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		<title>Black Matters</title>
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		<link>https://blackmattersus.com/</link>
		<description>BlackMattersUS.com</description>
		<lastBuildDate>Wed, 13 Jul 2016 18:05:33 -0400</lastBuildDate>
		<language>en-US</language>
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			<title>JULY 15TH – A Day Of Action In Response To Police Violence</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/11153-july-15th-a-day-of-action-in-response-to-police-violence</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/11153-july-15th-a-day-of-action-in-response-to-police-violence#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/JULY-15TH-–-A-Day-Of-Action-In-Response-To-Police-Violence.jpg</image>
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			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jul 2016 15:31:01 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tylissa Hide]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Activism</category>
			<description><![CDATA[A group called Anonymous is planning a peaceful protest in major cities on Friday, July 15, in response to police violence against Black people.    ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Anonymous, a non-violent group of protesters wanting truth and justice for the killings of innocent people, along with other activist groups, is calling on all and sundry to join them in a peaceful protest scheduled for Friday, a day of solidarity.

In response to the recent police brutal killings of Philando Castile, 32, and 37-year-old Alton Sterling, as shown in the video below, the group encourages every citizen to join the fight against violence in our communities. About 37 major cities, according to Anonymous, have planned peaceful protests against police brutality this weekend.



&amp;nbsp;
While angry police officers will be around to maintain order, the group encourages protesters to be calm and non-violent.  The rights of Black people are violated and they are being terrorized by cops, who vowed to serve and protect their citizens. But it is time to let the government know how dissatisfied citizens are with the current situation.

Ensure to visit this page for all exclusive news and updates. Kindly SHARE this article on any social media of your choice.

&amp;nbsp;]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Charles Edward York: Poet Who Feels Burden Of Black Man</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/11137-charles-edward-york-poet-who-feels-burden-of-black-man</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/11137-charles-edward-york-poet-who-feels-burden-of-black-man#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Charles1.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Charles1.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Wed, 13 Jul 2016 11:19:38 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jake Dubois]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Your Voices</category>
			<description><![CDATA[Interview with Charles Edward York, published author of several books and poems. Poet, Human rights activist and an advocate for racial equality. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Charles Edward York is a writer whose poetry stands against social injustice, bigotry and violence against African Americans. His Facebook page is worth reading! His poems inspire and empower people to make a difference. We talked to Charles about his works, what inspires him, and what in his opinion, is preventing the authorities from making positive reforms concerning the issue of inequality faced by the Black Community and other minorities in the U.S. Charles as usual, was very emotional about his position concerning the injustices in the system, the same emotions he expresses in works like 'Sacred Black,' 'Dare to Do Great' and more recently, 'the Burden Of the Black Man.']]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Reasons Why Saying “All Lives Matter” Is BullS**t</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/11082-reasons-why-saying-all-lives-matter-is-bullst</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/11082-reasons-why-saying-all-lives-matter-is-bullst#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Reasons-Why-Saying-“All-Lives-Matter”-Is.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Reasons-Why-Saying-“All-Lives-Matter”-Is.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2016 23:19:24 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tylissa Hide]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Activism</category>
			<description><![CDATA[It makes no sense to say “all lives matter”, after last week’s tragedy of police killing two black men - Philando Castile and Alton Sterling.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[When black people say their lives matter, they don’t imply that other lives don’t matter. What people need to understand from the slogan is that Black lives should not be made to believe that they are worthless, as seen in the past few days.
Every human life on the Earth should matter, regardless of race. But following the most recent events in our communities, it shows that not “all lives matter”.
Here are some of the reasons why saying #alllivesmatter is pointless.
https://twitter.com/OGSavTyrell/status/751440884311425024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/ephrizzy/status/752532692462235648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/TyStephaun/status/752374157027909632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/GotThatFaceDoh/status/752495135406055424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

https://twitter.com/ronniewaves/status/752544032845365248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Consider the case of Freddie Gray for a second. All the six police officers, who were involved in his death, went scot-free. And some of them will be paid for killing a black man. With all these, how then can you say &quot;all lives matter&quot;?

Ensure to visit this page for all exclusive news and updates. Kindly SHARE this article on any social media of your choice.]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Baltimore City Pays $87K To Officer Involved In Freddie Gray’s Death</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/11076-baltimore-city-pays-87k-to-officer-involved-in-freddie-grays-death</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/11076-baltimore-city-pays-87k-to-officer-involved-in-freddie-grays-death#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Baltimore-City-Pays-87K-To-Officer-Involved-In-Freddie-Gray’s-Death.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Baltimore-City-Pays-87K-To-Officer-Involved-In-Freddie-Gray’s-Death.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2016 21:58:51 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ken Patterson]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Police Brutality</category>
			<description><![CDATA[The Baltimore City Board is set to pay a police officer, Caesar Goodson, for killing 25-year-old Freddie Gray. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Freddie Gray died due to injuries sustained to his spinal cord while in the police van, which Officer Goodson drove.

