The Experience of Judge SotomayorView the address or read the transcript.What do you think of Obama's Supreme Court nomin...
African arts showcase at UC Berkeley
The spirit of Africa was alive at the African Arts Society's "Showcase" on November 20 at UC Berkeley.
African Liberation Day, Malcolm X Jazz Arts Festival in Oakland (5/30)
There are two great events happening in Oakland Saturday, May 30th. African Liberation Day12-6 p.m., Lil Bobby Hutton Park (Defremery Park)16th Street and Adeline Blvd, West OaklandHonor Kwame Nkrumah and a united AfricaSpeakers, music, vendors and more.More info on ALDThe 9th Annual Malcolm X Jazz Arts Festival!11-7 p.m., San Antonio Park 18th Ave and Foothill Blvd, East OaklandEastSide's 9th annual Malcolm X Jazz Arts Festival is one of the last free festivals in Oakland, so come and enjoy! One of the most important pieces of our festival are...
Funky Friday: "No Sell Out"
As the month of May comes to a close, The Black Hour would like to continue to honor our ancestor, our hero and our freedom fighter El Hajj Malik el Shabazz, also known as Malcolm X."This recording documents Malcolm’s voice at a time and space in history that some nineteen or more years ago. Its meaning is just as relevant today as it was then."Dr. Betty ShabazzThis video...
Michael Eric Dyson in Oakland
Before I wanted to write the world, I sought to right it.Michael Eric Dyson will speak in Oakland Thursday, May 28th. His new book is called, "Can you Hear me Now? The Inspiration, Wisdom, and Insight of Michael Eric Dyson "“Before I wanted to write the world, I sought to right it,” writes Michael Eric Dyson.Michael Eric Dyson in OaklandTickets: $10 Advance/$12 Door/$8.00...
Honoring Black Veterans
Today is the U.S. holiday of Memorial Day, the day in which Americans honor those who have died during war time. The Black Hour would like to give respect specifically to those of African descent who have died defending this country.African Americans given the ultimate sacrifice for this country since Crispus Attucks was the first to fall in U.S. Revolutionary War. We also...
Caravan for Justice III
Johannes Mehserle has begun his preliminary hearings for the killing of an unarmed father on New Year's Day. And the struggle for Justice for Oscar Grant continues. Weekly "I am Oscar Grant' Townhall MeetingsEvery Saturday 4 - 6 pmOlivet Missionary Baptist Church807 - 27th St. / San Pablo Ave.Oakland, CA View MapOn Tuesday, May 26, join thousands of Californians will take...
Free Show at Yoshi's San Francisco
The Black Hour prides itself on being futuristic, Hip and jazzy. Well, you can enjoy all three tonight at Yoshi's in San Francisco. Black Edgar's Music Box will be performing tonight, May 22 at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Black Edgar's (aka David Boyce and Max Macveety) is "Afro-Futuristic Jazz."Black Edgar "blends dub, abstract jazz, funk, spoken word and afro beat into a psychedelic...
TBH Photos: I am Oscar Grant (Slideshow)
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.I AM OSCAR GRANT Check out I am Oscar Grant phot...
Happy Birthday Malcolm X
"You show me a capitalist, and I'll show you a bloodsucker."Malcolm XEl Hajj Malik el Shabazz, more commonly known as Malcolm X was born May 19, 1925. Had he not been assassinated February 21, 1965, he would be 84 years old today. Five books about Malcolm XThe Autobiography of Malcolm XBy Alex HaleyMalcolm Speaks: selected speeches and statements By George BreitmanMalcolm...
Monday Motivation: Don't Let Up
This post is especially for college students approaching finals. Don't give up. Check out this video.For those struggling, don't give up. For those doing well, don't give ...
BART shooting hearing begins today
JUSTICE FOR OSCAR GRANTA preliminary hearing for the former BART police officer Johannes Mehserle-who shot an unarmed rider on New Year's Day-begins today.The purpose of the hearing is for the prosecution to attempt to persuade a judge to bring the case before a jury. The hearing was originally planned for March 23, but was postponed at the request of the defense attorney...
Neil Henry new dean of UC Berkeley School of Journalism
The Berkeley Daily Planet reports that Neil Henry will become dean at the UC Berkeley School of Journalism."UC Berkeley’s search for a dean for its Graduate School of Journalism came to an end May 7 when it selected interim Dean Neil Henry for the position...An award-winning journalist, author and professor, Henry has filled in as dean of the school since Orville Schell left...
Reactions to OPD shooting
This video, by UC Berkeley graduate journalism student N'jeri Eaton, documents some of the communities reaction to the March 21 shooting of four Oakland Police officers by Lovelle Mixon-who was lated killed by OPD's SWAT team.March 21, 2009 from N'Jeri Eaton on Vimeo.Special thanks to the San Francisco Bay View for this link.Check out N'jeri's wo...
The Black Hour Live at 3 p.m.
