Black Youth Project

2012

NEW BYP MEMO: Youth, Race, and Partisanship

NYPD

Judge Grants ‘Stop and Frisk’ Lawsuit Class Action Status

REPORT

Should Juveniles Be Sentenced To Life w/o Parole?

HIP HOP

Jay-Z Comes Out In Support of Gay Marriage

TRAYVON

FBI May Charge George Zimmerman With Hate Crime

JUSTICE?

Marissa Alexander Sentenced To 20 Years In Prison

RACISM

Trayvon-Inspired Shooting Range Targets Sold Online

Featured Article

May 16, 2012 at 2:40pm

By BYP

See all featured articles »

Topics: American Values, Criminal Justice, institutional racism, NYPD, Police, police brutality, racism

Judge Grants ‘Stop and Frisk’ Lawsuit Class Action Status

US District Judge Shira Sheindlin of Manhattan has granted class action status to a 2008 lawsuit accusing the NYPD of discriminating against blacks and Hispanics with its “Stop and Frisk” program.

In her ruling, Sheindlin asserts that there is overwhelming evidence that the “Stop and Frisk” program has led to countless illegal stops, and that a class action is the proper means by which victims can have legal recourse.

The lawsuit asserts that the NYPD consciously centered their “Stop and Frisk” program on communities of color, illegally stopping many innocent people in order to meet qoutas.

Read the rest

comments

Let’s Break the Silence

While I never suffered abuse at the hands of my mother or father (she was more of a talker than anything and tried to get us to understand our bad behavior by grounding us and he insisted that he could not teach his son that it was wrong to hit girls if he spanked his daughters), I witnessed it all around me. Family and friends alike who would only speak of the abuse at their homes in the presence of other children, who thought their parents behavior normal. I didn’t recognize then that the things my playmates were enduring were dangerous. I didn’t understand that my friends were being abused and by the time I did come to understand it, I didn’t believe that it was my place to relay these stories to the adults in our lives who could have done something.

Read the rest

comments

Featured Article

May 16, 2012 at 10:25am

By BYP

See all featured articles »

Topics: Black Youth, Criminal Justice, Homicide, institutional racism, Justice, prison, prison industrial complex

REPORT: Juveniles Sentenced to LIFE w/o Parole Face Racial Disparities, Harsher Punishments

According to a new report released by the Sentencing Project, juveniles sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole are subject to socioeconomic and racial disparities, corrections policies that inhibit rehabilitation, and harsher punishments than comparable adults.

The United States is the only country in the world that sentences juveniles to life in prison without parole. Due to an inability to navigate the justice system at such a young age, juveniles often reject plea agreements that many adults take. Thus, juveniles are often sentenced to harsher punishments than adults with similar offenses.

Read the rest

comments

The Digital Age and Social Change

Humyns are the type of beings that always must be in the mood. Anything that can manipulate our emotions provides us with resources to do what must be done. Even our leisure time comes from our activities; perhaps smoking outside on a nice afternoon is our picture of a good mood. These days, our lives are capable of controlling our emotions all day long. What’s changed the happiness of humyns is the availability of technology.

Read the rest

comments

Featured Article

May 15, 2012 at 1:03pm

By BYP

See all featured articles »

Topics: Black Youth, college, Hazing, HBCU, Homophobia, lbgtq

FAMU’s Marching Band Suspended for Another Year

In wake of the latest hazing incident that resulted in the November 2011 death of drum major, Robert Champion, Florida A&M University’s famed Marching 100 band has been suspended for another year.

Last week, the former director of the band, Dr. Julian Wright, resigned.

From the Huffington Post:

“At a school where people attend football games just for the Marching 100 halftime show, where students enroll just for a shot at playing on the field, such a move is like saying the Alabama Crimson Tide won’t play football for a year. The full impact on enrollment and the school community can’t immediately be measured, but students and alumni said it’s a move they support to make sure hazing is rooted out.

Read the rest

comments

Clip of the Day

May 15, 2012 at 11:46am

By BYP

See all clips of the day »

Topics: hip-hop, Homophobia, Jay-Z, LGBTQ, marriage, tolerance

Jay-Z Comes Out In Support of Gay Marriage

Hip Hop mogul Jay-Z has come out in support of President Obama’s stance on same-sex marriage.

Speaking with CNN, Jay-Z called supporting gay marriage “the right thing to do.”

Jay joins prominent African Americans like Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and Will Smith in voicing their support for marriage equality in the wake of President Obama’s historic announcement last week.

Read the rest

comments

Featured Article

May 15, 2012 at 9:40am

By BYP

See all featured articles »

Topics: Black Youth in the News, crime, Criminal Justice, prison, R.I.P., racism, trayvon martin, Violence

FBI May Charge George Zimmerman With Hate Crime

According to WTFV, the FBI may charge George Zimmerman with a hate crime in relation to the shooting death of 17 year-old Trayvon Martin.

While already facing 2nd degree murder charges (which carry a maximum penalty of life in prison), federal hate crime charges carry a maximum penalty of death, if convicted.

Read the rest

comments

You’re Fired

I was in Madison, Wisconsin when the citizens took over the statehouse and it was one of the most amazing events I’ve witnessed. I saw firsthand the power of regular people coming together in unity to fight back against corrupt politicians and corporate influence. I’m honored to add my voice to this historic campaign to recall Scott Walker and rebuild Wisconsin.

“You’re Fired” was directed by Paradise Gray and stars Silas Russell as “Scott Walker”

I’ll be performing live at Rebuild Wisconsin on May 19th in Milwaukee, and shooting a live remix video with some incredible Milwaukee artists. A cultural, political, grassroots, community-based festival, Rebuild Wisconsin will bring together thousands and inspire millions. Along with me there will be performances by Grace Weber, Prophetic, Doc B, DJ Willie Shakes, Comedian Lee Camp, as well as talented local artists, musicians, poets, and community leaders. President and Co-Founder of Rebuild the Dream, Van Jones, and Congresswoman Gwen Moore will also take the stage, and Rebuild the Dream will lead GOTV and nonviolent direct action trainings.

comments

Weekly News Roundup

May 14, 2012 at 10:00am

By BYP

See all weekly news roundups »

A(nother) Modest Proposal

To every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Example: Queen Latifah agrees to headline Long Beach’s gay pride festival; North Carolina passes Amendment One. Simple Newton, really.

While many LGBT advocates assuaged North Carolina’s “Um, no” response to their “We’re just like you–except gay” claim by calling Obama’s tepid #formemyselfpersonally support of same-sex marriage “brave,” as if they had never seen Pretty in Pink, I chose to keep my eye on Carolina. (Seriously, if you think the POTUS’ interview wasn’t some bad boyfriend, er partner, game, you should date more. Or watch the first 20 minutes of a Tyler Perry movie. Or listen to Drake. Take your pick.) Not distracted by Obama’s latest Al Green-esque antics, I learned about the potential (unintended) consequences Amendment One’s passage has for straight couples who aren’t legally married, such as loss of employee benefits and other protections including those that help those who have experienced intimate partner violence. I imagine that perhaps this was simply the result of North Carolina’s zealousness. Instead of being upset about their crunkness, however, I think the LGBT contingent should capitalize upon it.

Read the rest

comments