Racist imagery at Joe's Crab Shack in Roseville Minneapolis upsets two visiting patrons

Blatant racism, racist imagery and racially charged incidents are running rampant in America. Being that it is the 21st century it sure seems like the United States of America is moving backwards when it comes to race relations.

Lynching is the practice whereby a mob--usually several dozen or several hundred persons--takes the law into its own hands in order to injure and kill a person accused of some wrongdoing. The alleged offense can range from a serious crime like theft or murder to a mere violation of local customs or from false accusations. So how can a company such as Joe's Crab Shack publicly display such a heinous act in 2016? The answer... blatant racism and disrespect for African Americans. The U.S. is still divided on race, what a shame.

A mob of white americans smiling, grinning and enjoying
the lynchings of two black american young men. Notice the
man in the center pointing, he has a look of hate in his face.

America is a cultural melting pot where people from all walks of life should have an equal opportunity to good education, healthcare, living conditions and financial resources but that is only a dream for people of African descent who were born in the United States which is an unfortunate circumstance for the country and is the SOLE MAIN down fall of America. Celebrating and/or promoting the cruel death of a person by lynching because of the color of their skin is an inhumane and animalistic behavior that mentally sick human beings participate in.

Racial profiling example: Studies show that police are more likely to pull over and frisk blacks or Latinos than whites. In New York City, 80% of the stops made were blacks and Latinos, and 85% of those people were frisked, compared to a mere 8% of white people stopped (1). The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics concluded that an African American male born in 2001 has a 32% chance of going to jail in his lifetime, while a Latino male has a 17% chance, and a white male only has a 6% chance (2).

In Roseville Minneapolis a historical photo of a black man getting lynched was used as decoration on a table at Joe’s Crab Shack. After an offended patron posted it on social media, the restaurant released an apology.

Tyrone Williams of Minneapolis stated, “We just felt sick and confused, it was just sickening. It was disgusting." Mr. Williams and his friend Chauntyll Allen saw the photo embedded under laminate in their table. It seemed to capture an image of a public hanging of Richard Burleson in Texas. The sentence at the bottom of the photograph reads, "Hanging at Groesbeck, Texas on April 12th, 1895". The photo below was taken by Tyrone Williams.

In the top left corner of this pic is a picture of a black man
being lynched with a balloon caption saying, "All I said was
I don't like gumbo".

Chauntyll and Tyrone did not find the racist image amusing. After documenting the photo on their cell phones, they complained to management and left the restaurant without eating. Williams and Allen were joined by the NAACP in condemning Joe’s Crab Shack for allowing such imagery in their national chain of restaurants.

David G. Catalano has been the Chief
Operating Officer and Senior Vice President
of Ignite Restaurant Group, Inc., since
April 17, 2015.

David Catalano, Chief Operating Officer of Ignite Restaurant Group, released a statement to Fox 9 on Thursday apologizing for the "unacceptable" photo: "We take this matter very seriously, and the photo in question was immediately removed. We sincerely apologize to our guests who were disturbed by the image and we look forward to continuing to serve the Roseville community."

I respect the decision of David Catalano to not only remove racist imagery from that one franchise in Roseville but to remove all racist imagery from all of the Joe's Crab Shack's across America.

The City of Roseville issued a statement saying, "The City of Roseville was shocked and saddened to learn of the racist imagery being openly displayed at the Roseville location of national restaurant chain Joe’s Crab Shack. The city condemns this type of display in the strongest possible terms and calls on Joe’s Crab Shack to remove any and all racist imagery not only from its Roseville location, but all of its restaurants nationwide.

Insolent Politics

Sources: Fox9, CNBC, CivilRights.org, Bureau of Justice Statistics

(1) - 2 U.S. Department of Justice. "The Reality of Racial Profiling." The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Accessed March 1, 2014, http://www.civilrights.org/publications/reports/racial-profiling2011/the-reality-of-racial.html. 

(2) - Bonczar, Thomas P., and Allen J. Beck, Ph.D.. "Lifetime Likelihood of Going to State or Federal Prison." Bureau of Justice Statistics. Accessed March 1, 2014. http://bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/Llgsfp.pdf.

