Tag: Michael Brown
Blacks Asked to Leave Wild Wing Cafe because White Customer Felt Threatened
Group of 25 Black people waited two hours to get in a Wild Wing Cafe restaurant in North CharlestonDigital...
THE NINE LIVES OF MARION BARRY, THE VANISHING BLACK MALE
THIS FEBRUARY, COMMEMORATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH
WITH THREE POWERFUL, THOUGHT-PROVOKING DOCUMENTARIES
INDIEPIX FESTIVAL FAVORITES, VOLUME 3
Street Date: February 20, 2018
THE NINE LIVES
OF MARION BARRY, THE VANISHING BLACK MALE
and IN HIS OWN HOME
INDIEPIX FESTIVAL FAVORITES, VOLUME 3, being released in time to commemorate Black History Month this February, features three powerful, thought-provoking documentaries, each focusing on a different part of the African American experience. Included in the value-priced DVD set are THE NINE LIVES OF MARION BARRY called "mesmerizing[1]" and "a riveting history[2]," THE VANISHING BLACK MALE, which film critic Kam Williams called the "Best Documentary of the Year" when released in 2005, and IN HIS OWN HOME, a hot-button, ripped-from-the headlines doc about police brutality.
THE NINE LIVES OF MARION BARRY
Many people remember Marion Barry as the philandering drug-addled mayor, the one who famously uttered the phrase "bitch set me up" as he was arrested during an FBI sting in 1990. He's the poster boy for corruption, a pariah who will never be forgiven for bringing shame on the nation's capital. Yet to others, Marion Barry is a folk hero. Hailed as a civil rights champion and defender of the poor, he's the man who transformed Washington D.C. from a sleepy southern town into a political stronghold of Black America.
Barry's soaring achievements, catastrophic failures and phoenix-like rebirths have made him a symbol of mythic indestructibility. And from the Mississippi cotton fields to the corridors of power, Barry has weathered drug and alcohol addiction, cancer, 4 marriages, jail time, and political extinction to dominate Washington D.C. city politics for more than 40 years. With unprecedented access, THE NINE LIVES OF MARION BARRY, from filmmakers Dana Flor and Toby Oppenheimer tells the continuing saga of this despised, beloved, and resilient politician. It's a potent story of race, power, sex, and drugs; the tale of a complex and contradictory man who is the star of one of the most fascinating and bizarre chapters of American politics.
Sam Allis of The Boston Globe said, "No screenwriter would dare dream up the rise and fall of Marion Barry. You can't make this up. Which is why The Nine Lives of Marion Barry is such addictive viewing...mesmerizing," Linda Winer of Newsday commented "The rise and fall (and rise and fall and rise-how many is that?) of Marion Barry is a story worth telling" and David Hinkley of the New York Daily News, said, "Love Barry or hate him, it's a remarkable tale...Flor and Oppenheimer have done a fine job of letting it tell itself."
THE VANISHING BLACK MALE
In 2005, director Hisani DuBose looked around and realized that with over one million black men incarcerated, and high homicide and death rates, the African American male just may be becoming an endangered species. So, she set out explore whether or not black men are in danger of becoming extinct in THE VANISHING BLACK MALE. In a provocative and probing documentary, actor Melvin Jackson, Jr. ("The Wire," "Everybody Hates Chris") speaks with African American men of all walks -- doctors, politicians, college students, teachers, law enforcement personnel and others - to determine the state of the black man in America. Edited by award-winner Alfred Santana (Voices of the Gods), the compelling and incredibly timely exploration is interwoven with music, art and a series of monologues.
