Social Justice
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The national guard has descended upon the city of Louisville, Kentucky after a night of violent protests in wake of Wednesday’s grand jury indictment of Louisville Detective Brett Hankison. Hankinson has been charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, but no officers will be charged directly in the death of Breonna Taylor. This news comes 196 days after Taylor was shot and killed by police officers inside her home. The death of Taylor has sparked outrage across the United States from civilians and celebrities calling for justice. Following the grand jury’s decision to not bring charges against the officers, protesters and demonstrators took to the streets in several cities across the nation, including Louisville, Portland, Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. Gunfire erupted at some point, and two police offers were shot. Their injuries were non-life threatening. President Donald Trump tweet about the incident. Praying for the two police officers that were shot tonight in Louisville, Kentucky. The Federal Government stands behind you and is ready to help. Spoke to @GovAndyBeshear and we are prepared to work together, immediately upon request! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2020 “Praying for the two police officers that were shot tonight in Louisville, Kentucky,” he said. “The Federal Government stands behind you and is ready to help.” Former vice president and 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden countered by tweeting his own words of encouragement to the officers, “Even amidst the profound grief and anger today’s decision generated, violence is never and can never be the answer,” he said. ” Jill and I are keeping the officers shot tonight in Louisville in our prayers.” Even amidst the profound grief & anger today's decision generated, violence is never & can never be the answer. Those who engage in it must be held accountable. Jill & I are keeping the officers shot tonight in Louisville in our prayers. We wish them both a swift & full recovery. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 24, 2020 According to reports, a suspect has been charged in the shooting of the two Louisville officers. Other cities have seen mounting tension. Molotov cocktails were used to set fires to government buildings in downtown Portland.
HOUSTON – Award-Winning R&B/ Soul Singer Leela James has partnered with The Buffalo Soldiers Museum, HipHop Streets, & The Williams Group to host a community voters registration drive called “This Hits Home” on Friday. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Buffalo Soldiers Museum located at 3816 Caroline Street in the Third Ward / Museum District.James is a huge advocate for voting, in which she is a deputy register along with all of her event partners. The community will be able to drive directly in front of The Buffalo Soldiers Museum to receive a registration form to fill out.There will be also various members of the Hip-Hop community in attendance from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m, helping to encourage people to vote. About Leela James: James made her debut on the soundtrack to the 2000 Jamie Foxx film Bait on The Roots song “Work”, credited as Alechia James. In 2004, James toured as an opening act for The Black Eyed Peas and Macy Gray. That same year, she was featured on hip hop producer, DJ, and emcee Pete Rock‘s album Soul Survivor II, providing vocals to the track “No Tears”. In 2005, she lent her voice to the posthumously released Ray Charles album Genius & Friends, duetting with the singer on the song “Compared to What”. James’ debut album, A Change Is Gonna Come, was released on June 21, 2005. The album was conceived as a throwback to an earlier era of American soul music, building upon the legacy of 1960s and 1970s soul singers while incorporating elements of contemporary R&B, funk, and gospel. In the lyrics to the album’s lead single, “Music”, James laments the current state of contemporary popular music. She condemns the glorification of materialism and misogyny that has often been attributed to the lyrical content of contemporary R&B and hip hop songs while pleading for the return of the artistry, dedication, and sincerity displayed by musicians of earlier decades. James co-wrote most of the tracks on her debut album, two exceptions being her covers of the pop rock band No Doubt‘s 1996 hit “Don’t Speak” and the classic title song by Sam Cooke, for which the album is named. Notable collaborators on the album include Raphael Saadiq, Kanye West and Wyclef Jean. She guested on Robert Randolph and the Family Band‘s 2006 album Colorblind, lending her vocals to “Stronger.” After parting ways with Warner Bros., James signed with the independent label Shanachie Records and released her second studio album on March 24, 2009, an all-cover set entitled Let’s Do It Again (the title being a homage to the 1975 soundtrack album of the same name by The Staple Singers). In June 2009, she appeared on the Moby album Wait for Me, performing the vocal on “Walk with Me.” James’ third album My Soul – her debut release for the Stax label – was released on May 24, 2010, and debuted on the US Hip Hop/R&B chart at #7. Speaking in May 2010 to UK soul writer Pete Lewis of Blues & Soul, she said,”With this album, I wanted to make sure that I showed all sides of me – in terms of variety in the music and in my vocal range – while at the same time making it clear that every song deeply came from my soul. Plus I also wanted to incorporate a little more hip hop this time, and infuse it with my traditional R&B – because I felt that. By making my beats edgier and harder-hitting, I’d show there was more to me than just doing ballads and things of that sort.”
