Sat, December 10, 6:30-11pm, 1021 E. Broad St.

(parking on street, in driveway or parking lot in rear)

Join progressive friends for food, drink and great music. Bob Fitrakis will speak  about the recount. 

Free, no RSVP required. 

colsfreepress@gmail.com or 614-253-2571

In the beginning of 2016 I hoped: if we get over this election we will be one step closer to a social evolution. Today, I think. Well. 2017 brings us the dystopian future of 2004.  So forgive me how far this thing goes back.

Benefactor of the Unfortunate Election Columbus Hip Hop Album of the Year

Blueprint – Vigilante Genesis

Did I say 2004?

Well, I’m going to jump to 1988 when Iran-Contra proved the government can wage War on Drugs while selling guns on live television. George Bush Sr. used race-baiting to win the election despite the Iran-Contra hearings existing.

At the same time, Public Enemy’s “It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back” and Boogie Down Productions “By Any Means Necessary” are released.

The impact of the Futuristic Hip Hop P.E. created coupled with BDP’s illustration of how someone could be both a revolutionary, and a graffiti writing BBOY was obviously influential on the work by people like Aesop Rock & Blueprint who rose to fame in the Post-911 era where George Bush JR. lied to us to destabilize Iraq, which created ISIS.

One of the most beautiful holidays I can remember since I became vegan happened in the earlier days of my vegan advocacy. It was 2002, and a non-vegan family I had been recently introduced to, made the most heart-warming and functional suggestion a non-vegan family could possibly make to welcome a vegan into their family. They invited me to share the holidays with them, yet the invitation alone, wasn’t what blew me away. It was the fact that, not only were they curious about veganism, they wanted to know ALL about it. It was also the fact that they asked me to share with them all my favorite vegan holiday recipes, and most amazing, was that they volunteered to get ALL the ingredients necessary, and to all pitch in to make a completely vegan ThanksLiving dinner! It was a fantasy come-true. If that fantasy family does not happen in your life, you can always go to meetup.com (and/or Facebook) and join The Columbus Vegan Meetupgroup and attend one of the many gatherings that are happening in throughout the holiday season.

When it comes to reproductive rights, Amanda Patton isn't one to pussyfoot around. The cat-lover-turned pro-choice activist has made it her mission to raise awareness of the attack on women's rights that is going on in our country today. Patton is the founder of Prochoicecats.com, which advocates for reproductive rights and access. In March, Amanda successfully lobbied Columbus City Council to draft and pass a clinic protection ordinance.

A photo of women being bullied by pro-life protesters outside a Toledo clinic in 2014 was the match that lit the fire. The image prompted Patton and some friends to volunteer at the only remaining independent abortion clinic in Columbus, the Founder's Women's Health Center. There, they escorted frightened women through the gauntlet of hostile zealots. Before long, she left her tech job to take a patient-advocate position at the facility. Seeing firsthand the intimidation endured by women who were exercising their legal right to choose, Amanda became determined to do even more.

Jim Robinson earned a journalism degree from the City University of New York (CUNY) and was later hired by F. & R. Lazarus and Company as Urban Affairs Director and as Assistant to the Vice President of Credit Sales Promotion – winning accolades for innovation in advertising and marketing from his colleagues on Madison Avenue. His journalism career included the development of the Columbus Communicator News, as well as serving as its first Editor in Chief. He has also been a columnist for numerous newspapers over the years, including the Columbus Dispatch, the Call and Post, Columbus Post, and Business First (Columbus), to name a few.

Jim Robinson’s radio career included hosting talk radio on WVKO, a weekly jazz show on WJZA, and voice overs on multiple stations. He is most notably known for his daily segment on WCKX in the 1990’s, “Rich, Black Thought.” He was quite often referred to as “The Voice.” He was instrumental in revitalizing activity around Mt. Vernon Plaza, with promotions of businesses and events at the Focal Point, during the time that the office for James T. Robinson Marketing Services (JTRMS) was located there.