Missing Malcolm X:
Are Rappers Scared of Revolution?
TRUTH Minista Paul Scott
"How long shall they kill our prophets, while we stand aside and look ?"
Redemption Song- Bob Marley
February 21, 1965 at the Audubon Ballroom in NYC, Malcolm X was gunned down just before he was about to put America on blast for dissin' Black people. On that same date almost 50 years later, aspiring rapper, Murda U was shot in that same spot for dissin' another rapper on a Youtube video. Although, there were several witnesses, because of the "no snitchin' " code of the streets, the shooter remains at large...
One of the best known icons in African American history is Malcolm X. Although he started off hustlin' in the streets as Detroit Red, while in prison he accepted the teachings of the Nation of Islam and devoted the rest of his life to the liberation of Black people.
What is most important about Malcolm X was not the man, himself, but his eternal symbol as the epitome of uncompromising, Black manhood. Part of his popularity was being the antithesis of the nonviolence of Dr. Martin Luther King, giving America the old school Hip Hop duo Black Sheep's option "you can get with this or you can get with that."
Of course, Malcolm was not the first advocate of Black Power. During the 1830's, according to Vincent Harding in "There is a River," Martin Delany was already advocating Black Nationalism. Nor was he the only one during his time rejecting the idea of nonviolence. In his book "Negroes With Guns," Robert F. Williams said that as early as 1957, he was strappin' Black people in Monroe NC, to protect themselves from the Ku Klux Klan. However, Malcolm X still holds a special spot in the Black psyche.
The spirit of Malcolm X has long been present in Hip Hop. In 1983, Keith LeBlanc sampled his speeches on "No Sell Out" and Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force shouted him out on "Renegades of Funk." However, it was during the late 80's when Hip Hop became infused with the ideology of Malcolm X courtesy of groups like Public Enemy ,so much so that by the early 90's the X caps had replaced Kangols as the official Hip Hop head gear.
So the question in 2012 becomes, why is Hip Hop producing so many Meek Mills and so few Malcolm Xs ?
Back in the 1970, the forefathers of rap, "The Last Poets," released "Niggers Are Scared of Revolution" a song that proclaimed that some Black folks will do everything under the sun except engage in rebellion against the system. So, in 2012, are rappers scared of revolution, too?
In his 1963, "Message to the Grassroots," Malcolm said that "revolution is bloody, revolution is hostile, revolution knows no compromise, revolution overturns and destroys everything that gets in its way..."
For many rappers that may sound like a hot lyric but in reality, that ain't happenin'. Although many of them claim to love the 'hood, they ain't givin' up their Maybachs for none of ya'll. Despite all the tough talk and street swagga few are really willing to commit what Huey P Newton would have called career "revolutionary suicide."
And on some level, who could blame them?
In the mythos of Hip Hop culture, if you go out in a blaze of glory like Pac and Biggie you wind up in some Ghetto Heaven and the homies in the 'hood will be forever pourin' out liquor and sportin' T-shirts in your memory. But if you go out fighting the power like Lil Bobby Hutton or Fred Hampton you will be forgotten a week after the funeral.
After all, although, members of the Nation of Islam were convicted for the murder of Malcolm, almost 50 years later we are still no closer to solving the mystery of who really gave the order for the hit than we are solving who killed Pac, Biggie or Lil Pookie from down the block. However, we are left with some clues that have been rarely discussed.
In his book "To Kill a Black Man, " Louis Lomax points out how ,before his death, "Malcolm X was becoming a major threat to American foreign policy. " He alleged that "the American government, particular the CIA was deeply involved in Malcolm's death."
Researcher Steve Cokley has long suggested that we reread the often overlooked page 418 of Alex Haley's "Autobiography of Malcolm X" where Haley revealed that an unnamed "close friend" arranged a meeting with the president of a still unnamed " large private foundation" and the head of the Justice Department's Civil Right's section, Burke Marshall shortly before Malcolm's death. According to Haley, he was grilled over Malcolm's "finances" and how his recent trip to Africa had been funded.
Of course there are some underground Hip Hop artists today who are spittin' truth to power like Immortal Technique, New Orleans' Dee1 and NC's Homebase but they are few and far between.
Some have suggested that the responsibility of Hip Hop artists is to make music, not lead movements. Perhaps they are right.
Maybe the revolution won't come from the rappers but from the writers. What good is a "revolution" if there is no one to explain to the masses who they are revolting against and why they need a "revolution" in the first place. This is especially critical when, since the end of the Civil War, the masses have been continually duped into believing that "we have overcome" and "there is nothing left to fight for. "
After all it was the "militant minded" journalists who were the original Black freedom fighters in this country. Remember early revolutionists such as Martin Delany and David Walker were writers. It has even been rumored that Nat Turner might have been influenced by "David Walker's Appeal." Walker posed such a threat to white supremacy that ,according to Dr. James Turner, around 1830 there was a $10,000 bounty placed on his head by a group of wealthy white planters.
Whether it be a rapper or a writer, the world needs another Malcolm.
Someone who is not afraid to grab the mic or the pen and tell the world, that we demand Freedom, Justice and Equality and we intend to bring it into existence.
"By any means necessary."
TRUTH Minista Paul Scott's weekly column is "This Ain't Hip Hop" a column for intelligent Hip Hop headz. He can be reached at info@nowarningshotsfired.com His website is NoWarningShotsFired.com Follow on Twitter @truthminista
Showing posts with label murders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label murders. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Killin' for Candy and Concords
Killin' for Candy and Concords:
The Price of Black Life
TRUTH Minista Paul Scott
"You ever once stop to think and wonder why it's so/We dont' know.
Cuz we're blinded by the fog of 'dro/ So we let it go"
Just Don't Learn- Brand Nubian
In the news today, an up and coming rapper was killed in a crowded Atlanta mall. According to authorities, Joe Blackmon aka "Killa Black" was standing in line for a pair of Air Jordan Concords when he, accidentally, knocked a Jolly Rancher out of the hand of the man in front of him. The man, described only as "an African American in a black hoodie with saggin' pants" pumped five rounds in him before fleeing the scene. Witnesses say that the crowd just stepped over the dying Blackmon like nothing happened ,some even refusing to let paramedics through for fear of losing their places in line...
Recently, people were shocked that Brick Squad affiliate, Slim Dunkin was murdered in an Atlanta studio, allegedly, stemming from a fight over a piece of candy. This tragic event was coupled by media images of mobs of people beating each other senseless over the new Air Jordan XI Concords.
Hip Hop has had its share of deaths; Scott La Rock, Jam Master Jay, Pac, Biggie to name a few. Unfortunately, the 'hood is full of tales of young brothas losing their lives over stepping on someone's sneakers or even staring too long at some cat at a stop light. While some may argue that violence permeates society and it is not a "black issue," until I see Justin Bieber chasing Justin Timberlake with an AK-47, I beg to differ. Most of the blood spilling on the streets of America pours out of black bodies and Hip Hop is, predominately, made up of black males.
It must be noted that his thing is bigger than Hip Hop. The issue here is the value (or lack thereof) that this society places on black life.
Although it is a historical fact that black folks were once the kings and queens of civilization, around the 15th century the value of black life begin to drop like the 50% off after Christmas sale at Wall Mart.
Man has been fighting man since the beginning of time and despite the historical romanticism, African civilization was not exempt as tribal wars have existed on the continent for thousands of years. However, it was not until the coming of the Portuguese that black life was given a discount price tag. During that period, European slave traders began to use the existing beefs between tribes to trade Africans for commodities. As Walter Rodney wrote in "How Europe Underdeveloped Africa" "it was so easy to set one against another that Europeans called it 'a slave trader's paradise."
The worst part of the trade was the exchange of Africans for weapons.
According to historian, Joseph Harris in his book , " Africans and Their History," "kings were sometimes given firearms to raid neighboring areas in exchange for prisoners of war."
In America, the technique of making the slaves fight against each other was perfected. Herbert Aptheker wrote in "American Negro Slave Revolts, " the dividing of the victims against themselves, the use of spies and the encouragement of traitors" were powerful tools to keep the slaves from rebelling.
This divide and conquer strategy was also used in the 60's during the Civil Rights /Black Power Movement as the FBI, through is COINTELPRO program, played black activists against each other. This caused the destruction of groups such as the Black Panther Party and led, ultimately, to the formation of "street gangs" in California.
It must be noted that, according to Mike Davis in his book "City of Quartz," the purpose of the original gangs was not to promote black on black violence but to protect the hood from white racist gangs such as the "Spookhunters" but after the destruction of the Black Panther Party, gangs such as the Bloods and Crips were formed and they saw "the enemy" as other black men. This was escalated by the introduction of high powered assault weapons and crack into the 'hood which Gary Webb in "Dark Alliance" alleged was a government conspiracy.
