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Etta James: Two tributes
January 27, 2012
Beyonce performed Etta’s signature song, “At Last” at President Obama’s inauguration in 2009, laying claim to the tune James relied on to make a living. James told an audience shortly after that that Obama “is not my president” and “that woman he had singing for him, singing my song … she’s going to get her ass whipped.”
Revolutionary stories: The POOR Press 2012 collection
January 23, 2012
To write with laughter, heart, fire and humility – to get those words down and draw the reader in – to make the reader warm with the fire of poetry, wet with the tears of memory, full with the soup of experience – leaving the reader satisfied and inspired to change the world – that is what the writer does.
A sourcebook for the media revolution
January 22, 2012
According to Mickey Huff, the corporate media are serving up a diet of “junk-food news to avoid telling the public what is really going on at home and abroad”; for example, Ann Garrison discloses that pilotless drones are fast becoming the dominant means of delivering explosives from the air.
The 49ers are back with playoff win
January 21, 2012
“The Grab” was a moment San Francisco 49er tight end Vernon Davis will remember for the rest of his life. With his team down 32-29 to the New Orleans Saints, Davis ran up the left side of the field, cut across the middle and caught the pass quarterback Alex Smith heaved. It sailed into Davis’ hands as he crossed the end zone to give the 49ers a 36-32 lead.
Hollywood, ‘Red Tails,’ Tuskegee Airmen and MLK Jr.
January 21, 2012
I think George Lucas is a good guy in a notoriously unscrupulous business, trying to do the right thing. Hiring a Black director and writer was the right thing. However, the bottom line is we must build our own studios, networks and social media companies and bring our own money back to our communities now.
YoYo teaching hip-hop with love to inner-city youth
January 10, 2012
“I am attempting to reach Generation Y and show them not only how to become successful but also how to handle success when it becomes overwhelming, because it will. I was always good at humbling myself, and that is a quality I am trying to instill in the youth here at my school.” – YoYo
‘Our Media Matters’ Theater Night celebrates Lorraine Hansberry Theatre and SF Bay View newspaper
January 10, 2012
“Our Media Matters” Theater Night was presented by Wright Enterprises and LaHitz Media in honor of the San Francisco Bay View newspaper at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. More opportunities for Theater Nights are available with the upcoming production of “Blue/Orange” by Joe Penhall Feb. 5-March 18.
Mistah F.A.B. gives back to his community
January 6, 2012
Santa appeared in hip-hop form Dec. 21 in a North Oakland neighborhood as Oakland rap artist Mistah F.A.B. (Faeva after bread) brought joy to his childhood neighborhood, supplying gifts and serving food and entertainment to children whose parents or guardians were not financially able to provide gifts.
Wanda’s Picks for January 2012
January 5, 2012
Life isn’t fair: Too many kids and not enough food, fat cats bringing in all the money and government services like free hospitals and free education is not free for those who need it because, like everywhere, bureaucracy breeds corruption, whether we are in Madagascar or the United States.
Carl Ray’s HBCU tours motivate students to succeed
December 28, 2011
Arriving at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport from cities throughout America, aspiring college students were excited. The tour would visit Spelman College, Morehouse College and Clark-Atlanta University in Atlanta, also Alabama State University and Tuskegee University in Alabama.
Buy Black Wednesdays 9: Black is the new religion: Afrika closed until further notice
December 26, 2011
Afrika! Black people! Afrikans! Let’s do like China did and put the whole continent on lockdown by closing our doors to the rest of the world until we’re ready to come back out again as a superpower.
Occupy the Airwaves: an interview wit’ the rap group Rebel Diaz
December 24, 2011
We feel it’s important to be a part of this conversation. If there’s a national and international conversation going on against capitalism and imperialism, we need to be a part of that. But folks also gotta undersand that racism needs to be talked about and that white privilege still exists.
Stanford celebrates one of our own: Donald Griffin
December 23, 2011
On Sept. 11, 2011, Stanford University announced that Don Griffin, an Oakland native and 1965 honor graduate of Oakland’s Fremont High School, would be one of the 2011 inductees into Stanford’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Don was the third Black to play basketball for Stanford and was twice the season’s leading scorer.
Andre Ward shuts down Carl Froch
December 23, 2011
In a masterful display of inside fighting, Andre “Son of God” Ward ended the Super Six Super Middleweight World Boxing Classic by shutting down Carl “The Cobra” Froch physically and mentally, as what sounded like a full house of roaring fans tore down Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Publishers of San Francisco Bay View newspaper to be feted at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre Dec. 29
December 21, 2011
Wright Enterprises and LaHitz Media present “Our Media Matters” Theater Night in honor of Willie and Mary Ratcliff, publishers of the San Francisco Bay View newspaper, at the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre for their premiere of “REJOICE!” a wonderful nativity play, 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. To purchase tickets, call the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre Box Office, (415) 474-8800, with the code “WE.” Treat your family and friends to a joyous evening and support the Bay View!
Two little girls rescue Frederick Douglass
December 20, 2011
Will two little girls from the future manage to save Frederick Douglass and his mission to ensure the emancipation of millions of enslaved Africans? If all children read and discuss this book, racial justice will be achievable as soon as they are old enough to lead. This is a book that will light up the life of every child.
Conscious Daughter: Rap legend served ‘special’ purpose
December 20, 2011
Karryl Smith (Special One) and Carla Green (CMG), better known as The Conscious Daughters (TCD), exploded nationally on the hip-hop scene when their first single, “Funky Expedition,” from the debut album “Ear to the Street” dominated video stations like MTV, BET and The Box in the early 1990s.
Samba Funk: an interview wit’ Artistic Director Theo Aytchan Williams
December 17, 2011
Let the JOY begin: SambaFunk! Celebration of JOY is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 17, at Vitus Oakland, 201 Broadway at Second Street and Jack London Square, Oakland. The Funkquarians will be performing with special guests and local dj’s Henroc and Sake 1. Realign and refocus; tap into your inner power!
‘Harvest of Hope’: Kevin Pina documentary on Haitian army, with review by Dady Chery
December 16, 2011
Haitian President Michel Martelly has revived discussion about a professional army, and some of the funds he is requesting to raise his “new” army are meant to cover back pay for the army of bandits disbanded by President Aristide. For those who never knew or forgot the crimes of the FAd’H, this masterful video by Kevin Pina should serve as an excellent introduction or reminder.
Farewell, Creative Music Emporium, home of Joe and Elba’s love of music and community
December 10, 2011
Filled to the rafters with music posters, pictures of musicians, and racks of vinyl, Creative Music has everything you’re looking for. Owners Joe and Elba Lambert are retiring, closing the store Dec. 31. Stop by for great bargains and warm fellowship 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday.
