ColorOfChange: Post-Katrina Shootings, Aid Black Farmers

I want to point to a couple of campaigns currently in progress at ColorOfChange.org that are well worth your consideration and support.

Demand justice in post-Katrina shootings:
"In the weeks following Hurricane Katrina, White vigilantes hunted down Black men who entered Algiers Point and even tried to expel their Black neighbors. Louisiana's broken law enforcement agencies have refused to investigate these crimes."

Demand justice for Black farmers denied USDA aid:
"For decades the U.S. Department of Agriculture discriminated against Black farmers, denying them critical aid. When a technicality prevented many Black farmers from benefiting from an eventual settlement, Barack Obama put forth legislation to ensure all farmers were compensated."

"Obama's actions helped him win over Southern Black members of Congress and gain the support of rural Blacks in the Democratic primaries. Now it looks like the Obama administration may be trying to avoid fairly compensating these Black farmers."

It's still time for change and that ain't gonna change.

Bad News Brands: Ray Nagin on Murder in New Orleans

I'm just now reading Ethan Brown's piece for the Guardian on the rising murder rate in New Orleans and hit this startling bit regarding news I totally missed at the time:
The mayor, Ray Nagin, has been silent in the face of the sort of mass killing that occurred and often dismissive of it. This summer, he told a group of reporters that the murder rate "keeps the New Orleans brand out there."

I'm speechless with disgust.

Judiciary Committee Hearing on the Jena 6

May still be in progress.  Rizoh has the 411.

I haven't gotten back to my roundup of hip hop support of the Jena 6 [I will] but big ups to everybody that's been pushing this thing.  This isn't the end by any means but it's a great example of how online advocates helped build the initial critical mass that encourages folks like Al Sharpton to step up and provide much needed media visibility.

Related Material:
Ethan Brown feels that the "most useful outcome of the Jena 6 protests is the interest in sentencing reform coming from the likes of Barack Obama and Senator Jim Webb" and links through to a related article.

That's an excellent point since sentencing reform is desperately needed nationwide though I would say most immediately and obviously useful.

I think that's just one example of what could come from a sustained campaign for justice in the Deep South.  I don't say that out of nostalgia for the Civil Rights movement.  I say that from what such movements have taught us.

Ethan Brown Predicts "Blood-letting" in New Orleans

In one of the calmest yet scariest blog posts I've ever read, Ethan Brown breaks down elements of policing and crime in New Orleans that convincingly lead to the possibility that New Orleans is facing a much bigger catastrophe than Katrina.

In particular Ethan reveals just how fluid the situation remains by adding his own insights to what he's gathered to date on NO policing and criminality:

My sense is that criminals of all kinds–from rapists to car thieves to drug dealers–know that the momentum here is running strongly in their direction. They're well aware that thousands of suspects simply hit the streets soon after being arrested because charges aren't filed in their cases.

Another theory: based on my experience (and from talking to some cops and criminologists down here), the NOPD has retreated from community policing initiatives. In some cases, the cops are just hunkering down in their patrol cars and not even venturing onto the streets

Finally, there's the issue of population density. The population in New Orleans post-Katrina is down significantly (from around 500,000 pre-K to about 250,000-300,000). The result of all this–abandoned houses, lots, even entire blocks–provides big opportunities for criminals, from creating stash houses to unlit areas from which armed robbers can attack.

The criminally minded would have recognized the opportunities in New Orleans immediately.  Law enforcement should have as well.

Ethan closes with his devastating prediction:
It is profoundly ironic that under the leadership of a Mayor who proudly proclaimed that New Orleans should be re-built as a "Chocolate City," hundreds of black men will be murdered, a blood-letting worse than what's happening in even apocalyptic urban centers like Compton.

I've only been picking up bits and pieces of what's happening down there but, so far, even the best news doesn't give me any reason to think that Mr. Brown is the least bit wrong.

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Ethan Brown Moves to New Orleans

Ethan Brown Moves to New Orleans

Ethan Brown, author of Queens Reigns Supreme and the upcoming Snitch, has moved to New Orleans and you can tell already that he's going to get a great book out of it if he makes it through:

My fears about New Orleans played out for the rest of the summer: muggings spiked dramatically in the French Quarter and surrounding neighborhoods and, worst of all, homicides spiked wildly around the city (26 people were murdered in New Orleans in August alone, a jaw-dropping statistic given that we’re a city of less than 300,000 people).

Best of luck and watch your back.

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Ethan Brown Predicts "Blood-letting" in New Orleans
Ethan Brown on Investigative Hip Hop Journalism

[Tens of] Thousands of Protesters Gather for the Jena 6

BBC Coverage of the Sept. 20th Protest for the Jena 6

I'm really blown away by response to the situation of the Jena 6 and thought I'd pull together some mainstream sources to get a sense of the visibility of today's protest.  I haven't seen official numbers but reports range from thousands to tens of thousands.  Lots of protests happened in other places too but the following news items focus on Jena, Louisiana.

Great Photos from ABC News:
Jena Six Protests: Race Debate Explodes in Louisiana

NPR:
'Jena Six' Case Prompts Mass Demonstrations

Reuters:
Civil rights protesters converge on Jena

MTV.com
'Jena Six' Rally Draws Supporters From Around The World To Louisiana

Detroit Free Press:
‘We’re a part of history’

All ProHipHop Coverage:
Katrina/Jena 6 Category

Mixtapeshow.net Drops Jena 6 Podcast

The Mixtapeshow.net has dropped Mixtape 88 - The Jena 6.  Haven't had a chance to listen to it yet but here's a bit from Dex Digital:
A few days ago I posted a call for messages from the community on this situation, and got literally dozens of calls, which I’ve also added into the mix. You’ll hear people from California, Chicago, NYC, South Africa, Canada, London, and beyond. Rappers, filmmakers, label presidents, students, and everything in between.

Sorry I slacked off and didn't participate but sounds like there were plenty of folks involved so check it out!

Related Coverage:
Events Around Nation to Coincide With Sept. 20th Rally in Jena, Louisiana
Jena 6: Empowerment Concert, Rally in Jena, David Bowie Donates $10k to Legal Defense

Jena 6: Empowerment Concert, Rally in Jena, David Bowie Donates $10k to Legal Defense

Free The Jena 6 T-Shirt - [I got one & they look good with crisp readable-at-a-distance printing.]

Whoa, this is great!  The Jena 6 Empowerment Concert scheduled for September 29th in Birmingham, Alabama will feature Nick Cannon, Lloyd, Baby Boy, Sean P, Twista, Tank, Jagged Edge, Killer Mike, Bobby Brown, DTP's Small World and Hurricane Chris.

The event is designed to raise awareness of the situation of the Jena 6 and will help build nationally following tomorrow's Rally in Jena, LA.

Billboard also reports that David Bowie has donated $10,000 to legal defense for the Jena 6!  That cat stays relevant with great ease.

Can't make it to Jena, Louisiana?
Events Around Nation to Coincide With Sept. 20th Rally in Jena

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Please Support the Jena 6 Directly
Jena 6: September 20th March Info & Additional Resources

Related Hip Hop Logic Coverage:
Hip Hop and the Jena 6: Calling All Rappers
Democracy Now Overview of the Jena Six Disaster

Official Sites:
Free The Jena 6
Jena 6 T-Shirt

Voice Your Support for the Jena 6 via The Mixtape Show

Dex Digital is working on a Jena 6 Episode of The Mixtape Show and you've got a couple of days to call in and get your thoughts included.  Click through to his blog for the number and more info on what you might contribute.

And if you've shown your support for the Jena 6 on your blog or website please let me know so I can include you in ProHipHop and Hip Hop Logic's roundup:
Support the Jena 6 & Get a Link at ProHipHop & Hip Hop Logic

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Please Support the Jena 6 Directly

Please Support the Jena 6 Directly

A lot of money intended for the Jena 6 defense has been going to other organizations.

Currently the only way to be sure your money is getting to them is to send it directly to:
Jena 6 Defense Committee
PO Box 2798
Jena, LA
71342

You can also donate directly online.  The Color of Change folks are now working directly with the Jena 6 Defense Committee.

The Defense Committee is made up of parents and supporters of the Jena 6 and the above options are the only way to be sure the money's not diverted to support the organizing efforts of other groups, no matter how worthy they may be.

I would suggest keeping track of whether or not your check gets cashed and email the organizers if it doesn't at:
jena6defense(at)gmail(dot)com

From past experience I know that even Federal postal workers in such settings may get a little too involved in local politics.

Info gathered via Supernegro and chartreuse.

Official Site:
freethejena6.org

Support the Jena 6 & Get a Link at ProHipHop & Hip Hop Logic

By the beginning of next week I plan to post a list of hip hop blogs, websites and fellow travelers who are supporting the Jena 6.  It will basically be a list of links that will be included in a post that will appear both here and at Hip Hop Logic.

Since many activists, both in the streets and in their armchairs, like to play "Rank the Issue", let me explain why I'm giving such a level of support to this particular situation, though I do think that Rank the Issue is a waste of time.

The story of the Jena 6 is quite compelling, especially if one gets past the short version and starts to dig into the stories from folks on the scene.  Their stories will help make it clear that this isn't just about those kids but is about the systematic racism that pervades the Deep South and is reflected in the laws and institutions that have emerged since the Civil War and allowed racists to finesse the supposed death of Jim Crow.

I believe this could be a crucial issue in organizing support for poor people and people of color in the Deep South and we should take advantage of it now while folks are receptive.  It's also a case that connects the issues raised by the aftermaths of Hurricane Katrina and Rita as well as the case of Genarlow Wilson.  It also offers many opportunities to educate folks about the realities down there that also connect to realities across the nation.

I could say more and will be doing more, especially at Hip Hop Logic, but you can go ahead and let me know that you have something up in the comments section below.

