(PHOTOS) Hundreds Rally After All-White Jury Acquits ex-Houston Police Officer in Videotaped Beating of Black Teen Chad Holley

The temperature is getting hotter in Houston and a recent development inside one of its courtroom has people even hotter in the streets! Hundreds converged downtown on the steps of the Houston Criminal Justice Building on May 17 to voice their disgust with the not guilty verdict given by the jury in the trial of White former HPD officer Andrew Blomberg. He was one of four ex-cops charged with official oppression in the videoed beating of Black teen Chad Holley in March 2010. It was an all-White jury..Is this really a surprise? No, but the tension is high. What will be the fate of the other cops? More updates coming. Until then, check out some of the photos I took at the rally. And if you're unfamiliar with this case, watch the beating for yourself here!

New Revolutionary Music: Avian Nalej - "The Shining"

Avian Nalej on the set of "The Shining" (Photo by: Le'Andre M. Photography)

Check out the new video for "The Shining" by Chicago hip-hop artist Avian Nalej (A-VEE-IN Knowledge). Earlier this year I told you all that he is one to watch in 2012. In this video Avian is Walcott P. Little, a young revolutionary rebel of a leftist group known as the "Children of Martyrs". After amassing more followers for his cause, Walcott is arrested and detained without probable cause and is subjected to violent hateful imagery in order to reverse his rogue behavior. When the experiment fails, his captors are forced to a final solution. Directed by Edward Steave for Stay Focused Media, "The Shining" takes its inspiration from filmmaker Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange". Press play http://youtu.be/UwCoC9e6JRg

What Happened to Gang Peace? A look at 20 years since the historic truce between Crips & Bloods in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES (FinalCall.com) - It's been 20 years since the historic gang truce between the Crips and Bloods in Los Angeles sparked peace work and inspired a national movement to quell urban violence in America's streets and save lives.


Gang members from four major housing projects in the Watts section of Los Angeles, Imperial Courts, Jordan Downs, Nickerson Gardens and Hacienda Village, established a peace treaty on April 28, 1992 but had been working on ways to bring about peace since the 1980s, say anti-violence activists.


“One of the primary reasons there was a need to come together because 1987-88 was the height of the gang war in L.A. We were experiencing about 1,000 to 1,100 murders a year and nobody was really winning the war that we were waging against each other,” explained Aqeela Sherrills, director of Resources for Human Development California, a gang intervention organization.

The activist, a former Crips gang member from Jordan Downs, spearheaded the 20th Anniversary Reunion Celebration of the Los Angeles “Peace Treaty” in Watts late last month. According to Mr. Sherrills, people rallied for peace after LAPD offi cers killed unarmed resident Henry Peco at the Imperial Courts Housing Projects without provocation. Mr. Peco’s nephew, Dwayne Holmes, and others organized a committee for justice and talks between a few people from the various housing projects increased.

Parents of some gang members had also been Muslims prior to 1975 but with the departure of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad, their children were involved in street life. However, their affi nity for the Muslim movement was not destroyed. “Being that we all grew up in the Nation of Islam, we were tied into Minister Farrakhan and the Stop the Killing Movement that was happening all across the country,” Mr. Sherrills said.

Beginning in 1980s, Min. Farrakhan spent some 10 years doing a series of Stop the Killing lectures, appealing to youth to stop fratricidal violence, warning of government and law enforcement fear and deadly government crackdowns that the violence would justify. The nascent neighborhood peace activists sent about 25 young men to hear Min. Farrakhan’s 1989 message at the L.A. Sports Arena. They were invited to attend peace talks at NFL Hall of Famer/actor Jim Brown’s home and about four or five subsequent meetings. [Read Full Article]

The Double Standard? Marissa Alexander Stood Her Ground in Florida and Gets Twenty Years in Prison

This case is sickening, yet not surprising! America's criminal justice system continues to keep living up to its reputation.

