As election night gets closer and closer, prevailing thoughts of race and entitlement rage louder than any bomb ever made. And for anyone that had the blinders on previously, there just was no excuse after Iowa Congressman Steve King uttered out his foolish comments made during coverage of July's GOP Convention. For those that have already forgotten, Rep. King referred to non-whites as a "Sub group" and pressed the idea that no other race had contributed more to civilization than that of the European and/or "where the footprint of Christianity settled the world." Sad to say this is the perspective (I refuse to call it thinking) of far more people in this country than you can imagine. All across the nation there are have been stories of school textbooks under fire for correctly portraying the foundations of civilization as beginning with The Black & Brown People of Earth. And let's not forget those Texas history books that refer to African Slaves as "workers from Africa" brought "to the southern United States to work on agricultural plantations.” This is the cross by-product of centuries of propaganda used to justify the rape, murder, pillage, enslavement, exploitation, and oppression of The Black and Brown-plus the increasing fear and paranoia of repercussions coming from the true majority. But that's another topic for another blog. For now let's just soak up some facts to counter those foolish notions of ignorance that empower fools like Steve King. I could have included all sorts of long form lectures and documentaries, but I highly doubt that people like Representative King have that type of attention span Lol. Check out the videos, fact-check them, and SHARE...
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ter·ror·ism (terəˌrizəm) -the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims. For the last 15 or so years, we've seen the word terrorism used and manipulated for political gains with an amazing increase in frequency. Under Bush the label was used to topple regimes that America did not see/no longer sees as an ally. And under Obama/Clinton, the label has been used to assassinate any foes left over from the Reagan/Bush years and nowadays to target exiled political prisoners like Assata Shakur. But today no nation exemplifies the true definitions of terrorism (and tyranny for that matter) like The State Of Israel. The Non-Israeli inhabitants of these long disputed lands live in constant fear as they are subjected to every sort of human rights abuse imaginable. But yet few dare to speak out. Just last week, settlers of a long disputed village in the deserts of Israel woke up to bulldozers. The entire village of Araqib was demolished, for what its now former occupants say to be the "hundredth time." The people of Araqib Village have laid claim to this land since the days of The Ottoman Empire; but the land was "appropriated" in 1953, and the people were evicted from the land. Since 2010, the longtime owners of the land returned to reclaim their their past; and have been denied vital services such as water, electricity, and sewage systems. There are no schools. There is no health care. The residents are not allowed to vote. And this most recent assault on their village came during the Holy Month Of Ramadan. In similar fashion, Israeli authorities cut off and/or limited access to clean drinking water for Palestinians living in the occupied West Bank Area. According to The Palestinian Hydrology Group, some areas have been without water for more than 40 days. Even worse, Israel has spent the entire Holy Month Of Ramadan raiding Palestinian villages-arresting more than 300 Palestinians inside of 20 days, and untold numbers since then. The arrests were allegedly targeting activists, after a shooting that injured four Israelis; but more than 30 children were detained in the process? Did the kids shoot anyone? Did 330 people shoot these four people? But yet the same tired excuse of having the right to protect Israeli interests continues to make the wholesale oppression of the people whose land they stole away inexplicably okay. According to Al Jazeera, there are currently more than 400 children languishing inside Israeli prisons-and an estimated 500-700 are prosecuted in military courts each year. For the past few years, Israel Military and Police forces have enforced edicts to take back lands provisioned to The Palestinians under prior agreed upon peace accords-and then locking up all who protest their actions. Aren't these the types of human rights violations American and European Nations identify as reasons to invade and/or destabilize other nations? But yet Israel quietly gets a 60+ years pass. I guess democracy is only meant for some; and not for others. SOURCES: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/04/rise-palestinian-children-held-israel-alarming-160424081159486.html http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/06/palestine-hundreds-detained-ramadan-160626084302084.html http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/07/israel-destroys-palestinian-village-100th-time-160703091747401.html http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/06/israel-cuts-water-supplies-west-bank-ramadan-160614205022059.html http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/06/israelis-mark-annexation-east-jerusalem-160605141135181.html http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2016/06/vanishing-palestine-making-israel-occupation-160605090749034.html
Coming off of the recent Brand Split (between Monday Night Raw & The New Live Version of Smackdown) and the dominance shown by Brock Lesnar at UFC 200, The WWE has been getting a huge amount of press lately. And based on what I saw on the July 25th edition of WWE Monday Night Raw, it appears that somebody in charge has actually been listening to the moans and groans of it's more traditional wrestling fans. I mean I've gotta say that for the last ten years, the product has been increasingly hard to watch. But as of last night, on the first post-draft edition of Raw, the was a very noticeable air of change in the air. The vibe was darker, there was much more action, the promos seemed less scripted, and most importantly-there was less talking. Period. There is a new title (because the name is pretty corny, we will just leave that part out for now), and there were some really good matches throughout the show-but the most refreshing parts of the show centered around the well booked debuts of now former WWE NXT Talents Nia Jax and Finn Balor. And they even brought back the "squash match!" Finn balor's long awaited move up to the main roster more than exceeded expectations, as he ended the show earning earning a spot in the main event at next month's SUMMERSLAM against Seth Rollins. The best match of the night honors go to Sasha Banks, as she defeated Charlotte Flair for the WWE Women's Championship. Sasha is quite possibly the best female wrestler I've ever seen; and her wild tribute to the dearly departed Eddie Guerrero was hilarious! And for those that don't know Sasha is Snoop Dogg's niece, and Charlotte is the daughter of The Legendary Ric Flair. It will be interesting to see what happens to keep the momentum up on Smackdown Live, and beyond. But for now, let's get you familiar with some other other stars that you may want to check out soon...