Simultaneously, you had the growing popularity of Hip Hop and it was not uncommon during the 80's for black lives to be lost over gold chains, Troop jackets, Jordans or other articles of clothing worn by their favorite Hip Hop artists.
So this leads us to where we are today with people being beat down for $180 sneakers that cost $12 to make in some sweat shop and young black men being killed over candy.
Psychologist Dr. Bobby Wright suggested that black people have been psychologically programed to kill other black people. In his essay "The Psychopathic Racial Personality," he wrote " historically, the European system has encouraged the killing of Blacks. Because Blacks have been led to believe that they are part of the psychopath's system, they simply follow the practice."
We have been conditioned by these historical events to consider black on black conflict not only a cultural norm but a reason for celebration that is ingrained in the minds of the children, often in very subtle ways. Even something as simple as Freestyle Friday on "106 and Park " conditions the young black mind to accept black on black aggression as normal behavior. Unfortunately, when this "dissin'" is carried into the streets, there are no celebrity judges to hold up score cards, only EMS workers with body bags and toe tags.
Back in 1989, Kool Moe Dee, as part of the Stop the Violence Movement, said "I never ever ran from the Ku Klux Klan, so I shouldn't have to run from a black man."
Unfortunately, until we deal with the origin of black on black violence we will always be headed for self destruction.
TRUTH Minista Paul Scott can be reached at (919) 451-8283
The Price of Black Life
TRUTH Minista Paul Scott
"You ever once stop to think and wonder why it's so/We dont' know.
Cuz we're blinded by the fog of 'dro/ So we let it go"
Just Don't Learn- Brand Nubian
In the news today, an up and coming rapper was killed in a crowded Atlanta mall. According to authorities, Joe Blackmon aka "Killa Black" was standing in line for a pair of Air Jordan Concords when he, accidentally, knocked a Jolly Rancher out of the hand of the man in front of him. The man, described only as "an African American in a black hoodie with saggin' pants" pumped five rounds in him before fleeing the scene. Witnesses say that the crowd just stepped over the dying Blackmon like nothing happened ,some even refusing to let paramedics through for fear of losing their places in line...
Recently, people were shocked that Brick Squad affiliate, Slim Dunkin was murdered in an Atlanta studio, allegedly, stemming from a fight over a piece of candy. This tragic event was coupled by media images of mobs of people beating each other senseless over the new Air Jordan XI Concords.
Hip Hop has had its share of deaths; Scott La Rock, Jam Master Jay, Pac, Biggie to name a few. Unfortunately, the 'hood is full of tales of young brothas losing their lives over stepping on someone's sneakers or even staring too long at some cat at a stop light. While some may argue that violence permeates society and it is not a "black issue," until I see Justin Bieber chasing Justin Timberlake with an AK-47, I beg to differ. Most of the blood spilling on the streets of America pours out of black bodies and Hip Hop is, predominately, made up of black males.
It must be noted that his thing is bigger than Hip Hop. The issue here is the value (or lack thereof) that this society places on black life.
Although it is a historical fact that black folks were once the kings and queens of civilization, around the 15th century the value of black life begin to drop like the 50% off after Christmas sale at Wall Mart.
Man has been fighting man since the beginning of time and despite the historical romanticism, African civilization was not exempt as tribal wars have existed on the continent for thousands of years. However, it was not until the coming of the Portuguese that black life was given a discount price tag. During that period, European slave traders began to use the existing beefs between tribes to trade Africans for commodities. As Walter Rodney wrote in "How Europe Underdeveloped Africa" "it was so easy to set one against another that Europeans called it 'a slave trader's paradise."
The worst part of the trade was the exchange of Africans for weapons.
According to historian, Joseph Harris in his book , " Africans and Their History," "kings were sometimes given firearms to raid neighboring areas in exchange for prisoners of war."
In America, the technique of making the slaves fight against each other was perfected. Herbert Aptheker wrote in "American Negro Slave Revolts, " the dividing of the victims against themselves, the use of spies and the encouragement of traitors" were powerful tools to keep the slaves from rebelling.
This divide and conquer strategy was also used in the 60's during the Civil Rights /Black Power Movement as the FBI, through is COINTELPRO program, played black activists against each other. This caused the destruction of groups such as the Black Panther Party and led, ultimately, to the formation of "street gangs" in California.
