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Justice Department To Review George Zimmerman, Trayvon Martin Case

By goodblacknews on July 14, 2013
justice department george zimmerman
WASHINGTON, DC – JUNE 25: U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder makes a statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Voting Rights Act at the Justice Department on June 25, 2013 in Washington, DC. The high court ruled that Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act, which aimed at protecting minority voters, is unconstitutional (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department says it is looking into the shooting death of Trayvon Martin to determine whether federal prosecutors should file criminal civil rights charges now that George Zimmerman has been acquitted in the state case. The department opened an investigation into Martin’s death last year but stepped aside to allow the state prosecution to proceed.
In a statement Sunday, the Justice Department said the criminal section of the civil rights division, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Middle District of Florida are continuing to evaluate the evidence generated during the federal probe, in addition to the evidence and testimony from the state trial.  The statement said that, in the government’s words, “experienced federal prosecutors will determine whether the evidence reveals a prosecutable violation.”
article via huffingtonpost.com

EDITORIAL: What We Can Do To Honor and Bring Justice to Trayvon Martin's Life

By goodblacknews on July 13, 2013

Trayvon-Martin-in-hoodieIt seems impossible that anyone may not know only hours ago George Zimmerman was found not guilty and cleared of all charges in the Trayvon Martin trial held in Florida.  Is seems impossible that anyone may not react with sadness, anger, disbelief, or any combination of the three.  It also seems impossible to know what to do in this moment that would counteract this miscarriage of justice and continued devaluation of the humanity of young black men in America. But if we consider the basics of what we know about Trayvon Martin, we can honor him by following his example and setting our own:
1. Act lawfully – no rioting or lashing out in anger – only defend yourself when you need to.  Refuse to reduce yourself to prejudice and unprovoked violence.  Both are the refuge of the cowardly and weak.
2. Get proactive. Write, email and tweet your local, state and federal officials and representatives and let them know you consider this verdict a travesty and want them to publicly make a statement saying as much.
3. Join the NAACP’s movement to get the Department of Justice to file civil charges against Zimmerman by clicking here or here at moveon.org and signing the petition and share the link immediately on all your social media.
4.  Urge every Floridian you know to clamor for the repeal of Florida’s Stand Your Ground Law by contacting their state and federal representatives.
5.  Vote.  In every local, state and federal election.  Use your voice to make policy and change policy.
6. Go see “Fruitvale Station” if it is playing in your town this weekend, or flood the theaters on July 26th when it opens wide.  Make this movie number one. Show America with your dollars that taking the lives of black men simply for being black men demeans us all as human beings and will not be tolerated any longer.
7. Emmett Till.  Medgar Evers.  Martin Luther King Jr.  Oscar Grant.  Trayvon Martin… and countless, nameless others.  Teach the history. NEVER FORGET.  1010700_10151551434014646_2109577172_n
by Lori Lakin Hutcherson, Good Black News Editor-in-Chief

GBN Photo of the Day: "Black is Beautiful 1970"

By goodblacknews on July 13, 2013

Black Is Beautful 1970
Flori Roberts Cosmetics makeup artist demonstrating products to women, Los Angeles, 1970. Source: Los Angeles Times Photographic Archive, UCLA Library. (http://blackhistoryalbum.tumblr.com)

LACMA's 'Shaping Power' Exhibit Reveals Central African Masterpieces

By goodblacknews on July 13, 2013
"Caryatid Stool" from the 19th century, part of the LACMA exhibition "Shaping Power: Luba Masterworks from the Royal Museum for Central Africa." (LACMA / Royal Museum for Central Africa)
“Caryatid Stool” from the 19th century, part of the LACMA exhibition “Shaping Power: Luba Masterworks from the Royal Museum for Central Africa.” (LACMA / Royal Museum for Central Africa)

