Ava Duvernay and Oprah Winfrey Team Up to Create "QUEEN SUGAR"

...a TV SERIES for Oprah's OWN NETWORK



The series will star Rutina Wesley
known due to her roles in "True Blood" and "Hannibal"





The book "Queen Sugar" by Natalie Baszile  is "a mother-daughter story of reinvention—about an African American woman who unexpectedly inherits a sugarcane farm in Louisiana"
Read More:  http://blogs.indiewire.com/womenandhollywood/rutina-wesley-to-star-in-ava-duvernays-tv-series-queen-sugar-20160115

EARTHA KITT APPRECIATION DAY

Actress 

(Born: January 17 1927 / Died: 2008)

"...Known for being blunt and short-tempered at times, Kitt found herself in a media firestorm in 1968. She attended a luncheon on the subject on juvenile delinquency and crime hosted by Lady Bird Johnson at the White House. At the event, Kitt shared her thoughts on the matter, telling the First Lady that "You send the best of this country off to be shot and maimed," according to the Washington Post. "No wonder the kids rebel and take pot." Her remarks against the Vietnam War offended Johnson, and made headlines. Her popularity took a significant hit after that, and she spent several years mostly performing abroad.

In 1978, Kitt enjoyed a career renaissance with her performance on Broadway in Timbuktu!. She earned a Tony Award nomination for her role in the play, and received an invitation to the White House by President Jimmy Carter. In 1984..."

~Biography.com

http://www.biography.com/people/eartha-kitt-9366124#career-highlights

A clip from a documentary

BLACK FEMALE RAPIST DANIEL HOLTZCLAW GETS THE FULL 263 YEARS

Ex-Oklahoma City police officer Daniel Holtzclaw, 29, has been sentenced to 263 years in prison, the full amount recommended by a jury. Holtzclaw was convicted in December of 18 counts of rape, sexual battery, and assorted other crimes after 13 black women testified he’d used his badge to assault them, then intimidate them into silence.

read more

http://jezebel.com/ex-cop-daniel-holtzclaw-sentenced-to-full-263-years-in-1754238842

GRAND JURY REMOVED FROM THE INDICTMENT PROCESS IN CALIFORNIA

California has become the first state in the nation to ban grand jury hearings for police-involved shootings and excessive force* cases. Per Senate Bill 227, prosecutors, who are elected in California, would be responsible for deciding to press criminal charges against so-called peace officers, a designation that, along with police officers, include sherriffs, marshals, investigators and some port police. 

~Colorlines 

http://www.colorlines.com/articles/california-bans-grand-juries-police-involved-murders

Excuse me.

How is this a good thing?

I'm trying to figure out how having an elected prosecutor make the indictment decision alone is better.

I'm especially trying to figure out how having an elected prosecutor in a republican or tea party state is better.

Besides, prosecutors are already deciding who gets indicted all by themselves-- via telling lies to predominantly white grand juries that are looking for lies to believe. Every now and again ONE of the jury panel objects to the lies and tells us what really happened behind closed doors. 


The problem is the secrecy of grand jury not the grand jury process itself, isn't it? The problem is that you don't know that the prosecutor lied or misled the grand jury until it's over. The problem is with the secrecy of the grand jury, not the grand jury itself -- not entirely.

I mean, are white grand juries supposed to be more racist or biased than a lone white prosecutors?

“With the stroke of a pen, Gov. Brown reinforces our 1st Amendment right and ensures transparency, accountability and justice for all Californians," Lara said in a statement.  "At a time when cellphone and video footage is helping steer important national civil rights conversations, passage of the Right to Record Act sets an example for the rest of the nation to follow.”

Think about it. How is Timothy McGinty not having to convince a grand jury that Tamir Rice caused his own death a good thing?  At least McGinty had to tell lies and mislead to get the grand jury to not indict. If McGinty had been here in California instead of Ohio, using this law he could have gone straight to punchline himself.

Tamir was scared
Officer Loehmann was scared
It was Accident.
No Indictment
End of Discussion

With no grand jury process, the indictment process is in one person's brain isn't it? There's no record to read after the secret tribunal (grand jury) is over. How does Brown figure this gives us MORE transparency?

The  problem of the secrecy of grand juries is actually a spin off of the real problem. And, in my opinion, the real problem is that District Attorneys and Police Officers are "colleagues" or what I like to call "professional buddies"


I need more information on what the immediate consequences will be if the prosecutor fails to do his or her job.

