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IN MEMORIAM: Remembering the Legacy of Director John Singleton

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “Time and time again, John drew upon his unique life experiences as a South Los Angeles native to skillfully showcase the African American experience in his highly acclaimed roster of films, which include ‘Higher Learning,’ ‘Poetic Justice,’ and ‘Baby Boy.’ John forced our country to reckon with the ills of our troubled history with the issue of race in ‘Rosewood,’” wrote Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) who was also a personal friend of Singleton.

Published

6 years ago

May 2, 2019

Oakland Post

By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor

Like a meteor, John Singleton, the youngest-ever Best Director nominee in the history of the Academy Awards, died on April 29 after a stroke. He was 51.

“An inspiration to us all. John Singleton, you will be greatly missed,” the Academy of Arts and Sciences said in a statement on April 29.

At age 24, Singleton became the youngest African American — and youngest person ever — to be nominated for an Oscar. Nominated for Best Director for his 1991 film, ‘Boyz N the Hood,’ which was also nominated for Best Original Screenplay. The film would become a staple and a right of passage moment in the African American community.

“Time and time again, John drew upon his unique life experiences as a South Los Angeles native to skillfully showcase the African American experience in his highly acclaimed roster of films, which include ‘Higher Learning,’ ‘Poetic Justice,’ and ‘Baby Boy.’ John forced our country to reckon with the ills of our troubled history with the issue of race in ‘Rosewood,’” wrote Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) who was also a personal friend of Singleton.

“He brought new awareness to the realities and pain our community faced at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic with his latest FX television series ‘Snowfall.’ All the while, John paved the way for future African American directors and filmmakers, and created opportunities for scores of young African American actors,” she added

Singleton launched the acting careers of several young African Americans on his way to notoriety. They included Ice Cube, Tupac Shakur, Cuba Gooding, Regina King, Janet Jackson, Taraji P. Henson, and Tyrese Gibson.

Singleton’s breakout film, ‘Boyz N the Hood,’ relayed a story that covered the territory of drugs, working class Black families and gun violence that many at the time were not ready for. Singleton’s work highlighted a jarring statistic: One out of every twenty-one Black American males will be murdered.

Currently, homicide remains the leading cause of death for black males between the ages of 15 through 34. And, according to research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2018, “Between 2008 and 2016, black men were more likely to die by guns in homicides.”

Singleton is survived by his mother, Sheila Ward, his father, Danny Singleton and his children Justice, Maasai, Hadar, Cleopatra, Selenesol, Isis, and Seven.

Lauren Victoria Burke is an independent journalist and writer for NNPA as well as a political analyst and strategist as Principal of Win Digital Media LLC. She may be contacted at LBurke007@gmail.com and on twitter at @LVBurke

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OP-ED: The Illusion of Allyship. White Women, Your Yard Signs Mean Nothing to Me

NNPA NEWSWIRE – “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 9, 2024

Oakland Post

Political yard signs can symbolize intentions and allegiance. But this year, they’ve also symbolized betrayal. During this general election, Black women were led to believe that more White women would stand with us. Exit polls, however, told a different story. Despite overwhelming displays of support, more White women still chose to vote for the convicted felon, reality TV star, and rapist. White women answered the call but left us hanging at the polls.

A Familiar Disappointment

I live in DeKalb County, Georgia, and the abundance of Harris-Walz yard signs could’ve fooled me. But I’ve seen this before, back when Stacey Abrams ran for governor. White women showed up, put up signs, attended rallies, knocked on doors, and phone-banked. Yet, when it came time to vote, they let us down—not once but twice. I’ve been here for over 15 years, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that political signs are symbols without weight.

In every election, I’ve talked with White women. Most aren’t the primary earners in their families and vote along party lines, aligning with the preferences of their fathers and husbands. These conversations reveal a reluctance to break from tradition, even when their votes affect women and certainly when their votes impact the lives of people who look like me.

The Illusion of Solidarity—Symbols Are Not Enough

On social media, I’m seeing White women posting pictures of blue bracelets to “prove” they didn’t vote for Trump. “The blue bracelets are something White women are wearing so others can see that they didn’t vote for Trump,” says Liberal Lisa from Oklahoma on X. Chile, bye. These bracelets are hollow symbols, empty gestures that mean nothing to me. An accessory to claim distance from Trump’s legacy is superficial comfort, while the choice to not stand with us in the voting booth is far more profound.

I’ve seen Black Lives Matter signs and black squares posted on Instagram to “prove” support for Black people, but we now know that was a lie, too. Will those same people who claimed Black lives mattered now take down their Harris-Walz signs and show their true selves?

Navigating these truths is a daily struggle for me—professionally and socially. White women often misuse their privilege, supporting us only when it’s convenient. Seeing overqualified Black women sabotaged or abandoned by White women at critical moments is a constant emotional challenge. It’s exhausting to live with this reality, especially when solidarity seems like something they pick up and discard at will.

One clever campaign ad from Harris-Walz that spoke directly to White women. “Your Vote, Your Choice” emphasized that their vote was private—independent of their household situation. Another was from Olivia Howell Dreizen, the “Vote Without Fear” campaign, which empowered women to consider the greater impact of their choices. But it seems many still couldn’t choose the roadmap to freedom—even when it was handed to them.

A Call for Action Beyond Words

White women, I want to believe you care, but actions speak louder than yard signs, bracelets, or Instagram posts. Show up in our communities, advocate in your workplaces, and stand up to dismantle the structures that uphold white supremacy. Only through real action will we know where you stand.

If you choose not to act, we see you—and we know exactly where you stand. Good luck these next four years.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of BlackPressUSA.com or the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

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Supernova Parenting Conference Empowers Over 100 Parents with Resources for Neurodivergence and Mental Health

The inaugural Supernova Parenting Conference was co-hosted by Natasha Nelson, known as Supernova Momma, and Yolanda Walker, founder of Parenting Decolonized. It brought together over 100 parents, caregivers, and educators dedicated to fostering understanding and support for neurodivergent children and mental health challenges. The conference provided invaluable resources, expert insights, and a collaborative space for […]

Published

2 weeks ago

November 7, 2024

BlackPressUSA.com

The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions, and keynote speeches from leading experts in neurodiversity and mental health. Attendees left with practical tools and strategies to enhance their parenting journeys, emphasizing the importance of understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“While the conference was a tremendous success, we believe that our work doesn’t end here,” said Natasha Nelson. “It’s crucial to continue providing ongoing support and resources for parents as they navigate this important journey. We want to ensure families can access the tools they need long after the conference.”

To extend the momentum generated at the conference, Natasha and Yolanda are excited to announce the launch of the Supernova Parenting Community. This membership-based initiative aims to offer a safe and supportive environment for parents and caregivers to continue their growth as conscious parents.

Membership is available for as little as $5 a month via Patreon, making it accessible for all families seeking support.

“We know that parenting can be a challenging journey, especially when navigating neurodivergence and mental health issues,” Yolanda Walker added. “Our goal is to build a community where parents feel seen, heard, and supported. We hope you’ll join us in this vital work.”

For more information about the Supernova Parenting Community and to sign up for membership, please visit supernovaparenting.org