A Kwame Kilpatrick interview snippet

This picture was taken right before we began the interview on Nov. 4, 2009. It was the first interview Mr. Kilpatrick had granted since leaving office in late 2008. (Photo: Tim Sixx)

A Snippet of My Interview with the former Mayor of Detroit, Kwame Malik Kilpatrick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylRx2w1y9MI

Imam Luqman A. Abdullah's son Omar Regan speaks at Nov. 5 demonstration

Filled with emotion, Omar Regan, Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah’s 34-year-old son, challenged the media to tell the truth about who his father really was and challenged law enforcement to reflect on their own humanity at a rally in front of the McNamara Federal Building in Detroit, MI on Nov. 5. Another of the imam's sons, Jamil Carswell looks on. (Photo Ashahed M. Muhammad)

Listen to his comments here:

http://www.finalcall.com/blogs/Omar_Regan_2009_11_05.mp3

Feel free to download to your iPod or share the file and/or link with others.

Obama's Presidency: Living Up To The Promise? (FinalCall.com)

The latest edition of The Final Call asks the question: "What Happened to Hope?"

In this edition, you will find the following:

- The latest information on the alleged gang-rape of a 15-year old White girl in Richmond, CA, with comments from some high school students who are classmates of the alleged victim.

- The latest information regarding the case of Imam Luqman Ameen Abdullah who was gunned down by the FBI last week during a raid on a warehouse just outside of Detroit, MI.

- A One-on-One interview with the UK representative of the Nation of Islam, Hilary Muhammad.

Native American Elder, Chief Arvol Looking Horse speaks concerning the deaths in Sedona, AZ, along with YoNasDa LoneWolf's perspective on the misuse of the sacred sweat lodge ceremony.

....and much, much more!

Queen YoNasDa's Debut "God.Love & Music" - You've heard nothing like it.

QUEEN YONASDA

Pronounced (Yo-Naja-Ha)

Queen YoNasDa (pronounced Yo-Naja-Ha) is the epitome of energy as a hip hop artist, curator, and activist. Without a doubt, there is an imbalance occurring in hip hop where female emcees have been silenced. Her strong presence is bringing femcees with a message back to the forefront of music. Her musical style encompasses an eclectic mix of wisdom, grooves, catchy hooks, and is sure to reach the masses.

"I'm not here to beat people in the head with a sermon, I'm here to tell the truth," she said. This lyrical queen has completed her debut album, "God.Love and Music" featuring Cappadonna, Dr. Ben Chavis Muhammad, Keith Murray, M-Eighty and others with production by Cookin Soul, New York West, CR Productions, K-Boog and others. She speaks and performs across the United States promoting unity, education and respect for all cultures. With roots reaching back to Native American tradition and the Nation of Islam, where her mother, a Lakota (Sioux) and her father, a hustler and a fine artist hailing from Brooklyn, this queen knows the blues all to well, but never let it dampen her spirits.

The two met in 1975 during the time in which her mother worked as a public relations director for Muhammad Ali. Shortly afterwards the two met they got married. YoNasDa was born during the historic moment of “The Longest Walk,” which took place in protest to anti- Indian legislation. Her mother, Oglala-Lakota participated in the 3,000-mile trek which began at San Francisco Bays Alcatraz Island and culminated on the White House grounds.

YoNasDa was conceived there in Washington, D.C, April 1978, one of only two children born during this historic journey and a place that would later become for her a Mecca of sorts.

Due to her father's hustling, it led to his imprisonment and a aiding and abetting charge for her mother, who served time in a Fort Worth, Texas, prison. During this time Minister Louis Farrakhan stepped in, moved YoNasDa and her brother to Chicago, adopting them into his family. "Without Minister Farrakhan or grandpa as I call him, and the whole Farrakhan family, my brother and I would've been caught up in the foster care system. I can't even imagine the woman I would have been if it wasn't for the Farrakhan family. God is beautiful in his design,” she reflects so candidly.

