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Entry for May 02, 2007

The Poet's Bench

C.C.C. Student Walter Simon Accused of Murder

An early morning shooting in SF’s Tenderloin left one woman dead and four other people injured.

An as-yet-unknown person initiated the gunfire, which prompted 32-year-old Walter Simon, a wheelchair-bound Contra Costa College student to return shots, witnesses said. SF police Sgt. Neville Gittens said, as a result of the ensuing shootout, a woman was killed and among the four injured, a 23-year-old woman suffered life threatening injuries. Simon, a Richmond resident, has denied the shooting and was at first booked on one count of homicide and three counts of assault with a deadly weapon. He has been rebooked on charges of being an ex-felon in possession of a weapon. The shootings allegedly took place in the 300 block of Ellis Street around 12:03 a.m. According to Gittens, police believe Simon is responsible for three counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count of homicide. Police do not know who was responsible for the other victim of the gunfire and also took into custody a gun that they believe was used in the attack.

The shootings come on the heels of recent criticism leveled by San Francisco police over what they characterize as a lenient criminal justice system that frequently fails to seriously punish repeat offenders -- even when they were arrested on gun charges and for other serious felonies. Simon was free, records show, as a result of the collapse of a gun possession case against him last year. On Tuesday, a spokeswoman for District Attorney Kamala Harris defended prosecutors' handling of Simon’s prior arrests saying adverse rulings by judges and weaknesses in evidence collected by police is what actually resulted in Simon being freed. "He actually has managed to separate from the (gangster lifestyle) and lead a responsible life and appears to be a young man who has made significant efforts to turn his life around with some success and lead a responsible life'' a defense lawyer has said.

I Mus’ be crazy

by Ali Baba the Oaktown Griot

Do we care what Don Imus says or thinks? If a Mexican rapper said "Chinga tu Madre" in a Mexican rap song on Telemundo, would there be a comparison to what he feels about his Mexican mother and what Don Imus would have to say about Mexican women? Would there be an outcry by Mexican people to hang the Mexican rapper's laundry out for everyone to see because of what Don Imus has to say about Mexican women?

Hell no! Firstly, because you would never have seen or heard about Imus on Telemundo. Mexican television pretty much has their own icons and personalities but I’ll bet a dollar to a donut (yeah, I know that a donut these days costs about a dollar) that the majority of regular, television watching Mexicans don’t even know who Don Imus is! Secondly, Spanish language media is responsible for the policing of the content of their own programming and their viewers and listeners aren't giving a rat's ass about what you or I think about their cultural nuances either in their speech or otherwise. I’m sure that they don’t care whether or not you or I even UNDERSTAND that speech or those nuances. It seems that it is only us, the Blacks who always seem to have to apologize for being racial while cowering under the scrutiny of the dominant culture’s considerations and biases.

But why should we have to explain or apologize about our sovereign dialogue with ourselves? Fuggeddaboutit! Neither should Don Imus, or Fox Television have to apologize. We already know that Fox is a racist institution and those who have heard Don Imus before should already know that he is a racist. But there is still the drive on the part of Black “leaders and spokespersons” to apologize when someone like Sista Souljah makes a comment like she made, no matter how true it may be. The absolute fact of all this is that, no matter what we say and/or do as a people, Black people can never be racist because racial superiority is a part of the contrived mythology white people and institutions like Imus and Fox have created to support their claim to power that they hold but don’t deserve! And as long as BET is owned by Time/Warner, and nigguhs don't have a "clear channel", none of what we say is subject to admissibility in the court of status quo opinion. I believe that it is time that the media learn to be students of us not we of them. In other words, "Do as we say, not as we do. If I need Don Imus' (or Reverend Sharpton's) opinion I'll ask for it." -- AB the OG

What did you say about my hair?

by Princess Tonya

I am so annoyed with society's constant message to Black women that we are not enough or less than. Don Imus, without couth, just verbalized the message that has been communicated to us forever. 'The Nappy Headed Ho' comment was just unwarranted name calling demonstrating pop culture's sentiment for black women. How is it that currently many in our country value and have a constant preoccupation with a parade of less than talented blondes but view educated and talented young African American women as inadequate?

