Category: Current News

Raphael Wright: For the Culture.

Posted on by Ashley Rae
28 year old Raphael Wright is making major play moves and noise in the city of Detroit. If you haven’t heard of him, let me give you some insight. Raphael Wright is a Detroit Native who was born, raised, and still resides in Detroit today. He’s the CEO and Co-Founder of Urban Plug L3C. He also has his own company called Plug’d media, which is a hip hop media outlet that distributes and publishes books, music, art, film, apparel, and interactive media.
Wright decided to launch a go fund me project to purchase and open a Black owned and operated Grocery store on the Eastside of Detroit a little under a year ago. His goal is to rebuild the Black economy, and as he stated, in order to do so we (Black people) must invest in our needs. “Every community needs a grocery store and to see most of our communities in Detroit without a viable grocery store is driving my passion.”

Continue reading “Raphael Wright: For the Culture.” →

War on drugs!

Posted on by Ashley Rae

 

FACTS:

Law enforcement has been targeting people of color like Black men, Mexican Immigrants, and Mexican Americans as far back as the early 1900s. President Nixon initiated the war on drugs in 1971. During this time, drug usage was seen as rebellion by youth and for enjoyment during social gatherings. Of course President Nixon exaggerated the drug usage and its effects on people, and went on a crucifying crusade! Continue reading “War on drugs!” →

Someone knows what happened to Kenneka

Posted on by Ashley Rae

 

The day I heard about the mysterious death of Kenneka Jenkins is the same day that I stopped sleeping at night. I’ve been discussing her via social media and praying for the release of her spirit and soul privately. No, I don’t know Kenneka or her family personally. But, do I have to in order to be filled with melancholy over her death? I was 19 before. I have a 19 year old niece and a 19 year old cousin. They like to hangout with friends just as I did and still do. . I’ve been intoxicated before even though I was under age. I’ve done it all. Luckily none of my incidents turned fatal.

None of the information provided to the public regarding Kenneka’s death made sense. I still can’t believe authorities had the audacity to inform her Mother (Ms.Martin) that she walked in a freezer and froze to death. Keep in mind they told her this after she had been calling authorities and begging the Crown Plaza Hotel of Rosemeont, IL to review their cameras because her daughter was missing. First the hotel refused, and then they told Ms. Martin (Kenneka’s Mom) she wasnt on any footage.

After the police came to do a search of the hotel her body was found in a freezer of a kitchen that the hotel no longer uses. None of the other kitchen appliances were operating or plugged up but the freezer for some reason was. Alleged video footage of a much wider girl hit the internet staggering as if she had been drugged surfaced. It was allegedly Kenneka. It shows her going to different places in the hotel and walking into a kitchen, but nothing else! It’s not even a full video of footage:It’s pieces of clips. www.abc7chicagonews.com said police put together some instruments within the video to reconstruct what they believed was Kenneka’s path. That statement alone explains the lack of authenticity.

Kenneka’s death was ruled as an accident, and the case was officially closed this evening. I never believed that Kenneka’s death was an accident! Today photos of her body were released to the public. Indecent photos. Pictures of Kenneka’s lifeless body in a freezer on the floor with her breast exposed, her pants halfway up, a busted lip, and a shoe off and away from her foot! There is blood visible on her body as well as on the floor. There is also a large amount of dirt on the side of her Jordan gym shoe, and all up one side of her clothes. To be honest it looks as if Kenneka had been dragged on her side across the floor.

The photos that were released are disrespectful to Kenneka and her family. It’s apparent that there is no respect for the dead. Let me rephrase. There is no respect for a Black womans body parts or lifeless body as a whole, which is another reason why I feel her case is being dismissed! The pictures just raise more questions and speculation. If she froze to death why does she look beaten up? Why are her private parts exposed? Why is there blood on the floor? How could this be ruled as an accident? Who are the hotel and possibly the police trying to protect?

I hope someone has a conscience and decides to tell the truth about what happened to Kenneka. Kenneka is much more than just a teenage girl that lost her life. Kenneka is our daughter, little sister, favorite little cousin, niece, the little girl you watched grow up that lives down the street, and friend. Kenneka is you and I when we were young. Wouldn’t you want your community to care enough to discover the truth, and just maybe be able to provide your family with some closure?

