Latest news with #African-American
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Snoop Dogg shares what he really thinks of Donald Trump's pardons for NBA YoungBoy & Larry Hoover
Image composite: File (AP), X In an exclusive interview with TMZ Hip Hop on May 30, 2025, Snoop Dogg extended his support to NBA YoungBoy and Larry Hoover following their federal pardons from former President Donald Trump . Speaking from Beverly Hills, Snoop said, 'Playas may mess up but 2nd chances are invaluable!!!,' celebrating their re-entry into society's good graces. Snoop emphasized the power of personal transformation, especially within hip hop and gang culture. Addressing the ongoing debates around gang involvement and African-American youth, Snoop acknowledged the belief that many gang members are trapped from childhood, but added, 'I've seen gang members, such as myself, go on to become successful businessmen.' He believes the core of these organizations holds potential, if the violence is removed. Snoop himself is a testament to rehabilitation and growth. He cleared his own legal record before achieving milestones like co-hosting the Olympics. He also highlighted the recent pardon of his close associate Michael 'Harry-O' Harris, President of Death Row Records. Harris was granted clemency by Trump in 2021 and received a full pardon this week, wiping away a hefty prison sentence. Snoop and NBA YoungBoy, both born on October 20, share more than a birthday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em Taboão Da Serra (consulte o preço) Alarmes Undo Snoop sees the younger rapper as someone with wide influence: 'I see the Louisiana rapper's young fans look up to him ... no different than my come-up over 30 years ago.' Snoop also addressed Larry Hoover's commuted federal sentence, though his state conviction remains. 'I'm ready to step up and do my part in helping end gang violence in Chicago, once and for all,' Snoop told TMZ. Hoover, the reformed founder of the Gangster Disciples (GDs), has reemerged as an anti-crime spokesperson after decades behind bars. Earlier this year, Snoop faced backlash for performing at the politically charged Crypto Ball. But he responded boldly on his latest album Iz It a Crime?, rapping, 'Life's a game of spades, better keep a Trump card.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Columbia's Progressive March
Columbia Universitys commencement demonstrates the far left ideology of its faculty, but suggests that for students, much of this is performative. Last week, I attended my nephews graduation from Columbia College, Columbias Ivy League undergraduate division. As an alumnus of the college, as well as of Columbias business and law schools, I found the ceremony and left-leaning speeches familiar. As a conservative, even then, I was often verbally attacked by other students. On successive April Fools days, Columbia Daily Spectator even lampooned me as Kevin Spewak, spokesman for the fictional "Columbia Students in Opulence." Despite Columbias long-time liberal bent, including what we now refer to as "wokeness," its students generally embraced core principles of American exceptionalism, worked hard, and pursued traditional careers. Ironically, given todays problems, one of my classmates, David Friedman, became U.S. ambassador to Israel, and another, Michael Oren, became Israels ambassador to the U.S. When I attended the college, it admitted only men. Women were welcome at the engineering school, and Columbias affiliate, Barnard College. Last year, 51% of Columbias undergraduates were women (63%, including Barnard). Comparable to my class, about 15% of the graduating seniors were foreigners. Unlike my class, 63% of the Americans were minority students. That is a direct result of DEI. At the graduation ceremony, nearly every award was presented to a student pursuing studies in a woke subject, such as sustainable development or African-American studies (neither of which existed when I was a student), and most were engaged in progressive activities, such as interning with Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a hate group that advances Hamas objectives in the United States, or campaigning for tenants rights. The students gave a warm welcome to the colleges dean, Josef Sorett, a professor who focuses on African-American sexual politics and social justice, and who chaired Columbias Inclusive Public Safety Advisory Committee. Sorett was one of four Columbia deans who exchanged disparaging texts about Jews last year during a forum on antisemitism. He defended their prejudice by criticizing publication of their texts as an invasion of privacy. Only in a woke, antisemitic administration would Sorett have retained his job. The universitys acting president, former ABC anchor Claire Shipman did not receive as warm a welcome. A meaningful percentage of the seniors, and some guests, heckled her and broke into chants demanding freedom for Mahmoud Khalil, the Columbia graduate student facing deportation for his role as an agent provocateur for Hamas. Shipman responded with humor and grace, and the heckling subsided after a few minutes. Two days later, the Civil Rights Office of the Department of Health and Human Services found Columbia in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by "acting with deliberate indifference towards student-on-student harassment of Jewish students from October 7, 2023, through the present." Still, the substance and brevity of the protest shows both the misguided priorities of students and the performative shallowness of their concerns. Students ended the demonstration so they could receive their diplomas, giving short shrift to Khalil and those who objected to Shipmans bringing in the police to evict pro-Palestinian demonstrators from Butler Library. That pragmatism is consistent with the majors selected by the