Madness & Reality » Civil Rights http://www.rippdemup.com Politics, Race, & Culture Thu, 17 Sep 2015 14:49:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.3.1 Sandra Bland and Sam DuBose: Two Different Outcomes http://www.rippdemup.com/justice/sandra-bland-and-sam-dubose-two-different-outcomes/ http://www.rippdemup.com/justice/sandra-bland-and-sam-dubose-two-different-outcomes/#comments Fri, 31 Jul 2015 07:41:12 +0000 http://www.rippdemup.com/?p=22289 The officer that arrested Sandra Bland isn’t responsible for her death. As of now, all evidence points to her death as being a suicide. However, what is perfectly clear – thanks to the newly released dashcam video – is, that there was no probable cause to arrest her. For that, he should be held accountable. ...

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The officer that arrested Sandra Bland isn’t responsible for her death. As of now, all evidence points to her death as being a suicide. However, what is perfectly clear – thanks to the newly released dashcam video – is, that there was no probable cause to arrest her. For that, he should be held accountable. Particularly, because he lied in his initial report as to how the traffic stop and arrest played out.

Yes, he lied.

It could be argued that Sandra Bland would still be alive if she was never arrested. Which, may be a natural stance for one to take. But again, for now, the focus should be on the violation of her rights; and, it should be used as a teachable moment. Why? Because if we continue to walk away from these stories without learning anything – other than that some cops lie – then I’d say that we’ll forever be in trouble.

Look, it’s important to know your rights. Equally as important is knowing how to articulate and exercise your rights in any encounter or exchange with law enforcement. That should be the only thing that comes out of your mouth in situations when you encounter the police. How or the manner by which you choose to do so is totally up to you. However, I would advise anyone reading this to do so in a calm and respectful manner. Not that to do so will determine whether you’re arrested or not. But, nonetheless, let’s just say that doing so helps to make what for many exists as a very tense situation with much suspicion and implicit biases on both sides of the fence.

This may sound like victim-blaming, but it isn’t. That is unless you’re content to walk away not learning tools that could be the difference between life and death. And, I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of seeing this stuff in the media without the proper discussion of the rights of citizens involved in police encounters. Which is sad, because you shouldn’t have to be a card-carrying member of the ACLU to understand.

And, if this bothers you like it does me, just imagine how many times similar situations play out across the country without ever making the news. Sandra Bland being dead of an apparent suicide should not be yet another one of those squandered moments.

We can march and protest all we like until our feet fall off. But, until we start teaching people that they have a constitutional right to never talk to the police – yes, it’s called the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution – or, answer questions from police officers without an attorney present. Then and only then can we have conversations about police accountability without having silly debates about the behavior of citizens like Sandra Bland, over whether it contributed to her demise when the issue happens to be overzealous lying ass cops with a penchant for abusing their authority.

To be honest, Sandra Bland’s “attitude” didn’t lead to her demise. Instead, it was her failure to follow a lawful command per the 1977 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Pennsylvania v. Mimms to exit her car that as probable cause for her arrest. Yes, Sandra Bland had every right to voice her displeasure with the officer in whatever manner prior to being ordered to exit her car. But make no mistake, though it may be hard to say amid all the noise, that’s the reason Sandra Bland was arrested.

Her arrest had nothing to do with her refusal to put out her cigarette when she was asked by the officer. And yes, she was asked and not commanded to put out her cigarette. The officer made a request, and she was within her right, at that point, to refuse to acquiesce. To some this may have seemed like a big no, but it isn’t.

Having said hat, as a person of color, I’d be remiss if I didn’t emphasize the importance of not talking to the police, or answering any of their questions. It’s important to allow them to do their jobs while keeping your mouth shut during a traffic stop except to ask, “Am I being detained, or am I free to go?” If you feel the need to challenge the conduct and actions of an officer, you’re better off doing it by filing a complaint with his superiors – or even filing a lawsuit – rather than having an argument about it in the street. Nine times out of ten, should you choose to do the later, you will lose.

Because there will not always be someone with a camera-phone or even a working police body cam around it’s important to keep the following tips in mind:

  • Always keep your hands where they can be seen – make no sudden moves
  • Never completely roll your window down
  • If asked to exit your car, be sure to lock your doors after doing so
  • Do not consent to a search – they have to ask you
  • Most importantly, keep your mouth shut

Moving along…

ray-tensing-sam-dubose-sandra-blandBy now I’m sure you’ve seen the video of Sam DuBose being killed by a University of Cincinnati police officer, Ray Tersing. As was the case in the murder of Walter Scott in South Carolina, thanks to video evidence, we now know that like the officer, in that case, this officer has also lied about the incident. What we also know is that at least two other officers on the scene have also lied under oath to a grand jury.

Thankfully, as I mentioned, because of video evidence, the truth of this incident is out. Without it, it would have been easy to sweep the death of Sam DuBose under the rug. Without video evidence, Sam DuBose would have been just another thug who had to be killed because he posed an imminent threat to the life of a police officer.

Because of video, we now know that the officer lied.

Additionally, we can see clearly – thanks to the video – that Sam DuBose didn’t have an “attitude”, nor was he belligerent when he communicated with the officer. So yes, because of this, it can be argued that whether or not one gives a cop “attitude” like Sandra Bland, for people of color the outcome always seems to b the same. That would be, that we’ll always end up dead or in jail. It’s a rather cynical position, to be sure.

