Monthly Archives: November 2016

Is Assata Shakur safe now that Fidel has died?

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Assata Shakur – Photo Source: instagram @haliesalassie96

Former Black Panther Assata Shakur may be adversely affected by the recent death of Cuba’s former leader Fidel Castro.

Assata explains in her own words what happened and why she currently has political asylum in Cuba.

“My name is Assata (“she who struggles”) Olugbala ( “for the people” ) Shakur (“the thankful one”), and I am a 20th century escaped slave. Because of  government persecution, I was left with no other choice than to flee from the political repression, racism and violence that dominate the US government’s policy towards people of color. I am an ex political prisoner, and I have been living in exile in Cuba since 1984. I have been a political activist most of my life, and although the U.S. government has done everything in its power to criminalize me, I am not a criminal, nor have I ever been one. In the 1960s, I participated in various struggles: the black liberation movement, the student rights movement, and the movement to end the war in Vietnam. I  joined the Black Panther Party. By 1969 the Black Panther Party had become the number one organization targeted by the FBI’s COINTELPRO program. because the Black Panther Party demanded the total liberation of black people, J. Edgar  Hoover called it “greatest threat to the internal security of the country” and  vowed to destroy it and its leaders and activists.”

The lines of communication have opened between Cuba and the United States after a vote by the United Nations urged the United States to lift the economic embargo in 2015. As a result of this vote both countries are now on speaking terms and travel restrictions are being lifted.

The FBI is currently offering a reward of up to 1,000,000 for the apprehension of Assata. She was charged with a murder in 1973. She was found guilty of first degree murder in 1977 and was sentenced to life in prison. She escaped and now lives in Cuba.

Now that the two countries are communicating, what will they be willing to do to sweeten any deals that may be in the works. Will Assata be used as a pawn. Their is a cry for President Obama to grant her a pardon before he leave office. Twitter is talking.

https://twitter.com/tigertrollz2/status/802409274517270532

https://twitter.com/JasMoneyRecords/status/802399548773572608

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BREAKING: Cuba’s polarizing former leader Fidel Castro dead at 90

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Fidel Castro – Photo Source: instagram @kwetutanzania

Cuba’s state television has confirmed the death of their former leader Fidel Castro. This happens at a historic time in this country when relations with Cuba are on the mend and travel between the United States and Cuba is now allowed. Castro’s career as a politician came to prominence when he planned to overthrow Cuban President Fulgencio Batista. He did not succeed. He regrouped after serving a year in prison joined forces with his brother and the beloved revolutionary Che Guevara. The next attempt to overthrow Batista was successful. Castro rose to power and ultimately became Prime Minister of Cuba.

Castro was a thorn in the side of the United States because of his relation with the Soviet Union. This relationship lead to the Bay Of Pigs invasion in 1961 the invasion was an attempt to overthrow Castro. It failed. The relationship forged with the Soviet Union grew stronger as a result of the United States actions. Castro allowed the Soviet Union to place nuclear weapons on the island. This prompted the Cuban Missile Crisis and was a turning point in the Cold War of 1962.

In February of 1962 President Kennedy established an embargo against Cuba to reduce “the threat posed by its alignment with communist powers” The embargo included almost all imports from Cuba. This embargo helped to cripple the countries economy and caused many of the countries elite to flee the country for resettlement in the United States. The large concentration of Cubans in Miami is a direct reflection of this mass flight.

A vote by the United Nation in 2015 urged the United States to lift the economic embargo against Cuba. Last December, President Obama ordered full restoration of diplomatic relations with Cuba. Travel restrictions have been eased. The 56-year-old embargo is only allowed to be lifted by congress.

In 2008 Fidel stepped down as president of Cuba after falling ill. He handed over power to his brother Raul Castro who currently holds the position.

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‘Brady Bunch’ Mom Florence Henderson dead at 82

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Florence Henderson

Florence Henderson – Photo Source: Twitter @itsflohenderson

Americas most beloved step-mom Florence Henderson has died at the age of 82 according to various news sources. Henderson is best known for her role as Carol Brady in the hit show The Brady Bunch that premiered in 1969. It originally ran from 1969 to 1974. This show about a blended family was a mainstay on American television sets for at least three decades in the form of television shows/specials and reruns. Millions watched the Brady’s and helped it become the iconic television show that it is.

Kayla Pressman, Henderson’s manger said she  died surrounded by family and friends, in a statement late Thursday.

Henderson started her career on the stage, and grew into a seasoned Broadway actress. In 2010 she was a contestant on the ABC show Dancing with the Stars.

Barry Williams who played the eldest son Greg on the Brady Bunch wrote a book in 1992 called Growing Up Brady: I Was A Teenage Greg. He mentions going out on a date with his TV mother Henderson. He was 16 and Henderson was 39 at the time. This date grew into an urban legend that they had an actual relationship while on the show.

This kind of story growing into some type of television folklore shows the lasting impression Henderson and the Brady Buch has on its millions of fans.

Maureen McCormick who played her eldest daughter Marsha on The Brady Bunch honored her TV mom with a tweet.

Her manager Kayla Pressman said she is survived by her children; Barbara, Joseph, Robert and Lizzie, their respective spouses, and five grandchildren.