The 46-year-old Officer Caesar Goodson Jr., involved in the death of Freddie Gray, was recently acquitted of all charges, including charges with murder, manslaughter, reckless endangerment, false arrest by Circuit Judge Barry Williams. Goodson and other officers, who beat Gray and gave him a “rough-ride” while in the police van, were suspended without pay since May 2015.

The judicial system did not only let Goodson and his other police assassins go scot-free, but also will pay them severance money. Since Goodson has been acquitted of all murder charges, he is to receive a sum of $87,000 in pay back on Wednesday, July 13.

Freddy Gray didn't die by committing suicide, so someone must be responsible for his death. There should be a retrial and withdrawal of benefits. Those officers should be punished for their crime, but will all that be possible if we have a broken system of justice? When will Black lives matter in our communities? The recent tragedy of police killing four African-American within a week shows that America is centuries away from being a unified America.

Share this article and help to fight against injustice in our communities.

&amp;nbsp;

&amp;nbsp;]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>“I Can’t Breathe” Song In Response To Recent Killings Of Black People</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/11068-i-cant-breathe-song-in-response-to-recent-killings-of-black-people</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/11068-i-cant-breathe-song-in-response-to-recent-killings-of-black-people#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/“I-Can’t-Breathe”-Song-In-Response-To-Recent-Killings-Of-Black-People1.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/“I-Can’t-Breathe”-Song-In-Response-To-Recent-Killings-Of-Black-People1.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2016 20:20:38 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ken Patterson]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Police Brutality</category>
			<description><![CDATA["I can hear my brother crying, "I can't breathe," now I'm in this struggle, and I can't leave"]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The family of 43-year-old Eric Garner released a song titled “I can’t breathe” in response to the recent and ongoing police killings of black men.

The title of the song comes from the cry of Eric Garner when he was choked to death by NYPD officers on July 17, 2014.

Garner's sister Ellisha sings encouraging words of hope: &quot;I can hear my brother crying, &quot;I can't breathe,&quot; now I'm in this struggle, and I can't leave&quot; and Brother Steven Flagg raps on the track. The family’s “I can’t breathe” song is similar to Samuel L. Jackson’s in 2014.

The family’s song is now available for purchase on apple music and iTunes, and will be available on all music platforms by July16. “The song is dedicated to the struggle everyone is going through.”

Another group of hip hop artists, such as Talib Kweli and KRS-One, also released a song with the same “I Can’t Breathe” title in response to the recent police brutal killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. The group encouraged other artists to also join fight against police violence.



Ensure to visit this page for all exclusive news and updates. Kindly SHARE this article on any social media of your choice.]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Philando Castile – A Victim Of Police Racial Profiling</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/11056-philando-castile-a-victim-of-police-racial-profiling</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/11056-philando-castile-a-victim-of-police-racial-profiling#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Philando-Castile-–-A-Victim-Of-Police-Racial-Profiling1.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Philando-Castile-–-A-Victim-Of-Police-Racial-Profiling1.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2016 18:06:27 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ken Patterson]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Police Brutality</category>
			<description><![CDATA[Police record shows that Philando Castile, who was fatally shot by Minnesota Officer Yanez, was pulled over at least 31 times for driving while black.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The 32-year-old Philando Castile was stopped for at least 31 times and charged 61 times for minor cases before he was fatally shot by a white police officer Yanez on Wednesday, July 6. His relatives believe he was often stopped because he was “driving while black”.

According to reports, Castile was mostly charge with overspeeding, failure to wear a seat belt, no proof of insurance, driving after a revocation, improper display of original plate and parking violations. In all of his cases, he was found guilty of 43 violations and has paid out hundreds of dollars in fines.

The African-American’s tragic death and deaths of other black people, such as Alton Sterling, within a week show how the police force terrorizes black communities. Police officers prejudice each time they have encounter with a black and the end result is always tragic.

Governor Mark Brandt Dayton of Minnesota said in a statement after last week’s horror that “Would this have happened if the passengers were white?”

It’s all about the culmination of abuse of power by the police. The police on several occasions racially profiled Castile, and it was only a matter of time before one of many skirmishes becomes tragedy.

Black people are killed  without second thoughts because the police say they do not have equal rights with whites and are second-class citizens. Each day a black man goes out, he's always scared of not coming home alive.

Ensure to visit this page for all exclusive news and updates. Kindly SHARE this article on any social media of your choice.