IN HIS OWN HOME
Before Michael Brown and Ferguson, Missouri, the headline-making killing of Trayvon Martin and the death of Eric Garner at the hands of New York City police officers, there was the shocking 2010 shooting ofKofi Adu Brempong, a disabled Ghanaian graduate student attacked by University of Florida campus police responding to a 911 call. And though few media outlets outside of Gainseville reported the story, the powerful, hot-button documentary featurette, IN HIS OWN HOME, recounts the events of that fateful March day and their aftermath: we watch live video of the police attack on Kofi's apartment; we hear accounts of those who marveled at the number of snipers "ready to shoot at any time" as they surrounded the apartment of a lone student, as well as from fellow students who attest to Kofi's peaceful demeanor; and, we hear from police officers who explain how they felt threatened and had to shoot. And, in the aftermath, we bear witness to the administration's shortcomings and the students and community activists who demand justice. Underlining a pattern of racism and police brutality, as well as the frightening "militiarization" of campuses nationwide, IN HIS OWN HOME speaks to widespread and pervasive issues in our country that will, for the time being, remain among our most controversial and disconcerting.
OneUnited Bank’s Controversial Mural Foreshadows the #BankBlack Movement
Digital and Radio Facts: In the summer of 2015, OneUnited Bank unveiled its revolutionary 550 square foot mural Thunder & Enlightening on the...
OneUnited Bank's Controversial Mural Foreshadows the #BankBlack Movement
Radio Facts:
In the summer of 2015, OneUnited Bank unveiled its revolutionary 550 square foot mural Thunder & Enlightening on the façade of the...
Stranger Fruit Documentary Sheds New Light on Mike Brown Murder
There are three sides to every story. His story, her story, and the truth. If you don't recall, August 9th, 2014 an unarmed 18-year-old named Michael Brown was killed by Officer Darren Wilson. Michael's death instantly became viral news and sparked protests for him worldwide. The sad part is Mike Brown never had the opportunity to tell his side of the story.
So what really happened in Ferguson, Missouri? "Stranger Fruit" is the story of what happened to Mike Brown, told through the eyes of those closest to him. Michael Brown's family members bravely retell the worst event of their lives to try to help the world understand the facts around what took place. Filmmaker Jason Pollock delivers an in depth look at the facts of Mike Brown's case in an effort unravel the mystery.
This film was the talk of SXSW film festival as Jason Pollock acquired the new tape of Mike Brown at the infamous convenience store. This new footage challenges the police narrative that Brown committed a strong-armed robbery when he returned to the store around noon that day. The filmmaker believes that the new video shows Mike Brown giving a small bag of marijuana to store employees and receiving cigarillos in return as part of a negotiated deal. Pollack is insulating that Mike Brown left the cigarillos behind the counter for safekeeping. Although lawyers representing the store vehemently deny there was some sort of exchange, the video appears to show different.
You can check out the new footage below via a cnn segment that talks about the new footage and what it means for Ferguson police and police across the country.
https://youtu.be/FsqX8oth1X0
TNT Green Lights New Charles Barkley Show Called "The Race Card"
Radio Facts: 
Charles Barkley once said, “[Those expletives] who are looting, those aren’t real black people, those are scumbags. Real black people, they’re not out there looting.." about the uprising in Ferguson when Michael Brown was shot and killed by police. As you know, Sir Charles never pulls any punches when it comes to giving his opinion on anything. He has his fair share of critics, including his TNT co-host and friend, Kenny Smith who took the time to write Chuck an open letter about his views on race relations.
Kenny said, "Lastly, you are the most entertaining person in sports television (partly because I throw you so many assists lol). However, what I consistently find interesting is how writers and media members view your insights in politics, and now race relations, with the same reverence as your insights in sports. They did it in the Trayvon Martin trial and now with Mike Brown and the decision in Ferguson. It’s not that you shouldn’t ever have an opinion, but you are often quoted alongside the likes of Al Sharpton and even President Obama. I would hope that Sharpton or President Obama would never be referenced with you when picking the next NBA Champs!"
What Kenny was basically saying is that the media looks to Charles to talk about race relations because they can expect him to say something that is news worthy because of it's possible audaciousness. I guess the audacity of Charles Barkley has paid off.
It has been officially announced that Chuck will host a new TV show exploring “race, class and cultural differences” that will debut next year. The name of this show is called what other than, “The Race Card.”
TNT has ordered six hour-long episodes of the program to test out the show. According to TNT executives, “Barkley wants to bust up the echo chamber mentality that so often has people retreating to corners of the like-minded, where views are reinforced and ideas are distorted into angry, unexamined groupthink conclusions."
