Pages

Monday, August 31, 2020

Late August 2020 Information about Culture, Etc.

 

 

The shiny suit era came about in hip hop immediately after the passing of the Notorious B.I.G. It reached its peak from 1997 to 2001. Many people love it or don't like it. Yet, we have to analyze it in order to get a comprehensive look at the legacy of hip hop music. The shiny suit era existed, because people were scared after the murder of 2 hip hop musicians. They were Tupac Shakur and the Notorious B.I.G. People wanted some scene of relaxing and having a good time. Extravagance characterized this era. With large budgets, larger than life videos, and eccentric suits, this time was very much unique. The head leader of this movement was one man. We know who he is. He is Sean Combs or P. Diddy. Flashy clothes were commonplace. This wasn't the old school hip hop. To be honest, this was the true start of the new school hip hop that we witness in our time in 2020. P. Diddy is not the only founder of this movement. By 1997, Hype Williams was already a legendary video director of hip hop videos. By 1997, he continued to make shiny shit era videos constantly. June Ambrose is one of the greatest fashion designers of our generation. She made clothes that defined the shiny suit time. One video that showed the anthem of the shiny suit era was Mo' Money, Mo' Problems. It had the suits, lyrics, and dancing. One thing about this era was even with the materialism and pomp and circumstance, many artists during that time did had great lyrical abilities. The fashion of Fubu denim suits wss popular during the late 1990's. The style is found in diverse songs like Missy Elliot and Timbaland's The Rain song (in 1997), Jay Z's Sunshine video (1997), Mase's Feel So Good video (1997), P. Diddy and Mase's Been Around the World (1997), Missy ft. Total's What About Us (1997), Bust Rhymes' Dangerous video (1997), Mase ft. The Lox's Feel So Good video (1997), Marey Carey's Honey remix ft. Lox (1997),. The LOX ft. DMX and Lil Kim's Money, Power, Respect (1998), Will Smith's Gettin' Jiggy With It (1998), Busta Rhymes' Gimme Some More (1998), Mase ft. Brandy's Top on the World (1998), etc. R&B singers as diverse as Sisqo, Keith Sweat, 112, and Total showed shiny suit fashion fully. The shiny suit era was an escape from the drama of life. Mase was  the hip hop artist who personified that era. He was laid back, had flash, and he knew how to rap lyrically. The positives of that movement was it that it expanded the creativity of hip hop fashion and culture, it allowed artists to talk about diverse issues, and it was highly powerful. Its weakness is that far too often it embraced materialism at the expense of making a legitimate social commentary of society. Life is more than about bread alone. People have to discuss about the conditions of life in order to improve the compositions of life. 

  

 

The Ruff Ryders' movement was one of the most powerful movements of hip hop. It helped to increasingly popularize the dirt bike and motorcycle culture among African Americans involved in hip hop culture. It allowed very talented people to express their joy, pain, hurt, and experiences in general. The whole movement was started by 3 Northern black Americans.  Their names are Chivon Dean, Dee, and Waah. All 3 of them are related to producer Swizz Beats being their nephew. Dee is Darin Dean and Waah is Joaquin Dean. Their family was emerged in music. Their father promoted artists involved in R&B and soul music like Jody Watley, Ray, Goodman and Brown, and Blue Magic. The family was born in the Bronx, NYC. Later, they came into Yonkers, NY. Dee and Waah struggled to make ends meet. They resorted to being street hustlers before joining the music business. They made the Ruff Ryders Management Company by 1988. Later, they discussed a hip hop artist in Yonkers named Earl Simmons or DMX. Back then, DMX made many records in 1991 sounding very lyrical almost like Rakim. DMX lived a troubled childhood and was literally struggling to survived. DMX later took on the opportunities to continue in his gift of expressing music. DMX has been through it all from robbing people, being a victim of abuse by his own mother, being jumped by people, and experiencing many traumatic experiences. His first wife and his later grandmother were anchors in his life for years. Ruff Ryders struggled to gain more artists and to develop their company financially. Later, DMX told Ruff Ryders of another group from Yonkers named the Warlocks. They were made up of Sheek Louch, Styles P, and Jadakiss. This trio could all rap, and they made many records with the Notorious B.I.G. when Biggie was alive. They were in a deal with Mush Men. Later, Ruff Ryders and Mush Men had an agreement to allow them to be managed by Ruff Ryders. Mary J. Blige knew the Warlocks as a friend. So, Mary sent their music to Diddy. Diddy signed them to Bad Boy Records. Their new name was the Lox. The Lox grew to be one of the most respected hip hop groups in history. DMX continued to make music like Born Loser song in 1992. DMX battled Jay Z in a lyrical battle at a pool hall. By 1995, DMX, Ja Rule, and Jay Z including Mic Geronimo had a song named Time to Build. Irv Gotti helped DMX to get a deal at Def Jam. DMX by 1997 changed the game with his music that resurrected hardcore East Coast hip hop music. In 1997, he was on songs like 4,3,2,1, and other songs. In 1998, he released many platinum albums of Flesh of My Flesh, Bloopd of My Blood plus It's Dark and Hell is Hot. In 1998, DMX was on more records like 24 Hours to Live, etc. DMX helped Def Jam to be the most powerful hip hop label during that time. The first lady of Ruff Ryders was Eve. Eve was born and raised in Philadelphia. Eve once signed with Dr. Dre's Aftermath. Eve struggled at first to find her career. She was stripping for a time. Later, Eve came to the South Bronx to sign with Ruff Ryders. Eve was just as good as any artist. She held her own in battles and ciphers. By 1999, she had her debut album of Let There be Eve. Eve would go on to make a huge career in music, fashion, and acting. Her own TV show was called Eve. Ruff Ryders helped to inspire the growth of motorcycle clubs among the black community. Swizz Beats and other producers made some of the most innovative beats of the 1990's and the 21st century. Other artists in Ruff Ryders are Drag-On, Pirate, Parle, Kartoon, Aja Smth, Fiend, Jin, Infra-Red and Cross, Flashy, etc. Complication albums of Ruff Ryders existed form 1999 to the 21st century. Later by 2020, Ruff Ryders Indy is was formed to help young artists and spread the Ruff Ryders brand. Historically, the Ruff Ryders remain a powerful group of hip hop culture. 

  

One important part of hip hop history form 1997 to 2006 was the high level of hip hop and R&B collaborations. Back in the day, many R&B artists didn't like hip hop. As time came onward, music among both genres would merge. By 1997, Missy Elliot changed the game with her fusion of hip hop and R&B in her album of Supa Dupa Fly. She worked with her friends of Total to make classic records. Missy remains one of the greatest artists of hip hop, and she is from the 757 at Portsmouth. Lauryn Hill in her album of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was released in 1998. I was a teenager when it came out, and that album was one of the most powerful albums of all time. It talked about spirituality, life, black culture, and romance. It allowed her to be nominated for 11 Grammys. Lauryn Hill won 5 Grammys including Album of the Year and Best New Artist. In 1999, singer Kelis made a song with hip hop artist ODB on "Got Your Money."  Brandy worked with Mase on the song Top of the World. She later worked with Kanye West in the year of 2004 with the song Talk about Us on her album of Afrodisiac. Monica worked with Missy on the song So Gome back in 2003 (on Monica's album of After the Storm). 

  

The decade of the 1980's was filled with great, powerful ballads. Back in 1980, Michael Jackson's Rock Wiht You and Shalamar's Second Time Around dominated the charts. Jermaine Jackson also made Let's Get Serious as a powerful record. Diana Ross made her huge comeback with her song of Upside Down with a disco influence. Stevie Wonder, the S.O.S. Band, Ray, Goodman & Brown, and other artists shown their gifts to the world. By 1981, Yarbrough & Peoples made Don't Stop the Music. Smokey Robinson and Chaka Khan had hits. Evelyn King released I'm in Love. Rick James, The Four Tops, Luther Vandross, Roger Troutman, and Kool and the Gang flourished. Diana Ross had the duet with Lionel Richie with Endless Love. Let's Groove from Earth, Wind and Fire blew crowds away with their sound. 1982 saw the comeback of 1970's and 1960's artists. Daryl Hall and John Oates made the record of I Can't Go That (No Can Do) in 1982. George Benson had the song of Turn Your Love Around. Stevie Wonder's That Girl was a classic too. Jennifer Holiday gave the song of "Am I Am Telling You I'm Not Going." Aretha Franklin, Evelyn Champagne King, and Marvin Gaye made their historic songs. 1983 was the year of my bith and R&B music was strong in its force. Marvin Gaye Sexual Healing was in the charts from 1982 to January of 1983. Michael Jackson had many hits in 1983 like Billie Jean, The Girl is Mine with Paul MacCartney, etc. The Gap Band made Outstanding. New Edition's Candy Girl was very popular. George Clinton and Gladys Knights and the Pips excelled. Juicy Fruit came from Mtume. She Works Hard for the Money was released by Donna Summer in 1983. Rick James had Cold Blooded. Get it Right was made by Aretha Franklin. A'int Nobody was an anthem made by Rufus & Chaka Khan. Lionel Richie made All Night Long. DeBarge was popular with the song of Time will Reveal. 1984 saw the continuation of DeBarge and Kool and the Gang making classic music. Patti La Belle made the song If Only You Know in 1984 too. Cheryl Lynn made Encore, and Somebody's Watching Me was made by Rockwell. Cameo, Lionel Richie, Yarrbrough and peoples, and Deniece Williams made songs constantly. The 1980's music was like a Dream team lineup of artists. O'Bryan's Lovelite and Prince's When Doves Cry certainly were anthems about love. 1984 was a time of Billy Ocean's Caribbean Queen song, Ray Parker Jr.'s Ghostbusters, and Prince and the Revolution making people dancing worldwide. Stevie Wonder's genius was further shown on the song I Just Called to Say I Love You. The beautiful Chaka Khan's I Feel For You was inspirational about romance. New Edition's Cool it Now was about childhood angst and Ashford and Simpson made Solid in 1984. Midnight Star made Operator. 1985 was the year when Whitney Houston grew into another status of legendary artistry. Houston would be the greatest vocalist of our generation. Whitney Houston released You Give Good Love Saving All My Love for You, and other records in 1985. Eugene Wilde, New Edition, and Diana Ross made music. The Commodores, Mase featuring Frankie Beverly had songs like Nightshift and Back in Stride. Rhythm of the Night was a popular song of DeBarge. This year was when the We are the World record was made where musicians raised music to fight the famine in Africa. Fresh was made by Kool and the Gang. Rene and Angela made their song Save Your Love. Freeddie Jackson and Stevie Wonder made hits. The Caravan of Love was a song made by Isley Jasper Isley. Loose Ends had their song called Hangin' on a String (Contemplating). 

