The world’s coolest Mayor, John Fetterman, seeks urban renewal and economic empowerment in a small town in Pennsylvania.
This reminds me of a passage in Cornel West’s Race Matters, where West urges the public to generate a new leadership—not the charismatic, charming, good looking ones that we usually gravitate to—but a true leader, “grounded in grass roots organizing and democratic accountability.”
This is truly an example.
Peace.
Supermarkets pressed to donate spare food to charities
Supermarkets and manufacturers would be forced by law to donate their surplus food to charities in order to reduce the “scandalous” amount of food wasted in the UK, under proposals for a bill drawn up by a Labour MP.
The food waste bill is being brought forward by Kerry McCarthy, Labour MP for Bristol East, under parliament’s 10-minute rule, which allows MPs to introduce private members’ bills. It has cross-party support and will receive its first reading in the Commons on Wednesday, following a parliamentary launch event. Although the bill stands little chance of getting onto the statute book, its supporters believe it will help draw attention to an issue of growing environmental concern.
McCarthy said that up to 50% of edible and healthy food is routinely wasted across the European Union – a figure that would rise across the EU if something is not done. She added: “The amount of food wasted in the UK is a scandal. By creating a surplus of – uneaten – food, the global food industry is adding pressure on scarce land and resources, contributing to deforestation, needlessly adding to global greenhouse gas emissions and helping to drive up global food prices.” (source)
(via black-culture)
Happy Women’s History Month!
photo shown: bell hooks, prominent feminist/social activist
Yuri Kochiyama and Richard Aoki, Japanese members of the Black Panther Party.
(via black-culture)
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Kanye West
…it is politically correct to highlight black achievement outside of February
Okay okay, I know it has only been a day into the new year, but it does not hurt to reminisce on the good times I had in 2011, right?
My favorite product of 2011 was the Occupy Wall Street movement, and when it spread locally, I hopped on the next bus coming. no, literally.
November 2011
Fall is definitely approaching, as high gusty winds nearly tipped me over as I walked down my East Oakland neighborhood for the nearest bus stop. I had not taken the bus since my first year of college, and nearly squealed when I saw the bus fare had gone up 40 cents since I was in middle school (this could be a sign that I am getting old). The bus driver, obviously irritated by my drama, asked if she could help me with anything. A dollar oh-five would have been nice, but I instead asked if she would be making any detours in the Downtown area. As I had expected, she told me that she would be making detours to avoid the general strike that Occupy Oakland organized for today. This strike mimicked the general strike of Oakland in 1946, where 100,000 workers walked off their jobs in a struggling post-war economy. The 1946 strike was successful. The Occupy Oakland general strike aimed to close the Port of Oakland today, which I later found was successful.
After the detour, it seemed like the bus driver dropped me off in the middle of nowhere. I decided to use my senses and follow the cannabis and hippie smell to the Frank Ogawa Plaza, where the protestors meet.
When I finally arrived, I found was looking for the wrong place all along. The Frank Ogawa Plaza was now the Oscar Grant Plaza to commemorate the young Oakland teen gunned down by Oakland Bart police on New Year’s Eve.
In a teeny tiny corner I put “starving college kid” Holla if you hear me *Tupac Voice*
Then the occupying began …
When I took a picture, the occupiers startled me to a near death; “don’t just take pictures! Join us!” I obeyed. I mean, why not? These people are willing to go to jail, for heaven’s sake.
……
Well after ten minutes of chanting, and writing legal numbers now in case of an arrest, my stomach started growling, and I headed to Burger King. Cowardice at its best, but if I was going to be arrested today, I would at least want to go on a full stomach. Anyway, the protesting must have already rubbed off o n me; I nearly occupied Burger King for raising the price on their rodeo cheeseburgers 20 cents.
I then learned the Occupy Berkeley protestors marched to Occupy Oakland to join the strike. If you are unfamiliar with the Bay Area, this is a cool 20-30 minute walk. They planned to march to the University of California, Berkeley offices in Downtown Oakland to protest against tuition hike. I had just learned that prior Reagan’s unsuccessful attempts to charge tuition at University of California schools, the schools were virtually free (with the exception of nominal registration fees). This was only some 20 odd years ago, and Berkeley’s tuition is now $13,360. More interestingly, I pitied the absence of Black student protestors. Then it dawned on me, and I asked a protestor, “of the black student population at Cal, how many would you say are on sports scholarships?” He broke down that of the 35,000 students enrolled at Cal in 2010, 1,200 are African American, and he believed a majority of them received sports scholarships. I would not be surprised.
Overall, I had a wonderful time engaging with Occupy Oakland protestors. What was most overwhelming was the sense of solidarity, pride, and power that I assume my ancestors felt during the Nat Turner rebellions, and what their descendants felt during the 60’s revolutionary movements. I am proud to have witnessed the direct result of enlightenment: activism. I now know that those high fall winds that I experienced earlier signaled not only a change in the season, but a change in the balance of power that the working class have fought for so long.
we’re launching in January!
The NBA drama that has occurred over the past week combines two of our favorite things: basketball and reality dramas.
But what is more interesting in the whole trade debacle is the politics of it all. When mentioning politics, we do not mean the “dictatorship” that NBA fans feel David Stern is running.
Instead, we find the “small market” versus “big market” problem glossed over, and downplayed by the hype of CP3’s rights (as a non-free agent) being violated. Strangely enough, tensions between these markets occur during the declining hype of the “Occupy” movements. If we scrutinize the professional basketball markets, with our own financial markets, we will find correlations, both of which affect us and our communities immensely.
I read this article on NBC Bay Area that discussed plans to move the Warriors to San Francisco. This struck a nerve, not only because this is my home team, but for the reasons which the owners choose to move. New co-Owner Joe Lacob, who wishes to move the team to the new SF Giants stadium, told the SF chronicle,
“‘The potential for building an arena near AT&T Park is very exciting,” Lacob told the paper. “The Giants have done some remarkable things over there. It’s a great ballpark that revitalized an entire part of the city.’”
But what about Oakland?
The Warrior’s Oracle Arena currently sits on 66th avenue in East Oakland (not the best part of Oakland). It is the oldest arena in the league.
The Problem?
The city lacks the funds to pay for a new arena, and private investors are unwilling to shell the money in a city that is everything short of a tourist destination. Despite the city’s rich cultural and art history, its reputation as a crime rampant, low income community repels potential investors. Therefore, the new Warriors Co-owners are attracted to the $$$ that come with a big market team.
I’m not hating on their money, but…
Taking away sports teams from a city will have adverse effects on the community at large. Just imagine how an investment in a new stadium in OAKLAND will bring much needed jobs to the community, and provide an incentive for superstar players like CP3 to stay in communities affected by socio-economic castes.
I do not necessarily agree with David Stern’s decision to block the trade, but this should definitely elicit some discussion about the dangers of the domino effect of superstar teams in the NBA.
Who wants to see the same teams in the playoffs and championships anyway? definitely foreshadows a demise in the sport due to an increase in predictability.
Seems like a lose-lose for everyone.
In the 21st century, our favorite pastimes include watching (or making) YouTube videos for JackAss influenced home stunts, countless covers of Lil’ Wayne’s “How to Love”, and Bieber dedication videos. Rarely do we search anything worth watching,
so we did it for you.
Check out, Eli Pariser. As a part of the TED idea series, Pariser warns us about how “online filter bubbles” narrows our world views and staunches our personal growth.
Love and Inity (Unity) -Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley
