on the black hand side

The Aftermath: Breaking the Black Man and Dis-connecting the Black Community [VIDEO]

I surfed across this very powerful video of the Minister Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam. He is speaking at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina on September 13, 2005. You may not like Mr. Farrakhan and you may not agree with him either. If you are black, no matter where you were born, I dare you to watch this video in its entirety.

  

Farrakhan is on point about tactics used to break down the black man in the presence of the black woman and the black child. He is on point about how we have lost the sense of community that our common melanin used to endear. He is on point about how, in a sense, we are worse off today than we were during slavery.

Please share this video with as many black people as possible. 

 

 

Hat Tip: Black Blue Dog

 

 

FAU Student Goes on Racial Tirade during Study Session [VIDEO]

Check out this video of FAU (Florida Atlantic University) student, Jonatha Carr, going ballistic in class study session. The student reportedly became angry when she did not like the answer the professor gave to a question she asked. The video shows her spewing profanity and racial epithets. She even pushes a male student in the forehead before she is physically removed from class and tased. 

From all indications, this is not typical behavior of the student but that incident was ugly. Maybe she needs to take a break from school. After the commotion, class resumed although half of the students left during the disturbance. 

You know racist YouTube trolls are totally using this opportunity to bash black people, especially black women,  with their comments on this video. They are oblivious to the young black woman trying to stop the outburst as well as the other black women looking shocked as the other students.

 

Mitt Romney Doesn't Care About Poor People

The “Mitt Romney Is Not Concerned About the Very Poor” video has gone viral. It is reminiscent of the Kanye West inspired video mash-up — “George Bush Doesn’t Care About Black People” by the Legendary KO.  

*PARENTAL ADVISORY - EXPLICIT LYRICS*

 

Surely someone is creating a remix spotlighting Mitt Romney. He has provided enough material to make a very informative and thought-provoking video. Remember his very cavalier $10,000 bet with Rick Perry during the December Republican debate; his statement that he likes being able to fire people; describing the more than $370,000 in income he earned for speeches as not that much money; characterizing people as envious if they questioned the economic disparity in the U.S.; and the fact that his 2010 income tax returns indicate he pays less than 15% in taxes while sheltering millions in offshore accounts. 

You already know the title of the new video mash-up — “Mitt Romney Doesn’t Care About Poor People.” Just make sure the video accurately reflects the demographics of the very poor in the United States. 

 

 

Troy Anthony Davis was executed. What next, America? [VIDEO]

 
^{Howard University student arrested at protest at The White House}

People around the world protested Georgia’s execution of Troy Anthony Davis for the August 1989 murder of police officer Mark MacPhail in Savannah. Messages and photos flooded Twitter’s timeline. Cable television news channels covered the story. Democracy Now! livestreamed  coverage via the internet. As police presence in riot gear was beefed up at Georgia Diagnostic Prison, the site of the execution, it was apparent Davis would be put to death this time. In spite of the protests and legal appeals, Davis was executed by lethal injection at 11:08 PM EST on Wednesday, September 21, 2011.

 

The video footage of the arrest of Howard University students who were protesting at The White House were eerily reminiscent of the non-violent civil rights protests I remember as a child in the 1960’s. Has the execution, I prefer to refer to it as a crucifixion, of Troy Anthony Davis ignited a fire for a larger and louder chorus of voices demanding the end of the death penalty? It would seem so.

Troy Anthony Davis proclaimed his innocence to the end. The State of Georgia has blood on its hands. If you are a Georgia resident, even if you are not on The Supreme Court, the Georgia parole board, are one of the witnesses that recanted, or are the District Attorney of Chatham County, that would be you too.

 

 Video: RTAmerica

 

"Dark Girls" is Sad, Powerful and Haunting [VIDEO]

It's 2011, why are black people still dealing with skin color and hair texture issues?

Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.

How many times do black people have to address the issue of dark skin vs. light skin...good hair...bad hair. It's so sad and so unbelievable by people who are not black, regardless of whether black American, Black Hispanic, Caribbean black, etc.

If the truth be told, the problem of self-hatred and skin color envy is so deep and pervasive. If the truth be told, it goes beyond blacks. The desire for blonde hair, blue eyes and light skin is prevalent throughout the  ethnicity spectrum and damages the psyche of many not naturally born with those genetic traits. It's easier and perhaps more damaging to blacks who are farther away from Nordic blonde, but others are suffering also.

This madness will continue until people start really loving their natural selves. It's okay to recognize beauty in others but when you do that while hating yourself, the cycle continues. Some of comments from blacks in this video make me angry and sad --- in that order. We know better, let's do better. And to my dark girl sisters, you are beautiful. Know it. Own it. Be it.

