Listings of Black Journalists & Civil Rights Organizations – Resources for Black Americans. A Civil Rights Issue.

Tulia, Texas - Where in 1999 a Racial Injustice Occurred - Blacks Waited Yrs. Before Help Arrived

The following is a  listing of black journalists, private civil rights organizations and government agencies I have compiled as a resource  for Black Americans whose civil rights have been violated and whose victimization that have been ignored are in need public attention.    One of the worst feelings for a black person in America is to be racially discriminated against and  for the government that is suppose to protect them from those the civil rights abuses is the one that allows it.    Some States are better than others in handling these matters before it gets out of hand.   But even in one of the most civil rights conscientious states like Texas, some civil rights abuses have still gone uncorrected in small towns where local government turns a blind eye to these offenses even though its on the books.   These civil rights abuses, when not exposed outside of the locality of where the abuses occur, do appear to be systemic and part of that locality’s culture.  A lot of these areas don’t even have a civil rights organizations embedded within the community.    But here lies at least one of the problems that I hope the provided list will help solve:   The complaint of civil rights abuses that have been ignored are not getting exposed outside the area and are being reported certain media.

What almost prompted the need for publishing this online resource was the Trayvon Martin murder  incident that went ignored by the judicial system, until civil rights activist and black talk radio  hosts brought nationwide attention to it.   But there was another case I remembered where black people in a small rural Texas town in 1999 were rounded up and imprisoned.   The town was Tulia, Texas.   As I remembered it, no one outside of Tulia even knew it happened until a white farmer drove to the city of Amarillo to alert someone.   Therefore it has been urged that blacks start networking with each other online and to get connected with each other anywhere in the nation, black radio stations and other black media.   Civil rights abuses (even if not based on race) will continue to go rampant and worsen if no one else outside of its domain knows about it.   There’s 1 main tool to utilize in this endeavor that may not had been readily available prior to 2007,  and that is the power of  internet social media networking.   USE IT !!

Back in the early 1970′s,  if a black’s civil rights was violated, it was a simple matter of thumbing through the yellow pages for civil rights attorneys, as the phone book was full of them.   Also, in most states back in the 1970s that I’m aware of,  had local State offices  set up to readily take civil/human rights complaints that were expeditiously handled.   This is certainly not the case these days.   I recall the workings of civil/human rights state government agencies began to dwindle back in late 70s and early 80′s.  I don’t know the reason for this.

Before I continue, I want to address something  before its brought up.    Someone will probably ask me why I’m just posting resources pertaining to blacks and not other segments of the American population.   My answer :  “I am just one person.  I will run myself ragged if I tackled the thankless  job of  trying to save the whole world.   So I’ve decided to narrow this interest of civil rights issues of a segment of the population in America that seems to have the least online resources compiled for networking”.

The listing of journalist includes bloggers, news papers and other publications, TV news broadcasters, and talk radio hosts.  Also, every source Ive listed is a source that I have vetted (as best I could).  I will not list any source that I feel will be harmful or that berates black Americans.   In other words Black talk radio hosts like  Jesse Lee Peterson – Bond Action Network  or Larry Elder Show will NOT be listed, as they are known for their anti-black rhetoric which I have heard with my own ears.  However, my mentions of any source that I am critical of, does include my explanation.   Just in case there are any doubter, here’s a video sample

If anyone knows  of any more resources that should be on this list, please let me know in the comment section.  Meanwhile, I will continue to update this page.

OKLAHOMA:

CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS:

• NAACP Oklahoma State & Black social workers association
  (405) 427-8000
  2001 N Martin Luther King Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73111
  (Serving Ross Heights and Central Oklahoma City)

GOVERNMENT:
(State of Oklahoma does have a civil rights agency in name only).  It is called Oklahoma Human Rights Commission.   Just because it is  listed on the State of Oklahoma government website, I will mention its url –>    http://www.ok.gov/ohrc/ but I do so VERY reluctantly.  The 1st & last time I contacted this agency was this year (2012), and what it enforces falls well below what the  federal government enforces.   I was left with impression that Oklahoma may not even enforce any civil rights violation laws).  The person who answers the phone at Oklahoma Human Rights Commission seems to discourage the filing of racial discrimination complaints and lacks knowledge of the meaning of what “public accommodation” is.    I was less impressed with the Governor’s office who did not even know if the State had a civil rights agency.  When I asked the governor’s office where does a person go if they are discriminated against for race, disability, in the state, the person who answered the phone suggested hire an attorney”.    Eventhough, this state human rights commission is somewhere on the State’s website, but its not an easy find when you key in the words in the search menu.  It took exhaustive research on goggle, just for me to find out on my own that Oklahoma Human Rights Commission even existed.

