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10-06-08 EUR ALL ON ONE PAGE
JANET POSTPONES 3 MORE CONCERTS: Undisclosed illness affects gigs in Greensboro, Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale.
*Janet Jackson has postponed three more stops on her Rock Witchu tour due to an illness that has put the traveling show on hold since last Monday.
Her publicist said in an e-mail late Saturday that Jackson was postponing a Saturday show in Greensboro, N.C., one on Sunday in Atlanta and a third on Tuesday in Fort Lauderdale, reports the Associated Press. The scrapped shows follow previously-postponed dates in Boston and Philadelphia on Wednesday and Thursday.
Jackson, 42, became "suddenly ill" and was hospitalized Monday night in Montreal shortly after she arrived for a show.
The singer's brother, Randy Jackson, said his sister was suffering from the effects of vertigo, however, there has been no official word from her camp regarding the exact nature of the illness.
On Saturday, her publicist would only say she is "recuperating" and will return home, at her doctor's direction, for further treatment.
Fans are asked to keep their tickets for the postponed shows, which will be rescheduled to later dates.
OJ'S CONVICTION – THE MORNING AFTER: Brown family releases statement; Goldman dad 'thrilled,' defense team plots appeal.
*The family of murder victim Nicole Brown Simpson issued a statement calling for privacy following Friday's conviction of her ex-husband O.J. Simpson, who was found guilty of armed robbery and faces life in prison.
"Our family would like to thank everyone across the country for their thoughts and prayers as we work through many mixed emotions," said the Brown family. "Our focus is on the children Sydney and Justin, whom we deeply love and cherish, and ask for the understanding of privacy at this time."
On Oct. 3, 1995 Simpson, now 61, was acquitted of the murders of Brown and her friend, Ronald Goldman. Later, a civil jury held him liable for the killings in a wrongful-death lawsuit.
Also on Saturday, Ron Goldman's father, Fred Goldman, told CNN of the guilty verdict: "We're absolutely thrilled to see that the potential is that he could spend the rest of his life in jail where the scumbag belongs."
The Las Vegas jury reached its verdict after about 13 hours of deliberations on Friday. O.J. and co-defendant Clarence "C.J." Stewart were found guilty on 12 charges, including armed robbery and kidnapping.
Defense attorney Yale Galanter spoke with Simpson after the verdict and said the former football star was "extremely upset, extremely emotional." Galanter said he will file a motion for a new trial and appeal the case.
Simpson faces the prospect of life in prison for the convictions. Clark County District Judge Jackie Glass set sentencing for December 5.
TYLER PERRY OPENS NEW STUDIO COMPLEX: Oprah, Will & Jada, John Legend attends grand opening.
*The celeb-filled unveiling of Tyler Perry's new multi-million dollar TV and film studio took place near Atlanta Saturday as protesters from the Writers Guild picketed outside against his firing of four writers on his series "House of Payne."
Celebs attending the grand opening included Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Forest Whitaker, Louis Gossett, Jr., Holly Robinson Peete, Tracey Edmonds, L.A. Reid, singer John Legend, "America's Next Top Model" winner Eva Pigford, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds.
The sprawling complex, which includes more than 200,000 square feet of studio and office space and sits on 30 acres that once housed Delta Air Lines' finance, reservation and computer center. Perry will shoot his TBS sitcoms "House of Payne" and "Meet the Browns" along with other film projects at the studio, reports the Associated Press.
Perry, 39, said the studio features five sound stages that will be named after Quincy Jones, Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee and Cicely Tyson — with one still unnamed. Poitier, Dee and Tyson were also on hand for the launch party.
As previously reported, the Writers Guild of America West filed an unfair-labor-practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against Perry after his studio fired four writers for the TBS comedy “House of Payne” who were seeking union representation.
Jeff Hermanson, an assistant executive director for the Writers Guild, said the four writers — Kellie Griffin, Christopher Moore, Teri Brown-Jackson and Lamont Ferrell — had sought a union contract because they felt they were underpaid and lacked benefits.
Johnson, a Los Angeles lawyer representing Perry, said the firing of the writers was related to “the quality of their work.”
OPRAH SUED BY EX-HEADMISTRESS AT S.A. SCHOOL: Woman claims talk show host bad-mouthed her to the media.
*Oprah Winfrey is the target of a defamation lawsuit filed by a former headmistress at her Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.
According to People.com, Nomvuyo Mzamane claims the TV mogul made defamatory comments to the media implying that Mzamane is "untrustworthy, failed the students of the academy, did not care about the students at the academy, knew of alleged physical and sexual abuse at the academy and participated in a cover-up of the alleged abuse."
The lawsuit is in reference to an Oct. 2007 scandal in which another female staff member was accused of physically and sexually abusing students. That trial resumes Oct. 8.
Mzamane, who says she knew nothing about the allegations, was fired in November 2007 and says she hasn't been able to find comparable work since. She is seeking $250,000 and the restoration of her professional reputation.
NATALIE COLE RELEASED FROM HOSPTIAL: Songstress back at L.A. home after treatment for kidney ailment.
*Natalie Cole is out of the hospital and resting at her Los Angeles home today following treatment for a kidney ailment.