  

The quiet storm was part of contemporary R&B. It dealt with a smooth, romantic jazz influenced style. It was named after the song from Smokey Robinson's 1975 album of A Quiet Storm. Its music was pioneered in 1976 by Melvin Lindsey when he was an intern at the Washington, D.C. radio station WHUR-FM. The quiet storm was loved by older music listeners. The songs of the quiet storm from people like Sade and Luther Vandross had a peaceful vibe. The quiet storm existed in the 1970's, but it increased in its power by the 1980's. By 1980, Teddy Pendergrass released the song of Feel the Fire. Patti Austin & James Ingram - Baby, Come To Me from 1981 showcased as a great duet. Ingram would go on to be one of the greatest singers of all time. Patti Austin made an excellent career as a magnificent artist too. James Ingram and Michael McDonald's  Yah Mo Be There outlined a harmony of sounds. Sade's Smooth Operator in 1984 was raw with talent, and it was the start of her long career spanning beyond the 2010's even. In the same year, Chaka Khan made Through the Fire that caused audiences to praise her vocal skills. You are my Lady by Freddie Jackson in 1985 shown his range. One of the Queens of the quiet Storm with Anita Baker with her song Caught Up in the Rapture from 1986 including Sweet Love. Her music is the blueprint of quiet storm music. From Roberta Flack's Tonight I Celebrate My Love in 1983 to Lionel Richie's Hello in 1983, the quiet storm is exciting music. Past and artists of genre are Larry Graham, Teenie Marie, Jon B., Brian McKnight, Regina Belle, A B. Sure, Phyllis Hyman, D'Angelo, Babyface, Luther Vandross, Heatwave, Maxwell, Barry White, and other people who had great musical gifts. 

 

 

After the Vietnam War within 10 years afterwards, the world would never be the same again. The American nation went from the era of Nixon to Reagan. America saw the center right President Gerald Ford and the centrist president Jimmy Carter. The Soviet Union evolved from a superpower in 1975 to a near exhausted, defeated nation. The Soviets had inflation, a weakened economy, rebellious satellite states, and military involvement in Afghanistan that caused its defeat in Afghanistan. America had many changes from the conservative policies of Ford, the moderate policies of Jimmy Carter (who promoted deregulation), and the conservative revolution of Reagan. Ronald Reagan was anti-Communist for decades. He used militaristic rhetoric against the Soviets on many occasions. The biggest irony of him is that he worked with a moderate leader of Gorbachev that caused Reagan to calm down that war mongering rhetoric and focused on ending the Cold War in more peaceful actions. Ford and Carter saw the existence of SALT I and SALT II. They wanted detente to be widespread. The problem was that events existed outside of both Presidents' control that contributed to a massive change in Cold War history. By the late 1970's, the political crises in the Third World, the political persecution of Soviet dissidents like Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and Andrei Sakharov, plus the Iranian Revolution (and the Nicaraguan Revolution) deteriorated relations among America and the Soviet Union. By December of 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, and Carter banned America from being in the Olympics in 1980 at Moscow. The new era of the Cold War started. Reagan at first expanded the military budget, threatened the Soviet Union, and promoted Star Wars in space. Many people were afraid that World War III was coming, but the Soviet Union was dying literally. Reagan worked with the CIA and the Vatican to fund anti-Communist efforts in Eastern Europe. By 1985, the young Mikhail Gorbachev was General Secretary of the Soviet Union in 1985. With him, the Cold War would end in massive developments. By 1985, no one would foreseen that the start of the end of the Cold War would commence. 

 

 

 

My journey in life has found even more information about my genealogical family tree. I haven't stopped researching. My great-grandmother was Hollie Ethel Seaborn (1908-1996). She married my great-grandfather Joseph Henry Peeples (1898-1972). They had many children including their daughter Louise Blanche Peeples (born on October 27, 1941 at Southampton County, Virginia). Louise is my great aunt. Louise later moved into New York state where she married Everett Lee Cousins on Stepbember 17, 1962 at New Rochelle, New York. Back in those days, there was the 2nd Great Migration where African American people traveled from the South to the North and other regions of America. They had many children like Lisa M. Cousins (born on December 24, 1963), Everett Lee Cousins Jr. (born on June 29, 1965), and Wanda Yvettee Cousin Thomas (born on December 25, 1966). These 3 human beings are my 1st cousins. Many of the Cousins family lived in Mount Vernon, New York. Lisa Cousins' son is the basketball player Isaiah Cousins. Everett Lee Cousins Jr. married Cheryl Ruth Fuller, and they live in Georgia. Their children are Alex M. Cousins and Avery S. Cousins. One of my great, late relatives is the late Lottie Dorethea Claud Bell. She lived form June 18, 1934 to October 20, 2017. Lottie Bell's parents were Willie Lloyd Claud (1907-1974) and Ruth Jenkins Claud (1908-2006). Lottie Bell was a very religious woman who was baptized at Shiloh Baptist Church at Boykins, Virginia. In real life, I have been to Shiloh Baptist Church on many occasions. She married Willie james Bell Sr. on December 18, 1960. She taught in the Shothampton Public Schools system for 36 years. Her children are Willie J. Bell Jr. (born in 1965) of Dinwiddie, Virginia, Darian Moseley Bell (born in 1969) of COurtland, Virginia, and Prenda Latangie Bell Crocker (born in 1974)of Dinwiddle, Vriginia. These 4th cousins share my ancestor of Zilphy CLaud (1820-1893). 

 

We live in the time of 15 years after the Hurricane Katrina disaster. It felt like yesterday when it happened. Almost a generation ago, Katrina damaged New Orleans and other areas of the Gulf Coast. Whole buildings were destroyed. By August 2005, scientists warned people for years that the Gulf Coast had to improve their levees or face a huge hurricane that will cause massive damage. When Katrina hit, it was unique. We saw FEMA using a lax response in Louisiana. We saw vigilantes preventing mostly black people to escape from New Orleans into other areas for safety. There was the large arena where supplies ran out, and families with their children were crying out for help. In the midst of that tragedy, Bush and his administration flew over the flooded areas while people were drowning to death. I remember that time clear. I was almost 22 years old back then. When Kanye West said that George W. Bush didn't care about black people, his statement wasn't just about one man. It was about the racial and economic oppression that many people have experienced in American society for centuries. Some in the media falsely called the victims of Katrina "refugees' when these victims were American citizens. After the disaster, many people's lands were stolen, privatized schools grew, and other economic problems existed. Also, many activists back then and today in the Gulf Coast region rebuilt homes, saved lives, educated students, and did their part in making the lives of many better. 


 

By Timothy 

 


 


57 Years After the 1963 March on Washington.

 


  

Today, it is 57 years after the 1963 March on Washington. On this day (on August 28, 2020), many protesters are at the Lincoln Memorial to protest police brutality, racial injustice, and oppression in general. Many people are right to mention the fact that poverty, health care disparities, and unjust police conduct are acts of violence against human beings. We know of the sociological proofs of economic and racial disparities involving the criminal justice system, education, health care, and the wealth gap. That is why moderate prescriptions won't solve these problems. Only structural, revolutionary change is the necessary solution to eliminate structures of oppression. The deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and other black people outline the pure reality that black lives aren't respected by many quarters of American society. John Lewis peacefully protesting 65 years ago and still being brutalized by the police proves that respectability politics won't eliminate police misconduct. The 1963 March on Washington was not only about fighting to end Jim Crow apartheid (which ought to be gone, because it is unjust for the government to force people against their wills to experience second class citizenship). The proposals of the 1963 march wanted a living wage, an end to police brutality, fair education, investments to end poverty, and developing workers' rights. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other people (like John Lewis, Cleveland Robinson, Bayard Rustin, Daisy Bates, Anna Arnold Hedgeman, A. Philip Randolph, etc.) were involved in creating the march in the first place. 

 

The 1963 March on Washington showed how grassroots organization can work to confront injustice. Dr. King's I Have a Dream speech proclaimed not only the dream but a condemnation of how society functions. It was about how society was insufficient in dealing with the blatant oppression that black people were going thorough. Many women were in the march, but some women were fortunately restricted to speak. Even John Lewis was told to moderate his speech about the Kennedy administration. Lewis did it out of respect for A. Philip Randolph. Randolph wanted to have a March on Washington back in the 1940's, but FDR promised changes in confronting discrimination policies during WWII. Today, in 2020, the March on Washington certainly allows people to focus on how class oppression, racial injustice, and other evils still plague the world. Martin Luther King III and her daughter spoke powerfully and eloquently on their goal to make liberty real socially and economically. They oppose gun violence and police brutality too. As Dr. King moved more into the left before his passing, many of the establishment (including some moderate/conservative civil rights leaders plus far right extremsits like Reagan) criticized him for his anti- Vietnam War stance and his promotion of the Poor Peoples's Campaign (which was a multi ethnic movement for the fundamental ending of poverty in the world). Today, we are still witnessing violence like the man Jacob Blake being shot 7 times. That is why we want a stronger 1965 Voting Rights Act, and the fundamental creation of the Dream made real for all. 


 

We should realize the new times that we in. Kamala Harris said that we won't let vigilantes stop the goal of justice. She is right on that issue. Many of the people, who scapegoat protesters, are silent on vigilantes who travel state lines to harm human beings. The vigilante is Kyle Rittenhouse. Reports are showing that one protester who tried to save lives was Anthony Huber of Silver Lake. The police in Kenosha ignored people saying that Rittenhouse was guilty of taking the lives of 2 people. Rittenhouse supported the militia group called Kenosha Militia. In Kenosha, once cop said that he appreciates the militias and offered them some water. Such far right groups like the Proud Boys and the Boogaloo boys have gone into Kenosha too. Kenosha is a rust belt city that had closure of factories and a decline of manufacturing jobs. Trump has not only demonized protesters. He has praised candidates with links with the cult group of Qanon. That is why we should not only reject reactionary nonsense from Qanon and others. We should develop our political and social consciousness to stand up for real liberty.

