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Breakdown FM: Interview w/ Pittsburgh Rapper Jasiri X-The police State of Pittsburgh & the Upcoming G20 Summit

August 31, 2009 By

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Jasiri X gave a sobering wake up call about the state of affairs in Pittsburgh which has been deemed 'America's Most Liveable City'

Jasiri X gave a sobering wake up call about the state of affairs in Pittsburgh which has been deemed 'America's Most Liveable City'

We sat down with Pittsburgh rap star Jasiri X of the organization One Hood who talked to us about all that was going on the city which has made national news because of the city’s infamous footbal team , the Steelers winning a record number 6 superbowls. Residents proudly refer to the city as Sixburgh as people around the nation praised the city as one that has returned from the harsh economic turbulance of Steelmills shutting down and factories leaving to go overseas.  

Jasiri X laid to rest those myths by pointing out that underneath the pride and swagger is another story  as the city gets prepared for the upcoming G20 Summit. His assessment was sobering and eye opening and in stark contrast with the nationwide write up Pittsburgh had recently gotten as being the ‘most liveable city in America’. 

 Most notable in this interview was Jasiri expressing profound disappointment in the way President Obama has allowed a number things around the issues of poverty and police brutality slide.  There were many within the organization One Hood who spent countless hours registering people to vote and taking them to the polls only to have them and their community overlooked when Obama’s aid Valerie Jarrett came to town and made shocking statements  about how economic hardships have not befallen Pittsburgh. Jasiri talked in great detail about the immense poverty that still exists in many of the city’s Black communities. He talked about how gentrification and new developments have worsened things not made them better.

He talked about the on going police harrassment and terror residents are experiencing on a routine basis.  He talked about how the Pittsburgh police department has been making practice runs for the upcoming G20 summit, in the Black community. They been using all sorts of new crowd control and surveillenace techniques in the hood.

Jasiri X talked about how the police have been showing up in the hood with army tanks and extra man power even though several officers have been killed in in neighborhoods outside the hood. Pittsburgh is becoming a police state with all sorts of laws restricting people’s movements being put into place. Among those victimized by this new crackdown are people activist/journalist  Paradise Gray of X-Clan. He was recently arrested on trumped up charges when he came to film a protest that people were having against gentrification.  Many feel Gray was arrested so he could be on the books and face stiffer penalties should he show up to film or protest at the upcoming G20 summit.

Jasiri talked about how officers have been put on notice that if they leak out any information about security plans for the upcoming G20 Summit, they will be terminated. Sadly no officer has been terminated for committing acts of brutality. He noted how the city has been hiring police outside the city of Pittsburgh and how its caused a lot of tension and unrest.

Jasiri talked about how all protests in city parks have been banned in preparation for the G20. All permits have been denied including one solicted by a Pittsburgh legislator. 

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Breakdown M Podcast Interview w/ Pittsburgh Rapper Jasiri X

http://odeo.com/episodes/25040378-Jasiri-X-Pittsburgh-the-Police-and-the-G20

 

 

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Filed Under: 2009-Daily Hip Hop News, Political articles, Southern Shift Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Breakdown FM: An Interview w/ Chali2na-Like a Fish Outta Water-2Na Goes Solo

August 31, 2009 By

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7F-qIXe9PA

05_Flatbed_2 - JULYWe spoke w/ former Jurassic 5 rapperCharli 2Na on Breakdown FMwho is now rolling solo in the aftermath of the group’s breakup.
We covered a number of topics including:

1-Charli 2Na speaks on his popping and strutting abilities.  Breakdancing/ BBoying is what first attracted him to Hip Hop. We spoke to Charli about this because during his live shows its not unusual to see the brother bust a few moves.

2-We spoke about his Chi-Town (Chicago) upbringing and the influence house music had on him and his music. He noted that House was always an present to the point that he eventually sought out different types of music to explore including Hip Hop.

3-We talked about his Curtis Mayfield inspired song ‘Righteous Way’. He talks about how he wanted to write a song that connected various generations of his family. He sampled Curtis Mayfield’s ‘Making of You’

4-We spoke about today’s hip hop audience and whether or not they will accept and appreciate history, complexity and depth. Charli 2Na explained that reaching today’s audience can be abit of a challnge but he only knows how to speak to his audience in a mature way and refuses to dumb himself down. Its important that Hip Hop have a variety of voices  and artists find lanes that allow their art to truly shine.

5-We spoke about Charli about parenting which is an increasingly engaged topic amongst those in the Hip Hop generation. 2na now has a son who is in college and he talked about the types of adjustments he’s had to make.  Currently his son is one of his best friends who acts as a de facto A& R guy by keeping his dad on top of things. If his son likes it.. then Charli knows he’s in the pocket.  We talked about Jurassic 5’s landmark song which dealt with this issue of parenting called ‘Contribution’ .

Charli2nasuit-2252na explained that he learned how to parent from seeing and experiencing what his absente dad did not do. He was determined not to repeat that pattern with his own son. He talked about how he and pops eventually reconciled. He also talked about the close relationship he had with his grandmother who picked up the slack while both his mom and dad dealt with their own demons.

6-Also along the family tip we with Charli 2Na about his younger brother Semaj who now travels with him, is an incredible rapper in his own right and is part of the band. 2Na explained that his younger brother who is 11 years younger has his own group called Live Radio and for years did not tell him about his rapping abilities nor come to 2na for help when he and his group got things rolling. Charli spoke about how proud he his of his brother because he made his own path and in many ways has surpassed 2na in the things they accomplished when compared to what Charli was doing at that same stage in his career. For example he noted that Semaj and Live Radio has already opened for KRS on several occassions and have done quite a few shows around LA.

