by Judy Helfand I went to the Black Panther Party 47th Reunion on Saturday to hear the women’s panel at noon and ended up staying the whole day. When the Panthers formed in 1967 I was graduating from UC Berkeley and connected up through my partner and close friends with …
by Carol Kraemer The 47th reunion of the Black Panther Party in Santa Rosa, CA, was a three day event that was largely organized by Elbert “Big Man” Howard, and his many friends who were present testified to how he was ALWAYS an organizer. I was only able to attend …
At a recent Racial Justice Allies meeting we were talking about how to be an effective ally and a member mentioned her friend who had allied herself with the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, “an organization of Afrikans in America/New Afrikans whose mission is to defend the human rights of our …
by Matthew Simmermon-Gomes This morning, I woke up to this. Like many, many people within and without the black community, I followed this case intently and had (continue to have) definite opinions on them (the justice of those opinions is another matter) and, like many, I received the news not …
Taquiena Boston writes that the “criminalization of youth and young adult males of color is a mindset that has been linked to institutional racism and white supremacy–a mindset that frames youth of color as criminal and dangerous. How do we transcend this negative frame and see the humanity of our …
Racial Justice Allies urges you to consider taking a pledge to support the hunger strikers in California State Prisons who are protesting the continued use of long term solitary confinement. Read the letter below and find further information here. From the Prisoner Hunger Strike Solidarity coalition in the Bay Area. …
A couple of weeks ago we had an impromptu gathering at our home with a group of friends from Nepal. They are quite a bit younger than myself and are always ready at a moments notice to party with friends. This usually includes a combination of beer and musical instruments …
The Supreme Court overturned basic enforcement for the Voting Rights Act. The next day it allowed queers to marry in California and share benefits like pensions if they were married in a state where it is legal. Mia Mingus talked about the reaction to these decisions on Facebook: “i keep …
Speech by Cathy Cade, Oakland Unitarian Church Steps, June 26, 2013 Yesterday the US Supreme Court struck down portions of the civil rights voting act, the state of Texas tried to reduce access to abortion. Today the Supreme Court struck down Proposition 8 prohibiting LGBT marriage and the federal Defense …
We were on our way to a BBQ. Idling next to us at the red light were two white girls in a white, convertible, VW bug. They were blasting Pink’s latest hit, JUST GIVE ME A REASON. We were also listening to Pink—-what are the chances? We looked over and …