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romanic
romanic's Journal
romanic's Journal
August 10, 2015
http://oliverwillis.com/2015/07/23/if-black-lives-matter-blacklivesmatter-has-to-grow-up/
Please read the whole article, it's possibly one of the best articles I've read about BLM in a while.
If Black Lives Matter, #BlackLivesMatter Has To Grow Up
The Clock Is Ticking
Changes like those I’ve described need to happen, the sooner the better. #BlackLivesMatter has approached critical mass, but risks deflating itself much like Occupy Wall Street and other temporarily buzzing movements did (I’d argue that this has happened to the Tea Party, which has been co-opted by the GOP mainstream and the hucksters who made a lot of money using it as a fundraising tool).
It isn’t enough to have Hillary Clinton and others say “black lives matter.” They’re aware of it, we’re aware of it. But now you need to pummel them into doing something that truly shows black lives matter and have them in fear of the consequences if they don’t enact what is being asked of them.
These social movements are important. They change the fabric of the American experience. This idea is more important than others, and it cannot be allowed to simply whither on the vine.
Changes like those I’ve described need to happen, the sooner the better. #BlackLivesMatter has approached critical mass, but risks deflating itself much like Occupy Wall Street and other temporarily buzzing movements did (I’d argue that this has happened to the Tea Party, which has been co-opted by the GOP mainstream and the hucksters who made a lot of money using it as a fundraising tool).
It isn’t enough to have Hillary Clinton and others say “black lives matter.” They’re aware of it, we’re aware of it. But now you need to pummel them into doing something that truly shows black lives matter and have them in fear of the consequences if they don’t enact what is being asked of them.
These social movements are important. They change the fabric of the American experience. This idea is more important than others, and it cannot be allowed to simply whither on the vine.
http://oliverwillis.com/2015/07/23/if-black-lives-matter-blacklivesmatter-has-to-grow-up/
Please read the whole article, it's possibly one of the best articles I've read about BLM in a while.
July 13, 2015
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bs-md-ci-mayor-water-in-face-20150711-story.html
Looks like Rawlings-Blake has lost favor in the city from the looks of things, though I'm not a B-More citizen so what do I know?
(Baltimore) Mayor hit with water by festival-goer at Mondawmin
A Baltimore woman was arrested after she dumped what appeared to be water on Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake as she greeted residents Saturday morning at the Mondawmin Festival.
The woman, identified by police as Lacheisa Pailin-Sheffer, ran up to Rawlings-Blake and poured a large cup of liquid over the mayor's head. Aides rushed to the mayor to help her dry off while a member of her executive protection unit grabbed the woman and placed her in handcuffs.
Lacheisa Pailin-Sheffer is charged with second-degree assault after pouring what appeared to be water on Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake at Mondawmin Festival. (Baltimore Police)
When asked later about the incident, Rawlings-Blake said, "I didn't know what it was that she threw at me. I hope it was water. It was more shocking than anything else."
Her spokesman, Howard Libit, said, "Fortunately, the mayor is fine. She went on and had a great time at the festival."
Libit said the incident would not keep the mayor from going to other public events. "She enjoys opportunities like this to engage with the people of Baltimore. This was an odd, random incident. Things like this happen."
Rawlings-Blake was attending the Mondawmin Festival, a daylong event with live music, free food and representatives from city agencies and nonprofits, held both inside and outside at the mall where violence and rioting erupted in the city just two months ago.
On April 27, as class at nearby schools was letting out for the day, students clashed with police officers in riot gear, and the unrest later spread throughout the city. Some have criticized the Rawlings-Blake administration for its handling of the rioting and recent violence across Baltimore, including her opponent in the coming Democratic primary election, former Mayor Sheila Dixon.
The water-throwing incident did not interrupt the mayor's plans for the festival or for the day, Libit said. Rawlings-Blake spent time visiting booths before leaving to meet with supporters, then visiting a basketball clinic.
The woman, identified by police as Lacheisa Pailin-Sheffer, ran up to Rawlings-Blake and poured a large cup of liquid over the mayor's head. Aides rushed to the mayor to help her dry off while a member of her executive protection unit grabbed the woman and placed her in handcuffs.