Last Saturday, May 12, I was a guest on Liberated Sister Radio show hosted by Sister Charlene Muhammad on KPFK. We discussed the case of Marissa Alexander, the Jacksonville, Florida mother who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing what she called a "warning shot" aka "back up off of me shot" into the wall after a physical bout with her abusive husband two years ago. No, the bullet did not hit him. The "stand your ground" law did not work in her favor as it has thus far for George Zimmerman, the self-proclaimed neighborhood watchmen who took the life of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla. in late February.

The horrific ruling against Alexander was made on May 11, just days before Mother's Day. According to an online petition launched by supporters of Alexander:

Marissa's husband has a documented history of violence and domestic abuse toward women. The history of Marissa Alexander and her husband includes an injunction for protection against violence and was active during August 2010. In a jealous rage, Marissa's husband violently confronted her while she used the bathroom. She was assaulted, shoved, strangled and held against her will. She was prevented from escaping and was not able to obtain her cell phone to call 911. Her husband was asked to leave repeatedly. He and his two sons (Marissa's stepsons), were supposed to have exited through the front door but, did not. Her husband entered the kitchen wich leads to the garage and saw that Marissa was unable to leave via the malfunctioning garage door. Her husband yelled "B---h I will kill you!" and charged toward her. 

Marissa had retrieved her licensed and registered gun which she owned for years before even meeting her husband – from her vehicle. She held the weapon in her right hand down by her side as he yelled, "B---h I Will Kill You! And charged toward her. In fear and desperation, Marissa Alexander lifted her weapon, turned away and discharged a single shot in the ceiling. As she stood her ground – that single shot prevented him from doing that which he had threatened. He ran out of the house where he contacted police and falsely reported that Marissa Alexander shot at him and his 2 sons. The police took Marissa Alexander into custody. The state of Florida has a self-defense law which includes the right to Stand Your Ground. Marissa Alexander did not receive immunity under this law. Alexander's husband admitted that he was the aggressor, threatened her life and was so enraged that he did not know what he would do – this being under sworn statement in November of 2010. Alexander's husband was arrested for domestic violence twice – once for abuse against Alexander. That attack landed Alexander in the hospital. [Read more and sign the petition]

Following the May 11 ruling, Congresswoman Corrine Brown said, "Earlier today, I watched in horror and extreme sadness as a judge sentenced Marissa Alexander, a documented victim of domestic violence, to a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison for firing warning shot into the air after she was attacked by her husband. This African American woman didn’t hurt anyone and now she might not hug her children for twenty years...My first step in this case will be to bring in the nation’s best experts in domestic violence law. The Florida criminal justice system has sent two clear messages today. One is that if women who are victims of domestic violence try to protect themselves, the “Stand Your Ground Law” will not apply to them."

In a blog posted dated April 3, Alexander wrote "I am a law abiding citizen and I take great pride in my liberty, rights, and privileges as one. I have vehemently proclaimed my innocence and my actions that day. The enigma I face since that fateful day I was charged through trial, does the law cover and apply to me too?...The law states that I was justified in standing my ground and meeting force with force up to including deadly force, but political views and concerns states otherwise in the 4th circuit court. So my last questions and valid concerns are what was I supposed to do that day and the stand your ground law who is it for?"

Read more about her case and efforts to raise funds for her legal fees by visiting http://www.justiceformarissa.blogspot.com/

Acclaimed Hip-Hop Artist and Activist Jasiri X Releases New Video, "You're Fired", for Recall of Scott Walker

Jasiri X, renowned emcee and community activist, released a new video today, "You're Fired." The video is a direct response to the election to recall Governor Scott Walker in Wisconsin and can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/p4P6v3pGGmI. Live performance and video to be remixed at the Rebuild Wisconsin Festival in Milwaukee.

Already known for the controversial viral video "What if the Tea Party was Black?" and the hard-hitting "A Song for Trayvon," Jasiri X cleverly uses Hip-Hop to provide social commentary on a variety of issues. He said of the video, "I was in Madison, Wisconsin when the citizens took over the statehouse and it was one of the most amazing events I've witnessed. I saw firsthand the power of regular people coming together in unity to fight back against corrupt politicians and corporate influence. I'm honored to add my voice to this historic campaign to recall Scott Walker and rebuild Wisconsin."

