Independent since 2002 Issue No. 1102 Week of November 7, 2026 Get the free email dispatch →

Issue: 96

June 24, 2004

Cover Story

Political Action in the Hip Hop Era

By The Black Commentator Guest Commentator

“You all here today are a part of history. We are conscious, we are not unconscious.” – Angela Woodson, 36, Co-Chair, National Hip Hop Political Convention ”We’ve gotta stop idolizing hip hop music as something that’s gonna save the neighborhood. It’s a tool.” – M-1 Mutulu, 32, Dead Prez “The Civil Rights Movement was lost…

“You all here today are a part of history. We are conscious, we are not unconscious.” – Angela Woodson, 36, Co-Chair, National Hip Hop Political Convention…

Continue reading 9 min

Commentary

Freedom Rider: Ralph Wiley, 1952 – 2004

By The Black Commentator Guest Commentator

Black men have a life expectancy shorter than that of black women, white women, or white men. It is a well-known fact, but it is spoken of too casually and rarely expresses the devastation that results from poor health care, unbearable levels of stress, and high homicide rates. The recent death of writer Ralph Wiley…

Black men have a life expectancy shorter than that of black women, white women, or white men. It is a well-known fact, but it is spoken…

Continue reading 5 min

Commentary

Mr. Cosby, my name is Kiah

By Kiah Thomas, age 13

“…with names like Shaniqua, Taliqua and Mohammed and all of that crap, and all of them are in jail.” – Bill Cosby quoted at the gala event honoring the 50th anniversary of Brown v Board of Education, May 17, 2004 Mr. Cosby, you may think my name is “crap,” but it actually means “seasons beginning”…

"…with names like Shaniqua, Taliqua and Mohammed and all of that crap, and all of them are in jail.” – Bill Cosby quoted at the gala…

Continue reading 3 min

Commentary

From Public Housing to Homelessness

By Lisa Garcia-Gray and Linda William

This article originally appeared in POOR Magazine, dedicated to reframing the news, issues and solutions from low and no income communities, as well as providing society with a perspective usually not heard or seen within the mainstream media. The deep sounds of never ending, mind numbing, headache generating traffic bombarded the weather beaten glass of…

This article originally appeared in POOR Magazine, dedicated to reframing the news, issues and solutions from low and no income communities, as well as providing society…

Continue reading 4 min

Commentary

The Problem with the Special Court for Sierra Leone

By Abdul Karim Bangura Guest Commentator

This article appeared earlier in allAfrica.com. The Special Court for Sierra Leone was created by the Sierra Leone government and the United Nations. Its mandate is to try those who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law and Sierra Leonean law committed in Sierra Leone since November 30, 1996. While at…

This article appeared earlier in allAfrica.com. The Special Court for Sierra Leone was created by the Sierra Leone government and the United Nations. Its mandate is…

Continue reading 6 min

$ $ Contribute $ $