It must be noted that, according to Mike Davis in his book "City of Quartz," the purpose of the original gangs was not to promote black on black violence but to protect the hood from white racist gangs such as the "Spookhunters" but after the destruction of the Black Panther Party, gangs such as the Bloods and Crips were formed and they saw "the enemy" as other black men. This was escalated by the introduction of high powered assault weapons and crack into the 'hood which Gary Webb in "Dark Alliance" alleged was a government conspiracy.
Simultaneously, you had the growing popularity of Hip Hop and it was not uncommon during the 80's for black lives to be lost over gold chains, Troop jackets, Jordans or other articles of clothing worn by their favorite Hip Hop artists.
So this leads us to where we are today with people being beat down for $180 sneakers that cost $12 to make in some sweat shop and young black men being killed over candy.
Psychologist Dr. Bobby Wright suggested that black people have been psychologically programed to kill other black people. In his essay "The Psychopathic Racial Personality," he wrote " historically, the European system has encouraged the killing of Blacks. Because Blacks have been led to believe that they are part of the psychopath's system, they simply follow the practice."
We have been conditioned by these historical events to consider black on black conflict not only a cultural norm but a reason for celebration that is ingrained in the minds of the children, often in very subtle ways. Even something as simple as Freestyle Friday on "106 and Park " conditions the young black mind to accept black on black aggression as normal behavior. Unfortunately, when this "dissin'" is carried into the streets, there are no celebrity judges to hold up score cards, only EMS workers with body bags and toe tags.
Back in 1989, Kool Moe Dee, as part of the Stop the Violence Movement, said "I never ever ran from the Ku Klux Klan, so I shouldn't have to run from a black man."
Unfortunately, until we deal with the origin of black on black violence we will always be headed for self destruction.
TRUTH Minista Paul Scott can be reached at (919) 451-8283
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Candy For Crackheads?
Candy for Crackheads
Paul Scott
It's no secret in North Carolina that folks in Durham have a severe case of "thug-o-phobia."
They see gang members behind every tree and under every bush. Even a friendly wave to your homie could be considered a gang sign.
So, it should be no surprise that before you enter into Northgate Mall you are greeted with an anti-gang sign posted on the door.
No gang signs. No bandannas. No doo rags...
Yeah we get it already!
Not to mention they have a curfew, whereby, kids under 16 have to leave the mall by 6PM on the weekends unless accompanied by an adult.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/105715/
So, I'm in one of the spots where the kids hang out, the FYE cd store, looking for some discount old school Hip Hop when the nightly alarm comes blastin' through the mall intercom system warning every person under 16 to head for the nearest exit or they are going to send in the SWAT team, or somethin'.
Now, I look nowhere near 16 but since I have on my official "No Warning Shots Fired" gear, I grab my Biz Markie CD and head to the checkout so there will be no mistakes.
As I'm standing there, I see a box that says "Crackheads Candy," with the catchy subtitle "We're all addicted to something."
Needless to say, I'm intrigued.
Upon further inspection, I notice that it is a box of chocolate covered coffee beans. I suppose if you eat enough of them, you start acting like a crackhead. According to the company's website a box of Crackheads has as much caffeine as six cups of coffee, 7.5 cans of Red Bull and 11 cans of Mountain Dew.
http://www.crackheadscandy.com/candy-info/
I feel like jumping up on the counter and yellin' :
"Am I the only person in this store that sees something terribly wrong with this?"
"You mean I can't wear a red or blue baseball cap but I can get some crack head candy to go with my Lil Wayne cd?"
But instead I head to the nearest exit before some taser happy security cop mistakes me for a 9th grader.
Apparently, the candy just recently became available in the Bull City but was given the thumbs down on CNBC's, "The Big Idea" a while back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-1GshalNr4
The product is put out by some dude named John Osmanski, a former biomedical engineering student.
Apparently, the boy genius thinks that the definition of a a crack head is "a comedic term meaning someone was acting goofy, crazy, and/or odd."
Wrong Einstein. That might be what it means in the 'burbs of Milwaukee but in Durham a crackhead is someone who is addicted to a substance that has destroyed communities nationwide since the 80's.
I can't be the only one who has seen this stuff. Where is the outrage?
Do you really want your children going to school wired off of crack head candy?
If Young Jeezy would have put this junk out he'd be still spinnin' around Bill O'Reilly's "No Spin Zone" as we speak!
Do we give Osmanki a ghetto pass because he's a clean cut lookin' college kid and not a thugged out brotha from tha hood?