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wisconsin lost 23,900 jobs from March 2011 to March 2012. The worst in the nation! This has sparked outraged especially since Gov. Walker promised that he would bring 250,000 news jobs during this successful 2010 campaign run. Watch the video below by Jasiri X! He delivers strong once again.

Election 2012 and Chastisement About Voting: 8 Reasons Why Black People Don't Vote

By Kofi Taharka 
National Chairman National Black United Front (NBUF)

As the November 2012 national elections approach the African in America communities will begin to be bombarded with chastisement about voting “People Died For Your Right To Vote” will be a common rallying cry of politicians flooding the airways. “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain”, “We need people in inside positions to make real change” will also be some of the rational pushed forward in the upcoming months. Recently in Houston, candidates contended for City Council seats in a run-off election, the total voter turnout was reported at 6% of registered voters. In the general election preceding the run-off the total voter turnout was reported at 8% of Houston’s registered voters. I am sure this scenario has been repeated across the country.

A quick browse through seminal events/periods of African in America involvement in electoral politics can be instructive in understanding our outlook on voting. In the 1700’s some Blacks were able to vote in certain parts of the country. After the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865, the period known as Reconstruction (1865-1877) saw an explosion of Black voters and Black elected officials. This period ended in a reign of terror and governments being taken over by force by southern whites. After reconstruction a hundred years of oppression known as “Jim Crow” followed which all but wiped out Black participation in electoral politics. In the 1960’s the civil rights movement waged a massive push for voting rights. The effort culminated with the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Over the next forty plus years Africans in America have voted in record numbers for Black mayors in major urban cities and turned out at 92.9% of registered voters according to the U.S. census for the election of President Barack Obama in the 2008 election. In the same election other racial groups voted in the following percentages White 90%, Asian 86.1%, Hispanic 84% of registered voters. So is it really true to say that Black people don’t vote, or wouldn’t be more accurate to say people in America don’t vote. In analyzing these statistics it is important to consider several factors, increased turnout in presidential elections in general and Black turnout for Obama. Also, in racial designation of voting age populations we must consider the citizenship qualifications of the population. It is certainly true that people have died and suffered surrounding the right to vote. It has be an often times violent and bloody experience. The main point is if African/Black people are any more or less apathetic than other groups when it comes to voting? A look at the statistics from one presidential election suggests that Black people are no less apathetic than other groups. However, a more comprehensive study of voting patterns should be done to come to a conclusion on the topic. To the extent that it is true that Black people don’t vote please see my point of view on why.

TOP REASONS African/Black People Don’t Vote
1. Lack of organization in the African/Black community. No broad based agreed upon agenda for the African/Black community. No major fundraising apparatus. No organized mechanism for accountability of politicians and ability to reward or punish them.
2. Politicians’ inability to deliver substantive resources and services to Black communities.
3. Big and organized money influence on politicians and the political discussion. Who funds African/Black politicians?
4. Little to no education of the political process. What is the difference between a school board member and congress person? How do local, national and international governments work and interrelate?
5. Bought off and sold out so-called leaders who go along to get along and refuse to speak truth to power. Plantation Politics.
6. Voter suppression laws, rules and policies designed to minimize voter participation.
7. Mass incarceration which takes away large segments of the Black population’s right to vote.
8. The people’s awareness of the false choice. “The Lesser of Two Evils” Democratic versus Republican, Right versus Left arguments. People are increasingly disgruntled with choices from the two major parties as the only way to gain representation. See Occupy Movement. In different pockets across the country there are exceptions to these points. However, across the board I see these as common stabling blocks throughout our communities.

