The Savery Auction: Ignorance is Bliss For Some

I'm amazed at the ignorance of some people. Classic example: Rita Ledbetter, organizer for an event to commemorate the sale of Alaska from Russia to the United States, The event is held every year at the Pioneer Bar, Sitka, Alaska. This year the event is called the "Slavery Auction".

The Anchorage chapter of the NAACP issued a press release condemning that name."The connotation of buying and selling people against their will-that's nothing to glorify", says Wanda Laws, chapter president. Laws wants the event name changed but is not asking that the event be cancelled.

Ledbetter says she didn't understand what the problem was and confessed that she didn't even know what the NAACP was. "Tell them to stick their nose in their own business and leave us alone", she told the press. Alaska Day chairman Ted Allio told the Associated Press he doesn't see the big deal about the original name. The owner of the Pioneer Bar where the event will be held confirmed that the name will be changed to the "Alaska Day Auction".

The story was reported in the Gawker and the Grio. I wonder how many people reading about the incident don't understand what's the problem. Just think in 2015, there are those that say holding a "Slavery Auction" is okay. Afterall, it's for charity. Stop the madness!

Man Executed for Killing 2 Neices and 2 Nephews

Henry 'Curtis' Jackson, Jr.

A Mississippi man convicted of killing four young nieces and nephews in a 1990 stabbing rampage was executed Tuesday, despite pleas from his two sisters to spare the brother who killed their children.

Henry “Curtis” Jackson Jr. was pronounced dead after receiving an injection at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, officials said.

Jackson’s sister, Glenda Kuyoro, stifled a sob when she walked into the witness room earlier and saw her brother on the gurney. Jackson’s eyes were closed when the witnesses arrived and he never looked in the direction of his family.

Earlier, the 47-year-old inmate had spent the day receiving relatives, including one of the sisters whose two children were slain and who survived the stabbing attack. The slain children ranged from 2 to 5 and were killed as Jackson reportedly was trying to steal his mother’s safe while she was away at church, court records showed.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Republican Gov. Phil Bryant declined to stop the execution though he said he was “deeply touched” by requests for clemency from the sisters and his brother-in-law.
“There is no question that Mr. Jackson committed these heinous crimes, and there is no clear and convincing evidence that compels me to grant clemency,” Bryant said.

The attack took place Nov. 1, 1990, at Jackson’s mother’s home in the Delta region.
The mother was at church that day, and Regina Jackson was there with her two daughters and four nieces and nephews. She was stabbed five times and survived the attack.  Her two daughters and two nephews were stabbed to death, records showed. Another niece was so severely injured that she was a paraplegic until her recent death.

Jackson has said he doesn’t remember stabbing the children.

Source: The Grio

Wanted For Hire: Black Male for Downton Abbey

Mary and Matthew Crawley-Downton Abbey

The early 20th century British period drama Downton Abbey is expected introduce its first African-American character this coming season. The award-winning television show, from writer and creator Julian Fellowes, centers around the wealthy Crawley family.
According to The Sun, casting notes were sent to agents, seeking a black actor to play the role of musician Jack Ross.

Women of Downton Abbey

The role as Ross was described as, “Male, 25-30. A musician (singer) at an exclusive club in the 20s.  He’s black and very handsome. A real man (not a boy) with charm and charisma.” In addition, the actor to play Ross “should be a very attractive man with a certain wow factor.”

Filming for the fourth season is set to start on March 23, with a fall 2013 premiere date in the UK and a winter 2014 premiere date in the U.S.

Do you have someone in mind...Share your thoughts.

Source: The Grio, Carrie Healey