A Joe’s Crab Shack near Minneapolis was visited by two Melanoid people on Wednesday when they noticed a photo depicting a lynch mob featuring captions with tasteless humor. Tyrone Williams and Chauntyll Allen–the two customers who noticed the photo, complained to management about what they saw, then opted not to dine at the establishment.

The Minneapolis chapter of the NAACP intervened upon hearing of the incident, and the chapter’s president, Nekima Levy-Pounds had the following to say in a press conference:

This disturbing incident that occurred at Joe’s Crab Shack, demonstrates that racism is still alive and well in this country. It is sickening to know that someone would make a mockery of black men being savagely lynched and then use that imagery for decorative purposes in a restaurant.

“I have felt sick to my stomach and stressed out since seeing that image on the table where I was planning to eat my food,” Tyrone told Minneapolis’s KARE 11.

B. Clark

The breaking story ignited an explosion of discussions and reactions, particularly in Black Society. Some schools of thought within Black Society imply that Dolezal’s act in ‘Blackface’ was a noble one; that she–unlike the overwhelming majority of the dominant white society that she originates from–is doing the work that many people even in Black Society chose not to do. Dolezal’s Blackfaced facade has evoked the spirit and memory of John Brown, the white abolitionist who allegedly sacrificed his life after leading a slave uprising against whites which led to his death by execution in 1859. Although Brown did not attempt to hide his racial identity like Dolezal, his leadership of the charge into Harpers Ferry portrays an image of a white man who deeply ingrained himself into a state of empathy for the oppressed Melanoid people–much like Rachel Dolezal in 2015–to the point of reportedly fighting for our right to obtain freedom and justice, even if it meant sacrificing his own life.

In present day, Rachel Dolezal could very well remind many Black American history enthusiasts of John Brown, although the depths of her desire for true Black Empowerment remains to be seen. What can be proven, however, is Black Society’s eagerness to anoint the next “white hope”…someone who we can proclaim is ‘exceptional’ and ‘genuine’ as they stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us in the fight against systematic racism/white supremacy. We have witnessed such a phenomenon in the areas of society that we dominate, such as hip-hop or sports, for example. For years, many of us in Black Society have found it flattering to witness a member of the dominant society come in and rap like us, conquer us in the sports we dominate, and now take on the physical attributes that we were naturally born with as African people. In the case of Rachel Dolezal, it now appears that whites will take the leading roles as “Black” activists as well. While it has been proven many times that the NAACP’s agenda has been counterproductive to true Melanoid Empowerment, it now appears that Dolezal’s position as the President of the Spokane chapter of the 106-year-old organization has given people the assumption that we as Melanoid people are incapable of leading our own movements in the fight for justice.

With all evidence pointing to the fact that an all-out war has been declared on Melanoid people, maybe we should re-visit the fact that the acceptance of a “white chocolate” into the ranks of Black Society should be cause for concern. Are they “down” because they want to aid us in pursuing Melanoid Empowerment, or otherwise?

by B. Clark

“It is certainly a possibility of being a hate crime or domestic terrorism, however we are exploring all possibilities of potential motive,” said Amy Sanders, spokeswoman for the FBI in Denver.

The NAACP shares their office building with barbershop Mr. G’s Hair Design Studios. The owner, Gene Southerland, strongly doubts that the device could have been targeted for his shop.

Some witnesses say that a balding White male, around age 40 was seen fleeing the scene of the explosion shortly after it took place. He is currently a person on interest for investigators.

In the midst of racial turmoil across the country, this latest incident has incited more concerns of hate groups and White Supremacist extremists. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the number of radical militia groups increased from 150 to 1274 during the years of the Obama presidency. The organization’s spokesman Mark Potok states, “There have been more homegrown domestic terrorism attack by right-wing groups than the international terrorists during his presidency as well.”

The Denver NAACP offices have been closed all Wednesday.

The FBI has no new details at this time.

Kevin Lavaughn.