The 58-year-old singer was admitted to a New York hospital on Sept. 12, and had been receiving kidney dialysis that is not related to her struggle with hepatitis C, a liver disease spread through contact with infected blood.
At the time of Cole's hospitalization, her rep blamed the singer's problems on the medicine she had been taking and a busy publicity schedule to promote her new album, "Still Unforgettable."
According to her publicist, Maureen O'Connor, Cole checked out early last week and is "feeling a lot better."
As previously reported, Cole canceled her singing appearances through the end of the month. O'Connor said she did not know when she will hit the road again in support of the disc.
RUSSELL SIMMONS LAUNCHES MENSWEAR LINE: Rap pioneer introduces new collection Friday in South Beach.
*Russell Simmons rolled out his new menswear collection Friday at the Argyle Culture Fashion Show, which was held at the Setai Hotel in South Beach, Fla.
The line of sporty suits, pinstriped shorts and argyle V-neck sweaters caters to the 25-and-over urban crowd, according to the Associated Press. The goal is to mix urban aesthetics with traditionally professional and preppy attire.
"I want to create a line to reach out to those guys who are not young men anymore but who want to still be part of that urban lifestyle," said Simmons, who turned 51 on Saturday.
Among other pieces in the show were plaid shorts, free-flowing jackets and classic five-pocket pants created in materials like wool and cotton blends, reports the AP.
Celebs attending the show included "American Idol" stars Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson, as well as actress Gabrielle Union.
"Russell is so amazing and such an inspiration," said Union, who sat near the runway. "I am just honored to be here in his support and to celebrate his birthday."
50 CENT FOLLOWS UP 'KILL' WITH 'DEAD': Rapper cast in upcoming gangster flick 'Dead Man Running.'
*Rapper 50 Cent continues to build his film resume with a part in the upcoming movie "Dead Man Running."
According to his British co-star Danny Dyer, the plot revolves around a 50's character, "who basically gets in a serious bit of trouble with a real gangster and he’s got one day to live or he’s going to get ironed out if he doesn’t raise the funds,” Dyer told BBC. “So, it’s basically about a dead man running, which is him, and I play his sidekick who’s trying to get him out of trouble.”
The role is a follow up to 50's appearance in "Righteous Kill," opposite screen icons Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino.
Dyer said of his hip hop-based co-star: “I don't know about him as an actor. He's definitely a presence. We come from totally different backgrounds but he's a great artist.”
JESSE L. MARTIN CONSIDERS NEW NBC DRAMA: Peacock trying hard to lure 'Law & Order' vet back for new series.
*Five months after ending his nine-year run on NBC's "Law & Order," Jesse L. Martin is currently in talks to star in a new drama series for the network.
Following a lengthy courtship by NBC, the actor is eying a role on "The Philanthropist," a midseason show co-staring James Purefoy as a renegade billionaire who uses his wealth, connections and power to help people in need around the world.
Martin would play Philip Maidstone, Purefoy's business partner and lifelong friend, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Production on the series will be based in London through NBC Universal's international TV production unit, with filming set for South Africa and the Czech Republic.
Martin starred as Detective Ed Green on "L&O," and recently wrapped the independent features "Peter and Vandy" and "Silent Rhythm." He also narrated the Marvin Gaye documentary "What's Going On," and will play Gaye in the biopic "Sexual Healing."
Martin also co-stars in NBC's upcoming holiday special "Letters to Santa -- A Muppets Christmas."
WU-TANG DOCUMENTARY HEADS TO BET: Network will premiere film five days before its DVD release.
*BET is scheduled to air a documentary about the rise of Staten Island-based rap group Wu-Tang Clan on Nov. 13, five days before the film makes its debut on DVD, reports Billboard.com.
"Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan" will repeat several times between Nov. 13 and 16 and again in December. During the week of its premiere, members of the Wu-Tang Clan are scheduled to appear on BET's "106 & Park" to promote the project.
A companion CD will be released Nov. 18 via BET/Legacy, featuring a blend of Wu-Tang hits and tracks from the members' solo albums.
In other Wu news, the group has teamed with digital distributor the Orchard to make its back catalog available digitally worldwide for the first time.
LIL WAYNE ALREADY RECORDING 'CARTER IV': Rapper also at work on new mixtape and duet album with T-Pain.
*Via his blog on ESPN.com, Lil Wayne has revealed that he's already busy recording a follow up to his latest album, "Tha Carter III," which has been out only since May.
"The Carter IV," according to the rapper, will be preceded by a new mixtape titled "Dedication 3," which will fall under DJ Drama's "Gangsta Grillz" series. "You can expect (it) real soon," Wayne said.
Additionally, Lil Wayne is also collaborating with T-Pain for a duet album, "T-Wayne," which is slated for 2009.
"We've got three or four songs we've finished," T-Pain told Billboard. "They don't really have titles. We're just doing music and however it comes out, it comes out."
"Tha Carter III" is far and away the best-selling album of 2008, having shifted 2.5 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
SERENA PULLS OUT OF KREMILIN CUP: Plus, tennis star's No. 1 ranking ends today.
*Tennis champ Serena Williams will lose her world number one ranking today due to an early loss at the WTA tournament in Stuttgart last week. She has also pulled out of this week's $2.4 million Kremlin Cup because of a recurring knee problem.
"I was experiencing knee problems since the US Open and now I need a break to regain my top form," Williams told organizers of the joint ATP and WTA event on Friday.
She added: "I played a lot of events this year and now I need a break to recover. My aim this year is to regain the world's top ranking. I played in the final here last year and will now lose a lot of points.
"But for now my only wish is to have some rest to recover and to be in my top form at Doha."
Jelena Jankovic of Serbia will replace Williams, a second round casualty at last week's Stuttgart WTA event, on top of the WTA rankings to be released today.
Serena's sister Venus Williams was beaten by Jankovic in Saturday's semi-final match at Stuttgart following a three hour battle in which Jankovic needed two pain-killing injections to endure.
"When I saw the needles they were going to use ten minutes before the game started, I went white - I hate needles," said Jankovic. "I was screaming when the doctor put the needle in and I had to hold onto one of the physios, but I had to do it to get through the game."
TRACY MORGAN PRAISES TINA FEY'S PALIN: 'SNL' vet says the impersonation may even influence voters.
*Ahead of tonight's broadcast of "VH1 Hip Hop Honors," host Tracy Morgan spoke with People.com about the Sarah Palin impersonations done by his "30 Rock" co-star Tina Fey on "Saturday Night Live."
Not only are they funny, noted the comedic actor, but he believes they could help sway voters.
"I think her impression of Sarah may decide who's going to be president of the United States," Morgan, who starred with Fey on "SNL," told reporters at Thursday's "Hip Hop Honors" taping. "Tina Fey's Sarah Palin was on the money."
Switching topics, Morgan said he was excited that television's biggest personality is making a guest appearance on "30 Rock."
"We got Oprah on the show! Oprah don't do nobody else's sitcom," he said.
As for what he'll say to the billionaire media mogul when he sees her? "What's up? I need some money," he joked. "Bail me out."
SHEMAR MOORE WANTS TO DATE JEN ANISTON: Actor asks mutual friend Ellen DeGeneres to put in a good word.
*"Criminal Minds" star Shemar Moore used his recent visit to "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" to profess his interest in dating Jennifer Aniston, and ask that the talk show host hook them up.
After Moore danced his way onto the stage to Britney Spears' "Gimme More," Ellen asked during the interview session: "Who can I help you with? What is your type?"
The actor said: "There is one particular person in this town that I kind of got a little crush on. A lot of guys got a crush on this girl but she can't seem to find that man who can get it right and I just want to raise my hand and try. And that's Ms. Jennifer Aniston."
Moore said he saw Aniston talking to DeGeneres at the "Stand Up to Cancer" telethon in September, but he was too chicken to approach Ellen and have her introduce him. In Friday's broadcast, Ellen told Moore she would try and make the love connection happen.
"She is a friend of mine," the TV host said. "I will mention it to her."
BEYONCE PLOTS A HUGE RETURN: Singer recorded over 70 songs for album; details plans for 2009 tour, AOL Session and more.
*Beyonce will have a lot of tracks to choose from when finalizing the song list for her upcoming album.
"I have recorded over 70 songs and have created a sound that reveals all of me," the singer writes of the project – due Nov. 18 – in a post on her official Web site. "I am in a different place right now and I wanted people to see the many sides of me."
An album title and final track list has yet to be announced, but the disc will be preceded by tomorrow's release of the first two singles, "If I Were a Boy' and "Single Ladies." Videos for both songs were directed by Jake Nava and will begin airing later this month.
"I have worked on this album for close to one year," she writes in her posting. "I have taken the time so I can create my sound. Something that says who I am at this stage in my life. I have poured my heart and soul into it. It is my baby. It is the most time I have spent on any project since my first records as a member of Destiny's Child."
As for the sound, "The music is upbeat for the dance, fun side and it is reflective, passionate and serious for the personal side," Knowles writes. "I have taken risks here. I am not afraid and my music will explain it all."
Meanwhile, Team Beyonce has put together a massive effort to promote the Music World/Columbia album. According to Billboard, the artist will play international dates next spring, followed by a North American tour in early summer.
It is confirmed that she'll perform one of the new singles Nov. 6 as part of the MTV Europe Music Awards in Liverpool, England. Also in the works are a Beyonce AOL Sessions and a deluxe edition of the album, also due Nov.
18, featuring as-yet-unannounced bonus tracks.
CODEBLACK TEAMS WITH YOUTUBE FOR URBAN CONTENT: Google also in the mix for new portal targeting black audiences.
*Variety reports of a new partnership between Codeblack Interactive, YouTube and Google to bring made-for-the-Internet urban programming to thousands of Web sites targeting African American audiences.
The first original series to appear on Codeblack's YouTube channel will be an animated entry created by "Boondocks" head writer Yamara Taylor. Clips from Codeblack African-American films and comedy concerts will also be available for streaming.
Under the deal, Codeblack will secure ads and sponsorships for the YouTube channel and across the Google Content Network, while Google will syndicate the programming to Web sites targeting black viewers.
