Latest news with #TheBreakfastClub
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Opinion - My challenge to Charlamagne tha God
I am not interested in pointing fingers. I am not looking to assign blame. I have no interest in diving into the sewer of partisan politics. I am simply trying to reach out to one person who I believe can make a real difference with regard to the greatest failure in American 'leadership' over the course of the last seven decades. I refer, of course, to the complete abandonment by both political parties of millions of innocent men, women and children in America's crumbling inner-cities. The vast majority of those abandoned are Black, with children paying the highest price of all. This is a national disgrace and an obscenity that should haunt our dreams. But it is largely ignored because it has become one of the electrified 'third rails' of politics that should never be acknowledged or addressed. Why? Because of blind allegiance to those who created the tragedy. Who truly cares about the most continuous and inhumane failure in modern American history? Honestly, next to no one. Why? Powerful forces from both political parties want and need to keep it that way. Some people will give me little credibility on this subject just because I am an older white guy. But I have a history in this dystopian urban world. As a child, I grew up in abject poverty and was homeless often. By the time I was 17, I had been evicted from 34 homes. A number of those evictions relocated me into housing projects and school classes where I was often the only white child. That experience was one of the greatest blessings of my life. At an early age, I got to witness that Black America was a great and caring America. I bonded with that community like none since. My earliest heroes became some of the single Black mothers I saw working two or three jobs at a time to support their children while sacrificing their own happiness — women who are my enduring role models to this day. All these years later, there is not a week that goes by when I don't think of the plight of those often trapped in our inner cities, existing in hope-crushing realities that would make most people run into the night screaming for help. Occasionally, I write about it. But again, who really cares? I'm just an older white guy. Although my voice and my pleas for help for those suffering in anonymity and abandonment in our inner cities may never register or count, I do believe there is one voice today above all which would. That is the voice of Charlamagne tha God (a.k.a. Lenard McKelvey) — co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show 'The Breakfast Club.' His voice and his massive platform have the power to move the needle, to open eyes, to shine a light into corners many would just as soon leave shrouded in darkness and ignorance. Earlier this week, Charlamagne made news by airing his concern that the war in Ukraine 'could get stupid real fast' because the clashing egos of President Trump and Vladimir Putin 'could be the end of civilization as we know it.' It is gratifying to see him focus on a conflict that could trigger World War III. That said, there are people hurting unimaginably in our inner cities who no doubt believe they have long been experiencing 'the end of civilization as we know it.' The horrors happening in Ukraine may soon dissipate via a coming ceasefire, but the horrors taking place in our inner cities will go on unchecked, as they have for decades. Preordained suffering for the convenience and self-interests of various powerbrokers. Who today can expose this literal crime against humanity? I truly do believe the voice and platform of Charlamagne could begin the upending of this travesty of justice. And just how bad is it? What follows are but two examples out of literally hundreds in various inner-cities which could be highlighted. As the Chicago Tribune reported several years ago, over the course of the last 60 years, more than 40,000 men, women and children have been murdered in the city. More than 100,000 have been wounded, most of them Black, thousands of them innocent bystanders, including hundreds of children. If you extrapolate that number and timeframe across other large American cities, you will discover — shockingly — that those killed in our nation's urban areas equals or exceeds all U.S. soldiers killed and wounded during World War II. Again, the vast majority being Black men, women and children. Why are we not screaming out in protest against such a preventable perversion of justice? Going back to Chicago and speaking of children, a shocking headline from the Chicago Sun-Times a few years ago stated, 'Violence in some Chicago neighborhoods puts young men at greater risk than U.S. troops faced in Iraq, Afghanistan war zones, study finds.' As the paper reported, 'The risk of a man 18 to 29 years old dying in a shooting in the most violent ZIP code in Chicago … was higher than the death rate for U.S. soldiers in the Afghanistan war or for soldiers in an Army combat brigade that fought in Iraq.' Think about that: Almost twice as deadly as a heavily-engaged combat brigade. And now here is a truth I would like to bring to the attention of Charlamagne: Children must cross those 'war zones' five