New AfroSpear Page

I haven’t had the AfroSpear blogroll on my sidebar for some time now because I’ve been trying to keep the sidebar content to a minimum. Instead, I’ve kept an “Honor Roll” blogroll on the sidebar, which of course contains many AfroSpear blogs.

One aspect of being a part of the AfroSpear, however, is to help promote other AfroSpear blogs. So, I’m pleased to announce that I’ve created an AfroSpear blogroll page, and included an image link on my sidebar that you can use to get to the page. Looking to check out AfroSpear Blogs? Just look for this image on the sidebar and click on it (you can find it under the “Solidarity” heading).

There may be more pages like this popping up in the near future as well.

Gina McCauley Given Props by Essence Magazine

Gina McCauley of What About Our Daughters has been named one of the 25 Most Influential of 2007 by Essence magazine:

NEW YORK, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ — ESSENCE magazine reflects back on 2007 and recognizes 25 distinguished African-Americans who have made a difference. From triumphs on the playing field to victories in the court of public opinion, from groundbreaking moments in politics and entertainment to the hard-fought battles of everyday heroes, ESSENCE salutes those that gave everybody much to talk about in 2007. Senator Barack Obama received the most votes in an online poll on essence.com, earning recognition as the “Readers’ Choice” for the year’s most influential African-American.

“Some of the most poignant moments in African-American history took place in 2007, from the unified stance that was taken in support of the JENA Six and the Rutgers University Women’s Basketball team to the triumphant victory made by Barry Bonds,” says Angela Burt-Murray, editor-in-chief, ESSENCE. “Making their voices heard on essence.com, the overwhelmingly positive response from our 8 million readers for Senator Obama as African-American of the Year is noteworthy, as African-American women are predicted to be the tipping point for the Black vote in the 2008 election.”

“I am deeply honored to be named ESSENCE Magazine’s “Readers’ Choice: African-American of the Year,” says Senator Barack Obama. “Michelle and I have long admired ESSENCE for its invaluable role in celebrating the rich talents, beauty and spirit of African American women. It means a great deal to me to have the support of my fellow ESSENCE readers.”

Although the list honors renowned ministers like Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton and Bishop T.D. Jakes, and famous entertainers like Beyonce Knowles and Don Cheadle, unsung heroes are included as well, such as Majora Carter, founder of Sustainable South Bronx, a community organization dedicated to environmental rejuvenation. Newark mayor Cory A. Booker is also featured for his accomplishments, including a decline in city shootings, which are down 28 percent under his leadership.

The melange of influencers, ranging from actors and advocates to moguls and students, were compiled in a compelling feature of rarely seen before photos and biographical profiles.

25 Most Influential List
— Senator Barack Obama
— Gina McCauley- Blogger, whataboutourdaughters.com
— Tyler Perry – Writer, Producer, Director
— Majora Carter – Environmentalist, Founder, Executive Director,
Sustainable South Bronx
— Victoria Lanier- Former Youth Director, NAACP, Northeast Region
— Reverend Jesse L. Jackson – Civil Rights Activist, Minister
— Reverend Al Sharpton – Civil Rights Activist and President, National
Action Network
— The JENA Six
— Beyonce Knowles – Singer, Songwriter, Actress
— Oprah Winfrey – Media Mogul, School Founder
— Timbaland – Music Producer, Recording Artist
— Cory A. Booker – Mayor of Newark, New Jersey
— Lovie Smith – Head Coach, NFC Champions, Chicago Bears
— Tony Dungy – Head Coach, Super Bowl Champions, Indianapolis Colts
— Deval Patrick – Governor, Massachusetts
— Don Cheadle – Actor, Activist
— Shonda Rhimes – Creator, Executive Producer, Grey’s Anatomy and Private
Practice
— Venus Williams – Tennis Champion
— Charles Rangel – Chairman, House Committee on Ways and Means
— Barry Bonds – “Home Run King”
— Cynthia Tucker – Syndicated Columnist, Editorial Page Editor, Atlanta
Journal-Constitution
— The Scarlet Knights – Rutgers University Women’s Basketball Team, NCAA
Finalists
— Kiri Davis – Filmmaker, Youth Activist
— Bishop T.D. Jakes – Founder, Senior Pastor, The Potter’s House of
Dallas
— Steve Harvey – Radio Personality, Comedian, Actor

Congratulations are definitely in order to Gina. She is a tireless activist and she deserves all the recognition she receives. I do have to say, though, that I find myself agreeing with Mo’Kelly regarding some of the other choices on this list. Regardless, Congratulations to Gina! Now get over to her site and show her some much deserved love.

