African-American ‘giants’ more than meet Medal of Freedom standard

Rep. John Lewis, Maya Angelou and Bill Russell (AP Photo)

Rep. John Lewis, Maya Angelou and Bill Russell (AP Photo)

You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.

Collectively, Maya Angelou, John Lewis and Bill Russell represent the very best of the American spirit. They won their future — and created a better today — with steely determination, an abiding faith, uncommon courage and a burning desire to make America true to its promise.

Their life’s work prove that a better, brighter future does not just happen. It’s ours to create.

via The Grio

California Newsreel – SNCC 50th ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE (THE 38 DVD COLLECTION)

SNCC 50th Anniversary Conference Now Available on DVD!

SNCC 50th Anniversary Conference Now Available on DVD!

Important document of the organization that started the Student Youth movement for which all student organizations owe a debt.

This complete collection of DVDs present formal addresses, panel discussions and programs that took place at a conference and reunion unfolding over four days at Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (or SNCC).

SNCC emerged from student protests that erupted on February 1, 1960 when four college students from North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro launched a sit-in at a Woolworth department store lunch counter. This daring action sparked a wave of similar challenges to segregation by thousands of students across the South. On the weekend of April 15 1960, student leaders from the sit-ins gathered at Shaw University and SNCC was born. Soon students in the newly formed SNCC began leaving school to commit themselves to the organization.

via California Newsreel.

Fantasia Speaks on Why She Didn’t Attend the GRAMMYS « Clutch Magazine

Fantasia

I’m not going to lie, when I saw the lineup for Aretha Franklin’s tribute I scratched my head trying to figure out who two of the women even were. Further, I took to Twitter to express this:

“I will never forgive the GRAMMYS for Fantasia not being in this tribute.”

Gotta agree Fantasia, ridiculous omission.

Fantasia Speaks on Why She Didn’t Attend the GRAMMYS « Clutch Magazine.