politics Archives - RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture

#RESPECT: President Obama Makes Historic Decision to Fight Gun Control

RESPECT. Staff — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 18:18:38 +0000

President Barack Obama made the executive order Monday to expand background checks to cover more firearms sold at gun shows, online and anywhere else, aiming to curb gun violence despite unyielding opposition to new laws in Congress.

According to the Washington (AP), Obama’s plan to broaden background checks forms is the main piece of a bigger puzzle of gun control measures. President Obama plans to take on the nation’s gun battle in his final term. Although Obama can not change gun laws alone, but the president is hoping that strengthening enforcement of existing laws can prevent some gun deaths in our nation.

“This is not going to solve every violent crime in this country,” Obama said. Still, he added, “It will potentially save lives and spare families the pain of these extraordinary losses.”

Under current federal law, only federally licensed gun dealers must conduct background checks on buyers, but many who sell guns at flea markets, on websites or in other informal settings don’t register as dealers. The “loophole” is exploited to skirt the background check requirement and could possible be a factor in the gun control issues.

Now, the Justice Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will issue updated guidance that states the government should deem anyone “in the business” of selling guns to be a dealer. To that end, the government will consider other factors, including how many guns a person sells and how frequently, and whether those guns are sold for a profit.

“We’re very comfortable that the president can legally take these actions,” said Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

Obama’s announcement was supported by Democratic lawmakers and gun control groups like the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, which claimed Obama was making history with “bold and meaningful action” that would make all Americans safer.

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Recap: Black Thought Lectures at NYU

RESPECT. Staff — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 16:21:30 +0000

Photo by Neda Jebelli

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Photo by Neda Jebelli

This past Thursday, September 26th, Tariq Trotter aka Black Thought sat down with Professor Millery Polyné for New York University’s Albert Gallatin Lecture Series. The free event was held at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study’s Jerry H. Labowitz Theatre for the Performing Arts and was attended by roughly 150 students, alumni and public listeners.

The Roots’ frontman spoke at length on topics such as his first rap group (which included Beanie Sigel), the visual arts being his first love, his relationship with Bill Cosby and his involvement in the Soulquarians: “It was a movement. We inspired each other. The competition strengthened the union, raising the bar as a collective.”

Ever the proud Philadelphian, Black Thought drew surprised laughter when he compared Will Smith‘s storyteller flow to Slick Rick‘s: “Will Smith was Slick Rick before Slick Rick, only more PC and less jewelry.” But the response was more subdued when he compared Schooly D‘s cadence to Ice-T‘s: “Ice-T rapped just like Schooly D, only with a California accent.”

While explaining the reason for the political nature of his rhymes, the Grammy-winning artist revealed that his father died when he was two, and his mother when he was 16. Growing up hearing stories of his father’s involvement in the Islamic community gave him a social awareness that he possesses to this day.

“Where you are from and where you are going are coordinates that define where you are right now.” – Black Thought

A recent full-circle moment for Black Thought was being honored with a mural by the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. What makes this accolade so poignant is that the program began as the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti network, through which Trotter was once sentenced to 150 hours of “scrub time” for scrawling his art on a public building.

Stay tuned for an appearance by Black Thought in Sonia Sanchez‘ upcoming documentary as well as the release of his first solo album, The Talented Mr. Trotter.

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Street Art: ADW Guerilla Artist

RESPECT. Staff — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:33:19 +0000

Irish stencil street artist ADW is an activist who creates politically charged pieces. His stencil is his weapon and his art qualifies him for the title of guerrilla artist. His illegal pieces end up hidden in street corners and often covered up because what he portrays troubles the higher powers. He is to be listed alongside Shepard Fairey in the America and Banksy in the UK as one of the rising “crisis” artists, according to French Blog Rue 89. The artist found the comparison very flattering. “I couldn’t believe that to be honest, it was a complete honnor,” he said. (Read more here)

I originally created the piece to reflect all ‘policing’ forces and the increasing militarisation of these forces employed to uphold the law. I guess the piece was born during the worldwide Occupy movements and the savage handling of the protesters. But the motivations dates back further for me and I often think about the unjust killing of Jean Charles de Menezes, who was mistaken by British police to be a terrorist and shot 8-times in the head at point blank range. The title ‘There is no justice, there’s just us’, was given to me by a friend fit perfectly. So, armed with a history of excessive police force, violence, cover-ups and corruption I set about creating the piece. (Read more here)

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Photo Of The Day: Bun B And Them Democrats

RESPECT. Staff — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 19:37:17 +0000

While Nicki is doing her best to let her political views be heard, others are too. One of hip-hop’s favorite’s, Bill Clinton, definitely brought it home last night. Bun B showed his support by posting this photo from the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. Go ahead, trill one.

Shouts to Bun’s Instagram for the photo.

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