I would like to correct the previous post which indicates that none of the students had records as I have found out that Mychal Bell was convicted as a juvenile of battery. Will look into this, but I still believe that to charge the youths as adults for attempted murder initially was excessive.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
I Love My People - Keep the Movement Going
This post was supposed to go up yesterday, but here it is a day late.
Feeling good to be a Black woman today!
The end of the day has finally arrived! Thank you Jesus! As I hop into my black SUV the late summer sun is beaming and the thermostat reads a whopping 85, which explains why I'm feeling all sticky right now. I tune into the Michael Baisden show on WZAK FM 93.1 and immediately my state of discomfort is washed away as I listen to the brothers talking about the march and rally planned for the next day in Jena, LA. The sun shining down on me as become the beacon and ray of hope in my world as I smile with deep pride.
Not since the Million Man March have I felt such a deep pride in my brothers and sisters, particularly the younger set. My emotions are heightened, but at the same time I'm kicking myself for not being in a position to make that journey - this is history in the making! Many people were still making light of the situation and straddling fences, but I knew deep within my being that the BROTHERS would step up in LARGE numbers to bring attention to one of the many injustices leveled against my people on a daily basis.
Fast forward to this morning. Every morning I awaken to the sounds of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, and today was no different than any other except I also turned on the television to see if the majority media had decided this was a story WORTHY of their coverage. I was pleasantly surprised to see NBC and CNN with reporters on scene reporting back that the buses were rolling in large numbers.
I proudly donned by black apparel in support of the Jena 6 and began my short commute to work. In route I tuned into the Russ Parr Morning Show and caught Rev. Jesse Jackson's interview. Arriving at work I was pleased to see that many of my co-workers had also donned black in support of the Jena 6 and there was a buzz in the air as everyone wanted to know, "Have you heard anything, has the march started?"
Tuning into to cnn.com we were able to keep an ear and eye on the activities during the day and to see the masses gathered took me back to October 16, 1995 and the bubbling joy I felt as I traveled I-76 to the nation's capital in a sea of black.
As I wallow in joy this evening my hope is that the Movement continues. I continue to discount the naysayers who have claimed "these were bad boys - they have records." Well if that were the case I'm sure this would be plastered across the television, newspapers and the blogsphere!
Do I support the act of violence that landed these young men in jail? No, violence is not the answer, but over zealous prosecution is not either! If high school brawls were subject to this type of prosecution across the board we would have a lot of vacant high schools.
I applaud Michael Baisden, Rev. Al Sharpton, Tom Joyner, Ice Cube, Rev. Jesse Jackson and the countless others who stood up for injustice! It warms my heart to see that so many of our young people have found something that they can come together on.
Take the spirit, energy and conviction for right and wrong to your hometowns, schools and communities and let's show the world that we are strong and committed race of people who will no longer settle for what is offered and will stand up when we know that our rights have been trampled on!
Feeling good to be a Black woman today!
The end of the day has finally arrived! Thank you Jesus! As I hop into my black SUV the late summer sun is beaming and the thermostat reads a whopping 85, which explains why I'm feeling all sticky right now. I tune into the Michael Baisden show on WZAK FM 93.1 and immediately my state of discomfort is washed away as I listen to the brothers talking about the march and rally planned for the next day in Jena, LA. The sun shining down on me as become the beacon and ray of hope in my world as I smile with deep pride.
Not since the Million Man March have I felt such a deep pride in my brothers and sisters, particularly the younger set. My emotions are heightened, but at the same time I'm kicking myself for not being in a position to make that journey - this is history in the making! Many people were still making light of the situation and straddling fences, but I knew deep within my being that the BROTHERS would step up in LARGE numbers to bring attention to one of the many injustices leveled against my people on a daily basis.
Fast forward to this morning. Every morning I awaken to the sounds of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, and today was no different than any other except I also turned on the television to see if the majority media had decided this was a story WORTHY of their coverage. I was pleasantly surprised to see NBC and CNN with reporters on scene reporting back that the buses were rolling in large numbers.
I proudly donned by black apparel in support of the Jena 6 and began my short commute to work. In route I tuned into the Russ Parr Morning Show and caught Rev. Jesse Jackson's interview. Arriving at work I was pleased to see that many of my co-workers had also donned black in support of the Jena 6 and there was a buzz in the air as everyone wanted to know, "Have you heard anything, has the march started?"