In his book “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?” Dr. King spoke about politics and politicians “The majority of Negro political leaders do not ascend to prominence on the shoulders of mass support…..most are selected by white leadership, elevated to position, supplied with resources and inevitably subject to white control. The mass of Negroes nurtures a healthy suspicion toward these manufactured leaders…. Hence very few Negro political leaders are impressive or illustrious to their constituents…. This relationship in turn hampers the Negro leader in bargaining in genuine strength and independent firmness with white party leaders….they deal with him as a powerless subordinate. He is accorded a measure of dignity and personal respect but not political power.”

We should analyze these statements carefully to see to what extent is this still true today forty four years after his assassination. As a solution, to those who will come to the community calling for votes and see value in participation in the electoral process should address the aforementioned issues. In addition, don’t talk down to the people always talk up to the people they are who you are suppose to work for. Perhaps, we have placed far too much emphasis on electoral politics as a panacea for all of our problems. The key is being organized, from this will come power in all forms.


(Kofi Taharka is the National Chairman of National Black United Front (NBUF) and his based in Houston, Texas)

Refusing to Compromise: Parting Ways with Houston Belief

(Blogger's Note: The following is the final blog I wrote for The Houston Chronicle's Houston Belief website. It was posted on May 11, 2012. I don't know how long they will keep it posted, but here is the original link.)

I would be fabricating if I told you I have been thinking “long” and “hard” about this decision to step away from blogging for Houston Belief under the umbrella of the Houston Chronicle. It really wasn’t much to consider.

In light of my last phone conversation with Kate Shellnut, by the time you finish reading this it probably will have already been removed because it will be considered “too offensive” and a “violation” of the so-called blogging guidelines of this site.

Let’s see.

I am grateful for this entire experience. April actually marked two years since I first started blogging for this site at the invite of Ms. Shellnut. Honestly, I was surprised when I received the initial email in which she said, 

“One of my goals is to expand the perspectives represented on HoustonBelief so that we may help our readers learn more and better understand the religious traditions here in Houston…I found your impressive blog through one of our contributors, Pastor Rudy. I wanted to ask you if you’d be interested in starting a blog on HoustonBelief.”

My first few entries went right at some of the myths associated with the Nation of Islam and Minister Farrakhan. I was immediately and unsurprisingly attacked as a follower of a "hate teacher" and an "anti-Semite" from people leaving comments. It didn't bother me at all, I just continued to blog.

Then in May 2010 I was invited to have an in person lunch with Ms. Shellnut. The conversation started off casual and I thought she was sincerely trying to get to know me as a new blogger. However, she eventually told me the true purpose of the meeting, which was the fact that several members of the Jewish community were pressing her and the editors of the Houston Chronicle to have me removed immediately from the site because I "hated Jews and should not be allowed to blog among dignified religious people."

In the meeting she also asked me if I would “refrain” from mentioning anything about Jews until she was able to coordinate a dialogue, which she said these particular Jews disagreed with doing anyway. She also warned me to follow the site's guidelines of not attacking people. I had my mind made up that I would continue to be myself and if they decided to remove me that was their decision. The meeting ended and she told me I would not be removed or censured in any way. In a follow up email that day she said, “I’m going to continue to think over some possible ways to draw out discussion about the relationship between Black Americans and Jewish Americans, racism and anti-Semitism, perhaps in the month ahead.  I hope that we’ll be able to turn this controversy into an opportunity for interfaith education.”

Well, that never happened because within weeks Lee Wunsch, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, posted an article on his blog titled “Compromising the Mission of Houston Belief” revealing that he was calling for my removal. Mr. Wunsch even wrote, “when a Nation of Islam member was invited to blog, a line was drawn in the sand."

The original link to that June 6, 2010 blog is now unavailable due to them changing everyone over to a Wordpress platform. However, the proof that he wrote it is found in the response written by fellow blogger Menachem Wecker, who came to my defense. Mr. Wunsch even followed it up with another blog two months later outright attacking me. His words truly didn’t bother me because he was only recycling the same falsehoods that members of the Jewish community have been saying about Minister Farrakhan and the NOI since 1984.

