Uptown Notes

Over the weekend I reluctantly listened to the news as they discussed Somali Pirates and the container ship Maersk Alabama. Yesterday’s decision by the US Navy seals to kills three Pirates further saddened me. While I’ve heard people quickly jump behind the American crew and ship, most of this has occurredwithout context. This isn’t to suggest that if you read these links, watch these videos, etc. that you will or should support the Pirates, but I am pretty sure it will help you better generally understand some of the dynamics that the Somali people live under.

Today, Pintando Postales opens at the Brooklyn College library and it is a rare opportunity to hear and see the world through children’s eyes in New York City and Santiago de Cuba! The work is a multi-year project executed by Katie Yamasaki, but more importantly it lifts the voices and worlds of school-aged children between New York City and Santiago de Cuba in correspondence.

Slavery did not end, it’s just been updated in the form of human trafficking! Beneath you will find a video that I was recently emailed that features a song by Peter Buffet andAkon. The song is entitled, “Blood into Gold (Remix)” and was commissioned to heighten awareness of modern day slavery in the form of human trafficking. Human trafficking is a major problem throughout the globe, but flourishes in many places throughout the African Diaspora. Please spread the word and also visit www.istheresomethingicando.com to find out how to move from awareness to action!

Protest actions: Today a rally against the NY Post for their incendiary “political” cartoon. Student take back NYU and stream occupation live.

If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people […]

Yesterday and today, some of the most violent attacks on the Palestinian people in decades were launched by the Israeli military. As I write this, the death toll is approximately 280, and the number of innocent lives that will continue to be lost are unknown. I value human life and really have dreamed about a peaceful middle east, but now, more than ever, I’m concerned that my wishes have been nothing more than a dream. The question of Zionism remains one of the most politically contentious among global citizens today. Beneath you will find two videos from the greatKwame Ture (Stokley Carmichael), who left the earth in 1998, speaking on the distinction between Judaism and Zionism and his position on imperialism. Please listen. We can no longer afford to not value human life.

Over the past week, the media and everyone who could jump on the bandwagon of wagging fingers, frowned brows, and […]

So I was traveling this past week and didn’t get a chance to hit you with anything new. But now […]

The video beneath is powerful, truthful, and only 8 and a half minutes. Please watch. It is an adaptation from […]