Tuning into to cnn.com we were able to keep an ear and eye on the activities during the day and to see the masses gathered took me back to October 16, 1995 and the bubbling joy I felt as I traveled I-76 to the nation's capital in a sea of black.
As I wallow in joy this evening my hope is that the Movement continues. I continue to discount the naysayers who have claimed "these were bad boys - they have records." Well if that were the case I'm sure this would be plastered across the television, newspapers and the blogsphere!
Do I support the act of violence that landed these young men in jail? No, violence is not the answer, but over zealous prosecution is not either! If high school brawls were subject to this type of prosecution across the board we would have a lot of vacant high schools.
I applaud Michael Baisden, Rev. Al Sharpton, Tom Joyner, Ice Cube, Rev. Jesse Jackson and the countless others who stood up for injustice! It warms my heart to see that so many of our young people have found something that they can come together on.
Take the spirit, energy and conviction for right and wrong to your hometowns, schools and communities and let's show the world that we are strong and committed race of people who will no longer settle for what is offered and will stand up when we know that our rights have been trampled on!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
The Rise in Urban Violence
Hailing from the land of Cleve has never been a problem for me, and even today it's not but recent media reports have me wondering if I have been transplanted to the Wild, Wild, West. About ten days ago there was a tragic traffic fatality in downtown Cleveland. A suburban couple ventured into the city to see The Lion King in celebration of the wife's birthday, but tragically she was run down by a stolen vehicle driven by a 13-year-old before the curtain even had a chance to rise.
Adding to the tragedy is the emotional outcry from the community and the underlying theme of race. You see Mrs. DiGiorgio, the victim, was white and the four suspects are all black males. Yet when writing about this story everyone has tap danced around the implications of race only stressing the need for an increased police presence, a louder voice from the Mayor and an end to lawlessness.
When I first heard about the crash I, too, was outraged because another human being had died senselessly. I, too, called for tough punishment for the 13-year-old driver. During a conversation shortly after the crash I implored "he was grown enough to steal a car, and run from police so he's grown enough to do adult time in jail."
This young man's actions and those of countless others like him leave a bad taste in my mouth because when all the dirt is done somebody, usually a mother, sister, aunt or grandmother with a tear streaked face laments "He's not a bad child. I never had any problems out of him, he just got mixed up with the wrong crowd," or something along those lines.
My question becomes "how did he get with that crowd? Where were you?" Over the years I have learned to give some slack to some parents who really have attempted to steer their children on the right path but for whatever reason "ManMan" was just destined for criminal activity. But many others have left their children to raise themselves while they either struggle to survive or live their lives as though they are childless.
Much attention has been given to the violent crimes that are taking over our streets, but all in all I still don't feel unsafe in my home. I still freely travel the streets of Cleveland - some worse than others without tensing up and fearing I am going to be the next victim, but I am real concerned about the lack of values being taught behind the closed doors of the homes I pass.
When we as a society return to what I call "Basic Home Training" we should begin to see a decrease in some of the lawlessness that is permeating our communities. Beginning as toddlers we set boundaries and rules that we carry on through elementary, middle and high school and just maybe we would have a different culture of young teens walking the street.
Adding to the tragedy is the emotional outcry from the community and the underlying theme of race. You see Mrs. DiGiorgio, the victim, was white and the four suspects are all black males. Yet when writing about this story everyone has tap danced around the implications of race only stressing the need for an increased police presence, a louder voice from the Mayor and an end to lawlessness.
When I first heard about the crash I, too, was outraged because another human being had died senselessly. I, too, called for tough punishment for the 13-year-old driver. During a conversation shortly after the crash I implored "he was grown enough to steal a car, and run from police so he's grown enough to do adult time in jail."
This young man's actions and those of countless others like him leave a bad taste in my mouth because when all the dirt is done somebody, usually a mother, sister, aunt or grandmother with a tear streaked face laments "He's not a bad child. I never had any problems out of him, he just got mixed up with the wrong crowd," or something along those lines.
My question becomes "how did he get with that crowd? Where were you?" Over the years I have learned to give some slack to some parents who really have attempted to steer their children on the right path but for whatever reason "ManMan" was just destined for criminal activity. But many others have left their children to raise themselves while they either struggle to survive or live their lives as though they are childless.