If D.A.s like McGinty (Tamir Rice Murder) and Kathy Alizadeh (who told the Darren Wilson grand jury that it was legal for Wilson to shoot at Mike Brown just for running when this was declared unconstitutional back in the 1980s), if prosecutors like these two are going to make the indictment decisions themselves, how is this better?

Again, the decision is locked in their head for all practical purposes. What happens to them if they make a bad decision? 

The only upside I see to this whole thing is that they may be made personally responsible for who is and is not indicted. But I want to know what the consequences are. I want to know what happens to a D.A. that makes a bad decision under the new system  that's different than the current, grand jury system.

COPS AND PROSECUTORS
BUDDIES FOREVER

Under the current grand jury system, if the D.A. rams a "bad" decision through the grand jury process, he or she blames the grand jury for the decision --no matter how instrumental he or she was in convincing the grand jury to make that decision. Then he or she waits for public attention to turn elsewhere and is re-elected as the District Attorney.

How does removing the grand jury --instead of making the grand jury public so we can see what lies the district attorney is telling the grand jury in the moment-- better?


As long as Buddy 1 (the District Attorney) is investigating Buddy 2 (the Cop) we have a problem. Removing the grand jury removed a layer of defense from where I sit.  That layer of defense wasn't working well but it was there and probably somewhat fixable. I don't understand removing a few more citizens from the legal system makes this better. It may not make it worse. But I'm not seeing where it makes it better.

Jerry Brown may have meant well. But this was a stupid path to take in my opinion. Only time will tell, I suppose.  



* * * * *
Read More On The Link Between Cops and Prosecutors At The Guardian:

"Promising a return to “tough on crime” priorities, and attacking the incumbent county attorney’s new rehabilitative programs, [District Attorney Hopeful Don]  Kleine clinched the endorsements of the region’s major police unions – and their thousands of dollars in election campaign contributions.

Ever since his 2006 victory, Kleine has relied on the officers of those unions to help him convict everyday criminals. Omaha officer Alvin Lugod, for instance, was called to appear as a prosecution witness a dozen times, according to records released by Kleine’s office.

The Counted: people killed by police in the United States in 2015 – interactive

The Guardian is counting the people killed by US law enforcement agencies this year. Read their stories and contribute to our ongoing, crowdsourced project

Read more

Yet when Officer Lugod was facing possible criminal charges himself in February for fatally shooting an unarmed man in the back, Kleine saw no reason to step aside. Instead, the prosecutor oversaw a secret grand jury process that declined to indict his colleague...."

Story Continued Here:  
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/dec/31/ties-that-bind-conflicts-of-interest-police-killings

Or just watch a few episodes of Law and Order. Prosecutors and Police Officers work hand in hand. Unlike television though, as we've seen over and over, in real life cops and prosecutors don't turn on one another when a cop kills an innocent civilian. They hang tough together.

Palin Connects Son's Domestic Violence Arrest To President Obama

Not the deadliest blame the black guy incident I've heard of.

But this is certainly the dumbest

Leave it to Sarah Palin

Feeling Rebloggy

Regarding her son's domestic violence arrest. 

My son, like so many others, they come back a bit different, they come back hardened," she said. "They come back wondering if there is that respect for what it is that their fellow soldiers and airman and every other member of the military so sacrificially have given to this country," she added. "And that starts from the top."

"That comes from our own president," she elaborated.

~Daily Beast

Read More: 
 http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2016/01/20/palin-blames-son-s-violence-on-obama.html


By the way, her son, Track, was arrested the same day or within a 24 hour news cycle of her endorsing everyone's favorite racist candidate, Donald Trump. 

BLACK GIRL MAGIC RISING: CANADA'S LINDSAY TWINS

Feeling Rebloggy

Walking at just 8 and a half months old, these gifted sisters were meant to dance and have been ever since. Meet the beautiful Lindsay twins; Imani and Nia, who were recently accepted into The American Ballet Theatre’s “Young Dancer Summer Workshop” on half scholarship. 


The American Ballet Theatre or “ABT” is recognized as one of the world’s leading classical ballet companies. Not only incredible dancers of many genres (including acrobatics, jazz, tap, hip hop, and contemporary) but amazing spirits, and at just 10 years old possess insight far beyond their years. 

We discussed dance, hair, music, bullying, motivation, advice on ignoring the negative judgments of others and why they look to Misty Copeland as a source of inspiration rather than “Miley Cyrus”.

~URBAN BUSH BABIES . COM

Video Interview at the link 
appears to be from 2 years ago (2014ish) 
when they were 10. 
They oughta be about 12 now.

