Images of Shake the City

Here are a few pictures I took at Sunday's Shake the City rally in Dorchester's Franklin Field. It was good to see familiar faces, local leaders, concerned community members and young heads ready to change reality. 

Standing in Solidarity.

City Councilor, Ayanna Pressley.

Mothers for Justice & Equality.

Peace on Earth.

This mother and son were too cute.

Roxbury Represent.

Hands raised by those committed to change.

One of the organizers.

Sistas.

As with a lot of gatherings like this one, many of those who needed to be there most, were not present for the preaching. I am hopefully however, that the many from the choir who were present will reach out a hand to those whose steps have faltered. I look forward to seeing what action steps will follow. 

All photos copyright © Nuri Chandler-Smith. These images are NOT to be used or reproduced unless written permission has been given. To request permission please email: beantownbrown617@gmail.com

Boston Biolab?

I received the following community alert in my email yesterday. This definitely looks like something worthy of some time and attention:

COMMUNITY ALERT

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH PUBLIC MEETING

APRIL 19TH  @  6:30pm

ROXBURY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

1234 Columbus Avenue - (Media Arts Building)

A public hearing on the third and latest risk assessment for the NEIDL (the Boston University bioweapons lab) has been scheduled for Thursday, April 19, 2012, from 6:30-9:30 PM at Roxbury Community College,  Media Arts Building, 1234 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 0212.  The closest T stop is Roxbury Crossing.

For almost ten years, the Safety Net (a Roxbury-based community group) and the Stop the BU Bioterror Lab Coalition have successfully fought to prevent this dangerous high containment  biological laboratory from being opened in the densely populated Roxbury/South End neighborhood.  High-level containment laboratories do research on pathogens that can cause severe illness and death. The highest level (BSL-4) labs study lethal diseases that can be transmitted by air and for which there are no vaccines or treatments.  The lab is located in an Environmental Justice neighborhood which already faces significant health and environmental hazards.

Two previous risk assessments have been severely criticized by the courts and by a National Research Council panel of experts.   This latest 1700-page effort can be viewed at http://nihblueribbonpanel-bumc-neidl.od.nih.gov/,   The National Institutes of Health have scheduled the April 19th hearing because they are required to offer community members and other concerned citizens an opportunity to comment on the risk assessment.

We must make it clear to BU, NIH, and the political establishment that this lab is not acceptable to us.   It is essential that we turn out in large numbers.

I don't know a lot about this particular biolab, but I do know that I received a phone message from a close family friend this morning, encouraging me to either attend the meeting and help stop the development of this biolab, or to think about moving far, far away. :-/ 

I'm definitely interested in learning more about this issue and about the potential ramifications for Roxbury residents. If anyone has an solid info to share, please hit up the comments section below.

Town Halls for Trayvon

There are more local events in support of Trayvon Martin coming up. Check the flyer above for details on the April 6th Community Town Hall Forum at Hibernian Hall in Dudley Sq. It's cool that they already have some specific ACTION items outlined for this event, so that it won't simply be the choir standing around singing to itself. 

There is also going to be a community dialogue at the Worcester Public Library sponsored by Press Pass TV (a really cool local org to check out if you haven't already) on April 3rd:

Press Pass TV hosts a community forum and dialogue about the image of young men of color in our news and media. Facilitators community members dismantle the myth of the "superpredator" and address the consequences of these persistent media narratives that Black and Latino boys are dangerous, violent and out of control. What can we do to change the media so that it reflects the whole scope of our humanity so that every one of our children can walk down their street without being seen as "suspicious?" Find out how to get involved in the Respect in Reporting campaign and take action and brainstorm with your neighbors how we can start here in Worcester.

If anyone knows about any other local events related to the Trayvon Martin case, please leave the details in the comments, email me, or dm me on twitter, so that I can share the 411.

Time, Trayvon and Till...

 

I was hoping that I wouldn't have the chance to take a picture of myself wearing a hoodie. I was hoping that Zimmerman would have been arrested by now and that the Trayvon Martin case would be well on it's way toward justice. I was hoping that  decency and reason would prevail before I had the chance to add my 2 cents to the mix and that anything I would contribute would be behind the times. My hopes were dashed. It has been 6 days since I posted about the Trayvon Martin rally in Harvard Square. It has been 1 month and 2 days since Trayvon Martin was murdered. It has been 56 years and 7 months since Emmett Till was murdered. What have we been doing all that time? What will we do today to make certain that none of our children are murdered tomorrow? Supersized or small, every effort matters. Sign a petition, write to the President, share a hoodie picture, participate in a local event, work collectively to reform your neighborhood watch, so that never ever again will a child be shot.