A terrific exhibition of carved wood sculptures inaugurates the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s first gallery exclusively dedicated to the display of the arts of Africa. On the second floor of the Hammer building the newly renovated space is not large: Big exhibitions often have entryways that are bigger. And it’s not uncommon to see shows with educational texts covering more wall space than is occupied by this compact show.
But bigger is not always better. The 27 ceremonial objects that make up “Shaping Power: Luba Masterworks from the Royal Museum for Central Africa” are scaled to the human body. Many are made to fit in the hand, on the head or under one’s neck, while sleeping. Each needs to be seen up-close and in person.
All of the ancestral figures, medicinal bowls, regal staffs, double-sided cups and elaborate masks resonate alongside their neighbors. This allows first-time visitors and more experienced viewers to see the stylistic consistencies that unify these fascinating objects and to notice the idiosyncrasies that distinguish one from another. Sometimes the hand of a specific artist is revealed. More often anonymous adaptations amplify each piece’s accessibility, not to mention its humanity. Such range reveals a robust, visually sophisticated culture.

Nicki Minaj Becomes 1st Rapper to Grace Cover of ‘Marie Claire’

By goodblacknews on July 13, 2013
Nicki Minaj on the cover of 'Marie Claire' (Photo courtesy of 'Marie Claire')
Nicki Minaj on the cover of ‘Marie Claire’ (Photo courtesy of ‘Marie Claire’)

Nicki Minaj poses for the August cover of Marie Claire and in doing so, she became the first rapper to grace the magazine’s front page.  The glossy features the YMCMB rapper in a cover spread where Minaj discusses her thoughts on music, men and motherhood.  On the cover, Minaj sports a short blonde bob and an embellished plaid top.  Yet inside the mag’s editorial spread, she dons a black, white and grey form-fitting dress, among many other curve-hugging ensembles.  
The music star provided an in-depth interview and dishes about her former feuds and the possibility of crossing over to acting.  “One day, when I start getting a couple gray hairs, maybe it will all be only acting,” she said.  I just never know. . . I’ve kind of become the poster child for doing the things that no one expects.”  The August issue of Marie Claire is on stands now.
article by Lilly Workneh via thegrio.com

Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys to Headline Free Global Citizen Festival in September

By goodblacknews on July 13, 2013

Stevie Wonder and Alicia KeysNASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) — Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Kings of Leon, and John Mayer have volunteered their time to attend the second Global Citizen Festival in New York’s Central Park, and organizers hope you will, too.  Tickets are again free for the Sept. 28 event, but must be earned through acts meant to help end extreme poverty around the world.
The festival is designed to coincide with the UN General Assembly meeting and put pressure on world leaders to address the needs of the world’s poor. Fans can earn points toward tickets through simple tasks like sending letters to political leaders or reposting information through social media.
Hugh Evans, the 30-year-old chief executive officer of the Global Poverty Project, says the festival’s nonprofit partners pledged $1.3 billion in new fundraising commitments last year and nearly 70,000 people took more than 700,000 actions through the project’s website.  

"The Best Man Holiday" Official Trailer Released (VIDEO)

By goodblacknews on July 13, 2013

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZZXBQrDh8Y&w=560&h=315]
Best Man Holiday Cast PhotoThis week, Universal Pictures released the official trailer to The Best Man Holiday, the upcoming sequel to the 1999 film, The Best Man. Writer/director Malcolm D. Lee is at the helm again, and he has reunited his all-star cast of Taye Diggs, Nia Long, Morris Chestnut, Terrence Howard, Sanaa Lathan, Monica Calhoun, Harold Perrineau, Melissa De Sousa and Regina Hall for a story set fifteen years later during the Christmas holidays.  The movie is scheduled for wide release on November 15.
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson

First Lady Michelle Obama Posts ‘Throwback’ Instagram Photo of Herself with Husband

