on the black hand side

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

 

The Curious Case of Troy Davis: Too Much Doubt [VIDEO by Jasiri X]

On August 19, 1989, off-duty cop Mark MacPhail was shot and killed in Savannah, GA. Troy Davis was arrested and sentenced to  death. There was no physical evidence linking him to MacPhail’s murder. There were nine witnesses who said that Davis was the killer. Seven of those nine witnesses have recanted their testimony citing coercion by law enforcement. One of the two remaining witnesses is the original prime suspect.

Based on these facts, one has to wonder why the State of Georgia insists on executing Troy Davis on September 21, 2011. There is just too much doubt in the case of Troy Davis.

Hundreds of thousands of people have signed petitions asking that Troy Davis not be executed. Several former government officials and celebrities have also asked that Troy Davis not be executed. However, Michael MacPhail’s mother is looking forward to the execution of Troy Davis. She thinks it will bring her some peace. My heart goes out to her. I know the pain she feels. I know the feeling of having a child’s life taken in such a violent manner.

The truth, however, is that there is too much doubt that Troy Davis murdered Mark MacPhail. Family and friends want someone to pay for Mark’s murder. If Troy Davis is executed, their desire will still not have been honestly satisfied.   

The execution of Troy Davis would be a terrible miscarriage of justice. Here are three steps you can take to help him before the Georgia Parole Board meets on September 19. 2011:

1. Send a message of support to Troy as he fights for justice on what may be the final days of his life: http://action.naacp.org/LettersOfSupport

2. Sign the name wall, if you haven't already. And if you have, send it to your friends and family. Each name means a more united front for justice: http://action.naacp.org/Name-Wall

3. Make sure everyone knows about this injustice. Spread the word on Facebook and Twitter (using the hashtag #TooMuchDoubt) so that Troy Davis's story can be heard. We still have a chance to save his life, but only if people are willing to speak out against injustice.

  

Free Audio Download http://jasirix.bandcamp.com/track/i-am-troy-davis-t-r-o-y

Tallevast, FL: Environmental Racism, Corporate Greed and Waiting for People to Die [VIDEO]

This is another instance of environmental injustice in the United States. I know all of the residents in the video. They deserve better treatment than that shown to them thus far. Where is the outrage and support from environmental and civl rights organizations? It seems as if the powers to be are waiting for the residents to die so the problem will go away. I think not.

Rest In Peace, Naomi Sims

Before Beverly Johnson, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks and Iman, there was Naomi Sims. No, she didn't just make cosmetics, wigs and hairpieces, Ms. Sims has been credited as the first black supermodel. That is why her transition from this world without the appropriate acknowledgement by the news and fashion industry, is appalling. Ms. Sims succumbed to breast cancer at 61.

As a teenager during the black pride era, I recall seeing her beautiful brown face on the cover of many magazines and in advertisements. She was elegant and seemed to glide down the runway.

The pioneering Ms. Sims, who would become an entrepreneur and author, paved the way for ethnic models. Initially, she suffered much rejection because of her dark skin but she persevered and became the toast of the fashion industry.

Thank you, Ms. Sims. You blazed a trail that many take for granted today but I thank you for giving little black girls and black women a reason to walk tall and proud. Ashe'.

Remembering Odetta, the Voice of the Civil Rights Movement

Singer and civil rights activist, Odetta, transitioned on December 2, 2008. A classically-trained singer born in Birmingham, AL on December 31, 1930, it was folk music that would establish her as an icon.

From the Tavis Smiley Show:

Odetta

original airdate January 25, 2008

Called one of the great treasures of American music, musical activist Odetta has influenced such artists as Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and Joan Baez. Since her '54 debut album, she's toured the world telling stories of America's southern experience in her songs. The Birmingham (AL) native sang at the March on Washington in '63, marched with Dr. King in Selma and protested against U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. In '03, the Library of Congress honored the Grammy-nominated artist with its rare "Living Legend Award."

 

Click here to listen to her interview and read the transcript from the Tavis Smiley Show of January 25, 2008.

 

Related Links:

Odetta, Voice of Civil Rights Movement, Dies at 77

Folk legend Odetta, 75, reflects on a pioneer's life

 

 

 

 

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The Jonestown Tragedy

On November 18, 1978, 909 people either committed suicide or were massacred at the Jonestown settlement in Guyana. Many of the dead were black; 303 were children. In search of a world of equality and freedom for all people, these folks actually found a living hell on Earth.

Among the murdered were California congressional representative Leo Ryan and a news crew who were visiting the site after accusations of mistreatment there. Many of the Jonestown residents were from California. A few folks survived the mass suicide orders of the Rev. Jim Jones head of The People's Temple.    

The 30^th anniversary of the mass suicide at Jonestown, Guyana is commemorated in a riveting documentary on CNN narrated by Soledad O'Brien. It's one thing to have seen the television movie of Jonestown back in 1980 and quite another emotion in viewing the actual raw footage of Jonestown and the many people who would later be found dead. O'Brien also interviews several survivors of Jonestown.

That entire incident seems so unreal but Jim Jones showed just how a people's mind can be controlled. It was that horrible incident from which the term "drinking the Kool-aid" originated.

 

     

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Woman Killed After Refusing KKK Initiation

A woman is said to have been shot and killed after refusing to be initiated into a KKK group in rural Louisiana. The group may actually be an off shoot of the official Klan organization. Eight people between the ages of 20 and 30 have been arrested.

After the woman asked to leave and was shot, there was an attempt to conceal the crime by burning the woman's belongings and other other items at the campsite where the crime occurred.

It was reported that that the woman was recruited via the internet.

Remembering Shakir Stewart

Def Jam Records VP, Shakir Stewart, died from an apparent self-inflicted wound. His body was found in his Atlanta home. Stewart replaced Jay-Z at Def Jam just this past June. He was a native of Oakland, CA and a 1996 graduate of Morehouse College. Ashe'

     

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Body of Boy is Julian King

The body of the young boy found in the white SUV was Julian King; he was shot multiple times. This brings the number of dead to three as a result of the multiple slayings that started on Friday.

There are no words to describe the pain that Jennifer Hudson and the rest of the Hudson family are experiencing. Ms. Hudson's brother-in-law is in custody and held for parole violations. He and his girlfriend gave conflicting information regarding his whereabouts.

To lose loved ones in such a tragic manner is more than devastating. The person or persons involved must be brought to justice. I pray for the Hudson family's strength during this situation. I also pray for the mercy and uplift for the souls of Darnell Donerson, Jason Hudson and Julian King. Ashe'.   

 

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Help Jennifer Hudson Find Her Nephew

As you may know by now, singer-actress Jennifer Hudson's mother, Darnell Donerson and brother Jason Hudson were murdered, Friday, October 24^th in their home in Chicago. Hudson's nephew Julian King has been missing since that time. The police have not indicated that there are any suspects and no clues as to why this tragedy occurred. Police questioned Julian's father, William Balfour, as a person of interest. Balfour is the estranged husband of Jennifer Hudson's sister, Julia Hudson.

Jennifer Hudson has offered a $100,000 reward for the return of her nephew, Julian. All inquiries should be directed to the Chicago Police Department, Area 1 Detective Division at 312/747-8380.   

Our prayers go out for the Hudson family and for the safe return of Julian King.

 

© 2008, on the black hand side, www.blackhandside.net

Vote for this blog for Best Pop Culture Blog and Best Blog About Stuff in the 2009 Bloggers Choice Awards.