Good morning! Don’t forget your umbrella. The weatherman is calling for scattered thunderstorms, especially this afternoon. Today’s forecast is hot and humid with a high near 95°.

Did you know that on this day in 1967, the first Black Power Conference began in Newark, New Jersey? Over 1,000 people assembled for three days to discuss the most pressing issues facing African Americans and to develop resolutions. Which civil rights leader is credited with coining the term “Black Power” and defining it as “a call for black people of this country to unite, to recognize their heritage to build a sense of community?” Click here for the answer.

Here’s what’s brewing in the news this morning:

Phillip Agnew: “Pull me aside and help me out”

Phillip Agnew believes he was a victim of racial discrimination, but many African Americans in the Qcity disagree. On June 2, Agnew was arrested at the EpiCentre after he refused a security officer’s request to turn his hat around to comply with the dress code.

Agnew believes he was carted off to jail that night because he is black, but many people are not convinced the arrest was racially motivated. Some say his arrest was brought on by his own actions; he chose to be defiant and had to pay the consequences.

Many of our Qcitymetro.com readers had little to no sympathy for Agnew. One reader commented, “Had he handled himself differently I'm sure he'd have a lot more support.”

Others called Agnew’s character, intelligence and maturity level into question. “Get over it and grow up,” one reader commented. Another said Agnew was acting like an “overgrown brat” and a “spoiled child” instead of grown man.

Another reader called an article about Agnew “a waste of reading space.”

Agnew told Qcitymetro.com that initially he was upset by some of the comments that had been written about him. Now, he no longer reads them. “I just don’t focus on those people,” he said. “If you read that stuff too much, you can lose some sleep. I would kind of be down on myself.”

As for those who doubt he was discriminated against, this is what he had to say.

I think that anyone who criticizes someone who has taken a stand on an issue that affects not only myself, but a great deal of people… does a disservice to the number of supporters we’ve gotten who understand that it wasn’t really about dress codes… It was the latest in a pattern of discrimination against African Americans, and most notably African-American males at those venues… I respect their perspective, but I think the numbers don’t lie - the numbers of supporters that we’ve had and the level of support that we’ve had from people who understand what the issue is. I challenge people not to miss the forest for the trees because they refuse to see the big picture and they want to absolve themselves from this issue by not agreeing with my personal case or my personal grievance.

Agnew is inviting both his critics and supporters to participate in brainstorming solutions to combat racism in uptown Charlotte at a meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Red at 28th in the NoDa district.

“Come to the meeting and talk to me. Pull me aside and help me out, if you feel like I’m doing it the wrong way,” he said.

Question: Do you believe Agnew’s arrest was racially motivated or do you think he is the one that was out of line?

Related Articles:

• Man Arrested at EpiCentre denied public defender
• EpiCentre officials are hurt by their own silence
• Phillip Agnew talks about his arrest at the EpiCentre
• Speaking out against discrimination in Uptown Charlotte 

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Breast milk baby doll

A baby doll that your baby girl can hold up to her chest or to her pretend chest and play like she’s breast feeding is debuting in the U.S. The makers of “Breast Milk Baby” say the doll allows little mommies in training to experience the “magic of motherhood” and helps them to develop nurturing skills. Critics are outraged, saying the doll is not age appropriate and can over-sexualize little girls and encourage them to grow up too quickly. Would you buy one for your daughter? Or son? (Read more here)

*** Do you have something to say? This is your chance to speak out. Leave a comment about what's brewing on your mind this morning.

Got news to share with Qcity readers? Email us at editor@qcitymetro.com.
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