Culture

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The Godfather of Tennessee Whiskey – Uncle Nearest

The next time you order your Jack & Coke, Manhattan, Whiskey Sour, or Irish Coffee, if they ran out of Jack Daniels, or perhaps you want to try something different, you could tell them to bless you with one of Jack’s mentors – Uncle Nearest. Uncle Nearest isn’t just a new whiskey distillery in Tennessee, it honors an African American Slave who taught the real Jack Daniels everything he knew about the craft of creating the Whiskey that we all still drink today. Not only does Uncle Nearest honor Nathan Nearest Green, who was the first known African American Master Distiller in the country; the brand was created by a black woman named Fawn Weaver.

Fawn Weaver is a best-selling author who dedicated years of her life uncovering Nathan Nearest Green’s amazing history. What started out as an obsession to reveal that Nathan Nearest Green was the person who taught Jack Daniels, turned into a mission to let the world know the real story of how this popular whiskey was actually birthed. In a three-year period, Green has raised approximately $20 million to turn a horse farm into a distillery to take over whiskey production. This makes Weaver the first female person of color to run a major whiskey/spirit brand.

Nathan Nearest Green was a slave around 1850, and he started working with an orphan boy by the name of Jack Daniel. Many people today believe that Jack Daniel owned slaves, but this was never the case; it appears that Green was some sort of mentor to Daniel. Although there is no photo of Green, there is a photo of Jack Daniel with Green’s son, George and other workers in the early 1900s. It simply shows a black man and a white man sitting side by side, in the south, during a time when the south was deeply divided in America. This is a testament to the relationship that Jack Daniel had with Nathan Nearest Green.

Historic photo of Jack Daniel seated next to George Green, the son of Nathan “Nearest” Green, the man who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. WIKIMEDIA COMMONS/PUBLIC DOMAIN

Actor Jeffrey Wright, who plays in HBO’s “Westworld” is so passionate about Nathan Nearest Green he created a short film to honor him. Wright also got two tattoos; on one arm, Jack Daniel’s barrel house – and on the other arm, Uncle Nearest’s logo. Wright says, “we just need to know stories like this because it smashes the lies. You have this great…iconic brand, and ..this thing that is representative of something that sits in our soul that’s created by the coming together of two families…an unlikely partnership.

The Daniels family and the Green family are bonded by some kind of bond that most of us will never understand. Victoria Butler, the great-great-granddaughter, said she wished her grandmother was around to see this. Butler told CBS that the idea to create a brand with Green’s name first came from a member of Jack Daniel’s family, then from the Green family. Fawn Weaver had asked the family, “what can we do to keep Nearest Green’s legacy alive – one member said put his name on a bottle.” These two families are so bonded, three of Green’s descendants still work at the Jack Daniel’s distillery. Weaver explained this is not a competition, “when we go out in the marketplace, we are selling Uncle Nearest, but we are talking about Jack in a way that makes you want to drink Jack Daniels as well.”

These families are working together to tell a story of unity that is gracious, and a perfect testament to the bond that Jack Daniel had with his mentor Nathan Nearest Green.

Uncle Nearest is the fastest-growing independent American spirit. Some of the proceeds from the sales will go into a foundation for Green’s descendants for their college education. As of today, 10 of Nathan Nearest Green’s descendants have graduated from college. Uncle Nearest is currently available in 48 states and 148 countries; if you’re in the lowcountry, you can find it in your nearest Total Wine.

The new Uncle Nearest whiskey distillery will open to the public in Tennessee, September 2019.

Source: CBS

Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion

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Dear Ranky Tanky, Ya’ll Did THAT!

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.

Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion

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Ice Plans to Arrest and Deport Families

It sounds like something out of a dramatic Netflix series, but what’s about to happen has not pause button, and is very real. ICE plans on conducting raids this weekend on immigrants who they have documented as “illegally” residing in the United States. Here is what you and your family should know:

  1. The raids will start Sunday (not sure why they’re providing warnings), but they claim Sunday’s plan to arrest thousands of immigrants will indeed happen.
  2. People who are at risk are those who have already received court orders to be removed from the United States.
  3. Authorities say the raids will occur in 10 cities and last “multiple days”
  4. Other people who should also be concerned are those listed as “collateral”. This is problematic because if you are an immigrant who is on the scene during a raid, “Collateral” means you could also be detained even though you are not the initial target.
  5. ICE raids are absolutely going to happen: “They’re absolutely going to happen. There’s approximately a million people in this country with removal orders. And of course that isn’t what ICE will go after in this, but that’s the pool of people who have been all the way through the due process chain,” says US Citizenship and Immigration Services director Ken Cuccinelli

This is America ladies and gentlemen – 2019.

Source: CNN

Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion

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The Sudan Crisis

Beauty blogger, Shahd Khidir, is using her large platform to spread the the message and horrors that are happening in Sudan as we speak. Based in New York City, Khidir is a Sudanese Instagram Influencer with nearly one million followers. This past week, she posted a heart-wrenching plea for her followers to spread awareness about what is happening in the country of Sudan.

The Sudanese crisis has not gotten much mainstream media attention, but the government have violently cracked down on civilian protesters who are fighting for the freedom of a civilian-headed government in Khartoum. The plea from Khidir comes from the near-total government blackout of the internet and phone services, slowing the spread of information outside of this country. Civilian reports differ from what the Sudanese government is reporting in the amount of civilians that have been murdered and/or injured. Last count, 500 people have been killed, 723 injured, 650 arrested, 48 women raped, 6 men raped, and 1000 missing. There is also an unverified report that a 6 year old was raped by 10 men.

