Posts Tagged ‘abuse of power’
#BlackLivesMatter Activist DeRay McKesson Speaks On His New ‘Campaign Zero’ Movement And More With Stephen Colbert (Video)
January 22, 2016
Activist DeRay McKesson and Stephen Colbert have a colorful, conscientious conversation about White privilege, Black Lives Matter, Campaign Zero and more.
Spike Lee Speaks On The Basis Of His New Film ‘Chi-Raq’ & Elaborates on Chicago, Sex Strikes (Video)
November 30, 2015
Interesting. Spike Lee and Stephen Colbert discuss the dire straits of Chicago’s war-like violence and casualty rates, the foundations/inspirations for “Chi-Raq” (a spin off the Ancient Greek satire “Lysistrata,” in which Athenian women vow to withhold sex until their men end the The Peloponnesian War), and the possibility of sex strikes on campus in the coming semester after his movie drops.
“I think that a sex strike could really work on college campuses where there’s an abundance of sexual harassment and date rapes. Second semester it’s going to happen. Once people come back from Christmas, there’s going to be sex strikes at universities and college campuses across this country. I believe it.â€
– Spike Lee
Gun control. Police brutality. So much in a short clip to watch. And you must!
PREVIOUS: CHI-RAQ (TRAILER)
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Comedy, Interview, Opinion, Series, Television, Videos | 
Tags: abuse of power, Chi Raq, date rape, Democracy, Gun Control, Lysistrata, Police brutality, satire, Sex strike, sexual harassment, Spike Lee, Stephen Colbert, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert | 
No Comments »
Yasiin Bey – “No Colonial Fiction”
November 20, 2015
Shout out to the family of Tamir Rice… Young blood is flowing… but school’s closing.
– Yasiin Bey
Bey speaking truth and love with guts. Sending blessings to the family, but keeping the light on the murder of 12-year old Tamir Rice by police in Cleveland (Ohio, USA) last year. Let the pain move you to DO SOMETHING like the song says. Check out Yasiin’s interview and strong commentary on Tamir, misplaced Muslim hate and more after the jump.
Posted in Activism, Hip-Hop, Interview, Music, Progressive | Tags: A Country Called Earth, Abuse of authority, abuse of power, ACCE, Conflict, Government, Hate, Immigration, isis, islamophobia, NO Colonial Fiction, Police brutality, policy, Refugees, Syria, TAMIR RICE, Universal Declaration Of Human Rights, Yasiin Bey | No Comments »
Police Brutality: Alex Landau’s Near Fatal Traffic Stop (Video)
August 26, 2015
Man, this ain’t the only work that StoryCorps is doing; but wow, capturing stories like these is so important! I can remember my late Grandma living across the street from a dear friend who had vivid memories of the earliest of Jim Crow times… but she NEVER spoke about it. When asked, she would quickly offer a monotone “we don’t talk about those times” response bereft of any emotional content. The truths and experiences that neighbor could have shared; but she didn’t want to. Respect shout to StoryCorps for giving a platform to those who want to share… in this case who NEED to share… even when the story is soooo AWFUL.
Alex Landau, an African American man, was raised by his adoptive White parents to believe that skin color didn’t matter. But when Alex was pulled over by Denver police officers one night in 2009, he lost his belief in a color-blind world — and nearly lost his life. Alex tells his mother, Patsy Hathaway, what happened that night and how it affects him to this day.
– @ojones1
Bryant Gumbel Speaks On His Son Being Victimized By ‘Blue on Black’ Crime (Video)
August 12, 2015
For as far back as I can remember, I have stood on the ‘Blackness’ of Bryant Gumbel. Time was, back in the day (on NBC), folks thought he was a sellout or out of touch with his community (calling him way worse). His harder-hitting stances and tenure on HBO Real Sports have given him the Bryant-don’t-play-that edge that has backed haters off a bit over the years; but still, some folks were still playing him like he wasn’t Black enough.
Any haters out there left, eat it! Sh!t or d!ck, you choose. Mr. Gumbel is one of us who can articulate the struggle ALL people of color face in this life…from a personal point of view. Watch him speak on it; relating events that included cops victimizing his son.
