Bernie Sanders Comes to Atlanta

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Yesterday Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders (D) Graced Atlanta, GA with his presence.  The Vermont Senator spoke before a crowd of more than 4,000  people at the famous Fox Theatre. Sanders has been very clear on the many issues that are important to him such as: 

• Income inequality
• Tuition Free College
• Suitable Living Wage
• Climate change
• Racial Justice
• Immigration Policy

Sanders was introduced by Atlanta native (Michael Render) aka Killer Mike with a 5 minute Speech seen below:

Sanders was a major advocate of The Dr. Martin Luther King.

“Dr. King saw not only the need to end racism and segregation but to create an economy that works for all Americans,”

The trip to Atlanta was Business as Usual for Sanders. Aside from visiting the King Center and meeting with Dr. Bernice King ( MLK's Daughter) , The senator also had lunch at the historical Busy Bee Cafe located on Martin Luther King Blvd. In Atlanta which made for a Great Photo Op.

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Many people in the younger demographic identify with Bernie Sanders on important issues and feel he is a representative of the people and not the Big Donors that typically hijack the election. He has been neck and neck in the polls alongside Hillary Clinton. Many think he will win the Minority vote as well as the young vote, which helped propel President Barack Obama into victory back in 2008.  

Sanders continues his southern tour which included a stop in South Carolina and Savannah this past weekend. For more on Bernie Sanders click here.  Will you be Voting for Bernie Sanders next year? Let us know your thoughts on the 2016 Presidential Race below.

The Times We Gotta Live Through

This year, The world seems to have really been Shaken Up by Terrorism. Since January we've seen Countless Tragedies, Occurring Almost Everyday Overseas. Massacres in Nigeria and Kenya,  Bombings in Beirut, Multiple Terror Attacks in Paris, Killings in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Egypt, Even America, the list goes On and on.  For a more in depth look at the frequency of Terror attacks in the World check out the 2015 list Here.  Groups such as  ISIL, and Boko Haram,  have committed countless acts of terror responsible for the deaths of thousands of people In the middle east and Africa.

  

Here in the United States, The domestic problems have been evident. In the midst of ongoing issues with Police killing civilians, which for 2015 just reached over 1000 deaths ,  Homeless Veterans, Gun Violence, Education, Same Sex Marriage, and Immigration, many Americans have urged the President and Politicians to focus on the matters at Home rather than Abroad. Due to the Crisis in Syria and Military Response to the French Terror Attacks, Many Refugees are fleeing the destruction.According to many reports, a Passport found after the attack in Paris turned out to be that of a Syrian Refugee, though it has not been authenticated. The Obama Administration has also agreed to allow 10,000 Syrian Refugees (mostly women and children) to enter the United States in 2016.  As of today, about half of the U.S. States have declared that they will Not accept ANY relocating Syrian Refugees into their States, due to a potential security threat. 

Social Media has also been a major contributor to the fostering of such divisive ideologies. Just taking a look into the Comment section of any post on Politics or Social Issues reveals a different beast. One of ideologies. 2015 has no doubt been the "Year of the Offended". People are becoming more and more extreme on both ends. Outrage over differences in opinion even caused Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to issue a statement about offering more options for recognition of future tragedies around the world, such as Safety check and Profile picture updates.

So here we are,  at the beginning of a Holiday Season, In the middle of a presidential Race, Engulfed in both Foreign and Domestic conflict and clueless about how to make things better. With every one pointing the finger, Sadly, It is my belief that things will only get worse. The one thing that can lead us out of these problems seems to be knowledge. We have to continue to educate and develop ourselves as a society, and begin to think critically, for ourselves. Too often we let media outlets, and emotions determine how we feel or who we should feel sorry for, which is not always just. Through researching, and discussions we should be able to develop better Perspectives and understanding of our surroundings,  how to survive, and live amongst each other in this fast changing world. Those who lack the knowledge to handle the future will be left behind. What are some important issues that need attention in todays world and what are some solutions to the issues we as a country face both at home and overseas?  Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

What's Going On in Missouri?

About 2 hours away from Ferguson, Missouri is the University Of Missouri in the Town of Columbia. Within the past month the school has been under the spotlight due to protests by students. These students are protesting due to the School Presidents's lack of response to reports of Racist attacks , Threats, and Harassment on Campus. Instances included numerous accounts of African American Students being called N----r, the painting of a Swastika on a Dormitory Wall Using Human Feces.

 Protests also included one student, Jonathan Butler (pictured Below) going on a Hunger Strike...

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A Group of Students blocking the School's President in a parade...

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Even the Schools' football team got involved by withholding from practicing or Playing in Games until the President Tim Wolfe Stepped Down. This event ,which put the school directly into the national spotlight,  would have been devastating financially for the school to suffer and action had to be taken....