NEWSPAPER (in print):

• Greenwood Tribune (this information is based on what I was verbally told by someone in North Tulsa.  Verification is pending)
  Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/GreenwoodTribune

ONLINE  BLOG & ONLINE NEWS SITES: (pending)

RADIO STATIONS / TALK RADIO JOURNALISM: (pending – still researching).

TEXAS:

CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS:  (pending – still researching)

GOVERNMENT:  

• Texas Civil Rights Office  (Texas  Health and Human Services Commission Civil Rights Office)
  Website:    –> Texas Civil Rights Office  http://www.hhs.state.tx.us/aboutHHS/CivilRights.shtml
  Impression:  Fortunately and unlike Oklahoma, Texas government website makes it much easier for one to find out where to go if discriminated against.   Its just a simple matter of going to the state’s main website Texas.gov , where a search window immediately pops up, key in words “civil rights commission” , and up pops the referring page of the Civil Rights Office.    Texas government is so helpful, that it even shows how to file these complaints thru the state as well as the federal government.    The fact that Texas openly divulges information on how to file federal complaints shows that Texas unlike Oklahoma is not trying to hide from the Feds. What also makes Texas government website far more  helpful than Oklahoma is that it provides a resource that is one of the most useful to the most vulnerable who live in rural areas,  namely the USDA.

NEWS PAPER IN PRINT  (in print):

• Forward Times (based in Houston, Texas)
  Website:  —>  The Houston Forward Times
  Facebook page:  —>  http://www.facebook.com/ForwardTimes
  Twitter:—>   http://twitter.com/#!/forwardtimes
  Impressions:  This local black newspapers has been around since I was a child.  Obviously it reports the news particularly concerning the black community in Houston and surrounding area.  I also reports news of national importance that have impact on blacks.  I’ve  noticed that is also publishes its newspaper online.  Aftermath of the Trayvon Martin murder, there was an incident of a white woman who ran down a black child with her vehicle in Pearland, Texas.  Forward Times broke the story.  Fortunately, by this newspaper being online, their reporting of this  story went viral on the internet; and because of it the sheriff decided to charge the offender.

CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS:

• (Pending and still researching)

NATIONAL

1. NAACP
   Website:  –> http://www.naacp.org/
   Impression:   Most this organization at the national level is slow to act on many complaints compared to what it used to be in the 1960′s.  I’m not sure why this is the case.  I think the strength or weakness of the NAACP depends on its local chapters in communities.
2. RAINBOW PUSH NATIONAL (pending)
3. BLACK FARMERS ASSOCIATION
   Website:  —> http://www.blackfarmers.org/
   Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/groups/21626657394/
   Twitter:  http://twitter.com/#!/DrJohnBoyd
   Impressions:  This organization founded by John Boyd, a black farmer who strong advocate for black farmers.  Though I’ve never met the founder of this organization  I certainly hope that I would be able to someday.   The more I read about Boyd, the more I became impressed by his heartfelt passion to help black farmers.  This organization was instrumental in pushing for the Pigford claims be paid to black farmers who were racially discriminated for USDA loans & grants.
4. NATIONAL – BLACK  JOURNALIST (Blogs and Online News)

• NewsOne:
  Web address:  http://Newsone.Com
  Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/NewsOneOfficia
  Impression: This website seems to be dedicated mostly news stories on crime, civil rights and some political news as it relates or impact black Americans NATIONWIDE.  This is one of my favorite black news site because the editor keeps it up to date w/ current events.   So far as I’m aware, Newsone has the largest following from looking at the activity.  The importance of this site having many subscribers is that there’s enough of them to react to the news articles with comments.  Sometimes I can gauge the pulse of the nation thru online comments.  Also, Newsone makes it easy for the reader to sound off using his or her Facebook, which takes the hassle out of logging in just to make a comment.   Also if I got to go thru lot of trouble to comment on news sites, I just go to another site.    NewsOne is proactive on hot button news stories, as kept abreast of the Trayvon Martin story.