Unarmed Black Teen Shot to Death by White Homeowner

The death of Renisha McBride, a 19-year-old African-American woman, occurred on November 2, 2013, in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. Renisha McBride had crashed her car and then walked to a neighborhood in Dearborn Heights where she knocked on the door of a house. The homeowner, Theodore Wafer, shot McBride with a shotgun. Wafer contended that the shooting was accidental and that he thought his home was being broken into after he heard her banging on his door at 4:42 in the morning. Renisha's family believes she was knocking on his door for help. An autopsy found that she died of a single gunshot wound to the face.

19-year Renisha McBride was fatally shot in the back of
the head when knocking on a homeowner's door seeking help.

Defense attorney Cheryl Carpenter reminded the judge that this was not a premeditated murder. A recording of the 911 call Wafer placed after the shooting offered no clarity as to why he shot McBride.

“Uh, yes.... I just shot somebody on my front porch with a shotgun, banging on my door,” he said. He then gave his address, and, sounding a little confused, thanked the dispatcher and hung up.
Wafer lived in Dearborn Heights, a middle-class, predominantly white suburb west of Detroit. He testified during the trial that crime was rising in his neighborhood and said he “didn’t want to cower” in his own home. Tensions between neighboring towns and counties and the city of Detroit have been running high for as long as the city has struggled economically.

Prosecutors had recommended a sentence of 17 years in Wafer’s case. He was found guilty of second-degree murder, which carries a minimum sentence of 15 years, and two additional years were sought because a gun was involved.
Insolent Politics

Sources: The Huffington Post, The L.A. Times  

Martin Scorsese promotes Polish cinema

Academy award winning movie director Martin Scorsese has taken patronage over a Polish cinema film festival organized by the National Audiovisual Institute (NInA).

During the festival, National Audiovisual Institute will project 24 movies by Kieślowski, Zanussi and Wajda chosen  by the American artist and under the name Martin Scorsese Presents: Masterpieces of Polish Cinema. “The festival features lots of great pictures, and regardless if one is familiar with them it is a distinguished opportunity to discover the greatness of Polish cinema on a big screen,” Scorsese said.

The festival has already visited Washington, Chicago, Philadelphia, Montreal, Los Angeles and some cities in Canada, Australia, China and the UK. The event launched on February 10 and will last until December.

Iranian Women Banned From Attending Men's Volleyball Game

Iran banned women from attending the International Beach Volleyball Championships that ended Friday, the world volleyball governing body said.

The International Federation of Volleyball (FIVB) said allowing women to attend the five-day competition at Iran’s Kish Island had been a condition of its decision to let the Iranian volleyball federation host the men's tournament for the first time.

Female fans in Iran are traditionally barred from attending male-only sports matches. In my opinion, it seems that at least men and women can sit side by side and cheer on their favorite sports team and/or sports player. I feel that if men and women can't sit side by side they should at least let the women have their own cheering section. I love, respect and cherish different cultures, religion and beliefs and the many rules that come with each. But in this modern age of the 21st century, men and women should be allowed to cheer together in the same stadium when the event is an international event. The following video is a depiction of Iranian women arriving at a sports complex but at the entrance is a large sign that displays, "No Women Allowed."



The ban on women's attendance violates the “Fourth Fundamental Principle” — on nondiscrimination — of the FIVB’s own constitution, Human Rights Watch said ahead of the beach volleyball event. Well, this controversy is a huge contradiction to the FIVB's own constitution! Typical behavior from people with money, power and influence.

According to Human Rights Watch, the 2012 ban on women's attendance at men's volleyball matches followed a decision by the Iranian Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs to extend the 1979 ban on women attending games in soccer stadiums. I wonder why they extended the 1979 ban? This ban seems to be unfair and outdated if you ask me.

An appeals court in Tehran has dismissed charges against an Iranian-British woman who was jailed for trying to attend a men’s volleyball game, meaning that she will not have to return to prison.

Ghoncheh Ghavami, a young Iranian-British woman who was initially
detained while trying to attend a men’s volleyball game in Tehran.
Photograph: AP

Ghoncheh Ghavami, a 26-year-old law graduate of Soas, University of London, was released on a £20,000 bail in November after spending five months in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison. She was arrested in June for taking part in a protest against a ban on female fans entering stadiums alongside men and subsequently sentenced to a year in prison.

