Heather Faison

PUBLICATION: The Philadelphia Tribune Magazine

PUBLICATION DATE: April 2008

One of the most important e-mails to land in Kourtney Addison’s inbox was seconds away from being cyber trash.

As her eyes scrolled down the computer screen, the forwarded message read like a scene from a Jim Crow-era documentary. A tree that only Whites could sit under, nooses hung in a schoolyard, a Black teen facing a 22-year sentence for beating a White classmate.

Immediately, she thought it was a joke. “It just seemed so unreal,” she recalled of the story later known as the Jena Six.

“It was just blatant racism.”

Wearing a white T-shirt with the words “Free The Jena 6″ painted in red block letters, the Temple University sophomore joined more than 700 students in a demonstration in front of City Hall last September.

It was Addison’s first protest.

As she pumped her fist in the air letting her oversized cowry shell bracelet drop to her elbow, the 19-year-old was brought to tears by the passion displayed by her peers and the realization that “Dr. King’s dream had not been fully realized yet.”

The events of last year – the Jena Six protest, the firing of racist disc jockey Don Imus and the campaign for Genarlow Wilson, a Georgia teen sentenced to prison for consensual sex with a White classmate – resulted in a rebirth of political activism among African-Americans, unseen in recent years.

Many have wondered who is behind this surge. The leader of this movement is not on CNN or holding press conferences on the evening news. This revolution will not be televised – but you may find it in your e-mail.

Today’s generation is turning technology into activism and using the Internet as a tool to carry its messages. With social media sites and e-mail blasts, a story about an injustice can be sent to millions in one mouse-click, garnering support en masse.

“The early Civil Rights Movement had the mimeograph and the Black press. Today, we have e-mail, blogs, text messaging, online petitions, instant messaging, social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace,” said Chris Rabb, Philadelphia-based Netroots activist.

Netroots (taken from Internet and grassroots) was coined after Internet users ignited the campaign of 2004 presidential candidate Howard Dean through mass e-mails and blogs, bringing him national support and millions in fundraising dollars. Netroots uses the Internet as a platform to voice opinions and draw online users to a particular cause.

Though Netroots activism for African Americans is nascent, says Rabb, “it is by no means a fad.” Read the rest of this entry »

(PHOTO CREDIT: LaVan Anderson)

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Published: Phrequency.com

D’Angelo was supposed to be the star. The oiled down, chiseled singer was crowned the king of neo-soul while a little-known Anthony Hamilton sang background on his 2000 Voodoo tour. Yet even in the shadows, Hamilton’s earthy vocals were undeniable and gave him staying power, while today conversations of his former mentor start with, “What ever happened to…”

With a Grammy for his duet with R&B legend Al Green, a devoted fanbase, and his latest album debuting No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, Hamilton is headlining his own “Playin’ it Cool” tour with Musiq Soulchild and Chrisette Michele.

“Me and Musiq had done shows together before and it was a great turn out so we just felt good about it and we felt like with Chrisette Michele being a lady – as classy as she is – that would bring a nice something to it,” explained Hamilton, who will make a stop at Tower Theater in Upper Darby Tuesday. “I’m the older guy but we all just have a mutual respect for one another.”

With the storytelling chops of Bill Withers, Hamilton’s music causes you to listen with all five senses – from his mama falling asleep in her work clothes in “Mama Knew Love” to the “Cornbread, Fish and Collard Greens” that were a staple growing up in his native North Carolina.

His latest album, “Point of It All” features production from Philly songwriter James Poyser and Amy Winehouse partner Salaam Remi. The result: A throwback sound suited for modern sensibilities.

Hamilton says he’s already finished about a dozen tracks for his next album – slated for an early 2010 release – and is mixing up his sound, experimenting with blues, rock and even country. A sonic gamble he says his fans will embrace.

“Musically, the Grammy was a nice notch on my belt to allow other people to see your talent. It feels good to have it but it feels good to have a fanbase. So I guess I’m growing and I feel like I’m solid in my space,” said Hamilton in his southern drawl. “I’m still putting songs that I love and songs that speak to me on the album.”

For “Point of It All,” Hamilton – whose collaborations include country star John Rich, Keyshia Cole, Young Jeezy and Santana – trimmed the guests to rapper David Banner for the single “Cool.”

At the top of his guest appearance wish list is B.B. King, says Hamilton, and if he could hop into a time machine “I would have loved to work with Marvin Gaye and Nat King Cole. … We would have done something different.”

As for his definition of “cool,” the laid-back soul singer says: “Cool is comfort; being comfortable in whatever space you’re in. Cool is the ability to handle situations under pressure and make the best of it.”