Dr. Francves Cress Weising, Author of the Isis Papers, Dead at 80

Dr. Frances Cress Welsing, a lauded author, researcher, and psychiatrist, has died, according to reports. She was 80. Welsing is best known for composing The Isis Papers: The Keys to the Colors, and is the originator of the “melanin theory” and the “neuroses” of white supremacy. The Howard University graduate wrote essays and did extensive research on colorism, racism, and inequality, often exploring concepts of white supremacy in her works. Her research, done throughout the early 1970s into the 1990s, was controversial at the time, focusing on white racism while offering a theory of black pride and superiority based on levels of melanin.

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Cuba's Revolution Enters New Phase

As Cuba’s Revolution celebrates 57 years since rebels forced out the U.S.-backed regime of Fulgencio Batista, the country is deep into a process of normalizing relations with the United States. Cubans are hopeful that the changes on the island will improve upon the country’s important gains, while also reducing the impacts of U.S. hostility and interference.

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China says U.S. can't slam others on rights when it has racism problems at home

China's foreign ministry said on Thursday that the United States has no right to confront other countries on their human rights records when it faces problems with racism and mistreatment of prisoners at home. Both U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and U.S. ambassador to China Max Baucus issued statements on Wednesday to mark International Human Rights Day in which they mentioned cases such as the imprisoned Chinese Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said it was hypocritical of the United States to do this considering its own poor record, in apparent reference to recent protests over the killings of unarmed black men and a U.S. Senate report on the torture of detainees after the Sept. 11 attacks.

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ALL THAT JAZZ & More, Reggae, Soca Fusion

All that Jazz that & More, Reggae, Soca Fusion comes to Pembroke Pines, Florida at the Susan B. Katz Performing Arts Theater, 17195 Sheridan Street, Saturday, December 12, 2015, 7p.m. to 10 p.m. Just in time to start the holidays right with great Jazz, Reggae, Ska and Soca Music spiced up with Latin flavor. All That Jazz and More, brings together

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Barbados Wants to Ditch the Queen on the 50th Anniversary of its Independence

If all goes to the government’s plan, the former British will become a republic by 30 November 2016, five decades after it became a sovereign state, Tom Brooks-Pollock reports for London’s Independent. Barbados has set a date for the removal of Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state, with the former British colony set to replace the monarch with a ceremonial president from independence day next year. If all goes to the government’s plan, the Caribbean island will become a republic by 30 November 2016 – the 50th anniversary of it becoming a sovereign state.

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No more Christmas for Tanzania Hapa Kazi tu!

In many ways it is another new dawn for Tanzania, reminiscent of the days of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Tanzania’s founding president, a man famed for his spendthrift ways and his idealism. On October 29, 2015, Magufuli was announced the 5th President of the United Republic of Tanzania. The announcement was received with excitement by many Tanzanians. There was, to be sure, grumbling. Edward Lowassa, who carried the banner for the opposition coalition, UKAWA, claimed the polls had been stolen.

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Sunday Open Thread Holiday Music

“Do You Hear What I Hear?” is a Christmas song written in October 1962 with lyrics by Noël Regney and music by Gloria Shayne Baker.[1] The pair were married at the time, and wrote it as a plea for peace during the Cuban Missile Crisis.[2] It has sold tens of millions of copies and has been covered by hundreds of artists.[2] Noel Regney wrote the lyrics for the song, while Gloria Shayne Baker composed the Christmas carol‘s music in October 1962.[2] This was an unusual arrangement for the two writers.

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