There has been a lot of controversy over the CNN "Black in America Series."Tonight, June 25th from 8PM to 10PM EST, Shairis Radio Show (WXDU 88.7FM)will have an on air discussion titled "Should CNN Define Blackness?" and "How do We Define Ourselves?"
The program is hosted by Monica Daye along with her cohosts Sean Ingram and Poetic Mike. Tonight, they will be joined by guest commentator TRUTH Minista Paul Scott of the Messianic Afrikan Nation.
To listen online got to
http://www.wxdu.org/listen/index.html
Call in numbers are:(919) 684-8870 and (919) 684-8871
Friday, July 25, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
TRUTH Minista on in Philly 7/22
I am scheduled to be a guest on 900 AM WURD in Philadelphia 7/22 at 8PM to discuss Hip Hop and Liberation Theology.
Listen Online
http://www.900amwurd.com
Listen Online
http://www.900amwurd.com
Thursday, July 17, 2008
TRUTH Minista on WTVD News 7/16
This is a clip of the report that WTVD, in Durham NC did on my opposition to the "Hip Hop Patriot Act." (Street Gang Suppression Act)
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=6269027#bodyText
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=6269027#bodyText
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Hip Hop Patriot Bill Passes
Looks like the House and Senate have passed the Hip Hop Patriot Act and sent it to Gov. Easley to be signed into law.
I'm not really surprised.
Never under estimate the power of paranoid politicians who prey on the fears of the public during an election year nor the poverty pimps and Hip Hop Hustlers who are lining up to get their grubby hands on some of that 10 million dollars in "prevention money" in order to get new state of the art expresso machines put in their offices.
What is disturbing is the lack of media coverage of opposing voices. If you remember at the beginning of the Iraq War, the left complained about those that were opposed to the "War on Terror" were silenced by media outlets such as Fox News.
With the "War on Gangs" we see the same suppression of opposing ideologies. I guess the new rule of thumb for journalism is why confuse the people with facts ?
Why no discussion of things like constitutional violations and racial profiling? Why not poll the people in the communities most affected as to whether their child's name might be on some mysterious "Gang net" without their knowledge.
I wonder how much hush grant money it took to make the local child advocacy and anti prison groups to look the other way while this bill was being pushed.
For many ordinary citizens, the impact of this act will not hit home until their child is accused of being a gang member because of his style of clothing.
Beware the dawn of the Police State.
Yes, we must fight against death and destruction in the community but to quote the late great Black Panther leader Fred Hampton Sr. who was murdered courtesy of COINTELPRO in 1969.
"Nothing is more important than stopping fascism because fascism will to stop us all."
I'm not really surprised.
Never under estimate the power of paranoid politicians who prey on the fears of the public during an election year nor the poverty pimps and Hip Hop Hustlers who are lining up to get their grubby hands on some of that 10 million dollars in "prevention money" in order to get new state of the art expresso machines put in their offices.
What is disturbing is the lack of media coverage of opposing voices. If you remember at the beginning of the Iraq War, the left complained about those that were opposed to the "War on Terror" were silenced by media outlets such as Fox News.
With the "War on Gangs" we see the same suppression of opposing ideologies. I guess the new rule of thumb for journalism is why confuse the people with facts ?
Why no discussion of things like constitutional violations and racial profiling? Why not poll the people in the communities most affected as to whether their child's name might be on some mysterious "Gang net" without their knowledge.
I wonder how much hush grant money it took to make the local child advocacy and anti prison groups to look the other way while this bill was being pushed.
For many ordinary citizens, the impact of this act will not hit home until their child is accused of being a gang member because of his style of clothing.
Beware the dawn of the Police State.
Yes, we must fight against death and destruction in the community but to quote the late great Black Panther leader Fred Hampton Sr. who was murdered courtesy of COINTELPRO in 1969.
"Nothing is more important than stopping fascism because fascism will to stop us all."
Monday, July 14, 2008
Possible Vote on Anti Gang Bill 7/15
House Bill 274 Has been added to the NC Legislative Calender for 7/15.
http://ftp.legislature.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2007&BillID=H274
Look for the politicians to try to pass the Hip Hop Patriot Act.
http://ftp.legislature.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2007&BillID=H274
Look for the politicians to try to pass the Hip Hop Patriot Act.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
CRIP and "Blood" Money
Today Gov. Mike Easley, signed into law "The NC Street Gang Prevention and Intervention Act."
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2007/Bills/Senate/HTML/S1358v5.html
The law will allow 10 million dollars to be spent on gang prevention programs.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2007/FiscalNotes/Senate/PDF/SIN1358v2.pdf
Although many poverty pimps and "Hip Hop Hustlers" will be standing in line to get some of this "blood money," this is just a smoke screen to soften the blow of the coming "Hip Hop Patriot Act."