 

Black Actors Collaborate on Milk + Honey TV Series from Brown Paper Dolls [VIDEO]

 

Some of Hollywood’s top black actors have collaborated and created an excellent television series, Milk + Honey . The show, over three years in the making, was created to showcase diverse images of women of color that are rarely seen on the big or small screen and to create more opportunities for black actors.

So who are some of the folks behind this series? Idris Elba, Lance Gross and Debbie Allen for starters. Then add Brown Paper Dolls --- Chicago natives and HBCU grads: Dana Gills (Spelman College);  Asha Kamali May (Howard University); and Jeanette McDuffie (Florida A&M University).

The "Milk + Honey" scripted series will soon be seen on all platforms and is looking to be picked up by a television network. The company needs 1 million views of the trailer, so let’s help them surpass their goal. Click on the video below or visit the official website at http://www.milkandhoneyseries.com/.

Thank you. Spread the word!

 

milk + honey series trailer from brown paper dolls on Vimeo.

 

 

A Message for Chris Brown [VIDEO]

I sure hope Chris Brown sees this video from Jay Smooth.  I don’t want him to just hear about it from his management or a fan or a friend.  You see, I think Chris Brown is very talented, as a matter of fact, he’s multi-talented. I also think he’s headed down the wrong path or will not reach the pinnacle of his potential success without better career guidance. Now, if he is being better advice but just not following it, then that’s another story.

 
^{Chris Brown shows off BET Awards}

Brown was given the all-clear, we forgive you welcome at the 2011 BET Awards Show with his multiple award wins, especially that Fan Favorite award during one of the weirdest presentations I’ve ever witnessed.

What was most disappointing and telling about Chris Brown was his attire to the BET Awards. Now, don’t get me wrong, he wasn’t the only one to have committed a flagrant fashion foul but if he is to be truly forgiven for physically assaulting Rihanna, his career move should be less bad boy roughneck and more smooth operator.  Instead, rather than being perceived as fashion forward, trandsetting or classy, he just came across as disrespectful like many of the other performers.  I’m just  saying.

Well said, Jay Smooth!

  

 

 

Hip Hop Queen with a Refreshing Flavor: Miss Mykie

I like hip hop, I really do. But those who know me, know that I’m also persnickety about the music I like to listen to. There’s a young lady who goes by the name of Miss Mykie who is a breath of fresh air in the rap game. She has a unique sound and flavor that doesn’t make you embarrassed or angry to be a woman, especially a black woman.

I can’t tell you I’ve heard everything she’s done but what I have seen and heard is impressive. In full disclosure, Miss Mykie and I are sorority sisters --- Alpha Kappa Alpha. I’ve never met her and could easily be her mom. Miss Mykie being my soror does not in any way color my opinion of her work but it does make me proud to acknowledge her as my sorority sister and not just my sistah.

Miss Mykie, born Mykel Gray, lists Houston as her hometown and is an alum of Howard University. I can only imagine she would have blown up super big by now if she would hoochify her image. Thank God she hasn’t because she doesn’t have to, the sister has skills.  

Check out  her latest video and see what I mean:

 

I had to throw this one in for my Alpha Kappa Alpha sisters. Pinky up, ladies.

 

Check out more on Miss Mykie at www.missmykie.com

Connect with her:
http://www.youtube.com/mykietv
https://www.facebook.com/Miss-Mykie/
twitter.com/missmykie

 

MSNBC's Black Agenda Show: Interesting and Awkward [VIDEO]

 

Unfortunately, I didn’t watch The Ed Show on A Stronger America: The Black Agenda that aired yesterday. I’m really sorry I missed it because clips from the show were very interesting and borderline explosive. They obviously showed the difference of opinion between the black panelists but let me just say that the entire show was awkward and telling of the lack of a black presence in mainstream media television news reporting.

I’m a fan of Ed Schultz so don’t twist my comments. I do think the show would have had a different feel had the host been a black person. In a few instances he basically served as a referee between Rev. Al Sharpton and Dr. Cornel West. (I must admit I've never seen Dr. West lose his cool before.) If you tell me about Rev. Al Sharpton somewhat co-hosting the show, I’ll say that adding his name to the show’s promos after they had already been running was MSNBC’s attempt at damage control for those folks who were paying attention.

Be that as it may, it seems the show was interesting and informative even if there were a few awkward moments. I hope to catch more clips of it or perhaps it will be rebroadcast. Do check them out and let me know what you think.  

 

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

 

Related Link: "A Stronger America: The Black Agenda"

 

I Love My Hair! Love Your Hair! [VIDEO]

For children of all ages, here is a fabulous Sesame Street video in tribute to loving one's hair. Even if your hair is not straight or blond, love it, okay? The earlier we learn this lesson, the better off we'll be. Smooches...