However, it is for this very reason why a change in policy beyond the use of body cams is necessary. Without the appointment of citizen review boards with full subpoena powers, there’d be no oversight and accountability.

And, of course, we cannot afford to have situations like the ongoing extra-judicial execution of citizens of any color, by the police, to continue. At some point, the change we seek has to go beyond angry social media outbursts, and disruptions by protestors in public spaces. It’s one thing to get the attention of the world if only for a moment.

However, it’s another thing to propose specific policy positions, for which we can hold the feet of politicians on the state and local level to the fire.Without it, there’ll be more stories like these for the media to pimp for profit; and for bloggers like myself to write about. Frankly speaking, I’m sick of it all. The silly conspiracy theories about dead people in mugshots. The debates about personal responsibility. The fight over whether the killing of an African lion is more important than that of cops killing black people.

Yes, I’m fucking sick of it all.

Now watch the following video and learn something:

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That Saddening Moment When Martin Luther King’s Image is Disrespected http://www.rippdemup.com/entertainment/that-saddening-moment-when-martin-luther-kings-image-is-disrespected/ http://www.rippdemup.com/entertainment/that-saddening-moment-when-martin-luther-kings-image-is-disrespected/#comments Fri, 17 Jan 2014 17:28:13 +0000 http://www.rippdemup.com/?p=14295 Martin Luther King, Jr. has always been revered for the work that he has done and the influence he has left on others. Having a holiday in memoriam is just the tip of the iceberg. His name is synonymous with world peace and progress. While he fought hard for civil rights, his ultimate goal was for ALL ...

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Martin Luther King, Jr. has always been revered for the work that he has done and the influence he has left on others. Having a holiday in memoriam is just the tip of the iceberg. His name is synonymous with world peace and progress. While he fought hard for civil rights, his ultimate goal was for ALL humans to live progressively harmonious. Thus, MLK should be remembered for the legacy that he left behind; a legacy of change for the better.

Yet, that “change for the better” has led many of us to abuse the image of a man that would not condone such foolishness.

Martin Luther King

Over the last few years, I have seen Martin Luther King, Jr’s image become a bastardized caricature on different party fliers.

Yes, you know what I am referring to. I am referring to the party fliers that have been seen across Facebookadvertising whatever event that is going to take place. And I am afraid to note that this hasn’t been a onetime occurrence. This has happened numerous times for the past few years. And to think, there are people out there that actually feels that this is something appropriate or functionally acceptable.

People may think that I am overreacting; let me assure you that I am not. People actually don’t see how this can turn into something much worse.

One of the main problems that I have with these flyers is that they adulterate everything that Martin Luther King stood for. MLK stood for us, as a people, to actually progress in this world. He actually stood for human beings to achieve beyond their prescribed “lowest common denominator” statuses that society worked hard to equip them with. He stood for the initial appreciation of our ancestral struggles to actually mean something. In short, he stood for progression.

So let me ask this: how in HELL am I to see the progression of Black people, and society as a whole, on a flyer giving people the “right to twerk”?

This takes me back to that Boondocks episode “Return of the King”. When I watched it those years ago, I found it to be hilarious because of its over-the-top commentary on popular culture and the reality of his response. There were some older people that didn’t like the parody and how it was presented. However, I found it to be appropriate because, to be honest, MLK would probably react to many of us in that form or fashion (sans the cursing). Let us keep it real: MLK should be turning in his grave at some of the foolishness that we allow and participate in.

No, this is not what MLK “took all those ass whoopings for”. Then again, I have seen this man’s name abused for the sake of advertising a loofa. Joke or not, the product is way inappropriate. If he was alive, he probably would move toCanada.

martin-luther-king-43rd-anniversary-assassinationTo all my lost Black people: please do better. To all the Black people that have common sense: please stop allowing our friends, cousins, and backwoods retards for neighbors to construct abhorrent images of a man that would probably curse us out under his breath for allowing such contempt upon his image. Parody is one thing. Constructing images that go against someone’s core values to advertise your party or strip club is another issue altogether.

In laymens terms: if you don’t like cows in your pasture, then stop allowing this bullshit.

 

[Originally posted at Chocolate Covered Lies]

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Zimmerman: Federal Hate Crime Indictment? http://www.rippdemup.com/justice/zimmerman-federal-hate-crime-indictment/ http://www.rippdemup.com/justice/zimmerman-federal-hate-crime-indictment/#comments Tue, 16 Jul 2013 03:06:16 +0000 http://www.rippdemup.com/?p=11922 I really hate to be a party pooper, but I don’t see this happening. I know, some of you are holding out hope that the Department Of Justice (DOJ) might come through in the interest of justice. But the truth is that, such an indictment in this case is unlikely. Given the evidence as we ...

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I really hate to be a party pooper, but I don’t see this happening. I know, some of you are holding out hope that the Department Of Justice (DOJ) might come through in the interest of justice. But the truth is that, such an indictment in this case is unlikely. Given the evidence as we all now know from the over 200 pieces of evidence, and the testimony of 56 witnesses in the state case, Eric Holder will not bring George Zimmerman up on those hate crimes charges. I really hate to be the pessimistic asshole to ruin your day, but I have to tell you like it is.

