EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — As black business month comes to a close, we are highlighting JMM Fusion Gallery, a place art lovers can go to see wood carvings, pastels, yarn art, jewelry, paintings and more. The unique thing about all of the pieces, no matter the medium, is that they are all made by black artists. It’s the passion project of Kimberly McDaniel, who happens to be an artist in her own right. She’s proud of this tribute to her heritage.
“We see enough despair ad diversity. This is more of a smile,” McDaniel says. “I am aware that African Americans make up 7% of the population and representation is slim to none.” Her goal? To depict art and life of African, Black American, and those who recognize they’re African American in a positive light.
JMM Fusion gallery fills the lower level of an historic home at 2429 Montana. Pieces from Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, the US, and right here in El Paso cover the walls.
For McDaniel, it’s all about family. The gallery is named after and officially owned by her grandbabies: Justice, Mia, and Misa. McDaniels’ father was an artist, and her mother was a musician. McDaniels is both – she plays the flute, and she makes jewelry, which she sells in the gallery. She honors the memories of those who came before her, and relishes this opportunity to remember her culture, while following her passion. She loves sitting quietly, taking in the art. She also loves forging relationships with her customers, with art bringing them together.
“It breaks down a barrier. It makes everyone more comfortable. It’s almost like the family just got huge,” McDaniels says.
Nelly is an American rapper, actor, and entrepreneur with a net worth of $70 million. Bursting onto the scene with the album “Country Grammar” in 2000, the album eventually sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, becoming his best-selling album to date. Featuring hit singles like “Country Grammar (Hot Shit),” “E.I.,” “Batter Up,” and “Ride Wit Me,” it was a massive success.
His second album, “Nellyville” (2002), solidified his status as a hip-hop superstar and included number one hits “Hot in Herre” and “Dilemma” featuring Kelly Rowland, which earned a Grammy Award in 2003. Nelly has released a total of eight studio albums, selling over 21 million records in the United States and 40 million globally, establishing himself as one of the top-selling rap artists.
Aside from music, Nelly has ventured into acting with roles in films like “The Longest Yard” (2005) and “Reach Me” (2014). He is also the founder of the alcohol brand MoShine and established a non-profit organization called Jes Us 4 Jackie, aiming to raise awareness about the necessity for bone marrow donors in the African American community.
Catalog Sale
In July 2023, Nelly sold a 50% ownership stake in his music catalog to a company called HarbourView Equity Partners for $50 million, valuing his catalog at $100 million.
Tax Problems
In August 2016, Nelly faced a federal tax lien for owing $2,412,283 in back taxes and penalties to the IRS, along with approximately $150,000 in state taxes. Although his debts were significant enough for the government to consider seizing assets, they were resolved in due course.
(Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Early Life
Born Cornell Iral Haynes Jr on November 2, 1974, in Austin, Texas, Nelly experienced his father’s Air Force service. After his parents’ divorce at age seven, he relocated to St. Louis, Missouri. As a teenager, he co-founded his first band, the St. Lunatics, achieving local success in 1997 with the single “Gimme What Ya Got.” Subsequently, Nelly embarked on a solo career after the St. Lunatics failed to secure a record deal.
Career
Signing a record contract with Universal Music in 1999, Nelly’s debut album “Country Grammar” emerged in the following year, remaining his top-seller. The album featured hits like “Ride Wit Me” and “Country Grammar,” both climbing the Top 10 charts. His follow-up album, “Nellyville,” released in June 2002, harbored chart-toppers like “Dilemma” and “Hot in Here.” Further releases included “Sweat and Suit” in 2004, “Sweatsuit” in 2005, and the fifth studio album “Brass Knuckles” in September 2008. Nelly continued his musical journey with subsequent albums like “5.0” (2010), “M.O.” (2013), and “Heartland” (2021), featuring collaborations with artists like Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown, and Brett Kissel.
Nelly’s career achievements encompass Grammy Awards in 2003 and 2004, as well as acting roles in films like “The Longest Yard” (2005) and appearances on TV shows such as “CSI: NY” (2008-2009) and “Real Husbands of Hollywood” on BET (2013-2016). Noteworthy ventures include the release of a fitness DVD titled “Celebrity Sweat” in 2010 and the establishment of clothing lines Vokal and Apple Bottoms.