Lacheisa Pailin-Sheffer is charged with second-degree assault after pouring what appeared to be water on Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake at Mondawmin Festival. (Baltimore Police)
When asked later about the incident, Rawlings-Blake said, "I didn't know what it was that she threw at me. I hope it was water. It was more shocking than anything else."
Her spokesman, Howard Libit, said, "Fortunately, the mayor is fine. She went on and had a great time at the festival."
Libit said the incident would not keep the mayor from going to other public events. "She enjoys opportunities like this to engage with the people of Baltimore. This was an odd, random incident. Things like this happen."
Rawlings-Blake was attending the Mondawmin Festival, a daylong event with live music, free food and representatives from city agencies and nonprofits, held both inside and outside at the mall where violence and rioting erupted in the city just two months ago.
On April 27, as class at nearby schools was letting out for the day, students clashed with police officers in riot gear, and the unrest later spread throughout the city. Some have criticized the Rawlings-Blake administration for its handling of the rioting and recent violence across Baltimore, including her opponent in the coming Democratic primary election, former Mayor Sheila Dixon.
The water-throwing incident did not interrupt the mayor's plans for the festival or for the day, Libit said. Rawlings-Blake spent time visiting booths before leaving to meet with supporters, then visiting a basketball clinic.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/blog/bs-md-ci-mayor-water-in-face-20150711-story.html
Looks like Rawlings-Blake has lost favor in the city from the looks of things, though I'm not a B-More citizen so what do I know?
July 11, 2015
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/29524577/michael-brown-sr-joins-detroit-city-leaders-to-occupy-the-block
(vid at the link)
I'm real happy to see Mr. Brown Sr. out here in Detroit for this discussion. There has been way too much violence in our communities and in our neighborhoods. Tackling police brutality is only half the solution, we need to be involved with taking care of our neighbors and overcoming this no-snitch rule and anti-police thinking.
I also agree with Mr. Brown Sr. on the disconnection between cops and citizens - which is more noticable in black neighborhoods. I hope residency was apart of this roundtable discussion because you can't have cops patrolling streets their not familiar or invested in.
What say you all?
Michael Brown, Sr. joins Detroit city leaders to 'Occupy the Block'
A movement to stop the violence brings the father of a well-known shooting victim to Detroit.
The father of Michael Brown, the unarmed black teen shot and killed by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri joined city leaders for Occupy the Corner Detroit.
It was Detroit city councilwoman Mary Sheffield occupying the corner and this time it was Brush and Bethune at the Delores Bennett Park in Detroit's north end.
"I just want us to come together and be united as one," Sheffield said. "And take a stance against the crime we're seeing within our neighborhoods."
Alongside councilwoman Sheffield was Brown, father of the Missouri teenager killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.
He's on a crusade to stop violence and to bridge the gap between police and people of color - one that his son's death exposed.
"As a kid when I was growing up there were officers out jumping rope with girls, playing basketball with boys knocking on your doors introducing themselves," Brown said. "They let you know when you're doing wrong and telling you to go home. None of that is going on right now. We need to get back to the basics."
Brown took part in a round table discussion at Metro United Methodist Church. Cops, neighborhood leaders and politicians engaged in tough talk about tackling violence, personal responsibility and the relationship police have with their communities.
"This speaks volumes that we are working together and that you do represent peace and that you're not anti-police," said Cmdr. Todd Bettison.
From the four walls of the church to the neighborhoods in need of change, This Occupy the Corner and visit from Mike Brown, Sr. comes after the number of police officers hit the lowest point the city has seen in years, and a violent start to summer.
Homicides are up more than 10 percent compared to this time in 2014 and to make matters worse, the "no snitch" code so common in Detroit has seemingly crippled many investigations.
"The whole no snitch mentality in our communities has to stop," Sheffield said. "And I also think we have to make sure we're protecting those who do speak up, so we have witness protection. But is it underfunded, yes it is."
Sheffield is working on getting Detroit police's witness protection program more money to safeguard people doing their part to make Detroit more safe
The father of Michael Brown, the unarmed black teen shot and killed by a white police officer in Ferguson, Missouri joined city leaders for Occupy the Corner Detroit.