Now , do you really think that the "child advocacy" nonprofits who depend on the grants that this law will provide will be in a position to speak out against the upcoming legislation?
Of course not...
They're too busy trying to make sure that their "executive directors" get a Christmas bonus, this year.
So how much of the blood money do you think will actually trickle down to the youth that actually need the programs ?
I have a great idea !
Why don't all the of people who attend religious services every week in NC just put an extra five dollars in the collection plate each week to go towards "gang prevention" in the areas surrounding their religious institutions ?
Naw, as Grandma would say "that's too much like right..."
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2007/Bills/Senate/HTML/S1358v5.html
The law will allow 10 million dollars to be spent on gang prevention programs.
http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2007/FiscalNotes/Senate/PDF/SIN1358v2.pdf
Although many poverty pimps and "Hip Hop Hustlers" will be standing in line to get some of this "blood money," this is just a smoke screen to soften the blow of the coming "Hip Hop Patriot Act."
Now , do you really think that the "child advocacy" nonprofits who depend on the grants that this law will provide will be in a position to speak out against the upcoming legislation?
Of course not...
They're too busy trying to make sure that their "executive directors" get a Christmas bonus, this year.
So how much of the blood money do you think will actually trickle down to the youth that actually need the programs ?
I have a great idea !
Why don't all the of people who attend religious services every week in NC just put an extra five dollars in the collection plate each week to go towards "gang prevention" in the areas surrounding their religious institutions ?
Naw, as Grandma would say "that's too much like right..."
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Letter in 7/6 Charlotte Observer
As a community activist with a background in Hip Hop culture, I find your 6/29 editorial "Use all Tools Available to Shut Down Gangs" , as well as the current anti gang bills, disturbing, to say the least.
The new get tough on gang policies conjure up atrocities of the past including McCarthyism, COINTELPRO, and the Patriot Act. Although, these efforts were ,initially, applauded by many Americans as a way to insure law and order, most citizens will agree, in retrospect that they were dreadful mistakes.
The main problem with the prosed anti gang bills is their failure to clearly define what constitutes being a gang member. A preemptive strike against gangs will not win the war on crime but will only result in constitutional violations and "Hip Hop profiling."
Paul Scott
Durham
The new get tough on gang policies conjure up atrocities of the past including McCarthyism, COINTELPRO, and the Patriot Act. Although, these efforts were ,initially, applauded by many Americans as a way to insure law and order, most citizens will agree, in retrospect that they were dreadful mistakes.
The main problem with the prosed anti gang bills is their failure to clearly define what constitutes being a gang member. A preemptive strike against gangs will not win the war on crime but will only result in constitutional violations and "Hip Hop profiling."
Paul Scott
Durham
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Should Black Folks Celebrate July 4th ?
Fighting for Your Right "Not" to Party:Why I'm Not Celebrating July 4th
Min. Paul Scott
On July 5th 1852, the great orator and abolitionist,Frederick Douglas delivered an electrifying speech where he posed what was possibly the most significant question of his time; "What to the slave is the Fourth of July?" He received a thunderous round of applause.
A hundred and twenty some odd years later, July 4th1976, as a nine year old junior militant, I stood defiantly on a picnic table, raised my sand shovel and posed a similar question.Why do black people celebrate Independence Day,anyway?"
The response I received?"Shut up and eat your hot dog!"The issue of whether African Americans should celebrate the 4th of July is one of those eternal questions that is often asked this time of year but never receives a valid answer. Why do black folks feel obligated to dress up in red white and blue top hats and sing the Star Spangled Banner when our ancestors were in the field picking cotton while the colonists were getting their party on ?
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a day off work and a trip to the beach as much as the next guy but it's time to replace political correctness with historical correctness.As a matter of full disclosure, I've never prided myself as the all American boy type. I hate baseball and even the thought of apple pie makes me nauseous.
So my view of American history may be cynical at best.African Americans were not free in 1776, did not have full citizenship in 1876, were still fighting for equal rights in 1976 and in the aftermath of the Sean Bell murder, 2076 ain't looking too promising.
Contrary to popular belief, America's victory in the Revolutionary War did not bring my ancestors one iotacloser to Independence than if the Red Coats wouldhave won. Just if the British had won, instead of having a Big Mac and a Pepsi for lunch, I would be dining on crumpets with a spot of tea. And I would probably be listening to Sir Paul McCartney in my ipod instead of 50 Cent.
Although, many overly patriotic zealots claim to cherish freedom of speech, speaking against this country's day of national pride is considered sacrilegious, worthy of a trip to the woodshed, or worse.
