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@NAACP Exposed For Secretly Supporting Trump

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I have no words for this … I do but I will allow Intercept.com to say it as they have done so in very professional manner

Intercept reports that the NAACP is taking money from donors and also writing affidavits to the court to support Trump’s agenda

LEADING CIVIL RIGHTS groups who for many years have been heavily bankrolled by the telecom industry are signaling their support for Donald Trump’s promised rollback of the Obama administration’s net neutrality rules, which prevent internet service providers from prioritizing some content providers over others.

The Obama administration’s Federal Communications Commission established net neutrality by reclassifying high-speed internet as a regulated phone-like telecommunications service, as opposed to a mostly unregulated information service. The re-classification was cheered by advocates for a free and open internet.

But now Trump’s new FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, a former Verizon attorney, is pushing to repeal the net neutrality reform by rolling back that re-classification — and he’s getting help not only from a legion of telecom lobbyists, but from civil rights groups.

In a little-noticed joint letter released last week, the NAACP, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, OCA (formerly known as the Organization for Chinese Americans), the National Urban League, and other civil rights organizations sharply criticized the “jurisdictional and classification problems that plagued the last FCC” — a reference to the legal mechanism used by the Obama administration to accomplish net neutrality.

Instead of classifying broadband as a public utility, the letter states, open internet rules should be written by statute. What does that mean? It means the Republican-led Congress should take control of the process — the precise approach that is favored by industry.

None of the civil rights groups that signed the joint letter responded to a request for comment.

It’s not the first time civil rights group have engaged in lobbying debates seemingly unrelated to their core missions, but in favor of their corporate donors. At a time when OCA received major funding from Southwest Airlines, the group filed a regulatory letter on behalf of the airline in support of Southwest’s bid to open flights at Houston airport. The NAACP, after receiving financial backing from Wal-Mart, helped the retail chain during its contentious bid to open stores in New York City.

Telecom issues, however, are a particular specialty. Last week’s letter was organized by the Multicultural Media, Telecom & Internet Council (MMTC), a group funded by the telecom industry that has previously encouraged civil rights groups to oppose net neutrality. MMTC in previous years reported receiving about a third of its budget from industry-sponsored events; its annual summit, which was held last week, was made possible by $100,000 sponsorships from Comcast and AT&T, as well as a $75,000 sponsorships from Charter Communications and Verizon.

MMTC, which acts on the needs of telecom lobbyists, has been accused of “astroturf lobbying” by creating the appearance of grassroots support for the industry.

The civil rights group opposed to net neutrality have employed several arguments against the proposal. In one filing made in 2010, the NAACP signed onto an argument from MMTC that net neutrality reforms were a waste of resources because the FCC should focus on “more pressing racial discrimination and exclusionary hiring and promotion practices of certain Silicon Valley high-tech companies.” In a separate filing in 2014, MMTC and the NAACP argued that reclassification would threaten the “fragile state of minority engagement in the digital ecosystem.”

While advocating against net neutrality, the organizations on the joint letter have raked in money from the telecom industry.

The NAACP, which signed letters opposing net neutrality both times the rule was proposed by the Obama administration, has named AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast as corporate fundraising partners. After the NAACP endorsed Comcast’s merger with NBC, Comcast disclosed that the NAACP was one of the the recipients of $1.8 billion in funds doled out to various community groups.

The Asian-American groups on the letter, including OCA and Americans Advancing Justice, have similar ties to the largest telecom firms. Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, and the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, a trade group for the telecom industry, are listed as members of the “Corporate Alliance” of donors funding AAJC. Comcast and Verizon sponsored OCA’s annual gala last year.

The National Urban League received $1.2 million from Verizon in 2014 alone. As the Center for Public Integrity reported, senior officials from AT&T, Verizon and Comcast have held positions on the National Urban League’s board.

Net neutrality activists are crying foul.

“Net neutrality is based on a communications law that guarantees vital nondiscrimination rights,” said Jessica J. González, the deputy director and senior counsel of Free Press. “This joint statement may seem innocuous but it actually endangers the communications rights that have empowered people of color to tell our own stories, organize for racial justice and earn a living online.”

“The Congress that tried to destroy net neutrality once would only weaken it with legislation that fails to adequately protect those it is meant to serve,” says Malkia Cyril, the executive director of the Center for Media Justice. She noted that the civil rights groups that signed the letter are now calling for putting the future of the internet “into the hands of a GOP Congress that just appointed white supremacist Jeff Sessions to be attorney general.”

Activists have expressed alarm at the pace at which Commissioner Pai has already axed reforms enacted by the Obama administration. In his first days  as chairman, Pai rolled back an attempt to regulate overly expensive prison phone rates, got rid of the proposal to allow more competition for the cable box market, and blocked nine companies from providing low-income families with discounted high-speed internet services. Observers believe net neutrality is next.

But Kim Keenan, the president of MMTC, the group that organized the joint letter, has showered Pai with praise. “He is really focused on closing the digital divide. As an advocate, I feel so much pride that that it is a priority for his chairmanship,” Keenan told Multichannel News, a trade outlet.