It was Detroit city councilwoman Mary Sheffield occupying the corner and this time it was Brush and Bethune at the Delores Bennett Park in Detroit's north end.
"I just want us to come together and be united as one," Sheffield said. "And take a stance against the crime we're seeing within our neighborhoods."
Alongside councilwoman Sheffield was Brown, father of the Missouri teenager killed by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.
He's on a crusade to stop violence and to bridge the gap between police and people of color - one that his son's death exposed.
"As a kid when I was growing up there were officers out jumping rope with girls, playing basketball with boys knocking on your doors introducing themselves," Brown said. "They let you know when you're doing wrong and telling you to go home. None of that is going on right now. We need to get back to the basics."
Brown took part in a round table discussion at Metro United Methodist Church. Cops, neighborhood leaders and politicians engaged in tough talk about tackling violence, personal responsibility and the relationship police have with their communities.
"This speaks volumes that we are working together and that you do represent peace and that you're not anti-police," said Cmdr. Todd Bettison.
From the four walls of the church to the neighborhoods in need of change, This Occupy the Corner and visit from Mike Brown, Sr. comes after the number of police officers hit the lowest point the city has seen in years, and a violent start to summer.
Homicides are up more than 10 percent compared to this time in 2014 and to make matters worse, the "no snitch" code so common in Detroit has seemingly crippled many investigations.
"The whole no snitch mentality in our communities has to stop," Sheffield said. "And I also think we have to make sure we're protecting those who do speak up, so we have witness protection. But is it underfunded, yes it is."
Sheffield is working on getting Detroit police's witness protection program more money to safeguard people doing their part to make Detroit more safe
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/29524577/michael-brown-sr-joins-detroit-city-leaders-to-occupy-the-block
(vid at the link)
I'm real happy to see Mr. Brown Sr. out here in Detroit for this discussion. There has been way too much violence in our communities and in our neighborhoods. Tackling police brutality is only half the solution, we need to be involved with taking care of our neighbors and overcoming this no-snitch rule and anti-police thinking.
I also agree with Mr. Brown Sr. on the disconnection between cops and citizens - which is more noticable in black neighborhoods. I hope residency was apart of this roundtable discussion because you can't have cops patrolling streets their not familiar or invested in.
What say you all?
July 9, 2015
http://www.mtv.com/news/2205783/white-people-cast-trailer/
Uhhh....what do ya'll think about this cause honestly I'm just befuddled at the whole thing. :/
So MTV has a show called "White People" coming up...
And there's a trailer for it:
http://www.mtv.com/news/2205783/white-people-cast-trailer/
Uhhh....what do ya'll think about this cause honestly I'm just befuddled at the whole thing. :/
June 29, 2015
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/faisal-abbas/are-we-living-islams-dark_b_7680478.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592
Interesting read from Mr. Abbas. I can defintiely agree with his frustration on the silence from other Muslims regarding ISIS and the actions of their faith's extremists. What do ya'll think, agree or disagree?
Are We Living Islam's Darkest Hour?
How much terrorism can the world take in 24 hours? Friday June 26, 2015 will certainly go down in history as a day that pushed the limit.
Just in case the daily dose of evil committed by the likes of ISIS or Iranian-backed militias in Syria and Iraq wasn't enough, we witnessed three additional horrific attacks done in the name of Islam yesterday.
In Kuwait, a deadly bomb took the lives of 27 innocent people and injured 200 others in an ISIS attack on a Shiite mosque.
In the Tunisian resort town of Sousse, at least 38 innocent people were killed and dozens wounded when at least one ISIS gunman opened fire at a beachside resort. Meanwhile, a headless body and Islamist flags were found at the scene of an attack on a gas factory near France's second largest city, Lyon.
Here is what will happen next: Leaders of affected countries will visit the wounded and vow retaliation, world leaders and concerned parties will condemn, the press will talk about it for a few days.
Then, the story will die and terrorism will be forgotten -- until it strikes again.
'Quiet Condoners'
The madness needs to stop. But this will not happen as long as there are Muslims who, while not actively participating in these crimes, still think the likes of ISIS have grounds for what they are doing,
People might say the above argument echoes the rather unpopular (but accurate nevertheless) views of British PM David Cameron who recently accused many British Muslims of quietly condoning the ISIS ideology.