Eventually 2Na pulled his brother and the group aside and spoke to them forthrrightly about the pitfalls they should avoid as a group. He noted he gave to them the same advice that Hip Hop pioneer Grandmaster Caz gave to the than young members of J5. He told them the steps to take and outlook to have to avoid jealousy and petty rivalries within the group. He talked to them about communicating etc. 2na admitted that unfortunately what Caz talked about was not fully heeded and J5 fell apart.

7-Lastly we spoke to 2na about the tragic and painful death of his cousin who was like a sister to him. They grew up in the same household.  Her name was BB and she was trampled to death during an infamous nightclub fire that took place in Chicago a few years ago. She went to get her coat when all hell broke loose and people panicked inside the club. BB fell and was crushed by hundreds of club goers. 2na immortalized his cousin and the incident in the last song on his album. Its a heartwrenching touching song that includes BB herself speaking to her cousin on one the last times they saw each other.  For 2Na to open himself up like that is one of the reasons we will always like and appreciate what he means and brings to Hip Hop.

8-Joining us in this interview is Charli’s good friend Supernatural. the two share with us the influence eacha have on one another. Supernat talks shares with us some insight to 2na’s writing style and overall process for recording and eventually releasing songs.

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Breakdown FM Podcast-Charli 2Na Like a Fish Outta Water

http://odeo.com/episodes/25027942-Charli2Na-Holds-It-Down-Like-a-Fish-Outta-of-Water

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Filed Under: 2009-Daily Hip Hop News, Breakdown FM Interviews, Southern Shift Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

A History of Black-Brown, Unity, Tensions & Struggle

August 30, 2009 By

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Former SNCC member and Professor Mario Salas

Former SNCC member and Professor Mario Salas

We sat down with Professor Mario Salas of San Antonio’s NW Vista College and talked with him about the history of Black-Brown unity here in the United States and in Mexico.

Salas who is mixed Black and Mexican and a former member of SNCC  gave us a serious lesson that touched upon slavery, colonialism and the back drop behind some of the famous wars along the border of Mexico and Texas.

Salas started out by talking about the history between the Black Panthers and Brown Berets who are still active in San Antonio. He talked about how recently the Berets came to the aid of the African American community and helped them get a community radio station. he explained that the two groups were always able to work together because the Panthers didn’t employ cultural nationalist politics. Both groups had a revolutionary philosophy which allowed for coalitions to form.

Salas talked about the original Rainbow Coalition which was conceived by Chairman Fred Hampton who headed up the Chicago chapter of the Black Panthers. This was years before Jesse Jackson came along. The basic premise was for groups to unite around principles. One could and should have cultural pride but not at the expense of dissing or excluding other groups.

In our conversation we talked at length about immigration and how that issue has been framed and narrow-casted to only have a Brown face. Today when we say immigration we think of Mexicans trying to come to the United States and forget that there are dozens of African ethnic groups facing similar challenges in other parts of the country. Most notable are Haitians.

Salas gives us an insightful history into immigration history along the border which includes shedding light on Poncho Villa who he explained was half Black and commanded a Black army. Salas talked about how Buffalo soldiers deserted their position in the US Army and went to fight for Poncho Villa. He also talked about an army of made up of African women who came from Mexico. Salas also talked about the Afro-Mexican population in Vera Cruz.  He also talked about the African influence on ‘mexican’ culture including the song La Bamba which was made famous by singer Richie Valens. He explained the song and word are African in origin.

During our interview we talked about language and how both Africans and Mexicans who were originally indigenous. Professor Salas talked about how the Spaniards literally beat the native languages out of Indigenous peoples and forced them to speak Spanish. he talked about how people were beaten in the streets of Mexico City until they spoke Spanish. This was similar to what happened with African slaves brought over to the US were beaten until they stopped using their native tongue and spoke English. With regards to Mexicans people crossing the border were beaten until they stopped speaking Spanish and started speaking English. I’m not sure people realize the level of brutality that was imposed upon slaves and native peoples by those who colonized these lands. Salas went on to add in great detail about the origins of Mexican identity  and how this led to the  erasing the history of indigenous people’s tribes and cultural heritage.

We spoke about the Battle of Alamo where Professor Salas explained that it was essentially a ‘slave owner rebellion’  that centered around  Mexico’s President at the time whowas Afro-Mexican banning slavery.  He gives the full history of  this and talks about General Santa Ana who is immortalized in the break beat song ‘The Mexican’ by Babe Ruth

We talked at length about the caste system in Mexico which was imposed by the Spaniards who brought over 300 thousand African slaves and forced to breed and marry to lighten up the race.  Salas explained that certain last names were given to people to indicate that they were African vs Native. Names like Moreno and Grito are two of the many.

blackandbrownunity-225We concluded into our conversation by talking about the challenge both Blacks and Browns have in the US. They include buying into White Supremacy, Sharing Power and avoiding Divide and Conquer tactics.  Salas said it was important that we support those who share the same goals and principles and not just a Brown or Black face. he talked about the miscalculation it was for some Black organizations to support Clarence Thomas and for some Mexican organizations to support Alberto Gonzalez. Salas noted that we should all strive to have a global perspective, be fully engaged and aware of policies we have toward Latin America and to connect the dots where ever possible.