Osamaki's website says that he already has some crack candy dispensers coming to a convenience store near you. I guess he can cut out the street level dealers that way.
I can't wait to see his commercial. I guess he's gonna have Willie Wonka dealin' crack to the Umpa Lumpa kids.
Crack is nothing to joke about nor is it something to build a candy empire around. Too many people have had their lives destroyed because of "the rock."
To borrow from the immortal words of pop diva, Whitney Houston..
"Crack is wack!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytJpZguSy2U
Paul Scott, the Hip Hop TRUTH Minista" writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com http://www.nowarningshotsfired.com/ He can be reached at (919) 451-8283 info@nowarningshotsfired.com
Paul Scott
It's no secret in North Carolina that folks in Durham have a severe case of "thug-o-phobia."
They see gang members behind every tree and under every bush. Even a friendly wave to your homie could be considered a gang sign.
So, it should be no surprise that before you enter into Northgate Mall you are greeted with an anti-gang sign posted on the door.
No gang signs. No bandannas. No doo rags...
Yeah we get it already!
Not to mention they have a curfew, whereby, kids under 16 have to leave the mall by 6PM on the weekends unless accompanied by an adult.
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/105715/
So, I'm in one of the spots where the kids hang out, the FYE cd store, looking for some discount old school Hip Hop when the nightly alarm comes blastin' through the mall intercom system warning every person under 16 to head for the nearest exit or they are going to send in the SWAT team, or somethin'.
Now, I look nowhere near 16 but since I have on my official "No Warning Shots Fired" gear, I grab my Biz Markie CD and head to the checkout so there will be no mistakes.
As I'm standing there, I see a box that says "Crackheads Candy," with the catchy subtitle "We're all addicted to something."
Needless to say, I'm intrigued.
Upon further inspection, I notice that it is a box of chocolate covered coffee beans. I suppose if you eat enough of them, you start acting like a crackhead. According to the company's website a box of Crackheads has as much caffeine as six cups of coffee, 7.5 cans of Red Bull and 11 cans of Mountain Dew.
http://www.crackheadscandy.com/candy-info/
I feel like jumping up on the counter and yellin' :
"Am I the only person in this store that sees something terribly wrong with this?"
"You mean I can't wear a red or blue baseball cap but I can get some crack head candy to go with my Lil Wayne cd?"
But instead I head to the nearest exit before some taser happy security cop mistakes me for a 9th grader.
Apparently, the candy just recently became available in the Bull City but was given the thumbs down on CNBC's, "The Big Idea" a while back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-1GshalNr4
The product is put out by some dude named John Osmanski, a former biomedical engineering student.
Apparently, the boy genius thinks that the definition of a a crack head is "a comedic term meaning someone was acting goofy, crazy, and/or odd."
Wrong Einstein. That might be what it means in the 'burbs of Milwaukee but in Durham a crackhead is someone who is addicted to a substance that has destroyed communities nationwide since the 80's.
I can't be the only one who has seen this stuff. Where is the outrage?
Do you really want your children going to school wired off of crack head candy?
If Young Jeezy would have put this junk out he'd be still spinnin' around Bill O'Reilly's "No Spin Zone" as we speak!
Do we give Osmanki a ghetto pass because he's a clean cut lookin' college kid and not a thugged out brotha from tha hood?
Osamaki's website says that he already has some crack candy dispensers coming to a convenience store near you. I guess he can cut out the street level dealers that way.
I can't wait to see his commercial. I guess he's gonna have Willie Wonka dealin' crack to the Umpa Lumpa kids.
Crack is nothing to joke about nor is it something to build a candy empire around. Too many people have had their lives destroyed because of "the rock."
To borrow from the immortal words of pop diva, Whitney Houston..
"Crack is wack!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytJpZguSy2U
Paul Scott, the Hip Hop TRUTH Minista" writes for No Warning Shots Fired.com http://www.nowarningshotsfired.com/ He can be reached at (919) 451-8283 info@nowarningshotsfired.com
Thursday, January 15, 2009
NWSF Bullet: There's a Riot Goin' On
I was listening to Rev. Al Sharpton's "Keepin' it Real" show today with guest host Eleanor Tatum of the Amsterdam News. They had JR of the Block Report on talking about the murder of Oscar Grant by Oakland's Bay Area Transit and the rebellious aftermath.
Things were going kinda smooth until Ms. Tatum and some of the callers started parroting the old line about how "we" shouldn't burn down "our" own property.
That's when the discussion got a tad bit heated.
Brotha JR pointed out that the rebellion took place downtown and "we" don't own property there.
That exchange kinda reminded me of Malcolm X's House Negro/Field Negro analogy when he talked about how the house Negroes "would give their life to save the master's house quicker than the master would."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zUIjP4KWok
Come to think of it. If black folks don't own any property than they can't really burn down what they don't have can they?
JR went on to say that the media only covered the Grant story because of the rebellion. But what really shut it down was when he told Ms. Tatum that if it wasn't for O-Town settin' it off they wouldn't be having that conversation.
At that point there was a collective, "ooooooh" resonating from hoods across America.
Needless to say JR didn't get to say goodbye...
Let's face it.
Historically, black folks have gotten much more attention from yellin' "Fight the Power" than from singin' "We Shall Overcome."
Ask any black activist and he will tell you that the only time that the media care about what black folks think is when there is the threat of someone raisin' the roof.
If you are not either in a position to start a riot or call one off, the talkin' heads really don't give two cents what you think.
Also, look at how many government programs were started after the rebellions of the 60's and after the Rodney King verdict in the early 90's.
Although, politicians are quick to say there is no money for the poor, have you notice how quickly they find some funds when they smell smoke?
Back in the 60's Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichael) said:
"A lot of people in the in the bourgeoisie tell me that they don't like H. Rap Brown when he says 'I'm gonna burn this country down.' But every time Rap Brown says that, they get a poverty program."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzREY649PWA
You might not agree with those kind of tactics but you can't deny that the squeaky spinnin' rims get the grease...
As Run DMC once rapped:
"Don't ask me because I don't know why. But it's like that and that's the way it is.
Things were going kinda smooth until Ms. Tatum and some of the callers started parroting the old line about how "we" shouldn't burn down "our" own property.
That's when the discussion got a tad bit heated.
Brotha JR pointed out that the rebellion took place downtown and "we" don't own property there.
That exchange kinda reminded me of Malcolm X's House Negro/Field Negro analogy when he talked about how the house Negroes "would give their life to save the master's house quicker than the master would."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zUIjP4KWok
Come to think of it. If black folks don't own any property than they can't really burn down what they don't have can they?
JR went on to say that the media only covered the Grant story because of the rebellion. But what really shut it down was when he told Ms. Tatum that if it wasn't for O-Town settin' it off they wouldn't be having that conversation.
At that point there was a collective, "ooooooh" resonating from hoods across America.
Needless to say JR didn't get to say goodbye...
Let's face it.
Historically, black folks have gotten much more attention from yellin' "Fight the Power" than from singin' "We Shall Overcome."
Ask any black activist and he will tell you that the only time that the media care about what black folks think is when there is the threat of someone raisin' the roof.
If you are not either in a position to start a riot or call one off, the talkin' heads really don't give two cents what you think.
Also, look at how many government programs were started after the rebellions of the 60's and after the Rodney King verdict in the early 90's.
Although, politicians are quick to say there is no money for the poor, have you notice how quickly they find some funds when they smell smoke?
Back in the 60's Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichael) said:
"A lot of people in the in the bourgeoisie tell me that they don't like H. Rap Brown when he says 'I'm gonna burn this country down.' But every time Rap Brown says that, they get a poverty program."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzREY649PWA
You might not agree with those kind of tactics but you can't deny that the squeaky spinnin' rims get the grease...
As Run DMC once rapped:
"Don't ask me because I don't know why. But it's like that and that's the way it is.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
NWSF Bullet: Mind Playin' Tricks on Me ?
To hear some people tell it, black folks suffer from a combination of hypersensitivity and paranoia. This prevents us from seeing events clearly and causes us to over exaggerate events that effect us. Stuff like police brutality, lynchings, slavery...
In other words, we are not trusted to believe our own eyes.
Well after watching the video of the cold blooded murder of Oakland's Oscar Grant by Bay Area Rapid Transit officer (BART), Johannes Mehserle, that took place on New Year's Day, you can only come to one conclusion no matter how much you speed it up or slow it down:
Murder!
I'm just waiting for the spin doctors to come up with 1000 reasons why the murder was justified. I admit that is going to take a lot of spinning but stranger things have happened.
CNN is running a piece that talks about poor little Mehserle getting death threats. The story also reports that BART is saying that there is the possibility that the officer, who has been on the force two years, may have mistaken his gun for a taser...
