Stalker Attempts to Enter Serena Willams' Gated Subdivision

Your Black World Reports

Patenema Ouedraogo, Serena Williams' 40-year-old stalker, was stopped by security guards Monday night when attempting to walk into Williams' South Florida gated subdivision.

Flava Flav Arrested by Las Vegas Police

Looks like Mr. Flavor of Love -- born William Jonathan Drayton, Jr. --  got a taste of tough love from the Las Vegas cops Friday, April 29, when he was pulled over for a routine traffic violation.  It was not long before the police realized that Flav had four warrants out for his arrest. Apparently this music artist had not settled two cases involving him driving without proof of insurance, one case of driving without a licences, and a parking violation.  According to TMZ sources, Flav was taken to a nearby jail, booked, photographed for a mug shot, and soon released. 

Sentencing Disparity Between Crack and Powder Still Exists in Most States

by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University  - Scholarship in Action 

Years ago when the federal government produced disparities in sentencing of crack vs. powder cocaine, many states followed suit. As a result, the black community was devastated with Draconian prison sentences, in which individuals with barely enough crack to weigh were given dozens of years in prison.
The federal government finally came to its senses and changed the law, making it marginally more equitable than it was before. The problem is that many states have not yet made the same change.
The arguments used to justify longer sentences are that the crack trade creates more crime and that the drug is more addictive than powder. Also, the tougher sentences were imposed in 1986, when basketball star Len Bias died from an overdose. It was originally reported that Bias had smoked crack, but a teammate later testified that Bias had snorted powder cocaine instead.

Click to read.

6-Yr Old Girl dies in Crash After Surviving Horrific Attack

A South African girl who survived a criminal attack that shocked the nation was among those killed when a train hit a school van this week, a family spokesman said Friday.
Liesel Augis was only six years old when she was raped, beaten unconscious with a brick and thrown into a fire by a family friend in 2006. She survived and became known as “Little Rock” because of her strength and resilience.

On Wednesday, Liesel’s bus driver went around a closed railroad crossing gate and the van was hit by a train. Nine children died at the scene in Cape Town, and a 10th died Friday. Only the driver and four children survived.

Family spokesman Malvern de Bruyn said that Liesel had a zest for life, and the accident has left a deep scar in the family and the nation.

“We could see she was someone who wanted to defy anything that would cut her life,” de Bruyn said.

Liesel’s 2006 attacker, Abraham James, was sentenced to 28 years in jail without parole.

 

click to read.

The Latest in Black News – 8/24/10

DEA Seeks Ebonics Experts to Help with Cases‎ ... Seriously

By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Aug 23rd 2010 11:44PM
Filed under: News, Politics, Race and Civil Rights

Comments (7)

The Associated Press is reporting that the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is considering hiring translators to help agents understand the language of drug dealers. Apparently, the agents are having trouble interpreting the words and sentences being used by suspects during wiretaps. The agency reached out to some translation companies to find someone to help them with the problem. And no, this is not a joke.

Continue reading DEA Seeks Ebonics Experts to Help with Cases‎ ... Seriously

Tagged as: dea, DEA seeks Ebonics experts to help with cases,DeaSeeksEbonicsExpertsToHelpWithCases, drug dealers, ebonics

Indiana Court Rules it Illegal to Choose Race of Senior Caregivers

By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Aug 23rd 2010 10:40PM
Filed under: News, Politics, Race and Civil Rights

Comments (4)

Brenda Chaney is a nursing assistant who works at an Indiana nursing home. One of the patients fell on the floor and Chaney went to help her. It turned out that Chaney was not allowed to help the woman up, primarily because she'd left instructions stating that only white aid workers should be able to work with her.
Chaney took the matter to court, and the court ruled that her civil rights had been violated by allowing these kinds of restrictions to exist within the health care system.

Continue reading Indiana Court Rules it Illegal to Choose Race of Senior Caregivers

Tagged as: race, racism, rand paul

Dr. Conrad Murray Wants Michael Jackson's Fluid Samples

By Ruth Manuel-Logan on Aug 23rd 2010 8:52PM
Filed under: News

Comments (3)

The saga continues surrounding the involuntary manslaughter case involvingMichael Jackson and his former personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray. The latest in the seemingly unending legal battle now involves Murray's team of lawyers, who are requesting to get samples of Jackson's bodily fluids so that they can use them as evidence in their defense.

