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Kizzy Cox

Kizzy Cox

On The Carpet: Mainstream Media's Coverage of Terror Attacks

VIDEO DISCUSSION: Is mainstream media biased in its coverage of terror attacks in non-white countries?

I, like many people around the world was appalled and saddened by the senseless terrorist attacks that injured hundreds and killed 129 people in Paris. ISIS like Al Qaeda before is a terrible scourge and threatens freedom in many parts of the world. In light of that, I thought the wall-to-wall coverage the attacks received was appropriate and warranted. BUT, it bothers me that the same attention is not brought to terrorist acts that happen when the victims are black and brown and are in locations outside of the Western world. When terrorists killed a few dozen people in Paris who worked at Charlie Ebdo earlier this year, it also received extensive coverage, as it should have. However, what about the Kenyan massacre where Al Shabob killed 147 students at a Kenyan University back in April. Where was the extensive coverage? Kenyans are also our allies against terrorism. There is no ongoing Civil War in Kenya, which would make these types of attacks commonplace. The casualties in Kenya were also innocent victims--young college students. And yet, little coverage was given.

Racism works very subtly; so subtly sometimes we don't see it happening, but racism isn't just about what we see it's also about what we don't see. Thousands upon thousands have also been killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Syria is being torn apart by war but those victims are brown and a world away. True we can't always control what images get shown to us or what the media chooses to cover but in the age of social media WE ALL HAVE THE POWER to drive narratives, when we do the media will have no choice but to follow.

 

Filmmaker Spike Lee Receives Honorary Oscar

VIDEO DISCUSSION: In accepting his honorary Oscar, filmmaker Spike Lee has once again put Hollywood on blast

"Everybody in here probably voted for Obama but when I go to offices, I see no black folks except for the brother man at the security who checks my name off the list as I go into the studio," the director said while receiving an honorary Oscar at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' seventh annual Governors Awards. "So we can talk 'yabba yabba yabba' but we need to have some serious discussion about diversity and get some flavor up in this. This industry is so behind sports it's ridiculous.

"It's easier to be the president of the United States as a black person than be the head of a studio," he continued. "Honestly, it's easier to be president of the United States than the head of a studio or head of network."

Lee urged Hollywood executives to take a closer look at the people around them.

Domestic Violence Survivor Melissa Holmes Moving Forward and Helping Others

Melissa Holmes' organization Love Shouldn't Hurt is helping women to love themselves more than the abuser

In this What's The 411TV video, host Kizzy Cox conducts an in-depth interview with Melissa Holmes, Founder, Love Shouldn't Hurt; about her domestic violence experience and what she and her organization are doing to help other women involved in abusive relationships to move forward.

Caribbean Cook-up: Bob Marley Ranks 4th on Forbes List of Dead Artists

VIDEO DISCUSSION: The best-selling Caribbean artist of all time is....the LEGENDARY BOB MARLEY

According to Forbes magazine, Bob Marley made $21 million this year where he ranks 4th as the highest earning dead celebrity and the best-selling Caribbean artist of all time. The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, is #1, his estate made $115 million dollars this year, far more than many living artists! Second is Elvis Presley whose estate made $55 million and 3rd on the list is Charles Shulz, the creator of the Peanuts comic with Snoopy and Charlie Brown. Shulz's estate earned $40 million.

Marley's millions this year have been attributed to 2 business ventures: The Marley Beverage Company, maker of the anti-energy drink, Marley's Mellow Mood, and House of Marley, producer of eco-friendly audio and lifestyle products.

If Marley had lived he would have been 70 years old this year. To celebrate, two new box sets were released recently The Complete Island Recordings: Collector's Edition--they feature 11 albums on vinyl and include all 9 of Bob Marley and the Wailers studio albums on Island Records, they also feature replicas of the original artwork that came with the albums. It's a beautiful collection and a definite must-have! With the holidays coming up it would make a fantastic gift for the Bob Marley fan in your life.

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