This interview will be one of the top 10 cutest things 

you've ever seen. I promise

http://urbanbushbabes.com/exclusive-interview-with-10-year-old-twin-dancers-imani-nia-video/

Imani and Nia Lindsay





IMANI'S SOLO







NIA'S SOLO






DUET

GYNNYA McMILLEN - HER JANUARY 11th DEATH MAKES IT INTO MAIN STREAM NEWS

It took 8 days to get some traction on this story. But we did it. Main Stream News is picking up this story. Now the state of Kentucky knows we're watching them.

Maybe the family can get an answer other than "natural causes" and an actual sequence of events that led to her death. An autopsy is being done.

Original Post on Gynnya McMillen
http://thankherforsurviving.blogspot.com/2016/01/what-happened-to-16-year-old-gynnya.html



New Main Stream News Stories


Shaun King at "The Daily News"
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/king-serious-questions-death-teen-girl-ky-cell-article-1.2501773

The Root
http://www.theroot.com/articles/news/2016/01/ky_teen_dies_in_police_custody_family_left_with_little_answers.html

CBS
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/teen-girl-gynnya-mcmillen-dies-in-kentucky-juvenile-detention-few-details-released/

SAM DuBOSE FAMILY SETTLEMENT IS MILLIONS AFTER POLICE BODY CAM MURDER

SAM DUBOSE (CENTER) AND FAMILY 

Remember Sam DuBose?

Sam DuBose was killed by a college cop during a routine traffic stop just off the University of Cincinnati's campus. DuBose did not have his driver's license. He'd explained this multiple times. The officer, 25 years old at the time, shot DuBose for no apparent reason when DuBose started his car again.

Original Post and Video Of Murder.
http://blackchickrocked.blogspot.com/2015/07/sam-dubose-officer-that-killed-him-for.html

Black Feminists
Patrisse Cullors, Opal Tometi, Alicia Garza

WE SHOULD CONSIDER THIS A BLACK LIVES MATTER VICTORY BECAUSE
POLICE BODY CAMERAS ARE A RESULT OF BLACK LIVES MATTER EFFORTS. 





A number of police departments had body cameras or a budget for body cameras but weren't using them until Black Lives Matter nation-wide spotlighting activities forced the issue.

Trayvon Martin died in 2012.  George Zimmerman was found to be not guilty  of Martin's murder in 2013. Outraged over the verdict, Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi gave birth to Black Lives Matter in 2013. 

Many Black Lives Matter protests later, Cincinnati was testing Body Cameras on it's police officers in 2014.

Officer Ray Tensing's murder of Sam DuBose was caught on Body Camera. And Ray Tensing was charged with murder due to the body camera video. He faces 15 years to life at this time.  The murder trial is due to begin soon.   

DuBose Family Settlement also includes free tuition at the school
Read More:  
http://www.clutchmagonline.com/2016/01/family-of-sam-dubose-and-university-of-cincinnati-come-to-million-dollar-settlement/

JADA SMITH ON OSCARS SO WHITE

Jada Pinkett Smith came out and said we, as black people, should boycott the Oscars because of #OscarsSoWhite, the sequel.  Her video is at the end of this post.

And the Oscar goes to...a white person!For the second year in a row, all 20 Oscar nominations for acting have gone to white people.
Posted by AJ+ on Thursday, January 14, 2016

Her calling for a boycott is fine. But I think I would be feeling the racial solidarity a little deeper in my bones if her husband, Will Smith, hadn't just been skipped over for "Concussion."


Now, I didn't see "Concussion" But that's not the point.  The point is, Jada didn't come out and seriously trounce "Oscars So White" LAST YEAR with half the passion...THIS YEAR it looks like a case of sour grapes. 

 So, I'm sorry. I cannot give Jada any love on this...like...at all.

The first "Aunt Viv" on "The Fresh Prince Of Bel Aire" kinda read Jada and Will's motivations on this the same way. (Note: There's bad blood here because, rumor has it,  the first "Aunt Viv" actress was fired from "Fresh Prince" 20 years ago. And rumor has it she was fired because she and a wet behind the ears Will Smith didn't get along.)

AUNT VIV 1.0 DRAGS JADA AND WILL- READ MORE
http://www.awesomelyluvvie.com/2016/01/janet-huberts-jada-will-smith.html

Even so, I do agree with Jada. And it's not like I wouldn't like to boycott the Oscars-- as a watcher. But I already don't watch them.

They've been too white for years. And when a black woman does win it's for a stereotypical role that white people can get behind.


