I originally wrote this as an introduction to a photojournalism project called “Black Innocence”. The editors decided not to use it. After hearing about the death of former FAMU football player Jonathan Ferrell, who was killed by a Charlotte police officer, even though he was unarmed and running to the officers for help, I decided to record it and put it out. Is there such a thing as “Black Innocence” in this society? Take a listen and you be the judge.
Black Innocence?
That’s ridiculous
We’re labeled as babies that we’re cracked, killer kids
No head start we’re held back in tenements
At age 6 we’re arrested for lack of discipline
At age 9 we’re tested but the mission is
To use the test scores to determine our imprisonment
At age 12 is when we learn what suspension is
And school becomes a pipeline to feed us to detention bids
Age 15 disillusioned by what the system is
cause we’re subjected to daily Stop and Frisk incidents
At age 17 we get grown man sentences
We’re full blown predators shot down by Zimmermans
Black Innocence?
I often wonder if we have that privilege
When another brother’s killed over senselessness
And they tell us that we just have to live with it
Black Innocence
Help us Prepare for Trump’s Day One
Trump is busy getting ready for Day One of his presidency – but so is Truthout.
Trump has made it no secret that he is planning a demolition-style attack on both specific communities and democracy as a whole, beginning on his first day in office. With over 25 executive orders and directives queued up for January 20, he’s promised to “launch the largest deportation program in American history,” roll back anti-discrimination protections for transgender students, and implement a “drill, drill, drill” approach to ramp up oil and gas extraction.
Organizations like Truthout are also being threatened by legislation like HR 9495, the “nonprofit killer bill” that would allow the Treasury Secretary to declare any nonprofit a “terrorist-supporting organization” and strip its tax-exempt status without due process. Progressive media like Truthout that has courageously focused on reporting on Israel’s genocide in Gaza are in the bill’s crosshairs.
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We’re preparing right now for Trump’s Day One: building a brave coalition of movement media; reaching out to the activists, academics, and thinkers we trust to shine a light on the inner workings of authoritarianism; and planning to use journalism as a tool to equip movements to protect the people, lands, and principles most vulnerable to Trump’s destruction.
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