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COMMENTARY: Lost Art of Fighting – With Hands: Part II

NNPA NEWSWWIRE — We recalled “the good ole days” when kids who had a beef with each other fought it out – by hand. They exchanged punches and bruises, exhausted themselves, made up, and shortly were friends again. They lived to fight another day, and as years passed, looked back on the disagreement and laughed about it as a learning experience.
The post COMMENTARY: Lost Art of Fighting – With Hands: Part II first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 years ago

June 5, 2023

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I was Just Thinking…

By Norma Adams-Wade | Texas Metro News

In part I of this discussion, we recalled “the good ole days” when kids who had a beef with each other fought it out – by hand. They exchanged punches and bruises, exhausted themselves, made up, and shortly were friends again. They lived to fight another day, and as years passed, looked back on the disagreement and laughed about it as a learning experience. Not so today. Enter stage left the mass-killing power of the deadly AK-47 and AR-15 semi-automatic rifles that pro-gun advocates refuse to call “assault weapons.”

I was just thinking…what is it about these two rifles that have so scarred our society in the hands of individuals who should not have access to them? Let’s explore. AK-47. This shoulder weapon has been in use for 76 years, since 1947. It was designed by Mikhail Timofeyevich Kalashnikov, a Russian inventor, military engineer, and writer. AK-47 stands for “Automatic Kalashnikov 1947.” Kalashnikov for the name of the inventor and 47 for the year he designed it.

As we said in Part I, media reports usually add the word “style” when mentioning the two weapons in news stories to avoid confusing them with the original models. The Soviet Armed Forces began using this attack and defense rifle in 1949, lauding it for being an improvement over previous combat weapons, and easier to mass produce. It holds 30 rounds and can fire 600 rounds per minute, depending on how quickly the shooter can reload.

Eventually, Soviet soldiers reported some problems with the weapon’s accuracy. It still remains very popular, though more efficient military firearms have been designed. As the popularity grew, the inventor was quoted saying he lamented the direction society had taken his AK-47 invention. He said he designed it as a “weapon of defense, not a weapon of offense.” Below is the other weapon frequently used in mass shootings. AR-15.

The letter ID of this weapon does not stand for Automatic Rifle or Assault Rifle – a common misconception. This weapon is named after its American manufacturer, Armalite Rifle. The 15 represents the model. It is the 15th weapon design that the Armalite company produced. Vietnam War soldiers used a Colt-manufactured derivative of the weapon called the M16. Eugene Stoner, Armalite’s lead gun designer, created the weapon shortly after the company began operating in 1954.

He designed it for civilian use, mainly for local law enforcement and game hunters. It now is considered among the nation’s most popular high-powered semi-automatic firearms. The light-weight rifle weighs about 6 pounds and can easily be customized with fancy attachments — tactical lights, magazines, stocks, buffers, muzzles, etc. –that fascinate gun-enthusiasts at crowded gun shows.

Unfortunately, because of its power, ease and efficiency, the AR-15 has become the go to weapon for mass shootings. Anyone can buy this deathly weapon at age 18, and in Tex – as with almost no regulation. Researchers say about 500 companies currently manufacture their own AR-15-style firearm. The now vilified National Rifle Association (NRA) estimates there are about 8 million AR-15-style rifles in circulation in the U. S. Under former President Bill Clinton, the federal government banned semi-automatic assault weapons from 1994 to 2004. After that decade, sales and popularity ballooned. Debate also heightened concerning how to confine its use to responsible and mentally stable individuals.

(TO BE CONTINUED) Part III will examine the now-vilified National Rifle Association (NRA) – its history, purpose, leaders, and who it attracts as members.

Norma Adams-Wade, is a proud Dallas native, University of Texas at Austin journalism graduate and retired Dallas Morning News senior staff writer. She is a founder of the National Association of Black Journalists and was its first southwest regional director. She became The News’ first Black full-time reporter in 1974. norma_adams_wade@yahoo.com

The post COMMENTARY: Lost Art of Fighting – With Hands: Part II first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Black Feminist Movement Mobilizes in Response to National Threats

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States.

Published

20 hours ago

May 30, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States. The event, led by the organization Black Feminist Future, is headlined by activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis. Paris Hatcher, executive director of Black Feminist Future, joined Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known to outline the mission and urgency behind the gathering, titled “Get Free.” “This is not just a conference to dress up and have a good time,” Hatcher said. “We’re building power to address the conditions that are putting our lives at risk—whether that’s policing, reproductive injustice, or economic inequality.” Hatcher pointed to issues such as rising evictions among Black families, the rollback of bodily autonomy laws, and the high cost of living as key drivers of the event’s agenda. “Our communities are facing premature death,” she said.

