We Interrupt This Blog For This Important Message

I was going to make some big to-do about my 100th post, but I forgot, so call this a belated one. This is unrelated to Black Cinema, but needs to be said to every person living in this country. I see an ugly and deeply disturbing trend going on in America right now, a trend of blatant and sick racism that hasn't been seen in decades. I have always come from the school that dialogue is important, but action is a million times more effective. We can talk all day about issues related to the black experience, but the bottom line is DO SOMETHING.

I read this on Afrospear; I hope and pray that some of you can make it:

Something beyond petitions and phone calls to corrupt poli-tricksters is necessary to prevent the racists in Lu’siana from doing what they are in fact, DOING, to our people right now in Jena. Maybe its time for the AfroSpear to be raised in defense of our people and levelled at our enemy. We need and want justice. Justice for Jena! Justice for New Orleans! Justice for Black People!!!

There is one caveat: They don’t they don’t give it away. The only way to get justice, is to take it. Are we willing to take the justice that is ours?

We need to go to Jena, Louisiana, by the carload, by the busload - AND NOT LEAVE - until our people are free. We need to let these people know that they can’t do this to us. Not anymore. And we need to organize ourselves to go wherever, BE wherever we need to be in order to ensure that we get our rights - until we’re disconnected from this damnable system. Yes, we need to pay attention to Darfur, Iraq, maintain that good global perspective. Additionally, having an online presence, “connectivity” and alladat is righteously good shit…However, if they can railroad Mychal Bell and the other members of the Jena 6 right here in the US of A, what are we are we doing on the real?! We need to flex some homegrown power at home, damnit!

To me, we have to find a way to establish a strong, huge presence, organize a nouveau ‘Freedom Rides for the 21st Century.’ We need to show up with our bodies. Can we do it is the question. Can we?

I know for many of us this is difficult, if not impossible. We have jobs, children, bills, responsibilities. I know I do. Still, its important, perhaps even critical, that in this moment and through this unconscionable event, a spark be lit for us that elevates our nascent activity to a plane beyond mere words. To movement and collective action.

Who wants to go to Jena?

From the Eddie Griffin:

JOIN THE MASS PROTEST IN SUPPORT OF MYCHAL BELL & THE JENA 6

WHERE: JENA COURTHOUSE in Louisiana

WHEN: TUESDAY, JULY 31ST

TIME: 9:00AM

THE HOUSTON MMM MINISTRY OF JUSTICE IS ORGANIZING A CARAVAN FROM HOUSTON TO JOIN FORCES WITH THE JENA 6 FAMILIES, THE COLOR OF CHANGE GROUP, LOCs, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ON THE STEPS OF THE COURTHOUSE THAT DAY TO DEMAND JUSTICE!

ALL INTERESTED IN GOING CALL BRO. GARNET AT: 832.258.2480

ministryofjustice@mmmhouston.nethttp://www.mmmhouston.net/

From Invisible Woman: For those of you who can't make it, here is a petition to sign: http://www.petitiononline.com/aZ51CqmR/petition.html

If you don't know the story of the Jena 6, here it is: http://supernegro.com/viewarticle.php?postid=444&PHPSESSID=7466dd0790aecd3a98c1199c4648ce92#ph

Be blessed.