It's our time, again. The Black Hour Internet Radio Show will broadcast live today (Fri. May 15) on 9th Floor Radioat 3 p.m. (Pacific). This month's episode focuses on art + liberation. Our guests are all creative folks engaged in the arts, and in various struggles for social justice. Our first guest will be Refa One. Refa One is traditionally known as an accomplished street calligrapher and muralist, but he is also an accomplished photographer-including more sensual works.Our second guest is none other than Idris Hassan. Idris is a Berkeley City...
African Liberation Day in Oakland
Community Honors Pan African Unity, the Panthers Legacy & African Liberation Day in West OaklandDeFremery Park should be declared “Lil’ Bobby Hutton Park in honor of his life and all those that have sacrificed in the fight against injustice In this time of global crisis, Africa must remind high on the minds of her children dispersed throughout the world. This month, the...
Stop BART's Oakland Airport Connector
Dear AC Transit and BART riders, Just last week, The Black Hour was pleased to announce the passage of Proposition A: EasyPass, on the April 28-29 student elections at Peralta. As we have much to celebrate students getting $31/semester unlimited AC Transit passes, we also should be concerned that our BART fares might be going up - now and in the future (Just as AC Transit's...
TBH Video - Passing Me By, The Pharcyde
TBH - Throwback Hip-Hop Video of the WeekPassing Me By, The Pharcydehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAfrhmIvZ_s...
TBH Special: "East 14th: True Tales of a Reluctant Player" Exclusive Interview
Don Reed has seen many things in his lifetime. And as a teen, he went from being a straight-laced, God-fearing, pavement pounding church boy to a Son of a Pimp. Reed has performed and written for film, television and theatre. His work on an HBO special of up-and-coming comedians years ago caught the attention of Bill Cosby and led to the creation of a guest-starring role for...
"Africans and African Americans: A Dialogue Towards Unity"
How does the media portray Africa and Africans? How does the media portray African Americans to Africans? Do you consider yourself Black? African? African American?These questions and more will be discussed May 12 at Laney College during the forum, "Africans and Afrian Americans: A Dialogue Towards Unity." The purpose of the discussion is to bring students of the African Diapora...
9th Floor Radio featured in The Oak Book
"The most political/topical show is the monthly The Black Hour (3rd Fridays)...has been on for a year...in-depth muckraking into local Oakland political corruption and police brutality is as controversial as KPFA’s JR Valrey's, and as informative as KPOO’s Prison Radio programming."9th Floor Radio, the station which hosts The Black Hour, was featured in The OakBook (formerly...
"Treat Your Mother Right" by Mr. T
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAYIn honor of Mother's Day, The Black Hour wants to remind you to treat your Mama right! And do it all 365.25 days of the year. Check out this 1984 song "Treat Your Mother Right" by Mr....
Before a Nation, by Mumia
Cartoon by Khalil Bendib. Bendib.comBefore a NationBy Mumia Abu JamalAs the temperature of war increases in Iraq, and the U.S. increases troops in Afghanistan, an unanswered question looms.Not, 'what is a nation', so much as why is this a nation, and when?When we speak of Iraq, Afghanistan or even Pakistan as nation-states, we are really speaking of political elites in their...
TBH Event: Black Graduation for Peralta Colleges
A Black Graduation Ceremony will be held Saturday, May 23 for students of African Descent attending the Peralta Colleges. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Cecilia Arrington, former African American Studies professor at Merritt College. The event is free, and will be held at North Oakland Missionary Baptist Church, 1060 32nd Street in Oakla...
Eight early Black newspapers in the Bay Area (Part I)
The Bay Area has a legacy of Black media. Early newspapers protested the inhumanity of slavery and the need for equal rights for Black people. "The paper has always been committed to civil rights and complete equality. I think that's been the primary goal of the black press. It was our stated goal to attain first-class citizenship, and to be a watchdog for whatever injustices based on racism occurred to let the world know about it." Thomas C. Fleming, 1997, co-founder of Sun-ReporterHere are some of the early Black newspapers on the West Coast:Mirror...
Oakland's 'Mother' Wright dies at 87
The Black Hour is saddened to hear that Mary Ann "Mother" Wright has passed away. She was 87 years old.The Oakland Tribune reports, "Mary Ann Wright, better know as Mother Wright to all the needy people in Oakland and beyond who she helped feed and clothe during every holiday season for the past 30 years, died Thursday at Alta Bates Medical Center in Berkeley after a long...
TBH host honored at journalism conference
The Black Hour host Reginald James was "honored at JACC convention" last month.As reported in the Laney Tower newspaper,"Former Tower Editor-in-Chief Reginald James received two awards from the Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC) State Convention.""He received First Place for Student Designed Advertisement for "The Tower Bunch" ad, (left) and a Meritorious...
Freedom Friday: "Liberation" by Outkast
From Outkast's 1998 Aquemini, "Liberation." Features Cee Lo, Erykah Badu and Big Rube. Revolutionary slideshow features images from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr to the Black Panther Party's Freedom Schools.What does this song and images inspire in y...