 


 

Many sports athletes have been emotional about the recent events in Wisconsin and nationwide. Some have boycotted their games, and some have shown their experiences with fear that the next day could be their last days on Earth. From basketball, baseball, soccer, and football, many people have shown a willingness to oppose police brutality and oppression. Kenny Smith leaving the stage from the TNT basketball set represents the frustration with the status quo. Since the dawn of human history, black people have always stood up for freedom. This time is no different.

 

Yes, we have to protect our civil liberties. When the Patriot Act was passed in the States back in 2001, I opposed it on civil liberty grounds. When the NSA was caught using warrantless searches, I was opposed to that. Today, we have a President allowing agents without due process snatching people in the streets of Portland. We have a President who compares progressives to mob rule or even extremists. While the far right is wrong because of obvious reasons, the moderates are wrong too. They advocate the status quo when black folks had the status quo for hundreds of years without liberation. This social crisis has been further intensified with the coronavirus and the increase of record protests. The police institution has been created to protect the state and the enforcement of class rule. Many of them defend the property interests of the wealthy.  One member of Trump's campaign advisory board, named Mary Ann Mendoza, was caught promoting the anti-Semitic hoax of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Pompeo promotes his war mongering, and we will continue to keep our eyes on the prize.

 

By Timothy

 

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

The Events of Our Time.

  

The Republican National Convention had speakers on Monday who tried to convince people to vote for Trump. One person who disappointed me was Herschel Walker who believes in the lie that Trump isn't a racist. Trump said that a Mexican American judge can't judge a case fairly because of his Mexican heritage. That is racist. Trump has defended the Confederate statues and Confederate flags. That is racist. Trump has also said that Maxine Waters has low IQ, and he doesn't want low income people to travel into the suburbs. Also, Trump wanted the death penalty for the Central Park Five when they are innocent human beings. He was sued for racial discrimination involving housing back in the 1970's. We are not better off than we were four years ago. We have millions of people unemployed, over 170,000 people dead (in America) because of the coronvairus, and many police officers executing police brutality without real accountability. 

One speaker saying that Trump is the bodyguard of Western civilization is a coded phrase. We know exactly what that comment means. The Republican speakers accused progressives of destroying the country of America, eliminating guns from law abiding citizens, controling how people live, eliminating the freedom of speech, and desiring anarchy to reign in society. These are of course all lies made by Donald Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle. The speakers omit that police unions have a vested interest to not create progressive change involving policing. Nikki Halley said that America is not a racist country which is not only a lie but it omits history. Jim Crow, the growth of white nationalism, slavery, and the infiltration of some of the police with white racist groups prove that America is a racist nation. Nikki Haley is wrong to support the ending of the Iranian nuclear deal. Kimberly Guilfoyle is from FOX News, and we know how FOX News has promoted Trump for years overtly. The GOP is clear about what they stand for. They stand for voter suppression, hatred of immigrants that don't look a certain way, vulgarity, hypocrisy, and corporate capitalism.

 

Trump supporter Postmaster DeJoy said that he won't reverse changes in getting rid of many machines processing mail. Katie Porter asked him if the Inspector General found him to done misconduct, will he resign. DeJoy said no. DeJoy loves Trump more than he loves the Post Office. Government is meant to serve the people not eliminate services necessary to help the people. Trump has openly said that he wanted to sabotage the post office to stop people from voting via mail bailouts. Louis DeJoy is wrong to refuse to reinstall over 600 mail sorting machines. We have a serious problem of our democracy being harmed in American society. Right now, we witness voter suppression, racist birtherism against Kamala Harris, threats to health care, and poverty. These evils must be condemned. That is why many young people and individuals from across ages have stood up to resist gun violence, police brutality, and poverty. The plasma treatment advocated by Trump should never be advocated as a cure. There are continued vaccine trials involving the coronavirus.

 

In America, we still deal with issues of police brutality. There was a tragic situation at Kenosha, Wisconsin. A black man was shot multiple times in the back as he entered the driver's side door of an SUV. The man's three children were in the car. The man is fighting for his life, and his name is Jacob Blake. Immediately, protests have occurred and a curfew have been instituted too. This comes at a time where worldwide protesters have come about to protest the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other Brothers and Sisters with their physical lives gone. Another black man was killed in Lafayette, Louisiana named Trayford Pellerin. We know the origin of the American police institution. We know why it was created in the first place. Kenosha has about 100,000 people. Like usual, the police union said to wait for the facts come out involving Blake's shooting. That is typical from that union who view cops as near omnipotent, whereas they fight more for the status quo than fundamental change involving policing. Blake was trying to de-escalate a situation, but he was shot in the back. Many of the same ones who deify the policing institution minimize the pain and the heartache of the victims' families of tragedies. The same ones who can't stand any critique of any officer, say the common words of "not all police." The truth is that we already know that. The reality is that we still have an epidemic of systematic oppression that has been enabled not only by far right extremists but by moderates who want piecemeal token policies not a progressive transformation of society. I do believe that Black Lives Matter, and that is why we can't be silent on real issues going on in the world. Policies must change, and a new system of justice must be instituted in order for righteousness to reign supreme.


19 years ago, a legendary singer passed away. She epitomized grace, beauty, humbleness, and talent. Her gift was that she could sing like an angel, act, dance, and appeal to a wide spectrum of people. Always a person with charisma, she always dreamed of performing entertainment to many crowds. She was street yet sweet. She influenced R&B, hip hop, pop, and other genres. She is related to Gladys Knight too. She is the late Sister Aaliyah Dana Haughton. She was born in Brooklyn, NYC and raised in Detroit. After performing in Starch Search at the age of 10 years old, Aaliyah continued to sing. She was the Princess of R&B during her time. She had a perfect 4.0 grade point average when she was at the Detroit High School for Fine and Performing Arts. By 1994, her singing career reached new heights with her debut album. Her debut single was Back and Forth. Her album of One in a Million was helped by producers Timbaland and Missy Elliot. One in a Million came out in August of 1996. Timbaland and Missy are from my area of the 757, so we certainly appreciate their sounds. Her songs like 4 Page Letter, We Need a Resolution, More Than a Woman, Are You That Somebody?, etc. stood the test of time. Her interviews always outlined her spirit of kindness. She was in many films like Romeo Must Die. That came out when I was in high school. She always collaborated with many hip hop artists. In 2001, she released the album of Aaliyah. She planned on being on more films from Sparkle to the Matrix series. Aaliyah helped to redefine and develop R&B, pop, and hip hop in the 1990's and early 2000's. When she passed away, I was almost 18 years old. It was a shock. Aaliyah combined a personal next door vibe with urban fashion plus charm. She made some of the most innovative music of all time. Now, she is in the place of glory and peace.

Rest in Power Sister Aaliyah.

By Timothy

 


Late August 2020 Updates on Many Issues.

  

It is not a secret that the neoliberal moderates and the conservative establishment are funded by many large foundations, think tanks, and other organizations to promote their agendas. Many people think that Hollywood is a group of cutting edge people who are totally independent of the establishment. That is a lie. Hollywood not only have members who are experts in propaganda, technology, and mass manipulation. Many large foundations, the CIA, and the rest of the military industrial complex has influenced Hollywood movies plus other productions for decades. That is why many in Hollywood in 2020 have to think similar thoughts, act a certain way, and act in near group-think or be ostracized or even have no further roles to play.  At the the heart of the mainstream establishment is their promotion of neoliberalism and globalism. It is what it is. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Clinton Global Initiative, Open Society Foundations, the Untied Nations, etc. have a huge influence not only in the liberal establishment plus in many nations in general. It doesn't matter if the people in Hollywood are more liberal like Martin Sheen, Tom Hanks, etc or more conservative like Jon Voight, James Woods, Mel Gibson, etc. Many of them play ball for the corporate establishment. The liberal establishment is right that sexism is wrong, racism is wrong, and xenophobia is wrong. Their problem is that they refuse to expose corporate foundations running many things in the world, and some of them even ignore overt imperialism done by the West. The top levels of Hollywood are facilitated by the CFR, the Sun Valley Meetings, and various foundations. One of the easiest to spot liberal establishment people is Gloria Steniem. A lot of people don't know that Steinem was a CIA agent and praised the CIA when the CIA is complicit in voter fraud, imperialism, and other evils in multiple continents. She is a person funded by Open Society Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the MacArthur Foundation.  Many of these people hate Trump. Trump is not a hero for his bigotry, authoritarianism, and corrupt policies. Yet, Trump is funded by many of the same people as Hollywood in their leadership are funded by. Trump is the result of centuries of injustice, as he isn't the origin of it. Trump is the fruit of the sickness of racism and bigotry in general. Conservative celebrities are not immune from this elitism. For example, the libertarian Clint Eastwood supported Republicans for years and didn't like the film Snowden. Also, his name is appearing on the 2008 and 2018 Bohemian Grove membership list.  The far right conspiracy disnformation leader Alex Jones is a friend of Ron Paul. Ron Paul is an early protege of the Koch brothers. The Bilderberg steering committee leader Peter Thiel is an ally of Rand Paul. Libertarianism wants to abolish the income tax, end central government as we know it, etc. The problem with that philosophy is that it harbors no regulations of giant corporate monopolies. Also, libertarianism does nothing to eliminate poverty, because without taxes, roads could not be built. Many people are not voluntarily building anything without money to be made. 

 

The CATO Institute is founded by the Open Society, The Hewlett Foundation, and the Ford Foundation. Libertarianism is similar to liberalism without any socialist or progressive aspects. Ron Silver is a famous neo-con. Mel Gibson (whose father is a Holocaust denying, remote controlled planes on 9/11 promoting anti-Semite) funded the film of FahrenHYPE 9/11 which is against Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 documentary. Silver narrated the movie. Today, we know that Trump has pushed the Obama birther nonsense, and the Q movie is promoting the bogus Pizzagate affair (though child sex trafficking and child sex abuse are real. House member Dennis Hastert was caught abusing kids. Everyone knows about Marina Abramovic's bizarre art showing grotesque images with her "spirit cooking" sessions). The conservative establishment have links to groups like the CNP or the Council on National Policy. People like Steven Seagal admire Putin, but Putin is known for his authoritarian, oligarchical policies. When you study the truth, you see that controlled opposition via the CIA and other foundations may use a left face or a right face, but their goal of neoliberal globalization remains the same. Far right extremism is a continued threat in the world too. Witnesses have seen far right Proud Boys members in Portland break bones, maced people, threw smoke bombs, and even pulled out a gun. The police did nothing about it in Portland. We know that many white racist groups have infiltrated many police departments nationwide in America plus worldwide. The Proud Boys beat protesters in Portland. There is no question that Trump's extremism and bad policies are a threat to democracy in America. Voting Trump out of office is certainly a necessity. That is why we want independent, progressive thinking to be the order of the day. 

