martin luther king - Blogs - TheBlackList Pub2024-03-19T08:37:11Zhttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/martin+luther+kingThe Impact of Africa in Shaping Martin Luther King's Worldviewhttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-impact-of-africa-in-shaping-martin-luther-king-s-worldview2017-01-16T14:30:00.000Z2017-01-16T14:30:00.000ZTheBlackList-Publisherhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackListPublisher<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828590119,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828590119,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="632" class="align-right" alt="3828590119?profile=original" /></a>By Jitahadi Imara | While most of the writings on Martin Luther King, Jr. focus on the civil rights movement, little effort has been made to place his speeches and worldview in the context the Freedom and struggles in Africa and other Third World countries. King was informed and inspired by the liberation struggles in Africa and other Third World countries. What has emerged from the voluminous materials and books written about Martin Luther King, Jr. is a single, truncated dimension of King and his worldview. For the most part, the legacy and true meaning of King has been highjacked by historians and writers and striped of its subversive and anti-establishment content.</p>
<p>Africa played an important role in informing both the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements. African Americans were well aware and inspired by African countries breaking the hold of European colonialism on Africa. Dating back to Marcus Garvey, who placed Africa at the core of black political consciousness, African Americans were aware of their historical and cultural link with Africa. As Garvey had prophesied the rise of Africa strengthen the political calculus of black in America and throughout the world.</p>
<p>That the calculus of Africa informed Martin Luther King view of the Civil Rights Movement is a footnote in history, mentioned only in passing by historians. Yet, Africa was as important to King as it was for Malcolm X, who is most often linked with Africa. King was invited and attended independence celebration of Ghana. "The minute I Knew I was coming to Ghana, King said, "I had a very deep emotional feeling. A new nation was been born. It symbolized the fact that a new order was coming into being and an old order was passing away." Thus, Africa and the liberation struggles on the continent were central to King's evolving worldview.</p>
<p>Africa and King's Worldview</p>
<p>As reflected below, King references to Africa demonstrates how he viewed the importance of Africa in relationship with African Americans and their freedom struggle.</p>
<p>On Significance of the African Struggle</p>
<p>King linked the struggle of Africa Americans with the struggle of African people on the continent, observing for example: "Many of the students, when passed to express their inner feelings identify themselves with students in Africa, Asia and South America. The liberation struggle in Africa has been the greatest single international influence on American Negro students. Frequently I hear them say if their African brothers can break the bonds of colonialism, surely the American Negro can break Jim Crow."</p>
<p>On Role of the African American Freedom Struggle in History</p>
<p>King placed the struggle of African Americans in the larger context of the rising tide of history, asserting: "Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The urge for freedom will eventually come. This is what happened to the American Negro. Something within has reminded him of his birthright of freedom; something without has reminded him that he can gain it. Consciously and unconsciously, he has been swept in by what the Germans call the Zeitgeist, and with his black brothers of Africa, and his brown, and yellow brothers of Asia, South America and the Caribbean he is moving with a comic sense of urgency toward the promise land of racial justice."</p>
<p>On How the Liberation Struggle in African emboldened African Americans</p>
<p>King argued that the liberation struggles in Africa gave African Americans a greater sense of human worth, awareness and assertiveness: "A factor which accounted for the new sense of dignity on the part of the Negro has been the awareness that his struggle for freedom in a part of the worldwide struggle. He watched developments in Asia and Africa with rapt attention. On these vast prodigious continents dwell two-thirds of the world's people."</p>
<p>On African Peoples seeking Dignity and Freedom</p>
<p>King observed that the struggle for human dignity was a motivating force for black people in Africa and the United States: "Thirty years ago there were only three independent countries in the whole Africa-Liberia, Ethiopia and South Africa... These rapid changes have naturally influence the thinking of the American Negro. He knows that his struggle for human dignity is not an isolated event. It is a drama being played on the stage of the world with spectator and supporters from every continent."</p>
<p>The Lesson of Ghana's Independence</p>
<p>King observed the independence of Ghana provided an important lesson for African Americans and the Civil Rights Movement: "Ghana has something to say to us. It says to us first that the oppressor never voluntarily gives freedom to the oppressed. You have work for it. Freedom is never given to anybody. Privileged classes never give up their privileges without strong resistance."</p>
<p>Author, Jitahadi Imara<br /> Jitahadi Imara is the CEO of the Kwanzaa Guide. His experience and expertise on Kwanzaa spans four decades. Mr. Imara has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Stevie Wonder's radio station, KJLH, Orange County Black Chamber of Commerce, and the American Library Association. He studied with the creator of Kwanzaa, Maulana Karenga, for over eleven years and is in frequent demand as a lecturer and workshop presenter on Kwanzaa.</p>
<p>More information can be obtained on Kwanzaa by going to <a href="http://www.kwanzaaguide.com">http://www.kwanzaaguide.com</a>.</p>
<p>Article Source: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jitahadi_Imara/474542">http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jitahadi_Imara/474542</a></p>
