Forty years ago today, the murder of a NJ State Trooper led to the imprisonment and conviction of Assata Shakur. To commemorate this “anniversary,” the FBI will announce today that Assata Shakur has been added to the Most Wanted Terrorist List; and doubled the reward for her capture.
It is my earnest hope that our black leaders would pause in their pursuit of personal ambition and legacy to stop and look into the eyes of the child of potential that stands before them. A child that – regardless of circumstance and waywardness – can become an agent of change that can dramatically impact the world in which we live.
For most hip-hop heads (real and self-proclaimed), XXL Magazine is the “Holy Grail” for everything rap related. While I respect the publication’s long history of raw and unadulterated hip-hop journalism, I feel as if the 2013 Freshman list slighted some very talented and promising emcees. Each year, since 2008, XXL has released a “Top 10 […]
A recent editorial asks the question, “Where Are Ordinary Black Youth in Popular Culture?” Are the stories of black youth that are “neither marginalized or at the proverbial mountaintop” invisible to mainstream America?
Fear can cause you to question your worth and true purpose in life. When you are hit with enough obstacles you can be overtaken by fear, until you feel that there is no way out. No way to pursue your dreams, be that change or answer the call when you are needed.
A new NYC ad campaign is facing criticism for using fear and shame to prevent teen pregnancy. Sad photos of infants with tag lines like “Honestly mom…chances are he won’t stay with you. What happens to me?” Is a fear-based campaign like this going too far?
Jack Johnson was the first black heavyweight champion of the world, received a bogus prison sentence for dating a white women (and embarrassing countless white competitors in the ring). Many on both sides of the aisle are calling for a presidential pardon. So what’s the hold up?
Today I would like to talk about a subject near and dear to my heart: community organizing. My entire life I’ve fought for justice  by helping groups galvanize support for their respective agendas. I’ve done both online and offline organizing, and even spent 9 months organizing for President Obama in Florida this past election cycle. […]
“Who will cry for the little boy, the boy inside a man / Who will cry for the little boy, who knew well, hurt and pain / Who will cry for the little boy, who died and died again / Who will cry for the little boy, a good boy he tried to be / […]
Guns don’t feel. With no rhyme or reasons or intent Guns– Kill. Habitually. Without asking names or stories. Guns Hate. Regardless of color, age, nationality or background. Guns sin. Blindly. With eyes closed.
So this past week we all voted and made the decision to re-elect Barack Obama. (Woot-Woot!) However, now that he is re-elected I am lead to think about two things. The first: how will those of us who care about the issues of the poor put pressure on the president to make it a priority […]
This year the News and world report university rankings came out and my facebook page filled up with the responses to the list of “top universities.” My University placed higher than it ever had before, 4th place, and made my classmates feel as though their academic rigor was finally being recognized. However, I didn’t and […]
