Tavis Smiley joined Sean Hannity (Fox News commentator) on Thursday, October 10, 2013 to face off over President Obama’s low poll numbers and the government shutdown. Smiley, a vocal Obama critic, jumped to the president’s defense over the shutdown, blaming Republicans for their intransigence and dedication to killing Obamacare at all costs. When Hannity brought up Obama’s low approval numbers, Smiley shot back that the GOP’s are “worse” and people just believe at this point that “our government is dysfunctional.” He did agree with Hannity that he’s “sick and tired” of economists saying the country is in recovery, when “poverty is threatening our very democracy.”
On whether the president isn’t doing enough negotiating, Smiley said all Republicans want is the president to capitulate to their demands, and praised Obama for having a “stiff spine.” He said that for years, Republicans “lectured us” about upholding the rule of law, but by doing everything humanly possible to stop Obamacare, they are “thwarting the rule of law” and “trampling again on the Constitution.”
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On Friday, Sept. 20, The Root hosted a live stream, titled “Saving Our Sons: Engaging, Educating and Equipping Our Men for Success,” that featured African-American thought leaders discussing the ways we can engage, educate and equip young black men for success. The live stream was hosted by Rep. Frederica S. Wilson (D-Fla.) and moderated by the Rev. Al Sharpton. Trayvon Martin’s father, Tracy Martin, and his brother, Jahvaris Fulton, participated in the discussion, in addition to Robert Townsend, Malik Yoba, Phillip Agnew of the Dream Defenders and Judith Browne-Dianis, the co-director of the Advancement Project.
One of the films that we wanted to see at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival but we did not see was Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom.
Check out the press conference that was held on Monday, September 9, 2013 for “Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom” that featured the stars of the film Idris Alba and Naomie Harris.
On the evening of Sunday, September 8, 2013, we had the opportunity to attend the world premiere of the movie “1982” at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Here is the synopsis of the film by Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director of the Toronto International Film Festival.
From the earliest days of the crack cocaine epidemic that plagued urban America comes this powerful dispatch, the first feature from writer-director Tommy Oliver. Realized with evocative detail that blurs the distinction between drama and lived experience, 1982 draws on Oliver’s upbringing in Philadelphia’s West Oak Lane neighbourhood to create a wrenching tale of paternal love and perseverance.
In a measured but blistering performance, Hill Harper plays Tim, a devoted husband to Shenae (Sharon Leal), and proud father of the precocious, ten-year- old Maya (Troi Zee). When Maya observes a widening rift in her parents’ relationship, she wonders aloud whether her mother is having an affair. But Shenae has succumbed to a temptation far more pernicious. She soon packs a bag and walks out on her family altogether, only to return periodically in fits of frenzied desperation, scrounging for means to fund her next fix. A devastated Tim, meanwhile, endeavours to shield Maya from the reality of her mother’s addiction, and eventually sets out to confront the dangerous local pusher (Wayne Brady) who’s been only too happy to prey on his wife’s weakness.
If the topic of substance abuse has often provided rich fodder for domestic drama, few films have addressed the suffering of an addict’s loved ones as lucidly as this. But Oliver also displays deep reserves of empathy and, in Tim, presents a protagonist possessed of extraordinary dignity and forbearance. 1982 marks the emergence of a compassionate and socially conscious new voice.
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Question and answers session after the premiere of the film with Hill Harper, Sharon Leal, Lala Anthony, Troi Zee and the director of the film, Tommy Oliver
Tommy Oliver (Director Of “1982”) And His MotherTommy Oliver And FamilyHill Harper And Sharon LealSharon Leal With Dr. VibeHill Harper And Dr. VibeDr. Vibe And Tommy Oliver (Director Of “1982”)
CNN anchor Don Lemon has, of late, turned the focus of his frequent conversations on race to the idea of personal responsibility in the African American community. On Saturday night’s edition of CNN Newsroom, Lemon continued that controversial trend with comic legend Bill Cosby, who has also felt the heat of controversy on the subject. Cosby talked to Lemon about young black men raising their kids, over-medication of juvenile inmates, and may have even coined a new word: “No-groes.”
For the past few months, Don Lemon has courted controversy with several segments pegged to his general agreement with comments by Fox News personality Bill O’Reilly, aimed at solving problems within the black community. Legendary comic actor Bill Cosby has also stirred controversy by airing grievances against his community, but neither Lemon nor Cosby have backed away from their criticisms. In Saturday night’s interview, Lemon asked Cosby to reflect on the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, and what kind of African American leaders are needed now.
“I think it has to come from the universities,” Mr. Cosby began. ” I think, women, strongly because when you see 70%, in research, that says they are the leaders of the household, what we need is for people to realize I want to raise my kid. I want to go back and get my three kids. I want to take on that responsibility. I want to love my children.”
He added that one of the sights he’d like to see more of is what he saw at the recent Essence Festival, “walking around to see, yeah, to see a black male with his child on the shoulders and holding.”
He also encouraged young people who might not be able to go to a prestigious college to “go to community college. Okay, you backed up and didn’t do well. You quit school but now you find you need that high school credential. Go to the community college.”
Cosby related the idea of personal responsibility to his own experience, adding that “At age 19 and a half, I knew I didn’t want to do certain things. It is not what they weren’t doing to me, it’s what I wasn’t doing. It’s a very simple thing.”
Later in the interview, Mr. Cosby talked about what he sees as an overemphasis on medicating juvenile inmates, versus counseling. “If you drug these people, and then you release them, and there’s no prescription for them to get to take to do the same thing, and they go back to the same place,” he said, adding “Now, about this time, this is when you hear the no-groes jump up and say ‘Why don’t you talk about the good things?'”
“Because the good things happen to be taking care of themselves pretty well,” he answered. “We are trying to help those genius’, those not genius’, people who deserve, because they are human beings on this earth, in the United States of America, we are trying to get them in a position so they will understand and want to.”
Lemon asked “Why is it so hard for some people to get that message, to hear that message, to receive that message, and without lashing out?”
“Well, it’s because they feel, I think they feel embarrassed,” Cosby replied, and related a story about Sammy Davis, Jr. “We were in playing in a routine, and I told him I knew something. He said no you don’t. I said yes, I do. I said it. He said no, that’s not the way it goes. I said the same thing louder. He said, ‘Bill, saying it loud don’t make it right.'”
“And so, every loud voice you hear yelling about something,” he explained, “and saying ‘Well you just — you lost us. You became a millionaire,’ the reason why I’m giving you this information is because I was living in the projects. I was not taking care of myself in terms of managing my education, and once the door opened and I saw quote, unquote, the light, I started to become very successful.”
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The Rev. Al Sharpton addressed the thousands of people that gathered on the National Mall to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.
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Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) addressed the thousands of people that gathered on the National Mall to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.
“I got arrested 40 times during the 60s, beaten and left bloodied and unconscious,” he said. “But I’m not tired. I am ready to fight and continue to fight, and you must fight.”
A new study shows that since 2006 whites have grown more pessimistic about their economic outlook while African-Americans and Latinos have grown more optimistic. Ray Suarez talks with Matt Barreto of Latino Decisions and Ellis Cose, author of “The End of Anger” to examine the differences and shift in attitudes.
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Former American President Jimmy Carter heaped glowing praise on Martin Luther King Jr. at the anniversary of his “I Have a Dream” speech. Carter spoke from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and said he didn’t think King would be happy with America’s problems concerning guns, voter ID laws and “citizenship rights” in the District of Columbia. Carter also said every hug he received from King earned him “a thousand Yankee votes.”
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Forest Whitaker’s emotional Speech at 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington
