Ex-Chicago Cop on Trial for Torturing Confessions From 100 Black Men

Darrell Cannon was asleep with his common-law wife and son in 1983 when a group of white police officers burst into his Chicago apartment. They said he knew something about a homicide, threw him in the back of a police car and took him to a secluded location.
In an effort to get details, the officers first performed a mock lynching. When that didn't work, one of the officers pretended to load a pump-action shotgun, put the shotgun in Cannon's mouth and pulled the trigger three times.
"One of them said, 'Go ahead, blow that nigger's head off.' And that's when [officer] Peter Dignan forced the shotgun in my mouth. And he said, "You're not going to tell me what I want to hear? You're not going to tell me?" I said, "No." And that's when he pulled the trigger," said Cannon. "The third time they did it, when I heard the trigger pull, in my mind, I thought he was blowing the back of my head off, because the hair on the back of my head stood straight up when I heard that click."
Finally, the rogue cops pulled down Cannon's pants and forced his legs apart. Using a battery operated cattle prodder, they repeatedly shocked Cannon's testicles. It was the final straw, Cannon told Amy Goodman of Democracy Now!
"Finally I agreed to tell them anything they wanted to hear. Anything. It didn't matter to me. You know, if they said, "Did your mother do it?" "Yes, yes, yes." Because the diabolical treatment that I received was such that I had never in my life experienced anything like this. I didn't even know anything like this here existed in the United States," Cannon said.
Not only does such treatment exist in this country, prosecutors in Chicago allege that it flourished under the wicked guidance of ex-police Lt. Jon Burge (pictured).
In all, Burge may have overseen the torture of and obtained coerced confessions from more than 100 African American men over the course of a 22-year career.

EXCLUSIVE: 'Juice' Star Khalil Kain Added to Tyler Perry's 'For Colored Girls' Movie

Black Voices has exclusively learned that Khalil Kain, best known for his role in the 1992 hip-hop film 'Juice,' has been cast in Tyler Perry's 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.'
According to our sources, Kain's character will be paired with Tony Award-winning 'Princess and the Frog' star Anika Noni Rose.
The 45-year-old New York native, who recently got some shine as Darnell in the popular TV series 'Girlfriends,' joins Omari Hardwick, Isaiah Mustafa and Richard Lawson as the men in the film.
Other actors will be named at a later date.
Based on Ntozake Shange's award-winning 1975 play, 'Colored Girls' is scheduled to shoot in June in New York with a possible late-2010 release.
The riveting play, consisting of a series of poems performed through a cast of nameless women known only by a color,- deal with such subjects as love, abandonment, rape and abortion. The play garnered much acclaim, becoming the toast of Broadway when it opened at the Booth Theater in 1976.
Already cast in the movie are Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Whoopi Goldberg, Phylicia Rashad, Jurnee Smollett, Kimberly Elise, Kerry Washington, Loretta Devine and Macy Gray.
Kain made his feature-film debut playing opposite rapper Tupac Shakur and Omar Epps in Ernest Dickerson's 'Juice,' which is considered a hip-hop classic.
He then appeared in numerous TV shows, including 'Girlfriends.' He also appeared in an episode of 'The Ghost Whisperer' and on the series 'Medium.'
Are you interested in seeing Tyler Perry's adaptation of 'For Colored Girls'?

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Juanita Bynum: Popular Prophetess Partners With Beyonce's Dad

Prophetess Juanita Bynum has signed a new deal with Beyonce's dad, Mathew Knowles, for both a joint-venture recording agreement and management representation.

BV Buzz broke news via Twitter on Sunday, May 9, that the renowned preacher-singer had entered an agreement with Knowles' Music World Entertainment for a multi-layered deal.

Official news that 51-year-old Christian personality was confirmed by Music World rep Gwendolyn Quinn on Monday, May 10.

"Dr. Juanita Bynum has built a solid foundation, with her ministry leading the way to her music and literary accomplishments. Her global brand potential is extraordinary," said Knowles,President and CEO of Music World Entertainment. "She exemplifies the strength of human character and has the passion and talent to inspire."
Though she just released her eighth CD, 'More Passion,' on her own label, Flow Records, on May 4, Bynum is slated to drop a new CD called 'The Diary of Juanita Bynum' later this year on her new venture Son Flower Records, in partnership with Knowles' Spirit Rising label.

"I am elated about what the ingeniousness of Mathew Knowles, mixed with the gift that God, has given me is about to produce," said Bynum. "It's a new day. I'm a new Juanita Bynum, and I'm ready for this new start."

Bynum is best known as the author of the book and sermon 'No More Sheets' and as one of the most sought-after evangelists on the Christian speaking circuit. Her success has been overshadowed by her highly publicized domestic dispute in 2007 with then-husband Bishop Thomas Weeks.
The two have since divorced, and Bynum went on a whirlwind media campaign after the ordeal and touted herself as the "new face of domestic violence."

Abercrombie Discrimination Case Dismissed

A lawsuit brought against Abercrombie & Fitch by a former black saleswoman in New York has been dismissed, according to WWD. Dulazia Burchette filed suit against the retailer in 2008, claiming supervisors discriminated against her by asking her to remove blond highlights in her hair, claiming they looked unnatural.

She claims her employers didn't ask the same of the white employees with highlighted hairstyles.

On Monday, the case was dismissed by a New York judge who says Burchette didn't produce "any triable evidence" that she had been "treated more severely than similarly situated coworkers." The judge also thought there was a lack of evidence for her claims of conspiracy against her and retaliation by her bosses.

Of course, the words Abercrombie and racist have crossed paths a few times before this trial.

In 2004, a victorious $50 million class-action lawsuit addressing racist hiring practices was won against the retailer, which overtly favors blue-eyed, blond-haired models and shop clerks.

And over the last two years, another three complaints have been filed against the brand: one by a British law student with a prosthetic limb and another two by young women wearing traditional Muslim headscarves. All of these employees said they were discriminated against because they violated A&F's "Look Policy."

According to The Telegraph, the Look Policy of A&F requires that employees have fingernails that are "clean and presentable"; any makeup must "enhance natural features and create a fresh, natural appearance"; tattoos are only acceptable if "they represent the Abercrombie" look; and employees must only sport "a clean, natural, classic hairstyle."

Do you think the Look Policy is discriminatory in itself? Let us know in a comment below.

Look at this, the new Apple iPhone 4G HD

Apple's latest invention The Iphone HD

HTC Evo 4G for Sprint — First Look

A wireless phone that is as fast as most peoples basic DSL and cable wired connections. Featuring a 4.3-inch screen, 1 GHz Snapdragon processor and the ability to connect to your HDTV for viewing HD movies this phone is built for rich streaming multimedia enjoyment from the palm of your hand or the comfort of your sofa. Don't miss any of our upcoming videos, subscribe now:



Soon to be released Summer 2010 - June 16th looks like the day and Best Buy is sure to have it. It is supposed to be priced around $199 after rebates. Closest thing to a iPhone but the new iPhone HD is look sweet. Just not to sure about the design though.

Im Getting my HTC EVO in July so I can tell you then what it dew!

Asa aka "DJ Spoons"

Tamara Does Her Little Motivational Rap at Christ Fellowship

Tamara does her little motivational rap at Christ Fellowship.

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Subscribe to PO Soul TV on YouTube.com to stay up to date about hot Christians events and and live video performances. Keep up with PO Soul and other great Gospel acts in the Portland area. We would to have you video posted if you have some available. email posoulradio@gmail.com about you events and video links.


You are watching a perfromance by Gospel Award winnning TEPH & The Amazing Jerks. This concert was held at Jefferson High School by IVY Keller Productions. This was a hot set.

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Rickey Smiley: Raising 10 Kids Is No Laughing Matter

Comedian Rickey Smiley is one funny brother!
Before he began hosting his nationally syndicated 'Rickey Smiley Morning Show' on radio in 2004, the Birmingham, Ala.-bred standup hosted BET's 'Comic View' in 2000.
Having appeared in films like 'Friday After Next' and 'First Sunday,' Smiley is now gearing up for a guest turn in 'Stomp The Yard 2: The Homecoming.'
BV Buzz caught up with the proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. on the Atlanta set of the film and Smiley opened up about everything from his career in entertainment to raising 10 children.
You're appearing in the sequel to 'Stomp The Yard.' Why haven't you done more acting?
I get people offering me to do stuff. I don't do everything; it just has to be the right role. I'm kind of busy with radio and stand-up comedy on the weekend, which I never want to stop doing. Then, I have children and responsibilities. I can't spend my whole life chasing money. I am working on some stuff coming up with David Talbert. We're talking about developing my grandmother character into a full on project. I'll want to make a reality show based on my morning show. I'm really excited about that.
What made 'Stomp The Yard 2' so appealing to you?

I am so excited to be in a movie where there is no killing, violence, stabbing and shooting. I hope that young people are inspired to go to college and join Greek organizations, not just for the step show but for the service. Everything is about doing community service and understanding that all of the fraternities and sororities are all about service. I hope people find the one that they think is best for them and get in and serve people. You are born to serve and life isn't about you. This right here is a great movie and I just hope that it inspires people to go to college. It's too dangerous out here. You have to have an education. A Black man with a degree is about as equal as a White man with a high school diploma. We have to be bigger, smarter, better, faster and stronger just to make the playing ground even. This movie is so important and I'm glad to be working with brothers that just put out a good project like 'Stomp the Yard.' My role is easy because I used to host step shows all the time.