It almost made me vomit to have to be happy for Denzel Washington and Halle Berry when they won best actor and 

Denzel and Halle

best actress at the same time.  Denzel  won for being the thuggiest thug there has ever been in "Training Day" (out of all the other roles he's done exceptional work in) and Halle Berry won for being an abusive mother in "Monster's Ball" and did an explicit sex scene with the most repulsive hillbilly -type character I've seen in a while. Most of the black women I know were offended by that sex scene and by Halle's taking the role in the first place.

HOWEVER, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE OSCAR HALLE WON FOR MONSTER'S BALL LAUNCHED HER CAREER INTO A WHOLE NEW ORBIT.



I think the 2001 Oscars was the last Oscars I even attempted to watch a part of. So, I can't boycott what I already refuse to watch

But I also refuse to say, "I don't care."
I do care.
Know why? 

AMERICA

BELONGS

TO

US

TOO!

And that Oscar means something. That Oscar means more recognition. That Oscar means more roles will offered. That Oscar means you get to tell your own stories with a huge budget. 

You're damn skippy, I care.

"We should make our own stuff," some say.

My answer,  "We do."  

There are black people who have been making their own films for us for decades. You don't know 95% of their names. There are people making black internet series. You know why you don't  know who they are? Because they aren't getting national exposure....AT THE DAMN OSCARS IN THE UNITED STATES AMERICA ON NATIONAL TELEVISION WHERE YOUR ANCESTOR'S BLOOD SOAKED THE SOIL


When we get Oprah's OWN and BET to do 90% scripted black and brown programming, I'll be interested in "Let's do our own stuff" again.

When black people get together,
redefine black excellence as something other than making a whole bunch of money for ONE'S SELF
 and follow up by deciding to
jump up and down on Oprah's head
and whoever own's BET's head
(even if they are white)
I'll be right there with you on
"Let's do our own stuff"


Until then,  we need to focus on the left side of the graphic below: 




Just like we need to stop looking at the cops that murder and look at the judges and prosecutors that set murdering cops loose instead, we need to focus on the people behind the curtain pulling the strings. We need to look at replacing the Academy Judges.




Yes. Twenty nomination going to all white people, even to freaking Sylvester Stallone, even to white people that don't even live in this country, even to white people in movies that nobody even thought about seeing IS a problem. 

But the people behind the curtain,  the mostly old white men behind the curtain, are the biggest problem. Those judges are the ones that must be replaced to the tune of one-third or more.



All we have to do now is figure out how to hurt the Oscars folk in the wallet so that these old white men will be removed.


 When you find a way to take away the money white people sit up and listen. That's an always and forever kinda thing.  So how do we take away the money in a public way, suddenly, that's really noticeable?

Would all black and brown people turning off the Oscars really do it? Would refusing to click one thing on the internet that says "Oscar" do it? 

Maybe we should also think of a new awards show for people of color. We could keep Black awards shows, keep Latino awards shows, and keep Asian awards shows but ALSO have a much larger "People of Color Award Show" for actors. Maybe we need to focus on combining are numbers. We'd need a less clumsy name for the show. But you do get my drift, right?

Let me say this again: If our outnumbering white people is going to mean anything in 2050 or 2060, we better start pulling in the same direction.

Conclusion: Sour grapes or not, I hope Jada's protest attracts the attention of other black actors and actresses and they all refuse to go.  But I'm still thinking about what's next.

Hmmm...I wonder what Chris Rock is going to do. He's supposed to be the host for the Oscars this year. The possibilities are endless...(Insert Mean Grin Here)





#BlackRepresentationMatters

#LatinxRepresentationMatters

#AsianRepresentationMatters

-----------------
UPDATE January 20, 2016:
HAS THE REVOLUTION HAS BEEN CANCELLED? 

UPDATE January 21 2016
Will Says he's not going to the Oscars either:
http://blogs.indiewire.com/shadowandact/will-smith-will-not-be-attending-the-oscars-this-year-either-20160121

FILE THIS UNDER BLACK PROTEST WORK: SCHOLASTIC PULLS HAPPY SLAVE BOOK

Scholastic Pulls A Birthday Cake for George Washington Amid Slavery Backlash

Read More:
http://time.com/4184444/scholastic-birthday-cake-george-washington-slavery/



* * * * *

ORIGINAL STORY

SCHOLASTIC'S CONTRIBUTION TO INSTITUTIONALIZED RACISM PUBLISHED JUST IN TIME FOR MLK DAY
http://thankherforsurviving.blogspot.com/2016/01/scholastics-contribution-to.html