In Bed-Stuy News This Past Week

Here's a chance to catch up on all the news highlights you may have missed throughout the week. To follow is a quick recap of what made the headlines on Bed-Stuy Patch. Even if you recognize some of the stories, feel free to review and share your feedback.

1.    Our regular "5 Things You Should Know" column this week celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Martin Luther King played a significant role in ushering in a new era for America-- one that has opened the doors to equal opportunity, not only for blacks in America, but for every other immigrant race, ethnicity and nationality that has come to America's shores. Click here to learn something you might not have known about the man, the leader and the icon who stood for social justice through non-violent measures.

2.     Antione Slaughter was named MVP this week at the 10th Anniversary of the 2011 Spalding Hoophall Classic, a nationally televised invitational of the nation's top high school talent. Boys and Girls High School beat Academy of the New Church, PA. Courtney Sacco took some awesome photographs to chronicle the game, from beginning to end.

3.     Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, Haiti’s exiled dictator who made an unexpected return to his home country on Sunday, was arrested this week for widespread abuses, including corruption, theft, misappropriation of funds and other crimes. While many Haitians welcomed his return, harkening a time when order existed in Haiti, Haitian-Americans in Brooklyn – a borough that boasts the largest Haitian population outside of Haiti – were angered and confused by his sudden arrival and were happy to hear of his arrest. Read the full story here.

4.     Given a chance to speak for the first time, Brooklynites had harsh words for Mayor Bloomberg's response to the Dec. 26 snowstorm. This past Thursday was the snow hearing for Brooklyn residents, as dozens of people gave a personal account of how last month’s blizzard — and the city’s widely criticized response — affected them. Click here to read some of the testimonials.

5.     Bedford-Stuyvesant has an uncanny ability to produce great emcees. Rising star Spec Boogie may be its next big protégé. With the recent release of his dynamic and thoughtful new album, "Introspective Boogie," spec has performed onstage with legendary emcees such as KRS-One and Pete Rock. Spec Boogie chafes at being called a “conscious rapper,” despite the fact that his lyrics often address themes that speak to raising the consciousness of the every day man. Read about his journey here.