Blogging for Justice

Right on the heals of the Day of Red comes a Day of Blogging for Justice spearheaded by African American Political Pundit and the Afrospear

TODAY – Thursday, November 1, 2007 Afrospear members and Afrospear supporters are urged to blog to raise public awareness of the two rape cases involving black women. One woman, Megan Williams, was tortured, beaten, forced to eat rat, dog and human feces, and raped by six white men and women in West Virgina. The Other, a black woman from Dunbar Village, was gang raped and forced to have sex with her own son. By Black Teenagers (now charged as adults).

We are asking all bloggers who plan to blog on Thursday November 1, 2007 to send an email to AfricanAmericanPoliticalPundit at gmail dot com confirming your participation so we can track the number of blogs participating.

I ugre you to check out my previous post and follow the links, go to the Document the Silence Website and read and offer your support, check back with AAPP for updates on others blogging today. ,

There is also a Megan Williams petition you can sign.

Information about the case and the planned march on 3 November is here.

And you can learn more about and how to help the Dunbar Village victim at What About Our Daughters.

Darfur Blogging Against Genocide – 24 October

Yobachi has the call to action.

I previously told you about Amnesty International’s Day of Action for Darfuron October 24th; which is next Wednesday.

In conjunction, the Afrosphere Jena 6 Coalition is morphing into the Afrosphere Darfur Action Coalition to Blog Against Genocide on this day, with the aim of raising public awareness of this atrocity and applying public pressure to politicians.

I hope you will participate, and put forth at least this little effort towards helping end this humanitarian crisis.

We’re going to do this something like the Day of Blogging for Justice, so please comment and let us know if you’re going to blog against genocide on the 24th.

We ask that the post against genocide contain the following elements:

1. Ask your readers to call or mail the congress and, or, the white house.

2. A link to a cribbed letter (whatever one you like) that people can send and use as talking points. I found this pretty good one on an Oprah site. Who know she was even up on this issue?

3. A Virtual Marcher Pictures, such as was done for Jena 6.

4. A list of 3 succinct reasons you think the Darfur situation threatens humanity as a whole

5. A pledge in one’s own words to boycott the Olympic games and their sponsors if the sponsors don’t take a stance to persuade China to act on their influence over Sudan (In conjunction with signing the Global Petition at Dreamfordarfur.org.

6. Post a found video or make a youtube (or other video vendor) based Darfur video that they believe motivates action.

I know it’s a number of particular request, but it’s really not that much to take and post a picture, find a youtube video, post a couple of links to letters, and make a list of 3 reasons; especially considering we are talking about people being systematically raped and slaughtered.

Thanks for your participation – this will be another successful campaign

Worth Reading

Unless you are living in a cave with limited wireless access, you’ve heard that Mychal Bell is back in jail. This one leaves me speechless, although I’m not suprised. Not one bit.

Black Lawyers for Justice and the Support Committee for Megan Williams (I couldn’t find a link. If anyone knows of one, please let me know in comments) have a Call to Action for Megan Williams: National March Against Hate Crimes and Racism:

ST CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Oct. 12 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — March Purpose: To bring national and statewide support to Charleston resident Megan Williams, the Williams Family, and victims of other hate crimes nationwide. The Jena 6 case, the rise in the hanging of nooses, and other current acts of racially motivated injustice and intimidation against Blacks/African Americans will all be highlighted at this National March against Hate Crimes. Families and victims of hate crimes that are occurring throughout the nation will attend. Black Lawyers For Justice, the Williams Family and organizers are demanding that Federal Hate Crimes charges as well as State hate crime charges be brought in the Williams’ case.

When: Saturday, November 3, 2007 12:00 Noon (Pre-March Rally to begin at 10 a.m.)

