Featured Activism: Saving Our Children News - Remember Rilya Wilson?

Did you know that 1/3 of the children that go missing in this country are Black children?? ONE out of THREE.

Another hat tip to Mz Deidra over at Black and Missing. She truly has a calling on her life because she is a crime blogger and she manages not to let the sad circumstances that she routinely covers drag her down.

Deidra passed along the launch of Saving Our Children TV. She featured them as her spotlight organization

The founder, Janice and her staff are so dedicated in what they do that they not only report on missing black children but they also take the time out to contact the families and make sure that they are doing whatever they can to find their child. Black and Missing

Saving Our Children just launched their own YouTube channel


Right out the gate, they featured Chioma Gray, but the really struck me was the story of Rilya Wilson. Y'all remember Rilya? Now if her name was Rilya Jon Benet Wilson, we'd still be seeing news pieces about her. They also include tips to teach and protect your children.

It takes a special calling to do what they do. Each of you can do something similar in your own community. It isn't about doing what someone else does, but finding something you feel passionate about and using what you have to do what you can. To learn more about "Saving Our Children" you can go to their website. They also have a podcast called Peas in a Pod. They also have a Myspace page.

Take a moment to give them a holla' and a word of encouragement. I thought I would be sad looking at the site, but actually, it is heartening that someone has dedicated their life to this. So if all you can give is encouragement then give that!

Featured Activism of the Day: SuperSistas

For all of you who are tired of other people controlling our images, you might want to check out SuperSistas. We last highlighted SuperSistas.com when they were having a film competition to promote positive images of African American women. I looked at the site back then in its infant stages, but I didn't quite get it. Now I do.

This site gives you credit for sharing links to videos you find on YouTube and elsewhere on the web. Viewers rate videos to put the best music, knowledge and stories on top and "call out" the worst news and "artists" who insult, degrade and betray us.SOURCE

Since our original post, the folks over there have been extremely busy.

You can basically sit down for hours and watch nothing but positive and entertaining images of Black women and it's not all a bunch of PSAs either. There is a comedy category, music, knowlege, beauty, and personal stories from men and women about African American women.


We are resourceful aren't we?

Gone are the days of wading through millions of video clips in search for material about black women, now you can have it all in one place. Their video catalogue is growing exponentially.

The way it works is that viewers submit video about Black women that they have found somewhere else and then you categorize and then people vote whether it is good or bad for black women and the ranking of the video determines how prominent the video is on the site, but also determines whether the video will end up falling into " worst" category. The "worst" category features either A) bad news about Black women or B)A piece of negative propaganda about Black women that someone has found on the web that needs to be confronted such as this gem many of us have already seen:

Original Content

Make sure you check out their original content as well. You will find their original content under the "Supersistas! " tab You won't see material like this about Black women in mainstream media. Their original content is aimed at teaching Black women to defend themselves against violence and insults it is definitely something different. I can see where they are going with and I admire it.


Black women:strong, empowered and proud engaging in their own self defense. Living breathing Black women as superheroes. Good luck finding that somewhere else. I need to go sign up for a class or something.

Here is what they say their purpose is:

Our music and culture will survive by separating truth from lies, good from bad, love from abuse and food from poison. Now is the time to choose quality for ourselves and stop begging media executives to save us.

Join us...

-	Reject assaults and insults on Black women
-	Support artists who bring men and women together
-	Share your favorite videos about sistas at their best
-	Promote fresh alternatives to the played-out images of us

We alone must control our images.

I agree. What you basically have is a broadband television channel all about Black women. There is good and there is bad, but viewers are forced to separate the two. If you find a video about Black women on the internet you should send it to Supersistas. If you are a creative person that has been producing videos about Black women, it appears to be a great distribution channel.

Megan Willams Speaks, Featured Activism, Black Women in the News

Megan Williams and her adoptive mother, Carmen, gave an interview to Final Call. You can read it here. Black and Missing and Afrosphere Bloggers Association are reporting that a group called Black Lawyers for Justice has planned a weekend of events in West Virginia during the first weekend in November.