…In 2006, for scholarships, Nelly hosted the White and Black Ball in St. Louis.
The scholarship named after Michael Brown, established by Nelly, who was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 9, 2014.
For the Tackle Hunger campaign sponsored by the nonprofit Do Something, Nelly filmed a public service announcement in 2010, challenging teens to collect one million pounds of food for needy families during the holiday season.
Nelly collaborated with Vatterott College in 2011 to establish the Ex’treme Institute By Nelly, a music production school located in St. Louis.
In a gated community near the Hidden Valley Country Club in the St. Louis suburb of Eureka, Missouri, Nelly paid $1.925 million in 2002 for a partially completed 11,000-square-foot palatial mansion. The property sits on 12 acres and includes a large sports court, basketball court, pool, hot tub, and more. Despite struggling to sell the home for several years, Nelly eventually sold it in October 2021 for $599,000, accepting a substantial loss. Check out this video of the home as it appeared in mid-2021 when it was abandoned and somewhat falling apart:
In 2002, Nelly also acquired a 2,679-square-foot ranch-style lake house, which was showcased on MTV Cribs in 2002. He sold this home in June 2010 for $740,158. Here’s the episode of “Cribs”:
Two African American crackheads have been caught on camera having sex in a public bus video goes viral.
The two are seen in a viral video having their good bed time while in bus with presence of other passengers.
The video has received a lot of criticism from netizens as people are blaming them for doing such unthinkable in public transport that and some are think that these must be crackheads.
Aug 29 2024 (IPS) – CIVICUS discusses recent leadership changes in Vietnam with David Tran, coordinator of the Alliance for Vietnam’s Democracy, a civil society platform that promotes democracy in Vietnam and the region through international cooperation and the strengthening of local civil society.
On 3 August, President Tô Lâm was confirmed as General Secretary of the Communist Party, Vietnam’s top position, following the death of long-serving General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng. Lâm, who has been president since May, is known for leading an aggressive anti-corruption campaign that has seen many officials jailed and others forced to resign. He will continue as president while assuming the duties of general secretary, potentially enabling him to consolidate power ahead of the 2026 party congress, which will choose Vietnam’s top leaders for the next five years. Civil society fears the regime could become even more autocratic and repressive if Lâm retains both positions.
David Tran
What’s Vietnam’s political system like, and what’s the likely impact of the recent leadership change?
Vietnam is an authoritarian one-party state led by the Vietnamese Communist Party (VCP). There are four key positions of authority: the president, who is the ceremonial head of state, the prime minister, who heads the government, the chair of the National Assembly, the unicameral legislature, and the most powerful, the general secretary of the VCP.
Although the president is elected by the National Assembly, this body is overwhelmingly made up of VCP members, who usually approve all incumbents unopposed. On 3 August, following the death of the last VCP general secretary, Nguyễn Phú Trọng, Tô Lâm was confirmed as the new VCP leader.
This appointment is particularly significant because it puts a lot of power in the hands of one person. His dual role gives Tô Lâm considerable influence over the state and party, as well as greater control over the public security apparatus. While he appears set to continue the policies of his predecessor, there are several cracks beneath the surface. His power is likely to be challenged by several VCP members who’ve been forced into retirement by his ‘anticorruption’ campaign, effectively an initiative to eliminate competing factions. We can expect this infighting to continue and intensify.
What does Tô Lâm’s rise mean from a human rights perspective?
Tô Lâm has had a long career, including stints as minister of public security and a member of the politburo. The key role he played in the previous general secretary’s ‘anticorruption’ campaign saw him elected president in May, after his investigations into several high-profile politicians and businesspeople led to the resignation of his predecessor and other top officials.
The accumulation of power in the hands of the architect of a purge is unlikely to lead to improvements in civic space or human rights. Tô Lâm has been closely associated with the worsening human rights situation, as the Formosa and the Trinh Xuan Thanh cases clearly illustrate.
In April 2016, the Formosa company caused an environmental disaster when it discharged heavily polluted waste off Vietnam’s central coast. This caused widespread damage in at least four provinces and sparked protests. Instead of prosecuting Formosa, Tô Lâm, then minister of public security and in charge of the environmental police, suppressed peaceful protests and had 220 people sentenced to a total of 133 years in prison, not including probation after release. He said he was protecting Formosa from what he called ‘hostile forces’ – essentially anyone who criticised the company.
