The votes of Florida and Michigan should be counted for determining the Democratic nominee for President. I think that everyone’s vote should count. While it is true that those two states didn’t comply with the rules of the Democratic Party, that was not the fault of the individual voters in those states. I think it is ironic that many Democrats who complained that not all votes were counted in Florida in the 2000 Presidential race but now some of those same people don’t want to count the votes in Florida’s and Michigan’s Democratic primaries.

I wanted to share this piece with the yp4 community today. Remember that we are all in this together--social justice. Dr. Martin Luther King was a hero, mentor, friend, father, uncle, brother, and leader.

In this day in age we need to remember our past and from wence we came. It hasn't been to long since the Civil Rights Movement ended.

People are now starting to forget Dr. King's b-day or act as though it doesn't exist. I say you should be shamed. He fought for the rights of all mankind--what have you been doing lately?

 Holla.Black--kYm

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Memphis Marchers Honor Legacy of Dr. King

Angela Davis Stresses Activism at Howard

By Brittany Hutson and staff reports
Black College Wire

REPRINT--

Jan2008--She received a standing ovation before she even touched the podium. Her
smile graced the audience as she thanked everyone for their gracious
welcome. A filled-to-capacity audience at Cramton auditorium eagerly
anticipated activist and feminist Angela Davis, who shared her views on
racism, the prison system and activism in the 21st century.

On February 19, 2008 students of Prairie View A&M in Texas took to the streets to make a statement about voting rights. Students at this HBCU stood up and made a statement "It's 2008. We will vote!" - which was plastered over their banners and t-shirts. Why did these students march 7.3 miles to be able to vote early and register to vote?

Soul Influencer: Nina Simone

Reprint

Friday, February 15, 2008
By dream hampton

It's a credit to our eighth-grade social studies teachers that most of us can recite the most famous line from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a
nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

But have you ever heard the rest of the speech?

I thought the days of marching were finished...at least those for racial equality.   I thought the days of tears streaming down cheeks due to injustice were over...I thought the days of feeling pain because of the judgment pass due to one's skin complexion were done with...I thought the blood shed by my ancestors paid the price...I thought the price was paid with the millions of lives sacrificed...I thought the broken family structure would eliminate the dislike that others felt towards us...I thought the day was done...I thought the pain would diminish...I thought integration was suffice ...I thought today's world would reflect the very sought after Dream....I thought today's world would have people interlocked hand in hand...I thought this hurt wouldn't be felt...I thought education would be enough...I thought, but I was wrong.

For those who are unfamiliar with the Jena Six case, please read this earlier post by Angie on the blog last month.

Over the course of the summer, there has been much interest about this issue on the grassroots level and continues to garner more national attention. Color of Change has been at the forefront of creating opportunities for activism, advocacy, and organizing for justice in the case of the Jena Six.

This past weekend I attended a protest at Reggae Carifest over on Randall's Island here in NYC.  

Are we walking the line between allowing "Hate Speech" and infringing upon these artists 1st Amendment Right by protesting events like Reggae Carifest, and calling for the accountability of both the Corporations and artists that provide platforms to spread messages that put people in harm's way?