Day 528 of 365 More.
Almost 40 years ago, on April 4th, 1968, American civil rights activist, Martin Luther King Jr. was gunned down on the balcony of his Memphis Hotel room. King, having dedicated his life to creating racial equality in this country is remember as the father of civil rights. Many hoped that his struggle would bring racial harmony to the world and ultimately end a cycle of poverty and oppression the African American public had faced since the country’s inception. Though his birthday was January 15th, today we celebrate his life. Today he would be 79.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro’s legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual.
On October 30th, 2002, hip-hop pioneer and social philanthropist, Jason Mizell, better known as Jam Master Jay, legendary DJ from Run-D.M.C. was shot in the back of the head while working in his New York City studio. Having devoted his life to the popularization and transformation of hip-hop as an art form, JMJ, in his later years had taken to trying to help poor inner-city youth turn to music instead of gangs as a way of giving back to the community. Had he lived, today he would have turned 43.
Born to rock around the clock
You can’t say I’m not
And in case you forgot
We’re the KINGS OF ROCK!
I am speechless, Mav.
Bravo!
So much violence….
@Mikey aka DaSkinnyBlackMan: thanks.
@spresogna: yeah, its really sad. And I think people are even gonna forget about JMJ soon, which given all he accomplished in his life, is really really sad.
K I C K A S S !!!! I hope you’re wearing the Adidas and we just can’t see hem.
King is an inspiration to anyone who wants to change the world. I’m proud to be here in the city where it started. To walk where he walked, to be with the people who surrounded him.
To Dr. King!
That’s a bitchin’ hat you got there.
nicely said. and beautifully shot. (And I gotta second Stephen on the out-of-shot Addidas)
such cool pose
and sadly many "roses will have to grow from concrete" until the world realizes fights over race (and religion) are stupid
Times like this is when I need the fave button to work in multiples! This is beyond awesome!
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Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Very thoughtful commentary. Very special photo.
@Stephen Poff: You know, I didn’t bother. Mine are black anyway, and I didn’t feel like going downstairs to get them since I knew they wouldn’t be in the shot. There you go, photographic secrets revealed.
@Jack Scoresby: thanks.
@☼ Helder: i don’t even care about the prejudice. More about the injustice. The man who is accused of killing JMJ is a black man. It’s just senseless.
@lrayholly: really? Thanks? I didn’t think people would care for this one as much.
@DeHoll: thank you.
dripping COOL….. very nicely captured
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@espressoDOM: thank you.
Great Portrait
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[discovered in the photophlow main room] (?)
@Icefreez: thanks. It was quite meaningful at the time.