I don't know who is behind this group. They have pictures of Megan and Carmen on their website that look as if they probably were taken during the Final Call interview. Again, I am glad people are paying attention to this case, they should, but I am worried about this woman.

UPDATE: A source who asked to remain anonymous for some reason is reporting that the Afrosphere Blogosphere Association has learned that the new Black Panther Party is behind The Black Lawyers for Justice march. Proceed with caution and I am going to leave it at that (SMH) I had a feeling.

Janet Jackon CBS Interview

Justsaying emailed to complain about Janet Jackson's treatment during an interview related to promoting the movie “Why Did I get Married”:

Will they ever let it go? And does Justin still get these types of questions and overall disrespectful TREATMENT on his tour. If CBS is still "smarting" over the incident, then simply refuse to bring her on the network or any of its affiliates. Don't bring her on to embarrass and disrespect her!

Breast Cancer in the Black Community

This is from Danielle on behalf of General Mills:

Curb recording artist and second-season “American Idol” finalist, Kimberley Locke has teamed up with General Mills to encourage the Black community to take a more active role in breast cancer prevention. Kimberley, a long-time supporter of breast cancer awareness, has added her personal story to General Mill’s recently launched online community PinkTogether.com, and also has created a public service announcement (PSA) to encourage African Americans, in particular, to engage in the conversation.

The Sisterhood Agenda Seeks Donors and Sponsors

We know that our women and girls are at risk. Self-love and empowerment are critical. Sisterhood Agenda creates and centralizes local, regional and global resources for females of African descent to address health, cultural, social, and economic needs through a variety of innovative approaches, programs and services. Sisterhood Agenda invites you to join us in uplifting women and girls of African descent

To learn more, you can got to the Sisterhood Agenda.

Where in the World is Rev. Jesse?

Candied Yams sent me this article from the Chicago Sun Times. She says:

Harold Ickes but not Dunbar Village? A coincidence?

I say, “Who Knows?” I can't add any additional conspiracy theories to my inbox.

Super Sistas

I have written about Super Sistas before. They ran a film competition earlier this year. They basically are offering a broadband channel for video content about African American women. Imagine YouTube, but it would be just about us and you get to say whether you think the image is positive/negative.
You can check it out by going to Super Sistas.

Wear Red on October 31st

Fallon from over at Document the Silence is leading a campaign to get folks to wear read on the last day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Be bold, be brave, be red. Wear red on October 31, 2007. Take a picture or video of yourself and friends wearing red. Send it to: beboldbered@gmail.com. We’ll post it!
Take Your Red to the Streets! Know of a location where violence occurred against a woman of color? Have a public location where you feel women of color are often ignored? Make violence against women of color visible by decorating the space in red. Be sure to send us pictures and or video of your display!
Rally! Gather your friends, family, and community to rally. Check out the Document the Silence website for the litany we’re asking participants to read together on October 31st. Be sure to send us pictures and/or video of the event! You could even gather where you created a display!
Share your story of silence. Share your own story of silence by uploading it to the Document the Silence website (http://documentthesilence.wordpress.com/). You can send a story in any form you’d like – as a written statement, video clip, movie, documentary, or visual art. Our goal is to document the silences within our relationships, homes, families, communities, jobs, schools, faith communities, governments, and within our world. We want you to share your story of injustice. Stories that the media, elected officials, self-appointed leaders, and organizations ignore. To upload videos and visual art pieces, please email them to: beboldbered@gmail.com

Another Man Shoots his PREGNANT Girlfriend

They are not kidding when they say that being pregnant makes you at higher risk of violence. Meeky P sent in a note about yet another case of a man shooting his pregnant girlfriend.

Another story of a crazy ex shooting his pregnant girlfriend. This one happened right here in good ol' Tallahassee. *smh*
Read about it here.
We should post the nut's picture on every freaking website!!

Sidenote. Have y'all noticed that I don't post a bunch of photos on WAOD? The legalist in me has these pesky internal limitations on treading on folks intellectual property rights, but if you want to see what he looks like, you can go to the article.