The second case involves Trinh Xuan Thanh, a former vice chair of Hau Giang Province, who fled to Germany in 2016 after being accused of ‘deliberately violating state regulations, causing serious consequences’. He was abducted on German soil by the Vietnamese secret service, which is under the Ministry of Public Security, and returned to Vietnam. Tô Lâm was directly involved in this operation, which Germany condemned as a ‘scandalous violation’ of its sovereignty and a ‘gross breach of international law’.
Given Tô Lâm’s track record, we expect human rights conditions to worsen under his leadership as Vietnam descends into a police state where human rights and the rule of law are ignored. The already limited space for civil society in Vietnam has shrunk under his watch, and we expect this trend to continue.
What are the challenges facing civil society in Vietnam?
Tô Lâm’s rise to power has been marked by his consistent efforts to stifle dissent. Under his leadership, the authorities, particularly the Ministry of Public Security, have increasingly tightened their grip on civil society organisations (CSOs). They have implemented new decrees that overregulate the registration and management of foreign CSOs and applied stricter rules to domestic organisations.
They have also weaponised tax laws and the criminal code to target civil society leaders, charging them with offences such as tax evasion and ‘abuse of democratic freedoms’. This has led to the imprisonment of prominent activists, including environmental and labour rights advocates.
Independent CSOs are subject to strict surveillance, with some being dismantled or forced to reorganise to conform to the authorities. This was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which the authorities used as a pretext to impose further restrictions on civil society under the guise of public health measures.
Despite this repressive environment, some social service CSOs and philanthropic groups continue to operate and strive to make a positive impact. But their independence is severely restricted as they and their activists are constantly targeted.
What international support does Vietnam’s civil society need?
Human rights organisations and international bodies have raised concerns about the shrinking space for civil society in Vietnam. They have called for respect for freedoms of assembly, association and expression and urged the authorities to ease restrictions. While these statements are important, they must be accompanied by trade sanctions and other enforcement mechanisms. Words alone are not enough.
Unfortunately, human rights in Vietnam are also falling victim to geopolitics. As tensions with China escalate, the USA is increasingly seeing Vietnam as a counterweight to China. In this context, human rights and civic space are often sidelined, if not ignored altogether. We believe that a democratic Vietnam would be the best partner and ally in promoting a peaceful, open and stable Indo-Pacific region.
Even if Tô Lâm has a long way to go before he reaches a position comparable to Xi Jinping’s in China, consolidation of power is a general trend we’re seeing among the region’s communist states. Oddly enough, given how these two leaders came to power, it could be a sign that pressure for human rights and civic space, both domestically and internationally, is working. If the authorities feel compelled to respond by consolidating power and positioning figures like Tô Lâm to counter these movements, there is still hope we are on the right track.
Civic space in Vietnam is rated ‘closed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor.
Get in touch with the Alliance for Vietnam’s Democracy through its webpage or Facebook page.
Students and youth groups in Bangladesh stand guard outside temples and churches to protect those from vandalism during unrest after the Awami League government ouster. Credit: Rafiqul Islam/IPS
DHAKA, Aug 28 2024 (IPS) – Immediately after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024, following weeks of deadly demonstrations staged by students, people carried out attacks on the houses and temples of the Hindu community in Dacope of Khulna, about 225 kilometres from Dhaka. They particularly attacked and vandalized the houses of minorities believed to be involved in the politics of the ousted Awami League government.
At least 11 Hindu houses in Dacope were attacked and vandalized, with attackers claiming these were acts of political revenge.
But, in Dacope, local Muslim and Hindu students and the community soon joined together to guard the houses and temples of the minorities so that they would no longer be victimized due to the political changeover.
Beginning in mid-June 2024, peaceful student protests in Bangladesh turned violent, resulting in hundreds of people killed, including at least 32 children, and thousands injured. The protests were the result of the reinstatement of a quota system for the distribution of civil service positions.
The government resigned in response to the protests, and a civilian interim government took its place.
In other areas too, attacks were carried out on the offices of the Awami League (AL) and residences and establishments of the AL leaders and temples, churches and houses of minority communities across Bangladesh during unrest.
