Views from the Revolution
Inspired by the Black uprisings, we recognized the need for a space centered on Black Folks expressing ourselves unfiltered. The revolution is taking place in our workplaces, theaters, politics, even within and amongst ourselves. This space is dedicated to documenting our voices, experiences, thoughts and opinions about the revolution. We invite you to read these pieces and continue the dialogues with your community!
A test of faith and a search for refuge, how Sagal Ali, a Somali-American Muslim in Minneapolis is moving on from Muslim Pro
In November, the app Muslim Pro was uncovered for selling data and location of its Muslim users to third-party vendors, including the U.S. military.
Plugged founder, Jeffrey Bissoy, I spoke with Black Muslim, Sagal Ali, about the Muslim Pro scandal, her faith journey, and her message to young Muslims struggling to stay disciplined. keep up with prayers in the absence of the app and the ongoing global pandemic that has already robbed us of so much.
Savior or Slave: How the Greek Freak can become the Giant of Africa
Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2018 Giannis Antetokounmpo is the savior of a Milwaukee Bucks franchise that hasn’t recovered from losing Kareem Adblul-Jabbar ...
How Faith Crittenden and a team of med school students pushed the American Medical Association to recognize racism as a public health threat
In November, the American Medical Association declared that racism was a public health threat. Plugged Founder Jeffrey Bissoy spoke with med school student Faith Crittenden on how she and a group of med school students pushed the AMA to make this historical decision.
Designer and activist Isak Douah on working security at the George Floyd memorial and becoming a gun and mental health advocate
Black designer and activist Isak Douah was abroad in Amsterdam, when George Floyd was killed several blocks away from his childhood home in South Minneapolis. Plugged Founder, Jeffrey Bissoy, interviewed him about coming home, working security at the George Floyd memorial and becoming a gun and mental health advocate.
A Brief History of Drill Music, Globally
Founder of Across The Culture, Zander Tsadwa, takes us through the history of drill and how a movement that commenced in Chicago took roots in the UK, before ultimately taking off in New York.
Greater than SARS
As #EndSARS protests enter their second month, Nigerians and diasporic Africans see that the police force is a symptom of greater corruption. For roughly tw ...
A Brief History of Anime in Hip-Hop
Founder of Across The Culture, Zander Tsadwa, wrote a compelling piece on the brief and unique relationship between Hip-Hop and anime.
Black Frenchmen reflect on racism and the Black Lives Matter movement in France
Over the summer, Founder Jeffrey Bissoy connected with two Afro-Frenchmen in their twenties, Ritchie and Sammy, about their experiences with racism and their thoughts on Black Lives Matter in France.
Local Man James Baldwin: “Ending Racism Is Up To White Folk”
In a critical essay, Zander Tsadwa, writer and founder of Across The Culture (ATC), invokes the writings and teachings of James Baldwin to remind us that “ending racism is up to white folk.”
Dear Public radio, to better serve your listening audiences you must do better with POC journalists
Public radio journalist Alice Thompson issues a warning to Public radio stations to improve their trainings and professional development of POC journalists.
We are the Black Panther
On September 3rd, beloved actor, Chadwick Boseman, was laid to rest in his hometown of Belton, Southern Carolina. Writer Chelsea Herrera takes a moment to commemorate his impact on her life and Boseman’s everlasting legacy.
Plugged CEO, Jeffrey Bissoy: “We are building a community where ALL Black folx feel safe in being their most unapologetic self”
Plugged Public Statement on creating safe space and community for ALL Black folx, and releasing co-founder David Peterson from his role and ALL involvement with Plugged.
WNBA Athletes continue to show why they deserve the most respect
As the WNBA commences its season in the ‘Wubble,” sports writer Jasmine Brown takes a moment to highlight the many ways that WNBA players have fought for social justice and why they deserve the most respect.
Anchored
In our fight against white supremacy, Reverend Todd Campbell teaches us the importance of being anchored and finding your center.