Continue reading Dr. Conrad Murray Wants Michael Jackson's Fluid Samples

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Harold Dow Cause of Death Revealed: It was Asthma

By Boyce Watkins, PhD on Aug 23rd 2010 7:02PM
Filed under: News

Comments (5)

Veteran CBS News reporter Harold Dow died suddenly this week at the age of 62. His untimely death was compounded by the confusion surrounding his cause of death. That mystery has now ended, as it has been revealed in a statement from his family that Dow died from an asthma attack behind the wheel

Continue reading Harold Dow Cause of Death Revealed: It was Asthma

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Mosque Protest: Man Mistaken for Muslim Draws Confrontation

By Paul Shepard on Aug 23rd 2010 2:37PM
Filed under: News, Politics, Race and Civil Rights

Comments (8)

If New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg were smart, he would stop granting permits for rallies and protest marches in the city related to the controversial proposal to build an Islamic center and mosque near Ground Zero.

I know that people have a constitutional right to protest, but the city can take away that right when the health and safety of the public is threatened.

All one has to do is look at the ugly scene (watch below) that broke out at a recent rally against the mosque proposal, called Park 51. Clearly, complete mayhem is just around the corner when people start gathering in public on this issue.

Continue reading Mosque Protest: Man Mistaken for Muslim Draws Confrontation

Tagged as: ground zero mosque, GroundZeroMosque, Mosque Protest: Man Mistaken for Muslim Draws Confrontation,MosqueProtest:ManMistakenForMuslimDrawsConfrontation, park 51, Park51

Obama to Deliver Major Speech on Iraq

By Jeff Mays on Aug 23rd 2010 1:30PM
Filed under: News, Politics, President Obama

Comments (9)

President Barack Obama is expected to give a major speech about Iraq days after the last U.S. combat troops were withdrawn ahead of the Aug. 31 deadline.

ABC News is reporting that President Obama will use the speech to make three major points:

• Express gratitude to the troops for the work they have done; more than 4,400 U.S. soldiers have been killed during the seven years of the Iraq War, a war many believe the U.S. government mislead the public about. Who knows how many innocent Iraqi civilians have died.
• Highlight that he has kept his promise to withdraw the troops when scheduled
• Place Iraq within the context of our national security priorities

A couple of issues come to mind when thinking about what Americans need to hear from Obama:

Continue reading Obama to Deliver Major Speech on Iraq

Tagged as: Bush and Iraq, BushAndIraq, george w. bush, GeorgeW.Bush, Iran,iraq, Iraq war, IraqWar, Military spending, MilitarySpending, Obama to Deliver Major Speech on Iraq, ObamaToDeliverMajorSpeechOnIraq, president obama,PresidentObama

Wyclef Jean Say

Serial Killer Searching Out Black Victims

There are reports of a serial killer in Flint, Michigan allegedly targeting black men in the area. To date, he has murdered five people and wounded eight others, and only one of the victims is non-black. He is described as a muscular young white male, according to Flint police.
The Associated Press is reporting that all of the victims were out alone at night. The attacker approached by asking for directions or help with a broken down vehicle. "He then pulls a knife and attacks them without saying anything more," Johnson said.
The presence of a serial killer targeting African Americans may only inspire additional racial tensions after Omar Thornton murdered several white colleagues in the workplace. In fact, I would argue that this kind of thing happens more often than we think, but those cases may not be highlighted by the media.

 

Click to read.

Two Year Old Boy Found Buried Under Concrete

South Carolina toddler Rodricus Williams was found dead when his body was discovered in a trash can buried under 400 pounds of concrete.  As if this is not horrific enough the boys father Roger Williams and his girlfriend Grace Nichole Trotman are suspected to be his killers, both have been charged with homicide by child abuse.

