can't keep calm (Amiri Baraka: Who Will Survive America?)

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can't keep calm. #BatonRouge: image via deray mckesson @deray, 9 July 2016

#WhitePrivilegeMeans

 #Newark Youth are blocking entrances to #JustinBieber Concert at Prudential Center #blacklivesmatter: image via Popular Resistance @PopResistance, 9 July 2016

No Justice . No Peace ! What You Stand for? #Newark: image by Chad B Verified account @TheRealChadB, 9 July 2016

#WhitePrivilegeMeans strolling around in public armed w/ assault rifles knowing you have nothing to fear from police: image via The Baxter Bean @TheBaxterBean, 9 July 2016

Police used a robot to bomb a suspect to death. Have we passed from policing into warfare? Let's Unpack #LizzUnpacks: image via Lizz Brown @lizzzbrown, 9 July 2016

Happy Birthday @deray. Thank you for all you do. I value you. I appreciate you. Your black is beautiful.: image via ladyelle313 @ladyelle1313, 9 July 2016

Barricade. #BatonRouge: image via deray mckesson @deray, 9 July 2016

. #BatonRouge. Police: image via deray mckesson @deray, 9 July 2016

Gonna go ahead and point out the fact that a #BatonRouge police officer pointed a gun at unarmed protesters tonight: image via @iwhitniss, 9 July 2016

#WhitePrivilegeMeans getting treated to Burger King after murdering 9 African American parishioners in church: image via Cornelia @PaladinCornelia, 9 July 2016

#WhitePrivilegeMeans Burger King: image via Gord Macey @GordMacey, 9 July 2016 

#WhitePrivilegeMeans Hillary Clinton shouting at people, when they call her out on her lies: image via #NeverHillary @ScottPresler, 9 July 2016

#WhitePrivilegeMeans Hillary Clinton: image via #NeverHillary @ScottPresler, 9 July 2016

 

#WhitePrivilegeMeans religious belief held by a cult of hysterical genderbending punch magnets with useless degrees: image via Tumblrisms @Tumblrisms, 9 July 2016 

#WhitePrivilegeMeans religious belief held by a cult of hysterical genderbending punch magnets with useless degrees: image via Tumblrisms @Tumblrisms, 9 July 2016

#WhitePrivilegeMeans religious belief held by a cult of hysterical genderbending punch magnets with useless degrees: image via Tumblrisms @Tumblrisms, 9 July 2016 

#WhitePrivilegeMeans religious belief held by a cult of hysterical genderbending punch magnets with useless degrees: image via Tumblrisms @Tumblrisms, 9 July 2016

#WhitePrivilegeMeans it is a God Given Privilege to be White, because WE are GORGEOUS!: image via }}}DeniseLaCelt{{{ @Celtic Denise, 9 July 2016

#WhitePrivilegeMeans surviving your trip to Walmart: image via Scott Wooledge @Clarknt67, 9 July 2016  Brooklyn, NY

#WhitePrivilegeMeans destroying public property simply makes you a rowdy college student who doesn't know any better: image via Trevor LaFauci $Trevor_LaFauci, 9 July 2016

#WhitePrivilegeMeans You can reach for your gun right in front of a cop and the cop won't should you dead in seconds: image via Dr. Craig Considine @CraigCons, 9 July 2016

#WhitePrivilegeMeans it is a God Given Privilege to be White, because WE are GORGEOUS!: image via }}}DeniseLaCelt{{{ @Celtic Denise, 9 July 2016

#WhitePrivilegeMeans it is a God Given Privilege to be White, because WE are GORGEOUS!: image via }}}DeniseLaCelt{{{ @Celtic Denise, 9 July 2016

Ritual To Romance (In Celtica -- and beyond)

ITALY - A man wearing a mask poses during Celtica, festival of Celtic culture and traditions in Val Veny. By @MBer12: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 9 July 2016

SPAIN - The traditional festival of "La danza de las espadas" (The dance of the swords) in Obejo. By Jorge Guerrero: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 9 July 2016

Micah Xavier Johnson, a man suspected by Dallas Police in a shooting attack and who was killed during a manhunt, is seen in an undated photo from his Facebook account: Micah X. Johnson via Facebook: image via Reuters Top News @Reuters, 8 July 2016

Dallas shooting suspect's online posts reflect anger, frustraton: Gina Cherelus and Erwin Seba, New York / Mesquite, Texas, Reuters, 8 July 2016

 
Former U.S. Army reservist Micah Xavier Johnson posted an angry rant against white people on the Facebook page of a group called Black Panther Party Mississippi last Saturday, denouncing lynching and the brutalizing of black people. 