<p>Article Source: <a href="http://EzineArticles.com/3802521">http://EzineArticles.com/3802521</a></p></div>Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - Republicans Are Nowhere to Be Foundhttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-holiday-republicans-are-nowhere-to-be2016-01-19T01:09:53.000Z2016-01-19T01:09:53.000ZTheBlackList Newshttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackListNews<div><div><table width="100%"><tbody><tr><td><div class="WordSection1"><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}3828577439,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}3828577439,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-full" alt="3828577439?profile=original" /></a></p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Republicans Are Nowhere to Be Found</strong></span> ~</p><p> By Raynard Jackson, Columnist ~</p><p> In many ways, like Job in the Bible, “For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me (Job 3:25 King James Version).</p><p>I was hoping against all hope that the Republican Party would do something to really pay homage to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday today. But, like Job, I have been forced to conclude “that which I was afraid of is come unto me.”</p><p>Republicans are a national party, control 31 out of 50 governors, control the U.S House of Representatives and control the U.S. Senate; and the party as a whole, has done nothing to celebrate the contribution King made to Blacks, America, and the world.</p><p>I am sure a Republican somewhere has issued the annual perfunctory press release; but why the party doesn’t take this occasion to sit at the feet of Black Republican luminaries who worked with King is baffling to me.</p><p>King actually frequently stayed in the home of Bob Brown in Hickory, North Carolina. I have stayed at Bob’s house and it is a living museum of American and world history. There are personal photos and letters from King to Bob. There are handwritten notes to Bob from former South African president Nelson Mandela when he was in prison. There are volumes of letters and photos from world leaders to Bob.</p><p>There are photos of Bob with every U.S. president from Nixon to the present. Bob is a walking history book of the Civil Rights movement and a lifetime Republican.</p><p>You have Bill Coleman, the first Black to serve as a cabinet secretary in the history of America. He was law partners with former U.S. Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall; and they both argued the famous Brown vs Board of Education case before the Supreme Court. Oh, and Coleman is another lifetime Republican.</p><p>There are Black Republicans all over the country who worked deeply in the Civil Rights movement, but the party has no idea who they are. The few Black staffers who work within various Republican entities have no idea who these people are, nor do they have any curiosity to discover who these people are that paved the way for them.</p><p>At best, a Republican leader might attend a MLK event being sponsored by a liberal Black Democratic organization (their local NAACP, etc.).</p><p>But why should that be the case when Republicans are very capable of doing both local and national pro-life events all over the country? They don’t simply issue perfunctory press releases. Why?</p><p>Because the party obviously puts a certain value on the pro-life issue and its supporters. I will leave you to make your own conclusions of this issue relative to MLK’s holiday.</p><p>Not one presidential campaign has a campaign event celebrating King’s birthday; but they all run over each other to get in front of a camera for Reagan’s birthday. Again, I will leave you to make your own conclusions of this issue relative to MLK’s holiday.</p><p>In politics, optics matter and my party is totally tone deaf when it comes to optics within the Black community. Spouses tend not to forget their significant other’s birthday because they know it is important to them.</p><p>Memo to Republicans, MLK’s birthday is very important to Blacks and more broadly to America. </p><p>With control of congress, 31 governorships, and a majority of state legislatures, and a national party; you really expect me to believe we couldn’t have orchestrated a series of national and local MLK celebrations?</p><p>The party, at every level, should have organized Black businessmen all across the country to have a discussion of a 21<sup>st</sup> century version of Civil Rights to address issues like: entrepreneurship, access to capital, education, crime & justice.</p><p>What policy solutions are Republicans in congress willing to offer to address these issues?</p><p>But they also need to sit at the feet of people like the Bob Browns and the Bill Colmans. These are the people the party must consult with relative to the voting rights case that the Supreme Court ruled on a few years ago regarding section 5 of the Voting Rights Act.</p><p>You would think that the occasion of King’s birthday would be a time the Republican Party can come together with Black Republicans and discuss how to restore the party to being the party of Lincoln. </p><p>But if the party can’t honor one of our own icons, how can we honor them with our vote?</p><p>Obama has been an abject failure as president relative to the Black community. Republicans have the right message for the Black community; but they must engage with Black Republicans who have institutional memory and relationships with the Browns and the Colemans. </p><p>The window is closing fast on the Republican Party for this year’s presidential election and beyond. If the party doesn’t start engaging with the Black community in a meaningful way, Democrats will yet again win the white house and forever change the fabric of our country irreparably. </p><p><i>Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC is an internationally recognized political consulting, government affairs, and PR firm based in Washington, DC. Jackson is an internationally recognized radio talk show host and TV commentator. He has coined the phrase “straticist.” As a straticist, he has merged strategic planning with public relations. Visit his website at: <a href="http://www.raynardjackson.com">www.raynardjackson.com</a>.</i></p><p><b><i>Raynard Jackson & Associates, LLC is an internationally recognized political consulting, government affairs, and PR firm based in Washington, DC. Jackson is an internationally recognized radio talk show host and TV commentator. He has coined the phrase “straticist.” As a straticist, he has merged strategic planning with public relations. Call RJA to discuss how they can get you to the next level of your career.