Oh woe to the avid sports fan who drools over the fantasy lives of professional athletes. Woe to the media for overvalueing athletes and entertainers in a country that is in desperate need of economic and educational reform. In 2007, it is obscene that an athlete, albeit great, can be crucified on national television for dog fighting. It is almost illogical, though I do understand the underlying message being sent.
In my estimation, the message is "entertain us like a good little n**** and we'll treat you like royalty, get out of line and we'll make an example of you". Now, in no way do I sponsor the wanton violence of dog fighting. Nor, do I sponsor animal cruelty in general. But I wonder if these same people question the savage practices which bring beef, pork, and chicken to their dinner table. Its okay to be cruel if we eat the animal. Allright, I get it. In fact, I have two wonderful pups of my own. Yet, I do question the importance of dogs in human society. Yes, they are fun and lovable pets, but is the life of an animal more important than that of a human being? I guess it depends on who you're talking to. I can't count the number of times when I've encountered stories about old well to do ladies that have lost their dogs on the news. They are willing to offer tens of thousands of dollars in order to get their dog back. But, when a young black or latino man gets shot in the "hood", it doesn't even make it to the news. In reality, the most you may see about it is a quick paragraph in the back of your local paper somewhere. To add to this, never is any money given "publicly" by individuals to aid in social causes which would benefit these communities in dire need. With that being said, are the lives of dogs more important than the lives of lower income citizens in America? In many cases, yes.
Indeed, Michael Vick broke the law. A high level athlete of his calibur should know what he's dealing with. It is impossible to be that visible and go around making bone head moves. The media in this day and age spares noone. Just look at how Britney Spear's has cracked under the spotlight, but the spotlight still refuses to give her the privacy she needs to heal. It is a cruel and resilient irony that the same system that builds you up, can tear you down just as fast. Yet, there is still the question of entertainment value via reality news. Its as if we like to see those viewed as infallible to show their weakness. The weaker they become the better for ratings. The lower our "stars" come down to earth, the more we prey on them. It is rather sadistic, sick and twisted.
I wonder if any of these hillbillies who currently want to lynch Michael Vick would feel the same way if it was their son being carted away for dog fighting. Would people be lined up coast to coast to chime in with their chants of "throw him in jail"?? I doubt it. The son of a hillbilly would be expected to fight dogs in America's eyes. But, a Michael Vick, thats alittle bit more interesting. Honey, get the popcorn ready..the shows about to start. Think about it.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Friday Night
This last Friday night, I had an epiphany. I discovered that I've been desensitized...numbed to the casual waste of lives around me. Its quite scary to even admit that. At the same time, its just a result of living in a warzone. After a while, the gunshots just fade into the backdrop, and life goes on.
My awakening occurred this past Friday night. I was rolling with my girlfriend from Taco Bell of all places. She had the idea to go check out "Black New World" a club near my house in the lower bottoms of west Oakland. Cool. Its something that we always do since its so close, and its generally a chill vibe there. As I made a left on to Pine street, I was immediately shocked at the sight of a man laying on his back near the next intersection. Something about it sent a feeling of dread through me, and I wanted to turn the car around and go home. Instead, we drove up to the figure, and found a man with gunshot wounds in his stomach, struggling to stay alive.
It must have just happened, because one of the neighbors from nearby was already calling the police as people slowly streamed out of their homes. I couldn't believe that we had haphazardly discovered this grisly scene. We parked the car and joined the growing cluster surrounding the man, encouraging him to live. As I looked at his wounds and his breathing pattern, it became apparent to me that he would not survive. One girl starting crying as her spouse implored her to do CPR to save the man. People prayed and counseled over his body, trying to give whatever help they could. Yet, it didn't seem that anyone actually knew this man.
As the police arrived, the small circle surrounding him dispersed. Seconds later, the fire department rolled up with a stretcher. Yet, as they inspected the poor man's body, they found him lifeless. My girlfriend shed a tear. I sat dispassionate, disgusted by what I've become accustomed to, and to some degree accepted in my life.
Violence surrounds us at every turn. On the television, in movies, videogames, and music. So rampant, and easily digested, that we barely recognize its hideous head. Well, last Friday night, I witnessed the ugly face of gun violence. Its less entertaining in person, it cuts deep, and snatches away dreams. I can't accept violence in my community as a side effect of the hood. It is my duty to get angry enough that I'm inspired to fight against it. Otherwise, I'm the silent majority, accepting the crude legislation of socioeconomic hardship.