Where: March begins at First Baptist Church 423 Shrewsbury St Charleston, W.Va. 25301 and Marchers will proceed to Charleston W.Va. State Capitol Building for National Rally

Contact: Black Lawyers for Justice (BLFJ)
Malik Shabazz, Esq. (Attorney for Megan Williams and the Williams’ Family)
Phone: 202-397-4577 Local: (304) 657-1493
Email: shabazzlaw@aol.com
Web: blacklawyersforjustice.org

Who are the Organizers?
The primary organizers for the march are Black Lawyers for Justice (BLFJ) and the Support Committee for Megan Williams. This march will be endorsed by at least 100 Black organizations, student groups, clergy, and leaders of every stripe. An initial endorsement list will be produced on 10-15-07.

WHY A MARCH TO SUPPORT MEGAN WILLIAMS AND OPPOSE HATE CRIMES?
On November 3, 2007 a historic National March will take place in Charleston, West Virginia. This call to action is to support young Megan Williams, who is the victim of one of the worst hate crimes in United States history. The March is also called to address an astounding yet unacceptable rise in hate crimes and incidents of injustices currently perpetrated against Blacks (African) Americans. On September 12, 2007, and in subsequent preliminary hearings, it was revealed that Megan Williams, a twenty year old Black Woman, was lured into a nearby Logan county trailer house of hatred. Young Megan, who also has special disability needs, was viciously and repeatedly raped, choked, stabbed, forced to eat dog and rat feces while her six white tormentors berated her by calling her “nigger” incessantly. According to evidence gathered, Megan was sodomized with a stick and a noose was tied around her neck for lengthy periods during this week long ordeal all of which has been verified by several of the co-defendants signed confessions. “This is an this ugly and outrageous ordeal.”

Prosecutors said. “Every time they stabbed her, they called her ‘nigger.” Carmen Williams, the mother, told The Charleston Gazette. “She wakes up in the middle of the night screaming, ‘Mommy.’ What’s really, really bad is, we don’t know everything, and they did to her. She is crying all the time. No doubt, had she not been rescued they were going to kill her and throw her in a nearby lake.”

Arrested are: Frankie Brewster, 49, and her son Bobby Brewster, 24., Karen Burton, 46; her daughter Alisha, 23; Danny Combs, 20, and George Messer, 27 -six whites from nearby Logan County, West Virginia. The suspects took turns beating, stabbing, choking and sexually abusing Williams, while consistently threatening her with death, according to criminal complaints. A rope was placed around Williams’ neck, her hair was ripped out and she was made to eat dog and rat feces, drink from a toilet and lick up blood, the complaint charges. At one point, she was sexually assaulted while scalding water and melting hot wax from a candle was poured on her body. At another point she was forced to lick the toes of the sadistic defendants. She was stabbed in the leg at least four times and both of her ankles were cut by a female suspect who allegedly taunted her, saying, “This one is for Kunta Kinte, and that’s what we do to niggers around here.”

“The Megan Williams case is beyond a doubt, one of the worst hate crimes in U.S. History. The Megan Williams case is even worse than the case of the Jena 6…,” said Attorney Malik Shabazz Esq., Megan Williams Family Attorney and Spokesman for Black Lawyers For Justice, speaking at the October 3rd preliminary hearing in Logan County, West VA.

Shabazz also stated, “The number of outright hate crimes and injustice cases against Blacks is rising so rapidly it’s hard for our office to keep track. We are calling for every concerned person in our community to respond to this national crisis with vigor and due diligence. The November 3rd March in Charleston is a big step in the direction of organizing to challenge the tide of attacks occurring against Blacks.”

HATE CRIMES DOCUMENTED
In addition to the Megan Williams case, criminal acts of hatred and intimidation using hanging nooses have sprung up all over the nation. The hanging noose, central to the Jena case, is used by racists as an actionable threat to the safety and well being of Blacks, who have suffered innumerable historical injustices via hanging ropes also known as lynching. On Sept 7th, a three foot noose was found hung at the University of Maryland, College Park, roiling the campus. On October 4th, the Pittsburgh Tribune Review reported that police were investigating several cases in which nooses were left at workplaces to intimidate black employees in the Pittsburgh area. The Tribune reported, “A supervisor at the Verizon Wireless Business Services Center in Marshall found a black doll with a noose around its neck and racial slurs directed at it.”

