R.I.P. Harry T. and Harriet V. Moore - Bombed December 25, 1951

Harry T. and Harriet V. Moore

R.I.P. Nicholas Caldwell 2016 | THE WHISPERS

Nicholas Caldwell (April 5, 1944 – January 5, 2016)

5 Year-Old Akim Camara - Dance Of The Fairies

Akim Camara (born 26 September 2000 in Berlin) is a violinist child prodigy who began playing at the age of two.



Akim at 14 years of age.

2016 - Voting and The Russian Hack Distraction

Well minority voting rights appears to have been trampled on yet again.
The problem starts with an R but it's not Russians it's Republicans. (Stole another one)

Was Your Vote Not Counted

Greg Palast: By Rejecting Recount, Is Michigan Covering Up 75,000 Ballots Never Counted?


The No-BS Guide To The 2016 Recount... (w/Guest: Greg Palast)

Civil Rights Pioneer, Viola Desmond, To Be The First Woman Other Than The Queen on Canadian Banknote

Viola Desmond

Viola Desmond, the new face of the $10 bill

See the full article

Fred Hampton and the BPP

WHAT IF?

Expand Your Horizons

with some "back home" music.

Nina Simone Speaks FromThe Heart

Nina, I wish we had more time, one love.

Musical Prodigy Nina Simone was truly one of a kind.  We've all heard her music, though I'm sure not many of us are aware of just how much music she actually has out there. Now let's take a  a few minutes to hear, in her own words, about some of her life experiences as she was practising her art.

Nina on Freedom


Nina Talks Blackness


Young Gifted and Black


Nina Talks Art and Activism



Nina Talks Music 1984


Tim Sebastian Interview with Nina on Hard Talk, 1999


Who knows where the time goes.

A concise message to "law enforcement" from the hood.

 I saw this video on FB and it struck me as one of the clearest messages that I have seen from a member of the Black community to law enforcement officers.  I felt like here's someone that is expressing the feelings of millions of Black Americans in a way, that I can safely say, speaks for nearly all of us. Ultimately it is a message not only to "law enforcement" but to the system that permits the widespread abuse of power that is employed by these "civil servants". The abuse which would not be possible without  at least some kind of tacit permission from the system at large.
 I urge you to share this message in the hopes that at least a few "good" people see it and absorb it's gravity and that those of us who are the recipients of this ill-treatment better understand the need to come together and actively work toward the resolution of this situation.  

Now is the time for Black Americans to get connected across the nation.

R.I.P. Gwendolyn L. "Gwen" Ifill

September 29, 1955 – November 14, 2016

 America mourns the loss of Gwen Ifill, a Talented, Conscientious, Award-winning Journalist.

Will We Be Preserving or Losing the Camden, NJ home of Dr. Martin Luther King?

Update....

THE GOOD NEWS IS YES!!!!!

http://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/2016/10/28/camden-gives-home-historic-designation/92889410/

753 Walnut street, Camden, NJ

Camden house linked to MLK gets demolition notice 

Updated: AUGUST 1, 2016 — 1:07 AM EDT

Push to preserve MLK's former Camden home gaining support

Music for Changing Times.

IMO, the Democratic Party should have gotten permission from Bob Dylan and gone with this music.

Stevie Wonder Writes Brand New Song For Hillary Clinton !

I gotta say, I felt like something was missing in this presentation, at the same time there might have been a few too many Hillarys. Just sayin'.

Free Your Mind (Return To The Source African Origins.Dr. Asa Hilliard

Food for Thought from Black Political Buzz - Sharanda Jones

Dr Yosef Ben Jochannan ~ Black Man Wake Up!!!

Ethiopian born, Africana studies professor, Yosef Alfredo Antonio ben-Jochannan 
born  December 31, 1918  died  March 19, 2015) 

Dr Ben is a compelling speaker and informative scholar in the field of Africana studies.