Black Joy Amidst Revolution, “Lose Yo Job” is 2020’s Summer Anthem
Johnniqua Charles’s “Lose Yo Job” remixed by DJ Suede became the anthem of the Black Lives Matter movement. Plugged music writer, Chelsea Herrera writes about the song provided Black joy amidst the revolution.
DEAR ADVERTISING, I’M STILL WORRIED ABOUT THE WHITE ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM
Advertising and marketing expert Kifaya Taha writes about why it’s time for the “white elephants” in the room to acknowledge racism and combat white supremacy in the advertising industry.
this body of mine is known to you
Minneapolis playwright Malick Ceesay pens a moving piece on why he fell in love with theatre and why, across the country, diversity and equity must take center-stage.
Letter to a Loved One — Race, Riots, and Rebirth
In hopes of helping more people understand the protests that are creating change across this country, lawyer and Seattle native, Thaddeus Gregory, wrote a letter to a loved one about why the protests are happening and will continue until justice is had and change is made.
Crafted, a poem by Sahra Yousuf
Crafted is a poem by poet and writer Sahra Yousuf on her emotions and thoughts during the Black uprising.
Remember to maintain your peace and joy
During a global pandemic and our movement to end racism, educator and community engagement coordinator, Robin Wonsley, reminds us the importance of maintaining our peace and joy.
Understanding the Modern Black Uprising
Liberian-American and councilman of Falcon Heights, Minnesota, Yakasah Wehyee, contextualizes the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and why we must all understand the modern Black uprising.
8 ways to START supporting Black people in the workplace
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion leader, Tiffany J. Poole, put together a list of eight ways employees and managers can better support Black people in the workplace. Step one? Reading this article.
“Well, Why Can’t I Just Play?” Little Black girls shouldn’t be our soldiers
Since the start of the Black uprising, photos of Black children have gone viral with countless captions and comments stating, “She’s so strong,” or, “She’s so brave.” Is it necessary for our kids to be strong or brave, in the face of racism and police brutality? Faith Nwachuku-Taite asks, “Why can’t our kids just be kids?”
I was a volunteer medic during the Minneapolis protests, here’s what I experienced
Khuaten Maaneb de Macedo is a third year medical student at the University of Minnesota. She writes about her experience as a Black volunteer medic at the frontlines of the Minneapolis protests.
The day I felt my ancestral trauma
Afro-Dominican human rights lawyer and Amnesty International human rights campaigner, Elina Castillo Jimenez, reflects on how George Floyd’s passing awakened her ancestral trauma, forcing her to break her silence.
The BLM movement continues, returning to normal isn’t an option for Black people
C Terrance Anderson is a North Minneapolis resident and Director of Community Programs and Community Based at Cura. He writes about the challenges of heading back to work as a Black man and why returning to normal isn’t an option for Black people.
Beyoncé’s ‘Freedom’ should be the official anthem of Juneteenth
As we celebrate Juneteenth, honoring the freedom of the last enslaved Africans, in Galveston, TX., on June 19th, 1865, Plugged co-founder, Jeffrey Bissoy, says Beyoncé’s “Freedom” should be the official anthem of Juneteenth.
La falacia multicultural venezolana-The Venezuelan multicultural fallacy
Afro-Venezuelan writer and poet, Julio Suaréz, documents his experience of being black in Venezuela and the many countries he’s travelled to and lived, including the U.S. and Spain.
We prayed for Paris, but who is praying for Black people?
When Notre Dame de Paris was on fire, the whole world prayed for Paris. As Black people are being killed by Police, tech analyst, Asia Rawls, asks, “Who is praying for Black people?”
I Was a Volunteer Driver During the Minneapolis Protests, Here’s What I Saw
Mia jackman, a St. Paul resident, was a volunteer driver during the Minneapolis protests. She shares her experience of driving strangers around Minneapolis with her sister, as the city became a battlefield
Watching Your City Burn from Abroad
Co-Founder of Plugged, Jeffrey Bissoy writes about his frustrations of being a witness to the burning of his city and the unrest that followed. He explains why he and Plugged are working to be present in the fight against racial injustice.
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