“Straight Outta Compton” continues its box office success. For the second week in a row, it remained the No. 1 movie in America, pulling in $25.8 million. By adding to its domestic haul of $111.5 million, the film is scorching the competition.
But the movie continues to be mired in controversy. Hip-hop journalist Dee Barnes, who was given the beat down of a lifetime by Dr. Dre at a house party and filed charges for physical assault in 1991, decried the film for its revisionist history at the expense of women being excluded from the narrative.
That sentiment was voiced by many, including myself. We critiqued the film for ignoring criticism of N.W.A. for being misogynistic and omitting references to episodes when the rapper hit or abused women.
It was creating so much controversy that Dr. Dre issued a statement to the media: “Twenty-five years ago I was a young man drinking too much and in over my head with no real structure in my life. However, none of this is an excuse for what I did. I’ve been married for 19 years, and every day I’m working to be a better man for my family, seeking guidance along the way. I’m doing everything I can so I never resemble that man again.
“I apologize to the women I’ve hurt. I deeply regret what I did. I know that it has forever impacted all of our lives.”
I am glad that Dr. Dre apologized for his actions. No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes, especially in their youth. I hope Dee Barnes and other women that Dr. Dre beat and abused can have real closure and begin to heal. I think I can finally go and see the movie now.
Why Now?
Speaking of Compton, Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey threw down the gauntlet at Compton Mayor Aja Brown and the Compton City Council. Ms. Lacey’s office sent them a cease-and-desist letter. Compton city officials are being accused of paying themselves thousands of dollars a month to sit on commissions that often meet for only a few minutes.
The letter to Compton city officials is simply to put the Council on notice that their actions are illegal and could lead to prosecution. City officials deny any wrongdoing, and Mayor Brown had been actively engaged in trying to rectify the issue before the letter was sent. The payments, according to the Compton City Charter, are legal.
My concern is the timing of the letter. When former Mayor Eric Perrodin was in office, those same payments were going on. Why all of a sudden is this an issue with the District Attorney’s Office and wasn’t an issue with their office under the Perrodin regime?
Could it be that Perrodin, while serving as mayor, was also employed as a deputy district attorney and worked with the very same prosecutors who are now looking at Mayor Brown who defeated Mr. Perrodin in 2013.
As cynical as I am about politicians, I do trust Ms. Brown to do the right thing in Compton, but it won’t happen if she can’t get the support of her colleagues on Council. Stay tuned to this growing controversy.
She Was Serious?
Welcome home Vacie Thomas, longtime executive secretary of the Los Angeles NAACP. She finally has been released from state prison where she served three years after stealing tens of thousands of dollars from an elderly couple and a 97-year-old woman.
Ms. Thomas, 64, gained Ola and Clyde Griffith’s trust while she worked as an executive assistant at the NAACP in Los Angeles. She proceeded to add her name as joint tenant to the Griffiths’ home. Ms. Thomas also forged checks to pay personal loans and credit card debts. The losses added up to more than $180,000.
Los Angeles prosecutors had charged Ms. Thomas with two counts of theft from an elder and committing two felonies through fraud or embezzlement for more than $100,000 between 2008 and 2011. Ms. Thomas also stole $13,000 from Trandailer Brewer, 97, prosecutors said. Superior Court Judge James Dabney ordered Ms. Thomas to pay more than $100,000 in restitution.
With the amount of restitution that Ms. Thomas is required to pay back to her victims, it is obvious that she’s going to need a job as soon as possible. But can you believe that Ms. Thomas had the audacity to call the NAACP last week and ask for her job back?
What type of fool does Ms. Thomas think is running the Los Angeles NAACP? The former chapter president Leon Jenkins resigned in disgrace while Ms. Thomas was in prison. The new president has enough common sense not to let Ms. Thomas anywhere near the NAACP in a paid position of trust. I can’t believe Ms. Thomas had the gall to even ask for her job back.
One of the worst people on earth is someone who takes advantage of the elderly, abuses and steals from them. Thomas has paid her debt to society and does need a job, but not at the NAACP.
Congratulations to all the clergy, activists and South L.A. residents who are taking part in this weekend’s Los Angeles Occupy the Corners Movement. National Action Network L.A. under the leadership of the Rev. K.W. Tulloss and activists from across the city pledged to take over corners in the hot-spot areas of South Los Angeles that have been plagued by violence.
NAN has partnered with other organizations such as Cease Fire, We Care Outreach, Project Cry No More, Ruach Christian Fellowship, Silver Lining of Hope, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and Church Without Walls, Greater Zion Church and many other churches within our community.
Their work in the trenches this past month has yielded positive results.
NAN’s goal is to reclaim troubled street corners — and in the process, share resources, engage in conversations with our youth and community about ways to eliminate gun violence. By doing this, National Action Network L.A. and partners will help to empower local communities to fight back against the spike in violence that often occurs throughout the summer months. .
For more information contact Janeth Zavala at NAN 323.521.3477
Finally, longtime activist, freedom fighter, and KPFK radio host Dedon Kamathi has made his transition. RIP (Rest in Power).
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