Here are the 10 most-read stories of 2020

As the year comes to an end, the Global Black Voice, Face2Face Africa, extends its warmest gratitude to its avid readers and also wishes them a very joyous holiday season.

As an annual ritual and to draw down the curtains, we share with you the ten stories you read the most from the beginning of the year to December. Take a look at them below and make sure you catch up with the ones you may have missed:

California Cop pins unarmed black boy on ground, punches him repeatedly in the chest

A disturbing viral video of a white police officer in Northern California pinning a 14-year-old black boy on the ground, and repeatedly punching him in the chest during an arrest for cigarette possession, has sparked outrage online.

The footage was shared on social media by the boy’s family. It showed the unnamed Rancho Cordova police officer striking the teen repeatedly as he struggles on the ground. The officer at some point pinned the boy on his neck. 

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‘Instead of bashing me, thank me’ – Teen who filmed George Floyd’s death hits out at critics

The 17-year-old girl, who filmed George Floyd’s death in the hands of Minneapolis police, has hit out at critics who said she should have done more to help the victim. Floyd died on Monday after a cop knelt on his neck for several minutes during an arrest, ignoring the victim’s pleas that he could not breathe.

The incident, which was filmed by Darnella Frazier and shared on Facebook, went viral, sparking global outrage in the manner in which Floyd was pinned to the ground. The arresting officers were also condemned for paying no regard to the victim’s pleas as well as concerns raised by onlookers, including Frazier.

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The short life of MC Trouble, the first female rapper signed to Motown Records

Sixty-one years ago when Motown Records was created, it brought forth a unique sound that helped shape American music and history, as it launched the music careers of countless legendary artists. One of the most successful record labels of all time, it nurtured the artistic talents of singers and producers like Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Diana Ross & the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson & the Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, and many others, all of whom have had trailblazing lives and careers to this day.

However, some had their careers cut too short while they were on the verge of success. LaTasha Sheron Rogers, better known as MC Trouble, became Motown Record’s first female rapper around the age of 18 but she passed away too soon by a brain tumor. MC Trouble died in her sleep, suffering an epileptic seizure brought on by complications from a pre-diagnosed brain tumor, according to media reports.

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This deadly 11-year-old boy was murdered by his own gang members in Chicago

In September of 1994, members of the Black Disciples street gang in Chicago decided 11-year-old Robert Sandifer was a little too much even for young men who were putting down rivals, as they would say, on the regular.

Sandifer, who was also called Yummy because he liked cookies, had proven exuberant and conspicuous. The Disciples feared that if they did not rein him in, the prepubescent could become an informant.

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Outrage in Brazil as police kills 14-year-old boy leaving over 70 bullet marks

As the black community in America battles abusive acts of racists coupled with cops shooting them in their homes and even on the streets, the fate of fellow blacks in Brazil is no better.

Even as enraged protesters and police faceoff on the streets of Minneapolis in the wake of the murder of 46-year-old African-American George Floyd on suspicion of committing fraud, 14-year-old boy João Pedro Matos Pinto was on Monday, May 18 shot dead. He was playing with a cousin in his uncle’s house in São Gonçalo, in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, when Civil and Military police supposedly on the heels of drug dealers shot him dead in the stomach.

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The life and suicide of Kalief Browder: A victim of Mike Bloomberg’s stop-and-frisk

Former New York City mayor, Mike Bloomberg has acknowledged the challenges that stem from systemic and institutional structures hindering the welfare of America’s black people.

In a pitch to African-Americans in Tulsa, Oklahoma in late January, the billionaire and White House hopeful explained his understanding of how being white helped his chances of success.

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8-year-old boy denied admission into two schools because of his long natural hair

Several schools have refused to admit an 8-year-old boy because of his hair in the UK, and his mother is on a cause to change those policies inhibiting her son’s education.

Bonnie Miller has been in search for schools her son Farouk James could attend for his secondary education, but two won’t allow him because of his long, thick natural hair.

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‘We’re sleeping outside’ – China evicts Africans from apartments over coronavirus

Chinese officials have started evicting hundreds of African residents and businessmen from hotels and apartments as they are being accused of having the novel coronavirus.

The Africans say they are just being targeted under the guise of a testing campaign for the global pandemic also known as COVID-19. Some of them alleged that they have been placed under forced quarantine without being told about the results of their tests.

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Touching photos from Chadwick Boseman’s memorial attended by Black Panther stars, family

A week after the death of Chadwick Boseman, his friends and family gathered in Malibu, Calif., for a small memorial service. His co-stars from Black Panther including Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke attended the ceremony, according to photos obtained by The Sun.

Boseman’s wife Taylor Simone Ledward also joined the stars to say their final goodbyes to her late husband who died of colon cancer at 43. Boseman’s medical condition was not publicly known. A statement says he was first diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016 and filmed many movies “during and between countless surgeries and chemotherapy.”

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We want sex – Kenya female prisoners beg officials

Sex starved female prisoners in Kenya are pleading with authorities to implement new laws that will allow them to have sexual intimacy with their spouses when they visit.

Sofia Swaleh who is serving a life sentence, speaking on behalf of her inmates said the time given to their visiting spouses and relatives is too short and does not give room for intimacy.

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