Hip-Hop Community continuing to go at the Drug Laws in NY

Hip-Hop Community continuing to go at the Rockefeller Drug Laws in NY Written by Jesse MuhammadRussell Simmons and Dr. Benjamin Chavis of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network hosted a live blog discussion today on GlobalGrind.com centered on the continued pressure being applied by the hip -op community to do away with the Rockefeller Drug Laws in NY."After nearly four decades, it looks like the Rockefeller Drug Laws may finally be on their way out", said Simmons. "The New York State Assembly recently passed legislation—A.6085 —to significantly reform the failed laws. Now it is up to all of us to make sure that this bill gets to the Governor’s desk without being weakened, so he can sign it into law. It is the time to put to bed the Rockefeller Drug Laws once and for all."Simmons further notes that there are approximately 12,000 people in New York prisons under the Rockefeller Drug Laws, more than 90 percent of whom are Black and Latino. "There is no excuse for this disparity--whites and people of color use and sell illegal drugs at approximately equal rates.""Why are so many people in prison for drug offenses? Because we continue to treat drug addiction as a criminal issue instead of the public health problem that it is. Nationwide, over 500,000 people are incarcerated on drug offenses, more than any other industrialized nation", he said.Dr. Ben says, "Laws like the Rockefeller Drug Laws make criminals of people who are not criminals and then their families and communities are put into greater jeopardy. In other words the injustices of the Rockefeller Drug Laws spread more injustices for the unjustly incarcerated and their family members who also have been victimized."What about about our responsibility as community?"When it comes to this law, we need to make the change now. And when the change happens, the next step is expanding education, treatment and job training opportunities in communities struggling with drug addiction and poverty", added Simmons. "However, we must look not just at the after effects...we have to re-invest in our communities..in education..in businesses...in after school programs...and definitely prevention."Click and read the full dialogue at: BACK OFF OF OPPOSING ROCKEFELLER DRUG LAW

Snoop Dogg appears at Nation of Islam convention, praises Minister Louis Farrakhan

Snoop Dogg appears at Nation of Islam convention, praises Minister Louis Farrakhan By SOPHIA TAREEN Associated Press Mar 1, 09 10:20 PM CST in Arts & LivingRapper Snoop Dogg made an appearance Sunday at the Nation of Islam's annual Saviours Day convention, praising Minister Louis Farrakhan and suggesting that he is a member of the movement.Dr. Ron Daniels, left, smiles as Rapper Snoop Dogg is introduced by Minister Ishmael Muhammad before addressing the Saviours' Day Convention in Rosemont, Ill., Sunday, March 1, 2009. Saviours' Day is... (Associated Press)Rapper Snoop Dogg, right, hugs Minister Louis Farrakhan at the Saviours' Day Convention in Rosemont, Ill., Sunday, March 1, 2009. Saviours' Day is the Nation of Islam's annual commemoration of the birth... (Associated Press)Rapper Snoop Dogg addresses the Saviours' Day Convention in Rosemont, Ill., Sunday, March 1, 2009. Saviours' Day is the Nation of Islam's annual commemoration of the birth of Master Fard Muhammad, the... (Associated Press)Rapper Snoop Dogg, left, greets Minister Louis Farrakhan at the Saviours' Day Convention in Rosemont, Ill., Sunday, March 1, 2009. Saviours' Day is the Nation of Islam's annual commemoration of the birth... (Associated Press)Rapper Snoop Dogg, left, is greeted by Minister Ishmael Muhammad before addressing the Saviours' Day Convention in Rosemont, Ill., Sunday, March 1, 2009. Saviours' Day is the Nation of Islam's annual... (Associated Press) (1 of 5)« Prev« Prev Next »Next » SlideshowAds by GoogleSnoop Dogg - QuizTake Snoop Dogg's Quiz! What do you really know about Snoop Dogg?QuizRiddles.comSnoop Dogg DoggystyleGreat Deals! Thousands of Stores Buy Smart and Save with Confidenceshopping.yahoo.comSnoop DoggCheck To See Where Snoop Ranks On Celebrity xRank!xRank.live.com/Snoop_DoggGoverment Stimulus GrantsThe $800 Billion Dollar Stimulus Grants are on its way.Get Yours NowGovernmentGrantsForAmericans.orgSnoop, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, gave a $1,000 donation to the Nation and said he will always seek the minister out.The rapper called himself the "leader of the hip-hop community" and said it was his first Saviours Day event. He told followers that he would share the information he gathered with other musicians."When you get a speech from Minister Farrakhan it's about a mirror, it's about looking at yourself," the rapper later told The Associated Press. "It's about seeing yourself and what you can do to better the situation ... We're doing a lot of wrongs among ourselves that need correcting."When asked by the AP if he planned to convert and become a member of the Chicago-based Nation of Islam, Snoop said he has already joined in the movement."I'm already in the Nation, that's why I'm here," he said. "I'm an advocate for peace. I've been in the peace movement ever since I've been making music. My whole thing is not about really trying to push my thing on you. It's just about the way I live, and I live how I'm supposed to live as far as doing what's right and representing what's right. That's why I was here today."The rapper did not elaborate on when he'd joined the Nation. Messages left for Nation of Islam officials were not immediately returned Sunday. Attempts to reach the rapper's publicist were unsuccessful.During the speech Sunday, Snoop sat on stage behind Farrakhan clapping and nodding.Snoop declined to say how long he would be in the Chicago area or whether he was working on any projects. His last album, "Ego Trippin,'" was released in March 2008.Farrakhan has long held relationships with famous rappers and hip-hop artists. He has hosted and spoken at hip-hop conventions, encouraging peace between rappers.Rapper Doug E. Fresh also attended the convention but didn't speak publicly. Rapper T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, appeared via recorded video. He told followers that education is the key to success.