Several similar hate crime incidents have been reported in the Pittsburgh area in the last month. In Long Island, New York last month, police found a noose hanging in the locker room. Many believed it was hung by a police officer and was in response to the newly elected Black police chief. Last month, in North Carolina, nooses were found hung at a public school. On October 3rd in Washington D.C., white students and historical Galluadet University for the deaf, reportedly held a Black student hostage for over an hour and repeatedly wrote “KKK” all over his body with markers. All over the U.S., Police assaulting and killing unarmed Black victims is on the rise again.

A FOLLOW UP TO JENA
The November 3rd National March against Hate Crimes is also an effort to end the continued persecution of the Jena 6. Mychal Bell and the Jena 6 are still facing jail time after responding to racist persecution at the High school in Jena, Louisiana. Also the addresses and phone numbers of the Jena 6 Families were posted on Neo-Nazi/Klan websites; subsequently, white supremacists have committed acts of aggression near their homes and BLFJ has copies of letters from various Ku Klux Klan organizations directly threatening the Jena 6 families. Members of the Jena 6 are endorsing and are expected at this march.

Over 100 organizations, student groups, youth organizations, clergy, rappers, and leaders are set to endorse the November 3rd March (a list will be released on 10/15/07) Like in Jena, organizers going to get busses, travel the highway and organize to support Megan Williams and organize against these attacks.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

- Friday November 2nd 5:00 p.m.:
A Pre-March remembrance/ prayer vigil will take place at the Logan County trailer home where Megan Williams was kidnapped and tortured

- Saturday November 3rd 10 a.m.:
Pre-March Rally for National March against Hate Crimes and Racism
First Baptist Church 423 Shrewsbury St Charleston, WVA 25301

- Saturday November 3rd 12:00 noon:
National March against Hate Crimes and Racism, Charleston, West VA March will begin in front of the First Baptist Church located at 423 Shrewsbury St Charleston WVA 25301 and proceed to the West Virginia State Capitol Building

- Saturday November 3rd 5:00 p.m.:
Fundraiser for Megan Williams and Town Hall Meeting on Race Relations to take place at Rehoboth Cathedral of Christ in Charleston, West Virginia – Bishop James Carter III is the host pastor.

Information:
To Endorse This March or for Updates and Further Details, Contact us via web at www.Blacklawyersforjustice.org phone at (202) 397-4577 or via email at Shabazzlaw@aol.com.

NEWS SOURCE: Black Lawyers for Justice

This will be as big, if not bigger than the Jena protest. It seems as if many folks thought that hanging nooses all over the place would keep the uppity Negroes in place, but oh no; you were wrong. Very wrong.

Kai, bad ass that he is, brings it with The White Liberal Conundrum.

Thinking Girl tells it like it is and reminds everyone that handholding is not an option and that “objectivity is a myth.”

Chris Clarke weighs in on trolls and moderation policies. You might notice that I’ve linked to his post in my own comments policy. Read it. Understand it. If you don’t, you will probably be banned if you comment here.

Also read Roy’s post on privilege and oppression. I love Roy because he’s always willing to tackle the deep stuff. And he’s honest as all get out about it. The lack of bullshit that I find in his writing makes me happy.

Brownfemipower on the Institutional Violence Against Girls. Another must read. If you don’t follow the link, you are dumb.

And yeah, I’m happy to see Blackamazon, my hero, posting again. I hope she comes back to us.

National Lawyers Guild on the Jena Six

From The National Lawyers Guild.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, September 24, 2007

Contact: Kerry McLean, 917-334-9331
Marjorie Cohn, NLG President, 858-204-3565

NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD CALLS FOR RELEASE OF MYCHAL BELL, FOR ALL CHARGES AGAINST THE JENA 6 TO BE DROPPED, AND FOR FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO JENA 6 ARRESTS AND PROSECUTIONS

The National Lawyers Guild (NLG) calls for the immediate release of Mychal Bell, one of the six high school students who have come to be known as the “Jena 6.” The Guild also calls for all charges against the Jena 6 to be dropped, and for the investigation and disbarment of Judge J.P. Mauffray and District Attorney Reed Walters.