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Ginuwine brings his ‘Pony’ to City Winery

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Ginuwine Wine – Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre

Ginuwine showed up to the City Winery in Chicago to have an amazing set. He did just that. It’s been an interesting week for Ginuwine after certain pictures leaked on the internet and provided great entertainment for his throngs of fans. So, it was no surprise to see a packed house of Chicago’s most beautiful dressed in their night club best waiting to see Mr. “Pony” himself.

Ginuwine did not shy away from the situation. He mentioned that he is not shy or ashamed. The only thing he had issue with is that he has daughters and he does not want them to remember him like that. All you heard after that was “YOUR DAUGHTERS NOT HERE!!” From the audience. It was a funny moment and added to the electricity of the evening.

Ginuwine went through all of his hits over a 20 year span. The most notable moment was when he shared the challenges he was going through in his life. “My life has been going through a lot of turmoil. My father committed suicide, shot himself in the head. The next year my mom died from cancer, so needless to say I went through my time of turmoil tragedy, hurt and pain.You will never get over it, but you will be able to continue. But guess what, after 20 years I’m still here.” Right after sharing that he performed his song “My Whole Life has Changed”.

He closed out the set with “Pony” and the City Winery was rocking when he decided go into the crowd. After 20 years Ginuwine has not missed a step.

Check out a few pics below.

Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre
Photo Credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre

 

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Kanye West hospitalized in L.A.

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Kanye West – Photo Credit: Instagram @kanyewestdaily

Kanye West has been hospitalized in L. A. following a series of incidents, that lead to him cancelling his Saint Pablo Tour.

TMZ provided more information below.

“Kanye West has been taken to UCLA Medical Center for psychiatric evaluation.

According to law enforcement sources … cops responded to a call for a welfare check on Kanye around 1:20 PM PT. He wasn’t at his home at the time. We’re told paramedics also responded and ended up transporting Kanye to the hospital by ambulance.

Sources connected to Kanye tell us he was getting checked out by one of his doctors for severe sleep deprivation when someone — possibly the physician — decided he needed to be admitted.

Law enforcement sources tell us Kanye did not want to go, and was restrained when he was transported.”

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Kanye ain’t been the same since ……

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Kanye West – Photo source: instagram @kanyewestdaily

It continues. Kanye has yet unleashed another one of his legendary rants to the displeasure of his fans. Following his rant on November 17th in San Jose, he goes in on yet another one last night  November 19th in Sacramento. This rant was more specific to Jay Z and Beyonce and some industry information many of us may not be privy to. I will go out on a limb and say these attention grabbing rants have nothing to do with the November 23rd release of his Yeezy Boost 750s. I mean that would be to on the nose…right? Well lets say that this is true, why is Kanye seemingly having meltdowns on stage and leaving shows early infuriating his fans?

In the past few days Kanye has voiced his support of President-elect Trump, addressed the importance of collaboration and ideas. He asked Jay Z not to send killers after him and to call him like a man, then he said he was hurt by Beyonce because of a rumor he heard about her and MTV. He started the most recent rant by saying “Fuck You” to the radio.

So at this point the general consensus is that Kanye is crazy. I have even been told by someone close to his camp that he is suffering from mental retardation and that everybody know this. Well I didn’t know. No one can explain why Kanye has been going down this road for sometime now. Some people blame the Kardashians, others blame his friends or lack thereof. Others say Kanye has not been the same since his mother died. To be honest I don’t know if anyone would be the same after their mom dies, plus I’m not a therapist. What I do know is that in the midst of Kanye’s stream of consciousness (rants) he drops a jewel here and there. So, I have not totally written the brother of yet. He is from my city and I support him. I wont buy a ticket to his show (because I actually like to hear music at concerts) and I don’t necessarily agree with his political views, but I do think ideas are important, radio is being bought, political parties suck and collaboration is a good thing. Does that make me crazy? Who are you to say Kanye is? When did the internet become therapists?

I want to know what you think. Take a moment and share in the comments below.

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Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs shares Deleon tequila with Chicago

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Music mogul, fashion designer and creator of spirits Sean “P Diddy” Combs was in Chicago recently promoting Deleon tequila. The top 100 influencers came out to Shay nightclub in the River North community to get their first taste of the upscale tequila. Shay was decked out in all things Deleon and the mixed drink of the night was called Chicago soul. This drink consisted of Deleon, some lemon juice a salted rim and a hit of Tabasco.

Once Diddy entered the building people rushed to the VIP area to get a glimpse of the mogul. After fraternizing a bit Diddy made his way to the Dj booth. He gave a demonstration of how Deleon shots can be taken from the cap of the drink and spoke about how smooth it is. At one point someone handed him a Cubs hat and he placed it on his head to the crowd satisfaction.

Take a look at a few pics below.

Sean “Diddy” Combs (Photo credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre)
Sean “Diddy” Combs (Photo credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre)
Sean “Diddy” Combs (Photo credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre)
Sean “Diddy” Combs (Photo credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre)
Sean “Diddy” Combs (Photo credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre)
Sean “Diddy” Combs (Photo credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre)

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