Afro-punk is a 66-minute documentary film directed by James Spooner, exploring race identity within the punk scene across America and abroad.

It is also a term referring to African American and other African groups and their experience of punk culture.

There are countless bands who have a few Afropunks in them, and even fewer that are all Black. A few bands who identify with the afropunk community are: Fishbone, Whole Wheat Bread, Bad Brains, Suicidal Tendencies, El Pus, Dead Kennedys, Ten Grand, and 24-7 Spyz. James Spooner, along with many other people active in the afro-punk community, throw regular concerts in the New York City area and beyond featuring Black Rock, Black Punk, and Afro-Punk identified bands. At these shows, the majority of the audience is made up of African American musicians, singers, songwriters, fans, activists, organizers, and artists who have distinct and diverse ties to the afro-punk community. It's become somethings of a movement, comparable to the punk rock grassroots empowerment of the gay community with queercore, and women with riot grrrl

Find next leaders in the mirror, young black men told
Co-founder of Black Panthers in '60s speaks at OSU
Friday, February 02, 2007
Sherri Williams
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCHFind next leaders in the mirror,
Co-founder of Black Panthers in '60s speaks at OSU
Friday, leaders in their communities.

Instead of mourning the absence of leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, young black men should look in the mirror for their next leader, a co-founder of the Black Panther Party said yesterday.

"Some of y'all should step up," said Bobby Seale, who helped start the militant group that popularized black power and that urged blacks to defend themselves against brutality and racism.

"You are the leaders," he said.

Wearing his trademark black beret, the graying Seale spoke yesterday with 22 black male students at Ohio State University about leadership tactics in the 1960s and today.

Seale, 70, told students that the black-power movement was fueled with youthful energy from leaders their age. The young men, student leaders from OSU's Bell Resource Center, weren't even born when Seale and Huey Newton started the Black Panthers.

Seale was scheduled to lecture last night at Hitchcock Hall.

The Black Panthers, founded in 1966 and dissolved a decade later, were criticized for being armed during a time when most civil-rights leaders advocated nonviolence.

The group took up arms, Seale said, after being harassed by police. FBI and CIA operatives also infiltrated chapters. Conflicts with the police ended in the killings of 28 Black Panthers and 14 officers, he said.

"It was all legal, and I don't regret any of it," Seale said of the violent clashes, because police brutality was 50 times worse then than it is now.

But violence shouldn't be the legacy of the group, said Seale, who lives in Oakland, Calif., where the group was founded.

The first year the organization had fewer than 50 members. After the assassination of King, its numbers swelled to more than 5,000 with 49 chapters across the country, Seale said.

The group also sponsored community breakfasts and health programs that are seldom mentioned as part of its legacy, he said.

Black Panthers were not anti-white, Seale said. "If you had a progressive bone in your body, we would work with you."

He doesn't endorse the racial separation advocated by some members of the New Black Panther Party and he is not affiliated with the group, Seale said.

"Their rhetoric is too racist," he said. "I don't have time for that."

The New Black Panther Party is listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Since his days with the original group, Seale said, he has worked to develop youth employment and community programs. He was a community liaison in the African-American Studies Department at Temple University from 1985 to 1995.

He has written a cookbook and is working to get his life story made into a film.

Seale, who lectures frequently, told the young people yesterday that they should prepare to lead by getting training and education and identifying the skills they have that would best serve the public.

Senior Tariq Seifullah, 27, asked Seale how students can stop rising tuition costs so they can continue their education.

"At the rate it's going, you're going to have to make six figures to send your kids to college," Seifullah said. "It will hinder leaders if we can't afford to send them to college."

Seale encouraged them to use the system by demanding that their legislators slow the rise in tuition.

Sophomore Brandon Carter asked Seale if the committee style of shared leadership that the Black Panthers employed was effective. Carter, 20, said he thinks a lack of unity is hurting black leaders.