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JS aka The Best Delivers New Hit, “Single”

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In partnership with Roc Nation’s indie distribution company Equity, DMV multi-hyphenate JS aka The Best liberates his first audio contribution of the new year titled “Single.” Composed of storytelling lyrics centered around doing the self work needed to heal from your past before jumping into a new relationship, the slower tempo Afrobeats track is fused with soulful R&B, Hip-Hop, and elements of Go-Go.

Most known for providing instrumentation to artists like B.o.B., Twista, and Raheem DeVaughn as well as securing notable sync placements with the Washington Wizards, Netflix, and Cartoon Network, JS is just as seasoned in front of the camera as he is in the studio; boasting an acting resume that contains appearances on Hulu’s Wu-Tang An American Saga in addition to commercial spots for Macy’s and Starbucks. Recently tapped as a media personality for both popular gambling sportsbook DraftKings and trending celebrity news outlet The Shade Room, the fresh release finds him living up to his name with vivid colors.

Stream “Single” on your DSP of choice below via Weapon X Evolution and expect matching visuals to be released soon.

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Rawrrzone Picks – FaxoHxzrd Faded

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photo courtesy of @faxohxzard on Instagram

It’s amazing to see how much progress has been made, not only in the world of music but also in terms of tolerance and acceptance of different genres worldwide. Reflecting on their childhood, many can relate to not being allowed to listen to certain types of music, let alone pursue a career in it.

Growing up in a Greek household, there were limitations, and pursuing a career in music seemed like a distant dream. In many families, the expectation was to follow a more conventional path, such as becoming a teacher or a doctor. Back then, familial support for artistic endeavors was rare. However, as we step into 2024, things have significantly changed.

Parents are now not only supportive but encouraging of their children pursuing their creative dreams. There’s a newfound appreciation for the creative arts, and families play a crucial role in nurturing and supporting their children’s aspirations. This shift marks a significant change in societal attitudes towards creativity and the arts.

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The 12-track project, heavily influenced by New York drill with elements from the Vermont music scene, offers a smooth listening experience. The album not only showcases Faxohzrd’s confidence but also his passion for music.

As someone once told us, there’s a difference between artists who create to connect with their audience and those who create solely for profit. Faxohzrd aims to move his crowd and make them experience his music fully.

For example, in “Kobe Bryant,” he displays his pen game and wordplay, cleverly referencing the late Kobe Bryant’s jersey number, 24. Faxohxzrd takes his shot and never misses.

“Lobotomy” is a straight pen track where he exhibits some of his best bars, blending boom-bap and drill beats, giving off takeover vibes as he talks about eliminating his competition as if performing a lobotomy.

“On Me” is a track dedicated to the ladies. Faxohxzrd acknowledges the women in his life, recognizing how they have always supported him and declaring his affection for his dream woman. The song gave me a taste of Mac Miller while listening to it.

Although these were our favorites from the project, without giving too much away, you need to check out the entire project for yourself.

Make sure you follow him on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/faxohxzrd/

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Lil $o$o Enjoys The View In New Visual “Passion”

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Enlisting Sexyy Red director Suave Films for the Remdolla produced small screen interpretation, Lil $o$o signals a compelling exploration beyond her usual Rap style and leans into the realm of R&B with the release of “Passion.” Following “Enhancements,” the timely track unveils a vulnerable dimension that showcases her versatility as an artist. With emotive lyrics and a smooth melody, “Passion” shines light on a deeper layer of $o$o’s artistry, inviting listeners into a journey of introspection and raw emotion.

In a press statement to Medium Creative Agency about single, the Issa Rae-approved “Florida Girl” reveals: “I love this record because it really shows another side of me. Sometimes, I feel like people are so materialistic or surface level, and I really am starting to see that ‘real’ is rare. I hope to find something deeper than that and that’s what made me put that into my music.”

There’s something in the water. From the City Girls to Kodak Black, with a long list of others, the Sunshine State has been the stomping ground for hip-hop’s culture shifters. Entertainer Lil $o$o is looking to keep that tradition alive. Despite being native to Chicago, since moving to Miami in her early childhood, she’s proudly claimed it as her musical home.

The 22-year-old Colombiana, whose real name is Sofia Donado, has persevered through trauma and pain and continues to show up for herself and her 3-year-old son, who she’s raising as a single mom. Lil $o$o’s boyfriend was gunned down in 2019, while sitting in his car, leaving her without a partner and their son without a father. He was in the music business, and after his passing, Lil $o$o found healing in discovering her musical voice. The result was upbeat rhythms intended to make people dance, smile, and feel free. It was the only way she knew how to make things better.

After laying the groundwork with promo singles “Better Life,” “Go Ooh,” “Bad Attitude,” and “Woo Tang,” the rising rapstress made her official debut Summer of 2022 with ‘$o$o World.’ Executive produced by mentor and label head LunchMoney Lewis, the 14-track collection of records includes additional instrumentation from JulianBeatz, SFL Xavi, TheonlyDiet, Toju, BrianXWhite, Diem, and SoundsbyBreezy. Guest features come by way of Roc Nation recording artist Bobby Fishscale, XXXTentacion affiliate C Glizzy, Warner Records vocalist Savannah Cristina, and Nelle.

Press play on the HD-clip for “Passion” as well as stream the official audio on your DSP of choice below via Black 17 Media / The Orchard.

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