School Says "NO!" to "Superman Dat Ho!"

Hat Tip ts Sandra Rose
Somebody on this planet still has common sense. A high school has banned "Crank Dat" from their high school dances. They have a problem with the word "Ho". Wait until they figure out what Crank Dat and "Superman Dat Ho" mean. They got a wHOle lot more to worry about than that one word. But we'll take it.

And finally, I received SEVERAL E-mails about the Black girl that allegedly had her wrist broken after dropping a piece of cake. Sandra Rose has the latest on that story.

WHEW! Now I feel as if my desk is cleared off!

Church Buys 20 Billboards Denouncing Hip Hop Artists- "Stop Listening to Trash"

Y'all don't know how much THIS warms my heart. Thanks Bronze Trinity for the link. This week has been pretty heavy with the whole D-list comedians and R&B artists doing duets with alleged child predators, but Bronze Trinity brought it all back to center when she sent me that link

Starting today, twenty billboards will be going up throughout the city of Chicago denouncing artists that demean women and perpetuate violence. Some of the billboards are already posted.

Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of Saint Sabina church said, "If we are going to end the violence and the disrespect of women, we must fight every form of negativity, including the music industry."

The billboards read: "Stop Listening To Trash" naming ten present day disrespectful rappers.

Nah Right has more with some ironic commentary. Saint Sabina's website can be found here. Maybe we need to have a campaign to buy billboards? Stop listening to trash for REAL. We have got to stop funding the foolishness.

The story is also at SOHH .

"Respect Me Coalition" Marches on Interscope Records

I was a little disappointed that I couldn't make it through my positive post week, but sometimes in battle, you can't control what the enemy is going to do. I was having a Clark Sisters moment. With a little help from my friends, I had to be reminded that all is not lost. Therefore we end "Positive Posting" Week with an actual positive post, courtesy of Bronze Trinity.

The Respect Me Coalition marched Interscope Records. Of course Interscope did not respond. However, Akon's enablers, the United Music Group offered a statement. ( People focus on Interscope records, but the real enabler its the parent company UMG. Interscope is like a McDonalds franchise in comparison). Ask me why YOU shouldn't be buying a copy of the DVD for DreamGirls.

This is why I do this site. The next time you think that people don't care about what is happening to Black women in popular culture, you hear about something like this. Keep it coming.

Tomorrow, on my radio show, I will be reviewing When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost by Joan Morgan. You don't want to miss it. Come hear why I think Diaries of a Video Vixen (gasp) was a better book. Tomorrow at noon CST on The Black Women's Round Table

I was having a Clark Sisters moment this week, but this was a good way to end the week. For those you you who have been fighting the good fight and wondering if it is worth the effort, I give you the Clark Sisters circa 1982. Y'all have a good weekend.

Women’s Groups Plan to Attend Viacom Stockholders’ Meeting to Address Negative Imagery

Women's groups to challenge Viacom's exploitation and degradation of African American women at shareholders meeting tomorrow in New York at 10:30. Yes, the folks that set Black women back about 500 years with Flavor of Love, I Love New York, and Charm School will be challenged tomorrow morning. If you own some Viacom stock and are in the area, look it up. I guess I'm going to have to buy a share so I can go next year. You can read more at Black America Web. THANKS FRED!

Featured Activism of the Day - Soldiers in the Struggle

What About Our Daughters strives to be different by highlighting the works of others in the struggle to combat negative portrayals of African American Women in popular culture. Here is the latest batch of featured activism.

Radio Stations Owners Ban Degrading Music
"As an African-American owner of four TV stations and one radio station, I am announcing, effective immediately, that music degrading women and other members of our community will no longer be played on Hot 97.7," said Michael Roberts, CEO of Roberts Broadcasting Company which owns Mississippi's Hot 97.7, in a statement to his employees. "The rule applies to all broadcasting operations owned by my brother Steven and me." (source) You can let them know what you think about their policy feedback@roberts-companies.com. Drop them a note of appreciation. They didn't have to do it.