Codeblack will be the first urban company to tap into the Google Content Network. The company has not yet secured a sponsor, Variety reports.
P. MILLER SUED BY PEPE JEANS OVER LOGO: Mogul's letter "P" encircled with wings targeted for trademark infringement.
*Pepe Jeans has sued the newly-launched P. Miller Designs for trademark infringement, alleging the mogul's logo - which encompasses the letter “P” encircled with wings - is too similar to their own.
Miller, formerly known as Master P, argues that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has his first use date recorded in public record as April 1, 2003, while Pepe’s registered mark falls on June 1, 2003.
“I went to the web site of PepeJeans.com and couldn’t find a circled-P anywhere, on their clothing, or the brand advertising within the site,” Miller explained to AllHipHop.com. “I’m the future of affordable fashion and big brands will always hate me, but they shouldn’t throw stones if they live in a glass house!”
Miller says he plans to fight the allegations with a countersuit on the ground of malicious interference with his company.
“I’m the brand of the community. I sell jeans for $20 and t-shirts for $10. People don’t buy my clothes for the logo. They buy them because it’s high-fashion at an affordable price,” Miller said. “I guess they didn’t do their homework. I am also filing a countersuit against Nitin, Arun, Milan Shah and Pepe Jeans London, LLC for tortious interference with my business and future business with Wal-Mart. And since they saw fit to go after my retailer, I will return the favor and file suit against several of their retailers like Macy’s, Dr. Jay’s, Nordstrom, and Eastbay.”
ICE CUBE VIDEO STARS FAMILY OF SHOOTING VICTIM: Relatives of teen athlete open clip for "Why Me?"
*In the video for his new single "Why Me," Ice Cube speaks out against senseless killings in America's inner cities with the help of parents still grieving the shooting death of their 17-year-old son Jamiel
Shaw Jr.
The clip (view here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_YyBC528Z4)
begins with the tear-stained faces of Shaw's mother, father and aunt recalling the moment they heard about his shooting. His father recounts a final conversation with his son.
Shaw had been on track for a college sports scholarship when he was gunned down in March a few yards from his house in a working-class neighborhood south of downtown Los Angeles. His mother was serving in the Army in Iraq at the time.
Pedro Espinoza, an illegal immigrant and suspected gang member who had been released from jail a day earlier on weapons charges, has pleaded not guilty to the murder. Prosecutors say Espinoza drove to Shaw's neighborhood and shot him after asking him about his gang affiliation.
Police have said Shaw was never in a gang.
"It just was a tragic, tragic story of why," Cube tells the Associated Press. "Young people are dying for no reason all over the world that don't know why. It's ugly, everywhere."
"To drive this home, it was only right to use real family and not use a bunch of actors," Cube says of his video.
The footage also features photographs of dozens of other crime victims blowing from a tree, then across the sand in the desert. It also depicts a young man in a football jersey being gunned down on a street. As he lay dying, he asks, "Why me homie, why me?"
Espinoza's early release from jail led the Shaws to call for the passage of "Jamiel's Law," which would push Los Angeles police to crack down on illegal immigrant gang members.
Cube says the video is not meant as an endorsement of the legislation. "It ain't really a commentary on that," he says. "You've got a person being killed by a person he don't know for a reason he don't know ... Who cares if it was an immigrant or if it was a taxpaying citizen?"
For the Shaws, appearing in the video was a chance to further their petition drive to qualify the proposed law for the November ballot.
"Every time I start watching it, I start crying," Jamiel Shaw Sr. says. "At the same time, I feel good that we are getting the word out."
"Why Me?" – Ice Cube feat. Music Soulchild
UNION REP DEFENDS OBAMA AGAINST RACISM: AFL-CIO leader says economy should trump culture bias.
*As the campaign of Republican presidential candidate John McCain prepares to step up personal attacks on Democratic rival Barack Obama, a YouTube clip has resurfaced of AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Richard Trumka defending Obama against voters whose only issue with the candidate is his race.
Trumka, who is white, spoke out against such attitudes in a passionate speech delivered to his fellow union members at a steelworkers convention on July 1.
"There's not a single good reason for any worker, especially any union member, to vote against Barack Obama. And there's only one really, really bad reason to vote against Barack Obama, and that's because he's not white," Trumka said to sustained applause.
He amplifies his point by recalling a conversation in his Pennsylvania hometown with a friend who was a die-hard Democrat, but refused to vote for Obama because he is black.
Trumka said he told the woman: "Look around this town. Nemacolin is a dying town. There's no jobs here. Our kids are moving away because there's no future here. And here's a man, Barack Obama, who's gonna fight for people like us. And you wanna tell me that you won't vote for him because of the color of his skin? Are you out of your ever-lovin' mind, lady?'"
"We can't tap dance around the fact that there's a lot of folks out there just like that woman, and a lot of them are good union people. They just can't get past the idea that there's something wrong with voting for a black man," said Trumka. "Well those of us who no better can't afford to sit silently or look the other way while it's happening." [View clip here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QIGJTHdH50]
'IDOL'S' LAKISHA JONES TALKS UP NUPTIALS: Singer's wedding planner designed look of Oprah's 50th birthday bash.
