NAACP Going Hip Hop

July 19th, 2009 | By Safiyyah

The NAACP, or National Association of the Advancement of Colored People, is beginning to focus more on the younger crowds(or hip hop generation). If you notice most of the meetings today are few in number and mostly contain older, gray-haired individuals. Last week, the largest convention in history was held for youngsters — approximately 1,000 young African Americans attended the seminar that was held in Manhattan, New York. There were hopes that the crowd would boost even greater when Obama spoke to the organization. The NAACP is aiming to close the gap between generations of the pre-civil rights movement and post-civil rights movement. The organization would like to fight the age old reincarnation of racial inequities for the young and old today.

Many of the young people that attended the Centennial were eager for the event, but didn’t really hold plans for the future events involving the NAACP. One young lady in particular said that she appreciated what the past generations had done for the Black community, but there was a need to focus on today’s problems, such as teen drop-outs, pregnancy rates, gun violence, STIs and education. More young people today are beginning to take notice and concern for their communities and are looking to take action. The NAACP could take advantage of this by holding more events for the youth. Last year, there was a controversial election held for the NACCP’s next president. The young and old were divided, but eventually the youngest president in the history of the NAACP was chosen — a 30-something year old scholar from Rhodes, named Benjamin Todd Jealous.

Hip Hop Dance Festival

July 19th, 2009 | By Safiyyah

If you’re not doing anything this weekend, you might want to check out the three day festival poppin’ off at the Jazz & Rib Fest in the Arena District in Columbus, Ohio. It will feature dancing by the Philadelphia group. They will be showing and teaching dance routines to the youth — which is pretty ideal, since these past years dancing has been a huge part of the hip hop industry. The event will take place on W. Long Street located just past the North Bank Park pavilion. If you won’t be able to attend this particular hip hop festival, you may be able to catch them near your hometown. It will continue touring across the country with the Sunny D Summer 4Ever Road Trip. The purpose of this tour is for entertainment and to promote health and exercise.

Some of the dances you will find there include poppin and lockin and break dancing. If you aren’t familiar with the dance group, you may have seen them on the 106 & Park’s Wild Out Wednesday dance competitions back in 2006. You can call that episode their lucky break because since then they have been quite busy dancing all over the place. This event sounds like it’ll be a lot of fun, so it’s definitely something you should try to get to. It’s a family event — kids, adults and teens can all enjoy this hip hop festival. You can check in your area to see if and when they will be coming to a town near you.

Steve McNair Ex-QB Found Dead

July 7th, 2009 | By Safiyyah

Steve McNair was a well-known ex-quarterback for the Titans (later the Ravens). He was nicknamed Air McNair because of his football talents. Strangely, he was born on Valentine’s Day 1973 and passed away on 4th of July 2009. He was found shot to death in his condo, along with his girlfriend Sahel Kazemi. McNair was shot four times, twice in the chest and twice in the head. Sahel was also shot and killed; and the gun was lying near her, but this wasn’t ruled a homicide-suicide. The police believe that this is a homicide, but they have yet to accumulate any suspects.

Later, the gun was found to be registered in Sahel’s name. It is said that she bought it on July 2nd from an unnamed person. That same day, she was bailed out of jail by McNair for a DUI charge. Two days later, they’re both found dead. Very mysterious. Sahel died from a bullet to the head and the gun was found underneath her body. Evidence shows that a murder-suicide could be a possibility. Kazemi was 20 years old, too young to purchase a hand gun legally from a dealer, but the gun seller has yet to be put in custody.

Now, McNair was still married to his wife Michelle McNair and police are investigating more about the relationship between Kazemi and Steve. The family of the young women believe that McNair was in the process of divorcing Michelle when he met Sahel at the place she worked, Dave & Busters a few months ago. But there are no records of a divorce being filed between the McNairs.

R.I.P. Michael Jackson – King of Pop

July 7th, 2009 | By Safiyyah

As you may have already heard, the legend Michael Jackson has passed away on June 25, 2009. It’s still a bit shocking to think of it because he really seemed like Peter Pan, a lost boy who never grew old. Now, that he has come and gone, many are holding memorials to honor the legendary MJ. Ever since he was nine years old, he’s been enlightening our ears with beautiful music. He is known best for songs like “ABC, 123″, “Thiller”, “Beat it” and “Smooth Criminal” (my fave).

I can only imagine what the Jacksons are going through right now and even worse, Michael’s three children. His will was read shortly after his death (which excludes his ex-wife) and he asked that either his mom or Diana Ross to raise his children. There was a bit of a mystery surrounding his death because just hours before the 9-11 call, his doctor had left his residence. He was said to be fine, but soon began complaining he wasn’t feeling well. The doctor was questioned and checked out, but came out clean. No foul play was suspected.

Michael Jackson was known to abuse pain killers, which could have lead to his untimely demise. Catherine Jackson, Mike’s mom, may not be able to raise MJ’s children because of her old age and condition, so MJ’s ex-wife volunteered — but we’ll see how that works out. It doesn’t seem like Mike liked her very much, so much not to even include her in his will.