Although the constitution grants freedom of expression, in the 21st century, freedom of speech comes with a heavy price.There is always the distinct possibility that you could wake up one morning in a cozy little cell in Guantanamo Bay or at best find yourself sitting across the desk from a stone faced IRS agent trying to explain why your last year's vacation at Disney Worldwas tax deductible.
Should I have to live with the fear of "America loveit or leave it" being graffitied on my front door just because I will have the only house in the neighborhood not proudly flying Ole Glory ?As America becomes increasingly more culturally diverse she will have to deal with the blatant contradictions in her history books.
While Tony Romanomay be throwing a big party for Columbus Day maybe he shouldn’t invite his coworker Blue Sky Runningbear to the shindig. And while John Smith may pay tribute to his WWII veteran grandfather to commemorate every V-JDay, his neighbor, Yoko Tshima, may morn the death of hers.
Americans must begin to respect each others rights to party or not to party on July 4th While some will dismiss my views as those of some ultra militant, left wing radical who is still miffed that Rev. Jesse Jackson didn't get the Democratic Party nomination back in 1988 , could it be that I represent the views of millions of the silent minoritywho are afraid to express themselves for fear of McCarthy-like persecution?
So, don't expect to see me at the annual fireworks show this year with my finger stuck in the potato salad. I'll be home reflecting on the fact that for millions of African Americans, on July 4 2008, the road to Freedom is still under construction.
Min. Paul Scott is a "gangsta writer" and activist based in Durham NC. He can be reached at (919)451-8283
Min. Paul Scott
On July 5th 1852, the great orator and abolitionist,Frederick Douglas delivered an electrifying speech where he posed what was possibly the most significant question of his time; "What to the slave is the Fourth of July?" He received a thunderous round of applause.
A hundred and twenty some odd years later, July 4th1976, as a nine year old junior militant, I stood defiantly on a picnic table, raised my sand shovel and posed a similar question.Why do black people celebrate Independence Day,anyway?"
The response I received?"Shut up and eat your hot dog!"The issue of whether African Americans should celebrate the 4th of July is one of those eternal questions that is often asked this time of year but never receives a valid answer. Why do black folks feel obligated to dress up in red white and blue top hats and sing the Star Spangled Banner when our ancestors were in the field picking cotton while the colonists were getting their party on ?
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a day off work and a trip to the beach as much as the next guy but it's time to replace political correctness with historical correctness.As a matter of full disclosure, I've never prided myself as the all American boy type. I hate baseball and even the thought of apple pie makes me nauseous.
So my view of American history may be cynical at best.African Americans were not free in 1776, did not have full citizenship in 1876, were still fighting for equal rights in 1976 and in the aftermath of the Sean Bell murder, 2076 ain't looking too promising.
Contrary to popular belief, America's victory in the Revolutionary War did not bring my ancestors one iotacloser to Independence than if the Red Coats wouldhave won. Just if the British had won, instead of having a Big Mac and a Pepsi for lunch, I would be dining on crumpets with a spot of tea. And I would probably be listening to Sir Paul McCartney in my ipod instead of 50 Cent.
Although, many overly patriotic zealots claim to cherish freedom of speech, speaking against this country's day of national pride is considered sacrilegious, worthy of a trip to the woodshed, or worse.
Although the constitution grants freedom of expression, in the 21st century, freedom of speech comes with a heavy price.There is always the distinct possibility that you could wake up one morning in a cozy little cell in Guantanamo Bay or at best find yourself sitting across the desk from a stone faced IRS agent trying to explain why your last year's vacation at Disney Worldwas tax deductible.
Should I have to live with the fear of "America loveit or leave it" being graffitied on my front door just because I will have the only house in the neighborhood not proudly flying Ole Glory ?As America becomes increasingly more culturally diverse she will have to deal with the blatant contradictions in her history books.
While Tony Romanomay be throwing a big party for Columbus Day maybe he shouldn’t invite his coworker Blue Sky Runningbear to the shindig. And while John Smith may pay tribute to his WWII veteran grandfather to commemorate every V-JDay, his neighbor, Yoko Tshima, may morn the death of hers.
Americans must begin to respect each others rights to party or not to party on July 4th While some will dismiss my views as those of some ultra militant, left wing radical who is still miffed that Rev. Jesse Jackson didn't get the Democratic Party nomination back in 1988 , could it be that I represent the views of millions of the silent minoritywho are afraid to express themselves for fear of McCarthy-like persecution?
So, don't expect to see me at the annual fireworks show this year with my finger stuck in the potato salad. I'll be home reflecting on the fact that for millions of African Americans, on July 4 2008, the road to Freedom is still under construction.
Min. Paul Scott is a "gangsta writer" and activist based in Durham NC. He can be reached at (919)451-8283
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