Black History before slavery 101

Africa has a long history that has yet to be fully explored. We Africans on the continent and throughout the diaspora have a monumental task ahead of us, if we are going to introduce and expose our future generations to the fascinating story of Africa's past.

Black Panthers... 778 Bullets

"In November 1970, university, state and local police shot 778 Bullets into an off campus rental house in Carbondale, IL. The residence was rented to a handful of university students,"

778 Bullets from Angela Aguayo on Vimeo.

Umar Johnson.. How to Avoid the School to Prison Pipeline

Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry (born October 18, 1926)

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, CHUCK!!!!!

The Real King of Rock and Roll

Dr Robin DiAngelo Speaks To White People on Privilege, Etc

Dr DiAngelo Speaks On White Supremacy,Privilege,Solidarity,
Fear and Segregation

Bill Maher plays the dozens on Donald Trump - JSMH

Well up 'til now Hillary and Trump were looking pretty equally bad to me but after listening to big bad Bill Maher, I just may be leaning toward Hillary a little bit.

Nina - Portrait of A Black Queen

How to Start Black-Owned Businesses

A Young Black Woman's Concern for Her Dad

Footage of Tulsa police shooting Terence Crutcher

Terence Crutcher Helicopter Video - Shot and Killed by Tulsa Police



Tulsa Police Shooting (Cruiser Dashcam) Full, Uncut, Unedited.



Tiffany Crutcher Twin sister of Terence Crutcher was shot by Tulsa Police talks press conference

Brook Benton - Mercury Records - 1959 - 1964

Brook Benton, born Benjamin Franklin Peay, 
(September 19, 1931 – April 9, 1988) 

Dr Joy DeGruy on why Black history is not taught in schools.

Listen-Up America!!!

When we work together, it is possible to make Beautiful Music.

The Oprah Winfrey Show | "Racism in 1992" | Native Nations Speak Out

Native Americans have the opportunity to air their grievances on national media.

Peaceful Native American Protestors Attacked With Dogs

We know how that feels. 
The protestors became agitated after the dogs were turned on them. I should also add that an arrest warrant was apparently issued against Democracy Now reporter, Amy Goodman after this reportage.

The Benjamin Dixon Show

Brandon Marshall "Stood Up"

Paul Finebaum I don't know why I said Black People aren't oppressed.

??????????

A Tribute to a True Activist for St. Louis--Rest In Power Darren Seals.

Clinton vs Trump

THE ONLY TIME I BELIEVE CLINTON OR TRUMP 

IS WHEN EACH TALKS ABOUT THE OTHER

Now that's sad :(

Journey through Slavery ep 1 of 4 - Terrible Transformation

Betty Reid Soskin 93Year-old Park Ranger

I saw this lady interviewed on Tavis Smiley and I jus had to share this.
AND she has a blog :), packed with interesting stories.

Meet NASA Math Whiz, Katherine Johnson

Uprising in Milwaukee After Police Kill Sylville Smith, 23.

Democracy Now 


More thoughts on Milwaukee from Davey D

Oscar Petersen (Musician) Born August 15, 1925

 Canadian, Oscar Peterson was born to immigrants from the West Indies; his father worked as a porter for Canadian Pacific Railway. Peterson grew up in the neighbourhood of Little Burgundy in Montreal, Quebec. It was in this predominantly black neighbourhood that he found himself surrounded by the jazz culture that flourished in the early 20th century. At the age of five, Peterson began honing his skills with the trumpet and piano. However, a bout of tuberculosis when he was seven prevented him from playing the trumpet again, and so he directed all his attention to the piano. His father, Daniel Peterson, an amateur trumpeter and pianist, was one of his first music teachers, and his sister Daisy taught young Oscar classical piano. Young Oscar was persistent at practicing scales and classical études daily, and thanks to such arduous practice he developed his virtuosity.
 As a child, Peterson also studied with Hungarian-born pianist Paul de Marky, a student of István Thomán, who was himself a pupil of Franz Liszt, so his training was predominantly based on classical piano. Meanwhile, he was captivated by traditional jazz and learned several ragtime pieces and especially the boogie-woogie. At that time Peterson was called "the Brown Bomber of the Boogie-Woogie".

