Idris Elba will play Nelson Mandela in the upcoming biopic ‘Long Walk to Freedom,” set for a November release. According to Elba, the role was an inspiring and rewarding experience: “Mandela spent 27 years in jail to fight for a nation of people and I learned a lot about sacrifice in that sense”
Illinois has passed our nation’s final concealed-carry law – just before a July 9th federal deadline. It passed despite a veto from Gov. Pat Quinn, who pointed to the horrific gun violence crisis in Chicago as reason enough for striking down such legislation.
Smith’s new single, “Summer Fling,” has raised eyebrows due to its subject matter and accompanying video. A few op-eds have questioned the idea of a 12-year old having a “summer fling.”
Cedric Lawson will be participating in the Beyond November Movement Convening, BYP’s inaugural convening of 100 Black youth leaders from across the country. He shares his hopes for the convening: More than anything, I want to become part of a deeper network of progressive African Americans who are working toward leveraging our individual and collective power to win real concrete improvements in the lives of young black people – including our own lives.
The Chicago Police Department has initiated a new program asking the public to send them crime tips via twitter and text messaging. Citizens can even call 911 and tell the dispatcher they have a photo they’d like to send. They’ll be sent a text message, and can reply with the photo.
As the summer surge of gun violence continues in Chicago, the South Side’s St. Bernard Hospital is asking Chicagoans to donate blood. Crowded emergency rooms are making it harder and harder to treat patients; they say blood donations are desperately needed.
According to the latest Quinnipiac poll, Cory Booker has a huge lead in the upcoming Senate special primary in New Jersey. He currently sits at 52%, while his closest rival – Rep. Frank Pallone – has just 10%. From MSNBC: The new poll comes one day after Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s family said they were backing […]
31-year old Aja Brown is officially the youngest mayor in the history of Compton, California. She defeated former mayor Omar Bradley in a runoff election.
The Obama administration has a policy of force-feeding Guantanamo Bay detainees at night, and plan to continue to do so in spite of the month-long fast. Many Muslim leaders are calling on the administration to reconsider its tactics. Rapper and actor Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) volunteered to appear in a short film made to shed light on the force-feeding process by undergoing that process himself.
A Fourth of July parade in a small North Carolina town took a disturbing turn when a “White History Month” float made its way into the parade procession.
On his radio with Tavis Smiley, Cornel West praised the Supreme Court’s ruling striking down DOMA, but also lamented its gutting of the Voting Rights Act. According to West, the black community is suffering from waning visibility
Howard University could be in very serious financial trouble. In a letter drafted by the school’s academic deans, they warn that fiscal mismanagement is putting Howard’s reputation and future in danger. Howard President Sidney Ribeau rejects the allegations.