&amp;nbsp;

&amp;nbsp;]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>BLM Organizer Speaks On Police Terrorism In Black Communities</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/11049-blm-organizer-speaks-on-police-terrorism-in-black-communities</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/11049-blm-organizer-speaks-on-police-terrorism-in-black-communities#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/BLM-Organizer-Speaks-About-Police-Terrorism-In-Black-Communities.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/BLM-Organizer-Speaks-About-Police-Terrorism-In-Black-Communities.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2016 16:09:52 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ken Patterson]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Police Brutality</category>
			<description><![CDATA[Police are “operating as an occupying force” in black community, says Melina Abdullah, Black Lives Matter Organizer.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Melina Abdullah, Black Lives Matter organizer and California State University Professor and head of Pan-African Studies, spoke in an interview Monday, July 11, about police terrorizing black communities instead of protecting them.

Nearly 120 black people have been killed by law enforcement this year, Abdullah said, and that these officers continue to terrorize black people by using excessive force against them. The police threaten black Americans like enemy soldiers.

In response to the recent tragedy of four African-Americans killed by police officers in one week, Abdullah said, the black community “is and has been under the assault, under kind of the occupation of police who are operating as an occupying force, rather than a force that is supposed to protect and serve all of the people.”

She explained that the BLM movement was founded with the aim of ending police violence against black people and that the slogan “Black Lives Matter” doesn’t mean that other lives don’t matter. “The group believes in non-violent direct action”, she said.

Abdullah further said that “it’s really important that we value life”, whether black lives or blue lives, and by so doing, we make a better place to live.

To end the police war on black people, the government needs to reform the entire police force.

Ensure to visit this page for all exclusive news and updates. Kindly SHARE this article on any social media of your choice.]]></content:encoded>
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				<item>
			<title>Money That Flows Away Like River</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/11023-money-that-flows-away-like-river</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/11023-money-that-flows-away-like-river#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/flint1.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/flint1.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2016 10:28:21 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jake Dubois]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Your Voices</category>
			<description><![CDATA[We are talking with Mike Kay and Heather Lucas about their amazing efforts to bring water to the people of Flint, Michigan, the current situation in Flint, and the events that had triggered the crisis.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Flint water is still poison even though every mainstream media keeps silent about it. Since the local authorities do very little to improve the situation, the only thing left for Flint residents is to have a protest and get the attention of public. Luckily, there are activists who are ready to help to change the situation for the better. Heather Lucas and Mike Kay are a part of The Resistance whose goal is to unite all activist organizations, Individuals, and groups to form a unified front. This group seems to be one of the few who really cares about the situation in Flint and all the cities alike.]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>We Are Not 'Niggers' or 'Niggas'</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/10998-we-are-not-niggers-or-niggas</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/10998-we-are-not-niggers-or-niggas#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/nword.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/nword.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2016 08:24:32 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jake Dubois]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Your Voices</category>
			<description><![CDATA[The call of our reader and subscriber, Naylah S. Canty, to expel the offensive N-word]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[After all of the racial distortions and injustices we have shaken off through countless revolts, marches, and sit-ins, the one term “Nigger” still attaches us to being less of a human than others. That word is often on our tongues: in rap music, in everyday conversation, or in our insults to each other. In some cases between close friends, it is meant to be a term of endearment.

But in the same breath, it will exclude Blacks from being competent and provide the reason for racial discrimination. The word “Nigger” despite its derogatory meaning and its unpleasant history remains as the main element in the way African Americans speak and in the negative distortion of the Black image. However, the word must be expelled for the Black community to make progress within itself.

As of the early 1800s, Nigger was established as a derogatory term for Blacks. The word itself was created to give racism a way to devalue Blacks as a whole. Before we began to use it as a regular word, there were variations of “Nigger” to fit different situations, such as: “Nigger stick” (a police officer’s baton), “Nigger work” (demeaning and menial tasks), and “Nigger rich” (deeply in debt, but with enough to get by). ‘Nigger’ is not only a direct insult to people of color, but is a surname that racist Americans have given to ethnic groups to denote their unworthiness. No other American surname carries as much purposeful cruelty.

“Nigga”, a variation of “Nigger” caught fire through comedy, television shows around the mid-1970s. “Niggah” was promoted as the slang version of “Nigger” when it was first used in many of Comedian Paul Mooney’s skits and interviews. Another popular comedian in the 1970s, Richard Pryor defined “nigga” as a black person from Africa coming into American Slavery. Later Pryor said, “I’ve been wrong... I ain’t gonna ever call a black man Nigger again. Cause we never were no Niggers. That word was used to describe our own wretchedness, and we perpetuate it now. That word is dead!”

Some believe in rapper and actor 2Pac’s acronym for NIGGA: “never ignorant, getting goals accomplished”. Although, a Black person being called “NIGGA” (which was supposed to have a flattering meaning) by another race is still highly offensive to this day. Why is it degrading in some situations and endearing in others?