My question was why was Mr. Wunsch allowed to violate Houston Belief’s so-called guidelines? Did Ms. Shellnut come to my defense? Absolutely not. Yet in another email to me regarding his attacks, she only said, “By not addressing Lee’s criticism directly, you’ve allowed the community itself to defend you and rally around your blog.  The entry by Menachem Wecker (the Iconia blogger) did a good job about letting people discuss both sides of the issue and, in the end, side with religious freedom rather than engaging in a debate over specifics that would probably go nowhere. My prediction is that this will blow over soon and in the end, you’ll have grown more fully integrated into the Houston Belief community as a result.”

I chose to come to this site because I believed the readers deserved to hear from someone that’s actually in the NOI. Also to dispel some of the myths and unjust labels attached to Minister Farrakhan and the NOI.  Over these past two years I believe we have been blessed to accomplish that with those who had an open mind. I have learned from many comments, smiled at the onslaught of attacks, and even had many of my posts featured on the Chron.com homepage. One of my posts was once picked up by the Village Voice and this blog was a finalist for the 2011 Black Weblog Awards in the Faith category.

However, the latest actions by Ms. Shellnut let me know clearly it is time to part ways with Houston Belief.

On March 21 we had a phone conversation in which she expressed “certain people” had an issue with my blog, “Clear and present danger? Nation of Islam responds to Glenn Beck”, that I posted on March 14. She said “some people” found it offensive to the Jewish community and then she started reminding me of the site’s so-called guidelines.

During the conversation, I logged into my account and noticed that she had already put that blog post back in “draft mode”, meaning she took it down. Then I noticed that my other blog, “Jewish Rabbi declares Bishop Eddie Long a King?”, that I posted on Feb. 4 was also taken down. All of this was done without discussing it with me first.

Also in the conversation I pointed out to Ms. Shellnut that Mr. Wunsch attacked and lied on Minister Farrakhan and the NOI in the first paragraph of his March 20 post, “Anti-Semitism on the Rise: Or, Am I Just Paranoid?”.  She had nothing to say about that and that post is still on the site.

So it is with great happiness that I am writing this final post because Ms. Shellnut, the online editors of the Houston Chronicle, and those that influence them have made it very clear that this site is not about open dialogue, free speech or sincerely learning about other religions. It’s about trying to suppress certain people to please a specific group.

I want to sincerely thank them for adding further validity to what the NOI has said about certain members of the so-called Jewish community. Now if anyone wants to disagree after reading this blog, help yourself.

As for me, I’m going to continue to do what I was doing before Houston Belief even came into the picture: BLOG!

Peace and blessings!

(You're welcome to follow Brother Jesse Muhammad on Twitter @BrotherJesse)

The Elevated Places theatrical production to honor Houston's historic Fifth Ward community

(Students of The Elevated Places performs during one of their many end of the year productions. Photo: Jesse Muhammad)

The Elevated Places will be hosting its annual cultural and performing arts event. This year the theatrical production will honor Houston’s historic Fifth Ward community. The play titled, “Blast From the Past”, will be performed on May 26, 2012 at Phillis Wheatley High School (4801 Providence Street) at 7:00 pm.

With great excitement the students will spotlight and honor alumni of Wheatley High School. This year’s honorees will be State Representative Harold Dutton, Dr. Etta Francis Walker, Dr. Jacqueline Brown, Willie Jordan, Algenita Davis, Dr. Albert Lemons, Cleo Glenn Johnson McLaughlin, and Dorothy Edwards. The play is based on historical research and several awe-inspiring interviews about the past life and times of living in Fifth Ward. Special guest speakers will include newly elected Houston City Council Member Jerry Davis (District B).

“Our children within the Fifth Ward and without must know that there is a tremendous amount of greatness that emerged from Wheatley and other great institutions during a time when we were told we were insignificant. To hear their stories should inspire educators today,” said Wakiti Muhammad, co-director of The Elevated Places.