Last summer of 2015, Ghavami stood outside Tehran’s Azadi stadium wearing a white scarf and holding up a placard. Along with a number of other women’s rights activists, she was demanding to be allowed to watch Iran’s volleyball team play against Italy. The Islamic republic has a longstanding ban on women attending big sporting events alongside male fans.

She was taken into custody that day and released several hours later but in late June 2015, when she went to collect her mobile phone, which had been confiscated after the protest, the authorities re-arrested her.

While in jail, Ghavami went on a hunger strike, refusing food and water, for several days in protest at her detention and the judicial uncertainty surrounding her case. Campaigners including her brother, Iman, and mother, Susan Moshtaghian, highlighted her ordeal and pleaded with the authorities for her release. Amnesty International also described her as a prisoner of conscience, arrested solely for participating in a peaceful protest.

Ghavami’s detention was an embarrassment for President Hassan Rouhani and his moderate administration, which has taken a softer stance on social freedoms. Rouhani supports the principle of women being allowed to watch games in stadiums, but says that a change of policy is not at his discretion.
Insolent Politics.

Sources: Voice Of America, TheGuardian.Com 

Dr. Larycia Hawkins leaving Wheaton College after Islam-Christianity comments

A U.S. college professor who wore a headscarf in solidarity with Muslims is leaving the Christian college where she taught, after a dispute over comments she made linking Islam and Christianity. Wheaton College is where she attended and associate professor, Larycia Hawkins, issued a joint statement saying they are parting ways after reaching a "confidential agreement."
I wonder why the meeting was so confidential?

Dr. Larycia Hawkins wearing a hijab in solidarity of
Muslims worldwide because we "worship the same God".

The Statement said both parties had a commitment to respectful dialogue with people of other faiths or no faith and those who are marginalized because of their religious beliefs.

Really? In my humble opinion it sure sounds like Dr. Larycia was trying to bring people of different religious beliefs together to make for a better overall American experience of freedom of religion. What's wrong with trying to make the the world a better place to live.

This midwestern college in the state of Illinois called Wheaton College, is taking steps to fire a professor who linked Islam to Christianity. In a December 10 Facebook posting, Hawkins, who is a Christian, said she stands in solidarity with Muslims because they "are people of the book" and "worship the same God." The administration at Wheaton College, which is a Christian evangelical university, has recommended associate professor, Larycia Hawkins, lose her tenured-track position.

There is a very informative blog called, The Gospel Coalition, that goes in depth about the whole debate about Christians and Muslims worshiping the same God according to the bible.

Wheaton College says Hawkins' comments violate the school's 'Statement of Faith' which all faculty members are obligated to sign. Hawkins also announced she would wear the hijab (Muslim head covering) in an effort to show solidarity for Muslims who have been under scrutiny since mass shootings in Paris and San Bernardino, California.

Not only is Larycia making a stand for solidarity with Muslims worldwide, she is also a pioneer and is a part of history in the making. Miss Hawkins broke down stereotypical barriers by being the first female African-American tenured professor at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. Wow, not that is saying something for someone who is using her platform to do the work of Jesus Christ.

Wheaton College Provost, Stanton Jones, issued an apology to Dr. Larycia Hawkins — the professor who had been put on administrative leave following comments that Christians and Muslims worship the 'same God' — the college and Hawkins released a joint statement announcing that they will part ways. - Read the statement.
Insolent Politics

Insolent Politics
Sources: Voice of America,  Urban Christian News

West African country bans the sale of some popular music

In Cameroon, authorities are banning the sale and/or broadcast of some popular music, including a new dance hit by the prominent Cameroonian rapper, Franko.

Jan. 4, 2013, in Yaounde, Cameroon authorities are banning
the sale and broadcast of some popular music including
a new dance hit by the prominent Cameroonian rapper, Franko.

The video for this song by Cameroonian rapper Franko has been watched more than two million times on Youtube. It is called "Coller la petite," which translates to something like "Stick to the girl." In the song, Franko urges men to hold their female partners tight. It is a runaway regional dance hit.

But Joseph Tangwa Fover, the most senior administrative official in the Mifi district of western Cameroon, has banned the sale and broadcast of the song saying it promotes public indecency.

Franko, a Cameroonian rap artist, has a smash hit
song called, "Coller La Petite", which loosely
translates to "Stick to the Girl".