days a week to get to and from school. Again, it is but one more truth political forces from both sides have decided must never be admitted or discussed. An obscene reality that again can — and must be — extrapolated across multiple inner cities. These are innocent young boys and girls, children whose futures are being robbed from them in broad daylight. Yet we are told to look the other way. I believe Charlamagne tha God knows the a true problem when he sees it. He has an outstanding record of casting aside partisanship to speak truth to power — most especially for the disadvantaged. I am hoping he will laser-focus on this subject at some point and address it on his program. This is not about politics or choosing a side. It is only about exposing a crime against humanity and finally telling the millions living in orchestrated misery, 'We see you.' Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Post
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Boring, sex-hating Gen Z has killed the teen movie
A college professor recently told me that every time he shows a movie in class, the kids rip it to shreds. They declare all sex scenes gratuitous. With the surgical coldness of an audit, they scrutinize the characters' power dynamics (say, a boss hooking up with an employee) and deem them wildly inappropriate. 4 Gen Z could never stomach a teen classic like 'The Breakfast Club.' ©Universal/courtesy Everett / Everett Collection These little Debbie Downers are offended by absolutely everything. So, it's no wonder that the teen movie is dead — Generation Buzzkill has murdered it. From the 1960s until just a few years ago, a ton of films were made specifically for the high school and college age cohort — from 'Gidget' to 'The Breakfast Club' to 'American Pie' to 'Superbad.' They were so common, they got their own spoof in 2001: 'Not Another Teen Movie.' The components were summer, sex, hormones, underdogs, drugs, cafeteria stereotypes, cars, fights, comedy and coming of age in various combos. Some wound up classics, some are garbage. But the genre was a frivolous and occasionally naughty escape for all us non-pearl-clutchers. Those films have abruptly ceased to exist. This summer, what used to be a staple is almost entirely absent from the release calendar. The closest, 'Karate Kid: Legends,' which hit theaters this weekend, is a throwback to a more innocent one of them. But the terrible 2025-set reboot also brings to mind the old Hollywood Production Code, which once policed cinematic morality. 4 'Karate Kid: Legends' is no 'Karate Kid.' ©Columbia Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection Next to 1984's 'Karate Kid,' which had edge, the cherubic sequel is a sanitized episode of 'Leave It To Beaver.' And, since its selling point is the nostalgic return of Ralph Macchio and Jackie Chan, 'Legends' is barely even aimed at young people. It's for their parents. Real teen movies have been banished to the streaming morgue. We arrive, click 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off,' and tearily say, 'Yeah, that's him.' What happened? Can a person no longer belligerently don a toga or shout the dirty lyrics of 'Scotty Doesn't Know'? Apparently not. Now that Gen Z (those aged 13 to 28) have money to spend, their well-known nun-like traits are finally being reflected onscreen. A chill just went up my spine. 4 Movies like 'American Pie' with Jason Biggs were so common they got a spoof called 'Not Another Teen Movie.' Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection Some of the prudes' biggest dislikes are sex and booze. 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' would send 'em into therapy. A 2023 UCLA study found that 40% of participants ranging from 13 to 24 want less hanky panky and more platonic relationships at the movies. And surveys consistently show that Gen Z drinks far less than their elders. Sex, drugs and rock & roll? More like hugs, mocktails and Billie Eilish. Even friendships without benefits in retro teen flicks will be totally unrecognizable to Gen Z, who enjoy cult-like androgynous outfits and giving admonishing lectures. Hanging out in parking lots? Backyard keggers while the parents are away? Deader than Latin. These homebodies, on average, stare at their phones for more than seven hours a day. 4 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' would send Gen Z into therapy. Courtesy Everett Collection Perhaps the greatest death knell — a Gallup poll discovered that 93% of teens enjoy spending time with their parents. Characters in John Hughes' movies barely even had parents. Obviously teen tales are still around in some form. They have mostly made the leap to TV, meeting their audience where they live. They are not, however, 'American Graffiti.' The shows tend to either be tearjerker explorations of identity ('Heartstopper,' 'Love, Victor') or frightening peeks into their problems ('Adolescence' and 'Euphoria'). Lighthearted rebellion and some filthy, un-PC jokes are no longer an acceptable option. Another survey said Gen Z wants superheroes, violence and sweet friends. 'Minecraft,' I guess. Well, what I want is another offensive, objectionable, no-holds-barred teen movie. Too bad. Hollywood is singin' bye, bye 'American Pie.'