 

One of the biggest deceptions in the world is the agenda from Donald Trump. Even some religious people have been brainwashed to support Trump when he has lax character, extremist policies, and made overtly sexist including racist commentaries recently (not just decades ago). Donald Trump has defended waterboarding which is torture, and he said that he doesn't ask God for forgiveness. Also, Trump wanted the police to be more harsh against suspects in police cars. The Trump administration used a policy of forcing migrants, even children to be placed in caged centers being separated from their parents. Trump supporters obey Trump without even legitimate critique when that is against real Christianity and any real democratic principles. With the coronavirus pandemic, Trump refuses to accept any responsibility for his actions. Trump downplays Russia's leadership being corrupt when Putin is a oligarch involved with the suppression of political rights and religious rights. In Russia, Christian evangelism is heavily restricted. In 2019, many Baptists and Protestants were prosecuted for just preaching their faith in public. The 2016 Yarovaya laws ban Russians from inviting outsiders to join their faith, even online or in their own homes, unless they have a government permit through a registered religious organization, and even then they can only evangelize in designated churches and religious sites. This is in Russia now, but many conservatives and even some progressives (who claim to be against imperialism from America) sugarcoat Russia as some role model. Russian leadership are corrupt being a neoliberal, capitalist nation. In 2018, a Baptist pastor in the Perm region was found guilty for just showing a sign that says, "House of Prayer of the International Council of Churches of Evangelical Christian-Baptist, worship service every Sunday form 10am." This is unjust and a violation of religious freedom. In 2016, Trump appealed to Russia to interfere in the U.S. Presidential election by releasing Hillary Clinton's emails which the Russian government did. Trump on January 20, 2019 saw the American government temporarily shutdown that caused many workers to go without pay and food. At a rally in Iowa in 2016, Donald Trump said: “I like money. I’m very greedy. I’m a greedy person. I shouldn’t tell you that, I’m a greedy — I’ve always been greedy. I love money, right?" The neoliberals in the Democratic establishment are just as wrong as promoting near war with Russia and China as Trump is wrong in supporting authoritarian dictators plus Trump harming the Postal service. We know that American imperialism seeks to control the Eurasian area and the Middle East as documented in books like the Grand Chessboard. 

  

Cultures vultures are real. A culture vulture is a person who exploits a certain culture for exploitative, insincere purposes. One famous one is Mike Rappaport. He is the one who called Spike Lee disrespectful names because of Lee's views on gentrification. He said that people who kneel when the national anthem on 9/11 is showing is wrong. He used a slur against Kenya Moore. When black journalists called Rapaport out on his misoygnoir, he called those black women journalists (whose names are Yesha Callahan and Monique Judge) profane words. Just because he is married to a black person and helped to create a documentary about A Tribe Called Quest doesn't mean that he is down for the culture. He is down for the Benjamins. Rappaport made a rant disrespecting Janet Jackson, when she is a legendary singer, dancer, and musician. Another one is the comedian Gary Owen. He is the comedian who has been on TV shows and the film Think Like a Man. Owen allowed his black wife to call another black person the n word, because Owen is too much of a coward to say how he thinks. The n word is wrong and it's an evil word. Another one is Bill Maher who is known to disrespect religion, but he follows  the view of disrespecting Wayne Brady for no reason. He called himself a house n word, and then issued the typical token "apology." Back in February of 2019, he asked former GOP Congressman Will Hurd (who is a black man) if he gathered undercover intel for the CIA  out "by the Popeye's Chicken." Maher is a fake liberal playing around. I don't agree with the GOP, but I don't agree with using racist invective though. Maher said that men sexually abuse women, because of their home life with wives. He gets away with saying disrespectful nonsense like this. Hot 97 in NYC fired Pasquale Raucci after a documentary revealed his ties to the mob that murdered Yusuf Hawkins in New York City. Raucci was convicted of another count not of murder charges. 

R&B music in the 1980's was dominant. It relates to a golden age of experimental artists, fashion, and classic ballads. This era saw contemporary R&B bloom. Solo artists and groups of musicians inspired creativity and crowds. Legends are synonymous with the 1980's. Quincy Jones worked with Michael Jackson to create the most selling album in history with Thriller. You have artists like Vesta Williams, Shamalar, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, Miki Howard, and Patti Labella singing their hearts out on a multiple amount of topics. Digital recording, synthesizers, and synth pop music existed. We can never forget about how house, techno, Eurodance, electro, and other music related to dancing were created. As the decade continued, many R&B artists collaborated hip hop artists like Jody Watley and Rakim (with the song of Friends on Jody Watley's album Larger than Life). 1980's music was so great, that every genre of music was on its top form. You can see that the 1980's music has stood the test of time with flair, emotion, and vocal power. Music from Billy Ocrean's The Colour of Love had riveting messages of romance and the love among human beings. Groups like New Edition, etc. started on the scene. Prince asserted himself as the premier multi-instrumentalist. Lionel Richie, Morris Day, Melisa Morgan, Jermaine Jakcson, The S.O.S Band, Jeffrey Osborne, Earth, Wind & Fire, Stephanie Mills, The Jets, Marvin Gaye, Jody Watley, Midnight Star, Evelyn King, James Ingram, and I can go down the list were legendary musicians. Each of them not only sang great songs. They had charisma, personality, and a goal to make the audience feel their lyrical content. The new quiet storm genre grew with artists like Luther Vandross, Freddie Jackson, Sade, Anita Baker, Treddy Pendergrass, Peabo Bryson, and other human beings. The quiet storm had relaxed tempos, rhythms, and romantic lyrics. The 1980's was the time of legends being part of comebacks like Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Donna Summer, The Pointer Sisters, and Irene Cara. Janet Jackson dominated the charts by the mid to late 1980's with dancing, music, and cultural strength. Janet Jackson wanted to have personal independence socially, and that message was exemplified in her music the 1980's plus beyond. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis used their producing sounds to help artists out including Janet Jackson. Teddy Riley did the same thing with new jack swing. R&B reached new heights of glory and influence with the 1980's indeed. 

 

After the deaths of Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G., the hip hop community was in mourning. People debated whether hip hop would survive or what to do about the contente of many hip hop songs. People were reflecting the pain of the violence that costed the lives of innocent people. Yet, hip hop survived. Hip hpop, by this time, has grown into places like London, Paris, Cape Town, Canada, and the rest of the world. Corporate profits soared. The time from 1997-2006 was the era of bling, various hip hop movements, increased commercialization, and independent artists developing their own styles. It was not just a time of experimentation. It was the era of a new generation of human beings who wanted their expression to be prominent. Various movements developed like No Limit Soldiers from Master P, Rocafella Records, Ruff Ryders, Cash Money, G-Unit, Rap-a-Lot, and the Dungeon Family. This time saw P Diddy reach new heights with his Bad Boy movement while Death Row decreased in its influence. This time saw individual artists reach untold wealth like Jay Z, DMX, Eve, the Lox, Juveline, Master P, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, Nas, Mase, Nelly, Fat Joe, Cam'ron, Big Pun, Eminem, The Game, and other artists. Many hip hop artists collaborated with R&B musicians like TLC, Destiny's Child, Ashanti, Aaliyah, Usher, Beyonce, Joe, Akon, etc. Jay Z evolved from a hip hop artist to the rich entrepreneur that he is today. Alternative hip hop was well representated from Mos Def, OutKast, Jean Grae, Pharaoh Monche, Black Thought, and others. The OutKast's Speakerboxx/The Love Below was ahead of its time, because it was taboo for hip hop artists to go into pop records, even in the early 2000s. Lauryn Hill's classic 1998 album of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is universally praised as one of the greatest albums in history period with its lyricism, messages, soul, and inspiration. By the late 1990's, East and Southern hip hop were even in influence on hip hop culture. By the early 2000's, southern hip hop (as found in places like Miami, Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, Memphis, Dallas, etc.) grown into higher power with artists like Bone Crusher, David Banner, Pastor Troy, 3-6, T.I. Lil Flip, Trick Daddy, Lil Jon, Ludacris, Ying Yang Twins, Chingy,  Archie Eversole, Yo gotti, Project Pat, 8ball mjg, Nappy roots, Young Buck, etc. The end of this era of hip hop saw Nas' Hip Hop is Dead album (which had a controversial message, but it was very popular in the hip hop community.  In 2002, Southern hip-hop artists accounted for 50 to 60 percent of the singles on hip-hop music charts. Nas is one of the greatest hip hop artists of all time), crunk music, glitch hop and wonky, the rise of Kanye West. Kanye West was once a producer, but he also wanted to rap too. He rapped since the 1990's, but he wasn't that popular until the early 2000s as a producer of Jay Z's Blueprint album. His first album was The College Dropout that sent shockwaves worldwide (especially with the song of Jesus Walks). Kanye West won a Grammy for Best Rap Song for the Jesus Walks song. Kanye would go on to be one of the greatest hip hop artists of the 21st century despite his reactionary politics. Kanye West helped to merge conscious message into mainstream hip hop culture. West was always outspoken. By the year 2006, hip hop was in a new time with new sounds developing its content. 

  

The RNC Convention will happen in the next few days. We know that the Republicans have stood for. The GOP went from the party of Lincoln to the party of Trump. Back in the day, there were liberal Republicans known as Rockefeller Republicans who even supported civil rights. Yet, most Republicans in Congress are in league with the Trump agenda. Trump's agenda is clear. It promotes division, xenophobia, race baiting, and a worship of oligarchy instead of a respect for justice. Trump is known to lie. He considers Kamala Harris and Joe Biden as socialists and Marxists which is hilarious. A person who can study Biden's records can show that Biden is a moderate. Some people don't know what socialism and Marxism are. Trump is clear that he wants to eliminate even legitimate environmental regulations, he call people profane names and slurs if they disagree with him, and he targets mail in voting. That is why people should vote without fear. Voting matters, because a vote can determine what resources can go into a community, how people can determine their taxes, and how other functions of society work.


The Rapture is one of the most interesting parts of Christianity. Most people, who are Christians, are in the Pre-trib view. From 2005 to the present, I believe in the Post-Tribulation rapture because of numerous reasons. Likewise, it is important that post-trib and pre-trib Christians should never despise each other. The Bible is rather clear at Matthew 24 that immediately after the tribulation, the Lord Jesus Christ will come. 1 Corinthians 15:52 says that at the last trump in the twinkling of an eye, the trumpet will sound and the dead shall be raised. The early church scholars from Justin, Ireneaus, Tertullian, Hippolytus, etc. believed that the church will go through the Great Tribulation to be gathered by Jesus Christ in a Post Tribulational return. Many Jesuits and other people invented the modern day Pretributlational rapture by the 1500's. 

 By Timothy

 


Friday, August 21, 2020

Friday Updates on Late August 2020.

  

As we near the fall of 2020, massive changes has arisen in America. 2020 is a year unlike another year in human history. We have seen a global pandemic ruining millions of lives. We have seen an increase of political polarization that hasn't been seen in decades. Racial tensions have grown, and protesters of all colors have  stood up for the human dignity of black lives (after the murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other innocent black human beings). Workers like teachers, car developers, and other essential workers have called for fair wages, benefits, compensation pay, and just plain economic justice. The Trump administration continues with their lies, manipulation of people, and overt advocacy of injustice against human beings. Steve Bannon was recently arrested for wire fraud and money laundering over his border wall plan. Trump has been impeached for soliciting a foreign power to boost his reelection. Flynn pleaded guilty for lying under oath twice. So, many people in the Trump team are either convicted criminals, filled with scandals, or believe in reactionary views on issues (these people include Paul Manafort, Rick Gates, George Papadapolous, Roget Stone, etc.). Trump is one of the worst Presidents in American history. Donald Trump said that he could postpone the election, he threatened to send the police to polling stations, he tried to sabotage the Post Office in order to suppress the vote, he sent secret federal agents into cities (like Portland), and these are some of the recent bad actions that he has done. This election of 2020 is the most important election of our lifetimes. Our voting rights are constantly under threat. The Supreme Court back in 2013 gutted Section 5 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and voter suppression policies have closed 1,688 polling places. The average American wage had barely increased in 4 decades. The richest 0.1% has increased their wealth massively. Elon Musk hypocritically complains about struggling Americans getting government assistance, but is silent on him accepting $4.9 billion in government subsidies. Socialism for the rich and ruthless, cutthroat capitalism for the poor plus working class is the unfair reality of modern society. People should be registered to vote and vote without fear. We have to work harder to not only defend democracy and allow people to vote. We have to push for a real, bold progressive agenda. A progressive agenda will help every American not just the one percent or the oligarchy. Not to mention that we should advocate for universal health care. The DNC platform rejecting a Medicare for all plan is highly disappointing. People have every right to demand Biden to be more progressive. It is purely reasonable for student loan debt to be cancelled, workers to be given economic justice, and for society to experience real social change. With these facts alone, we should vote Donald Trump out of office. We have to get rid of authoritarian, anti-democratic policies in the world. 

 

There was the recent debate among DL Hughley and the Trump activist Angela Stanton (who is running for Congress). They met at an airport. Both people had their words. Security came to end further tensions. Stanton accused Hughley of being a coward after Stanton confronted Hughley saying that all Black Trump supporter are basically sellouts. Hughley said that he was eating breakfast, had a debate with Stanton, and security intervened. Later, Hughley showed mugshots of her and disrespected her in dealing with makeup. Both of them are wrong for completely different reasons. First, Angela Stanton is wrong for being a black Trump supporter period. Trump is clear to call black women low IQ, dogs, and mean. Trump is known to want the death penalty for the innocent Central Park Five, but Stanton respects Trump. That doesn't make sense. Trump had disrespected low income people as trying to invade the suburbs which is a lie. Trump eliminated a housing rights regulation. Stanton says that she wants to protect the babies, but Trump allowed babies to be locked in cages (and Trump eliminated EPA environmental regulations that will put more babies in risk of illnesses). Another way to help the babies is by creating universal health care, environmental protections, investments in education, and elimination of police brutality. DL Hughley is right to disagree with Stanton's political views. Yet, Hughley is wrong in disrespecting the woman (no one should disrespect a woman's physical appearance) in the guise of dissent. Her criminal past is her past. You judge a person by their total life not by one incident in their life. Also, some of the greatest heroes of history have gone to prison from Dr. King, Ruby Doris Smith-Robinson, and Malcolm X.  Hughley has been caught for years saying problematic comments. We can agree to disagree with people without using reactionary rhetoric. 

The common myth is that since Joe Biden isn't perfect, then we shouldn't vote. I heard this lie all of the time from far right reactionaries to Hoteps. We shouldn't take the bait. Everybody knows that Biden isn't perfect. Yet, Biden and Trump are not the same person. Trump supports Confederate statues, Biden doesn't. Trump wants to harm the postal service in restricting the vote. Biden doesn't advocate this. Even Trump has entertained the racist lie that Kamala Harris is not an  American citizen. Biden doesn't believe in that. Trump came out in public to call black women Congresswomen, black political leaders, and black journalists low IQ, mean, ignorant, and other invectives. Biden hasn't done this. Trump is clear to restrict the power of the Justice Department, cut policies from housing rights protections, and refuse to denounce the Confederate flag. Biden is the opposite of those policies. Some people, who claim to be progressive, desire to sit out this election. This is a wrong policy, because elections deal with school funding, the postal service, our roads, our census, our health care, our economy, and other parts of our society. Therefore, we should vote. Voting matters. If we want to see real change, then voting Trump out of office is very important.

Yesterday was the Birthday of Brother Al Roker, and he is 64 years old. He is a famous weather forecaster, journalist, TV personality, actor, and author. He was born in Queens, NYC. His cousins are Roxie Roker, Lenny Kravitz, and Zoe Kravitz. His mother is of Jamaican descent, and his father is of Bahamian descent. He graduated from Xavier High School in Manhattan. He earned a B.A. in communications in 1976 from State University of New York at Oswego.  He was a weather forecaster at Syracuse, NY and in other places like Washington, D.C. He has been on the Today Show on NBC for years. His wife is fellow journalist Deborah Roberts from ABC.  Al Roker has 3 children. Roker is known for his charity work all of the time. He has been on movies like Madagascar, Robots, etc. including TV shows like 30 Rock and The Proud Family. He wrote many books about family and other matters. Al Roker is a blessed man. I wish Brother Al Roker more blessings. 

 

We know about the real Ella Baker, but many folks don't know. Ella Baker was a woman of the South. She was a black woman who used honesty, courageousness, and activism to eliminate not only Jim Crow apartheid. She wanted poverty to be gone too. She knew sharecropping and saw first hand of the economic exploitation of black workers in the Deep South. When she was young, she accepted the usage of communal, community power in building up the grassroots members of the overall black freedom movement. That is why Baker believed in humility and many socialistic principles of the redistribution of society's wealth from the rich capitalists to the poor and working class. He was a friend to the activist George Schuyler during the 1930's. Baker worked with the YNCL and used cooperatives to economically help the oppressed. Many black scholars like W.E.B. DuBois wanted black cooperatives as a means to make socialism more thoroughly inits existence. Ella Baker was one of the Mothers of the Modern Day Civil Rights Movement. She mentored SNCC, Kwame Ture, Julian Bond, Rosa Parks, and Ruby Dee. In 1974, at a Puerto Rican solidarity rally, Ella Baker said the following words, "You and I cannot be free in America or anywhere else where there is capitalism and imperialism." Enough said. Ella Baker was always a revolutionary black woman. The real shame is that the 2020 Democratic National Convention allowed Michael Bloomberg to speak, but not Ihan Omar or Ayanna Pressley or Rashida Tlaib. He had more time than Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez. Trump should be voted out off office on November 2020, but we should have legitimate critiques of any politician. 


 

By Timothy

 


The 2020 Virtual DNC Convention

 

The first virtual Democratic National Convention was historic. The theme of its first night on Monday night was all about unity, voting, and promoting real leadership in opposition to the Trump agenda. We know that a bipartisan intel report showed that the Trump campaign chair is in constant communication with a Russian officer. The whole first day was about appealing to both progressives and anti-Trump Republicans like John Kaisich. John Kasich is right that Trump has shown bad policies, but we know that moderation doesn't work to eliminate structural inequality. Bernie Sanders gave an articulate, powerful speech on opposing oligarchy. I do agree with Bernie Sanders that people should have a $15 minimum wage, universal pre-K, investments in infrastructure, universal health care, climate change policies, end private prisons, and eliminate cash bail. Biden may not be the candidate that many of us desire, but the only way Trump is out of office is to vote Trump out. We witness the most important election of our lifetimes. There is no need to embrace fantasy. Lives are at stake. So, we should push Joe Biden to be more progressive as he is a neoliberal centrist. We should call for an explicit black agenda including reparations for black Americans. Yet, if we sit out this election, Trump may be re-elected and the lives of millions of people could be ruined. That is why it is a necessary duty to vote.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama gave a passionate, thoughtful speech about the times that we live in. She said that Trump is not prepared to deal with the complex nature of the Presidency. The Presidency requires not only experience, but folks need intellectual curiosity, empathy, compassion, and a sense of character. We all know what Trump's character is consisted of. Michelle Obama later gave arguments on why voting is important, about how the nation has the right to be better, and going higher never means to grovel in the midst of injustice. Going high revolves around confronting evil in order making sure that the oppressed and all people experience justice comprehensively. We also have to be careful. Christie Todd Whitman was involved in the 9/11 air quality scandal. The change in America will not come by solely courting never Trump Republicans. Progressives, black people, other people of color, the young, etc. must be energized to vote. Also, we shouldn't compromise our core convictions. Biden should be pressured to be more progressive.