"American Idol" finalist LaKisha Jones was to tie the knot at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills Sunday with her beau Larry Davis, a financial adviser from Houston.
"I'm very excited," Jones, 28, tells People. “My [5-year-old] daughter Brionne is the flower girl, and she woke up this morning and said, 'We have [a few] days, Mommy, and then I can put on my dress!'"
The bride was to wear an Alfred Angelo strapless gown, Neil Lane diamond earrings and crystal encrusted custom-made Stuart Weitzman shoes as part of an "old Hollywood glamour" theme crafted by planner Rená Puebla, who crafted the look of Oprah’s 50th birthday party.
The guest list included fellow "Idol" finalists Sanjaya Malakar, Melinda Doolittle, Gina Glocksen and Haley Scarnato.
"Chaka [Khan] is supposed to be there to make an appearance," she said. "I am very excited about that. It's people that have gone through different things with me."
Meanwhile, Jones is preparing for the Oct. 21 release of her single, "So Glad I’m Me," in anticipation of her first solo CD.
"I am glad to be me," Jones says. "I may not have won American Idol, but I have won because I'm able to provide a better life for me and my daughter and that’s all I've ever wanted."
ITTY BITTY BITS: Victoria Rowell's engagement party; producer Johnny J commits suicide; Baron Davis on 'Lincoln Heights,' Manly Short Film Showcase.
*A fall engagement party for actress/author Victoria Rowell and her artist fiancé Radcliffe Bailey will take place Oct. 11 in Atlanta at the residence of Coca Cola Executive Vicki Palmer and her businessman husband John Palmer. Rowell, former star of CBS soap "The Young and the Restless," was introduced to Bailey through actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson last year at the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta. Bailey is a celebrated artist represented by the Jack Shainman Gallery of New York and collected by over 25 museums. Their nuptials will take place next summer in New Hampshire.
*ThugLifeArmy.com is reporting that rap music producer/songwriter Johnny Jackson, better known in hip hop circles as "Johnny J," committed suicide on Oct. 3 in the Los Angeles County Jail. According to reports, the former rapper jumped off a tier in the jail while behind bars on a DUI charge. Johnny J, a native of Juárez, Mexico, is best known for his production on Tupac Shakur's albums "All Eyez on Me" and "Me Against the World." He also worked on Candyman's biggest hit, "Knockin' Boots." Johnny is survived by his wife and two children.
"Lincoln Heights," the critically acclaimed ABC Family network drama, will feature a special guest appearance from NBA star Baron Davis. In the Oct. 14 episode, titled "Number One With A Bullet," Eddie accidentally puts Tay in danger when he tries to stop a robbery which brings back memories from Eddie's past. "Lincoln Heights," currently in its third season, airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m.
*The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) hosts the 15th Annual African American Film Marketplace and S.E. Manly Short Film Showcase October 23-27, in Hollywood. Friday's Opening Night Reception (Oct. 24) will honor Regina Jones, Founder and Publisher of Soul Magazine (Lifetime Achievement Award): Actor and Humanitarian, William Allen Young (President’s Award): Veteran Producer, Charles Floyd Johnson (Ivan Dixon Award of Achievement): Community Activist and Watts Coffee House Owner, Desiree Edwards (Community Service Award): Acclaimed Animator, Lyndon Barrois (Award of Excellence) and Corporate Executive, Gloria Pualani (Corporate Partner Award). For complete information visit www.BHERC.org or call (310) 284-3170.
MLK FAMILY DRAMA COULD DESTROY BOOK DEAL: Lawsuit involving siblings threatens to undo biography about their mother.
*A lawsuit involving the three surviving children of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King may unravel a $1.4 million deal for a book about their mother, reports the Associated Press.
The New York-based Penguin Group agreed to pay $1.2 million plus royalties to King Inc., which oversees the civil rights leader's intellectual property. The publisher would pay another $200,000 to the Rev. Barbara Reynolds, who recorded conversations with Mrs. King before she died in January 2006.
This week, Penguin threatened to terminate the contract and demand the return of a $300,000 advance if the publisher does not receive photos, personal writing and letters within seven business days.
The lawsuit — the third among the three siblings in as many months — was filed Sept. 24 in Fulton County probate court. Bernice King is listed as plaintiff and administrator of her mother's estate, and the estate of Martin Luther King Jr., which Dexter King controls, is listed as the defendant.
The siblings are feuding over whether the documents should be turned over. Bernice King and Martin Luther King III maintain that their mother no longer wanted to work with Reynolds on the book. They are asking that the documents be distributed among Coretta Scott King's heirs and not given to the publisher.
Dexter King, president and chief executive officer of King Inc., signed the book contract. Craig Frankel, Dexter King's personal attorney, said his client was within his rights to sign the contract and had discussed the deal with his siblings.
"He signed the contract, but that's his job," Frankel said. "No one questioned when they got their share of the sale from the King papers whether Dexter had the authority to sign a contract. Nobody complained when they got their millions."
Also at issue is whether Coretta Scott King's biography is part of King Inc., since it was not part of the 10,000-document collection auctioned by Sotheby's in 2006 in a $32 million, eleventh-hour deal brokered by the city of Atlanta. The siblings have received equal shares of the money.