Black News Headlines - 5/17/10

 

• Crime show taped Detroit raid that led to 7-year-old's death
• Obama administration faces questions on oil spill
• Video: Apartheid's lost generation
• Al Sharpton backs Black entertainment district in Baltimore
• Zimbabwe failing mass eviction victims: Amnesty
• Sprinter Tyson Gay breaks 44-year old record
• Jamaica to extradite drug suspect wanted by US
• Ciara's video banned from BET?
• Black Civil War soldiers victory parade marked
• Barack Obama's aunt wins US plea for asylum
• South Africa rail strike leaves millions stranded
• Master jazz pianist Hank Jones dies at 91

Black Entertainment News – 3/1/10

• 

  'Precious' girls are everywhere

  By Maya Pope-Chappell

  7:54 AM on 03/02/2010

  Though the movie was based on fiction, the circumstances that Precious faces are happening to many African-American girls and the counselors who work with them...

  > READ MORE

• 

  Slideshow: The 20 best black sitcoms of all time

  By theGrio

  7:24 AM on 03/02/2010

  Since television's inception, African-Americans have been woefully underrepresented. But some shows have been able to break through and find a loyal black audience...

  > READ MORE

• 

  'Precious' wins big at 41st NAACP Image Awards

  By theGrio

  11:31 AM on 02/27/2010

  LOS ANGELES (AP) - The heart-wrenching tale of an illiterate and abused teen who finds hope in a Harlem classroom was named outstanding motion picture...

  > READ MORE

• 

  Gary Coleman suffers seizure on 'The Insider' set

  By theGrio

  5:51 PM on 02/26/2010

  LOS ANGELES (AP) - Gary Coleman suffered a seizure on the set of "The Insider" TV show on Friday and received immediate treatment from Dr. Drew Pinsky...

  > READ MORE

• 

  Why audiences should opt-out of 'Cop Out'

  By Rashod D. Ollison

  2:14 PM on 02/26/2010

  REVIEW - The forced and awkward feel of 'Cop Out' makes you long for the days when the action-comedy blend went down more smoothly. ..

  > READ MORE

• 

  Diversity in the arts celebrated at Image Awards

  By theGrio

  1:21 PM on 02/26/2010

  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Mary J. Blige, Morgan Freeman, and Jamie Foxx are among the stars set to celebrate diversity in the arts at the 41st annual NAACP Image Awards on Friday...

Black News: Tiger’s First Appearance Friday at 11 am

Woods to make first public appearance since sex scandal broke

By theGrio

3:19 PM on 02/17/2010

MARANA, Arizona (AP) - Woods will not take any questions from a small group of media..

> MORE

Two girls, 12 and 14 Years old, Rob a Bank

Police in Ohio are searching for two brazen girls, believed to be as young as 12 and 14, who robbed a bank in a Cincinnati suburb and escaped a police dragnet that included a helicopter and dogs.

Ohio police are looking for two girls suspected of robbing a bank.

The baby faced bank robbers, one believed to be 12 years old and the other 14 or 15, entered the 1st National Bank in Symmes Township, "walked up to the bank teller, and gave the teller a note demanding money," Steve Barnett, spokesman for the Hamilton County Sherriff's Office, said in a statement.

 

click to read.

TLC’s New Show Features a Black Family, But…

TLC has once again added another “unique” family show to their line up.  This time it’s not about a family with a outrageous number of kids or a family that is of short stature, actually this time the show is the complete opposite.  Yesterday, TLC’s new reality show “One Big Happy Family” aired.  The show features the Coles family which consists of a mom, dad, daughter, and son that each way more than 300 pounds.  To some the show may follow a similar concept to TLC’s already popular family reality shows such as “John & Kate Plus 8”, “Little People Big World”, and “The Little Couple”, and except for John and Kate the other family’s conditions aren’t preventable.  Also the fact that the Coles family has already received the nickname “the Klumps” (Nutty Professor) doesn’t help the image of the family, but maybe I am being to critical of the show.  What are your thoughts?

Click here for a preview of “One Big Happy Family”

Unarmed Black Man Shot in Church in the Back!

Witnesses say the man was surrendering, but officials in Rockford, Ill., near Chicago dispute that version of events, saying that Mark Anthony Barmore grabbed for an officer's gun after they cornered him in the church.

 

This Aug. 25, 2009 photo shows onlookers, including Mark Anthony Barmore's father, Anthony Stevens, second from right, watching as police investigate the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Mark Anthony Barmore, inside the Kingdom Authority International Ministries Church in Rockford, Ill. The NAACP is renewing a call for federal standards on police use of force after what it describes as the police killing of an unarmed man inside a church as day-care children watched. (AP Photo/Rockford Register Star, Amy J. Correnti)

Both sides do agree, however, that Barmore fled when officers approached him in the church parking lot, which highlights the suspicion and fear that can poison relationships between police and minority communities across the country.