We also talked about the opportunity and role that President Obamahas in enhancing Black-Brown unity. We talked about regional differences and how Black Brown unity has different faces and challenges in various parts of the country. Texas has a unique history which is different then what takes place in California which is different than what takes place in New York or Miami. He noted in Texas the history may even be different in various parts of the state. For example, in east texas, the culture is more Southern. In other parts Texas is much more Southwestern.

Professor Salas suggested we read books like ‘Black and Brown’ by Gerald Horne which is filled with historical facts and highlights points of unity. He said we should also read Texis Devils by Michael Collardwhich focuses on the history of ther Texas Rangers who were essentially a Ku Klux Klan force that terroized the Mexican population in Texas.

Below is a video which gives a short exceprt of our conversation.. T o hear the entire entire peep our Breakdown FM podcast

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Breakdown FM Podcast: Black and Brown Unity-The History

http://odeo.com/episodes/25043444-Black-and-Brown-Unity-pt1-The-History

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlSM4p5fkQQ

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Black and Brown Unity pt2-the Immigration Debate

We spoke with popular Washington DC based blogger Carlos Quiroz  from

Carlos In DC

Carlos In DC

Washinton DC about Black-Brown Unity and Immigration reform.. During the Immigration Panel at Netroots Convention the topic of Black-Brown unity came up and generated a lot of discussion both within and outside of the panel…

The main concerns that were raised was the types of prejudices and disdain being expressed on the left as opposed to the right side of the political spectrum. The question was raised as to whether or not in cities where there are Black/Brown tensions like Los Angeles, if there would be a manipulation of rage in the same vein that fear was manipulated during the Healthcare debates. Expressed was the concern that ‘spokespersons’ for our respective communities would be handpicked by corporate media outlets so they could go on various shows and espouse inflammatory remarks. Thats definitely been happening in LA.  

In this discussion we cover a lot of ground. We dwell into those questions and more. Carlos who is Peruvian drops keen insight into how colonialism has impacted the way people view race in many parts of Latin America. He talks about the opportunity to build coalitions and how that is happening in some places.

Also featured is our comrad Faviana Rodriguez, a popular artis/paintert out of Oakland. We build with her on this topic as well. We talk to her about the role art and cultural expression play in politicizing people and moving folks to action..

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Breakdown FM Podcast: Black and Brown Unity pt2-The Immigration Debate

http://odeo.com/episodes/25043313-Black-and-Brown-Unity-pt2-the-Immigration-debate

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Adding to this discussion is the interview I did I  for Carlos’ blog here are the links to that…

http://carlosqc.blogspot.com/2009/08/african-american-and-mexican-racial.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5ScoavEyRU&feature=related

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Filed Under: 2009-Daily Hip Hop News, Political articles, Southern Shift Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Republicans looking for ‘great white hope’ to counteract Obama? Congresswoman says she didn’t mean it that way

August 28, 2009 By

I thought the GOP’s Great White Hope Was Sarah Palin.. Boy the racism just don’t stop.. Folks need to check out Birth of a Nation and the history behind it.. The upward mobility of Black folks during the reconstruction caused an uproar.. The anger that so many whites in power were feeling was indescribable.. You see this now..

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Top of the Ticket

Politics, coast to coast, with the L.A. Times

Republicans looking for ‘great white hope’ to counteract Obama? Congresswoman says she didn’t mean it that way

August 27, 2009 |  5:21 pm

One of the instructive (and occasionally entertaining) aspects of the presidency of Barack Obama, the nation’s first black commander in chief, has been the intermittent surfacingof traditionally submerged racial attitudes. These incidents often take form as slips of the tongue, or perhaps “jokes,” that may or may not indicate racism. But the reaction to such statements serves to remind those in the public glare that potentially offensive references to race — whether deliberate, accidental or unconscious — will be ruthlessly picked apart in the blogosphere. 

Especially if you are a Republican. (Macaca, anyone?)

The latest pol to receive a self-inflicted egg facial is Lynn Jenkins, a freshman Republican congresswoman from Kansas, who according to the Associated Press told a group of constituents Aug. 19 that the GOP is “struggling right now to find the great white hope.”  She added: “I suggest to any of you who are concerned about that, who are Republican, there are some great young Republican minds in Washington.” (Poor quality video is here. Comment is at about 50 seconds.) Getprev

The tape was — naturally — turned over to the Kansas Democratic Party, whose spokesman pronounced Jenkins’s remark “a poor choice of words.”

Later, at another event,  Jenkins pleaded ignorance: “I was unaware of any negative connotation,” she said.  “And if I offended anybody, obviously, I apologize.”

Now, we don’t expect all of our legislators to be fans of boxing — nor even theater or movies, for that matter. But we find it strange that an educated person such as Jenkins, who is a certified public accountant, never knew that the phrase “great white hope” is freighted with racial animus.

“Great white hope” was coined early in the last century to describe the search for a white boxer who could regain the world heavyweight boxing title from Jack Johnson, the first African American to win it.  Johnson — and the ugly reaction of many whites to his 1908 victory — was the subject of the 1967 play “The Great White Hope,” which won a Tony for actor James Earl Jones in 1969, who also starred in the film. In 2005, PBS aired a Ken Burns documentary about Johnson, “Unforgivable Blackness.”

Liberal blogger Matt Yglesias over at Think Progress believes a comment like Jenkins’ should not shock anyone: “Now to be fair,” he writes, “there are virtually no nonwhite Republican members of Congress, so in suggesting that the party’s future hopes rest essentially on white talent, Jenkins was arguably just stating the obvious.”