Much attention has been given to the violent crimes that are taking over our streets, but all in all I still don't feel unsafe in my home. I still freely travel the streets of Cleveland - some worse than others without tensing up and fearing I am going to be the next victim, but I am real concerned about the lack of values being taught behind the closed doors of the homes I pass.
When we as a society return to what I call "Basic Home Training" we should begin to see a decrease in some of the lawlessness that is permeating our communities. Beginning as toddlers we set boundaries and rules that we carry on through elementary, middle and high school and just maybe we would have a different culture of young teens walking the street.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Update Kiri Davis Won Cosmogirl Contest!!!
Yippee! Yea! Yea! I was particularly happy to stop by Tayari's site and find out that Kiri Davis, the young lady from New York featured here actually won the contest! I was a little concerned after the claims that there was tampering on the contest site, but it's official Kiri won the $10,000 prize and then some. For details check out the Cosmo site!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Finding Peace in the Sunset
A good deal of my time has been spent finding solace in some of my other pleasures - this photo of the Cleveland sunset is one of them.
Enjoy!
Hiatus
I have not posted in the last several months, but I have been busy reading and re-evaluating the blog and what the focus should be. I'm still toying with this, but I hope to publish more frequently in the weeks to come.
A few things I will do more of is linking to sites that I find helpful, intriguing and/or just fun! Here are the first of my link submissions:
If you're looking for some good southern humor then look no further than LadyLee, I've been lurking on her site for quite some time now and she is sure to give you a laugh when you're in need. She doesn't claim to be a writer yet, but if you read some of her stories you will probably wonder why she's not published!
If you're a writer looking for great tips advice and just a little down to earth knowledge from an accomplished author - check out Tayari Jones' blog!
Writers looking for sites seeking submissions should check out Ericka Dreifus's Practicing Writer
Soon to be published author Lori Johnson offers more southern humor and thoughts at Lori's Old School Mix.
Hip Hop fans will learn much at Indy Hip Hop World.
That's it for this posting - see you soon in the blogsphere!
A few things I will do more of is linking to sites that I find helpful, intriguing and/or just fun! Here are the first of my link submissions:
If you're looking for some good southern humor then look no further than LadyLee, I've been lurking on her site for quite some time now and she is sure to give you a laugh when you're in need. She doesn't claim to be a writer yet, but if you read some of her stories you will probably wonder why she's not published!
If you're a writer looking for great tips advice and just a little down to earth knowledge from an accomplished author - check out Tayari Jones' blog!
Writers looking for sites seeking submissions should check out Ericka Dreifus's Practicing Writer
Soon to be published author Lori Johnson offers more southern humor and thoughts at Lori's Old School Mix.
Hip Hop fans will learn much at Indy Hip Hop World.
That's it for this posting - see you soon in the blogsphere!
Can You Legislate Morality?
There is a strong debate going on in Cleveland after Ward 11 Councilman Mike Polensek penned this scathing letter to a young man recently arrested for at least the second time for suspicion of peddling drugs in Ward 11. As a resident of this community I was not at all offended or appalled by the Councilman's actions.
When I first heard of the controversy I said Councilman Polensek could have chosen his words a little more carefully, but knowing him - I know this is how he replies when he is passionate about something and he is very passionate about Ward 11.
I had a conversation about the letter with someone very close to me when they first saw a newscast recounting the story and he was upset with the Councilman because he felt Polensek was just irked that the young man would not shake his hand during there first encounter. However when my friend saw the Councilman on another newscast and learned the history between the Councilman and the suspect he had another viewpoint - one which left him reeling at the mother.
The problem I have with this whole controversy is that a mother has taken the harsh criticism of her son by the Councilman and tried to shape it into a threat against her son. In a televised interview she stated that her young daughter - 12 - I believe questioned whether the Councilman was going to kill her brother. If you read the letter there is no implied threat against the young man.
In the first "reference" to death Polensek writes "There are only two places you will end up at the rate you are going - that is, prison or the nearest funeral home." Now, what mother, father, preacher, teacher hasn't spoken those same words to some child headed down the path of destruction?