Nur Nabin Robin, a resident of Chattogram City, said many people from minority communities, including Hindus, Buddhist and ethnic people, live in the port city in harmony.
But when the Sheikh Hasina government fell on August 5, people of the minority communities began to feel insecure in Chattogram since attacks on minorities were reportedly being carried out in different parts of the country, he said.
“So, we patrolled in the city for two to three nights in groups and guarded the temples and houses of the minorities so that none could attack them. We also asked them to call us via mobile phone if they can sense any clue of attack on them,” Robin told IPS.
Their concerns were exacerbated because most police stations across the country ceased operating after the fall of the previous government.
General students and even madrasa students came forward to protect the houses and places of worship as the leaders of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement asked supporters to guard temples and churches, responding to concerns voiced over reports of attacks on minority groups.
Jasim Uddin, a resident of Kuliarchar in Kishoreganj, told IPS that after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, mobs torched and vandalized houses of many AL leaders in his locality, but members of the Hindu community remained safe during the political turmoil as local people voluntarily safeguarded their temples and properties.
While national monuments and government buildings in the capital, Dhaka, were looted, there were no reports of attacks on temples or churches there during the recent political turmoil.
In Dhaka, Muslim students were found guarding the Dhakeshwari National Temple, a Hindu place of worship. A Muslim was spotted offering prayers in front of Dhakeswari temple so nobody would attack the temple.
Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser to the interim government of Bangladesh, visited Dhakeshwari National Temple on August 13, 2024, to express his solidarity with the Hindu community. During his visit, he called upon the minorities to keep patience and remain united.
Yunus condemned the attacks on minority communities in the country as “heinous.”
Religious harmony is the long tradition of Banglalees, while people from different religions—Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian—have been living together from generation to generation.
“Over 90 percent people in Bangladesh do not believe in communalism. Attacks were carried out on minorities due to political reason or gaining personal interest. Those who carried out looting and vandalism were not involved in the student movement,” adviser to interim government Syeda Rizwana Hasan told a function recently in Dhaka.
She said madrasa students had safeguarded temples in many places of Bangladesh, which showed an example of the country’s religious harmony.
Barrister Sara Hossain, the honorary executive director of the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), said once miscreants carry out any attack on minorities, all should protect them.
CONCERN REMAINS
Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, there was chaos across the country, with law enforcement officials retreating in many places for fear of retaliation.
According to a report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) of the United Nations released on August 16, 2024, attacks were conducted against minorities, including Hindus, especially in the days immediately after the change of government.
The OHCHR report recognized the role of the student organizations and other ordinary people who were forming groups to protect the minorities.
It details some of the attacks against minorities, including Hindus, especially in the days immediately after the change of government. On August 5 and 6, Hindu houses and properties were reportedly attacked, vandalized and looted in 27 districts. A number of places of worship were also damaged, including an ISKCON temple in Meherpur, Khulna division, which was vandalized and set on fire.
On August 5 and 6, Hindu houses and properties were reportedly attacked, vandalized and looted in 27 districts, while many temples were also damaged, including an ISKCON temple in Meherpur, Khulna division, which was vandalized and set on fire.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) claimed that around 200-300 Hindu homes and businesses were vandalized since August 5 last while 15-20 Hindu temples were damaged.
UN agencies are working together to integrate traditional knowledge with modern technology, optimizing water use for agriculture. Credit: FAO Iraq
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug 28 2024 (IPS) – Climate change and water scarcity pose significant threats to Iraq’s stability, prosperity, and the well-being of its people. The environmental challenges facing the nation are complex and interconnected, requiring a comprehensive and coordinated response.
In Iraq, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), under my leadership, has been at the forefront of addressing these critical issues, working tirelessly to build a more sustainable and resilient future for all Iraqis.
Through the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), we aim to leverage the diverse expertise and resources of different UN agencies, fostering a coordinated and integrated approach to development challenges.
Through this collaborative model, we can maximize our impact and deliver holistic solutions to tackle the interconnected web of factors that contribute to climate change and water scarcity.
This includes not only mitigating the immediate effects of these environmental threats but also addressing their underlying causes, such as unsustainable water management practices and overreliance on fossil fuels.