Through Marilyn, Madonna, Paris, Brittany, Anna all women have been sent the message of a bottle of hair dye, boobs and no scruples as the shortcut to success. When a white women is missing, raped or killed it garners continuous national attention but black families have to fight for a mere mention on there local news. As if white America has a patent on good grammar, why is it surprising to see media images of a black woman articulating anything other then urban slang and sass? Celebrating our cultural differences doesn't mean embracing and depicting negative stereotypes. Imus not only broke an unspoken rule of not talking about a black women's hair, but he used an attribute that has become a symbol of pride and empowerment to negatively portray us. Although as a group we are physically diverse, we have strived to squash the messages by embracing and celebrating the distinct characteristics that define us as women of African decent. There has been a resurgence of black women proudly wearing Afrocentric hairdos such as braids, dreadlocks and afros. We all remember the black pride photos depicting Afros and risen fist.

I remember at a young age having to overcome the idea that white is good and black is bad. I had an intelligent girlfriend tell me I was a goody-goody because I obviously had white in me. I was just speaking with relatives about teasingly calling our kids bad. Even though it is meaning mischievous, energetic or playful, black children don't need any additional negative messages. I grew up not totally fitting or meeting anyone's cultural standards with full lips, hazel eyes, ashy hair and light skin. I was not black enough for some but still not fitting society's image of beauty.

Many African American's suffer from identity and self image issues due to the media's denigration of black characteristics. Michael Jackson isn't a woman but his skin bleaching plastic surgery destruction of his body serves as an extreme example of the damage of cultural denigration. I subconsciously as a preteen lined my lips inside the natural lip line because a teacher said I had big lips. Even Tiger rejected and refused to wear the banner of African American pride. I have seen sub-Saharan appearing African Americans dilute their blood by claiming to be of every ethnic group but of African descent as if it were a dreadful disease.

Although it was related to family, in my blog "Sex And The City Provokes Questions" I wrote about the diversion tactics people use in an attempt to evade difficult and hurtful issues. I have constantly watched the subject changed on the Imus issue. Later, we can candidly discuss self-degradation in the black community but the Imus issue is about the white male controlled medias role, corporate America's responsibility and accountability, appropriate language in the main stream and how women and minorities are viewed and valued. Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton, and Hip Hop music are needed discussions but are diversions of the public discussion. We all understand the damage of Hip Hop but who controls the recording and distribution? Does corporate America define our taste or does our taste drive the market? Haven't you found yourself grooving to a heavy rotation of a tune you hate?

I, like so many of my sistah soldiers have never been able to put blinders on to the ugliness of poverty, the deterioration of the nuclear family, legacy of racism, the destruction of addiction, the unjust legal system and the inadequate urban school systems. Katrina demonstrated the ignorance and disregard for the critical issues in the Black community based on the legacy of racism. Because these times are difficult for us all, when issues of race arise, the discussion is hampered by White America's refusal to admit it's privilege. We can talk about the Holocaust because that doesn't directly convict us as a nation. But issues deriving from the legacy of slavery and segregation erupts groans of get over it, stop being a victim and they're pulling out the race card. Race is not something that can be pulled out when it's convenient; it is always a factor in every African American's life.

Despite the constant devaluing, strife and continued historical hindrances African American women have made great strides in home ownership, college graduation rates and in our leadership roles. We have a long way to go but I am proud of the distance we've gone within my mother's lifetime of segregation. Our wounds run deep but 70% of us are too busy supporting our families with the absence of men, to complain. We are not surprised that the men in our community have even been seduced by the message that we are less than. We are no longer viewed as the beautiful black Queens of the past but viewed as difficult-nappy head snapping sass talking big butts. How we are depicted in the media is important because these images are all some in white American encounter of us, it shapes young girls image of themselves and affect how men view and respond to us. My blog, "Sista's Battle Cry" portray African American women as strong survivors that shoulder the burdens in our community.

Arizona Legislature Targets Gangs

Other states may follow suit

Phoenix – The Arizona House unanimously approved a bill yesterday to target criminal street gangs by spending millions more on specialized law enforcement and making gang-related crimes subject to stiffer sentences. The bill, championed by House Speaker Jim Weiers, now goes to the Senate. Critics of the legislation say bills such as this one reflect the continued criminalization of the poor and view this type of legislation as an attempt to shore up the already failed “war on drugs”.