Now, while it remains a puzzle how anyone can agree -- privately or publicly -- with this group's evil creed; one has to wonder if these "quiet condoners" realize that it is Muslims -- and nobody else -- who are ultimately being hurt the most?
Putting aside the innocent Christian, Jewish and/or Muslim lives that these terrorist acts take, let us not forget that after almost each one of these attacks, hate crimes against Muslims increase and Muslim communities end up finding it harder to be accepted, to find jobs and to integrate.
Some might ask: what about Muslim grievances regarding occupied lands, unjust causes and unfair treatment, which these terrorist groups claim to be fighting for?
In response to that question, one can only ask how many of these grievances, while legitimate, have been solved by terrorism? If anything, the likes of ISIS and al Qaeda has made these causes worse and much more complicated to resolve.
As simple as this truth is, many people refuse to see it and this is probably the reason why I remain extremely pessimistic about our region. Perhaps one positive thought remains. It is said that the night is darkest just before the dawn -- I don't think our night can get any darker!
Just in case the daily dose of evil committed by the likes of ISIS or Iranian-backed militias in Syria and Iraq wasn't enough, we witnessed three additional horrific attacks done in the name of Islam yesterday.
In Kuwait, a deadly bomb took the lives of 27 innocent people and injured 200 others in an ISIS attack on a Shiite mosque.
In the Tunisian resort town of Sousse, at least 38 innocent people were killed and dozens wounded when at least one ISIS gunman opened fire at a beachside resort. Meanwhile, a headless body and Islamist flags were found at the scene of an attack on a gas factory near France's second largest city, Lyon.
Here is what will happen next: Leaders of affected countries will visit the wounded and vow retaliation, world leaders and concerned parties will condemn, the press will talk about it for a few days.
Then, the story will die and terrorism will be forgotten -- until it strikes again.
'Quiet Condoners'
The madness needs to stop. But this will not happen as long as there are Muslims who, while not actively participating in these crimes, still think the likes of ISIS have grounds for what they are doing,
People might say the above argument echoes the rather unpopular (but accurate nevertheless) views of British PM David Cameron who recently accused many British Muslims of quietly condoning the ISIS ideology.
Now, while it remains a puzzle how anyone can agree -- privately or publicly -- with this group's evil creed; one has to wonder if these "quiet condoners" realize that it is Muslims -- and nobody else -- who are ultimately being hurt the most?
Putting aside the innocent Christian, Jewish and/or Muslim lives that these terrorist acts take, let us not forget that after almost each one of these attacks, hate crimes against Muslims increase and Muslim communities end up finding it harder to be accepted, to find jobs and to integrate.
Some might ask: what about Muslim grievances regarding occupied lands, unjust causes and unfair treatment, which these terrorist groups claim to be fighting for?
In response to that question, one can only ask how many of these grievances, while legitimate, have been solved by terrorism? If anything, the likes of ISIS and al Qaeda has made these causes worse and much more complicated to resolve.
As simple as this truth is, many people refuse to see it and this is probably the reason why I remain extremely pessimistic about our region. Perhaps one positive thought remains. It is said that the night is darkest just before the dawn -- I don't think our night can get any darker!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/faisal-abbas/are-we-living-islams-dark_b_7680478.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592
Interesting read from Mr. Abbas. I can defintiely agree with his frustration on the silence from other Muslims regarding ISIS and the actions of their faith's extremists. What do ya'll think, agree or disagree?
June 19, 2015
Don Lemon gets called an Uncle Tom live on CNN
Just saw a clip on Worldstar. Yikes this tragedy is bringing out all kinds of crazy. Anyone else seen it? :/
June 14, 2015
https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/how-black-fathers-facebook-group-of-9k-is-121297535977.html
Saw this earlier and it warmed my heart.
I truly believe black fathers, single black fathers especially get a bad wrap with the "deadbeat jailbird" stereotype that is often thrown out by the mainstream media. I wish Mr. Prestbury and his group luck.
How 'Black Fathers' Facebook Group of 9K Is ‘Shattering Stereotypes’
When Matt Prestbury gained custody of his then 2- and 3-year-old sons, after divorcing his first wife 12 years ago, the single dad knew he needed support. “I’m very much an introvert,” the Baltimore father, 39, tells Yahoo Parenting. “But I knew that I wanted to build a brotherhood in a sense — and I didn’t see anything else like that out there.”