Barkley offered this statement. “We as Americans never discuss the issue of race in this country and how it impacts everything in our lives until something bad happens. I see this project as a way to talk about race, class and cultural differences and challenge everyone’s status quo.”
Barkley has never been about status quo as he recently took some heat from many people in the Black community for his recent comments on the killings of Black men by cops. “We got to do better as black people,” Barkley recently said. “The cops have made some mistakes, but there’s a lot of blame to go around. But I’m not going to get on TV and yell like all these other idiots. I’m willing to sit down with anybody and have constructive criticism. I always tell myself as a black man: ‘Am I part of the problem or part of the solution?’ If I’m out doing illegal stuff, stupid stuff, I’m part of the problem. If I’m helping young black kids go to college like I’m trying to do, if I’m giving money to causes to help young men, I know I’m part of the solution.”
Barkley may be TNT's solution to higher ratings after this one. Stay tuned because this could get interesting.
Charles Barkley once said, “[Those expletives] who are looting, those aren’t real black people, those are scumbags. Real black people, they’re not out there looting.." about the uprising in Ferguson when Michael Brown was shot and killed by police. As you know, Sir Charles never pulls any punches when it comes to giving his opinion on anything. He has his fair share of critics, including his TNT co-host and friend, Kenny Smith who took the time to write Chuck an open letter about his views on race relations.
Kenny said, "Lastly, you are the most entertaining person in sports television (partly because I throw you so many assists lol). However, what I consistently find interesting is how writers and media members view your insights in politics, and now race relations, with the same reverence as your insights in sports. They did it in the Trayvon Martin trial and now with Mike Brown and the decision in Ferguson. It’s not that you shouldn’t ever have an opinion, but you are often quoted alongside the likes of Al Sharpton and even President Obama. I would hope that Sharpton or President Obama would never be referenced with you when picking the next NBA Champs!"
What Kenny was basically saying is that the media looks to Charles to talk about race relations because they can expect him to say something that is news worthy because of it's possible audaciousness. I guess the audacity of Charles Barkley has paid off.
It has been officially announced that Chuck will host a new TV show exploring “race, class and cultural differences” that will debut next year. The name of this show is called what other than, “The Race Card.”
TNT has ordered six hour-long episodes of the program to test out the show. According to TNT executives, “Barkley wants to bust up the echo chamber mentality that so often has people retreating to corners of the like-minded, where views are reinforced and ideas are distorted into angry, unexamined groupthink conclusions."
Barkley offered this statement. “We as Americans never discuss the issue of race in this country and how it impacts everything in our lives until something bad happens. I see this project as a way to talk about race, class and cultural differences and challenge everyone’s status quo.”
Barkley has never been about status quo as he recently took some heat from many people in the Black community for his recent comments on the killings of Black men by cops. “We got to do better as black people,” Barkley recently said. “The cops have made some mistakes, but there’s a lot of blame to go around. But I’m not going to get on TV and yell like all these other idiots. I’m willing to sit down with anybody and have constructive criticism. I always tell myself as a black man: ‘Am I part of the problem or part of the solution?’ If I’m out doing illegal stuff, stupid stuff, I’m part of the problem. If I’m helping young black kids go to college like I’m trying to do, if I’m giving money to causes to help young men, I know I’m part of the solution.”