STOP BEING RACIST, STOP SAYING THE N WORD WHEN YOU'RE WHITE, STOP KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE, STOP MAKING THIS WORLD A SCARY PLACE #Dallas
— pinned if unf (@rihannatits) July 8, 2016


That is because the word and its slang version still carry its meaning. If “Nigga” was sincerely different from the belittling term, “Nigger”, then it would not be racist for a White person to say it and we would not be the least bit offended when it is said by them. Phonetically, it is not a surprise that these two words sustain the same old meaning. Like what African Americans have done with the words ‘sister’ , ‘brother’, and ‘preacher’ by pronouncing them as ‘sistah’, ‘brotha’, and ‘preacha’, we have done the same with the word “Nigger”. Yet, with the replacement of the “er” with “ah”, the meaning of those words remain the same. Therefore, a ‘sistah' is a sister, a ‘brotha’ is a brother, a ‘preacha’ is a preacher, and a ‘Nigga’ is a Nigger.

Just because we are calling ourselves names, does not mean it isn’t name-calling. Just because we are the one branding ourselves with this term, does not mean that it is acceptable by any measure. The pain will still hurt no matter the bully.

By using this word, we have taken the job of degrading Blacks as a whole. Here we are, rising from the centuries-long oppression, just to become our oppressor. How can we be the fist pushing us to the ground while asking for a hand to get up? Just as Richard Pryor said, “That word is dead!”, but it is us who will not let it die.

The usage of “Nigger” or “Nigga” comes down to a matter of respect, self-respect to be specific. In this case, the golden rule can be applied: ‘Treat yourself the way you want others to treat you’. We call ourselves this scornful word that declares Blacks to be dirty, lazy, and stupid nobodies then expect others to treat us with the same amount of respect anyone else would get.

The respect we so crave starts at home, in the Black community. That is also where the self-hatred must end and where we must throw away this term, which ties us to old stereotypes. The word “Nigger” and its derivative, “Nigga” have no place in this society where the Black community hosts so many intelligent, creative, and magnificent individuals.

Without these two slurs, the Black community would be a union with self-respect, a sense of worth, and with the ability to see our full potential. By telling us that we are a people that simply can't these terms have been shackling our aspirations towards the heights that we can achieve: they are more than a curse word to throw around in our music; they are a psychological weight that will not let us stand up. We are a people of dignity and pride. The sooner we start referring to ourselves with honor, the sooner we can abolish these negative weights.

Author: Naylah S. Canty

This article is written by our reader. If you want to share your opinion with the Black Community and find your article in the 'Your Voices' section, send your texts via the contact form.]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Man Arrested By 10 Militants For Posting Video Of Police Shooting</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/10959-man-arrested-by-10-militants-for-posting-video-of-police-shooting</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/10959-man-arrested-by-10-militants-for-posting-video-of-police-shooting#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/photo_2016-07-12_05-19-10.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/photo_2016-07-12_05-19-10.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2016 21:22:44 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ken Patterson]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Police Brutality</category>
			<description><![CDATA[The man responsible for making the footage of Alton Sterling shocking killing go viral was arrested barely 24 hours after his post on social media.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The 34-year-old Chris LeDay who lives in Georgia said he was arrested on Wednesday evening as he walked into his office. He was arrested and detained by 10 military officers, some of whom had assault rifles with them. LeDay further said that he was dragged to a back room, handcuffed and leg-shackled. He suspects that his superfluous arrest was an act of revenge for the video he posted.

Report by Photography Is Not a Crime (PINAC), stated that Chris was initially informed he was being arrested on charges of battery and assault. Conversely, when he was taken to the DeKalb County Jail, his arrest warrant made mention of nothing concerning assault and battery charge.

LeDay told the publication that his charges were on some traffic tickets from a couple of years ago and also they said his license was suspended. LeDay was released only after he paid his traffic fines to the tune of $1,231, US Uncut reports. He spent a total of 26 hours in police custody. The 34-year-old black man admitted to not paying the fines at the time because he didn’t have money then and he rarely drives.

LeDay, who is an employee at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Marietta, Georgia, said he believes the police chose to arrest him at work because someone in law enforcement wanted to get him fired as a revenge for posting Sterling’s video. In spite of his arrest, LeDay stressed that the negative experience will not discourage him from continuing to speak out against police brutality.

The oppressions went on the next level, now one might have been arrested for revealing the truth. The issue of the tickets, of course, was just the “official” subject; no one gets arrested by 10 militants for traffic tickets.

The police should focus on steps to take in other to prevent the recurring such horrible acts rather than witch-hunting innocent people. Finally, the truth will come up anyway; they can’t murder innocent people and believe that no one will know.