"There is a feeling of unrest. People don't know what's going on," he said. "If people get together and work together, more things would be better."

sherri.williams@dispatch.com

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..> ..> Willie Hutch Hutch grew up in Dallas where he sang with The Ambassadors. A keen and ambitious singer / songwriter as a teenager, Willie first came to the attention of the music business in 1964 when his debut single 'Love Has Put Me Down' was released by the Soul City Records label. His songs attracted the attention of The Fifth Dimension who recorded a number of them. Willie himself recorded with Venture prior to two albums in the early 70's with RCA (including 'Let's Try It Over'). In 1970, he received a phone call from producer Hal Davis who urgently needed a song written to a backing track he had entitled 'I'll Be There'. By 8 am the next morning, The Jackson 5 were in the studio recording it. Willie later co-arranged vocals on 'Got To Be There' and 'Never Can Say Goodbye' for the group, impressing Berry Gordy who employed him at Motown on a more permanent basis. Willie produced the first Smokey Robinson album without The Miracles, and when Sisters Love had a cameo role in 'The Mack', the group's manager suggested Willie record the soundtrack. The result was 'The Mack', including 'Brother's Gonna Work It Out' and 'Slick', Willie's first album for Motown in 1973. (Willie also worked with Sisters Love on 'Mr Fix-it Man'.) His other albums at the label included 'The Mark Of The Beast' (1975); 'Concert In Blues' (1976), including 'Party Down'; 'Color Her Sunshine' (1976), including 'I Like Everything About You', 'Havin' A House Party' and 'Fully Exposed' before he joined the Whitfield label for two albums, 'In Tune (1978), including 'Easy Does It', and 'Midnight Dancer'. In 1982, he wrote 'Keep The Fire Burning' for Gwen McCrae and returned to Motown for three collaborations with Berry Gordy. The first was a duet for The Four Tops and Aretha Franklin 'What Have We Got To Lose' (1983), the second a song / production for Sammy Davis Jnr, 'Hello Detroit' (1984), and the third a soundtrack album for Berry's film 'The Last Dragon' (1985). Currently listening: The Very Best of Willie Hutch By Willie Hutch Release date: 25 August, 1998 10:09 AM  0 Comments (Add Comment) | 0 Kudos Translate Powered by English Albanian Arabic Bulgarian Catalan Chinese Croatian Czech Danish Dutch Estonian Filipino Finnish French Galician German Greek Hebrew Hindi Hungarian Indonesian Italian Japanese Korean Latvian Lithuanian Maltese Norwegian Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Serbian Slovak Slovenian Spanish Swedish Thai Turkish Ukrainian Vietnamese Wednesday, February 14, 2007  "BASTARDS OF THE PARTY" Current mood:  hungry Category: News and Politics February 6, 2007 E-mail story Print Most E-Mailed TELEVISION REVIEW Roots that started in L.A.'s street gangs Documentary examines how the genesis of the Crips and Bloods stretches back decades. <>By Paul Brownfield, Times Staff Writer The sectarian violence between L.A.'s Crips and the Bloods is the stuff of oral history in "Bastards of the Party," an HBO documentary debuting tonight. The 97-minute film, disjointed at times and a little dated-feeling cinematically, un-spools from the point of view of the director, Cle Sloan, 34, a member of the Bloods since he was 12.He's known as "Bone From Athens Park," or "Bone From the Jungle." It's Sloan's journey of discovery that we're on, his roots tour, even if many of the gang members interviewed in the film appear bemused by the idea of a shared history that stretches back decades and links them to the first migration of blacks to the city from the Deep South. The forebears were looking for jobs; older men recount how the train that passed through small towns in Mississippi and Louisiana and Texas stopped, in L.A., at Central Avenue — to disgorge black passengers and keep them segregated — before continuing on into Union Station. "Bastards of the Party" was produced by Sloan and Antoine Fuqua; according to HBO's media materials, Sloan helped wrangle gang members when Fuqua was making his 2001 film "Training Day." "Bastards of the Party" takes its title from Mike Davis' 1988 socio-historical book about Los Angeles, "City of Quartz" — specifically the chapter in which Davis explicates today's gangs as the "bastard" children of the Black Panthers and other '60s empowerment groups that failed to sustain themselves as