Barkley may be TNT's solution to higher ratings after this one. Stay tuned because this could get interesting.TNT Green Lights New Charles Barkley Show Called “The Race Card”
Radio Facts: Charles Barkley once said, “[Those expletives] who are looting, those aren’t real black people, those are scumbags. Real black people, they’re not out there looting.." about the uprising in Ferguson when Michael Brown was shot and killed by police. As you know, Sir Charles never pulls any punches when it comes to giving his opinion on anything. He has his fair share of critics, including his TNT co-host and friend, Kenny Smith who took the time to write Chuck an open letter about his views on race relations.Kenny said, "Lastly, you are the most entertaining person in sports television (partly because I throw you so many assists lol). However, what I consistently find interesting is how writers and media members view your insights in politics, and now race relations, with the same reverence as your insights in sports. They did it in the Trayvon Martin trial and now with Mike Brown and the decision in Ferguson. It’s not that you shouldn’t ever have an opinion, but you are often quoted alongside the likes of Al Sharpton and even President Obama. I would hope that Sharpton or President Obama would never be referenced with you when picking the next NBA Champs!"What Kenny was basically saying is that the media looks to Charles to talk about race relations because they can expect him to say something that is news worthy because of it's possible audaciousness. I guess the audacity of Charles Barkley has paid off.It has been officially announced that Chuck will host a new TV show exploring “race, class and cultural differences” that will debut next year. The name of this show is called what other than, “The Race Card.”TNT has ordered six hour-long episodes of the program to test out the show. According to TNT executives, “Barkley wants to bust up the echo chamber mentality that so often has people retreating to corners of the like-minded, where views are reinforced and ideas are distorted into angry, unexamined groupthink conclusions."Barkley offered this statement. “We as Americans never discuss the issue of race in this country and how it impacts everything in our lives until something bad happens. I see this project as a way to talk about race, class and cultural differences and challenge everyone’s status quo.”Barkley has never been about status quo as he recently took some heat from many people in the Black community for his recent comments on the killings of Black men by cops. “We got to do better as black people,” Barkley recently said. “The cops have made some mistakes, but there’s a lot of blame to go around. But I’m not going to get on TV and yell like all these other idiots. I’m willing to sit down with anybody and have constructive criticism. I always tell myself as a black man: ‘Am I part of the problem or part of the solution?’ If I’m out doing illegal stuff, stupid stuff, I’m part of the problem. If I’m helping young black kids go to college like I’m trying to do, if I’m giving money to causes to help young men, I know I’m part of the solution.”Barkley may be TNT's solution to higher ratings after this one. Stay tuned because this could get interesting.
Charles Barkley once said, “[Those expletives] who are looting, those aren’t real black people, those are scumbags. Real black people, they’re not out there looting.." about the uprising in Ferguson when Michael Brown was shot and killed by police. As you know, Sir Charles never pulls any punches when it comes to giving his opinion on anything. He has his fair share of critics, including his TNT co-host and friend, Kenny Smith who took the time to write Chuck an open letter about his views on race relations.Kenny said, "Lastly, you are the most entertaining person in sports television (partly because I throw you so many assists lol). However, what I consistently find interesting is how writers and media members view your insights in politics, and now race relations, with the same reverence as your insights in sports. They did it in the Trayvon Martin trial and now with Mike Brown and the decision in Ferguson. It’s not that you shouldn’t ever have an opinion, but you are often quoted alongside the likes of Al Sharpton and even President Obama. I would hope that Sharpton or President Obama would never be referenced with you when picking the next NBA Champs!"What Kenny was basically saying is that the media looks to Charles to talk about race relations because they can expect him to say something that is news worthy because of it's possible audaciousness. I guess the audacity of Charles Barkley has paid off.It has been officially announced that Chuck will host a new TV show exploring “race, class and cultural differences” that will debut next year. The name of this show is called what other than, “The Race Card.”TNT has ordered six hour-long episodes of the program to test out the show. According to TNT executives, “Barkley wants to bust up the echo chamber mentality that so often has people retreating to corners of the like-minded, where views are reinforced and ideas are distorted into angry, unexamined groupthink conclusions."Barkley offered this statement. “We as Americans never discuss the issue of race in this country and how it impacts everything in our lives until something bad happens. I see this project as a way to talk about race, class and cultural differences and challenge everyone’s status quo.”Barkley has never been about status quo as he recently took some heat from many people in the Black community for his recent comments on the killings of Black men by cops. “We got to do better as black people,” Barkley recently said. “The cops have made some mistakes, but there’s a lot of blame to go around. But I’m not going to get on TV and yell like all these other idiots. I’m willing to sit down with anybody and have constructive criticism. I always tell myself as a black man: ‘Am I part of the problem or part of the solution?’ If I’m out doing illegal stuff, stupid stuff, I’m part of the problem. If I’m helping young black kids go to college like I’m trying to do, if I’m giving money to causes to help young men, I know I’m part of the solution.”Barkley may be TNT's solution to higher ratings after this one. Stay tuned because this could get interesting.
