The People's President

Click the link above to read the story behind this iconic photo of the President and a young African American boy who found familiarity and recognition on the President's hair.

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Hal Jackson Tribute at Mt. Pisgah BC in Brooklyn, featuring, Dance Master Kenny J

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www.colorlines.com Looks Back at the L.A. Riots Through the Eyes of People ho Were Children at the Time

Throughout the past month I’ve seen hundreds of news stories on the L.A. Riots and almost every single one of them was published by someone who experienced the events of 1992 as an adult. But we haven’t heard anything from the perspective of children who lived through the civil unrest and remember the chaos. 

I was 9-years-old and living just a mile away from the intersection of Normadie and Florence where Reginald Denny was pulled out of a trailer and brutally beaten. I have vivd memories of my mother and I looking out our window at news helicopters in the sky, then turning around and seeing the images they were shooting of our neighborhood on the television screen. I remember the anxiety on my mother’s face because my older brother wasn’t home from football practice yet. CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING

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INTRODUCING "SINGLE STEPS"

BY SONJA GRACY!

“Wee Island Get-A-Way.”

I believe some of life’s most blurred seasons are best tread in creative, single steps. Because I believe that’s so, I make it my business to always find creative, little ways to enjoy my days through big and small inspirations. I especially enjoy experiencing “me time” in nifty, inexpensive ways - such is the case for my “wee island get-a-ways.”

Now don’t laugh, but as a still single woman bent on experiencing the best life has to offer in all of its sublime and not so sublime moments, my wee island get-a-ways to - get this - “Staten Island,” is one comedic but clever way I’ve found for an enjoyable, free moment of self-reflection.

I discovered this no-tariff, quick pleasure a year or so ago en route to an “SI” appointment. It was my first ever ferry ride over. And with a steamy cup of Starbuck’s coffee in hand on a great autumn afternoon, I took in the New York City sky line, its famed landmark buildings, the stately Statue of Liberty and other pretty views I’d long taken for granted as a scurrying native New Yorker. The short sail, cool breeze, and bright blue sky were soulish, cheap respites to simply think, sit back, and reflect. There on the “Spirit of America,” I took time out for myself sipping coffee, pausing, and praying and thanking God for the freedom to simply “do me.”  That moment had been an unfettered one to reflect on my next steps for that day and the sequential ones thereafter.  CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE

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OUR PRESIDENT IS SEXY AND HE KNOWS IT!

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IN THE WAKE OF THE TRAYVON MARTIN SHOOTING

IN SANFORD, FLORIDA,

THE MEN OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY ASK,

“DO I LOOK SUSPICIOUS?”

A Deaf Student's Experience with President Obama

(Yes, that's MY President! I, too, am proud of him!)

Hello, I would love to share my experience; something that I will not forget for rest of my life. Today was a special day for me, and I was preparing for it. It was announced yesterday, March 14, for everyone to receive tickets to see none other than the President of the United States, Barack Obama!

When I got ready to get up the morning at 7 am, I did not rush and took my time since the admission started at 8:30 am. I ate some breakfast and got onto the train to get to Prince George’s Community College. When I got there, there was such a long line and I got so worried that I wouldn’t get a good seat to be able to see my interpreter! How was it possible for me to understand what Obama had to say?!

I decided to let go of my nerves and went with the flow. I waited in line to go through security. Security was almost like security at the airport. It was the first time for me to experience that kind of security outside an airport. Of course, I have been to airports numerous times, but it was my first time to have that kind of experience on my college campus. I was not used to it. I saw the actual Secret Service, and you could feel how serious and strict they were, much different than dealing with county and even state police! You could tell they were not playing around.

When I got in, I took many videos. What amazed me is that it took two hours to make it just right before Obama started. I did not realize how great of seats there were for us deaf people. Right front of Obama. I sat in VIP with the Governor Martin O’Malley and many other important people. So, it started at about 11. Obama was right front of me. I was ready to jump up and walk toward him and shake his hand. Could you imagine how the Secret Service would’ve responded? When I watched Obama give his speech on the stage I thought to myself, “No way, Obama is not standing right in front of me! Wow!”

If you want to know more about what Obama’s speech was about, you can find out online. I was close enough to touch Martin O’Malley on his shoulder but I didn’t want to bother him. I regret I could have done better holding my camera while talking to Obama. The moment I will never forget was when he looked at me. He gave me a chance to talk to him. It was like he was waiting for me to say something. I took the moment and signed “I am proud of you,” and his response was “Thank u” in sign language back! Oh my gosh! I was like wow! He understood me after I said I was proud of him. It was so amazing…I was just speechless. Right after he thanked me, he smiled at another deaf lady who signed “I love you.” When I shook his hand it did not feel like he was superior to me. He was just a humble man. I am just impressed by him and know that he will have my vote and he will win second term without a doubt. Yeah, I feel safe to have him for another term.

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View The Positive Community's Health Roundtable

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African American Faith Leaders Condemn Rev. Franklin Graham’s Questioning of President Obama’s Religion

NAACP Religious Roundtable Decries Attack on President’s Faith as “Weapon of Political Division”

(Washington, DC) --  Today, faith leaders including the Presidents of the National Baptist Convention USA, the National Baptist Convention of America, and the Progressive National Baptist Convention published an open letter condemning recent comments by Rev. Franklin Graham that call into question the Christian faith of President Obama. “These kinds of comments,” the letter says, “could have enormous negative effects for America and are especially harmful to the Christian witness.”