By goodblacknews on July 12, 2013
throw-back-obamas-16x9

First lady Michelle Obama just got a little personal on Instagram, not to mention retro.  In a photo published for “Throwback Thursday,” the first lady posted a black-and-white picture of her and the president in their earlier years.
The first lady is looking straight into the camera, her arms wrapped around her husband’s waist, her head tucked into his neck. The president is looking down, squinting from the sun, one hand on his hip, the other wrapped closely around his wife’s shoulder.
“Barack and Michelle. #ThrowbackThursday #TBT #NoFilter,” she writes in the photo’s caption.
article by Eun Kyung Kim, TODAY contributor via thegrio.com

"Middle of Nowhere" Director Ava DuVernay Takes on MLK Biopic "Selma"

By goodblacknews on July 12, 2013
Director Ava DuVernay arrives at Film Independent's 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival Premiere Of AFFRM & Participant Media's 'Middle Of Nowhere' at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on June 20, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)
Director Ava DuVernay arrives at Film Independent’s 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival Premiere Of AFFRM & Participant Media’s ‘Middle Of Nowhere’ at Regal Cinemas L.A. Live on June 20, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

Ava DuVernay is stepping into the director’s chair of Selma, an upcoming biopic of Martin Luther King Jr., according to Deadline.  Lee Daniels, the director of Precious and this year’s The Butler, had long been attached the project, which is one of several upcoming projects about the late civil rights icon.
Paul Greengrass (United 93) is helming Memphis, which recreates the final days of MLK’s life and Steven Spielberg is reportedly working on a movie about King’s admiration of Mahatma Gandhi.  When Daniels was due to direct Selma, it was reported that rock star Lenny Kravitz (who co-starred in Precious) has been cast in the pivotal role of Andrew Young. Now that DuVernay is taken over it is unclear in Kravitz will remain on board.
But her leading man very well may be a familiar face. Before dropping out, Daniels did cast British actor David Oyelowo (who appeared in Daniels’ The Paperboy) as MLK. Oyelowo won considerable critical acclaim for his performance in DuVernay’s indie film Middle of Nowhere, which won her the Best Director Award at the Sundance Film Festival last year.  In addition Hugh Jackman, Liam Neeson, Ray Winstone, Robert De Niro, and Cedric the Entertainer are all said to have been considering parts in the production.
article via thegrio.com

Director Ryan Coogler Brings Heart, Talent to ‘Fruitvale’

By goodblacknews on July 11, 2013
director Ryan Coogler poses for photographers during a photo call for the film "Fruitvale Station" at the 66th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France. Coogler’s “Fruitvale Station” _ his first dramatic feature and first project since graduating with a master’s degree in 2011 _ won both jury and audience awards at the Sundance Film Festival, and attended the Cannes Film Festival. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, file)
Director Ryan Coogler poses for photographers during a photo call for the film “Fruitvale Station” at the 66th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France. Coogler’s “Fruitvale Station” _ his first dramatic feature and first project since graduating with a master’s degree in 2011 _ won both jury and audience awards at the Sundance Film Festival, and attended the Cannes Film Festival. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, file)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ryan Coogler is back on the University of Southern California campus for the first time since becoming one of the country’s most promising young filmmakers, and he heads straight to the camera-rental center where he worked as a student. He runs into a former classmate, who high-fives and congratulates him, then asks for a photo. Coogler sheepishly obliges.
“This is inspiring, right here!” the younger man says as he snaps an iPhone shot of himself and Coogler. “Thank you, bro!”  Coogler gives the student his email address, then looks for his old boss, the equipment manager, who tells the 27-year-old filmmaker that he’s set a new standard for success at USC’s film school, which counts Ron Howard and George Lucas as alumni.
There’s no doubt he has. Coogler’s ”Fruitvale Station” — his first dramatic feature and first project since graduating with a master’s degree in 2011 — won both jury and audience awards at the Sundance Film Festival, where the Weinstein Co. outbid a dozen studios to distribute it. Originally called simply “Fruitvale,” the film opens Friday in New York and Los Angeles, and around the nation later this month. Oscar buzz has already begun.