INFO: SeeingBlack.com - February 22, 2010

The Holla from www.SeeingBlack.com, February 22, 2010

What is the purpose of Hillary Clinton's recent speech about Iran? The most obvious conclusion is that it is to promote conflict, and to convince Americans that Iran is an actual threat to their security.
By Mark Weisbrot

Registration is open for the Split This Rock Poetry Festival 2010! From March 10 through March 13, 2010, the festival in Washington, D.C. will feature readings, workshops, panel discussions, youth programming, film, activism, opportunities to speak out for social justice, imagine a way forward, and celebrate the many ways that poetry can act as an agent for social change.

US reaches $1.25B settlement with Black farmers. Portland officer cleared in fatal shooting of unarmed Black man. No civil rights charges in police killing of Sean Bell. La. jury acquits White Officers in killing of 73-year-old Black man. Regulators: Toyota flaws linked to deaths of 34. The case for busting the filibuster. Report: largest corporations responsible for $2.2T in environmental damage. Obama to back health bill through budget reconciliation. Study: highest Medicaid enrollment in decades. Welfare recipients forced to sell food stamps to buy basic necessities. And MUCH more...Check the REAL news!

Haitians hold day of mourning one month after earthquake. Study: Haiti damage could top $13.2B. Haitian president: it will take three years to remove rubble. Second major rainfall since quake hits the country. UN launches record $1.4B appeal. UN relief coordinator "disappointed" in Haiti response. 8 missionaries freed, return to US. Check all the Haiti news.

 A memorial poem by Ruth-Miriam Garnett and six of Lucille Clifton's poems: blessing the boats, sorrow song, jasper texas 1998, wishes for sons, my dream about being white and mulberry fields.

 Death toll revised to 230,000. Rainy season approaches. US sets May 1 target for shelter, long after rainy season begins. Judge calls for release of detained missionaries. women protest lack of aid. US firms lobby for reconstruction deals.

President Obama hosts civil rights leaders on African American unemployment. Study: lowest-income Americans face 30 percent unemployment. Appeals court to hear arguments in cell-phone tracking case. Student files suit over detention for English-Arabic study materials. Insurance company sued for denying treatment to 5-Year-Old cancer patient. Top insurers post record profits while dropping 2.7M policyholders. Survey: quarter of job losses will be permanent. US, UK lose bid to censor docs in British torture case. Palestinian families appeal to UN over Israeli construction of "Museum of Tolerance" on Jerusalem's historic Mamilla Cemetery. And MUCH more! Check the REAL news!

New Blog--Dogging Obama
Jackie Jones writes:
"...A brother was holding a poster with a Hitlerian moustache on Obama's face. Okay, a little silly, I'm thinking, but free speech, all that. But as I came closer I heard the words that sent me straight into the building without stopping to hear his point: "Don't you want to know about the bastard?" 
The language got worse from there. 
I don't have any beef with those who have one with the president. I'm all for free speech, the right to vigorous and rigorous debate. Anyone in public office, and particularly the president, ought to get close scrutiny. That said, the way to get my intention is not to denigrate someone in order to convince me that his policies are wrong..."

Haiti confirms toll of over 200,000. Also,1M earthquake survivors lack food aid. One million remain homeless in Haiti. US missionaries charged with kidnapping Haitian children. G7 nations pledge to forgive Haiti's debt. Clinton to coordinate Haiti relief for UN. Plus: links to organizations continuing

Why no Internet buzz about Denzel as a Black hero in "The Book of Eli"? Are we Black film goers conditioned to not see our heroes? Or conditioned to see and cheer only Black stereotypical heroes? If Neytiri of the Na'vi (played by Zoe Saldana) in "Avatar" was not a hero, then I don't know what a hero is.
By Esther Iverem

Tennessee firm exposed Black workers to more radiation than Whites. Autopsy: FBI agents shot Detroit Imam 21 times. War spending increases in record $3.8T budget request. Rep. Donna Edwards speaks on Supreme Court ruling on corporate electioneering. Report: CIA operatives allowed to work for private firms. Activist behind ACORN controversy arrested for wiretapping office of senator. Human rights group rejects Israeli "whitewash" of Gaza Attack. And More....Click here for the REAL news...

Visit Our New Blog!
Welcome to Ari Merretazon and his new blog BLOG--Reparations Now! Let the Healing Begin!
A blog on the reparations movement for African Americans and related news and topics.
Here are some of the topics he has posted. Remember to register to at the message board
first (if you are not already registered), before you try to post a comment/repsonse on the blog.

"We are humbled by the tribulations of the people of Haiti. At this time of destruction, suffering, death, and survival, we offer our condolences, our prayers, and our aid. At the same time, as scholars of the African and African-American experience, we are dismayed by the inhumanity of those who have used this tragedy as an opportunity to espouse groundless explanations for Haiti's troubles..."
--the Department of African & African American Studies at Duke University

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