</i></b></p><p>Add me to your facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/raynard.jackson.12">https://www.facebook.com/raynard.jackson.12</a></p><p>Add me to your twitter. <a href="https://twitter.com/Raynard1223">https://twitter.com/Raynard1223</a></p><p> Add me toyour linkedin: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=5502539&authType=NAME_SEARCH&authToken=loLR&locale=en_US&srchid=55025391407093543596&srchindex=1&srchtotal=3&trk=vsrp_people_res_name&trkInfo=VSRPsearchId%3A55025391407093543596%2CVSRPtargetId%3A5502539%2CVSRPcmpt%3Aprimary">https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=5502539&authType=NAME_SEARCH&authToken=loLR&locale=en_US&srchid=55025391407093543596&srchindex=1&srchtotal=3&trk=vsrp_people_res_name&trkInfo=VSRPsearchId%3A55025391407093543596%2CVSRPtargetId%3A5502539%2CVSRPcmpt%3Aprimary</a></p><p> <b>My book is now available for purchase on my website: <a href="http://www.raynardjackson.com/">www.raynardjackson.com</a></b></p><p> <strong>Attachment: <tt><a href="https://lists.riseup.net/www/viewmod/theblacklist/0ece61a0397ffdeb63eac9b3f69ae3e7/msg00000/image001.jpg">image001.jpg</a> </tt></strong><em>Description:</em> JPEG image</p></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><ul><li><b><a href="https://lists.riseup.net/www/viewmod/theblacklist/0ece61a0397ffdeb63eac9b3f69ae3e7/msg00000.html">Republicans Are Nowhere to Be Found</a></b>, <em>Raynard Jackson, 01/18/2016</em></li></ul><p></p><p></p></div>The King Center Plans for 30th Anniversary of King Holiday & Challenges Everyone to Embrace MLK Jr's Legacy of Freedom for Our Worldhttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/the-king-center-plans-for-30th-anniversary-of-king-holiday2016-01-08T13:40:47.000Z2016-01-08T13:40:47.000ZJoyful Living Coachinghttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/JoyfulLivingCoaching<div><div class="table-cont"><div class="article-col-cont table-col"><h1 class="article-title"><a href="http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2016/01/05/13150999/gI_134906_DBAK%202014%20HeadShot%20released%202016%20.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2016/01/05/13150999/gI_134906_DBAK%202014%20HeadShot%20released%202016%20.png?width=350" width="350" class="align-center" alt="gI_134906_DBAK%202014%20HeadShot%20released%202016%20.png?width=350" /></a></h1><div class="news-image"><p class="news-image-caption"><strong><span style="color:#993300;">Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change</span></strong></p></div><blockquote class="blockquote blockquote--lg quote-lines qa-news-quote"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><em><span class="blockquote-text">As my father stated, the end is reconciliation, the end is redemption; the end is the creation of the Beloved Community. We, at The King Center, continue to work toward the creation of that Beloved Community, using my father's philosophy, Nonviolence 365.</span></em></span></strong></blockquote><h1 class="article-title"><span style="font-size:1.5em;">Dr. Bernice A. King. CEO of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, announces the celebration of the 30th King Holiday observance and the 87th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The nine day observance of the holiday includes programs that are designed to Remember! Celebrate! and Act! on Dr. King's Legacy of Freedom and to enhance the King dream for the Beloved Community.</span></h1></div></div><div class="table-cont-desk"><div class="article-col-cont table-col-desk clearfix"><div class="table-cont"><div class="article-cont table-col"><div class="article-text"><div class="middle-reset"></div><p class="article-date"><span class="font-size-1"><em><span>ATLANTA, GA (PRWEB)</span> <span>JANUARY 08, 2016</span></em></span></p><p class="responsiveNews">The King Center’s CEO, Dr. Bernice A. King announces plans for the 2016 commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. The 9-day observance includes a broad range of educational programs, activities and events, beginning Wednesday, January 6 and concluding on Monday, January 18, the 30th Anniversary of the King Holiday. (A detailed schedule of events is attached to this release.)</p><p class="responsiveNews">In 2016, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dr. King going to Chicago to bring attention to the need for fair and open housing. On January 7, 1966, Dr. King and S.C.L.C. announced plans for the Chicago Freedom Movement, a campaign to expand their civil rights activities to northern cities. Civil Rights groups and activists invited King to lead demonstrations against de-facto segregation in education, housing, and employment. Specifically, Dr. King and S.C.L.C. were invited to join them in a major nonviolent campaign geared toward achieving fair housing practices. Because they were successful in utilizing nonviolent resistance against segregation in the south, it seemed vital to demonstrate how nonviolent methods could be applied to the economic oppression of African Americans in the north. On July 10, 1966, Dr. King placed a list of demands on the door of the Chicago City Hall requesting that steps be taken to open up housing in metropolitan Chicago. Other demands addressed areas relevant to quality education, access to jobs and transportation, income and employment, wealth generation, crime and the criminal justice system, tenant’s rights, and overall quality of life. The Chicago Freedom Movement was the most ambitious civil rights campaign in the north and is largely credited with inspiring the 1968 Fair Housing Act. The assassination of Dr. King on April 4, 1968, enabled President Lyndon Johnson to mobilize Congress around this national tragedy to pass the bill that was previously stalled.</p><p class="responsiveNews">It is befitting in light of 2016 being the 50th anniversary of the Chicago Freedom Movement, that the theme for this year’s national King Holiday is 'Remember! Celebrate! Act! King’s Legacy of Freedom for our World."