Culture Currents

This week the seventh annual Fist Up Film Festival will be wrapping up with a free screening of “Divided Time” on Wednesday at the Oakland Hot Plate at 7:30 p.m. and a screening of “Lamb” on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Red Bay Coffee House in Oakland. The Fist Up Film Festival is arguably the best film festival in Northern California, when it comes to documenting international youth culture.

With intention on Land, Belonging and Racial Justice in the worlds of young women and non-binary people, GIRLFLY in the Gardens plants the seeds for dance and poetry’s blooming revelations.

Frisco's Sellassie is one of the artists in the Bay that helps to keep the independent scene together, with his partner Gina Gallo of Inhouse Talent. They are the architects of the "We All We Got" concert series, which moves around from club to club in San Francisco and features some of the hottest underground talent in the Bay.

Unless you lived in North Philly, in the projects east of Richard Allen and north of Spring Garden, perhaps the name of Ruth ‘Ma’ Ballard would be unfamiliar to you. But if you lived there, if you had the pleasure of knowing her, of seeing her smile, of hearing her sweet Southern voice, you’d know that you’ve met someone special.

Author Willie Hill says it’s crucial “for our youth to start thinking outside the hood” – incarcerated parents can help.

It was as it should be / Young Black Panthers / Were killed for trying / To protect the cubs / For educating the cubs / For feeding the cubs / This was never the American dream / But we have lived a nightmare for days / In efforts to make our dreams / Come to life take flight / We still have to fight / It was as it should be / Giving honor to Chairman Fred / And Defense Captain Mark Clark

When parents learn and play with their children every day, it boosts a child's self-esteem and helps kids develop positive relationships. Here are some suggestions on how to give the gift of quality family time.

As pointed out in the Black Waxx Multimedia, Inc., film "Disappearing Voices: The Decline of Black Radio," it is not simply the artists or the jocks who are disappearing. Nor is it simply their absence that renders Black radio impotent. It is the fact that the voice of the community they represent has no forum.

Berkeley, Calif.: The most liberal city in America and the world, some say. And yet Berkeley High School, with over 3,500 students and 250 teachers, has only eight Black teachers. Scandalous!

Writer Marcus ‘Zahir’ Blevins joyfully shares his personal, seminal, transformative and enlightening journey into the 25th Annual Virtual Maafa Commemoration, an experience expressed as moving beyond any perceived boundaries.

Call me what you will, I will not answer until you call me by my name.

Our goal is to point out the fact that America doesn’t soar because it isn’t an eagle. And if we want America to get to eagle status, its whole make-up needs to change.

Young people write from their view of how the climate crisis impacts vulnerable, houseless people here and abroad.

More than one hundred people met in Leimert Park in South Los Angeles on July 8 to protest the verdict of Involuntary Manslaughter for Johannes Mehserle, the murderer of Oscar Grant III. The rally lasted more than three hours as organizers, activists and concerned citizens called for justice for Oscar Grant and for accountability and control of the police in Black and Brown communities.

The parks offered options for relief during the onslaught of the pandemic, and now the creations culminating from these adventures into the unknown.

"Love on Both Sides of the Wall: A Two Way Struggle" plays at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek April 17-18, 6:45 p.m. The production is topnotch, the story of the forgotten Children of the Movement.

Meet Ngozi Ogbonna. Ngozi has lived in the Bayview her whole life. Graduating from Immaculate Conception Academy in 2011, she now attends San Francisco State University. Ngozi attributes her appreciation of education and her job success largely to ICA: “ICA teaches girls to be independent while also learning how to make a difference in the world.”

Uppity Edutainment presents “Out of Darkness,” a full length three-part documentary, on Saturday, Jan. 14, at Oakstop, 1721 Broadway in downtown Oakland. The director, Amadeuz Christ (Δ+), an Oakland native now living in Atlanta, will be present, with Sabir Bey of the Sabir Bey Show, to discuss the content of the film. The post-film screening dialogue will be facilitated by Rahme’el Bey.

“The Council,” by Ryda for Life Films, tells a story of civil social unrest in the Black community today. Set in South Central Los Angeles, it begins with the typical gangsta movie energy, but beneath the surface is a radical politicized element.

With relentless focus on honor and respect for justice and healthy, satisfying lives for all people, Baba Jahahara Amen-Ra Alkebulan-Ma’at notes poignantly our devasting COVID-19 loss of life, the travesty of political prisoners, appreciation for the sis-stars’ leadership and contributions, the people’s work on H.R. 40 and S. 40 Reparations Proposals, and congratulates Queen Warrior Mama Akua Njeri and son Chairman Fred Hampton, Jr. for their work to save the Hampton Family House in Maywood, Ill, and more.