Ghetto Print's Week in Review

Michael Jackson's memorial, Sarah Palin's "political suicide" and The World G8 Summit?
Desire Grover, Founder and Editor of Ghettoprint.com offers a video commentary of the politics and pop stories of the week. Enjoy and/or comment!

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BRAZILIAN ECO-HIP HOP : ESQUECIMENTO TOTAL

via nomadicwax.com

Research on eco-hip hop, brought me to this dope video from the Brazilian group Esquecimiento Total. We're all aware that Brazil's environmental justice fight is a deep history that's lasted generations - similar to the rest of Latin America, and really the Third World, at that, Brazil's fights have pitted state/corporate interests against the survival of indigenous communities and their culture & lifestyle for decades. A lot of times we see global warming injustices framed as rich country vs. poor, but we can't forget the battles communities around the world are fighting within their own borders. Check out our gritty-city series to read about similar battles right here at home in the US!

And, if you're interested in global conscious hip hop, check out www.nomadicwax.com - a fresh website coming out of Senegal that follows conscious hip hop around the world.

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Africans to Obama: "We Want Change We Can Believe In Too!"

(photo courtesy of voanews.com)

President Obama is preparing for his first trip to Africa since being elected. African advocacy and grassroots groups from all over the continent hope that Obama will use this historic trip to Ghana, Africa as an opportunity to start new and more respectful relations between the U.S. and Africa. In a previous article we quoted Emira Woods, Co-director of the Institute for Policy Study's Foreign Policy in Focus who stated that "President Obama has advanced a bold vision for a global green economy, yet Africa is often not referenced in these discussions."

Organizers with the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance share Emira's excitement over Obama's vision for a new Green Economy and call for change. PACJA states in their press release: "the US must make efforts that correspond to their historic responsibility and economic capacity in order to work together with Africa and to ensure Climate Justice."

What would Climate Justice for Africa mean? Visit www.pacja.org for more info.

To support renewed US and Africa relations sign the Petition Du Jour courtesy of Foriegn Policy in Focus on our site to the right!

Also check out this slideshow from the Washington Post of Ghana Preparing for Obama's visit.

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G8 Leaders Eat Fancy Breakfast While Negotiating Hunger in Africa

How can the World live up to it's promises to Africa? Today world leaders gathered together to address that question and the state of the world during the closing sessions of the G8 summit in Italy. This year's topics ranged from the global economic crisis, food security to climate change. Chinaview.cn reported that African leadership from various countries on the continent including Ethiopia, Senegal, Egypt and the African Union met with members of the G8 and the G5 (group of 5 of the leading developing nations, includes China) for a closing breakfast to discuss issues like climate change, food security and development in Africa.

"The key message for us is to ask the G8 to live up to their commitments."

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi told Reuters this week before flying to Italy for the half-day meeting. Members of the G8 hoped to reassure African leaders that they would indeed follow-up on their word. At the closing of the G8 summit the leaders of "developed" nations pledged 15 billion in aid for food security and the development of agricultural programs. chinaview.cn reports the g8 leaders also pledged to increase the $15 billion to $20 billion over three years. The annual G8 summit brings together the top 8 developed (from a capitalist perspective) nations in the world for talks and negotiations on world affairs. The G8 includes the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Canada and Russia.

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Word on the Concrete: The Real DC Talks Climate Bills

What do you know about the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act? Right now the Senate and the World's wealthiest countries are talking about this bill and what it could mean to fighting the drastic impacts of Climate Change worldwide. Checktheweather.net took a stroll through the parts of DC you're not going to see when you watch political thrillers or come visit for a conference. Check out the latest episode of Word on the Concrete: H st. Corridor

Oh yeah! For those of you viewing this post on our mobile site, I'll tell you one thing, folk were not too pleased to be uninformed!

Favorite quote:

"Maybe they should put posters up in the Black Community."

Subscribe to our youtube Channel ChecktheweatherTV for real talk from real people on the Green Movement. Please send us your communities thoughts on Waxman-Markey by tagging them checktheweather on youtube. We will be letting our senators know, the people don't want to feel left out and unaccounted when it comes to saving our world!

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Cynthia Mckinney is Free! Yittedee!