"There are no national standards for the use of force (or) training for use of force," Benjamin Todd Jealous, president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said Friday.

The issue "is not primarily about racism," Jealous said, citing the recent case of a 72-year-old white woman tasered by a white Texas officer during a traffic stop. "We want to make sure the standards are the most modern and appropriate ones possible."

The NAACP scheduled a rally Saturday in Rockford and a march Oct. 3. Jealous was planning to attend both; it would be his first march since taking the NAACP's helm a year ago.

The NAACP is seeking the reintroduction of the Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act, first offered by John Conyers, D-Mich., in 2000. It was co-sponsored by 34 legislators but was never voted on by the full House.

Click to read.

The Black News Breakdown – 12/23/09

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  Woman held in Hawaii after Michelle Obama threat

  By theGrio

  8:25 AM on 12/23/2009

  HONOLULU (AP) - A woman accused of telling the Secret Service she would "blow away" Michelle Obama was in federal custody as the Obama family planned to travel to Hawaii...

  > MORE

• 

  Caught on tape: Man run over by car

  By theGrio

  5:01 PM on 12/22/2009

  VIDEO - A Florida man is recovering after being run over during a dispute over a parking space.The brutal incident was caught on tape...

  > MORE

• 

  Ndamukong Suh is AP College Football Player of the year

  By theGrio

  4:24 PM on 12/22/2009

  NEW YORK (AP) - Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh bulled past the guys who play the glamour positions and proved you don't have to score touchdowns...

  > MORE

• 

  NFL to ask players to donate brains for concussion research

  By theGrio

  3:44 PM on 12/22/2009

  The NFL is partnering with Boston University brain researchers who have been critical of the league's stance on concussions...

  > MORE

• 

  Kool & the Gang gives rare concert in Havana

  By theGrio

  2:55 PM on 12/22/2009

  HAVANA (AP) - American R&B pioneers Kool & the Gang helped Cuba get its funk on, bringing their eclectic mix of sounds to an open-air stage...

  > MORE

• 

  Obama says he has unemployed relatives

  By theGrio

  1:36 PM on 12/22/2009

  WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says he and the first lady have relatives who are unemployed and suffering...

  > MORE

• 

  AP: Serena Williams is the female athlete of year

  By theGrio

  10:21 AM on 12/22/2009

  (AP) - Playing her best at the most important events, Serena Williams re-established herself as the top player in women's tennis in 2009...

  > MORE

• 

  Medics accused of refusing to help pregnant woman suspended

  By theGrio

  9:30 AM on 12/22/2009

  NEW YORK (AP) - Two EMTs accused of refusing to help a pregnant woman who collapsed in the coffee shop where they were taking a break were suspended...

  > MORE

• 

  Tiny newborn girl may break world record

  By theGrio

  9:29 AM on 12/22/2009

  VIDEO - A little girl born in Mobile, Alabama may be the world's tiniest baby...

  > MORE

• 

  Despite recession, FBI crime stats fell in first half of 2009

  By theGrio

  9:22 AM on 12/22/2009

  WASHINGTON (AP) - The FBI says murders fell 10 percent across the U.S. in the first half of 2009...

  > MORE

Tiger’s Popularity Plummets

The popularity of golfer Tiger Woods has plummeted in the weeks since his now-infamous car crash and infidelity admission, according to a new poll.

In the survey conducted December 16-20, Woods' favorable rating dropped to 34 percent. That compares to a rating of 60 percent in early December, days after Woods' crash.

In 2005, the star golfer's favorable rating was at 85 percent.

The CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey released Tuesday indicated the drop in Woods' popularity was not as dramatic among African-Americans.

About two-thirds of blacks still held a favorable view of Woods, while only 28 percent of whites felt the same way.

 

Click to read.

EMTs Suspended for Allowing Pregnant Woman to Die

Family photo

Two New York City EMT's accused of walking away from a pregnant woman who collapsed and later died have been suspended, city officials said today.

