As we previously reported, the Illmatic one, Nas, was set to be honored by the esteemed Harvard University as the latest recipient of the W.E.B. DuBois Medal, and the ceremony went down last night. The accolade is the highest honor in the field of African and African-American Studies at the university, and is awarded to those who have made “contributions to African-American culture and the life of the mind.” Nas is the first ever in the hip-hop world to receive the honor, while past recipients include Muhammad Ali, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Charlayne Hunter-Gault (the first black woman to enroll in the University of Georgia) and more. “Historic night for the rap game. At the Hutchins Center Honors for the W. E. B. Du Bois Medal ceremony,” Nas said on Instagram. “This is a first for the Rap Game to receive this award but, definitely not the last. Thank you. #HarvardHistory.” With music with a message, a scholarship fund (the Nasir Jones Fellowship) and a continued impact on the world, I think Escobar was more than deserving. Congrats! Check out more pics from the night in the gallery.
Nas To Be Honored With The Harvard University 2015 W.E.B. Du Bois Medal
UPDATE: Nas, along with many other recipients, received their their metals. Check the gallery at the top. ORIGINAL: Nasir “Nas” Jones is more than just a dope lyricist. Throughout his musical career, the 42-year-old artist has also been an advocate for African Americans and the civil rights movement; an advocacy that is being recognized by Harvard University. Today, Sept. 30th, the Ivy League university will honor Nas with the 2015 W.E.B. Du Bois Medal, an honor “awarded to individuals in the U.S. and across the globe in recognition of their contributions to African American culture and the life of the mind,” according to the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute. Find out more after the jump.
(Video) Obama Set To Commute Dozens Of Nonviolent Drug Sentences
White House aides are reporting President Barrack Obama is set to commute the sentences of dozens of nonviolent federal drug offenders in the coming weeks. This would be an impactful event as there is a preponderance of nonviolent offenders to violent offenders caught up in the penal system.
(Video) Federal Charges Against Ole Miss Student For Noose Put On Black Statue
More news in the “the more things change, the more they stay the same” category: The Justice Department is bringing down Federal Charges Against Ole Miss Student For Noose Put On Black Statue–which they conclude was done to intimidate African American students and faculty. The James Meredith statue was found with a noose around its neck and a Confederate flag on its back…
(Video) Melissa Harris Perry: I Hope Trayvon Whooped the Sh*t Out of Zimmerman
While mourning of the 3-year anniversary of Trayvon’s death gets carried out in different ways, some are choosing to keep a full court press on the man acquitted of all charges as a result. Going on the offensive Melissa Harris Perry: I Hope Trayvon Whooped the Sh*t Out of Zimmerman is an actual quote from her speech at Cornell University earlier this week.