Last Week Checktheweather.net reported that Former Congresswoman and Green Party Presidential Nominee, Cynthia Mckinney was taken hostage along with 21 others by the Israeli Navy. Yesterday, Cynthia Mckinney and the others were released and are now back in the United states.

The group of humanitarian activists, including Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire, were on a peace mission with advocacy organization Free Gaza to deliver much needed food and supplies to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. The groups boat, The Spirit of Humanity was siezed by the Israeli Government on June 30th. Sadly very little press was given to this hostage situation due to the recent string of celebrity deaths including Michael Jackson.

Visit Democracy Now to hear an interview with Cynthia Mckinney since being released by Israel. Ain't got time? Well here is our favorite quote:

"Well, I would like to see the children of Gaza have the coloring books and crayons that we had on board with us. I would like to see the houses that have been destroyed rebuilt. I would like to see the lives rebuilt for the people of Gaza and I would like to see the people of Palestine have, and enjoy their human rights." -Cynthia Mckinney

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Can the Death of Michael Jackson Make the World Change?

Today millions of people gathered at Staples Arena in Los Angeles and in front of Televisions and live web feeds around the world to watch the memorial service for the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Along with being one of the highest grossing entertainers in the world, Jackson was a humanitarian who used his fame to support those in need. Checktheweather.net reported in our memorial post for MJ that Jackson donated to the most non-profits of any other celebrity and was an environmental advocate.

Now that Jackson is gone will everyday citizens of the world pick up Jackson's advocacy work? We see ya'll on youtube posting clips of masses of people moonwalking doing the thriller dance and offering their best renditions of Jackson's hits, but when will there be a mass action for the causes MJ cared about?
When will we see people taking mass trips to cancer wards to sing and visit sick children?
When will we see massive donations to the non-profits, school systems and small businesses that are now struggling because of the massive international financial crisis?
After making the world cry during Jackson's memorial will Usher bring together T.I.,Janet Jackson Keri Hilson, Beyonce and Drake for the next "We are the World" Anthem?

Only time will tell but for today we hope you take a moment to look at the man and/or woman in the mirror and decide to carry on Michael's legacy for changing the world.

RIP Michael Jackson: The King, The Genius, The Man, The Legend.

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Jeremih and Kid Cudi Talk About Why They Go Green

While Posting a story on Globalgrind.com, Checktheweather.net found out about a hot and fresh new site, Greenjar.net. Green Jar's website states it is an "environmental lifestyle networking site for the urban community". They feature hot new eco-friendly clothing and stories and partner with Island Def Jam records and The Source Magazine. Check out their interviews with Jeremih (sings the summer anthem Birthday Sex), and Kid Cudi (Day n' Nite) talking about how they "Go Green".





Jeremih, Kid Cudi and Greenjar.net seem to know about energy efficiency and conservation but do they know about what going "Green" really means for Communities of Color? Have they heard about the Waxman-Markey ACES Climate Bill. Ummm... we think not. Much respect for all but Checktheweather.net is on the grind ready to get them talking Green Justice not just Green merchandise. ;)

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New Music Tuesday: Songstress, Ihsan Makes the Urban Go Green

Songwriter, vocalist and eco-activist with New York based Urban Go Green, Ihsan Muhammad, has always known her voice was destined for greatness. At the tender age of five, Ihsan was making up her own songs and getting people to sing along. Today, she uses her powerful vocal skills and lyrical expertise to create a soundtrack for change in her world and her community. As part of our New Music Tuesdays series, Checktheweather.net sat down with Ihsan to discuss how she's using her talent to advocate for Green Jobs, not Jails and help urban America Go Green.

Ihsan Live 2003-2005


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Every movement requires music and I wanted to be a part of the creation of music that would inspire the mood and the movement.

CTW: When did you start singing?

Ihsan: I started singing at five. I was on a boat traveling down the Nile river in Egypt and I made up this song and everybody on the boat started singing my song with me. I became a professional singer in 2001 and it became somewhat meditative for me. It [singing] gave me something else to do with my voice. At the time I starting taking singing seriously I was working as a youth mentor and I noticed that singing was oftentimes more effective in getting my message across than talking.

CTW: What inspired you to write your two Green songs, Go Green Get Green and Ain't Goin' Let it Burn?