Ouch.

— Robin Abcarian

Photo: Lynn Jenkins addresses her use of “great white hope” today in Kansas. Credit: Associated Press

Filed Under: 2009-Daily Hip Hop News, Political articles, Southern Shift Tagged With: , ,

Kanye West vs George Bush-The Katrina Mix-We Remember

August 28, 2009 By

daveydbanner

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This is a Hip Hop audio mix that captures so of the thoughts sounds surounding the nation’s worst tragedy in history… In this mix you will hear from people like former Black Panther H. Rap Brown, rappers Juvenile & Master P, Mayor Ray Nagin, reporters Sam Sheppard and Geraldo Rivera and of course Kanye West and George Bush

Below is the link to the mix

logoKanyevsBush

Kanye West vs George Bush-The Katrina Mix


This is a audio mix that speaks for itself.. 5years ago.. Monday August 29 2005 Black America got her own 9-11. She was hit with an act of terrorism in New Orleans that was just as devastating if not more than what took place when those Twin Towers were felled by planes… Yes, you read that correctly.. Most people mistakenly believe that the city of New Orleans was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Lets make sure folks understand this once and for all.. Much of neighboring Mississippi was destroyed by HurricaneKatrina which hit the state with its full level 5 impact.

New Orleans which was initially in the path of Hurricane Katrina was spared at the last moment… What hit New Orleans were winds that were around level 3.. The devastation that took place in New Orleans was the city’s levees broke and the entire 9th Ward and other parts of New Orleans was flooded. Did the winds break those levees? Was it the surge of rushing water?  Thats what’s been suggested. That’s what then President  George Bush told us.. Well here’s the deal.. New Orleans was hit by several acts of terrorism. It started on Monday August 29th 2009 when those levees bursted open..

We attended the International Tribunal for Hurricane Katrina and Ritain 2007 and heard 4 days worth of testamony from residents who were still displaced from their homes. This tribunal was one that was conveened by former Congress woman Cynthia McKinney and a number of organizations in New Orleans. There were a panel of judges who came from all over the world who listened in shock as horror story after horror story was told of what went down in the aftermath of Katrina. The most telling testamonies came from resident after resident who talked about hearing a number of large explosions nearwhere the levees were breached. Talk to the residents of the Lower 9th and they will tell you emphatically those levees were blown up.  After hearing so many speak and documentaries made, where its been emphatically suggested that 9-11 was an inside job, why wouldn’t the blowing up of the levee fall under the same cloud?

But if that’s hard to swallow, lets look at the testamonies that came from engineers who did independent studies. Professor Robert Bea who headed up the engineering team from UC Berkeley spoke at the Tribunal and spoke for a couple of hours where he painstakenly showed how the levees were designed in such a way that they were ‘destined to fail’.    So negligent were the designs that one could only conclude that it was deliberate-hence an act of domestic terrorism.

We heard the horric accounts of police shootings, and vigilante killings of Blacks by roving mobs of whites. Former Black Panther Malik Raheem put together a documentary where he captured white residents bragging how they had gone on pheasant hunts to shoot Blacks seeking refuge in one of the unflooded parts of the city. He estimated there were more than 200 killings. He showed bodies of Blacks who were shot in Algiers in his documentary ‘Welcome to New Orleans’

Again, the terrorism experienced came in the aftermath of Katrina here entire communities mainly poor Blacks were run out of the city with most never to return.  I recall when San Franciso and the Bay Area was devasted by the 1989 earthquake. The entire Marina district in San Francisco home top the wealthy was destroyed. Within a year those houses were fixed. The Bay Bridge that collasped was fixed. The 880 highway that collasped was leveled and eventually replaced.. But the homes in West Oakland where the poor lived still had visible damage 5 years after the quake. In New Orleans 5 years after Katrina we still have the Lower 9th is disrepair and many of the folks still scattered around the country.  If thats not terrorism what is?

something to ponder

-Davey D-

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Filed Under: 2009-Daily Hip Hop News, Breakdown FM Interviews, Political articles, Southern Shift Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

How Did Senator Edward Kennedy’s Work Affect Young People?

August 27, 2009 By

daveydbanner

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Almost every politician likes to utter the cliches of ‘helping’ or reaching out to the young people. Very few do more than roll up take a few pictures and bounce until the next photo op. Very few have taken the steps to craft legislation that would lead to young people being empowered. The conventional wisdom is that young people don’t vote so why bother doing anything for a segment of the population that doesn’t vote or put much pressure on to move in a particular political direction. Such was not the case with Ted Kennedy. He took that aspect of his career very seriously.

Our good friends at MTV lay out a few of Kennedy’s accomplishments with respect to creating and pushing bills designed to help young people. We hope folks take this to heart and commit themselves in following on those footsteps with the goal of taking the late Senator’s legacy to new heights.

-Davey D-

How Did Senator Edward Kennedy’s Work Affect Young People?

Late senator helped lower voting age to 18 and sponsored many college grant and loan programs.

By Gil Kaufman

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1619575/20090826/index.jhtml

Young people lost a key ally in the Senate with his passing

Young people lost a key ally in the Senate with his passing

Senator Edward Kennedy

was known for many things in his 46-year Senate career, including a tenacity that could put the fear into presidents both Democratic and Republican, a willingness to work with colleagues across the aisle to pass major legislation and a focus on improving the lives of children and young people. For decades, Kennedy, who passed away on Tuesday at 77 after a long battle with brain cancer, sponsored a number of bills that greatly enriched the lives of America’s youth.

One of Kennedy’s early triumphs was his participation in creating the National Teachers Corps, part of the Higher Education Act of 1965 that helped to provide scholarships for teachers who agreed to spend two years working in economically disadvantaged communities in the U.S., training them to work in low income, inner-city and rural schools. Three years later, he also championed the Bilingual Education Act of 1968, which required schools to offer bilingual education programs.

 Another of his most lasting legacies for young voters is his amendment of the Voting Rights Act in 1970, which laid the groundwork for a constitutional amendment lowering the voting age from 21 to 18.

Kennedy was one of the key supporters of equal rights for female high school and college athletes under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which protected women from discrimination in educational institutions and increased opportunities for women to participate in college sports. In 1975, Kennedy was the original co-sponsor of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (later the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), which required free and appropriate education for children with disabilities in every state. He would also later sponsor legislation authorizing grants for early learning for infants and toddlers with disabilities and a child-care act for members of the military that is still considered one of the best child-care systems in the country.

Among his initiatives in the 1990s that impacted the lives of young Americans: the repeal of the ban on women serving as combat aviators in the armed services, an expansion of the early education Head Start program, a $500 million appropriation to expand the Summer Jobs for Youth Program and the establishment of the Direct Lending Program, which allowed the Department of Education to provide low-cost loans to college students to cover educational expenses.

The senator offered his crucial sponsorship to another important bill in 1993, helping to secure the passage of the National Community Service Trust Act, which created AmeriCorps, a program that offers educational grants for more than 75,000 students a year who agree to do volunteer service after college.

In one of his most controversial legislative initiatives, Kennedy worked with President Bush in 2001 to pass the No Child Left Behind educational act, an often-maligned bill that set standards for schools in an effort to close achievement gaps.

Long an advocate for an increase in the minimum wage — which affects many young workers — Kennedy finally succeeded in 2007 in passing the first increase in the federal minimum wage in more than a decade, from $5.15 an hour to $7.25 an hour. That year, he also worked on the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, which authorized the biggest increase in student aid since the G.I. Bill in 1944 and included a loan-forgiveness program that allows more college graduates to go into public service.

In one of his final efforts on behalf of young Americans, Kennedy co-sponsored the 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act, which expanded grants to low-income students, worked to reform the student loan marketplace, simplified the process of applying for federal financial aid and held colleges more accountable for their costs.

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Ted Kennedy’s Legacy in the Black Community

August 27, 2009 By

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The passing of Senator Edward Kennedy meant the end of an era especially for a lot of elders and vets of the Civil Rights struggle

The passing of Senator Edward Kennedy meant the end of an era especially for a lot of elders and vets of the Civil Rights struggle

When you talk to alot of elders in the community you hear them remark fondly about the ‘Age of Camelot’ in the early 60s. This was when a young John F Kennedy ascended to the White House against all odds and his two brothers Robert and Edward aka ‘Ted’ came along with him and took high profile seats in the government. Robert became Attorney General and Ted went onto start what would be a 47 year tenure in the Senate.

To hear the elders tell it, the Kennedy brothers brought with them a youthful energy that inspired hope and gave people a sense of empowerment. It’s that energy that has led many to compare President Obama to what they saw and felt with the Kennedys. For Black folks, the Kennedy brothers underscored that hope. For the first time those who were struggling to dismantle the nation’s harsh Jim Crow Laws, the Kennedy’s were an unexpected friend in the White House. For many, there was an understanding that while people were sitting in at lunch counters, boycotting buses, integrating schools and boldly challenging voting right laws, the wicked brutality they experienced oftentimes at the hands of southern police with the full support of local and state government, the Kennedy’s were the federal answer that would eventually triumph.

When John and later Robert Kennedy were killed many in the Black community took it hard. Those involved in the Civil Rights struggle felt they lost key allies and Ted was the one kernel of hope they had left. Him speaking out forcefully and championing numerous causes that spoke to the poor and down trodden during the reign of President Ronald Regan was a blessing that kept many connected to the Age of Camelot.  Him endorsing Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton, struck a major chord and went along ways amongst those old enough to remember.  

For those who are younger, Senator Kennedy was the large, robust grey haired Senator who was called a liberal and would make his points loud and passionately in the Senate chambers. He was a good guy if you rolled with his politics, but he didn’t evoke that same emotional connection I could see with my mom and others who watched the tributes playing on TV yesterday. The passing of Senator Edward Kennedy was truly the end of an era especially for an older generation. He will be missed.

 -Davey D-

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Ted Kennedy’s Legacy in the Black Community

The Loop 21, Commentary, Marvin King, Review it on NewsTrust

I was deeply saddened upon hearing that Ted Kennedy, the Lion of the Senate, had died due to a brain tumor. I was sad because the Kennedy clan lost another of its leaders, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics, just two weeks ago. But even more so because I really believe that Kennedy represents the last of a breed, and I’m afraid my daughter will grow up in a world where people like Kennedy, who actually serve the people, are no more.

Kennedy was special because of his tireless work for the dispossessed, the immigrant, the disenfranchised, the poor, the everyman and every woman that makes America great.

As a man of privilege, Kennedy did not know poverty, but as he came from a family of immigrants, he recognized that if we could establish a level playing field, anyone in America can succeed. Given the proper tools and sufficient opportunity, Kennedy believed all Americans could reach loftier perches.