At the age of nine Peterson played piano with control that impressed professional musicians. For many years his piano studies included four to six hours of practice daily. Only in his later years did he decrease his daily practice to just one or two hours. In 1940, at fourteen years of age, Peterson won the national music competition organized by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. After that victory, he dropped out of school and became a professional pianist working for a weekly radio show, and playing at hotels and music halls.
                                                                                         more from Wikipedia

Oscar Petersen performing Hymn to Freedom

2016 Olympics: What Rio doesn’t want the world to see.

Black Historian Lerone Bennett Jr. on Abraham Lincoln

Lerone Bennett Jr.

Sage Wednesdays featuring Lerone Bennett, Want the truth about Lincoln?
 https://youtu.be/XD1D8xQEZEU?t=12m48s

Dr Sebi Dies in Custody

Sebi dies after arrest, while in custody

Louis Armstrong born August 4,1901

Louis Armstrong "Dinah" 1933

Louis Armstrong and his Hot Seven - S.O.L. Blues (1927)


Louis Armstrong - What A Wonderful World

John Carlos, Tommie Smith and .....

The untold story of Peter Norman

Statue minus Peter Norman

The Murder Of Emmett Till (July 25, 1941 – August 28, 1955)

Emmett Till Would be turning 75 years old had he lived 'til now

Charles Kinsey - Police Union Story

 Police union chief: Officer thought Charles Kinsey was in danger, aimed at autistic man



All of the above explanation (double talk) does not explain why they handcuffed Mr Kinsey and let him bleed without medical assistance after attempting to "save his life".

Attorney disputes union chief’s claim

STOP!!!

5 Fearless Black Female Warriors Throughout History

Cyril Neville Singing "This is My Country"

Never Forget Whose Hands Built This Country

Do do do
Do do do

Some people think we don't have the right
To say it's my country
Before they give in, they'd rather fuss and fight
Than say it's my country
I've paid three hundred years or more
Of slave driving, sweat, and welts on my back
This is my country

Do do do
Do do do

Too many have died in protecting my pride
For me to go second class
We've survived a hard blow and I want you to know
That you'll face us at last
And I know you will give consideration
Shall we perish unjust or live equal as a nation
This is my country

Do do do
Do do do

And I know you will give consideration
Shall we perish unjust or live equal as a nation
This is my country

Do do do
Do do do

Do do do

LAW AND ORDER AND TRUMP

Central Park Five member recalls Trump 'He has not changed'



Get out and vote!
 You do not want this man to be President! 

Claudia Rankine: An American Lyric

Melania Trump Obviously Admires Michelle Obama

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

The Black Consciousness Movements: iMixWhatILike

This video is a couple years old but still relevant.

Check Out Malcolm Gladwell's New Podcast,

 Revisionist History

Americans of All Colors Know Why Black Lives Matter

The Black Lives Matter movement is composed of Americans of all colors, who understand clearly the importance of a uniform system of justice where all the people are subject to equal treatment under the law. This includes the requiring law enforcement officials to be accountable for breaches in their proper execution of the law.  Failure to repair this broken system will ultimately lead to a total collapse of the system as with any broken system.

More Mass Killing In The USA - Get some help America!

 Since 1968, at least 1.4 million Americans have been killed by guns—more than all the U.S.'s accumulated war dead in that same period.

 Well I hope the police in the US don't decide that the action of one person, who decided to take out his frustration on the Dallas police by committing a mass attack on white policemen there, is very different from any other mass killing that we've been witnessing. No one is safe as long as we continue to place assault weapons into the hands of those who are willing to pick people as targets and start shooting. They can be children at a daycare, Black churchgoers, military personnel, LGBT people, planned parenthood advocates or just random folks at the wrong place at the wrong time. America is slowly killing itself from the inside. The country is sick and in need of treatment very badly. Now is not the time for more paranoia. Now is the time for sincere soul searching and some very serious group therapy on a mass level. Get some help America before you go beyond the point of no return!

