The mayor of Philadelphia wants to move the Made in America Festival to a different venue, and founder Jay-Z is not happy about it.Philly’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway has been the festival’s location since its inception in 2012. Made in America has brought several high-profile acts to the city including Beyoncé and Kanye West. This year’s event will include Nicki Minaj and Post Malone. According to Billy Penn, a city spokesperson said Philly tourism has increased, so “the need for an event of this scale at this location may no longer be necessary.”Hov isn’t having it and criticized the decision in an op-ed for The Philadelphia Inquirer. He accused Mayor Jim Kenney of “evict[ing] us from the heart of the city, through a media outlet, without a sit-down meeting, notice, dialogue or proper communication.”According to the “On to the Next One” rapper, this move shows “zero appreciation” for what Made in America has done for Philly, and he threw out some hefty numbers. He said the festival has brought in $102.8 million in revenue and paid $3.4 million in rent. He also claimed Made in America has donated $2.9 million to local charities.“By their admission, the festival first started as a ‘unique attraction to the city on an otherwise quiet Labor Day weekend. Over the years, tourism has grown overall.’ Our question is, ‘How do you think that tourism grew, Mayor Kenney?’” the letter reads.Jay-Z also implied the decision was racially motivated.“We consider this stance a failure on the mayor’s part. Is this an accurate representation of how he and his administration treat partners that economically benefit his city? Do they regularly reject minority-owned businesses that want to continue to thrive and grow alongside his city’s people?” he opined.The letter ended with a curt “we will discuss our options internally and handle accordingly.”Kenney responded to the letter with a dose of brotherly love and confusion.“First of all, I love Jay-Z. I think he’s extremely talented; he’s very philanthropic. We love the concert, and we want to keep it,” Kenney said.“There are some operational difficulties on the Parkway because of how long it takes to set up and take down. We were in conversation with people who we thought were communicating that to Roc Nation and Jay-Z. Apparently, they weren’t. We want to keep the concert, and we want to maintain and good relationship with Roc Nation, and we want to work hard to do that.”CBS Philly reports the city is considering five possible locations for 2019 and beyond.Now, check these out:Michelle Obama, Tina Lawson Hang At Beyoncé And Jay-Z Concert Like That's Something We Were Prepared ForOne Year Later, Jay Z's '4:44' Remains A Great Example Of Emotional Intelligence And Accountability For Black Men Everywhere.Official Trailer Released For 'Rest In Power: The Trayvon Martin Story,' Produced By...

Trevor Noah’s celebration of the French soccer team’s African origins has drawn the ire of the French ambassador.On Monday, July 16, the Daily Show host joked that the motherland was responsible for France’s World Cup victory.  “Africa won the World Cup,” Noah said. “I get it; they have to say it’s the French team. But look at those guys. You don’t get that tan by hanging out in the south of France, my friends. Basically, if you don’t understand, France is Africa's backup team. Once Senegal and Nigeria got knocked out, that’s who we root for.”The joke drew sharp criticism from Gerard Araud, the French ambassador to the United States, who sent a stern letter to the show.“I watched with great attention your show where you spoke about France’s World Cup final victory in Russia. I heard your words about an ‘African victory’ – nothing could be less true,” Araud wrote.“As many players already stated, their parents may have come from another country, but only two were born outside of France. The rich and various backgrounds of these players is a reflection of French diversity.”In a segment posted on The Daily Show’s Twitter page, Noah read the letter aloud, with a French accent, and offered his critiques. Noah, who is from South Africa, claimed Araud tried to erase the players’ African identity.“Black people all over the world were celebrating the African-ness of the French players. Not in a negative way, but rather in a positive way, going ‘look at these Africans who can become French.’ You know what I mean? It’s a celebration of that achievement,” Noah said.“So, this is what I find weird in these arguments is that people go ‘they’re not African, they’re French!’ Then, I’m like, 'Why can’t they be both?' Why is that duality only afforded to a select group of people? Why can they not be African? So, what they’re arguing here is in order to be French, you have to erase everything that is African?”He later complimented the United States, noting that while the country has its flaws, people “can still celebrate their identity in their Americanness.”Watch the full clip below:The French ambassador to the U.S. @GerardAraud criticized Trevor for congratulating Africa on France’s World Cup victory. Trevor responds #BetweenTheScenes: pic.twitter.com/5nJklXRyY8— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) July 19, 2018Now, check these out:3 Reasons To Read Trevor Noah's Book, Born a CrimeFrench World Cup Champions Are Celebrating Their Win By Donating To Charity, Honoring Their Parents And DabbingWhat it's like to be black in Paris...