"What is bad in the song is the message which changes the behavior of our youths. When you play it the dancing style changes and it leads to unwanted pregnancies. If a man brought good music saying that people should go to the farm, will I stop it? This particular song does not respect our normal behavior,” Fover said. “Our children should be responsible. Their parents should be responsible. Even those composing these songs should be responsible. The music that does not augur well to our own culture should be wiped out of the society."

One of Franko's managers, Atangana Parfait, said music should express reality in Cameroon. He said there are noise-making, self-proclaimed moral guides who are trying to blame all Cameroon's problems on music. He said they are wrong.

Detractors say youth are embracing Western attitudes and have lost touch with traditional values, like respect for elders and modesty. I would modestly agree to this statement.  A prime example would be how hiphop was hijacked and turned into rap crap and the younger generations have lost touch with today's traditional values here in America as well.

Music video of "Coller La Petite" 



Franko is not the only Cameroonian artist who has been accused of promoting immoral or illegal behavior. Veteran musician Lapiro De Mbanga was banned from state media for being critical of the government. He went into exile and died in America last year.

Pop artists and rappers like Petit Pays, K' Tino, Lady Ponce, Tonton Ebogo and Joceline Bizar have been accused of producing music that is pornographic in nature. State radio and television refuse to broadcast their songs but private media jam the airwaves with it.

Musician Ama Pierrot said banning music will not fix societal problems. This is not the first time the government has taken measures to contain what it calls a "social problem." In 2013, authorities went around arresting girls they said were dressed "indecently" in short skirts.

In my opinion, banning the sale of certain songs is not the answer to solve society's problems and ill wills. But, some music is a direct result of the problem's of society which reflect in a song's lyrics. I do believe that there is a market for adult music that promote foul language and adult dancing but it should be kept as adult. In non-western countries such as Cameroon, I think they hold a very high esteem about their spiritual traditions, dignity, self-respect, respect for women, morals and values. Just like the legal drinking age in America is 21 years old, Cameroon should have a music law that says a person has to be the age of 21 years or older to produce indecent, provocative and or violent song lyrics in their music. Just something to think about I guess.
Insolent Politics

Sources: Voice of America,  OkayAfrica.com, 

Kyle Lydell Canty, 30, crossed into Canada in early September of 2015, telling border agents that he was here to visit and take photographs, but once in Vancouver he decided he would apply to remain as a refugee.

“I’m in fear of my life because I’m black,” he told IRB (Immigration Review Board) member Ron Yamauchi in a hearing on October 23rd in Vancouver. “This is a well-founded fear.”

Canty argues that black people are “being exterminated at an alarming rate” in the U.S. and included examples such as the shooting of Michael Brown in Missouri and the death of Eric Garner in New York City at the hands of police.

Kyle Lydell Canty, 30, is seeking refugee status in Canada.

 As part of evidence submitted to the board, Canty edited together multiple point-of-view videos of his interaction with police, including one where he was arrested for trespass in Salem, Oregon, when he spent two hours talking on the phone and using free Wi-Fi at a bus station.

“I got bothered because I’m black,” he said. “This is a history of false arrest. My name is ruined because of the false arrest.”

In 2008, Denise Harvey was convicted of having unlawful sex with a minor. According to American media reports, the boy was 16-years-old and played on her son’s baseball team. As a Florida sex offender, Denise claimed asylum in Saskatchewan Canada and has been granted protected person status. Say what? She was granted protection person status and she was not in any danger for her life?

Denise Harvey, a registered sex offender in Florida, has been
granted protected person status in Canada.

Harvey fled to Canada in 2010 before she could be sent to prison. She was sentenced to 30 years in jail and is still wanted in the United States. Denise Harvey claimed her sentence was cruel and unusual punishment and after arriving in Saskatchewan, she asked for asylum. Her request for protected person status was heard by the Immigration Review Board (IRB) in July of 2012 and the IRB granted her request because it agreed her sentence was indeed cruel and unusual punishment and the crime she was convicted of is not a crime in Canada. So, is Canada insinuating that an adult having sex with a minor is okay in in their country? 

To sum it up, I'm just a little vexed that Denise Harvey was granted  protection person status and Lyle Canty is having such a hard time getting granted that same status when his life is in danger? Another example of insolent politics.

Insolent Politics

Sources: CBC.CA, Huffington Post