Anovelista.com has an excellent article called The Weary (Nappy-Headed Ho) Blues It is an excellent anthology of art, history and news related to the barrage of insults African American women endure. "I really wish the same righteous indignation and fire and energy used against Don Imus were used to refute degrading lyrics and images broadcast all over the world that call black women "hoes," "tricks" and of course, "bitches."Excellent chronicle She covers Snoop, C. Delores Tucker, Langston Hughes, Stuart Scott. The whole gamut.

Make Hip Hop Not WarProduced by the Hip Hop Caucus. "The Hip Hop Caucus was established to provide a comprehensive agenda for the Progressive and Hip-Hop community both domestically and abroad. The Caucus' programs promote social and political equality in the area of Economics, Education, Health Care, Housing, and Justice"

Remember C. Delores Tucker? Well the organization she led is still around. The National Congress of Black Women. I hunted around their website and have e-mailed them to see what they are currently working on. If you want to See what they are doing, you can contact them and visit the site. They are currently raising money for a Sojourner Truth memorial.

Video Contest to Promote Positive Images of Black Women

For all of you tired of the never ending string of negative images in television, movies, and music videos, have I got the contest for YOU. A site called SuperSistas is holding their first annual video contest to celebrate positive images of African American women. *GASP* Yes, they actually are soliciting POSITIVE images. So pick yourself off of the floor and get you or the creative people in your life busy. You could win up to $500 for fighting the War Against Black Women. They might even make me dust off my handycam! Here are the details:

This Summer join us for positive messages and winning visions of Sistas. A total of $1000 will be awarded for the best videos under 10 minutes long.Use the clips on SuperSistas.com for inspiration OR present your own idea of what it means to be a winner in mind, body and spirit. Videos must be your original work and may be action, comedy, music videos, drama or whatever! Absolutely no pornography or profanity accepted. Contest is open to all ethnicities, male and female and all skill levels. Age 16+

Deadline for submissions is Sunday, July 1, 2007.

Learn more by going to their site.
I KNEW that there were people out there waging the good fight who weren't being covered by mainstream media. Just because ABC. NBC, and CBS don't cover it, does not meant that people aren't outraged about the negative portrayal of African American women. Nor does it mean that they aren't doing what they can to fight those images. KEEP THE LINKS COMING!

For those of you on Sharpton Watch. Today is Day 5 of Al Sharpton officially ignoring the comments of DL Hughley on The Tonight Show regarding the women of Rutgers. Why don't you take time and use some of your anytime minutes to ask him why by calling212-690-3070. Another number in regard to the Rev. Al situation, reach out to Rachel Nordman in the media office at 212 876 5444 or email RevAlmedia@yahoo.com.

Featured Activism of the Day

It has been a while since we had a Featured Activism of the Day post. So I actually have several posts about things other people around the globe are doing to combat the War On Black Women. As always if you know of someone else doing their thing, drop me a line.

You need to see the trailer for the documentary NO! "A documentary on rape, sexual abuse and domestic violence against black women in the black community . The documentary ”NO!” is a must see for those who are concerned for the health, safety and well-being of black women living in America." (source)

Tolerance.org has a very insightful series examining misogyny in Hip Hop music. The Article is entitled "Hip Hop's bad Rap?" Mind you, this took place TWO years ago, but the site is very informative and actually has tips to fight hate. If you want a list of all of their articles on combating hate and hip hop, you can click here.

The Black Agenda Report has an excellent article on the business model behind hip hop music called" Hip Hop Profanity, Misogyny and Violence: Blame the Manufacturer"Vital information in Defunding the War On Black Women. We have to know where the money is going.

And Ya Dont Stop!: Rappers To Spit 24 Hours Of Non-Explicit Rap. Well, it's a start. They're trying to Rap for 24 hours straight without cursing. Its sad that spewing profanity-free for a day is news, but we have to applaud the effort. ( We don't but we will).

Big Ups to Michelle Malkin and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Apparently when the video of Akon abusing a 15 year old girl on stage hit the internet, the Universal Music Group ( the bastion to human rights and dignity) had it yanked from YouTube and sent cease and desist letters all over the internet. Michelle fought back. If you are going to peddle filth and th abuse of women and girls, you should be put on BLAST. If there is nothing wrong with your artist. Why be afraid?