Ensure to visit this page for all exclusive news and updates. Kindly SHARE this article on any social media of your choice.]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Video Released: Alva Braziel Had His Hands Up</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/10954-video-released-alva-braziel-had-his-hands-up</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/10954-video-released-alva-braziel-had-his-hands-up#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/alva.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/alva.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2016 20:07:49 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ken Patterson]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Police Brutality</category>
			<description><![CDATA[A video footage showing the shooting incident in Houston reveals that Alva Braziel had his hands up before he was shot dead by the police.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Houston Black man, Alva Braziel met his untimely death on Saturday morning after being shot by the police.  The police account of the incident suggested that the deceased pointed a gun at them while they approached him. The police further said that Braziel defied multiple commands for him to drop his weapon, but rather pointed it at them, prompting them to shoot him.

However, surveillance footage from a nearby gas station seems to contradict the police’s account of the shooting. In the footage, Alva Braziel could be seen having a gun but he rose up his hands as the police car pulled up in front of him.

Per the video footage released, it is clear that so though Alva Braziel was armed he wasn’t threatening the officers and there was no need in shooting him 10 times.

#AlvaBraziel

Appears to have his hands up right before being shot 10 times by the Houston Police late Friday night.https://t.co/rzi6azCAPv
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) 10 July 2016


The police officers seem to be escalating the already tensed atmosphere in the country by acting violent, unprofessional, and inhuman. The continuation of these careless actions may drive the country to into the very turmoil everyone is striving hard to prevent.

The police continue to murder Black people without any formidable reasons.  Situations which can be handled peacefully by the police have all turned bloody.  Do the police really stand for peace and safety? Their actions seem to say otherwise.

Ensure to visit this page for all exclusive news and updates. Kindly SHARE this article on any social media of your choice.

&amp;nbsp;]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>Photo Of Stunning BLM Lady Protester Goes Viral</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/10948-photo-of-stunning-blm-lady-protester-goes-viral</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/10948-photo-of-stunning-blm-lady-protester-goes-viral#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/photo_2016-07-11_16-37-31.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/photo_2016-07-11_16-37-31.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2016 18:49:53 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tylissa Hide]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Activism</category>
			<description><![CDATA[Thousands of people took to the streets in the Unites States and some cities in Europe to show support for the BLM movement through peaceful protests. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[For the past few days, several protests staged by sympathizers of the Black community have made major headlines in the media. The world witnessed numerous people march on the streets of America and some parts of Europe in solidarity with the BLM group to step forward against police brutality.

However, the protest was coupled with the arrest of over 100 people. Several others were pepper-sprayed and aggressively handled by the police during these protests which also resulted in some feedback from the protestors.

Nonetheless, violence is not the answer, but peaceful protests might finally draw the attention of the authorities to take adequate steps to end these barbaric acts and racism issues. The continuous silence of the Black community only saw the situation becoming worse by the day.  Now is the time for them to stand up and speak out.

The young Black lady in the image above depicts the very mood and intention of the protests; a peaceful and courageous one. The image was captured by Reuters photographer Jonathan Bachman. According to him, the unidentified lady was among the people arrested for refusing to leave an area highway.

Bachman narrated that, the Atlantic police who were fully dressed in their riot gear were moving the protesters of the Airline highway to the side of the road when he spotted the young lady calmly standing and refusing to move. Report by the New York Daily indicates that the unidentified Black lady was released in the late hours of Sunday.

This is a perfect example of peaceful protest. This beautiful girl shows us that you don’t have act violent to be noticed and heard.

Ensure to visit this page for all exclusive news and updates. Kindly SHARE this article on any social media of your choice.]]></content:encoded>
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				<item>
			<title>White House Requested To Tag BLM As Terrorist Group</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/10943-white-house-requested-to-tag-blm-as-terrorist-group</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/10943-white-house-requested-to-tag-blm-as-terrorist-group#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/photo_2016-07-11_14-50-34.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/photo_2016-07-11_14-50-34.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2016 17:25:50 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tylissa Hide]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Activism</category>
			<description><![CDATA[A day after the sniper shooting that killed five police officers during a protest march in Dallas, an appeal has been crafted to the White House to admit BLM a terrorist group. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[On July 6, 2016, a petition was signed by over 23,000 people, calling on the U.S Department of Defense to label Black Lives Matter as a terrorist organization. The appeal was made ahead of the Dallas shooting incident which killed five police officers and injured seven other officers during a BLM protest march.

An individual whose name is simply given as Y.S posted on the whitehouse.gov petition writing, “It is time for the Pentagon to be consistent in its actions – and just as they rightfully declared ISIS a terror group, they must declare Black Lives Matter a terror group – on the grounds of principle, integrity, morality, and safety.”

Looking at the FBI definition of terrorism, it says, “the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof in furtherance of political or social objectives.”

Contrary to the claim by the petitioners, the BLM movement does not affirm violence and largely condemns the Dallas shooting committed by the lone wolf. The group representatives damned the shooting incident in a message titled, “The Black Lives Matter Network advocates for dignity, justice, and respect”, published to the official website Friday.