The Hill
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
My challenge to Charlamagne tha God
I am not interested in pointing fingers. I am not looking to assign blame. I have no interest in diving into the sewer of partisan politics. I am simply trying to reach out to one person who I believe can make a real difference with regard to the greatest failure in American 'leadership' over the course of the last seven decades. I refer, of course, to the complete abandonment by both political parties of millions of innocent men, women and children in America's crumbling inner-cities. The vast majority of those abandoned are Black, with children paying the highest price of all. This is a national disgrace and an obscenity that should haunt our dreams. But it is largely ignored because it has become one of the electrified 'third rails' of politics that should never be acknowledged or addressed. Why? Because of blind allegiance to those who created the tragedy. Who truly cares about the most continuous and inhumane failure in modern American history? Honestly, next to no one. Why? Powerful forces from both political parties want and need to keep it that way. Some people will give me little credibility on this subject just because I am an older white guy. But I have a history in this dystopian urban world. As a child, I grew up in abject poverty and was homeless often. By the time I was 17, I had been evicted from 34 homes. A number of those evictions relocated me into housing projects and school classes where I was often the only white child. That experience was one of the greatest blessings of my life. At an early age, I got to witness that Black America was a great and caring America. I bonded with that community like none since. My earliest heroes became some of the single Black mothers I saw working two or three jobs at a time to support their children while sacrificing their own happiness — women who are my enduring role models to this day. All these years later, there is not a week that goes by when I don't think of the plight of those often trapped in our inner cities, existing in hope-crushing realities that would make most people run into the night screaming for help. Occasionally, I write about it. But again, who really cares? I'm just an older white guy. Although my voice and my pleas for help for those suffering in anonymity and abandonment in our inner cities may never register or count, I do believe there is one voice today above all which would. That is the voice of Charlamagne tha God (a.k.a. Lenard McKelvey) — co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show 'The Breakfast Club.' His voice and his massive platform have the power to move the needle, to open eyes, to shine a light into corners many would just as soon leave shrouded in darkness and ignorance. Earlier this week, Charlamagne made news by airing his concern that the war in Ukraine 'could get stupid real fast' because the clashing egos of President Trump and Vladimir Putin 'could be the end of civilization as we know it.' It is gratifying to see him focus on a conflict that could trigger World War III. That said, there are people hurting unimaginably in our inner cities who no doubt believe they have long been experiencing 'the end of civilization as we know it.' The horrors happening in Ukraine may soon dissipate via a coming ceasefire, but the horrors taking place in our inner cities will go on unchecked, as they have for decades. Preordained suffering for the convenience and self-interests of various powerbrokers. Who today can expose this literal crime against humanity? I truly do believe the voice and platform of Charlamagne could begin the upending of this travesty of justice. And just how bad is it? What follows are but two examples out of literally hundreds in various inner-cities which could be highlighted. As the Chicago Tribune reported several years ago, over the course of the last 60 years, more than 40,000 men, women and children have been murdered in the city. More than 100,000 have been wounded, most of them Black, thousands of them innocent bystanders, including hundreds of children. If you extrapolate that number and timeframe across other large American cities, you will discover — shockingly — that those killed in our nation's urban areas equals or exceeds all U.S. soldiers killed and wounded during World War II. Again, the vast majority being Black men, women and children. Why are we not screaming out in protest against such a preventable perversion of justice? Going back to Chicago and speaking of children, a shocking headline from the Chicago Sun-Times a few years ago stated, 'Violence in some Chicago neighborhoods puts young men at greater risk than U.S. troops faced in Iraq, Afghanistan war zones, study finds.' As the paper reported, 'The risk of a man 18 to 29 years old dying in a shooting in the most violent ZIP code in Chicago … was higher than the death rate for U.S. soldiers in the Afghanistan war or for soldiers in an Army combat brigade that fought in Iraq.' Think about that: Almost twice as deadly as a heavily-engaged combat brigade. And now here is a truth I would like to bring