What do the new presidential administration, violent race soldiers, gentrification, slavery, systematic discrimination in every industry imaginable, and unnecessary infighting among Melanoid people (to name just a few things) all have in common?

There is no particular one-worded answer to that question, but what’s for certain is that the lingering effects of these things are enough to make anyone go insane, let alone the people who suffer from them the worst–and longest. A case can be made for therapy being a key factor in the reversal of Black people’s 400+ year plight. While the dominant society readily acknowledges war veterans’ battles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Black Society have been unofficially diagnosed with the same thing.

In fact, the psychological damage that Melanoid people have carried for centuries can be scientifically verified. Research has revealed that the Ancestors took on such an overwhelming amount of trauma, that much of it has been carried on down to ensuing generations, as shown in the video below.

One of the byproducts of our collective PTSD is the very stigma that surrounds seeking out counseling. For years, getting therapy was viewed as a sign of weakness, or it made us the target of ridicule and jokes from our family and friends. Much of this ridiculous way of thinking has triggered a heightened rate of suicides among Melanoid people–mainly our youth. There is, however, a changing outlook on our need for better mental health.

Perhaps the greatest trauma victims in history, Melanoid people in this country are unsurprisingly far behind in contrast to other racial groups when it comes to many categories, but in order for true progress to be made, the mind has to be sound first and foremost. If and when reparations are finally given to Black people, therapy and/or counseling should be a complimentary service included in the reparations package, as a means of working to deprogram and rebuild the minds and spirits of countless Black souls who are suffering in silence.

]]> https://www.melanoidnation.org/getting-the-help-we-need-advocacy-of-sound-mental-health-for-black-people/feed/ 6 https://www.melanoidnation.org/fate-of-african-palestinians-on-the-periphery/ https://www.melanoidnation.org/fate-of-african-palestinians-on-the-periphery/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2017 14:51:45 +0000 http://melanoidnation.org/?p=3840 By Amy Lukau

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister has been invited by President Trump to meet him at the soonest possibility. News broke this morning that Mr. Netanyahu opposes a Palestinian state according to a senior Israeli cabinet member.

The Palestinian people wish to establish a state in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip with East Jerusalem to become the capital. These areas were captured in during the “Six day War” in 1967. Israel has since pulled its troops and settlers out of Gaza in 2005.

Netanyahu has approved construction of 6,000 settler homes in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since Donald Trump became president; a move that has drawn international condemnation.

Many African-Palestinian’s wonder if they too will they have a place at the table.

The African-Palestinian community has fought alongside fellow Palestinians in the fight for liberation.

The first female Palestinian political prisoner, Fatima Barnawi of Nigerian descent served ten years in Israeli occupation jails for a foiled bombing attack. Because of a 1977 prisoner exchange she was released and deported.

The role of Africans in the Palestinian liberation struggle became even more notable following the 1967 occupation of East Jerusalem.

Osama Jiddah was the first Palestinian killed during the second intifada.  A member of the African community, he was shot dead by Israeli forces on 29 September 2000 while on his way to donate blood in al-Maqased hospital on the Mount of Olives.

African Palestinians state that they experience racism from both fellow Palestinians and Israeli police, one saying “We face a twofold oppression by the Israeli occupation: first because we are Palestinian; and second because we are black,” he said.

Due to restrictions on building and high levels of poverty and unemployment, many in the African community are forced to look for residence outside the Old city, moving to areas Hanina or Shuafat.

Although the problem of restriction, poverty and unemployment is endemic to all Palestinians in the Old City, African Palestinians do not have Jordanian passports. The majority of their fellow Palestinians in Jerusalem do.

African-Palestinians from Jerusalem are banned from receiving a Jordanian passport. The Jordanian policy of refusing to give passports to African-Palestinians has to do with considering them “strangers.”

Jerusalem’s African-Palestinians have a rich history in the region. In 634 Africans began migrating to Jerusalem when Omar Bin al-Khattab, the second Muslim caliph, conquered the city. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Africans began to settle in Jerusalem in larger numbers.

One would hope that the plight and exceptional circumstances that African-Palestinians face in Jerusalem would enter future talks regarding issues of conflict resolution. Both sides, Palestine and Israel should be keen to acknowledge the issues of those left on periphery who are an integral part of Palestinian society, history and culture.