We know that far right extremists are wrong on many issues. Yet, it is always important to expose neoliberals and members of the liberal establishment (not progressives). Neoliberals are funded by multinational corporations and various large foundations in order to show a smokescreen of progress without nothing fundamentally changing for the common people (especially for the working class, grassroots people). One example is how the centrists and many of the Hollywood crowd praise Cardi B, but she is a person saying the n word, admits to have ties to the Bloods street gang, caught admitting that she drugs people for nefarious purposes, and called black women roaches. It is is the height of hypocrisy to claim that calling yourself anti-black slurs and anti-women slurs in music is somehow reclaiming your identity.


I'm consistent, because I don't agree with any musician (from 50 Cent, NWA, and to Luke) claiming that using anti-black slurs (or using misogyny in music) is somehow keeping it real, but these same musicians wouldn't dare use slurs about other groups of people because their careers would be gone. The common weak argument from those who support anti-black degradation in music is that they have free speech rights. They do have free speech rights, but we have the free speech right to critique or disagree with their dehumanizing product. See, freedom is a 2 way street. Even the greatest art in human history was critiqued without censorship. There is nothing wrong with being woke, but we can't be a fake woke. Another one of these fake woke people is Bill Maher. Maher said the n word, used a token apology, and supports policies of the war on terror. Tomi Lahren is known for disrespecting Maxine Waters and other progressives too. So, Tomi is wrong. This system is bigger than musicians (as large corporations fund many of these musicians to spew the debasement of our people for profit). It is about a system of oppression that must end.

 

Trump retweeted a post from the right wing extremist Brandon Straka about letting Democratic cities to rot. This comes after many protesters oppose the death of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other black human beings. Trump is desperate for votes, so he is using overt racism, and promoting divisions instead of solutions. Straka is a Trump supporter. We know who Trump is and what he represents. Trump claims that the U.S. coronavirus numbers are better than almost all countries when the USA has the most deaths of any country on Earth as a product of the coronavirus. While over 21 billion dollars is spent for the Pentagon, Trump refuses to invest in the USPS, to election services, and to the rebuilding of our national infrastructure. The richest people on Earth has benefit by this malfeasance. Mark Zuckerberg's wealth has increased by 59 percent, Jeff Bezos' wealth has grown by 39 percent, about 50 million Americans have filed for unemployment insurance, and about 40 million Americans have at risk of eviction from housing. This numbers are incredible and unprecedented in world history, but this is reality. We don't need a privatization of the Post Office and other public services to benefit wealthy corporate leaders. We need a reconstruction of society whereby wealth is redistributed fairly to the people. That is why it is crucial for our votes and our voices to promote seniors, defend veterans, defend democracy, defend the Postal Service, and end anti-democratic policies in American society.

 

By Timothy

 


Monday, August 17, 2020

Diverse History and other Facts.

  

Hip hop always had rap battles and competition to see who was the better or more wittier MC. Yet, the 1990's saw a different form of beef that was more intense, more violent, and more personal. The biggest hip hop beef in history was Bad Boy Records vs. Death Row Records rivalry. The end result of this destructive beef was the death of 2 innocent, young black men unfortunately. While their bodies were gone from this Earth, corporate media interests from Vibe (including the Village Voice. Much of the corporate media have ties to the CIA, the CFR, and other multinational corporate interests) to other news media outlets fueled this tension, FBI forces including NYPD forces used surveillance against many hip hop artists, and other innocent people were assaulted unjustly on both sides. During the early 1990's, Ice Cube's song No Vaseline targeted NWA and it was a battle record. It was personal (describing Ice Cube's frustration with his contract and wanting a lawyer to give him a better deal), but it was no where near the tensions among many artists in the media-driven East Coast vs. West Coast beef. When did this beef start or originate form? To start, you have to look at hip hop history. Hip hop came from the Bronx, NYC. Kool Moe Dee and Star Busy Dee Starksi had a rap battle that caused the rapt battle culture to expand into massive levels lyrically. Back then, battles were mostly between DJs and then lyricists. Many people in the New York rap scene disregarded any hip hop music from any other region in America except for the North. The first hip hop artist that grew East Coast and West Coast tensions was the artist Tim Dogg (who recently died years ago). Tim Dogg was angry in 1991 over record companies' rejecting of East Coast artists and the growing popularity of West Coast hip hop. Tim Dogg was from the Bronx, and many NYC rappers were jealous of the growing strength of West Coast hip hop music. So, Tim Dogg made a diss track called "F__ Compton." The problem with the song that it disrespected a whole city. There is nothing wrong with opposing violent gangs killing people over colors. Murder is evil. Yet, not all West Coast people should be scapegoated for such evils. Tim Dogg said that he was cool with Ice T, but he was targeting the West Coast rap scene, especially NWA. Tim Dogg targeted Eazy-E. Many West Coast artists responded like Snoop and Compton's Most Wanted. There was a time when Tupac saved Tim Dogg's life when Tim Dogg visited California over the diss record. Tim Dogg died in controversy after scamming numerous women financially. 

 

Later, the Bad Boy vs. Death Row beef developed. The irony was that in 1993, Tupac, P Diddy, Suge Knight, the Notorious B.I.G., Warren G, DPG, and Snoop were great friends. Tupac and Biggie did concerts together all over the East Coast, especially at Howard University. Tupac allowed Biggie to say the words of Thug Life in a concert at Maryland. Everything changed with the November 30, 1994 shooting of Tupac Shakur at Quad City studios. Immediately, Tupac Shakur accused the Notorious B.I.G., Andre Harrell, and Sen Combs of involvement and foreknowledge of the shooting and robbery of him and others at the Quad Recording Studios at Manhattan. They, of course, deny any of those allegations. Now, we know one shooter is named Dexter Isaac, who said that James Rosemond paid him money to rob Tupac Shakur. After the shooting, Biggie released the song "Who Shot Ya?" We know that the song had nothing to do with Tupac's shooting, but releasing so early after the shooting was definitely in poor taste. Tupac interpreted the song as Biggie's way of taunting him. We know that the Notorious B.I.G. had nothing to do with the 1994. Biggie came into the hospital to try to see Tupac, and he wrote letters to Tupac saying that he nothing do with the shooting. Tyehimba tried to convince Tupac that Biggie was innocent too. It's not a secret that the intelligence community used agents in the music industry in trying to control people or stir conflict. The book of the Hip Hop Cop documents this historical fact. The August 1995 Source Awards had more tensions. This was when Death Row CEO Suge Knight disrespected Bad Boy Records head Combs. Suge said that he didn't like Diddy dancing in the videos of records if they (or artists from Bad Boy) want to come to Death Row, they could. Diddy said that he respected the accomplishments of Death Row and the East/West tensions need to stop. As we shall see, Diddy isn't so innocent in this history either despite his public words. By late 1995, Jermaine Dupri hosted a party in Atlanta for major industry leaders and artists. This was the time of of his birthday. Suge Knight and his friend Jake Robles (who was a Bloods gang member) were there along with Combs. Jermaine Dupri said that Suge and Diddy argued at the party. Later, their argument continued outside, then someone shot and murdered Jake Robles, Suge's friend. People have accused Diddy's former bodyguard Wolf of being involved in the shooting. To this day, Suge Knight blamed Diddy for the death of his friend. In 1995, Suge Knight bailed out Tupac for $1.4 million bail. This was done for him to sign with Death Row records. Tupac knew of Suge's reputation, but he was desperate to leave prison. John Potash documented that Tupac was threatened so much by inmates and guards in prison that his revolutionary uncles used their influence to stop the threats. The guards in prison put Tupac in solitary confinement and restricted his showers. Suge Knight is known for not only beating up men (like George and Lynwood Stanley. Suge Knight has also been accused of selling drugs), but he beat on women too. He forced one man to drink urine. Simon reaped what he has sown. Bruce Richardson's memory lives on. For those who don't know, Bruce Richardson was a 6ft. 5 tall man who knew martial arts. When Suge refused to pay Richardson, Richardson came to Suge face to face and slap him up in a club (as Bruce knew martial laws). Later, Bruce was murdered. His case was unsolved, but it is suspected that 2 Bloods murdered him. Kelly Jamerson was murdered. Also, undercover police was infilitrating the mainstream hip hop industry. Reggie Wright Jr. was an ex-cop, and his father, Reggie Wright Sr. was a retired police officer. October 1995 was when Tupac left prison. During this time, people in Brooklyn shot at the trailer of Snoop and the Dogg Pound after releasing New York, New York (Snoop destroyed buildings in the video). Biggie said that he can't believe that Snoop and the Dogg Pound were filming in NYC. Tupac continued to make diss tracks against Bggie in songs like Against All Odds, Bomb First (My Second Reply), and Hit Em Up. Tupac and members of the Dogg Pound disrespected Biggie and other artists in the song NY 87. Tupac in the song explicitly said "F__ New York." 

 

By late 1995 and early 1996, the media promoted this coastal rap feud. Many fans of hip hop took sides, some didn't, and others were confused. The movement caused LL Cool J to have a song called I Shot Ya (remix) in 1995 with rising and new artists like Keith Murray, Prodigy, Fat Joe, and Foxy Brown. The song is notable for Pordigy to be the first mention the Illuminati and secret societies as an hip hop artist. Tupac approached Keith Murray and asked him if the song from LL Cool J was about him. Keith said no. This was at the House of Blues. LL Cool J denied the song being directed at Tupac Shakur, but LL admitted that he made references to Kool Moe Dee, MC Hammer, and Ice T in the realm of hip hop competition. In 1996, Tupac Shakur was the most popular hip hop artist in the world. Biggie never directly responded to Tupac. Instead, the Notorious B.I.G. used subliminal references in songs to diss Tupac in Brooklyn's Finest with Jay Z, The Ugliest (which had Busta Rhymes on it. The song was produced by the legendary DJ J Dilla), and Long Kiss Goodnight (Lil Cease said that it was about Tupac while Diddy denies this). P Diddy in 1996 had a song called Stop Yappin' where he disrespected Tupac Shakur. Many other artists disrespected Tupac in 1996 like Chino XL and DMX for no legitimate reason. In the midst of this time form 1994 to 1997, there was rap battles between Westside Connection vs. Cypress Hill, Q-Tip, and Common. By the end of 1996, in September, Tupac Shakur wanted to promote the One Nation album in ending the East Coast/West Coast tensions. Tupac Shakur wanted to settle down with Kadada and have children. Tupac Shakur wanted to go into politics more, set up community centers, celebrate Black Panther Legends, and move forward with his life. According toe the bodyguard Moore, on September 5, 1996, Tupac and Suge Knight had an argument about Snoop saying he was cool with Biggie and contractual issues. Later, he was murdered by a group of cowards. Ironically, the Notorious B.I.G. wanted to end the East Coast/West Coast tensions before he died in 1997. He was murdered by a coward in Los Angeles. On September 22, 1996, a peace summit was convened at Mosque Maryam by Louis Farrakhan after Tupac's murder. There was another one after the murder of the Notorious B.I.G. These summits were held in the 1980's too in order to call for peace. After the deaths of 2 artists, there was a calming period, but hip hop beefs, even ending in deaths, unfortunately continued well into the 21st century. 

