Igniting The Hood… [Turn It Up!!!!]

One of my homies and I were politick’n this morning and the conclusion was made that our people don’t give a damn about this election that’s underway in just a month. My question to the many canvassers, field managers and campaign organizers: Are you getting that same vibe? Even if we can identify the group of young voters that have pledged to be active on November 2nd, Are they educated enough on the policies of those that are up for office to make the best decision? … Continue Reading

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DJWillieShakes

Extra, Extra! Another Breaking News Scandal!

With the recent developments within the Gay Rights legislation, repealing the military’s long-time “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy and the breaking news scandal of homosexuality involving Bishop Eddie Long, I found one particular reoccurring video clip on CNN very disturbing. The clips depict Bishop Eddie Long’s crusade against homosexuality where he walked hand and hand with Elder Bernice King who is the daughter of famed civil rights leader, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The question that comes to mind is that when Martin Luther King Jr. said he had a dream of people of all color living peacefully and in unity, did that not encompass gay people too?

Having a brother who serves in the United State Army, I personally know of the tolls it takes for a loved one to make the commitment to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, not knowing if they would ever come home alive again. I found it grossly appalling and disgusting that the United State of America would even dare adopt a policy filled with such hatred as one that would discriminate against any man or woman who was brave enough to suit up in our military’s finest uniforms and fight for the protection of our nation because of their sexual orientation.

… Continue Reading

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Adner Marcelin

#GotsToBeMoCareful!!!

Never in my life have I heard an argument so pointless. It all started on a productive day of canvassing. It was hot as usual in Tallahassee. Slight drizzle here and there. The Great Almighty had just finished sprinkling the juice from chili peppers from the sky. Students from the site were being extremely responsive until this one girl….and I won’t say any names. Let’s just say my favorite car is (A lexus). Maaaaaan when I tell you she wasn’t budgin’!!!!! It was like I was the expert with reasons she should register and she researched the perfect rebuttals.

Well, not really. Her responses were rather childish, but the fact of the matter is she was so set in her ways. She claimed that she was gonna go back and vote in the county where she’s from. Really? Ma’am, first of all you are from Ft. Lauderdale and that’s definitely 7 hours from Tallahassee. Not to mention there are no more breaks from school until thanksgiving. “Sooooooo you’re voting by absentee?” She had the audacity to ask “What’s that?” OOOOOOO SNAP!!!! Furthermore, after preaching a glorious sermon on the significance of her voice in Leon county and how her vote could be the determining factor in decisions that effect students like tuition increase at the state university level, she saw the light and decided to tell me “No, thanks” FA REAL?! You just agreed with everything I said and I get a mere “No, thanks”.

And that’s fine. In the name of good ol’ Twitter language…When you’re grandparents no longer get social security… #blameyourself. When your siblings don’t qualify for health insurance…#blameyourself. When you can’t yank out another loan to finish payin’ for school cuz tuition has sky rocketed….#blameyourself. All because you didn’t wanna take two minutes from your cooking (Can you even burn canned corn in two minutes?) to register to vote and possibly #BeTheChangeYouWannaSee. This is definitely one of those #99problems people. We gotta #DoBetter because some of these folk are fallin’ through the cracks. We #GotsToBeMoCareful

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John Brown

Announcing IGNITE 2010: From the Blogs to the Blocks

Interested in attending? Enter our contest to win exclusive access to the workshops and performances!

Vibe.com & the League of Young Voters Education Fund present IGNITE 2010: From the Blogs to the Blocks. Taking place on October 1, 2010, IGNITE 2010 is a first of its kind gathering of the leading minds in entertainment, new media and social organizing that will spark new ideas and initiate action.

Industry professionals, media outlets and influencers have all been hand-selected and personally invited to attend and participate in the panel discussion and workshops. Invitees include MTV News Correspondents; Amalia Deloney, Center For Media Justice; Erica Williams, American Progress; Jycorri Robinson, Digital Marketing for Def Jam Records; Tarik Ross, Head of Community Relations for Stampede Management; Devi Dev, radio personality, KBXX; Shamako Noble, Hip-Hop Congress; Davey D, Hip-Hop and political journalist; Recording artists: Dorrough, Dondria & Diamond; Janee Bolden, Senior Editor for Bossip.com; Chuck Creekmur, Owner and Founder of AllHipHop.com; B Dot, RapRadar.com; CNN; Maurice Garland, Journalist; Pfrank Williams; Greg Watkins & Steve Raze, AllHipHop.com; Lauren Jarvis, Examiner; Michael Harris, HipHopWired; and many more. In addition, IGNITE 2010 will feature musical performances by some of hip-hop and R&B’s most notable artists.

Hit the jump for the schedule!

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The Editor

Come On, Feel the IllinoiZe.

If you’ve read any of the Brooklyn crew’s previous posts, you know there’s a lot of indie rock love in these parts. But it’s not all indie all the time. I, for one, was raised on a straight diet of hip hop (A Tribe Called Quest, Outkast, Mobb Deep, Wu Tang Clan, Black Star, etc.), and still listen to a sizable amount. Sometimes, I crave some indie rock with a harder edge, and others, some hip hop with a more indie vibe. But then there are time when  I don’t have to choose.

Much like The Notorious XX mash-up I posted recently, someone decided to throw some hip hop classics over the swoon of an indie rock icon. Sufjan Stevens, a Brooklyn singer songwriter, is the source on this mixtape, and a damn fine one at that. Find out for yourselves.

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Sean Gardner