influential political entities. Sloan describes how he first realized he was part of something bigger when, thumbing through Davis' book, he saw a 1972 LAPD map of gang-infested areas that included his own Athens Park. "I got proud," he says. And then he got curious. The documentary is carved up into decades, presenting a pastiche of the social, economic and political forces that have perpetuated gang life in Southern California — and kept it a distant spectacle for most of the city. Sloan interviews current gang members and gets stories from ex-veterans of "the game" when the game wasn't as permeated with AK-47s, and emerging political power players like Alprentice "Bunchy" Carter, onetime member of the Slauson street gang turned founder of the Southern California branch of the Panthers, emerged. Sloan is a product of a generation removed from political action, upwardly mobile thanks to the drug trade of the '90s; the heroes of his youth were "Greek gods" of the formative years of the Crips and Bloods in the 1970s, legendary figures such as Raymond Washington, Jamel Barnes and Stanley "Tookie" Williams. "Bastards of the Party" is, ultimately, more elegy to what-might-have-come from the '60s movements than an examination of where gang violence stands today. But it's a reminder that the way forward starts a ways back. paul.brownfield@latimes.com "Bastards of the Party" Where: HBO When: 10 to 11:45 tonight Rating: TV-MA VL (may be unsuitable for children younger than 17 with advisories for violence and coarse language) If you want other stories on this topic, search the Archives at latimes.com/archives. TMS Reprints Article licensing and reprint options Currently listening: Rapture By Anita Baker Release date: 25 October, 1990 10:06 AM  0 Comments (Add Comment) | 2 Kudos Translate Powered by English Albanian Arabic Bulgarian Catalan Chinese Croatian Czech Danish Dutch Estonian Filipino Finnish French Galician German Greek Hebrew Hindi Hungarian Indonesian Italian Japanese Korean Latvian Lithuanian Maltese Norwegian Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Serbian Slovak Slovenian Spanish Swedish Thai Turkish Ukrainian Vietnamese Wednesday, February 14, 2007  "THE 3RD EYE" Current mood:  accomplished Category: Life <, century representation of the 'third eye' connection to the 'higher worlds' by alchemist Robert Fludd. 17th century representation of the 'third eye' connection to the 'higher worlds' by alchemist Robert Fludd. The third eye is a metaphysical and esoteric concept referring in part to the ajna (brow) chakra in certain eastern and western spiritual traditions. In New Age spirituality, the third eye may alternately symbolize a state of enlightenment or the evocation of mental images having deeply-personal spiritual or psychological significance. The third eye is often associated with visions, clairvoyance, precognition, and out-of-body experiences, and people who have allegedly developed the capacity to use their third eyes are sometimes known as seers. Contents [hide] * 1 Symbolism o 1.1 In Hinduism and Buddhism o 1.2 In Surat Shabda Yoga o 1.3 In the Western Wisdom Teachings o 1.4 Elsewhere * 2 Technique * 3 Physical basis: the pineal gland? * 4 In popular culture * 5 References and books * 6 See also [edit] Symbolism [edit] In Hinduism and Buddhism In Hinduism and Buddhism, the third eye is a symbol of enlightenment (see moksha and nirvana). The third eye is the ajna chakra (sixth chakra) also known as brow chakra or brow centre This is commonly denoted in Indian and East Asian iconography with a dot, eye or mark on the forehead of deities or enlightened beings, such as Shiva (God of Destruction), the Buddha, or any number of yogis, sages and bodhisattvas. This symbol is called the "Third Eye" or "Eye of Wisdom", or, in Buddhism, the urna. In Hinduism, it is believed that the opening of Shiva's third eye is the end of the universe. Many Hindus wear a tilak between the eyebrows to represent the third eye. [edit] In Surat Shabda Yoga In Surat Shabda Yoga, initiation by an Outer Living Satguru (Sat - true, Guru - teacher) is required and involves reconnecting soul to the Shabda (the Audible Life Stream) and stationing the Inner Shabda Master (the Radiant Form of the Master) at the third eye (tisra til) chakra. [edit] In the Western Wisdom Teachings According to Max Heindel's Rosicrucian writings, called Western Wisdom Teachings, there are in the brain two small organs called the pituitary body and the pineal gland. This last