PROTEST FOR TRAYVON MARTIN - Harvard Sq.

 

It's nearly time for the protest for Trayvon Martin in Harvard Sq. Please show your support in any way that you can. You can also check out this beautiful interview in VIBE, featuring my peoples Hard Hittin Harry, his incredible daughter and the one and only John Forte.

Finding the truth about Kony...

I am known for telling my students that "truth" is something that they must investigate for themselves. I think that this is the case with all things, particularly with deciphering fact from fiction in the media and politics (The Matrix is an excellent allegory for this struggle). I try to always view things with a questioning eye, while simultaneously keeping my focus on justice. That said, here are just a couple of the many other available perspectives on the situation (the answer is out there, and it's looking for you, and it will find you if you want it to):

The Problem With Invisible Children's "Kony 2012"

Joseph Kony is not in Uganda (and other complicated things)

KONY 2012

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

If you participate in any form of social media, then you may already have seen this, as it has quickly and justifiably, gone viral. If you haven't yet seen it, please take some time out of your day and check it out. If you have already seen it, please take some time out of your day and take some form of action, even if it's just sharing this story with someone else. Each one teach one, you feel me?

Boston, I will see you in these streets on April 20th... details to come.

Shout out to Gabifresh for putting me on to this video. 

Occupy Boston to March with Unions, Students

 

Today at 1:30pm students from BC, BU, Harvard, MIT, Tufts and others will gather at the Band Stand on Boston Common for a march to Dewey Square. At 3:00pm they will join with members of Occupy Boston, MASSUniting, several labor unions and other community allies in a rally for good jobs and a fair economy.

For the day’s full agenda visit http://occupyboston.com/calendar/

Reblogged From: Occupy Boston

It's Denim Day Boston 2011

Nope, Denim Day is not just about fashion, it's about rocking your gear with a purpose! The Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence is taking the lead on this international campaign to take a collective stand against domestic violence:

Denim Day Boston is an anti-rape, anti-violence, and anti-victim blaming campaign for all peoples of the Boston area.  It’s a time to remember that all people have the right to live life without sexual violence and without the fear of sexual violence, that we all have the ability to fight for that right.

I'm glad to know that today, my jeans have meaning.

PEACE on our streets...

Be sure to represent for Peace Boston and its supporters to celebrate 5 years of increasing the Peace in Boston! You can make a financial contribution and/or donate a gift for a child of a murder victim. Cindy Diggs and company have been working so hard to make our streets safer. Let's celebrate 5 years!!!!!


Tuesday, December 21 · 5:00pm - 8:30pm
Great Hall / Codman Square

6 Norfolk Street (near Codman Square Health Center)

Dorchester, MA

Bigotry for Black Ivy

Boston, Boston, Boston...smh. I love my city, but time and again it truly tries my patience. For such a diverse, cosmopolitan and well-educated place, it can sometimes seem more like the segregated south of yesteryear. The nightlife scene is a prime example of how Boston displays its bigotry. Check out this article from The Root by D. Omavi Harshaw:


What Do You Call a Black Man With a J.D.?

Here's an opportunity to see what the folks over at MIT have to say about the extensive efforts to rebuild the nation of Haiti.

Meet me in the House of Love...

Start stretching now people, because come Saturday, it's gonna be on and poppin! Get ready to break out your hottest b-boy/girl moves, your roger rabbit and cabbage patch, or your tightest two-step for the House of Love dance-a-thon for Haiti.

I think of no better reason to sweat it out on the dance floor until a charlie horse kicks in than for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Check out the details:

BOSTON HOUSEMUSIC COALITION / LOVE & NAPPINESS together with
THE ROXBURY Y.M.C.A and PARTNERS IN HEALTH

Present

“HOUSE OF LOVE for HAITI”
12 HOUR DANCE-A-THON & MUSICAL EVENT (For ALL Ages)

We encourage you to bring your entire Family (Especially Kids)! This is going to be a Fun-Filled Event for ALL!