To Rap things up, I want to feature this report from Why Black Women Are Angry. She is talking the the whole Opie and Anthony ridiculousness . She sums it up. I couldn't do any better.

For those of you on Sharpton Watch. Today is Day 4 of Al Sharpton officially ignoring the comments of DL Hughley on The Tonight Show regarding the women of Rutgers. Why don't you take time and use some of your anytime minutes to ask him why by calling 212-690-3070.

Spelman Students Start Letter Writing Campaign to BET

A group of Spelman Students have started a letter writing campaign to BET. You can find more about it here on Mirror on America. I've contacted the student for more details. I am working on something now to actually start a letter writing campaign to BET's advertisers. Because I have the feeling that millionaire BET executives don't really care what we think because they are, to quote the president of the company" making more money than ever." Lets see if we can change that.


Thanks Kara and the Angry Independent for this info.

For those of you on Sharpton Watch. Today is Day 3 of Al Sharpton officially ignoring the comments of DL Hughley on The Tonight Show regarding the women of Rutgers.

Toyota Yaris HIp Hop Campaign

I love Toyota , but I am going to have to keep an eye on this. Our goal here at What About Our Daughters is to Defund the War on Black Women and stop funding misogyny in music. As we know all hip hop isn’t bad, but one of Toyota’s partners in the campaign, Radio One, is one of the largest purveyors of commercial Hip Hop. It sounds as if they are doing the right thing and perhaps this is an opportunity for some different sounds of Hip Hop to reach a wider audience. Here are the details.

In partnership with Complex Magazine and Radio One, "Yaris vs. Yaris" will pull consumers into the campaign with a "Fresh Kicks" sneaker design competition and a DJ contest that will find the "Bangin" DJ in each market. By logging on to http://www.yarisversusyaris.com/, DJs can submit their best musical mixes and sneaker aficionados can submit original designs of customized kicks that incorporate Yaris design cues. Consumers can log on to the website http://www.yarisversusyaris.com/ and cast votes for the top DJ and sneaker design per market. The local winners will be showcased at the Yaris events in each market with the winning mix performed live and the winning "Fresh Kicks" design on display at each event.

HOWEVER, with Radio One involved, we’ll be watching.



For those of you on Sharpton Watch. Today is Day 2 of Al Sharpton officially ignoring the comments of DL Hughley on The Tonight Show regarding the women of Rutgers.

All Female Hip Hop Summit June 28th - July 1st

ON my nightly Google searching for the site, I discovered this conference that is in it's third year. Since one of the things we can do to combat negative stereotypes of African American women in popular culture, hip hop in particular, I think one of the things we have to do here at whataboutourdaughters.org is promote people who are attempting to bring new voices to the table.

Let me introduce B-Girl BE it is a summit in Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 28 - July 1, 2007. It actually looks pretty cool. Their goal:

To be the first hip-hop summit in the world to present the work of women that represents all elements of hip-hop culture and incorporates scholarship, filmmaking, media arts, theater, discussion and youth activities.

Drop by and send them a donation if you cannot go. If don't like what is out there, we have to offer an alternative. This is an option. If you want to know what will happen that weekend, you can check out last year's lineup.

DL Hughley is Wrong- White folks might have a point.

"There were some nappy headed women on the team and those are some of the ugliest women I have ever seen in my life.” DL HUGHLEY on Jay Leno.

Where is the outcry from mainstream media, the African American community, or all these people that called for Imus' head on a platter? D.L's last show got canceled so there isn't anyone to boycott. Was it really worth the laugh? Those young women are somebody's daughters. Any ideas?

How can you be complaining about illiteracy rates in the African American community and the state of black America in one breath and then tear down and malign young women who took up the challenge to pursue higher education.

