Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 665

Author Daniel Black in Conversation Marc Lamont Hill at MIST Harlem

'Author Daniel Black talks with Marc Lamont Hill about his book The Coming . Black and Hill discuss various topics related to the novel, Daniel's process in writing it, the Africans' spirituality, psychology, and sexual abuse during those times while traveling through the Middle Passage.' -- +MIST Harlem 

#DanielHoltzclaw Split Verdict Is a Travesty and Dangerous by Kali Nicole Gross

#DanielHoltzclaw Split Verdict Is a Travesty and Dangerousby Kali Nicole Gross | @KaliGrossPhD | Huffpost Black Voices
Getting a conviction on 18 out of 36 charges against former Oklahoma City Police Officer Daniel Holtzclaw does not mean justice was served. Hardly.
It is a travesty.
Daniel Holtzclaw served on the force for three years. Given this, it's likely that the 13 black women who testified against him represent only a small fraction of the actual number of black female victims out there; especially if we consider that nationwide nearly 70 percent of sexual assaults go unreported.
It also suggests that despite compelling evidence against him, including but not limited to DNA evidence, eyewitness testimony, and corroborating evidence from the GPS in his police cruiser, the jurors failed to convict on half the charges. Or as some have noted, there were five victims for whom "justice" was denied.
As Jannie Liggons, a grandmother, and brave survivor of Holtzclaw told reporters, after she begged him to stop and feared for her life, in the end it was that the now convicted serial rapist "picked the wrong lady to stop."
Those words are so powerfully true and charged with so many historical legacies that make it nearly impossible for black women to get justice in America. The fact is an earlier victim had come forward. But because she was probably an impoverished, black woman with a criminal record or substance abuse problem, his favored demographic, it was not until Ms. Liggons, an older middle-class black woman with no criminal record, came forward that the case gained legs.
Still, while investigators took the case seriously and located the additional victims and charged Holtzclaw, the mainstream national media barely covered the story.
A judge gave him bail and an ankle monitor, until he racked up two bond violations that sent him back to jail before the trial. Still, social media campaigns were mounted on his behalf.
Once the DNA evidence from his youngest victim, a 17-year-old, was discovered even the Oklahoma Police Department had no choice but to fire him, as Chief Bill Citty said: "Your offenses committed against women in our community constitute the greatest abuse of police authority I have witnessed in my 37 years as a member of this agency."
Even the seating of an all-white jury for a case involving 13 black female victims was largely a blip on the national media screen.
It was not until Daniel Holtzclaw was convicted that the story started trending.
And what that trend tells us is that except for the groups of black feminists and their allies keeping the story alive on social media and in leftist media outlets, America still does not care about black women.
After all, a black woman -- even 13 of them -- being sexually assaulted is not news worthy in this country. What has shocked and forced the major media outlets into having to say something about this case is that now it looks like someone might actually be punished for it; never mind that he can appeal.
This partial victory is also an opportunity for some to suggest that the justice system worked. It allows people to ignore the inherent bias and wrongness of selecting an all-white jury. For many, it will gloss over the likely negligence of the Oklahoma City Police force and move attention away from important, unanswered questions such as how many officers ride without partners? How often are their GPS devices checked? How many ambiguous stops are investigated?
And this: How many more victims are there, really?
Glad he was not acquitted, but black women deserve far more than the fraught, partial justice awarded here.
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Kali Nicole Gross, Ph.D., a Public Voices Fellow, is associate professor and associate chairwoman of African and African Diaspora Studies at The University of Texas at Austin and author of Colored Amazons: Crime, Violence, and Black Women in the City of Brotherly Love, 1880-1910.  Follow her @KaliGrossPhD.

Strange Fruit: Soul Legend Jill Scott's Philosophy on Music and Life

Jill Scott talks her career, the music industry and parenting with Strange Fruit host Dr. Kaila Story and Jaison Gardner on the 150th episode of the program.

Will Hipsters Erase the Distinctive Street Art of Miami's Little Haiti?

Credit: Serge Toussaint 'Miami's Wynwood Arts District has been South Florida's street-art mecca for years. And as the neighborhood's rents rise and art galleries migrate to its surroundings, news outlets and the art community itself have implied art is "moving into" Little Haiti. But Little Haiti has been speckled with art since at least 1994. It may have just been mistaken as signage.' 

Lupita Nyong'o in Conversation w/ Michaela Angela Davis at MIST Harlem

'Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong'o in  conversation with writer and image activist Michaela angela Davis. In this recap, they discuss beauty, self-worth, and the type of roles Lupita would like to play in the future. Lupita is also awarded with a proclamation that declares October 20th as Lupita Nyong'o day in Harlem. This event was presented by The Public Theater, New Heritage Theater Group and +MIST Harlem.' 

Taraji P. Henson on Hollywood’s Racial Biases: ‘I Know the Struggle’

'This year, Taraji P. Henson’s starring role in Empire catapulted her to a new level of fame and got her recognition from Emmy voters, who nominated her for Best Actress in a Drama. Speaking to  +TIME at our Best of Culture photo shoot for the Person of the Year issue, though, Henson says she didn’t mind losing. Viola Davis, another black actress won the Emmy for her role in How to Get Away With Murder, becoming the first African-American winner in the category. “For me, that night wasn’t about ‘I win,'” Henson tells TIME. “I wanted one of us to win.” 

The Chicago Police Department Has A Long History Of Abuse

'Chicago police are under fire for recent revelations about misconduct and cover-ups by cops. But these scandals and brutality are nothing new as history shows. Abuse within the Chicago PD goes way, way back.' -- +AJ+ 

Mavis Staples on Crafting a Soundtrack for the Civil Rights Era

'In a special two-part interview, Mavis Staples joins Shad to discuss her decades-long career, her family's role in the civil rights movement and why — in the aftermath of Ferguson — we must collectively heed the lessons of history. ' -- CBC Radio  

"Merry Christmas Mr. Brown"--Aloe Blacc Offers the Gift of Song to Victims of anti-Black Violence

Aloe Blacc offers a tribute to the Black Lives lost to anti-Black violence, with "Merry Christmas Mr. Brown"--a gift of song to the families of those who were victims of such violence.

The Global African: Baltimore--A Canary in a Coal Mine

'+The Global African with Bill Fletcher, Jr. talks to Baltimore activists Makayla Gilliam ­Price, activist and student at Baltimore City College, Kwame Rose, a Baltimore based activist, and Dr. Lawrence Brown, Professor of Health Policy at Morgan State University in Baltimore about the ongoing Freddie Gray trial and what it means for the city, as well as the nation at-large.'