Sportscaster and TV host Bryant Gumbel reveals his personal feelings on the recent surge of “Blue on Black” incidents involving police violence against minorities in this interview that airs on PBS on Aug. 6, 2015. For more visit www.charlierose.com.
#BlackLivesMatter
#TheyReallyShould
#EspeciallyToUsBlackFolks
#BlueOnBlackCrime
– @ojones1
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Interview, Politics, Series, Television, Trailer, Videos | Tags: Abuse of authority, abuse of power, Blue on Black crime, Bryant Gumbel, Charlie Rose, PBS, Police brutality, walking while Black | No Comments »
‘Legal Equalizer’ App To Help You Know Your Rights And Protect You In Encounters With Police (Video)
August 3, 2015
“This app is something that we truly believe in…that’s going to make things more equal for everybody. That’s the point of this app. We want people to know their rights. We want people to have their friends and family contacted…when they have any kind of interaction with law enforcement officers.”
– Mbye Njie
This is the type of thing apps should be doing. Music, movies and games are fine; but how about securing your liberty. Think about it: Your rights are your RIGHTS, but only if you remember to invoke them! And will you remember your rights when local law enforcement is tapping on your window during a ‘routine’ traffic stop? The police are trained to get information from suspects they might otherwise withhold; but you should NOT be treated like a suspect if you are not. Cops would certainly not mind a little leeway in dealing with a ‘tough arrest.’ Perhaps knowing their curbside investigation is being recorded – and that your friends, family and/or lawyer has been notified – is better for EVERYBODY… the peace officers AND the people they’re sworn to PROTECT and serve.
And what if you are detained or taken into custody? With this Legal Equalizer app, you can be reminded of what the authorities can and cannot do or ask. It would probably comfort you a bit to also know that you won’t spend time in a squad car station without your folks knowing AND knowing where you are (yes, the app will send the location to whomever you designate as well).
Bravo, Mr. Njie for taking huge steps to bring technology to this fight for our lives! Want to help? Watch the above update video, and check out the GoFundMe page for the Legal Equalizer.
MORE: LEGAL EQUALIZER
Posted in Activism, Mobile App, Product, Technology, Videos | Tags: Abuse of authority, abuse of power, App, know your rights, Legal Equalizer, Mbye Njie, Police brutality, protect and serve, protect yourself, Smartphone | No Comments »
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Reveals The ‘Progress’ In Police Relations In McKinney (Video)
June 19, 2015
Not sure what Comedy Central is going to do when Jon Stewart leaves his 11pm ET time slot in August… Not sure what the world of political satire is going to to. In truth, in the news cycle at large, he is one of the few consistently bold enough to even bring viewpoints like this to light.
Sure, lots of folks have been talking about the police-raided pool party in McKinney (Texas, USA); about the way-too-far response of the police called for what was mostly a misunderstanding. The above clip puts a bit of comedy sauce on top of the crap sandwich that is another instance of law enforcement’s general disregard for Black people. But it provided a framework for correspondent Jessica Williams’ frank commentary about the so-called ‘progress’ we have made in police relations in the U.S. Start above with Stewart’s lead in and finish with Jessica’s report after the jump.
Posted in Comedy, Human Interest, Series, Television, Videos | Tags: abuse of power, Jessica Williams, Jon Stewart, Police brutality, The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | No Comments »
Comedy Central’s Larry Wilmore On The Shooting Of Walter Scott ‘For The Record’ (Video)
April 13, 2015
The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore slid right into The Colbert Report’s 11:30 PM Comedy Central slot. And doing so like a boss! Great tongue-in-cheek political satire. Gotta say though, Larry is starting with a lot more bite. Watch his do-you-see-this-sh!t commentary on cellphone video showing a South Carolina police officer (Michael Slager) fatally shooting an unarmed black man (Walter Scott) in the back.
“I’ll stop talking about this sh!t when it stops happening.”
– Larry Wilmore
Damn right. Damn shame. Damn.
