Atlanta Daily World

Cynthia McKinney Autobiography Details Congress Challenges

Former U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.) has written an autobiography titled "Ain't Nothing Like Freedom" that is now available from Clarity Press, and in e-book format on Amazon.com.

The book is described by Amazon.com as follows:

"Detailing her six terms in the House of Representatives, this memoir by the United States congresswoman for Georgia's fourth district reveals the woman behind the engaging political career. Best known for her vote in Congress against the Iraq war, a stance which she has continued to hold, she has also stirred controversy over legislation to dismantle corruption in Washington and elsewhere.

Describing the personal history that has informed her convictions, the congresswoman points to her pioneering parents, her own pursuit of the best possible education, her experiences as a community organizer, and her juggling act as a mother and a working woman."

McKinney writes about her work on redistricting while in the Georgia Legislature; her lesser known work on human rights and international relations issues, especially involving Africa, while in U.S. Congress, her work assisting constituents with cases involving the federal government, and on a wide variety of issues of federal policy.

The stories attempt to illustrate the machinations of a system that she believes seems to be stacked against progressive change and potential agents of such change.

For example, McKinney writes about the rules of the U.S. Congress -- how seniority is allocated, how decisions are made regarding what Congressional hearings will be held, who gets to invite witnesses or ask questions at these hearings, what bills come up for a vote -- that constrain what a lone progressive member of Congress can accomplish beyond simply their roll call vote.

She also writes about the tricks "the powers that be" use to dodge Congressional oversight, and how she responded: by being so well-prepared, she writes, that her questions would be framed well enough not to be evaded.

The book includes pages of photographs, letters, and other archival materials, as well as excerpted speeches, in addition to narrative text.

McKinney writes that she is still hoping to write her dissertation and complete her Ph.D. and that she continues to look for ways to be involved in the struggle for social justice. Her son, Coy McKinney, recently received his J.D. from the University of the District of Columbia.

So So Def and Family Release Statement on Death of Chris Kelly of Kris Kross

The family of Chris Kelly released this statement about his death. Kelly was one-half of the 1990s rap duo Kris Kross and he died Wednesday.

The statement reads:

"It is with deep sadness that we announce that our beloved Chris Kelly has passed away on May 1. To millions of fans worldwide, he was the trendsetting, backwards pants-wearing one-half of Kris Kross who loved making music. But to us, he was just Chris -- the kind, generous and fun-loving life of the party. Though he was only with us a short time, we feel blessed to have been able to share some incredible moments with him. His legacy will live on through his music, and we will forever love him. -- Donna Kelly Pratte (mother) & The So So Def Family"

Chris Kelly, one-half of the 1990s rap duo Kris Kross, died Wednesday at an Atlanta hospital after he was found unresponsive at his home. He was 34.

How Kelly died isn't known, and the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office said an autopsy is planned for Thursday.

Kelly, together with Chris Smith, shot to stardom in 1992 with "Jump," which spent eight weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100.

The duo opened for Michael Jackson that year on his Dangerous World Tour.

And their penchant for wearing their clothes backward was, at least for a time, widely emulated.

"I'm wearing my clothes to work backwards tomorrow," Michael Skolnik, editor in chief of the hip hop site Global Grind said, when he learned of the death.

Leslie Tookes, a CNN project coordinator, lived next door to Kelly. Like others, she too was saddened by his untimely death.

"We often heard him playing classical music and the piano," Tookes said. "He was a low-key type of person who was very talented and courteous, friendly and wonderful to our 5-year-old twins.

"Indeed, gone too soon."

His family also mentioned the notable wardrobe adjustment in a statement mourning Kelly's passing.

"To millions of fans worldwide, he was the trendsetting, backwards pants-wearing one-half of Kris Kross who loved making music. But to us, he was just Chris -- the kind, generous and fun-loving life of the party," Kelly's family said in a statement.

Discovered at a mall

Kelly and Smith were 13-year-olds when they were discovered in 1991 at an Atlanta mall by producer Jermaine Dupri.

Going by the stage name Mac Daddy (with Smith known as Daddy Mac), the pair followed up their smash "Jump" with the single "Warm It Up."

Together, the songs pushed their debut album, "Totally Krossed Out," to multiplatinum status.

Next came 1993's "Da Bomb."

But the album failed to find the following of the duo's debut, in large part because the boys had hit puberty and they were marketed with a tougher image.

Their career never again reached the heights of their debut, but they continued to make music.

In 1996, the duo released the album "Young, Rich and Dangerous."

The pair reunited for one night in February for a 20th anniversary party for Dupri's So So Def label.

Rapper Da Brat, who also performed that night, wrote about Kelly's death, "REST IN PEACE TO MY LIL BRO CHRIS KELLY OF KRIS KROSS. Dam wasn't we JUST at rehearsal and doin a So So Def20 show?"

CNN's Ed Payne, Chelsea Carter and Tresha Lindo contributed to this report.

Fiesta Atlanta at Centennial Park on Cinco de Mayo

Atlanta will pulse to a Latin beat this weekend for Fiesta Atlanta, a Cinco de Mayo explosion which celebrates the culture, achievements and experiences of people with a Mexican background, who live in the United States.
The event, which officially commemorates the anniversary of an early victory by Mexican forces over French forces in the Battle of Pubela on May 5, 1862, has morphed in the U.S. into an opportunity to promote Mexican services and goods, including food, drinks and music.
Centered at Centennial Olympic Park, the 7th annual Fiesta Atlanta will feature international, national and local recording artists, mariachi music and Mexican folk dancing on two stages;
a morning 5K Run/Walk; youth soccer clinics and sponsor displays with free product samples, arts and crafts and authentic international foods.
For more information on the family friendly day-long event, visit www.fiestaatlanta.com.

Chris Kelly, of Legendary '90s Rap Duo Kris Kross, Found Dead in Atlanta at 34