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On Monday November 9,2015 the University's President of more than 3 years Tim Wolfe, Resigned due to the Racial Unrest. The schools Chancellor also stepped down due to the controversy. These resignations were influenced by the school boards decision that the leadership was deemed inadequate. Critics of the protest called it Ridiculous, adding that from his perspective, Race relations are now better than ever on campus and the leadership should not be responsible for the actions of a few.

In retrospect, what happened in Missouri speaks volumes as to how the people can come together to enact change. It seems that when you threaten to disrupt these institutions financially, corrective measures become imminent. It is not favorable for any organization to be dismissive about the concerns of any of its members. This situation in particular seems to be one where if it doesn't affect you directly than it becomes of no concern, But ultimately, injustice to few is an injustice to all. Hopefully, going forward this University can develop better dialogue between the student body and administration. Students of color were not even allowed to attend the University of Missouri when was founded in1839. and it remained until 1939 when Lloyd Gaines took on the School in court to end the State Sponsored segregation. Even then, the School only created a separate school for African Americans to Attend. In Closing,  it can be said that things have gotten better, but there is still much work to be done which is surprising for the year 2015. What do you think needs to be done to improve race relations in America? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below on this important topic.

CHIRAQ: The Trailer

Spike Lee is Back! This Time with a highly controversial film Titled "CHIRAQ". The Trailer released last week and caused a firestorm of controversy from critics both in and out of Hollywood. Lets take a look into why....

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Chicago has had an ongoing problem with Gun violence. In the year 2015 Alone there have been more than 2600 Shooting Victims! Stemming from a combination of issues within the community such as lack of Jobs, Increased Gang Activity, etc.  This is where the term "Chiraq" Stems from as a combination of Chicago and Iraq. Many people are not happy with this nickname in the city and don't care for its promotion. Although Chicago has very strict Gun Laws,  these laws rarely stop guns from getting into the wrong hands. Chicago is otherwise known as a beautiful city with much to offer outside of the situation that is portrayed in the film, and this is where the problem lies. Many local Chicagoans expressed took to social media to express themselves... 

 

RhymefestVerified account‏@RHYMEFEST

Rhymefest Retweeted Esteban

SpikeLee exploited poor people

 

Lil BibbyVerified account‏@LilBibby_

That Chiraq trailer look like a Parody

 

AlmightySoVerified account‏@ChiefKeef

Damn Spikey..... Chiraq isn't defined enough on that movie! It should be showing what's really going on.

Rhymefest added,

Others were upset about the casting selection and otherwise mockery of the culture as a whole. Spike Lee himself eventually responded explaining that the movie is not a Comedy, and is actually a Satire. He explained that the purpose is draw attention to the matter and otherwise use humor to further drive the point home. He has done this  before in some of his other films Such as "Do The Right Thing" and "Bamboozled". Check Out his Response Below...

I think Spike Lee's Plan is working perfectly. People are talking about the subject and that is exactly what he wanted. As for the Critics, you have to look at it from the perspective of both sides. Could he have picked more accurate cast members or done more research into the actual culture to make it look more authentic?  But, How can you express more outrage over the film than the actual situation? Will you be going to see it.? Chiraq the Movie releases in theaters nationwide on December 4th., 2015. Let us know your thoughts in the Comment Section Below. 

Open Letter to the "Conscious" Community

Dear Conscious Community, We truly appreciate you. Your enlightenment is a gift that must continue to be shared. It is understood that sharing knowledge and expecting results can be a frustrating process, however a good teacher must be patient with its students. Imagine if you went to school on the first day class and all the teacher did was criticize you for not knowing what they were about to teach you.... imagine that. All too often this is exactly what is happening within the Conscious community.

When a person gets Cancer, do we punish and demean them?  The answer is No.  We begin to offer treatment, so in a sense, If a person is engaged in a cancerous way of being, or pattern of thought, we should not criticize or speak condescendingly of them.

“Don't be in a hurry to condemn because he doesn't do what you do or think as you think or as fast. There was a time when you didn't know what you know today.”

-Malcolm X

Out of respect for one of our favorite intellectuals to date, we must not throw stones at the very ones we are trying to save. That is unless there is an underlying sense of disgust for what you yourself may have once been, and that needs to be addressed in another way. The Sole purpose of gaining knowledge is essentially survival. As they say,  Knowledge IS power, but one must not be a control freak, or abuse such power. Being a good leader requires charisma, You have to be able to get people to buy what you are selling.  It can be extremely difficult to get your point across to someone if you are making them feel inferior in the process. 

It is my challenge to the "Wake Up" Community to adjust your sales pitch. Be more understanding , and realize that everyone comes to the light at their own pace and will not always see things your way immediately. Believe it or not, People actually DO want the world to get better. Terms such as "Coon", "Lost", "Sleep" or "Sheep" are destructive terms and offer no value to the development of others. I challenge you to replace these words with terms like "Unaware" or "Untaught". Assume more responsibility for the ones who you feel the need to preach to and be less judgmental of those who do not seem to Understand. Evaluate yourself and your journey first, because you weren't born knowing everything you know today. Somebody taught you too!