Dr. Ben Carson Talks #BlackLivesMatter and Economy with Roland Martin
Radio Facts: 
Dr. Ben Carson may not receive the same media attention as Donald Trump but he is one of the most talked about Republican candidates in this current bid for the 2016 presidency. The acclaimed neurosurgeon has seen a significant rise in the polls since as he caters to Republican talking points while alienating many people from the community in which he comes from. Dr. Carson is no stranger to controversy when it comes to making comments. He and Roland Martin have already clashed once during an interview as Roland took exception to Carson's 2013 comments about the Affordable Healthcare Act when he said the program was the "worst thing since slavery."
Fast forward to September 2015 and Dr. Been Carson and Roland Martin were back at it in an interview where the Republican candidate spoke about his run for the highest office in the land, #BlackLiveMattters, the economy, and much more. Carson opened the interview by saying he didn't want to run for President but it just sort of happened.
"I had no intention for running for public office, I was going to retire and enjoy life," Carson says. "But there were so many clamoring for me to do it. I finally just said 'Lord, I didn't plan on doing this but if you really want me to do it your going to have to open the doors because all the pundits says its impossible. And He opened the doors and we were able to put together a great organization. I've been able to get out there and really talk to people. I think that's what's made the difference. When they can actually hear your explanations as opposed to the little sound bites...it makes a difference."
Carson says that his top concerns once in office are the deep fissures between disparate groups of people in the country as well, as the economy.
"I want to focus on divisiveness because our strength of our nation comes from unity. And I want to focus on economy. We've had a very stagnant economy. From 1850 to 2000, our economy grew at a rate of 3.3% on average. From 2001 to 2014, a rate of 1.8% and if if you project that out over the years, in terms of unfunded liabilities it creates a crisis. Those are problems that can be solved. "
Although Carson's mother collected welfare and his own education is a partial product of affirmative action and other government funding programs, he doesn't believe others should take advantage of those programs. Carson, who has been mostly pro law enforcement just visited Ferguson, Missouri and met with members of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. He says he was moved by the visit.
"I was very impressed with my visit to Ferguson," Carson says. "The thing that I came away from there thinking is respect. If we can only learn to respect each other. I was very amazed that several people said that with Michael Brown, they recognized that he wasn't an upstanding citizen, but they were upset that his body lay in the street. That was very problematic and showed tremendous disrespect. There's no question that we've got to teach the police to respect the community and teach the community to respect the police.
Mutual respect is a tremendous thing. I think that will help a lot with the whole #BlackLives matter issue. But it needs to be done in a way the demonstrates a way that we also understand that there is tremendous carnage in our community. The #1 cause for death in the Black community is abortion. Let's look at what's behind that and let's look at Black on Black crime and teach each other how to respect and love your fellow man. I just really want to dial back the hatred. There's so many people who want to exacerbate the tension."
On issues like abortion, Carson's view dovetails with Republican conservative and evangelical values, but many of his views sound like rehashed Republican talking points viewed through a racialized prism.
Carson does not see the irony in his viewpoints but says that Blacks should embrace the Republican Party because of their history of achievement and contributions to society.
"There's over 2 trillion dollars of American money overseas. The reason that it's still over there is because we have the highest tax rate corporate tax rates in the developed world. I've spent many an afternoon talking about what we're going to do with all this money. I proposed a six-month hiatus on corporate taxes to allow it to be repatriated. Ten percent of it has to be used to create jobs for people who are unemployed or on welfare. That's the kind of thing that wouldn't cost the American people one penny and would be the biggest stimulus since FDR's program. I don't think anybody's going to object to that. It makes perfectly good sense."
