302 Search results for "black youth conscious"

Weed and Our Strivings
It feels like marijuana smoke has been filling the sky more than ever these days. Behind every humyn activity follows a library of music to support it; so the existence of music that speaks casually about “weed” implies a culture heavily influenced by “the green”. In America, Black people have witnessed an undying tradition of […]
The Enduring Power of Tupac Shakur
His work spoke truth to a racist, capitalistic power structure, while at the same time attempting to usurp and dominate that structure with its own values and tools.That is why Tupac’s music was so powerful and dangerous. There will never be another like him.
When High School Lovers Turn Into College Macks (A Peak Into the Objectification of Womyn)
The transition from grammar school to high school floods one’s path with a diverse availability of womyn/men and at a greater numerical degree. Most of our experiences in high school, acknowledging the fact of the transition, owe their thrill to finding that “sweetheart”. Soon, however, all the advice against taking one relationship seriously begins to […]
On the Origins of Our Sexuality
So it has come to mind lately that sexuality begins with responses to someone else’s arousing actions. Completely dependent on the first occasions of sexual excitement, sexuality also stands before us freely, not committed to hetero or homo orientations. When we talk about molestation and refer to it as a crime, we talk […]
At What Point do the Lyrics Matter?
This isn’t a rant or outright hatin of rap music I don’t like, this is a sincere question. Yesterday, I was blessed to be in Washington DC for the Powershift conference. I was invited by an incredible organizer for Checktheweather.tv named Kari Fulton to perform at a afterparty sponsored by Checktheweather.tv and Green for All […]
Afro-centrism, the Offspring of Euro-centrism?
Whatever the name, Black Studies, Africana studies, or African American Studies, university disciplines designed for understanding African history have a problem of attempting to be too Black. When I say “too Black” I’m not saying that Africana culture (relates to both African and African-Diaspora culture) is annoying, but that the way that scholars handle it […]
Is Image Everything to the NAACP?
As I watched the controversy that developed over the NAACP’s nomination of some artists who’s images might not what you would consider to be…ummm….positive, I thought about the difficulties of being a conscious artist and getting recognition. I understand that the NAACP Image Awards want A list celebrities so they can generate ratings and to often artists that make music that’s intelligent don’t make it into the “mainstream”. I asked on Facebook and Twitter why the NAACP Image Awards doesn’t have a category for inspirational artists, if they did here are just a few I would nominate.
I don't do organized religion. What does that mean?
So, yesterday I had a conversation with a good friend who is a self-appointed scholar activist about the political repression and protest in Egypt. During the course of the conversation I happened to mention in passing that President Obama prayed for the Egyptian protesters at the National Prayer Breakfast. At the mentioning of this, she […]
Porn, Poverty, Public Health and the Pursuit of Happiness
For many, it is hard to have open conversations about vaginas, penises, and anuses, especially when ‘beavers,’ ‘one-eyed snakes’ and ‘poop-chutes’ play bump in the [supposed] night. Even when we talk about “them” bumping in the night, many of us create euphemisms to get around the discomfort of talking about sex. So you can imagine […]
On the Use of "Honor Student": Phylicia Barnes’ Disappearance
A gifted student from North Carolina who was visiting family in Baltimore over the holidays, Barnes was scheduled to graduate early from high school. She did not have a history of running away or being a troubled child. The Phylicia Simone Barnes’ story is one of profound sadness and injustice on many levels. We know […]
Georgia Prison Strike & Why We Need Our Own Media

Did you know one of the largest prison protests in US history took place last week? If you said no that’s not surprising considering it was not covered by corporate funded mainstream media. The word got out through conscious bloggers like Davey D, effective uses of social media like Twitter and Facebook and by the hard work and efforts of some a the few independent and unafraid media outlets we have left.

According to the Final Call Newspaper (the last standing black owned weekly international newspaper),

“Fed up with bad food, unjust treatment, poor education and inadequate health care, thousands of inmates in Georgia’s prison system staged “Lockdown for Liberty,” a peaceful protest on Dec. 9, according to activists”
There is no such thing as an H.N.I.C.
I’ll admit I haven’t been that interested in the Obama administration since the presidential campaign. Yes, I voted this year, but that’s because I’m loyal to certain entrenched systems in the world and not because I like them. There are just some things I don’t try to overthrow. I know this. Obama knows this. Let’s […]