Category Archives: Media

Say It Ain’t So

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In a recent article from Colorlines it appears that many people in Sanford, FL have had mishandled cases by the police department. This comes to light in the aftermath of the Trayvon murder and scandal of an uncharged man. For those of you who may live in a bubble of seclusion, Trayvon was followed by a 240lb man on a dark rainy night. To which, Trayvon defended himself from attack and that man shot him, point-blank, in the chest. Said man claims self-defense. I’ve eliminated the racial identities of both Trayvon and his killer because honestly, as much as this may be racially fueled, this is more a matter of wrong and right. You cannot follow someone, approach them, and then claim self-defense when THEY were defending themselves against you – a stranger who pursued them on a rainy night. Anyway, in light of this tragedy, many others are stepping forward with claims of injustice in their cases. The Justice Department is stepping in to review the police department in Sanford. (article: http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/03/sanford_city_manager_asks_justice_department_to_investigate_entire_police_department.html)
An old adage says, “in every bad comes a good.” Maybe this is the good to come from Trayvon’s untimely and unjustified death. I personally support the national sensation surrounding this tragedy. I believe that some of the good coming out of this is 1. Sanford, Fl is being publicly put on display as on overtly racist town and community 2. racial injustices are being brought to the forefront of discussions and 3. people are FINALLY taking notice to much of what I’ve said all along – racism exists in systematic policy, government, and law. I’ve been hearing a lot of people say things like, “the way this world is going” or “how things have changed” BUT I disagree to those statements. Nothing has changed in our world and it is going the same place it always has been. This country was founded on systematic racism, discrimination, and injustice. The change is the internet and social media. People are finally becoming aware to the MULTITUDE of racial injustices of our country. Social media is allowing for the likely breezed-over story (of Trayvon and so many others) to come to light with force and magnitude.

A revolution needs to happen.
notjustmythoughts

Slavery’s Last Stronghold

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“Slavery’s Last Stronghold” by John D Sutter (pictures/video by Edythe McNamee)

Please read this article from CNN. This story was so moving. I believe slavery exists in this world in many forms, but even I did not believe that it still existed to this degree. While the world is screaming outrage for KONY2012 and other online articles make its way virally, let’s spread this reality like wildfire and spawn change.

link: http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2012/03/world/mauritania.slaverys.last.stronghold/index.html?on.cnn=1

you’re welcome,
notjustmythoughts

Power of Voice

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I support the KONY2012 movement that as been sweeping the internet and the nation these last few days. Below I’ve copied my email response to a friend who has been sending me information on the criticisms about the movement. While I do hear and understand a lot of the critique, for me this represents a bigger picture of the POWER OF VOICE.

Me: They may have left Uganda 6 years ago but the fight isn’t over. they still exist, just have been in hiding and not as active. That doesn’t mean he should go without having justice brought against him. And i think that Kony represents a bigger picture of the power of the people and the internet to spread the word to troubling things that happen in other countries. at least that is what i see from this. Nothing is perfect. No revolution is sought and found without first being met with resistance. These people (the critics) are resisting the positive effects that come along with this KONY2012. I agree that they should’ve said made him infamous rather than famous and they should’ve added something to the KONY2012 posters to not seem like he is running for election, but the posters as they are, will get people to look it up and they will find that he’s not running for anything. I stand by this 100%. I am prepared to hear criticisms and down right opposition to the movement. But I still support this because of the meaning behind this. I see the bigger picture in showing the nation/world, that people can stand up for what they believe and that many people feel the same way. Voices are being heard and 26yrs after this man ravaged the country he is FINALLY coming close to his doom and justice. He may be in hiding for 6 years, but look at Osama…he was hiding since 2001.

notjustmythoughts

KONY 2012

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Join the cause. If you have never stood for anything now is your chance to take an important stand. History is YOURstory to make.

www.kony2012.com
To buy action kit/bracelets: http://invisiblechildrenstore.myshopify.com/
To make a donation: http://bit.ly/yp5Ffv
To sign the pledge: http://www.causes.com/causes/227-invisible-children
To watch the film: http://vimeo.com/37119711

I look forward to seeing you there.

notjustmythoughts

Disparate Impact: Black Lawmakers and Ethics Investigations

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Is anyone surprised by this? As you may have guessed, there was no shock value in the article for me because… It is as I believe them to be, systematic racism and discrimination…

check out the article from theatlantic.com… http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/03/disparate-impact-black-lawmakers-and-ethics-investigations/253931/

notjustmythoughts

Cross-ownership Ban

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Still on the subject of Fighting for Air: The Battle to Control America’s Media by Eric Klinenberg

Dating back to 1975 the FCC had a cross-ownership ban in place that stated that one entity could not own cross own broadcast and newspaper companies in the same market. In 2000, the FCC revisited this ban. It was determined that if the ban were lifted the American people would suffer because there would be a lack of view point diversity. (This lack of diversity began to take hold of radio with the Telecommunications Act in 1996). The Tribune Company fought this with (as you may guess) MONEY. It went on a spending spree for lobbyist from 2000 to 2003. They tripled their spending during this time. It worked. in 2003 the ban was lifted to such a degree that one company could own 45% of a NATIONAL audience. (press release from 2003 http://money.cnn.com/2003/06/02/news/companies/fcc_rules/ )

Fortunately, to some degree, this was revisited in 2011 and Federal Courts urged the FCC to old cross-ownership ban. The some degree lies in the fact that even though changes were made the damage had already been done. Companies that seized the opportunity and gobbled up markets were “grandfathered in” and allowed to stay as one entity. (link to article regarding the courts and FCC http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/3rd-circuit-tells-fcc-to-rewrite-media-ownership-rules).

The FCC failed Americans in those (approx) 8 years. There is no turning back from the media conglomerates created during the years the ban was lifted. My question is, how is the being “grandfathered in” allowed to happen? The South had tried this with limiting Black votes with the Grandfather Clause. Is it just me that believes they are one in the same?

notjustmythoughts