Mark Anthony Neal's Blog, page 965

Al Jazeera English Examines the Murder Rate in Chicago

AlJazeeraEnglish  For years, the murder rate in Chicago had been decreasing but this year has been different. Through the end of July, the number of murders in the United States' third largest city was more than 25 per cent higher than it was during that same time period in 2011.

After a stray bullet killed seven-year-old Heaven Sutton outside her home, Chicago's mayor pointed to the city's gangs as the root of the problem. But community organisers say the rise in murders is a result of failed urban policies.

They argue that a systemic change is needed and not just a police crackdown.

Ill Doctrine: Can Ghostwriters Keep It Real?

Why we need to rethink the rules for Hip-Hop & creativity.

Ava Duvernay Discusses Her New Film 'Middle of Nowhere'

Reel Black
In this first of a series of interview snippets, filmmaker AVA DUVERNAY introduces us to her film MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, in theaters nationwide October 12, 2012. Ms. DuVernay is the founder of the African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement and the first African-American woman to win Sundance for Directing. Support her efforts at www.affrm.com. Camera: Craig Carpenter. Edit: Mike D.

Spike Lee: "What Story Are You Gonna Tell?" (The 'Red Hook Summer' Interview)

Reel Black  RBTV's MIKE D. spent a few minutes with legendary filmmaker SPIKE LEE to discuss his latest project, RED HOOK SUMMER, and the current state of African-American Independent Film. RED HOOK SUMMER expands to Philadelphia on Friday August 24, 2012.

An Atlanta adolescent experiences a new side of life while spending the summer in Brooklyn with his grandfather, a fire-and-brimstone preacher who's determined to save his soul. Young Flik (Jules Brown) has never met his grandfather before now, and when his mother drops him off at the Red Hook housing project, the culture shock is overpowering. Depressed at the prospect of spending his cherished vacation without his friends while enduring the righteous ramblings of his grandpa Enoch (Clarke Peters), Flik resigns himself to a summer of boredom until he crosses paths with Chazz (Toni Lysaith), a spunky church girl with a unique outlook on life. Meanwhile, as the summer heat spikes and conflicts among the congregation ignite, Flik realizes that his summer vacation is about to get interesting.

Do Black Celebrities Have a Duty to Give Back?

1HoodMedia
Dr. Marc Lamont Hill hosts a panel discussion on Huff Post Live with actor Isaiah Washington, Hip-Hop artist Jasiri X and Andrea Plaid, associate editor of Racialicious.com about Harry Belafonte's controversial comments on Jay Z, Beyonce and the social responsibility of Black celebrities.

@IssaRae Presents: "Roomieloverfriends" | Mistake #1

actingrl112  [@BlackandSexyTV] Premiering Sunday 9/9 @ http://youtube.com/issarae
http://twitter.com/roomielover
http://facebook.com/roomieloverfriends

"Roomieloverfriends"
Starring Shayla Hale and Andra Fuller
 Created and Written by Dennis Dortch and Numa Perrier
 Executive Producers: Numa Perrier, Jeanine Daniels, Issa Rae, Jonathan Cutler, and Paula Parsons
 Theme song: "Chemistry" performed by Allegra Dolores. Produced byHenry "Lukecage"Willis.

Representations of Black Gay Men on Televison: A Micro Lecture from Heidi Lewis

Radio Colorado College 
Heidi Lewis, Riley Scholar-in-Residence, Feminist and Gender Studies at The Colorado College explores the depictions of homosexual African-American men on television from the 80's to present.

Michael Eric Dyson on "American Empire"

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MHP Show: A Long Walk Home--Refuge for Sexual Assault Survivors

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Scheherazade Tillet, MAAT, is the co-founder and executive director of A Long Walk Home, Inc. (ALWH).

Bomani & Jones | 5 Questions: Miami Dolphins HBO Hard Knocks

SBNation  HBO finally found an NFL team to host the Hard Knocks cameras for training camp, but the Miami Dolphins wrote out the show's biggest star (Chad Johnson) before episode 3. What's left? Lauren Tannehill and Les Brown, the Little Engine That Could Be A Great Storyline. And Lauren Tannehill.