“Bills such as these are an attempt to hold the poor responsible for their own impoverishment” says Poet/Social-Activist Zahieb Mwongozi. “By unfairly penalizing the poor for their desperate and often illegal attempts to escape the wretchedness of abject poverty, the government is trying to make being poor and organized at the same time a crime.”

“Has any of this really worked in terms of stopping drugs or crime in the inner-city? All of the manifestations of the so-called war on drugs have done nothing but criminalize and contain the poor in their own communities. Increased law enforcement to target drug use and abuse has clearly ended up in a failed catch all strategy resulting in disparate sentencing of the poor for crimes similar to their wealthier counterparts. More often than not, this approach skews police practices which results in racial profiling in the community and this only serves to continue the subjugation of poor people.”

The bill would appropriate $3.5 million for prosecution and intelligence gathering. With some of that money, the state Department of Public Safety would be permitted to contract with a vendor to use public records and other means to monitor the movement and changes in residence of gang members, including those moving in or out of Arizona.

“The new definition of the war on drugs is the war on terrorism.” Says Mwongozi. “They’re scared of the real sleeping giant. They’re not looking for Bin-Laden, they want the nigguhs standing on the corner.”

My inna me is my enemy


hate my enemy

don't trust my enemy

keep my enemy closer
then my friend.

destroy my enemy before
my enemy destroys me.

... Isn't that
the order of things?

soul stripped of
it's spirit
heart hardened
emotions
p a r a l y z e d

melanin in skin irritate
and disgust
broad nostrils inhale
sour odor of self hatred.
strong structure weakened
by sustained ignorance
mind set on
p r e d e s t i n e d
failure


nappy hair hassles
along with full lips
that spit
o b s c e n i t i e s
to thick thighs
round hips
and backside.
deep brown eyes
reflect envy of
a different hue.

my inna'me
is my enemy

-- SmooVerbiage

© 2007

Angel's Thread

I felt the darkness descend on a true love of mine.
It came out of the blue, a soul mate’s triggered design
He doesn’t know how close I am or if I still care
But in his heart he knows I’ll always be there.

I pray that he’s safe and no harm comes to him
Like his guardian angel, the thread remains within
He will seek out his life and take in all that he can
And through this he’ll learn to be happy again.

The darkness he faces is merely his own
Shadowed by doubt in his heart he calls home
I can be there if he lets me, or call on me to see
When he’s found his way back to true certainty

By will not by force, I will wait in the wings
And pray that he finds all the wondrous things
That life’s how you choose it and thoughts do create
The world as you see it… there's no debate.

No matter how far, or no matter how long
My breath will stay with him like a memorable
song
I’ve been sent on my way, this time seems for sure,
He has no words left and is closing the door.

Wherever I am or wherever I go
This angel thread will always let me know
That he’s safe and he’s sound and always around
All I need is this thread to let go.

-- Candi © 2007

Augusta Lee Collins and Toney Thibodeaux w/ M-PULSE!

Augusta Lee Collins and Toney Thibodeaux withM-PULSE will be performing their original music (Blues/ R&B/ Country/ Folk/ Reggae/ Ballads and creative sounds) on the following dates and times:

May 3rd & 17th, 6pm
La Pena Cultural Center
Cafe
Valparaiso
Berkeley, CA
May 8th,
11am
Law Library
Oakland, CA

May 23rd,
Noon
On the stairs of
Oakland City Hall
Downtown Oakland, CA
Don’t miss it!

Oakland Poetry Slam's Blurbs

reprinted in solidarity with our colleagues at the oakland poetry slam

http://www.myspace.com/oaklandslam

If there’s one show you go to this year make this show that one – you’ll thank yourself for it.

The brOakland Poetry Slam (and open mic)
Cafe' Axe' 1525 Webster St. Oakland 94612
1st & 3rd Fridays Monthly
SPECIAL EVENT W/ SLAM TEAMS FROM ALL OVER THE BAY AREA
Featuring Chitown's BILLY TUGGLE!
Hosted by Nazelah & Dahled, DJ Agana
Limited Sign-ups –
7:45 / Show – 8:00
Food, Drink & Cash Prizes!!!
$5 General Admission
ALL AGES!!!