Emilsen Manyoma, a prominent Afro-Colombian human rights activist, advocating for the rights of fellow Afro-Colombians was killed on January 17 2017. Her body along with her partners, Joe Javier Rodallega was found in an advanced state of decomposition in a jungle area beside the highway in the coast city of Buenaventura. Both had been beheaded.

The couple had been missing since Saturday. Manyoma, 32 played a key role in addressing and documenting attacks on human rights leaders in the region as part of the recently created Truth Commission.

Since 2005, Manyoma was active in the community network, CONPAZ where she spoke out against right wing paramilitary groups and the displacement of locals by international mining and agribusiness interest.

CONPAZ, the main national Black organization in the National Afro-Colombian Peace Council has demanded and lobbied the Colombian government to bring Afro-Colombian voices and interests to be addressed during the formation of the peace agreement which was voted against.

If passed, the peace agreement between the government and the country’s leftwing, guerrilla organization, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) would have ended over fifty years of civil war. The agreement would have benefited those living in poverty in addition to Afro-Colombians living in rural and urban areas.

The death of Manyoma and Javier Rodallega is not uncommon for many Afro-Colombians, who make up 10.6% of the overall population. Yet, bear the brunt of killings in Colombia: murder, forced displacements in the countryside, and are often caught between fighting of guerrillas in the region and paramilitaries backed by the state and financed by drug traffickers and multinational corporations.

            The first and most insidious white lie is that white supremacy does not exist. Many in the dominant society would like Melanated people to eschews over 500 years of American history and codified law in what the great documentary filmmaker, Mr. Tariq Nasheed, refers to as the “500 Year Long Coincidence.” This is the notion that blatant incidences of racial discrimination by suspected white supremacists toward Melanated individuals are merely by happenstance and does not indicate a larger structural flaw in society. The acknowledgment of the existence of white supremacy is important because it affects every part of the Melanated individual’s life. Without the acknowledgement of the existence of white supremacy, esteemed social scientist, Mr. Neeley Fuller Jr. says nothing in the areas of economics, labor, religion, education, law, sex, entertainment, politics, or war will make sense to the Melanated individual. The non-acknowledgement of white supremacy will eventually lead the Melanated person into making unyielding compromises to the dominant society and down a lonely road chasing after the elusive “American Dream.”

“Meritorious manumission” is the second white lie the dominant society uses to subjugate Melanated people and is the assertion that if a Melanated person is “exceptional” enough, he or she may be granted a full pass into white society; thereby avoiding all laws and pitfalls that have been set to ensnare Melanoid people. This white lie leads Melanoid people into courses of actions that are harmful on both the micro and macro level. Melanoid people seeking meritorious manumission will often couch their actions in religious terms; placing allegiance of their faith above the well-being of their race. This is contrast to those in the dominant society that places the well-being of the system of white supremacy above any religious differences. Meritorious manumission is a white lie that is intended to cause confusion and force Melanated people to appeal to the morality in white supremacist. However, if white supremacists had morals, there would not be a system of white supremacy. This fact leads the Melanated individual to three equally important conclusions.

First, Melanated individuals must cease any form of financial patronage with non-Melanoid people. This means that Melanated individuals should not spend their money with those who do not look like them. Boycotting works, as study of the Montgomery bus boycotts shows, and is an act of ethnic and economic solidarity. Along with boycotting non-Melanated businesses, Melanoid individuals need to build their own businesses and do for self.

The Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey has shown that Melanated people can practice cooperative economics and build businesses that both empower and unite the entire African Diaspora. White supremacy was created with mechanisms in place to keep Melanated people economically subservient to the dominant society. Melanated people cannot and must not wait for wealth and resources to be given from white supremacist. Melanated people must take what is rightfully theirs.

In a system that is continually being refined, Melanated people have no choice but to practice cooperative economics and protect their families and communities by any means necessary. With the proliferation of violence against Melanated people by white supremacists and race soldier police officers, Melanated people must be fully aware of current laws and actively practice their 2^nd Amendment privilege. Also, Melanated people need to protect their own communities, instead of seeking assistance from the police, because white supremacy has been created to withhold justice from Melanoid people.

In the grand view, integration has come at the detriment of Melanoid people by making them economically reliant upon White supremacy for jobs and welfare. To become completely free, Melnaoid people must move to cities that have a large percentage of Melanated individuals, in order to effectively practice cooperative economics. The less interaction that Melanoid people have with white supremacists, the less white lies matter. In the words of the immortal Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, “Up, you mighty race, accomplish what you will.”

