A place for Huey

One of the things I want to do as I get deeper into my fields of interest is to bring the discourse, discussions, and information taking place or being disseminated in academia, multinational agencies, governments, etc to the general public. To start, my internship has given me the opportunity to observe some of decision making and thought processes that occurs in the United Nations and the supporting NGO infrastructure which allows the organization to do its job. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to observe a Security Council briefing on the situations in Somalia and Libya, including hearing the ICC Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda speak. I learned a great deal from that meeting but I did not take notes. I did take notes however at the Economic and Social Council Meeting on the Post 2015 Agenda later on that day. My notes are below. Looking over what I wrote, it is important to underscore that while the delegates and experts are cognizant and adamant that they want to include civil society a...

Free Mumia: Notes from the panel discussion on Mass Incarceration, the Prison Industrial Complex, Closing Attica, & Political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal Juan Mendez - UN Special Rapporteur on Torture (via video): Solitary confinement is considered torture under international law but the U.S. still upholds the practice [What role do the international community, UN, ICC, NGOs and other civil society actors play in holding the U.S. Accountable? How does the status/soft and hard power of a country influence if/how it responds to international pressure?] Mumia Abu-Jumal (via phone): The truth is that reform does not work Time for revolutionary transformation: Build a movement! Abolish the ingrained ideas, do not rebuild or reform the different facets of prisons “Power concedes nothing without demand” “Politics is the cruel art of betrayal” Angela Davis: Prison industrial complex [PIC] has a great deal to do with global capitalism which is fueled ...

Below is my recap of the BET Awards. I wanted to try live blogging where I write down my thoughts/reaction of the show as it is being shown on TV. Overall, I think that this year's show was good - a diverse range of artists and commentary - laughter and seriousness. I was fairly entertained watching it. So here is it: ----------------------------------------------------------- Kanye's free style in the opening = <3...He looks emotional and his words, as always, vulnerable (His vulnerability is why I fell in love with his music and him being a musical genius is what has kept me a fan). Kanye - his acceptance speech: honest. Admits that he doesn't get it right whether he wins or looses. #Real I also love the friendship he shares with Jay Z. Seeming opposites counteract each others weaknesses. (As much as I love Jay, he often appears cold and distant; Kanye softens him and allows him to be honest). Chris Brown should not have won best male R&B. period. When did C...

Just to quickly jot down some thoughts on what has passed through my mind today: basically, an interesting day in Washington, D.C. 1. Supreme Court rules in favor of the constitutionality of Obama's health care bill! Phenomenal, all around, especially in terms of the bill's implication for the millions of uninsured, those discriminated against by insurance providers, and young adults. This is perhaps the very first time I have immediately sensed and experienced the effect of legislation on my personal wellbeing; it is an odd feeling that a reverse decision (perhaps a dissenting vote from John Roberts) would have basically left me uninsured and drastically changed my life. Honestly, medical expenses are no joke.  2. Eric Holder is held in criminal and civil contempt of Congress and the walk out of the House by Democrats = history. To watch this unfold in real time on CNN was surreal. Mr. Holder's press conference was pretty bold too. Holder did not hold his head in disgr...