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 6th, 2010
12 Noon – 12 Midnight

- FOOD
- VENDORS
including:
:: LGappareL® http://www.HaitianNation.com ::
:: Janeen St. Louis "J JEWELS" ::
- KIDS ACTIVITIES

*We will have a room set up for kids to draw pictures, write letters, make cards to send out to Families & Kids over in Haiti*

Some of Boston’s Top DJ’S have teamed up and donated their time, talent & resources to play the best in:

- HIP HOP
- R&B
- OLD SCHOOL
- REGGAE
- HAITIAN CREOLE / KOMPA
- DEEP HOUSE
- DANCE CLASSICS
- FUNK
- DISCO

DJ LINE-UP:

12pm-1pm: DJ NI-TEE
1pm-2pm: DJ PAUL FOLEY
2pm-3pm: DJ BRUNO
3pm-4pm: MS. THANG
4pm-5pm: DJ VAL BEATS / DJ PAIN / DJ CUE
5pm-6pm: KING ILABASH
6pm-7pm: DJ NOMADIK & LUNA del FLOR
7pm-8pm: DJ CRUZZ
8pm-9pm: IGNACIO FORRESTER
9pm-10pm: CHRIS GRANT & DJ SAVUTH
10pm-11pm: KC HALLET
11pm-12am: BOB DIESEL


::: PLUS SPECIAL LIVE PERFORMANCES BY :::

- 2 time winner of The Apollo Theater Amateur Night
- Featured "Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam" Poet:
- Recording Artist

.:: OVEOUS MAXIMUS ::.

And

poet/vocalist:

.:: IYEOKA IVIE OKOAWO ::.

- 2nd place 2009 Individual WORLD POETRY SLAM Champion
- 2008 recipient of the National Performance Network / NCCC Artist of Color Residency Award.


====================================

.:: THE SONGBIRDS ::.

featuring:
- TASHI PIQUE
- DONNA MANSORA
- LUNA del FLOR

==========================

.:: JUSTIN WAITHE & INDUS JOHNSON ::.

performing a song:
"THERE'S HOPE"

============================

AND OTHER SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCES.

* PLUS a special Aerobic WORKOUT SESSION with:

REGGIE B.
Master Fitness Trainer

===============================

::: SOUND and LIGHTS PROVIDED BY :::

VAL BEATZ
(Good Life Entertainment)

::: I WOULD LIKE TO THANK :::

- JORGE "DJ CRUZZ" GALVEZ - for designing such a beautiful flyer and poster for this event. You are truely a master at your craft brother!

** There will be SPECIAL RAFFLES from FILENE'S BASEMENT to be given away!

=============================================

THIS IS A TIME AND NEED WHERE WE ALL HAVE TO COME TOGETHER AND SHOW OUR LOVE & SUPPORT FOR THE PEOPLE OF HAITI. WE ALL LOVE MUSIC, WE ALL LOVE TO DANCE, SO COME OUT AND JOIN US AND RAISE MONEY FOR THIS CAUSE.

"WOW, THIS IS GOING TO BE GREAT, AN EVENT LIKE THIS IS WHAT WE NEED. WE AT PARTNERS IN HEALTH ARE GREATFUL YOU ARE DOING THIS FOR HAITI"
- Samantha Enders
Regional Outreach Director
Partners in Health

BRING YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, KIDS, TEENS, EVERYBODY!
FOR 12 HOURS WE HAVE TO GIVE TO THE PEOPLE OF BOSTON AND ALL THAT COME. HAVE THE BEST TIME OF YOUR LIFE AND SHARE IN AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A GREAT CONTRIBUTION FOR LIFE.

::: Suggested Donations :::
* Minimum $10 DONATION (ADULTS)
** Minimum $3 DONATION (KIDS: Ages 12-17)

Proceeds will go to PARTNERS IN HEALTH to help aid in relief efforts in Haiti

There is so much that could be said about the need for us all to band together in sustained support of our brothers and sisters in Haiti, but this is a time for actions, not words. So that said, please support Unity.

United 4 Iran, July 25: BE A HERO

You can be a hero in Boston on July 25th
Copley Square
4PM-6PM