2011 July
Monthly Archives: July 2011
Why Bernard Gousse should not be Haiti’s next prime minister
In 2004, I was in Haiti living under the injustice Bernard Gousse inflicted on his own people while serving the Haitian elite and the “international community.” Like many of Gousse’s victims, I was driven into hiding after the arrest of the late Father Gerard Jean-Juste, a prominent Lavalas leader and human rights activist.
Rethinking Malcolm: What was Marable thinking?
The new book by Manning Marable, “Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention,” will help us to get a deeper understanding of Malcolm X and the times we’re living in now. This will not be a direct result of what Marable has done, but rather of what needs to happen now because of what he has done.
Open Letter from an African to American President Barack Obama on the war in...
It is with a heavy heart that I am writing this letter to appeal to you to take heed of the message that the House of Representatives sent out to Americans on June 24 by rejecting the text authorizing U.S. military intervention in Libya and ending the on-going attacks against the Libyan people with the most extravagant excuses, like the attacks are there to protect them.
The African origin of heroes, super and otherwise
Historically, heroes – super-powered or not – come in all shapes and sizes. But what about colors? If we allow your standard history book and Hollywood small and silver screen productions to answer that question, the overall answer would be that the color is only one – white. Black heroes, it seems, do not exist.
Kevin Cooper: An open letter to former San Quentin Warden Jeanne Woodford
Did you know that five judges from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals have now said about me: “The State of California may be about to execute an innocent man.” I hope that you will speak about what it is like to have almost done just that.
Libya’s neighborhoods prepare for NATO boots
On June 28, 2011, the Libyan Ministry of Health made available to this observer its compilation which documents that during the first 100 days of NATO targeting of civilians, 6,121 were killed or injured.
Million Libyans march in support of Qaddafi
The mass pro-Qaddafi street demonstration of 1 million Libyans held in the capital Tripoli on June 17 has gone unreported by Western media as has news of civilians killed for the past three months.
Malcolm X Revisited Tour
The SF Bay View is holding a fundraiser! Come and meet the grandson of Malcolm X, Hajj Malcolm Shabazz, on his speaking tour hosted by the Minister of Information JR.
Make some noise: International solidarity for Pelican Bay Hunger Strike!
Support for the Pelican Bay Hunger Strike is strong and expanding as people inside and outside prison all over the world are connecting the Pelican Bay hunger strike to local struggles against powerlessness and inequality.
No justice, no food, no 4th of July celebration
It has been 83 hours since I last chewed on anything. I stand with all my brothers still on hunger strike inside the SHUs at Pelican Bay and Corcoran and on the mainlines in Centinela and Folsom and all other prisoners throughout California and the nation in solidarity with the hunger strike.
Letter of support for the hunger strikers from Bomani Shakur of the Lucasville 5...
Ask anyone who has ever been on a hunger strike; the process of intentionally starving oneself is a very painful ordeal. And yet, there are places on this planet where the idea of death is preferable to continuing down a path that offers no hope or relief from suffering. I live in such a place; I know.
See Cuba for yourself and challenge the U.S. blockade
The Friendshipment Caravan to Cuba will stop in Berkeley on Tuesday, July 5, 6-9 p.m., at the Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. at Bonita. We invite you to join with us in building our 22nd Friendshipment Caravan – and to join us on our blockade-busting journey!
Dying for human rights: Prisoners begin hunger strike
What exactly is a hunger strike? It is when someone, or a group of people, will choose death over their current living conditions. But not an unknown pointless death; instead, they will commit a long, grueling, public death designed to create change.
Michigan citizens take emergency manager law to court citing unconstitutional power grab
In March 2011, Michigan Public Act 4 (PA-4) was enacted that gives the governor's office the power to appoint so-called "emergency managers" for any broad, vague set of criteria. These emergency managers can then take over the entire operations of local communities or school districts, replacing elected officials.
Hunger strike in the supermax: Pelican Bay prisoners protest conditions in solitary confinement
As Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day, inmates in solitary confinement at California’s Pelican Bay State Prison are standing up for their rights in the only way they can – by going on a hunger strike.
David Henderson is laid to rest
“Men are born, champions are made, and legends never die." David Henderson, who passed away on June 6th after being shot three times in the back, was all three.
The 4th of You Lie: An EnDepenDance and Be Truly Free Poem
Invariably around this time of the year, the Fourth of July, you’re likely to hear somebody talking about how great this country is. And it is, but so was the Third Reich.
Rwanda is no excuse for the U.S. to intervene in Sudan
Advocates of intervention in Southern Sudan argue that the U.S. can’t be bystanders to what could become another Rwanda and must become instead “upstanders” preventing genocide. Was the U.S. a bystander to the Rwanda Genocide? Professors Peter Erlinder and Edward Herman both say no.
The HealthStars of 3rd Street
There is an old saying: “Do as I say and not as I do.” 3rd Street Youth Center and Clinic’s daily activities and special events are designed with the complete opposite of that philosophy in that they empower and develop leadership in youth from Bayview Hunters Point.
Revolution Prep’s Ivy League students bring affordable SAT test prep to San Francisco
To prep or not to prep? For a growing number of high school parents and students, that is the question. And with college admissions getting more competitive every year, many students have begun turning to a short list of pricey test prep companies to help them earn the scores they need to compete.