CHARLOTTE FLAIR KEVIN OWENS Honorable Mention: DOLPH ZIGGLER Dolph Ziggler Ric Flair Kevin Nash A.J. STYLES
For years it seemed that A.J. Styles would go down as one of the most talented wrestlers never to step inside a WWE Ring; but alas as fate would have it "The Phenomenal One" finally arrived. Debuting at The 2016 Royal Rumble, A.J. hit the ground running and hasn't slowed down yet. Wrestling with The Ring Of Honor & New Japan promotions since 2013, Styles is most known as the long time face of TNA Impact Wrestling. Not really fitting the traditional mold of The WWE, few ever imagined Styles would ever have his "Wrestlemania Moment;" but undoubtedly the fan reaction he has received has been a huge driver behind The WWE's recent shift into their current "New Era."
SASHA BANKS
As a kid this self-proclaimed "Boss" would beg her uncle Snoop dogg to take him with her to WWE Events, and from there the seed was planted that would she that young girl grow into transitioning The WWE Women's Division away from short eye candy exhibitions to Eye legitimate wrestling. Sasha is still eye candy herself, but with a penchant for stretching out her competition in all sorts of MMA-style holds. She's got style like none before her; and just the night before I wrote this blog, Sasha banks would see years of hard work finally rewarded as she became the new WWE Women's Champion. In the past, the women's matches were considered a chance to get up and go get snacks. But with Sasha, and a few others we will mention shortly, times have certainly changed.
FINN BALOR
Having built up a huge following wrestling under the name "Prince Devitt" internationally, Finn Balor's made it's way onto the American Wrestling scene after a super successful run as a founding member in New Japan Wrestling's NWO/Type Faction "The Bullet Club." After a memorable run as WWE NXT Champion, balor debuted in spectacular fashion this week on Monday Night Raw. For those not yet familiar, Finn Balor comes to the ring showcasing an exciting combo of high flying moves-with the "strong Style" tactics Japanese Wrestling is most known for. And as far as his entrances, only The Undertaker could claim to rival that. And he saves his best for Big Events...
NIA JAX
Savelina Fanene (aka Nia Jax) is a former model, and is the younger cousin of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. She's only been wrestling since 2014; but with the way she throws her competition around in the ring, she did need to stew around on the independent scene for years to get noticed. she arrived, She Conquered, She Excelled...
SAMOA JOE
Like A.J. Styles, Samoa Joe was one of the main faces of both The TNA Impact and Ring Of Honor Wrestling promotions. Currently The WWE NXT Champion, one can only assume that he hasn't promoted to the main roster so as to ensure that there is still a major draw to keep that brand as a viable and growing force that reigns above TNA & ROH. Joe also represents a trend of heavier set athletes that can really move around the ring, just as well as their smaller counterparts. Up until 2015, The WWE would have always passed these guys over. But now they are bonafied main event superstars...
BECKY LYNCH
Becky Lynch is a high energy European transport that came over to WWE in 2013. Along with Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, and Bailey, these ladies became known as "The Four Horsewomen" as they quickly became known for breaking the mold of what Women's wrestling had been up to that point. Not to say that all of their predecessors were wack-it's just that these ladies are that damn good!
APOLLO CREWS
Sesugh Uhaa made a name for himself in Japan's Dragon Gate promotion as "Uhaa Nation," before coming over to WWE as Apollo Crews. By all reports, the name is indeed a play off of Apollo Creed and Terry Crews (of whom he does somewhat resemble). At 6'1" and 240 pounds, it is amazing to watch crews do standing somersaults and come crashing down on his opponents. While most Black Wrestlers usually stay on the mid card, it does appear the company has bigger plans for Apollo Crews. Hopefully this will be the case. Especially after The Brand Split...