“This is a living testament to what is produced when you give students the right type of education with the right motive and the right environment. This production will give us the opportunity to reflect on our past and use it as motivation to where we are going.”

Honoree and class of 1966 graduate Dr. Jacqueline Brown said, "Historically in order for us to move forward we must understand the root from whence we came. The Fifth Ward's younger generation has an imperative to succeed. Our teachers and community made sure that we succeeded. We have laid the foundation for those after us."

Throughout the years attendees have been enlightened and entertained by the talented students of The Elevated Places through productions like “His Legacy Lives”, “A Night of Poetry and Rhythm, A Tribute to Black Soul” and the highly acclaimed “Best of Broadway.” The school’s productions are designed to help advance community goals, bring awareness to important social issues, and promote small business; as well as, to reinforce the important role of independent education in the community.

Destiny Means, a 9th grader at Elevated Places, said “It is important to pay tribute to those who have come before us because by honoring the greatness they have done, we can follow in their footsteps and hopefully accomplish even greater things.”

“For the alumni to accomplish what they did with all of the struggles they had including civil rights and segregation, shows that with all of the opportunities and resources we have available, we have even greater potential to be successful,” said Myshall Parker, who is also a student.

The Elevated Places Independent School was established in 2007 in an effort to unify families who were currently homeschooling their children in Southwest Houston. The Elevated Places is accredited from Pre-K-12 grade. The Elevated Places focuses on high academics, moral and ethical standards, as well as, social skills, creative development, varying extra curriculum activities and preparing model citizens and community servants.

For more information and interviewed requests call 1-866-891-2504 or email elevatedplaces1@gmail.com. Visit the school’s official website at www.theelevatedplaces.com.

NABJ Condemns Columnist Phil Mushnick and New York Post Editors for Racially Insensitive Reference Against Jay-Z

WASHINGTON, DC (Source: NABJ.org) -- Known for its provocative headlines, the New York Post has botched another attempt to gain attention with journalism that lacks taste and class. The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) condemns sports columnist Phil Mushnick and Post editors for printing racially insensitive references regarding music mogul and New Jersey Nets minority owner Shawn "Jay-Z” Carter in a column yesterday.


"It does not surprise me that the writer and editors in question lack the journalistic chops to eloquently make a point about Jay-Z’s influence in the Nets franchise,” said NABJ President Gregory Lee, who also is senior assistant sports editor at the Boston Globe. "Mr. Mushnick’s crusade against the gang mentality in sports has taken a wrong turn in this piece of lazy journalism. This commentary does not follow the principles of our craft.”

NABJ Sports Task Force chair Marc J. Spears adds: "It’s embarrassing and unfortunate that the use of the n-word and other derogatory terms have been a staple in lyrics throughout the history of hip-hop. But two wrongs don’t make a right. I find it appalling that a newspaper would be comfortable allowing such a demeaning word in its publication and that its editors did not use better judgment in supervising a columnist with a disappointing and misguided mentality.”

In 2009, NABJ condemned the newspaper for depicting the nation’s first African American Commander in Chief as a dead chimpanzee.

"The language used in today's New York Post column, titled ‘Nets on Jay-Z track,’ was disgusting and completely out of line," New York Association of Black Journalists President Michael J. Feeney said. "Columnist Phil Mushnick and the editors who allowed his offensive language to be published should be ashamed of themselves. We demand an explanation and an apology from Mushnick and Post management, and we want to be assured this vile word will never appear in this publication again.”

An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization of journalists of color in the nation, and provides educational, career development and support to black journalists worldwide.

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Minister Louis Farrakhan's historic tour of HBCUs in the 'Cotton South'

(FinalCall.com) - The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan's recently completed tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the 'Cotton South' was historic in nature and its impact will be long-lasting.

The tour included events at Alabama A&M University, Tennessee State University, LeMoyne-Owen College and University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The following are excerpts from phenomenal articles written by Final Call Assistant Editor Ashahed M. Muhammad. Click the links below to see the full coverage!