You're a proud Omega man. Are you one of those Que Dogs who breaks out into a party hop as soon as 'Atomic Dog' comes on?
If 'Atomic Dog' comes on I could be sitting in the front row at somebody's mama's funeral and I will set out and hop. If somebody is playing 'Atomic Dog' outside of that funeral and I hear that beat, I will be in aisle gettin' it. 'Excuse me Pastor!'

A lot of comedians do comedy so that they can have careers in film and television. Do you actually enjoy the grueling life of comedy or are you attempting to transition as well?
I like being on the road because I'm a grimy road kind of dude. I still drive to some of my gigs. If it is within five hours, I will just jump in my truck; load up my iPod, some potato chips, Mountain Dew and some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and just drive. I will think and reflect and listen to my gospel music, my Outkast, my T.I. and just enjoy myself. I've been driving a lot lately, especially since I'm in Atlanta. When I was in Dallas I would have to fly, but if I do a show in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi or Arkansas, I just jump in the car and drive. I have been kind of enjoying being a real comedian again.
Why do you think people find you funny Rickey?

You have to be born to be a comedian. Everybody doesn't have the 'it' factor. I don't know what the 'it' factor is for Rickey Smiley. I know I'm funny, but some people think I'm funnier than what I actually think about myself. I've been funny all of my life, but some people think I'm funny and I don't even have to say anything. Then, I'll say something and they will laugh, but when I say something funny they will fall out crying. I have literally had people taken out of my shows or run out of my shows and I had one lady who actually passed away at one of my shows. The lady straight up died and I noticed that when everybody was leaving there was a couple still sitting there and the next thing you know the paramedics came. This happened in 2003 and I think it was in Cincinnati. They said that the lady had a smile on her face in the casket and her teeth were showing.

We'll have to nickname you the "Killer Comic!" Have they invited you back to that place.

I've been invited back since.
One of the things that has made your radio show so successful is that you've been community oriented. Where did that passion begin?

That's important because you can't laugh people's problems away. People are out here hurting, children are being mistreated, senior citizens are being neglected and people need to register to vote. It's just a lot of things out here that people need to be made aware of. There is some serious domestic violence, breast cancer, prostate cancer, hypertension and all of that stuff. Growing up listening to Tom Joyner, I do recognize that there are some things in the community that we really need to get busy on. In order to get respect from people, you have to have a serious side because there is a difference between a comedian and a clown. I don't laugh and joke all the time, especially when I'm talking about serious issues because you have to establish respect for yourself as a man and they won't if you make people laugh all the time.

How many kids do you have Rickey? I know you've adopted several as well.

I have two biological kids, but in all it's about nine or ten. Some of the mothers are on drugs, parents been killed. I have an apartment in Atlanta, but my home is in Birmingham. They are all in Birmingham so I drive back and forth on the weekend and sometimes during the week. On an average weekend, it's probably nine to fifteen kids in the house. People have to get outside of the box. Your kids might put you in the nursing home. It could be that very one kid that used to come stay over there that lets you stay with him and his wife. You have to sow seeds because that's what you're here for.
It's got to be expensive to raise all of those kids!
I don't own any rims. I don't have a diamond or a piece of gold. I would be filthy rich if I was selfish. I would have a lot of money in the bank if I was selfish. God blessed me because every time I get something, I pay my taxes and tithes and give the rest of it away. I have three jet skis and my wave runners are my life. I love to go in the ocean and ride those waves. I bought them cheap off of Craigslist. Me and the kids find a cheap plane ticket to Fort Lauderdale and we ride wave runners or roller coasters. Everything that I do is for the kids. I don't do nothing for myself. I wear sweat pants and t-shirts everyday. True Religion jeans and these shirts and stuff I call costumes, because this isn't how I dress.
You're radio show has nearly 40 markets and continues to grow. Why do you think people are gravitating to your radio show.
I just try to work hard and everybody doesn't appreciate it. You can go out here and help people and give somebody a piece of bread and they complain that they don't like wheat bread. They would rather have white bread. You can have a radio show and be the ongoing joke on the golf course that Rickey Smiley is considered crazy because he doesn't let people push him around because I have an opinion. I would never let any company in radio water me down to be a radio personality and take away my star status because then they own you and you have nothing. This radio game is tough and cut throat. I had to get that off my chest. I do stand-up comedy and I do movies. I do radio because I want to, not because I have to.
'Stomp The Yard 2: The Homecoming' opens in theaters this fall.