J. Ali

Last month (January 11), the body of Sarah Reed was found lifeless in a jail cell in the confines of Holloway prison, a facility located in North London. Ms. Reed was a 32-year-old Black woman who had a history of mental illness due to untreated trauma that she experienced years prior to her incarceration.

It has been learned that in 2003, Ms. Reed lost an infant child of hers. Unfortunately for Reed, she never quite recouped from such an emotionally devastating occurrence, and she was eventually admitted into various mental health facilities as a result of this mental and emotional distress.

In spite of her mental condition, she was brutally assaulted by police officers in a UNIQLO retail store in 2012 on accusations of her being a shoplifter at that particular store. In the link to this story, footage can be seen of Sarah Reed on the receiving end of the violent attack.

Unfortunately, Ms. Reed’s pain and suffering were far from over. She was taken into custody after being charged with allegedly retaliating against the officer in the store in 2012, and not long after being incarcerated, she sent her family a handwritten letter which stated that she had been raped while in custody.

Upon her untimely demise in January, the prison’s officials have opted to remain silent on the matter, as expected.

Here is another link to the story.

B. Clark

]]> https://www.melanoidnation.org/another-melanoid-woman-has-been-found-dead-in-her-prison-cell-this-time-in-the-uk/feed/ 88 https://www.melanoidnation.org/dr-frances-cress-welsing-celebrating-the-life-of-a-brilliant-mind/ https://www.melanoidnation.org/dr-frances-cress-welsing-celebrating-the-life-of-a-brilliant-mind/#comments Sat, 02 Jan 2016 22:38:04 +0000 http://melanoidnation.org/?p=3060 Before we proceed with making 2016 a productive and happy new year, it is only right that we–the family here at Melanoid Nation–would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of the Late Great Dr. Frances Cress Welsing.

It was reported that her transitioning occurred earlier today (Jan. 2nd), and the news of her passing sent shockwaves throughout Black Society. Today alone, her name has received the noteworthy status of becoming a trending topic on the Internet and throughout social media. While her legacy cannot be reduced to that of a hashtag, let us realize that today we here at Melanoid Nation have not forgotten her legacy as an educator, author, speaker, and embodiment of a Black woman who truly loved her people.

Her most notable work to date–The Isis Papers: The Keys To The Colors—served as a literary guide that changed the way that we as Melanoid people have to think forever. From etymology to the symbolism found in colors and shapes, Dr. Welsing cracked the code on the innerworkings of the race in America. Her work also shed light on the evil system of racism/white supremacy, and how it is utilized to keep its foot on the necks of Melanated people worldwide.

Dr. Welsing’s work was so prolific, that it was referenced in pop culture. Whether it was referenced in comedic fashion, like the famous “pool scene from the 1992 film Boomerang“, or if it was referenced with more serious overtones, such as the opening lines delivered by Tyrese Gibson in the “intro to the 2001 film Baby Boy“, there is no denying the everlasting impact that the many years of her extensive research and work has not fallen on deaf ears.

Although she was fortunate enough to reach elder status, she remained as relevant now as she was years ago…perhaps her work is even more pivotal to the education and liberation of Melanoid people now. As one of the featured speakers in the critically acclaimed Hidden Colors series, she was reintroduced to a newer, younger audience in recent years by blessing Black Society with her wealth of knowledge that enlightened yet another wave of Black minds in this new millennium.

While everyone deals with the loss of family members in their own way, we want to let it be known that in the gloomiest of hours, the work she left behind shines brilliantly through the veil of sadness and grief. Dr. Frances Cress Welsing has joined the ranks of the ancestors, and everything she’s worked for will not be taken for granted.

]]> https://www.melanoidnation.org/dr-frances-cress-welsing-celebrating-the-life-of-a-brilliant-mind/feed/ 75 https://www.melanoidnation.org/skin-bleaching-an-epidemic-plaguing-the-african-diaspora/ https://www.melanoidnation.org/skin-bleaching-an-epidemic-plaguing-the-african-diaspora/#comments Tue, 01 Dec 2015 02:55:41 +0000 http://melanoidnation.org/?p=2950 By Gbadebo Fuad Olanrewaju

Abstracts:
​This article focuses on skin bleaching with a specific discourse on the global African diaspora and how white supremacy, inferiority complex and ethnic politics play a role in it. This article examines the history of skin bleaching and trace the timeline with a focus on the African continent, the Caribbean and the United States.