A white woman’s Beckery backfired and landed her in handcuffs.A group of black folks and a few others were trying to enjoy their Memorial Day weekend when a white woman, later identified as Lauren Milewski, accosted them.According to Berkeleyside, the group was celebrating graduation when Milewski began hanging around them. After attempting to let her pass them on the sidewalk and moving to create distance, Milewski popped off.“You don’t belong here,” she said to Essex Cook. “Get out of Berkeley. Get out of here. You don’t belong anywhere.”The boldness these days is unreal . We can’t bbq we can’t walk down the street .. like WOW Soooo this pisses us all the way off ! This video hits close to home because one of the young ladies in the video is SoOakland founders cousin @_elexxia along with @es.sex A white woman in Berkeley,Ca followed them down the street and kept telling them to “Get out of Berkeley “ and harassed them for blocks. Luckily witnesses were around that saw the interaction because the White Woman Tried to turn victim when the police arrived and tried to say my cousin and her friends were a MOB and was assaulting her #walkingwhileBLACK #thisisamaerica #berkeleyca #sobayarea #blacklivesmatter #racismissoreal @theshaderoom @theshaderoom @shaunking @troubleman31 @realdlhughleyA post shared by SO OAKLAND™ (@sooakland) on May 31, 2018 at 8:51am PDTThe group attempted to get away from her, but she kept going.“She zeroed directly in on me, and there was no way around it,” Cook said.When his cousin, Elexia Cook, and his pregnant girlfriend tried to intervene, Milewski snapped.She attacked Elexia, pulling her braids and dress. The two women ended up scuffling in the bushes. Milewski also attacked a mother and ripped her clothes as her 15-month-old child screamed. Essex eventually grabbed Milewski and put her in a hold he learned in a self-defense class.The group tried to flag down passersby during the attack, so they would have witnesses when the police came, but no one intervened. Eventually, a white couple saw what was happening and called the police. While they were glad someone did something, the Cooks were nervous when officers arrived, rightfully so since Milewski played the victim.She told the officers a “mob of people just came at me from out of nowhere and tried to assault me.”"When the police cars arrived, I was scared. I didn’t know what the white couple that stood there was going to say to the police, or what they said over the phone. We were scared that something else might have happened, and we would be arrested along with her until things got sorted out,” said Elexia.“We looked like we had gotten in a fight. We didn’t know if they would believe us.”Not only did they believe them, but the police officers also recognized Milewski from past encounters. She was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, public drunkenness and probation violation. According to DailyCal, the arresting officer said she reeked of alcohol.Here’s some footage of the arrest:Part 2. (See previous post ) The woman did get arrested after the harassment and charges will be pressed . Luckily witnesses were able to let the officers know she was harassing the group (@_elexxia @es.sex )because this could have easily went wrong. #walkingwhileblack thank you BERKELEY polive Department for FINALLY doing you job correctly #sooakland #soberkeleyA post shared by SO OAKLAND™ (@sooakland) on May 31, 2018 at 12:01pm PDTNow, check these out:Weaponized Sensitivity And The Art Of White Women's Fragility This Writer Is Challenging Black Folks To 'Hold Your Space' By Refusing To Move Out Of The Way For White PeopleWhite Folks Calling 911 On Black Folks Is Why We Must Have Serious Convos About...