vast majority of Columbias students. While the awards went to students adopting the progressive mantra, more than 96% of the majors and concentrations selected by seniors fell into traditional disciplines such as history, political science, computer science, math, and literature. Just 70 of 1,708 majors and concentrations were in sustainable development, human rights, ethnicity and race studies, or the like. Relatively few students attended the separate graduation ceremonies for Asian, black, "Lavender" (LGBTQIA+), native, and other "affinity groups." There was little interest in what New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor (best known for her concerns about flags flown by the wives of Supreme Court justices) had to say. On the other hand, while just 4% of Hispanics support the use of "Latinx," that is how they are labeled at Columbia. It also seemed that every student lauded from the stage was a dual major who studied at the "intersection" of something of progressive significance. I had a dual major when I attended Columbia. I didnt realize that made me intersectional. When a university promotes intersectional, oppressor dogma, approves of antisemitic tweets, and bestows praise only on the tiny minority of its students who exemplify progressive ideology, the result is a boot camp for DEI, open borders, social justice for criminals, antisemitism, and a liberal rules-based order. But, a look under the keffiyeh shows that the indoctrination may not endure, and the substantial majority of students of all races and national origins may soon enough refocus on traditional careers and success. For true converts, if they shun violence, the beauty of America is the right of citizens to hold and advocate misguided views. I doubt Columbia credits American exceptionalism for that liberty. Kenin M. Spivak is founder and chairman of SMI Group LLC, an international consulting firm and investment bank. He is the author of fiction and non-fiction books and a frequent speaker and contributor to media, including RealClearPolitics, The American Mind, National Review, television, radio, and podcasts.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Forest Lake School Board hears input on possible contentious policy changes
Proposed changes to student activity policies in the Forest Lake Area School District have led this spring to overflowing school board meetings, a student walkout and media scrutiny. But school board members on Thursday night appeared ready to walk back on some of the controversial changes. For example, the original proposed version of Policy No. 515 would have followed Minnesota School Board Association model language and removed specific bans on symbols such as swastikas, the KKK and the Confederate flag on clothing. That removal would have been problematic, former school board member Kate Luthner told the board, because the ban 'helps prevent hate and ensures a safe environment for students.' The original version would have meant 'waiting for problems to occur instead of preventing them in the first place,' she said after the meeting. 'It's a solution in search of a problem.' But the version of Policy No. 515 that got its first reading at the Forest Lake Area School District board meeting Thursday night included the specific bans. The board will vote on the measure on June 26. School Board Chairman Curt Rebelein said the board wants to align the district's policies with Minnesota School Board Association recommendations, adhere to state and federal laws, and 'provide a consistent process for all activities.' 'This is based on recommendations from our school district attorneys,' he said. 'The proposed policies utilize thoroughly vetted model policies provided by the Minnesota School Board Association, and contain necessary language that does not currently exist in policy … to ensure the district complies with relevant statutes.' Superintendent Steve Massey said Thursday night that the ban on the wearing or displaying Confederate flag, swastika and KKK signs or symbols was 'sadly and tragically' implemented in the late 1990s after an African-American student was surrounded by a group of students after school and was physically assaulted. 'The following day, a group of students wore white T-shirts to school in solidarity of their involvement in the racial assault,' Massey told the board. 'As a result of this incident, the family moved out of the school district. Additionally, several other African-American students and their families moved out of the district. … Our communities have come a long way, but this does not erase the harmful history of this sad and tragic event and the related issues surrounding the incident.' Massey told that board that it is important that the specific ban of the three symbols remain in Policy No. 515. 'As the board deliberates updates to the policy, an outright prohibition of these symbols will represent the district's commitment to providing a safe and welcoming environment for our students and families,' he said. Mary Beth Higgins, a counselor at Forest Lake Area Middle School, thanked the board in advance for including the specific language in the policy. 'Symbols such as the Confederate flag carry a long and painful history of racism, violence and oppression,' Higgins said. 'For many students and staff, seeing that symbol isn't just uncomfortable — it's deeply hurtful and threatening. By naming these symbols directly, you have shown a real commitment to creating schools where every student feels safe, respected and valued. Thank you for taking action that reflects our shared values of inclusion, dignity and community.' Board members had previously considered another change to another policy — one that could have eliminated affinity- and interest-based clubs. But the language presented at the board meeting for Policy No. 1801 included those clubs — called 'limited open forums' — for students enrolled in secondary schools. The clubs are student-led and not connected to the school curriculum or athletic groups, district officials said. The policy language — also to be voted on on June 26 — states that those clubs, officially called 'noncurriculum-related student groups,' shall have 'equal access and a fair opportunity to conduct meetings during noninstructional time.' Higgins thanked the board for including that language as well — a move she said showed the board 'listened to the voices of the district's students, families and staff.' 'Thank you for continuing to support clubs that fall under the Equal Access Act, such as our affinity- and interest-based clubs, even at the middle school,' she said. 'These clubs provide spaces where students can connect, express themselves, and find belonging. That sense of belonging is powerful, and makes a real difference in students' lives. Caylee Metheny, 13, a student at Forest Lake Area Middle School, questioned why the board didn't reconsider the policy changes earlier. 'Why did it take making the national news for you to finally include us?' she asked. She said clubs at the schools are key to student identity. 'It's about how students identify and their cultures and how they were raised and their religions,' she said. 'It's not OK to take that away and merge it into one American culture because America is not just Americans, it's Hispanics, it's African-Americans, it's Asians. It's everybody.' Claire Luger, a member of the Forest Lake Joint Coalition, a group formed to protest the original policy changes, said she is concerned the board could amend the policy language right before the vote on June 26. She said she hopes the protests and community input will pressure the board to keep the policy language presented on Thursday intact. 'The current language regarding middle-school groups and including explicit prohibition of hate group insignia deserves nothing less than a unanimous vote,' Luger said. 'When our students speak up by sharing their experiences in student groups, by organizing shirts that emphasize the importance of kindness and inclusive words, and by organizing a protest, the school board should listen. When community members speak up in droves, by signing and sharing a petition supporting student groups, the school board should listen. … And when the public shows up as taxpayers and concerned community members who oppose proposals that open the doors to harmful incidents, the school board should listen,' Luger said. Luger told the board that community members will be watching on June 26. 'It sure feels like the entire Ranger community is watching, along with the sizable chunk of the metro area,' she said, referring to the high school mascot. 'We will continue to watch with the expectation that today's language around middle school groups and hate insignia passes unanimously when it's up for vote.' 44 burglaries, $200K stolen. Eight men now face racketeering charges MN Health Department updates fish consumption guidelines for PFAS Forest Lake newspaper will now be based in Stillwater Forest Lake looks at cryptocurrency ATM registration after series of scams Forest Lake 'career offender' gets 12½-year prison term for swindling businesses, homeowners
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Historic Deerfield to host Juneteenth Concert
DEERFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Historic Deerfield is hosting a Juneteenth Concert, featuring award-winning musician Jake Blount. Blount is a critically acclaimed interpreter of black folk music, whose work draws on centuries of African-American musical traditions. The concert will take place at the Deerfield Community Center, located at 16 Memorial Street, on June 19 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Springfield remembers upcoming 14th anniversary of EF-3 tornado This concert serves as part of Historic Deerfield's ongoing efforts to uplift and honor African-American history through programs and partnerships within the community. 'We are honored to welcome Jake Blount for this year's Juneteenth celebration,' said John Davis, President of Historic Deerfield. 'His music speaks to the deep historical roots and enduring legacy of Black artistry in America. This concert is not only a commemoration of emancipation, but also an extension of our commitment to telling a fuller American story, a goal we've pursued through projects like the Witness Stones Project, which honors the lives of enslaved individuals in Deerfield's past.' Tickets are available now, costing $25 for adults and $10 for children ages five to 17. Tickets cost $15 for Historic Deerfield members. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Gettysburg Mayor Rita Frealing wins Republican nomination
ADAMS COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)– Current Gettysburg Mayor Rita Frealing announced she received enough write-ins to be the Republican candidate for Gettysburg Mayor in November. Frealing needed at least 100 write-in votes to clinch a spot in the upcoming election in November. According to the Adams County Election Bureau, Frealing received 119 write-in votes to win the nomination to be on the Republican ticket. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Frealing lost her re-election effort for the Democratic Party nomination to challenger Chad-Alan Carr last week, 309 to 266 votes. There were no Republican candidates on the ballot. According to Gettysburg Borough, Frealing is a Gettysburg native who is the first African American to serve as Mayor of Gettysburg. She served for one term after being elected with 58% of the votes. Frealing previously worked at abc27 and was the station's first African-American reporter in 1979. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