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/01/07/BART.shooting/
Talk about reaching.
Reportedly, BART spokesman , Linton Johnson said that there is more to the story than what was captured on the camera phones of the people who were at the scene. However, BART is not releasing the footage from surveillance cameras.
Well, Davey D and the folks at the San Francisco Bay View are doing their usual outstanding job at getting to the bottom of the story.
Check out their version below:
http://hiphopnews.yuku.com/topic/998
We send our condolences out to the family of Oscar Grant.
In other words, we are not trusted to believe our own eyes.
Well after watching the video of the cold blooded murder of Oakland's Oscar Grant by Bay Area Rapid Transit officer (BART), Johannes Mehserle, that took place on New Year's Day, you can only come to one conclusion no matter how much you speed it up or slow it down:
Murder!
I'm just waiting for the spin doctors to come up with 1000 reasons why the murder was justified. I admit that is going to take a lot of spinning but stranger things have happened.
CNN is running a piece that talks about poor little Mehserle getting death threats. The story also reports that BART is saying that there is the possibility that the officer, who has been on the force two years, may have mistaken his gun for a taser...
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/01/07/BART.shooting/
Talk about reaching.
Reportedly, BART spokesman , Linton Johnson said that there is more to the story than what was captured on the camera phones of the people who were at the scene. However, BART is not releasing the footage from surveillance cameras.
Well, Davey D and the folks at the San Francisco Bay View are doing their usual outstanding job at getting to the bottom of the story.
Check out their version below:
http://hiphopnews.yuku.com/topic/998
We send our condolences out to the family of Oscar Grant.
Monday, December 22, 2008
NWSF Bullet: The Real Jordan Legacy
When someone speaks of "Jordan's" legacy, he usually mentions NBA championship rings and slam dunks.
But in this case, I'm not talking about the legacy of Michael Jordan, the basketball player but the legacy of the overpriced sneakers that bear his name.
Tomorrow marks the release of Air Jordan XX3. According to news stories people have been camping out for days in frigid temperatures just to pay $230 for a pair of sneakers, in the midst of a recession.
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/12/17/air_jordan_release.html
"Tonight on Channel 23 News we have a report that 200 people were laid off when the local shoe manufacturing plant shut down. And in our next segment, we are going to interview Bob, who is spending the night in this tent next to a homeless man, waiting to be the first in line to get the new Jordans..."
While some people are viewing the release of "Jordan XX3" as a cause for celebration, we must never forget that the tale of Air Jordans is one written in blood.
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1136895/index.htm
During the 80's and 90's, you would often see headlines about some poor kid who was killed because he rather had taken a bullet to the head than part with his beloved Jordans.
Even today, kids are being robbed over a sneaker that hasn't even come out yet.
http://www.cbs42.com/news/local/36570169.html
Should the basketball great be held responsible for the children who were robbed or killed just to own a pair of shoes with his jersey number on them?
To some extent, yes. It is a shame that our children have to find a sense of self worth in a pair of shoes but that is the grim reality that we face.
Paying $230 for a pair of sneakers that it cost well under $23 dollars to make in 2008, during a recession doesn't make sense. However, paying $100 for sneakers 20 years ago didn't make sense either.
Could Michael Jordan have promoted a less expensive shoe?
He had the power to do so.
Maybe, a less expensive shoe would have saved at least one kid who literally died to be like Mike.
But in this case, I'm not talking about the legacy of Michael Jordan, the basketball player but the legacy of the overpriced sneakers that bear his name.
Tomorrow marks the release of Air Jordan XX3. According to news stories people have been camping out for days in frigid temperatures just to pay $230 for a pair of sneakers, in the midst of a recession.
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/12/17/air_jordan_release.html
"Tonight on Channel 23 News we have a report that 200 people were laid off when the local shoe manufacturing plant shut down. And in our next segment, we are going to interview Bob, who is spending the night in this tent next to a homeless man, waiting to be the first in line to get the new Jordans..."
While some people are viewing the release of "Jordan XX3" as a cause for celebration, we must never forget that the tale of Air Jordans is one written in blood.
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1136895/index.htm
During the 80's and 90's, you would often see headlines about some poor kid who was killed because he rather had taken a bullet to the head than part with his beloved Jordans.
Even today, kids are being robbed over a sneaker that hasn't even come out yet.
http://www.cbs42.com/news/local/36570169.html
Should the basketball great be held responsible for the children who were robbed or killed just to own a pair of shoes with his jersey number on them?