Seven ACORN workers charged in voter fraud probe
Source: APPittsburgh, PA-According to the Associated Press, "Seven Pittsburgh-area ACORN workers were charged with falsifying voter registration forms, with six accused of doing so to meet the group's alleged quota system before last year's general election."Hmmm...What do these seven ACORN workers (above) have in comm...
Wanted: Black Scientists
Are you the next Benjamin Banneker? You could be!The Black Scientist Project (BSJ) at Stanford University wants you. The Stanford School of Education are seeking participants who have majored and/or obtained a degree in science. The purpose of is to identify the factors influencing the experience of individuals who become scientists and the study will examine the ways Black...
Of Pirates and Piracy
Cartoon by Khalil BendibOf Pirates and PiracyBy Mumia Abu JamalIn the news of late is the piracy drama off Africa's horn - the eastern coast of Somalia.All of a sudden, piracy is a problem, one needing military, if not global solutions.Every petty politician is bum-rushing the mike, to spout off on how pirates are "thugs", "criminals", or the latest Western curse, " terrorists"."If...
In Theaters: American Violet
With over 2.3 million humans stored in new age concentration camps, America has the largest prison population in the world. Although China has four times as many people, it's prison population of 1.5 million is still second, according to the Pew Center for the States.When the for-profit prison industry mixes with "tough on crime" politicians, it's easy for the average American...
Who is the real 'agent provocatuer?'
The East Bay Express (EBX) is not known for favorable reporting of the Black community. In fact, the Emeryville based weekly has written hit pieces on numerous Black folks--from Ron Dellums to Marcel Diallo. Most recently, 100,000 copies of the EBX hit the street with another Black face on the cover. This time it was journalist JR Valrey, associate editor for the San Francisco...
Throw Back Hip Hop: Deep East Oakland
Nearly 15 years ago, Black Dynasty came out with the classic "Deep East Oakland."Black Dynasty was formed by Kariem Abdullah and his brother Dion Stewart in the 1980s, according to All Music Guide. Their first album Asphalt Jungle came out in 1993 and sold 10,000 copies. In 1995, they released Deep East Oakland. It sold 20,000 copies and got them on tour with Too Short and...
Baynard Rustin
This week, the Laney College Gay-Straight Alliance and the Associated Students of Laney College (ASLC) kick off Queerfest IV. Considering all the controversy in California surrounding Proposition 8, the state ballot proposition passed by voters November 4, 2008 that changed the state constitution to state marriage was only between "a man and a woman" and eliminated the right...
2009 Time 100: World's Most Influential people
Every year, TIME Magazine claims to name the 100 "people who most affect our world." This year, TIME features: Van Jones, John Legend, Oprah Winfrey and of course Michele and Barack Obama. Not to mention-Hadizatou Mani.Who else made the list? And who didn't?Is there anyone you know that is missing from TIME's list? Anyone that shouldn't be on the list? Who are the 10 most...
Monday Motivation - Michael Jordan: Failure
Sometimes, in order to succeed; you must first fail. Take it from arguably the greatest basketball player ever; Michael Jordan.“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.”Shout out to Brother Jesse Muhammad with the Final Call Newspaper for this po...
President Obama's Weekly Address
"Government Actions to Address the H1N1 Flu Virus""In his Weekly Address, the President discusses the government’s response to the 2009 H1N1 flu virus, from school closings to activating online social networks. He urges Americans to be calm but cautious," according to the White House blog.Watch President Obama's Weekly Address or read the transcript.What was your reaction to news about "swine fl...
AUDIO: The Black Hour 'goes green' - April 2009 - Environmental Justice
Photos: Flickr user TheBlackHour.comListen to the complete broadcast from 9th Floor Radio. The April 2009 episode of The Black Hour was dedicated to environmental justice. Guests included: Nehanda Imara, organizer, Communities for a Better Environment; Virtuous "V", rappe; Tyrone "Baby Champ" Stevenson, inventor of the Scraper Bikes; Mark Hall, Oakland Parks & Recreation;...
Peralta Colleges Students approve Proposition A
Students overwhelmingly approved Peralta's Proposition A: EasyPass in the April 28-29 student elections.Of the 972 ballots currently counted, 88 percent voted YES on Proposition A: EasyPass, according to district officials. There are nearly 150 provisional ballots at Laney College that have yet to be counted.Read complete story on the Laney Tow...
African Liberation Day
"Africa Must Unite!"Kwame NkrumahThe History of African Liberation DayAfrican Liberation Day (ALD) started on April 15th, 1958 in Accra, Ghana as Africa Freedom Day during the first Conference of Independent African States. The name and date was changed respectively to AfricanLiberation Day and May 25th in Addis Ababa during the conveningof the first Organization of African...
Laney College's 'The Ants and the Grasshopper' Photos, Audio and Trailer
Did you check out Fusion Theater's recent production "The Ants and the Grasshoppers at Laney College?Check out the You Tube Trailer for the forthcoming DVD. You can also listen to complete audio from the Wednesday, April 22, show.Or check out photos by Yokovision.Learn more about Laney College's Fusion Thea...