As a young child YoNasDa stood by her mother’s and grandfather's side speaking to the hip hop nation. She takes her responsibility seriously by using her music as a mouth piece to educate and uplift young people. As a mother she sees what music can do and understands the power of the spoken word. YoNasDa has a mission and is going full throttle. She is the national director for the Indigenous Nations Alliance. This truth-teller is a published writer who has a column in the Final Call Newspaper and is now bringing her artistry to the world. To YoNasDa "Queen" is not just a word, it is a calling and she's rising to the occasion. Visit her on line at www.queenyonasda.com.

The Kuala Lumpur Foundation to Criminalise War has begun their conference in Malaysia

The Kuala Lumpur Foundation to Criminalise War, led by Dr. Mahathir Mohammad, has kicked off their three day conference.

Featured speakers during the event which runs 10/28 through 10/31 include:

- British MP & leader of the Viva Palestina human rights movement George Galloway

- Former U.S. member of Congress & outspoken human rights activist Cynthia McKinney

- Former UN Assistant Secretary General Denis Haliday

- Muhammad Umar, chairman of the UK-based Ramadhan Foundation

Dr. Mahathir Mohammad's remarks as prepared for delivery at today's opening session can be read here:

http://www.criminalisewar.org/blog/

Extensive coverage of the conference can be found at:

http://www.mathaba.net

America's Celebrity Obsessed Culture is examined in this week's Final Call

WWW.FINALCALL.COM

America's celebrity obsessed culture is examined in this week's edition of The Final Call.

My Reflections on the Million Man March & Holy Day of Atonement

I was at the Million Man March in Washington D.C. on October 16, 1995. It was one of the greatest days of my life, and an experience that I will never forget.

As I reflect on the the wonderful spirit of that day, I am reminded of how hopeful and inspired I felt on that day, along with many others. I know there are some that would say that there was no programmatic thrust or agenda, and those people see it from their perspective. Their minds may be dominated by a particular socio-political leaning or some other type of ideology, but to me that is not what the day should be judged by. In fact, the day should not be judged at all, it should be remembered as a powerful demonstration of unity and brotherhood that has never been seen on the planet.

Thank you Minister Farrakhan.

The Million Man March had a special meaning to me, because in a little over a month, my first child, a daughter would be born. I promised God on that day, that I would always be in my daughter's life as a provider, protector and guide. Then, five years later I was blessed with a son, which gave me with the opportunity to continue to make my word bond. Those beautiful children are blessings from God, and wonderfully effective reminders of the promise I made to Him on that day.

Another memorable aspect of the Million Man March involves the wonderful acts kindness demonstrated by those who opened their homes for people to stay there during the Million Man March and those who cooked food for the Black men who made the pilgrimage. Those stories are everywhere!

I always think about the good brother in Phoenix, who was unable to attend the Million Man March himself, but gave me a plane ticket to Washington D.C., so I did not have to buy one. That act alone is a good example of the powerful spirit that was generated by the idea of the Million Man March. That brother...he knows who he is...I always pray that he will receive continuous blessings as a result of that act of kindness. I am sure that there are hundreds, if not thousands of stories similar to my own.

I also want to take the time to remember and thank the Black Women who supported us, encouraged us, and worked to make the Million Man March and Holy Day of Atonement a success. It could not have been done without the Black Woman.

Thank you Black Woman.

The Holy Day of Atonement is now a part of our reality and we must continue to make good on the pledge we gave that day. Obviously, if you look around at the conditions that exist within our communities, there is still work to do, but as long as we are alive, let's be found striving to make our word bond. It is time to fulfill the prophecy written of in Isaiah 61:4.

So, as I type this from my hotel room in Memphis, Tennessee as we prepare to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the Million Man March and Day of Atonement, let the spirit drive us to do the work.

By the way, anyone who speaks out negatively against the Million Man March, or in some way attempts to downplay and diminish its importance is displaying the characteristics of one who is an enemy to the Black Nation.