This LIght: Sounds For Social Change Talks With Dr. Jared A. Ball

By Brenda Hayes, on October 28th, 2013

Jared Ball Interview

Dr. Jared A. Ball is the father of two brilliant and adorable daughters, Maisi (7) and Marley (5), and the fortunate husband of Nelisbeth Yariani Ball. After that he is an associate professor of communication studies at Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. Ball is the author of I MiX What I Like: A MiXtape Manifesto (AK Press, 2011) and co-editor of A Lie of Reinvention: Correcting Manning Marable’s Malcolm X (Black Classic Press, 2012). He can be found online at IMIXWHATILIKE.ORG.

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Enemies of the State? Government Surveillance of Communities of Color

By Grassroots DC, on October 23rd, 2013

The National Security Agency is tracking our phone calls and monitoring our emails, Web searches and other online activity — with the aid of companies like Verizon, Facebook and Google.

But what does all of this mean for communities of color?

The federal government has a long history of spying on people of color to discredit racial justice movements. During the 1970s, the government passed legislation to rein in these programs. But since Sept. 11, those safeguards have been eroded, and many in these communities are now under both digital and physical surveillance.

This spying has affected the Muslim-American community in particular. In 2002, the New York Police Department created a surveillance program targeting local Muslim Americans, forcing the community to live in fear. The program continues to this day.

Join us at one of D.C.’s premier cultural venues for a lively and wide-ranging panel discussion on how local and federal spying operations impact movements for social and racial justice. The conversation will also explore ways to fight back to protect our online digital rights and Internet freedom.

Morgan State University Professor Jared Ball, the host of the radio program Super Funky Soul Power Hour, will moderate the discussion. Our amazing panelists include former political prisoner and Black Panther Party leader Dhoruba Bin-Wahad, ACLU D.C. Program Director Seema Sadanandan, communications specialist and media activist Adwoa Masozi, Desis Rising Up and Moving Legal and Policy Director Fahd Ahmed, May First/People Link founder Alfredo Lopez and other special guests.

This event is presented by Free Press, the Center for Media Justice and Voices for Internet Freedom.

Busboys and Poets (Langston Room) 2021 14th St NW Washington, DC 20009 Thursday, October 24, 2013 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM (EDT)

The event is free and open to the public but you must RSVP to reserve your seat. Space is limited. Food and drinks are available to order during the event.

This discussion is a prelude to the Rally Against Mass Surveillance on October 26. More information about the rally is available here.

Comments are closed   Justice System   , , , , , , ,  

Living Wage Bill Mixtape

By Grassroots DC, on September 10th, 2013

By now we’ve told you how the bill made its way through Council, the heavy-duty organizing and coalition-building that’s taken place over the summer, and even how you can get involved — no matter how you feel about the bill.

We’ve heard strong opinions for and against the bill in Council, hints from the Mayor on how he’ll vote, and continued threats from Walmart to leave DC and drop development if the Large Retailer Accountability Act (i.e. the LRAA or “Living Wage” bill) were signed into law. In other words, we know pretty well how the politicians and corporate executives feel. But what about those most impacted by the bill, like DC residents and retail employees themselves?

GrassrootsDC brings you this mixtape of voices collected from actions in support of the Living Wage bill across the District. We hope you enjoy!

Living Wage Bill Mixtape

Mixed with Head Roc’s 2012 track “Keep DC Walmart Free,” these are the voices of:

Reverend Virginia Williams (native Washingtonian, Ward 7 resident), Kimberly Mitchell (Macy’s employee, UFCW Local400 member, lifelong Ward 7 resident,), Tonya C. (former Walmart employee, fired from a Laural, MD location), Cindy Murray (13 year Walmart associate at Hyattsville, MD store, member of OUR Walmart), Mike Wilson (organizer with RespectDC), and Inocencio Quinones (Ward 7 resident and organizer with OurDC)

We thank everyone who contributed to this mixtape, including all the speakers listed above, Head Roc for the musical element, and the folks that live-streamed a protest from a Hyattsville, MD location on September 5th, 2013.

Audio download available here (Living Wage Bill Mixtape), please share freely!

 

One comment - (Comments are closed)   Gentrification, Issues, Labor, Small Business, Small Business, Walmart   , , , , , , , , , ,