The open letter can be read at http://www.naacp.org/news/entry/naacp-faith-leaders-speak-out-on-rev.-franklin-graham

The faith leaders, all members of the NAACP’s religious roundtable, call on Rev. Graham to “refrain from using Christianity as a weapon of political division.”

Graham, the son of evangelist Billy Graham and the current CEO of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, publicly questioned President Obama’s Christianity on the MSNBC program “Morning Joe,” last Tuesday. When asked whether he believes that President Obama is a Christian, Rev. Graham responded “I cannot answer that question for anybody," before saying that "Islam sees him as a son of Islam because his father was a Muslim, his grandfather was a Muslim, great grandfather was a Muslim and so under Islamic law, the Muslim world sees Barack Obama as a Muslim.” He followed up saying that “Under President Obama, the Muslims of the world, he seems more concerned about them than the Christians being murdered in the Muslim countries.” Graham’s full remarks can be viewed here http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/21/10466877-rev-graham-obama-seen-as-son-of-islam

“The notion that President Obama is deceiving America about his faith is a serious allegation,” said Rev. Nelson B. Rivers III, NAACP Vice President of Stakeholder Relations. “It is particularly disappointing to see this sort of ugly public disparagement coming from a Christian leader as prominent as Rev. Graham.”

The religious leaders also expressed concern that the Rev. Graham’s comments play into racial mistrust of President Obama. “His statements seem to appeal to some of the worst racist behavior we have seen in recent times in our nation,” the letter reads.

The letter calls on Rev. Graham “and all Christian leaders to exemplify this essential teaching of Jesus and refrain from using Christianity as a weapon of political division.” It was signed by Dr. Carroll Baltimore, President, Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.; Dr. Dale Braxton, President, National Convocation of the Christian Church, Disciples of Christ; Bishop John R. Bryant, Senior Bishop, AME Church; Rev. Ronnie Miller-Yow, Chairperson, Black Methodist for Church Renewal; Dr. Julius Scruggs, President, National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.; Dr. Stephen Thurston, President, National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.; Bishop George W. C. Walker, Senior Bishop, AME Zion Church; Bishop Henry Williamson, Eighth Episcopal District CME Church; Dr. Amos C. Brown, Chair, NAACP Religious Affairs Committee; Dr. Frederick D. Haynes, III, Member of NAACP Religious Affairs Committee and Pastor Friendship West Baptist Church, Dallas, TX; Bishop Roy A. Holmes, Member of NAACP Religious Affairs Committee and Midwest Episcopal District, AME Zion Church; Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention;  Rev. Julius C. Hope, Director, NAACP Religious Affairs Department; and Rev. Nelson B. Rivers, III, Vice President, NAACP Stakeholder Relations.

*****************************************************************Newark, NJ – February 14, 2012 – Mayor Cory A. Booker and Municipal Court Chief Judge Richard E.A. Nunes announced today that the Newark Municipal Court worked to spread St. Valentine’s Day joy by offering mass weddings and civil unions, in the Newark Municipal Court, at 31 Green Street. Of the 85 ceremonies that were scheduled, 83 weddings and two civil unions were held today.

 The Municipal Court, as it has in years past, mobilized its judges and staff to hold weddings and civil union ceremonies that day.  The Court also provided couples with a complimentary photograph taken under the Court’s wedding trellis as a memento of their special day.

 “Valentine’s Day is a special day, symbolic of love and friendship. I commend our Municipal Court team for preserving one of our City’s great traditions of holding mass weddings, so couples planning to marry can do so on this special day,” Mayor Booker said.

Reservations and marriage license applications were made in advance. Weddings were held from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. The court staff processed marriage licenses and civil union certificates according to a strict schedule and guided the couples to courtrooms, where judges were assigned to perform each ceremony individually. Interpreters were available to assist persons who speak Spanish and Portuguese. Couples must have had a valid marriage license and two witnesses to get married or be joined in a civil union.

 “The entire Newark Municipal Court staff looks forward to participating in the Valentine’s Day weddings each year.” Judge Nunes said.  “It is very gratifying to be able to be a part of a very special day in the lives of so many Newark residents. Today they start their lives together.”

 Holding mass weddings for Valentine’s Day is an annual program. Last year the Municipal Court united 65 couples in marriages or civil unions. In 2010 there were 30 wedding ceremonies performed. In 2009 the Municipal Court united 35 couples. In 2008, the marathon wedding ceremonies saw the nuptials of 56 couples. The record was 100 couples united in 2002, when the tradition began.

Judge Bahir Kamil united Nicole Womack with her boyfriend of five years, Terrell Oliver. “It was a very nice ceremony,” Ms. Womack said after the wedding. “I’m grateful to the City for doing this.”

 The judge was doing his seventh wedding of the day, but he had plenty of energy for the nuptials. “It’s hard work, but the spirit is high today. We have this down to an art,” Judge Kamil said. “It’s a great day for the court, great community spirit, and great for the City. Everybody gets dressed up and excited.”

 At the ceremony, Ms. Womack wore a white gown, and her daughter Zaniyah Womack, aged 10, snapped photos of her mother and new stepfather. “Mommy looked very pretty today,” she said.

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