Each summer Slams from dozens of scenes representing cities as far-flung as Paris (that's France! not TX), Vancouver and every single state in the US (yup, including Hawaii & Alaska) send teams to the National Poetry Slam. This year there are more teams (100+) than there are spaces available at Nationals (75) so teams must compete with each other regionally in “bouts” in order to see who gets to go to the big show. These bouts are being held at Slams all across the country but in The Bay the only one will be at The brOakland Slam on March 16th. If you’ve ever wondered what all the fuss was about with National’s or want a taste of the fiercest competition around then you NEED to get to this show!

Representing in the bout will be teams from brOakland, The Hot Water Slam (Oakland), Berzerkeley (Berkeley), San Francisco (Poleng Lounge), Sacramento (Sweet Fingers), San Jose (Britannia Arms) and possibly Modesto (Slam on Rye) & Santa Cruz as well. To further stir the pot we will also be placing the entrants of our open slam (limited to 6 this week) into the mix as individual competitors. If you’re a poet and think you can run with the big dogs then here’s your chance to compete side by side with some of the most talented folks in the area. Open Slam competitors compete for cash prizes and the chance to rep brOakland at this year’s Nationals in Austin TX.

And we even have a feature for you too. Our featured poet for the evening is Billy “Karma” Tuggle. Billy is a B-Boy poet and vocalist born and raised in the Chicagoland area. A Hip Hop cultural activist, he co-founded Chicago crews STS (Storm Troopers) and
7 In a Cipher, as well as serving as a local organizer for the Temple of Hip Hop.

His biggest ambition is in recording. Karma has recorded with Hip-Hop artists DJ Risky Bizness (800lb. Gorillas), O-Type Star and Vector Sigma (Third Op) among others. Billy is also at work on new projects with MN8, Jesse De La Pena and more. The Turnstyle Sessions, Billy's full-length, solo debut, will be coming soon from Motion Pictures Recordings.

What it is and where to get it.

Remember, if you have any news you’d like to share, or any announcements you’d like to make such as weddings, obituaries or special events just send it to us at least two weeks prior and we’ll be glad to run it. E mail us at poetbench @ yahoo.com or call (415) 861-3024

Mondays:
The Oakland Metro, weekly
7:00 open-mic, 10:30 Feature, 11:00 party w/ the band!
FREE b4
9:30 - $3.00 after
Contact: http://www.myspace.com/tomkatsopenmic for info.

Poetically Speaking”
8pm, 1st Mondays monthly
Hotel De Anza, Downtown
San Jose
Features Only - Contact AM Entertainment for booking: amentertainment06@gmail.com

Tuesdays:
”Sho You Write” Writing Workshop

5:30 – 7:30 pm 259 Hyde Street, SF, CA

San Jose Slam - weekly
Contact:
http://www.sanjosepoetryslam.com/ for info.

Cometri: Laughter & Lyrics @ The Blue Candle
7-10pm,

Dorsey's Locker (1st and 3rd Tues), 5817 Shattuck Ave, Oakland, CA

Poetry Diversified” - 1st & 3rd Tues monthly
Contact: http://www.worldgrounds.com/events.html for info.

Wednesdays:
Mouth Off” – (Weekly)
Contact:
http://www.myspace.com/mouthoffairloungue for info

Bezrkeley Slam” - weekly
Contact: http://www.berkeleypoetryslam.com/

Thursdays:

Zazoo Restaurant, 15 Embarcadero

(Next to KTVU Channel 2)

(Weekly) (510) 228-7400

Holla Back” open mic(Weekly)
Contact: http://www.myspace.com/hollabackesa

Dalva

Open Mic - 2nd & 4th Thurs
3121 16th St., San Francisco, 415 252-7740 Friday:
The brOakland Poetry Slam - 1st & 3rd Fridays
Cafe Axe' -
1525 Webster St.
8:00 - open-mic, 8:30 - slam
$3.00 to read & for OUSD Students/teachers
$5.00 to watch
Contact: http://www.myspace.com/oaklandslam

Fridays:
718.496.2305The brOakland Poetry Slam - 1st Fridays

The Oakland Metro Theater - 201 Broadway @ 2nd
Jack
london Sq. Oakland 94607
8:00 - sign-ups / 8:15 - show
$5.00 General Admission
http://www.myspace.com/oaklandslam

Cafe International Open Mic -
7:30 p.m. weekly
508 Haight,
San Francisco 94117

Oakland Soup -
6:30pm 4th Fridays
Temescal Cafe,
4920 Telegraph Ave.

