Monday, December 23, 2024
News

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If you have ever spent any length of time in the comments section of the Post and Courier or Live 5 News, you will see many horrible remarks regarding the black community. People have a tendency to sit behind computer screens, where they grow balls the size of the Ravenel Bridge and spew hateful words towards people and ideas they don’t have the capacity to understand. Then of course, you have members of the black community who also sit behind computer screens preaching about the ills of their own communities, but never try to do anything about it. It’s a never-ending fight to try to get people to comprehend that these issues are deeper than just black against white, or pulling up your pants.

If people would take the time to get from behind a computer and attend some of the community rallies and protests, and neighborhood meetings, they would understand that the two Mike Brown rallies held on November 26th , were not just about the Mike Brown case, but it was a rally for change in our own communities and in our society. People who use Facebook and Fox News as their only source of information cannot understand that during these meetings, we not only discuss the thoughts and feelings that were birthed from the Ferguson case, but we also discuss many of the issues we have going on in our own communities across the nation.

The rallies yesterday were not just about fighting for Justice, but it left us with wanting to implement a plan of action in our community and a drive to want to continue discussions on how we can prevent Mike Brown, Trayvon, and Jaba from happening again.

On yesterday, Rev. Nelson, Rev. Johnson, and Rev Darby, and Pastor Dixon along with a crowd of supporters gathered in front of the Federal courthouse in downtown Charleston to discuss the importance of addressing the frustrations in the black community when it comes to the continuous bad blood between young black men and women and the police who are placed throughout urban communities; and how OUR communities need to strive to govern themselves accordingly.

On last night, Thomas Dixon along with more supporters gathered at Riverfront Park in North Charleston, SC in the rain, in reverence to Mike Brown and to discuss a plan of action detailing how we can work on improving community relations from within our own neighborhoods and with the police department. There was a valuable discussion from many of the members of this group regarding why they believe in 2014 we are still dealing with intense racial issues. Some believe it’s due to our disrespect of our own culture and others believing that the violence and tension we experience today is based on the historical oppression of blacks and these Mike Brown, Trayvon cases are due to a society who has continued to put band-aids on war wounds. The conversation from the day’s rallies will continue via meetings and social network, and hopefully some positive action steps will result as well.

Over the past week, I have seen some of the most judgmental comments coming from all sides regarding the ills of the black community, knowing full well that our entire nation, both black, white and other ALL have many issues that need to be addressed. African Americans however, feel the full brunt of these judgments and it’s unfair. If people would just take the time to log off Facebook and come out in to their own communities and pour wisdom, help and creative ideas into our neighborhoods instead of disparaging commentary, what a difference this would make. Come on people, don’t just talk about it; Be About It.

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2015 is right around the corner, and you all know this is the time of year when you begin to prepare to “get your mind right” for the upcoming year. We all need tools of inspiration and motivation and Syllabus Magazine is all about inspiration, especially when it comes to young entrepreneurs. If you are looking inspiration then you have to check out a new book; “Diggin’ For Treasure: Jewels of Hope When Pressure & Time Collide”. Written by Charleston, SC native, Rev. Dr. Arlecia Simmons, the book is a based on her personal journey, which she has used to inspire readers with inspirational messages, bible versus, and thought provoking questions that readers can use for daily devotion in their own lives.

South Carolina is getting an opportunity to purchase this book just in time for Christmas and the New Year. The book signing will be held Saturday, November 29th in Charleston, SC from 3-6pm at the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Visit www.looknlive.com for more details.

Read more about Rev. Dr. Arlecia Simmons in the upcoming edition of Syllabus Magazine!

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We had the honor of catching up with the cast of America Street last week, they are curently hitting the streets on a promo tour, preparing the city of Charleston for the debut of the film. We’ve seen the previews and the city seems to be buzzing with excitement . We caught up with director Travis Pearson, and actors Shalanda Davis, Jason West, Juan Angulo, and Devon McDonald. Check out the interview below and look out for the cast in the next edition of Syllabus. By the way, tickets are almost sold out, you can purchase tickets HERE

EXCLUSIVE

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

Now I know how the people who attended Woodstock must have felt; there are thousands of us who can now say, we are a part of hip-hop history. “The scene was so thick”… ha! If you’re a real Outkast fan, you caught that, but yes, the scene was very thick – over 20,000 people strong on Saturday.This weekend was one of the best weekends and it’s all because of Outkast! I will admit, I was a little bitter as one of the many purchasers that bought tickets to the first sold-out show, and later realizing that our group did not get to be a part of “grand finale”. However, “clever” fans took part in the finale festivities anyhow. 🙂

