#BHM2016: Saul Williams

For the next 29 days you're going to be reminded that it's Black History Month. You will get short history lessons of Harriet Tubman on multiple social media channels, you'll see Google sharing historic facts on its Google Doodle page, and you'll probably hear an impromptu poem dedicated to a prominent Black American figure read by an up and coming poetry slam artist. 

But what about the people who are making an impact in Black American culture today? Take a look at Saul Stacey Williams - an American rapper, singer-songwriter, musician, poet, writer and actor. 

The Media is Not Trying to Distract You

Guest Post: by Felicia Speakes

So, there’s been a lot going on in the media lately. Just about every week, a Black person becomes a victim of a crime. Either nine Black people are shot at church by a racist, or a cop kills a Black person during a “routine” traffic stop. With the onslaught of social media, we’re consuming these stories like food at a buffet line. All it takes is one photo or one headline and BOOM! … a story and the fallacies and opinions that come along with have traveled across the country and half way around the world.

D'Angelo, Bobby Seale Discuss Racial Injustice in America

(D'Angelo, right, with Bobby Seale in Berkeley, Calif. )
(Photo Credit Zackary Canepari for The New York Times)

It's always refreshing to hear how things were during the Civil Rights Movement, especially when the story is being told by the Black Panther Party co-founder, Bobby Seale. It's even more compelling when a musical Black American artist takes part in the conversation.

In the following video, Seale and R&B singer, D'Angelo, hit the nail on the head during a New York Times video interview when D'Angelo said, "Ain't nobody talkin' about nothin'," when it comes to the music today. "We as artists we have a responsibility. The kids are paying attention to us. They're lookin' at us."