Saturdays:
Soul Cypher - 1st Sat. monthly
http://www.myspace.com/hotwatercornbread06

Sundays:
SF Slam - 2nd Sundays Monthly
The City Slam & Experimental Mic.
thecityslam @ yahoo. com
http://www.myspace.com/sfslam

Parkway Lounge LBTQ (&Friends) Open-Mic/Freestyle Session
Sundays Weekly @ 8:00 pm
The Parkway Lounge - 1850 Park Blvd. Oakland
feel free to bring tracks
21+

Red Ink Studios open Mic - 7:00 p.m. weekly
1035 Market St. San Francisco

3rd Eye Collective presents: AI Live - monthly
www.myspace.com/3rdeyecollective

Synergy women's open mic - 3-5 pm - 3rd Sundays monthly
Frank Bette Center, Alameda

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sam Mulberry – (W.O.M.E.) 510.625-9940
sam@weekendwakeup.com

Skool-Yard Skolarz
Holistic Community Healing through Hip-Hop

Saturday, May 12, 2007 at the Havenscourt Campus from 12 – 5 PM

Oakland, CA. April 20, 2007 – With all of the discussion in scholastic circles around the Healthy Kids Initiatives and renewed concern over childhood obesity and youth-on-youth violence, Weapons Of Mass Expression, a movement of conscious hip-hop artists, is manifesting holistic rejuvenation for the community with a mixture of freestyle dance, music, live art, and organic food at its fourth annual end of the school year celebration, Skool-Yard Skolarz.

In late 2005, Jack O'Connell, California state superintendent of education, called for a new Wellness policy to address the exponential increase of juvenile obesity over the past 20 years. For Oakland, however, the roots of these issues are deeper than the schools by themselves can cope with.

With the prevalence of cheap corner store junk food; liquor, cigarettes, cigars and weed being glamorized in street and entertainment culture, and the excess and violence promoted in the mainstream media, Oakland youth are perpetually inundated with mental, social and spiritual poisons. To provide the community with an alternative message, Weapons Of Mass Expression (W.O.M.E.) has coordinated the annual Skool Yard Skolarz event and invited every positive community alternative to participate. For the past 3 years, the event has touted the opportunity for community groups to promote their programs and recruit youth into healthy activities from social movements to community centers and music and arts classes.

At the center of healthy living is one's connection to culture through music, dance and art. This year, headliners Ise Lyfe and the One Struggle Band will be joined by Fiyawata, Nac One and DJ Gigs, JB Rap of the Deep Dickollective, D Labrie, and the Style Renegades. In addition, the Animaniacs, one of the Bay's top turf dancing groups will perform one of four showcases, along with the Groovmekanex, the Playboys and W.O.M.E.

Other local dancers are invited to join in and even enter one of the two 2 – on – 2 dances battles, each for a $500 prize with beats supplies by local DJs Sake 1 and Smokestack as well as Arizona's own Randy B.

Skool Yard Skolarz has always showcased youth performers and this year, all of the big youth hip-hop labels are participating including COV Records, Youth Movement Records, BUMP Records, YEP Records and Youth Roots. In addition, the event will be hosted by COV Records youth recording artist D'angelo Lemonseed.

Healthy events would not be complete without healthy food. Last year, WOME implemented a policy of only serving organic food and will offer a wide variety of vegan and vegetarian options for 25¢/plate. Numi Organic Tea will sponsor tea.

Finally, eight of the top aerosol writers in the Bay will create a lasting difference when they each install a permanent mural live at the event, which will be sponsored by Montana Colors.

Date: Saturday, May 12, 2007
Time:
12 – 5 PM
Cost: FREE
Location:
Havenscourt Middle School Campus
1390 66th Avenue (@ International Blvd.)
Oakland CA, 94621

Volume 1, Issue 3 Spectacular Summer Edition! May –June 2007

2007-05-02 16:38:55 GMT


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