Seriously, they would have better luck finding Louis Farrakhan in a strip club making it rain on Jewish girls. But hey, I could be wrong on this; heck, you never know. It’s unlikely and you never know. Shoot, they might produce photos of Zimmerman in a white robe with a pointy hood on his head, along with a Swastika armband doing a Nazi salute just before he pulled the trigger to kill an unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

Hey, stranger things have happened:

Washington (CNN) — In the emotional aftermath of the Trayvon Martin killing last year, Attorney General Eric Holder signaled the unlikelihood of filing federal hate crimes charges against admitted shooter George Zimmerman.

“For a federal hate crime, we have to prove the highest standard in the law,” Holder said in April 2012, 45 days after Zimmerman shot the African American teenager in what was depicted by civil rights groups as a racially motivated killing.

obama-eric-holderIn words that now sound prescient, Holder described to reporters that day how “something that was reckless, that was negligent does not meet that standard.”

“We have to show that there was specific intent to do the crime with requisite state of mind,” he said.

Zimmerman’s acquittal of state murder and manslaughter charges on Saturday showed the Florida jury rejected that he intended to kill Martin for any reason, including the racial motivation necessary for federal charges that he violated Martin’s civil rights.

[…] Because Zimmerman is a private citizen, he can only be charged with a hate crime in terms of civil rights violations under federal law, said David Weinstein, a former federal prosecutor in Florida who now is in private practice.

To successfully prosecute Zimmerman, the Department of Justice would have to show that Zimmerman “caused the death of Trayvon Martin solely motivated by/because of his race or color,” Weinstein told CNN in an e-mail, adding: “This element was absent from the state trial and quite frankly doesn’t exist.”

Watch the video below:

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False Arrest: Black Meter Lady Wins Case to Sue Cops for Arrest While Working in a White Neighborhood by 7th Circuit Court http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/false-arrest-black-meter-lady-wins-case/ http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/false-arrest-black-meter-lady-wins-case/#comments Thu, 20 Jan 2011 23:17:00 +0000 http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/false-arrest-black-meter-lady-wins-case/ So I’m sure you people are aware that here in America you can be arrested by the police for doing just about anything while being black. In some rare cases however, you don’t have to be doing anything at all, and in those cases, you can just be arrested for, well, doing nothing while black. ...

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So I’m sure you people are aware that here in America you can be arrested by the police for doing just about anything while being black. In some rare cases however, you don’t have to be doing anything at all, and in those cases, you can just be arrested for, well, doing nothing while black. Yep, you can be arrested for just being black. I know it sounds crazy; but you probably feel that way because you’re either not black, or, forget that you actually are. With that said, check out the following and see how this worked out for Christina Jones:
CHICAGO (CN) – A black woman who was arrested while reading utility meters in a 97 percent white neighborhood can sue the two police officers who put her in handcuffs, the 7th Circuit ruled, noting that the officers failed to prove that the arrest was anything more than “a blatant and embarrassing abuse of police power.”

A federal judge had ruled that the arresting officers were not entitled to dismiss the civil rights charges under qualified immunity, and the federal appeals panel upheld that decision on Friday.

On August 16, 2005, a concerned citizen in Braidwood, Ill. – which 2000 census figures indicate is over 97 percent white – called the police at 8 a.m. to report that a “person of color” was taking pictures of houses.

Christina Jones, a Commonwealth Edison worker, was reading electrical meters in the neighborhood and carrying binoculars to take readings from outside a locked gate or dog-guarded property. Officers Craig Clark and Donn Kaminski conceded to Jones’ account of the events that transpired but still argued that they were justified to be suspicious of and ultimately arrest Jones.

Jones’ shirt, pants, hat and reflective vest were all emblazoned with ComEd’s logo. When asked, she presented Clark with two ComEd identification cards that displayed her picture. Jones explained that her binoculars, used to take meter readings from a distance, may have been mistaken for a camera.

Clark had radioed in that Jones was reading meters, but, “surprisingly, that did not end the investigation,” Judge Diane Wood wrote for the 7th Circuit’s three-judge panel.

When Jones turned to leave and return to work, Clark stopped her, asking for her birthday.

Jones accused Clark of harassing her, took a few steps away and phoned her supervisor. Clark radioed the other officer, Kaminski, reporting that Jones was refusing to cooperate.

Kaminski, apparently irate, then arrived on the scene. He screamed at Jones, knocked the phone from her hands and placed her under arrest.

Friday’s ruling notes that as Jones was being patted down, she said, “This is harassment. … This is happening because I am black in Braidwood.”

At the station, Kaminski reportedly mocked Jones, mimicking her voice and adding, “You wanted to make it racial out there. … Now it’s racial.”

Jones was charged with obstructing a peace officer, but Wood said the facts of the case point another way.

“The only disorderly conduct evident in this case came from Officers Clark and Kaminski,” Wood wrote.It’s really good that the district court ruled in her favor in this. She did fight these charges for over two years until they were finally dropped in her favor. This should give hope to some of you who are of the belief that by virtue of being black, you never receive any justice. So hooray for Christina Jones who is now able to sue the shit out of officers Clarke and Kaminski. It’s a small consolation knowing that you can actually sue police officers for, well, doing their jobs, which includes arresting black people for being black.