5.  TALK RADIO

• Joe Madison (The Black Eagle)
  Website:  http://www.joemadison.com
  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joe-Madison-The-Black-Eagle/67284357124
  My impression:  I 1st started listening to Joe Madison in March 2012.  I could not sleep & decided to fire up my Ipad while laying in bed & decided to listen to black talk radio station on XM Sirius app.  It was from him that I learned about the Trayvon Martin murder.  Madison comes on XM Sirius radio at 5am CT, on the “The Power”.  Actually, Madison is my favorite talk radio host.  Reason why I like him the best is that he is fiery &  gets involved into subject matter about what’s happening to blacks in America.   Also, he has takes an advocacy approach and he usually fires up callers & listeners to take action instead of whining.  For instance, a caller complained about white on black murder in his state; & Madison told him that he’s singing to the choir & abruptly asked the caller “what have you done about it?”.     He also gets his listeners to go viral on internet and to make phone calls on certain issues.   For instance when draft dodger Ted Nugent said some life threatening things about President Obama, Madison urged his listeners to call Ft. Knox military base to cancel Nugent’s performance.  That same day, Nugent’s military gig got canceled. Also, if you are sleepy at 5am CT, he will get you perking & fired up quicker than hot coffee.   But I want to warn you, that Madison can be impatient if the caller tries to talk over him or spin away from the format.  Usually Madison acts like he don’t have time to pamper & coddle callers.  So be prepared to get your act & thoughts together BEFORE you call him.

6.  FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: (pending with links & my impression)

• US Department of Justice, Office of Civil Rights
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Civil Rights

Lastly, I encourage every Black American to do the following, so that in case your civil rights are abused and fall in death ears, you can at least get the word out to SOMEBODY:

• Get internet access to their homes at the very least.   Internet ready cell (like iPhone will suffice) .  If you don’t have internet these days, you will be lost.    I realize that some have access to it at their work, library and anywhere else that has WiFi.   But having it where you live gives you readily available access.  What if the library is closed, what would do? Wait til Monday or when ever?
• Get on twitter and start networking.
• Get on Facebook & start networking.
• Know who your local black newspaper is and store their phone number in your cell phone; also follow them on Facebook & twitter.
• Know who your local black radio station is.  If you don’t have one in your area, then hook up with the national ones.
• Know who all serves in your State legislative black caucus.  Put cell phone of black caucus members in your cell phone.  Also follow them on Facebook & twitter.
• Know who all serves in US Congressional Black Caucus.   If any of those members represent your your district, then put their  number in cell phone number.  Follow then on Facebook & twitter.   (Note:  This does not imply that if your US congressman or senator is white that they will not address your concerns, and I certainly suggest you send them your complaint letter as well.  But considering how the Trayvon Martin situation was handle, it behooves the aggrieved to let Black caucus member know the situation). 
• Be aware of what’s being reported in your state  regarding Hate Crimes (data bases of reported Hate Crime incidents) – check to see if your state has any reported incidents — > http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/hate-incidents

Newt Gingrich Who Obsesses over Blacks on Welfare, Gets Caught Writing HOT CHECK

Newt Gingrich Who Demeans Blacks as Dead-Beats, Gets Caught passing Hot Check

Newt Gingrich, a GOP 2012 presidential candidate writes $500 hot check to the state of Utah, after he tells the world that black folks need to get off welfare.    This is a man who wants to head the Republican party and be President of the United States (leader of the free world).   BTW, Newt has a history of writing hot checks & stiffing creditors.  This is also the same man who broadcasted to the world that America’s first black president (Barack Obama) is a food stamp president.   However, Newt’s claim was proven to be false, as reports show that food stamp participation actually grew under Bush administration and decreased under Obama.  I can only speculate the reasons why Newt Gingrich continues to equate blacks with welfare and poor work ethics: (1) he truly feels that  blacks are the dregs of American society; and/or (2) he is appealing to a certain base within the republican party who wants to perpetuate this lie.

The irony self explanatory.  But in case the readers can’t figure it out, I’ll break it down like this –>

If blacks  (who in fact not majority on food stamps) had to depend on PAY CHECKS from the
likes of  Newt Gingrich, then how  far will a hot check take them?  If black workers’ employers paid them with hot checks,
would it be an excuse for them to get on welfare?

I’m blogging about this Newt hot check story because most republican conservatives’ blogs and their tweets are awfully quiet about it.   Im also doing this because I’m noticing that here recently, most republican conservative bloggers tend to be quick on the  key board when republican politicians serve up blacks as red meat.  This morning, HLN was the first televised news outlet that I’m aware of that reported this; and that’s where I first heard about it.   Moreso the reason why I  diversity my news media and online viewing.

In any case, had Obama or any black democrat candidate had written a hot check, what do you think the head lines would say?    What do you think Foxnews would report? What do you think the republican (conservative) bloggers would report or embellish?  To be sure, the right-wing conservative twitter timeline would had gone viral on the story.

BTW, just to be fair, here’s Newt’s side of the story about his bounced check  –> LINK.  Also, in interest of fairness, here’s video of Black republican J.C. Watts (Newt supporter) defending Newt Gingrich’s food stamp remark as not being racist.  However, in my opinion, Watts is in denial.