His second reference comes in the closing "Go to jail or the cemetery soon,". Again, he in no ways says I will send you, help you etc. So the only way the daughter could have implied such is by overhearing adults in her home come to their own conclusions about the statements.
My second problem with the mother is that she has implied that Polensek's "dumber than mud" statement has a racial connotation. As a black woman I do not compare my appearance with that of mud so therefore I don't take offense with the statement.
There has been a lot said about whether the same message could have been sent without the use of profanity - possibly, but having been in a similar situation before I believe that oft times you have to use the terminology the recipient is familiar with and can relate to in order to get the point across.
About ten years ago I was in the process of rehabbing a house that had been left vacant for a number of months when I encountered children ranging in age from 8-about 13 who had come to see this property as their playground. I stopped what I was doing and went outside and politely explained that the home was no longer vacant and that they could no longer play in the yard. About fifteen minutes later they were back. Again I went outside and attempted to reason with them - to no avail. The last time I went outside I used profanity to get my point across and my problem was solved. My mother who was working with me, took offense to my choice of words saying "They are just children," but a large number of the children of today are not being raised in the manner in which my parents raised me. That is where the problem lies.
Cleveland City Councilwoman Fannie Lewis recently stated, "you can't legislate morality" in response to questions concerning Polensek's letter. Lewis said she understands the frustration of Polensek and that there is a problem that has to be addressed.
Again, Mike was harsh in his terms but I as a resident of Ward 11 applaud his actions because he is committed to the same things that I want - a community free of drug dealing teens and adults who think they can destroy my community.
For more on this controversy, check out this link. My friend Radiogirl also blogs on this subject - check her out here.
When I first heard of the controversy I said Councilman Polensek could have chosen his words a little more carefully, but knowing him - I know this is how he replies when he is passionate about something and he is very passionate about Ward 11.
I had a conversation about the letter with someone very close to me when they first saw a newscast recounting the story and he was upset with the Councilman because he felt Polensek was just irked that the young man would not shake his hand during there first encounter. However when my friend saw the Councilman on another newscast and learned the history between the Councilman and the suspect he had another viewpoint - one which left him reeling at the mother.
The problem I have with this whole controversy is that a mother has taken the harsh criticism of her son by the Councilman and tried to shape it into a threat against her son. In a televised interview she stated that her young daughter - 12 - I believe questioned whether the Councilman was going to kill her brother. If you read the letter there is no implied threat against the young man.
In the first "reference" to death Polensek writes "There are only two places you will end up at the rate you are going - that is, prison or the nearest funeral home." Now, what mother, father, preacher, teacher hasn't spoken those same words to some child headed down the path of destruction?
His second reference comes in the closing "Go to jail or the cemetery soon,". Again, he in no ways says I will send you, help you etc. So the only way the daughter could have implied such is by overhearing adults in her home come to their own conclusions about the statements.
My second problem with the mother is that she has implied that Polensek's "dumber than mud" statement has a racial connotation. As a black woman I do not compare my appearance with that of mud so therefore I don't take offense with the statement.
There has been a lot said about whether the same message could have been sent without the use of profanity - possibly, but having been in a similar situation before I believe that oft times you have to use the terminology the recipient is familiar with and can relate to in order to get the point across.
About ten years ago I was in the process of rehabbing a house that had been left vacant for a number of months when I encountered children ranging in age from 8-about 13 who had come to see this property as their playground. I stopped what I was doing and went outside and politely explained that the home was no longer vacant and that they could no longer play in the yard. About fifteen minutes later they were back. Again I went outside and attempted to reason with them - to no avail. The last time I went outside I used profanity to get my point across and my problem was solved. My mother who was working with me, took offense to my choice of words saying "They are just children," but a large number of the children of today are not being raised in the manner in which my parents raised me. That is where the problem lies.
Cleveland City Councilwoman Fannie Lewis recently stated, "you can't legislate morality" in response to questions concerning Polensek's letter. Lewis said she understands the frustration of Polensek and that there is a problem that has to be addressed.
Again, Mike was harsh in his terms but I as a resident of Ward 11 applaud his actions because he is committed to the same things that I want - a community free of drug dealing teens and adults who think they can destroy my community.
For more on this controversy, check out this link. My friend Radiogirl also blogs on this subject - check her out here.
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