Just Because I Felt Like It: D'Angelo & the Vanguard on "SNL"

D'angelo is back!!! After shocking his fans with a surprise album in December, D'Angelo has been on a roll. He was the musical guest last night on "SNL." He performed "Really Love" which is a personal favorite of mine as well as "The Charade." What is so important about his second performance is just about everything. His band, the Vanguard, all rocked "I Can't Breathe" and "Black Lives Matter" tees. There was a chalk outline of a body on the floor where D'Angelo performed. "The Charade" is one of the most politically charged songs on "Black Messiah." They ended the performance with one of their fists raised in the air which is the symbol for Black power. All of this occurred after 12 so it was essentially February 1st & the beginning of Black History Month. This was poignant and calculated and greatness. It became a topic on all social media. Everyone was talking about it. D'Angelo made a statement and we all got it. We matter period. I love this. J. Cole took a stand on Letterman by performing his Mike Brown ode "Be Free" as did Joey Bada$$ on Fallon by ending his performance with his hands up. I really love my people. Both of D'Angelo's SNL performance's are here. Get into them.

"Crawling through a systematic maze

And it pains to demise

Pain in our eyes

Strain of drownin', wading into your lies

Degradation so loud that you can't hear the sound of our cries

All the dreamers have gone to the side of the road which we will lay on

Inundated by media, virtual mind fucks in streams

All we wanted was a chance to talk

'Stead we only got outlined in chalk

Feet have bled a million miles we've walked

Revealing at the end of the day, the charade..."

No Justice For Eric Garner

Another day, another cop getting away with killing a Black person. Today, it's Eric Garner. Garner was killed via an illegal choke hold by NYPD cop Daniel Pantaleo in July. This murder was filmed and is currently on Youtube. The whole world watched it. The Medical Examiner ruled Garner's death as a homicide. And, the Grand Jury still decided not to indict Pantaleo. Un-freaking-believable!! I am not even shocked but I am in disbelief. How many more ways can white people tell Black people that we do not matter? They are killing us with witnesses and on video and walking. These officers are free to live the rest of their lives. This is not justice. I hate this. I am mad. Black people are mad. We have all the reasons to be. This is awful. RIP to Eric Garner. 

I'm Sorry, Michael Brown

No indictment for Darren Wilson. That's what the Ferguson Grand Jury decided after 109 days after Michael Brown was shot down in broad daylight by an overzealous cop. And, now his killer will not even face charges or a trial. This is what justice looks like in the so-called "Post-racial" America. I knew there would be no justice for Michael Brown, but I’m still hurt. I’m so upset I’m shaking. They really don’t care about us. Our lives aren’t safe. We aren’t the ones protected. Over 100 days to tell the world that Mike Brown deserved to die. Over 100 days to stand up and lie on television. I don’t want the people to riot but we’ve been peaceful far too long. We were peaceful when they let Trayvon’s killer walk. This isn’t just nor is it justice. Our skin doesn’t make us criminals or guilty. I’m so upset. I’m so sorry, Mike Brown, that the same people we pay and elect to serve us took your life and showed no remorse. Where is the justice in this? 

  

Black people are fed up. We are angry as hell. It's as if the police have declared that it is open season on Black people. This is not right. I am beyond tired of tweeting "RIP _________" or "#JusticeFor____." When will enough be enough? I'm tired of asking the same questions, tired of feeling this heaviness every single time another Black person's life being struck down by a white person. It's taken me all day to get my thoughts somewhat together on this issue to write. Mainly because I cannot believe the powers that be. There is still an ongoing federal investigation into Darren Wilson. Also, Brown's parents can (and should) file a civil lawsuit against Wilson. Especially since he "earned" almost $500,000 via a GoFundMe account. He killed their kid, got a paid vacation for 110 days and made money via donations. This killer needs to pay what he owes. I would prefer him to be left penniless and destitute and in jail. May God hear my prayers. I am so sorry, Michael Brown. I hope you are resting in peace. 

"A black ribbon is a symbol of remembrance and mourning. Used also as a political statement. And in this case, a Black ribbon to also represent racial hate crime." Black ribbon for Michael Brown.

When Will It Be Enough?

It has taken me almost a full week to get my thoughts together on the verdict of Jordan Davis killer's trial. To put it mildly, I am thoroughly pissed. How in the world could a jury convict him of ALMOST killing three Black boys and not convict him of ACTUALLY killing Davis?!? How is that even possible? If he is guilty of attempted murder of the three then he has to be guilty of killing the child he actually did. There is no other way around it. I am glad that he will spend the rest of his life in jail because that's where a murderer belongs. I am also glad that he will be retired for Davis' murder in May. Davis' parents, Lucia McBath and Ron Davis, deserve justice for their murder son. Being Black, listening to "loud" rap nor wearing a hoodie are not just causes for anyone to be shot and killed. 

I am sick of Black parents losing their kids because some grown man decided he was threatened. Beyond over seeing mothers like Lucy and Sybrina on national tv crying over their boys and fathers like Tracy and Ron heartbroken over the men their sons will never become. I am tired of grown men killing kids then claiming to be the victim. Because clearly the victim is the person at the end of the barrel who lost their lives, see Trayvon and Jordan. This is an epidemic perpetuated by the ridiculous "Stand Your Ground" Law. It doesn't take a lawyer or a judge to see that the law is seriously flawed. There is something sincerely wrong when the deaths of young Black men at the hands of older, bigger white men is accepted and excused. When will it be enough? How many tears must we cry? Something needs to change. I am happy that Davis' killer is going to jail, would be happier if Martin's killer was there as well. We need a change. We need a resolution. I will never forget their names or their stories. We cannot let their deaths be in vain. 

Renisha McBride was just looking for help after a car accident. Trayvon Martin was just trying to get back home to watch the end of the All Star Game. Jordan Davis was just listening to music outside of a gas station. Johnathan Ferrell was just thankful for surviving a car accident. Oscar Grant was just going home after celebrating New Year's Eve with his friends. Aiyanna Stanley-Jones was just sleeping on the sofa. Amadou Diallo was just reaching for his wallet. Sean Bell was just on his way home to get ready for his wedding. Enough is enough. I am sick of watching the news and seeing people that look like me, my family, and my friends dead. It breaks my heart. I cannot stand it. Something has to change. Someone has to do something. When will it be enough, America?