The feds labeling outspoken black activists as terrorists is nothing new. Malcolm X, Huey P. Newton, Martin Luther King Jr. are just a few civil rights leaders who were closely monitored and penalized by the government for exercising their First Amendment rights.  More recently, Rakem Balogun was targeted by the FBI, labeled a terrorist and yanked from his home in December 2017 as he and his 15-year-old child slept because of a Facebook post.In response to Micah Johnson's July 2016 rampage in which he shot and killed five Dallas officers following the deaths of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling, Balogun took to Facebook to share his sentiments.According to an interview with Mic in episode 1 of the Mic Dispatch Facebook series, he wrote, "One man named Micah X brought the whole Dallas pig department to its knees, protesting police terrorism, and I stand with him."Balogun, whose real name is Christopher Daniels, was held in jail and denied bail for over five months. He was released in May when the case flopped as prosecutors were unable to prove the activist is a terrorist. Because innocent.Michael German, a fellow with the Brennan Center for Justice, told Mic, "the only evidence prosecution and the judge would have had to justify holding him, was his political activity and online rhetoric, which seemed to be punishment for him, rather than an attempt to protect the public."The Texas activist is reportedly the first person prosecuted under a secret surveillance program tracking "black identity extremists," according to The Guardian. The FBI initiated a "black identity extremists" (BIE) assessment following Johnson's deadly rampage.Little did the social justice warrior Balogun know utilizing his freedom of speech as a black man would lead to a series of unfortunate events and run-ins with law enforcement. This would not only cause him to lose his house, car and job, but also his peace of mind. "Ever since that moment, we have not been able to gain our peace back," Balogun told Mic. "You know I’ve lost my job, my apartment, my car, you know, I lost the cohesiveness of my family and my children. And so, you know, every day it’s just a day of me trying to slowly regain that." — Rakem Balogun https://t.co/EfehJLfvUp pic.twitter.com/UoARoIjNnl— Mic (@mic) July 18, 2018In his interview, Balogun tried to clear up the intent behind his support of Johnson."I can see why people would misconstrue that," he said. "I do have the First Amendment right to express my opinion -- I have the First Amendment right to support someone who possibly killed somebody, and I have the right to not empathize with the dead, just like everyone else in this country."While this is all true, it's even more important to understand he has the right not to be racially profiled. What the label BIE does, and what many black activists fear, is it could spark a ripple effect of the persecution of outspoken, black community leaders. Balogun is the co-founder of two local Texas organizations: Guerrilla Mainframe and the Huey P. Newton Gun Club; both fight against police brutality and for the rights of black gun owners. Ultimately, a black man fighting for his rights is a threat to our government.But justice will eventually prevail, and we will never be silenced, because as Balogun said: "We're going to keep our foot on the gas and keep moving forward."Now, check these out:Police Are The Real Problem: Why We Must Address Systemic Police MisconductDebbie Africa Becomes First Of The MOVE 9 To Be Freed From Prison 40 Years After Cop ShootoutActivists Sue For A Copy Of Mysterious Homeland Security Black Activism Report Called The 'Race...

Taking an L in silence doesn't seem to be a thing for Roseanne Barr. The 65-year-old is back in defense of her racist tweets about former White House Aide Valerie Jarrett, and this time, she's claiming she "thought the b***h was white.”Barr previously blamed insomnia and sleep medicine Ambien for her tweets, but in a new video posted to her YouTube, she’s taking another scapegoat.In the video, Barr smoked a cigarette while talking to a producer. When asked about the tweet in which she referred to Jarrett as the product of the “Muslim Brotherhood and Planet of the Apes,” she becomes agitated.“I’m trying to talk about Iran! I’m trying to talk about Valerie Jarrett about the Iran deal,” Barr yelled in the clip. “That’s what my tweet was about. I thought the b***h was white, goddammit. I thought the b***h was white. F**k!”Maybe the frustration comes from the fact that her tweet cost her a show, but this ain’t how to act. At the time, Roseanne had apologized for her words, but it seems we’ve come full circle.thanks, Kate! This was written by me. I have nothing more to say.— Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) May 30, 2018Was she attempting to be humorous? If so, try again. Or better yet, don't.Now, check these out:Roseanne Barr Has A History Of Calling Black Women ApesTiffany Haddish Has Tea On Roseanne Barr's Longtime Racism, And Yes, She'd Be More Than Happy To Spill ItValerie Jarrett Sounds Off On Roseanne Barr's Racist...

In 2014, the CDC reported black men account for 54 percent of all HIV cases in the south, a region disproportionately affected by the disease. A new study titled “The Silent Epidemic: Black Gay Men and HIV,” paints a harsh picture that defines a need for further outreach and support of the gay community across racial lines. While these men are being diagnosed, the study says, only 6 percent of these diagnostics come from tests provided in health care facilities, and 36 percent are provided in non-health care facilities. Therefore, it can be deduced that health care facilities in the south are not reaching gay black men at a disproportionate rate. “Although black men who have sex with men (or MSM) received 6 percent of the HIV tests provided, they accounted for 36 percent of the new diagnoses in non-health care facilities,” the study found. The study, entitled “The Silent Epidemic: Black Gay Men and HIV,” paints a harsh picture that defines a need for further outreach and support of the gay community across racial lines. While these men are being diagnosed, the study says, only 6 percent of these diagnostics come from tests provided in health care facilities, and 36 percent are provided in non-health care facilities. Therefore, it can be deduced that health care facilities in the south are not reaching gay black men at a disproportionate rate. The study goes on to address the effect this lack of outreach could have on transmission of HIV in the south. “Black MSM in the southern United States are the group most affected by HIV, but only a small percentage of CDC tests in the southern United States are provided to this group,” the study continues. “Increasing awareness of HIV status through HIV testing, especially among black MSM in the southern United States, is essential for reducing the risk for transmission and addressing disparities.”Concluding, the study urges the continuance of testing in agencies that can provide healthcare, even if they are nontraditional. This way, the appropriate testing can reach a greater number of those who need it. Now, check these out:No One Knew Why Philly’s Straight Black Women Are At Such High Risk Of HIV, Until NowAfrican Americans Suffer From HIV At Alarming Rates. With A Day Of Unity We Can Help Tackle The Epidemic, TogetherHIV Transmission Rates Are Experiencing A Nationwide Decline – Except In The...