More so, the Dallas police chief David Brown indicated that Johnson told negotiators during the confrontation that he “was not affiliated with any groups” and that “he did this alone”. Several news organizations have cited law enforcement sources as saying Johnson had neither a criminal record nor any direct ties to any terror organizations or political groups, including Black Lives Matter.

This brings out the obvious question, why can’t African-American Micah Johnson get the same lone treatment as Charleston shooter Dylan Roof? Why the need to necessarily link the thoughts and actions of individual Black American to a larger group?

Doing a critical analysis, how many people have died through the activities of BLM activists? And how many have died from the hands of the police? More than thousand people each year are killed by the police. Moreover, the rate at which black people are killed by the police is five times higher than any other race in the United States. And what we're talking about here is the indiscriminate police killings, without a trial. Therefore, which of the above organizations deserves to be named a terrorist group? The conclusion is obvious; however, we must understand one fact: in the United States there is no justice. Moreover, the system assigns guilty those who in fact are victims.

Ensure to visit this page for all exclusive news and updates. Kindly SHARE this article on any social media of your choice.

&amp;nbsp;]]></content:encoded>
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			<title>“Stop The Killing” Children Address Police</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/10939-stop-the-killing-children-address-police</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/10939-stop-the-killing-children-address-police#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/photo_2016-07-11_13-48-45.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/photo_2016-07-11_13-48-45.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2016 16:10:53 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tylissa Hide]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Activism</category>
			<description><![CDATA[A number of aggrieved children took to the streets of St. Paul, Minnesota to add their voice in kicking against the barbaric acts unleashed on Black people by the police. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[One the most affected assemblage of the impact of police brutality is children. As a result of the terror some police officers unleash on Black people, a child may lose a breadwinner, a father, a mother, a brother, a sister or even own life. This happens to leave an indelible emotional scar with them which they have to live with for the rest of their lives.

In a way to register their displeasure about the barbaric act against Black people, children embarked on a protest march on Saturday. The peaceful protest march was comprised of about 250 children. These young activists marched to J.J. Hill Montessori School in St. Paul, Minnesota, expressing their discontentment about the death of  Philando Castile as reported by the Minnesota Public Radio.

The late Philando Castile was an employee of the J.J. Hill Montessori School; working as a lunch man. Those who knew him described him as a loving gentleman who served the kids with so much love and affection. Castile was shot to death by on July 6th by a St. Anthony police Officer, Jeronimo Yanez, during a traffic stop.

The aggrieved young activists marched for nearly a mile holding handcrafted signs hoisted above their heads to broadcast their message.  “No justice, no peace,” “Stop the killing,” and “Don’t shoot, I’m 5,” were among a few touching messages on the placards the children held.

The organizer of the march, Carneada Milton told WCCO-TV that, &quot;They're affected by it and they see it just like we do, but they are not absorbing it the way we do.&quot;



Ensure to visit this page for all exclusive news and updates. Kindly SHARE this article on any social media of your choice.]]></content:encoded>
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				<item>
			<title>Straight Outta Baton Rouge: Protester Speaks Out</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/10911-straight-outta-baton-rouge-protester-speaks-out</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/10911-straight-outta-baton-rouge-protester-speaks-out#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/aaron.png</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/aaron.png" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2016 09:25:37 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jake Dubois]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Your Voices</category>
			<description><![CDATA[Baton Rouge born and raised Aaron Banks has taken part in all the protests against police killings. Today, he shares his opinion on Alton Sterling’s murder and the issue of police brutality in the community as a whole.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Almost right after Alton Sterling was killed by the Baton Rouge police, people gathered peacefully and purposefully around the Triple S convenience store, where Sterling had been selling CDs. And later that day, the protesters went to the police headquarters. We interviewed one of the protesters, an activist, Aaron Banks. As a resident of this community, Aaron knew Alton Sterling and cares about his native city and the Black community within it.




We have a lot of women out here again ready to protest. We need our men out here downtown.
Видео опубликовано Mystro (@mystrotbl) Июл 11 2016 в 4:54 PDT]]></content:encoded>
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				<item>
			<title>Rise Of Black Nation Within America</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/10904-rise-of-black-nation-within-america</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/10904-rise-of-black-nation-within-america#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/1-1.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/1-1.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2016 07:36:22 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tylissa Hide]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Activism</category>
			<description><![CDATA["Our mission is to educate the masses of Black people on the necessity of self. That includes self-preservation, self-defense, and self-sufficiency through militant culture,” Babu Omowale says]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The national ‘minister of defense’ of the People’s New Black Panther Party, Babu Omowale, in an interview on this reporter’s talk radio program, “Aaron Klein Investigative Radio,” made mention of the Black sovereignty within America in no time.

Omowale doubles as the co-founder of the Huey P. Newton Gun Club, a vibrant Black militant gun group named after Black Panther Party founder Huey P. Newton. Mr. Omowale used the given platform to claim five states as belonging to the 'Black Nation': Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia.