Five days later, police said on Friday, the Afghan war veteran took part in a sniper-style ambush of police officers in Dallas, killing five and wounding seven others before dying in a police-initiated explosion.

 "Why do so many whites (not all) enjoy killing and participating in the death of innocent beings," Johnson, 25, wrote on Saturday above a video of what appeared to be people participating in a whale-killing.

In the disjointed July 2 post, Johnson expressed anger over lynchings of black people and "our ancestors" being beaten, mutilated and killed.

"Then they all stand around and smile while their picture is taken with a hung, burned and brutalized black person," he wrote. "They even go to our homeland and shoot our endangered wildlife for sport."

On Johnson's own Facebook page, which was deactivated on Friday, a profile photo showed him with one arm raised and fist clenched in a Black Power salute. The page included images of a Black Power symbol and a red, black and green flag associated with the Black Liberation Army.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said at a news conference on Friday that it was unclear if Micah Johnson was a member of a black nationalist group.

Johnson served as a private first class in the U.S. Army Reserve from March 2009 to April 2015.

His deployment in Afghanistan from November 2013 to July 2014 earned Johnson a number of service medals, according to Army spokeswoman Jennifer Johnson.
 
Attempts to reach Johnson's relatives and friends on Friday were not successful. It was not clear if he was employed.

Dallas police said on Friday that a search of Johnson's home yielded bomb-making materials, ballistic vests, rifles, ammunition and a personal journal of combat tactics. Johnson had no criminal record, police said.

Public records indicated that he lived in Mesquite, a suburb of Dallas, and the Army also listed Mesquite as his place of residence.

The assault, the deadliest for law enforcement in the United States since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, took place on Thursday night during a protest over the fatal police shootings this week of two black men in Louisiana and Minnesota. Those deaths fanned public outrage over excessive use of force by police, especially against black men.
 
Dallas Police Chief David Brown said earlier on Friday that police had tried unsuccessfully to negotiate an end to an hours-long standoff before sending in a bomb-carrying robot that killed Johnson.

According to Brown, Johnson told police that "he was upset about the recent police shootings."

"The suspect said he was upset at white people. The suspect stated that he wanted to kill white people, especially white officers," Brown said.

Johnson's Facebook page included a photo of him with Professor Griff of the hip-hop group Public Enemy at what appeared to be a book-signing event.

"I will not sit back and let these people assassinate my character and tie me to the Dallas shootings," Griff said on Twitter on Friday, adding, "I DO NOT KNOW THE SHOOTER."
 
According to media reports, Johnson's sister Nicole posted on Facebook after he was identified by news outlets that "those that knew him know this wasn't like him." The message had been deleted from her page by Friday afternoon.

On Friday, three police cars and several television news trucks were parked near the large, two-story brick house of Johnson's family in Mesquite, Texas, a middle-class Dallas suburb.

Neighbor Kimberly Smith said her son went to high school with Johnson. "He was a nice kid. My son was surprised he would cause any problem."

Army Lieutenant Colonel Major Michael Waltz, a former special forces officer and White House aide, said in an interview with Reuters that a video of the attack indicated that Johnson was "not only trained, but well trained."

The video was taken by a person at the scene and widely circulated on social media.

Waltz said Johnson appeared to have received "close-quarters battle" training, which focuses on urban combat.