So in 2008, Prestbury, a kindergarten teacher, took matters into his own hands and founded the Black Fathers Facebook group for dads. “I wanted to create a virtual space where fathers could come together and be a resource for each other — and help break lot of stereotypes to change the narrative of what it means to be a black father in America,” says the now remarried father, who has four children today: sons Breon, 16, Bryce, 14, Braylon, 10, and daughter Laila, 8, with his second wife, Kelly. “There used to be the perception that fathers, and in particular black fathers, all abandon their children. But I wanted to have stories represented like mine, where the fathers are actively involved in their kids’ lives.”
Fatherhood, he says, “wasn’t really a big social issue at the time. Sure, you could have kids and take care of them,” Prestbury adds, “but sitting home and kickin’ it with homies, we didn’t talk about fatherhood and being dads. And I wanted to give dads a sense of validation.”
At first the group was about gathering for casual playground meet-ups, but it quickly grew in scope and size. Now with a whopping 9,000 members from across the country, Black Fathers has become the network, and the agent of change, that Prestbury always hoped that it would be. The group offers workshops, an active discussion board, and resources for men seeking advice and legal counsel regarding custody and other family issues. There are also events — including the group’s recent “hip-hop and spoken word celebration,” with musicians who are fathers or who rap about fatherhood, and “Daddy & a Movie,” a free outdoor film series.
https://www.yahoo.com/parenting/how-black-fathers-facebook-group-of-9k-is-121297535977.html
Saw this earlier and it warmed my heart.
I truly believe black fathers, single black fathers especially get a bad wrap with the "deadbeat jailbird" stereotype that is often thrown out by the mainstream media. I wish Mr. Prestbury and his group luck.
June 12, 2015
http://www.11alive.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/06/11/spokane-naacp-president-questions/71101474/
(pictures of Rachel Dolezal and her history with the NAACP at the link)
I saw this story on Worldstar and just had to see if it was legit. Yikes. What do you all think cause this is kind of bizarre to me. Is she truly bi-racial or is she lying about her race?
'Black' NAACP leader outed as white woman
SPOKANE, WA (KREM) -- A recent investigation into racially charged threats made toward the president of the NAACP chapter in Spokane have raised questions beyond who made the threats.
On Thursday, Rachel Dolezal's parents claimed she had been deceiving people.
Ruthanne and Larry Dolezal said Thursday that they want people to know the truth including that their daughter is Caucasian. The Dolezals sat down with 11Alive's Spokane sister station, KREM 2 News and said their daughter is specifically German and Czech.
Rachel Dolezal was born in Troy, Montana. Ruthanne and Larry Dolezal said their daughter has always identified with the African American culture and had black siblings who were adopted. They said she went to school in Mississippi and was part of a primarily African American community.
The Dolezals said Rachel married and later divorced a black man. They said after the divorce in 2004 Rachel began identifying differently. She started claiming to be partially African American and the daughter of bi-racial parents. They said they have noticed her change in physical appearance but do not know how she did so.
"Rachel has wanted to be somebody she's not. She's chosen not to just be herself but to represent herself as an African American woman or a biracial person. And that's simply not true," said Ruthanne Dolezal.
The Dolezals said they do not have a problem with Rachel advocating for a civil rights group for African Americans, rather that she is being deceptive about it.
Rachel's parents said she distanced herself from them and has not talked to them recently.
The same day her parents were interviewed, Rachel Dolezal told KREM 2 News that she does not speak to her parents because of an on-going legal issue.
"There is a lawsuit that's been going on for almost a year, once I supported my sister and allegations against her older brother," said Rachel.
Rachel said she does not consider her biological parents her real parents. She said she is still focused on the threats she received in the mail.
http://www.11alive.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/06/11/spokane-naacp-president-questions/71101474/
(pictures of Rachel Dolezal and her history with the NAACP at the link)
I saw this story on Worldstar and just had to see if it was legit. Yikes. What do you all think cause this is kind of bizarre to me. Is she truly bi-racial or is she lying about her race?
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