Tell us what happened to Kenneka.

Problematic statements made by Black people

Posted on by Ashley Rae

 

 

 

I can’t even begin to tell you how disgusted I am with some of the things that my people say about each other that makes no sense. Apparently it makes sense to them, but in all actuality they are usually extremely problematic or they are the views and opinions taken on by our oppressors. I’ve been carping about this very topic for at least the last 2 weeks. Every time I get ready to sit-down and create this blog, I see another statement made that’s extremely problematic. For example: A woman with a Black son was upset that some young teenage boys through something wet at her car while she was driving. She literally stated “I bet they have the type of parents that scream about police brutality and argue with teachers about what type of child they have.” I guess it’s okay for police to beat and or kill the teenage boys since they did something stupid that teenagers often do, right? PROBLEMATIC!

Below are 11 of the top problematic statements that Black people make about Black people.

1. “If Black Lives Mattered we wouldn’t have Black on Black crime!”

NEWS FLASH!! Black on Black crime is a term of propaganda created by the media in the 60’s! The fact of the matter is people of all ethnicities kill people that look like them! That is a FACT! Black Lives matter was created because when Black people are killed by the police or whomever is feeling trigger happy that is not Black gets a pass for killing a Black person. The killing is somehow justified and justice is never served. This has been going on for centuries! Also, if you think Black people like the crime or take crime lightly that happens within our own communities it’s obvious that you have never been to a stop the violence rally or protest! Which, means you are not active or really paying attention to what’s happening in your community!

BOTTOMLINE: STOP SAYING THAT STUPID SHIT!

2. If the NFL players aren’t protesting why should I?

You should be protesting because you should have the common sense to realize that the NFL is making a powerful statement about how they feel about Black people as a whole. If you didn’t know what that powerful statement was let me tell you. The NFL’s statement was “we don’t care about your hard times in America due to you being a Black man. Just make our money BOY!” Not standing or kneeling is not disrespecting the flag, the country, or those who have served in the armed forces. They are just using those things to prevent you from speaking about the real issue which is the historically poor, unfair, unjust, inhumane, treatment of Black people in this country! THAT’S THE REASON PLAYERS ARE KNEELING OR SITTING DURING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM!

BOTTOMLINE: THINK! Maybe you could figure somethings out and stop letting a sport you don’t get paid to watch or play run your life!

3. “I want a mixed baby.”

Do I even have to explain this? You wanting a “mixed” baby is just stating you don’t like the features of Black babies. You don’t like yourself and how you look. You think that having a close Caucasian gene makes your baby better or special! It doesn’t If you want a mixed baby get a Poodle mixed with a Yorkshire, because animals are mixed not people!

BOTTOMLINE: You’re IGNORANT! LOVE YOURSELF IDIOT!

4. I can’t stand being around Black people.

You are Black and your statement is ignorant. What makes you think any other ethnicity wants to be around you?

BOTTOMLINE: SHUTUP and get some class!

5. Speaking negatively about a movement that Black people have started to create awareness about social injustice.

Either you are going to support the movement or not! No one needs your criticism when a larger motive or goal is the objective! You being negative in an attempt to disassociate yourself isn’t necessary. You could just be quiet.

BOTTOMLINE: SUPPORT THE CAUSE OR SHUTUP!

6. Stop telling Black people where they went wrong after being beaten and/or handcuffed for no reason by the police.

If you haven’t realized that it doesn’t matter what you do or say if an officer decides to kick your A$$ that’s exactly what’s going to happen. It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing or what you say!

BOTTOMLINE: HELP STOP THE ACCEPTANCE OF POLICE BRUTALITY!

7. “She’s pretty to be dark-skin.”

Are you serious? She’s pretty period! Complexion doesn’t matter.

BOTTOMLINE: GET OFF THE PLANTATION FO MASSA COME BACK!

8. “She got good hair.”

There is no such thing as GOOD HAIR! There are different types of textures of hair. For example kinky, wavy, curly, straight, thick, and or soft.