The two fire department employees, Jason Green, 32, of Long Island City and Melissa Jackson, 32, of Queens Village, were suspended without pay as the investigation continues into allegations they refused to help the woman because they were on break and wanted to eat breakfast.

Mayor Bloomberg called the EMTs actions 'unconscionable." When asked if "burnout" might have been a factor, the Mayor said,"Burnout? They were sitting there having coffee. How could they be burnt out? They're human beings.  Somebody is dying down the street and (people) say help them and they just sat there."

Click to read.

On Break EMTs Let a Pregnant Woman Die

A pregnant Brooklyn woman suffering a fatal seizure in a coffee shop in the shadow of FDNY Headquarters was ignored by two callous city medics who continued to buy their breakfast, eyewitnesses told The Post.

"The EMTs just said we had to call 911. They got their bagels and left," said a disgusted worker.

Frantic employees at the Au Bon Pain at 1 Metrotech Center approached the FDNY medics at 9 a.m. on Dec. 9, shortly after colleague Eutisha Revee Rennix, 25, began to complain of shortness of breath and intense stomach pains. Workers immediately dialed 911.

HELAYNE SEIDMAN

NO HELP: Witnesses say that as Eutisha Revee Rennix (above) lay dying at a Brooklyn Au Bon Pain 600 feet from FDNY headquarters, two EMTs on break refused to assist her, leaving son Jahleel, 3, motherless.

"People were calling out saying, 'She's turning blue! She's pregnant!' " said the witness.

But the EMTs appeared unfazed.

"I remember them saying they couldn't do anything because they were on their break," another worker said. "We started screaming and cursing at them."

Rennix fell in a heap and began foaming at the nose and mouth in the back room.

That sent a manager rushing to the front to again ask someone in the Metrotech coffee shop to help.

This time, two good Samaritans in blue FDNY sweaters ran to the back office. One called 911 from his cellphone while the other tried to help keep Rennix still.

Read more:http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/emt_duo_on_break_let_preg_mom_die_mrj8Jv8kjmS0Z3FNO4DmiL#ixzz0aKw6WUQm

What? The Nation of Islam was Spied on by the Government

WASHINGTON — Homeland security officials improperly gathered intelligence on the Nation of Islam, a black Muslim group, but government rules were “unintentionally and inadvertently violated” and only publicly available information was collected, according to documents made public Wednesday.
Internal correspondence shows the 2007 report – titled “Nation of Islam: Uncertain Leadership Succession Poses Risks” – was created by an intelligence group working within the Homeland Security Department.
Hours after the report was issued, officials recalled it, deciding the report violated intelligence rules against collecting or disseminating information on U.S. citizens for an extended period of time. It had been disseminated widely over the Internet to numerous federal agencies, state and local law enforcement, several congressional committees, intelligence agencies and parts of the private sector, a reviewing officer found.

Click to read.

Huh? Teacher Cuts off a Child’s Hair

Lamya Cammon, 7, was sitting quietly in her first grade class absentmindedly twirling her braids. The little girl's teacher, whose name is being withheld, grew tired of seeing the little girl play with her dozen or so braids, so she called Lamya up to the front of the classroom.

The first graders watched in disbelief as their teacher took out a large pair of scissors and cut off one of Lamya's braids. Amid the snickers of her students, the Milwaukee teacher threw the braid in the garbage, sent the crying youngster back to her seat, then said, "Now what you gonna go home and tell your momma?"

Lamya claims that she was not twirling her hair loudly nor was she being disruptive. When the child told her mother, Helen Cunningham, what had happened, she immediately went to the school to confront the teacher.

Click to read more.

Student Gets in Trouble for Dressing Up as Aunt Jemima

By Danielle Canada

A student at a Long Island high school was sent home Friday after showing up to school dressed like Aunt Jemima and toting around a syrup bottle asking, “You want some pancakes?”

Commack High School senior, 17-year-old Dean Jeziorkowski, donned a wig, bandanna, and makeup for the costume. School officials ordered the boy to wash off the makeup and when he refused he was sent home.

His classmate, 16-year-old Danny Cuevas, defended his friend saying,

“I don't think it's that racist. At one point in time, that might have been seen as racist but not now.”

Jeziorkowski's family has yet to comment.

Oh okay I get it now. It's not that racist…just a little bit. So that makes it okay, right?

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