Dr. Ben Carson may not receive the same media attention as Donald Trump but he is one of the most talked about Republican candidates in this current bid for the 2016 presidency. The acclaimed neurosurgeon has seen a significant rise in the polls since as he caters to Republican talking points while alienating many people from the community in which he comes from. Dr. Carson is no stranger to controversy when it comes to making comments. He and Roland Martin have already clashed once during an interview as Roland took exception to Carson's 2013 comments about the Affordable Healthcare Act when he said the program was the "worst thing since slavery."
Fast forward to September 2015 and Dr. Been Carson and Roland Martin were back at it in an interview where the Republican candidate spoke about his run for the highest office in the land, #BlackLiveMattters, the economy, and much more. Carson opened the interview by saying he didn't want to run for President but it just sort of happened.
"I had no intention for running for public office, I was going to retire and enjoy life," Carson says. "But there were so many clamoring for me to do it. I finally just said 'Lord, I didn't plan on doing this but if you really want me to do it your going to have to open the doors because all the pundits says its impossible. And He opened the doors and we were able to put together a great organization. I've been able to get out there and really talk to people. I think that's what's made the difference. When they can actually hear your explanations as opposed to the little sound bites...it makes a difference."
Carson says that his top concerns once in office are the deep fissures between disparate groups of people in the country as well, as the economy.
"I want to focus on divisiveness because our strength of our nation comes from unity. And I want to focus on economy. We've had a very stagnant economy. From 1850 to 2000, our economy grew at a rate of 3.3% on average. From 2001 to 2014, a rate of 1.8% and if if you project that out over the years, in terms of unfunded liabilities it creates a crisis. Those are problems that can be solved. "
Although Carson's mother collected welfare and his own education is a partial product of affirmative action and other government funding programs, he doesn't believe others should take advantage of those programs. Carson, who has been mostly pro law enforcement just visited Ferguson, Missouri and met with members of the #BlackLivesMatter movement. He says he was moved by the visit.
"I was very impressed with my visit to Ferguson," Carson says. "The thing that I came away from there thinking is respect. If we can only learn to respect each other. I was very amazed that several people said that with Michael Brown, they recognized that he wasn't an upstanding citizen, but they were upset that his body lay in the street. That was very problematic and showed tremendous disrespect. There's no question that we've got to teach the police to respect the community and teach the community to respect the police.
Mutual respect is a tremendous thing. I think that will help a lot with the whole #BlackLives matter issue. But it needs to be done in a way the demonstrates a way that we also understand that there is tremendous carnage in our community. The #1 cause for death in the Black community is abortion. Let's look at what's behind that and let's look at Black on Black crime and teach each other how to respect and love your fellow man. I just really want to dial back the hatred. There's so many people who want to exacerbate the tension."
On issues like abortion, Carson's view dovetails with Republican conservative and evangelical values, but many of his views sound like rehashed Republican talking points viewed through a racialized prism.
Carson does not see the irony in his viewpoints but says that Blacks should embrace the Republican Party because of their history of achievement and contributions to society.
"There's over 2 trillion dollars of American money overseas. The reason that it's still over there is because we have the highest tax rate corporate tax rates in the developed world. I've spent many an afternoon talking about what we're going to do with all this money. I proposed a six-month hiatus on corporate taxes to allow it to be repatriated. Ten percent of it has to be used to create jobs for people who are unemployed or on welfare. That's the kind of thing that wouldn't cost the American people one penny and would be the biggest stimulus since FDR's program. I don't think anybody's going to object to that. It makes perfectly good sense."
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc Plays Significant Role in Million Man March
Radio Facts: Radio Facts:
Back in the days on the yard I remember when fraternities used to go at each other. For the most...
This is Where Radio and the Music Industry will be in Two Years
Digital and Radio Facts: The writing is on the wall but many are not reading it, we are waiting for someone else to...
The Kids of Ferguson Release Powerful PSA: "Hey White People"
Digital and Radio Facts: Radio Facts:
It's been exactly one month since officer Darren Wilson shot unarmed teen, Michael Brown. Despite evidence of...
The Kids of Ferguson Release Powerful PSA: “Hey White People”
Digital and Radio Facts: Radio Facts: It's been exactly one month since officer Darren Wilson shot unarmed teen, Michael Brown. Despite evidence of...