</p><p class="responsiveNews">Nonviolence was the key for the Chicago Freedom Movement. In light of the violent state of our current environment, it is even more vital today. This December, we commemorated the 60th Anniversary of the Montgomery bus boycott. This historic protest marked a monumental shift in American culture. The peaceful protests were the result of Kingian philosophy and methodology, referred to today as Nonviolence365™. Nonviolence365, which is nonviolence as a lifestyle, served as the blue print for the civil rights movement. The world remembers how this pathway of social change served as a systematic approach for conflict reconciliation. Its implementation in all levels of society during the late 50’s and 60’s was crucial, as disenfranchised Americans took long strides towards Dr. King’s “Beloved Community.” “As my father stated, ‘the end is reconciliation, the end is redemption; the end is the creation of the Beloved Community,’ ” said Dr. Bernice A. King. “We, at The King Center, continue to work toward the creation of that Beloved Community, using my father’s philosophy, Nonviolence365.”</p><p class="responsiveNews">As a part of its annual challenge to the world, The King Center invites the public to participate in a variety of activities reflective of the spirit of inclusion and brotherly love that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. promulgated. King Center CEO, Bernice A. King stated, “I am especially grateful for the continued commitment of the corporations, businesses, and individuals who are supporting our 2016 Salute to Greatness Dinner. The proceeds from the dinner will help the Center in furthering its work to educate and train people from all walks of life to embrace Nonviolence365 as a lifestyle.</p><p class="responsiveNews">About The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change -- The King Center is a 501c3 organization established in 1968 by Mrs. Coretta Scott King. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (“The King Center”) is the official living memorial and programmatic nonprofit organization committed to educating the world on the life, legacy and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The King Center serves to inspire new generations to carry forward his unfinished work, strengthen causes and empower change-makers who are continuing his efforts today. The King Center’s premiere educational initiative, Nonviolence365, is based on Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy and engages participants from various sectors of society, including emerging and next generation leaders, in modules and exercises that enhance communication, leadership, interpersonal and conflict reconciliation skills.</p><p class="responsiveNews">A Schedule of Events for the 2016 King Center’s King Holiday Observance:</p><p class="responsiveNews">Friday, January 8, 2016 King Holiday Observance Kick-Off and Reception <br />Location: The King Center Freedom Hall Atrium 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. <br />Open to the Public <br />The Kick-off Reception is an invitation to the general public to join us in honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It will be a gathering of dignitaries, local consulates, elected officials, college & university presidents, corporate and business leaders, local activists, pastors, emerging youth leaders, the entertainment community and the community-at-large to participate in a celebration honoring the legacy of Dr. King.</p><p class="responsiveNews">Saturday, January 9, 201406 -- Beloved Community Talks <br />Part I “The Race Factor” and Part II “Rights vs Responsibilities” <br />Location: The King Center, The Yolanda D. King Theatre for the Performing Arts Time: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Registration Fee: $20.00) <br />This two-part forum will utilize Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy and methodology, Nonviolence365™, as a springboard for discussion of the topics. The Race Factor will engage participants in dialogue about the role that race plays in negative social constructs and how we can prevent racial biases from deterring progress. Rights vs. Responsibilities will explore the value of honoring our responsibilities to others and to the global community in tandem with respecting individual and collective rights.</p><p class="responsiveNews">Sunday, January 10 -- Discussion and Book Signing <br />Location: The King Center, The Yolanda D. King Theatre for the Performing Arts Time: 3:00--5:00 p.m Open to the Public <br />Special Guest, Mr. Kit Cummings will participate in a discussion about his book.Confirmed King family members who have written books include Dr. Bernice A. King, Dr. Christine King Farris, Dr. Alveda King, Mrs. Naomi King, and Dr. Angela Farris Watkins. Moderated by Dr. Hilda R. Tompkins.</p><p class="responsiveNews">Thursday, January 14 -- Building the Beloved Community with Environmental Justice <br />Location: The King Center, The Yolanda D. King Theatre for the Performing Arts Time: 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. <br />Open to the Public <br />This forum will engage participants and panelists in a discussion about the importance of Environmental Justice in building the Beloved Community.</p><p class="responsiveNews">Friday, January 15 -- State of Georgia Martin Luther King, Jr. Advisory Council Program GA State Capitol <br />Time: 11:00 a.m. <br />Keynote Speaker: Mrs. Xernona Clayton, Open to the Public <br />Georgia’s Governor will host a tribute to Dr. King, with participation from King Center officials at the Georgia State Capitol, North Wing, Atlanta.</p><p class="responsiveNews">Gospel Concert <br />Location: Ebenezer Baptist Church (Heritage Sanctuary) Time: 7:00 p.m. <br />Open to the public</p><p class="responsiveNews">Friday , January 15 and Saturday, January 16 <br />Roger Guenveur Smith: Rodney King <br />Location: Ferst Center for the Arts <br />Time: 8:00 pm <br />History, poetry, and tragedy collide when Roger Guenveur Smith tackles the thorny odyssey of Rodney King from the harsh glare of the national spotlight as the victim of police brutality to his lonely death at the bottom of a swimming pool.</p><p class="responsiveNews">Saturday, January 16 -- Millennials with King Service Project <br />Location: John Hope Hill Elementary School Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon <br />In collaboration with Points of Light, The King Center invites young adults and others to participate in this service initiative that will connect Dr. King’s nonviolent philosophy with an opportunity to provide 3 hours of service to a metro-Atlanta community.