Khidir’s best friend was said to have been hiding from military forces the last time she was able to speak to him. When she finally got in touch with him 4 days later, she stated he said, “I was caught, beaten and abused and humiliated and arrested and had my phone confiscated from me. I am injured currently.”

There is currently a complete internet blackout so please follow Shahd Khidir and others like her for more details on what is happening in Sudan. Also, scroll below for more ways on how you can help during this crisis in Sudan.


Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion

Let’s Just Self-Reflect Today…

Today is a good day to take the time to do a little self-reflection, especially for those of us who live in Charleston, S.C. On this evening, four years ago was a moment in time that most of us will never forget. It was this very evening that murderer, Dylann Roof walked into a bible study in Mother Emanuel Church and murdered nine members of the church who were there to fellowship.

Rev. Clementa Pinckney (41), Cynthia Hurd (54), Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton (45), Tywanza Sanders (26), Ethel Lance (70), Susie Jackson (87), Depayne Middleton Doctor (49), Rev. Daniel Simmons (74), Myra Thompson (59).

Most of us remember this day. We remember what we were doing, hearing and seeing as news of the massacre spread through the area like wildfire. Text messages, phone calls, what we thought were rumors of people being killed in a church had us like – What! A Church? Thinking that what we were hearing was false or exaggerated information, but, it was true. Then what slowly started as shock, turned to rage for many of us as we saw the murderer on surveillance video entering and leaving the church, and wondered how in the world did he even make it out of South Carolina. Then that rage built into an unmatched fury as we saw the police with Roof in handcuffs – after they got him a meal at a Burger King because he had not eaten. Citizens poured into the streets of downtown Charleston – some ready to do something, some just to stare at the Mother Emanuel Church only imagining what just took place.

Today we reflect, on that day, on those who lost their lives, on Polly Sheppard, Felicia Sanders, and her 11 year old granddaughter who survived. Today, let’s take a moment to simply reflect instead of being busy, this is a perfect way to spend this 4th anniversary of the Emanuel 9 massacre.

We don’t often spend enough time simply being still and reflecting on what was, what is, and what is to come. Many of us may practice this at the end of the year, before the beginning of a new year, but most of our time is spent running from place to place, or so busy trying to look important on social media, we miss the opportunity to simply spend time being still and reflecting. Today, we are encouraging those who will spend this day remembering the Emanuel 9 tragedy to use this moment as an opportunity for some self-reflection; use this moment to turn tragedy into something positive.

According to researchers, self-reflection creates self-awareness, and a way to actually understand what is going on inside/within ourselves. Self-reflection can help in many ways:

  • To make sense of things. No, there is no way to make sense of what happened during the Emanuel 9 Tragedy, we understand it was pure evil. However, can you take this tragedy and understand how precious life is? In a moment, something can happen, take this time to appreciate the life you’ve been given and what you can do with it.
  • Uncover Breakthrough. During times of self-reflection, many people have found solutions to some of the problems they’ve been battling in their minds. The Emanuel 9 massacre led to a moment of self-reflection for many citizens in this state – which then led to the end of the Confederate Flag hanging over the State House. Also, you don’t see as many Confederate Flags on cars – at least not as many as we use to. Use this day to uncover some breakthroughs in your own life.
  • Challenge Your Thoughts.This can be a very dark day for many of us. This day can lead some of us to focus on the extreme racism that we deal with, especially here in the South. Today, we encourage everyone to challenge our own ways of thinking, and let’s not just focus on the bad things that happened. Each member of Emanuel who lost their life left behind great memories and stories. Reflect on some of their stories today. No, we are not pretending that evil doesn’t exist; we know this for sure. However, during this period of self-reflection let’s focus on some goodness.
  • Recognize Change & Track Progress.Again, during this time of self-reflection we are focusing on life and the appreciation of life. What are some things you’ve done to improve your own life? How far have you come? How much has changed? If nothing has changed, what can you do to make those changes? 9 people will never get a chance to have this type of reflection here on Earth, but you can – and you can do this right now. Recognize what you can improve, write it down, and track the improvements.
  • Increase Self Awareness.Reflect on where you are right now, because without this we can’t fully appreciate where we are, who we are, and every experience that has taken place in our lives. On this anniversary of the Emanuel 9, so much has happened in this country – we understand that hate and racism exist, but we also understand the fight against this type of credence has gotten bolder and more fierce. Understand how this tragedy has changed you for the better (or worse), and how does this help getting you where you need to be.
  • Live With More Intention.If nothing else can be learned from the Emanuel tragedy, it should have caused us to understand the importance of how we are moving in our current life. If your days are a blur, if you’re not accomplishing anything, if you’re constantly saying you’re going to do something and not doing it, if you’re constantly breaking promises to yourself – stop. Today is the day to reflect on how you can add more joy and purpose to your life.

Again, we are grateful for the lives of each victim of the Emanuel 9 tragedy. Their lives cause us to take a second look at our own lives, and we are blessed to have that opportunity. Wishing you all peace that surpasses all understanding on this day, and continue to say their names;Rev. Clementa Pinckney (41), Cynthia Hurd (54), Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton (45), Tywanza Sanders (26), Ethel Lance (70), Susie Jackson (87), Depayne Middleton Doctor (49), Rev. Daniel Simmons (74), Myra Thompson (59).

Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion

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Dear Ranky Tanky, Ya'll Did THAT! When was the last time you watched a music video that made you smile from start to finish? Now,...

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The Godfather of Tennessee Whiskey - Uncle Nearest The next time you order your Jack & Coke, Manhattan, Whiskey Sour, or Irish Coffee, if they...