And for that purpose he worked. For more than 40 years, he worked in the Senate to provide us with that opportunity. As a staunch supporter of President Johnson’s Great Society, Kennedy made sure segregationist congressmen did not water down critical legislation such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968. His first piece of legislation, the Hart-Celler Act of 1965, opened up American immigration policy to be more inclusive of immigrants from places other than Europe. His vision, one of pragmatic fairness for all Americans, will not and cannot be easily replaced.

Massachusetts has a relatively small black population, just 7 percent, yet he acted as if winning the black vote was the key to electoral success. Like his brother John F. Kennedy, who submitted the original Civil Rights Act, Ted realized that America could not fulfill its promise as long as it treated Blacks as second-class citizens. It was extra meaningful then when Kennedy endorsed Barack Obama early in the primary season, despite his longstanding friendship with the Clintons. Kennedy understood before most of us what the symbolic benefit of an Obama presidency would mean.

Kennedy was always a proud liberal and never compromised his beliefs, even though he occasionally sought political compromise. This was most evident in 2001 when he reached across the aisle to work with Republicans in crafting No Child Left Behind, because he believed we must do something to improve our schools. Yet, he always remained a true Democrat; he bitterly complained when those same Republicans failed to adequately fund NCLB.

Kennedy was at his best in 1980 when he challenged Jimmy Carter for the Democratic presidential nomination. In an America moving to the right, Kennedy called for a more liberal platform. Although his bid to unseat Carter failed, Kennedy shined a bright light on the issues he believed Congress and the president had neglected, most notably assistance for the poor in fighting nasty rates of inflation and unemployment.

His loss will be, and already is, greatly felt in the great health care debate. The Senate could use his calming influence during the greatest domestic policy debate in a generation. Hopefully, congressional Democrats can summon Kennedy’s courage and vision and pass meaningful reform that would make him proud.

source: http://news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html?article_id=92706c93c2931ccdce8b69065da988f4
Marvin King is an assistant professor of political science at the University of Mississippiand writes the blog King Politics.

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The Kennedy brothers ushered in the Age of Camelot

The Kennedy brothers ushered in the Age of Camelot

 

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Fidel Castro says racist right-wingers fight Obama

August 26, 2009 By

 daveydbanner 

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Rise Up Hip Hop Nation: “I Wish I Were Wrong”

Professor Tina Wright gives a great analysis of both Reuter's and Fidel's Castro's articles on Race and Barack Obama

Professor Tina Wright highlights two columns, one by a Reuter's and the other by Fidel's Castro which gives an indepth analysis of Race and Barack Obama

I have had a number of conversations with friends about Castro and Cuba as a model for social justice. I always give credit to the regime for its health care and education systems, but am not as enthusiastic about Cuba as a model as other progressives, leftists, or revolutionaries seem to be.

– I argue that the people’s power for self determination is undermined by a life long leader, but my sparring partners rationalize the need for a strong leader as the only way to fight US imperialism.

– I say that their isolation could have been used to demonstrate complete self sustainability (agriculture for example) and there would be no need to be a part of the “world market” but Cuba supporters think that is impossible for Cuba to be completely self sustaining…not sure why however…

Fidel Castro offers up a column that shows more empathy and not criticism for Barack Obama

Fidel Castro offers up a column that shows more empathy and not criticism for Barack Obama

– I argue that a true socialist country despite its history would not show the same racialized poverty (and racism in general) that permeates the rest of the world, but they say history takes time to correct.

I offer this to say, I am not a Castro supporter or hater. In theory, I believe his ideology is correct. In practice, it loses its credibility (as long as Cuba is a class and race based non-democratic society…which it is).

But I completely agree with Castro’s latest analysis of Obama’s challenges. With the racist white supremacist unable to accept Obama as president, he is being attacked fiercely. Instead of recognizing this and its repercussions on the future, many on the left are caught up in petty politics and also blaming Obama for not being all they want him to be. In getting caught in that trap, I see an opportunity for real democracy slipping quickly.

If action trumps criticism, progressives can have all they want with an Obama administration…but if we continue to let white nationalist fascists frame the mainstream dialogue, an opportunity is wasted for radical change. Read this analysis from Castro carefully…and if you want social justice for all people…take heed.

Written by Tina Wright

http://riseuphiphopnation.blogspot.com/2009/08/i-wish-i-were-wrong.html

below are links to the articles in question

Fidel Castro ‘s latest column is an interesting read. Here is the synopsis by Reuters:

Fidel Castro says racist right-wingers fight Obama
http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSB30869920090825I Wish I Were Wrong!

 Here is Fidel’s entire column (English translation):

I Wish i Was Wrong

http://www.juventudrebelde.co.cu/cuba/2009-08-25/i-wish-i-were-wrong/

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Jackson’s Death Ruled as a Homicide

August 25, 2009 By

daveydbanner

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This is such a sad story all the way around and even with this assertion form LAPD, its still mired in controversy. For starters we have a guy, Michael Jackson who had a serious drug addiction. His money and fame allowed him to continue getting drugs in spite of interventions from family and friends.  Jackson is not unique in having addictions, he’s just more well known and richer then most.  What have we as a society done to deal with this problem? It goes above and beyond MJ.