</p><p class="responsiveNews">Saturday, January 16 -- The Annual “Salute to Greatness” Awards Gala <br />Location: Hyatt Regency Hotel – 265 Peachtree Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30303, Reception: 6:00 p.m. Dinner and Program: 7:00 p.m. <br />The Annual Salute to Greatness Awards Gala is The King Center’s primary fundraising initiative. One of the Center’s highest honors, the Salute to Greatness Award is presented at the dinner to recognize national and/or international individuals and corporations that exemplify excellence in their leadership and have demonstrated a commitment to social responsibility in the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Individual Honoree: Howard G. Buffett, Corporate Honoree: TIAA-CREF <br />The King Center’s Coretta Scott King A.N.G.E.L. (Advancing Nonviolence through Generations of Exceptional Leadership) Award will be given during the Dinner. The award is given in honor of and in keeping with the spirit of Mrs. Coretta Scott King. It recognizes a youth or young adult (ages 12-25) and a youth organization/initiative that exemplifies leadership in the areas of peace, social justice and nonviolent social change. <br />A.N.G.E.L. Award YouthHonoree: Maya Penn <br />A.N.G.E.L. Award Youth Organization Honoree: Sojourn to the Past <br />The “Christine King Farris Legacy of Service Award” recognizes individuals who <br />have a lifelong history of service and exemplifies the values based on the leadership philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his methods of nonviolence. <br />The Christine King Farris Legacy of Service Award Honoree: Edith Savage Jennings <br />Special Award Honoree: My Brother’s Keeper Task Force <br />Emcees: Kevin Frazier, Entertainment Tonight Kyra Phillips, CNN</p><p class="responsiveNews">Monday, January 18 -- The Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Commemorative Service <br />Location: Ebenezer Baptist Church – Horizon Sanctuary Time: 10:00 a.m. <br />Open to the Public <br />The Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Commemorative Service is the spiritual hallmark of the King Holiday Observance. The service is an ecumenical endeavor which is held on the Federal Holiday at Ebenezer Baptist Church located near The King Center. <br />Keynote Speaker: Dr. William Barber, II, North Carolina Moral Monday's Civil Rights Leader <br />Special Guest: Jeffrey DeLaurentis, Charge d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy Havana Cuba. <br />Performances by: Anthony Brown, Gospel Recording Artist <br />Heavenly Joy-Jerkins, America’s Got Talent Contestant</p><p class="responsiveNews">King Week Holiday March & Rally Time: 2:00 PM, following the Commemorative Service <br />Open to the Public <br />The March is held on Auburn Avenue from Peachtree Street to Jackson Street. The Rally is held on Auburn Avenue. The areas of concern are education, technology, medical, investment, transportation, housing environmental justice, job creation, conflict resolution, interfaith, cultural exchange, peace, justice, and voter registration.</p></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p></div>Inspired by NYC, Major U.S. Cities Raise Funds For Students To See "SELMA" For Free. #MarchOnhttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/inspired-by-nyc-major-u-s-cities-raise-funds-for-students-to-see-2015-01-09T14:00:00.000Z2015-01-09T14:00:00.000ZTheBlackList-Publisherhttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackListPublisher<div><p></p>
<p><em><span class="font-size-4"><strong>Cities Across America Are Joining The Movement: Due To The Reaction In New York City, Major U.S. Cities Are Inspired To Follow And Raise Funds For Students To See "SELMA" For Free</strong></span></em></p>
<p><span class="xn-location"><a href="http://www.haymakerco.com/selmanyc/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/selmanyc.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.haymakerco.com/selmanyc/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/selmanyc.jpg" class="align-full" alt="selmanyc.jpg" /></a>New York City</span>, prominent members of the African-American business communities in major cities across America have teamed with Paramount Pictures to create funds for students to see the Golden Globe-nominated film "SELMA" for free in participating theaters. The cities joining the effort will be announced <span class="xn-chron">Monday, January 12</span><span>th</span> at <span class="xn-chron">9:00 a.m. ET</span>.</p>
<p>The <span class="xn-location">New York City</span> program provided free admission for 27,000 of the city's 7<span>th</span>, 8<span>th</span> and 9<span>th</span>grade students to see "SELMA" in participating local theaters. 27 African-American business leaders contributed to the fund and activated their network of contacts to put this program into motion, creating an impromptu and innovative public-private partnership for the greater good.</p>
<p>The students in these cities will provide a student ID or report card at any of the participating locations for free admittance. The program will begin at <span class="xn-chron">7:00 p.m.</span> on <span class="xn-chron">January 12</span><span>th</span> and run through <span class="xn-chron">January 19</span><span>th</span> (<span class="xn-person">Martin Luther King, Jr.</span> Day) or while tickets last.</p>
<p>"The response to our program in <span class="xn-location">New York</span> is better than we could have anticipated and we are truly moved by the generosity and outpouring of support," said <span class="xn-person">Charles Phillips</span>, CEO, Infor and Viacom Director. "The story of Dr. <span class="xn-person">Martin Luther King, Jr.'s</span> heroic efforts in<span class="xn-location">Alabama</span> during the civil rights movement is an important chapter in our country's history – and one that still resonates deeply today. Due to the many generous donors, tens of thousands of students around the country will have the opportunity to experience this extraordinary film."</p>
<p>The <span class="xn-location">New York</span> community has rallied to get the word out on "SELMA." Major institutions including the New York City Department of Education, KIPP Schools, New York City Housing Authority, Schomburg Museum, Eagle Academy, Harlem Children Zone, Harlem Village Academy, Abyssinian Baptist Church, The Boys and Girls Club, the New York Public Library, and local radio stations are reaching out to students and informing them of this wonderful opportunity.</p>