As we near the midterm elections and 45's administration continues to spiral out of control, it's time for us to get familiar with the candidates. I mean like, "that's my cousin" familiar.We know that just like us (and Issa Rae), you're rooting for everybody black. To avoid any confusion as to whom you should be casting your ballot for on November 6, 2018, we've got you covered!Here's a list of 11 candidates you must know running in this year's midterm elections:1. Colin Allred (D-Texas)Allred is a civil rights attorney who wants to change his community for the better. After Hillary Clinton received more votes than Trump in the Dallas-area during the 2016 election, the former NFL player knew it was time to shoot his shot for the state legislature. If elected, he plans to focus on pushing universal healthcare.2. Vangie Williams (D-Virginia)Williams could become the first black woman to represent Virginia on Capitol Hill.3. Stacey Abrams (D-Georgia)Abrams currently serves as a state representative in Georgia. After winning the primary election, the Spelman grad could make history in November as the first black woman to become a United States governor.4. Andrew Gillum (D-Florida) Gillum has the chance to become Florida's first African American governor. The proud Florida A&M University alum plans to push for legislation around women's rights. We're here for it. 5. Deidre DeJear (D-Iowa)DeJear is running to become Iowa's next secretary of state and become the first black woman to win a primary party nomination in the state of Iowa. Yes, sis!6. Lauren Underwood (D-Illinois)A registered nurse, Underwood is the first black woman to run for the 14th District congressional seat. The 31-year-old former senior advisor to the Department of Health and Human Services is also a professor through Georgetown University's online master's program. Ain't nothin' to a...boss. 7. Tahirah Amahil-Wadud (D-Massachusetts)After Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's stunning victory in New York City's Democratic June primary, Tahirah thought, "I can do that, too!" Although she has no prior political experience, the civil rights attorney and mother of seven is black, Muslim, an explicit representation of the world around us and more than prepared to serve in the state's legislature. 8. Mike Espy (D-Mississippi)Remember when black women helped Alabamian Doug Jones become a United States senator last year, radically upsetting racists in the South? We have the chance to do it again by voting Espy for U.S. Senate. 9. Ben Jealous (D-Maryland)The former president of the NAACP is ready to lead the state of Maryland to more mounting heights as he pushes for college affordability (Issa yes from us), universal health care and the legalization of marijuana in his gubernatorial candidacy. 10. Wesley Bell (D-St. Louis)The Midwestern city's current district attorney failed to charge the officer who killed Mike Brown, so without further ado, it's time to vote Wesley Bell into office.11. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota)On her website, Omar writes, "I got my start in politics at age 14, interpreting for my grandfather at community meetings. I learned then that if you want a certain world, you need to organize for it." And that's all we need to know.We're organizing for a better world come November.Liking this content? Check these out:Every Generation Is Defined By A Struggle: Why You Must Be At The Polls On November 6London Breed Is Elected As San Francisco's First Black Female Mayor9 Inspiring Black Politicians To Watch For In...