Next we have a police department that seems eager to make a name for itself. What better way then to verociously after the folks responsible for administering drugs to Jackson.  Now by no means am I suggesting that Conrad Murray or anyone else should be let off the hook. If they gave Jackson drugs then they should go to jail if that’s what caused his death. In the case of Murray whats being reported is unbelievable. He made bunch of phone calls, didn’t tell the EMR folks he gave him propophol. The whole thing stinks.

My concern is that this is a problem of epidemic proportions especially throughout Hollywood. Why wait till now? Why haven’t we seen this ‘stellar’ police work when we saw other stars  dealing with drug addictions? Why haven’t we seen LAPD dedicating themselves to shutting down the network of doctors who illegally administer drugs? Is this about putting a dent in a problem or making a name off the King of Pop?

-Davey D-

MICHAEL JACKSON DEATH RULED A HOMICIDE: Coroner finds lethal doses of propofol in singer’s body during autopsy.

http://www.eurweb.com/story/eur55577.cfm

Police say that Michael Jackson's death was a homicide

Police say that Michael Jackson's death was a homicide

L.A. County coroner’s officials found lethal levels of the powerful anesthetic propofol after examining Michael Jackson’sbody, according to a search warrant affidavit unsealed today in Houston, reports the Los Angeles Times.      

The search warrant states that Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray, told Los Angeles Police Department detectives that he had been treating Jackson for insomnia for about six weeks. He had been giving Jackson 50 milligrams of propofol every night using an intravenous line, according to the court records.       

But Murray told detectives he felt Jackson was becoming addicted to the substance and began trying to wean the pop star off the drugs. He lowered the dosage to 25 milligrams and mixed it with two other sedatives, lorazepam and midazolam. On June 23, two days before Jackson’s death, he administered those two medications and withheld the propofol. 

The arrest of Dr Conrad Murray may soon happen although he and his lawyers are maintaining his innocence

The arrest of Dr Conrad Murray may soon happen although he and his lawyers are maintaining his innocence

On the morning Jackson died, Murray tried to induce sleep without using propofol, according to the affidavit. He said he gave Jackson valium at 1:30 a.m. When that didn’t work, he said, he injected lorazepam intravenously at 2 a.m. At 3 a.m., when Jackson was still awake, Murray administered midazolam.       

Over the next few hours, Murray said he gave Jackson various drugs. Then at 10:40 a.m., Murray administered 25 milligrams of propofol after Jackson repeatedly demanded the drug, according to the court records.       

 Although Murray acknowledged to police that he administered propofol, authorities said they could find no evidence that he had purchased, ordered or obtained the medication under his medical license or Drug Enforcement Administration tracking number. However, police detectives saw about eight bottles of propofol in the house along with other vials and pills that had been prescribed to Jackson by Dr. Murray, Dr. Arnold Klein andDr. Allan Metzger.       

Other drugs that were confiscated in the search included valium, tamsulosin, lorazepam, temazepam, clonazepam, trazodone and tizanidine. They also found propofol in Murray’s medical bag. Murray told detectives that he was not the first doctor to administer the powerful anesthetic to Jackson.      

At least two unidentified doctors gave Jackson propofol in Germany. Between March and April 2009, Murray said he called Las Vegas doctor David Adamsat Jackson’s request to arrange for Adams to administer propofol. Murray said he was present at a cosmetologist’s office, where Adams used propofol to sedate Jackson. Since he began treating Jackson, Murray said he repeatedly asked the pop star what other physicians were treating Jackson and what drugs they were prescribing. But Jackson declined to provide the information, Murray told authorities.

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Should Rap Artists Have a Morality Clause in Their Contracts?

August 25, 2009 By

daveydbanner

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DaveyD-leather-225This is an interesting concept (having a morality clause) that has obviously grown out of the frustration that many  feel when they hear about a high paid recording artists acting out in public or is accused of committing a crime. The most recent incident being a stash of drugs found in the home of Jadakiss who at press time was not arrested or wanted by police. While a morality clause may have some effect in the NFL or NBA it is likely not to work in the music arena for a number of reasons. 

First, the NFL and NBA are institutions that long ago had the foresight to see that having a good image could be profitable.  As a result they’ve worked hard to control their public image by taking a number of steps ranging from disallowing TV networks to use their name or likeness to imposing dress codes on players when appearing in public.  Their theory is that the league is bigger and more important then one individual player.

This has never been the cased with the music industry. Here we’re talking about an institution that has never been shy about flirting with unsavory elements in our society, either as performers or as behind the scenes executives and employees. Such associations have added to the lore and often cited ethos -sex, drugs and rock-n-roll. In other words, the music industry has thrived off  of having a bad boy rebellious image. Sadly much of that drama filled image is crafted and planned out with the same precision and calculation as the NFL and NBA seek  to move away from trouble.

Second point,  professional sports leagues have a  small number of people who get paid lots of money with very few entry points for one to rebound if they blow their opportunity. Hence its easier to police a sports league compared to the music business which has a lot more entry points. In the  NFL or NBA  players can barred or suspended.  There is no music industry that you can bar one from. You might restrict airplay or stop someone from performing at a concert , but they can always go and do things on the indy tip and record or perform somewhere else.  Putting the word banned or suspended next to their name  will probably result in an artist enjoying more notoriety thus increasing their popularity.

The NFL and NBA is one big institution that controls all aspects of its business. It controls TV, radio, magazines etc. the Music Bizis a made up of a bunch of  individual parts that have symbiotic relationships to one another.  Its by choice we all work hand in hand, but we don’t have to especially if we have economic interests at stake. For example, if Interscope records decides to suspend 50 Cent, that has little bearing on what I  do as a radio programmer. I may still play his music, show his video or highlight him in magazine.  In addition, oftentimes its members of an artists’ entourage that kick up dust and cause drama hitting,  Who do you suspend there?