My awakening occurred this past Friday night. I was rolling with my girlfriend from Taco Bell of all places. She had the idea to go check out "Black New World" a club near my house in the lower bottoms of west Oakland. Cool. Its something that we always do since its so close, and its generally a chill vibe there. As I made a left on to Pine street, I was immediately shocked at the sight of a man laying on his back near the next intersection. Something about it sent a feeling of dread through me, and I wanted to turn the car around and go home. Instead, we drove up to the figure, and found a man with gunshot wounds in his stomach, struggling to stay alive.
It must have just happened, because one of the neighbors from nearby was already calling the police as people slowly streamed out of their homes. I couldn't believe that we had haphazardly discovered this grisly scene. We parked the car and joined the growing cluster surrounding the man, encouraging him to live. As I looked at his wounds and his breathing pattern, it became apparent to me that he would not survive. One girl starting crying as her spouse implored her to do CPR to save the man. People prayed and counseled over his body, trying to give whatever help they could. Yet, it didn't seem that anyone actually knew this man.
As the police arrived, the small circle surrounding him dispersed. Seconds later, the fire department rolled up with a stretcher. Yet, as they inspected the poor man's body, they found him lifeless. My girlfriend shed a tear. I sat dispassionate, disgusted by what I've become accustomed to, and to some degree accepted in my life.
Violence surrounds us at every turn. On the television, in movies, videogames, and music. So rampant, and easily digested, that we barely recognize its hideous head. Well, last Friday night, I witnessed the ugly face of gun violence. Its less entertaining in person, it cuts deep, and snatches away dreams. I can't accept violence in my community as a side effect of the hood. It is my duty to get angry enough that I'm inspired to fight against it. Otherwise, I'm the silent majority, accepting the crude legislation of socioeconomic hardship.
Friday, September 21, 2007
re: The Jena 6
Greetings to the worldwide blogging community. This is my first blog, and you can probably tell that I'm quite elated. But, since I'll be speaking about the infamous Jena 6 case, this will be a baptism by fire. The whole situation reeks of 50's era conservatism, ignorance, and the classic fabric of American racism.
The following video gives an indepth analysis of the social underpinnings of small town Jena, Louisiana. A town which is 85% white, where several black students were beaten and even threatened with a shotgun in the previous weeks leading up to the retaliation beating of the white student. Since when has it been okay to beat black students and go unpunished, but when one white boy gets knocked out, all of a sudden the charge becomes attempted murder!?!
We can no longer, as the Hip Hop communitiy stand to the side and allow unjustice to go unchecked. Rappers are quick to guntalk when its beef with another artist, but won't step up and say anything when our young brothers are getting mistreated like jim crow is still in effect. Its really quite sickening. Yet in still, the news blasts the latest update on OJ Simpson's latest catastrophe, but barely whispers about the galvanizing protests arising in Jena.
It is my hope that we take note of the rushing tide of ignorance that has swept thru our country as of late. From Don Imus's "nappy headed hoes", to Michael Richard's n word tirade, to Megan William's being tortured for days by 6 white people (2 men, 2 women, a girl and boy), back to good ol' Jena, Louisiana. We...need to wake the fuck up.
The following video gives an indepth analysis of the social underpinnings of small town Jena, Louisiana. A town which is 85% white, where several black students were beaten and even threatened with a shotgun in the previous weeks leading up to the retaliation beating of the white student. Since when has it been okay to beat black students and go unpunished, but when one white boy gets knocked out, all of a sudden the charge becomes attempted murder!?!
We can no longer, as the Hip Hop communitiy stand to the side and allow unjustice to go unchecked. Rappers are quick to guntalk when its beef with another artist, but won't step up and say anything when our young brothers are getting mistreated like jim crow is still in effect. Its really quite sickening. Yet in still, the news blasts the latest update on OJ Simpson's latest catastrophe, but barely whispers about the galvanizing protests arising in Jena.
It is my hope that we take note of the rushing tide of ignorance that has swept thru our country as of late. From Don Imus's "nappy headed hoes", to Michael Richard's n word tirade, to Megan William's being tortured for days by 6 white people (2 men, 2 women, a girl and boy), back to good ol' Jena, Louisiana. We...need to wake the fuck up.
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