The Supreme Court honored Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in a private ceremony, followed by public viewing on Wednesday. Ginsburg, a feminist icon and champion for social justice, died Friday at the age of 87 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. She was the second woman appointed to the Supreme Court and served for more than 27 years. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg lies in repose at the Supreme Court, where thousands of mourners are expected to pay their respects. https://t.co/4737VD5i7O — HuffPost (@HuffPost) September 23, 2020 “It has been said that Ruth wanted to be an opera virtuoso, but became a rock star instead,” Chief Justice John Roberts said during his eulogy. “But she chose the law. Subjected to discrimination in law school and the job market because she was a woman, Ruth would grow to become a leading advocate fighting such discrimination in court. She was not an opera star, but she found her stage right behind me, in our courtroom.” Ginsburg will lie in repose for two days at the top of the front steps of the Supreme Court building. The public viewing is being held outdoors to follow COVID protocol. On Friday, Ginsburg’s casket will be moved to the U.S. Capitol building for another ceremony, and she will be the first woman to ever lie in state.
HOUSTON — On Thursday, local gas station owner Taha Hashmi delivered 25 boxes of hand sanitizers and masks to Texas Southern University on freshmen Move-In Day. The business owner donated “FuelUP for your Safety Bundle Kits,” which provide essentials for students as they begin in-person learning. “My brother is a Texas Southern University student and in a discussion of giving back, it was mentioned hand sanitizers and masks are something they would need going back to classes,” Hashmi said. “The items would be more accessible to students that do not have vehicles to get the essentials they are required to have on hand at all times. Additionally, millennials are our top-grossing customers at all locations.” Hashmi also passed out much-needed gas station gift cards to students and faculty. Melinda Spaulding, TSU VP for University Advancement, expressed gratitude. “We are very grateful for this thoughtful and generous donation to our Texas Southern University students. The hand sanitizer and mask kits are essential to help keep them safe,” Spaulding said. “We value our relationship with community partners like Mr. Hashmi and we thank him and the FuelUP team for keeping our TSU Tigers in mind as he operates and serves our surrounding neighborhood.” Remember, we are all in this together.
Kim Kardashian West is proving to be a chip off the old block, continuing to follow in the legal footsteps of her father Robert Kardashian, who was a member of OJ Simpson’s infamous murder defense team. The reality show queen and wife of Kanye West has added Corey Miller — brother of hip hop legend Master P — to the growing list of people she’s fighting to free from incarceration as part of her criminal justice reform initiative. Miller, a New Orleans rapper and part of his brother’s “No Limit Records” dynasty, was sentenced in 2009 to life in prison after the 2002 shooting death of one of his fans. Miller has continued to maintain his innocence and, in 2018, two witnesses allegedly confirmed Miller wasn’t the shooter, and confessed they were pressured to lie under oath, WDSU-TV and CNN reported. Kardashian West posted statements about the case in a series of tweets which read: “The jury convicted Corey 10-2 and he was sentenced him to life in prison. If his trial was today, the jury would have had to be unanimous for him to be convicted.” “Since his trial, witnesses have recanted, new evidence of his potential innocence has come to light, and there are claims of jurors being pressured into voting to convict.” “True justice for the young man requires that the person who actually killed him be held responsible and that Corey Miller be returned home to his kids.” Kardashian West got involved after R&B singer Monica, who was dating Miller at the time, reached out to her for help. “@cmurder & I arebonded by truth, honesty & Loyalty! There’s never been a promise broken & I vowed to seek help! After a tearful conversation with @lala she and I spoke to @kimkardashian & I explained why I KNEW Corey was innocent… I shared that There are lots of issues in Corey’s case that speak to his innocence including witnesses recanting their testimony, dna not matching & a 10-2 jury!” the singer posted on Instagram. “Corey deserves to come home to his girls and be the father they need, be the artist & leader he’s always been as well as spread hope to those who have also experienced this.. I’ve locked arms with @kimkardashian, @jessicajackson, @edyhaney and all those who believe in Corey and are ready to fight to #FreeCoreyMiller #FreeCoreyMiller #FreeCoreyMiller” Kardashian