When was the last time you watched a music video that made you smile from start to finish? Now, trust some of us may be a little biased, because Charleston, S.C. is OUR CITY; but there is something about this video that just makes you feel good while watching.
Let’s just say we’ve seen some great musicians and some awesome music videos get birthed in this town; but honey, Ranky Tanky did THAT! What’s that you ask? Ranky Tanky took us through downtown Charleston, they took us to church, they took us to the juke joint, they made us clap our hands and throw them up. We were two-stepping and soul clapping while watching all these familiar faces we see everyday have a good old Lowcountry time. Blacks and whites partying and dancing together, and looking good while doing it!
Ranky Tanky didn’t just give us a music video, they gave us an experience and a feeling. They gave us a good feeling, down home, slap ya momma and cuzzin’ nem, sangin’ good time, work of art!
I know the people in Starbucks think I was crazy because I was smiling and bobbing my head so hard while watching this dope vidoe. Aye Ranky Tanky – ya’ll did THAT! Make sure you all check out the credits to see all the lovely producers and participants that made this happen.
Donnimechia Singleton – North Charleston, S.C Youth Resistance
On a drive through the city this last election day, we spotted a young man with a bright sign on Ashley River Road in Nort Charleston, S.C. that read, “Guns Down Chucktown.” We learned that this was Donnimechia Singleton, the founder of North Charleston, S.C Youth Resistance, and he has made it one of his primary goals in life to be an activist in the community, determined to calm the gun violence that is plaguing the low country. We stopped through so that he could introduce himself to the Syllabus Magazine Audience.
We all know Chris Hanson from “How To Catch A Predator”, but Chris is also the host of Emmy award winning “Crime Watch Daily”, a syndicated investigative news magazine series. “Crime Watch Daily” explores unsolved murders and shocking crimes, and takes viewers on a brief journey in the lives of the victims and their perpetrators. This week, CWD featured Dan Hiers, a former Charleston County police officer and one of the most sought after fugitives on the U.S. Marshall’s Most Wanted list.
Before his disappearance, Dan had been accused of molesting an 8 year-old girl and had been turned in by her mother to the police. On the morning he went to resign, his wife was found in her bed with a gun shot wound to the head. Dan 10 years ago and the police claim they have searching for him ever since. The question that CWD asked was “is he a kind-hearted cop, or a cold-blooded killer who shot his wife in the head?”
Below you can watch parts 1 and 2 of Crime Watch Daily’s video “Cop Accused of Murder, Molestation” Part 1 of 2
This one hurts. Like, death is hard to talk about, but this one right here just – hurts. On yesterday, we heard the shocking news that our leader, not just our Black Lives Matter leader, but our LEADER, Muhiyyidin lost his life in New Orleans. At the age of 32, this beacon in our community is gone. The New Orleans police have not been able to identify the murderer, nor have they found any suspects. The sad realization that many of us are thinking, is that we may never find out what happened.
Yesterday, after finding out the news, it was pure disbelief – hell, even my mother couldn’t believe it and she had only met him a few times! But, anyone who came in contact with Muhiyyidin knows that he was far too good for this earth – like really just genuinely good. He was an activist, a leader, a planner, a doer (never just a talker – NEVER). He was always planning, trying to figure out what the people of his community needed most. He managed to get ME (the girl who ducks everybody; the girl who doesn’t want to come to your event, party, get-together) – yup, he managed to get people like me to show up, get active, participate, and be a part of the conversation – time and time again.
We had a lot of wild moments under the leadership of Muhiyyidin, some funny, some serious, but all memorable. Thank you Muhiyyidin aka, Moya for your leadership. Your determination and drive to do good within the community and the world was genuine and that’s why so many people rocked with you. I appreciate who you are and I thank you for the impact you made here in Charleston. Now, you can really walk barefoot, beat your drum, and spend eternity in perfect peace.
