End of the Week News.

 

We have continued workers in France being on strike. The strike included about 3 million workers. People have marched across France to want to stop President Emmanuel Macron's pension cuts. This is the largest mass strike in France since the May to June 1968 general strike 55 years ago. Workers in many industries make up the heart of the economy. Many workers want the economy to come to a halt in order to stop pension cuts. Workers work in mass transit, rail, power stations refineries, auto, aerospace, and other jobs. Many students have organized blockades at universities in Paris, Lyon, and Rennes. About 75 percent of French people oppose Macron's cuts. Many flights were canceled in Paris, Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Nantes, Marseille, Montpellier, Nice, and Toulouse. Paris had 700,000 people marching. So, the union movement worldwide is growing. At the end of the day, if you work, play by the rules, and treat people right, then you should be justly compensated for your work. 

Melle Mel has nothing to apologize for. He told the truth. As an hip hop icon involved in the song of The Message, we know where is coming from. Melle Mel said that Eminem knows how to rap good, but if he was black, he would not have that prestige in mainstream society. Canibus is a greater lyricist than Eminem, but Canibus doesn't have that prestige in mainstream society. Eminem is known for saying the n word, making a racist tape years ago, disrespecting Michael Jackson and MC Hammer, and did other issues. Eminem even said in his music that if he was black, he wouldn't sold half. Eminem may verbally acknowledge the legends of hip hop from Rakim to Kane. Yet, respect is more than about words. It's about deeds. Many Eminem stans refuse to listen to any other hip hop artist but Eminem. I find that very interesting and ironic. Melle Mel told facts, and some self-hating people love Eminem more than they love the truth. Melle Mel didn't say anything racist or offensive.

The House Administration Subcommittee (filled with Republicans) want to review the January 6th committee records. This comes after far-right Republicans are angered that the truth about the insurrection is known to the general public. Many Republicans are trying to minimize the mayhem of the events. The events were carried out by pro-Trump Republicans who were traitors to America period. They assaulted people, called people slurs, and threatened to hang former Vice President Mike Pence. Even some Republicans are criticizing Tucker Carlson's false portrayal of the January 6th attack. The January 6th Committee was bipartisan, did great research, and made great sacrifice in getting the truth on what happened on that infamous date. It is offensive for Carlson and other people to whitewash what took place on the U.S. Capitol. The Capitol police officers risked their lives in trying to prevent the overthrow of the American government.

Yesterday was the Birthday of Brother Jeffrey Osborne, and he is 75 years old. As a legendary singer of the 1970’s, 1980’s, and beyond, his music has been the soundtrack of so many lives. He is an expert singer/songwriter, musician, and lyricist. He was born in Providence, Rhode Island. Many members of his family were musically inclined. Some of his siblings have music career like his brother Billy Osborne. Clarence Osborne (his father) was a popular trumpeter who played with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington. When Jeffrey Osborne started his career, he was part of the American soul band L.T.D. The band had hit ballads like Concentrate on You, Holding ON, etc. Osborne was a drummer. By 1982, he had his debut self-titled album. On the Wings of Love was very popular. He wrote the lyrics to Whitney Houston’s hit of All of Once in 1985 (the music was done by Michael Masser). He was in the song We Are the World in 1985 for USA for Africa’s fundraising program. Love Power was a duet that he had with Dionne Warwick. He loves his wife Sheri Osborne and their 3 daughters. I wish Brother Jeffrey Osborne more Blessings. 

Yesterday was the Birthday of Sister Jeanette Harris, and she is 44 years old. She has been a legendary jazz performer for decades. As we know, jazz is an artform that came from the Delta in the South to spread globally. Its diversity, power, and beauty are inspirational. She was born in Fresno, California. She studied jazz at Roosevelt High School. He led as lead alto in the school’s Latin Jazz Band. When she was in Bullard High School, she was a featured saxophonist. She graduated from Berklee in 2001 with a Bachelor of Music with a major in Performance. She loved to perform smooth jazz constantly with her brother, Michael Harris in a band. The Jeanette Harris Band has been to many jazz festivals from The Inglewood Jazz Festival to the African Village Festival. She played with the greats like Eloise Laws, Veretta Hathaway, Najee, Michael Ward, Will Barrows, Andrew Fischer, etc. Here and There was her first CD. Jeanette Harris has always been an expert saxophone player, and she will continue to bless countless people indeed. I wish Sister Jeanette Harris more Blessings. 

By Timothy