by A.man.I

Georgia’s AME Bishop, William Deveaux released a statement regarding the so-called controvery surrounding Senator Obama’s former Reverand Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. His sermons are on YouTube and all in the mainstream now.

I understand why Rev. Wright’s words have stirred the pot, but you have to take them in context. He seems to be speaking to lager political, social, and economic issues rather than simply cursing America.

If Rev. Wright committed an illegal act, I think there would be more reason to frown. He has the right to speak his mind. That’s what America is about. I think more journalists need to be questioning the government’s actions.

From press release dated March 19, 2008 [EReporterATL]

Bishop William Deveaux, Sixth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

We repudiate the irresponsible and shameful behavior of the national media for replaying and sensationalizing Rev. Wright’s words out of context simply to accommodate a salacious sound-bite. Quite frankly African Americans articulate and use language differently than whites by juxtaposing words to paint indelible psychological pictures. For example, in the overplayed sound-byte Rev. Wright was not cursing America or its people. Rather he was pointing out historical and modern day incidents of racial intolerance or violence that were both heinous and damnable.

by A.man.I

I just joined CNN’s citizen journalism portal iReport. It’s like a YouTube for independent media. There is some talent out there like SamNews. Check out his report on the Atlanta tornado from Vine City.

by A.man.I

A reader asked that I pass along this link to a Cal Perry report from Iraq.

I’m just the messenger.

PEACE!!

by A.man.I

Visual Eye Media is here. I haven’t mentioned my personal venture because everything isn’t exactly in place, but when you’re out there on your own, nothing is ever exactly in place. That’s life.

I’m staying pretty busy, and have a couple of projects underway. You can check out the website www.visualeyemedia.com. I’m trying to start a podcast/blog there, but I can start here.

by A.man.I

I spent last weekend covering the Atlanta tornado(s) with freelance phojournalist Mario Page. Our mission started at around 10:00pm Friday right after the storm hit. We blazed tracks on rainy I-75 and into downtown Atlanta.

We were to meet a CNN crew. As we exited the highway it felt like something was wrong. The power was out, police lights were flashing, and that’s when we started noticing the work of good old mother nature.

We met up with producer Belinda Hernandez and correspondent Veronica De La Cruz at Grady Hospital, but it was pretty quiet. We dropped off De La Cruz and trolled for damage. We also needed to find a location to go live in the morning.

No one slept that night. We found three homes crushed by huge oak trees in Cabbage Town, and decided to set up camp. The neighborhood is in the city, but it has a very rural feel. Three oaks standing side by side were uprooted and blown into three neighboring homes. No one was hurt.

Our first live hit was at 7ish with the Red Cross. After that, CNN Baghdad Bureau Chief Cal Perry and another producer took over. Perry is sharp and smooth. It turns out this is his first on-air job, but that’s a story for another day. I helped them set up the live shots, ran a second bump camera, shot elements for a package, and a look live.

The day turned to night. After we returned to CNN headquarters for a break, we were back in Cabbage Town until about 11pm.

A long day, but everything went smooth, and I made some new friends.

by A.man.I

TheLateControversy posted this video on YouTube. At first the cameraman is a pure a$$. Watch and listen to how he doesn’t let the interviewee even answer one question before he cuts in with another. Then as the kid continues to fire back intelligent responses, and mentions that his father is a pediatrician, it turns into a civil interview. They even dap each other up at the end.

Either way nearly a million people have viewed this clip. Talk about word of mouth, new media style.

by A.man.I

This was reported on days ago, but I never really watched the video. News Channel 7 reporter Charmayne Brown and her photographer were attacked while covering a murder.

From Gawker

The reporter… was thrown down on the ground, punched, and, it appears, strangled a bit. The entire attack was caught on tape by another (white) TV crew on the scene.

According to reports, a truck operator called 9-11, then started rolling. He should have picked up something, then helped the crew.

by A.man.I

Five years ago today, the U.S. invaded Iraq. Too many lives lost, not enough PEACE!!

Check out ThaUrbanPoet’s latest verse “Arabic Name/Basic Fundamentals.”.

ADVISORY -The images are lyrics are hardcore.