Members of the white supremacist group Keystone United are suffering the consequences of beating a black man in a bar outside of Pittsburgh on July 7. The Daily Beast reports six or seven members charged were loitering near the back of the bar as Paul Morris passed them on his way to the kitchen of the Jackman Inn to deliver a thank-you card to the manager for preparing his son's graduation party food. Upon Morris' return from the kitchen, the group allegedly ambushed him with racial slurs. A member reportedly hit Morris, knocking his glasses to the ground. When Morris went to retrieve them, the whole group attacked him, he said.“They attacked me because they had hate in their hearts. I didn’t do anything to these people personally. I was just back there talking to my friend,” Morris told CBS Pittsburgh.The Avalon, Pennsylvania, police chief said the neo-Nazis would be charged with simple assault, ethnic intimidation, conspiracy for simple assault and a conspiracy for ethnic intimidation.One woman (probably kin to #BBQBecky), claimed Morris provoked the fight, and nothing racist was said.Sigh. Thankfully, the bar manager, Jackie Scanlon, said others remember the incident differently.Keystone United was spearheaded in 2001 by local Pennsylvania elected official Steve Smith, who the Southern Poverty Law Center cites as a "racist leader" and was arrested in 2003 for also attacking a black man in Pennsylvania. He pleaded guilty and spent 60 days in jail. Nine years later he ran (unopposed) for office and managed to secure a committee seat in his county’s Republican party. What are the odds of that?He ran unopposed again in 2016 and was pressed to share his news with one of the most racist online groups, Stormfront, which proudly claims nearly 300,000 members. Scanlan said the bar has a no discrimination policy and will not welcome those who hate.Now, check these out:Eight Openly White Nationalists Are Running For Office This YearWhite Supremacist Who Brutally Attacked DeAndre Harris During Charlottesville Rally Will Finally Face His Legal ReckoningNorthern Virginia 'Resist White Supremacy' Sign Causes Local...

Now that President Obama no longer sits in the White House, he cares not what his haters think!Judge him, criticize him, hate on him, he's still gon' do him!While speaking at a town hall in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Wednesday, July 18, the coolest POTUS ever spoke his mind concerning the current social climate surrounding our hot mess of a country. The 44th American president gave a profound and noteworthy speech to 200 students at the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg. “Women in particular ... I want you to get more involved because men have been getting on my nerves lately," Obama said. "Men have been getting on my nerves lately": Former President Barack Obama called for the empowerment of women across Africa, while hosting a town hall in Johannesburg, South Africa https://t.co/w1HY2hR67E pic.twitter.com/9gkWEQ3zZ1— CNN (@CNN) July 18, 2018The Obama Foundation hosted the town hall, HuffPost reports, and he is utilizing this trip to Africa to engage folks on the organization's purpose "to inspire and empower people to change their world."Sounds like he's inspiring women to change the world and motivating men to get their s**t together.Peep the full video below: Liking this content? Check these out: Obama’s ‘Most Important Speech Since Leaving Office' Honored Nelson Mandela — There’s A Reason For That.Obama Was In Kenya Gettin' Down While We Were Stuck Here With The New GuyShe Grew Up In The Projects And Was Honored By Obama. Now Jahana Hayes Wants To Represent Connecticut In...

While discussing his birthday plans with friends, two D.C. police cars pulled up and asked M. B. Cottingham and his friends if they had any weapons on them. The group replied no, and, to avoid further confrontation, Cottingham offered the information that he was carrying a legal amount of weed in his sock. After pulling the weed out, officers handcuffed and searched Cottingham in what would turn out to be an anus probe and invasive feel around his genitals, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) claims. In a video released of the incident, the officer in question, Sean Lojacono can be seen feeling up Cottingham’s legs and pushing his fingers into his buttox. “Stop fingering me though, bruh,” Nottingham says in the video. “You’re fingering my a**, man.”“I’m outside your pants,” Lojacono replies. “Relax.”“Don’t emasculate me like that, I’m a man, bro,” continues after further probing. After finishing his inspection, the officer uncuffs Cottingham and wishes the group a good day. Before leaving, Lajacono steps into his car and over the vehicle’s intercom calls out, “How ya’ll doin’ World Star?” to the camera. According to the ACLU, the pat-down as in direct violation to Cottingham’s Fourth Amendment right to be free of unreasonable search and seizures. “When a routine frisk turns into a search this invasive, the officer is not pursuing a legitimate law enforcement purpose but simply degrading someone and assisting his own power,” ACLU staff attorney Scott Michelman, who is representing Cottingham, said. D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department Chief, Peter Newsham, commented on the video during a D.C. council hearing, saying Lojacono did, in fact, touch Cottingham inappropriately, the New York Post reports. Cottingham is currently suing the officer for his actions, citing consequently suffering from depression, anxiety and a fear of going out in public. Now, check these out: Tall Black Men Can Be Up To Six Times More Likely To Be Stopped By Cops Than White Men Of The Same HeightDC Neighborhood Commissioner Demands Answers After Group Of Black Men Targeted In Unjust Stop And FriskCrime In New York City Lowest since 1950s, Disproving Right's Fears About The End Of Stop And...