Ihsan: Go Green Get Green came from reading more and more about the green movement, learning about what it was and looking at it as an opportunity for our communities to go back to sustaining and supporting ourselves like we used to during the 40's and 50's. I want to communicate this movement as a way to healthfully sustain ourselves.

Ain't gonna let it burn is a call and response song inspired by "the Roof is on Fire" It[ain't gonna let it burn] makes the audience feel accountable for the wellness of the planet. It's a little more "angsty". I wanted to make a song that would make the audience want to do something. If you don't do anything than you are aiding and abetting. Every movement requires music and I wanted to be a part of the creation of music that would inspire the mood and the movement.

CTW: What is your vision of success for the Green Movement?

Ihsan: Artist who are activists tend to be marginalized but I think we can be helpful in the creation of a movement. My goal is that we will be able to get to a point where we reach a critical mass of awareness of what the Green Jobs movement is about. I have brothers in jail and I hope the energy I have created will help them get jobs once they get out. I see Green Jobs as redemptive for all who have contributed to demise of our culture whether they wanted to or not. They can give back in ways that can make them feel good about themselves and make them strong again.

CTW: Your vision is amazing do you have any last words for the readers of Checktheweather.net?

Ihsan: I want to commend ya'll for what you're doing building up checktheweather.net. This is a youth movement and we are the ones making it happen. We are all connected whether we feel it or not.

Want to hear Ihsan live in concert? She will be performing this weekend, July 11th along with Dead Prez, Green Lantern and the So-So Glo's at the City Sol Concert at Stuyvesant Cove Park in New York City. You can also visit her myspace page myspace.com/ihsanmusic to listen to and download some of Ihsan's hottest tracks.

Shouts out to Urban Go Green doing it up in Harlem! visit their page here

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Gritty City Series: Hello Brooklyn Part 3

Last week we introduced the first and second part of the Gritty City Series: Hello Brooklyn. We thought today would be a great day to give you part 3 and 4 of the chronicles of New York city transplant and educator, Jameelah Muhammad. In part's 1 and 2, Muhammad discussed environmental health issues developed since moving to New York from the 'burbs of Michigan. Read more about what Jameelah thinks this means for not only her but the rest of the world. If you have a story to tell about your gritty city experience feel free to comment not only about the experience, but what you are doing in your community to bring about some change. Keep it Green. Oh and of course you know we got the song to go with it!

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"yes, there is something fundamentally wrong that people living in urban areas should be disproportionally exposed to these toxins, and that little is done to alleviate the damage that is done."

Save The Children - Marvin Gaye

Gritty City Series: Hello Brooklyn Part 3
by Jameelah "Meela" Muhammad
....It means that these "environmental" issues are not what we always think of in terms of saving trees and protecting animals, these environmental issues are HUMAN HEALTH issues that are having a negative impact on us everyday, whether we realize it or not, and could possibly be having a negative impact on the lives of the future generations to come. It means that yes, there is something fundamentally wrong that people living in urban areas should be disproportionally exposed to these toxins, and that little is done to alleviate the damage that is done. Now some of you might be thinking right now, why in the world is she complaining about her city being gritty, I mean that is what it means to live in a city and that is what you get when you decide to adopt such a particular lifestyle. Firstly, I recognize that coming to live in the city was a conscious decision on my part, however there are so many people who are born into over populated urban areas and it is not their choice and they must make do with whatever situation and resources they are in. What should we do or say about this particular population who would say move somewhere that is cleaner and less gritty, if only it was in the economical and social-political reach. Should these individuals be subjugated to additional costs and burdens on top of the many other health concerns they might possess (nutrition, basic medical needs)? Secondly the assumption or notion that a city by default must be gritty is flawed on so many levels. One reason why a city may be categorized as gritty can be directly related to amount of waste output per individual exceeding the capacity of the area as well as exceeding the energy or work that is extracted from the process. So, theoretically if waste were reduced through strategic and innovative strategies, or if a balance were obtained through pollution producing activities and pollution reducing activities, we might end up with a community that is indeed, not so gritty. Do we have a model of how such a community might function or operate? Of course, other species have been able to live in crowded colonies and niches without adversely affecting other populations around them or destroying their general health, for millions of years....

Checkback around lunchtime for the uplifting Part 4 of Hello Brooklyn!

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