Workshops and plenaries will focus on direct action, policy advocacy, and practical organizing skills. Attendees will participate in training sessions that include how to resist evictions, organize around immigration enforcement, and disrupt systemic policies contributing to poverty and incarceration. “This is about fighting back,” Hatcher said. “We’re not conceding anything.” Hatcher addressed the persistent misconceptions about Black feminism, including the idea that it is a movement against men or families. “Black feminism is not a rejection of men,” she said. “It’s a rejection of patriarchy. Black men must be part of this struggle because patriarchy harms them too.” She also responded to claims that organizing around Black women’s issues weakens broader coalitions. “We don’t live single-issue lives,” Hatcher said. “Our blueprint is one that lifts all Black people.”

The conference will not be streamed virtually, but recaps and updates will be posted daily on Black Feminist Future’s YouTube channel and Instagram account. The event includes performances by Tank and the Bangas and honors longtime activists including Billy Avery, Erica Huggins, and Alexis Pauline Gumbs. When asked how Black feminism helps families, Hatcher said the real threat to family stability is systemic oppression. “If we want to talk about strong Black families, we have to talk about mass incarceration, the income gap, and the systems that tear our families apart,” Hatcher said. “Black feminism gives us the tools to build and sustain healthy families—not just survive but thrive.”

Stacy M. Brown

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Hoover’s Commutation Divides Chicago as State Sentence Remains

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial.

Published

2 days ago

May 29, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal sentence for Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover has been commuted, but he remains incarcerated under a 200-year state sentence in Illinois. The decision by Donald Trump to reduce Hoover’s federal time has reignited longstanding debates over his legacy and whether rehabilitation or continued punishment is warranted. The commutation drew immediate public attention after music executive Jay Prince and artist Chance the Rapper publicly praised Trump’s decision. “I’m glad that Larry Hoover is home,” said Chance the Rapper. “He was a political prisoner set up by the federal government. He created Chicago Votes, mobilized our people, and was targeted for that.”

But Hoover, the founder of the Gangster Disciples, is not home—not yet. Now in federal custody at the Florence Supermax in Colorado, Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial. “There is a divide in the Black community here,” said Chicago journalist Jason Palmer during an appearance on the Let It Be Known morning program. “Some view Hoover as someone who brought structure and leadership. Others remember the violence that came with his organization.” Palmer explained that while Hoover’s gang originally formed for protection, it grew into a criminal network responsible for extensive harm in Chicago. He also noted that Hoover continued to run his organization from state prison using coded messages passed through visitors, prompting his transfer to federal custody.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is widely considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, has not issued a statement. Palmer suggested that silence is strategic. “Releasing Hoover would create enormous political consequences,” Palmer said. “The governor’s in a difficult spot—he either resists pressure from supporters or risks national backlash if he acts.” According to Palmer, Hoover’s federal commutation does not make him a free man. “The federal sentence may be commuted, but he still has a 200-year state sentence,” he said. “And Illinois officials have already made it clear they don’t want to house him in state facilities again. They prefer he remains in federal custody, just somewhere outside of Colorado.”

Palmer also raised concerns about what Hoover’s case could signal for others. “When R. Kelly was convicted federally, state prosecutors in Illinois and Minnesota dropped their charges. If a president can commute federal sentences based on public pressure or celebrity support, others like R. Kelly or Sean Combs could be next,” Palmer said. “Meanwhile, there are thousands of incarcerated people without fame or access to public platforms who will never get that consideration.” “There are people who are not here today because of the violence connected to these organizations,” Palmer said. “That has to be part of this conversation.”

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WATCH: Five Years After George Floyd: Full Panel Discussion | Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real | Live Podcast Event

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

Published

3 days ago

May 28, 2025

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=OsNLWTz6jU0&feature=oembed

May 25, 2020. The world stopped and watched as a life was taken.

But what has happened since?

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

She shares reflections, insights, and the story of a community forever changed. What has a year truly meant, and where do we go from here?

This is more than just a date; it’s a moment in history. See what one leader in the Black press has to say about it.

Recorded live at UROC in Minneapolis, this powerful discussion features:

Panelists: