The highly controversial novel, “The Book of Negroes,” a book written by Lawrence Hill (pictured), was just green-lighted to be adapted into a miniseries that will be produced by BET in the U.S. and the CBC in Canada, according to The Hollywood Reporter[1]. The novel, which was published in 2007, traces the gripping tale of 11-year-old Aminita Diallo, who was abducted from Africa and sent to slavery in North Carolina before arriving in Nova Scotia, in Northeast Canada. The novel’s contentious name is the actual title of a British naval ledger[2] of 3,000 freed “Black Loyalist slaves” requesting permission to enter Nova Scotia in 1783. Production for the made-for-TV movie will begin this fall in South Africa. Hill, who is bi-racial, will receive a co-writer credit. The book’s title was changed to “Someone Know My Name” in America because Hill’s publisher felt that “Negroes” would not fly–or, more specifically, be allowed to fly–in American bookstores. The book’s original title was allowed ...
On May 27, 1968, Kennedy gave a radio interview to “Voice Of America,” the largest U.S. international broadcaster, when he was the Attorney General in his brother’s, President y’s, administration. During his interview, as he pointed out all of the imperfections in America’s fabric regarding equal rights for Blacks, did he in fact make a bold proclamation[1] that he envisioned an African American occupying the same Oval Office that his brother once did? Kennedy (aka Bobby or R.F.K.) was a powerful ally to the Black community, because he helped to invoke change in his reign as Attorney General during the Civil Rights era. In the fall of 1962, Kennedy sent thousands of federal troops to Oxford, Miss., to enforce a U.S. Supreme Court ...
Grace Colbert, the adorable 6-year-old actress who stars as the daughter in the recent — and unexpectedly controversial — Cheerio’s ad, sat down with her real parents, Janet and Christopher Colbert, for an interview with Thomas Roberts on MSNBC on Tuesday. The confident little girl has not been negatively affected by the virulent racism that catapulted the 30-second spot to viral status. In fact, according to her mother, she thought everyone was focused on her “great smile.” “America needs to see that this is just a way of life,” Grace’s dad Christopher said in the interview. “I wasn’t upset or anything. I was pretty much really excited about having this type of reaction so we can see where we still stand in America. But look out, America, because this is just reality.” See full interview below: As previously reported by NewsOne, the 30-second spot features an adorable bi-racial girl asking her mother if Cheerios is good for the heart. When her mother, who is White, confirms that the cereal is heart healthy, the little girl runs off with a delighted grin. In the next scene, we see her father, who is Black, awaken from a nap with Cheerios poured on his shirt over his heart.
Even though President Barack Obama (pictured at podium) said last week he wants to see immigration reform legislation passed by Congress by the end of summer[1], several amendments to the current Senate bill by Republicans risk deepening the division along party lines. Tuesday morning, the President showed support for commonsense reform legislation, aiming to address the hot-button immigration issue and encourage Senators to pass the bill. SEE ALSO: Commerce Department Announce $6.3 Million Minority Business Grant Competition[2] Representatives from law enforcement, business leaders, labor organizers, leaders of the interfaith community, and Republican- and- Democratic-elected officials who all want to see a fair bill passed joined President Obama onstage. “This week, the Senate will consider a common-sense, bipartisan bill that is the best chance we’ve had in years to fix our broken immigration system,” said the President, speaking from the East Room of the White House. “To truly deal wi ...