  

The era of 1994-1996 saw the growth of unique, talented artists too. Hip hop in 1994 saw artists making albums like the Fugees, Casaul, Scholly D, Beastie Boys, Nefertiti, Gang Starr, The Roots, M.O.P., Nas, OutKast, Master P., Public Enemy, Bone Thugs and Harmony, Kane, the Notorious Bi.I.G, Craig Mack, Keith Murray, Common, Digable Planets, Scarface, Artifacts, Brand Nubian, Slick Rick, etc. Hip Hop music expanded into new markets, and more people saw their views shown. Regulate from Warren G ft. Nate Dog shown G-funk. Coolio's Fantastic Voyage was a funner record. Thuggish Ruggish Bone from Beon introduced many people to Cleveland hip hop. Ahmad's Back in the Day reflected on his past. Juicy was the philosophical record of the Notorious B.I.G. Salt-N-Pepa made statements with None of Your Business. Give It Up was from Public Enemy. One of Scarface's greatest records is "I Seen a Man Die." The year of 1995 in hip hop had tons of 90s sounds. The Roots released "Do You Want More?." DJ Quik, Big L, King Tee, Mobb Deep, Three 6 Mafia, Tupac (with his All Eyez on Me album), Master P, Mack 10, MC Breed, Luniz, Bone (with E. 1999 Eternal), Natas, Raekwon, Junior Mafia, Kool G trap, Coolio, Mic Geronimo, LL Cool J, etc. made tons of music. One of the most introspective and emotional songs in 1995 was Gangsta' Paradise ft. L.V. It talked the harsh realities of the ghettos without glorifying violence. It discussed the pain and the hurt of those suffering in oppressed communities. It won many awards. Gangsta's Paradise was inspired by Stevie Wonder, and it is one of the greatest songs in hip hop history. LL Cool J had the hit with Boyz II Men called Hey Lover. The Notorious B.I.G. had the song One More Chance with Faith Evans and Mary J. Blige. The cameos in the video had tons of artists like Total, Heavy D. Mary J. Blige, Luther Campbell, Spike Lee, Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri, D-Nice, Patra, Miss Jones, Queen Latifah, Craig Mack,Cypress Hill, Tyson Beckford, Aaliyah, Changing Faces, Kid Capri, Junior Mafia, Zhane, and Sean Combs. Method Man and Mary J. Blige made the song of I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By. It was about love among a black man and a black woman in struggling circumstances. Tupac Shakur's song of Dear Mama in 1995 was one of the greatest hip hop songs of all time showing the love of a son for his mother. In 1995, there was How High from Method Man and Redman, I wish from Skee-Lo, Bone's music, Sugar Hill form AZ, Ice Cream from Raekwon, etc. 8Ball & MJG made music. 1996 was a year in hip hop that was dominated by Tupac Shakur. All Eyez on Me was released by Tupac. The Fugees had the Score. Lod Finesse release The Awakening. Bahamadia released Kollage. Busta Rhymes had the Coming album. Master P had the Ice Cream Man album. MC Breed, Dr. Dre, Too Short, Lost Boyz, Ice T, and De La Soul had Stakes is High. 1996 was a year that had some of the greatest hip hop music around. In 1996, Sadat X, UGK, A Tribe Called Quest, Crucial Conflict, A+, MC Lyte, OutKast (wth ATLiens), Rass Kass, Jeru the Damaja, Xzibit, Westside Connection, M.O.P, PMD, Lil Kim, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, FoxyBrown, Keith Murray, 36 Mafia, Redman, and other artists released albums. One of the greatest songs of Bone Thugs N Harmony was the Crossroads from 1996. It honored the lives of loved ones. It was a song that was dedicated to their mentor Eazy E too. Tupac's songs in 1996 were very numerous. Nas and Lauryn Hill made the song If I Ruled the World in 1996 when I was in the 7th grade. De La Soul's Stakes is High video in 1996 criticized not only gangster rap in an overt way. They criticized materialistic culture and predicted the further exploitation and social corruption found in mainstream hip hop. Outkast's Elveators (Me and You) showed soul and great lyricism. Outkast refuted the lie and stereotype of Southern hip hop lacking complex metaphors or lyrics. The Lost Boyz' Renee was a songs about a love story ending bad. The Roots' What They Do criticized hip hop having materialism excessively too and the fakeness of some artists. It targeted the bling bling cliches. The Fugees' Ready or Not and Killing Me Softly showed their impact on hip hop culture. Tupac's To Live and Die in LA gave a celebration of Los Angeles in general. Jeru The Damaja's Ya Playing Yaself against criticized violence and corporate exploitation of hip hop artists. Hype Williams directed the song Hit Em High being the soundtrack of Space Film featuring B-Real, Coolio, Method Man, LL Cool J, and Busta Rhymes. It has great graphics and excellent lyricism without profanity. The end of 1996 saw Tupac's The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory ruling the charts. Jay Z's Reasonable Doubt came about in 1996. Jay Z was just starting, and few would view him as being the richest hip hop artist in history being a billionaire by 2020. Tupac's California Love was all about praising the state of California. From Tribe, Lord Finese, KRS-One, Bahamadia, and other artists, 1996 had one of the most soulful years in music history. Hip hop in 1997 was the end of one era and the start of a new era. During the early part of 1997, there was the growth of the pop songs. The bling bling and shiny suit era started, and the Notorious B.I.G. passed away on March 9, 1997. The Rhyme and Reason soundtrack was out on January 14, 1997. Before Biggie's death, there were Kol keith, C-Bo, Funkmaster Flex, Luniz, TRU, and other artists making music.  

One of the most important examples found in trigonometry is how angles can be divided into degrees and radians. Degrees are easy to understand. Acute angles are less than 90 degrees, right angles have 90 degrees, and obtuse angles are more than 90 degrees. A straight angle is one that is 180 degrees, a reflex angle is an angle greater than 180 degrees, and these angles help us in many fields from architecture to computer science. A right angle is pi/2 radian, a straight angle has pi radian, and a full angle is 360 degrees. There are diverse triangles too. The equilateral triangle has 60 degrees on each angle. An acute triangle has each angle being less than 90 degrees, a right triangle has one angle with 90 degrees, the obtuse triangle has one angle that is over 80 degree, the scalene is a triangle with angles that aren't equal, and the isosceles triangle has 2 equal angles. 

  

There are tons of precalculus examples. One example is how to find the point ofr intersection of lines with equations like x-2y=5 and 2x-5y=11. Then, you multiple x-2y=5 by 2 to get 2x-4y=10. Then, you use 2x-4y=10 - 2x -5y=11 to get y=-1. Then the y=-1 is substituted in x-2(y)=5 to solve for x. x is found to be 3. So , the point of intersection is (3,-1) among the 2 lines. Another example is an equation of the line which passes through the points (1,4) and (-3,2). The slope of the line must be found first by m=4-2/1-(-3)=1/2. The equation is y=4=1/2(x-1) or y=1/2x+7/2. Another aspect of precalculus examples involve algebraic simplification. There is an example of x3-8/x2-4. To simplify the example, you expand both functions into the polynomials of (x-2)(x2+2x+4)/(x-2)(x+2), then that is simplified to x2+2x+4/x+2.

  

Learning about statistics is very vital in comprehending how the world functions. With the existence of the coronavirus, you precisely need to get facts on median, maximums, and various ranges on graphs that describe how many people have the virus.  Experiments and studies deal with statistics constantly. Researchers summarize data using indexes, mean, the standard deviation, and inferential statistics. The earliest writings on probability and statistics plus statistical methods drawing form probability theory date back to Arabic mathematicians and cryptographers  like Al-Khalil (717-786) and Al-Kindi (801-873). The mean is the average of a set of numbers or the sum or the values divided by the number of values. The median is a set of data separated into the lower and higher halves (where the central number is found). The standard deviation is the most commonly used measure of statistical dispersion. It is the square root of the variance and is generally written as sigma. Variance is the measure o its statistical dispersion of a random variable. It shows how far from the expected value its values typically are. 

 

For thousands of years, human beings have used trigonometry for many functions. When people study the angles found in Nature, then people know that mathematics has great value. Long ago, the scholars of the Earth knew of the movements of the stars, moon, and planets. Trigonometry helps us to understand that life is more than chemicals and biological functions. Life deals with concepts of moral principles, mathematical formulas, and developing ways to build up our societies. They knew of these things using not only astronomy but mathematics too. The way buildings are shaped, the why DNA is organized, and the outline of the other structures of the Universe has been related to precalculus in all of its manifestations. For example, the Great Pyramids of ancient Egypt dealt with angles, architecture, and various complex measurements of large stones in order for those buildings to be fully constructed. How physics work, the study of forces, spreading of molecules, and the orientation if how chemicals travel allow us to see how valuable precalculus is. No one should diminish the importance of mathematics. For years, we have learned how to count, how to evaluate logarithmic equations, and how to develop ways of building institutions require an understanding of mathematics. In the way of the world, we see how STEM fields, precalculus has inspired tons of people to have careers like those who are engineers, teachers, architects, and other human beings. The greatness of exponents, quadratic equations, polynomials, and cones allow us to see the power plus great value of the Universe. 


By Timothy


Friday, August 14, 2020

Time is Moving.