West has made groundbreaking strides in her quest to free the wrongfully convicted and/or person’s with unreasonably harsh sentences and she’s even gotten help from President Donald Trump. In 2018, the president commuted the sentence for Alice Marie Johnson, a first-time nonviolent drug offender who’d been serving a life sentence since 1996, days ater Kardashian West spoke to him on Johnson’s behalf. In addition, Kardashian West has helped more than a dozen other first-time nonviolent drug offenders, and is studying to become a lawyer. View this post on Instagram @cmurder & I are bonded by truth, honesty & Loyalty ! There’s never been a promise broken & I vowed to seek help! After a tearful conversation with @lala she and I spoke to @kimkardashian & I explained why I KNEW Corey was innocent… I shared that There are lots of issues in Corey’s case that speak to his innocence including witnesses recanting their testimony, dna not matching & a 10-2 jury! Corey deserves to come home to his girls and be the father they need, be the artist & leader he’s always been as well as spread hope to those who have also experienced this.. I’ve locked arms with @kimkardashian, @jessicajackson, @edyhaney and all those who believe in Corey and are ready to fight to #FreeCoreyMiller #FreeCoreyMiller #FreeCoreyMiller A post shared by Monica 🖤 (@monicadenise) on Aug 16, 2020 at 12:41pm PDT
WASHINGTON – A horse-drawn carriage, the American flag, military salutes and an outpouring of love and support from leaders across the nation, Rep. John Lewis was laid to rest in grand fashion. It’s not that anyone is surprised, but in true Donald Trump fashion, the president of the United States announced he would not be attending memorial services for the late civil rights leader who died July 17 from pancreatic cancer. Lewis was 80 years old. A six-day memorial service was planned for Lewis, who would lie in state at the Capitol. The public would be allowed to pay respects on Monday and Tuesday. “No, I won’t be going, no,” Trump told reporters. Q: “Do you plan on paying your respects to Congressman Lewis either today or tomorrow at the Capitol?” President Trump: “No. I won’t be going. No.” pic.twitter.com/dRYg3uCxpi— CSPAN (@cspan) July 27, 2020 Vice President Mike Pence and second lady Karen Pence, however, would be in attendance. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden also honored Lewis. Lewis was known for making “Good Trouble.” The civil rights icon served in Congress for more than 30 years and fought against segregation and discrimination against Black Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. He was an organizer of the March on Washington, being the youngest speaker to address the crowd, and was also a member of the original Freedom Riders. He risked his life for what he believed in, having been beaten and jailed several times. Lewis made his final journey on Sunday across the famous Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, where a 25-year-old Lewis and other unarmed marchers were met by state and local police who attacked them with clubs, fracturing Lewis’ skull in what became known as “Bloody Sunday.” “I gave a little blood on that bridge,” Lewis said about that day. “I thought I was going to die. I thought I saw death.” This time, 55 years later, the bridge was covered with rose petals in Lewis’ honor. John Lewis is carried across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, where he helped lead a march for voting rights in 1965, for the last time. The rose petals on the ground represent the blood spilled on Bloody Sunday. pic.twitter.com/EU0KPQo88l — philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 26, 2020 Trump and Lewis were not fans of one another. In 2017, Trump tweeted that Lewis was “all talk … no action or results,” after Lewis announced that he would not attend Trump’s inauguration. “I don’t see this president-elect as a legitimate president,” Lewis told NBC’s “Meet the Press” before the inauguration. “I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected and they have destroyed the candidacy of Hillary Clinton.” Trump ordered the White House to lower flags to half-staff in honor of Lewis. He also tweeted his condolences. “Saddened to hear the news of civil rights hero John Lewis passing. Melania and I send our prayers to he and his family.” This is not the first funeral that Trump did not attend. He did not attend services for the late GOP Sen. John McCain or Rep. Elijah Cummings, who many say bore a striking resemblance to Lewis. We will forever be grateful to those who fought the good fight for us. No trouble like “Good Trouble.” We will make sure the legacy continues. #RIP
“I have admired the work of Congressman John Lewis for many years. His life’s work has truly inspired me to fight for what I believe in and social equality,” KTSU General Manager Ernest Walker said.