BOTTOMLINE: LOVE THE HAIR THAT YOU HAVE. I DON’T KNOW A SINGLE WOMAN THAT LIKES HER HAIR, NO MATTER THE TEXTURE!

9. “Nah he’s not Black Black he’s from Trindad.”

Slaves were dropped off in the Caribbean, Jamaica, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Haiti,Buenos Aires, Ecuador, Cuba, and Puerto Rico! There are more places but this was just to name a few. The slaves in North America were the leftover slaves!

BOTTOMLINE: We have the same African Ancestry! We have been separated by land and culture, which CREATES THE ILLUSION THAT WE ARE DIFFERENT PEOPLE BUT WE ARE NOT!

 

10. Any time a black celebrity (ie R. Kelly and Bill Cosby) get caught in their bullshit, you all say it’s just because they’re black,

They are disgusting humans getting caught up in their devilsih ways! Just because you like what they represent doesn’t mean that’s who they are! Then you compare them to White celebrities that have been accused of the same thing! NEWS FLASH THEY AREN’T WHITE!

BOTTOMLINE: Stop blaming the victim and focus on the pattern of the CRIMINAL! If they are so innocent leave your daughters and nieces with them.

11. Stating since there are problems within the Black community we have no reason or right to complain about how other groups of people treat us.

This is the most disappointing statement I’ve seen! No other group of people have the history that we have as far as coming to this country, and being separated by complexion! Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity regardless of what the next person has done!

BOTTOMLINE: If you want to shuck and jive and be disrespectful to impress or fit in with another Ethnic group, go by yourself! The rest of us aren’t going with you! BE THE CHANGE THAT YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD!

 

Thank you for visiting LetsTalkRaeStyle.com

Vegas Shooting

Posted on by Ashley Rae

By Ashley Rae

Last night (early this morning) Police responded to a 911 call around 10pm PST (1am EST) that there was a shooting at the Country festival in Las Vegas, NV near the popular hotel and casino Mandalay Bay as well as McCarran International airport. Festival goers reported hearing noise that sound very similar to firecrackers. Witnesses stated that the noise grew closer and people around them start screaming they were hit. Witnesses say the sound of bullets became more rapid and people started hitting the ground.

Country festival performers that were on stage began to exit the stage and look for cover. More and more people began to fall to the ground: That was the first round of shooting. A second round of shots occurred. Realization of what was happening and panic began to take place. The scene had been described as “pandemonium” at best.

It’s now being reported that more than 50 people are dead and at least 406 people have been injured. It’s said that a lone gunman began firing shots from the 32nd floor of Mandalay Bay’s hotel and casino resort. The shooter has been identified as Stephen Paddock. Paddock is a 64 year old gunman from Mesquite, Las Vegas Police officers found multiple weapons in the room of Paddock. 62 year old Marilou Danley was the roommate of Paddock has been located by police. Paddock has been shot and is in serious critical condition.

Motives have not yet been defined and/or released. McCarran airport has cancelled multiple Flights and are working on a limitrd schedule for the day. This story will be updated as more information becomes available. Thank you for visiting LetsTalkRaeStyle.com

A small contribution

Posted on by Ashley Rae

I am disappointed in the amount of people that are on my timeline watching any NFL game. I was asked why do I want people to boycott the NFL, but not have the NFL players boycott the NFL. I never said that I didn’t want the players to boycott! In fact, I wish they would! However, they are under a contract and many of the players are young. Sometimes we don’t understand the underlying meanings of actions or lack of actions in pressing circumstances. Continue reading “A small contribution” →

Detroit

Posted on by Ashley Rae

I decided to create a list of details that you need to know regarding what was taking place in the city of Detroit before the 1967 riot: And before you watch the movie “Detroit,” which will be in theaters August 4th, 2017. I have been told the movies narrative will accurately portray the plight of the citizens, and what actually happened that night to ignite the riot. Most of the list are things that were occurring or occurred before the 1967 riot, and there are a few items listed that happened directly after the riot ended.

1. There was a race riot in 1943.
2. African American (Pan Africans, Blacks) people were dissatisfied with the social conditions in Detroit before July 23rd 1967.