The Rutgers Women's Basketball team members are beautiful! When the world gave them an opportunity to rage and unleash a fury toward Imus, they didn't. That's beautiful. When they had the eyes of the world on them, the exhibited grace and dignity. That's beautiful. When they had every reason and opportunity to malign and attack Imus, they forgave him. That's beautiful. D.L. Hughley's latest venture was canceled so he tried to piggyback on a painful period in our history by attempting to get a laugh on the cheap and THAT. WAS. UGLY!

Positive Hip Hop Artists - Yoda was Right

I must admit that my motivation for starting this blog was anger and frustration. Okay, maybe even a smidge of RAGE. I had an “ENOUGH is ENOUGH” moment and acted on it. For three weeks I have been working at a blur, fueled by adrenaline and a hint of fury. I accomplished a lot. I got the blog started. I more than quintupled the blog traffic. I have a radio show now. I discovered talents I didn’t even know I had. I’ve met some wonderful people along the way.

Yesterday I did a show with the topic “ Does Hip Hop HATE Black Women.” Today I have to take a moment to pause and consider if I really want this blog to be driven by rage. Yoda was right when he said that “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

When Verizon severed its relationship with Akon, I was downright giddy. I engaged in a full blown case of schadenfreude. At some point(s) in this man’s life, he gave over to an anger and hatred towards women and now we got a glimpse of the resultant suffering. But it all started with fear. He clearly doesn’t love himself enough. *cue the violin music* That 15 year old girl was somebody’s daughter. Somebody gave birth to her, they wiped her tears when she cried, fed her when she was hungry, and kissed he when she had booboos. No matter how she was dressed or why she decided to sneak into a club when she was underage, she didn’t deserve to be treated like a Teflon blow up doll. She’s a human being and as much as it pains me to say it, so is he.

Does this mean I am going to stop pushing to impose economic sanctions on misogynistic lyrics or negative portrayals of African American women in popular culture? NO. It just means I am taking stock of my motivation. This blog is a service to those who want to make the world a better place. If you know about an organization or individual who is trying to end the negativity, send it in.

To kick off the Festival of Kindness,

These are artists who Bronze Trininty thinks have positive empowering messages instead of the fear, anger, and hatred of commercial hip hop. Check out some positive hip hop artists courtesy of Bronze Trinity.

Industry Ears

I have learned so much since focusing on misogyny in music. Some pundits have asked where the outcry from the African American community prior to the Imus fiasco. People have been complaining for years to regulators and media companies, but mainstream media was not paying attention. That is why I created this site. To highlight the efforts combat the negative portrayal of African American women in popular culture.

Thursday, I stumbled on Industry Ears. They are all about action and have been monitoring the media for years. Industry Ears is a consortium of entertainment and broadcast industry professionals with more than 60 years of experience dedicated to revealing truth and promoting justice in media.

We Did It! Verizon Drops Akon

Last weeks winner of our Wagging Finger of Shame Award, Verizon wireless has terminated their relationship with Akon for his abusing a 14 year old girl on stage in Trinidad. We told you about it here last week.

Yes, we can make a difference. Thanks Verizon for thinking about our daughters.

UPDATE:Okay, well maybe we didn't do it single handedly. Turns out Michelle Malkin and Laura Ingraham also had campaigns to get Verizon to do the right this. They also apparently stopped sponsoring his tour and selling his ringtones on their sites.

Take Back Our Music Campaign 2007 Hip Hop Songwriting Contest

The Take Back the Music Campaign is Sponsored by Essence has been going strong since 2005. Who says we haven't been screaming about misogyny in music. This campaign is two year old.
According to their site, their goals are to:

• provide a platform for discussion about popular music’s more extreme images of Black women;
• explore the effects of such imagery on our children, especially our girls;
• seek greater balance in how Black women—and Black men—are portrayed in popular music and culture;
• encourage readers to examine their own attitudes on the subject;
• promote artists who deliver positive alternatives so that readers can vote with their dollars;
• give readers a blueprint for how they, too, can get involved in our campaign in whatever ways make sense for them.

When you get a chance, drop by. They even have a songwriting competition.