gland is also called by medical science as "the atrophied third eye"; however, these teachings describe that none of them is atrophying: the pituitary body and the pineal gland at the present time are neither evolving nor degenerating, but are dormant. It is said that in the far past, when man was in touch with the inner worlds, these organs were his means of ingress thereto, and they will again serve that purpose at a later stage. According to this view, they were connected with the involuntary or sympathetic nervous system and to regain contact with the inner worlds (to reawaken the pituitary body and the pineal gland) it is necessary to establish the connection of the pineal gland and the pituitary body with the cerebrospinal nervous system. It is said that when that is accomplished, man will again possess the faculty of perception in the higher worlds (i.e. clairvoyance), but on a grander scale than it was in the distant past, because it will be in connection with the voluntary nervous system and therefore under the control of his will. [edit] Elsewhere The third eye is used in many meditation schools and arts, such as in yoga, qigong, many Chinese martial arts, Ch'an Buddhism, and in some Japanese martial arts like Karate and Aikido (both use Zen Buddhism as a philosophy). [edit] Technique In Taoism and many traditional Chinese religious sects such as "chan", "third eye training" involves focussing attention on the point between the eyebrows with the eyes closed in various qigong postures. The goal is at first to be able to fix one's attention while other physiological changes are happening in the body. Eventually, this training is said to allow one to keep one's attention properly on the opponent or opponents in a physical confrontation. Students who undertake such training often report experiencing feelings of pressure, pulsing, tingling and other sensations between the eyebrows and around the forehead area. However, opening third eye can not depend on this focusing only. This only allows one to tune in to the right vision. Generally, opening third eye requires strong energy to explode all clogged channels and supplies constant energy to maintain it. In theory, the third eye, also called mind's eye, is situated right between the 2 eyes, and expands up to the middle of the forehead when opened. It is one of the main chakras--the sixth chakra (the third eye is in fact a part of the main meridian, the line separating the left and right hemispheres of the body). Some claim that the chakras can be opened via chakra gemstones, and that to open the third eye requires an amethyst that has been cleaned under flowing water before use. [edit] Physical basis: the pineal gland? Some, including Rick Strassman, have suggested that the third eye is in fact the partially dormant pineal gland, which resides between the two hemispheres of the brain. This concept is supported by the pinealocytes, one type of cells within the pineal gland, having a strong resemblance to the photoreceptors of the eye. Additionally, the pineal gland is said to excrete dimethyltryptamine (DMT), which is believed to be a chemical precursor to dreams, near-death experiences, meditation, visions, and other forms of awareness that aren't well understood yet. While still speculative, this indicates that the pineal gland could be the physical manifestation of the third eye. Various types of lower vertebrates, such as reptiles and amphibians, can actually sense light via their pineal gland which serves to synchronize their circadian rhythm to the daily light/dark cycle. Current medical understanding states that the pineal gland is a producer of the hormone Melatonin, which has a role in regulating the body's circadian rhythm to the daily light/dark cycle and also assists with the immune system. See also: Pineal gland and Melatonin [edit] In popular culture Alternative hip hop group Hieroglyphics' logo Alternative hip hop group Hieroglyphics' logo The third eye has been displayed in many varieties of fiction, often to denote a transcendent evolution which may also grant the recipient the ability to see through time or be in communication with a spiritual being. An example of its use this way can be found in the videogame killer7, in which a young boy (Emir Parkreiner) shoots himself on the roof of a hotel during a full moon. Instead of dying, however, a third eye opens on his forehead and he is reincarnated as Garcian Smith, who has the power to give life to the dead, and becomes