In the wake of George Floyd’s tragic death and the resulting national outcry for systemic policing reforms, Texas Southern University’s Center for Justice Research (CJR) has formed a National Police Reform Advisory Group. The expert-laden advisory group will help chart the national response for the sustainable improvement of police-community relations. “We have an opportunity to be at the forefront in the shift in American policing,” said Dr. Howard Henderson, founding director of CJR, which formed in 2018 as a nonpartisan research center devoted to data-driven solutions for an equitable criminal justice system. “Out of the unprecedented support for change, we have found a lack of solution-oriented approaches to police-community relations. As such, the creation of the National Police Reform Advisory Group brings together nationally-recognized experts with prior police and criminal justice field experience.” Henderson said members of the advisory group have experience in police training at the international, federal, state and local levels. The group will ultimately help shape the future of police reform by: –Assisting with the strategic research and program approach to police reform–Serving as technical advisors on police reform efforts, research protocols and policy developments–Providing advice to police administrators, mayors, and other government officials on research and development sponsored and/or conducted in the name of police reform. hrough the Center for Justice Research, the advisory group will provide evidence-supported recommendations of the existing police reform recommendations and put forth any necessary additions. The group will advise on the initial police reform policy and practice needs assessment and the continued activity of the national and local police reform movement. The group’s overall objectives and the suggested path forward will be agreed to by its members, ultimately benefiting from the collective knowledge, skills and abilities of its credentialed members. For updates on status of Police Reform Advisory Group, visit https://centerforjusticeresearch.org/advisory-group/. Quotes from National Police Reform Advisory Group members: “As our elected officials and criminal justice leaders begin the tough work on criminal justice policy reform to address the historic and perpetual, unjust and unfair treatment of communities of color, it is imperative that they be provided with sound advice grounded in research evidence and lived experiences,” said Paul Elam, Ph.D., chief strategy officer with MPHI. “Many of our policy efforts have failed because we have not placed the people who are most impacted at the center of conversations which seek to find solutions to problems affecting them. This advisory group will be comprised of doctorally prepared, national experts who have years of experience working in communities where structural racism has negatively impacted the life outcomes of many black and brown residents. The advisory group will use a culturally responsive and racial equity lens emphasizes that emphasizes the powerful impact of inter-institutional dynamics, institutional dynamics, institutional resources inequities and historical legacies on racial inequalities in our current criminal justice system.” “Because of the continued tumult between the police and the community, a think tank (research group) that examines policing from the perspective of the community, particularly communities of color, is essential to get at the root cause of the problem,” said Lorenzo M. Boyd, Ph.D., assistant provost for diversity and inclusion and director of the Center for Advanced Policing, University of New Haven and former president of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. “This multidisciplinary, multi-perspective approach will address not just the outcomes from police community relations, but we will delve into the underlying problems to address and view police training from a proactive, community-based lens.” “The Advisory Group has been established to serve as an assemblage of intellectuals to facilitate the orchestration of policy changes in police and criminal justice reform,” said Ronald Craig, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminal justice and criminology at Tennessee State University. “Further the group is solution orientated in the implementation of change in this unprecedented time in American history.” “This advisory group is a response to a legacy of police violence that has heightened the current pain in the Black community. As such, we must continue to work diligently to challenge anti-Black racism in all forms so that George Floyd’s death and the countless others won’t be in vain,” said David Baker, Ph.D., interim chair of the Administration of Justice department at Texas Southern University. “This country has reached a boiling point with many of its police departments and their relationship with the community, particularly the African American community,” said K.B. Turner, Ph.D., department chair of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Memphis. “Indeed, this country is close to its nadir in the history of American policing. It is (past) time for a reexamination and evaluation of American policing. This includes personnel, police procedures and practices, equipment, and utility of that equipment. This advisory group brings its passion and collective experience to serve as change agents in providing reform to ensure constitutional policing and accountability. The issues that have become so salient in recent weeks demands that this advisory group provide effective leadership at a time where it is missing, but sorely needed.” “It is vital that the voices of those with lived experience have a seat at the table from start to finish,” said Bahiyyah M. Muhammad, Ph.D., assistant professor and Inside Out program administrator with the Department of Sociology and Criminology at Howard University. “Far too often are the voices and actions of the directly impacted heard from the sidelines. This approach is far from acceptable. As the world has come together during this time of grief, swift and democratic action is needed. It is often said, ‘those who are closest to the problem are closest to the solution.’ We are committed to making this a reality. With racist and outdated theories that perpetuate white supremacy, there is only one way forward. That being, through the leadership of Black scholars who have lived experience, community respect and a track record of renown scholarship and service to their own. This will be the only way to advance the movement beyond the hashtag #Blacklivesmatter soundbite that currently dominates