Special Note to My Fellow White People:
White people need to step up on this one, just as do rich rappers.  We white people, in particular, have a difficult challenge ahead in explaining this to other white folks that just don't get it.  That means that if you interact with white people regularly, you need to study up on this situation so that you can explain it beyond the superficial, "yeah, they hung some nooses and railroaded those boys."

But despite those challenges, I really do think this is a huge opportunity to educate folks about what's happening.  It's touched me very deeply but even if you don't really care, front in a convincing manner on your blog and you can get that link love.

Jena 6 & Rich Rappers: stick187 on "A@#holes With Money"

Free The Jena 6 - "A@#holes With Money"

I'm going through a bunch of videos for a series of posts at Hip Hop Logic but I feel the above video from stick187 is a good fit for ProHipHop.  stick187 calls out most rappers for not yet supporting the Jena 6, expresses his loss of interest in pop news like Kanye vs. Curtis, big ups David Banner for speaking out and generally demands that the people whose music we've been supporting show they're something more than "A@#holes With Money".

Update:
 NYOil talks about what he's doing as a hip hop artist and his take on recent remarks by Al Sharpton apparently criticizing lack of rapper involvment in this struggle.

For my part, I'm not really calling anybody out at this stage because I think awareness of this struggle is just now moving from the Innovator stage of the Innovation Adoption Curve to the Early Adopters stage.  For most famous people this stage is probably the earliest they can catch on because they're surrounded by so much noise.  But awareness is building to the point that we need them to come in soon to help continue the move towards the Early Majority stage which could still be a long ways off.

Al Sharpton will be a part of that process as well but I'm not that interested in digging into criticisms of hip hop from outside in this particular struggle.  The best way to defend hip hop in relationship to the Jena 6 is for people who claim to be a part of hip hop to do the work of supporting the Jena 6.

To be honest I'm more interested in the Innovators on the ground right now and once you get a look I'm sure you'll see why I'm mostly going to be posting at Hip Hop Logic.  Besides, I'm going to do some additional posts later today or tomorrow on hip hop marketing and I just can't stomach getting serious about this and then having to follow it with Kanye vs. Curtis or whatever the latest is at the moment.

Innovators in Action in Jena, Louisiana, July 31st

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Know Any Rappers Who Will Support the Jena 6?
Jena 6: September 20th March Info & Additional Resources

Know Any Rappers Who Will Support the Jena 6?

I have no ties to well-known artists and no real intentions of developing them but if you do, please get them to support the Jena 6.  If you've got the connects this is a good time to use them.

If you can't make it to Jena for the September 20th march please organize locally and wear black on the 20th.

If you are organizing an event, please consider organizing it for the weekend before the 20th.  Though the day of sentencing of one of the defendants is the focus of the march, the problem is that sentencing will have already been decided before that day and the judge's position will likely harden in response to the uproar that he will most likely perceive as outsider agitators who have no business in Jena.

I understand the symbolic value and the ability to move people by being there as sentencing happens but the event is unlikely to affect sentencing though news that lots of people are paying attention and heading down will help.  However local events all across the nation the weekend before with the promise of the march and media attention to come should amplify the effects of the march itself so please consider that possibility.

If you have additional resources I'll be posting them at Hip Hop Logic.  Please send Jena 6 related links, etc. to:
clyde(at)netweed(dot)com

Jena 6: September 20th March Info & Additional Resources

Here are some resources regarding the Jena 6 who are in the process of having their lives ruined by a racist system full of racist individuals down in Jena, Louisiana.  I'll be updating and doing more over at Hip Hop Logic but I want to take advantage of the ProHipHop platform as needed for this one.

March on Jena, LA September 20th:
Basic march details plus additional links

Resources:
Basic Story & Additional Links
Info from ACLU Staffer in Louisiana
Discussion Forum at Minglecity.com

Coverage of the July 31st Rally in Jena:
Photos from the July 31st rally and march in Jena, LA
Jena 6: Voices from the July 31 Rally
Hundreds March in Jena, Louisiana in Support of the Jena Six

If you have additional resources I'll be posting them at Hip Hop Logic.  Please send Jena 6 related links, etc. to:
clyde(at)netweed(dot)com

George Bush Further Imperiled New Orleans in Lead-Up to 2006 Elections

Since I joined so many others in writing about Katrina, I thought I'd share a bit of important news that I'd normally drop at Brand Destruction Research.  According to the Associated Press:

The Army Corps of Engineers, rushing to meet President Bush's promise to protect New Orleans by the start of the 2006 hurricane season, installed defective flood-control pumps last year despite warnings from its own expert that the equipment would fail during a storm, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press.

A rush job to meet a failing President's marketing needs by an Army Corps with problems of its own.  Yet another piece of the overwhelming pattern of incompetence at everything but marketing displayed by George W. Bush's regime.  Whether sending ideological flackeys without practical experience or knowledge of the Middle East to "rebuild" Iraq and thus ensure its loss or colluding with the Army Corps in criminal activities, every step of the way we've gotten screwed.

Grounds for impeachment?  ProHipHop says Yes!