An overview of Skin-bleaching in the global African Diaspora (History and context)
​To examine the history and reason why skin bleaching/lightening has become such a sensationalized behaviour across the globe; it is integral to understand white supremacy and the way a “colonial mentality” works. Colonial mentality is a colloquial term in the pan-African paradigm as C. Duodo (2010) puts it in context, “After the slave trade was abolished, the slavers came to Africa to enslave Africans in the African’s own countries, they called it colonization” (p.23). The colonial mentality is a derivate of this colonization that often followed the Willie lynch model on how to control African slaves; “Don’t forget you must pitch the old black versus the young black and the young black male against the old black male. You must use the dark skin slaves versus the light skin slaves and the light skin slaves versus the dark skin slaves. You must also have the white servants and overseers distrust all blacks, but it is necessary that your slaves trust and depend on us. They must love, respect and trust only us” As transcribed and documented by New crisis publication (1999, p.32).
​Scholars in contemporary times have doubted the validity of the “willie lynch letter” which was supposedly delivered as a speech by Willie lynch himself in 1712 according to New Crisis publication. While the authenticity of the letter might be in question the Eugenics/white supremacy ideology that it exudes is akin to the “colonial mentality” and definitely in practice till this day. My definition of a “colonial mentality” drawing from the works of Duodo (2010) & Amgborale (2011), (David & Okazaki, 2010) is that it is an automated societal detriment that promotes a colourism hierarchy as well as White supremacy and seeks to effect chaos among people of African descent. For the sake of verbosity and remaining focused, this article will shift discourse to the issue of skin bleaching and follow the historical timeline from the inception chemicals and cosmetics that were made for lightening the skin.
The use chemicals/ chemical agents for the purpose of skin bleaching/lightening can be traced back to the use of powders and paint during the Elizabethan era (y. 1558-1603) according to Amgborale (2011) via (; Blay, 2009a; Peiss, 1998; Williams, 1957). It is impossible to understand the spread of skin bleaching as a global pathology without centralizing the discussion in the Trans-African construct as this phenomenon affects people from Africa, the Caribbean as well the United States. It is important to note that the skin bleaching is prevalent among all people of African or Melanoid descent and is not limited in its scope to Africa, the Caribbean and the United States. These places however make for an excellent case study because of the trans-Atlantic slave trade as well the colonial settlement and invasion of Africa by Europeans.
It is of no coincidence that the use of lightening agents attributed to the 16th century rule of Elizabeth of England coincides with the Maafa (Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade). It would be important to institute the color hierarchy during this time to break the spirit of the potential slaves as explained in the Willie Lynch letter about “putting the dark skin against light skin and white skin against the Black” (New crisis Publication, 1999). The current ideals of skin bleaching became widespread throughout Africa 3 to 4 years ago and the use of lightening agents go back to around the time of the African Independence movements around the early 1950s (;Amgborale, 2011; De Souza, 2008). In the United States, skin bleaching products and procedures started gaining leverage within Black community in the late 19th and early 20th century (Lindsey, 2011). The timelines are very interesting to examine because many of the Black independence movements in the United States as well as in Africa coincide with the availability and widespread use of Skin Bleaching agents. To understand the reason why these products caught on so quickly, first it is paramount that one is knowledge on the effects of self-hate and also of the white/Eurocentric standard of beauty and the psychosis behind colourism. Lindsey (2011) expounds on the mentality of colourism and the white standard of beauty speaking in the context of 40-50 year ago, she states;