Judge J.P. Mauffray and DA Reed Walters have engaged in a string of egregious actions, the most recent of which was the denial of bail for Bell on Friday. The NLG urges that: 1) The United States Department of Justice convene an immediate inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the arrests and prosecutions of the Jena 6; 2) Judge Mauffray be recused from presiding over Bell’s juvenile court hearings or other proceedings; 3) The Louisiana Office of Disciplinary Counsel investigate Reed Walters for unethical and possibly illegal conduct; 4) The Louisiana Judiciary Commission investigate Judge Mauffray for unethical conduct; and 5) The Jena school district superintendent be removed from office.

“Contrary to what Reed Walters and J.P. Mauffray may think, Jena is subject to the same Constitution that the rest of the United States is,” remarked Kerry McLean, member of the executive board of the NLG.

“There have been numerous, brazen violations of the constitutional rights of the Jena 6.” McLean continued, “In addition to the constitutional violations, Walters and Mauffray have breached the ethical requirements of their offices. They should be made to answer for all of this.”

“The double standard of justice in Jena, one for black students and another for whites, is emblematic of the racism that still permeates many towns throughout the South and the country as a whole. There must be an immediate and full investigation of judicial and prosecutorial malfeasance in Jena, Louisiana,” said Marjorie Cohn, President of the NLG.

There is an unequal justice system in Jena, where blacks are routinely the victims of discriminatory and oppressive treatment by officials.

Founded in 1937 as an alternative to the American Bar Association which did not admit people of color, the National Lawyers Guild is the oldest and largest public interest/human rights bar organization in the United States. Its headquarters are in New York and it has chapters in every state.

Keeping Up With The Jena Protest

The protest is on. I’ve yet to see any hard figures on the number of people that are there, but it’s definitely in the thousands judging from the news reports on CNN and MSNBC. The Mayor has declared a state of emergency (he did so several days ago in anticipation of the event), the schools are closed, and most businesses are closed as well. The protest has remained calm, as expected.

The protest was supposed to have ended by now, but people are still showing up. Jena is a small town of 3,000 and obviously the two lane roads there have become overwhelmed.

Shawn Williams of the Dallas South blog and Afrospear member is interviewed by MSNBC (scroll down to the “Town Prepares for ‘Jena Six’ Protests” under “Nightly News’ segments from Wednesday, Sept. 19th”).

Howard Witt, of the Chicago Tribune writes about the growing influence of Black bloggers.

CNN has videos from the rally.

EverythingBlack.com has a live radio broadcast from Jena.

Not in Jena? I hope you’re wearing black (or green).

Also see Color of Change for ways, including a phone calling tool, that you can do your part.

Take part in the Virtual Rally, sponsored by the Ultraviolet Underground:

Not everyone has the means to attend the March on September 20th for the Jena 6, so a Virtual march is being coordinated online as a show of solidarity and support.
Even the smallest show of support can make tremendous difference to the movement seeking justice for Jena 6 and true equality in the living experience of African-Americans and people of color in this country, and globally. A press release will follow, and the link will be included here as an update. For now and even after the date of commencement for the Virtual march for Jena 6′ on September 20th you can sign up as a participant in the comment section of this blog entry.

How to participate:

Take a photo of yourself holding a ‘Free Jena 6′ or ‘Pardon the Jena 6′ sign.
You can make the sign out of available materials in a simple or elaborate style according to your means and intent.
If possible wear black in this photo to coordinate with the efforts of the ‘Color of Change’ March taking place on September 20, 2007 in Jena Louisiana. The final step is to post these pictures to your blogs, preferably in a sidebar or constantly visible spot on your site. These photos should remain until true justice is served in the Jena 6 case. See the sidebar for more information and updates on the Jena 6 case.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

For those who can make it to the Color of Change March on September 20th visit them for more details:

http://www.colorofchange.org/jena/action.html?id=1829-227923