<p>Theaters are reporting unprecedented calls for group screenings as entire classes want to attend together. In addition, many screenings are followed by discussions, and a recommended reading list has been compiled for further learning. This is a rare moment when a film has transformed into a cultural movement in recognition of a highly relevant message that touched many people.</p>
<p>Directed by DuVernay and starring David Oyelowo as <span class="xn-person">Martin Luther King Jr.</span>, "SELMA" has been nominated for four Golden Globes: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director and Best Song ("Glory" by Common and John Legend). </p>
<p>The film also stars <span class="xn-person">Tom Wilkinson</span>, Cuba Gooding Jr., <span class="xn-person">Alessandro Nivola</span>, <span class="xn-person">Giovanni Ribisi</span>, Common, Carmen Ejogo, <span class="xn-person">Lorraine Toussaint</span>, with <span class="xn-person">Tim Roth</span> and <span class="xn-person">Oprah Winfrey</span> as "<span class="xn-person">Annie Lee Cooper</span>."</p>
<p>Paramount Pictures, Pathe, and Harpo Films present "SELMA." Produced by <span class="xn-person">Christian Colson</span>, <span class="xn-person">Dede Gardner</span>, <span class="xn-person">Jeremy Kleiner</span>, <span class="xn-person">Oprah Winfrey</span>, the film is executive produced by<span class="xn-person">Brad Pitt</span>, <span class="xn-person">Cameron McCracken</span>, <span class="xn-person">Diarmuid McKeown</span>, Nik Bower, Ava DuVernay, <span class="xn-person">Paul Garnes</span>and <span class="xn-person">Nan Morales</span>. The film is written by <span class="xn-person">Paul Webb</span>. "SELMA" is directed by <span class="xn-person">Ava DuVernay</span>.</p>
<p>"SELMA" is the story of a movement. The film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. <span class="xn-person">Martin Luther King, Jr.</span> led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to <span class="xn-location">Montgomery</span>culminated in President Johnson (<span class="xn-person">Tom Wilkinson</span>) signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement. Director Ava DuVernay's "SELMA" tells the story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. <span class="xn-person">Martin Luther King Jr.</span>(David Oyelowo) and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history.</p>
<p><span class="font-size-4"><strong>Currently open in select cities, "SELMA" opens in theaters nationwide on January 9th, 2015. To learn more about the film, go to <a href="http://www.selmamovie.com/" target="_blank">www.selmamovie.com</a>.</strong></span></p>
<p><b><span style="color:#ff0000;" class="font-size-5"><strong>Selma NYC | Free Tickets in the Five Buroughs</strong></span><br /><span class="font-size-5"><a href="http://www.haymakerco.com/selmanyc/" target="_blank">http://www.haymakerco.com/selmanyc/</a></span><br /></b></p>
<p><b>About Paramount Pictures Corporation<br /></b> Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.</p>
<p>Media Contacts:<br /> Edelman<br /><span class="xn-person">Renee Edelman</span><br /><a href="mailto:renee.edelman@edelman.com" target="_blank">renee.edelman@edelman.com</a></p>
<p>SOURCE Paramount Pictures</p>
<p><img alt="" src="https://rt.prnewswire.com/mt.gif?newsItemId=NY04207&Transmission_Id=201501090600PR_NEWS_USPR_____NY04207&DateId=20150109&user=1410065" /><em><strong><a href="https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/288025911.html" target="_blank">HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Jan. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire</a>/ --</strong></em></p>
<p><a href="http://ctt.ec/Ccf3a"><img src="http://clicktotweet.com/img/tweet-graphic-3.png" alt="Tweet: Inspired by NYC, Major U.S. Cities Raise Funds For Students To See" /></a></p>
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<p></p></div>Dr. King’s Legacy Liveshttps://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/dr-king-s-legacy-lives2012-01-11T17:00:00.000Z2012-01-11T17:00:00.000ZTheBlackList Newshttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackListNews<div><div id="msgbody"><div style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;"><div><font face="Arial"> <b>From the Ramparts</b></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><span style="white-space:pre;" class="Apple-tab-span"> by <a href="http://comcast.net" target="_blank">Junious Ricardo Stanton</a></span></font><font face="Arial"> </font></div><div><font face="Arial"> <b> </b></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><span style="white-space:pre;" class="Apple-tab-span"> </span> <strong><i>“The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.”</i> - Martin Luther King Jr.</strong></font></div><div><font face="Arial"><strong><br /></strong></font></div><div><font face="Arial">When I first read about the call to occupy Wall Street several months ago I immediately thought about Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.’s Poor People’s campaign. In case you are too young to remember, in 1968 Martin Luther King Jr. was planning a massive nation wide poor people’s campaign to draw attention to the class warfare raging in the country at that time. He was attempting to organize and galvanize hundreds of thousands of poor and working class people of all colors to amass on Washington D.C. The goal was to encamp in the nation’s capital to apply pressure on Congress to stop the imperialist wars in Indo-China, focus more attention on the plight of the poor and suffering in this country and redirect governmental resources on their behalf. </font></div><div><font face="Arial">At the same time he was getting the Poor People’s Campaign off the ground, King lent his support to the striking sanitation workers in Memphis Tennessee. These workers were attempting to unionize, gain the respect and recognition of the city administration to negotiate in good faith for fair and decent wages and the right to collective bargaining. To me the call to Occupy Wall Street struck a similar cord and their activism reminded me of King’s earlier efforts. I was pleased to see activism and resistance bloom in the midst of the current political and economic climate. The Occupy Wall Street movement was a call to direct action. </font></div><div><font face="Arial">Too much emphasis has been placed today on arm chair activism, social networking, writing letters, calling legislators and community service. The time has come for decisive direct action, civil disobedience, strikes and demonstrations to challenge and right the wrongs of this society. Income inequality and corporate intrigue and influence is higher today than at any time in US history since the robber baron era. To their credit the young people behind the Occupy Wall Street movement did not elect to sit passively by and allow this form of fascism to go unchallenged. Just like King challenged racial apartheid and economic injustice these young people are bringing economic apartheid and the class war to the public’s consciousness.