Third point, The Music Industry has built its business around shady behavior. Controversy and beef are major selling points. Artists going to jail and having brushes with the law have far too often enhanced their attraction and validated them or their record labels who seem to be determined  to garner ‘street cred’. In short bad behavior is rewarded.

Here’s a couple ofexamples.  A few years ago Jay-Z stabbed record executive Lance Un Rivera after it was revealed that he was bootlegging Jigga’s music.  Was Jay-Z suspended? Did he stop receiving airplay? Did MTV/BET tell him he was no longer welcome at their award shows?  Hell naw. The incident made him seem more ‘real’ in the eyes of fans and sadly in the eyes of radio and video executives who often live vicariously through these artists. Some of these folks felt they themselves got street cred from playing or being in good with Jay-Z and his Roc-A-Fella Fam.

Now imagine if any of us stabbed a collegue? It would be a wrap unless we were former Vice President Dick Cheney who shot his boy in the face during a hunting trip-but lets not digress. My point here is Jay-Z was seen as a hero, not by young impressionable children, but by grown ass men and women in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s who work in the music industry who make decisions to present or not present music and images to millions all over the world.

Another example involves The Game and his entourage a couple of years ago. They  came to a Washington DC radio station WYKS to do an interview and wound up and beating  down a popular DJ named X-Zulu. According to the story, they were angry when the DJ made what they felt was an off the cuff remark.  (according to reports he said the blue tooth headset one of Game’s people was wearing made them look like a Klingon from Star Trek fame). 

Radio One which owns WYKS was at first furious with Game and ceased playing his records. However, other stations around the country continued to play him without hesitation. Game later went back into the studio and recorded a new verse to his popular song ‘Hate it or Love It’ where he actually bragged about the incident which sent the deejay to the hospital. Many radio executives had no problem playing that song on their airwaves including Radio One. In fact WYKS eventually resumed playing Game.

The grumblings around the industry was that lots of money was put forth to make sure Game’s music was played and put in heavy rotation. When the station ceased playing his songs, the money (payola) was asked to be returned. Rather then do that the station opted to, play his music. Oh well, so much for morality clauses. If anything maybe its the executive in this industry that need morality clauses..

What I find fascinating about this is that record labels when needed can and do exert control over their artists. They control where artists can do interviews on major radio stations, what concerts they perform at and what magazine’s they grant interviews. This control is all tied into the type of promotion and managing of image that the labels feel they need to have in order to ensure a successful promotion of an album. If an artist doesn’t comply, the label doesn’t promote their record. Over the years I’ve seen labels shut down concerts, have station visits stopped and letters from their lawyers demanding we stop playing a record. Rarely have I seen them push to have us shut things down because an artist did something wrong to the community. I have seen this happen when record executives themselves got beaten up… Like I said a morality clause needs to be imposed upon record executives

something to ponder

-Davey D-

Goodell Effect not always good for NFL but may be good for rap music artist

by Ooh Papi

http://www.playahata.com/?p=7068

NFL logoRoger S.”The Hammer” Goodell is the Commissioner of the National Football League (NFL), he was chosen to succeed the retiring Paul Tagliabue in 2006. He is nicknamed “the hammer” because he has been very tough on most NFL players.

Most think he has been to tough at times in fact Terrell Owens said that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has been unfair to suspended quarterback Michael Vick and that the union and more players need to speak out. In an interview with ESPN’s George Smith, Owens said he was surprised more players haven’t spoken up in support of Vick and that, “the commissioner needs to go sit in jail for 23 months” to see what it’s like to sit behind bars.”I think it’s unfortunate,” Owens said. “I think the way the commissioner has handled it, I think it’s unfair to Michael Vick. I think he’s done the time for what he’s done. I don’t think it’s really fair for him to be suspended four more games. That’s almost like kicking a dead horse in the ground.”

Remy Ma sghould've had a morality clause in her recording contract

Remy Ma sghould've had a morality clause in her recording contract

However his reputation for toughness has impressed many. In fact, his style may be making its way over to the Warner Music Group and other music labels. Attorney Lauren Raysor’s called a press conference today and asked record labels to put a“Goodell effect” into rappers contracts. For those who don’t know Raysor is the attorney who helped put Bronx rapper Remy Ma behind bars for shooting her client Makeda Barnes-Joseph.

Raysor propositioned that labels put a “morality clause” in their artists’ contracts, providing monetary incentive for artists to not engage in violent or criminal acts. She compared the music industry to the NFL, which enforces codes of conduct stricter than ever since the Republican raised Goodell took over.

Raysor made it clear she wasn’t trying to run amok on free speech / 1st Amendment rights or destroy gangsta rap lyrics and emphasized “It is your outside behavior we are talking about; we’re not talking about what you write.”

What Raysor wants to see become a contractual matter to prevent violence in hip hop is a contractual agreement from artist that will govern acts of contempt, scorn or ridicule that will tend to shock, insult or offend the community, or ridicule public morality or decency, or prejudice the company, producer, and others in the public or in the industry in general

Raysor is looking to meet with label execs in an effort put the morals clause into effect and if this dialogue is picked up in the blogosphere then it will surely be an anecdotal mark in the timeline of rap music’s evolution.

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