Jock Smith, an attorney for Bernice and Martin Luther King III, said his clients had no knowledge of the book deal until they were asked to turn over the documents a few weeks ago.
Smith added that such actions were the basis for a separate lawsuit filed in July by Bernice and Martin Luther King III attempting to force their brother to open the books of their father's estate. In August, Dexter King sued them, alleging that they each established foundations that compete with The King Center.
REV. AL SHARPTON: The Murder in Black and White Interview with Kam Williams
No Interview, No Peace!
*Alfred Charles Sharpton, Jr. was born in Brooklyn, NY on October 3, 1954 to Ada and Alfred, Sr., a descendant of slaves owned by the ancestors of segregationist U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond.
Called to the ministry at an early age, young Al started preaching at the age of 4, was ordained at 9, and went on tour as a child with gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.
In 1971, he took a job as James Brown’s tour manager, forging an enduring friendship with the “Hardest Working Man in Show Business.” Rev Al took that work ethic with him when he decided to dedicate his life to civil rights activism.
A tireless advocate of the poor and underprivileged, he founded the Harlem-based National Action Network, an organization aimed at alleviating social injustice.
Al’s most recent cause, lobbying the Supreme Court on behalf of the Death Row inmate Troy Davis, resulted in an 11th hour stay of execution. Here, he reflects not only on that triumph, but on everything from his voter registration drive to Barack Obama to the Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell cases. Plus, he talks about his new television show, Murder in Black and White, directed by documentary filmmaker Keith Beauchamp, which is set to premiere on Sunday October 5th, with episodes airing on four consecutive evenings at 10 PM EST on TV One Network. (Check local listings)
KW: Hey, Reverend Sharpton, thanks for the time. I’m honored to be speaking with you.
AS: No problem.
KW: Congratulations on the Troy Davis stay of execution.
AS: Thank you.
KW: What will you be working on next?
AS: Well, the National Action Network is working on several things.
Following up on the Troy Davis case… I’ve also been doing a national bus tour doing voter registration and voter protection rallies. We did Kansas City, Missouri, three cities in North Carolina, and Philadelphia, a city a day last week. This coming week, I’m doing Charlotte, Cleveland and Prince George County in Maryland. So, we’re all over the country.
KW: You were on the fence about the election for awhile. Have you come out in support of a presidential candidate yet?
AS: Yeah, I’m supporting Senator Obama, but the National Action Network tour is non-partisan. You can’t do voter registration and be partisan.
But I’ve personally endorsed Barack Obama,
KW: What did you think of the first presidential debate?
AS: I thought it went well. I thought Senator Obama held his own.
KW: Let’s talk about your new TV show. What interested you in hosting Murder in Black and White?
AS: A lot of people know the story of Emmett Till. A lot of people know about Medgar Evers. But many don’t understand that there were many other lynchings. These were the prices that were paid for folks like me, and Obama, and [New York State Governor] David Patterson, and [Massachusetts Governor] Deval Patrick to do what we do. I think that by bringing these cases to light, it gives people an understanding of the culture of racial violence, as well as the fact that some of these cases are still unsolved. So, it’s a matter of teaching history in a dramatic way, because this is not the kind of documentary series that puts you to sleep. It’s been done very well. It’s not only riveting but it reminds you that we’re just a generation or two away from lynchings, and that some of the perpetrators are still alive and at large.
KW: I was born in 1952 and raised in the North, but my parents subscribed to black papers like the Pittsburgh Courier which covered all the lynchings and mysterious disappearances in the South ignored by the mainstream press. So, I grew up with a sense that there was a different energy and danger for black folks in the South.
AS: Exactly right. And I was born in ’54 and raised in the North, but I would hear horror stories from my mother. I know what it did for me, a generation removed, to now see it in these episodes. I hope it touches the generation behind me and others, so they can understand the gravity of what the Civil Rights Movement and challenging Jim Crow segregation was all about.
KW: What do you think is the best way for the elders of the Civil Rights Movement to come together with members of the Hip-Hop Generation?
AS: I think in many ways, because of the major media, we’re not looking at this correctly. You have the elders of the Civil Rights Generation, the Joe Lowery to Jesse Jackson group. But then you have a group in between those generations, which includes Martin Luther King III, myself and others in their 40s and 50s. Barack is in this generation. Then you have the Hip-Hop Generation. See, I think the white media acts like we went straight from 1960 to 2008. That’s not true. Those in that middle generation that I’m in understand the elders because we were raised by them. And we understand some of the younger people because they’re our little sisters and brothers. The way we come together is on the civil rights and human rights issues. The other thing the media has done wrongly is confuse hip-hop activism, the term you used in the question, with hip-hop entertainers. The leaders of the Hip-Hop Generation in terms of activism are the students who worked with us on the Martin Lee Anderson case in Florida, the Jena Six case in Louisiana, or the Genarlow Wilson case in Georgia. They’re not the hip-hop artists doing shows and talking about how they want to be new leaders when they’re not involved in any activism, any more than The Temptations and The Supremes led the Selma march, or Luther Vandross led the Amadou Diallo march. I think the white media has very cynically tried to act like the leaders of the Hip-Hop Generation are the entertainers, and not credit the student leaders and others who have become activists and are acting with my generation and with the elders.