Now check this out:

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Dr. Jared Ball on the Repackaging of Martin Luther King Jr. [VIDEO] http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/dr-jared-ball-on-repackaging-of-martin/ http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/dr-jared-ball-on-repackaging-of-martin/#comments Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:25:00 +0000 http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/dr-jared-ball-on-repackaging-of-martin/ “Martin Luther King Jr. stood for revolutionary transformation; he is used today to support policies that he fought against.” – Dr. Jared Ball I was doing some shopping online last night, and I noticed that the the big name corporate entity (who shall remain nameless) that owns and operates the site had a Martin Luther ...

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“Martin Luther King Jr. stood for revolutionary transformation; he is used today to support policies that he fought against.” – Dr. Jared Ball

I was doing some shopping online last night, and I noticed that the the big name corporate entity (who shall remain nameless) that owns and operates the site had a Martin Luther King Jr. sale. It was something that shocked me: actually, I’ve been saying for years that “certain folk” would never fully recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday. More specifically, they’d never accept “King Day” and the significance of Civil Rights Movement as it is interwoven into American history, enough so to be celebrated.

I always felt  there was no way we’d ever see a 33% off King Day sale, much like you do any other American national holiday. But in so many ways, I guess with the repackaging and watering-down of the ever popular “Dream Speech” it was a matter of time. Quite naturally,  he isn’t the revolutionary as he should be celebrated and revered. Checkout the following interview with Dr. Jared Ball via Paul Jay and The Real News Network as he breaks it down to the gristle:

BIO: Jared Ball is an assistant professor of communication studies at Morgan State University where his research interests include the interaction between colonialism, mass media theory and history, as well as, the development of alternative/underground journalism and cultural expression as mechanisms of social movements and political organization. Ball is a columnist with, and produces a weekly radio column for, BlackAgendaReport.com. He is producer and host of the Legacy Edition of We Ourselves which airs Fridays 10a-11a (EST) on Washington, DC’s WPFW 89.3 FM Pacifica Radio and is also the founder and producer of FreeMix Radio: The Original Mixtape Radio Show, an emancipatory journalistic political mixtape. He is a former editor of and current peer reviewer for the first academic journal dedicated to hip-hop, The Global Journal of Hip-Hop Culture from Words, Beats and Life, Inc., has been a board member of the International Association for Hip-Hop Education, and has served as a Communications Fellow for the Green Institute.

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When Did The Civil Rights Movement Stop Moving? http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/when-did-civil-rights-movement-stop/ http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/when-did-civil-rights-movement-stop/#comments Sun, 16 Jan 2011 22:33:00 +0000 http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/when-did-civil-rights-movement-stop/ As we reflect on what would have been the 82nd birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. we arrive at a moment where “Black” seems to be on everyone’s mind…again. Every January and February, the majority of Americans re-gain a consciousness of what we think we know about the Civil Rights Movement of the ...

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As we reflect on what would have been the 82nd birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. we arrive at a moment where “Black” seems to be on everyone’s mind…again.

Every January and February, the majority of Americans re-gain a consciousness of what we think we know about the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s. After all, it only makes sense given America’s national celebration of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday (which often hits on a day other than his actual birthday) as well as February’s designation of “Black History Month.” January and February are when it is okay to celebrate Blackness in America, but for some, to say that is far-reaching and inconclusive for the still existent racism and ignorance surrounding the history of Blackness in this country and the world.

With each new year, we are able to celebrate the Reverend, Langston Hughes, Rosa Parks, Wilma Rudolph, Sojourner Truth, and even certain speeches from Malcolm X. America is able to celebrate these extraordinary historical figures because they have been distorted and broken into puzzle pieces that can be placed in different boxes. This disfiguration ensures the puzzle of justice will never be complete precisely because the puzzle pieces are not in the correct box. It is important to note, this American celebration of “Black history” is not conclusive. It is ordained by a European-American prescription whereby white America said it was okay to begin this celebration. Once white America decided which figures were able to pass into “American history”, memorials and celebrations were put into place. A de-sensitized, “safe” celebration that removed the radical inclinations of people, ideas, and movements.

Not often do we hear Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech, outside of the sound bites of Black and white children playing together in harmony (colorblindness is racism). We do not hear about the injustices that have been written into the very lining of this country’s legal system. We do not hear about the bounced check that was written to Black folks during the Reconstruction era. Not often do we hear about figures like Paul Robeson, Steve Biko, Maria Stewart, Bayard Rustin, Angela Davis, Pauli Murray, Chairmen Fred Hampton Sr., Elaine Brown, Huey Newton, and the radical, sometimes irrate, speeches of Malcolm X. And never, do we hear of the ordinary folks who made this movement what it is. To highlight the power of ordinary individuals is a threat to the very oppressive foundation of America as an institution.

Now, some of these figures we don’t hear about because they are seen as irrelevant to American understandings of oppression. Others we don’t hear from because we live in a patriarchal, homophobic society; and some we don’t hear about because of their prophetic, empowering teachings.

The power of the Civil Rights Movement lies in its ability to unite and mobilize individuals from different sectors of America’s marginalized communities. While the face that was given to the Civil Rights Movement is a Black, heterosexual Christian man, in no way should that movement be reduced to those variables. The Civil Rights Movement was and is a struggle for the liberation of all peoples. To say the movement was solely Black, Christian, heterosexual, or male-driven is to reduce the movement to inconclusive understandings of its complexities. Just like when one writes a paper, making an argument for something limits the possibilities of what the author talks about–it does not mean the author was unaware that there were many other struggles and issues to raise.