Saturday’s show was dope, they kicked it off with 19-year old ATlien, Raury. This guy put on a great performance, he is definitely one of those artists you can’t really describe and would be a fool to put in a box. His style was hip-hop meets rock n’ roll meets soul. I have never heard of him, but loved his eclectic sound, accompanied by his live, head banging band. Raury is in a lane of his own, but sends the same messages in his music regarding being young, living free and doing what you want to do. Of course, everyone’s favorite part of the show was his rock n’ roll rendition of Gucci Mane’s, “I Think I love Her”.IMG_30231
Next up, Childish Gambino came out and blazed the crowd with a ridiculous set. Before he even came on stage there was this heavy, pounding, life altering base coming out of the speakers by the stage, which was a prelude to his entrance. For those of us in the VIP area, it was a sound that almost seemed like it wasn’t from this earth. The base from this sound system vibrated even your voice box as you tried to hear yourself. Gambino in his tiny shorts and button down shirt looked like he had recently hopped out of bed and cruised on down to Centennial Park to perform. He definitely gave the crowd life. I had recently listened to an interview he did with The Breakfast Club a week prior, and was pretty impressed by his intellect, and was just as impressed by his performance.

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Kid Cudi, who recently passed out at a performance was there, and I will say, it was OK, but it definitely seemed like he was ready for the performance to end. Cudi’s performance was mediocre and it seemed like he did not perform in the same allotted amount of time as the other artists. I think he did his best, but it was obvious he wasn’t at 100%. Reddit user fs200vids had this to say, which is from a Cudi fan perspective:

“Hey guys, I was there Saturday night for this show. I saw Raury, Childish Gambino, Kid Cudi, and Outkast.

I’ve been a huge Cudi fan for the longest time, and this…pissed me off.

The thing is, right before his set, he said something along the lines of “Hey guys, I’m Kid Cudi. I bring only positive energy and am here to open for Outkast. I’m not the main act; I’m just here to warm ya’ll up!”

Then, as he was playing, he slowly got more and more irritated. His first comment was a sarcastic “Thanks to my five fans that are here!”

Then he stops playing his part in Memories (David Guetta) in the middle and says that nobody’s feeling him, and that he was going to stop and just play Pursuit. Then this s**t happened when he changed the lyrics…Disrespectful and whiny…He can’t expect everyone to know his music when he is an OPENER. Not a main act.

There was a different generation there. Not everyone knows who he is, and he needs to know that.

On a side note, Gambino put on a hell of a show.”

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Now, I was a little worried because we have been reading in many blogs Andre 3000 has been showing up to concerts during their tour, looking like he didn’t really want to be there. Well, I don’t know how he performed in YOUR city, but in Atlanta, they turned it all the way up. Outkast PUT ON A SHOW. They looked like they were actually having a great time performing for the Atlanta crowd, they were dancing, the band was dancing, and it was amazing. I can’t think of one song they did not perform, and they really seemed appreciative of the crowd, even Big Boi acknowledging the fact that Saturday’s ticket holders, were the first set of buyers and that we can stop cursing him on Twitter. As real fans, we couldn’t have asked for a better event, Lloyd was in the building, Sleepy Brown performed, Big Gipp in his all white and nicely laid pony tails came out and performed “Sky High”. They ended the show bringing out the entire Dungeon Family, which is what the people who bought the tickets on the first night wanted to see. This show gave us LIFE!! Amazing is all that needs to be said. Thank you Outkast for twenty years of timeless music.

Before I forget, shout out to the city of Atlanta. The fact that 20,000 + people can gather in one place for a hip-hop, and there is no beef, no fighting and no shooting is beautiful. On the finale night, which was Sunday, fans that could not get tickets were lined up all around Centennial Stadium on the streets outside of the park, on top of hotels, rooftops of bars, and balcony’s of apartments dancing, singing and enjoying Outkast – drama free. In some cities, we can’t even gather at a small party without drama, so Atlanta really proved its love for music and for the artists from their city. So again, Thank You Outkast –

“When the record player get to skipping and slowing down, All yall can say is them niggas earned them crowns”

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

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Columbia, SC native, Poet Terrance Hayes is the winner of one of the most prestigious grants from the MacArthur Foundation. Terrance’s art takes hip-hop and breeds it with his southern upbringing. Hayes has published several volumes of poetry that address the family, race and gender.

Terrence Hayes is a professor of writing at the University of Pittsburg and as the recipient of the “Genius Grant” from the MacArthur Foundation, he has been recognized as an individual who has created transformative, creative work, along with a record of achievement in his field. The winner of these grants receive $625,000 – no strings attached.

Hayes received his bachelor’s degree from Coker College in South Carolina and has his Master’s in Fine Art’s from the University of Pittsburgh.

Click the link to learn more about Mr. Hayes

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