Use of Dallas 'bomb robot' to kill revives police militarization issue: image via Reuters Top News @Reuters, 8 July 2016

Violence again convulses 2016 election campaign, testing Trump, Clinton: image via Reuters Top News @Reuters, 9 July 2016 

 

Beware of the "Toro de Fuego" when roaming the streets of Pamplona during the San Fermin Festival: image via AFP news agency @AFP, 8 July 2016
 

Beware of the "Toro de Fuego" when roaming the streets of Pamplona during the San Fermin Festival: image via AFP news agency @AFP, 8 July 2016
 

 

Beware of the "Toro de Fuego" when roaming the streets of Pamplona during the San Fermin Festival: image via AFP news agency @AFP, 8 July 2016
 

Beware of the "Toro de Fuego" when roaming the streets of Pamplona during the San Fermin Festival: image via AFP news agency @AFP, 8 July 2016

Rebel-held Aleppo fears shortages after Syria regime advance: image via AFPnews agency @AFP, 9 July 2016   Washington, DC 
 

Rebel-held Aleppo fears shortages after Syria regime advance: image via AFPnews agency @AFP, 9 July 2016   Washington, DC

 

Hundreds join "Black Lives Matter" protest in London: image via AFPnews agency @AFP, 9 July 2016   Washington, DC 
 

Hundreds join "Black Lives Matter" protest in London: image via AFPnews agency @AFP, 9 July 2016   Washington, DC 
 

Hundreds join "Black Lives Matter" protest in London: image via AFPnews agency @AFP, 9 July 2016   Washington, DC

Spanish matador gored to death in the ring: image via AFPnews agency @AFP, 9 July 2016

An Indian Muslim boy offers Eid al-Fitr prayers with others in Mumbai, India: photo by Rajanish Kakade/AP, 7 July 2016



An Indian Muslim boy offers Eid al-Fitr prayers with others in Mumbai, India: photo by Rajanish Kakade/AP, 7 July 2016

#Ramadan A Palestinian youth reads verses of the Quran at the beach side Mosque in #Gaza City. By @ahana99 @AP: image via Photojournalism @photojournalism, 7 July 2016

 CAMBODIA - Cambodian children sleep on a pavement at a park in Phnom Penh. By Tang Chhin Sothy #AFP: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 8 July 2016
 

SYRIA - A Syrian rescue worker removes baby from damaged building following air strikes in Aleppo. By Thaer Mohammed: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 8 July 2016

Children in Syria can escape the horror of everyday life in an underground playground built by activists to protect them from shelling. Located in the rebel-held town of Erbin, the site has proven a popular choice for families during Eid Al Fitr.: photo by Sameer Al-Doumy / AFP,  8 July 2016

A girl reacts as Caravinagre ‘Vinegar face’ kiliki hits her with his sponge during the Comparsa de Gigantes y Cabezudos, or Giants and Big Heads parade, on the third day of the San Fermin Running of the Bulls festival in Pamplona, Spain.: photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez, 8 July 2016

A reveler is gored by a Cebada Gago’s ranch fighting bull during the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. A hospital official said five people were gored by fighting bulls in a hair-raising second running of the bulls at Pamplona’s San Fermin festival.: photo by Daniel Ochoa de Olza / AP,  8 July 2016

Paramilitary policemen rest as they take turns to try to fill up a break in a dam in preparation for Typhoon Nepartak which is approaching China, in Lujiang county, Anhui province, China.: photo by Reuters / Stringer,  8 July 2016

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig reacts after hitting a fly ball during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres in Los Angeles. The Padres won 6-0.: photo by Jae C Hong / AP,  8 July 2016

An African immigrant stranded in Costa Rica performs on Central Avenue in San Jose, Costa Rica.: photo by Juan Carlos Ulate / Reuters, 8 July 2016

A demonstrator gestures during a protest against the police shootings that led to two deaths in Louisiana and Minnesota, in Oakland, California.: photo by Stephen Lam / Reuters, 8 July 2016

Workers reinforce the electric pylons at a flooded area as Typhoon Nepartak approaches in Xuancheng, Anhui province of China.: photo by Reuters, 9 July 2016

Kashmiri Muslim girls look from the windows of their house as an Indian paramilitary officer stands guard during restrictions in downtown area of Srinagar.: photo by Farooq Khan / EPA, 9 July 2016

Bulls from the ranch Jose Escolar Gil run past revelers through the Estafeta Street during the third bull run of the Festival of San Fermin 2016 in Pamplona, Spain.: photo by. Jesus Diges / EPA, 9 July 2016

A resident stands in the house damaged by Typhoon Nepartak in Taitung, Taiwan: photo by Billy H C Kwok, 9 July 2016