As a society, we must work towards reconstructing our collective consciousness of what we think we know about the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s. In fact, it was a powerful time in history. But we mustn’t think of history in terms of a timeline. By that I mean, we should not designate movements to one particular moment in time but instead think of things in relation to other people, ideas, and movements that were happening at the same time as well as before/after. When it comes to something like the Civil Rights Movement, we must prefer historicity over history. Historicity will allow us to recognize the progress that was instilled by this extraordinary movement as well as its shortcomings.

So, as we enter these two short months where it is socially acceptable to celebrate Black people, Black ideas, Black histories, please continue to press. Continue to dig deeper into what we think we understand about the Civil Rights Movement, about Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the other figures that will surface. Please keep in mind that the Civil Rights Movement is the struggle for all peoples–Black, Asian, Latino/a, white, differently abled persons, LGBTQ communities, people of different socio-economic standings, different faith identities and much, much more. If we limit buy into the limitations of history, we buy into limitations for our own understanding. As my girl Emily put it, we need to subscribe to GBF–Give Back February. One month, one time of year will never be enough time to highlight all of the contributions Black folks and Black movements poured into the world. Give back the month and demand the year!

Finally, as an aside to my LGBTQ activists who claim there is a “new” Civil Rights Movement, the Civil Rights Movement is collective. It never ended for there to be a new one. While the train may have been forced back underground, we must recognize the movement was railroaded. Until we get back on track and unite various communities, the journey to our destination will take that much longer.

For more information on the Civil Rights Movement, please visit: www.rustin.org

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55yrs Ago Today, Rosa Parks Sat Down http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/55yrs-ago-today-rosa-parks-sat-down/ http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/55yrs-ago-today-rosa-parks-sat-down/#comments Thu, 02 Dec 2010 02:05:00 +0000 http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/55yrs-ago-today-rosa-parks-sat-down/ Fifty Five years ago today in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks sat down on a bus and refused to give her seat to a white man. This heroic and courageous act, was an instrumental catalyst for much needed and what was a-long-time-coming change. And today in America, thanks to Ms. Parks, we’re able to enjoy black ...

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Fifty Five years ago today in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks sat down on a bus and refused to give her seat to a white man. This heroic and courageous act, was an instrumental catalyst for much needed and what was a-long-time-coming change. And today in America, thanks to Ms. Parks, we’re able to enjoy black women cursing on national television via the hit series, Real Housewives of Atlanta. Yep, how’s that for progress? Nowadays black women get paid to act belligerent, and do not have to worry about going to jail.

Yeah, I realize that Rosa Parks is considered as the mother of the civil rights movement by many. And by virtue of this title, she’s considered a saint if not almost angelic. However, every-time I look at the above picture of that now famous mugshot. I can’t help but to think that at the police station after being arrested processed, that she had a few choice words for the cops in the building. I mean I would have, so quite naturally… yeah… I’m sure she peppered those racist cops with a few “kiss my black ass,” lines in a Della Reese voice.

What Rosa did was remarkable, and should never be forgotten by anyone. People often say that she didn’t do a damn thing but sit down because her feet hurt. But I’d like to think that she took a seat for equality, and gave visibility to a movement that was beyond its infancy. An act from which many of black folks benefit by sitting at the back of the bus shit talking as we all now choose to do, without giving a second thought to what our ancestors endured.

Her being a woman is a pretty big deal because black women in the civil rights era were only visible when it came to giving foot-rubs to all those marching and protesting men folk. At least, that’s what history would have you think, right? Sorry Fannie Lou Hamer, you should have sat on a bus and black kids today would know about you and all you have done. But that’s cool, with everyone chipping in, we’ll get that monument in your honor built down in Mississippi any day now [details here].

Lastly, while I big up Rosa and name drop Fannie as honorable mention. Allow me to bring another civil rights icon into the mix. I don’t know if the people from WikiLeaks read my blog. But assuming they do, I have a request: Can you do a brotha and black America a favor by releasing the FBI sealed documents on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.? Yeah, and also a leak of Dr. Dre’s “Detox” album wouldn’t be a bad idea either. With a black president in office, I wouldn’t think release of such info to be a threat to national security, no?

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Haley Barbour: Champion of Mississippi’s Civil Rights Movement http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/haley-barbour-champion-of-mississippis/ http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/haley-barbour-champion-of-mississippis/#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2010 06:00:00 +0000 http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/haley-barbour-champion-of-mississippis/ One of the things I hate about the getting-to-know-you phase as you establish relationships with people, is the lame attempts to establish some form of commonality. More to the point, I really detest the “Mr. Me Too” asshats that I encounter on occasion in life. You know, the people who are compelled to meet any ...

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One of the things I hate about the getting-to-know-you phase as you establish relationships with people, is the lame attempts to establish some form of commonality. More to the point, I really detest the “Mr. Me Too” asshats that I encounter on occasion in life. You know, the people who are compelled to meet any discussion of your achievements, accomplishments or activities with the juvenile practice of one-upmanship?