HUNTSVILLE, Ala.­(April 10)- Thousands of students at Alabama A&M University welcomed the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan during the first stop of a scheduled tour reaching students from several historically Black colleges and universities throughout the “Cotton South.” Facilitated by Nation of Islam Study Group student minister Phillip Muhammad and sponsored by A& M’s Poetry Club, and the A&M Democrats, and the Delta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the event was a success, however, it was not without controversy. [Read more]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 12)- The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan spoke to hundreds of Black students April 12, however, it was not on the grounds of historic Tennessee State University as originally planned. The Minister delivered his passionate message containing guidance and encouragement to students from TSU and nearby Fisk University from the pulpit of Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church in downtown Nashville. [Read more]

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (April 14) - The first two stops on the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan’s tour of historically Black colleges and universities in the South were marked by externally generated controversy. Some members of the Jewish community placed tremendous pressure on the administrators and students at Alabama A&M aimed at preventing the Minister from addressing them April 10. They were unsuccessful, and he spoke to thousands at AAMU as well as nearby campuses tuning in via internet webcast. [Read More]

PINE BLUFF, Ark. (April 16) - In the final stop of his tour of historically Black colleges and universities, throughout the “Cotton South,” the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan spoke to thousands at the H.O. Clemmons Arena on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, April 16. His appearance was part of the “Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders” lecture series at UAPB, an 1890 Land-Grant HBCU with nearly 4,000 students. [Read More]

During a recent Twitter question and answer session, Minister Farrakhan responded to a question in regards to his presence on the Black college campuses. He tweeted in part:

LMBO! Did Alfonso Ribeiro aka 'Carlton Banks' originate the "Dougie" dance? You be the judge!

I admit I don't watch much television. However, I do own DVD collections of my favorite shows like Martin, Cosby Show and Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I wanted to close out the week by sharing one of the funniest YouTube videos ever! Did Alfonso Ribeiro aka 'Carlton Banks' originate the "Dougie" dance? You be the judge! LMBO! Nothing wrong with laughing. Matter of fact it is good for your health. (smile)

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Information Warfare presentation to Black males at Emancipation Park in Houston

On May 3, T.E.E.S. (Teens Exercising Extraordinary Success) coordinated and held a workshop presentation featuring me as the guest speaker. The title of my presentation was "Information Warfare; Taking Control of the Black Male and Female Image."  The presentation took place at Emancipation Park Community Center in Houston’s Third Ward area.  Several young men stopped playing basketball to attend the session.

In their assessment of my presentation, the directors of T.E.E.S., said "Mr. Muhammad presented to the youth a clean and dirty glass of water, asking which one they represent. He provided the young men with statistical information on murder rates, public assistance, drop out and other misinformation that is portrayed in the media. He encouraged the young men to love themselves and not love based on what they look like or the clothes that they wear, but true deep down love of self. One of the young men asked if the statistical and misinformation of young black men in the media is due to class warfare or racism. Mr. Muhammad responded that it is some of both and he advised the young men that the way to combat such stereotypes is “Black Excellence”. He impressed upon the young men to not allow their circumstances to define who they are and what they can become. He shared his personal story of struggle and told the attendees that he did not grow up privileged and can identify and relate to their struggle of not having a father figure." 

Two of the attendees received personal copies of Miami rapper, Trick Daddy’s autobiography “Tales of A Native Son” for their participation and engaging questions after the presentation. The Principal of HISD Advanced Virtual Academy stopped by to sit in on the presentation and at the conclusion, she informed the attendees about the availability of the free HISD Advanced Virtual Academy program for those who might be drop outs and/or thinking of dropping out. It was indeed a honor to be invited to speak to these young giants.

Teens Exercising Extraordinary Success (T.E.E.S.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. T.E.E.S. hosts Teen Table Talk Sessions for middle and high school youth, while providing a communication platform which is designed to allow youth and teens an opportunity to openly discuss issues they face in today’s society and seek methods to improve these issues. Visit their website at http://www.teeskaty.com/