Rally May 13th PROTEST LIMITED IMAGES OF BLACK WOMEN AND MEN IN MAINSTREAM RAP

Check out the Rap Mainfesto at Take Our Music Forward. They are calling for a boycott of Universal Music AND demanding that large music corporations take a pledge to diversify their executive positions. Here is why:

• "In 1999, UMG pledged to ban sexually graphic and violent images in their music as a result of pressure from concerned citizens. The company quickly went back on this promise when it added Def Jam to its holdings, and has since actively promoted explicit sex and violence in its rap music and videos."

This is not an assault on Black culture.

This is not an assault on rap artists.

This is not an assault on women who choose to appear in rap videos.

This is an all out consumer assault on mainstream music corporations that are censoring Black artistry by signing and promoting only a certain flavor of rap music.
From Take Our Music Forward

The Rally is scheduled for Friday, May 13 at noon in Santa Monica. You can find more information here.
If you are in the Santa Monica Area and don't have plans, you ought it check it out.

Mainstream Media & Hip-Hop Boycott Petition

I was surfing on Afrobella and found an open letter to Hip Hop. In the comments section I found a link to a petition against degradation in hip hop. I thought I would post a portion of the petition here. Stop by and support these folks. People everywhere are outraged. We just need to be organized for change. They were up to 1256 when I signed.

To: BET, MTV, VH-1, and Mainstream Radio

As members & supporters of the Black community, we the undersigned wish to express our outrage against the numerous rap artists whose lyrics and videos degrade women, Black women in particular, as well as themselves. Their incessant use of the terms ‘nigger', ‘bitch, and ‘ho' degrade the Black community. We also denounce their promotion of drug dealing and the poisonous culture of violence they perpetuate.

We realize freedom of speech is a value held dearly by all in the United States of America. That same freedom of speech which allows these artists to spew their poison is the same freedom that allows us to stand up and say: "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!"

We do not advocate censorship. We are advocating responsibility. Know that this promotion of prison culture has affected our youth. We must put the future of the Black community first!

AS SUCH, WE WILL NO LONGER SUPPORT ARTISTS AND MEDIA OUTLETS WHO PROMOTE STEREOTYPICALLY DEMEANING IMAGES OF BLACK WOMEN !!

WE WILL NOT PURCHASE MUSIC THAT CATEGORICALLY INSULTS US!!

WE WILL BOYCOTT BET, MTV, VH-1, MAINSTREAM RADIO, AND ANY OTHER MEDIA OUTLET THAT SUPPORTS AND PROMOTES ARTISTS WHO MALIGN, DEBASE, AND OTHERWISE DISRESPECT BLACK PEOPLE!!

WE ARE SPEAKING OUT AGAINST A CULTURE THAT HAS BEEN HIJACKED AND TURNED INTO A VEHICLE OF HARM AND DEGRADATION OF AN ENTIRE PEOPLE!

In the great tradition of our ancestors who began the Birmingham bus boycott, we will not financially patronize or support any entity that discriminates against us and/or disrespects our people!!

Contact Verizon Wireless!

You might want to ask WHY Verizon Wireless and American Idol have featured (A/I at least twice) a hip hop artist, AKON, who has a prolific history of misogyny and in the latest incident was captured simulating a sex act(rather violently in my opinion), on stage during a concert in Trinidad with a 14 YEAR OLD GIRL! The Video is all the rage in the Black Blogosphere, and YET again ignored by mainstream media. Listen to the crickets chirp! The seriousness of this incident is indicated by his panicked record label's attempt to accomplish the impossible and remove the video from the internet.
Concreteloop has the latest. A really good summation is also on Pandagon and Sistah Toldjah. There is also an article in the Trinidad Express (BEWARE OF SPYWARE ON SITE THOUGH). Video is still available at o1lt.com

VERIZON wins this week's WAGGING FINGER OF SHAME AWARD! When you pay your Verizon bill each month, you are subsidizing this behavior. STOP FUNDING THE FOOLISHNESS people!

Verizon Communications
Corporate Headquarters
140 West Street
New York, NY 10007

Telephone: 800-621-9900

You can email or mail them.

E-mail the CEO of VERIZON WIRELESS.