Yeah, people like that I can’t deal with ever; not in a manner that would require us to be friends. Which is really funny considering I just accepted a Facebook friend request from an old college “acquaintance” who fits the description of the very type of person I’m talking about. Yep, the minute they start speaking I start thinking cheesy cornball used car salesman, in a cheap ugly plaid polyester suit, smacking gum as they tell me lies.

Oh yeah, that sounds just like my old college buddy, and Mississippi governor Haley Barbour in a recent Human Events interview with Peter Robinson. In it, Barbour has raised a hornets nest with the following:
[T]he people who led the change of parties in the South, just as I mentioned earlier, was my generation. My generation who went to integrated schools — I went to integrated college, um, never thought twice about it. And it was the old Democrats who had fought for segregation so hard. By my time, people realized that was the past, it was indefensible, it wasn’t gonna be that way any more. So the people who really changed the South from Democrat to Republican was a different generation from those who fought integration.Sorry Mister Barbour, I was born at night but not last night. Sorry pal, but forty or fifty odd years ago you were in your early twenties, and barely of age to purchase liquor. That said, it’s hard to believe that his generation lead any efforts to create a fair and just existence for the then segregated blacks citizens of the south; and in particular, the state of Mississippi.

I know we’re post racial now and all, but please don’t bullshit me.

Steve Kornaki’s piece, “The GOP’s new fake racial history” over at Salon, shines a 10,000 watt spotlight on the egregious attempt at revisionist history which paints today’s republican party as Negro friendly in lockstep with the heroes of the civil rights movement. Anyone with integrity who is not of the intellectually dishonest persuasion will tell you that the old racist democrats of the south migrated to what’s now the republican party.

Interestingly, David Weigel points out that this isn’t the first time Barbour has pulled the “race card” for political expediency. In 1982 he challenged Sen. John Stennis (D-Miss.), who was then the last of the dying breed of segregationists in politics. Back then, he pointed out Stennis’ racist voting record so as to appeal to black voters. One can suggest that he’s attempting to do the same as he tunes up for 2012’s presidential run.

Sorry Haley, by racist southern standards, blacks are dumb. But Negroes who voted for Obama in 2008, aren’t as dumb as you think they are. At least not as dumb as the ones who identify themselves as Black Republicans, who choose to believe and digest the turds that you spewed from that gaping hole on your face.

See what happens when Glenn Beck reclaims the civil rights movement?

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Frontiers of Racism: Anti-Immigrant Bigotry & African Americans [VIDEO] http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/frontiers-of-racism-anti-immigran/ http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/frontiers-of-racism-anti-immigran/#comments Thu, 12 Aug 2010 03:20:00 +0000 http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/frontiers-of-racism-anti-immigran/ In a recent post we had a pretty good conversation (sans the typical idiotic trolls) on the lies of the anti-immigrant movement and just how the disinformation from said movement, keeps black and brown people divided. As I mentioned then, our shared interest is in fighting the inherent racism behind much of the “talk” or ...

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In a recent post we had a pretty good conversation (sans the typical idiotic trolls) on the lies of the anti-immigrant movement and just how the disinformation from said movement, keeps black and brown people divided. As I mentioned then, our shared interest is in fighting the inherent racism behind much of the “talk” or sentiment of the anti-immigration movement. The following video put together by The Center for New Community, elaborates on this very point and it’s my hope that we can wake up to what this is all about.

We can no longer allow the forces of White Supremacy to keep us divided:

[H/T racismreview.com]

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EXCLUSIVE: Brother X-Squared Speaks on The New Black Panther Party, Voter Intimidation, & the Obama Administration http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/exclusive-brother-x-squared-speaks-on/ http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/exclusive-brother-x-squared-speaks-on/#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:04:00 +0000 http://www.rippdemup.com/uncategorized/exclusive-brother-x-squared-speaks-on/ The We Are Respectable Negroes News Network (WARNNN) in partnership with the website The Intersection of Madness and Reality is proud to bring you the latest installment in our recurring series of interviews with Brother X-Squared, president of the North American Chapter of the Renewed Black Panther Party. As you know, Brother X-Squared has become ...

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The We Are Respectable Negroes News Network (WARNNN) in partnership with the website The Intersection of Madness and Reality is proud to bring you the latest installment in our recurring series of interviews with Brother X-Squared, president of the North American Chapter of the Renewed Black Panther Party. As you know, Brother X-Squared has become a legendary force on the Internet following his stunning debut on WARNNN last year. In this latest installment in our series with Brother X-Squared, The We Are Respectable Negroes News Network has decided to hand the reigns over to Brother Rippa, founder of The Intersection of Madness and Reality for a special expose on Brother X-Squared’s relationship with The New Black Panther Party, President Obama, and the Department of Justice.

RIPPA: It’s good to finally catch up with your Brother X-Squared; it’s really been tough. In particular I wanted to have a chat about the situation concerning the New Black Panther Party’s Philadelphia chapter. Are you familiar with their voter intimidation case? The very case that has been dropped by the DOJ?

Brother X-Squared: It is good to speak with you again. As I always have to do with that sad respectable Negro Chauncey DeVega, I need to correct your questions as well. You are growing in knowledge, but like many confused captive Nubians you do not understand the power of words. First, what of this “catch up” and “tough” that you speak of? Brother X-Squared is a leader of men. I am in the front line of intellectual battle with the evils of the White Man in America and his colored supplicants–yes I am talking about Obama and his minions–I don’t have to catch up to anything. It is the world that is behind Brother X-Squared. “Tough” is a word that implies that there is weakness to be overcome. Brother X-Squared and the other saved New Black Men in America have never been weak.