Admitting that the Black community can’t stay completely separated from the United States of America, he added emphatically that “The end game” of the move is “land ownership” thus, a Black government-nation within a nation (USA).

Mr. Omowale further added that Blacks need to take control of the economic, educational and political power over these States as we resettle from all over America to these five States which are originally the roots of the Black-American.

Well, not sharing same sentiments with Mr. Omowale, we believe that he sometimes makes hasty statements. Such hasty statements are sometimes not healthy for the path we seek to thread on as the Black community since it may in a way or another be suicidal to our Black-liberation course.

Further probing his statement on the talk show, it is not clear whether he expresses his personal opinion or that of the Party. But notwithstanding that fact, there is much truth in his statement that would help strengthen the Black community. We applaud such a novel solution to our Black predicaments at the hands of the “white faces”.
But historical truth has it that, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia are Black territories and are lands promised to be given back to the Black slaves. So then it is a worthy course that we claim what rightly belongs to the Blackman.

It is an open truth that the American government is against Black Americans. The only surviving strategy the Black community has is to gather around and make a nation of our own with our government. By so doing we believe the Black Nation shall be saved from police brutalities, racism, and discrimination forever. The Black struggle continues unabated.

Ensure to visit this page for all exclusive news and updates. Kindly SHARE this article on any social media of your choice.]]></content:encoded>
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				<item>
			<title>Another Black Man Shot Dead By Police In Houston</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/10894-another-black-man-shot-dead-by-police-in-houston</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/10894-another-black-man-shot-dead-by-police-in-houston#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/photo_2016-07-10_20-48-49.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/photo_2016-07-10_20-48-49.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jul 2016 22:50:36 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ken Patterson]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Police Brutality</category>
			<description><![CDATA[An armed Black man, Alva Braziel, was shot dead by two police officers in the early hours of Saturday. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[While the Black community is yet to get over the recent horror of police brutality resulting in the death of Black men, comes another killing. A Black man who was identified by his wife as Alva Braziel was shot dead by two police officers in Houston on Saturday at about 1 a.m.

The police report indicates that two officers were on a regular routine patrol, driving towards Cullen Boulevard when they noticed a man in the middle of the street with a gun. Braziel’s wife explained that he had a gun in order to defend himself because he was searching for somebody who had stolen his horse.  Per the report, officers instructed the man several times to drop the weapon but he did not heed to it.

According to the police, the man pointed the weapon into the air first and then pointed it at them.

Instantly, the officers pulled out their guns and fired multiple times. Authorities indicated that he died at the scene.

However, the police were wearing body cameras, but they have not released the video yet. It is hard now to trust police reports so only when the footage will become undisclosed it will be clear was it a self-defense or another cruel murder of the Black man.

Ensure to visit this page for all exclusive news and updates. Kindly SHARE this article on any social media of your choice.

&amp;nbsp;

&amp;nbsp;]]></content:encoded>
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				<item>
			<title>“Our Hearts Are Heavy”: Black Police Officers Cry Out</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/10887-our-hearts-our-heavy-black-police-officers-cry-out</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/10887-our-hearts-our-heavy-black-police-officers-cry-out#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/photo_2016-07-10_20-14-16.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/photo_2016-07-10_20-14-16.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jul 2016 22:26:23 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Ken Patterson]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Police Brutality</category>
			<description><![CDATA[Black police officers express displeasure about the violence carried on by the police and also the violence perpetrated on officers.  ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[A 64 -year-old retired police officer, Preston Gilstrap shared his view with the public concerning the police brutality on Black people and violence perpetrated on officers. As narrated by the African American retired police officer, he was saddened to have watched the videos of the two recent killings of Black men by the police;  Philando Castile in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Though Gilstrap was truly upset with the police killings of two Black men, but he also condemned the deadly shooting of five police officers in Dallas during a peaceful protest.  The Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas on Thursday night turned sour when a gunman opened fire killing five police officers and injuring nine others.

In a statement posted by the Huffington Post on Friday, Preston Gilstrap said, “My heart has been totally torn out of my chest by both violence perpetrated on officers and violence perpetrated by officers.”  

The deputy chief of the Dallas Police Department and national chairman of the National Black Police Association, Malik Aziz, also added his voice. He said in his statement on Friday that “the atmosphere in the police department right now is somber and also their hearts are heavy following the recent unfortunate happenings”. 

Black police officers seem to be positioned between the devil and the deep sea.

The community has to make them comprehend that it is neither against the police nor against the government. Black people are against racism and injustice. The protest will end when the government steps forward with actions against killings of Black people, racial discrimination, wealth inequality and many other issues that make life of the Black communities unbearable.