ASUKA
Not a lot of history to add here. Asuka, formerly known as Kana, doesn't speak much English. But with the way that she smiles her perverted "You Know You Just Fucked Up" grim at you (just before she kicks and twists her opponents all over the ring) she doesn't have to. Period.
CHARLOTTE FLAIR
Charlotte Flair is the daughter of The Greatest Pro Wrestler of All time. She was voted Pro Wrestling Illustrated "Rookie Of The Year in 2014," and by May of that year, had captured The NXT Women's Title. Charlotte was called up to The WWE Main Roster and quickly captured the then-Divas Champion, and at Wrestlemania was crowned as WWE Women's champion (an honor she held for over a year, until being dethroned by Sasha Banks on the July 25th 2016 Monday Night Raw). While comparisions to her father will never go away, she has done an impressive job of building her own brand-while simultaneously taking advantage of the path that was laid before her. Expect her and Sasha to put on many more spectacular matches well into the next year...
KEVIN OWENS
Formerly known as "Kevin Steen," Kevin Owens has been wrestling since the age of 16 years old. Now 32, The former WWE NXT Champion spent most of the past year feuding with the likes of John Cena and Sami Zayn among others. Like most of the others on this list, Kevin Owens displays an impressive and wide-ranging skillset of moves usually not found in a 260+ pound wrestler. Like the others, Owens falls into a category that Vince McMahon would have passed over in times past. And like most of the others, Owens stands to get a major shot at the main event due to the Brand Split.
In discussing the news that Queen Afeni Shakur had passed away, one common thought expressed over and over again centered around the idea of who would now control the music, legacy & likeness of our departed brother Tupac Shakur. As if the corporate culture vultures had not already done all the could to water-down and bastardize the defiant/revolutionary-minded Pac, in favor of the more reckless version we saw during his Death Row Records days-now they may have the opportunity to ramp those efforts to new levels. My next thought centered around which version of Afeni shakur would the media focus on, when discussing her life. Would they minimize her just being Mother Of the Late Tupac Shakur? How quick would they move to dwell on her past substance abuse problems? More importantly, how would they report on her time fighting on the frontlines of The Black Panther Party-if at all?? Being that she was the driving force behind the eventual acquittal of The Panther 21, anything less than the dignity warranted for a Freedom Fighter would be unacceptable. But I'm sure that I will be disappointed, as they will not due her justice and the focus will immediately shift to how to monetize the legacies of both her and her son. Why? Because in America, We The Black & Brown are not considered to have a soul worthy of the same dignities required to be given to others. So daily, whether we realize it or not, "They got us fighting for our spirit and mind." How much longer will we have to fight? Until more of us take up the mantle of those before us, move up into vanguard positions and work on every level imaginable to finally bring Power To The People... Afeni Shakur We Salute You. Thank You For All Of Your Hard Work And Sacrifices... back in April of last year I posted about the execution of #Ericharris in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For those that didn't know or may not remember, Eric Harris was killed while being arrested for allegedly selling a firearm to an undercover Task Force Agent. Upon realizing that he had been caught up in a sting operation, Mr. Harris took off running. Agents chased him, and eventually tackled him to the ground. Seconds later he would be shot and killed by a 73 Year Old CEO of an Insurance company, who had enlisted as a VOLUNTEER/RESERVE SHERIFF'S DEPUTY!!! Robert bates used his personal weapon, and fired it into Harris's Back, claiming that he THOUGHT HE WAS USING HIS TASER!!! Pictures & video refutes Bate's police report claims that Harris was struggling with the officers (look closely at the positioning of his hands & shoulders in the pictures). Bates would also be quoted as explaining that he thought Eric Harris had a gun, because of the manner in which he was running. "I noticed that Harris was running in an unusual way because as he ran he repeatedly touched his right hand to his waistband," he wrote. "Based on my past experience, primarily with the task force, and my past training, I believed that Harris might be carrying a gun." After news of the murder broke, questions arose as to why a volunteer deputy would be utilized on a Tulsa Sheriff's Department Violent Crimes Task Force operation and evidence pointed per the usual to money. Bates is now confirmed to have donated cars, video equipment, and other items to the Tulsa Sheriff's Department over the years. He also donated at least $2,500 toward Sheriff Stanley Glanz's Re-Election Campaign. Robert Bates now faces 2nd Degree Manslaughter charges, and jury selection began earlier this week. There have already been several moments of controversy in the weeks and months leading up to jury selection.
SOURCES: http://ktul.com/news/local/bates-attorney-admits-to-altering-sample-gun-in-criminal-case http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/courts/judge-rules-against-delay-in-robert-bates-manslaughter-trial/article_c8fdfef8-c8a2-5f68-8ce1-95662f279f86.html http://www.kjrh.com/news/local-news/tulsa-county-judge-james-caputo-recuses-himself-in-robert-bates-case |
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