Tavis Smiley has blasted the President over his Trayvon Martin remarks last Friday, criticizing the amount of time it took him to speak out, and questioning his motives: “He did not walk to the podium for an impromptu address to the nation. He was pushed to that podium. A week of protests outside the White House, pressure building on him inside the White House, pushed him to that podium.”
Lauryn Hill has penned a letter to her fans from behind bars: “Although it has taken some adjustment, I cannot deny the favor I have encountered while in here, and general warm reception from a community of people who despite their circumstances, have found unique ways to make the best of them.”
The jury from the George Zimmerman trial were reportedly allowed to spend hours s of alone time with friends and family: “It only takes two seconds for an inappropriate comment to be made to a juror by a family member inadvertently or otherwise to possibly affect the verdict, how they look at the case…”
President Obama spoke to the African American perspective on the George Zimmerman trial at a press conference today; drawing parallels between himself and Trayvon, and suggesting that the outcome of the trial might have been different had Martin been white.
Dionne Warwick has joined Stevie Wonder, announcing that she will not perform in states with “Stand Your Ground” laws.
President Obama is reportedly flirting with the idea of naming NYC police commissioner Ray Kelly head of Homeland Security. In case you didn’t know, as NYC police commissioner, Kelly presides over the controversial, ineffective, and racist Stop and Frisk policy.
Detroit, Michigan is officially the biggest city in U.S. history to file for bankruptcy. Many fear massive layoffs, higher fees, and the scaling back of a variety of services. From NewsOne: Detroit lost a quarter-million residents between 2000 and 2010. A population that in the 1950s reached 1.8 million now struggles to stay above 700,000. […]
A trailer has been released for the upcoming Nelson Mandela biopic “Long Walk to Freedom,” starring Idris Elba.
Young people from across Florida have flooded the Governor’s office in Tallahassee,demanding that Gov. Rick Scott hear their concerns in the aftermath of the George Zimmerman verdict.
A petition has been launched demanding that George Zimmerman’s concealed carry permit be revoked. So far it has over 12,000 signatures.
According to Bill Cosby, one cannot prove that a person, Zimmerman in this case, is racist unless they say something like, “Hey, I’m racist,” and we should thus not talk about “racial stuff” regarding the reason for and outcome of the case:
Today is the 95th birthday of the incomparable Nelson Mandela. And – coinciding with this great day – we are happy to report that Mandela’s health is reportedly improving!