Ensure to visit this page for all exclusive news and updates. Kindly SHARE this article on any social media of your choice.]]></content:encoded>
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				<item>
			<title>Police Officer Loses Job After Threatening Black Girl On Facebook</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/10882-police-officer-loses-job-after-threatening-black-girl-on-facebook</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/10882-police-officer-loses-job-after-threatening-black-girl-on-facebook#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/kid.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/kid.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jul 2016 21:52:45 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Aaron Lewis]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Racism</category>
			<description><![CDATA[The reckless decision of a white police officer to randomly threaten a Black girl on Facebook left him jobless.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The white police officer, who was identified as Rodney Lee Wilson from Kansas, acted unexplainable while surfing the Internet Tuesday, July 7.

Overland Park Police officer was apparently upset after the Dallas shooting which left 5 police officers dead when he decided to blow up his anger at a Black woman, LaNaydra Williams, and her 5-years-old daughter. Wilson wasn’t acquainted with the woman but viewing her Facebook profile made him mad. The reason might be in the picture showing a man in black holding knife to a police officer’s throat posted on woman’s page.

LaNaydra Williams is not a stranger to racial discrimination as she lives in Texas, but still, she was shocked when she read threats written below her daughter’s photo. “We’ll see how much her life matters soon … better be careful leaving your info in the open where she can be found. Hold her close tonight, it’ll be the last time”, it stated.

Williams immediately looked through the profile of the man who threatened her child and was surprised to see photos of a person in the police uniform. She reported the incident to Overland Park Police Department, which first said that the officer’s profile was hacked.

However, later after the investigation, Overland PD reviewed this conclusion and fired Officer Wilson.

“During the investigation, by our Professional Standards Unit, we learned our officer did in fact make this post, Donchez said. It was obvious that our officer did not meet the standards of professionalism for the Overland Park Police Department. Overland Park has terminated the officer, effective immediately”, the official statement claimed.

“For this guy to just come out of nowhere, just being disrespectful. How can you be an officer? How, How? It’s unacceptable. For anyone but especially for a police officer. Cops like this don’t value our lives and have the audacity to publicly comment on my child’s picture”, said LaNaydra Williams and it’s nothing to add here.

Ensure to visit this page for all exclusive news and updates. Kindly SHARE this article on any social media of your choice.]]></content:encoded>
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				<item>
			<title>Baton Rouge police release BLM activist Deray Mckesson</title>
			<link>https://blackmattersus.com/10878-baton-rouge-police-release-blm-activist-deray-mckesson</link>
			<comments>https://blackmattersus.com/10878-baton-rouge-police-release-blm-activist-deray-mckesson#comments</comments>
			<image>https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/photo_2016-07-10_19-04-00.jpg</image>
			<enclosure url="https://blackmattersus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/photo_2016-07-10_19-04-00.jpg" type="image/jpg"/>
			<pubDate>Sun, 10 Jul 2016 21:05:12 -0400</pubDate>
			<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tylissa Hide]]></dc:creator>
			<category>Activism</category>
			<description><![CDATA[A civil rights activist and Black Lives Matter leader, Deray Mckesson who was arrested on Friday night during a protest in Baton Rouge has been released on bond.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[The cities of United States have witnessed a series of protests during the last few days. Many groups have staged protests expressing their discontentment of the recent police brutalities in Minnesota and Louisiana which saw the killing of two Black men.

A civil rights activist and Black Lives Matter leader, Deray Mckesson was arrested on Friday night by the police during a protest in Baton Rouge, where Alton Sterling was shot dead by two white police officers.

The protest lasted well into the evening subsided a little after midnight. There was a heavy presence of the police to control the demonstrators as they took to the street to register their displeasure about the shooting incidences.

The Black Live Matter activist and about 100 protesters were arrested by the police for defying traffic regulations. A report by the police stated that Mckesson obstructed a roadway and stepped out into the road after several warnings by the police. Yet, the cause of the arrests remains controversial as its initial goal probably was to frighten and suppress the protesters.

Deray Mckesson was arrested while streaming the video of the protest on Periscope in which he spoke about police aggressive behavior. &quot;The police in Baton Rouge have been truly awful tonight,” he said just before the arrest.

As I was in the cell over the past 17 hours, I thought of the quote that simply says if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
— deray mckesson (@deray) 10 July 2016


Nonetheless, according to Associated Press indicates that the prominent civil rights activist and Black Live Matter leader has been released on bond on Sunday afternoon. His release came in after several people stepped forward on social media to express their dissatisfaction about the circumstances surrounding his arrest and in respond, demanding for his release.

Actually, Deray’s arrest has taken much more media’s attention than the fact that besides him there were about 100 people to be arrested. He is definitely not the activist from MLK league, so why are media sources so crazy about him?

The community needs real, strong and wise leaders who will stand for its rights on the new level.

Ensure to visit this page for all exclusive news and updates. Kindly SHARE this article on any social media of your choice.]]></content:encoded>
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