Your Silence Is Betrayal!!!!!

In a city where an Amber Alert is issued on a weekly basis, police officers are drug kings, unemployment is double the national average, council members are charged with a form a bribery every term, recreation centers are closing, jails are slated to be built, students no longer have to cheat on test because teachers are doing it for them; everyone remains silent. When referring to “everyone” I am no longer referring to the masses who are simply trying to survive in lose-lose situation. I now turn my attention to the individuals who are in position of influence. The so-called leaders in Baltimore who have chosen to not only remain silent in a crisis but in many cases continue to support those who have gotten us in this situation and no longer find it in their interest to get us out. Dr. King could not have said it better when he said, “There comes a time when silence becomes betrayal.” For Baltimore that time has passed! The silence of the so-called leaders in Baltimore has betrayed the masses of Baltimore and has killed their spirits. For too long the so-called leaders of Baltimore have put their personal interest before those they are suppose to serve. Well, that day is over! With the surge of new faces aspiring to revolutionize government in Baltimore City those so-called leaders need to be on the right side of history and step aside. We are no longer asking for our leaders to do the right thing, we are demanding it! By definition insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. With that being said, the current administration of Baltimore’s government will not do!

"Why does this matter to me?"

     May 2001, I was a 15 year old sophomore at Baltimore Jr. Academy preparing for the farewell ceremony that would take place in the coming days, W. Bush was serving his first term, the national unemployment rate was 4.3%, the national average for gas was $1.71 per gallon. Four short months, 10 days later the United States would never be the same. At 8:46 am a plane flew into the World Trade Center followed by a second plane at 9:02 am. On fire, for 102 minutes, before finally collapsing, 2819 people would be dead; and thats only the causalities in New York.  6 days later the NYSE would reopen and the Dow Jones industrial average would drop 684.81 points. And people ask, "why does this matter to me?"
     26 days after being attacked the United States began bombing the mountains of Tora Bora in Afghanistan. 10 years later 1,485 US soldiers have been killed, and an unknown number of Afghanistan civilians. A monthly cost of $3.6 billion and people ask, "why does this matter to me?"
     In October 2004, I had the unique honor and privilege to be assigned to the B battery of 3/6 Field Artillery Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division in United States Army. Upon my assignment I met people like SFC Burke, SGT Matthie, SPC Robinson, SPC Gilmore, SSG Trott, 1SG Hodo and a number of other veterans who had just returned from serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan. These heroes who sacrificed a year of their life on the front lines, willing to give their life for the freedom and protection of the same people who ask, "why does this matter to me?" The same people who stood in barbershops, hair salons, churches, praying that the person responsible be brought to justice are now acting like its not really that important!

     Osama Bin Laden knew that if he attacked the World Trade Center (the symbol of US economics) it would have a ripple effect that would last longer than any single assassination attempt or random act of terror. Bin Laden is not only responsible for the attacks on 9/11, which i admit everyone probably can not directly relate to, but he is responsible for the increase of gas prices, decrease in education funding, the growing deficit in the US budget, and the reason you go through so much at the airport. So, am I happy the person who has been terrorizing my country for the last 2 decades is gone? HELL YEAH!
      Think about it this way, if your child  has been harassed (or terrorized) for 10 years in school and in the neighborhood, how would you and your child feel when that neighbor finally moves. I hope relieved!!!
   
 

COME PICK ON ME!!!!!!!!!!

     The video shows a white transsexual woman being dragged across a McDonald's floor by her hair and the assailant is a young black girl. Prior to being dragged across the floor the white girl is being punched and kicked in the head and face as the store employees standby and watch. Finally as the attackers leave the store (for the second time), the victim has a seizure and everyone continues to standby. At first glance this incident looks like a classic cat fight but then you can't help but notice race. Its not until further investigation it is understood that this is not a hate crime against a white woman but toward a  transsexual woman by the hands of a 14 year old girl and an 18 year old girl.
     While I am no psychologist and am offering no professional opinion, I do believe poor parenting and generational homophobia are the primary causes for the hate demonstrated and inaction by the employees who stood by and videotaped the event.
     I have no clue as to who these children parents are but I do know that a child who has been PROPERLY raised would not act in such a manner showing no regard for human life. Of course the term "Properly raised" is relative to each family and there are "factors" that may make them "act out"...honestly, I don't care! There is nothing that justifies this type of behavior! So I believe the inaction of their parents are to blame.
     To the term "generational homophobia", I am referring to the homophobia that has been passed down from generation to generation in the African American community. In the United States, you would think the last person to discriminate against anyone due to race, creed, gender, or sexual orientation would be an African American. I'm sure, while Dr. King may not have agreed with a transsexuals choice of lifestyle he would give that person the utmost respect because they are HUMAN!
     Where has the humanity gone in this world? Have we become so narcissistic that we now disregard human life? No one deserves to be assaulted in the first place and more importantly NO ONE deserves to be assaulted because they are transsexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, black,white,red,brown,short,tall, etc.. If you want to pick on someone COME PICK ON ME!!!

Respect when your not respected, Love when your not loved back, and Smile when no one else is!!!

Thank You!!!!

     On April 23, 2011 I had the privilege of celebrating the birthday of and calling for the release of Marshall "Eddie" Conway. A political prisoner for the last 41 years, incarcerated right here in MD. I was shocked that prior to "Doc" Cheatham making A LOT of noise about this brother, I'd NEVER heard of him. Who was to blame for this neglect? Did I miss a lesson in elementary/ middle school during black history month? Maybe, I missed a lesson in high school!? Yeah, I'm sure someone must have mentioned him! Or, maybe my mother took the time and said something in between work, cooking dinner, and taking care of my 3 younger brothers? I'm sure it wasn't at church because the only person they tell me who loves me is Jesus! Reality check! This was the first I'd heard of him!
     A brother has served 41 years in prison for me! And there are others doing the same thing?! Thats the best thing I've heard since they told me Jesus died on the cross!
    So, thank you! Thank You Brother Conway! And, Thank You to all who are standing on the side of justice and love!

Respect when your not respected, Love when your not loved back, and Smile when no one else is!!!






    

REVOLUTION: When will it come?!?!

     A little over a week ago protesters took to the streets of Egypt demanding change. This demand for change is not one that came overnight for the people of Egypt...it was literally 30 years in the making. After being overlooked for years the people have finally organized themselves and are "being the change they want to see."
    

     In Baltimore there has been a continual cry for change, lasting almost 20 years. The older generation is tired of what is going on. The young people are "revolting" in their own way. And all in the middle are left pointing fingers to their peers as to what the problems are. Police are, recklessly, shooting into crowds of unarmed civilians, black boys are being assaulted in Park Heights, kids are bullying each other in school, politicians are becoming more corrupt (if that's even possible) and we all are silent!
     What is it going to take for the people of Baltimore to take to the streets and bring about ABSOLUTE REVOLUTION. I'm not calling for any kind of violence...simply SCREAMING that we need to wake up! Nothing is going to change as long as we remain silent!

I want to continue but I feel as though I need a breather...PT 2 coming soon!