A Filipino villager carries a bicycle as he crosses a river in Las pinas city, south of Manila. The bad weather caused power interruptions, suspension of classes and work, parts of Luzon were flooded, and flights were grounded as Typhoon Nepartak exited the Philippine area of responsibility.: photo by Francis R Malasig / EPA, 9 July 2016

Two girls put traditional wreaths near a bonfire as they take part in the Ivan Kupala Night celebration, a traditional Slavic holiday, outside the small town of Turov south of Minsk: photo by Sergei Gapon/AFP, 7 July 2016

 

Two girls put traditional wreaths near a bonfire as they take part in the Ivan Kupala Night celebration, a traditional Slavic holiday, outside the small town of Turov south of Minsk: photo by Sergei Gapon/AFP, 7 July 2016

INDIA - A child sleeps in a hammock in the gardens surrounding India Gate monument in New Delhi. By @Chandanphoto: image via Frédérique Geffard @fgeffardAFP, 9 July 2016

Amiri Baraka: Who Will Survive America?

Amiri Baraka addressing the Malcolm X Festival, San Antonio Park, Oakland, California: photo by David Sasaki, 18 May 2007

Who will survive in America?

Few Americans

Very few Negroes

No crackers at all

Will you survive in America

With your 20-cent habit?
Yo, 4-bag Jones, will you
Survive in the heat and fire
Of actual change? I doubt it

Will you survive, woman? Or will your nylon wig
Catch afire at midnight and light up Stirling Street
And your assprints on the pavement. Grease melting in this
Brother's eyes, his profile shot up by a Simba thinking
Who was coming around the corner was really Tony Curtis
And not a misguided brother, got his mind hanging out with Italians

Who will survive?
The black future will
You can't with the fat stomach between your ears
Scraping nickels out the inside of nigger daydreams
Few Americans
Very few Negroes... maybe no Red Negroes at all

The stiffbacked chalklady baptist, in blue lace
If she shrinks from blackness in front of the church
Following the wedding of the yellow robots
Will not survive. She is old anyway, and they're moving
Her church in the wind
Old people? No
Christians? No
First Negroes to be invisible to Truth, 1944, Minnesota? No
Nothing of that will be anywhere
It will be burned clean
It might sink and steam up the sea. America might
And no Americans, very few Negroes, will get out
No crackers at all
But the black man will survive America
His survival will mean the death of America
Survive Blackman! Survive Blackman! Survive Blackman!
(Black woman too)
Let us all survive, who need to OK?
And we wish each other luck!

Leroi Jones / Amiri Baraka (1934-2014): Who will survive America, 1968, from It's Nation Time (1972)

 

Untitled [Newark]: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 25 December 2013

Amiri Baraka: Monday in B-Flat

I can pray
all day 
& God
won’t come.

But if I call
911
The Devil
Be here

in a minute!

Amiri Baraka (b. Leroi Jones, Newark, New Jersey 7 October 1934 d. Newark, New Jersey 9 January 2014): Monday in B-Flat

Untitled [Newark]: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 11 June 2013
 

Untitled [Newark]: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 7 June 2013

Amiri Baraka encourages the audience to speak Truth to Power at Newark Public Library during the 75th birthday celebration in his honor: photo by Newark Public Library, 8 October 2009



Amiri Baraka, downtown Berkeley, California: photo by graybird images, 31 October 2007
 

   

Amiri Baraka performing with Amiri Baraka Speech Quartet at Festival Ars Cameralis 2009, Club Hipnoza, Katowice: photo by Ars Cameralis, 21 November 2009

Untitled  [Newark]: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 14 June 2013



Untitled [Newark]: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 24 July 2013

Untitled [Newark]: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 13 September 2013

Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 15 November 2013

Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 15 November 2013

Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 9 June 2013

Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 30 August 2013



Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 30 October 2013

Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 28 October 2012

Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 17 September 2012

Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 3 July 2013

Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 28 October 2012

Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 11 June 2013

Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 16 July 2013

Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 11 September 2013

Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 19 September 2013

Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 14 August 2013

Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 24 August 2013

Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 24 August 2013

Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 24 August 2013
 

Untitled: photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 14 August 2013

Untitled (Dirty Jerzey): photo by Joshua Perez (StrangeGoodness), 3 August 2013