“Memories of historical overtones of colonization, slavery, discrimination, mistreatment, and color rating in social class—against dark skin—and better job opportunities, executive positions, and chances in beauty pageants favoring those with less skin pigmentation are factors that upheld the supremacy of white skin” (p.27).
This excerpt is speaking of a social-psychological malady that is centred in Africa and the “colonial mentality” that upholds the supremacy of white skin. To put this in context it is important to have a parameter for the definition of “white supremacy” and this can be described as a an “historically based, institutionally perpetuated system of exploitation and oppression of continents, nations and people classified as non-white by virtue of skin pigmentation or ancestral origin from Europe” (Amgborale, 2011). This idea cuts across all history of people of African descent all around the world whether it is in Africa, the Caribbean or the United States. Lindsey (2011) explains that in the United States, prior to emancipation, African-Americans associated lighter skin with greater freedom and subsequently African American women of mixed European and African ancestry with certain phenotypes and lighter skin experienced some social and economic freedom albeit that the dominant white culture didn’t accept them. In Africa, during the colonial era, there was billboards that portrayed white-skinned individuals as icons of beauty in the print and also electronic media and the cosmetic industry is complacent in this because it would not promote or cultivate any products to suit dark skin (de Souza, 2008). Deriving from research and the historical context of skin bleaching, the psychological aspect of the true cause of the skin bleaching in contemporary Trans-African diaspora is a result of the white supremacy indoctrination and hundreds of years of cultural assimilation. It is now time to shift the discussion from the history and context that allows this pathology of skin lightening to thrive and look at some of raw statistics and the damaging effect that skin bleaching agents have on melanin and also how serious ailments can form as a result of use of these skin bleaching/lightening chemicals.
​The marketing of skin bleaching products and the industry is very real thing and often it is a complex market to explore because the legality of many of the products is a revolving door of litigation and subject of discussion for many countries. The use of Hydroquinone as an active chemical in the many of the skin bleaching agents used by many people across the trans-African demographic and it is also used in photo/film development products (Ncube, 2013). AlGhamdi (2010) discusses the chemical agents used in these skin bleaching products in a global context stating that “the most common pharmacological compounds used are hydroquinone, corticosteroids and mercurials. Hydroquinone is the most prescribed skin-lightening agent worldwide despite its inconsistent effects and safety concerns” (.1217). AlGhamdi uses empirical and scientific evidence to discuss the effect of the use of Hydroquinone. Hydroquinone can be highly toxic and cause the skin to burn if the skin is exposed to UV light as well and it has been attributed to liver damage and thyroid disorders. Furthermore, experimental use of the hydroquinone on rats “caused mutations in developing fetuses and decreased female fertility” (p.1217). The majority of the people who use bleaching products are not doing it within the confines of a clinic and prescription but rather use crude, over the counter products and therefore they often do not realize the potential dangers that a concoction of chemicals by unlicensed and non-sanctioned parties can cause. An excerpt from Ohioan medical practitioner, “Dr. Helen Torok”, in the Cosmetic surgery times journal (2009) states that bleaching agents such as hydroquinone work by “bleaching or lightening skin pigment by preventing melanin production (the substance in the body responsible for pigment or color of our skin).”If no melanin is produced, a lightening of the skin results”. This is important because the destruction of melanin is a symbol for the acceptance of a colonial mentality and the white supremacy induced psychosis within people of Melanoid origin across the global spectrum.
This topic is a very important topic to me because I often pondered the history and the inception of skin bleaching as an acceptable behaviour especially among women of African and Caribbean origin. The historical context shows that the issue of skin bleaching is a part of a deeper problem of self-hatred and inferiority complex that is all a part of a bigger problem, which is white supremacy. The themes of the “west is the best” and “white is right” represent a psychopathological stream of consciousness and a Euro-centered perspective, skin bleaching/lightening is a by-product of this. (Ajani, 2011). Once the knowledge about the history of skin bleaching has been established and the reason behind its prevalence is white supremacy as the denoted culprit. The next question to ask is the reason why skin bleaching continues to thrive to today and a widespread practice all over world? The reason for this is simply that white supremacy is still the dominant rule around the world and the ideas of white skin being the right skin and colourism hierarchy still permeates the society today. Without the elimination of white supremacy and people regaining their identity and racial self-esteem, then skin bleaching will continue to thrive as a behaviour and a psychosis.

The establishment–named Reggie’s—is an after hours hangout for many of the university’s students, and has apparently served as such for the past 15 years. However, one young Black female student stepped forth and shed light on Reggie’s questionable practices regarding how it checks in its patrons. Taylor Ward is the Melanoid student previously mentioned who took to Twitter to express her frustration with her visit to Reggie’s, went on to describe the following:

This image is a screenshot of Ward’s Tweet, which was later deleted. As the picture depicts above, the stamp on her hand bears an eerie resemblance to the word “nigger”, even though letters are positioned upside down to illustrate the covert racist message the bar attempted to convey.

This isn’t the only clue that this place of business is owned and/or operated by suspected white supremacists. Last month, the LSU Reville ran a feature which went in-depth by questioning the suspect culture of the business. The story featured its discriminatory practices toward Melanoid people, to its tasteless choice of decorations in the form of a large confederate flag which hangs freely behind the counter of the bar.