to the attention of Charlamagne: Children must cross those 'war zones' five days a week to get to and from school. Again, it is but one more truth political forces from both sides have decided must never be admitted or discussed. An obscene reality that again can — and must be — extrapolated across multiple inner cities. These are innocent young boys and girls, children whose futures are being robbed from them in broad daylight. Yet we are told to look the other way. I believe Charlamagne tha God knows the a true problem when he sees it. He has an outstanding record of casting aside partisanship to speak truth to power — most especially for the disadvantaged. I am hoping he will laser-focus on this subject at some point and address it on his program. This is not about politics or choosing a side. It is only about exposing a crime against humanity and finally telling the millions living in orchestrated misery, 'We see you.' Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Gangster Larry Hoover's Federal Sentence Is Commuted, But His Time in Prison Isn't Over
1950–present President Donald Trump has commuted the federal life sentence of Larry Hoover, but the 74-year-old notorious gang leader isn't leaving prison anytime soon. The commutation applies to Hoover's federal conviction in 1997 on 40 criminal counts, including conspiracy, extortion, and drug charges. However, Hoover, who founded the Gangster Disciples street gang in Chicago, will remain in prison for his 1973 conviction in Illinois state court for the murder of 19-year-old drug dealer William 'Pooky' Young. He received a sentence of 150 to 200 years in prison for the killing. According to his attorneys, Hoover was incarcerated at the United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility—also known as ADX Florence—in Colorado in solitary confinement. He was no longer in federal custody as of May 29, the day after the president issued his commutation. Hoover's son, Larry Hoover Jr., appeared on The Breakfast Club radio show after the commutation and said the family will continue to advocate for his release from state prison. Hoover has a parole hearing later this year. 'I'm not saying that my father wasn't in [gang] leadership at one point and wasn't involved in the streets, but he's had a transformation,' Hoover Jr. said. 'He was an illiterate, dyslexic child when he went to jail. He taught himself how to read, he taught himself how to become a man.' Larry Hoover grew up in Chicago and became the leader of the Supreme Gangsters, which merged with a rival gang to become the Black Gangster Disciple Nation. In 1973, Hoover was sentenced to 150 to 200 years in prison for killing a drug dealer. Despite attempts to portray himself as reformed, he was indicted in 1995 for continuing to orchestrate gang activity from prison and convicted two years later on 40 criminal counts. In May 2025, President Donald Trump commuted Hoover's federal life sentence. FULL NAME: Larry HooverBORN: November 30, 1950BIRTHPLACE: Jackson, MississippiCHILDREN: Larry, Larry Jr., and TyreeASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Sagittarius Larry Hoover, also known as 'King Larry,' was born on November 30, 1950, in Jackson, Mississippi. His parents moved the family north to Chicago when Hoover was 4 years old. By age 13, he was on the streets with a group called the Supreme Gangsters, engaging in petty crimes such as theft and mugging. His criminal activity soon evolved to shootings and assaults. Hoover ascended to a leadership role as the Supreme Gangsters grew, and he later joined forces with rival gang kingpin David Barksdale to form the Black Gangster Disciple Nation. In 1969, after Barksdale was wounded in a shooting, Hoover took charge of the Gangster Disciples. The gang assumed control of the South Side drug trade, making more than $1,000 a day in profits. By his early 20s, Hoover had been in and out of prison several times and had endured at least six separate shooting attempts on his life. However, he was unable to escape the reach of the law when he and another Gangster Disciple, Andrew Howard, were charged with murdering drug dealer William Young on February 26, 1973. The two men were convicted and sentenced to 150 to 200 years in prison, with Hoover sent to the maximum-security Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill, Illinois. But Hoover's power seemed only to grow inside Stateville. He began protecting other inmates, who in turn became devotees and new recruits for the Gangster Disciples. His control over the other prisoners was recognized by the warden's office, which began looking to Hoover as a positive influence to quell riots and uprisings within the prison system. Hoover, inspired by the biography of Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley, began discouraging violence among his followers. Instead, he made education mandatory for members of the Gangster Disciples and instructed his army to 'go to school, learn trades and develop... talents and skills, so that we will become stronger in society.'Changing the G.D. of 'Gangster Disciple' to 'Growth and Development,' Hoover's move to reform began