Grassroots
Democratizing Education: A Community Approach
July 23, 2010 · 3 Comments
Grace Lee Boggs At this year’s United States Social Forum (USSF) in Detroit, veteran activist and organizer Grace Lee Boggs participated in the Education People’s Movement Assembly, and has issued a statement based from this experience. Including a ten point resolution, the statement is a powerful message to those seeking to develop a fair and progressive system of education in their communities. Boggs, 94, is a longtime Detroit resident, and a powerful figure for her career in social activism spanning over the past seven decades. Her book, Revolution and Evolution in the Twentieth Century,... [Read the full story]
Media Justice
Hazel Scott, Legacy of a Defiant Jazz Icon
July 27, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Hazel Scott Harlem in the 1920s was a place for rejuvenation of the spirit of African American people, a city that could embrace Blackness and provide a space for the development of the great artists of their generation. Jazz created the rhythm of the city, while writers such as Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes and Countee Cullen are all still icons of Black literature. At this year’s Harlem Book Fair, author Karen Chilton presented the story of Hazel Scott, who grew up in the city during this golden era and became one of America’s most beloved jazz musicians of her time. Though she has... [Read the full story]
Hip Hop
Review: Nas and Damian Marley “Distant Relatives”
July 23, 2010 · 1 Comment
“Africa must wake up / the sleeping sons of Jacob / for what tomorrow may bring /may a better day come / Yesterday we were Kings / Can you tell me young ones / Who are we today” – Damian Marley from “Africa Must Wake Up” A sleeping giant, a passionate people crying silent in front of the world’s powers, exploited and overpowered during the past century’s frantic pace to produce. Africa is a mother, a tree from which many people hold a broken branch, and music has long been way to bring people back to those roots. The new album from Nas and Damian Marley, Distant Relatives,... [Read the full story]
Human Rights
Police Industry Making Profits: Non-Lethal Weapons
July 22, 2010 · 1 Comment
The recent trial of the police officer who killed the teenaged Oscar Grant in Oakland and the death of 7 year old Aiyana Jones during a Detroit police home invasion bring to attention the growing threat that citizens face at the hands of the police military industrial complex. Over the past few decades, as the war on drugs raged and the world’s wealth has been redistributed to the rich at record amounts, law enforcement departments across the country have received enormous funding for weapons and technology to be used against citizens. Photo by Benno Hansen The issue is not simply the use of... [Read the full story]
Environment
Water Quality Monitoring: A Citizens Approach
July 14, 2010 · Leave a Comment
By Steve Furay The state of Wisconsin prides itself on its agricultural industry, providing top quality products and employing tens of thousands of workers. As the industry continues to grow, large scale industry continues to develop, particularly animal feeding operations. While these facilities represent economic growth, they are also an enormous challenge for the environment, with water supplies perhaps being the most sensitive. In response, citizens groups in Wisconsin are banding together to fight for their rights to a clean ecology, even conducted their own testing of waters. Sarah Grainger... [Read the full story]
World
Pakistan Floods Rage, Wash In Disease
August 3, 2010 · Leave a Comment
In Pakistan, the United Nations is reporting of the threat of rampant disease following the massive flooding that has ravaged the northwestern region of the country. An estimated 1400 people have already died due to the rising waters, which is reported as the worst instance of flooding in living memory. The release from the United Nations News Centre stated that the World Health Organization (WHO) was releasing medical supplies for the treatment of over 200,000 people. Waterborne diseases are now a great risk to the population, and ensuring safe drinking water is a high priority for relief workers. UN... [Read the full story]
Hip Hop
Review: Nas and Damian Marley “Distant Relatives”
“Africa must wake up / the sleeping sons of Jacob / for what tomorrow may bring /may a better day come / Yesterday we were Kings / Can you tell me young ones / Who are we today” – Damian Marley from “Africa Must Wake Up” A sleeping giant, a passionate people crying silent in front of the world’s...
[Continue reading: Review: Nas and Damian Marley “Distant Relatives”]
Mic Levels Up: Rush of Arabian Knightz
Arabian Knightz are one of the premier hip hop groups to break into the world scene this year, as this Egypt-based group are set to release their debut album Uknighted State of Arabia to an eager audience later this year. Already the first hip hop group to break into Egypt’s top ten pop charts, their style blends...
[Continue reading: Mic Levels Up: Rush of Arabian Knightz]
Hip Hop Bus Tour Coming to Palestine
Shadia Mansour An upcoming hip hop tour of Palestine is getting ready to launch, the Hip Hop Bus Tour 2010. The tour has been organized by Existence is Resistance, the South West Youth Collaborative (SWYC) and the University of Hip Hop Chicago (UHHC). Daily musical workshops will be conducted for children in refugee...
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Human Rights
Police Industry Making Profits: Non-Lethal Weapons
The recent trial of the police officer who killed the teenaged Oscar Grant in Oakland...
Child Soldiers in Somalia Fighting US War on Terror
Photo by bixentro This weekend, the New York Times published an article detailing...
A Call for Federal Investigation in Death of Detroit Imam
This past Saturday in Detroit, a special rally was held at the Muslim Center in support...
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Media Justice
Hazel Scott, Legacy of a Defiant Jazz Icon
Hazel Scott Harlem in the 1920s was a place for rejuvenation of the spirit of African...
Lacy Legs Rolling Unholy: A Derby Empire Rising
Story and Photos by Steve Furay Berkeley, California, September, 1973 ~ “Yes,...
“Rubin Rapping — How 15,000 Freed John”
John Sinclair This article is reprinted from a December 1971 issue of the Berkeley...
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Environment
Water Quality Monitoring: A Citizens Approach
By Steve Furay The state of Wisconsin prides itself on its agricultural industry,...
Science and Journalism: Understanding the Relationship
Bansky on the cover of Science 7 March 2008. By Steve Furay Joe Lauer, a corn agronomist...
Science Institute Calls for Firing in Oil Industry Scandal
Arctic Ocean A recent press release from the Center for Biological Diversity sent...
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Grassroots
Democratizing Education: A Community Approach
Grace Lee Boggs At this year’s United States Social Forum (USSF) in Detroit, veteran...
Common Breath/Arab League Records Workshop at USSF 2010
Common Breath Media and Arab League Records will be hosting a workshop at this year’s...
Taking Back the Land in our Communities
This May has been a month of action for the Take Back the Land Campaign, demonstrating...
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Common Breath Podcast
Episode 1: Breath Control
Independent media for the Hip Hop Culture, this debut episode of the Common Breath Podcast features artists of many genres, spotlighting some of the best upcoming independent music.