To some extent, yes. It is a shame that our children have to find a sense of self worth in a pair of shoes but that is the grim reality that we face.
Paying $230 for a pair of sneakers that it cost well under $23 dollars to make in 2008, during a recession doesn't make sense. However, paying $100 for sneakers 20 years ago didn't make sense either.
Could Michael Jordan have promoted a less expensive shoe?
He had the power to do so.
Maybe, a less expensive shoe would have saved at least one kid who literally died to be like Mike.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Ain't My Brotha's Keeper
Ain't My Brotha's Keeper
When I first heard about the murder of UNC student body president Eve Carson, like most folks I felt a deep sense of sorrow for the family. But then like most black folks, this was immediately followed by "please don't let the suspects be black." And for me, an extra "please don't let them be from Durham."
My worst fears were realized today...
According to news reports the two suspects are black dudes from Durham. Time to duck and get ready for the fallout.
Now, I'm not tryin' to be insensitive because if it was my daughter, sister, friend who was murdered I would want everybody and their mama even remotely responsible for the crime to pay the ultimate price...But that is a prerogative reserved for the family and friends...
My concern is with the other folks...
There is a feeling in many places in this country that black folks are soft on crime and are always makin' excuses for criminals. Especially in Durham.
This is not true. If you look at the history of black folks who commit crimes on white folks, they probably shot or robbed five other black people before they got to the white side of town...
A criminal is a criminal and a victim is a victim whether she is a high school drop out from tha 'hood or a college student.
But black folks are looked at as being monolithic in thought and action. You can believe that many African Americans will be walking around the next few days feeling guilty about Carson's murder even though they had nothing to do with it.
(Just because the suspects look like your sister Ruth Ann's sons does not make you an accomplice.)
Also, there are many folks who will use this event as a platform to spew deep seated prejudices that have nothing to do with the issue at hand.
I dread going to Mickey Dees tomorrow and having my Big Mac dining experience ruined by the couple at the next table beaming at me as they "loudly" whisper about Durham being full of no good thugs and animals just loud enough for me to hear..
Not to mention the onslaught of camera crews that are undoubtedly on their way to Durham as we speak..I'm sure the good folks at Fox will have a field day with this one.
What is most disturbing is that black youth advocates like myself will have to endure the taunts of the Sean Hannity's of the world for the next 20 years when any black person is treated, unjustly..
"Well, where were you when your Afr-i-can A-mer-i-can brooothers murdered that college student in 2008 !"
(Um, in bed sleep?)
Contrary to popular belief, all black folks are not criminals nor do we turn a blind eye to crime. We are clear in separating those black people who practice proper African behavior from those who are just plain thugs.
A local poet, Queen Sharon has a phrase that she uses when making this separation. It ain't "us" that are robbin' folks it's "those that are them."
Unfortunately, not everyone takes the time to make that distinction...
Min. Paul Scott's blog is http://www.nowarningshotsfired.com/. He can be reached at (919) 451-8283 info@nowarningshotsfired.com
Friday, February 29, 2008
Don't Believe the Hype 2008!!!
Public Enemy had a song back in the day about the treacherous nature of the media called "Don't Believe the Hype."
They must have been rappin' about the Durham Herald Sun.
A few weeks ago, I posted a piece here called "Prelude to a Race War" where I exposed the Herald Sun's promotion of "Black on Brown" violence by running two stories that blamed Black males for targeting Latinos with robbery and some murders because of "racism." In which, not one member of Durham's Black community was interviewed to refute the claim.
Well, guess what.
In an article, today it says that the two men arrested for one of the murders were Hispanic...
http://www.heraldsun.com/durham/4-929069.cfm
Now, if you look closely at the article this contradiction is not mentioned (and only briefly) until more than half way through the article. However, when the perpetrators were thought to be Black, it was headline, front page news...
Also, there is another article in the same paper that talks about the community forum that Durham Police Chief Jose Lopez held last evening.
At the meeting, I congratulated Chief Lopez because of his not caving in to media hype and promoting the idea that blacks were targeting Latinos because of race. Although he gave a well though out and rather lengthy response, this exchange does not appear in the article.
I guess the elders were right "believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see....
Especially if it is in the Herald Sun.
Min. Paul Scott's blog is http://www.nowarningshotsfired.com/ He can be reached at (919) 451-8283
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