– @ojones1
The Mike Brown Rebellion: Part 1 (Documentary Mini-Series) [Video]
December 23, 2014
Above: One of four segments on the Ferguson Rebellion, a response to the killing of Mike Brown at the hands of Police Officer Darren Wilson (against whom no charges will be brought). Carrying on in the vein of Occupy Wallstreet, this part of the story covers the beginnings of the rebellion and current events from Ferguson October. Commentary includes words from young people at the front lines – including activist/MC @TefPoe and activist/organizer Tara Tee.
A documentary about the inspirational rebellion in Ferguson by Rebel Diaz. #TheMikeBrownRebellion: http://t.co/LhJpTwOrz2
— Occupy Wall Street (@OccupyWallStNYC) December 17, 2014
Pharrell Williams Talks With CNN’s Don Lemon About Mike Brown, Ferguson Fallout And More (Video)
September 10, 2014
Okay, so Talib Kweli’s friend Pharrell Williams’ talk with Don Lemon went way better than Kweli’s. Check it. A self-admitted apolitical celeb, the singer/producer weighs in with comments on the situation in Ferguson (Missouri, USA), on Michael Brown’s death and more. Much more; even in this short clip.
This is gonna be the longest hangover in race relations…ever!
– Pharrell Williams
Interesting insights.
Posted in Celebrity, Hip-Hop, News, Opinion, R&B, Television, Videos | Tags: abuse of power, excessive force, Ferguson, I'm disappointed, Pharrell Williams, Pharrell Williams on Ferguson, Police brutality | No Comments »
Killer Mike Talks About Mike Brown, Ferguson, Police, & More Over Breakfast (Video)
August 30, 2014
America. Hip-Hop Nation. Humanity. Killer Mike will make you proud again in this interview. After a night of engaging in more “righteous ratchetness” with DJ Envy, Mike accepted the invitation to fall through and chat with the crew the next morning during the Power 105 morning show. This conversation rivals the knowledge and passion kicked in Killer Mike’s CNN interview on all matters relating to Ferguson and Mike Brown (posted earlier here).
If you don’t have good common sense, you shouldn’t be a policeman on foot patrol. If you don’t have great common sense, you shouldn’t be a policeman in command. So, is it harder for a policeman? Absolutely. Are you held at a higher standard? Absolutely. Are you the only civil servant with the power of life and death in your hands? Absolutely, and that requires more responsibility.
– Killer Mike
Please watch!
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Hip-Hop, Opinion, Politics, Radio, Videos | Tags: abuse of power, Breakfast, Breakfast Club, Ferguson, Killer Mike, Killer Mike kicks knowledge at the Breakfast Club Power 105.1, Michael Brown, Mike Brown, Police, Police brutality, Power 105, Power 105.1 | No Comments »
Activism: Killer Mike Speaks On Mike Brown’s Killing, What It Means To All Americans And More (Video)
August 23, 2014
See? When your music speaks truth, you get called on to speak truth. See how CNN’s Brooke Baldwin even mentioned the “Reagan” video (got that one here)? She knows. Killer Mike should speak on matters like Mike Brown and Ferguson. Father, husband, SON OF A POLICEMAN, concerned member of the human race… Killer Kill From Adamsville has much to say, and man, he said it! The next eleven minutes of your life should be spent watching this video (above) right here, right NOW!
If this police officer is not arrested… rioting… tears… pain… But what really happens… is all of our rights are thrown out the window. I am afraid for all Americans. I’m not just afraid for Black Americans… We as a people have to be more vigilant about policing the people we pay to protect and serve us…
That about it, people. It ain’t just the cops. Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? It’s US! WE have to step up! We have to vote in LOCAL officials (sheriffs, councilpersons and alderman, and other officials) and participate in (and/or institute) watch-dogging so cops know that ‘policing’ goes both ways. More than that though, we need to develop solid, respect-driven relationships with police authorities; just as Killer Mike (with his barber shop) has. That does NOT excuse cops abusing their authority, but our steps toward revolution should bear in mind that we seek resolution. And building relationships that deescalate abuse of authority, and build respect and care for the community into the citizen-officer relationship is a necessary part of the resolution.
PART 2: KILLER MIKE ON CNN
Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Activism, Celebrity, Hip-Hop, News, Politics, Television, Videos | Tags: abuse of power, CNN, Community, Ferguson, Killer Mike, Mike Brown, Police, Police brutality | 2 Comments »