Weakness is for the sagging hip hop coon show minstrel hoppers and those basketball chasing negroes who follow Lebron James and the NBA…what I call the “nigger ball association” because they are a bunch of million dollar slaves. The fools obsessed with that nonsense are similarly brainwashed! We have black people that know nothing of their history and don’t even know how much money they have in their checking accounts who can wax poetic about all manner of stupidity and sports. Most sadly, we have black queens who will lay with these sad humanzees because of their knowledge of basketball or how well they play some foolish sports related video game. All of which is tricknology that the White man has laid for the unsaved Black man in America. You don’t need Willie Lynch, another lie perpetrated by the White man by the way, to hold down the captive negro. No, just give him a basketball and ESPN.

I am familiar with the case against the quote unquote New Black Panthers. What a joke, a fraud, a game. And of this, and damn, the white man has so much power in language he even studies it with a field called sociolinguistics–but you simple negroes know nothing of such things–the idea of voter and intimidation being applied to black people is a con. With this country’s history of lynching, violence, rape, murder, and the denial of voting rights to the Black Man–the White devils even had to add a clause to their wicked Constitution to give us the right to vote which they then denied for a century or so–the thought that a Black person could even intimidate a white person is a laugh! A joke! A farce!

Once more and again language shows it power. DOJ equals Department of Justice! Whatever. Is there any justice in America for the captive black man and his radical brown, red, and yellow brothers? Answer my question Brother Rippa? Is there! And don’t you dare lie…

RIPPA: Well, we can get into a lengthy discussion about “justice” and the black man in America, but I rather not. Instead, let’s stick to the subject at hand. I must say Brother X-Squared, you seem a bit more animated than usual. Is this voter intimidation case more personal for you because it centers on the New Black Panther Party? I mean you said a mouthful just now, but let’s be honest: this is 2010, I’m not sure if they actually do poll taxes anymore anywhere in America these days. Your thoughts?

Brother X-Squared: Hmmmm, it would seem that your case of draptomania has returned. Especially in your use of evil and twisted language such as “poll tax.” You don’t even know the history of that word, how the black man was abused as though on a poll by white America and then taxed for having the nerve to even breath the air. Sick. So sick this society is.

But, seeing that we have much to discuss I will defer. This New Black Panther story is the white man pulling the nigger cotton over your collective eyes. You see the white man is a master of strategy and tactics. So many of the devils use what is called subterfuge to get their way. Two of those wicked white Europeans, one named Clausewitz, and the other you know, Napoleon–who had a tiny little penis by the way which explained his megalomania–preached that you have to distract your foe and then you can hit them when you are ready.

Just like with that mess with those Russian spies, you see the white man’s FBI and CIA, just like they did with Cointelpro in the 1960s were on to those Russians and let them keep doing their mess. This way they learned about the big plans the Russians had in store. This is why I will not play the white man’s game. By presenting all of your information it empowers him to distract, control, and trick you into working for his ends! So deep this is, like the wisdom of the ancient Nubians who invented chess. We must think 10, 20, 50 steps ahead if we are to win. Sadly, so many captive negroes only think about tomorrow while they play simple games like Spades and Craps or sing Karaoke at ghetto bars. Pathetic.

Have you seen those quote unquote New Black Panthers. Old men with sticks wearing tired uniforms! Brother X-Squared disavows them! They are unwittingly being used as a pawn by the white man.


They get all this mess and controversy started about white people being victims as a pretext to the real evil! Brother X-Squared has foreseen this: there is a white backlash against that halfrican Obama. Those white sick sex freak tea baggers and militia types egged on by those drug addicts Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck…two true deviants who will be caught one day with dead children in the trunks of their cars…are trying to incite violence against Black people. It is called eliminationism. The right wing Fox news types drink it in everyday of their lives. They want to eliminate their foes by any means necessary!

Brother X-Squared is ready. I say come for me, although I know they won’t because the white man is a natural coward, and we will settle this in battle.

RIPPA: But Brother X-Squared, the same white folks you speak ill of as it relates to this case are raising hell! They’re not too happy that the first Black president and his sidekick Eric Holder took a stand and decided to drop the charges against the New Black Panther Party. Doesn’t that count for something? Can America’s first Black president at least get some credit? Is he not worthy?

Brother X-Squared: Again, you must be in jest. Do not waste your time trying to figure out the twisted minds of white people. You see for the real power brokers the only thing that matters is money! The color green oh yes! The Bilderbergs, the IMF, all those folks don’t care about countries, or borders. They care about power. You see they know, because the White man is my enemy but he is oh so devious and smart…never underestimate him…that he can put those dumb tea bagger conservative white people (with the help of their slave catching coon Republican assistants against each other….never trust a Black Conservative! Never! They are sick in the way that Frantz Fanon discussed) by talking about black people. Then as always, they don’t see how their social betters are destroying them. Did you know that the top 5 percent of people own 90 percent of the wealth in the good ol’ us of a! Ha! What sort of democracy is that!