KW: Do you feel the same way about civil disobedience as a tactic in cases where cops kill innocent black men after the police were found not guilty in both the Amadou Diallo and Sean Bell cases?
AS: First of all, in the case of Amadou Diallo, we did civil disobedience prior to the indictments. That’s how we got the indictments. There was no civil disobedience after the verdict. Yes, it was effective in that case, because we wouldn’t have even gotten any indictments without it. And we used the same tactic with the Abner Louima case, which we won. With Sean Bell, we used civil disobedience afterwards, but the jury is still out on whether the Feds will come in.
But you gotta remember, from the Howard Beach case, where people went to jail, to Bensonhurst case, where people went to jail, to Abner Louima to Jena, where we got Mychal Bell out of jail, you have wins and losses.
Dr. King lost in Albany, Georgia, but won in Selma. Yeah, we lost Diallo, but look at all the others that we won. Not only is the tactic effective, but these would not be issues had we not performed civil disobedience. Part of activism lies in bringing attention to the issues, so that legislators and others have to respond. For example, we used civil disobedience and marching to dramatize the New Jersey 4 case. Well, that put the first profiling law on the books. Had it not been for our activism, profiling would not be part of American jurisprudence. Out of that came racial profiling legislation, including what Barack did in Illinois. If you remove all the protests, tell me if they’d even be addressing the issue of police brutality and racial profiling. There have been plenty of people martyred, but unfortunately the only ones you can name are the ones there have been movements around. Dr. King in his day never passed legislation. He demonstrated civil disobedience that led Adam Clayton Powell and others in Congress to pass legislation, and Thurgood Marshall making new law in the courts. We are trying to do in our day what King did. I think some people are confused about the process.
KW: What did you think about Jesse Jackson’s off-camera comments about Barack Obama’s Father’s Day speech?
AS: I thought he was wrong and I was very public in my criticism. I went on CNN and Fox. I have a lot of respect for Reverend Jackson, but he was wrong, and I couldn’t justify his comments. I think that what Barack said about black men that day needed to be said. Barack was correct, Bill Cosby’s been correct. I didn’t agree that Barack was talking down to blacks. And you cannot use the N-word, when you’ve been protesting its use. You must be consistent. Reverend Jackson was dead wrong in this case, but that won’t be his legacy.
KW: In 1991, someone tried to assassinate you because of your marching in Bensonhurst. Why did you ask for clemency of the racist who tried to kill you when if his knife had been an inch or so over, you would have died on the spot?
AS: My proposition was that this young man was troubled, and that this young man should be extended the same mercy that I ask for troubled people in my own community. Yeah, he almost killed me. It was the hardest thing in the world for me to ask for clemency for him, but I did it because I was trying to be consistent. It’s always interesting to me, that when people recount my story, especially the white media, they always bring up Tawana Brawley, do they will rarely bring up the fact that I forgave a white man for trying to kill me. And I not only went to court and asked the judge for clemency, but I visited him in jail. That doesn’t fit the mainstream media’s stereotypical picture of an angry black man who doesn’t like white folks.
KW: What’s it like to live your life in the public eye 24/7, and to have constant requests for help in terms of discrimination or oppression?
AS: It becomes burdensome at times, but it’s the life I’ve chosen. It’s what I felt I was called to do, and I do it. I don’t think I could do anything else. When I was younger, I was very close to James Brown, and I tried for a time to be involved with entertainment, but I couldn’t do it. People have to find their passion in life, and social activism is my passion. And I think in this era we need that kind of force which will continue to expose what’s wrong so that legislators will be challenged to change the laws. If you don’t have that, the laws won’t change on their own. Which is why people call us. Sean Bell’s 22 year-old wife to be, Nicole, called us because she felt that we would make the world know what happened. And we did, because that’s what we do. Absent somebody dramatizing a case and making it public, politicians are not going to deal with it.
KW: You mentioned James Brown. When I was a kid, I lived a couple of blocks from him in St. Albans. Did you know him when he had that house on Linden Boulevard?
AS: No, I was a kid then, too. I got to know him after he had already moved back to Augusta, Georgia. I got close to him when his son, Teddy, a student who had joined my national youth movement in New York, was killed in a car accident.
KW: What would you say has been your greatest accomplishment to date?
AS: Being able, in this generation, to build a consistent movement that has been effective at raising public awareness about the remaining inequities in society. No one can deny that we’ve been successful in making racial profiling, police misconduct, and now, education reform, national issues. And without us, it wouldn’t have been that effective.
We’ve remained on the cutting edge of making the conversation deal with the issues of inequality that had been taken off the table. If the generation behind us loses a dedication to raising public awareness, you will end up going backwards in terms of racial progress.
KW: What do you think sank the Diallo case?
AS: Once Johnnie Cochran was no longer on the case, it is my belief that the PBA, District Attorney Robert Johnson and others used that period of time as an opening to abuse the law, to come up with a scheme for the change of venue which I feel led to an injustice for the Diallo family and the community. I think that by the time the new attorneys got in place, D.A. Johnson, the PBA and one of the defendants’ attorneys, which was former Judge Burton Roberts, they had already made their deal, and I believe that that is what led to the injustice.
