For His Generation, "the Movement" Was Part of His DNA
For His Generation, "the Movement" Was Part of His DNA
![](http://mije.org//sites/default/files/imagecache/full_column/u1488/la-et-mn-straight-outta-compton-named-top-film-001.jpg ""Straight Outta Compton" triumphed in a year that gave voice to marginalized and underserved communities, the African American Film Critics Association said. (Credit; Jaimie Trublood)")
Black Film Critics Group Picks "Straight Outta Compton"
"Straight Outta Compton," the box office hit about the influential '90s rap group N.W.A, was selected best picture of the year Monday by the African American Film Critics Assn.,"Susan King reported for the Los Angeles Times.
"The F. Gary Gray-directed film also won for ensemble and supporting actor for Jason Mitchell.
"'Creed' also won three AAFCA awards Monday. Ryan Coogler, who earned the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn.'s New Generation Award on Sunday, received the director award, Michael B. Jordan won for breakout performance, and Tessa Thompson earned supporting actress honors.
"Will Smith received the lead actor award from the critics group for 'Concussion,' and Teyonah Parris was named best lead actress for Spike Lee's'Chi-Raq.'
"Screenplay honors went to Rick Fumuyiwa for 'Dope.''Chi-Raq' received the award for independent film. 'The Peanuts Movie' won animated film, and 'A Ballerina's Tale' earned documentary honors.
"'See You Again' from 'Furious 7' won for song.
"'Our members found an interesting theme in many of the films released this year, giving a voice to communities who have generally been underserved and marginalized in society,' said AAFCA president Gil Robertson in a statement Monday. . . ."
When the National Guard Chaperoned the Street Dance
"When Jamar Clark was fatally shot by Minneapolis police in November, the incident touched off nearly three weeks of protests — including a freeway shut-down, a weekslong vigil outside the 4th Precinct police station and multiple rallies at city hall,"Brandt Williams and Meg Martin reported Friday for Minnesota Public Radio.
The unrest prompted MPR and the Minneapolis Star Tribune to reach into their photo archives to remind listeners and readers of the history of Plymouth Avenue, a focal point in the area. The Star Tribune ran an online photo gallery.
"I've been here 'a long time' (40 years) and remembered that even before I started there had been major disturbances along Plymouth Av, and thought it would be informative to give the current 'camp-in' at the 4th Precinct some historical context,"Tom Sweeney, Star Tribune features photo editor, messaged Journal-isms.
The photo above, by Charles Bjorgen of the Star Tribune, taken on July 22, 1967, shows a dance.
The caption reads, "They were chaperoned by parents and National Guardsmen. About 150 Negro . . . teen-agers were amiably frugging on Plymouth Av. early Saturday morning at the same spot where a woman was shot 24 hours earlier. The street dance, organized by The Way Community Center at 1913 Plymouth, looked about the same as any other teen party except for one thing: It was chaperoned by Minnesota National Guardsmen carrying M1 rifles with fixed bayonets. The incongruity of the dance scene was one of several contrasts noticeable along the street which had been a battleground for Negroes and police a night earlier. . . ."