Picture of the confederate flag which hangs in the bar area of Reggie’s.

The manager of Reggie’s, who as expected, has defended the venue’s use of the “Reggie/Nigger” stamps, has stated that the stamps have been used once a week for the past decade, and that there is no racial messages connected to the stamp. On another note, the term “Reggin”–the same word that is stamped on the Black hands of Taylor Ward and countless other Blacks who frequent the establishment–is derived with the intention of being the opposite of a “nigger/Black person”. It refers to white people who “act Black”, or choose to “slum” with Black people.

Watch the video on the story below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLDipXJKplo

B. Clark

As we move into the waning moments of 2015, Black Society has weathered one of the most violent storms in history that doesn’t seem to have any ending in sight. This year alone, we’ve been bombarded with news stories upon news stories that consist of the following: lynchings, members of the dominant white society spewing “racial tourettes”, mass media propaganda which paints us in an extremely inferior–and one sided–manner, and the ever-accumulating stories of race soldier cops beating up and/or murdering Melanoid people in cold blood. However, we here at Melanoid Nation bring you these types of stories to light the proverbial fire under the collective backsides of Black Society.

In the midst of this tumultuous year, we have listened to the cries of frustration from many good Brothers and Sisters in Black Society who often wear the heavy burden of racism/white supremacy like an albatross around their necks. In reading many of these stories and/or sharing them via social media, the general consensus among many is that there appears to be much anger and fear which has been conjured up after they receive word of the inhumane acts that have committed against people who look like them. We most certainly empathize with your pain, because your pain mirrors ours.

Despite the gut-wrenching effects often felt from consuming these stories into our collective psyches, all hope is not lost. Listed below are a few ways to shake off those negative feelings which could ultimately cause you to sink into the muck and mire of a counterproductive life.

1. Dialogue with others about the material you’ve read.

Bad news, just like any other negative external force, should never be internalized without a method to properly channel the pain. For a lack of better words, just…vent. Disseminate these stories with family, friends, and loved ones who have your best interests at heart..especially those of the like-minded variety. Assess how you all can do your parts to counter–or change–what you’ve just read about in these articles.

2. Avoid pettiness. 

Since the launching of this site last year, the stories that we have provided for you have been generally well-received by our readers and supporters. Yet, sometimes the feedback of the stories can be sidetracked by trolls, who are oftentimes nothing more than white supremacists who seek to derail any progressive activity among Melanoid people. Learn to realize when these detractors are at work, and completely ignore their presence. Stay away from dabbling in emotionalism as they aim to bait Melanoid people into irrelevant activity such as namecalling and arguing with them.

3. Connect.

In the midst of the somber nature of some of the stories that have appeared on this site, we are proud to state that we feature stories of empowerment and inspiration as well. Some of these uplifting stories profile individuals, businesses, and movements that serve as an asset to Black Society. While covering these positive stories, we have included ways that you can reach out to them to contact them for their services. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them and show your support, and you could possibly even forge business connections with these movers and shakers as well.

4. Support the cause.

In its short existence, the Melanoid Nation Foundation has already financially supported a plethora of noble causes in Black Society. This is due to your generous contributions to the site which has funded a movement that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. From paying for the funerals of Melanoid people who have been senselessly murdered, to supporting Afrikan-Centered Schools, just these examples alone are plenty of reasons to smile.

5. Know that the best is yet to come.

Because of your support, our stories are reaching Black people in record numbers, and counting. “The People” are becoming much more cognizant of what is happening to them, why it’s happening, and what must need to be done to rectify our current standing. It is because of you, Melanoid Nation, that we exist. We will continue to reciprocate the love.

B. Clark

In what appears to be an attempt to curb such a heavy trend in NYC, police are now required to give a slip with a title that reads “What Is A Stop?” to the people they stop for questioning. As of Sept. 21st, NYPD cops will no longer be able to stop-and-frisk a person because they “look nervous or suspicious”. Stop-and-frisk is an ongoing problem that has even caused long-term trauma among Melanoid people who were targeted by this policy. Watch the following video to see the report about the debilitating affects of stop-and-frisk on Black Society.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzxfDViRlJ0

Here’s a link to the story.

B. Clark

]]> https://www.melanoidnation.org/nypd-officers-now-required-to-issue-receipts-during-stop-and-frisk-attempts/feed/ 3