 

We witness new times in our world. We have new campaigns going out trying to be President. This year is one for the history books as millions of people worldwide are in mass demonstrations all over America in response to the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, etc. In America, more than 1,000 people have passed away from the virus every day. There are back to work campaigns that has expanded the spread of the virus without just compensation. Millions of people are unemployed and struggle to get employment. Not to mention that millions of human beings face evictions and starvation. This political, economic, and social crisis is unprecedented in our generation. Now, the mainstream political establishment offer us the choice between the neo-fascist Trump regime and the neoliberal, moderate Joe Biden. What a choice. This is the choice that I don't want, but I have to think about our descendants. Either Trump or Biden will win the election despite the existence of third party candidates. To prevent national catastrophe, I have no choice but to vote Trump out of office despite the imperfections of Biden and Kamala Harris. We can look forward, but we have to do the right thing for our communities. We see tax cuts for the wealthy, financial deregulation via the repeal of the Glass Steagall Act, etc., lack of spending on public infrastructure, and no high speed rail. Common sense shows us that the American Empire is on the decline by every metric from economic, political, and social. We still have to fight police brutality, endless wars, and the mass incarceration state that has ruined so many lives. The Trump cult is certainly a threat to our democratic order. This Trump cult marginalizes women, black people, other people of color, undocumented immigrants, the poor, and other human beings who don't fit their perverted standard on what a real American is. Trump dodges responsibility from him causing 16 million to be jobless and other problems in America. 

 

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris agreed to wanting governors to promote masks. Also, Trump refuses to invest in the post office. Trump also hates mail in voting in a high level, because he knows that he is losing in the polls. He has rejected a $25 billion plan for the post office to support mail in voting. The post office deals with mail in voting, prescriptions, mails, etc. Right now, the virus has deaths over 167,000 Americans. Also, we saw Trump saying that he doesn't want low income housing invading suburban areas. He is not using coded language. He is very clear that he is using racist rhetoric in trying to gain votes. Trump admitting that he wants his budget to make voting harder outlines his callousness. Donald Trump supporting Qanon supporter Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has disrespected progressives, black people, and Muslims shows why we need to vote Trump out office come November. Trump is not fighting the Deep State. The financial oligarchy has funded Trump for decades. It is the same far right extremists who wanted to end the New Deal, the Civil Rights Movement, the Great Society, etc. to this very day. Trump's payroll tax policy is a veiled attempt to harm Social Security, Medicare, and other parts of the social safety net.

 

For decades to come, history books will show what we have witnessed. In Wilmington, Delaware, which is a city on the Mid Atlantic region of America, both Biden and Harris gave their speeches. They outlined what they disagreed with Trump on, and both candidates described their vision for what they desire America to be. People have cheered. We should celebrate history and allow people to be in their feelings about the historic significance of such a candidacy. Likewise, we are not naive. For over 4 decades, we have witnessed the consequences of Reaganomics. The conclusion is that Reaganomics doesn't work. The DLC's moderate views are ended now as neoliberalism doesn't work to help the working class or any oppressed people. I believe that Biden was wise to choose Kamala Harris, because Harris is an excellent debater and she has all of the qualifications. She is a Senator, was involved in the legal affairs of the nation, and has other experience. Even recently, Trump has used the sexist trope that Kamala acted "nasty" because she disagree with Kavanaugh. Also, it is important to realize that in the midst of these days, we can't worship Wall Street or corporate corruption. We have to work and do our duties to promote the progressive principles that our ancestors fought and died for. Those principles include to eliminate imperialism and structural oppression from the world. 

 Akon is completely wrong in his recent comments. He said that black Americans should just let slavery go as a means to move forward. Jewish people never let go of the Holocaust. There are many museums about the Holocaust that not only describe how evil it is was. It shows the lesson that we should always fight injustice and never forget. Black Americans have every right to say that we should never forget what happened to our ancestors. Our ancestors suffered rape, abuse, chains, whips, and other things so graphic that I can't mention here. Likewise, the way to move forward is to never forget the past, use solutions, and fight for a better future. Akon is also wrong, because slavery exists worldwide, even today. Black Africans are readily victims of slavery in Saudi Arabia, in North Africa, etc. by racist people. Akon ought to realize that black people will never forget a thing. Akon working with a racist rapper who tours the nation trolling people (when that person was involved in exploiting a child in a grotesque away) shows what his agenda is all about. He wants profits and to minimize the pain of black people. These people who want black folks to bow down forget that this is a new generation. Like the older generations, we won't bow down to political corrections or whitewashing of the black freedom struggle. 

 

One of the most most unreported stories in the world are the infiltration of many police agencies by white supremacists and violent gangs nationwide. In Los Angeles, there are uniformed gangs called the Vikings, Regulators, and Banditos. They target black and brown communities plus even other cops. The LA Times reported that Los Angeles County paid out about $55 million in settlements in cases where sheriff's deputies have been alleged to belong to a secret society. These deputy groups like the 3000 Boys, the Regulators, etc. operated out of several Sheriff's Department stations and jails for decades. These cases span from since 1990. The FBI had a probe on these groups. Sheriff Alex Villanueva said that he wanted to ban deputies from being involved in cliques. The Lynwood Vikings is a white supremacist gang within the Sheriff's Department. Right now, California has bills that try to address police corruption. 

By Timothy

 


 


History Being Made and Other Events.

 

 

The choice is here. Biden decided to choose Kamala Harris as VP . This is not an unsurprising choice. Kamala Harris' strength is that she is an outstanding debater. She knows her stuff. Her prosecutorial record will be dissected by the far right. Many progressives question her question justice record, but Kamala Harris is a whole lot better than Trump intellectually, morally, and politically. Kamala Harris is certainly a person who will easily defeat Mike Pence in a debate. She is born to be in the debate stage. Her Presidential campaign started in Oakland with thousands of people certainly energized human beings.Harris is a strong critic of the bad policies of the Trump administration from his racist statements, his anti-immigrant policies, and his other actions that are anti-democratic. Recently, Trump used the sexist comment that Harris was "nasty" because she disagreed with Kavanaugh. People have every right to disagree with the political views of Kavanaugh. Kamala Harris is the first black woman Vice Presidential candidate in American history of a major party. That is very much historic. Now, Biden and Harris aren't perfect. No one is perfect here. I disagree with neoliberal moderation, but after this election, only one campaign will win. It's either going to be Biden/Harris or Trump/Pence. Either we can get more done with a moderate ticket or a reactionary ticket. I rather have a moderate where you can push them to be more progressive than a reactionary who will further destroy the social safety net in a massive level and harbor resentment of democratic rights. I don't agree with the racist, sexist attacks on Kamala Harris. Whether people agree or disagree with her, people should always use cogent, reasonable arguments without sexism or racism. Trump recently made the racist comments that lower income housing will invade the suburbs. Kamala Harris certainly should be treated with dignity and with respect. You feel something special about these events. Without a black woman, I wouldn't be on this Earth. So, we always appreciate black women for our existence as human beings in general.

U.S. Attorney General William Barr gave an outrageous tirade about Black Lives Matter, Antifa, and progressive people in general. I'm not shocked, but it is important to expose Barr as nearly a modern day J. Edgar Hoover who has a paranoia about communism. He said these words in an interview on Sunday night at FOX News (which is Trump TV). Barr's words seek to try to intimidate those who disagree with his views on an unitary executive branch and other reactionary views. Barr promotes the lie that when protesters oppose police brutality, these people are attacking all police. We realize that the epidemic of police misconduct is real, and that radical change is necessary. Barr accused Antifa of being Bolsheviks (these are the people in 1917 who overthrew a fascist, anti-Semitic Romanov Russian state that violated working rights) and trying to form socialism or communism. Barr said that the left is at war against Trump to form a change. The truth is that at Portland, many policing officers illegally arrested protesters without due process or just cause. Barr is silent on the Boogaloo boys, who have been caught using violence and advocated for a second civil war against government because of the obvious reason. He is silent on far right people using semiautomatic weapons at Michigan to protest the lockdown.


Barr speaks nothing about the failure of the Trump administration, the massive income inequality, the corruption of the justice system. Barr and Trump know full well that Antifa's acts of vandalism (I don't agree with vandalism against innocent property) is no threat to the capitalist order. Antifa is a heavily decentralized organization. Barr shows the fear of real working class solidarity to confront the evils in society. Black Lives Matter folks aren't even terrorists but social activists. Barr is saying in public what many extremists say in private. For Trump to even call Biden a far left socialist is laughable when Biden is a moderate person. William Barr accused Black Lives Matter of being fascistic when he supports a President who loves to place migrant children in cages and glorifies Confederate statues. Trump also supported using the police to use tear gas and violent force against peaceful protesters in Washington, D.C. Barr claims that Democrats wants a lust for power to design utopia. The reality is that people want Trump out of office, because of his narcissistic, careless policies that contributed to the suffering of millions of Americans. Black people have every God-given right to oppose police brutality, systemic racism, and economic oppression. That is part of the freedom of speech.

 

People are talking about the destruction of property and the stealing of objects in Downtown Chicago. The city of Chicago is the size of Virginia Beach in land size, and Chicago has almost 3 million people. Many people were in the streets to protest the police shooting of a black person. Other people were in the streets for nefarious reasons. While we condemn innocent property being damaged, and the unjust stealing of resources, we are clear that such actions don't exist in a vacuum. For decades, Chicago has experienced deindustralization, massive police brutality, gang violence, the gun trafficking issue of guns being trafficked from cartels to urban areas, and other socioeconomic problems. Years ago, neoliberal mayors like Rahm Emanuel have closed dozens of schools, cut down the social safety net, and these acts have increased unemployment. The North side in many places look like Disneyland while the South Side and the West Side struggle by having lax resources and socioeconomic issues.


People have to realize that resources in the black community being gone increases the risk of gentrification (where big corporations take over lands at a cheap price from poorer people and then sell to people outside the community to run it). I always had an intuition that agent provocateurs and others provoke violence as an excuse for the powers that be to promote gentrification and control black community power bases. That is why revolutionary solutions are necessary to not only improve Chicago but everywhere in America. We shouldn't be caught up in the lie that Chicago should be made into the scapegoat for every problem in America. Racists exploit the issues of Chicago as a means for them to blame black people for crime collectively, which is wrong. The truth is that any solution requires collective power in developing the infrastructure to facilitate the development of any society.


By Timothy