gaining positive attention from the outside. Growth and Development created nonprofit organizations that registered voters, a music label that helped needy children, a series of peaceful protests to fight the closing of public programs and even a clothing line. Dubious prison officials, however, saw Hoover's good intentions as a ploy to get out of prison and resume his illegal activities. While friends and allies on the outside lobbied to get Hoover paroled for his contributions to society, law enforcement agents insisted that he was finding new ways to expand his criminal ventures. The Gangster Disciples had grown to more than 15,000 members in at least five states. Their drug profits had also risen well into the millions of dollars—all of which gang members attributed to the leadership of Hoover. Transferred to another prison in Vienna, Illinois, Hoover was living a luxurious lifestyle that involved new clothes, expensive jewelry, specially prepared meals, and private visitations from friends and loved ones. Suspicious authorities began wire-tapping Hoover's private meetings and discovered that he was running the Gangster Disciple group from within the prison system. Worse still, informants revealed that Hoover's nonprofit organizations were actually fronts for laundering drug money. According to the testimony of Gangster Disciple members, none of the proceeds for any of the so-called charities actually went to helping anyone in need. On August 31, 1995, after a five-year undercover investigation by the federal government, Hoover was indicted on drug conspiracy charges. He was taken from his prison cell and moved to the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago to stand trial. In 1997, Hoover was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to six life sentences. He began serving his sentence at the United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility in Florence, Colorado. The case received renewed attention decades later in December 2021, when rappers Ye (formerly Kanye West) and Drake hosted a 'Free Larry Hoover Benefit Concert' at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to promote prison and sentencing reform. In May 2025, President Donald Trump commuted Hoover's federal sentence amid a series of pardons. However, Hoover remains in prison for his Illinois state sentence for Young's murder. Hoover has been in a long-term relationship with Winndye Jenkins for more than 50 years. In January 2020, the state of Colorado legally recognized the couple as married. They have one son, Larry Hoover Jr. Hoover has two other children, Larry 'Lil Larry' Bernard and Tyree Hoover, from prior relationships. Each has advocated for his release. Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! You Might Also Like Nicole Richie's Surprising Adoption Story The Story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Her Mother Queen Camilla's Life in Photos
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Two Iconic Classic Rock Bands Join Forces For Epic Colorado Concert
80s rock legends Simple Minds and Modern English recently joined forces for an epic concert in Denver, Colorado on May 27. The two bands played together as part of Simple Minds' 'Alive and Kicking' tour, which stopped at Denver's Ball Arena. The members of both bands appeared to be in great spirits and were active during the performance, really getting their rock on. 80s synth duo Soft Cell — who are most famous for their 1981 cover of "Tainted Love" — is also part of the tour. Simple Minds, who are responsible for the hit song 'Don't You Forget About Me' from the 1985 film The Breakfast Club, consists of frontman Jim Kerr, 65, and guitarist Charlie Burchill, also 65, who are the two remaining original members of the band. Joining them on tour are a group of collaborators, including Gordy Goudie on guitar, Ged Grimes on bass, Cherisse Osei on drums, and Sarah Brown on backing vocals. Modern English, who put out the 1982 hit 'I Melt With You,' consists of vocalist Robbie Grey, guitarist Gary McDowell, bassist Mick Conroy, and keyboardist Stephen Walker, all original members of the band. They are joined by Gabriel Sullivan on guitar and Richard Chandler on drums. In the coming days, the tour will play several dates in Texas and then move on to other areas of the United States through late June, where the tour will close out at the Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana. From there, Simple Minds heads to Europe, where they will play the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands through the end of July. As for Modern English, the band does not have any shows scheduled after the 'Alive and Kicking' tour just yet, at least not according to their official website. Simple Mind has released a whopping 21 studio albums since they were formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1977, as well as seven EPs. For their part, Modern English has eight studio albums to their name and an additional three EPs since their own formation in Essex in 1979. Two Iconic Classic Rock Bands Join Forces For Epic Colorado Concert first appeared on Parade on May 28, 2025