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Iraq Ghulam Isaczai visiting a water project site. Credit: UN in Iraq
The UN in Iraq has made a lasting impact in Iraq through a number of key initiatives. These include:
1) Forging climate resilience
Iraq is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including rising temperatures, droughts, and desertification severely impacting agricultural productivity and social stability. To address this, the UNCT, in cooperation with the Iraqi Government, organized Iraq’s first Climate Conference in Basra in 2023. This event resulted in the “Basra Declaration” with key government commitments and initiatives like an afforestation campaign, aimed at enhancing Iraq’s climate resilience.
These efforts led to increased national and international awareness and cooperation on climate issues, establishing a framework for future environmental and policy planning, including the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
The Basra Declaration aims at strengthening Iraq’s institutional, technical, and financial capacities to tackle climate change by mainstreaming medium- to long-term adaptation strategies into national and local planning.
2) Advancing water security
Iraq suffers from a critical water crisis due to reduced rainfall and over-utilization of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. These challenges are exacerbated by inefficient water management and agricultural practices.
Last year, Iraq was the first country in the Middle East to join the UN Water Convention, underscoring the country’s commitment to boosting regional cooperation and ensuring equitable water use, essential for the stability and prosperity of the region.
In alignment with these national objectives, the RCO is leading a ‘Water Task Force’ that brings together UN agencies in Iraq to enhance water governance, boost agricultural resilience, and improve sustainable water usage.
For instance, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are working together to integrate traditional knowledge with modern technology, optimizing water use for agriculture—an essential step for bolstering Iraq’s food security.
Meanwhile in the Sinjar district, a United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) initiative, funded by the Italian government is transforming local water access, in-line with the need to ensuring safe water for all Iraqis. Similarly, in Ninewa Governorate, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) installed water desalination systems in seven villages, significantly improving living conditions.
3) Preserving the Mesopotamian Marshes
The Mesopotamian Marshes, a unique ecosystem and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are threatened by climate change, pollution, and unsustainable water management practices, leading to severe ecological and human impacts.
The RCO coordinated efforts across UN agencies to conserve the marshes by developing environmental strategies, supporting afforestation projects and facilitating community-based adaptation plans to improve the livelihoods of local communities.
For example, the World Food Programme (WFP) is undertaking afforestation projects in both southern Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, aligning with the government objective of planting five million trees by 2029. These efforts are directly contributing to the national climate change strategy through the Local Adaptation Plan, focusing on areas most impacted by climate change.
Furthermore, the UN has led legislative advancements in natural resource management, including the adoption of the Environmental Strategy and the National Sustainable Land Management Strategy and Action Plan, which are crucial for agriculture and marshland conservation.
These initiatives have helped restore ecological balance, supported local livelihoods, and bolstered the marshlands’ resilience to environmental pressures, thereby securing their status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4) Developing renewable energy policies
Iraq’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels not only constrains its economic stability but also contributes to substantial greenhouse gas emissions. The country has significant potential for renewable energy development but faces challenges in attracting investment and developing necessary infrastructure.
To address this gap, the UN facilitated the revision and adoption of Iraq’s Renewable Energy Law, a pivotal move towards boosting renewable energy investment and development. The revised Renewable Energy Law has created a more favourable environment for renewable energy investment.
Similarly, an initiative by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting Iraq’s shift away from oil-dependence, through the NAP – which outlines efforts to reduce emissions and prepare for the effects of climate change. The UN is also assisting Iraq develop its NDCs for 2025, which is the country’s commitment to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change as part of the Paris Agreement.
These efforts have opened avenues for increased investment in renewable energy, promoting sustainable economic growth and reducing the country’s carbon footprint.
A sustainable and resilient future for Iraq
The collective work of the UN in Iraq has set the country on a promising trajectory towards climate sustainability and resilience. Our upcoming United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for 2025-2029 will outline our efforts to help Iraq mitigate and adapt to climate change, manage water resources sustainably, and protect its unique environmental and cultural heritage.
As we look to the future, the UN in Iraq remains committed to supporting the government and people of Iraq in their pursuit of a sustainable and resilient future.
Ghulam Isaczai is United Nations Resident Coordinator in Iraq. To learn more about the work of the UN in Iraq visit iraq.un.org.