So far this year US police have killed more than 600 people. Not the fault of #BLM

Police Killings Just Too Common. Besides unarmed men, the victims include women, children, the elderly as well as physically and mentally disabled people. If they are allowed to continue, who knows how bad it will get?
 While some people would like to blame the #BlackLivesMatter movement for the fact that some individuals have taken matters into their own hands and struck out violently against police force. Why is it that they don't recognize the possibility that one of the most deadly police organizations in the world has created this backlash by it's own actions and that the failure of the authorities to reign in this deadly force has left citizens in fear of an organization that is supposed to  be preserving peace in the land.  Too many people would like to equate #BLM to a terrorist organization. IMO the organization that is on track to take 1200 or more US lives has a much better chance of living up to that reputation.



See the linked Gardian article on the subject of people dying at the hands of US police.

Fred Swaniker: "The leaders who ruined #Africa

and the generation who can fix it.,"

Jesse Williams Speaks Out at BET Awards #BlackLivesMatter

"Just Because We're Magic Doesn't Mean We're Not Real."

Lift Every Voice for African-American Music Appreciation Month

Lift Every Voice and Sing

James Weldon Johnson, 1871 - 1938

Lift every voice and sing,
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the list’ning skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chast’ning rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered.
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
Till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who hast by Thy might,
Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand,
True to our God,
True to our native land.

"Many people are surprised to learn that "Lift Every Voice and Sing" was first written as a poem. Created by James Weldon Johnson, it was performed for the first time by 500 school children in celebration of President Lincoln's Birthday on February 12, 1900 in Jacksonville, FL. The poem was set to music by Johnson's brother, John Rosamond Johnson, and soon adopted by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as its official song. Today “Lift Every Voice and Sing” is one of the most cherished songs of the African American Civil Rights Movement and is often referred to as the Black National Anthem." 

 This song has my vote for the song of African-American Music Appreciation Month. I want to see more of our people learning and singing this song every time we gather whether to celebrate a special occasion or to continue our struggle against racism and systemic abuse. It's unifying and positive theme, can only help us to work and strive together to bring to an end the outrageous conditions we still have to endure as a people.

 I have collected several different versions "Lift Every Voice" That I find particularly moving. You probably won't have a chance to listen to them in one sitting but you can always come back for more. Please share and encourage family, friends and comrades to listen and share.

Lift Every Voice and Sing (Black National Anthem) - Harmonyx


committed6mu
MPrynt


Ray Charles


Gladys Knight and Bebe Winans

Acapella

Makuena
Carissa May

Hassan Green

Stevie Wonder Medley


Melba Moore Featuring Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, The Clark Sisters, Freddie Jackson, Anita Baker, Bobby Brown, Howard Hewett, Take 6, Stephanie Mills, BeBe & CeCe Winans and Jeffrey Osborne. (order of singing)

Alexandra Williams

Choir

With Lyrics

 Okay if you're still here or you skipped ahead you get to hear my very favorite version.
Pearl-Cohn Magnet High School

Black History - UMAR JOHNSON LECTURE ON MARCUS GARVEY

DR. UMAR JOHNSON LECTURE ON MARCUS GARVEY Part.1


This is Pt 1. I'll leave it up to you to find the rest of this talk on youtube. I hope Dr. Johnson has got your attention enough to tempt you to look up the remainder of the lecture.

The Equity Series: Truth and Reconciliation—

Bryan Stevenson in Conversation with Khalil G. Muhammad

History of African American Music in 10 Minutes

African American Music  The "Tip" of the Iceberg

 As far as this blogger is concerned, at least 50% or more of all American music has it's roots in Africa. This video contains but a tiny sampling of the music that was created by Africans born in America.  I'm thinking of the many musical styles that were created which influenced the mainstream, as well as the so-called classical and other ethnic music that African-Americans put personal their stamp on. We should not forget that lyrical portion of Black music, which accounts for much of American literature, whether or not it's acknowledged by the mainstream. I'm not even going to go into the related dances that were often created in tandem with this music.
 I hope to see in the future, even more interest and activity put into African-American Music Appreciation Month with the end of having people recognize the true extent of the artistic talent and acknowledgment of the great body of work, of Africans born in America.