KW: How do you think an Obama presidency might change race relations in America?
AS: I think it could make things better, but again, and you know Senator Obama and I have a good relationship, there will still be those on the outside pushing the envelope. I think it’s unfair to have unrealistic expectations of Obama. As he always says, “I’m going to need you all to raise issues to get my attention,” because it’ll be competing with every other constituency. He can’t look like he’s going to the White House as a crusader for black people. So, there must be an ongoing movement for him to respond to. So, I think he’s the best choice for the country, but he’s by no means a panacea.
KW: You ran for president just four years ago. Were you surprised by Obama’s success at landing the Democratic nomination?
AS: Not at all. My campaign and his were totally different. I ran in the tradition of a Jesse Jackson, to raise issues. He ran to win, in the tradition of an Ed Brooke or a Doug Wilder. We helped change the tone.
But you can’t compare our approaches. I think we do different things that hopefully complement each other.
KW: How do you feel about shaking things up, but not necessarily sharing the spotlight in victory?
AS: We do it all the time. Believe me, we fight a lot more cases than people hear about. I’ll give you an example. When I went down to Georgia for the Troy Davis case. I’d spoken about it for a year on my syndicated radio show. They were the ones who asked me to come out stronger on his behalf. Many times, the victims want us to bring the spotlight, because they can’t get any attention. Yet, people say, “Oh, there’s Sharpton out there again,” but that’s the point. Nobody calls you in to hide their issue. The publicity is exactly what they want. The point is, there have been a lot of other victims. The question is, why haven’t we heard about them? And if the National Action Network has created the infrastructure to get the spotlight, then why are you begrudging us that, unless you don’t really want those issues exposed, or unless you’re envious and you want the spotlight yourself. In that case, you should do the work.
Believe me, the end of the work is the spotlight.
KW: Did you feel that the Clinton campaign started “racializing” the campaign in January when they tried to pigeonhole Obama as the black candidate?
AS: Absolutely. I think it was very subtle on some levels, and very blatant on others. And I very publicly criticized it at the time.
KW: The Tasha Smith question: Are you ever afraid?
AS: No. When I came terms with death in ‘91, I got passed fear. The only thing I fear now is that we won’t get all the work done before I die.
I’m not afraid to die. I’m going to die. Death is certain. Living is uncertain. Once you have a close brush with death, you make up your mind. I could’ve walked away then to build a big church, and still had my place in history. But I believe in what I’m doing, and I’ve come to terms with the fact that it might cost me my life, and I’ve been doing it ever since.
KW: The Columbus Short question: Are you happy?
AS: As happy as I could be!
KW: Bookworm Troy Johnson’s question: What was the last book you read?
AS: In fact, I’m reading a book right now by Jonathan Rieder called The Word of the Lord is upon Me: The Righteous Performance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I would highly recommend it because the author is very good.
KW: Is there a question no one ever asks you, that you wish someone would?
AS: No, I’ve been asked just about everything I need to be asked.
KW: The music maven Heather Covington question: What’s music are you listening to nowadays?
AS: I listen to Gospel and a lot of R&B. On my iPod there’s a lot of James Brown and Gospel. I love the song “I Never Would Have Made It.”
KW: How long are you going to keep your hairstyle?
AS: As long as I live. That’s part of my personal bond with James Brown.
You know James asked me to do that.
KW: Have you ever seen that duet of James Brown with Pavarotti doing It’s a Man’s World? [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCIyzNISw1Q]
AS: Yeah, I remember when he did it. It was very moving.
KW: You lost a lot of weight fasting while serving three months in jail for civil disobedience on Vieques, and kept it off.
AS: Yes, and that was another victory. You know, we did close that U.S.
Naval base in the end.
KW: How do you feel about Congressman Rangel’s recent legal woes?
AS: Clearly he has some things to correct, but I thought it was overblown. Come on, the kind of attention the press paid to that over what were relatively small amounts of money, you have read a political agenda into it.
KW: How do you want to be remembered?
AS: I want to be remembered as the guy in his generation who helped keep the social justice movement going. I will not sit in the chamber of power, but be the person on the outside challenging the system. Somebody has to play that role in every generation, and I want to be remembered as being comfortable playing that role in mine.
KW: Well, thanks again for the time, Reverend Al. No justice, no peace.
AS: Take care, man, Bye-bye.
To see a video of Rev Al Sharpton in action, visit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUi6IYDBbZY
EUR MOTIVATIONAL NOTE
"The successful person has the habit of doing the things failures don't like to do. They don't like doing them either necessarily. But their disliking is subordinated to the strength of their purpose." — E.M. Gray
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Oct. 6: Actress Jacqueline Obradors ("NYPD Blue") is 42.
WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Just Us Books - Creators of Black interest books and products for young people. Get more info here: www.justusbooks.com
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BLACK HISTORY
Oct. 6, 1871: Fisk Jubilee Singers began first national tour. (Source: www.BlackFacts.com)
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