Tag: activism

JAN 6, 2014 - Musical-activist Henry Rollins wrote an Op Ed on LAWeekly.com about Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson exercising his free speech right with hateful and stupid comments, and Rollins makes some interesting points. For instance on Robertson's comments on how supposedly Jim Crow south was actually a paradise for blacks, Rollins asks, "Did what he said make you think, 'Oh that's good to know because I was under the impression that things were quite awful for African-American people in the southern states in those days. Well, it's a relief to be able to disabuse myself of that notion. Thanks o wisdomatic bearded duck stalker.' I didn't think so."  Well said Henry. To read the whole Op Ed go to LAWeekly.com here.  (photo credit: ceedub13/CC)

DEC 16, 2013 - Roger Waters, the man who was the main driving force of Pink Floyd, has "sparked a fury" according to the Guardian website by comparing Israelis to Nazis. I actually agree with him. When I was watching the movie "The Pianist" years ago, afterwards I turned on the news and there was Israel erecting walls and closing Palestinians off into ghettos. Whooosh, right over their heads. The IDF does use very harsh, brutal and violent force, very similar to Nazis. Israelis totally believe the ends justify the means, similar to Nazis. Read more on the Guardian website here.  (photo credit: Eddie Berman/CC)

JTMP supports the Ukrainian people in their bid for freedom and entry into the EU, it should help them out economically and would be good for the long term. The website PolicyMic.com has an interesting article up about how Ukrainian model Anna Zaiachkivska, known to some as "Miss Ukraine 2013", is out in the streets of Kiev with her fellow Ukrainians calling for President Viktor Yanukovych to step down, and they call for movement towards joining the European Union. They reject a bailout from Russia, and they want to move towards a more freer economy, for the jobs are scarce and people are suffering. Check out the article of Ms. Zaiachkivska helping out at a volunteer tent (still looking hot even bundled up from the cold) handing out hot tea and food to protesters "manning the barricades" at PolicyMic.com here.

DEC 11, 2013 Music played a big role in helping free Madiba and bring down apartheid, and CNN has a nice article up today about his impact on music and pop culture. They mention Steven Van Zandt's song "Sun City" protesting apartheid, where he brought together Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Raitt, George Clinton, Run DMC, Miles Davis, Jackson Browne and many more to make the song and video singing, "I ain't gonna play Sun City" urging a boycott of South Africa by all musicians until apartheid was gone. (watch below) Paul Simon released "Graceland" with South African musicians such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo also speaking out against apartheid. The Apollo Theater in Harlem that has had so many great musicians come through it paid tribute to Madiba by displaying on it's marquee sign, "He Changed Our World". 

The Nation has a post up of the Top 10 Songs About Nelson Mandela. Watch Steven Van Zandt's "Sun City" below.

DEC 9, 2013 - JTMP joins the world in celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela, a man who brought civil and voting rights to millions. A man who lived a life of grace and non-violence in spite of the arrests, beatings and the jailings he received because of his activism. He truly moved the whole world, and will be remembered for generations to come. I drove by his statue in front of the South African embassy here in DC the other night, and traffic had to move to one lane for all the people wanting to drop off flowers and stop by and pay their respects. Cars were not honking at each other, and would calmly take turns being nice to each other. To have that effect on DC drivers is nothing short of miraculous. Nelson Mandela has that effect on almost anybody, anywhere. To remind us to live in quiet peace and dignity. We join all who will be mourning and paying respects to this world leader all this week. Vice President Joe Biden released a statement on Nelson Mandela's death on behalf of the White House, along with President Obama; who just left with the First Lady for South Africa to attend the memorial service scheduled tomorrow. South Africa braces for a huge gathering of world leaders to pay last respects for this great man, which will be a massive security and logistical undertaking. (photo: Mandela voting in 1994 elections - credit: Paul Weinberg/CC)