Peace - Are you the "Good Guy"?

Ella and Dizzy - Black Music Month

Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie 

An Opinion Piece For Black Voters from the Real news dot com

"The Quadrennial Duopoly Sham" and the Black Vote

For An Other Point of View see "the Real news"

Hannibal - Some white folks just can't handle the truth. Too bad

White people have been writing wrong-headed and one-sided history for so long they are beginning to believe all that nonsense about Black people never having done anything. Even though we've saved their asses time and again.

A Closer Look At Hilary Clinton

Empire Files: Abby Martin Exposes What Hillary Clinton Really
Represents

Who Stole all the Black Women from Britain? Black History Walks Promo

I really like that the internet gives  Black Folks the chance to get our voice out there.

That Day - Dianne Reeves Sings Nikki Giovanni

African-American Music Appreciation Month is so much fun. I'm surprised more of us aren't playing with it. :)

Nikki Giovanni

Dianne Reeves

A Real America Hero, Moves On - R.I.P. Muhammad Ali

1942 - 2016

A "Prize Fighter Extraordinaire" He fought for himself, he fought for his people, he fought for his country, always with dignity, honor and integrity. May his legacy live on to inspire future generations of world citizens.

A man of the people.

Muhammad Ali secured the release of 15 US hostages in Iraq

He stood for truth right to the end.

June 2016 is officially African-American Music Appreciation Month

President Barack Obama has officially announced that June 2016 is "African-American Music Appreciation Month," an initiative that actually started back in 1979 during Jimmy Carter's presidency. 

President Carter initially declared June "Black Music Month" but President Obama changed the name when he came into office and has been an advocate for it ever since.

Obama, who is a noted Kendrick Lamar fan, is calling upon all public officials, educators and the people of the U.S.A to observe this month with appropriate activities and programs that raise awareness and appreciation of music that is composed, performed and arranged by African Americans.

An excerpt from the Presidential Proclamation reads:

This month, we celebrate the music that reminds us that our growth as a Nation and as people is reflected in our capacity to create great works of art. Let us recognize the performers behind this incredible music, which has compelled us to stand up -- to dance, to express our faith through song, to march against injustice, and to defend our country's enduring promise of freedom and opportunity for all. 

 One of my favorite examples of African American Music is  the James Weldon Johnson poem "Lift Every Voice and Sing" which was performed for the first time on February 12, 1900 in Jacksonville, Florida by 500 school children for President Lincoln's birthday. It was put to music by the author's brother John Rosamond Johnson and not long after that adopted by the NAACP as it's official song. It has been one of the most inspirational songs of the African American civil rights movement and has been called "The Negro National Anthem"

Lift Every Voice and Sing
By James Weldon Johnson

Lift every voice and sing
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us,
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun
Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet
Come to the place for which our fathers sighed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,
Out from the gloomy past,
Till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who has brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light,
Keep us forever in the path, we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee,
Lest, our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand,
May we forever stand.
True to our God,
True to our native land. 

"White" Cleopatra Debunked - End of European Fairytales

Encourage some of our young people to become historians.  Family genealogy would be a good place to start.

Runaway Slave Music Video

"You Wanna be free, you gotta be brave"  Yeah Baby!

Remembering Nina Simone who Transistioned April, 2003

Nina Simone

Born Eunice Kathleen Waymon on February 21, 1933, in Tryon, North Carolina, Nina Simone took to music at an early age, learning to play piano at the age of 3 and singing in her church's choir. She played and sang from then until her death  in France on April 21, 2003. ....And how she performed!

Scenes in the Life of Harriet Tubman