Maafa Continues, Poets and artists pay tribute to Katrina Survivors and raise money to help pay for survivor’s benefits. By Reginald James (with Wanda Sabir)>MORE>>

THE HARD EVIDENCE OF EXISTENCE (REVIEW), By, Khevin Lee LaGrone

Eric Mann: An Interview, By Wanda Sabir, ...Although the room was smoldering, the spirits were high two weeks ago when Eric Mann came to town to speak about his latest instrument, a book which addresses “the crisis of Black people in the U.S. which requires national and worldwide attention and aid to challenge the ideology of white supremacy which shapes national policy.”.>MORE>>

Hurricane Relief Information Network: Resources for Katrina Survivors: News and Events.

When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts....As the world watched in horror, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans on August 29, 2005. Like many who watched the unfolding drama on television news, director Spike Lee was shocked not only by the scale of the disaster, but by the slow, inept and disorganized response of the emergency and recovery effort. Lee was moved to document this modern American tragedy, a morality play witnessed by people all around the world. The result is WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE: A REQUIEM IN FOUR ACTS. The film is structured in four acts, each dealing with a different aspect of the events that preceded and followed Katrina's catastrophic passage through New Orleans. All four acts will be seen Tuesday, Aug. 29 (8:00 p.m.-midnight), the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Read more.

Slavery Reparations...You're invited to come out to support plaintiffs in court as we have oral arguments in the landmark cases against corporate defendants for slavery reparations..>MORE>>

Panel Suggests Using Inmates in Drug Trials. By IAN URBINA..An influential federal panel of medical advisers has recommended that the government loosen regulations that severely limit the testing of pharmaceuticals on prison inmates, a practice that was all but stopped three decades ago after revelations of abuse..>MORE>>

African Grandmothers Rally for AIDS Orphans, By LAWRENCE K. ALTMAN....They are the “AIDS grannies” of Africa who has lost two of her seven children to AIDS, leaving five orphaned grandchildren in her care, along with two nieces who were orphaned when her sister died of AIDS..>MORE>>

Frank Morgan -- An Interview by Wanda Sabir ... Frank Morgan is a musical icon. Though he talks about other alto saxophonists with awe, he is clearly a man everyone is watching.>MORE>>

The Ron Clark Story on TNT Sunday, August 13, A Review by Wanda Sabir ... Ron Clark is a teacher who cares about students. In the recent TNT film airing Sunday, August 13, 8/7c p.m., actor Matthew Perry portrays a man who believes in a child’s ability to learn, score higher than expected and lead a fulfilling life as an adult. >>MORE>>

Yuri Kochiyama is a force, By Chris Brown.....A force more powerful than any bullet, jail, or guard can control. For Yuri is the mark for which all of us who call ourselves activists should strive for. . >>MORE>>

Al Green, By Portia Anderson....Last Thursday the amazing, sanctified international R&B artist Al Green, (Reverend that is) set the Oakland Paramount on fire. How do I describe Al Green’s show in just a few words? He is still the king of delivering heart stirring ballads and timeless love songs. >>MORE>>

L. Peter Callender in “Permanent Collection” at the Aurora Theatre through August 5
An Interview, by Wanda Sabir,...Unlike bandleaders who often compose with a particular musician in mind, it is almost as if Gibbon’s “Sterling North” was Callender’s role in another incarnation. >>MORE>>

Can young black men be saved? Our Board of Economists examines the lost potential of African American males and develops a prescription to improve their fortunes.

Tavis Smiley interviews William C. Rhoden, author of new book: Forty Million Dollar Slaves:
The Rise, Fall and Redemption of the Black Athlete. >>MORE>>

Hit It! Reopens at The Knox Center for the Performing Arts at Contra Costa College through Sunday, July 23 Though the “Hit It!” production at Lorraine Hansberry, directed by Stanley Williams, was certainly wonderful, it was Jared “Choclatt” Crawford’s performance along with the all-star rhythm section...>>MORE>>

Sampling Oakland: July 15-Nov. 5 @ Yerba Buena Centerfor the Arts
Friday night was the opening party for the current exhibitions: “Sampling Oakland” and “Cosmic Wonder,” at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. When I heard about the exhibition I assumed, incorrectly that the galleries would showcase the vibrant and diverse art scene in the city across the bay.>>MORE>>

Protest and Rally -- End the Seige of Gaza July 13th

Mama’s Letters, by Jean Damu
Mercedes Vaughn is a middle aged academic researcher who suddenly finds herself emotionally distanced from her family and friends from the Black community in which
she was raised. >>MORE>>

With Jobs to Do, Louisiana Parish Turns to Inmates
By ADAM NOSSITER
Many people here in East Carroll Parish, as Louisiana counties are known, say they could not get by without their inmates, who make up more than 10 percent of its population and most of its labor force. They are dirt-cheap, sometimes free, always compliant, ever-ready and disposable.>>MORE>>

Kékélé: Congolese Rumba
Kékélé was in town Monday night and I didn't want to miss a single moment of what I presumed correctly would be an outstanding night of music and dance. It only took one song before dancers were up on the floor during the second set. During the earlier show at least two, many three precious dance-moments passed before patrons braved the embarrassment of being the first person on the dance floor...>>MORE>>

Black Panther Party Rank and File
The challenge in such a broad task of portraying history is finding the balance between text and design, aesthetics and content. The opening essay on the wall and an aerial drawing of key historic moments in Party history is not that helpful when looked at in the context of the larger work filling gallery after gallery. >>MORE>>

Silver Bullets/Golden Arrows
The Black Commentator co-founders launched their publication covering the mayoral race in Newark, New Jersey’s largest city, a city run by, Sharpe James. James was challenged by newcomer, Cory Booker, city councilman, Newark political neophyte. Now I found out about Booker in the POV film, Street Fight: Directed by Marshall Curry, distributed by Ironweeds Films. Ironweeds is a media club, distribution site which promotes community discussion on provocative topics. >>MORE>>

The New Missionaries: White Filmmakers
Why are African people located on the outskirts of society in illegal settlements? Why is our sister Benedita da Silva seemingly a lone voice and even she now a careful politician who walks on eggshells preaching the gospel, not the revolutionary words of ancestors who resisted European domination? >>MORE>>