</font></div><div><font face="Arial">Marin Luther King Jr. was killed because the US government and their corporate puppeteers feared his talk of economic apartheid would further radicalize the masses who were already waking up to how they were being duped, used and ground up by the US military-industrial complex. King was the most prominent and widely recognized clergyman to come out against the Vietnam War. None of the other well known religious leaders of his day, Bishop Sheen, Billy Graham, Norman Vincent Peal publicly uttered a word against the devastation and carnage the US was wrecking in Southeast Asia. King tied the war over there, the huge expenditures and profits being made by US companies to the economic privation in this country. King pointed out the direct correlation between the money spent on foreign wars and the failure of the government to address the poverty, hunger and oppression here. King’s stance gave a huge boost to the anti-war movement and put the government on the defensive to the point it stepped up its counterinsurgency operations against the civil rights, anti-war and other radical movements.</font></div><div><span style="font-family:Arial;">The US government initiated a reign of dirty tricks, terror and violence against peace demonstrators, civil rights activists, the migrant worker movement, La Raza, Black Power, The American Indian Movement and numerous others. The FBI and CIA waged a vicious war against the American people in a fashion that would have made Adolph Hitler proud. CONINTELPRO and Operation Chaos were just two of the government’s more infamous programs to attack the people. Numerous lives were ruined by the government’s wickedness, both here and over seas. King’s grass roots, direct action movement posed a major threat to the status quo, so the US government killed him. </span></div><div><font face="Arial">Lo forty-three years later we’re seeing history repeat itself. The legacy of resistance to evil, war and economic oppression still flickers. The original Tea Party; meaning the asymmetric, energetic and unorganized group of protestors who were extremely concerned about the government’s rising debt, taxes, the wars and expanding cost of government was a start of activism but they were subsequently co-oped by the Koch brothers who steered them into the Republican Party. The Occupy Wall Street movement saw this and refused to fall into that same trap. So they wisely kept the movement fluid with no identifiable (targetable) spokespersons. They also eschewed dialogue with the powers that be. They were merely attempting to raise consciousness about the collusion and corruption between corporations and the government, corporate criminality, the wars and the galloping fascism that is engrossing this country.</font></div><div><font face="Arial">If you stop and think about it the original Tea Party activists and the young people in the Occupy Wall Street movements around the country are not that different from what Martin Luther King Jr attempted; only they are doing it on the local level. So in this regard Martin Luther King’s legacy still lives. Alas the government response s been has exactly the same, co-option of the Tea party, first ignoring then using the media to demonize the Occupy Wall Street movement and finally employing violence to squash the movement altogether. In stead of assassinating the leaders (who they could not identify like they did King), they co-opted the Tea Party and then bum rushed the OWS encampments, beating, pepper spraying and arresting them. </font></div><div><font face="Arial">Four decades ago war criminals like Lyndon Johnson, Robert McNamara, Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger went Scott free. Today it’s the Wall Street banksters turn to receive a get out of jail free card. The government is hoping the state’s violence will discourage and deter future demonstrations and resistance against USA fascism. Congress just passed and Obama signed a draconian bill allowing indefinite detention without trial of US citizens and ordered the opening and operation of FEMA internment camps. Time will tell if they have succeeded in dousing the fires of resistance. They may have added more fuel to the fire. Private gun sales are at an all time high.</font></div><div><font face="Arial">As wrong and unjust as all this appears, rest assured things are not as they seem. King understood the nature of progress and struggle. He once said, “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable... Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” So as we pause to reflect on and honor the real legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., let’s not get duped and side tracked with feel good once a year community service projects. These times demand more than that. Marin Luther King openly challenged the evil of racial apartheid, the wickedness of political oppression, the waste of war, and the immorality of economic injustice on a full time, full steam ahead basis. We can do the same.</font></div><div><font face="Arial"><span style="white-space:pre;" class="Apple-tab-span"> </span></font></div><div><font face="Arial"> </font></div></div></div><p> </p><p> </p></div>Why We Are We Still Marchin' ?https://www.theblacklist.net/profiles/blogs/why-we-are-we-still-marchin2011-10-12T12:59:03.000Z2011-10-12T12:59:03.000ZTheBlackList Newshttps://www.theblacklist.net/members/TheBlackListNews<div><p>by TRUTH Minista Paul Scott</p><p></p><div><br /><br />I have marched until my feet have bled and I have rioted until they called the Feds.<br />What's left my conscious said?<br /> "Revolution" Arrested Development<br /><br /><br /><br />When folks gather in DC for the Jobs and Justice March and the Martin Luther King Memorial dedication this weekend, I betcha a million bucks that somebody is gonna pose the same question that people have been asking for the last 40 years. "What would Martin Luther King Jr say if he was here, today ?" If MLK was at the march, he would probably mean mug the crowd and yell "after all these years, why are y'all still marchin' ?"