.
A grand jury in lower Manhattan reached the decision Wednesday, more than a month after Penny, 24, put Neely in a deadly chokehold as the homeless man behaved erratically. The exact charges will not be unsealed until Penny is arraigned at a later date. Penny was first arrested May 12, on a second-degree manslaughter charge.
Penny, who is White, was captured on video on May 1, choking Neely, who was Black, for nearly three minutes after the homeless man started shouting on the train that "he had no food, he had no drink" and that "he was tired." Neely had had a lengthy history of run-ins with police and a history of mental illness.
While Penny kept his arms around Neely's neck for 50 seconds after he stopped moving, the train's conductor called 911. EMS workers were not able to revive Neely.
Penny is currently free on a $100,000 bond.