The white man, in particular the middle and working class white man, has always been tricked by his racism. Throughout this country’s history, starting at Bacon’s Rebellion, the dumb white working classes were turned against black people. The white man will cut off his own nose to spite his face by not working with black people on issues of common concern! So dumb they are!

You know what I think of Obama so don’t ask. He is a spiritual zero. No energy. A nonentity because his white and black sides cancel each other out. Eric Holder, notice the name, wow this is deep, “hold her” is a punk, one of Obama’s supplicants. His energy is feminine and weak. Thus his non-sense on America being cowardly on race. The Black original man is no coward! Never has been, never will be! Those white devils, but he wouldn’t honestly say that, are the true cowards, along with any weak negroes fool enough to follow them…next question.

You are missing on an obvious question about Brother X-Squared and the New Black Panthers. Perhaps your mindstate remains blinded by my octahedron Nubian black knowledge that is the god particle walking the Earth in human form as Brother X-Squared–not that fake b.s. science revealed by those European devils and their atom smashers!

RIPPA: Well now that you brought that up Brother X-Squared, I do have a serious question about yourself and the New Black Panther Party. You see brother, I’m a bit bothered. I realize you speak many truths, and it is in itself a blessing to sit at your feet as a child in the struggle. However, I saw the recent tape being widely circulated which shows on the the alleged perpetrators of voter intimidation – he goes by the name King Samir Shabaaz. I couldn’t help but to notice a striking resembleance between the both of you. Brother X-Squared, was that you on the tape? Do you really advocate the killing of “crackas” and their babies?

Brother X-Squared: Now you are trying to see the light! Yes, oh yes! Have you ever heard of Operation Mincemeat during World War 2? You see those white British were master spies and they came up with all sorts of tricks. In fact, they even taught the CIA–those devils were called the OSS back in those days–how to be especially devious and evil. To trick the Nazis they took a corpse and put all sort of fake documents on it. The body washed up on shore and the Germans took the body and analyzed the documents. They got bamboozled! The British devils those foul Imperialists that they are told the Germans exactly what they wanted to hear. The result? Those white allied wicked armies that segregated black and brown soldiers successfully landed in France on D-Day. This is the same thing they are doing with that fake King Samir Shabaaz! They have someone who dresses like me and who imitates me to trick you black and white fools! I am the original, the one and only Brother X-Squared. There is no imitation!

Now you need to separate the issue of my wanting to kill Crackas and their evil foul spawn from this New Black Panther mess. The white man is doing a good job killing himself. I only need to sit back on watch as the white man, a product of Yakub’s science, destroys his own Earth. Like an owl, only the white man fouls his own nest! Now, I will stare down and destroy crackas wherever I find them. The cracka is a particularly befouled type of white devil who was the poor white trash overseer who died by the hundreds of thousands to maintain a system of white supremacist slavery that they they didn’t even benefit from. They are the forebearers of those wicked Glenn Beck dumb tea baggers. Suckers! I line up crackas by the the dozens and immolate them with the power of my black gaze. I am for all time and in all ways a black king, an African Ultraman fighting to free the captive black man in America!

RIPPA: Oh wow! So this is yet another one of those examples of “tricknology” you often speak of? But why you Brother X-Squared? Why do they seek to destroy you? You mentioned “them” killing each other, but yet said nothing about us killing each other. I’m confused Brother X-Squared; confused I am. Is White Supremacy winning?

Brother X-Squared: No, tricknology is the use of techne, look up your Greek Brother Rippa! That fire stolen from Prometheus to make evil machines and technology. Damn that white man. What my enemies are using is called subterfuge. Not all tricknology is subterfuge. Not all subterfuge involves technology. Why me? Why do you think? How many strong true Nubian warriors are willing to stand in the gap and confront the white man’s evil armies?

I will tell you. None! Brother Rippa, again, you are blinded by my mental mindstate because you have let your brain and pscyhe become weak like all those other simpleton negroes. The white man is killing himself as I said. The Black man, the new age slave, has been killing himself for centuries. Now, what is going on in our cities, places like Chicago where these young weak self hating negro ign’t troglodytes shoot each other by the dozens each weekend is just a culling of the herd. This is Malthus and Darwin in action! Oh yes it is!

We need the weak and the lumpen to destroy each other for only the strong, mentally prepared black freedom fighter like Brother X-Squared will remain standing! White supremacy has already won Brother Rippa. If you can’t see that, I cannot help you. I am about playing a new game, once more I am playing in the fourth dimension of knowledge whereas the unfreed minds are living in the White man’s Matrix!

RIPPA: Once again you have left a lot on my plate to digest Brother X-Squared. I guess in essence what you are saying is that you’re the embodiment of “blackness” and ultimately this “attack” on you is emblematic of the forces of “evil” and their ongoing pursuit and destruction of the black man? As always Brother X-Squared, it is indeed a pleasure to sit at your feet as you share your wisdom much like Black Jesus did on the mount as he traveled throughout Africa.

Brother X-Squared: Hmmmm. You sound suspicious and mocking. But, given that you are trying to overcome your mental drapetomania I will give you the benefit of the doubt. I am not the embodiment of blackness for blackness is omnipresent and all powerful and cannot be contained in one vessel. The evil was done to the Black Man over centuries! It will not be healed in my lifetime or yours! Trust my words. Black Jesus is a mythological figure. I am real. I am here. And I will continue to preach the truth.

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