<br /><br />While people have accused the Hip Hop generation of being politically, apathetic (many times for good reason) the hardcore truth is that many young folks are just tired of traveling down the same road that has led us to nowhere-ville. They just need for someone to tell them the best way to bring about change.</div><div>Unfortunately, most old school cats are still trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together, themselves. They can't answer the basic question, "after all these years of marching and protesting, why are the conditions of poor people, relatively, the same as they were back in 1963?"<br /><br />The reason is simple. It's called controlled chaos: when things appear to be out of order but they are really being controlled by a master shot caller. There are forces at work making sure that we stay lost in the wilderness and never make it to the Promised Land.<br /><br />The government's repression of political dissent goes back decades. One can trace it as far back as the early 20th century with the Bureau of Investigation's attack on Marcus Garvey or the House UnAmerican Affairs Committee's attacks on Paul Robeson and others.</div><div>While it is known that the FBI's COINTELPRO (Counter Intelligence Program) played a major role in destroying political movements during the late 60's and early 70's, what must be examined in the 21st century is "how" they did it.<br /><br />According to Ward Churchill and Jim Wall in their book, "Agents of Repression," the FBI used several techniques to disrupt movements, including infiltrating organizations with agents, falsely tagging activists as "snitches" and assassinations. Another strategy was setting up phony, militant organizations or "pseudo gangs" "designed to confuse, divide and undermine, as well as do outright battles with authentic dissident groups." This may even account for the street gangs of today who will kill on sight members of rival gangs but would never consider bangin' on the system.<br /><br />Also, although politicians praise the strategy of nonviolence, history teaches us that it is only after riots, when people start tearin' stuff up, that the government suddenly is able to "find" money for all sorts of social programs that they couldn't find before the rebellions. This is a technique that President Richard Nixon used as he transformed Black Power into Green Power.<br /><br />One of the least talked about strategies to stop radical movements did not come from the Feds but from philanthropic foundations. According to Robert W Allen in his book "Black Awakening in Capitalist America," these foundations used their money to co-opt the Black Power movement. The main organization responsible was the Ford Foundation, headed by former US national security advisor, McGeorge Bundy, who's brother just happened to be William Bundy, former director of the CIA. Allen called the Ford Foundation "the most important, though, least publicized" organization manipulating the militant black movement."<br /><br />Not only did the foundations influence the direction of street organizations but they also manipulated Black studies programs at colleges to make sure they produced "Clarence Thomas's" instead of "Malcolm X's." Noliwe Rooks discusses the efforts of the foundations to take the "black" out of Black studies in her book, "White Money, Black Power."<br /><br />Later, during the Hip Hop era, we see the role that entertainment corporations played in diverting the rebellious energy of poor and oppressed ghetto kids.<br /><br />During the golden age of conscious Hip Hop (1988-92) we witnessed a period that best represented how rap music could be used as a tool to organize the masses. This was a time when Hip Hop artists, not only made songs about fighting the power, but also participated in acts of civil disobedience such as when members of the X-Clan were involved in the "Day of Outrage" following the murder of Yusef Hawkins in 1989.<br />However, after '92, conscious Hip Hop was replaced by a materialistic music that made people want to be part of the system instead of fighting against it. They have made grown men walking around with their drawers showin' the ultimate act of rebellion.<br /><br />Perhaps the most telling example of the political manipulation of Hip Hop was the 2004 election when, instead of using their influence and resources to politically educate their constituents in the 'hood, Hip Hop moguls created a politically ambivalent marketing strategy called "Vote or Die" that did little more than sell overpriced T-Shirts.<br /><br />The most interesting political movement in recent history is Occupy Wall Street, as activists have successfully broken out of the box of the Republican/Democratic dynamic and have taken the fight straight to the seat of power. If this movement continues focusing on the source of the multiple problems facing the 'hood ( the multi-national corporations) this could be a major tipping point, effecting the economic balance of this country.<br />However, we have already seen filthy rich celebrities co-sign what is supposed to be a poor people's movement. And it is just a matter of time before some slick politician tries to turn radical, revolutionists into mild mannered voter registration political reformists good only for putting "Vote for Me" posters on people's front yards.<br /><br />Absolute power corrupts absolutely.<br /><br />Today we find ourselves at the crossroads; one way leads to Freedom and the other road leads to perpetual oppression.<br /><br />We all have a choice to make.<br /><br />Do we we leave the next generation a movement for real socio-economic change or just sore feet and worn out Air Jordans?<br /><br /><br /><br />TRUTH Minista Paul Scott represents the Militant Mind Militia. He can be reached at militantmindmilitia@gmail.com or (919) 451-8283 Website <a href="http://www.militantmindmilitia.com/">http://www.militantmindmilitia.com</a></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><b><span class="font-size-4">Track your emails with</span><font size="7" color="#990000"><br /></font> <a href="http://www.readnotify.com?from=j0e1lv8y0q9eh"><font size="7" color="#FF0000">ReadNotify</font></a></b></p><p><b><br /></b></p></div>