spiritually bound to his deity mentor. In November 1956 the book The Third Eye by Lobsang Rampa was published in the United Kingdom. The book claims to tell the true story of a Buddhist monk's training in Tibet, and contains a description of a surgical operation in which a third eye is drilled into Rampa's forehead, giving him the ability to read other people's auras. This type of operation is known as trepanation. The Third Eye is a controversial book as it contains New Age and Occult themes that are not part of standard Buddhist teachings. It was also shown that the book was written not by a Tibetan monk, but by a man from Devon called Cyril Hoskin (1910 - 1981) who had never been to Tibet and spoke no Tibetan. The American band Tool also makes reference to "prying open my third eye" in a track from their 1996 release ..nima named "Third Eye". Though many believe this is simply a tribute to the comedian Bill Hicks, it can also be attributed as a facet of the bands psychedelic nature. Some find it to correspond to their numerous references to LSD use, and their use of manufactured DMT. On the underground hip hop scene, many emcees and rappers (for example, Hieroglyphics, Dilated Peoples, and Blackalicious) use the idea of "transcending" spiritually and having a higher power speak through their rhymes/flows/freestyles. This has led a few artists to start using the term "third eye" in their lyrics as a means to take their verses and their consciousness to a higher level, rather than rap about worldly possessions. The Hieroglyphics crew's first collaborative album was titled 3rd Eye Vision, and the third eye concept is featured prominently in the group's logo. The third eye is also seen in Japanese animation. One popular example is in the series Dragonball Z through the character of Tien. Tien had trained to unlock his third eye, or the 6th gate to his Chakra, but eventually trained to the point where his third eye became so advanced, it created a physical manifestation so the Third Eye became clearly visible. In another series, 3x3 Eyes the female lead, Pai, is the last Sanjiyan Unkara, a race of triclops that possess the secret to immortality; the third eye possesses its own personality and is the source of the Sanjiyan's power, vanishing completely from view when closed. In Elfen Lied, the female main character, Lucy, is a diclonius: a mutated variant of humans with an overly developed pineal gland that gives them telepathic abilities, as well as the ability to telekineticly manipulate solid matter through the use of, what is known through the anime as, "vectors". Also, Gaara from the Naruto series manipulates sand into the shape of an eyeball, connecting it to his optic nerve, allowing him to open his third eye. Third Eye Blind is also the name of an alternative rock band from San Francisco. Chocho Momoo produced "Third Eye" candies in the 1930s. [edit] References and books * Hale, Teresa (1999). The Book of Chakra Healing. [ISBN 0-8069-2097-1] * Radha, Siviananda (2004). Kundalini Yoga for the West. New York: Shambhala [ISBN 1-932018-04-2] * Sharp, Dr. Michael (2005). Dossier of the Ascension: A Practical Guide to Chakra Activation and Kundalini Awakening. [ISBN 0-9735379-3-0] [edit] See also * The Man With the Third Eye * Kundalini * Mental body * New Thought * Technique of Opening Third Eye * The Voice of the Silence Hinduism Currently listening: Stalemate/Fear Not for Man By Fela Kuti Release date: 01 November, 2006 9:49 AM  0 Comments (Add Comment) | 0 Kudos Translate Powered by English Albanian Arabic Bulgarian Catalan Chinese Croatian Czech Danish Dutch Estonian Filipino Finnish French Galician German Greek Hebrew Hindi Hungarian Indonesian Italian Japanese Korean Latvian Lithuanian Maltese Norwegian Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Serbian Slovak Slovenian Spanish Swedish Thai Turkish Ukrainian Vietnamese Wednesday, November 01, 2006  "Clouds Single in stores in 11/14/06" Category: Music The lead single from the long awaited release from the 3rd "Clouds" will be hit stores in less than two weeks.   Check it out   7:03 AM  0 Comments (Add Comment) | 0 Kudos Translate Powered by English Albanian Arabic Bulgarian Catalan Chinese Croatian Czech Danish Dutch Estonian Filipino Finnish French Galician German Greek Hebrew Hindi Hungarian Indonesian Italian Japanese Korean Latvian Lithuanian Maltese Norwegian Polish Portuguese Romanian Russian Serbian Slovak Slovenian Spanish Swedish Thai Turkish Ukrainian Vietnamese