3. African Americans (Pan Africans, Blacks) constantly reported discrimination against them in
A. Policing (Harassing citizens and putting them in jail without cause).
B. Housing (African Americans experienced redlining meaning they could only live in certain areas).
C. Employment.
D. Spatial segregation in the city.
E. Mistreatment by business owners/merchants.
F. Shortage of facilities.
G. Poor quality of public education.
H. Lack of access to medical services.
I. The way war on poverty operated in Detroit.

4. African Americans insisted and pleaded with the Mayor to create a review board for the Detroit Police Department due to the brutal beatings and killings of African American people by the police. Of course the review board wasn’t created.

5. Police brutality constantly made African American people feel at risk. The Detroit news had headlines regarding many suspicious and unjust deaths of Black people caused by Detroit Police officers.

6. African American people were tired of being spoken to disrespectfully by police. For example addressing Black men as “boys” and Black women as “honey “ and “baby.”

7. African Americans reported police brutality as the number one problem they faced leading up to the riot.

8. African Americans felt police raided after hours unjustly because the police knew African Americans weren’t allowed in the clubs in Detroit.

9. When the riot started the unemployment rate of Black men was more than twice the amount of White men.

10. By 1967 the homes that African Americans lived in were rented from Jewish owners that now lived in the Suburbs, and they owned the local businesses as well. Most of the Black owned thriving businesses had already been demolished thanks to the Government for building I-75.

11. White Flight began, which is when White people began moving out of Detroit in huge numbers. Businesses began to leave Detroit, and businesses refused to invest or locate in the city. The 60’s are the mark of the decline of Detroit.

Let’s not forget these very important events including assassinations that occurred before the 1967 riot!
The Vietnam war officially began in 1961. President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. The Civil Rights Act to stop discrimination was also signed and passed by Congress in 1964. Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965.

If you’ve read the list you’ll be able to identify with many issues because they are still happening today. I hope the information provided help you understand the frustration, discrimination, hopelessness, fear, anger, sorrow, depression, and anxiety that Black people felt at that time. Imagine being trapped in the same place with all those feelings that I stated. Imagine being punished and further pushed to the edge, because you displayed how tired you were of being mistreated. Tired of identifying the problem, and yet nothing being done to rectify the situation.

Thanks for visiting LetsTalkRaeStyle.com

Policing Vaginas

Posted on by Ashley Rae

There has been so much celebrity gossip going on via social media lately, with the most recent subject being Blac Chyna and Rob Kardashian. If you’ve been under a rock, let me give you a quick run down: Chyna allegedly sent Rob a video of her in the bed with a dude on July 4th. Rob then began to spill all of Chyna’s tea- which included posting a picture of Chyna’s vagina on Instagram. Keep in mind that they had already broken up, so doesn’t that mean she can sexually entertain whomever she wants? Since then, Rob’s Instagram account has been suspended. Meanwhile, people are talking about how Rob knew Chyna was a hoe and he should have expected it. I’m just confused on how so may people that don’t know Chyna personally know who has been in her vagina! Continue reading “Policing Vaginas” →

Being your own boss

Posted on by Ashley Rae

 

Entrepreneurship has been on the rise for the last 3 years. Everywhere you turn, you see someone opening up a business- even if it’s just an online business. There are memes all over the place encouraging people to exit their 9-5’s to become entrepreneurs. “Do what you love and get paid for it,” is a popular slogan that’s often viewed via social media. There was also a post that said something along the lines of “we congratulate people that get new jobs, but don’t congratulate those that start their own business.” Shouldn’t both be congratulated and celebrated, though? Continue reading “Being your own boss” →

Kalief Browder

Posted on by Ashley Rae

 A couple of years ago, I hosted a podcast discussing the prison system in America, and the mistreatment that the prisoners receive there. During the podcast, I began to discuss Kalief Browder. Kalief Browder was a 16 year old black male from the Bronx, who was arrested by the NYPD on his way home for allegedly stealing a bookbag. Kalief proclaimed his innocence, but was still sent to prison. He was taken to Rikers Island, which is an adult facility. If you have ever watched a single episode of Law and Order, you know Rikers is not where you want to be. Continue reading “Kalief Browder” →