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‘Call Mr. Robeson’: an interview wit’ thespian Tayo Aluko
February 1, 2013
Tayo Aluko, a Nigerian born thespian from Britain, wrote a play about the great revolutionary thinker, artist and activist Paul Robeson, who “has been almost completely written out of history,” called “Call Mr. Robeson: A Life, With Songs,” which he will perform Feb. 24 at the East Bay Center for Performing Arts in Richmond and Feb. 28 and March 1 at the Theatre on San Pedro Square in San Jose.
The N-word unchained
January 28, 2013
Movie-goers across the country are embroiled in heavy social media discussions or water cooler arguments about Quentin Tarantino’s use and Spike Lee’s criticism of use of the infamous N-word in the blockbuster hit “Django Unchained.” During the last couple of decades there has been an interesting ongoing dialogue concerning the use, misuse and exploitation of the so-called N-word.
‘The 16th Strike,’ documentary on the current state of Blacks/Africans in America: interview with filmmaker T ‘Alika’ Hickman
January 27, 2013
“The 16th Strike,” a documentary in progress, is directed and produced by T Alika Hickman with videographer Danny Russo. Hickman, the young survivor of a stroke and two brain aneurysms, is a Hip Hop artist with Krip Hop Nation – artists with disabilities – as well as a mother, activist, author and poet. She is raising funds to complete the film.
Martin, money and movies: ‘Django’ and ‘Lincoln’ remind us reparations should not be ‘Gone With the Wind’
January 21, 2013
On the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., it comes to mind that from day one our society and culture have been heavily influenced by film. The recent slavery-related films, “Lincoln,” directed by Steven Spielberg, and “Django Unchained,” directed by Quentin Tarantino, will have a social, economic and psychological impact.
Martin Luther King Jr., John Carlos and the boycott that wasn’t, ‘an Olympics without Black athletes’
January 19, 2013
John Carlos is best known as the man who, along with Tommie Smith, raised a clenched fist – the Black Power salute – on the medal stand after the 200 meter race. Carlos took bronze, and Smith gold, at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. But that moment was a culmination of months of political discussion among black leaders in America. One such discussion happened in early 1968 in New York City.
Kevin Weston and Lateefah Simon launch national search for bone marrow match, seek to register 1,000 African Americans
January 18, 2013
Kevin Weston and Lateefah Simon have started a national effort to register 1,000 African Americans as possible bone marrow donors and find a match for Kevin, who needs a transplant in less than two months for an extremely rare form of leukemia. They urge African Americans to join the Be the Match bone marrow registry by attending a local drive or registering by mail. It’s quick and easy. Help save Lelah’s daddy. Help Kevin and Lateefah change the odds for their family by increasing the number of African Americans registered to be bone marrow donors.
M.O.I. JR speaks wit’ author Peter Maiden about his new book ‘Media Workers for Social Change’
January 16, 2013
Through the Justice for Oscar Grant Campaign, I met journalist and photographer Peter Maiden, who was working with IndyBay Media. He asked me to be a part of a book that he was writing on the Bay Area indy journalist movement. Many of the people that he wrote about I was familiar with their work, but I didn’t think that we had anything in common, until I read their profiles that they gave to Peter.
Young lady killer: an interview wit’ Black Belt Tamia Hooker
January 14, 2013
At the tender age of 15, Tamia Hooker is not in the streets chasing boys; she is at the Delta One Martial Arts studio throwing punches and kicks while sparring. In a relatively short time, she has achieved Black Belt status in Kajukenbo. Now she is aimed at becoming a teenage martial arts teacher in Antioch. Check out this rising martial arts star in her own words …
Fly and TaLea jump the broom!
January 14, 2013
TaLea “Ms. Incredible” Monet and Debray “Fly Benzo” Carpenter were married on the afternoon of 12.12.12 to the soft strains of Erykah Badu and Stephen Marley’s rendition of the beautiful “In Love with You” from Badu’s “Mama’s Gun” album at the Lighthouse Full Gospel Church, Pentecostal, 2212 Lane St., San Francisco.
Beloved camera man Bob Saulson passes
January 12, 2013
Robert Allen Saulson of San Francisco passed away quietly in his home due to complications of liver cancer. He spent his final days on earth surrounded by loved ones and died in the arms of his only son, Scott Saulson, on the night of Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013. Robert was 70 years of age at the time of his death. The Saulson family needs your help.
New anti-tobacco ads for African American market unveiled
January 12, 2013
California Department of Public Health director and state health officer Dr. Ron Chapman has unveiled new ethnic-market advertisements that will continue to educate Californians on the harmful effects of tobacco use. The advertisements, which include radio and print ads for the African American market, will start airing in early January and can be viewed at TobaccoFreeCA.com.
Students love their library
January 10, 2013
A new Bayview Branch Library is currently under construction at the corner of Third Street and Revere and the branch will open to the public early in 2013. Friends’ Bayview Branch Library Campaign Committee hosted an essay contest, asking, “How can the new Bayview Branch Library help to build a stronger Bayview community?”
The Abolitionists or absolute bull: The myth of the Great White Hope
January 8, 2013
This week, PBS will air “The Abolitionists,” a movie about people who during the 19th century spoke out against the evils of chattel slavery. The Abolitionist Movement has been subject to historical revisionism and an attempt by white America to pick our heroes. African Americans must become experts in the field of their own history, as no other racial group would dare trust the interpretation of their culture to others.
Wanda’s Picks for January 2013
January 5, 2013
This year, on the 150 anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, we all need to heed the words of Sister Jayne Cortez: “And if we don’t fight / if we don’t resist / if we don’t organize and unify and / get the power to control our own lives / Then we will wear / the exaggerated look of captivity …” And don’t miss Wanda’s excellent, no holds barred reviews of “Django Unchained,” “Lincoln and “Red Hook Summer,” plus Dr. King birthday events listing and much more
Buy Black Wednesdays: Science of the years
January 3, 2013
Going back to nature is going back to what’s natural and good for your health and wellbeing and going back to your natural selves. Going back to nature is going back to Black, Mama Nature’s original people. We should teach our children about the cycles of the moon and the difference between planting and harvesting seasons, the ancient Afrikan Sciences of the Years.
Minister Farrakhan on ‘Django Unchained’: ‘It’s preparation for race war’
January 1, 2013
In a very candid interview with Dr. Boyce Watkins, Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan shared his thoughts about Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained.” He also revealed the greatest attribute of leadership. Amongst many thoughts Min. Farrakhan had about “Django Unchained,” one candid thought he shared was he believes the film could serve as preparation for race war.
The legend of Lincoln unchained
December 30, 2012
Just as organizations like the NAACP denounced conservative-revisionist textbooks in Texas in 2010, they should denounce liberal-bent historical accounts that either ignorantly or deliberately fail to concede that “Abraham Lincoln did the right thing for the wrong reasons.” Or as Lerone Bennett aptly conveyed in the title of his book, Lincoln was in effect “Forced Into Glory.”
Batala: Musical waves from Bahia, Brazil, to the Bay
December 25, 2012
Batala’s live performances, mixing Afro, Brazilian and reggae sounds, make fans wherever they go! The drummers are available for parties, shows, demonstrations, school assemblies and much more. They are starting to get busy for the Carnival 2013, when Abel plans to bring all Batala sister bands around the world to the Bay Area.
Race, family and Down syndrome under the big lights
December 12, 2012
My youngest of two sons was diagnosed with Down syndrome. I’ve been advocating through projects for over seven years. “Then You Stand”, a play on Down syndrome starring an all-Black cast, is a production that anyone will be able to relate to. I hope people walk away with the feeling that no matter what they face in life, they can and will rise above it.
7th Annual San Francisco Kwanzaa Celebration
December 11, 2012
The Village Project and the Bayview Y present San Francisco’s seventh annual Kwanzaa, featuring a special celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. This year’s event will again highlight the seven principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba), with 14 free events taking place over seven days throughout San Francisco.