Writer David Dennis reflects upon how race and class impact what mainstream America deems a “national tragedy”: Why don’t tragedies like the gun violence crisis in Chicago, or the New Orleans Mother’s Day shooting receive the national mourning and media attention it deserves?
A New York judge threw out manslaughter charges against Officer Richard Haste, the man accused of killing unarmed 18 year-old Ramarley Graham. Prosecutors will present the case again to a grand jury. Graham’s mother reportedly yelled “they killed my child,” and was removed from the courtroom.
Uni Ball’s latest ad is among the most racist ever, featuring a black male prison inmate reading a letter from one of his “homies”: “What up, homie. It’s wack that 5-0 bust you shifting bricks of da funky buddha. And I ain’t just spitting, yo. Everyday we be respecting wit a 40 on da floor for our peeps in lockdown.” Seriously.
An Illinois special needs teacher’s aide has been accused of molesting an underage student while knowingly infected with HIV. He remains behind bars while authorities investigate another possible case of molestation involving a different student.
A petition has been launched demanding that President Obama remove Assata Shakur from the FBI’s “Most Wanted Terrorists” list.
Two men have been arrested in connection with the murder of Malcolm Shabazz, grandson of Malcolm X.
The trailer for the acclaimed and highly-anticipated film Fruitvale has been released. Fruitvale tells the tragic story of Oscar Grant, who was shot and killed by a BART police officer in Oakland, CA.
Charles Ramsey is my dude. He’s currently in the throes of his fifteen minutes of fame, since he had the nerve to care about his neighbor, who turned out to be Amanda Berry, a girl who had been kidnapped a decade ago. Since his interview on local Cleveland television, Charles Ramsey has been autotuned, memed, […]
Eunique Jones has created a photographic sensation with her “Because of Them, We Can-Black History and Beyond” campaign and has taken the movement to KICKSTARTER. The plan is to raise $80,000 by June 19th, to produce a high quality book contained with all 365 images of kids turned icons. The KICKSTARTER project will cover design and layout, copyediting, printing and delivering expenses for […]
A senior at Heights HS in Wichita, Kansas, Wesley Teague criticized his high school’s sports team on twitter on May 2, 2013. His tweet resulted in his suspension! This story begs the question; are our students being taught anymore or are they just going to school to be disciplined?
A production company called Noosa Films has won the film rights to Josephine Baker’s memoir. Their first choice to play Baker? Rihanna. Thoughts?
Lauryn Hill has posted a letter on her Tumblr, thanking “family, friends, business associates, and fans who have called, emailed, sent texts, and posted messages of concern, encouragement, and support.”