I’m just trying to keep it real and bring attention to the recent hypocrisy in my own party, particular when blacks are continuously being unfairly stereotyped and demeaned as dead-beats for political thunder by politicians of a political party in which the black are more likely less than 1% of its electorate.

The following are video clips relevant to this subject matter to jar the memory of Newt Gingrich’s racially coded remarks :

“Made In China” Goods Sold In USA Carrying “Ni*ge* Brown” Labels Since 2007 to Present? Is this Deliberate?

Abercrombie & Fitch Outlet's racist online ad (screen captured from its site: http://www.abercrombie-and-fitchoutlet.com/abercrombie-fitch-mpa11-nigger-brown-pants.html as of 3/22/2012 7:02pm central time)

There’s suggestions that if its MADE IN CHINA & dark brown, you may want to check the label because it may say “Nigger Brown”.

After reading up on this Abercrombie & Fitch “nigger brown pants” story, it was disclosed that the excuse was blamed on a Chinese language translation software that translates the word “dark brown” to the word “nigger”.  It has been reported that this Chinese software company is Kingsoft Corp.    There are many on the internet now who are defending Abercrombie & Fitch, by saying its China’s fault.

The problem I’m finding with this  is that the “Nigger Brown” labeling seems to be a never ending pattern.  According to various websites, Chinese manufactures have been labeling  dark brown couches as “Nigger Brown” since 2007.    There were  promises that the translation problem would not reoccur.    But on about June  2011, there was a sighting of   Apple’s apps that had a photo effect featuring “Nigger Brown”.     Again, the finger was pointed at this same Kingsoft Corp.  And then there were the “Nigger Brown  Purses” that came out  in July 2011; and the sell of that racist labeled item did not come down from internet  until the black media complained.   Again the finger was pointed at this same Kingsoft Corp.   Now there’s the “Nigger Brown Pants” by Abercrombie & Fitch outlet  that was advertised on internet on March 22, 2012.  Black media got wind of this and the site came down; but again this same Kingsoft Corp was blamed.

If it is to be believed that China is the culprit, then why have been allowed to sell consumer products to America with those offensive labels?    I would give them a  pass with the 1st occurrence in 2007 and say that perhaps there was a software translation glitch (though I doubt this).  But for this to continue several years afterwards ?  I think this  is not a China software translation problem.  Someone, somewhere unbeknownst to me is playing a racist game;  and have a laugh at the expense of others.

Let me put this in another way.  If the racist label was directed at the Jews or any other ethnic group (other than blacks), would there had been a re-occurrence?  I seriously doubt it.

Anyway, I tried to find the source of the International commercial usage of “Nigger Brown” and the only thing I could find was the name of an Australian establishment that butted heads with the United Nations; and that this establishment was demolished a year after the 1st reported use of  “Nigger Brown” on consumer goods shipped to Western countries.

• Apple Developer Under Fire after iPhone App Dubs Photo Effect “Nigger Brown”

• Buy a $7.98 faux-leather satchel in “Nigger-Brown”

• “Nigger Brown” Sofa

• ‘Nigger Brown’ stand gone, Coon cheese next on hit-list

Herman Cain Using Rep. Plakon office to Relay Campaign Press Releases to the Media? Is Cain’s Campaign a Charade?

Herman Cain

Why would a person who is running for the high office of the president of the United State use a congressional office to relay his or her CAMPAIGN press releases to the media?  Reportedly, this is what GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain has done.  I thought all campaign press releases were suppose to come directly from the candidate’s CAMPAIGN office/organization.

I don’t think Herman Cain has a “Real”campaign manager or an actual communications director.   He may have named someone to those position to put on a legal application.  But I suspect its a subterfuge.   I would go so far to say that its doubtful he has a campaign organization.  Why else would he go thru FL Rep. Scott Plakon office for them to relay press release to the media, on his behalf.

According to Miami Herald: “Cain’s campaign issued a statement through Longwood state Rep. Scott Plakon who said: “………… he won’t participate in the debate like the other candidates.”

I can understand that Cain’s campaign communications director Ellen Carmichael quit.  I can understand that this man is short of employees.  I can even understand that he does not have the respectable amount of financial resources.   But this business of him going thru a tax-payer funded congressional office to relay messages to the public is ridiculous and cheap.

Is Herman Cain’s candidacy a charade?

Related readings on the Herman Cain Charade:

• Have We Been Punked? Is Herman Cain a Shill for Romney and the GOP Establishment?
• The Case Against Raising Cain
• Cain Rises, And Then He Gaffes
• Herman Cain leaving the campaign trail: Why now?
• Herman Cain’s Enron-esque Disaster