Here are some great memories we got to have with Muhiyyidin:
(Honorable Mention) Leeds Avenue – Protests
July 14, 2016 – During the Michael Slager trial, a lot happened. Protests continued and the people of Charleston spent a lot of time outside (and inside) of the jail on Leeds to send a message to Michael Slager and the North Charleston police department. There was even one night some of the BLM protesters had been arrested and we were yet again, joining Muhiyyidin, in the lobby of the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center protesting their arrest.
5) Charleston/ NYC BLM Protests for Eric Garner
December 13, 2014 – This was the Black Lives Matter Protest, Marion Square, Downtown Charleston, SC. This was really at the start of his legacy and on this day, Charleston joined in solidarity w/ the NYC protests for Eric Garner.
4) The Stomping Ground – North Charleston City Hall
Name someone other than Muhiyyidin who could bring every hip-hop artist, poet, creator, media personality, and politician within 100 mile radius and have them marching through the streets and shutting down North Charleston! Thank you Muhiyyidin – you will continue to be an inspiration!
3) Muhiyyidin and Students of College of Charleston
July 13, 2016 – Muhiyyidin and students from The College of Charleston organized a MASSIVE protest in Marian Spare, to send a message to the schools President in regards to the confederate flag!
2) This Is What Democracy Looks Like
April 8, 2015 – On this day, in protest of the murder of Walter Scott, Muhiyyidin organized a protest inside the walls of City Hall. We LITERALLY turned North Charleston City upside down. They didn’t know what to do with us!
1) Superheroes Do Exist
I remember riding down Calhoun street and having to stop for gas before heading over to the College of Charleston. Rumors were flying that protesters would be showing up to speak out against Bree Newsome, the young woman that had climbed a flag pole to remove a conferate flag. The plan was to protest their protest! While pumping gas, I began to hear sirens, police were racing through traffic down Calhoun towards the College. I knew there was drama and figured a fight broke out. The had blocked off the streets and wouldn’t allow anyone else near the college, so I decided to head home. Before I could even get home, my the video is already all over Facebook! I’m getting text and phone calls asking “did you see Muhiyyidin” ! This was a classic moment in Charleston Black history! I probably watched that video twenty times, it was hilarious.
Active shooter awareness sessions are cancelled due to Irma. Sessions will be rescheduled.
RUN-HIDE-FIGHT
It’s unfortunate to admit that we now live in a world where you have to consider what you would do in the worst, most horrible circumstances, should you be placed there. We have reached a point in society where you not only consider what you would do, many are now training for real life situations you once thought only occurred in movies. Even in Charleston, SC, what many consider one of the Best Places to Visit in America(according to Conde Nast), you have to prepare yourself for the worst. The Holy City has had their fair share of unholy acts. Due to the reality of more active and mass shooting across the United States, the police department in the lowcountry are helping businesses to think quick, be smart, and fight back if you can.
Businesses in the Lowcountry are getting an opportunity to partake in an upcoming awareness session being held by the City of Charleston Police Department. The sessions are called Active Shooter Awareness Sessions and they are being held for businesses on Tuesday, September 12th and Wednesday, September 13th.
In lieu of last weeks lunchtime shooting death and hostage situation, by a former employee who took the life of his boss, Chef Shane Whiddon, we are unfortunately living in a time where understanding how to handle an active shooter is becoming a necessity and a way of life – even in a city as “friendly” as Charleston.
The Active Shooter sessions are being held in the Charleston Museum Auditorium each day starting at 3:00 pm, in downtown at 360 Meeting Street. Each of the sessions should last approximately 1-hour; it includes a presentation along with a question and answer period for area business owners.
The Charleston Police Department, in a memo released this afternoon stated,
“Sessions will cover layered security approaches which will assist businesses in prevention as well as recommendations from the Police Department on how to respond if an incident should occur in your business.”
The Department is also including presentation materials available for area business owners at the end of each session. They are encouraging that all businesses and owners share the recommendations with their staff. For any additional questions, contact Lt. Heath King via email at kinghe@charleston-sc.gov or call 843-720-3924
